Starbucks: Take responsibility for the milk you use

"The United Farm Workers’ need our support.   Please pass out their flyer [below] and ask customers to help encourage Starbucks to tell Darigold member dairies to stop sexual harassment and other abuses."

Dear Starbucks Manager:

The women and men who provide you with the milk to make lattes, cappuccinos, frappes and other products urgently need your help. These workers, employed on Darigold member dairies in the Pacific Northwest, have faced sexual discrimination, violations of the law, and long hours with no rest or meal breaks. To make matters worse, many of these workers have been retaliated against for speaking out, lost their jobs, and in the case of the Darigold Dozen, been sued for complaining about not receiving legally mandated breaks.

Some Darigold dairies have made a practice of sexual harassment. The harassers keep their jobs and the women get fired. It’s time to take sexual harassment out of the supply chain.

Your mission statement talks about inspiring and nurturing the human spirit. To date, consumers, elected officials, even dairy workers themselves have called on Starbucks corporate headquarters to live up to this mission and take action. But to date, nothing has changed. For that reason, I’m now asking that you add your voice to our call for justice and corporate responsibility. By demanding that Darigold immediately met with the United Farm Workers to resolve this situation, Starbucks can truly demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility. 

Starbucks is a major buyer of Darigold* milk. It needs to take social responsibility for the products it uses to make profits from.  

Your customer

*Even if the packaging of the milk does not say “Darigold”, that does not mean it was not sourced from this company.

Calming the mind works and brings peace.

Meditation the next step in freedom.

Strange Are The Ways of Ungrateful Man

Are You Ungrateful?

When trouble comes into our lives we cry out to God for help.  We are torn and racked with pain, fear and worry about the outcome of our situation.  As we kneel to pray, we do it with certainty that God will hear in some instances.  This happens only when our hearts are full and overwhelmed by life on life’s terms situations.  It doesn’t matter what is happening because what is currently occurring in our life has happened to someone in the past.  The point is now that same thing is touching our lives.  We have not seen this occur in our life before, therefore, we feel devastated as if life has somehow wronged us.  When trouble has reached us, it takes a while for us to understand that there is a lesson to be learned and a way out.  

As we traverse through the pain of being uncertain about the outcome, we call on God laying down, sitting, standing, at work, in our cars, on our friends’ shoulders and at every wakening moment.   We cry out for God’s help despite what we say we believe.  If He could just hear us, see our need and fit it; life would be so much better.  When the answer comes it’s not always what we want to hear.  Sometimes we are clearly instructed to let go and let God work it out.  Other times we are in such fear that we lack the ability to let go or even perceive those clear signs staring us in the face.

Why cry out and pray for help when you really don’t want it?  I say this because we are often given the hard choice of following God’s guidance or going it on our own.  When it comes to following the clear guidance that does not match what we think it should be, we tend to move in the opposite direction.  You really don’t want help or guidance unless it matches what you think it ought to be.  There you are stuck in your mess crying out for help only to receive it and then turn it away.   

Ungrateful man how strange are your ways.   What is even stranger is that once God’s help prevail in our situation, how quietly we forget to thank Him, praise Him, and even tell others of His goodness and mercy.  We somehow envision that it was not as bad as it had seemed, that we in some miraculous way changed the outcome of our circumstance and totally forget how hard we cried and prayed for God’s help.  Even asking for forgiveness has slipped our minds. Now in some way we have become invincible.

Trials will come and so will pain and suffering, we will cry out again and again to our God.  However, will we continue to forget His mercy?  Will we forget what has God delivered us from?  Has He healed your body or saved the life of someone close to you?  Has death taken hold of some suffering soul as a means of relief?  Yes, death comes to each of us and is the door that releases us from this world of sorrow and pleasure.

Death should be celebrated for in it lies a greater reward.  All to often we forget that God has blessed us with this life and that death is our return to unto Him.  It's all about the journey.  I am grateful to have lived and enjoyed the life my creator designed for me. My journey has taught many lessons, some very difficult to grasp and others much easier.  However, the journey home is sure.  The time and date I will reach my destination have already been determined.  There is no need to grieve, but rather focus your attention on life’s journey, for life is the path that leads to everlasting and eternal joy.  I am grateful to have shared my life with you.  “Adrienne Vanterpool”

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What is Love?

No Greater Love Than His:

How do we express your love to those we care for?   Are the people in your life sure of how you truly feel for them?  Does love make you feel vulnerable? Does commitment make you feel afraid to be who you are in the relationship?  Do you allow yourself to feel free enough to enjoy the simple things in life based on the love that you have for each individual?  Is fear controlling how you feel?  Are you able to communicate exactly how you feel? Do you feel brave enough and strong enough to love unconditionally?  Can you love without putting extra conditions on the life of the person that you say you love?  Are you judging your mate because they cannot do exactly what you say they should?  Are your feelings of love subjected to unrealistic expectations?   Do you gage your love based upon something that someone did or did not do for or toward you?  

Think of how you would feel if someone implemented any of these conditions into your relationship.   Would not you feel unworthy of being loved or cared for simply because you made a mistake or didn’t meet up to their standard?   That is not loving.   Many books have been written about the subject of love and loving.  How do we know what true love feels like?  Is it based on our definition only?  In biblical terms, love is defined by God’s love of an ungrateful people.  God’s love is shown in His ability to forgive the repentant soul and grant mercy to the sinful.  His is compassionate love, given freely to all those who would receive it.   He forgives, again and again, sends the warning of impending disaster, heals the sick, offers rest to the weary soul, shelters the homeless and provides peace in the time of war. 

What kind of love is this?  Do we have the capacity to love as exampled by God’s love for His creation?   The love of God is not dependent upon any of the conditions we place on each.  If that were so, we would be doomed.  By following the example given to us by the prophets and teachers sent to bring God’s message of hope, we learn to love in spite of ourselves. 

Placing unrealistic expectations on people we care for will only lead to destruction and not build a strong foundation for any of our relationships.   It may be difficult to love unconditionally, but the flip side is going through life facing your own demons.   Life has its ups and downs, relationships will come and go God’s love never changes and His door is still open.  Can we offer the same to those we say we love?  “Adrienne Vanterpool”

Let Food Be Your Medicine

What causes sickness and disease? 

There are many causes for sickness and disease occurring in the body.  Many of us become sick due to lack of proper nutrition while others develop sickness brought on by airborne viruses and other issues having to do with our environment.  Most medicines have been tested and tired prior to their distribution.  However, have we heard it said: “Let Food Be Your Medicine?”  When does food become a soluble solution of prevention, maintenance, and healing?  How do we use it to conquer disease in the body? 

What causes sickness or disease and one person may not adversely affect another.  Often categorized illnesses fall under question which are general and which are life-threatening. Generally the common cold, flu, diarrhea, and fever which are all short-term ailments while other life-threatening diseases like cancer, diabetes heart disease,, pulmonary or respiratory diseases kidney malfunction's, liver problems and the like very serious inflictions that need our immediate attention.   Subdural hematomas and other types of bleeds which occur in the brain or subcranial region can cause loss of memory and death if not treated properly.   How do we use food to combat, prevent, and treat or maintenance these sorts of diseases? It is not that simple to figure out. There are no plain answers, however, food plays a vital role in the process of healing, maintaining, and being healthy as a means of prevention.  Food optimizes health.  When a scientist looks at and examines the cause of sickness and disease it is often found that food or the lack thereof and improper nutrition is the culprit.  "Adrienne Vanterpool"

Below are some studies and research were done on this topic.

• Nutritional disease 
• Unhealthy diet 

• What causes poor nutrition?

Unhealthy Secret Thoughts

Hidden Secrets Keep Us Sick

The Light of Exposure

Secrets die in the light of exposure.  Don’t become the causality of your own defects and don’t allow anyone else’s defects to hold you hostage.  Harboring secret thoughts and behaviors will discourage healthy relationships with yourself and others.  It is vitally important to relinquish the secret feelings and opinions of others that will eventually cause us harm.  Growth happens when we get honest with ourselves; moving beyond the fear of reprisal can do a world of good when acknowledged.  Somethings are not for everyone, however, dealing honestly with ourselves about current circumstances and behaviors will heal our heart, mind, body, and soul.  An honest assessment of kept secrets often frees us from our self-made prison.  

Self Imposed Prison

Generally, secrets are used to cover faults, dishonest behaviors all as a form of protection.  Realizing the very thing used to protect ourselves has kept us sick comes to light through the process of exposure.  Being fearful when critical situations occur and feeling a need to lie to protect one’s self is fruitless.  As uncomfortable and unpleasant as it may seem the position we place ourselves in being dishonest and hiding our true feelings is worse.  Wearing that fake phony smile pretending to be okay while trying to cover up and protect your dignity ultimately results in loss of self-respect.  

Fake Phony Smiles
Do Not Cover The Truth

Denial, dishonest, mistrust and mixed messages all have to be dealt with.  Learning to speak and act appropriately while expressing truth removes the seeds of resentment and fear.  That sick way of thinking has kept us imprisoned for far too long.  There are times when being brutally honest seems appealing; however, being brutally honest is never well thought out and usually causes harm.  Take it to slow first being totally and sincerely honest.  Ask this question: “Why am I harboring secret or negative thoughts?”  It is very unhealthy to do so, therefore, coming to grips with our truth will strengthen our voice, inside and out.  

Freedom to Live
A New Way

The ability to free yourself from secrets that eventually lead to misguided or misdirected fear goes hand in hand with removing defects from your character.  Some defects of character cause difficulty for everyone you come in contact with.  After years of secretly harboring resentment don’t use your new found voice to inflicted pain in situations that have no place in your current circumstances.  Keep in mind your goal is inner healing and peace.  Recognize that secrets have their place; however, no secret should ever find a permanent home without an escape plan.  “Adrienne Vanterpool”

You Are Worthy of Love

Self Love

How often have you compared yourself to others?  All too often we look in the mirror and feel that the image staring back at us is flawed.  We are God's creation, beautiful in every way.  Of course, there are defects, things we would love to change.  Why consider changing what God deemed perfect?  Yes, when He created you, He made you perfect.  We are all unique in our own way, having many diverse traits and features which proclaims who we are.  Comparing ourselves with another human being is a futile self-defeating learned behavior that has been embedded in us over the years.  In this society that we live in our view of what is or is not suitable are dictated to us.  We are told what beautiful and acceptable appearances to appreciate and which to deplore.  Those of us who have fallen victim to society's beauty trap see ourselves as less than simply because we don't fit into a defined mold.   Those distinguishing qualities they make up our persona is what makes us perfect just as we are.  Beautiful inside and out.  Most of you know I research every topic of discussion and often find nuggets I want to share.  50 Self-Loving Affirmations - Uncover Your Joy - Healing From Abuse is worth the read.  As always be blessed.  "Adrienne Vanterpool"

YOU ARE LOVED

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown

Positive Affirmations

Set a goal to journal positive affirmations daily.

Call your positive affirmations “I am Statements” in an effort to develop self-love and dispel self-loathing.

I am statements that are spoken daily will enhance your life.  These are things that we each desire to have in life. Recognize you cannot give what you do not have and recognize that your thoughts go deep into your inner self.  Acknowledge that how you think determines how you feel and choose to take active steps towards believing what is good about yourself as opposed to what is bad. The things that you want to become, confess about myself knowing that goodness resides within you.

In an effort not to speak negatively about who you are; remember that you are beautifully and wonderfully made.   If you have no desire to speak negatively become more watchful of how you say and how you finish an “I am Statement”.

When writing “I am Statements” make them nouns as opposed to adjectives whenever possible. Recognize that a positive outlook of who and what you are and will become stems from your belief in your abilities.  Identify that what you want, you already have, because God has blessed you and will keep no good thing from you.

After writing statements that confirm you, say each one – as you say them, become them, be aware that they in you waiting to come forth.  As you stretch your mind and find more positive things about yourself to expand each day become consciousness and more aware of the new you that is emerging.  "Adrienne Vanterpool"

The Blame Game

Are You Playing The Blame Game? 

I recently received a text message that contained this definition for blame:  “When someone does something harmful or hurtful that necessitates a specific reaction, which allows you to hold others responsible for what you do or fail to do is blame. “   

Blaming others for our inability to response in a positive manner does not excuse inappropriate behavior.   Situations regularly occur when least expected, consequently we may react poorly.   However, that does not mean the only recourse is to hold someone else responsible.    To forgive someone or overlook the harm caused under some circumstances seems almost impossible.   When do we become responsible for our reactions, regardless of what occurred?   Blaming others is frequently used as an excuse when we behaved badly.   It comes as no surprise when I hear someone say, “look what you made me do,” or “look what they made me do it.”  Stop lying to yourself.  Stop blaming others for what you fail to or not to do that could make the situation better.  Blaming others prevent us from seeing the part we have placed.   Our first reactions should not be figuring out who’s at fault.   To place blame on something or someone else somehow makes us feel less guilty or at fault for the circumstance.  What happens when no one or thing is at fault?  Do we then place blame elsewhere?  Certainly, if we take responsibility for what has occurred we feel as if we have let ourselves and others down.  But are we at fault?  Of course not, society has conditioned us to play the blame game attempting to prevent us from feeling like failures.  In each life, some rain must fall and some other shits going to happen and it’s no one’s fault.   Instead of blaming yourself or someone else for undesirable events, allow yourself to think in a more positive way.   When misfortune strikes it’s not always the result of malicious intent.   I believe in the decree of God.  Which means sometimes life lessons show up to demonstrate much-needed instructions on capabilities were we requirement growth.  Learning patient, love, gratitude or forgiveness there’s a painful situation in direct association with growth in that area.  The next time some misfortunes event strikes remember there’s a lesson to be learned.  Learn each lesson as they come, for surely, they will return with a stronger message. "Adrienne Vanterpool"

Utilizing Time to be Productive Will Ultimately Lead to Success

Time is irrelevant when you run out of time.   

We measure time by years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds.   But is that time?  Does time have specific properties other than those we use to measure?  In correlation with running out of time, does time end?  What time is made of or consist of cannot be adequately answered?  When we look at time in terms of having free time or spare time, we assume there’s nothing pressing that needs to get done immediately.  That will all change when you’re on the clock.  Let’s look at it this way.  Free time is a gift; it allows you time to think. Thinking without being concerned how long the process takes is true freedom.  Developing a great idea takes time to create.  If you are pressed by time, such as being on the clock or having only a specific amount of time allotted to complete a project your creative flow will be stifled.   Coming up with a suitable conclusion or workable idea inspired by creative flow, the process of productive must be fluid.  Therefore, being productive requires freedom of thought independent of the limitations of time control devices.  When our time is governed and we are allocated small increments such as the 40 hour week; we tend to fall into the competition trap.  We compete with our fellows for the highest paying job, performing back-breaking work daily to go one upon another.  Our creativity and motivation to achieve our own goals are pushed aside. Visions are swallowed up in the day to day grind of getting the much-needed raise or promotion while allowing our time to be stripped away.  No time to think, got to get home for dinner and don’t want to get stuck in traffic on the way.  Do we recognize that we have gotten stuck building someone else’s dream?  The companies we work for are wealthy beyond our imagination. The time and effort we put into earning a few extra dollars while we create millions for others who oppress and control us is baffling. It is no surprise; people are controlled by lack of having enough. In an effort to acquire enough we readily tossed suggestions into the company suggest box under the pretense that the person with the best idea will receive some monetary award, when in fact the company is going to keep all the ideas to better their business.  It’s all a matter of conditioning.  We have been conditioned to act and respond a certain way which does not provide time for us to be productive in our thinking.  It would be beneficial for us to examine the time constraints we have placed in our own lives.  What do we do with our so-called free time?  We get bogged down somewhere along the way thinking there just isn’t enough time to bring our dreams to life.   Utilizing time in a productive manner will ultimately free up time to develop an innovative thought flow.  Your creativity will blossom as ideas stream in and out.  Your appreciation of time begins to shift.  There is no longer an obligation of time it is on your side as long as you’re not wasting time repeating the same mistakes expecting different results.  "Adrienne Vanterpool"

Meditation Helps You Stay Focused

Daily Meditation - Calm in the Midst of Stormy Distractions

Calm in the Midst of the Storm

Moving through life distracted never really taking a moment to think about the consequences of poor lifestyle decisions, character defeats, and other diseased thinking patterns have often caused many to miss out on living a more fulfilling life.  You have heard the saying, “we miss the forest for the trees.”  Trees of opposition, ignorance, intolerance, fear, and all the other stuff that causes distraction will lead us into left field.  There’s a much bigger picture and time is running out.  Take some much needed time to meditate; allow God to open your mind to new possibilities and take you to new heights.  It is just a matter of surrender.  Sounds easy, well it isn’t.  Surrender is never easy to come by and is often achieved after a strenuous battle with selfishness and self-will.  It can, however, be accomplished through constant unfailing prayer and meditation.  

Anywhere / Anytime 

Before beginning each day, take a few moments to cultivate the gift of gratitude.  Be encouraged and grateful to God despite any pain that may be coursing through your body; disappointment in others; bills that need your immediate attention – paid or not; dismiss it all – good and bad.  Focus your attention on being grateful you are alive.  Slow your mind, take several deep cleansing breaths and relax.  Your day is just getting started.  How would you like it to begin?  Remember you are in charge; you can begin with praise and gratitude or those same old weary complaints.  It’s entirely up to you.  

God's plan is bigger.

Don’t allow the distractions of life to pull you off course.  God’s plan for you is much bigger than you can imagine.  Meditation helps settle your mind preventing those distracted moments of unproductive thinking and unpredictable actions which cause much greater harm than good.  PRAY, ask God to help you stay focused.   “Adrienne Vanterpool”

The Good Neighbor

Are you a good neighbor? 

What would be your definition of a good neighbor?  Clearly, we all have them; neighbors, some nice while others are not so nice.  Some neighbors keep their property up and you’re proud to be their neighbor whether you speak to them or not.  Some are just plain filthy and you can’t wait to see them go.  You can say hello to some neighbors and they act as if you were talking to the wall.  I am telling you, you can put on your biggest smile and say your friendliest and warmest hello as loudly as you can and they will not speak, let alone acknowledge your existence.  

What kind of neighbor are you?  I consider myself a good neighbor, but that’s my opinion.  There’s an older gentleman who lives in the complex where I live.  He is wise, warm-hearted, friendly, and generous, not in the sense of giving away money, but rather with his smile.  It’s always a joy seeing him in the hallway, elevator, and laundry room; yeah you pretty much got it.  Everywhere, every day it’s a joy.  Not many people fall into the category, including me.  I must say that this gentleman is the perfect role model of a good neighbor.  Even though he is well into his eighties he is very helpful offering to carry your bags, opens doors for others ahead of him, and has the most amazingly wonderful good morning hello for all he meets.  Yes, my neighbor is a one of a kind good neighbor.  Let us all strive to be good neighbors and in the interim do our best to say hello.  “Adrienne Vanterpool”

What is Your Passion?

Share Your Story:

Singing and writing have always been my passion, although it hasn’t always been appreciated by all who heard. Regardless, I put pen to paper, spill my emotions over the page in an attempt to bring my thoughts to life.  Hoping one day my attempts to breathe life into my words, they would someday become the foundation for my work.  I've been sharing daily thoughts, meditations, tips, and much, much more.  Now it's time to hear from you.  I am truly encouraged and inspired by so many of you.  Share your passion today, bring your words to life.  I feel very passionate about allowing God to use each of us in some spectacular way to strengthen our core values and self-esteem.  We need each other.  My dreams can only be realized if I share them with you.  Your dreams also become tangible when written or spoken into existence.   I am guessing there are unknown or anonymous writers out there just waiting to give voice to their words.  Why not start today.  Create your own blog page, share your thoughts on other bloggers' pages or simply comment.  Let your voice be heard. It may be that one word someone needed to hear today.   Get inspired, be creative, and share your masterpiece.  "Adrienne Vanterpool"

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I AM STATEMENTS

What are you telling yourself today? 

We often tell ourselves many negative things about who we are.  Know this, whatever you speak into your life, will become a reality.  Begin your day by speaking words of love, life, health and wealth into your current condition and into the lives of those you love.  Choose to see the positive rather than allowing negative self-talk to condemn you to a life of doom and gloom.  Encourage yourself to find peace in the midst of every circumstance.  This will reassure spiritual growth, which is exactly what's needed in most situations.  Growing spiritually is easier said than done, simply because we lose faith.   Lack of faith is the culmination of negative self-talk.   It is imperative that we learn words of encouragement and use them to boost ourselves beyond the stinking thinking we so readily opt for.  "Adrienne Vanterpool"

• I am intentionally creating and developing relationships that inspire and encourage spiritual growth
• I am enthusiastically striving to create balance and fanatical growth in my business affairs
• I am faithfully creating new and healthy relationships with my finances
• I am empowered by and focused on affirmations that uplift and jumpstart my day
• I am successfully achieving every goal set forth in my life by awesome leaps and bounds

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The Company You Keep

Is it better to be alone, than in the wrong company?  

Your friends are likely to determine who you are or will become.   If you run with wolves, you will learn to howl.  Associate with eagles, you will learn to soar to great heights.  A mirror reveals a person's outer appearance, while true revelation is shown by the company they keep. 

A simple but true fact of life is that you become like those you closely associate with, whether good or bad.  The more you decline to be in association with some people, the more your life will improve.  The acceptance of mediocrity in the lives of others will escalate mediocrity in your life.  To be a successful strive for excellence, not mediocrity.

As your life evolves, your acquaintances will change and so will your friends.  Some past associates are not willing to climb to the heights you aspire to go.  They seem to exhibit that crab in a barrel syndrome, as you progress, they crawl through life wanting to pull you down.  True friends will stretch your vision not choke your dreams.  Choose your friends wisely.

Consider This:

·      Never receive counsel from unproductive people 

·  Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution you are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person   

·      Those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how

·       Not everyone has a right to speak into your life.

·      Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere. 

·  With some people, you spend an evening: with others, you invest for a lifetime of success. 

·      Be careful where you stop to acquire directions

·      Be careful whose company you find yourself in

A wise person fortifies his life with true friendships.  If you see people without a smile today, give them one of yours.

Choose to rise...Don't settle...and go for your dreams!!!

First and foremost, allow God to lead you in everything you do....

Read other blog posts:

You Can Never Get Enough Fruits and Vegetables into Your Diet

Eat plenty of vegetables – cooked and raw [remember you can

eat as much salad and vegetables as you want.   However, do not use SAD dressings.  Try vinegar and oil or use some type of salt-free seasoning to top your salads and veggies.

·     DO NOT EAT HIGH FRUTOS CORN SYRUP IN ANY OF ITS FORMS

·     DO NOT eat white flour, sugar or sugar substitutes; try to eat less bread, pasta, and rice.  Your plates should consist of mostly vegetables.  

·     Drink Apple Cider Vinegar with Cinnamon, and Lemon Juice Daily – mix one tablespoon of vinegar into an 8oz glass of water add Cinnamon and Lemon Juice about one teaspoon each

·     Clean your colon with a detoxing herb or herbs

·     Drink plenty of water – at least one half your body’s weight in ounces of water each day.  This is in addition to any other liquids you may consume

·     Exercise is critical – begin walking downstairs instead of taking the elevator.  Park further away from your destination.  Take little steps daily to increase your activity.

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REMEMBER YOU ARE IN CONTROL