tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898616553215377007.post125713164404036377..comments2008-08-11T12:24:40.609-06:00Steve Imparlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00032577825238486021noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898616553215377007.post-10872108333405613582008-08-11T12:24:00.000-06:002008-08-11T12:24:00.000-06:00This causes all kinds of problems. What's considered organic in the USA isn't in the EU dues to differing standards.Stephenhttp://www.chah.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898616553215377007.post-59022336893380520152007-05-21T18:52:00.000-06:002007-05-21T18:52:00.000-06:00inimino,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing this information. During my return to regular tea drinking, I have to say that pesticides are not something I have thought about. Oddly, I have been thinking about pesticides and their harmful effects in general, but not as connected to tea. I am going to explore the links you have provided because they appear to offer a wealth of information.<BR/><BR/>I have friends who have moved to Canada from South Africa. They have told me some very frightening stories of the harms pesticides can cause on a wide variety of species.<BR/><BR/>As you observed, it is hard to find the information. Even with friends who have seen the brutal harm that pesticides can cause to animal and plant life, pesticides and their toxic revenues are just not something I think about every day.<BR/><BR/>Nevertheless, when I read your blog entry, a phrase popped into my head immediately: mindful consumption. I am not preaching any religion or spirituality here, but I would like to share a training precept from Buddhism that seems to fit well here.<BR/><BR/><I>Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve peace, well being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs, magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors, my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper diet is crucial for self transformation and the transformation of society.</I><BR/><BR/>Source: <A HREF="http://www.plumvillage.org/practice/html/5_mindfulness_trainings.htm" REL="nofollow">http://www.plumvillage.org/practice/html/5_mindfulness_trainings.htm</A>Steve Imparlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00032577825238486021noreply@blogger.com