Hi Everyone,

I am just finishing up another jam packed week, with lots of fun, inspiration, and frustration. I had the enormous pleasure of seeing Brian Cranston on Broadway in the new show Network. OMG! He is amazing! However, the theme of the show was very disturbing, since I could relate so much to the frustration, terror and pure anger that anchorman, Howard Beale, was feeling. The theme of the show, for those of you who are not familiar with the movie, is about an anchorman who’s ratings are falling, so he gets fired. As a result, he has a nervous breakdown right on air during his last broadcast, and the public loves it. His ratings go up, and the station decides to keep him on and turns him into a modern day prophet, spewing all of his anger and frustration at the lack of honesty and transparency in the news and government. He gets everyone across the country to go to their windows and yell out, “We’re mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it anymore!!” That’s what I feel like doing every morning after reading the paper. What is going on in this country is unbelievable, and I just want to yell and scream and make it all go away. But I know I can’t, so I continue to do my work and find inspiration where I can, to stand up against bigotry, inequality, racism, hunger, industrial agriculture, stupidity, dishonesty, sexism, and poverty. I try to remember to inhale deeply and exhale slowly, and be thankful for the many blessings in my life and to share my love and gratitude with everyone I meet.

This morning, I attended the Healthier LI Challenge VII: Growing Healthier Students Conference, and heard Stephen Ritz, from the Green Bronx Machine, talk about his work in the South Bronx. He is growing vegetables with his students, inspiring them to come to school, work hard, have fun, and learn a marketable job that is giving them opportunities that they never thought was possible. My spirit was uplifted and I left the conference with a renewed inspiration to make a difference in the world.

My guest this week on the Progressive Radio Network is Alicia Newton, the Founder and Executive Director of Nourish My Soul, a non-profit dedicated to improving the food system through community based agriculture, nutrition education, and youth empowerment while advocating for food sovereignty. Her passion for using healthy food to heal more than a body, but also mind and spirit is put to work in communities every day. Getting hands in the dirt and nurturing life can have a profound impact on reducing stress and anxiety, while cooking and sharing a meal with others feeds more than a body, but also a soul. Alicia believes in the strength and resilience of every community and brings a legacy of health, hope, and strength to the many communities she has worked in  – building school and community gardens, outdoor learning experiences, farmers markets, youth empowerment programs, culinary training, and community meals and food access programs. Please join me on Thursday to learn more about Nourish My Soul!

Remember, my show is recorded live, every Thursday, from 10-11 am, EST.  To tune in, navigate to PRN.fm and click the “Listen Live” button on the left.

PRN has a new app! Just download the app from your phone app store, and take the station with you wherever you go! You’ll be able to listen live or access the archives, all from the app! If you want to call in during the show with any questions for me or my guest, the call in number is 888-874-4888. If you are listening to the podcast after the live broadcast, you can still ask me a question by leaving me a voicemail message at 862-800-6805. Just remember to say your name, what show your calling about (iEat Green with Bhavani), and your question. The message will be passed on to me, and I will get back to you.

If you missed the show, you can listen to it in the PRN archives, or through the PRN app. Of course you can also access the shows through my website.

Please “like” iEat Green’s Facebook page, check out my instagram posts, follow me on twitter @iEat_Green and feel free to rate the show and leave comments on iTunes and on my website.

With love and gratitude,

Bhavani

Outside of Nourish My Soul, Alicia can be found enjoying time with her husband and four children (usually outside!) , running in the woods with her dog, laughing with friends until her stomach hurts, or sewing fun creations.