Women, Food, & the Earth Charity Lecture

Women, Food, and the Earth

A lecture and charity event hosted by nutritional therapist Ashley Asti
Saturday, November 15th
11am-1pm
St. Thomas of Canterbury Church (29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown)

*Attendance is free, but please confirm your attendance prior to the lecture by emailing Ashley at byashleyasti@gmail.com. Information packets and natural treats will be given out, so a headcount is appreciated.

In the last few centuries, we as a collective have been engaging in environmental destruction that is nothing less than what feminist theologian Elizabeth Johnson calls ecocide. Today more than ever, humanity is detached from nature. We’ve decided it is our right to claim, control, and pillage the earth, to go into this living, breathing organism, cut it open, and control its natural rhythms and processes. The result is that not only are we poisoning our lands and seas and filling the earth’s atmosphere with pesticides, herbicides, toxic fumes, detergents, and more, but we’re poisoning our food supply. Playing God, we’ve modified and manipulated nature’s gifts, genetically engineering what was already created in perfection for us to eat. We’ve destroyed our supply of meat and milk and have ravaged the earth’s fertile growing grounds with toxic chemicals and unconscious, unkind agricultural practices. The earth is becoming unfit for life, a toxic ground of sickness—cancer, chronic illness, thyroid dysfunction, and immune disruption.

It is time we reclaim our health and spread the seed of consciousness of what we’re doing to the earth. Because not only will this unparalleled destruction of the earth greatly reduce the health, happiness, and longevity of our children’s children, but of our own lives. This is not a problem we can toss off to the future; it is making us sick now.

As women, we have a close connection to the earth. We are givers of life to every human child, just as Mother Earth births our fruits and plant foods, flowers and trees. We are innately creative and in-tune. The truth is we all have this capacity to create and connect to the earth; both men and women can be rational and spiritual, intelligent and sensual, and massively potent and creative. It is time we join together in balance to create a balanced earth; to heal ourselves and our environment.

This is a lecture about the Creator Spirit and the creative spirit in all of us. But, more than anything, it is a practical look at the devastation of our food supply that is going on right now—and what we can do to eat healthier, safer, and more in tune with the environment. It is time to look at what’s lurking in our food and find ways to heal ourselves, our family, the earth, and the human spirit. Because there is no more room for chemical-induced cancer, cognitive disfunction, chronic fatigue and chronic disease. It is time to heal now. And it begins with our food.

On Giving
“As we work to create light for others,” Mary Anne Radmacher writes, “we naturally light our own way.” When we give freely of ourselves, the love comes back to us. It’s always a full circle. Just give it time.

Attendance at Women, Food, and the Earth is free—I wanted to create a space where all people are comfortable attending. However, if you have the financial ability or inclination to give that week, we will be collecting donations for a beautiful young lady on a mission. There is no pressure to give of your money if it is not right for you right now; we give in many ways, in our love and simply in being ourselves. Find your way.

The Cause

Brittany Shiavone is a young woman with Down Syndrome who is living a life of true maturity, giving, and light. She recently created Brittany’s Baskets of Hope, a non-profit organization that will donate a basket with gifts, information, and a beautiful DVD detailing Brittany’s success and thriving life even through obstacles for every mother on Long Island who gives birth to a child with Down Syndrome.

Brittany will be at the lecture to speak to us, introducing herself, her inspired project, and collecting donations. We will also be offering earth-conscious, healthy (and, in some cases, yummy!) gifts for raffle. Raffles will be available 5 for $2, and all proceeds will benefit Brittany’s Baskets of Hope.

For more information on the event or to be a sponsor, please visit http://ashleyasti.com/blogs/events/15705800-women-food-and-the-earth.