Photo from David Zeiger's film "Displaced in the New South"

While traveling through southern Arizona on Interstate 10 did not provide me an overheated mirage of a tropical spa, I did experience delusions of a 100 MPH speed limit. Why not, since there’s a sandbar every ten feet to slow my runaway minivan? Among the yucca plants and dust devils I noticed the regular presence of border patrol, even 200 miles from the Mexican border in a wide sand bowl where lizards fear to cross.

“Really?” I asked my Samsonite luggage stacked in the passenger seat. “Are illegal immigrants really sneaking into our country through this misery? Anyone who survives a trek like that is a soul we may want on American soil -- because that, my trusty traveling companion, is determination with a capital D.”

Please welcome brilliant guest author Sarah Drew, who wrote this extraordinary piece after attending a meeting of the International Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers.

Timeless Wisdom and the Feminine Voice

We are at the seminal moment in human evolution on Planet Earth.

In this post, I'll teach you how to turn leftovers from your kitchen and garden into “black gold” – a rich, organic fertilizer. Composting also helps you reduce your ecological footprint by preventing biomass from ending up in the landfill.

Anyone remember that “Plastics” was the hot tip whispered to The Graduate in the popular 1967 film? Plastics at that time were the miracle material, promising to revolutionize manufacturing, industry and household living. Fast forward to 2009 and plastics are ubiquitous. Along with convenience and utility, plastics have brought with them a host of health concerns due to chemical additives like bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates. All of our homes contain plastics, and as we try to minimize our exposure, we are often confused by which plastics are safe, which are not, and how to tell the difference. Here is a definitive guide to helping you choose the best plastic and plastic alternatives for your family.