First, I resized my image in Photoshop to fit almost the entire poster. The image is of a mass amount of students raising their hands.  Still in Photoshop, I erased the entire background of the image and converted it into InDesign.  Once in InDesign, I put a border around the image and added text. The text says, “Who wants a job after college? The question is unanimous. The answer is simple. GET INVOLVED.” I put that phrase on the poster because it bluntly displays that students should get involved to succeed after college. Stylistically, the text leads down to the “GET INVOLVED” which is in larger letters than the rest of the phrase.  It leads to the main point of the poster. After I put in the text I added my group’s blog address to the bottom.

Finally, I think the poster presents the main point of our issue. The message of the text and the picture of all the students demonstrate what students need to do to succeed after college.

Also, the site is very aesthetically pleasing.  The layout is simple and well put together. The crisp, cleanliness of the blog displays professionalism, which earns the reader’s trust. Organization allows a first time reader to know right away how to navigate through the blog. Stress Tips presents links on the right side of the page with direct spots to subscribe to a reader, follow Townsend on twitter and shop online with his stress management products. Displaying Townsend’s twitter account reflects his ability to network and gain knowledge and feedback about his field. The content in the blog is very factual and thought provoking.

Stress Tips began as a website until Bill Burdin of the Internet School of Business Blogging asked John Townsend to convert it to a blog. Townsend explains, “The blog structure now enables me to have a conversation with my readers rather than a monologue. This is a powerful transformation.” The blog allows two-way communication, which allows readers and professionals to discuss topics. Surprisingly, in the “contact us” page Townsend promises, “to answer all submissions (e-mails) within 24 hours.” Receiving an answer to a question in 24 hours or less is very appealing.

Townsend loves managing his blog and urges anyone to subscribe. His main goal is “to assist stressed and overworked people to restore balance and joy to their lives.”

John Townsend

Stress Management Tips blog

The controversy and debate between eating genetically modified food or organic food has been floating around for years.  In 1992, the FDA ruled that genetically modified foods are “substantially equivalent to conventionally grown food.”  America did not question the FDA and our nation began a cycle of eating hormone injected meat and produce that was sprayed with harsh chemicals and toxins.  Between 1995 and 2000 America and people all over the globe started questioning whether this new technology could be harmful.  In 2000, Deborah B. Whitman was one of many whom began to question GM food and released the book “GM food: Harmful or Helpful?”  Her book expanded on scientific research, personal experience, pro-organic opinions and many more.  Ideally, she wanted to create an unbias book that analyzed the GM food industry from both sides.  Also, non-profit organizations like Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW) have begun a movement to teach parents about healthy lifestyle choices to avoid toxins.  They comprised a video called A Wake Up Story which displays their mission and goal perfectly.  Their movement allows anyone to volunteer, donate and simply support their goal to eat, shop, and live healthy.  Also, Organic Educational websites like Organic.org are displaying articles about the top reasons to support organic lifestyles in the 21^st century.  Many organizations are spreading the word about living a healthy lifestyle but science is also observing the Food Industries.  For instance, in 2009 an Environmental Science and Research team set on a quest to evaluate how genetically engineered food fields differ from conventional fields.  Their results shockingly displayed that some important insect species were simply not present on GM fields while conventional fields maintained the same insects. Most insects serve a purpose in the growth of our food and if those insects are dying off our world could change forever. Also, The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) issued a warning that studies are proving that “there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects and that GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health.”  David Hoyle, founder of Creative Growers Organic Farm in Eugene, Oregon states, “The genetically modified food industry is a new development that is not fully researched about the effects of GMO food for the future.”  David Hoyle is correct.  GM food has been sold throughout the entire world for the past 30 years and now scientists are finally experimenting and finding out that GM food could potentially cause adverse health effects and environmental damage.  Of course, many American’s do not stop to acknowledge what they are eating or where it came from.  In a fast paced world, our society has become accustom to fast food and the lack of education about where the food is coming from.  College students across America like Meghan Perez explain, “They’re content with eating non-organic food because it is cost effective and quick.”

I do not believe that our world will be rid of the GM Food Industry anytime soon because genetically modified food is cost efficient and pumped with chemicals that can prevent the common illnesses like a cold or flu.  GM food is grown faster, bigger, and in greater quantities.  For instance, in an article about the benefits of GM food the author explains, “GM crops can help people in third-world countries by increasing nutritional value.  “Golden rice” is one of the best examples of this. This GM rice stimulates the body to make Vitamin A and its goal is to prevent 2 million children from dying and another 500,000 from going blind because of lack of vitamin A.”  Understanding the benefits of the GM Food Industry and the reasons why it won’t disappear anytime soon allows citizens to make a difference by educating others on the importance of eating organic.  Programs like HCHW and other non-profit organizations are already vocalizing the issues that our world faces if we continue down this questionable and dangerous path.  Susan Dwoskin is a 5^th grade teacher in Eugene, Oregon.  She uses her classroom as a means to educate younger generations about the importance of what they eat.  She is an active member in her community working with environmental groups and organic famer’s associations.  The Medical Professions must be urged to take action and begin to educate their patients on the effects of what they eat.  The only way to move towards an organic world is to educate others and persuade humanity to make a difference for the benefit of themselves, future generations and our humble abode, earth.

1.  On May 26, 1992, the Federal Drug Administration declared that “GM food is ‘substantially equivalent’ to conventionally grown food.”  History Commons is a website overseen by Grassroots Oversight which is a non-profit organization that documents accurate pieces of History.  The website is used to analyze issues and allow people to discuss the past and the current policies.  Its main goal is to, “provide a means for members of civil society to monitor the activities of powerful entities, such as government, large corporations, and wealthy and influential individuals.”  This Journalistic article made me question the regulation of America’s food because the agency states, “assessments concerning the safety of food products should be based on the characteristics of the food product and not on the methods used to develop that product.”  The main spokesmen for this statement were Vice President, Dan Quayle, chairman of the president’s Council on Competitiveness, and Louis Sullivan, secretary of Heath and Human Services.

2.   In 2000, Deborah B. Whitman released her book “Genetically Modified Foods:  Harmful or Helpful?” to examine the advantages and disadvantages of GM foods.  Whitman attended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting in Washington D.C. in November of 1999.  In her book she gives an overview of how the government is playing a role regulating genetically engineered foods.  She describes how genetically processed food is labeled.  Some advantages of GM foods are pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, drought tolerance and nutrition.  The criticisms are environmental hazards, human health risks and economic worries.  Whitman desired to create an unbias book that would simply educate anyone who reads it.  This Academic source extends knowledge from science to politics. (Academic)

“Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful.”  Whitman B., Deborah. April 2000.

3.  Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW) is a non-profit organization that urges parents to educate themselves on organic styles of living and how to protect their children from toxic chemicals.  The organization discusses public policies, research, publications and chemical profiles.  They urge anyone to volunteer and get involved in the movement to protect the world’s youth from harmful chemicals that have been invading food, playgrounds, toys and even clothing.  HCHW strives to engage communities, advocate government policies and help the public learn to live healthier lifestyles.  This organization collaborates with other big organizations like Allergy Kids and Beyond Pesticides.  An example of their work is shown in this video. (Institutional)

4.  Organic.org strives to educate people on the importance of choosing an organic lifestyle and purchasing organic products.  Their goal is to educate an individual who knows nothing about living organic and provide them with the steps to build an organic life.  Organic.org was created by Foerstel Design, a leading graphic-design and marketing firm with a strong commitment to the organic community.  This website provides many educational tools such myths, frequently asked questions and shopping guides.  I used an article on their website by Alen Greene, MD (Organic Trade Association), Bob Scowcroft (Organic Farming Research Foundation), and Sylvia Tawse (Fresh Ideas Group).  This Journalistic source provided me with more reason to promote an organic lifestyle. (Journalistic)

5.  The Environmental Science and Pollution Research article explored how genetically engineered food fields differ from conventional fields.  Their results stunningly displayed that some important insect species were simply not present on GMHT fields while conventional fields maintained the same insects.  These findings lead to questions like: Are GM food fields killing off important insect species?  Killing off insect species can cause great environmental damage.   One of the insect species that are dying off because of the chemicals they put on genetically engineered food fields are honey bees.  Albert Einstein, a genius who shaped science, once stated, “If the bee disappeared off the face of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” This 2009 study opened scientific eyes to the concerns about genetically modified food.  Making experiments like this only lead to more unanswered questions.  Hopefully, scientists will pay more attention and work with the business and political side of this issue to change GM food policies. (Journalistic)

Squire G.R, Hawes C., Begg, G.H. and Young M.W. 2009. Cumulative impact of GM herbicide tolerant cropping on arable plants assessed through species-based and functional taxonomies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 16, 85-94. February 22, 2010 4:30pm.

6.  In May of 2009, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) issued a call for an immediate delay of GM foods.  They state, “That there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects and that GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health.”  This is an academic and journalistic source that displays how science is beginning to question whether GM food should have even been put on the market, let alone created.  The article that discussed the AAEM’s issue was found on globalresearch.ca a center for research on globalization that is based in Montreal.  They avidly support humanitarian projects as well as educational outreach activities including the organization of public conferences and lectures. (Institutional)

7.  David Hoyle is the founder and owner of Creative Growers Organic Farm located just outside of Eugene, Oregon.  His profession revolves around maintaining the health of his organic farm year round, seven days a week.  Only employing a few people at a time, David and his wife, Lori, manage most of the hardships that a farm brings.  He provides organic produce to over thirty high-end restaurants, multiple colleges and to one hundred individuals who receive weekly boxes.  He faces the competition of the GM food business and is educated on the importance of an organic diet.  He relays his occupation and expertise to how he raises his family.  He believes a healthy lifestyle requires an organic lifestyle.  David Hoyle is a prime example of a citizen who is exuding the knowledge of a healthy lifestyle and whomever he encounters will be affected by his expertise. (Citizen)

David Hoyle: (541) 935-7952)

8.  Meghan Perez is a student at the University of Oregon who states, “She is content with eating non-organic food because it is cost effective and quick.”  Meghan, like many other students at campuses around the United States, lives off of fast food that is cost efficient because of the fast paced lifestyle she lives.  Meghan has little help from her parents paying for her college education.  She holds two jobs while trying to maintain her grades and social life so eating unhealthy seems to be her only option. Meghan Perez is an excellent source because she represents the average person across the U.S. and even the world.  Anyone can relate to Meghan especially in this economic crisis.  She also acts as a person who doesn’t really acknowledge the disadvantages of eating unhealthy and ignores the education tools of how to eat an organic diet and be cost efficient.  (Citizen)

Meghan Perez: (925) 286-7067

9. Oracle: Think Quest Education Foundation offers multiple resources to obtain articles about issues.  The website also allows teachers to create more interactive assignments for their students.  Think Quest is where I discovered the article, “Genetically Altered.”  The article allows readers to comment and voice their opinion on the subject.  It provides the pros and cons to GM food and the tone remains completely unbias. The information helped me understand the advantages to the GM Food Industry which was difficult when I have been perusing anti GM websites.  The only disadvantage to this website is teachers and students will mainly use it for educationally purposes instead of having it readily available to the public. (Journalistic) (Academic)

10.  Susan Dwoskin is a fifth grade teacher and citizen of Eugene, Oregon whom participates in environmental groups and encourages the lifestyle of eating organic.  She is a wise woman who has accumulated a great knowledge about GM food and why our society should go organic.  Her entire life she has obsessed over food.  She attended UCLA in the seventies as a dance major.  She always cared about the food she was putting in her system because she desired to keep her dancer figure but also obtaining all the correct nutrients to keep her healthy.  Her own experience by raising a family on only organic food and organic products like lotions and shampoos to organic clothe on their clothing has served her well to be a great educational source.  She reaches out to her students to allow them to question and explore different aspects of life.  As a fifth grade teacher she utilizes her opportunities to influence younger generations. (Citizen)

Susan Dwoskin: (541) 953-7308

Food Revolution

The controversy and debate between eating genetically modified food or organic food has been floating around for years.  They both have their advantages and there disadvantages but if physicians were able to educate their patients or if schools have more of an educational system about nutrition than people can make the decision for themselves.  It is important to learn, explore and ask questions about the substances being put in the body.  Obtaining the knowledge of how food is grown and what pesticides and chemicals were put on it will provide a clear mind and conscience.

1. Healthy Child Healthy World (HCHW) is a non-profit organization that urges parents to educate themselves on organic styles of living and how to protect their children from toxic chemicals.  The organization discusses public policies, research, publications and chemical profiles.  They urge anyone to volunteer and get involved in the movement to protect the world’s youth from harmful chemicals that have been invading food, playgrounds, toys and even clothing.  HCHW strives to engage communities, advocate government policies and help the public learn to live healthier lifestyles.  An example of their work is shown in this video. (Institutional)

2.  Genetically Modified Foods website is a site dedicated to the education of GM foods.  They are an unbias internet site that explains every aspect of the biotechnology behind genetically produced food.   They discuss the debates and controversy over GM foods, how you grow them, health affects, all the negative issues and proposed benefits of GM foods.  The site wants American’s to decide for themselves if GM food or organic food is right for them. (Academic)

3.  David Hoyle is an Organic Farmer who lives just outside of Eugene, Oregon.  His profession revolves around growing produce organically.  He faces the competition of the GM food business and is educated on the importance of an organic diet.  He relays his occupation to how he raises his family.  He believes a healthy lifestyle requires an organic lifestyle. (Citizen)

David Hoyle: (541) 935-7952)

4.  The Environmental Science and Pollution Research article explored how genetically engineered food fields differ from conventional fields.  Their results stunningly displayed that some important insect species were simply not present on GMHT fields while conventional fields maintained the same insects.  These findings lead to questions like: Are GM food fields killing off important insect species?  Killing off insect species can cause great environmental damage.   One of the insect species that are dying off because of the chemicals they put on genetically engineered food fields are honey bees.  Albert Einstein, a genius who shaped science, once stated, “If the bee disappeared off the face of the globe then man would only have four years of life left.” (Journalistic)

Squire G.R, Hawes C., Begg, G.H. and Young M.W. 2009. Cumulative impact of GM herbicide tolerant cropping on arable plants assessed through species-based and functional taxonomies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 16, 85-94. February 22, 2010 4:30pm.

5.  In 2000 Deborah B. Whitman released her book “Genetically Modified Foods:  Harmful or Helpful?”  Whitman attended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting in Washington D.C. in November of 1999.  In her book she gives an overview of how the government is playing a role regulating genetically engineered foods.  She tackles the advantages and the disadvantages of GM foods and describes how genetically processed food is labeled.  Some advantages of GM foods are pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, drought tolerance and nutrition.  The criticisms are environmental hazards, human health risks and economic worries. (Academic)

“Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful.”  Whitman B., Deborah. April 2000.

6.  Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1997.  OMRI provides organic certifiers, manufacturers, growers and suppliers an independent review of their organic farm’s produce with National Organic Standards.  They also provide an organic seeds list to help organic growers find different organic seeds.  The company is actually stationed in Eugene, Oregon.  They are organic experts whom can relate any information about the production and review of organic food. (Institutional)

7.  Food Standards Agency released an unbias article about GM food information.  The article describes how GM foods began and how scientists are trying to utilize altering organisms so they can actually help human health.  Chemicals that they use either by injection or spray can prevent certain sicknesses and allergies.  Scientists believe that by using these sprays and injections will allow people to avoid going to the doctor so often because of illness and prevent the amount of sick days during a year.  Ultimately the specific genetically produced food is a benefit to health and can strengthen immunity. (Journalistic)

8.  Susan Dwoskin is a fifth grade teacher and citizen of Eugene, Oregon whom participates in environmental groups and encourages the lifestyle of eating organic.  She is a wise woman who has accumulated a great knowledge about GM food and why our society should go organic.  Her own experience by raising a family on only organic food and organic products like lotions and shampoos to organic cloth on their clothing has served her well to be a great educational source. (Citizen)

Susan Dwoskin: (541) 953-7308

9.  The Human Genome Project analyzes the benefits and controversies of genetically modified food.  The project is pro genetically modified foods because the genetically processed food can be with stand weather extremes, be insect resistant and only retain the desired nutrition.  Planting the GM fields and production is cheaper and has more health benefits which can help malnutrition in third world countries.  GM products can also help the producers business by producing more for a smaller cost. (Journalistic)

10.  Meghan Perez is a student at University of Oregon who states, “She is content with eating non-organic food because it is cost effective and quick.”  Meghan, like many other students at campuses around the United States, lives off of fast food that is cost efficient because of the fast paced lifestyle she lives.  Meghan has little help from her parents paying for her college education.  She holds 2 jobs while trying to maintain her grades and social life so eating unhealthy seems to be her only option. (Citizen)

Meghan Perez: (925) 286-7067

A Wake-Up Story

The world is drastically changing.  Neighbors, friends, family and coworkers need to join together to make a difference.   The blankets we sleep under, the food we eat, the technology we use and the grass we lay in when the weather is warm are all filled with harsh chemicals that are causing extreme health issues.

Healthychild.org is a movement that is inspiring parents to protect their children from toxins that linger throughout every environment.  They analyze public policies and research, vocalizing what many Americans have no idea about.  They share tips of how to eat and shop healthy.  Healthychild.org inspires and urges everyone from all backgrounds and social statuses to come together and volunteer, donate and simply spread the word of a healthy living.

Should doctors inform their patients about the harmful effects of genetically modified food?

 Delicious, juicy tomatoes are being suffocated by multiple injections of harsh chemicals.  This image appears on a tree hugger blog where the post gives information about which countries are banning genetically modified food.  The picture was posted on December 3, 2009, very recent.  The author is trying to inform the public, specifically Americans, about the dangers of genetically processed food and how countries like Ireland, Japan and Egypt have all prohibited the growth of them.  The image evokes a chilling sense of helplessness because the natural food is being tampered with chemicals and most people are unknowledgeable about that fact.  The image acts as a symbol about technology and nature colliding.  The picture is posted from an academic standpoint simply to act as a warning against the effects of GM food. 

Obviously a giant carrot is not going to destroy New York City any time soon but this comedic image makes an enormous statement.  The image depicts two scientists looking boggled at their creation.  The expressions on their faces make them look uneducated and irresponsible as their giant, evil carrot monster destroys mankind.  The artist wanted to convey that genetically modified food is getting out of hand and organic options are dwindling.  GM food fields are overpowering local farms and the multimillion-dollar industry is buying them out.  This picture was created May 22, 2009 and introduced an article about how the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) just issued a call for an immediate delay of GM foods.  They state, “that there is more than a casual association between GM foods and adverse health effects and that GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health.”