Despite the mess in the food industry we currently have, something beautiful and strong is emerging. The connections we are all creating by speaking up for a healthy future and freedom to choose our food are making America stronger. I had the privilege and honor to connect with Nancy Massotto, Founder and Executive Director of Holistic Moms Network. The Holistic Moms Network has partnered with Moms Across America to increase GMO awareness and spread the word about Moms Across America. In doing so we get to know Holistic Moms better. What an amazing organization and powerful woman!
What was your intention when you started Holistic Moms network 10 years ago?
When I started my own family, I was already well on my way to holistic living. Although I was raised very conventionally, a variety of interesting twists and turns put me on a path to alternative medicine and natural health. My first son was born at home, with a midwife, and I was dedicated to raising as naturally as I could. I rather naively thought I would go out into the "mom" world and meet other parents like me, but it was very difficult. Many of my family members and friends did not follow a holistic lifestyle and being a first-time mom trying to raise my son according to my holistic perspective was very challenging. After much searching, I was very lucky to meet a couple of like-minded moms and we decided to form a moms group based on natural living. It was so empowering to connect with others and to learn about their own journeys and holistic passions. The power of support and community were deeply fulfilling and I wanted to bring that experience to others, so I decided to build the Holistic Moms Network into a national, non-profit community to duplicate the amazing experiences we all had together.
What surprises have you had along the way?
I have to say that I was truly astounded at how many moms responded to our community right away. By the end of our very first year, we had Chapters in 14 states! It was overwhelming, yet powerful. I was also surprised at what a great impact our communities have had for moms and especially for our Chapter Leaders. Many of our Leaders are Type-A mamas who truly embrace their leadership role and find it to be truly life-transforming. Many have gone on to change careers into something in the field of natural living or to get involved in their local towns and cities to make them greener and healthier. Support and community truly are empowering and the catalyst for positive change!
What personally have you gotten out of being connected to other Holistic Moms?
Being connected is so valuable in our digital age! It is great to read stories online or in magazines of other natural moms and dads, but there is absolutely nothing like sitting in a room full of people, in real life, who share your passions, who are open-minded, and respectful and to connect face-to-face. You learn so much by being part of a social network and a community and by watching others in their parenting styles and habits. You leave a Holistic Moms meeting or social event feeling energized and empowered! Plus, you learn so much. Over the many years, I have learned about new foods, therapies, ways to make holistic remedies, clean my house without toxins, and the list goes on. There is so much we can learn together and so many changes we can take on, step by step, when we have the information, support, and community that we need.
What do you think the Moms role is in having genetically modified foreign proteins in our food or not?
I truly believe that moms are the ones who will make the difference with regard to GMOs. We are largely the ones who feed our families, who purchase food for our children, and who are concerned about wellness within our homes and our neighborhoods. We have seen so many of our children struggle with allergies and a wide variety of health issues and we are tackling the problems of the next generation head on. Nothing is quite as powerful as moms protecting their children. We just need to realize that collectively we really DO have the power. We CAN create change by connecting and acting together!
What do you want every Mom to know/do about GMOs?
Every mom needs to become aware of the concerns about the safety of GMOs in our food and for our environment. We know, inherently, that tampering with nature is not safe. And we realize that our children are particularly vulnerable to exposure on many levels. I believe that parents also have a powerful long-term perspective by nature of raising our children and having one eye on the future. We want to protect them, protect our food supply, and protect the planet. GMOs are an important part of that effort.
Nancy Massotto is the Founder and Executive Director of the Holistic Moms Network and mother to two boys. She founded the Holistic Moms Network to meet other parents who shared her passions for living healthy and living sustainably, and to help raise awareness about natural living options. Before becoming a mom, she completed three graduate degrees, including a Ph.D. in political science, specializing in gender studies and feminist theory and spent several years working for non-profit research institutes, including the Women’s Research and Education Institute (WREI) and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), while residing in the Washington, D.C. area. As a mom and community leader, she is dedicated to empowering women, supporting mothers, and raising her two sons as naturally and sustainably as possible.
Moms Across America encourages every mom to reach out and join their local Holistic Moms Network near them. Connect with Moms who care about health and the future of America's children as much as you do and spread awareness together.
Zen Honeycutt
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