The End of Times! (what?)

Did you look outside today and contemplate the end of times for humanity and life as we know it? The people who created Vivos, which doesn't deserve a link on my blog, have and are making lots of money selling space in vast underground shelters built to help you survive for one year in the event of the end of the world. The "news" is also picking up about the Mayan predicted End of Days in 2012 due to the recent disaster in Japan. Why on earth am I talking about this in my blog (besides amusement)?

A brilliant man's writing I follow keeps inspiring me to approach current issues with my own view point. He was writing about Native American views on apocalypse and how humans are creating their own demise by the way in which we treat our planet, the way we selfishly live our lives, and our lack of foresight into sustaining this beautiful earth for our children.

My friend posted this comment about another blog entry of mine:

‎"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."

Ancient Indian Proverb

For many years now, I have been of the opinion that the sum of our destructive tendencies are so great that we will not be able to overcome that inertia. Eventually we will follow the fate of Easter Island inhabitants, who abused the environment to such a degree, overpopulating, deforesting and decimating resources, that they destroyed themselves. Though people are now trying to curb environmental pollution and "save the planet", our individual tiny everyday acts as a sum total are still too great a burden. As an activist I believed that getting the message out was a change catalyst. As an individual I believed changing myself and my actions would teach others. As a mother I hope my child and her generation will still see the beauty of the planet and save, even restore, nature. In the end, I see that the planet will outlast humanity and I am peaceful in recognition of this.

I would not want to live to see the end of times as we know them. I would not want to live in an underground bunker, for a year, only to emerge and die. I want to live everyday in the beauty that is here now. As I've said before, I cherish every moment I have watching my little girl explore, discover, and know for the first time the world around her. I want to surround myself with people who try to live in balance with this planet - the healers of this world.

Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

Sometimes I just have to have one of those nights... Bring the Funk on, have some fun!

Feeling Spring

There are so many ways that I feel the coming of spring. Spring and Fall are always major events for my body, mind and spirit - I always "feel" them coming within my whole being. I cherish those experiences and am always pleasantly surprised when my body starts to sense it. I attribute my being tuned in and sensitive to the changes to quiet sitting and movement practices, and keeping with nature as much as possible. Growing up camping and spending summers outdoors in the mountains helped as well I am sure.

Feeling the seasons is a wonderful practice for the human creature, though saying that seems odd, doesn't it, considering that we all can be tuned in to our planet's energy and normal cycling (as well as our own). I enjoy witnessing how the sunrise changes, how the sunshine enters my home at different times. I enjoy experiencing how as the day moves along the energy of the area shifts, how people and animals have times of rest and activity, and how I feel at each period of the day. The natural places I frequent have a rhythm of their own, with different times of shade and heat, wind, animal movement, and general activity. All of these daily things I experience, I can attribute to enhanced feeling of the seasons shifting. With meditation and other practices, that awareness has only grown stronger.

It is a joy to watch my 16 month old daughter eager to go outside each day. I watch and wonder what animals she will be drawn to, what tree she will want to touch, or leaf she will pick up. My earliest memories were of being outside in parks or feeding the ducks. I can't wait to take her camping this year. And as spring approaches, my thoughts turn to being outside hiking and gardening. I find my spirit rising and my energy growing.

I believe that being closer to our natural world is invaluable and is necessary for health and well being. This spring I encourage everyone to feel more than ever - to feel how the shifting season changes you and your world. Sit for a few minutes and watch the sun set or rise. Watch and listen and feel while you eat lunch outside. Observe.

Let nature wash over you and absorb you into the landscape. Unite and feel as one, if only for a moment.

Moments in Colorado - A visual entry

Food Stamp Diet

In 2007, some members of congress decided live on an average food stamp diet of $21/week. Why? "The crux of the challenge: to provide a small glimpse into the choices that people who use food stamps must make each day... The challenge coincides with congressional consideration of the Farm Bill, which includes the food stamp program, the minimum benefits of which have not been raised since the mid-1970s." About the same time, Jay and I were spending roughly $40/week for the two of us. We had no idea that we lived on a food stamp diet! At this time, a family of four would get a maximum of $668/month (about $40/week per person). I should add that our $40/week included items not allowed to be purchased such as beer and household cleaning products (see below).

Our typical weekly food purchases in 2007 (which I can remember):
bananas
black beans
corn
turkey
tomatoes
bread
peanut butter
tuna
eggs
milk
yogurt
snack bars
spinach

Here are some great links about the members of congress and how they did on the diet:
http://foodstampchallenge.typepad.com/
http://www.dchunger.org/blog/

Eligible Food Items
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligible.htm

Households CAN use SNAP benefits to buy:
Foods for the household to eat, such as:
-- breads and cereals;
-- fruits and vegetables;
-- meats, fish and poultry; and
-- dairy products.


Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat.

In some areas, restaurants can be authorized to accept SNAP benefits from qualified homeless, elderly, or disabled people in exchange for low-cost meals.

Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:
Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco;

Any nonfood items, such as:
-- pet foods;
-- soaps, paper products; and
-- household supplies.
Vitamins and medicines.
Food that will be eaten in the store.
Hot foods.

Earthships - beauty and function off the grid

A visual blog entry on the beauty of earthships. To learn more, visit:
http://earthship.com/

The Healthiest Foods

Check out the following links:
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/25-top-heart-healthy-foods?page=3
http://www.whfoods.com/

When someone asks me about diet, I say, "work toward adding healthier choices and changing eating habits." Dieting shouldn't be a habit... but eating well should. Everyone needs to discover how to use food to help them to achieve optimal energy. Many athletes really understand this concept. Food becomes a tool for fueling the body, creating muscle, staying lean and fit. If you don't eat right as an athlete, you can suffer illness, fatigue and poor performance. Why wouldn't this be true for everyone?

Eating to achieve energy for life may also include getting processed foods out of your life, especially the ones with really long ingredients lists. I love it when I recognize everything on a ingredients label. Even better is making your own food, using the healthiest choices. Right now, as a family we make bread, granola, soup, dessert, and chili every weekend in preparation for the week. Try to add foods that are on the healthiest foods list. Those lists are full of foods that are delicious "single ingredients".

People at work have accused me of being a "healthy eater" to which I respond, have you seen me eat? But I guess there is some truth. Yes, I eat junk here and there. Overall, though, my food choices are basic healthy meals with small portions. I eat 3 "larger" meals and 3, or more, snacks of fruit, granola, chocolate, banana bread (home made). And I work out, which I think is necessary for healthy living, and means I can enjoy food without worrying about extra weight.

Finally, there are so many fad diets. How can they really be good for you? I think the only thing diets are good for is learning about how to change the way you eat and add better foods. Doesn't just making healthier meals and snacks, and experimenting a bit with how, when, what you eat make sense? And then adding some kind of daily exercise and stress relief?

25 Top Heart Healthy Foods
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/25-top-heart-healthy-foods

1. Salmon
2. Flaxseed
3. Oatmeal
4. Black or kidney beans
5. Almonds
6. Walnuts
7. Red Wine
8. Tuna
9. Tofu
10. Brown Rice
11. Soy Milk
12. Blueberries
13. Carrots
14. Spinach
15. Broccoli
16. Sweet Potatoe
17. Red Bell Peppers
18. Asparagus
19. oranges
20. Tomatoes
21. Acorn Squash
22. cantaloupe
23. papaya
24. Dark Chocolate
25. Tea