YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - ONE PET FOOD CAN AT A TIME!

 "less than 20% of aluminum pet food cans are recycled each year, according to recycling industry sources (compared to 54% of aluminum beverage cans). A recent survey confirms that only half of all cat owners recycle cans on a regular basis.

Recycling one 3-oz. aluminum cat food can saves enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for more than 2 hours, while recycling a 5.5-oz. can saves enough energy to power a 30-inch (95w) TV for more than 2 hours. In addition, recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy used to make cans from virgin materials."

from http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/green-living/do-you-recycle-pet-food-cans/

what more can I say?  Please recycle!!

PERMACULTURE GARDENING

I am so looking forward to getting into gardening year-round in San Diego! I've learned some basics of permaculture from SeaHeart, here in Waldport, and have now discovered that YouTube features many videos by Bill Mollison, an amazing man who originated the concept of permaculture:

A great introduction and so inspirational!:   "Bill Mollison -   Global Gardener 1 In the tropics"
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeTQtzkpLQQ   

Dry land permaculture (Totally relevant to the San Diego County area, especially the eastern portions of the county)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmdCIqNG5BI  

....and this video includes an interesting contrast between two subdivisions in Davis, California – one built to incorporate permaculture, and the other a typical American subdivision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF9IgvjCv84


"Bill Mollison - In Grave Danger of Falling Food"
"Published on Jul 11, 2012

In this introductory video to permaculture, Bill Mollison, the movement's co-founder, takes the viewer through the history and developments of the movement. With startlingly laconic humour and insight he deconstructs the modern agribusiness and the "modern plague" : manicured ornamental lawns. In this video he offers an antidote, which is an antidote to both our currently unsustainable practices and our unsustainable culture. Both of these have to change and adapt. Permanently."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjWaP0iQmWw

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

GIVING THANKS & DR. JOE DISPENZA VIDEO

Today's the day we especially  get to think of all the blessings in our lives,  and I have a lot to be thankful for!  Loving family and friends (2-legged and 4-legged),  exciting plans for our new life in San Diego and a sunny, warm day here in Waldport! 

Meanwhile, we've discovered a wonderful new teacher on the Internet, Joe Dispenza,  who  is able to explain  "how life really works"  in a clear, easy to understand manner.... science/quantum physics meets spirituality....and here's an introductory video by him: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbnrRqBjgE&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL62950675DE2956CE

LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES

My friends Morry and Joni introduced me to this organization via a calendar that featured photos of an assortment of unique, adorable, handbuilt "Little Free Libraries".  It's a movement that is sweeping the US, and even the world, hosted by people who love books, sharing ideas and "building community".

"Resembling large birdhouses, the Little Free Libraries are weatherproof cabinets with a couple of dozen books inside. Borrow one, read it, bring it back, or bring another. It’s the charm of yard art, the wonder of a message in a bottle, sprinkled with the spell cast by a deft writer." - Michelle Hiskey

Please check it out at http://littlefreelibrary.org .  News stories on these wonderful little libraries can be enjoyed at http://littlefreelibrary.org/aboutus/media . 

Is there one in your community?   When we get settled in San Diego, I love to start one in our new community!

THREE CUPS OF TEA

This is one of my all-time favorite books!!  I have read it at least 3 times in the past few years - I love true stories that read like novels, and introduce me to people I come to care about as if they are family!

"In 1993 a mountaineer named Greg Mortenson drifted into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Karakoram mountains after a failed attempt to climb K2.  Moved by the inhabitants' kindness, he promised to return and build a school.  Three Cups of Tea is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome"....

....and here's the best part!  Because it was printed in 2006, good used copies are available for $3.98 (with free shipping) at Better World Books http://www.betterworldbooks.com/three-cups-of-tea-one-man-s-mission-to-promote-peace-one-school-at-a-time-id-9780143038252.aspx
or you can find a copy at most libraries, read it and then decide if you would like your own copy to keep and share.

AMAZING FERMENTED FOODS

Rick and I recently listened to this fascinating interview about the health benefits of fermented foods:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/02/probiotics-allergies.aspx?e_cid=20130902Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130902Z1 

We were amazed to learn that these foods  which are relatively easy to make, can improve your immune system and heal a wide assortment of dis-eases. 

Meanwhile, while at a pet sitting clients' home I'd been noticing on Kelly's kitchen counter  some large vats of an amber liquid upon which floated a pancake-like substance.  When I inquired about it, she told me it was her homemade Kumbacha tea – one of the fermented foods I just been hearing about. She offered to let me try some – it was delicious!

 Kelly gave me some of the tea plus a piece of the "SCOBY" and I made my first batch yesterday.   In 7 to 10 days I'll be able to start enjoying this fizzy, healthy beverage.  Here's the recipe she gave me, by the way:  http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-kombucha-tea-at-home-173858

 isn't it great when tasty things are also healthy?

 

LOVE TO READ? CHECK OUT BETTER WORLD BOOKS!

I’m excited to share a website that Rick and I discovered about a year ago – Better World Books. This nonprofit organization was founded by some college students, with the goal to support literacy programs worldwide by selling used books online. With every book you buy from them, they donate a book to one of these programs.

Teaching people to read is one of the most effective ways to help them lift themselves out of poverty, and create a better life for them, their families, their communities and ultimately the earth.

There are some other wonderful reasons to buy books from Better World Books, too:

* Shipping is free, with no minimum purchase

* Their Bargain Bin has a wide variety of books, at super low prices!

* They offer “carbon neutral shipping” for just five cents per book

Please check them out at http://www.betterworldbooks.com and give them a try next time you’re interested in buying a book – you’ll be glad you did!

WE’RE MOVING!

After five years in Waldport, we’re going to indulge our Gypsy tendencies, purchase a pickup truck and travel trailer, and head south, to San Diego and possibly points beyond.  We’ve met a lot of wonderful people (and pets), and will treasure our experiences here.  However, the promise of year-round sunshine and warm weather, plus the opportunities possible with living near a large city, have us very excited about this new adventure!

One of the first places we plan to check out when we arrive in San Diego County Is the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Encinitas. We recently watched this archived Sunday talk by Dr. Ken Gordon, entitled “The Path” and it was so inspiring that we are eager to become more active participants in this philosophy and movement.  If you’d like to watch it as well, just click this hyperlink and forward the video to 23:20 (23 minutes and 20 seconds), or watch the whole service if you like, which include some beautiful songs and inspirational readings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1Nc2BxAzw

ONWARDS & UPWARDS, AFTER HEALING MY LIFE WITH DR. CHRIS!

  It's been over 3 weeks since my 5th & final episode as a guest on the internet show "Healing Your Life with Dr. Chris Michaels". 

  That 5th episode was a real "doozie", with a lot of tears, as I expressed and released emotions bottled up since my childhood.  Dr. Chris gave me wonderful advice, and his Spiritual Mind Treatments for Birgit and I were really powerful.

  I invite you to listen to it at: http://www.unity.fm/episode/HealingYourLife_081213 -
perhaps you can apply his insights and wisdom to enhance your life!

HEALING MY LIFE WITH DR. CHRIS!

Whew!  July just flew by - with lots of pet sitting work and an overnight trip to Portland to finish my U.S. Citizenship process, it got a little crazy at time.  Plus, I applied to be on the internet show "Healing Your Life with Dr. Chris Michaels" and was accepted for a series of three July and two August shows. 

  Dr. Chris, Birgit (the other featured guest) and I have been together for 4 shows now, and our 5th and final show is this Monday, August 12 at 9 am PST (and available to listen to anytime once it's loaded into the archives, probably some time Monday afternoon) at http://www.unity.fm/program/HealingYourLife .

  It's been an amazing process, learning to love my body and myself, which in time ripples out to my physical experience.

  I hope you check the show out - the tools and strategies taught by Dr. Chris can help YOU heal any aspect of your life that feels less than Whole & Perfect!

  ....and please let me know your experience with this!

"THE GREAT PARADOX OF PROSPERITY"

I was reminded this morning that this one short article led me (back) to Thich Nhat Hanh's simple, beautiful teachings, and to Unity FM, both of which are a great blessing to my life!  Here it is - thanks, Janet!

http://www.dailyword.com/articles/2013/01/great-paradox-prosperity

HEALING YOUR LIFE WITH DR. CHRIS

Several months ago I started listening to a wonderful program on a website called "Unity FM".  I like to listen to it when I wash the dishes or do my tennis ball therapy:  

"You’ve seen reality TV. Well, now get ready for reality radio. It’s raw, unpredictable, and completely unscripted. Healing Your Life With Dr. Chris Michaels follows the lives of two people for five weeks as they face their fears and overcome their challenges. Listen in weekly and follow along, as they take each faithful step on their journey. Learn what it takes to really heal your life."

I have found I can relate in some way to each of the guests and their issues, but the person who I really related to was Marcia, who is suffering from stress-induced voice challenges (I have vision and hand challenges due to stress.)

The first segment featuring her is:

http://www.unity.fm/episode/HealingYourLife_010912

If you'd like to hear a powerful "Spiritual Mind Treatment" and counseling session in action, I highly recommend it!

COMMON SENSE FOR YOUR DOLLARS & CENTS - Just over a year ago, I came across The Dave Ramsey Show on my car radio.  

His "down to earth" approach to achieving financial freedom really resonates with me.  While he and I differ widely in our political and spiritual views, I find him to be a great source of information and inspiration. People call in from all over the country (and sometimes the world) with their questions, dilemmas, and incredible successes.

We Lincoln County folks can hear him live on KCUP radio 1230 AM, Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. -2 p.m., and everyone, anywhere can listen to him any time they like via his website http://www.daveramsey.com.

Please check out his show and let my know how you like it!

THE MAGIC OF THE PRESENT MOMENT- Through a circuitous set of circumstances, I was recently re-introduced to the simple, beautiful teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Zen Buddhist Monk who encourages us to be aware of and appreciate the present moment in which we live.

Here is a good introductory video of his teachings, as he is interviewed by Oprah on her Super Soul Sunday show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PCXeHNL3s8

(Also featured on this link is "The Dhamma Brothers", a fascinating story about the transformation of prisoners at a maximum security prison who volunteered for a Buddhist meditation training).

TENNIS BALL THERAPY - SeaHeart, an incredible Therapeutic Massage Therapist and Permaculture Angel, has posted a self-care therapy on her website that you can do at home using 2 tennis balls and a sock.  I find very helpful for loosening up my shoulders when they get tight and for encouraging my spine to be more flexible - just click on:

http://www.ahealingplacewithin.com/tools.html

and then click on "tennis balls".  Try it out and let me know how you like it!

INTRODUCING MY BLOG PLUS AN AWESOME VIDEO - This is my new blog wherein I plan to post cool things I have discovered that I want to keep track of plus share with others.  Please enjoy and post a comment if you like.  Thanks!

KENNEDY CENTER HONORS LED ZEPPELIN - A Facebook Friend posted this wonderful music video recently: 

http://www.goodsearch.com/search-web?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keywords=youtube+heart+plays+led+zeppelin

  "Led Zeppelin" helped define our generation.  "Heart" played in concert when I was at the University of BC as they were just becoming famous - they were awesome then and they still are!