As a peaceful warrior, I would choose when, where and how I would behave.
With that commitment, I began to live the life of a warrior.
~Dan Millman

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Use your imagination not to scare yourself to death
but to inspire yourself to life.
~Adele Brookman

Sunlight and Vitamin D are little known healers that are often overlooked. We have been so afraid to get any natural sunlight on our bodies over the last 20 years that we are really missing out. Mike Adams, The Health Ranger, says, "Seeking out sunlight in safe, reasonable doses, does wonders for your health and may, in fact, render all sorts of conventional medical therapies irrelevant." Now, Mike is an interesting guy and he is doing a very "good work" in this world. Basically he investingates and publishes, truths from a natural perspective.

Oh, and I agree. The amounts of mis-information that we have been fed...it's just astonishing! In our family, we no longer use sunscreen on a regular basis and we are in the sun a lot down here in Southern California. When we do feel that we will be overexposed, we use a natural based sunscreen that does not include many chemicals and carcinogens.

For many many more details, I highly encourage you to dowload and view the FREE truthpublishing ebook "The Healing Power of Sunshine and Vitamin D." http://www.truthpublishing.com/healingsunlight_p/pdf-cat21258.htm

This special report contains information you probably won't hear fromyour doctor or dermatologist, because it goes against everything they believe about sunlight. But recent research is proving that notgetting enough sunlight is extremely dangerous to your health becauseit causes vitamin D deficiencies that promote chronic disease.

Now...how long has it been since you've watched the sunrise or set? Those moments will not necessarily provide you with extra Vitamin D, but will provide great enjoyment :-)

In light! ~j

Tuesday, November 28, 2006


"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform." ~Mark Twain


This one just kinda makes you think...



Autobiography in Five Chapters
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Oftentimes I can relate to this writing below...it is a wonderful way to express the journey of changing your lifestyle.
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I was talking with one of the long time employees, Bob, of Great Earth (vitamin store) in Encinitas yesterday and his comment was that everyone comes in looking for the "magic pill." Well...there isn't one. There are some great ones out there, but the bottom line is you will lose vitality and health when you are nutrient deficient and retain toxicity! That's it gang. If you are just getting started on this path, you likely already are experiencing both. Simple but not easy. Many people reach this path only after advanced illness and find it possible to recover without drugs or traditional 'healing' options. Because you have to balance out your intake of healthy nutrients not only to replenish deficiency, but detoxify multiple levels of gunk, it takes a little time and guidance. There are so many modalities of healing for mind, body and spirit. The one that is constant is the food that you eat, every day. Make it good, nourishing and replenishing. Living foods for a living spirit!
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Namaste ~j

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"Autobiography in Five Chapters"
From the "Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" by Sogyal Rinpoche.
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1) I walk down the street.....There is a deep hole in the sidewalk....I fall in.....I am lost...I am hopeless.....It isn't my fault.....It takes forever to find a way out.
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2) I walk down the same street.....There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.....I pretend I don't see it.....I fall in again.....I can't believe I'm in the same place.....But it isn't my fault.....It still takes a long time to get out
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3) I walk down the same street.....There is a deep hole in the sidewalk....I see it is there.....I still fall in... it's a habit....My eyes are open....I know where I am....It is MY fault.....I get out immediately.
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4) I walk down the same street.....There is a deep hole in the sidewalk....I walk around it.
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5) I walk down another street.
"The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green."
~Thomas Carlyle

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The new dirty dozen it out!!
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When we talk about the importance of avoiding pesticides in our food it is because it is a major health inhibitor. Many people pooh-pooh this information or say organic is too expensive, but that is simply wrong. It is worth it on many fronts, the top two being:


  1. keeping harmful chemcials and poisions out of your body and
  2. increased vitamin and mineral content.

Those are huge! And I know when I compare an organic head of lettuce with conventional, they cost about the same these days. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has completed a study and provided a handly little pocket sized guide to help us out.

If organic is not readily available in your area, then choose a local grower, many of them will not use as much pesticide and definately don't have to spray for transport. Also, wilted dead organic produce doesn't do you any good. If the organic produce looks bad, choose lively local grown. Wash well and enjoy!

The Full List: 43 Fruits & Veggies - See link for full list or downloadable guide :-)
RANK, FRUIT OR VEGGIE, SCORE

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1 (worst) Peaches100 (highest pesticide load)
2 Apples 89
3 Sweet Bell Peppers 86
4 Celery 85
5 Nectarines 84
6 Strawberries 82
7 Cherries 75
8 Pears 65
9 Grapes - Imported 65
10 Spinach 60
11 Lettuce 59
12 Potatoes 58
13 Carrots 57
14 Green Beans 53
15 Hot Peppers 53
16 Cucumbers 52
17 Raspberries 47
18 Plums 45
19 Grapes - Domestic 43
20 Oranges 42

Sunday, November 26, 2006


"Sustainability is a process of balancing the needs of a population with the capacity of an environment to support it."

Friday, November 24, 2006



When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.

~Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls. ~Aesop
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May our hearts be filled with gratitude for this abundant life!
Enjoy! ~j

"If the divine creator has taken pains to give us delicious and exquisite things to eat, the least we can do is prepare them well and serve them with ceremony."
~Fernand Point (1897-1955)


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These make a quart of smoothie. Sometimes I add extra sunflower or pea sprouts, a stalk of celery for added alkalinity. You can really mix them up to your taste. They are super simple, but really make an impact! If you are cautious...half the recipe and just give it a little try.
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Enjoy! ~j
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Great article on green smoothies! http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/articles/green_smoothies.html

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Mango-parsley
2 large mangos
1 bunch parsley
2 cups Water
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Strawberry-banana-romaine
1-cup strawberries
2 bananas
1/2 bunch romaine
2 cups Water
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Pear-kale-mint
4 ripe pears
4-5 leaves of kale
1/2 bunch of mint
2 cups Water
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Finger banana-spinach
10 finger-bananas
2 handfuls of spinach leaves
2 cups Water
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Bosc pear-raspberry-kale
3 bosc pears
1 handful of raspberries
4-5 leaves of kale
2 cups Water

Tuesday, November 21, 2006




Gratitude is the mother of all the virtues.
~G.K. Chesterton


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Consider all of the things that you have to be thankful for today. They may be small or large in scale, but each one has its place.
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Life is precious and fragile and available! Waiting for you to reach out and grab each moment, tasting its Magnificence.
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From a mountain top, overlooking the ocean, or brushing the hair back from a sleeping child. Everyone has their own dreams and reality. Are you awake?! Or are your eyes wide shut?

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http://www.oddpeak.com/item_63760.aspx

Sunday, November 19, 2006


The world is not yet exhausted;
let me see something tomorrow which I never saw before.

~Samuel Johnson



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Just a little weekend note on the spinach concern. If you haven't noticed. It is back on the shelves. Eat it. Buying spinach from a local source is best. Wash it and enjoy! We here in California are enjoying every tender leaf.
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Here is a little article that talks about the possible source of tainting. Really it is a little lesson in the cleanliness of our water. If you are not using a water filter, you should consider it. If they are allowing tainted water to spill over to crops, think about what is coming into your home. Your kitchen sink, your shower and bath, your washing machine...you take care to bring healthy foods into your kitchen, now washing them with chlorine, bacteria and other chemicals just seems wrong. More on water filters later. For today, just be aware.
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http://www.mercola.com/2006/nov/18/the-simple-answer-to-the-insane-recall-of-organic-spinach.htm

Friday, November 17, 2006




Faith is a living and unshakable confidence,
a belief in God so assured
that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.
~Martin Luther

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Have to talk about a non-food item. Dishwashing detergent. The stuff that goes into your dishwasher is very poisionous. Since the Thanksgiving holiday is coming up and dishes will be a plenty in the house that you share your meal...instead of brining desert, bring the soap!

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I challenge you to pick an ingredient listed on your soap and look it up on the internet. Yikes! Any cleaning product that has a skull and crossbones on it is one that should not be in your home. Whether you have children or not. The last thing you want to do is invest in eating healthy, but put that food in a glass that contains chemical residues!

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Investigate the healthier options for cleaning. There are a lot of 'green' products out there that do a wonderful job. Trader Joes carries a line that is very affordable and companies are coming online all the time with alternatives. You just have to know where to look.

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Again, it is all about being aware. Environmentally friendly products are a step that is really quite simple to make. If you have a cleaning service. Ask them...they will not change until the consumer demands a change.

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A great new area to explore. Look around, start with what you can and 'kick it up a notch' every time you replace a cleaning item. When you look back you will wonder why you thought deadly chemicals smelled clean. Uncondition your brain! This is really a much bigger topic, but we are blogging here. Definately google for yourself!

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Healthy for life! ~j

Thursday, November 16, 2006


Be who you are and say what you feel
because those who mind don't matter and
those who matter don't mind.
~Dr. Seuss
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Taking a new step can be challenging. Changing your eating habits while your friends and family aren't can seem impossible. BUT...be gracious. Respect their choices as you ask them to respect yours. You never, know, they just might want to come along for the ride! One quart of green smoothie a day for 30 days. Hydrochloric acid...many of us are very deficient. This will help restore the balance and improve digestion and assimilation of all foods you are eating. Think of it as an experiment.
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Being prepared by eating before an event will help reduce cravings for foods that you be tempted by. Holidays are coming up gang. Don't be intimidated. JUST SAY NO! It's true, food is often like a drug. It is up to you whether you want to be addicted or not. Sugar, caffeine, carbs, they can all produce this chemical effect. Test out the theory. Don't take my word for it. There is no better time to test things out like the holidays :-)
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Each step you take toward changing your lifestyle is a step toward quality LIFE!
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HOW MANY LIVING FOODS HAVE YOU EATEN TODAY?
Salad
Smoothie
Fresh juice
Whole fruit
Raw nuts
Veggie nibbles
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In health! ~j

Wednesday, November 15, 2006


Good Morning Ellen! This one is for you girlfriend.
Hugs & blessings ~j

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"A Prayer."

Teach me, Father,
how to go Softly as the grasses grow;
Hush my soul to meet the shock
Of the wild world as a rock;
But my spirit, propt with power,
Make as simple as a flower.
Let the dry heart fill its cup,
Like a poppy looking up;
Let life lightly wear her crown,
Like a poppy looking down,
When its heart is filled with dew,
And its life begins anew.

~Edwin Markham


Choices are the hinges of destiny.-Edwin Markham


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Blenders, blenders, blenders...if you are not eating at least 2 servings of fresh fruit a day, you should consider blending them. A smoothie is a very simple way to get much needed nutrients. But smoothies are not limited to fruits! You can green them up and change your life. It's true!
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You can enjoy a smoothie for breakfast, as a snack, after a workout or as an on-the-go meal. You can make them simple and fruity or complex and green. There is so much versatility and not really any excuses. Most blenders will do fine. The big daddy of them all is the Vita-Mix.
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Now, you may have seem a demo at your local home and garden show...they are not inexpensive, but you can get one for anywhere between $325 and $499 depending on color, model etc. THEY ARE WORTH IT. If you have the disposable income. They will last you for years and they are made to be a workhorse. I make soups, smoothies, salad dressing, sauces, fresh grind grains, you name it.
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THE CHALLENGE is to add one blended drink to your daily routine. Start with something as simple as 8 oz water, a banana and some berries. If you are a protien powder fan, add a serving of that, flax seeds for fiber and omega 3's. The point here is to eat living foods. Those that are not cooked. If you are brave and ready to go. Add a couple of romaine lettuce leaves into your smoothie. The evidence on greens in the diet is overwhelming! A great book to discover this nugget is called Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko. http://www.rawfamily.com/articles.htm. They have a fascinating story, good research and tasty recipes. Next time you are browsing through the bookstore, just give it a glance! Simple, easy and realistic.
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Start exploring, dust off that blender, enjoy extra energy and a true fast food that the whole family can enjoy.
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In the raw today. ~j

Monday, November 13, 2006




Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking
if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.
~Voltaire


Hi gang! Sorry about my extended absence...I felt a little homesick so made the long trip to northern california for the long weekend :-) The leaves were beautiful, the crisp air and fresh scent of fall was just what I was longing for.
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Amazingly enough, this picture represents those wonderful times when you cook together, enjoy great stories, memories and incredible food together. A time of nourishment in many ways. Thank you for those who I was able to spend time with!! Yum!
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Eating should not be a chore, it shouldn't be something that you rush through and dread. So, if this is true for you...give yourself a break and think of your next meal as something that sustains your life, enjoy taking a bite and take at least 30 seconds to chew it! You would be suprised how long 30 seconds is in this context!!
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With thankfulness being the nationwide theme for the month....don't pay attention to all of that Christmas stuff YET!!! Really reflect on those things that you are thankful for. Maybe it is family, maybe it is some time alone, maybe it is the opportunity to contemplate change or the choice to stay on your current course.
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All of this is surrounded by food! Making the choice eat healthy can happen all at once or just one step at a time. Set yourself up for a life change, for success, for abundance and vitality. As you look back over those choices, you'll be amazed at your progress. Especially over the holidays, I mean really, do you think that next year there won't be ten tons of fudge, cookies, pies and confections??
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On that note...Get your blenders out! I am going to propose a challenge here. I hope that you are going to be thankful that this week we are going to be talking extensively about the benefits and simplicity of including raw foods into your daily routine!
Until tomorrow...~j

Friday, November 03, 2006


Run your fingers through my soul.
For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel,
believe what I believe,
perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once;
just once, understand.
~Unknown
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It is nearly impossible to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Our lives are all very different. So, when I ask you to try new things or open your mind and heart to new ideas, it is with the understanding that for some of you, these concepts may be either familiar or very very new.
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I ask for your consideration on topics with the understanding that everyone is in a different place, exploring at their own pace and making changes that are best for their lives and circumstances. Enjoy the journey!
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Blessings :-) ~j

Thursday, November 02, 2006


It is easy to sit up and take notice.

What is difficult is getting up and taking action.
~Al Batt

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The letter below is a call to action. It is very simple...be aware of where the seafood you eat comes from.
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To do this you can view the guide for your area regarding the Seafood Watch program. It will tell you which seafood to buy and why. Since you should be enjoying fish at least 2 times per week, this can be an easy change to make. It is your consumer dollar and you have the power to make change by making wise purchases. http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp
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Thanks for choosing consciously! It is better for your health and the environment.
You may not always be in the position to make the conscious choice and that is okay. The point is that you are aware and make them when you can!
In health! ~j

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Dear friends,

A disturbing new study released today in the journal Science forecasts dire consequences for ocean wildlife if current fishing patterns continue. An international team of ecologists and economists concluded that ALL of the world’s ocean fisheries will collapse by 2048 unless we take a new direction.
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Now more than ever, consumers like you who promote choices for healthy oceans are being called to “take action” on the part of ocean conservation.
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“It’s imperative that consumers and businesses alike use their buying power to expand the market for seafood from sustainable sources,” says Mike Sutton, director for the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Center for the Future of the Oceans.
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What you can doIf you haven’t done so already or would like to sign up again, become a Seafood Watch Advocate. We’ll send you all the materials you need to help educate others and inform businesses about this critical ocean conservation issue.
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Tell a Friend,Forward this email to your family and friends so that they can learn how to become advocates for the oceans and ocean wildlife.
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The Monterey Bay Aquarium and Seafood Watch are trademarks of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006



The one thing that matters is the effort.
~Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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I really want to take a moment and thank all of you for your updates, comments and responses!
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I love hearing from you.
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Keep sending your stories and experiences! How you are and how you are continuing on your health walk.
I am so excited for you!
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Thank you again! Keep learning and growing. Namaste ~j
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Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning. ~Benjamin Franklin