Members are invited to contribute spiritual wisdom, teachings, channeled messages, uplifting content, healing sessions, and attunements to this network to bridge Heaven and Earth and unite Humanity as One.
Find your blog posts by visiting your profile page and clicking My Blog.
There are many symbolic meanings associated with the butterfly.
The Mandarin Chinese word for butterfly is "hu-tieh". "Tieh" means "70 years", therefore butterflies have become a symbol for a long life. In this culture butterflies have also become representative of young men in love. In the Japanese culture butterflies are thought to be representative of young maidens and marital bliss. Many Japanese families use the butterfly in the family crest design.
Germany has a very unique belief about butterflies. As butterflies can often be found hovering about milk pails or butter churns, they have become associated with witches trying to steal the cream. The German word for butterfly is "Schmetterling", which is actually derived for the Czech word "Smetana" which means "cream". There are many links with butterflies in mythology from all over the world, many of which, in particular Greek mythology, link butterflies to the human soul. The Ancient Greeks also considered butterflies as the souls of those who had passed away.
In ancient Greek the word for butterfly is "Psyche", which translated means "soul". This was also the name for Eros' human lover and when the two figures are depicted they are often surrounded by butterflies.
In one of the Russian dialects, butterflies are referred to as "dushuchka" which is a derivative of the word "dusha" also meaning soul.
There is also an Irish saying that refers to the symbolic meaning of butterflies. This saying is:
"Butterflies are souls of the dead waiting to pass through purgatory" Butterflies also symbolize:
Resurrection, Transition, Celebration, Lightness, Time, Soul. There is a small town in Mexico that also associate butterflies with souls. It is to this town that Monarch Butterflies migrate every year, around the holiday known as the Day of the Dead. The people of this town see these butterflies as the returning souls of the deceased.
We are all small and appear to be the same (like the caterpillar), but as we grow older our true beauty shows (like the butterfly). Like a butterfly, we are all different, and beautiful in our own way. In the Christian religion, the metamorphosis a butterfly undergoes is symbolic of the spiritual evolution all Christians go through. Butterflies represent rebirth and a new beginning. For Christians, it is considered a soulful symbol. In ancient mythology, the butterfly stands for wisdom and everlasting knowledge.
Butterflies symbolizes change.
First of all the butterfly symbolizes new life from and old one. Seeing that the color black is a strong yet subtle color, the black butterfly symbolizes the new strong but subtle life after a period of transformation.
In some cultures the butterfly is also considered to bring luck. By a well established convention in literature and art, butterflies (usually) symbolize transitoriness, as they don't live long.
The butterfly exists in four distinct forms. Some consider that so do we: The fertilized egg is planted in our mother's womb. From our day of birth we are like the caterpillar which can only eat and creep along. At death we are like the dormant pupa in its chrysalis. After that, our consciousness emerges from the cast off body, and some see in this the emergence of the butterfly. Therefore, the butterfly is symbolic of rebirth after death.
There is a Native American legend that says, " If you have a secret wish, capture a butterfly and whisper your wish to it. Since butterflies cannot speak, your secret is ever safe in their keeping. Release the butterfly, and it will carry your wish to the Great Spirit, who alone knows the thoughts of butterflies. By setting the butterfly free, you are helping to restore the balance of nature, and your wish will surely be granted."
The butterfly is a reminder to make changes when the opportunity arises. Change and transformation are inevitable for us all, but it does not have to be traumatic. Butterfly symbolism is also closely tied to the idea of spirits and souls. It has been used in many religions and cultures. In the western world, the symbol of the butterfly stands for freedom, fun and joyous times. It is also symbolises a state of naturalness and purity.
Finding Nimo: Rap Star's Journey with 16 Slum Kids
by Nipun Mehta, May 04, 2012
A 2 AM Wakeup Call
Fame and fortune crowned this gifted artist early on. He rocketed to stardom barely into his twenties. But Nimo remembers the dark despair of a night that found him lying awake at 2 AM with a searing question: “Is this it?" In the eyes of the world he was living the dream but, "I was not at peace, not content and not in a daily space of joy and gratitude. I began wondering, where does this all go, when does it stop, where does this end?”
Nimesh Patel, better known as "Nimo" to friends and fans, was drawn to music straight from childhood. His casual classroom raps eventually evolved into full-blown songs and in college, along with a few friends he started the groundbreaking band Karmacy. Together they pioneered a bi-lingual -- often tri-lingual -- form of rap and unleashed a phenomenon. Much to their own surprise, Karmacy’s hip-hop rap fused with thoughtful lyrics struck a deep chord with audiences and their popularity caught and spread like wildfire. Their hit single Blood Brothers would become a cult classic, particularly amongst the young South Asian diaspora.“I went from a nobody to lots of fortune and some fame; In my own eyes, I think I’m doing really well, Got lots of money so tell nobody to worry about my wealth; As for my health, well, it could be a little better; But take care of yourself, love your bro, I’ll storm through this weather.”
The song closes with the elder brother telling the younger one: “No, I would never let you go through what I’ve gone through.”
Oddly enough, Blood Brothers foreshadowed Nimo’s own journey. Springboarding off Karmacy’s rapid rise, and leveraging his Wharton business degree, Nimo raised 7-digit funding to start a media production house. The road to glittering success entangled him in a world of oversized egos, superficial connections and banal content. All of which led to the existential crisis of Nimo's 2AM wakeup call: "Is this it?"
Fortunately, it wasn't. Not for Nimo, and not by a long shot.
The seeds for what happened next had already been planted -- nearly a decade earlier.
The Show That Changed Everything
"In 2002, I was in Manhattan, living it up when a friend from LA calls me up to say that I have to go visit this show in New Jersey!" Nimo recalls, adding with wry humor "Folks in Manhattan don't typically get jazzed about shows in New Jersey, but something pulled me there."
EKTA, the show he saw that night, would ultimately change the course of his life.
The performers were 14 interfaith children hailing from the slums that border the Gandhi Ashram in India. They had trained for a year and a half to bring to life a dazzling performance centered on the values of 'ekta' (unity) that Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr had championed. Their incredible journey charged through uncharted territory.
"None of us had done anything like this. None of our kids had never even sat in a plane before, let alone stepped out of their city. Once we arrived, we got an RV and two 15 passenger vans and went from one venue to another spreading the message of unity," said Viren Joshi, co-founder of Manav Sadhna the non-profit that housed EKTA and the tour. The troupe would drive 8500 miles across 23 states performing a total of 48 shows.
Their grassroots approach and authenticity exuded a vibrant, irresistible pull. On the West Coast Jigar Shah heard about the show and decided to bring his 10-year-old brother to it. They arrived at the community center in Berkeley to find the janitor breaking down the locks because the building manager was late. It was unclear how several hundred people were going to get seated fast enough to start the show on time -- but it happened. The EKTA team operated with an unflappable faith that everything always happened for the right reasons, and in some subtle way the strength of their conviction made it so.
Tough situations, along this EKTA tour, were defused by loving hearts and wise humor. At this particular venue the organizers lightly joked about how they had to break into their own show :) At the end, as everyone rose to their feet for a stirring ovation, the birthday of one of the young performers was announced. The applause thundered even louder. Visibly stunned by the unexpected response, the birthday boy stood uncertain and overwhelmed in the spotlight. And then, in a beautifully un-choreographed move he folded his hands at his heart and bowed all the way down until he lay flat on the stage. In that one moment the crowd erupted. "The air was completely electric. All of us strangers suddenly felt like family," says Jigar Shah recalling his first, but far from last, introduction to EKTA and Manav Sadhna.
On the East Coast, watching the show in New Jersey Nimo had a similar experience. “As I sat there that spring night, it was a culmination of all my 24 years of experiences, endeavors, material successes, achievements … all the conditioning that had molded me until then. For a few hours, my mold was completely shattered. In front of me were 14 beaming children from some of the most downtrodden parts of India, some of the most under-resourced and materially underprivileged human beings in our world …. and yet, they were the ones shining, teaching, sharing, gifting, giving, beaming, smiling … they were redefining to me what it meant to be rich, to be privileged, to be blessed.”
And just like that, a seed was planted in his heart. In the years that followed it would quietly conduct a tremendous blossoming. Finding Nimo
Through the course of that next decade, Nimo’s journey would take a series of unexpected twists and turns that returned him to his deepest self. He faced a severely debilitating RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) condition that forced him to rethink his lifestyle. Disillusioned with the state of the industry, he gave up all forms of music (including listening to it) altogether for a year. On a quest for deeper truths, he sought the counsel of saintly teachers and began seriously meditating for the first time in his life.
Not long after, Nimo moved to the Gandhi Ashram. He radically simplified his life, his diet and his mindset. In place of the next big idea, he focused on doing small acts of service. One of his projects involved unearthing the latent musical gifts of children in the slum community and working with them to create Let Them Sing, a CD compilation and recording of their songs. Among the discovered talents was a young Muslim girl who is now sought out as a professional singer, often for many Hindu celebrations.
It was while meditating in the mountains of North India, however, that Nimo arrived at the touchstone for the next chapter of his life. Having already shut down the animation studio with his partners, he emailed his friends with a simple summary of his next aspiration: “Giving back and growing internally.”
Just as accurately it might have read: giving back to grow internally.
Immediately after coming out of that 10-day silent meditation retreat, he found an internet cafe and claimed the calling that had been planted in him so many moons ago. “I just had to email Jayeshbhai and Virenbhai (the co-founders of the non-profit Manav Sadhna) to see if they would support an encore of their EKTA journey. I wanted to learn how to be like those kids,” Nimo says. To him the focus of this idea wasn't a world tour as much as it was a full immersion into the lives of these kids, a chance to learn from them, and to serve and support them.
Around the time that the controversial film Slumdog Millionaire popularized a fictional story of a kid from the Bombay slums striking it rich, Nimo went off to author a very different narrative. In his eyes, these children from the slums possessed a richness that far outstripped material wealth. With the right platform and nurturing they would be able to share their gifts with the rest of the world, in a powerful and priceless blurring of our traditional notions of giver and recipient.
Over a nine month period, Nimo dived deep into the slum community and slowly identified and built up a team of 16 committed children and families. A few of them whose huts were destroyed by the city were and still are, technically homeless. He got to know all of them and their families intimately.
Dharmaji’s father used to transport loads on the backs of donkeys to support his family. Asha is one of five children of a rickshaw-puller. Nitesh’s entire family lives in 6x8 room with three walls. Sanjay spends his days rag-picking to help his family survive, while his Dad is a shoe cobbler. Even their team leader and dance-trainer, Bharat, grew up as a shoe-shiner.
These are the real-life stories behind the dollar-a-day statistics in UN reports. Typically, the stories end there with a plea for donation. Not this time. A New Definition of Family
Nimo began to build deep relationships with the children. He laughed and played with them, while also modeling discipline, and steadily becoming an older brother to each one. He taught them to sing, dance and act -- often in 120 degree heat, and gave them unconditional love . On a couple of memorable occasions, he invited all 16 kids over for a “slumber party” at his apartment. He cooked for them, listened to them and taught them how to rap. When little Asha broke down over her fear of ants, Nimo tenderly helped her overcome it.
Having sworn off desserts for a whole year (as a birthday gift to a friend!), Nimo passed on any treats he received to "his children" urging them to share it with others too. Such humble, everyday acts deepened a culture of giving within their circle. “Even when our dance steps went wrong, and no matter how busy the teachers were, they would always patiently teach us,” remembers Bhavnik, one of the young children.
Robin Sukhadia, whose Project Ahimsa was one of the earliest supporters of Ekatva, remembers, “Whenever I would visit, I'd always notice how the kids and Nimo loved each other. You could tell that their inner transformation was inspiring them to new heights.”
Sure enough, these kids -- each of whom had their own tale of surviving suffering -- channeled inspiration back to Nimo with their love, insight, and pay-it-forward spirit. Countless ripples would follow.
One day, a local well-wisher sent the children on a shopping spree with Rs. 300 ($6), young Vishal returned declaring that he didn’t really need any of the things that were on sale in the markets. True simplicity. Another time, Dharmaji found a thousand rupee note on the streets -- comparable to the average American finding a stash of several thousand dollars -- and came back to Nimo wanting to know how to locate the rightful owner. Deep integrity. When Dipmala and Payal squabbled with each other, Nimo’s gentle conversations moved them to an organic resolution. “Nimeshbhai [brother] do you know what I did today? While Dipmala was sitting down in class, I came behind her and put my hands over her eyes. Then I placed a chocolate in her hand and opened her eyes. She saw me and started smiling and then we both hugged each other. She took a bite of the chocolate and gave me the other half. We are friends again.” Total forgiveness. Collectively, they co-created many traditions, like praying for and burying the dead animals or birds that are often found in their communities.
Intuitive compassion. Their parents, many of whom were skeptical at first, slowly witnessed not only the transformation in their children but also in their own lives, as they broadened their idea of family. “We enjoy everything because we do it all together, be it dance or work,” remarked Devram on his broader family.
With the guidance of the renowned dancer, Mallika Sarabhai and Darpana Academy, Nimo and the kids spent two years conceiving and perfecting a 90 minute show celebrating humanity's fundamental interconnection. They dubbed it ‘Ekatva’ -- a Sanskrit word that means Oneness. They performed several dozen shows across India. Akshay Sheth attended one of them at the town hall in Anand, Gujarat. It was a full house with over 700 people in the audience. “The whole performance was so profoundly moving that the standing ovation seemed to last forever. After perhaps six minutes, the organizers had to actually tell us to stop clapping! The show hits you in a deep place and makes you reframe your ideas of poverty altogether.”
It’s not that these are the most gifted kids on the block. Their talent is real but their draw far transcends individual skill and brings to life the power and beauty of our collective possibilities. “Inspire, not impress,” Nimo eloquently quips. It’s a mindset that elevates the playing field entirely -- to one of compassion, community and oneness. Ekatva Documentaryhttp://youtu.be/L6SfmKlsS20EKATVA Global Tour 2012http://youtu.be/bezFdL1akKE
Ekatva Meets the World
Scores of people urged the Ekatva group to bring their message to the United States and Europe. Over time, small amounts of money were donated on a ‘KickStarter’ project; a foundation stepped in with a matching grant; a volunteer in DC knew of a legal firm that offered up pro-bono support for securing travel visas. It all added up to exactly enough.
On April 29th, 2012 16 children from the slums and 9 coordinators left the shores of India on a journey across the world, called EKATVA. Before they boarded their plane, several hundreds of people gathered to pray together and send off these unlikely emissaries of oneness with their blessings and well-wishes. The majority of the troupe had never been on a plane before, “looking at the clouds coming at them.” Western-style toilets were a novelty. These children who typically dined sitting on the floor, were prepped beforehand with lessons in table-manners and the etiquette of the west. At every turn, the children would look at these new experiences with their quintessential innocence and struggle to frame it in their worldview. A process that wasn’t about this or that, but rather about broadening their minds to include this AND that -- and then joyously sharing that song of inner transformation with the world.
"Keep me away from the wisdom that does not cry, the philosophy that does not laugh and the greatness that does not bow before children," Kahlil Gibran once wrote. Now Ekatva brings us this twinkle-toed band of children rising out of unthinkable circumstances on the wings of love, with a sparkling wisdom that has people around the world, laughing, crying and ultimately bowing down before the unquenchable spirit of humanity.
There is a breathtaking lack of agenda in all of this. And a startling degree of trust. Somewhere along his inimitable journey, Nimo broke his music fast when a friend casually handed him an obscure album. Track 7 on that Daniel Nahmod CD went like this:
Whatever grows will grow, Whatever dies will die, Whatever works will work, Whatever flies will fly, Whatever fails will fail, What’s meant to soar will soar -- We are planting seeds, nothing more. Planting seeds, nothing more. And yet ... everything more.
On the children's first day in Chicago last week they walked by a yard where a stranger named Bob was mowing his front lawn. These kids from an unimagined part of the world had never seen such a vast green expanse of grass before, much less a lawn mower. Not only did they end up befriending "Uncle Bob", but they mowed his lawn for him. It was an act of kindness, but it was impossible to identify the giver and receiver. It felt like an inspired gesture of Oneness ---connecting each of us, leaving no one out. Nothing More.
Mostly sunny with chance of meteor showers… Met Office set to predict weather in space
The Met Office is taking one giant leap for weathermen as it gets set to provide forecasts for outer space.
Using a Unified Model, the Met Office can issue warnings of violent geomagnetic storms. Photo credit: Getty
It is also sharing its sophisticated tool with a second team of researchers to provide a ‘forecast’ for exoplanets beyond our solar system.
It means the Met Office can issue early warnings to Government bodies, airlines and the National Grid so they can take steps to minimise the impact of geomagnetic storms, which have the potential to wreak havoc on Earth.
The Met Office’s Dr David Jackson said: “Space weather can affect the aviation and power industries, as well as a whole range of activities that rely on GPS timing and positioning, radio communication or satellite-based observations.”
And forecaster for the Met Office Dave Britten told Yahoo! News: “It’s not going to be a sunshine and showers on Jupiter forecast. It’s mainly for research purposes to understand how different atmospheres interact with each other.
We can warn the government with the information we receive about solar weather, who will then be able to warn the public.”
The project to observe some of the 763 exoplanets outside our solar system for their atmospheric properties was presented at the National Astronomy Meeting today in Manchester.
Dr David Acreman, who is involved in the study, said: “It could be of vital importance in the interpretation of the wealth of observational data on extra-solar planets we expect to come within the next decade.”
He explained that the extreme conditions seen on exoplanets like 14 Andromedae b are ‘unlike anything seen on Earth’, but the Unified Model is capable of handling them.
After polio, Raghu Makwana lost his legs. He had to walk with the support of his hands.
A long time back, a few friends took a walk on the street with the inspiration to do a small act of kindness. After some searching, two of them saw Raghu arranging the shoes that people had left outside the temple. Given his condition, their first impulse was to do something for him, but when they conversed with him, they quickly realized that they were actually receiving a lot more than they could give him. Raghu's big-hearted devotion coupled with a sharp and street-smart intellect profoundly impressed them, so much so that they spoke about him to their nonprofit mentor Jayeshbhai, and ended up making him financially self-reliant.
Raghu's impluse of kindness is ever-present. One of his many kindness endeavors is the Tulsi project. Whenever he learns of a family (mostly in the slums nearby, the largest in the large Indian state of Gujarat) with some dispute or even violent abuse, Raghu courageously walks in to spread good cheer and gifts them a tulsi plant. Most of these are complete strangers. Sometimes he'll recite a prayer, sometimes he'll talk about wise saints, sometimes he'll share stories. Hearing hopeful messages from a young man without legs is quite transformative! When he leaves the holy Tulsi plant, people accept it as a blessing; and as they nurture the plant, and are reminded of its presence everyday, they sometimes grow in empathy. To date, he has given out more than 500 of these plants, one at a time.
Let alone folks in the slums, Raghu even attracts famous people. :) Once, a philanthropist gave a talk to the slum kids and described the experience of flying in a plane. A few weeks later, through wild serendipity, it so turned out that Spice Jet Airlines donated an entire plane for that whole group of slum children and young adults, including Raghu, to "fly in the air". Miss India herself received them at the airport, and personally chatted with Raghu about life in the slums, as they were all gifted a royal tour of a big city. Even more recently, when Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India, was giving a talk, he was so inspired by Raghu that he not only invited him on stage but also opened his talk with: "When I asked Raghu what is your dream in life, he said only one thing: 'I want to see the women of India and their children smile.' "
In Nadiad, during the 'I am the Change' film project, college students produced a video on him too:
As a Lok Mitra fellow for our Moved By Love posse, Raghu continues to shine his compassion quotient in creative ways. To start 2011, Raghu gave birth to one of his dreams. When he lived out on the streets, he often felt deeply moved by others on the streets who had even less than him. He made a vow to himself that he would return to serve them one day, and that day had arrived for him. He put together a team of five everyday folks, (one of whom is blind!), who would make small sacrifices in their own lives to support delivery of hand-cooked meals for some of the absolutely neglected people on the streets. They appropriately named it "Tyaag Nu Tiffin" (Food of Sacrifice). Everyday at 12:30PM and at 7:30PM, Raghu starts off on his hand tricycle to deliver the food. It's the same food he himself eats, but he won't eat it until he has finished his round of offerings.
In a recent feature in Times of India, Raghu notes: "I'm not doing anything great. I'm not on a mission to change the world. God has been very kind to me in my struggle to survive. Now it is my turn to repay the kindness by helping other needy human beings."
Posted by Melodie Munro on February 20, 2012 at 3:48pm
Great Contemporary Street Art with 6 Artist Names Selected from Around The World
Posted on January 24, 2012 by Megha
The art of street art was born in 1942 and has rapidly evolved with each decade. New variety of forms of street art has been seen at times superior to sweep all that had been created before. In street art every detail, shadow, color, line. The artist creates a stylized logo – a “unique character” and portrays it in the areas of the urban landscape. The most important thing in street-art is there is no assigned territory, to draw the viewer into a dialogue and show a different scene. We offer 6 to view the great artists of contemporary street art.
Appearing at night, and by drawing on what is necessary, this semi-mythical man became a legend and has gained great popularity among contemporary art lovers. His pictures are cut out along the walls of houses and sold out in auction for hundreds and thousands of dollars. But about the man himself nobody knows anything, For the authorities in London he was a criminal, but for lovers of contemporary art he is a genius.
1. “Naked.” This picture is located on the front of the Bristol Hospital on Park Street, where patients are treated for sexual disorders. After numerous requests from the public, Bristol City Council decided not to paint it with graffiti.
2. “Over the wall.” Project “The Wall” included a virtual reality that emphasizes the denial of the existence of mankind, which is a fence – the children cut off from the sea and forced to play with buckets and spades on a heap of stones, but this time behind the wall …
3. “I remember when there were trees.”
4. “Picnic.” The exhibition Banksy, which was held in Los Angeles in 2006, Angelina Jolie has bought three works by the artist for 400 thousand dollars. Among the acquisitions was the picture of “Picnic”, worth 226 thousand dollars.
5. “A man cleaning graffiti from the wall.” This picture appeared in the May 2008 street Lick Street in London. By August 2008 it was graffiti painted over. Please note – pictures of animals resemble prehistoric cave paintings of Lascaux cave people in France or Altamira in Spain.
Vhils
Work of Portuguese artist Alexander Fart simply breathtaking. They are elegant and expressive. From the side it is difficult to even suggest that his painting were made by scratching the wall surface. Alexander uses the canvas as a deserted house.His incredible work of art made available to the public masses, adorn the city and impress the minds of passers-by.
6. Vhils visited Moscow and left a house in his “Autograph“.
7. The motto of the author is destroying, you will create. So – tear, scrap, scratch – you’re doing art.
8. Time to create a portrait depends on the height of the wall. Creating a portrait on the wall, two-story building will take the author’s day.
9. It would seems kind of art, the artist selected, looks nice on the street, but it is unthinkable in art shops and galleries. But Alexander Fart manages to do, and exhibition of his paintings options, using the old doors, walls, billboards, fences.
Mark Jenkins
American painter who is known for his street installations, created from the packing tape. Mark Jenkins’ work were reported in several publications, including Time, The Washington Post, Reuters, The Independent and a blog dedicated to street-art, Wooster Collective. He also exhibited in galleries in the U.S., Europe, Japan and Brazil, represented by a number of galleries, including the Lazarides Gallery in London. The artist created a website tapesculpture.org with steps of making sculptures from the film, and also conducts master classes in the cities that he visits.
10. “I do not know – I’m an artist or not, but I like the psychological impact that my work is performed on people.”
11. “A newspaper man.”
12. According to Jenkins, his work encourages bystanders to comprehend the essence of the universe, starting from what they see. Jenkins like the reaction of people to write to the video.
13. Projects Jenkins inspired others to create a Scottish culture everywhere.
the American street artist, born in the early 1980s in California. He grew up in a family of hippies from childhood he is fond of drawing, and later, skateboarding. In 1995, he began to paint freight trains, and later gained fame for his stencil and the inscriptions on the political and social issues.
14. “Give the poor.” Graffiti in Lisbon, drawn due to the increase of homeless people in Portugal.
15. “First Love”. California, 2009.
16. “Cleaner leaves.”
17. “Become the above fears.”
Roa
Peter ROA – Belgian painter of street art, which draws around the world, black and white animals: rats, rabbits, birds, dead and half dead, often with eerie anatomical details. According to Peter, he can draw anything, and draws animals, simply because he like it the most.
On odd jobs from a couple of hours he take only two or three sleepless nights.
18. ROA travels a lot. During his travels he draws animals in countries where he went. His melancholy character strongly affects the majority of the works. So his works can be traced by strict graphic quality, dark colors and contrasts of death.
19. “Giraffe”. Africa, 2011.
20. ROA work in Moscow.
Mentalgassi
Art collective Mentalgassi, many street artists try to transform the urban space, giving new meaning to the surrounding objects. Distinguished work of their “colleagues” on the art of the fact that they are not located on the walls or bus stops, and on fences.
21. “Making the invisible to be seen.” Mentalgass pointed to the plight of Troy Davis, a 42-year-old man who is in death row in the United States.
22. “Girl on the grid.”
23. “An expression of protest.”
24. “An expression of protest.”
Street Art, no doubt, has its own philosophy and is popular all over the world, which testifies to its aesthetic value and assigns it to a form of progressive, vibrant art, and not manifestations of bad manners. After all, the great art of street artists make visible to others what is generally considered part of the gray area of the streets.
Posted by Melodie Munro on December 10, 2011 at 1:36pm
Beef & Cabbage Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce
WebMD Recipe from EatingWell.com
The subtly sweet peanut sauce blends deliciously in this beef, cabbage and carrot sauté. Spice up the dish with a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Serve with udon noodles.
1. 1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter 2. 1/3 cup orange juice 3. 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 4. 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 5. 2 teaspoons sugar 6. 4 teaspoons canola oil, divided 7. 3 cloves garlic, minced 8. 1 pound sirloin steak, trimmed and thinly sliced (see Tip) 9. 1 small head Savoy cabbage, thinly sliced 10. 2-5 tablespoons water 11. 2 medium carrots, grated 12. 1/4 cup chopped unsalted roasted peanuts (optional)
Recipe Steps:
1. Whisk peanut butter, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add steak and cook, stirring, until browned and barely pink in the middle, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Swirl in the remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add cabbage and 2 tablespoons water; cook, stirring, until beginning to wilt, 3 to 5 minutes. Add carrots (and more water if necessary to prevent sticking or burning) and cook, stirring, until just tender, about 3 minutes more. Return the steak and any accumulated juices to the pan, then pour in the peanut sauce and toss to combine. Serve sprinkled with peanuts (if using).
Recipe Tips & Notes:
1. Tip: For thinly sliced beef, freeze for 30 minutes to make it easier to cut into very thin slices.
Recipe Nutrition:
Per serving: 364 calories; 17 g fat (3 g saturated fat, 5 g mono unsaturated fat); 42 mg cholesterol; 23 g carbohydrates; 31 g protein; 7 g fiber; 469 mg sodium; 866 mg potassium
Nutrtion Bonus: Vitamin A (140% daily value), Vitamin C (110% dv), Folate (40% dv), Potassium (25% dv), Magnesium (19% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 2 fat
Special Health Consideration(s):
Low Sodium − High Potassium − High Fiber − Low Cholesterol − Low Sat Fat − Heart Healthy
Posted by Melodie Munro on December 6, 2011 at 3:05am
Turkey risottoUse up any leftover turkey you might have with this simple risotto recipe. Ready in just 30 minutes - this recipe is a must over the busy festive period• Serves: 3-4• Total time: 30 minsIngredients• 500g cooked turkey• 200g broccoli florets, cut into small pieces• 100g carrots, cut into small julienne strips• 100g red pepper, cut into small julienne strips• 2 tbsp oil• 1 onion, chopped• 200g short grain rice• 600ml chicken stock• 1 tsp garlic puree• 100g grated cheddar cheese• SeasoningMethod1. Blanch broccoli florets, carrots and red peppers in boiling water for 2 minutes.Fry onions in oil until soft, then add the rice and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is cooked and mixture is creamy.2. Add garlic puree and cheese and stir well. Stir in cooked turkey meat and seasoning. Gently fold in the cooked vegetables and serve.Nutritional information per portion• Calories 491(kcal)By Bernard Matthews FarmsCreamed turkey and mushroom soupUse leftover Christmas turkey to make this delicious, warming creamed turkey and mushroom soup. After all the cooking on Christmas day this soup is so simple to make and it makes a perfect light lunch or dinner on Boxing Day.• Serves: 4• Prep time: 10 mins• Cooking time: 45 mins• Total time: 55 minsIngredientsIf you have made stock from the giblets, add this to the pan for a full-flavoured soup instead of water. Also, any leftover vegetables, such as carrots, can be added.• Turkey carcass• 300ml (½ pint) left-over gravy• 1 onion, peeled and chopped• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mixed herbs• Salt and freshly ground black pepper• 250g (8oz) mushrooms, sliced• 300ml (½ pint) milkMethod1. Put the turkey carcass, with any remaining turkey meat on it, into a large pan. Add the gravy, onion and herbs and pour in 1 litre (1¾ pints) water. Season well.2. Put the lid on the pan, bring to the boil and simmer for 30 mins. Lift out the turkey carcass, pulling off any turkey meat left on there, if you like.3. Add the mushrooms and simmer for 15 mins. Use a stick blender to half-blend the soup in the pan, or blend about half the soup in a food processor and then pour it back into the pan. Stir in the milk and warm through to serve. Add slivers of cooked turkey, if you like.Nutritional information per portion• Calories 145(kcal)• Fat 16.0g• Saturates 2.0gBy Kate MoseleyTurkey biryaniA fast and easy family meal to enjoy over the Christmas period, using leftover turkey and the trimmings. Great for a snack, supper or lunch for 2 people.• Serves: 2• Prep time: 10 mins• Cooking time: 35 mins• Total time: 45 mins• Spice level- 1 pepperIngredientsThis recipe will also be fine with leftover cooked chicken, lamb or beef.• 1 tbsp sunflower oil• 1 red onion, peeled and sliced• 2 tbsp chicken tikka curry paste• 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed• 200g (7oz) cooked turkey, sliced• 100g (3½oz) basmati rice• 300ml (1/2 pint) hot chicken stockMethod1. Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the red onion and fry for about 7 minutes, until softened and browned. Set aside about a third of the onion.2. Add the curry paste, garlic, turkey, rice and stock to the pan. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid absorbed. Sprinkle reserved onion on top.Nutritional information per portion• Calories 460(kcal)• Fat 16.0g• Saturates 3.0gBy Kate Moseley
Read more…
Posted by Melodie Munro on October 18, 2011 at 11:40am
The world's most expensive dessert which has been cooked-up with the eye watering price tag of £22,000. Styled like a Faberge Easter egg the extravagant chocolate pud is believed to have broken all previous records thanks to its pricey list of ingredients which includes gold, champagne caviar and a two carat diamond.Read more…
Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 3:49pm
Steal someone's confusion with this Jedi mind trick Monday, September 26, 2011 by: Mike Bundrant (NaturalNews)
The Jedi understand that states of confusion (as well as other states) are malleable and transferable. Like a yawn, they can be passed on to others. Jedi Masters use this phenomenon to "steal" confusion so that the original carrier is freed from it. This Jedi mind trick is rarely shared, so pay attention and don't forget to try it when you can be of help to someone in need.
First, understand that we are all connected. To be in the presence of another person is to have some effect upon them and visa-versa. There is no way around this and no one has ever been immune from it. How do you want to impact others? How much choice do you want to have? How aware do you wish to become?
The Dark Side is a proponent of perceptual blindness in this matter. It wants the average person to have little awareness and choice in how they affect other people and how they are affected. The less you know about communication and your own inner workings, the more power the Dark Side has to intervene, encouraging reactive behaviors over proactive behaviors.
The Jedi advocate awareness, intention and choice. The more awareness you have about the nature of communication, the greater your opportunity to serve and make the world a better place.
With that, here is how to steal another person's confusion.
1. When someone is confused and engaged in conversation with you (assuming you have a nice rapport), listen politely and give them a chance to work it out on their own. If they don't need you to steal their confusion, don't attempt it.
2. If they remain stuck and can't seem to get clear, steal it! Here's how: Become confused at their confusion. Act as if they are confusing you. Better, allow yourself to truly become confused by their confusing situation! Get sucked in.
3. When this trick works, the other will respond to your confusion by popping out of their own confusion and explaining (often spilling the beans about something they were hiding from themselves) it all to you, thus helping you out.
Here is an example of an actual dialogue:
Fred: I don't get it. How did I get here? I don't have a dime to my name and, well, I frankly don't know what to do. Should I start my own business? Wait, I can't do that. How will I live? I am so messed up!
Jedi: You really don't have a dime? (Keeps the conversation going to allow Fred a chance to work out a productive direction on his own)
Fred: Huh? I don't know. No. I mean, sure, I have a dime, but...what the hell happened to my life? I just don't get it.
Jedi: You don't get what?
Fred: I honestly don't know. I'm confused. I wish I knew how to escape my own head sometimes, really. I don't know what's going on. I wish I had more money, but...(he looks off into the distance as if searching on the horizon, his brow furrowed and stuck in a deep, confused trance. He remains that way for 10 seconds or so before the Jedi intervenes).
Jedi: Hmm. I'm actually getting confused myself (He takes on a confused look, sinking into his chair and diminishing his posture). I'm not sure what to (He cocks his head to one side and furrows his brow)....I really don't get it. This IS confusing! How could....? Fred: It's actually not that complicated. I don't track my expenses - at all. That's it! I have no idea how much money I spend every month and really should be on a budget, something I have been resisting for years, actually.
Who can expect to spend so freely and not have financial troubles? God, I knew this day would come - I have to grow up and hold myself accountable to a budget. Then, if I can save some money, I'd like to make a break from my dead end job and start a business.
Jedi: Ah! Now that makes perfect sense.
Once the air is clear and the confusion has dissipated, the trick is done.
Posted by Melodie Munro on October 2, 2011 at 4:26pm
Boost Your Metabolism, Curb Cancer, and Slash Blood Sugar with this Easy Culinary TrickPosted By Dr. Mercola | April 04 2011 | 195,066viewsHerbs are not only great in meals for spice and added flavor but are key to the nutritional density in the foods you eat. Herbs can protect you against diseases, clear toxins from your body, and provide you with vitamins and minerals.Here are some examples of such, from a list of nine assembled by Planet Green:BasilBasil provides Vitamins A, C, and K, along with iron, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. Loaded with flavonoids, basil helps prevent cell damage from radiation and oxygen.GingerTreat nausea and an upset stomach with ginger; prevent and treat the common cold with its antiviral components.FenugreekThis Mediterranean herb is good for menstrual cramps, menopause symptoms, cholesterol, and diabetes.Flat Leaf ParsleyParsley is renowned for containing high levels of antioxidants and is full of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber that help balance cholesterol and ward off constipation.TurmericThe Cork Cancer Research Centre's test results show that turmeric can kill gullet cancer cells in 24 hours!Dr. Mercola's Comments:Believe it or not, but common herbs and spices are actually some of the healthiest foods on the planet—topping the list of high ORAC value foods—so you can easily boost the nutritional value of your meal simply by spicing it up a bit. ORAC is a standardized method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. The higher the ORAC score, the more effective a food is at neutralizing harmful free radicals.So, every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally "upgrading" your food without adding a single calorie.The Secret Powers of Herbs and SpicesBut scoring high on the ORAC isn't the only reason why herbs and spices pack such a powerful punch. They're also very dense in other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, and because of their nutrient density, they're also thermogenic, meaning they naturally increase your metabolism.Additionally, herbs and spices have medicinal properties. This should come as no surprise considering they've been used as medicine for thousands of years prior to the advent of modern medicine that focuses on synthetic drugs in lieu of these natural counterparts.Lastly, spices can "upgrade" your meal by reducing toxic compounds created during the cooking process. A study published last year discovered that adding an antioxidant-rich spice blend to meat prior to cooking reduced the level of malondialdehyde (a chemical marker for oxidation) in the meat by 71 percent and levels in participants' urine by 49 percent.The researchers used a blend of:Cloves Cinnamon Oregano RosemaryGinger Black pepper Paprika Garlic powderYou can easily recreate this simply by mixing the dry spices together and rubbing them onto the meat before you quickly sear it, or add them to your marinade.You can also help prevent the formation of toxic heterocyclic amines (HCAs) by adding blueberries or cherries to your burgers. HCAs form when food is cooked at high temperatures, and they're linked to cancer. In terms of HCA, the worst part of the meat is the blackened section, which is why you should always avoid charring your meat, and never eat blackened sections.Which Herbs and Spices are the Most Potent Disease Preventers?Each spice has a unique set of health benefits to offer, but one study, published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods, found a direct correlation between the antioxidant phenol content of many extracts of spices and herbs, and their ability to inhibit glycation and the formation of AGE compounds, making them potent preventers of heart disease and premature aging.According to this study, the top 10 most potent herbs and spices are:1. Cloves (ground)2. Cinnamon (ground)3. Jamaican allspice (ground)4. Apple pie spice (mixture)5. Oregano (ground)6. Pumpkin pie spice (mixture)7. Marjoram8. Sage9. ThymeGourmet Italian spiceSelecting Spices for Their Medicinal BenefitsAs a general rule, you really can't go wrong when using herbs and spices and I recommend allowing your taste buds to dictate your choices when cooking. However, you can also choose spices based on their medicinal benefits.Here are some examples of herbs and spices that you may want to consider incorporating more of into your diet to achieve a certain aim:To boost your immune system:Licorice: Buffers the inflammatory response by increasing steroid output by your adrenal glands; a good buffer if your immune system is over responding to the flu.Turmeric: a general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity.Turmeric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants.Black Pepper: Increases the bioavailability of just about all other foods -- herbs and other compounds.Oregano: The active agent is rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant.To reduce inflammation, and treat inflammatory and infectious conditions:Turmeric: Its potent anti-inflammatory properties come from curcumin -- the pigment that gives turmeric its yellow-orange color, and which is thought to be responsible for many of its medicinal effects. There are an estimated three to five grams of curcumin in 100 grams of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, and it can inhibit both the activity and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) and 5-lipooxygenase (5-LOX), as well as other enzymes that have been implicated in inflammation.Cloves: One of the most potent anti-inflammatories with anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. Beneficial against muscle pains from injuries, arthritis and rheumatism. It also contains eugenol and its mild anesthetic benefits are useful for toothaches, gum pain and sore throats. Also offers relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis, and eliminates intestinal parasites, fungi and bacteria.Nutmeg: A study in the Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering found that nutmeg extract has antibacterial activity that can significantly reduce certain strains of E. coli. Nutmeg is also beneficial for joint pain and gout, and nutmeg oil has been traditionally used to treat toothaches. ** Please note that nutmeg contains volatile oils comprised of alkyl benzene derivatives, terpenes and myristic acid. The spice has a long history of abuse; taking too much nutmeg (one to three nuts; in some cases less) can cause side effects such as nausea, hallucinations, swelling and shock.Ginger: Has anti-inflammatory properties and helps protect against bacteria and fungi. Also eliminates intestinal gas and relaxes and soothes your intestinal tract, while boosting your immune system. Can also protect against atherosclerosis by lowering cholesterol levels and preventing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL).Peppermint: Traditionally used to sooth the digestive tract; a study published in the journal BMJ in 2008 found peppermint oil may even be beneficial in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Also known to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi, and can help relieve symptoms of allergies and asthma.Cinnamon: A powerful antimicrobial agent that also enhances your antioxidant defenses. It's been found to kill E. coli and many other bacteria. Its anti-inflammatory compounds help relieve pain and stiffness of muscles and joints due to arthritis. Also helps prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease.To boost mental health and/or reduce anxiety:Nutmeg: According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, an extract of nutmeg seeds elicited a significant antidepressant-like effect in mice; in some doses comparable in potency to the antidepressants imipramine and fluoxetine. In fact, reducing anxiety and treating insomnia are two ailments that nutmeg has been traditionally used for.Natural salt: According to a 2008 study published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, salt may be a natural mood-elevating substance. Sodium deficiency can induce behavioral changes such as reduced motivation, fatigue, and feelings of depression. However, it's important to understand that common table salt and the salt used in processed foods is the highly processed variety, and NOT at all the same as the natural salt your body needs to perform its vital functions, including the maintenance of proper brain function. So when adding salt to your meal, make sure you're using a natural unprocessed salt, such as Himalayan salt.Turmeric—A Potent Cancer-Fighter!A couple of spices deserve further review; one of which is turmeric. It was already mentioned twice above, both as an immune booster and potent anti-inflammatory. But perhaps its greatest value lies in its anti-cancer potential.In India where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of four common U.S. cancers -- colon, breast, prostate and lung -- is 10 times lower. In fact, prostate cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in U.S. men, is rare in India and this is attributed, in part, to the curcumin in turmeric.Dr. William LaValley from Austin Texas is one of the top natural medicine cancer physicians I know and he recently shared this important information with me.Interestingly, curcumin—the active ingredient in turmeric—actually has the most evidence based literature backing up its anti-cancer claims of any other nutrient!Numerous studies have looked into this potential cancer-fighting link, with promising results. For instance, curcumin has been found to:Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor, as well as inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells already existingHelp your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your bodyDecrease inflammationEnhance liver functionInhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formationPrevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth (known as anti-angiogenesis)Curcumin affects over 100 different pathways once it gets into a cell. Interestingly, this also applies to the metabolite of curcumin and its derivatives, which also have anti-cancer properties. According to researchers from the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, curcumin blocks a key biological pathway needed for development of melanoma and other cancers.The spice actually stops laboratory strains of melanoma from proliferating and pushes the cancer cells to commit suicide by shutting down nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a powerful protein known to induce abnormal inflammatory response that leads to an assortment of disorders such as arthritis and cancer.Best of all, curcumin appears to be safe in the treatment of all cancers!To get the full benefits that curcumin has to offer, you will want to look for a turmeric extract with at least 95 percent curcuminoids that contains only 100 percent certified organic ingredients.The formula should be free of fillers, additives and excipients (a substance added to the supplement as a processing or stability aid), and the manufacturer should use safe production practices at all stages: planting, cultivation, selective harvesting, and then producing and packaging the final product.For further details on how to use curcumin, please see this previous article.Cinnamon—An Excellent Choice for DiabeticsThe other spice I want to review further is cinnamon, simply because of its potential benefits against diabetes, which is a problem of epidemic proportions in the US.Researchers have investigated the "insulin-like" effects of cinnamon for a number of years now, and it keeps proving it's a viable contender in the fight against diabetes.Among this spice's most impressive health benefits is its impact on blood sugar and ability to improve glucose control. For example, just half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day has been shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels, triglycerides, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. In another earlier study, cinnamon was found to increase glucose metabolism 20-fold!Interestingly, cinnamon lowers your blood sugar by acting on several different levels, including:• Slowing the emptying of your stomach to reduce sharp rises in blood sugar following meals• Improving the effectiveness, or sensitivity, of insulin• Enhancing your antioxidant defenses. A study published in 2009 stated that "polyphenols from cinnamon could be of special interest in people that are overweight with impaired fasting glucose since they might act both as insulin sensitizers and antioxidants." Yet another bioflavanoid compound called proanthocyanidin may alter the activity of insulin signaling in your fat cells.Researchers have suggested people with diabetes may see improvements by adding 1/4 - 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to their food, and I see no reason not to give this a try if you enjoy cinnamon (along with doing the other essentials to improve diabetes, including eliminating fructose and grains from your diet and exercising daily).Clearly, adding ample amounts of cinnamon to your diet is an incredibly inexpensive and great tasting tool for diabetics, and the likelihood of this food causing any long-term complications is very small.Go Ahead, Spice Up Your Life!All these benefits give you ample reasons to be adventurous in adding spices to your meals, and to be generous in the amounts you use. It will be worth it for the flavor enhancement alone, and the boost it will give your health is the icing on the cake!For helpful recipes, see PlanetGreen's article, which offers cooking advice for many of the herbs and spices mentioned here.
Read more…
Posted by Melodie Munro on November 10, 2010 at 3:39pm
Roasted slashed fish with aromatic paste
This is a simple but impressive way of cooking a whole fish. Slashing the flesh lets the pungent flavourings penetrate, and also ensures that thick-bodied fish cook quickly and evenly. There’s no end to the potential variations for the paste – see b… Posted By River Cottage
This is a simple but impressive way of cooking a whole fish. Slashing the flesh lets the pungent flavourings penetrate, and also ensures that thick-bodied fish cook quickly and evenly. There’s no end to the potential variations for the paste – see below for a couple of suggestions. For bigger fish, to feed more people, increase the quantities for the paste and extend the cooking time.
Serves 2–3:
1 bream, bass, grey mullet or gurnard, about 1kg, gutted and descaled A few bay leaves 1 tablespoon sunflower or rapeseed oil
For the aromatic paste:
2–3cm piece of fresh ginger, finely grated 2 fat garlic cloves, finely grated ½–1 small, hot red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (optional) 1 small shallot, grated 1 star anise, pounded with a pestle and mortar About 1 tablespoon soy sauce Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
First, make the paste: combine the ginger, garlic, chilli, shallot and star anise. Season with salt and pepper, then add just enough soy sauce to make a thick paste.
Lay the fish on a well-oiled baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, make 3 or 4 slashes, 1–2cm deep, in the thickest part of the fish, being careful not to go through to the bone. Turn and repeat on the other side. Using your fingers, rub the aromatic paste into the slashes, smearing the rest inside the cavity and over the top of the fish.
Tuck bay leaves into the slashes and cavity. Trickle a little oil over the fish, place in an oven preheated to 190°C/Gas Mark 5 and roast for 20–25 minutes, until the fish is just cooked through.
Check by pushing a fine-bladed knife into the thickest part, between 2 slashes: the flesh should be opaque and just coming away from the backbone.
Bring the fish to the table in its roasting dish and ease large chunks of the flesh away from the bones with a knife and fork. Turn the fish over and remove the remaining flesh, then spoon any aromatic pan juices on to each portion.
Serve with plain rice or noodles, and stir-fried greens flavoured with a little ginger, garlic and soy.
Variations:
Herby paste
Mix 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon each of finely chopped thyme and rosemary, 1 finely chopped garlic clove and the grated zest of ½ lemon with 1–2 tablespoons of rapeseed or olive oil to make a thick paste. Season with salt and pepper.Proceed as above. Spicy paste
Heat 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil in a frying pan and fry 1 teaspoon of brown mustard seeds briefly until they start to pop. Add a finely chopped large shallot and cook until soft. Add a finely chopped garlic clove and a grated 2cm piece of fresh ginger, then take off the heat.
Grind ½ teaspoon each of coriander and cumin seeds with a pinch of fennel seeds and a pinch of dried chilli flakes and stir into the shallot mix with ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric and some salt and pepper, adding more oil, if necessary, to make a thick paste. Proceed as above.
• All the recipes from the new 'Every Day' TV series are available in Hugh's latest book, 'Every Day'. Order your signed copy of 'Every Day' and save £7.50 in the brand-new River Cottage online shop.
• The new show 'Every Day' is on Thursdays at 8pm on Channel 4pm. In 'River Cottage Every Day', Hugh takes his passion for cooking into other people's houses, as he helps mums, dads and kids to bring real, simple and tasty food to the table. It’s his belief that good food should be at the heart of every kitchen, and the kitchen should be at the heart of every home.
This was sent to me from a friend. I thought it was rather interesting and wanted to share it with all my friends. Blessings. MelodieConversation with GodPart I - Conversations with God...about Gold and Silver!Bix Weir*The following interview was conducted in a similar manner as was conducted in the best selling book series "Conversations With God" by Neale Donald Walsch. Although I do not possess the same intimate knowledge of spirituality as Mr. Walsch, my 10 year journey following precious metal markets has connected me to some very powerful spiritual monetary beings…and they have something to say. So let's begin.________________________________________Me: Is anybody there?God: Yes, I am here.Me: Hi God! How do I do this? I read the books but I don't want to sound like I'm anyone special because I can talk to God.God: But you are special…we all are. You just ask your questions and the answers will be provided by your thoughts. Don't stop to edit your thoughts.Just trust your answers and we will both provide the answers we need.Me: Ok. I'll start with an easy one. Are gold and silver markets manipulated?God: Of course they are… Duh!Me: Wait, is God supposed to say duh?God: Don't waste my time. What's your next question?Me: Who is doing it and why?God: There are many groups of people who manipulate all markets and they all have different reasons. Some are driven by money, some by power but the largest group is driven by fear.Me: Fear?! These people control the world…what could they be afraid of.God: They are afraid of you and people like you. They are afraid they will be found out and the world as they know it will come crashing down. They are afraid that the people of the world will begin to understand the fiat money fraud and will be angry.Me: Well don't the ones with the money, the rich and powerful, make the rules? Why would this ever end?God: The "rich and the powerful" are only rich with their monetary illusion. Without fiat currency they are not rich and their power crumbles. The rules will be changed very soon.Me: How soon? I thought this would be over years ago. What will stop them from running this scam FOREVER?God: You are stopping them…and people like you. There is also a group of people who have been working on taking these people down much longer than most know. They have been hoarding physical gold for many years and are preparing to go on a gold standard. They have been VERY secretive but they are ready to end the fiat money system.Me: When?God: They will pull the plug very soon…Me: Who are these people?God: They are mostly very patriotic Americans but also others around the world including a very powerful group within China.Me: Wait. Won't China be hurt by the destruction of the US Dollar since they are the largest holder?God: No. It was part of the plan. China never wanted US Dollars.They wanted to build their manufacturing infrastructure. Multi-national companies have spent Trillions building their factories in China. The destruction of the fiat currencies will leave China very well off.Me: Doesn't China need the US to sell all their goods at stores like WalMart?God: No. China has over a billion people. There is no shortage of domestic customers only a shortage of those fiat pieces of paper.Me: What about Globalization?God: Globalization will end with the fiat currencies. When the fiat money crashes every country will fend for themselves and take care of their own needs the best they can.Me: What will happen to the United States?God: They will benefit the most since they have the highest debt and the most natural resources.Me: Wait what will happen to debt? People are drowning in debt in the US.God: All debt will disappear without the fiat currency and a new monetary system will be put in place in each country. Fiat money will end.Me: Since we NEED some kind of money, how will the new money get distributed?God: There are many equitable ways but the best is through the Social Security system. In this allocation system those who are the oldest and have made the most money over the years will be allocated money first and in equitable amounts. This will also SOLVE the Social Security "problem" that has hung over the US Dollar for decades. This was Alan Greenspan's idea back in the early 1970's when he implemented the first computer market rigging programs.Me: So what will happen when the fiat system crashes? Will it be good, bad or the same?God: Like any change there will be some pain BUT most of that pain will be felt by the small number of very wealthy. 99% of the population of the world is already in pain and will FINALLY get to share in the wealth of their nations. They will feel rich because the wealth will be reallocated.Me: Isn't that kinda socialistic for the American system of government?God: It may feel like that to the rich but this would be a one time occurrence. A "restart" of the American Way that was stolen by the fiat money crowd. Just imagine no more debt and a more equitable distribution of the wealth of the USA. Almost everyone would feel like millionaires overnight!Me: Sounds great! Will the currency be backed by gold and silver again?God: The founding fathers never meant for the money to be "backed" by gold and silver. The money of the United States of America IS gold and silver. Period. If people chose to use paper script in lieu of carrying around metal that will be their choice. There is also no problem with many forms of money as long as they are transparent so there may spring up other methods of payment such as paper, electronic credits and barter. Individuals will be free to choose their own forms of money. Ultimately, gold and silver will prove to be the most sound of all the monetary choices available.Me: What if the current "Powers-That-Be" don't allow any of this to transpire?God: They have no choice. The power lies with the people now and although the bad guys continue to fight their defeat is at hand. The intent is to have a peaceful transition but there are some within the manipulation crowd that are resisting to the very end.Me: Where does the power to overthrow the bad guys come from?God: The power has always been with the people but the tools being implemented are within the financial computer systems of the world. The end of the fiat money system has been programmed in and is only awaiting the execute command. The world will change overnight.Me: I've been studying and preparing for this for years yet I still feel very afraid of this kind of drastic change. Is there anything I can do to prepare?God: Yes. Be prepared for a few months of chaos. Keep enough food and water on hand in case the transition takes longer than we hope. But most of all have faith that this is a VERY GOOD thing for humanity.Me: Is there anything else I should do?God: Yes. Get some sleep and stop thinking about all this stuff. Spend time with your friends and family.Me: Ok, can I come back with more questions? I have a lot of friends and colleagues who will wonder why I didn't ask more.God: Yes, I am always here with you.Me: Thanks. I feel better.God: Me tooMay the Road you choose be the Right RoadBix Weirhttp://www.roadtoroota.com/public/254.cfmRead more…
DailyOM - Fellowship with a Purpose today@dailyom.com
May 27, 2010
Fellowship with a Purpose
Starting a Group
If you are feeling the need for community, why not start a group in your area with people of similar interests.
Human beings, by their very nature, love to gather. Yet as much as we crave community, the rigors of real life frequently interfere with our efforts to come together with likeminded individuals. For this reason, fellowship is crucial to humanity's wellbeing now more than ever. Most towns and cities play host to a variety of small groups that allow people to congregate purposefully, but that does not mean we should not consider founding our own. When people with similar interests, ideals, or aspirations come together as a group, a community is built that provides a new dimensionality to our earthly experiences.
The formation of a group is like an invitation welcoming all those desiring companionship and camaraderie into a circle of support. You may feel driven to found a group for women, healers, knitters, readers, writers, or political activists. Rules need only be a part of your communal experience if you find that level of organization appealing, and it matters little whether your group is large, goal-oriented, or structured.
When you have a firm vision of the group you wish to bring into being, hang posters, reach out to acquaintances, and get in touch with similar groups to attract participants. Groups of likeminded individuals are to some extent inherently exclusionary, being that they serve as a supportive environment in which people who have something in common can gather.
Yet such groups can also transcend the boundaries that might otherwise keep people apart, The group you create will likely attract people from many different ethnic, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds, a! nd if you make these individuals feel equally welcome, your group will grow and thrive as a result.
Try to ward off any discouragement you feel when those intrigued by your group's purpose are not ready to contribute actively. They are likely waiting to see how it evolves and whether you are truly committed to serving as its heart and soul.
If the group you have founded is a positive influence in the life of even a single individual, it is well worth it. Your intention to bring people together will be the seed that develops into a source of nurturance and community that stays true to its purpose long after its initial inception.
Posted by Melodie Munro on September 25, 2010 at 10:27am
Posted by Elizabeth Cusova
A Pastor with GUTS!
Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their House of Representatives. It seems prayer still upsets some people.. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session , everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is
What they heard:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare...
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem....
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!
The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India , Africa and Korea .
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'one nation under God.'
If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends.... 'If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything.'
Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world.
Posted by Melodie Munro on September 11, 2010 at 3:09pm
Posted by Elizabeth Cusova
A gift from a child with sea-blue eyes and hair the color sand
Posted by Elizabeth Cusova
She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sandcastle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
“Hello,” she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. “I’m building,” she said.
“I see that. What is it?” I asked, not caring.
“Oh, I don’t know, I just like the feel of sand.
“That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by.
“That’s a joy,” the child said.
“It’s a what?”
“It’s a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy.” The bird went glding down the beach.
“Good-bye joy,” I muttered to myself, “hello pain,” and turned to walk on. I was depressed; my life seemed completely out of balance.
“What’s your name?” She wouldn’t give up.
“Ruth,” I answered. “I’m Ruth Peterson.”
“Mine’s Wendy… I’m six.”
“Hi, Wendy.”
She giggled. “You’re funny,” she said. In spite of my gloom I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.
“Come again, Mrs. P,” she called. “We’ll have another happy day.”
The days and weeks that followed belong to others: a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. “I need a sandpiper,” I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me.
The breeze was chilly, but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. I had forgotten the child and was startled when she appeared.
“Hello, Mrs. P,” she said. “Do you want to play?”
“What did you have in mind?” I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
“I don’t know, you say.”
“How about charades?” I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. “I don’t know what that is.”
“Then let’s just walk.” Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face “Where do you live?” I asked.
“Over there.” She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter.
“Where do you go to school?”
“I don’t go to school. Mommy says we’re on vacation.” She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day.
Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed. Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.
“Look, if you don’t mind,” I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, “I’d rather be alone today.” She seems unusually pale and out of breath.
“Why?” she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, “Because my mother died!” and thought, my God, why was I saying this to a little child?
“Oh,” she said quietly, “then this is a bad day.”
“Yes, and yesterday and the day before and-oh, go away!”
“Did it hurt? ”
“Did what hurt?” I was exasperated with her, with myself.
“When she died?” “Of course it hurt!” I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off. A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn’t there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
“Hello,” I said. “I’m Ruth Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was.”
“Oh yes, Mrs. Peterson, please come in” “Wendy talked of you so much.
I’m afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies.”
“Not at all-she’s a delightful child,” I said, suddenly realizing that I meant it. “Where is she?”
“Wendy died last week, Mrs. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn’t tell you.” Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. My breath caught.
“She loved this beach; so when she asked to come, we couldn’t say no.
She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly…” her voice faltered.
“She left something for you…if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?”
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something, anything, to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope, with MRS. P printed in bold, childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues-a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:
A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy’s mother in my arms. “I’m so sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” I muttered over and over, and we wept together.
The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words- one for each year of her life- that speak to me of harmony, courage, undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea-blue eyes and hair the color sand— who taught me the gift of love. Ruth Peterson
