If you ever get the chance to see and hear the inspirational poet David Whyte take the opportunity! He has created the CD set “Clear Mind. Wild Heart” which is an absolute pleasure to listen to. (-: In a lecture I just attended he talked about how change and loss is 50% of our lives but we turn away from it and judge it and by doing so choose the stagnant life over the real life.

He talked about how as we get older we have more and more plates we try to keep spinning (relationships to maintain, roles to hold up, etc.) and how when we are caught up in trying to spin each plate it is easy to get overwhelmed and to lose the core conversation that is your life. We all know people who keep many plates spinning seemingly by invisible threads – whose every action is so precise and seems to land.

How do we cultivate this strong center? David talked about taking some time in the day when you are not a mother/father, a job, a hobby, a sister, a whatever and to let yourself be nothing. And to do this not to ignore/ escape these roles but so we may enter them anew with fresh eyes and be in right relation with them as they are today and not based on the staleness of the past. Think about what this might be for you - meditation, immersion in art or something you love that brings inner stillness and allows you to empty…

Yogi Wingfield passed on this blessing to me the other day and I pass it now on to you… “May the rain nourish and energize and refresh your spirit as does the sun.”

1. Delicious Almonds – if you like caramel you will love this! (Modified from Breaking the Viscious Cycle by Elaine Gotshall)

Warning: Do not read any further if you are on a strict candida cleanse.

This recipe can be used to make a piecrust.

1 cup whole almonds

¼ cup organic ghee(clarified butter – easy to make!) or butter

1/3-1/2 cup honey

2 tsp vanilla

 1. Process nuts in a blender for just a few seconds until nuts are coarsely chopped. Do not over chop. Set almonds aside.

2. Mix ghee, honey and vanilla together by hand or in a blender. 30 sec whip in the blender – if you use blender push all the ingredients down to the bottom of the container before turning blender on.

3. Mix it all in with the nuts.

4. Spread in a shallow pan and bake at 375 F until golden brown.

5. Enjoy as snack later or on top of rice dream immediately! (-:

Note: if extra caramel has hardened in the pan (i.e. sans almonds) please do not neglect it – if it is too hard and sticky like toffee, you can always warm it up and drizzle it on yoghurt, ice cream or for the hardcore pour it directly into your mouth! (-:

 B. Rachel Carson Awards 2010!

Individual Award:

The local Rachel Carson Hero Award this year goes to Karin Herrero!

Karin passed away this Spring living to her very last day with the sense of wonder and gratitude and respect for the Earth that Rachel Carson wished for all of us in one her writings …

 "If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.” Rachel Carson

 Karin lived with the clear awareness of the link between the health of the earth and our own health. She was a big proponent in treading softly and lovingly on the earth from her gardening to her singing in nature to her environmentally conscious daily actions that awakened and inspired many others. Jake will receive a gift bag full of Rocky Mountain Soap Co. goodies in celebration of Karin. (-:

Business Award:

The Rachel Carson Environmental Stewardship Award this year goes to the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company. In all their daily actions the Flatbread Company takes into account our health and the health of our environment. From providing organic ingredients to choosing packaging materials with the least environmental impact, their health and environmental consciousness is a shining example of what can be done. The project which we would like to particularly honor this year is the work they are doing educating our youth (through their Educational Society) about renewable, environmentally friendly energy sources such as Solar Power.

 C. Upcoming Course as part of Soulful Mothering Series: "Storytelling with our Children as Food for their Soul... and ours."

 Saturday June 26^th – 6:45pm – 8:45pm  at Gaia. $35 dollars. (403) 675-4242 to register.

• The ancient art of storytelling is within each of us and our children yearn to meet and be nourished by our inner storyteller. 
• Now - when children are young and they listen so whole heartedly and open-heartedly  when we tell stories - is the time to make storytelling a part of your family life. 
• Storytelling positively affects our children's development - physically and mentally as well as emotionally and spiritually. It is an essential ingredient in the balanced diet we provide for our growing children.
• Storytelling allows a unique heart-to-heart connection that transcends the everyday and brings us into heart-to-heart communication with our children. Truly a heart opening journey of sharing that nourishes and transforms.
• If you think you're not a storyteller or you're not creative enough or you're just not telling stories to your children for whatever reason... or on the other hand if you love storytelling and you are looking for some more ideas, please come join us.
• Bring a journal, pen, shawl/silk scarf (if you have one) and your sense of adventure. (-: You won't believe how easy it really is!

D. Zen Alarm Clocks and Necklaces to Decrease the Effect of EMFs on Your Health --- Great Gifts – 25% off retail.

 Below is the link for the Zen Alarm clocks (gorgeous!) as well as the Q-link's (important these days!) If you’d like to order any please let me know the style, type of wood, etc. by Friday the 25^th of June to receive the 25% off intro rate.

  http://www.now-zen.com/cgi-bin/orders/shop.pl

 http://www.feel-alive.com/ Q-links under products