Via TreeHugger

There is nothing quite like a real tomato, a tomato as it is meant to be grown and eaten. A tomato should have a fragile skin that is under pressure to contain the juice and seeds within, splitting open easily and explosively. It should almost dissolve as you eat it, filling your mouth with intensely refreshing flavour. You’d think I’m describing a fruit that’s altogether different from the tomatoes you purchase at the grocery store. Those belong in a different category, with pale pink flesh that’s dry, mealy, and dense. Finding one of those in a salad is more disappointing than exciting.

Read more —- here.

Interesting article on our attention habits, click here for full article

JF: When people talk about attention problems in modern society, they usually mean the distractive potential of smartphones and so on. Is that connected to what you’re talking about in early-childhood development?

LS: We learn by imitation, from the very start. That’s how we’re wired. Andrew Meltzoff and Patricia Kuhl, professors at the University of Washington I-LABS, show videos of babies at 42 minutes old, imitating adults. The adult sticks his tongue out. The baby sticks his tongue out, mirroring the adult’s behavior. Children are also cued by where a parent focuses attention. The child’s gaze follows the mother’s gaze. Not long ago, I had brunch with friends who are doctors, and both of them were on call. They were constantly pulling out their smartphones. The focus of their 1-year-old turned to the smartphone: Mommy’s got it, Daddy’s got it. I want it.

We may think that kids have a natural fascination with phones. Really, children have a fascination with what-ever Mom and Dad find fascinating. If they are fascinated by the flowers coming up in the yard, that’s what the children are going to find fascinating. And if Mom and Dad can’t put down the device with the screen, the child is going to think, That’s where it’s all at, that’s where I need to be! I interviewed kids between the ages of 7 and 12 about this. They said things like “My mom should make eye contact with me when she talks to me” and “I used to watch TV with my dad, but now he has his iPad, and I watch by myself.”

Kids learn empathy in part through eye contact and gaze. If kids are learning empathy through eye contact, and our eye contact is with devices, they will miss out on empathy.

JF: So can people find ways to “disconnect”?

LS: There is an increasingly heated conversation around “disconnecting.” I’m not sure this is a helpful conversation . When we discuss disconnecting, it puts the machines at the center of everything. What if, instead, we put humans at the center of the conversation, and talk about with what or whom we want to connect?

Talking about what we want to connect with gives us a direction and something positive to do. Talking about disconnecting leaves us feeling shamed and stressed. Instead of going toward something, the language is all about going away from something that we feel we don’t adequately control. It’s like a dieter constantly saying to him or herself, “I can’t eat the cookie. I can’t eat the cookie,” instead of saying, “That apple looks delicious.”

Thanks to James Fallows and the Atlantic for this article

“Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” ~Guillaume Apollinaire

How and Why We Should Save the Bee Population

Without bees, our society would be completely different. An astounding 71% of the hundred crops that provide nine-tenths of the world’s food are pollinated by bees. Bees enable plants to bear fruits and vegetables. Without bees, some fruits and veggies would not be accessible, and we wouldn’t be able to feed livestock effectively.

Bees also provide us with honey and bee pollen, two resources that are incredibly useful when consumed. Sadly, the average jar of honey you see in the local grocery store has been destroyed by pasteurization methods. It is essentially junk food disguised as health food. But, raw local honey is a superfood loaded with antioxidants, enzymes and vitamins.

Benefits of raw local honey:

Decreased pollen related allergies 

Bees collect nectar from the very plants that are making you stuffy and irritated. By eating a spoonful of raw local honey, you’re introducing pollen to the body, thus gradually building up the body’s tolerance to seasonal allergies. Begin consuming raw local honey two months before allergy season for best results.

Improved immune system

Raw local honey is loaded with anti+fungal and anti+viral properties.

Better sleep

Ingesting raw local honey raises our insulin slightly and allows tryptophan to enter our brains more easily. Eat a spoonful of honey when feeling anxious or when having trouble sleeping.

Bee pollen: the healthiest food you’ve never heard of?

Researchers in Russia found: “Honeybee pollen is the richest source of vitamins found in Nature in a single food. Even if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening the capillaries. Pollen is extremely rich in rutin and may have the highest content of any source, plus it provides a high content of the nucleics RNA [ribonucleic acid] and DNA [deoxyribonucleic acid].”

Here are the benefits of ingesting bee pollen:

• Inhibits the development of harmful bacteria
• Decreases inflammation in the body
• Increases ovarian function
• Rich in protein (more+so than cow, pig, chicken or any animal source!)
• Good source of amino acids
• Increases the body’s white blood cells (essential for defending against viruses and diseased cells)

What’s happening to the bees?

In recent years, an alarming trend has begun. Bees are dying off in record numbers (we’re talking millions). Just two months ago, 50,000 bees died in a parking lot in Oregon. The phenomenon known as CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder) has not yet fully been explained but The New Yorker does a great job of laying out the issues in this article. Some of the possible culprits:

• Genetically Modified Organisms
• A type of pesticide called neonicotinoids

A nation scared of bees

I remember being younger and being paranoid of being stung. I would be antsy and upset whenever I saw a swarm of bees. It seems today as though we as a nation take the same approach. We’re very quick to kill bees and we dismiss them as nothing more than a nuisance. Knowing how important bees are to our lives, it seems to be in our best interest to take the opposite approach and start protecting and cherishing bees.

Interestingly, while 15% of the population says they’re allergic to bees, tests have shown that the number is closer to 1%. Can we change these damaging perceptions?

What can we do to save the bee population?

I used to swat bees and kill them without thinking twice. Now, I’m grateful for bees and I’m in awe of nature’s process each time I see one of them pollinate a flower in our garden. What’s the reason for the difference in radically changing my approach? Education.

Education

I simply didn’t realize how important bees are. Education is the key to changing behavior.

It’s paramount that we educate people on the importance of bees. But, how to educate? For one, start by sharing this article with a friend or your network.

Next time you see one of your friends try to swat a bee, bring up the points made in this post and explain their importance.

Purchases bee boxes

Bee boxes are homes for bees to create hives in. Purchase bee boxes and place them in the outdoors so bees can flourish. Your garden will also benefit from the increase in pollinators.

eBay auction for a terrific bee box

Eliminate usage of harmful pesticides.

They’re bad for you, bad for the soil, and bad for the bees.

Grow plants that bees like. 

The more bee friendly plants there are, the more bees there will be. 🙂

Melissa has a great list of plants honey bees like here.

Bees not only provide us with incredible health food products such as raw local honey and bee pollen, but they also pollinate an enormous amount of our crops. Recent estimates state that bees contribute more than $200 billion to the global economy. Bees are mysteriously dying off and no one seems to know about it. There are actions we can take and it starts with being informed and educating. For more information, watch (free on Netflix):

The Vanishing of the Bees

~Stay lucid

Aparigraha and Nonattachment in Everyday Life

Aparihraha is part of yogic philosophy. For an introduction to yoga philosophy, it is important to learn about the yamas and niyamas.

Aparigraha and Nonattachment Overview

Aparigraha is one of the yamas ~ the definition is nonattachment. Feelings, thoughts, emotions, and possessions are all impermanent. This post will focus on nonattachment to material possessions.

What we own ends up owning us. You can see this every day in your own life and the life of your friends and family.

If you’re a recent college graduate, adhering to the Aparigraha principle will give you freedom from the debt and obligations that shackle your friends and perhaps your parents. If you follow the path that American society dictates, you might find yourself trapped in a mountain of debt and useless possessions.

Possessions end up owning you, not the other way around.

Shackles Holding Us Back

I know so many people who would like to travel and live an extraordinary life but they’ve imprisoned themselves with debt by conforming to societal norms. Society tells us that we need to go to a great college and get a great job and then buy a great car and a great home. And then buy a bunch of great stuff to fill up the home. Is this really necessary?

I’ve fallen into the possession and attachment trap, what can I do?

Car payment? Student loan debt? Credit card debt? Mortgage? Garage full of useless items? Closet full of clothing you don’t wear?

The solution is to sell your crap, pay off your debt and change your mindset. On eBay and Amazon, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. There will likely be buyers. If not, give it away. Giving is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world. If you need additional incentive, consider the tax credit offered to those who donate used items.

There was a study done that showed that true to the Pareto Principle, Americans wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time. Look in your closet. There is probably numerous pieces of clothing that you haven’t worn in years. Get rid of them. Getting rid of physical clutter has been proven to rid your mind of mental clutter in the process.

By practicing yoga, meditating, reading and studying the great teachers, one will soon realize that the feeling we get from accumulating material possessions is a hopeless, fleeting pleasure.

Attachment and Making Consumer Purchases

Think of a recent time you purchased an article of clothing. You really liked it at first, right? But as time went on, you probably became accustomed to the piece of clothing and your affinity for it faded. You either lost it or it sits idle in your closet. Before you buy, realize that the good feeling you get from purchasing is impermanent. The purchase is probably unnecessary. This realization will help prevent the buildup of useless crap.

Why is it this way in America?

If we grew up in Japan, our attitude towards saving would likely be completely different. America is a debt driven society where consumers are encouraged to spend because it stimulates the economy in the short run. The average American ends up with mountains of high interest credit card debt by buying things that we don’t need.

As a society, we’ve lost touch with what matters. It seems many Westerners are concerned with celebrities and gaining social kudos from peers. We’ll do anything to satisfy this craving.  Moreover, we’re so addicted to technology that it has become difficult to sit in silence and observe what’s going on in our minds.

In our travels to Cambodia, we witnessed the complete opposite. The locals were so happy and they had so few material possessions.

Children Ka Chut Kroam Village, Cambodia

Test to Determine your Level of Attachment

Next time you misplace your cell phone or computer or another valuable item, notice your reaction. Are you mad? Sad? If so, take a second and reflect. I often cringe when I drop my iPhone in “fear” that I had just shattered the screen. But isn’t it a bit ridiculous to let the status of a possession dictate your happiness? Let’s reduce this attachment to possessions and limit craving for items.

Conclusion on Aparigraha and Nonattachment

Some of us are always chasing…. chasing an impossible fleeting feeling of “happiness” that supposedly comes from accumulating material possessions. There are not enough material possessions in this world that will make you truly happy. This can only come from within.

Let’s strive to take the opposite approach to those on the hit American TV series Hoarders. Pursue your needs, not your desires and you’ll have more freedom in life. Be content with less.

“My barn has burned to the ground, now i can see the moon.” ~Japanese Proverb

In order to learn and become the best versions of ourselves, we can study extraordinary men and women that have come before us.

Sleep is a wellness topic that Brian and I have studied extensively. We’ll talk about the amazing benefits of napping in the future but for now, let’s examine the following men who were famous for their sleep habits:

Winston Churchill 

Churchill said: “Nature has not intended mankind to work from eight in the morning until midnight without that refreshment of blessed oblivion which, even if it only lasts twenty minutes, is sufficient to renew all the vital forces.”

He also said: “People think you will be doing less work because you sleep during the day. That’s a foolish notion held by people who have no imagination. You will be able to accomplish more.”

Napoleon Bonaparte

It is said that Napoleon was so fond of napping that he would take naps while riding on his horse during battle.

Thomas Edison

Edison could sleep anywhere, anytime, on anything. He was famous for not sleeping much but napping a lot.

John F. Kennedy

Kennedy carved out the mid morning for daily napping of 2 hours. The head of his household staff said that while Kennedy was napping, “No telephone calls were allowed, no folders sent up, no interruptions from the staff. Nobody went upstairs, for any reason.”

Leonardo Da Vinci

Da Vinci took napping to the extreme. He adhered to a polyphasic sleep cycle, meaning that he slept for multiple short intervals throughout the day, allowing him to be awake, alert, and present for 22 hours per day.

Our friend Jordan Lejuwaan explains, “Most people only think that there is one way to sleep: Go to sleep at night for 6-8 hours, wake up in the morning, stay awake for 16-18 hours and then repeat.” There are sleep alternatives which Jordan discusses on his blog.

Have you experimented with alternative sleep cycles?

What benefits have you received from napping?

5 Reasons to Soak Nuts and Seeds Before Eating

Have you ever felt like the nuts you were eating were rock hard and tough to chew? If so, it’s likely that you’re eating nuts that your digestive system cannot break down. Nuts and seeds have natural defense mechanisms (to fend off predators such as squirrels, humans, etc.) These defense mechanisms include toxic substances and enzyme inhibitors. These defense mechanisms are present until growing conditions exist. After soaking your nuts and seeds, you create a growing condition and the defense mechanisms are broken down, making the nut a much healthier option. Soaking nuts and seeds is also known as “sprouting.”

Why Soak Nuts and Seeds Before Eating ?

Eating rock hard nuts and seeds is like eating “dead food,” or more accurately, food that is not yet activated or alive. You activate, germinate, and sprout the nut or seed by soaking it.

5 Reasons to Soak Seeds and Nuts Before Eating :

1. You unlock the nutritional power of seeds and nuts by soaking

Not all nuts are created equally. A lot of people eat nuts because, “they have a lot of protein.” But what good is protein if you can’t absorb it? Soaking the nuts unlocks the protein and allows your digestive system to absorb it.

2. Soak nuts and seeds before eating for better taste

Soaked nuts taste better.  They’re softer and moist, giving the nuts more of a “nut+butter” taste.

3. Soak nuts and seeds before eating to eliminate toxins

The enzyme inhibitors and toxins are all but removed after soaking nuts and seeds, reducing potential damage to your digestive tract and internal organs.

4. Soak nuts and seeds before eating to activate beneficial enzymes

Not only does soaking reduce toxins, it also activates beneficial enzymes and vitamins (especially Vitamins A, B, and C.)

5. Soaking nuts and seeds before eating is better for your teeth

Any dentist will agree ~ it is better to bite and chew softer foods. You can turn a rock hard nut or seed into a soft, nutritional powerhouse in a few short hours. The lucid practitioner is always seeking vitality through healthy, cleansing, enlivening foods. You can actually increase the life, power, and vitality of your seeds and nuts by soaking them! What experience do you have in soaking/eating seeds and nuts?

In late April, Brian, Kate, Danielle and I started our garden.

We began with zero experience but were eager to learn.

Our goal was to grow edible plants, meet interesting people, and learn as much as possible.

There have been ups and downs, plants have yielded meals and other plants have died. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot and felt a different sort of calmness and presence in the garden that can’t be matched elsewhere.

Our garden is located in Westport, Connecticut. Check it out @ www.westportgardens.org/wordpress

The town set aside a few acres for the organization and the garden is surrounded by a heavy duty 8 foot fence so deer cannot invade. Each gardening group pays a small fee ($50 USD) in exchange for their plot (10 feet by 20 feet).

Within this space the gardeners are free to grow whatever they want. The only requirements are that everything is organic and that gardeners maintain the weeding of their plots in a timely fashion. Most gardeners opt for “raised plots,” a method where wooden frames are placed into the ground to creating a structure that helps the plants grow.

Before this experience, Brian and I had no idea that the Community Garden organization existed. Most of our friends in Westport hadn’t heard of it either. Maybe there’s a Community Garden organization in your area!

You can see our kale and spinach seedlings in one of our raised beds in the above photo.

Every week, we’ll share our progress in the hopes of connecting with aspiring gardeners, veteran gardeners, and those who have always wanted to try gardening but haven’t done so. Maybe we can inspire you to take the leap!

What have you grown this year? What have you learned about gardening and yourself in the process?

~TR

1)      Raspberries- Low sugar content, 8 grams of fiber in one cup.

2)      Collard Greens- Calcium, Vitamins A + C, and other important nutrients.

3)      Peaches- Great source of potassium.

4)      Red Bell Peppers- High levels of Vitamin C and beta-carotine.

5)      Heirloom Tomatoes- Phytonutrient lycopene levels may help prevent prostate cancer.

Jump to Margaret Wertheim’s breakdown……