Kindness is a much-needed quality in the divisive world that we all live in. However, with all the politically motivated violence, global manipulation of our minds through social media; the sexual exploitation of innocent children, and the gross criminal behavior of politicians and the ruling elite, who can seemingly get away with murder, you would be right in thinking, “this is no time for kindness! We need judgment on these assholes.”
However, although this is certainly true and warranted, the fundamental quality of kindness is what feeds our souls, and therefore, it is critically important that we not neglect this trait.
One can be a stern disciplinarian while being fair, balanced, and compassionate. My guru taught me: “You have to be a lamb at home, but a lion on the chase.” He drove home the point that these seemingly polar opposite qualities can co-exist, and indeed they must, in a peaceful, prosperous, and free society.
The problem with all of the chaos is that it would be easy to assume that that is all that is happening, “There is no good left in the world,” you’d lament. And this is exactly what those that wish to divide us, want you to think.
“Divide and conquer” is one of the fundamental rules toxic leaders abide by. It is the most effective tactic used by psychopaths all around the world to control the masses.
So the polar opposite of this tactic is to unite — to look past those superficial things that divide us, and to resonate with the underlying core value that animates us all — our spiritual oneness. You see, we are all energetically connected, woven together over vast stretches of space and time by a unifying singular energetic signature that unites us all. We are all uniquely individual but powerfully united as a whole ecosystem.
It is the singular characteristic of kindness that encapsulates the connectedness of spirit. When we act and speak in kindness, we tune our consciousness to the Source frequency and send out a clarion call that is understood by one and all.
Kindness is the real superpower we all possess. The one inherent quality that every one of the 99% of us who struggle under the despicable hands of government and corporatocracy can always draw upon. We have that power and we need to use it.
When we think of kindness, we typically envision a Boy Scout helping an elderly person across the street, or someone offering food to the hungry. These are all acts of kindness with the hands. But the most powerful and impressionable acts of kindness are those that are expressed with the tongue.
Let me explain…
According to all established wisdom traditions, the tongue is the gateway to unlocking our higher consciousness. The tongue has two functions: vibrating and tasting. The words we speak and the food we place on our tongues will have a tremendously powerful impact on our consciousness.
The Bible says: “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
So essentially, what I am sharing here is that if you wish to unlock this superpower of kindness, it begins with mastering the tongue.
It is ludicrous to talk about the importance of kindness if our tongues are not acting in kindness. Ask yourself: Is my food an expression of kindness? Are my spoken words infused with kindness? If not, make changes to achieve that ideal. The more we can act, talk, and speak in kindness, the more we can unlock this superpower within us.
As spiritual beings having a human experience, it is critical to understand your true nature as qualitatively like a God. We are literally like sparks to a great fire. Little gods if you will. We have the same inherent qualities of God but lack the quantitative depth of the Supreme Godhead. We are super powerful by nature, but due to contact with physical matter, we have lost touch with that truth due to a false ego identifying with physical form.
Once we can shed this false ego and embrace our divine nature, only then can we live a life driven by purpose.
It is by embracing kindness in all our actions and words that this shift of consciousness starts to take place.
Try to be kind always. And again, the secret is in mastering our tongue!
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Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 1 cup sliced celery (about 2 large stalks)
- 1 cup sliced carrot (about 2 medium size)
- 1 cup chopped beet (about 1 medium or 2 smaller)
- 3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp italian seasoning (or equal parts oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, sage)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- bragg’s liquid aminos to taste (around 3 tbsp as a base)
Directions
wash beets carrots and celery well – cut ends off then chop into pieces around 1/4 inch thick, slice and dice the onion and mushrooms and chop up the cabbage while you bring the water to a boil add all the veggies and the bay leaf and bring to a boil again on high heat – lower heat to medium and cover, simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally, add the rest of the herbs and spices and stir again – cook another 10 minutes – add bragg’s, stir, cover, and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to settle – remove the bay leaf when you find it 🙂 excellent served with millet, buckwheat or any other whole grain, plus lentils beans or tofu and a nice side salad – red cabbage can be used instead of green if you want to go super purple – it just makes a deep burgundy broth instead and has a more powerful flavor – show here served with a millet red lentil mix and a salad (this one features spring mix green pepper cucumber and avocado, topped with lemon juice braggs and dulse flakes) beets are excellent for growing young children too, so the black pepper can be omitted and less seasoning can be used overall for a milder version, mixing the soft sweet veggies with their favorite whole grains – as children in the 70’s and 80’s we were fed a well balanced whole food plant based / primarily macrobiotic diet of whole grains, plenty of raw and cooked vegetables, legumes fruit nuts and seeds, and simple dishes like these were our favorite!a variation for a one pot meal
with buckwheat and lentils added
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 1 cup french green lentils
- 1 cup untoasted buckwheat groats
- 2 cups chopped beet
- 2 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 cup sliced carrot
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms (or 1 cup white / cremini)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- bragg’s liquid aminos to taste
Directions
wash and chop all veggies, wash and rinse lentils and buckwheat and set aside, bring water to a boil, add lentils and buckwheat, then add all the veggies and spices, bring to a boil again on high heat then lower heat to medium, cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally – add a few tbsp of bragg’s at the end and stir well, remove from heat, then let sit covered for 5 minutes before enjoying Read more...
dry:
- 1 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup whole grain flour (i use einkorn but spelt kamut ww etc all work)
- 1/2 cup carob powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp ground flax meal (golden if available)
wet:
- 1/3 cup unsweetened plain plant yogurt (i use cashew or soy)
- 2 mashed ripe medium size bananas / about 3/4 cup
- 5 pitted medjool dates
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup hot water
background:
growing up we ate whole food plant based and as young children we always had carob instead of cocoa or chocolate, as it had no caffeine and was very nutritious – we didn’t have chocolate until we were older and LOVED everything carob! carob cupcakes, cakes, candies, cookies, breads – it was a favorite for us and all the kids who ate at our househistoric note:
the wild carob / locust bean gum tree grows throughout the mediterranean and has been enjoyed by humans throughout the ages – also widely known as st. john’s bread as st. john the baptist, believed to be a vegetarian (a counter-culture figure of love kindness and compassion for the times) survived on the pods of the locust bean gum tree in the desert – in the early vegetarian communities like seventh day adventists, carob was widely used and enjoyed as a healthier alternative to chocolate (this was before organic cacao was available and cocoa options were pretty limited comparatively), especially for growing children due to its nutrition content – some of the earliest treats available in health food stores were carob since these stores were often run by christian communities who truly did offer a very warm welcoming and abundant array of healthy meat and dairy free alternatives in those early days where there were far less optionsenvironmental note:
carob is far lower impact than cacao – its carbon footprint is significantly smaller, the trees grow well in arid conditions and produce a highly nutritious food, so as far as sustainability carob is a food from the future past that has much to offer to both human and environmental health – grab some and give it a try – if you’ve never had it you’re in for a treat photos show sandwich style, the cake after being refigerated (it gets more gooey), the cake just cooled and unrefrigerated, and the batter for reference – its good every way, even the batter 😉 Read more...
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder (or 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup kale or spinach, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (like parsley or cilantro) for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and chop all the vegetables, and gather the spices. 2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. 3. Add Vegetables and Spices: Add the carrots, celery, sweet potato, and butternut squash to the pot. Stir in the turmeric, ginger, cumin, and coriander, and cook for a couple of minutes to allow the spices to release their flavors. 4. Simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. 5. Add Chickpeas and Greens: Stir in the chickpeas and chopped kale or spinach. Let the soup cook for another 5 minutes until the greens are wilted. 6. Season and Serve: Add the lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs.Benefits:
Turmeric and Ginger: Both have anti-inflammatory properties and can help soothe symptoms. Vegetables: Rich in vitamins (like vitamin C from the kale) and minerals to support immune function. Chickpeas: Provide protein and fiber, helping to keep you full and energized. Hydration: The broth helps keep you hydrated, which is crucial when fighting off illness. This soup is not only nutritious but also comforting, helping to alleviate some of the symptoms of the flu and supporting your body’s immune system. Read more...
- Green or Brown Lentils: 20-30 minutes
- Red or Yellow Lentils: 15-20 minutes
- Black Beluga Lentils: 25-30 minutes
- French Green Lentils (Lentilles du Puy): 25-30 minutes
Fun Facts
Lentils are a highly nutritious and healthy food, making them an excellent choice for a balanced diet. Here are some key points about their nutritional value and health benefits:Nutritional Profile
1. Protein: Lentils are rich in protein, providing about 18 grams per cooked cup (198 grams). They are an excellent plant-based protein source, making them a staple in vegetarian and vegan diets. 2. Fiber: Lentils are high in dietary fiber, offering about 15.6 grams per cooked cup. This fiber includes both soluble and insoluble types, which are beneficial for digestive health and maintaining regular bowel movements. 3. Vitamins and Minerals: Folate (Vitamin B9): Lentils are particularly high in folate, with one cup providing about 90% of the daily recommended intake. Folate is crucial for DNA synthesis and repair, and it is especially important during pregnancy for fetal development. Iron: They provide a good amount of iron, which is essential for the formation of hemoglobin and preventing anemia. One cooked cup contains about 6.6 mg of iron. Magnesium: Lentils contain magnesium, which is important for muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, and bone health. Potassium: They offer a substantial amount of potassium, which helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals. Zinc: Lentils provide zinc, important for immune function, protein synthesis, and DNA synthesis. 4. Low in Fat: Lentils are low in fat, making them a heart-healthy food choice. They contain virtually no saturated fat.Health Benefits
1. Heart Health: The high fiber, folate, and potassium content in lentils contribute to heart health. Fiber helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, which can lower the risk of heart disease. Potassium helps manage blood pressure, and folate helps prevent homocysteine buildup, reducing cardiovascular risk. 2. Digestive Health: The high fiber content promotes healthy digestion and prevents constipation. Fiber also acts as a prebiotic, feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut. 3. Blood Sugar Control: Lentils have a low glycemic index, meaning they release energy slowly and help stabilize blood sugar levels. This makes them a good choice for people with diabetes or those managing their blood sugar. 4. Weight Management: High in protein and fiber, lentils can help promote a feeling of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake, which can be beneficial for weight management. 5. Nutrient Density: Lentils provide a wealth of nutrients without being calorie-dense, making them a nutritious option for overall health and wellness. 6. Antioxidant Properties: Lentils contain various bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties. These compounds help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Incorporating lentils into your diet can offer numerous health benefits due to their rich nutritional profile. They are versatile and can be used in soups, stews, salads, and many other dishes, making it easy to enjoy their health benefits. Read more...
Planning and executing your business strategies with a socially responsible mindset is good business practice. Not only are your customers expecting it, but it feels right, too. But why?
The reason is simple: by nature, we are all energetically connected. We are interdependent beings — connected through the innate quality of service. The ecosystem of life is weaved together through this same quality, as every herb, plant, animal, and human has been perfectly designed to perform a particular function for the benefit of this ecosystem. No living thing is useless. No living thing is purposeless. Every living thing has a purpose and deserves respect.
This understanding of connectedness illuminates our thirst for social responsibility. In other words, it is not smoke and mirrors; it is essential to life and liberty.
Of course, like anything, even something as noble as social responsibility can be misused for selfish motivations. However, like sugar, although it can cause our body harm in large quantities, its essential function is to stimulate pleasure in the palate and evoke feelings of happiness and satiation.
But what does it mean to be truly socially responsible?
Is it enough to buy carbon credits, recycle, and have a good DEI (Diversity Equity Inclusion) score for our company?
No, no, and hell no!
To be socially responsible as an individual and as a company means taking into consideration all aspects of our personal life choices and our business practices, from the way we dress, eat, and drink to how our companies purchase supplies, power our business, package our products, and most importantly, how we give back to the community.
There has been plenty said about how we should do all of these things, but one critical overruling perspective should guide each decision we make in performing these tasks as an individual and as a company. Ask this question:
Am I respecting the life of another living thing and doing the least amount of harm with this decision?
Once you can get an honest answer to that simple question, you can enthusiastically go forward with a socially responsible mindset.
Everything else about that function or business decision then becomes rudimentary, because the guiding principle of your actions has been clearly established.
For example, say I am about to choose my dinner from a menu. I see a bunch of delicious-looking creations that catch my eye. Some of them have meat and fish, while some have vegan options with a protein replacement, like tofu or mock meat. The socially responsible thing to do for our body and the planet is to choose the vegan option, simply because it is the choice that will cause the least amount of suffering to another living thing and the best choice for the planet.
Sadly, many people, either through ignorance or cognitive dissonance, still do not want to accept the fact that animal agriculture is the biggest polluter of the environment. It is the height of hypocrisy to see climate change proponents and eco-activists eating meat and dairy.
Similarly, your company may be all in on recycling and even be powered with solar panels, but your efforts will always fall short of the mark if you are not consistent across the board. We can’t tout our company as eco-friendly while also scoffing down burgers for lunch paid for with company dollars while sitting on our leather chairs.
We may think we have the solution by “offsetting” our bad behavior by purchasing carbon credits (probably the biggest scam in modern history), when in fact, we are just trying to distract attention away from our bad business practices with a soul-less line item on a tax return.
To be socially responsible means doing so in all our actions and words. It is not easy, but we can make baby steps toward this ideal one day at a time.
To be fair, I understand the challenges of transitioning to a plant-based diet. Although, it is much easier in 2024 than it was when I started in 1980. On top of that, no two people have the same biological makeup or circumstances, so diet is a very personal matter. However, we have to remember that while a company is legally considered an individual, it is ultimately operated by the consciousness of a board of directors. A company cannot decide by itself how it functions. It is not a living thing like we are. So while the IRS treats it like a person, the people who run the company have the responsibility to do the right thing on behalf of the company.
As responsible stewards of our company, we need to make decisions that are best for that impersonal entity we treasure as our “company.”
For this reason, while our personal lives may conflict with our company’s ideals, we have a fiduciary and social responsibility to manage our company so that it operates in the best way possible and meets our customers’ expectations.
It has been noted that the customer demographic that is pushing hardest on corporate social responsibility are the Millennials and Gen Z. According to the latest research, 94% of Millennials and Gen Zs would buy from a company with an excellent CSR program. 84% of them would give socially responsible companies the benefit of the doubt in the event of a crisis, and 73% would pay extra for sustainable products.
Millennials and Gen Z are generations that place huge importance on making an impact and seeing that impact through direct cause and effect. These new generations associate their jobs with more than a paycheck—they see a job as an integrated part of their lives that should be as meaningful as what they do outside of work.
When it comes to responsibly giving back, the choices can sometimes be overwhelming. Platforms like Benevity and The Giving Block use technology to cater to and support thousands of non-profit partners. It is not easy to know where to direct your giving dollars.
One charity that does tick all the boxes is Food Yoga International, formerly known as Food for Life Global. The non-profit has a long history that dates back to the mid-70s. Through its various incarnations as a charity, it has evolved into a world leader when it comes to socially responsible humanitarianism. Food Yoga International oversees an international network of plant-based food relief projects that serve over 1 million meals daily in 65 countries. Their food philosophy is called food yoga. The word yoga is a Sanskrit word that means to “unite,” so the charity’s tagline and mission is to “Unite the world with pure food,” clearly separating itself from other food relief charities in the industry with its innovative approach to solving world hunger.
However, more importantly, since the charity only serves plant-based meals, it also makes a statement about its respect for Earth. Again, it is an established fact that animal agriculture causes more environmental damage than all the planes, trucks, and cars of the world combined.
Keeping with its mission to unite the world with pure food and respect all life, Food Yoga International has also embraced the important role that animal sanctuaries play in educating the youth on the value of a vegan lifestyle. One of its primary affiliates is Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary, located in Colombia, South America.
The mission of this charity is to teach equality of all life. The primary way they do this is by showing the children from visiting schools that animals are also sentient beings with intelligence, emotions, and feelings.
Food Yoga International is a socially responsible charity worth supporting.
To learn more about Food Yoga International, formerly known as Food for Life Global, visit www.ffl.org or follow us on Twitter @fflglobal
Download the Food Yoga International Corporate Sponsorship deck here
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Ingredients
- One can of black beans
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 and 1/2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce. I usually just blend a chopped p apple with some lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 of a cup vegan chocolate chips, at least
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Ingredients
2 pounds fresh beets, peeled and sliced
1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 whole bay leaves
INSTRUCTIONS.
1) In a large pot, bring the sliced beets to a boil in water. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
2) In a separate saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, granulated sugar, salt, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, whole cloves, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt.
3) Place the cooked beets into sterilized jars.
4) Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the beets in the jars, ensuring the beets are fully submerged. Leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar
5) Seal the jars with sterilized lids.
6) Allow the jars to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
❗️NOTE! If desired after step three you can omit sealing the jar/s and cool at room temp then completely then refrigerate for 2 days before using.
Read more...Hey everyone, thought I’d introduce myself. I’ve been vegan for over a decade now , even though I feel veganism is a journey, not a journey.
I’m a writer and marketing strategist and soon launching my podcast on hoe vegan brands and activists ( which we all are, just making a stand with our choices is an action of defiance ) how using timeless understanding of psychology of change and ethical persuasion principles, we can move humanity closer to that vegan world breakthrough one step at a time among things like the environmental impact of animal agricruelture and how we have 2 years left to prevent ecological catastrophe and ofcourse the horrendous living conditions of animals before they face the ultimate slaughter as well it’s impact on human health and as well society at large.
Looking forward to connecting with you all in near future
Read more...Now Available on Amazon – paperback and ebook
True Justice 4 All a novel…based on reality…unfortunately.
by Patty Leon & Rich Winograd
Human superiority and dominance, the basis of speciesism, is backfiring on humanity. The lack of moral consideration towards non-human animals by exploiting, abusing and unnecessarily killing them, primarily for food and entertainment, is linked to humanity’s own suffering. From chronic diseases and pandemics to human rights abuses, systematic racism, violence and wars to world hunger to environmental degradation and climate change, it’s ultimately the cognitive dissonance of humanity in relation to animals that is to blame. Only when actions are aligned with values will humanity have a chance.
As the Greek Philosopher Pythagoras said in the 6th Century, “For as long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other.”
Growing up at her Grandma Jan’s animal sanctuary in Western New York, Eliza is privileged from early childhood to have a unique relationship with animals. Learning from her grandmother, an animal rights and social justice activist, Eliza develops keen insight into the lives of animals rescued from animal agriculture and the destructive realities of the food production system on animals, humans and the planet. Now eighteen and preparing to enter college to study veterinary science, Eliza does her own activism, primarily as a tour guide at the sanctuary. Together with the mentorship of her Grandma Jan, the experience of the sanctuary’s dedicated worker Juan and the knowledge of fellow tour guides and friends Cassie and Michelle, Eliza develops a strong voice for social justice as it relates to animals. Her tours and those of her colleagues not only give visitors a chance to get up close with the animals and learn about their natural behaviors, but they offer insightful and poignant information about animal agriculture and its effect on social justice. The subjects of animal rights, human rights, human health, environmental health and the foundation of morality are all woven in to the story with detail and conviction. Just a mile from the sanctuary is a small, family owned dairy farm. After one of the cows wanders off and is taken in by Eliza’s family, a confrontation takes place between Grandma Jan and the owners of the dairy farm. It is a confrontation that progresses into Eliza’s first significant protest and fight against the abuse of animals farmed for food, specifically dairy cows. After the unexpected death of one of her mentors, Eliza’s role in the fight for the cows at the nearby dairy farm is heightened. Her knowledge, fervor and compassion for justice for all sentient beings lead to a resolution that few could have anticipated. True Justice 4 All is an uplifting novel that shares the joys of loving innocent animals with the challenges of fighting for their freedom amidst the atrocities of a food system that cares neither for their innocence nor for their freedom.
“Animals are individuals. Animals have personalities. Animals have the right to live free of human imposed suffering. Seeing animals for who they are and not as commodities and objects is critical to creating a compassionate, non-violent world. These simple truths come shining through in Patty Leon and Rich Winograd’s novel True Justice 4 All. I hope it will be widely read, especially by young adults, as they seek to change the trajectory of a violent and cruel society that exploits, abuses and kills innocent animals.”Hope Bohanec, Executive Director,
Compassionate Living
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