Cries from the Congo

⊆ Monday, February 16, 2009 by Donia | , , , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

Two Saturdays ago there were a couple of very heavy articles in the NY Times about the latest series of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While Josh Ruxin blogs about some hope developing in the east of the country, there is new trouble in the west. This "Silent War" has raged for the past decade and over 5 million people are its victims.

Honestly, i feel like crying (in anger, sadness, confusion, and disbelief) while i type this. The problems are on such a grand scale that is overwhelming. The brutality and suffering are shocking. They are the stuff of horrible haunting nightmares. How can this and this and this be happening?
Shortly after reading the initial articles, i wrote a friend (actually, i texted them...because they pretty much refuse to answer the phone ever, preferring the convenience, brevity, and on-your-own-terms of texting. this is a topic i would like to post on at another time.) to share my anguish about the situation. After expressing a desire to send the Congolese people peace, my friend replied that they would prefer to send love, but in reality how could either be sent. In other words, what difference can we really make?

Dammit, there has to be something that can be done!
Here is one project that is doing something amazing: They are called Working Villages International.
Here is another place: Women For Women International.
And there is also the Genocide Intervention Network

I am just starting my deeper investigation into how positive change can be affected. If you have any ideas, know of any organizations that are really helping, or want to brainstorm please share.

I have an incredible friend from Rwanda. We used to live across the street from one another in the east village of NYC. We have cooked and shared many a meal and powerful conversation. He is a serious practitioner of yoga and meditation. Many many times he told me that he thought one of the most powerful and transformative gifts that could be given to people in Africa (in conflict areas and across the continent) is yoga. I was overjoyed to find some people doing just that! My deep appreciation goes out to the Africa Yoga Project.
Here are some links with more info on the conflict in the Congo:


The Fasting Feast

⊆ Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Donia | , , , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

I took some extended time with fasting from interrupting. It was a practice that really challenged me observe myself and my communications more closely. Towards the end of the first week my mother let me know in no uncertain terms that she thought i needed to listen more and interrupt her less. That was when i decided to continue my fast for another week. (i intend to still be mindful about interruptions, btw.)

And as for last times positive growing exercise... the sprouts are still in their seed form.

All that being said, here is what isn't happening this week...

PAPER TOWELS

Cloth is so much better. And actually, we do use cloth much of the time. But occasionally, weakness overcomes me and the convenience of the paper towel wins out. (This is usually when i am about to be pawed by a toddler who has been excavating an avocado.) But not this week! (and hopefully, not beyond this week!) Here is some info on the polluting effects of bleached paper products, how much energy and resources are saved by using recycled goods, and how much more are saved by using cloth.

So what about the feast? What positive practice is to be embraced?

We are having ANOTHER GO AT SPROUTING!!!

Why the heck not, right?


An Gorgeous Ornament for NYC

⊆ Tuesday, February 10, 2009 by Donia | , , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

Beautiful Odissi danseuse, Nalini, in June 2001. TheTwin Towers are happy watching her.


A Confession

⊆ Monday, February 09, 2009 by Donia | , , , . | ˜ 2 comments »

When i made the cinnamon rolls for my friends, i forgot to add the cinnamon...

Sad, but true. So the recipe is delicious without cinnamon too. Its just more of a Date, Almond, Flax roll.

Info about the Cinna-Man is up on the alterna-blog.


Delicious Raw Cinnamon Rolls!

⊆ Wednesday, February 04, 2009 by Donia | , . | ˜ 0 comments »

On Sunday, a sweet friend came to visit in the afternoon. Wanting to make a treat in her honor, i remembered a recipe that sounded delectable from GoneRaw.com.

Cinnamon has a lot of fantastic qualities. You can read more about them at my other blog.

Here is the cooking formula from Shannonmarie (and the photos from me - some are okay, others subpar and not so delicious looking, just figured that if i was going to bother, may as well see the photos all the way through!):

"Servings: Serves 4-8

Ingredients:
1¼ cup almond meal
1¼ cup ground flaxseed
1 dash cayenne pepper
1½ tablespoon cinnamon
1 pinch sea salt
1 cup soft pitted dates
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
.125 cup olive oil
.125 cup agave nectar
¼ cup raisins, plus a little extra
¼ cup chopped nuts

Preparation:
Combine the almond meal, ground flaxseed, dash of cayenne pepper, 1/2 Tbsp. cinnamon and pinch sea salt in a bowl and set aside.

In a food processor or blender, process dates, water and vanilla into a paste. Remove half of the date paste and add it to the dry ingredients, along with the olive oil and agave. Mix these ingredients with your hands until it forms a dough. You may need to add a little water and/or agave if it is too dry, but be careful not to add too much.

Spread the dough out on a piece of parchment paper, and flatten/shape it into a 1/4-inch thick square.

Add 1/4 cup raisins and 1 Tbsp. of cinnamon to the rest of the date paste left in your food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Then, spread a thin layer of the paste onto the dough square, making sure to cover the whole surface, and top with a sprinkle of extra raisins and the chopped walnuts.

Using the parchment paper to help hold everything together, carefully/tightly roll the square into a log. Chill in the refrigerator, and then slice into about 1-inch thick rounds. I usually make about 8 cinnamon rolls out of this recipe.

These cinnamon rolls can be eaten right out of the refrigerator or warmed on a dehydrator. I top mine with a generous icing of raw almond butter mixed with agave, vanilla and sea salt (or if I have more time, I make a cashew and coconut whipped cream icing, as seen in the photo). Yum-O!"


okay, i admit it...this is not my photography...or my cinnabuns...
these are Shannonmarie's

These were mine. Just as tasty but not as pretty.
They were gone shortly after this photo was taken.


Tomorrow evening these will manifest again for the dessert portion of a dinner with friends.


Hearing Eco Agriculture's Voice

⊆ Sunday, February 01, 2009 by Donia | , , , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

Upon reaching home after a great yoga class Thursday (much gratitude to my old friend Jonathon for inspiring my attendance), i found an envelope on the bed. It was my Acres USA free sample magazine and catalog! That a request for more info had been made a month and a half ago had slipped into the recesses of my busy mind.

How exciting! I have always wanted to know the ins and outs of organic seed production and how to make organic hay! Actually, that is true...i am not always aware of the desire, but it is there.

So far, i have only skimmed the magazine. The catalog was more magnetic straight away (there are several books on biomagnetism, btw). While putting the little lion to bed titles and descriptions of green and esoteric books were poured over. (Full Disclosure: Books and their consumption are a weakness of mine. There are shelves and shelves and shelves of them in our abode. Many have been great friends.)

Here are a few titles that i would love to check out (or if anyone is trying to figure out what the heck to get me for any of my 364 un-birthdays...):

Roots Demystified by Robert Kourik (illustrated root systems and wit! cant' beat that!)

Growing Green by Jenny Hall and Iain Tolhurst (talks about animal by-product-free organic farming)

The Earth Moved by Amy Stewart (all about the extraordinary wrigglers that are earthworms)

How to Grow Fresh Air by Dr. B.C. Wolverton (highlights 50 plants for their abilities to provide maximum oxygen, to purify toxins, and how green your thumb has to be to grow them)

Carrots Love Tomatoes (and the 2nd edition, Roses Love Garlic) by Louise Riotte (A gossip book for the plant world. All about who likes who, who doesn't like who, and how you can harness plants social preferences to maximize your garden's yield.)

Growing 101 Herbs that Heal by Tammi Hurtung (advice on how to cultivate, care for, and harvest 101 useful and healing herbs)

The Secret Teachings of Plants by Stephan Harrod Buhner (how to become more in tune with the healing aspects of plants. Inspired by indigenous and ancient people and cultures.)

Genetic Roulette by Jeffery Smith (Investigates and shatters the claim that genetically modified foods are safe.)

Dung Beetles by Charles Walters (The compelling tale of this strange bug.)

Secrets of the Soil by Peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird (Highly recommended to me by a friend. Discusses creative techniques being used to practice non-toxic agriculture.)

So there it is, a small portion of my ambitious wish reading list.


Older Posts
Newer Posts