“If I throw a bunch of vegetables around the kitchen singing, everything will be O.K.”
- Wendy Stevens

I was cleaning out my bulk foods this weekend, because the plastic bags that they come home in are not free from threat of little ones moving in for the winter. I pulled out my ball jars, green peas in this one, mung beans in that one, white beans over here, red lentils, adzukis - ooh black beans! It was like….

It felt almost like art even though I was more excited about how organized my food would be and how much easier I could plan meals.

Then my thoughts turned to Marshall’s, Target, T.J. Maxx…. I recalled seeing glass jars filled with these edibles, in patterns, and sold for decoration. This strikes as Part II of my most recent blog rants.

DON’T PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD!!!

Mung beans are among the most prized health food, as they are elemental in DNA repair, balancing blood sugar, strengthening the heart… I could go on and on about the value of these little inexpensive beans, there is not a single reason why anyone should not eat these. Its another one of nature’s perfect foods. Protein, vitamins, the essence of sprouted life… just soak them in water overnight, and they will sprout the next day. Sprinkle them on salad, snack on them, blend them up to make a healthy hummus. yum yum! All beans are essential parts of a healthy protein diet.

Hope you are all enjoying the season and I’m off my little soapbox for now.

Keep it Green!

Not many of us fall for being forced into Christmas shopping frenzies because its “while supplies last”, it “won’t last long”, and its “less than 3 weeks til Christmas”.

Over the last few years, my perception has been that people are just plain tired of being marketed to in this panic stricken form. We can shop on-line, we can shop when we want to, not when they unlock their seemingly exclusive doors and “limited time offers”.

A friend of mine was recently commenting on the ugliness of this term “black friday”, when some brave the stores, having fun in the frantic energy, and others stay at home to avoid the energy.

Green Saturday - Here’s an Idea!

Today is the day you make homemade gifts full of thought, or purchase an inexpensive homemade gift from an artist. Its quite a full circle concept. You can bet there is no lead in a homemade product. Check out the new homemade bath soaks and loofas, our new alternative to deodorant “Fields of Lavender Body Powder“, or the thoughtful positive decks, oracle cards, angel cards, and affirmation cards.

Take your time, think it out, and when you get hungry, take 10 steps to the kitchen and grab a bite, or peruse our teas and put some of that on.

I like the concept of Green Saturday, back to nature.

Its an interesting concept to spend your dollars within your community and with those who support mother nature, as I predicted in my original rantings in 2001 on beginning this site, sprawl is slowing as we turn back to nature and look around at the impact we have on our communities. We are realizing it in many ways (oil crisis, imported toy hazards, imported food hazards, water…) how important it is to support each other and use local resources to thrive.

Happy Green Saturday! Make something from your kitchen today!

The Horse (so’-qui-li)

Mighty horse…power to run
Across the open plains,
Or to bring the vision of the shields
Dancing in purple dream rain…

The horse was a marvel to the Indian and came to be regarded as sacred. It had a mysterious or
sacred character. The Indian often times referred to the horse as the big dog or the sacred dog.

The ceremonial importance of horses is strong in many cultures. In the Navajo Enemy Way ceremony, which is used to rid someone who has come in contact with the enemy of the evil, horses transport the sacred staff that carries the evil away from the person. Horses are the focus of many Plains ceremonies as well.

If you talk to the animals
they will talk with you
and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them
you will not know them,
and what you do not know
you will fear.
What one fears
one destroys.

- Chief Dan George

Lets Talk About Our Skin… Our skin is the largest organ in our entire body. It is a living, breathing organ, and it is absorbent. It absorbs the artificial ingredients in our laundry detergent, the chemicals in our perfumes, any smoke in the air, sunlight, makeup… our skin is busy every day cleaning itself and re-stocking moisture into itself as we go through our daily wear and tear.

Have you ever thought about actually feeding your skin something healthy? When we bath, our skin is absorbing the water in the tub as well as the nutrients that we put in it. Try our alkalizing, nourishing, cleansing & moisturizing bath soak - hand made right here at Garden Plum with all organic ingredients!
More info >>

Its a Winner! Indigo Child Tea Loved by Many and Soooo Good for You!
We’ve done two fairs now with samples and its official - this tea is a hit!

Peppermint, Dill, Anise Seed, Echinacea Root, Licorice Root & Gravel Root. This tea is a tummy tamer, it is naturally sweet and CONTAINS NO SUGAR! This tea is warming, calming, while lending its ability to stay focused. We used Kiniesiology to create this tea, designed for Indigo children, and enjoyed by all. This tea is stimulating, bringing focus while also calming the body. Additional properties include anti-viral, immune boosting, stomach calmative, and nourishing. More info >>

Beth: “My creative work is not only a means of self expression but also discovery, sacred journey and wisdom. A painting, for me, is a living, breathing, communicating creation. My hope is for those drawn to my work, to enjoy, experience and benefit in some way not only from the imagery, but the more subtle vibrational information that dances with, informs and nurtures the soul.”

Lucky Jupiter in Capricorn - What does it mean for you?
By Maria Shaw

On December 1st, Jupiter, the planet of good luck, moves out of the sign of fiery Sagittarius and into earthy Capricorn. Jupiter, is said to bring luck, abundance and opportunities. I have tracked the transits of Jupiter in thousand of clients’ astrology charts over the years as well as my own and can honestly say, Jupiter has made a tremendous difference in many lives during its transit, especially when it visited a client’s sun, rising or mid heaven (top of the chart which rules career/outside world). The real benefit of astrology is using it as a tool to alert us of opportunity times so we can prepare and act on them.

Here is brief synopsis on how Jupiter’s transit in Capricorn will affect us, based on our sun signs. If you know your rising sign, please read that forecast too.

Aries - Jupiter bestows blessings in the area of career and work. You can achieve a great deal in the new year if you are willing to work hard. More than one option may be available to you. Some Rams may find their dream job.

Taurus - This is the best year in over twelve years to travel; especially to foreign countries. I personally know a Taurus who is traveling to Italy and Greece in 2008. It is also a fine time to return to college and pursue educational goals.

Gemini - You will receive many benefits from other people in the coming year. You also get a chance to pay down debt, snag some great bargains, receive inheritances, bonuses, etc. This is one of your “money years” but that cash is likely to come from other sources, rather than work.

Cancer - Jupiter brings in wonderful relationships and happiness in current ones. Many Crabs will meet their soul mate. Some will marry. Others will form beneficial business partnerships. Legal matters go well also.

Leo - You will enjoy many of your co-workers. If you work in a health or service industry, your job will grow. The Lion’s health should be good. Some Leos will get a new pet. Others may see the return of an old flame.

Virgo - This is a wonderful year for relationships with your children if you have any. It is also a good year to expand the family. You could be lucky at the casino or if you play games of chance. New love affairs are highlighted. Many Virgo will take up a new hobby which they will enjoy immensely.

Libra - Real estate matters tend to go rather well this year. If you are looking to buy, sell, rent, remodel, move or even purchase a vacation home, your chances are very favorable for doing so. Family matters tend to go well.

Scorpio - The year ahead favors short trips, communications and the purchase of a new vehicle. Some Scorpio will welcome new neighbors. Others will improve sibling relationships that are strained.

Sagittarius - This is the Archer’s big money year. Jupiter will help increase the cash flow. Sag could also be spending a lot of money but overall the financial picture should brighten.

Capricorn - Thanks to Jupiter’s visit in their sign, Capricorns will be the luckiest of all signs. This is your year to shine! Many blessings will come your way. Be careful of weight gain because while Jupiter expands your horizons it can also expand your waistline!

Aquarius - Good karma is coming your way. All of your good deeds will be rewarded. People from the past will come back into your life (that you will be pleased to see!). It’s as if you have an extra guardian angel on your shoulder in the year ahead!

Pisces - It’s who you know that will help you get ahead in the game of life this year. With Jupiter moving through the friendship sector of your solar chart, many blessings come from your social contacts. At least one of your fondest hopes or wishes stand a good chance of coming true.

Jupiter comes around to visit each sign about every twelve years so this is a big deal! In 2009, Aquarians will enjoy Jupiter’s stay. Then Pisces in 2010, Aries in 2011 and so on.

As you know, the sign of Capricorn shows up in your chart somewhere. It is not the same for everyone. You could be a Capricorn have it could be in the money house of your chart at birth and that means you will have a great money year! However, another Capricorn may have the transit in their 1st house of their chart, meaning a career opportunity. So this transit goes far beyond what your sun sign can tells you.

If you want specific Jupiter transits to your sign so you can know for certain how the year ahead will play out, you can always go to MariaShaw.com and click on the 1 Question icon. I will answer in detail the specific transit for you of Jupiter, no matter which sign you are. So can then be prepared to push, ask and receive the blessings that are coming. I will also give you the specific days and time frames in 2008, you should act on this planetary energy. I followed the Jupiter energy in my own chart a few years ago to expand my career opportunities and I can honestly say, understanding and knowing the time frames to act, helped immensely.

http://www.mariashaw.com/store/one_question/