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lodelcar · 5 years

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BUILDING UP A FOREIGN TRADE ACTIVITY IS PRECEDED BY BUILDING UP A BUSINESS

picture: modern lace worker, Brussels

Introduction

I have written this text to share it with my postgraduate students from the VUB. They start a year of International Trade and Investment full of courage from various nationalities and from various study backgrounds. They do this with a great deal of diligence and dedication but often find that they do not master the premises: the fact that the course deals with doing business, producing, trading, buying and selling. For many of them, who are at the start of a professional life, even the theoretical knowledge about this is lacking.

That is why I have decided, during an hour and a half, with many examples, to try and guide them in doing business.

1. Doing business

Doing business takes only three forms: it is either about producing something or about purchasing items and then reselling them, or about selling one’s own knowledge and skills to third parties. People sometimes need material for the latter, but they don't sell it. People only sell their workforce and intelligence. The latter are called services. Although they account for between 75% and 80% of the economic activities in most countries, in this article I will deliberately limit myself to agriculture and the manufacturing industry. Because in this presentation we want to end up at trading with foreign partners, and this is primarily about tangible products.

Two stories can support this:

The company F.E. T* 2011, 100 km from the Ukrainian capital Kiev has 2000 ha of land, which it owns partially and leases mostly (long lease 50 y). 80% of the farm’s turnover comes from traditional crops, such as wheat and corn. In order to make future oriented products, the farmer started to develop an entire line (30 items) of dairy products from goat milk, to yoghurt and kephir and even ice cream since 2016. Today the income of this activity line is good for 20% of the turnover. The farmer aims at reaching 50% over 5 years. The goats have been purchased in France and a breeding process started. They now have 1500 goats and intent to increase the amount to up to 3000 goats. They have a milk production capacity for up to 7000 l/day. They are at 2000 l/day. The equipment for milk treatment is Israeli, as well as the milk production supervisor. Cheese production equipment comes from France and Italy as well as their cheese making consultant. The ice cream consultant comes from Italy. The farmer goes yearly to a large goat fair Caprina in France where he learns about gear and equipment and meets potential consultants. This dairy line is a typical example of vertical integration. The production is entirely mastered by the farm from the breeding of goats, the collection and distillation of the milk, the production of the dairy products, the production of the bottles out of small plastic objects purchased in China, the bottling, the development of logo and packaging design, the packaging and the transportation to the retailers. Important is that the farm does and finances market research, developed its own brand Z*, as well as its own design with colour codes. They even intend to create in the future a second high-end brand. These steps enables them to grow organically and in a sustainable way. They declined until now to produce for private labels of retailers. Even with Auchan, with whom they negotiate now, they declined the private label production.

The company W* close to Chisinau in Moldova sells tractors and agricultural equipment from the brand C*, of which they have a dealership agreement during 3 years in Moldova. Before they had a dealership with the Italian M* G*. They also sell equipment from the Swedish brand V*. The company recently built new premises as rep office for C*. They built a state of the art show room and offices with workshop for repairing. The company also sells fertilisers and pesticides as well as seeds for crops. They don’t sell liquids but solid boxes. Their suppliers are BASF, Bayer, Pioneer for the seeds. They produce also seeds themselves (sunflowers).

Services companies are often related to ICT development. Until five years ago, ICT focused primarily on processes and their management. Because of our increasingly complex society, which demands more transparency, which requires faster and more thorough reporting, and which is monitored more and more, large companies have to manage such large volumes of data that they can use help for this. Data is becoming very important, now even more for large, say, listed companies. But medium-sized companies will suffer the same fate in the future. The engineers at the -nowadays “unicorn”- company C* in Brussels are active in data governance and in data stewardship. In this way they do not address the IT departments within a company, but rather the business people themselves.. There are 20 potential customers in Belgium. That is why they had resolutely gone international from the start. They are mainly talking to banks, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc. But also large governments, large public companies, universities.

2. Import and export

Import and export are often activities that go together in the same company. A company often needs products that are not present in its own country or that are present at too high a price or of poor quality. The company needs these products both to make its own products and to sell them to other customers. He will therefore have to import them. A company is sometimes approached at a trade fair or thanks to its website via e-mail by foreign companies who are convinced that they can use the semi-finished products or raw materials that our company produces in their own production process. In other circumstances our company finds a foreign-interested company at a trade fair that is convinced that there is a market for our company's products in its country and that it wants to sell it there.

3. Producing and selling products.

A company from the manufacturing industry needs raw materials or semi-finished products to make its own products. Depending on the type of quality that they wish to deliver, they must determine where they will purchase their raw materials. Are these present in the country itself or do they have to import them? They also need machines to manufacture their products. Depending on the quality that they are trying to deliver, on their financing options and on the number of staff they have at their disposal, they will purchase their machines, either abroad or domestically but often from abroad.

The company O* in Obuchov,Ukraine has machinery for 2 types of products: polyamide and cotton for women and children socks. They are the second producer in Ukraine. The cotton comes from Turkey, the polyamide from Italy, the elastane from Korea through Poland, the yarn from Italy.

The company D* in Chisinau, Moldova produces fiberglass mesh for construction, especially walls and insolation. It produces 1,2 M m²/month. Thanks to a new machine of the K* from Chemnitz they will be able to double their production to 2.5 M m²/month. They export 90% of his product to Romania, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain and Italy. The company has 100 staff members and is looking this to extend by recruiting 40 new staff members. They have difficulties to find qualified staff. The raw material comes by 80 % from Bielarus, by 20% % from Germany, Switzerland, Latvia and Poland.

4. Buying and selling products

This activity is often performed by a permanent sales representative in a region or a country. This person or company can be established as self-employed in the country (agent, shop / webshop), or can be established as a subsidiary of the foreign company (sales office, shop / webshop) with its own legal status. A representative on the payroll of the foreign company may also be located in the country: he may sell the products but the deal is concluded by the main house abroad and the invoice also comes from the main house. The company W* described above, also houses the rep office of the company for whom they do the sales in the Chisinau region.

Why are companies entering and selling products from abroad? There can be several reasons for this. It is possible that a specific type of machine or product is not produced on the local market because the size of the country is too small for it. It may also be that the importer can deliver in a cheaper way than the products already on the market. It may also be that the new products are much more sophisticated and can therefore make them work much more productively. It may also be that products have built up such a reputation or became a brand that is in demand throughout the world. This last one is the case for many fancy clothing brands like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior etc.

Which products do companies offer abroad? That can be anything: from raw materials such as seeds for agriculture, yarns for textiles or fiberglass for construction, to semi-finished products such as fabrics for clothing, goats for milk and cheese production to finished products such as luxury clothing, refrigerators but also cooling installations for cold storage.

The company V* – Groups Ltd in Kiev, Ukraine is a trader. He buys cereals and looks for opportunities. He does business with Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India and many other countries. His warehouse capacity was insufficient and obsolete. He stocked on the ground floor. With a bank loan he has been able to construct 2 grain silos of 3,018 tons capacity each. The silos are erected close to a railway platform, thus avoiding logistical problems and damage to the goods. He found a new business opportunity with Sri Lanka for sale of split yellow peas and next requires an optical sorting machine.

5. The production or purchasing process and its financial aspects

A production company might purchase raw materials or semi-finished products from elsewhere. Before the production of their new product is finished, several weeks or months sometimes pass. And then the new product must still be put on the market, sold and the invoice must be paid. A company therefore needs a financial buffer: that is called working capital. Chocolate producers in Belgium and Switzerland who supply products for the Chinese New Year, which often takes place in February, start their production in September of the year before! Companies often purchase large quantities of raw materials at times when they are offered cheaply and stock them for later production. The same applies to a store: it purchases finished products to resell in the store. There is also a lead time of several days, weeks or months. Here, too, the store needs a buffer called working capital.

The company O* in Ukraine makes pavement tiles out of concrete with artistic top layers. They produce 300 different types of pavement in 60 different shapes. They also produce stone levelling machines of the brand W*. They have offices in Lviv, Ukraine but have their production is set-up 80 km further, where they have 4 separate plants. During winter season, because of the cold, the production is stopped. They received a loan from the bank over 3 year for working capital, since January 2017. The additionality of this loan type for O* is the tenor: 3 years’ working capital enables a company to plan strategically: buy raw material when prices are low and stock it in order to produce through a longer period. And also have a 5-month buffer stock in times of scarcity through political crisis. They have large storage capacities (70.000 tons) for as well raw as finished material.

But those companies also need machines for their production, storage areas, large stores for their sales, trucks for their transport, tractors to work their land. They purchase them or build them with a bank loan. The cost of that loan must be passed on in the selling price. These loans, which are usually of a longer duration, are called investment capital. A company can also invest with its own resources.

The company K* , a wine production company in Georgia specialises in making wines for the lower and medium segment, priced at USD 5 to 8 /bottle. 75% of its production goes to the former CIS countries, of which 50% to Russia, where they have a distributor with the necessary connections, the remainder goes to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia. The final 25% goes to China, US and recently, the UK. In 2016 the company invested in new reservoir tanks, fermentation facilities, refrigerators, a steam generator and a filling & labelling line. The client received in total a loan from BoG. In 2017, the company reapplied for a second loan for land, construction, production facilities over 36 months. Additionally, they invested in health and safety procedures for the workers, environmental protection (by reducing ozone depleting substances), low voltage machinery, electromagnetic compatibility and in measures for materials that come in contact with food. Thanks to the investments the company increased its production volume from 4,6 m litres in 2016 to 6 m litres in 2017, an impressive 35% increase. In labelling and bottling they were able to increase production by 50%.

6. Access to finance

All research reports around the world reveal that access to finance is the aspect that most often blocks the growth of SMEs. Working capital is usually requested for relatively short periods, such as three, six or twelve months. However, the amounts required are often important. The duration of the loan for capital goods is longer: this depends on the price and durability of the good: a computer is outdated after 4 years, a car or light truck starts to show signs of wear after 5 years, machines will certainly be operational during 10 to 20 years, industrial buildings as well. But do the banks have any loans with this duration for all those terms?

A bank's assignment is simple and difficult at the same time. A bank collects money from people who can spare the cash for a certain period of time and gives a fee for this. In Western Europe and North America, this allowance has been peanuts for several years. In Eastern Europe, Africa, large parts of Asia and Latin America, this allowance is quite substantial. Yet most of these “savers” are wary of leaving their money with the banks for too long: they want to buy things with it, or they do not trust the monetary policy of their country and are always afraid of a devaluation of their currency. With the money that banks collect from citizens and companies, they finance loans. They earn their profit through the spread between the interest rate they give for the savings and the interest rate they charge for the credits. But it is difficult for them to grant 10-year loans if they can only collect one-year savings. Moreover, there are few citizens who put away savings for 20 years. The only ones that do that are the pension funds. But what if there aren't any in a country? Which is the case in many countries. The international financial institutions such as African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development offer longer-term loans to local banks, that can then transfer them to their customers. Only: most of those loans are in dollars or euros. Again a problem. Because the citizens and companies of the country usually do not have repayment capacity in dollars or euros but in the local currency. And if that local currency is not stable and has a tendency to devalue frequently, local banks are not keen to withdraw long-term dollars or euro loans. Hedging is the only option that remains. Hedging is a type of contract that a bank concludes with a specialized institution to mitigate the risk of devaluation: the contract foresees the exchange rate of euro / dollar to the local currency at the time of repayment, even if the local currency has meanwhile been devalued. Hedging in this case can be considered as a type of insurance. And there are now some companies that also dare to hedge "exotic" currencies. The price ,for this insurance is important though: up to 7 % of the amount.

Banks also do not like to take risks. It is often the central bank of the country that obliges them to be very restrictive in giving loans. Because they have been confronted in the past with bad loans to large outdated government companies that were poorly managed and therefore worked with losses. Governments that have to bear such a burden then hit back with the blunt ax and prevent any loan that is not covered by collateral. Where all statistics indicate that lending to SMEs is much less risky!

Therefore: collateral. In many countries, the way collaterals can be offered to guarantee credit is limited to tangible assets: buildings, land, machines. Intangible assets like the company’s goodwill are not accepted. The valuation of the tangible assets is by law done by the Association of property evaluators. These experts apply the principle of “market value coverage”. Based upon their valuation the size of collateral is put by the bank. It mostly comes to 140% of the loan. Once a credit is taken, the bank declares it to the central credit reporting system. Based upon the regularity of the reimbursement a company is classified class 1, 2, 3 or 4. Class 1 is all payments are done on a regular basis. Class 2 is a company of which arrears were limited from 30 to 60 days. Companies with arrears of between 60 and 90 days are class 3. Companies with arrears of more than 90 days are sent to recovery as class 4. Recovery is compulsory and taken from the profit automatically and can therefore jeopardise the existence of the company. In certain cases the collateral will be sold without warning.

7. Difficulties to tackle

Managing a company goes further than ensuring that people and machines work, that stocks are replenished, that bills are paid and that sales run smoothly. There are constant obstacles that need to be overcome: the financial aspect, the transport aspect, the legal aspect and - once a company starts exporting - the political aspect.

7.1. The banking aspect

A company is practically obliged to work with a bank: it has to make payments and it often needs funds for working capital and for investments.

Payments go faster and smoother nowadays thanks to automation and now also thanks to fintech applications. There are payment cards and credit cards that allow customers to pay without cash and give the collecting company the assurance that the money will be in the account. There are international transaction systems such as SWIFT or the European IBAN that create uniformity between banks and countries and thereby make payment transactions run faster and more efficiently. The currency aspect remains a stumbling block. Although more and more currencies are freely exchangeable, there are still a lot of them that are not convertible. Contracts with companies from such countries are therefore often in USD, EUR or CNY. Banks that operate in those countries are not always considered reliable by the others and must therefore be patterned by an internationally respected confirming bank. There are even countries with which the US in particular are in conflict. They then oblige all banks in the world not to do transactions with banks from that country. Iran, Cuba and North Korea have been assigned such a fate. There are always solutions, but they are complicated and time-consuming.

We have already explained the credit aspect: the fact that in many countries long-term loans are far more the exception than the rule. The extravagant guarantees that are requested. The non-customer-oriented thinking of banks that only wait until a loan is repaid and have no eye for the growth of companies and the usefulness that these can have for the further development of a country. But also the positive role for SMEs that IFIs play such as African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, European Investment Bank.

Last but not least is the interest charged on loans. In many countries, the interest rate is a double digit, and companies think this is freakish. Where do those freak interest rates come from? The Central Bank of a country offers its banks short-term loans to banks that need them to clear a deficit for one or a few days ("overnight" or tomorrow-next day = “tom-next”). The Central Bank itself is able to provide with these loans because it borrows money on the international money market and pays interest for that. The interest rate the central has to pay for that depends on the country's rating, which is the appreciation of the economy and the way a country makes economic progress. That appreciation is indicated depending on the rating agency with numbers and letters and reflects on the local currency. The lower those ratings are, the more risk premium a central bank has to pay on the international money market. She therefore passes on the risk premium to the local banks, which naturally also pass it on to their customers. Hence countries where the banks demand a double digit interest, when they provide with loans in local currency.

7.2. The transport system

Goods must reach the customer from the workplace. That requires transport. Road transport and train transport are usually the first choice for domestic transport. River transport is still very limited in Europe, is much more present in Asia. When it comes to transport to foreign destinations for import or export, the nature of the product - its weight, its durability, the urgency of the customer - determines the choice between truck, train, ship or plane. All these means of transport have their own international documents, luckily. International rules have also been worked out that determine who becomes the owner of the goods and when. These rules are called the Incoterms, and there are so 11 containing 3 letters each. There are RULES FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRANSPORTATION and there are RULES FOR OVERSEAS AND INLAND TRANSPORTATION BY VESSEL.

Import and export is also about customs and import duties to be paid. It is important to realize the value of customs zones such as the EU and free trade zones such as NAFTA, Mercosur, ECOWAS or ASEAN. The service provider that is most approached by companies to steer this aspect of transport in the right direction is the freight forwarder.

Transporting also entails risks: goods can be damaged or stolen, incidents such as harbor strikes can occur, so that perishable goods do not reach the customer in time. There are insurance policies for these types of problems, but they obviously cost and there is not always room to pass them on to the end customer.

7.3. The legal aspect

Trading within the same country offers few surprises once one knows the legal framework in which one operates. Foreign managers are often surprised that things are not treated in the same way everywhere. Anglo-Saxon legislation is based on a completely different approach than the European continental one. A contract based upon Anglo-Saxon law contains minimum 30 pages, a continental European one can be limited to three-four pages because everything is in the law. In the other continents, the laws were partly inspired by Americans and partly by Europeans. A treacherous aspect in the U.S. is, for example, the principle of litigation: one is going to provoke newcomers and then be able to sue them for not respecting the legislation.

A second aspect is the lack of certain pieces of legislation such as the law on bankruptcy, the law on pledging commercial goods, the law on claiming goods and objects, the mortgage legislation.

A third aspect is the independence of the courts. This is essential if the rule of law is to work objectively. But in many countries, judges are nationalistic, so a case brought to court by a foreign company, or where the foreign company needs to defend itself, is lost in advance.

7.4. The tax aspect

Taxes are the deepest expression of the deepest emotion of a country: there are hundreds and they take different aspects everywhere, even within a country. Brazil, the US and India are federal countries in which the states can collect taxes. And do so with pleasure. Informing yourself in advance is of the utmost importance because it can drastically influence the price worked out by consultants to the end consumer. And one must also know that the principle of VAT is not used all over the world, especially not in the US. Tax declarations are another aspect that one needs to check beforehand. In the US, certain spontaneous declarations are assumed, the consequences of a non-spontaneous declaration can be horrendous.

The last aspect that should be taken into account are the double taxation treaties. Thanks to this, a company only has to pay tax once, either in its home country or in the trading country. That is, for example, the reason why Belgian companies trade with China via Hong Kong.

7.5. The business development aspect

The Access to finance aspect has many consequences. Opportunities can pass because companies in a country have insufficient production capacity. This requires heavier and more efficient machines that cannot be purchased due to the lack of collateral.

The pharmaceutical production company I* in Cape Verde, Africa exported since 1995 to Angola and Mozambique. Those markets became too large and the company’s production capacity was unable to produce the required quantities based upon the governmental tenders they won. The quality is good, but the production capacity is not adapted to large markets.

The same goes for the printing sector in Rwanda, Africa who cannot fulfill orders to print packaging material on time because the local industry is unable to produce cardboard of the correct quality. All packaging cardboard has to be imported. And transportation over road in Africa is perilous and time consuming.

Another aspect that triggers problems is the cultural one. Our company I* in Cape Verde limits its export to Portuguese speaking countries, because otherwise they have to print several packaging types and product information, and they can’t stock it. Coca Cola has been active in China since 1995. That does not mean that the first years of the sales effort were a success. The Chinese were not used to drinking ice-cold drinks: their preference was for hot drinks. So it took Coca-Cola a lot of marketing effort to convince them that ice-cold drinks could quench their thirst. Eastern European wine producers from Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova have had to put a lot of effort into adapting their wines to Western European tastes. Eastern Europeans simply like semi-sweet wines and do not touch dry wines. In Western Europe, semi-sweet wines can only be sold to a very limited segment. It has therefore required a great deal of investment in new storage and maturing capacity (wooden or metal barrels) to produce specifically for Western Europe at a competitive price.

8. Geography and geopolitics

An International Trade and Investment student can be expected to find countries on a map. He can also be expected to realize that there are numerous free trade agreements between countries and groups of countries such as EU, NAFTA, Mercosur, ECOWAS, East-African Community, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN countries).

While a customs union and a free trade area are similar in some ways, they are also different. A customs union represents a higher level of economic integration than a free trade area does. The key distinction between customs unions and free trade areas, however, involves their approach to non-treaty nations. While a customs union, by definition, requires all parties to the agreement to establish identical external tariffs with regard to trade with non-treaty nations (those nations that are not signatories to the agreement), members of a free trade area are free to establish whatever tariff rates with respect to foreign imports from non-signatory nations that they deem necessary or desirable. An example of a customs union is the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). An example of free trade area is the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Members of the EU, the largest and most productive customs union in existence,, have agreed to, among other criteria for membership, maintain a common external tariff system with respect to outside nations. Free trade areas, like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), are less cohesive to the extent that each of the three member nations, the United States, Canada and Mexico, are free to establish tariff policies distinct from each other.

But it is also important for him to grasp that some organizations and initiatives are not only created or organized inspired by goodwill. Certain organizations have been established for power reasons. Some have old-colonial some have also neo-colonial intentions. They exist, one has to work with them and sometimes for them, one can do business with them. One should not necessarily respond enthusiastically to them.

Students are invited to study the background, objectives and history of the following organizations: the Road and Belt initiative, Eurasian economic union, USAid, Eastern Partnership Agreement + DCFTA, Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) , Organization international de la Francophonie (OIF), the Commonwealth of Nations.

ATTACHMENT

Do you want to import products from non EU countries into the European Union?

https://www.brusselsnetwork.be/do-you-want-to-import-products-from-non-eu-countries-into-the-european-union/

If you want to import a product from a non European country into the European Union, you need to comply with import rules and taxes.

The Trade Helpdesk is specially designed for businesses based outside the EU or importing into the EU.

You’ll find all you need to know about exporting to the EU, including:

health, safety and technical standards you’ll need to meet

customs duties you’ll need to pay at the border

internal taxes in each of the 28 countries

the rules of origin that define where a product is from and whether it profits from preferential duty rates

forms to send with your shipments

Find your way on the Trade Helpdesk through the 6 easy steps for importing into Europe:

Open the search box.

Browse the classification tree or type a keyword.

Define your product, the exporting country and the importing country.

Check ‘Requirements’: the health, safety or technical standards your product needs to meet

Check the ‘Internal taxes’: the VAT or excise duties for your product in the importing country.

the standard rate of EU import duty for your product

a possibly reduced rate if the exporting country has a trade agreement with the EU or benefits from a preferential scheme

any quota or antidumping duties

they indicate the minimum processing your product must undergo in your contry to be considered as ‘originating’ there

the origin depends also on where the inputs you use for your final product are from

the customs offices at EU borders will verify your origin certificate

find out how much other countries are already exporting to the EU of your kind of product

more on product codes

chambers of commerce and customs offices in each EU country or

additional information for your country

#foreign trade #enterpreneurship

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drlaurynlax · 6 years

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What 26 Years of Processed Foods Does to Your Body

Years Living With Processed Foods

How long have you been living with processed foods?

“Please help me go, please help me go” —a breath prayer I often said aloud for years while sitting in the Loo (i.e. on the toilet)—in the pit of discomfort!

I often just WANTED (and needed) to “go,” but, many times, I not able to “go” for days.

Constipation is Real

Stuck—often times how I felt in my own skin. Stuck in my gut. Constipated. And like my body was at war, in my own skin.

At age 26, even though I ate “healthy” (on paper), something was not right.

Greens? Check.

Sweet potatoes? Check.

Salmon? Check.

Almonds? Check.

Eggs? Check.

Broccoli? Check.

Coconut Butter and Coconut Oil? Check.

I was doing ALL the “right things,” so why did it have to hurt so much?

Answer: Healthy “being” goes far beyond diet alone.

At least once you’ve been enlightened…

Exhibit A: Day 1 Nutrition School (You & I Are NOT Alone)

“Stand up and introduce yourself. What got you interested in studying nutrition?” the teacher said.

One by one, my class of about 40 other aspiring nutrition therapy practitioners had to stand up and give their “elevator speech” as to why we were all sitting upright in the classroom, pen and paper in hand, eager, anxious and beaming with BIG vision, to learn how to save the world one food myth at a time.

As we went around the room sharing our stories, one by one, we also began to realize that…we were not alone.

Many of my fellow classmates were survivors of the processed-food, antibiotic, vaccine, sedentary lifestyle and chronic disease generation, and somehow, had all lived to tell about it.

“My son was diagnosed with Autism, and the doctors told me there was nothing we could do about it except lots of therapies and behavior plans. So I did some research myself, and began to find stories about the brain-gut connection—how food can influence how we think and help kids with Autism. As a family, we started the GAPS diet, and my son, who was non-verbal, said his first words,” Charlotte said.

“I was a vegetarian and vegan for over 15 years, and on the cusp of my 30th birthday, I got sick—really sick,” Lynan said. “My skin was pale, my hair started falling out, my nails were brittle, I was tired all the time, lost my period, and began experiencing bloating around meals all the time. Something wasn’t right. I thought it was something to do with my hormones, or maybe mono, or anemia, so I went to a doctor a friend recommended and he said nothing was wrong with me.

I just needed to eat meat again, telling me, “You know you are doing the same thing to your body that inhumane chicken and beef farms do to their animals—feeding them lots of grains and processed foods, restricting them from all the nutrients their bodies need to thrive. Your body needs balance,” …I was so desperate for anything to feel better, so I gave it a try, and within a matter of months, all my health problems went away. I got my period and energy back, the bloating subsided and I felt better than I had in those 15 years,” Lynan said.

“I got terminal brain cancer. The doctors gave me 2, maybe 3 months, to live, and told me it had spread through every bone in my body and that there was nothing I could do,” Bob said, adding, “But then I looked on the nutrition label of the tube-feeding formula the healthcare company sent me, only to see the worlds ‘Nestle’ and ‘high fructose corn syrup’ on the ‘medicine’ meant to help me get the extra nutrients I needed, and I thought, ‘There’s got to be another way.’ So I decided to start juicing my own food and smoothies for my feeding tube, and just ate real food. Months later, I was completely cancer free and years later, I have a son they never told me I could have and I lived to tell about it. I want to help people,” Bob said.

Mic drop.

Nope. None of us were alone.

What 26 Years of Processed Foods Does to Your Body

We all have a story. Often times, multiple stories. That shape us for the better or the worse. Your stories are written via your life experiences, and chances are, when it comes to your health, you’ve had multiple experiences that have set the stage for where your body (and health markers) are today.

Even if you “eat healthy” and “do all the right things” today, your past experiences paved way for the way you feel (or don’t feel) now.

I’m a Survivor

Hi, I am Lauryn and I am a survivor of the processed food, “take a Tylenol or Tums” (for everything), antibiotic, “drink juice as your water,” frozen broccoli (with cheese sauce), Lean-Cuisines-and-Quest-Bars are convenient (and healthy) generation.

For the first 26 years of my life, my body didn’t see a real food—really.

Sure, I ate Fiber One cereal, not Cookie Crisp, for breakfast. Packed 99% lean turkey on whole wheat bread with pretzels (not chips) for lunch (with the special occasion Pizza Lunchable). Noshed on apple slices (with Peter Pan peanut butter), or string cheese and whole grain Wheat Thins between meals, and I ate a low-fat dinner, including a protein, starch and veggie with a glass of milk most nights for dinner…but even though I was eating “healthy,” (according to Standard American Diet criteria), my body did not see a real food.

Fast forward to my teens and college years, when I began to make my own food choices for myself, I looked to magazines, social media, and Google for advice on what to eat (and not eat), following hundreds of food rule under the sun. If it was deemed “healthy,” or “clean” by Shape or Cosmo, it was “a-ok “with me including: protein bars and protein powders, frozen dinners, raw veggies, tons of nuts and almond butter, egg white omelets, and no carbs, no meats or no fats (depending on the popular trend at the time).

Eating disorder treatment is a whole other can of worms complicating the story. Over the accumulated three years of my life spent in inpatient treatment centers and hospitals, along with the 15 years of meal plans with prescriptions to eat McDonald’s Egg McMuffins and Dairy Queen Blizzard’s, I equally did not see (or eat) a real food—at least not much of it.

The universal theme? My body—namely my gut—didn’t know how to deal with the influx of foods that were difficult to digest. The result? A host of inflammation and imbalances.

Even though, at age 26 I found “real food,” was well beyond my eating disorder and discovered the art of “stressing less,” I had ALOT of “damage” to heal and make up for from the previous 26 years of my life.

In short: How you feel today (or how you will feel tomorrow, or 10-50 years from now) is a result of the choices you made years ago.

Survey Says

I spent the entire 26th year of life, studying nutrition and forming the foundations of my current functional medicine, nutrition and therapy business.

The next year, I found myself in two rigorous functional medicine trainings and sinking my teeth (and brain) into anything that explained more about WHY I felt the way I felt (i.e. constipated and bloated ALL the time), trying to understand WHY it seemed like no doctors could help me just feel good in my own skin. Instead of believing “bloating and constipation are just a part of life,” I dedicated my studies and used my body as my own experiment to find out if healing was truly possible.

The following images from a few of my lab tests are just a glimpse of what 26 years of processed foods, lifestyle and gut stress does to your body.

Osteoporosis:

Cause: Malnutrition, lack of essential fatty acids, inability to absorb nutrients (“leaky gut”) and bacterial overgrowth

SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

Cause: High grain consumption, low stomach acid, stress, overtraining, artificial sweeteners, low fat diets, FODMAP foods, antibiotics, processed and packaged foods

High Cortisol (i.e. stress hormone)

Cause: “Leaky gut,” overtraining (or sedentary lifestyle), lack of quality sleep, lack of water, burning a candle at both ends (trying to do it all), gut-inflammatory foods and food intolerances, high caffeine or sugar/artificial sweetener consumption, NOT going with your gut (and being true to yourself), LED light/screen exposure

The Bottom Line

Knowledge is power, and healing IS possible—(even with 26 years+ of processed foods and other health stressors under your belt).

The secret?

It goes far beyond “clean eating”….

How to Heal Your Gut

It’s easier than you think. It involves 3 simple steps:

Step 1: Identify the Underlying Root Cause(s) of your Gut Issues

(note: even if you don’t have bloating or IBS or constipation, skin issues, allergies, thyroid/hormone imbalances and “slow metabolism” issues ALSO are often rooted in your gut) often made out to be more complicated than it is. Common “root causes” of gut issues include:

Environmental toxic burden

SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)

Parasites, fungal or bacterial infection

Dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria)

Food intolerances

Intestinal permeability

Chronic infections (Lyme, Ebstein Barr)

Bonus:

To figure out your root causes, the fastest route to seeing a clearer picture of everything going on is testing (not guessing) your health woes. Work with a functional medicine practitioner who can help you decide what (if any) testing may be helpful including:

Stool testing

Comprehensive blood chemistry testing (not just a CBC)

SIBO breath testing

Organic acids testing

DUTCH hormone/cortisol testing

IgG, IgA, IgE food intolerance/allergy testing

Heavy metals/essential nutrients testing

Step 2: Get Back to the Basics

You cannot supplement or eat your way out of a stressful lifestyle. The “unsexy” simple health basics are game-changers for calming stress AND gut healing including:

Eating a nutrient-dense, whole-foods ancestral diet (proteins, carbs and fats included)

Drinking half your bodyweight in ounces of water daily

Taking a quality probiotic, prebiotics and eating fermented and prebiotic foods daily

Sleeping 7-9 hours per night

Resetting your circadian rhythm (limiting screen exposure/artificial light at night; eating at normal times; getting fresh air)

Daily movement/exercise (but not TOO much)

Step 3: Heal (Don’t Manage) Your Symptoms

Healing your gut is not just about taking probiotics and drinking kombucha. Once you identify your ROOT causes of your gut imbalances, you must take action steps to HEAL your gut (not just manage gut health or suppress symptoms).

This step will be unique to you and is best first accomplished with the guidance of a skilled practitioner. Request a complimentary 10-minute consult with Dr. Lauryn’s clinic today to start your own healing journey.

The post What 26 Years of Processed Foods Does to Your Body appeared first on Meet Dr. Lauryn.

Source/Repost=> https://drlauryn.com/gut-health/what-26-years-of-processed-foods-does-to-your-body/ ** Dr. Lauryn Lax __Nutrition. Therapy. Functional Medicine ** https://drlauryn.com/

#Holistic #Nutrition #Therapy #Recovery #Functional #Medicine #Dr. Lauryn Lax #Dr.Lauryn

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thehistoridian · 3 years

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The Seminole Wars: America's Largest Conflict with Indigenous Peoples

In the 245 years the United States has been a country, 225 of those years have been spent at war, roughly 92% of its history. Many of these conflicts are lost to time. For example, The Korean war is unknown to the point it is often called the “Forgotten War”. If you clicked on the post and read the title, you can probably see where I am going with this. The Seminole Wars were fought in and around Florida, and cost the lives of thousands of people. But this is never taught in detail to students. Especially students in Florida, who live in the very places named after participants in the conflict. Students should learn more about this hidden conflict because it is a story of injustice, defiance, and the erasure of history.

Background

A brief history of the Seminoles is necessary. To start, the Seminole people are a combination of tribes and distinct language groups of Indigenous peoples. Their ancestors inhabit various reservations in modern-day Oklahoma and Florida and Their origin can be traced back to Alabama and Georgia. Like the Pilgrims that came to America, The Seminoles were also Immigrants. According to the Orange county library system, Florida history page 1 “Seminole history begins with bands of Creek Indians from Georgia and Alabama who migrated to Florida in the 1700s. Conflicts with Europeans and other tribes caused them to seek new lands to live in peace. Groups of Lower Creeks moved to Florida to get away from the dominance of Upper Creeks. Some Creeks were searching for rich, new fields to plant corn, beans, and other crops. For a while, Spain even encouraged these migrations to help provide a buffer between Florida and the British colonies. The 1770s is when Florida Indians collectively became known as Seminole, a name meaning ‘wild people’ or ‘runaway."

The Seminoles saw the fledgling United States as a threat to their way of life, and despised them for urging them out of the norther states. During the war of 1812, the Seminoles fought alongside the British and enacted raids and attacks on Georgian towns and farms. When the war ended, and the English did not end up winning, the Seminoles were now all alone and had made enemies with America. The Seminoles were in the way of total U.S domination in North America, they accepted run away slaves from southern plantations, and were hostile to any encroachment further south. Resentment for the Seminoles would continue growing and would eventually boil over into an armed conflict.

Conflict

The first Seminole war -- of course it was not called that at the time -- began when the future president Andrew Jackson led an army into Florida to raze the Seminoles into the ground. 2“The American forces opposing the Seminoles were placed under the command of General Andrew Jackson. He organized about 3,000 men, more than half of which were creek Indians led by the half-breed chieftain, Macintosh. Jackson attacked the Seminoles, burning most of their towns, seizing thousands of bushels of corn, taking great numbers of horses and hogs, driving off several thousand head of cattle, and killing or capturing all who stood in his path. After subduing the Seminoles, he also attacked Spanish settlements in the State,” writes Neil Wilfred The Seminoles did not just turn over, instead, they mounted a guerilla war and ambushed and attacked vulnerable groups of soldiers wherever they could.

During the conflict, Florida was officially sold to the United States from Spain, as they saw no use in the territory anymore. Fighting did not end until the treaty of Payne’s landing in 1832 which would move the Seminoles into new land in Oklahoma. This land was barren and was in no way familiar to the Seminoles. It was so unfavorable that many Seminoles decided to stay in Florida and risk fighting the federal army.

The Second Seminole war began on the terms of the Seminoles. In 1835 a column of American soldiers intending to enforce Payne’s treaty was ambushed and all but one American soldier was killed. This attack showed the skill and dedication the Seminoles had and was a clear indicator of the violence to come in the war. The Seminoles were outnumbered ten to one with nearly 30,000 federal troops sweeping through the Peninsula. Although outnumbered, the Seminoles’ hit and run tactics, and knowledge of the land, gave them an edge through out the campaign.

As the war ramped up and the body count rose, desperate measures were taken. One of the fiercest and well-known leaders of the Seminoles, Osceola, was sent an invitation to peace talks. Once he showed up at the location, he was captured, imprisoned, and was kept there until his death. Osceola became a Martyr and his name still lives on in the Seminoles of today. This is backstabbing is just one of many examples that the Federal Government used against native populations. Federal Generals believed his death would finally break the Seminoles resolve, but it only strengthened it, and the fighting continued.

“You have guns and so have we. You have powder and lead, and so have we. You have men and so have we. Your men will fight and so will ours, till the last drop of the Seminole’s blood has moistened the dust of his hunting ground.”

—Osceola, February 2, 1834, statement to Brigadier General Duncan L. Clinch

It would only die down in 1842, but by this time the Seminole population had been mainly removed to Oklahoma or had simply been killed. White “Cracker” the settlers pushed deeper into Florida and came into conflict more often with the Seminole settlements. This led to a third war, but this time most of the fight in the Seminoles had been drained and it was only in spirit of the last conflict. The final fighting officially ended in 1858.

Aftermath

The Wars combined ended up being the costliest, in terms of deaths and money, in all of the conflicts against indigenous peoples in American history. In the end, the Government won, and drove out successfully and or limited the remaining population in Florida to the point of irrelevancy.

It is not to be understated how hard the Seminoles fought, they fought longer than any other tribe or peoples in America, and successfully lived on after the wars (Although in small numbers). It is a real testament to the Seminoles as a whole. Which is why it is such a shame it is not taught enough to students. The Curriculum that is taught in American schools is broad, and mainly focuses on Tribes that are not even native to Florida. I can attest to this, as I attended public schools for my entire schooling career. Only recently have classes begun teaching about Native History at all. For the longest time in America, people believed that it was manifest destiny and if the Indigenous peoples wanted their land they would have fought harder to keep it.

In Florida alone there are dozens of locations named after or by Seminole Peoples: Withlacooche River, Osceola County, Seminole County, Aripeka, Bithlo, Chattahooche, and Homosassas. This naming of towns and counties feels empty when there is no attempt to educate people about the origins in the first place. It falls empty. However, some organizations do it right, for example the FSU “Seminoles” chose their name because it was an honor to have the Seminoles represent them. The FSU public affairs site states 3“Florida State does not have a mascot. Instead, we have the honor of calling ourselves “Seminoles” in admiration of the only Native American tribe never to be conquered by the U.S Government. FSU students, alumni, faculty and staff know what an honor it is to be selected student to portray ‘Osceola,’ a great Seminole warrior, who rides the Appaloosa horse ‘Renegade’ during football games. To be chosen, the student must maintain excellent grades and be of good character. The clothing he wears depicting Osceola is sewn by the women of the Seminole Tribe. Tribal members also travel to Tallahassee each year to crown the Homecoming chief and princess with authentic Seminole regalia.”

The reason this works and something like simply naming a town after Seminoles does not, is because FSU is respecting the Seminoles and learning about their history in the process. The Washington Redskins fails because “Redskin” was a slur used against Indigenous Americans for hundreds of years. If FSU had chosen the name, but chose not to educate students about the Seminoles, or made their mascot a caricature of Osceola it would simply have been racist. There is a right and wrong way to learn about indigenous culture, so to make it more mainstream, students should learn by repeat exposure in classrooms.

The Seminoles have become some of the most successful Indigenous Americans in modern history. They were the first to buy a major global corporation; Hard Rock international. They funded college educations for All Seminoles born today, and provide financial aid to those in their communities. There is also the fact that they withstood the full might of the Federal Government, and lived to tell the tale. These facts alone should be reason enough to learn about them in Schools. When students learn about the American dream, and how hard work pays off, there should be a picture of the Seminoles right there for all to see. If for nothing else, we should learn about the Seminoles to keep their rich and inspiring History alive.

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extradan · 6 years

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fun fact: my family is white and i used to think our food was good, but never really learned how to cook for myself until i made friends who actually seasoned food when they made it, and i realized my families food is not that great, and now my family is BAFFLED by the concept oF SALT AND PEPPER

Thats really great! good job for taking cooking to your hands! food is so very important as we must consume it every day, and the quality and preparation of the food can really affect our diet and the health of your body, and im not even talking about obesity, as food can really effect how you feel mentally and physically, you can still be a skinny ass bitch and still be pale af and feel like a rotting garbage bag.

despite my resources and current finance, I have grown having high standards of preparing and making foods, I am not some wicked chef but I have my terms

I am truly disgusted but how my family purchases their ingredients and meat and how they prepare and cook it and I cant believe i have been sustaining off their dishes for the longest time in my life as a kid and a teenager, no wonder I was feeling sick and weak all the time, I mean the Ritalin i have been taking took part of it too, but yeah ya get me, niether my body was great and I was pale as a vampire.My family barely season their chicken, stake or meat, but ..coat them.. with mayo... most of the time.. potatoes with mayo.. stakes coated with mayo... everything.. with mayo... I take food very seriously and unfortunately its not a common thing here in my area since its populated mostly out of white people, especially most sections of super markets that serve meat are white people and a lot of them have really low standarts

I have actually been scolded loudly by an employee two hours before closing when i saw they had a pack of imported chicken breast that has had the same expiration day of when I inspected it, I remember it as the date I was shopping for chicken was april 30, and the chicken expired on april 30, I had to explain politely and nicely to the person standing behind the meat that it has expired today and that they cannot serve it to people, especially that disabled or old people might not be able to read or suspect the expiration date and blindly cook and consume the chicken and get sick, and boy was I yelled loudly for mentioning it.

I have had called the supermarket brand over the phone and explained them that they cannot serve expired or nearly expiring chicken (since they do it so often, like really, its so bad) as there are unexperienced people, disabled people, old people or mothers that are unable to have the time or the ability to inspect the date of the chicken, and i have been told that according to their policy, even if the chicken was expiring today (today as back on april 30) its still “considirated fresh”.

I really want to shop from their market but like, I visit there every once twice a week, even three times to hunt for fresh meat, and they always have meat with the expiration date of one day to two, but when it was same day expiration day, it was really the last straw! they cant keep doing that!!

So I shop my meat fresh from either the other supermarket below or from butcher shop, I have been purchasing my meat from the other market for a while since they were giving non-antibiotic fresh 3-4 day lasting fresh chicken solutions, but I have recently been giving the butcher shop below a chance and I am still tasting their chicken, so far I have had good experience with their wings, and according to their information, the chicken are being imported from farms in the far and not from factories, I dont know how relieable it is as they tell me that my fresh chicken can last for “weeks” or even “months” but the taste is a bit better so I am still inspecting it.While im not vegan, they lives of animals have a big value to me and I always appreciate buying chicken or meat that are coming from places where those same animals were living under “better” conditions and were fed more than just seed and corn, I support the health of the animals I consume and I hate wasting, I hate wasting so much, Iwill not eat expired food, but I will do what I must to prevent wasting fresh meet, you can offer me free food and I will be like UHH idk i had plans cooking this chicken tonight..

Raw meat and chicken come from animals who have their lives sacrificed toward our consumption (not out of choice by of course) and the least we can do for them is not let their bodies go into waste, every meat and chicken should be respected .

So yeah, please care for your food and cook it with love, dedication,with accuracy and precision. love yourself and the food you are preparing as youre making it!

Also consider having more tools if you are capable of affording it to amp up the quality of your food, its not a necessity, but you must care for yourself as a person, and food is not a luxury, but necessity that you and your body operate of.

Never go cheap on your food, and always train, dont give up and always try new challenges, you will suck for a while but you will succeed, dont worry, I suck myself, I cant make nice fried chicken yet despite my attempts that I believe have been perfect.

#dragon-buns

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flslp87 · 7 years

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A Family Addition for Captain Swan - Cravings

Having a baby can bring every emotion from exhilaration to terror. Come along on the journey with Emma and Killian as they experience all the emotions that creating a new life can elicit. Chapter 1- Pregnant -Emma’s POV - here, Chapter 2 - Pregnant - Killian’s POV - here, Chapter 3 - First Doctor’s Visit - Emma’s POV - here, Chapter 4 -First Doctor’s Visit- Killian’s POV - here, Chapter 5 -Heartbeat - Emma’s POV - here, Chapter 6 - Heartbeat - Killian’s POV - here ; Chapter 7 - First Movement - here; Chapter 8 - Ultrasound - here; Chapter 9 - Cravings - here; Chapter 10 - Delivery - here.

It can also be found on FF as well as on AO3.

Special thanks to @duathadun for the lovely aesthetic and to @hellomommanerd for beta skills.

Dedicated to my friend @kmomof4 for allowing me to use her craving for Pink Lemonade while pregnant to have some Captain Charming fun.

Cravings

As soon as they found out the news Emma was carrying twins, Killian had added What to Expect When Expecting Twins to their weekly reading. The time had been one of discovery about the challenges women face carrying twins as well as the challenges they will face once they are born. He and Swan had a big task ahead of them but nothing they couldn't handle, together.

He had to admit that the thought that he, a 300-year-pirate, had given his wife two babies at once had caused him to walk a little taller. However, when he discovered that his seed had nothing to do with the fact that there were two, he had been a bit disconcerted. He had rather enjoyed the possibility that the most wondrous of miracles had been because of him, but alas it was not to be. All the credit for that feat belonged to his lovely wife.

He was, however, pleased that it was his seed that was responsible for the gender of their babies. He hoped each little lass had his Swan's blonde hair and green eyes and loved their papa as much as he already loved them. He didn't care that they kept him and Emma awake making their presence known with their little kicks. Nor did he care that they preferred Henry's music to his sea shanties. What he did care about was that in less than two months’ time, he would be able to hold them in his arms.

Healthwise, Emma had blossomed, as had their babies, but diet wise, he found that half the time what his wife claimed Twin A craved made him cringe, most especially when she combined it with what Twin B craved. The memory of the search for the sponge cakes Twin B wanted and then, having to go right back out because Twin A needed a type of pickle they didn't have in their kitchen, caused him to shake his head. Who knew there were so many types of pickles?

He was on his way home from checking on the Jolly when his phone vibrated and something told him Emma was craving some new food. Taking a deep breath, he checked the text,

E: Twin A really wants corn dogs.

"Corn dogs?" The name left him perplexed. "What's a bloody corn dog?"

He wasn't quite sure where one might begin to look for a corn dog, nor was he sure what one would look like. Was it a dog made out of corn, were they two separate things? Should he start at the market? Should he ask at the animal shelter? Unsure how to proceed, he did what any sane man would do. He called his father-in-law.

"Hello," David answered the phone.

After making small talk, Killian got right to the point, "Where would one go to procure something called corn dogs?"

"Emma has you on food errands again, I see."

"Aye, and if I don't bring her corn dogs, she might make me sleep on the sofa."

David groused but told him where to buy corn dogs and as soon as they hung up, he stopped by the market and picked up their last box of corn dogs. "A sausage covered by a thick layer of cornmeal batter on a stick," he read off the box and shuddered. Who would even consider putting one's sausage on a stick, anyway?

Arriving home with the sausages, Emma's smile made the trip worthwhile and he watched her quickly consume several of them. Twin A, he learned preferred a yellow concoction slathered on it, while Twin B, liked that red paste Henry liked on his fries. What's next, he wondered? After tidying the kitchen, they made their way up to bed.

~~~~~~

A few days later, he knocked on the door of the farmhouse. David opened it and glanced around as if looking for someone else, "Killian, com.." But then he must have gotten a good look at his face because he changed thoughts, "Ah oh, what happened?"

Walking into the farmhouse, Killian found himself stepping over baby paraphernalia and realized soon this would be his house. Clearing a chair of several stuffed animals, two toy trucks and an assortment of farm animals, he flopped down onto a chair. "I've lived for 300 years and have learned to repair sails, replace rigging and waterproof my ship, yet I failed in constructing my children's cradles." His disgust and frustration at himself was evident in not only his body posture but also the clipped pronunciation of his words.

Laughing, David handed him a glass of rum which he downed in one drink, "I fail to see anything humorous about my predicament. But thanks," he held up the empty glass."

David sat down next to him, "I'm laughing because the same thing happened to me."

Killian had been studying the ground around him, but the remark brought his head up, "It did?"

"Oh, yes." He smiled at the memory, "Emma and I were trying to put together Neal's crib and made a total mess of it."

"And what happened?" Killian was actually pleased to be privy to the information as it made him feel as if wasn't a total imbecile.

"Snow called Marco." He somberly replied. "Same happen to you?"

"Aye," Killian lamented, still frustrated but not nearly as much as he had been when he arrived.

When his phone rang, he pulled it from his pocket, "Hello, love."

"Killian," Emma's voice came across the line sounding quite frantic. "I ran out of pink lemonade. Can you bring me some, please?"

For the life of him, he couldn't fathom how she could run out of that pink concoction that she carried around with her all the time, but it seemed he was wrong. "I will bring you some lemonade, Swan."

"Pink lemonade," she reiterated the color once again, "don't forget."

"Aye, love. Pink lemonade." Killian told her, his voice meant to be soothing.

"You know what it looks like, right Killian?"

"Aye love. You've been drinking it for a while now." He was starting to feel a bit impatient with all the questions.

"And what it tastes like?" she asked, her voice starting to rise with impatience.

"Aye, love. I will get you some pink lemonade. Why don't you take a nap until I get home?"

"I think I will. Hurry."

They said their goodbyes and he hung up the phone, giving his father-in-law a disgruntled look.

David smirked, "You have no idea what pink lemonade is, do you?"

Shaking his head back and forth, Killian put his hands on his hips, "No bloody idea. Now what?"

David mimicked the stance and looked around his kitchen, "We're two reasonably intelligent men. Surely we can figure out how to make this pink lemonade for your wife."

The men busied themselves in the kitchen and David finally located several packages of powdered lemonade. The picture on the front showed a pitcher with the sour drink but it was yellow. "Let's try this. Maybe you mix this into the yellow lemonade and then you use something special that turns it pink."

Killian took the package and read the back of it to see if anything sounded familiar, "Nothing on here about making it pink. Perhaps we should mix several, just in case.

They got to work locating several of Snow's pitchers and mixed three containers of lemonade. Once the crystals had dissolved they were slightly disheartened when they didn't magically come out pink but persevered in their work.

Killian studied the containers on the counter, "Now, I assume we should add something that will turn them pink." He looked over at Dave, "Have anything that will change the color?"

David looked around the kitchen until suddenly he snapped his fingers and his eyes lit up with an idea, "Neal likes that fruit punch drink that always turns his mouth red. I bet that works." He searched the cabinets until he found the boxes of fruit drink and they squeezed one box into one pitcher of lemonade.

The color of the lemonade changed, but more red than the pink of Emma's drink. Killian pulled out his flask and upended some of the contents into a clean glass. David looked at the flask, then at the glass, "Why is your flask, that held rum for 200 years all of a sudden holding pink lemonade?"

Killian felt the heat climb up his neck, but with nothing to say except for the truth answered, "Well, there were a few times when we were not home and Emma ran out, and it wasn't pretty," he shuddered, "and this kept her from being upset and earned me some favors." He smirked at the Prince.

"Watch it, Pirate. Well, go ahead," he motioned for Killian to taste the concoction.

Picking up the glass with the real stuff, he took a drink. Then he compared it to the glass they had mixed.

"Well, did we succeed?" He was asked impatiently?"

Shaking his head, Killian set the glass down. "No, any more brilliant ideas?

"You sound like you're worried about something, Hook. You're not scared of your wife, are you?"

Killian side eyed David, "Were you scared of your wife when she was pregnant?"

A pained expression flitted across David's face before he gave Killian a sympathetic smile, "Point. Now what?"

They spent the next few minutes working on ways to try to get the other two pitchers of lemonade to turn pink without changing the taste. David found some old strawberry lollipops of Neal's and let them dissolve in one pitcher and Killian mashed up strawberries and tossed them in another. While both changed the appearance of the liquid, neither gave them the taste.

Leaning back against the cabinet, Killian thought about what he'd seen Emma do with her drink. "Perhaps we should have used pink lemons."

David rolled his eyes, "Lemons are yellow."

"I know that," Killian gave him an annoyed look, "but what if she uses magic to turn them pink?"

"You're not thinking straight," David chided him, "she wouldn't have asked you to bring home pink lemonade if she could magic it."

Sighing, Killian picked up a lemon and tossed it in the air, "Washing it with something red, like often happens with laundry?" He posed to the prince never once assuming he would be taken seriously.

David looked toward the laundry room with a contemplative look on his face, "Maybe," he said slowly as he picked up a lemon and left the room.

Killian followed him into the laundry room and watching as he tossed a lemon and a red cloth into the machine and turned it on. While it was going through the cycle, they cleaned up their mess in the kitchen and waited for the wash to power down. As soon as it stopped, they ran to see if their lemon was pink. Flipping up the lid, David reached in pulling out a rather, soggy looking----yellow lemon.

"Bloody Hell," Killian exclaimed! "It didn't work."

"No, it didn't," David sighed. "But the washer smells nice. Think Snow will notice?"

"Think Snow will notice what," the woman herself came in the back door carrying Neal and all of his baby stuff.

Deciding that David didn't have the answers he was searching for this time, Killian turned to his mother-in-law, "Emma wishes to have more pink lemonade and we were trying to make her some." He gave her a sheepish smile hoping she would take pity on him.

Snow didn't say anything but went to a cabinet, reaching behind some cans and pulled out a container. Opening it she showed them the pink powder inside. "Minute Maid, pink lemonade. One scoop and water and voila, pink lemonade."

~~~~~

Killian walked into a quiet house and after leaving the prized lemonade in the kitchen went in search of his wife. He found her sitting in the rocking chair in the room she was turning into the nursery. He watched her as she slowly moved back and forth, her hands rubbing circles on her distended belly staring at the evidence of Marco's hard work.

The brand-new cradles lined one wall and even he had to admit they looked well put together. "They look nice." He noticed it came out with a hint of admiration, causing him to rethink his frustration from earlier in the day.

Emma looked up at him with a beautiful smile on her face, "They do, don't they?"

Killian grinned as she tried to push herself up from the rocking chair but with the way the seat was tilted back and her huge stomach, she couldn't quite get the leverage she needed. "Do you need some help, love?" He asked holding out his hands for her to take.

She rolled her eyes at him as he pulled her up, "Thanks. Did you --"

"---get your pink lemonade? Aye." He kissed her quickly and nuzzled her nose, "Let's get you to bed and I'll bring a glass to you."

Taking his hand, she let him lead her to their room, "Before you get me a glass, can you help me with my boots?"

"The lasses in the way?" She nodded her head and sat down for his help. His Swan was always so independent that he had rather enjoyed being able to pamper her. He knew it wouldn't last for his little lasses would be here in about two months and their lives would never be the same. He couldn't wait for that day to hold them in his arms.

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think. Stay tuned for Delivery.

#cs baby story #cs ff #daddy killian #momma emma #cs crew #cs mafia

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fitnesshealthyoga-blog · 5 years

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New Post has been published on https://fitnesshealthyoga.com/best-yoga-retreats-and-travel-spots-around-the-world/

Best Yoga Retreats and Travel Spots Around the World

Contents

North America

Europe

Africa

Central + South America

Caribbean

Asia

Australia + New Zealand

North America

1. Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

Teacher and Yoga Journal cofounder Judith Hanson Lasater has been hosting yoga retreats at this spacious ranch since 1975. “It’s like summer camp for yogis,” she says: “Jaw-dropping scenery in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, magnificent food, fresh spring water, twice-daily yoga classes, and a week steeped in the silence of nature.” To pay respect to the sacred Native American land the retreat rests on, founder India Supera created the Feathered Pipe Foundation to help preserve ceremonial traditions of the Cree people. Feathered Pipe continues to foster humanitarian efforts that give life to new nonprofits while maintaining missions such as the Veterans Yoga Project and the Tibetan Children’s Education Foundation.

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Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

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2. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

With an international network of 2,000 instructors teaching more than 700 programs to 30,000 guests a year, education is front and center at this verdant campus in the Berkshires. For the past decade, Kripalu has led the way in groundbreaking research on yoga and trauma in collaboration with experts from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

See also Style Profile: Kripalu Yoga

3. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is known for spiritual vortexes—powerful energy centers where visitors can allegedly pick up on sacred frequencies. Healers and enlightenment seekers worldwide travel to its towering red-rock spires hoping to tap into higher consciousness. Each March, the three-day Sedona Yoga Festival draws thousands of practitioners with its lineup of 200 classes and performances by kirtan artists such as Johanna Beekman. Regulars tout an intimate setting where you’re likely to run into presenters (think ISHTA Yoga founder Alan Finger) in the halls, as well as dedicated workshops on trauma-informed yoga.

Coffee Pot Rock, Sedona, Arizona

4. Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California

This cliff-side retreat opened in 1962 with a series of workshops on yoga and personal growth. Key counter-cultural figures such as Joan Baez and Joseph Campbell were among its early guests and lecturers. Today, renowned wellness leaders and yoga teachers like Andrew Weil, Dean Ornish, and Janet Stone share expertise on trending topics, including the energetics of consciousness and meditation as medicine.

5. Maui, Hawaii

A strong contemplative community and the island’s healthy lifestyle are among the draws that have led Ashtangis such as Nancy Gilgoff, David Williams, and Ram Dass to make their homes here. The Kahanu Garden in Hana is home to the Pi’ilanihale Heiau, the largest Heiau (shrines) in Polynesia and a place of worship dating back to the 13th century. Hawaii’s spiritual emphasis on nature makes it a destination for those seeking to feel the mana (spiritual energy) of the land.

See also Find Peace and Adventure with a Yoga Retreat in Hawaii

6. Boulder, Colorado

Boulder’s vibrant mindfulness community has been growing since the 1970s when Tibetan meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche—the 11th incarnation of the Trungpa Tulku—established Naropa University, a Buddhist liberal arts college, and Shambhala Mountain Center in a valley above town. While Rinpoche’s legacy has been rocked by scandal, Naropa and Shambhala remain pillars of Buddhist values and mindful practices. Senior yoga teachers Richard Freeman and Amy Ippoliti call Boulder home. Bonus: The Hanuman Festival, held each June, attracts top yoga educators and teachers such as Sreedevi Bringi and Seane Corn.

Los Angeles, California

7. Los Angeles

Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the first Indian spiritual teachers to make his home in the West, called Los Angeles “the Benares of America” (Benares is another name for the Indian city of Varanasi) when he arrived in the 1920s. After setting up the Self-Realization Fellowship’s international headquarters atop Mount Washington, he opened a clifftop compound in Encinitas and a waterfall and shrine-studded campus on Sunset Boulevard where a portion of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are laid to rest. Today, the Lake Shrine—with its waterfront meditation garden and gold lotus–topped temple where resident monks hold services and give lectures—remains an oasis for contemplation. LA’s robust Kundalini scene (Golden Bridge Yoga Studio, RAMA Institute in Venice) traces its roots back to 1969, when Yogi Bhajan started teaching the distinctive style on Melrose Avenue. Wanderlust headquarters in Hollywood is LA’s latest yoga hub, hosting fusion classes and workshops by wellness gurus such as Taryn Toomey and senior yoga teacher Annie Carpenter.

See also 6 Principles We Learned on the West Coast to Cultivate Focus

8. Salt Spring Centre of Yoga, British Columbia

In 1981, members of the Dharma Sara Satsang Society, a yoga community inspired by the teachings of Indian Ashtangi master and silent monk Baba Hari Dass, purchased a 69-acre patch of cedar forest and meadows on Salt Spring Island. Today, the property’s restored turn-of-the-century farmhouse is the longest-running yoga retreat center on Canada’s West Coast. Public offerings include monthly full-moon pujas (spiritual cleansings), while 10-week residential programs combine service (tending the on-site farm, preparing vegetarian meals) with asana and theory classes covering classic yoga texts.

See also 6 Destination Ashrams for an Authentic Yoga Experience

9. Ojai, California

A bustling hub of ashrams, yoga centers, and spiritual retreats— and dubbed Shangri-La by locals (a nod to the surrounding valley’s cameo as the fictional utopia in the classic film Lost Horizon)—Ojai’s surrounding Topatopa and Sulphur mountains are what attracted Indian philosopher J. Krishnamurti in the 1920s. Today, his teachings continue via programs at the Krishnamurti Educational Center.

10. Chopra Center, Carlsbad, California

The palm-shaded Omni La Costa Resort & Spa may seem like an unlikely setting for the cutting-edge work of the Chopra Center’s Mind-Body Medical Group, but here, experts in hypnotherapy, integrative oncology, and pranic healing (a form of no-touch energy healing) combine holistic practices and Western medicine. Try one of their Perfect Health retreats where itineraries feature daily yoga and meditation, Ayurvedic meals, spa treatments, and medical consultations from Vedic educators and integrative-medicine experts.

New York City

11. New York City

New York City is home to some of Western yoga’s most notable teachers, including Eddie Stern, Genevieve Kapuler, Elena Brower, Dharma Mittra, Alison West, and Lauren Ash. “HealHaus in Brooklyn is my go-to haven for spiritual support,” says Ash, founder of mindful lifestyle brand Black Girl in Om. “The studio’s mission—to promote healing as a lifestyle—is a beautiful example of what it means to hold sustainable space and intentional presence for diverse people.” New York’s got everything from trendy new Y7 yoga—which utilizes heat, hip-hop music, and dark candle-lit rooms—to traditional Iyengar Yoga at the Iyengar Yoga Institute. And if you need a break from the city, head north 90 miles to the iconic Omega Institute—a wooded, 42-year-old health and wellness campus that sees more than 23,000 students a year.

See topic United States Yoga Travel

Europe

12. Elysia Yoga Convention, Aegiali, Amorgos

Located on the island of Amorgos in Greece, the Elysia Yoga Convention is a conglomeration of yoga practitioners, enthusiasts, and wellness coaches. In ancient literature, Elysia was a divine final resting place for the souls of heroes, setting the tone for a complete mind-body yoga retreat.

See also Replenish Your Energy at an Island Yoga Retreat in Greece

13. Mountain Yoga Festival, St. Anton, Austria

This event, held in the birthplace of modern skiing, offers a heavy dose of outdoor wellness. Intimacy is part of the draw: Fewer than 300 attendees and teachers from around the world gather to fill their souls with music and movement. Alpine hikes and lectures by Jivamukti teacher Karl Straub and nutritional biochemist Florian Überall roundout the lineup.

14. Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany

Since opening in 1916, this wellness and culture sanctuary in the Bavarian Alps has welcomed luminaries (author Ian McEwan, jazz musician Paolo Fresu) to its concert hall and lecture library. Here, you’ll find an annual yoga summit where Europe’s top teachers, such as Barbra Noh and Timo Wahl, lead lectures, asana, and meditation sessions against the backdrop of the snow-capped Wetterstein mountains.

15. London

London’s yoga scene stands apart from other cities’ with its emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility: Ourmala offers classes to asylum-seekers, women refugees, and survivors of trafficking; Stillpoint Yoga London (try one of their daily Mysore-style Ashtanga yoga classes held at London Bridge) helps bring the practice into local prisons; and Michael James Wong’s Boys of Yoga platform cultivates stories, videos, and tutorials to break down gender stereo-types in yoga. In addition, popular teachers like Stewart Gilchrist and Claire Missingham call London home, teaching at Triyoga and East London School of Yoga.

See also 6 London Yogis Who Inspire Us to Transcend the Past with Yoga

16. Barcelona Yoga Conference

This five-day event is one of Europe’s largest yoga festivals, attracting more than 1,200 attendees from across the globe to flow with master yogis such as Shiva Rea and Krishna Das, indulge in Thai massage, enjoy music from international performers, try acroyoga with a partner, and lose themselves in ecstatic dance.

17. Bornholm Yoga & Retreat Center, Denmark

Off the southern coast of Sweden, Bornholm is an ideal setting for three-day silent meditation retreats hosted by resident yogi Solveig Egebjerg (who studied with Sharat Aurora, the head of the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Center) and American Diane Long (a disciple of Iyengar-focused Vanda Scaravelli). Disconnect and unwind with walking meditations along the rocky Baltic coast or workshops aimed at weaving mindfulness into your daily grind.

See also 8 Great European Yoga Vacations You’ll Be Dying To Take

18. Suryalila Yoga Retreat Centre, Cadiz, Spain

The Om Dome (an igloo-shaped yoga hall) at this Andalusian retreat might be the most magnificent place to practice in all of Europe, says yoga teacher Tiffany Cruikshank. The geometric studio was designed to resemble a Nepalese temple topped with a golden stupa. Wholesome farm-to-table organic meals are another reason Cruikshank enjoys leading retreats here. Regular teacher trainings by Vidya Jacqueline Heisel, founder of vinyasa-focused Frog Lotus Yoga, and Carol Murphy, founder of Green Lotus Yoga, are other highlights.

See topic Europe Yoga Travel

Africa

19. Kenya

Deborah Calmeyer, the Zimbabwe-born founder of travel company Roar Africa, last year launched a new series of self-discovery retreats called Roar & Restore, incorporating TED Talk–worthy speakers (conservationist Laura Turner Seydel and world-renowned South African artist Dylan Lewis) with yoga, meditation, and safari drives. The conservation-minded Segera Retreat Center, set within 50,000 acres of protected land on the Laikipia Plateau, offers a raw-food menu and garden-shaded yoga decks developed with yogis in mind.

See topic Africa Yoga Travel

20. Taghazout, Morocco

Over the past two decades, a booming surf-and-yoga scene has sprung up in this sleepy fishing village five hours south of Casablanca. Take holiday with Surf Maroc (one of the area’s first surf-yoga retreat companies) for daily “creative vinyasa, powerful pranayama, laughter yoga, restorative, yin, yoga nidra, and meditation.” Between yoga sessions, surf instructors provide hands-on coaching whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned rider. For a taste of the locale, the property’s neighboring rooftop yoga studio offers public classes and a chance to mingle with the local yoga community.

21. Namibia

The country’s sublime scenery—red-sand dunes and a desolate coast riddled with shipwrecks—and commitment to conservation have made it Africa’s new safari superstar. It’s no wonder zeitgeisty yoga companies Escape to Shape and Namaste Yoga Safari are already offering retreats here. Escape to Shape founder Erica Gragg boasts “one epic experience after another: Rhinos at a drinking hole may serve as our drishti in Virabhadrasana II while waves lull us into Savasana after class on the beach.”

Central + South America

22. The Sacred Valley, Peru

Traditionally, travelers here head straight to historic sanctuary Machu Picchu—but culturally immersive retreats nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley offer a new draw of their own. Splurge on a stay at Sol y Luna boutique hotel knowing a portion of the hotel’s profits fund an adjacent school that provides education, art, and sports for the valley’s youth—and take advantage of outdoor yoga classes. Travelers seeking a more immersive experience should consider eco-retreat Willka T’ika, which incorporates Andean traditions and Q’ero healers. Portions of retreat proceeds support childhood education in remote villages. Organic gardening, sustainable living, and acts of generosity are all woven into the fabric of Willka T’ika. For a more holistic experience in Peru, consider volunteering at Eco Truly Park in Lima. Volunteers participate in teaching yoga classes, organic gardening, and cooking.

Machu Picchu, Peru

23. El Salvador

In the early 1970s, El Salvador was a top surf destination, but the civil war took a heavy toll on residents and tourism. “Now, you see hermanos lejanos [El Salvadorans who moved to the United States and Canada] and tourism returning,” says yoga teacher Lindsay Gonzalez, who operates Balancé Yoga Studio and wellness retreats in the surf town El Tunco. An open-air yoga shala catches the ocean breeze from Balancé’s beachfront setting. “In El Trunco, days revolve around the tides, the wind, and the best surfing conditions,” Gonzalez says. Now that it has a dedicated yoga hub, this surf town just might be the next Nosara.

24. Guatemala

Travelers looking to escape the growing yogi crowds in Mexico have set their sights on the emerging yoga scene in Guatemala, where, in the Mayan village of San Marcos la Laguna, the Yoga Forest Conscious Living Retreat Center is setting the stage for responsible tourism, funding community projects such as shoreline restoration via reed planting and midwife education. Drop in for a class or embark on a personal or group retreat to study Jnana, Ashtanga, Bhakti, and Karma Yoga with their pros.

See topic Latin America Yoga Travel

Caribbean

25. Cuba

Cuba’s dynamism reminds us that yoga is really about community. Eduardo de Jesus Pimentel Vázquez—the godfather of Cuban yoga—has trained more than 12,000 yoga practitioners through the Cuban Yoga Association, which he founded in 1990. His humble Havana studio Vidya offers a glimpse of the city’s tight-knit yoga scene. For the past three years, instructor April Puciata has hosted culturally immersive retreats at the beach-side center Mhai Yoga. Eduardo guest-teaches up to five classes during the week, and Puciata arranges visits with local artists and entrepreneurs, plus side trips to the town of Trinidad.

26. Nosara, Costa Rica

Universally considered a yoga mecca, Nosara is home to 32 retreats with serious yoga cred. Both Don Stapleton, longtime director of Kripalu, and Stephan Rechtschaffen, co-founder of the Omega Institute, set up yoga and wellness retreat centers here in the 1990s. More than 6,000 people visit Stapleton’s Nosara Yoga Institute (now Kindness Yoga) annually, known for its mile-long meditation trail and intensive teacher trainings (more than 3,500 graduates over 21 years). At Rechtschaffen’s Blue Spirit, five studios host learning vacations with the Omega Institute that include workshops on unlocking your purpose and Rechtschaffer-led lectures on finding the path to longevity. Located in a blue zone (where a large percentage of the population lives longer than average), the vivacity of Nosara is intimately intertwined with its people and practices.

27. Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, Dominica

Since opening their rain forest retreat center in 2005, yoga teacher Glenda Raphael and her husband, Sam, have been pioneers of sustainable tourism, stocking up on goods from island farmers, local fishermen, and artisans. Yoga teacher Chrissy Carter has held nine retreats here. Don’t miss Victoria Falls, Champagne Beach, and the Boiling Lake, the name given to one of the world’s few lakes that actually boils, says Carter. The resort, along with many others throughout the island, suffered damages after last year’s hurricane, making now a better time than ever to support the local Dominican economy.

See topic Caribbean Yoga Travel

Asia

28. Bali

While Bali is full of celebrated sites and crawling with soul-seekers, Ayurvedic teacher Sahara Rose prefers the lesser-known OmUnityBali, tucked away from tourist traffic in the northern village of Sudaji. At this super-sustainable eco-homestay founded by Indonesian yogi Zanzan, healing journeys and yoga packages incorporate local experiences such as temple ceremonies and visits to artisan workshops. In the jungles of Ubud, musician Michael Franti invites guest performers to enliven the asana practices at his Soulshine Bali Hotel & Yoga Retreat Oasis. Of course, the island’s biggest party happens during BaliSpirit Festival, a week-long celebration that draws big names like Shiva Rea and Tymi Howard, plus local Indonesian presenters such as Aikikdo, Made Janur, and musician Krisna Floop.

29. Dwarika’s Resort, Nepal

If replenishment is what you’re after, then Dwarika’s Resort—tucked into the hillside just 30 miles from the Tibetan border—should top your short list. After a consultation with an Ayurvedic health care provider, you will be prescribed soothing appointments on your custom itinerary: time in the respiratory-cleansing salt house, a visit with the retreat’s resident naturopath, a walk through the meditation maze, sessions in sound- and color-therapy chambers, and stargazing with an astrology master. Yoga classes offer the ultimate view—distant snow-capped mountains of the Himalayan range.

30. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Bhutan

Enjoy daily yoga and acupuncture sessions at this all-inclusive retreat center in Paro, Bhutan—a historic valley town surrounded by sacred Buddhist sites. Each room has views of the Eutok Samdrupcholing goenpa monastery, where resident monks welcome guests for morning meditation. Bhutan is known for its medicinal herbs, and guests are encouraged to join spa therapists on foraging excursions in nearby hillsides.

See also Happy Land

31. Rishikesh, India

nestled along the sacred Ganges River in northern India, is a preferred jumping-off point for many teachers and travelers making the pilgrim-age to the birthplace of yoga. Hindus believe that a saint came to the river to offer penance and was forgiven by the god Vishnu. The spiritual town has an ashram for every sensibility, from super-traditional (and affordable) Phool Chatti to pricey Ananda, a luxe resort known for its Ayurvedic treatments. Each March, the city’s largest ashram, Parmarth Niketan, plays host to some of India’s most respected spiritual leaders (Pujya Swami Ramdevji and Acharya Balkrishna) during the week-long, world-famous annual International Yoga Festival. Meanwhile, the Yoga Institute in Santacruz, Mumbai, is the oldest organized yoga center in the world. The nonprofit recently celebrated its 100th birthday, and has certified more than 50,000 teachers in the past century. Today, roughly 2,000 people visit the institute daily for training, wellness services, and to pay homage to the historic site.

See also 13 Important Indian Places Every Yogi Should Visit

32. Ulpotha, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has no shortage of stylish beachside yoga retreats, but world-class therapists and teachers—such as Parisian Alexandre Onfroy and Californian Rob Hess—make the trek inland to immerse themselves in local culture at Ulpotha. Located in a working rice village, a committee of locals take part in all decision-making, and guest fees fund a free area clinic. Eleven simple mud huts are sprinkled across 22 acres of dense forests, and monks still live in remote temples in the mountains above. There’s a dedicated yoga shala, but classes also take place beneath the branches of an ancient banyan tree.

33. Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand

Teachers Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee, Richard Freeman, and Mary Taylor are regular hosts at this retreat founded by John Stewart, a former monk who lived in the Himalayas for 18 years, and his wife, Karina, a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who built the seaside sanctuary around a jungle-shrouded cave that was once a spiritual retreat for Buddhist monks. Guests can book à la carte therapies and classes such as detoxification, Chi Nei Tsang, and Hatha Yoga, or multi-day packages meant to remedy modern ailments such as technology addiction.

34. Cambodia

Teacher Puravi Joshi calls Cambodia one of the most peaceful places to practice. Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Siem Reap at the Hariharalaya Yoga & Meditation Retreat, named after the Vedic capital of Cambodia. Temples dating to 800 CE surround the two-acre campus. A team of international yoga and meditation instructors lead six-day retreats with Integral Yoga, silent meditation, Dharma talks, and nourishing vegan cuisine.

See topic Asia Yoga Travel

Australia + New Zealand

35. Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Gold Coast, Australia

It’s not uncommon to see wallabies and ’roos hopping across the 500-acre grounds set high up in the ancient gum trees of the Tallebudgera Valley. Mornings focus on yin-inspired movements such as qi gong and restorative yoga, while afternoons are devoted to yang-type activities such as boxing and hiking. Three-day Life in Balance programs integrate equine healing sessions with lectures from holistic psychiatrists, and new Journey to Inner Freedom programs include workshops with emotional healing authority Brandon Bays.

36. Aro HA, New Zealand

Five-, six-, and seven-day retreats, many led by yogi and founder Damian Chaparro, focus on rejuvenating mind and body against some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking landscapes. Think sunrise yoga, kayaking excursions, and strenuous hikes on the trails of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and along the shores of sapphire-blue Lake Wakatipu. Days end with restorative yoga and nourishing, paleo-friendly cuisine.

37. Byron Bay, Australia

The quintessential beach town, Byron Bay overflows with juice bars, organic cafés, and boutique yoga studios. Byron Yoga Centre, founded in 1988 by John Ogilvie, is one of Australia’s longest-running yoga schools. Ogilvie’s signature style of Purna Yoga focuses on integrating physical postures and philosophy. Meanwhile, Byron Bay newcomer Bamboo Yoga School has already amassed a strong community thanks to its open-air bamboo “tentple” (a cross between a tent and temple) and variety of classes including yoga nidra, hatha, vinyasa, and yin.

About our authors

Jen Murphy travels the globe reporting on adventure travel, wellness, food, and conservation. She writes the Wall Street Journal’s What’s Your Workout column and is the author of The Yoga (Man)ual.

Additional reporting by Kyle Houseworth.

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thelondonfilmschool · 8 years

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WHEN ALUMNI CONVENE – Guy Magar (Part 1)

Cairo-born director and screenwriter Guy Magar was eight years old when he left Egypt in 1956 for an early life that would take him first to France, then the United States (more specifically, Middletown, NY), and finally – via a Philosophy BA from Rutgers University – to The London Film School (LFS).

Since then, Guy has enjoyed a career as varied and as far-reaching as can be: from studying at the American Film Institute, to earning a 7-year deal at Universal Studios for work on a short film made for $500 (his first drama short, Once Upon an Evening); from amassing over 100 production credits on network television series, to adapting Stephen King’s Children of the Corn: Revelation for the screen, and his first feature film Retribution being released on DVD for its 25th anniversary in 2012. After founding the Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminar in 2000, Guy has taught creative filmmaking to over five thousand filmmakers during annual seminar tours across the USA, enabled young filmmakers to showcase their talents through the Action/Cut Short Film Competition, and published a memoir – Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot, also the title of his film blog, which Guy describes as being “all about living a film life and outlines the passion and dedication it takes to forge a productive industry career...with a little luck!”

Not satisfied with the wealth of anecdotes to be found in his existing writing, I recently had the opportunity to ask him in more detail about his incredible life and career as part of our WHEN ALUMNI CONVENE interview series, and he was just as engaging, eloquent, and entertaining a conversation partner as his blog and memoirs promised.

On joining The London Film School’s class number 60:

It was a wonderful immersion in film whether we were in the course study classes or shooting our student films or going to nearby film clubs for midnight screenings of a Kurosawa or a Fellini masterpiece. I remember we were all living film 24/7 and LFS was what brought us all together from all over the world. We got a very tight 3:1 film ratio which was not a lot of film when making a 2nd term 1-minute 16-mm film! Mine was titled BINGO and ended up 90 seconds long…so I had a 2:1 ratio! There was a basement area next to the school where we built sets but the ceilings were low so we had to hang lights right on the flats we put up which limited wide shots.

On London then and now:

At the time, it was not a trendy area with fancy cafes/shops etc…but the centre of a farmers market around the Covent Garden tube station area, so the school on Shelton Street felt more like a creative film centre anomaly in the middle of an industrial neighbourhood. After all, it had started out as a banana warehouse! Back then the school was led by Dean John Dunbar whose great dedication to the continuing progress of the school and its programmes was fully appreciated by the entire student body...through his leadership, LFS was vibrant in teaching us filmmaking and instilling in us the love of cinema.

On student life at LFS:

I had become friends with two Americans who thought they could save on rent by living in a broken-down van they had bought and parked just outside the front door…they actually survived by gathering leftover farm products and cooking a stew on a hot plate in the van every night. It was my task in the mornings to bang on the windows to wake them up as they stumbled - toothbrushes in hand - to the school bathroom. As winter set in, they moved to a walking closet space we had at the house in Primrose Hill where 10 of us could afford the rent in a very collegiate lifestyle that became party central for our LFS 60 class!

On the motivations for going to film school:

As we all know, making any film of any length is a very complicated and engaging endeavour, so I needed to know if I -enjoyed the entire process - from idea to screen - and what happened at LFS was that I fell in love with the whole process as we started making film after film. The second reason is to find out if we are any good at it – just because we want to do whatever does not mean we’re good at it and can or have the necessary latent skills for it. I certainly did not wish to get into the industry if I had no affinity for the craft and try to compete for my livelihood.

On making the first years of his career count:

As I was finishing at LFS, I invested my last $500 to make my first non-school film as hopefully a show piece to start a career, and chose to do a doc on the homeless situation in London. It was a 16-mm B&W film that I then sent to compete in the 1974 San Francisco International Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Award. So I found out in film school that I loved the process of filmmaking, and that I had some latent talent with an award-winning film to hopefully compete in an extremely competitive industry. That gave me the courage and confidence to return to New York, drive cross country to Hollywood, and follow my film dreams there.

On advice for current students and soon-to-be graduates:

I recommend that you make sure you leave film school with something to show, that can reflect your talents, and can hopefully be constructive to secure a first employment. So if you wish to be a screenwriter, make sure you leave film school with one hell of a screenplay or a great writing sample that can open doors to writing work or get you an agent. If you wish to be a cinematographer, make sure you build a show reel from the best photographed scenes of all the student films you shot, so you can have sample work to show off your photographic abilities and range. If you wish to be a producer, do a lot of reading and find talented writers to option their work, or find short stories or even magazine articles so you have a slate of film projects/ideas you can pitch to production companies or investors or broadcasters.

On making the most of your time at film school:

Once you focus on the specialty you love most, make sure to have sample work that shows off your talents from a film school that can help you get started in the world of employment in a competitive industry – whether you want to make features or TV shows or commercials or National Geographic specials. You may discover through film school your love of design of sets or costumes or musical soundtracks or special effects or animation and forge such career paths.

On outside collaborations and personal projects:

I wanted to open doors to a directing career but I just didn’t get an opportunity to make a polished student film that I could use, so I had to make sure I made my short doc with my school mates, and though it was an outside school project, it was the show piece I needed to move forward.

On the globalised, expanding film and TV industry:

In my day, there were basically three networks you could work for in television…today there are hundreds as cable and satellite companies have developed and specialized their programming to their specific audiences. If you wish to work as a producer or executive, there are TV companies as varied as HBO, Showtime, Discovery, CNN, BBC America, as well as major studios and many independent production companies.

Not everyone chooses to live in Los Angeles or would be happy here. You may find it easier to break in as a cameraman in Atlanta or Boston and build a resume before moving to larger and more competitive markets such as NY or Chicago. If you wish to make documentaries, you may be able to use your reel to write or direct for a reality TV company or maybe one specializing in wildlife programming or a food network.

…And on what never changes:

There is no one formula and everyone has their own career path, but having a likeable personality is always a great start because you’re going to need a lot of people to want to help you along the way.

Your passion for the work you wish to do will always be your driving force to find a way to realise your career. That is always a given truth…so always crank up your passion for filmmaking!

For more of Guy’s writing, visit his blog - Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot – or see his published memoir. Connect with Guy at @GuyMagar or contact him directly at [email protected].

Written by Laura Nucinkis

Photo Credit: Jacqui Magar

#guy magar #directing #filmmaking #london #london film school #when alumni convene #HBO Showtime CNN BBC America Hollywood tv #rutgers #the a-team #hbo #bbc america #hollywood #cnn #biographies & memoirs #tips for film #stephen king #retribution

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jacewilliams1 · 5 years

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Nine things I know about flying in Wisconsin

A beautiful state up north with a serious aviation addiction

Wisconsin is my adopted summer home state and the place where I do most of my fun flying. No, I’m not crazy; I head to Florida when snow, cold temps and ice fishing become the norm. Returning just before Memorial Day allows me the advantage of enjoying the best of both worlds. I like to say that I live in paradise… but in two widely disparate states. Flying makes the commute easy.

1. Wisconsin is more than cows, deer, corn…

Beyond wintry weather, most folks unfamiliar with Wisconsin likely think it’s filled with cows, deer, corn, cheese, a lot of beer, and possessed Green Bay Packers fans. Those descriptions all apply, but there is so much more Wisconsin has to offer. Its economy, ecology, geographical diversity and Midwestern values are largely underappreciated if not misunderstood. Aside from the larger cities of Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay, Wisconsin is largely a rural state. Almost 95% of its airports are uncontrolled and only the three cities mentioned have Class C airspace over them.

2. You can divide Wisconsin into three areas

Geographically, the state can be divided into three different areas: the lowlands, the bluffs and the Lake Superior uplands. The lowlands start at the capital of Madison and extend eastward above the Illinois line to Lake Michigan and north up the shoreline to Green Bay and the stunning area of Door County. It includes the cities surrounding Lake Winnebago where Oshkosh is. The bluffs extend west from Madison and up the Mississippi River. The uplands – known locally as the Northwoods (locals say ‘nortwoods’ with a nasal twang) – is the sparsely populated recreational areas in the north. Wisconsin has 15,000 lakes and many of them are located in the northland.

3. Wisconsin takes great care of its airports

Wisconsin has many well-maintained, friendly airports for GA pilots.

Because winters can be severe, Wisconsinites have every reason to celebrate the warm months of the year in a wide variety of ways. As a result, aviators have a plethora of places to visit and opportunities to enjoy the state by air. Whatever your desires, activities abound and there’s usually an airport nearby that can service your needs. The Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Aeronautics takes its 132 airport network seriously and it shows. I know first-hand… I inhabit one. I hang out at the Wautoma airport (Y50) 35 miles due west of Oshkosh when I’m around. I like to say that if there was an airport in heaven, it would look like Wautoma. Because of its proximity to Ripon, many eastbound AirVenture airplanes stop there en route or when Oshkosh closes for any reason.

Recently talking with a main subcontractor to the State Bureau of Aeronautics, I learned that Wisconsin is one of 10 states which receive and manage block grants from the FAA Airport Improvement Program fund. As such, the federal government provides 90% of funding for new projects directly to the state, which then prioritizes needs, adds 5% while local entities provides the final 5%. I can tell you that they do a great job of helping all the airports in the state. Come see for yourself.

4. Most airports in Wisconsin are uncontrolled

Looking at a State Aeronautical chart, you have to work to find the 12 airports colored blue. Eight of those have commercial service while only three have Class C airspace above them. All of the rest are red. Owing to its rural nature, every airport has something of interest nearby, depending upon your interests.

5. Wisconsin is home of EAA

It would be heretical to not start the discussion with AirVenture. What can you say about an event that drew in 640,000 people to an airport in a town of 64,000 in 2019? While AirVenture is the pinnacle event that gets a lot of press, there’s a second side to the EAA the other 51 weeks of the year. With the crowds gone, EAA visitors can take their time in the EAA Museum. Programs abound weekly. Just this week, I attended an Aviation Adventure program with a group of F-117 Nighthawk pilots. The Poberezny estate guided tour shouldn’t be missed. EAA and FAA meet each winter in what I view as the most important give-and-take discussions involving GA. (Did you know that Harry Houdini considered nearby Appleton his home? There’s a museum at the Castle which has an exhibit dedicated to him.) 2019 was my 38th year in attendance at AirVenture and the primary reason I built my hangar nearby.

By the way, the nearby town of Iola hosts an automotive equivalent of AirVenture each summer in early July. 2019 was its 47th year – almost as long-running as AirVenture. The 300-acre Old Car Show grounds hosts about 2,500 show cars, 4,200 swap spaces, 1,000 car corral spaces and 1,600 RV campsites. If you’re a car person, you need to visit the Iola Old Car show. Get to the Iola airport four miles east and the CCF pilots will ensure you get to the show with a shuttle.

6. Wisconsin boasts the best $100 hamburger that $9 will buy at Central County Airport (68C)

Lunch at 68C is not to be missed.

Located 38nm NW of Oshkosh, this former potato field turned airport holds a Friday fly in lunch almost year around. The Central County Flyers (CCF) have a wonderful hangar filled with picnic tables and a real wood-burning fireplace where they provide lunch to “members only” (you can join for life for $10.) People fly in from hundreds of miles away to enjoy the aviation camaraderie, good food and airplane watching every week. A few years ago, it was renamed Paul Johns Field to honor a local resident/pilot who flew Boeing 314 Clippers on 221 crossings of the Pacific during WWII. This airport is a joy to behold; this is how GA ought to be everywhere. Its Friday fly in lunch menu is always announced in advance online. Sadly, Paul Johns passed away at 104 in 2018, but a showcase filled with his mementos is in the hangar. I got to know him quite well; he started flying in 1929. I’ve seen as many as 80 airplanes on the ground on a nice weather holiday weekend. EAA folks often fly in for lunch, as well. You won’t regret putting 68C on your itinerary if you’re nearby on Friday.

7. Wisconsin is for seaplanes

As I said, Wisconsin has 15,000 lakes. There are six public seaplane bases and seven private locations where prior permission is required. There are a few restrictions on the many other lakes but most are open to use… just check the WisDOT site first. I actually have a friend who fishes from his Lake Amphibian. The lakes are where many of Wisconsin’s resorts are located.

8. Not convinced yet? Here are more of my favorite places

Baraboo-Dells airport (KDLL)

Located along a scenic section of the Wisconsin River in an area of sandstone etched gorge formations, the Wisconsin Dells is a popular resort and water park destination for mid-westerners. Enjoy old tractors … especially steam tractors? Don’t miss the Badger Steam & Gas show held in early August just after Oshkosh. Want to do some gambling? Try the Ho-Chunk Gaming casino located adjacent to the airport … they’ll come pick you up. Did you know that there’s a circus museum dedicated to preserving the sights and story of railroad based circuses in Baraboo? Their Ringlingville displays show the historic winter headquarters of that circus.

Ashland airport (KASX) and Madeline Island airport (4R5)

If you enjoy fall foliage colors or want to see the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, autumn is the time of year to visit this area. The trip up over the Northwoods can be spectacular. Consisting of 21 islands accessible only by boat, taking the tour from Bayfield is the best way to see the islands and the six lighthouses that inhabit them. Madeline Island is not a part of the Lakeshore and is accessible via ferry or ice road once Lake Superior freezes over. In winter, you can visit the ice caves when it is determined that transiting by vehicle over the frozen lake is safe.

The Door County Peninsula above Green Bay (KSUE, 3D2 and 2P2)

Door County is a famous for its fall colors.

Door County is a peninsula jutting out of NE Wisconsin into Lake Michigan. It’s mostly a tourist/resort area and is serviced by three airports in addition to Green Bay (KGRB). In fall, this area is also a beautiful place to visit or spend a weekend. The Washington Island airport (2P2) is an especially interesting place. Just a flight around the area is breathtaking in fall. The National Railroad Museum is located in Green Bay, as is Lambeau Field near to the airport.

The Brodhead airport (C37) and EAA “Cheesehead” Chapter 431

Just before AirVenture, the EAA Chapter hosts the Hatz/Pietenpol fly in. Folks headed to Oshkosh often stop in en route. In September, they hold the Midwest Antique Airplane Club event, however, that event is open to members only. Great grass runway here.

Golfing at Wisconsin Rapids (KISW)

In the last couple of years, a new world class golf resort called Sand Valley has been built near Wisconsin Rapids. With two regulation courses, Sand Valley (named best new course in 2017) and Mammoth Dunes (named best new course in 2018) plus a 17 hole par three course named The Sand Box – the airport has been inundated with high-end jet traffic bringing serious golfers to the area. The airport manager told me this morning that last year they saw nearly 800 jets coming in. The airport has had a major runways overhaul and a new 15,000 ft sq hangar capable of hangaring G550s is under construction. If golf is your game, Wisconsin Rapids is your place. There are about 10 other courses nearby. Wisconsin Rapids is also in an area heavily covered with cranberry farming, as well.

Three Lakes Airport (40D)

If you like grass runways, a floatplane dock or a great restaurant right on the water, this is the place. The Sunset Grill is open June through Labor Day and seasonally otherwise. The restaurant is right across the street from the airport. Call ahead to make sure they’re open.

The large MOAs and restricted areas associated with Volk ANGB and Fort McCoy

Due west of Oshkosh, the Combat Readiness Training Center at Volk Field (ANG) and the nearby Fort McCoy Total Force Training Center (USA) are very active military bases often hosting major military exercises. The USAF occasionally holds safety meetings at Volk ANGB and allows civilians to fly in with prior permission (PPR). They have great static displays of airplanes. The 115th Fighter Wing flying F-16s (they’re transitioning to F-35s) from Madison’s Truax Field often uses the very large MOA and restricted airspace, as well. It’s not a good idea to transit the airspace under VFR without talking to the RAPCON on 135.25. The restricted area is a live fire area. If you have authority to enter, Fort McCoy has an absolutely wonderful Commemorative Display area of buildings and more.

9. Winters are fierce

Finally, a brief talk about pre-heating airplane engines. Owing to its extremely low winter temperatures, most airplanes based in Wisconsin spend their winters in hangars. And in those hangars, you will see every hand-built pre-heating contraption on the planet. Those that don’t have external pre-heating usually have permanently installed heaters on their engines. Include this in your planning. The EAA holds a winter ski plane fly in for a reason… extrapolate.

The post Nine things I know about flying in Wisconsin appeared first on Air Facts Journal.

from Engineering Blog https://airfactsjournal.com/2019/10/nine-things-i-know-about-flying-in-wisconsin/

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krisiunicornio · 5 years

Link

37 magical, mindful yoga destinations from nearly every continent.

North America

1. Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

2. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

See also Style Profile: Kripalu Yoga

3. Sedona, Arizona

Coffee Pot Rock, Sedona, Arizona

4. Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California

5. Maui, Hawaii

See also Find Peace and Adventure with a Yoga Retreat in Hawaii

6. Boulder, Colorado

Los Angeles, California

7. Los Angeles

Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the first Indian spiritual teachers to make his home in the West, called Los Angeles “the Benares of America” (Benares is another name for the Indian city of Varanasi) when he arrived in the 1920s. After setting up the Self-Realization Fellowship's international headquarters atop Mount Washington, he opened a clifftop compound in Encinitas and a waterfall and shrine-studded campus on Sunset Boulevard where a portion of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are laid to rest. Today, the Lake Shrine—with its waterfront meditation garden and gold lotus–topped temple where resident monks hold services and give lectures—remains an oasis for contemplation. LA’s robust Kundalini scene (Golden Bridge Yoga Studio, RAMA Institute in Venice) traces its roots back to 1969, when Yogi Bhajan started teaching the distinctive style on Melrose Avenue. Wanderlust headquarters in Hollywood is LA’s latest yoga hub, hosting fusion classes and workshops by wellness gurus such as Taryn Toomey and senior yoga teacher Annie Carpenter.

See also 6 Principles We Learned on the West Coast to Cultivate Focus

8. Salt Spring Centre of Yoga, British Columbia

See also 6 Destination Ashrams for an Authentic Yoga Experience

9. Ojai, California

10. Chopra Center, Carlsbad, California

New York City

11. New York City

See topic United States Yoga Travel

Europe

12. Elysia Yoga Convention, Aegiali, Amorgos

See also Replenish Your Energy at an Island Yoga Retreat in Greece

13. Mountain Yoga Festival, St. Anton, Austria

14. Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany

15. London

London’s yoga scene stands apart from other cities' with its emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility: Ourmala offers classes to asylum-seekers, women refugees, and survivors of trafficking; Stillpoint Yoga London (try one of their daily Mysore-style Ashtanga yoga classes held at London Bridge) helps bring the practice into local prisons; and Michael James Wong’s Boys of Yoga platform cultivates stories, videos, and tutorials to break down gender stereo-types in yoga. In addition, popular teachers like Stewart Gilchrist and Claire Missingham call London home, teaching at Triyoga and East London School of Yoga.

See also 6 London Yogis Who Inspire Us to Transcend the Past with Yoga

16. Barcelona Yoga Conference

17. Bornholm Yoga & Retreat Center, Denmark

See also 8 Great European Yoga Vacations You'll Be Dying To Take

18. Suryalila Yoga Retreat Centre, Cadiz, Spain

See topic Europe Yoga Travel

Africa

19. Kenya

See topic Africa Yoga Travel

20. Taghazout, Morocco

21. Namibia

Central + South America

22. The Sacred Valley, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

23. El Salvador

24. Guatemala

See topic Latin America Yoga Travel

Caribbean

25. Cuba

26. Nosara, Costa Rica

27. Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, Dominica

See topic Caribbean Yoga Travel

Asia

28. Bali

29. Dwarika’s Resort, Nepal

30. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Bhutan

See also Happy Land

31. Rishikesh, India

See also 13 Important Indian Places Every Yogi Should Visit

32. Ulpotha, Sri Lanka

33. Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand

34. Cambodia

See topic Asia Yoga Travel

Australia + New Zealand

35. Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Gold Coast, Australia

36. Aro HA, New Zealand

37. Byron Bay, Australia

About our authors

Additional reporting by Kyle Houseworth.

#sleep sounds #sleep music #white noise app #nature sounds #relaxing sounds #rain sounds for sleeping

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cedarrrun · 5 years

Link

37 magical, mindful yoga destinations from nearly every continent.

North America

1. Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

2. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

See also Style Profile: Kripalu Yoga

3. Sedona, Arizona

Coffee Pot Rock, Sedona, Arizona

4. Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California

5. Maui, Hawaii

See also Find Peace and Adventure with a Yoga Retreat in Hawaii

6. Boulder, Colorado

Los Angeles, California

7. Los Angeles

Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the first Indian spiritual teachers to make his home in the West, called Los Angeles “the Benares of America” (Benares is another name for the Indian city of Varanasi) when he arrived in the 1920s. After setting up the Self-Realization Fellowship's international headquarters atop Mount Washington, he opened a clifftop compound in Encinitas and a waterfall and shrine-studded campus on Sunset Boulevard where a portion of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are laid to rest. Today, the Lake Shrine—with its waterfront meditation garden and gold lotus–topped temple where resident monks hold services and give lectures—remains an oasis for contemplation. LA’s robust Kundalini scene (Golden Bridge Yoga Studio, RAMA Institute in Venice) traces its roots back to 1969, when Yogi Bhajan started teaching the distinctive style on Melrose Avenue. Wanderlust headquarters in Hollywood is LA’s latest yoga hub, hosting fusion classes and workshops by wellness gurus such as Taryn Toomey and senior yoga teacher Annie Carpenter.

See also 6 Principles We Learned on the West Coast to Cultivate Focus

8. Salt Spring Centre of Yoga, British Columbia

See also 6 Destination Ashrams for an Authentic Yoga Experience

9. Ojai, California

10. Chopra Center, Carlsbad, California

New York City

11. New York City

See topic United States Yoga Travel

Europe

12. Elysia Yoga Convention, Aegiali, Amorgos

See also Replenish Your Energy at an Island Yoga Retreat in Greece

13. Mountain Yoga Festival, St. Anton, Austria

14. Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany

15. London

See also 6 London Yogis Who Inspire Us to Transcend the Past with Yoga

16. Barcelona Yoga Conference

17. Bornholm Yoga & Retreat Center, Denmark

See also 8 Great European Yoga Vacations You'll Be Dying To Take

18. Suryalila Yoga Retreat Centre, Cadiz, Spain

See topic Europe Yoga Travel

Africa

19. Kenya

See topic Africa Yoga Travel

20. Taghazout, Morocco

21. Namibia

Central + South America

22. The Sacred Valley, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

23. El Salvador

24. Guatemala

See topic Latin America Yoga Travel

Caribbean

25. Cuba

26. Nosara, Costa Rica

27. Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, Dominica

See topic Caribbean Yoga Travel

Asia

28. Bali

29. Dwarika’s Resort, Nepal

30. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Bhutan

See also Happy Land

31. Rishikesh, India

See also 13 Important Indian Places Every Yogi Should Visit

32. Ulpotha, Sri Lanka

33. Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand

34. Cambodia

See topic Asia Yoga Travel

Australia + New Zealand

35. Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Gold Coast, Australia

36. Aro HA, New Zealand

37. Byron Bay, Australia

About our authors

Additional reporting by Kyle Houseworth.

#sleep sounds #sleep music #white noise app #nature sounds #relaxing sounds #rain sounds for sleeping

0 notes

amyddaniels · 5 years

Text

Yoga Journal's Best Yoga Retreats and Travel Spots Around the World

37 magical, mindful yoga destinations from nearly every continent.

North America

1. Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana

2. Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

See also Style Profile: Kripalu Yoga

3. Sedona, Arizona

Coffee Pot Rock, Sedona, Arizona

4. Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California

5. Maui, Hawaii

See also Find Peace and Adventure with a Yoga Retreat in Hawaii

6. Boulder, Colorado

Los Angeles, California

7. Los Angeles

Paramahansa Yogananda, one of the first Indian spiritual teachers to make his home in the West, called Los Angeles “the Benares of America” (Benares is another name for the Indian city of Varanasi) when he arrived in the 1920s. After setting up the Self-Realization Fellowship's international headquarters atop Mount Washington, he opened a clifftop compound in Encinitas and a waterfall and shrine-studded campus on Sunset Boulevard where a portion of the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are laid to rest. Today, the Lake Shrine—with its waterfront meditation garden and gold lotus–topped temple where resident monks hold services and give lectures—remains an oasis for contemplation. LA’s robust Kundalini scene (Golden Bridge Yoga Studio, RAMA Institute in Venice) traces its roots back to 1969, when Yogi Bhajan started teaching the distinctive style on Melrose Avenue. Wanderlust headquarters in Hollywood is LA’s latest yoga hub, hosting fusion classes and workshops by wellness gurus such as Taryn Toomey and senior yoga teacher Annie Carpenter.

See also 6 Principles We Learned on the West Coast to Cultivate Focus

8. Salt Spring Centre of Yoga, British Columbia

See also 6 Destination Ashrams for an Authentic Yoga Experience

9. Ojai, California

10. Chopra Center, Carlsbad, California

New York City

11. New York City

See topic United States Yoga Travel

Europe

12. Elysia Yoga Convention, Aegiali, Amorgos

See also Replenish Your Energy at an Island Yoga Retreat in Greece

13. Mountain Yoga Festival, St. Anton, Austria

14. Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany

15. London

See also 6 London Yogis Who Inspire Us to Transcend the Past with Yoga

16. Barcelona Yoga Conference

17. Bornholm Yoga & Retreat Center, Denmark

See also 8 Great European Yoga Vacations You'll Be Dying To Take

18. Suryalila Yoga Retreat Centre, Cadiz, Spain

See topic Europe Yoga Travel

Africa

19. Kenya

See topic Africa Yoga Travel

20. Taghazout, Morocco

21. Namibia

Central + South America

22. The Sacred Valley, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

23. El Salvador

24. Guatemala

See topic Latin America Yoga Travel

Caribbean

25. Cuba

26. Nosara, Costa Rica

27. Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, Dominica

See topic Caribbean Yoga Travel

Asia

28. Bali

29. Dwarika’s Resort, Nepal

30. Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Bhutan

See also Happy Land

31. Rishikesh, India

See also 13 Important Indian Places Every Yogi Should Visit

32. Ulpotha, Sri Lanka

33. Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand

34. Cambodia

See topic Asia Yoga Travel

Australia + New Zealand

35. Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Gold Coast, Australia

36. Aro HA, New Zealand

37. Byron Bay, Australia

About our authors

Additional reporting by Kyle Houseworth.

0 notes

nashvillepremiere · 5 years

Text

Homes For Sale In College Grove Franklin Tennessee

Search All Homes For Sale In College Grove Franklin Tennessee

Lovingly nestled along Interstate 24 and about forty-five minutes from Nashville is the beautiful town of College Grove. This is an area meant for individuals who dance to the beat of their own drum. This is a destination for foodies, culture seekers, and sports enthusiasts. College Grove preserves this culture and adds to the charm of country living.

One type of entertainment offered by the town of College Grove is the ability to enjoy the pleasures of country life. Explore the steep wooded slopes of College Grove and Harpeth River that runs through the town. Visit Lucky Ladd Farms to wander through the corn maze, shoot potato guns, and play with the animals at the petting zoo. There is also Devlin Farms and local farm stands to visit for fresh produce.

Nestled in this lush landscape you will find new housing developments like The Grove. This is a gated community offering a club lifestyle and a Greg Norman Signature Golf Course. All the new housing being built in College Grove is being designed to preserve the natural wilderness of the region.

This is a town with a strong sense of community and togetherness. The College Grove Community Center is truly a gathering place where residents can take wellness classes, use the gym, or enjoy the tennis courts. This sense of community continues in the work put into saving the old high school and turning it into the College Grove Artsitorium where residents gather for dance recitals, art showings, and theatrical productions. Residents can also rent the Artsitorium for weddings and receptions. Residents, fifty years or older, can join the local FiftyForward in town. The FiftyFoward offers members art instruction, history, genealogy, and writers groups; education events on health and wellness; plus, aerobics classes.

Many residents gather at Lions Club Park or College Grove Elementary in the evenings to watch their children play on the equipment or take in a little league game. Afterwards, they might enjoy tacos from Las Fiesta or grab some sushi from Umi Japanese Restaurant.

If you are looking for something different to do, try visiting Arrington Vineyards, which is owned in part by country singer Kix Brooks, from Brooks & Dunn. Bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy while you sample the fine wines available. This beautiful vineyard is the perfect spot to enjoy the gorgeous sunsets that grace this part of the country. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself buying a bottle of blackberry wine to take home.

Credit NewHomeSource.

Franklin Tennessee is a wonderful place to live. Southern hospitality is alive and kicking in Franklin and this is one of the most welcoming and friendly cities you will ever find in Tennessee! From the amazing culture to the historic homes and properties for sale, Franklin is a city of prosperity and opportunity. Use this website to help you get started exploring homes for sale in College Grove Franklin Tennessee, beginning with my Franklin Tennessee lifestyle page. Then contact me with any home buying questions you might have.

I would love to be your personal guide through the home buying process! I am dedicated to excellence. I intend to provide you with the best real estate experience you have ever had.

This Website actually features homes in College Grove near Franklin Tennessee with property descriptions and photos. So if you find your Franklin Tennessee dream home on our site in the area you want to live, then contact me directly and let's go see it and explore all its features that you are looking for!

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Source Here: Homes For Sale In College Grove Franklin Tennessee

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paullassiterca · 6 years

Text

We’re Running Out of Time to Reverse Desertification

youtube

The Savory Institute documentary “Running Out of Time,” features ecologist and international consultant Allan Savory, who in a 2013 TED Talk discussed how grazing livestock is the solution to our ever-growing climate change problem. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Savory is a passionate conservationist.

He founded the Africa Centre for Holistic Management1 (ACHM) in 1992, to support the adoption of holistic land management practices in Southern Africa in order to reduce and reverse land degradation2 that threatens the very survival of mankind, as without healthy productive soil, we cannot grow food. Central teachings taught by ACHM include how to:

Restore water catchments and river flow

Increase forage, livestock and wildlife production

Raise crop yields through concentrated animal impact

Restore damaged or degraded land

Employ low stress animal handling

Grazing Cattle Are a Crucial Part of the Solution

Current agricultural practices encourage the degradation of soil, causing desertification (when fertile land dries up and turns to desert) and climate change.

Desertification happens when we create too much bare ground. In areas where a high level of humidity is guaranteed, desertification cannot occur. Ground cover allows for trapping of water, preventing the water from evaporating. According to Savory, a staggering two-thirds of the landmass on earth is already desertifying.

This situation can only be effectively reversed by dramatically increasing the number of grazing livestock, Savory says. In essence, it’s not an excess of livestock that are causing the problem, but that we have far too few, and the livestock we do have, we’re not managing properly. To improve soil quality, we must improve its ability to maintain water. Once land has turned to bone-dry desert, any rain simply evaporates and/or runs off.

The solution is twofold: The ground must be covered with vegetation, and animals must roam across the land. The animals must be bunched and kept moving to avoid overgrazing, thereby mimicking the movement of large wild herds. The animals serve several crucial functions on the land, as they:

Graze on plants, exposing the plants’ growth points to sunlight, which stimulates growth

Trample the soil, which breaks capped earth allowing for aeration

Press seeds into the soil with their hooves, thereby increasing the chances of germination and diversity of plants

Press down dying and decaying grasses, allowing microorganisms in the soil to go to work to decompose the plant material

Fertilize the soil with their waste

The documentary shows and explains how Savory’s system works in the real world, on his own farm and elsewhere — and how the African wildlife is integrated with the livestock — and how local communities that have adopted the program have massively improved their living conditions.

In one village, where they could only produce enough food for three months out of the year, they now grow ample food year-round. The ACHM trains farmers from all-around the world, not just locals, and is planning about 100 international training hubs. Online training is also in the works.

Lessons Learned From the Unnecessary Massacre of 40,000 Elephants

youtube

In his 2013 TED Talk (embedded above for your convenience), Savory recounts how, as a young biologist, he was involved in setting aside large swaths of African land as future national parks. This involved removing native tribes from the land to protect animals.

Interestingly, as soon as the natives were removed, the land began to deteriorate. At that point, he became convinced that there were too many elephants, and a team of experts agreed with his theory, which required the removal of elephants to a number they thought the land could sustain.

As a result, 40,000 elephants were slaughtered in an effort to stop the damage to the national parks. Yet the land destruction only got worse rather than better. Savory calls the decision “the greatest blunder” of his life. Fortunately, the utter failure cemented his determination to dedicate his life to finding solutions.

Areas of U.S. national parks are now turning to desert as badly as areas in Africa, and studies have shown that whenever cattle are removed from an area to protect it from desertification, the opposite results. It gets worse. According to Savory, the reason for this is because we’ve completely misunderstood the causes of desertification.

We’ve also failed to understand how desertification affects our global climate. He explains that barren earth is much cooler at dawn and much hotter at midday. When land is left barren, it changes the microclimate on that swath of land. “Once you’ve done that to more than half of land mass on planet, you’re changing macroclimate,” he says.

We’ve failed to realize that in seasonal humidity environments, the soil and vegetation developed with very large numbers of grazing animals meandering through. Along with these herds came ferocious pack hunting predators. The primary defense against these predators was the herd size. The larger the herd, the safer the individual animal within the herd.

These large herds deposited dung and urine all over the grasses (their food), and so they would keep moving from one area to the next. This constant movement of large herds naturally prevented overgrazing of plants, while periodic trampling ensured protective covering of the soil.

As explained by Savory, grasses must degrade biologically before next growing season. This easily occurs if the grass is trampled into the ground. If it does not decay biologically, it shifts into oxidation — a very slow process that results in bare soil, which then ends up releasing carbon rather than trapping and storing it.

To prevent this scenario, we’ve traditionally used fire. But burning the ground also leaves soil bare to release carbon. In addition, burning just 1 hectare (just under 2.5 acres) of grasses gives off more pollution than 6,000 cars. According to Savory, more than 1 billion hectares (2.4 billion acres) of grassland are burned in Africa each year.

How Federal Policy Contributes to Climate Change Woes

In the U.S., federal policy is still worsening the environmental concerns addressed by Savory in his TED Talk. Corn and soy — a majority of which are genetically engineered (GE) — have overtaken native grasslands in a number of states, which may have a significant impact on regional and global climate alike.

A consequence of this is that we also lose our ability to secure our food supply long-term. As discussed in a Mother Jones article,3 the conversion of grasslands to crop fields is the exact opposite of what is in our best interest.

“[T]o get ready for climate change, we should push Midwestern farmers to switch a chunk of their corn land into pasture for cows.

The idea came from a paper4 by University of Tennessee and Bard College researchers, who calculated that such a move could suck up massive amounts of carbon in soil — enough to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 36 percent. In addition to the CO2 reductions, you’d also get a bunch of high-quality, grass-fed beef … Turns out the Midwest are doing just the opposite.”

According to a 2013 paper5 by South Dakota State University researchers, grasslands in the Western Corn Belt, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska, is being lost at a rate “comparable to deforestation rates in Brazil, Malaysia and Indonesia.”

Between 2006 and 2011, nearly 2 million acres of friendly native grasses were lost to corn and soy, two of the staples in processed foods that are driving chronic disease rates in an ever steepening upward incline. The same thing is happening in South America, where native forests are leveled in order to plant soy.

The researchers claim the land being converted into corn and soy fields is actually much better suited for grazing than crop agriculture, as it is “characterized by high erosion risk and vulnerability to drought.“ So why would farmers opt to use such risky land for their crops? According to Mother Jones:6

“Simple: Federal policy has made it a high-reward, tiny-risk proposition. Prices for corn and soy doubled in real terms between 2006 and 2011, the authors note, driven up by federal corn-ethanol mandates and relentless Wall Street speculation.

Then there’s federally subsidized crop insurance … When farmers manage to tease a decent crop out of their marginal land, they’re rewarded with high prices for their crop. But if the crop fails, subsidized insurance guarantees a decent return.

Essentially, federal farm policy, through the ethanol mandate and the insurance program, is underwriting the expansion of corn and soy agriculture at precisely the time it should be shrinking.”

USDA Admits Current Agricultural System Is Unsustainable

According to a report7 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), "Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States,” our current agricultural system, which is dominated by corn and soy, is unsustainable in the long term. Should temperatures rise as predicted, the U.S. could expect to see significant declines in yields by the middle of this century.

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have a central role in this impending disaster. As noted in my interviews with a number of sustainable farming pioneers and ecological experts over the past several years, the separation of various livestock from crop farming is where we went completely off the rails. This was supposedly done to increase efficiency and reduce costs, but the hidden costs of this segregation are enormous.

As explained in Peter Byck’s short film, “One Hundred Thousand Beating Hearts,” farm animals form symbiotic relationships where one species helps keep parasites from overwhelming another. It is the separation of crops and animals into two distinctly different farming processes that has led to animal waste becoming a massive source of toxic pollution rather than a valuable part of the ecological cycle.

Today, food animals are reared in cages and tightly cramped quarters, and their feed consists of grains, primarily GE corn and soy, instead of grasses. To prevent the inevitable spread of disease from stress, overcrowding and lack of vitamin D, animals are routinely fed antibiotics and other veterinary drugs. Those antibiotics pose a direct threat to the environment when they run off into our lakes, rivers, aquifers and drinking water, and drive the rise in antibiotic-resistant disease.

In “How Factory Farming Contributes to Global Warming,” Ronnie Cummins, founder and director of the Organic Consumers Association, explains:8

“CAFOs contribute directly to global warming9 by releasing vast amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere — more than the entire global transportation industry. The air at some factory farm test sites in the U.S. is dirtier than in America’s most polluted cities, according to the Environmental Integrity Project.

According to a 2006 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), animal agriculture is responsible for 18 percent of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, including 37 percent of methane emissions and 65 percent of nitrous oxide emissions.

The methane releases from billions of imprisoned animals on factory farms are 70 times more damaging per ton to the earth’s atmosphere than CO2. Indirectly, factory farms contribute to climate disruption by their impact on deforestation and draining of wetlands, and because of the nitrous oxide emissions from huge amounts of pesticides used to grow the genetically engineered corn and soy fed to animals raised in CAFOs.

Nitrous oxide pollution is even worse than methane — 200 times more damaging per ton than CO2. And just as animal waste leaches antibiotics and hormones into ground and water, pesticides and fertilizers also eventually find their way into our waterways, further damaging the environment.”

Holistic Land and Herd Management Is Key for Sustainability

The alternative to CAFOs is precisely what Savory teaches, namely the widespread implementation of smaller-scale systems created by independent producers and processors focused on local and regional markets.

Following Savory’s strategy, large herds could be moved across areas in planned grazing patterns, which would be beneficial for the environment, global climate, the health of the animals, and subsequently the health of humans consuming those animals.

There’s no denying that rising population, rapid conversion of fertile land to deserts and global climate change is a serious threat to us all. And technology in the form of ever larger-scale, industrial farming methods simply isn’t the answer. It’s only contributing to the problem and speeding up our demise.

I believe Savory is correct when he says we have only one option, and that is to revert back to what worked before. Allowing large moving herds to graze on the land will address most if not all of our most pressing issues, from food security to climate change.

As noted in a 2016 article10 by Pure Advantage, “There is no current or envisioned technology that can simultaneously sequester carbon, restore biodiversity and feed people. But livestock can.” Gabe Brown, a regenerative land management pioneer, also discussed the importance of herd management in our 2014 interview, covered in “How to Regenerate Soil Using Cover Crops and Regenerative Land Management.”

Support Sustainable Agriculture With Your Food Budget

For now, you can help move our agricultural system in the right direction by purchasing your foods from local farmers who are already doing this on a small scale.11 If you live in the U.S., the following organizations can help you locate farm-fresh foods:

Demeter USA — Demeter-USA.org provides a directory of certified Biodynamic farms and brands. This directory can also be found on BiodynamicFood.org.

American Grassfed Association (AGA) — The goal of the American Grassfed Association is to promote the grass fed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education.

Their website also allows you to search for AGA approved producers certified according to strict standards that include being raised on a diet of 100 percent forage; raised on pasture and never confined to a feedlot; never treated with antibiotics or hormones; and born and raised on American family farms.

EatWild.com — EatWild.com provides lists of farmers known to produce raw dairy products as well as grass fed beef and other farm-fresh produce (although not all are certified organic). Here you can also find information about local farmers markets, as well as local stores and restaurants that sell grass fed products.

Weston A. Price Foundation — Weston A. Price has local chapters in most states, and many of them are connected with buying clubs in which you can easily purchase organic foods, including grass fed raw dairy products like milk and butter.

Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.

Local Harvest — This website will help you find farmers markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass fed meats and many other goodies.

Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.

Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals — The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, hotels and online outlets in the United States and Canada.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

The Cornucopia Institute — The Cornucopia Institute maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO “organic” production from authentic organic practices.

RealMilk.com — If you’re still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area.

The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund12 also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.13 California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at www.OrganicPastures.com.

from Articles http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/23/reverse-desertification.aspx source https://niapurenaturecom.tumblr.com/post/183643809966

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jerrytackettca · 6 years

Text

Were Running Out of Time to Reverse Desertification

Restore water catchments and river flow

Increase forage, livestock and wildlife production

Raise crop yields through concentrated animal impact

Restore damaged or degraded land

Employ low stress animal handling

Grazing Cattle Are a Crucial Part of the Solution

Current agricultural practices encourage the degradation of soil, causing desertification (when fertile land dries up and turns to desert) and climate change.

Graze on plants, exposing the plants’ growth points to sunlight, which stimulates growth

Trample the soil, which breaks capped earth allowing for aeration

Press seeds into the soil with their hooves, thereby increasing the chances of germination and diversity of plants

Press down dying and decaying grasses, allowing microorganisms in the soil to go to work to decompose the plant material

Fertilize the soil with their waste

Lessons Learned From the Unnecessary Massacre of 40,000 Elephants

How Federal Policy Contributes to Climate Change Woes

“[T]o get ready for climate change, we should push Midwestern farmers to switch a chunk of their corn land into pasture for cows.

The idea came from a paper4 by University of Tennessee and Bard College researchers, who calculated that such a move could suck up massive amounts of carbon in soil — enough to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 36 percent. In addition to the CO2 reductions, you'd also get a bunch of high-quality, grass-fed beef ... Turns out the Midwest are doing just the opposite.”

According to a 2013 paper5 by South Dakota State University researchers, grasslands in the Western Corn Belt, which includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska, is being lost at a rate "comparable to deforestation rates in Brazil, Malaysia and Indonesia."

The researchers claim the land being converted into corn and soy fields is actually much better suited for grazing than crop agriculture, as it is “characterized by high erosion risk and vulnerability to drought." So why would farmers opt to use such risky land for their crops? According to Mother Jones:6

“Simple: Federal policy has made it a high-reward, tiny-risk proposition. Prices for corn and soy doubled in real terms between 2006 and 2011, the authors note, driven up byfederal corn-ethanol mandates and relentlessWall Street speculation.

Then there's federally subsidized crop insurance ... When farmers manage to tease a decent crop out of their marginal land, they're rewarded with high prices for their crop. But if the crop fails, subsidized insurance guarantees a decent return.

Essentially, federal farm policy, through the ethanol mandate and the insurance program, is underwriting the expansion of corn and soy agriculture at precisely the time it should be shrinking.”

USDA Admits Current Agricultural System Is Unsustainable

According to a report7 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), "Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States," our current agricultural system, which is dominated by corn and soy, is unsustainable in the long term. Should temperatures rise as predicted, the U.S. could expect to see significant declines in yields by the middle of this century.

In “How Factory Farming Contributes to Global Warming,” Ronnie Cummins, founder and director of the Organic Consumers Association, explains:8

Holistic Land and Herd Management Is Key for Sustainability

Support Sustainable Agriculture With Your Food Budget

Demeter USA — Demeter-USA.org provides a directory of certified Biodynamic farms and brands. This directory can also be found on BiodynamicFood.org.

Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.

Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

The Cornucopia Institute — The Cornucopia Institute maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO "organic" production from authentic organic practices.

RealMilk.com — If you're still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area.

from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/23/reverse-desertification.aspx

source http://niapurenaturecom.weebly.com/blog/were-running-out-of-time-to-reverse-desertification

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