Are you a Global Consumer?  Not sure?  Some of us find it really hard to  resist the deals that are offered at big chain stores I know.  But it’s not in the best interest of humanity to save a few dollars.

Here’s a really great article found in Heartbeat Magazine (Spring 2006) about the social justices of shopping local.

Your first inclination might be to laugh if you know me!  Yes it’s true I am more widely known as a ‘non-cooker’ let alone baker.  But after much research about how commercial breads are really not that good for you <<read more>>, let alone expensive I decided to give it a whirl.  I like the fact that I know exactly what goes into it and I’d like to start removing our dependence on the grocery store…. it’s a long process indeed but definately worth it.

I had the boys do a taste test (because I’m biased) and they enjoyed it.  So it’s settled, I will never buy bread again!

Here’s the recipe I used http://wholewheatbreadrecipe.blogspot.com/2008/01/whole-wheat-bread-recipe.html#comments, it was so easy to use (for other non-cookers/bakers out there) and tasted awesome with a hint of honey.  The only thing I changed was using almond milk rather than cow’s milk.

Mmmmmmm!

Next – almond milk, we use it exclusively - anyone know of a good recipe?

Robin

In Classical Yoga, observance of the abstinences, or yamas, help attain a healthy mind and body. As Hatha Yoga is the yoga for attaining control over the mortal body, the yamas (together with the niyamas) are its essential first two steps.

Patanjali, the Yoga Sutras compiler, believed the yamas and niyamas are not about right and wrong but merely about being honest with the true Self. By living according to these principles is about living in a better way, about moving towards an understanding, and about making it possible to `connect` with our Creator or Divine.

The yamas and niyamas help to manage our energy in an integrative manner, complementing our outer life to our inner development. They help us view ourselves with compassion and awareness. They help in respecting the values of this life, in balancing our inner growth with outer restraint. In short they help us to lead a conscious life.

Yamas describe the precepts of social discipline:

• Ahimsa — Non-violence. Not harming other people or other sentient beings. Not harming onesself. Not harming the environment. Tolerance even for that which we dislike. Not speaking that which, even though truthful, would injure others.
• Satya – Truthfulness. Note that sometimes we may know our words are literally true, but do not convey what we know to be truthful. Satya means not intending to deceive others in our thoughts, as well as our words and actions.
• Asteya – Non-stealing. Not taking that which is not given.
• Brahmacarya — Sexual responsibility.   Regarding others as human beings rather than as male and female bodies.   The spirit of this precept is conservation of energy for the purpose of spiritual practice.   This includes not only sexual restraint, but protecting our energy for instance by avoiding endless chattering with no clear purpose.
• Aparigraha — Abstention from greed.     Not coveting that which is not ours.   Avoidance of unnecessary acquisition of objects not essential to maintaining life or spiritual study.

Niyama when translated into English is “observance” or “virtue and are the precepts of Individual Discipline. The niyamas describe ways in which yogis should treat themselves to help maintain a positive environment in which to grow:

• Sauca – Cleanliness. Not only external cleanliness of the body, but attending to internal cleanliness such as avoiding the impurities of anger and egoism. Moderation in diet
• Santosa – Contentment. Not spiritual complacency, but acceptance of the external situation we are allotted in this life.
• Tapas – Austerity. Deep commitment to our yoga practice.
• Svadhyaya – Self-study. Spiritual self-education. Contemplation and application of the scriptures or sacred texts of our chosen path.
• Svadhyaya – Self-study. Spiritual self-education. Contemplation and application of the scriptures or sacred texts of our chosen path.

During this particular hike we stayed local, heading off to the Quarry Mountain.  Yes there is a mountain!!!  some didn’t know that.

We met at the main gate all ready to burn off some xmas cheer prompty at 8am.  After morning salutes, sniffs and whatnot (i’ll leave that to your imagination) we were on our merry way.

It was a spectacular morning and the sun was already poking out with promises of a nice view at the top – we surely were not disappointed!  Along the way we saw some trees, rocks and a bit of dirt… I know your probably surprised.  Oh and an old car that obviously took a wrong turn one fateful day many many years ago.  I think we were all in our xmas fog as everyone was well behaved and focused on getting to the top.  Heads down, bodies moving forward and upward.

Once we emerged to the open bluff we were met with a beautiful sunshine and view!  You could see for miles and miles (check out photos at link below).  Of course staying with tradition we popped our bottle of bubbly… which we ALWAYS must finish because I’LL BE if i have to carry leftovers back down!  I like that even less than backtracking.. lol 

It was a great and beautiful hike and I highly recommend it.  2.5 hours (including our mini cocktail party at the top).

Sorry it’s taken so long to write or post pictures about this fieldtrip!  I’ve had to rely on facebook for photos of this trip until my website is up and running a little more smoothly

Enjoy Quarry Mountain Photos

Captain Tailfeather