"A Beautiful Truth" - Must See Documentary

Wow! I just saw this amazing documentary that was released in the Fall of 2008 that I had never even heard of. Maybe I'm the only one who didn't know about it?
Anyway, I urge you to take the time and watch this movie (it's on "watch it now" in Netflix) if you haven't already seen it.

It's basically the story of a boy who does his own independent research on what the book "A Cancer Therapy: Results of 50 cases" by Dr. Max Gerson stated back in 1945; - that degenerative diseases were brought on by toxic, degraded food, water and air and that if you "Stay close to nature, its eternal laws will protect you." (from the Gerson Institute website http://www.gerson.org/)

The movie's website states:
"The Gerson Therapy is a powerful, natural treatment that boosts your body's own immune system to heal cancer, arthritis, heart disease, allergies and many other degenerative diseases. One aspect of the Gerson Therapy that sets it apart from most other treatment methods is its all-encompassing nature. An abundance of nutrients from thirteen fresh, organic juices is consumed every day, providing your body with a super dose of enzymes, minerals and nutrients. These substances then break down diseased tissue in the body, while enemas aid in eliminating the lifelong buildup of toxins from the liver."

Interestingly this was the first movie to document and capture on camera mercury vapors coming off of silver fillings. There is also some strong information about the dangers of MSG, aspartame, fluoride and genetically modified foods.

The style of the movie was slightly corny for my taste, but the message and content were so powerfully positive and valuable, I think you can overlook the delivery.

A Beautiful Truth is both a sobering and enlightening movie that everyone should see.

Simple Invention Can Make a Major Change Throughout Africa

Imagine if instead of going to the sink and turning the faucet to get water you had to walk 5 miles to a well and fill a plastic oil drum with water, put it on top of your head and then walk back home another 5 miles! Many people all over Africa and in other underdeveloped parts of the world have to do this every day, or even two times a day to get clean water for drinking and cooking. This job is mostly relegated to the women and sometimes the kids of the household. Think of all of the other things a woman can do for her family if she's not spending all of that time to fetch water. And think of what carrying those heavy drums of water on your head can do to your spine and body over time.

Thanks to one of my favorite review sights, Metaefficent, I found out about this new organization called Hippo Water Roller that has come up with an ingeniously simple invention that make a major impact for a lot of people.

With this simple device pictured above transporting water doesn't have to tax your body and take all day. The drums are easily rolled to their destination by pushing the metal handle.

The website states "The daily burden of water collection undermines productivity, limits educational opportunities and traps households in poverty".

One filled HippoRoller can meet the basic water needs of a family of 5 for a whole day.

For $100 you can donate one HippoRoller to a family.

Their website is www.hipporoller.org

Steps Towards a More Sustainable Life of Less - from Zen Habits

Great post from Leo Babuta on his highly recommended blog, Zen Habits (zenhabits.net), about a topic so appropriate to our current times; living with less.   And one of the reasons we can and need to learn so much from indigenous cultures that are seemingly not as "advanced" as the West.

Here's the link to the post Steps Towards A More Sustainable Life of Less

Downward Doggin' to the Drums

After months (or maybe it's been years - I'm embarrassed to say) I finally took a yoga class at my sister's yoga studio, the Mystic Yoga Shala. It was a Power Vinyasa class in a 90 degree heated room and definitely not for someone as inexperienced as myself, but I was lured by the idea that they would have live drumming during the class. There were two guys playing djun-djuns, djembes, asikos and other various cool sounding percussion during the entire session! Pretty cool. One thing my sister commented on after the class was over, was how listening to the drums seemed to make the holding of the postures take less effort, or possibly maybe she meant that it was easier to focus and therefore hold and transition between the postures (??) Well, whatever it was, it certainly worked for me, because I don't think I knew how much effort I was putting in to the class while I was taking it. Two days later I can't believe how much of a huge tenderized piece of meat I feel like!

This particular class was partially benefiting and bringing awareness to a very cool organization called Africa Yoga Project

Their mission is "to empower youth, build a global community
and increase well-being in East Africa", particularly in Kenya where they have "introduced hundreds of students in Kenya to the practice of yoga, as well provided educational scholarships, job training food stipends, temporary housing and health services".

I thought there answer to "Why Yoga?" was particularly awesome too:
"Yoga reveals our authentic selves, perfect and flawed, uncovers our limitless potential to embrace change and to take action. The practice of yoga does not only work for upper class westerners, but for Kenyans too. Yoga transforms limitations into power.
Yoga revolutionizes our body, our emotions, our relationships and our ability to serve the greater good"

Nuf said.

Free Power of Greens Mini-Course

Victoria Boutenko, the author of one of my favorite books from 2008 "Green for Life" is offering a free power of greens mini-course in conjunction with health renegade Frederic Patenaude. If you haven't heard of the famous "Green Smoothie", you have to check this out. After finding out about Victoria and rawfamily.com, I bought Green for Life and haven't stopped making green smoothies ever since.

If you click on the link below, just scroll down a ways to find the sign-up form for the free mini-course.

http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/greenforlife2.html

Healing the Youth of Nicaragua with Capoeira

This is a video of my good friend Justin Prado whom I met at the Central Park drum circle and became close through our love of drumming. Drumming led him to Capoeira (Brazilian form of martial arts that incorporates music and song). And Capoeira led him back to his home country of Nicaragua (away for 32 years!) where he had the opportunity to teach capoeira to children of the Fabretto youth organization, who's mission is to "enable impoverished Nicaraguan children and their families in underserved communities to break the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential through programs promoting nutrition, health, education, community and character development." www.fabretto.org

Right on, Justin.