Quinoa has gained quite the popularity in the past 10 years. What once was considered food for Andean warriors, then diminished by Spanish colonizers, became a health food store staple in the western world in the late 70’s. Why so cool? Because it tastes great, is a good source of Magnesium, Manganese, Copper, fiber and it is a complete protein. 

Aloha,

We are in Maui getting ready to lead our newest workshop on Community Building! It starts tomorrow and we excited about exploring this subject with people for the first time. What stops you from taking on creating community?

Cafe Gratitude Oakland celebrated their second anniversary and the people there continue to inspire us.  If you have never visited that location stop by for lunch one day and see community being in service to one another.

I want to report a robbery.

At dawn a hummingbird stole my purpose for living.

Gone is that nagging drive to paint some masterpiece

An inspiring new film is Premiering on April 4th at the Balboa Theatre, Rialto Cinemas Elmwood and the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Francisco and the Bay Area on April 4th. 5th & 6th! 

FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is the story of two men who struggle to lose weight, overcome the same rare disease and change their lives for good.  The uplifting story follows Joe Cross on a cross country road trip where he vows to do a juice fast for 60 days (consuming only fruits and vegetables in liquid form).  On his life changing journey, he meets and inspires Phil Staples - a 420 lb desperate truck driver from Iowa - to do the same.  The documentary is a story about hope, wellness, friendship and our ability to change.

Check out the trailer, see showtimes and more at www.fatsickandnearlydead.com and see what is possible when a man takes on his life and treats his body truly as the miracle it is.

Cold "brewing" your coffee decreases the natural acidity of coffee by 3/4 that of an average cup of coffee.  This gives your digestive track quite a break, is better to keep your Ph levels in balance, and yet is still smooth and rich in flavor.  You can buy a set for doing cold processing at home from Filtron with all the bells & whistles, but I like to limit my gadgets in the kitchen and instead use a French coffee press and simply use cold water and let sit for 24 hours.

From our I am Grateful recipe book:

Hi Everyone,

We are coming up for air after so much rain.  Our stove pipe was blown over in the last storm and mud was abundant, for sure!  However, we also love all the rain and the green grass that is covering the farm. The chickens, while wet, are still loving being out and about! The almond and apricot blossoms are over, and the first of the nectarine and early peach blossoms are still on the trees though not as full as they first were. The apple and Italian plum blossoms are full and sweet smelling.  I love this time of year.  The promise of those blossoms have me remembering all of the fruit that follows and the bees are more evident. 

Today, as about this same time last year, a group of students from UC Berkeley are here visiting the farm, cleaning out pens and helping make the family meal. They love it here, and are so grateful for the experience that is adding something precious to their educational experience. The farm crew loves all the visitors that start showing up once rainy season is past and the sun is out. 

Would you use these words to describe yourself?:

Dedicated

Persistent

Reliable

A Hero

...?

I certainly do.  In fact, sometimes I catch myself calling myself "a hero" in my head to egg myself on to achieving my next great feat.  What is that feat you may ask?  Oh, you know... showing up at work early, and leaving early to help a friend before heading to a baby shower I said I would be at.  If not that, than creating a 14 hour day out of attending a workshop and working for 8 hours.  Than, of course, on my day off I could be doing 3 loads of laundry while cleaning the bathroom, the floors, the kitchen, the rugs, and the chicken coop. That's before I go grocery shopping and cook dinner for everyone in my house...

We are happy to feature a friend down in Cupertino: a raw foods nutritionist, photographer, etsy entrepreneur, and professional oil painter... Claire!  This miracle mom and type I diabetic has been serving up health to her whole family, and has proven herself a true dehydration master!  Really though, don't those kale chips look good?

Visit her blog to view her take on breakfast cereal, homemade cookies, pecan crisps, and more!