The Garden of Simplicity

by duane elgin

Simplicity of living is not a new idea. It has deep roots in history and finds expression in all of the world’s wisdom traditions. More than two thousand years ago, in the same historical period that Christians were saying “Give me neither poverty nor wealth,” (Proverbs 30:8), the Taoists were asserting “He who knows he has enough is rich” (Lao Tzu), Plato and Aristotle were proclaiming the importance of the “golden mean” of a path through life with neither excess nor deficit, and the Buddhists were encouraging a “middle way” between poverty and mindless accumulation. Clearly, the simple life is not a new social invention. What is new are the radically changing ecological, social, and psycho-spiritual circumstances of the modern world. Read more

Swim with Zillionaire Dolphins

written by chellie campbell

swim with zillionaire dolphins and avoid zero sharks and tuna
I divide the world into two groups: My People and Not My People. My People are Dolphins; happy, friendly, and rich. Not My People come in two species: Sharks who want to eat you; or Tuna who want to complain to you. You can tell who’s who by the way you feel after you’ve been with them, and the state of your bank account. Dolphins put money in your pocket and a song in your heart. Sharks rob you and leave you bleeding. Tuna cry for you but can’t help you. If you want to be wealthy, you have to learn to be a Dolphin and choose your friends and co-workers wisely. Don’t borrow from a loan shark. Don’t ask unsuccessful people for career advice. Get Zillionaire advice from Dolphins, and you’ll become one yourself. Read more

Sustainable Shopping

written by kyle roderick

Ever since September 11 shocked many of us into thinking global, acting local and making smaller environmental footprints, consumer trends have readjusted. Mindless retail therapy appears to be waning, while eco-conscious, green shopping is on the rise, according to organic trade industry stats.
At findbliss.com, we are devoted to helping readers and community members find bargains in cyberspace’s environmentally sustainable marketplace. Together we can pump life into the green economy and help it grow so that everybody wins, including Mother Earth. Here’s a list of some of the best online sources for sustainable goods. Warning: all these sites feature such marvelously discounted goods that you may never leave the house to shop again. Read more

Financial Alchemy

written by bari tessler, M.A.

Financial Alchemy: Changing Your Relationship with Money

Your current financial situation is a direct reflection of your inner relationship with Money. If you don’t like your finances, something needs to change in your relationship. This is where Alchemy comes in.

Alchemy is the art of transformation. With roots in ancient Egypt and classical Greece, Alchemy comes from a time when there was no distinction between science and magic. The mysteries of matter and consciousness were inextricably linked (as they are again, in today’s quantum physics). These ancient studies gave birth to modern medicine, psychology, chemistry, and even Sir Isaac Newton’s work on gravity. Read more

Conscious Bookkeeping

written by bari tessler, M.A.

Three Gateways to Money Initiation
It’s a bit odd, don’t you think, that our daily lives as adults are tightly interwoven with the reality of money, and yet the majority of us are never taught how to work with it; much less have a conscious relationship with it? No, it’s more than a bit odd. It’s crazy, as crazy as it would be to do away with driver’s training requirements. Imagine if our parents simply bought us a car at age 16, handed us the keys, and said, “Hop in and just figure it out as you go.” Though it is often unspoken, we unfortunately get this same message with respect to money. That, to me, is insane; and because collective insanity on a widespread scale undermines our true potential as humans, I felt a pull from deep within my heart to do something about our relationship with money. Read more

10 Ways to Save on Organic Groceries

written by kyle roderick

If you think organic food is too expensive or too difficult to source, wake up and smell the environmentally sustainable coffee!
Thanks to rising consumer demand and environmentally enlightened retailers, it is easier than ever to buy organic on a budget. We are not preaching that you must buy only organic food. Rather, we want to help you save money while improving your diet with flavor-packed, highly nutritious foods that were grown as nature intended– without toxic pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.

1. make budget rules and keep to them
Never buy ANY prepared foods as they always cost more than what you make in your own kitchen. Organic cakes, cookies, waffles and spaghetti sauces are easy to whip up– just buy some organic staples such as flour and sugar, start cooking and watch your savings grow. Another tip: if you drink milk every day, it is well worth switching to organic to save your body from ingesting the growth hormones and antibiotics that are present in all conventionally produced milk.

2. compare organic vs. conventional prices
Many organic fruits, vegetables and canned goods are now the same price or less than conventional ones. At national health food retailers such as WHOLE FOODS, everything from organic broccoli to organic chicken soup to organic rice cakes costs the same or less than what you would pay in your local market. “When you spot a well-priced organic product, such as lentil soup for 99 cents a can, stock up,” says Santa Cruz, CA. certified clinical nutritionist and naturopath Theresa Dale, Ph.D. who offers nutritional and other dietary advice at www.wellnesscenter.net. You can always stir in some fresh vegetables, rice or spices to kick it up a notch.

3. shop discount stores
Did you know that national chain stores such as Costco and Wal-Mart sell masses of organic products at cut-rate prices? For organic staples such as macaroni and cheese, brown rice, canned tomatoes and more, braving these big box stores is worth the schlep. Put on your most comfortable shoes; get out there and start saving money.

4. buy more organic plant-based protein and fewer conventionally raised meats
Eating just one or two less meat dinners a week can add up to substantial savings in a few months, Dr. Dale points out. “Eating more plant-based protein will also help lower your cholesterol,” she observes. Cut out meat dishes and substitute with protein-rich organic rice and beans, vegetarian stews, polenta with melted cheese, hearty soups and sandwiches.

5. shop farmer’s markets
You can often find super-fresh organic fruits and vegetables for reasonable prices and sometimes downright steals, especially if you shop at the end of the day when vendors are getting ready to close up and go home.

6. sign up for community-supported agriculture
Many areas have seasonal or year-round farmers’ cooperatives that people can join for a set fee. Membership entitles them to receive a weekly organic produce delivery which is made to their town. (Think of all the time that this can save you from driving to the market, shopping and then coming back home.) To find out how you can support a farmer in your area, go to: www.nal.usda.gov.

7. buy in bulk
Rice, beans, flour, sugar, cereal, flax seed, yogurt, dried fruit;these are just a few of the staples that you could buy in bulk. Make a list of what you and your family eat in high quantity; then figure out which foods you should buy in bulk. Major health food chains such as WHOLE FOODS, WILD OATS and BREAD and CIRCUSES generally have the best bulk food prices.

8. join a health food cooperative
Many independent health food stores are cooperatives, meaning that for an initial or annual membership fee, members receive a discount on some or all items in the store. Policies vary; sometimes members have to work a few hours a month in the store to receive their discount. Besides the delicious food you will enjoy as payback for joining a Co-op, you also have a good chance of meeting some like-minded people by helping out in a health food store.

9. use coupons
Organic companies are getting hip to the coupon scene: for example, you can print $50.00 worth of yogurt coupons on the Web site of Stonyfield Farm www.stonyfield.com. Scanning the food section ads in your daily newspaper for health food store coupons will also yield coupon savings. Established organic food companies such as Cascadian Farm also print coupons for entrees, fruit spreads, frozen fruit and more inside their cereal boxes.

10. buy frozen food instead of foods that are out of season
Eating foods out of season can be a total rip-off, and unhealthy, if they are among the foods (such as strawberries or raspberries) that are most contaminated by pesticides. Organic frozen produce is a more budget-friendly and health-smart alternative

So as you can you see, shopping organically can be inexpensive, fun, and a boon for your health. By shopping this way, you’ll save money and help the organic food industry grow, which is good news for organic farmers, our planet, and future generations.

Work? Bliss? How?

Over the past 15 years I have worked with clients of all ages who are looking for more satisfaction in their work and lives. This column will explore various career-related topics, but I thought I would start by answering some of the most commonly asked career questions. I welcome your questions for future columns!

Warmly,

Daisy Swan Read more

The Tao of Sharing

written by kyle roderick

An enlightened entrepreneur with a strong environmental streak, Bert Ball thrives on making good business that benefits the planet. As executive director of the Web-based philanthropy L.A.SHARES, he has created the world’s most highly organized and successful materials reuse/recycling program. Along with sparing L.A. County landfills from tons of unnecessary dumping, in 2004, L.A. SHARES redistributed more than $11 million worth of goods and materials to groups in Southern California. With a mixture of amazement and pride, Ball notes, “L.A. SHARES is the single largest donor of goods and materials to the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Arts Community, After School Enrichment programs, the Recreation and Parks community, the Theater community and the Alcohol and Drug Recovery community, among others.” Read more

Going Mobile

written by kyle roderick

going mobile: pioneering the on-location spa

In 2003, Kristina Schuff and Jeannie Owens were two pregnant entrepreneurs who were also at professional cross-roads. While Jeannie had been a massage therapist and Internet entrepreneur, Kristina had been a licensed aesthetician who had worked in advertising and marketing industries. While these enterprising San Diego, CA. women were carrying their babies, they were also searching for spas that would come to their homes and give them treatments. Read more

Corporate Sound Healing

written by kyle roderick

corporations tune into sound healing

Remember the cheery “Whistle While you Work” song in Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves?” Businesses are updating this concept by putting a mind/body spin on performance enhancement and employee wellness by bringing scientifically designed music, nature sounds and group drumming into the workplace. Mattel, Nike and Boeing are all using sounds scientifically proven to reduce stress and induce relaxation– while also measurably increasing creativity and problem solving. What’s more, clinical psychologists, music therapists and others are working with other corporate wellness managers to implement the healing power of sound at work. Read more

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