Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 54

Delicious Cooking Class, Health Lecture, & Macrobiotic Study Opportunity!

Warren Kramer is back in Los Angeles this September! You know how I feel about Warren. He is the real deal, a macrobiotics wizard who travels around the country sharing health wisdom and cooking delicious food. Remember that guest blog about fall adjustments, he wrote it!

His lectures are so inspiring and fun! Enjoy a communal dinner and find out answers to all the health questions on your mind. It’s great. Come! Plus, if you or anyone you know has been sick, get a consultation with Warren! Especially if we are talking about serious health conditions. Warren is your man!

He is in Los Angeles from 9/27-9/30, info on his upcoming events and advanced macrobiotic study opportunity can be found below!

Public Dinner and Lecture Thursday 9/27 6:30pm-9pm

Dinner/Lecture: How to Find Deep, Lasting Satisfaction with Your Food

Contrary to what many people believe, eating well over time is not based on having strong discipline, rather it is based on deep satisfaction. Truly enjoying your food day to day is simply the key to consistent eating and that is what leads to good health over our lifetime. This is simply one of the most essential talks to really understand how to create satisfaction. $45.00 paid by 9/14, $50 thereafter.

& for the first time in Los Angeles, Warren is offering an Advanced Macrobiotic Study!

Our advanced macrobiotic programs are designed to take your practice to another level and prepare you to utilize macrobiotic knowledge and principles with your families and in your community. We are in a time where people need solid, accurate advice and guidance with regard to their health. In this exciting advanced workshop we will study how to address many of the most common health concerns that people are facing today as well as simple ways to diagnose the issues. You will have the tools to help other people return back to balance as well as adjusting your own health.

This workshop includes an assignment to complete and bring with you at the start of the workshop and a 5 minute presentation to be given on Sunday.

  Advance Program Schedule


Friday, Sept. 28,

6pm-9pm Dinner/Lecture: The Macrobiotic Approach to Healing

Saturday, Sept. 29th

7-8am Breakfast

8am-12pm Lecture 1: Food as Medicine, Development of Common Health Problems Mid-Morning Break
Lecture 2: Common Health Problems, Diagnosis and Treatment Part 1

Stress, weight, headaches, women’s and men’s health issues, mental health, headaches, fatigue, sleep, skin.

12-1pm Lunch

1:00-2:30: Common Health Problems, Part 2
Addiction, arthritis/inflammation, digestion, depression, memory

Mid-Afternoon Break

3:00-5:30pm Cooking Class: The Power of Home Remedies
Using the Five Transformation we will study how these remedies are used and why they are so effective

6pm Dinner

Sunday, Sept. 30th

7:30-8:30am Morning Tea
Question and answer with Warren

8:30-9:30am Breakfast

9:30-12:30 Cooking Class: Unique Healing Dishes

12:30-1:30 Lunch

1:30-3:00 Student Presentations

3:30-4pm Final Comments and Closing

All meals are vegan and gluten free. 
This workshop is for those people who have already studied macrobiotics for some time with either Warren or other macrobiotic teachers at SHI or KI or David Briscoe and are ready for more advanced learning. Feel free to ask Warren if the program is for you.

Special Discount for Advanced Program $330.00 paid by 9/14, $365 thereafter

To REGISTER contact Warren: warrenkramer@live.com  or Tel: 617-803-6957

Warren will be available for individual health consultations from Sept. 27-30.

Please note: For all classes, your payment holds your reservation, as space is limited.

Class Location for 09/27, 09/28, 09/29: Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, 
6700 W. 83rd Street Westchester (Los Angeles) CA 90045.

Class Location for 09/30: at the home of Danny (please contact Warren for address).

Payments/checks can be sent to: Warren Kramer, 28 Perthshire Road, #2, Brighton, MA. 02135

 

Photo: Dahl House Nutrition

Helping the Rangers Who Risk Their Lives to Protect Elephants

Elephants are dying at an alarming rate due to poaching, but we often forget about the good people on the frontlines who are trying to prevent this beautiful species from going extinct in our lifetime. These brave men and women put their lives at risk every day, often tracking heavily armed poachers for many miles. Elephant Cooperation, based in San Clemente, California, is working to shine a spotlight on Game Rangers International (GRI), a Zambian conservation organization that works alongside the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. Rangers typically make nine dollars per day and it costs $25 per day to fully support a ranger, which includes salary, housing, food, fuel and health insurance. Elephant Cooperation wants to raise funds via Crowdrise to help support the GRI rangers who need financial aid to continue their heroic work.

Many people don’t realize the collateral damage in the sickening poaching trade—not only do elephants die horrible deaths, often in front of the young ones who then suffer the trauma, but other species are poisoned and snared as well.

GRI rangers speak of harrowing experiences on the ground—such as poachers having laid 50 snares around a watering hole that had captured more than a dozen animals, including impala, antelope and warthogs. When the poachers came back to kill the animals that were still alive, GRI rangers apprehended them. Out of the 15 animals ensnared, only three survived and were released back into the wild. The rangers find it difficult to hear about animals being killed by poachers and want their grandchildren to be able to experience the beauty of wildlife that has been decimated since the rangers themselves were children.

Progress is being made. GRI rangers spend 20 straight days on a shift, working around the clock to remove snares and track poachers. They also respond to human-wildlife conflict incidents, man entry points and remove all snares placed by poachers. Since 2013, 775 anti-poaching operations have been conducted, 607 poachers and traffickers have been arrested, with 425 successful convictions; and 641 pounds of ivory and 23,936 pounds of bush meat have been recovered.

If we are going to stop the extinction of elephants, we need to support the organizations that are making a difference. Any dollar amount contributed will be greatly appreciated and goes a long way to help stop the killing of elephants!

About Game Rangers International

Game Rangers International (GRI) is a Zambian conservation organization, working alongside the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to protect the wildlife in Zambia. The organization has been active in Kafue National Park (KNP) since 2008, originally founded to empower rangers and local communities to conserve nature. GRI has developed over the years to encompass the following themes: Resource Protection, Wildlife Rescue, and Community Outreach and Education. For more information, please visit www.gamerangersinternational.org.

 

Photo Credit: Game Rangers International

My Dear Friend Bart – 81 years young!

On a recent trip to NYC I got to reconnect with my dear friends Bart and Joy. They’re the founders of Candle 79, Candle Cafe, and Candle Cafe West, delicious sexy restaurants in the city. If you haven’t been you need to run there!!! The Seitan Piccata (Candle 79 + Candle West), Seitan Chimichurri (Candle West), Ravioli with Ricotta, Spaghetti & Wheatballs (Candle 79 + Candle West), Impossible Burger (Candle West + Candle Cafe), and Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse (Candle 79 + Candle Cafe), are out of this world.. Anyways, it is always so lovely seeing them. Bart is 81 and THRIVING!  We all know so many elder people that start falling apart in their 50’s or later, but by 80’s most people are on tons of meds and face tons of pain. But not Bart. Bart feels no pain and is happy as can be. I think this is a testament to his diet, he feels and appears like a guy far younger than he is. See for yourself

Meal Delivery Services I Dig

Meal delivery services have become pretty popular these days, so I wanted to chime in about some of the ones I’ve tried here in Los Angeles. Don’t get me wrong, I love cooking and it’s the healthiest way to eat, but sometimes life gets crazy and you need a plan B to fall back on. I’m thrilled at all the health conscious delivery options that exist today! Below are the ones I’ve tried out, let me know your favorites in the comments below!

Purple Carrot (nationally – excluding Hawaii and Alaska)

I tried Purple Carrot last fall and had a good experience! It does require cooking however so just a heads up if your schedule doesn’t have time for that. For us, having the meal/recipe and ingredients upfront helped streamlines the process and made cooking simple and fun. Plus, the food was tasty!! Truly there was some delicious stuff. Bear and I made a yum butternut quesadilla. There is a lot of packaging involved so that was my only eco-dilemma.

Soupelina (Los Angeles)

I’m a big fan of Soupelina’s soups! If you want something lite and healthy, or you’re seeking out a soup cleanse, this delivery is super handy. And Elina (founder) is an adorable super friendly lady.

Thistle  (California & Nevada)

Thistle is great because it’s pretty affordable and it shows up ready to devour. Not everything is macrobiotic/superhero but if you want quick easy vegan food, check them out. In the future if they have the option to purchase ‘a la carte’ I will be excited, because then you can hand pick what speaks to you without committing to multiple meals a week. Some other things I enjoyed were the herbed butter bean salad, tomato basil soup, carrot gold muffin, and a delicious quinoa crumble!

Beaming (Los Angeles & Orange County)

Beaming is helpful for cleansing foods! The salads are amazing and the juices are nice. It’s perfect for someone who doesn’t have time to deal with food but still wants to loose weight or carry out a cleanse.

Have you tried any meal delivery companies? If so, which one do you love??

 

Featured Photo: Luke Beard/Courtesy of Thistle

Guest Blog: Quick Easy Solutions for Clean Water

Marilee Nelson, The House Doctor, is sharing today on easy solutions for clean water! She is so awesome, kind, and thoughtful! I am so grateful for her work.  Over to Marilee!

Clean, purified drinking and bathing water is foundational to good health! I’m sure you’ve questioned it before, but you should not drink or bathe in unfiltered tap water!  Although the EPA has set standards for over 80 contaminants that may occur in drinking water and pose a risk to human health, there are more than 160 unregulated contaminants that are not monitored.  When we drink, shower and bathe in water containing chlorine and other contaminants, it kills gut bacteria and creates free radicals in the body.   Thankfully, there are an array of affordable suggestions to follow until you can evaluate your present situation and decide what purification system best fits your needs!

Purified drinking water

Reverse Osmosis (RO) purified water is the most affordable and safest water for anyone who isn’t able to invest in a purification system (requires plumbing) for their drinking water.  A reverse osmosis purifier is designed to remove all elevated levels of dissolved solids, which could include lead, nitrate, arsenic, copper, aluminum, etc. Costing roughly 25 – 35 cents per gallon, RO water can be purchased from a water store or commercial-rated vending machines found in most grocery stores retailers such as Target or Wal-Mart.  When you purchase and pick up this RO water, keep an eye out for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) readings. TDS refer to any minerals, salts, and metals dissolved in water. The ‘water machine’ will have a sticker that records the TDS checks, but you can also call the number on the machine to ask about the frequency of servicing and the average TDS count. You are looking for an ideal TDS reading of 5 – 10.  Contrary to what you may think, larger water companies like Glacier (yes! Glacier is RO filtered!) are also a good choice if you can’t find a local water filtration store as they routinely check their filters for purity and TDS.  Glacier’s water is a good choice if you live in a rural area as their filters can be found in grocery to big box stores. You can purchase one of their 5-gallon bottles at the store and continue to refill it as needed. 

Purified water pro tips:

When filling up on water at RO water destinations, consider purchasing enough glass bottles for a week’s worth of drinking and cooking water. Re-using glass apple juice jugs is a great option!
Pour your purified water into a countertop ceramic, glass dispenser, or on an independent stand for convenient use in the kitchen.
Since RO does a serious job filtering, it’s devoid of minerals. Therefore, add a pinch of good quality sea salt like Celtic Salt or Pink Himalayan salt into each gallon of water.
For water-on-the-go, fill glass water bottles from the dispenser. Glass is a little less convenient than plastic, but reducing your exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals is worth it! Plus, energetically speaking, it’s the best to contain water. Ello is one of many companies that makes bottles with colorful silicone jackets to protect the glass. Also consider reusing old glass juice or kombucha bottles. Lead-free stainless steel is another solid option, but please do your research as many metal bottles made in China have been found to have lead in them. Don’t be too alarmed Klean Kanteen, Planet Box, and Kid’s Konserve are guaranteed lead free!  Stainless steel lead-free bottles and containers are a great unbreakable option for kids to bring to/from school. For more information on lead in stainless steel products, check out this article.
When possible, avoid drinking water from plastic bottles, even the ones from so-called “safer plastics.” A German report in April 2009 stated that some as yet unidentified chemicals in these plastics have been shown to have the potential to interfere with estrogen and other reproductive hormones, just as the plasticizers BPA and phthalates do.  So, as a precautionary action it may be time to reconsider how harmless “safe” plastics really are. Not to mention, bad for the planet!

For a more expensive, yet very convenient option, you can order Mountain Valley Spring Water to be delivered to your home. It is tested daily by a quality control staff and is rigorously monitored for pH, bacteria, viruses, TDS, chemical contamination, etc. There is no need to add salt to Mountain Valley, as spring water is filled with minerals. If you’re stuck deciding between purchasing bulk RO water and Mountain Valley, I’d say RO water is best for purity sake (so much pollution today!). Mountain Valley is best energetically due to it’s natural mineral content. 

Purified shower and bathing water

If a whole-house water purification system is not feasible (i.e. requires plumbing), it is important to know that the water you bathe and shower in is just as important as the water you drink!  That’s because your skin is your largest organ and absorbs not only nutrients but also toxins. Research has shown that after a ten-minute hot shower, you have ten times more trihalomethanes (a chlorine byproduct)  and chemicals in your body than if you had eight glasses of the same unpurified water! At 100 degrees, the steam from your shower is full of chlorine byproducts that you are breathing in.

To shower with purified water, purchase a point-of-use shower filter if you live in an apartment/rented home. Hire a licensed, bonded, and insured plumber to install your shower filter to insure warranty. Use a professional plumber for this since some showers need special adaptors to add shower filters and the warranty is wavered if you don’t use a licensed, bonded insured plumber. Here are a couple of good options to check out – CWR Shower Filters  and RainShow’r Filters.

Use a shower filter to fill the bathtub up if you want to take a bath. If there is no shower head filter, use a bathtub filter such as CWR Bath Filter or 3000 Crystal Ball.  These are a great options for detoxification baths! Make sure to follow manufacturer recommendations for use, if you continue to use the filter past its use date, it will no longer provide optimal results.

 

About Marilee 

Marilee Nelson is the president and founder of The House Doctors – Healthy Homes/Healthy Bodies – established in 1992 and a Cofounder of Branch Basics.   She is a Board Certified Nutritionist, Medicinal Cook, Certified Bau-Biologist, Certified Bau-Biology Inspector, and materials specialist using the extremely chemically injured as the benchmark for material safety based on the premise that if you accommodate the most sensitive, then you help everyone.

 

Photo by: A/D/O

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