Oh! Sozo! That’s a good cup of coffee!

March 4th, 2010

I’ve been drinking an absolutely wonderful cup of coffee.  Monsooned Malabar, to be exact.

I finally ordered some coffee beans from my cousin’s coffee roasting and espresso bar in Ionia, Michigan.  My mom spoke of it often, but I just figured it was one of those family things.

I’m a bit of a coffee afficionado (see my earlier blog on making coffee in my French press coffee maker) but not a fanatic.  I buy whole coffee beans and grind a few days of coffee at a time. I’m selective about the coffee I buy, but also price conscious.

So when I finally clicked onto my cousin’s site, I was delighted and a little surprised.  Sozo, their coffee shop, was winning local awards. (Cool!)  Judging from the Sozo Facebook posts, the shop has a faithful and enthusiastic following of customers.  For me, though, I was drawn to the good online selection of coffee.  I was fascinated by the descriptions and the localities that the coffee came from.  I could get Costa Rican coffee, or Mexican, Ethopian …. up to then, I had just associated  coffee with Columbia, as in Juan and his donkey.

Sozo also offered a new concept for me: fresh roasted coffee beans.  They roast their own beans every day.  Now this was something I hadn’t thought of: that the fresher the roast of the beans, the better the taste of the coffee.  What started as a sort of hobby for the Sozo owners – roasting coffee beans at home -  had magnetically attracted other coffee afficionados and thus they eventually opened Sozo.  Fresh roasted coffee beans do make a difference and yes, you can taste the freshness in the cup.

Back to my favorite cup of coffee.  Monsooned Malabar comes from India.  According to Sozo, “This is a very unique coffee hailing from India. After harvest, the beans are exposed to the yearly Monsoon weather of India. As the beans absorb the moisture, they expand in size and take on a unique flavor. We light roast this bean, which retains the very special taste characteristics. Monsooned Malabar has an earthy flavor and a lot of body that is surprisingly smooth.”

Mmmm … just reading that description enhances the flavor.

You can read about Sozo’s coffee at www.sozocoffee.com .

How about you?  Do you have a favorite coffee?  I would love to hear about it.

Wishing you joy, peace, and abundance.
Patti

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Should that apple be organic?

January 9th, 2010

post by Patti Tokar

Apples

Should that apple be organic?

Not everything you eat has to be a certified organic food. Some foods can be easily washed clean of pesticides, and some foods need little or no pesticides or preservatives in their production and preparation for human consumption. Onions, for example, according to The Daily Green, are usually perfectly safe to eat organic or not. Sweet corn on the cob and pineapples are also usually free of chemicals and pesticides.

Apples, though, can be simply loaded with chemicals and should be purchased organic. (Maybe Snow White could have been spared if she had known this.) Scrubbing or peeling may reduce many of the chemicals and pesticides in apples, but the skin is so nutrient rich that it’s a shame to do it. Peaches fall in the same pesticide-saturated category, however, their skin is so delicate and thin that even peeling will not eliminate most of the poisons.

Celery is another generally pesticide and fertilizer laden food, yet broccoli is usually considered safe (go figure).

While you may consider washing or peeling there are certain foods that can be so toxic that the experts will not even consider eating them. Maybe you shouldn’t eat them, either. According to Prevention, there are seven (7) foods that people in the know avoid totally. Some of them may surprise you:

1.  Canned Tomatoes
2.  Corn Fed Beef
3.  Microwave Popcorn
4.  Non-organic Potatoes (this one surprised me)
5.  Farmed Salmon
6.  Milk with artificial hormones
7.  Non-organic apples

For more information: Prevention has their article “Seven Foods That Should Never Cross Your Lips” posted on AOL Health. The Daily Green has two very informative articles: “The Clean Fifteen – Foods You Don’t Have to Buy Organic” and “The Dirty Dozen – The Top 12 Foods to Eat Organic“.

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Reducing the Heat Bills and Increasing the Comfort

January 5th, 2010

Today I spent time putting indoor window film on two drafty windows. It has made a noticeable difference in the comfort of the room – no cold air breezes drifting around the room!

The process of putting up the plastic film did not take long, but it seemed a bit of a hassle. First, I put double stick tape (it came in the box with the film) on the window frame. Then the film was roughly cut and fitted to the window and then pressed in place on the tape. This was the most awkward and clumsy step … it seemed like it should have been so easy, but the combination of sticky tape and plastic film was, well… grrrr…. that’s all I can say.

After the film was in place, I used a hair dryer and heated up the film. Patience is the word here. It took a few minutes of the hot air to make the film shrink tight and nearly invisible on the window.

I’m already pleased with the results. Now let the weatherman announce below zero temps and lake effect snow; I’m ready. Plus, just judging from the reduction of drafts in the room, I’m expecting this little bit of window insulation film to translate into really nice results on my next heating bill. :)

Peace,

Patti

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Mayan Calendar 2012: Illusion, End of the World, or Call to Love?

December 1st, 2009

By Dave Groover © 2009

Katrina Aftermath

Katrina Aftermath

I have been reflecting on the earth changes spoken of by some religions, prophets, and indigenous civilizations. The Mayan civilization left behind a calendar which contained wisdom of a fairly advanced reckoning of astronomy. Over time, the mentioning of specific world events related by the Mayans in association with their calender sometimes suggest that there is a possibility that an event may occur on a specific date. It might be prudent then to listen to such information, to do our best to verify it scientifically, and to prepare for whatever consequences could come of such an event. Of course the Bible predicts many dire events as well. Allegedly, the Mayan date for the beginning of the end of the world as we know it is December 21, 2012. That isn’t very far away anymore.

I have to ask, what is the end? It is not the beginning, and certainly it is not the middle. After some years working closely with cancer patients and in studying death and dying as well as having two near death experiences of my own, I can say that for some the end can feel like a relief. For others the end can feel like a crisis. In Chinese writing, the character used for the word “crisis” is made of two words placed together, “danger” and “opportunity”. When contemplating the end you could say that there is also an opportunity for a new beginning. Which brings us back to the question, what is the end?

All the great spiritual teachings point to one idea, that we should love one another and not continue being stuck that reality exists solely in the physical realm. Another way of putting it is to say the masters have long been after us to wake up, and stop sleeping. By living to serve the Creator’s world with joy and humility, one begins to awaken. If there is an “end of the world” coming soon, it is yet another opportunity to awaken and to become all that we were put here to be.

In Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath the families who learned to help their neighbors “in need” seemed to fair much better than those who were consumed with frustration and sadness over their losses. The losses were real and staggering in some communities and yet the focusing on the helping of others, seemed to be the best healing salve for those families who lost much yet who survived the best.

The first Matrix movie was such a fun movie to watch because it was illustrating a spiritual awakening. I am not saying the world is actually run by artificial intelligence as in the Matrix. But the awakening that the character Neo had within the Matrix showed what I am trying to say here. Neo: “Are you saying that I can dodge bullets?” Morpheous:, “No, I am saying that when you are ready, you won’t have to.” Neo awakened within a crisis to realize that he was stuck in his reaction to the illusion of the physical world all around him. When he ceased fighting the illusion and transcended the physical world, he became enlightened.

Ironically the Hindu word for illusion is Maya. I don’t know if that applies to Mayan prophecy or not. Whether the end of the world is near or whether we have another hundred of more years to exist on this lovely planet, we all have a choice. Whatever the end, an end, or a new beginning in spirit, we can still control how we treat each other this day. I choose to do all that I can do to stay awake and to live from my heart. I hope that you will join me on this path. I choose to heed a call to love.

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This Moment, Soon Lost

November 29th, 2009
photography by Patti Tokar copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved

photography by Patti Tokar copyright 2006 All Rights Reserved

post by Patti Tokar

Nature offers beauty at unexpected moments: A magenta drenched sunset. Golden light dazzling in sharp patterns across the field. Frost breathed in white layers over the lawn. A single pink rose blossoming amidst the fall leaves. A baby concentrating hard on pulling herself to a full stand.

I’ve learned that these moments are soon lost; that when I have a passing thought of a beautiful sight, it’s time to stop and bring it into full focus. Sometimes there is not even time to get my camera. Sometimes I just have to stand and experience it and let the memory serve as my only reminder of the beauty that was just in front of me.

Teach yourself to appreciate beauty.  Teach yourself that when beauty arrives in your life, you will allow yourself to fully experience it before it fades away.  It just takes a moment.

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Falling Forward

November 10th, 2009

by Dave Groover © 2009

Moon through trees
















I have watched some beautiful moon rises over the past few days. The moon comes up as if born from among the trees here, on the east side of the fields. It appears to hesitate but slowly it changes. Brilliant oranges slowly give way to brighter shades of yellow. Finally the moon becomes brilliantly lit, full, round and silver. It becomes so bright that you can tell the colors of the leaves still on the fall trees.

As I watch the moon rise a thought rises in me too. It occurs to me that the moon is not really rising at all. The earth I am standing on is spinning towards the moon. The moon appears to rise before me only because I am now falling forward into the moon.

The thought arose in my mind to be aware of that. Or did the thought arise at all? Maybe I am still falling forward. Standing on my heart, falling into the moon.

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Dogs

November 3rd, 2009

by Dave Groover © 2009

Porche_lzn WM




















I am embarrassed that it took me as many years as it did to finally appreciate dogs. I grew up with cats. I have had a parrot. I have had fish and many small furry critters when I was a boy, gerbils mostly. But a Dog?

I live with a dog now. She is a solid mid sized dog although as I am new to dogs I am not really sure how to use the term “mid sized”. The term “mid sized” brings images of a car to mind. I guess that’s fair, her name is Porsche. I didn’t name her, she came into my life that way. She is about the size of a Husky, Her markings are husky like as well. Her fur is quite short. She looks like a husky, but the short hair indicates that clearly her mom was indiscrete.

Morning routines don’t vary too much, Porsche wants to go out, but sometimes she is not interested in the door but more her food dish. Usually it’s food, outside for her morning business, and then play time with me. Playtime with a dog is such fun. She takes a toy and brings it for tugging with me. She tosses it in the air and leaps to catch it. Prancing and play growling at me is a great little game of keep away.

She does those annoying little dog personality things too. We cannot leave bread near the counters edge. If we do then Porsche will reach the counter and the bread will be gulped down very quickly. She also has a bad habit of barking at passers by on the street. I am glad that she is protective of her home and her family, but total strangers passing on the street should really remain unmolested.

I love tossing her tennis ball for her. She can tire your arm out pretty quickly so I got smart. I got a handball racket at a garage sale, for a dollar. It was a great investment. Porsche brings me her ball and I slam it with the racket. She gallops out far across the lawn after the ball and gets a very good workout. After several retrievals, she goes out to get the ball and then plops down for a rest. That is when I know she has had enough.

Of course there is more, the sitting at your feet thing is endearing. The occasional dog gas is not. But all in all, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

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Listening to God

November 3rd, 2009

Learning to Listen to God

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

post by Patti Tokar

When was the last time you listened to God?  No, not prayed in earnest, but listened in earnest?  Or at least waited in peaceful expectation to see if there were any answers or insights forthcoming?  Clarity and direction can come from listening and waiting.

This weekend I went to a meeting in a Peace/Sound chamber.  Part of the meeting was 15 minutes of silent meditation. Those few powerful moments were refreshing.  My mind did wander at moments and in those times I was aware of noises like the soft crackling of the fire and the calls of the birds outside. Then I would drift back to a peaceful, clear state and wait for any insights or thoughts to come into my mind. Even now, days later, I still carry some of that center of peace.

There is a lot that can be learned, even a lot that can be healed, in 15 minutes of still silence.  I thought of how I so often pray so fervently, yet when had I last just listened to God?  Or when had I at least waited in clear silence for His answer or any insights that might be helping me to see His direction?  How can I get any answers if I do not make a practice of listening?

How about you?

“Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10

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(Almost) Hidden Anger

October 26th, 2009

Dave Groover

What is anger? We know it when we see it. But what about when we can’t see it? I have been dealing with a friends’ son. He is pretty angry, most of the time. He doesn’t like me being with his mom. In fact he doesn’t like anyone being with his mom, except his dad. His mom and dad were divorced many years ago and yet his anger continues.

Some of the time his words come out obviously angry, but more often than not, he chooses words that hurt but that seem, almost OK. The anger is there but (almost) hidden.

I was just reflecting on how much easier it is to deal with someone who is very angry than to deal with someone who hides their anger but delivers it coated in sugar and honey. I guess that I would prefer dealing with the direct kind of anger myself. Not that it is always easy to do. Sometimes we make people angry, and sometimes people just seem to be angry and we were the unlucky ones whom they ran into.

I get angry sometimes. Mostly I get angry at people who are angry with me. Of course I am not perfect and sometimes my behavior can hurt another. But I am also mature enough to apologize for my behavior because I have learned that it is a good idea to take responsibility for one’s self and for one’s actions.

What if we declared a moratorium on anger, just for one day? What would happen then?

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Flowers on the Table

October 26th, 2009

Flowers in a blue vase post by Patti Tokar

There’s just something about a vase of fragrant fresh flowers on the table. I got these on my birthday. Dave came in the door with his arms full of flowers from the local shop.  That was such an exciting and festive moment to see him with all those tissue-wrapped flowers!  I think I even did a bit of a celebration dance. There were so many flowers that I didn’t have a vase large enough to hold them. After a bit of searching around the house, I came up with this ceramic pitcher and it certainly makes a beautiful vase for this mixed flower bouquet, doesn’t it? The bouquet’s lovely fragrance and richly colored petals and leaves gave me a surge of joy every time it came into my sight. I had to stop and breathe in the scent more times than I can count. Just writing this piece and looking at the photo makes me smile. Isn’t that the perfect birthday present – surges of joy and many smiles? Ah, the beauty of fresh flowers.
photo by Patti Tokar
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