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ELEMENTS FOR TRANSFORMATION by Jim Loftus New and interesting products for enhancement of the body, mind, and spirit Welcome to Elements. As much as we often focus inward, we cannot help but have our attention drawn to events outside ourselves, also. World and national events, in addition to family and local happenings, demand our notice at the very least, if not our active involvement. Again, the question must be answered, “What can really be known about these things, so that decisions can be made and acted upon?” Consider the often-told story of The Elephant. MYSTIC HEALING ART “By contemplating any of these artworks for a few moments and then closing your eyes, you will see that the picture has transformed inside you, into a healing energy.”
His artwork in several categories is shown on his website, with the purpose of reaching and healing more people. He also offers spiritual teachings, distant healing, and advice to specific questions in addition to the healing artworks. Support for the site and his work is generated by a very reasonable annual subscription which allows the user license to access and use all of the artwork on the site. Mystic Healing Art Price: $20.00 annual subscription, specific products additional [pix: nokomis1-bw.jpg, nokomis1-4c.jpg, nokomis2-bw.jpg, nokomis2-4c.jpg] NOKOMIS BAKERY Organic Artisan Breads A few weeks ago I was fortunate to find Sonja Berg doing a sampling demonstration at the Whole Foods market in Palatine, Illinois. I had been looking in several stores for a bread I remembered as including sunflower or flax seed, and no one seemed to have it. As you can guess, Sonja overheard my inquiry of the local store staff, and had exactly what was needed: Nokomis Bakeries’ Dakota Sun loaf. We spoke and she was kind enough to send some sample loaves for review. I couldn’t refuse this offer.
Nokomis is a small bakery is located in southeastern Wisconsin. All of their products are made using the latest in organic agricultural techniques, and with a healthy respect for the natural environment. The bakery was started by Martina Mann in 1984. She baked for herself and a few neighbors that would stop by to pick up the loaves. Since then the business has expanded to include three-four baking staff, four-five store staff, and four dedicated local high school students who work between the bakery and the store. The breads, on the other hand, are delivered fresh three days a week to various locations throughout the Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison areas. They are also beginning to expand distribution to include restaurants and smaller health food stores. If you find yourself in the East Troy area, you should know that Nokomis has recently expanded their baked goods to include a wide variety of organic sweets which are currently only available at the store. Also available at the store (mostly) are some new products Nokomis is developing and experimenting with locally; these include garlic-oregano pizza crusts and baguettes, sesame and farmer bread dinner rolls and croutons. The store also supports local farmers by carrying their produce when it is seasonally available. Nokomis Bakery Organic Artisan Breads Price: $3.77-$4.99 per 16-38 oz. loaf, most are $3.99, 24 oz. UPS shipping available. THE VELVETEEN RABBIT: 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION Featuring George Winston and Meryl Streep This is truly a lovely and wonderful adaptation of Margery Williams’ 1922 classic children’s story, and features George Winston’s graceful piano melodies as accompaniment to the narration of Oscar-winning This 20th Anniversary edition is based on the award winning 1984 recording, and features in addition the full soundtrack without the narration, plus an original solo by Winston (recorded in 1999) for the epilogue, titled “Night Thoughts.” The enhanced CD also features computer accessible sheet music for the song “The Velveteen Rabbit,” and the CD insert has updated liner notes from both Winston (who produced the new edition) and original producer Mark Sottnick. The Velveteen Rabbit: 20th Anniversary Edition Price: $13.99 THE DEEP SLEEP DECK: 50 NATURAL SLEEP-INDUCING EXERCISES As you know, human beings spend roughly one-third of their lives asleep, and Nature has made it a priority for a very good reason. During sleep our bodies have the opportunity to repair wear and tear. Lack of enough good, deep sleep deprives our bodies of beneficial biological functions, and beyond the physical, the psyche also requires a regular period for recharging, sorting out, and accommodation with these aspects of the self.
Extremely user-friendly, The Deep Sleep Deck is small enough to fit on a nightstand and is easily taken along on business trips. Each card describes an exercise or scenario conducive towards a better night’s sleep, for example, what and when to eat and drink. Cheese tends to cause nightmares, but the traditional mug of warm milk can do wonders, as can a healthy high-carbohydrate snack. Try to eat dinner by 6:00 p.m. and schedule vigorous exercise for at least three hours prior to bedtime. Daily routines and rituals work well in training the body to shut off at the proper time. Other tips include the following: • Purge the bedroom of clutter. The bedroom should be a sanctuary with as few distractions as possible. Rooms painted soft green or blue are said to be very sleep-friendly. • Maintain the bedroom at approximately 62 degrees, keep a window slightly open, and an extra blanket handy when body temperature drops to its lowest, at around 4:00 a.m. • A lot of tossing and turning is usually associated with mental anxiety. The simple exercise of writing down the problem and folding it away can help to let go of it mentally. Encompassing breathing and stretching exercises and addressing such situations as jet lag, adapting to the swing-shift, and restless children, The Deep Sleep Deck contains tricks and tips to combat every obstacle in the way of a beneficial and natural night’s sleep. The author, Chris Idzikowski, is the director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, and chairman of the Royal Society of Medicine forum on sleep and its disorders, based in London. A leading expert on sleep-related ailments, he has served as chairman of the British Sleep Society, has sat on the board of the Sleep Medicine Research Foundation, and is a member of the U.S. Sleep Research Society. He also authored the book Learn to Sleep Well, also published by Chronicle Books. The Deep Sleep Deck: 50 Natural Sleep-Inducing Exercises Price: $13.95 boxed 50-card color deck Elements features some of the more interesting and delightful items to be found on your local merchant's shelf, or on your local website. If you have questions about these items or their uses and applications, please use the contact information given to get answers directly from the sources. They will be glad to respond to your inquiries. Do you know of a product that you'd like to see reviewed in Elements? Please let us know about it.
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This is the rationale behind the healing art of Oscar Basurto, which he presents on his website as assistance in the self realization process and as powerful visible representation of the spiritual energy that surrounds and sustains everyone. Oscar Basurto was born with the gift of healing in Lima, Peru and has been healing and teaching since his early years. As part of that work, he presents his unique artwork as cards, postcards, prints, e-cards, and Windows wallpaper, dedicated to increasing spiritual awareness and propelling the human spirit forward bringing a remarkable grace and beauty to life.
If you want to buy products because they support the environment, organic chemical-free farming, and so forth, Nokomis certainly shoul.d be on your list. All of the grains they use are certified organic, and they mill their own flour daily for rich, farm-fresh flavor without adding any sweeteners or preservatives. Spelt and Kamut grain breads are also available to accommodate those who adhere to wheat-free diets.
actress Meryl Streep. The story, for those who may not be familiar with it, is deeply involving for the younger listener, full of valuable lessons and observations for the child’s sense of self worth and what is important, growth as a person, appreciation of wonder, and creates with its ending a reassuring confidence that even through times of great changes, things can work out for the best. Be prepared to re-evaluate the current dross that passes for children’s entertainment after you have listened to this CD, and to feel compelled seek out other classics that, while they may not come with interactive keyboards, do come with something sorely lacking in modern toys and books: real content.
We live in a fast-paced world, one that often calls for expert multi-tasking and long or varying work hours. Modern times create stress and anxiety and place demands on our time that often throw our natural body clocks out of synch. The Deep Sleep Deck contains fifty simple tips and activities that will encourage natural and fulfilling sleep. All content and articles copyright ©2002 by Lightworks Inc except where noted. All rights reserved.