Farm Fresh News - March 2019
April 4-7, Awaken your heart with music and dance! 
In this issue:
  • Anti-inflammation Foods and Recipes, a review
  • Only Breath, a poem by Rumi
  • Monkfruit - the perfect sweetener!
Dear Friends,
We got back from our month of travels and hit the ground running. First I was up in Kentucky checking on my 93 year old dad and Deborah's 96 year old mother. Last weekend I had a great time in Atlanta introducing a group of around 45 to the Dances of Universal Peace at a sacred music festival, followed by a concert and workshop with Grammy award winning Kirtan performer Krishna Das, whose music opened up the doors to my journey toward the Dances. A good time had by all.
 
I'll be leading Kirtan (group chanting of sacred phrases) on The Farm Wednesday and Friday, Dances of Universal Peace in Nashville Saturday, then welcoming Amy Barnes to The Farm on the following weekend, with Allaudin and Hu Dost right after that. Then I'll be on my way to Crockett,Texas for another long weekend of Dance. Contact Glenda if you would to join up with me there, 936-687-2246 or glendataylor@gmail.com
 
On the way home, I will be stopping by at North Arkansas College to give a talk on Living in Community and Developing Your Path to Right Livelihood and Sanity. Consider inviting me to your area to speak at your community's college or university.
 
In the meantime, here in Tennessee we are well on our way into spring, with lettuce plants in the ground, the peas are up, and we have broccoli plants going in trays under grow lights.
 
Blessed spring, the return of light, of warmth to our bodies, hearts and souls. Sending you my deepest thanks and gratitude.
 
Peace,
Douglas
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Meeting Krishna Das
 
Kirtan and Bakti Yoga with Amy Barnes
Saturday, March 23, 3-5:30 PM Potluck dinner to follow
 
We have changed the format and price of this event so anyone can afford to attend!
Now, Saturday afternoon only, just $30 donation at the door.
 
We will sing and chant Kirtan, and I'll be adding my flavor of Dances of Universal Peace.
 
If you can do with a dose of spiritual rejuvenation through music and movement, I encourage you to come celebrate the equinox with us!
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2019 Calendar Dates:
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Anti-inflammatory Foods and Recipes by The Farm's Book Publishing Company
Using the Power of Plant Foods to Heal and Prevent Arthritis, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Chronic Pain
I mentioned in a recent newsletter my intention to make some dietary changes as a way to reduce inflammation, said to be the underlying cause of many ailments and diseases. Not long after, I learned our community's Book Publishing Company was just coming out with a new cookbook called Anti-inflammatory Foods and Recipes, and a few copies were available to anyone interested in trying out the recipes. Perfect timing!
 
One thing I liked about the book is that it gave me some real information about the role of inflammation and related things like histamines. I got a better understanding of how chronic inflammation can be responsible for things that can affect so many later in life, illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Diet and chronic inflammation are very connected, and this is one thing in your control that can make a huge difference in your life.
The recipe for Shredded Vegetable Pancakes inspired me to incorporate some golden and red beets into my diet, something I might otherwise need a little encouragement to add to my plate. I used my food processor to do the shredding of carrots, celery, beets, and green pepper. You can adapt the recipe to about any vegetable you have on hand. Add a few assorted spices. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oat flour is used to bind it all together, and I did not want to use as much as the recipe called for, staying away from too many carbs, so I found it a bit challenging to get the patties to hold together. I fried them in the skillet sort of like vegie hash browns, while continuing to experiment with other ingredients that could serve the same purpose of binding it all together. 
I had been wanting to try making my own cashew nut cheese and found the recipe here straight forward and tasty. The nut cheese is also an ingredient in her califlower mac and cheese recipe. I have made califlower mac and cheese, but not with nut cheese and will try this soon. I will also try her variation of winter squash soup, one of my staples and I am always looking for new variations and flavors.
As I have also mentioned, over the last decade I have had a few, very painful episodes of "tennis elbow," switching from one arm to the other, sometimes lasting for many months at time. Elastic ,Ace type support bandages around my elbow provided minimal relief and were not helping me get any better. At one point I had to use an elbow support brace clamped to my desk. I was getting very frustrated with the last bout, which again had gone on for months and just wouldn't go away. After only a month of eating a very focused, less inflammatory diet, the pain completely disappeared and has not returned. Can I say without a doubt that it went away because of the diet? Of course not, but then again I don't have to. I can just be happy that it's gone! My hope is that the reduction in inflammation is having beneficial effects throughout the rest of my body.
If you need some help getting started, this book can be your guide. Learn more and order at our Book Publishing web site.
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Only Breath - a poem by Rumi
Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, or Zen.
Not any religion or cultural system.
I am not from the East or the West, not out of the ocean or up from the ground, not natural or ethereal,
not composed of elements at all.
I do not exist, am not an entity in this world or in the next, did not descend from Adam and Eve or any origin story.
My place is placeless, a trace of the traceless. Neither body or soul.
I belong to the beloved, have seen the two worlds as one and that one call to and know, first, last, outer, inner,
only that...
breath breathing human being. 
Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi
An Excerpt from the translations of Coleman Barks
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Monkfruit - The Perfect Sugar Subtitute!
If you are trying to cut back on sugar (something most of us probably need to do), and you don't like the aftertaste of Stevia (who does?), then let me introduce you to Monkfruit, a "sweetener" with zero calories, zero glyciemic index, and zero carbs! It comes from the fruit of a vine native to southern China and Thailand, and is named after the Buddhist monks who grew it in China over 8 centuries ago.
 
It is available in both powdered and liquid form. I use about 3-4 tiny drops in my morning coffee.
 
Note: This package says it is Monkfruit, but the first ingredient is Erythritol, an alchohol based sugar, which means a teaspoon has 4 grams of carbohydrates. Some people are very down on alcohol based sugars. Me I am OK with some, but too much can give you the runs (they are also used in hospitals as a laxitive), and they do have some carbs. Still, this granulated form makes it easy to use when baking cakes and cookies, but you may find it takes less than the recipe might call for in sugar.
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Join us for the return of my Summer Retreat June 20-22: Dances of Universal Peace, plus swimming, hiking, great food and great music! The idea is to have a time and place where families can come, bring their kids and celebrate life!  You can see a little bit of what's in store on my web site. Let me know if you are interested.

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A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
Let me know your interests. Click here to take the survey.    I look forward to hearing from you.
 
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
 
Speaking Engagements
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals is to speak at colleges and universities where I can talk to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
 
If you are part of an organization, event, or school (or you just want to learn more about my life's work), I invite you to visit my web site www.douglasstevenson.com, where you'll find information on my lecture topics and how to bring me to speak in your area.
 Thank you for your interest, and your support. I hope to see you down the road.
 
Peace,
Douglas
 
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out to change the world
 new society Order both and save!
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www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast 
Our birth resource web sites for families seeking guidance on subjects such as
  • Choosing a Care Provider.
  • Health and Diet
  • Challenges and Complications
  • and much more!
  • The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes or at www.awakeningbirth.net
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider. Please like us and give us a good review on iTunes. It helps!
 
GreenLife Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office / cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com 
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
 
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