Essential Sauces, Dips, & Dressings

Now available! Click here to learn more and buy your copy.

ESDDcoverThumb200

Essential Green Smoothies

Click here to learn more and buy your copy.

EGScoverThumb200

What They’re Saying

Teddy and Ryan "Since your class, we've been eating raw and LOVING it! I spend half the time “cooking” and the food is so much fresher and tastier. I've already made the Pesto, Banana Bread, Flax Crackers, Almond Milk, and several other recipes in addition to straight away adding a dehydrator and spiralizer to my kitchen tools. We've both come to the realization that the 30 second gratification of eating a burger doesn't come close to making up for the feeling afterward. Not to mention, we both agree we have not given up any taste what-so-ever and eating/“cooking” has become fun again (we're BOTH actually in the kitchen now at the same time). ...Thank you for such a wonderful class and for re-inspiring my husband and me."

—Teddy Sternagel
Issaquah, WA

 

Eric Dowsett "Few people are completely 'holistic' in their approach to healthy living. Madeline has combined many skills and a deep understanding of the nature of how we function and now adds raw 'food lifestyle' to her amazing repertoire to offer a truly 'holistic' approach to health and well-being."

— Eric Dowsett
Author
Workshop Leader
www.ericdowsett.com

 

CR

Living Peacefully in “Interesting Times”

Whoever coined the phrase “may you live in interesting times” appears to have gotten their wish. The events occurring in our world right now could easily be called “interesting,” although I have heard (and used) other more colorful language to describe some of what’s going on in our wacky world right now.

Now don’t get me wrong, change can be a very positive thing, especially when it’s approached consciously. After all, change is part of life, and so it’s a given. I just prefer my change served up with a side of grace and ease, if you get my drift.

So, how do we stay balanced, peaceful and even thrive amidst the chaos of our changing world? Here are some of the strategies that have helped me.

As old structures in the collective consciousness like fear and prejudice are being illuminated we are being offered an opportunity to identify any remnants of these that may be lurking within our own being, so they can be transformed into something more positive. Not everyone is on board with this idea quite yet, and those who do have the awareness know that these old fear-based structures, habited patterns and actions require attention and diligence to transform them.

One analogy that comes to mind is how the cells of our body are programmed with a lifespan. When that lifespan is over, the cells die and are replaced with new cells. The nourishment we take in provides the fuel for these new cells. So, it’s crucial that we offer them the finest raw material possible.

Make food choices that support life

This speaks to the power of food, which has been a pivotal transformational teacher for me personally. I have seen first-hand how what we consume can either support or sabotage us. When we consume food that causes stress in the body, it reduces our capacity to handle the inevitable stress in our lives. Conversely, the opposite is true. Support the body with food that detoxifies and nourishes it, and you will be rewarded with the ability to navigate life’s ups and downs in a much more peaceful state.

Consume media wisely

It’s important to also consider the media and information we are consuming. While I believe it’s more important than ever to stay informed and take a stand for those things we believe in, it can be far too easy to go down the rabbit hole and get sucked into the various perceived injustices that may resonate within us. It’s pretty difficult to affect positive change from that place, so my suggestion is to do your best to not go there.

Meditate, express gratitude and reflect

Starting your day with some quiet reflection time to express gratitude and do some conscious, deep breathing into the body will absolutely make a huge difference the amount of peace you feel throughout the day.

These actions, while simple, have the ability to yield tremendous results. Give them a try and let me know how it goes.

May your heart be filled with peace.

Use It All!

Decades ago I was introduced to the concept of appreciating and taking responsibility for whatever was showing up in my life. Little by little, I began to implement that idea, eventually understanding that whatever was seemingly happening “to” me, was really happening for me. Whether it was some guy cutting me off in traffic or someone showing up late for an appointment that I’d hurried to be on time for, my opportunity was to look within rather than blame the offending party. In a nutshell, it’s how we react to whatever’s happening that matters. This practice is what I came to jokingly refer to as a growth opportunity (or, depending on my mood, AFGO, as in Another F*%king Growth Opportunity).

awarenessAwareness is key. It takes presence and patience and fortunately (or not, depending on how you look at it) we all get plenty of opportunities to practice. In the case of the unconscious driver (which admittedly still irritates the crap out of this former New Yorker) I recognize that it’s an opportunity for me to look at where I could be more conscious in my own life. Or sometimes it’s just a message for me to slow down. The bottom line is that we can look at these events as either fertilizer or a pile of poop.

Speaking of fertilizer, this seems like a nice segue to share how I recently I began extending more of my philosophy about how I use whatever is showing up in my life as an opportunity for spiritual growth, into my practices in the kitchen. It began as I was assessing the organic orange and lemon peel scraps bound for the compost pile, and wondered whether there was another way to use them.

orange-slicesI was already zesting my citrus peels and storing them in the freezer for use in various recipes, but what about all those wonderful nutrients contained in the remaining white fleshy part just under the peel?

Inspiration came when I was reminded of an article I’d recently read about how much of the citric acid (Vitamin C) being sold today comes from genetically modified black mold, which I found pretty unappealing. Suddenly, those citrus peels seemed even more useful. So, I sliced them into strips and tossed them into my dehydrator overnight at 110 degrees F so as not to destroy any vital nutrients with high heat.

By the next morning, I had crispy little strips of citrusy goodness ready to enhance my morning smoothie. I pulverized everything into a fine powder, which I added by the teaspoonful. The orange was particularly flavorful and the lemon a bit more on the tangy side. The oil in the peels left a film on my blender jar that I wasn’t thrilled about, so I was glad I’d used my Nutribullet rather than my Blendtec. Eventually I determined that I could just add a few strips to each smoothie and that worked really well.

avocado-sliced-smFrom there I moved on to avocado pits, which several credible sources report to be antioxidant-rich and full of fiber.  I popped a couple into the dehydrator, along with those citrus peels and a few other goodies (i.e. dessert – more about this another time) for several hours until the skin turned brown and somewhat easily peeled off. Then I carefully cut them into strips and put them back in the dehydrator overnight. Next I threw them into the blender and ground them up. Even though I was using the Nutribullet Rx, which has a pretty powerful motor (2.3 horsepower, 1700 watts), it didn’t do a very good job. And it had a really funky smell.

Not to be discouraged, I decided to try again. This time I only left the pits in there long enough to be able to peel off the outside (somewhere around 4 hours). From there I cut them into quarters and used two quarter-sized pieces (½ pit total) in each smoothie. This worked out a whole lot better. Since the pit was softer, it was easier to pulverize.

On their own, the seeds have a bitter taste, but when added to a smoothie, it doesn’t adversely affect the flavor of your creation.

If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can still use your citrus peels and avocado pits. Citrus peels can be sliced, stored in the freezer and used as needed. And if you don’t have any citrus peels, then try my other “go to,” some high quality essential oils. Avocado pits can be rinsed and left out on the windowsill for a few days until they are dry enough to peel off the outer layer. Then simply slice and add some to your smoothies, storing any remaining bits in the fridge. Having a good blender is essential.

These are only a couple of ideas which I hope will get you thinking about what else you can begin using that you hadn’t previously considered, whether that be in the kitchen or in life. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.

With love,

 Madeline's signature

 

Oil Pulling – What is it and why should you care?

As the season begins to change, many people in my circle are reporting that they are feeling unwell. Airborne particles such as mold from rotting leaves can really tax the immune system. Then there are things the body must contend with, such as viruses, bacteria and other pathogens that seem to be more prevalent this time of year.

coconuts-oil2What if I told you that you could help to support your body’s natural ability to defend itself against this onslaught of foreign invaders by putting a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swishing it around? Could it really be that simple? Yes, it can. Here’s the what, why, and how of using “oil pulling” as part of your daily regimen.

Perhaps you’ve heard of this ancient Ayurvedic method and its use in supporting oral health, as it is rapidly enjoying increased popularity. Even my holistic dentist instructs her patients about the benefits of oil pulling! The traditional oil of choice for this practice is unrefined sesame oil, however many people use raw coconut oil due to its anti-bacterial properties.

How to begin: Place anywhere between one-half and one tablespoon of oil in your mouth. If the oil has solidified due to cool weather, no worries. It will melt in your mouth faster than an M & M candy. And it will be a whole lot healthier too!

Set a timer for 20 minutes and gently begin to swish the oil around your mouth, through your teeth and across your gums. Remember you are only swishing, not gargling. Once 20 minutes have passed, spit the oil (now full of toxins) into the trash. Do NOT spit it in the sink as it could clog your plumbing. Next, take a sip of water, swish it around your mouth then spit it out. Do this a couple of times. Next, it’s a good idea to follow this up with the use of a tongue scraper to remove bacteria that may have collected there. Then, enjoy a large glass of warm or room temperature lemon water to further support detoxification.

The best time to do oil pulling is in the morning, prior to eating or drinking anything. It’s the first thing I do when I get out of bed each morning and is a great activity to do in the shower. It has become like a meditation to me – a conscious act of self-love.

One of the most common reasons that people begin oil pulling is to support the health of their gums. They understand that when bacteria builds up in the mouth it can have a very detrimental effect on oral and overall health in general. Oil pulling supports the body by attracting and killing bacteria in the oral cavity and surrounding areas (throat, sinuses, etc.), which becomes trapped in the oil, making it easy to eliminate. The reason it works so well is because the majority of undesirable microorganisms in our mouth consist of a single cell which has a fatty membrane. When these fatty membranes come in contact with oil (another fat) they adhere to one another. Due to the detoxifying effect of this process, be sure to drink plenty of purified water throughout the day.

When you eliminate unwanted bacteria in your mouth, it takes a burden off of your immune system, leaving it with more bandwidth to offer you support in ways that can result deeper levels of overall healing. Not only that, it whitens your teeth and freshens your breath! If you haven’t yet made oil pulling part of your daily routine, you would be well-served to give it a try. It has made a huge difference in my life and in the lives of others who practice it.

Be well!

Harvesting Life’s Abundance

After one of the most spectacular growing seasons we’ve experienced in our short tenure at gardening, we’re now busily harvesting and preserving nature’s abundant bounty for the months ahead and making plans for our Fall garden.

Gardening, to me, is such great a metaphor for life. We plant some seeds, add water, fertilize and nurture them, pulling the weeds along the way. And, if we’re lucky, we get to enjoy much what we’ve grown before the critters do.

corny2

In life, our ideas are like seeds that get planted and nurtured. Along the way we are offered opportunities to weed out the thoughts and ideas that no longer serve us and have the potential to sabotage our creations. And there seems to be no shortage of such opportunities, unless we’ve chosen to live in a monastery where we have limited interaction with others.

It can also give us pause to question our creations when our outward circumstances don’t reflect our desires. In my experience, that usually means one of two things – either a part of us is not completely in alignment with what we really want, or the universe has a much greater plan for us than what we could possibly imagine with our limited ability to see the big picture.

When your desires remain unmet, consider asking yourself:

1. Does this thing that I think I want truly serve my highest good?

Life can be full of distractions and, while those can be fun, they often take us out of the flow of our heart’s desires and off into some tributary. I’ve seen this in my own life, particularly when a workshop, class or training is being offered that I feel I would like to attend. I love exploring and playing in the different energies but have learned to reign in my desires in support of my life path and my desire to be of service.

2. Am I holding on to a specific idea or the details of what this creation needs to look like, or am I open to receiving even more?

Miracles come in many forms and sometimes that includes not getting what we want even though it seemed like a good idea at the time. This is when I like to call to mind one of my favorite sayings… “this or something better.” Life is constantly offering us miracles. Are they passing us by unnoticed because they are not showing up in the form that we expect them to?

3. Do I really feel deserving of my desires?

We can unknowingly and unintentionally deflect miracles in our life because of feelings of unworthiness that have been buried within us from times gone by. When we fail to allow abundance and joy to come into our lives it is sometimes a sign to dig a bit deeper (there’s that gardening analogy again), get good and grounded and release outdated ideas about our deservability.

We are loved beyond measure and are here to joyfully express our creativity. Anything other than that is fodder for immediate examination and correction of any misperceptions. 

Happy Life-Gardening!

Conscious beauty – finally a non-toxic hair healing solution!

Ah, beauty. We women (and men to a lesser extent) often go to great lengths to ensure that we are in alignment with society’s idea of what it means to look our best regardless of what’s involved. The impossible standard we’ve bought into is pretty stunning. And, while the beauty industry realizes this, it has done little to address a major concern – toxic ingredients in hair dye!

Permanent hair dye works by stripping the color out of the hair and inserting coal tar dye and other toxic ingredients, many of which are unregulated known carcinogens. Not only do these toxic chemicals enter our bodies through our skin and scalp, but we also inhale them during the application process. Now multiply that exposure for hairdressers and the chance of illness increases exponentially.

And what about all of those toxic chemicals that get washed down the drain? Where do you suppose that water ends up? Not good!

Fortunately there is now a solution! It’s called Hairprint, invented by Dr. John Warner, a “green” chemist. Made of eight food-grade ingredients, this stuff has no aroma and is so pure you could theoretically eat it, although I’m thinking that it wouldn’t be all that flavorful.

Hairprint-logo

Hairprint works by mimicking how hair gets its natural color in the first place and is currently available for brown and black hair. Apologies to the blondes and redheads. This product won’t help you right now but they are currently working on a formula for you so take heart. The color responsible for all brown and black hair is eumelanin, which is a variation of the melanin pigment that is responsible for the color of your skin and eyes. The reason Hairprint looks so natural on your hair is because it is natural.

Over the years I have grown content with my increasing amount of grey locks because I was unwilling to use toxic products. Since that is no longer an issue, I decided to give it a try. You can see the results for yourself in the “before” and “after” photos here:

HairprintBeforeV3-sm   HairprintAfterV3-sm

I only recommend products that I personally have experienced and I’m thrilled with the results. My hair feels really soft and natural and, personally, I think it looks great.

 You can learn more, and watch videos of Dr. Warner as well as a “how to” demonstration, Q & A’s and ordering information here.

 Enjoy your new look!

You want me to do what???

A couple of days ago a friend posted on Facebook that she’d fallen and injured herself pretty badly. We’d only met once before through a mutual friend, but I felt a resonance with her. Do you know the feeling – you meet someone and there’s an instant rapport?

So, when she shared her plight I couldn’t help but respond with an offer to bring her some essential oils to help make her feel more comfortable and support her body’s ability to heal. As soon as I heard myself make the offer I also heard a little voice in my head that said, “really, you barely know this woman and you’re willing to do that today? What about all the other things you had planned?”

give-receiveIt was one of those situations where I observed myself making the offer without giving it any thought. And there was no question that that was what I was being guided to do. And this certainly should not come as a surprise given that I began my day with the daily prayer from A Course in Miracles: “Where would You have me go? What would You have me do? What would you have me say, and to whom?” Talk about surrender! So, surrender I did!

My friend gratefully accepted my gesture of kindness, so I packed up some supplies and headed off in my car to deliver them to her. What happened next was truly miraculous!

When I arrived, this woman who I barely know shared with me that, like so many women, she was wonderful and giving but not as practiced at receiving. As a single mom in a helping profession she’d learned how to manage without a lot of support. Well, apparently that needed to change because, given her injury, support was very much in order.

It was heartwarming for her to experience how friends were coming out of the woodwork to help her. And the more she was willing to break out of that old familiar pattern of self-sufficiency and receive that which was being offered, the more support came her way.

But here’s the really miraculous part. Prior to my arrival my friend had just returned from an appointment with a holistic practitioner whose very last words to her were to eat some lentil soup – that it would help her heal. Synchronistically I had made a big pot of lentil soup that morning and brought her some. Needless to say she was overcome with gratitude and appreciation and completely blown away by the level of support that was being made available to her on so many levels.

And I received the gift of knowing that I was listening to the promptings of my spirit in spite of my mind’s uncertainty. And it felt wonderful. Nothing says “you’re on the right track” like receiving instant feedback supporting your actions.

So, whether you are in need support or feel a strong prompting to offer support to another trust that and take action.

Is Seasonal Discomfort Making You Miserable? This May Help!

Spring is in the air and is signaling the end of winter’s hibernation. And, with weekend temperatures hitting 70 degrees here in our home town, you couldn’t keep us indoors. After spending Saturday morning at our first-of-the-season community garden work party, weeding the Hopelink garden, we spent the afternoon weeding our own front yard, installing some landscape lighting (alright, handy husband Mark did that part) and planting some herbs in pots on the back deck.

sneeze-smBut for many, this can be a difficult time of year because of seasonal discomfort. Itchy, watery eyes and sneezing can really suck the joy out of en”joy”ing the great outdoors. This can be especially true if you live in an area such as California, where rain has been scarce and the pollen count is high.

So, if you find yourself having to choose between being outdoors in the sunshine or staying inside in order to breathe more freely, I’d like to offer you some strategies to ease your discomfort without the usual unpleasant side effects.

  1. Neti pot – this little ceramic container that looks like “Aladdin’s Lamp” is used to perform nasal irrigation, an ancient technique from India, that rinses irritants like dust, pollen and mucus from your sinuses. You can buy one at most health food stores, natural markets or online. It comes with instructions but, basically, you boil a pint of purified water and let it cool down until it’s warm and then add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of quality sea salt. Some people also add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda but that’s optional. You fill the lamp with the solution, bend over the bathroom sink and pour it through one nostril and let it flow out the other. If you’re a visual person, there are “how to” videos on YouTube that you can search for.
  2. Consume raw local honey – the “local” is important because the honey will contain the offending substances from your area and help your body to adapt to them. I think of it like homeopathy where the premise is “like cures like.”
  3. Consider probiotics – Imbalanced gut flora can have a negative affect on the body’s ability to deal with airborne irritants. Make sure it’s a good quality probiotic.
  4. Apple Cider Vinegar – this time tested folk remedy can help to reduce mucus. I like to enjoy it on my salad with some olive oil, but you can also mix a tablespoon of ACV with a teaspoon of raw local honey in a glass of warm purified water and drink it down. It tastes really good and has an impressive list of potential benefits easily revealed by a Google search.
  5. Essential oils – for example, a combination of lemon, lavender and peppermint essential oils has been shown to help cleanse the body’s systems, calm, balance and promote clear breathing and healthy respiratory function. I’ve recommended this to a few people lately and the feedback has been extremely positive.

Wishing you all the joys of springtime!

Why Do We Do This to Each Other?

If you’re part of my world, then you know that information is power. It supports us in making the best possible decisions for ourselves and our families. One of our best sources of information comes from our own intuition – that inner knowing that we all have access to but don’t always listen to. It takes practice, presence and strength to inquire within and then act on the information we receive. Sometimes that voice is drowned out by things like fear, public opinion, or an attachment to a specific outcome.

blaming-mdWhat I’m about to share has been swirling around inside of me for a while. It’s a very controversial subject that has generated some strong opinions, so it’s a pretty big boat to rock. But, I am compelled to speak because I’m committed to knowing the Truth and sharing what I discover. We are here to awaken and if we’re distracted by illness and suffering, well that’s not helpful. May the information I’m about to share empower you and those you love.

Suppose you bought a new car, and as it turned out, the car was defective and a family member was killed or permanently injured. It wouldn’t bring back your loved one or reverse the injury, but you would expect the manufacturer to be liable for the damage that their product caused, right?

Now suppose you took your child for a “well-baby” check-up and, after receiving the recommended immunizations, your previously healthy child became unresponsive, had seizures, brain swelling, high fever, uncontrollable screaming, or even worse, died. As with any other product or service you would expect that the manufacturer, in this case the pharmaceutical company, would assume liability for injuries caused by their product. Sadly you would be incorrect. Our laws in the US exempt the vaccine manufacturer from any liability. Instead, the government has set up fund for vaccine-damaged children, which is funded by taxpayer dollars. Say what? You heard me. And, according to online sources, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) has paid out over $3 billion since the inception of the program in 1988. I find this extremely disturbing, especially since so many cases go unreported, misreported (as, for example, SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and those collecting from this fund have to deal with an insane amount of red tape, delay, and resistance in order to receive the compensation they need to provide care for their injured child.

syringe-mdSo, what’s the deal with this latest measles outbreak? It has been determined, although not widely reported, that the strain of measles found in the outbreak was related to shedding of the live vaccine. Translation: it was caused by exposure to those who were recently vaccinated.

What has ensued is a media frenzy like nothing I’ve seen in a while. Everyone’s getting into the act, including talk show hosts, newscasters, reporters, pundits and online bloggers.

When you consider the current aggressive vaccine schedule (49 doses of 14 vaccines before age 6 and 69 doses of 16 vaccines by age 18), the side effects listed on the vaccine package insert, and the unsavory and questionable ingredients (mercury, aluminum, eggs [a high-allergy food], aborted fetal tissue and God knows what else) it gives one pause to really consider on an individual basis whether the risks outweigh the benefits.

But the thing that really has my knickers in a twist is the 110 bills currently being proposed in 36 states that would remove parents’ rights to exemptions and instead, force vaccines and tracking. And all because of a few cases of measles at Disney? Seriously? My bullshit meter is way in the red zone on this one and yours should be too. Follow this link to learn more about what’s being proposed and how you can maintain your right to choose what’s best for your family. We are not one-size-fits-all individuals and that must be taken into account.

We also cannot ignore the manipulation of studies and data as illustrated by recent CDC whistleblower Dr. William Thompson. Google him if you want to learn more. Merck, the vaccine manufacturer, is facing a Federal investigation for fraud over the very same vaccines they want to make mandatory.

Brilliant MIT researcher Dr. Stephanie Seneff recently crunched the data available in VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) and made an interesting discovery. Autism rates began to rise exponentially in 1992 with the increased use of Monsanto’s glyphosate (Round Up). If you’re a science geek, you can learn the details about how glyphosate negatively interacts with the vaccine ingredients here.

In my own circle of friends and family I have witnessed several vaccine-related injuries. What this really comes down to is that parents on both sides love their children and want to do what they believe is best for them. We need to stop the name-calling right now and respect one another’s well-researched decisions. As the number of doctors, scientists and parents of vaccine-injured children who are questioning the status quo continues to grow, we would be wise to do our own research in order to make informed, educated decisions, and resist any attempt to legislate that right away. With over 300 vaccines currently being developed, once a mandate is in place, it won’t be that easy to restore our rights.

 

Mindfulness or Mindlessness? You Choose!

There is a popular saying that goes “be careful what you wish for.” Why? Because you might actually get it. And “it” doesn’t always arrive as you expected it to, often upsetting a level of comfort you have grown accustomed to. Even if things have been uncomfortable, they are familiar. And there can be comfort in that familiarity.

Those of you who have worked with me or have been reading my musings for awhile may know that I don’t shy away from personal development. And there is something about the energy of this year to support forward motion that feels different than years past. It’s like a tipping point has been reached within the collective desire to shift into the next highest expression of ourselves and we’re pulling out all of the stops. I know that I am. And if you’re ready to climb the next wrung on your personal ladder to freedom, I’ve got a tip for you. Take a look at your mindsets.

Peeling-head -smSo what exactly is a mindset? I think of it as a unique collection of ideas that each of us has adopted and told ourselves that’s the way it is. It’s been fascinating to see what is being revealed to me, personally, as I am exploring and questioning those ideas. Add to that a willingness to create space around what had been previously fixed and, wow, now that’s where the magic happens. So much has opened up for me around this exploration that I just had to share the concept with you.

The process is pretty simple. Just close your eyes, take some deep breaths and ask yourself what happens when you encounter a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Does it make you more resolved to deal with the challenges you are facing or do you wave the white flag and retreat for the sofa with a bowl full of snacks. I don’t think it’s strictly one way or the other. How we react to different circumstances can depend on what else is going on in our life at the time and how ready we are to deal with what’s coming up. I will tell you that food choices will either help to move the energy along or slow it down. There’s no judgment around that, but rather a way for you to observe what’s going on in your own life. More raw and living food = more forward movement. And sometimes we just need to slow things down and eat a baked potato or a bowl of lentil soup–my version of comfort food.

I saw a video the other day that really highlighted the idea of mindset in a very dramatic way. It was of a guy with no arms sitting on a chair out in the street playing a guitar with his feet. He was really good, too. And I couldn’t help but think, wow, now that’s a mindset to aspire to. It would have been very easy for him to say, well, I’ve got no arms so I’d better just get used to my limitations. But no. Instead, he faced his challenge head on, inspiring many people in the process.

Having the courage to speak out for what you believe in can be like that, too. What you have to say might make people feel uncomfortable, especially if they know deep down that what you are sharing is true, but it can feel overwhelming for them to embrace it.

So what do YOU do when you are faced with what feels like an insurmountable obstacle? How do you react? What story do you tell yourself? Begin paying attention to these situations in your own life and you may be surprised at how things will shift and open up for you. It’s going to be a major focus for me personally this year, and I’d love to have you share the journey with me.

What’s All the Brouhaha?

Have you ever committed to making a change in your life, be it a particular situation, a way of thinking or simply how you are showing up in the world? And then it happens: all hell breaks loose. No surprise really. Anytime we disrupt the status quo that’s bound to occur. Paradoxically, there is comfort in the discomfort of our habited patterns and situations. Perhaps because the “devil we know” is familiar.

It’s no wonder so many of us seek to maintain our status quo. But if we’re unwilling to look at what we’ve deemed to be our dark scary places, how can we ever expect to find the hidden gems that are there waiting for us to discover? It’s counter-intuitive, I know.

Several years ago when I journeyed to Egypt, we visited the temple known as Kom Ombo, which is reflective of this conflict. It is there that Sobek, known as the crocodile god (representing darkness) and Horus, the hawk (representing light) were said to reside.

tornadoAs the story goes, those desiring to become Initiates were required to jump into a dark and muddy pool of water. There they would have to swim underwater towards one of two openings and make a split-second decision which one to swim through as their air supply dwindled. One was shrouded in darkness and the other had light streaming through it. They knew the wrong choice could lead to them being the main course for the crocs lurking below, and the other would lead to safety. Passing the test involved the student’s ability to intuitively discern between truth and falsehood (even under pressure), courage to face the unknown, and their desire above all else for spiritual advancement.

Today we don’t have to jump in any muddy pools. And the only crocodiles we have to face are our false ideas of who we think we are. Dangerous? Not really. Scary? Hell yeah. Although things are a lot less scary when you jump into the proverbial pool with a group of like-minded folks.

That’s where my friend and colleague, Denise Dee, comes in. A true innovator, Denise has created an opportunity for you to take a dive into your own dark and scary places. It’s called “Brouhaha” and it’s an online Festival like no other. With 13 online workshops, a variety of performances, interviews, opening and closing ceremonies and more, all designed to spur you into action it might be difficult to choose what to participate in. Denise has that covered too. In addition to having the option of registering for individual workshops, you can choose to snap up an All-Access pass like I did.

The Festival runs from October 22nd to November 4th. You get to attend from your own home and, if you have a schedule conflict, no worries as all of the workshops are being recorded. I will be interviewed as part of this event on October 30th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific and hope you’ll consider joining me in conjuring up some of the deep change that our souls long for. You can see the schedule and get all of the details here.