SPRING LOVE

My the Spring bring you love and Transformation be well, 

The spring is about the snake of sunlight and transformation as per the Mayans. The Mayan Spring equinox Celebration by the main pyramid in Chichen Itza, Mexico – also known as El Castillo – has four staircases running from the top to the bottom of the pyramid's faces. The staircases are built at a carefully calculated angle which makes it look like an enormous snake of sunlight slithers down the stairs at the precise moment of the equinox

Line vs. Color

Line v. Color, a series of paintings by mixed media artist Reph, combines the simplicity of the line with explosions of color to create order within chaos.  The work strives to embody life's contradictions and humanity's relationship to those contradictions.  Also, it is visually influenced by: the indigenous Taino petroglyphs found throughout the Caribbean, traditional Japanese crest designs, New York City Graffiti art, revolutionary print making of the 1960's & 1970's, and the classic American children's book Harold and the Purple Crayon.  When painting, Reph does not usually plan things in advance. He just lets it happen.  His artistic process is as much about the act of painting, as it is about the act of living, while waiting for the right moment to arrive. Some works are created in a few hours and others over a series of months or years.

A Warming Hearty Vegan Winter Dish, Enjoy

The following article was written by Keegan Baur.

'Superfood Cuisine': Kale & Black-Eyed Pea Stew

A seasonal dish. There's no better way to welcome the cooler months than with a hearty vegan stew but it's important that the dish not only warm your soul and please your palate—it should also nourish your body with nutrients, minerals, protein, and fiber.

In her new book, Superfood Cuisine: Cooking with Nature's Most Amazing Foods, natural-food chef Julie Morris shows us how to use nutrient-dense superfoods that will heal and energize the body and promote radiant good health. Today and for the next three weeks, we'll post a recipe from the book on Thursday. On the fifth Thursday, we will host a giveaway—and three lucky winners will receive copies of this fabulous cookbook!

The first recipe we're sharing from Superfood Cuisine is this filling stew made with kale and black-eyed peas—a fitting tribute to the beginning of fall. Bon appétit!

Kale & Black-Eyed Pea Stew

1 Tbsp. coconut oil
2 cups diced white onions (about 1 medium onion)
6 cloves garlic, minced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/4 tsp. chipotle powder
1 Tbsp. smoked paprika
3 cups vegetable broth
3 cups water
2 Tbsp. wakame flakes, ground or crushed into fine pieces
3 cups cooked black-eyed peas
1 head kale, stems discarded and leaves chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

• In a large pot, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.
• Add the onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the celery and bell pepper and cook for a few minutes longer.
• Stir in the oregano, thyme, chipotle, and paprika and cook for about 30 seconds.
• Add the vegetable broth, water, wakame flakes, and black-eyed peas.* Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes, adding more water if needed.
• After the soup is cooked through, stir in the kale* and keep over the heat for a minute longer—just long enough to wilt the kale.
• Add the lemon juice and turn off the heat. Top with parsley and serve.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

*Variation: Add 1 cup of diced smoked tofu when you add the black-eyed peas.

*Adding the kale at the end of the cooking process ensures that it's softened enough to be enjoyed without destroying all its nutrients through heat.

Superfood tip: Using smoked ingredients like chipotle powder and smoked paprika add an impressive depth of flavor to recipes without compromising nutrition through overcooking.

Check out Julie's blog for more tips and recipes, or download a free superfood booklet!

Other superfood recipes posted on PETA Living: http://www.peta.org/living/vegetarian-living/superfood-cuisine-kale-black-eyed-pea-stew.aspx

Urban Atabex

Transformative Self-Healing Community of Possibility, Celebration and Peace. With Love and Gratitude to the Earth Mother and our Ancestors. Hay Amor

The Fall Equinox September 22, 2012, 10:49 am, EDT

At this time the life force energy is returning to the roots of the Earth Mother in preparation for winter. To be in harmony, in balance with the earth changes we to need to prepare and embrace the life cycle. It's time to look in the mirror, accepting self, letting go of fear of the new and opening up to possibility, to the powerful person that you are. Celebrate yourself and all the magic you bring with every breath you take. Enjoy , Be Happy and do you! You are the Star in this Moment. Be well . Love yourself as you have never Loved yourself before, You are the one you have been waiting for, Take good care of yourself, You are LOVE!

The Autumn Equinox is the balance between light and dark.  As we give thanks for the abundance that the long days and strong power have given, we also take this moment to balance, to rest, to simply be, and prepare ourselves for the growing cold and dark.  We recognize that what appears as death is merely the preparation for rebirth; that what is reaped at the harvest will become seed for the next year.  We remember the mystery - there is no death; all that dies will be reborn. And for this too, we give thanks.

As autumn returns to earth's northern hemisphere,
and day and night are briefly,
but perfectly,
balanced at the equinox,
may we remember anew how fragile life is ----
human life, surely,
but also the lives of all other creatures,
trees and plants,
waters and winds.May we make wise choices in how and what we harvest,
may earth's weather turn kinder,
may there be enough food for all creatures,
may the diminishing light in our daytime skies
be met by an increasing compassion and tolerance
in our hearts.

                                                                           Warmly, Kathleen

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-autumnal-equinox-of-2012

http://www.the-wisdom-of-wicca.com/autumnal-equinox.html

Bikram Yoga - East Harlem Self- Healing Massage Workshop

Join Esperanza   Saturday, September 8th from 2-4:00pm

ik Bikram Yoga ~ East Harlem is thrilled to, once again, welcome  human rights activist, educator, community organizer, life-skills transformative practitioner, mother,  poet, artist and Bikram Yoga practitioner Esperanza Martell to our studio! Esperanza will teach us how to use  acupressure and shiatsu to enhance your Yoga practice. Shiatsu and Acupressure Asian self-massage techniques  are used  for  relaxation, energy flow and muscular tension. They deal with the whole person's, body, emotions, mind, and spirit as one; balancing the vital life forces. Esperanza is one of the co-founders of Casa Atabex Ache a Women of Color Self-Healing Center and the founder of Urban Atabex consulting, coaching and self-healing training. She has been facilitating self-healing circles and support groups using her own culturally based techniques for emotional, spiritual, physical self-healing and empowerment for close to 30 years. Since the  1970's she is a practitioner of Shiatsu and Acupressure self-massage.  Saturday, September 8th  2 -4pm This will be a hands on experience. Please dress comfortably, be ready to play powerfully and have fun as you heal in a goddess healing space.      Admission: purchase a 10 for $10 ! (10 consecutive days of yoga for $10 ~ 10 for $10's may only be used once per month) You must arrive on time and stay for the entire seminar. Latecomers will not be admitted - no exceptions. 10 for $10's will be purchased at the end of the seminar. This one will fill up fast so call now or visit our studio to reserve your spot. 212-369-1830     Love and light,  Stephanie & Jennifer    Bikram Yoga East Harlem  4 East 116th St., 2nd Fl. NYC, NY 10029 212-369-1830   www.bikramyogaeastharlem.com   Info@Bikramyogaeastharlem.com

Health Benefits of Plantains!

I love plantains, cook on the side of some couscous and veggies, they really hit the spot. I'll be the first to say that I thought they were and different type of banana that tasted similar, but they were totally different. I love eating them and grateful of my change of eating because I don't think I would have ever tried them and experience how good but healthy they are for the body.

Here are some of the health benefits of plantains.

Vitamin C
Plantains are also a source of vitamin C. Studies say that one plantain supplies you with 20mg of vitamin C in each 3.5 oz. serving. This translates to between 40mg and 60mg of vitamin C, depending on the size of your plantain. Consuming enough vitamin C helps your body fight off infections that can lead to sickness and also promotes healthy gums, teeth and skin. Getting plenty of vitamin C also helps your body absorb the iron you consume from your food so you are able to produce red blood cells and provide oxygen throughout your body.

Fiber
One plantain supplies several grams of fiber to your diet. Fiber is an important nutrient because it helps decrease your chances of suffering from heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Fiber also helps prevent constipation by keeping your intestinal tract working the way it should.

Calcium
Your bones, teeth, nails and muscles rely on an adequate intake of calcium to maintain their health and their strength. Alvarez says that plantains supply a good amount of calcium. Calcium contributes to strong bones, which helps prevent breaks and fractures as well as diseases, such as osteoporosis, as you age. Calcium also aids in keeping your teeth healthy so you are less likely to experience cavities, periodontal disease and teeth that fall out easily. Including plantains in your diet can help you consume more calcium. People need to get off the bandwagon that you can only get calcium from dairy. You also get the extras like hormones, blood and pus.

Beta Carotene
Plantains are also a source of beta-carotene, which the studies says you need to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for eye health as well as normal growth. A diet lacking in vitamin A can result in difficulty seeing in the dark, dry eyes, eye infection and unhealthy skin. Adding cooked plantains to your diet is one way to increase your intake of this important vitamin.

Vitamin A
Plantains have more vitamin A than bananas. 100 g fresh ripe plantains contain 1127 IU or 37.5% of daily required levels of this vitamin. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, vitamin A is plays vital role in visual cycle, maintaining healthy mucus membranes and enhancing skin complexion.

B Complex Vitamins
As in bananas, plantains too are rich sources of B-complex vitamins, particularly high in vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine). Pyridoxine is an important B-complex vitamin that has beneficial role in the treatment of neuritis, anemia, and to decrease homocystine (one of the causative factor for coronary artery disease (CHD) and stroke episodes) levels in the body. In addition, the fruit contain moderate levels of folates, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin.

Potassium
Fresh plantains have more potassium than bananas. 100 g fruit provides 499 mg of potassium (358 mg per 100 g for bananas). Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure, countering negative effects of sodium.

Get & Stay Healthy! BlackVeggieVegan®™