Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Vegan is Virtuous

We all know about the benefits of being vegan and eating all natural whole foods- increased vitality, better functioning of your internal organs, and feeling just plain AWESOME.

But did you think about how being vegan can support a virtuous lifestyle? According to Hideki Kawai, expert Natural Healing & Healthy Living Chef and Educator, being vegan can help you tame your sex drive. This makes it easier to be celibate- whether it's for spiritual or personal reasons, or if you are just waiting for the right person.

When we eat energetically strong foods like meat, eggs and fish, we intake not only the nutrients from those foods, but also the energy from those foods. Many fish, like salmon, have strong energy- salmon are powerful enough to swim upstream, against the current through rugged rivers to lay their eggs. If we do not have super active lifestyles to burn off this kind of energy (and increase in sexual desire), then we have excess that we need to get rid of. When these urges go unexpressed, they can lead to feelings of frustration and uncomfortably.

So, really, it's another reason to go vegan- at least until you decide to embark on a new career in manual labor or are in a healthy, committed relationship.


Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Co-opportunity in Santa Monica

If you are ever in need of a fun shopping experience and great quality food and health products in the Santa Monica area, check out the Santa Monica Co-op. They have a wonderful selection of organic and natural foods, eco-living products, as well as a well stocked and varied natural body care department.

Since they are a co-op, they are owned by their customer members, instead of a corporation. As it says on their website, "Every true co-op operates according to the Seven Cooperative Principles." These principles are: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, members' economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training and information and cooperation among cooperatives. Check out their website to learn more about co-ops in general or to find out about the Santa Monica Co-op.



Seven Cooperative Principles
Santa Monica Co-op






Monday, August 2, 2010

Great Selection at Erewhon

Erewhon Natural Foods Market has an great selection of all kinds of healthy food to stock your kitchen. It is also a "one-stop source for macrobiotic staples." They feature excellent brands of miso (over 30 varieties), seaweed, soy sauce, umeboshi plum products, teas and Japanese foods. They even have a macrobiotic consultant available to provide you with recipes and advice and on site cooking classes. You can even check out their website for more free recipes. 

 
 If you are already feeling hungry when you get there, you can check out their full service deli, salad and soup, sushi bar, and another prepared foods section.

Erewhon is located close to so many great things in LA, such as The Grove and Farmer's Market for outdoor strolling and shopping, and CBS Television City, where you could check out the live taping of shows like "So You Think You Can Dance."

Erewhon Market