This is an innovation based on others on the web... hundreds of combinations are possible... these ancient superfoods are a health-conscious person's dream fare: I hope you enjoy this very simple yet tasty and nutritious pudding using carob powder. Naturally sweet, caffeine-free and relatively low in calories, carob is the perfect ingredient for an energizing pudd. As an added bonus, it also provides calcium and potassium! Serves 1 2 tablespoons of Carob Powder 2 tablespoons of Chia Seeds 2 tablespoons of almond butter (or other raw nut butter) 1 packet of Stevia (or raw Honey, if you eat it) 8 oz of almond or other nut milk Mix everything in the VitaMix till smooth and thick then pour into a bowl. Top with fresh berries-- YUM! You can make this smoothier and silkier by adding a little more of the nut butter or some extra virgin coconut oil. And here is a variation that is probably violating all the raw food standards as well as being rather audacious food combining (sorry Paul)-- but very very comforting: Combine the following in your VitaMix cannister: **the above ingredients for the first pudding **Add 1 small organic carrot, cut in chunks **Pour into bowls (this makes enough for 2) with raisins (or other fave dry or fresh fruit) in the bottom **Savour and enjoy the luscious bounty of our wonderful Creator! Did you know that chia seeds are the richest source of omega 3, are high in calcium, contain all essential amino acids, are easily digested and absorbed, cause a slow release of carbohydrates so are helpful in weight loss and controlling diabetes? Watch this Raw Genesis blog for more on Chia seeds to come.... my husband and I include chia gel (about 2-3 T.) in our green smoothies every morning. -------------------------------------------------------------- Are you thinking about trying a raw vegan lifestyle but feeling a little unsure of what you might have to give up? This recipe e-book is a fun and super delicious collection of healthy, nourishing raw chocolate and carob recipes. Go here to purchase this delightful collection for only $10 USD.

This was an absolutely perfect day and we did our lovely little walk with a camera today. Here are some shots of what we saw along the way. This is a haven! Walking in this forest (maybe any forest?) with the sun streaming through the trees is a high spiritual experience.

When we got to the pond (the "swamp" as the signage identifies it) we sat on a bench and did some visioning. There was no one about. The water was still and reflected all of the beauty of the Spring in its calm depths. Birds were singing. Zoe was beside herself with excitement and joy (do dogs feel joy?).

I reflected on what I had read earlier in the day about how God has an unimaginably huge vision for me and a much bigger vision of anything that I could do by myself.

Seal Bay Park is a little farther from our house (almost 1/2 hour by car) than we can get to every day, but I know that I have locked away the serenity of the setting in my mind and that I will be able to go there any time I choose. Do you have a favourite place where you can return when you want to experience peace and to dream? Do you have a place in your mind where you can go when things "in the physical" are not what you would want them to be? -------------------------------------------------------------- Are you thinking about trying a raw vegan lifestyle but feeling a little unsure of what you might have to give up? This recipe e-book is a fun and super delicious collection of healthy, nourishing raw chocolate and carob recipes. Go here to purchase this delightful collection for only $10 USD.

I have been doing some extra thinking about Earth Day (it is all over the Internet-- hard to dismiss it).  I realize how very fortunate we are to live on this lovely little Vancouver Island... verdant, relatively unpeopled and unpolluted.  More artists per square mile than anywhere else except maybe the Vatican(?) and Saltspring Island (hehehe).  Quiet and friendly-- my kinda place (vs. intrusively  loud and aggressive?)  The real interesting thing is that people here abouts (going North on the Island) seem to WANT to live here when they grow up, want to stay here (and maybe go somewhere warmer for the winter) and so do their kids, etc.  Where I come from people are looking for opportunities to move somewhere else-- less cold, with more financial opportunity (although that has shifted somewhat), and with real fruit trees. (but maybe that is just my projection) Zoe and I went for a walk today in what I think was the first really warm and pleasant Spring day.  These photos are of our immediate neighborhood.  It started out as a walk to the post box but turned into a longer ramble.  Zoe is an active little dog (her name means "abundant life") so any walk with her has some brisk elements.  On the other hand, she stops frequently to chew things, sniff things, and .... well, you know.  But in all, she takes me for a good clip. -------------------------------------------------------------- Are you thinking about trying a raw vegan lifestyle but feeling a little unsure of what you might have to give up? This recipe e-book is a fun and super delicious collection of healthy, nourishing raw chocolate and carob recipes. Go here to purchase this delightful collection for only $10 USD.

Beautiful Victoria, British Columbia! I think it must rank up there with the best of the cities in the world.  It has lots of old architechure and acres of lush beautiful gardens.  The cherry trees are particularly enchanting at this time of the year.  Easter Sunday was also my long-time friend's birthday, so when she said she was coming to Victoria for a week (her school break from being a Grade 1/2 teacher in Saskatoon), how could I resist the trip down there? It was rainy and windy cold, but good company and beautiful surroundings more than made up for the nasty weather.  We went to the interesting Houseboat neighborhood on the harbour-- not sure who lives there, but the houseboat homes are very cute and each has a personality of its own.  We also headed downtown and walked through the stately old Empress Hotel (noted for its High Teas) and into the grounds where we posed in front of a plump-blossomed cherry tree. We didn't do a lot of walking, but we did walk briskly to get out of the rain. I recommend Victoria highly, sunny or rainy, as a beautiful place to walk for fun and health. --Friends for over 50 years (gak)! -------------------------------------------------------------- Are you thinking about trying a raw vegan lifestyle but feeling a little unsure of what you might have to give up? This recipe e-book is a fun and super delicious collection of healthy, nourishing raw chocolate and carob recipes. Go here to purchase this delightful collection for only $10 USD.

I didn’t go on a walk of my own today because I was getting together my income tax stuff and other things, but I was forwarded a delightful slide show from a friend…I was hoping that I could put it on here for everyone to enjoy but it was done up in powerpoint and I'm not quite sure how to transfer that to WordPress, so I will look to see if I can find a youtube slideshow to include here... but until then, have a pleasant day! -------------------------------------------------------------- Are you thinking about trying a raw vegan lifestyle but feeling a little unsure of what you might have to give up? This recipe e-book is a fun and super delicious collection of healthy, nourishing raw chocolate and carob recipes. Go here to purchase this delightful collection for only $10 USD.

This morning we went for our usual walk with Zoe in our neighbourhood... but our neighbourhood is also a thing of great beauty, especially when you clear all the homes with their tangle of electrical wires.  The photo on the left is of the Trent River at the end of our street and down through the bush.  At one time it contained a railroad trestle that we believe allowed the coal trains to ford the river.  Now you can see, from the photo, that the trestle has collapsed into the river.  Earlier this year there was a massive clean-up and re-diversion of the river's course.  This is a favourite walk for our dog Zoe.  You can see her sniffing around in the foreground.  -------------------------------------------------------------- Are you thinking about trying a raw vegan lifestyle but feeling a little unsure of what you might have to give up? This recipe e-book is a fun and super delicious collection of healthy, nourishing raw chocolate and carob recipes. Go here to purchase this delightful collection for only $10 USD.

On Saturday we joined a group of our friends from Church and went for a walk in the Seal Bay Highland park. It was a so-so early Spring day (we are really behind in our seasonal highlights here-- it's been a long cold winter season) but when we got to the "pond" at the end of the trail we were just totally awe-struck.  It reminded me of the river down from our house in the Parklands of Saskatchewan where I grew up.  Some day I will take a camera along and get a picture of it.  I'm amazed that I couldn't find a full-size (large) photo on-line.  Magnificent. Today we decided that we would go out again... why not? We have the time (that is why I pursue the business I do-- time flexibility)  And today was even more fabulous!  The trails had been raked in many places, and the sun shone down through the cathedral of tall trees.  We sat on benches beside the pond in a couple of places, one admiring the dappled clouds reflected in the still water, and the other crested with bullrushes and full of serenading frogs.  It was a total delight.  Zoe, of course, was beside herself with glee. This is one of the reasons we live in this lovely Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. -------------------------------------------------------------- Are you thinking about trying a raw vegan lifestyle but feeling a little unsure of what you might have to give up? This recipe e-book is a fun and super delicious collection of healthy, nourishing raw chocolate and carob recipes. Go here to purchase this delightful collection for only $10 USD.

In 2008, an estimated 166,400 new cases of cancer and 73,800 deaths from cancer occurred in Canada, ranking cancer second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading cause of death. Men outnumber women for both new cases and deaths, by 9.6% for incidence and 11% for mortality.

Cancer is caused by changes in genes that control the growth and death of cells. The disease develops when cells continue to grow and divide instead of dying off when they get older as they would normally do. As cancer cells multiply, they can damage nearby tissues and can also spread to other parts of the body and develop into new tumours. While improvements in detection, diagnosis, and treatment have increased the survival rate for many types of cancer, we also encourage doing all you can do to prevent the disease as a core strategy of your prescription for optimal health.

With prevention in mind, here are 10 things we can all do to reduce the risk of developing cancer: 1. Avoid tobacco products and second-hand smoke Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada for both men and women. On average, 460 Canadians will be diagnosed with lung cancer every week and 388 Canadians will die of lung cancer every week. Ironically, it's also the most preventable type of cancer. Smoking tobacco is the main cause of lung cancer. People who live or work with people who smoke are also at increased risk because they're exposed to second-hand smoke. In 2002, more than 13,400 adult deaths from lung cancer and 8,200 adult deaths from respiratory diseases are estimated to have resulted from smoking. If you smoke, take the necessary steps to quit for the health of you and your loved ones. 2. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight Being overweight increases your chance of developing certain types of cancer, including cancer of the esophagus, colon and rectum, and pancreas. Obesity also increases the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women by roughly 50%, and endometrial cancer by about three fold. And carrying too much extra body weight is believed to account for up to 30 per cent of kidney cancers in both men and women. Make smart food choices, control portion sizes, and fill up on fruit and vegetables to help manage your healthy weight and reduce your risk of cancer. 3. Get moving The Canadian Cancer Society recommends regular exercise as a way to prevent cancer. Regular exercise burns calories and can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. Pick something that gets and keeps you moving, such as walking, hiking, cycling, swimming, team sports, and even dancing. Consider biking or walking to work, or take a walk during your lunch break. Be sure to gradually work up to 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day for five or more days per week. 4. Eat more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains Fruit and vegetables are naturally rich in dietary antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, and a whole family of carotenoids that may help protect your healthy genes from oxidative damage. Recent research suggests that eating tomatoes may help protect against developing prostate cancer, while eating cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts may help protect against bladder cancer. Fruit and vegetables are also rich in fibre,  which can speed the transit of food through the digestive system and may reduce the absorption of cancer-causing chemicals. So, eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables may be the best way to ensure broad-spectrum protection. 5. Fresh is best Until about 20 years ago, stomach cancer was the most common cancer worldwide, perhaps due to cultural preferences for eating large amounts of salt-preserved foods such as cured meats and pickled vegetables. This finding underscores the point that when it comes to eating most foods, it's generally best to eat fresh rather than salted, cured, or pickled. In general, the less processed the food, the healthier it will be for you. 6. Limit alcohol intake Excess alcohol consumption is associated with increased risks of cancers of the oral cavity, throat, voice box, esophagus, liver, breast, and possibly the colon and rectum. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women, and, aside from carrying too much body weight, alcohol intake is the only other established risk factor for this disease. It's recommended that men who drink alcohol should limit their intake to no more than two drinks per day, while women should limit their intake to no more than one drink daily. 7. Practise sun safety and check for changes in your skin Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is damaging to your skin. The genetic damage it can cause to skin cells can lead to skin cancer, a disease that's increasingly common, especially among young people. Be aware that the sun's peak time is between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and that sunlight exposure can be intensified by up to 50% when reflected from sand, water, snow, ice, and concrete. When outdoors, cover up exposed areas and wear sun screen with an SPF of 15 or more. Know your skin and be aware of the location, size, and shape of moles and skin spots, and report any changes promptly to your physician. 8. Reduce your exposure to potential carcinogens There are many substances in the environment with the potential to put you at higher risk for developing cancer. On the job, minimize your exposure to fumes, dust, solvents, and chemicals. Try to reduce your everyday exposure to potentially toxic environmental chemicals in the home, and:

• Dust and vacuum regularly to rid your home of toxins attracted to dust
• Open windows and use fresh air to freshen and minimize indoor pollution
• Filter your drinking water to remove pollutants
• Switch to green cleaning products that are safe but still powerful

9. Know your family history and get screened Some five to 10 per cent of cancers are due to a genetic predisposition to cancer. Family history is a risk factor for common types of cancer including breast, ovarian, colon, and prostate cancer. If you have a family history of cancer, your physician may recommend genetic testing to see if you have the type of gene that can increase your chance of developing cancer. For individuals with an average risk of cancer, the following cancer screening guidelines are recommended:

• Breast cancer: women should begin yearly mammograms at age 40 and conduct regular breast self exams starting in the 20s
• Colon and rectal cancer: men and women should have one or more screening tests,  including a colonoscopy, starting at age 50
• Cervical cancer: all women should begin cervical cancer screening no later than 21 years of age
• Prostate cancer: men should have the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal examination annually beginning at age 50

10. Choose your dietary supplements wisely Whether it's vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, the antioxidants (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, and the carotenoids), fibre, or emerging phytochemicals, nutrition surveys have made it clear that your diet is unlikely to be providing all the essential nutrients and other dietary factors you need to be at your healthiest. And dietary supplement studies have yielded compelling evidence that supplements can help reduce the chance of developing cancer in undernourished individuals. Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington published a study in Nutrition and Cancer¹ that evaluated the association between dietary and supplemental zinc and prostate cancer in 35,242 men participating in the VITAL cohort, a study specifically designed to evaluate the impact of dietary supplements on cancer risk. In this study, long-term supplemental zinc intake was in fact associated with reduced risk of clinically relevant advanced disease. And, as reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine,² National Cancer Institute researchers found that among postmenopausal women, the greater their total calcium intake from dietary supplements and food up to about 1,300 mg per day, the lower their risk of developing cancer. For men and women, a diet rich in calcium from supplements and food was associated with a lower risk of developing cancers of the digestive system, such as colon cancer. These findings are consistent with randomized clinical trials that have shown that calcium supplementation reduces the recurrence of colon polyps, which are precursors to colon cancer. Clearly, dietary supplements play a key role in making up the nutrient shortfalls in your diet, and they provide a means of achieving optimal nutrient levels needed to achieve and maintain the best of health. 1 Zinc intake from supplements and diet and prostate cancer. Gonzalez A, Peters U, Lampe JW, White E. Nutr Cancer. 2009;61(2):206-15. 2 Dairy food, calcium, and risk of cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Park Y, Leitzmann MF, Subar AF, Hollenbeck A, Schatzkin A. Arch Intern Med. 2009169(4):391-401. This message is from: Shaklee Canada Inc. 952 Century Drive Burlington, ON L7L 5P2 ~Cynthia Zirkwitz Shaklee Distributor #CF82040 **Click on the image above to watch a video clip about Vitalizer.