Alternative healing gains in popularity 23 - aha Creative Ink Home

Vol. 2, No. 6 February 2010
An Educational Guide
to Sustainability and Spiritual Well-being
23
Alternative healing
gains in popularity
7 Sharing from a Shuar Healer
16 The Wise Women of Aotearoa
20 Alternative healthcare for pets
10 Yuma’s environs offer organic date farms for agri-tourists

Earth Odyssey—Reaching an educated
audience across Arizona and beyond
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Junction
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Canyon
City
Earth Odyssey is
available in these towns
and communities across the
state of Arizona.
Earth Odyssey is also available in Bellingham and Prosser
in Washington State. Visit www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com
for a detailed list of establishments that carry Earth Odyssey.
Earth Odyssey has an annual distribution of 96,000 throughout the state of Arizona and a subscription readership
across the United States. With a return rate of less than 2 percent, estimated monthly readership is 20,000.
Page 2 • February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

23 Cover Story:
Alternative healing gains in
popularity
10 Make it a date
Yuma’s environs offer organic
date farms for agri-tourists
19 Sustainable Business
Ultimate Automotive: First
in Green Certifi cation
Features
6 Aging wisdom
The healing power of helping others
7 From Amazon to United States
Sharing from a Shuar Healer
16 Three healers
The Wise Women of Aotearoa
18 Midwifery
Manifesto of a home birth midwife
20 Pet CAM
Alternative healthcare for pets
Vol. 2, No. 6
February 2010
31 Nature Notes
Ponderosa pine inspires deep-rooted
thoughts
42 Photographer’s view of Arizonians
Photo essay captures fun of visit
45 ‘Mountain Mind’
Annual Yoga Conference in Southern Arizona
Columns and Entertainment
5 This ’N That by Ann Haver-Allen
33 Astrology by Dominique Shilling
35 Tracks Across Your Horizon by Bob Matthews
37 Animal Communication by Nancy Windheart
38 Yes! You Can Recycle That by Patricia Melchi
41 Music and Awakening by Martin Klabunde
43 Calendar of Events
46 Puzzle Page
Page 30
Page 32
Page 34
Page 36
Movie
Reviews
by Jason Allen
Movies that
won’t make
you dumber
By Sarah McLean
By Michael Davis
Page 39
On The Cover: Nicholas Beasley receives sound healing from Kelly McCabe. Sound has been used in healing
since the beginning, from a purely auditory and also vibrational perspective. The original sound instruments
were drums and rattles used in shamanic healing with, of course, the accompaniment of voice. Other spiritual
traditions have their own unique sound instruments and practices, Tibetan singing bowls, for example, the harp,
violin, flute, organs, etc. Today, music therapy is a respected healing discipline through which music therapists
engage the multi-dimensional aspects of music (auditory, physical, emotional, spiritual, aesthetic and social,
etc.) to promote healing and well-being. Kelly McCabe and his wife Tessie, of Sacred Rites in Flagstaff, offer a
unique form of sound healing with the Soundwave massage bed, developed under the brand name “Feeltone.”
This unique instrument is comprised of an acoustically balanced reclining surface made of wood, with 40 strings
(tuned to three octaves of the same note) on one side, and sound slits on the other to offer maximum resonance.
Kelly is an accomplished musician and offers sound massage healing at Sacred Rites. He is also a distributor of the
Soundwave bed and offers a wide selection of musical and sound instruments for sale. For more information, see
www.sacredrites.com, or call 928-556-0018. See story about alternative healing on page 23. Photo by Pia Wyer
Heirloom Garden
Seeds & Stories
by Cindy and Stephen Scott
Page 40
By Christine Bollier
Page 47
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 3

Earth Odyssey Contributors
Marinah Valenzuela
Farrell is a traditional
midwife who honors
the natural process of
birthing and healing.
Marinah learned
the art of midwifery
through traditional
midwives, as well as working in birth
centers, public hospitals in developing
nations, formal education in the United
States and, of course, the many mothers
she has served in her home birth practice.
Marinah is licensed in Arizona and New
Mexico and holds her National Certification.
She is the mother of two wonderful
teenage girls who were born at home.
Sally Jackson is a
fourth generation
Arizonan who grew
up in Sedona. She
received a Bachelor of
Arts in Organizational
Communication from
Arizona State University
in 1989. Her
career has included working for a variety
of nonprofit and for-profit organizations
in the role of fundraising and community
relations. She is an active volunteer
with several local nonprofits, including
the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Northern
Arizona Chapter and
the Prescott Regulators and Their Shady
Ladies. She is currently employed with
West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, working
closely with the Senior Peer Program
(www.wygc.org).
Theodore G. Manno
(Ph.D., Biology, Auburn
University) is a
teacher and freelance
writer based in Arizona.
Manno’s scientific
research includes scarlet
macaws in Costa
Rica, ground squirrels
in Canada and prairie dogs in Utah.
Manno has published more than 30
scholarly works and magazine articles and
his research has received national press
in sources like Discovery News, Science
Page 4 • February 2010
News and New Scientist. He received his
B.S. from Rider University in New Jersey
while working as a jazz musician.
Kimberley Paterson
is a New Zealandbased
journalist,
author and public relations
specialist who
has a deep passion for
stories about visionary
individuals, businesses
and projects and
anything to do with
positive world change. You can read more
about her work on www.soulpr.com and
www.lodestarmedia.co.nz.
Debra White is a
freelance pet and environmental
writer in
Phoenix. A car accident
on Jan. 6, 1994,
left her with disabling
injuries, thus ending
her social work career.
She reinvented herself
as a pet therapist,
animal shelter volunteer and freelance
writer. Debra volunteers with the Phoenix
Animal Care Coalition, Arizona Animal
Welfare League and the Grand Canyon
chapter of the Sierra Club.
Carla Woody founded
Kenosis Spirit Keepers
providing programs
that guide people in
life direction, relationship
and health and
embracing a spiritual
path. She is the author
of the books “Standing
Stark: The Willingness to Engage” and
“Calling Our Spirits Home: Gateways to
Full Consciousness,” the course Navigating
Your Lifepath and recording Breath
Meditations. Carla holds a B.A. in Communications
from Wright State University
and M.A. in Human Relations from the
University of Oklahoma. She is certified as
an advanced practitioner of NLP (special
applications to health), hypnotherapist,
conflict mediator and Reiki Master.
An educational guide
to sustainability and
spiritual well-being
Our Mission
The mission of Earth Odyssey is to encourage
individuals to develop a sustainable lifestyle and
healthier well-being by providing educational
information needed to make wiser choices. We
envision an extended community of individuals
who care passionately about their environment
and their own spiritual well-being and recognize
the symbiotic relationship between the two.
Magazine Staff
Publisher/Editor
Ann Haver-Allen
Photographic, Web and PR Director
Pia Wyer
Advertising Art Director
Distribution Manager
Jason Allen
Advertising Representatives
Bill Allen
Jo Ann Johnson
Pia Wyer
Advertising Inquiries
928-778-1782
Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions to Earth Odyssey are $36.
Payment may be made using a credit card online
via PayPal or sending a check to: Earth Odyssey,
1042 Willow Creek Road, Ste. A101, PMB 486,
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Earth Odyssey is published monthly by Pinon
Pine Press LLC and is available online at
EarthOdysseyOnline.com.
Send comments and suggestions to:
editor@EarthOdysseyOnline.com
Phone: (928) 778-1782
The opinions expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the publisher or advertisers.
Copyright © 2010. Pinon Pine Press LLC. All
rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in
part, is prohibited without written permission.
For photo reprints, contact Pia Wyer
at pia@animistarts.com.
Printed by Signature Offset
4810 Northpark Drive
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Earth Odyssey is
printed on recycled
paper using soy inks.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Photo quality
Web photos not good in print
Photo resolution seems
to be a very difficult
concept for most
people to grasp.
The Web is largely responsible
for the Herculean challenge
of explaining, repeatedly,
that the resolution of Web
images is generally not good
enough for printing.
We view the Web at 72
dots per inch (dpi)….that’s its
maximum viewing capacity.
Quality printing, however,
requires images to be a much
higher resolution. For Earth
Odyssey, that resolution is 300
dpi.
When a 72 dpi photo taken
from the Web is printed,
the result is blurry and pixeled.
You can actually see
the squares of the pixels (see
example below of the Liberty
Ship Jeremiah O’Brien).
The Web is a vast resource
for photos and other images…but
most are only 72
dpi, which means their use is
mostly limited to the Web.
My father-in-law was a
merchant marine in World
War II. He wanted to join
the Navy or the Army, but
was rejected because he was
colorblind. The merchant marines
was the next best thing.
He served aboard Liberty
Ships, which were designed in
response to the enormous loss
of cargo ships at the hands
of the Nazis. These American-made
cargo ships were
designed to make only one
solitary ocean voyage. Liberty
Ships were rapidly produced,
with the average construction
time at 42 days. In 1943,
three new Liberty Ships were
being completed every day.
Today, only two Liberty
ships remain: the SS John W.
Brown, based in Baltimore,
and the SS Jeremiah O’Brien,
based in San Francisco. After
years of restoration work
by volunteers as part of the
Liberty Ship Project, including
my father-in-law, the SS
John W. Brown is a floating
museum that offers “Living
History Day Cruises.” Years
ago, my family and I spent
the night aboard the John
Brown with my in-laws. My
father-in-law told stories of
crossing the Atlantic at night
without lights so that they
would not be easily detected
by the Nazis.
He said one crossing was
particularly scary because they
were transporting wounded
soldiers and had to keep all
the lights on. Hospital ships
sailed with their lights on
and were supposed to be “off
limits” to enemy attack. He
said the Nazis, however, had
previously sunk a hospital
ship and everyone aboard
was very nervous about being
all ablaze at night. But they
reached port safely.
As part of the Liberty Ship
Project, my father-in-law
traveled the country to visit
former merchant marines,
scanned their photos and
worked to build a lasting archive
of Liberty Ship photos.
When he started his archival
project, I recommended that
he scan and save every image
at 300 dpi so that the use
of the images would not be
restricted because of size.
Another volunteer told him
that 300 dpi was overkill and
the process would take too
long. He said 100 dpi would
be more than enough for
This ’N That
By Ann Haver-Allen
Publisher/Editor of Earth Odyssey
what they wanted to do with
the photos. So my father-inlaw
spent years scanning and
saving historic photos at 100
dpi.
After several years, an historian
inquired about obtaining
the images at a higher resolution
for printing in a book.
No higher resolution images
existed. The archival work is
permanently limited to low
resolution use only.
Printed media is not
dead—at least not yet. I
believe that day will not come
for many years. But obtaining
high-quality photos becomes
more challenging every day in
our electronic world.
Courtesy photo
Photo by Ann Haver-Allen
This photo of the Liberty Ship Jeremiah O’Brien was taken from the Web This photo of the Liberty Ship John W. Brown was taken using film many
and is 72 dpi. Notice the poor print quality.
years ago and the print was scanned at 300 dpi.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 5

Aging wisdom
The healing power of helping others
Stephanie Wright
By Sally Jackson
day is ripe with
possibilities.” Stephanie
Wright starts her
day every morning
“Each
with that quote.
Wright is a volunteer with the Senior Peer
Program (SPP) at West Yavapai Guidance
Clinic.
“Aging is not easy,” she said. “This
program helps people do it with joy and
dignity. We help them complete their
circle.”
Wright has been with the SPP since
the summer of 2005. She first joined
the group as a member of the Women of
Wisdom (WOW) support group, and as
her need to receive support diminished,
she wanted to help others. She became a
volunteer with the program.
After 28 years of marriage, Wright
lost her husband to a long battle with
various forms of cancer, including lung,
colon and prostate that metastasized to
bone. She was his caretaker for the last
10 years of his life while continuing to
work full time until the last five months.
It impacted their marriage and changed
their relationship; and yet, Wright says,
the best thing she ever did was give him
permission to die, which he did that very
night in his own bed—something he
most wanted. After his death, she needed
time to regroup and find her purpose in
life without him.
“It’s like your arm is gone when you
lose your spouse,” she said. “He was my
soul mate. We played card games, dominoes,
Scrabble®—something, every single
night. And when he was gone, I had to
learn to live alone.”
Wright went through a lot of emotional
and physical reactions after he died. At
times she couldn’t turn her brain off and
she had difficulty sleeping. She would
sort through one box at a time—she had
a lot of long, hard conversations with his
memory as she went through his paperwork
that was decades old.
Wright was born in England in 1939.
She moved to Scottsdale in 1965 to work
as a nanny. Later, she began a career with
the American Red Cross and transferred
to the San Francisco office, where she
later met her husband. She always wanted
to return to Arizona. When her husband
was dying, he encouraged her to move
back after he was gone. He died in August
2003 and she moved to Prescott in
May 2004.
“I found my bliss…the birds in my
yard, the views from my deck…it was
perfect,” she said.
But something was missing. After the
boxes were unpacked and all of the dust
settled, Wright felt isolated. She started
a breakfast group in her neighborhood,
but it only met once a month and wasn’t
enough socialization. Additionally, it was
not a place to express feelings and fears.
She tried a hospice grief support group
but found that it was not the right environment
for her. She wanted to focus on
the here and now, not to relive her loss
and the difficult care-giving years. Wright
found the WOW group.
She started attending the weekly,
confidential support group of women
who shared their coping skills, which
strengthened her own. The inspirational
meetings always included a book, quote
or video that focused on the message of
women, their feelings and how to reclaim
themselves after giving so much to so
many. While she still attends the group
on occasion, she no longer goes every
week. However, she does socialize with
some members outside of the meetings
on a regular basis.
In June 2006 Wright knew she was
ready for a new challenge and inquired
See Aging Wisdom, page 45
Payson Area
Page 6 • February 2010
As you resolve to declutter your
home, garage and storage sheds,
please donate your clean,
working household items to the
Payson Area HFH-ReStore.
Donations are received M-F 9-5
Drop off at:103 E. Hwy. 260, Payson
928-474-4247
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Sharing
from a
Shuar
Healer
By Carla Woody
Anank Nunink Nunkai is a
traditional healer, an Uwishin,
of the Shuar Tribe. Born deep
in the place of his ancestors—the Ecuadorian
Amazon—he was chosen by his
people to come live in the United States
about 15 or so years ago. Like a number
of indigenous peoples around the world,
they were alarmed at the strong appetite
and doctrine that Western culture
preaches. Having first-hand experience
resulting from these ways, their rainforest
home disappearing around them,
they sent Anank to us in an attempt to
remind us of a kinder, gentler way of living—one
of respect for each other and
the Goddess Nunkui (Mother Earth).
Photo by Arte Nunkai Design
Anank Nunink Nunkai playing his Tumank, a traditional Shuar
Earth instrument. Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 7

Shuar elder shares his wisdom with students at the Sedona Charter School.
Photo by Stephen DeNorscia
Currently living in the Pacific Northwest,
Anank can often be found speaking
to students of all ages and participating
in conferences in the United States and
abroad.
He speaks on a wide range of topics
from the diversity of animals in the jungle
to indigenous permaculture or the healing
properties of plants.
You may also find him singing,
performing traditional Shuar dances or
teaching people to meditate.
When discussing Shuar cosmovision
and the wonders of the rainforest, Anank
hopes to inspire interest in protecting
such a magical place.
He continues to be an active member
of the Shuar community and works
closely with his sons toward the goal of
creating a Shuar owned ethno-biological
Page 8 • February 2010
preserve in the Kutukú and Shaimi Forest
Reserve.
Kenosis Spirit Keepers hosted Anank
and his wife Catherine in October in
Prescott as part of the Spirit Keeper Series.
Anank’s message is one of simplicity,
sometimes delivered quietly, and at other
times with a loud voice, that he attributes
to his ancestors, to get our attention.
Either way, there’s an abject humility
present in the man that I’ve learned, over
the years, to value in a true teacher and
traditional healer.
Counseling meditation and being
present is an antidote to frustration and
worries, he said.
“If today is Monday, you can’t jump to
Wednesday for your necessities until it
arrives.”
He then chuckled slightly under his
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

eath, as if sharing a joke with spirits we
couldn’t see but were very apparent to him.
Anank shared openly about his native
traditions, their entwinement in all
ways, spiritual and otherwise, with their
environment and their rainforest home.
Indeed, so many of the jungle plants are
sacred to them, not only for medicinal
purposes but also as teachers of spiritual
ways of living.
In traditional times, if a child misbehaved,
there was no punishment. Instead,
the grandfather gave the child an herb
and while the father watched over him,
the plant taught the child, correcting the
behavior.
He shared the ways of initiation. A
young boy, having been prepared by his
family, is sent into the jungle alone, with
only a spear.
The boy walks until he encounters
something. If he is chosen, an image will
appear in his path—in a swirling mist or
great fire—unlike anything he has ever
seen before, an incredible monster or
demon.
He is to go right up to the apparition.
If he steps back, the monster would
disappear because he knows the boy is
afraid. But the child will soon die because
he is empty of spirit.
If, however, the boy is ready, he will
chuck his spear right into the image
and—in that moment—the image disappears.
And the boy enters the realm of the
Great Spirit Arutam.
When he finally returns, he’s a young
man, with his particular power in place,
having been told all happenings until the
last day of his life.
After weaving the magic of his stories,
Anank closed with a special meditation.
Taking out a large bow, an instrument
called a Tumank, he produced vibrations
that entered my body.
They moved in my interior in such
a way that they found something I had
been holding onto and expelled the energy
through a cough I finally couldn’t suppress.
To learn more about the work of
Anank Nunink Nunkai and Catherine
Nunkai to preserve the Shuar culture and
rainforest home, visit their Web site at
www.nunkui-shuar.org/.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 9

Every date palm is climbed several times to
facilitate hand-picking of each individual
fruit. Photo used with permission © Lee
Page West 102009.
• February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Make it a date
Yuma’s environs offer organic
date farms for agri-tourists
By Theodore G. Manno, Ph.D.
Awinding road takes me through the river bend area
in my hometown of Yuma, Ariz., past the Territorial
Prison and down a one-lane bridge across the
meandering Colorado River.
For about a mile after the river, California is to
my left and Arizona is to my right, reflecting the results of a border
dispute after the river changed its course. Eventually, California
takes over to reveal a desolate, rural road through agricultural
territory. Another 10 minutes, and the signs begin.
“Date shakes.” “Fresh Medjools.”
California’s Bard Valley is a leader in the production of
dates—oval-shaped, 3-7 cm long, deeply colored, single-seeded
fruits of date palm trees.
Now known mostly for being chopped in cereals, dates are the
earliest known cultivated fruit and have a long history as a staple
food for ancient cultures, originating in the Persian Gulf and
Arabia c. 6000 BCE.
Once reserved by Moroccans for royalty and their guests, their
traditional use continues as a fundamental crop in the Middle
East and Africa, and as a first meal aside yogurt when the sun sets
during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The hallmark of the Bard Valley is the “Medjool” (muj-hool)
date, prized as the “king of dates” for its large size and sweet,
chewy texture.
With a name meaning “unknown” because farming pioneers
did not know the species, the current scientific name Phoenix
coincides with the mythical Greek bird and reflects life-giving
status, along with advertising a major city featuring access to the
area.
Many date farms post retail stores and farm tours that promote
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 11

Instead of using pesticide, dates are bagged
or covered for protection from pests as they
grow larger. Photo used with permission ©
Earth Lee West Odyssey 2009. • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 12

the Medjools, and an exit off the first interchange in California
on I-8 is an educational and recreational experience.
But the signs advertising the shops are not the only decorations
adorning the highway. As you approach the tall, date-yielding
palm trees towering into the big sky, low-lying signs by the
road preach “no pesticides” and “organic growing.” Indeed, the
Medjool is picked fresh and delivered rather than undergoing
drying or further processing. The ability to produce profitable
yet environmentally sustainable yield is a tribute to the
experience of growers like Glen Vandervoort, who has seen the
Medjool go from niche crop to mainstream fruit while growing
organically in California and Yuma for more than two decades.
He and other growers in the Bard Valley Date Growers Association,
a farmer’s cooperative formed in 1986, produce about 70
percent of all Medjools grown in the United States.
“Many of the local farms are organic,” Vandervoort said, “no
pesticides are sprayed on the fruit or trees.”
In addition to providing customers pesticide-free fruit, many
growers in the area buy into “Datepac,” which is a modern
consolidated packing house. The facility hosts one of the largest
private solar electric generators in Arizona, refrains from using
fumigant, recycles all of its used cardboard and ensures that
culled dates are used for making mulch.
The minimization of environmental impact even extends to
the laboriousness of growing and harvesting. Date palms can take
four to seven years after planting before they bear fruit, and may
not produce viable yields for commercial harvest for seven to 10
years.
In addition, trees do not ripen simultaneously, so several
harvests are required. Instead of picking the ready dates and
spraying the rest with pesticide, bunches of dates are “thinned”
and remaining dates are bagged or covered for protection from
unusual rain showers and pests as they grow larger. The tree must
then be climbed several more times so that each fruit is picked
individual by hand—a procedure that is required because of the
softness and delicacy of the Medjool.
“The tying strings have all been changed from plastic bailer
twines to sisal twines that break down in the soil,” Vandervoort
said, “the fronds and fruit arms are also all shredded and returned
to the soil.”
“We perform a different operation in the trees every three to
six weeks, and some of the operations require two to four trips to
the same tree. Growers are constantly looking for ways to eliminate
trips up the tree.”
Those operations include pollinating trees manually after trimming
dangerously sharp four- to five-inch long thorns. Although
date palms are naturally pollinated by wind, this requires a much
higher “male” to “female” tree ratio and serendipitous organization
of trees in the field. “There is a big push for mechanization,
but this is best done by hand operation,” Vandervoort said.
Amazingly, the wholesomeness of Medjools is unspoiled by the
date palm’s status as an introduced species.
Dates were introduced into Mexico and California by Spaniards
in the 18th century around the Mission San Ignacio, but it
was not until 1927 that Medjools arrived in the Bard Valley from
Morrocco via an American horticulturalist. Many descendants
Page 13 • February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

of a few pioneer trees are now the source of the Bard Valley’s
entire Medjool crop, with some of the original trees still being
harvested.
With so much controversy and environmental harm typically
associated with introduced species, the introduction of Medjools
to the Southwestern United States is an unusual example
of an introduced species that has assimilated into the ecology
and provided a sustainable industry with minimal negative
environmental impact.
As I drive down SR-24 further, the Imperial Date Gardens
comes up on my left. Nurtured by immigrant Isabel Nunez,
who worked the farms and eventually became a landowner and
prominent local businessman, the Imperial Date Gardens is my
opportunity to experience the diversity of uses for Medjools.
The shelves are full with not only 1- to 3-pound bags of
Medjools, but a host of other products—date bread, date
candy, date cake, date butter, chopped dates, dates with nuts,
cream cheese dates, candy-filled dates and so forth. It’s not long
before the person behind the counter attends to me.
“Do you need a date shake”
“Date shakes” are perhaps the most charismatic Medjool
product and they have such a fervent following that people actually
do speak in terms of “needing” them. Apparently started
in the 1930s when a grower mixed dates with vanilla ice cream,
date shakes are “the thing” for tourists and locals alike on the
Bard Valley date trail.
“I have one every week,” said Anita Marquez, a postal worker
from Somerton, Ariz., while sipping a large shake. “Now I’m
making my own with the Medjools and ice cream in a blender
at home.”
Besides tasting good with ice cream, Medjools have gained
widespread popularity because of their nutritional value, specifically
high potassium, fiber and antioxidant levels.
With easy portability, they are making ground with American
city dwellers who have access to them in the banana section
of their local major supermarket. Studies show that dates sell
up to 300 percent better next to bananas.
But compared with picking a box off the shelf, the value of a
trip down “Medjool Lane” is considerable because the path of a
piece of fruit from the field to your table looses abstraction.
After a trip to Bard Valley, a person returns to Phoenix,
Tucson, Las Vegas or San Diego with their 1-pound bag of
Medjools, bites into a plump one and conjures up an image of
hard-working growers, making calculated decisions and climbing
trees in the Southwestern heat, all in a concerted attempt to
provide us with the highest quality organic dates.
For more information about Imperial Date Gardens, or to
place an order, see www.nvo.com/imperialdate, or call 800-
301-9349.
Directions to Bard Valley Date Country
From the west or east, take I-8 to exit 172 (right at the Colorado
River). Continue on to Winterhaven Drive for half a mile and
then turn left on SR-24 (Picacho Road). After 3.5 miles, turn
right to stay on SR-24 as it becomes W. Ross Road. Date farms
will start appearing after about three miles and can be easily
navigated with the few rural roads in the area.
Page 14 • February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Try these awesome date recipes
Lowfat Date Shakes
Ingredients:
10 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
thoroughly
1 cup skim milk
2 cups vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
Place dates and milk in a blender and
blend on high until smooth.
Add ice cream and blend another 15-
20 seconds on low until thick and frothy.
Honey Date Nut Bread
Ingredients:
11/2 cups cut-up dates
1 cup boiling water
2 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
3 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg (beaten)
1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
Combine first 5 ingredients. Let cool. Sift
dry ingredients. Add egg to cooled date
mix, then stir in dry ingredients and nuts.
Bake in a loaf pan at 350° for 55 to 65
minutes.
Southwestern Cheesy Tortilla
Dates
Ingredients:
1-1 lb bag Medjool dates
1-10 oz. (1/2 pt.) jar of pepper jam (if
unavailable, another flavor jam of your
choice will work)
1 lb. cream cheese (softened)
lb bag tortilla chips
Blend cream cheese and jam well with
medium speed electric mixer. Cut dates
halfway through in a lengthwise fashion.
Stuff dates with cream cheese and jam
mixture and place in center of large plate,
on top of any extra mixture.
Place tortilla chips around the edge of
the plate and dip into cream cheese and
jam mixture as need. Serves 4.
Dried Fruit Bars
Ingredients:
1 pound dried apricots
1/2 pound dried figs
1/2 pound pitted dates
1/2 pound currants
2 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut
1 tbsp. grated orange rind
Lightly butter a baking dish (the size depends
on how thick you prefer bars.) Put
apricots, figs and dates through grinder.
Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Press into prepared dish.
Chill several hours before cutting.
Bars can be coated with toasted sesame
seed if desired.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 15

The Wise Women of Aotearoa
By Kimberley Paterson
They are three wise women of Aotearoa, New Zealand ...
skilled in healing, working with plants, food and natural
remedies to teach people who travel across the world to
train with them. Barbara Allpress, Franchelle Ofsoské-
Wyber and Maria Middlestead each have spent decades
honing and refining their craft. Each works with the pristine nature energy of
New Zealand to help people heal. I share their stories with you.
Barbara Allpress
Allpress is steeped in the wisdom
of aromatherapy, using the essential
plant extracts from flowers,
roots, seeds and bark to give comfort
and assistance.
She carries her “magic box of tricks”
of essential oils on her trips around the
Pacific—most recently to help survivors
of the Samoa tsunami. She has also used
them in outback Australia and in the high
deserts of Arizona, where they helped a
Hopi Indian baby in an adobe home cool
a fever and deal with swollen gums.
Allpress used lavender to help calm and
cool the Hopi child and a drop of Roman
Chamomile on his tummy and jaw line to
aid teething and colic.
“The next day the mother called to say
her baby was fixed, and could I now come
and see the grandmother,” Allpress said.
“These families were poor, relying on their
corn crops for food and income. A bad
weather year can be a disaster for them.
“When I got to the house I was
completely overwhelmed to find eight
people sitting on the floor waiting to
see me—uncles and aunties, brothers
and sisters—all with some aliment they
wanted me to look at. I spent three
hours mixing aromatherapy potions,
giving general advice and referring some
to their doctor.”
Allpress has worked with people from
East Timor to help lift depression, flown
to teach aromatherapy in Japan, worked
with people in Bali and Tonga and spoken
about the importance of traditional
medicine at a Pacific health conference.
Mother-of-six Allpress followed a long
Page 16 • February 2010
and circuitous route to her current role.
With Ofsoské-Wyber and Middlestead,
Allpress teaches at Wellpark College
of Natural Therapies, which educates
students from across the world.
One of her earliest jobs was running
a screen printing business, next came a
highly successful business selling jeans,
then her own marketing company. Later
she trained as an aromatherapist, set up
her own clinic and was an early promoter
of essential oil use.
“Plants have been used for thousands
of years to heal: throughout the Pacific
and the rest of the world people have
been going out to their gardens for eons
and using what nature provided to help
heal themselves and their families,” said
Allpress, one of seven sisters herself.
“This kind of healing is about a self
determination that allows people to
remember what their own culture once
used to teach them. What we teach now
at Wellpark allows people to integrate
that old wisdom alongside modern
scientific evidence as to the efficacy of
essential oils.”
Allpress loves the cross-cultural pollination
that takes place in her classes
with students from around the world
sharing knowledge about how their
cultures work with plant remedies.
“Herbs, particularly sage, are still used
in ceremony and ritual for cleansing and
purification, but almost never for medicinal
purposes,” Allpress said. “Sadly, this
situation exists in many areas of the globe
where missionaries have forbidden the use
of old ways, disregarding them as magic
and myth ... yet we were given natural
Barbara Allpress
medicine plants to use by nature itself.”
Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber
Ofsoské-Wyber is a shaman and
healer dedicated to working with
the plant intelligence of New Zealand,
which she says can lift emotions, heal
wounded spirits, give hope and restore
physical vitality and well-being.
She is descended from a long line of
healers: On her father’s side, she comes
from a line of Cherokee medicine men;
on her mother’s side, a lineage of Russian
healers and shamans. Both her greatgrandmother
and great-grandfather were
involved in healing and psychic work.
Ofsoské-Wyber began to learn about
Rongoa Maori, or traditional Maori
plant medicine, at age 7. By then, she
could already see the patupaiarehe, the
mysterious fairy people of Aotearoa—elemental
nature spirits.
“What most people do not realize is
that flower essences are a very ancient
form of indigenous medicine that have
been in use for many thousands of years
and recognise the powerful spiritual link
between plants, humankind and holistic
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

well-being,” Ofsoské-Wyber said.
Flower essences carry the healing energy
or vibration of plants—the specific
electromagnetic keynote of the plant or
flower.
Essences are made by infusing the
flower with sunshine into pure fresh
water and then preserved.
“Flower essences are liquid energetic
remedies that are a concentrated energetic
infusion of flower or plant material in
water,” Ofsoské-Wyber said. “They are
liquid energy in the form of vibrational
medicine or energy medicine.”
Hawaiiki Tautau (the ancient name
for Aotearoa ) has long been recognized
for its unique flora and pristine energy,
she said.
Part of her work includes the invocation
of ancient chants prior to gathering
the herbs needed to make sacred plant
medicine.
“In this way we formally honour the
native plant as being a divine child of the
land of Aotearoa,” Ofsoské-Wyber said.
“The native flora of Aotearoa is some of
the most ancient on the planet; we have
some of the oldest forests on earth.”
The nature power of New Zealand is
to provide people of the world with the
healing necessary for the many physical,
emotional, mental and spiritual challenges
to be faced by them and the
planet in the 21st century, she said.
“To Maori elders, this age is known
as Te-wa-o-nga-wai-ahuru or ‘Age of
Cherishing Waters’ and to the Native
American as ‘The Age of Floral Waters’
or ‘The Age of the Mother’ where
humankind will once again remember
that we are all one and how to work
in dynamic co-operation with nature,”
Ofsoské-Wyber said.
Maria Middlestead
Thirty years have seen Middlestead
go from an early voice
in the wilderness talking about
natural health to one of New Zealand’s
best-loved nutritionists.
In 1979, Middlestead (who grew up
in Canada) opened one of Auckland’s
early health food stores.
Today, she is the author of seven
books on food and well-being, has
hosted four TV series, sees people in
private practice and tutors a new generation
of naturopaths and nutritionists as
the senior nutrition lecturer at Wellpark
College.
Every week she sees people who have
been referred to her by doctors, psychologists
and medical specialists.
Now, a number of Auckland schools
are employing Middlestead to assist
them with pupils who have behavioral
problems. Middlestead works with
pupils to examine and change their
nutritional status. The results have been
changed attitudes at school and better
learning outcomes for students.
“Motivating people—and particularly
teenagers—to change their diet can be
a challenge but everyone has a leverage
point,” Middlestead said. “I’ll explain
how people can change self-sabotaging
habits for improved vitality, better
moods, sleep, skin and weight loss.”
Middlestead said certain foods can
cause morphine-like reactions on the
opiate receptors in the brain, which
result in mood and behavioral problems;
two such foods are dairy products and
gluten-containing grains such as wheat.
Franchelle Ofsoské-Wyber
Other food issues affecting behavior
include too much highly processed
food; poor enzyme and nutrient levels;
unaddressed food sensitivities that lower
immunity and chronic stress impeding
digestion and absorption.
“Poor digestion and undegraded proteins
have been associated with numerous
neurological, developmental and
behavioral problems in both children
and adults, including autism, ADD,
poor motor control and depression,”
Middlestead said.
“Several studies have found peptides
with opiate activity in the urine of a
high percentage of autistic children.”
For more information about Wellpark
College of Natural Therapies and
the courses taught there, see www.
wellpark.co.nz.
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Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 17

Manifesto of a home birth midwife
Iwrite this manifesto because
home birth is both political and
personal. Women must choose
for themselves where they feel safe
birthing, and so rather than “sell”
home birth in this article, I will simply
tell you why I have chosen to advocate for
birth at home.
It may be that some of what I believe
will resonate with your own beliefs or
may challenge you to consider a different
view of birth as a healing event.
I believe:
A woman who is birthing does best
in an environment where she can be in
many different positions and able to
listen to her body. Women who drink and
eat in labor to support their hard work
and the hard work of the baby seem to
have more energy.
Mothers and babies should never be
separated in those first critical hours after
birth because studies show that is the
time when the family is primed to bond.
I believe baby’s body undergoes
miraculous physiological and important
processes when born through the birth
canal (too numerous to list here) which
will impact her future health and that
most cesareans are done for reasons not
backed by scientific evidence or large
organizations such as the World Health
Organization.
I believe natural medicine does wonders
with mothers and babies, as does
body work and energy work, and that
mothers should be given these resources
By Marinah Valenzuela Farrell, CPM LM
by their care providers. Prenatal visits
should be directly with the care provider
and the woman should have plenty of
time to ask questions.
And, I believe that most birth care in a
hospital is not about the mother or baby’s
experience but about efficiency, technology
and law suits.
Birth can be, and should be, transformational.
Women who feel like they can’t go on
during labor, but who really don’t want
pain medication, should be encouraged
and told, “You can do it. You are strong.
Your body is wise. You are almost there.
We believe in you. We trust in you. You
can do it…” so that she can emerge forever
in awe of her strength and her body.
Too often a woman’s faltering energy
during labor is mistaken for a plea of
medication instead of a plea for support
and love.
We need to build women up, not tear
them down, in birth and pregnancy. I
also believe that a pregnant or birthing
woman is extremely vulnerable and
should always have an advocate, whether
it is her partner, a friend, or a doula, during
her care and birth.
Birth is a spiritual event.
I believe that even though midwives
have been accused of being everything
from witches to ignorant women that we
still exist because women want us.
Women want midwives to come to
their homes, listen to them, believe in
their journey and choices, and advocate
for them when they do not want to do
what society dictates. There has never
been a study done in the history of the
world, in any country in the world,
which shows hospital birth to be safer
than home birth.
The countries where birth has the
best maternal and newborn statistics for
well-being are countries where women
birth with midwives at home. This is
true.
Unfortunately, I know that often it
is only after an unsatisfactory birthing
experience that women will look for
an alternative. Often, these women are
traumatized or troubled by their hospital
experience.
Usually, the woman discovers two
things: 1) home birth is extremely safe,
and 2) she can birth however she wishes
with proper preparation, support, nutrition
and education.
Women find healing when they birth
in a peaceful, familiar environment surrounded
by loved ones.
My wish is that every human could
experience a peaceful, nonviolent birth
in an environment filled with love.
Marinah Valenzuela Farrell, CPM
LM, is a midwife working in partnership
at Freedom and the Seed, a home birth/
water birth practice in the Valley and a
practitioner of herbal medicine, traditional
healing and international midwifery
work. She can be reached at 602-793-
5063 anytime, or see www.sagemidwifery.
com for more information.
Complete Prenatal, Home Birth
and Postpartum Care
Free Initial Consultation
928-776-8033 • 928-710-0146
midwife4az@yahoo.com
www.myhomebirth.shutterfly.com
Page 18 • February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Ultimate Automotive: First to
obtain Green Certifi cation
Business
of the
Month
When learning to
walk, we all start
with small steps.
The size of our steps increase
as we become more comfortable,
and before you know it,
we can run.
If we begin by envisioning
ourselves running, fear
would likely paralyze us with
inaction. The task would seem
overwhelming.
That analogy works perfectly
for the going green process.
We can start the process by
doing little things upon which
we build until one day we are
all green.
That’s the philosophy of Al
and Rose Beseler, owners of
Ultimate Automotive Repair
in Prescott Valley, which is the
only auto repair businesses
in the Quad Cities to qualify
as an Arizona Green Shop
by the Automotive Service
Association of Arizona and
the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality.
“The Arizona Department
of Environmental Quality
has guidelines for automotive
shops to go green,” Rose said.
“It’s a laundry list of things
that you can do to certify that
your shop is green.”
Rose obtained the guidelines
and started making changes.
It was not an overnight
process. Rose said they spent
almost two years accumulating
the number of points
required to receive their green
certification.
“You have to have 300
Photo by Ann Haver-Allen
Universally, lead weights are used to balance tires. Ultimate Automotive works with a company that recycles the
lead weights.“They send us boxes that are postage paid,” Al said. “We put the used weights in those boxes, USPS
picks them up and takes them away and they are recycled into new weights. We receive the new weights with
more postage paid boxes.”
points,” she said. “You receive
points for complying with specific
pollution prevention and
energy conservation measures.”
Some of the measures that
Ultimate Automotive incorporated
can be instituted in
every home and office. Things
like programming thermostats
so that the heat is reduced at
night, recycling all paper and
cardboard, eliminating junk
mail and switching to CFLs.
But many other green initiatives
Ultimate Automotive
uses are specific to the auto
repair business. These include:
• Having spill buckets to
catch fluids so that spills do
not reach the floor.
• Using a spigot system to
provide delivery of fluids
from drums, which also
minimizes spills.
• Sealing the shop floor with
an impermeable coating.
• Recycling used oil and oil
filters.
• Recycling brake fluids and
hydraulic oils.
• Using a water-based cleaning
system and solutions.
• Sending lead acid batteries
to an off-site recycler.
In a tour of the Ultimate
Automotive shop, Al points
out the smart washer, which
uses only water to clean debris,
grease, dirt and grime from car
parts.
“Instead of accumulating
sludge that has been washed
from the parts, this washer has
pads inside that catch all that,”
Al said. “Then, we just recycle
the pads and nothing goes into
the environment.”
The machines that Ultimate
Automotive use for coolant, oil
and transmissions are closedloop
systems, which means
one end of the hose is hooked
onto a drum containing the
appropriate fluid and the other
end of the hose is hooked onto
the vehicle.
“With this transmission
system, we can flush up to 26
quarts at one time and if two
drops leak out, that’s something,”
Al said.
But Rose and Al are not
resting on their recycling
laurels.
“With this program, we
have to show constant improvement,”
Rose said. “The
certification lasts for two years
and then we have to show
that we have maintained what
we started with and also improved
and added new green
measures.”
Ultimate Automotive is
open Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The
telephone number is 928-775-
7575.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 19

Alternative medicine for pets
By Debra J. White
Holistic medicine to treat
headaches, arthritis and
indigestion is a practice
rooted in ancient
China. Alternative
medicine recently grabbed a foothold,
or should I saw paw-hold, in veterinary
medicine.
Domestic pets with chronic or acute
illnesses or injuries now benefit from
massage, acupuncture, chiropractic,
aromatherapy, Bach Flower remedies and
vitamins.
Holistic approaches cannot replace all
veterinary treatments, such as vaccinations
or surgery, but they compliment
traditional medicine to relieve pain and
suffering. That appeals to lots of pet owners
who want the best for their beloved
animals.
Cynthia Patane, vice president of
Beagles of Arizona Club, treats her dog
Dudley with neoplasene, a holistic remedy
for cancer. Fifteen-year-old Dudley, a
Beagle/Basset Hound mix, developed a
malignant tumor on his paw. Applied topically,
Neoplasene destroys cancer cells.
Since treatment began with Dr. Marjorie
Nard of Chandler, Ariz., in December
2009, Dudley’s tumor has shrunk half its
Page 20 • February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Photo by Cynthia Patane
Fifteen-year-old Dudley has a malignant
tumor on his paw. Under the care of Dr. Marjorie
Nard of Chandler, Ariz., Dudley’s tumor
shrunk half its size.
size and that’s terrific news to Patane.
Holistic medicine treats the whole
person; a veterinary practitioner treats the
whole animal. In Dr. Paul McCutcheon’s
new book, “The New Holistic Way,” he
suggests adjusting the pet’s environment
to meet her needs. Look at stress. Is that
causing the problem And most importantly,
he says, free up blocked energy.
Wellness can be achieved and maintained
through a combination of diet, exercise,
stress relief and balance.
If your dog develops behavior problems,
a holistic veterinarian would, of
course, perform a physical examination to
rule out underlying illness.
She would also look at the dog’s home
environment. Did the owner’s suddenly
banish the dog to the yard because of a
newborn baby Is there constant bickering
at home Did the dog’s daily walks
suddenly end due to job change
Dogs thrive on routine. The slightest
change is jarring to them and upsets
their balance. If a dog slept inside for
nine years and then is forced outdoors,
she will naturally revolt. Alternatively, if
the once peaceful home environment is
now marred by arguing, the dog senses
the change.
So, the most effective way to deal with
excess barking or digging is to return
normalcy to the dog’s routine. Surrendering
the dog to a shelter should be the
absolute last option.
Alternative medicine is a good option
for physical problems. Dog or cat skin
allergies or indigestion can almost always
be traced to food. There are no easy tests
to determine the allergen. With food, it is
usually corn or wheat.
Owners experiment with different diets
to see which ones the animal tolerates.
The process of elimination determines
the allergen. Switch to a premium brand
for a healthier pet.
Herbal supplements are also popular.
Milk Thistle may ease the symptoms
related to liver disease in dogs or cats.
Pam Heine, who runs Finding Fido
Rescue in Phoenix, treats a lot of sick
dogs and cats that she saves from shelters
or plucks off the streets.
“I give them yogurt for anything intestinal
and omega fatty acids for kidney
disease,” she said. Heine also uses equal
parts of water and apple cider vinegar as
an ear wash to combat yeast.
Acupuncture helps pets with severe
arthritis, slipped discs, skin diseases and
chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Based
on the ancient Asian system of Yin and
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Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 21

Yang, acupuncture restores balance. For
instance, Yin is said to be negative while
Yang is positive. Illness disrupts the
energy flow. Acupuncture redirects energy
so the patient feels relief.
Veterinary acupuncture operates on
the same premise. Thin needles inserted
along the animal’s pressure points by an
experienced veterinarian relieve pain and
restore the animal to health.
Veterinary medicine expressed interest
in acupuncture by discussing the subject
at the 2009 American Veterinary Medical
Association convention. Several researchers
authored papers about it. And it’s
offered at Manhattan’s prestigious Animal
Medical Center among other clinics and
hospitals throughout the United States,
Canada and Europe.
Veterinary chiropractic and physical
therapy offer animals a drug free, noninvasive
treatment for the pain from degenerative
arthritis, neurologic disorders,
ruptured ligaments or damage to soft
tissue. There are veterinary rehabilitation
centers around the country set up to treat
pets with these modalities, which also
improves their mobility.
Developed by Dr. Edward Bach back in
the 1930s to treat human ailments, Bach
Flower remedies were found to work on
animals as well. Bach Flower essences rejuvenate
our weakened inner forces so we
can heal. Common remedies used for pets:
• Clematis—increases attention span
• Rock Rose—helps with panic and
terror
• Star of Bethlehem—comforts dogs left
alone
• Cherry Plum—allergies
Bach Flower remedies are best administered
in the animal’s water. Dosage varies,
but usually just a few drops given three to
four times a day for several weeks achieve
the desired results. The remedies are nontoxic
and have no side effects.
Aroma therapy for dogs and cats uses
essential oils to treat skin infections,
flea and tick infestations and fear of
loud noises. Place a few drops of oil in a
ceramic burner and light a tea candle underneath.
The healing aroma permeates
the room. Some popular aroma therapy
treatments are:
• Ginger—to ease pain
• Lavender—for itching
• Valerian—to calm a hyperactive dog
Page 22 • February 2010
Experienced herbalists suggest that
you do not buy cheap oils. They are
often diluted and are less effective. Buy
good quality oils from a reputable supplier
or store.
Remember your pet’s diet and exercise.
Feed your pet good quality food.
Read the ingredients before buying. By
law, all ingredients must be listed in
descending order.
If the first ingredients are wheat, corn,
meat by-products or broth, then it is not
top quality. Consider another brand.
A dog or cat that eats dried kibble is
less likely to have digestive problems or
dental decay.
Kibble is also more economical and
is easier to store. Canned food consists
primarily of water, blood or broth.
Regardless of breed, all dogs need
exercise. Even a Chihuahua or a Poodle
should go on a walk at least once a day.
Exercised dogs are less prone to destructive
behavior. They are healthier and
happier. Owners benefit from the
exercise too.
If you are new to holistic
or alternative veterinary
medicine, do your
homework before
using treatments on
your pet. Always
discuss plans with
your veterinarian,
especially if your
pet is already
on medication.
Sometimes
herbal treatments
and
traditional
Western medicine
interact
with adverse
consequences.
There are costs
associated with
alternative medicine.
Understand
your pet’s illness and the
appropriate treatments that
can offer relief. Be leery of
hucksters trying to sell you a
miracle cure. Little or no options
are available for a 16-year-old dog
with end stage bone cancer, other than
palliative care. Before you invest money,
make sure your pet will benefit.
Additional information about holistic
medicine can be obtained from the American
Veterinary Medical Association, the
American Animal Hospital Association,
the International Veterinary Acupuncture
Society, and the American Academy of
Veterinary Homeopathy.
Many fine books and magazines are
available about alternative or holistic
veterinary care at your public library,
book store or natural foods store. Be an
educated consumer for your pet’s health
and well-being. Alternative medicine isn’t
intended to replace standard veterinary
care, but to complement it.
That’s a win/win situation for owners
and their pets.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Alternative Healing Arts gain in popularity
Story by Kimberley Paterson
Photos by Ann Haver-Allen
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 23

Vibrational Realignment is a unique
form of spiritual healing. By focusing on
the emotional traumas and subconscious
beliefs that are at the heart of our disease,
Vibrational Realignment turns the
feelings of pain and trauma into spiritual
messages, messages which provide valuable
clues about the real nature of our
pain or illness. It is this focus on root
cause rather than symptoms that explains
the rapid and often seemingly miraculous
results of Vibrational Realignment.
Michael Davis is the creator of Vibrational
Realignment and writes a monthly
column for Earth Odyssey.
Urban Myth or Evidence-Based Medicine
It has now been three decades
since “evidence-based medicine”
or EBM, became formalized and
taught as the correct way to practice
medicine. But a paper published
recently in the American Medical
Association’s Archives of Internal
Medicine shows just how uncertain
the field remains.
Studies from 1991 estimated that only 15 percent of medical
interventions practiced by doctors were supported by solid
scientific evidence. More recently, it has been estimated that
decisions made by doctors using such science ranges widely from
11 percent to 70 percent.
“Hardly ringing endorsement of medicine as science,” said Dr.
Wayne Jonas, author of the AMA’s paper “Scientific Evidence
and Medical Practice.”
Even when EBM does exist, it often only applies to a narrow
range of patients. A 1994 study claims that many, if not the
majority, of procedures carried out under modern medicine have
“little if any scientific basis” (Maynard).
Rather, it turns out that doctors most commonly rely on
“mindlines” when deciding what kind of treatment might best
suit a patient—essentially their best guess based on previous
experience coupled with what colleagues currently believe.
That’s why such a broad variety of different treatments may
On the previous page, Janet Eichorst is a Usui/Tibetan Reiki Master, a Karuna Reiki Master and has been trained in Shamanism. She teaches both
Reiki and crystal gridding. During treatments, Janet uses the innate power of crystals and infuses them with healing energy so that her clients continually
receive energy from the crystals, as well as from the energy Janet channels. This creates a unique opportunity for people to heal and transform. Janet
has a natural gift for healing and uses her intuition and vision to tune into areas of the body and spirit that need attention. She can be reached at
928-710-1924 or janet1924@gmail.com.
Page 24 • February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

S. Ross Dunbar, N.D., is a licensed Naturopathic physician and Chinese
medicine practitioner who has practiced in the Quad City area for the
past seven years. He has studied and practiced alternative medicine
since 1995 and is passionately committed to achieving wellness through
various alternative modalities by accessing the body’s own innate ability
to heal. Dr. Dunbar has achieved great results with his patients by
listening empathically and thinking strategically, blending a broad
array of traditional and cutting edge, alternative treatment methods.
Through a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including lab work and
Page 25 • February 2010
medical history, he creates a holistic treatment plan comprised of dietary,
lifestyle and nutritional recommendations as well as any Chinese herbal
medicines that may be appropriate. Modalities of treatment may also
include acupuncture, homeopathy, musculoskeletal manipulation, IV
nutritional therapy, injection therapy and prescription medication. Dr.
Dunbar works collaboratively to design a treatment plan that is realistic,
achievable, and is in line with the patient’s needs and goals. For more
information, Dr. Dunbar can be reached at the Prescott Naturopathic
Medical Group, 810 W. Gurley St. Prescott, 928-445-1999.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Acupuncturist, Miriam Benson has worked in the health-care field for almost 40 years. Her work
experience includes pharmacy, anatomical pathology, nutrition, herbs, colon therapy, reflexology,
acupuncture and oriental medicine. Acupuncture is a 4,000-year-old healing system that works on
all levels (body, mind and spirit). It is this system that can provide a higher level of wellness to an
individual and address many health issues from headaches, back pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel to
relieving stress and anxiety and enhancing the immune system for general good health and well being.
Her passion for acupuncture is only surpassed by the joy she finds in helping people feel better.
She can be reached at 928-710-2294.
be offered to patients suffering the same
aliments.
One example cited in a study published
in The Journal of The Royal Society for the
Promotion of Health was on prostheses for
hip replacements: 30 different types of
cemented and 35 types of uncemented
prostheses were used in English hospitals,
most of which had not been investigated.
Other studies revealed striking variations
in surgical interventions for prostatectomy,
hysterectomy, tonsillectomy and
carotid endarterectomy.
“If orthodox medicine is practiced
on the basis of scientific evidence, as is
claimed by its practitioners, such variations
defy explanation,” wrote the study’s
high-ranking nursing professor authors.
“In view of such admissions, it seems
incredible that medical practitioners have
been trying to undermine the practice of
complementary therapists because of their
lack of an appropriate evidence base.”
This lack of EBM has been a criticism
long levelled at holistic or natural
health practitioners. Yet, just as it’s being
revealed how little of modern medicine
actually relies on solid science, the global
popularity of holistic treatments is itself
driving a body of evidence proving their
effectiveness.
Just a few examples:
• Randomized controlled trials showing
aromatherapy and massage can
be effective in reducing physiological
and psychological stress after cardiac
surgery (Jackson, 1995)
• Homeopathy and acupuncture being
effective treatments for psoriasis (Liao
and Liao, 1992)
• Massage effectively reducing anxiety
and tension (Wilkinson, 1996)
• Reflexology useful in managing
premenstrual symptoms (Olsen and
Flocco, 1993)
Interest in such natural based therapies
has been growing exponentially—some
estimates say at around 11 percent annually.
A 1991 U.K. study showed that the
number of alternative practitioners was
growing at a rate of five to six times that
of medical doctors.
Certainly, people are visiting holistic
therapists in increasing numbers. A
Jane Kohner, nutritionist CCN
For many years, Jane Kohner has been known
as a nutritionist with a background in the
healing arts. Today, her Healing Winds office
in the Granite Dells supports her community
with an open-door policy that invites everyone
in to personally participate in their own healing
process. With sensitivity, she encourages
one to open to levels of emotions that may be
holding back a healing of the physical body.
Learn more about her practice by calling 928-
445-4401.
2007 National Health Interview Survey
conducted by the U.S. Center for Disease
Control and Prevention found that four
out of 10 American adults had used such
therapies in the past 12 months.
Other studies have shown around 90
percent of the population of the United
Kingdom had used at least one form of
complementary therapy or another.
In Europe, those figures ranged from
24 percent in Denmark to 49 percent in
France. In Denmark, cost of complementary
treatment is reimbursed by private
and state health insurance.
A study conducted by the Harvard
Medical School concluded that complementary
and alternative medicine has
become a permanent part of medicine.
The report found that visits to practitioners
of alternative therapies increased 47
percent since 1990.
The Journal of the American Medical
Association reported that the number of
Americans using alternative therapies rose
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 26

©iStockphoto.com/paulprescott72
Get your groove back, feel better and make better choices in your life this New Year. It’s been proven that meditation is good for you: It helps to reduce
stress, lower blood pressure and to reduce anxiety. More and more people are finding that when they meditate, they learn to trust themselves more and
make better choices. They are also less dependent on their situation or circumstance to feel good about themselves. Learn to meditate in just a few hours
with Sarah McLean, the founder of the Sedona Meditation Training Co. Check out the meditation classes and self discovery retreats at www.Sedona-
Meditation.com or call 928-204-0067.
What are CAM
therapies
Whether you call it holistic,
natural, alternative or
complementary therapies, a
huge number of treatments are available.
These include:
• Acupuncture
• Herbal medicine
• Naturopathy
• Nutritional therapy
• Homeopathy
• Ayurveda
• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Hypnotherapy
• Spiritual healing
• Chiropractic treatments
• Osteopathy
• Alexandra technique
• Reiki
• Touch for health
• Aura Soma
• Bioelectromagnetic therapies
• Aromatherapy
• Massage
• Flower essences
• Rebirthing
• Maori medicine
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Chelation therapies
One of the best ways to find a reliable
practitioner is word-of-mouth. When
visiting a holistic practitioner, don’t
be afraid to ask to see their relevant
qualifications and ask what experience
they’ve had treating people with your
particular health issue. Most modalities
have national associations that oversee
practitioner qualifications.

Reiki is a practice of energetic healing in which the practitioner harmonizes
the universal life energy with his/her own and the patient’s.
The word Reiki is of Japanese origin, combining the two words rei
and ki to mean universal life energy. Often referred to as a “laying
on of hands” technique, the practitioner may or may not physically
touch the recipient as this is not necessary for the exchange of healing
Page 28 • February 2010
Photo by Pia Wyer
energy. The goal of Reiki is to identify and direct healing energy to
the areas of imbalance in a person’s whole energy field, particularly
as it pertains to the chakras and their influence upon a person’s
health. The practice promotes relaxation, stress relief and experience
of overall well-being as energetic imbalances responsible for physical
and emotional issues are resolved.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

from 60 million in 1990 to 83 million
in 1997 and that number is expected to
increase.
Among factors found to be driving this
global natural health trend is the lack
of side effects from such treatments; the
fact that complementary and alternative
medical health (CAM) practitioners look
to treat the whole person rather than just
the symptoms and that such therapies
empower patients by encouraging them
to participate and take control over their
own health issues.
A 1997 U.K. study showed that the
vast majority of users were happy with
such holistic treatments: 90 percent felt
their quality of life had improved as a
result and 60 percent would use natural
health practitioners again, despite the
often considerable costs involved.
Perhaps even more telling is just how
public support of CAM therapies is driving
doctor behavior.
In New Zealand, a small Pacific nation
considered to be a leading light in
the natural health world, a 2002 Health
Survey found 12 percent of adults visiting
a complementary health practitioner
that year had been referred by their own
general practitioner.
In addition regional studies discovered:
• A 2003 study of Wanganui city general
practitioners found 92 percent had
referred patients to CAM practitioners
and 80 percent had contact with at
least one CAM practitioner. The doctors
rated their confidence highest in
acupuncture, chiropractic, hypnosis,
aromatherapy and Rongoa Maori (traditional
Maori medicine) treatments.
• In a study of 249 Auckland general
practitioners, 171 (68.7 percent)
referred patients for CAM treatments.
The study found younger doctors
were the most likely to refer patients
to CAM practitioners. The Auckland
study found that 30 percent of general
practitioners surveyed practiced one or
more form of CAM—most often used
to treat musculoskeletal and chronic
pain problems.
The most common reason given by
New Zealand general practitioners for
referral to CAM practitioners was “failure
of conventional medicine.”
At the forefront of an evidence-based
approach to natural health care in New
A 2007 National Health
Interview Survey conducted
by the U.S. Center for Disease
Control and Prevention
found that four out of 10
American adults had used
such therapies in the past 12
months. Other studies have
shown around 90 percent of
the population of the United
Kingdom had used at least
one form of complementary
therapy or another.
Zealand is Phillip Cottingham, a 30-year
veteran of the natural health industry and
founder of the leading training institute,
Wellpark College of Natural Therapies,
which trains domestic and international
students.
He said the oft-cited criticism that
natural medicine lacks scientific evidence
is “the biggest urban myth of our times.”
A strong advocate of the “integrated
medicine” approach—effective health
treatments that integrate the best available
from orthodox and natural medicine—Cottingham
is the driver behind
a new research unit in natural medicines
being set up in New Zealand.
The unit, located on a stunning 19-
acre bush-clad site in the heart of Albany
is only 15 minuets from Auckland. A
full-time research fellow will be collate
and make evidence-based natural health
information freely available to the international
public via the Web site (www.
wellpark.co.nz).
What is clear is that doctors around the
world who are open minded enough to
refer patients to CAM practitioners are
happy with the outcome.
In Germany, 58 percent of accredited
general practitioners polled in a 1993
study declared that they preferred complementary
to orthodox medicine—and
all but three of the practitioners sampled
accepted the value of complementary
medicine.
In 1981, despite a ruling by the British
Medicine Association that clearly discouraged
general practitioners from connection
with practitioners of complementary
therapies, 10 percent of patients visiting
natural health therapies had been recommended
to do so by their doctors.
According to the Journal of the Royal
Society for the Promotion of Health survey
“Complementary therapy: complement
or threat to modern medicine”
nurses and midwives have lost no time
in keeping up with public demand either
and have been training in such natural
therapies.
The survey found that more than half
of the nursing practitioners surveyed used
CAM therapies in their work: 80 percent
of those using such therapies had undergone
training and 92 percent who had
not used such therapies were prepared to
do so (Trevelyan, 1996).
“Despite constant criticism of complementary
therapy by some medical practitioners,
65 percent of hospital doctors
believe that such therapies have a place in
the mainstream of medicine,” wrote the
report authors.
By 1993, the British Medical Association
had changed years of attacking and
attempting to discredit complementary
medicine by conceding that there is a
place for it in health care—provided doctors
retain overall control of treatments
received by their patients.
More than two dozen medical schools
in the United States now offer electives in
alternative medicine.
At Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center, for example, alternative therapies
enhance each patient’s quality of life
through healing regimes that address the
body, mind, and spirit. Complimentary
therapies offered include various types
of massage, acupuncture, hypnotherapy,
meditation, visualization, music therapy
and nutritional counseling. Patients are
also offered classes in yoga, tai chi and
chair aerobics.
Many of these therapies have been used
for centuries, but they lost favor with the
advent of conventional medicine. The
resurgence in popularity is credited to
mature, health-conscious baby boomers
who tend to take an active role in their
healthcare.
It’s a good match for holistic practitioners
who teach patients how to take
responsibility for their own health.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 29

Healing presence
with an open heart
An essential aspect of complementary
healing is respect for and
recognition of the client from a
holistic (spiritual, physical, emotional,
intellectual) perspective. Western allopathic
medicine offers invaluable benefit
and support in many instances, yet tends
to focus on the physical plane and may
be practiced in a materialistic rather than
interrelating manner.
We have all sought healing from practitioners
only to find them working on several
patients at the same time, flitting from
room to room rotating their attention to
maximize the efficiency of their office.
Most of us will find this less than effective
for us, as the practitioner is literally not
present to us in a meaningful way.
Living creatures are complex beings
comprised of several layers of energetic
consciousness. Imbalance, or dis-ease, is
now understood to originate in the subtle
realms, in addition to being caused by
physical trauma. Even in the treatment
of physical trauma, setting a broken bone
for example, it is essential that mindful
healing attention be given to the individual
from an energetic, spiritual and
emotional perspective.
Delores Krieger, Ph.D., R.N., a
founder, with Dora Kunz, of Therapeutic
Touch, (http://www.therapeutictouch.
org) teaches the value of compassion in
awakening insight, and activating an
energetic exchange between healer and
client. She speaks of compassion as “an
evolutionary state beyond mere survival,
one that brings the healer and healee
into a felt relationship during the healing
process” and facilitates the exchange of
information and presence necessary for
true healing.
This form of healing is transpersonal,
Page 30 • January 2010
and addresses the rebalancing of the client’s
subtle energy field, chakras, the relationship
between them and their physical
manifestations. Compassionate, focused
attention allows for communication
between souls, and facilitates recognition,
understanding and transformation.
If we accept that healing energies
flow through the healer from a universal
source, rather than originate within the
healer, it is important for us to tune our
intuitive, conductive abilities.
In order for us to be effective healers,
we need to grow into a place of conscious
self-awareness, and develop a practice of
contemplative centering. It is important
that our understanding and insight are not
compromised by our own personal issues
and the chatter of an undisciplined mind.
Daily meditation practice encourages
conscious presence on a transpersonal level,
while diminishing focus on superficial
distractions. Meditation strengthens the
flow and balance of consciousness within
and around the whole person. It offers a
place of stillness from which to recognize
the language of our soul in harmony with
creation.
Our everyday culture, with its multitasking,
interruptions and rapid thoughtcycling
tends to foster a sense of living in
our heads, and we develop a “disembodied”
consciousness, i.e., we live in a world
of free-floating thought chatter and are
not truly “present” to ourselves, much less
someone else.
If we wish to be a healing presence for
another, the practice of “mettā,” or loving
kindness meditation (http://dharma.ncf.
ca/introduction/instructions/metta.html)
strengthens our ability to be in loving,
compassionate relationship with all beings,
recognizing and honoring sacred
presence in all life. We learn to recognize
the essential nature of another in preference
to idiosyncratic differences.
The term Mettā comes from the
Theravāda school of Buddhism. Its object
is to develop love (without attachment)
toward all beings. Every breath we take,
the water we drink, food we consume,
place we live (in the broadest context
to the specific medication we are prescribed
or shoes we wear) relies upon the
contribution of another person, species,
material or energetic reality. In order for
a relationship to be healthy, it must be
reciprocal.
Once reacquainted with the depths and
presence in our own heart-soul center,
we are equipped to live from a place of
truth and reciprocity, moving through the
world in a healthy, healing way, without
being caught up in the dualistic divisiveness
of an unconscious culture focused on
material gain. Attempting to be a healer
before developing deeper levels of conscious
awareness oneself at best reduces
the effectiveness of the healing, and at
worst, can cause actual harm through failing
to understand the nature of healing
needed.
Anyone who lives with animals will
recognize their sensitivity to our moods
and the condition of our energy. It is
the same with humans. We are affected
by far more than the words we speak to
one another. Subtle cues in energy, body
language, the focus and quality of attention
are interpreted and acknowledged,
whether consciously or unconsciously.
This is why it is important to slow
down, relinquish our attachment to
multi-tasking (which is now considered
disadvantageous to health and productivity)
and relearn how to be present to one
another and our work with our whole
being. It is interesting how challenging
this can be in the beginning, conditioned
as we are for partial awareness.
Daily practice of Mettā restores our
internal balance and, by extension, our
relationships with others. When we
engage with another who comes to us
for healing, we are able to see the whole
person, and celebrate the intricacies and
nuances of what it is to be human.
Pia Wyer, M.A. is a freelance photographer,
artist and writer based in Payson,
Ariz. Contact information: pia@animistarts.com.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Nature Notes
Seven young Bear Cubs, one
younger 2-year-old sibling, myself
and four or five parents wandering
behind us along the forest trail sets
the scene for an after-school special
program for this little group.
The fact that they are dressed in their
smart little scout uniforms and some
of their parents are present doesn’t alter
the fact that these are little boys moving
after a day of sitting in a classroom.
That means I’m in for the usual
energetic explosion that happens when
all these things collide, and they collide
in the forest!
It’s kind of like plate tectonics, I
imagine to myself—the plates move
ever so slowly toward one another
over a long period of time (the kids in
the classroom from 8 a.m. through 3
p.m.) and finally, when the plates meet
one another, and pressure builds up,
something’s gotta give, something’s
gotta escape to relieve the pressure.
The kids finally getting outside into
the open, into the fresh air, and doing
what comes naturally to them—shrieks
of joy, laughter, rambunctious behavior,
running and play.
Don’t you remember those times
Can you still play, or have you forgotten
how I admit, it wasn’t too many
years ago that I moaned to my roommate
at the time that I really had
forgotten how to play. I’d become far
too serious.
She dragged me out and across the
road to little Flynn Park and we spent
a couple of wonderful hours playing
on the swings and slides and, basically,
fooling around. Two adult women
shrieking with joy, laughter, running
and play. It was as though I had
emerged out of some confining cocoon
and at last saw the light of day.
I haven’t looked back since, which
probably explains why I love my job
spending time outdoors with kids.
On the day of which I am talking,
I had barely an hour with the kids to
meet some Bear Cub badge requirement;
something about conservation.
That meant I had barely an hour to
squirrel my own love for nature into the
minds of these little guys.
If I could crack open the doors to
their young and alert minds with some
of the stories to be found in nature,
then I would have found the key to
their hearts.
Once the heart is hooked, then the
idea of conservation makes sense. So,
off we went, down the trail.
Touching, squeezing, smelling, looking
through loupes—all this becomes
part of our walk. Rubbing the juniper
twigs between our fingers turns out to
be a prickly experience, but also results
in that oh so fabulous fragrance from
the oils in the scaly leaves.
Everyone sniffs deeply and then I
rub some behind my ears and suggest
it would make a really cool cologne
for them to wear to attract the girls. Is
she for real, is the look on their faces. I
smile. They smile.
On we go. But now every other green
leaf is squeezed in order to discover
more fun colognes. I search for the perfect
juniper berry, then chew on it.
“Can you eat it” comes the chorus.
Well, you can if you want, but the trick
is to find the sweetest one, and that’s
the one coyote likes to eat, too.
We chew, we discover hard seeds in
the berry, and later on we discover the
same hard seeds in coyote scat.
Wow! Then we add Manzanita berries,
lemonade berries and acorns to our
nature trail mix, tasting and spitting
out as we go.
Then, the prize—we wander past a
ponderosa pine underneath of which,
on the brown forest floor, are lots and
lots of tips of bright fresh green pine
needle twigs.
NOW we have a story! I look way up
into the tree; their eyes follow mine. I
look down on the ground and their eyes
follow mine.
I start walking gently through the
debris of green, wondering out loud to
myself if I will be lucky enough to find
…Ah Ha!
By now I have them all, including the
2-year-old, caught up in the magic of
By Fiona Reid
One hour to instill love of nature in Bear Cubs
the forest as they clamor to know what
I’m looking for.
Caught—hook, line and sinker!
Now their mission is to find, somewhere
close to the fallen green pine
needles, some little, skinny white sticks
about “so big.”
I tell them that whenever I see green
like this under a ponderosa tree I always,
without fail, find the little sticks.
Here come the shrieks of delight and
success. Little hands offer up their stick
loot.
I find a nearby young pondy pine,
break a little twig off, and we all settle
down on the forest carpet to unravel
this great mystery.
Who lives high in the tree tops here
If you lived in the pine trees, what kind
of food would you like to eat Do you
see any yummy fresh pine cones around
at this time of year So what else might
you eat then
It’s winter, and you might think the
pickin’s were slim, but you might be
wrong! Hidden under the outer bark
of this little twig I hold in my hands is
squirrel candy.
Abert, the squirrel, sits way up there
and breaks off the end of the pine twig,
keeping a little bit for himself.
Holding onto the tree with his sharp
back claws, and balancing with his
thick, bushy tail, he nibbles off the
outer bark (if you happen to be sitting
below a pine tree when he is busy doing
this its like raining bark—we laugh)
and finds the sweet inner bark that he
is looking for.
I chew on my twig. Everyone leaps
up to find their own twig. Parents wonder
what we are doing.
Everyone chews and spits, chews and
spits. Everyone finds the pink inner
bark, and everyone agrees it’s pretty
yummy. We clean our twigs and drop
them where Abert dropped his. Heart
connection.
My job is done.
Fiona Reid, education director at the
Highlands Center for Natural History,
is a passionate defender of nature and
outdoor time with children.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com January 2010 • Page 31

Monthly horoscope from Dominique
Read your Sun, Ascending and Moon sign.
An astrologer can help you find all of the
planets’ places on the day that you were born.
k Aquarius—January 21–February 19
Sun in your sign can recharge you. Think
about what is important to you. Saturn’s
placement highlights power as well as
hidden desires. Consider things that
happened in the past. Take care of needs,
then do what it takes to turn a dream
into reality.
l Pisces—February 20–March 20
Work and health are up for re-evaluation.
If there is anything from the past
that needs to be resolved, it is likely to
come up at this time. Good things could
be happening with Venus in your sign.
Jupiter brings abundance or overwhelms.
Focus on the good in your life and more
will come to you.
a Aries—March 21–April 19
Relationships bring lessons for growth. A
friend or loved one could bring out your
forceful side. Understanding a situation
from your past could help bring resolution.
Use energy in a positive way by
focusing on the good things in your life.
Make peace and move on.
b Taurus—April 20–May 20
Responsibilities, career and reputation are
highlighted. Logic paired with magic help
you go far. You have an insight and/or gain
information that will be helpful to you and
others. Now is a good time to speak up or
to ask for something you want.
c Gemini—May 22–June 21
Any new classes or interests will contrib-
Dominique Shilling, MAFA, is a counselor
and astrologer with a practice in the
Valley. For an appointment, contact her at
Way to the Light Within, (602) 279-2941
or check out her Web site at www.way-
2light.com.
ute to your success. Take time to pursue
your interests. If it makes you happy, do
it! You have what it takes to do anything
that you put your mind to. Take action to
increase your value.
d Cancer—June 22–July 23
You could have lots of energy physically.
Planetary placements boost your intuitive
ability and/or sensitivity. You could
be more in touch with your feelings than
usual. Take care of yourself before you
take care of others. A partner or close
friend has something to tell you.
e Leo—July 24–August 23
Romance could be wild, fun and unusual.
Intimate one-to-one encounters possible.
When it comes to your health, balance
intuitive feeling with practical knowledge.
You will be safest with the tried and true.
A positive outlook saves the day.
f Virgo—August 24–September 23
Saturn in your house of money could
reveal things that need fixing up or replacement.
Trust your feelings about your
health. Close relationships are likely to be
in a state of change. Romance could be
all or nothing at all.
g Libra—September 24–October 23
Romance and entertainment could be on
your mind. Trust your feelings and have
some fun. Try something new. Balance it
out by doing something to improve your
health. Things are getting better in your
work.
h Scorpio—October 24–November 22
Home and feelings of security are highlighted.
Romance could be up and down,
but not boring. Acknowledge what makes
you feel secure. Possible change around
career. There is lots of energy that can be
managed.
i Sagittarius—November 23 –December 22
Your money and value are very likely to
be changing during this year. Communication
is highlighted. Opportunity comes
through conversing with others. This
month would be a favorable time to do
something to improve your home.
j Capricorn—December 23–January 20
This is a time of power for you. Opportunity
to gain or to increase your earnings.
Focus on the good things that you already
have and more of the same will come to
you. Take time out to be with loved ones.
Let go of things or situations you no
longer need.
Puzzle
Solutions
Logic Puzzle Solution: Kevin ate yogurt
and drank coffee; Joseph ate toast and
drank milk; Sarah ate muffins and drank
orange juice; Brianna ate cereal and drank
apple juice; and Stephanie ate waffles and
drank tea.
Page 32 • February 2010
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Dominique takes an in-depth look at the stars
The constellation of
Aquarius was one
of the earliest to be
recognized. It was discovered
and named by the Greeks.
They saw it as Ganymede, the
water bearer. Ganymede was
the son of Tros who was the
king of Troy.
While tending his father’s
flocks on Mount Ida, Ganymede
was spotted by Jupiter.
The king of gods became
enamored of the boy and flew
down to the mountain in the
form of a large bird, whisking
Ganymede away to the
heavens. Ever since, the boy has
served as cupbearer to the gods.
This constellation is placed
in the sky near other watery
constellations, including a
dolphin (Delphinus), the sea
monster (Cetus) and the two
fishes (Pisces).
In modern times, this
constellation was immortalized
by the counterculture of the
1960s, which proclaimed the
Age of Aquarius. This was a
bit premature, as the Aquarian
Age will not actually begin for
another 600 years. As astrological
age is identified by the
name of the constellation, in
which the vernal equinox (the
position of the Sun on the first
day of spring, March 21) is
located. This location moves
slowly from one zodiac constellation
to the next because
of the Earth’s procession.
This month’s Retrograde
Planets: Mars started its
backward motion on Dec. 20
at 19 degrees Leo. Its forward
motion will resume again on
March 10 at zero degrees of
Leo. Saturn is still retrograde.
It will move from 4 to 2 degrees
of Libra by month end.
Then on April 8, it will move
into Virgo where it will stay
until it starts moving forward
Image courtesy PhotoBucket
Ganymede was the cupbearer to the gods in Greek mythology.
at 27 Virgo on May 29.
The following paragraphs
are broken down by weeks.
Saturday the 6th, Jupiter
Pisces sextile Pluto Capricorn
generates an abundance of
power that could be used in
spiritual and practical ways.
This positive paring can be
beneficial and powerful. Psychological
insights are possible.
Many will find it is easier to go
deeper into trance or meditation
at this time. This energy
will last a day or two before
and after this date (4, 5, 6, 7,
8)* Also on this day we have
Mercury Capricorn sextile
Uranus Pisces. This combination
pairs practical thinking
with creativity. It is good for
generating ideas as well as
making it easier to find solutions.
Attributes of Uranus are
originality and inventiveness.
Its influence could also bring
up the unexpected, especially
when related to communication.
(5, 6, 7)
The second week starts
with Venus conjunct Neptune
Aquarius. These planets
working together can inspire
amicable feelings and at best,
romance. Neptune energy can
highlight the unconventional,
as well as the spiritual. Venus
adds beauty and love, which
could make it easier to be able
to feel the energy of and/or
a connectedness with loved
ones. (7, 8) Mercury enters
Aquarius on the Wednesday
the 10. On the next day, Venus
goes into Pisces. Mercury
Aquarius trine Saturn Libra is
exact on Friday the 12th. The
positive attributes of this combination
include disciplined
thinking, creativity and ability
to take deliberate action. (12,
13) Saturday, with Mercury
opposite Mars in Leo, it would
be best to wait for another
time to start new projects or
to put ideas into action. The
clash could be between logic
and emotions. This could be
felt as early as a day before and
a few days after. (12, 13, 14)
We also have the New Moon
at 25 Aquarius which will be
exact at 7:53 p.m. (13th). This
would be a perfect time for
new beginnings. Because the
moon is in Aquarius, it would
be good to do something with
others in your community or
neighborhood. Aquarius is
about community.
The 14th starts the week
with Sun Aquarius conjunct
Neptune. Aquarius energy
has been known to enhance
higher awareness, intuition and
creativeness. This is a good time
for positive endeavors. Many
will find it easier to generate
ideas and find solutions. (14,
15, 16) Venus Pisces sextile
Pluto Capricorn is good for
gain through influential people.
Pluto paired with the planet of
beauty and love can also add
depth to meditation and spiritual
work. Their connection
will be exact on the 15th. (14,
15) Mars Leo sextile Saturn in
Libra helps us with energy to
get things done on the physical
level. This would also be positive
for relating to authorities.
Ask for something you want
or make a suggestion. (13–21)
Tuesday the 16th’s Venus
conjunct Jupiter Pisces pairs the
two benefic planets to stimulate
luck and love. This positive
combination also makes this
a good time for dealing with
finances, solving problems or
attending social functions. (15,
16, 17, 18) On Thursday the
18th, the Sun moves into the
constellation of Pisces.
Tuesday the 23rd Sun
Pisces sextile Pluto Capricorn
puts energy together with
power. It would be a good
time for making changes, especially
on the material level.
One may also find it is easier
to focus and concentrate. (22,
23, 24) The last day of this
week, the 27th, has Mercury
and Neptune conjunct in
Aquarius. These planets together
can enhance creativity,
imagination, and could make
it easier to transcend the
mundane. (26, 27, 28)
* The numbers indicate
dates that the aspect could
influence.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 33

Page 34 • February 2010
Movie
Reviews
by Jason Allen
Movies that
won’t make
you dumber
We all seem to
think that we are
surrounded by
idiots, on the roads, on the
TV, in our political arena,
but “stupidity” as a scientific
subject of inquiry has been
studied hardly at all. Although
we spend millions of
dollars examining the effects
of cow farts upon our ozone
layer, we don’t spend any
money researching what makes
us stupid or the effects of it
upon our lives and ecosystems,
which really is a shame considering
it has far more serious
effects than cow farts.
The movie “Stupidity”
starts off with a series of
street interviews just asking
people to define stupidity.
Most are either speechless or
incoherent. The film itself is
presented very scientifically
from a rather detached point
of view, as a good documentary
should be, but the
subject matter, examples and
interviews are nothing short
of hilarious.
“Stupidity” is well-written
with witty insights. It includes
Stupidity
America’s common denominator
definitions and the origins of
our favorite derogatory terms
for the thought challenged.
It also includes the formation
and implementation of
the I.Q. test as the dominant
judge of human intelligence.
This film describes some
of the processes and tactics
by which the media outlets
dumb down their products in
order to appeal to the inner
idiot in all of us, and the effect
of this upon society as a
whole.
One tactic I think is great is
the practice of writing material
for TV and print that is
targeted at an audience which
is much younger than the
actual audience, which leads
older people to think that the
media is targeted at a younger
crowd, while the younger
people think it’s targeted at an
older crowd.
The tried and true philosophy
of marketing is that
assuming that your audience
is educated can alienate them,
while assuming that they are
idiots pays.
It includes some of the effects
of the so-called information
super highway, and the
irony that despite the fact that
we are living in the most enlightened
age ever, with regards
to the accessibility of information,
we elevate our stupid to
levels of super-stardom.
This unsettling trend has
led to the emergence of a new
category, which can only be
classified as super-stupidity,
characterized by “Jackass”
and backyard-wrestling type
programs.
It also includes an examination
of our university system,
which has fallen from an institution
of education to one
where the young go to party
for four years. Our universities
are our national resource
for promiscuous girls (gone
wild) and drunken frat boys,
instead of a breeding ground
for the next generation of
qualified, intelligent leaders.
This fosters the mating
phenomenon, which I call
breeding down, the practice
of people being most attracted
to the ones who have the least
to offer.
When I was in college, I
enjoyed playing a game in
which I would see how long
it took to turn off a woman
by actually trying to have an
intelligent conversation with
her. (It doesn’t take very long
at all).
Stupidity also delves into
the effects of our culture of
stupidity upon our planet
by destroying its ecosystems,
which have been formed for
millions of years to foster an
environment conducive to
supporting life. We somehow
believe that we are so supreme
that we can survive independently
of our planet and that
we somehow “own” it, which
is so absurdly arrogant that
it can only be described as
stupid.
The movie culminates with
a section analyzing one man
who characterizes most of
these traits. Yes, as you may
have guessed, it’s our former
President Bush, with his
baffling actions and unique
speech patterns. It also asks
what sort of a population
could elect a man to two
terms who can’t even form
coherent sentences
One of my family’s sayings
is “If you don’t think you’ve
got anything left to learn,
then it’s time to die” and
I have always really found
this to be good advice, for
it encourages constant self
improvement. I believe that if
you wish to avoid something,
then you need to educate
yourself on it, and therefore,
I deem “Stupidity” to be
another “must see.” It’s not
only incredibly informative,
but also is a very entertaining
film, which makes watching it
very easy.
Jason Allen is the advertising
art director for Earth Odyssey.
He received his B.F.A. in studio
arts from the University of
South Carolina. His artwork
has been featured in group and
solo shows in New Jersey, South
Carolina and Arizona. Jason
teaches photography at Yavapai
College. He is a career artist
specializing in found art.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Part 2
Returning from
Verde Hot springs
By Bob Matthews
air, the scent of a campfire—
Floating in very warm
water just looking up at
the stars has to be one of
life’s most surreal experiences.
After about 40 shooting
stars, the time came for me to
head back across the river to
my campsite.
Being relaxed and toasty
warm, my route home was to
be the swimming one. I put
all my gear in waterproof bags
and with little trepidation, I
jumped into that cold water,
and swam as fast as I could to
the opposite bank.
Once on land, I walked to
an area that has more game
trails and provides opportunity
for tracking by moonlight.
Night tracking requires
not only eye training and ear
work, but also the added need
for stealth. Human advantage
is less at night.
Willows and tamarisk provide
tree cover on this trail.
These trees are generally small
but grow in dense clumps.
I walked slowly and quietly
to avoid disturbing even the
smallest rock.
Along the riverbank was a
huge embankment of flood
debris. The mound provided
a spot to rest, wait and listen
to the night creatures moving
around. The cold night meant
some of the river noise was
lessened—no frogs or crickets
and not a single grasshopper.
Water sounds are a challenge
to separate. First is
the steady gurgle, as time
progresses the more active
bubbling at the top of the
rapid, next is the rolling drop
as the water flows over the lip
of rock air born for a second
before merging with the very
active water below.
I weeded out noises.
Behind me in the wood pile,
rodents were nibbling. The
sounds of an owl could be
heard high on the cliff. He
was a great horned owl with a
good boom to his voice.
If I had kept walking, the
“Splat! Splat! Splat! sound
would have been lost. It was
silent, then a low rumbling—
the sound of contentment just
a few feet down the trail. I
took a long slow look. I could
just see what appeared to be
a stick the width of a child’s
wrist.
The stick was protruding
out from the main shadow
up away from the water. But
sticks do not curl and uncurl,
which is what the end of that
stick was doing. The tip of
that stick was darker for about
four inches of the narrow end.
The motion was slow and
gentle, which is why I did not
see it at first glance.
With great care and low,
slow breathing, I adjusted my
position partly to improve
my view and also to improve
my safety. A better angle and
moonlight brought the sight
in front of me into clear view.
Twenty feet away was
a young mountain lion
enjoying a long slow drink. I
guessed it was a male from its
body language. The cat felt
really safe. He had no clue
that he was being watched.
He had started to drink
again, but more slowly, like a
child trying to force that last
sip of soda down.
A new smell wafted on the
someone else had arrived at
the campground and they
were cooking. The smell of
cologne was also on the air.
The cat stretched for this
new smell. As he stretched, his
inner radar kicked in and he
realized he was not alone.
I smelled of river and hot
springs, cows, sulphur and
fish. A confused cocktail for
even the smartest Felix concolor.
He stepped backwards
to the riverbank closer to me.
A quandary Do I sit quiet
and extend this experience
Do I chance his getting way
too close for his safety I
would not hurt him, but even
a brief nonthreating experience
could turn curiosity into
blurred behavior. He should
learn to be aware and elusive.
But from across the river’s
rocky shallows came footsteps
and the smell from city folk.
Please refrain from bug spray!
It is acrid in summer, not
needed in winter. The smell
leaves a residue on everything
it touches.
The cat was not reacting
to me! That could be a bigger
problem! Now his natural
escape route was blocked. As
the cat moved a couple more
steps, I tapped my pole on the
rock in front of me. He froze.
My companion of the night
knew he could be in danger.
I spoke low “Easy, Easy, I am
not a threat. Go!”
The cat took a quick jump
to the side and away from
me and the other human. A
clearly visible shadow was
across the river walking down
to cross the shallows.
I made movement noise
to reduce the surprise this
person might get (gun toting
and surprises are not a good
match). The steps slowed. I
walked to the crossing’s edge.
“Hey there, how are you
doing” I called. It really
surprised me when the voice
across the river responded
“Bloody hell, what’s another
Brit doing out here in bloody
nowhere”
Winter visits to the hot
springs are the best, I replied.
He was Kevin, from London,
who has lived in Phoenix
10 years. I told him I am
from Sussex and have lived in
Arizona for 20 years.
He asked if I had seen an
animal jump up the cliff.
Kevin pointed in the general
direction that the cat traveled.
Do I tell him about the
cat Do I chance his safety
It seemed to me that the lion
was going to be very shaken
up at his encounter with me
and likely to stay well away
from humans for a while.
The odds of meeting
another Englishman late at
night in the Arizona backcountry
were much higher
than a cat being a problem.
I chose to keep my secret. I
said good evening and moved
along to my campsite.
It was only about 20 yards
along the trail when I noticed
that some small rock was
moving way up on my right!
Turn about is fair play.
When I got back to my
campsite, I lit a fire, had some
tea, and soon got into my
sleeping sack. Hypothermia is
my favorite sleep aid.
Bob Matthews is owner of
Horizon Tracking Service LLC.
He can be reached by e-mail to:
bmtracker45@yahoo.com.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 35

By Sarah McLean
Resolutions can only
truly be made once
you forgive yourself
and others, and then look
ahead with a new resolve. It is
about becoming clear, setting
intentions and setting goals.
Whether you’ve made resolutions
and already forgotten
them, or you’re reading this in
March, or even December, it’s
never too late to start a new
habit. Here are a few I like to
aim for.
1When you wake up each
morning, complete the
following statement: Today
I’ll put my attention on (fill
in the blank with an empowering
intention: Bliss, Silence,
Joy, Spontaneous Right
Action, Loving others, loving
myself, etc.)” Or simply say,
“Thank You.”
2Go ahead; learn something
new, something
that will nourish your mind
and body, like painting, yoga
dance or meditation. Even if
things like that scare you.
3Give yourself time to
take care of yourself: your
mind, your body and your
soul. Flight attendants have
the right idea; put your oxygen
mask on before you try to
take care of everyone else.
4Take a 10 to 30 minute
walk in nature every day.
Without talking on your cell
phone. And while you walk,
smile to yourself and give yourself
at least 10 full deep breaths.
5Give your time to people
over the age of 70 and
under the age of 20. Or, if
you are over 70 or under 20,
Page 36 • February 2010
25 resolutions that will
work for you year round
choose to be with generations
other than your own.
6Say what you mean. Say
yes when you mean yes,
and no when you mean no.
You’ll make it easy on yourself
and everyone else this way.
And you’ll save a lot of time.
7Listen, literally, to those
who are telling you what
they mean, and believe them.
Don’t be a mind reader.
8Dream more while you
are awake. Ask yourself
what you really want, and
then simply listen. The answers
will come. Promise. As
my friend Byron Katie says,
“The answer always meets
the question.”
9Sit in silence and meditate
for at least 15 minutes
each day; it clears the channels
of communication
between you and your source.
Buy a lock if you have to. You
can start right now.
Eat more foods that
10grow on trees and
plants and eat fewer foods that
are manufactured in plants.
Drink plenty of water,
11and not out of plastic
bottles.
Reduce, reuse and
12 recycle—even more
than last year. It’s a sweet
thing to do, as we are all
sharing this planet. And add
rethink, repurpose, remember.....
refuse.
Give away anything
13you don’t find useful,
beautiful or joyful. Clear your
clutter from your house, your
car, your desk, your computer
and your relationships, and
make room for new gifts
into your life. Fix those little
things that drive you crazy
day after day.
Don’t contaminate
14your body with toxins:
whether they are toxic food or
drink, toxic emotions or toxic
relationships. Choose nourishing
experiences for yourself.
You know what they are.
15
Give your time and
your talents freely to
others, and practice receiving
what the universe provides.
The universe is always on
your side.
16
Figure out what is your
business and take care
of it, what is other people’s
business and stay out of it
(what other people think of
you is none of your business),
and leave God’s business up
to him or her.
17
You don’t have to win
every argument, or
get the last word. Agree to
disagree, or see what happens
when you remain silent.
18
This moment, this one
right now, is the only
moment there really is. Don’t
struggle against this moment
because you will be struggling
against the whole universe.
Acceptance is key. And if you
don’t like it, you can still intend
for things to be different
in the future.
19
Listen to your body’s
wisdom when it expresses
itself through signals of
comfort and discomfort. When
making a choice, ask yourself,
“How do I feel about this”
and pay attention to your body.
Bodies don’t lie, and they are
always in the present moment.
20
Don’t compare or judge
your life or others’ lives.
You have no idea what their
path in life is all about. As the
saying goes, karma is unfathomable.
Go ahead and burn
21 those beautiful candles,
use the good china and wear
your fancy lingerie now. Stop
waiting for a special occasion,
or the perfect date. Date
yourself. You are the one
you’ve been waiting for.
22
Relinquish your need
for external approval.
You are the wise one. Listen
to your intuition. You usually
do know best.
23
Know that the world
“out there” reflects
your reality “in here.” The
people you react most strongly
to, whether with love or
hate, are projections of your
inner world. You can learn
from those who drive you
crazy, or whom you admire.
What you most hate is what
you most deny in yourself.
What you most love is what
you most wish for in yourself.
24
When you think a
thought that causes
you stress, before you believe
the thought, ask yourself if
it is really true, and who you
would be if you didn’t believe
that thought. How would
you live your life without the
thought You might find a
moment of peace.
25
Each night before you
go to bed complete
the following statement: “I
am grateful for these three
things …” Or simply say,
“Thank You.”
Sarah McLean is the director
of Sedona Meditation Training
& Retreats and is certified and
recommended by Dr. Deepak
Chopra. She can be reached via
e-mail at sarah@sedonameditation.com
or phone at 928-204-
0067. You can also visit online
at www.SedonaMeditation.com.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

The healing power of animal
communication works
An elephant’s trunk has
40,000 muscles and tendons,
which makes it very strong
and flexible, allowing an
elephant to pluck a delicate
Fun Fact
Animal communication
is part of a group
of holistic modalities
that can help animals and
their people in times of emotional
or physical difficulty.
Frequently, communication
alone is a powerful healing
tool—the animal simply
needs to tell her story, express
her viewpoint and be understood,
and the behavioral or
physical issue will resolve.
Sometimes, the situation
requires other supportive help
as well, including energy healing,
other holistic modalities
or a trip to the veterinarian.
One of the greatest joys in
my work is seeing how simply
understanding an animal and
listening to them fully can
facilitate deep emotional and
physical healing, and help to
guide people to the right additional
help for their animal.
Many animal communicators
have learned that
the counseling and healing
techniques used with humans
are also very effective with
animals, and often take much
less time than with a human
client.
A recent example from my
practice was with a Border
Collie/Aussie mix named
Boots. Boots was a rescued
dog, and although he had
made a lot of progress in his
new home with loving people,
he had recently become more
nervous, fearful and disoriented,
not even wanting his
person to touch him.
When I communicated
with Boots, he told me of
trauma from his previous life
that had been re-activated,
causing him great emotional
and physical pain. I listened
to his story and helped him
to release the pain that was
stored in his body from his
past, particularly in his hindquarters,
using distance Reiki
(healing energy) and some
basic counseling techniques.
As Boots poured out his
story to me, I felt a tremendous
release of energy and a
deep “sigh” of relaxation from
him. After our session, Boots’
person wrote to tell me that
for the first time in a long time
she was able to cuddle with
him, rub and scratch him, and
that she saw his soul in his eyes
again and felt that she had her
precious dog back.
A few weeks later, she wrote
again to tell me that she had
been able to groom him on his
hind end, where previously he
wouldn’t allow any touch, and
that he continues to be much
more relaxed and happy.
When a client consults with
me about a physical problem
with their animal, I always
recommend that they consult
with a veterinarian, if they
haven’t already.
Animal communication
can often assist clients in
determining which course of
flower or lift a huge log.
Elephants use their trunks for
touching, grasping, sucking,
spraying, smelling and
striking.
treatment or training is best
for their animal.
I worked with a cat recently
who had severe digestive difficulty
and was consistently
unable to make it to the litter
box. The cat’s person had
spent thousands of dollars on
medical tests and treatment,
which had found nothing,
and it was suggested to her
that the problem was either
behavioral or that her cat was
getting senile.
Understandably, the situation
was creating a great deal
of stress in the household, and
the person was reluctantly
considering euthanasia for
her cat.
When I communicated
with the cat, he told me
repeatedly, “This is not an
emotional or behavioral
problem. I cannot control
my bowels and my body feels
very uncomfortable. I love my
people, I am happy with my
life, there is nothing wrong
with me mentally, but there
is something very wrong with
my body.”
Energy work helped to
relieve his anxiety and discomfort,
but it did not solve
the problem. I encouraged
my client to continue to seek
Animal Communication
By Nancy Windheart
the right medical treatment
for her cat. After some time,
a more sophisticated blood
test that had been previously
unavailable finally revealed
a deficiency that led to the
correct treatment for the
problem.
In this case, clear communication
from the cat helped
to guide his person to further
medical treatment, rather
than continuing with “behavioral”
solutions that weren’t
helping the situation.
Nancy Windheart is a animal
communicator who lives in
Prescott, Ariz. She offers in-person
and long-distance animal
communication consultations,
and teaches basic and advanced
courses in animal communication.
Nancy is a staff writer
for Species Link, the Journal
of Interspecies Telepathic
Communication, and is also a
certified Reiki practitioner. For
more information, see www.
CommunicateWithYourAnimals.com,
or contact Nancy at
nancy@CommunicateWithYourAnimals.com,
928-227-
2868.
Installation and Repairs
+ Can be powered by photovoltaic panels
+ Maintenance FREE
+ Allergen FREE
+ Quiet & nonintrusive
+ Conserves energy
+ 35+ years experience
Contact Bill Allen (928) 717-2412
For a free consultation
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 37

Begin a new tradition with
living Christmas trees
Now that the holidays
are over I would like
to share something
that happened to me on
Christmas Day.
A friend showed up at my
door with a Christmas tree
that was worth $64 on the
Christmas tree market.
My heart sank since I do
not believe in cutting down
trees for a holiday tradition.
Why cut down a live tree This
leaves a tremendous carbon
footprint on our environment.
I would have been very delighted
to receive a living tree,
which I could have planted on
the property where I reside.
The number two cause of
man-made carbon emissions
is deforestation. By planting
new trees at the rate that we
are consuming forest resources
we can eliminate 25 percent of
our carbon output.
Each person uses 749
pounds of paper a year and 35
percent of cut trees are used
in the paper industry. Two
hundred thousand trees are
cut down every year to make
holiday cards.
Each year 33 million to 36
million trees are cut down for
Christmas trees. Yes, many of
these trees are grown on farms,
but how many trees are really
being replanted
If we would replant three
trees for every tree cut down,
then we have a renewable
resource in our environment.
Yes, Christmas trees are biodegradable
and can be shredded
Page 38 • February 2010
for mulch and wood chips.
But I ask, “Why cut them
down in the first place”
Plenty of dead trees are laying
on the ground that can be
mulched and wood chipped.
Why not buy a living
tree—one that is potted or
ready to be planted in the
yard following the festivities of
Christmas
One tree absorbs approximately
500 pounds of carbon
in 10 years. It takes up to 10
years to grow a 7-foot to 8-
foot Christmas tree.
EEKS, what are we doing,
folks Once you cut that
tree, it lasts for up to 10 days
indoors and then it becomes
recycled garbage.
It doesn’t make sense to
me, so I would like to offer a
solution and a way to make a
positive impact for the end of
our 2010 year.
I am addressing this early
in the year to give you time to
find a alternative for next year.
Hey, New York City; hey,
White House: Take a tip and
do something good for our
environment. The trees you
cut down to decorate are
more than 20 feet tall, you do
the math.
It took between 20 and
30 years to grow. This is a
destructive tradition that needs
to be addressed.
This year’s national Christmas
tree was an 85-foot blue
spruce that traveled 4,600
miles from Arizona to Washington,
D.C. The caravan
that traveled across country
included a semi-truck that
not only carried that tree, but
also 80 other trees that were
cut down from the Apache
Sitegraves National Forest
to decorate various federal
buildings. Additionally, six
other vehicles were part of the
caravan to haul 11 people who
“escorted” the trees.
Before even leaving the
state, that circus visited 28
communities over a 10-day
period. In each community,
streets were closed and a police
escort was provided.
Our government needs to
take the lead and show people
a positive intent toward our
planet’s future and this was not
how to do it.
The following information
is provided by wikiHow at
www.wikihow.com.
Think ahead. Before you
actually go shopping for a
living Christmas tree, take the
following into consideration:
Tree digging stops once the
ground freezes.
Unless you can find a nursery
or farm that carries pre-potted
trees, you’ll have to do your
shopping before the ground in
your area freezes. This means
you may have to purchase the
tree several weeks before Christmas
and find a proper place to
store it, such as a patio.
It can’t be kept indoors for
any more than seven to 10 days
or else it may die. Three to five
days indoors is preferable so
that the buds remain dormant
and the tree avoids “winter kill”
when moved outside.
Consider when the tree can
be planted. In some areas, the
holiday season is an ideal time
to plant trees. If this is not
the case in your region, the
tree will need to be stored and
cared for outdoors until a good
planting time arrives. Make
sure that the tree will fit into
your landscape and that the
type of tree you are considering
will ultimately thrive in
your local environment.
Some trees used as Christmas
trees will eventually reach
heights of 40 to 60 feet! If coniferous
trees are uncommon
in your area, the environment
may not be conducive to them
(e.g., arid regions) and you’ll
have to look for drought-tolerant
species (e.g., Arizona
cypress).
If you don’t want to plant
the tree on your property, find
a neighbor, friend or organization
who does want it, and
make an agreement before you
purchase the tree.
Keep in mind that living
trees are much heavier than
cut trees because they come
with roots and soil that must
be kept constantly moist. For
example, a 5 foot to 6 foot tall
balled and burlaped tree can
weighs up to 200 pounds!
It may not be wise to
purchase a living tree if you
can’t move it around without
hurting yourself or damaging
the tree (e.g., bad back, small
doorways, stairs). If you anticipate
difficulty moving the
tree, consider buying a small,
container tree.
To read more of this article
and watch a video go to www.
wikihow.com. Choose-a-Living-Christmas-Tree.
Do Mother Earth a favor
and plan ahead for the next
holiday and consider planting
a living tree instead. We need
to start a new tradition.
Patricia Melchi is a writer,
artist and avid recycler who
lives in Strawberry, Ariz. She
can be reached via e-mail at
patriciamelchi@yahoo.com.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Tools for transformation
‘The Work’ with Byron Katie
There are many techniques
and tools and
modalities designed
for self-transformation.
Indeed, there are so many it is
often difficult to know where
to start.
They all claim to work, and
I suspect they all do. The real
key to success, however, is
finding an approach that not
only resonates with you—
suits your particular view of
the world—but also one that
you can do yourself.
While often you will need
a facilitator to get started and
master the approach, it is
important that you be able to
continue the growth on your
own. I believe “The Work”
by Byron Katie satisfies these
criteria.
This is the most profound
approach I have yet discovered.
Byron Katie is an ordinary
housewife who went through
an extraordinary period of
depression and isolation,
which allowed her to discover
the “Work,” a form of
inquiry designed to identify
and transform our personal
“stories.”
And we have so many!
Indeed, our lives are not based
upon reality at all, but instead
this vast collection of beliefs
and memories that we have
made up as we go along.
Katie notes, “the only time
we suffer is when we believe
a thought that argues with
what is…. The Work reveals
that what you think shouldn’t
have happened should have
happened. It should have
happened because it did, and
no thinking in the world can
change it…. I am a lover of
what is, not because I am a
This is where the great
burden of our thoughts
gets lifted. This is where
we realize that those
we have been judging
haven’t been experiencing
the suffering, we have.
spiritual person, but because
it hurts when I argue with
reality.”
I personally summarize
this Work by asking, when
did God die and put you in
charge
The Work is quite simple.
“Judge your neighbor. Write
it down. Ask four questions.
Turn it around.”
The four questions appear
simple and can be applied to
any thought, relationship or
event:
1) Is it true
2) Can you absolutely know
that it’s true
3) How do you react, what
happens, when you believe
that thought
4) Who would you be without
the thought”
Answer each one slowly and
feel your answer. Through this
process of inquiry we discover
that most of what we think
and believe is just a mental
projection, and is thoroughly
incapable of proof.
Worse, we suffer from these
false thoughts, not those
whom we judge. But the real
transformation comes when
we put this all into practice
through the “turnarounds.”
This is where we reverse the
thoughts and apply them to
ourselves, where we not only
take full responsibility, stepping
out of victim mode, but
also we also honor the reality
that life reflects back to us
that which we most need to
change within us.
All conflict can be seen
then as a gift, a mirror in
which we finally can see our
true selves.
Reading examples of this
Work does not do it justice.
It really needs to be experienced.
But here is a common
example that Katie uses.
My husband Paul does not
listen to me. First, there is no
way to be certain this is true,
or even that it should be true.
(If Katie is right, and reality is
simply what is, Paul shouldn’t
listen to you, because he
doesn’t!)
Next, ask yourself how
you feel when you have
that thought Odds are that
it makes YOU feel bad or
inadequate in some way.
Finally, ask who would you be
without that thought
This is where the great
burden of our thoughts gets
lifted. This is where we realize
that those we have been judging
haven’t been experiencing
the suffering, we have.
But the real growth occurs
when we turn these thoughts
around. This is where we give
practical application to the
notions that:
1) reality is just a projection
of our minds and
2) reality is mirroring that
which WE most need to see
clearly.
Following the example, we
state the opposite, Paul does
listen to me. We then apply it
to ourselves, I don’t listen to
me, and then to the other, I
By Michael Davis
don’t listen to Paul.
To reinforce these new
thoughts, we find genuine
examples of how each turnaround
is actually true in our
life!
By seeing how completely
the original thought is a
function of the story we have
manufactured, we transform
our suffering into self-growth.
This process may seem too
simple to you. And that is its
beauty. Once you have been
introduced to The Work and
the process of inquiry, you
can do this yourself, on every
thought that brings you pain.
Change your thoughts,
change your life. But don’t
underestimate The Work by
its simplicity.
If the notion that reality is
just a projection of your mind
is true, you will begin to magically
see others change even
though it is only you who are
doing The Work. Paul will
begin to listen to you!
If you are interested in
pursuing these ideas further, I
will be presenting The Work
at a free lecture on Feb. 9
at 5:30 p.m. at Mountain
Spirit Co-Op in downtown
Prescott.
Michael Davis is CEO of
Energy Medicine Foundation
and a member of the Mountain
Spirit Co-Op in Prescott. He is
the creator of Vibrational Realignment,
a unique approach
to spiritual healing, and can be
reached at 928-254-0775 or at
VibrationalRealignment.com.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 39

The soil makes all the difference
Heirloom seeds and plants,
whether they are vegetables,
herbs or flowers are more popular
than ever now, as more people learn
about the amazing taste and scent differences
between the supermarket vegetables
and home-grown ones. People are also realizing
there is much more selection and
choice in starting plants from seeds than
buying seedlings and starts from their
local garden centers. On top of this, the
local food movement is gaining traction
and has been growing in double digits for
the past seven to nine years. Local foods
include Farmer’s Markets, Community
Supported Agriculture (CSAs), neighborhood
food swaps and buying directly
from the farmer at on-farm stands. All
of this is great news for people eating
healthier and tastier foods than ever
before. One important link in the food
chain that is missing, however, is soil and
the understanding of creating or growing
fertile soil, with all of the benefits that
come with healthy soil.
The best heirloom seeds can only grow
to their full potential in healthy, living
fertile soil. So what exactly is healthy soil
It is much more than just dirt with some
compost and fertilizers mixed in. It is
truly living—host to thousands of organisms
in many communities that all do different
things to provide the most available
nutrients and minerals to the plant roots
in the soil. It is in the soil where everything
begins. Everything that we need to
grow and remain in good health starts
with the health of the soil.
Dr. Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel
Prize winner stated, “You can trace every
sickness, every disease and every ailment
to a mineral deficiency.” Minerals are the
most basic building blocks for nutrition,
both in the plants and humans.
Without the proper minerals, every other
part of the nutritional chain is compromised—nothing
else works. Amino acids,
enzymes, vitamins and other nutrients are
all dependent on minerals.
This starts in the plants that we eat,
and continues in our bodies. If we want
the best benefits from our gardening efforts,
we need to build and grow the best,
most alive and healthy soil possible. Only
Page 40 • February 2010
Heirloom Garden
Seeds & Stories
by Cindy and Stephen Scott
then will we be able to grow the best
gardens that will in turn give us the best
taste and nutrition possible.
The health and vitality of the soil
directly affects what the plant can take
in, and this impacts what nutrition we
receive. For example, a tomato grown in
natural, healthy soil will take up 56 minerals!
That same tomato can be chemically
grown with as few as seven to 12
minerals, and its taste and nutrition will
match. The interesting thing is that the
chemically grown tomato will look good,
until it is compared with the naturally
grown one. Most fruits and vegetables in
the supermarket are commercially grown,
which means chemically grown.
The true nutrition of the plant depends
entirely on the mineral content of the
soil. Plants use the minerals in soil to
create vitamins and phytonutrients, or
plant-created nutrients. What is frightening
is that most vegetables that we eat
from the supermarket are nutritionally
deficient, due to the lack of minerals in
the soil where they were grown. This is
what industrial chemical agriculture has
brought us.
Building or growing living and
naturally healthy soil starts with some
mindset changes. Most of these are easy
for the home gardener, such as quality
over quantity. Maximum yield growing is
not a normal concept for the home gardener,
but is forefront for the industrial
producer. Eliminating chemical use that
destroys the living organisms that create
the soil and its nutrients is sometimes
hard to accept, but all bugs are not bad in
the garden. Most bugs go for weakened
or nutritionally deficient plants, so they
are the symptom, not the true problem.
Getting rid of the bugs doesn’t solve the
underlying nutrient deficiency, only the
appearance of the plants.
When you dig into the soil and see
lots of worms, pill bugs, and other little
crawly things, along with some white
mold, this is great! This is exactly what
you want to see, as all of these factors
combine to break down the compost and
other matter into nutrients and minerals
that can be used by the plants. When this
is happening, the soil has its very own
completely operational ecosystem. This is
healthy soil.
There are many really good reference
books on what is and how to grow
healthy soil, but the premise is easy. Soil
must be fed, kept away from chemicals
and allowed to develop its multiple layers
of living communities that enrich the soil.
Encouragement of all the living things
that make up the soil such as worms,
pillbugs, fungi, molds, nematodes and
bacteria will keep the soil vibrant and
fertile. Once this process is ongoing, the
production, flavor and nutrition of the
garden will be amazing!
Stephen and Cindy Scott are the owners
of Terroir Seeds LLC, home of Underwood
Gardens. They supply the finest heirloom
vegetable, flower and herb garden seeds,
unique books and great tools. They can be
reached at 888-878-5247 or www.underwoodgardens.com.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Music is a language that the
spirit understands clearly
Life is a delicate balance
and all living things are
created with a harmonious
proportion of elements
and energy.
One of the unique aspects
of being human is our ability
to influence, change and
manipulate this balance for
better or for worse.
Our perceptions provide us
a foundation upon which we
make choices. These choices
strengthen the balance or
imbalance we experience in
our lives.
When there is balance we
experience inner peace and
serenity. Imbalance provides
opportunity for discomfort
and disease to exist and grow.
For most of us, finding this
balance can be challenging.
At times it may seem like
a war; an inner conflict of
positive and negative forces,
each wanting control of our
thoughts and actions.
All of us have experienced
the consequences of acting
from a place of negativity. We
ought to remember that there
is no winning in the game
of war; whether it is inside
ourselves or outside in the
world, there is no possibility
of winning a war.
The only means of ending
a war is creating balance.
When we create inner
balance, we are serving the
energy we are made of and we
honor the very source of what
we are.
Collectively, we are all energy
and made of the same life
force and we are connected
on profound levels.
Because we are human, we
have the unique ability to
determine where we receive
Photo by Masato Kubota
our energy from and how we
use it.
Contentment, serenity
and inner peace will provide
us with the fuel we need to
navigate our life in a positive
and productive manner.
Anger, frustration, sadness,
jealousy and envy will provide
us with short-term energy,
but only enough to stay in
that state.
Beyond that, we are
exhausted because it depletes
more energy than it creates.
Negative energy always takes
more than it provides.
Being happy will allow us
to create a balance in our life.
We are more easily able to
flow with what may come our
way and navigate life from
a positive perspective. We
need to create a balance of
mind, body and spirit in our
everyday life.
If we allow ourselves to get
out of balance with any of
these, we create negative energy.
Tame the mind, invigorate
the body and empower
the spirit.
There are ways we can
create balance; be your passion,
align your thoughts
and actions with your heart,
pay attention to silence and
stillness and play or listen to
music that allows your spirit
to fly.
Music is a language that the
spirit understands so clearly.
Listening to or playing music
enables you to connect with
your spirit.
This direct connection allows
you to access the wisdom
of your spirit. Your spirit contains
all the wisdom you need
to experience balance, peace,
contentment and serenity.
Of course, playing music
will provide you a more deep
connection with your spirit,
but listening to music that
has been infused with life
force energy can be just as effective.
It can be challenging
to find this kind of music.
A good place to start is any
indigenous and ceremonial
music. Look for music that is
played for more than 20 minutes
without stopping. This
will provide you a minimum
time frame to devote to connecting
with your spirit.
Some of this music may
sound strange or discordant
to your ear, but do not judge
the sound, it is created this
way for a very important
reason, to distract your mind
and allow you to connect
with your spirit.
Indigenous peoples around
the world are experts in
connecting mind, body and
spirit. The aesthetics may be
strange to us at times, but
that is yet another opportunity
for us to expand our
perceptions and boundaries
so that we may see the value
that music has for us in connecting
with spirit.
If you are looking for music
for this purpose, I recommend
any Native American
Pow Wow drumming music
or solo flute music. You may
want to find music with Tibetan
horns and bowls or the
Australian Didgeridoo.
Also, the continent of
Africa contains thousands of
ethnicities with ceremonial
music.
In addition, I have created
three CDs, each with a different
purpose and all contain
channeled life force energy.
The music is out there
and now with the world at
our fingertips, the Internet
contains almost every kind of
music you are looking for to
help you create a balance of
energy in your life.
Martin Klabunde is a light
worker, cosmic walker and
dance maker, who has more
than 20 years of teaching,
performance and class and
workshop facilitation. He is the
director of The Dambe Project—a
Tucson based nonprofit
organization that specializes in
youth mentorship and uses West
African performance art—and
Kalumba—an organization
committed to providing opportunities
for spiritual awakening
to all people. Martin is
available to travel to your
town to facilitate classes, workshops,
ceremonies as well as
for concerts and performances.
For more information, contact
Martin at 520-245-4547,
martin@kalumba.org or www.
kalumba.org.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 41

New Jersey photographer Frank Wojciechowski
recently visited Arizona and had some fun
photographing himself with various Arizonians.
He submitted this photo essay of his visit.
Above right,
Frank and the
“frog” rock on
State Highway 169.
In the film strip, from
top, Frank took this shot
through the car’s windshield
as he entered Sedona. Next, a
Native American man and his
son had a roadside stand selling
fry bread, which Frank sampled.
Frank and “Elvis” in a shop in Jerome.
Frank visited Hacienda de los Milagros in
Chino Valley, and later he had a chat with
“Bucky” in Prescott’s town square. The bottom
frame captures Frank’s visit to the Granite Dells
in Prescott.
Page Earth 42 Odyssey • January • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com
2010

Recurring Events
Fourth Annual Rachel
Carson ‘Sense of Wonder’
Contest—The categories are
poetry, photography, essays
and dance. The contest seeks
to instill a sense of wonder for
the environment among all
generations and spur environmental
stewardship. Entries
must be from a team of two
or more persons from both
younger and older generations.
The deadline is June
16, 2010. For more info, see
www.epa.gov/aging/resources/
thesenseofwonder/index.htm.
Celiac (gluten free) Support
Group, Payson. We will provide
important resources and
information for people on
gluten-free diets. Snacks will
be provided from Gluten Free
creations bakery in Phoenix!
Contact Christine for more
information 928-595-2379.
Monday nights, 7 p.m.—
Self Search/Channeled
Readings, The Way To The
Light Within, Phoenix. This
class has been going on for
over 12 years now. In the first
part of the class, Dominique
uses her psychic ability and
StarWheel tiles to give each
participant a mini reading.
Bring your questions about
anything you want to know,
because in the second part of
the class Dominique connects
to her own, as well as your
guides, to get answers and
guidance for you. Dominique
is also a medium and can
connect with and give you
information from departed
loved ones or friends. $20,
Call 602-279-2941 to reserve
your place.
Thursdays, Vibrational Realignment,
a unique form of
spiritual healing, with Mike
Davis at Mountain Spirit Co-
Op, 107 N. Cortez St., Suite
100, Prescott. For more info
or an appointment, call
928-862-0594.
Saturdays, 9 a.m., Cottonwood,
Prescott Valley,
Scottsdale, Flagstaff and
Kingman—Saturday Solar
Seminars presented by Arizona
Solar Power. Learn about
solar energy for your home.
Listen to a presentation on
the most up-to-date products,
how they work, and how
they can save homeowners
and even businesses money!
Question and answer session
follows, so you’re sure to leave
with a greater knowledge of
solar and how it can be one
of the smartest investments
you’ll make for yourself and
the future. Call to reserve
your place at either of our
great locations: Cottonwood
928-634-7341, Prescott Valley/Dewey
928-632-5525,
Scottsdale 480-607-5339,
Flagstaff 928-774-0753,
Kingman 877-496-0167.
First Saturday of each
month, beginning Feb. 2, 10
a.m. to 1 p.m., Prescott—
Children’s Clinic: Free Vibrational
Realignment (spiritual
healing) sessions will be offered
to children at Mountain
Spirit Co-Op, 107 N. Cortez
St. No appointment necessary.
Donation requested. For
more info, call Michael Davis
at 928-254-0775.
Sundays, 4 pm.–5:30 p.m.,
Tucson—West African
Drumming Classes with Martin
Klabunde. Learn West African
rhythms on Djembe and
Dununs. Drums available for
class use. Please RSVP. Drum
Priority will go to those who
RSVP. $75/4 weeks, drop in
fee $20. For more info, call
Martin at 520-245-4547.
Nonrecurring Events
Feb. 2, 6:15 p.m.–7:45 p.m.,
Chandler—The Fascinating
World of Hummingbirds.
Learn how you can entice
hummingbirds to come to
your yard. We’ll discuss hummingbird
feeders, nectar, and
plants that you can grow to
keep hummingbirds returning.
Learn the best hot spots
to see hummingbirds in
Arizona. For more info, call
480-782-2890, or see www.
chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.
Feb. 5, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.,
Tucson—Sacred Drumming
Healing Ceremony. Experience
a genuine healing drum
ceremony. Learn to use the
drum as the heartbeat of
Mother Earth and doorway to
the Universe! $10 per person.
The Ranch, 3742 N. Edith
Blvd. For more info, call 520-
245-4547, or e-mail martin@
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 43

kalumba.org.
Feb. 10, 6:45 p.m.–7:45
p.m., Chandler—Introduction
to Birdwatching. Two
Saturday field trips with dates
and times to be determined in
class. Optional guide books
will be available at a discounted
price. For more info, call
480-782-2890, or see www.
chandleraz.gov/veterans-oasis.
Feb. 12–15 9 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Bisbee—The 6th Annual
Bisbee Yoga Expo, “Mountain
Mind,” an extraordinary
event open to students of all
levels. Select from 30 diverse
and inspiring classes. Special
musical performance on
Saturday evening by Baraka
Moon. Includes the Bisbee
Bliss Cafe, vendors, silent
auction, private sessions,
music, dance, devotion.
Post-conference intensive by
Frank Jude Boccio. For more
info, see www.bisbeeyogaexpo.com
or call 1-888-27-
4505.
Feb. 13–Aug. 8, Phoenix—
Recycle Runway Exhibit in
Terminal 3 on level 2 at Sky
Harbor Airport. Artist Nancy
Judd transforms waste into
elegant couture fashions and
displays the Recycle Runway
Collection in airport
exhibits around the nation to
inspire people to reduce their
carbon footprint (see story in
January 2010 issue of Earth
Odyssey).
Feb. 14, 8 a.m.–9:30 a.m.,
Peoria—Registration at Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson for
the 5th annual “Bikers Soar
For Wildlife” motorcycle run
hosted by the Adobe Mountain
Wildlife Center Auxiliary.
The run will end at Dillon’s at
Scorpion Bay Marina on Lake
Pleasant, where events will
take place throughout the day,
including lunch, live music, a
raffle, 50/50 and an auction
with Indian Kenny. Riders
will be greeted by a large display
of the animals that benefit
from the generosity of the
participants. Proceeds from
this event go to the care of the
animals at Adobe Mountain
Wildlife Center. Donations
are tax deductible. For more
info, contact Sandy Cate, the
Center Director, at 623-587-
0139 or visit our Web site at
www.azwildlifecenter.net or
e-mail Sharon at bikerssoarforwildlife@hotmail.com.
Feb. 18, 12:30 1:30 p.m.,
Prescott—Free Talk on
Animal Communication with
Nancy Windheart, Adult
Center of Prescott. For more
info, call 928-778-3000.
Feb. 19, 7 p.m.–9 p.m.,
Tucson—The February series
explores Freedom, Integrating
your Spiritual path with your
life and manifesting all things
that support your path. Learn
sacred rhythms that correspond
to specific intentions.
The workshop is comprised
of lecture, learning a rhythm
and a ceremony. RSVP
required. Cost: $20 For more
info, call 520-245-4547, or
e-mail martin@kalumba.org,
kalumba.org.
Feb. 20 and 21, 1 p.m.-5
p.m., Prescott—Introduction
to Animal Communication:
The Basic Course with animal
communicator Nancy Windheart.
Learn how to communicate
with animals of any
species through the universal
language of telepathy. Creekside
Center, Prescott, AZ. For
more info, call 928-227-2868
or visit www.Communicate-
WithYourAnimals.com.
Feb. 26, 7 p.m.–8 p.m., Tucson—Meditation
to music
played by professional musicians
on authentic indigenous
instruments made from natural
materials. $15 per person.
The Ranch, 3742 N. Edith
Blvd. For more info, call 520-
245-4547, or e-mail martin@
kalumba.org, kalumba.org.
March 6, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
and March 7, 10 a.m.–5
p.m., Flagstaff—Holistic
Wellness Faire 2010, Bringing
Together Mind, Body, Spirit.
Come out and experience
a weekend of wellness, fun,
relaxation, entertainment
and learning! More than 50
alternative practitioners, body
and energy workers, intuitives,
wellness products and
more. PLUS: Free workshops,
speakers and performances!
$5 admission. Featuring musicians
Sunny Heartley and
Linda Ayers & Aziz. Sunny is
a reknown flautist, composer,
recording and producing artist.
Linda Ayers & Aziz will
perform original songs on
Native American flutes, guitar
and sitar. Location: High
Country Conference Center,
201 W. Butler, Flagstaff. For
more info, see www.azholisticevents.com/flagstaff.
March 13–14—Second
Annual Tucson Festival of
Books, University of Arizona
Campus. Flagstaff author
and artist S.D. Nelson will be
signing his new book, “Black
Elk’s Vision: A Lakota Story.”
Other authors scheduled to
attend include J.A. Jance, Elmore
Leonard, Alice Hoffman,
Dan Balz and many others.
Attendance and parking are
free. For more info, see http://
tucsonfestivalofbooks.org.
April 1 and April 8-10— Introduction
to Wildlife
Tracking, Yavapai College
Verde Valley Campus. Sign up
for Rec 102 11369. Two-hour
orientation on April 1. Field
trip on April 8-10. Three-day,
two-night field trip. This is a
fun, intense and in tents class.
Instructors Bob Matthews
and Matt Keating. For more
info, call 928-308-6548 or
send an e-mail to bmatt@
instructor.yc.edu. The best social
network is still a campfire.
April 15 and April 22-24—
Introduction to Wildlife
Tracking, Yavapai College
Prescott Campus. Sign up for
Rec 102 11267. Two-hour
orientation on April 15. Field
trip on April 22-24. Threeday,
two-night field trip. This
is a fun, intense and in tents
class. Instructors Bob Matthews
and Matt Keating. For
more info, call 928-308-6548
or send an e-mail to bmatt@
instructor.yc.edu. The best social
network is still a campfire.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 44

‘Mountain Mind’
Annual Yoga Conference in Southern Arizona
Nestled in the canyon of
the high desert mountains
of southern Arizona
is the charmingly
restored Bisbee.
Once an old copper mining town,
today it is known for its many art galleries,
gourmet roasted coffee, homemade
chocolate, fine dining and casual
restaurants, specialty shops and winding
staircases that lead to homes perched on
the mountain tops with great views.
Bisbee is also known for its annual yoga
conference each year in February.
The 6th Annual Bisbee Yoga Expo,
“Mountain Mind” will be held Feb. 12 to
Feb. 15, offering the largest selection of
teachers and classes since its origin.
The event hosts 28 diverse and inspiring
yoga classes offered by instructors
from regions throughout Arizona and
neighboring states.
Students can choose to register for one
class ($25), one day ($90) or the full expo
($140) event. It also includes the option
to attend two three-hour workshops and
a post-conference intensive.
Students and teachers have the honor
of attending the special Saturday evening
performance of “Baraka Moon.” That
concert is also open to the public with a
$10 admission at the door.
The classes begin on Friday, Feb. 12,
to jump-start the weekend. On Saturday
afternoon Sanjay Manchanda teaches a
three-hour workshop titled “Flying as
the Eagle; Union of Contemplation and
Action.”
On Sunday afternoon, Maria KaliMa
delves into “The Sacrum: Exploring the
Sacred Doorway” for another three-hour
workshop.
The event concludes with the post-conference
intensive on Monday (President’s
Day holiday) offered by Frank Jude
Boccio, “Body of Peace: Dharma Gate of
Ease and Joy.”
A portion of the proceeds and donations
from this event is given to the Migrant
Resource Center in Naco, Sonora,
Mexico. The Bisbee Expo also supports
Vitamin Angels, an international charity
saving the lives of children worldwide.
The 6th Annual Bisbee Yoga Expo is
open to all levels of experience. Continuing
Education Units (CEUs) are available
toward extensive yoga studies.
For complete information on registration,
class schedule and lodging, visit
www.bisbeeyogaexpo.com, call 1-888-
271-4505 or send an e-mail to mobius@
theriver.com.
Aging wisdomcontinued from page 6
about becoming a SPP volunteer, where
she would visit homes of women assigned
to her and she could provide emotional
support. She wanted to give back to the
program that helped her re-engage in life.
Wright grew up in a nurturing family
where community service was part of
the day-to-day expectation. Her parents
instilled in her the philosophy of helping
others. She also has a strong faith that
is based on the belief that God and an
individual are partners—what you put
into life you get out of it.
There is healing power in helping others
and Wright found that out firsthand.
“Everyone gets a lot out of it,” she said.
“Even when the situation is hard, you
can’t give up on them. There is still a need
and it is very important to help fulfill the
last years of life. What we do here in this
program is very important.”
During this past holiday season, Wright
received a note from one of the clients
she sees on a weekly basis. It read “You
are my angel, my friend, when I really
needed one.”
For Wright, this summed up the SPP.
For her, it has come full circle: by first
reaching out for help, receiving support
and encouragement from peers and now
offering it to others in need.
“Physically and emotionally, volunteers
stay healthier,” said Mary Anne Halvorson,
SPP program supervisor.
The WYGC SPP provides support
and education to the area’s elderly. This
prevention program is aimed at helping
seniors maintain a healthy emotional life
at no cost to the participant. It uses peer
volunteers (55 years and older) to serve
other elderly people in need of support.
By using one-on-one mentoring, as
well as support groups facilitated by
trained senior volunteers, members of
this growing population are receiving
companionship, guidance and purpose in
life for those experiencing life-challenging
events.
Some of these include retirement, the
death of a loved one, care-giving issues,
loss of health, the inability to drive, a
move, end-of-life concerns and other
aging issues. Sometimes these events lead
to social isolation, feelings of grief and
situational depression.
In addition, program staff and volunteers
also offer presentations to community
groups at no charge on topics such
as adjustment to aging, grief and loss,
managing change in our lives, communication
and healthy aging. To find out
more about the Senior Peer Program, call
445-5211, ext. 2672.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 45

Sudoku!
Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3
box contains numbers 1 through 9. The puzzle has only one
solution. The solution is on page 32.
Page 46 • February 2010
Solution on page 32
Kevin, Stephanie, Brianna, Joseph
and Sarah each ate something different
for breakfast (cereal, toast,
muffins, yogurt and waffles). They
also each had something different to
drink (apple juice, coffee, milk, orange juice and tea). Figure out
what each person had for breakfast.
1. Kevin did not have muffins or tea.
2. Brianna did not have waffles, toast, yogurt, orange juice or milk.
3. The person who had muffins did not have apple juice.
4. Sarah did not have toast, tea or milk.
5. The person who had yogurt did not have orange juice.
7. Brianna likes to drink either apple or orange juice for breakfast.
9. Joseph did not have muffins, yogurt or apple juice.
10. Kevin likes to drink either coffee or orange juice for breakfast.
11. The person who had waffles did not have apple juice.
12. The person who had yogurt also had coffee.
13. Stephanie likes to drink either orange juice or tea for breakfast.
14. The person who had muffins also had orange juice.
15. The person who had toast also had milk.
16. The person who had waffles did not have coffee.
17. Sarah did not have coffee.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com

Real food contains fewer
than five ingredients
The world is full of
crazy diets. Most
Americans admit to
trying at least one diet that
has them eating two bowls of
cabbage soup a day or half a
grapefruit before every meal.
Thanks to great advertising
firms, we have all heard the
success story of Jared who
lost weight eating Subway
sandwiches. It’s a fact that the
media shapes the choices that
we make every day.
Take for instance the newly
launched Taco Bell Drive thru
diet. You may have seen the
new commercials Taco Bell
is running claiming that a
woman lost 54 pounds by eating
low calorie options from
Taco Bell. Other companies
are jumping on the fast-food
diet bandwagon. Familiar
brands from Taco Bell to Starbucks
to Dunkin Doughnuts
are rolling out new products
and ad campaigns in an
attempt to lure calorie-conscious
consumers during the
month when the $170 billion
fast-food industry typically
sees sales slide.
What better time to promote
diet fast food than now
According to the 2009 Food
and Health Survey from the
International Food Information
Council, 64 percent of
Americans say they are taking
steps to improve the “healthiness”
of their diets. Before
you jump in the car and order
yourself a “diet” taco, here are
a few things to consider.
Researchers at Tufts University
analyzed the calorie
content of 18 side dishes and
entrees from national sit-down
chain restaurants, 11 side dishes
and entrees from national
300 Calorie
Breakfast Sandwich
This breakfast sandwich contains one serving of vegetables,
around 8 grams of fiber and 14 grams of protein more
or less depending on what vegetables you use, and only 300
calories. A great way to start your day!
Makes 1 serving
1 Rudi’s Organic 100% Whole Wheat Bun
1 Large Egg
1 C. Mixed Chopped Vegetables (I like spinach, onion,
mushroom, bell pepper and garlic. But any combination you
like or have on hand will work. 1 cup of vegetables works
out to be about 50 calories.)
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. Spectrum Reduced Calorie Canola Oil Mayonnaise
In a nonstick pan (so you don’t use any added oils) sauté
vegetables until soft. Meanwhile toast bun if desired and mix
Dijon and mayonnaise together in a small bowl and spread
on bun. In another bowl, beat egg with a fork to scramble
and pour over sautéed vegetables. With a spatula gently push
the edges of mixture to form a “patty” and cook on one side
3 to 4 minutes until “patty” sets up before flipping to other
side. Cook until desired doneness is reached. Top bun with
egg and vegetable “patty” and enjoy!
All of the ingredients for this recipe can be found at VITA-
MART in Payson. Questions can be answered via e-mail: Christine@thevitamart.com;
or by calling (928) 474-4101.
fast-food restaurants and 10
frozen meals purchased from
supermarkets. They compared
their results to the calorie
content information provided
to the public by the restaurants
and food companies.
“Because we analyzed a
relatively small sample of
food, additional research testing
more foods will be needed
to see if this is a nationwide
problem,” said senior author
Susan B. Roberts, Ph.D., a
professor at the Friedman
School of Nutrition Science
and Policy at Tufts University.
On average, the calorie
content information provided
by the restaurants was 18
percent less than the researcher’s
calorie content analysis.
Two side dishes exceeded the
restaurant’s reported calorie
information by nearly 200
percent. The calorie content
information reported by
packaged food companies
averaged 8 percent less than
the researchers’ analysis.
“If people use published
calorie contents for weight
control, discrepancies of this
magnitude could result in
By Christine Bollier
weight gain of many pounds a
year,” Roberts said.
Aside from the possibility of
getting more calories than you
bargained for, many of these
fast food and prepackaged diet
foods contain more than half
the recommended daily intake
of sodium (which is 2300mg)
unhealthy fats, preservatives
and artificial colors. They also
have little nutritional value.
This brings us back to the
topic of eating real food.
Real food is anything you
could find in nature. Apples,
beans, meats anything that
your grandmother would
cook that doesn’t involve a
degree in chemistry to make.
One of my favorite real food
tips to follow is the five
ingredient rule. If you pick up
anything in a box, bag or can
at the grocery store that has
more than five ingredients, or
ingredients you can’t pronounce,
it most likely is not
real food.
When you need real food
real fast give our 300 calorie
breakfast sandwich a try. It
takes about 10 minutes to prepare
a fresh healthy breakfast
that you can wrap up and take
with you when you are on the
go. You can use any vegetables
that you have on hand and
keep some whole wheat buns
in the freezer so you’re always
prepared to make a fresh
healthy breakfast that will fill
you up, make you feel great
and save some money.
E-mail Christine at
greencrusader@thevitamart.
com if you have questions or
comments.
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com February 2010 • Page 47

Domestic & Import
The ONLY Green Certified
Auto Shop
in the Quad-Cities
928-775-7575
Page 48 • February 2010
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
8737 E. Florentine Road, Prescott Valley
Locally owned and operated since 2005
Earth Odyssey • www.EarthOdysseyOnline.com