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Farmerpreneurs–It’s a growing trend.

Wait a second – what’s a farmerpreneur, anyhow?

It’s a new generation of farming in which forward-thinking urban farmers utilize the aeroponic growing technology available with Tower Gardens to change the future of food – for the better.

In this (2.14 min) video, you’ll have an opportunity meet a few of these farmerpreneurs. Come learn why these individuals chose to start their own business to help feed their local communities.

Intrigued about how you could grow a greater future (and a healthy profit)? Wondering how it’s possible to make a living while making a difference – all without soil, high overhead and often without an ounce of previous agricultural experience?

Check it out here. I’d love to hear your ideas – either by email or let’s schedule a time to talk.

by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

8 Celebrations a Day

A Love Letter from Alex *

Some days it really pays to sort through old files. This afternoon, I found a stack of love letters and cards from my late husband, Alex.

He wrote an especially beautiful letter at a point during our courtship when I was going through a really rough patch at work. I thought you might find his words as comforting-and inspirational–as I did. Both then, and now:

I send you my affection and love to be with you….keep us close together during the trying times….calling on our total energies to help you through….but also call on our combined energies and love when it is time to celebrate at the high times of each day – there should be at least 8 celebrations each day….

When you awake…to another day, the purr of a cat, to the sneeze of [the dog], to the song of birds or to the first ray of sunlight.

Sipping a cup of tea, munching on a crust of toast, peanut butter or crunching a dry cereal for breakfast.

Taking a walk in the out-of-doors regardless of snow, rain, sleet, sun, or cottonwood seeds gliding down to earth, smelling the scents of earth, water, cut grass, sweat of a horse, after shave lotion, fresh dab of perfume or baby oil.

Greetings from friends, acquaintances, students, strangers, passer-bys, your own image reflected in a mirror or storefront window. Surprize….being alive to all which surrounds you each moment in each day.

Listening and hearing the sounds of your own voice…talking, yelling, singing, laughing, whispering.

Touching…oh so many objects, people, animals, buildings, your car, a flower, a caterpillar, the wine in your goblet, the lips of your lover….your own body….with pride, delight and passion.

To be emotional….full range and depth…no limit…full limit…restrained and then abounding…internal and external-Yeah! Take it in…Give and let it out….Human and Full of Life.

To sleep and rest after a fantasy called life which has been experienced….throughout each day.

That my Mary Is what you do! Each and Every day of your creative and beautiful life. Celebrate the existence of yourself with each and every living creature-

I too will celebrate life with you….each day and each moment of that day-

I enjoy spending these seconds with you.

***

* Originally published 12/8/2008

Image Credits:

Love Letters by Patricia Lazar on Flickr (cc) Some Rights Reserved

by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

Saving Myself (in 2 Simple Steps)

About a month ago, I happened upon the work of Emily Fletcher. She calls it the Ziva Technique and has recently released her first book, entitled Stress Less, Accomplish More.

In spite of my decades-long suffering with “meditation-cushion-failure syndrome“, I’m delighted to report that I have become a delighted (and committed!) twice-daily Ziva practitioner. So much so, that I consider it to be one of my foundational Courageous Wellbeing practices.

Wow! Who woulda thunk! 😉

Then, a couple of days ago, Emily sent a video link [~ 19 min] from her 2016 presentation from the A-Fest Biohacking conference in Greece.

While the the title of Emily’s talk, How to Save the World (in 2 Simple Steps) might seem a bit hoaky and provocative, her talk itself is both thought-provoking and sincere. Emily brings equal parts passion, science and levity to a discussion of what she calls “the 3 big scaries” affecting our world today – “fake food”, terrorism and climate change and how each of us can take responsibility to overcome them (in 2 simple steps).

I’d love to hear how her presentation lands inside of you!

by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

Let’s Ask the Doctor

Sometimes, people who are considering adding Juice Plus+ (JP+) products to their daily nutritional intake have one (or several!) questions that they want to run past their health care professional before making a decision.

In this video interview [41.36 min] with Gretchen Comstock, Dr. Candace Corson (a Yale-educated Family Practice and Integrative MD) addresses a few of the most commonly asked questions. I’ve included the list of questions they covered (see below), along with a time-stamp marking the beginning of each question.

I already eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, so I don’t feel I need a supplement. [4:34]
The JP+ seems on the expensive side. [6:50]
Can I buy just a one month’s supply instead of the 4? [8:40]
How many servings of fruits and vegetables are actually in JP+? [9:48]
I take so many pills these days, I can’t possible add anymore. [11:35]
I can’t eat Juice Plus+ Complete because it contains soy and as a breast cancer survivor, I have been told to stay clear of soy. [14.31]
I love the taste of the JP+ Complete but it has too much sugar in it and I am working on cutting down my sugar intake. [16.32]
I have an auto immune disease and take medications to help suppress my immune system and I have to be careful not to boost my immune system. [17:32]
I am on a blood thinner called Coumadin and I‘ve been told not to eat leafy green vegetables. [18.40]
I have some serious digestion issues especially when I and fearful that JP+ may make them worse. [20.06]
Will JP+ keep the colds I get often at bay? [25.03]
I have food allergies to some of the JP+ ingredients so I am not sure I can take JP+. [26.40]
I’m pregnant and wonder if I need a prenatal if I am taking JP+. [27.48]
How old should my baby to start introducing JP+ [29.20]
I take a pharmaceutical grade Omega 3 so what differentiates JP+ Omegas from mine? [30.39]
I’m thinking of not continuing with JP+ because I haven’t noticed anything. [32.50]
If Juice Plus+ is so good why don’t more doctors, even the holistic ones, recommend it? [36.12]
I have more energy, better digestion, I sleep more soundly and feel so clear headed since starting JP+. What’s up with this?!! [38.36]

Is there a question that didn’t get covered during the interview? Feel free to ask me (via email) or by leaving a comment below.

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by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

Change Your Attitude About Change

I originally* shared these thoughts from a Rotarian friend on LinkedIn. Thanks, John!

Change Your Attitude About Change

by John Bishop, Executive Director, Accent on Success, Greater St. Louis Area

The world is changing. The changes will be rapid, constant and revolutionary. We can’t stop it.

At best, we can slow it down a little. But, change will be coming from all directions and at speeds we have never seen before. If rapid change is inevitable then how can we prepare for it?

Seven Ways to Look at Change:

1. Today’s change is tomorrow’s norm.

2. Change is as good or as bad as you make it.

3. If you are a change oriented leader expect others to paint a bull’s eye on your back and then shoot arrows at you.

4. Substitute the word “growth” for “change.” It will revolutionize your perspective about new things.

5. “When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.” [Tuli Kupferberg]

6. “Change is a challenge and an opportunity, not a threat.” [Prince Phillip of England]

7. If you can’t control the changing event, change how you react to it.

By changing our attitude toward it and insuring that the changes make things better and not just faster.

By changing our attitude toward it we can make the change in our section of the world better – not just faster.

Our personal attitude toward change will ultimately determine our destiny.

www.GoalSettingForStudents.com/archives.html

(If you like this life skill idea, please send it to others. Thank you.)

* Originally published Dec. 2, 2008

by mary elaine kiener Leave a Comment

A Garden to Groceries Program in Memphis Tennessee

One of the many reasons I have felt so honored to be a part of the Juice Plus+® family for the past 25 years is the company’s ongoing mission of “Inspiring Healthy Living around the World“. One of the ways we live this mission together is through multiple charitable partnerships.

This [4.20 min] video offers an overview of one such exciting collaborative project between the Boys and Girls Club of Memphis, TN and Tower Garden® by Juice Plus+®

Additionally, over the past several years, hundreds of Boys and Girls Clubs throughout North America have been gifted with a Tower Garden® with ongoing support from local Juice Plus+® Virtual Franchise owners in their own communities.

If you’d like more information about joining our mission, you can complete the form below and I’ll get back with you shortly.