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SHROOMS: (macro- and micro-) Biology & Ecology

Reishi Mushrooms Edgar and I were at a party tonight, where we met several entrepreneurs. A couple of them were super laid-back people with whom we have something deeply in common: The prized REISHI mushroom. Anyone who has taken our Longevity Community Questionnaire knows that of ALL of the organic superfood ingredients in our product, each one in its own right, are AMAZING for our health. But there is ONE ingredient we specifically highlight: The Reishi Mushroom. It’s known for boosting the immune system, but my holistic Dr. Marcey Shapiro taught me a dozen years ago that Reishi is known for boosting DEEP immunity, which is different than the effects of echinacea and other immune boosters which are more quick and stimulating. Reishi supports healthy nerve function, and also enhances mood and promotes restful sleep.

Well, tonight I learned from UC Berkeley microbiology graduate Monica Neff that several of her customers are cancer patients using the Reishi mushroom for immune support during chemotherapy. It is significant to me, that like our Akea company’s product, Monica’s company’s products are organic, vegan, gluten-free, grown in the U.S. and kosher. While I was at it, I learned a few other things of interest about fungi that I’ll share, just to whet your appetite for the miracles of mycology: Cordiceps shrooms are known for boosting energy; Turkey Tail shrooms are known for detoxification; and Lion’s mane shrooms are known for memory enhancement.

I had the opportunity to talk with Monica about my secret fascination with a WHOLE SEPARATE quality of mushrooms… their mysterious ability to transform human-invented, chemically toxic, and ecologically devastating waste materials — toxic sludge — into bountiful, healthy eco-systems. To me, it’s a sign of God, and his incredible love, and mercy for humans and our sins and foibles. Even when we think we’ve really done it, we’ve irreparably despoiled our only livable planet, … along come empirical examples of God’s forgiveness and his infinite strength, wisdom and capacity to be a great Father — a rescuer, a provider, in our times of deepest need, when we’ve really screwed up and don’t necessarily “deserve” any better. He gives us another chance. He offers us SHROOMS to show us it’s okay to not know everything.

Monica told me there is a group that has some of my same fascination with the “contamination transformation” that mushrooms provide with “no sweat”. It’s called Bay Area Radical Mycology. Wild. Perhaps I’ll check it out.

For those of you interested in pet health… I haven’t even scratched the surface here, but there are some good signs that the Power Shrooms are helping in cases of Valley Fever, a fungal infection of horses and dogs.

And on that note: Good night. Sleep tight. And get your daily Reishi right!

I conducted a SYMPHONY… from my favorite GF bakery.

imageI met with a new friend today at the Mariposa Bakery. Her name is Clara; she’s Argentinian and she loves MUSIC. Personally, I am not one to immerse myself in music. While I enjoy many genres… from Ska to Andean, Hawaiian to Christian Folk, and plenty of others, I’m really just a casual fan. But lately…

I’ve been working on something that feels like a masterpiece… a grand, symphonic, orchestral, masterpiece!

I feel like an orchestra conductor, while many of the musicians in the symphony may have hardly an inkling of the melody or notes they play so beautifully… which fill my ears with joyous tones, and giddy anticipation. Some of these great musicians barely perceive the instrument they stroke so masterfully; others wouldn’t have a clue even as to the name of their instrument. But I am pleased, no matter.

There is a single, solitary clarinet, which is confidently removed from its case, in one opera hall after another… starting out by piping a reedy, captivating tune which soon resonates with other woodwinds who add relaxed undertones to the melody. Then a full-bodied viola graces the stage, stretching and swaying, and enticing the horns and bells.

The song has not even reached the first climax, but we all know it’s coming, as we have all stepped on stage and begun improvising, listening for the subtleties of each other’s unique strengths.

I have a sense of the grandiosity. Of the historic import of these seminal works. Sometimes I want to convey it. Sometimes I feel like leaving it to be delectably discovered by each person who hears the piper’s tune from afar, and feels themselves sneaking and peaking into the concert. We’re all in for SUCH a TREAT! And we’re all learning to read MUSIC, and to deftly play our unique instruments, in this wide-open community amphitheater. Wait! Listen – … Listen for the crescendo. Wait. Here it comes! Where are you? Can you hear it?

The Long Road to Simple Blessings

Here is a reply I wrote to a heart-wrenching story that a good friend posted on The BluePrint For Life online social network, a community of people who value holistic living.

This BluePrint community is extensive, as it traces back to our longest living elders on the planet, and the diets and lifestyles that got them to that status. This community embraces the “homesteading” lifestyle of fermenting organic foods, walking and cycling, resting, praying and meditating, staying connected with family and friends, and living one’s Purpose with a passion… which taken together… is at once cutting edge and old-fashioned!

Not everyone who embraces this lifestyle even KNOWS yet about our online social network… so if this describes you, SIGN UP.

Here is my profile in the community. I look forward to seeing yours.

And here is the original story from the NYTimes

Exemplary Elder Ernestine

Exemplary Elder ErnestineErnestine Cohn is one of those people you want in your Longevity Community.  She might not like that I happen to know her age, which is an additional reason for me to be a special cheerleader and fan of hers, but here’s the deal:  she is tracking GREAT for longevity, in part because she stays SO positive, and does her business with that depth of commitment to service that you don’t often find in modern times.  Ernestine’s aim?  Her “Purpose”:  PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE.  Some people’s “Purpose” is very faith-based, other people’s purpose is family-based, others is career-based, and some purposes are based on a passionate hobby.  I can help you identify YOURS.

Ernestine makes a practice of regular long walks — in fact that is how I originally met her over 3 years ago — on a local Walkers MeetUp.  And I just RE-met her last week on a Walkers MeetUp.  I remembered her well because we naturally hit it off on that first walk and talked the whole time!  (If you’re not a woman, HINT:  That is a GOOD thing!  Lol) Ernestine is the sole owner of Robinson-Cohn and Co. Insurance Agency, licensed since 1980.  www.InsurU.com

Looking through our lens of the 5 elements of longevity, peek at Ernestine:  Even though she walks regularly, she scored herself in the mid-range on “Movement”.  She is also a GREAT “Connector”, and yet scores herself in the mid-range there, too.  She scores herself a little higher on Purpose, but this woman is ON FIRE for her Purpose of helping people protect what they love through the proper insurance coverage.  So when she scores herself higher on Relaxation and Nutrition, one can only imagine.  Again I will remind you, that this woman is a community ELDER!  So, if you are wanting to get to know a woman who is seasoned in the interpersonal dimension of life and full of energy, whether to partner with her in walking, or in business, or in our Longevity Community… not to mention in romance (!)… then hey… come on one of our Longevity Community Walks, or join your local Walker’s meetup!  You never KNOW who you might meet — and you’ll knock out TWO longevity elements in ONE activity — Connection, and Movement. =^)

They COME, so YOU don’t have to GO.

GO.   Go shopping.  Go get the best organic produce.   Go drive and create emissions.  Go use gas.   Go wait in the grocery store line.  Go and miss time with your loved ones.  Go and miss a call you were waiting for.  You get the point.

So to COMBAT all this GO, GO, GO… call G.O. — Guerrilla Organics!

I met Mark Deutsch and Martha Matsuda in around 2003.  About one year prior, their business Guerrilla Organics indeed started organically.  Mark Deutsch began this company in 2002 when he moved to San Francisco from St. Louis.  Going to a local organic foods store to stock his refrigerator, Mark was shocked at the cost ($200!) for two bags of groceries which contained mostly produce.  Going to San Francisco’s Wholesale Farmer’s Market, Mark bought something affordable – a box of potatoes.  He shared his potatoes with housemates and friends, who told other friends, who wanted in on the deal; someone else asked if he delivered.  Thus was born Guerrilla Organics – a small organic produce delivery business that still operates guerrilla-style… but now in Oakland, Berkeley, SF, Daly City, & Pacifica  http://guerrillaorganics.com/html/boxes.html

The cool thing for me, personally, is that Mark invented and patented the most amazing musical instrument, called a Bazantar.  He plays mesmerizing, heady, transformative music that can deliver you into a new consciousness.  And Martha shares her passions in a unique and fascinating art form — Butoh dancing.  So they support their performing arts habits by slinging local, organic produce.  They are SUPER consistent in their organic produce delivery and they are particularly enlightened and spiritually developed people… made it a very easy decision for me to switch to them from my previous “Box” delivery service.  I think participating with arts and cultural events is an important Longevity Practice.  It can re-connect us with all of humanity, and also with our Purpose.  And gives us a vehicle to bond more deeply with our loved ones and friends.

Can you imagine how cool I felt when I realized that my organic produce delivery purchases would create proceeds that help 2 cutting edge community artists practice their crafts in the arts?  AND that staying with their services meant that I get an “organic” way to continue developing my own connection with that kind of people?

YUMM.

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You’re going to be treated better than you’ve ever been treated before!

By YOU!  And by your Longevity Community.

Four easy Steps:

1)  Schedule to take your free first Longevity Community Questionnaire with one of our trained Longevity Consultants within a week.  It takes only 10 minutes!  TBergenn@PowerSourceUnlimited.com  510-292-9976

2)  Receive our free offerings to boost your Longevity Profile.

3)  Decide which parts of the product and program to incorporate into your life, and join our Longevity Community!

4)  Repeat STEP ONE in 30 days, and again in 60 days, to see how much higher you score!  It really works!

5) Optional self-assessment on TheBluePrintForLife.com