V-Log! Treetop Greetings and Update:

Seeds of Freedom Documentary:

Seeds of Freedom from The ABN and The Gaia Foundation on Vimeo. Description:

A landmark film narrated by Jeremy Irons. Find out more at seedsoffreedom.info

The story of seed has become one of loss, control, dependence and debt.
It’s been written by those who want to make vast profit from our food system, no matter what the true cost.
It’s time to change the story.
Produced by The Gaia Foundation and the African Biodiversity Network, in collaboration with MELCA Ethiopia, Navdanya International and GRAIN.(Brief description taken from Vemeo).

I'm about to view this film, Seeds of Freedom, so watch it with me if you have a little time :) xoxo Lyn

The Power Of Touch:

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." -Leo Buscaglia

Where all of these gestures have immense healing potential, today I want to focus on the power of touch.

I spent a number of years in Japan and while I lived in the country it was very difficult, for one big reason. There is a disconnect there that is hard to describe, but even between my group of friends, we never hugged - and for almost a year I had no physical contact to speak of except with my partner at the time. Then one day over a cup of tea, a beautiful friend of mine named Sara, told me she missed hugs. This turned into a big rant, and then all of a sudden we both went dead silent, looked at each other, and then sheepishly said "maybe we should hug?". Most awkward hug of my entire life, but it bonded me for life with her and ended up spreading like wildfire through my group of friends, who it turned out, were dying for hugs too. The significance of this is that my experience was drastically altered, simply through this form of touch.

That is one of many stories I have about how touch has saved my life, but I am not the only one experimenting with the benefits and power of touch:

The touch research institute at Miami school of medicine (yeah that's right you heard me), carried out 100 studies which found that touch effected the faster growth of premature babies, reduced pain, decreased autoimmune disease symptoms, lowered glucose levels in children with diabetes, improved immune function in people with cancer and improved arthritis.







The Cleveland Institute found that touch affects the levels of anxiety and progression of the disease states in people, and are aiming to use it in order to halt or slow down disease progression. Duke University studies show that touch can cut levels of stress hormones which cause high blood pressure, as well as increase levels of melatonin, serotonin and Oxycontin!

We all probably know that the touch of a loved one can have great effects on the body, but how can strangers and healing practitioners create the same affects? Dr. Hertenstein, from Depaux University in Indiana, may have found the answer. The skin is our largest organ, and there are nuerons in the skin that process information about touch. Dr. Hertenstein created a test where people have one second to touch someone with a specifc emotion in mind, and most of the time the recipient could guess the intended emotion without seeing, knowing or hearing the toucher -- which means without saying a word, or even seeing the person, we are able to communicate a great many things, simply through touch!!

One way I have learned to communicate through touch is in my Thai yoga massage training. This practice is affectionately known as the manifestation of loving kindness, and I highly recommend trying it for any of you that are able!

Touch really is incredible for your mind, body, and spirit because it deeply connects us to one another, by establishing trust, love and gratitude for all the beings around us. It has the profound power to heal the body, to heal the spirit, and to heal the mind. So... give someone a hug today, and the next time you do, hang on an extra second or two, give a little squeeze and really make it count! You'll both be much better off for it.


With deep love, light and gratitude,

Erin xoxo--

Lokah Samastha Sukino Bhavantu

The Plastic Cow Documentary:

Hello my lovelies all around the world! Lyn here. I found this documentary that I am about to watch, so I thought I'd put it up and we could see it together. James is on a five day camping/photography trip far north so I am alone and a little bored... 

The following is a description of the doc that I got from the TopDocumentaryFilms.coms website: 

"This documentary film looks at the impact of our almost complete dependence on plastic bags, which we use and discard carelessly every day, often to dispose our garbage and kitchen waste. Not only are these bags a huge environmental threat, they end-up in the stomachs of cows, who, either because they’ve been discarded because they’re not milking at the time or because the dairy owner is unwilling to look after them, have to fend for themselves and forage for food, which, like other scavengers, they find in community garbage dumps. Owing to their complex digestive systems, these bags, which they consume whole for the food they contain, get trapped inside their stomachs forever and, eventually, lead to painful death."

Actually it sounds pretty depressing, but it will hopefully make me really take action about all the plastic we use in our day to day lives. This comes at a time in Toronto, Canada, where our fearless leader Rob Ford has done away with the $.o5 charge for plastic bags. There has already been an increase in the use of plastic bags since his decision was finalized. As infuriated as I am by this, another announcement came that we would be dispensing of the plastic bag altogether as many other cities have done. Ford, of course, will fight the vote, but I pray it goes through. What the hell is the big deal about bringing a fabric bag in your purse or backpack or... briefcase?? 

Okay okay let's just watch the film...

Oh my god. I just watched this and it was astounding. I am shocked and amazed that I didn't know this. Please watch it. It was very well done and definitely worth a few moments of your time! I will do my very best to make this household an anti-plastic environment. 

John Lewis Vegan Fitness Trainer for NoBesity!

See John's profile on the left as a member of the Beautiful Vegan Team! Just click on his photo for inspiration and information on how to get in touch with this amazing fitness trainer and Vegan coach from the U.S.

Mostrous Resolutions Animation Video