I admit I am not a vegan, I am a vegetarian. I consume local free range eggs. I am not sure exactly where this video was shot (thank you to the camera man/woman), but it seriously makes me ill.

Frankly, I have no issues if the cows are honestly roaming free, grazing…enjoying life and they are taken cared the way they deserve. I have no issues with using milk under these circumstances.

A thing I say often, support local. Local is small, local is home. You can get in there, see things happen right in front of you. Supporting local (farming in this case) works in so many levels.

Be well,
Sevi

Well, I was happily consuming my deep amber colored Agave Nectar until I read something. Most parts of this article made it quite uncomfortable for me, but check this part out:

“Agave syrup comes in two colors: clear or light, and amber. What is this difference? Mr. Bianchi explains: “Due to poor quality control in the agave processing plants in Mexico, sometimes the fructose gets burned after being heated above 140 degrees Fahrenheit, thus creating a darker, or amber color.” However, the labels create the impression of an artisan product—like light or amber beer. As consumers are learning about problems with agave syrup, the label “chicory syrup” is beginning to appear as a non-conforming word for the product.”

Bah! Bah I tell you! Burn the product and then sugar coat it, oh sorry I take it back Agave ain’t no suga, burnt Agave coat it and sell it to us under Light and Dark. Dang, did we catch on the humbuggery, whip that burnt mess into a fluffy mixture and call it Chicory Syrup. Oh how fuzzy and yummy it sounds. You bet you advertising peeps, us sleepy consumers will eat that all up.

Man, I wonder which brilliantly over paid marketing specialist came up with that term. Chicory Syrup!

Feel free to read further about Agave Nectar – what it is, what it is not and what it may really be.

I think I will rely on moderation and simply use organic unburnt sugar from now on.

Be well,
Sevi

Tools ‹ The Concoctionist — WordPress.

I have been thinking about beginnings, perhaps it is because we have just taken steps into a brand new year. Beginnings are always so welcomed, hearts so open, soul feels all warm and alive….

I think it is because beginnings are so full of hope.

A friend called me an eternal optimist last week after I shared and incident I witnessed and hearing her opinion of who I am made me stop and think. My family members often have referred to me in this way, perhaps not dressed as lovely as “eternal optimist”, but none less, it is not a “oh wow!” moment for me. Yet, it created such stillness in me when I heard it.

Eternal optimist….someone that hopes for the best always. So, I have decided to own up to it, call a spade a spade and myself and eternal hopist!

This brings me to the end of things, ending most things are bundled in challenges. Often heartaches, disappointments shadowed by unfulfilled dreams. It can create intense emotions, frustration, anguish, anger and beyond.

When things end, everything in the middle of beginning and the end is often pushed out of the way, shoved into a dark attic closet or worst yet stigmatized. Ends always leave marks in our hearts. We vow never to begin again. Yet, most of us begin somehow, someday, somewhere…

I think it is because we share a common neighbor, an eternal optimist lives within us all. Some have silenced this cute life force with an eviction threat, while others have made it a king, queen, president and chairman of their lives…

I have watched something come to an end the other day. My wise yet stern mama said the usual, “you are an open book, it is your fault”. I used to get tickled angry when I heard this, but this time something unexpected happened. I was still and calm. I hung up the phone and realized something. I was a okay with everything. Not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the ride, I must have come to terms with it all…with myself.

Once you admit who you are, to yourself – path becomes wider, brighter and amazingly enough, you feel like you are breathing for the first time.

Breath with me….you can do it!

If the door is slammed while your hands are still at the door jam, you will hurt, go through all the emotions that cradle an end and then you will stop. look around…breath…and then rejoin life. You will move on by living, by being, by breathing.

Nurture your inner eternal optimist. If a beginning comes to an end, no matter how it happens, try to deal with it without allowing it to bludgeon that cute adorable optimist in you.

Every beginning has an end, but wait a moment, listen….no really listen, can you hear that?

You hear a soft whisper surround you….”Every end is a beginning.”

Welcome to life.

Sevi