Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

The famous question, "Got Milk?" has already been dropped early in 2014 by the dairy industry to be  replaced by "Milk Life", and obviously that's not done to keep the slogan fresh but a sign of despair and an ongoing rescue operation by the U.S. diary giants to save their cash cow and to gain back ground, preventing what can't be denied anymore: Milk sales are going downhill.
More and more consumers are not drawn to the white mustache anymore and are turning their backs on fluid milk. Whether that decision is based on lactose intolerance or compassion with the animals (also known as "cultural changes"), clearly, a segment of those who make a living based on the extortion of sentient living beings and their bodily fluids is getting worried.

What used to be considered "fake food for weirdos" turns out to be the future real food for real people. Soy milk has gotten company and today store shelves are filled with a variety of nut milks (almond, hazelnut, coconut and cashew) as well as rice milk and hemp milk, and making nut milks at home is as easy as brewing coffee.

WhiteWave Foods Co. - a daughter company of the traditional 90-year-old dairy company Dean Foods Co.  -  manufacturing plant-based foods and beverages, reported 62% profit increase during the past 12 month. 
"Getting drinkers back in the barn won't be easy. "It is going to be tough to buck the trend of declining consumption of [cow] milk in the U.S.," says Ryan Oksenhendler, an analyst with Arlon Group LLC, a New York-based fund manager that owns WhiteWave shares. He says shoppers quitting cow milk and embracing soy, almond and coconut milks are feeding WhiteWave's gains." (1)

And who needs dairy milk for calcium when so much plant based calcium is available to us, always has been. Slowly people begin to realize the irony that even gallons of cow milk consumed daily does not prevent osteoporosis from happening; it isn’t a lack of dietary calcium causing the weakening process of the bones but in reality the excess of animal protein taken in, which leaches calcium from the bones.

Links:

http://www.allergiesexplained.com/pages/Milk%20Effects%20on%20Brain%20Function.htm

http://engine2diet.com/question/can-i-get-enough-calcium-eating-a-plant-based-diet/

http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/americas-move-to-soy-hobbles-dairy-1405729869?mobile=y

Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

Observing life on this planet and following the news feeds one wonders, what the hell is wrong with people? How on earth is it possible that mankind is capable of committing those gut wrenching crimes and atrocities, not just against each other, but also against other sentient beings, against nature and ultimately against the very foundation necessary for the survival of our own species.

While there are many different factors playing an important role in the madness, it all boils down to a simple conclusion:  Mankind suffers from a serious lack of Compassion, one’s ability to be concerned for another being’s welfare.

But let's not blame it all on the genes. We as a species have come way too far to let a genetic footprint get in the way of mental enlightenment and global change.
Remedy may be here in a practice which in recent years has become not only main stream in the Western world but has grown in popularity: MEDITATION.

Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM) is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism and seems to be most needed in this world. It refers to a mental state of unselfish and unconditional kindness producing all four qualities of love:

“One sleeps easily, wakes easily, dreams no evil dreams. One is dear to human beings, dear to non-human beings. The devas protect one. Neither fire, poison, nor weapons can touch one. One’s mind gains concentration quickly. One’s complexion is bright. One dies unconfused and – if penetrating no higher – is headed for the Brahma worlds”. (Wikipedia)

If only Kant would have had LKM meditation available at his time, his soul might have been nourished with Kindness and Compassion and some of his thoughts might have never been published in the first place.

Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kant

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mett%C4%81

http://www.inner-light-in.com/2012/09/empathy-meditation-and-loving-kindness/

http://www.stwr.org/economic-sharing-alternatives/the-biological-basis-of-compassion.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

http://buddhist-meditation-techniques.com/loving-kindness-meditation/

Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

Heading to my friend's book signing in Venice Beach I decided to pull myself away from the computer a few hours earlier and take a break at the nearby Meditation Center of Lake Shrine,  "nearby" of course in Los Angeles standards that is.

The serene Lake Shrine Meditation Garden and Temple is located in the beautiful Pacific Palisades off Sunset Boulevard featuring a spring-fed lake, nestled in the center of the Garden.

Knowing the quite interesting history of this place makes a big difference in the whole experience. Being on a schedule  however I decided to focus on the Garden during this visit and walked straight through the double doors to the stairs, leading down to the lake.

In the late 1940ies Mr. McElroy sold the property to an oil-company president who's strange re-occurring dreams of his new home becoming a "Church of All Reli­gions", inspired him to write a letter to the Self-Realiza­tion Fellowship Church of All Reli­gions in Hollywood, in which he offered his property for sale.
Deeply moved by his dreams he decided to quickly call instead of waiting for his letter to arrive, and when he did, the founder, Paramahansa Yogananda himself answered his call. Before the man had a chance to introduce himself, he was asked about the property he had for sale, even though his letter had not arrived yet.

After change of ownership made possible through generous benefactors, once again construction began at Lake Santa Ynez. Paramahansa Yoga­nanda himself directed and oversaw the ongoing work and the creation of his spiritual legacy from his new and temporary headquarters, the houseboat.
1,500 people attended the formal opening to the public on August 20, 1950 of what was now Lake Shrine.

All of Mr. McElroy's buildings still exist and are part of today's site and landscaping.

New constructions added under the vegetarian Guru's supervision were the Court of Religions honoring the five principal religions of the world, the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial, home to a portion of Gandhi's ashes, and a Museum which exhibits Paramahansa Yogananda's work.
The white hill-top Temple and Retreat, looking at the lake and the Pacific Ocean was built in 1996, 44 years after Paramahansa Yogananda's passing, fulfilling his last wish for a construction of such a building.

Yogananda also designed the Golden Lotus Archway, or "wall-less temple, topped by golden lotus flowers, the Indian symbol of divine unfoldment and the awakening of the soul to its infinite potential.
The orange-red flowering plant next to the Archway looks like a shrub on fire, and I wonder if this species was purposely chosen to be planted there as a symbol of the eternal flame of life.

Swans, ducks, turtles, fish and many other animals call Lake Shrine home and the park itself with its lush landscaping, rocks, waterfalls, trees, tropical plants, flowers and shrubs is a sanctuary for people looking for a place to unwind, to meditate or simply to enjoy this spiritual place and the stunning scenic beauty.

With the Windmill Chapel currently under construction, to be re-opened again in Fall, and part of the Garden including the Visitor Center and the large statue by the waterfall not accessible at this time, there was only one more place to go to:

The Lake Shrine Gift Shop and Museum offering a variety of inspirational gifts from India, from books to statues, candles, incense, singing bowls, jewelry, clothing and hand made Indian arts and crafts.

Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

If you think Austria is all about The Sound Of Music, white horses and Mozartkugeln, think again.
This tiny little state in the heart of Europe seems to become a trendsetter for change into the right direction and for a new lifestyle, and I must say, I am mighty proud of my old home country.
Not a day goes by without exciting news about new vegan shops, restaurants, bakeries and ice cream parlors opening up. I will gladly write about them in the WELCOME TO PLANET VEGAN Blog and feature them one by one as each deserves special attention.

Susan Placek, Owner of THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

The fast-food style restaurant offers a nice variety of dishes, from Starters to Bowls - the Bombay Bowl with herb-roasted veggies, super grains, steamed kale, cannellini beans, cilantro/green curry sauce with coconut milk, almonds, hemp seeds was very tempting - Homestyle Plates, Burgers, Sandwiches, Soups of the day, Taco Plates and plenty of Sides to choose from. Patrons may pick pairs from each menu category.

After some consideration I decided to order 2 Sides, Steamin’ Kale for $ 3.50 with ginger-miso dressing,  sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and Cauli-Mashed Potatoes + Gravy for $ 3.25, made from fresh cauliflower blended with mashed potatoes, topped with porcini mushroom gravy with fresh rosemary, a combination that's right up my alley.

Links:


The VeggieGrill has currently 24 restaurants in Southern and Northern California, Oregon and Washington.
http://www.veggiegrill.com/index.html


Photography: http://www.cocoonworx.com

Don't we all have those days when we wish things would be as simple as black and white with nothing in between, without the millions of shades of grey that make our world as complex as it is? All the madness on this planet might be fixed easily if there was only either "good" or "bad".

For some unknown reason though the Universe doesn't work like that. Instead, we are all part of that mind blowing web called "life", where all is connected, where each single action of each single person matters and all is one.

It is my deepest desire to be part of something good, to be one of the many tiny little seeds in our society who crave for fundamental change on this planet, and who want to contribute somehow with something in this process of awakening the kind of human qualities that are lacking, but essential in becoming what we claim to be: HUMANE.

I chose Vegetable Seeds as a symbol of life, of new beginnings and of nurturing the human mind and soul, and combined them with one of my passions - being creative - for sowing Goodness and ultimately growing KINDNESS, COMPASSION, PEACE, HARMONY and HAPPINESS, envelope by envelope and seed by seed.

Contact for free logo personalization for businesses, organizations and non-profits and for wholesale.


Links:

http://www.welcometoplanetvegan.com/store.html

http://www.thecreativeideashop.com/seed-gifts.html

Originally - and that is 5,000+ years ago, Carrots were not grown for food but for a variety of ailments.

Based on the information historical documents and paintings provide, that's how long Carrots have been around and planted by humankind, also often mistaken for parsnips, one of their close relatives. Carrots were anything but orange back then, they were purple, red, white, and yellow. That is until the 16th century, when Dutch carrot growers invented the orange Carrot in honor of the House of Orange, the Dutch Royal Family. Cross breeding pale yellow with red Carrots resulted in the bright orange colored Carrot we know today.

With its measly 25 calories and 6 grams of carbs, but 2 grams of fiber per average size Carrot, this vegetable is an excellent source of vitamin A, giving you more than 200% of your daily requirement in just one Carrot. Furthermore these pretty edible roots are loaded with beta-carotene, a compound that is naturally converted to vitamin A when consumed. The deeper orange the Carrot, the more beta-carotene you’re getting.

Carrots are good for your eye-sight, for your bowels, for preventing or treating allergies and rheumatism, killing germs in the mouth and maintaining healthy gums, supporting liver function, and improving your skin and its tone. Carrots help reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood and the risk of heart disease, regulating blood sugar and lowering the risk of cancer development.

You may have known all of the above. But ...

Did you know that Carrots also provide excellent medicinal uses for your business too?

Carrots given out as Seeds are a powerful promotional ailment with health benefits for your business kicking in from the moment they are given out. The initial impact this giveaway causes what is known as the mental and physiological state of "surprise", triggering positively valenced emotions, followed by anticipation and the excitement of planting and experiencing the growing process from seeds to edible vegetables.

The carotene content of the harvested Carrots, providing a powerful anti-oxidant, becomes invaluable in the second phase of this all natural and organic treatment, which through consumption, helps your clients and prospects to protect their brains from oxidative stress, and ultimately supports the three main stages in the formation and retrieval of memory:

• ENCODING - receiving, processing and combining the given information
• STORAGE - creating of a permanent record of the encoded information
• RETRIEVAL - calling back the stored information in response to your efforts

Contact THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP with your inquiry for a Carrot business treatment tailored to your needs.

Click here for more information about Carrot Seed Cards with FREE Logo Personalization and many other ideas for creatively using Seeds for GREEN, VEGAN AND ORGANIC business marketing and promotions.

Links:

http://www.TheCreativeIdeaShop.com  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrot

Susan Placek, Owner of WELCOME TO PLANET VEGAN & THE CREATIVE IDEA SHOP

A tractor is not necessarily what one would expect to find in the middle of a big city like L.A, you'll find it in front of the Sage Vegan Bistro though in Culver City, California. After planning on going there for a long time, finally last weekend I made it happen.

Flowering artichokes, herbs, fruit and greens planted along the parking lot give patrons a nice first impression. The spacious outdoor beer garden is the perfect place for those sizzling hot Southern California days where olive trees provide plenty of natural shade for enjoyable meals.

The lunch invitation I owe to a friend of mine gives me the chance to check out the second location, in Echo Park. I am thinking of Saturday or Sunday Brunch ....

Links:

Sage Vegan Bistro
http://sageveganbistro.com/index.html


Photography Susan Placek/CocoonWorx
http://www.cocoonworx.com/
http://www.TheCreativeIdeaShop.com