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putting lawnmowers out of business

2/5/2015

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Thinking GREEN is more important than ever and growing herbs, veggies, fruit and flowers at home is not the latest hype but essential for environmental change and for improving the future health of our planet and its inhabitants.

People are beginning to second guess the all American symbol of proud home ownership - the forever green lawn.
The resources needed for its care can be considered wasteful, after all the prettiest lawn has nothing more to give back than the image of a well groomed property, when that very same space and irrigation investment can be used to create food for people and nourishment for nature's winged pollinators, which are declining at a disturbing number and speed.

Drought issues and the concern over genetically modified produce, and commercially grown fruit, vegetables and herbs that are treated with pesticides and fungicides motivate many to
recreate their backyards, porches, decks and balconies into functional gardening spaces, enjoying the experience of working with nature while growing plant based foods for healthy family meals.
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The fact that gardening and growing vegetables and herbs is not limited to the outdoors and to the warmer seasons at all, makes SEEDS ideal for gift giving at any time of the year; what can be more inspirational and meaningful than something that symbolizes good things like Growing, Nurturing and the endless cycle of Life itself.








Links:

http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/07/serious-green-turning-lawns-yards-into-edible-gardens.html

Seed Gifts:
http://www.welcometoplanetvegan.com/seed-products.html
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Sowing thoughts, inspiration and plant food with SEEDS.
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LEMONS, cabbage and birds at the bay

1/19/2015

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Off the beaten path in San Francisco is a true green jewel, a peaceful oasis hidden in the Marina District and only visible to those who are on the look out for places to experience beyond Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square.
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The lovely Fort Mason Community Garden caught my forever searching eye on the way back from a city hike to my hotel, and I just couldn't resist adding time to explore the unexpected find with its organized chaos of the garden layout, plants, gardening tools, recycled household items, figurines and beautiful birds. The warm and gentle late afternoon sun was my perfect partner for catching the spirit of this retreat.
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A delightful blend of fruit trees, vegetables, herbs and flowers awaits the senses and one wants to linger under in the calming ambiance of ripe lemons, gorgeous cabbage and fragrant rosemary, and simply absorb the beauty of the moment under the watchful eye of the Garden Buddha and the kind bee.
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The garden is also a paradise for many bird species, including a number of nesting birds, some of them living there all year round, such as the community of House Finches and the Lesser Goldfinches. One can find Mockingbirds here, Ravens, Hummingbirds and many other winged friends, and in Spring the bird lover's eyes and ears can welcome the Hooded Orioles back, which only reside during the warmer months and after their return from their winter retreat in Mexico.
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Wish I could have stayed longer but then again ... there is always a next time in San Francisco  - with a visit of Greens Restaurant at Fort Mason Center.


Links:

Photography Susan Placek @ http://www.cocoonworx.com/

The rules for playing in the dirt : http://playndirt.com/listings/fort-mason-community-garden/

Fort Mason Center http://fortmason.org/

Greens Restaurant -
http://www.greensrestaurant.com/the-cuisine/the-cuisine

For more than twenty years, San Francisco's beloved Greens Restaurant has been in the avant garde of the cooking revolution in America. Through its endlessly inventive, ever-changing menus and bestselling cook-books, Greens has introduced millions of delighted fans to a sophisticated, meatless cuisine packed with transcendent, satisfying flavor. The heart of Greens cookings to use the best, freshest ingredients.

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Hello Kitty?

11/26/2014

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We love them and yet, they can drive us crazy with it. Anyone who has ever shared the home with a territorial cat knows the grief I am talking about: the smell of cat markings.

Frustrated cats don't always vent right away, they may seem calm at the moment but I bet you, a territorial kitty never forgets, the complaint call just comes delayed. It can be weeks or even month after getting aggravated over something, but when the shit hits her fan, she'll let you know.


Unlike cat pee, locating the crime scene can be challenging and boy!, they can be so incredibly creative when it comes to choosing the "purrfect" spot for the message - often just a few little drops which makes it so darn difficult to find.

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My nose's sensitivity is that of a bloodhound when it comes to the distinct scent of an angry feline. When nobody else around notices a thing, one sniff and I just know, "She's done it again!". The scent lingers in my nose and seems to follow me wherever I go around the house.
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Oh how many bottles of cleaning supplies I have gone through and stuff that is supposed to break down the enzymes! None of it did the job for me, sorry, I could still smell it.
Eventually I figured it out:
water and simple anti-bacterial hand soap works best and gives quick and lasting results. A little spritz of feline facial hormone spray applied to critical spots, and natural flower essences added to food or drinking water, and life with kitty has become much more pleasant.

That is of course ... until kitty's hotline rings again and it's time for a talk.
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Links:

http://petessences.com/
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realizing The amazing potential of change

11/10/2014

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There is no better motivation to switch and stick to a plant based nutrition than compassion and empathy with the animals. Not consuming animal products of any kind however doesn’t make a person a true vegan. The vegan philosophy goes way beyond the dinner table; it is a commitment to a life style free of any animal products, which is not limited to foods but includes clothing and everyday merchandise as well.

The growing popularity of veganism and demand for vegan products represents a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs and for those who realize the amazing business potential that comes along with this fundamental change in our society.  

Welcome to Planet Vegan presents business owners, their vision, passion and their journey to success through creating, designing, inventing, manufacturing and selling vegan products, while actively contributing with their work to end animal exploitation by humans and acknowledging the value of all life on Earth.

Submit Vegan Businesses to be featured

(No associate, consultant or pyramid businesses)

  • Maya Epler, Fashion Designer

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the powerful orange root

9/2/2014

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ORANGE is a powerful color, it is one of the healing colors, stimulates enthusiasm and creativity. Orange also means vitality and endurance.
The CARROT, a highly popular and common vegetable, versatile, healthy and enjoyable raw or cooked. The list of recipes using carrots is endless and the fact that the root with the pretty orange color is high in potassium, beta carotene and vitamin A makes it a powerful addition to one's daily nutrition.


Carrots offer another big advantage.
The seedlings mature fast, they can be grown easily and it doesn't even require a garden to do so.

Many people are not aware of the fact that carrots can be planted and grown INDOORS all year round, which makes ...

CARROT SEEDS perfect for meaningful and memorable promotions and affordable business and client giving for any industry or recipient.



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CARROT SEED Postcards with logo personalization
Plenty of sunlight provided indoors is the only requirement needed along with keeping the soil/sand mixture (50% high quality rich potting soil and 50% sand - no play sand) on the dry side.
Carrots do not appreciate wet soil.


Links:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=21

http://www.gardenguides.com/79857-grow-indoor-carrots.html

http://www.thecreativeideashop.com/seed-gifts.html
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The liberation process of the cash cow

7/28/2014

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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.

While the decline of milk sales in 2011 and 2012 was the highest in more than a decade, 2013 was even worse than the previous three years.
The trend of switching from milk to other beverages or non-dairy milks isn't new at all, in fact it started almost 40 years ago but the latest numbers speak for themselves.
The credit clearly goes to a rapidly growing world wide community of people, activists, bloggers, scientists, doctors, organizations, groups and every day social net workers who dedicate their time and hard work to raise awareness, and to educate the masses about the negative and severe health effect dairies can have on the human body, undermining the dairy industry's decades old brain washing strategies while exposing the ugly and cruel truth behind the "Happy Cow" fairy tale. There is really nothing white about milk.
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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)
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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.

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The liberation process is well on its way - for the animals,
for the planet and for human kind.



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


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LKM is the answer to the missing GG

6/23/2014

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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.
Immanuel Kant, a respected figure of modern philosophy, considered Compassion a weak and misguided sentiment: “Such benevolence is called soft-heartedness and should not occur at all among human beings,” he said. Unfortunately his thoughts continue to have a major influence in contemporary thinking even though the guy clearly must have been born with a huge biological deficiency: The G gene.

Human genes are made of bases, the nucleotides, which come in four types: A, T, C, and G, which again appear in combinations,  AA, AG or GG, the latter one being associated with empathy, positive emotions and sensitivity to the weaker links and the underdogs of society. People carrying the GG gene are believed to be more caring which reflects in their body language, such as smiling, loving gestures, head nodding,  eye contact and the willingness to listen. Furthermore a person’s hormonal balance and small differences in it can have far-reaching effects on empathy. This fact in itself should raise a gigantic red flag and opens another can of worms: Mankind’s mind boggling consumption of hormone loaded meat and dairies and all the misery that comes from and with it.
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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.
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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:
Friendliness (Metta)
Compassion (Caruna)
Appreciative Joy (Mudita)
Equanimity (Upekkha)

Meditators begin with cultivating loving-kindness towards themselves, then towards their loved ones, friends, strangers, enemies and all sentient beings, replacing negative and destructive emotions with positive ones. Ancient Buddhist collections of texts “Pali Canon” define the benefits of Loving-Kindness meditation (mettā bhāvanā) as followed:
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“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)
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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/

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lake shrine, temple of serenity, compassion & kindness 

5/24/2014

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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.
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Entering through the upper parking lot one is immediately captivated by the soothing sound of water coming from the court yard fountain, and the bright white Temple with the golden lotus flowers in sharp contrast to the deep blue sky, which visitors have a good chance for here in Southern California at most days of the year.
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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.
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The sheer existence of what used to be Lake Santa Ynez can be seen as a co-production between men and Mother Nature. Extensive earth moving activities in the Santa Ynez Canyon, which used to be a silent movie production site of the then-famous Inceville motion-picture studio in the early 1920ies, were followed by water coming from nearby springs, quickly filling the basin, and bringing a halt to plans for future land development.
During the following 10 years the area remained untouched and more than a decade later the land, which meanwhile had turned into a forgotten swamp was purchased by H. Everett McElroy, assistant superin­tendent of construction for 20th Cen­tury Fox studios, and developed according to his vision of a unique private paradise, including the construction of a new residence situated across the McElroy's double-deck Mississippi-style houseboat which had been relocated from Lake Mead, followed by a boat deck with landing and a Dutch Windmill with a fifteen foot water wheel connected to an irrigation system.

And now the story becomes really fascinating.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The moment I entered the store a colorful scarf begged me to be allowed to come home with me - how could I not practice kindness and compassion at a place like this. I couldn't.


Links:

http://www.lakeshrine.org/

http://www.yogananda-srf.org/

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

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


Kindness & Compassion Gifts 
http://www.welcometoplanetvegan.com/store.html
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Where kind food is on the rise

5/18/2014

1 Comment

 
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.


If there is one place that I can't wait to see and visit, it is the one in Vienna, where the feast starts visually with the restaurant design and interior.
What used to be an Indian Fashion Boutique "Dancing Shiva", is now an explosion of colors, and the brand new gourmet temple "Dancing Shiva Superfoods", specializing in raw vegan foods and dishes.
Cocoa, Goji Berries, Maca Roots and other Superfoods are processed into delightful dishes, satisfying eyes and taste buds.
As Professional Master Pastry Chef, having had my training at "Demel", one of the most prestigious Viennese pastry shops, I especially appreciate what "Simply Raw Bakery" has to offer: Sweet raw vegan delicacies made from the best of nature's treasure chest, organic fruits, nuts, seeds, superfoods, vegetables and herbs. Pastries for a new age, loaded with Love, Compassion, Kindness, Vitamins, Enzymes and Trace Elements. Simply raw, available in Vienna.
About 45 minutes outside of Vienna is another stunning vegan restaurant, "Schillinger", cooking for the local community since 1793.
After 200 years of serving authentic Austrian cuisine based on meat and tons of dairies, Schillinger's owners made the impossible possible and turned their place into a vegetarian restaurant at first, before converting it into 100% vegan, without sacrificing a single classic Austrian dish from their menu. Meat and dairies have been replaced with numerous national and international awards for this remarkable transition.
Who would have thought that Fritattensuppe, Gulasch and Schnitzel can actually be kind and peaceful!

Austria, here I come!

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Dancing Shiva Superfoods
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Simply Raw Bakery
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Schillinger
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All images published in this article have been downloaded from the internet to support promoting the featured businesses, hoping that this doesn't cause any copyright infringement in any way. Please do feel free to contact me should there be an issue.

Links:

http://www.dancingshiva.at/


http://www.simplyrawbakery.at

http://www.schillinger.co
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SEEDS FOR SOWING GOODNESS

5/8/2014

3 Comments

 
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".
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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.

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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

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