Reading labels

For some reason I was under the impression that Larabars were raw. Where did I get that impression? In many bars they have only 3 ingredients which is great. Usually dates, a nut and a fruit or salt. Peanut Butter Cookies, for example, are dates, peanuts, and salt. OK. I can deal with that and eat it. However, it doesn't say it's raw. The bar is labeled as vegan and dairy free. Another bar consists simply of dates, almonds and unsweetened bananas. That, too, I can deal with and will eat.

I did find that not all of them are equal. While shopping with my mom at Target, I found Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip bars for $5 for a box of 5. Being excited that I could pick them up for so cheap, I bought them. What I didn't realize was that the chocolate was not raw cacao. It's made up of "unsweetened chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla." Well, that's what happens when one does not read the ingredients and assumes that just cuz one bar is vegan, raw, and dairy free. I will not make that mistake again.

What will I do with all the bars? Well, I decided to take them to church and serve them during coffee hour to all those who don't care what they eat. It will be my contribution to the church.

Can I make my own bars? Why of course. According to Test Kitchen Tuesday, I can easily make them so I will. This way, not only will I know they are raw, I will save a lot of money. Angela of Test Kitchen did the math and the savings will be tremendous. She calculated that it would cost between $.29-$.58 a bar vs. $1.29-$1.49 a bar.

The chief ingredients in the composition of those qualities that gain esteem and praise, are good nature, truth, good sense, and good breeding.
Joseph Addison

Days & Easter: A reflection

I was listening to sacred music this morning and the song "Days" somehow ran through my head. For some reason I heard it as sung by Elvis Costello. Then I remembered that it was a Kinks song.

As I read and reflected on the lyrics, I thought of the joy and sadness the song brings to mind. It talks about sacred days. For me that would be days of being touched by Christ, by the Holy Spirit, the joy of feeling a closeness to God, to the Creator, to the Source of life. I've had several experiences over the years which I call Holy Spirit experiences. Though I don't have them daily and sometimes it seems like years between, I remember each one very well, with clarity and deep feelings of joy.  Even though there are times when I don't feel right and all things seem to be going wrong, I know that the Holy Spirit, the Creator is with me always. Those would be the times of sorrow for me. Yet, I am not afraid, I have those times, those days when I know Spirit was with me, guiding me, blessing me, keeping me safe. I am not frightened of what is going to happen in my life. There are sacred days in my life which will be cherished forever. For today, "Days" became a sacred song to me.

Over the last 4 months, my life has been in turmoil with no job or home; nor have I had much computer access. I've been living with family or friends. Right now I'm in Watsonville living with a family I just met. My husband started working at All Saint's Episcopal Church and Cristo Rey only two weeks ago. This period has been a real test in faith. For those months between being a missionary in Panama and having a church in Watsonville seemed quite trying. We had no real income and only faith to live on along with the kindness of others. Thankfully, I have Jer. 29:11 to keep me going. "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."

Here's Ray Davis singing "Days."

Days lyrics

Thank you for the days,
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me.
I'm thinking of the days,
I won't forget a single day, believe me.

I bless the light,
I bless the light that shines on you believe me.
And though you're gone,
You're with me every single day, believe me.

Days I'll remember all my life,
Days when you can't see wrong from right.
You took my life,
But then I knew that very soon you'd leave me,
But it's all right,
Now I'm not frightened of this world, believe me.

I wish today could be tomorrow,
The night is dark,
It just brings sorrow, let it wait.

Thank you for the days,
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me.
I'm thinking of the days,
I won't forget a single day, believe me.

Days I'll remember all my life,
Days when you can't see wrong from right.
You took my life,
But then I knew that very soon you'd leave me,
But it's all right,
Now I'm not frightened of this world, believe me.
Days.

Thank you for the days,
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me.
I'm thinking of the days,
I won't forget a single day, believe me.

I bless the light,
I bless the light that shines on you believe me.
And though you're gone,
You're with me every single day, believe me.
Days.





  Just the very nature of our birth, we are on the Spiritual Journey.--Father Keating

Here I am in the USA. The husband got a job in Watsonville, a cute farming community about 20-30 minutes south of Santa Cruz, CA. We're still looking for a house to live in. Right now we're staying at a guest house on a ranch just outside of town. It's still only about 15 minutes from the church my husband works at.

I've been able to go back to being 100% raw most of the time. Because we now have a paycheck, I'm able to buy superfoods. Nice! That's one thing we didn't have in Panama. There was no place to get raw cacao, spirulina, blue green algae or any thing of the sort.



I found a group on Meet Up of Raw Fooders in the area. Hopefully, I can go to an event or two to get to know people. It's not easy doing this without support. Having support is very important for the psyche. It helps keep one motivated. Also, one learns from others through community.


Just by the very nature of our birth, we are on the spiritual journey.

Thomas Keating