Tribute to Yogi, Darcy Belanger

Image Source: Parvati Magazine

This morning many, many beings are gathered to pay tribute to Darcy Belanger.  Darcy was a popular member of my high school graduating class, a valued member of our local community and the beloved husband of my friend and fellow yoga teacher Amie.

Darcy was a Yogi in every sense.  He was an earnest seeker of truth, a thoughtful steward of the environment, a generous and kind companion, a dedicated humanitarian, and a cheerful friend.  He had a compassionate glow that knew no limits and inspired others to fulfill their personal potential.  The moment I heard of his passing, I was struck by the "gap in goodness" his absence leaves.

I would like to bring your attention to Parvati Magazine's April/May 2019 issue, titled "Courage", which is dedicated to Darcy and the work he did with the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary (MAPS).

Also to the work of Amma, the "Hugging Mother", Darcy's guru, who has been inspiring, uplifting, and comforting people around the world with her loving embrace for decades.

Darcy, Noble Soul, may your passing through the in-between be fearless.  May you be as lovingly cherished in the afterlife as you are here on earth.  Om Trayambakam x 108.

Small Things with Great Love

Image Source: Wikipedia

Last weekend, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, one of the greatest Karma Yoginis of our time was officially recognised as a Saint.

Having visited Nirmal Hriday, Mother Teresa's Kalighat Home for the Destitute and Dying in 1999 I can tell you it is the most terrifying place I have ever been.  The sickness and suffering of the patients was unforgettable, but the faith, kindness and dedication of the volunteers was truly the most awe-inspiring and unparalleled gift of Karma Yoga, or selfless service that I have ever had the privilege to witness.

As a small token of my thanks, respect and admiration for Saint Teresa and the countless volunteers and donors who have made her mission possible, I share the prayer which is said to have hung on her wall for many years:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives,
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies,
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you,
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight,
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous,
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten,
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough,
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. 
It was never between you and them anyway.

Here is a beautiful quote you can print and color to remind yourself that every small thing done with great love makes an impact:  Saint Teresa Quote Coloring Page

St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta ki - Jai!!!

To Sum it Up: University of Alberta Lecture

Om

Namaste to Deanna and all the students of Spring Term 2015, PAC 156 Introduction to Yoga Basics at the University of Alberta!

Thank you for inviting me to your class to share a sampling of the origin, history and basic philosophy of Yoga with you!

I've organized some links to previous posts here on Kali's Kitchen that you may find helpful as you go over your notes from last Thursday.

I hope our time together whet your appetite to find out more about the roots of Yoga and How Yoga Really Works!

One of the first things we talked about was the sound and Meaning of Om.  We chanted it along with my Shruti Box in a very meditative way, but there is also a popular form of devotional chanting known as Kirtan.

Check out this video featuring one of my Guru brothers from the Sivananda Ashram in the Bahamas and the mantra Om: Hari Om Kirtan with Narayan Jyoti.

We chanted The Teacher/Student Chant in Sanskrit.  Not easy, but it sounded great!

Regarding the history of yoga and its journey to the West, I mentioned two of the early ambassadors of Yoga who introduced the ancient, mystical teachings of India to North America:  Swami Vivekananda and Paramahansa Yogananda.

The Seven Chakras

I also mentioned a few of the westerners who significantly contributed to popularizing Yoga in the mid 1900's:

Swami Vishnudevananda and The Beatles

Bhagavan Das, Kali Kirtan with Bhagavan Das and Richard Alpert/RamDass, Ram Dass on Giving and Receiving, Ram Dass Gives Maharaji "The Yogi Medicine"

Yoga was traditionally taught in ashrams or retreat centres with monastic teachers known as swamis.  

University of Alberta professor Neil Dalal recently released a film called Gurukulam that gives a beautiful "insider's view" of a modern ashram.  Don't worry if you didn't catch it at the premiere in March, it turns out they're offering an encore screening on May 31st!

Image Source

I gave you two classical definitions of Yoga:

The first was from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,  Sutra 1.2, "Yoga is the cessation of the mental waves."

For more about Patanjali and Raja/Asht-anga Yoga see:  Legends of Yoga: The Birth of Patanjali, and Yoga Sutras, Free Online Resources

The second came from the Bhagavad Gita,  Shloka 2.50, "Yoga is skill in action."

For an easy way to relate to the main characters, Krishna and Arjuna, check out this cute tribute to the original text: Love in the Bhagavad Gita.  It's part of a series of cartoons originally published in Ascent magazine that depict the entire text!

I mentioned several of the main Paths of Yoga:  Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and of course, Hatha Yoga the most widely practiced path of Yoga in the West.

We ended with the Chant for Enlightenment and wishes for Shanti or Peace.

May you all enjoy your studies and benefit the world with your wisdom!

Namaste!

Ethical Giving at "Just Christmas" This Weekend

Remember when Christmas was about thoughtful giving? 

Just Christmas offers the opportunity to give gifts that help make the world a better place. 

Just Christmas is Edmonton's largest Alternative Global Market Place for quality arts, handmade crafts and other goods. 

When you purchase a gift from the non-profit and charitable organizations in this market, 

the money you spend goes towards the building of healthy communities around the world. 

Located at:

Alberta Avenue Community Hall

9210-118 Avenue

Friday November 28,  5:30pm - 9:00pm

Saturday November 29, 9:30am - 4:00pm 

Proceeds from Kalyana's sales (kalyana.imports@gmail.com)
at Just Christmas will support Tibetan Buddhist Nuns at  

Keydong Thuk-che Choling Nunnery in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

The living situation is in Nepal is very difficult. Power is only available 8-10 hours per day.  No power also means no water because the pumps to fill the water storage tanks are electric.  There is no such thing as turning on a tap in Nepal and expecting water to flow.  Hot water is never available due to the lack of power for heating.  Cold water is only available if you have the ability to store water.

To address the water & power shortages the nunnery has purchased a generator with the support of donors. However, ongoing fuel shortages in Nepal constantly pose a problem. Many evenings, the nuns must study by flashlight for many hours and may not have the water to brush their teeth or wash up before going to bed.  They do have 5 rooftop water storage tanks but without the fuel to run the generator there is no way to fill them if they run dry during a power rationing time.

The cost of most goods, including fuel, have nearly tripled in the last few years.  Nepal has no internal resources for power and gas and must rely on either India or China to supply both.  Because of the unstable government, Nepal is falling behind on paying for their supplies so neither India nor China will provide a predictable supply of gas.  As a result, fuel is being rationed and prices have dramatically increased.  Because there is no fuel to run generators, many basic services - banking, tailoring, phones, etc - also are unpredictable.  Those services that do run charge a premium price because of the price of fuel needed to keep the power supply going.

The Nepalese people are suffering greatly.  General strikes over the price of fuel, the government, lack of services, and more happen regularly.  As long as the government instability continues there is no end in sight to these issues.  Tourism is down significantly and this was the primary source of income for Nepal.  

Your support can make a visible difference in the quality of life of these wonderful nuns. 

You may also consider the opportunity to sponsor one of the nuns at Keydong Thuk-che Choling Nunnery! 

Sponsorship forms will be available at Just Christmas.

Free parking

Admission by donation

Food and entertainment

For more information visit:

justchristmas.org

Summer Solstice with Satwinder Sran

I'm honored to be joining Satwinder Sran this Saturday, June 21 from 2-5pm for a Summer Solstice Celebration Fundraiser for the Guru Ram Das Center for Medicine and Humanology!

Satwinder says, "Join us for a powerful practice that can energize your system and give you renewal. Yogic practice on the summer solstice is said to be very potent and can set your energy for the next six months. Recharge yourself with yoga kriyas and meditations that connect you with your source of infinite energy and Healing".

I've been invited to sing, and share a chant for the earth, sky and heart, the Isht Sodhana Mantra! 

Celebrate the first day of summer, the light within and around us with yoga, meditation, chanting, and more!

Raja Yoga Summer Camp, 2014!

Summer is nearly upon us!  Get ready for 2014 Raja Yoga Summer Camp!

Last year we enjoyed kirtan, study nights, field trips and more!

This year we're getting even bigger, brighter and bolder than before, with temple tours, puja ceremonies, crafts, cooking demos, ayurveda, outdoor classes, karma yoga opportunities, free talks, weekend retreats, and even a nine-night yoga intensive!

Note*  Many of these events are by invitation only.  If you would like to be on the evite list, send me an email at:  tarawoltjen@yahoo.ca

Have a suggestion for an event, karma yoga project, field trip or topic of study?

Join us for the Raja Yoga Summer Camp Reunion and 2014 Planning Meeting on Wednesday May 7, 7 pm at Lingsa, in Sherwood Park, AB.

Schedule of events coming soon!

Akshaya Tritiya: Start Something New Today!

Today is Akshaya Tritiya, a holy day for Hindus and Jains.  It is the third lunar day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakha.

This day is believed to bring good luck and success.  It is an auspicious day to begin new ventures, purchase valuables, make offerings and do charitable works.

It is said to be the day that:

- Adi Shankaracharya recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotr.

-  Veda Vyas and Lord Ganesha began writing the Mahabharata.

- The river Ganga, descended to the earth.

- The Goddess Annapoorna was born.

If you would like to know more about Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) visit the website of my teacher, Krishna Darshan.  

And for more about what this month has in store, check out the 3HO Tantric Numerology reading for May 2014 titled:  Timing is Everything

What new adventure will you begin today? 

Care2 Reaches 25 Million Members

Image Source: oneloveorigami.blogspot.ca

Today I became a member of Care2.com and helped them reach 25 million members!

Care2 is "the largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare."

Its free to join, and as a member you earn Butterfly Rewards for commenting on articles, starting and signing petitions, sending free e-cards and more. 

Butterfly Rewards can be redeemed to make a difference in the world by protecting the rainforest, providing food, water, and education for children, protecting wild, shelter and farm animals, and even helping farmers grow food crops and organic cotton!

Here are just a few links to recent articles you yogis and yoginis may find interesting:

The New and Improved Vegetarian and Vegan Food Pyramid

Gender Discrimination and Child Mortality in India

Ayurveda: Oil Pulling Heals Gums and Whitens Teeth Naturally

4 Ways Mindfulness Transforms Your Life

Thanks to Care2 for offering one more way to "Be the change you wish to see in the world." 

Grandmothers to Grandmothers

Image Source: Grandmothers to Grandmothers

Sherwood Park Yogini, Candice is about to embark on an amazing trip with the Stephen Lewis Foundation to meet with grassroots community groups who work on the frontlines of the AIDS pandemic in Africa!

As part of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign Candice will see first hand what its like for African Grandmothers who have stepped up to care for millions of orphaned children, sometimes as many as ten to fifteen in one household! 

She will bear witness to the love, courage and resilience that allows these Grandmothers to act as caregivers, leaders and advocates in the survival and education of Africa's children as well as the many challenges they face to do so.

If you, or anyone you know would like to donate Aeroplan points to this worthy cause, it would be much appreciated by Candice, by the Stephen Lewis Foundation, and by our brothers, sisters, grandmothers and grandchildren in Africa.

Candice, best wishes for a healthy, safe,  heart and eye opening journey!  Om Trayambakam!

We look forward to hearing about it when you return!

Opening the Anahata Chakra





Rose, Candice's Garden Tour, Raja Yoga Summer Camp, 2013



"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."

- Rumi, Sufi Mystic

The Heart Centre, or Anahata Chakra, is the main portal through which we relate to and accept ourselves and the world.  It is also considered the main knot in our energetic bodies.

Here are a few simple suggestions for opening the heart:

- Volunteer!  Karma Yoga or helping others, feels good for everyone and breaks down perceived barriers between "us" and "them".

- Sing!  Bhakti Yoga, chanting, singing, dancing, ceremony, arts, crafts and cultivating an connection with the Divine are wonderful ways to release and express pent-up emotions.

- Practice Yoga!  Hatha Yoga moves prana or energy, and shifts feelings of stagnation or contraction.  Energetic vinyasas like Surya Namaskar are great for strengthening the physical heart, and backward bends like Bhujangasana (Cobra), Dhanurasana (Bow), and Chakrasana (Wheel) are considered excellent "heart openers".

- Breathe!  Connecting with your breath is calming for the mind and the nervous system.

- Study the lives of those who live love!  Read the poems of Mirabai, Rumi, and Hafez.  Celebrate the lives of Jesus, St. Francis of Assissi, Mother Teresa, Mata Amritanandamayi, The 14th Dalai Lama and so many others who live loving-kindness or make a habit of doing small things with great love.

- Stop and smell the roses!  Roses have an exceptionally high vibrational frequency.  Even if you don't have a bottle of precious rose essential oil at home, you can visit your favorite Middle-Eastern grocer and buy some rose water to use instead of commercial facial toner, spread rose jam on your toast, and infuse dried rose petals in your tea.  Or take a trip to your local florist or greenhouse and bury your nose in the most fragrant blossom you can find!

For more inspiration about the Anahata Chakra and more suggestions for exploring your heart, check out this lovely post on the Free People blog.

The Artful Yogis and the Festival of Trees

This gorgeous wreath, hand-felted by our crafty karma yoga community won the People's Choice second prize at Sherwood Park's "Festival of Trees" last weekend!

Not only was it great fun to create (wow, the spinoffs from Raja Yoga Summer Camp are blowing my mind!), but it helped raise money for the Volunteer Information Service!

Thanks to all the "Artful Yogis" who participated, and everyone who attended and voted for our "Heart-felt" creation! 

Also a big thanks to Yoga for Today for sponsoring the wreath and posting the information on their Facebook page!

Giving and Receiving

Image Source: oneloveorigami

Today, many of us will participate in the exchange of gifts.  As yogis, we may see this as an opportunity for swadyaya or self-study. 

The exercises below were recommended by Ram Dass in 1974 as part of a course on the Bhagavad Gita.  He suggested choosing two and then journaling about them. 

You may already have “done” a couple of them today!  All you need now is a little time for reflection.

 “Paths to God, Living the Bhagavad Gita” by Ram Dass (Harmony, 2004, pages 260-261). 

“Giving Exercises:

1. Give away fruit on the street.   Take enough to last a few hours so that you’ll experience a wide range of responses from people.  Offer it to passersby.  You might try doing it at two locations:  one where many people are hungry (industrial and campus lunchtime) and then one where they’re probably not (middle-class shopping area in mid-afternoon).  Watch the difference in your inner and outer behavior in the two places.  Don’t be attached to the fruits.
2. Give away some of your possessions.
3. Give away something you don’t care about and then give away something that is precious to you.
4. Give something to someone you like and then something to someone you don’t know or are not quite straight with.
5. Give two gifts – buy one and make the other.
6. Give something to your parents or your children.
7. Give away money anonymously.
8. Give fruit or sweets at an institution – a mental hospital or orphanage or old-age home.
9. Give something to a child and then something to an adult.
10. Give time.  Offer an hour or a day in service to a friend or institution.
11. Give it all away. (Except for your journal.) Because the administrators of the course have not done this particular exercise, we are offering it as useful based on hearsay. 

Receiving Exercises:

1. For one day eat only what is offered to you by others.  (Don’t tell anyone what you are doing until the day is over.)  Many yogis in India practice this tapasya.  It helps you realize that you are not the Prime Doer and awakens you to the level at which it is being done for you.
2. Reflect on recent things that have been given to you and your reactions to these gifts.”

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and thank you for the gifts you've given me throughout the year!  I'm so grateful for your time, your friendship, your kindness, your love, your patience, your participation and your offerings of all kinds!  May they come back to you a thousand-fold!

Random Acts of Karma Yoga

Maybe you've already heard about this, but I thought I'd share with you it anyway. 

When a young man in the States named Aaron Collins passed away three weeks ago, he left his family with a mission to change the life of someone he didn't even know. 

He asked them to go for pizza and leave the waiter or waitress a HUGE tip. 

Although he didn't leave them the money, they quickly raised it through a website called http://aaroncollins.org/ and made good on his request. 

You can watch the video here.

I bring this to your attention because in my eyes, it is a beautiful story of Karma Yoga. 

Their gift did not depend on the level of service they received.  It didn't require any payback.  Aaron will never know, as it is put in the Bhagavad Gita, the "fruits of his actions".

His story inspires us to be generous and kind in our own ways and to create a life and legacy of Love.

Be in Peace, Aaron. 

May your Soul find bliss, and your family find comfort in their memories of you and the new ones you are creating together in the lives and hearts you are championing from Beyond.

Sattvic Movie Saturday - Yogis of Tibet

Another April snow storm is keeping me indoors tonight.  Ah, Alberta...

But it's inspired me to launch a new series of posts called Sattvic Movie Saturday!

I'd wish you could come over tonight.  We could watch a movie and eat popcorn and raw chocolate and drink chai, but here's the next best thing!

Staff Meeting, Sivananda Ashram, Bahamas
(Me, Upper Right)

Kind of reminds me of "staff night" in the Bahamas at the Sivananda Ashram which happens only ever so rarely. 

The staff (all karma yogis/volunteers) almost never take a day or a night or even a moment off.

As Swami Brahmananda says when someone asks for one, "Does your karma take a day off?" 

"No, Swamiji... sigh...", is always the answer. :-D

But once in a while in low season, someone takes the guests for evening satsang on the beach and the staff indulge like sixth graders at a sleepover, with chai and lemonade and chips and popcorn and whatever sweet treat someone can concoct in the kitchen in addition to their "real" karma yoga. 

Sometimes... oh dare I say it... we even have ice creammmmmmmm....  and hang out all together and giggle and eat, enjoy a movie and a well deserved change of pace. 

Some of my favorites:  The Princess Bride, Kung Fu Panda, Lord of the Rings and Baraka. 

Less favorite films but great memories:  Oh, God! (my favorite part being Swami Brahmananda's boyish guffaws), Brother Sun, Sister Moon (it seems Brahmachari Shankar knows every song and line as well as he knows The Princess Bride) and Avatar (which I would have just walked out of, but the tahini cookies Mahadevi made were sooooooo good...)

There we're immersed in yoga 25/7.  Here, yoga movies are the only ones I make time for. 

So starting tonight, watch for Sattvic Movie Saturday posts and we can discuss or review the films here. 

In honor of the Tibetan Heart Yoga class this morning, let's begin with Yogis of Tibet (Click here to watch full screen on YouTube).

I've got my Veggie Quesadillas ready!  Go grab your snacks and a drink.  Curl up and enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments section below! 

Or email your movie suggestions to:  tarawoltjen@yahoo.ca

Where in the World?




Kali's Kitchen is well on the way to our goal of raising one million grains of rice for the United Nations World Food Program on Freerice.com!

Congratulations to Omkari, our top player, who has raised more than 147 000 grains so far!  Jai!!


My new favorite subject is World Landmarks.  Identify awesome places around the world including many that are of special interest to yogis.  For example:

• Where do you find Mount Everest? 
• Where do you find the Lotus Temple? 
• Where do you find the Tiger's Nest? 
• Where do you find Potala Palace?

Plus identify lots of other cool places like the Dead Sea,  the Snake Temple and Timbuktu!

Each correct answer donates 10 grains of rice to hungry people around the world. 

Click here to join the Kali's Kitchen group of Karma Yogis.

Warning* This game is free to play, super fun and may make you smarter!!!

What's your favorite subject?

Third Eye Vision

To paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi,
Sivananda Yogini Veronica Ruelas is:

"Being the change she wants to see in the world."

Loss of sight is sometimes considered the greatest tragedy next to death, yet millions are suffering with PREVENTABLE blindness, which means the visual impairment can be prevented or treated.

Of the 37 million people across the globe who are blind, over 15 million live in India.

Our goal is to help them.

This is where our story begins:

In 2008 we traveled to India and visited the very remote Himalayan town of Uttarkashi. We immediately fell in love with this rural area and its people.

The agricultural and labor nature of this society puts them at a greater risk for cataracts. Dense cataracts due to high elevation, strong sun exposure and no UV protection are very common, including in people as young as the age of 30.

We have gone yearly since 2008 allowing us to track our patients, including the ones we referred for surgery to the local hospital.

We learned, with astonishment, that patients were coming out worse than when they went in. This is mainly due to lack of equipment, manpower and education.

Our mission is to help raise funds to establish an eye clinic in this remote area, providing access to quality eye care.

Going there and helping them from time to time does help, but we want to do something more sustainable.



The clinic’s structure is currently being built by locals on donated land out of brick and mortar. This empowers them as they are working and contributing to their community.

The clinic will provide comprehensive eye care and glasses, along with cataract and other minor surgeries. We plan to create a sustainable clinic where international doctors can come to treat and provide training to the local hospital doctors and staff.

Imagine the possibilities!

All donations will be used to purchase the ophthalmic equipment needed to ensure the people of this region have access to quality eye care, glasses and cataract surgery.

We invite you to join us on our mission and share in our passion to restore lives by restoring vision. Making a difference one person, one family, one community at a time.

We have partnered with our friends at Give2Asia so that your contribution is tax deductible.

93% of your donation will go directly towards our mission (and we hope yours now as well).
7% will go to Give2Asia to cover administrative costs.

Thank you in advance for your donation,
Veronica and the thirdeyevision team

T  Total Transparency.

H  Humbly helping and healing wherever and whenever possible.

I   Integrity within ourselves and our thirdeyevision partners. 

R  Radiate love, compassion and a little humor.

D  Do good. Be good.

E  Enjoy ourselves and share joy with others. 

Y  You can make a difference!

E  Empower those who grant us the opportunity to serve them.

EMAIL  THIRDEYEVISIONTEAM@GMAIL.COM TO DONATE:

• Your skills & medical services
• Used or New Ophthalmic Equipment & Instruments
• Glasses

All donations will be used to purchase the ophthalmic equipment needed to ensure the people of this region have access to quality eye care, glasses and cataract surgery.

 

Or click here to learn more or offer your support.

Tent to Trend: Milk Crate Decor

This post is dedicated to my ashram friends, whose tent decor features the practical (but till now not-so-stylish) milk crate!

Ah, we know them well!  Snatched up in any color, but most coveted in yellow, they are our altars, bookshelves, tables, chairs, wardrobes, laundry baskets, and more!  That is, if we can get our hands on them!

They also act as storage bins in the garden shed and the boutique, hold firewood for homas and pujas, carry supplies for painting decks and other karma yoga jobs, and even hold - wait for it - milk!

This photo was in the February 2012 issue of Elle Canada... who knew we were so ahead of the trend?!?  LOL!

Happy Anniversary One! and All!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world."  - Mahatma Gandhi

Congratulations to Tania Spilchen and all of the members, friends and champions of One! International who gathered for a Gala last weekend to celebrate One!'s 11th Anniversary!

Together we enjoyed Indian food and entertainment, speeches from volunteers, a silent auction and eachother's company. 

Best of all, for the first time, we all got to connect live with the children, teachers and parents of One! in Mumbai via Skype to hear their voices and feelings! 

We were inspired and uplifted!

Thank you to all of the volunteers, staff, and donors who made the evening such a joy to attend, and to all of the friends who contributed their support and generous donations!

Thank you, Tania-Didi!  You are an inspiration as always!  I see your beauty, love, wisdom and determination reflected in One!'s children, and I see theirs in you!

One Hundred Thousand Grains of Rice!

Woo Hoo!  In less than a week, Kali's Kitchen has already donated over 100 000 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Programme at FreeRice.com! 

FreeRice has two goals:

• Provide education to everyone for free.
• Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

You can help us to reach our next target of ONE MILLION GRAINS OF RICE!

Click here to join the group "Kali's Kitchen" on FreeRice.com! 

A Million Grains of Rice

Cranberry Pistachio Kheer (Rice Pudding)

One day I'm going to write a book called "Conspiracy of Angels", and you're in it!


In the latest chapter, the Angels conspire to feed the world!

Here are several ways you can get involved:

1.  Make some yummy Cranberry Pistachio Kheer to share with your friends and family.

2.  Do yoga at Yoga for Today in Sherwood Park during Yoga for Food Week, January 2-8, 2012.  Bring non-perishable Food Bank donations in exchange for yoga classes throughout the week. 

You are warmly invited to bring a donation and join me for Intermediate Hatha Yoga on Sunday, January 8 from 9:00-10:30 am!

3.  Get educated!  Check out this article by the United Nations World Food Program:  11 Myths About Global Hunger.  You can feed your mind and hungry people around the world at the same time.

Join the Kali's Kitchen group on FreeRice.com. 

Let's see how quickly we can donate A MILLION GRAINS OF RICE!