Almond Milk Is Not Vegan

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Almond Milk Gains Popularity

We're munching on almonds and beating them into milk and cheese. Almond growers couldn't be happier. Some people also feel happy that they're not using cow's milk. They consider almond milk to be vegan.

However, the definition of vegan is not eating any animal product or using any by-product. This includes wearing silk made by silkworms and honey made by honey bees.

“To me, saying I’m vegan is synonymous with saying,
I have decided to live a lifestyle that does not support animal exploitation.”
— Jack Norris, Co-Founder of Vegan Outreach
 

Spoiler Alert: Almonds Are Not Vegan

Without honey bees, we wouldn't have almond milk. The only way our vast almond groves exist and the millions of pollinated flowers become crunchy tidbits is because we enlist the massive workforce of our honey bees.

LOTS of honey bees. 

California Almond Groves

You've probably seen the ads for California Almonds. All that advertising by California almond growers is paying off.

The majority of almonds are grown in California. They provide more than 80% of the world's almond harvest.

 

California almond groves cover more than 900,000 acres. Plans are being made to expand even further. 

Almond trees are not self-pollinating; honey bees provide the missing link.

We don't have enough honey bees in California to pollinate all of these almond orchards. Every year, nearly 85% of ALL beehives in the United States are trucked to California to pollinate the state's almond crop.

More than one million beehives (not bees, beehives) travel to California every year from as far away as Maine. Honey bees provide pollination for the almond crop in February and early March.

Honey Bees On The Road

Shipping honey bees around the country is not particularly beneficial to them. Traveling the entire length of the United States on trucks with hives wrapped in saran wrap is stressful. It can weaken their immune systems.

When honey bees gather together from around the country, they bring their local viruses and pathogens. Not all the little bees make it back to their own hives, and thus, germs and diseases are shared.

“The migration continually boomerangs honeybees between times of plenty and borderline starvation. Once a particular bloom is over, the bees have nothing to eat, because there is only that one pollen-depleted crop as far as the eye can see.

When on the road, bees cannot forage or defecate. And the sugar syrup and pollen patties beekeepers offer as compensation are not nearly as nutritious as pollen and nectar from wild plants.

Scientists have a good understanding of the macronutrients in pollen such as protein, fat and carbohydrate, but know very little about its many micronutrients such as vitamins, metals and minerals — so replicating pollen is difficult.”
— Scientific American
 

Bees Face Danger When Traveling

The road trip itself is not necessarily a safe one. A semi-truck loaded with beehives crashed on I-5 in Washington State. Clean-up crews killed nearly all the bees.

Out of 448 beehives only 128 were rescued. This doesn't help our declining bee population. Perhaps if they had not been on the road in the first place. From this article: Almonds Require A Ton of Bees:

Mono-crop Risks

Large mono-crops provide an ideal habitat for pests like fungi and insects and thus, the almond growers have a strong incentive to use pesticides and chemicals. There was an uproar from beekeepers when a massive die-out of the honey bees took place in 2014 – beekeepers thought almond growers had used too many pesticides.

More Beehives?

Some have asked why we don't just add more beehives into California. 

“California is already home to 500,000 of the nation’s 2.7 million hives. The almond bloom is great for a few weeks, but not in terms of year-round foraging,

California is already at or near its carrying capacity for honey bees. The areas with the best-quality forage are already well stocked with bees.

So, satisfying the world’s ever-growing appetite for almonds will continue to require an annual armada of beehive-laden trucks.”
— Eric Mussen, UC Davis

Everyone Wants Honey And Almonds

No one is saying that we do away with almonds. Who doesn't enjoy a toasted, salted almond? Who can resist the lure of a delicate macaron?

No one is suggesting that we do away with honey bees or honey. 

We need to raise awareness that literally millions upon millions of honey bees give us all these almonds. We must find ways to support them.

 

Helping Our Honey Bees

There are ways that we can help the situation and our honey bees. We simply have to choose to do so.

At the personal level: buy local. Support small businesses of beekeepers and buy local, organic honey. Not only are you getting fresh, unadulterated honey, you also benefit from the local pollens.

Amongst the thousands of crop acres, we could restore portions of acreage with natural, bee-friendly habitat. This would favor native pollinators as well as honey bees.

The idea is to plant varied types of wildflowers in different areas for bees to have more places to forage and nest. With a robust population of native bees and pollinators, the amount of honey bees required could potentially be cut in half. 

Although, bear in mind, beekeepers currently make more profit from pollination services than they do from honey sales. This idea could be met with resistance from the beekeepers themselves.

irrigation ditch, california. ap photo/jae c. hong

Almonds And Water

Given California's recurring drought situation, it is worth noting that almond crops are one of the highest water consumers. It takes about a gallon of water for one almond. 

“There is little dispute that almonds are among the thirstiest crops in California. Almond trees require about 4 acre-feet of water a year for every acre planted.
Tomatoes and grapes take about half as much water...”
— David Goldhamer, UC Cooperative Extension

Furthermore, almond orchards are continual crops and must be watered throughout the year. Almond trees don't have the option to lie fallow during the off-season.

Everything We Do Touches Everything

There is nothing we do that doesn't touch everything. We are all connected together. The idea of separation is a simple delusion. It's not our greater truth.

With each breath we take, we touch a vibration that connects us all, all the time, wherever we are, whether we are conscious of it or not. 

This article Why California Almonds Need North Dakota Flowers (And A Few Billion Bees) describes the interconnection of our bees, orchards and wild flowers.

Support Honey Bees

It’s important to support local beekeepers. We need to continue to bring awareness about the almond groves and the growers as well as making sure that policy-makers make decisions and policies that are responsible and caring.

We can have both almonds and honey, but let's do so with awareness and responsible caretaking.

We may, however, want to rethink the idea that almond milk is vegan.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

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Your Breath Holds A Key

“One in-breath alone is enough to set you free – from your regrets about the past, your worries about the future, and your projects in the present.
In that state of freedom, you will make better decisions.
Next time you have to make a decision, be sure to breathe in and out first.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
 

We breathe. All day, all night.

Gratefully, we don't have to think about it. If it required our conscious thought, we'd all be dead by now, having let it lapse at least somewhere during a day of activity, racing to work, getting a cup of coffee, avoiding a traffic jam. Never mind trying to consciously breathe while we sleep.

Our breath is simply there, or we can choose to shine our awareness on it. As quoted above, our breath is a key to our awakening, a deeper awareness.

Precious Breath

Our breath is precious. It's the first thing that connects us to this earth at our birth. We can be born, but without the invisible cord of our breath that ties us to this earth, we won't be able to stay. 

When I first started working in Labor and Delivery, I felt sad when the newborns cried. That is, until I realized how deeply healthy it was when their lungs filled with air and they proclaimed their entrance onto this planet with a loud cry. My heart dropped to the floor when a delivery remained in frightening silence as we scrambled to save a little one.

I learned to love the cry of a newborn infant. Hearing it, I knew, at least for that moment, all was right with the world.

Remember To Breathe

As our lives march on, sometimes our breathing becomes shallow and tight. Sometimes we hold our breath.

While performing a medical procedure, we often tell our patients to breathe.

"Breathe, don't hold your breath."

Breathing with the discomfort carries us through the procedure.

Breathe in, breathe out – with awareness.

Follow your breath and let the breath set you free.

 

 

When You Are Meditative The Whole Day

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Consciousness Is A Continuum 

“Meditation cannot be a fragmented thing.

It should be a continuous effort. Every moment one has to be alert, aware and meditative. But the mind has played a trick. You meditate in the morning and then you put it aside. Or you pray in the temple and then forget it.

Then you come back to the world, completely unmeditative, unconscious, as if walking in a hypnotic sleep. This fragmented effort won’t do much.

Consciousness is a continuum. It is like a river, flowing constantly. If you are meditative the whole day, every moment of it – and only when you are meditative the whole day – the flowering will come to you.”
— Osho
 

Does this happen to you? You meditate in the morning, then you jump up to get ready for work and off you run into your busy day.

The next time you connect to mindfulness or meditation is in the evening when you get home.

Oops. What happened during the rest of the day?

Meditation Throughout The Day

In the beginning of our journey, it's not uncommon that we "pop in and out" of a deeper awareness. It can be a challenge to bring the awareness from our meditations into our minute-to-minute lives that are stuffed full of outer activities.

Even if our goal is to have less busy-ness, sometimes we don't have a choice. Work demands gobble up our days and time-consuming obligations take us further away from our own center point.

Whenever you remember, bring yourself back to the awareness. Don't beat yourself up over forgetting. It's okay. It's part of the path in our personal growth.

Expanding Your Awareness

Once you have studied The Radiance Technique® (TRT®), you are able to use TRT® hands-on throughout your day. TRT® enhances your dedicated meditations and also benefits and expands your awareness throughout your busy days.

You can integrate mindfulness into your daily life, such as when you get ready for work, while you are at work, watching tv at home, whatever you may be doing. It's effortless with the use of your TRT® hands-on, for example, with just one hand placed in a position in the midst of talking, walking or in a meeting.

Integrating TRT® into your daily life doesn't make more work for you. It doesn't require extra effort. It's easy to blend your TRT® hands-on into daily activities; TRT® makes it simple to bring increased awareness to all you do.

The more you practice, the less separation there is.

Allowing you to expand your knowingness of wholeness and to be in touch with the continuum of consciousness.

 

 

The Queen Of England Always

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God Save The Queen 

Queen Elizabeth II has always been Queen.

For my entire life, that is.

My mother lived in England during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II that took place on 02 June 1953. In the image on the right, I took a photo of the photos my mother took and framed, showing the street decorations that celebrated the coronation events. She kept them all these years.

My father, an officer in the United States Air Force, was stationed at Sculthorpe Airfield in England. My mother and he lived there for 3 years with Linda, my older sister. Linda attended English school from ages 5 to 8 and returned to the States with a charming English accent that sadly faded over time. However, throughout her life she remained intrigued by England and its long history.

My mother was pregnant with me while she was in England. It would have been nice to claim England as my birthplace, but my mother had other ideas and felt I should be born on American soil. Thus, she boarded a steamer and crossed the English Channel in time for the event.

Americans Enamored With British Royalty

I wonder if the American fascination with British royalty is based precisely upon the fact that we are not subject to them and can watch from afar without it much affecting our lives or our pocketbooks. Americans adore the pageantry that is sorely lacking in our own country.

Presidents come and go, and they're usually surrounded with such hyperbole and sardonic arguments that it can make it hard to enjoy them much. Our last and final "kingly" Camelot was swept away when gunshots rang out and our President slumped in the carseat of his motorcade.

We froze in horror with the death of John F. Kennedy.

I was quite young at the time, but I remember it nonetheless. I recall clutching a small American flag on a stick while watching Kennedy's funeral procession, standing in front of our black-and-white television set at home.

When The Queen Is No Longer Queen

How can there be a world without Queen Elizabeth? My world view will be quite unsettled when that inevitable time comes.

Perhaps because she is the age of my parents, I consider her to be a matriarchal figure watching over all of us.  Simply put, I haven't known a world without her.

The Queen has served honorably and well for these many years; her sense of duty brings dignity to all she does. She celebrated the 60th anniversary of her accession as Queen with the Diamond Jubilee in June 2012. The event was fêted throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Just to give an idea of her longevity in relation to our country and American politics, this long photo row captures Her Majesty in official engagements with 11 Presidents of the United States (she never met Johnson) during her reign. 

Would Queen Elizabeth Step Down?

One thought is that the Queen may one day step down and pass the baton to her son, Prince Charles. It would be better to have her step down, rather than die as Queen, don't you think? We could grow accustomed to the idea that she is no longer Queen without simultaneously grieving her physical loss from us. 

Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands did just this and passed the reins of the kingdom to her eldest son Willem-Alexander, who was the heir apparent to the throne. The Queen then reverted to being a Princess again. Princess Beatrix. 

Would Queen Elizabeth become a Princess again?

There's speculation that Prince Charles might not become King. He is quite busy with a legacy of charities and philanthropic work that he presently manages. He is already 66 years old, although with that being said, Her Majesty has reigned for 23 years since her age of 66.

If accession skips a generation, Prince William would become King. Here is a fascinating look from Business Insider predicting what will happen when the Queen dies and the chaos that will ensue. However, Prince William insists no generational skip will take place. 

An interesting shift will take place from a Queen ruling Britain to a return of Kings. The next royal rulers are all male: Prince Charles, Prince William and now Prince George.

Of course, this is assuming life marches forward without incident. Princess Charlotte could potentially become Queen if circumstances conspire in such a way that Prince George is unable to be King.

World Figures and Leaders

The Radiance Technique® (TRT®) can be used in our meditations and for directing energy to world figures and heads of state, (whether we agree with them or not). Are there well-known people with whom you feel connected?

As we watch weddings, coronations or royal events on television, we can apply our TRT® hands-on, bringing greater light to ourselves and our participation, albeit from afar.

Even many miles away, we are interconnected with one another and we share the joys and sorrows within our hearts.

You'll Never Be Royal?

Lots of little girls like to dress up as a Disney Princess and lots of fathers call their little girls "Princess."

Our fairy tales are filled with Kings and Queens. Maybe there's just a little bit of royal in all of us.

A Baby Girl, Say Hello To A New Princess

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A Baby Girl, A New Princess Is Born

The world is a-twitter about the birth of a baby girl in England, the second child of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Born 02 may 2015 at 0834, she weighed 8 lbs 3 oz. 

Two footman place the traditional birth notice signed by Kate's medical team on a golden easel outside Buckingham Palace.

Here you see the uptick in Twitter activity after the birth announcement of the little Princess. 

 
“Tweets using the hashtag #RoyalBaby peaked at 4,500 per minute at 11.25am, approximately 10 minutes after the princess’s birth was announced.”
— Credit: Twitter
 


A Labor Of Love – Time To Have A Baby

As a Registered Nurse who worked in Labor and Delivery/Postpartum for 10 years, I was naturally fascinated with the event. Her second delivery was faster, as is to be expected for subsequent deliveries. However, it was so fast, it makes me think she must have also labored at home.

Perhaps Catherine had a midwife or L&D nurse at Kensington Palace to check her progress? Once she reached 4 to 5 centimeters, indicating she was in active labor, they could pop off to the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital. It's not much of a drive to get there from the Palace. And, of course, with a police escort, traffic won't get in the way.

For such a short stay on the Labor Ward, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge received a discount on the costs of their hospital stay. I was delighted that Catherine specifically requested the same midwife who delivered Prince George, Jacqui Dunkley-Bent, a Professor of Midwifery.

According to The Telegraph, Professor Dunkley-Bent and fellow midwife Arona Ahmed spent the most time with the Duchess during her labor process. Of course, physicians were standing by should anything go awry that required a quick move into the operating room for a cesarean delivery.

An Easy Delivery

One of the hazards of being medical, my mind immediately started to wonder if she had an epidural or not and to consider all the sundry details we encounter on a Labor and Delivery deck, (episiotomy, pitocin, pain meds, well, I'll spare you).

Fortunately, no emergency maneuvers were required as evidenced by Catherine's glorious appearance on the steps less than 12 hours after delivery. Just my observation after many years of caring for postpartum women – it's uncommon for patients to appear quite so put together, so quickly after delivery.

 

Her breathtaking appearance sets the barre rather high. It doesn't hurt to have a personal assistant and hair stylist to help get you ready along with a beautiful bespoke dress by Jenny Packham. The yellow buttercup flowers on her silk dress sparkled like spring and its ombre effect hinted of falling petals.

Here's a nice look at her dress and its elegant cut in full:

As a second-time mom, Catherine knows what to expect. But even so, with such a quick discharge, I would imagine that nursing will provide some home visits to check up on her and the baby.

 

For Students Of The Radiance Technique®

Students of The Second Degree of The Radiance Technique® can direct supportive energy to the new Princess and any or all of the family members. Directing radiant, universal energy that is already within; it adjusts to the needs of the receiver. It's wonderful to share our loving support across time and space, without outer demands or expectations. 

Students of The First Degree of The Radiance Technique® can participate with their TRT® hands-on – expanding their own joy and mutual celebration of the birth of this baby as well as all babies on the planet.

Hashtag #Welcometothefamily

Catherine and William extended their circle of celebration to embrace the many babies born recently. With the launch of the royal hashtag #Welcometothefamily, they invited others to participate.

This Princess Will Remain In Line Of Succession

Of special intrigue to me is that this royal baby girl will remain in line of succession only due to new laws that came into effect in March 2015. This change of laws governing succession means that as a girl, for the first time, she will remain ahead of any younger brother in the line of succession.

Previously, under the ancient rules of male primogeniture, royal sons took precedence over their female siblings, even jumping ahead of first-born royal daughters. These laws had been in place since 1701.

For an American like me, unfamiliar with lines of royal succession, I turned to this article in The Telegraph that spells out in detail the present line of succession: New Royal baby will change family tree. 

 

Celebrating A Birth – A Chance to Come Together

It's great fun following the British Royals; it's part of being here on Planet Earth. If this sort of event is not your cup of tea, that's okay too. We all have our varied interests that come and go; it's what makes the world go 'round.

The next buzz of excitement will be the naming of this beautiful little girl... and here's our update as of 04 May 2015:

Her name is: Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

Her middle names harken to her great grandmother, the current Queen Elizabeth, and her paternal grandmother, Princess Diana. Charlotte is a feminine form of Charles, perhaps acknowledging her grandfather, Prince Charles.

Her title:

Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte of Cambridge 

Wishing the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge all the best in their newly-expanded family.

Congratulations on the birth of the new Princess.

Save This Article On Pet Loss For A Rainy Day

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A Reference For When Pet Loss Occurs

Mark this post so you can refer to it when needed. This contains the 4-Part Series of articles on pet loss. Save it in your favorites, on a Pinterest board, in Evernote or Dropbox, wherever it is that you save articles.

With all four of them in one post, you have quick and easy access. You won't have to hunt around for them.

Make a "note to self" where it is. You may not need it for another 5 or even 10 years. Hopefully your pets are strong and healthy as you read this. But one day, these articles will come in handy for you. This 4-part series won't tell you "what to do" – but, rather, give you ideas of what is available for you. You'll know, from deep inside, what is right in your situation.

Part 1 – The Sorrow In A Song Of Loss

This article starts at the moment when we know we have to say goodbye, in the initial days of loss. Expressed in short phrases when sorrow is great, because even long prose is too much weight to bear.

Perhaps only some of the phrases resonate for you or speak to you. That's okay. Sometimes just reading the words of loss of others helps us not to feel so alone.

There are also ideas of how to support yourself through loss with use of The Radiance Technique®.

 

Part 2 – Saying Goodbye To Our Pets

This article is the full process of saying goodbye to our pets. The decisions of how we will go forward with it – in-home euthanasia or taking the pet to the vet. Here we support in-home euthanasia and yet, acknowledge and respect different choices. 

An important tip here is the use of a chux during the process. In my experience, no one mentions this, so it will be up to you to advocate for yourself and have a chux ready, whether at home or at the vet.

 

Part 3 – Prepare For The Goodbye To Our Pets

This article looks at the preparation you may want to take for your goodbyes. Discussed is how students of The Radiance Technique® (TRT®) can support themselves and their pets with TRT® hands-on as well as directing of energy.

It also prepares you for how fast it is and supports you in the grieving process. It talks about deep grief, great love and the path we walk during this time.

 

Part 4 – Give Other Pets Time To Say Goodbye

What a blessing we give our other four-legged members of the family when we give them time to grieve and acknowledge that their furry comrade-in-arms has fallen. This is as important for the human members of the family as it is for the furry ones. 

Through many of the articles, we talk about Lap of Love – A Veterinary Hospice & In-Home Euthanasia as an in-home euthanasia service. They are a wonderful resource for information to help you and your pet through the end-of-life process. If they are not available in your area, check your local listings. Many other veterinarians offer similar, at-home services.

 

Create An End-of-Life Pet Fund

An important take-away from this series is the idea of setting aside an "end-of-life pet fund." Over these many years of happiness with your pets, it is worthwhile to set aside money in a special fund that won't be touched until the day comes. A little nest egg of even $300–500 will be a welcome relief when the time of loss arrives.

You will then be able to make decisions based on what your heart tells you, not just on what your wallet says. It gives you freedom of choice.

Prepare For Pet Loss

No one wants to think about this, that a time of goodbye looms ahead for all of us. Yet, I firmly believe "forearmed is forewarned" and knowing our choices ahead of time benefits everyone. 

Tuck this away, somewhere where you can find it again.

And, in the meantime, carry on – enjoy, play, and create all the love you are able to muster with your beloved pet. 

 

Celebrating Earth Day – 22 April

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Earth Day – 22 April

 
“Loving our Earth all year long – celebrating it today!”

Earth Day was first created on 22 April 1970 as a means to bring attention to the environment. It was an emerging concept at the time in terms of general public participation. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin came up with the idea for setting aside a day to honor the environment.

Over the years, the event has gained momentum and it is fêted in the U.S. as well as other countries. There is even an Earth Day Network where you can connect to various events and environmental campaigns.

Joyfully we sing our song to the Earth – a song of healing, a song of repair.

Caring For Our Earth

We should hold the Earth in great tenderness. Perhaps our notion of "having dominion" over the Earth has always been a terribly bad translation of an ancient text.

It should read that we "have responsibility" for the Earth; a great responsibility to care for and tender the Earth and all its inhabitants, most notably the plants and animals. 

What a different energy that would be for us. Instead of blithely taking, destroying, and wantonly discarding the Earth; we would protect and love it, and nurture it in every way that we could.

Perhaps a large majority of us will achieve that level of responsibility one day.

Arbor Day – Plant A Tree

This day is also shared with Arbor Day that emphasizes planting trees. The Arbor Day Foundation states:

 
“We inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.”

We can always have more trees, can't we? It's delightful to listen to the wind moving through their leaves. This is a favorite tree planting quote:

 
“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.
The second best time is now.”

Earth Day With The Radiance Technique®

Students of The Radiance Technique® (TRT®) can participate in Earth Day. Plants benefit from the universal energy in your Radiant Touch®. Students of The Second Degree of The Radiance Technique® can direct radiant energy to matters that concern them.

We certainly don't lack in topics that need attention.

For example, our honey bees need help and our marine life, such as whales and dolphins, need protection.

Others are working to bring balance to the deforestation and to promote clean drinking water. When you direct energy with TRT®, you will not control any outcomes. Rather, you offer radiant light from deep within to support clear and right choices.

A wonderful meditation for both The First and Second Degrees of TRT® – picture the Earth in your heart and do TRT® hands-on in Front Position #1 for an extended amount of time. Maybe 10 or 15 minutes – more, if you would like.

Celebrating Earth Day

The most common way to observe Earth Day is by participating in activities designed to preserve the environment and our natural resources. These include collecting garbage  for sorting and recycling, avoiding the use of gasoline-powered vehicles, picking up roadside trash and planting trees. 

There are many activities, especially for teaching our children. If you're stumped for ideas, this page at Family Education has a list that includes 10 Eco-Friendly Crafts and Top 10 Earth Day Books for Children.