Special Announcement And A Personal Invitation

Introducing Sherry Burton Ways. 

Sherry is the author of a brand new book: “Feel Good Spaces A Guide To Decorating Your Home For Body, Mind, and Spirit. 

From February 1^st – February 12^th Sherry will visit 12 blogs on her virtual book tour. You are invited to follow the tour, visit a new blog each day, meet some wonderful new friends and experience something new. (We will be sharing a special book review on Tuesday February 5th)

On the tour, you will find 12 blogs featuring written Q&A interviews, videos, book reviews, radio show interviews, excerpts from the book, and articles like these:

• Candle Color Power: A Healing Tool For Your Interior
• Organic Bedding For a Healthier You
• Your Favorite Color Is Your Healing Color

“Your Home Is the Key to Overcoming Stress and Increasing Wellness”

This is the premise of her first book, Feel Good Spaces: A Guide to Decorating Your Home for Body, Mind and Spirit, by Washington, DC Interior Décor expert, Sherry Burton-Ways.

In her book, Ms. Burton-Ways provides questions, suggestions, and exercises designed to help you create an environment that brings you peace, joy, balance and comfort, while also providing a refuge from the stresses of the outside world. Burton-Ways says, "Everybody's Feel Good Space will be different, but they will all have that 'home' feeling, and a feeling of warmth and acceptance for the person who inhabits it. It will provide a relaxing moment in time that takes the person back to themselves, elevates their mood, and empowers them for the rest of their life."

Burton-Ways presents concepts from which you can choose: color, furniture style, shape, texture and function, art, cultural and symbolic items, personal items and a clean and clutter-free environment. She provides separate chapters on these designs elements, which you can spin like a color wheel and make your selections.

You are invited you to meet Sherry at Kreative Ways http://kreativeways.com/. Send Sherry a message on Twitter http://twitter.com/kreativeways or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kreativeways and introduce yourself. Sherry is thrilled to have you follow along her virtual book tour. You may also connect with Sherry on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kreativeways/.

Camping with your kids and connecting with nature.

CAMPING WITH YOUR KIDS AND CONNECTING WITH NATURE!

Camping with your kids can be alot of fun and create long lasting memories.

Leave the computer, phone and electronics at home and really get into the feel of the wild. (Bring your phone but if you can turn it off. Make a goal to be really present on your camping vacation, the world will wait.)
I highly recommend planning a camping trip for at least two days or more. The first day of camping can be a little hectic getting camp all set up and established. It takes about two days before your regular day to day routine starts to wear away and you start to really relax and tune into nature. By the second and third day you are really feeling the peace that can come with getting away from all the daily distractions. Be present with your children during your camping trip. Use this opportunity to teach them about the wildlife that surrounds them. The native plants, the animals, the trees. Also encourage a little quiet time to hear the birds, smell the wild smells and have a little down time.

My boys are now grown. They are ages 19 and 23. We camped all the time when they were little. In Montana there's many open spaces to camp out. One of my favorites still is Hidden Lake. Yep it's hidden so mostly only locals know about it. You can head out on a Monday and have the whole lake and campground with a porta potty to yourself! Love it! Even though they are grown now they still love to camp. They both even got jobs this summer working for the Montana Conservation Corp taking care of the forests and trails.

Here's some tricks we used to make camping easier

*First things first, explain what camping is to your kids and how you are all going to have so much fun together! Talk about the wildlife and the rules of camp. (Staying in eye shot, making noise so bears hear you, not wiping your dirty hands on your clothes so you don't smell like dinner, exploring together, stay away from the fire rings, water safety, being respectful of other campers, etc.)
* Create a list of items you will need every time and laminate it. Before every camping trip pull it out to remind yourself what you'll need. (tent, sleeping bags, pillows, clothes, cooking supplies, food, toilet paper, toys, coats, shorts for swimming, camp stove, lantern, flash lights, crank radio, etc)
* Keep your nonperishable items you only use for camping in a tucker tote in the garage, storage or camper to save prep time on your next trip.
*Bug Spray- Target has a really good non toxic bug spray. My oldest son just tried it out recently and said it works great.
* Baby wipes are a must. They make for easy clean up for you, the kids, the table. You'll find many uses for them. They have biodegradable wipes in the camping section at most stores that sell camping equipment.
*Bring books, crayons, coloring books, bug net, bug holder, cars, journals, pens and paper. Age appropriate items. Remember leave the electronics at home, this is a time to explore, play, reconnect and learn about nature. Plan on exploring the woods around the campground together as a family.
Hands-On Nature: Information and Activities for Exploring the Environment with Children
Bring wildflower books to identify wildflowers. Animal track books to identify animal tracks and scat ( animal poo).  Collect pine cones for the nightly fire. They add a nice smell to the fire. Wildflowers, pine needles, odds and ends you find can be dried and brought home to make note cards, bookmarks to remember your camping trip or to be used for gifts. This is one of my favorite camping books: Scats and Tracks of North America: A Field Guide to the Signs of Nearly 150 Wildlife Species (Scats and Tracks Series)
*Bring smore material. Marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. You can buy marshmallow roasters or make some out of sticks.
*If you don't have a porta potty available creating a central bathroom makes it easier for everyone. You can get a toilet seat or use a big branch to sit on. Dig a big hole for waste to go into and wrap a tarp around a few trees to create a private space. Place camp shovel next to your latrine and give everyone instructions to toss dirt in the hole after they use the restroom.
*You can create a shower space the same way. Wrap a tarp around a few trees, hanging a solar powered shower bag, tie a rope between two trees to hang wet clothes and towels on and remember to bring bungee cords they come in real handy!  Solar Shower Pvc Solar Shower 5 Gallon
*You'll need to bring a saw and hatchet for campfires or gather campfire wood to bring with you.
(Bring some newspaper, matches or a lighter for easy fire start up)
Contain the Flame: Outdoor Fire Safety (How to Be Safe!)
*Check the weather forecast ahead of time and plan accordingly. Play it safe get yourself one of these
Etón American Red Cross ARCFR160R Microlink Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight, Solar Power and Cell Phone Charger (Red)
*Bring a camera or video camera to document your trip for memories, your next Christmas card or scrapbooking. (or blog, lol)

Cooking while camping: If you have a camper to cook in great! If you don't, you need to do a little preplanning. A small folding table can come in real handy when your trying to cook in the wild.
Items to remember to bring. Camp stove, grate to go over fire,(the grate over your barbecue at home works real good), pans (cast iron can be placed directly over fire but require scrubbing for clean up) paper towels, pot holders, camp plates, cups, silver ware, knife, spices, Utensils for cooking, small container of dish soap, bucket or large bowl to wash dishes in, dish rags, coffee cups.
If you like your morning coffee don't forget your camping coffee pot and coffee. To make it simple you can bring instant coffee.

Simple food ideas

• Instant coffee, hot chocolate, instant breakfasts, instant oatmeal, dried soups
• lots of water (for cooking, clean up and drinking)
• Cut up fruit and vegetables ahead of time.
• Bring lots of ice, keep perishables cold at all times. If you are near cold water you can place your cooler at the edge of the water to help keep cool. Dry ice works really well too! Follow directions carefully.
• Milk, juice
• Dried foods: nuts, pretzels, popcorn, chips, dried fruit, granola bars, jerky, etc.
• Prepare meat ahead of time. Fresh meat can be placed in containers with marinating sauce so all you have to do is place it on the grill at dinner time. If your going to be camping for two days or more. Freeze your meat ahead of time so it can thaw in the cooler. This will help it to stay fresh longer.
• In the camping supply section you can buy a plastic egg holder if you wish to have eggs for breakfast.
• You can place cut up vegetables, spices, little bit of butter, slice of onion in foil so it's ready for the grill. Potatoes cook great this way.
• Place fish, butter, lemon juice, spices, onion in foil ready for the grill. Place foil meals in a container in your cooler to keep out water from melted ice.
• Get creative, plan what your kids will eat. Prep time at home makes life so much easier on your camping trip.
• Left over dinners prior to your camping trip can be frozen and thawed and heated up during your trip.
• Keep it simple, your there to have a fun time not work your butt off!

The most important tip of all is to have fun! Relax and enjoy the experience. Your kids will be grown in a blink of an eye. Use your time wisely, make it count!

Handy Wild Flower books:
The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers--E: Eastern Region - Revised Edition

I'd love to hear about your camping memories and tips! If you really like this article please share, repost or tweet.
Written by: Carol Lawrence
http://www.intentionalconsciousparenting.com/
P.S. Anyone who signs up for the Intentional Conscious Parenting ezine/newsletter will have their name entered into a drawing. June's prize will be....Drum roll.....Louise Hay's new book and affirmation cd "Experience your good now"

The Frequency Of Bees

The Frequency of Bees

I recently watched a really interesting show about bees called "The last beekeeper" on Planet Green. It's a show about the massive decline of bees happening all over the world right now. In 1950 there were 500,000 beekeepers. In 2006 there were only 1,600. That is shocking! 100's of vegetables and fruits are reliant on bees for pollination. That's our food supply. Without bees many flowering plants fail to set seed and without flowering plants there is no food for bees, which in turn means no fresh food for us! According to Landcare Research bees are responsible for our every fourth bite of food. WOW!

I've always had a fondness for bees. As a child I had many allergies and had an allergy scratch test done.
I was told that I was very allergic to bees. Living in Montana there used to bees everywhere. I didn't really think much of the warning from the allergy doctors. About six years ago I was walking around the neighborhood and a bee flew into me and I ended up getting stung. It hurt but I was ok. I've never had a deep fear of bees or insects.

A few years ago I was working out in the backyard gardening when I went into my shed to get supplies.
I had been alone and off in thought for most of the afternoon and was in a very calm state of mind. When I walked into my shed I was caught off guard by the sounds that I was hearing. It sounded like a party was going on and they're where various words being said. As I stood there listening I began to hear a hum and I realized bees had made a hive in my shed. I was completely in awe of the communication happening between the bees. They were talking (communicating) on a level we are not normally tuned into. They communicate on a different frequency. For whatever reason that day I unexpectedly tuned into their frequency. I now have an even deeper respect for the bees and the role they play on our planet. I will never forget that day. I'm sure other people have tuned into the bees and I'm hoping they will come and share their experiences. I have bushes planted along the sides of my yard that produce little yellow flowers every spring that attract bees of all sizes. One kind in particular is very large. They are so busy collecting pollen you can even gently touch them and feel how soft they are. It really is quite amazing to pet a bee!

Learn More About Natures Secret Messages.

What's killing the bees?

• Pesticides, Diseases, Herbicides and Insecticides
• There is a huge debate that Genetically Modified crops are greatly effecting bee pollination.
• The varroa mite

Ways you can help:

•  Eat honey from your local beekeepers, this helps to build immunities against allergies from local pollen and supports your local beekeepers.
• Plant a backyard bee-friendly garden. Plant native plants too. Local bees are more drawn to native plants.
•  Provide a small container of water for the bees in your garden space.
•  Avoid pesticides in your yard, it's better for you, your family, your pets and the environment. 
•  If pest control is necessary try using beneficial insects in your garden. (Bugs that will eat your unwanted bugs.)
• Sponsor a bee hive
• Teach your children where honey really comes from. Plant your bee friendly garden together.

Resources for teaching children about the importance of bees.
This site plays a cute honey bee song for little kids.
Printable bee coloring pages.
Video about the life cycle of bees.



Excellent web sources for learning about bees and how you can help.
The Last Beekeeper Documentary On Planet Green
Help Save The Bees
Plant A Bee Friendly Garden
Sponsor A Hive
Learn About Bee Research Funding
The Waggle Dance Of The Bees
Search For Local Honey In Your Area
PBS Educational Video On The Decline Of The Bees
Resources For Teaching Children About Bees-One World Poster
Birds And The Bees Key To Food Future

Written by: Carol Lawrence

What ideas are you pollinating in your life?
The meaning of bees in your dreams.

The Quickening

Hello everyone, I wanted to share with you a series of videos that are based on the transition of the planet and the human race at this time. Some refer to this as "The Quickening." The first of five videos is called "The Call". Watch this video and tell me what do you think? I would love to hear your opinion about this before I voice any of mine. Please feel free to share. What ever we want to call it I think we can all agree there's alot of changes going on globally, individually and all around us. All we have to do is open our eyes and our mind to be apart of it. I hope you enjoy the video. (The best way to watch the video is to click on it, turn the HD option off, push play and then pause to allow it to fully load. Once it's fully loaded push play then you'll be able to watch the whole video without interuption)



"The Call" from keith wyatt on Vimeo.


To watch all five videos and learn about the movement behind them go to: http://awakeningasone.com/
Sharing love and light with you and the planet at this time!

**Reminder. All new ezine subscribers from May & June will be entered into a drawing to win Louise Hay's new book. "Experience your good now" includes affirmation CD. (Newsletter/ezine sign up on the right)
Please share with all your Intentional conscious parenting friends!
Written by: Carol Lawrence


The one factor that has been unknown by most humans, that is understood by the beasts, is that Well-being truly does abound, and that you are blessed beings who live in an atmosphere of grace, and that unless you are doing something to pinch off the Well-being, it will be yours. Look for the evidence of the Well-being, and be an advocate for Well-being rather than an advocate for getting rid of what does not feel like Well-being, then little by little, by little, your own personal experience begins to take shape in a way that is more satisfying to you.

--- Abraham
Check back daily for a new law of attraction quote from Abraham

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day By Going Green!

Celebrate Earth Day Every Day By Going Green.

Going green isn't just for hippie, organic, mother earth, loving granolas! (As i've been called)
It's for anyone who wants to live in a healthy world.
Here's my simple checklist for going green!

• Use non toxic cleaners. "According to a five year study, the air in an average American home has chemical contamination levels 70 times greater than outdoor air" The Naturally Clean Home. Karyn Siegal-Maier
• Use cloth napkins.
• Donate your used clothing to your local Good Will or womens shelter.
• Clean up trash around your neighborhood.
• Use less plastic! There's a giant garbage patch called "plastic soup" twice the size of Texas floating in the Pacific Ocean.
• Recycle
• Reuse  -One of my favorite items to reuse is glass candle jars with lids, they make great decorative storage containers.
• Before you toss anything into the trash ask yourself is you can recycle, donate or reuse the item.
• Bring your own bags to the grocery store. You could even go to a local craft store pick up some cloth shopping bags and decorate/personalize them for your family. This is great activity to do with your kids.
• Use reusable water bottles.
• Lunchskins reusable sandwich bags are handy and easy to use. Easily fits into your lunch box.
• Buy in bulk, less packaging to be recycled or put into the landfill.
• Learn about GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) and what's really in the food you are eating. Read my previous post What's on your plate?
• Shop local, by shopping local you are stimulating your local economy and you know where your food came from. Buy organic seasonal produce.
• Buy sustainably grown and produced foods. Look for locally organic ethically raised beef/poultry.
• Request locally ethically grown/raised products from your grocery stores. Consumers have the power! If enough people start demanding healthier food choices, foods without a long list of unpronouncable ingredients that your great grandma would have never dreamed of eating, foods that are wholesome and healthy, without GMO's, sustainably and ethically raised. Companies will provide them. Let's unite our voices and demand change!
• Plant a garden, grow some herbs/vegies in pots inside or join a local community garden. Gardening is very grounding and balancing. Run your hands and feet through the dirt and reconnect with Mother Earth. Talk to your plants, thank them for the substance they provide you physically and spiritually. Invite the Elemental Kingdom into your garden world. Ask them for assistance.
• Carpool, walk or ride a bike whenever possible.
• Buy free range eggs. Chickens raised in confined unhealthy living environments are under a great deal of stress and can create the Salmonella bacteria in their bodies and eggs.

These are just a small handfull of ideas that have worked for me. Get creative! Remember your children are learning by watching you. By watching what you buy, how you cook it, what you throw away, your actions do not go unoticed.

Change starts with us. One consumer, mom, dad, grandparent, student, blogger, inspired writer at a time!
Written by: Carol Lawrence
http://www.intentionalconsciousparenting.blogspot.com/





Additional Resources:
Join a discussion course at http://nwei.org/discussion-courses
Rainforest facts http://www.rain-tree.com/facts.htm
Twenty minute talks by experts on food and various topics. http://www.ted.com/
Jamie Oliver talks about our food crisis right now.