Back To Nature: The Power of Timeless Wanders

            A connection to nature is one of the most precious gifts our children have. Not only does time close to the earth nourish their physical body, but also their mind and soul. We all have the ability to re-connect children with nature, regardless of our outdoors knowledge or experience.

            A powerful and simple tool available to us all is the timeless wander. This experience is usually overlooked because it runs counter to one of modern society’s strongest assumptions: Children are buckets that must be filled. Time where children are not amassing information, facts and knowledge is usually seen as wasted. 

Be The Cause Of Your Own Experience!

Take a break from the day-to-day routine!

Are you nurturing your youthful inner child?

Is your mind beautifully fit?

Are you the kind of parent who is ignoring your gifts?

Do you feel you might be stagnant, dull and lifeless?

An Interview with renowned author, speaker, healer, and business consultant Cyndi Dale.

We have a special treat for you. We recently interviewed intuitive author Cyndi Dale. We can't wait for you to read her inspirational answers. We want to send out a special thank you to Cyndi for sharing such deep answers. She truly walks an intuitive connected path. Enjoy! Please share your thoughts. If you have any follow up questions, share them. We'll make sure Cyndi sees your questions. ~ Carol and Stacy

Carol and Stacy:    At what age did you know your were intuitive or have your first intuitive experience?

Cyndi: I didn’t have a label for the phenomenon, but I was intuitive as a very small child. I actually remember being in my mother’s womb and watching sound waves pass through her skin and into me. They were huge and colorful and the ones that came from angry comments actually hurt.

Interesting…those spots that were hit by the harsh comments have been the same ones I’ve had afflictions, such as infections, palpitations, and more.

At about three or four, I recall seeing angels. I saw them as a child might: as big with wings. There was one I favored in particular since he would have tea parties with me. Imagine sitting with an angel at a child’s table, his wings dripping onto the floor, his gigantic hands picking up tiny teacups.

But I also saw beings that weren’t so delightful. I could hear and see ghosts, people who continued to stay around though dead. These weren’t particular scary, most of the time, except when I was three and a half, we moved to California and I saw the image of a woman hanging by a noose in our garage. My parents later told me that yes, in fact, someone had hung herself in the garage. I also saw figures I would call demonic—dark, grey, and shadowy, float around the room and sometimes, into and out of my parents when they were in bad moods.

Carol and Stacy:    What was your childhood like? Are your parents intuitive? 

Cyndi: I had a mixed childhood. I lived a lot in my dreams and intuitions, sometimes forcing my sisters to engage with me in that subtle world. Modeled after some of the ghosts I saw, especially those in long flowing gowns, and what seemed to be their life stories, I’d play dress up, write stories, put on plays.

I also loved nature. To me, it was alive. There was a sense about the grass that was different than the trees; rocks had personalities; stream beds, promises.

I believe that my parents were intuitive but didn’t know or like it. My dad would shake his head if I shared a perception and say,

A Conversation With Author Simon Paul Harrison

We recently had the opportunity to interview Simon Paul Harrison. Simon is the author of The Truly Alive Child ~ For Those Who Seek A Grander Vision For Our Children.

Stacy and Carol: First of all what was your childhood like?

Simon:Like everyone else, I always considered my childhood normal. It’s not till weget older and have some perspective, do we discover that none of us have a“normal” childhood. I was quite happy really, playing soccer, riding my bike.We had fields behind our house where we would build shelters and play games. Wewere always out and about. I had a lot of freedom that seems to havedisappeared for children very rapidly.

Stacy and Carol: What would you have liked to have asked your parents to change, stop or start todo with you while you were achild?

Simon: Great question! This one really made methink. There’s an awful lot of things I would have answered at the time of mychildhood, but now looking back on them, they were all wonderful experiences.For example, we lost part of our pocket money if we left lights on, which was areal drag at the time. But looking back on it now, it was a great lesson inenergy conservation! I’m very happy in my life, so it’s hard to say thatsomething held me back. I think I was allowed to watch too much television, butboth my parents worked really hard to pay the bills, so I can’t reallycriticize them. But, if I have to pick something,  it would have beennice, looking back, to have spent less time in front of a television.

Stacy and Carol: What made you choose the John Lennon quote at the start ofyour book? 

Simon: Because it’s wonderfully simple and tothe point! I appreciate simplicity.

Stacy and Carol:  At what age did yourmind think of this concept you write about? Being truly alive and conscious ofthe role you have as a parent?

Simon:  Itreally began to emerge when I was an elementary school teacher in England, somid-twenties. In many ways I was amazed how damaging huge parts of theeducation system were to children. Most of all, arbitrary destinations werechased after without ever questioning them, which I found to be very worrying.The ability to question everything we create is fundamental. Things are everchanging and the ability to move with the flow of life is crucial foreverybody’s peace and joy. 

PIN IT TO WIN IT! Pin or repin to win a stuffed Cooper and his travel guides.

We are happy to share with you our very first "Pin It To Win It" Contest.

How do you enter? Simple. Pin the picture of Cooper below on Pinterest.

What is Pinterest? Pinterest is an online pin board that allows users to share images they find over the web. Example, you love to cook so maybe you have a board full of all your favorite recipes.

Your an avid book reader and love sharing what you've read or you are an author or illustrator. You can create a board of all your books. Pinterest is a lot of fun and a visual way of sharing what you love.

Join us on Pinterest for several boards. Cooking, recycling, conscious parenting, conscious living, giveaways, social media tips and much more.

How to enter? Pin a picture of Cooper by clicking on the "Pin It" button located right above Cooper. One lucky pinner will be chosen on September 20th. Happy Pinning! If you are new to Pinterest you will have to ask for an invitation. You will receive your invitation shortly by email and then you will be able to set up your account. Bookmark this page to return and pin Cooper and join the contest.

Read our full interview with the mastermind of Cooper's Pack - Brandon Kyle Rudd. Hear all about how Cooper travels to bring children ventures through-out cities from around the world. 

"Coopers Pack Children's Travel Guides is one of the best children's travel guides we've ever seen. With so many choices in our world today these books are  definitely worth taking a look at. As far as educational books go this is definitely well spent money that your children will benefit from many times over. The simplicity in which these books are designed will draw your child in and open up their imagination. Even if you are a world wide traveler or you've never left your town you can still travel the world with these travel guides. Each page is packed with information from top to bottom. The visuals and intricate details are so realistic, from the maps, to real live pictures of the towns, to the street signs; the details of the buildings, the features of the glaciers, even down to the details on the statue of liberty." Read our full review here!

Sign up for our newsletter to stay in touch, keep connected, here about upcoming events, special blog posts and be automatically entered into our random automatic drawings. Sign up form located on the right.

Are You Taking Your Kids To The London Olympics? Check Out Cooper's Pack London Travel Guide For Kids And An Interview With Brandon Kyle Rudd

Your children will be enthralled and engaged along the entire olympic
journey with the Cooper's Pack London Travel Guide. Cooper makes an excellent companion to join your child during his Olympic journey.


Cooper’s Pack™ was created by author Brandon Kyle Rudd in conjunction with graphic designer, Martin McCann (Groot), in 2004. After returning from a trip to Thailand in 2003, Brandon sketched the original New York City book in one afternoon and an idea was born—children’s travel guides based on stuffed animals traveling around the world, city by city.

Each book follows the journey of the main character Cooper, as he ventures through a city with a new friend, a member of his “pack”. Look for L.L. (Little Lambie, the London hipster) in the London book Phinney the bear in NYC, Elliott the Sea Otter (who works at the Space Needle) in Seattle, Zoe the fox (and perfumery mogul) in Paris, Demitri for the Athens book and many others. The books also include an interactive education and activity section plus look for hidden secrets or “buried bones” that can be found on most pages. The interactive books for the iPad and Android platforms have advanced buried bone hunting with over 100 buried bones just in the Seattle book alone.
Brandon Kyle Rudd is responsible for the concept, writing, photography, art direction, and business management and Martin McCann creates the corresponding graphic designs and assets, bringing Cooper to life in print and on the web.

Meet Brandon Kyle Rudd, the author behind Coopers Travel Guides

Carol and Stacy: Have you been to every destination you wrote a travel guide about?

Brandon: Absolutely! That is the best part about the job…planning and then exploring every new location. To be honest, I usually visit each location more than once to ensure we capture everything, photograph major events (where applicable) and to standardize weather. If anything, we have more travel guides to write than time allows. Some of my favorite storylines that are yet to be published include Cape Town (South Africa), Tokyo (Japan), Santiago (Chile), Portland (Oregon) and Angkor Wat/Siem Riep (Cambodia).

Carol and Stacy: How did you create the photos and illustrations in your book?

Brandon: The artwork shown in Cooper’s books are culled from a variety of sources, starting with the actual onsite photo shoots of each city/region. From there, we select the most viable shots for each page in the story then the work begins. Utilizing Photoshop, we fold in multiple layers and imagery to build the page along with placing the characters. Some of the illustrations are hand-drawn and others are simply invented as needed. The one standard across all books is that we utilize a new character for each city/region and ensure we have them physically in-hand prior to shooting the book. This way we can also have a spread in the activity section that shows the real characters in the real city (instead of just relying on Photoshop).

Carol and Stacy: Do you have any children of your own?

Brandon: You would think so but alas, no. Because traveling has taken much of my time over the last 10 years, the timing just hasn’t happened yet. I do completely enjoy sharing my adventures and stories with kids through the school systems I visit along with friends and family. Someday…

Carol and Stacy: Have you written any other books besides the travel series?

Brandon: I've contemplated writing several books over the years, both fiction and
non-fiction however haven't tried to actually publish any of them. Instead
I often find myself making up songs and trying to map them to the guitar or
piano...songs about odd-holidays, made-up characters and the like. If I did
focus on writing a separate book, it would be focused on motivational
behavior and how the glass is always half-full.

Carol and Stacy: Is there a T.V. show in the works? This could easily be a TV show for kids. The potential is endless.

Brandon: The proverbial “nail on the head”. This is one of our main goals as Cooper’s Pack is completely scalable for television. Think about the fun and educational possibilities by having a regular show featuring Cooper’s travels and his “pack” of friends? We can focus on world regions, cities and places along with activities (for example: Cooper’s Pack—Fishing or Cooper’s Pack—Sculpture). We’ve been working on the theme song for Cooper that includes a wonderfully repetitive line that goes: He’s Cooper…He’s Super-Duper! As of now, we’re still trying to figure out how to break into the TV world and are looking for help if anyone has some suggestions…

Carol and Stacy: Is Coopers favorites really your favorites?

Brandon: I’ll answer this one level deeper…I am Cooper. So yes, his favorites are mine, though as anyone knows, favorites can change with time. Therefore I try to update Cooper’s favorite music in every other book to show that he has changed/grown. I should also mention that his Pack of friends are also built off of friends and family, therefore their favorites…

Carol and Stacy: Who is Groot and Kyle?

Brandon: Kyle is my middle name (Brandon Kyle Rudd) and Groot is Dutch for large. Martin McCann who helps produce the Cooper graphics is fairly stout and also loves Amsterdam and the Dutch people. When I do school presentations, I often describe Groot as similar to Harry Potter’s Hagrid character (black long hair, large, big). That is Groot. Together we decided we didn’t need our names on the books and preferred to have some fun with the publishing.

Carol and Stacy: What is next and how can your audience connect with you?

Brandon: We are aggressively working on updating our London eBook to coincide with the 2012 Summer Olympics. In addition, we’re finally getting ready to release our Paris book who features our first female character, Zoe the Fox (she’s from Paris and owns a Perfume Empire—studied both botany and chemistry in grad school). I started shooting Cooper’s Pack—Hawaii in May which should be complete by the year’s end (featuring a surfing cat). I plan on scouting our Tokyo book sites in September/October and solidifying the Tokyo character. From there, we are simply trying to get the word out about Cooper and our books. Anyone who has ever seen them seems to love them and want more. I know we have a great product, we just need help getting people to see them.

If anyone wants to learn more about Cooper’s Pack, they can visit our website at http://cooperspack.com/ to see our latest releases and purchase books or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CoopersPackTravelGuides.
In addition, we’re starting to release weekly video updates on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/CoopersPack/.

Carol and Stacy: Is there any messages you would like to pass onto the parents buying your books or reading this interview?

Brandon: Cooper’s Pack is geared towards 4-12 year old audiences, however I am continually amazed with our fan comments that include adults who love the books or from their 2-year olds that won’t let them read anything else when they go to bed at night. The books also include over 100 “buried bones” (hidden secrets) in each book that can help entertain on a long road-trip or plane flight. I should also mention we try to push the following travel goals in each book produced:

• Have fun and take pictures.
• Be courteous and respectful to others.
• Be smart and learn about new cultures.
• Make new friends.

Cooper’s books are also available for the Apple iPad as an interactive book that unlocks Cooper’s “buried bones” found in both the print and eBooks, along with video animations and extended fun facts. More information on our eBooks can be found at  http://cooperspack.com/store/interactive/

Carol and Stacy: What are you reading right now?

Brandon: I’ve got 3 in-process books right now that take up space in my luggage when traveling:

-Keith Richards Life
-Lonely Planet 1000 Ultimate Experiences
-Philip Matyszak Ancient Athens on 5 Drachmas a Day (in preparation for writing our Cooper’s Pack—Athens book that has already been photographed)

We want to send out a big thank you to Brandon for sharing his time with us and for Cooper for putting a smile on so many children's faces. Good luck on your adventures and keep us posted. ~ Carol and Stacy

If you are on the path of conscious parenting, love hearing about new children's authors, believe in the power of teaching children to read and enjoy winning prizes sign up for our newsletter. Let's stay connected! (Sign up on the right)

Review: The Intuition GuideBook How To Safely And Wisely Use Your Sixth Sense

Cyndi Dale has put together an unmeasurable resource for those who wish to develop their intuition, study their chakras and energy on a more in depth level.

The Intuition Guidebook-How To Safely And Wisely Use Your Sixth Sense is perfect for beginners and delightfully stimulating for the more advanced.

Cyndi Dale covers subject matter not widely talked about but very vital to healthy energetic growth and intuitive development.

"Ultimately, being connected to the greater presence presents you with the greatest gift of all: affirmation of your own presence."

Some of our favorite subjects in The Intuition Guidebook:
1. Five steps for safe psychic activity.
2. How to prepare yourself to be able to become more intuitive.
3. The role feelings play in psychic discernment.
4. Universal laws and how they are all recognized by people and indigenous cultures from all around the world.
5. The importance of getting a gatekeeper, a special being that will help you discern helpful from unhelpful energies, messages and behaviors.
6. The infinite power of love.

One of the reasons we became best friends and have gotten along so well for 26 years is do to the fact we both are very intuitive and empathic. We always talk about following your intuition and developing your psychic skills. Cyndi's newest guidebook gives you the tools to do this. When we take the time to develop our inner selves and then in turn teach these tools to our children, we empower them to lead more fulfilling, connected and rewarding lives.

"The basis of all psychic issues-whether the problem lies in your auric field, your chakras, or any other energy body-is in your programming. A program is a belief that controls our thoughts, emotions, activities, and reactions to life events."

All quotes are from The Intuition Guidebook How To Safely and Wisely Use Your Sixth Sense.
Review by: Carol Lawrence and Stacy Toten

Why a Deep Connection to Nature is so Vital For our Children

Guest article by Simon Paul Harrison

In a world of cell phones, computers and technology, our children have become increasingly separated from nature. With every step away from the earth a real sense of identity has been lost. Peace, joy, creativity, and a true sense of connection to all life have been eroded. In the place of these have risen fear, greed and violence. Away from nature, children have forgotten who they really are.

If we are to support our children in regaining what we know deep in our hearts is their birthright, to walk as one with life, we must start by re-connecting them with nature.

There are numerous studies showing that time in nature is good for our physical health, but that is not the full extent of the benefit. Arguably far more powerful is the connection with the flow of life that is nourished. With positive experiences close to nature, children no longer see themselves as separate individuals, all fighting against one another for their survival. They realize they are as connected to the trees as they are to their legs, as much a part of the oceans as their hair is to them. This is undoubtedly life changing, and it’s so wonderfully simple!

Nature is such a miraculous teacher for our children because she expects nothing from them. The river doesn’t expect them to think certain thoughts. The plants don’t expect them to say certain words. The mountains don’t expect them to act a certain way. And so nature reminds our children that they have always been free.

This is easy to forget because children become so rapidly heavy and burdened by all the expectations they take on from modern society. We force them to carry hundreds of beliefs, perceptions and judgments around with them that they forget their true, peaceful, connected nature. In particular we educate children to live the illusions that they must chase happiness, run after success, and compete against everything and everyone.

But when we support our children in stepping gently on the earth they find they can let go of all those illusions and plug themselves back in to the flow of life. Without all those expectations a shadow is lifted and they remember who they really are. There’s nothing to chase, nothing to run after, nothing to outcompete. They are perfect. Here, and now. Nature expects nothing from children, and so she gives everything.

We tend to think that the solutions to the challenges we have created for our children are terribly complicated. That it must require special technology, new drugs, different research, or more information. But time and again we see what simply being allowed to play in nature does for children. Through my work I’ve had the privilege of supporting thousands of children on the path to re-connecting with nature and I’ve seen the same things happen over and over again. Children know deep down who they are. They know they are peaceful, joyful, creative and deeply connected. That seed of re-connection is nourished perfectly by nature, and when it is, the blossoming of children is one of the most beautiful experiences to witness.

As adults we can all support this re-connection right now. Children don’t need the names of plants or facts about animals. They just need to be allowed to play, without the pressure of society wondering if their activity will help them get ahead, be successful, or help them pass exams. Their unburdened play in nature is already bringing them the ultimate success: The experience of walking as one with life. Peace, joy and creativity are with them every step of the way.

Simon Paul Harrison is the author of The Truly Alive Child and the founder of Wild Earth’s Children. For more information, free resources and to order your copy of the book, go to www.simonpaulharrison.com

Author Bio

Simon Paul Harrison is the author of The Truly Alive Child, a visionary and life-changing book, and the founder and director of Wild Earth's Children, a non-profit dedicated to re-connecting people to nature.

Simon began working with children as an elementary school teacher in his native England. Here the seeds were planted to seek a way to connect children with the flow of life and return children to experiences of deep peace and joy.

After a number of years he came to America to learn from world renowned nature teacher Tom Brown Jr. Simon fell in love with the natural world and never looked back. He has taught people how to re-connect with nature and a deeper sense of peace, joy and creativity all over North America, including Alaska, New England, and the Cree Nation in Quebec.

Simon felt the calling of his vision urging him westwards where he founded Wild Earth’s Children and wrote The Truly Alive Child. He lives in Colorado with his wife Katherine

Book Review ~ The Truly Alive Child For Those Who Seek A Grander Vision For Our Children

Divine intervention appears to have been running through author Simon Paul Harrison's veins as he wrote his book. The Truly Alive Child For Those Who Seek A Grander Vision For Our Children is full of so many simplistic, realistic tools and answers for the world to read. 


"An educational system isn't worth a great deal if it teaches young people how to make a living but doesn't teach them how to make a life" Author Unknown


It is perfect timing for such a book to be presented to our world at a time when our education system is at its worst.


"I would urge everyone who wishes to share their passions with children to explore or at least entertain the ideas that we each have a soul that is connected to all things. ~ Simon Paul Harrison ~ The Truly Alive Child




You want break downs? He's got them. You want answers? He's got them. From the soul, to parenting, to education, to nature, to love, to changing our reality for all our children's futures. If your looking to be inspired in your journey of child rearing this is definitely a must read!


"For example, if we want children to grow up experiencing deep peace, it really does not work to continually subject them to images of violence. I am simply making an observation of the outcomes that arise from certain choices and actions." ~ Simon Paul Harrison


Review By: Stacy Toten and Carol Lawrence


Win your very own copy of The Truly Alive Child! How? Sign up for our newsletter (sign up on the right side of page) Sign up for The Intentional Conscious Parenting newsletter and receive 10 Tips For Parenting Consciously for free. The winner of The Truly Alive Child will be picked using Random.org on July 31st. 

Parenting With Nonviolent Communication Helpful Video

CNVC Certified NVC Trainer Inbal Kashtan discusses and demonstrates how to work with the incessant "no" from a child.

It is so important for parents to understand how to communicate nonviolently and how to demonstrate in front of their children how they deal with conflict with out violence. 

Children become emotionally abused when they are exposed to ongoing aggression and violent communication. If you are unsure how to handle a situation calmly thinking it through before reacting and are temperamental please reach out for appropriate help. 

Visit The Center for Nonviolent Communication 

Or send us an email and we can recommend some counselors that specifically work with parents. intunedparenting@gmail.com

Play! Play! Play! Get out and play with your kids.

Greater Good Science Center's Dr. Christine Carter tells us about the power of play.

Calling All Parents~Ignite The Light Event With Vicki Savini

Calling All Parents! Have you heard about Vicki Savini's free online event? 


Ignite the Light: Creating Strong Foundations for Children and Adults
Vicki Savini Live Online Event

Date: June 26, 2012, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Pacific Time
Sponsored by: Hay House
Format: Live Online Event

VICKI SAVINI
Hay House Radio Sign Up Here
http://www.hayhouse.com/event_details.php?event_id=1741&utm_id=4497VS
Have you ever taken the time to look at how your childhood affects the current life you lead today?  Let’s face it, when children are born, no one is given a manual that describes how to teach them to navigate the waters of life successfully. We simply do the best we can, to teach our children well, based on the tools we acquired from our own experiences. At the ripe ‘ole age of five, our children go to school and are given tools to be academically successful, but they are not likely to get tools to help them to honor the light within, which is certainly the most important lesson in life. What if, as parents and teachers, we were given tools to teach our children how to shine that light within and be true to themselves, not only today, but in their future? What if those same tools could also help YOU to ignite your own light? Whether your childhood was horrific, picture perfect, or something in between, your childhood was your foundation, and it’s simply too precious to ignore! If we want to create positive changes in our world, we need to begin by creating solid foundations for our youth. In the process, you are sure to repair and strengthen your own foundation. In this timeless Live Online Event, Vicki Savini will educate, enlighten, and empower you to create strong foundations for our children and strengthen and repair your own foundation so that you can be your absolute best! Vicki is a mindful mother and teacher who educates, enlightens, and empowers children and adults to be their absolute best. She teaches ‘out of the box’ strategies in the public school system. Vicki is a life coach, an author, and a dynamic inspirational speaker who has touched countless lives with her simple, yet divinely inspired life strategies. She was a Speak, Write & Promote: Movers & Shakers Conference attendee, who was chosen to bring her very important message to you, through Hay House. During this 90 minute event you will… Learn the importance of childhood as our foundation in life. Understand the essentials of building strong foundations for our children. Embrace simple tools to repair and strengthen your own foundation. Be empowered to reveal your true self and guide children to always shine the light within! Pause for a moment (or perhaps 90 minutes) and take the time to find your true reflection by honoring the child within and pledging to educate, enlighten, and empower the children in your life. Take this step with me to Ignite the Light! Please Note: Hay House is bringing this special live online event to you for free! If you can’t make the live event, it will be for sale in our on demand library the following week.