5.3.1 Supporting Evidence for OP

OP 2: HEALTH & HAPPINESS

LIFESTYLE/HAPPINESS
Turtle Cartoon  — Yogi Times -- Great cartoon on perspective/optimism
https://www.facebook.com/yogitimes/photos/a.173705769336741.35445.102740293099956/924251640948813/?type=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_1JoYuLeYI
13 minute talk by Deepak Chopra highlighting happiness
Considers 5 pillars of happiness on this plane and our role as an expanding consciousness seeking union with the divine.  Make all your stories love stories.  5 pillars include Friends, enjoying work, exercise, sleep, attitude.

http://www.ted.com/talks/matthieu_ricard_on_the_habits_of_happiness
French Buddhist monk on happiness.   This isn’t my favorite TED on happiness but he does point out with neuroscience research and practice that meditation is a huge tool toward acceptance of whatever is.

http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_gilbert_asks_why_are_we_happy?language=en
Great talk by Harvard professor Dan Gilbert on the science around happiness.  A concise articulation of some of his main points from Stumbling on Happiness
http://www.amazon.com/Stumbling-Happiness-Daniel-Gilbert-ebook/dp/B000GCFW0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429032594&sr=8-1&keywords=TED+Dan+Gilbert

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/stories/10-habits-you-should-pick-up-from-your-grandmother
this nice simple pattern level article contends that many of our lives would be improved if we took some simple cues from how our ancestors lived.  The author rightly points to more time in nature and using natural products (cleaning, herbal medicine and less processed foods)

http://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/permaculture-approach-optimum-health
In this delightful blog, the author uses a running metaphor of the body as the environment to care for through permaculture principles and techniques.

http://wakeup-world.com/2013/02/08/5-amazing-properties-of-sunlight-youve-never-heard-about/
Personally, I don’t need science to tell me that sunlight is good for me; however, I do think it’s fun to consider other ways in which the things we love are giving us Unknown Good Benefits.  

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success Carol Dweck -- Great book on how our perspective toward learning and failing can inform our pathway.

STRESS
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers - Book
Fantastic book contending that our evolutionary development of stress to deal with short term physiological emergencies is destroying our health as our challenges are becoming psychological and chronic.  There are wonderful lectures and videos of Sapolsky on youtube and itunesU.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYG0ZuTv5rs —
Stress : Portrait of a Killer
Great 1 hour documentary focusing upon Stress.  Primarily the work of Sapolsky with references to Whitehall UK study, study of wman with special needs kids and Dutch Hunger Winter study.  Long and short is that our level of stress is connected to our place in the hierarchy and our attitude about it.  Self empowerment, seizing control .  There are mental solutions to stress  

HERBALISM
The Wild Medicine Solution, Guido Mase -- Book
Guido has a great perspective on aromatics, bitters and adaptogens.

PARENTING
General Theory on Love -- My main takeaway from this book is that we are social creatures and the most important thing in the first 5 years of childhood development is sharing love with the child.  

Happiest Baby on the Block -- Wonderful perspective on helping the very little ones (under 1 year) sleep and discover peace.

The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care -- Perhaps my favorite reference regarding nutrition for the growing baby and toddler.  Sally Fallon is part of the Weston Price Foundation and in addition to insightful views on Nutrition, she has thoughful analysis of vaccines and other healthcare issues.  

Nurture Shock -- Great book that gives 6 succinct philosophies on childhood development.

http://m.lvsun.com/news/2013/mar/01/unlv-researchers-author-first-ever-scholarly-repor/#.UxighzM33SY.facebook
An early study/insight into a fairly new modern practice of eating the placenta as medicine for mama and baby (purported by many to be age old in many cultures.)  I like the idea that the placenta can offer exactly what a nursing mom needs and have many anecdotal stories of placenta pills being wonderful.  I would certainly recommend for anyone I know.  The purported benefits are often sited as mood, energy and lactation enhancement.  

NATURAL CLEANSERS
http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/08/my-simple-natural-frugal-cleaning-cabinet.html
I appreciated her acknowledgement of not being a germaphobe and her awareness that the fewer the ingredients the cheaper and hopefully safer cleansers.  

CLEANSING
http://ecosalon.com/5-foods-that-protect-against-radiation/ —
A simple look at some foods that help mitigate effects of radiation.

http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world?language=en
Paul Stamets TED Talk -- Stamets outlines wonderful implications of mushrooms ability to heal and detox humans and the planet.


http://lifespa.com/top-ten-reasons-cleanse-ghee/
John Douillard, a great Ayurvedic practitioner, talks about more benefits of cleansing with ghee.

http://themastercleanse.org/
Description of doing a powerful water based (lemonade-based) cleanse.

NUTRITION
http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/the_kids/2014/01/
organic_vs_conventional_produce_for_kids_you_don_t_need_to_fear_pesticides.html
A nice counter(perma)culture view that despite the fact that organic produce is presumably better for the environment, is the extra money worth the mitigated risk to our kids?   I think I take a similar view of this woman who both recognizes that “Dose makes the poison”  and as I would suggest, the stress that we invite into our systems can often be more challenging than the pesticides.  So although I am a huge supporter of organic, I am not dogmatic/adamant about much.   Supporting organic for the earth seems more important to me than inviting stress into our body about being organic.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/02/12/275376259/the-full-fat-paradox-whole-milk-may-keep-us-lean?sc=ipad&f=1001
A fairly simple look at the benefits of Whole Fat.  For more detailed information, I like Sally Fallon’s exhaustive research through the Weston A Price Foundation

http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/7-foods-experts-said-were-bad-us-turned-out-be-healthy?page=0%2C0
Simply on Principle, I like articles outlining what the Experts said were bad, where now they are clearly wrong.  I would suggest that there are even more foods (and medicines/pharmaceuticals) that I would include in this category (definitely red meat, butter).  Also the pointer toward something like cholesterol which got whole fat dairy and eggs and red meat on the poo poo list, is another correlation that I think few people understand.  (My playful analogy for cholesterol is that saying high cholesterol is causing heart disease is like saying that lots of police cause crime (as opposed to being the bodies/cities reaction to challenges/crimes).  Cholesterol indeed is the mother hormone that I think is drastically important especially for developing babies and toddlers in order to form a functioning endocrine system.

http://www.ewg.org/research/shoppers-guide-to-avoiding-ge-food
An indictment and watchdog around how to spot GMO foods and why to be cautious.

http://time.com/2863227/ending-the-war-on-fat/
Concise 5 minute video debunking the myth that fat is bad for us.

http://nourishedkitchen.com/bone-broth/
a concise article laying out the benefits and creation of bone broths.  Bone broths are typically simmered for in excess of 12 hours, I would also include that many people add vinegar to help pull out all the minerals and nutrients.  

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/gelatin-and-collagen-hydrolysate-whats-the-difference/
Interesting article discussing benefits of gelatin in our diet.  I am fascinated that balancing “traditional” muscle meats with more eggs, stocks and organ meats could be a nice way to balance our intake of protein.  

http://www.naturalblaze.com/2014/02/12-lessons-about-eating-we-can-learn.html
focusing upon the HOW we eat rather than the WHAT we eat.  This article outlines 12 good Practices that the French employ in their otherwise highly “criticized” diet via American allopathy.    Highlighting awarenesses including slowing down, enjoying the meal, sitting together, stopping when full, and appreciating quality all make for a healthier diet regimen.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/07/14/329529110/food-mood-connection-how-you-eat-can-amp-up-or-tamp-down-stress
Discussing the connection between diet and stress/mood.  This article is a bit simplistic but the focus is sound.  Eating fewer high sugar foods and swinging wildly with our blood sugar can be mitigated through more whole foods rich in fats and protein.

OP 3: CHOCOLATES & CORDIALS

Drunken Botanist
Highly recommended entertaining and educational read on the history of infusing herbs into alcohol.

Naked Chocolate
David Wolfe presents a unique perspective of the value of eating chocolate raw.  

Making Artisan Chocolate
Great recipes and clear language around essential processes like tempering.

Chocolates and Confections: Formula, Theory, and Technique for the Artisan Confectioner.
Technical understanding of the traditional chocolatiering processes.  Lots of wonderful recipes and essays.  This is a huge textbook.

http://www.wilburchocolate.com/chocolatelore/bean-to-bar/
Good description of bean to bar chocolate.

http://acselementsofchocolate.typepad.com/elements_of_chocolate/Chocolate.html
One of the best pages I have found on description of what can go wrong and why with chocolate.

OP 4: LAND STEWARDSHIP

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q&app=desktop
How wolves change rivers
Beautiful video showing how everything within ecosystems is interconnected.   It follows the decimation of the wolves from Yellowstone and the fallout of many other species impacting, yes, even the rivers.  

http://www.agclassroom.org/ny/resources/pdf/activities/soil.pdf
Good worksheet on soil for kids.  Helps me realize that others have tried to illustrate basic patterns for kids, which I am trying to do for adults and kids.  Good glossary to consider.

TED Paul Stamets -- 6 ways mushrooms can save the world
http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world
Great mycology talk about many uses of mushrooms including pesticides, medicines and fossil fuel remediators. 11 minutes of medicinal information.

PROPAGATION
Botany in  a Day
http://www.amazon.com/Botany-Day-Patterns-Method-Identification/dp/1892784351
Great resource on Pattern level awareness for the botanical world

Ginger
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/grow-endless-supply-ginger-indoors.html?=mam
Although I had luck with both bags and flat trays, this article gave me helpful hints on growing ginger and inspired me to play.  I had loads of luck and was amazed at how shallow the roots of ginger are. 

SEEDS
The Seed Starter's Handbook
http://www.amazon.com/The-Seed-Starters-Handbook-Nancy-Bubel/dp/0878577521


FLOWERS
Cut Flowers of the World
http://www.amazon.com/Cut-Flowers-World-Complete-Reference/dp/1604691948?ie=UTF8&keywords=cut%20flowers%20of%20the%20world&qid=1461079813&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Great book on the flowers common in the flower arranging trade.  
Some techniques to work with flowers.  Recommends products and techniques for flower vases to last longer and techniques for ease of working with flowers.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahBmejAVOvU
Uses Scotch tape to help create structure especially with a wider mouth vase.  Felt a bit like a commercial that showcased some interesting flower arranging in order to sell things that hold this.  Interesting look at modern marketing and information.  I quite enjoy watching people creat flower arrangements.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xoof42rrLk
This was the best video I saw on pruning roses.  He gives a nice breakdown .  I don't like his beginning but even then he articulates some of the best practices.

RESOURCES on site
Aloe
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/what-aloe-vera-does-to-your-body-why-the-egyptians-called-it-the-plant-of-immortality.html?t=SH
Good resource on how to process aloe and some of its benefits when used internally.  I learned to let the yellow bitter laxative drip out for a day before processing the aloe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eXRfynD-M8
Paul Sellew creates resource out of waste

SOIL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa58RyXxXTM
This is an interesting 2.5 minute video talking about industrial possibilities via recognizing the microbiome in the soil.  Interesting to see large ag harvesting 'organic' methods.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCBJ0rXwILY
Organic method of harvesting microbes from around old-growth trees to inoculate into garden soil. 10 minutes.