Review: A Course in Weight Loss-21 Spiritual Lessons

I just reviewed a phenomenal book written by Marianne Williamson called, "A Course in Weight Loss - 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering your Weight Forever."

This book is a "spiritual curriculum" designed to spiritually and emotionally help you shed your emotional weight as well as your physical weight.

In the beginning of the Introduction, Williamson begins describing this course, "Spirit alone has the power to positively and permanently reprogram both your conscious and subconscious mind."

She leads you through each chapter in a gradual step-wise fashion just like an actual course in school. The purpose of this book is to explain to you that your physical weight loss can very easily be taken off if you allow a higher power into your life and purge the emotional weight from your heart and spirit.

Much of this course is like how your sponsor in a 12-step program would help you through the 12 steps.

Williamson helps you to rediscover your true self and helps you to forgive and love your self again. Forgiveness and love are key ingredients to proper healing.

Williamson addresses that our physical weight is the result of how much emotional burden and issues we carry through our lives. The more emotional burdens and issues we mount onto our hearts, our physical bodies feel the need to physically grow just to hold on to all that burden.

Hoarding physical possessions and all kinds of addictions is how people are hoarding their emotional turmoil and burdens.

So many people suffer from emotional eating disorders and even smoking/alcohol addiction. Why do people latch on to such a hands-on addiction? Because it is the only reliable and dependable friend they know who can help them cope. Cigarettes and a bottle of alcohol will never leave them and will always be there for them. The cigarettes are right in there pocket or in their purse. Food also is something that will always be there for them and they think that it will never judge them or put them down. External crutches help people get through a day. People are more concerned about getting through a day than maintaining a long life. Through the course of this book, she helps you to break down these barriers and regain your sense of self again and increase your self-worth.

Oprah Winfrey had inspired this book for Williamson. She dedicated this book to Oprah and extended warm wishes of gratitude to her.

Dr. Dean Ornish wrote the Forward for this book discussing the magnitude of making healthy lifestyle choices and getting to the root cause of our obesity epidemic by healing from the inside out.

Oprah Winfrey was quoted, "Listen to the whisper before it becomes a scream." This is important in the healing of our physical and emotional self. By the time your body is screaming, it will take longer to heal because there is much more damage done.

This book is a phenomenal and excellent book for anyone who wishes to see themselves again and to find their inner happiness again. By doing so, they will lose their "unwanted" physical weight because there won't be anymore negative friction or self-hatred penetrating the body anymore.

There is a journal at the back of the book for note taking as well as exercises in each chapter. At the end of each chapter she gives you time to reflect and take a moment to write your thoughts and she gives you a prayer to say to your self during this process of self-discovery.

At the end of this book, you will be understanding to your self and be true to your self. You will be more giving to your heart's desire and be complete as a person.

Buy this book for a Christmas present for your SELF, relative, or friend! It will be the best investment ever!

By Carol Harblin (CHHC)

The Heavy Pets: The Highline Ballroom 11/26

Heavy Pets at the Highline Ballroom 11/26/2010

On a night when U-Melt was performing their last show at the Highline Ballroom in New York City another band helped to celebrate the night with a bang. The Heavy Pets who are continually impressing crowds at festivals and music venues came in and played an excellent set of music. While the night belonged to Umelt the Heavy Pets got the crowd started and energized. Listeners were treated to the lead guitar work by both Jeff Lloyd and Mike Garulli. Each provides his own style live that really compliant each other and the band.

As the Heavy Pets set wore on the band really sparked the crowd into a dancing frenzy until there was no time left. With only one short set the band really left fans including me wanting more. Hopefully the rest of the Heavy Pets tour will coincide with fans schedules and location so they won’t be left out in seeing this enjoyable band.

Tour 2010

11/30/10 New Haven, CT - Café Nine

12/01/10 Portland, ME - Empire Dine and Dance

12/02/10-12/03/2010 Stowe, VT - The Matterhorn

12/04/10 Burlington, VT - Nectar’s

12/08/10 Syracuse, NY – Wescott Theater

12/09/10 Saratoga Springs, NY - Putnam Den

12/10/10 Philadelphia, PA - M Room

12/14/10 Virginia Beach, VA - Jewish Mother

12/16/10 Charlottesville, VA - Southern Café and Music Hall

12/17/10 Baltimore, MD - 8 x 10 club

12/18/10 Plains, PA - River Street Jazz Café

12/31/10 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room

By: Daniel Weathers

Photo: Chris Paul

Biomass Busters!

Burning forests for electricity, aka biomass incineration, is being proposed across the nation as a “clean and green” energy source, right up there with solar and wind. But unlike solar and wind, biomass incinerators, such as Burlington, Vermont’s McNeil generating station, put out harmful pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Hydrochloric Acid, Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Chlorine, and particulate matter.

The Environmental Protection Agency says particulate matter is “so small that [it] can get deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems.” The EPA links particulate exposure to “increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing, or difficulty breathing; decreased lung function; aggravated asthma; development of chronic bronchitis; nonfatal heart attacks; and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.” Multiple studies demonstrate there is no safe level of exposure to particulates.

The American Lung Association cites concerns about “severe impacts on the health of children, older adults, and people with lung diseases” from biomass, while the Massachusetts Medical society states, “biomasspower plants pose an unacceptable risk to the public’s health by increasing air pollution.”

Board certified pediatrician Dr. William Sammons of Massachusetts insists that biomass “will have a direct negative impact on the health of our Nation’s children: both immediately and cumulatively throughout their lifetimes, and for generations to come.”

Numerous complaints have been filed over the years from Burlington residents living near the McNeilbiomass incinerator on issues from sickening odors, to spontaneous combustion of woodchip piles, to noise complaints, to dust.

Climate change, anyone? In June, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts released the “Manomet” study, demonstrating that forest biomass incineration will release more global warming gases than coal over the very timeframe climate scientists insist we must curb our carbon emissions. The Manomet study has resulted in Massachusetts re-evaluating the incentives offered for biomass incineration and its findings have rippled across New England, the nation and the world.

A report by Environmental Working Group states that “carbon dioxide emissions from biomass per unit of energy generated are about 1.5 times higher than from coal and 3 to 4 times greater than from natural gas,” and that “over the next 15 years about 4.7 billion tons of carbon will be generated from burning biomass,” which would “erase 80% of the reduction in CO2 emissions from the power sector that is at the heart of federal climate legislation.”

It’s as simple as this: if you support climate change legislation mandating CO2 emissions cuts over the next several decades, then you oppose biomass incineration for electricity.

How about forests? Forests not only give us the best climate buffer on the planet through the sequestration and storage of CO2, they also provide trillions of dollars of ecosystem services such as clean air, pure water, erosion and flood control, and fish and wildlife, not to mention recreation and tourism dollars. New England’s forests are already stressed by current uses of lumber, paper pulp and firewood. With forest cover in New England once again declining, there just aren’t enough forests in New England to feed more hungry incinerators.

Few deny the need to wean ourselves off fossil fuels. But in our scramble to limit—and ultimately end—our dependence on oil, let’s make sure we’re not jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. We’ve burned our way into this climate change mess and we’re not going to burn our way out. Even a grade schooler can understand that clean energy can’t come out of a smokestack.

Solutions? Here’s some: Drastically ramp up energy efficiency and conservation—reports estimate that the State of Vermont could meet 19-30% of electricity demand from efficiency measures alone. We should also carefully move forward with appropriately sited and scaled, community supported, zero-waste, zero-emissions, renewable energy such as solar, wind and microhydro (no new dams).

But eventually we’ve got to come to terms with the fact that no combination of renewable energy can power the current American way of life. It’s up to us to transition our lifestyles to something the planet can sustain.

Josh Schlossberg

Communications Coordinator, Biomass Accountability Project

Organizer, Biofuelwatch

Editor, Biomass Busters

1550 Center Rd.

Montpelier, VT 05602

Phaces from The Phish Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/phish-in-national/phaces-taraleigh-weathers

Click this link to read about Taraleigh in the Phish Examiner

A Weekend at Wormtown, a Family Affair

Yet another amazing weekend was spent at Camp Kee-Wanee getting down with the Worms. For many of us this festival (and venue) has become a family reunion of sorts, a weekend spent with the family we choose for ourselves. One of the things that sets this festival apart from the others I attend, is the amount of actual families that attend year after year. Anyone who has taken a stroll through Family Camping knows what I’m talking about. Yes, there are kids at every festival I attend, there’s usually even a designated family camping section, but no one does it quiet like the Worms. Besides having the perfect location for family camping (well maybe not perfect, since it is very close to late night music…but almost perfect), Wormtown Trading ensures the kids have a great and SAFE time by providing them with cool things to do throughout the weekend.

What makes this location almost perfect you ask? The awesome, built in wooden jungle gym. Personally, I find it hard to not go running and screaming towards it every time I walk past it (if you know me, this takes A LOT of restraint), which explains why the kids love it so much. It screams fun. However, there’s way more to do in family camping then just play on the jungle gym. To ensure all the kids have fun filled days, Wormtown recruits Wendy Podlinski to head family camping. She’s responsible for all the planning and organizing that goes into it. To ensure the kid’s cabin is a hub of activities for the kids, she gathering supplies and volunteers to ensure the activities run smoothly. This year Sean Krause, Nathaniel Putnam & Frank Auriemmo tackled the job of getting all the RVS and campers into family and sites set up. While Kelly Auriemmo, Katy Krause & Carrie Parisi spent their time supervising the project and games.

This year’s star activity was Saturday morning Tye-Dying! All that was needed to participate was something white and cotton to dye, kids and adults had a blast! Forgot your shirt, not to worry! This year a multitude of items were dyed from shirts to socks and even some underwear got a few splashes of color. Other options for the kids were face painting, a treasure hunt, ‘mud’ making(a yummy sweet treat), and arts and crafts. Wendy makes sure all ages of kids can find something to do in the cabin. It’s a great place for kids work together and get to know each other better. The highlight of the weekend for family camping is the Kids’ Parade and Kids’ Set! I rarely see music before noon at most festivals, but I make sure to set an alarm (or 3) to catch the Kids’ set. I really cannot begin to put into words the feeling of joy I get watching all the kids sing their face painted hearts out. I end up with tears streaming down my face every year. It’s almost like I’m getting to watching the next generation grow up year after year. Many of these kids have been coming to Wormtown for 6 years now, that’s a whole lot of growing up!

Besides all of the organized activities there’s tons more going on. Club houses being created, water wars being waged, sharpie attacks under way (warning to all those whom enter family camping), marshmallow guns being fired, are just some of the impromptu hijinks taking place. It’s an awesome place to visit, but it’s important to remember that family camping is a there to keep the kids safe and foster a sense of family. While you’re visiting please keep in mind there are young and impressionable minds all around you. Be sure to show them what our scene is all about, peace, love, family, and music.

Story and Photos by Erin Connolly

Featured Festival: Old 78 Farm Fall Festival

Old 78 Farm Fall Festival

Saturday, October 9^th 12 – 8 pm

823 Orange Road, Warwick, MA.

Featuring: music, farm fresh food, vending and kids activities

On October 9th, the first ever Old 78 Farm Fall Festival will take place in Warwick, MA. The festival will feature music, farm fresh food, clothing and farm product vending, an escape artist, face painting and balloon creations and more. Old 78 Farm itself is a beginner farm nestled along the northern border of MA, near both the New Hampshire and Vermont borders.

Angel and Phil Simon, along with Lynn Englen, slowly have been developing the 150 year old house and property into a productive farm which boasts a sizable garden, laying and meat chickens, rabbit, duck, turkey and more. “This festival is a way for us to tie all of the elements of our lives- the food we are producing from the farm, the clothing that we hand craft, and the music that we love all into an event for the community. We can showcase who we are at Old 78, and who we all are in the heart of New England.” explained the Simons. In addition to the food products, Old 78 Farm is producing clothing made of entirely recycled, reclaimed, and reused material.

Artists:

Adam Ezra

is a rising star from Boston

who has been touring the country with

with his five-piece Adam Ezra group.

He has shared the stage with the

likes of Jackson Brown, Blues Traveler

and The Bridge.

Dave Keller is a Vermont native who

has gained much notoriety over the

years as a blues guitarist and vocalist.

You won’t want to miss this soulful

act deliver some great blues classics,

as well as some of his originals.

Jatoba is a three piece progressive

bluegrass band from Vermont. In the

The Ryan Montbleau Band: Photo Journey from Higher Ground 9/23/2010