The cat speaks...

Do you know 'natural' when you eat it?

2011-07-17T12:53:00.005-04:00

The scoop on so called natural food additives or substitutes used in processed foods is something I have been enlightening myself about for many years now. Just when you think some of these manufacturers would have some decency; there it is on the label and IN my- not so natural anymore- ice cream: tara gum!

In nature food grows in complete nutritional proportions. The stuff that's good, like fiber is usual the largest component, vitamins, minerals and flavor all balance out, depending on how much one usual eats of the particular kind. Then there is the medicinal kind, of which we do not need to consume huge quantities of at a given time.
When only a part of a plant is used and eaten in an unusual large amount, because it is now separate from the whole, it becomes un-natural in my opinion. If this part is then even more split up and only a certain substance is extracted from it, sometimes even with the use of chemicals, it is hardly what the plant once represented.
It is like looking at our moon and calling it the universe.

This then derived substance, that once came from a plant is used in an unnatural high ratio in our food to make it appear a certain way. All in the name of making money, extending shelf life and fooling us into thinking it tastes better or looks fresher. Thereby shortening our life and not to mention the lives of suffering dogs, bunnies, rats, etc on which these substances are being tested to see how much of it will make them sick.
Our bodies like to digest whole foods, because all the components are there to make it work. When a particle is singled out it up sets our digestive system and it either eliminates it or stores it until it can figure out what to do with it. If the amounts stagger by eating to many of these unbalanced foods, we become unbalanced and disease develops.

Ok, foods like ice cream are supposed to be consumed in moderation anyway you say, but I would extend this advice to ALL processed foods (you may have noticed how stacked the grocery stores are with them and the fresh food is sort of on the side...) or avoid them all together and only buy or make your food from fresh ingredients. So what, if the ice cream has some water crystals in it or the sour cream a few lumps? Oh dear, shredding your own cheese to avoid the added cellulose in the pre-packed ones? Certainly!

Next time you pick up one of those 'convenient' foods read the label and see what the makers expect you to swallow: gums, wood pulp (used as filler), artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, the list is long and often hidden in harmless sounding words such as natural flavor (meaning it's an msg) and naming the plant it once came from. What a waste of natural products to have them end up being polluted like this and making us sick in the long run.
Makes an apple, carrot or hand full of nuts a lot more convenient, when you think about it, doesn't it?

Solstice and balance in cycles

2011-06-20T14:42:00.006-04:00

Krishna speaks:
On a hot lazy summer day, the eve of the longest day of the year, suddenly a big fuss is being made by the birds in support of a young one, whose parents are encouraging it for it's first flight. The little one plopped down near the walkway and got the attention of 'outside kitty' who is quite interested in it. While Schiller and I hid under the car from the birds, out of the house dashed Mozart (defender of the small) and set on to chase the near offender across the street into the next yard over. In the meantime the little one hopped and fluttered past Schiller and me into the protective Rosemary bush, while the parents flew nearby to keep watch. Just to be on the safe side, I ran inside, where it is tolerable cool. Don't care for too much excitement in this heat, I must say.

In the k(now)

2011-06-06T12:12:00.001-04:00

This morning (in my timezone) I looked at the clock on the computer, it said 11:11. After a while I got up and walked into the other room where I noticed the clock said 10:10 (it's not set to 'stupid time') I have to set this one by hand so apparently it's off a few minutes. The wall clock in the kitchen is another story all together. This made think: no thing is ever what it seems, there are always multiple versions of it.

It's up to us which version we choose. Every angle we view things from influences our perception. Throw in emotions and it all becomes a brew of unequaled proportions. Each unique
in itself, completely dependend on the observer, yet none the one and only. On top of that, in each moment we have the option to change our point of view, leaving the old version of the situation behind and creating one that feels better.

What do you know?

In my garden

2011-04-04T11:44:00.007-04:00

many lovely things are growing.

2011-02-22T14:12:00.003-05:00

Krishna speaks:

Spring is in the air and I am helping the flowers grow. I am thankful for the nice bed they make.

Ein Jahr ist vergangen / a year has passed

2010-09-09T09:09:00.004-04:00

Es war lange ruhig hier auf dieser Seite, was aber keinesfalls heisst es war still in unserem Alltag.
It was quiet for some time here on this page, what does not in any way means nothing happened in our daily lives.

Unser lieber Mr Toodles ist letzten Oktober ins Jenseits gegangen. Er war erst 12 Jahre alt und ein treuer Gefaehrte durch eine turbulente Zeit meines Lebens. Er lebt fuer immer in meinem Herzen.
Our dear Mr Toodles went on the to the other realm last October. He was only 12 years old and a loving companion to me in a turbulent time in my life. He lives forever in my heart.

Lili entwickelte sich in eine kleine anspruchsvolle (wie es sich gehoert) kleine Dame.
Lily grew into an independend, demanding young lady.

Krishna wie immer weise auf seine Art.

Krishna as always wise in his own way.

Schiller laesst keine Gelegenheit aus Streicheleinheiten zu bekommen.

Schiller never misses an opportunity to get petted.

Mozart, der fortwaehrend stuermischer Begruesser, laesst auch gruessen.

Mozart, the ever so enthusiastic greeter, sends his regards.

....und ich lasse es mir gut gehen.

meet Lily

2009-09-08T10:26:00.002-04:00

Gaines St. improvement ceremony

2009-08-14T16:59:00.003-04:00

The live oak at Lichgate on a spring day

2009-04-29T15:48:00.001-04:00

Spring

2009-04-29T15:37:00.004-04:00

Schiller speaks:

Spring, glorious Spring - makes my spirit soar, makes my soul sing.

Makes me swat my tail to swoosh the first hungry mosquitos away.

The sunshine makes me lazy, the moonlight calls me out to play. Breezy winds swirl the live oak leaves on the ground, tease me to catch them.

I watch them from my favorite sunny spot in the flowerbed before my eyelids close for a nap.

Ahhh, spring.

Flow

2009-03-31T20:33:00.005-04:00

Schiller speaks

When I sit on a nice perch in the house, there is often one of the humans that comes and wants to sit there, too. It gets a little tight, but there is room for both of us. I make sure I tell them to be careful not to squeeze me.

Other times I go and sit with them and they usually pet me. Sometimes I have to remind them of their purpose and give a nudge to make sure they pet me a little longer as they can be forgetfull at times.

The more I allow to let good things happen, the more I get petted.

And isn't that what life is all about?

Smile

2009-03-09T21:03:00.005-04:00

Krishna speaks:

I smile when I am curled up in a warm lap.

I smile when I am rolling in a particular dusty patch of dirt.

I smile when I balance on the rim of the flower pot to reach the water in the bird bath.

I smile.

When do you smile?

Time

2009-02-28T23:11:00.007-05:00

Veryfinecat speaks:

Time flies. Or does it?

Is it not us who race though each moment, barely aware of it?
We are already in tomorrow or still stuck in yesterday, last week, last year.

Chasing the moments without giving them a chance to sink it.
Then we say 'I don't know where the time went' - it's not time we are missing, but all the unnoticed moments that make up our life.

Be here now and you'll never miss anything.

LOVE

2009-02-14T10:49:00.014-05:00

Mozart speaks:

Ahhh, love. Loooove.

Take a deep breath. Can you feel it?

Makes my heart beat, makes the bees buzz.... rainbows.... kittens and puppydogs.

Love is life.

Try it. I recommend it.

Choose light

2009-02-02T10:49:00.011-05:00

Mia speaks (channeled by Mr Toodles):

Open your eyes and look inside you. What do you see?

Loving light of your heart or shadows, cast from troubling thoughts in your mind?

Open your mouth to speak, what comes out? You choose.

Choose wisely; what you choose from inside is going to reflect on what you are going to see on the outside.

Choose light.

Food tips

2009-01-23T22:11:00.011-05:00

Veryfinecat speaks:

In case the reader ever has the crazy notion he or she should start a diet, here are my suggestions:

1. ENJOY what you eat and bless the food for it's intended nourishment, always. If you do not enjoy it then don't eat it and don't give it another thought.

2. Of what you eat, know, your body will take what it needs and discard the rest. DO NOT think 'Oh gosh, this will go straight to my thighs, hips', etc. or even worse, say it out loud. Refer to statement #1. You do not want to keep all of the food you eat, so do not assign a place for it on your body.

3. Practice eating smaller portions. In Germany we say FDH - friss die Haelfte, in English it could be translated to EOH - eat only half.

My grandfather used to say: 'When it tastes the best it's time to push away from the table'. I know, it's sort of tongue in cheek, because when does one know when it tastes the best?

4. Eat good food! The least processed, seasonal locally grown, organic food (perhaps from your own garden) should make the most amount of your meal, then you can have that occasional cake or whatever else is your fancy and enjoy it.

5. Denial of food does not work, it'll make you feel bad. Refer back to #1.

6. Do some FUN exercise. Dance while doing the laundry or the dishes. Exercise starts at home, most any movement can be beneficial, if done conscious.

7. Feel good.

Happy-ness

2009-01-20T14:55:00.011-05:00

Mozart speaks:

It's a happy day! Most every day is a happy day, but today more than ever. It's because many people are happy. You can feel it in the air. They moved from feeling angry, scared or sad to feeling happy. The more people feel happy the happier it gets. I am dog, I know happy, I know excited. When someone is happy and excited it rubs off.

I hope it stays, I hope people will stay feeling happy and not say 'alright then, that was that, let's see what this one person can do'. Everyone needs to keep up their own happy and not depend on someone else to bring it to them. Only, if everyone participates, does their part, only then can we raise happiness for all.

Winter visions of gardens

2009-01-15T17:52:00.011-05:00

Veryfinecat speaks:

Its cold outside and little yard work is needed, but this is Florida and you know the time to crank up that smelly, noisy lawn mover is all too near.

Now is the time to change all that, shift your thoughts to a luscious array of veggies in that sunny spot of the yard, mixed in with an enchanted cottage garden of flowers. Yes, you can have your own tomatoes and eat them, too. Who says a yard has to be a boring lawn loaded with toxins to keep any other life form out? When was the last time you played croquet on that lawn? Why not do the ground work, get your hands dirty with the satisfying end result of having grown the lettuce for your salad or the greens for dinner? Depending on your yard, you might need raised beds or even just strategically place some planted containers to catch the sun. Plant marigolds with the tomatoes, it does not only look pretty, it also keeps pests away. The same is said for garlic around your roses. You can express yourself in the variety of plants you grow. The joy of tending to flowers and plants is great therapy for your self and the environment. Get your kids involved, get together with neighbors to share in the work as well as the harvest and create beautiful,
nourishing spaces that feed you and the neighborhood. I envision bounties of squash and tomatoes on every doorstep this summer.

Happy new year!

2009-01-01T10:14:00.010-05:00

Veryfinecat speaks:

It's a brilliant new day.
According to the calendar it's the first day of 2009.

We slept in a bit, arose to make a rousing fire in the wood stove, a hot cup of coffee for me and yummy breakfast for everyone.
Watching the birds on the bird feeder, listening to their song and then to beautiful music inside the house. Checking the email to find wonderful news and warm greetings from friends.

Everything we need is right here with us.
All is well in this day.

Feeling good

2008-12-20T14:29:00.001-05:00

Mr. Toodles speaks:

My whole life long I help people to feel good. When they come here they sometimes expect a miracle and sometimes they get it. It depends how much they want to feel good. I greet them happily and show them what it feels like to feel good and they can take that with them and remember when they need to. My job is to sit with them and let them pet my soft fur, I purr for them, which brings our vibration to the feelgood level and helps them heal. They like me to sit in their lap or at their feet and enjoy the warm, cuddly feeling.

People are forgetfull however, that's why it important to come here on a regular basis.

Stillness in motion

2008-12-17T08:28:00.002-05:00

Krishna speaks:

There is stillness at my center inner being. The ego is screaming in it's attempt to cause upheaval, so it can revel in drama. Busybody wants to have a reason for existence.

Yet, there is stillness in my center. Beautiful swirls of light shining, moving in a slow ebb and flow, ever so brilliant in a wide, infinitive spiraling motion.

Busybodies have no say here, can't help but become still, in awe of this generosity of love and beauty. Ego fades away, melts into sparkles, becomes clouds of stardust.

Wishing you a joyous season of love, peace and goodwill to all.

The storm

2008-09-02T17:50:00.000-04:00

Schiller speaks:
I knew something would be different today when the new outside cat already had his food and was hovering over the bowl which sits next to our entrance to the house. We have a ladder going up to a hole that has a movable part which when you push on it makes an opening. This leads to a sheltered part of the house, from which we enter into the main cave through the magic portal. Sometimes, if I stare at it long enough one of the humans will come and make it open. I even tried it myself by pushing on it like the hole we use to get to what I have heard being called a porch. Sometimes I think it is nothing else, but our small opening, only bigger and made for the big creatures. We even have the big creatures trained to make the opening appear, even if they are rather slow most of the time.

The outside cat, as I have the human, called Mom, heard call him, does not come inside, which is fine with me, even though I did show him how to use the opening. That night he came in and then made a terrible mess when he tried to go back out and the movable part did not move. He panicked and left through what is the enclosure through which the wind blows, but usually does not let anyone out. He pushed until it gave, jumped and ran until he reached the yard next door, where he hid under a bush. He does not have the patience, like we do. His manners leave a lot to be asked for, but as a cat he is ok, as long as we leave him to himself.

The wind was blustery and I rushed to relieve myself. Outside, everything was wet and very warm and the earth stuck to my paws so I had shake them while running back to the comfortable, cool, dry cave. I longed to stretch out on the soft perches, lick my moist fur and curl up for a nap.

Mom had kept the big opening unlocked, like she often does, but today she closed it as soon as everybody had come back in.
Through the thick walls we could hear the water come down on the outside and the wind push against the see through areas of the cave. I jumped on the big cushy perch next to my big friend Mozart, the dog and snuggled up to him. He helped dry the water off me, which still left me wet of sorts, but he means well.
After some time I woke feeling deliciously woozy. Stretching extensively I looked around, it was dark, but it did not feel like night, besides, my tummy told me it was no more than midday.
I wandered to the room with the food bowl. My house companions, Mr Toodles and Krishna, that's what the humans call them, were already there and did not seem to mind the same grub, instead of the sauteed lizards tails I had asked Mom to serve. Sometimes I really think she does not understand anything I say. She always fills the bowl as soon as one of us sits next to it. Still, it would be nice, if she make an effort to serve whats ordered.
Outside the water gushing made quite some noise. It was out of the question to go through the opening. We sat on the porch for some time watching the spectacle. It was scary and no one had enough nerve to dare the elements.
The large human child, he is taller than his Mom, tried to cheer us up by tossing a round thing, which was fun to chase for a while and then he pulled a string through the room, but after while it was more for his entertainment than mine. When I caught it and carried into a hiding place he gave up and paid attention to something else.
By evening the situation had not changed. Everybody stayed in, napped, dozed and whatever it is the humans do. Finally Mom opened the large portal, the sound of water was gone, except for small drips. At last we could go outside, ever so careful, because the wind was still blowing. There were smaller parts of trees everywhere, making it difficult to walk the regular paths. I had to jump several times, to avoid being brushed with water from the leaves. The smells were most interesting. I would have stayed, if not the water started up again and I had to run under one of those large smelly things, that move around a lot and omit a terrible noise and horrible air. This one was quiet and it kept the water from falling on me, even though my feet were awfully wet.
It was so dark, loud from the water noise and I was all alone. I was too afraid to run to the opening so I started purring to comfort myself and wait. What seemed like forever, I heard mom calling me, there she was holding a cover over herself pointing a light at me. Here I am, here... I did not care to keep my dignity and carefully walked toward her, with water rushing all around my feet. I felt her grab me and before I knew it we were inside, where a big soft thing dried the water off me and my big friend helped as well.
I was so happy, I did not complain about the food. After eating I told Mom in every detail what had happened and she gave me a rub from head to toe.
The water lasted for another night and day through which I slept most of. It's no fun being wet and cold, when there is a nice dry and soft spot waiting for you.

May we introduce ourselves....

2008-08-18T11:28:00.000-04:00

Princess Mia (1997-2006).
She departed this realm almost two years ago, but her spirit can be felt sometimes, especially through her brother Mr Toodles. His mannerism reflects her refined behavior at times. She was an outstanding companion.

Mr. Toodles (11 years old) is his usual friendly, snugly, bossy, whatcha doing? kind of self. Making sure to sit in ones lap is his way to solve problems. After all petting a cat does lower blood pressure and having grown up in my massage practice, he considers himself my assistant (or perhaps he thinks he runs things around here...). One of his greatest talents is to always managing to sit in the chair a person is going to sit in next.

Krishnacat (7) is the enlightened one of the crowd. He picks his people he wants to communicate with, expects to be carried inside to the food bowl and likes to blend in on the black table or black stove (during the summer anyway). He can appear what seems out of thin air when a can of catfood is about to be opened or a broom is in sweeping action and never misses to sit in the dust cloud.

Schiller (5) is a talker. When he comes inside he tells us of how long he had to wait til the door opened, gives us his menu order and requests to be petted. After inspecting the contents of the food bowl he makes sure to let us know of insufficient the service around here is, because apparently he had ordered fillet mignon and all he found in the food bowl was the regular cat food. It's either that or he has the solution to the economic crisis, but it gets lost in translation. No wonder we often get that 'Oh, humans are soo dense' look.

The biggest cat, eh sorry, dog in the family is Mozart (5). Ever so loving, exuberant, caring and intelligent. Always looking to help out with either kisses, opening the door or an impromptu dance. Nothing that can't be made better with good grooming.

Mozart and Schiller

Greetings all.

2008-08-17T21:38:00.000-04:00

Come back soon to see what the cat has to say.