Under the Tucson Sun

The Connection

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 17:07:00 +0000

Preface

Recently I took a class by Tosha Silver, who teaches a technique in one of her classes to connect with the Divine, which includes closing your second chakra, and opening your fourth and sixth chakras. I followed her instruction (anyone can learn to do this) and the below is the result of what I learned and continue to learn.

I use the word "God" when speaking in regard to the Divine, however, am not tied to any titles or labels. I also want to let you know before reading this, that I am simply sharing my vision. I have no interest in debating religious viewpoints or proving a point. I am no religious scholar, no judge, no expert in this field. Just a human-being sharing a beautiful vision of inclusion and non-judgement.

Infinite

Silently, during our morning meditation today, instead of doing the mantra as instructed, I asked God to show me what I need to be shown. I had no idea what would happen, but it feels real and the more I think about it, it feels right.

God told me that the reason we can’t physically see him/her is because we can’t wrap our brains around how truly vast he/she is and what he/she truly looks like.

Every single thing in this universe is his/her creation. I was shown people, animals, trees, planets, stars, suns, moons - everything is connected. And that is what God, in actuality, is: THE CONNECTION.

When we truly understand that and honor our planet, animals, other humans, ourselves and feel the connection, we feel God.

In my meditation, God looked like webbing, or fine white threads that connected everything, whether we were aware of it or not. This is how God is everywhere, in everything and infinite.

Nothing physical, nothing external, nothing internal ceases The Connection from existing.

No Judgement

How do we practice our Connection? Thereby, how do we spend more time with God?

Acknowledge each other - every smile, handshake, hug, talk, shared laughter with another person puts you in Connection.
Play with our pets, nurture and appreciate wildlife.
Nurture a plant, grow a garden, plant a tree.
Look at the stars, sit under a full moon, bathe in the sun.
Swim in a lake or ocean.

Over time we realize, acknowledge and appreciate that all this is alive and connected, we feel the vibration of the Connection. The vibration comes from natural things, however, nothing or no one can cease it from existing.

When someone dies, we feel the vibration. It feels like it stops, but God tells me that the Connection is still there, but at a frequency that most humans are unable to detect.

Why do some people kill? Wouldn’t killing others - whether it’s working at a slaughterhouse, or being a murderer kill your own connection, too?

God said, no. Nothing kills the connection. Nothing. No one. The Connection is always there no matter what.

However, one must remember, said God, when my children feel, acknowledge and live in the Connection they are happier, more joyful and live more fully.

Pass It On

What do I do with this information?

Share it. First write it down and share it with your husband, then share with your children and the rest of the family. You will be shown who to share it with as the time comes. God says this information is the key to understanding, and ultimately it’s the key to peace.

Who are all of these people/Gods we have followed through the ages? Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Shiva, etc.?

God said these are his messengers, and there are many messengers, some famous, some not. And now, I am too a messenger. I find that seriously hard to believe, I said. But God insisted. With the sharing of this information as instructed, I am a messenger and a servant for the greater good. God said once I begin sharing my life will never be the same. Yeah, I told him everyone will think I’m whacko. However, whacko or not, I am grateful, because it just feels right.

Zendoodling: A First Attempt

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:26:00 +0000

Last week I was doing a search on mandalas, when the term "zendoodling" came up. Creating a mandala from doodling. Brilliant!

All you need to do is follow your heart. Just draw what you feel.

I saw a wonderful inspirational video, that perfectly showcases how this form of art is simple fun - and intimidating.:

During my research I found some fabulous, more sophisticated zendoodles on a site completely dedicated to the art form aptly called, ZenTangle.

This is my very first zendoodle, but I can already saw I am addicted. I have been carrying my sketch pad with me everywhere, thinking about what my next step would be. My newer works (that are not completed yet), are on a smaller sketch pad, so that won't get cropped in scanning and sharing.

I used the following tools:

Daily Rituals - What's Yours?

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:03:00 +0000

Mr. Rogers swam daily and kept his weight at 143 pounds, because those are the numbers that align with the words "I love you". Gertrude Stein would sit in her parked car everyday and write poetry. President Barack Obama, starts every day at 6:45 am with a workout and no matter how long his work day is, he always stops to have dinner with his family. Daily Rituals.

As a long-time work at home mother, I have been very much about daily rituals. I wake at 5:15 and practice Kundalini Yoga with the sunrise as my only light. I follow that with a 30 minute meditation, then have a three fruit, green smoothy while sitting with my husband for his breakfast before we both head off to our work. This is daily ritual helps me to stay focused and balanced and ready to begin my day.

As comfortable and reassuring as daily rituals are, sometimes they get a little shaken - like mine are now. As welcoming as growth and the changes that I have in my life are, I am having to re-think my day. Re-design the work portion of my daily ritual.

My balancing act is now a little different with only one child remaining at home - and he is only here part-time - so I can focus on me. What a concept! Now I can write! I can run my business, be a leader in our Women on the Verge Community and garden. Wow!

Here's where I need your help, my sisters in business and life. What are your rituals? If you're a writer, how do you incorporate writing into everyday? How do you incorporate your passion into your daily living? What times of the day are you most creative and alive? The age old question asked to women since the beginning of time.: How do you do it?

Grasping at Straws

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Yesterday I had a discussion with my husband about an article I read regarding eating right for hypothyroidism, which is something I have dealt with for about ten years.

The article titled, "Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?" , contains a list of goitrogens, foods that hinder the absorption of thyroid medications. This list includes: soy (which is in everything), strawberries, pears, peaches, broccoli and cauliflower, among a long list of others - all usual visitors in my weekly digestive tract. I am supposed to avoid these otherwise healthy foods, because they apparently tax my already tired thyroid gland.

Come on!! I already eat a vegetarian diet (have for years), practice yoga daily, use natural products on my skin, hair nails and teeth, floss daily, don't drink coffee, grow an organic garden, volunteer as a court advocate for a child, am a mother of five and run my own business. Wah!!

This latest news of so many of my favorite foods being goitrogens has brought out my inner whiner and knocked me for a loop. What the heck? I try so hard. Is this the reason that my weight stays the same, like it's embedded in concrete? Is food so important to me that I obsess over these details?

Yesterday I was feeling rebellious and mostly sorry for myself, so I decided to eat the most delicious meal I could think of that is vegetarian (not vegan, which I mostly do). Let me tell you, those chile relleno, salad, black beans and glass of cabernet never tasted so good.

Please feel free to join my pity party. We'll be sure to have non-goitrogen veggies and dip - with plenty of wine.

Once Upon a Meatless Monday

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:37:00 +0000

About five years ago, our family started celebrating Meatless Monday. None of us were vegetarians, none of us had heard of the campaigns started by Paul McCartney or John Hopkins University. We only wanted to improve our diets and health.

For the first two years we planned weekly for our one meatless day - breakfast lunch and dinner - may no flesh cross our lips. We had roasted veggie lasagna, portobello mushroom burgers and asparagus tarts. Best of all? No one complained. No one missed a beefy Monday. The result was healthy weight, blood pressure and improved energy across the board. And, less after-dinner bloat.

However, different from the rest of the family, this experience affecting me more strongly. I increased my yoga practice from two-three days a week practice to daily Kundalini Yoga and meditation. Around this time, I also read (and took the online classes) A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. I suddenly got very sick - and it lasted for two weeks. I am not a doctor, but my gut tells me that I was detoxing. I couldn't possibly consider eating any flesh of any kind. I completely lost all desire for it.

Since that two weeks of presumed detox, I have not partaken in consuming anything that had a face or a mother. No fish, no fowl, no four-leggers cross my plate or palate.

And you know what? My family did not join me. They have been content in the weekly Meatless Monday celebration and living the life of an omnivore. And that's okay. They know that if I am cooking, chicken is NOT for dinner. In lieu of having to cook for themselves, they typically end up eating the vegetarian dinner I prepare. Since I always make enough for everyone, as sharing fresh fruits and veggies is a joy - that is cool with me, too.

We are living proof that herbivores and omnivores can co-exist peacefully.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, by Beth Hoffman - book review

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:03:00 +0000

CeeCee Honeycutt spent the first twelve years of her life taking care of her mentally-ill, has-been beauty queen mother, who spent her rollercoaster days in their small town, Ohio, streets adorned in goodwill prom dresses, red shoes and tiara with a face of smudged make-up. Ostracized by her classmates because of her notorious mother, CeeCee found solace and friendship amongst her books and studies.

One fateful day, CeeCee's life made an abrupt change. Her mother was knocked right out of her red shoes by an ice cream truck and killed. Great-Aunt Tootie got wind of this tragic event and drove her vintage convertible from her lucious, historic home in Savannah, Georgia, taking CeeCee under her wing.

Thus begins CeeCee's journey to the healing warmth of a Savannah summer, surrounded by a gaggle of nurturing, wise, no-excuses women. CeeCee's life soon becomes filled with the fragrance of lush floral gardens and hilariously real moments in what seemingly appears to be a town run by strong women.

The author, Beth Hoffman, does such an excellent job with her character development, you can literally smell the wine on neighbor, Thelma Rae Goodpepper's breath, hear the cackle of Miz Hobb's nosey questions and feel the warmth and love of a big bosom hug from Oletta.

Southern hospitality reins in Saving CeeCee Honeycutt as you will feel welcome and charmed to enjoy every last morsel.

Believing in...

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:05:00 +0000

Some people might have wanted me to have my head examined when I started an online community with Women on the Verge (WOTV). But, I HAD to do it. It represented too many things that I believe in - Women, Community, the Internet and Free.

I believe in Women.:

I was raised and surrounded by strong, wise, out-spoken women. My female friends have known me through decades - child birth, bad dates, marriages, divorces, bad hair styles, trials at work, and as travel companions -always there, making me laugh, crying with me, a glass of wine, an open hand, reaching out. We support and uplift each other. It is my belief that these characters represent the core beauty of women.

Women on the Verge, even though it is a very young community (less than six months old), seems to be attracting this very type of person - passionate, open-minded towards others viewpoints, yet unafraid to state our own and supportive. The members never cease to amaze me with their ability to share, open their hearts and let all of us be the beneficiaries of their lessons. They talk to each other, they blog about very personal experiences and they become more beautiful to me every day. Everyday of sharing, their light shines brighter.

I believe in Community.:

A a previously single mom (for fifteen years), I practiced and believed that old adage, "it takes a village to raise a child". Problems in our family were not secrets. We talked about it - sometimes ad nausea - to coaches, teachers, friends and extended family. Community helped me raise college graduates, solid adults and really good people that I am proud to call my children.

I believe in the Internet.:

No one entity owns the Internet. No one entity governs the Internet. The Internet is global and infinite. The Internet is information and in my opinion, our current day version of the Industrial Age.

I believe in Free.:

The first time I dialed into the Internet via a browser, in 1993, I was in awe. Free? I registered domains - free. I got a site hosted - free. I marketed websites - free. Everything was free and I felt like I had found buried treasure. Many of the Internet's treasures are still free - and I still get excited about it.

We're not alone.:

Currently, approximately 5000 followers and members combined share the WOTV community, still in it's infancy. I would say that we are not alone in our thinking that community and sharing on the Internet is a wonderful place to be, grow and believe.

Set Your Super Power Free!

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:42:00 +0000

Recently a dear friend of mine posed the question, if you could choose a superhero power, what would it be? This simple question got me thinking of all of the super powers I would love to have.

Think of these amazing powers:

- Everywhere I would walk, flowers would appear

- I would be able to repair our environment - patch the ozone hole with a swish of my hands

- I could grant every pet a home

- I would be able to heal people and animals just with my very presence

Then I thought... gosh, so many of us can pick a super power and act those powers out in our mortal, human way. It would not be instantaneous, but it would be powerful, indeed.

For example, what if I chose my super power to be everywhere I walked, flowers would appear and I live out that power in my mortal way. I could do the following things:

1. Plant a flower garden in my own yard
2. Hang flower baskets on my patios

3. Start flowers from seedlings and put in little pots

4. Bring those little pots of home-grown flowers with me to family and friends when visiting

5. Send home-grown flowers to school with the children to give to teachers and faculty

6. See if potted flowers can be taken to nursing homes, pediatric hospitals, etc.

You could live your super power in everything that you do and with every life you touch.

What would your super power be? And how would you make it come to life in your human form?

Co-Op Web's New Site, New Tools for Your Business

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:59:00 +0000

Exciting News!!

Co-Op Web, Inc., an award-winning, Tucson based web design firm, was founded in 1998 by Ana Lewis, CEO, MPM, PME, a 15-year Internet veteran, certified Master Project Manager and Project Manager E-Business. Our primary focus is our business client’s needs – and how the Internet can meet those needs. Our long-time experience in the Internet industry ensures Co-Op Web remains focused on designing websites that meet our customer’s needs by analyzing current market trends, developing effective Internet strategies, and utilizing a simple skill – listening.

Listening is how we discovered that we needed to offer more information to our clients and followers, thus the inspiration for this new design for Co-Op Web.

New and Valuable information we are now offering:

1. Do-it-yourself - Yes you can! And we give you the tools in which to do so.

2. The most common question I get is, “How much will it cost?” – please check out our section to find out. This form must now be filled out by all new/potential clients.

3. Free matters - see how you can best utilize the Internet via free applications and software.

4. Community – The Internet is global and I believe the best way to be found is by participating in community. Please check out our newest community, Women on the Verge, to see how wonderful it truly is.

6. WordPress – While we have worked on WordPress for many of our clients, I decided to try it out for ourselves, too., with this site The software is offered on the servers that we host on and it’s free!

If you have any questions and topics that you would like for me to address, please feel free to email us at contact@co-opweb.com

Peace,
Ana Lewis, CEO, MPM, PME

Committed, by Elizabeth Gilbert - a book review

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:27:00 +0000

As a wife, mother and previous lover of anything Elizabeth Gilbert, I am sad to say that I am having tremendous difficulty getting through Gilbert's latest bestseller, Committed.

I too, was very scared to enter my marriage, especially after having survived two previous divorces, so I thought I might gather some inspiration from Ms. Gilbert as she "makes peace with marriage" (as the sub-title proclaims. After all, I found tremendous inspiration in Eat, Pray, Love.

Eat, Pray, Love is listed as one of my all-time favorite non-fiction books. There was courage, inspiration, tears, heartbreak, laughter, humility and love in those pages. I read the book and carried it around for days, as I didn't want to lose the flavor.

Committed has not hit me the same. I hear Ms. Gilbert whining and complaining about a very real situation many people are facing in our country. Loving someone who can't enter the country because of Homeland Security. Only problem is, most of them are unable to financial accommodate themselves with a year of traveling TOGETHER. Ms. Gilbert loses scope of that very quickly and sinks into crybaby mode... briniging to mind, she spent many of the first pages in Eat, Pray, Love in the same vein.

I must declare, that not all was annoying about Committed. I adored Gilbert's stories from some of the families and women in the villages she visited and interviewed about marriage in her travels with Felipe (her now husband). The wisdom and clarity they shared in the most matter-of-fact and uncomplicated of terms, typically made me feel light from the beauty in their simplicity and wisdom.

I do wish she talked about Felipe more. He seems hilarious and when she quoted him, I could almost see his attitude and twinkle - even though I have never met or seen him. The tiny morsels she feeds us of him, made me hunger for more. He has a totally different zest for life than she does. While she's the gypsy, he's the comfortable bed you miss when you're away.

Committed is a very real and raw account of Gilbert's internal trials about getting married, I do think that there are a lot of people who will get a lot out of her imparted lessons and the journey she shares.

Heart Song

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:02:00 +0000

She was not afraid of Death

Talked about it like the weather

I want to die quickly and in my sleep,

She made her request

And she did

It was her heart that

killed her

generous

passionate

active

angry

dramatic

talented

heart

Her generosity touched so many

Watched the news

With her checkbook in hand

Ready to help the family

In need
She was generous
With her time
Brother, dad and I
Were never told she was
Too busy –
to help with school projects
to take a class with us
to travel all over the world
to attend a game

She was passionate
about her music
Her piano was her dearest friend
She would visit her daily
Sometimes to cry
Sometimes to sing
Always with heart

She was passionate about family
Not even the Devil himself could get
between her and her family, she would say.
Her loyalty showcased
Her truth

Anger ran deep
Like a hidden tumor
She wanted to keep secret,
But couldn’t
Angry at a mother who was selfish
Angry at herself for eating through it
Angry at her children for taking her for granted
Anger was the Pac-Man that ate her
Magnificent heart

Drama was her middle name
Willing to perform
Ham-it-up
Sing
At any time or place
She dressed in colors
Played with her hair
Bought BIG toys
And laughed
Real loud

She’ll do anything
We thought
She’d ask the embarrassing question
Try new styles
Skinny dip with friends
Secretly go to the amusement park
while everyone was working

Her talent was vast
Numerous instruments
Were lured by her hands
Many sports her calling
She called herself a Jack of all trades
And she was

Laying carpet
hanging wallpaper
building shelves
Home was a museum
To her talents and constant activity
Quirky furniture with dioramas of western scenes
Clock that cracked a whip on the hour
And treasures given to her by famous and
Not so famous friends

She communicated her heart through
Her voice
Anytime in the brightest of day
In the darkest of night
I can hear her voice
Call me Sweetheart

With Love and Gratitude to my mother, Josie Gonzales, 1940 - 1988

Does Your Website Speak Your Voice?

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:21:00 +0000

As a designer, I find it fun and inspirational to work on my clients' websites. I get excited by the possibilities, sometimes to the point of scaring them into hiding their coffee pots and other things that might add to my already high energy level.

The Internet is a wonderful medium for a person like me, who not only appreciates the creative side, but also the business side. The global opportunities - the ability to communicate and reach out to people all over - simply by being present. The Internet is the great equalizer. You can have a presence right next to business giants like Microsoft.com and Adobe.com - and pay the same amount of money for your domain, have access to some of the same software and build and design to your heart's content.

Currently, I am working on my own website for Co-OpWeb.com. I try to do this about once every 18 months. Everytime, the design is a showcase of the times we are living in - what new software can I test? What new toys can I play with? Everytime, I learn something new about myself and my business.

This time I am playing with some of the free softwares we offer on our servers. Most of our sites are hard-coded and do not utilize free software, but times-are-a-changin'. Our times are calling for everyone to be able to be more self-sufficient. We still want the same things, we just have to be more conscientious about how we get it and go about doing it.

We built Women on the Verge entirely on free software. It was a little buggy, but the site is up, fun and growing and I am learning a lot on the way. We utilized Dolphin, a community software, typically used for dating sites. We customized it to meet our own needs, got some help from our own programming staff and are making it work, riding through the little bumps along the way.

For the new Co-Op Web site, we are utilizing some of the same thoughts and energy. Offer as much as we can for free, and show people some of the things that have taken us over a decade to learn. It's a great feeling to share like that and I am enjoying this site more than I have any previous re-build.

I think the most important lesson is this - Make your website speak for you. Make sure your voice rings true in it's design, concept and capabilities. If you enjoy giving to your community - showcase that! Let people know who you are and what you believe in, by your web presence. You don't even have to bang people over the head with your ideas. If you appreciate beauty - make your site beautiful.

Sometimes it's easiest to brainstorm with a professional in how to best communicate who you are (that's my favorite part of my business) and sometimes you can best do it on your own - just by listening to yourself. Regardless of how you get the message out, just make sure that you are staying true to who you are and what the business would like to communicate - beyond the business of business.

New and Valuable information we will be offering on the Co-Op Web site. (please visit us when we're done!):

1. Do-it-Yourself section - Yes you can! And we give you the tools in which to do so.

2. The most common question I get is,"How much will it cost?" This will have a form that must now be filled out by all new/potential clients.

3. Free matters - see how you can best utilize the Internet via free applications and software. We have a growing and monthly updated list.

4. Community – The Internet is global and I believe the best way to be found is by participating in community. Please check out our newest community, Women on the Verge, to see how wonderful it truly is
.
6. WordPress – While we have worked on WordPress for many of our clients, I decided to try it out for ourselves, too, with our own site The software is offered on the servers that we host on and it’s free!

The new Co-Op Web site is nearly finished. I will announce when it's ready for prime-time and ready for your feedback.

Thank you,
Ana Lewis
CEO of Co-Op Web, Inc.
Master Project Manager
Project Manager E-Business

Things I Didn't Know About Being a Vegetarian Until I Became a Vegetarian

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:11:00 +0000

I just stopped. That was it. I had a mouthful of clam chowder in my mouth and I had to spit it out. I had no desire to chew it, smell it, let alone swallow it. So I didn't. From that point on - no more flesh. It was that easy and I have never turned back. No thinking about it - I just did it. I became a vegetarian.

When you just drop flesh cold-tofurkey like that, there are things that you learn after the fact. I am here to share some of those things with you.:

1. Restaurants are really nice about accommodating their menus for vegetarians. I used to miss fish tacos at one of our old favorites, and I expressed that to the server. He said, no problem, they would substitute zucchini for the fish and now I get my tacos - only way more delicious and less stinky!

2. If you need a quick, prepared meal, there's some great choices at your corner supermarket. I am so hooked on Amy's Samosas (potato and peas) that I should start a 12-step program for them. You don't have to go to a specialty grocer to get some great, quick, vegetarian fare.

3. I can do most of my shopping at the farmer's market. I gather my recyclable bag, and walk around the market until I have so much stuff my shoulder is burning. It's fun! (Really) And so very healthy to eat seasonally and locally.

4. I can grow so many of our favorite veggies and herbs myself. I have become all about fresh herbs - the legal kind, of course. Artichokes, tomatoes, lettuce, basil, rosemary, chives and anything I can keep away from our Newfie, Cousteau, who also love veggies. (Chive thief!)

5. That I would never, ever crave flesh. Ever...

6. That I would not be bothered with other people's choices around me. I don't ever try to impose my choices on my family - and they don't try to impose theirs on me. My husband and kids are all omnivores. However, they do know that if this herbivore cooks, that we are having a vegetarian meal. They have yet to complain.

7. That I would have more energy than ever. I get up every morning around 5am, do yoga and don't quit until 5pm. It's awesome to have so much energy.

8. Apparently my life insurance premiums will be cheaper. I have read this in a number of places, but have yet to confirm it. Sounds like something I need to address.

9. "Fake Meat" as my kids call it, tastes great in chili or spaghetti red sauce. Fake cheese is still nasty to me. I have tried them all and will keep on trying until this desire is fulfilled. If you have found any fake cheese winners, please pass them on.

10. B-12 and iron need to be supplemented. I have read several studies on this (some agree and some disagree) and know what works best for me. B-12 supplements I take daily, iron - only during a heavy menstrual cycle.

11.A dairy cow's life is nearly as miserable as a beef cows. So very sad news, but I rarely now touch dairy as a result.

12. I am not only living, I am thriving on a plant-based diet. This has made me think, this is how I was always meant to be.

Please check out this very valuable resource book titled, "Yoga and Vegetarianism", by Sharon Gannon.

Push - a book review

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Push, by Sapphire

Made into the movie, Precious

"I big, I talk, I eats, I cooks, I laugh, watch TV, do what my muver say. But I can see when the picture comes back I don't exist." This is the voice of Precious, a 16 year old girl from Harlem, who's illiterate, sexually and physically abused by both of her parents and a mother of two. Both children were fathered by her own father.

Her statement goes on to say she feels invisible to society - just like when you take a photo of a vampire. They are there, but when the picture is developed, the truth is, they don't actually exist.

Precious longs to learn. To be heard. "I wanna say I am somebody. I wanna say it on the subway, TV, movie, LOUD." And through her pen and paper - she does.

During Precious' second pregnancy, at 16 (first one at 12 years old), She is sent to an alternative school where it is discovered she is illiterate. She finds comfort and strength through her teacher, Ms. Rain, and through the small class of only girls - all with horrific life stories and all illiterate.

They start from scratch - learning their ABC's, and doing their best to write in their journals. The pen gives Precious the strength to remove herself from her mother's home and get herself and her infant to a half-way house.

Some may say that Precious' story is depressing, but I found it inspiring. If you can remove the layers of pain and unjust from her and see HER, I think that you will also see Somebody special.

Here's a piece of Precious to take with you today:

everi mornin

by Precious j.

everi mornin

i write

a poem

before i go to

school

marY Had a little lamb

but I got a kid

an HIV

that folow me

to school

one day.

Small Step, Big Benefits

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:53:00 +0000

Last Year, I learned about an organization via Twitter called, Meatfree Monday. Paul McCartney started it and his family and friends have done a wonderful job promoting it. As a follower of both Stella McCartney and Yoko Ono, the message was received regularly and gladly.

I then researched the movement and found the Amercian version, Meatless Monday. Same message, but started by John Hopkins University. (follow at @meatlessmonday)

The message from both organizations is simple: Give up meat one day every week. Improve your personal health, reduce your carbon footprint and help the planet.

Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.

Health Benefits

REDUCE RISK OF HEART DISEASE. Beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds contain little to no saturated fats. Reducing your intake of saturated fats can help keep your cholesterol low and reduce your risk of heart disease.
MAINTAIN HEALTHY WEIGHT. A plant-based diet is a great source of fiber, which is absent in animal products. Foods rich in fiber make you feel full with fewer calories, resulting in lower calorie intake and less overeating. On average, Americans get less than half the recommended daily quantity of fiber.
IMPROVE OVERALL QUALITY OF DIET. Consuming dry beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.

Environmental Benefits

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.
MINIMIZE WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef.Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.
HELP REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S.Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein.Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.

It's a small step with big benefits. Do it for yourself in 2010.

One set of books that have helped me make these changes, is the Skinny Bitch series. You'll have a great time, while addressing some big changes in your health and diet.

A Peace of Tata

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:34:00 +0000

Asking our Tata to describe himself would result in humble words
"I am a simple man, " he would say
"Who is blind in one eye and can't see out of the other."
The he would flash his little boy grin for being so clever

Underground for over 40 years he toiled
Intense was the heat
The camaraderie of men
The depths of the earth
... his daily reality
When he ascended to earth's surface at the end of his shift
He entered the heart of his domain

In his heart, he was a gypsy
Lover of adventure
Taker of journeys
Fearless of an endless road
Knowing every back road in Southern Arizona
And the treasures they beheld
Usually taking his journeys solo
To explore or to ponder
If invited we would jump at the chance to go along
Not knowing what there was at the end of the road
But knowing there would be a story to tell

In his mind, he was a philosopher
A lover of words
Written or spoken
He used and loved them all like friends
His philosophies of love, acceptance and kindness he shared with us
Anytime we were willing to watch or listen

In his hands, was his power
Immense size they conveyed an obvious strength
Strong enough to crush earth
Bring grown men to their knees
Strong enough to intimidate by balancing his whole body onto
But that was only a disguise
The true power of his hands resided in their grace
Graceful enough to be the first cradle for a newborn addition to the family
Graceful enough to scoop ice cream for you until you burst
Graceful enough to wipe your tear or stroke your hair
Until you felt like everything was going to be all right

In his spirit, he was a volume of contradictions
He was a lover and a fighter
A loner and a family man
A disciplinarian and a teddy bear
He was both the cowboy and the Indian
He analyzed, debated, appreciated and understood both sides
Creating the environment to do the same

Tata is in his brand of heaven now
His Lazyboy chair
Western novel sitting on the arm
Boxing match on the television
A lap generous enough for us all
Finally getting that long awaited hug from his oldest daughter
Able to share an arm wrestle with his son
And nearby, a path beckoning his gypsy heart to go for a stroll

____

Tata's favorite Western book by Louis Lamour:

The Realness of You

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:32:00 +0000

The realness of you
Not the recurring fairy tale chronicled to your friends
Not the buoyant depiction a mother paints
Not the lights – the soaring details of your life
Not the potential of who you could be

The realness of you
Pain you orbit your life about
Baby that exhibits itself in your cravings
Science project that you call home
Puppies who are frantic for your lap

The realness of you
Person you can’t face in the reflection
Woman who acts like a girl
Depression you wear like a shroud
Sweatshirt you wear until it is limp

The realness of you
Stifled cry for comfort
Know-it-all armor over your heart
Cagey friends you just met
Ignoring the hands reaching out

The realness of you
Dread of growing up
Permitting the little girl to stomp on your life
Looking for the quick fix
Surrounded by family who loves you still

An Echo in the Bone

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:29:00 +0000

by Diana Gabaldon

The seventh book in the Outlander series, An Echo in the Bone, continues the 18th century story of Claire and Jamie.

Claire Randall is a modern-day time traveler, who in previous volumes has traveled back and forth between the 20th and 18th centuries. In this latest installment, she remains in the 18th century, in order to be close to her Scotsman husband, Jamie Fraser.

This story was enriched by the strength and longevity of their relationship. Their bond and knowledge of each other is tighter than ever. We see a depth in their relationship that is closer to real life. The sex was not as frequent or adventurous (which I
missed), but they are getting older and this is a reality for many of us. Their lives have more layers - children, grandchildren and many more people who rely on their wisdom and authority.

Clair is still seen as a "white witch", due to her ablity to heal and know the future. While Jamie, has softened a bit - more contemplative and less fiery. No worries, he's still the sexy, kilt-wearing hunk of a man that we have come to love.

We see much more of the family - Brianna, William and Iam play big parts in this story. And, we can't forget the lovelorn, Lord John Grey - he has still got it bad for Jamie - and that's always a good thing.

Diana Gabaldon, has once again hopped back and forth between the two hundred years in a smooth and seamless manner. This time she tells the story through letters written from Claire and Jamie to Brianna. Brianna and Roger are now living in the family home, Lollybrach, in Scotland and they have painstakingly preserved the letters and kept them in order through the centuries.

William, Jamie's unknowing illegitimate son, is a duplicate of his father. He is serving and quickly rises in the British Army and has grown to be a courageous and respected leader. He is very close to his adopted father, Lord John Grey, who continues to hob-nob with the rich and famous. I enjoyed the cameo appearance of a nude Benjamin Franklin. His intelligence and eccentric beliefs we quite entertaining.

Ian Murray, Jamie's nephew, who in past volumes lived and married among the Native Americans, was extremely valuable when it came to getting out of a bind - which Jamie and Claire notoriously find themselves in at irregular frequency.

I would highly recommend this latest volume of the Outlander series. Less smut, more history, always entertaining.

29 Gifts

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Did anyone see Cami Walker ont he Today Show this week? She was diagnosed with MS and followed a therapy given to her by her spiritual guide.

Here's her story:
I'm a writer, artist and healer who lives in Los Angeles, California. I worked in advertising for "the big boys" for a long time, helping companies who already have millions of dollars make millions more. After about 15 years of focusing on making money for these giants, I found myself feeling empty, unfulfilled and struggling with a serious health condition (Multiple Sclerosis) that required I stop living my over-driven lifestyle. Now my focus is on helping build companies and community projects that are spiritually-centered and wildly profitable on all levels. I created the 29-Day Giving Challenge to encourage my friends, family, clients and hopefully many strangers to give back to our communities--and as a way to help me heal.
___
The concept is: GIVE A LITTLE EACH DAY. MAKE A BIG IMPACT.
Give one thing away each day for 29 days. Share your stories about how it impacts your life to focus on giving. Join the 29-Day Giving Challenge today. Why? Because to see our world change, we have to do something to change our world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude. Be an important part of the global giving movement that inspires more generosity on our planet.
___

On the Today Show, Ms. Walker stated that she used to use a cane to walk with and now no longer needs it. She credits this miraculous turnabout to giving. I do not agree her disagree with her methods, however, the spirit of giving is always a good thing, regardless ofyour motivation.

Please go to: http://www.29gifts.org/ if you are interested in finding out more.

Meatless Monday for Your School or Business

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Hello,

As a local business owner and mother of 5, I would like to encourage you, your business and/or school to help spearhead the tremendous efforts of Meatless Monday. I am not affiliated with Meatless Monday, I am simply inspired by the phenomenal efforts of the organization and hopeful about getting our city involved in this positive, nutritional and exciting adventure – in the process, setting healthy standards for families and students in our community!

Meatless Monday is a non-profit initiative in association with the Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health. Its goal is to help reduce meat consumption 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.

There are many powerful benefits to going meatless once a week. It may reduce the risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help lessen our carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel. As a side benefit, it will cut the cost of food – just by having one meatless meal a week!

Consider the success of the Baltimore City Public Schools’ Meatless Monday program (recently showcased on ABC News). Its 80,000 students now have the chance to start each week with fresh, whole produce. Plus they can learn about plants and animals by visiting the system’s 33-acre teaching farm. As most of these students grow up in an urban setting, this is a rare, exciting opportunity for them. Other initiatives are underway at Northern Kentucky University and Harvard University, to name just two. Each school has its own objectives, and is free to use the program as it sees fit.

So what would you need for your business or school district to participate? Simply the will to improve the health of your students and the health of the planet – plus save your schools a good deal of money along the way! People ask what can be served on Meatless Monday? Most children/people enjoy pasta with red sauce, bean burritos, veggie chili and veggie burgers – these are just a few examples. It could also be a healthy way to enjoy fresh, local produce – which would be a huge boost for the whole community!

I hope you are inspired by this invitation and are willing to embrace this important, healthful program. If your schools or businesses would like to bring healthy, meatless options to your cafeterias or lunchrooms, we are all here to help. Please contact me at 520-572-0081 for more information, and together (along with Meatless Monday) we can develop a program that will suit the district’s needs!

Sincerely,

Ana Lewis

Meatless Mondays

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:13:00 +0000

Every Monday, for the past few years, my family and I have gone Meatless on Mondays. It was an easy tihng to do as a family and little did I know it would have such an impact on the ways that we would all eat in the future.

As a result, I just kept going meatless... it was for me. I laugh when I think about how selfish I felt when I initially began eating this way. Wouldn't I be ruining family dinners? What about Thanksgiving? Christmas Eve? Dinner at friends and families homes? You know what, it's no big deal. It was silly that it was holding me back, until one day, I just couldn't eat any flesh anymore. A delicious and warm clam chowder literally made me gag and I ended up throwing it away.

Today, I never, ever eat meat of any sort - beef, pork, lamb, poultry, seafood - all of it is totally safe around me, cuz it's not going to end up on my plate.

The result? Maintaining a healthy weight (not my perfect weight, but it's close), having more energy and feeling more like I am just being ME... that's the best of all.

Please join us on Meatless Monday and see how it affects your life. It will not only benefit your family, but also your pocketbook and health.

Women on the Verge

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Sometimes you have to go back to your roots in order to feel like you are on the right path.

Several years ago, a group of us women met on a wonderful site named Pleiades. We discussed business, balancing business and family lives. We utilized each other's services and many of us still do business together to this date... more than 10 years later, even though Pleiades closed long ago.

After meeting all of these wonderful women on Pleiades, I opened the site, Women on the Verge (in 1999). We got so many requests for links, we were unable to keep up with demand, so we closed the site down. It is now open again in a Web 2.0 format and ready for your input.

Please go to Women on the Verge.net and sign yourself up for free. Meet women like you, even if a you are oceans away from each other. Make friends based on your heart - not skin color, looks or anything surface. Welcome!

Top 10 Yoga Bodies

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:58:00 +0000

Um no--not that type of body! These days, most people are so fixated on all things physical that they neglect their subtle bodies. The fact is that every one of us actually has 10 bodies, and they're all equally important. The !0 Body model, like the chakras, describes us in a multi-dimensional sense. Keep 'em all fit and toned with a regular Kundalini Yoga practice!

1. Soul Body - Our soulful self, uncomplicated and pure. It represents conscious attachments and 'nostalgia for the Infinite.' It lives forever

2. Negative Mind - It calculates possible pitfalls in any situation. It's the urge to merge and represents pure devotion.

3. Positive Mind - Our optimistic impulse. It represents expansion and magnamimity. This is the gift that keeps on giving.

4. Neutral Mind - The meditative or yogic mind. Dispassionate overview and non-reactivity. The ability to witness the play of life and not get caught up in duality is to be liberated and grounds for ecstasy.

5. Physical Body - This represents balance and the ability to sacrifice: putting our bodies on the line to be Divine. 5 is a teaching number.

6. Arcline - Extreme focus. Life radar. Quickness of thought and penetrating quality of mind. Protects us against external negativity and ill will.

7. Magnetic Field - The beauty and brightness of our personal presence. Uplifts everyone within our spheres of activity.

8. Pranic Body - Endless energy. Fearlessness and healing.

9. Subtle Body - Our rarefied self. Fine tuning. Inspired creativity. Not bound by time and space. Perceives the whispers of Creation.

10. Radiant Body - Personal Majesty. Ability to comport oneself like a King or Queen. Nerves of steel. Ability to stand out and take a stand.

Bonus Body: 11. Mastery: Your Destiny is your Deliverance.

This is an excerpt from the latest newsletter from Ana Brett and Ravi Singh. Please sign up for their email list for wonderful monthly yoga tips and fun. http://www.raviana.com/

Celebrating Meatless Monday Boosts Savings

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:38:00 +0000

New reasons to celebrate Meatless Monday may lie in your pocketbook. Here's an excerpt from the website, MeatlessMonday.com that gives us some very real reasons to make the commitment to give up meat once a week.:

Tough times call for bold measures. Sometimes, though, the most innovative solutions are the easiest ones to implement. People looking to save money during this recessionary period need look no further than what they place on their plate. By cutting meat just one day a week, we can put more green in our pockets!

Here at the Meatless Monday office we did an informal survey of how much our families save a month by going meatless on Monday. By substituting beans, legumes, eggs, nuts and seeds for meat, the numbers add up. $80-100 a month, according to our little survey.

Medical nutritionist Lory Hayon of The Fertility Center of Las Vegas completed a cost analysis of a steak dinner for four versus vegetarian chili stuffed potatoes, which ran only $6.29. He concluded “‘if the average family of four spent $20 per meat-containing meal, seven days per week, they could reduce their grocery bill on average by $30 per week, or $1500 per year, by making three meals per week meatless.”

These numbers speak for themselves...

Read the entire article here.: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/cutting-meat-boosts-cash/

ana@co-opweb.com (Ana Liews) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:47:00 +0000

Epsilon Q1 2009 U.S. Email Trend Results: Performance Remains Stable

Open Rates Up 11.2% from Same Time Last Year

DALLAS, TX — July 8, 2009 — Epsilon today released its Q1 2009 U.S. Email Trends and Benchmarks Results which show an increase in open rates for the third quarter in a row, with 12 of the 16 industries measured seeing an increase over Q1 2008.

The quarterly analysis is compiled from 6 billion emails sent by Epsilon in January, February and March 2009, across multiple industries and more than 200 clients. The analysis combines data from both of Epsilon’s proprietary platforms, DREAM and DREAMmail.

According to Kevin Mabley, Senior Vice President of Strategic Services, Epsilon, "Coming off of the holiday season and facing a challenging economy at the start of the year, email marketing continues to perform well and provide stable results. The clients who continue to see strong results are those that segment their subscriber base and deliver timely, relevant information. Likewise, more companies are using triggers and transactions to drive highly targeted messages and these companies tend to outperform their peers.”

Survey Highlights:

Deliverability continues to remain stable at 94.1%, up from 93.4% in Q1 2008.
Open rates increased to 22.1%, up 11.2% from the rate of 19.9% in Q1 2008.
Click rates increased 4.0% overall from last quarter to 6.1%.
Business Products and Services, Consumer Packaged Goods, Pharmaceutical, Telecom and General Retail all saw an increase in all three major metrics – deliverability, opens and clicks – compared to last year.
None of the industries measured saw a decline across all three metrics.

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