United Border of Beauty~

A few days ago I ventured outside of America for my very first time, and while not traveling very far, just on the other side of the border in Tijuana~ there was something very magical taking place. To some Tijuana may be a city of danger, dirtiness, crime, rubble, and an eye sore. To me it was an amazing area of beauty and culture where the shift was felt when stepping foot out of the truck and connecting to the land, feeling the bright hot sun on my face and shoulders, the breeze blow my hair back and welcomed by the locals with bright smiles and LOVE. Our journey started by crossing the border and driving through the city which gets flooded every year during rainy season due to its location at the bottom of the river valley. Tijuana's landscape is extreme with land dipping low and rising high. Houses are built upon poor foundations and the continuous building on these poor foundations leads to crumbling houses in the landslides that claim lives each year. The estuary that you see while driving up the steep hill through the city looks beautiful with densely packed trees and colorful terrain. From afar it looks clean. However, when immersed in the depths the trash that litters it is immense and a huge problem. The Tijuana River flows through Mexico for most of its course and crosses the border at the end of its course where it forms an estuary that empties into the ocean. Here, in this spot are actually the last of undeveloped wetlands in San Diego County. Here, is also a lot of pollution, garbage, and tires. On our descent down  we headed to  Las Playas where the farmer's market took place, a small, bright market newly started and the only one in the area, perched above the deep blue ocean.. A beautiful group of Aztec dancers were performing sacred ceremony, drumming to the heartbeat of the Earth. While smoke from burning Copal sap (a sacred sap used in spiritual ceremonies to connect to the higher spirits) enveloped me I watched and felt the special ritual taking place. There were dolphins playing in the water, pelicans joined them and the day was beautiful! The journey continued on through Tijuana's rugged landscape. While exploring the hills and canyons I observed many tires stacked to form retaining walls to keep from causing further erosion, if not packed properly they will not do much good and the Earth will continue to wash away as the weather whisks through. This is a lot to witness and take in coming from somewhere where we pretty much have everything and anything we could possibly imagine. These people in Tijuana may not even have a stable structure to house them or water readily available, where we have houses that aren't even lived in because of foreclosure and are sitting ducks. But, you know what? Every native I passed there shined a big smile on their face and their family was close by. There were little girls holding hands, skipping down the dirt roads, men with their families driving around in their pick up trucks waving to us as we explored, and our new friend Jorge showing us very proudly, his nursery, Vivero de planta nativa hormiguita. The nursery had native Nopal cacti, Mexquite Trees, Higo (figs), cilantro, chilies, bountiful amounts of the most sweet delicious mini yellow tomatoes, rosemary, an assortment of squashes, and so much more. It was a really beautiful place to be and I am thankful for being able to experience being there.  In the same location as the nursery there was the home 4 Walls International built out of tires, bottles, very little lumber, and a stucco made with the gelatinous slime of the Nopal cactus. Right on! There was also a built-in rain water catchment system along with a tank to recycle grey water. The next step is to create the composting toilet. The bigger vision is to create a community of these homes~using the tires and bottles that litter the city to create sustainable homes where people are sufficient within them. A big garden will be created where the home's grey water will feed into providing a lush garden for the community to nurture and eat from. It's a beautiful plan and one that will happen because the people at 4 Walls are dedicated and driven to making this vision come true. I have heard for years that Coca~Cola was better down in Mexico and while I do not fancy soda I did have to enjoy a nice refreshing glass while peering out into the vast canyons of Tijuana witnessing galloping horses in the dust.  It was all part of the experience, and it was damn good. Despite the 'poor' way of life there I felt a lot of beauty and much happiness.  The realization that really hit harder than ever for me was that in order to survive we must have 4 things~ shelter, food, water, and love. This is it. Everything else is extra. I'm not saying it's not nice to have nice things like raw cacao pudding but it is not essential, unless of course you do have a cacao tree then you are blessed and I would like to live with you. If you don't have it you don't miss it and even when you have it it doesn't mean much. Material possessions are just things. They aren't living or breathing. If everything was taken away from you what would you need? Could you survive on the very simplistic notions of these 4 elements? Life can  be full of abundance poor or rich. Happiness and love lie within each of our hearts. We have the choice to nurture that light inside so we may share it with others. Love drives life, it does indeed. Our focus should be on the food we eat, the people we surround ourselves with, the APPRECIATION of every gift we receive spiritual and tangible, and the openness of our hearts to fully give and receive love. We are all connected and here to help, teach, and share with one another~we must live from compassion and work together. We must know that we are of the Earth and that the beauty of the cycle of life is dependent on one another. Look in nature~everything works together to continue to thrive. The water from the rain feeds the tree, the flower on the tree blossoms, the bee feeds on the flower and pollinates providing sustained life for the tree and oxygen for all. Work together and create beauty! Thank you to 4 Walls for your hearts of gold and drive to change the world! May each of you change the world in your authentic way!


'We have entered a period in history that is prophesied by many cultures as a time to leave behind a colonizing world view and recognize that we are one community, a fragile species living on a tiny planet. These prophesies are consistent with the shifts in policies that we are now witnessing throughout the corporate world and the world at large.' -John Perkins


Mucho Amor,
Earth Mama


Check out 4 Walls International online by going to their website. Please donate to this amazing organization!  http://www.4wallsintl.org/

Love~Unconditionally

Sometimes...sometimes there are many distractions. Sometimes there are moments where I take a breath I close my eyes and I feel how lucky and blessed I am. Today was one of those particular moments of feeling very blessed and full to the brim with happiness. Today I woke up, put on a flowy peach dress, descended down the stairs and strolled through the open door to the beautiful space outside absorbing all its colors, smells, warmth, light, and love. I had no agenda, no sense of time, just a flowing day free to take me wherever it's enchanted spirit decided to. I am very lucky that I have found a nurturing space to call home, that I share with 6 other unique, beautiful friends. Since the idea of this community space was born there has been many stories told and many more to unfold. Many have moved out and on to their life's calling, and new vibrant energy has come in making and sustaining the vision of what Roothaven is all about.
I am really loving my to do lists as of late. Today it went something like this:
-Pick lavender to make bundles to smudge with
-Pick wild fennel to tie in a bunch to hang above my doorway for strength, adversity, and fertility
-Lay in the grass and absorb the sun
-Explore the land
I feel that creating ceremony in our lives is very essential to a fulfilling life. Ceremony, ritual, whatever you may call it~it is necessary. This does not mean you have to paint yourself in a sacrificed animals blood or dance naked under the stars while chanting to Mama Moon (although both I am not opposed to doing if I am so called to do), but rather create something that is special to you, perhaps just you or perhaps it is something to share with loved ones. I suggest having both. My morning ritual or ceremony is to wander out barefoot to the chicken coop, greet the chicks with some breakfast, water, and massages, gather their eggs and thank them gratefully for the beautiful gifts they provide us with. I then make sure the bird bath is full of water and I stroll around the land observing the new growth, the life that has passed on, the smell of the dry pine needles, I feel the heat of the sun and the sweat drip down my back, the Earth underneath my bare feet. I make a lemon, honey, sea salt lemonade tonic and sip on it to refresh my core. I hula hoop with my beloved home-mates, conversing about the beauty we share and our plans to contribute to the world we live in and the Earth we live with.  I make some dinner and feed the chicks before it's dark. I then close up the coop kissing them all goodnight and wishing them sweet dreams. I may climb the roof at sunset and honor the sleeping sun and the subtle glow of mama moon with a yoga practice or simply just let my entire body relax and feel the evening breeze creep across my skin. This home has and is allowing me to create a beautiful, sustainable, real relationship with myself. I feel more beautiful then ever before~the beauty that resides within is shining bright~
The time I have had to spend with myself in this space has been essential and important to my growth. The relationships that have formed, nurtured and stood strong within these walls will forever be in our hearts. I am feeling the pull to get back out in the world. To leave my nest and fly...I was even driving behind someone the other day in midst of discussing traveling plans and their license plate said 'GOFLY'. If this wasn't a sign than I don't know what is! Truth is that there are some really inspirational people that float into my life, deliver a message and leave...every time they leave I may be sad or heart broken but they have all inspired me into the next chapter of my life and I thank them gratefully for that~for there is something to learn from everyone we meet. Now, I will put my energy into volunteering my time and to travel, immersing myself in other cultures~learning and sharing. My hearts desire is to fly, so fly I must. However, I do believe in the importance of rooting oneself and really listening to our heart's calling rather than fleeing from fear. Grow roots and then spread those wings! I'm listening and actively taking initiative of changes that will get me following the yellow brick road I see beckoning~

Let the blossoming love and sustained coupling of our coexistence continue and our love flow through each other freely, strongly, and truthfully. Always and forever~

Love unconditionally~
Earth Mama

Te Veo

I feel, I wish, I ring the bell 3 times and I receive low and behold CLARITY. Hello shimmery, reflective, crystal clear waters of life, embrace me in your waves and take me on this beautiful ride, this transforming journey! We are living in this very moment, right now. When things arise we must grasp at them in the opportune time because in reality friends, these chances only come at certain windows and either we listen to our hearts and we jump on the train, or we let them pass us to go to a far distant space where we do not exist. Truth is what our bodies must tell each other. I am experiencing much opening in the area of allowing truth to come into my life. Do you know who you are? Not your job, or your name but DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE? Do you feel your soul? Can others feel and see you? Are you living authentically as possible? Open to possibilities, listening to your heart and not ever ignoring your heart's calling? WE are given a gift, a beautiful present called INTUITION. This feeling that dwells within our core must never be ignored even though we sometimes hope or think that if we set that feeling aside things will go along how we expect them to. However, our intuitive gift is there for us to OPEN and express ourselves, follow our truth and continue on this beautiful path we call life. We must be clear on what it is we are here to do. Every day is different and the past is the past. We have the present moment to guide us through the next door of opportunity and we must dive through the door which is always unknown. We create our lives to an extent and then some things are out of our hands, but as long as we trust and know that out path is purposely laid out for us...we must believe.
I am so grateful for everyone in my life, and when someone SEES you, actually sees you and you feel soul recognition, my goodness it feels...it feels so damn good. Sometimes polar opposites occur and we must know they are connected. Some may not see your soul or your worth, feel your connection. You mustn't question yourself, you are beautiful and exactly who and where you are for a reason.  Just when your roots get a little lifted and your feeling a little unstable a soul mate swoops in and sees who you are, feels you and recognizes the love you emanate and lets you know. With this soul recognition our roots rest in the ground once again growing deeper and our resilient souls shine!
The truth, integrity, and love from true soul mates whether friends, family or lovers is very special and we must recognize and be aware of the beauty they hold in the present moment. Be open to them coming into your life because it will open your eyes~
We must hold ourselves accountable for our feelings and actions and must always be honest. To lie to ourselves and others would be detrimental to our souls and theirs. Key into the ancient rhythms around you~ do what grounds you, what feeds and nourishes your whole being and continue to expand. We never stop growing as long as our horizon is free of clutter. Create your space and HOLD IT. WE are worthy of anything and everything we desire. I am forever grateful for the evolution I am part of and all who cross and continue to be part of my path. Truth, integrity, love, and respect are the moral attributes of the space I create. Thank you to all who contribute these, my love for you is infinite!
TE VEO!

LOVE~
Earth Mama

Living in a Glass House

Do you live in a container? If so what does it look like? Is it concrete? Green? Surrounded by a fence? Are there laws and rules-so many you can't think straight? Are there Coke bottles and trash littering the ground? Are there miles and miles of lush meadow? A forest of trees? Birds flying around and beetles scurrying on the ground? Can you breathe wild air? Sneeze when pollen floats into your nose? Can you twirl around in circles dancing to beats in your head and the rhythm of the chirping Cicadas? Can you taste the berries wild from the bush? Is all your food wrapped up in a plastic package? Can you follow your intuition? Are you allowed to even feel what your heart is telling you? Are people awake or walking asleep? Is there moss growing on the rocks where the waterfalls flow? Are there bright colors painting the walls of your container? Is there dirt under your toes? Can you roll around and feel the dew drops on your flesh? Can you feel your heart beat calmly? Can you stretch your arms to the sky and hit no barrier but more and more and more and more freedom? Is your creativity nurtured? Is your love received and given with no limitations? Do you sing from the deepest part of you soul so loud you make the animals in the forest turn their heads to listen? Do you strip your clothes off embracing your naked, beautiful body~embodying your essence? Is your spirit free to float outside of your container or is your soul contained? Do you live in a container at all?
Lately, I have been going through personal revelations of discovery. I suppose this is happening all the time but most recently I have been diving deeper into the meaning of life's purpose. And what the hell does that mean? I feel that the more connected we become to the Earth, the more we open our hearts and we feel EVERYTHING~and I mean everything. The more we relax and soak up the sun rays, the more we share ourselves, the more we play the guitar or the didgeridoo, the more we dream, the more we sing, the more we stretch, the more we cry, the more our muscles ache after a long hard day working in the yard, the more we enjoy nature's bounty and paint what we see on a canvas, the more we are authentic and stand in our TRUTH, the more we LOVE, the more we tell stories around a campfire, the more we drink wine and feel all inhibitions float away, the more we enjoy every bite of food we eat that nourishes us with life, the more we befriend and become inspired by all who cross our path, the more we are free the less clutter we have in our lives, the more we let our pheromones float to our lovers beyond the more intimacy we welcome into our life, the more barriers we overcome the more newness we let in, the less rules we have the more we express . The more we do all these things, the more we are truly living. We are not meant to live in containers. We are meant to live freely roaming the land. We are meant to know ourselves and we know how to survive on our own as long as we let our deep imbedded instincts guide us. There is a lesson hidden in every leaf and rock~Our teachers are all around us. They are our elders, our mates, our children, the animal kingdom, the trees, the ocean, the sunsets, the spider webs, the beehives, the flowers.
Really, life is about creating life. We are here to create~Authentically!
Keep on creating!
LOVE~
Earth Mama

Foot Tales

I recently went to AMVETS and found a pair of shoes. Not any old shoe let me say, but a pair of Keen Hiking Boots. Just my size. And for $8.49. They are in perfect condition and better yet have been owned by some wanderer before me who moved on from his beloved boots and  made them my new treasure. I'm not kidding when I say I feel like a super hero wearing them! I wear them everywhere always ready for spontaneous adventure . The first day purchased they were tied to my feet snuggly as I whisked into work seizing the day and bouncing on heavenly clouds (mind you I work at a bakery/cafe so the only rugged terrain I encounter is crumbs on the floor). The set out intention for buying them was for my camping trip that weekend and knew my bare feet (while my first preference when in contact with the naked Earth's soil) wouldn't stand the stray jumping cacti bits and frolicking I so longed to do on the simmering sand and tangled bramble of the vast beauty filled desert. Little did I know my life would transform into adventure every day as soon as I put them on! I look forward to the stories created in these boots and am happy I have some help to delve into the furrowed landscape of beautiful Mother Nature! It is funny to me how much more joy it brings me knowing that these were someone else's. Since there is a tale they tell that I may never know except if I listen to my footsteps on the terrain I do and  plan to explore. With the intentions of going to REI for some of the same boots that would have cost me close to a $100 I imagine, went with an open mind for treasures of others and recycled goods, headed to my local thrift store. However, I do fully support REI since they are a Co-op and of course a Mecca of everything outdoors~ which I can easily get lost in for hours like a pup in a pet store even taking naps in the star gazing display tents. I'm sharing to express the point of people's unwanted items being others treasures. Why keep producing so many unnecessary items when there are so many homeless items looking for a good home? I'll tell you 5 years ago the thought of going into a thrift store did not excite me because I wanted something NEW! New is better right? Not always. Just like animals, there are so many to adopt without 'breeding' new ones. Our society is so obsessed with the newest and the best not realizing we have SO MUCH ABUNDANCE HERE ALREADY! Take advantage of it. Whatever it may be...feel the beauty in the character something used before you expresses! Just because something is used doesn't mean it is unworthy. And in my case it happens to be a pair of super hero hiking boots that I am going to use to enjoy the beautiful lands of the world!
Me and my boots are off to trudge through the oat grass in the gully in search of Milk Thistle to harvest!
Beautiful day to you my friends!

SO MUCH LOVE!
~Earth Mama

Liberation Vibration

Roothaven- A sanctuary of love, peace, and space to feed our blooming souls and create the moments of our lives. This is where I live, with my family of beautiful souls. So much has happened in the past few months of our big move into our beautiful energetic space. Our mission was to come together and create a sustainable, earth conscious home full of love. What does this mean? It means we collect spring water from wild springs, come together and make dinner for one another, we cry and share our lives, we smash our fingers when hammering our homemade chicken coop, we lose a cat to the coyotes, we raise 10 baby chickens, we do yoga, we eat a lot of honey, we listen to music and we learn how to harvest psychedelic cacti such as the Native Indigenous cultures did to connect and listen to Nature and to elevate consciousness, we find a deer who sacrificed her life after being hit by a car and we take it, process it and feel her energy through our bodies as we sharpen our twigs and roast it over the fire loving and appreciating every moment of her precious life, we learn from each other, we grow with each other and we have no idea what is going to happen next. To some this may be crazy to us this is life. We are enjoying the wild life and living simply bringing us abundant happiness. These are the moments of our lives and I am exactly where I need to be right now. It's funny to be so excited of the smell of horse salve when visiting the local feed store to collect straw because it reminds me of when I was a child. That I have gone back to my roots and that I am doing everything I went away from for a long time. All we have is this earth to love and to take care of and there are so many of us walking asleep. WAKE UP. There is no search for what we should be. We ARE. We are here to nourish our bodies, to cherish the Earth and give thanks to all She does and to respect everything living. I am finding more and more people who are joining together to start communities so that we may  come together and make things happen. To share. Ever wonder why everyone before us traveled in tribes? CommUNITY. Everyone had their role and they did what they needed to do to survive. Now we get sidetracked like robots missing the whole point of our mission and mechanically operating through society very much asleep and told not to dream. DREAM, DREAM! and know that your dreams are reality. The saying ' back to reality' is a fallacy. Whenever you experience something so great that your body feels alive and energy is surging through your veins such that you feel like you are in a full body orgasm then embrace it, feel it, love it, know that this IS the moment. The moment of shift and it is NOW. Ahhhh feels good doesn't it? Now is the moment so what is happening right now? Well, we know Mother Nature is powerful and she is the love of our life but at any given moment can use her powers to balance herself out again. Japan has experienced great tragedy and we are all here loving you and sending our blessings. This brings up a lot of fear in people and for some ignorance. Yes, we can ignore the fact that it hasn't happened here in our home. But it is happening because we are all ONE. True it is life and no matter what geniuses we have on this planet The Mother will always prevail and be more powerful. How do we work with her? What do we do as a collective community to join forces and love her with our hearts utilizing what she offers us? We take and take and take and what do we give back? Where is the balance? We need to get back to basics. Back to simplicity. I feel as if we believe that we will have abundance always and the water we drink, flush our toilets with, brush our teeth with, the cars we drive around fueled by oil, the paper we use to write notes on, the food we buy wrapped up in plastic and then put in more plastic and perhaps even mounted in Styrofoam. These resources will not be here in abundance forever. WE need to shift our consciousness, become aware and connect back to the very essence of our being. Every morning walk outside barefoot and feel the dew on your feet, close your eyes and feel the power of the Earth rise through you connecting you back to the beauty of life. I feel as if it can be a bit overwhelming with all of these changes we need to make from the 'sleeping state' and we wonder how in the world can we get to that point? Just know that you can do it. You can. Be it whatever it is you can start doing wherever you are at-growing your own garden, feeling the soil, seeing your food grow and appreciating every nourishing bite as it feeds your physical body and heightens your mental clarity. Find a spring near you and collect your water from the source or choose a family member or friend to help you out and trade them for something. Create a bartering system with your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers. Eat with your hands. Use candles for light, we all need more fire in our lives. Build a fire outside and gather round with loved ones. POTLUCKS!-such a beautiful way to share life and food together. Use a wash tub in your kitchen sink to continually use for dishes and then use the water to water your plants! Use earth derived products ie soaps, toothpastes, shampoos etc. Anything that goes into your body or on your skin needs to be something you would eat. Skin is your largest organ and breathes, do not not suffocate it with chemical laden products and poison is no good for our Mother. Go outside and find wild food! Ground yourself, get creative and think outside 'the box'. Share what you are doing with everyone you meet and plant seeds so that each one of us can grow and blossom sharing our love and shifting towards a bright light in harmony. I am grateful and honored to have this life and want us all to unite so our massive energy can feed our Mother and give her the nourishment she has so lovingly given to us. Respect yourself, respect the ground you walk on, respect every living organism in your presence. Compassion and grace.
Much LOVE to all of you...Peace and Blessings~
Kristin

Life-In Bloom

Oh dear lovely God, the excitement of embarking on a new journey is seeping out of me and cannot be contained. I feel like every experience in life has led me up to this moment. The universe has joined a beautiful group of us together to form our own Commune. Our very own living space with lots of love, creativity, simplicity, sustainability, sharing, and vibrant LIFE. For years I have been searching, searching for my path, now realizing I was on it this whole time. 'For when you stop searching, what you want and need will come to you'. I suppose there is truth to this. Life has unfolded into a whirlwind of gifts and this is the biggest present of all. The crazy thing about this whole occurrence is the way I can remember every single event that led up to now, that every decision that was made unraveled into this very moment.
I watched 'The New World' (the story of Pocahontas) and told my friend Nikki that I was determined to find my John Smith. A few days later he appeared at my work and oh my, I thought he was the one. My adventurer, artistic, passionate John Smith. He made my heart dance and pour love out like it had never before. Soon after our short romance, finding out that like John Smith, he was headed out on his voyage and he wasn't mine after all. My heart broken, my immediate response was to run away and escape, but also made me ambitious to start something new. I was accepted to a natural chef program in Santa Cruz and was going to embark on this journey with my dear friend, Nikki. In the meantime I reconnected with Mr. Smith and he invited me up to his beautiful cabin in Tahoe-how could I resist? Accepting, I invited my yin-yang twin Lani to take part in this vacation. The universe hard at work decided it would be best not for him to be there while I was, allowing Lani and I to dog sit for him instead while he was away so that we could have a peaceful, amazing, life changing experience all to ourselves. Realizing that I could not afford the school in Santa Cruz,  I planned to move anyways for change and to re-start my life yet again. I had been encouraged to enroll in a Yoga teacher training program in San Diego but was indecisive on what to do. Lani being the grounded one told me that I should take advantage of everything that has been established in San Diego and go with where life was taking me. While on our whimsical Tahoe adventure we drank wine, ate chocolate for breakfast, kayaked in the aquamarine, cerulean waters and had no concept of time or communication with the outside world. This is what was needed to make one of the most influential decisions to stay on my path. I decided to stay in San Diego, and as you know, went through with the Yoga teacher training. This is where I met Hannah. We were discussing communal living (which she had grown up on a commune-AWESOME!) and she introduced me to a friend who also had the same interest. The weekend we found our home I had visited a community living space downtown in the Ideal Hotel and was able to experience what life was like in their community. The building was old and overflowing with character and history, complete with claw foot bathtubs! That night Hannah and I visited a communal living space in Ocean Beach and drank hot cocoa with new friends who had lovingly accepted us into their home. We asked the leaders how they started this beautiful place and they replied, "We told the universe what we wanted and it came to us." What did we want? We wanted an old house with stories flowing through it's walls, land we could work on, a space that we could pour our love into and let our passions expand. The very next day the universe must have been listening. While we were drinking lattes, noshing on poached eggs with wild mushrooms in sage beurre blanc and licking up lavender honey at a little French cafe, our home we had been asking for appeared on Hannah's phone (literally it was on the listing when she pulled it out) waiting for us to scope out its magical grounds. It even had a claw foot bathtub!  We immediately drove to the property and fell in love. A 1920's home on 4 acres waiting for love and prosperity. Our group of 6 formed immediately and now the concept of our commune has been born. We are all artists and teachers in some way shape or form, all having a trade, all having our roles, ALL having the same intention-to form a sustainable, loving, creative community where we can share our love with one another, to learn how to live together in a spirit of honesty and compassion, to live as self- sufficiently as possible. We are starting off the new year in our new home. Oh my, how are our lives are going to change...and others around us. This is going to be the start of something we can't even grasp right now...all our visions melting together and creating something extraordinary. This is something well worth documenting...stay tuned :)

-We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world. -Buddha

We are making OUR WORLD :)