A mandala is a "sacred circle" containing symbols and images.  It is sacred because it represents wisdom from the depths of its creator.  Mandalas have been used by many cultures for centuries as a form of prayer, a graphic representation of inner feelings, or a healing tool. 


Along with European stained glass rose windows in cathedrals  and native American prayer wheels, Eastern culture mandalas stem from the human desire for contact with the sacred.  Most people make mandalas on paper while Tibetan monks make theirs in sand that is later scattered.
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www.dreamsedona.com
Designated by USA Today as America's most beautiful city, Sedona, Arizona offers far more than scenic wonders. Many also consider Sedona America's premier spiritual vacation destination. Getaways have always been about rest and rejuvenation. Now many travelers seek the additional benefit of spiritual reinspiration.

People of all faiths have long found those effects in Sedona, Arizona which has often been called an open air cathedral. The majestic red rock scenery and year round evergreen vegetation have tangible regenerative power. Sedona's spectacular hiking trails and overlooks provide unlimited opportunities for inspiration, prayer, and contemplation. Within minutes visitors can go from the wonders of wilderness to the awe inspiring vision of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a soaring chapel built into the red rocks.

The deep harmony of nature awaits hikers of the West Fork Trail. As it weaves along the west fork of Oak Creek, more species of vegetation abound than in any other location in Arizona. From the benches at the Chapel of the Holy Cross you can feel your Soul soar out to the magnificent red/orange vistas of Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Rock, and Bell Rock.

Internationally known for the uplifting power of it's Vortex meditation sites, Sedona also offers the full range of spiritual explorations and metaphysical services. A wide range of readers, healers and spiritual guides are easily accessible to Sedona AZ visitors. A five to fifteen minute drive can connect the seeker with a variety of metaphysical bookstores and centers where spiritually based massage, readings, and other services are all available.

What makes Sedona additionally unique is that most of its Vortex meditation and prayer sites are interwoven with the real world of a small town. As a result, seekers get insights for truly living their spirituality in their daily life. Rather than having to escape from civilization to find peace, visitors discover that Sedona's splendor gives them a sense of awe and harmony they can carry back home with them.

The wide range of Sedona hotel, RV, and camping options in Sedona and the Verde Valley makes visiting affordable for all budgets. Travelers can find accommodations ranging from economy motels to the finest of Sedona luxury resorts.

Dining selections at Sedona restaurants are similarly diverse. With choices ranging from cafes to health food deli's; Mom and Pop ethnic restaurants to world class gourmet cuisine, no palate will go unsatisfied.
from CookingLight.com
How to Choose: Pick a squash that is rock solid and heavy for its size. Its skin should be matte. A shiny finish is a sign that the squash wasn’t ripe when it was picked. Look for an intact stem, which will help slow down the loss of moisture.

How to Store: Protect butternut squash from light and heat by storing it in a cool, dry place (not in the refrigerator).


Shelf Life: Stored properly, a whole squash will keep for a month, making it useful to have on hand for impromptu meals. A cut uncooked piece wrapped in plastic will last for up to two days in the refrigerator.

Best Uses: Roasting butternut squash at 400º F renders it sweet and tender. Cook it in the oven, halved, seeded, and cut-side down (to keep it from drying out). Scoop out the flesh and mash with a little butter, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Butternut squash can also be simmered or sautéed.
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Find chocolate that's good for your health—and the planet.
YogaJournal.com
By Christie Matheson

It’s no longer news that dark chocolate is good for our health: It’s even got 14 times as many antioxidants as broccoli. But its virtue goes only so far if it isn’t produced sustainably. Conventionally harvested cacao (the plant from which chocolate is made) is second only to cotton in the amount of pesticides used to grow it, according to the Pesticide Action Network. And it’s often grown in areas stripped of rainforest flora and fauna. What’s more, standard-style cacao farming has been linked to child labor, slave labor, and other harsh labor practices, says Nicole Chettero,

  a spokesperson for TransFair USA, the only independent third-party Fair Trade product certifier in the United States. Fair trade chocolate, by contrast, comes direct from small farms whose practices don’t violate human rights. “Fair Trade certification guarantees that no slave labor is used,” Chettero says. “The gold standard is to look for chocolate labeled Fair Trade Certified and organic.” Not available in your local store? “To increase supply, increase demand—ask for it,” Chettero advises.

If you can’t find treats labeled as both fairly traded and organic—the push for sustainable chocolate is somewhat recent—look for at least one of those designations. Phrases such as “pesticide free,” “Rainforest Alliance Certified,” and “ethically traded” also suggest that a company is making an effort to use cacao harvested in a humane and eco-friendly way.
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