The Story of Stuff

Check out Annie Leonard’s the Story of Stuff where she explains the world’s production system and our consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.

Annie Leonard’s organization, the Story of Stuff project, has produced several videos following the original Story of Stuff video to provide more easily shareable resources to promote environmental awareness. For more information, visit their website.

Change the way you look at your stuff.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Yoga Thoughts

“Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.”

- Anatole France

We can definitely identify with this! Artwork by Gemma Correll.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Flatbread Stuffed with Curried Potatoes, Spinach, and Chickpeas

Happy Monday!

According to Planet Forward, producing 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of beef emits more carbon dioxide than going for a three-hour drive while leaving all the lights on at home. Cut out some meat from your diet this Monday and enjoy this recipe while being eco-friendly.

Flatbread Stuffed with Curried Potatoes, Spinach, and Chickpeas

Ingredients:

For the Flatbread:
2 cups warm water
2 teaspoons yeast
4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt

For the Curry:
1 onion, diced small
1 pound red potatoes (4-5 egg sized potatoes), diced
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced or grated on a microplane
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons garam masala
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
2 to 3 teaspoons salt
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
10 ounces baby spinach

Directions:

Prepare the Flatbread Dough:
In a medium bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Stir in 4 1/2 cups of the flour along with the salt to form a shaggy dough. Turn this dough out onto a work surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until a smooth, tacky ball of dough is formed. If the dough is very sticky, add a little flour at a time to keep it from sticking.

Clean your bowl and film it with a little olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl, cover, and let the dough rise for about 2 hours. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days. (The dough is actually easier to work with when cool. No need to warm before shaping the flatbreads.)

Prepare the Curry:
Warm a tablespoon of oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions with a half teaspoon of salt until they begin to brown. If they pick up some charred edges, even better. Add the potatoes with another pinch of salt and continue cooking until the potatoes are almost cooked through but still hard in the very middle. Clear a little space in the middle of the pan and add the spices with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, and then stir the spices into the onions and potatoes.

Add the tomatoes and their juices and bring the curry to a simmer. Stir occasionally. Cook until the potatoes are completely soft and the sauce has reduced and thickened. Stir in the chickpeas, then stir in the spinach in two batches. Taste and add more salt or other seasonings as desired. If the curry looks soupy, let it simmer until thickened.

Remove from heat. Curry can be made up to three days in advance.

Assemble and Bake Flatbreads

Sprinkle a little flour on your work surface and turn the dough out on top. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Working with one piece of dough at a time, roll the dough into a circle roughly 7-8 inches in diameter and 1/4″ thick. Place a few spoonfuls of curry on the lower half of the dough, smoothing it into a single layer with a half-inch border around the edge. Fold the top of the flatbread over and pinch the edges closed.

Transfer the flatbread to a baking sheet and repeat until all the dough as been used. Leave the prepared flatbreads uncovered so the top dries out a little.

Prepare the grill while the flatbreads rest and let it preheat for at least 20 minutes. The grill is ready when you can hold your hand a few inches above the grill for two seconds. Lower the heat to medium and brush the surface of the grill with oil.

Use a fork or paring knife to poke holes in the top of the flatbreads and transfer them to the grill, spacing the breads a few inches a part. You may need to bake in two or more batches. Replace the lid and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown and show grill marks. Flip and bake for another 2-3 minutes on the other side. Allow to cool for a few minutes before eating.

Baked flatbreads will keep refrigerated for several days and are best eaten cold or reheated in a warm oven. (Microwaving is also fine, but tends to make the dough tough.)

Alternate Instructions for Oven-Baking:

Prepare the flatbreads as described and arrange them a few inches apart on a baking sheet. Pre-heat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit. Just before baking, poke holes in the tops of the breads and brush them with olive oil. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown (do not flip). Allow to cool slightly and serve.

This recipe was originally posted on the Kitchn.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Live Peace with The Girl Effect

This week we are highlighting The Girl Effect, a movement to end poverty through female empowerment and education.

Help spread the word by sharing their videos, fact sheets, posters, and other resources available on their website!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Center for Living Peace Décor: Rooted in Peace

If you haven’t gotten a chance to visit the Center for Living Peace, follow our new Center for Living Peace decor segment to get a virtual tour of our beautiful space and unique artwork. This month we are featuring our Living Peace tree which resides in our North wing.

Living Peace Tree

Here stands our Living Peace Tree, where we celebrate and display the hopes, dreams, and wishes of those who have visited us since the Center for Living Peace first opened in May 2010. The white, orange and pink papyrus flowers reflect the kind words of what “Living Peace” means to us.

Write your own example of how you “Live Peace!” Simply tie a papyrus flower to the tree, and be one of the hundreds of guests who have come inspired and have left to do GOOD in the world.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

See the Positive Side

“See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort”

- Dalia Lama

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Matcha Morning Muffins

Happy Matcha Monday!

According to the Healthy Happy Life blogger that provided this recipe, because matcha is ground from whole leaf green tea” you are in a sense ‘eating’ or consuming the entire leaf of green tea. In turn, you are getting more antioxidant benefits and the ‘high’ from green tea caffeine is released in a more even distribution – as opposed to a quick caffeine jolt and soon followed crash of energy. Matcha is also known for creating a sense of focus, calm – aka ZEN mood.” These muffins might just be a great yummy and healthy alternative to your daily dose of coffee.

Matcha Morning Muffins or Loaf
makes 12 muffins or 1 loaf or 1 mini loaf + 6 muffins, vegan, gluten-free

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups gluten-free sweet sorghum white flour (Bob’s Red Mill)
1 Tbsp organic matcha green tea powder (*)
2-3 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp organic sugar (Florida Crystals)
2 bananas, mashed
1 cup orange juice (*see notes for non-dairy milk sub)
2 tsp flax seeds
2 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp salt
1-2 Tbsp safflower oil (optional)
2 Tbsp pistachios (optional)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Notes:
* If you want to sub in soy milk for orange juice (gives a smoother, vanilla-ish flavor) you will want to add in a few extra tablespoons of sugar to account for the natural sweetness of citrus.
* I used 1 1/2 Tbsp matcha powder, but only do that if you like a stronger tea flavor.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all dry ingredients.
2. Stir flax seeds into liquid – allow to sit a few minutes.
3. Mash bananas. Fold all wet ingredients into dry and stir until smooth.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes – or until edges look firmed. Loaf will take longer depending on size.
5. Cool a few minutes to allow muffins to set. Serve warm.

If you’d like to accompany your matcha baked good with a quick and easy matcha smoothie, here is a basic recipe.

Matcha Smoothie

1 1/2 bananas, frozen
3/4 cup soy milk (vanilla flavor or add a squeeze of agave syrup)
1 teaspoon matcha
1/4 cup ice (optional)
(I like 1 tsp chia seeds added too)

These recipes were originally posted on Healthy Happy Life.

Win a Chance to Meet Jane Goodall!

Starting September 1st, you can enter to win a chance to meet our next Living Peace Series speaker, Jane Goodall, by donating a dollar! We will be holding a raffle for a seat to a VIP event honoring Jane Goodall and the winner will have a chance to talk to and take a photo with Dr. Goodall. The Raffle ends September 28th and all money raised will benefit the Jane Goodall Institute. Download the raffle form below to enter the contest. All forms must be mailed, faxed or walked in to 4139 Campus Drive Irvine, CA 92612 or faxed to 949.854.5506. No entries will be accepted before September 1st.

To download the raffle form, click here.

Jane Goodall VIP Event Raffle Official Rules and Regulations

Center for Living Peace, a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, is conducting this raffle pursuant to California Penal Code Section 320.5, et seq., to raise funds for ongoing charitable purposes. The Rules and Regulations of the Center for Living Peace Jane Goodall VIP Event Raffle are set forth below. By purchasing a raffle ticket, the purchaser agrees to be bound by these rules and regulations. Center for Living Peace’s interpretation and application of the rules and regulations shall be final. The drawing for the Jane Goodall VIP Event ticket, will be conducted by Center for Living Peace on Saturday, September 29, 2012 subject to rescheduling, as more particularly described below. Tickets will not be sold after Friday, September 28, 2012. The IRS has taken the position that amounts paid for chances in raffles, lotteries or similar drawings for valuable prizes are not gifts, and consequently do not qualify as deductible charitable contributions. The Jane Goodall VIP Event ticket winner assumes all fees, local, state and federal taxes (including, but not limited to, income taxes based on the value of the cars and cash), financing costs (including, but not limited to, closing costs, title insurance, and transfer tax and fees) which must be paid when the Jane Goodall VIP Event ticket is transferred to the winner. Center for Living Peace takes no responsibility for any tax liabilities. Consult your tax advisor. This offer is void where prohibited by law, and all federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. BY ENTERING THIS RAFFLE, ENTRANTS ACCEPT AND AGREE (1) TO BE BOUND BY ALL THE RULES, LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH HERE AND (2) THAT THEIR NAMES AND/OR LIKENESSES MAY BE DISCLOSED TO AND USED BY THE NEWS MEDIA AND MAY OTHERWISE BE USED BY CENTER FOR LIVING PEACE FOR PUBLICITY PURPOSES. OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS MAY APPLY. PLEASE CONTACT CENTER FOR LIVING PEACE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. CENTER FOR LIVING PEACE’S INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL BE FINAL. BY ENTERING THIS RAFFLE, EACH PARTICIPANT RELEASES CENTER FOR LIVING PEACE, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR INJURIES, LOSSES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND CAUSED BY PARTICIPATING IN THE RAFFLE OR WINNING ANY PRIZE OR RESULTING FROM ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF THE PRIZE, AND THE WINNER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD CENTER FOR LIVING PEACE HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, RIGHTS, CLAIMS AND ACTIONS OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF PARTICIPATING IN THE RAFFLE OR THE WINNER’S ACCEPTANCE OR USE OF THE PRIZE. FURTHER, EACH PARTICIPANT HEREBY WAIVES THE PROVISIONS OF CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542 WHICH STATES THE FOLLOWING: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR”. Tickets: Tickets are $1.00 each. Only one eligible person may be entered in the raffle per ticket sold. If the name of more than one person is submitted with a ticket purchase, and that ticket is selected as a winning ticket, then the person named first will be deemed the holder of record of that ticket and declared the winner. Division of the prize by a group purchasing a ticket in common shall be the sole responsibility of the person named as the holder of record of that ticket, should that ticket be selected as the winner. Center for Living Peace  reserves the right to reject any entry form that is submitted with payment that does not constitute “good funds.” All defective or physically altered entry forms will be immediately disqualified by Center for Living Peace. Prior to the prize drawing, Center for Living Peace will make a reasonable effort to notify the individual and/or entity that submits such an entry form which has been rejected because the credit card or check did not clear for the entry form that has been rejected, by attempting to make contact through the information provided at the time of submitting the purchase request. Center for Living Peace assumes no responsibility for lost, late, misdirected or non-delivered mail or fax messages, or any other failure to receive orders or deliver receipts prior to the drawing deadlines. A RAFFLE PARTICIPANT’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR A BREACH BY CENTER FOR LIVING PEACE SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE RETURN OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID FOR HIS OR HER RAFFLE TICKET(S). IN NO EVENT SHALL CENTER FOR LIVING PEACE, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR REPRESENTATIVES BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR ANY LOSS OR INJURIES TO EARNINGS, PROFITS OR GOODWILL, OR FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY PERSON OR ENTITY WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. How to Purchase: An individual can purchase as many tickets as he or she may wish. To purchase tickets: use the order form provided and mail or walk in deliver the order form to 4139 Campus Drive Irvine, CA 92612 or fax to 949.854.5506. The entry form is available in PDF format online to complete and print. Tickets cannot be purchased on the raffle website or by email. Any entry form submitted by email will be rejected. All entries must include payment by check, money order, cash or credit card. Center for Living Peace reserves the right to reject any entry form that is submitted with payment that does not constitute “good funds.” No refunds will be made except under the following circumstances: any ticket order mailed after July 28, 2012 will be returned. No other refunds are available except in the exclusive discretion of Center for Living Peace. Center for Living Peace assumes no responsibility for lost, late, misdirected or non-delivered mail or any other failure to receive orders or deliver receipts prior to the drawing deadline. Selection of Winner: The Center for Living Peace Jane Goodall VIP Event ticket prize drawing will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2012 from all eligible raffle tickets. Winner need not be present to win. Winner will be notified according to the contact information provided to Center for Living Peace at the time of ticket purchase. If the prize winner cannot be located by 10:00pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012, after attempting to make contact through the information provided at the time of ticket purchase, a subsequent drawing will be conducted and supervised to select another winner. This process will be followed until a winner has been successfully contacted. In order to collect his or her prize, a ticket winner must sign and deliver to Center for Living Peace: (a) a sworn affidavit of eligibility in accordance with these Rules and applicable law, including, without limitation, that he or she is at least 18 years old; (b) such written information as is required by any applicable tax and/or real estate laws, including, without limitation, his or her Social Security Number; (c) proof of identity in forms satisfactory to the Center for Living Peace showing that the person claiming the prize is the same person who is named on the winning raffle ticket; and (d) the winning ticket. The winner of the prize will be required to submit a W-2G, and may be required to submit a Form 5754 or similar tax form (provided by Center for Living Peace) for tax withholding purposes. Winning Odds: The odds of winning the prize will depend on the number of tickets sold. Eligibility: Anyone 18 years of age or older may enter. Center for Living Peace and its employees, Directors, authorized agents and employees thereof, consultants, attorneys, independent accountant firm, and their spouses and children living in the same household are excluded from participating and are not eligible to win a prize. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. The raffle is void where prohibited or restricted by law. An affidavit of eligibility will be required from prize winner. Prizes: Subject to the sale of a minimum number of tickets, the prize is a ticket to a VIP event with Jane Goodall. The total value of the ticket is at $5,000. Tickets will be available for pick up at the Jane Goodall Living Peace Series Speaking event and the winner will be notified with specific details.  General Terms and Conditions: At the time of closing, all federal and state income taxes based on the value of the ticket, a value of $5,000, will be due from the prize winner. The ticket is non-transferable. Center for Living Peace take no responsibility for any tax liabilities. ANY CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE CONTRACT, OR THE BREACH THEREOF, SHALL BE SETTLED BY BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY THE AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION (PURSUANT TO ITS EXPEDITED PROCEDURES) UNDER ITS COMMERCIAL ARBITRATION RULES, AND JUDGMENT ON THE AWARD RENDERED BY THE ARBITRATOR MAY BE ENTERED IN ANY COURT HAVING JURISDICTION THEREOF. By purchasing a raffle ticket and choosing to participate in the raffle, each raffle participant acknowledges and agrees that Center for Living Peace has the right, in its sole discretion, to elect not to proceed with the raffle for any reason whatsoever or for no reason, and in such event, a participant’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be to receive a refund of the full price paid by such participant for each raffle ticket purchased, without interest. Registration with the State of California: By letter from the Attorney General’s office, Center for Living Peace has registered with the Department of Justice under Raffle Registration Number RF0007318 and isauthorized to conduct raffles in California pursuant to the provisions of Penal Code section 320.5 for the raffle period which begins September 1, 2012 and ends September 28, 2012 at 11:59pm PST.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Live Peace with Red Cross

The American Red Cross, founded by Clara Barton, has offered emergency relief and health services in the U.S. since 1881. The Red Cross’s work ranges from international domestic disaster relief, community services for the needy, support for military members and their families, educational healthy and safety programs, and of course blood donation collection and distribution. Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood in the United States.

Red Cross has expressed that there is an emergency need for blood donations. Their supply of readily available blood is half of what is was this time last year!

Here are some of Red Cross’s facts on Blood donation:

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. There are four types of transfusable products that can be derived from blood: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Typically, two or three of these are produced from a pint of donated whole blood – hence each donation can help save up to three lives.
• Share of the U.S. population eligible to give blood: Less than 38 percent.
• Type O-negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply. Only 7 percent of people in the U.S. have O-negative blood type. O-negative blood type donors are universal donors as their blood can be given to people of all blood types.
• The average adult has about 10 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation.

When you donate blood, you will notified of your blood type on your blood donor card! Make sure that you are able to donate blood by checking Red Cross’s eligibility requirements.

To donate blood, find a donation opportunity near you and make an appointment. If you’re in the Irvine area, you can donate at UCI’s Blood Donor Center. If you unable to donate, you can still volunteer to help out or help host a blood drive. Find a volunteer opportunity near you. You can also encourage your family and friends to donate using these ecards or make a financial donation to Red Cross.

To find out more about Red Cross and blood donation visit their website!

Live peace, give blood, and give life!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Olympic Truce Wall Tradition

“Sport alone cannot enforce or maintain peace. But it has a vital role to play in building a better and more peaceful world.”
-Dr Jacques Rogge, IOC President, October 2007

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, and members of the IOC Executive Board and the IOC Athletes’ Commission, took part in a ceremony that featured the unveiling of the Olympic Truce Wall and the launch of the Olympic Games’ Giving is Winning campaign.

The tradition of the “Truce” or “Ekecheiria” established in ancient Greece in the 9th century BC, lives on today every Olympic Games. It began as a treaty between three kings that ensured that anyone could travel in total safety to take part in or be a spectator at the Olympic Games as well as return safety to their respective homes. The citizens of Elis spread the message throughout Greece as the games approached.

An Olympic Truce wall signifying global piece has been built at every Olympic Village since the Sydney games in 2000. Athletes and officials endorse this hope for peace by signing the wall. For the London 2012 games, the wall will be displayed at the British Olympic Museum in Olympic Park after the games.  The unveiling of the wall on July 23rd also served as tribute to the victims of the 1972 Munich Games terrorist attacks.

As is customary, the host country presented the Truce resolution to the United Nations to formally declare truce during the 2012 Olympic Games and for the first time, all 193 UN member states sponsored the resolution. The unveiling of the Truce Wall also kicked of the Giving is Winning solidarity campaign. The campaign seeks to help support sports activities in refugee camps. 75,000 items of casual and sports clothing were collected from the Olympic family for the Beijing Games Giving Is Winning Campaign. This summer’s campaign is expected to break all previous records by collecting more than 100,00 items of clothing for the beneficiary countries of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.

You can pledge your support for Olympic truce at the Olympic Truce Centre website.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!