Center for Living Peace Décor: Balinese Swing

Every month we’ll be giving you some insight on the inspiration behind our various art pieces and artifacts. Here’s a closer look at our Balinese swing!

Balinese Swing

One can experience simple contemplative relaxation on our Balinese swing to connect with others and to their inner child. This swing comes from Bali, Indonesia. It is said that swings such as these are passed down by generations, more specifically for newly wed couples in order to symbolize their everlasting unity and bond to each other in their lifetimes. You are welcome to have a swing with someone special!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Live Peace by…

“Peace begins with a smile…”

- Mother Teresa

Picture posted by @dailypuppy Instagram page

Don’t forget to smile!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Live Peace with The Elders

The Elders are an independent body of global leaders who come together to promote peace and human rights around the world. Spurred in 2007 by entrepreneur and former Living Peace Series speaker Sir Richard Branson and recording artist Peter Gabriel, The Elders bring leadership and governing experience to tackling global issues.

Currently, The Elders include such leaders as Kofi Annan, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson. Each brings his or her own wisdom and experience to the table.

As described on their website, “An Elder is also a changemaker - someone who can lead by example, creating positive social change and inspiring others to do the same.”

Footage from an event with The Elders earlier this year in London.

Learn more about the incredible work of The Elders at their website.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

The Little Things

“A little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the difference.”

- Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh)

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Peace Grl Out!

Center for Living Peace Décor: Gingko Wall

Here’s our monthly look into the Center for Living Peace’s design inspiration. This time we’ll be focusing on our lovely ginko leaf wall.

Gingko Leaves

These panels depict young bamboo branches called “gingko.” Gingko has been planted outside of Buddhist monasteries as a symbol of longevity. The oldest gingko was reportedly over 800 years old! When they grow at the top of the trunk, they do not grow at the same angle as the older branches. This allows sunlight to reach their “elders,” or the older branches.

Kids, don’t forget to connect with your elders as well! Take a fun art class together or read a book about peace in our Lounge and Library area!

Come visit the Center for a closer look at our various art pieces or check out our previous CLP decor posts!

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Chickpea, Beet, and Apple Panini

Happy Monday! Start off your week with this delicious panini.

Here are some statistics about a the meat alternative to this vegetarian delight, the cheeseburger. According to Open the Future, 66 to 3000 grams of CO2 emissions are produced per cheeseburger. This does not include emissions from the restaurant operations and energy from driving to the restaurant. “Estimates for the average American diet range from an average of about one per week, or about 50/year.” Replace what might be your weekly burger with a healthier, savory sandwich.

Chickpea, Beet, and Apple Panini

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
3 Tbs. vegan mayonnaise
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon
8 slices sesame semolina bread (8 oz.)
1 medium golden beet, peeled and sliced
1 Granny smith apple, thinly sliced
¼ cup broccoli or radish sprouts
4 Tbs. prepared black olive tapenade

Directions:

1. Pulse chickpeas, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and tarragon in food processor until chunky.

2. Spread chickpea mixture on 4 bread slices. Top with beet and apple slices, and sprouts. Spread remaining 4 bread slices with tapenade; close sandwiches.

3. Spray panini with cooking spray. Coat skillet or grill pan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Place panini in pan; weight with smaller-diameter saucepan weighted with 2 cans. Cook 3 minutes. Flip, replace weight, and cook 2 minutes. (Or cook 4 minutes in panini maker.)

Recipe originally posted on Vegetarian Times.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Mondays: Eggplant Panini with Pesto

Happy Monday!

Check out the Center for Investigative Reporting’s video on the Hidden Costs of Hamburgers as part of the their Food for 9 Billion challenge.

Eggplant Panini with Pesto

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, about 12-14 oz
• kosher salt to taste
• olive oil spray (I used my misto)
• 12 oz french bread (or baguette), cut into 4 pieces
• 4 slices part skim mozzarella cheese (Sargento )
• 2 tbsp skinny pesto 
• 8 thin sliced tomato

Directions:

Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place the eggplant slices on a paper towel and season with salt; set aside about 30 minutes. This will help draw some of the moisture out of the eggplant. Pat the eggplant dry with paper towels. Preheat panini grill. Lightly spritz eggplant with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. When the grill is hot, grill eggplant about 7-8 minutes, turning once half way through. Set aside. Slice the bread open and place 3 slices of grilled eggplant, 1 slice of mozzarella, 1/2 tablespoon of pesto, and 2 slices of tomatoes on each sandwich.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Live Peace with Share Our Selves

Share Our Selves, a nonprofit organization based in Costa Mesa, has been working to serve the underprivileged of Orange County since 1970. Starting out, SOS tackled the most serious concerns of the poor by providing meals, clothing, transportation, prescriptions, and emergency financial aid and eventually expanded to include medical and dental clinics. In addition to immediate aid, SOS also provides counseling and social services, including job consulting, to financially disadvantaged families.

Some ways to volunteer or become involved with Share Our Selves are through the Adopt a Family program, which matches up families selected by local schools to donors who provide holiday gifts and food, or by simply volunteering onsite in the food pantry, at the medical and dental clinics, or being a driver to local food merchants. To learn more about how to volunteer or donate to SOS click here.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Meatless Monday: Grilled Eggplant, Grape Tomato, and Feta Salad with Basil, Parsley, and Caper Sauce

Happy Monday!

The 9 Billion states that protein production through the consumption of livestock requires 8 times as many fossil fuels to be produced than protein derived from plants. Get your daily protein this monday from our tasty Grilled eggplant recipe!

Grilled Eggplant, Grape Tomato, & Feta Salad with Basil, Parsley, & Caper Sauce

Ingredients:

8 medium-sized Japanese or Asian Eggplants
olive oil, for brushing eggplants
salt and fresh-ground black pepper for seasoning eggplants
1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
1/4 cup crumbled Feta (or more)

Sauce Ingredients:

(This makes much more sauce than you need for the salad, but it’s good on any type of grilled meat, grilled vegetables, or sliced tomatoes.  The sauce will keep more than a week in the fridge.) 
2/3 cup fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup parsley leaves (flat or curly)
2 large garlic cloves, sliced
1 T Dijon mustard
3 T capers
2 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high.  (You can only hold your hand there for a few seconds at that heat.)  Wash the eggplants if needed and cut off both ends.  Cut the eggplants lengthwise, brush both sides with olive oil, and season the cut side with salt and pepper
2. Lay eggplants on the grill cut side down, and cook until you see nice grill marks (about 5-7 minutes.)  Turn eggplants and cook about 5 minutes more on the other side, or until eggplant is softened and nicely browned.  Remove eggplant to a cutting board to cool.
3. Make the amazing sauce while the eggplants cool.  If needed, wash and spin dry the basil and parsley leaves.  Slice the garlic cloves, then use a food processor fitted with a steel blade to chop the basil, parsley, and garlic.  Add the Dijon, capers, and lemon juice and process until ingredients are well blended; then add the olive oil and process about 30 seconds more.
4. Cut grape tomatoes in half.  When eggplant is cool enough to handle, cut it into slices about 1 inch thick.  Gently combine the eggplant and tomato halves in a bowl and stir in enough sauce to coat the ingredients (about 1/4 cup).  Stir in the crumbled Feta and serve salad warm or at room temperature.
5. Even though tomatoes are best when they haven’t been refrigerated, this was not bad after it had been the fridge overnight.  It didn’t last much longer than that though.

Recipe originally posted on Kalyn’s Kitchen.

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!

Center for Living Peace Décor: Dyak

Have you ever wondered what inspired the design of the Center for Living Peace? Our new blog segment reveals the stories behind different decor elements of our space. This October we are spotlighting our Dyak statue.

Dyak

This statue characterizes a member of the Dyak, also known as the native tribe people of Borneo. The dyak is known to represent celebrations of common man. This piece of carved wood was under water for 600 years. The female figure represents the goddess within us all. Surrounded by grasses of her homeland, she stands as a guardian of the room of the common people (also known as our yoga and meditation room)!

Room of the Common People

Good Happens.

Peace Grl Out!