A Reflexology Spa Treatment to Renew Your Client Partner
Our bodies are constantly discarding and regrowing new cells. Scientists tell us we create a new body every seven years. How this happens is pretty much shrouded in mystery but the endocrine system is the hub of this process.
Glands making up the endocrine system regulate this renewal as they control the growth and development of the body. One important thing our endocrine system does is boost the body’s ability to resist disease and fight infections.
A Renewal Spa Treatment is not a luxury. It’s a necessity for the client partner who wants to be as healthy and alert as possible.
Begin this session plan by selecting the essential oil you’ll use. My preferred essential oils for a spa session encouraging renewal are:
frankincense
Idaho balsam fir
lavender
lemon
myrrh
Roman chamomile
Once you select the oil, you’ll be guided to the music, the decor.
My favorite oil is lavender. However, some people don’t like lavender so it helps to move on to something else if your client partner resists.
So, when you book the appointment you need to find out if your client dislikes lavender. If so, you have other oils to choose from. But, settle this when you book the appointment so you’ll know how to coordinate the decor…music…
After you choose the oil, it’s time to choose the music. When my client partner is open to lavender, lemon, or Roman chamomile, I choose one of two CD’s I’ve had for years:
“Shamanic Dream” by Anugama
or
“Spiritual, Spiritual” by B Tribe.
If you don’t have either of these CD’s, you probably have something in your collection which will work. Whatever you choose, select music which is powerful and healing. You’re working with your client partner’s endocrine system here…a very spiritual part of his/her being.
Decor for this Spa Treatment may not take much work. You may not have to do much beyond taking away some clutter and adding a ceremonial throw for the table or chair.
Have your selection playing when you your client partner enters your healing space.
Offer your client partner a luscious water feature to begin this Spa Treatment. I suggest either a foot bath or simply washing the feet with wet terry cloth cloths that have been warmed in the microwave for a few moments.
If you go for a foot bath, think about a generous bucket or plastic water container filled with about four inches of warm water with a few colorful stones in the bottom. Let your client partner sit with the feet soaking in this essential oil scented water for 2-3 minutes before drying the feet. Then have him/her get on your healing table or reflexology chair.
When your client partner is comfortably situated face up on the table or in your reflexology chair, wrap the feet in warmed towels.
Begin by anointing your client partner with your selected oil. Put a few drops of essential oil in your client partner’s hands. Have him/her rub the palms together and hold them over the face and take a deep breath. Then, have your client partner rub the hands over his/her face,, head, and halo.
When you offer reflexology to the feet, add a bit of carrier oil to the essential oil and use this blend throughout the reflexology session. If you are using lavender or lemon, you may be able to find a commercial lotion which you like.
Move to your client partner’s head and bring in Reiki and offer three Reiki holds to the head.
Now, move down to your client partner’s feet.
Selecting the first foot, offer five minutes of delicious warm ups. Then offer five more minutes of general reflexology to your client partner’s foot.
Now, you have your client partner’s first foot prepared and ready to receive the Renewal Session on this foot. In this part of the session, you’ll stimulate the glandular parts of the body as you work the reflex areas listed below. You’ll encourage your client partner to heal, and rebuild.
Work the following reflexes for twenty minutes on the first foot in the following order:
1. Work the solar plexus to relax the body even more.
2. Work the pituitary gland because this is the gland which regulates everything.
3. Work the thyroid and parathyroid to balance the body’s metabolic rate.
4. Work the liver to enhance the immune system and remove wastes.
5. Work the adrenal gland to offer energy to the body.
6. Work the reproductive glands (ovaries/testicles) to balance this system.
Finally, work the solar plexus again to finish the rejuvenation path.
When you have worked these glands for twenty minutes on the first foot, spend five more minutes offering general reflexology. Then, finish up the first foot with five more minutes of warm downs.
Now, move to the second foot and repeat the process. This means you’ll offer five minutes of warm ups, five minutes of general reflexology and then you’ll spend the next twenty minutes working the body’s glands in the following pattern:
solar plexus
pituitary gland
thyroid and parathyroid
liver
adrenal gland
reproductive glands
solar plexus
Finally, offer five minutes of general reflexology and then five minutes of warm downs.
When this is completed, offer your client ten minutes of Reiki therapy on the feet.
It is now time to seal the Reiki therapy part of the Spa Session.
Let your client rest for a moment while you get a bottle of water for him/her.
Spend a couple of minutes with your client while s/he drinks the water and returns to “now”.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
Please share this article with your preferred social media network. You may also want to share this article with your fellow professional reflexologists.
It is my sincere hope that you are able to use this article in your healing practice.
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Thurman Greco
Artwork provided by Jennette Nearhood.
Reflexology for the Spirit and the Chakras – Now let’s put it all together.
We’ve spent the last few posts learning things we can use at our healing table. But, the question remains: How do we use what we’ve got here?
Suppose a person comes to your table with asthma. This is a fourth Chakra issue. So, right away, you know that you’re going to be working with the physical issues associated with asthma. But, you’re going to also be working with grief…a major issue that everyone faces at some point.
Offering Reiki therapy in conjunction with the reflexology will help balance the Chakras. Be sure to work the fourth Chakra reflex point.
When a person comes to you for reflexology sessions because they have lower back pain, you know that you need to work certain reflex points. But, in addition, it helps to know that a person with lower back pain is dealing with a first Chakra issue.
This person is grappling with his/her core beliefs. Reflexology for the Spirit and Reiki therapy will be very supportive. Include a few moments working the first Chakra reflex point.
This process continues up the body with each Chakra. When a person comes to your table with an issue, you determine which Chakra is affected. Knowing this will help you explore the spiritual issue. Then, you bring in Reiki and help balance the affected Chakra.
Another approach you may use is a Chakra session. In a Chakra session, you’ll work the Chakra reflex points exclusively. When you offer a reflexology session focusing exclusively on the Chakras, it will be shorter than a regular reflexology session. Your first such session should be no more than 30 minutes. Divided up, the Chakra session will offer 15 minutes of work on each foot.
In a 30-minute Chakra session, you’ll include a 5-minute warm up on the right foot, then work the Chakra reflex points for 5 minutes. Finish with a 5-minute warm down. Move on to the left foot.
Work the left foot the same way: Offer 5 minutes of warm ups, then work the Chakra reflex points for 5 minutes. Finish with a 5-minute warm down.
Complete the session by holding the feet for a few moments. Working the Chakras in reflexology can be deep therapy.
After your client partner gets off the table, spend a few quiet minutes with him/her just to make sure the transition back to “now” is smooth.
Thanks for reading this blog/ book.
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network. Also, please share this article with anyone you think might be interested.
Thanks!
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Contact me if you have any questions.
Thurman Greco
The Seventh Chakra and Reflexology
The seventh Chakra reflex point is on the tips of the toes. This is where we find the hair, the brain, and the central nervous system.
Seventh Chakra issues include:
living in the present
selflessness
non-attachment
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEARN ABOUT SEVENTH CHAKRA ISSUES WITHOUT QUESTIONING:
How can I release cravings?
How can I open myself up to more intuitive thoughts?
How can I see the world as manifestation of the divine?
How can I manifest the divine?
What is my world like without the limitations of the body?
How can I become more aware of multi-dimensional reality?
What direction do I want my future to take?
How can I awaken my spiritual potential?
How can I achieve success in all parts of my life?
As a person seeks wholeness and enlightenment, the Chakras build on one another to allow the flow of universal energy. Blockages in 1 or more of the Chakras make this flow difficult to impossible. A seventh Chakra issue is the (in)ability to be non-attached.
When non-attachment cannot happen, the person gets stuck in a belief system which may not work. Then, that person finds him/herself putting a lot of energy into justifying the dysfunctional system. The lesson is to learn to move on to thoughts and beliefs which work. This allows universal consciousness to grow and mature.
Symptoms of an unbalanced seventh Chakra include
chronic migraine headaches
drug abuse
spiritual extremism
denying the body some of its basic needs
compulsive behavior
rigid beliefs.
A balanced seventh Chakra combines all the senses as they work to create a connection to the infinite.
Reflexology for the Spirit sessions offer homeostasis which is the balance of all body systems. This is extremely important for the spiritual growth experienced in the seventh Chakra.
Reiki therapy sessions balance the Chakras.
Meditation helps keep the seventh Chakra balanced. Regular meditation on the senses is important. It is also helpful to meditate on the different colors of the Chakras.
When you work with your client partner’s seventh Chakra, you help him/her find enlightenment. A balanced seventh Chakra becomes a ladder to awareness of divine consciousness.
Thank you for reading this blog/book. I am now accepting reflexology students. Please email reflexologyforthespirit@gmail.com for information. Thanks.
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
Don’t forget to join the email list.
Thurman Greco
The Fourth Chakra and Reflexology
The fourth Chakra reflex point is found on the ball of the foot. This is where we find the heart, lungs, breasts, thymus gland, shoulders.
Fourth Chakra issues include:
self esteem
personal power
intimacy
forgiveness
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEARN ABOUT FOURTH CHAKRA ISSUES WITHOUT QUESTIONING:
Are you able to express your emotions?
Do you need to protect yourself?
Do you have problems giving and receiving love?
Are you living a divided life?
Have you created a protective barrier around your heart?
Do you have trouble forgiving people?
Do you fear rejection?
Do you feel vulnerable?
Is it physically/emotionally painful to move forward in life?
Are you hiding your true self from others?
Grief is a fourth Chakra issue. We know as Reflexology for the Spirit practitioners that grief is housed in the ball of the foot – the heart – the lungs.
The fourth Chakra builds on the lower three Chakras as our thoughts and dreams take on language, expression. The fourth Chakra is where the moment of inspiration which took place in the first Chakra, now becomes entire paragraphs, both spoken and written.
The fourth Chakra links the spiritual and physical bodies as well as their issues. This is because the fourth Chakra is the our energetic center, working to fuse the physical and spiritual bodies.
When this happens, we are able to touch others as well as allowing them to touch our lives. The goal is unconditional love. A good way to get insight about unconditional love is to pay attention to cats and dogs, 2 creatures which practice unconditional love routinely.
Our heart Chakra pulls us into relationships involving
intimacy
risk
forgiveness
sensitivities
fear
grief.
Grief is an important fourth Chakra issue. Grief blocks fourth Chakra energy. Letting go of grief and wounding opens our hearts.
The state of the fourth Chakra is easily seen in one’s posture. People suffering with heart Chakra issues may be
round-shouldered
sunken-chested
stiff
rigid.
Unbalanced fourth Chakras can also been seen in people with heart and respiratory problems. Heart surgery can have a direct impact on the heart Chakra.
Meditations can be important. Meditations focusing on:
grief
heart opening
breathing
can help balance the fourth Chakra.
When you work with your client partner’s fourth Chakra, you offer the opportunity to help him/her release grief. It’s in the fourth Chakra that we find
an open heart,
the energy to give,
and a straighter body.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
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Thurman Greco
Photo donated by Jennette Nearhood.
The Fifth Chakra and Reflexology
The fifth Chakra reflex point is located on the necks of the toes on both feet. This is where the throat, thyroid, neck, mouth, jaw, ears, teeth, and gums are located.
Fifth Chakra issues include:
listening
communication
truth
self expression
IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEARN ABOUT FIFTH CHAKRA ISSUES WITHOUT QUESTIONING:
Am I afraid to express my opinions?
Do I ever lie about issues?
Am I unable to express my creative potential?
Do I never let others express themselves?
Do I ever voice my opinions?
Do I hide my creative potential?
Am I afraid to step into my power?
Do I lack self confidence?
Am I afraid to fail?
Do I use my voice to hurt others?
Do I use my voice to help others?
Can I keep a promise?
Do I express myself honestly?
Do I gossip?
Do I get a lot of sore throats?
Am I sometimes unable to speak?
Do I cough a lot?
Do I have gum and teeth problems?
Am I psychic?
Communication is the focus of the fifth Chakra. Focusing on the fifth Chakra develops listening on different levels.
The fifth Chakra is located on the pathway between the heart (the fourth Chakra) and the mind (the seventh Chakra). The throat Chakra develops issues when a person can accept a truth or concept in the fourth Chakra (heart) but not in the seventh Chakra (mind).
I saw a lot of this happening after the tragedy of 9-11. Many of my client partners began to suffer with throat Chakra problems.
With a balanced fifth Chakra, we are able to listen in subtle ways that we were unaware of before. We can then become more aware of energetic surroundings. We are aware of the harmonic vibrations around us.
As with the other Chakras, Reflexology for the Spirit sessions offer homeostasis,, which is the balance of all body systems.
Reiki therapy sessions balance the Chakras This is important when working the fifth Chakra.
Cleanses remove emotional, mental, and physical toxins. As toxins leave the body, space is made for subtle communication to take place. Intuitive communication becomes easier.
Meditation can facilitate a balanced throat Chakra – especially if you can meditate in silence. So much of our lives are bombarded with sounds. Give yourself a few moments when you focus inward. Give yourself a few minutes without bombarding sound. Try to set aside a few minutes when you do not talk, listen to voices, or mix with people.
On another meditation, take yourself out to the edge of the edge of the heavens.
It’s easy to tell how centered the fifth Chakra is by observing a person’s neck. Is the person in pain?
If your neck is uncomfortable, rotate your head slowly in different directions.
When you work with your client partner’s fifth Chakra, you offer him/her the opportunity to find inner peace through deep listening. The fifth Chakra is based on vibrations. Helping your client partner become aware of these sounds can offer dramatic change to his/her life. This is how the answer to the age old question is found: “What is my truth?”
Thank you for reading this blog/book. I am now accepting reflexology students. Please email: reflexologyforthespirit@gmail.com for information. Thanks!
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
Don’t forget to join the email list.
Thurman Greco
Time-Out for Sharing then Moving on to the Chakras.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing with you. I’ve offered information in each post for you, in turn, to share with your client partners. I’m following the advice of my teacher and mentor Marge D’Urso who emphasized the many things we can all do in conjunction with reflexology to encourage homeostasis.
Not all of this information applies to all of your client partners.
Some people come to our tables in order to feel better. Others want us to help them take greater charge of their own health. Yet others simply want to hop on the table, receive their reflexology session, and go away blissed out. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.
One special group wants to add other things to their lives which will help them
feel better
look better
avoid chronic disease
live longer
enjoy better health.
By sharing this information slowly, in small increments, you can, along with your reflexology sessions, give your client partners an opportunity to completely change their lives for the better in a non threatening way.
These gradual changes when mixed with reflexology offer dramatic improvements over time. The idea is to be sharing opportunities for good health without complicating lifestyles any more than they already are. You’ll be leading your client partners to a a more healthy lifestyle. They can completely change their lives 1 step at a time.
Slowly
Easily
Comfortably
Not all client partners will adopt every suggestion offered. Some won’t choose any suggestions. Some will try everything suggested for a time. Then, they’ll drop the health step after a few weeks. There’s something here for everyone. We are all different. Our attitudes, ages, and lifestyles are all different.
What’s important is that you are gently, without pushing, sharing suggestions for a healthier lifestyle.
When your client partners are ready, they’ll have this knowledge to use in the way which works best for them.
I’m taking a break with this series of posts to offer you, the reflexologist, some more hands-on posts. Then, I’ll return to these wellness posts for awhile longer…until I feel you have something to offer most client partners over a period of a year or more. You want to be sharing something which a person may accept and live with for awhile before taking on another health giving change. It’s important to let an adopted change settle in so they become lifetime habits.
Beginning next week, I’ll offer posts about Chakras and the feet. We have reflex points for Chakras in our feet. I hope you find these articles interesting. I hope you can use this information in your work!
Thanks for reading this blog/book.
Please refer this post to your preferred social media network.
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Thurman Greco
Mental Fatigue – Do you need a fogbuster?
Mental Fatigue…ahhhhh. All of us suffer with this occasionally.
Fatigue, whether it be mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual, can be a strong indication of illness. So, if your brain is tired more often than you want, you won’t be playing hypochondriac if you schedule an appointment with your professional healthcare provider.
Many diseases list fatigue as the first symptom. Popular among those diseases is adrenal imbalance
cancer
diabetes
poor thyroid function
It can also just mean that we’re a little overdrawn in the energy department. I occasionally wake up feeling less mentally sharp than I want. When that happens, I reach for an essential oil. Popular essential oil fatigue busters include:
Basil
Black Pepper
Frankincense
Idaho Balsam Fir
Nutmeg
Pettigrain
Pine
Rosemary
Sage
Spearmint.
Each of these oils will “do the trick”. Place 4-6 drops of whichever oil you have on hand and/or prefer. Rub the palms of your hands together. Cup your nose and mouth with your oil-soaked hands and take several deep breaths. You should notice a difference.
When an essential oil fragrance is inhaled, the odor molecules travel up the nose and end up finally connecting to the brain. The result is that the connection affects the
heart rate
blood pressure
breathing
memory
stress levels
hormone balance.
The scent of the essential oil can bring up memories and emotions not only in this life but, I believe, in past lives as well. This offers a powerful form of therapy which, when combined with reflexology, promotes homeostasis.
Combining reflexology and essential oils can be beneficial to your client partners. If your client does not notice a fairly quick feeling of energy returning to the body, it’s time to refer him/her to a physician.
Photography by Renee Ruwe.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
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Thurman Greco
“Should I Accept Clients Who Smoke?”
What a question!
“Of course. Yes.”
“But, what if they smell of tobacco? I find it very offensive. And, besides, I don’t want my healing space reeking of smoke.”
Well, I stick to my guns here. Cigarette smoking is an addiction. It is a disease. You accept the client and offer assistance, support, guidance as s/he struggles to give up smoking.
Encourage the person to cut down on the number of cigarettes smoked in a day. If you can get him/her to cut back to 5 or fewer cigarettes a day, the final push will be very easy.
When people think of diseases smokers contract, they always come up with the same usual suspects:
lung cancer
throat cancer
COPD
Emphysema.
In reality, the diseases caused are many more and the health damage done is much greater.
Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke is really hard on the immune system. Smoking ages the body faster. This results in
wrinkled skin
clogged arteries
emphysema
cancer
impotence.
The most important reason for not smoking is what it does to the immune system. Smoking wrecks the immune system causing it to become overactive. And, the effects are often easily seen.
It’s not necessary to see a person smoking to know you’re looking at a smoker. It’s also not necessary to smell a smoker either.
The effects of smoking can be seen in the skin, hair, nails, eyes, posture.
The effects of smoking can be heard in the classic smoker’s cough.
You cannot help your client partner stop smoking. What you can do is help with the cravings and other discomfort while they go through the 5-6 week withdrawal process. Reflexology for the Spirit, Reiki therapy, and encouragement can go a long way to support during this time.
Help your client partner become dramatically healthier. Nicotine patches are available. CVS sells a smoking cessation program which helps.
After the 6-week period, you can help your client partner do a cleanse and you can offer support choosing a physical fitness program.
Thanks for reading this blog.
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Water, Water – What are we to do?
It’s really hard to find clean water. Our water is so filled with toxins that our bodies have become toxic waste dumps.
So, what are we to do? We need it to live.
There are 2 issues here, really. The 1st issue is getting clean, pure water. The 2nd issue is using it:
drinking,
bathing,
nourishing our planet.
So, what are we to do? We need it to live.
Getting clean water can challenging.
For starters, filter it. The filter you choose depends on your budget and your water issues. Filters come in several different varieties:
pitchers/carafes
faucet-mount systems
under-the-sink systems.
To learn about your water toxin issues, use your local county water quality report and advice from local water quality experts.
In the past, I used an under-the-sink system and was very pleased with it.
Now I buy my drinking water. Water in the Hudson River Valley is so special. The product I choose is New York Springs USA water, a natural spring water sourced in the Catskill Mountain area of New York State.
If New York Springs USA is not available, I reach for Mountain Valley Spring Water which comes from the Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
It just so happens that these 2 waters are spring fed.
If I’m working or traveling or shopping out of the area and need to drink a bottled water, I’ll go for an ultra purified brand I know and recognize over a spring fed water which I am unfamiliar with.
When in New York City, I drink water offered to me at the restaurant table. Make no mistake about it. New York City water is the best available anywhere. I know this. I live and work in the area. New York City water comes from the Ashokan Reservoir, an extremely well protected and guarded body of water. Catskill Mountain residents love, honor, and are proud of their water. Nothing but the best is good enough for us.
Although we can’t list things like the vitamins or calories found in water, it’s important for our overall health to keep hydrated.
Water offers a natural detox as it cleans toxins out of the body which collect in the urinary tract. Drink enough water often enough to urinate every 2 hours.
Hydration fights fatigue..something we all battle. There are many tired people wandering around right this minute who are not really fatigued. They are thirsty. At the 1st sign of fatigue, drink water and then give yourself a few minutes for your body to react to the needed hydration.
Water helps the body break food into nutrients as it travels through the digestive system.
Sufficient hydration prevents kidney stones.
Water helps strengthen the adrenal glands.
I offer a glass of New York Springs USA to each of my client partners at the end of the reflexology or Reiki therapy session.
As a reflexologist, please encourage your client partners to keep hydrated. Help them choose the best water for their health and lifestyle needs. They will feel better.
Hot Springs National Park
Thanks for reading this blog/book.
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Thurman Greco
5 Ways to Be Connected
The human immune system is a fast responder. It knows immediately when/if we are having emotional or spiritual problems. And, of course, this response affects our health.
If wellness is important to you…and I think it is because you’re a reflexologist, then one of the best things you can do is pamper your immune system. This works for your client partners also. No one is exempt on this.
This we know: there is a direct correlation between negative emotions, disease, and accelerated aging. Appreciation, sympathy, understanding are important to all of us.
Inner peace is important to being well – being grounded.
One thing in life which promotes inner peace and groundedness is an appreciation for nature and seeing the connection that all living beings share.
There are several ways to promote this connectedness:
WALK IN THE PARK. Actually, a “walk in the park” is the generic term for any activity which gets you positively involved with nature That can include biking, hiking, museum going, or anything else which makes you aware of how connected we all are.
GET A PET. This is a biggie if you can do it. Not everyone lives where pets are allowed. But, if you can…a dog or cat is awesome. Pets offer something which humans seem to be unable to offer: unconditional love.
A pet will:
improve your immune system function,
give you a more positive outlook on life,
lower your blood pressure
love you unconditionally.
What more can you ask for?
KEEP A JOURNAL. For some this can be a challenge. But, this journal is not for anyone but yourself. So, don’t worry about the spelling, punctuation, paragraphs, etc.
The purpose of your journal is to make a note of special moments which sustain you when you’re feeling low. Such moments include:
a cat’s purr
a baby’s smile
a smell of a flower
a compliment
a smile from a stranger
When you record them, you may notice that these special moments occur more often than you thought.
BREATHE. This is a biggie. Breathe in while while mentally repeating a positive phrase such as “I bring positive energy into my life.” Hold your breath for a moment and then exhale as you repeat “I radiate positive energy.” Consciously breathing for a couple of minutes each day can have a profound impact on your life.
Many people go through their whole lives not even thinking about how they breathe or what their breath does for them. Honor your breath.
INCORPORATE SURPRISE. Try to do something unexpected every day. Compliment a total stranger on a haircut or a jacket or something. It doesn’t matter what, really. Just say something complimentary to someone who is totally not expecting anything.
Leave a small token for someone who is not expecting anything…and keep it a secret if you can.
Offer to walk someone’s dog.
Say “Thank you.”
GET INVOLVED. This can mean walking a dog at the local pound or hosting a food drive for your local food pantry. There are many, many groups out there where people are working to make life better for us all. Volunteering is an extremely positive way to go through life.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
don’t forget to join the email list.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Michele Garner donated the artwork for this post.
