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Raw Mince Pies-
Recipe by Russell James
Posted at:
The future ... seems to me no unified dream but a mince pie, long in the baking, never quite done.
- Edward Young
You can give these pies to your loved ones, and they'll never suspect they're raw unless you decide to tell them!
Yields 10 - 12 pies
For the crust:
⦁ 2 cups cashews
⦁ 1 cup oat flour*
⦁ 1/4 cup agave nectar, maple syrup, or honey
⦁ 2 tablespoons water
⦁ 3 tablespoons lemon juice
⦁ Pinch of salt
1. Grind all ingredients in a food processor until thoroughly mixed.
2. Press the mixture into a tart/muffin tray that has been lined in cling film (plastic wrap) and dehydrate at 105 degrees F for 2 - 3 hours.
3. Remove the crusts from the pan and dehydrate for a further 8+ hours on the mesh dehydrator sheet.
*Raw out flour is made by milling raw oats in a coffee grinder or high-speed blender. If you don't have raw oats available and you don't mind using oats that have been steamed to preserve shelf life, then non-raw oats will also work.
For the filling:
⦁ 1 1/2 cups soft dates, stones and flowers removed
⦁ 1/2 cup orange juice
⦁ 1 1/2 tsp mixed spice (or pumpkin pie spice)
⦁ Pinch of salt
⦁ 2 apples, chopped small
⦁ 1 cup raisins, roughly chopped
1. Grind all ingredients, except the apple and raisins, until they form a paste.
2. Add in the apple and raisins and process for a further 5 - 10 seconds until fully combined.
3. Fill each of the cases with a little of the mixture, then top with the cashew icing and a pinch of the nutmeg.
For the cashew icing:
⦁ 1 1/2 cups cashews
⦁ 1 tbsp lemon juice
⦁ Pinch of salt
⦁ 3 tbsp coconut oil
⦁ 1/4 cup agave
⦁ 1/2 cup water
1. Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth.
To garnish:
⦁ Pinch of nutmeg
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WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING ABOUT UMS
" I have enjoyed how the material has caused me to revisit several areas of my life that were of spiritual interest to me."
-Mark Smith
"The course work was a good review of some familiar material. I have enjoyed learning about new topics. Overall, I feel that the courses have elevated my awareness and have given me new tools for dealing with people and situations."
-Ron Goodwin
"It's been wonderful in rounding out my knowledge of metaphysics. The courses on world religion and the mystical beginnings of Christianity are invaluable resources for exposure to these various paths. They assisted me in raising my consciousness by helping me to understand the various histories which comprise the complete picture of life of this planet. Without understanding how each component makes up the whole, we only have our own point of view to view the world from. I feel even more compassion for others who come from different points of view and different experiences. In general, I loved the concise explanations of all the various topics covered in the courses. They are all very well written and it's been a wonderful journey."
-Suzanne Campbell
"I did not set up specific consious goals when I enrolled in UMS. I just felt strongly about the necessity of doing the Metaphysical studying. Honestly, I was more drawn by the opportunity to study these subjects that have been already organized and combined in one place. The actual degree was a cherry on the cake. Now, a year later, I noticed that people honor the fact that I have completed Bachelor Degree in Metaphysics and continue studying.."
-Althea Kumara
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Newsletter looking for Student Submissions-
Do you have a submission for our monthly newsletter
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Ideas? Comments? Feedback? Questions?
We publish our school newsletter every month around the new moon, and are super excited about this publication as a way of sharing thoughts and inspiration from our students, and keeping our network aware of our goals and happenings.
Our January 2015 edition will be focused on the theme "Reflection."
Please feel free to submit any work you feel might be appropriate (such as poetry, artwork or articles) to the email address, newsletter@umsonline.org.
We look forward to receiving your submissions
integrating the knowledge and creativity of students into our publication.
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Embracing the Darkness Within
by Elizabeth Erenberger |  |
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 | Painting by Crystal Misiak, UMS Student
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 This month's New Moon just happens to fall on the Winter Solstice, which has inspired us to approach this newsletter with deep reverence for the darkest of places within each of our beings, and the darkest moments along the path of our unique personal journeys.
Often times it becomes a survival mechanism, to ignore and avoid these memories, or to deny our emotions as we ride through these times. However, if we want to truly know ourselves, to do the healing work and find inner peace, it is crucial that we not only analyze these experiences but embrace their lessons. In the words of Johnathan Jena, "When darkness falls, beauty is lit from within."
I encourage you this Solstice, as you celebrate the longest night of the year, to do some sort of ritual for the acceptance of all that you might secretly or publicly disdain about your magical spirit self. All of the hardships of our pasts, all of the darkness within, has some sort of gift at its core.
The darkness is ripe with potential for growth. In darkness, we can be still, reflecting on relationships with those who have brought us through, and the chance for transformation on a deep spiritual level. Experiencing these dark parts of ourselves opens us to the understanding of the power of our choices and shows us more about the creative possibilities we have in manifesting our reality.
So this holiday season, whether you are celebrating Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or otherwise, we invite you to embrace the darkest parts of yourself. Reflect on this past year, and carefully consider the seeds you will plant in the year to come. Now is the moment when dreams can begin. You are the dreamer, and this is your dream.
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Featured Student Project
Awakening From the Dark Night, by Nina Heron
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Sometimes in life you find yourself facing a black hole
it is scary
it is unknown
it is dark
it seems treacherous
As it moves through you - you realize that " I AM " there with you
for "I AM" in all things - We are all ONE
You remain intact
It does not consume you, it does not devour you
You do not disappear
You come through the other side, into the light - Stronger
You do not lose, you gain
You are not lost, but found
Nina's Personal Spiritual Experience with Creating this Poem:
"I awoke one morning to the image of a black hole. This image held a deep message. At the time I did not know what the message meant or what it represented. It felt heavy. I sat down and wrote this poem soon after.
I wrote this about three years ago, while I sat at the banks of the darkness. My dark night had come, and as I began the journey home, I surrendered to the power moving me. I have always been a little fringe, and new age-y, but I never quite owned who I am. I masked and charade-d (I like to make up words) just like the rest, asleep - because I was not even aware that this was what I was doing. That is why it is also called an awakening. So, I share this passage as an intimate look into how and why I came to be now, who I am, stepping more and more into who I really am, my Authentic Self. Within this passage, I hope that others may find a piece that they need for their own puzzle."
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From Ash to Flame: Women Rising
by Rev. Basia Christ, PhD in Transpersonal Counseling
"I want to present these life lessons as my gift to you. I realized we should appreciate what we receive - even our challenges - for they make us become who we are meant to be and help us to rise from the ashes. -Rev. Basia Christ, PhD, UMS Alumni
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A collection of powerful stories which reflect the grace and power of
the women in society today.
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This book is the recording an 8-year spiritual journey during which Rev Basia would interview 24 women from around the world. These women gave her powerful reflections, and life lessons which forever transformed her. Now Basia brings them all together to share with the world, and reflect to the masses the divine power of the female will, to rise above, and be born again.
All of the women featured in this book had moments of despair, but eventually "rose from the ashes" and now give back to others. The life lessons the author learned from these women transformed her life from constant suicidal inclinations; leading her to become a kidney donor to a stranger five years later. In the process, she learned women, no matter from which country they come, what culture they live in, or what religion they practice, we are more alike than different. |
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Winter- Time to Go in the Heart Cave with Bear Medicine
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by Sonia M. Bennett, UMS Student
This morning felt like winter to me, extremely cold here in Maine, unusual for this time. As I walked my dog it got me thinking that the time of year when one goes in the heart cave with Bear medicine was fast approaching. I love bears! They have taught me so many things in my lifetime.
My husband and I were living in New Hampshire where I use to sit with the bears and learned so much. Many stories I can tell with just bear alone, this makes me smile and warms my heart.
I was sitting in the back yard with my drum in hand doing my morning meditation and that was when Mama Bear introduced her two cubs to me. You see Mama Bear has come to the house for six years now and every year she would bring her new cubs out from the winter hibernation. It was remarkable to see how Mama Bear would teach her cubs so many lessons like going to the pile of wood we had stacked and take a few logs to teach the cubs how to take the bark off the log and eat the bugs that were behind.
We had a tree planted in the back yard with rope and stakes to keep the tree growing straight, the tree itself was only about three inches wide and about six feet high. I was watching the cubs play in the yard, like two little kids while Mama Bear was lying in the morning sun absorbing the warmth. Yep, they found the tree with the ropes and stake! They would take turns climbing to the top of the tree and sometimes would fight with one another because one would want another turn. It was funny to watch the tree bend as the cub would climb up the tree and they would fall off because the top of the tree would touch the ground. They did this for about twenty minutes when suddenly one of the cubs climbed to the top and the tree broke right in half because of its weight. Both cubs whined and were trying to figure out what was happening with the tree because it wouldn't lift off the ground anymore. This made my day and I laughed like no tomorrow.
Mama Bear was irritated that the cubs were whining and saw that the tree was broken and she got up and walked over to the cub that broke it and smacked him with her paw. That cub went running up the full grown birch tree that was there and cried for about an hour insulted and disgruntled. Mama Bear just went over to the same spot she was lying and laid down to absorb the sun's rays. The small female cub was watching her brother in the tree and then decided to go near the little pond and play with a bear carving that had a little fishing pole and a little fish at the end that moved every time she would whack it with her paw. Every moment that I get to spend with wildlife I always make sure that I give my thanks for the experiences they have given me and the lessons.
I know with my native culture this is a special time when Bear medicine takes you on a journey within your heart cave with deep self-examination of self. While in this heart cave is where you truly seek and listen to the inner voice that gently guides you. This is where I discover the way of my heart, finding the true self and working through all of the issues that were negative within my life and releasing them to Spirit.
I know that Bear represents both the feminine influences connected to Earth and inspiration also with the masculine influences of strength, courage, determination, protection and observation. I ask Bear and Spirit to guide me and take me on a meditative journey to bring forth the awareness of self and the passion of my heart and soul.
Bear medicine teaches me that I must overcome my fears (false evidence appearing real) and to lay down my ego so that my inner power can prevail and unleash the true me and potential. I know when sitting in quietness and meditating many answers comes. This motivates me because this is when I feel that connectedness that I loss somewhere along the way. I realize that just like bear we are all part of one and that there are many similarities. It can feel lonely in this place for some because they haven't sat with themselves with a cup of tea or even recognize who they are. In this search within the heart cave in the winter months, Bear invites you take get to know you and work out whatever issues during this time of introspection and quietness.
It does get easier, trust Bear and Spirit! When you get to know yourself you will never feel alone you will feel by the end of the winter months that you feel fully awake and alive, not because of the chill of the winter air either. If you need any assistance ask for assistance from Spirit and Bear.
Like Mama Bear and her two cubs they ventured out of the cave out of the woods fully awake and alive. Ready for adventure on what nurtures their soul and being. So challenge yourself in the winter months and go deep within yourself and search, nurture and release all that is not needed and find YOU. Just like bear in hibernation in the winter months to come, quiet the mind and just be. You will be surprised what will come! Thank you, Bear and Spirit for your lessons and guidance. AHO!
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Student Writing
Poems from the Hearts of our Magical Students
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Vision by, Laurie D. Werner The lens through which I look Is clouded and distorted Shapes and images play across my mind I must have been blind. What filter have I been using To view the world, to view myself? Generations of do's and don'ts, fail and pass Have clouded the glass. Through the years, the tears Fall silently down the pane and Looking out I see The outside landscape of what's in me. No longer will my sight Be predetermined by someone else The view is clear, the time is right Thankful I receive my second sight. The glistening pane is now clear As each image comes into view And finally I can see Me. We are so thankful for the outpouring of support and submissions we have received from students. We need your input to keep our newsletter fresh and inspiring! Please keep the submissions coming. By sharing your art with the world, there is so much to be gained. -Blessings and Gratitude, UMS Staff |
A Mother's Dream
by, Laurie D. Werner
Born of Love in silence, in the quiet part of the morning while the world still existed
Existing in a place of peace, a place of fluidness, where emotion and motion knew each other's names
Where the sun was of a purple hue and the moons touched each other and cosmic winds blew softly
Where you and I first met, Daughter, silently singing to one another
Of worlds to come, some lost, some gained
Where the thread of lives, some lived, some dreamed
Intertwined with then and now and you and me
Hope for the future is hope for the past
And what once was, Is, and what Is will last
For the seeds were planted and the rains came
Through generations we remained the same
Mother and Daughter.
But as we know the rhythms move, the pulse of life continues through
And so the wheels turn and the sands shift
The stars pull and tug at the sky
But we remain, You and I
The new thought has made its way
Intertwined, the Spiral from head to toe
And at long last the time has come
For you to go on your own
Knowing well
You walk with Me
In the New Reality
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Gaia Sagrada:
A Safe Sacred Space for Trans-formative, Personalized Healing-
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Gaia Sagrada retreat center in Cuenca, Ecuador has become highly regarded as a safe, sacred, space for personal growth and enlightenment. If you feel you are ready to take your inner healing to the next level, take a moment to check out our website, and decide if the Gaia Sagrada Experience might be right for you.
Lush vibrant gardens, expansive landscapes, healthy organic foods, a spiritual circle of human reflections, and a hot tub to drown your cares away; these are just a few of the luxuries Gaia Sagrada has to offer. Open your heart and your mind with these ancient traditional healing ceremonies carried out with the utmost respect and reverence, as you are escorted through the vastness of your own inner landscape by powerful, experienced shaman.
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