The Meat Myth (June 3) | OCCA changes

Hi everyone,

Next Saturday, June 3, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Plant Powered OC will offer yet another free workshop at Whole Foods in Brea, “The Meat Myth & Plant-Based Meat Sampling”. With so much evidence that plant-based foods are the best approach in support of human and environmental health, global food supply, biodiversity, and compassion for other species, (i.e. “friends not food”), why not come join us and get some new ideas to keep your taste buds happy? Register here.

Also, the three-year-old alliance known as Orange County for Climate Action will dissolve at the end of this month. Instead, OCCA will continue as a “grassroots network of activists” and begin sending its own public announcements (i.e. effective June 1, no longer appearing on this list sent by Living Ubuntu).
***To keep up with future OCCA meetings, actions and events: Subscribe to OCCA newsletter here.***

In the spirit of Ubuntu,
Barbara English, LMFT, CBT, TRE® Certification Trainer
Co-founder and Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org | facebook | donate »
living vegan (facebook) | plant powered oc (facebook)
occlimateaction.org | facebook
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n. We belong to the greater whole.

::: UPCOMING EVENTS :::

The Meat Myth & Plant-Based Sampling (PPOC)
Saturday, June 3, 9:30am – 11:30am
Brea

Orange County for Climate Action Meeting (OCCA)
Tuesday, June 6, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Newport Beach

Climate Action Plan & Community Choice Energy: Advocacy Training with Nicole Capretz (OCCA)
Sunday, June 11, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Irvine

June 2017 events: Climate Advocacy Training and Plant-Based ‘Meat’ Sampling

Hi everyone,

Many of you participated in the April 29 People’s Climate March – Orange County. Do you want to get more involved locally on these issues?

Sunday, June 11, 6:30p – 8:30p, Orange County for Climate Action is offering a free advocacy training on Climate Action Plans and Community Choice Energy. This event provides a rare and excellent opportunity to learn directly from Nicole Capretz of Climate Action Campaign, who led the way to groundbreaking climate progress in the city of San Diego. It is intended offer education on local climate issues, additionally, it is meant to help build confidence for those who might be struggling with feeling insecure or inadequate when faced with the thought of speaking up on these issues in public, e.g. at city council meetings. This training will be declared a “no embarrassment zone” for questions and concerns. Many need to feel part of a supportive social network with like-minded others to find their courage and their voice. There are many local opportunities. If this avenue of engagement interests you, please come find out more. To attend, please register here (free): Climate Action Plan & Community Choice Energy – Advocacy Training w Nicole Capretz.

Also, our next Plant Powered OC workshop will be Saturday, June 3, 9:30a – 11:30a at the Whole Foods in Brea. We had a great time in May tackling the “Milk Myth”. This time, the “Meat Myth”. The delightful, well-informed, plant-based advisor, Gina Bonanno-Lemos, will educate us on the health benefits of plant-based eating, and then the real fun happens: sampling of a variety plant-based meat alternatives. Come find your favorite yummy things! Admission is free. Register here for: The Meat Myth & Plant-Based Meat Sampling.

One more thing. This coming Sunday, May 21, we are headed out to Farm Sanctuary in Acton to participate in a vegan picnic on the grounds followed by a private tour that includes visiting with the animals. We are almost at capacity, but have room for one more person to join us. Seriously, only one more space is open. We have a carpool in both north and south Orange County and either has room for one more person. The tour is $10. If you want to come, email: info@livingubuntu.org.

In the spirit of Ubuntu,

Barbara English, LMFT, CBT, TRE® Certification Trainer
Co-founder and Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org | facebook | donate »
living vegan (facebook) | plant powered oc (facebook)
occlimateaction.org | facebook
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n. We belong to the greater whole.

“…and they just have no idea” | Speciesism April 20, 2017, plus three more April events

“Intelligent people who are making a good living, who are politically aware…  and they just have no idea.”  – Speciesism

Hi everyone,

If you haven’t yet seen this must-see, deeply philosophical, thought-provoker, here’s your chance. A Screening of Speciesism with filmmaker Mark Devries will be hosted by the Golden West College Peace Studies Program, Thursday, April 20, 6:30pm – 9:30pm. RSVP.

This screening is the pre-conference kick-off event, in advance of the Friday, April 28, 8:30am – 5:00pm 11th Annual Golden West College Peace Conference: “A Sustainable Peace: Equity, Equality, and Environmental Interdependence in the 21st Century”. This year’s intersectional theme is well represented in the broad variety of speakers, a line-up that won’t disappoint. The $25 pre-registration includes vegan breakfast and lunch, plus the full day conference. As in past year, the event is zero waste. PRE-REGISTER.

The day before the GWC conference, we will be out at Cal State Fullerton for the Thursday, April 27, 6:30p – 8:30pm Socially Accepted Practices and Traumatic Impact on Adolescents’ Development.We will have a very interesting conversation that night with special guest Gene Baur, plus Dr. Nicole Jafari, and Fullerton residents, Bruno Barba, Dulce Barba and Audrey Waight, (all featured in our yet to be released documentary, ‘So Give Me An F’). Admission is free. RSVP.

The day after the GWC conference we will be in Irvine for the Saturday, April 29, 9:00am – 4:00pm Crises in the Ocean: How Compassionate Action Benefits Us All, Featuring Gene Baur, Jonathan Balcombe and Kate Mackey, plus a vegan cooking demo by Joni Marie Newman and compost demo by John Craig. This free event includes lunch, so after you see how Joni made the yummy tacos, you will get to eat them. And Gene and Jonathan will be signing books that day. After the morning and mid-day program, People’s Climate March – Orange County will commence at 2p. RSVP.

Four April events on critically important topics being presented in very interesting ways — hope to see you often between now and the end of the month.

In the spirit of Ubuntu,
Barbara English, LMFT, CBT, TRE® Certification Trainer
Co-founder and Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org | facebook | donate »
living vegan (facebook) | plant powered oc (facebook)
occlimateaction.org | facebook
(949) 891-2005

[Ubuntu] n. We belong to the greater whole.

UPCOMING EVENTS

“Before the Flood” — Friday March 24, 2017, 7p in Irvine (tomorrow)

I play fictitious characters often solving fictitious problems. I believe mankind has looked at climate change in the same way, as if it were a fiction.
– Leonardo DiCaprio

Hi everyone,

Ever feel like going out to see a movie on a Friday evening?

Friday, March 24, 7:00pm we are hosting a screening of “Before the Flood”. Watch the trailer and RSVP here.

From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens and Academy Award-winning actor, environmental activist and U.N. Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio, Before the Flood presents a riveting account of the dramatic changes now occurring around the world due to climate change, as well as the actions we as individuals and as a society can take to prevent catastrophic disruption of life on our planet.

Effectively addressing our current climate emergency has long been neglected. The current administration is taking fast action — but in the wrong direction!

Everyone I know who has seen this film found it to be exceptionally well done, so if you are free tomorrow night, come join us for this free admission screening with discussion afterward, plus light refreshments.

Upcoming Events – 7 items in March (2017) – come join us!

Hi everyone,

I have seven things to tell you about, all taking place in March. Ready? Here we go! Below please find our Upcoming Events for the remainder of the month. Hope to see you often.

Orange County for Climate Action Meeting
Tuesday, March 7, 6:30p – 8:00p – tonight!

Carl Wilkens at Soka University (Ikeda Reading Room), 1 University Dr, Aliso Viejo CA 92656 (Read More About Carl)
Monday, March 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

TRE Group Shake
Thursday, March 16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm

Legacy of Learning – Establishing Equity in the Aftermath of Trauma, Part 3: A Screening of “In Utero” plus featured guest, Rebecca Amis, co-founder of MUSE School
Thursday, March 16, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

32nd Annual Great American Write-In (visit the Living Ubuntu & OCCA table)
Saturday, March 18, 9:30am – 1:30pm

Intro to Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE)
Wednesday, March 22, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

A Screening of Before the Flood
Friday, March 24, 7:00pm – 9:30pm

In the spirit of Ubuntu,

Barbara English, LMFT, CBT, TRE® Certification Trainer
Co-founder and Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org | facebook | donate »
living vegan (facebook) | plant powered oc (facebook)
occlimateaction.org | facebook
(949) 891-2005
[Ubuntu] n. We belong to the greater whole.

 

Before we can see properly we must first shed our tears…

Before we can see properly we must first shed our tears to clear the way.
– Ancient proverb

Hi everyone,

In regions of the world where mass atrocities, genocide, sexual assault as a weapon of war, famine, displacement and countless other hardships are far too commonplace, some of the “lucky” ones are granted refugee status and get relocated. San Diego is one of the US cities with an extremely large number of refugees from all over the world, including many from countries in East Africa. Beginning in 2012, Living Ubuntu had a project in San Diego focused on trauma recovery within the East African refugee community. In 2012, (Phase 1) we did a simple survey to get more information on the rates of Post Traumatic Stress in that community. In 2013, (Phase 2) we did a 6-week series to educate refugee leaders about trauma. In 2014 and 2015 (Phase 3), we conducted a research project utilizing Dr. David Berceli’s Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (more on Phase 3 here).

This past year, data was statistically analyzed and we were all extremely pleased to find that the results were very good. Watch the above video to find out more.

We have a lot of really good things coming up in 2017. Scroll down to the bottom of this email to see all the amazing events coming up in the first few months of the new year.

Even though we are a small, all-volunteer, grassroots organization, enacting projects requires funds. If you like what we are doing, please support us with a year-end one-time contribution. Or to be even more helpful, sign up as a monthly donor. Amounts as small as $10.00 a month are affordable for many. We are grateful for gifts of any size.

Donate here.

An Evening of Compassion and Being Together (Nov. 20, 2016) — buy tickets TODAY (online sales end tonight)

Procrastination is opportunity’s assassin. – Victor Kiam

Hi everyone,

I was born and raised in Orange County. I have lived here my entire life and lived to tell about it. I ‘get’ the culture. We all know how it works here in Southern California: “why do it today when you can put it off ’til tomorrow?” Right? We have commitment issues… and there are so many options, so little time. I know. Born and raised in Orange County. I know.

So, this is just a friendly little reminder that time is up — almost up — later tonight, totally, officially, ‘up’ — as far as buying online tickets to attend: An Evening of Compassion and Being Together (Sun Nov 20).

Tickets at the door will be $10 more and subject to availability. We still have room for more students due to donated tickets for them. Contact us for details: info@livingubuntu.org.

This event is going to be extraordinary – seriously, truly awesome – don’t miss it :)

The Candlelight Vigil will be at the end of the event, open to anyone that wants to gather with us at that point – and there will be no open flames due to the fire danger – battery-operated tea lights only – we will supply them. So even if you can’t make it at 4p for the main event, please do feel free to show up at 6:30p to participate in the vigil. We will gather together in support of the much needed, now more than ever, Compassion-for-All.

Thank you for your participation, engagement and support.

Buy Tickets for Nov 20 / Donate here.

For those who attended last Saturday’s “How to Cook Vegan for the Holidays” and wanted the recipes:

• Wild Rice Butternut Squash Skillet (Laura)
• Garlic Almond Green Beans (Gina)
• Harvest Butternut Squash Stuffing and Seitan Roulade En Croute (Joni)

For more upcoming events, scroll to the bottom of this email.

In the spirit of Ubuntu,

Barbara English, LMFT, CBT, TRE® Certification Trainer
Co-founder and Executive Director, Living Ubuntu
livingubuntu.org | facebook | donate »
(949) 891-2005
[Ubuntu] n. We belong to the greater whole.

:::UPCOMING EVENTS:::

An Evening of Compassion and Being Together (an event to benefit Living Ubuntu) –– buy tickets now!
Sunday, November 20, 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Newport Beach

Re-Examining our Belief Systems: Growing Beyond the Known (a 3-part TRE® workshop series)
Saturdays: January 21, February 25, March 18, 9am-4:30pm each day
Newport Beach

An Evening of Compassion and Being Together – Sun. Nov. 20 (online ticket sales end in 2 days)

Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.
– Albert Schweitzer

Hi everyone,

Please join us this coming Sunday, November 20 4p-7p in Newport Beach for An Evening of Compassion and Being Together. Tickets are $45.00 and that includes dinner. At the door, the price will be $55.00 and subject to availability. In order to avoid food waste or shortage, it would help a lot if you bought your tickets today, even though the on line sales will continue for two more days. Additionally, we have a limited number of donated tickets for students that might not otherwise be able to participate. Contact us for more info.

Due to recent events in the US, we have added a candlelight vigil to the end of Sunday’s event. The vigil will be open to anyone that wants to join us for that portion of the evening. Watch for more details.

Sunday evening will be fun and festive, along with deeply meaningful and serious. We hope it will inspire and re-invigorate those who attend. Our planning team has worked hard to create an experience that helps us remember that ‘We Belong to the Greater Whole’ and sit within the ‘Interconnection’ of the many.

Buy tickets and / or donate here.

For more upcoming events, scroll to the bottom of this email.

Events in November — coming together for the common good

Hi everyone,

I know this is a big week with big events that have big consequences that many of you are paying attention to big time. Yet, once Tuesday has come and gone, finding ways to come together in support of the common good will be more important than ever. I wanted to bring your attention to a few opportunities this month to gather together in support of goodness, compassion, health, sustainability and community.

• This coming Saturday, November 12, 10:30am – 12:00pm, please join us for a FREE event at Tanaka Farms in Irvine, “How to Cook Vegan for the Holidays”. The cooking demo will use vegetables grown at Tanaka using organic farming practices, non-GMO seeds and no animal manure.
• Wednesday, November 16, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, Orange County for Climate Action will meet and discuss next steps for better climate action plans in the cities of Orange County. (BTW: Did you sign our petition yet? Tell the world’s 6th largest economy to divest from animal agriculture.)
• Sunday, November 20, 4:00pm – 7:00pm, don’t miss the amazing program we have put together for An Evening of Compassion and Being Together – (Tickets). Andy Shrader will be speaking (“Radically Alive Planet”) plus great music, film preview, socially conscious silent auction, raffle prizes, interactive entertainment and super-yummy food, all based on a theme of Interconnection.

For more upcoming events, scroll to the bottom of this email.

Sunday, October 16, Time to Choose

Hi everyone,

We have no shortage of serious issues in need of more attention and fast, effective action both locally and globally. It is an extremely long list, with myriad emergencies largely ignored by the Presidential election, and harder to bring attention to while a tabloid tone dominates the news. One of the many disturbing omissions is climate change.

That means that those of us who are aware, able and deeply concerned about the state of climate catastrophe we find ourselves in, who have noticed how slowly and inadequately effective changes are being made, must carry the responsibility for keeping climate disruption issues in the spotlight as much as we can.

Please join us in Irvine this coming Sunday for A Screening of Time to Choose (RSVP). This recently released climate-change-themed film provides a comprehensive perspective and a seriously necessary and urgent call to action. It is a film well worth watching, plus an opportunity to discuss best support of ongoing local efforts.

And, just a friendly reminder about the super-helpful opportunity tomorrow evening: Thriving on a Plant Based Diet – Part II.