The Fifth International Feng Shui Conference, sponsored by international teacher Roger Green, takes place August 5-10 in San Luis Obispo at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Entitled "Heaven, Earth and Humanity", the conference features over 30 passionate speakers on Feng Shui, Sacred Geometry, Space Clearing, and many related topics. Cost is $350/three day core conference; pre- and post conference workshops are $150 each. For info and registration, call 917 969-9989 or visit http://www.fengshuiseminars.com.

The San Francisco Vegetarian Society celebrates World Vegetarian Day 2004 on Sunday, September 26, 10 AM to 10 PM, at the San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park, Lincoln & 9th Avenue, next to the Arboretum. Speakers include Howard Lyman, Dr. Douglas Lisle, Dr. Alan Goldhammer, and Lorri Bauston. Also included are an outdoor café featuring international vegan cuisine, food demos, a catered dinner, entertainment featuring Kathryn Gimm and the Bayanihan Cultural Dancers, and a children's corner. $5 suggested donation, free for kids under 12 and students, free for everyone before 10:30 AM. For info see http://www.sfvs.org or call 415 273-5481.

Monthly Vegan Potlucks! Sunday, August 22, 5:30 PM (moved from 6:30), hosted by Diane and Jennie Wohler in Atherton, call 650 369-1858 to let them know you're coming and to get directions. Also on Sunday, September 19, 5:30 PM, hosted by Tom Wooldridge and Christine Davis in Woodside, call 650 279-1638 (Deborah Ferrara was originally scheduled to host in Foster City; she will host another time). To host a potluck, call Harold Stephenson at 650 856-1125 or Diane Wohler at 650 369-1858.

Monday Dinner Regular Al Lampell, an instructor in A Course In Miracles, leads The Love Seminar-a hands on experiential event where you will be asked to open your minds and your hearts, and "an opportunity to change your life forever"-on Saturday, August 28, 9 AM - 5 PM, $125. Also, plan ahead for the Relationship Seminar to be held at Asilomar on the weekend of December 10-12. And every Tuesday evening in Santa Clara, Al hosts a drop in study group, 7:30-9:30 PM. Contact Al at 408 296-0567 or alampell@hotmail.com.

Chuck Collison, Assistant Chef of the Monday Dinners, is a personal chef and runs a meal service in Marin. Call 415 258-0528.

James Holloway, frequent Guest Chef at the Monday Dinners, does personal home cooking in Palo Alto, in macrobiotic and classical styles, call 650 852-9182.

Anne Mark does takeout meals and lifestyle recommendations, and teaches macrobiotic cooking classes in Palo Alto, call 650 843-0255.

Carolyn Peters offers private cooking and catering in San Francisco. She is experienced in macrobiotic, vegetarian, and conventional styles. Email carolyn_peters@yahoo.com, or call 415 751-2833.

Speakers receive a gratuity from the audience; please show your support and appreciation with a donation ($5-10 suggested).

On August 30, Dr. Connie Hernandez and her husband Dr. Marcel Hernandez will present An Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct profession of primary health care, emphasizing prevention, treatment and the promotion of optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and modalities which encourage the self-healing process, the vis medicatrix naturæ. The philosophical approach of naturopathic medicine includes prevention of disease, encouragement of the body's inherent healing abilities, natural treatment of the whole person, personal responsibility for one's health, and education of patients in health-promoting lifestyles. Naturopathic practice blends centuries-old knowledge of natural, nontoxic therapies with current advances in the understanding of health and human systems. The scope of practice includes all aspects of family and primary care, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and all natural medicine modalities.

Drs. Connie and Marcel founded and developed Pacific Naturopathic and the Natural Health Associates in Palo Alto (650 857-0226, http://www.pacificnaturopathic.com). Dr. Connie sees chronic and acute patients of all ages, with any type of complaint, but has a particular emphasis on women's health care, peri-menopause, adjunctive care for cancer patients, and spiritual counseling. She emphasizes dietary change, nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine and flower essences in her treatment protocols, and believes the deepest healing involves spiritual transformation. Dr. Marcel specializes in pediatrics and men's health care. He also works with a bioenergetic balancing machine called the QX, and can evaluate the heart as a metabolic organ with his Acoustic Cardiograph.

On September 13, Joe Deisher, Master Teacher of QiGong and Tai Chi Chuan, will present a lecture and demonstration on Macrobiotics and Tai Chi: Good Balance All Around. Joe will introduce us to the energetic theory of Tai Chi, then lead us in some gentle movements. In the 1960s, Joe was in Japan to study the game of Go, learn Aikido, and study Japanese, eventually becoming fluent in the language. In 1966, Joe met Chang I-Chung, a Chinese teacher of Tai Chi who was then living and teaching in Japan. It was unusual to find a Chinese teacher in Japan, a country with a strong martial arts tradition of its own, just 20 years after the war. It was not the form that Joe wanted to learn from Chang; rather, he was impressed by the man, especially his kindness, righteousness, open heartedness, and self-discipline. Chang also recommended guidelines for diet (that are very similar to macrobiotics). True to his teaching and beliefs, when Chang opened his school in Japan he called it a "Sage Arts" school instead of a "Martial Arts" school. Joe has been a student of Chang I-Chung since 1967. (Chang now lives near Los Angeles.)

Joe continues in the tradition of teaching the sage arts. Through his instruction in QiGong and the Nanjing integrated Tai Chi form, Joe sees a way to develop the spirit, increase the fields of imagination, provide a basis for cultural advancement, and offer a lifestyle philosophy. He says, "If you have a root, you can absorb the pushes and pulls of everyday life. You will have slack, cushion, play and flexibility. This applies to the physical body, diet, and lifestyle." For class information, visit http://www.taichisage.com or call 650 494-7345. 

• 1 C barley
• 1 C medium grain brown rice
• 3 C water
• 2 pinches sea salt
• 3 red radishes, sliced thin
• 2 T umeboshi vinegar
• 1/2 C green beans, cut in one-inch pieces
• 1 or 2 sticks of celery, diced
• 1 or 2 scallions, sliced thin on the diagonal
• 1/4 C sesame seeds, toasted
• 1/2 C roasted almonds, chopped

Rinse the grains. Bring the grains, water and salt to a boil then simmer for 45 minutes. Put the radishes in a small bowl and cover with the umeboshi vinegar. Blanch the green beans and set aside. After grains cool, toss with the green beans, celery and scallions. Prepare the dressing below then pour in the salad and marinate up to 5 hours. When ready to serve, drain the radishes and add to salad. Add most of the sesame seeds and almonds and blend together. Garnish with the remaining seeds.

Orange Avocado Dressing

• 1/4 C orange juice
• 1/4 C avocado oil
• 1/2 bunch basil, chopped
• 1 T olive oil
• 3 T light miso
• 2 t garlic, crushed
• 1 T mirin
• 1 T lemon juice

Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the taste to the occasion.

by Patricia Becker

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