Why I keep talking about Permaculture....

I think I now truly realize how the application of permaculture principles

into our lives is the key to not only happiness, but health, freedom

 and possibly even future survival in the next few centuries.

Sure...we can buy veg and fruit at the market,

but standing in the middle of your garden,

surrounded by life that has been co-created by your hands and heart,

is something that just can't be labeled with a upc code.

It goes so much deeper than healthy food.

Its about the deep connection to the sacred through the cycles of life.

Its about true freedom...self-reliance, and knowing that you are HEALING 

your personal spot on this very special planet we call home.

Permaculture and the planting of FOOD FORESTS

will save the earth and feed every Earthling many times over.

By converting unused or formerly monocropped lands,

we can establish perennial food forests that will 

feed us, save us money and energy compared to growing monocultures,

and make our world a much more magical place.

I truly feel that it is the answer that can make everyone happy.

Permaculture Coffee

I was recently in Brasil and had the great opportunity to visit

an organic coffee plantation 3 hours north of Sao Paolo.

Walking through the forest, while being surrounded by coffee berries

was truly an experience that made my soul sing. Its hard to describe.

Enjoy the video...

check out their work at www.fafbrazil.com

Grow Paradise TV...

Sometimes I take time off from videos...now is NOT that time.

I have so much footage from the past 6 months, 

and I just now have the time to start going thru it and making some good vids.

Here is the new series...Grow Paradise TV! The time has come.

Please enjoy and share! Thank you!!!

-Anthony

Growing Paradise in Cape Town, South Africa

Rarely do Americans end up in Cape Town.

Its a great place, with a reputation that may scare away some

but overall an extremely pleasant place to be.

I was there for 6 weeks, and although I was flown out there for modeling,

a main personal priority was to plant a food forest out there for

my new social initiative, "Grow Paradise". 

It can be found at www.growparadise.com.

My talks and my writings have shifted from Raw Veganism

to more ones more based on Permaculture and holistic living in general.

I feel that this approach is not only more realistic and sound,

but can actually attract the masses and keep them excited about

this new lifestyle and an entire new way to view life.

Raw Veganism is extremely exclusive. Let's be honest.

Few people in our society would subscribe to it, 

and perhaps its because they really shouldn't or at least don't really have to.

So Rawmodel.com will keep having posts on it,
and will still have the youtube channel of course,

but the passion and the mission is Grow Paradise.

Soon I will be getting tote bags and organic t-shirts for this,

and will also be selling seeds and other related items again soon.

Its a huge year for everything, and because the story is so perfect,

I was able to help get this Cape Town Food Forest off the ground

and it all happened on Valentines Day. Too cool.

Enjoy the video - and please spread around if you'd like!

Im funding this with my own money and generous donations from others,

so even $1 or $5 helps! The "tip jar" is right on the main page of Grow Paradise.

There is a project happening in Harlem in a few weeks,

and I will be speaking there on "Career Day" April 4th about my story

and how eating healthy, exercise, and green living has helped my career. 

Projects and Retreats happening soon in Minnesota, Utah, Hawaii, New Jersey, 

Arizona, Florida, California, and so much more. 

Ill be speaking in London at the end of June as well, 

so definitely stay in touch on FB.

(www.facebook.com/anthony.a.anderson)

and 

(www.facebook.com/GrowParadise)

Big year...keep spreading the organic garden/food forest vibe!!

MindBodyGreen...5 Ways to Create Paradise on Earth

I did a post for MindBodyGreen.com awhile back and recently reread.

Check it out if you havent read it yet! Good solutions that you can take this weekend!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-2895/5-Ways-to-Replant-Paradise.html

It should be GROW Paradise...replant has a negative connotation to it in my opinion...

like we have to "fix" something...we are into full positive mode with GROW. 

Much love! Keep spreading this spirit!!!!

-Anthony

Ron Finley's Urban Food Forest

Ron Finley...the man understands.

Bless him and let this message spread like those seeds!!!

Schoolteacher Camden Long is growing paradise in Orlando, Florida

My new friend, and Partner in Paradise, Camden Long

has taken co-creation into his own hands and decided to plant

a food forest in the apartment complex he lives in.

He asked his landlord if this was possible, 

and luckily he received the go-ahead. 

His direct action is so noteworthy...he just went for it. 

No townhall votes, no petitions...just planting paradise. 

We need many more like this young man.

He is a teacher in Orlando, Florida, and has seen first hand

the need for REAL food and the paradise lifestyle in the 

community he lives and works in.

This is where we will see the change.

Signing online petitions is fine, and useful,

but things that Camden, myself, and many more are doing is what

will really create the change that sadly so many politicians hollowly promise.

Here are some pics from last Sunday...

Camden and I planted about 10% of his total number of trees purchased.

Trees he purchased HIMSELF. The man just went for it. 

He is taking this vision much further as well.

Incorporating it into a school project and applying for grants,

his goal is 25,000 fruit trees in Florida. 

Keep your eyes on this young man! 

The inspiration is spreading.

Creating Heaven on Earth. It is possible. 

One of the papaya plant gods...just waiting to be planted.

Why yes...thank you. 

A busy little girl just doing her thing...feasting on apple nectar.

Divinity is proved with this flower.

More than just a friend...a mentor...a provider...a classroom...

Camden grabbing some bags of Mushroom Compost to add to the sandy soil.

A little goes a long way!

Camden chatting it up with the kids that were instantly

curious as to what we were doing.

We didnt have permission to film them or take pictures,

(signed permission slips are being created for Camden's

fruit tree planting party this Saturday) but it didnt matter..

we were just in the moment...enjoying every second with our little friends.

Laying out some spots for the goodies...

Camden enjoying the view...giving some good energy to Ms Papaya before

we planted her into her new home...sending that energy is critical!

And me...doing the same...show love to the plants always. 

They give us SO much and really ask for so little in return.

Grow Paradise is a proud supporter of Camden and his project.

If you are in the Orlando area this Saturday (March 10, 2012)

Please attend this get-together. 

Here is the event on Facebook - 

http://www.facebook.com/events/294442233957072/

Here is the address - 

• 
  

• 7567 Sun Tree Circle Orlando, FL 32807

• There will be signs, and giveaways too!

From 11am to 3pm!

Thanks for doing what you do my friend!

Here is a vid from Grow Paradise's recent project in South Africa.

Spread this inspiration far and wide! Thank you!!!!

Please check out Grow Paradise as well for more updates and videos!

We are creating organic t-shirts, stickers, tote bags, and will be selling seeds

to raise funds for more of these food forests. We also glady accept any donations

to help get these projects moving. Keep growing paradise...its what we are here for!

Cape Town part 02

The beaches here are really great...massive boulders abound.

Its a little too developed for my taste, but they did it

pretty well and its probably the prettiest beaches

Ive seen with houses nearby...if you could call those "houses" haha.

Thank goodness for Woolworths...

They are one of the few places offering clean food.

I often go there everyday just for fun.

I'll usually eat one bag of this per day...

which isnt actually all that much, but greens are great.

Anyone recognize these?

AKA Incan Berries? 

Touted as a major superfood in the states and Europe,

they grow everywhere here and are basically just a sweet 

version of the tomatillo. I love them...I eat these with my yogurt.

R17.99 is about $2.50 - works for me! 

And yes...the good grass fed dairy. This chunk of goodness

cost me about $3...dairy is tricky...you gotta go for quality or

otherwise you should really just skip it. Too many questions marks.

I even harvested my own seaweeds and mussels on the beach the other

day and incorporated them into my scrambled eggs.

What would that go for at a restaurant? 

Being involved in the harvesting and then preparation

and finally the enjoyment of eating it...it really all makes 

it come full circle. I wonder if other people would even dream

of eating the seaweeds that cover these (very clean) beaches.

There is kelp EVERYWHERE.

When I see it for sale in the shops back home after this

I'll remember how people pile it up here and have it taken away lol...

Values...so different. Im telling you though...the people here could

really use those sea veggies...its a grain-potato based diet for sure,

and besides the young people, you don't see too many fit people.

I try to go to the beach at least 3 times a week..often walking home

past guava trees and busy restaurants.

I see everyone eating in the restaurants and it makes me kind of bummed out.

I don't like eating out alone...honestly Id rather just make it myself.

But when you see people eating out and having fun it definitely

does look appealing...Ive made friends here but its different.

Maybe im embellishing it all in my head.

Perhaps a wild-food meal at home while watching discovery channel is 

in fact a richer experience...maybe they both have their upsides.

I recently found a garden that Grow Paradise will be able

to help as well...they are a group of people living on the land

in the suburbs in abandoned buildings...they are technically squatters

but they have been there for so many years. They want to garden but

the willpower has been lacking. There are olive trees and fig trees there,

so Im thinking about putting in passionfruits, more figs, and whatever else

is more native or at least drought tolerant. Thats the beauty of the trees,

they grow so much easier than tender veggies. 

People think they have black thumbs when it comes to gardening,

but the fact is that they are growing very temperamental plants!!

More to come....

Cape Town...Part 01

Cape Town is really a fun city...Im enjoying every single day here.

 The Sunsets are amazing...and the beaches are absolutely 

loaded with life...so much kelp and seashells.

The seashells actually replace the sand. It goes to show what

nature can really do if humans let her.

Just a little exercise update. 

I've been staying at home each night after sunset

to make dinner and then work out.

I watch National Geographic, The Discovery Channel,

BBC, and The Home Channel 

(Some South African Version of HGTV)

and work do push ups and sit ups.

I havent been going out to eat much. 

I mostly cook at home.

What have I been eating? 

Biodynamic Yogurt, Sardines,

Sunwarrior Vanilla Powder, Coconut Oil,

Avocadoes, Cape Gooseberries, Kerrygold butter,

and nori sheets I brought from home.

There are lots of good places to get groceries though.

Its a very low sugar diet - and it WORKS.

Ive had very little fruit, and honestly I just dont want much

of it besides the occasional mango or papaya.

For Groceries, my favorite is "The Wellness Warehouse".

If you are ever in Cape Town...GO THERE.

This is Camps Bay...its LOVELY.

The 12 Apostles are the names for the peaks

behind the beach...I can only imagine all the good springs up there.

White Hibiscus! So pretty. Perfection really.

This is on the way to Camps Bay...Lots of people out at the beach

on a Sunday but what a view! I walked at least 5 miles and every

second had good scenery. 

This is the yogurt Ive been living off of!

I mix it with Cape Gooseberries (Inca Berries)

and its just great. 

And its biodynamic! Jersey Milk too...so better.

And since its fermented, no lactose! 

Perfect food...really. After years of vegan, I wish I would have

been open to this much earlier.

And check out this find!!! My friend Sephira gave this to me!

AMAZING! Probably the coolest wild food product Ive seen.

Im looking for more and will definitely bring some back for friends!!!

Much more to come....you would like Cape Town for sure...

it feels safe, its pretty, and the people are nice.

There are still remnants of racism here in a way...mostly just class based now.

Too much poverty leads to people putting up electric fences all over their property.

If the leaders and citizens only realized that we must ALL be abundant.

If only one group is, that is just as bad for them as the group facing lack.

We must all together Grow Paradise here...then there will be no need for locked

doors and closed hearts...2012 is the year to make this happen.

Up next - Boulders Beach - Wild Penguins and Wild Goji Berries!!!

Punta Cana December 2012

I would have thought that by now finding coconuts and other wild edibles

would have become mundane...I was so wrong. 

It still makes me so happy. 

Being grounded on the wet sand and connected

to the energy of the planet is so healing.

Get barefoot and work out your toes. 

Mine are finally spreading thanks to the vibrams and more barefoot living.

I wouldnt really go back to Punta Cana...it was beautiful and the

beaches were really nice, but there are so many other places to see in the world.

The magic just wasnt there like I thought...it could have been because

of where we stayed or the overall atmosphere, but it was still a 

wonderful place to disconnect and enjoy the fresh wind of the ocean

and way more fruit than Ive eaten in many many months. 

I brought back some passion fruit seeds so Ill be offering them

through the Grow Paradise Newsletter...sign up if youre interested.

When we got home, I was SO excited to drink springwater again.

I can't begin to explain how nasty bottled Reverse Osmosis water is after you've

had nothing but springwater for months and months.

We have it so good here. Never forget it.

SPAceforwellness

I sat in the sauna for 30 minutes with my ice cold bottle

of spring water from Cold Spring Harbor and then had my massage.

I love it when places have Saunas...its such a treat and I always

try to take advantage...the heat relaxes my body before

the massage too so it really adds to the whole experience.

I met Dr Joe (founder of the SFW) thru Organic Avenue

and he invited me to have a chat with him over some fresh

coconut water...I found him to be a really down to earth guy

that is truly a warrior for healing and clean eating.

He asked me to write an article for them, and I gladly agreed.

It can be found HERE.

I did a quick interview with Dr Joe that I am working on now,

and it should be up in a day or two.

So if you are living in NYC or are going to be in the city anytime soon,

I'd highly recommend visiting this oasis in the concrete jungle.

You'll completely forget that youre in a city.

I loved the "no shoe" policy too! Genius!

They can be for at 122 E 25th St btwn Park and Lexington

and their phone number is 212-460-0001. Give them a visit.

Their main site can be found here.

Thx again Dr Joe!

A Walk in the Woods

I've been really busy with consultations lately,

and although most are via phone or skype,

more and more are becoming in-person consults and

once in a great while these moments take you to special places.

It was a foraging/green lifestyle kind of consult.

However, being December, I was a little anxious about what we would find.

Sure enough though - the stars aligned and we found so much abundance!

Check these oyster mushrooms. Perfection.

All the rain and wind created so much mushroom food...they are thriving.

There were loads of stinging nettles too.

I was picking them through my glove and I still got nipped.

The tip of my right index finger was tingling for at least 12 hours.

Turkey Tail....again, perfection.

With the evening light, they were glowing.

Look up the power of Turkey Tail...especially for destroying breast cancer.

Here, a primo flush of oysters.

The understory of food forests and any orchard/garden should be

loaded with spots like this...It was a joy to see.

We saw someone riding a horse earlier in the walk,

but then we saw this horse and buggy coming closer quickly.

I took a photo just because it was such a rare site to see these days,

especially 45 minutes from NYC. (Not counting Central Park of course).

A group of four, and who was at the helm?

David Rockefeller. Um...DAVID ROCKEFELLER?

He waved at us as if he was our cheery old grandfather.

I couldnt believe my eyes.

It was so abrupt, so unexpected, and so out of place.

Turns out that he lives in the area and obviously enjoys

taking the horses through the woods in his free time...

Now, from what Ive heard about Mr Rockefeller...

well...organizations like the Trilateral Commission,

The Bilderberg Group, The Council on Foreign Relations,

and the now infamous Federal Reserve Bank of NY come to mind.

Many people think this guy is pure evil,

and here he was, just a fragile small-statured man,

waving at us as he was riding his horse and buggy through the woods.

One minute ago I was picking oyster mushrooms in the forest,

now Im looking "Mr Illuminati" in a horse and carriage? What the..?

This is how some people greet him -

Mr Rockefeller is accused of some nasty stuff,

but would it have made sense for me to yell something mean?

Honestly, I was in pure shock when it occurred,

but had I wanted to actually yell something out,

it probably would have been "Grow Paradise David!"

"FOOD FORESTS! ECO-VILLAGES!"

I will always think the "Food Forest" term will sink into

anyone's heart once they hear it and they grasp its potential to help us.

But again, I was half shocked and half scared.

I mean...if you watch some of the related youtube vids

as I have in the past, you wouldnt take a moment like that too lightly.

Yet, it amazed me how casual the four of them were.

It was so surreal to say the least.

We wondered through the back paths of Blue Hill at Stone Barns.

This was once a part of the Rockefeller property,

and now it is a beautiful place to eat very expensive local + organic food.

This is how we all used to eat for eons. Local, lighty processed, organic food.

We have to bring this model back to the everyone though...

Its a beautiful place of course and roaming the property is amazing,

but the food really shows the value in growing our own and

making our own food with love...its beyond priceless!

And its just so wonderful how affordable it all is when you

take on the responsibility and do it yourself. Its a win-win for SURE.

A bit dark, but you can see that even in December they have lush growth

and covercrops going in the garden...nothing sadder than an

empty garden in the fall....people usually stop gardening after september

for no reason! Kale, Collards, Arugula, Beets, Spinach...tons of greens...

they all thrive in the fall weather and with care they never have to stop.

They had bees too...its a fun place to visit,

and if you dont want to visit the restaurant,

there are gift shops and places to get small treats I think.

They color the boxes to help the bees see better...

never thought of that but it sounds good to me!

Aesthetically though...I love a nice unpainted wood for my hives.

Here were some of their cows.

This was kind of sad, because although many of the cows

were truly on pasture, some, like these, were just in muddy

enclosures eating dried hay in the feed troughs.

Who knows when these cows will be consumed (eeks!)

but they certainly werent eating fresh green grass right there.

I would hope that those cows better be eating

the freshest, ocean mineral enriched, biodynamically grown grass possible.

Again...it shows the value of doing things ourselves.

Maybe they bring these cows on pasture in the spring before

butchering, but for me this wasn't really exciting.

Even the pigs they had...just roaming around in mud.

No grass or tubers or wild greens.

Just think of the amazing quality produced

when you raise animals and plants yourself...its hard to match.

So what was at first a consultation about foraging and food forests,

turned into quite an afternoon...

Its all about being in the flow and letting the lessons come your way.

The teachers are everywhere...

the mushrooms on the logs, the pigs in the mud,

the old billionaires driving their horses, and especially the sunset.

There is magic in every moment...

open yourself to it and see how it starts to flood in!

BTW - My consultation page is HERE - contact me for those

and also for setting up food forest clinics in your neighborhood.

The time is now to start planning!

-A

The Hybrid to Feed us All

This system heals the Earth.

It stops erosion, safely holds rainwater, and keeps the ground cool.

It requires no energy on humanity's part to keep it running.

If the system is large enough, it actually produces rain.

However, many people believe that this cannot feed the hungry masses.

This system destroys the earth.

It hurts the soil, creates erosion and desertification,

and requires endless amounts of energy to maintain.

However, this system produces large amounts of food.

Whether that food is appropriate to eat or not isnt a concern

for most people...mainstreamers just think about numbers.

When I see these fields, I see desert. I see former forests.

This system, which is a hybrid of the two (but far more benign than #2)

is the answer and will feed the planet while healing it at the same time.

http://www.patternliteracy.com/127-seeing-the-garden-in-the-jungle

This is a great article from Toby Hemenway that will lay a good

foundation for the next few lines. I highly suggest reading it.

There is always the argument:

We need forests, but we also need food. Fields give us more food.

(Do they? If yes, at what cost?)

What is sad is that we have come so far from what makes sense.

What is joyous is that we have the answer now.

The Food Forest. A consciously designed forest

that is loaded with highly productive varieties.

The Food Forest secures water,

prevents erosion, provides shade and protection to the soil,

and it feeds us quite nicely without much energy needed.

The biggest goal we are facing is the shift from monoculture fields

to polyculture forest garden systems. Its already happening all over

the world, and the sooner we can turn the second picture into the third,

the better off EVERYTHING will be.

A forest that FEEDS us. That is what we need.

Very similar to the idea of the Garden of Eden.

Now why haven't our leaders (government, religious, cultural)

ever proposed or implemented this idea?

Is there something that they are keeping from us?

I know its all about efficiency and money.

But luckily when the cheap fuel starts running out (and it is obviously)

we will be forced to resort to systems not reliant on tractors,

combines, spraying machines, and transport to ship it all far away.

The food forest is the obvious answer for our future.

Just keep spreading the term "Food Forest".

That word is imprinted with white magic and when people hear it,

something deeper and instinctual arises within their hearts.

Keep talking about it. But not overbearingly.

Casually mention it at work.

Tell people that you're thinking about planting a food forest

in your backyard. Tell them that you heard about it on TV.

It will resonate. There is something about those two words.

It will um..."plant a seed" in their mind and get things moving.

We can have food and forests covering out blessed planet.

There is no need for any lack, and poverty, any struggle.

Food Forests are the answer to every challenge we face.