Future Homeless Teen Center Destroyed By Fire to be repurposed for Greenhouse Pit

On Easter Sunday, the home that my Children grew up in was completely demolished. We are working to recover any valuables and resources that we can. If you are able to help, please call me at 8163047240 or Email at amen.ankh@live.com -We could use any manpower, tools, equipment and trucks that you can spare. We are trying to retrieve the stones and bricks and any wood that we can recycle and repurpose for our farms and neighborhood projects…

 This week, to my shock and surprise, I found my house on 1330 E 33rd street, completely leveled, with people digging through the structure for whatever they could glean! I was completely devastated. The artwork that I stored for my friend Maurice Copeland was all burned and lost in the fire. I was told by the fire department that the house next door was burning and the flames and heat moved over to our house. It was my hope to turn this house into a transitional center for homeless, runaway teens and juvenile re-entry. It is vital that our neighborhoods embrace the need to provide temporary housing, mentoring Green Sustainable careers and support to our youth. Although my hopes are gone for this house, We know that a Youth transitional center is still needed. We hope to aquire another building to provide this necessary support for our youth. Presently we are deconstructing the house to use the Wood, Stone and brick materials at our other vacant lot sites. We hope we can use the vacant lot for growing food that can feed our youth and provide them with green careers and vocations.

Amen Par Ankh (Sacred House of Life) and Amen Ankh Urban Farm; is a local Urban Farm nestled around a Spiritual Outreach and Education Center in the heart of midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Contact Us and become a member, as We Celebrate the Cycles of Life! Email: amen.parankh@gmail.com , or amen.ankh@live.com, and Call: 816-304-7240 to sign-up for courses and support: http://www.gofundme.com/amen-urban-farm , information: http://emwot.ws/Amen_ParAnkh , http://amen-parankh.blogspot.com/ , Look for us on FaceBook & Twitter We Celebrate the Cycles of Life, Wellness and Balance in our everyday existence on earth. We assist in Wellness for Physical Fitness, Mental Health, and Spiritual Attunement - to realize the fullest capacities of life, health, prosperity and strength. We provide Whole Life Coaching, Energy work, A Par Ankh Reading Room, Org-Ankh Electric food Boxes, an Herbal Tea House & Juice bar, Outdoor Experiences, classes such as Cultural Headwrapping, Natural Hair oils, beading and Lox twisting, Cosmetics, and Herbal products. We offer Classes in ASCAC (The Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization), Art Healing Mandalas, Jewelry Making, Gentle Yoga, Canning and preserving food, Health and Wellness Study Courses. We make Gifts and Accessories. We Celebrate and show our respect of nature with Cultural Ceremonies, Workshops and special events. Amen Par Ankh means sacred House of Life. We Celebrate Life! We provide a space for your own personal discovery with quiet reflection and time for internal work, as well as an active space for expressions of our original ways of life. Ceremony, Counseling, Coaching, Cleansings, & Classes Amen Ankh Urban Farm is an urban agricultural enterprise with the goal of achieving environmental justice and sustainability by Healthy local food production and improving local neighborhood access to healthy Foods. We run Aquaponic Systems of farm raised fish, Herbs and microgreens. We sell Org-Ankh Electric Food Boxes! We also provide Farm-a-See tours of successful Local Farmers with the “Green Griot” Sasteh Meter Mosley. We grow selected local indigenous Herbs, Fruits, Vegetable and plant life of the Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash/Melons and cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, and Kale, With Wheat Grass and other Sprouts, Herbs: Basil, Sage, Chives, Rosemary, Parsley, Peppers, with Moringa nutritional drink supplements, -From our foods we produce Baked Goods, cosmetics, & liniments to provide Healing and Sovereignty: Through the inspiration of Kujichagulia (Self-determination) for all Original peoples. Dua (Th-ankh you!) ♥.

Easter and East Star the Festival of Renewal

Easter Eastre East-Star -the Festival of Renewal

The Holy day of East Star was originally a celebration of renewal and rebirth for original Indigo people. Celebrating the return of early spring, it honors the Mother Nature goddess is known in ancient Indigo societies as Nu, Nut, Auset, and Het-Heru. The Sun star was represented as Ausar, Set, and  Heru.  Later in west Afrikan cultures, nature was represented as the Orishas, and in many cultures following, like the Druids, then the Greeks, Romans and Pagans as, Eostra, Hathor, Isis, Ishtar, Oestera, Eastre(Esther), Aurora, or Adonis...

Earth has been referred to as Mother since ancient times as “Mother Earth” and “Mother Nature.”

The Goddess Nut, swallows the sun as Heru striking his uncle Set every evening, then to give birth to the Sun as Ausar every morning. During the night, guided by the moonlight of his mother Auset, a battle of Heru and his uncle Set is fought to release Heru's father, Ausar, and to once again witness the rising of Ausar to take his place as earth sovereign of all things green and growing. 

Auset brought forth her son Heru, after the murder of her husband Ausar, symbolic of abundant crops, as the rains from the sky met the welcoming earth in the spring. Festivals like “The Marriage Feast of Canaan” were Spring fertility rites in ancient times which celebrated Pregnancy, and the dawn of spring and fertility. The dawn of the Sun Star the equinox, was in the east, so Sunrise celebrations centered on growth and renewal were celebrated. Growers celebrated to ask petition for abundant crops, and eggs were eaten and exchanged as talismans.



Easter is exceptional, depending on where you live in proximity to the Equator. There are only 3 seasons, instead of 4 for those living near the equator.

Other Names of Spring Goddess:



With brightening and longer days after the Vernal equinox, Eastre is full of growth and passion of new life. Eastre was known as Ma, the Great Mother Goddess of Northern Europe, by our Ancient Twa/Khoisan Ancestars. She is a goddess of dawn and spring, and her name derives from dawn, the light arising from East. The word, East and the female hormone, estrogen is also related to her.

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The Rite of Spring,

Eastre’s male consort was the Sun god Ra, and rites of spring were celebrated in her honor on the first day of spring. Celebrations were on the first full moon following vernal equinox. The full moon represents a “pregnant” phase of Eastre, passing into fertility to give birth to the Sun’s offspring.

“Eastre” is derived from the direction East, and the Spring Goddess is associated with dawn. Eastre is related to the Indo-European Hausos, Goddess of dawn, and the Roman and Greek Goddesses, Aurora and Eos. In German Austron means dawn, derived from Aus, “to shine.” The ancient word for Spring was Eastre, and Goddesses in many cultures are celebrated as the bearer of springtime.

https://sites.google.com/site/browarddrumcircle/Home/links/fullmoon/firstfminfo

Aphrodite ~ Cyprus

Ashtoreth ~ Israel

Astarte ~ Greece

Demeter ~ Mycenae

Auset ~ Het-Heru (Hathor) ~ Kemet (Egypt)

Ishtar ~ Assyria

Kali ~ India

Ostara ~ Norse Goddess of fertility

The Middle East celebrates many Spring festivals, including the Iranian Nowruz, ascension of the mythological king of Persia. Commemorated by Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, India, Turkey, Zanzibar, Albania, Kurds, and central Asia, it is a Zorostrian holiday, and celebrated by Baha’i’ and Nizari Ismalili Muslims.

Sham El Nessim has been celebrated since 2700 B.C. the ancients celebrated this creation story with a feast at the Great Pyramid. The feast of Shemu, means ‘renewal of life’ later changed to Shu/‘shamm’ (smelling or breathing) and ‘nessim’ (breeze). Sham El Nessim is celebrated as a national holiday, and is celebrated by Christians and Muslims as “Easter Monday”.

Rabbits and Eggs

Eastre represents renewal and fertility, and eggs and rabbits were sacred to her. Rabbits are a potent symbol of fertility, as a female rabbit can conceive a second litter while still pregnant with the first! The markings of the full moon were believed by some Eastern cultures to be an image of a rabbit pounding a mortar.

The Earth in Spring is filled with fertility and awakening, many people get married during this season and many children are born during this time. The egg is an obvious symbol, and it has been a symbol of rebirth since ancient times. The hare was the sacred animal of the Spring Moon. At vernal equinox, an egg is the symbol of New Life.

Our Mother Earth

Earth is referred to as Mother since ancient times: “Mother Earth” and “Mother Nature.” Watching the cycles of Nature one sees that rain falling brings life to Earth, so ancient cultures saw Father as Heaven, and Earth as Mother.

Auset suckling her Sun Heru

So essentially Easter is the celebration of the fertile womb and the lunar menstrual cycle. Easter was not always celebrated as the Ascension Christ from the dead; the meaning of Easter was quite different from what Christians celebrate today. Long before the name of Jesus, many peoples associated this festival with the coming back to life of the god of the earth Ta-mmuz (see Ezek 8:14,) also known as Geb, Ausar, Adonis Orpheus or Perseus, who had been dead in the underworld during the winter to rise in the spring. The name by which Christians still celebrate the festival is the name of the ancient fertility goddess Eastre, Ishtar, Auset, or Ashtoreth (whose name also survives in the name of one of the books of the Old Testament, the only Bible book that contains no reference to God - the Book of Esther).

Ausar is the god who conquered the underworld. Easter was celebrated as a time of new life, Beauty, sunshine, and birth. Jesus (in the Christian version of the myth) is just the latest in a long line of gods to symbolize new life through resurrection. Easter was originally (and still is) a celebration of the fertility of the earth, renewed each springtime. The egg, the chick, the rabbit, the flowers, are all fertility symbols (and much older than this latest Christian symbol of the resurrected god). Its celebration has often been marked by sexual exuberance, pregnancy and new birth, as is still prominent in the pre-Lenten Carnivals and Mardi Gras festivals and the phallic symbolism of the May pole and the cross.

The precise date of Easter has at times been a matter for contention. By the later 2nd century, it was accepted that the celebration of the holiday was a practice of the disciples and an undisputed tradition.

The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the March equinox. Ecclesiastically, the equinox is reckoned to be on 21 March. Easter is a movable feast, meaning it is not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. The date of Easter therefore varies from 22 March to 25 April inclusive. churches in and around Rome observed the practice of celebrating Easter on the following Sunday calling it “the day of the resurrection of our Savior.”

Western Christianity, using the Gregorian calendar, Easter always falls on a Sunday between 22 March and 25 April inclusive, whereas Eastern Christianity bases its calculations on the Julian calendar, whose 21 March corresponds, during the 21st century, to 3 April in the Gregorian calendar, and in which therefore the celebration of Easter varies between 4 April and 8 May. Initially, in the early days,

The specific day on which the resurrection should be celebrated became a major point of contention within the church.

If his resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him, when was he crucified- To rise again in three days? Did he rise on the Sabbath or the first day of the week?

It is the central tenet of Christian faith and theology and part of the Nicene Creed: "On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.” The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of the Christian faith, according to the Apostle Paul, who even says that if Jesus Christ has not been resurrected then the Christian faith is worthless and futile (1 Cor. 15:14-17). Therefore, without Easter there is no Christianity.

WE MUST BREAK THIS GHOST-SPELL DEATH CYCLE FOR OUR YOUTH!
KRST WITHIN- THE HOPE OF GLORY!
WE MUST TRANSFORM OUR MINDS FROM MENTAL SLAVERY! HEAL THYSELF

Maafa syndrome was constantly occurring in the Americas, long before Stockholm syndrome... Maafa Syndrome is the total identification with an abuser, for the hope of favor. Maafa Syndrome is capture bonding. Many of Our Indigo People of color have totally rejected their own Cultural and Spiritual practices and Icons, that were empowering for Nation building and their own interests and survival, to completely surrender and embrace a false god, created in the image of a western alien construct by Asians, Aryan Caucasians and Arabs, for the sole purpose of perpetuating, propagating the interests and survival of Arabs, and Aryan Caucasians, to absolutely and perpetually control the Cultural Social, economic, political, educational, capital resources of the masses of Human Indigo peoples of color around the world! These believers have colorized this Icon, (like making chitterlings into a gourmet delicacy,)  and will lay down their lives, and turn on their own family, to protect this deeply embedded inception... "The Matrix is a technicolor dream world"... Morpheus...

Historically, the Christian church, because it could not eradicate the celebration of this popular festival, reinterpreted it and assigned to it a new meaning, but was unable to erase completely its original significance. The Mother and Sun Icons, the egg and the rabbit, the Ankh, the Khepra Beetle (the real symbols of this festival) will continue to be loved and celebrated as long as we can marvel at the new life which the spring brings.

Things to Energize You!

Decorate your home with Spring flowers; crocuses, daffodils, violets, lilac, lilies, roses, iris
Add something green: a plant, candles, soap to represent growth and expansion
Work on projects and ideas initiated around Winter Solstice

Here are some favorite Spring Flower symbols. Add some to your home!

Dogwood Flower: 4 petals symbolize 4 directions
Iris: Purity, wisdom, faith, birth blessing, life, and resurrection
Honeysuckle: Rebirth, renewal, spiritual sight, versatile mind
Jasmine: Lunar, psychic, spiritual love
Lily: Strong associations with fertility, purity, rebirth
Rose: True love, joy, yellow roses for Eastre

These are some of the many herbs that can be used for cleansing and raising our immune system:

Dandelions
Clover
Garlic
Green Tea
Purple Dead-Nettle
Stinging Nettle
Lemons/Limes


The soil is prepared, planting season has begun, so sow your seeds and hard work will bring you full bloom!

Amen Par Ankh (Sacred House of Life) and Amen Ankh Urban Farm; is a local Urban Farm nestled around a Spiritual Outreach and Education Center in the heart of midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Contact Us and become a member, as We Celebrate the Cycles of Life! Email: amen.parankh@gmail.com , or amen.ankh@live.com, and Call: 816-281-7704 to sign-up for courses, information: http://emwot.ws/Amen_ParAnkh , http://amen-parankh.blogspot.com/ , Look for us on Twitter , LinkedIn. We Celebrate the Cycles of Life, Wellness and Balance in our everyday existence on earth. We assist in Wellness for Physical Fitness, Mental Health, and Spiritual Attunement - to realize the fullest capacities of life, health, prosperity and strength. We provide Whole Life Coaching, Energy work, A Par Ankh Reading Room, Org-Ankh Electric food Boxes, an Herbal Tea House ; Juice bar, Outdoor Experiences, classes such as Cultural Headwrapping, Natural Hair oils, Henna healing designs, beading and Lox twisting, Cosmetics, and Herbal products. We offer Classes in ASCAC (The Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization), Art Healing Mandalas, Jewelry Making, Gentle Yoga, Canning and preserving food, Health and Wellness Study Courses. We make Gifts and Accessories. We Celebrate and show our respect of nature with Cultural Ceremonies, Workshops and special events. Amen Par Ankh means sacred House of Life. We Celebrate Life! We provide a space for your own personal discovery with quiet reflection and time for internal work, as well as an active space for expressions of our original ways of life. Ceremony, Counseling, Coaching, Cleansings, and Classes Amen Ankh Urban Farm is an urban agricultural enterprise with the goal of achieving environmental justice and sustainability by Healthy local food production and improving local neighborhood access to healthy Foods. We run Aquaponic Systems of farm-raised fish, Herbs and microgreens. We create custom landscapes of Victory gardens for health and home. We also provide Urban Farm-a-See tours of successful Local Farmers with the “Green Griot” Sasteh Meter Mosley. We grow selected local indigenous Herbs, Fruits, Vegetable and plant life of the Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash/Melons and cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, and Kale, With Wheat Grass and other Sprouts, Herbs: Basil, Sage, Chives, Rosemary, Parsley, Peppers, with Moringa nutritional drink supplements, -From our foods we produce Baked Goods, cosmetics, and; liniments to provide Healing and Sovereignty: Through the inspiration of Kujichagulia (Self-determination) for all Original peoples. Feel free or Contact the Amen Ankh Urban Farm... amen.ankh@live.com or call: 816-281-7704 Please like our facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/Green.Griot https://www.facebook.com/PARANKH , https://www.facebook.com/Amen.Ankh.Farm , https://www.facebook.com/Adenike.Art , https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ankh-The-Way-of-Life-Communities/
Dua (Th-ankh you!) ♥.

Amen Ankh Urban Farm- Wild Edible Plant Foods: Identifying Purslane

Foraging: Identifying and Eating Purslane (avoid poisonous spurge!)

Purslane: abundant, tasty, very nutritious, and pretty easy to identify--with just a couple pointers!

Identification difficulty for the Novice

Purslane, (latin name: Portulaca oleracea), is a wonderful, edible "weed". It's tasty, versatile, highly nutritious, easy to find, grows everywhere and is relatively easy to identify. It's not native to North America, so it is generally considered to be an invasive weed. For those of you with an interest in Foraging, homesteading, and/or sustainable eating, choosing invasive species for your meals is one of the most sustainable, locavore options. There's even a word for it: invasivore

Purslane does have one dangerous look-a-like: the potentially deadly spurges. (Euphorbia varieties). I find that they really don't look that much alike, and there is one tried and true way to tell them apart--making purslane a good plant for even a novice forager. 

With that in mind, I'd like to tell you everything I have learned about purslane, including how to identify it, and how not to confuse it with spurge, and some basic cooking tips. 

Purslane history

Purslane has spread throughout all of the Old World, (Europe, North Africa, and Asia). It is eaten fairly frequently through out it's range, especially in the Indian subcontinent. With European imperialism, purslane spread to Australia and North and South America, where is is commonly eaten,(especially Mexico)-- Strangely, it is often considered a weed and not eaten in U.S. or Canada in the modern day. (It used to be eaten in parts of the US as recently as WWII.)

Purslane can be found almost anywhere, and can adapt itself to a variety of climates, from arid to damp, hot to cold, and sun to shade. It's considered a succulent, and can adapt itself to environments that experience the extremes of  rainy seasonal monsoons and months-long droughts.

Identifying Purslane: Portulaca oleracea*

1. Purslane grows low along the ground, generally under 3". Occasionally it will create a bunch or cluster, which can grow about 6" high. It grows from a central taproot, so all the branches of an individual plant will come together at the same place. 
2. Purslane is a succulent. Both stalk and leaves have a thick, fleshy feeling to them. The leaves are not as thick as in most decorative succulents, but their leaves and stems are thicker than spurge. Think of the thickness of kid leather. (See close-up pic). 
3. Stems can be red or green with a reddish tinge. Small bright yellow flowers can grow from the cluster of leaves. Leaves are a bright green.
4. Leaves grow out from the stalk in a "star", of four leaves. Sometimes 2 of these leaves will form before the others, but most times you see the leaves on a plant they will be in groups of 4--often 2 large and 2 small. This looks very similar to a whorled leaf configuration.
   See pic.

   

   The four-leaf "star" like growth of purslane

5. Purslane leaf edges are smooth, not serrated. (They don't have jagged or toothy edges)
6. Purslane stems are smooth and hairless. 
7. Most importantly: if you break the stem of purslane, there is NO sticky white liquid (called latex), Purslane may be a little sticky, but it will be clear, not white. However, small the latex on small spurge plants can be very hard to notice and/or dry up quickly, so make sure to use ALL identification points.

Disclaimer

Important!

Never eat any wild plant unless you are 100% sure that you have identified an edible species.
Always cross-reference the information you find on the internet with an expert, a foraging group, or several reference books. Have fun, but be responsible. Identification is entirely your responsibility. . . and it can also mean your life!

*As always you should never accept anything you read on the internet without verifying it for yourself with either a local expert or several publications. Colors can vary from monitor to monitor, and images are not as clear as in printed materials. Personally, before I eat anything I verify it with at least 3 reliable sources. I have found this to be a remarkably good way of ensuring my safety when foraging. 

This blog has been put together for general information, education, reference, Spirituality, Current Events and Entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, or the American Medical Association and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific conditions. Ask your doctor for his professional advice before making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle.

Poisonous Spurges: Euphorbia varieties

1. Euphobia is a pretty big genus, including poinsettias, which are also poisonous. Spurges also grow low along the ground, generally under 3", and they too can grow higher. They also grow in a creeping fashion, out of a central point. 
2. Spurges are not succulents, so the leaves are thinner, like typical plants. If you look at this spurge image, the leaves are almost paper-thin. Not all varieties are this delicate, but none are as thick as those of purslane.
3. Stems can be red or green with a reddish tinge. Leaves are a darker green, compared to purslane, in most varieties. 
4. Leaves grow parallel to each other on the stem in pairs. These leaves will always be opposite each other on the stem, unless they are growing at the junction of a branch. (Then the 2 leaves and the branch will come off the stem evenly spaced--like the spokes in a wheel). But there will never be more than 2 leaves at the same point on the stem. 
5. Every spurge I know of has serrated, indented or toothed leaves. However, sometimes these serrations are very small, and the teeth can also be small and widely spaced--appearing smoother. 
6. Most (but not all) spurges have hairy stems. Some also have hairy leaves.
7. Most importantly: if you break the stem of a spurge, it will ooze a sticky white liquid, called latex.

Because of leaf pairings, spurge tends to grow more horizontal than purslane. A flatter flat, if you will.

 Just as poinsettia can become a problem for house pets, spurges have caused deaths among sheep or other small domestic foraging animals. If you have spurge in your yard, I would use gloves, and try pulling it out if you have young children or pets who go out un-escorted. 

Sustainability

Purslane is a non-native species in the Americas. (To be completely fair, there may be native varieties, but they have interbred and/or died out from competition with the ones brought over from the new world). Purslane is commonly considered to be an invasive species. Invasive generally implies that the plant is doing active harm to the native environment/species, like edible Kudzu. Invasive species are generally considered to be beneficial. in their introduction,

However purslane has been here so long that it's pretty much done whatever damage it's going to do. Like dandelion, it's very possible that purslane wiped out native species when it arrived, but the invading colonizers weren't keeping track, so we really have no idea.

Eating a bunch of purslane, even wiping out a local patch or two isn't going to do any damage to your environment. (Provided you don't use chemicals, of course). Of course, In my opinion, purslane is a very pretty plant, as well as a tasty one. And, given that it can and will grow everywhere, and spreads quickly, you can use it for a nice ground cover in areas you are having difficulty getting anything to grow. Purslane will grow from cuttings, so if you want to get rid of it, don't compost, or let it go to seed. Kept in check, however purslane is a good companion plant for gardens, and helps retain soil moisture.

Eating Purslane

Purslane is a great vegetable for anyone: forager, or gardener. Unlike some wild plants which are bitter (and need to be boiled) or tough and stringy (and do best in a food processor), purslane has excellent flavor and texture, and can be prepared raw or cooked. The leaves, flowers and stems are all edible, (I have never heard of anyone eating the roots--so I would avoid them).

Eaten raw, they have a juicy, crunchy texture. I would call it closest to celery, with an okra like liquid. without the stringiness of celery. The flavor is somewhat tart with a mellow grassy note, or like a mild seaweed.  Where I used to live, it grew prolifically, by roadsides and parking lots--(areas where you would risk ingesting dangerous chemicals.)

Use purslane raw in salads, and sandwiches. When cooked, purslane looses much of it's unique texture, becoming soft like cooked spinach. If you cook it lightly, however, it makes an excellent substitute for pasta--like a thick spaghetti or an udon noodle. Purslane is naturally vegan and gluten free, but has mucilaginous aspect: like okra, purslane will release a sticky liquid when cooked. This "mucilage" can be used to thicken soups and stews, or even an egg white substitute, but if using purslane as a pasta substitute, you will need to rinse the veggie thoroughly and may need multiple changes of boiling water. Cooking purslane also removes much of the sour apple flavor, making it taste more like a spinach or other cooked pot-herb. Other cultures around the world use purslane in baked goods, including semi-sweet applications.

Nutrition

I rarely get to talk about nutrition in wild plants, because the studies just haven't been done. But purslane has a long history of consumption, throughout the world, and we know a lot about what it has to offer.

Purslane is a nutritional powerhouse. Vegetarians and vegans especially will be excited to know that purslane has more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant. It's protein and iron concentrations are higher than in any cultivated vegetable--including kale. Purslane has more magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin E than kale as well. In a calorie to calorie comparison, it has more potassium than a banana. In addition there are some B vitamins, a good amount of vitamin C, a fair amount of calcium, and a smattering of those micronutrients people say we should get more of. . . All nutritional data has been gathered from the Wikipedia page. 

Note of caution

Purslane has oxalates in it, similar to Japanese knotweed and wood sorrel. As we've mentioned before, many veggies you can buy in the store have oxalic acid, including spinach and rhubarb. People with kidney problems and/or rheumatoid arthritis should avoid these foods. The sick, the elderly, the very young and women who are pregnant or nursing should also avoid wild plants on general principle.

Thankh full for reading our articles!

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(c) All rights reserved. No part of this Blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author; Nuta Beqsu Adenike AmenRa

I am available for Consultations, Life Coaching and Counseling, Lectures, Libations, Griot Spoken Word Presentations, KMT Wedding, Birth and Ascension officiant, Salutations and Blessings for new beginnings, Home and Businesses, Afrikan Storytelling, Conferences and Workshops Contact: amen.parankh@gmail.com or amen.ankh@live.com Phone: 816-839-7945

The information on this website has been put together for general information, education, reference, Spirituality Current Events and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific condition. Ask your doctor for his professional advice before making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle. 

Amen Par Ankh (sacred temple of life) and Amen Ankh Academy; is a local home school network, and Urban Farm nestled around a Spiritual Outreach Ministry and an Education Center in the heart of midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Contact our Minister and Director: Kandaki Ma Nuta Beqsu Moses aka Adenike AmenRa El and become a member of our Gnome Maafia- as We Celebrate the Cycles of Life! Email: amen.ankh@live.com, and Call: 816-839-7945 to sign-up for courses and support: PAYPAL: amen.parankh@gmail.com , information: http://emwot.ws/Amen_ParAnkh , http://amen-parankh.blogspot.com ,also Look for us on Twitter and LinkedIn. https://www.gofundme.com/Amen-Urban-Farm We acknowledge our Great Ancient Ancestral history and heritage of First People Spiritual Ways. We provide an Online Homeschool Curriculum network and After school STEMM (science technology, mathematics and medicine) careers with hands on Agriculture Experiences. –You GROWW Girls and Youth Going Green Economic Literacy study group. We Respect Mother Earth and acknowledge the natural sciences and ecology with recycling. We provide Ancestor Libation Ceremonies, KMT Readings for Destiny, Health, Career and Relationship Consultations using the Ausar Auset Method, We perform Home Blessings, African Naming, KMT Ordained Weddings and Wedding planning, We celebrate and observe the Equinox and Solstice events, where we celebrate and show our respect for the wonder of nature with Cultural Ceremonies, Song, music, dance, Workshops and special events. We Grow and make Org-Ankh Electric foods, Gifts, and Accessories. We provide an Online Radio Call-in show for Outreach ministry: Amen Communications http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amencommunications Newborn Blessings, Home and Business Spiritual Cleansing and Blessings, Ancient Funeral rites and Ascension ceremonies, Par Ankh Reading Room, Herbal Teas and Juice bar, Nature walks and Outdoor camping Experiences, classes such as Spiritual Jewelry making, Sewing and other hand crafts, Henna Healing designs, of Head wrapping arts, Making Natural Hair oils, beading and Lox twisting, Cosmetics, and Herbal products. Also Envisioning, Dream Catchers, Vision Boards, Art Healing Mandalas, Spiritual Jewelry Making, Gentle Yoga, Canning and preserving food, We assist in Wellness for Body Mind and Spirit for Spiritual Attunement - to realize the fullest capacities of life, health, prosperity and strength. We provide an active space for expressions of our original wisdom ways of life. Ceremony, Counseling, Coaching, Cleansings and Classes The information on this Blogsite has been put together for general information, education, reference, Spirituality Current Events and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific condition. Ask your doctor for his professional advice before making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle. Amen Ankh Urban Farm is an urban agricultural enterprise with the goal of achieving environmental justice and sustainability by Healthy local food production and improving local neighborhood access to healthy Foods. We are growing orchards and constructing Aquaponic Systems of farm raised fish, Herbs and microgreens. We also provide Farm-a-See tours of successful Local Farmers with the “Green Griot”. We grow selected local “Org-Ankh” electric indigenous Herbs, Fruits, Vegetable and plant life of the Three Sisters: (Corn, Beans, and Squash/Melons) and cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, and Kale, With Wheat Grass and other Sprouts, Herbs: Basil, Sage, Chives, Rosemary, Parsley, Peppers, with Moringa nutritional drink supplements, -From our Fresh produce we create canned and Baked Goods, teas, cosmetics, and liniments to provide Healing through the inspiration of Kujichagulia (Self-determination) for everyone. Feel free or Contact the Director: Queenma Nuta Beqsu Moses aka Adenike Amen-Ra Please like our facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/Green.Griot https://www.facebook.com/PARANKH , https://www.facebook.com/Amen.Ankh.Farm , https://www.facebook.com/Adenike.Art , https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ankh-The-Way-of-Life-Communities/140162689375565 Dua (Th-ankh you!) ♥.

Amen Ankh Is Growing Green

THE TIME IS NOW TO "GROW GREEN"

 Our ancestors repurposed and reused everything. You can go to many African Countries, even now and find beautiful jewelry, unique furniture, and accessories created from recycled and found items that have often been rejected and thrown away by other people.

Here in the US every city is inundated with vacant lots, which are plentiful in most urban neighborhoods. These lots can be converted to Urban Farms or community gardens, where entire neighborhoods can help plant and maintain the gardens and profit together with the farms.

We must re-connect our experiences with green initiatives. An example of how this connection is made is with recycling. This is another way is to engage our youth to go green. They can have Recycling drives, taking old clothes and re-creating, and making art with found and repurposed objects is an excellent and inspiring activity for school and neighborhood projects.

By composting, growing food and promoting other entrepreneurial initiatives can be fun and create a lifelong pursuit into the fields of Agriculture and Ecological Engineering and other GeoSciences. There are many financial endowments and scholarships available to pay for educational opportunities in green initiatives. In Missouri, Lincoln University will give a full-ride scholarship to any student who pursues a field in agriculture.

 Why should WE “Go Green?”

• We are approaching a global food shortage
• Cities are experiencing water shortages
• Oil is finite
• The demand for energy around the world is increasing
• As above so below- We are all connected to the inner-verse and universe

What can we do?

• Encourage and vote for elected officials who have a green agenda
• Grow YOUR OWN FOODS AND Support People and companies who are concerned about the environment 
• Sasteh Meter Mosley has been the Green Griot of Kansas City for more than 20 years and established EMWOT a Green Micro-Economic Development initiative. His Motto is "Stick a Seed in the Ground!" As a child, Sasteh woke up from a roster crowing in his next door neighbor's back yard. He experienced his first glimpse of Urban Agriculture, with chickens, eggs, wild game, rabbits, and fresh vegetables being sold to the neighborhood. He later cultivated food in a variety of communities, for example, establishing the "Bunk-Bed" system with Will Allen in Milwaukee.
• Mama Nuta Beqsu (Adenike AmenRa) Is a Gnome Builder. She Established Amen Par Ankh (Sacred Temple of Life) Amen Ankh Urban Farm as a Neighborhood center for life, Growing food and teaching health and Wellness, in the heart of the most blighted Kansas City urban neighborhoods. She teaches STE-A-M education through You GROWW Girls- (Gaining Resilience, Opportunity Wellness and Wealth) providing Agricultural and Outdoor activities for the youth teaching Urban Sustainable living, recycling, Arts and Crafts and Herbal Arts
• The Recipe Poetry Guild is traveling the country as a social activist and Spoken word artists who bring attention to the nuclear weapons plant toxicity and Sustainable living.
• Nadine Farris has been growing an Abundant Community garden for years
• Mamma Helen Bey has been teaching Health and Wellness for more than 5 Decades.
• Imhotep Maat Ra has been teaching health and wellness with Magnificent Foods
• Mama Charlotte O’Neal is a cultural Artist, musician, and elder who is traveling the country to share the knowledge of green sustainable living from Tanzania to the US and beyond. Her efforts to support the Tomorrow Children and brother Pete O'neal have been her passion and dedication for years.
•  DJ Cavem is a green rapper sharing the good news with his family about vegan living and Urban Farming.
• Colin Kaepernick has Personally Supported Black Lives Matter and Urban Agriculture.
• Wangari Maathai has assisted women’s groups in planting over 40 million trees.
• Shai Agassi wants to replace gas stations with electric charging stations
• Will Allan is sharing the knowledge of Aquaponics and Urban Farming.
• Ron Finley has personally supported community Gorilla Gardening 
• Van Jones helped Congress pass the Green Jobs Act of 2007 which provides $125mm to train 35,000 people/year
• UPS saved 50,000 gallons of gas by reducing left-hand turns
• Plants are now being operated via methane-powered gas
• Spellman College is the first HBCU to build a LEED Certified residence hall
• The Peace Planters and other organizations are working to shut down nuclear power plants all over the country
• NY City plans to convert its entire taxi fleet to hybrids by 2011
• Greensburg, Kansas is being rebuilt “Green”

Easy Ways For You To “Go Green” And Lower Your Carbon Footprint

• Reduce Reuse Recycle, Repurpose Plastic items. Plastics can be woven, and remelted in safe conditions to create innovative things.
• Support Local Urban Growers
• Grow food NOT lawns- In order to Free yourselves, you must Feed yourselves!
• Shop locally for locally made products
• Divest from global corporate slave mills and factories and products manufactured by prison slave labor.
• Choose more natural fabrics and dyes that can be returned to the earth.
• Reuse shopping bags instead of "Paper or Plastic."
• Prepare and eat your home or locally grown Fruits and Vegetables - fresh and raw as often as possible- sprout, blend and Juice. Try replacing a few food items every week that you regularly buy with locally grown natural alternatives.
• Designate one day each week as a NO MEAT DAY
• Walk, Ride a bike, Share, and Use public transportation over a single driver in a SUV.
• Save and reuse juice pulp in recipes or add to compost.
• Collect rain water for food Growers
• Use coffee grounds and hair as plant compost/fertilizer
• Compost your Food Scraps and return the new soil back to the land
• Prepare your family dinners and sit down to eat together -rather than Fast Food
• If you must eat on the run- store fresh and dried fruits and homemade Snacks and juices in your car.
• Consume less- Recycle More
• Choose alternative-fueled cars using solar and electric over fossil fuel-driven vehicles
• Plant a tree
• Protect your  groundwater -Don’t use pesticides and weed killers on the lawns
• Choose neither paper nor plastic – take your own washable bags when shopping
• Use natural light instead of electricity as often as possible
• Have an energy audit done on your home
• Use Solar Panels to lower your utility bills
• Don’t linger in the shower, turn water on and off
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
• Take low water baths - don’t fill the tub
• Replace current light bulbs throughout the house with carbon fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
• Install a programmable thermostat for better heating/cooling efficiency
• Use natural products for house cleaning (baking soda and vinegar, borax or steam for bathroom and kitchen cleaning)
• Turn off the stove a few minutes before the food is ready – heat from skillet or pan will continue to cook food
• Use a power strip for countertop appliances – to turn all off when not in use
• Only turn on the Washer and dishwasher when it has a full load
• Turn Off water between rinsing dishes- or don’t rinse dishes until you use them -to create a barrier for insects.
• Install an attic fan
• Install a tank-less water heater
• Wash clothes (even whites) in cold water
• Replace chlorine bleach with hydrogen peroxide (1/4 cup)
• Select electronic billing and e-correspondence for all your current mail
• Consider second-hand clothing for your next purchase
• Get your children involved and concerned about green life(encourage them to do science projects and make green gifts)
• Talk to your children’s school principal about going green
• Give green gifts with reused green wrapping paper of gift sacks Reuse newspapers for gift wrapping
• Run errands clockwise and try to eliminate left hand turns as often as possible
• Take a green vacation
• Consider a hybrid car when it’s time to replace your current vehicle

If more people got involved in rediscovering their neighborhoods—invoking green initiatives in the process, killing, and Underground crime would actually decrease and there would be more home cottage and small businesses blooming to create sustainable revenue.

Amen Ankh means (sacred life)
amen.ankh@live.com
816-281-7704

Kandaki-Ma Nuta Beqsu (Adenike Amen-Ra)

I hope you have enjoyed our presentation. Amen Par Ankh is our Outreach ministry. Please support our initiatives...

(c) All rights reserved. No part of this Blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the author; Nuta Beqsu Adenike AmenRa

We are available for Lectures, Panel Discussions, Conferences, and Workshops, along with an Af-Ra-Ka-N Centered curriculum for youth STEAM homeschooling, Workshops, and Itinerate Tutoring. 

We live in our ancient KMT Spiritual systems to serve our community in Libations, Griot Spoken Word Presentations, KMT Wedding, Naming and ReBirth, Personal consultations for Nia (Purpose), Health, Career and, Relationship, and Ascension officiant, Salutations and Blessings for new beginnings, (Home and Businesses blessings), Afrikan Storytelling. Amen Par Ankh is a Sacred Temple of Life- We are a KRST conscious Community. We Grow Food to restore balance in our relationship with the cosmos, earth, and our Natural communities by increasing awareness of Life, Health, and Environment. We are a Maafia a "Healthy Place To Live" Amen Ankh Urban Farm’s Mission is to produce, promote, and perpetuate food, resources, and comfort and to grow local healthy Indigenous Foods in environmentally, respected, earth gentle ways. Call Us-816-281-7704 Contact: amen.parankh@gmail.com or amen.ankh@live.com Phone: 816-281-7704

The information on this website has been put together for general information, education, reference, Spirituality Current Events, and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any specific condition. Ask your doctor for his professional advice before making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle.

The Vernal Equinox Bringing in the New Year

The vernal equinox occurs on March 20, or the 21st of each year.

Equinox Means "Equal Night"

 

 

The March equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, marks The Rite of Spring. As we welcome spring, people south of the equator are actually gearing up for cooler temperatures of autumn.

 What Happens at the Equinox?

 Far from being an arbitrary indicator of the changing seasons, March 20 (March 21 in some years) is significant for astronomical reasons. On March 20, 2014, at precisely 12:57 P.M. EDT, the Sun will cross directly over the Earth's equator.

Translated literally, equinox means "equal night." Because the Sun is positioned above the equator, day and night are about equal in length all over the world during the equinoxes. A second equinox occurs each year on Sept. 22 or 23; in 2014, it will be on Sept. 22 at 10:29 P.M. EDT. This date will mark the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the Southern (vernal denotes "spring").

These brief but monumental moments owe their significance to the 23.4 degree tilt of the Earth's axis. Because of the tilt, we receive the Sun's rays most directly in the summer. In the winter, when we are tilted away from the Sun, the rays pass through the atmosphere at a greater slant, bringing lower temperatures. If the Earth rotated on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun, there would be no variation in day lengths or temperatures throughout the year, and we would not have seasons.

Rituals and Traditions

People have recognized the vernal equinox for thousands of years. There is no shortage of rituals and traditions surrounding the coming of spring. Many early peoples celebrated for the basic reason that their food supplies would soon be restored. The date is significant in Christian religion because Resurrection day (Easter) always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. It is also probably no coincidence that early Kemet built the Great Sphinx pointing directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox.

The first day of spring also marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The celebration lasts 13 days and is rooted in the 3,000-year-old tradition of Zorastrianism.