A Green Story - An American Dream

Van Vlahakis with daughter Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks

A Green Story (a biopic) is a rare glimpse inside the politics of the corporate world of the grocery business through the eyes of Van Vlahakis. You may not know his name, but chances are you’ve seen, or used his Award-Winning – truly all-natural cleaning products (found on most grocery store shelves). Vlahakis, known to most as Mr. Van, is the founder and CEO of Earth Friendly Products – one of the first (1967) company’s to produce safe and respectful cleaning products.

Vlahakis left Greece five decades ago with twenty-two dollars in his pocket in hopes of finding a better future for him and his family - an American Dream. A Green Story centers on the modern day Vlahakis (played by Ed O'Ross), who is diagnosed with cancer and given only a few months to live. During this time, Vlahakis reflects on his early life as an immigrant (played by George Finn) during the 1950's and ultimately decides to push himself to the limit by closing one final business deal that is the basis for his company's success.

What's Trending at Expo West 2013

Non-GMO were the trending words of this year's Expo West!!

As it should be ... this year's big push was for new labeling laws reflecting full transparency of foods in the marketplace that contain GMO ingredients.

We are not a science experiment - GMO, no thanks! Visually depicted by GMO expert and bestselling author Jeffrey M. Smith (Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods) and his lab rat. Jeffrey was there sharing his knowledge and promoting his brilliantly educational documentary, Genetic Roulette: The Gamble of Our Lives (watch film online), which connects the dots between GMO's cancer, birth defects, infertility, allergies and autism. The documentary is narrated by Lisa Oz. A must see film!! To learn more visit www.GMOinside.org or www.nongmoproject.org

And while the adults were engaged in conversation about the potential health consequences of GMO's, the kids were enjoying a day at the (make-shift) beach contemplating what new foods they were going to try next (or secretly hoping for a surprise visit to Disneyland).

Spring Break In The Spa Zone

Entering the Spa Zone

The butterflies are fluttering with joyous energy, the bees are buzzing, the hummingbirds abound, and a rainbow of colors envelops the landscapes and hillsides here in California. I was born in the spring, and consequently it's one of my favorite times of the year.

As a teenager growning up in Los Angeles, spring break always meant one thing, time to head to Palm Springs to partake in all kinds of fun shenanigans that usually landed us in some type of moderate trouble. Those were the days of no real cares in the world and a full week of playing in the sun.

I Can Do It! A Hay House Conference

I Can Do It! Blessed, inspiring and igniting are the words that come to mind when I attend magnificent conferences like this one. This three-day Hay House conference, now in it’s fifth year, delivered in all areas with remarkable spiritual leaders wetting our appetites with intention to fulfill our life’s purpose. All I can say is that it’s events like this that solidify my purpose and path as a writer and teacher - with passion.

Louise Hay Turns 85

Hay House authors Dr. Brian Weiss (Many Lives, Many Masters), Marianne Williamson (A Return To Love and A Course In Weight Loss), Sandra Anne Taylor and Darren Weissman set the tone for the weekend with pre-conference workshops all day Friday that took eager attendees on past life regressions, cleared blocked energy from the charkas, provided emotional weight loss workouts, and helped reprogram toxic thought patterns.

However, it wasn’t until Wayne Dyer (at 71 years young) took center stage that night, that the spiritual party really got started.  He began by