Mother to Mother

Reviews by Kathy Arnos

"Funny Bone Logic" – DVD
Featuring Giggly Sprout and Gumbo Wobbly

I found Funny Bone Logic to be a captivating spark that ignites the kid in all of us … fabulous healthy entertainment for the whole family.

Join Giggly Sprout and Gumbo Wobbly as they take you on an interactive family adventure, using research from leading authorities in the fields of brain science and psychology. The two creative (human) characters give the DVD a warm, organic feeling that is refreshing in a world of fast-moving, finely-polished, computer-animated characters. Patch Adams, MD loves the video and states, "Funny Bone Logic Weaves a Magic That Begs Taking Part." Funny Bone Logic is an interactive DVD with games for developing minds ages 3-8 and bringing families together as a whole. Endorsed by The Coalition for Quality Children's Media, Funny Bone Logic is a colorful addition to the growing market of conscious, independent media for children. Accompanying the DVD release is an online resource of cutting-edge information for parents and teachers. The DVD is currently available online at www.funybonelogic.com

Meet Giggly Sprout and Gumbo Wobbly at the Whole Children, Whole Planet Expo 2008 – www.wcwpexpo.com

"Forever and Always In The Enchanted Forest of Wherever"

By Mildred Julane Murphy
Jessica Wharton
Ronisha Ridley-Mays

Grandmother extraordinaire turns a life threatening surgery and her retirement years into a magical enchanted journey with her grandchildren. Mildred Julane Murphy-Wharton thought her senior years were going to be about resting, reading, and an occasional senior softball game. However, that all changed one summer when she was told she needed a life threatening neck surgery and her family came to spend time with her.

It was during that special time before the surgery that three generations came together to create a strong family unit, and write an unforgettable adventure of the imagination, "Forever and Always In the Enchanted Forest of Wherever".

The book was conceived out of a two-page story about a baby horse and a beautiful butterfly that turns in to a fairy princess written by Mildred¹s then nine-year-old granddaughter Jessica. The family was captivated by Jessica's little story and it quickly became the focus of the entire family and everyone allowed their imaginations to engage. As the story evolved, Mildred's other granddaughter, twelve-year-old Ronisha felt it needed more action and adventure, and a close family friend Patrick, who was also staying with them, started taking them on outings, e.g. nature walks, outdoor farmer's markets, etc. to create new adventures for their storylines.

Somehow in Patrick's busy daily routine his sense of community and aliveness had gotten lost and he felt that being part of this family's entire summer experience was just the gift he needed to remind him that real love never dies and what a treasured gift it was to be part of the journey. The dedication of the book was later written in memory of Patrick.

Granddaughter Jessica states, "Grandma has taught me that one word can heal a nation, one word can calm the sea, and one word will open many doors, just take that one step and say okay."

Granddaughter Ronisha states, "My grandma has taught us to trust and believe, and to have the courage to take that one step that will lead us to a better way of life. Thank you for helping to make our dreams come true."

Mildred states, "It is because of my grandchildren that this book was written. I have learned there is magic all around us and within us all, and it¹s okay to embark into that world of fantasy. A world of hope, dreams and fairy dust magic. You see life is a wondrous adventure and it is not to be wasted or ignored. I am proud to say that my grandchildren have started me on a journey, I pray will last for many years to come."

This book was not written for profit, or for the fame, but to keep the memories of that summer alive. www.julanespublishing.com

Two Fabulous Finds at The Mind, Body and Beyond Expo
The Journey to Wild Divine
One of the most popular booths for both children and adults was The Journey to Wild Divine, where a big plasma screen television displayed an introduction to this spiritual "inner-active" computer adventure that combines ancient breathing and meditation with modern biofeedback technology.

Over the years, biofeedback has been scientifically proven to have a powerful, positive effect on a persons emotional and physical well-being by teaching them how to alter their brain activity, blood pressure, muscle tension, heart rate and other critical bodily functions. Biofeedback has been used successfully to help children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention deficit disorder (ADD) and anxiety, learn better concentration and calming skills to find their mind and body connection.

The Wild Divine comes with a CD program you install in your computer and hardware that attaches to a USB port. The hardware has three "magic ring" sensors, which cup your fingers and track your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance. It is through these sensors that a child (or adult) will use their breath, feelings, awareness and body rhythms to move objects and complete energetic tasks in an environment of mystical landscapes on their journey.

I watched in amazement as child after child marveled at the enchantment of this multi-media game. First came a little giggle as one little boy discovered that his enthusiasm began to move three balls on the ground, than laughter as the balls flew through the air. Another child closed his eyes and took deep breaths to create a stairway. Children were actually tuning inward and relying on their innate skills to accomplish their goals … what an amazing concept in today's society.

The Wild Divine is a great tool for empowering our youth, teaching them how to focus, relax, experience their emotions and be self-reliant. Deepak Chopra says, "The Journey is a great way to unfold your full potential and glimpse the field of infinite possibilities."

This journey is not only for kids, but also an amazing tool for adults (on the edge, or not) to learn how to meditate, relax and have fun. For more information go to
The Wild Divine

New Age Kids
Another great find at the MMB expo was New Age Kids, Inc. owned by, Chitra Sukhu. Guyana born to a family of Indian ancestry, Sukhu became a devoted participant of the practice of yoga and meditation at the young age of three.

After 911, Sukhu's concern for the children was the inspiration for creating Guided Meditation for Children, a magical CD that teaches meditation through visualization to help children learn healthy techniques in coping with everyday stress.

As a mother of two, Sukhu feels that if the art of meditation is taught at a young age, it has the potential for teaching children positive attitudes in their approach towards life.

Many of the situations children are faced with today can be very overwhelming – Guided Meditation for Children gives simple empowering tools to resolve these emotions. The CD teaches a child how to go within to find the answers through a journey relating to the elements: an enchanted forest, the mystery of the ocean's mermaids, a ride on the sun's rays into it's center of divine warmth and strength, and a flight into the clouds where your guardian angel invites you to her home … then relax into the silence … a quiet place.

Teachers have shared with Sukhu, that using her CD before a test seems to help dissipate anxiety through relaxation techniques, thus giving a child the ability to focus and concentrate better and perform to their fullest potential. Deepak Chopra states, "This is a beautiful meditation CD, which will help children experience restful alertness and enhance their energy and creativity."

New Age for Kids offers a variety of other guided meditation CD's produced by Sukhu, Positive Thoughts for Children – An Affirmation CD for bedtime,Visions of Sugarplums, as well as CD's for adults, including one for Conception and Pregnancy. For more information visit www.newagekids.com