Letters
to EarthStar
Comments
from Kindred Spirits
Compiled
by: Donna Philippe-Johnson
Friends of EarthStar,
We wanted to share with you
some of the thoughts and feelings of those who have written personal
letters to us in the past 8 years, since the web site was created.
Here are some excerpts from the hundreds of emails we have
received from people all over the world who resonate with the
practical and spiritual principles of voluntary simplicity.
All of these wonderful, heartfelt letters have motivated and
inspired us to write and share more. Thank you all
and keep the letters coming! We can all encourage each other and make
a difference.
Peace and blessings on your
journey,
Donna and Kevin (January
2007)
* * * * * * *
“When I
began reading your website, I felt like I’d “found myself”,
especially when I was reading the article, “Why I Chose the Simple
Life,” by Kevin. After reading the first couple
pages, I just felt like I knew what I had to do with my life.
For the past year, I’ve been struggling with my
“calling”, so to speak. Just last week, I tried
to explain to someone my life dream of living simply, the bare
essentials, a tiny little cabin…and I was told, “you can’t do
that!” I really do want to be free of societal
expectations. And when I read your article, I said
to myself, “this is what I am called to do”. I
could feel it. And after visiting your website, it
was like I was breathing in fresh air, that even though I’m almost
40 and single, it’s still not too late and is very do-able.
I just need to take the steps. My goal for
this year is to get out of debt. You have put
actions behind what I have believed philosophically, for a long time.
Your articles have also articulated what I believe in my heart.
I hope to make a difference, as you have, by just acting upon
my values. I can’t thank you both enough.
You are making a difference.” - Michelle
“I can’t say enough about
“The Subtle Way & Its Power. It’s
a book that should be read over and over again, studied and learned
from. There are important messages, even in the
Introduction. We all need to wake up and realize
that we cannot go on living in our unrealistic, materialistic negative
existence. We are all connected and have to do our
share as One. I wanted to tell you about my daughter and son-in-law
who after reading your first book, “Primal Conscious Living”,
took a leap of faith and put their five-bedroom house and lot with a
30 yr. Mortgage up for sale. Then they bought six
beautiful acres of woods to build a small house. When
the house is finished, it will be totally paid for from the equity of
the bigger house. It is a very simple, practical
house, 660 sq. ft., with one bedroom, one bath, living room, kitchen,
utility room, screened side porch and large covered front porch and of
course, a wood heater. They are setting out fruit
and nut trees and will grow most of their own food. They
will be able to work fewer hours at their jobs as their lifestyle
changes. They are both so happy and excited about
their choice and already obviously less stressed. After
selling the bigger house, they sold and gave away all excess
furniture, clothes and personal belongings. My
husband and I are ready and prepared to do the same thing as soon as
we find suitable land to build on. So needless to
say, all this good energy going on around here was inspired by the two
of you who gave so freely and unconditionally of yourselves and your
experiences, for which I am so very grateful. - Barbara
“I am writing to commend and
congratulate you on your courage to be frontiersmen in the 21st
century. I personally am a gutless consumerist to
date, but I visit your site periodically, taking a daydreamers cyber
vacation, wondering if I could ever actually live like you do, or if I
would run screaming back to the city for my computer, AC, cell phone,
cable TV, water wasting toilets, etc. I love to
think I could and I admire you both for actually having done it.
People who eat homegrown greens and live so simply probably
don’t need a lot of compliments, but I suspect they are good for the
soul. Thanks for sharing your views. I
find them interesting and very comforting, kind of like hot soup on a
cold night.” - Laura
“It’s so nice to have
someone to chat with about these things. In the
past two months, I ended a 2-year relationship and I’m beginning a
new personal journey. My head is just filled with
new information, thoughts, dreams and ideas. I have
been doing a lot of reading about “abandoning affluence”.
I sure have never had a lot of money, but up until now, had
never really questioned the whole concept of consumerism in this
country. It has become increasingly important for
me to let go of unnecessary possessions. I have
wanted, for as long as I can remember, to live in a tiny log cabin.
I read that you stress a change in diet as a very important
step in moving towards the simple lifestyle. I am
adding more raw food to my diet as a result of reading your thoughts
on the matter. I am also encouraged by you to make
the effort to meditate/pray more regularly, because I know how much
fuller my life would be and how much more strength and guidance I’d
receive. I’ll keep doing what I feel “called”
to do, one day at a time. – Michelle
“Thank you Kevin and Donna for
all the answers you so willingly are providing to me. You
are making a difference in the thoughtful way you relate to people.
I have read absolutely everything on your site. Things
aren’t too good between my husband and I right now, so it’s good
for me to have this information to focus on. I
worry about us not making it and how I will survive. I’ve
always thought it made perfect sense to live the way you do.
It seems to me that we could all feel more secure and peaceful
without all the stress and hassle of the way we are living now.”
- Janet
“Great page…now I know I’m
not nuts! I also now know why, about 20 years ago,
my brother left to go live in the woods. For a few
years now I’ve been feeling that what I have now is just not right.
I have a happy life, a good husband, two great kids, but I need
peace now. My husband is still stuck in the
consumerism of life. We have a long way to go to a
more conscious way of life, but your web site has inspired me that it
is possible to achieve this. Thanks for
listening!” - Sandra
“We are enjoying your website.
What fantastic ideas brought to reality! We
too are headed on the same path…just a little slower getting
there!” - Prad
“I enjoyed reading through
your web site and expect to enjoy your book. Your
story is inspiring to us in ways big and small, and your how-to
information is giving us ideas we might want to try ourselves.”
- Michael
“I was so excited when I found
your web site. I have been striving towards
simplicity for years by doing some of the things you advocate:
eliminating or lowering utility bills, gardening, decreasing the need
for cash, etc.” - Mike
“I came across your web site
and was very touched by your words. I have had a
variety of life experiences, including living off the grid in a very
beautiful remote mountain village in East Africa. Never
once while there did I feel the need for electricity or central heat.
I long to return to that kind of simplicity and beauty.
Compared with most others in my increasingly affluent and busy
town, I live pretty cheaply and simply, but I am looking for something
different. You have given me some things to think
about and I would like to learn more.” - Bob
“Just wanted you to know how
much I have been overdosing on your music CD. I
have been playing it in my car every day for a week. I
love it! There were so many great songs on it, but
one of my favorites is “Dancing Bear”. Anyway, you are very
talented with both playing and singing. I’ve been
hogging it so much that my husband hasn’t even heard it all yet!”
- Charlotte
“Just
browsing the Internet and came across your site, which interested me
greatly. I am looking for a simpler lifestyle where
my husband and I don’t have to work umpteen jobs in order to
survive. I have had the wish to build our own home
for more than 25 years. The example of your small
house might be workable. I am eager to know more about your book and
your lifestyle.” - Cathie
“Your ‘Sacred Voyage’
booklet is truly amazing. All I can say is truth
comes in small packages. It is a treasure.”
- Diane
“It is amazing that to live a
simple life can start out so complex. I admire you
and your choices and only wish that my life could take the same
direction as yours. I know how long you have
struggled to get to this point. All of the social
aspects, marriage, children, divorce and trying to support all these,
but you have somehow managed to keep the vision in sight. At
times I feel that there is no way that I can follow my dreams, but
knowing you has always inspired me. Keep going… – Allen
“I have visited your web site
enough to find a familiar feeling…the feeling that there are others
who have similar interests to mine. So, it is that
warm fuzzy feeling I experienced when I viewed your site. That
“Yeah, this is it!” kind of feeling. My dreams
include a small efficient dwelling on a small, manageable piece of
property, a productive garden, etc. Awakening in the morning knowing
that I would have tasks of some survival significance instead of
another day of helping someone else make money, is a major part of the
dream. I’m working toward real goals by exploring
my existing woodworking skills as a possible source of some cash
income. I sincerely look forward to hearing from
you both.” - John
“Your website is wonderful and
you seem to have synthesized much of where my family has been heading
the last few years. We have already cut our food
costs dramatically as I never shop at grocery stores but buy all our
food in bulk through our co-op. I am really excited
to learn more about how I can stretch the amount and vitality of the
foods I already use. Thank you for sharing your
experiences. – Theresa
“My dream is to help battered
women to build a community of sustainable housing, where they can
regain harmony with the natural world and reclaim their spiritual
health in the process. You are both an inspiration
and I would like to keep in touch with you.”
- Daphne
“I found
your site and I am so excited I can hardly type straight. I
want to read all of your website! I am slowly
scaling our family lifestyle down. I have a lot of
de-cluttering still to do. I really admire your
ruthless approach to clutter. I want to eat more of
the raw foods. I think after I get into doing this,
my husband will follow. Goodness knows we could
both use more energy. I can’t wait to start the
sprouts. This is really an awakening. I
am really impressed with the BELL and the way you live. I
love nature too. My goal is to build a more simple
lifestyle. I don’t know if I’ll ever catch up
with you guys, but at least now I have a vision of what I’d like to
achieve. I must have your book! Your
website has really got me thinking. I have a garden
now, but I want to know more about herbs for healing. Thank
you so much!” - Phyllis
“Wow…I’m impressed with
your web site (amazed would probably be more appropriate) and I
thought Amy D. was queen of living simple! Though
your lifestyle is definitely not for me, I find it interesting and
look forward to learning more. Whenever I get a
little overwhelmed, I think about a lifestyle like that. Not
sure if I could do it, but I love the thought. And
we do need diversity…we’re all different, and I personally have
never met anybody who couldn’t teach me something. We
each find peace in our own way.”
- Rosa
“I just looked at your
website. It’s excellent! Your
house appears to be very livable and resembles a Navajo Hogan shape
with much more light and air. I like your diet and
your writings are very thought provoking. I can
especially relate to the writing on meditation. Thanks
for sharing your primal living experiences with everyone.”
- Susan
“I also feel that “less is
more”. Thanks for sharing. - Cindy
“You two are my role models!
We hope to be pulling a “Walden” soon. Was
the setting up of this adventure costly? I know the
true benefit is that you two are living a great quality life.
Please keep us updated on how it is going.” -
Sage
“I saw your web site last week
and thought what you are doing is really positive for everyone. My
fiancé and I are gradually working in that direction. It’s
hard to make the transition from an urban-sprawl town to the simpler
life. We are living close to a city where we can
earn enough money to pay off my student loans and save enough to buy
property in Maine later on and become debt-free. We would love to talk
more with you about how our living choices make a difference in the
world.” - Amy
“My name is Riccardo and I live in Italy. I
found you on the Ishmael guest book and the story of Sunbear really
impressed me. I would like to know more about what
you are doing and I would like to get to know the two of you.
Thanks! - Ric
“I’d like to exchange some
thoughts with you. My girlfriend is over in
Scotland at the Findhorn Foundation right now gathering information on
their Living Machine and culture. We’ve had all
this on the back burner for over 3 yrs. but suddenly, recently, Spirit
moved us to DO something. And so I am grateful to
find out about your EarthStar project and lifestyle. I
will share this with our eco village friends.” - Rick
“I wanted to share with you
how touched I am to read your words and feel so much like they were my
thoughts exactly. I feel inspired to make
significant changes in my life right now and will stay in touch.”
- William
“I want to part with so many
of my possessions which are such a burden to me. And
I am trying so hard to get out of debt. Thanks for
answering all my questions. This is encouraging me
to keep fighting this crazy life we are living.” -
Sam
“I feel like we are all old,
old friends. You and Kevin with your big hearts and
willingness to share your wisdom and knowledge. Thank
you. I feel we have much to share with each
other.” - Polly
“Thank you for your wonderful
responses to us. You know, because the majority of
people around us aren’t even remotely interested in our ideas of
downsizing and simplicity, sometimes we begin to wonder…is our
version of service to humanity making any kind of impact? If
it weren’t for people like you, willing to share your ideas and
experiences, we wouldn’t have any external confirmation that the
changes we are trying to make are in the right direction. But
your site and information has given us that feeling of strength we
need to keep on, in spite of seemingly “swimming upstream”.
We will continue to follow our inner guidance with more
confidence. - Neil and Maria
“The more I read on your web
site, the more sold I am. I love it! I
am so ready to make the necessary changes. We have
been so tired and burned out by the “Great American Dream” model
(that isn’t working for us) that it is refreshing to see some
“real people” who believe in their dream of voluntary simplicity.
Oh how I long for the peace of being free and liberated from
all these burdens of the mortgage payments, credit card debt, spoiled,
materialistic children, and the many hours of the day feeling so
trapped. Thanks for a breath of fresh air.
Please send me your book. - Chad
“Just came across your site.
I almost didn’t even read your article on humanure because
the idea sounds so unacceptable to me, but curiosity got the best of
me and I had to check it out. It actually makes
sense. I won’t kid you and say that I am going to
retire my convenient little water-wasting toilet right now, but I
really wish I had the means to get set up to live much more as you do.
I have been moving in a much more natural direction for quite
some time and will continue to do so.” - Francie
“I have just recently
encountered the IBS and the teachings of the Essenes, which I
understand were inspirational in your lifestyle model. As
I read your website it strikes a chord in my heart and has added to my
sense of direction for my life. It is so easy just
to live mindlessly and heartlessly in our culture, the way we are all
so seduced by materialism and numbed out by the TV, prescription drugs
and unhealthy food. Thanks for taking the time to
care and to write back to me.” - Joshua
“I am 18 and living in
Florida. My sister turned me on to your site and
now I am wondering if I just couldn’t set up a lifestyle based on
your ideas for myself. I want to go to college so I can earn enough
money to get set up for simplicity living. I have a
few friends who are also interested in an ecologically sound way of
living. Maybe we could all get a piece of land and
grow organic food for a living? Please send me your
book. My friends and I are going to read it and
have some brain-storming sessions about our future. Thanks
for the inspiration!” - Ursula
“Your articles are so
supportive and informative. One of my dreams is to
eventually make it with a place like yours. I am
experimenting with raw food and am really feeling good. This
is making me really see how this diet can have a rippling effect in
areas of life, such as food preparation. I am
clearly seeing how the simpler your meal prep, the smaller your
kitchen can be. I am just sick of storing,
organizing, heating and cooling so many square feet of “stuff”.
I am seeing the downsizing and getting rid of stuff as freedom,
rather than deprivation. I only wish I had learned
all this before. I wouldn’t have gotten myself in
such a financial mess. I am paying the price for
following the model of everyone around me…spend more, want more, get
a bigger one, gimme some more stuff! Anyway, I am
grateful to see it all so clearly now, thanks to your articles.”
- Pamela
“We are on
our way to a simpler lifestyle, guess not as simple as yours, but a
big jump for us. We are building an earth home that
will be easy to heat and cool. I am very interested
in what you have learned, especially about your diet. My
husband is diabetic, we have four boys that are very used to the SAD
diet, and I am pregnant. I think we could
incorporate some of the raw food diet. Any help
would be appreciated.”
- Christine
“Instinctively, I have known
for quite a few years that this is the way we are meant to live- in
unison with Mother Nature. Every day that goes by
it saddens me to know that I am living a life contrary to what I know
to be right in all of my being - a sedentary job in an office building
in a room with no windows, no fresh air and with no expressions of
creativity. I would love to just leave and make my
life living close to nature and her ways and by her grace – in
simplicity. But I keep asking myself how can
someone make this happen, how much would it cost to start from
scratch, in the middle of nowhere. Being dependant
means needing money, which in turn means having a job, which
means…so on. So I congratulate you on having
accomplished what I dream of doing one day. For
now, I must settle for what I can do for now, nutrition being one
thing. I am now eating more living foods and
sprouting. The Biogenic diet seems so right.
I really long for a community of like-minded people where we
could all help each other to survive in a beautiful peaceful way.”
- Yves
“I’m taking a Botany class
here in Santa Monica College and my professor brought up the subject
of humanure composting and so I turned her on to your site.
She, in turn, has turned everyone in class on to EarthStar and
in particular we went over the humanure link that you have up in our
class together…I thought that was really cool. I’ve
been feeling that your pioneering work is laying an important
foundation for future events that look to be strangling ever more life
and freedom out of the earth and its inhabitants. I
really admire you.” - Carla
“I am looking for
possibilities for getting out of the job trap. I
love the idea of a sourdough bakery. Thanks for
being honest about work/jobs on your website. I’ve
always felt the same way. About 8 yrs. ago I was
over $25,000 in debt and had no savings. It took me
over 6 yrs, but I paid off all my debt and saved some money. Thanks
for the Hermitage house plan you sent. That’s my
dream house. We are currently looking for land and
hope to build it some day and live the inspirational EarthStar
model.” - Renee
“We read your story in the
book, Choosing Simplicity, and have been most intrigued by the
ways you have simplified your lives. Your website
helped, by giving us more information and photos. We
are getting the book, The Essene Way by E. Szekely.”
- Jan and Tom
“We found your web site a
couple of weeks ago and are really excited. Already
we have bought a sprouter, are seeking a source for good quality
organic wheat berries and have adopted a Biogenic diet. We
are starting to see the difference already. We are
looking forward to your new book, The Subtle Way. We
have been looking for a good how-to manual about all aspects of
voluntary simplicity.” - Frank and Marjorie
“My name is Travis.
I am 20 yrs. old and I live in New Zealand. I
stumbled across your website while I was doing some reading on simple
living and alternatives to consumerism and I just wanted to say how
inspired and impressed I am by your commitment to making the world a
better place. This is my first year at University
and I find myself making many realizations about the way we live.
Isn’t it sad that people are so worried about making money
and they just seem to waste it? There are many
sides of western culture that I don’t understand. I
am reading Walden by Thoreau at the moment and I kind of just
want to do what he did, just go out and live in the woods for a few
years and get away from all the commotion. You guys
should visit here some day. Thanks for showing me
the alternatives.” - Travis
“I have been reading your site
often and it is truly inspirational. I have been
reading quite a bit in the simplicity area, and your lifestyle takes
it to a new level. It’s not just about saving
those few pennies or accumulating a large investment portfolio so that
one can retire early and live a simple life. I am attracted to the
idea of changing my life in small ways, looking for the true essence
of wealth, and not just what society tells me. It
is quite a process. Thank you for offering your
lives as a demonstration of what an intentionally lived life can
be.” - Lynne
“I am grateful to have found
your web site. I’m 25 years old and since
graduating college I have been searching for the right way to live
once it hit me that the common worldly ways are wrong. I
feel blessed these past few weeks, as I know God has been giving me
all that I need. So, truly, thank you for being a
positive part in my life. I catch myself saying,
“You guys rock! How much simpler can it be?”
- Jaison
Editor’s Note: We just had
to include this next letter because it was such a blatant, perfect
insult (but not intentional) that it was hilarious. Sorry
“educated” people. Guess you’ll miss the
point. Good thing we didn’t know we couldn’t
write before we started our website!
“I
love your website and agree with everything you say; however, I would
like to suggest that you have your writing proof-read and edited by a
scientist or other professional writer. If the
typos, misspelled words and grammatical errors are removed, then it
would be taken more seriously by educated people. Just
a friendly suggestion.” - anon.
“I live in the U.K. I was led
to your website by our loving and generous universe and I am writing
to you both to say thank you for being there and for posting all your
information and wise words for others to read and be inspired by.
For quite a few years now my husband and I have been slowly
weaning ourselves off “modern society” and making our lives
simpler. However we got to the stage where there
were no like-minded people around us and began to feel very isolated.
Now I have found your site and I feel encouraged and hopeful
yet again and not so alone in the way I feel about this beautiful
planet we are responsible for. We are saving money
towards land and a habitat. We have no debt
(don’t believe in borrowing) and rent our current house.
This is all new to me and quite daunting, but after reading
your story and how you have blossomed, I have renewed courage and
optimism.” - Joanne
“It sure is a joy to me to
have you and Donna for friends. I like to talk
about simple living instead of how to obtain a bigger bank account.
My dad did not have wealth by modern day standards, but he had
a wealth of knowledge being born in 1912. He would
tell me the way things were when he was growing up. He
knew that the desire for more had screwed up people’s lives.
He said that when people quit raising their own food, they
began having all kinds of troubles, and as you and I know, it has not
stopped yet.” - Gib
“It is
always a pleasure to find those who have effectively found
alternatives to the modern madness. I share many of
your insights and values and have a history of modern simple living,
though I took primitive survival courses through Tom Brown’s school.
I’ve also looked into intentional communities and may someday
try that, but I’m unsure. I just feel that in the
long-term, that community is the way to go. Ancient
man wouldn’t have survived as well if he didn’t have
tribal-community-sharing of some sort.” - Gary
“I received your book in the
mail about a week ago. I flew through it, stopping
once to run out and buy a giant bag of organic fruits and veggies.
All that talk of raw foods was wetting my appetite.
I got so much from the pages of your book. It
made a big impact on me and then I immediately passed it on to
friends. Not only did I get so many great new
ideas, but it felt good to hear people talking about things that I
think about all the time.”
- Chris
“I am in
absolute amazement over your website. I have never
wanted to leave the city and find a simple plot of land more in my
life. Thank you for the wonderful website…it is
truly one of the most helpful websites I’ve come across.“ - Carter
“ I am a
physician in Tallahassee, Florida and during the first part of the
year I became ill with a serious lung infection. While
I was out of work I had an opportunity to read all of my CountrySide
magazines. Might I add that your article impressed
me and my wife so much. As a physician, my life
didn’t turn out as I had planned either. I
long for the simple life, and I plan to move back to the mountains of
Georgia, throw away my cell phone and dare anyone to call me after
7:30 p.m. I just wonder what CountrySide
will do with an article about a homesteading Doctor. Again,
thank you guys so much!!!
- Ed
and Wanda
“I recently found your website and feel that I have seen my future.
It’s as if all the elements of what I’ve wanted for myself
suddenly have context. I’m so excited, and when I
think about the future, I am happier than ever. So
first just let me say that the two of you are a brilliant inspiration,
and I thank you so much for sharing your way of life to the world.
So, as inspired as I am, I can’t help but think, “How long
will it be before I, too, can do this?” It seems
as if I will have to work and save for 20 years before this will be a
possibility. Such a long time to live this manic,
frustrating, mis-prioritized life. I know I can start with smaller
changes like diet, but essentially I want to build a BELL and
“retire”…at 22! I dream about spending my
time working in a garden, cooking, reading, playing music, making
quilts, praying, spending quality time with people and being in
nature.” - Katrina
“Your
book, “The Subtle Way”, has come at a time for me when I
needed encouragement and a push in the right direction. Seems
like so much of what you have written is direct answers to questions I
have had. It is amazing to me to know of someone
who thinks the same way as I do. I am a single mom,
living in a singlewide trailer and struggling to live on child support
payments. The trailer is so uncomfortable and
expensive to heat and cool. I would love to live in
a small cabin and be able to grow at least enough greens and
vegetables for us. I would like to learn more about
sustainable gardening and make life better for us.” -
Wendy
“I
really need the support of these words of “The Subtle Way”
right now. I am currently in a state of despondence
because I am out of alignment with the way I know I need to live…in
balance with the Earth Mother. My story is a long
one, but a story you have heard through countless others. All
I wish to express is gratitude that you are sharing your collective
wisdom online. It is giving me hope that I can live
the way the Earth Mother intended, even if the others in my life
can’t understand. I feel alone, but I know that I
am not anymore. Thank you so much.” -
Donald
“There
must be a calling for the way of life that you live. Everything
you describe my husband and I long for. Thank you
so much for your sharing because if you didn’t, maybe some people
that are also longing for the simple life, would think that it is
impossible, never find the pathway, or not know that others have also
felt the same way. I live in the city with 9
children in a large cluttered house and am trying to implement some of
the principles of simplicity as best as I can.” -
Tammy
“I
appreciate your unconditional attitude towards people, no matter what
their lifestyle. I live in a city and love it, but
I totally admire you guys for living your truth. That’s
the message I get from you…it’s about your inner values and how
you actually live it and not just talk about it, no matter who you are
and where you live. I look upon your lifestyle with
reverence and awe. You are unique people who
are showing me that it is possible to live in such a natural and
peaceful way. I would want others to see the spirit
of love and beauty in my life too.” - Jane
“Your
web page is great and it gives me new hope. I own a
few acres in the Missouri Ozarks and have been looking to build a low
cost home. But between the rent we pay now an all
the other bills, it leaves us with very little to save. We
have been able to scrape together a couple thousand, but when looking
at material costs and the fact that we have only minimal construction
experience, we have been discouraged. Your website
has given us hope and encouragement that we can pull this off
somehow.” - Tammy
“After
reading your book, I was inspired to increase substantially the
percentage of raw food in my diet. Doing that and
watching the amount of refined starch and sugar I eat, helped me lose
30 lbs. of flab! It worked so well, it was
incredible. I grew sprouts for a few months which
helped a lot to get in my abundance of raw food. Your
book is the first to successfully get me down to a healthier weight.
Thanks! Small steps…small steps.”
- Mike
“This
website came to me in 1999 and I was fascinated with what you have
done. I started writing to you and you were so kind
and patient to amazing extents in returning my endless emails asking
and re-asking questions. Now, after 18 months of
work on myself, I’m honored to officially thank you both for your
contribution to saving my life. I started this
journey an alcohol abuser and very unhappy. Today,
I am a changed man. I saved my marriage and career
and my health is vibrant (lost 25 lbs). Your book
is so full of wisdom, but you have to deeply want a new lifestyle and
to study and work at it. Today, I am about 75%
vegetarian, do not drink any alcohol, drink the Morning Mix (which has
greatly helped my mild hypoglycemia), and have buckwheat greens,
wheatgrass and at least five kinds of sprouts in process at any given
moment. We have plans to buy land and build a small
BELL type home. I am so very grateful. Peace and
blessings to you both.” - Rick
“I first
read about you in Linda Pierce’s book, “Choosing Simplicity”.
A few months later, I decided to find your website.
I’ve visited it several times and I agree with so much of
what you value. We’re in the process of
de-junking our lives and improving our health by eating foods from our
garden and buying from local farmers her in Salt Lake City, Utah.
We currently live in the suburbs and we both work full time
jobs, but it is our dream to get back to nature as soon as possible
and you have been inspirational. Right now, we are
doing the best we can by being environmentally aware of our actions
while living in our “modern” home, which we hope to sell in the
next two years. Keep up the good work. I’ve
sent links of your website to all my friends and started
“preaching” simplicity to friends and neighbors. It
may take a few years, but I feel an evolution is about to begin.
This is beginning to strike a chord with people here and
we’re tired of the materialism, the TV, the gotta haves and gotta
gets.” - JC
“Let me
start off by saying you are truly a breath of fresh air. I
was searching the Internet for “simple living” and I am glad your
website showed up. I am 19 years old and I am at a
point in my life where I feel as if I am being pushed into things by
unknown forces. Go to college, get a job, work and
contribute to society. My ultimate dream is to live
a lifestyle similar to yours. I want to just enjoy
nature and have time to just sit down and think about life for once in
a while. I feel if I stay in this constant
“rushed” state of mind, I will never be ultimately at peace.
I just need some advice and a little push. You
are inspiring me to start a brand new life. By the
way, your house is awesome.” - Zach
“Greetings
from Australia. I heard about you from The Essene Way newsletter put
out by the I.B.S. where Swallow gave a glowing report about your book.
So I ordered your book and received a lovely personal letter
from you, which led me to your website. It’s like
“coming home”, finding kindred souls who care about, believe in
and live the way I love to…all the while having some wonderful
differences. It’s so refreshing, uplifting,
and comforting to know you are not the only one who
thinks/believes/lives this way. As most of us have
noticed, there are not a lot of people you can share these ideas with.
I could go on “gushing” for pages, but I’ll end now with
a big thank you and bless you, Donna and Kevin.” -
Gary
“Greetings from bustling,
materialistic New Jersey. I discovered your site
when I did a broad search on the nutritional value of greens.
Little did I know what valuable information I would find.
I am intrigued by and applaud your lifestyle. I
know that I will have to struggle to reclaim some of the simplicity
that I want in my life, but I am ready to take small steps to do it.
Your lives are brilliant examples to the world.” -
Joan
“I’ve
been living a life of increasing compromise since I left Oregon in
1987. Seeing your site has just reminded me of so
much reality and possibility. You guys are doing
just exactly what I’ve wanted to do and using at least some of the
same mentors. I fell in love with Prof. Szekely and
the Essene material in the mid 70’s and still treasure most of his
works. He helped me raise my kids.” -
Annette
“Just
wanted to say a big Thank You for the workshop last night at the
Center for Natural Healing in Baton Rouge. As I
told you, I have recently been strongly drawn into studying a more
healthful lifestyle and way of eating, and your workshop has
reinforced that, as well as given me the ready tools to implement the
changes. All the information on Biogenics was new
to be but made perfect sense. And the opportunity
to actually taste some of the delicious but simple recipes and see how
you prepared them was just what I needed as well. It
was wonderful to actually see how it is done. This
is invaluable and a powerful aid in making the change. Your
own personal stories and testimonies are also powerful. - Alta
“I am
working on eliminating all white flour products, red meat and
processed foods. We are using the Morning Mix for
breakfast and I am growing sprouts and indoor greens. My
husband has just completed the fence around our new organic garden.
We have been working toward a goal of self-sufficiency, but
have not reached the level that you and Kevin have. But
pure water, fresh air, sunshine, and the enjoyable effort of planting
and tending our garden will go a long way toward restoring my health
and giving me the energy necessary to further that goal. (I
too have suffered from Candidiasis, allergies and chronic fatigue for
years.) And the sprouts and biogenic greens are the
missing piece to the puzzle. Thanks again for
sharing your experience. - Alta
“My mom
found your website and I found it wonderful. Ever
since I was real young I have always seen myself in a small home and
living modestly. My husband and I were living in a
5-bedroom home, but I wanted my life to have more meaning than working
till I was 70 to pay it off. Crazy!!! I was getting
so depressed with the superficialness of life, I was crying on the way
to work and home. My mom told me to look up your
site and it changed our lives! I am 43
and Danny is 44. We now have a 660 sq. ft. home on
6 acres, a garden, composting bins, a wood stove and so much peace and
happiness. Thanks so much for what you have
contributed to our lives.” - Cheryl and Danny
“I just
wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed reading your site and
essays very much. “The Subtle Way” is
the only way. I have done some of the things you
have suggested and am planning on doing more. My
hat to you and your lovely lady.”
- Larry
“My life
probably represents the antithesis of all that is meaningful to you.
This circumstance, however, is not due to any lack of desire or
because I don’t see that our present lifestyle path is destructive
to ourselves and to the earth. We just need some
help and guidance. Where we live in Ohio, wasteful
living is the norm. How can I, within the framework
of this suburban situation, change our unhealthy course and use our
remaining life to create a more meaningful existence? I
desire change with all my being. I need clear and
defined steps towards this goal from our particular circumstance, from
this physical place and from an especially late start.” -
Jo