Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 2, 2013

B2

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, November 2, 2013 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: 


By Sean Kayden

MUTUAL BENEFIT 

Mutual Benefit is the experimental baroque folk project of Jordan Lee. He’s been 
releasing music for several years, but “Love’s Crushing Diamond” marks his first 
proper LP release. Already a buzz artist for a few years now, this debut record 
may launch the man from obscurity to indie folk stardom. “Love’s Crushing 
Diamond” may only be seven tracks in length, but these ardent tunes are entirely 
heartfelt. The arrangements consisting of guitar, violin, banjo, percussion and other interesting sounds 
are always graceful and heavenly. However, what really 
pulls you in is Lee’s fragile and elegant voice that sends 
chills down your spine. His ability to create these 
atmospheric sounds is relatively stunning. There is 
optimism and a yearning latched onto the record even 
when the songs appear to be downbeat and somber. 
“Love’s Crushing Diamond” is romantic at heart but the 
record runs deep creating an emotional landscape filled 
with beautiful experimental sounds, emotive vocals, 
along with celestial arrangements. “Love’s Crushing 
Diamond” is filled with hope when all hope seems gone 
these days. 

Lee’s whispery vocals occupy the record and the results are rather lovely. On “Golden Wake,” Lee boldly 
states, “we weren’t made to be afraid.” This sentiment is kind of a theme for the record. A collection of 
songs to get yourself back up from the ground, stand tall, and take care of those you love. The record 
glides as much as it moves you in ways you could only wish for in a record. The music seems more 
like art than anything else. It’s a canvas with panorama of meanings. Each listen may give you another 
interpretation. “Advanced Falconry” is the most expansive track and undoubtedly the best one. The 
romanticism on display is divine. It’s a sweet, gorgeously crafted song that would have one becoming 
lost within their personal daydream. Lee isn’t heavy handed with his lyrics. The harmonies found 
on “‘Let’s Play/Statue of a Man,” are exquisite. Lee sings, “There’s always love/when you think there’s 
none to give,” which stays true to the idea that “Love’s Crushing Diamond” is idealistic even in a world 
increasingly becoming disparaged. 

The debut record from Jordan Lee is truly an accomplishment. I believe that the album is quite 
effective, as all the songs feel super connected. “Love’s Crushing Diamond” is an album you’d have to 
listen in the comfort of isolation. If you allow it to sink in, you’ll be quite stirred by the experience. It’s 
one of the better folk type records to come around this year. Lee has constructed a small album with 
a big impact on the human spirit. Just like with love, if you let this album get inside, you’ll be amazed 
at what it can do. And if love is truly the answer, then this album is the medicine for an ailing heart. 

Grade: 8.5 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Golden Wake,” “Advanced Falconry,” “That Light That’s Blinding,” ““Let’s Play” / Statue 
of a Man”

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Artist: Mutual Benefit

Album: Love’s Crushing 
Diamond

Label: Other Music 
Recording Co. 

Release Date: Oct. 25th, 2013 
(Digital Release)


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

THE JOY OF YOGA

CREATING SPACE


ene
A Plate of White….No Color but Mighty Healthy!

Eating a broad variety of colorful foods is the best way to get the nutrient 
dense foods we need. Those colorful nutrient dense foods being…fruits 
and vegetables. It is always important not to miss the “winter whites”, 
especially this time of the year since this is the peak of their season. So 
who are some of the winter whites I am talking about? They are vegetables 
like cauliflower, garlic, parsnips, and celery root to name a few. These 
veggies are full of antioxidants which help ward off diseases such as cancer, 
heart disease, and others. They are anti-inflammatory so they so they aid 
with inflammatory disease such as arthritis. Some of them are even anti-
fungal and anti-viral. The best fact about eating these white veggies this 
time of the year is that they taste great because their flavor is at its peak. 
arlic is a wonderfully pungent vegetable that in my mind makes almost 
anything taste better. Garlic counts among its many benefits that it helps 
regulate the body’s blood pressure. Whether you have problems with low 
or high blood pressure, garlic can help equalize it. 

Garlic when chopped produces allicin. Allicin is quite powerful as an 
antibiotic. It helps the body to inhibit the ability for germs to grow and 
reproduce. Garlic helps loosen plaque from artery walls; helps strengthen 
your body’s defenses against allergies; and helps regulate your blood sugar 
levels. When it comes to taste and health benefits, garlic is well worth 
eating even if we have a little bad breath. 

Celery root is just what it says it is. It is the root of the celery plant. It is starchy, sort of like a potato. 
It looks to me like a white beet. It needs to be peeled and is a good source of vitamin K. It is a great 
addition to soups and stews. 

Cauliflower is low in calories, high in fiber and full of vitamin C. The white florets contain choline, 
which is needed by the brain and is thought to help ward off memory loss. Cauliflower is also high 
in B vitamins, potassium and phosphorous, which support muscles, bones, and the nervous system. 

Parsnips are also high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body maintain healthy connective tissue, 
teeth, and gums. Its anti-oxidant property helps protect us from diseases and cancers by destroying 
free radicals. Like most root vegetables, parsnips are high in minerals like iron, calcium, copper, 
potassium, manganese, and phosphorus. Potassium is an important part of cell and body fluids that 
aids in controlling heart rate and blood pressure by countering the effects of sodium.

My advice is to include as many of these delicious, heath promoting whites as you can in your diet this 
fall and winter!

Fall is here and as nature begins to make space with the falling of 
the leaves, so should we. Keep in mind what the ancient yogis say: 
‘Leave a little space’. This space is so important because if we are overfull, then nothing new 
can come in and we get stuck in our patterns and beliefs. When we are over cluttered, then 
we can’t find things. This is true for our minds as well. The yogis love routine for this reason; 
because it can open up space for us to dream and create. 

Leave a little space when you eat, a little space in your schedule, a little space in your heart 
and your mind. If we have some space and we can be quiet, then the true messages of our 
hearts can shine through. Being thankful for what we have and adding only good stuff (like 
inspirational texts, good company, yoga and meditation) can change our lives. 

So this Fall, avoid clutter, leave a little room and only put in good things. Good food and 
good thoughts. Surround yourself with those that support and nourish your spirit. In this 
you will be able to better attract the things that are so essential to creating the life you want. 
Even leave a little space when you breathe. And be sure to listen to even the space in the 
silence – you may be surprised at what you hear!

Namasté, René

Dr. Tina is a traditional 
naturopath and nutritionist 
at Vibrant Living 
Wellness Center


I had a new patient who had just moved 
from New York to LA and she was a 
marathon runner. I treat lots of runners 
so through referral she found me. After we first met she said, “In 
the 4 cities I’ve lived, I have had to find a chiropractor and every 
one I found was so happy. Why are you guys (and gals) so happy?”

It was simple, I love what I do. This is not “work” to me but a 
passion and a career to help people with solutions. I love coming to 
the office and helping people. 

I think that is the number one reason chiropractors are so happy. 
They are involved with meaningful work, helping people and 
making a difference. 

I would say also that a vast majority of chiropractors came to this 
profession through personal experience of receiving chiropractic 
care.

I never chose to be become a chiropractor, it chose me. I know 
it might sound religious but my experience as a patient first, 
coupled with challenges and achievements set the ground work 
for a question that was asked of me on November 24th 1986. My 
chiropractor, Dr. Scott McCall 
in Costa Mesa asked me what I 
was going to school for. I did not 
know yet and he suggested I look 
into the chiropractic profession. 
That day I called the two local 
chiropractic colleges and visited 
one that afternoon and after I saw 
and heard I knew this was what I 
wanted to do and now 27 years 
later, 20 in practice, I have never 
looked back except to say thank 
you.

I truly love my profession and 
what I get to do each and every 
day. My patients, my staff and my 
community all are important to me and that is why every day I 
cannot wait to get to the office, or go to the football game to be 
team doctor, or go to the company to do a health talk, or just to 
mentor another student looking to find their way.

Can your doctor, mechanic, CPA, gardener, attorney, etc…say the 
same. You know which ones love what they do by their attitude in 

performing their service and in how well they do it.

I was touched physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually by 
the chiropractic profession. Come experience what I experience 
every day and let us touch your life to help you live healthier and 
happier.

WHY ARE CHIROPRACTORS SO HAPPY? 

by Dennis R. Buckley, D.C.