zenator

Summer is coming and this week I would like to invite you to put your focus on water. Whether that water is on the inside or outside of your body — it’s going to do you tons of good. Drinking enough water when starting a new exercise program actually helps you burn more fat, and [...]

Acknowledge your anger, feel it fully, allow it to be, and then quickly move beyond it. Instead of fighting against your anger or letting it control you, choose to experience it and then let it go.

Are you creating misunderstanding, hurt and conflict in your most cherished relationships — without even knowing it?

Along with drain products, acid-based toilet bowl cleaners are in the top three of the most toxic household products available because they contain caustic ingredients that burn eyes, skin and internal tissues. They can also contain chlorine or ammonia and even pesticides. So here’s another cleaning task where going green can make a serious difference in the safety and health of your household and the environment. The problem is that cleaning the toilet is, um… gross. Brightly colored solutions that clean automatically or with just a quick brush from you make a lot of sense when you’d rather not hang around too long or get too close to the bowl with your cleaning. Obviously bacteria lurks here though, so what choice do we have anyway? The truth is if you clean your toilet regularly, those chemicals and pesticides are overkill — even the EPA says regular old soap and water is as or more effective than antibacterial products. But some toilets really do call for the big guns — but make sure those “guns” are green instead of toxic blue or pink. A good rule of thumb to help green your cleaning is to start as mild as possible and go from there. Here’s the strategy for the toilet. Regular toilet cleaning: 1. Brush bowl and flush. 2. Pour a tablespoon of liquid vegetable-based soap (for bacteria fighting and cleaning) and ½ cup baking soda (for scrubbing power and deodorizing). 3. Brush the whole bowl. It may take a little more elbow grease than the neon products require, but at least you can still breathe after you’re done. Think of it as arm toning exercises! 4. Keep the brush in the bowl as you flush for an easy rinsing. When regular cleaning just isn’t enough… Stains, bacteria and... let's just leave it at that. Think back to the science fair volcano project and sprinkle ½ cup baking soda and follow with 1 cup vinegar (to kill bacteria). Let it fizz. Then brush thoroughly. The fizzing helps start the scrubbing process for you. There’s a psychological aspect here as well: With all that fizzing, it just has to be clean. For the rest of the toilet, use a nontoxic all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the tank, seat, handle and base. One last thing: Putting a wet brush back in its holder can create a bacteria breeding ground, so make sure to clean the brush once a month or so. Soak it in hot water, castile soap, and a dash of vinegar. If it doesn’t come clean, it’s time to replace the brush. There you have it — a clean toilet bowl without risking your windpipe or the environment. And another perk you get when you switch to nontoxic cleaning is that you don’t have to feel guilty when you delegate certain less-than-desirable jobs to your kids. If only my 3-month-old could stop tipping over into the bowl when she scrubs! (Just kidding, of course!)

Few of us have the resources to build a more energy-efficient house from the ground up. So, I set out to make my home as environmentally sound as I could in every aspect.

Ecotourism is one of those emergent buzzwords that’s slippery in terms of definitions.  Usually understood as a sustainable approach to travel that both respects and protects natural environments, ecotourism is also associated with preserving local cultures – and it’s in that vein that I send this post from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, [...]

Don't settle for the meaningless trinkets that will soon rust and fade away. Build your life upon those efforts and resulting accomplishments that express the true beauty of who you are.

Lately, it seems that not a week goes by without more scary news about the rising cost of food. Food prices increased at a compound annual rate of nearly 5 percent over a three-month period ending in February, and nearly every staple ingredient has experienced significant increases: eggs are about 38 percent more per dozen, and loaves of bread cost about 19 percent more. The issue seems so complicated; part of the increase is because investors are suddenly interested in commodities like wheat, corn and soy, which is driving up the prices of these goods, while an increase in ethanol use is also diverting agricultural yields away from the food supply chain. The decrease of available corn and wheat crops means it's more expensive to raise animals that eat them, such as chickens and turkeys. What's more, increasing oil prices mean production and transportation of food items costs more. All of this means I'm forced to pay $6.00 a gallon for organic whole milk for my toddler, my weekly grocery bills are through the roof, and my work as a recipe developer is netting me less profit. But even if you're already fairly frugal when it comes to food shopping, there are changes you can make to your grocery-shopping habits to minimize the impact of new higher prices. Here are a few ideas. Decide What's Important. If drinking organic milk, buying fair-trade coffee, or indulging in a weekly purchase of fancy artisanal cheese is important to you, then don't beat yourself up about the expense. Instead, find other areas in which to cut costs—maybe the store brand of canned tomatoes will be just as good, or you can drink water or tea at breakfast instead of pricey orange juice. Join a Warehouse Club. It requires an investment (usually around $50 a year) up front, but warehouse clubs like Costco can save you money in the long run, as long as you shop wisely and use everything you buy. I find that Costco has many organic brands that I like, such as Kashi cereals and Stonyfield Farms yogurts. If you have a vacuum sealer, you can portion out big purchases of freezable items, such as fish fillets or ground turkey. Buy in Bulk at a Natural Food Store. With reports of rice shortages and flour shortages in some parts of the country, these staples are sure to continue to skyrocket in price. Invest in a sturdy set of plastic or glass canisters and buy your flour, oats, rices, and other staples at your local natural food store. You'll save money and conserve resources otherwise wasted on packging and extra transportation and production costs. In particular, I find buying a big bag of rolled oats is less than $2, significantly less than I would pay for one of those cylindrical tubs of Quaker Oats. Clip Coupons. I often have the best intentions when it comes to coupons, I'll diligently save them in a drawer in my kitchen... and then promptly forget them until 6 months later, when they've long expired. But all of those $0.50 discounts add up, so I'm going to start sifting through my coupon drawer before every shopping visit. The trick is to only clip coupons for brands and products you'd buy anyway. Otherwise those coupons are likely to end up costing you more than they're saving. Plan Ahead. I try to spend a little time every weekend planning out my family's meals and making up a shopping list. I'll go through the refrigerator and freezer to see if there are any leftovers or frozen ingredients I can incorporate into a meal or two, and I'll also try to buy ingredients that can be used in both meals, or that can make a larger quantity that I can freeze for a meal later in the month, or to eat as leftovers at lunchtime. Careful planning will cut down on the every-other-day trip to the grocery store that can often become a habit, and you can also give yourself time to think of less-expensive meals you can prepare, rather than wasting money on expensive prepared foods or take-out. What are some ways that you keep your food budget in check? Image Courtesy bcmom.

Live with a positive, enthusiastic and thankful frame of life. And within that empowering frame, you will create a masterpiece that grows more beautiful with each moment.

Can you see how profoundly fulfilling it will be to live this day in such a way that you can always look back upon it with grateful satisfaction?

Progress on your journey with one modest, joyful step at a time. By moving at a sustainable pace, you'll be able to keep moving for as long as it takes to get exactly where you choose to go.

Let your most treasured dreams focus your actions and let your actions express your dreams. Be both a dreamer and a doer, and dive deeply into the multifaceted treasure that is your life.

Success is a state of mind, and the most reliable way to reach that state of mind is by working through a meaningful challenge. What a blessing it is that there is always work to be done.

Getting married and want a green celebration? Don't fret! Here are tips for keeping your wedding low-impact and earth-friendly.

Our son is turning 18 this summer, which qualifies him to vote in the upcoming presidential election. When I turned 18, the draft had just been disbanded. I’ve heard my oldest brother talk about his brush with the draft, his near induction. Even though my dad was a military man, us five kids were all [...]

One-of-a-kind yoga mat bags, decorated by more than 20 celebrities, are up for auction on eBay. All proceeds will benefit The Libby Ross Foundation, which aims to make a significant difference in the lives of women afflicted with breast cancer through support programs, research, and early detection. The auction ends on May 15th. Let us know if you make a bid!

Walk into a vinyasa-style yoga class these days, and you will see a lot of brightly colored Yogitoes Skidless towels adorning the mats around the room. These mat-size towels are...

Second book from the author of "Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better, and Grow Stronger" focusing on tots instead of infants.

Can a daily yoga session be beneficial for victims of yeast infection? Although the real link between yeast infection and yoga has not yet been fully stated, recent research on yoga pointed to interesting information on the subject, to indicate why yoga principles observed daily will likely be of advantage to victims of yeast infection.

Calling all Ashtangis! Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois has announced that he has been given the all-clear from his doctors to travel to the U.S. He plans to lead...

Clear, concise handbook provides the tools educators need to better serve the whole child, and calls for teachers, parents and counselors to think more holistically.

Nancy Portuga Jamello teaches yoga to teenage students at the California School for the Blind in Fremont. Many of the students slouch because the constant fear of running into objects and losing their balance can produce an over-arching spine. Yoga gives them the chance to not only work on their posture and balance, but also to exercise without worrying about the space around them. "The students can't necessarily play a sport or go for a run in the park, but they can practice yoga on a towel in their rooms," Jamello told The Mercury News. "They can work up a sweat in one spot." Has yoga helped someone you know who is sight-impaired?

Dahn (means bright energy in Korean) is the symbolic manifestation of the sun rising at dawn, with its inexhaustible source of vitality. Dahn Yogas basic approach is to expand Ki-energy (core life vitality). In the model of Oriental health, energy affects the quality of the body (health, strength, flexibility and healing), mind (concentration, clarity, creativity and calmness), and spirit (meaning, purpose, vision and peace).

Dolphin pose (sometimes also called puppy pose), is a version of downward facing dog done with the forearms on the floor. (This photo shows a down dog split in dolphin,...

This book describes a series of exercises to train the muscles of the face to stay toned, keep skin from sagging and ultimately to reverse any visible signs of aging.

Only when the mind is settled can it become quiet.Only when the mind is quiet can it become still.Only when the mind is still can it see.And only when the mind can see,Can it reach the mystery of mysteries.This is the process that anyone whoPractices has to go through.How long it takes is up to the individual. Yen-ch’eng

Next of the "Eight Types of Enlightenment" ... DOWNLOAD (PDF)TANTRA! It sure is more colorful than our Zen Practice sometimesPress on arrow for 'play'NOTE: IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE TO SEE THE SCREEN OR START BUTTON,PLEASE UPDATE FLASH. SEE HERE

On April 21st, 2008 my partner gave birth to our son. As you might imagine, the experience was profound in many ways - some expected ways, and some not. Prior to the big day, we felt that we had prepared as much as one can prepare for such an experience: we took childbirth prep classes, we read book after book about the possibility of this or that happening, we watched movies on birth, and we educated ourselves in whatever other ways we could. One of the movies that we watched was the newly released 'The Business of Being Born'. In it, the trend of commercializing the birth process is looked at closely and critically. If you do ever intend to have a child, I highly recommend watching this film. In addition to this movie's supportive information, our plans from the beginning of pregnancy were to have a natural, unmedicated birth experience. In our efforts to have a natural childbirth, we selected a hospital setting that supported the model of midwifery - a hospital that recognizes the value of having a highly educated attendant, and if all things run smoothly, also recognizes that a 'medical doctor' is not necessary to the birth experience itself. It seemed immediately as if all of our best intentions were met with resistance and fear, both of which were apparently being disguised as 'safety and care'. Who would argue with 'safety and care'? We did, and we're so very glad we did. Let me explain further. We arrived at Labor and Delivery and were admitted to our room. Part of what makes a childbirth 'natural' is that there are minimal interventions; that is, the birth process is honored as a sacred and natural process, and that unless there are unexpected complications, it is allowed to proceed on its own schedule, to its own natural rhythm. Our initial examination was anything but natural. We expected the nurse to give my partner an examination that determined how dilated her cervix was, as the contractions were coming quite rapidly. Instead what happened was the nurse reached so far into my partner that the baby's bag of waters ruptured. Whether or not rupturing the bag of waters was intended by the 'caregiver' is truly beside the point - this act was executed with little communication, and poorly done to say the least.Yes, the bag of waters does need to rupture eventually, but nature knows this and it happens in its own time. This first experience was in some ways the 'signal marker' of things to come, a signal that speaks to the mind's desire to 'control' experiences it fears. At nearly every turn in our process of birth, we felt as if we were fending off the fear of the hospital staff.     One would think that they were the ones who knew how things went, that they would know how to remain patient and calm based on their extensive experience with birth. They were not experienced in the natural process of birth, but instead they were experienced and educated in the 'systems' of surgery, fear, control, and intervention.Is there a time to intervene? Of course there is: when the mother or child's well-being is truly in danger. Our staff seemed to think that pregnancy and birth were inherently dangerous - they are not; they are natural.Labor progressed somewhat slowly for my partner, and as this hospital was also a 'birthing center', we requested that she be able to soak in a birthing tub to help her relax. After repeated requests for 'the tub', three hours later it was brought. It was no more than the size of a garbage can and we didn't end up using it - but what took three hours? An hour maybe. We weren't asking them to build a swimming pool. Early on in our visit to Labor and Delivery we were asked to sign a release form. Normal, right? But on the form it said 'vaginal birth, possible cesarian'. What? We've nearly just arrived and they were already 'making space' for a cesarian - 'just in case' they said. We refused to sign the release and had them rewrite it to say 'vaginal birth' only. Truly, it felt like once we held our ground in this way, the staff backed off quite a bit. But who knows to call off the hounds in this way - we did, because we did our homework ahead of time.Once we truly established our firm commitment to letting nature takes it course, the staff changed completely; they relaxed a bit, but more importantly they gave us the space we needed to give birth. Why would the staff not give someone the space to give birth in the first place? Good question. Perhaps for efficiency's sake, or for economic reasons. Again, I highly recommend the 'The Business of Being Born' as a starting place to begin educating yourself about birth in hospitals, but to also learn about what is viewed as 'health' in the westernized world. What is health? Health is our natural state. Yes, imbalances do occur, but our body's wisdom acts naturally to bring us back into balance. This view of health is not widely recognized in western culture, as in western culture there is a model of pathology, one of 'treating disease' rather than promoting and supporting each being's natural health. Ask yourself: do you believe that you have all of the necessary tools to live a fully realized and healthy life? Or, do you think that somewhere there are people called 'experts' that are necessary to your happiness? Yes, people who are skilled in certain things are needed when complications arise - but not unless they do actually arise. If complications do not arise, then why intervene? Women - do you believe that you can have a natural, unmedicated childbirth? Or has western culture convinced women that the pain of labor is 'too much' for them to handle, or that their bodies can't do it for some reason? Women - ask yourself honestly, 'Can I give birth?'. And if for some reason you doubt that you can, ask yourself where you think that doubt came from. In conclusion: Overall our birth experience was incredible and joyous, and truly every staff member was kind and loving beyond belief (it was the automated system that seemed unkind). We thank gratefully our doctor and nurses, and all of the after-care staff for supporting us to have the birth that we wanted. We have a beautiful, healthy son. In some ways the discussion I've proposed is one of 'ends and means'. Most people might say that as long as the baby is born, who really cares how it happens. But the process does matter: a baby that goes through the vaginal canal is 'squeezed' (literally and figuratively) into this world - it is a right of passage; the mother's body during natural childbirth is lucid, responsive, awake - and this is what facilitates the post-birth bonding that seems to by 'mysteriously' disappearing in the western world. Perhaps nothing is more controversial nor more natural than birth; all the more reason to look deeply within yourself to discover the real truth. Please watch 'The Business of Being Born'. I welcome your comments on this topic. Thank you.

Bonnie Fields leads a hectic life, traveling out of state two to three times a month as a national sales director for Ecological Formulas.Navigating airports and dealing with delayed planes would be enough to stress anyone out. But Fields says her stress affects her less these days because of her morning routine, a moving meditation called qi gong (pronounced "chee gung"). (More) Source: starnewsonline.com

More of the "Eight Types of Enlightenment" ...DOWNLOAD (PDF)In the Zen perspective, we might not have 'eternal life'... only 'no birth no death'Press on arrow for 'play'NOTE: IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE TO SEE THE SCREEN OR START BUTTON,PLEASE UPDATE FLASH. SEE HERE

     This article is about a recent occurrence in my life and culture that bewilders me.  For a couple of years now my partner and I have been leaving birdseed in a flower box outside of our apartment's backside windows.  From time to time we have had anywhere from a few visiting birds to what I would consider as many as 10+ resident ones.  Mostly doves and smaller chickadee type birds, but recently we have had the occasional pigeon.Well, last night I received a phone call from my landlord saying that he had received a complaint from the neighbor, and that our beloved birds have been leaving droppings on the neighbor's deck; I can understand (sort of) the neighbor's concern.      After telling me of the neighbor's complaint, and then asking me if I in fact was feeding the birds out of the window box, there was then a long pause on the other end of the phone...  I said 'yes, and is there anything else?'  The landlord then went on to say that 'feeding wild birds is illegal' and he made it seem as if this was a clear matter of fact that I should know fully about, and that my feeding the birds could only be occurring 'under cover', as if such a thing were something someone should be hiding.  What?     So, my partner and I decided to do some research on our own to see what foolishness our society was up to now.  We did discover that feeding wild birds in public areas in San Francisco is technically against the law, but from what we found there was no compelling statements about the illegality of feeding birds in one's own back yard.  The landlord intends to come over today with the 'proof' of his statements.      Truly, for me the issue at hand is indeed both the birds, but is also not.  All of nature is on trial, and the disconnection that westerners feel with regards to it is blatantly evident and out of balance.  Regardless of the droppings on the deck (perhaps one could be grateful to have a deck that might have the occasional droppings?), what has our culture come to that feeding birds is even potentially considered illegal?  In any setting?  And, whose time is so very wrought with confusion that this sort of 'stand' seems like a good use of one's life and time?  Yes, I am sad for the suffering that our neighbor's ignorance has brought them, and that this issue seems important enough to them to say something - but much of the world is at war, and bird poop is the call to action?For me feeding the birds and other simple pleasures are the things that make life truly worth living.  These things are even more central to cultivating freedom than all of the various mindfulness practices I've learned, than my life's closest friends, and even more central to life than my home.  For without nature and its care and nourishment, these other various things cease to exist - nature is essence, it is essential; and this is exactly what our culture seems to be blind to.  I can live without practices, friends, even a home - albeit a sad life indeed, but the one thing that I cannot life without is nature.  This seems so very obvious to me; am I the one confused?     In San Francisco, the 'champion' of mindfulness in the United States, I find this most disturbing.  It's not as if there were five hundred birds clawing at the neighbors window.  Perhaps he or she might even consider the birds a welcome guest, seeing the benefits of their occasional company largely outweighing any cleaning inconvenience that may arise? I welcome your comments on this post, as I am at a bit of a loss with our culture (What defines our culture, what characteristics does it have?) - will it take away even the most basic of our innate qualities and caring?  In the past I've chosen to be less of an activist and more of a teacher/practitioner, but what now to do?  What would you do?

The imperfect becomes whole.How true that is!To become whole andReturn to the Source,One must ever be in accordWith nature.There is nothing in the worldSo weak as water,Nor anything strong enoughTo overcome it.The person of great wisdomIs like water which,Though benefiting all things,Never strives. Lao-Tzu

The next of the "Eight Types of Enlightenment" ...DOWNLOAD (PDF)Everything is impermanent, nothing has 'self', all is empty ... just realize this fact and you can make your great escape ...... so do Zen folks exist?(By the way, you can see how my "non-existing" self reacted when a pretty good earthquake shook our sitting at about 27:45 minutes ... My "not-self" was fine, but my "self" sure did want to get me and my family out of there! )Press on arrow for 'play'NOTE: IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE TO SEE THE SCREEN OR START BUTTON,PLEASE UPDATE FLASH. SEE HERE

     Taking tea, and being with tea and people, has been a practice in the culture of humanity for much of recorded history.  My personal love of tea has been a great way to transition from the often introspective practices of seated meditation and yoga asana to a more social mindful life.  However, not until more recently has the art of tea revealed itself as a true method and expression of residing in sustained satsang, or community of truth - with other people, but also with nature, art, and beauty of all kinds.Why is this?  In any experience there is an opportunity for appreciation.  I've heard it said, "Where the subject meets the object, be the most mindful."  For myself, this is exactly what the act of taking tea offers; it offers the opportunity to awaken not only to the experience of enjoyment, but to also awaken to the experience of the experience itself.  When an experience is subtle like taking tea can be, then it teases the taster to raise their level of not only knowing, but also asks of them to look at how they come to know what they do in fact know; and how do they know what they know?  How do you know what you know about all of your experiences?  What is the measure that you actually do know what you know?  In the subtle, we are all faced with the opportunity to mature our humility, our relationship to uncertainty, our love of mystery, and the joy of discovery.      My own 'tea practice' began as a very informal daily ritual of drinking tea.  Part of me intuitively knew that tea meant more to me than taste, warmth, and routine, but I was also more than happy to engage with tea in this way.  Only until recently has my relationship with tea taken a turn towards more directed practice - my first 'steps' towards directed practice were to begin relating to tea in a refined tasters way, similar to how one may approach wine, cheese, and the like.     Tea as meditation has recently unfolded for me as I've begun to study chado or chanyou, the art of making tea from Japan's, or Zen Buddhism's, perspective.  There are four major schools of this Japanese tea ceremony - I am studying omotesenke, which I've heard roughly translates as 'front of the house'; from what I've gathered, the other schools refer to other parts of the house as well.  The practice is detailed, beautiful, and specific, yet freeing in the way of the Tibetan saying, "Outer discipline, inner spaciousness."  I've just begun this practice, but I've already begun to have 'rumblings' of its far reaching applications, both inwardly and outwardly.I've also begun to engage in the practice of Gongfu Cha, or the Chinese art of making tea.  This ceremony is more about the art of tasting and socialization than the beauty and refinement of the Japanese ceremony.  Chinese tea is also very much grounded in 'origin', the natural setting and cultivation of the tea bush itself.  This fact is very much reflected in the way Gongfu Tea is offered and conducted.      Of course anything can be a part of your personal practice, and truly all that it takes to make this so is to focus long enough to deepen.  Long ago I attend a gathering on Sufism, or mystical Islam.  At this time in my 'practice life' I was doing a lot of sampling of various paths of practice.  I arrived at the gathering quite early and there was one other person there, an old man of about seventy.  I told him of my 'sampling method' and he said, "If you want to dig a well to get water you don't dig several two-foot deep holes, but rather you need to dig one really deep one."  I took this to heart and I left before the gathering even began, as I had decided that yoga and seated meditation had already become my focus.     Focusing is so very important, but it does not imply 'closing off' to new experiences in any way.  This in itself is a practice, as often when we find what works for us, our mind makes a leap that we are unconscious of - 'if this works, then everything else must not work'.  To find what works for us - in that it helps us live in ease and freedom - is a gift of unmeasurable beauty; and I look forward to how taking tea can support and serve my established practices of yoga and meditation in a way that allows me to reside in a life consciously lived.  Live well.

Whatever the cause, stress is all too often the outcome of living our daily lives. But, Basil Turner asks, when we think that the world has gone plain bonkers, can meditation help to keep us reasonably sane?A recent TV programme on meditation left me feeling that the simple expedient of allocating a special time to clear the mind of dross and negative thoughts has to be beneficial. Easier said than done and I for one find it difficult to switch from worry mode to a world of peaceful harmony. (More)>p> Source: keepthedoctoraway.co.uk

Aromatherapy massage can lower blood pressure, relieve tension and create a sense of bliss. Learn the benefits of giving and receiving an aromatherapy massage. Learn what oils you'll need and the best techniques to use.

With swimsuit season fast approaching the majority of the country, it is important to find healthy ways to safely reduce our winter coat of fat. One tool that can assist a diet and exercise program is a colon cleansing routine. Problem is, there are many products to choose from and therefore the decision [...]

The best technique for giving an aromatherapy massage even if you haven't done it before. How to prepare the room, how to prepare the oils and how to ensure your loved one is truly in a state of bliss. Even if you are an absolute beginner.

Strange question, I know, but what IF no one in America were fat? That’s the exact question that journalist Shirley Skeel posed in a recent MSN post. The answers from a financial standpoint were astonishing. Take a look… abundance, diet, healthy, Prosperity, weight loss

A spa is a great form of body recovery and relaxation after an intense, or even a mild, workout. There are many advantages to taking the time out of your day to enjoy a spa visit after a quality workout session. Due to this fact, many exercise and fitness centers now feature a spa center as these companies realize the advantages of relaxing in a spa after exercise is completed.

Tis the season of spring when thoughts turn to the weather warming, the day becoming longer and new life blooming all around us. For many, new they yearn for new life to begin–within them. For those women and their partners who are attempting to become pregnant the following tips, brought to you by [...]

Although I was taught this technique in India, it is commonly used in many Eastern countries. In Japan, China, Singapore, and Turkey in addition to India, barbers and hairdressers will automatically offer a reviving scalp massage. The 10-minute massage outlined here is quite energetic and best done on dry hair. Walk around your partner as you do it.

Where would we be without our hands? Quite inconvenienced in most cases. But did you know your hands can be responsible for maintaining your health (and I’m not talking about picking up the phone to make your next massage appointment!). Merritt Watts for Prevention.com wrote a list of 5 simple ways to [...]

In china, massage is one of the therapies, along with acupuncture and herbal medicine, that has been around for centuries and is still an essential part of Chinese medical care today. Different systems coexist, including tuina ("pushing and grasping") and anmo ("pressing and rubbing"), and there are numerous regional styles.

I recently posted on some innovative uses of olive oil that can clean, brighten and freshen you home without toxins. That article was written by Cal Orey and it was only the tip of the iceberg of what this renowned expert knows. Cal Orey has written about the benefits of a common kitchen ingredient in [...]

If you've ever used essential oils, you know how enticing the scents can be. It's really easy to use a few extra drops here and there because a particular fragrance...

Lately, I’ve been considering any holes I can find in my Classical Chinese Medicine education here at NCNM. Amazingly, there aren’t many. It’s hard to put together a top notch program in any topic, much less one as complicated as Chinese medicine. One place I have found myself without much to go [...]

Today only, FromNatureWithLove.com will be giving its customers the chance to try our new Organic Patchouli Essential Oil free!  Every order placed online at FromNatureWithLove.com today, May 8, 2008, until Midnight (Eastern Standard Time) will automatically include a 1/8 oz. bottle of our Organic Patchouli Essential Oil.  This is a great opportunity to try out this wonderful ingredient. Patchouli Essential Oil is one of my personal favorite ingredients.  While I adore the woody, earthy aroma of Patchouli at full strength, most people prefer Patchouli when it is blended with other aromatic oils and extracts.  Citrus and Patchouli form a very popular combination.  Topping that blend with Lavender, Cypress, or Pine, creates a vibrant, bold, and energizing combination that appeals to men and women alike.  Patchouli can also be used to create a more mellow, grounded aroma.  Try combining Patchouli with Vanilla or Sandalwood to create a rich, sophisticated aroma.  You may want to use your 1/8 oz. Organic Patchouli Essential Oil to create your own unique Patchouli based Essential Oil Blend.  Experiment by adding each oil to the mixture drop by drop, allowing plenty of time in between stages for oils to fully blend.  Check out our article, Building an Aroma, for more tips on creating your own Essential Oil Blends.

Women undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can increase their chances of getting pregnant by 65 percent, if they are prepared to undergo acupuncture treatment too, simultaneously, suggests a preliminary study, mentioned in ‘HealthDay News’. About 10-15% of the couples, who face difficulty conceiving, opt for in-vitro fertilization procedure, which involves fertilizing a woman’s egg in laboratory and [...]

Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine that uses volatile oils from plants, known as essential oils, to affect someone's mood and health. But buying essential oils can be confusing...

Most people will agree that fresh is best when it comes to the nutrition of our food.  This reason, among others, has inspired a growing number of people to begin eating locally.  This means that they are purchasing as much produce as possible from local farms and growers.  Not only are farm fresh fruits and vegetables tasty and nutritious, when you purchase these things locally you are often supporting farmers in your own community.  Many people also believe that buying locally may help reduce your personal carbon footprint.  While the environmental pros and cons of buying locally are a topic of debate, I have a personal fondness for local farm stands and markets.  Meeting the people who grow the food you are eating brings a sense of community, and for me, a burst of inspiration.  After all, if fresh food is good for you on the inside, imagine what it can do for your fresh spa treatments! Here in New England, Spring has come into full bloom.  By the time that Spring gives way to Summer several of my favorite home spa produce items will come into season: StrawberriesPacked with antioxidants and fruit acids, strawberries are excellent at brightening complexions.  Mash fresh strawberries into your next face mask to take advantage of their sweet benefits. SpinachRich in vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folic acid, calcium, and antioxidants, spinach is a nutritious addition to your skin care diet.  Raw, or gently steamed spinach can be pureed and added to fresh facial and body masks. Fresh spinach also makes an excellent ingredient in spa cuisine.  Baby spinach leaves can be added to salads or sandwiches in place of lettuce for an extra boost of nutritional value. RhubarbRhubarb is often dried and powdered for use in hair treatments.  Hair teas, oils, and masks are made with Rhubarb to lighten or brighten light brown to blond hair. CucumberA classic spa ingredient, fresh cucumbers will be remembered for eternity as edible eye masks.  The reason they are so often used in place of sleeping masks is that fresh cucumbers have a slight de-puffing effect on the eye area.  Cucumbers can also be quite soothing, and are known to help soften skin by gently removing dead skin cells. Carrots These beta-carotene rich roots can be minced in a food processor and added directly to fresh masks and treatments.  Fresh carrot juice also makes a wonderfully nutritive wetting agent for clay masks and facials. A very handy website, The Sustainable Table, features seasonal food guides for over 25 states including California, Alaska, and New York.  These guides can help you keep an eye out for the locally grown foods that will be available soon. 

A desert flower, Cistanche Tabulosa, popularly known as ’schenk’, with high medicinal values has been found in large numbers in the deserts of Mesaieed. The parasitic plant has numerous yellowish-brown flowers. Numerous empty stumps of the plant with withered flowers have been found. The plant blooms in early spring. Environmentalists reveal that the plant belongs to ‘Cistanche [...]

It’s true, my friends, Deepest Health is still around. It’s been a couple of weeks since I posted, but I shall fail you no more. I needed some time to rejuvenate my brain and - perhaps more than that - reevaluate why I created this blog in the first place. I spent [...]

A reader asks, "Once acidophilus is opened and refrigerated, will it still be effective if I take it on a seven hour plane ride and it is stored at room...

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo The Natural Beauty Workshop has put together a special bath tub recipe. Inspired by the traditional baked good, Mexican Wedding Cookies, the following recipe will add a delightful, fizzy twist to your next bath.  This all natural recipe is full of skin loving ingredients.  Rice Bran Powder is known to help soother and balance skin.  Mango Butter and Organic Virgin Coconut Cream Oil add moisturizing properties to the bath, while Coconut Milk softens and conditions the skin.    Coco-Lime Bath Cookies Ingredients3/4 cup Brown Sugar1 cup Rice Bran Powder (coarse or fine)1 cup Cornstarch1/2 cup Coconut Milk Powder (for mixture)1/2 cup Coconut Milk Powder (for topping)1 tbs. Cocoa Powder2 oz. Organic Virgin Coconut Cream Oil2 oz. Mango Butter5 tsp. Lime Essential Oil1 cup Baking Soda1/2 cup Citric Acid DirectionsWarm the Mango Butter and Organic Virgin Coconut Cream Oil in a double boiler or a hot water bath until completely melted.  Remove the Mango Butter and Coconut Oil from the heat, allowing it to cool slightly, but not to harden.  Next, line a small baking sheet with waxed paper and set it to the side.  In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the Brown Sugar, Rice Bran Powder, Coconut Milk Powder, Cornstarch, and Cocoa Powder.  Stir the ingredients well, making sure to break up any clumps in the powders or sugars.  Since these ingredients can be a little clumpy by nature, you may want to grind the mixture in a blender or food processor to achieve a totally even consistency.  However, a few small clumps will not damage the cookies, so if that is totally optional.  In a second mixing bowl, combine the Baking Soda and Citric Acid.  Again, make sure to work out any clumps in the mixture.  Next, combine the two bowls of dry ingredients and mix well.  Add the Lime Essential Oil to the melted Coconut Oil and Mango Butter than pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients.  Begin stirring and kneading the mixture immediately.  You must work quickly at this point to get the cookies formed and placed onto the baking sheet.  Using your hands, form tablespoon sized balls of the mixture.  Roll the balls in the Coconut Milk Powder, covering them completely.  Place the balls onto the baking sheet then press them down gently, flattening the top.  They should be similar in shape to a gingersnap or sugar cookie.  Continue shaping cookies with the remaining mixture.  Allow the cookies to harden for a full 24 hours before attempting to remove them from the baking sheet.  After 24 hours the cookies should be hard enough to be handled and packaged.  Usage & PackagingMexican Wedding Bath Cookies should be stored in a tightly sealed bag or container.  Moisture or humidity can cause the cookies to fizz or "flower" prematurely.  These cookies look adorable in our Cello Bags or 1/2 lb. Tin Tie Bags.  To use the Cookies, simply drop one or two into a warm bath.  They will fizz and bubble, filling the bath with the delightful aroma of Lime and Coconut. 

Along with the growing interest and coverage from the press, the number of self appointed "experts" exploded. But, in many cases, their training was dubious and misguided, leading to a proliferation of questionable applications. Today, Feng Shui is associated with anything from haircuts to car design to mirrors and crystals. It's no wonder some design professionals are skeptical, rolling their eyes when clients request to work with the dreaded "Feng Shui master". So, what is really "Feng Shui"?

If you or someone in your circle of family or friends is graduating, this is the perfect time to celebrate with feng shui! The ancient art and science of feng...

posted by lhaizzaFeng shui is known as an ancient Chinese practice that teaches a person to live in harmony and peace with his or her surroundings. In order for the person to increase the entry of positive energy and to have a positive state of mind, the person is made to observe procedures to ensure that this positive energy or also known as "chi" will continuously flow in the surroundings making the people in that particular place happier and have a more positive outlook in life.These feng shui principles can be applied in different ways such as the placement of furniture in the house, the putting up of different figurines that are believed to possess that positive energy and even with the lighting fixtures such as setting up crystal chandeliers at home, feng shui principles can also be adaptedFree Flowing Positive EnergyAlthough there are a lot of different schools of this ancient Chinese practice, they are still grounded on the same beliefs. A lot of feng shui practitioners use different approaches in terms of the design that will give way for the positive energy to flow in.These design principles can be properly implemented in new and currently existing buildings or homes that are believed to contribute a lot in the abundance of harmony, joy, vitality, peace and love of the environment that surrounds the area. These design ideas are also easy to try and once you get a brief look of these different principles, you will be able to enjoy and eventually put them into practice.Tips On Choosing The Right Shades And Designs For Your ChandeliersChandeliers that have incandescent bulbs generate that warmer and orange hue level of lighting in the room. Compared to other sources of lighting, these incandescent bulbs create an inviting living space for the homeowner. Choose the color shades that you would like to work with for the mood that you want to create in a particular area in the house. For a calm pleasure mood, you can start off with pink shades while purple is perfect for a more passionate mood.Instead of just using one crystal chandelier situated at the center of the room as a source of bright light, you might want to use two or more softer lighted crystal chandeliers that will create a warmer glow as well as invite positive energy to come in.You can also add up lamp shades that are made of fabric in order to soften the light thus creating a quieter environment. If you want to achieve that active atmosphere in your home, you can go for metallic and reflective colors. The softer shades are best placed in the bedroom or bathroom while the harder shades best complement rooms that are utilized for working or other activities.Vanessa Arellano Doctor://crystal-chandeliers.xon.us/

We are often asked, why did you choose the numbers 168 as part of your business name? There are two answers actually, first it is a set of numbers that sound very close to “Continuing... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

A good place to start would be to create a feng shui bedroom, which is quite simple if you follow the methods used by feng shui practitioners. So now the decision has been made you are going to redesign and create a feng shui bedroom, at this point you will need to decide the mood and atmosphere you want to create in your bedroom.

Is your house bagua (ba-gua, or energy map) the same as your yard, or your garden bagua? In other words, when you define your house bagua, do you include your...

posted by reiki2clipped by: reiki2Clip Source: www.squidoo.com A Feng Shui Tip About Clutter  Let's check out clutter, so what is it? You may think this is a strange question, however, it is an important question and is one that needs to be addressed. You have probably heard the saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure."In other words, what may seem like clutter to one person may feel warm and comforting to another person. And a so-called uncluttered home may feel to some to be cold and sterile, lacking in personality and style.So the question is, what really describes clutter, and how is it tied in with the concept of feng shui?And, why can we so confidently say that clutter is the biggest enemy to good feng shui?

Some of you may be interested in a site that shows a lot of Feng Shui videos.  Although many of them are on non-traditional Feng Shui, some of them are quite interesting.  You can watch at... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

If you know your feng shui kua number, you can find out your lucky and unlucky feng shui directions. Based on your date of birth, you have four lucky directions,...

posted by dhrubo1The word vastu brings a myriad of reactions from people in general and architects (including students) in particular. For architects it is:’what is this; where does this fit into the architecture we learned and practice’ or ‘I would not touch it’ or ‘it is our sacred tradition and one must follow it reverentially otherwise it would bring bad luck’. Students are more confused about vastu as they do not get correct information. To understand vastu we can draw an analogy with the story of the blind men and the elephant that we read in school. Vastu is like that elephant. But before we go into more detail, there is something that should be made clear. In the present context vastu has become a word with a double-meaning. One is the popular meaning which means something mystical, superstitious or ritualistic that makes or breaks the life of the client.The other is the Sanskrit equivalent of architecture or it can be defined as the Indian system of architecture. The common Sanskrit synonyms are vastu-vidya (knowledge of vastu) and sthapotya (to establish). Etymologically vastu is derived from vastu (matter/earth); vastu is the act of modifying vastu (matter) into usable form (house, temple, towns, villages, furniture, vehicles, sculpture, and iconography). So when one says vastu, first try to find out what that person means; it could be either of the above or much more. In different contexts it could be that when a person says it, he means it reverentially (like the name of a deity), sarcastically (like the honesty of lawyers), with abhorrence (like the name of a disease), with humor (like a joke),with mystery (like Hercule Poirot in a novel), academically (like a branch of knowledge) or even fashionably (vastu? It’s out now, feng-shui is in!).The point I want to make is that it has different meanings in different contexts. However one cannot say ‘never heard about it’. It is either good or bad or ugly. Coming back to the elephant; vastu has many aspects or fields of knowledge. This can be illustrated by quoting from a traditional vastu treatise like Mayamatam. It contains verses on planning of towns, villages, design of temples, halls, pavilions, and seats etc. It also has information on material specifications, brickwork, joinery and carpentry. Majority of the text is on architecture and construction. The remaining verses are on astrology, ayadi formulae, mandala diagrams, muhurta and other non-architectural aspects. If we only concentrate on the architectural, building material and constructional part, we can learn a lot from vastu shastras. lt tells us about principles of design, aesthetics, management, total quality control, as practices in that era. Some of the text on do’s and don’t’s is difficult to believe, but leaving that apart, the architecture part is good enough. It is ironic that as a student who is learning architecture in India, you are more aware of principles and nomenclature of ancient western architecture than ancient Indian architecture. For example, in the context of pillars, you may be able to identify Doric, Ionic or Corinthian order, but chances are you may not be able to identify the classical Indian order like Brahmakanta, Vishnukanta or Indrakonta pillars. Similarly, you may know the ‘golden mean’ and proportions of modular, but may not know the proportions ‘jati’,'adbhuta’ or’chhanda’ followed in classical architecture of ancient India.The point that I wish to highlight is that Vastushastra is predominantly architecture in the sense that we understand it today; design, aesthetics, detailing, construction, material specifications,quality assurance and so. In the context of design of architectural elements, taking the case of pillars, when the description is interpreted, visualized and analysed, a pattern emerges.The first in the sequence are single section pillars, namely square, hexagon, octagon and circular. Next are two section pillars; square at the bottom and the top half is octagon, etc.Then pillars comprising of three sections; square, octagon, sixteen sided are described. Subsequently the pillars have multiple sections. The proportions of the pillars are worked out at many levels. Its height is proportional to the height of the plinth (adhishthana) below and entablature (prastaro) above. Its height is also proportional to its diameter at the base,which in turn is proportional to its diameter at the top (refer figure I and 2). Thus, a systemic approach is adopted while designing an element so as to make it in harmony with the elements adjacent to it and also with its constituting elements. This approach also helps in execution.A craftsman was given the overall dimensions and the general theme of the piece he had to carve and the detailing was left to him. This gave him some scope for showing his creativity.This was a high point of vastu which makes it different from present day architecture.The dignity of the craftsman was maintained. Instead of just being a manual skilled labour (mistry) that he is today, he was a contributor to the aesthetics of the total design.This approach of vastu can be related to what we now know as TQM in management. The systemic approach in vastu also makes it a prime contender for computer applications. The methodology of design is such that computer programs can be developed for them. It is also possible to create these designs on any CAD software, have a library of elements and then develop design by permutation and combinations of these elements and proportions.The possibilities are infinite. It is truly an excellent area for research in possibilities of computer applications in architecture and architectural conservation. The other part of vastu which occupies less content in texts but has more media hype in the society is the do’s and don’ts part, locations of activities, entrance and directions, astrology, muhurtas, mystic formula and calculations. Presently, I personally don’t have much knowledge of this aspect to either support it or denounce it; only comment I can make is that it does not fit into our ‘modern scientific’ thought process with the level of knowledge we have today.This might change in the future. In the context of medical sciences, If we take allopathy as the equivalent of architecture, yoga and dyurveda (Indian system of medicine) can be termed as the equivalent of vdstu (Indian system of architecture), and now a days yoga and ayurveda are not frowned upon and are accepted as an alternative method of health care by the public as well as doctors. So there might be something in this aspect of vastu because both ayurveda and vastu have common roots in the Vedic thought. In conclusion, I would like to state that before accepting or denying the validity of a certain idea first you have to try to understand it.This is a much better approach than branding something as good or bad. architecture feng-shui vastu shasta building designBookMark The word vastu brings a myriad of reactions from people in general and architects (including students) in particular. For architects it is:'what is this; where does this fit into the architecture we learned and practice' or 'I would not touch it' or 'it is our sacred tradition and one must follow it reverentially otherwise it

Spring Pea Salad

Remember the Cellulitis from hell post? You probably thought that was long since resolved, right? Wrong. Right after I wrote that, the client cut that same foot again on the same bit of weirdly venomous metal. One long ragged cut across the top of the foot. I could have cried. Despite nearly immediate treatmen the foot [...]

In this wonderful world of blogging I've come accross a lot of wonderful blogs written by very wise and wonderful herbalist, wild women, chefs and more. I just read this post at Weed Dance Farm blog, by the lovely Shawna. It speaks to the ever present questions we should all ask when we eat....Please pay her a visit and enjoy her wisdom!

Food of the Week: Garlic

What is Leadership? How do you embody it? If you were the Leader you’ve always dreamed of being, how would it change your life?  And the lives of those you lead? Are you ready to find out?!   Over the past 8 years I’ve been on my own Leadership Journey.  It’s been quite a ride of learning and growth! [...]

National Wildlife Week april 19th-27Green hour encourages parents to give their children a "green hour" each day. Time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world. The green hour website has tons of ideas and inspirations to support families who want their children to connect with the earth. Check it out!This years theme is get outdoors! This week you and your kids should watch and record the wildlife you see. (You can download a watch list that has flora and fauna local to you! And if you're in need of a thorough wildlife resource be sure to check out enature.com.)Meet outdoors and share your stories with others!Here are some great sites for wildlife ID/ getting outdoors for parents and kidsWildflowersBugsUrban BirdsKids GardeningLooking for Green minded holistic child care? Check out Holistic NannyEnjoy!Subscribe in a reader

May is Celiac awareness month, and for anyone who's gluten free knows, finding good GF recipies is a treat. Check out this lovely lady's GF blog for great ones!

While many of the herbal bloggers are busy on planet Dandelion, I’ve been off in a different direction. While I adore Dandelions, they’re not very common here, and my attention generally remains on what’s abundant and available. To this end, I’ve been laying on the river banks with my face buried in this season’s most [...]