Shop for Mother's Day at The Mom Entrepreneur Co-op Shop and party with us on Twitter to celebrate! Join The Mom Entrepreneur on Monday, May 4th from 10:00pm - 11:00pm EST for a twitter party celebration. We will be announcing our Mother's Day line up of offerings at the Co-op Shop, sharing tips for balancing motherhood and running a company, and giving away some amazing prizes. Pour yourself a glass of wine, and chat the evening away with dozens of mom entrepreneurs. For complete details, click here…>

I've been around the block a few times with Neti pots so when I was approached to try another one I have to admit I was skeptical.  I'm comparing this product to the original ceramic neti and to the plastic travel variety that I already have. For those of you who haven't heard of the neti pot it is used for sinus clearing. It is a part of ancient yogic body cleansing techniques that have been more recently discovered by the general public probably because they are so effective. They have even been recently touted by Dr. Oz on Oprah. They are helpful for allergy and colds. I also used one when I had colds during pregnancy since you can not take most over the counter medicines while you are pregnant (check with your doctor for pregnancy related medical advice). You add hot water and non-iodized salt to the pot and then pour it through your sinuses. I found this product to leak much less from the nostrils than the previous ones that I have tried. I also like that  it is made of recyclable PEHD (PolyEthylene High Density) material. I have to admit it has now become my most favorite neti ever!

www.rhinohorn.net

Opinions stated from BuddhiWear reviews are personal opinions.  BuddhiWear is not responsible for any purchasing decisions or consequences of purchasing any products mentioned.

Earth Day is almost upon us. It's time to make a plan. These two web sites can help you.

Earth Day Web Site
http://www.earthday.net/

National Parks Week
http://www.nps.gov/npweek/

Great New Book Helps International Charity Save the Children

 

Do you love a good book or know someone who does? Or do you care about poverty and the environment? If so, this thriller is a must-read!

 

'Deftly and intriguingly written, "What if...?" is a thriller that fans of other novels such as "The DaVinci Code" will relish. Highly recommended.' John Taylor, Midwest Book Review.

 

‘What if...?' is a real page-turner, blending political intrigue and roller-coaster action with a thought-provoking exploration of how we might build a green, socially just world where every man, woman and child truly is equal. Shootouts, car chases and conspiracies are interwoven with human rights and environmental crises, creating a chilling, real-life picture of the world and a story that's as moving as it is thrilling.

 

It's about a mysterious New Yorker who's catapulted to fame by the media when he seems able to heal with just a touch. Exploiting his celebrity status to reach people, he wages a political war to end global poverty which thrusts him into a deadly struggle with the White House that likes the world just the way it is: under its control - poverty, disease, wars and all.

 

Steve N. Lee, the author, says, "I wrote ‘What if...?' because I had a terrific roller coaster of a story to tell. Whilst researching its themes, though, I couldn't help but be moved by what I learned: poverty kills 24,000 children every single day. Knowing that, I can't sit idly by and do nothing - for every book sold through this website $4 goes to the charity Save the Children which feeds the world's poorest kids."

   

If you'd like a great book that makes a real difference, or to give a copy as a gift, see: http://www.ChangingTheWorldToday.com 

 

"Lee's vision is precise, poetic, and skillfully crafted. It's great writing with a great story, very well told." Nicholas Grabowsky, Bestselling Novelist

BEETLES AND BUTTERFLIES

 

Join Autumn Wilson of Yoga Chai and Valencia Wood as they present Beetles and Butterflies: The Sustainable Journey Workshop Series for mothers and daughters (12 years old and up). The ladybug beetle symbolizes love, protection, good cheer and luck. More, the butterfly symbolizes freedom, strength, change, rebirth and prosperity. The Beetles and Butterflies series will focus on the inner journey of sustainable and authentic transformation, refreshment and renewal for Butterflies (Mothers) as we move into a New Year of an unprecedented global shift and change. Also, the workshops will offer ways that mothers can connect with their Beetles (Daughters) to impart the essence of transformation by sharing their energies to change, grow confidence and nurture well-being through discussion (thought shifting, breath work and nutrition, etc.), the development of individual Balance Sheets and relaxing, restorative yoga movement. Individuals and Mother-Daughter Pairs are Welcome! Dates March 28, April 25, and May 23rd.

 

Workshop Cost

$30   Per Workshop (Individual)

$45   Per Workshop (Mother and Daughter)

$80   Pre-registration entire series (Individual)

$125          Pre-registration entire series (Mother and Daughter)

 

** For Call Autumn Wilson of Yoga Chai or Valencia Wood for Group Discounts (Five or More).

 

Location

Yoga Chai

1744 Columbia Road NW

Washington DC 20009

T: 202.746.9642

 

For More Information Contact

Autumn Wilson : Yoga Chai | T: 202.746.9642 | E: info@yogachai.com

Valencia Wood : Beetles and Butterflies | T: 410.227.4103 | E: beetlesbutterflies@gmail.com

Last year I attended a fantastic reiki holistic retreat in Reisterstown, MD. They had several top notch reiki and energy healers and some fantastic speakers. I really felt energized and alive after attending. I also met some of the nicest people there and I still talk to them too. There will be a lot going on during the retreat weekend such as an Reiki/Energy Share on Friday evening! QiGong with Karl Ardo! Shamanic Drumming with Ann Hughes on Saturday evening! (Bring your frame drum, to particpate) Readings with Aurora! Morning Yoga with Kelly Neylan! Shop in our store for CDs, books, crystals, t-shirts, natural body products and original jewelry by Juelles! AND MORE!

So if you are ready for an energy buzz and to feel more alive I'll look forward to seeing you there.  BuddhiWear will also be in the shop so stop by and say hi.

The retreat is open to everyone 18+. One does not have to be a Reiki Practitioner to attend.

MAY 29, 30, 31, 2009 (This is the weekend AFTER Memorial Day weekend!)

Please see http://www.edenlifejourneys.com/retreats.htm to sign up or for more details.

I recently got introduced to the Florian Yoga Companion that provides business resources for yoga instructors, musings and free articles about yoga, discounts and free yoga products.  Some of the themes of the writings include:  using yoga and meditation for stress relief, setting boundaries, how to incorporate yoga into our daily life, and why yoga isn’t just about stretching. 

www.florianvilla.com 

http://www.florianyoga.blogspot.com

1. Plan your meal ahead of time
   If you are having a party, know how many people you will be serving. This will help you purchase your food without buying too much, which will reduce the amount of waste you have after the meal. If you are having a lot of people over, consider buying in bulk to avoid excess packaging.
2. Buy local and organic
   From the main course to your wine or apple cider, try purchasing your food items locally and organically. You can find local farms and farmer's markets on LocalHarvest.. Less transportation = less emissions, and you will be helping to support your local economy. Purchase your side items locally, too, whether from your local farm or from a farmer's market or co-op.
3. Use Reusable Shopping Bags
   Worldwide, 1 million plastic bags are used per minute. Cut down on this use by bringing reusable shopping bags when you do your Christmas and grocery shopping.
4. Cook with a pressure cooker
   If you use a pressure cooker to make parts of your meal, you can save 50-70% of the energy you'd use cooking on a stovetop.
5. Cook from scratch
   Guests will enjoy homemade food much more than canned, boxed, or frozen. You will save money and save packaging.
6. Use reusable and/or compostable dinnerware
   Use dishes and silverware that you already have and have your party guests help you do the dishes after. Really want to avoid the dishes? Buy one time use compostable plates.
7. Compost food waste
   If you do end up with leftovers and can't eat them all, compost them. Not compostable: liquids, grease, cooking oil, plastic, styrofoam, glass, metal
8. Avoid wrapping paper
   Especially paper with metallic content, as it is difficult to recycle. Use reusable gift bags, or pack your gifts in reusable shopping bags that the gift recipient can make use of later. If you want to wrap, try using newspaper and match the store to the recipient, or use colorful magazine pages, cloth, calendar pages, or recycled wrapping paper. Leftover work paper can be an interesting, personal wrapping paper. Blueprints, maps, sheet music, etc. are options personal to your interests or job that can be used as wrapping paper.
9. Set up Secret Santa
   To avoid excess "stuff," you can set up a Secret Santa with your friends or family. Put all the names in a hat, and choose randomly. Set a price limit for gifts, and when gifts are exchanged, try to guess who bought yours.
10. Avoid Excess Packaging
    When it comes to purchasing gifts (and other items), try to avoid excess packaging when possible. If two items or similar, buy the ones with less or recyclable packaging.
11. Shop consciously
    Consider who made the gift, what it is made of, and whether or not the gift recipient can use it. Will it get thrown out or tossed in the back of a closet and forgotten? If yes, don't buy it. These guidelines can apply to everything you buy.
12. Give gifts that give back
    A lot of organizations now offer gifts that give back to communities and help others in need. For a donation ranging from affordable to very expensive, you can purchase gifts for communities such as cows, chickens, water wells, schools, and more. Most times the gift recipient will receive a card saying that a donation was made in their name and telling them how the money will help people in need.
13. Make gift tags
    If you saved last year's Christmas cards, turn the unwritten area into gift tags for your presents. Save this year's cards and do the same thing next year.
14. Send earth-friendly cards
    Many companies now offer recycled holiday greeting cards. Ideally, you would want cards made with 100% post-consumer waste. There are also tree-free options, and FSC certified cards. Cards can be made from other recycled cards, or from magazine ads, calendar pages or catalogs. Making your cards can add a much needed personal touch.
15. Give rechargeable batteries
    If your gift requires batteries, give a set of rechargeables with it (consider a charger to go with the batteries).
16. Don't use packing peanuts for shipping
    If you have to ship your gifts, use something recyclable for packing. Recycled newspaper or junk mail are two options. If you just received a package yourself that was stuffed with packing peanuts, you can reuse them to send out your package.
17. Buy a real tree
    Artificial trees are made from PVC, which is very hard to recycle and off-gases carcinogenic chemicals. Cutting down a tree for decoration may not seem earth friendly, but consider that well-managed tree farms are set up just for this purpose. For every tree harvested, 2 to 3 are planted in its place, and purchasing from a local tree farm helps support your local economy. To find eco-friendly tree farmers near you, check LocalHarvest or GreenPromise. For information on what it takes for a farm to be certified by The Coalition of Environmentally Conscious Growers, which ensures that growers are utilizing sustainable farming practices in the production of Christmas trees, visit CECG.
18. Decorate with with food
    String cookie ornaments and popcorn for decorations on your tree or in other areas of your home. Make sure they aren't in areas that might be prone to bugs, especially if you are in a warm climate. If you string popcorn, let it go stale for at least a day or it will fall apart. Store the popcorn in a tin and you can reuse it next year.
19. Decorate with nature
    No plastic or even recycled ornament can beat the beauty of nature's decorations. Berries, twigs, holly sprigs, pinecones, and acorns can all make beautiful decorations when used separately or piece together into ornaments, centerpieces, or other pieces.
20. Display your kids artwork
    If your kids made decorations in school, display them proudly. These pieces are sure to be cute, and displaying them will encourage your child to continue making creative artwork.
21. Make something old something new
    Use an aluminum can as a vase. Wrap brown craft paper or old grocery bags around the cans and tie a ribbon or twine around it. Use the cans as vases for organic flowers, twigs, or evergreen. For a unique centerpiece, line the cans down the center of the table. Used incandescent lights can be painted and hung as ornaments.
22. Use LED lights
    Using LED lights can save you 90% on your energy bill over standard decorative lighting. Set your lights on a timer so you don't forget to turn them off!
23. Make origami box ornaments
    From Michele Patrick, "Each year when I receive Christmas cards from friends and family, I cut and fold them into little origami gift boxes. I take a piece of the card trimmings not used to make the box and write the senders name on it and the year it was sent. I put this piece of paper into the box and use small pieces of ribbon (bought from resale shops) to finish off each gift box. I hang the gift boxes on my unconventional Christmas tree which is this fabulous 3’ tall tree branch that is spray painted gold."
24. Use sand instead of floral foam
    If you plan on making floral arrangements for decorations, use sand in lace of floral foam. It costs less, isn't petroleum based like foam, and the arrangements last just as long.
25. Avoid petroleum based candles
    Paraffin wax candles are made from petroleum, and they release harmful chemicals into the air. Use soy based or beeswax candles, and go for unscented. If you buy scented make sure they use essential oils for the scent rather then chemical fragrances. Dine by candlelight to save electricity.
26. Recycle your tree
    Don't throw away your tree after the holidays. Trim off the branches and use them as mulch for perennials. If you don't have a garden, search Earth911.com to find a tree recycling center.
27. Bundle up and walk
    Or bike, if you can. Tour your neighborhood to view the holiday decorations without your car. You can enjoy the beauty of the season much more if you take it slow rather than driving by, and you'll save car emissions and gas.
28. Turn off the TV
    Watch a few of your holiday favorites, of course, but turn off the TV the rest of the time. Take the time to read your kids a Christmas story, or let them read to you. Invite friends or family over for story time, or to sit in front of your fireplace with cups of organic hot cocoa just spending time together.

Republished with permission from Stefani at http://focusorganic.com  please check out her web site for other great articles!