Bah-Humbug! (Transformational Tools for your Holidays!) Journal activities, Herbs, Foods, and Smells to Help You

This past week my girlfriend and I had an enlightening conversation about Thanksgiving. Each of us where sharing what challenges us the most; what we were afraid of, what made us feel rotten, and what kind of behavior by others ruins our day.

I found us saying things like “I wish I had more help with the planning and preparation of the food so I was less resentful”, “I don’t want to have to answer to anybody about my personal life if I’m not ready, but I don’t want them to feel pushed away, either”, “I’m worried about political differences coming up” and “I feel exhausted at the end, not filled up and all happy like we’re told we should feel. I want to actually feel nourished and full of gratitude, not like: ‘thank God that’s over!’”

After we vented a bit, we started asking some questions instead, and low and behold we started coming up with miraculous ways to approach the coming holidays with a lot more self-awareness and intention, and less attachment to how others decide to use the day.

This is an incredibly self-protective and freeing experience! And although I've personally done a *lot* of inner work around dealing with winter and the holidays, but this conversation was especially helpful and insightful.

So, in light of the fast-approaching Yule tide, I come here today to offer a similar journey for you, as well as herbal and aroma allies. For my apothecary members I always approach things holistically this way (including inquiry based journaling/mindset methods, sensory engagement, and herbal nourishment) so that the healing happens from multiple facets and is integrated more completely. I invite you to tackle things with this in mind as well.

The more my friend and I talked about what we wanted and complained less about what we didn’t want, the more clearly we were able to see the potential to enjoy our holiday more, even within the given circumstances.

However, it is good to get all the complaints on the table, as they can help us navigate. So….lay it all out, my friend, with reckless honesty:

What are my biggest, most anxiety producing complaints about the holiday?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

{Awesome, good job J}

Next, Go slowly through each of your above frustrations and ask these questions:

1.       Is this an experience I’m capable of changing?

2.       Does the change need to happen externally, involving others?

3.       Is there a change in me, internally, that would help? What is that? Compassion, forgiveness, or a shift in expectations?

4.       Do I contribute to this issue in any way?

5.       What personal boundaries can I set for myself around this issue? (e.g.; Getting more rest? Not answering questions I don’t feel comfortable with? Not engaging in feeling victimized or falling prey to passive aggressive behavior?

6.       In what ways can I ask for help & support from my loved ones in regards to this issue?
  

7.       How can I better prepare for this potential experience, manage it if it occurs, or help prevent it?

{Woot! Feels good so far, yes? Are you surprised by anything so far?}

Next, we need to shift the focus to what we do desire.

1.       What would each of these experiences look and feel like to you, if they were expressed in the positive?
For example, if your #1 fear was listening to your children fight, it might look like two siblings enjoying each other’s company.

2.       What do I want out of a holy-day? How do I want to feel before, during, and after?

3.       What are some ways my ideals can be fed and supported??

Brainstorm specific ideas around this – the more specific you are the more likely it is to happen, whether because you take action, or something becomes more energetically possible through the magic of your intentions.

Super! We’re well on our way to a transformed holiday experience.  In addition to the above specific problem-solving inquiries, we can arm ourselves with some general ideas as well. These are three of my favorite pattern interrupters that I use the most often.

~In this moment, I can choose peace.

~In this moment, what can I do differently?

~Even though I feel ­­­­_____ (angry, hurt, etc) I can choose to shift things by acting out of love.

By claiming more ownership over the emotional choices, vocabulary we use, and the physical activity choices we have, and by creating a plethora of options for ourselves, we can shift out of feeling victimized and begin to foster a sense of self-protection, groundedness, and hope that the coming days, meant to be most sacred, generous, and fulfilling, actually can be just that.

The nourishing feast: 

Oh the food! Yummy, yummy food, and lots of it! Meant to be a gleeful celebration of bounty, of course, this can instead be the source of much misery for many, whether it is days in the kitchen laboring over the perfect meringue, a tender bird, or peeling endless potatoes – worrying about eating too much and gaining weight, fearing the dish washing task, or simply feeling like crap afterwards.

Whatever the food brings up for you, we can apply a few small tweaks for aid.

--Ditch the MSG. This means no “Mr.Gravy” thickener, and no poor quality brand dressings or seasoning packets. MSG can cause severe inflammation, instigate over-eating, and provide mega-headaches. They are just no good party poopers. (Monosodium Glutamate) is known for its trouble making and is better off left out of the meal.

--Change from soda. UGH! There are so many excellent sparkly options nowadays. Corn syrup and artificial flavor/color is a holiday’s bad news. Don’t go there. Especially if you have volatile parent/kid pairs in the family, or any diabetics. This might feel like an epic change for some – but remember that we can focus on what we are adding instead of subtracting to help us all adapt and enjoy.

--ADD Lots of digestive aids! At least an hour before the main meal, take a little something each ten or twenty minutes to stoke your digestive fire. There are many options you have no excuse to avoid this essential action.
 

Ginger root, Lemon Juice, Fennel Seeds, Apple Cider Vinegar, black pepper & cinnamon chai, Turmeric root, bitters such as Dandelion root tincture, Artemisia tincture, and Goldenrod tincture can all help ready the digestion. Fermented foods as an appetizer and condiment are one of my very favorite (and delicious) ways to support digestion. Homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, or pickled vegetables are a fantastic way to support those in your family who may not be so interested in your herbal concoctions.

--Have honey available. For those who might decide to use honey instead of sugar in their coffee or tea. Yay! (Then dessert will be more relaxed)

--Ask for help!!!! Call up your inner queen and do some delegating. People who stand around waiting to do something, actually do want to help. But if they are in someone else’s kitchen, they would do well with some helpful directions. Guys who retreat to the football game are, more often than not, willing to help if you’re willing to ask.

And, last but not least, Aroma-allies.

If you’re hosting, and you usually burn Yankee or similarly scented candles consider not. These candles can contribute to migraines, nausea, mood swings, and mysterious maladies galore. They are packed with dangerous fragrance chemicals like z-estrogens that can wreak havoc.

Natural aromas in the house are inviting … cider, stuffing, garlic … these are the smells that help us feel welcome, stimulate salivation, and cultivate memories (without side effects). If you do wish for candles, try ones with natural essential oils of orange or cinnamon for a gentler ambiance. You can also choose unscented candles and use an aromatherapy diffuser with the following essential oils.

If you keep a cupboard of essential oils, you can make yourself a helpful blend.  One of my favorite for Yule time is Roman Chamomile. Wildly herbaceous & floral/fruity, this almost apple-like chamomile oil is incredibly uplifting and anti-depressant. Roman Chamomile is excellent for those who tend to feel brooding, argue beyond the point of reason, and get ‘hot headed’ or stubborn. It is also somewhat expensive – but also strong. Diluted in carrier oil at about 2-4 drops of essential oil to 1/3 ounce carrier oil, you can apply it or smell it as frequently as you like.

If you prefer something more grounded and rooty, you might find Vetiver essential oil to be helpful. It is excellent for those who abhor traveling, tend to feel nervous or insecure, or feel as though they need thicker skin. It is one of the strongest essential oils and will be plenty effective at a dilution of 1 drop in 1/3 ounce of carrier oil.

You might enjoy a trip to your local natural food store to smell an array of essential oils and determine which one makes you feel most relaxed and happy.

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However you choose to support yourself this holy-day season, may it be nourishing, joyful, and bring you closer to the ones you love.

Blissful Blessings,

Ananda

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NEW

in the Apothecary (and more to come in the next week, stay tuned!!!)

FORTRESS

~Resins & Roses~

Botanical Perfume

click here:

Healing Camp in San Mateo, Rizal PH

By: Fleets Errasquin and Ronnie Bernardo

"The Healing Village " last November 17, 2012  held at Symbios Holistic and Wellness Sanctuary was indeed a success, participants were all happy and satisfied with the food which is Locavore , the lectures, encompassing the body mind and spirit topics, the indigenous rituals appreciating the environment, which includes the Babaylan and prayer for the nature spirit and the place itself, the Symbios a place of serenity and peace. 

Guests are welcomed by lush, green shrubs, towering bamboo trees, to fill the the sanctuary with lots of fresh oxygen, free sun therapy (natural vitamin D). Going down the healing village involves a lot of footwork  a meditative walk down the wellness sanctuary.

Ms. Fleets Errasquin 

of Healing Partners and The I Can Serve Foundations (Cancer support groups), a Wellness advocate, Cancer survivor without Chemo and the inventor of the "Fleeting Boobs", an artificial prosthesis for patients with mastectomy, experiencing the "VORTEX" (center of healing energy )at Symbios.

Attendees composed of holistic health buffs, Biovitale holistic clinic staffs, GINHAWA (Growth in wholeness and well-being associates), Healing partners ( cancer support group) and AMAC (Alternative medicine practitioners). These souls gather together in oneness at the pavilion amidst swaying leaves of towering trees and bamboos, tweeting happy birds, affirming croaking "butikis", dancing flickering "alitaptap" (fireflies at night) and the whistling abundant brooks.

Lecture on natural medicine by Dr. Sonny Viloria, a pioneer in Natural, Holistic and Complimentary Medicine always emphasize: cleansing, detox, nourishing and balance of energy in his treatment model. To "treat the cause of the disease NOT the symptoms" says Dr. Viloria.

Leah Tolentino, artist, healer, spiritual teacher, facilitator of wholeness and well-being, active proponent of GINHAWA prepared the guest for grounding. She also teaches healing movements, gratitude, liberating the dance of life- the lows and highs, twists and turns of our sacred path, stretching bodies and soul, dancing our body-soul stories.

Tibetan meditation gong (bowl) prepare guest for meditation and inward work

The food is Locavore style (local and organic), organic, non-GMO, root crops, corn, sweet camote, fresh ampalaya salad, banana heart salad, organic free-range native chicken tinola, Laing, fresh bangus, organic rice, watermelon, pineapples, fresh tanglad (lemongrass)-camote tops-mint juice.

Banana heart salad

Fresh watermelons and boiled camote

fresh lemongrass-camote tops-mint tea (so healthy and refreshing)

Lugaw totong or "lilot balatong" in Ilocano

Vegetarian pancit canton

The Babaylan, represented by Ms. Jenny,  an Indigenous people of Cordillera shared many things about the culture, tradition, long lost healing arts of their ancestors. She strongly defends her indigenous heritage and Igorot legacy with pride and respect for her ancestors' traditional way of healing. 

An Indigenous cordillera salutations, a very old tradition of mind, heart and hand greetings was also the teachings of Hindu Shiv Shakti hand, head and heart mudra according to our Hindu guest and healer Kanchan.

Kanchan Sadhwani , also a spiritual healer, shared some personal experiences on healing, wrap up spiritual-emotional issues beautifully

Speaker Emmylou Fillamor, shared her astral travels, spirit encounter and spiritual healing.

The Babaylan dance therapy uses gongs, bamboo sticks, flutes sounds in unison for wholeness. The uses , the purposes of indigenous musical instruments explained.

GINHAWA group: What kind of cup would you like to be? cracked, broken, defective, empty, smooth and whole ready for refill? the choice is yours.

The HILOM group blessing and enjoying the freshness of spring water (bukal), natural mountain water cleanses the aura!

The program ends well with final tuning up with the divine power conducted by Leah Tolentino.

Pomegranate Elixir Recipe (Homemade Shirley-Temple for Grown-ups!)

Pomegranates are so sexy.

 Totally irresistible

and incredibly delicious!

And of you've got a couple extra, you can make a DeLuscious, frothy pomegranate beverage.

--Seeds of 2 pomegranates (organic if possible)

--put the seeds into a mason jar

--fill up to 3/4 of the height of the seeds with brandy or your favorite sipping liquor

--fill the rest of the space to meet the top of the seeds with local raw honey

--pour it all into a food processor

--add other twists if you like: lime juice, vanilla extract, or nutmeg sprinkles

{My Lady's Slipper Ring Members are receiving a Pomegranate Bitters special blend with wildcrafted herbs added <3 p="p">

Sift through a strainer to remove the seeds, pour over ice (or CAKE) and enjoy.

Happy Wild Gratitude Day!

Love,

Ananda

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PS - New Artisan Aromatics and Sacred Herbals are up in the shop!! Support Mamas and Artists and Herbalists!

AMRITA APOTHECARY

Pleasure Medicine 

Mother's Milk

Mother's milk is best for babies:

Whether humans or animals, mother's milk is always the best, because it is manufactured by nature specifically and specially for their body types and needs.  The beauty of breast-fed child or of an animals as we know is that , they are not sickly, has better immunity, digestion and set of teeth. We are very fortunate and grateful to our mother because we are all breast-fed children. I noticed that we all have a natural teeth intact up to this day, we don't wear false teeth as we noticed to children fed with infant formulas, Our vision/sight is better also, up to now my eyes are 20/20 vision, even my brothers and sisters except for the eldest wearing a reading glasses. We all acknowledge it to our breastfeeding mother. We don't have hospital confinement during childhood, asthma or allergies in short we had a very normal child life. In the Philippines specially in provinces it is a usual practice to breastfeed the newborns, specially during my time but since the flooding of infant formulas in the market, brainwashing by media through TVC,  even doctors prescriptions, the tradition changed, and since then newborns were fed with infant formulas these days they are  not the same, they are different compared to children of earlier times most of them are sickly. That is why many women's groups is advocating the practice again of breastfeeding their child and that is a good sign. A book excerpt below from "The Macrobiotic Way" by Michio Kushi explains why mother's milk is for human babies and cow's milk is for calf.

 Macrobiotic infant nutrition:

Milk has always been served as a vital link between generations. Through the mother-infant breastfeeding relationship, the foundation was laid for the unfolding of intelligence and human consciousness.  Even today the dependency of the newborn upon its mother tightens the bond between them and ensures that the child grows strong and healthy.

Research compiled over the past twenty years has proved beyond reasonable doubt that mother's milk is best for newborn babies. Formula fed babies are more likely to develop digestive problems and diarrhea. They also have a lowered immunity to illness and infection, and less of a chance of surviving the first years of life alive and well. Mother's milk is the best way to protect infants from viruses and microbes. It gives them solid immunity against infection. In addition, a child's intelligence may also be limited by the use of cow's milk.

All creatures are born at different stages of biological development. for example, many species of fish can swim and eat immediately after they are born. Horses and cows are able to stand just hours after birth. human babies can do little more than suck, and are totally dependent on their mothers for a much longer time than most other animals.

Using brain development as a guide, we can compare the difference and their nutritional needs in infancy. At birth, the human brain is 23 % develop, compared with 40% in chimpanzee and gorilla. A calf's brain is nearly 100% develop by the time the calf sees the light of the day, not needing much brain food, but rather food for bone and muscle building, the calf may gain 75 pounds in the first six weeks. An infant's need for protein and calcium is much less than that of baby calf. However his or her requirements for carbohydrates, which nourishes nerves and brain cells, is much greater than the calf's- and human mother's milk contains nearly twice as much carbohydrates as cow's milk. Mothers who introduce cow's milk when their babies are few months old may lead to long term health problems, as cow's milk is is too rich in protein, calcium and other minerals. It was created this way to support the growth and development of a three-hundred pound calf.

Children fed with cow's milk may become bigger in size more quickly, but their internal organs become somewhat lazy, loose and enlarged. As it is composed of larger molecules than mother's milk. Cow's milk tends to over-nourish the body and under-nourish the brain and nervous system. Breast-fed babies are generally brighter, more sensitive and more alert than those fed cow's milk.

I like this TVC breast feeding campaign by DOH, it has a lot of common sense: "Hindi hayop ang anak mo!" (your child is not an animal!).

Black Forest Chai Recipe, Cave Poetry, and Important Apothecary Changes (Action Required)

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Cave Poetry

Razor sharp is the air this morning. 

Indicative of a true winter's day, the sky is solemn and brooding. 

All warmth is withheld, and joy must be sought  created, or remembered.  

I take solace in welcoming the cave time. 

In the darkness is fertile possibility.

In the silence comes the ancestral answers.

In the smell of the heady, dank earth,

we are granted the chance to take back our body.

In our cave time we adorn!

We draw red ochre on the walls

of our igneous hideouts

We butter our lips with roses and fat.

Smoke curls through time

Scenting our blankets and cloaks.

Libations in blood colored liquids are poured

Invoking dreams and visions.

The light comes to us from within our forest bodies, 

our bellies of love and water,

our breasts of milk and sweetness,

our minds of flowers and kaleidoscope minerals.

The Goddesses visit us in our cavern.

They give us gifts of dances and beauty and order.

They command from us our greatness, our fearless femininity.

As the world outside our cave

turns to ice

and incubates the seeds

We gestate our creative forces

and conjure powerful destinations

We render ghee from butter,

we render love from pain

we render forgiveness from anger

and we turn our inner blossoms

into seeds with wings

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Dearest Reader

Thank you for coming along these plant journeys. I know that even though you're here, reading something I have typed, this is really *your* journey. Your way of reconnecting to the earth beneath your feet, to the trees in your own forest, and to the senses tingling and talking throughout your body. 

I'm incredibly grateful to be somehow a part of that for you. 

I give gratitude for you and your divine nature. 

There are a few changes around here in an effort to serve you better, if you are a reader, patron, or ally, please be sure to read this thoroughly. 

As you may know it has been an extraordinary year for me.

I'm entering my second year of offering my Pleasure Medicine Apothecary Membership/Home study course (the Lady's Slipper Ring) and I have grown and learned a lot from the journey. 

I have made an impressive collection of herbals through the process, which I am very proud of. Below is my Botanical Aromatherapy Perfume Archive for the year (Oct 2011 - Oct 2012) It now rests on my abundance/gratitude altar. 

What I've noticed, is that there are two groups that I serve, and while there is quite a bit of overlap, there is also some divide. 

Some of you come for this:

and some of you come for this: 

And sometimes I just want to talk about this:

or this:

Does that make sense? 

So, to serve you better, take these actions: 

1) If you want to connect mostly about plants, nature, and earth based musings, please continue to be a part of this blog, and the Plant Journeys facebook page. You will still receive Apothecary offerings and updates on a semi-regular basis, but it will remain primarily a plants, life, and food-based forum for me.

2) If you're mostly here for my Artisan Herbals, Lady's Slipper Ring annual membership, pain killer salve, elixirs and products, or because you're into beautiful apothecary musings and sexy pictures of red wine and freshly poured magic potions, then the NEW Amrita Apothecary facebook Page is the click to like to stay connected to all of my creative endeavors and product offerings. In the future - THIS is where I will be posting first come first serve offerings such as night owl discounts, early bird specials, and OOAK leftovers from special projects. So, if you love my products, this is the place to be. If you're not interested in hearing about my offerings, this is not the place to be.

In this way, I sincerely hope to continue serving you in the ways more specific to the reasons you visit me, and in the ways that connect you with nature and your body most directly.

In gratitude and beauty blessings,

Ananda

PS - Thank you to everyone who has enrolled in this year's Ladys' Slipper Ring! I am diving deep to upgrade the home study content, going far into the forest to dig you rich roots, and working tirelessly on ideas for your coming herbal treasures. It's going to be a delicious ride. 

If any of you were hoping to come along, it's not (but almost!) too late! I have TWO SPACES LEFT  - but they will only be here until November 12, when I will lock the doors on the program until September 2013. 

For more information, go HERE

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BLACK FOREST CHAI

An intense herbal brew for your days hiding in the Cave.

Into a pot on the stove or wood stove, add 2 to 3 quarts filtered or well water. 

Add: 

~ 1, One inch sized root of Osha, dried.

~ One tablespoon Smoked black tea, such as Lapsang Souchong, or a roasted Mate

~ 1 tablespoon  Licorice root

~ 1 tablespoon Cardamom seeds

~ 1-2 tablespoons Ginger, fresh minced

~ 1-2 Springs freshly gathered conifer twigs with needles (spruce, fir, or pine)

~ 1 handful fresh Black Birch twigs cut into 1 inch bits

~ 5-10 Juniper berries

~ One inch piece dried mushroom (chaga, reishi, or shitake) if desired

~ grated Nutmeg to taste

~ Black Peppercorns as desired

~ 1 Handful of your favorite nuts; walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts work well)

Directions: Gently simmer all ingredients for 30-45 minutes (longer will make it stronger). When ready, ladle out cupfuls as you desire, into your favorite mug. Add cream and honey and herbal elixirs as desired. Enjoy.

xo

Credits: 

Inspirations for Black Forest Chai come from the following:

My Hickory Nut Adventures and Wild Woman's Forest Brew 

My Sweet Friend, Herbalist Darcey Blue, who successfully got me addicted to smoked tea.

Kiva Rose's Wild Woodlands Morning Brew Recipe mmm

And of course, my body, who says - "Give me quiet, give me tea." 

And I must obey. 

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Techno-Detox

"Techno-detoxed and recharged me"

The technology generation has provided us much convenience on our daily life, in whatever field you may think of engineering, medicine, social services, politics just to mention a few. Unfortunately these development comes with a price to pay, among them the ions in the atmosphere that runs in no direction affecting our body's electromagnetic field. The result, a multitude of diseases, which used to be seen among the aged and now even for the young generation is increasing statistically, among them heart and kidney disease, hypertension and cancer.

What technology are we talking about?

Electronic and electrical appliances particularly the microwave oven, computers, televisions and most popular of all the cellular phone which is somehow considered to be inevitable or indisposable for all ages. I remember the time we are already so contented calling somebody with tatlong beinte singko, and you still have to look for a telephone booth, well that was about 30 years back.

Fast Forward considering that the Phillippines is being considered as the text capital of the world, sad to say we may still be expecting higher incidence of those kind of diseases which will affect the younger generation.

To address this " TECH-DETOX ", beyond cleansing of our biological body, it is about time to learn how to cleanse our own electromagnetic field for disease prevention.

Creating awareness to the ill effects of ELECTROMAGNETIC SMOG so as maintaining healthy EMF or electromagnetic field is one of my goal.   

In some of my articles here, I talked about Mechanical,  Internal  and Mental Detox, ( we are talking a lot of detoxifications here). There is one more important "toxins" that we should be aware of,  due to fast-paced lifestyle and the rise of modern technologies and gadgets, there is this so-called "Techno-detox" coined  in this era of technologies and gadgets in answer to treat electro-magnetic pollutants. I had a great deal of learning about this so called electro-magnetic pollutants way back 1999.

With me is Alex a friend from Mexico City and Connie Rodis where I learned a great deal of HK.
This Photo is taken 1999 at the food tent during a Spiritual conference and retreat
@ Summit University in Montana, USA.

I first heard of electro-magnetic pollutants/toxins from HK (Health Kinesiology) practitioner friend Ms. Connie Rodis from Montana, USA, a Filipino-American.  I met her and become close friend during a spiritual retreat in Royal Teton Ranch in Montana. I used to have HK treatment and a bit of training from her and it was amazing knowing that we could actually talk to our body and ask our body which is bad or not for us and very specific! using our own electro-magnetic field and currents. She said she used to be very weak and sickly and in a state of almost her life force is being snuff out  due to exposure to too much electronic appliances at home and electronic equipments at work. According to her, her treatment using HK bring her life back and so she studied it and became a practitioner. I know her  very well, but  unlike me, she is not into so much gadgets and "wired", so I wonder where she is now.  I know why, she is trying as much as she can to be away from "electro-magnetic pollutants" because her body is very sensitive to the energy from this gadgets and could also affect our energy balance. In the studies of HK (Health Kinesiology) it is a big no. I learned so much from my friend on how a simple electrical apparatus, electric currents, appliances could affect our health, psyche and well-being. 

Many people are sickly, lethargic, have a low self esteem, vibrancy and energy  because of the "short-circuits" of electrical current and impulses brought about by modern gadgets and appliances. Did you know a simple laptop can cause infertility? Did you know that electrical wires/posts near your window or bedroom  could affect your sleep pattern?  so if your room or house is near electrical post, it could affect your well-being and even psyche, well, that is debatable, but again be safe than sorry, don't put laptop on your lap! the heat and electrical energy radiation emitted by laptop concentrate on your reproductive organs and could make it sterile. Could it be a reason for  the population's (specially those in corporate and IT world) low fertility rate this day? I noticed in my country those who live without these stuffs like the slum areas has more children, while most of those corporate couples having a hard time having children, this is just my speculation but a good thought to ponder, so use a table for your laptops and keep it away from you as much as you can. There are these electro-magnetic pollutants that we don't know and see but we can feel and manifest a body reactions, take for example now, they found out that mobile phones (cell phones) could cause brain tumors/cancers, but no one could live without it these days anymore, it is a must for everyone, unless we would like to live a hermetic life in the mountains. The thing is we could still keep a balance energy by doing at least a "Techno-Detox" once in a while. 

That is the concept of this idea, to keep away once in a while from electro-magnetic pollutants, and spend much time with nature. Technology is great but there are price to pay also. I have noticed that with all the technologies available, my mind and brain activity became lazy, I can't think hard enough, everything is too visual that left nothing for my imagination and brain activity, somehow we lack mental exercises. I experimented on this, I went to a health  farm at the top of the mountain (the farm is encouraging a techno-detox for its guests) and tried not to bring any laptop, mobile phones, even radio or anything electronic and just relax, enjoy nature sounds and my mind appear clearer. I could have vivid memories of pasts, recall events, names and I felt my mind is sharper, I can visualized better without the aid of electronic media, somehow I had a mental detox as well, letting go some phone calls and deal with them later, it just "frees" my mind. 

(Nothing beats the relaxing sleep and waking up feeling refreshed and energized in the farm, hearing only the sounds of nature: real sound of streaming waterfalls, chirping of birds, swaying of bamboo trees etc. Happiness. )

I encourage everyone, especially those "techie" people to try it, to not let technology run or rules your life, once in a while it is good to  be free from these gadgets and modern technologies and just be with yourself and take time to nurture our  "nature deficiency syndrome". :-)

* Pictures by the Author, taken at a health farm at the top of a mountain in San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines