Accupressure point ST 36

Here’s What Happens When You Massage THIS Point On Your Leg

According to Chinese medicine, the body is an energy system, and the flow of that energy determines how well your body’s organs and tissues function. 

Accupressure, which is the application of pressure on certain points, was founded by a Japanese man named Zu San Li thousands of years ago.

In traditional Chinese medicine, there are 365 points that need to be massaged on the body which emanate from 12 meridians, or major points of energy flow. 

Activating these points can slow down aging and may even impact how the body fights off disease.

What’s so special about this spot on your shin?

San Li called it the “point of longevity.” It’s said to be a major controller of how energy flows to your digestive system, kidneys, adrenal glands, and sexual organs.

It has major implications on your immune system, which when in working order, helps fight off disease and slow aging.

Natural Alternative to Febreze

How Toxins In Febreze Are Harming You, Your Kids, and Your Pets (and The Natural Alternative)

by Jesse Alvarado
In this day and age, people are more and more aware of what they are putting in their bodies. They eat organic, practice healthy, balanced diets, and ensure they are properly hydrated amongst other practices.

But what you might not realize is the kind of toxins you’re putting into your body from things that aren’t eaten.

Febreze’s advertising encourages you to “breathe happy”, but the list of unpronounceable chemicals and toxins in Febreze is enough to make anybody feel anything but happy.

 

Stale Air

Some of the chemicals found in Febreze are especially harmful to young children. Benzisothiazolinone is a known immune system toxin as well as a mutagenic, causing DNA damage in humans. Young children are still developing so exposure to this chemical affects them more adversely than adults.

There are also multiple ingredients that act as neurotoxins: BHT, ethyl acetate, benzaldehyde, and other ingredients in Febreze are known neurotoxins. Even the “fragrance” listed on the Febreze bottle is known as a neurotoxin.

There are certain ingredients included in the Febreze formula that are known to be cancer causing as well. Acetaldehyde, 1.3-Dichloro-2-propanol, propylene glycol, and other unnatural sounding components in Febreze have links to cancer.

 

All Natural Air Freshener

The best method is always the natural method. There is no need to buy products laden with harmful ingredients when you can make a healthy alternative at home, with just a handful of ingredients.

These are the things you’ll need to create your own air freshener:

• 1 tbsp of baking soda
• 2 cups of distilled water
• 10 drops of essential oil (you can pick whichever scent you want, or try mixing your favorites)
• Clean spray bottle

Mix the baking soda and essential oil in a bowl with a fork to keep the oil suspended in the water. Pour the mixture into the spray bottle (a funnel works wonders) and top off with the distilled water. Shake before every use and enjoy clean, fresh air at home.

 

Breathe Easily

Don’t bring home chemical-heavy air fresheners ever again. Keep yourself, your loved ones, and your home happy, healthy, and lively.

Garden update & harvest 10/14/15

 10/14/15 - Today's harvest...2 giant green onions, 3 red onions, chili peppers, ground cherry tomatoes and 6 beets

  10/14/15 - 6 beets

  10/14/15 - Red onions

  10/14/15 - Today's clean up

  10/14/15 - 1st and 2nd row

 10/14/15 - 3rd and 4th row

September Conscious Box 2015

September Conscious Box 2015 - Gluten-Free

How Does Conscious Box work?

Conscious Box is the best way to discover the most ethical and sustainable products on the planet! Focusing on strict tenets of organic, fair trade, and pure and natural products, each month Conscious Box will introduce you to healthy and honest alternatives for every aspect of your life and for every member of your family. Discover the best natural products, earn points for leaving feedback and reviews, and buy your favorites at incredible discounts!

• Get a variety of unique pure & natural products every month!
• From organic food to vegan beauty products, you’re sure to find new favorites!
• Discover ethical and purpose-driven businesses of all sizes!
• Get content on daily living tips, exciting monthly themes, and creative ways to use your box!
• Easily earn points you can apply to full size products for unbeatable discounts!

The Dalai Lama's Tips for Living Your Best Life

Some great quotes from the Dalai Lama.

1 - “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”

This quote refers not just to romantic love, but complete love without judgment -- of ourselves and of others. To love others, we must first love ourselves, which means acting in harmony with our true life purpose every day.

2 -  “If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.”

This quote has been paraphrased in a number of ways. This simple statement is so profound. Like the physician's Hippocratic oath to do no harm, we should always look for ways to help others. But, if we can't find it in ourselves to help others, maybe because we are so down and disheartened about our own situation that we feel we don't have the means, the least we can do is not cause harm to others. Imagine how much happier everyone could be if everyone on earth followed this simple philosophy?

3 - “We all seek happiness and shun suffering, but as human beings we are distinguished from others by our intelligence. If we allow it to be controlled by negative emotions like hatred, the consequences are disastrous, but if we use it positively, we can not only recognize our predicament but also train our minds and ways of thinking, which enables us to transform ourselves into better, happier people.”

This quote is one of my favorites and, in my opinion, needs no further explanation.

7 Life Lessons Happy People Have Already Figured Out

by Shannon Kaiser
Life doesn’t come with instructions. No one hands us a manual when we are born. Instead we have to navigate the trenches of the unknown and try to suck in the experiences with an open heart and courageous action. But what happens when life doesn’t go as planned?

Is happily ever after and smooth sailing reserved for the privileged or uber-happy folks? Not quite. Even people who seem to ooze joy were born with the same lack of instructions as everyone else.

In some cases, the happiest people in the world have been through the most difficult circumstances. So how is it they can access inner peace effortlessly and pull through life’s difficult patches with grace and ease?
 
The thing all happy people have in common is the ability to look at life situations as growing opportunities.

We're always shifting and shaping into the person we can ultimately be. But happy people seem to learn the life lessons and practice them daily. 

Trust that the rough patches of your life can ultimately groom you for a deeper understanding of who you really are. If you want to be happier, you can learn these seven life lessons extraordinarily happy people already figured out.
 
1. It isn't what you have that matters. It is what you do with what you have.
That extra weight on your body, the nose you want to change or the size of your thighs are all insignificant aspects of who you are and what you are capable of achieving. When we obsess over the things we hate — about situations or ourselves — we don’t have room to focus on new opportunities. 

Happy people know complaining about what you don’t like will keep you from embracing life fully. Let go of your insecurities and self-criticism. Learn to see yourself the same way as people who love you.
 
2. Be where you are, not where you think you should be.
So many of us race around trying to catch up to the future version we see in the mirage of what “should be.” This constant thirst for something more prevents us from being fully in the moment — right now. If you're waiting for more, you are missing the rich layers of potential in the present. Stop waiting for something other than this and know you are right where you need to be to get to where you want to be. Acceptance of this moment is key.
 
3. Everything and everyone has its own time and place.
People, jobs, even places we live have expiration dates. Happier people seem to understand the surrendering power that comes with the art of letting go. Humans have seasons to the soul, much like nature. We can embrace the changes and recognize letting go is not saying goodbye, but simply a new beginning with fresh awareness and new perspective.
 
4. Resistance is a form of self-sabotage.
Stop trying to make it what it isn’t. Just accept what is. The partner who doesn’t do what you wish. The job that feels soul-sucking. The body type you can’t seem to achieve. All of those are forms of resistance. The refusal to see things as they are by masking the truth with candy-coated lies is a direct route to unhappiness. Instead of trying to change things, people or places, let them be.
 
5. You will see what you believe.
We've all heard, “When I see it, I'll believe it.” But the happiest people in the word have already figured out believing is a mandatory first stop. Every revolutionary game-changer believed in his vision long before they saw it come to fruition. 

Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs and Gandhi are all people who believed with every cell of their bodies in their vision. What is your goal and deepest desire? Your only mission is dive in so deep that the belief it is possible beams from your pores.
 
6. Fear of the unknown is a byproduct of settling.
Many of us hang our hats (even subconsciously) on the fact that the future can be intimidating, especially if we don’t have a clear plan. Whether you want to leave the job you hate or leave a burdensome relationship, changing directions in life can bring up our deepest fear of the unknown. 

But happy people have learned fear of the unknown is actually a subtle byproduct of settling and playing it safe. Every happy person has felt that same fear but courageously stepped forward into the unknown. Then they quickly realized how peaceful and joy-filled the journey can be. Remember, fear is always worse in our heads. Once you take a step forward, the fear will disappear.
 
7. You fit in just as you are.
Most happy folks I know, including myself, have learned true happiness is not about trying to fit in with the world, but realizing we all fit in as we are. Instead of trying to change, manipulate or force yourself into outer ideals, practice self-love and acceptance. When you can trust yourself and be present with where you are in this moment, you will feel the ultimate expression of undulating freedom.

Garden Update & Harvest 10/4/15

 

 10/4/15 - Garden still has plenty of produce even after a frost! All that died from the last time I visited were the basil plants and ground cherry tomatoes.

 10/4/15 - Another harvest of Cayenne peppers. It's a shame we don't have a long growing season. In spite of planting these the same time as all the rest in February, they were a late bloom with plenty of peppers, but I'm not sure how they will survive or thrive with the cold weather. The plant usually yields a ton of peppers!

 10/4/15 - Today's harvest...Lots of Swiss Chard, 1 bell pepper, 4 Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cherry tomatoes, Giant Green onions and Curled Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - It's a shame how many ground cherry tomatoes parished with the cold weather. All the white dots are fruit!

  10/4/15 - Giant sweet bell peppers, 5 colored Chinese peppers and Cayenne pepper

 10/4/15 - Still so much Swiss chard. A favorite in soups all summer!

 10/4/15 - Another plentiful plant, the Curlsed Scotch kale, also a favorite in my soups

 10/4/15 - Mmm more Swiss chard

 10/4/15 - More Curlsed Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - Way too much Red Russian kale!

 10/4/15 - More Swiss Chard and Dino kale!

 10/4/15 - Strawberries

 10/4/15 - Strawberries filling in for a productive season next year. I probably should have planted some in the bare spots where the transplants died, but left it bare.

 10/4/15 - It's amazing how fast these grow, after 2 weeks of harvest they're back up

 10/4/15 - Plenty of Giant green onions! And dead basil plants in the background

  10/4/15 - 4th row...Cayenne pepper plant, Green onions, and peppers

 10/4/15 - 3rd row...Ground cherry tomatoes, Red Russian Kale, Swiss Chard and Curled Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - 3rd row...Ground cherry tomatoes, Red Russian Kale, Swiss Chard and Curled Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - Dino kale Christmas-Treed up

10/4/15 - Beets...mm some went in my soup this evening. Nothing like pink soup