—Joshua H., Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A: Well, yes, but it’s more than that. There’s a specific focus on being with the trees. A guided nature walk is generally chosen for informational content, and a hike typically is focused on a destination such as a mountaintop or scenic overlook. By contrast, the purpose of forest bathing is simply to “be” in the presence of the trees without any goal other than to allow the natural calming and healing potential of the forest to seep into our skin, eyes, and lungs.
Often people walking through cities, or even on trails, wear earbuds, or engage in other distractions. These aren’t bad activities, but when we really relax our brain chatter into the vast, non-hectic vibe of a forest, it can help us feel calmer and less stressed.
Amazingly, trees emit not only oxygen, but also a category of plant germ- and pest-repellents called phytoncides, which have been shown to promote health in humans. Phytoncides are pleasant-smelling volatile oils with innate antimicrobial properties. They not only render the forest air fresher, but inhaling these plant chemicals has been shown to improve immune system function.
Over thousands of years of “civilization,” we humans have become an indoor species. According to a 2001 EPA study, average Americans spend 87 percent of their time inside a building and 6 percent of their time inside a vehicle. Awareness of protecting, and interacting with, our great outdoors has increased since then, so I’m hopeful those rather dismal numbers have improved. Physiologically and emotionally, our optimal health and well-being depend on staying connected with our planet home.
In the 1980s, forest therapy (shinrin-yoku) became part of a national health care program in Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries spent many years, and an impressive amount of money, on conducting field experiments, measuring the health parameters of forest bathers compared to controls walking through a city. One of the larger studies measured the subjects’ salivary cortisol (which increases with stress), blood pressure, pulse rate, and heart rate during a day in the city and compared the data with the same biometrics, on the same subjects, taken during a day that included a 30-minute forest visit. The study concluded, “Forest environments promote lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity than do city environments.”
Further, forest bathing, even after only 30 minutes, proved to be a psychological balm. The subjects showed reduced hostility and depression scores, coupled with increased liveliness, after exposure to trees. Thus, the researchers concluded that “forest environments can be viewed as therapeutic landscapes.”
After the initial findings were published and Japan began to designate certain trails as therapeutic, more and expanded studies were conducted in Korea, Finland, and the U.S., showing similar reductions in tension and anxiety among forest bathers. These were not just subjective benefits reported by participants; blood and urine samples taken before and after forest bathing showed a significant increase, up to 50 percent, in natural killer cells (a type of immune-boosting white blood cell that fights cancer and other diseases).
Taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of a forest can potentially arouse feelings of awe similar to viewing our planet from space, or having a personal breakthrough about how all life is connected, precious, and fleeting. Spending time amidst trees will absolutely improve your health, memory, attitude, and energy.
More and more humans on the planet are urban dwellers, living in spaces that do not readily allow for walking in the woods. Many of us no longer live anywhere near where the food we eat was grown. There is no going back—time and momentum move forward. But we can preserve a balanced relationship with our forests, for our own health, and the health of everyone. Find a stand of trees near where you live or work and consciously develop your relationship with these majestic plants. Both you and the trees will benefit!
To learn more about forest bathing and get information on guided tours and immersion programs, check out these websites:
Written by emily for Better Nutrition and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
]]>Without fail, every mom or young professional I talk to wants more energy and less stress in their day. They want to feel motivated and alert. They want to feel full of creative thoughts and have the ability to follow through with them!
However, too often, instead of feeling ready to conquer the day, we feel tired and anxious. Our thoughts are all foggy and our bodies are moving slowly. So what do we do? We grab a quick fix – maybe some caffeine or some sugar – quick energy that ends up making us feel physically anxious on top of the emotional anxiety we were already feeling.
Perhaps we blame our busy schedules, our poor sleeping habits or the glass of wine (or two…) we had the night before. We convince ourselves to just keep pushing through, trying to knock out our to-do list as we yearn for this feeling of "alertness" and "awareness".
There are certain markers that instinctively tell us this way of life is not healthy. One of these markers is weight gain, which seems to be the most obvious and common impetus for change in our culture. But the evidence of poor health that I see the most often is lack of energy. This lack can take on many names and forms: exhaustion, anxiety, brain fog–just to name a few.
You know that you are not as productive or effective as you could be because you are tired, stressed or just plain scattered. But, is it even possible to stay energized throughout the day??
Yes. Yes, it is.
Here are 3 ways to boost that energy of yours and reduce stress in your day (hint: #3 will be the most life changing–you're welcome):
Your body is hard at work combating every toxin that you come into contact with all day. Allergens in the air, heavy metals that have leached into your food, unnatural additives and preservatives you consume–your digestive system works hard to get those toxins out. When your digestive system is overloaded, your body gives in to exhaustion, brain fog and a very discouraged demeanor.
Maybe your energy is low and your productivity has stalled because your body needs a detox Leafy greens are essential for proper digestion, which means your body cannot get rid of the toxins that it has taken in without them. Your gallbladder (you forgot you had one of those, didn't you??) plays an important role in this! The bile that it produces helps to emulsify fats, scrub your intestinal wall from toxic chemicals and expel those chemicals by way of attaching to the cellulose in leafy greens. Without that cellulose, the toxins remain in your gut and are absorbed into your blood, your lymph and then your brain. Yep.
Brain fog and lack of vegetable consumption are linked. The chemical compounds in leafy greens attach to the bile from your gall bladder and escort the toxins out of your body. When your body is so overloaded with toxins that it cannot digest them, those toxins accumulate in your brain tissue. Nobody wants that. So if you are nourishing your body well with leafy greens, your organs will work together properly to expel toxins instead of having to store them in other valuable tissue! Add in more leafy greens to your day, and see how fast your brain fog lifts. Add them into every meal, and by the end of a week you will feel like a whole new person! Here are a few of my favorite ways:
*How do you eat chlorella??? You can add chlorella to your green juice or smoothie, or make my Chlorella Energy Shot with water and a squeeze of lemon — this is personally my favorite way:
Energizing Chlorella Shot
– 1 tsp Chlorella, 1/3 Cup water, generous squeeze of lemon or lime
Chug it. You will be astounded at how quickly you gain energy and clarity! And your gut, immune system and cells will all thank you.
Our energy is directly dependent on the air and light that we consume.
You could survive 3 weeks without eating food and 3 days without drinking water, but you will only survive 5 minutes without breathing. If we are committed to consuming good food, we should be even more committed to consuming fresh air and being thankful for each breath!
Do you know when you are in your office building and the air feels stale and warm….and then you feel tired and just can't focus? The result of many humans breathing in the same enclosed space is that all the electricity is sucked out of the air and H2O is exhaled into it. Think of how you can see your breath outside in the winter – the breath you see is the water you are breathing out. Before it was water, it was blood plasma (ew).
This may sound crazy, but part of the reason why you feel so tired and foggy is because you are breathing in your co-worker's old blood plasma…….
Let your face bask in the sun, and breathe deeply! Find a moment where you can consume fresh air and natural sunlight. The old adage "get some fresh air" is the real deal. Next time you feel tired and reach for food/coffee for a recharge, consider breathing in some good clean air instead. Your cells will get the oxygen they need for you to feel energized, and it will re-charge your nervous system.
The light that you consume through your eyes affects your stress level and your energy, and can either re-charge your nervous system or keep it on high alert! Facing the sun instead of looking at a screen will give you more sustained energy.
You may already know that blue-light from our devices interferes with melatonin production and can keep you from getting good rest at night. But did you know that consuming this blue light all day long increases your stress level and leads to that scattered-and-overwhelmed feeling? Constantly battling internal stress is exhausting! Most of us cannot avoid the screens, as they are essential to our careers and to our creativity.
But we can all find time in our day to look away and take a deep breath.
I'm sure you have heard about your "stress hormone": cortisol. It gets a bad rap, but cortisol also helps to give you energy! Healthy levels of cortisol keep you energized throughout the day and then help you wind down at night.
Your body should be producing the most cortisol in the morning until noon, then gradually reducing production throughout the day, with a small spike around 5pm and then continuing to lower into the evening. Studies have shown that your cortisol levels dip from 3 to 5 pm, which explains why the flurry of emails taper off around that time. Between the hours of 3 and 5 pm, we naturally feel more tired because of reduced cortisol, and often times we try to combat this natural dip in energy with stimulants (afternoon latte anyone?). This interferes with your body's natural rhythm and can prevent you from getting proper rest at night.
Instead of going against your body's natural grain, embrace it and slow down a little.
Schedule your day appropriately, so you can accomplish tasks and be creative in the morning and then reflect and plan in the afternoon. If you continue to "power through", your productivity may actually be reduced, and you will have a more difficult time winding down at night. And then your next day may be negatively affected.
Maybe you can't use those whole 2 hours for reflection, but you should take some of that time to acknowledge what you have accomplished so far that day and plan for what you need to do in the future. This moment of reflection and looking ahead reduces stress, helps you to "digest" the day's events and propels you forward!
Adopt one or all of these simple, actionable steps to keep your energy up throughout the day and that stress low!
Written by Amber Gentry for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
]]>When outdoor space is limited or you just don’t want an outdoor garden, windowsill planters are a great option. Bonus: You don’t need much of a green thumb to use them. Here’s how to choose the right planter to help you grow veggies, herbs or flowers indoors.
Do you kill everything you try to grow? If you’re busy, absent-minded or just can’t quite get your green thumb activated, a self-watering planter is a game changer. Look for one with a water-level gauge that can show you when your plant needs a refresh, like this one.
Growing your own herbs is one of the best ways to kick your home cooking up a notch. . But herbs, like many other plants, don’t like to have their roots sitting in puddles of water—they need good drainage to grow well. So make sure you get pots or a planter for your herbs that have drainage holes. Look for potting soil that contains peat moss and perlite for extra drainage support.
Using a saucer with your indoor plants is key to catch excess water and prevent spills and water damage to your floors, tile and other surfaces.
Written by Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal for Better You and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.
]]>We’d like to take some time to highlight a few of our favorite shops and stockists. Help us give them some love by visiting their shops and saying hi!
“There is no hurry, and in a way there is no future. It is all here — so take it easy, take your time, and get acquainted with it.” - Alan Watts
With the start of the new year, you might feel inclined to write a long list of goals and resolutions, but what would happen if you switched your focus from doing many things quickly to fewer things at a much slower pace? By slowing down and being present you can start to build lifelong habits slowly instead of forcing big changes all at once.
Slow living, the process of living more mindfully by focusing on one thing at a time, can help you do just that. Sometimes life moves so quickly, you try to do so many things at once, and you lose connection with the important things in life. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be this way. By slowing down and learning how to be more present you can find more ways to take care of your well-being, the quality of your relationships, and your connection with nature.
Here are a few ways you can incorporate slow living into your life:
Our minds are constantly racing and oftentimes, this takes us out of living in the moment. Finding stillness can help us be more present. Take a few minutes everyday to sit still and focus on your breath. As thoughts come up, don't hold on to them for too long, simply acknowledge them, let them go, and come back to your breath. Carry this moment of stillness with you throughout your day.
Take 15 minutes to sit down and write down your thoughts in a journal or a piece of paper. Write down 2-3 things that you're grateful for. Reflect on each item and write about how each of these things make you feel. How does this bring joy to your life? What would your life be like without it? Take a few breaths to soak in these deep feelings of gratitude. Sometimes we forget how much there is to be grateful for. Keep these lists nearby and come back to them whenever you need a reminder.
At NEEPA HUT, our core values are built on slow living and being connected to nature. Here are a few ways you can bring nature into your daily life:
A clear space does wonders for a clear mind. It can be hard to be present when you are constantly thinking about decluttering. Clear off the surfaces in your home and wipe them down. Take inventory of your things, get rid of things that no longer serve you, and find ways to organize the things you decide to keep. Read more about the benefits of decluttering in our post: How To Declutter Your Home: 5 Easy Steps.
Our phones are powerful tools but also big distractions. Designate a few hours per week where phones aren't allowed. This could mean no phones at the dinner table or no electronics in bed. Take these moments to be more present with the food you’re eating or the conversations you’re having with family and friends. When we pay attention, especially to our loved ones, it gives us the opportunity to be more open and connected.
Learning to live slowly is a process. As you find ways to be more present in your own life, don’t forget to be gentle with yourself. Taking the time to pay more attention to what you’re doing is the first step! Let us know how you’re living more slowly on Instagram and tag @neepahut.
]]>
From harvesting to weaving, they also utilize what is available around them to create tools. Modern machinery and chemical treatments have no place in the process of crafting our home goods. Only traditional tools are used, such as machetes, and natural methods are applied to treat materials, such as seeds and leaves for the dyeing process.
Our raw materials consist of grasses and plants found in the Southeast Asian coastal areas. These materials are durable and locals use them to build their own homes and furnishings, too. Learn more about the most common materials below.
Rattan
Rattan is a vine-like palm native to the tropical jungles of Asia, Malaysia, and China. Most of our baskets are woven out of this durable material by the indigenous Bidayh tribes of Malaysia. The raw material is gathered by the weavers themselves in the jungles of Borneo Island.
Once rattan vines are collected, they are stripped and boiled with natural dyes, then buried in mud and left for up to 2 weeks. Lastly, they are rinsed and sun-dried to prepare for the weaving process. Our Bidayuh Tray, for example, typically takes up to 5 days to make. This includes three days for sourcing and treating the materials, and then another two days or weaving.
Cotton
Our Inabel Placemats and Brocade Weave Pillow Covers are both made of special custom-made cotton fabric. The making of this unique Inabel fabric is an intricate process that starts from turning cotton fiber into spools of beeswax-brushed yarn, which is then woven together on a handloom.
Cotton is a common material, yet these are woven on ancient handlooms using specific techniques handed down through generations. It takes two weeks just to set up the loom, which produces only about two meters of fabric a day. Each thin cotton thread must be counted and arranged according to color before it is wrapped into the loom. Our cotton Inabel product is made by orphans, elderly artisans and students in a small family-run center located in Ilocos, Philippines.
Bamboo
There are only a few species of bamboo that can be used for weaving. Thankfully, these are abundant in the tropical jungles of the Sarawak region — home to our Indigenous Weavers. Our weavers go into the jungles to gather the raw material themselves, after which the bamboo cane is split into thinner strips to prepare it for weaving. Discover the beauty of this material in our Bamboo Basket.
Seagrass
Often confused with seaweeds, Seagrass is a flowering plant with grass-like leaves that grows underwater. The grass is harvested, dried, and woven into mats, which are then crafted into functional products like bags, wallets, and accessories. In the Philippines, Seagrass is referred to as 'Ticog Grass'.
Once harvested and dried, the fiber keeps its green color but turns tan with age. Its rope texture provides an interesting touch to any design, which is seen in our Iris Tray, Utensil Caddy, Iris Rug and Handwoven Placemats. In addition, our collection of airy, light-weight mats are woven from this material combined with Buri Palm leaves, which are used for embroidery.
Made by highly skilled artisans using nature's own materials, our products are both beautiful and functional. Our materials of choice have the potential of changing the lives and elevating the livelihoods of remote artisan communities without demanding change in their environment or damaging their land.
Keeping in tune with nature also means our home goods are both environmentally friendly as well as safe for children, as opposed to many of the cheap (and even hazardous) materials commonly used today, such as plastic. From harvest to the shop, the values of connection, integrity, craftsmanship, and impact are woven into each product.
From decluttering to smudging and decorating with chakra colors, we’ve explored many ways to cleanse outer surroundings on our blog. Here we focus on going within and cleansing the body with Ayurvedic herbs.
According to Ayurveda, or Ancient Indian Medicine, our natural state is health and happiness. For over 5,000 years, this system of medicine has offered wisdom and science to help maintain a healthy balance between the mind, body, and environment. Incorporate these 5 cleansing Ayurvedic herbs into your self-care routine to radiate well-being, health, and beauty inside out.
Turmeric is a powerful herb that is scientifically proven to improve cell health, reduce inflammation, combat fatigue, fight bacterial and fungal infections, and treat many skin problems. Highlighting the beautifying benefits of this Ayurvedic herb, Indian brides routinely apply a paste of turmeric and fresh milk to the face and skin before marriage.
Turmeric can be taken internally in the form of fresh turmeric roots or powder. Many health food stores also sell turmeric capsules as supplements. Use turmeric to spice up your meals or make a daily Golden Milk Latte to get its beautifying and healing benefits.
Ashwagandha is one of the most popular Ayurvedic herbs. It is classed as an adaptogen and mostly used for its ability to help treat anxiety and stress. It relaxes the mind, reduces stress, and helps build up a tolerance to stressful situations. Translating to “strength of a stallion,” Ashwagandha is also known to improve energy, increase vitality, combat aging, and lower inflammation. Reap its benefits by adding Ashwagandha powder to your coffee, smoothies, morning yogurt, tea, or even soups.
Sandalwood is most known for its divine scent, however, it also comes with many other benefits. This herb can treat excessive sweating, inflammation, eruptive skin diseases and relieve fever and burns. Sandalwood can be used externally as an oil or paste, and it is often added to lotions or soaps for its cleansing, calming and hydrating benefits. As an incense, Sandalwood is said to clarify the mind and it’s a great aid for your daily meditations!
Aloe Vera is a wonderful cactus-like herb that is known as the miracle plant in Ayurveda. It is rich in minerals and vitamins A, B, C, and E; amino acids for protein building; enzymes used in the digestive system; and plant hormones which carry anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and various healing actions.
Externally, aloe vera heals, protects, and moisturizes the skin. When taken internally, it helps control blood sugar, increases energy production, promotes cardiovascular health, and aids digestion.
Neem is another Ayurvedic wonder-herb that is being increasingly used in modern Western cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic remedies as an antiseptic to fight viruses, and it is said to be one of the most powerful blood purifiers and detoxifiers. Neem comes from the neem tree and can be used in the form of bark, leaf, and seed oil:
Neem bark is traditionally used to clean the teeth by simply snapping off a twig and chewing on it. Here in the west, you can find it as an ingredient in natural toothpaste.
Neem leaf, on the other hand, is available as supplements or powder that can be added to salads, smoothies, soups, and hot drinks.
Neem oil can be applied to the skin, scalp, hair, nails, teeth, and gums for maintaining optimal health.
As human beings, we have a deep connection with nature. Whether it’s taking a walk in the woods or smelling flowers in a garden, interacting with the natural world is almost always guaranteed to clear our minds and elevate our moods. Thus, it is very fitting to pair our handcrafted Bidayuh Baskets with life-giving plants.
Houseplants fill our spaces with greenness, bringing nature indoors to refresh our bodies, minds, and spirits. Their healing properties affect every part of our bodies. We become calmer in their presence and our senses are filled with beauty and awe. Plants offer a promise of tomorrow, promote creativity, and provide us with the opportunity to grow and nurture something.
Filling our deep desire to interact with and be surrounded by nature, our planter baskets are handwoven using natural materials by the Bidayuh tribes in Malaysia. They take us back to our roots of being connected to the Earth and restore a sense of connection, purpose, and responsibility.
SCIENTIFIC BENEFITS OF HOUSEPLANTS
In addition to increasing the oxygen in our homes, indoor plants naturally purify the air of chemicals and other toxins, remove dust, and regulate humidity levels. Here's a list of their healing benefits:
]]>
It's always a good idea to clear the air and refresh our surroundings with new energy. Smoke has been used in many cultures for cleansing and healing, and one of the most common smoke-purification rituals is a Native American tradition called smudging. This traditional ritual of burning sage has some interesting science-backed benefits that we may want to add to our practices as well.
Scientific Benefits of Smudging
Although the spiritual benefits of these practices might be viewed with skepticism, the health benefits are actually proven. Due to our many tech gadgets, plastics, microwaves, and air pollution, our homes today have become what some describe as “positive ion prisons.”
Positive ions are the bad kind and they tend to concentrate indoors. To get rid of them, we can open the windows and let the natural air come in, eliminate carpet, switch to all-natural mattresses, decorate with living plants and salt lamps, or do a smudging ritual. This ancient practice literally does clear the air, as burning sage and other herbs neutralizes the ions, and has antiseptic, bacteria-killing properties.
Several studies have found the benefits of smudging to be:
Before you begin any purification ritual, make sure you’re fully present.
1. If you are inside, open the windows in the space you are in, creating a flow of air from outside.
2. Using a match or lighter, light the herbs in your bowl of choice. Let them flame for 20 to 30 seconds before sweeping your hand above them to extinguish any fire.
3. It is customary to smudge oneself first before moving on to others and the surrounding space. Using a cupped hand, draw the smoke around you. Starting from the top, bring the smoke over and around your head and down your body all the way to your feet.
4. Once you are finished with yourself, move in a clockwise direction around your home starting at the front door.
5. Use your feather or hand to guide the smoke gently into the corners of the room and over any plants or pieces of furniture.
6. Once you have finished smudging, tradition tells us that the ashes should be taken outside and returned to the soil. Call it superstition if you’d like, but many tribes believe that the ashes carry energy that must be returned to the earth.
]]>
Spring Cleaning is an age-old ritual that reminds us to revive our homes after the slow and stagnant winter season. In addition to dusting and decluttering, now is the perfect time to refresh your surroundings with new, bright decor. Use our guide to decorate the home with chakra colors and create a healing, energetic and soothing environment.
Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates to 'wheel'. In Ayurveda (ancient Indian medicine) chakras refer to energy centers throughout the body. There are seven main chakras, which align the spine, starting from the base of the spine through to the crown of the head.
In Ayurveda, chakras are the key to health, vitality, balance, and alignment. Open chakras contribute to a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Meanwhile, a closed chakra pushes us off balance and is seen as the result of an energetic blockage – typically an emotional or spiritual issue.
The color red represents the Root Chakra. This is where we are grounded and supported. It’s a place for stability, balance and physical survival. It is also linked to prosperity and career success. A blocked Root Chakra is seen in excessive worries, money issues, paranoia, and feelings of disconnection.
Decorate with the color red to receive a greater sense of patience and safety. This will also help to ground yourself.
Stones: Garnet, Tourmaline, Hematite
Essential Oils: Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood
Affirmation: I am grounded, safe, and secure.
Use orange in your decor to boost your creativity and increase sensuality. The Sacral Chakra represents our relationship with ourselves, our sexuality, emotional range, and creativity. It is also the chakra of fertility and adaptability.
Use orange to decorate the various creative zones throughout your home. Depending on how you express yourself, this could be a home office, the kitchen, garage music studio or arts & crafts corner in the living room.
Stones: Coral, Carnelian, Moonstone
Essential Oils: Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Orange Blossom
Affirmation: I am creative and adaptable.
Yellow is a great color for increasing confidence and trust in yourself. This color is linked to the Solar Plexus Chakra, which represents our personal power. It governs both self-esteem and self-discipline, radiating positive qualities such as confidence, leadership, humor, clarity, and charisma.
Stones: Topaz, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye
Essential Oils: Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Orange Blossom
Affirmation: I can do anything I set my mind to.
Green is the color that represents love, healing, and gratitude. Decorate with it to bring the consciousness of unconditional love into your home. If you have blockages in this area, green can help you establish deeper trust and connections as well as let go of the past and forgive.
Stones to Decorate with: Jade, Emerald, Rose Quartz
Essential Oils: Thyme, Rosemary, Eucalyptus
Affirmation: I am loving and lovable. I am compassionate and forgive easily.
Blue represents the Throat Chakra. This is a great color for the dining room where meals are shared as well as a study or home office. The Throat Chakra is connected to clear and concise communications as well as mastery, purpose, and expression. When opened, you are able to authentically express your truth.
Stones to Decorate with: Soladite, Celestite, Turquoise
Essential Oils: Clove, Tea Tree, Blue Chamomile
Affirmation: I know my truth and I share it. I am a great communicator and I listen well.
The Brow Chakra represents intuition or the 6th sense, and is represented by the color indigo. A splash of indigo is perfect to add to your meditation or yoga corner, as this is the master chakra of wisdom and spiritual devotion.
Stones to Decorate with: Opal, Azurite, Lapiz Lazuli
Essential Oils: Juniper, Melissa, Clary Sage
Affirmation: I am intuitive and follow my inner guidance. I always see the big picture.
The Crown Chakra is our link to unity, oneness and group consciousness. It represents enlightenment and connection to both spirit and wisdom. Use white and violet in your decor to bring the energies of awareness, intelligence, understanding, and bliss.
Stones to Decorate with: Diamond, Amethyst, Clear Quartz
Essential Oils: Lavender, Helichrysum, Frankincense
Affirmation: I am intelligent and aware. I am one with everything. I am a source of the Divine and I live in the now.
]]>If we think back a few generations, mindfulness was in many ways a normal part of everyday life. Quiet moments were trickled throughout the day in tasks such as farming, being on the fields, long walks to town, and quiet surroundings at home without TVs and radios.
It's hard to imagine life without the hustle and bustle of today, but thankfully, there are many ways to bring moments of stillness into our days. One of the most powerful ways is through meditation. The beauty of meditation is that benefits can be seen with dedicating as little as 5 minutes a day to the practice.
Can you believe that there are over 1500 scientific studies on the health benefits of meditation? Research shows us that meditation is good for combating various illnesses, stress, and even the signs of aging. There are physical changes in the structure of our brain that take place during meditation and create long-lasting changes.
Additionally, meditation helps us train our brains and strengthen positive thought patterns, which allows for better creative and critical thinking.
Our human tendency is to fixate on thoughts of judgment, criticism, doubt, fear, shame, and blame. In a sense, meditation is like a gym for the spirit and mind that strengthens our ability to let go of these negative patterns and create more positive thoughts instead.
Creating a sacred meditation space at home is the perfect way to connect to our inner selves and make room for more moments of peace. Having a specially designated space can be a meaningful part of the meditation experience, as it allows our mind, body, and spirit to relax deeper.
This can be a corner in the living room, a room that is rarely used, or even a closet. Here are our tips for creating the perfect home mediation space:
Make sure the room or space you choose feels good. Take into consideration the lighting, the quietness, and activities around the room. With the help of a beautiful room divider, a corner of a living room works great. A spacious closet offers extra privacy and if you need fresh air, an outdoor balcony or covered patio can be a great place too.
Depending on your chosen space and needs, consider what furniture you need. You may want to add a room divider, a small table or shelf, a mat, your favorite blanket, and meditation pillows and cushions. For extra privacy and comfort, you could even buy a little tent or hammock to meditate in.
If you would rather sit on a chair than on the floor, create the space around your a comfortable meditation chair.
Next, think about the various items that enhance your practice. If you use items like candles, beads, and crystals, you can choose to display them on a tray.
Remember to consider other mindful activities that you could practice in your meditation space, like reading, knitting, art, yoga, and so on. Use baskets and trays to store the items and materials you need.
You can choose your favorite fragrance and use incense, aromatic oils or candles in your meditation space. Watching a flame flickering in the soothing scent of lavender can add a wonderful element to the meditation experience.
Getting into your beautiful inner world is all about connecting with nature as well. By adding an element of nature, your space becomes infused with balance and harmony. You can place your favorite plant into a basket, bring a vase of fresh flowers, or even a small water fountain with sounds of water.
]]>
It is said that true, lasting beauty is rare to find. Upon discovering Inabel, a unique handwoven fabric native to the Ilocano region in the Philippines, we knew that we had stumbled upon something truly special.
Coming from the root verb -abel, which means to weave, Inabel fabric is woven on ancient handlooms using specific techniques handed down through generations. The distinctive fabric is used to create beautiful blankets, pillowcases, tablemats, sweaters, and shawls.
THE INABEL TECHNIQUE
The making of the fabric is an intricate process that starts from turning cotton fiber into spools of beeswax-brushed yarn, which is then woven together on the loom. The unique Inabel handcrafts can be recognized by commonly used geometrical designs inspired by nature:
“kusikos” (spiral forms like oranges), “inuritan” (geometric design), and the most challenging “sinan-sabong” (flowers).
It takes two weeks just to set up these meticulous patterns on a loom, which produces only about two meters of fabric a day. Each thin cotton thread must be counted and arranged according to color before it is wrapped into the loom. In a rhythmic manner, the steps of the wooden pedals and the knots of each crisscrossing must move seamlessly to avoid a messy tangle.
While the process requires much time, the result is breathtakingly beautiful. You can almost hear the spinning of the wheels and the rhythm of the antique looms in our Inabel pillows.
THE HISTORY OF INABEL WEAVING
The forefathers of the Ilocano region practiced weaving until industrialization and the common trade took over the small village enterprises. However, weaving is still the primary source of income for the women in the region, who understand the delicacy of their trade and are fighting to keep the tradition alive.
The Inabel weaving method requires mathematical precision and long years of training. To produce a fabric of this quality and design, it takes dedication, passion, practice, and patience.
PRESERVING AN ENDANGERED TRADITION
This age-old craft technique is slowly dying due to the popularity of modern technology, replacing the rawness of art with machine-precise pieces produced in masses around the bigger cities. It is not that we would shun industrialization — we believe in the good of it all, but we believe that there needs to remain a delicate balance in our modern world and the treasures of ancient traditions.
You see, arts and crafts can tell a story of thousands of years. They carry the customs of the people, skills, and mediums used to do arts carried from one generation to another. Our Inabel pillows are unique, rare treasures to hold onto for a lifetime. They carry these age-old customs and crafts from the Ilocano region all the way to your home.
]]>
All of us have a little ‘clutter’ around the house, little knick-knacks that dampen our mood without us even noticing. Decluttering is a powerful way to start the year and it can also be a great form of self-care.
So, what is clutter?
Clutter is anything that is laying around our home, not adding value to our life. Decluttering means to get rid of excess and create a space that reflects a mood we enjoy. It is best done in stages. There is no hurry and no aim for perfection. It is a great way to stop and practice slow moments while going through your things to organize.
According to Psychology Today and Web MD, we can feel like life is a little out of control when we are surrounded with too many loose things around the house. I am sure you have experienced that perfect moment of peace and serenity after cleaning up. It’s a feeling of a great (and well-deserved) accomplishment. We live more beautifully when our home reflects our inner peace.
Here are some simple steps to get started.
I would suggest starting from the entrance to your home. Once you do this, you will notice that the feeling of ‘getting things done’ increases. It is a powerful way to decrease stress and anxiety. There are many studies supporting that getting rid of loose and excess things around our home frees our mind space, reduces family stress, and helps us to focus.
Decluttering your entire house can be overwhelming, so it’s good to approach it as a bigger project. Make a list of the spaces that need decluttering and create a timeline for yourself. Tackle the project little-by-little, focusing only on one room at a time. To make it even more manageable, always start from a small area of the chosen room, for example, the hallway countertop, and work yourself up from there.
The point of decluttering is to get rid of unnecessary items that take up space in your home. Ideally, you will be left with only your most valued possessions that are meaningful and/or serve a purpose. Separating items into 3 boxes can help you with the process of recognizing the items that add value to your life.
A box for relocating items (= moving into another room)
Give away
Throw away
We easily get attached to items, even when they have no place in our lives anymore. Asking yourself questions like ‘Do I use this?’ and ‘Do I love this’ can help. Take a short moment to contemplate the value that each item brings to your home.
There is no reason to hang on to things given to you by friends or family, for example, if you do not truly enjoy them yourself. Be honest with yourself and pass them down to someone else When unsure, take a picture of an item to cherish the memories and see if that makes letting go easier.
After letting go (well done, this was the hardest part!), invest in beautiful containers. We recommend using containers made of natural, non-toxic materials. Here at Neepa Hut, we have a great variety of baskets that work perfectly for decluttering.
Our baskets are versatile and you can hang them up on the wall, place them in a row on the shelf, or set them on the floor. I love to throw my magazines in our Straw Basket, organize kitchen jars in the Bidayuh Woven Basket, and put away my kids’ toys in our Bidayuh Lidded Storage Basket. Neepa hut baskets do not only open up space in the house, but they also look beautiful once set in a place that speaks with your décor.
Among the many things we love about Christmas is that it offers an opportunity to share our passion for conscious shopping. We get to start meaningful conversations while delighting the people in our lives with intentional gifts that make an impact.
Neepa Hut’s products are uniquely handmade while respecting nature and providing artisans with sustainable income. They create connection, tell a story, and leave a mark on each person they’re shared with.
THE STORY OF A NEEPA HUT MAT
We’re constantly in awe and inspired by our artisans — what strikes us most is their incredible resilience and ability to create such beauty out of seemingly nothing. Our Dream Weavers take pride in every step of the weaving process from gathering the raw materials to making the final stitch. That in itself brings an abundance of meaning to each finished product. In addition, the proceeds of one mat allows a weaver to fund her child’s quarterly college tuition fees.
We’re honored to take you on a visual journey to the Philippines, where the story of our mats begins:
FROM HER, TO YOU
The story of our weaver community breathes unique life into our mats. Once the finished product finds its way from the artisans hands into your home, her story becomes a part of yours.
]]>BAYANIHAN
— A Filipino concept meaning the spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a particular goal —
We are silenced by the destruction brought on by the wildfires here in California. Disasters have a way of doing this. They bring along a reality check and show us how fragile life can be. Sometimes we need perspective and inspiration from a little further away, the kind that pours hope into us and shines light in the darkest of times. Now more than ever, we’re inspired by the spirit of Bayanihan and the example our weavers have shown.
In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the rural villages in the Visayas Islands in the Philippines. Instead of tearing everything apart, the disaster brought artisan weavers together to restore their homes and livelihoods using the traditional crafts that had sustained generations before them. This is a beautiful example of tragedy turning into triumph.
As we look around us, our eyes may open to see the many possibilities that arise from seemingly bad circumstances. We are reminded of the resilience within us, and how to rise up from brokenness and become stronger than ever. We all need each other, we are a global community that reaches from the west to the east and around the globe again. As we strengthen one another and rise up in the spirit of BAYANIHAN, we tap into the power of togetherness and start creating a better life for all.
There rises a quiet thankfulness within our hearts as we’re reminded to count our blessings and show up for each other. Let us see each other, hear each other, and care for one another in a genuine way. There is real power in that. For us at Neepa Hut it looks like a basket or a mat. That is our way to continue to deliver hope in the world.
]]>
Autumn marks the beginning of the harvest season--a time to celebrate nature’s bounty with family, friends, and traditions. This fall, we are honored to share in the bounty of our weavers by recognizing the labor and care that go into creating beautiful woven bags and goods.
The process begins by wading through the Philippine peatland to cut and gather tikog, a long reedy grass with tufted seeds. The tikog is brought back in bundles then several days are spent drying the stems in the sun.
Once the stems have changed in color from soft green to pale yellow, they are separated into piles of similar widths and flattened with bamboo into pliable strands. The seeds, winnowed from the stems, are then returned to the earth to begin another cycle of growth.
After the leaves are dry, the weavers begin their work. Women artisans often gather to weave, singing and laughing together as they use time-honoured techniques to render their art. Colorful patterns are then embroidered into the tikog with dyed buri palm leaves. The traditional designs in the finished weekender bags reflect the community’s spiritual and practical connection to the land--the local resources provide both a means for a livelihood and cultural identity.
When an artisan is involved in every stage of the weaving process—from collecting materials to fastening together the last strands—the finished product embodies her passion and dedication.
Traveling to the Philippines to meet a community of artisans inspired Jennifer Shum Abelev to create Neepa Hut. Seeing the artisans practice their crafts, she was struck by their ingenuity and perseverance despite their situations and surroundings.
Motherhood, for her, took on a new significance after spending time with these women. Their craft helps them provide for their children and families, and shapes the social fabric of their village. The maternal instinct to nurture and give back resonated long after returning home.
Our circumstances may be different, but we all can find common ground in the strengths that motivate us toward our passions.
Neepa Hut grew out of a desire to make a positive impact in the lives of our artisan partners and channel their passion through our products.