SNAIL MAIL LOVE

See that? It's a stamp. When was the last time you had one of those on your desk? I have a fresh one from a dear friend. I held the envelope with respect and anticipation before I broke the seal and eased out its contents. Ahhh, what a treasure.

I miss snail mail.

CAN POLITICS BE TRULY GREEN?

Please click on the image to see it up close. Even if Nicanor Perlas is not your candidate, his knowledge of the environment and how it is related to everything will deepen your understanding of the world. So, if you are a true greenie and care about the future of our country, share this and show up.

WHITESPACE GREEN MARKET

The Whitespace Green Market started last December--a brainchild of owner Monique Villonco, with the help of daughter, Cris, and a handful of like-minded, strong-hearted women. I've only missed one market, but am back in the loop and shouting it out: THIS IS A GREAT MARKET! One doesn't get overwhelmed with too much stuff because the merchandise is carefully chosen. It's a great space, airconditioned, high ceilings, lots of light, (really clean and pretty bathrooms), and the food is great. Most of the products are green and earth-friendly, and more and more vendors are joining. Margarita Fores has her commissary in Whitespace, so she serves a delicious lunch buffet at a great price. This market happens every last Sunday of the month, so be there on February 28. It's a great place to meet up with friends and family. The market starts at around noon and ends at 7pm.

Fabulous T'nalak merchandise from TADECO.
LEYENDE: Local and organic health and beauty products.
A forever favorite: MESSY BESSY!
Ultra-soft, hand-stitched leather with recycled airplane tires for soles. CUTE & COMFY!
Natural, woven products. Very special.

Thanks to Girlie Rodis for the photos! See you at the Whitespace Market (2314 Chino Roces Ave, formerly Pasong Tamo Extension. Look for the green gate)!

BABYGANICS IS HERE!

I don't know why these images are so teeny-tiny, but just click on them to see. Congratulations to Rustan's for helping to mainstream organic and earth-friendly products. I prefer to use local when I can, but that these products are available here is already cause for celebration. It's proof that products that keep our families and the earth healthy, are no longer just for treehuggers! Hooray! There are other products available in the line so visit when you can.

To Kindle or Not to Kindle ?

Isn't that the question? I love to read and by that I don't mean that I love stories. I LOVE BOOKS. I love the way they feel and smell, the very act of turning a page, the sense of accomplishment and sadness of seeing how close you are to finishing a story, the anticipation of the next chapter, looking forward to getting back into the story at the end of the day--I love it all.

I also feel that books ought be shared. I love passing on good reads to friends and receiving the same from them. In this way, the Kindle seems so selfish. How can you pass it on? And yet, it does save a ton of paper. It's incredibly portable. You don't have to brave traffic to go to the bookstore only to find that the title you want is not available. Still...I can't imagine not holding a book!

There was a time I loved collecting books. I enjoyed looking at shelves and shelves and shelves of my books. Today, I give away novels yearly. I think that's a more responsible kind of ownership or, perhaps, stewardship. It's also a way for your purchase to be not just about you and your reading pleasure, but about sharing the joy of reading with others.

A few days ago, a friend emailed an article about Bookcrossing. I have been looking for something like this for years! Because of Bookcrossing, I've decided to hold off on the Kindle, yet again. I like the idea of having my books travel the world. I like the idea of sharing books with total strangers with whom you share nothing but a passion for books and stories.

Books are not just about reading. How they have changed hands, absorbed a tear or a drop of coffee, been hurled at a wall in anger--they are stories in themselves. I will try to keep books alive by being a part of this book-sharing community. I'm not saying no the Kindle just yet, but I remain fiercely loyal to books and all they mean.

CAN'T MISS THIS!

As usual, please click on the image for it to make sense! Gisela Wielki is a Christian Community priest who has been visiting us for 7 years! Imagine that. She has enriched our personal journeys a thousandfold. If you're raring to explore new roads this year, this would be a great place to start. See you there.

Cellercise!

Shortly after I turned 40 (there, I said it), I decided I wanted something more from my workouts, and I was no longer interested in spending hours in the gym. I wanted to make sure that whatever it was I was doing, was working on my insides as well. That's when I ran into an aunt who introduced me to the Cellerciser.

Yes, it looks like a simple mini trampoline, the kind you can purchase off Toby's, but this is not a toy. You bounce on the toys and you'll feel what I mean--and not in a good way. The Cellerciser is pricey if you think of it as just a mini trampoline, but when you consider what it does for your cells and then compare it to your gym fees, it begins to feel like a great deal.

I was immediately drawn to this because it's exercising down to your cells, hence its name. When you bounce (this foldable and very portable rebounder comes with a dvd, book, bar and carrying case), you are working out not just your body, but giving your cells a great boost (there's a science to this that is explained in their website, but I won't even attempt that here). It's like doing lymphatic drainage everyday. And the beauty is you don't have to spend hours on it. 10 minutes a day, minimum, is enough.

I no longer have the patience to spend hours in the gym. I workout at home now with my rebounder, different dvds and all the nature around me. I enjoy walking around my neighborhood when I can. As I get older, I appreciate my senses getting a good workout as well. I have my Cellerciser in my room facing the garden, I don't have to spend hours on it, and I know that every minute I spend on it is great for the health of my cells. That, plus my super supplements, is really all I need.

If you want to know more about the benefits of rebounding on the Cellerciser, visit the site here. Rica Villalon is the local distributor of the Cellerciser and though I make absolutely nothing from her, I've sent many people her way because I believe that workouts should do more than make you look good.

So, start 2010 on the right track. Cellercise!!

*photos courtesy of Rica Villalon