I’ve learned so many lessons from gardening.

Take our celery for example that i started last fall. I started it from a seed inside and it took about 6 weeks to sprout. Once it sprouted it took about 2 months before it was ready to be transplanted outside. Once it was transplanted it went through a growth spurt and looked like a small bush.

With all of the generous donations and purchases from people like you we are now able to support a special initiative for hundreds of people in Nametete, Malawi. The proceeds raised will help hundreds to have access to clean water, a generator for electricity, school supplies for students and a breakfast program for 200+ 3-6 year olds!

I would like to thank everyone who has purchased products or directly supported our efforts and we will we sure to keep you posted with updates and photos as the water pumps get built. Also a very special shout out to Al Singh and Smiles for Malawi for bringing us on board to help with this cause!

This is just the beginning of or Nattral Drink Water Campaign we will continue to support and give to communities around the world in need of clean accessible water!

STAY TUNED AND DON’T FORGET TO DRINK WATER!!!!

I have to say I was a little apprehensive when I first heard Rev Run and Tyrese promoting their book, Manology on the radio. Even though I enjoyed the reality show Runs House and respect both men as artists I wasn’t sure if them coming together writing a book would be corny or not.

Boy was I wrong!!! This is one of the realist, most modern and relatable books I’ve read about men and relationships. From dating to cheating to marriage or a long term commitment, this book covers a mans point if view of how to keep a relationship going despite the challenges of life.

Many might say, “Well my man or I ain’t no celebrity or so I/he wouldn’t have the same values about relationships”. Well they cover a mans thinking or rational regardless or how much money he has how many women he’s slept with or how long he’s been married. The truths in this book speaks volumes!

I have to say that a man reading this book may feel uncomfortable like they are giving all the secrets away. Or a man may not even want to read it cause he may feel like no one can tell him about his relationship. But in reality Manology can be a wake up call for men who may really want to be in or keep a relationship but may not see how there actions could possibly sabotage it. They discuss how men are brought up to view women and relationships and how those views may not get a man where he may ultimately want to be in life.

I also appreciated the points of view brought up about different aspects of a mans life (especially a black man) like jail, the streets, the music industry, fatherhood, marriage and more. They stressed that these aspects in life matter in who a man is and the importance for a woman to have the ability to accept some of those harsh realities and be willing to nurture as well as support her man as they are both trying to figure out life.

This book is also awake up call for women!! It had me feeling like “Daaauum let me step my game up to keep my man happy”! They gave tips on what men appreciate from a woman even if he may not express it. I’ve applied a few things already and have seen a positive response in my husband and my self!! Also other shockers that some women may say Hell naaaaw to are; they speak on how cheating does not have to define or end a relationship and having sex whenever your man wants.

If you are not a religious person Rev Run does make biblical references about relationships to support some if his points. But regardless of where he got his reference the principles he discusses are very valid in many ways.I also saw the immaturity of some of Tyrese’s views but realized they are based on the fact that he is just a white belt at monogamy. LOL

If you want a relationship or want to keep your relationship strong and happy MANOLOGY definitely has pointers for men and women!

Don’t sleep pick it up today!

By Afya Ibomu

I completed the last meditation challenge- Creating Abundance. Before that challenge, meditation was not part of my life. I tried it a few times but just couldn’t get into it. I sat in silence, chanted and used meditative music. None of these forms really kept my interest. There are many different forms of meditating and each person resonates with what works best for them. Deepak’s GUIDED meditations helped me because they immediately gave me a topic to contemplate, they also guided in the process of relaxation, breath and mindful(less)ness. I also enjoyed the quotes and perspectives he offered to focus on throughout the day.

The premise behind 21 days is that its been scientifically proven that if you continuously do something for 21 days it can become a habit. Completing Deepak’s last meditation challenge- “Creating Abundance” dramatically transformed my entire life on so many levels. Meditation has also become part of my life because of it. I appreciate the clarity meditation brings as well as the health benefits like stress management.

The Perfect Health 21 day Meditation Challenge also has a special guest! Oprah will be participating by leading some of the daily meditations! YaaY!

So join me, Deepak, Oprah and hundreds of thousands of other people on march 11,2013 for this worldwide meditation session!

Get in tune!

Sign up for the free meditation challenge here

Music has the ability to heal the body. It has the can to help rewire the brain and has been known to improve the speech of stroke victims. The melodic tones and rhythms of music have helped Parkinsons patients to walk, stutterers to stop their stutter and those with dislexia to improve reading and test scores!

Lyrics, beats and melodies can pick you up, help heal a broken heart or motivate you to keep working out.

Wow who knew music could be such a weapon for health?!

This song, BLESSED, has always helped to pick me up on a day where I might be feeling a little low. The lyrics are so insightful that they help me to remember there are always positives things around me, and to be appreciative of this thing called life.

If you are feeling a little tired, sad or like you just can’t get it together today, here’s a Friday Feel Good Prescription:

-Play this song
-Jump up and start dancing
-Sing the chorus/hook with her
-Repeat until you feel better

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 

Smiles For Malawi

Modern technology has allowed water to be pumped to homes, places of work and for leisure through large dams and urban piped systems. This method of access to safe, clean water is a common feature in developed countries. Yet in Malawi, a small African nation bordering the world’s ninth largest lake, people face a stark reality and have little to no access to clean water. In the farm village of Namitete the main water source is underground. Without the infrastructure to pump the water, people have no access to sustainable water for cooking, cleaning and drinking.  Our objective is to raise $8000 for the following:

• (2) Water Pumps for the village; supplying thousands of people
• Feed 200 orphaned children between the ages 3-6 yrs old a free daily breakfast for one school year
• Purchase an electric generator for power and nighttime visibility
• Install a new roof for a community center/church
• Purchase school supplies for the orphans in the school feeding program

Your contributions will enable the village to access SAFE, CLEAN WATER- an essential life source, sustainably for the first time.

You can be a part of this movement by purchasing any of our drink water products on our site (a portion of all proceeds go to the campaign), by donating directly to the campaign via Indie Gogo or both!

PURCHASE DRINK WATER PRODUCTS HERE

DONATE DIRECTLY HERE

FOR MORE INFO ON THE PROJECT CLICK HERE 

WATER IS LIFE!!

CHECK OUT OUR DRINK WATER PRODUCTS IN OUR STORE! CLICK HERE

Healthy Living:

Decolonizing the Diet and the Mind

with 

Afya Ibomu-holistic nutritionist

Stic of dead prez-founder of RBG FIT CLUB

Saqib- Food Justice Activist

Social Justice/Real Justice Conference

University of Oregon- Eugene Campus

Saturday Feb 16th, 2013

1:30 pm

1648 Alder St  Eugene, OR 97401

She was at the home birth of our son Itwela, and continues to tell the story of how the experience  of helping to bring him into the world moved her and motivated her journey as a Doula/Midwife!

Much love and blessings go out to her and her family! Check out her interview with Origin Magazine via the Huffington post where she discusses Health, Music, Parenting as well as mentions Me, My husband and our son Itwela!

Love!

Music Legend, vegan and Doula, Erykah Badu is one of the strongest women in the Industry. She gets real, raw and speaks openly about vulnerability and staying centered. The following is an excerpt from ORIGIN Magazine’s February issue, currently on stands.

Interviewer: Maranda Pleasant, Editor of ORIGIN Magazine

(Scroll for photos.)

MP: What is it that makes you vulnerable?

EB: My art. Or the empty platform that my art will go on.

MP: What do you do with pain, emotional pain?

EB: Not one particular way. It depends on the severity of it. For the most part, I go with it. I let it happen.

MP: How do you keep your center? How do you stay grounded in the middle of chaos?

EB: I guess it’s the daily routine. I don’t have any particular thing I do ritualistically. I do the same thing every day. I get up. Drink a lot of water. Have a wheatgrass shot. Drink some green juice. Eat as healthy as I can. I’m not trying to win an award for being the best vegetarian, just want to be healthy. Take a salt bath. Do things that my parents were never able to do. I’m blessed to do anything I want so I decide to take the best care of my body and my family in the same way. Holistically. Vitally.

MP: How long have you been a vegetarian?

EB: Let’s see. I’m forty-one. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 19. How many years is that?

MP: [laughing] That’s a long time.

EB: Yeah. I’ve been vegan-vegetarian for about the time my first album came out, so it was 1997. I eat like a vegan-vegetarian, more than anything.

MP: Do you have any wisdom or advice for women who may be in negative, unhealthy or abusive relationships? Do you have any wisdom for those women?

EB: Mm. I have advice for people—period—who are in unhealthy relationships: Follow your heart. It will get you to where you need to be. Sometimes it’s hard, sometimes it’s easy, the places that your heart takes you. But continue to follow it. Where the train leads you—you’ll get there.

MP: I had my daughter naturally at home, in our bathroom, with a doula. The doula was probably the most important person in that room with me. What led you to become a doula?

EB: Let me see. It was 9.11, actually. Around that time. One of my girlfriends was in labor, she happened to be the wife of stic.man from Dead Prez.

MP: He writes for [ORIGIN]!

EB: They’re my best friends, both of them, stic.man and Afya. I was actually flying from somewhere, doing something. On my layover, stic.man called me and told me Afya was in labor. I just redirected to New York, because we’re friends, and I just had Seven a couple years before. I just wanted to be there and we just all wanted to be together. I happened to be the person, one of the people, that stayed up with Afya. Didn’t sleep. Never got tired. I could feel every emotion that she had. It was just a very natural, intuitive experience. I just knew how to open myself up to the baby and be the welcoming committee. And now when Afya was in labor for fifty-two hours. Day and night. She’s my hero. And she finally had the baby and put my finger in his palm, and I kind of felt like, I like being the welcoming committee.

I just continued to be present at different people’s births, and I started studying on my own, different techniques, and the variables of what being a doula is about. I learned to originally be like water, in the place that I was, so that I could be a container for whatever they need. I love being of service in that way. I’m an official doula, and I am working to get my midwifery license right now.

MP: My midwife and my doula shaped my entire experience. It was beautiful. Have you had a homebirth?

EB: All my children were born in my bed. In my home. I had a midwife and doula each time.

MP: What has shifted for you, what is the thing about motherhood that flows through you? Is there something in you that is different, or that you have learned?

EB: I don’t know. I’ve got to think about that. I’ve never been asked that.

MP: You probably just live it. You’re not used to answering it, you just live it.

EB: I try to. Well, I just learn as I go. There’s no set way. I have a lot of faith in my abilities and in my children. I like them a lot, you know. They’re really good people, and I like them.

MP: What is one truth that you know for sure?

EB: Everything must change.

MP: Do you practice any kind of yoga or meditation?

EB: Breathing is my way of life. As a vocalist, just as a person who’s main focus is evolving, breathing—that’s my meditation. I enjoy yoga classes. I walk in meditation. I dance. I’m a ballerina. Modern jazz and tap. But I would love to get into a good yoga class if I can stay focused and breathe. I love the connection I have with myself every time I take a yoga class. It’s a very nice remembering, remembering the parts of me. You know what I mean?

But I walk and breathe in meditation. Another meditation I do: when I walk I count my steps, so I’m really in the here and right now. Another meditation I do is try to stay out of my mind as long as I can, as an exercise, so I don’t believe everything I think. I do many different things. Many different exercises that keep me focused.
Photos by Kenneth Cappello

ORIGIN is the conscious culture national print magazine bringing together art, yoga, music, humanitarianism, and sustainability to shift the planet for good. Twenty percent of our editorial is donated to nonprofits impacting the planet. You can find ORIGIN in Whole Foods, Barnes and Noble, Pharmacas, Central Markets and 15+ other National retailers. 

Interview via the Huffington Post

The book Your Bodies Many Cries for Water is a classic and is based on pioneering physician, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj’s,  twenty years of clinical and scientific research into the role of water in the body. Simply adjusting your water intake can help you to live a healthier, pain-free life. Yes, water! Natural, pure water!. You will learn the different signals of thirst and when your body is calling for water instead of just waiting for your mouth to get dry.

In his book, learn how to naturally prevent and reverse conditions such as:

asthma

allergies

heartburn

back pain

arthritis

migrant headaches

weight loss

and more!
This is an absolute must-read classic book on natural health. So grab a glass of water and enjoy the info!!

If you are a water enthusiast please click here to check out our store for our Drink Water products!