by Hannah Schenker.

I walked into the Mussel Inn, Golden Bay, on Live Poets night a couple of years ago, a gig I rarely attended but had been coaxed to by a new friend. On the stage was this beautiful creature: young woman, short hair, boyish clothes – I immediately tuned in to what she was saying. She spoke with a smooth American accent, fearless and political, speaking those dangerous words I was always to shy to say. Rebecca.

“I won’t apologise for my diatribe”

I approached her afterward, singing praises – “You remind me of Ani Difranco!” which I thought was the highest compliment I could pay. A friendship formed in the next few months, as I was welcomed into a young poets weekly get-together at her place. And here we are today, time slipped and slid around us as we grew and grew…a new name launched and now I am fortunate to be a friend of Redwood Reider, and reviewing her album Poetree.

“What a journey! The enclosed CD comes from a long simmer: dreaming, grappling, raging, reveling, scrawling, speaking louder, speaking deeper, connecting to earth, sky, and everyone around me (as trees do) and watching what poured through.”

Her poems touch on our kind of lives, our kind of thoughts – the wonder of our bodies and our sexuality; a revered and beloved Mother Nature; conscious environmentalism; our universal connection; the pitfalls of globalisation and capitalism; spirituality.

“as though a soul could be defined by he or she as though there was a line between you and me as if my veins don’t grow into roots of a tree as though my blood’s not a drop of water swimming sea”

She skilfully combines rhyme and rhythm, the political with the personal. Juxtaposing images of beauty alongside images of destruction – an underlying message that we need to hold onto our heart intentions, hold dear our Planet, our Mother. Rethink the messages we are constantly bombarded with and decide our new realities, a new future.

“So hold the sufferings of this world in your heart brother.  There’s a lot to fit in so you’ll have to expand.  And stand.  Stop the mines! Hold the lines!  Reject their mutated seeds!  Resist their currency!  Plant a garden, feed the community, save the bees let grow the weeds let go the whole concept of weeds!”

I am not usually one to get stuck into political poetry- I get lost somewhere and drift away into non-thinking. But Redwood has the gift of accessibility – these poems are stories, these poems resonate with me, these poems also contain some kind of realness and bravery that I can hold onto.

“So was I oppressed?  Or did I get off easy?  Learning to bend, stand a bit crooked, not show so much chest.  Feeling like I was in drag whenever they got ME to wear a dress.”

The musical accompaniment is subtle and haunting in some tracks, full of energy and spark in others.  Beatboxing, vocals, guitar, Native American flute, cello, shruti box, djembe and didjeridoo, to name a few! I particularly loved the very first track – ‘Potluck’ – which rang out to me with humour and lightness – come back to that one when you’ve listened to the rest. She’ll lift you back up to a place of unapologetic aliveness.

But the greatest thing Redwood left me with was this: There is no shame in being a woman, a lover, a strong, pulsing, beating heart of a person. There is room here for me. I can be a conscious creator.  It is my responsibility to love and keep on loving.

“You’re stronger than you think you are.  And if you think you’re strong, well you’re stronger than that too.  And when you let your voice bloom, it frees everyone around you…”

Reviewed by Hannah Schenker.

Adham Shaikh (Cananda)

When you grow up in a town like Takaka, New Zealand, which has hosted Entrain, The Gathering, Stardust, Visionz, Uprising and Canaan Downs Festivals (to name a few), you might start wondering about this place and what is vibrating in the earth here that makes people want to get together and dance. Luminate Festival took that energy and blasted it in so many other directions – an earth- friendly event encompassing not just music and dance, but art, creativity, sustainability, education, performance…the list goes on.

Held from January 27th to February 2nd 2011 at the magical 200 acre Canaan Downs site on top of the Takaka Hill, the community-focussed Luminate will bring together families, individuals, performers and participators from around New Zealand and further afield for a fourth year.

Luminate Festival, the main event organised by the Luminate Festival Educational and Spiritual Trust, happens exactly mid-way between the summer solstice and autumn equinox – a time when usually there is an abundance of crops and the summer harvest festival of Lughnasadgh takes place. A time for people to gather together and share food, music, stories, information and send gratitude to the earth mother taking care of us all. Why not carry on the tradition here in our fertile and abundant land, with a big heaving bunch of conscious, like-minded people?

This is a family-friendly event, where you can actually bring your children and watch them take off in a mob to try stilt-walking, poi, juggling, hula hooping, puppet shows, storytelling, face painting or nature walks. Anywhere there is a child-friendly atmosphere sounds lovely to me; where space is created and dedicated to providing fun, educational and interesting activities for the growing hearts and minds of our future generations. It also means Mums and Dads can come knowing their children can participate too.

Beats Antique (Usa)

And for the adults out there: a line-up of musicians, djs and workshops to inspire, elevate, enliven and make your feet itch for the dance floor.

Over 100 confirmed acts include Adham Shaikh (Canada), Beats Antique (USA), Mamaku Project (NZ), Pacific Curls (NZ), Hikoikoi (NZ), Perfect Stranger (Israel), Khainz (Switzerland), Dick Trevor (UK), Hedflux (UK), Heyoka (USA), Jamie Janover (USA) and a plethora of other wicked New Zealand talent: Karen Hunter, Matiu Te Huki, Boom Shanti, Chimuka, Mama Yeva, Grouch, Organikismness, Pan Electric, and many more to be announced.

The wide range of musical styles covers live music, world grooves, gypsy, roots, folk, dub, psytrance, minimal tech, progressive, breaks, dubstep, glitch, d&b, house, ambient, soul, funk, esoteric beats and more…“Find your rhythm at the live stage or electronic zone, get primal with the drums of the tribal zone, take it horizontal in the chillout lounge, or bring an instrument and join in the fun on the buskers stage” said Co-Organiser Jules Harper.

When you’re ready for a break from wiggling about on the dance floor using muscles you didn’t know you had and generally being inspired by the talented musical acts, there are also many interactive workshops or Knowledge and Inspirational Sharing Sessions (aka KISS…yummy!). With quality presenters and facilitators, you can really get involved in holistic, environmental, healing and cultural topics. These cover permaculture, alternative energy, african drumming, harakeke, electronic music production, creativity, mayan calendar, circus skills, yoga, zumba, bellydance, food self reliance, intentional communities, NVC, poetry, relexology, holistic healing techniques, spirituality and many more…

Jamie Janover (USA)

A special guest workshop facilitator and musician not to be missed is Jamie Janover (USA), who will be presenting Nassim Haramein’s fascinating research on cosmology, ancient civilizations and quantum science including a unified solution to Einstein’s Field Equations. This groundbreaking theory has led to a change in our understanding of the fundamental structure of the universe and consciousness.  Janover is also an innovative musician, so make sure to catch him on the live stage playing the dulcimer – an ancient percussive stringed instrument – along with laptop computer and percussion.

That, my friends, is not all. There are many more features to take in, imbibe and nourish yourself with: Organic and locally sourced food and refreshments, arts, crafts & market stalls, healing zone, drumming circle, the Flaming-Juggle-Poi-Toy zone with fire performers by night and circus skills workshops by day, VJs, enlightening movies & documentaries, spacious camping, eco-showers and amenities, spectacular mountain location surrounded by native bush. Bring your bike, because it’s a large site and you’ll want to see it all.

With such a beautiful but large and all-encompassing festival taking place, you might be wondering how exactly it is considered an earth-

Mamaku Project (NZ)

friendly event. It is stated straight-up: this is a clean environment event, with no rubbish bins or recycling on site. What you bring in, you must take out, simple as that!

However, there is a composting system on site for your biodegradables, and you are encouraged to bring your own eating utensils, cups and plates to be re-used and washed by you (or by someone else, for a small fee). This way, the bulk of rubbish that usually builds up at an event of this scale and heads for landfill is minimised or eliminated. This in itself has spin-off effects: community education – demonstrating that a different way is possible and that Zero Waste can be achieved; practical solutions which can be carried out into our communities; and also is inspirational to other events.

This is Luminate’s Clean Environment Strategy. By dealing with waste at the source (generally it mostly comes from refreshment stalls, drinks bottles and cans); it has given the Luminate creators a chance to expand that vision and reduce waste in other ways: constructing the festival infrastructure and decor from re-used, recycled and natural materials; sourcing second-hand t-shirts for crew and screenprinting them by hand; re-using envelopes and other packaging; promoting the festival on recycled paper and recycling waste materials that cannot be reused. Everyone can benefit from the Clean Environment Strategy, from the festival and on out into the community through education, financial savings and the ever-present environmental aspects. With such focus and intention, the Luminate creators are clearly manifesting sustainable fun in our region.

Chimuka (Marimba Band)

Tickets: The ticket price from now on of $185 includes one weeks camping, entrance to all workshops throughout the week, all performance and entertainment, and provision of amenities. Teen Tickets ($85) are available for youth 14- 17yrs old. All Teens must show proof of age to gain
admission, and be accompanied by an adult guardian who is responsible for them at the festival. Children 13 and under, and seniors over 70 can attend for free.

As usual, alcohol and dogs are not permitted.

Next year if you are interested in working in exchange for a ticket, the Luminate creators have developed varying ways for doing so. They have established some guidelines for your straightforward work-for-ticket type requirements, but have also created a course for those interested in learning more about the ins and outs of creating such a festival, incorporating the Maori teaching of Manaakitangi ‐ hospitality and kindness for the common good of all.  Keep your eyes out for opportunities by visiting the website and signing up for their newsletters, or follow on facebook.

For more information or to read more, visit www.luminatefestival.co.nz or better yet, join us on the Hill!

The last day of September is already here…days have slipped and flipped around like yoyos. Seasonal change has brought much excitement and left me feeling somewhat unsettled, scattering the mind in the wind with the blossom petals. My life feels incredibly full and busy-
in the last five days alone I’ve been to Nelson twice; been confronted with my total lack of ability in the realm of connecting with and entertaining children under 10; welcomed a flatmate back into the house after a month and a half with the place to ourselves (not necessarily a bad thing – she is wondrous and delightful); challenged my unhealthy head-thinking as I descended into a state of negativity about myself.

I’ve bought myself some gumboots (zebra-striped for ultimate coolness); thought about owning a goat; read a few chapters of Peta Mathias’ book French Toast; skimmed stones with incredible skill in the Anatoki River; cooked for numerous people and eaten a delicious feast at a friend’s place just yesterday (pumpkin soup, followed by a green salad from the garden, followed by sushi which actually had spirulina in it, followed by Green & Blacks Maya Gold chocolate).

I’ve slept on average 9 hours a night and have still been tired. I guess that’s understandable. This afternoon I have a job interview, just to try and squeeze a little more into my busy schedule.

I’ve been thinking about this pre-Spring clean thing I’m trying to do. I wanted to take this on to the next level and after this month of cleaning myself up a little bit, tackling a real cleanse. But right now, I don’t know if that’s the thing to do. I think it might tip me over into real fatigue; challenging my immune system a little too much. My intuition seldom fails me, so I’m just trying to listen to these messages right now, and maybe think about a proper detox over summer.

One thing I am pleased about is the alcohol situation. I was very accustomed to drinking frequently; bombarding my body with toxins to
process and then lamenting my low energy; poor digestion and sometimes low spirits. A habit formed – suddenly I found myself requiring the
lubricant in order to feel socially comfortable, ease boredom and stimulate false energy. I feel that the habit has been broken, despite
the occasional dalliance during my month off.

I can now feel more comfortable at dinners with friends or family without the ever-refilling glass of wine. I have experienced a night out dancing and partying with friends without waking up with a hangover. I am no longer hanging out for my first glass of wine as I cook dinner. These things please me, very much.

My goal as I move forward is to continue in this fashion – and I am thinking it would be best if I avoid drinking during the week for starters, allowing drinks for special occasions and parties. My body and mind will certainly thank me for it. This was my main goal for the month, so I am actually pretty pleased with myself – change is a-happenin’ in this department.

As for my other goals:

Exercise: there hasn’t really been great success in this arena. However – I have rediscovered the absolute pleasure and benefit of yoga practice, and I intend to continue reminding myself to unroll the mat. As my back has been getting sore lately, I am also recommitting to my physio exercises, so as to avoid serious back problems in the future. It is up to me to help myself here…and it has nothing to do with vanity (although…summer is fast approaching, bikini weather looms). I have a sequence of moves, I know what to do, so I shall work my way back to a regular routine and reap the rewards for years to come.

Diet: I’ve noticed that my digestion seems to have a lot to do with intolerances, but probably just as much to do with my emotional state.
During this last week of emotional upheaval and challenges to me self-esteem, I’ve noticed some changes in my digestion as I struggle to digest these other things. I will continue to work on myself, eating healthily and consciously – with the added benefits of Kefir and Kombucha. I know what foods to avoid but I am holding onto the hope that these things change too, so one day eggplants and cabbage and pulses and onions and garlic will once again be on the menu. I know that I eat well, I eat slowly and I’m listening more to my body’s messages, so I’m pretty content in this area too.

Bodytalk: Although I cannot afford to continue having sessions of Bodytalk, I still highly value the things Tania relayed to me during
my one session. I am still learning to tune in to my body, and am now a firm believer of an innate intelligence at work beneath the skin. I
am learning to love my body, in all its strangeness and glory, and respect it too. I think I will only get better at this.

Learning: I am a reader. I consume books like food, magazines too. I love to read about new ideas, concepts and theories. I enjoy learning
and having my brain stimulated by new information – and I am ever grateful for our small library in Takaka for letting me continue to do
this. During the last month my reading has focussed mostly around spirituality, an area I am interested in but am yet to put into practice in any definable way. Perhaps this can be a new goal for me to carry forth into my hectic and heavenly existence.

And so…I love you and leave you. We are in the midst of a steady downpour and it is highly likely I will end up stuck out here in Rainbow Valley, slips and trees having a tendency to come down across our one road to town. I wouldn’t mind, only I have to see a lady about a job…I don’t think my schedule is busy enough. Ha.

Over and out,
Hannah Campbell

BUT- I did notice its effects mighty quickly, and by the time we made it back to the Bay a few hours later, I was far more tired than I ought to have been, as my body worked to process the toxins. Whether it was just that, or a combination of factors that have also led to me being rather exhausted all day today, I can’t tell you. There are the full moon, daylight savings and a myriad other planetary related shifts and wobbles that can affect ones energy!

So. What do I do with this? Do I start my month off all over again? Do I let myself just sit and reminisce about the wonderful time my Gewurtz and I had on Saturday as I savoured every single drop? Do I beat myself up about being such a failure on my mission? I think I’m gonna go with the second one, and at the same time I’ll let myself reminisce about the good time I had with the Salt and Vinegar potato chips earlier today too.

One thing I CAN tell you is that I’ve practised some yoga moves at home, feeling my arms muscles go all jelly-like after several Sun Salutations. I’ve been drinking Kefir. I’ve been trying to ground myself in the present and not let my mind wander off into fear-based lands. I’ve been gentle with myself. I’ve eaten healthy, nutritious foods (though I’m yet to start making any Kefir-fermented vegetables).

I’ve been dreaming about all the things I am going to do with my life, including exactly what I’m doing now. I’ve been creative, though not
with poetry. I’ve caught up with some friends and some family and made some new family too. I went to the local HANDS market today and
sampled tasty morsels, bought two paperbacks, some salad greens, some ready-to-drink Kombucha (YUM! Thanks Lina!) and some goat cheese too.
I’ve seen so many mamas and babies, both human AND animal that I’m seriously getting clucky (for the first time ever, by the by)…

I seem to be existing in a little bubble of bliss. Even the challenging moments I am ready for, willing to overcome them and move on, all resolved and free. I am optimism, I am happiness, I am healthy in many different ways and I am far-out excited.

Over and out,
Hannah the Manifesting Maniac

Time is passing quickly and here we are again at Full Moon, spring weather throwing us this way and that. I have realised that amongst all of this, one aspect of this month of getting healthier has been left by the wayside.

Exercise.

Now…there has been incidental exercise taking place, and I can feel it. Dancing on the weekend; packing, shifting and unpacking; cleaning…but I’ve only attended one yoga class, and only had one yoga session at home. Back when life was much less full I had a dedicated daily exercise routine, but I’m now finding it rather difficult to make the time for it between all the other things.

How do you people out there do it? What do you do? When do you do it?

When I get home after a long day in front of the computer, for example, I just want to stretch out and fall asleep, though I’m sure my body would feel BETTER if I just unrolled the yoga mat and hopped to it. I find it especially hard while it’s still cold and I seem to be in hibernating mode. I’m interested in your thoughts on the subject. One thing I remember from the yoga class I used to attend was that at Full Moon, Terry said we really shouldn’t push our bodies to do too much. If we’re going to exercise, to do gentle exercise; less intense yoga poses and generally take it easy.

Well. That makes me feel much better!

I’ve also recently finished a book I mentioned earlier, Return to the sacred : ancient pathways to spiritual awakening by Jonathan H. Ellerby. In it, he describes various paths we might take in an effort to connect to The Sacred, find spirituality, solidify a practice in which to connect to God/ The Sacred/ Higher Consciousness…whatever you choose to call it. As I’ve said, he details various ways in which to achieve this depending on the sort of person you are, and what kind of path suits you personally. With each path that he describes, he illustrates with personal experiences, which I found both appealing and insightful. It made me want to run out into the world and find some Native American mystic to teach me their old ways; to spend time delving into the world of meditation; to  throw myself into the deeper practices of Yoga in a spiritual sense; to chant and pray and attend ceremonies and learn from wise people. I guess the biggest message to come through was to take action: stop thinking about how to be spiritual and start experiencing it. I trust my intuition after years of denying it, and can feel myself growing more spiritual by the day, whether it’s rooted in any particular practice yet or not. I feel a connection to the Universe, to the people I surround myself with and to the earth beneath my feet. I also know that times are relatively good for me right now, and that the real test comes when things are not going so well.

So I return to my computer screen, feeling my breath deep into my belly and praying silently for a BIG, NEW, FRIDGE.

Over and out, amigos,

Hannah

As the group reconnected on Saturday morning to learn about fermenting foods and drink, we were joined by a few new faces. Making Kombucha was the main focus of the session – again, something I knew little about but had heard many people raving about. Lina is not one for claiming any one food or drink is a miracle cure-all for everyone, but the benefits of including these things into your diet are many…and as a lot of us seem to be searching for things to increase energy, help digestion and generally make us feel good, I think fermenting is a pretty good start.

Kombucha is called a ‘tea’, as it is made by brewing a bunch of black tea and sugar, then adding the culture (called a ‘mushroom’ or SCOBY) and leaving to ferment for up to two weeks before bottling. The result is less like a tea and more like a slightly fizzy juice (reminiscent of cider), varying from sweet to vinegary depending on how long you leave it before bottling. Leaving a bottle for a second fermentation varies the result again – you can even make your own slightly alcoholic ‘bubbly’ by leaving it for 6 months or more. It is versatile – adding flavours either before the second fermentation or even only overnight in the bottle before drinking. We tasted Lina’s examples with bare-faced delight: one made with ginger and lemonades, one with berries. We sniffed the flavoured vinegars, made by leaving the brewed ‘tea’ for a longer period before bottling to create a real vinegar, varied by adding rosemary or even seaweed. The vinegars are extremely useful, not only for the usual things like salad dressings, but also
as a highly effective cleaner: windows, sinks, fridges…the live bacteria contained really eat up all the bad stuff!

And onto the benefits: Kombucha (also known as a Liver Tonic) contains a wide range of organic enzymes, acids and vitamins that are a great source of nutrition alongside the beneficial bacteria. B vitamins provide energy and help process fats and proteins; C vitamins which are potent detoxifiers, immune boosters and enhancers of vitality. The usual benefits of tea are also active, and the sugars activate the yeasts and bacteria.

So – here we have a metabolic balancer, probiotic, adaptogen and detoxifier. Better digestion, more energy, increased function in many bodily systems…are we sure this ISN’T a wonder drink? AND it tastes good? I’m in. In fact, I like the taste so much I can visualise myself at a party, sipping on bottles of sweet, fizzy Kombucha instead of bubbly, wine or gin. I’m keen to start making my own, bottling it up and leaving it in a dark place to do its magic. Come summer, I’ll be enjoying a tasty beverage and helping my body out all at the same time!

We also revisited Kefir, and the use of it to ferment vegetable at home. Such simple techniques to create your own store of beneficial foods in the cupboards and fridge! We’ve been enjoying drinking our Kefir at home since the last workshop; the next step is to source some good, organic raw milk to make it with, although store-bought organic milk is working too. I’m enjoying the slightly fizzy, sour drink a lot, and now we have a blender I’m keen to make Kefir smoothies. It feels empowering to have these cultures in the house, and the knowledge required to create some healthful, delicious food and drinks.

In other news: Saturday’s party was a joy. Surrounded by friends, good food, good music and good vibes, I stayed up dancing on and off until
about 4am, without alcohol! When my beloved finished his DJ set, he rewarded himself with one cold beer, of which I had 3 sips but didn’t
actually enjoy. Neither did he. Hmmm…interesting! It was nice to spend a whole evening without an alcoholic drink in hand, and I didn’t
really miss it either. Apart from the effects of a lack of sleep, I felt really good yesterday and in great spirits. I wonder if, after this month, I can keep this up more often than succumbing to the draw of alcoholic drinks…

Over and out,
Hannah In Bed.

I am feeling reasonably good – apart from this ongoing swollen throat thing that keeps barking at the edges of my otherwise sunny demeanour. Optimism pursues though, and my state of mind continues to be light and joyful…though that could be totally related to being absolutely in love.

I’ve been thinking a bit about food lately, as it appears that my long-held control issues around it and eating in general seem to have floated away, out of my everyday consciousness. For a long time I found eating a bit of a challenge, with deeply engrained ideas of body image and how much, how often, and what I put into my body. Combine this with determined exercise and you have a recipe for unhealthy living. The unfortunate part was that I didn’t actually have the energy to work off what I was consuming, or at least I couldn’t achieve the amount of exercise I wanted to be doing. The result? Deep insecurity, painful self-obsession and general unhappiness.

In the last year I have discovered a pattern between my emotions and how I was eating, notably feeling overwhelmed by my emotions and instead of looking at them, eating everything in sight. Corn chips seemed to be the go, and nowhere in there was any consciousness about hunger or satiation.

Since I started counselling last year in an effort to overcome this and many other issues, I was able to look at what I was up to and without really even trying; lately it has all melted away. It helps to be with someone who totally adores you and the body you move around in, but more than that it seems the controlling part of my mind is taking a bit of a holiday in that department. I’ve noticed it in other areas of my life too, but this one is the most interesting to me right now.

In the last few weeks I’ve observed that I am much more aware of when I’m hungry, when I’m full, and what foods my body wants me to eat. I’ve noticed that I eat more slowly, tasting the food in my mouth. This doesn’t necessarily mean I’m always eating salad – just that I seem to be more in touch with my body. Last night I felt like fish and chips, so I got some. Instead of chowing down the whole lot and then feeling guilty, overfull and unhappy with myself; I felt satiated, satisfied and actually didn’t finish all my chips. I didn’t feel like I needed to…because I recognised when I had had enough!

Breakthrough.

In other news, I’ve been reading a lot lately about spirituality, I mentioned a book I was reading last time but I’ve since started another. Currently I am immersed in Return to the Sacred: ancient pathways to spiritual awakening, by Jonathan H. Ellerby. I’m about a third of the way through, and have become interested in spirituality again since my Bodytalk session with Tania. As I’ve mentioned, in that session was a link between a stifling or blocking of the mystical, spiritual, idealistic side of my nature. Since I was little, I have noticed many moments in which I felt deeply spiritual, whether it was sitting in long grass with the cat, absolutely enthralled in the present, or feeling connected to things greater than myself but ultimately difficult to define or describe. In his book, Ellerby is communicating the absolute essential nature of some kind of spirituality in each of us, whether it fits into a definable category or faith, or not. He says that a lot of us WANT to be spiritual, we read and study books and texts, we attend talks and workshops, but then when nothing deeply resonates or changes in our lives, we can feel disheartened or like we just haven’t found the right path. He goes on to emphasise the importance of a dedicated practice. Just like any other area in our lives, without a commitment to a practice we cannot ever really experience true connection to Spirit/God/Higher Consciousness…whatever you choose to call it. I also like what he says about HOW you achieve this – like anything else, it is different for each person, so it is up to us to discover a meaningful practice for ourselves. Praying, dancing, devotion, gurus, chanting, exercise, group or solitary, organised religion or not…there is no one-size-fits-all for this.

The rest of his book outlines the various paths we might consider, depending on whether we are Body, Mind, Heart or Spirit oriented people. I think I might be a combination of Body and Mind…I think I could create a spiritual practice out of some kind of movement (think Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong) or head-related (study, meditation etc). I am interested to read more about this, and see whether any of these things seem to resonate or repulse. I think that might be a good start.

Over and out (feeling connected to the river)

Hannah

So…here I am on the bed, having just woken up from an hour-long nap that I couldn’t fight off, wondering what to share with you all.

Updates:

No alcohol has been easy enough, but I haven’t been in big social situations during the last week in which I’d normally fill and refill the cup. Dinner at a friend’s place sans booze was lovely in fact, and I’m starting to feel a little more confident in my ability to resist.

Exercise: I haven’t dedicated any time to exercising my body, apart from last Tuesday when I went to a Yoga class in town with a beautiful woman named Terry. I used to attend her classes maybe a year ago, but stopped over summer when I carried on the practice at home, fairly diligently alongside my other physical manoeuvres. Since then, Terry has stopped giving her bigger classes in the Catholic Church Hall, instead inviting up to 5 (at a push) into her home where her lounge has been converted into a studio. Having ‘booked’ a spot for myself when I saw her at the market a few days prior, I arrived to join another woman from my old yoga class, and my Mum!

Unrolling our mats in the four corners of the room, we started with Legs up the Wall, and as I looked up at my legs faithfully hanging above me, allowing blood to flow back down into my upper body, I felt a sense of quiet achievement that I had allowed myself the space to come back to a Yoga class.

Each class generally has a bit of a focus, whether it’s something Terry decides before the class or whether it’s created around whatever areas people want looked at (sore lower back for instance). Amazingly, Terry has been reading this blog and has been researching the use of Yoga poses to relieve digestive problems, such as I’ve been living with. So not only do I get to attend a small class in Terry’s warm, inviting, beautiful home, but the class focus is specifically beneficial to me? Talk about blessing! My body and soul said thank you in every deep Ujjayi Pranayama, though my neglected muscles cried out with restrictive power. I think I made the first step in getting my body back into a practice that benefits so much more than just the muscles, but I need to up the ante and get into a regular routine so that I can loosen up, extend, and melt into each pose like I used to.

Digestively speaking, I’ve been struggling a bit lately, but the only changes to my diet have been adding Kefir, and maybe the odd snackdown involving cheese. I tend to think that it’s more about digesting life, and having been feeling stressed, sick and a bit overwhelmed with all this moving business in addition to general life goings-on, I think my system is just having difficulty really breaking it all down into manageable bits. I’m hoping that as things settle down a bit in my life, so will my gut. Here’s hoping! Perhaps I need to get off the bed and unroll my yoga mat…

One last thing – I’ve been reading an amazing book. I devoured it in a few days, constantly wishing it was longer so that I wouldn’t finish it so quickly. It’s called Supercharged Taoist, by The Barefoot Doctor. Reading the back of the book it sounded like an interesting story of this man’s journey through life and all the spiritual teachers and gurus that he learnt from along the way. Upon starting, I quickly fell in love with him: he is funny, gentle, honest, insightful, entertaining and above all, human just like the rest of us. But this man is more than that too, born to be a healer and sharer of his knowledge and skills; I would love to meet him and face-to-face, stare deeply into his eyes and share some stuff of my own. Then he could teach me Tai Chi. Heck yes! You can find him at www.superchargedtaoist.com.

Over and out (amongst the boxes),

Hannah

Bodytalk is essentially a form of alternative healthcare that encompasses a wide range of other modalities: Western Medical Expertise, energy dynamics of Acupuncture, Osteopathic and Chiropractic Philosophy, clinical findings of Applied Kinesiology and even the insights of Modern Physics and Mathematics. Each practitioner also has the opportunity to draw on knowledge from any other modalities they practice (in Tania’s case, Neurolink and flower essences among other things). The therapy “allows the body’s energy systems to be resynchronized so they can operate as nature intended” (from the Bodytalk System brochure), allowing the body to operate again at its optimal level. It’s all about communication- between all the body’s systems, cells and atoms,
and then between the practitioner and your body’s innate intelligence.

Using neuromuscular biofeedback (muscle testing) the body answers the practitioner’s series of Yes/No questions to lead to areas of imbalance that are the priority in that session. Hence why what you write on the form as being your main area of concern might not be exactly what your body wants to address first!

So you’re on the table, on your back, with your practitioner holding one of your hands as they do this biofeedback. Next the practitioner holds the area that your body indicated as priority, and uses tapping on the head to make the brain aware of the communication link, and repair it. Then tapping on the sternum or heart ensures the new information is ‘stored’ throughout the whole body.

In my humble opinion, this is one of those modalities that you don’t necessarily have to consciously ‘understand’ in order for it to work.  I was really surprised at the areas my body wanted Tania to look at.  The throat/Thyroid came up first, linking with: The Third House (astrologically speaking) which involves communication and expression and the conscious mind; the feeling of Suffocation; and Neptune (my ruling planet incidentally, being the super Piscean that I am) which relates to Idealism, Spirituality, Mysticism etc. Basically, this was about me not expressing my innate Neptune nature- suffocating the idealistic, dreamer, spiritual, mystic self.

Huh.

And so we went on- discovering more in the Thyroid, this time affected by the emotion of Grief. This one also linked with an acupuncture/acupressure point just under my armpit on my left side. So I rubbed on that one while Tania tapped it all out. HUH. Sore throat?  Not expressing Grief? THAT doesn’t sound like me! Argh, she is so onto it. There is so much grief inside me I am too scared to even look at most of the time, for fear I will disappear into it, never to return.

Another area we looked at involved the planet Sedna, connecting to the story of an Inuit woman who transformed from victim consciousness into
a goddess after repeated betrayals by her father. In my situation, that moving from victim to goddess linked with a phase in my life involving the Ninth House: all about exploring, travel, freedom and expanding horizons. It also linked to ALL my chakras being affected by Grief. This was really interesting for me, because those areas of my life: freedom, travel and expanding horizons have been a huge focus for me over the past few years as I’ve been restricted from so much by my body’s health problems, notably travel and freedom. Where did my health problems come from? My theory is that they’re because of all the traumas and grief all stuffed away inside me, never expressed, which turned into physical, raw, inflammation and pain. Digestion troubles? I couldn’t digest LIFE. Perhaps now is the time that I am transforming, from being a victim to my body’s will, to a goddess of
epic journeying, expanding, freeing proportions! Time to digest my life, kids.

If you’re at all interested in alternative kinds of healing modalities, then check out the website for more info: www.ibaglobalhealing.com.
Perhaps you are as lucky as we are in Golden Bay, and have several practitioners to choose from, including Tania Marsden, who is seriously good at what she does, in other areas too. A Healing Hands Lady, for sure.

You can find Tania Marsden for Bodytalk, Hot Stone Massage (ohmigod), Wellspring Essences, Reiki and Ear Candling at:
127 Commercial Street, Takaka.  Tania is also available for remote Bodytalk sessions.
Phone: 03 525 6068 or 027 256 6748.

You can check out Tania’s blog here: www.wellspringessences.blogspot.com

Firstly, I wanted to write about some things I discovered yesterday. I attended the first of two workshops all about fermenting. Yesterday’s
topic was Kefir, a drink I have tasted once and enjoyed enormously, but knew little about. We all rolled up with our empty glass jars, conversation bubbling and effervescing before the course even began.

Adelina (Teacher Lady Extraordinaire) began with a Russian version of a Karakia, gently inviting all of us to connect and so we started the process of learning about the wonders of Kefir.  Kefir, for those who don’t know, is a cultured, enzyme- rich food full of deliciously beneficial micro-organisms that balance out your own inner ecosystem. So nutritious it is, supplying your body with complete protein, essential minerals and valuable B-vitamins (the
Russians successfully used it to treat Tuberculosis, so there you go), it is kinda like a runny yoghurt. But BETTER.  We learnt about the origins of Kefir and how the Mother culture has been passed through generations and gradually around the world to reach even us, down here in Takaka, New Zealand. Lina shared out a couple of tablespoons each of the growing, living creature that is the Mother, for us to take home and take care of: feeding, bathing,
resting…my own little growing baby on the bench.

The benefits of including Kefir milk (fresh, as well as ripened) and the ‘grains’ that are the Mother into your diet are numerous:  beneficial yeasts to recolonise your gut (think: probiotic), minerals and amino acids to assist healing and general maintenance functions of the body, Tryptophan to promote relaxation for the nervous system (calming your frazzled nerves people!), it contributes to a healthy immune system and encourages a much healthier digestive system…what’s not to like? It is easy to make the Kefir drink, all you need is the starter and preferably a source of good, fresh, raw
milk (just google Kefir for more info).

So. That was yesterday morning.

Yesterday afternoon involved a trip to Nelson to visit a friend for her birthday, and go out dancing at the Phat Club to some stonking drum and bass, something I’ve been looking forward to for weeks (dance-enthusiast that I am). I was fully prepared to stay sober, I felt CERTAIN that I would resist all temptations and experience my first night without the buzz of a few drinks.

I hate to say it people, but to err is human. And I am certainly human.

With encouragement from the friends I was with, I was invited to partake in some bubbles as we sang happy birthday to our friend…Could have said no. Didn’t.  All I can say is, I found it very interesting this morning looking back at the night, at the drinks imbibed, at the ways in which alcohol sneaked up on me and also the excuses my mind blinded me with when I considered saying no. I don’t wish to beat myself up about it, for I know that can invite that rather enormous “to hell with it then!” feeling. Instead I wish to look a bit further into what made me do it, what makes me want to stop or at least change how I drink, and hopefully discover ways of socialising differently that allow me to ‘take it or leave it’ (am wondering if Bodytalk can help me answer these questions).
BUT: I will say that I did have a wonderful, happy, fun and exhausting night with lovely people- a feeling I know I can magic out of me without additional substances! I just need practice.
Over and out. * snores *

The idea came about because since last summer, when I dissolved deeply into a social scene I have been craving for years, I have been continuing on in a fashion which is not entirely beneficial for the body or the mind. To put it simply- I’ve been having too much fun and not paying enough attention to what my body has been telling me.

Understandably, I am run down and feeling the old familiar fatigue catching up with me. Now- I do not intend to stop having fun, stop going to parties and pot-lucks, seeing movies and spending late nights painting with my beloved as well as working and studying. But I DO intend to do it all alongside living more healthily, listening to my body, and taking steps to give back to myself what I’m continually expending.

So, here’s the plan:
1.      No alcohol. This might sound easy to all you lovely healthy people out there, but unfortunately I love a tipple, especially when I’m
feeling tired but still want to go out with my friends…it gives this false energy when energy might not really be there to begin with.
2.      Predictably, more exercise. I used to be wonderfully motivated and dedicated since seriously injuring my back in a Hannah Vs. Car
accident, but since summer I have let it all slide. Walking plus physio exercises plus yoga plus pilates used to be the go. I want to gradually get back into a routine, also adding in the odd Zumba and Yoga class.
3.      Diet. Now I am usually pretty careful with what I put in my mouth, living as I do with Crohn’s Disease and IBS, so just a little tweaking in this department. Notably, cutting out the cheese I am so very fond of, reducing the amount of starches and sugars I consume, and generally adding more vegetables. I love vegetables, so this isn’t hard nor much of a change from usual.
4.      Bodytalk. I have a session in the pipeline with a beautiful local woman named Tania Marsden who I intend to listen to very carefully. I
don’t know much about Bodytalk yet, so that will be interesting for me. Anything that allows me a better understanding of this body and what it needs is something I am very open to.
5.      Learning. Our library is a wealth of information, as is the internet. I am borrowing books too, so hopefully I will have some useful things to write about as I learn them. Because of my health challenges over the last few years I have already ingested a fair amount of knowledge, but am always hungry for more.

I will be writing about how things are going, what on earth is happening to me, what I am discovering and what I am thinking about. I will read comments with delight, hopefully encouraging me along. I have a vague idea about a proper detox once this month is through, so I see this as a bit of a build-up to a proper spring clean!
See you all soon,
over and out.
Hannah

It has been a while since we have spoken, and although I am feeling somewhat neglectful it has at least spurred me into writing again. How are you my sweet? I see you have been busy, how popular you are getting!

I wanted to tell you about something wonderful that has happened to me. After a long break, I have found creative inspiration again!!! How lovely and exciting, how energising and uplifting; would you agree? Though my writing has fallen by the wayside of late, I did happen to help organise a poetry night at a local cafe recently at which I stood in front of many friends and bared my soul through my words. The pulsing buzz that resulted in my heart and my body reinforced to me the absolute joy I receive from creativity, my own and others’.
Listening to friends and unknowns read aloud their literary creations filled up this gap inside me with total glee. One friend, after reading his poem asked us all if he could ‘freestyle’ for a bit. Yes! we cried, and he set about beat-boxing and creating sounds with his mouth and his body. I felt such an explosion of love for this community I live in, for we celebrate ALL forms of creativity here, revelling in one another’s freedom of expression.
Once reaching home, I could not stop babbling and bubbling to my beloved about poetry, about creativity, about ideas and ways in which to realise them.

Then, a week or so later, late at night, my man and I got out the paints. We found an old sign in his shed, nearly as tall as me, and set about creating a space in which to create…a space.  What started out white ended in a blaze of colour and texture, mixtures of liquid and powder paints, images stuck down and painted over, hands and feet and clothes awash in colour.

Daylight came so quickly, quell surprise! Bodies tired and sore from floor-sitting, crouching, kneeling, reaching…paintbrushes in hands like wands. Oh love! I cried, Look what we have made! Destined to shine from the wall, it is like a beacon in the darkness guiding me back to myself.

And so.

And so my days continue rolling, buds forming like tiny petal-tipped promises on the empty trees – small reminders of the seasons to come. But winter has treated me so gently, forming a cocoon around me of warm expression and always, ever, inspiration.
Lovely to be back in touch,

Hannah Campbell

Antiperspirants, then, are considered drugs. Aluminium has long been shown to negatively affect nerves or nerve tissues while also disturbing the activity of oestrogen in the surrounding area.  Perhaps it is time to consider an alternative to absorbing this neurotoxin into our precious bodies every day.

The good news is that there are alternatives. After years of searching for the perfect deodorant, Michel Rose von Dreger was thrilled to find an organic deodorant that actually worked.  MiEssence Deodorants, made in Australia, are made with certified organic ingredients that are actually beneficial to your body. The ingredients and the processes used are so clean, they even meet the USDA requirements for certified organic food products! Based on bi-carb soda and using antibacterial ingredients like Aloe Vera, these deodorants will not block your pores or disrupt your hormones.

You will not find synthetic or semi-natural functional ingredients (e.g. pH adjusters, colours, pearlisers, consistency modifiers, surfactants or synthetic preservatives).  You won’t find synthetic processes, no animal testing or irradiation. However you WILL find a list of ingredients you can understand and almost eat, right down to the preservatives and antioxidants.

Using a cold-pressing process to extract the botanical plant essences and oils means these ingredients also retain all their vitamins, minerals and other bioactive nutrients that will literally feed your skin.

“Going into 47 degree heat in India, I wanted something non-toxic that worked. It was great to find a natural product that worked so well!”  Kerryn, Golden Bay

You can choose from three varieties:

Ancient Spice – a blend of fresh citrus and spices.
Tahitian Breeze – a blend of intense floral and citrus
Aroma Free- no essential oils added

For more information or to order, visit Rose’s Independent Consultant website:
www.healedearth.mionegroup.com

Deodorants cost $14 + $2.50 shipping nationwide if ordered directly from her at
[email protected] or ring 03 525 9540.

Other interesting NZ- related facts and quotes line the pages of this creative collaboration alongside over forty contributors of art, photography, poetry and songs, recipes and short articles. Astrological signs and the moon’s movements are noted and important dates highlighted (World Wetlands Day anyone? You missed it, it was on February 2nd).

I am also delighted to learn in the ‘Backyard Apothecary’ article that Dandelion greens improve digestion, Plantain will encourage your wounds to heal, Nettle relieves headaches, Kawakawa improves circulation (as does Nasturtium) while Calendula can be used in a tea infusion as an eye wash for conjunctivitis (check out July 10th and 11th for more)!

One of the driving thoughts behind the content has been to counteract the negative effects of the news of our world and instead to inspire; to be informative about environmental issues and celebrate us kiwis doing it for the love of it.

The idea for this groovy little ‘gem’ was born from a visit to Te Onetahua/Farewell Spit at the top of the South Island back in Easter ’04. Annabel Wilson was so inspired by the freakishly beautiful landscape that she decided to create something tangible to reflect our uniqueness.

She had three clear goals:
1. To celebrate and showcase NZ art, writing, environment, culture and heritage.
2. To remind us of our past as we make plans for the future.
3. To promote ideas for enjoying (without destroying) Papa-tu-a-nuku: our clean, green land.

Collaboration bore beautiful fruits and Fling Media made her idea a reality.  The eco-responsible year planner was created – a diary with a conscience. The 230 pages are printed locally with vegetable-based inks on certified sustainably-sourced paper. Fling Media’s partners also donate a percentage of profits to conservation projects in our fair land.

After five years of publication, founder/editor Freda Wells says “I feel like it has grown over the years as a mirror for the evolution of ‘kiwi culture’…as a nation we’re still figuring out our identity, and I’m always keen for cultural/sociological debate to keep us on our toes and keep us honest.”

Well in my humble opinion, the Kiwi Diary is honestly a stylish wee darling, one you actually have to flick through from start to finish upon acquiring, devouring all the deliciousness that grace the pages. The only downside I can see is that I can’t wait until the year ends before I start cutting all the bits and pieces out that inspire me and sticking them in my journal or on the wall!

The Kiwi Diary team are calling for submissions now for the 2011 edition and are also excited about the creation of a Kiwi music CD thanks to the expertise of Dan Adams and Andy Mauafua of Whitireia Polytech. For more info and for stockists, visit www.thekiwidiary.co.nz.

This was the seventh ride which started in Vancouver by a cycling advocacy group who were (and still are) desperate to change the trend whereby motor vehicles have priority on our roads. In New Zealand, our roads are so narrow that it may not be possible to create cycle-ways everywhere, at least not in a short space of time, but the supporters of this event are crying out for more funding to be channelled in this direction.

This year the focus was also on the 1.5 metre campaign which is calling for legislation to require drivers to give cyclists at least 1.5 metres of space when passing. Organiser Victoria Davis constantly hears horror road cycling stories and is often told by people that they would ride their bike on the road if they felt safer. These are the things she finds indecent, not the naked body.

The World Naked Bike Ride is a quirky, jovial way of highlighting a serious issue, but using the human body as a canvas for this important message is just one part of Davis’s mission. She attends to all the bureaucratic facets as well. Citing research claiming that the Government would save $200 million a year if there was only a 5% increase in cyclists (which would only bring us back to where we were in the 80s), Victoria emphasises that ‘we take these measures because it’s a battle, the authorities are shitty to us’.

The transport agencies here support the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars on expensive highways like the Ruby Bay Bypass in Tasman, which only shaves two minutes off the travelling time in a vehicle, but they cut funding for more environmentally friendly and health-promoting transport alternatives.

2010 brought more nude riders than ever, serenaded by a group of guitarists, as they rode their messages home cheered on by roadside support. One petticoat-attired woman bore the slogan, ‘Ladies Do It On A Bike!’, while Nigel Marsden’s back stated, ‘My Bum Smells Better Than Your Car’. Whatever the specifics, the overwhelming message is the same: reduce our oil-consuming, environment-destroying, cyclist-harming ways.

You too can make a difference: email Transport Minister Steven Joyce for free, it will only take a couple of minutes to make a demand for change, for awareness, for prioritising alternative transport like cycling and for more funding to be channelled into making it an easier and safer option: [email protected]

Author’s Note:
While my article above conveys the goings-on at a naked bike ride, my own small-minded thoughts veer dangerously in the direction of the whole ‘naked’ part of it. Questions arise and bubble away behind my twinkling eyes:

- How does this affect her nude lady-garden or his air-freshened fruit basket?
- What happens to the bike seat?
- In the history of the rides, have there been any big pile-ups resulting in unsightly gravel-rash?
- Are the supportive bystanders supporting the cause or simply leering at your nudity?
- What drives (ha!) one to remove all your clothing in public anyway? As someone who is so frightfully uncomfortable nude (it’s a struggle to just strip off for a shower, on my own! Just kidding… ) I find it interesting that someone can feel so utterly comfortable in their skin that they are quite happy to share it with the world.

Thankfully my questions can be answered–on the World Naked Bike Ride website!
Check out this link: http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=Frequently_asked_questions to have your own questions answered.

Enter Guerilla Knitting – also known as Yarnbombing or Yarnstorming. This street art or graffiti is the practice of turning normal, humdrum boring parts of the landscape and cityscape into something more colourful and more beautiful, using the crafts of knitting or crocheting. These woolly warriors are taking all the traditional stereotypes surrounding woolcraft, turning them on their heads and bringing a younger, fresher perspective and motive to the art; much like the emerging popularity of the Stitch and Bitch clubs that have been popping up worldwide over the last few years. How wonderful to be walking your normal route to work and instead of the usual chain fence, you pass by a stretch of wire-strung hearts, singing out their cheer and colour to the urban world. Or you pull into a parking space and go to pay only to discover a brightly covered parking meter. Surely the joy would spread like butter throughout any town or city! I am all for making the world a more interesting and enjoyable place, visually as much as anything.

I am not sure where I first saw or heard of this, but since I have it has been growing hugely, even way down here in New Zealand. Web research will bring up many sites, blogs and photos that you can trawl through for hours, marvelling at the skill and insane creativity that these people are sharing with the world. Here are a few I have discovered just now. Check them out, take a squiz at the photos, follow the links and favourites:

Knit The City: http://ow.ly/gPoo
Yarnbombing: http://yarnbombing.com/
Outdoor Knit: http://outdoorknit.blogspot.com/
Glittyknittyknitty: http://www.glittyknittykitty.co.uk/
Art Yarn: http://artyarn.blogspot.com/
Knitta Please: http://knittaporfavor.wordpress.com/
Knitted Landscape: http://www.knittedlandscape.com/
Purl Interrupted: http://purlinterrupted.co.uk/

If this sparks your interest and you are a skilled craftster, perhaps check out your own town to see if there are some others who could join you on a knitting crusade. Beautify your town, challenge stereotypes, and get creative!

Just for fun at home, we sometimes take turns with our friend Chambers (the Dictionary), flipping through and casually selecting some interesting word and its (often surprising) meaning. This generally becomes pretty hilarious as the more quizzical and bizarre emerge. The challenge then lies in seamlessly incorporating this new item into your lexicon.

Here are five new ones I discovered today and the definitions I liked the best. (Interestingly the online Chambers does not always hold the same words as the hardcopy dictionary):

Loof: The palm of the hand.

Charivari or shivaree or chivaree: A noisy mock serenade for newlyweds.

Pruina: A powdery bloom or waxy secretion.

Quiddle: To trifle or a fastidious person.

Vibrissa: A tactile bristle such as a cat’s whisker or a hair in the nostril.

Now try and use them!

“During the din of the charivari, the groom noticed a vibrissa had left a pruina on the loof of his left hand which he refused to quiddle with!”

by Hannah Campbell

I am unsure what exactly my Passion is yet.
However I seem to have a lot of things I like: writing poetry, reading novels, taking photos, cooking and baking for loved ones, dancing with abandon, eating cheese, eating chocolate, watching movies…but these could just fall under the ‘likes’ or ‘hobbies’ headings- perhaps I am yet to discover my Passion. Or maybe I just don’t know which one IS my Passion yet. Whatever it is, I am certain that doing that thing feels good, time slips and slithers away without dragging and I think there must be a sense of fulfilment there. It is a falling into the ‘flow’ or something; it is just easy to do it. It energises instead of depletes, because you are nourishing your authentic self when you do it.

So…I think the next step for me is to widen my horizons and try new things, but also spend a little more energy doing the things I already like, to see if I can find that timeless feeling there, an easy enjoyment and sense of awakened energy, of Passion. I have felt hints of it, and when I find it again, I will do more of that thing! I will feed it and see what unfurls and grows out and up into my life. I will tend to it and see what I can achieve. Publishing a book of poetry and photography perhaps? Getting training and work as a chocolatier or cheesemaker? A Film-maker? An Editor? I could be the Crazy Dancer Lady At All The Parties, wiggling and giggling and completely fulfilled!

Really, life is too short to spend doing things you are only half-interested in.
Discover your Passion: Live it! Explore it! Indulge it! Pursue it! Feed it!

And watch it grow.

Feeling the love?  Express it this Valentine’s Day with a lush gift.  Hannah Campbell has searched high, sideways and low for the very best in unique and truly sustainably produced Valentine’s Day offerings.  Relax, we’ve got Love Day covered, all you need to do is click and order your New Zealand made gift.  Celebrate your loved ones (whilst honouring the planet) this February 14th.

Trees Please!

Perhaps it is time to start thinking ‘gifts that keep on giving’.  How about a real live tree? Especially a New Zealand native like the Pohutukawa, whose bursts of red passionate blossom will re-ignite your own spark every summer. Select carefully people, with regards to the location of your beloved (here in East Takaka the blooms do not appear without much tending throughout winter).  This variety prefers sunnier, warmer spots down towards the ocean. Much like me really. I think being able to plant something tangible to represent the love you feel for your partner could really root the relationship, while also bringing the joys of nectar-loving Bellbirds and Tui to your garden to further accentuate the flight of your love!
The trees from Trees Please! are grown in leading Auckland nurseries and sent out in sturdy planter boxes made from untreated pine in which the young tree can remain for weeks or even months if watered and given adequate light. Because they care for the environment not only in the provision of a growing gift, Trees Please! use recycled, recyclable or sustainably sourced materials, like the reusable planter box. I was impressed at the swift delivery, the stylish yet functional packaging and the healthy plant I uncovered inside, which was ready to be transplanted and tended like a new love. It is not hard to adore an idea like this one, as the people behind the scenes are committed to caring for the  environment  – they are a member of the Sustainable Business Network, endorsed Kiwi Green Certified and they provide facilities so you may even offset your carbon footprint through Kiwi Green Regeneration.
Plant Trees for Life – Whakato rakau kia puta te ora
One Large Tree costs $59.50 NZD, visit http://www.nztreesplease.co.nz

The Sprout Bag

I think it is safe to assume we all realise the slow creep of reusable cloth bags into the wider consciousness of our fair nation is a beautiful thing. Perhaps your lover is an avid purchaser of locally grown organic produce at the Farmer’s Market in your suburb/town/city. Or maybe he or she prefers to carry their second-hand books home in something a little more stylish. Whether it is groceries or a romantic Valentine’s picnic of fresh goat cheese, homemade crusty bread and home-grown tomatoes with drizzles of organic olive oil and a bottle of wine, the Sprout Bag Project from Ooid Design have a bag to suit your style. It is also large enough to carry your sketch book and pencil case to your art class; or your togs, towel and sunscreen plus a good book for an afternoon at the river;  or your reusable jars and paper bags to the local organic shop to refill your bulk items, plus a delicious treat for your Valentine, before you cook them a romantic dinner as well (perhaps not using that combination of ingredients)!  So far, the Sprout Bag Project has featured 37 different bag designs printed on the 100% unbleached organic cotton, so you can be unique while you care for the environment. My particular bag, titled Native Song, features a repeating motif of three native birds in black (one of which is singing a love song loud and clear) created by Dunedin-born designer Griff Humphreys. I am proud to be showcasing this young designer’s work, and am sure I will come up with something romantic to carry in it for my Valentine’s Day activities.
At just $13 a pop, visit http://www.ooid.co.nz/sproutbagproject.php for more design options.

Recycled Resin Jewellery

When it comes to giving jewellery as a romantic gift, there exists out there a plethora of choice – delicate, funky, bold, expensive, classic… It is easy to become overwhelmed by the options, subdued by the prices, or disillusioned by less than generous sourcing practices. So when I discovered these recycled resin hearts, I felt heartened. They are simple, colourful, and dynamic and are made with sustainability in mind. The incorporation of the Koru and its national significance meets well with the aroha symbolised in the loving gift, so your other half may hold you close to their own hearts as they go about their lives. I was interested to find out that the recycled material itself comes from waste or scrap from other molded products (display stands, covers, plastic components etc) which are then collected, chipped and screened, saving it all from going into our landfills. As with most recycled materials the process of creating something new carries with it slight variations, which means of course that your piece may be ever so slightly uniquely yours. These ‘Mementos from the South Pacific’ are made in Aotearoa and the designs are intended to “evoke a sense of place, a timeless spirit, and a connection to the vibrant land of the South Pacific” according to Anna, the artist from Mamarua who features her work on Aotearoa.co.nz which is where you will find her pieces.
Priced at $33.75 NZD, check out http://www.aotearoa.co.nz/mamarua for the range of colours so that your Valentine may wear your heart around their neck. It is a doubly sweet deal, as a free Whittaker’s chocolate is included with all orders!

Ginga Squid Neon Watermelon Jewellery Arm Warmers

I must confess to falling head over heels with these as soon as I saw them – I am a huge fan of arm warmers (or sleeves, as I call them) as accessory and functional warming attire. These are colourful, textural, bejeweled and look deliciously soft and snugly, which is exactly what your partner should be wearing so you cannot keep your hands off he or she.   They are loud and exciting and not for the faint of heart – perfect for Valentine’s Day as these state your incredible delight in the zeal and whimsy of the object of your affections. The only way I can imagine things getting any better would be if there were leg warmers of a similar ilk…
The woman behind the crafty fingers is Vicky from Ginga Squid, an imaginative and creative wonder who sources the wool, mostly merino, from farms around New Zealand.  The wool is coloured using Ashford dyes, a kiwi family-run company. Fibres dyed using Ashford dyes are certified under the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, the most widely known certification for ecologically-safe clothing. The wool is hand-spun using a Majacraft spinning wheel (also NZ based) then transformed into these wearable art pieces. The other yarns are sourced from people’s extras or upcycled from other items found in her local charity store.  Vicky also sources materials from overseas using Fair Trade and environmentally friendly practices.  For these, priced at $135 NZD (with free shipping worldwide), and more of her incredible one-off pieces created in a pet and smoke-free home, visit http://www.gingasquid.com/shop/show_single_product.php?prod=510.

Kokako Organic Hot Chocolate

The association between chocolate and love, romance and passion has existed since the days of the Aztecs, who believed chocolate was a source for sexual power, elevated energy and even spiritual wisdom.  Taking it as a drink, it was even used as a kind of ‘nuptial aid’ and served in wedding ceremonies – so of course it makes an ideal Valentine’s Day gift!  Kokako Purely Indulgent Hot Chocolate is blended by hand in Auckland combining the most decadent Fairtrade Organic Cocoa and Golden Cane Sugar. Not only are the ingredients certified by the Fairtrade Association and BioGro, but ethical sourcing also means a fair deal for the growers and environmentally friendly and socially sustainable practices in the Dominican Republic and Paraguay. Because it is organic, you are savouring the rich flavours of real ingredients, free from pesticides, herbicides and additives. It arrives packaged in a 100% biodegradable bag made from sustainably sourced wood pulp which can be composted or fed to your worm farm. The company have a conscience and also give back, with support going toward rehabilitation of the native Kokako through Ark in the Park (a not-for-profit trust) as well as being members of the Tiri Tiri Matangi Wildlife Sanctuary in Auckland.
So – if your partner has a sweet tooth, consider waking him or her up with the elixir of the gods, setting the tone for your day of romance and decadence. I am a fan of the chilli-chocolate combo, so if you are game, make like an Aztec and spice things up a little. Experiment with cream, marshmallows, vanilla or cinnamon – be decadent. We all know
chocolate contains antioxidants and stimulates endorphins so feel no guilt, savour each sip with delight and cherish the pleasure invoked by this rich, earthy concoction. Check out www.kokako.co.nz for more info and details of stockists.

Living Nature ‘Love from Nature’ Gift Set

For many women, skincare can be an aspect of living that holds no interest beyond the now-normal concern about sun exposure. However some of us thoroughly enjoy the rituals of daily skincare regimes. I do not consider it selfish to enjoy slathering a decadently absorbent and divinely-scented cream into the world-weary pores on my face. Nor do I resist the glistening lip, the oiled thigh, cherishing and sweetening my body simply for the pleasure of it, which is where Living Nature comes in. Living Nature are a company that are devoted to nature and committed to producing skincare products free of synthetic preservatives or parabens, using 100% natural ingredients and fragrances as well as using recyclable, reusable and reduced packaging. They are concerned not only with reducing the chemical load on the body, but also the environment.  A Gift Pack is the perfect idea for someone who likes to trial a product before total commitment – and gives her a chance to try several items at once. The ‘Love from Nature’ gift set features the Radiance Night Oil (with Rosehip Oil for cell renewal), Tranquility Body Oil (with Lavender for relaxation and release – go on, give her a bath and a massage!) and the Pink Whisper Lip Gloss (for, well, kissable lips!).  Valentine’s Day has never been so divine.

Retail Value: $151NZD, special RRP $95NZD! See their truly
comprehensive and educational website www.livingnature.com for more.

Kowtow Clothing – Certified Fairtrade Organic Threads

I first came across Kowtow after a friend posted a link to their website on Facebook. When I started looking for sustainable gift ideas I immediately thought of them, as their designs are urban cool, look super comfortable and come with a happy conscience. Whatever slant you put on Valentine’s Day, I believe a day of romance and cherishing
would only be enhanced by the gift of something funky to wear- namely a snugly hood or a soft tee with a stylish graphic. The sailor-style dress would snazz up her summer, sending her sailing toward starry-eyed connection and perhaps he would relish a raspberry coloured tee with Love written all over it.  With all garments made from 100% Fairtrade Organic cotton, you can feel even more generous purchasing something for your sweetheart from Kowtow, as every step in the supply chain from growing to the finished product is audited for certification by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation. Not only that, they are certified organic by the Control Union Group with all aspects of the cotton harvesting requiring farmers to use sustainable practices from seed to processing and low-impact dying in compliance with international standards. These folk were further inspired following a trip to India visiting their cotton farmers and factory, so keep your eyes and ears out for more from these dedicated souls who believe in fashion with a conscience. Our consumer habits DO have a consequence!
Visit www.kowtow.co.nz to check out the goods, take a look at their blog and get grooving with their music links.

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