(Image credit from Etsy's Vinyl Soul and Harper Collins Publishers)
When Harper Collins Publishers sent me ZAPPED by Ann Louise Gittleman, I was annoyed with myself for agreeing to read and review it.
I was even more annoyed that I'd put off doing it, have a nasty cold and hardly felt like writing a book report. It's very title threatened my lifestyle and I braced myself in opposition as I interpreted it's glowing orange cover and it's byline as a warning to clutch my digital and electronic treasures close while she tried to tell me why they are inherently bad for me.
It's simple: I WANT my MTV, TV, cell phone, Mac, digital camera, ipod touch, wireless phone, microwave oven, Wii, TiVo, remote control for TV & said TiVo, iPod docking station, air purifier, invisible-fence collar for my dog, wireless mouse, dishwasher, blender, stove, refrigerator, Keurig one cup coffee machine...... and I really don't want anyone telling me that I should not have them. (Not to mention I felt a bit like like my fathers generation wanting to "Pshaw" the hogwash fruitcake rantings of yet another evangelist proclaiming electronic pollution "NONSENSE!" he would have cried!)
By page eight, I was truly spellbound and fascinated by what i was reading:
1) Ann Louise Gittleman is no fruitcake, but in fact a highly educated, thoughtful and introspective woman who's credentials include a PhD, CNS, and is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of over 30 books on natural health, beauty, internal cleansing, and weight loss. Most impressive right off the bat is her innate way of immediately connecting to the reader (me) by letting me know we're both on the same team. She immediately establishes her position as an avid user of technology and electronics, while simultaneously introducing the hazards of it's usage and the inconvenient truths that if brought to light, may help many of us to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. The good news is that once you know what you did not, you can fix it!
The opening pages set the tone of the book by first and foremost establishing human beings as "energetic" beings whose own complex circuitry is specifically designed and "wired to respond to the world around us." One of several example she uses is what happens when we "touch" an antennae when we can't get a picture on TV or a radio station only to have it come in clearly until we step away, our body having momentarily been the conduit for the flow of energy.
This past winter I learned my own invaluable lesson about my "energetic" body having gone through the emotional transition of closing a business, and heading down the path of divorce.I was depleted of energy, and my inner balance was completely disrupted by my emotional state. What manifested was various types of illness including autoimmune issues, deep depression, nutrient depletion and even physiological changes to my body. My way back to health after trying almost everything was to finally seek acupuncture which brought me back to health. Anne sites acupuncture as just one scientific example of how energy can get stuck or stagnated inside the body creating blockages and "dis-ease" which can lead to almost any health issue or ailment. Once manipulated or "cleared" this energy can then flow freely bringing the body back to a state of homeostasis and balance, thereby reestablishing wellness in the body.
As human beings we can be in or out of sync with our internal balance by what happens in either our inner or exterior worlds, and our very biochemistry shifts to accommodates those influencers. When our energetic being is disrupted or compromised it can literally effect every aspect of our lives including decision making, emotions, and health.
So if we are energetic beings made up of our own frequencies and our own intricate and delicate wiring? What happens when these frequencies are repeatedly interrupted by other sources of energy? What happens when several devices in several rooms of our homes interrupt our bio chemistry repeatedly over days, months, and years?
2) The fact is that many of us have adopted technology and all it's modern conveniences without much thought about how it might be effecting our health over the long term. We are wired for instant gratification, and the conveniences and benefits of modern technology are are countless and undeniable but nor are the many "complaints" of the masses who now suffer from headaches, fibromyalgia, anxiety, insomnia, chronic fatigue, depression, cancer, attention deficit disorder, and the list goes on, and on, and on.
What if we can feel better? healthier, more energetic, sleep well?
Louise creates a very compelling argument for the eradication of these maladies by giving excellent examples of individuals who have determined the source of their ailments, and gone on to lesson or eliminate their exposure to certain environments or devices which were in fact making them sick, and in doing so have embraced a new bill of health. Some solutions are as simple as changing the location of your cell phone at night.
3) Louise has a healthy and growing body of experts who are in agreement with her findings, and compliment her work. The beauty of ZAPPED is not that she is presenting new material that's been previously undiscovered (although there is plenty of that) but instead in how she fluidly, factually, and categorically lays out the material for her reader in such a way that they can easily connect the dots to expose the whodunit of the modern day digital thugs, killers, muggers and terrorists.
In short- Zapped is fascinating, filled with some amazing information, tips, recipes and suggestions for Zap-proofing your life.
Historical, factual, interesting, and informative, Zapped is a great read for anyone who is interested in technology, ecology, health, nutrition, wellness, the digital movement, homemaking, and parenting.
It reads like a wonderful expose on a culprit who may have been an obvious suspect all along , but got away with the crime until someone came along with the right mix of skills to lay it all out. What better way to spend my morning with my box of kleenex than on a couch curled up with a good mystery? Elementary My Dear Watson!
I've seen some stupid products before but I'm pretty sure this is right up there at the top of the list.
I'm looking forward to an early review of New York Times Bestselling Author Ann Louise Gittleman's: ZAPPED Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution.
My official review will publish on October 25th so stay tuned!
Sure, you've heard of activism but what about craftivism?
This sweet little collection of Om's created by designer Miquette Bishop was inspired to offer hope, healing, and help to anyone who may just need sweet relief in the form of a small hat wearing being ( what IS under that hat?) who just might be the only one who can offer some.
Om's are hand crafted and each one has a unique and powerful story to tell. Recently featured onEtsy's spotlight as a top pick for a reasonably priced anytime gift, I was also inspired to learn that Miquette decided to create her Om's as her own way of maintaining hope and promoting healing. Her husband Peter Zuerner of Zuerner Design has struggled for years with Lyme disease and after a particularly difficult year of frustration and despair finally decided to create something that might offer hope and a smile to anyone, anywhere.
Om's range in price from $14.00- $24.00 and 10% of all profits go a myriad of needed causes.
Collect them all and be notified as they are released by signing up on Om's facebook page andtwitter feed including the Celestial Om's, Healing Om's, Birthday Om's, Encouragement Om's, You Go Girl Om's and soon you'll be Oming them all!
and don't forget to bookmark the site at www.ilovemyom.com
I almost peed my pants when i saw this greeting card yesterday in a gift shop in Wickford RI.
There is nothing more funny to me than irreverence.
It's so perfect given my world lately. It's amazing - neither my husband or myself have asked our friends to take a side, and yet inevitably... they do. I figured that IF there WERE a side to take it would CLEARLY be mine but it's not working out that way. I can think of like eight people i would love to send this to. There were tons of other options from That's All Greetings so if you just care to spend the next 20 minutes looking through all the options laughing till you cry - go nuts. Betcha anything you find one that works for you!
The bad news about the "follow me" widget on Type pad is that when you first put it up...there are no followers. If you would like to make me feel less pathetic - I'd love for you to hit "follow me" http://www.earthsavers.typepad.com/
Dear XXXXXXX,
I'm so sorry your feeling so mixed up, and sad and lost. I truly empathize.
I have been physically separated from my husband for the last eighteen months, and before that...well, is anyone's guess. How can one be "together" with someone else when they live "separately" inside themselves. Maybe we were never together?
Maybe it was him, maybe it was me, and maybe it was both. Maybe it does not even matter.
Maybe what matters most is that I spent the last thirteen years of my life loving him, loving myself, and loving my children. I spent my time trying to fit into the picture I wanted for my own life, his life, and our collective life. After ten years of trying inside a marriage my only conclusion is that it was not working- for either of us. does it mean our love failed? I don't think so.
Do I love him any less now? No. I still love him with all my heart, and will continue to love him for my eternity because of all he taught me, all he gave me, all he is and is "becoming."
I can not "pin" faults on him or on myself ( although I've made that mistake) as I truly think we can only do the best we can as we are, with the information and wisdom we have at the time. I CAN of course look back and find faults, as we both have them. We are human.
I believe we would do ourselves a huge dis-service to focus on the faults instead of focusing on what we learned, and on what's important now.
What IS important now? I guess each person is his or her own judge of what's important now, and sometimes it's hard to quiet the voices of the well intended or not so well intended around us as they clamor their opinions, judgments, advice, and criticisms.
It's hard to rise above the noise of "fall- out" of friendships, disappointed parents, or unexamined rumors from the community at large, and just listen to one's own heart.
My heart tells me which direction to head... and some days the path seems dark and hollow and foreboding. Other times i am sure i can see sunlight breaking through the clouds, and a clearing just around the bend. I don't know for sure where my heart is leading me but I'm taking the bet that wherever it is- it's a journey worth taking.
Don't be afraid of self doubt, and of looking over your shoulder at the past- it's normal.
Just don't make the mistake of dragging your past into your future, because you'll find yourself moving in circles- around and around, and that's no fun either.
Just listen deeply, and quietly and carefully- and I know you'll find your way.
I'm positive of one thing:
Each one of us is unique, individual and unrepeatable. Each one of us must face ourselves in the final hour of our time here and be able to "rest" at peace knowing that we strove toward our best selves and gave it our all.
It's important that we allow each other the space to listen and learn at our own pace and to discover our own unique purpose. If we can bring the gift of our discoveries to the surface and share with those around us, it's possible to spread light and love in our wake - and with courage- illuminate a path for those who are coming through behind us, just as those did who have walked the path before us.
You are not alone.
All my love,
Monica