Go back to your lives, citizens.

Written by Adam

We rejoined "civilized" society in the evening hours of September 4th after about eight days of living pre-Edison. Many areas had power restored immediately or never lost it, while others took an abnormally long time to get back online.

If you had electricity, life maintained its regular pace, while the rest of us suffered through the redundancy of our plight. "Have power yet? No? I don't know how you are managing. Have power yet? No? I don't know how you are managing. Have power yet..."

We managed quite well, thank you. Aside from hot water, refrigeration and Internet access, there was nothing really missing from our comfort. Television? There is nothing on anyway. Lights? We don't need no stinking lights! Vacuuming? What for?





We went to bed at dark, reading by headlamp or candlelight. We awoke when it was light out.  Early to bed, early to rise, that sort of thing. We had evenings on the porch with candles and Scrabble. There were visits with neighbors and guitar playing. It was very Mayberry in a cooler New Englandy way. So it was a bittersweet moment when the power came back on. 


Bittersweet because the experience illuminated how our lives must be plugged in. Obviously, we live in an electrified society. We need it to function in our modern times. I have to iron my shirts for work, run the Mighty Mixer for health drinks (sorry, "green smoothies" sounds funny coming from a man), fire up the modems for Internet access, turn on the power tools (though the chainsaw still got plenty of use), and on and on. 

My work requirements did not stop just because my domestic world was inconvenienced. It did not matter that I was unable to keep up with the speed of the work week. I was like a horse and buggy in an automobile world. Keep up or you're ketchup. 


My goodness how life is exponentially faster with the power on.


I remember learning in Drivers Education class about Velocification. It is the difficulty you have driving at 35 m.p.h. after coming off the highway where you drove 65 m.p.h. I think they made the term up, but the effect is real. It is hard to come down to town speed when you are used to the freeway. 

That is how I felt the week of the outage. I was ping-ponging from the rural back roads of an unplugged home to the electrified interstate of my work day. Frankly, I prefer the back roads - you can see so much more. 

By the evening of September 5th we were back on the highway. Our computers glowed. We watched a couple of movies on TV. Lights burned brightly. For a moment, I even lost my temper when my computer's sound inexplicably stopped working, the laptop went through numerous updates, and Windows went on a pop-up spree - Allow this, allow that... 

We were back to normal.

Meanwhile, our neighbors had their lantern out on their front porch and were playing cards, our power was turned back on before theirs. Dare say I envied them?


Don't get me wrong, hot water is spectacular. I understand why bathing was optional in the old days. Soap refuses to rinse away with cold water, and you are not going to stand in the icy flow trying to convince it otherwise. The decision of whether or not bathing is even necessary was deeply contemplated each day.

However, I can really do without the lights, the television, and the mad ability to produce and accomplish all the time that electricity empowers us with. For a week, everyday was unplugged to a certain extent, and there was that great "vacation" feeling to it.

Now I am longing for Sunday again. After a week of the juice, I really need get some relief from it all. Honestly, I don't think one day a week is enough.

Unplugging For Health

Written by Nicole

A few weeks ago I took an Ayurvedic cooking class, which turned out to be so much more than just a cooking class! The teacher, an Ayurvedic Practitioner from the UK mentioned that in modern Western culture we all suffer from some degree of Vata Imbalance. The Vata principle, according to Ayurveda, is responsible for all movement in the body. When our Vata aspect is out of balance it can speed up movement, creating racing thoughts, restlessness, anxiety or the feeling of spinning our wheels yet not going anywhere. We all know what that feels like, right? 

This teacher was saying the main reason our collective Vata is imbalanced today, is from the amount of screen time we are all exposed to. Between computers, TVs and smart phones, many of us are constantly “plugged in.” And this constant exposure to screens revs up our mental activity to a degree that can become unhealthy and ultimately result in physical imbalances.

When she told me this, I immediately thought of this blog and how unplugging is not only a way to connect more to our inner selves, to our families and to nature—unplugging affects our health in a positive way too. 

So, with this in mind, here are a few Ayurvedic Vata-balancing tips to help you take unplugging to the next level from the standpoint of health.

Hone Your Relaxation Skills with Autogenics

When Vata is imbalanced, we are vulnerable to stress. This can lead to eventual disease on a physical level, according to Ayurveda. Learning how to truly face and stay present with life’s challenges is the true antidote to stress. But how do we do this in a sustainable way? Well no one is perfect, but I believe that relaxation is a skill anyone can learn to re-pattern how we respond to stress. Traditional Ayurvedic Practitioners would recommend yoga and meditation (which are extremely beneficial), but unless you are personally drawn to these practices the idea of starting a yoga or meditation practice can feel daunting to many—especially when already under stress. 

I have been blessed to learn a type of relaxation training called Autogenics. It is easy-to-do, takes little time, and requires only a little instruction to begin. I’m excited to share this modality with you because it is so effective. I learned Autogenics initially to prepare for childbirth and have found it to be an invaluable tool for coping with all aspects of parenting as well as the challenges of daily life! 

Autogenics is used regularly in European countries as a treatment for stress and stress-related illnesses, anxiety, digestive disorders, chronic headaches, allergies, tics, high blood pressure, speech disorders, chronic back pain and many other ailments. It has been shown that long-term practitioners of Autogenics can lower their pulse rate by 25% and those who have practiced Autogenics for the short-term can lower their pulse rate by 10%! That’s what I love about this practice: It’s measurable, tangible and practical.

By learning and repeating specific phrases, Autogenics teaches you to create a feeling of warmth and heaviness throughout your body. This balances the Autonomic Nervous System and allows you gain mastery over your own stress responses. I think it’s so empowering to know that we can have measurable effects on our physiology in a positive way! 

How about making a relaxation practice a regular part of your Unplugged routine? Autogenics only takes 20 minutes to complete and it’s something the whole family can learn. Teaching ourselves (and our children) how to transform negative stress reactions to positive physiological responses is a practical gift we can all benefit from. 

I was so excited to share this with you that I decided to interview my Autogenics teacher, Judy Yamamura, and post it on the Natural Health at Home blog today. Come visit us to learn more about this relaxation modality and how to get started with it. It’s sure to be an interesting conversation—including some opinions on why Autogenics is not more popular in the US.

If you want to get started now, I recommend the CD that comes with this book. Listen to track 3 for the Autogenics training session (only 17 minutes long!).

Choose Healthy Comfort Foods

{Photo via whitneyinchicago}

Another way to have a profound effect on imbalanced Vata is through the food we eat. It is simple to say, “Just change what you’re eating” but we all know it’s not always that easy to do. And it’s my experience that when Vata energy is out of balance our tendency  is to reach for a sugary snack (or some other unhealthy food). It takes will power and determination to break out of the habits we find ourselves knee-deep-in—especially when it comes to food. So I won’t say, “Just change what your eating” lightly. 

The good news is, though, when Vata is imbalanced it’s best to reach for grounding, comforting foods—foods most of us like anyway! Now, don’t confuse this with a pan of brownies, oh no! Here, we’re talking butter (and ghee), eggs, healthy fats, whole milk, root vegetables, animal protein, warming spices, soups and stews. Foods that warm us up and bring us back into our feet. Foods that soften us and settle us into ourselves again. With a Vata imbalance we want to avoid: sugar, caffeine, white flour, too many starchy foods and cold foods.

On that note, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite Vata-nourishing soups. I make this almost weekly for my family and everyone loves it! I hope you do too!

Red Lentil Coconut Curry Soup

3 Tbsp Coconut Oil

1 Medium Onion, Chopped

4 Carrots, Chopped

1 head cauliflower, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1-inch ginger, minced

4 c red lentils (soaked overnight and then drained)

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp turmeric

1-quart homemade chicken broth 

Up to 1 can full fat coconut milk

salt to taste

1/3 c cilantro, chopped

Add coconut oil to large soup pot.  On medium high heat, sauté onion, garlic, carrots and cauliflower until onions are translucent. Add lentils, broth, and spices. Bring to a boil then turn heat down to simmer until lentils are fully cooked (the soup will be yellow and have a thick, creamy texture). Add coconut milk to desired consistency. Garnish with plain whole milk yogurt and cilantro if you like. Enjoy!

Really unplugged...

Sorry for the delay in posting, everyone. We are still without power, Internet and phones. Hurricane Irene, a/k/a Tropical Storm Irene if your insurance company only covers hurricanes, hit us in the early morning hours on Sunday, August 28. It started off with rain followed by wind gusts. But in the end it was very destructive.

We awoke Saturday morning to a vivid pink sky, the ancient mariner's warning of weather to come. We spent Saturday filling water buckets, getting provisions - lights and batteries (though we forgot the ever elusive C batteries for the radio), candles, easy prep food, etc. at the ready . 

I cleared off the porches, secured anything that might turn into a missile in the wind (the beloved canoe, for example), and put the giant house plants summering outdoors into the garage. Storm windows were closed and emergency kits prepared -chainsaw, rain gear, dog food, mementos, change of clothes. We went to bed Saturday night and waited.

It was a fitful night. I awoke every few hours to check the status of the storm. Aside from the heavy rain, so far so good. We woke Sunday to wind and rain, but nothing more than we were used to over the summer (we had a severe micro-burst a month ago that took down trees without mercy). By mid-morning, it seemed as if we were going to be okay. Then the first tree went down.

We immediately knew the sound as the large maple between our house and the neighbor shed one third of its trunk and limbs. It landed in the neighbors yard, damaging his deck, but nothing serious. It changed our moods though. We set up camp in the front living room and debated whether it was prudent to go to the cellar yet. Thirty minutes later the second third of the tree went into the neighbor's house.

The wind was unleashed now, and the remaining third of the maple was aimed at our house. As we headed to the basement the lights went out. Not the flicker-flicker-darkness we were accustomed to, but instant horror-movie-cut-the-power outage. Within a minute we smelled smoke.

Heather called 911 and I rushed around to be sure it was not our house on fire. A large oak was toppled two houses down the hill, shearing the power lines from the pole. The live wires sparked and started a fire in the drenched front yard of our neighbor. Fortunately, a vigilant neighborhood means everyone had called 911 at the same time and the Fire Department was immediately on scene.

While the trucks arrived, a second mature oak tree a block up the street went down, barley missing the fire truck atop the hill, but draping the power lines over it. The truck escaped unscathed, as did the police officer who was standing nearby. The scene replayed itself throughout our town for the rest of the afternoon. Irene took down old sentinels and broke telephone poles in half as she made her way north.

By 5 PM, all that remained was light intermittent rain. We ventured out carefully, minding the police tape and giving wide berth to downed lines.

NEVER GO NEAR DOWNED POWER LINES! This seems obvious but we watched people stand within arms-length without concern. Downed lines still have plenty of energy. Many people think that once they are down, a circuit breaker trips and they are safe. We learned otherwise from the utility workers that arrived early evening to disconnect power to the line that started the fire.

It was a hurricane as far as we could tell. We spent the night in the downstairs in the living room as the wind continued to howl through the evening. The remaining portion of the maple leaning precariously towards our house stood its ground, but we were not taking chances. 

By Monday morning the sun was shining and the clean-up began.

It is now Thursday, and we do not expect to be restored for at least three more days. The utility companies are working as fast as possible, but they have a whole state to repair.

We are really fortunate for the most part, and everything has a bright side:

1. While we don't have electricity, we do have city water that never stops flowing. 

2. A cold shower is not ideal, but we sure use a lot less water and energy, and it wakes you up faster than a cup of joe. 

3. We have a natural gas stove and are able to heat water and cook without concern.

4. We lost the perishables pretty quickly, but are not starving as ice and groceries are still available. Though ice is pretty scarce.

5. We are safe with no damage to our friends, neighbors and property.

Events like this are few and far between for us. But you realize what you can really endure if you have to. A little hardship is a good reality check for people. We will have electricity again, and Internet and normalcy, sooner than later.

Thank you for your patience. We should be back on schedule  for next week.  Thoughts to everyone still affected by the storm, especially Vermont, where the damage was catastrophic.

Chai Tea & Hot Cocoa

Is it wrong to be talking about these things in August?

Here on the east coast, we are gearing up for quite a weekend. Please be gentle with us Hurricane Irene!

I've got some things planned for the stormy days ahead - a few art projects, recipe card filling out (I really do enjoy that sort of thing), cinnamon roll making... and of course the usual preparations in the likely event we lose power.

It gets me into camping mode as far as food is concerned.

Things need to be simple, require very little fuel to prepare, and be the sort of foods that we look forward to. 

Instantly prepared mixes are not always as nutritious as the at home counterparts. Chai Tea and Hot Cocoa are both made differently for us at home. Honey in place of sugar, real milk and whole tea leaves instead of powdered, you get the idea. But on the trail (or when preparing for a hurricane), a little convenience goes a long way. 

Today I'll share two recipes from our camping kitchen. Whether you are heading off with your backpack, preparing for a power outage, or simply thinking of the cooler months ahead - you just might like to make a little hot beverage mix.

Chai Mix

• 2 1/2 cups evaporated cane juice crystals(sucanat can be used, but it has a stronger flavor)
• 3 cups powdered milk
• 1 1/2 cups instant tea-unsweetened (some natural food stores are carrying a variety of this now)
• 2 tsp. ginger
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. clove
• 1 1/4 tsp cardamom

Combine the mix. I run it in batches through the blender to get it really good and powdery, dissolves nicer. Add 2 rounded TBS. mix to 8 oz. hot (not boiling) H2O. Put your feet up and sip away.

Hot Cocoa Mix

• 16 cups powdered milk (if you can find non-dairy creamer without hydrogenated oils in it, use 1/2 creamer-1/2 milk, much creamier)
• 2 cups cocoa powder
• 5 cups evaporated cane juice crystals
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt-not course

Mix in a large bowl well. I also run this through the blender in batches to make it very fine and powdery. Not an essential step, but nice to do. Use 1/3 cup mix with 8 oz. of hot H2O.

Feeling up for a little outdoor inspiration? Check out National Geographic's film about the Appalachian Trail. You can stream it instantly on Netflix. 

"For more than half of the US population, the Appalachian Trail is less than a day's drive away. But precious few know it's splendor, or understand it's power."

Enjoy yourself this weekend, and stay safe my fellow east coasters!

One Sunday at a Time

Written by Stephen

It’s not a lifetime commitment. You don’t have to go on the wagon, or take the pledge, or go to treatment. I’m simply asking you to, once a week, turn it off. The endless email, texting, tweeting, jabbering white noise that beckons 24/7. Whatever your drug of choice--smart phone, TV, laptop, ipad, gameboy, PS3--just take a day off and see what happens. 

It’s not particularly hard. There’s a little switch that turns them off. It’s usually on the side, or on the back. So take a deep breath, have a little cry if you need to, and turn it off. Then walk away. 

You don’t have to go far. Across the room will work. Stay where you can see it, but resist the temptation to go back and check on it. Keep breathing. It will all be okay. 

Now some strange things are gonna happen. First, it will probably talk to you. “Come back,” it will say. “Somebody might be trying to reach you. You might miss out on something!” It is VERY important that you not listen to this voice. It will lose its power if you just sit quietly. 

Next, you may wonder what to do. And the answer is…anything you wish. Take a walk. Take a nap. Read a book. Read a book to your kid. Play chess. Walk outside and drink in some sunshine. Pet your dog.   

Don’t be surprised if you feel antsy, jittery, or confused. Keep breathing. Tell yourself it’s just for a day, just twenty-four short hours. You can do anything for one day. Right? 

Now I won’t lie to you. It won’t be easy. You might have a slip. You may be outside gardening happily when an overwhelming urge comes over you to run inside, turn your phone back on and check your email. That’s okay. Just turn it off again and return to what you were doing. It will get easier. 

You may even find, as I do, that I look forward to it. I now tell friends, colleagues and family that I “unplug” for a day. That I will return to the regularly scheduled programming Monday morning. They don’t mind. Really. And honestly, it feels pretty nice to take a day off a week. 

It feels a little like cheating, but in a good way. For one whole day I am blissfully ignorant and free to have my own thoughts, in my own time, and not react or respond to anything beyond the very small and intimate circle that is me. 

And, as my iphone does talk to me, I have taken to putting it in a drawer, in the basement, in a dark room with the light turned off and the door closed. Sure, I know it’s there, but I also know it’s okay, and it will still be there tomorrow. I turn it off, give it a little pat pat, and close the drawer. It’s like putting my kid to bed. 

So if you think you might have a small technology problem, a habit that’s getting in the way of a rich, fulfilling life, give it a whirl. You don’t even have to do it for a whole day at first. Try it for an hour. Two hours. See how it feels. I dare you. I double-dare you. 

Just remember, it’s only one Sunday at a time.