What's New

Eco-Friendly Retail Stores in Foster City

January 19th, 2016

As we become more and more conscientious about our environment, our interest in eco-friendly living has grown. Everything from toys to clothes to cleaning supplies have an eco-friendly alternative. If you thought that it was only food that was grown organically, you would be surprised to find out about mattress stores that deal with organically grown, chemical-free cotton mattresses.

Listed below are some eco-friendly retail stores for food, clothing and toys in and around Foster City, California.

• Once upon a Child: A children’s store in San Mateo, a ten minute drive from Foster city, is the place to visit if you do not believe in wasting clothes by throwing them away if they are in good condition. Children outgrow their clothes and get bored of new toys after a few days. They really do not mind if the toy is used as long it is new to them. This store sells and buys clothes and children toys which are in very good condition.

• BeGood Clothing store: Selling timeless designs woven from eco-friendly fabrics, BeGood store sells clothing for both men and women with flair and breathing life into each design. The retail store is also online. The company believes that organic fabric is sturdier and lasts longer than treated fabric. Look out for chic yet enduring clothing.

• Fresh Start Natural Foods: Visit here for a fresh selection of fruits and vegetables.

• Foster City Farmer’s Market: Located on Beach Park Blvd, the Farmer’s market is paradise for every green warrior. The produce sold here are grown pesticide free and fresh from the fields. If not to buy local seasonal produce, a visit to the Farmer’s market will have you coming back for the yummy pita chips and kettle corn sold here. Freshly baked bread and the numerous food joints lure your attention and keep you occupied for an entire day.

Five Meditation Techniques to Clear Your Mind

January 4th, 2016

If it is your first time trying to meditate, remember to be patient with yourself. The ability to practice meditation is a skill that is accumulated through practice, not something that can be learned overnight. Claimed as an easy stress relieving technique, the concentration it initially requires to form a habit out of it is immense. Here are five meditation techniques to clear your mind.

• Breath watch: Recommended for beginners, breathing meditation is devised in a fashion to focus on breath. Thoughts that go astray are brought back on breathing, ultimately clearing the mind. Start by finding a comfortable position. With eyes closed, concentrate on the air entering and exiting your body. The first few minutes may seem like a drag, but once you get the hang of it, you can sit unstirred for an hour.

• Mindfulness: There is no alternative to being present. In mindfulness meditation focus is drawn inward to the sensations of the body. Course over from toes to head to identify any tingling or tension knots. Mindful meditation is not aimed at releasing the knots but to cultivate observation and awareness as a natural state.

• Walking meditation: Yes, you read it right. You could be on your evening walk while you meditate. There is no documented limitation anywhere that states that to meditate successfully body exercise must be ceased. Draw focus to your arms and legs white you walk. Notice how your back moves subtly and your chest heaves with every step you take.

• Mantra: Mostly when meditation is spoken about, the first image that comes is sitting in a quiet corner amid soothing incense fumes and chanting a mantra with eyes closed. You could start with the Sanskrit meditative mantra “aum”. The mind reaches a state of tranquility when you keep repeating this mantra.

• Keeping the mind empty: The deliberate removal of all thoughts from the mind increases restlessness. This technique is focused on watching the mind without judging.  There are so many thoughts that are lost because our focus is astray. Willing to notice each thought that passes the mind relieves mental stress.