Is nudism good and healthy for the environment? You bet!

As global warming and other results of human civilization threaten the environment, the nudist lifestyle could have a real effect for the better!

Air conditioning
This is a biggie. Enormous amounts of electricity, and therefore more fossils fuels, are used to run our air conditioners every summer or even all year in warmer climates. If the earth warms further, air conditioners will be used even more. But nudists can tolerate a few more degrees in temperature increase without the use of air conditioning, especially with a little air movement generated by a fan (which uses much less energy than an air conditioner). If more people went nude when it is warm, it could significantly help with energy costs, environmental impact and your own pocketbook! The flip-side is that nudists could use more energy in the winter to stay warm, so nudists might need to clothe when it is cold to save on energy, but at least nudists have the option to remove clothing when it is warm. Nudists, therefore, have more potential for environmental friendliness than a non-nudist overall.

Laundry
The more you go nude, the less laundry to have to do, thereby saving more energy, water and soap (which can take more energy to produce and can pollute the environment).

Nature-Consciousness
Nudism, especially outdoor nudity can give you a more intimate awareness of nature. In fact the term “Naturist” or “Naturism” alludes to the nature-centric principles of naturism and nudism. The lifestyle, thought, natural surroundings, are all more conducive to greater appreciation of the environment, and nudists less often require the concrete and steel world of textiles. Outdoor-intensive activity such as hiking provides even further awareness of the environment, often leading to greater concerns for it.

Indeed it seems the whole mindset of nudism/naturism goes hand-in-hand with being green, and nudists, as a group, tend to be concerned for the environment, so you have a social network that agrees with you. There are so many things connected to nudism, such as good health, working from home, and living simply, that are also great for the environment. So now you know what to do - save the planet by living nude!

Travel Green With Shoes Only Travel

When you travel with Shoes Only Travel you will do so knowing your vacation has a Zero Carbon foot print. Shoes Only Travel is paying a fee to  CarbonFund.org for every vacation it books to offset your impact from:

·         Your round trip car ride from your house to the airport

·         Your round trip flight for 2 from your home airport to the destination airport

·         Your entire stay at the resort

Finally, you can vacation without clothes and a clear conscience!

Anyone holding back from launching into a relationship for sexual confidence reasons should get tickling their love button with a toy - or two.

It may seem obvious, but one well-versed sexpert across the pond has reiterated the experimentation rule to a worried novice who reckons she can only come if she’s lying on her stomach.

Responding to the worried virgin, SEE magazine’s Josey Vogels reassures her that “we all have specific needs and preferences” when it comes to the boudoir.

Before she branches out into the bonking arena, Josey advises the help-seeker to ditch her old vibrator and invest in a shiny new vibrating egg or silver bullet-style clit stimulator.

This, when used in conjunction with a regular “penis-shaped vibrator”, will have her knocking on the orgasm door in no time, according to the love doctor.

When it comes to doing the dirty with the lucky bloke she ends up dating, Josey assures the angst-ridden reader the effect will be recreated if he takes her from behind while she gets clit-tickling (with her new toy, if she fancies) from the angle she’s used to.

Ms Vogels is not alone in her affiliation for a spot of battery-operated assistance in the bedroom - most sexperts advise even the most experienced couples to keep things fresh by experimenting, experimenting and experimenting some more.

SEXPLAY and sensate focus are the building blocks to develop a good sexual relationship and rescue one which has fallen into the doldrums. They are the fundamentals of much work done by sex therapists.

There are lots of ways to make sexplay exciting and satisfying but it’s not all about bedroom technique - you can’t expect to share a successful sexual relationship unless the rest of your relationship is a good one.

Sex isn’t a hobby like crafting or badminton which you can enjoy in your spare time regardless of how the rest of your life is going. It’s part and parcel of your relationship, so if you know that is full of grouses and resentments, they’re going to have to be sorted out if you two are ever going to please each other fully in bed.

Communication is a crucial element for a happy relationship, in and out of bed. Assuming that you and your partner are making love in a very real sense of the word, then you should both feel free to tell one another what feels good, what turns you on.

There are no firm do’s and don’ts in sex. Nothing is abnormal or perverted between a loving couple, as long as both enjoy it and neither is hurt, either physically or emotionally.

If you’re not sure what your partner would enjoy, ask. Being in love doesn’t mean you can be a mind-reader. However, it can often help to imagine yourself in the other person’s body and think what you would enjoy now. You’ll probably be right!

Try not to approach love-making like a football match, when the winning goal is all. Think of it more like a leisurely swim in warm seas, when every stroke is a pleasure and an aim in itself.

First of all, you want to bring your partner’s body alive all over. You may well like to start with kissing, but do not feel that you must move straight on to the obviously sexual areas. Caress arms, back, legs, experimenting with firm, smooth strokes and light, finger-tip, feathery movements. Kiss face, mouth, ears, neck.

When both of you feel that your skin is alive all over, you can move on to the more obviously sexual areas of stimulation. Again vary your kisses and caresses.

Men’s sexuality is centered rather more definitely in their penis and the man can let his partner know when this is what he is ready for. A woman shouldn’t feel insulted or anxious because her partner isn’t erect from the first moment. He can still feel very sexy and will appreciate her loving caresses all the more.

The man can show his partner and tell her what holds, caresses and rhythms feel best, though you may need to be careful that he doesn’t climax before you are both ready for it.

The part of women’s anatomy which brings most of them the most pleasure is the clitoris. If you’re not sure where it is, then do get a good book with diagrams.

It is very, very sensitive. Some women find direct stimulation quickly makes them feel sore. It helps if a woman has explored her own sexuality and knows what caresses feel good.

You must be ready to experiment. Oral sex may be immensely pleasurable for you both, as long as you both enjoy giving and receiving it.

Don’t be afraid to talk to one another while you make love. You have got to communicate to let one another know how you feel and what is good. Don’t expect to read one another’s thoughts. Sex can be magical but it can’t achieve miracles of mind-reading.

Some men and women are turned on by using the basic four-letter words during sex. There’s nothing wrong in that as long as you both enjoy it.

The menu of what you can sample is as long as you both want to make it. A fairly inexperienced couple may find that this build-up to intercourse itself takes half an hour before the woman, especially, feels quite ready.

More experienced couples may cut this time down - if they want to. If the man finds he’s so excited that he climaxes very early on in the proceedings, the loving and caressing can continue until he reaches a second erection, and this time he will probably find that he can last longer. Don’t panic if the second erection takes some time to arrive. Some men will get another erection more quickly than others.

It really can help love-making stay exciting and pleasurable to remember that it doesn’t always - or ever - have to end in intercourse. Couples can give each other tremendous satisfaction with other caresses of fingers or tongues if they want to.

Such variety can stop sex seeming predictable, and stop you feeling pressured by the expectation that every time you start showing physical affection it must end with intercourse.

Only a minority of women usually reach orgasm during intercourse - most of those who climax do so as a result of other stimulation. For them intercourse should naturally be just a part of sexplay, not the be-all and end-all. Some women and a few men never climax at all, but still enjoy making love.

All that ever matters is that each partner enjoys the shared physical experience without feeling pressured to fit in with some norm of what is thought to be successful sex.

If your partner consistently maintains that nothing feels right, then don’t assume this necessarily means your technique is at fault.

If you know you haven’t hurried, have been willing to listen to your partner and tried to respond, then the problem almost certainly lies in their inhibitions. For some reason, anxiety is cutting them off from their sexual responsiveness.

Common reasons for that are a repressive upbringing or bad early experiences. It may be resolved if you have patience and can persuade them to confide in you, but such difficulties often need expert help really to be sorted out. In that case, contact Relate (0300 100 1234, www.relate.org.uk).

Sensate focus exercises

Sex therapists usually set couples they are treating the homework of doing “sensate focus exercises” together to help resolve a whole range of sexual problems and you can try these for yourself at home now.

They are rather like a course of petting or foreplay specially designed to relieve anxiety and inhibitions, and to help couples communicate more effectively about sex.

Stage One: Each of you separately sets aside some time during which you will not be disturbed. Either in a warm bath, using soap or oil, or in a warm bed using lotion to make your hands glide smoothly, massage your body all over.

Starting with the non-sexual areas, explore every inch, discovering what feels particularly and perhaps surprisingly good to you. If you can and want to, masturbate to orgasm. (There is nothing wrong with masturbation. It is a positive help in treating many sexual difficulties.)

Stage Two: In a warm bedroom - with soft lights if possible (but certainly not no lights) a drink to relax you, if that helps, low music, whatever you like - take it in turns to massage one another all over.

Again, start with the non-sexual areas, explore all the body. Experiment with light and firm strokes. Try licking and tasting one another all over. If you feel yourself getting tense or anxious, tell your partner how you are feeling. Try to learn to lie back and let your partner please you. Tell one another what would feel good next.

Stage Three: Just like Stage Two, but now you also move on to the sexual areas. If you both say what you would like, what gives you pleasure, the man may well get an erection. Have the confidence to let it die down again.

If the woman gets very excited caressing her man to erection, he can bring her to climax with caresses of fingers or tongue. Most women find the area around the clitoris - the little peak of tissue in front of the vagina - most sensitive to stimulation. Only after giving one another a lot of pleasure for some time with Stage Three should a couple move on and have intercourse.

Sensate focus exercises also help us give making love greater priority in our life. It’s amazing how many couples would say that making love is or should be one of the most important parts of their relationships, yet actually devote just 20 minutes at the end of the occasional busy day.

Set aside the time to make love properly while you have energy to share and enjoyment to bring. You should practise these sensate focus exercises at least three times a week for an hour.

I hope this helps you intensify the pleasure of your love-making. If you’re suffering particular difficulties, such as finding it hard to reach orgasm, premature ejaculation, erection problems or loss of sex drive, let me know as I can send you one of my free leaflets to help.

·  Please email problems@deardeidre.org and I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

LAND O’ LAKES, Fla., Oct. 31 (UPI) — Residents of the clothing-optional Caliente Resorts in Land O’ Lakes, Fla., said they are lobbying to create the first clothing-optional U.S. polling place.

Caliente spokeswoman Angye Fox said the resort wants to make it easier for the nudist community to vote, by establishing a polling place within the clothing-optional area so residents will no longer have to visit a nearby subdivision, which requires clothing, to cast their ballots, the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported Friday.

Resort administrators said they discussed the prospect with Brian Corley, Pasco County’s supervisor of elections, but the official said he does not plan to “even consider” opening additional polling places until after the scheduled 2010 redistricting.

Jennifer Davis, a spokeswoman for the Florida Secretary of State’s Office, said a nude polling place would not violate any state laws.

“That would be up to the local supervisor,” she said.

This election year, the majority of us are hearing the smear campaigns against Obama and McCain.  In California, however, the heat is turned up over proposal 8, the ballot proposal that will decide the fate for same-sex marriages. 

Of course, California has been in the media spotlight for years now with it’s on-again-off-again acceptance of the issue; and now they’re putting it to the voters.  Because the debate is deep, legal, and heated, we will refer you to the Wikipedia entry about the proposal for a more in-depth analysis, however, in a nutshell according to the California General Election Title and Summary page about proposal 8, passing the proposal would eliminate the rights of same-sex couples to legally marry. The outcry about the proposal has created campaigns for and against it’s passage making the proposal the second costliest decision in the nation.

Religious leaders are preaching about it in pulpits. For those who have chosen to skip services, enough pressure is being put on church members to vote to pass the proposal and revert the legalization of marriages to the traditional definition of between a man and a woman outside of the church walls.  The San Francisco Gate, the online version of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that

“Prop. 8 opponents are increasingly narrowing their focus on Mormons, harnessing technology and open-records laws in their efforts. One Web site run by a Prop. 8 opponent, Mormonsfor8.com, identifies the name and hometown of every Mormon donor. On the Daily Kos, the nation’s most popular liberal blog, there is a campaign to use that information to look into the lives of Mormons who financially support Prop. 8.”

Such drastic and privacy invasive acts are creating heightened tension for supporters such as “Michele Sundstrom, 47, of San Jose, who has been married for 18 years and has five children.

She and her husband gave $30,000 to the Yes on 8 campaign and put a sign on their home. But in response, two women parked an SUV in front of their home, with the words “Bigots live here” painted on the windshield.”

Both presidential candidates as well as their running mates have spoken out against the proposal.  School boards have voted against supporting a position despite teachers coming together to give a $1 million contribution to oppose the proposal.

Interestingly, the opposition to proposal 8 does not always come from outside churches, classrooms, and government.  A San Francisco area TV station reports “A group of San Mateo County residents, reverends, church members, business people, a county supervisor, parents, labor leaders and students gathered on the steps of the historic courthouse in downtown Redwood City Thursday morning to garner support for an effort to defeat Proposition 8”.  The basic idea to oppose proposal 8 is that it is a civil rights issue creating legal discrimination if passed.

Also in support of the proposal are internet giant Google and computer mogul Apple who have cited their early support of same-sex couples within their organizations.

 Not nearly as popular, Anchorage Alaska’s proposal 8 is seeking to de-regulate taxi-cab permits.  Boy do they know how to shake things up in those parts!  

 Ever wonder who’s lookin’ for love in your area? Do you spend your time in front of your computer? Want to plan ahead for a hook up with someone on a business trip? Want to make sure you dip you toe in the warm waters of the swinger style in a different part of town? Hook Up Maps is just what you’re looking for!

Hook Up Maps is a technology hookup between virtual community Craigslist and online mapping wonder Google maps. Not affiliated with either site, Hook Up Maps is a new site that organizes Craigslist personal ads to show where personal ad postings come from by area on Google maps to break down who is looking to hook up, how many, and where they are.

Searches can include all dating keyword or be reduce searching parameters by sex, age, orientations, postings with pictures, or specific keywords. Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, you can scroll your mouse over hearts around town to read all Craigslist postings from that area. This could really be good for singles looking to find an area rich with potential for love too since each tab heart shows the number of listings for that area.

Currently the site is showing it’s own bi roots with bi-coastal United States listings. The site is only match making in Los Angeles, California, Maryland, New York, NY, San Diego County, California, San Francisco, California, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. but promises that it is working quickly to incorporate more Craigslist communities.

Once you find the perfect person in the perfect area, you can go to their Craigslist posting and reply there or you can respond directly on Hook Up Maps page which also allows you to post a picture with your reply. You can also post your wanted ad directly to Hook Up Maps.

It’s a great way to begin screening your next date. With Hook Up Maps, you can save yourself hours of work by prescreening not only by the usual categories, but by quickly finding who you’re looking for in the right area. We can’t promise what will happen after you meet them- that adventure is strictly up to you!

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Being nude can have so many positive results, but multiple sclerosis is not typically one of the benefits that immediately comes to mind. However, thanks to the generous spirit of the San Francisco Clown Conservatory class of 2008 and their Naked Clown Calendar for 2009, MS will be added to that list.

The 16-month calendar aims to help those affected with multiple sclerosis by raising $1 million, most of which will go towards research and advocacy for multiple sclerosis through the Judy Finelli Fund. The primary goal of the calendar sales is to raise money for these services, however the conservatory is also accepting applications for those affected with MS to accomplish any dream they have, be it performing in a circus, Wall Street, or anything in between on a scholarship funded by the calendar sales. Each month of 2009, a winner will be chosen for this recognition of their dreams.

The Conservatory became interested in multiple sclerosis when Judy Finelli, the co-founder of the San Fransisco School for Circus Arts became affected with the disease in 1989. Judy was an amazing juggler and saw in circus performances the artistry that has become the standard for modern-day circuses such as Cirque du Soleil instead of the “three ring spectacles” they had been in the past. Sadly Judy quickly lost her abilities to the illness to the point of quadriplegia in 2004.

“The Judy Finelli Fund, created in honor of Judy’s life of performing and teaching, supports research and advocacy for cures and treatment of MS. It promotes artistic expression through circus arts training and enables those affected by MS to pursue their passions.”

The students decided to put together the calendar after discussing the physical conditioning required for the work they were doing. While most people see clowning around as fun and games, the high levels of performance expected of the students had been like a daily workout routine. Deciding that they were probably in the best shape of their lives, the discussion evolved into the planning stages for the calendar. It’s truly a funny way to raise money for such a great cause.

Photos were taken around San Francisco in secret and by a student photographer. The students appear in makeup, but nothing else, with humor added by covering “sensitive areas” with common clown props like scarves and cream pies. Despite seeming like an adults only issue, many of the students were so impressed with the final result that they decided to send it to grandparents and even young nieces and nephews.

We at Shoes Only Travel were happy to see that the Conservatory students chose to pair with Greener Printer who use recycled paper and soy-based inks. They are certified carbon-free which we, of course, appreciate in our efforts with Carbon Fund. The calendar is a great way to inject some humor while planning dates for you nude expedition with Shoes Only Travel! Be sure to order yours on their website.

Our friends at Gentle Nibbles reminded us that Halloween is in the air and that for the lifestyle community it’s time to indulge our wild side.  While many are loading up on candy, leaving cobwebs and their other creepy crawlies to haunt unsuspecting friends, we in the community are having fun imagining what we could be with a little help from makeup, wigs, and, of course, a really great costume.

If you’re planning a Shoes Only Travel vacation in the near future, you can have even more fun looking around and getting the most bang for your buck by finding disguises that you can wear on your trip as well as your Halloween celebrations.

As always, check with your resort to find out what the theme nights are and from there, take full advantage of the wide variety of costumes out there.  You might be tempted to pick up 2, 3, or even enough for your entire Shoes Only Travel stay!

Here are our favorites and the suggested them nights where they would get a reprise.

Pretty much any pirate costume from the Odgirl.com collection would grab attention at Hedo III’s Sexy Pirates and Booty Bottoms night, but our fave this year is the Captain Jones and his sexy first mate ensemble.  With some creative work, this can go from mild to wild in the removal of a shirt!  

You can yodel in the hills and valley that spring to mind with this Alpine Inspired get up.  Again, with a quick adjustment, it would be perfect for Hedo II’s International night!

Take a huge step back to Mod, or as they call it at Grand Lido Braco, Retro Night as Disco King and Mod Girl.

While it’s always easy to pull the sheets off your bed for Toga night at all many of the Shoes Only Travel destinations, it takes something special to be Pharoah and the Greek Goddess Aphrodite. 

This Cowgirl Sheriff doesn’t come with a matching hat or a corresponding bad guy outfit but we’re sure that if you were heading to Hedo II’s Western Night, you could find a way to make it work. (Unless you’re a unicorn in which case, you’re all set!)

For a loose interpretation of Grand Lido’s Black and White night, you can make sure to score in these Referee and Football Player costumes.

Another fun night at Grand Lido is Las Vegas night.  Bring the sin of Sin City to your parties as a High Roller and Showgirl duds.

Not that you’ll have any problems with swimwear at Desire Resort Cancun, but if you want to have a little fun with their Tropical and Sexy Night, Adam and Eve from Costume Craze.com in their natural glory are sure to contend for top prize in any costume contest! 

Our hands down favorite this Halloween season is Marie Antoinette.   Baby Girl Boutique has many to choose from but all are perfectly divine for Hedo III’s All That Glitters Gala!   Though this costume is listed as a Pirate and is quite complex, we can envision it with revisions to the pants to go along with Marie as Louis XVI.

Whatever costume you choose, dressing up as someone else and paying attention to the details is a large part of the fun. Enjoy every minute of it.  If you find yourself having such a good time by the end of the night that you want to wear your costume again, be sure to check out Shoes Only Travel’s non-stop party resorts where you can bring new life to your favorite costume while partying with new friends. (Or old if you can find a way to bring them along!)

Even the most solid relationship can wilt a bit in a partner swap either in the beginning steps or even later into a well established lifestyler’s “career”.  In the heat of the moment, it can be difficult to remember everything that you need to in order to ensure a happy, healthy swap.  Gentle Nibbles received an email this week that gave an easy to remember guideline- the 20% rule.

The idea is simple.  When you’re in the heat of the moment, remember one thing above all- give 20% more of your attention to your partner than anyone else in the room.  This simple idea is really brilliant.  At the end of the night, you’re going to go home with your partner, why wouldn’t you want to give them more than anyone else in the room?!  Locking eyes with your partner and having them raise an eyebrow at you with a wicked smile can do wonders for their confidence.  Besides, what could be sexier than knowing that despite everything going on, you are the one your partner has on their mind?  Also, as the discussion points out, it is very easy for someone to feel left out when there’s bumping and grinding going on all around.  Giving this extra attention to your significant other keeps them feeling that they are wanted right where they are!

Gentle Nibbles is looking for more guidelines that those in the lifestyle use to solidify their relationship.  We hope to see more of the discussion, but better, share it with Shoes Only Travel.  What do you do to make sure your partner knows s/he is the most important person in the room to you?  Anything you do special on vacation?  Hit the comment button and let us know!