Naked Gardening

Naked gardening seems to be growing in popularity as several web sites have been featuring articles about the past time as a great way to relieve stress. The Naked Gardening Association contends, "Second only to swimming, gardening is at the top of the list of family-friendly activities people are most ready to consider doing nude."

Ian and Barbara Pollard, owners of The Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, Wiltshire have brought a lot of publicity to the hobby by being very open about maintaining their gardens in the buff. They even have days set aside in their schedule for those who may want to wander the grounds naked.

I found two great articles about this that you can enjoy here and here. And for those who may want the experience, but can't shed their clothes, check out the book below and the web site here.

Kelly Clarkson likes to be nude

In our never ending search for celebrity nudists, we proudly add Kelly Clarkson to the list. Us Weekly reports that the 26-year-old Grammy-winning singer loves to walk around her house naked. The kicker? It's not just an alone habit. A source told the gossip rag that Clarkson prances around in the buff even when her home is "filled with strangers for photo shoots or fittings." Kelly says "I just really like being naked."

Megan Mullally Naked

"Will & Grace" star Megan Mullally has recently posed tastefully nude for a magazine spread. The 50 year old Emmy Award winning actress says "I don't believe in plastic surgery. Wrinkles are a part of life, like giving birth." She is set to star in a new ABC comedy called "Bad Mother's Handbook" with Alicia Silverstone.

Join The Nude Revolution

Are nudist getting too old? To quote a CBS article on nudism from May of last year: "Here's the naked truth about nude recreation: The people who practice it aren't getting any younger. To draw 20- and 30-somethings, nudist groups and camps are trying everything from deep discounts on membership fees to a young ambassador program that encourages college and graduate students to talk to their peers about having fun in the buff."

Looks like the ambassador program is off to a good start. Videos are popping up on YouTube and a web site has been launched encouraging 18-35 year olds to "Join the Nude Revolution".

They sold me! Enjoy!

Get Naked and Rule the World!

There is a new business concept that is going around the corporate world these days known as “Radically Transparent” or "Naked Conversations". In a nut shell, it means being completely up front and honest with your customers. Tell them everything regardless of how mundane it may be. HIDE NOTHING! “If you're talking about transparency, the obvious metaphor is clear: you're naked” says Wired magazine who recently featured and article about this in their April issue.

Why are businesses going out of their way to be so “naked” with us? Well mostly, it’s because we’re so used to being lied to that we have come to expect it. Years ago jazz pianist Dave Frishberg wrote a very witty song called “Blizzard of Lies” that sums up every “untruth” we’ve ever been told. “We must have lunch real soon. Your luggage is checked through. We've got inflation licked. I'll get right back to you. It's just a standard form. Tomorrow without fail. Pleased to meet you. Thanks a lot. Your check is in the mail.” UUUGGGHHHH!



Working for a company that recently adopted this policy, I was very skeptical about how our customers may react, however, what I discovered was surprisingly refreshing. It turns out that people like being told the truth! Once they realize that your going out of your way to give them more then what they asked for, they usually thank you repeatedly and develop a deep loyalty for what you have to offer.

What does all this have to do with nudism you may ask? Simple. How many of us “nudists” and “naturists” are willing to have open and honest “naked conversations” with those around us about the joys of non-sexual social nudity? If we were truly “naked” about the topic, would it continue to be taboo?

Now I realize that not everyone will welcome this with open arms and I’m not suggesting that we force it upon anyone (discretion still needs to be exercised). However, when the opportunity presents itself (and it will) let’s be “naked” and talk about it. You may be surprised at the results!

Enjoy!

Nude Beach Beer

This little gem comes from USA Today:

"A Wisconsin brewery is tapping into a subculture "it didn't know existed" to promote its Nude Beach Summer Wheat beer, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Joe Martino, Stevens Point Brewery operating partner, tells the newspaper his company came up with the name during a brainstorming session.

The name drew immediate inquiries from the American Association for Nude Recreation.

Now Martino will provide 25 cases of Nude Beach -- described as a wheat beer with a "full-bodied, yet smooth and creamy" taste -- for the group's convention in Michigan in return for some ads in the group's member publications.

Martino is excited about the exposure but says he won't attend: "I might have attended 20 years ago, when my body was in better shape."


I find it interesting that Mr. Martino wants to promote his product to nudists but understands nothing about this demographic. How many "in shape" bodies does one find at a nudist event? Either way, beer and nudity is a great combination!

Nude Vacations

It's that time of year again when newspapers, looking for sensational stories, write their yearly column about "nudist vacations". This one from the "MetroNews" isn't too bad and even mentions "White Thorn Lodge".

The author asks the inevitable question as to why anyone would want to vacation nude and is told "Since clothing is worn to denote status and hide who we really are, shedding your clothes is liberating and lets you be you — imperfections and all."

She then adds "Hmm. Breaking free from society’s unrealistic standards of beauty? Challenging social conventions and getting comfortable with my own body? Might take a bit of getting used to, but I think I could go for that. Maybe next time I book a holiday, I’ll opt for naturism and leave my bathing suit behind".

Top 10 TV shows that promote healthy nudity.

Here is a follow up to the previous post.

Top 10 TV Series That Have Promoted Healthy Nudity:

1. National Geographic: “A lot of people saw their first naked bodies thanks to these shows. They always do a good job of showing non-sexualized nudity.”

2. Taboo: “A National Geographic production, this show looks at taboo rituals and traditions and regularly shows people nude, but always educationally.”

3. NYPD Blue: “They’ve always show backsides. Maybe they’ve done it a little on the titillating side, but there’s nothing overt or offensive about a butt or a breast.”

4. Monk: “Last season, in a show they did a show featuring a murder on a nude beach, it came out that Monk’s phobias about nudity stemmed from his being born naked. Hilarious.”

5. Surreal Life: “Several seasons ago, they actually went to the Desert Shadows naturist resort in California. While none of the celebrities got naked, they did play a volleyball game against the nudists, and except for Tammy Faye Baker, the stars were okay with it.”

6. The Naked News: “It’s a Toronto-based news show in which the newscasters appear in the nude.”

7. The Simpsons: “Many episodes feature top-free and total nudity.”

8. The Tonight Show With Jay Leno: “Jay often features clips borrowed from the Naturist Society, including on clip from the Eastern Naturist gathering featuring the world’s largest nude Frisbee toss.”

9. Malcolm In The Middle: “In a 2005 episode, Malcolm and his brother decide to attend the Burning Man festival in the desert, and there’s brief nudity.”

10. Chicago Hope: “They showed the breast of a young girl after reconstructive surgery. Nobody complained. Goes to show you that non-sexualized nudity can be in good taste.”

Top 10 Celebrity Nudists

In case you missed it, the Naturist Society chose their top 10 celebrities who promote healthy nudism. Congratulations to Helen Mirren for topping the list.

Top 10 Celebrities Who’ve Promoted Healthy Nudity:

1. Helen Mirren: “She’s actually a naturist and goes nude sunbathing.”

2. Kyra Sedgwick: “Years ago, she said she sunbathed nude.”

3. Matthew Fox: “He swims nude in Hawaii and calls himself a naturist.”

4. Alanis Morissette: “She did a video for a song in which she was nude and her hair was draped around her breasts. I heard she has no problem walking around the set naked.”

5. Lindsay Lohan: “There was a shock factor when she posed recently as Marilyn Monroe, but she promoted a beautiful body in an artful, non-sexual manner.”

6. Matthew McConaughey: “He played bongos nude at home. That puts him in our Hall of Fame. He’s a free spirit.”

7. Kevin Bacon: “From past performances, he doesn’t appear to have any problem with appearing nude.”

8. Kate Hudson: “Nudity was never a big thing in their home; she has a very healthy attitude toward the human body.”

9. Elle McPherson: “She’s originally from Australia, where nude beaches are common, and she has a healthy attitude about the nude body.”

10. Brad Pitt: “Years ago he was photographed sunbathing nude. Good for him, shame on the paparazzi.”

Nudist Weddings

Nudist weddings can present a unique set of challenges for anyone considering such an event. Thankfully, author Susan Hawkins has written a wonderful article on how to plan for this special day and the nine tips you can't ignore! The URL is below. Enjoy!

http://weddingfavor.wordpress.com/2007/12/13/the-nudist-wedding-tips-you-cant-ignore/

Naked in New York

Below is a link to a great article that the New York Times recently wrote on nude vacations.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/travel/27nude.html?ref=travel

From the article:

"Today, America’s increasing obsession with health and wellness may be contributing to the rise of clothing-optional vacations. “Americans have moralized healthy bodies,” said Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley, who has studied moral emotion and judgment. He added that “a case could be made that people are traveling to these places to be pure for moral reasons — to achieve harmony in nature.” It’s really a form of self-expression, he added, that dates back to Walt Whitman and John Muir, as well as Thoreau, all of whom advocated being as true to yourself as possible. “The truest you can be is taking off those clothes,” he said."

Not to mention that its just plain fun! Enjoy!!