Green Life Pages Blog

7 New Years Resolutions To Balance Your Diet

2010-12-30T13:47:00.000-08:00

Eat Plenty Of Colors

Resolution – Incorporate three different colored foods a day into your diet.

If your plate’s looking pale, that means you’re probably not getting much nutritionally from your food. One surefire way to make sure you’re eating right is by keeping it colorful. Brightly colored foods like carrots, beets and spinach are nutrient-rich and packed with powerful antioxidants. Challenge yourself to pile on the purple, red, green and orange fruits and veggies.

Cut Out Junk, Keep The Taste

Resolution – Trade in Twinkies for natural sweets.

Packaged, processed, high-fructose corn syrup-rich treats gratify for seconds, but leave us feeling sluggish and bloated. This year, swap one of your go-to packaged snacks for the natural sugars of fresh and dried fruits. You’ll still satisfy your sweet tooth. Fresh fruits like apples and bananas are fiber- and vitamin-rich, and dried fruits like apricots and cherries are great for snacking on the go. For something a little different, try juicy grapes, snap peas or cherry tomatoes. They pack a subtle hint of sweetness.

Keep the Home Fires Burning – At Least One Night a Week

Resolution – Cook at home one night a week.

Eating and cooking at home saves money and keeps you in control of what you’re putting in your mouth. And it doesn’t have to be time consuming. By planning ahead, you can stretch one big dish into several days’ worth of meals. Not sure what to make? Try a smoky root vegetable gratin or a hearty vegetarian chili. Check out our archive of recipes for more ideas.

Savor the Seasonal Flavors

Resolution – Host a seasonal tasting party.

Take advantage of the delicious seasonal foods around you by inviting friends and family to a “garden to table” party, featuring locally sourced seasonal dishes. Link up with a local farmers’ market for yummy seasonal fare, and encourage guests to bring their own dishes. It’s a great way to get to know what’s growing in your area. Check out these great recipes for spring, summer, winter and fall.

Grow Your Own

Resolution – Start a container tomato garden.

Growing your own food is a great way to get hands-on with your diet, and tomatoes are chock-full of antioxidant-rich lycopene and vitamin C. Plus, they taste great and can be used in everything from sauces to salads and sandwiches. Not a tomato fan? Try peppers, cucumbers or squash, which are all relatively easy to grow and can be planted in the ground or in containers.

Bulk Up

Resolution – Buy your grains and pasta in bulk.

Buying in bulk helps you save money, reduce waste and keep stocked up for a home-cooked meal — but only if you’re purchasing things you’ll definitely eat. Bulk up on a few staple dry goods items — like beans, rice and pasta — and skip the 20-gallon drum of peanut butter … unless you’re feeding a soccer team. A deal isn’t a deal, after all, if you end up throwing most of it away.

Clean the Green Way

Resolution – Swap a cleanser for vinegar.

Vinegar and lemons are a natural — and inexpensive — cleaning solution. Simply spray or douse dirty surfaces and wipe off for an easy alternative to harsh cleansers. And it’s versatile — vinegar can be used on everything from bathroom tiles to kitchen surfaces and wood floors. For more green ways to clean check out the Daily Green’s cleaning guide.

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Why Drinking Water Is The Key To Weight Loss

2010-12-29T17:15:00.000-08:00

By: Maia Appleby

Don't roll your eyes! The potion for losing that excess body fat is all around you. It covers two thirds of the planet. If you eat right and exercise at the intensity, frequency and duration proper for you, but still can't get rid of a little paunch here and there, you're probably just not drinking enough water.

No need to get defensive. You're actually quite normal. Most people don't drink enough water. Most people are also carrying around a few more pounds than they would be if they did drink enough water. If you can't seem to get that weight off, try drowning your sorrows in nature's magical weight-loss mineral. It works, and here's why:

"What on Earth is 'metabolism', anyway?" People use the term all the time, but ask them what it means and you'll get all kinds of answers. Merriam Webster defines it as, "The process by which a substance is handled in the body." A little vague, but that's really all it means.

There are many forms of metabolism going on in your body right now, but the one everyone is talking about it the metabolism of fat. This is actually something that the liver does when it converts stored fat to energy. The liver has other functions, but this is one of its main jobs.

Unfortunately, another of the liver's duties is to pick up the slack for the kidneys, which need plenty of water to work properly. If the kidneys are water-deprived, the liver has to do their work along with its own, lowering its total productivity. It then can't metabolize fat as quickly or efficiently as it could when the kidneys were pulling their own weight. If you allow this to happen, not only are you being unfair to your liver, but you're also setting yourself up to store fat.

"I've tried it and I couldn't stand it!" The problem is that, though many decide to increase their water intake, very few stick with it. It's understandable. During the first few days of drinking more water than your body is accustomed to, you're running to the bathroom constantly. This can be very discouraging, and it can certainly interfere with an otherwise normal day at work. It seems that the water is coming out just as fast as it's going in, and many people decide that their new hydration habit is fruitless.

Do take heed , though. What is really happening is that your body is flushing itself of the water it has been storing throughout all those years of "survival mode". It takes a while, but this is a beautiful thing happening to you. As you continue to give your body all the water it could ask for, it gets rid of what it doesn't need. It gets rid of the water it was holding onto in your ankles and your hips and thighs, maybe even around your belly. You are excreting much more than you realize. Your body figures it doesn't need to save these stores anymore; it's trusting that the water will keep coming, and if it does, eventually, the flushing (of both the body and the potty) will cease, allowing the human to return to a normal life. It's true. This is called the "breakthrough point."

One recent finding, as irresponsible as it may be, that caffeine increases the body's fat-burning potential has many people loading up on coffee before going to the gym. This finding may hold some degree of truth in it, but caffeine is, in essence, a diuretic, and diuretics dehydrate. Caffeine may increase the heart rate, causing a few more calories to be burned, but this is at the expense of the muscles, which need water to function properly. This isn't doing your heart any favors, either. It's already working hard enough during your workout. Never mix caffeine and exercise. In fact, your best bet is to stay away from caffeine all together. It's a big bully that pushes your friend water out of your system.

Water is the best beauty treatment. You've heard this since high school, and it's true. Water will do wonders for your looks! It flushes out impurities in your skin, leaving you with a clear, glowing complexion. It also makes your skin look younger. Skin that is becoming saggy, either due to aging or weight loss, plumps up very nicely when the skin cells are hydrated.

In addition, it improves muscle tone. You can lift weights until you're blue in the face, but if your muscles are suffering from a drought, you won't notice a pleasant difference in your appearance. Muscles that have all the water they need contract more easily, making your workout more effective, and you'll look much nicer than if you had flabby muscles under sagging skin.

"Eight glasses a day? Are you kidding?!" It's really not that much. Eight 8-ounce glasses amount to about two quarts of water. This is okay for the average person, but if you're overweight, you should drink another eight ounces for every 25 pounds of excess weight you carry. You should also up this if you live in a hot climate or exercise very intensely.

This water consumption should be spread out throughout the day. It's not healthy at all to drink too much water at one time. Try to pick three or four times a day when you can have a big glass of water, and then sip in between. Don't let yourself get thirsty. If you feel thirsty, you're already becoming dehydrated. Drink when you're not thirsty yet.

Do you think water is yucky? Drinking other fluids will certainly help hydrate your body, but the extra calories, sugar, additives and whatever else aren't what you need. Try a slice of lemon or lime in the glass, or if you really think you hate water, try a flavored water. Just make sure you read the labels. Remember that you're going to be consuming a lot of this fluid.

It's probably a good idea to stop drinking water a good three hours before you go to bed. You know why.

"How cold should it be?" This is debatable. Most experts lean toward cold water, because the stomach absorbs it more quickly. There is also some evidence that cold water might enhance fat burning.

On the other hand, warmer water is easier to drink in large quantities, and you might drink more of it without even realizing it. Do whatever suits you, here. Just drink it!

When you drink all the water you need, you will very quickly notice a decrease in your appetite, possibly even on the first day! If you're serious about becoming leaner and healthier, drinking water is an absolute must. If you're doing everything else right and still not seeing results, this might just be what's missing.

Remember to drink your water from a reusable water, not a water bottle. Check out this article to see why water bottles are a horrible option: A World With No Plastic Bottles.

3 Species That Get High More Than Humans Do

2010-12-28T18:13:00.000-08:00

By: Alex Sherman

Alcoholic Bees

Thats right, you heard us, alcoholic bees. Apparently bees love to work hard and play hard. Their nervous system is similar to ours so the alcohol affects them the same, need we say more?

Jaguars High on Catnip

Well not really catnip, but close. Turns out jaguars love banisteriopsis caapi, a root found in the jungles of South America.

Like their catnip-loving cousins, Jaguars love to get high; yet their choice in intoxicants is considerably more kickass. The cats will search for the root and gnaw on them until they start to hallucinate. It is much more adorable than you would think, watch the video here.

Scientists say that Caapi contains many types of powerful MAOIs (chemicals found in antidepressants) which causes the animals senses to heightens as well as taking them on a little trip.

So how common is this?

Very, the plant heightens their senses so much yet does nothing beneficial for them biologically, therefore scientists have determined they know exactly what they are doing! Either way, there are plenty of jaguar junkies wandering around the jungles.

Capuchin Monkeys & Their Love for Millipedes (Say What?)

This is so weird, scientists have determined that both capuchin monkeys and lemurs in Madagascar have figured out that they can get a little high on certain insects.

There are 3-4 different species of millipedes that cover themselves in a poisonous gel when agitated and the lemurs and monkeys get high off of it!

The downside, because there always is one, is that the poison is also filled with cyanide. We all know cyanide is pretty much deadly to everything, but of course the fear of an excruciating death doesn't stop most from the opportunity to get high.

How common is this?

Scientist say that all capuchins do this, but we all know only the cool ones do.

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15 Reasons You Should NEVER Eat At McDonalds

2010-12-27T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Golden Arches: the ultimate American icon. Super Size Me taught us that fast food culture brings obesity, heart disease, hypertension and a whole slew of other problems. How bad do you really want that Big Mac? Here are 15 reasons you’ll never let anyone you love get near those Golden Arches.

· Real food is perishable. With time, it begins to decay. It’s a natural process, it just happens. Beef will rot, bread will mold. But what about a McDonald’s burger? Karen Hanrahan saved a McDonald's burger from 1996and, oddly enough, it looks just as “appetizing” and “fresh” as a burger you might buy today. Is this real food?

· You would have to walk 7 hours straight to burn off a Super Sized Coke, fries and Big Mac. Even indulging in fast food as an occasional treat is a recipe for weight gain…unless you’re planning to hit each treadmill in the treadmill bay afterwards.

· Containing less fat, salt and sugar, your pet’s food may be healthierthan what they serve at McDonald’s

· In 2007, the employees of an Orlando-area McDonald’s were caught on camera pouring milk into the milkshake machine out of a bucket labeled “Soiled Towels Only.” That particular restaurant had already been cited for 12 different sanitary violations. Though McDonald’s proudly stands by its safety standards, and not every restaurant has such notorious incidents, the setting of a fast food restaurant staffed with low-paid employees at a high turnover rate arguably encourages bending the rules. (McDonald’s isn’t alone in this, of course – Burger King is actually ranked as the dirtiest of all the fast food chains.)

· McDonald’s supports the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Much of the soy-based animal feed used to fatten fast-food chickens is grown in the Amazon. Are those chicken nuggets really worth acres of irreplaceable trees? (Especially considering how important carbon sinks like the rainforest are to halt global warming!) Fast food supports a completely unsustainable system of agriculture. It’s cruel to animals, unhealthy for humans, and bad for the planet.

· Even Prince Charles, while touring a diabetes center in the United Arab Emirates, commented that banning McDonald’s is key to health and nutrition. Don’t let the salads and chicken breasts fool you. The “chicken” at McDonald’s, by the way, comes with a whole lot more than chicken.

· As if feeding children high-fat, high-sodium, low-nutrition “food” weren’t bad enough, some Happy Meals in 2006 contained toy Hummers. It’s as if McDonald’s was encouraging a whole generation of kids not only to guzzle food, but to guzzle gas as well. Would you like a few barrels of petroleum with that?

· The processed fat in McDonald’s food (and other fast food) promotes endothelial dysfunction for up to 5 hours after eating the meal. Endothelial tissue is what lines the inside of blood vessels.

· For those who enjoy sex, take note: erectile dysfunction is connected to endothelial dysfunction. Morgan Spurlock of Super Size Me commented that his normally healthy sexual function deteriorated in just one month when he ate only food from McDonald’s. Even his girlfriend commented on camera that “he’s having a hard time, you know, getting it up.”

· How many cows does it take to keep the world loaded with Big Macs? I had to do some research and a little math, but according to a brief video inside one of McDonald’s 6 meat processing plants, about 500,000 pounds of beef is processed per day, per plant. If an average beef cow weighs 1,150 pounds, That means 2609 cows a day are turned into burgers. That’s 952,285 cows per year. And that’s just in the United States. Eating a hamburger may not be worse than driving a Hummer, but it’s bad. One hamburger patty does not necessarily come from one cow. Think about that. You’re eating bits of hundreds of cows.

· Maybe you just pop in for an inexpensive latte. Watch out for thecaramel syrup (Sugar, water, fructose, natural (plant source) and artificial flavor, salt, caramel color (with sulfites), potassium sorbate (preservative), citric acid, malic acid) or the chocolate drizzle (Corn syrup, water, hydrogenated coconut oil, high fructose corn syrup, glycerin, nonfat milk, cocoa, cocoa (processed with alkali), food starch-modified, disodium phosphate, potassium sorbate (preservative), xanthan gum, artificial flavor (vanillin), salt, soy lecithin). Please don’t put that stuff into your body. Eat healthy cheap food instead – you can be well and still save cash.

· Are you a vegetarian with a French fry craving? You better skip McDonald’s because their fries actually contain milk (and wheat) and though they’re fried in vegetable oil, the oil is flavored with beef extract. (McDonald’s famously misled customers for years.)

· Do you want high blood pressure? Hit the drive-through. Eating a McDonald’s chicken sandwich (any of “Ëœem, take your pick) will give you about 2/3 of the recommended daily amount of sodium. And if you actually do have high blood pressure, that’s way more than you really need.

· Finally unveiled: the secret of the Big Mac’s “secret sauce.”

Soybean oil, pickle relish [diced pickles, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, vinegar, corn syrup, salt, calcium chloride, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate (preservative), spice extractives, polysorbate 80], distilled vinegar, water, egg yolks, high fructose corn syrup, onion powder, mustard seed, salt, spices, propylene glycol alginate, sodium benzoate (preservative), mustard bran, sugar, garlic powder, vegetable protein (hydrolyzed corn, soy and wheat), caramel color, extractives of paprika, soy lecithin, turmeric (color), calcium disodium EDTA (protect flavor).

Yum. Cheap oil and cheap syrup. Many people depend upon cheap food such as the sort offered at McDonald’s, whether due to the economic conditions we currently face or low incomes. So shouldn’t we be examining regulations that subsidize corn syrup but consider fruits and vegetables – the building blocks of a healthy body and green planet – to be “speciality” crops? Shouldn’t we be promoting urban gardening,community gardens and spreading information about low-cost farmers’ markets and CSAs? And focusing on the abundant choices of cheap food that are tasty and green?

· Still not convinced? Maybe this 1970s trip through McDonaldland will give you enough nightmares to keep your loved ones away forever.

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2,700-Year-Old Marijuana Stash Found In Chinese Tomb

2010-12-26T19:19:00.000-08:00

By: Dean Beeby, The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – Researchers say they have located the world's oldest stash of marijuana, in a tomb in a remote part of China.

The cache of cannabis is about 2,700 years old and was clearly ``cultivated for psychoactive purposes," rather than as fibre for clothing or as food, says a research paper in the Journal of Experimental Botany.

The 789 grams of dried cannabis was buried alongside a light-haired, blue-eyed Caucasian man, likely a shaman of the Gushi culture, near Turpan in northwestern China.

The extremely dry conditions and alkaline soil acted as preservatives, allowing a team of scientists to carefully analyze the stash, which still looked green though it had lost its distinctive odour.

"To our knowledge, these investigations provide the oldest documentation of cannabis as a pharmacologically active agent," says the newly published paper, whose lead author was American neurologist Dr. Ethan B. Russo.

Remnants of cannabis have been found in ancient Egypt and other sites, and the substance has been referred to by authors such as the Greek historian Herodotus. But the tomb stash is the oldest so far that could be thoroughly tested for its properties.

The 18 researchers, most of them based in China, subjected the cannabis to a battery of tests, including carbon dating and genetic analysis. Scientists also tried to germinate 100 of the seeds found in the cache, without success.

The marijuana was found to have a relatively high content of THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, but the sample was too old to determine a precise percentage.

Researchers also could not determine whether the cannabis was smoked or ingested, as there were no pipes or other clues in the tomb of the shaman, who was about 45 years old.

The large cache was contained in a leather basket and in a wooden bowl, and was likely meant to be used by the shaman in the afterlife.

"This materially is unequivocally cannabis, and no material has previously had this degree of analysis possible," Russo said in an interview from Missoula, Mont.

"It was common practice in burials to provide materials needed for the afterlife. No hemp or seeds were provided for fabric or food. Rather, cannabis as medicine or for visionary purposes was supplied."

The tomb also contained bridles, archery equipment and a harp, confirming the man's high social standing.

Russo is a full-time consultant with GW Pharmaceuticals, which makes Sativex, a cannabis-based medicine approved in Canada for pain linked to multiple sclerosis and cancer.

The company operates a cannabis-testing laboratory at a secret location in southern England to monitor crop quality for producing Sativex, and allowed Russo use of the facility for tests on 11 grams of the tomb cannabis.

Researchers needed about 10 months to cut red tape barring the transfer of the cannabis to England from China, Russo said.

The inter-disciplinary study was published this week by the British-based botany journal, which uses independent reviewers to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of all submitted papers.

The substance has been found in two of the 500 Gushi tombs excavated so far in northwestern China, indicating that cannabis was either restricted for use by a few individuals or was administered as a medicine to others through shamans, Russo said.

"It certainly does indicate that cannabis has been used by man for a variety of purposes for thousands of years."

Russo, who had a neurology practice for 20 years, has previously published studies examining the history of cannabis.

"I hope we can avoid some of the political liabilities of the issue," he said, referring to his latest paper.

The region of China where the tomb is located, Xinjiang, is considered an original source of many cannabis strains worldwide.

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Total Eclipse on the Winter Solstice, Time Lapsed Version

2010-12-26T17:47:00.000-08:00

This is SO neat but many people all over the world did not get to see the entire eclipse since it took so long.

Well here you go!

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More Secrets To Living To Be 100

2010-12-26T14:28:00.000-08:00

So we are still doing our Sunday's Secrets To Living To Be 100 and here are 2 more!

Speed Up Fat Metabolism

Something we all want to do, but did you know it helps us live longer? Well neither did we!

An amino acid that is produced in your liver call L-carnitine helps facilitate fat metabolism, increases energy production in muscle cells, increases circulation in the brain, and promotes fat loss! It has also been shown to prevent Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease! So it is most definitely an amino acid we need to learn to love!

So how do we get more (the liver produces enough, but lets be greedy here)?

The best sources for L-carnitine are lean organic red meats, organic poultry, fish, wheat, avocado, and fermented soybeans!

Also, be sure to work out 2-4 times a week for no less than an hour each time. This will help maintain a healthy metabolism as we age!

Secrets From Chinese Women

Throughout all of Asia angelica root (or dong quai) has been responsible for maintaining millions of womens health for centuries.

Traditionally, it is used to regulate menstrual periods, enhance fertility, strengthen bones, build blood, and maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails. It truly is a wonderful food. Research has shown that angelica root increase the immune systems functionality and reduces the damage from free radicals in the blood stream.

The benefits from the root are plentiful, just trust us (if not us then the Chinese!) YOU NEED SOME IN YOUR LIFE!

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The 5 Worst Food Combinations

2010-12-24T19:34:00.000-08:00

We decided to add this article in response to our previous blog, 10 Most Powerful Food Combinations.

So we know about the 10 most powerful foods, but every coin has a flip side. You should also know about the retroactive combinations that can cause health problems. Here are five common combos to avoid.

1. Coffee & Eggs
This deadly combination is found at every diner in America, and yet the potent polyphenols found in coffee actually reduce iron absorption from the eggs and decrease calcium in your bones. Tip: If you can’t get through the morning without a caffeine fix, try switching to chai tea, which contains caffeine but has spices that can improve circulation and mental clarity.

2. Milk & Anything
Since milk is a complete food, it requires digestion in its most concentrated form—by itself. Trick: If you’re craving a glass of milk, drink it with a spoonful of honey since the two can take on antimicrobial properties when consumed together.

3. Meat & Potatoes
Although this classic union makes for a hearty meal, starches are digested in the small intestine while proteins are digested in the stomach, so eating these together can result in digestive problems and a slowed metabolism. Technique: Instead of potatoes, try Creamy Mashed Cauliflower as a healthy alternative.

4. Fruit & Anything
Fruits are great sources of vitamins and antioxidants, but they also contain acids that cause them to ferment in the stomach and slow the digestion of other foods. Tip: Beans aren’t the only “magical” fruit—eat fruits by themselves on an empty stomach to avoid digestion problems and potential gas.

5. Non-Starchy Greens & Dairy
Creamed spinach makes for a filling side. Unfortunately, studies show that the chemicals in non-starchy veggies (spinach, kale, broccoli, etc.) can block the absorption of calcium from the dairy. Instead, try pairing them with lean proteins like fish or chicken. Technique: For a dairy-free fix that combines spinach and seafood, try Chef Dean Fearing’s Barbecued Blue Point Oysters.

Get more information about this topic plus additional tips, tricks, and techniques at Behind the Burner.

Plus: Check out Hungry Beast, for more news on the latest restaurants, hot chefs, and tasty recipes.

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10 Powerful Food Combos

2010-12-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

By: The Daily Beast

Research shows certain foods suddenly become healthier when eaten in combination. From spinach and beets to red wine and apples, here are 10 pairings that boost each other’s benefits.
Why does orange juice taste so good with oatmeal? And what is it about olive oil that enhances the flavor of tomatoes? The answers to these questions, it turns out, are buried deep within our instincts. New evidence suggests that certain foods that taste great together also interact with one another in nutritionally positive ways. In other words, two particular foods consumed in combination can actually deliver more benefits than either one would on its own. Epidemiologist David R. Jacobs refers to this phenomenon as “food synergy.” He believes that it might explain why we are inherently crave certain foods together, as well as how they join forces to protect and nourish our bodies. Here are 10 food combos that maximize absorption of the good elements while keeping the bad ones out of your system.

Spinach & Beets

Popeye has been selling us on the power of spinach for 80 years, but he should skip the canned variety and, if he really wants to do himself some good, throw in some beets. According to dietitian Joanne Larsen, dark green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are best eaten in combination with another veggie high in Vitamin C like beets, because “iron absorption in your intestines is improved by Vitamin C.” Tomatoes and bell peppers are also great sources of the immuno-boosting vitamin, for those who don’t like having pink-stained hands. Try serving Roasted Beet Salad over a bed of baby spinach.

Tomatoes & Olive Oil

Greeks consume more of these two ingredients per capita than anyone else, and they have higher life expectancies than Americans. Tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene, which has been proven to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. But lycopene is also fat-soluble, which means combining it with a healthy, monounsaturated fat like olive oil helps boost absorption even more. Technique: Sautéed tomatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper make a great fresh pasta sauce; but you can also whip up a quick Caprese salad by adding some mozzarella and basil to sliced tomatoes drizzled with olive oil.

Beef & Carrots

When you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, try this mix that will boost your immune function. The Vitamin A in the carrots is best absorbed when bound to a protein. Plus, the beef delivers an extra dose of zinc, which protects against weakening of the immune system.Chef Gavin Kaysen’s Braised Short Ribscombine both to make a savory supper.

Green Tea & Lemon

Green tea is a true liquid miracle worker—it’s packed with antioxidants, revs up metabolism, and keeps you hydrated. When drunk with lemon, its benefits become turbocharged—your body absorbs 13 times as many more antioxidants than when consumed on its own.

Green Tea & Lemon

Green tea is a true liquid miracle worker—it’s packed with antioxidants, revs up metabolism, and keeps you hydrated. When drunk with lemon, its benefits become turbocharged—your body absorbs 13 times as many more antioxidants than when consumed on its own.

Garlic & Fish

These two flavors were made for each other, and when combined, the cholesterol-reducing fish oils and heart-healthy garlic can act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Although the possibilities are endless, it’s hard to beat Chef Leah Cohen’s Pan-Seared Trout with Market Vegetables.

Red Meats & Rosemary

While red meats shouldn’t generally be seen as health foods, we’re all going to order the steak once in a while. But you can mitigate the damage in a way that only adds to the taste. The antioxidants rosmarinic acid andcarnosic acid, both found in rosemary, can soak up and neutralize the meat’s free radicals, which are one of the key causes of signs of aging. Try the Italian favorite Ragu d’Ugnello for a meal that lets you indulge your carnivorous impulses without causing wrinkles.

Orange Juice & Oatmeal

This is the real breakfast of champions. The combination of these morning basics has actually been shown to prevent heart attacks and clean arteries twice as effectively as ingesting either one on its own. The organic compounds known as phenols (found in both) stabilize cholesterol levels when consumed together. Tip: Instant oatmeal is often processed with added sugars, salt, and colorings, so go for old-fashioned rolled oats. Homemade Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energizers will get you out of bed.

Apples & Red Wine

With all the recent studies proclaiming the health benefits of red wine, you might be tempted to swap your apple a day for a glass of Pinot—now you have an excuse to enjoy both. Apples contain an anti-inflammatory flavonoid called quercetin, while red wine contains the flavonoid catechin. Together, they work to prevent blood clots and improve cardiovascular functioning. Try 5-Star Sangria for a healthy bit of boozing.

Blueberries & Grapes

Both of these antioxidant-packed fruits are great for on-the-go snacking or for adding to yogurt. But it’s also been proven that fruits mixed together actually have a greater antioxidant response than one fruit eaten on its own. Trick: Buy blueberries and grapes when they’re in season, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then store them in bags for year-round use. Break out the blender and try them in this Blueberry Grape Smoothie.

Nuts & Seeds & Dried Fruit

Trail mix, anyone? Nutritionist Lauren Talbot says that nuts and seeds are high in protein and contain little water (as do dried fruits), and that eating these dense foods together makes for easier digestion. Toss together someCrunchy Trail Mix for a nutritious snack.

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5 Worst Food Combinations

Human Foods that Poison Pets

2010-12-24T15:48:00.000-08:00

Feeding pets food that we enjoy is not only wrong, it can also be fatal. There are some foodstuffs that humans relish which cause illness and death if eaten by pets.

Chocolate, macadamia nuts and onions are good examples. Each of these foods contains chemicals which rarely cause problems for humans, but for dogs, these same chemicals can be deadly.

Chocolate Toxicity

Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic.

When affected by an overdose of chocolate, a dog can become excited and hyperactive. Due to the diuretic effect, it may pass large volumes of urine and it will be unusually thirsty. Vomiting and diarrhoea are also common. The effect of theobromine on the heart is the most dangerous effect. Theobromine will either increase the dog’s heart rate or may cause the heart to beat irregularly. Death is quite possible, especially with exercise.

After their pet has eaten a large quantity of chocolate, many pet owners assume their pet is unaffected. However, the signs of sickness may not be seen for several hours, with death following within twenty-four hours.

Cocoa powder and cooking chocolate are the most toxic forms. A 10-kilogram dog can be seriously affected if it eats a quarter of a 250gm packet of cocoa powder or half of a 250gm block of cooking chocolate. These forms of chocolate contain ten times more theobromine than milk chocolate. Thus, a chocolate mud cake could be a real health risk for a small dog. Even licking a substantial part of the chocolate icing from a cake can make a dog unwell.

Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate are the next most dangerous forms, with milk chocolate being the least dangerous. A dog needs to eat more than a 250gm block of milk chocolate to be affected. Obviously, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to eat.

Onion & Garlic Poisoning

Onions and garlic are other dangerous food ingredients that cause sickness in dogs, cats and also livestock. Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Onions are more of a danger.

Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body.

At first, pets affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea. They will show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected animal’s urine and it becomes breathless. The breathlessness occurs because the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number.

The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion. All forms of onion can be a problem including dehydrated onions, raw onions, cooked onions and table scraps containing cooked onions and/or garlic. Left over pizza, Chinese dishes and commercial baby food containing onion, sometimes fed as a supplement to young pets, can cause illness.

Onion poisoning can occur with a single ingestion of large quantities or with repeated meals containing small amounts of onion. A single meal of 600 to 800 grams of raw onion can be dangerous whereas a ten-kilogram dog, fed 150 grams of onion for several days, is also likely to develop anemia. The condition improves once the dog is prevented from eating any further onion

While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient thiosulphate, it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

The Danger Of Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are another concern. A recent paper written by Dr. Ross McKenzie, a Veterinary Pathologist with the Department of Primary Industries, points to the danger of raw and roasted macadamia nuts for pets.

The toxic compound is unknown but the affect of macadamia nuts is to cause locomotory difficulties. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.

Dogs have been affected by eating as few as six macadamia kernels (nuts without the shell) while others had eaten approximately forty kernels. Some dogs had also been given macadamia butter.

Luckily, the muscle weakness, while painful, seems to be of short duration and all dogs recovered from the toxicity. All dogs were taken to their veterinary surgeon.

Pets owners should not assume that human food is always safe for pets. When it comes to chocolate, onions, garlic and macadamia nuts, such foods should be given in only small quantities, or not at all. Be sure that your pets can’t get into your stash of chocolates, that food scraps are disposed of carefully to prevent onion and garlic toxicity and that your dog is prevented from picking up macadamia nuts if you have a tree in your garden.

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How To Become A Vegetarian

2010-12-19T19:11:00.000-08:00

Vegetarianism is a diet in which no meat is consumed. The diet consists of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and legumes. Some people consider themselves vegetarian if they include fish in their otherwise vegetarian diet. These people are called "pesco vegetarians." Most vegetarians are considered "lacto ovo" vegetarians, which means they consume dairy and eggs. A strict vegetarian, called a "vegan" does not consume dairy, eggs, or honey.

When making the transition from a meat-based diet to a vegetarian diet, it's best to start slowly, to allow your body, brain, and taste buds to slowly adjust to your new diet. If you go from eating steak and sausage for years to suddenly trying to eat nothing but salads and beans within a day's time, your body and taste buds will most likely rebel, resulting in a failed attempt at vegetarianism. Instead of diving in head-first, try these five simple tips to make your transition from meat eater to vegetarian easier.

Increase Your Vegetable Consumption

Before you cut meat out of your diet, begin getting used to the staples of a vegetarian diet. If you seldom eat fresh vegetables, start by adding in one or two servings per day for a few days. Within a couple of weeks, you should be consuming at least six servings of vegetables per day.

Arm Yourself with Vegetarian Recipes

Before you give up meat, you need to find vegetarian recipes that appeal to you. You don't want to stop eating meat, then find yourself hungry every night because you don't know what to eat. Invest in a good vegetarian cook book, or find healthy recipes online (Soon we will have more vegetarian recipes so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter!).

Taper Down Your Meat Consumption

Instead of quitting meat cold turkey, give yourself and your body some time to get used to functioning with less meat. Do this progressively over the course of a few weeks. Do this in a way that will cause you the least amount of stress. Some people find it easier to cut out red meat, opting to eat only chicken or fish for a few weeks, then tapering down their consumption of these meats. Others prefer to taper down all meat at once. For example, instead of having some form of flesh with each meal, you could cut back to having meat only twice a day for a week, then cutting that down to only once per day, eventually dwindling down to once or twice a week, and eventually absolutely no meat.

Have Protein Sources Ready and Waiting

When you switch from a meat based diet to a vegetarian diet, your body will crave protein for the first several weeks. This is because it is used to the high-protein content of meat. Be ready to combat these cravings with healthy nuts and legumes. Carry a packet of raw almonds in your purse or brief case so that you won't succumb to the call of a burger when your body starts screaming for protein in the first few weeks of your vegetarian diet.

Timing is Everything

The transition from a meat-based diet to a vegetarian diet is a major life change. Make sure to make the change during a time when you are not experiencing too much stress. This stress coupled with the major diet change may cause you to abandon your new vegetarian diet (which may make you feel as though you failed, which causes more stress). For best results, don't embark on a vegetarian diet when you're planning a move, planning a wedding, or around the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. A perfect time to start a vegetarian diet might be New Years, when most people feel a sense of renewal and promise.

Relax

Because the switch to a vegetarian diet is such a major life change, you need to find ways to relax while your body and mind make this new transition. Find relaxing distractions, like walking, yoga, or gardening. A relaxed body and mind will be more open to the changes that a vegetarian diet requires.

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This is an article we found interesting, we did not write this nor do we want to take credit for the contents within. The link to this article was not working at the time of re-posting so we were not able to include a link.

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No More Muscle Cramps With Pickle Juice

2010-12-19T14:21:00.000-08:00

Currently professional, college and high school football teams and college and high school cross country track teams are beginning their hot summer practices. They will also begin their need to drink pickle juice as a way to help stave off muscle cramps. Runners and bikers, especially those in the very warm southern climates also know full well the benefits that pickle juice provides. Pickle juice can definitely help to prevent muscle cramping.

Pickle juice contains salt, calcium chloride and vinegar. The basic ingredients are similar to what you would find in isotonic drinks. Where pickle juice has acetic acid, isotonic drinks contain citric acid, like the sports drink featuring the name gator and power in it.

Great Moments in Pickle History:

The history of pickles stretches so far back into antiquity that no definite time has been established for their origin, but they are estimated to be over 4,000 years old.

-Cucumbers are mentioned at least twice in the Bible (Numbers 11:5 and Isaiah 1:8) and history records their usage over 3,000 years ago in Western Asia, ancient Egypt and Greece.
-Cucumbers were brought to the New World by Christopher Columbus, who is known to have grown them on the island of Haiti.
-George Washington was a pickle enthusiast. So were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Dolly Madison.

OK - Let's Get to it.

Sometimes you may sneak a sip of juice from the pickle jar. That's OK. That seemingly worthless liquid, which often gets tossed into the trash when the pickles are gone, could be the key to athletic endurance and avoiding debilitating leg cramps?

PURPOSE WITH SOME BACKING

The use of pickle juice as a defense against muscle cramps first attracted headlines when the Philadelphia Eagles credited pickle juice with their cramp-free win over the Dallas Cowboys in the over-one-hundred-degrees Texas heat. Rick Burkholder, the Eagles' head trainer, called it his "secret weapon." Pickle companies (such as Mt. Olive Pickle, Vlasic Foods and Golden Pickle) claim that pickle juice is similar to an isotonic beverage and can prevent muscle cramps caused from strenuous exercise.

Golden Pickle has even created a sports drink, appropriately named "Pickle Juice Sport." Golden Pickle claims that Pickle Juice Sport has "approximately 30 times more electrolytes than Powerade and 15 times more than Gatorade." It is even endorsed by Dallas Cowboy Jason Witten.

This past weekend I participated in a bicycle race in Wichita Falls, TX, called the "Hotter N Hell". My distance was 100 miles in hills and I believe that drinking the above mentioned pickle juice helped me to stay in the ride and then finish with a flair(for me). With temperatures reaching upper 90's and humidity around 80% there was a whole lot of sweatin' going on. Lots of bikers had to be picked up by the SAG wagon and carted back to the finish line, unable to complete the ride. I started cramping in my upper quads at about mile 68. I stopped at the 70 mile support area and consumed 24 ounces of straight pickle juice. After about 30 minutes I felt completely refreshed and took off again. I stopped again at two out of three remaining support areas and filled up my drink bottle with pickle juice. I experienced no more cramps and closed the last 5 miles with a 20 mph average. 24 oz of straight pickle juice is way above what a 2 oz. serving suggests, but I did also drink some of my own energy drink as well. However, I do know the effect I received after drinking the 24 oz was real. No more cramps was also real as well.

RATIONALE

So how does this work? Muscle cramps are caused by dehydration from exercising in hot weather and not drinking enough fluids. How could pickle juice help? When you sweat during exercise, you lose a lot of salt and minerals. These minerals and salt are also known as electrolytes. This loss of electrolytes can cause muscle cramping, especially in hot, humid weather. Cells in the body use electrolytes in the cell fluid to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses to other cells. In the case of my bike ride, I had to be able to use my muscles in both a pulling and contracting motion, or muscle contractions. Pickle juice has a very high salt, or electrolyte content. Therefore, drinking pickle juice before and during exercise could possibly provide your body with enough salt, that your muscles will not cramp.

Confused? Don't be. Anything liquid containing any or all of the four commonly considered electrolytes, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium will work to help to prevent muscle cramping. Obviously, the more the better. Give it a try on a daily basis and see for yourself. Don't worry about how people look at you when you tip that empty pickleless laden jar of liquid up to your lips.

Re-posted From Matt Ney's Article.

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Secrets To Living To Be 100

2010-12-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

Eat Less, Live Longer

Research shows that a modest diet and occasional fasting will lead to a healthier body and mind.

One good rule of thumb is to use the "three-quarters rule" which basically means you stop eating when you are three quarters full.

One of the reasons we benefit from eating less and fasting is because our bodies spend less time digesting and more time perfecting and ridding itself of harmful toxins which, inevitably, helps us to live longer.

Snacking Instead Of Full Meals

The act of eating three bigger meals a day is a cultural habit rather than a biological need. The body needs a steady stream of nutrients throughout the day thus making it more beneficial to "snack" throughout the day.

This habit is less taxing on the digestive system and helps to speed up the metabolic systems. Also, by dividing the caloric intake you greatly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Free Yourself From Addictions--- Holistically

Smoking, drinking, and other drug abuse cause incalculable harm to the body and kills thousands everyday all the while costing more than any other substance we as humans can consume. So you lose your health and your money all for a quick high.

We are not judging though because addictions are an individual affair and affect each person differently.

The sooner your quit the sooner your body can repair itself.

Chinese researchers have found kudzu flower reduces craving and withdrawal from alcohol and other substances. That being said we recommend seeking a physician or specialist's opinion on how to take a more holistic approach to quitting.

The minute you stop your body begins to repair itself so be sure to stick with it. We recommend doing a couple of 24 hour fasts and consuming more water than usual, this will help eliminate the harmful toxins your body has built up over the time you were consuming.

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10 Ways To Green(ify) Your Holiday

2010-12-15T00:56:00.001-08:00

Throw Out Disposable

So many families have huge dinners with tons of friends and family throughout the holiday season and sadly the majority opt for disposable dishes for the ease and comfort it has to offer. Sadly, this reality is harming our planet in so many ways and our landfill's intake increases by almost 30% just in the months of November and December.

Go green and use washable dishes, glasses, and silverware!

Gift Giving Has Gone Vintage

This year more and more people are opting to not buy brand new gifts and get on a more creative, and green, route and buy their holiday gifts from antique stores or consignment shops.

Not a terrible way to save money (any more) because some of these shops have some amazing stuff to offer!

Cheers!

Planning to bust out the champagne for a huge group of friends this year? Why not rent champagne flutes from a local party supply company rather than going out and buying the plastic flutes that rarely get recycled? It is greener and cheaper!

ReWrap

Not a lot to say here because not much needs to be said! Be creative and wrap your gifts in old bags, newspaper, or even recycled (and recyclable) wrapping paper!

Gift In Experience Not Clutter

We are Americans and even though our current economic status has changed most of our mindsets we are still a "materialistic" society. So this season gift in experiences rather than buying your friends and family something that is likely to make its way to the storage unit in a couple of years. Gift certificates to restaurants, salons, and spas or even concerts are great examples!

We live In An Age Of Technology

Sending a cute little card decked out in glitter is sweet, but sending an electronic greeting this holiday is so much cheaper and a wonderful alternative to our current method. Think of the trees and resources used to get that expensive little card to its destination.

Have A Recycled Christmas

Most holiday decorations are made with plastic, paper, metal, or glass which inevitably takes a toll on our environment because these things are all unnecessary. Instead make your own or buy decorations that are made with sustainable materials. You will be surprised at what is out there to meet the green demands!

Take A Page From Martha's Book

For the office party this year and for your child's gift giving needs go a step above the rest and get crafty. Your saving the environment, money, and teaching yourself and your child the true meaning of gift giving.

Opt For A Live Tree

Live trees are renewable resources and fake trees are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in China so if your trying to solve this age-old "real vs. fake" debate we hope you will choose the renewable option, which, in our opinion, is best.

Just be sure your tree is as local as possible (anything beats shipping from China) and recycle it into mulch when finished!

Be Smart With Your Lights

Buy LED lights instead of the, widely popular, incandescent varieties on the market. These lights use about 10% of the energy consumed by incandescent lights and last 50 times longer!

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10 Ways To Green(ify) Your Holiday

2010-12-15T00:56:00.000-08:00

Throw Out Disposable

Composting And Why We Love Doing It...

2010-12-13T15:56:00.000-08:00

Alright, this is a pet peeve of mine, and thank god it is not a big one or I would be making enemies in this industry.

We ALL know that composting is something everyone should do and in short this is why:

Composting not only helps your gardens is helps the earth. Even if you don't garden you should still compost, just throw the compost in the woods when it is finished. The fact is that millions (if not billions) of people throw their food in plastic bags. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, therefore the food from the earth goes into them and never has a chance to seep out into the earth like nature intended. My philosophy is "if it came from the Earth put it back"

So to compost correctly you can read thousands of blogs or product labels telling you to rotate the trays, add worms, provide drainage, etc. The blogs and product labels I have read in the past make the process a lot more complicated where complication is not needed. We are talking about mother nature which is complex in some ways but not in regards to composting.

All you need is an old trash can with a lid, don't go out and buy a new one. Find someone you know who has one or buy one from a yard sale (millions are made each day so lets remember to reuse the things already made because that is saving it from the landfills).

-Poke some holes in the bottom for drainage.

-Set it outside where it will get adequate sunlight (for cooking and speeding up the process)

-Throw whatever you want in it (except meat, that makes it an attraction to animals, I used throw my meat in the woods, now I am vegetarian so I don't worry about that)

-Close the lid

-Occasionally put some water in it or open the lid while raining to speed the process up even more

Voila! You have a compost machine.

You can add worms from the garden or go buy some and if you want to simplify the process even more and have the space (a.k.a. living in the more rural areas) you can just have a pile and cover it with a tarp to allow for heat containment.

This blog may be small but with the popularity of compositing growing each and every day I hope people will take a step back from the complexity of our lives today and make one of these to save money, save our landfills from even more plastic, and help our earth by putting back what we have taken.

Plus, your garden will LOVE it.

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Green Myths BUSTED!

2010-12-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Driving Speed Is Most Efficient At 55MPH...

Almost every single GREEN list tells you that 55MPG is the magic number, by by most estimates this is simply incorrect. There are many reasons why, one being that every vehicle is different; some people have huge monster SUVs (although they shouldn't) and some have super efficient cars.

The best advice is to maintain consistent speeds and when increasing do so gradually, your motor will thank you as well.

Cans Or Bottles?

This is a tricky question and most writers out there just choose one and go with it because both choices have great arguments. We feel that the BEST choice is to drink drinks that are in glass bottles and local because glass is easily recycled (so is aluminum) and the fact that it is made closer to home means you will be benefiting the environment reducing the non-renewable fossil fuels used in transportation.

Another reason we like glass versus aluminum is due to the fact that glass is made from an abundant resource of sand and limestone and the energy used in the manufacturing process is less energy intensive compared to the extensive process from bauxite to aluminum.

Leave The Computer In Sleep Mode Or Shut It Down?

There is a horrible rumor circling in the tech world, but they are techies and although we LOVE them we must interfere and do our job (Being Green Experts, haha). Turning something off saves MUCH more energy, why? Because when you have something unplugged NO electricity enters the machinery and when you have it plugged in the electricity is still going in. End of discussion on our part.

Paper or Plastic?

So in our opinion neither is better and both sides HIGHLY debatable and with a lot of science to prove it.

From our research we found that the plastic production process generates less water, less air pollution, and less solid waste than paper. In addition the bags take up less landfills. However there is another equally convincing argument.

Paper bags trump plastic in the renewable resources arena because paper is made from renewable trees not oil or gas. Oh, and paper is more a more commonly accepted recyclable material. One more fat, paper is more biodegradable and less likely to upset our eco-systems, just try to get chemical and bleach free paper products.

So which one is it? We give paper 9 stars and plastic 6... the winner is obvious!

To turn off the engine while driving or just idle?

The California Air Resource Board and U.S. Federal Environmental Protection Agency both agree that when you are in a running vehicle and not moving it is better to turn the vehicle off. Over a period of nine minutes a car that is idling will produce double the pollutants of a car that is turned off and then restarted.

Microwaves or Ovens?

This is something we feel we need to mention but inevitably there are many ways to view this delimma and we are passionate about both.

Environmentally:

Microwaves are more efficient than ovens and use electricity more efficiently (meaning more energy going to food than being wasted). Some people are worried about the nuclear waves and studies have shown that this is all a myth (we are skeptical). Bottom line, microwaves use less energy and are better for the planet.

Health:

Why are we skeptical? Well food should not be heated up at the rate that microwaves go about their business, nuclear power or not... it is not good and we lose a ton of nutrients in our food. We personally believe there is radiation emitted, we might be crazy, but our gut tells us different and we believe in following your gut.

So in conclusion we are going to favor the health side of the spectrum and dismiss the environment for a minute because if you look at the numbers you will find that toaster ovens and conventional ovens use more energy than microwaves, but if you use the bigger oven wisely and rely on the toaster oven for the smaller jobs you will be conserving energy and staying healthy!

Sometimes you have to be smart and try to compromise, but compromise doesn't always have to be bad just do it right.

Diapers: Cloth or Disposable?

This one, we believe is up to the parent. Why? Because there are SO many studies out there proving each other wrong and a lot of those studies were well done. In our opinion both choices produce the same footprint, just in a different way (landfills or water waste).

Train or Car?

56% percent of Americans take their long distance trips in personal vehicles while only 1% travel by train. The Union of Concerned Scientist say that a train is much better than vehicles because more people can travel by train rather than in a car.

If the numbers above were reversed global warming, air pollution, water pollution, and habitat alteration would not be a huge issue as it is today.

We hope you learned something and if you enjoy our article please
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Heating (and Cooling) Tips & Tricks

2010-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

Winter and Summer are the most prevalent and lengthy times of year and they are also a huge strain on most Americans wallets. Heating and cooling your home costs more than any other system in your home, on average 43% of your utility bill is devoted to heating and cooling which adds up. Some studies show that the United States alone emits 150 million tons of carbon dioxide a year and that is all from our heating and cooling systems!

There are a lot of products on the market that are marketed as "energy efficient" and we are not debating their claims, but we believe that "whole house" approach will be more beneficial for your budget and the environment!

We all know some tricks to help out, but we decided to give you a list of ways to heat and cool your home thus saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint!

Set your thermostat as low as possible in the Winter and as high as possible in Summer.
Be sure your system's filter is clean and changed often so air can freely pass through it.
Be sure to clean your home's registers, baseboard heaters, radiators, and make sure they are not blocked by furniture or rugs.
Turn off kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans after 20 minutes of use (you would be surprised how much air is actually exhausted from these tiny fans).
During the cold months keep drapes and shades on your South facing windows open during the day to allow sunlight in and closed at night to reduce any drafts.
During the cooling season keep blinds and drapes closed to reduce solar heat.
Be sure when upgrading equipment to get energy star appliances.
Check your ducts for leaks most leaks occur around the joints.
If you do repair any holes in your ducts be sure to use mastic, butyl tape, foil tape, or other heat approved tapes.
You can lose up to 60% of your heat if your ducts are not properly insulated, so be sure to skip a vacation and invest in having your house professionally insulated and sealed.

One other, non traditional and kind of extreme way to heat your home in the cooler months is to use candles and bundle up. We know there is a lot of dislike towards candles, and with good reason, but if you purchase sustainable candles (we like soy) and place them safely and strategically around the room you would be surprised at how quickly the temperature will rise.

Three Things You Can do For Overweight Pets

2010-12-06T15:45:00.000-08:00

Very similar to humans, overweight animals can experience a multitude of health risks primarily caused by their excess weight. Weight control is something we are all facing, especially with the horrible food on the market and the decline in exercise. The best solutions for weight control are often the most obvious.

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

Getting your pets to the vet and nurturing a relationship between the two is probably the most important thing you can do to care for your companion. On top of the care your companion will receive you will also be able to receive an objective assessment of your pet's health and weight.

Get Daily Exercise With Your Companion

This is so obvious but so hard to do for most of us. The benefits of a short walk with your pet are endless and beneficial for both you and your pet.

Food

The market is flooded with horrible options when it comes to your companions diet, but with a little research you can feed your furry friends like royalty. Our favorite food is BLUE.

This company's product is holistic and all natural (if not organic) and they support it so much that some of their reps will eat it in front of you!

We believe that a healthy life starts at home and that is true for our pets as well. If you start from the beginning and feed them well, exercise with them, and give them as much love as you can you will both benefit!

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Some Simple Steps You Can Take To Go GREEN!

2010-11-29T14:28:00.001-08:00

It is evident, and has been for a while, that we as a people need to take some steps to reduce our impact on the environment. The steps to going green are becoming easier as more and more people join the movement and education on certain issues becomes more prevalent.

One thing we need to remember is that going green is not some "hippy" movement and although it is viewed as a "fad" by many it truly is a smart thing to do for our health and the environment. We need to look deeper at what we do, what we buy, and who we support. By taking these small actions it will soon become a daily habit and if we can have everyone on the planet doing their part we truly can have a bigger, and more, positive impact on the planet than in recent decades!

So here are some simple, yet effective, tips on getting your life on a GREENER path!

Try to purchase recycled products as much as possible and remember to recycle and reduce as much as you can! Do you really need bags for everything when shopping?
Eat more locally and organically. This helps your health, the environment, your local economy, and even helps save the small farmers that are quickly disappearing!
Drive less! Sounds easy, but if you are already driving at a minimum think about purchasing a more sustainable vehicle and remember to get regular tune-ups!
Replace regular light bulbs with the more efficient bulbs on the market. They use less electricity which results in less carbon dioxide emissions. If mercury is something that your concerned about there are mercury-free light emitting diode (LED) bulbs at most hardware stores!

We believe that with each additional "concerned" citizen we can truly make a difference! So talk to your friends and educate yourself by subscribing to our newsletter on our website!

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Why Should we Meditate?

2010-11-19T20:34:00.000-08:00

Meditation is many things, but in a simple world (which is the world we love) meditation can be defined as direct concentration in order to remove all thoughts. We feel the best meditation practices are those that concentrate on a completely still mind, from there the mind will show you things you never dreamed of.

Sounds hokey we know.

The benefits of meditating are endless and sometimes unique to the individual but here are some that we deem worthy of recognition:

Meditation helps the individual to bring awareness and mindfulness to everyday aspects of their lives and life itself.
Meditation can relieve pain caused by arthritis and other chronic disorders.
Meditation enhances the immune system.
Meditation decreases heart and respiratory rates.
Meditation helps to maintain a level mood.
Meditation can help reduce the perception of pain.
Meditation can help increase blood flow.
Meditation can even lower blood pressure.

So how do we do it?

Well we believe the manuals, books, and videos are all for making money and not designed to teach at all, and if you know of any credit worthy tools send them our way!

Meditation is so individualistic and cannot be generalized except for a quick definition of what most people seek while meditating. It is well known that meditation is the practice that is done by many for the sole purpose of finding solitude in their mind in order to have a "good place" in such a hectic world.

We all need somewhere to go and just breath, and that is meditation. Just breath, be still in both the mind and body, and just melt in to the universe around you. From there we know you will find solace and even discover new things about life you never thought possible.

Most of the time we are not this hokey, but this is something we really believe in!

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Clean your Home With a LEMON!

2010-11-07T07:18:00.000-08:00

Forget everything under your sink, whether chemically made or the all natural ones. It is true, our manufacturers have come a long way with meeting our demands for greener products, but with the limited (and corrupt) oversight from our government we cannot be 100% sure those products are as safe as they claim.

The solution? Go to the grocery store and make your own products!

Lemons, among other household products, are amazing to clean with! Their high acid content enables the fruit to cut through tough grease all the while sanitizing.

Freshen up the garbage disposal by throwing your lemon rinds in instead of putting them in the compost or trash! They leave a fresh crisp aroma unmatched by most household products and no germs!
Clean your copper, brass, and chrome! The high acid content will cut through years of grime and bring a nice shine back. If it is especially tough dip the lemon in some salt for extra scrubbing power!
This is one we have never told you about! Particularly because we do not believe in microwaves, but that is a completely different fight we do not want to visit! For those of you who love your microwaves but hate the smell you can now combat it with a lemon! Simply slice a lemon (thinly) and put in a bowl with hot water. Cook the mixture in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. This will kill the bacteria and the scent will be gone! When finished wipe down the unit with a damp towel and let air dry for 10 minutes.
Instead of spending $3-$4 on a tough shower cleaner juice 6-10 lemons (put the rinds in the garbage disposal) and put the juice in a spray bottle. If cleaning the shower immediately bring some salt. Spray the juice on the shower and dip your sponge in the salt. From there you know what to do. For those of you who hate cleaning do it this one time and then add some vinegar to the bottle and spray the entire shower after every cleaning. The vinegar makes it stink but you will not be disappointed, to increase the power of this remedy be sure to pull up your shower curtain so it is not touching the side of the tub while drying. We suggest hanging it over the shower rod and washing it once a week.
You can hand wash your dishes with a half a lemon and some baking soda. Simply dip the lemon in the baking soda and use in place of a sponge!
This is another remedy we haven't heard of! To deodorize the laundry simply add one teaspoon of lemon juice to the laundry, it will not harm any of your clothes but leave them fresh and smelling wonderful!
To clean your windows effectively and without harmful chemicals you can simply add some lemon juice to some water (4 tablespoons with half a gallon of water) and use that. It is cheaper and beneficial for your home. It leaves a wonderful scent, kills germs, and streaking is unlikely. Especially if you use newspapers to clean the windows. When finished throw the newspapers in the compost, you won't be disappointed by any of this!
Sanitize a cutting board is difficult especially if you have a bamboo cutting board. Most bamboo cutting boards (and wooden ones) should not get wet or they will dry out and crack and when using harmful chemicals on these high absorbent surfaces you are setting you and your loved ones up for poisoning. So whats the solution? Well cut a lemon in half scrub the entire surface of the cutting board. If it is bamboo, or another wood that dries out, you can wipe it clean (some lemon pulp will be on the board) and then put a light layer of olive oil to rejuvenate it!
Clean hard to reach places with a toothbrush, lemon juice, and borax. You can take it from there!.

Keeping a clean home is not difficult and eliminating chemicals from the home is nothing but beneficial. When cleaning with chemicals you are putting harmful toxins in the air and all over the home. Your cleaning cabinet should be empty with the exception of clothes, vinegar, lemon juice, and borax. You can keep a home clean, eco-friendly, and healthy by using your imagination and testing out those three products for all your cleaning needs!

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The Shocking Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

2010-11-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

First and foremost we want you to know two things about Apple Cider Vinegar. The most important thing about Apple Cider Vinegar is that it is horribly disgusting, but if you want the benefits you have to suffer the pain. The second thing you will want to know is that the pills you can buy at vitamin shops are not as beneficial, slightly, but overall they are only about 20% as effective as the actual liquid version.

So now lets get down to business:

Apple cider vinegar has been used for thousands of years in cooking and in home health aides, it is actually believed that the Egyptians used this miracle drink to lose weight, cleanse their body's, and to reap the benefits on a circulatory level. There are no known side effects except gagging caused by the disgusting taste, but you can mix with honey to help get past that. Although honey doesn't help much it actually helps the vinegar absorb in to your system and the benefits become more apparent.

Apple cider vinegar is made from the fermentation of apples and the pH of the vinegar is extremely beneficial to reduce and eliminate the amount of toxins in the body. Apple cider vinegar is extremely quite rich in minerals, vitamins, and other beneficial substances. It also contains Vitamin E, C, A, P, B1, B2, and B6. The minerals in apple cider vinegar are Manganese, iron, calcium, sodium, magnesium, sulphu, copper, phosphorus, silicon, chlorine, and flourine.

The benefits continue and still some are unknown. Apple cider vinegar provides enzymes, amino acids, aldehyde, potash, alcoholic acids, propionic acid, and of course there is apple pectin. If you do not know what apple pectin is you need to. Apple pectin is a dietary fiber that is an essential component of a healthy digestive tract.

So now you know tons of benefits of apple cider vinegar, over 90, and it should not be difficult for us to convince you that apple cider vinegar is a wonderful addition to a healthy diet.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss

The vinegar detoxifies the liver which is crucial in weight loss since the liver plays a huge role in weight loss and ridding the body of harmful chemicals. There are some who claim that ACV speeds up the metabolism and some even claim that it burns calories and reduces appetite. Knowing that ACV tastes horrible we can agree that you won't want to eat much after taking a shot or two.

We recommend taking a shot of ACV thirty minutes before eating a meal and even before snacking.

Congestion (Nasal)

All we know is that it is beneficial, how you should treat congestion with ACV is up to you, perhaps a shot will do the trick.

Digestion

The two essential components that break down food to be digested properly are hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Both of which are in ACV and if you have a drastic reduction in these two components you can actually suffer from food poisoning. Some people blame the food they eat when in all reality they have a drastic reduction of these two components in their system.

Sore Throat

Gargle ACV with water twice a day, it is amazing!

Chest Congestion

This is something you NEVER would have thought of. Apply ACV with pepper (you know the stuff you have in your kitchen) to the chest area.

Strong Bones

The minerals in ACV are beneficial for maintaining or building strong bones.

Yeast Infections

Making a solution of ACV and warm purified water and douching can help with the symptoms and can sometimes get rid of the infection all together.

Some other things ACV is amazing for include:

-Diabetes
-Arthritis
-Cholesterol Control
-Blood Pressure
-Skin Care
-Eye Sight

We suggest taking 1-2 shots daily and form a habit out of it, some swear the horrible taste becomes more bearable over time.

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The World's Healthiest Foods

2010-10-29T17:17:00.000-07:00

We are always on a quest of some sort and many of us go on binges where we try so hard to be healthy. We fast, exercise, drink more water, cut calories, and so on; but what if we just knew about the foods that are best for us and tried to incorporate them into our daily diet. Not just for a couple of weeks, we are talking about forever. These foods are not going to surprise you and if they do it will be because you know what they are and probably eat them every now and then.

Our hope is that you will learn that the foods you know and love are among the healthiest on Earth for you to consume. This realization could, quite possibly, create a subconscious movement for you where you eliminate the bad foods and incorporate the ones you now know are amazing for you!

We believe that a subconscious movement is more productive and long lasting that the ones we make our priority. Think about it. If you are constantly thinking about a diet or quitting smoking you will soon cave in because it is all you think about!

Perhaps we are wrong, nevertheless here are the foods that could quite possibly change your life.

Vegetables

Asparagus
Avocados
Beets
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Collard Greens
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Fennel
Garlic
Green Beans
Green Peas
Kale
Leeks
Mushrooms, Crimini
Mushrooms, Shiitake
Mustard Greens
Olives
Onions
Potatoes
Romaine Lettuce
Sea Vegetables
Spinach (SO AMAZING)
Squash, Summer
Squash, Winter
Sweet Potatoes
Swiss Chard
Tomatoes
Turnip Greens
Yams

Seafood

Cod
Halibut
Salmon
Sardines
Scallops
Shrimp
Tuna

Fruits

Apples
Apricots
Bananas
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Cranberries
Figs
Grapefruit
Grapes
Kiwifruit
Lemon/Limes
Oranges
Papaya
Pears
Pineapple
Plums
Prunes
Raisins
Raspberries
Strawberries
Watermelon

Dairy

Cheese
Eggs
Milk
Goats Milk
Yogurt (We prefer Greek Yogurt)

Poultry and Lean Meats

Beef, Remember to Always Get Lean and Organic
Calf's Liver
Chicken
Lamb
Turkey
Venison

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds
Cashews
Flaxseeds
Olive Oil, Extra Virgin
Peanuts
Pumpkin Seeds
Sesame Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Walnuts

Grains

Barley
Brown Rice
Buckwheat
Corn
Millet
Oats
Quinoa
Rye
Spelt
Whole Wheat

Spices and Herbs

Basil
Black Pepper
Cayenne Pepper (Great for cleansing)
Chili Pepper, Dried
Cilantro/Coriander Seeds
Cinnamon, Ground (Great for Cleansing)
Cloves
Cumin Seeds
Dill
Ginger
Mustard Seeds
Oregano
Parsley
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Turmeric

Natural Sweeteners

Blackstrap Molasses
Cane Juice (Organic, some companies put horrible additives in theirs so be sure you choose organic)
Honey (LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL)
Maple Syrup

Other

Green Tea (use the Leaves as Plant Food)
Soy Sauce
Water (Purified, NOT city water)

All of these foods work great together and by themselves and were chosen because they have the richest sources of many essential nutrients our body's need for optimum health. We believe that organic is the way to go but with some foods you can get away with getting none organic, just do your research and think before you support a company that is literally slowly killing people!

Enjoy your next meal, change your life, and improve your health!

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The Most Powerful Plants to Clean The Air in Your Home

2010-10-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

So by now most of you know that the air inside your home can (and most likely is) 3-4 times more toxic than the air outside your home, if you live in the city it could by even worse. So what do we do?

Well you can buy the expensive air filters, and I am not opposed to them at all, but be sure you get what you paid for and be sure to research the filter replacement costs. Most of the manufacturers will sell you a $70+ unit in hopes that the price will be appealing, but most of the time these units do nothing and your real cost is in the long run with filters costing twice the amount of the unit per year.

I, and many others, have discovered a new route in conjunction with air filters and that route includes lots of plants. Plants have so many benefits, besides the aesthetic beauty and the psychological benefits they can also filter the air we breath. Air filters will get rid of toxic junk but some put off radiation and reduce the oxygen levels in the air they are filtering.

So the solution is to grow new air, literally.

Areca Palm

One of the most popular houseplants in America and for good reason. These plants are literally a 24 hour oxygen factory. We suggest having four plants per person, or at least one in every room.

Money Plant (or Tree)

These are so beautiful and commonly known as difficult to grow, but if patience is a friend of yours and over watering is an enemy you will coexist with these amazing plants beautifully. Money plants actually remove formaldehyde which is in most furniture and household items, you know the stuff they use to embalm us, well that disgusting chemical is in almost EVERYTHING! Be sure to have two plants per thousand square feet.

Mother-in-Law's Tongue

This plant is an evening factory, meaning when the light goes out it produces twice as much oxygen compared to its daytime output. These plants should be plentiful in your home, some even suggest having 6-7 per person. We think the more the merrier and we won't judge you if you prefer to move away from a jungle like atmosphere, because we know that can sometimes be a little tacky.

Some other friendly additions would be English Ivy, Purple Waffle Plant, Variegated Wax Plant, Asparagus Fern, and the Purple Heart Plant. Remember the less VOC's you have in your home the better your health will be in the long run, plus when your air is clean the chances of you and your loved ones getting sick or remaining sick are cut in half.

In addition to having a multitude of beautiful and beneficial plants we suggest having a window open for at least an hour a day. As painful as that may sound for those of you in the more drastic climates it is beneficial for your health and the general "feel" of your home, no one wants to be in a stuffy environment. So go to the supermarket or run some errands while your ventilating your home.

Some more helpful reminders? Well if you really want your plants to be a work horse you need to remember that dust will clog their "pores" and reduce the amount of oxygen and filtration they are truly capable of so keep them clean (and while your at it dust the whole house, no one wants dead skin cells all over everything). Also, as far as fertilizer goes, don't use Miracle Grow or any of those toxic products. Use what you have, it will save you money and your plants will be thankful. So when making coffee, eating fruit, or vegetables start a compost pike and sprinkle some on the top of plants once a month. You are reducing your waste and putting what came from the Earth back in to it.

Get to it! You can plant indoors any time of the year so there is no excuse!

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