Detoxing means something different for every one. Just like we all have our own individual personalities, our bodies are also unique. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. It is very important to listen to your body; it knows what’s best for you! There are many different cleanses to choose from. Some are gentle and others are more rigorous. Your ideal cleanse may be 1 day or it may be 20 days! Once you find what works for you, you will see and feel the amazing benefits of detoxing. These include elevated energy and concentration levels, reduced bloating, elimination of cravings, better sleep, and a more positive attitude. You might also lose weight and start to glow. The point of a detox is for your body to thrive, not starve!

Detoxing can be fun! Whether you are an experienced cleanser or are new to it, here are 8 easy steps to get you started and feeling great this summer!

1. Move: Move as much as possible!  Allowing your body to move and stretch will increase lymphatic flow eliminating toxins and cellular waste more effectively through your sweat and breathing. Being active for at least 30 minutes a day is essential. Try yoga, running, hiking, swimming, resistance training, kickboxing, or dancing around the house – do anything to get your body up and moving!
2. Hydrate: Drinking at least 2 litres of purified or alkalized spring water a day helps flush toxins and waste out of your body, improves brain function and keeps your metabolism running.
3. Drink a Smoothie: Having a smoothie for either breakfast or dinner is very cleansing. Smoothies contain good healthy fats and proteins including avocado, coconut oil, spirulina, and kale to keep you satisfied until lunch! Having a smoothie for dinner frees up your body to use its energy to repair cells and build up your immune system instead of trying to digest a heavy meal.
4. Go Natural: Your diet should be made up of good whole foods found fresh in nature, foods that come from the earth! Foods that you want to start eliminating from your diet include processed foods such as bleached and refined flours and sugars, table salt, meat treated with hormones, farmed fish, dairy, trans fats, fried foods, refined oils, GMOS, coffee, alcohol and sugary drinks. Eat organic and pesticide free whenever possible. Also start using natural beauty, body and household products.
5. Sweat it Out: Using a sauna, steam room or taking a hot steam bath is an easy and effective way to help flush out toxins from your body. Try this after exercising to further increase circulation and assist in eliminating unwanted waste.
6. Try Eating Raw and Fermented Foods: Raw foods and fermented foods (such as sauerkraut and miso) are enzyme- rich. Raw foods are full of minerals and vitamins that your body can easily digest. Fermented foods carry healthy bacteria and aid in food digestion. Your body will thrive off of raw and fermented foods and you will feel more energized.
7. Relax More, Worry Less: Stress is very hard on the body. Try to engage in gentle and deep breathing exercises throughout the day to reduce cortisol levels, oxygenate your cells and bring your body and mind to a calm state. Tackle tasks one at a time so that you don’t feel overwhelmed, take a warm bath, drink a comforting tea, write in your journal, mediate – do whatever it is that relieves your stress! Try doing this before bedtime to ensure a good nights rest.
8. Have Fun: This should be an empowering experience of self-discovery and exploration. Make sure to enjoy yourself along the way!

All of our upcoming summer cooking classes including Acid/Alkaline Balance will help you get on track with with cleansing and detoxing. Take a look at the class schedule here to get started with cleansing!

And for an easy how-to guide on cleansing, check out Marni’s best-selling eBook Cleansing with Superfoods!

On my journey to better health I have tried all kinds of things I never could have imagined. I tend to joke that I’ve turned into a full-fledged hippy, from sprouting my own lentils to jamming  dehydrated kale chips down my friends throats. I’ve started brewing my own Kombucha (fermented tea- it’s incredible you guys. Seriously. Come over, I have so many batches going!) and doing yoga and I’ve come to appreciate the benefits of cleanses.

I jumped into the deep end with my first Cleanse experience – dropping gluten, caffeine, soy, sugar,and pretty much everything else for a solid 30 days. I was supposed to drink this foul tasting protein powder every day, but in the end I couldn’t hack it which is why I still have one and a half tubs of the stuff taking up valuable cupboard space. I continued the detox for the full 30 days and came out of it with a number of new recipes and ingredients that I still use all the time.

Detox Friendly Meal!

Cleanses or detoxes can mean many things. For me it usually involves eating very clean (a few days of just fruits and vegetables), followed by a few days of juicing, and then slowly reincorporating vegetables, legumes and grains into my diet. I try to do this about once a year, typically after a period of indulgence. I’ve also done a week long vegetable juice detox which was great but really challenging for me.  If you’re interested get thee to a professional who can help you plan a healthy and reasonable game plan (like Marni!). Or check out her eBook Cleansing with Superfoods here!

Cleansing is so important but can also test my willpower. And sanity. I present just a glimpse into the mind of a cleansing.

My Typical Thought Process at Various Points During a Cleanse… 

Day One

“Wow cleanses are the best. I am so proud of myself for making this healthy choice. Mmm, this steamed Kale goes perfectly with this lemon-watercress-broccoli juice. I can just feel my body gaining energy, mmm. Maybe I should go for a hike later…”

Day Two

“Well I feel a little tired. I sure could go for some kind of Organic coffee with coconut milk or something.  And a spelt muffin or…ah well, I’m sure an Apple-Carrot-Ginger juice will taste almost as good.”

Day Three

“I AM SO HUNGRY. I WANT A VEGGIE BURGER AND YAM FRIES AND COCONUT ICE CREAM AND BREAD AND WINE AND…..” 

Day Four

“It’s so funny the cravings that pop up when you are cleansing. I can’t believe those dumb cravings I had yesterday for Oreos and Wine. Hahahaha. My body feels so great, everything is getting so much easier. I should really just eat like this all the time! Maybe I should just do a few days a week of vegetable juices.”

Day Five

“This steamed Kale goes perfectly with my cucumber-mango-spinach juice…but I sure am excited to have some quinoa or brown rice with my veggies tomorrow.”

There are a lot of emotions. I mean I’m an actress so naturally I have a flair for the dramatic, but something about letting go of crutches like Caffeine and sugar really gets to me. You should see some of the writing I’ve done during cleanses, it is intense and very sensational. And there is a lot of talk of Yam Fries. I couldn’t recommend cleansing enough – it’s not just for hippies.  Take a few days, do your body good, then report back to Marni and I. You won’t regret it.

Here are 5 benefits of growing your own veggies. Plus, it’s an easy and fun activity!

-       High in Nutrition: Organically local grown food has been shown to have a much higher mineral and vitamin content than store bought food treated with pesticides. Foods laced with pesticides have also been linked to a higher incidence of disease, including various cancers.

-       Fresh Taste: Foods that are free of pesticides and harvested straight from the garden are fresher and taste better!

-       Cost-Effective: Growing your own vegetables significantly reduces food costs. It also saves you less time at the grocery store and more time in your garden!

-       Helps the Environment: Home gardening will lower your carbon footprint by helping to prevent soil erosion, improve water and air quality, save energy and reduce transportation costs.

-       Provides Fun, Knowledge and Beauty: This can be a fun and satisfying learning experience for individuals, families and children! It also helps create a beautiful personal space.

To learn how to seed the foundation to your garden, join us in the studio next Tuesday, June 18 for a workshop with Young Urban Farmers. Chris will show you how to start off your garden so that you can bring seeds that you plant here home and watch your veggies grow. Marni will be creating delicious recipes which will include veggies from her garden. Find out more information and register here!

Most things will revolve around food in some way, but it may not necessarily be a cooking class. Firstly, we may not even be cooking at all – it could be a raw class, or a workshop about food, nutrition or how to live a balanced lifestyle – I can’t even begin to describe the variety of events that will take place in my studio – but at the end of the day it will all come back to FOOD & LIFESTYLE.

To give you a sense of what will actually take place in this studio here are 10 things that you can expect to experience upstairs at 510 Eglinton

1. My Signature Cooking Classes – All taught by me, featuring topics about health and wellness,  cultural themes and other specific areas. Get more information here on upcoming classes.
2. Featured Chefs and local experts – I will be bringing in local experts like Chef Doug McNish or other chefs from local restaurants in Toronto to teach their own “expert” class. Find out what’s coming up next.
3. Retreats and Series – The studio will be hosting some of my newest programs like 1 day urban retreats as well as a Kids Summer Camp.
4. Workshops and demonstrations (Lifestyle) – Other experts in industries outside of food will also be brought in to teach special workshops whether focusing on beauty with Graydon, growing an edible garden with YUF or other things that compliment a balanced lifestyle.
5. Movie nights – Watch out for movie nights which will take place on Tuesday evenings. We will be doing screenings of health inspired documentaries such as Food Inc., Food Matters, Sick Fat and Nearly Dead among other popular favourites. Organic popcorn and local tea will be served!
6. Pop up classes and lunch and learns – There will be several unplanned pop-up mini classes offered throughout the day for people to drop in in and learn quick tips and ideas on how to make simple, salads, smoothies, soups – all ingredients and recipes will be inspired by the season.
7. Private events, parties and classes – This is a chance for you to organize your own private cooking class or party. Grab your family, friends, colleagues and co-workers and organize a special evening or event such as a bachlorette!
8. Consultations  & Lifestyle Programs – Get some private one on one time with me so I can help you lay the foundation to reach your nutritional and health goals.
9. Sustainable, ecologically sourced products. All products in my “Lifestyle Shop” are carefully curated with your health in mind! It is my mission to make sure I am sourcing the best! Some favourites will include glass straws, green cream, my new superfood tea blend & so much more!
10. A place to meet new people and have an amazing time. This space more than anything else is a place to bring community together. It is my goal to offer a variety of amazing classes, workshops and other events to educate you on how you can get inspired to live and be nourished from the inside out!

As a welcome special we are offering a special package 3 of my classes for $250 – valid until August 31st!

COOK. SAVOUR. LEARN. SHOP. NOURISH 

Come visit us and say hello!

Stay tuned with our updates on Twitter and Facebook!

Just a Mommy….  One day when my daughter was a toddler, we were discussing what various people did for a living, she looked at me and said “but you’re just a Mommy”.  OUCH!   Of course I don’t expect a child to understand or appreciate the dozens of different hats one wears to keep a household running.  But that comment still left a mark.  I wasn’t always “just” a Mommy.  I had a successful corporate life before children.  But after my second was born, and medical problems secured the fact that there would be no more, I felt more than ever that I didn’t want to miss a single milestone.

I’ve been an on-again, off-again runner all my life to keep my weight in check.  I think my daughter’s comment is part of what spurred me to finally set some running goals in my mid-30’s.  Taking off my Mommy hat to train for something that was just for me felt good.  Part of me missed that outside validation of my efforts that used to be so tangibly quantified by promotions, raises or bonuses.  Having the race volunteer put that medal around my neck after my first half marathon was very gratifying.  And I loved the example it set for my kids of working hard to achieve a personal fitness goal.  Suddenly, for that day, I wasn’t just a Mommy.  I was an athlete and a competitor.

It’s been 4 years since my last race.  And that desire for hardware (medals) is starting to rear its head again.  One of my goals in working with Marni was to improve my energy levels on a plant based diet to make room for training again.  After a few false starts this winter, I have started running again.  I went waaaayyyy back to the beginning, running 1 minute, and walking 1 minute.  I’ve progressed to 6 and 1 so far without injury, and I hope to continue and get at least a 10K under my belt by fall.  And I’m certain there’s another half marathon looming in my not too distant future.  Just a Mommy?  No way!

To achieve this, I’ll need the proper fuel.  One of my favorites before a run is Marni’s soaked oats with goji berries, cinnamon and almond milk.  It takes just a couple of minutes to prepare before bed so it is ready in the morning.  I also had the privilege to attend Marni’s Fit and Fabulous cooking class the other day.  I received a lot of great information about pre and post workout fueling, not to mention some amazing VEGA swag!!   My favourite recipe of the night was hands down the spinach almond patties.  Can’t wait to try them out on my family.

That’s all for now.  Keep on running!

It’s taken me a long time to find an exercise niche that I could really get into, but now that I’ve discovered this strange, sweaty workout it has become my obsession. My studio Iam Yoga has a wide variety of classes that range from ab-destroying core workouts to restorative Yin mediation. Finding activities that don’t feel like a chore is so key, for some people that may be running, or a pilates class, or learning weird YouTube dance choreography with your best friend in your living room (I very much suggest this one. Nothing bonds two people like the mortifying experience of trying to learn how to “booty pop” in front of each other). I still try to fit in some additional cardio, and living downtown I walk everywhere, but Yoga has become my exercise of choice. In February I did 30 days of Hot Yoga in a row which was insane but really great, and really taught me the importance of properly fueling my body.

Tailoring your nutrition to your lifestyle is important and not that hard. Do you exercise all the time? If so, make sure you’re getting enough protein and iron, and have an extra green smoothie after your run. Marni has introduced me to some amazing  products that have really amped up my nutrition.

I was lucky enough to receive an AMAZING Vega Thrive Forward Starter Kit and now I am addicted to their whole foods approach to nutrition on the go. Seriously, I’ve been scheming ways to become a Vega ambassador and I will not be stopped.

Here are a few products that I have absolutely fallen in love with:

1.Vega Electrolyte Hydrator

This has rocked my sweaty little yoga world. A naturally flavored powder meant to replace the electrolytes you are sweating out, pouring a little packet of this into my water bottle makes a world of difference when you are sweating out massive amounts of fluids. Even if I was super hydrated sometimes I would leave particularly intense heated classes feeling lightheaded or nauseous, and this little gem has completely eliminated that.

2.Vega One Chocolate Protein Powder

This stuff is so good mixed with Almond Milk and a little ice. After a yoga class, this is my go-to treat to make sure I’m getting all the nutrients I need while feeling like I’m drinking a milkshake. Sweetened with stevia, it is so freaking good. Seriously Vega, I have a huge crush on you. They also now have a new Vega One bar which has all of the essential nutrients formed into one convenient and delicious bar!

3.Sunwarrior Vanilla Protein Powder

Frozen Bananas+ Ice + Spinach+ Coconut Milk +This powder = A delicious green smoothie.

This month I was also lucky enough to take Marni’s Raw Made Easy cooking class which was amazing. She showed us a ton of simple, raw recipes to add huge bursts of plant powered nutrition into our days. We made these phenomenal little nori rolls that I’m going to make for my in-laws at the cottage this weekend and the most amazing raw pizza that our whole class could not get enough of.

Seriously, sundried tomato tapenade and raw “caRAWmelized” onions and mushrooms – it was glorious.

To maintain a balanced lifestyle, it is important to stay active in whatever way works for you, and to eat plant based foods to support a healthy and active lifestyle!

Yummy Yam Pecan Loaf

Mother’s & Father’s Day are right around the corner. What better way to celebrate such amazing people in your life than making a delicious brunch together? What I am suggesting isn’t your typical eggs and bacon breakfast with French toast, but rather some nutritious balanced dishes that will surely satisfy your mid morning cravings and keep you energized throughout the day.  Let me guide you with some of the ideas that I certainly am going to entertain on my Sunday brunch with my mother.

Grains

• What not to have—white refined bagels, breads and muffins, processed cereals
• What to have—whole grain muffins, bread made from spelt, oat, rye or brown rice flour, homemade granola
• What not to have—white pancakes with icing sugar and syrup
• What to have—Buckwheat pancakes sweetened with pure maple syrup

Refined, white carbohydrates spike blood sugar levels really fast giving a false burst of energy. Which only makes you crash. Opt for whole grains that are high in fiber, protein and nutrients.

Protein

• What not to have—Eggs Benedict, fried eggs
• What to have—organic poached or hard boiled egg, organic scrambled tofu
• What not to have—bacon, salami or other high sodium, processed deli meats
• What to have—organic grilled tempeh, marinated with maple syrup and orange juice

Organic or free-range eggs have rich yolks full of nutrients and tofu provides a hearty vegan alternative to eggs. Processed meats are high in sodium and very difficult for the body to digest. Try tempeh instead which is a whole food that is “meaty” high in enzymes and plant based protein, leaving you just as satisfied.

Dairy

• What not to have—butter or margarine on white toast or muffins
• What to have—coconut butter or almond butter on sprouted spelt bread
• What not to have—cow dairy or processed cheddar cheese, cow milk
• What to have- organic goats cheese, organic sheep’s cheddar, avocado or almond milk

Commercial dairy can be hard on the body and margarine has no nutritional value and is extremely processed. Opt for natural sources of dairy from goat and sheep sources of go veggie and explore the amazing plant based rich and creamy alternatives to dairy.

Sweeteners

• What not to have—white sugar, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, jams
• What to have—coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey, fresh fruit

Processed sugar and chemical sweeteners are hard on the body and metabolism. Sugar spikes your blood sugar levels with empty calories, while aspartame gives you a false sense of sweetness and can have detrimental long-term effects on health. Choose natural sweeteners whether from fruit or other sources, as they carry nutritional value and taste delicious.

Beverages

• What not to have—fruit juices and boxed orange juice, dessert coffees
• What to have—fresh pressed fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies, herbal teas

Many beverages are laden with sugar, fat and calories. Before you know it you have taken in more calories before you’ve even eaten anything. Opt for natural juices and smoothies that will give you a morning buzz with out the caffeine!

To put all of these tips in action, join us on June 16th for Balanced Brunch! You will get to cook and enjoy a delicious, healthy breakfast and learn tips on how to start your day with simple and fresh recipes. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day! Take a look at the menu here.

Yam Pecan Loaf

What’s In It?

1 yam (about 1 cup) cooked and mashed

1⁄2 cup grapeseed or coconut oil

3⁄4 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1⁄2 cup vanilla rice milk

5 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed

3 tablespoons orange rind, grated

2 cups whole spelt flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1⁄2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1⁄2 cup dried sweetened cranberries

1⁄2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

How It’s Made

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Steam or boil yam in water in medium saucepan and cook until soft.

2. Strain the yams and mash them with a masher.

3. Add the oil, syrup, vanilla, vinegar, rice milk, orange juice and orange rind to the yams and

mash the ingredients together thoroughly.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt.

5. Pour the yam mixture into the flour mixture and gently stir them together until all the flour is

incorporated into the wet mixture.

6. Fold in cranberries and pecans.

7. Scoop mixture into an oiled and floured bread pan. Place the pan in oven and bake for about

one hour.

8. Use toothpick to test readiness, this loaf is done when the toothpick comes out clean. Let the

loaf cool in the bread pan on a wire rack before removing.

Leafy green vegetables are one of nature’s richest sources of a full spectrum of nutrients. So look beyond spinach and broccoli and get familiar with things like kale, collards, swiss chard, arugula, bok choy.

Depending on what your taste buds are calling for, there are so many ways to get your green veggies in. The good news is that each green offers a very different unique taste and texture. Even if you have to sneak them into a smoothie for the fussy ones in the family, I promise you – there is always a way!

A nutrient packed green – kale!

Whether you are following a vegan diet or just want to take your nutrition to the next level– greens should be an essential component to your day.

Choosing a leafy green such as kale:

1. Helps to purify your blood, supports bone health and prevents the risk of many diseases such as heart disease and cancer
2. Gives your body an extra dose of much needed calcium, magnesium, iron, antioxidants and fiber
3. Compliments anything and everything on your plate and will boost the nutrients in any meal
4. Is especially fantastic when it is just lightly steamed, sautéed or chopped up and marinated raw into a salad
5. Makes a super healthy “chip” that is kid and adult friendly. Try this delicious zesty kale chip recipe!

These benefits apply to most greens so really, you can’t go wrong and the possibilities are endless.

It is very common to get overwhelmed when it comes to greens. My suggestion is to start basic. Pick one new green a week to “play” with until you have found a way for you and your family to enjoy it. The number one complaint is that greens are too bitter. Well, yes collards and kale can be bitter – especially if they are new to your palette. Once you find a way to get them into a meal – whether they are added to a smoothie, tomato sauce, chickpea stew, chunky vegetable soup, grain dish or simply dressed with olive oil and sea salt, there is no turning back. You will be hooked because you will suddenly start to feel better, have more energy and you may even lose weight. That doesn’t sound bad does it?

Experiment with natures emerald gems, have fun and make sure you get your greens in everyday. Just remember that a meal isn’t a meal unless there is something green on your plate! Try the Green Garden Veggie Pasta Salad recipe below. We’re making this recipe and many more green veggie-packed recipes at Simple Spring Creations on May 23rd and Green Goddess on June 10th.

Green Garden Veggie Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

8-12 oz pasta (kaumt, spelt, Tinkyada brown rice or quinoa)

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup sliced red onion1-2 yellow summer squash or zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1/2 inch chunks to equal 2 cups

2 garlic cloves, crushed or minced

1-2 cups washed and chopped chard or kale

10-12 spears of asparagus chopped

1 tablespoon finely minced chives

1/4 cup finely chopped Italian parsley

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil

Salt and pepper to taste

How It’s Made:

1. In a large stockpot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil with 1 tablespoon of sea salt.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add onion and saute for 3 minutes. Add squash, asparagus and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Add garlic and cook another 2 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.

3. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain, place in a large, shallow serving bowl, and toss with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sauteed vegetables, chard and fresh herbs.

4. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

At this stage in my life, I consider myself vegan.  Do I quiz the waitress about whether or not my salad dressing has honey in it, or if there is egg in that veggie burger?  No.  So I know I’m not perfect.  But for the most part, I avoid animal products in all areas of my life.  I was not always this way.  For the first 39 years of my life I ate the “standard” diet.  But a particularly bad stretch of poor health sent me searching for a change.  That is when I decided to give plant based eating a try; a particularly tricky feat considering that my husband, children, family and friends do not share my way of eating.  So, what does this mean for making healthy meals for my family?

This is a tricky topic for me.  I tend to go back and forth on it.  Some days I want to cut all the animal products and processed foods out of our lives completely.  And as the Mom, I know that my kids’ nutrition is primarily my responsibility.  However, my husband is their parent too, and while supportive of my choices, he has not chosen to take this journey with me. My solution so far is to strive for balance and moderation.  So what does that translate to at meal times?  Well, I would say about 3 nights a week, we all eat a vegan supper.  Veggies stir fried over brown rice, whole grain or rice pastas with Italian or Thai inspired sauces, soups, chili, stews and salads are the most common.  And I can honestly say that my husband and daughter really enjoy these meals.  My 6-year old fussy son is another story.  Other nights, I still make a vegan side (which I eat as my main), and I prepare an animal protein to go with it for the other members of the family.  Any baking I do now is vegan, and I have replaced dairy milk with almond in cooking and smoothies for everyone.  So, I have not converted them to my way of eating, but I have greatly reduced the animal products they consume.

April being Earth month also has me thinking about the ways in which our eating habits effect the environment.  Again, there is room for improvement.  But some of the things that we do to reduce our footprint include:

• Eating fewer animal products (veg proteins take far less water to produce and create far less pollution than their animal counterparts)
• Shopping for produce at the local farmer’s market from May to October.
• Baking lunch box snacks (like Marni’s Blueberry Banana Spelt muffins!), thereby purchasing less packaged goods.
• Packing drinks in reusable metal water bottles.
• Using more Tupperware and less plastic wrap.
• Walking to school instead of driving when the weather is nice.
• And most obviously, recycling.

How do you strive to keep yourselves, your family and your planet healthy? We would love to hear your tips and tricks.

People eat plant-based diets for a number of different reasons; health benefits, not supporting animal cruelty, food sensitivities, and of course, environmental reasons.

Helping the planet is a huge part of the reason I stopped eating meat, and why I strive towards a more whole foods, local approach to nutrition.

The amount of resources that go into meat production is astronomical, as well as in the shipment of food across the world. Trying to find local farmers and food producers is a big part of reducing the carbon footprint on your plate. Go to a farmers market, sign up for a produce delivery box service, visit smaller grocery stores that offer local, organic produce.  Try to take note of what’s in season in your area and make the most of it. I stayed with a family in England a few years ago, who were living almost entirely independently, off-the grid. From using a woodstove for heat and cooking to growing their own quinoa and vegetables in their backyard, they made the most of every resource available. It was a really amazing learning experience and eye opening in terms of sustainability. While I can’t plant a garden in my apartment, there are may things I (and my urban dwelling neighbors) can do to make a difference.

Another huge waste, and something I tend to be quite guilty of partaking in, is take-out containers. There is so much unnecessary waste involved with ordering food. There’s a super cool project dedicated to reducing take out waste called Takeout Without. It really forces you to think about all of the paper and plastic garbage you use without thinking about.  Check out their website and think of some ways you can start implementing changes in your own life.

Eating plant based foods is an area that I still have a long way to go on, and one that I feel really passionate about. There are so many small things we can do to make a difference, with regards to the food that we eat. Even incorporating a serving of veggies and fruits into our diet everyday contributes to earth-friendly activities. I’m looking forward to learning new plant-based recipes at Fit and Fabulous next month so that I can eat to stay active and improve the earth. Check out the class here if you’re interested in joining the class (I’ll be there!)

Earth Day and Earth Month are a great time to implement small changes in your life that can make a significant impact. Start composting, eat more plant based meals, recycle everything. I’d love to hear about things you have done to make your lifestyle for sustainable and eco-friendly.

Resources:

Plant-Based Cooking Classes – http://www.marniwasserman.com

Reduce Restaurant Waste – http://www.takeoutwithout.org/

Learn why it’s green to go veggie  -  http://www.downtoearth.org/environment/top-10-reasons