For this Get Inspired Wednesday! we’ll be doing things a little differently. Today we are catching up and checking in!

How has your newly adapted organic lifestyle been treating you?

Do you feel different?

Do you look different?

Has your outlook on food changed?

These are all good questions to ask yourself for any new dietary adoption, but are especially applicable to living organic! While not everyone will experience the same changes or responses, it is my hope that you are all much happier overall from your major or minor changes in your life.

Now, with any change no matter how big or small, your energy levels may be a little out of whack from time to time. As we change lifestyle habits our bodies must adapt to these changes – this includes our energy levels. Today, take a moment to think about how you feel from day-to-day. Do you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day? Do you get that “2:30 feeling” every afternoon? What about in the evening – are you excited to make yourself and family a deliciously organic dinner or are you too wiped out to even think about cooking?

While every day may be a different story here are a few basic tips you can implement into your life in order to maintain your energy 24/7!

HYDRATE! Any doctor or health nut will tell you that dehydration is the number one cause of fatigue. The recommendations vary by source but a tip I’ve learned to live by is to drink (about) half of your body weight in ounces of water each day. Yes.. it does seem like a lot, and well, it is – but your body will thank you! If you have a hard time drinking plain old water add a lemon or lime, sugar free flavorings or your favorite tea bag. However you drink it, just remember, water is they key!

SQUEEZE A LITTLE CITRUS INTO YOUR LIFE. Citrus fruits are a natural energy booster from their high levels of antioxidants and Vitamin C. Both of these fight off free radical damage in the body, which can lead to illness or fatigue. Not to mention, the scent of citrus wakes you up leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Pack an orange or grapefruit for your afternoon snack and you’ll surely be ready to power through the last few hours of your workday!

BRING ON THE IRON! Iron is a highly important mineral due to its role in transporting oxygen to where the body  needs it most. Iron can be found in lean meat, nuts, many varieties of dried fruit, dark green and  leafy vegetables and iron-fortified cereals. Eat like a kid and enjoy a big bowl of fortified cereal for breakfast, pack some as a snack later on or enjoy a juicy cheeseburger as both a savory treat and an energy source!

MAKE IT GREEK. Yogurt is not only a great source of calcium but also protein. Switch over to Greek yogurt and you’ll get all of the nine essential amino acids needed for healthy growth and muscle development. Top with berries and a drizzle of honey for breakfast or as a recovery snack after a tough workout. Either way, get your Greek on!

EXERCISE FOR THE SOUL. Last but not least, maintaining a routine exercise regimen will not only keep you healthy but energized as well! Though it may be hard to put on those running shoes after a long day at the office, you’ll reap the benefits immediately feeling rejuvenated and ready to enjoy life each and every day!

Be sure to check in with yourself, add a few (or all!) of these tips to your days and keep living healthy and happy!

~Melaina

I certainly don’t want to walk around with a chemical residue on my clothes or sleep in sheets laced with chemicals. Tide sells single-serve laundry detergent pods that work in regular and High Efficiency machines. If you have sensitive skin or are particularly interested in knowing what’s in your detergent make your own! Combine Borax, washing soda, and shredded soap in a food processor to make a powdered detergent. You can even substitute Oxi Clean for washing soda to give it an extra kick. Here is a great guide on Instructables. The cost of this detergent came out to 12 cents a load!

If making your own detergent isn’t your thing, there are other ways to limit the chemicals found in the fabrics that surround you and your family. Eco-friendly laundry detergents are now available at most grocery stores and natural food stores. Look for the Design for the Environment seal – these are products that are certified by the EPA to use the safest chemicals they can. The Design for the Environment certification is optional so not all manufacturers have applied.

Seventh Generation is one of the most popular and respected brands of eco-friendly cleaning supplies. They have two lines of laundry detergent: Natural (scented) and Free & Clear (for sensitive skin). Both come in powder, 2x and 4x concentrated liquids and they are all acceptable for use in High Efficiency machines. The cost of this detergent comes out to about 36 cents a load, but falls to 13 cents if you have an HE washer. In a review on Grist.org, Seventh Generation products were found to be the best at removing most of all stains.

Another popular and respected alternative is Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products. Their laundry detergents contain plant products and essential oils. They only come in liquid, but all are HE friendly. They have great plant-based scents like Lavender, Rosemary, Bluebell, Basil and Geranium. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products are also significantly less expensive than Seventh Generation products, coming out to about 24 cents per load.

If you’re looking to limit your family’s exposure to chemicals, laundry detergent is a great place to start. Many of us err on the side of too much detergent and are unaware that our clothes and sheets have a chemical residue. Eco-friendly laundry detergents may be pricy, but keep in mind that when you buy them you are supporting that company’s efforts to keep the environment clean!

–Nikita

The Ingredients

2-3 cups light coconut milk (about 20 oz)
3-4 tablespoons high quality curry powder (I like the one from Trader Joe’s)
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt (or more to taste)
1 large red onion, chopped
3-5 medium garlic cloves, chopped (adjust the amount of garlic based on how spicy you like it)
8 ounces firm tofu, cut into small cubes
Veggies:  2 heads of broccoli, 1 pound asparagus – chopped, 1 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped cashews, toasted
a handful of cilantro, loosely chopped (optional – I like cilantro but the husband doesn’t, so I omitted this)
1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (if you like things spicy)
Cumin, cardamom and pepper (to taste – I used about 1 tsp cumin, a sprinkling of cardamom, and a pinch of pepper)
Brown rice for serving

The Directions

Step 1: Cut all your veggies. Saute the onion and 2 cloves chopped garlic in 1/2 tsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 Tbsp curry powder and salt and stir until combined.
Step 2: Add the coconut milk to the onion mixture, bring to simmer and work out any clumps. Stir in the tofu and cook for a few minutes until the tofu has absorbed most of the flavors. Simmer the liquid on low heat until it has cooked down slightly.
Step 3: Meanwhile, in a large pan, saute the broccoli, asparagus, and pepper (or whatever veggies you use) with 2 cloves chopped garlic over medium heat. Add salt, cayenne, and remaining curry power/cumin and other spices to taste. Cook until veggies are crisp.
Step 4: Pour tofu/coconut milk mixture over veggies (in the pan) and stir to combine.
Step 5: Add additional spices as needed. Cook through for a few minutes.
Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in cashews. Serve with brown rice.

Now this is one yellow curry you can enjoy guilt free!

Anjali Shah is a food writer and owner of The Picky Eater, a healthy food and lifestyle blog. Her blog chronicles her adventures in making healthy recipes that her “fast food loving husband” will enjoy – so all of her recipes are “husband approved”! You’ll also find healthy lifestyle tips, snippets of Anjali’s everyday life, and other personal anecdotes alongside healthy but flavorful recipes on her blog. More about Anjali: She is a traveler, adventurer, cooking-show addict, lover of veggies, self-taught chef, and a Bay Area native. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest, or Google+.

What is your blog name and URL?
Eco-Crazy Mom http://www.ecocrazymom.com

How long have you been eating organic foods and what’s your favorite?
I started eating organic food when our first child was born 12 years ago. It was a lot harder to find organic options back then. My favorite organic foods are the ones I pick from my own garden, they taste amazing!

Why is it important for you to continue living a healthy lifestyle?
Most importantly, I want to set a good example for my children. I believe your health is your most valuable asset—a healthy life = a happy life!

What’s your favorite way to get out and get active?
I’m an avid walker, it’s good for my body, and it’s good for the environment. I also enjoy a nice bike ride on the boardwalk every now and then.

What’s on your perfect sandwich?
Haha, you’re going to laugh at me; I’m really picky! My favorite sandwich is a grilled cheese. I’m still a kid at heart.

Anything else we should know about you?
Sure, why not! I’m a mom of four living in San Diego, Calif. I started blogging as a way to connect with other moms and share my passion for green living with the world. I’m also a home daycare provider, and have 5-10 kids in my home at any given time, so I believe if I can go green and live healthy, then anyone can!

Living MaxWell has some great ideas for making your travels as easy and stress free as possible.

Do some research! Your trip will go much more smoothly if you know ahead of time what you can expect. Try to find out where the organic restaurants and markets are. Can you find any information regarding the source of food? Look for facts about GMOs, pesticide use and other non-organic traits that might deter you from eating particular foods.

Pack ahead of time! This will vary based on your final destination, but if possible pack portable and lasting foods and snacks into your bag. Often times, it is easy to find whole meals that meet your needs but what about those times between breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner? Pack your favorite snacks such as nuts and seeds, dried fruit, protein bars, even chia seed for quick snacks that you know you can count on being organic. After all, you are the one who brought them!

Be open minded! While it may not be your first choice, understand and be okay with the fact that you may have to settle on non-organic food every once in a while. Take it as a challenge! Assure yourself that since you follow a strict organic diet when at home, when on vacation it is okay to step outside of your box. You just might find some truly amazing foods that you never would have tried otherwise.

What other tips can you think of? We always love hearing from you and welcome any comments! Tell us your organic travel stories and as always, enjoy yourself this summer!

~Melaina

Here at Rudi’s Organic Bakery we look at spring cleaning as less of a burdensome task and more of a fun and exciting way to detox and replenish your body – spring cleaning your diet!

First, I want to clarify one thing – I’m not telling you to go out and buy one of those super expensive and questionable detox plans that only allows you to drink juices and water for three days, who wants to do that?! What I am telling you are simple steps you can take in rebooting your health to achieve your ultimate level of happiness. Here are some tips to get you rolling on this happy train…

Take inventory. Take some time to really stop and notice how your body is feeling. Are you feeling sluggish, lazy, or perfectly content? Decide what you need to focus on and how you’d like to feel – this will help guide you on your spring cleaning diet. Detox your body by consuming fresh fruits and veggies, get creative with new recipes and even eating outside of your home. Farmers markets are great places to find fresh, healthy food; pack a picnic with portable, fun and healthy items and find a park with live music! Changing not only your eating habits but also how you eat will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle these warming days, maximizing those extra minutes of sunshine.

Eliminate foods that weigh you down. Decrease your sugar intake, limit alcohol and avoid refined foods. We all love those hearty chilis and casseroles during the winter months, but now that the weather is heating up and you’re enjoying more outdoor activities focus on foods that leave you feeling light, satisfied and enriched. We all need a treat every now and then (ice cream anyone?), just be sure to enjoy those goodies in moderation to allow you to feel your best all spring and summer long.

To help you along, here is a short list of the produce that is in season now that also packs a nutritional punch to really kick your cleaning into overdrive.

Strawberries – 1 cup provides you with 3.5 grams of fiber and meets 100% of your daily need of Vitamin C!

Asparagus – A great source of B vitamins, Vitamin C and iron – asparagus is low in fat and high in fiber, eat up!

Sweet Cherries – High in antioxidants and potassium, enjoy these cherries with dessert or snack on them throughout these spring days to keep you feeling at your peak!

Artichokes – Loaded with nutrients including iron, potassium, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C – these gems are very low in calories leaving you enriched without feeling weighed down!

*Visit Cooking Light for the complete list of in-season produce, complete with a recipe for each yummy item.*

I know I’ve shared a lot of information so to wrap it all up, here are the three top things to keep in mind when beginning your spring cleaning:

Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables

Homemade meals and snacks

Be sure to drink plenty of H20!

Now get out there, put your diet in your top priorities, and have fun this summer while feeling your best.

~Melaina

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for the organic industry in North America. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the environment.

OTA represents businesses across the organic supply chain and addresses all things organic, including food, fiber/textiles, personal care products, and new sectors as they develop. Over sixty percent of OTA trade members are small businesses.

We encourage all of Rudi’s readers and fans to participate!!!

It’s now the time to share with you… (drum roll please)… Taking the Green Scene to Work!

Whether or not your company practices sustainability and enacts earth friendly behaviors, anyone can make these small changes to plant the green seed in your workplace. This idea aligns with the saying “small changes make a big impact”. At first, you may be the only one practicing these green-work tips, but sooner or later your co-workers are bound to ask you what you’re doing and join in on the fun!

The TreeHugger has put together a great article on ways to go green at work and also provides a little incentive to get your green work habits into motion. Did you know that…

• 8 billion gallons of gas could be saved if every commuter car in the United States carried one more person
• 55% of water could be saved if we produced recycled paper rather than fresh “virgin” paper
• most of the 25 billion cartons manufactured in the U.S are used only once

So, now that we’ve shared these hard facts, how about some tips to start your “greening” action?!

* Be An Energy Saver – Set all of your electronics on the most efficient setting to optimize energy use. Also, be sure to unplug those big power-users such as copiers and printers when they are not in use.

* Green Your Commute – 23 billion gallons of gas are used each year in the U.S. by commuters. Try organizing a work carpool or take the bus a few days each week. And if you’re close enough, ride your bike! Why not get your daily exercise during your commute?!

*Brown Bag It – You can save a lot of wasteful material by packing a lunch at home and bringing it with you in reusable containers. Not only will you help the environment but you’ll also help your body by eating fresh, unprocessed foods.

There are plenty more tips on how to green your workspace, be sure to read the complete list here and start the green movement at your work today!

‘One of the most personal and direct things we can each do to preserve a healthy Earth for future generations is to choose an organic, non-GMO diet.’ – Megan Westgate, Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project

For inspiration on living a non-GMO life, check out  Megan’s Earth Day video blog.

When reflecting upon the tradition of family meals in your life, it’s easy to make connections with the person you are today. Although it probably isn’t something we think about on a regular basis, the importance of a family meal is crucial to how your child thinks and behaves and how you as a parent feel. The benefits of having these nightly get-togethers carry well into the future and have the power to create a happier and healthier life overall for the entire family.

There are countless positives that emerge from a tradition of family meals, here, we share just a few.

When families eat together they eat healthier. Fruits and veggies are enjoyed in fun and creative ways, fresh and homemade meals are prepared and most importantly – fried foods and foods with trans fats are primarily avoided.

In addition to a healthier diet, when family meals are enjoyed kids’ grades are higher, better parent-child relationships occur and there is less tension and stress in the home. Research has actually shown that one of the best ways for parents to stay involved in their children’s lives is through these nightly dinners. Not to mention, adults report higher overall life satisfaction.

So, now that we’ve convinced you to make family meals a priority, it would only be fair to provide you with a few tips on how to turn this great idea into a reality.

Keep it simple! - Just because you may be cooking for more than you and your spouse doesn’t mean you have to create an elaborate 5-course meal. Make a list of family favorites and use them in rotation. Hey, grilled cheese and tomato soup might just be the key to happy dinner table conversations!

Make it enjoyable! – Get your kids involved. One of the best ways for kids to enjoy dinner is if they can help plan out the meals or if they can anticipate a certain meal one night a week. Try Friday Pizza Night or Pancake Dinner Wednesdays. Your kids wont be the only ones looking forward to family dinners!

Play a game! – A game?! At the dinner table?! Yes! Go around the table with each person telling the best or most exciting thing about their day. Whoever has the best news gets out of doing the dishes!

For a more complete list of benefits and how-to planning tips, check out 10 reasons why, and 10 shortcuts to help get the family to the table from WebMD.

Happy eating!

~Melaina