Element Tree

Lovin' the life: Food Cancer Warning?!

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Yet another reason to stop eating, and feeding your children McDonalds!

Lovin' the life: Food Cancer Warning?!: If you been in McDonalds lately and looked around patiently waiting to place your order, you may see a warning about food being served a...

Immunity Building Apple Cider- How I Keep My Family Healthy During the Cold/Flu Season

2012-01-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

Use any pure apple cider you like and add to it:

2 parts dried elderberries (great for coughs)
1/2 part dried orange (for taste)
1 part echinacea or astragalus root (for immunity)
a couple of cloves (for taste)
1 cinnamon stick (for taste)

I used parts because sometimes I make the whole gallon of apple cider, and sometimes I do small batches. The easiest and best way to prepare this is in a crock pot. You can let it simmer all day, allowing all the goodness to be released from the plants. If you can't do this, bring the mixture to a boil then simmer for as long as you like.Serve warm and enjoy!

*You can find any of these herbs at your local health food store. If you are in Oakland try The Food Mill, they have a great selection of bulk herbs. You can also order your herbs online. www.mountainroseherbs.com is my favorite supplier.

There's A 25% Chance Your Ground Meat Has A Potentially Fatal Bacteria

2011-12-31T16:53:00.000-08:00

This is scary.

There's A 25% Chance Your Ground Meat Has A Potentially Fatal Bacteria:

'via Blog this'

Long road from farm to fork worsens food outbreaks - Yahoo! News

2011-10-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings! I know it has been awhile. I have been on an unofficial hiatus since the school year started (I am an elementary school teacher). I came across this article and had to share it. It is important that we understand the truth behind our food industry, and begin to dismantle the myths that we have been long programmed to believe. Happy reading and safe eating!

Long road from farm to fork worsens food outbreaks - Yahoo! News:

'via Blog this'

The Story of Cosmetics

2011-08-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

I came across this wonderful (although a little long; about 8 mins) video that gives a great overview of the cosmetics industry in America. This includes all body care products, not just make-up, so fellas it would be good for you to also take a look.

Happy watching,

Riss

The Story of Cosmetics

Cleansing: All About My Fast!

2011-08-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

I decided to just give you all a summary of my fast instead of a daily rundown, since most days were the same.

I fasted for 5 days; drinking only green smoothies (smoothies with green leafy veggies) and/or fresh fruit and vegetable juice, then I ate raw food for another 5 days.

Green smoothies are delicious, I understand they my not look that appetizing, but they can be seriously delicious. Additionally adding nutrient dense foods like kale or spinach to your fruit smoothie greatly increases the nutrition of it, and honestly you can't taste the difference.

Here are some great recipes for green smoothies I tried:

"Red"iculious
4 carrots, 1/2 beet, 1 apple, 1 pear, and a piece of ginger juiced
Then I blended it with 1 mango, 1 kiwi, and a little pineapple.
Add a the juice from half a lime and ENJOY!

Yum Berry

Blend 1 banana, a handful of strawberries, and a handful of kale with juice from one orange (about a cup).
Yum!!

I utilized Jamba Juices smoothies for some of my meals and my favorites from there were: Apples and Greens and Berry upBeet. Those are two of their fruit and veggie blends. So good!

My favorite additions to smoothies and juices were ginger, mint, and lime juice. They added wonderful flavor and kept me from getting bored with my liquid diet.

Raw Food:
I didn't get very creative with the raw food this time around. I just mostly ate salads and smoothies. If you want to read more on my previous experience with a raw food diet, click here.

I thought the toughest part of not eating was going to be just that, not eating. I found it actually easier not to have to plan meals or fret about what I was going to eat. Other insights, were that I was going to the bathroom #1 more frequently and #2 hardly ever. I had a colonic the last day of my fast and learned that I should not have expected much coming out, since there was so little going in. I do know that some people experience great cleansing during their fasts. I guess it varies from person to person.

Overall, the fast accomplished what I wanted. I increased my pH making it much harder for any kind of disease to happen in my body, I lost 10 lbs, I felt great, and I proved to myself that I could do it. I also found a new love for juicing and will be incorporating this healthy practice into my life on a more regular basis.

Surprising Health Benefits of Watermelon - Planet Green

2011-08-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

I am sure you know that watermelon is good, but you might be surprised at how good it is for you. Check out the following article on the health benefits of watermelon.

Surprising Health Benefits of Watermelon - Planet Green

Update on my Fast: Day 1

2011-07-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

So as most of you know, I have been on a juice fast for the past few days. So here is the low-down of how it has been:
Day 1
Breakfast- Smoothie consisting of bananas, strawberries, and kale. Yum!
Lunch - Berry up'Beet smoothie from Jamba Juice. (It was a lifesaver, and served as inspiration.)
Based on my experience at Jamba, I decided to juice and blend. In the beginning I was just planning on blending, so that I would also get the benefits of the fiber, but then thought it would be even better if I did both.
Snack - I juiced (1/2 beet, an apple, a pear, 4 carrots, and handfuls of kale and broccoli). I set some aside even though I know that oxidation starts quickly, and the health benefit reduce tremendously as time passes. I reason that even if the benefits are reduced it is still better than commercial or store-bought juice.
Dinner - I added the juice I had on reserve to a plantain, cantaloupe, and kale smoothie. (Not one of my favorites! The plantain overpowered everything.)

Helpful Hints and other Info

I made sure to drink lots of water, and noticed that it was running through me. I thought that eating all that fruit would have had my colon working overtime, but surprisingly I had no BMs (probably because of those bananas and plantains!).

Energy Level - moderate
BMs - 0
Conviction - 10/10
Pounds lost (I should probably say water weight lost) - 0

Health 101: Naptural85

2011-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to bring you an interview from Naptural85. She is such an inspiration to me, and one of my fav Youtubers! If you haven't already please check out her channels, you'll be so glad you did!

How would you define healthy living?

To me, healthy living is simple: feed your body with real, natural foods, take care to exercise as much as possible, and listen to what your body needs at all times. Quite simply, treating your body right! I'm not the type who will feel guilty if I eat at a restaurant (knowing the food is conventionally grown) or skip out on exercise sometimes (especially when I'm super busy). But the point is making the effort to give your body what it needs and still balancing out a modern-day lifestyle that is always "Go-Go-Go."

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?

Running track in high school was my turning point. I really trained hard and training hard meant having a really close relationship with your body... it was the only instrument being used in the sport; no balls, no nets, no sticks, just your body... so it needed to run at peak performance. From then on, I was a "health-freak" as my family would call me.

I started learning more about organic living when I went natural. That opened up a whole new level of "healthy-lifestyle" for me, and I think it was a natural progression. As I researched more of what was good for my own hair, I began stumbling upon things that were good (and not so good) for my body as well. This led me to investigate the difference between organic and conventional foods more thoroughly.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?

Live a healthy lifestyle, but take it easy on yourself. It's okay if you slip up... there's a lot out there going against you trying to stay healthy. Life moves fast and there's a new temptation around every corner. It's okay to try something new, or to skip the gym sometimes... if you don't go easy on yourself, it will always be an up-hill battle. My motto is moderation is key, enjoy life, and try to make the best decisions possible.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?

Shea Butter. It's so versatile and really if I could only choose one thing, that would be it. It helps to define my hair and locks in the moisture. I can also use it on my body, so no need for lotion! Yup that would be the one product I can't live without!

What piece of advice would you give your 20 year old self?

Well, since I'm still in my 20's, I'd say "Keep Going!" Sometimes it's hard, but follow your heart and keep moving forward. I have no regrets, everything I've done has taught me something, whether the outcome was good or bad, I've received a valuable lesson. So I'd just say, "..keep on keeping on!" Oh! And also "Get back to the gym!" ... I've been lazy lately :)

Anything else?

Check out my healthy tips and DIY projects at http://youtube.com/naptural85 and http://youtube.com/dearnaptural85 ! Thanks so much for the feature!

Inside the Jamba Juice Kitchen: Jamba Juice’s 22 Drinks with 250 Calories or Less! | Jamba Juice Blog | Jamba Juice

2011-07-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

Check out this post with a listing of the 22 drinks you can get for $3. I love the fruit and veggie blends!

Inside the Jamba Juice Kitchen: Jamba Juice’s 22 Drinks with 250 Calories or Less! | Jamba Juice Blog | Jamba Juice

Gearing up for a Juice Fast!!

2011-07-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I watched a documentary called Fat ,Sick, and Nearly Dead (You can rent it on Netflix) about a guy who reversed health problems, greatly improved his health, lost weight and inspired others to do the same just by juicing. It was an interesting film that got me to thinking I should probably give my body a "reboot" as they call the juice fast/cleanse in the film. I have always wanted to do a fast, but hadn't been able to because I have been either pregnant or nursing for the past 4.5 years. Having recently (finally) successfully weaned my son, I can stop saying how much I would like to fast, and finally do it.

My plan:
I eat fairly clean already, so I don't really need the prepare my body to fast. If your diet consists of things like red meat, eggs, dairy, etc, then you may want to do a pre-cleanse eliminating those things for a week before starting your fast.(For more information on this go to http://jointhereboot.com/reboot-program/the-reboot-standard/getting-ready-for-your-reboot-standard/.)

Mental Preparedness is Key!
I am ready mentally for this. I am so excited and look forward to giving my body a much needed break and cleanse. I look at this way, it is only going to be about 10 days, and the benefits will be amazing. I am going into this knowing that in the end I will have lost nothing but unwanted weight and sluggishness, while I stand to gain energy, vitality, clarity (it is easier to think when you don't have food on the brain 24/7), and a sense of accomplishment.

I have been going back and forth trying to decided whether to juice or to blend, and have decided to blend because that way I also get the benefits of the fiber. I am adding a few links to the bottom of this post about juice fasting, and the difference between juicing and blending. I will also post simple recipes and updates as I go.

Happy Blending!
~Riss

Why Blending is Better than Juicing | Green Smoothies
http://jointhereboot.com/reboot-program/

Kraft slips cauliflower into mac & cheese, stirs debate - chicagotribune.com

2011-07-06T13:07:00.000-07:00

Check out this interesting article on how Kraft and other big food manufacturers are trying to get us ( I use that term loosely because there is no way I would eat anything made by them too many genetically modified ingredients for me) to get more servings of veggies in. I guess it is better than nothing..... Kraft slips cauliflower into mac & cheese, stirs debate - chicagotribune.com

What are your thoughts?

Poor Girl Eats Well: The $25 Shopping Cart, Version 4.0

2011-06-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

As I prepare for a summer of unemployment, I am forced to start thinking of a budget. In comes Poor Girl Eats Well's shopping carts. She has mastered the art of getting good food at reasonable prices. This shopping cart is my favorite. Check it out! Poor Girl Eats Well: The $25 Shopping Cart, Version 4.0

wendys-natural-cut-fries-bnet: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

2011-06-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

Do you chemically sprayed fries with that shake? Read about how Wendy's new "natural" fries are anything but natural. wendys-natural-cut-fries-bnet: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

New Symbol For Healthful Eating: Hello Plate, Goodbye Pyramid : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

2011-06-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

The USDA has changed from the old food pyramid guidelines to a plate that shows how much of each food group we should be eating. Take a look at this article and see for yourself. I think it simplifies things for folks, but of course I am skipping the dairy suggestion!

New Symbol For Healthful Eating: Hello Plate, Goodbye Pyramid : Shots - Health Blog : NPR

Hydration Challenge Update and Giveaway Winner!

2011-05-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hydration Day 23

I have totally fallen off the wagon, and am having trouble getting get back on. I still have not drank anything aside from water, juice, and tea, however my consumption has been way down. I talked to my water drinking buddy, and she also had been feeling like a fish and was sick of drinking so much water. I feel bad that I haven't yet made my goal, so I am really going to work hard to finish strong.

As I approach the final week of the challenge. I am going to buckle down, and get in my gallon a day. Wish me luck!! How are you'll doing?

**********************************************************************************

And the giveaway winner is......Keishua!

I am so excited to be able to send you my favorite products, and hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do! Please send me a message at elementtreeblog@gmail.com with your address, and I will mail you your prize. Congrats!!

Hydration Challenge Day 16

2011-05-10T23:13:00.000-07:00

Wow! Last week was an eventful one. Sick kids + finals in school + testing = Stress! Despite it all, I have remained up to the challenge, well sort of. I have stuck to drinking water, juice, and tea only (didn't even pop the bubbly to celebrate finishing grad school); however, I have struggled with drinking a gallon of liquids a day. I usually get in about 96 oz., and am working on getting that last 32 oz in.

Benefits thus far

Less thirsty (Duh!)
Less hungry
Increased cardio (as I sprint to the restroom!)
Increased lubrication of the small and large intestines. (Please put 2 and 2 together for this one. LOL!)

Until next time......................

P.S. The winner for the giveaway will be announced next week.

Hydration Challenge Day 4

2011-04-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

This has been an interesting couple of days. I have learned several things:

I need more discipline. I thought just listening to my body's cues would be enough, however that was not the case. In hindsight, if it was that easy no challenge would be necessary, right? I am now going to make myself a goal of drinking at least 1 gallon of liquids a day (that's 16 cups, or 128 oz, almost two 2 liters.) Wish me luck!
Making the citrus cooler with fresh squeezed juice is a weekend-only venture. LOL! I am going to *cheat* and buy fresh 100% juices and dilute them.
Rooibos tea is the bomb! (Well I already knew this, but just feel so good since we have been reunited.) I love rooibos a.k.a. red bush tea; it is so tasty and good for you. In short, rooibos in whatever from you drink it gives you all the antioxidant benefits of green tea without the caffeine, and its mellow slightly sweet taste makes it a winner! I drank this stuff daily when I lived in Africa, and am so happy to have it back in my life. Lately, I have been drinking Ginger Peach Red Tea by The Republic of Tea - 36 tea bagsdiluted with water about 2:1, and without added sweeteners (to me it's sweet enough on its own, but a little agave or honey would make an awesome sweet tea.)
Loading up on water first thing in the morning really helps, getting a good 32 oz. in first thing in the a.m. is a great way to start the day. Plus, I have noticed that I wake up thirsty, so it's easy to get it in. (On a side not, adding citrus to the water and drinking it warm keeps me from feeling water-logged or nauseous.

In other hydration news, I picked up a watermelon, and am looking for a good recipe for watermelon agua fresca. Once I find one I'll post it. I also picked up some cucumber, which makes a lovely addition to water.Yum!

I gotta run and try to get some more water in today before it gets too late.

~Riss

P.S. If you are up for the challenge comment. The more of us there are to support one another, the more successful we will all be!

Hydration Challenge Kick-off!

2011-04-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

I was watching television and saw an ad for something called MiO liquid water enhancer. That blew my mind, water enhancers. I thought , "who needs water flavor?" Then I realized that, umm, I do. I don't drink enough water. I don't drink enough liquids period, and my body is thirsty! My skin and hair are dry, and I think I am overeating because of the lack of hydration.

Some days I come home from work, and realize that my morning's tea was the only thing I drank that entire day. As an elementary school teacher it is very difficult to use the restroom upon need, so I don't drink so I don't have to use the bathroom..Now, I have noticed that these habits have even carried over to my off days.

Thirst signals can easily get confused for hunger signals. Your body will take food when it needs water because at least you will get some hydration from the food. I know my wires are all crossed, and something has to be done. That something surely is not going to be MiO water enhancer. I am going to enhance my water the natural way!

I am starting a 30 day hydration challenge! I will drink only water, tea, and the occasional fruit juice for the next 30 days. Although I know of all the miraculousness of water, sometimes I just need a little something. The first enhancement recipe is Citrus Cooler. It is awesomely refreshing and good for you!

Citrus Cooler Recipe
What you'll need:
The juice of 3 grapefruits, 2 oranges, and 1 lemon
Water (distilled is the best, but plain old tap water will work)
Agave or other natural sweetener to taste (optional)
a pitcher

What to do:
Just juice the fruit. Once the fruit is juiced then add double the amount of water as you have juice. I juiced about 2 cups from the fruit and added about 4 cups of water. Lastly, if needed add agave to give it a little sweetness.

Drink this throughout the day. It is incredibly thirst quenching and the citrus is cleansing for the body. Enjoy!

Tips:

You can double or triple the recipe, if you like. Just keep the ratios the same (water to juice 2:1)
Adding slices of the fruit adds to the presentation! The better it looks the more appetizing it is!
Using a citrus juicer maximizes the amount of juice yielded and saves time. I bought mine at Walmart for a couple of bucks.

Let's get our drink on! Let me know if you are up for the challenge by commenting below! This is a simple way to start making profound changes in your body and your lifestyle.

Also don't forget the giveaway is still going on! Click here for more details.

~Riss

Announcing our First Giveaway- Smell Great from the Roota to tha Toota!!

2011-04-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to announce our very first giveaway!

I want to share with my wonderful subscribers and new subscribers some of my fav products. I am calling this giveaway
"Smell Great from the Roota to tha Toota" because transitioning to products that do not contain harmful chemicals can sometimes mean sweating more than usual or having breath that is not so minty fresh, but don't fear I have done all the research for you and found effective gentle products that WORK!

What I'm Gonna Do:

I will present the winner with a gift of:

Seed Power Citrus Thyme Soap
The Natural Dentist Peppermint Twist Natural Toothpaste
Tom's of Maine Fresh Apricot Aluminum-Free Deodorant

What I Need You to Do:

Subscribe to this blog by either clicking on the subscribe button on the top left, adding your email to the left (then confirming), or by following this link. Then just say hello in a comment below! It's that simple. If you are already a subscriber you can also enter by saying a quick hello!

You can increase your chances of winning by:

1. Putting in your two cents! Add a new comment to any post, and receive another entry. Just be sure to leave your name and email so I know how to find you!

2. Blog about my giveaway on your blog and link back to this page! I will also add your blog to my Link Love section!

GOOD LUCK!!

Introducing the Element Tree Marketplace!!

2011-04-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

I am so excited!!
People are always asking me about the products I use, so I decided to make it easy and put all of my favorites in one place. The Element Tree Marketplace is where you can find the products my family and I use, and my reading recommendations.

I just started this, so not all the products I use are there yet, but know that I will continue to add products.

If you choose to buy anything, please know that Amazon offers two free prime accounts. Prime means you can get free two-day shipping on all orders, and other benefits. I used to pay for this service, but found that they now offer Amazon Student and Amazon Mom.

Here's the info on Amazon Mom:

Who is this program for, and do I qualify?

• Amazon Mom is a free membership program aimed at helping parents and caregivers, from the prenatal days through the toddler years, use Amazon to find all the products their family needs. To join, simply sign into your Amazon account and tell us whether you are a Mom, Dad, or other caregiver of a child. By providing information about your family, you can help us personalize offers, e-mails, and product recommendations to help you find exactly what you need at just the right time. Read the full FAQ.

I am a Dad (or Grandma, or Aunt) - am I eligible?

• Yes. Despite the name, Amazon Mom is open to anyone who is responsible for caring for a baby or young child--“Amazon Primary Caregiver” just didn’t have the same ring to it. Kidding aside, we chose this name because we noticed moms in social communities (like our Amazon discussion boards) looking to connect and share information about products and problems with other moms. We wanted a name that would let these groups know that this program was created with their unique needs in mind. Read the full FAQ.

Here's the info on Amazon Student:

Only students currently enrolled in a college or university who have a valid .edu e-mail address to confirm their status are eligible to participate in Amazon Student. See additional conditions at Amazon Student Terms & Conditions for more details.

To sign up, visit the Amazon Student sign-up page. Once you submit the sign-up form, you'll receive an e-mail at your .edu e-mail address to confirm the address is valid; click the verification link in that e-mail to complete the sign-up process.
If your .edu e-mail address isn't listed on your Amazon.com account, that's OK. The only e-mail we'll send to your .edu e-mail address is the verification e-mail. After that, other Amazon Student e-mails will be sent to the e-mail address listed on your Amazon.com account.

Our Children's Food: A Complex Truth | AllergyKids

2011-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Eye-opening article about the effect our food is having on our children. Read it, and empower yourself.

Our Children's Food: A Complex Truth | AllergyKids

Product Recall Information

2011-04-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

Jennie-O is recalling turkey burgers that may contain be contaminated with Salmonella. Check out the details below.

Product Recall Information

Health 101: Grace

2011-03-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Grace provides me with inspiration every time I have the pleasure of speaking with her. She is an amazing wife, mother, artist, sister, and friend! Since meeting her, she has played a pivotal role in shaping my thoughts on health, and has provided me with much motivation (and information!). I am so pleased to be able to share her with you all. Enjoy!

How would you define healthy living?

I believe that the key to living healthy is understanding that our physical and mental health is directly affected by the foods we eat, and the chemicals we are exposed to. Eating more organic, non-processed whole fruits and vegetables, will provide us with the necessary nutrients to keep our bodies working to their fullest potential. I also think that keeping an optimistic, positive, and thankful attitude in dealing with any situation results in a less stressful lifestyle, which is essential for the health of our mind, body & soul.

Was there a turning point in your life that made you decide to become healthier?

When I was in high school, I broke out with a bad case of acne. I tried to cover it up with makeup, which only made it worse. At the time, I was eating everything trying to "gain weight". So I decided that I would start cutting out certain things out of my diet one at a time. First, I stopped eating pork and beef. By the time I graduated from high school, I had stopped eating poultry, fish, and drinking soda. And yes, I had stopped wearing that makeup, which I realize now was the root cause of my acne. Also, I remembered watching my father suffer from heart disease- through several strokes, heart attacks, and high blood pressure. He passed away when I was 11. So I decided that it would be best for me to stop eating meat altogether.

What piece of knowledge would you like to share with others?

I believe in preventive healthcare. I don't want to wait until I get sick to do something about it. I'd rather spend the extra $ buying organic, with the least amount of toxic chemicals right now, in attempt to prevent spending $ later on hospital bills and harmful prescription drugs. I have learned that an overdose of toxins combined with a lack of nutrients may result to certain parts of our bodies not working to their fullest potential, and can eventually lead to organ failure or disease. So I try to keep my palate open to a wide variety of nutritious foods, and eating often and well balanced throughout the day.

What is the one natural product you can’t live without?

I would have to agree with you on the coconut oil. I can't live without my Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil ! I use it instead of butter or oil for cooking or baking pancakes, brownies, bread, or frying rice. I also use it as a moisturizer for mine and my babies' hair, face, and body. I know for a fact that it cures/prevents diaper rash pretty much overnight, and I've read that it is also antibacterial, antifungal. Sometimes I mix it with equal parts of olive

oil and grapeseed oil and use it all over after showering at night. I love it!

What piece of advice would you give your 20 year old self?

I would tell my 20 year old self to stop stressing so much, and take it easy. I would not work myself as hard. Sometimes school, work, and life in general put such a strain on my immune system that it literally made me sick. Now, I've learned that even when you are eating the right things, stress can still affect our health. Stress actually causes our body to be more acidic, making it more susceptible to sickness and disease. So now I try to laugh whenever I can, because, of course, laughter is healing! Laughter is the best medicine!

Anything else?

Everyday is an opportunity to learn something new. Life is all about transformation. I am blessed to have the opportunity to use what I learn, to give this world the best ME I have to offer. More importantly, live to love. Love passionately and sincerely. Live everyday thankfully and gratefully.

Know The Ingredients in your Personal Care Products - Health Tips from EWG | Environmental Working Group

2011-03-29T13:06:00.000-07:00

Here is a great article from our friends over at the Environmental Working Group. It helps you identify the most harmful ingredients in your personal care products. It is a must read!! Know The Ingredients in your Personal Care Products - Health Tips from EWG | Environmental Working Group