Everblossom | Natural Living Blog

How to Make Your Own Dried Fruit

2013-05-16T01:58:00.000-05:00

Fresh fruits and berries galore are up for grabs when the weather warms up, making healthy snacking a little bit easier and more delicious! In-season fruit is healthier, cheaper, and yummier so get it while the gettin's good!

You can even plan ahead and buy berries and fruit in bulk while they're in season and preserve them to eat healthy all year round. Drying is one way to do so - it's simple, economical, and requires little in the way of special equipment. Because there is no long cooking involved, drying fruits preserves more nutrients than canning.

And kids looooove it. In fact, I don't think my 3 year old really knows the difference between dried berries and candy. You can dry fruit whole, sliced, chopped, or as fruit "leather." Here are some of the basics of dried fruit.

Equipment

You can dry fruit using very simple implements you probably have on hand, or you can use more specialized equipment. If you live in a hot, dry climate, all you need is a screen, a cloth, and the sun. More humid climates require an oven or a home dehydrator. Even in a humid climate a sunny day may do the trick - you can even dry fruit in your parked car with the windows cracked.

Kinds of fruit

Nearly all fruit can be dried by one method or another, as long as it is just ripe, not overripe. If your fruit is already overripe, you can use it to make fruit leather.

Preparing the fruit

Technically, you don't need to do anything to the fruit besides dry it; but steam blanching for 2-5 minutes can increase the shelf life of the fruit by destroying decay-producing enzymes. And dipping the fruit in various types of solutions can enhance color retention. A universal dip that works for all fruits is made by mixing 2 tablespoons of powdered ascorbic or citric acid (or five 1-gram vitamin C tablets, crushed) with 1 quart of water. Dip fruit for 5 minutes.

Methods of Drying Fruit

Fruit leather
Berries, apples, peaches, and bananas are good choices for fruit leathers. Puree seeded, pitted, peeled raw fruit in a food mill or blender and pour it no more than 1/4" deep onto a parchment-paper lined cookie sheet with sides. Dry the puree in a 135 degree oven for 8-10 hours. Then, turn the leather out onto another lined cookie sheet, peel off the original parchment paper, and continue the process for another 8-10 hours. You can use a spoon handle to keep the oven door cracked so it will not get too hot.

Sun drying
Nearly all fruits lend themselves to this method. You will need some sort of screened frame, which you can make yourself by stretching screen or cheesecloth over old picture frames. If you use window screens or other metal screening, lay a cloth over the screen before placing the fruit on it. Cover the fruit-covered screen with cheesecloth or another screen to keep away insects and birds. Bring the screens in at night. After about two days, turn the fruit and continue leaving it in the sun for another two days.

Commercial dehydrator
Expect to pay anywhere from $35-$250 for a dehydrator, depending on the size and brand. With that variable a price range, you can probably find one that fits your needs. They do, of course, use electricity.

Oven drying
You may want to use an oven thermometer in order to get the right oven temperature, 145 degrees, which will need to be maintained with the oven door ajar (for circulation and temperature regulation). It will take 4-12 hours for the fruit to dry completely - dry small batches at a time or it will take a long time.

Preservation/packaging

Once your fruit is dry, place it in airtight containers such as glass jars or zip-top plastic bags. Light and moisture destroy dried fruit quickly, so put such containers into a paper bag in a cool, dry place.

That's all there is to it! Will you be drying any fruit this year?

Eat, Play, Love: A giveaway from ibody science!

2013-05-15T23:46:00.002-05:00

One of my favorite natural first aid and skin care companies, ibody science, is offering a really awesome giveaway right now that I wanted to share with you all!

3 winners will be selected on Memorial Day!

The grand prize is a bundle of natural goodies to celebrate Spring!

box of skin solution towelettes
1 oz. skin solution
1 month supply foot solution
beach towel
large organic dark chocolate bar

2 runners up will receive a fabulous prize package too!

.5 oz skin solution
1 month supply foot solution
tiddly winks game
small organic dark chocolate bar

Entering is easy-peasy: like, share and enter your email address for a chance to win one of these three prize bundles - click here to enter the giveaway on Facebook.

Eco-Friendly Photo Prints from Static Pixels!

2013-05-09T14:45:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite ways to decorate my home is by hanging up photos. It's a no brainer - easy, inexpensive, and seeing my loved ones' faces and smiles brings me joy! So as you can imagine, I was pretty pumped to order some prints from Static Pixels, a printing company that specializes in gorgeous prints that both environmentally friendly and economical!

Static Pixels uses incredibly sustainable practices - not an easy feat for a printing company! A few things in particular I love about what they do are:

Printing on post-consumer recycled cardboard.
Absolutely no toxic glue or ink used
Fade resistant UV ink
5"x5" or 10"x10" square prints
Free shipping on orders over $100
Incredibly easy installation - use the sticker kickstand to place your photo on a shelf or sticker mounts to hang on the wall. I had mine out of the package and up on the wall in about two minutes flat - no joke.
Very affordable pricing! You can order 1 10" print for $20 or 4 5" prints for $25
You can easily upload your Instagram photos for printing, too!

The best part... Static Pixels does not skimp on quality - the prints I received are gorgeous! The colors are incredibly rich and vibrant and the photos just as crisp and clear as the originals. I have to say they definitely exceeded my expectations.

These prints make awesome green gifts for any occasion - in fact they are all quality inspected before shipping and wrapped beautifully, so if you are ordering them as gifts they will be all set to go right when you receive them. A lovely green gift with a personal touch - can't ask for more than that!

Click here to head to their website and start printing your favorite photos!

You can follow Static Pixels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Vimeo, too!

Please Vote for Everblossom in the Circle of Moms Top 25 Eco Friendly Moms 2013 List!

2013-04-28T18:24:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to share that Everblossom is in the running for the Circle of Moms Top 25 Eco Friendly Moms list this year. Watching my blog grow this year has been amazing - as I mentioned on Facebook a few days ago, this month was the first month Everblossom had over 10,000 visitors - WOW! (It looks like we will probably even reach 11,000 by the end of the month... I'm blown away.)

On that note, I just want to thank you all so much for reading and being a part of this community. I truly hope that what I share here is encouraging and helpful to you. I appreciate you so much!

I would be honored if you would consider voting for Everblossom in this event - you can vote daily, even! It's super easy - just one click and you don't have to sign up for anything. I am honored to be among this list of other amazing eco-friendly moms - and I thank you guys for helping me get there.

Click here to vote!

Live well!

Amber Necklace Giveaway + Review - Beautiful Jewelry from Spark of Amber!

2013-04-28T17:12:00.000-05:00

Most crunchy mamas are aware that baltic amber teething necklaces can be great for helping little ones get through the pain and agony of growing new chompers. I can absolutely attest to this fact - I had never heard of them when I had my first baby, and remember the pain he had every time he had a new tooth coming in. My younger son, though, has been wearing an amber necklace since he was about 3 months old. He is now 10 months old and has 8 teeth! He was really only fussy twice from teething - amazing. The amber necklace seems to dull the pain and diminish the fever that often comes with teething. I am so thankful for the healing properties of amber, since I don't really like to give medications to my kids, but I sure don't want to see them in pain! Amber is completely natural, of course, and definitely effective.

Knowing how beneficial amber is for my baby, I was really excited when the opportunity to work with Spark of Amber came up through the Green Moms Network - I wanted to see what kind of benefits amber had to offer adults!

I am beyond thrilled with the Firefly necklace I received. While I haven't had the opportunity to try it out for pain relief yet, I have noticed the definite calming effects of amber. For a number of reasons, the past couple of weeks have been incredibly stressful for me. While stress often makes me physically shaky, overly anxious, and irritable, I feel like I was better handling things than I normally would. It's hard to really pinpoint what's due to the amber necklace or other circumstances, so I will observe the effects more, as well - but from what I've seen over the last couple of weeks, I would totally recommend giving amber a try if you struggle with anxiety!

Not to mention... the necklace (I chose Firefly) is gorgeous!

There are a few other benefits baltic amber has to offer adults as well:

Benefits of Baltic Amber for Adults

pain relief, especially for the head, neck, and throat
anti-inflammatory
anti-toxic and anti-bacterial properties for immune support
relieves skin irritations
calming
aids with congestion

How to Reap the Benefits of Amber

I did a little research on how to best use amber jewelry, and there are a few ways to maximize the benefits. These apply whether you are using amber for yourself or for babies and toddlers.

Wear the amber as often as possible - 24/7 except when bathing is ideal!
Wear the amber as near the point of pain as you can. For example, if you have arthritis in your hands, you would want to wear amber bracelets. For headaches or teething, a necklace is better.
Be sure that the amber you choose is authentic - there are unfortunately some dud companies out there!

So.. how does amber work? Despite it's pretty-stone-like appearance, amber is actually a tree resin that contains a handy little chemical called succinic acid. When you wear amber jewelry, your skin warms up the beads, which in turn release a bit of the succinic acid through your skin and into your bloodstream. The succinic acid is what offers all of the medicinal and calming properties - naturally! So it's not a mystical woo-woo magical fad, it is all very scientific and legitimate. :)

Like I said, I'm really pleased with my experience with Spark of Amber. I encourage you to buy your amber jewelry from the mom-run company! You can feel good about supporting this company for several reasons:

Spark of Amber jewelry is all professionally tested to verify authenticity.
Their jewelry is all very well priced compared to other amber companies, and they even offer free shipping on every order!
Spark of Amber is based in the US - Owner and fellow work at home mama Julie runs the company here while the jewelry is assembled in Lithuania by 3 women supporting their families as opposed to big factories. Love this. <3
Spark of Amber offers many different options for jewelry - teething necklaces, adult necklaces, bracelets, rings, anklets and pendants! There is truly something for everyone.

I am so excited to share that Spark of Amber will be giving away a Firefly Adult Necklace to one Everblossom reader! Enter using the Rafflecopter below, and be sure to leave some love on Spark of Amber's Facebook page to thank Julie for the giveaway.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

10 Tips for Making Your Clothing Last Longer

2013-04-25T23:07:00.000-05:00

One way that you can reduce waste is to reduce what you buy and consume in general. When it comes to clothing, making sure that it lasts a long time will help you avoid the need to buy more. Read on for a few tips on how you can effectively get the most life out of your wardrobe.

1. Choose quality over quantity. Well-made clothing might cost a little more at first, but it lasts a whole lot longer than cheap, poorly made clothing. Look beyond the price tag to properly judge quality; look for reinforced seams, well-sewn hems, and fabric quality.

2. Stick to colors that look great on you. Keeping all of your clothing in the same color family means being able to wash them together without any worries about color crossing. Less separating equals less loads and less water being wasted, as well!

3. Wash your clothes less often. Simply washing your clothes less often can help them last longer. While you definitely want to wash certain items after each wearing, some things just don’t need to be cleaned every time you use them. Jeans, sweaters, and jackets, for example, can usually be worn a few times before needing to be cleaned.

4. Line dry your clothes as often as you can. Laying your clothes out flat to dry or hanging them on a clothes line is less hard on them than tossing them in the dryer. Air dry your clothes whenever you can.

5. Repair rips and holes. Don’t assume a piece is ruined the moment you get a tear or lose a button! Learn some basic clothing repair skills to get the most out of each item.

6. Wash by weight and fabric type. Washing heavy items and lighter clothing pieces together is really hard on the lighter pieces – the heavier clothes literally “beat up” the smaller ones in the wash! Try to wash all of you heavy clothing – jeans, blankets and jackets – together, while keeping lighter items like undergarments and tops separate.

7. Zip up before washing. Keeping the zippers on jackets and jeans up in the wash reduces the frequency of them rubbing against other items and causing damage.

8. Store your clothes properly. Be sure to store each piece in a way that minimizes damage. For example, sweaters can get stretched out as they hang in the closet – fold them neatly and store them in your dresser, instead.

9. Wash in cold water. Cold water doesn’t damage fabric fibers the way hot water does. Plus, using cold water also uses less energy than hot!

10. Wear an apron. Covering your clothing while cooking or doing other messy projects reduces stains.

By using these tips, you'll find that you have to buy clothes much less often, reducing your carbon footprint significantly!!

Original Image by Brendan C. on Flickr

How is Financial Stability Linked to Green Living?

2013-04-10T20:11:00.001-05:00

In another post of mine, 21 Free or Cheap Things You Can Do Today to Live More Sustainably, I listed "Develop an income generating hobby" as one of the ways to live a more sustainable life. As she often does, (which I love!) Melina Bee asked about the link. To tell the truth, I was hoping someone would ask. This is something I've grown really passionate about so I'm happy to expand on the topic.

First, a little background: I grew up with financial difficulty being the norm. It's really all I've ever known. Even in the first few couple of years of marriage, my husband and I struggled quite a bit due to dumb decisions and underemployment. It took (takes!) a lot of commitment and discipline (and we've never gotten it completely right..) to get ourselves on more sure footing. Dave Ramsey's plan and radio show are an enormous help and encouragement to us. While it's most definitely never easy, I'm excited to be building a better future for our family.

The truth is, developing an income-generating hobby isn't necessarily a "sustainable step" in and of itself. But it's a step toward financial stability if you play your cards right, which is absolutely conducive to greener living. "Time is money" after all, and if you can find a hobby that you enjoy that also doubles as an income generator, you can get ahead pretty quickly!

I never saw it coming, but getting past the point of paycheck-to-paycheck (or worse.. ugh!) has helped me make greener choices overall. I never would have believed this before I saw it in my own life, because so many of the "green" things I do are also quite frugal. But, it is what it is.

Here are a few ways getting ahead with money can help you live a healthier and more eco-friendly life:

While you definitely can't buy happiness, having your financial life in order does make life a lot less stressful. Less stress = more sustainable. Less stress means better health, better decisions, greater time management abilities.
You'll eat and shop more sustainably when there's room in the budget to choose organic and otherwise eco-friendly products and foods - even when they cost a bit more.
You'll be prepared for emergencies - no more relying on credit card or payday loan companies and other traps when things break down or someone gets sick.
You'll be more able to invest in quality items that last longer rather than the chieaper items that get you by for now.
You'll be able to build ethical businesses that contribute to your livelihood, and maybe someday the livelihood of others!
You'll be able to vote with your dollars more effectively when the dollars aren't spread quite as thin as in "survival mode."

I usually think about sustainability in a broad sense - fuels, natural resources, that sort of thing. But it can totally be applied on a very personal level: finances, health, and time management. Stress, high interest debt, and an unproductive lifestyle are not sustainable. Pursuing wealth, health, and happiness - in an ethical way - is ultimately better for you and the rest of the world.

I know how stressful and overwhelming it is to get started when it feels like you're trapped, though - I've been there, done that. A few resources that have been helpful for me (and a post I wrote) are:

The Hardest Eco-Friendly Choice I've Made

2013-04-10T19:11:00.000-05:00

So many of the "green" changes I've made in my life have been easy. Some things are a no-brainer. Non-toxic skincare? Bring it on. Clean with vinegar instead of nasty chemicals? Duh!

Other things have not been so easy, though. For me, there isn't one "big" choice that was difficuly.. but there are constant choices to be made, and convenience is often tempting - let's face it: there are several aspects of green living that are more cumbersome. It's those frequent choices of the greater good over convenience that are hard to make.

(And I do fail. Often!)

Dish soap. There are a lot of eco-friendly options and recipes, but I have yet to find anything that works as well as good ol' Dawn. Dawn dish soap does have some yucky stuff in it, though. It is really hard for me to choose anything that has me at the sink scrubbing any longer than I have to.

Cloth diapers. Goodness, they are cute. And I love that they are so, so much less wasteful and that there aren't any toxic substances against my baby's skin. Because we share a washer and dryer with our building, though, the convenience of disposable diapers wins me over sometimes.

Recycling. It's a pain in the butt to recycle where we live. The closest recycling bin is about 20 miles away and do you think I remember to haul it in every time we go into town? No way.

As always, I try to have a lot of forgiveness with myself and make the best choices I can without letting guilt get the best of me. If I try to be perfect, I'll always fail. My hope is that I can at least be a good example for my little guys and support sustainable businesses so that in the future, the green way is the only way.

Burrito Dumpling Recipe from Scratch - Crazy Dumplings Recipes by Amanda Roberts

2013-04-04T10:27:00.000-05:00

Today I'm pleased to share some info about a kickstarter project by Amanda Roberts for her cookbook, Crazy Dumplings, as well as a couple of her original recipes! Enjoy!

Crazy Dumplings will contain 30 of my original dumpling recipes plus 5 dumpling recipes submitted by backers, the dumpling wrapper recipe, and several original sauce and dip recipes such as buffalo sauce, guacamole, and salsa. There are dumpling recipes for appetizers, main courses, and desserts. You could even prepare a whole Thanksgiving dinner totally out of dumplings with this book.

I am self-publishing this book, but cookbooks (largely due to the cost of a photographer and testing recipes) are far more expensive to produce than regular books. This is why I am turning to Kickstarter for help. There are some great reward levels including a digital copy of the book at only the $10 level, a physical copy of the book at only the $15 level, and the awesome dumpling dumplinger at only the $20 level (the most popular level for this campaign). But at the $50 level, backers can even submit their own awesome dumpling ideas to be included in the book.

In Amanda Roberts’ new cookbook, Crazy Dumplings, you can learn all kinds of fun and new ways
to fuse foods for different cultures. The burrito dumpling is one easy example that can be done fast
(with canned refried beans) or organically by starting with dry beans.

Dumpling Wrappers

3/4 cups flour
1/3 cup boiling water
Dash of salt
Flour for dusting

1. Mix flour and salt together in a mixing bowl.
2. Drizzle in water, mixing with a chopstick or fork.
3. Leave in bowl, covered with plastic wrap for 15 minutes.
4. Gather dough up into a ball and kneed on counter for a minute or two (until the dough is smooth)
5. Pinch off small portion of dough and roll into a ball (about 1 inch in diameter).

6. Roll out into a
flat circle on the counter, dusting with flour to keep dough from sticking.
7. Put small amount of preferred dumpling stuffing mixture into the middle of the flat
dumpling wrapper. Pinch the dumpling closed.
8. Cook dumplings.
a.To fry dumpling, preheat oil for 30 second then lower heat. Cook dumpling on each
side for only about one minute or until golden brown.
b. To steam dumplings, place in a steamer or on an elevated plate in a wok over water
for about 10 minutes.
c. To boil dumplings, place in boiling water for about 5 minutes.

Always cut a dumpling open to make sure it cooked through.

Serve!

Burrito Dumplings

You'll need:

12 ounces of refried beans (canned or homemade)
½ cup shredded cheese
2 tablespoons chili seasoning
2 tablespoons ground cumin
½ tablespoon garlic seasoning
Salsa, cheese sauce, guacamole, sour cream (all possible optional dips)
12 dumpling wrappers

Steps:

Mix beans, cheese, and seasonings together in a bowl.
Spoon mixture into dumpling wrapper.
Fry dumplings in oil for about 1 minute on each side or until golden brown.
Serve with favorite dip.

Refried Beans from Scratch

You'll need:

1 cup dried pinto beans
lots of water

Steps:

Soak beans overnight (about 8 hours; one cup of dry beans will yield about 3 cups of soaked
beans)
Boil beans for about 4 hours on medium heat
The water will boil away, so be sure to add more water to the beans about every hour.
Add 3 cups of beans and ½ cup of water to a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour beans into a pan and fry for about 5 minutes on low heat.

You can find all these recipes and many, many more in Amanda Roberts’ new cookbook Crazy
Dumplings, now funding on Kickstarter.

Author Bio

Amanda Roberts moved to China in 2010 to live out her dream of becoming an English teacher. Little did she know that the hardest adjustment to life in a new country would be the food! After three years, Amanda is ready to release her first cookbook, Crazy Dumplings!

You can visit Amanda on Facebook and at Two Americans in China!

My hopes for my children...

2013-04-03T03:20:00.001-05:00

Oh, I have so many, many hopes for these boys:

That they would grow up curious, with a LOVE of learning!
That they'd be kind and reach out when they see a need.
That they would live in a society less greedy and corrupt than the one we have today.
That they, their children and grandchildren would all be able to enjoy the beauty of nature and live in a more sustainable culture.
That they'd be a light, the salt of the earth.
That they'd be loving husbands!
That they'd never, ever question how much we love and care for them.
That they'd see the good before the bad.
That they'd be an encouragement to others.
That they'd laugh much more than they cry, all their lives.
That they'd be generous with everything they have.
That they'd know their worth.
That they'd value people and experiences over things.
That they'd be courageous and quick to protect those more vulnerable than themselves.
That they'd love and serve the lord faithfully.
That they'd be humble and quick to admit their mistakes, and use every opportunity to grow.
That they'd be honest and fair.
That they'd remember these years with joy!
That they'd use their gifts for good.
That Kent and I would be able to give them a good start in life, so that they may do the same for our grandbabies and generations to come.

My life before I met my spouse...

2013-04-03T02:56:00.004-05:00

I used to always say that I would never get married. I thought it was completely unrealistic to expect two people to stay together for their whole lives - that's a long time!

Despite this belief I had, I was a serial monogamist! As a teenager, even. Every boyfriend that I had, I was with for at least a year (a long time when you're in high school!) and one that I was with for several years.

Even when things were rough with the guys that I dated, I always wanted to "make it work." A couple of my relationships were very "on again off again" for that reason.

So it's pretty funny that I thought I would never get married - it is completely my personality to stick with ONE person.

Yet another instance of me finding out that God's way really is the best way.

I have definitely changed a lot since meeting Kent...

Before we met:

I wasn't nearly as patriotic! Haha...
I wasn't a Christian..
Logic was never part of the equation when it came to decision making.....!
I think I was probably more extroverted.
I was really insecure...

I can honestly say that he's my best friend. We have so much fun together and similar dreams and goals that we get really excited about and work toward. Considering that we didn't know each other very well when we started our crazy little family, it's pretty amazing how compatible we turned out to be. I'm incredibly lucky!

My life before kids...

2013-04-01T18:03:00.000-05:00

This month I'm joining some other members in the Green Moms Network in a daily writing prompt challenge. I'm excited about the prompts! You'll learn a lot about who I am. I hope that appeals to you. :)

If you're a blogger too, consider taking part! You don't have to be a GMN member, though members do get a chance to win some prizes for participating, not to mention the oodles of other benefits of joining. I love this group - I have made friends with some seriously amazing women and my blog has grown exponentially since becoming an active member.

Otherwise... Just kick back and enjoy the posts. :)

My life before kids... It's pretty crazy to think about...

I was headed in a completely different direction, that's for sure.

My dream was to join the Peace Corps and teach overseas.. I was getting college out of the way so I could take off and... I was floundering.

In fact, I completely bombed my first two semesters of college - my life basically consisted of working at a thrift store and hanging out with my goofy friends at my favorite coffee shop and drinking.. a lot.

I had a very sweet dream, and a noble one - but I wasn't really pursuing it or being productive at all. I know now that it's because it wasn't the right dream (for me.)

I met my husband at the thrift store where we both worked. Annnnnd about 3 months later, found out that I was pregnant.

Does this shock you???

It shocks me!

Needless to say, this was NOT a part of my plan at all.

But God's hand in my life is so clear to me now as I look back on that time when I felt so far away from Him...

Now don't get me wrong... I'm not saying what I did was right or that girls should sleep with guys they just met and God will just come in and fix it all so do whatever! I do have scars from other relationships that I still have to deal with to this day.. (more on that later, though...) I am not at all trying to glorify my poor choices.

What I am saying is that my heavenly papa redeemed it all and gave be these beautiful babies:

What a gift it is to be their mama. To hear Mercury sing the alphabet 400x a day and converse with us more intelligently than some of the 30 year olds I know. (not kidding... kid is out of this world..) To see Timothy Noah's growly smile and sweet chick-fluff-hair. Oh, how I love raising these boys.

And... I love the way becoming a mom changed everything about the way my life is unfolding.. but that's a story for another day!

What Does Your Sleep Position Say About You?

2013-03-27T13:57:00.000-05:00

Hi, friends! While I'm getting prepared for the freelance course I'm teaching in April, please enjoy this guest post - What Does Your Sleep Position Say About You? Some interesting ideas - I'd love to hear if the description of your sleep style seems accurate!

When we’re asleep it is the only time when we are fully relaxed and when our bodies are at their most honest and vulnerable. Body language experts believe our sleeping position can symbolise characteristics in our personality and communicate things we wouldn’t say in the day.

According to body language expert Robert Phipps, there are 4 main types of sleep positions.

The foetal position is the most common sleeping position. This is when you have your knees curled up to your chest, your arms tucked in together and the head lowered. People who sleep in this position are returning to a safe comfort zone to de-stress themselves. Foetal sleepers are conscientious, ordered but tend to overthink things and worry without reason. Foetal sleepers often deal with the previous day’s issues whilst asleep.

The log is a position where the sleeper is fully stretched and extends their head, neck, arms and body into a straight line. This is said to symbolise a rigid and inflexible thinker who makes things hard for themselves. Loggers are said to be stubborn and like things done their own way which can make them come across as bossy. Loggers need to try to relax more and let their muscles unwind.

The yearner is a sleep position where people sleep with their arms outstretched as though they're chasing their dreams. People who sleep in this way want more from life and are willing to embrace change and grab opportunities. Yearners criticise themselves and expect amazing results from everything they do. Yearners however should make sure they spend time chasing things which are worthwhile.

The freefaller is a position where the individual is outstretched flat onto their stomach with their hands gripping the pillow. Freefallers may feel as though they’re out of control, that life is going on around them and they’re just holding on for the ride. Freefallers can wake up feeling anxious that they haven’t completed something from the previous day. Freefallers need to take control of each new day and take minor steps to deal with something.

These single positions tell us about our personality but what about when we sleep with a partner? Here are some findings:

Couples' Sleep Styles

When couples sleep side by side and are curled up with one another in the foetal position, it symbolises a loving relationship and is often done in the honeymoon period. This position is also known as “spooning” and is a sign of affection. If the male is behind, it traditionally symbolises a protective partner. The woman behind a male indicates that the relationship is a nurturing one.

If you sleep facing each other it symbolises a relationship where each person craves the other. This is a position that people normally resort to early on in a relationship. If you sleep back to back this can symbolise a lack of closeness or that individuals are more independent in their relationship. This is also known as the aftermath of an argument position. It’s a signal to your partner that you don’t want affection and want to go to sleep.

Looking at our sleep styles is a fun way to get an insight into our personalities and relationships.

What kind of sleeper are you? Turns out, I'm a Foetal sleeper - and the description here is definitely accurate!

Author Bio: This article was brought to you by Mattress.co.uk - the Silentnight clearance mattress company, who provide fun and informative information about sleep.

Spring into Sustainability with Dr. Doormat

2013-03-20T00:37:00.000-05:00

Today I'm excited to be sharing a great product from an amazing company as part of the Spring into Sustainability Giveaway Hop.

Dr. Doormat is the first antimicrobial doormat designed for home use. The treatment used on the fibers of the mat destroy microbes on contact, so you bring fewer toxins and allergens into your home.

The antimicrobial treatment is completely nontoxic - so you don't have to worry about your children's and pet's safety. Rather than poisoning microbes, the fibers rupture the cell membranes of microbes!

Read more about how Dr. Doormat works! Wipe your feet on Dr. Doormat at least twice to remove up to 99% of debris on shoes - it's great for pets' feet too!

So, how does Dr. Doormat encourage sustainable living? Here are a few ways:

Dr. Doormat is Made in the USA - buying locally made products is the sustainable way to shop.
Dr. Doormat is made with eco-friendly materials, including recycled yarn, natural rubber, and a nontoxic antimicrobial treatment.
Dr. Doormat keeps your home cleaner, allowing you to use fewer cleaning products.
High-quality, washable and reusable doormat lasts a long time, so fewer resources are used up.

Debbie Greenspan, founder and CEO of Dr. Doormat, shares:

I created Dr. Doormat because I wanted to make my home as safe and healthy as possible for my children. Making the product environmentally friendly was a natural choice that reflects my values as a Mom.

Spring into Sustainability this season! Enter to win a Dr. Doormat for your own home below.

The Spring Into Sustainability Giveaway Hop is hosted by Happy Mothering and The Frugal Greenish Mama. Members of the Green Moms Network are excited to bring you great prizes to encourage your family to live a more sustainable lifestyle, all valued at $25+.

Our hosts have 2 great grand prizes! Happy Mothering is giving away a Wondermill Junior Deluxe hand grain mill valued at $219.95. Enter here. The Frugal Greenish Mama has an awesome gardening package valued at $262.90 sponsored by Earth Easy and Humble Seed. Enter here.

After entering my giveaway and the grand prize giveaways, be sure to visit the other blogs listed under the Rafflecopter form to enter more great giveaways.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Make Homemade Face Scrub

2013-03-19T05:18:00.000-05:00

There's a lot of companies out there that like to charge a fortune for facial cleansers and scrubs. Many of them have a lot of ingredients you can't pronounce and they are loaded with preservatives and other ingredients that can dry out and irritate the skin. There are a few natural brands who make scrubs that I love, but to be honest, it's hard to shell out $15 or even $20 for a scrub that I know is so easy to make with ingredients I have on hand!

There's no need to spend the cash or subject your skin to all that extra, unnecessary stuff when you can quickly make your own face scrub yourself. Homemade scrubs work just as well and you won't believe how easy they are to make. It only takes a minute! There's a few different ways you can do it – and it's fun to experiment and find what works best for your skin.

For Dry, Sensitive Skin

If your skin is very sensitive and tends to be on the dry side, you'll love a good moisturizing scrub that softens and removes inflammation. Coconut oil is the absolute best for this. Pure organic unprocessed coconut oil is solid in the container, but melts at 76 degrees.

I take a small sterile jar and add a tablespoon or more of coconut oil. Place the jar of coconut oil in warm water to melt. When the oil melts, stir in enough sugar to make a thick paste. Voila – an instant facial scrub that will leave your skin silky smooth and deeply moisturized.

Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, use jojoba oil as your base instead of coconut oil. Jojoba is easily absorbed and won't clog your pores. This is an incredibly light oil that closely mimics the skins natural sebum. It clarifies and lightly moisturizes without becoming heavy or greasy.

Add a tablespoon or more to a jar and mix with enough sugar or fine sea salt to make a thick, kind of dry paste. For oily skin, more sugar or salt works well to prevent adding too much oil to the skin. You can add a teaspoon of honey to this mixture to help fight blemishes if you're prone to breakouts.

For Sensitive or Irritated Skin

Grind a ¼ cup of oatmeal into a fine powder. Add a teaspoon of honey and enough water to make a paste. Use the mixture to gently scrub the skin. Oatmeal is very soothing to inflamed skin and honey is naturally anti-bacterial and good for healing blemishes and minor skin irritation.

Skin Brightening Cleanser

If your skin is looking a little dull and you want to brighten it up a bit, make a scrub with baking soda. Place a tablespoon of baking soda into a clean, sterile container. Add just enough water to make a thick paste. Wet your face, then apply the paste and scrub gently. Rinse and gently pat dry. I find that baking soda minimizes the appearance of my pores - research tells me this is impossible, so... just saying. Give it a try.

You can also add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to your cleansers for fragrance and for their skin healing properties. Lavender is a great essential oil for facial scrubs because it is good for all skin types. It's relaxing to body and mind, and soothes the skin. My post on how to make face serum includes a few more skin-loving essential oils and their properties.

Making your own scrubs is super easy and a great way to save money. They also make lovely gifts! When you DIY, you know you're only putting pure, natural ingredients on your skin. Scrub away the winter flakes knowing you're only using pure, plant-based goodness.

Have you ever made your own scrub? Isn't it easy? Share your favorite ingredients below!

Exciting News From Conscious Box & 3 Month Subscription #Giveaway!

2013-03-04T21:00:00.000-06:00

Conscious Box is one of my favorite resources for finding new products that are eco-friendly, healthy, and awesome. If the idea of a box full of healthy, green goodies delivered to your door each month appeals to you, Conscious Box is right up your alley!

I've reviewed a couple of the monthly boxes before - you can check those out to get an idea of what's inside - each month is different, so you'll get to try lots of new things!

This month, the folks at Conscious Box have some exciting news: a site relaunch with some amazing new features! Check out the new site at ConsciousBox.com.

One of the biggest changes with the new website is the fun point system. You can earn points for rating the samples you receive in your box, and "level up" to different characters as you earn more points - fun! I'm a "Seedling." For now! :)

In celebration of the new website and features, Conscious Box is offering one lucky Everblossom reader a 3 month subscription! That's not 1, not 2, but 3 boxes! Woohoo! The winner will be able to choose between a classic, vegan, and gluten free box.

Enter to win using the Rafflecopter form! When visiting their Facebook page, please tell them you came from Everblossom!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you simply can't wait for the giveaway results to see if you've won (and I totally get that!!), Conscious Box is also offering 50% off any subscription using the code GOCONSCIOUS! The code is only valid for the first 100 people who use it, so get on it if you want to take advantage of this sweeeeeet deal!

Greenwoman Magazine - For The Literary & Eco-Minded Woman!

2013-02-19T10:23:00.002-06:00

When I was younger, I would spend hours each month poring over my favorite magazines the moment I grabbed them from the mail pile. In fact, I'm sure that my early love of magazines influenced my eventual career title as a freelance writer.

I was a fan of the mainstream teen magazine titles, but I also had a pretty insatiable 'zine habit - you remember? The usually-self-published mini-magazines that you could pretty much find on any topic if you dug deep enough? I still have a couple of issues of Cometbus laying around as well as a few obscure health related zines. Funny!

As I've grown older and gotten more into blogging, I haven't read as many magazines lately. To be honest, I've always thought most magazines were all "scratch the surface" and fluff information. I didn't really know what to expect when I first checked out Greenwoman Magazine: A Literary Garden. Green? Literary? Sounds like my thing!

It was that and so much more! Greenwoman reminded me why I love literature and why I (used to!) love magazines - while informing me about green living - a topic I'm deeply passionate about. Dare I say the magazine made me feel young again?

Favorite Parts of Greenwoman Issue #4 (Winter 2012 / Spring 2013)

A few chosen parts of the latest issue (issue #4) that I really loved are:

Poetry: It has been so long since I've indulged in poetry - it was a welcome treat. I particularly liked a piece called Grow by Carolyn Williams-Noren.
Info/Education: Dan Murphy's column Slow Ride: The Seed, The Radicle, and the Revolution about social influence was particularly informative.
Robust list of contributors: The issue boasts a 3-page contributor list, offering a well-rounded body of essays, fiction, and other pieces. One of my favorite articles in the magazine was On Yucca Moths and Four Leaf Clovers by Lucy Bell. I read it twice - funny and touching.
Artwork: The written content is what makes this magazine shine, but it's fun to look at, too. Beautiful artwork, interesting photographs and various illustrations throughout the issue.

Overall - I loved this magazine! I encourage you to buy an issue if you are interested in green living and thoroughly enjoy the written word (or want to rekindle your love for literature!).

Update: Greenwoman is offering a free sample digital issue (Issue #3) to those who sign up for their mailing list!

21 Free or Cheap Things You Can Do Today to Live More Sustainably

2013-02-18T23:42:00.000-06:00

Living a more sustainable life doesn't have to be difficult - it really just involves taking on a different mindset until it's second nature. If you're still just getting started with trying to lower your eco-footprint, it might seem kind of overwhelming. You don't have to let green living take over your life in order to make a significant impact, though - there are plenty of quick little ways you can make changes for the better. Here are 21 that cost little or nothing to start and save you money when all is said and done!

Clean surfaces with vinegar instead of a harsh chemical cleaner. Just put it in a spray bottle and go nuts.
Switch to cloth towels instead of paper towels for kitchen cleanup.
Buy foods in bulk to lower packaging waste and travel footprint.
Make your own skincare products with common oils to replace your standard skincare products, which often contain parabens and other junk.
Make your own spice blends rather than using prepackaged ones.
Ditch the gym membership and electric workout equipment altogether and get in shape by spending time outside having fun.
Plan out your meals in advance to reduce food waste and save money!
Become a laundry pro to make your clothing last as long as possible.
Choose locally grown and processed foods when you shop for groceries.
Look for ways to rescue a "wasted" project - like pretty much every attempt I've made to make soap.
Recycle!
Drive less.
Shop less.
Eat meat less often.
Grow your own vegetables or herbs.
Learn to can or freeze in-season produce.
Stop using shampoo. (I know.... but trust me, your hair will thank you in the long run!)
Develop an income-generating hobby.
Switch to online billing and turn off paper mail.
Reduce your use of disposable items.
Drink water.

Get Ready to Garden – 5 Tips for Spring

2013-02-01T17:14:00.000-06:00

One of the best parts of Spring is getting ready to garden. While I haven't really gardened much in the past few years, I grew up helping out in the family garden. I miss the smell of the soil and the feeling of growing and tending to the plants, a future meal. Gardening is a relaxing and enjoyable activity, but it's also hard work. If only it were as simple as plotting out a space and throwing some seed down. Unfortunately, that isn't the case, and a good garden requires plenty of planning and preparation. Spring is just around the corner - here are 5 steps to get your garden ready.

Prepare Your Garden Space

If you have a space from the previous year there are a few things you can do early to prepare for Spring. Make sure all old plants are pulled and removed. Go through and remove sticks, rocks, or any other items that may get in the way when it's time to plant. When the ground thaws, till the soil under and add some compost to prepare your soil.

If this is your first garden, spend plenty of time evaluating potential spots. Check for sunlight, proper drainage, and ease of access to water.

Gather Your Tools

Spring is a great time to gather your tools and make sure you have everything you need. Shovels, spades, rakes, gloves, and a kneeling pad are all essentials we store in a little shed right by the garden. If you have a tiller check it and make sure it's in good working order.

Ensure that you have items like stakes, tomato cages, and marking materials on hand. It's also nice to have a couple of watering cans and a good, long garden hose with a multi-set sprayer. If you use a sprinkler system, it's a good idea to check that in advance as well.

Test the Soil

Test the pH level of your soil before planting your garden. A simple kit is inexpensive and will let you know if you need to further prepare your soil. Ideally, your garden's soil should maintain a pH level between 5 and 7 to support the most plant varieties. Once you know what your soil is lacking you can use additives like organic compost to bring it into balance. If you need to use soil additives and you want an organic garden, you should consult an organic gardening specialist in your area to help you.

Start Seeds Early

Growing plants from seeds can be tough at first until you get the hang of it, but once you figure out what works best it's a lot of fun and much less expensive than buying plants. Seed trays are sold all over and can be a great way to start seed, but you need to have enough sunlight and warmth for them to do well. There are seed trays with grow lights on the cover available. They are more expensive, but they make growing plants from seed much easier.

Guard Your Garden

Get an early start on pest defense. Pests come in all shapes and sizes from tiny little bugs to rabbits, raccoons, birds, and deer. Having a fenced in garden can deter some of the larger pests. To scare birds, I use pie tins tied to stakes that I move around periodically. The sunlight reflects off of them and they make a lot of noise in the wind. It does a good job scaring birds and even rabbits and squirrels. I also plant marigolds in with my garden, they deter several forms of insects.

Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. We introduced a praying mantis to our garden. You can buy an egg case and place it in a sunny location. Wait for it to hatch and then spread the babies around your garden area. Mantis' will feed on grasshoppers, beetles, wasps and other pests without harming your plants.

A great garden depends on solid preparation. Planning a great space, prepping the soil and getting an early start on pest control will help ensure your growing season is a good one.

Image Credit: today's harvest by looseends, on Flickr

What Are Phthalates?

2013-02-01T11:12:00.001-06:00

Phthalates are one of the "hot topics" in green issues lately, but most people have never heard of them! The alarming truth is that phthalates are in a vast amount of the everyday products found in homes... and they're linked to a number of health issues.

To learn more about pthalates and how to diminish exposure to them with eco-friendly alternatives, read my post about avoiding phthalates on Sylvane's indoor air blog!

Getting Fit Outdoors: 10 Activities for Earthy People

2013-02-01T10:52:00.004-06:00

I get really bored with any exercise that's too repetitive or that is done just for the sake of moving. I like to feel like I'm actually having a worthwhile experience while I'm exercising! Does that make sense?

Spending time outdoors in nature is what I really love, so finding activities to do outside that are active is my favorite. I also love anything that the whole family can be involved in.

Here are some of my favorite outdoor activities to get moving!

Hiking - we live near a wildlife management area that is beautiful and really fun to hike through! These are all over the place, and even if you live in a city there are probably interesting places to walk and explore.
Swimming - while it's an activity we don't get to enjoy much of the year here in North Dakota, swimming is great exercise and lots of fun.
Canoeing - on the same note, canoeing is a peaceful and relaxing way to get active outdoors. I love seeing all the wildlife around while canoeing!
Snowshoeing - while I've never done this myself, some in my family have and I guess it is a pretty good workout.
Hunting - yes, girls can hunt, too! Even if you don't eat meat, some people like to "hunt" with a camera.
Kickball - since our kids are little, when we play this, it literally just means "go outside and kick the ball around." but it's still lots of fun!
Training dogs - Our dog needs lot's of exercise, so training him and taking him outside to play is one of our more frequent activities. I think that training dogs is a really great experience for kids, too.
Gathering - picking fruit, herbs, and edibles is fun and you get free or cheap groceries out of the deal!
Gardening - another source of food, gardening can be a great form of exercise and is another good activity to do with kids.
Ice skating - we are really lucky and have an ice skating rink in the field next to our apartment building. It's lots of fun, even without ice skates!

According to Nature.org, "The statistics are alarming: in a typical week, only 6 percent of children ages 9-13 play outside on their own and kids 8 to 18 spend an overwhelming 53 hours a week using entertainment media." This is something pretty much every family has to be aware of these days - getting outside is a great way to "unplug" as well as stay active and healthy! I've also read that kids who spend more time outdoors are less likely to have serious allergies.

Our family is currently working our way through the Family Survival Course, a popular course on living self-sufficiently and sustainability. It's giving us lots of ideas for outdoor activities we hadn't thought of before - if you're interested in that sort of thing, you can read my husband's review of The Family Survival course here - it's pretty awesome!

What do you like to do outside to stay active?

Are You Physically and Mentally Prepared?

2013-02-01T10:19:00.001-06:00

Being prepared for the future and for emergency situations that might come up was one of the biggest motivators for me to start caring about fitness! It would be hard to deal with the stress of an emergency anyway - I want to be ready for anything.

I wrote a guest post for Happy Mothering a few months ago on this topic. Now seems like a good time to share it! Read my thoughts on being physically and mentally prepared there!

Healthy Drinks: Replacing sodas, energy drinks and other colored chemical concoctions.

2013-01-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

I was addicted to energy drinks for a long, long time. But they, and other kinds of sodas and sports drinks are pretty gross if you think about it. All they are is sugar (and not even whole, real sugar usually!), food dye (bad! bad! bad!), and weird chemicals added for flavor and to get you all cracked out.

Let's start drinking better stuff, mmkay? All of these beverages can be ~~drunk~~ drank unsweetened, but if you do decide to sweeten them, pretty please use something REAL, like sucanat, honey, molasses or cane sugar. Yes, they have calories in them. But that's what food is for.

100% fruit juice
Coconut water
Kombucha
WATER
Lemonade
Iced Tea
Hot tea
COFFEE ♥
Superfood Smoothies
Carrot Juice
Tomato Juice
Milk (cow, goat, almond, soy, whatever!)
Sparkling water (add some fruit juice for a "soda" that's not gross)
Water again.

Happy hydrating!

Please enjoy this recycled post! Staying hydrated is a vital part of staying healthy and fit - make healthy choices! :)

4 Myths About Fitness to STOP Believing!

2013-01-28T04:56:00.000-06:00

I'm not an expert on fitness - not by a long shot. But I am interested in health and fitness is part of healthy living. I've never been great at being consistent with exercise. I have a pattern of starting some kind of routine and then sticking with it for a couple of days before I get bored. I suspect I'm not the only one with this issue!

I've learned that there are some people who enjoy working out for the sake of working out (or at least have the will power and desire to just do it consistently) ... but I'm not one of them. What works much better for me is to fit exercise in around things that I already do - running to the post office to get the mail, for example. Wearing my baby while I clean to keep him happy and get strong!

The best part of using this approach to exercise more is that it doesn't take up any extra time. And that's one of the biggest myths about fitness that I believed for a long time - "I don't have time to exercise." It's not the only one, though - there are a lot of commonly held beliefs about fitness that just aren't accurate when you really take a look! Here are some that I've encountered:

Myth #1: "I don't have time to exercise."

About 30 minutes or so per day of exercise can do dramatic things for an otherwise sedentary person's health. And as busy as anyone is, a half hour usually isn't impossible to carve out.

Even when you are going through a particularly busy season, it's still doable (and still important!). A few things I have started doing successfully (though not perfectly) are:

Running to the P.O. and back to get the mail. It is a very quick run, but I'm a total beginner so it has been a completely perfect start! It takes no extra time and in fact saves me time since it is something I do anyway and I'm doing it faster. Also, knowing that it's so short and so quick makes it hard for me to talk myself out of it. :) I look forward to running longer distances when it's not colder than death outside.
Wearing Timothy Noah around in a wrap carrier while I clean and work. He's teething and fussy and wants to be held anyway, so wearing him keeps him content while I get stronger by carrying him. I used a bit of extra time at first doing this, but have gotten used to doing things while wearing him and don't feel like I'm any slower at all now.
Standing while working on the computer. Have you heard of this? Some offices are encouraging workers to stand by installing standing desks to combat obesity. Well, I do it sometimes at home too. Except with my freezer (it's the perfect height). I don't stand while working all the time but when I do I'm certain I save time because I seem to focus better.

Violet Sage also has a whole bunch of exercises that you can do while you're doing other stuff.

Do all these things add up to the amount of exercise necessary to be healthy? Not for me... and probably not for most people. But it's a good place to start if you feel like you don't have any time. There are probably a lot of things you do every single day that you can adjust or otherwise fit exercise in around.

Myth #2: "I can't afford the gear."

Yes, exercise equipment is pretty expensive. That's not really the myth. The myth is that we need all that stuff in the first place. You don't need much to get in shape! A good pair of shoes is really all that's necessary, and even that is negotiable depending on what kind of exercise you like to do.

There are all kinds of exercises you can do that use no gear whatsoever, or that use stuff you probably already have. Zen Habits offers a guide to designing your own minimalist workout plan. Using less workout equipment is green too! Just like anything that involves using less.

Even if you're really wanting to get some sort of machine or piece of equipment, you can search Craigslist or ask around to buy used and get a good deal. When buying used fitness equipment, though, you would definitely want to make sure that everything is in working order and that it doesn't need any repairs, of course!

Myth #3: "I have a long, long way to go to be at a healthy weight."

I don't know if this is a myth for everyone. But it was for me. The way I was thinking about health was totally wrong. I had thoughts like "XXX is a healthy weight for me." And so I thought that until I see THAT number on the scale, I must be unhealthy.

Weight is totally weird! I have one friend who is the same height as me and at one point we also wore the same size - but she was 20 pounds lighter than me! Does this mean she was healthier than me? Not really - we just have totally different body compositions. I naturally have a lot of muscle, especially in my legs. Muscle weighs a lot more (and makes your body use more energy) than fat.

The point is, you can be healthy at a higher weight than you probably think if you, like most women in our society, have been bombarded with images of celebrities and models your whole life.

How you feel is a much better indicator of health than how you look.

Amber from Go Kaleo, my absolute favorite fitness blog, talks a lot about this sort of thing. This post she wrote is a must-read!

Myth #4: "I can't keep track of all the supplements and what they're supposed to do and when to take them and what's necessary and what's a scam and what Dr. Oz recommends and -"

Similar to workout gear and equipment, you don't really need any of this stuff. A lot of the shakes and supplements and stuff have their place and can be useful in certain situations, but they are totally not a necessity for most people! I see most supplements fit one of these categories:

Weight loss/fat burning
Protein
Electrolytes/recovery
Energy

And you'll also see all kinds of bars and stuff to, many of which claim to be have "optimal nutrient ratios" for building muscle or losing weight - even though there is no one perfect percentage of nutrients for perfect health.

The marketing behind a lot of these products is pretty disturbing. Since men and women alike are conditioned from birth to be very conscious of how their bodies look in this day and age, it's not very hard to use predatory marketing to sell products that promise to deliver something "better" - it's the same as what you see in the beauty industry.

Am I saying you should never buy any of this stuff and it's all a big scam? No - some of these things can be helpful! For example:

Whey protein powder is the quickest and easiest form of protein to grab quick after a workout, which is good for recovery. Eating real food is best, though!
Certain herbal supplements can give you more energy, which can be helpful when you're just starting to work out.

On the topic of protein powder specifically, Barbara Lewin, RD, LD, a dietitian and sports nutritionist who has worked with NFL, NBA, and NHL athletes, shares a few instances protein powders have the advantage on WebMD:

When you’re growing. A teenager needs more protein to fuel his workouts because his body is still growing and uses more protein in general.

When you’re starting a program. If working out is new to you and you’re trying to build muscle, you’ll require more protein than you normally would.

When you’re amping up your workouts. If you normally work out for half an hour a few times a week, but now you’ve decide to train for a half-marathon, your body will need more protein.

When you’re recovering from an injury. Athletes with sports injuries frequently need more protein to help them heal.

If you’re going vegan. People who pursue a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle eliminate a number of common protein sources from their diet, including meat, chicken, and fish, and sometimes dairy and eggs as well.

The article states, "Most people, even athletes, can also get everything they offer by eating sources of lean protein like meat, fish, chicken, and dairy products."
If you're letting certain beliefs stop you from getting started with fitness and getting more exercise, I encourage you to look further into those beliefs to find out if they're actually true. There are just too many "smoke and mirrors" with the over-polluted marketplace that is the fitness industry to just trust what you hear.

Did anything in this article surprise you? What myths have you held when it comes to fitness?

Healthy Green Goodies from Conscious Box!

2013-01-13T20:12:00.001-06:00

I just received this month's Conscious Box and am so excited to start digging in to everything inside. Watch my video review to learn more about Conscious Box and see what kinds of products are included!