That Organic Girl

Recycling 101

2012-11-30T18:25:00.000-05:00

Recycling....it's the standard move towards "Going Green"...you separate the recyclables from your trash and put it out every other week and you've done your ECO duty for the month right? Well hold on there...while recycling is a fairly easy task, there is actually a bit more involved in terms of what you need to do, in order for your eco-efforts to go to good use....

So here it is.....Recycling 101:

1. First and foremost you need to find out what the recycling jurisdiction in your area requires and accepts for recycling, for instance does it need to be sorted? and do they accept all 7 classes of resin? I know...it may sounds kinda dorky to call down to the recycling center in your city and ask a bunch of questions but it's so important to know!! It would be a bummer if you were throwing newspapers in the recycling bin every month all the while someone down at the recycling plant is sifting through everything, removing the newspaper (wasting lots of time and energy) because unbeknownst to you, they don't accept newspaper....know what I mean?

2. Next, Rinse your bottles and flatten. Yes, the recycling center throughly cleans all bottles, but the process is much quicker if you can simply rinse the bottles before you throw them in the recycling bin. Why should you do the job for them you ask? Try not to think of it that way...think of it as saving the money and energy that is spent on recycling. If you are going to the trouble of recycling then you obviously care about the environment right? So saving some of the energy that it takes to recycle a bottle and making that process go just a tad bit faster is just another way of being eco-friendly :) And flattening the bottles saves tons of space in your bin, allowing you to recycle more!

3. Remove the cap! So while you're removing the cap to rinse the bottle (see above) just leave it off and throw it in the trash, yes the trash. Usually the cap is made with a different type of plastic which can end up contaminating the other plastics that are being recycled

4. Few odds and ends:

Batteries - This is a great way to keep harmful levels of dangerous acids and metals out of landfills and while you can't add them to your recycling bin you can take them to places like Office Depot and Radio Shack where they will recycle them for you!'
Aerosol cans - These can be recycled, you just need to make sure to remove the plastic can and discard of it and make sure that the can is completely empty....and don't even try to flatten it....that could get dangerous! Yikes!
Compact Florescent Light bulbs - These contain mercury and should not be thrown in the trash or the recycling bin, but Home Depot and Ikea have a CFL recycling program where you can take your used CFl and they will properly discard of them for you!
Cell Phones - A lot of people don't realize that you can recycle your old phones! Mine was shattered to death so I had to replace it and AT&T ended up giving me $50 for it (SWEET!), there are also places like the Wireless Foundation that recycles used phones and gives them to victims of domestic violence....you can find out more about that here at calltoprotect.org
Crocs - This is my favorite one! The manufacturer of Crocs recycles used Crocs and donates them to underprivileged families...how cool is that? You can send your used Crocs in to : Crocs Recycling West, 3375 Enterprise Ave., Bloomington CA 92316

As you can see, there are so many way in which you can recycle and so many different things that can be recycled and reused for the benefit of others....I know I didn't list everything, so if you have something you want me to add to this list let me know! Leave me a comment below!

So that's my Recycle 101 Roundup....pretty simple, nothing too hard, but hopefully some good info that will put your awesome Eco-Efforts to good use!

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Sources
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/tips-techniques/recycle-anything-00000000006117/index.html
http://www.homeandgardenideas.com/home-improvement/appliances/trash-compactors/how-recycle-properly
http://www.earthodyssey.com/How_to_recycle.html
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Today is Food Day! - October 24th

2012-10-24T13:42:00.000-04:00

Today is a special day....October 24th marks the 2nd annual Food Day. What is Food Day you ask? It's a "a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food".

Food Day's 5 main priorities are:

1. Promote safer, healthier diets

2. Support sustainable and organic farms

3. Reduce hunger

4. Reform factory farms to protect the environment

5. Support fair working conditions for food and farm workers

Now what's not to love about that kind of a mission?

Thanks to this awesome movement you get to enjoy lots of fun, and very healthy I might add, events that are being held all around the country, yes right in your town! To find the events nearest you check here Everything from cook-offs, food drives, restaurant deals, discussions, and lots more!

Find out more about Food Day here and find out how you can get involved and join the movement :)

Liebster Award Nomination

2012-10-24T11:21:00.001-04:00

Well this is pretty cool....Thanks to Elizabeth over at Silkiness, she nominated me for the Liebster award. It's for up and coming bloggers who just don't quite have that many followers yet, under 200 to be precise. And the whole idea is to help them get more followers....how cool is that? That's why I love the blogging community...everyone looks out for each other :)

The rules were stated to me as follows:

Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves
They must also answer the 11 questions the tagger has set for them.
They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag
They must then choose 11 bloggers to tag with less than 200 followers.
These lucky bloggers must be told.
There are no tag backs.

Alright so here we go...

11 Things About Me:

I was born and raised in Indiana and can't see myself living {permanently} anywhere else.
I am not the greatest cook...but I do try my best
I am a bit scatter-brained and I tend to want to do more than I can handle...and I have to slow myself down sometimes.
In college I studied abroad in London, England and lived there for a summer and had an internship with Esprit.
I played basketball in High School
I'm 5'10 but I have no problem wearing 6" heels...helps that my husband is 6'5" but I would wear them regardless.
I like the fact that I can change a tire on my jeep, check my own oil, handle a screw gun, bait a hook, and mow the lawn all the while loving fashion, and being girly...I've never been into the whole Guys have to do these type of things and Girls do these ...Being independent is important to me.
My cat, Harry, who we later found out is in fact a girl, not a boy like we were first told, has thumbs on her paws.
My Family is everything to me.
I love doing charity work.
I recite my wedding vows everyday

Questions from my nominator Elizabeth at Silkiness:

What is your favorite Christmas cookie? Can I have your recipe? - I am so boring...Sugar Cookies with Icing...I really don't have a good recipe :(
What is a favorite Christmas tradition you have? - Decorating our house for Christmas...we make a night of it, been doing it since I was really little.
What is your favorite kind genre of music and your favorite band or artist? - Love country music...gotta be George Strait
What do you do to relax? - Light a candle and put on some music
Are you the person you imagined you would be? Your ideal you? ( I always had this image of who I would become in my head growing up. I wonder if others have that too) - Not yet, Still getting there..
What do you do to face your worries? - Acknowledge that they are there
What is your least favorite holiday, why? Valentines Day, In my opinion it was only created to help the economy....it's just pointless
Where would you love to travel to, why? Back to Europe and take my husband with me this time. It's just so amazing over there.
What is your favorite game? Gin Rummy
What is your favorite date night idea with your spouse? A Concert
What is one thing you wish you had right now? A Dog

Questions for my nominees:

What is your dream job?
What are you going to be for Halloween?
What is one item that you could not live without?
If you could have any animal as a pet, what would you choose?
What is your favorite thing to eat?
What is your favorite sport to play? Watch?
What is your dream car?Mary
Toilet Paper roll under or over?
What's the greatest city you've ever visited?
Was it the Chicken or the Egg? :)
What do you think about the whole Organic Food stuff?...Feel free to be totally honest, won't offend me a bit.

My 11 Nominees:

Kaela - Cookin' And Kickin'

Sarah - Big Mama Taylor

Jill - The New Rolling Stones: Mick, Jagger, and Jillie

Marcie - High Fashion & Cheap Wine

Jen and Leslie - Real Food Freaks
Mary - Back to the Basics

Lyza - Chic Shades of Green
Tamara & Kelly - Oh Lardy
Elizabeth - Food Ramblings
Jenn - I'm Cookin' in my Kitchen
Jackie - Jackie's Joie de Vivre

There you have it! Check these blogs out!

Sunscreen Spray Recall...potential FIRE risk

2012-10-23T11:56:00.000-04:00

If you have watched the news lately then you are aware of the fact that Banana Boat has recalled some 23 sunscreen spray-on products due to the fact that roughly 5 people have caught on fire after applying them! The maker of Banana Boat, Energizer Holdings, is pulling the Banana Boat Ultra Mist Continuous Spray series and claims that the problem is actually in the spray valve which is over applying the product.

A flammable product that is over-applied and unable to dry quickly poses a fire risk, I can wrap my brain around that....but what I don't understand is why exactly are we putting something so flammable on our skin? And how is this type of product being approved, safety wise?

I'm sure the argument will be made that this is similar to anything out of a spray bottle, whether it's hairspray, spray deodorant, insecticides, even cooking spray, it becomes flammable when used in a aerosol form. So WHY are we using the aerosol forms? Convenience? .... 3rd degree burns all over your body doesn't really sound convenient to me...and neither do all the respiratory health concerns surrounding spray bottle products.

Let's put aside the fact that a great deal of sunscreens {in lotion form} aren't very good for us because they contain oxybenzone and retinly palmitate, which, by the way, through studies has been found to increase your chance of getting skin cancer {you can read more about that here from an earlier post} but why take a product that is already harmful and then add more bad stuff to it? The chemicals used to make aerosols can include - volatile hydrocarbons, propane, alcohol and dimethyl ether - call me crazy but I just can't see how putting a bunch of potentially harmful chemicals on our bodies protects us from ANYTHING....Can you?

What are your thoughts?

Sources

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-57536368/banana-boat-sunscreen-recalled-over-fire-risk/

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/is-sunscreen-flammable/

Long Time No Blogging...

2012-10-18T17:31:00.000-04:00

Hi There! It's been a while hasn't it...

This past month and a half has been nothing short of CrAzY! In efforts not to bore you with too many details it has included a move from Florida back to Indiana and then a very small temporary move back to Florida and then back {yes, back again} to Indiana. Living out of suitcases, boxes and boxes of our things everywhere, not knowing where anything is {including my own brain}....yeah, that has been our life, but it's ours and I still wouldn't trade it for anything in this world...

Being back in Indiana means that we get to move into our house! Finally! I have to admit, I was so excited about the thought of getting to go furniture shopping, buying little knick-knacks to decorate the house, picking out artwork, putting pictures in frames, doing a couple of pinterest projects, the whole sha-bang.... yeah ...ummm I don't know about you but this stuff is far from being fun...it's a J.O.B. I am at the point where I know employees and sales associates by name because I have been buying and returning so much....it's the wrong color, the size isn't quite right, it's damaged, it has mismatched legs {YES! that actually happened}. Oh and then you order two chairs off the internet to try them out, get them, put them together, LOVE them and then find out that they are discontinued and no longer exist... anywhere, and you still need 6 more of them....LOL. Don't get me wrong, it is so nice that I have a home to decorate, and I have the time to do it, but somehow I was convinced that this was going to be way more fun than it actually is!

{trying to decide on chairs...}

I've mentioned our house before and the fact that we did some construction have had some requests for photos...so I thought I would post just a few...We are further along now, but these were the most recent ones that I had...

{before}

{after}

{before}

{after}

And then sadly, out of nowhere, early one morning we found out that we had to put our family dog down. It was probably one of the hardest days I have had in a long time. All of a sudden she started to have a really hard time breathing...and just like that there was nothing that could be done, it was her time to go. Now, she was 14 and for a dog her size I know that's pushing it, but she had the most incredible spirit about her, you would have never thought she was as old as she was. She has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old, at night she used to make the rounds to make sure all of us kids were in our rooms safe and sound, and she had this funny thing about her where she always wanted everyone to be together. At the lake she hated it when some of us would go out on the boat and the others would stay in....I can still see her swimming out to the boat and us pulling her up because she figured that the people staying behind were safe, but she wasn't too sure what we were doing, or where we were going and that she needed to be with us. She taught us a lot, and gave more love, loyalty and friendship than we could have ever dreamt for....

Alright....so back to what this blog is about...sorry I got a little carried away there folks...One thing that I have noticed in the process of gradually switching over to eating organic food and learning about the issues regarding our food, is that it really has a snowball effect...well at least in my case it does. First it's about eating healthier foods, then all of a sudden I am asking around trying to find GMO free grass seed to plant in my front yard. I know what you're thinking..."WOAH THERE CRAZY LADY"....but seriously it does, and as long as we keep it under control, myself included, we can gradually move toward a greener, better way of living all around. Just be glad that rather than going out and doing all the research yourself you can just come here and get little tid bits, take what you like and go about your day...right? :) Me on the other hand... not so much

Moving forward I've got lots of great things to share with you; Lots about FOOD of course, as well as things about creating a greener home, environment, etc :) If there is anything in particular that you would like me to cover or address just leave me a comment below or contact me directly! I would be more than happy to accommodate you!

Also....thanks for being awesome readers/followers!! You guys are the best :)

Apple and Almond Organic Chicken Salad

2012-08-25T09:23:00.002-04:00

We eat A LOT in this household - not sure if two people qualifies us as a "household" but we'll go with it - so I am constantly looking for new ideas to help spruce things up while at the same time keeping things healthy and well-balanced.

Well... this Organic Apple and Almond Chicken Salad recipe is always something I find myself CrAvInG! It's the perfect marriage between salty and sweet, the apples and almonds give it a nice crunch.... and the best part is that you're getting protein, a serving of fruit and a nice sized serving of good fats {from the mayo}.

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breasts*

1 Red Apple*

1 Green Apple*

1/2 C of Dried Cranberries*

1/4 C of Chopped Lightly Salted Almonds*

About 20 Red Grapes*

About 1/2 C of Mayo* add more if needed {I used Earth Balance Organic Mindful Mayo}

* = Organic

Instructions:

1. Start out by cooking the chicken. Be sure to do this first so you can chop everything up while it cooks. Bake it in the oven with a little olive oil or boil it over the stove {I prefer this way b/c it's faster}.

2. Chop up the apples, almonds, & grapes and place into a large bowl with the cranberries

3. Once chicken is cooked, chop up into small pieces and add to large bowl with mayo

4. Combine all ingredients together and add salt to taste

Grab your favorite Hoagie Bun, Whole Wheat Bread or Croissant and make it a Saturday afternoon lunch sandwich, serve as little bite sized sandwiches for your friends' wedding or baby shower, or {my favorite} keep it all in a large bowl and serve with crackers like you would chips and dip - great for football games ;)

Whole Grain 101: What it Means and How to Make Sure You're Buying the Right Stuff

2012-08-21T13:16:00.000-04:00

Whole Grains, Whole Wheat, Multi-Grain,Wheat.....What's the difference? What do they all mean?

I talked recently about how shopping for Eggs was starting to be a rather exhausting task....understanding all the different labels while trying to find the best price....I mean it really shouldn't be this hard...right?

Well, these days shopping for bread and pasta isn't any easier!! So many labels, so many claims, so many benefits, but are we really getting what we're actually trying to buy? When I head to the grocery in search of bread and pasta my goal is to buy 100% Organic Whole-Wheat. Why is that? It's healthier! Whole grains, as opposed to refined or processed grains, have more nutrients, vitamins, and fiber and the Organic part means it's free from GMOs which are highly common in wheat and grains overall. When grains are processed, 2 of the 3 components of a grain are removed {the bran and germ}, leaving you with lots of calories and very little nutritional value {the endosperm}. I mean...if you are shopping for wheat bread or pasta the idea is to be healthy right? Then you need to make sure that you are actually buying the healthier option and not getting convinced by labels that multi-grain and whole grain are the same thing....because they're NOT!

Let's breakdown some definitions:

Whole Grains - These are grains that contain all the essential parts {bran, germ, endosperm} and all naturally occurring nutrients. Oats, Barley, Wheat, Corn, Rice are a few examples.
Whole Wheat - Is a type of Whole Grain and means that the wheat is made with the whole grain {giving you the most benefits and nutrients} which is the goal!
Wheat - If something is labeled as just 'wheat' then this is where the grain has been processed or refined and the bran and germ {2 of the 3 essential components of a grain} have been removed leaving just the endosperm. Not the goal!
Multi-Grain - Means that the food is made with more than one grain, but does not mean it is made with whole grains. Check the ingredients!
Enriched Grain - While processing or refining the grain, 2 of the 3 parts of the grain are removed, so with enriched grains companies are compensating by going back in an adding the missing nutrients. What's so wrong with this? First and foremost it's not natural and secondly it is not as nutrient and good for you and it never will be no matter how hard they try!

So how do we make sure that we are buying the right thing?

Check the ingredients! Don't even pay attention to the front label, just go straight to the ingredients list.
Less is more! Try to find foods with 5 ingredients or less...I promise it's not as hard as it sounds!
Good Ingredients {Whole}: Organic Whole Wheat Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Organic Durum Whole Wheat or anything with the word "Whole" in front of it.
Bad Ingredients {Processed}: White Flour, Wheat, Enriched Flour, Unbleached Enriched Wheat Flour, Whitewheat, Evaporated Cane Juice, Rice Flour, Brown Rice Syrup

Sources

http://thefoodillusion.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/understanding-grains-corn-wheat-multi-grain-etc/

http://www.wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/what-are-the-health-benefits

http://livingawholelife.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-does-whole-grain-mean.html

Proof that Organic is Better for Your Health

2012-08-06T19:46:00.000-04:00

With all this talk about organic food and all the reasons as to why you should make the switch...you're probably looking for some cold, hard facts. I don't blame you! Studies and investigations, when done right, take years and years to conduct, which makes proving that things like GMOs are unsafe and extremely unhealthy, a little hard to do right this second. Yes... we have a few studies, coupled with some very promising information and examples, but there is nothing like hard evidence. While several studies have shown benefits, theories and conclusions as to why organic food is that much better for us, more and more people are wanting proof. Well, I've got some for ya today!

Thanks to the University of Barcelona and a study that they conducted, they found that organic tomatoes have far superior nutritional value than conventional (non-organic) tomatoes - including ketchup and tomato juice. Why is this? What makes something 'Organic' or not has to do with {in the case of tomatoes} the way it's grown. Conventional tomatoes use nitrogenous fertilizers while organic tomatoes do not and therefore, these organic tomatoes activate their own defense mechanisms instead of having chemicals do the dirty work for them. Why is that so important? The more stress that a plant is under the better for us because they produce more polyphenols (defense mechanism) and that means more antioxidants and nutrients :) Ummm...does anyone find this stuff crazy interesting like I do?!? How cool is that? These polyphenols -which are natural antioxidants- help significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular and degenerative diseases, as well as helping reduce some cancers.

Okay don't get all Notting Hill on me with the whole "Fruitarian" deal... "Yes, these carrots have been murdered"...remember that part? HaHa. If you go the organic route you're not literally putting a ton of plants under stress, you are simply allowing them to live exactly the way they were designed to live and grow; defense mechanisms and survival tactics are natural parts of life.

So what does this all mean?

For some of you you're probably thinking...."Well, I don't even like tomatoes, so this really doesn't benefit me at all." Let me ask you this...Do you really think that a tomato is the only thing that is better organic than conventional? Yes, so far they are the only ones with proof....yet... but one could conclude that the evidence in this study could be carried over to other organic vs. conventional debates. I can't imagine ever finding that a conventional fruit or vegetable would be more beneficial then it's organic version ... and this study just goes to support that even more. Better nutrition, way more benefits and no chemicals or toxins!

This is GREAT news and I'm certain just one of many many more to come :) So tell me what you think... Are you starting to warm up to the idea of Organics?

Source

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120703120630.htm

Are Non-Stick Pans Safe?

2012-08-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

When the concept of non-stick cookware was introduced everyone practically went CrAzY for it! No mess, easy to clean, easy to cook with...what's not to love?

Non-Stick pans are made with Teflon™, which contains PFOA (Perfluoroocyanoic Acid), also known as C8, which breaks down at high temperatures and releases toxic gases, including carcinogens, that are released into the air and into YOUR food! Studies have shown that low levels of the chemical were present in the blood of 9 out of 10 Americans, including newborns!

What's even more interesting is that in 2005, DuPont -the makers of Teflon™- had to shell out 10.25 million in a settlement to the Enviromental Protection Agency for 'withholding health risk information' and then in 2006 DuPont, along with eight other companies, were asked to eliminate PFOA by the year 2015.

Believe me when I tell you that this post was NOT easy to write. Why's that exactly?...Well, my husband and I got married just over a year ago and lets just say we registered for (that's me registering to the right) and received a ton of GORGEOUS, non-stick, All-Clad cookware for our wedding... and now, after knowing the health risks it poses, I am having a really really hard time using them. Seriously,I know there are worse things in life...but WHY... WHY didn't I know this a year ago?!?!?

Luckily for us, not only are there quite a few green non-stick pan alternatives to Teflon™, that instead are made up of Thermolon™, but surprisingly enough they are not nearly as expensive as I thought they would be! Whether it's Martha Stewart, the GreenPan™ Collection or Cuisinart's GreenGourmet they all tend to average from around $35-$60 for a 12" fry pan. Do be aware that these "Green" pans are a bit different then what we're used to...they are not diswasher safe and need to be hand washed, they can be used in an oven but only up to a certain temperature (they all vary a bit) and they cannot be used on induction cooktops.

Now, if your not quite ready to throw out your non-stick pans then here are a few tips to help you use them in the safest way possible:

Don't leave a non-stick pan on an open flame without something in the pan (olive oil, coconut oil, etc.)
Be sure not to use metal utensils on non-stick cookware or scratch the surface in any way...if the surface is scratched it's probably best to toss it.
Don't let temperatures get above 450 degrees while cooking with non-stick
Wash non-stick cookware by hand with a sponge, do not use scratch pads and steel wool

Either way...it looks like not only is it important to know what you're eating but also what you're cooking with!

Sources

http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/healthandfitness/a/nonstickpans.htm

http://simplegoodandtasty.com/2010/04/11/are-non-stick-pans-safe-to-cook-with

Organic Facial Mask: Peachy Clean

2012-07-26T11:32:00.000-04:00

I'm back!!!

Goodness gracious it has been a crazy summer! I have literally devoted the last 4 and a half weeks to NOTHING but construction work on our new home in Indiana. You name it, I did it.....from plumbing our master bathroom with my dad to refinishing hardwood floors...I have been covered in nothing but work clothes and dirt. Makeup... what's that? Manicures... huh?

My dad is one of those guys that can just do anything! He truly has such an amazing gift and he's one of the lucky few that actually uses his gifts and shares his talents with others. We were always raised with the mentality that work was fun and it's something that we always did together as a family. So when it came to renovating our home you bet I was there, every step of the way, hammer and measuring tape in hand.

Photo Courtsey: www.archbrows.com

Now that we are back in Florida for football season I get to spend a little more time tending to myself and my body....first up, a nice relaxing ORGANIC facial. There's nothing I need more right now then to give my skin a little rejuvenation....and chemical free rejuvenation at that :)

Organic 'Peachy Clean' Facial Mask

1 whole skinned organic peach (pitted)

Organic Egg white from 1 Egg

Skin a whole peach and remove the pit. Then slice the peach into slices and combine both ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Gently distribute a nice, even layer of the mixture over the face and let sit for 30 mins. Then rinse and enjoy soft, radiant skin :)

* Be sure to save the leftover mixture for future uses....store in the fridge in a sealed container :)

Why is this facial so WoNdErFuL?
- Peaches are filled with Vitamins A and C, and are also a rich source of alpha hydroxy acids which help remove dead skin cells, leaving you with soft, healthy, rejuvenated skin.
- The juice from a peach is a natural astringent and it helps to unclog pores and banish those not so cute blemishes
- When used regularly ( about 3 times a week) it is said to lighten age spots and reduce fine lines by plumping up the skin :)
- The best part? It's Organic!! Found in nature...and free from all those chemicals, added acids, fragrances and toxins that are really not the best for our skin! And it's an inexpensive way to treat yourself to a facial :)

Sources
http://beauty-tyrant.blogspot.com/2008/08/skin-rejuvenating-peach-facial-natural.html
http://www.archbrows.com/service.php?sid=6
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Watermelon Lemonade

2012-06-29T12:40:00.000-04:00

I don't know about you, but the 4th of July has to be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable holidays of the year. We always head up to my parents lake house in northern Indiana for the week. Now, when I say 'Lake House', don't get any wild, elaborate ideas in your head. It's more like a cabin; no TV, a stove you have to light with a match, and a boat where you're always crossing your fingers that it starts, kinda place. But it's 'The Lake', an escape from life, technology, deadlines and all the hustle and bustle that consumes our lives nowadays. However, there is one thing that at the lake that is a sure bet....WATERMELON!

I stole this recipe from my cousin, Jill, who was hosting a baby shower for my other cousin... she literally handed me a glass of this when I walked in the door and since then I have been hooked!!! It's soooooo refreshing, light, crisp, healthy (free of HFCS and other additives you find in various lemonade beverages), low in calories and just all around yummy, not to mention absolutely PERFECT for your 4th of July get-together or B-B-Q!

Watermelon Lemonade (Organic)
Slightly Adapted from: All Recipes

What you need:
1 Whole seedless Watermelon (4 Cups Cubed)
1/2 Cup Fresh Organic Lemon Juice (About 2-3 Lemons)
1/2 Cup Organic Sugar
6 Cups Ice Cubes
3 Cups Cold Water
1/2 Cup Water for boiling

Directions:
1. Place the 4 Cups of Watermelon into a blender and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine, mesh strainer, sieve or cheese cloth.
2. In saucepan bring 1/2 Cup Water and Sugar to a boil over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves (About 5 mins)
3. Remove from heat. In a large, glass pitcher combine warm sugar water, lemon juice, 3 Cups cold water, watermelon puree and ice cubes altogether. Gently stir before serving.

Is Organic Alcohol Necessary?

2012-06-22T12:06:00.001-04:00

Is alcohol necessary? HA...ABSOLUTELY! Is organic alcohol necessary? Umm...not sure...

My husband and I are hosting a fundraiser this weekend in Indianapolis for our foundation {The Ryan Baker Foundation}....I have been rather busy and my poor blog has suffered...I promise I will get back to posting more often once Saturday has gone and passed :) Our event is raising money for a foster care program called Connected By 25, here in Indiana.

Last year down in Florida, we had the privilege of spending an afternoon taking a group of foster girls back-to-school shopping at Old Navy with the Miami Dolphins Women's Organization...Ryan and Reggie Bush made an appearance too! Afterwards, we all had dinner together at a local restaurant which gave us a chance to really get to know the girls, their situations and spend some time with the AMAZING women that take care of these young girls, they call them their "Mama's".

I was really touched by all the stories, one in-particular about how one of the girls, who was turning 18 that year, told her caretaker (recruiter) to stop working on finding a family for her and focus on someone else that would have a better chance. She was coming to terms with the fact that at age 18 she is considered an adult and no longer eligible for adoption. While Florida offers some wonderful opportunities to young adults that age out of the foster care program, there is nothing like a loving family; and to think that this sweet, young girl was giving up her chance to have a family for another just made me loose it...I tried but I couldn't hold it together...everyone deserves to have a family...

Connected by 25 helps these young adults that are aging out of the system, find jobs, housing, schooling, tutoring, money for food and clothes, you name it, they do it! So we knew that's what we wanted our foundations' main focus to be and that's what we are raising money for tomorrow :)

Wow....I got off on a tangent there didn't I? Anyway, fundraisers always involve alcohol right? So I thought I might look into getting an Organic Alcohol vendor to come out and serve up some free drinks at the event! And that got me thinking about whether or not opting for an organic, alcoholic beverage is a good idea or just a waste...

Benefits of Organic Alcohol

- Organic Alcohol is made using the same set of strict guidelines set by the USDA for organic foods.

- The alcohol is produced from organically grown grains, grapes, etc.

- Free from synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, hormones, and GMOs

- Supports more sustainable farming practices and is environmentally friendly.

- Studies suggest that organic alcohol may leave you with a lighter, more diminished hangover, due to the fact that the chemicals used to speed up alcohol production is not present in organic alcohol.

In summary... If you tend to enjoy a cocktail or alcoholic beverage frequently then it might be in your best interest to look into organic spirits. Not only for the purpose of a lighter hangover {which is a HUGE plus if further studies support it}, but also to prevent you body from being subjected to all the pesticides, antibiotics and so on. But if you only have a drink once in a while, I don't know if the switch is necessary being that it is more expensive and tends to be hard to find. Now, I am fully aware that alcohol in itself is unhealthy...so it may seem a bit contradictory to suggest an organic version of something that is generally not good for you...but it is what it is. :)

*I would like to note that this post is not intended to promote a misuse or an abuse of alcohol. *

So tell me, have you tried Organic Alcohol? What are your thought?!? Enjoy the weekend everyone!!

Sources

http://greatist.com/health/organic-alcohol/

5 Reasons to STOP Drinking Bottled Water

2012-06-18T10:12:00.001-04:00

It's officially summer! The pools are open, the outdoor grill is dusted off, and the fridge is stocked with BOTTLED WATER! Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate...right? That's always the theme for summer, stay cool and drink lots of water :) Yes, bottled water is exceptionally convenient, easy and great tasting...but there are also some pretty significant reasons as to why you may want to ditch those plastic water bottles and opt for good ol' fashioned tap water.

5 Reasons to STOP DRINKING BOTTLED WATER

Photo Courtesy: JustTrashIt.com

1. BAD for the Environment - Each year roughly 26 BiLlIoN bottles are thrown away with only 15% of that being recycled and nearly half that water being wasted because we don't finish the whole bottle...which means our landfills are filled with tons and tons of plastic water bottles that don't biodegrade. Not only are they filling our landfills, but the costs involved in creating bottled water and getting them to store shelves is CrAzY high! The plastic for the water bottles requires approximately 47 million gallons of oil per year to produced enough to meet our demands, then add on the oil needed to ship these bottles to a grocery near you!

2. Plastic Bottles are a Health Risk - Ever wonder why we're advised NOT to reuse plastic water bottles? Studies show a large majority of the plastic used to make these water bottles contains phthalates, chemicals known to disrupt testosterone and other hormones, BPA and other various chemicals which can leach into the water from the bottles overtime. The NRDC conducted a study and found that roughly 22% of the bottled water that was tested contained contaminant levels that exceeded state health limits...YIKES!

3. Bottled Water is no safer than Tap Water - Did you know the FDA and EPA actually have stricter rules and guidelines for tap water than they do for bottled water? That's right! Tap water is tested more frequently and regularly inspected for bacteria and toxic chemicals. Not only this, nearly 40% of all bottled water comes from municipal tap water, and is sometimes filtered or has minerals added to it, so it's just simply a waste all around!

4. Tap Water tastes the same...if not BETTER! - In several blind taste tests, people could not tell the difference between bottled water and tap water and in most cases actually preferred the tap water! A study conducted by Showtime found that 75% of New York City residents preferred tap water over bottled in a blind taste test!! Why are these findings so shocking? It's because we have all been trained by the marketing companies of the bottled water industry that bottled water is cleaner, safer, purer, and tastes better too...but it really doesn't. Try a blind taste test out for yourself and see :)

5. Bottled Water means less attention to public systems - In 2005 the state of California lost 222 million gallons of drinkable water to leaky pipes...and situations like this are happening all throughout the country. Our municipal water systems are in need of help and upgrades and with the bottled water industry taking over, there is less and less attention and pressure to put money and resources into improving our public water treatments.

Alternatives to Bottled Water

-Buy a Water Filter
-Check out re-usable water bottles and if you go for a plastic one make sure it is BPA free :)
-If you are so eager to spend money on water head on over to the The Water Project or Living Water International, you can supply a person in Africa with clean, safe drinking water for 5 years at the cost of just one case of bottled water! It's a great cause and a wonderful way to kick off your 'No Bottled Water Summer' :)

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Sources
http://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/stories/5-reasons-not-to-drink-bottled-water
http://www.nubiusorganics.com/PlasticBottleFacts.aspx
http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/water-bottle-pollution-2947.html
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/greenfeet7.htm
http://flourishonline.org/2010/08/so-whats-the-big-deal-with-plastic-water-bottles/
http://www.banthebottle.net/articles/7-bottled-water-myths-busted/

Organic Weed Killer

2012-06-13T15:43:00.000-04:00

Owning our first home has been so much fun, challenging at times, but for the most part, just sheer JOY! Although we haven't moved in yet, due to the renovations that are taking place inside the house, I thought it was time to start working on the outside...first up, KILLING THE WEEDS!

I headed over to Lowe's and talked with a gardening specialist about how exactly we recover our lawn from this dreadful, half grass half mud, construction state that it's in....remember this is my first house, I have no idea what I'm doing! He said that we needed to kill everything first and start new....sounds time consuming and EXPENSIVE to me! He lead me over to the weed killing aisle where he recommended a little chemical called RoundUp, to do the job. Can you say buzz kill? All the sudden my mood went from an optimistic-I-can-get-this-done-today state to 'Okay, time to do research'.

Round Up is made by Monsanto, the seed company that is taking over the food industry, going in and genetically modifying our food and then fighting the labeling law to cover it up! Not only that, but they are monopolizing the food and farming industry by patenting these seeds and then suing good, innocent farmers when Monsanto's seeds "naturally spread" onto their land and grow without them paying for them....It's too much to get into now...but if you want to learn more check out Food Inc. !

I don't mean to sound so eccentric but I was NOT about to even consider buying a product made by Monsanto....just can't do it....I know to much. Aside from the fact that I am not their biggest fan, Round Up weed killer has been known to have some pretty harmful effects on humans, especially women, including doubling the risk of late miscarriages and extremely high levels of premature births. Think about how often your yard is walked and played in...so not only are you, your children and your pets getting direct exposure to this VERY POWERFUL chemical, it is being tracked in your house and car...you're basically living in it!!

So I did some research and think I have found a great, non-toxic, chemical free, ORGANIC weed killer that you are gonna just LOVE...with just 2 simple ingredients!

Organic Weed Killer
-1 Quart Organic or Regular White Vinegar
-1/4 cup Organic or Regular Lemon Juice
-Spray Bottle

Mix the two ingredients into a spray bottle and there you have it! Spray it directly onto the weeds and for best results spray it on mid-day while the sun is out :)

Price Comparison
32 oz. Organic Homemade Weed Killer - $9.00
32 oz. Regular Homemade Weed Killer - $4.50
32 oz. Round Up Weed Killer - $19.95

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Sources
http://todayyesterdayandtomorrow.wordpress.com/2007/06/08/censored-news-the-lethal-dangers-of-roundup-made-by-monsanto/
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Are Candles Toxic?

2012-06-08T09:20:00.004-04:00

Who doesn't love candles? The smell, the soft warm glow, the coziness it gives to a room, not to mention the calmness it brings...what in the world could possibly be wrong with them?

I know, recently, I have been referring to a great deal of toxins and chemicals that are in our household cleaners and a large majority of the things that we use on a daily basis. You're probably thinking....okay if there are so many chemicals and toxins that I am frequently exposed to then why am I not being rushed to the hospital or something....

Well, the amount of exposure is small enough were you don't usually feel the effects right away....but gradually over time it takes a toll on our bodies, our immune systems weaken, we tend to get sick more often and then all of a sudden we have some crazy illness or cancer that can't be explained...it's all about prevention and protecting our bodies STARTING TODAY!

So what's the deal with candles you say?

A large majority of candles are made with paraffin, a petroleum by product, which when burned, releases a carcinogenic soot that is wayyyyy toxic!! So toxic that it has been strongly linked to asthma, birth defects and cancer! "Burning an aromatherapy candle made of paraffin is similar to preparing a healthy drink of fresh squeezed juice and adding a shot of gasoline," says Eric Johnson of Candleworks ( Iowa based company that specializes in nontoxic aromatherapy candles).

Although they were banned in 2003, 40% of candles on the market contained lead wires inside their wicks. They were usually found in scented candles because the fragrance oils soften the wax, creating the need for a firmer wick. Burning a candle with "a lead-core wick releases 5X the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air" says the CPSC. Lead poisoning can be extremely harmful, compromising our immune system, damaging internal organs and leading to learning disabilities and hormone disruption. And if you think that they're not still out there...think again!

How can we avoid these toxins and still enjoy candles?

-Look for 100% Beeswax or Soy Candles...The 100% part is important!!

-Always look for candles scented with essential oils and not synthetic fragrances

-Make sure the candles you buy have a cotton, paper, or synthetic fiber wick

-If you're like me and you tend to save candles....go through all your old one and throw away any that you might question and start new :)

-Be aware that even though lead wicks have been banned in the U.S., they are still being found, especially in imported candles

-Check the list of candle companies that have signed the "no lead wick pledge" here at CPSC

Sources

http://www.greenamerica.org/livinggreen/candles.cfm

http://www.anapsid.org/cnd/mcs/candles.html

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03105.html

http://www.cheeseslave.com/are-you-buying-toxic-candles/

Dangers of Triclosan

2012-06-02T10:49:00.002-04:00

Toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, antibacterial soap, shaving cream, makeup, hand sanitizer....what do they all have in common? Well aside from the fact that they're products we tend to use daily, they all contain {for the most part} a little chemical called Triclosan.

Triclosan is a synthetic chemical with antimicrobial properties, which destroys the growth of microorganism {bacteria and fungi}. It was first introduced in hospitals as a surgical scrub and it was crucial for keeping the doctors, nurses and various utensils germ and bacteria free. However...now it's EVERYWHERE and it's starting to become a problem...so much so that it is currently under review by the FDA and EPA due to:

"valid concerns about the effect of repetitive daily human exposure to these antiseptic ingredients."

Some of the effects on human health include:
-weakening of immune system
-uncontrolled cell growth
-developmental and reproductive toxicity
-development of allergies, eczema, asthma
-hormonal changes
-endocrine disrupter

Not only is it harmful to our health, it's been known to do a number on the environment as well. Triclosan is polluting our waterways, getting into sewer sludge and eventually making it's way into our food supply. And because it is known for staying stored in fat cells, when the EHP did a study testing for triclosan, it appeared in 75% of the urine samples they gathered.

But the biggest problem you say?.....The over use of triclosan has created a BACTERIAL RESISTANCE, which means the chances of our bodies fighting off the very bacteria we are trying to kill with the sanitizer is becoming less and less likely with every pump of that gel.

What to look out for?
-Triclosan is marked under several names so make sure to watch for: Irgassan DP-300, Lexol 300, Ster-Zac, Cloxifenolum, BioFresh, Microban and of course, Triclosan.
- These ingredients are found in a wide variety of toothpastes, laundry detergents, soaps, mouthwashes, shaving gels, makeup, & deodorants....you'll be surprised on just how many things in your house have triclosan in them!!

What to buy instead?
-Hand sanitizers and other personal care products that are free of triclosan
-Shop organic! They're free of triclosan and other toxic chemicals at around the same price.
-If you aren't satisfied with what's out there make your own! I've slooooowly started this process and so far I've made an All-Purpose Cleaner & Window Cleaner...Laundry Detergent is coming soon :)
-Rid you mind of thinking that antibacterial is the ONLY way to be clean!! Stop thinking this way...There is no evidence to prove it!
-According to the American Medical Association, "there is no evidence that suggests that using antibacterial soap works any more effectively than soap and water"...And while the FDA does support the use of sanitizers, it is mainly the alcohol in those products that is affective.

So start doing your research and READ THE LABELS :)

Sources

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-dangers-of-triclosan-and-how-to-avoid-it.html?page=2

http://www.healthiertalk.com/antibacterial-products-aren-t-just-useless-they-can-be-killers-0595

http://www.thirdage.com/health-wellness/antibacterial-triclosan-linked-to-health-problems

http://mightynest.com/learn/research-by-concern/dangers-of-triclosan

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/overdosing-triclosan.htm

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Spirulina : The Ultimate Superfood

2012-05-29T11:04:00.000-04:00

Photo Courtesy: Balance Your Life

It's considered one of nature's MOST PERFECT FOODS, research shows it can replace many other expensive supplements and it's even been found to stop the development of cancer progression....so why exactly have you never heard of Spirulina? ...Yeah I'm right there with ya!

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that dates back over five centuries ago in Mexico when the Aztecs used it as a food supplement. It can be found in fresh water ponds and lakes and it especially thrives in warm waters.

What exactly are the benefits of this algae?...well bare with me, the list is rather long :) Spirulina is the highest protein food in the world (Great for Vegetarians!), it's a powerful antioxidant, body detoxifier, anti-inflammatory, and it promotes lower blood pressure and LDL (Bad) Cholesterol. It's rich in chlorophyll, magnesium, potassium, calcium, enzymes, phosphorous, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and high in B complex vitamins including B12 and B6. It's a great source of essential fatty acids as well as essential and non-essential amino acids. Not to mention it's RAW and can easily be liquified...which means the amount of energy your body needs to absorb Spirulina is next to nothing!

Other studies have shown that this blue-green algae has several health benefits including it's potent anti-viral activity, as well as it's abilities to strengthen the immune system and stop the development of cancer and AIDS virus progression...basically it kicks major BUTT!

How can we get this AmAzInG SUPERFOOD?
Spirulina comes in both supplement and powdered form...while you will find the proper dosage recommended on the bottles, I've heard about 4-8 tablets of ORGANIC Spirulina (2-4 g) daily is ideal. However, I know Ryan's recommended dosage is MUCH higher due to the fact that he is an athlete...so might want to ask your doctor or chiropractor to cater to your needs/lifestyle :)

I have found that the easiest way to add Spirulina to my diet is through my daily smoothie....and the Kalicious Green Smoothie is the BEST with Spirulina in terms of hiding the taste! Just add the powder into the blender with everything to mix it in throughly!

In terms of side effects or health risks...I have searched and searched for the slightest negative associated with Spirulina I'm telling you they are hard to come by... some included stomach aches due to too much protein & dizziness...

So do yourself and your body a favor and start adding Spirulina to your daily vitamin pill box or favorite raw smoothie...you might just notice a boost in your energy levels but more importantly a boost in your overall health!

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Sources
http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/15-healthy-ingredients-you-can-add-your-breakfast?page=9
http://www.naturalnews.com/025703_spirulina_diet_studies.html
http://www.naturalways.com/spirul1.htm
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Homemade Window Cleaner

2012-05-24T15:34:00.001-04:00

For some, the thought of making their own homemade cleaning supplies sounds WAY too difficult, complicated, time consuming, unnecessary and maybe even a little CrAzY ! I get it! I thought the same things too! Why in the world would you go to all that trouble when you can just run to the store and buy it already made up?

Well, as it turns out...making your own homemade cleaners might just be the way to go. For the most part, they are less expensive, eco-friendly and, most importantly, they are free of harsh chemicals! Glass and window cleaners have some prrrreeetty powerful chemicals in them....so powerful that you definitely wouldn't want them around YOUR house, let alone being sprayed in it!!

Butyl Cellosolve - is found in a wide range of household cleaning supplies {Window and Glass Cleaners, Spot Removers, Oven Cleaners} even though it has made it on the list of California's most toxic air substances. Also known as Butyl Glycol, Dowanol, & EGBE; studies have indicated that it produces reproductive problems, causes nerve damage, reduces fertility, & causes testicular damaged....EXCUSE ME? So why exactly is it being used in a large majority of our cleaning supplies? Great Question!

This is why I started making my own cleaning supplies...and let me tell you, it's really not that hard! Obviously, going through a bunch of different recipes and determining what ingredients you want to use and which ones you want to avoid can be a daunting task, filled with time consuming research, BUT... lucky for you I have already done all that! I try to find recipes that will, first and foremost, WORK WELL while being made up of organic, natural, & chemical-free substances.

Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe:
Slightly Adapted from: The Imperfect Marriage

What You Need

- Spray Bottle

- Funnel

- 2 Cups Club Soda

- 3 TBS Organic Lemon Juice

- 1 tsp Organic Corn Starch (prevents streaks)

Directions

- Combine club soda, lemon juice and corn starch into spray bottle using funnel & shake carefully.

{Found these spray bottles at the Dollar Tree for, you guessed it, $1 each!}

{Had these sticky, felt letters hangin' around so decided to use them as labels}

A tip to prevent all those little fabric or paper towel fibers from getting on the glass...use newspaper or coffee filters! They work like a charm!

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Sources
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_279.cfm
http://thegoodhuman.com/2007/10/18/what-is-butyl-cellosolve-and-why-you-should-avoid-it/
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Farm Raised vs Wild Caught Fish

2012-05-20T20:05:00.001-04:00

Farm Raised vs. Wild Caught....What's the difference? Which is better?

When you think of fish, in terms of food, you immediately think "Healthy"... right? I know I do! Salmon, Tilapia, Cod, Sea Bass, and various other types of fish are packed with omega 3 fatty acids, rich in various types of nutrients, high in protein and all the while being super low in calories and fat. So what exactly is the problem here? Well, depending on where your fish comes from, you might be getting a side of antibiotics or PCBs that you're unaware of.

Sounds a little FiShY doesn't it?

This past weekend was the annual Golf and Fishing Charity Tournament put on by the team. It's a great way to mix giving back to the community and FUN altogether in one weekend! Tons of good food, great people and lots and lots of fish!
Ryan and I love to go deep sea fishing and it's probably why we get so excited about this Fins Weekend every year. We caught 3 good size Dolphins (Mahi Mahi, not bottle nose dolphins) and 1 Triple Tale. It was a pretty exciting day, but the best part is getting to stock our freezer with fresh, wild caught fish straight from the sea!

This of course got me thinking about Farm Raised vs. Wild Caught...I've heard some good and bad about both so I thought I would do some research myself and find out which is truly better...

Farm Raised- Consists of raising fish commercially in tanks, enclosures and controlled pens across the country usually in lakes, ponds, rivers and oceans. Due to their compact living situations and feed, they tend to have more diseases, toxins, artificial dyes, antibiotics and contain more fat then compared to their wild caught versions.

Wild Caught - These fish tend to be higher in Omega 3 fatty acids, protein and contain very low levels of disease as well as being free from antibiotics, pesticides & artificial dyes. Wild caught are obviously free to roam about the ocean and find their own food which results in them containing less fat then the farm raised versions. While mercury can be an issue with wild caught, it can be just as much of an issue with farm raised fish that are raised in the ocean. The only down side is that wild caught fish tend to cost 3-4 times more than farm raised fish.

Summary
While fish farming's main purpose was to meet the increase in demand of fish, keep the costs low and decrease the levels of mercury; the added antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides, GMOs and artificial dyes, not to mention the harmful effects it has on the environment, outweighs all the good. Although there are some exceptions, it's generally safest to stay away from farm raised fish if you can, and instead consider buying wild caught. It may cost a bit more but just think of all the harmful PCB chemicals and additives you'll avoid while getting more essential Omega 3's and protein! It is definitely the healthier and overall better choice :)

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Source

Photo: http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/06/fish-farming/
Photo: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=farm-raised-fish-not-free-mercury-pcb-dioxin
http://blisstree.com/eat/nutrition/buy-the-right-fish-wild-caught-vs-farm-raised-713/
http://www.emagazine.com/earth-talk/concerns-about-farm-raised-fish
http://www.shapefit.com/salmon-farmed-wild.html
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Sunscreens to Avoid this Summer

2012-05-16T10:39:00.000-04:00

It's getting to be about that time of year....the days are getting hotter, the sun is getting stronger and the need for a HEALTHY, EFFECTIVE & AFFORDABLE sunscreen is greater than ever! While getting a nice, healthy dose of Vitamin D from the sun is important {in moderation that is}, it is also just as important to protect yourself from too much of those sun rays. Well....it's a good thing that the Environmental Working Group just released their 2012 Sunscreen Guide to help us avoid those potentially dangerous ingredients and find a sunscreen that really protects us.

Isn't that a strange thing to think about...protecting your skin with something that is harmful to it...

The EWG found that only 25% of sunscreens tested are effective at protecting your skin without the use of potentially harmful ingredients. This 2012 Guide rates 1,800 sunscreens, lip balms, moisturizers and even cosmetics, all containing SPF....and to make this list, it must be free of Oxybenzone, Retinly Palmitate, protect against UVA and UVB rays, while not being above a 50 SPF.

What are these ingredients that we want to avoid?
1. Oxybenzone - linked to hormone disruption, allergic reactions, and potential cell damage that could lead to skin cancer.
2. Retinyl Palminate - Government studies have found that, while used on sun exposed skin, this particular type of Vitamin A may cause tumors & lesions to form and increase your chance of skin cancer.

Why not above 50 SPF?

Normally, we just grab the bottle with the highest SPF and assume it will give us the best coverage right? Well, the EWG believes that any sunscreen above 50 can be misleading, providing a false sense of security and, not to mention, being WAY more expensive! Studies have shown that the difference between 30 SPF and 85 SPF is sooooo small {SPF 30 blocks about 97% while SPF 85 blocks about 98.5%}...that it's not worth the extra costs!

How do we know if it protects against UVA & UVB rays?

Two words: BROAD SPECTRUM. When purchasing sunscreens you want to make sure that you are protected against both UVA rays {causes sunburns} and UVB rays {causes skin damage and aging} and the words Broad Spectrum mean you're covered.

So what do YOU need to look for in a Sunscreen?

-Use a sunscreen with a min of SPF 15 & and a max of SPF 50

-Make sure the labels list both UVA & UVB protections or say "Broad Spectrum"

-Purchase sunscreen that doesn't contain oxybenzone or retinyl palminate

-Try avoid spray bottles because of the respiratory problems they cause when inhaled

So...go on over and check out the 2012 Sunscreen Guide to help you select the best sunscreen for you!

Sources

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sunscreen-report/index.html

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/choosing-best-sunscreens-8212-avoiding-worst-124800044.html

Vanilla Pudding Sauce

2012-05-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've always been one of those people that prefers to play it safe, especially when it comes to food and being hungry! I actually don't think I've ever put anything but maple syrup on pancakes in my entire life!! But I came across this recipe and was intrigued by the fact that it has nearly 1/3 less sugar than maple syrup, so I thought I would give it a go....and have Ryan take the first bite just incase ;)

Well...let me tell you...I don't know if I will ever use maple syrup again....YES! It's that good!! So warm and creamy with the perfect amount of sweetness...between the light and fluffy pancakes, mixed with the thick vanilla pudding sauce toped with fresh strawberries {all three components are NECESSARY}....I mean what else do you want? Seriously! Can I really call this breakfast?

Vanilla Pudding Sauce
Slightly Adapted from: Creations by Kara

With your favorite Pancake Recipe:

2 Cups Organic Fat Free Milk (or regular milk if you prefer)
1 Organic Egg
2 Tbsp Organic Cornstarch
1Tbsp Organic Butter Spread
2 tsp Organic Vanilla
1/3 Cup Organic Sugar
1/8 tsp Salt
Organic Strawberries {Topping}

Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt into a saucepan. Whisk together the milk and egg then gradually stir into saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil. {Make sure not to turn up the heat too fast or you will scramble the egg} Boil for at least 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla...serve warm!

Note - Use whatever you have leftover as a fruit dip!

Bridal Shower Tea Party

2012-05-06T15:31:00.000-04:00

What girl doesn't LOVE a tea party? As little girls we've hosted them for our dolls and miscellaneous toys and now that we're all grown up it's actually for real people....like a dream come true :)

{Napkin twisted-up to resemble a rose}

Today I'm throwing a Bridal Shower for one of best girlfriends, Melissa. We wanted to do something fun, girly and most importantly HEALTHY! I am not kidding you when I tell you this, Melissa ran the Half {or what we call in Indiana the "Mini"} Marathon yesterday!! I wouldn't blame the poor thing if she had showed up in a wheelchair with ice packs and all....I remember a few years ago when I first ran the "Mini", the next day is definitely a struggle to say the least! But of course, being the AMAZING woman she is she showed up in HEELS no less....I mean just rub it in our faces already! :)

{Mimosas are always a must!}

{Little tea cups for sugar packets}

{Mason jars for flowers}

{We decided to do a comfy, family style brunch with the food on the table}

So in efforts not to ruin the super healthy-workout-eat-well regimen she is on here is the menu we came up with {I will post recipes soon!}

Food

-Quiche with Bacon Bits

-Fresh Organic Fruit

-Organic Yogurt Parfait Bar {My personal Favorite!} with Coconut, Granola, Blueberries, & Strawberries

-Mini Lemon Poppyseed muffins

Tea

-Organic Green Tea

-Organic Earl Gray Tea {Caffeine Free}

-Organic Lemonade and Passion Fruit Tea Mixed (Cold Beverage)

We played a few games, opened some gifts but the best part was the time we spent together. We were inseparable in college and while Melissa lives here in Indiana, I now live in Florida, one lives in Tennessee, the other in Chicago...we are pretty spread out. It was so nice having us all together under one roof....even if it was only for a few hours. Every minute was wonderful, it was the perfect Sunday brunch.

Melissa & Andrew I love you with all of my <3 and can't wait to celebrate your special day with you both!

How to lower your cholesterol NATURALLY!

2012-05-01T09:43:00.001-04:00

I feel like Cholesterol is one of those things that tends to sneeeeeaaaakkkkkkk up on people. I mean, there really aren't any visual signs or symptoms to warn you, except maybe your family's history....so until you get tested for it, you're kind of in the dark as to whether or not it is a problem for you.

What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and is essential for normal bodily function. It is needed to make Vitamin D from the sun, build cell walls, it aids in the production of bile which helps you digest fat, and is involved in the production of hormones....There are three main forms of Cholesterol:

LDL {low density lipoprotein} - Also known as "Bad Cholesterol" If your LDL levels get too high, your risk for arterial disease increases.
HDL {high density lipoprotein} - Also known as "Good Cholesterol" The higher your HDL the lower {in most cases} your LDL will be.
Triglycerides - These are the extra calories that we consume but do not use up right away, they turn into triglycerides and are stored in fat cells.

Here's an easy way to remember it; We want LDL levels to be LOW, and we want HDL levels to be HIGH :)

When we realized that we needed to work on getting my Mr.'s cholesterol down, we looked at two different options. The first one was the medical route {prescription} and the second one was a more natural approach, which consisted of supplements and a new diet. We discussed and weighed the options with our doctor, factoring in the risks associated with the prescription vs. the natural route and we ALL THREE agreed that the natural approach was worth the shot. And let me tell you, the results were nothing short of EXTRAORDINARY!

So how did we NATURALLY lower his Cholesterol?
Three words: Red Yeast Rice
Aside from a new diet which only allows him to have a total of 3 grams of BAD fats per serving, fish oil supplements, red grapes and tons of fiber....Red Yeast Rice has, by far, been the key component!

-Do note that Red Yeast Rice may not be necessary for everyone, usually a change in diet and an increase in exercise alone can be enough to drastically lower your cholesterol. While we explored these options, we found ourselves between a rock and a hard place. Exercise...yeah that's covered {check}! Lowering his caloric intake....not an option at the time. So this is what lead us to exploring some natural supplements. -

Red Yeast Rice

-What is it? - Red Yeast Rice has been a staple in some Asian countries for nearly 1,000 years as a traditional medicine and is a red yeast that grows on a particular type of rice. Red Yeast Rice contains natural stains or monocolins which is the active ingredient that helps to naturally lower cholesterol. It works the exact same way that any prescription statin {Lipitor, Zocor, Mavacor, etc..} would by inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the liver with less side effects. Many prescription statins tend to have side effects including sore muscles, liver damage and digestive problems.

"It works much the way a statin would work, by reducing the amount of cholesterol that the liver makes, but in a much gentler level." said Dr. Christopher Cannon, a cardiologist at Boston's Brighan and Women's Hospital.

-Where do I find it? - You can find Red Yeast Rice in any natural food store or online, but I prefer to buy it from a store...we get ours from Whole Foods.
-How Much Do I Take? - Talk with your doctor, usually 4 capsules a day is the recommended dosage.
-What Kind Should I buy? - Our doctor suggested that we go with the Whole Foods Brand. But do make sure to get the Red Yeast Rice with CoQ10....just like the statin drugs, Red Yeast Rice has been found to interfere with your bodies ability to produce CoQ10...So this way you balance that out!

Now... if you start to do your research, many medical companies, especially the FDA, will try to steer you away from Red Yeast Rice by warning you that the supplement has not been throughly tested and that the known effects and risks are exactly the same as taking a prescription statin. Be aware that Red Yeast Rice is a competitor of theirs and being that there is no possible way to create a natural substance, these companies have to do something to deter you from their competition....so they scare you! Do your own research...There are tons of amazing facts, information and studies about the benefits of Red Yeast Rice {which I won't bore you with}. That's exactly how I found out about it....I googled "How to Naturally Lower Cholesterol"....found out about Red Yeast Rice and asked our doctor about it. He checked it out and said GO FOR IT!

I only hope you have as much success with it as we have :)

--
Sources
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/MedicineCuttingEdge/story?id=7846751&page=1#.T5_OKhy_L5k
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/9152.php
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/nutrition/cholesterol.html#
http://defeathighcholesterol.com/the-importance-of-having-cholesterol-levels-chart.html

Healthy Cooking Substitutes

2012-04-26T12:37:00.001-04:00

Have you ever seen the book Eat This, Not That ? It's the infamous book that guides readers to the "healthier" fast-food hamburger options and so on... make no mistake, that book has definitely helped tons of people lose weight and lower their caloric intake...but suggesting to someone that they should eat a Big Mac (regardless of what they are comparing it to) is nothing short of irresponsible....I mean COME ON! CrAzY right? Well if you have ever seen the book then this is going to look a little familiar except.... it's all about Healthy Cooking Substitutions and reducing the amount of BAD Fats in our diet....and we're calling it Use This, Not That!

Healthy Cooking Substitutes

1. Use This: Organic Applesauce

Not That: Butter or Oil

When baking Muffins, Quick Breads, or Cakes
Applesauce can be used to replace butter, oil or margarine
Most sources recommend a 1:1 ratio....if the recipe calls for 1C of butter then use 1C of applesauce
Also, make sure not to over bake low-fat recipes....they tend to dry out!

2. Use This: Organic Marshmallow Creme

Not That: Butter

When making Frosting
Gives it a creamer & richer texture but it does sweeten it a bit so may not need ot add as much sugar :)

3. Use This: Organic Almond Cheese or Veggie Cheese

Not That: Regular Cheese

This organic almond cheese has NO BAD FATS. Being that cheese was completely cut out of my husbands diet (pause...can you image hearing the words "No More Cheese"???) b/c of the bad fats, he jumped all over this!! And he absolutely loves it!

4. Use This: Organic Cooking Spray

Not That: Butter

This is great for when you're cooking eggs or pancakes
If sauteing, add some garlic to add a little flavor to make up for the lack of butter

5. Use This: Ground Turkey

Not That: Ground Beef

When making meat sauces, burgers or tacos
This will significantly reduce the amount of fat in your recipe

6. Use This: Organic Fat Free Ricotta

Not That: Cream Cheese

Great for Dips
I also use Ricotta in mashed potatoes...makes it nice and creamy without all the fat

7. Use This: Organic Fresh Herbs

Not That: Seasoning Salt

By subbing in fresh herbs you are cutting out the crazy amount of salt that's in seasoning salt which makes whatever you are preparing better for your heart <3

8. Use This: Organic Non-Fat Yogurt

Not That: Sour Cream

When making Dips, Sauces or Salad Dressings
This will again significantly reduce the amount of bad fats

9. Use This: Organic Fat Free Skim Milk or Almond Milk

Not That: Organic Whole Milk

Almond Milk and Skim Milk both have more protein and calcium, less calories and, best of all, NO FAT!
Skim milk will give you a slightly thinner/lighter consistency while the Almond milk will give you a richer texture

10. Use This: Organic Whole Wheat Flour

Not That: White Flour

You can either go all in and completley swtich to Whole Wheat Flour or you can do a half and half mixture ( 1/2 Wheat, 1/2 White)

11. Use This: Evaporated Skim Milk

Not That: Heavy Cream

When making custards or desserts
Less fat and calories

12. Use This: Organic Egg Whites

Not That: Whole Eggs

The egg yolk actually contains a lot of cholesterol and saturated fat...egg whites on the other hand do not but still have that protein we are looking for :)

So what are your thoughts? Has anyone tried these substitutions? Let me know what you think!

Is Tuna Scrape the new Pink Slime?

2012-04-23T13:01:00.000-04:00

I know you're probably thinking "Oh Gosh What Now?" It seems like recently all we hear about is how dangerous and bad the foods that we have been CONSUMING FOR YEARS are for us.

It's confusing, discouraging, and just flat out FRUSTRATING! I get it!....Just don't shoot the messenger okay? :)

First it was the 'Pink Slime' controversy where amonia treated beef fillers were being added to your ground beef.... and now, due to a recent outbreak of salmonella, there just might be a 'Pink Slime of the Sea'. It's called Tuna Scrape or Nakaochi Scrape and is described by the FDA as "tuna backmeat, which is scraped off from the bones, and looks like a ground product".

The product comes from the Yellowfin Tuna and has been imported from India and it distributed by Moon Marine Corp USA in California, it comes in a frozen form and is used in sushi, specifically the spicy tun rolls, and was found to be the number 1 culprit in all 116 salmonella cases in the US. Health Officials always warn that raw meat of any kind, including fish, can be risky, however, the chances of bacteria increases sIgNiFiCaNtLy when raw meat is ground up, which in this case is what has caused the outbreak.

Unfortunately, there is very little research regarding the processing of this 'Tuna Scrape', whether or not it is treated with a chemical, such as ammonia, to disinfect it, as of now, is unknown. However, this recent uncovering is great news! Why?...because of wonderful, smart people like you, who will demand that it be further investigated and researched. Now.....are you going to call up the Moon Marine Corp and ask a bunch of questions....probably not, but will you make sure to avoid anything containing this 'Tuna Scrape' until you know more about it? My guess is YES! And that's what creates a change, your vote and acceptance of a product is based on what you say yes to at the register :)

How to avoid this Tuna Scrape?

-You don't have to avoid sushi altogether...just make sure that any roll involving raw tuna is not ground but is, in fact, whole.

-If that just won't cut it for you, opt for sushi that contains cooked tuna or another type of fish.

I will be sure to keep you all updated once I have more information regarding how this Tuna Scrape is processed! So be sure to check back for updates...until then I would suggest staying away from it for the time being :)

Sources

http://www.care2.com/causes/beware-of-tuna-scrape-the-pink-slime-in-sushi.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133767/Is-new-pink-slime-Tuna-scrape-caused-salmonella-outbreak-damage.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/avoid-sushi-salmonella-poisoning-outbreak-linked-scraped-fish-spicy-tuna-rolls-article-1.1063661

http://news.yahoo.com/sushi-tuna-scrape-blamed-us-salmonella-outbreak-230505311.html

Photo: http://www.salmonellablog.com/salmonella-watch/166-sickened-by-salmonella-tuna-in-20-states-including-alabama-arkansas-connecticut-district-of-colu/

Photo: http://www.ichibajunction.com.au/en/products/998006424.html