When I had my first child, "organic" and "green" were not words you heard every day. Organic cotton clothing? Eco friendly toys? BPA free bottles? To most I was speaking a foreign language. I remember expecting my first child, my request for cloth diapers was met with a collective gasp. "Why would you want to do that, disposables are so much easier?" That was almost 30 years ago.
When the last of my seven children was born three years ago, organic baby products were now readily available and were an expected part of any nursery. And that child I mentioned, born almost 30 years ago? It was from her store that I purchased the organic cotton cloth diapers for child number seven!
What a road the years between these two children has been. As a young mom, I wanted to do everything right. I wanted to protect that small child of mine from any sort of harm. I envisioned a care-free child, running through a field of wildflowers in the country.
The reality I'm afraid, was anything but what I had hoped for. Lead paint scares, mad cow disease, asbestos in the schools, tainted baby food, it wasn't long before I realized it was in an uphill battle, and it wasn't going to be pretty. I couldn't sit back and wait for the world to become a safer place for my child. Nobody had her best interest at heart more than I did. I needed to be proactive and find a better way. It was trial and error at first, to be sure. But nothing gave me a better feeling than knowing I knew exactly what was in her food and where it came from.
I have to smile and chuckle when people say to me "Oh I would love to live a more green lifestyle, but I can't afford it." Raising my children in an eco friendly lifestyle, has been immensely rewarding personally, and financially.
Here are seven tips to help you go green, live a healthy lifestyle, and yes save money:
1. Grow an Herb and Vegetable Garden - It's true, kids will eat their vegetables, if they had a hand in growing them...well there is a better chance anyway.
2. Repurpose, Reuse & Recycle - A must for a large family, green or not! I love to hand one of the kids something I would usually recycle and ask "what should this be now?" Just watch their imagination go to work. Get together with other families that buy organic cotton clothing and swap clothes! In any group, there is almost always a child a size or two bigger than your child. This works great for organic cotton baby items too, such as: blankets, bibs, hooded towels, burp cloths slings, diapers and baby toys.
3. Use Every Day, Non-Toxic Items for Cleaning - Examples include lemons, salt, vinegar and baking soda. Not only is the house free from toxic fumes, it costs just pennies on the dollar.
4. Plan Ahead When Traveling - If you can't bring food with you...plan ahead! Search for your favorite organic restaurants online to see if there is one near your destination. Print out your map and off you go! If all else fails, visit the local grocery store and stock up on food for your stay. Is there a Whole Foods store nearby? Bonus!
5. Choose Healthy School Lunches.... It's no secret that the choices offered in most schools are not the most nutritious choices for our kids. We save quite a bit of money packing lunches, and the choices are endless. Not only do we save on food, we use "waste-free" lunch kits. No need for juice boxes, plastic bags or wrap, paper bags or paper napkins. This is a great eco-friendly option.
6. Staying Fit & Get Healthy - The health benefits of living an eco friendly lifestyle are fantastic, and perhaps fewer trips to the doctor....even better. Eating organic food is more nutritious and less fattening, doesn't contain toxic chemicals or pesticides, what's not to love there! If you're not the 10K type, a simple yoga routine does the body and mind wonders. You will find yourself looking forward to this quiet time, and will fiercely protect it at all cost!
7. Create Craft Projects with the Kids - Keeping the kids occupied doesn't have to mean putting them in front of the TV for hours at a time to "veg-out," or taking out a loan to visit the amusement park. Some of the most memorable times we've had, were being elbow deep in easy to find (in the house or in nature) items for making crafts. Their one of a kind masterpieces will be something you treasure for years to come.
These are just a few of the examples of how green living doesn't have to break the budget. Doing what you know in your heart is right for your family, can be cost effective as well.
Now, I have been called frugal by some. I take this as a compliment! You can buy organic food, clothing, cleaning products etc. very affordably - I have been doing it for years. Children number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 have had the added benefit of a healthier, safer environment, than their oldest sibling.
Raising kids in a healthy, green environment gives me peace of mind knowing their food is healthier, their clothes are free of toxic residues, their toys won't be on the next recall list and nobody has to run for the hills, eyes watering, when it's cleaning day.
About the author: Cindy Miller is a Registered Nurse of 21 years and the proud mom to seven wonderful children. Because of her passion for her children and living a healthy, green lifestyle, she launched the website OnlyTheBestForThem.com, dedicated to living a more natural and healthy lifestyle.
As temperatures rise, you may consider cooling off with a blended coffee drink, whipped cream and all.
But as we’ve noted in the past, Frappuccinos and flavored lattes are high in calories, largely due to the addition of whole milk or cream, flavored syrups and added sugar.
At the extreme, a 24-oz. Starbucks Venti Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino with whipped cream contains 750 calories, or 38% of one’s daily caloric intake (based on a 2,000-calorie dietary allowance). A large Dunkin’ Donuts Vanilla Bean Coolatta (32 oz.) has 860 calories.
Staking Out the Chains
Researchers from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene were alarmed by residents’ increased caloric intake from such beverages, which they associated with higher obesity rates. So, they staked out two New York City coffee chains (42 Starbucks, 73 Dunkin’ Donuts) to monitor consumers’ afternoon beverage orders and calculate average calorie content.
The researchers clocked 1,127 beverage purchases at Starbucks and 1,830 at Dunkin’ Donuts. Their findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventing Chronic Disease, were staggering: Roughly two-thirds of Starbucks purchases and one-fourth of Dunkin’ Donuts purchases were for high-calorie blended coffee beverages.
Now, extrapolate these stats for the rest of the country: Starbucks, the world’s largest coffee chain, has more than 11,000 retail stores in the United States, while Dunkin’ Donuts boasts 6,400 U.S. stores. And as the researchers note: “Both companies have promoted their products aggressively and serve millions of customers each day.”
Key Stats
The average calorie content of beverages purchased at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts is similar to that of a standard 12-oz. can of sugar-sweetened soda.
At both chains, ice-blended drinks had the highest calorie content (more than 300 calories, on average)—the equivalent of a scoop of high-fat ice cream.
Almost 60% of customers who ordered a blended coffee beverage (all sizes) purchased more than 10% of their calories for the day in a single drink purchase. Without expending enough energy to compensate for their liquid treats, they could potentially gain 20 pounds a year, based on consumption of an extra 200 calories per day.
Promoting Better Alternatives
“Because [our] data were collected from 2 to 4 p.m.,” the researchers write, “many customers probably bought these high-calorie beverages as afternoon ‘pick-me-ups,’ in addition to their lunchtime meals.”
Consumers who visit coffee chains at other times of day may order lower-calorie beverages, they admit. They also acknowledge that customers may not have consumed their entire beverages.
Nonetheless, the researchers suspect consumers fail to consider calorie count when placing their orders. As such, “the industry should be encouraged to provide and promote less-caloric alternatives,” they write.
I love a well-prepared omelet, but nothing beats a frittata when cooking for a small crowd.
Usually cooked on the stovetop, using just one skillet, frittatas are similar to quiches, but without the calorie-packed crust. To further reduce calories, you can substitute egg whites for whole eggs.
Today’s recipe is ideal for Easter brunch. Prep time is 25 minutes, cook time is 16 to 18 minutes, and all of the ingredients should be available at your local natural and organic food store.
Asparagus, Red Pepper and Potato Frittata
Makes 6 servings
2 cups (16 ounces) egg whites 1/2 cup low-fat ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 cups refrigerated (uncooked) hash brown potatoes 1/2 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup chopped red bell pepper 1 cup sliced mushrooms 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Slowly stir together egg whites and ricotta cheese in a small bowl, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
Heat oil on medium-high in 10-inch skillet.
Gently stir potatoes, asparagus, red pepper and mushrooms in large bowl.
Add potato mixture to skillet. Cook 5 to 6 minutes.
Flip potato mixture. Pour egg-white mixture evenly over potatoes. Cover and cook without stirring for 10 to 12 minutes, or until eggs are set. Remove from heat.
Place serving platter or cutting board over top of skillet. Carefully invert frittata onto platter. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Dietary intake provides a foundation for the human body to be healthy. The foods that are eaten can either support and nourish the body or potentially cause harm. The incidence of developing cancer is extremely high; one person out of three will have some form of cancer in their lifetime.
Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to help prevent cancer. Eating foods that have been proven to have cancer-fighting benefits can potentially save lives. These foods will have even more potent anti-cancer agents if you make sure that they are organic. Organic foods are higher in vitamins and minerals which help to decrease the risk of cancer. Also, diets that include large amounts ofvegetables have been shown to fight off cancer. Thus, it is important that the following specific foods along with many vegetables are included in our daily diets.
One of the most well studied foods is actually a drink that decreases cancer risk;
green tea. Green tea has been used for thousands of years and has many cancer fighting properties. It contains antioxidants which help to prevent damage to cells, so it’s protective against cancer. Bladder cancer, breast cancer, and even skin cancer have been shown to be helped by green tea. Some studies show that just three cups of tea a day can reduce the risk of breast cancer in young women. Research shows that the chances of developing a breast cancer tumor drop by around 37 percent in women under 50 who drank tea at least three times daily. Other studies have shown that women of all ages would benefit from drinking eight cups of green tea daily to prevent breast cancer. Green tea also modulates blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels have been linked with increased cancer risk. Green tea is one the best superfoods to ward of cancer.
Blueberries are avery tasty way to help ward off cancer. The antioxidants in blueberries called anthocyanins have been shown to prevent cancer andspecifically to reduce colon cancer risk. Several studies have demonstrated that blueberries decrease the risk of metastases which is a cancer spreading from its original site.Blueberries are low on the glycemic index so they usually do not affect sugar levels like other fruits can. Eating a cup of wild blueberries a day can help to prevent cancer.
Many mushrooms contain compounds that can help the body fight cancer. ****ake, maitake, reishi, and even the inexpensive button mushrooms all have immune boosting properties which help prevent cancer. Reishi mushrooms have been shown to inhibit the growth of malignant tumors. Maitake mushrooms may help reduce blood sugar levels, which will reduce cancer risk. Mushrooms can be high in pesticides and thus it is best to eat organic mushrooms.
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, kale, etc. have been shown to help decrease the risk of cancer, especially breast cancer. Cruciferous vegetables have been shown to contain DIM (di-indolyl-methane) and I3C (Indole-3-Carbinol). Indole-3-carbinol is a phytonutrient which is an organic plant part specifically found in cruciferous vegetables. Other phytonutrients that we may be more familiar with include carotenoids which are the red, yellow and orange pigments in vegetables. DIM is also a phytonutrient that is a break down product of Indole 3-Carbinol. These two phytonutrients help to convert bad estrogen over to good estrogen. I3C has been shown to be very effective in fighting breast cancer cells by blocking tumor growth. Research has shown that both I3C and DIM might help cure cancer.
5. Eat Your Garlic, Even Raw Garlic.
Garlic is an important food that helps to fight cancer. Garlic contains a powerful plant phytonutrient called allicin that has been shown to protect the body against cancer. Allicin has even been shown to kill tumor cells in certain studies. Garlic can have a powerful antioxidant effect in the body, which means it helps to protect against damaging free radicals which can cause cancer. Studies have found that high consumption of raw or cooked garlic decreases the risk of colon cancer and stomach cancer by up to 50%.
Green tea, blueberries, cruciferous vegetables, and garlic are very potent anti-cancer foods and everyone would benefit from adding these foods to their diet. There are many other foods that are not listed here that would help as well. In general, ingesting the super foods listed above along with a lot of organic vegetables will help to minimize your risk of developing cancer.
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About the author: Jillian Finker, Naturopathic Physician has a private practice in Bellmore, New York. She specializes in women's health and is trained as an expert in natural medicine. She has appeared on News 12 Long Island Naturally, other television programs, and is a referral source for Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Her work has been featured in various books and major magazines nationwide. Visit her website at: www.DrFinker.com
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry has unanimously approved the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which reauthorizes the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, while also establishing federal nutrition standards for foods sold on campuses.
In an attempt to address epidemic levels of childhood obesity, the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to designate school standards consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
“As a mother of two boys, it’s important to know that healthy, more nutritious foods will be more widely available throughout school campuses,” said Committee Chair Blanche Lincoln (D-AR).
“When it comes to what our kids eat at school, we need to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” added Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA). “That means ensuring that kids have the ability to choose from foods that meet science-based nutrition standards. This agreement provides a commonsense approach to healthy eating, and it starts in a place where our kids spend the majority of their day: their schools. With childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise, it couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“Current nutrition standards haven’t been updated since my children were in school in the 1970s,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). “Today, my grandchildren are in school and are faced with the same junk food choices that should have been replaced years ago. It’s long past time to bring these school food standards into the 21st century, and I am pleased that, with this agreement, we are one step closer to passing these changes into law.”
Check out my new episode on Organic Authority TV, on how to lose the last 10-20 pounds of fat, and dramatically increase your energy using digestive enzymes.
As with yesterday’s recipe, fresh basil complements its costars. Yesterday, it was Thai basil, chosen for its mint and licorice flavors. Today, we’re using sweet basil (purple or green), the “regular” kind used in Italian and some Southeast Asian cuisines.
Other types of basil include:
Lemon basil, whose citrus notes complement African and Southern Asian dishes
Holy basil, popular in Thai meat dishes (but different from Thai basil)
African blue basil, known for its oddly camphor-like scent; often used in salads
Use a melon baller, readily available at supermarkets and mass merchandisers, to create perfectly round melon balls.
Fresh Mozzarella Watermelon Salad with Basil
Makes 6 to 8 servings
2 cups seeded small watermelon balls 2 cups fresh mozzarella pieces 1 cup freshly chopped sweet basil (purple or green) 1 bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Assorted baby greens (lettuces) 8 pieces crostini (lightly toasted bread) Balsamic vinegar, as desired
Toss together the watermelon, mozzarella, basil, scallions and oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over a bed of baby greens, with crostini on the side.
Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar over the top, if desired.
Recipe and photo courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board
We generally think of organic watermelon as a summertime snack, but this juicy treat is available year-round.
It may surprise you to learn that watermelon is a vegetable because it’s part of the cucumber and squash family—a classification that remains controversial.
Composed of 92% water and 8% sugar, watermelon has long been recognized as a weight watcher’s BFF. A half-cup serving of diced watermelon has only 25 calories and meets 10% of your daily vitamin C requirement.
Some of the latest research shows watermelon contains high concentrations of lycopene, an antioxidant that may help reduce cancer risk. In addition, a 2007 U.S. Department of Agriculture study cited watermelon’s role in cardiovascular health, with amino acids that help maintain arteries and blood flow.
