Throw An Eco-Friendly Party July 18, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Nature, Sustainable Living.comments closed
If you’re planning to enjoy the green grass of summer with a backyard cookout, picnic, or barbecue . . . keep the theme GREEN!
The Nature Conservancy can help you include a Green Theme for your next party or celebration. Check out Green Tips for:
* Food ~ local, organic, and vegetarian
* Lawn & Garden ~ native plants
* Drinks ~ pitchers instead of individually packaged drinks
* Furniture ~ recycled materials
* Decorations ~ natural, repurposed, or reuseable
* Clean Up ~ separate bins for compost, recycling, and trash
For more tips: Everyday Environmentalist ~ Green Outside Party Tips
Related posts: Harvest Soup * Veggie Stir Fry * Veggie Kabobs * Versatile Pasta Salad * Zucchini Boats * Mango Salsa *Yummy Hummus * Bon Appetit! * Mexican Curry * Bruschetta * Ten Ways to Fiber Up Your Diet
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise July 18, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Health & Wellness.comments closed
I just finished flipping through Vitality, a health magazine, and noted a common theme running through the articles . . .
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise!
Articles on body image, heart health, blood pressure, stress, and cholesterol all mentioned Exercise as an important element in promoting physical health and mental well-being.
Body Image: Physical activity improves mental health, which leads to higher self-esteem. It also helps to improve your posture, muscle tone, and overall fitness . . . making you look (and feel!) better.
Practice Prevention: Step up your physical activity and lose extra pounds.
Prevent High Blood Pressure: Work out regularly and build more physical activity into your day, even if you’re not overweight. Pace while talking on the phone, or walk instead of driving to errands.
Sidetrack your Stress: Exercise every day, if possible. Aerobic workouts (walking, running, swimming, and cycling) help release frustrations while producing endorphins that help fight stress.
Other ways to boost your health mentioned in the same articles:
* Adopt a pet ~ Pets help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce feelings of loneliness, and increase opportunities for socializing.
* Throw away fashion magazines which promote unhealthy standards for weight and make us feel bad about our bodies.
* Work at building new skills and developing hobbies that you enjoy.
* Listen to music ~ Music improves focus and self-esteem, and it encourages us to move to the beat. If you’re listening to music, you might as well dance, right?
* Focus your attention on what you value about yourself to improve your self-image.
* Encourage yourself to pursue reasonable fitness goals.
* Stop smoking, take medications as prescribed, and see your doctor regularly for checkups, immunizations, and health screenings.
* Wear sunscreen and shun the sun from 10 am to 4 pm when rays are strongest.
* Eat right ~ aim for 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day to maintain health and reduce the risk for cancer.
* Limit foods high in saturated fats, fried foods, red meat, processed meats (cold cuts, hot dogs), cheese, baked goods (muffins, cookies, doughnuts).
* Get adequate potassium (4,700 mg) to reduce blood pressure. Good sources: cantaloupe (494 mg/cup), banana (450 mg), orange juice (450 mg/cup), 15 baby carrots (420 mg).
* Experiment with exotic tropical fruits like Guava, Kiwi, Papaya, and Mango. Add some dark, leafy greens to your diet for vitamin C, beta-carotene, iron, calcium, folic acid, and fiber.
Get up, get out, and get moving . . . there is no better mood altering “substance” than good old-fashioned exercise!
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: Beginner’s Yoga 1~2~3 * 10 Happiness Boosters * 13 Tips to Stay Healthy & Happy * Walk Off Some Weight * Get Out!!!
Spirit Lights The Way 