Wellness

Living Well

Whether you’re making small changes for yourself, your home or the environment, we are all trying to take a closer look at how we live. There has never been a better time for change and these tips and tricks are sure to help you live better in 2009. Thomas Fuller, the great historian, once said “We never know the worth of water ‘til the well is dry.” Instead of losing sight of what we have, let’s make changes now. We will all reap the benefits later.

1. Don’t drain your wallet dry. Find a faucet mount, such a Brita® or PUR, and buy reusable containers to fill up. Many brands offer tasty flavor options, too. If 10,000 people gave up bottled water and opted for a faucet mount, in five years they’d save a collective $1,300,000. That’s quite a cash flow.
2. The idea of driving to the gym to run on a machine can seem ironic. Get green with your workout by taking it outside. “Green Gyms,” gaining popularity in the UK, have harnessed workout power for something better. For example, planting trees, laying hedges and building walls for the community can actually burn hundreds of calories more than running. And when you’re all done with those trusty, old sneakers, Nike’s shoe recycling program, Reuse-A-Shoe, will turn them into Nike Grind, a material used for sports surfaces and playgrounds. Find out more at Nikereuseashoe.com.
3. Paper or Plastic? Just say no to both. While you use a shopping bag for an hour, it takes a lifetime to decompose. Try bringing your own bag when grocery shopping. With all of the stylish new options out there, it’s easy being “green.” For an ultra-chic option, we suggest Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m not a plastic bag.” Find it at Whole Foods stores statewide.
4. Replace one meal a week with a meatless entrée. While many love a good filet mignon, our meat-based diet actually contributes to world hunger and deforestation. Take baby steps. Eating a greener diet would cut over 50 percent of the U.S. consumption of oil and water, not to mention the good effects it would have on our health. Visit Seeveggiesdifferently.com to learn how delicious and easy it is!
5. Fresh, organic foods are the best for our health. However, their high price tags often leave them lingering on the shelves. Pick and choose certain foods to buy in the organic section, as it has been proven that some items contain more pesticides and contaminants than others. When tested, some 16 contaminants were found in leading baby food brands according to the National Academy of Sciences. Baby foods, along with apples, grains, milk and strawberries are highly contaminated by pesticides, so pick them up in the organic section.
6. If you think vampire power means the spellbinding power of a white-fanged caped man, think again. Commonplace appliances in your home can “suck” energy and drain funds from your wallet, even when switched off. Try unplugging your appliances when not using them. Collectively, we could save $3 billion a year, that’s $200 per household!
7. Cleaning products are a cocktail of poisons that we use in our home. While people with young children are more aware of their dangers, we all should be. Save money and worry by making your own “green” cleaning supplies. Stock up on a few safe ingredients such as soap, vinegar, baking soda, borax, lemon juice and a coarse scrubbing sponge. With a little elbow grease, vinegar and water makes an excellent glass cleaner,while baking soda and cornstarch can deodorize carpets in a snap.
8. Incorporate the five “superfoods” into your diet and you will be off to a healthy start. Walnuts are a great source of plant protein, so try eating a handful a day. Flax seeds have been shown to have anti-cancer properties and are packed with fiber. Add Pomegranate into your daily diet, as it is loaded with anti-oxidants and lowers cholesterol. Eat two servings of salmon a week, to get lean protein and omega 3 fatty acids. Lastly, dark greens like asparagus and collard greens are high in fiber and low in calories.
9. We all have received unwanted catalogs and papers in the mail. Before you throw them away, request to be removed from the list.Think before you print. In a single year, the average U.S. worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper. If you get an important e-mail, save don’t print. Also, spread the word about bamboo and organic cotton papers now available. Your office may pick up on the trend.
10. Walk it off! Contrary to popular belief, how many minutes you walk is not as important as your distance and speed. Remember to increase your distance before working on your speed. Note: a person of about 180 lbs. should burn approximately 100 calories per mile.
11. One light bulb per house. That’s how many light bulbs it will take to change the world. According to Energy Star, if every one of 110 million American households purchased just one Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb (CFL), and put it in place of their regular 60-watt bulb, the energy saved would be enough to power a city of 1.5 million people. This frosted, ice-cream cone shaped marvel is one of the best-kept secrets, and your local home goods store is charging around $3 for them. This sounds like a pretty bright idea to us.
12. Be an eco-hostess. There are many choices when it comes to entertaining and gift giving. Order gorgeous organic flowers from Organicbouquet.com, and serve your guests organic and fair-trade coffee, from Purevidacoffee.com. For those with a sweet tooth, satisfy your stomach and conscience with delectable organic goodies, available at Theochocolate.com.
13. Join an environmental group. There are hundreds of great organizations around the country waiting to recruit people. Find one that focuses on something you are particularly dedicated to, and pitch in! Plus, it’s a great way to meet people in your community. Visit the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)’s Web site to find ways to get involved in your area!
14. Getting there is half the fun. Travel the right way, with eco-travel. There are many sites, for example Itsagreenworld.com, that help you plan environmentally friendly travel accommodations. Whether you choose to visit an inviting and informal trailside Eco-lodge in France or an organic olive farm in Greece, you will be a mean, “green” traveling machine.
15. Mother earth knows best. Think of raising your children as a way of raising consciousness about the earth. Buy toys that are naturally safe, thoughtfully produced and just as fun as mainstream brands. Look for items that are made from sustainable, renewable materials like bamboo and rubberwood. Your little one will be an earth angel in no time.