Make Every Day Earth Day

Maia — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:22:31 +0000

I hope everyone enjoyed a happy Earth Day! What a great way to honor Mother Earth and all she provides. Let’s keep up the green momentum! Just like taking one small step toward keeping chemicals and toxins out of your body, make another small step to keep them out of hers. Like the saying goes, “if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” A healthier planet means a healthier you.

Being Healthy goes Beyond Eating Healthy

Cleaning your home with conventional cleaning products affects your health, too. Read the labels. You wouldn’t want to eat that stuff, so why would you want to breathe it in? After a very unpleasant incident a number of years ago—involving bathroom cleaner and a poorly ventilated bathroom—I immediately made the switch to all-natural alternatives.

Keep your eyes open and read labels. There are a lot of companies climbing on the Green Bandwagon with their “green” cleaning products, but not all of them are as environmentally-friendly as they would have you believe. Besides, why spend money on those products when there are much cheaper, less harmful alternatives?

Healthy Solutions

You can clean your house with things you probably already have on hand anyway. My favorites are white vinegar, baking soda and lemon. White vinegar, in particular, is a great cleaner that can be used on glass, countertops, appliances, mirrors and more. I recommend in investing in a couple of good spray bottles. That way you can save money buying large bottles of vinegar and you can simply refill your spray bottles as needed. Worried about your house coming out smelling like a salad? Don’t be—as the vinegar evaporates, so does the smell.

For more tips on green cleaning, sign up for my newsletter at www.humbleneighborhood.com. I’ll be dedicating the May issue to cleaning without chemicals.

A Healthy Life is a Lush Life

Maia — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:21:12 +0000

You’ve heard the lament—or maybe you’ve even uttered it yourself, “Why is everything that’s good so bad for you?” So often when we talk about eating a healthy diet, we’re thinking about all the things we can’t have…we feel restricted, denied, deprived. In this way, we set ourselves up and make things harder than they have to be by introducing the Lure of the Forbidden Food.

Try this Nourishing Tip

Who says you have to start your journey toward good health by denying yourself anything? When you think of a beautiful garden, don’t you envision lush, healthy fruits, vegetables and flowers flourishing and abundant? You don’t think, “Huh, that must be some kind of restrictive regimen they’re on.” Of course not. They’re lush and beautiful because they’re being nourished—not denied. So here’s a healthy idea—put a positive spin on your approach to your own good health. Don’t start by giving up your favorite foods (thereby creating a mad, rebellious desire for them); begin by adding something you like that’s good for you.

Make Being Healthy Fun

Achieving good health and pursuing a healthy diet can be fun (that’s right—fun!) and an opportunity to be creative and explore healthy new foods. Who knows…you might just stumble across a few new favorites. Here’s one of mine that I love to have for any meal. It’s especially great for breakfast…or dessert!

Maia’s Favorite Fruity Salad

Ingredients

2 Anjou pears
1 C blueberries
1 stalk of celery
1/4 to 1/2 C walnuts
1/2 C organic vanilla yogurt
a smidge of nutmeg

Instructions:

Wash, peel and cube the pears. Combine all ingredients in a bowl (wash the fruit and celery) and mix together thoroughly. Add that smidge of nutmeg. Chill and serve.

humbleneighborhood.com» Healthy Eating

Make Every Day Earth Day

A Healthy Life is a Lush Life