Archive for March, 2009

Laundry Beware

March 30, 2009 at 11:08 pm · Filed under Green ·Tagged , , ,

I was reading an article recently about doing laundry and other chores around the house.  This one specifically discussed how to save time doing laundry by using the same laundry detergent for the entire family.  This is a great idea, however I strongly disagree about using any regular laundry detergent on your own clothes let alone baby clothes.  Many people do not realize what ingredients are inside these detergents, so it is one thing to use them on adult clothing, but certainly not for babies or people with allergies.  I recently heard a story about a young girl who got a terrible rash on her arms, that looked like inverted hives and it was due to a common, laundry detergent.  Once they changed to a safer brand the problem disappeared.  So, I personally recommend a laundry detergent that is safer for the entire family without the fillers.  Fillers that might be in the typical laundry detergent you buy at the grocery store include quills, tiny, glass particles and even peanut shells. 

Laundry detergents do have to have a cleaning agent or the clothes won’t get clean, however it is not necessary to use such harsh ingredients.  There are some great detergents out there that are safer and clean the clothes extremely well.  Safer ingredients include coconut, soy, tea tree oil or citrus oils.  Be sure to read labels carefully.  Avoid products with artificial coloring, petroleum-based dyes and scents. 

On the environment side, I suggest using cold water for laundry, as it saves energy and hot water, yet still keeps your clothes bright.  It is also wise to use a product that is more concentrated so you use much less and it will last longer.  This helps to reduce the plastics in the landfills. 

So, you can you can save time, money and space without having a collection of detergents under the sink, by using the same detergent for the entire family, but please be sure it is a safer brand without the harsh ingredients. 

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Chocolate: Decadent and Healthy Too!

March 23, 2009 at 10:14 pm · Filed under Healthy ·Tagged , ,

Since most everyone loves chocolate and now there is even more reason to love it, I decided to write an article about it.  When you choose to have chocolate though, I would recommend dark chocolate, because it is healthier than any other kind.  Dark chocolate has more cocoa and is full of flavanoids, a type of anti-oxidant that helps fight disease.  There are so many kinds of chocolate.  My particular favourite is chocolate covered raisins.  With the raisins you are getting the extra benefit of iron.  Raisins also contain phenols, which help prevent oxygen-type damage to cells.  You can find dark, chocolate covered raisins in the health food store.

Would you believe that aside from being a healthy type of snack chocolate can help your memory?  There is a chocolate bar made with dark chocolate, which we now know is full of anti-oxidants and it has DHA.  DHA also known as docosahexaeonic acid is good for the brain.  It is found in omega-3 fatty acids derived from fish and fish oils.  It is important for the brain to provide optimal neuron functioning.  So wouldn’t you like to try this chocolate bar? I know I would!  Enough about the health benefits of chocolate.  What about the taste?  I believe it is one of the best possible tastes out there.  I could live on it…lol.  Well, I suppose my brain certainly could!   Of course anything is okay in moderation, I would not go out and eat an entire five hundred gram container worth of chocolate covered raisins!  One chocolate bar or a handful of chocolate covered raisins seems reasonable.

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Think Green

March 15, 2009 at 7:54 pm · Filed under Green ·Tagged , ,

I believe that is essential for everyone to go green in some way or at least do their part in helping our future and the future of our children. Here are some great ideas that you may not have thought of for going green. When you are running water it should be only a pencil-width, nothing wider. Use this train of thought when washing your hands, dishes or your vegetables. This way not so much water is wasted down the drain. A great idea for laundry is to use cold water for both white and dark clothing Your clothes will be just as clean and you won’t waste so much hot water. Also, cold water helps keep your colours brighter and your gas bill will be much lower.

There are many ideas for helping your family go green like switching to glass bottles and staying away from plastic. Plastic stays in the landfills for years. Another idea is to use small packets and add them to a pitcher of water in the fridge to make your own juice rather than buying countless plastic bottles.

An idea for school aged children is to make a recycled notebook by using cereal boxes for the front and back covers. Then attach them using rings you can get at an office store and fill them with recycled paper. This is a unique idea that they can share with their friends at school. Make sure your children wash their hands frequently to rid of potential germs and be sure to use safer products free of harmful chemicals. Also, if you choose to use the anti-bacterial hand cleaners make sure they are safer as well. Of course for playtime use non-toxic crayons rather than traditional ones that are petroleum-based.

When you are deciding which personal care products to use like shampoo, toothpaste and makeup be sure to go more natural. This avoids toxic chemicals from going down the drain and into the water systems. Toxic chemicals may include toluene, formaldehyde, coal tar plus many more. Did you know that over ninety-eight percent of household products that you use everyday contain formaldehyde?

I would love to know your ideas for going green. I personally use the green shopping bags at the grocery store and think this is a great idea. Plus they are much sturdier than those plastic ones anyway. To help you remember to bring your eco-friendly shopping bags with you keep them in your car or keep them by the front door so you see them on your way out. Why not try using more natural household products overall? You will be helping your family and also the environment.

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Why are Cranberries Red?

March 14, 2009 at 5:00 pm · Filed under Healthy ·Tagged , ,

Are you completely aware of the real benefits of cranberries?  The good news is this little berry is quite healthy.

Cranberries are generally harvested in the autumn when the fruit achieves the classic deep, red pigment.  White cranberry juice is made from cranberries that are harvested after maturity, but before they become deep, red.

Here is some history on this little berry.  The cranberry was first called “crane berry” by European settlers in North America, because the vine resembled the head, bill and neck of a crane.  The berry eventually became knows as the “cranberry” and has been known to contain a number of important nutrients, including:

  • anthocyanins – responsible for the deep red colour of the cranberry
  • proanthocyanins – this antioxidant is effective in maintaining the overall health of the urinary tract
  • quercetin – a beneficial flavonoid that aids in urinary tract health

The Journal of the American Medical Association announced a study,  which showed that the phytochemicals in cranberries are beneficial and it was confirmed by another study published in the British Medical Journal.

The Canadian Journal of Urology published their research showing that frequent consumption of fresh cranberry juice was associated with maintaining proper urinary tract health. 

The cranberry is also known for numerous other health benefits, including:

  • promotes of healthy gums and teeth
  • promotes a healthy stomach
  • promotes cognitive thinking by protecting the brain cells
    from free radical damage
  • protection of overall heart health by inhibiting LDL cholesterol oxidation

There are some fantastic products on the market today containing cranberry extract.  Research indicates that one should consume 1,000 mg a day for optimal benefits, which is equivalent to 10 oz of pure, undiluted cranberry juice.  Taking a cranberry supplement can be very affordable and convenient, without all the sugar!  Be aware that not all supplements are created equally.  Many of the products on the shelves contain fillers and aren’t as effective.

If you’re interested in finding out how to purchase a cranberry supplement that I believe is superior to what is sold at the local markets, feel free to contact me.  You’ll save some money and be so thankful to have found a product that actually does what it is supposed to do.

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Why Go Green?

March 14, 2009 at 9:10 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , ,

Are you confused about going green?  There is so much hype out there about it, that you may not know where to begin.  I am here to help you and learn along with you.  I truly believe it is important to go green, but how green?  If you can do something each day to help our planet we are that much farther ahead.  Even if you start by doing something once a week you are helping our planet in your own way.

Here are three tips:

  1. Keep reusable shopping bags in your car, so they are accessible when you need a quick trip to the grocery store or have a large order. 
  2. Keep your tap water to a pencil’s width when washing your hands or turn it off when brushing your teeth.
  3. Use cold water when doing laundry it will save energy, money and still keep your clothes looking bright.

You should recycle as often as possible so that there is not so much waste in the landfills.  Also, try to use safer, more concentrated products that you add water to, so they will last longer.  I can help you with finding green products and ideas. 

I choose to go green to help the planet, our future and my family.  How about you?

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