I really enjoy Michael Moore’s films. They are controversial, maybe with no middle ground but I believe it is super important for people to see his view on these hot topics. People either hate or love his films but those who walk out from watching his film learn something ~ and open their minds to what might be happening in America.
The film will be released October 2, 2009 and will hopefully make it to my small town sometime soon after.
When I spent my months in Kenya, I loved my trips to the local grocery store. It was always a fast and easy shop ~ there were basically no choices and I truly appreciated that!
Back here in the states there are many and many choices in the grocery stores and while I appreciate most choices, some I just do not get. When I stumbled upon this article in the Washington Post, I visioned the long aisle of toilet paper (tp) in my local store. I do not think there is even a choice for environmental friendly tp.
After reading through the article, I am thinking I really need to buck up and seek the out the friendly stuff. For one reason, my kids need to realize that soft tp is not so healthy for the environment and comfort can slide with this and second, anything I can do to help with the forests and trees I am all for.
So my question to all of you readers is… If you use environmentally friendly tp which brand do you buy?
I have been wanting to write a blog about this but to be honest I keep forgetting to jot it down on my “what to blog about” list. Well, my sister helped by sending some information on the new Phillips rechargeable sonic toothbrush for kids. Pearl has been begging for her own electric toothbrush and this will be a perfect gift for her.
Let me back up a bit. This past summer, Pearl went in for her annual dental check. She loves going to the doctor, dentist or chiropractor so she considered it a fun activity. Although this visit was not such a great one ~unfortunately she had a few cavities. I feel like it is a bit my fault. In the last year I have let her brush and floss her own teeth. Brushing is ok but the dentist said that kids do not have the dexterity to floss their own teeth until they are 8. I had never heard of this! Since the cavities were between her teeth, we needed to take some serious action in the flossing department. I bought her some triple clean floss picks and I make sure to watch her do it. This new toothbrush will be the perfect addition to her dental hygiene routine.
This is a really good habit for her to get into now, as dental health is really important. The mouth is the gateway to the inside of our bodies so helping the immune system by cleaning and flossing our teeth can really help keep our bodies strong and healthy.
I wanted to follow up on Warren’s Workshop with some more information. He will be in Waimea from October 9th through October 11th with many lectures and cooking classes. Although I do not follow a macrobiotic diet, I think it will be a great opportunity to integrate more whole foods into my family’s diet.
Some of you may know that I am an avid lover of animals. When I was little I spent hours, in the summer, catching painter and snapper turtles at the pond close to our cottage. I was pretty obsessed. I spent almost a year in East Africa working with elephants ( with Daphne Sheldrick) and traveling overland to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas. In college, I worked for the state of Florida in the sea turtle department. Wildlife conservation was top on my list of career choices. Sometimes I find it quite amusing how my focus changed but I am very happy it did but I do hope in the future to get back to helping wildlife.
Well, I came across this article and was quite amused ~ the “Giant Squid.” What fun to discover it so unexpectantly although not too excited about the trolling and netting. It does give us a clue to how “clueless” we may be about the wonderful waters that surround us all.
This “Giant Squid” maybe a great topic to bring up at the supper table tonight ( hopefully with amazement and excitement versus being scared.)
The other day I met up with a friend I had not seen in a while. She looked amazing!…so I told her. She mentioned that in the Spring she was having some health issues, nothing too serious but could become serious. She woke up one day and said, “enough is enough,” and decided to embark on a new way of eating and living.
She came in contact with Warren Kramer an internationally renowned senior macrobiotic educator and health counselor. I love learning about new ways of being healthy and my friend really looked and felt great. She did mention that she is in the kitchen all the time ( which is not my favourite place!) soaking beans, grains and creating meals for her family.
I pretty much follow the blood type way of living as my whole family has type O blood. We all feel better eating this way so I wonder how this would macrobiotic eating would have on our daily lives.
I would love any feedback from people who promote macrobiotic eating ( or who don’t!) or if people have tried to find a balance with this type of eating with others types.
Be well,
PS For all of you who live in Waimea, Warren Kramer is visting us! His macrobiotic class lecture and cooking classes are scheduled for the weekend of October 9th. The lectures will be about common Imbalances that “Health Conscious” People Make to Loving your Liver ( I love mine! this will be a great and important talk!) The cooking classes looked great too ( any help in the kitchen I could use!). If you are interested please email me and I will give you some more information!
My kids are at it again ~ creating some yummy meals that they would eat!
This time we went into the local restaurant, Fujimamas ( yes the same one that is in Tokyo), and the kids demonstrated how to create a really simple, fun and delicious kid-friendly meal.
Please take a minute to watch their show and print up the recipe.
This is my all time favourite herb! It has many medicinal properties ~ it is anti-microbial, anti-viral, soothing to the mucous membranes and I think tastes amazing!
The kids have been in school for the last few weeks and their classmates have been sick and the girls’ immunes have been challenged. I have been adding “Berry Well’ in their smoothies as well as cod liver oil and probiotics, but this morning Pearl came down and said she didn’t feel well. So I gave her a dropperful of glycyrrhiza tincture with some warm water and she guzzled it down ..super fast!
You can pick up a tincture bottle at any healthfood store or purchase through Emerson on my site. It is nice to have handy!
Last Spring a friend of mine came down with an MRSA infection. She really thought nothing of it at first but then it wouldn’t go away and seemed to be getting worse, so she went to the doctor. She was diagnosed with a MRSA infection. Luckily no long lasting sequelae occurred but there could have been.
I stumbled across this recent article on the National Geographic News and was happy to read that nature is showing its physical gifts to us! Also, made me really appreciate HoneyBee and all the things ( yummy too!) they do for us.
My good friends Drs. Eckel and Nigh latest Nature Cures Clinic Health Chat is on the Swine Flu. They talk about the disease, vaccinations and the immune system. It is quite informative. Much of their date I had not heard of (for example; pharmaceuticals company being excempt to accusations to any side effects) but most of their researched based chat is very important for all to listen to.
Love the quote from them, “infection is infection.” Very true and really it is the health of the body. Yes, sometimes you need to be more aggressive with certain infections but in general treating diseases has the same protocol.
Basically increase your immunity by….
Wash your hands
Eat well and drink water
Sleep well
Be active
Breathe deeply
And during the winter months….
Check out you serum vitamin d levels
Take a good quality multi vitamin
Take vitamin c daily
Take probiotics
Have echinacea herbal tincture or some immune botanical medicine at home
Please listen to what these amazing doctors have to say and do your research so you can make the best decision for you and your family.
Ok this may help me be a little more cheerful while I am scrubbing away in my bathroom! And my two girls would be more than happy to put these on to help with their chores (hmmm maybe a great and inspiring Christmas gift!)
The Gloveables are simple, elegant and pretty with quite an enduring history of the creator, Lindy Kummings. I have to admit I have not seen them anywhere ~ has not made it to my little in the pacific ~ but they have been on Oprah, in Readers Digest and even on Desperate Housewives!
Personally I like the aprons best although not sure I would ever wear one. So for practicality and function get me in those lime green gloves and my house will be sparkling!
Recently, President Obama went to the Cleveland Wellness Clinic to check out their Lifestyle 180 program. No wonder he visited because it is truly amazing. Here is an excerpt from their home page:
“If you are among the 25 million Americans with a chronic disease, your risks for death and disability are significantly higher than normal. In addition, you are most likely coping with ongoing pain, fatigue, difficulty moving, sleep deprivation or other obstacles to a vibrant, healthy life.
Each year that passes without you taking charge of your health is an opportunity missed - an opportunity to feel good, look good, enjoy greater energy and feel less stressed.
The good news is that if you are committed to making positive changes in your lifestyle, Cleveland Clinic’s Lifestyle 180 program can teach you how to reclaim your health and vitality.”
I love their program because it is teaching people to make lifestyle changes in order for them to be more proactive and confidant in their own health. There is no doubt about it, but diet, activity and not coping with your daily stress are the key reasons for not living a healthy life. This clinic will help, support and guide you through these changes. Even corporations are getting on board and sending their employees to the clinic. A happier, healthier employee cannot help but be more productive (and cost the employer less in health insurance!)
Let’s hope the President will really learn something from his visit and really try to implement the clinic’s successes for the rest of America.
For all those art enthusiasts or who have children who are crazy about doodling with colour, you really need to check out this Boulder based company ~ it is beautiful.
But not only is it beautiful, it is a brilliant natural art supply company that makes you feel good about your kids hands getting colourful with paint, clay well you name it. The art supplies are all-natural, certified organic and environmentally friendly ( and so is the packaging!)
They are now available in Whole Foods Market and will soon be available in selected Starbucks stores. Keep you eye out for these…they are great gifts to everyone!
The sun is just starting to bring some light to the day as I sit here in my little office in complete peace. I love the morning…well the mornings that begin in peace when I can move slowly but productively with no interruptions.
My friend is also getting up at the crack of dawn to spend an hour or two working before the kids and craziness begins. She swears it’s the best kept “mom’s secret!” She is a writer and her creative juices flow at this time producing, what I believe, brilliant work.
I have to agree with her. I feel that if I get up early, I am truly amazed at how much work I can do in an hour. I am even making “cold sale” calls to book stores and museums on the east coast happily and making sales! I maybe a tad tired mid afternoon but I am completely fulfilled and more present for my children.
A friend emailed me a link to this company. I may get his title wrong but basically he goes into businesses and residential homes and suggested to his clients how they can make their businesses and homes more “green” and “sustainable.” He is full of knowledge that I completely respect and admire.
I like how this company, on the right side box, clearly states why this product is beneficial.
Kills mold and bacteria
Destroy circulating cold and flu viruses
Reduces allergies, asthma
Safe and ozone free
This I like. Mold is a humongous issue where I live in most houses and can really cause many respiratory ailments. I suggest to many families to keep their bedroom a sanctuary. Having a few green plants in the room and keeping your laundry baskets in their bathrooms. Another suggestion I have made, especially people with allergies, is to run an air purifier in your room during the day. The Sterile -Aire seems to be a perfect one to go with.
Let me know what you think with the site or even if you have the product. Maybe you prefer the Germ Guardian, if so, let me know as well.
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