In the April issue of Vegetarian Times they have a Q&A with Mark Bittman, a food columnist for The New York Times. He also wrote a book, Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating. In the interview Mark explains why people should move toward a vegetarian diet. He states that by eating less animal products one can lessen their carbon footprint and help the planet as well as get healthier. Bittman says that a non-vegetarian lifestyle is certainly not sustainable. If we keep this going, the world will be raising 120 billion animals a year by 2050. Hold crap! This cannot happen. Eventually, we would need more land that is actually available and our recourses would not be able to handle it. In simple terms, the planet will not be happy and neither will we.
Bittman also gives advice on other things you can do to better your life and I am not surprised that he said stay away from processed crap. This is what I say all the time people! Maybe when you hear professionals say it to you will listen. He recommends that people cook more and eat real food. Trusting the food industry to put healthy food in your family's mouths is stupid. Only you can provide what is best for you and your loved ones. By purchasing organic and natural fresh foods and cooking yourself you are a huge step ahead of the game.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Gardening Tips
Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. Time to get your gardens ready! Here are some tips to help you all out.
Veggies
Lettuce - when growing lettuce remember to plant them near tall growing plants such as tomatoes so they get enough shade. Don't forget to keep the dirt moist at all times.
Tomatoes - Roma tomatoes are sweeter than the beefsteak so they make a great sauce. Be careful when buying plants for your garden. If they are too mature they might not adjust to your soil properly. Also, vine ripened tomatoes carry twice as much vitamin C as the ones that are picked early and ripened artificially. If you didn't know, these yummy veggies help keep your eyes healthy and protect against some types of cancer!
Eggplants - Even though they need a full season to grow, the Japanese eggplants ripen faster. In this case you can buy a plant that has already formed.
Onions - I LOVE onions! These guys are great for your health as well. They contain special compounds that keep your hair, nails and skin strong and also help your digestive tract! Containing calcium, vitamin C, folic acid and potassium onions are way better for you than you think! Scallions are one of my favorites too. They are very easy to grow and go well with a lot of dishes. Tip: one seed will only get you one scallion so make sure when you eat them, cut the white root off and plant it back in the soil. It will take about three weeks to regenerate. You will get plenty of beta-carotene and vitamin C from these guys!
Peas - Make sure you get those stakes ready because peas tend to grow very tall. Especially, sugar snap peas which are great for stir fry's and pasta dishes. They remain their crunch and are less stringy than snow peas.
Bell Peppers - The colored peppers are more sweeter than the green ones and less gassy! They are more colorful because they are more mature. They may take all summer to ripen but are worth the time and effort. Just buy mature plants instead of seeds. Make sure they are organic! Peppers are usually the most expensive at the market. So grow your own and save tons of dough. Eat these for vitamin C, potassium and fiber!
Celery - This veggie can be used in many dishes from soups to salads and is great for you too. They not only provide folic acid and potassium but they also are rich in silicon which helps your bones and tissue stay strong. They grow easily in planters in case you don't have much space.
Cucumbers - These plant very well and definitely give back. You will be sure to have plenty of cucumbers all summer long. The best time to pick them is in the morning when its a little bit chilly. Cucumbers are quite refreshing due to their high water content. When not peeled they are a great source of silicon, potassium, folic acid and vitamin C.
Carrots - Plant carrot seeds in a tightly packed line so they grow uniform in size. Keep an eye on the plants because you will have to weed out the bad guys. This should leave a good carrot every five inches or so. Carrots are a great source of calcium, potassium and fiber.
Green Beans - These grow very well in heat but hate cold nights so try to wait until the weather stays at a nice 60 degrees before planting these babies.
Herbs
Basil - Watch the flowers as they bud and snip them off before they bloom to keep the leaves tender and fresh.
Oregano - Once these bad boys gets a growing you will have more than enough for the summer. All you need are one or two good plants and your set.
Chives - Just by planting these in your garden once will bring them back year after year. Try Garlic Chives for their subtle garlic flavor and edible white flowers. They are a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium. Who knew! Chives go great on baked potatoes, yummo!
Cilantro - Watch these during the hot summer. They don't last too long in direct light so you will have to repeat the planting process a couple of times but the plants grow quickly.
Dill - Always keep dill separated from the other herbs due to cross pollination. You don't want any crazy things growing in your garden! Try the Fernleaf Dill which are more compact and last longer during the season than what you normally find in the market.
Parsley - This herb goes well with any dish and carries a whole lot of iron, beta carotene, calcium, vitamin K and potassium to name a few. It also helps to freshen breathe! Parsley grows best in full sun and loose soil that is rich and moist.
You can also check out these sites for more information:
National Gardening Association
Organic Gardening
You Grow Girl
Veggie Gardening Tips
Container Gardening Guide
Vegetable Gardener
Organic Herb Gardening
Here are some great places to get seeds:
Seed Savers
Rare Seeds
Heirloom Seeds
Heritage Harvest Seed
Target also sells organic seeds for less than $2 a pop!
Have a lot of veggies from your garden? Too many? Check out Veggie Trader to share and sell them with your neighbors! You can also share tips on I Dig My Garden with other garden lovers.
Information attained by:
Food Network Magazine - May 2010 Issue
Raw Energy by Stephanie Tourles
Veggies
Lettuce - when growing lettuce remember to plant them near tall growing plants such as tomatoes so they get enough shade. Don't forget to keep the dirt moist at all times.
Tomatoes - Roma tomatoes are sweeter than the beefsteak so they make a great sauce. Be careful when buying plants for your garden. If they are too mature they might not adjust to your soil properly. Also, vine ripened tomatoes carry twice as much vitamin C as the ones that are picked early and ripened artificially. If you didn't know, these yummy veggies help keep your eyes healthy and protect against some types of cancer!
Eggplants - Even though they need a full season to grow, the Japanese eggplants ripen faster. In this case you can buy a plant that has already formed.
Onions - I LOVE onions! These guys are great for your health as well. They contain special compounds that keep your hair, nails and skin strong and also help your digestive tract! Containing calcium, vitamin C, folic acid and potassium onions are way better for you than you think! Scallions are one of my favorites too. They are very easy to grow and go well with a lot of dishes. Tip: one seed will only get you one scallion so make sure when you eat them, cut the white root off and plant it back in the soil. It will take about three weeks to regenerate. You will get plenty of beta-carotene and vitamin C from these guys!
Peas - Make sure you get those stakes ready because peas tend to grow very tall. Especially, sugar snap peas which are great for stir fry's and pasta dishes. They remain their crunch and are less stringy than snow peas.
Bell Peppers - The colored peppers are more sweeter than the green ones and less gassy! They are more colorful because they are more mature. They may take all summer to ripen but are worth the time and effort. Just buy mature plants instead of seeds. Make sure they are organic! Peppers are usually the most expensive at the market. So grow your own and save tons of dough. Eat these for vitamin C, potassium and fiber!
Celery - This veggie can be used in many dishes from soups to salads and is great for you too. They not only provide folic acid and potassium but they also are rich in silicon which helps your bones and tissue stay strong. They grow easily in planters in case you don't have much space.
Cucumbers - These plant very well and definitely give back. You will be sure to have plenty of cucumbers all summer long. The best time to pick them is in the morning when its a little bit chilly. Cucumbers are quite refreshing due to their high water content. When not peeled they are a great source of silicon, potassium, folic acid and vitamin C.
Carrots - Plant carrot seeds in a tightly packed line so they grow uniform in size. Keep an eye on the plants because you will have to weed out the bad guys. This should leave a good carrot every five inches or so. Carrots are a great source of calcium, potassium and fiber.
Green Beans - These grow very well in heat but hate cold nights so try to wait until the weather stays at a nice 60 degrees before planting these babies.
Herbs
Basil - Watch the flowers as they bud and snip them off before they bloom to keep the leaves tender and fresh.
Oregano - Once these bad boys gets a growing you will have more than enough for the summer. All you need are one or two good plants and your set.
Chives - Just by planting these in your garden once will bring them back year after year. Try Garlic Chives for their subtle garlic flavor and edible white flowers. They are a good source of beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium. Who knew! Chives go great on baked potatoes, yummo!
Cilantro - Watch these during the hot summer. They don't last too long in direct light so you will have to repeat the planting process a couple of times but the plants grow quickly.
Dill - Always keep dill separated from the other herbs due to cross pollination. You don't want any crazy things growing in your garden! Try the Fernleaf Dill which are more compact and last longer during the season than what you normally find in the market.
Parsley - This herb goes well with any dish and carries a whole lot of iron, beta carotene, calcium, vitamin K and potassium to name a few. It also helps to freshen breathe! Parsley grows best in full sun and loose soil that is rich and moist.
You can also check out these sites for more information:
National Gardening Association
Organic Gardening
You Grow Girl
Veggie Gardening Tips
Container Gardening Guide
Vegetable Gardener
Organic Herb Gardening
Here are some great places to get seeds:
Seed Savers
Rare Seeds
Heirloom Seeds
Heritage Harvest Seed
Target also sells organic seeds for less than $2 a pop!
Have a lot of veggies from your garden? Too many? Check out Veggie Trader to share and sell them with your neighbors! You can also share tips on I Dig My Garden with other garden lovers.
Information attained by:
Food Network Magazine - May 2010 Issue
Raw Energy by Stephanie Tourles
A Little Pick Me Up
A reader sent me some information that I thought would come in handy for all of you who feel tired throughout the day. Its a daily insight from the Yoga Journal which is a great place to gain some rewarding advice. This one mentions you should not run to sugar or caffeine to get a boost of energy, like most people do! Instead take a walk outside, catch some sun, do some yoga or take some deep breathes of fresh air. Makes sense, right? Quick fixes like sweets and coffee aren't fixing anything. They actually cause your body to crash and often leave you feeling even worse than you did before. In addition, they are addictive. Two great reasons to avoid them.
So the next time you are feeling a little blah, open a window and breathe in that fresh air. Do some stretching and get that blood flowing! Remember, you're body needs to move around. If you are stuck at a desk all day than take these few easy tips and take short breaks throughout your day. Not only will it improve your mood but it will keep you on your toes!
So the next time you are feeling a little blah, open a window and breathe in that fresh air. Do some stretching and get that blood flowing! Remember, you're body needs to move around. If you are stuck at a desk all day than take these few easy tips and take short breaks throughout your day. Not only will it improve your mood but it will keep you on your toes!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Eco-Friendly Picks
I am always on the lookout for new products and food items. Here are some cool products to check out that I came across recently.
Natural Glow Facial Towelettes
Gentle, biodegradable and natural, these facial wipes are sure to freshen you up anytime of the day. Made with organic cucumber , aloe vera and Dead Sea minerals they are perfect for sensitive skin.
Vie Luxe Soy Candle
Scented with hyancinth and narcissus, this soy candle will make any room happy. The glass holder is recyclable and the candle is biodegradable.
Water Bobble
This water bottle has everything you need at no cost to the Earth. Not only does it have a filter attached its BPA free, recyclable and reusable. Its also made right here in the USA.
Sprout Watch
Not only is this watch cute but its made out of corn resin, bamboo and organic cotton. The packaging is recyclable and the battery is mercury free. And its only $30!
Loop Works - Laptop Protector
Made from 100% upcycled nylon neoprene this cover is big on protection and sustainability. It comes in white and yellow and has two zippered pockets for anything you want to carry.
IPhone Mojito
This case is great to hold your IPhone or IPod Touch along with money, credit cards and more. Made from vegan leather and microfiber lining it is friendly to the Earth as well. Check out the other products at this store too!
Natural Glow Facial Towelettes
Gentle, biodegradable and natural, these facial wipes are sure to freshen you up anytime of the day. Made with organic cucumber , aloe vera and Dead Sea minerals they are perfect for sensitive skin.
Vie Luxe Soy Candle
Scented with hyancinth and narcissus, this soy candle will make any room happy. The glass holder is recyclable and the candle is biodegradable.
Water Bobble
This water bottle has everything you need at no cost to the Earth. Not only does it have a filter attached its BPA free, recyclable and reusable. Its also made right here in the USA.
Sprout Watch
Not only is this watch cute but its made out of corn resin, bamboo and organic cotton. The packaging is recyclable and the battery is mercury free. And its only $30!
Loop Works - Laptop Protector
Made from 100% upcycled nylon neoprene this cover is big on protection and sustainability. It comes in white and yellow and has two zippered pockets for anything you want to carry.
IPhone Mojito
This case is great to hold your IPhone or IPod Touch along with money, credit cards and more. Made from vegan leather and microfiber lining it is friendly to the Earth as well. Check out the other products at this store too!
Hiding Behind Our Words
I recently read an article In VegNews that got me thinking. It was about how people hide behind words and use a more comfortable language to define what they are eating. It is so true. Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is right when she says, "we tend to sugarcoat what we eat with language that conceals what we're actually putting in our mouths". I am sure this has crossed my mind before considering humans have been doing it for centuries. Hell, I even did it when I ate meat. But the more I think about it the issue really gets under my skin.
We all know the terms hamburger, steak, bacon, pork, etc. No one goes to a restaurant and orders dead cow or pig flesh. However, that is exactly what they are eating. It is much easier for people to say and hear the titles we have given dead animals so we enjoy eating them more. Colleen says it perfectly by adding, " when an animal lays dead on the side of the road, we call it a carcass, but when an animal lays dead on our plate, we call it dinner". It is a total contradiction! Does this imply that humans who eat meat are pussies for not speaking the truth? Or are they just weak in justifying their meat eating actions?
The use of false titles when describing animals keeps you more unaware of the horrible things that are involved. It also lessens the animals dignity and existence. We see them as commodities rather than the beautiful creatures they really are. Hence, the fact that you are all hiding behind words. When people talk about vegetables and natural foods they say exactly what they are. There is no need to make up a different word for carrot or potato. That would be silly. So vegetarians can smile in their freedom to speak truth of what goes into their bodies. There is no need for them to hide behind language to feel better about their actions or to conform to society. "One of the joys of becoming vegetarian is that there is no need to euphamize, assuage, pretend, or romanticize", states Goudreau. I totally agree!
So for now on I am going to speak the truth. If someone talks about meat I will use the proper words and correct them. Let's see if they feel comfortable eating dead cow flesh the next time they order a hamburger. Maybe as they explain how good their steak is I can say, "good, its always tasty when rotting dead flesh hangs out in your body". You think they still would want dessert? This will simply be a test to see how people react. It just might be fun! If you are up for it, try it out as well. I would love to hear some feedback from readers as to what reactions they get. This should definitely be interesting.
We all know the terms hamburger, steak, bacon, pork, etc. No one goes to a restaurant and orders dead cow or pig flesh. However, that is exactly what they are eating. It is much easier for people to say and hear the titles we have given dead animals so we enjoy eating them more. Colleen says it perfectly by adding, " when an animal lays dead on the side of the road, we call it a carcass, but when an animal lays dead on our plate, we call it dinner". It is a total contradiction! Does this imply that humans who eat meat are pussies for not speaking the truth? Or are they just weak in justifying their meat eating actions?
The use of false titles when describing animals keeps you more unaware of the horrible things that are involved. It also lessens the animals dignity and existence. We see them as commodities rather than the beautiful creatures they really are. Hence, the fact that you are all hiding behind words. When people talk about vegetables and natural foods they say exactly what they are. There is no need to make up a different word for carrot or potato. That would be silly. So vegetarians can smile in their freedom to speak truth of what goes into their bodies. There is no need for them to hide behind language to feel better about their actions or to conform to society. "One of the joys of becoming vegetarian is that there is no need to euphamize, assuage, pretend, or romanticize", states Goudreau. I totally agree!
So for now on I am going to speak the truth. If someone talks about meat I will use the proper words and correct them. Let's see if they feel comfortable eating dead cow flesh the next time they order a hamburger. Maybe as they explain how good their steak is I can say, "good, its always tasty when rotting dead flesh hangs out in your body". You think they still would want dessert? This will simply be a test to see how people react. It just might be fun! If you are up for it, try it out as well. I would love to hear some feedback from readers as to what reactions they get. This should definitely be interesting.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Why is America So Damn Fat?
Obesity is a huge problem in our country and everyone knows it. Why is it that people in America are the fattest among other countries in the world? There have been tons of studies and research done to help figure this issue out but its no secret why 75% of Americans are overweight. For one thing, we have way too much food here. Secondly, we consume too much. I really feel that its kind of disgusting how people just buy, spend and eat without thinking twice about it. Talk about waste. This country has enough of it. Besides all that, there are a number of reasons that factor in to this “why are we the fattest country?”, question. I read a great book a couple of years ago by Kevin Trudeau. In this book I came across a lot of information that changed my life. One chapter is dedicated to why people are fat and I want to share with you what I have learned from reading it.
One thing we all know is that if one has a slow metabolism they will gain weight quicker. This is due to certain organs not working properly. So if this is you than you really need to figure out why something is not functioning as it should. Here are some reasons why you may have a slow metabolism:
Hypoactive thyroid, this means that your body’s process to converting food to energy is slow. One main cause of this is fluoride. Here in America there is fluoride in the drinking water. We are one of the only countries who insist on putting this garbage in our water. Not only is it a contributing factor to our obesity problem but it has been found to cause cancer, lower IQ, change bone structure and strength, impair the immune system, cause birth defects, increase lead exposure and cause osteoarthritis to name a few. Is there a reason it is in our water! This is crazy. Children seem to be more susceptible to the dangers so take extra caution around your little ones. Make sure your toothpaste is fluoride free as well! I have listed some products that are safe to use in earlier posts so check them out and do some safe shopping!
Another cause may be problems with the pancreas. If your pancreas secretes insulin at a much faster pace (which is commonly found in overweight people) take a good look at the food your eating. Considering you are in bad health I think its time to start eating better anyway! Many food additives and refined sugars cause this pancreatic problem. Most of these additives aren’t used in other countries. Why America? Do you really think big business cares about us? No, they don’t. That is why its important to eat natural and organic food and use only the best natural products in your home. Its the only way to beat the system and live a toxic free life.
Two other causes of an under active thyroid is a clogged liver and a slow digestive system. The liver is a vital part of your body. It detoxifies and helps things run smoothly. If your liver is clogged that is a bad sign. What causes this to happen you ask. Well, to name a few: prescription and over the counter drugs you have taken. Specifically, drugs to reduce cholesterol. Again, fluoride plays a part as well as chlorine. All food additives, artificial sweeteners, refined sugars and preservatives as well. This doesn’t surprise me at all. Once again the pharmaceutical companies prove to be sneaky and harmful as do major food companies and brands. As far as having a slow digestive system, well, if you don’t produce enough enzymes your food will not convert properly to energy. This resulting in a lot of stored fat. Yuck! This is caused by candida yeast overgrowth. I know, it sounds gross. Once again you can thank antibiotics for this one. When you take medicine it kills the flora in your intestines which allows candida to live happily ever after. It slowly gets to your colon then spreads to the cell walls which in turn slows down your digestion.
Hmm, so what you put in your body is the main factor in causing a slow metabolism. Who knew! Its really ones own fault why they may be overweight. People need to learn to have some control on life and not let society lead them in the wrong direction. One more thing that can cause obesity is exercise. That should be common sense. People need to have strong muscle. I don’t mean go ahead and start lifting weights like a bodybuilder. Please, that is disgusting and not healthy at all! But to walk 2 miles a day and exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week, now that is something everyone can do. It will make such a difference and you will feel 100 times better.
So now we can go over the other reasons why people are so damn fat.
1. Eating when you aren’t hungry - people do this because they are stressed, have emotional issues or simply crave food. Go to therapy, get happy and stop eating crap!
2. Having a large appetite - this is due to yeast overgrowth and lack of nutrients that your body is unable to produce. On top of that it could be the horrible additives in the food you are eating which increase your hunger.
3. Hormonal imbalance - if you are overweight your body can be secreting too much of a certain hormone rather than release an even amount of all. This can be caused by the lack of exercise and toxins in the body.
4. Eating large portions - Another huge problem in this country. We eat too much! Serving sizes should be smaller and packaging should be smaller size portions. In Europe, snacks and candy come wrapped up about 30% smaller than American sized packages as well as serving smaller restaurant portions. Try buying smaller dinner plates so you won't eat too much.
5. Diet food - Its funny how most diet food actually makes you fatter. Yep. its sad but true. If you notice that a lot of “diet” foods out there are low fat, sugar free, low carb, light and lean. Well, all this is garbage! They may say these things to lure you to buy them, which you do, but its all a lie. These so called “healthy foods” contain artificial sweeteners, chemical additives and lots of sugar. So in the end, these foods make you hungrier and want more. Before you know it, poof, your fatter than you were before!
6. Toxins - when you are overweight you are highly toxic. Your body tries to dilute the poisons and you retain water which increases the stored fat. Have you ever noticed that people who take lots of medicine become bloated and fat over time? There you go!
7. Eating before you go to bed - Plain and simple, when you eat before bed your body does not burn it off because your metabolism slows down. If you must eat something than try some fruit or granola.
8. Growth hormones - Another reason why people should eat natural food. If meat is not natural and organic there is close to a 100% chance they were injected with growth hormones to speed up production. Eat a lot of meat? You are injecting yourself with these chemicals! What the animals eat will only go into your body. ugh.....how could anyone feel comfortable with that! Just the thought of these poor animals being treated like that makes me upset. The best thing to do is stop eating meat altogether!
9. Having a fat vision - This plays on the mindset of obese people. If you think about your weight a lot than you will become what you are thinking.
I hope that this will help you whether you are overweight and want to do something about it or just want to live a healthier life. Again, the food companies and big business do not care about its consumers. Wake up people! Only you can make a change for the better and its no one else’s fault but yours if it doesn’t happen. Be strong, have confidence and take care of your body and mind. Living smart is key to being toxic free.
One thing we all know is that if one has a slow metabolism they will gain weight quicker. This is due to certain organs not working properly. So if this is you than you really need to figure out why something is not functioning as it should. Here are some reasons why you may have a slow metabolism:
Hypoactive thyroid, this means that your body’s process to converting food to energy is slow. One main cause of this is fluoride. Here in America there is fluoride in the drinking water. We are one of the only countries who insist on putting this garbage in our water. Not only is it a contributing factor to our obesity problem but it has been found to cause cancer, lower IQ, change bone structure and strength, impair the immune system, cause birth defects, increase lead exposure and cause osteoarthritis to name a few. Is there a reason it is in our water! This is crazy. Children seem to be more susceptible to the dangers so take extra caution around your little ones. Make sure your toothpaste is fluoride free as well! I have listed some products that are safe to use in earlier posts so check them out and do some safe shopping!
Another cause may be problems with the pancreas. If your pancreas secretes insulin at a much faster pace (which is commonly found in overweight people) take a good look at the food your eating. Considering you are in bad health I think its time to start eating better anyway! Many food additives and refined sugars cause this pancreatic problem. Most of these additives aren’t used in other countries. Why America? Do you really think big business cares about us? No, they don’t. That is why its important to eat natural and organic food and use only the best natural products in your home. Its the only way to beat the system and live a toxic free life.
Two other causes of an under active thyroid is a clogged liver and a slow digestive system. The liver is a vital part of your body. It detoxifies and helps things run smoothly. If your liver is clogged that is a bad sign. What causes this to happen you ask. Well, to name a few: prescription and over the counter drugs you have taken. Specifically, drugs to reduce cholesterol. Again, fluoride plays a part as well as chlorine. All food additives, artificial sweeteners, refined sugars and preservatives as well. This doesn’t surprise me at all. Once again the pharmaceutical companies prove to be sneaky and harmful as do major food companies and brands. As far as having a slow digestive system, well, if you don’t produce enough enzymes your food will not convert properly to energy. This resulting in a lot of stored fat. Yuck! This is caused by candida yeast overgrowth. I know, it sounds gross. Once again you can thank antibiotics for this one. When you take medicine it kills the flora in your intestines which allows candida to live happily ever after. It slowly gets to your colon then spreads to the cell walls which in turn slows down your digestion.
Hmm, so what you put in your body is the main factor in causing a slow metabolism. Who knew! Its really ones own fault why they may be overweight. People need to learn to have some control on life and not let society lead them in the wrong direction. One more thing that can cause obesity is exercise. That should be common sense. People need to have strong muscle. I don’t mean go ahead and start lifting weights like a bodybuilder. Please, that is disgusting and not healthy at all! But to walk 2 miles a day and exercise for 30 minutes 3 times a week, now that is something everyone can do. It will make such a difference and you will feel 100 times better.
So now we can go over the other reasons why people are so damn fat.
1. Eating when you aren’t hungry - people do this because they are stressed, have emotional issues or simply crave food. Go to therapy, get happy and stop eating crap!
2. Having a large appetite - this is due to yeast overgrowth and lack of nutrients that your body is unable to produce. On top of that it could be the horrible additives in the food you are eating which increase your hunger.
3. Hormonal imbalance - if you are overweight your body can be secreting too much of a certain hormone rather than release an even amount of all. This can be caused by the lack of exercise and toxins in the body.
4. Eating large portions - Another huge problem in this country. We eat too much! Serving sizes should be smaller and packaging should be smaller size portions. In Europe, snacks and candy come wrapped up about 30% smaller than American sized packages as well as serving smaller restaurant portions. Try buying smaller dinner plates so you won't eat too much.
5. Diet food - Its funny how most diet food actually makes you fatter. Yep. its sad but true. If you notice that a lot of “diet” foods out there are low fat, sugar free, low carb, light and lean. Well, all this is garbage! They may say these things to lure you to buy them, which you do, but its all a lie. These so called “healthy foods” contain artificial sweeteners, chemical additives and lots of sugar. So in the end, these foods make you hungrier and want more. Before you know it, poof, your fatter than you were before!
6. Toxins - when you are overweight you are highly toxic. Your body tries to dilute the poisons and you retain water which increases the stored fat. Have you ever noticed that people who take lots of medicine become bloated and fat over time? There you go!
7. Eating before you go to bed - Plain and simple, when you eat before bed your body does not burn it off because your metabolism slows down. If you must eat something than try some fruit or granola.
8. Growth hormones - Another reason why people should eat natural food. If meat is not natural and organic there is close to a 100% chance they were injected with growth hormones to speed up production. Eat a lot of meat? You are injecting yourself with these chemicals! What the animals eat will only go into your body. ugh.....how could anyone feel comfortable with that! Just the thought of these poor animals being treated like that makes me upset. The best thing to do is stop eating meat altogether!
9. Having a fat vision - This plays on the mindset of obese people. If you think about your weight a lot than you will become what you are thinking.
I hope that this will help you whether you are overweight and want to do something about it or just want to live a healthier life. Again, the food companies and big business do not care about its consumers. Wake up people! Only you can make a change for the better and its no one else’s fault but yours if it doesn’t happen. Be strong, have confidence and take care of your body and mind. Living smart is key to being toxic free.
How to Start Living Green
Some people think that living green is a hard lifestyle to maintain. It isn’t. You do in fact need to make changes and be more aware of your environment. Now if that is too hard to do than I would question your priorities and the everyday choices you make. Not to be judgmental but there is a certain responsibility that we all have as humans to take care of our planet and live the best lives we can. If we don’t understand the importance of that than we are in big trouble. Now is the time to change your life for the better and finally feel a sense of pride that you never thought you could. Its 2010 people. It’s never too late to try to become the person you never thought you could be.
The first thing to do is take a look at your life and see what you can change asap. Whether its buying natural and organic food or taking a walk instead of driving, taking baby steps is perfectly fine. You want these changes to be fun and exciting! And with a positive view and peaceful state of mind you will get there. You must realize that a lifestyle change such as this one will also change who you are as a person. That is the true meaning of being green. Having the eco-friendly vision everyday come natural and not thinking twice about an earth-friendly decision. Its about realizing that you, the people you love and the earth are worth much more!
Here are 10 easy simple ways to get started. You can do them at your own pace and take the time you need. The more you start doing, the more you will be comfortable with your new lifestyle!
Recycle & Reuse: I am surprised when I hear that someone does not recycle. Shame on you! If everyone in America recycled we could decrease the waste in landfills by 75%. Sounds good to me! Another way to recycle is to reuse. Bags you get from the grocery store, packaging, rags to clean and even refilling your ink cartridges for your printer. These all make a difference.
Take a shorter shower: You can conserve more than 10 gallons by just shortening your showers by 2 minutes. Not to mention your water bill! Just think how much that would be if everyone did the same.
Junk Mail: We all get crap in the mail that goes straight to the garbage. Instead of throwing it out recycle it instead. If you want to reduce your junk mail or rid of it forever you can register with the Mail Preference Service. It only costs $1 and you can do it online. Its that easy so there is no excuse! Just go to www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist.
Curtains & Blinds: During summer and winter keep your blinds closed. That will keep your house cooler when its hot out and warmer when its cold. By doing this you can reduce your energy needs up to 25% and save on your electric bill!
Use fewer napkins: When you are out try to take 2 -4 napkins instead of 10. We all do it. You go to the movies and get popcorn. Well you need tons of napkins because of the butter! Do your best to conserve and more than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year!
Subscribe to magazines: You could save up to 75% off the newsstand price if you simply subscribed. Plus, who wouldn’t want the convenience of coming home to your favorite publication! About 60% of the magazines at stores aren’t sold and wind up getting dumped. What a waste!
Unplug electronics: Not only will you save money but tons of energy as well. Surprisingly enough, even though they are turned off your electronics are still using 10 - 15% of energy. Just unplugging your TV alone can save more than $1 billion in energy bills if we all did it.
Carpool to work: If it is possible, try to hitch a ride with another coworker or even a friend that may work in the same area. You would save hundreds of gallons of gas and not to mention the $$ in your pocket. Another plus of carpooling is less traffic. We don’t need any more cars on the road or any more road rage!
Pay your bills online: Why waste money on stamps and envelopes when you can pay all your bills online. Thats the convenience of the internet! Take advantage and save time and money.
Paper or plastic: The best solution is to use reusable bags. Nowadays, every retail store sells them and they are usually under $5 so its worth it. Plus they are stronger and more reliable. But if you have to choose one than go with paper. And don’t forget to recycle and reuse!
I hope that you can follow these steps and have fun in the process. Just think about all the great choices you are making and the difference you are able to achieve. With these 10 steps you are well on your way to an eco-friendly life!
The first thing to do is take a look at your life and see what you can change asap. Whether its buying natural and organic food or taking a walk instead of driving, taking baby steps is perfectly fine. You want these changes to be fun and exciting! And with a positive view and peaceful state of mind you will get there. You must realize that a lifestyle change such as this one will also change who you are as a person. That is the true meaning of being green. Having the eco-friendly vision everyday come natural and not thinking twice about an earth-friendly decision. Its about realizing that you, the people you love and the earth are worth much more!
Here are 10 easy simple ways to get started. You can do them at your own pace and take the time you need. The more you start doing, the more you will be comfortable with your new lifestyle!
Recycle & Reuse: I am surprised when I hear that someone does not recycle. Shame on you! If everyone in America recycled we could decrease the waste in landfills by 75%. Sounds good to me! Another way to recycle is to reuse. Bags you get from the grocery store, packaging, rags to clean and even refilling your ink cartridges for your printer. These all make a difference.
Take a shorter shower: You can conserve more than 10 gallons by just shortening your showers by 2 minutes. Not to mention your water bill! Just think how much that would be if everyone did the same.
Junk Mail: We all get crap in the mail that goes straight to the garbage. Instead of throwing it out recycle it instead. If you want to reduce your junk mail or rid of it forever you can register with the Mail Preference Service. It only costs $1 and you can do it online. Its that easy so there is no excuse! Just go to www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist.
Curtains & Blinds: During summer and winter keep your blinds closed. That will keep your house cooler when its hot out and warmer when its cold. By doing this you can reduce your energy needs up to 25% and save on your electric bill!
Use fewer napkins: When you are out try to take 2 -4 napkins instead of 10. We all do it. You go to the movies and get popcorn. Well you need tons of napkins because of the butter! Do your best to conserve and more than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year!
Subscribe to magazines: You could save up to 75% off the newsstand price if you simply subscribed. Plus, who wouldn’t want the convenience of coming home to your favorite publication! About 60% of the magazines at stores aren’t sold and wind up getting dumped. What a waste!
Unplug electronics: Not only will you save money but tons of energy as well. Surprisingly enough, even though they are turned off your electronics are still using 10 - 15% of energy. Just unplugging your TV alone can save more than $1 billion in energy bills if we all did it.
Carpool to work: If it is possible, try to hitch a ride with another coworker or even a friend that may work in the same area. You would save hundreds of gallons of gas and not to mention the $$ in your pocket. Another plus of carpooling is less traffic. We don’t need any more cars on the road or any more road rage!
Pay your bills online: Why waste money on stamps and envelopes when you can pay all your bills online. Thats the convenience of the internet! Take advantage and save time and money.
Paper or plastic: The best solution is to use reusable bags. Nowadays, every retail store sells them and they are usually under $5 so its worth it. Plus they are stronger and more reliable. But if you have to choose one than go with paper. And don’t forget to recycle and reuse!
I hope that you can follow these steps and have fun in the process. Just think about all the great choices you are making and the difference you are able to achieve. With these 10 steps you are well on your way to an eco-friendly life!
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