Tuesday, May 25, 2010


Flax Seed Oil (also known as Linseed Oil) is highly recommended for the general well being and whole body nutrition and is considered to be nature's richest source of omega-3 and omega 9 fatty acids. Omega-3 Fatty acids are required for the health and proper functioning of almost all body systems. Flax seed oil contains, essential fatty acids, along with fiber, protein, B-Vitamins, lecithin, potassium and zinc.

Flax Seed Oil has many benefits and many nutritionists believe that it could be the most important supplement a person can take next to a multi-vitamin. It controls high blood pressure, helps to lower cholesterol, guards against heart disease, shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion, increases the body's production of energy and also increases stamina. In addition to these benefits, Flax Seed Oil helps to stimulate fat cells and increases the metabolic rate making it easier to burn off fat.

Unfortunately many of us do not get enough of our daily essential fatty acids requirements which means we need to supplement.

How much Flax Seed Oil should you take a day? The recommended daily dose for the average person is 1,000 mg one to three times a day. This can easily be achieved by adding Flax Seed Oil to some of your favorite meals during the day. Add it to your oatmeal for breakfast or in a smoothie during lunch.

Where can you buy Flax Seed Oil?? Luckily many grocery stores and whole food markets carry it now a days so it shouldn't be hard to find!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Farmers Markets


It's that time of the year where Farmers Markets are springing up all over. Want to know where you can find one close to you? Visit http://www.localharvest.org/ to find the nearest market.

Before heading out to your local Farmers Market make sure you know what's in season right now. Below is a list of the fruits and vegetables currently in season:

• Apricots
• Berries: blackberries
• Berries: raspberries
• Berries: strawberries
• Cherries
• Grapefruit
• Melons: cantaloupe
• Melons: honeydew
• Melons: watermelon
• Peaches
• Rhubarb, field

• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Avocado, Haas
• Beans, fava
• Beans, green
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cabbages
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Celeriac / celery root
• Chard
• Corn
• Fennel
• Garlic, green
• Greens: arugula, dandelion, fiddlehead ferns, lettuces, mizuna, mustard
• Kale
• Mushrooms, morels
• Onions, fresh/spring
• Onions, sweet: Vidalia
• Peas: edible pod
• Peas: English / shelling
• Potatoes, new
• Radish
• Ramps
• Salad mix
• Sorrel
• Spinach
• Squash, zucchini

Tuesday, May 11, 2010


It's amazing how changing one small habit can have such a large impact on the environment. I have to admit I have been guilty up until recently of going through quite a large number of plastic water bottles a month even though we have a water filter at home. Yes I know it's a terrible thing to think where these bottles end up and the damage they cause to the environment which is why I decided to switch to a reusable water bottle instead.

There are many reasons to ditch the plastic bottles aside from their effect on the environment. Using and re using these bottles have some effects on your health as well. Plastic bottles contain BPA which leaches out during everyday use. High levels of BPA have been linked with infertility, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. You are probably wondering just how much exposure are you really getting from a water bottle. Does it matter? Even the smallest amount of exposure can create long term health issues so why risk it?

You have alternatives and you should definitely explore them. There are many reusable water bottles out there for sale. One alternative is a SIGG – Swiss Engineered Water Bottles . These bottles are made out of a single piece of pure taste neutral aluminum. Another option is the Wellness H2O bottle. This bottle is made of LDPE (low density polyethylene) plastic, which is BPA-free.

Here are few other suggestions:
Blue planet: www.blueplanetwater.com/q&a.html
Biota : www.biotaspringwater.com
Born free: www.newbornfree.com
Klean Kanteen: www.kleankanteen.com

So why not ditch the plastic bottles once and for all and do something good for yourself and the environment?

Monday, May 10, 2010


I know most of us probably do not want to think about where our food is coming from but now a days with all these food borne illnesses it's important to understand how your food is grown and where it comes from. Will this make a difference in the food choices you make? Who knows it might not make a difference at all but at least you will be a little more informed about the growing practices and the places your food is coming from. Sadly enough we have been brainwashed by society to buy cheap and in bulk with no regards to where the food is coming from and how it is produced.


So how can you make an informed decision before you head out to your nearest shop in bulk store and stock up on all that processed food and pesticide contaminated produce?? Here are a few suggestions!


1. Find out what is in season before you buy it. Make sure you buy produce that is in season otherwise you have to wonder where this is being shipped from and how it is being processed to maintain its freshness. Here's a link to find out what's in season: http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal/.


2. Buy from your local farmers market when possible. Not only are you buying directly from the food source but you are also helping the local economy.


3. Go Organic! Organically grown food is grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and fungicides which have been linked to cancer and many other diseases. (You can find out here ( http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php) which fruits and veggies have the highest levels of pesticides).


4. Grow your own. If you have the time and the space how about starting your own small garden? Start with something small and manageable. Do research on the types of things that grow well in your area. This is doable even if you live in a small apartment or don't have a backyard. Container gardening is a great option for these types of situations ( http://containergardeningtips.com/) as well as an aero garden.


If you want to learn more about where you food comes from you can check out the following links:




Thursday, May 6, 2010


These cute Eco friendly Scooter Bee shoes for babies are designed to tell a story. Lined with bamboo velour fabric, these little story tellers are PVC free, latex free, chloride free, dioxin free and phthalate free. They have wrap around straps at the top of each shoe with a picture of an animal or a plant. Parents can use these pictures to educate their children on the particular animal/plant and their contributions to the environment.


The shoes adjust to thickness and width and are great for pre walkers and first time walkers.


Want to get your little one a pair?

Visit Kate's Caring Gifts http://www.katescaringgifts.com/index.html today!

Green Cleaning


There are so many ways you can clean around your home without having to use harsh chemicals or without having to spend money on organic cleaners. Look around your kitchen and I am sure you probably have the following items: White vinegar, baking soda, salt, and lemons. All of these things have multiple uses around the house.


White vinegar is great for killing bacteria, germs and mold. It can be used as a fabric softener when mixed with 1/2 cup of water as well. Want to get rid of rings in the toilet?? Guess what.. three cups of white vinegar poured in the toilet and three poured into the tank once a week will clean that up in no time!


What about Baking Soda? What can that be used for? Believe it or not the sodium bicarbonate can clear up clogged drains. I don't know about you but this is a biggie in our house due mostly to my hair washing! Just dump a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar a few times down your drain to fix the problem. Need to clean your microwave? Boil 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a mug with water inside the microwave and then simply wipe the gunk off without having to do any scrubbing!


Have some lemons laying around? You can easily use them to scrub your dishes by cutting them in half and sprinkling some baking soda on them. Lemons can also be used as a natural furniture polish when combined with olive oil ( one cup of lemon juice for every 2 cups of olive oil).


Need to get rid of some of those salt bottles you've had for years hiding in the back of the pantry? Put them to good use! Sprinkle some salt in the laundry starch to keep the iron from sticking to your clothes. Rub it on cups and mugs to remove nasty coffee and tea stains.


These are just some of the ways you can move away from using toxic household cleaners while saving yourself a few bucks as well.


Have any other tips you want to share? Feel free to leave a comment and let us know!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010


How many of us can say we are lucky enough that we can provide sufficiently for our kids? I thank God everyday that we have been able to do so since our son was born. Unfortunately not everyone can especially in this terrible economy. There are many families out there that struggle on a daily basis just to put clothes on their babies backs. Now think about all the outgrown clothing and other baby necessities you have laying around in your house that your child probably never used. Somewhere out there a mother is need of these things who doesn't have access to them. Through this blog I want to connect those mother's in need with those who can provide. If you know of a mother who is need of baby clothes please send me an email (alexandraramirez77@gmail.com) and let me know the gender and size of the baby and I will post them here. If you would like to help any of these ladies out please email me and I will send you their contact information. So far we have one mother listed who could use your help!


In Need of:

1. Newborn clothing/accessories for a baby boy.




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