Spring has sprung!! Welcome to my “Spring Snippets!” In today’s post I’m sharing “snippets” or small pieces of MANY different, interesting topics I’ve found during the past few weeks that continue to help me and my family live healthy lives.
This time of year I am in full-on mode for Spring break – fresh, lighter foods, new opportunities for getting outside, new books and music that make me want to learn, laugh and dance! Each and every day I discover a cool, new non-toxic product, a great recipe, a song that makes me smile, an article about a new book. Read on for my “snippets!”
I hope you’ll find one or two interesting topics here that help you in your quest to achieve a healthy lifestyle and to minimize your exposure to toxins. Please feel free to share!
Even car seats off-gas toxins, so be sure to air them out.
Kids – The Car Seat Findings!
So, it’s our second year of helping our daughter and her husband with the grand kids during their upcoming spring break! This year we will be hosting both the 3- and 5-year olds. In preparation, we needed to get another car seat. As with anything, I jumped back into research mode and whoa, is there a plethora of information on the chemicals that make up kids’ car seats? Of course! Why would I expect this not to be the case? And why do we not read anything about this?
After much research, we opted to go with the same car seat (Britax Marathon) that we had purchased for our grandson two years ago. Yes, there are still a few chemicals, but we also found ourselves considering “safety” as well as “toxicity.” We purchased the model with the lighter shade fabric since research shows they tend to carry less chemicals. We’ve also been airing them both out regularly with fresh air.
I certainly don’t want well-intentioned parents or grandparents freaking when they read this. This info just served as a great reminder that we have the ability to “air” out anything new that we buy and to keep fresh air coming in as often as possible, as heat has been shown to create an off-gassing effect in hot cars. Good to know for us all! Hopefully this review will also help you select your next car seat with fresh eyes-and yes, share with your friends and family!
The Study:
http://www.ecocenter.org/healthy-stuff/reports/childrens-car-seat-study/report_summary
Books – “What the Fork are you Eating? – An Action Plan for your Pantry and Plate”
by Stephanie Sacks (a certified chef and nutritionist)
“Did you know that today people consume five times more food dye than they did thirty years ago?” Or that chemical preservatives like sulfur dioxide which is commonly used in dried fruit, fruit juices and molasses can cause an asthmatic reaction in many?” Many additives, preservatives, artificial flavors and enhancers and artificial sweeteners are labeled TRTs or Top Rated Terminators by the author.
Since our food offerings expand exponentially in the coming months, this is a perfect time to review what we’re actually putting into our bodies. Since I’m into clean eating, this book appeals to me on two fronts.
- She explains what the additives are in food and how to avoid the harmful ones
- She has a chapter on Aisle by Aisle Actionables to help one shop when at the market.
Dr. Andrew Weil endorses her book which presents a nonjudgmental balanced perspective. What’s also great is she does this with also presenting the reader with easy to follow steps in improving one’s buying and eating habits.
To Purchase:
Click on the book, or click What the Fork Are You Eating?: An Action Plan for Your Pantry and Plate
Exercise – Fitbits are Fun!
Fitbits offer fun ways to track one’s walking and steps during the day.
To be honest, I haven’t visited the gym in this new year. However I am racking up major mileage on my Fitbit Flex and am loving a new regimen of walking everywhere that’s within 20 minutes away. That covers the library, grocery store, coffee shack, boot repair shop, favorite dining spots and more. And that’s not even covering my weekly walks with the girls and my daily hour long walks with the dogs!
Spring is here (although as I write this Denver is in the midst of a blizzard J) and I’m also challenging myself to new routes that include uphill roads and stairs. I find it’s fun seeing how many steps I’ve logged each day! I’m getting more toned and stamina is up.
Having a challenge relationship with a friend doesn’t hurt either. Many of our friends have in-office challenges going on, while I have a challenge with my Fitbit friend is on the east coast. Just remember to watch the trash talk kids!
To Purchase:
http://fitbit.com
Food – Winter (Year Round Veggie Slaw) – Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Radicchio and Lemon Dressing
By Ina Garten/The Barefoot Contessa
This kale, Brussels sprouts and radicchio salad is healthy and easy!
This is my new, favorite, easy salad to make! A single cup of kale provides Vitamin A, K, B6, C, Manganese, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. Kale is among the most nutrient dense foods around. Add to that Brussels sprouts, which help our bodies ward off chronic oxidation stress, thus minimizing our risk factors for cancer and other types of chronic diseases. And add to that Radicchio which is high in antioxidants that boost overall health, wellness and energy.
In addition, Radicchio improves digestion and reduces cholesterol boosting organ health. Do you see where I’m going with this? Mix a dressing of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, some Himalayan salt and fresh ground pepper and you’ve got a low calorie, high fiber, super healthy salad and trust me when I say it’s EASY!
The recipe: Click here.
Important Note: This salad is so delicious that I could eat it everyday, however, too much of a good thing isn’t good for you. And Kale can have some downsides if eaten too much. I wrote about this last year and it’s good info: https://christysnontoxiclifestyle.com/kale-thyroid/
Healing – Reiki
This is a beautiful, gentle, hands-on healing experience.
Many of you know that I just launched my Reiki practice this month. It’s a beautiful, transformational healing modality that I have been using on myself for the past year. I have received Reiki from gifted healers for the past 12 years.
For more information about this amazing practice you can refer to the post my guest blogger and Reiki Master JoAnne Palladino wrote this past fall on my site. https://christysnontoxiclifestyle.com/reiki/
If you live in the Denver area, please contact me here (link) for scheduling a session. I am offering free sessions (limited to two) through May. This is a perfect opportunity to find out what it’s all about!
Health – Gout Disease: Prevention and Management
Gout is a painful but manageable condition with proper diet and preventive natural supplements.
I am guessing many of you out there know of someone who has experienced a gout attack? Gout is caused when crystals form as a result of too much uric acid in the body. My son has been lucky enough to have inherited this touchy and extremely painful condition. Those who are sufferers know that a strict diet and often medication are necessary to avoid future attacks
While he was recently visiting, he had an attack and here I was on the front lines with concentrated cherry juice. While we know cherries is good for preventing and lower uric acids, he ended up getting too much sugar from the juice. His doctor referred us to Natural Grocers where he picked up Tart Cherry capsules (1,000 mg) sugar, wheat, dairy and gluten free. He can take up to 6 capsules a day without any side effects. PLUS their a natural source of Polyphenol Antioxidants!
In addition, he also picked up Goutrol there, as also prescribed as a natural preventive way to manage gout. Many of the medicines out there are truly hard on the liver so be sure to mention these two wonderful natural products to your family and friends, okay?!
On another note, a simple Tablespoon of Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar in a mug of warm water first thing in the morning and in the evening before bed does wonders in bringing the body closer to an alkaline state. Too much acidity is known to cause disease. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, but once it enters the body, it transforms to an alkaline state that disrupts the favorable environment required for gout.
This Study:
http://www.craysor.com/how-is-apple-cider-vinegar-good-for-gout/
Review AND where to buy Goutrol:
http://www.iherb.com/product-reviews/MRM-Iso-Tech-Goutrol-30-Veggie-Caps/15742/?p=1
New Company Discovery – Casa Verde Paint-Denver, Colorado
Casa Verde Paints, a wonderful company, “where every color is green.”
We’ve been wanting to paint our kitchen cabinets but only if we could find zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds-toxic) paints. This month I found Casa Verde Paint. The owners have been in the green building industry for 9 years and just recently launched their green coatings business here in Denver. They are the only supplier here in Colorado that specializes in healthy, high performance interior finishes for both residential and commercial projects.
As stated on their website, their “manufacturers are leaders in environmental stewardship-their green business practices extend from intelligently designed products to packaging, shipping, recycling and community-based initiatives.” One can find a variety of non-toxic paints including milk and chalk; plasters, stains and sealers. They also offer non-toxic cabinet, deck, floor and log cabin finishes in addition to green caulking and adhesives.
One of the things I love about their business is that they will also train homeowners on the proper installation and maintenance of their products. And if you want someone else to do the work, they’ll offer referrals to the professionals in your area.
Even if you’re not living in Denver, I highly recommend that you check their business website out. If you can’t find any of their products in your area, they are happy to ship and will gladly answer any of your questions.
I truly hope you’ve enjoyed my “snippet” format this month and gleaned something that makes your life healthier and happier!
Peace and Good Health!
If you “Like” this post, I’d be thrilled if you’d share it.
MAR