Green Health: Does Your Energy Level Need a Boost?

Now that the new school year is in full swing and the lazy days of summer seem like a daydream long lost - are you feeling a little burned out and sluggish? If your go-to ways to boost your energy aren't living up to their potential - try something new. Here are some of my suggestions:

1- Acupuncture: Known to help balance and revitalization of energy levels, Acupuncture is a centuries old practice that can slash fatigue significantly - that is if you can get past the needles.

2- Homeopathic Remedies: There are many homeopathic remedies that can improve your energy levels without sacrificing your health. Consider consulting with a homeopathic practitioner or check out books on homeopathy from your local library.

3- Aromatherapy: You can simply place a few drops of essential oil on a hankie, your pillowcase or in your bubble bath to get the energy improving benefits of aromatherapy. Some of my favorites are peppermint and rosemary.

How about you lovely readers, what energy pick me up do you use?
What has worked? What hasn't?

photo via Cinnamon*

Green It Yourself: Organize your Child's Toys with Free Toy Bin Tags

I love organization, it is a passion of mine. Give me a room that needs complete organization and a smile will appear on my face - I love a challenge. This week at Inhabitots, I wrote about super cute print your own toy bin tags from Lily Jane. They are perfect for organizing every type of toy your child could have in their room. And the best part, the downloads are free. Just print on 100% post consumer recycled paper with soy or water based inks. Happy organizing.

How about you lovely readers, do you love to organize or am I a little crazy?

Fabulous Vintage Bicycles by Papillionaire

Papillionaire is a Melbourne based bicycle company that is designing new, affordable, vintage style bicycles. You create the bicycle - choosing everything from the model and color to the type of tires, seat and accessories that you want. I can definitely see myself riding one of these lovely bicycles at the beach. Aren't they fabulous?

Green Health - Here's to your Hair

Have you switched to all natural and organic hair care products yet? When my family went organic, this was one of the first things that we did because it was one of the easiest things to do. After reading about how porous the human scalp is and that it essentially absorbs everything that is put on it - we immediately switched.

As you probably know, traditional hair care products include a nasty list of toxins - everything from formaldehyde to ammonia. And these chemicals have horrible repercussions including cancer and possible blindness. These are definitely chemicals that I don't want in on my head, let alone in my home.

I have heard that baking soda is the best thing to clean your hair with, since it leaves no residue. However, you can also choose from an array of all natural and organic products from your local health food store. Just make sure that you choose a real "natural" brand since there is a lot of greenwashing when it comes to these products. If you are unsure, check Skin Deep - my favorite resource for finding the best non-toxic products.

Do you use all natural and organic hair products?
Which are your favorites? Is there a brand that you have found works better than most?

I would love to hear your thoughts, please leave your comments below!

photo via Le Fab. d'Amelie

Less Clutter Equals Less Stress

When was the last time that you simplified your life by getting rid of all of the clutter that surrounds you? The more things that we consume the more consumed we become with these things? This is easy to do in today's fast paced world where a new cell phone comes out every few months. Buying something new that you already have a perfectly good one of - is it really necessary? Look around your home and office, consider donating items that you haven't used in the past year, chances are you won't use them again. Clutter leads to disorganization and they both can add to your stress level. Simplifying your life, leaves you in control - just think how much easier your home will be to clean.

How often do you remove clutter from your life?
Is this a project that you take on a few times a year?
Or do you try to keep things tight and organized to completely free your life from it all together?

photo via chotda

Halloween Costumes - Lions, Tigers, Bears Oh My!

Have you seen the super cute animal masks and tails that Oeuf has available for Halloween? These cute knits are made by indigenous women in Bolivia who are paid a living wage. Wouldn't these make year round dress up time fun. I love, love, love the crocodile.

Have your children decided what they are going to dress up as for Halloween?

Are you dressing up? As what?

Diapers - There is a Solution to this Dirty Little Secret

My article Diapers - There is a Solution to this Dirty Little Secret at Cascadian Farm is really causing a stir. I love when my readers are passionate about a subject that I write about. Check it out and let me know how you weigh in.

** You can find more comments (56) on Cascadian Farm's Facebook Fan Page too.

Vintage Toy Car Collection from Ko Verzuu

I love this vintage toy collection from Ko Verzuu for ADO that I wrote about on Inhabitots. They are bright, vintage and wood - my favorite characteristics for children's toys. The best part is the story behind the brand, read more about it here.

Have you started collections for your children?

What type of collections?

Does Your Life Grow Like Your Garden?

Can you guess what a favorite hobby amongst those to make it to see 100 years of age is? If you guessed gardening, then you are correct. Studies have shown that gardeners experience much less heart disease than their non gardening counterparts. It may have a lot to do with the amount of exercise and level of discipline and patience that is required to be a good gardener. Either way, this really motivates me to get my hands in the soil and soon.

What do you think?
Do you personal know someone who has lived a long healthy life and who also gardens?

flower photo via Cinnamon*

Have a Lovely Green Weekend + A Few Green Things

Hello Everyone. How was your week? We are getting ready to leave early this morning for Key West. We are going to be camping at Bahia Honda State Park for a three day weekend getaway. Bahia Honda offers some of the best snorkeling and white sand beach combing in Florida - I can't wait. Eben is excited to snorkel at the Looe Key National Marie Sanctuary, where we will be able to see Elkhorn and massive Star coral - hopefully a sea turtle or two! We also plan on renting Paddle Boards (doesn't it look fun?) and relaxing for the entire weekend.

How about you, what are your weekend plans?

While I pack my snorkeling gear, here are a few green things that I have been wanting to share with you:

- This reminded me to take a time for the little things and I smiled.
- Have you seen this week in pictures, it is fantastic!
- I love to watch the rain hit the ocean.
- Could you live in a tiny apartment?
- OMGoodness, handfuls of baby owls? Yes please.
- Do you like Turquoise and Red together?

Have an amazing weekend, I can hardly wait to see you on Monday.

xo,
Sweet Greens

ps: If you haven't already, don't forget to enter the La Alicia handbag giveaway.

5 Steps to a Good Night's Sleep - You Deserve it

I slept in this morning - one hour past my alarm clock to be exact. It was nice. I was roused from a dream by a grunting little pug. As I lay in the darkness staring at the dark abyss above me, I started thinking... Since we spend almost a third of our lives sleeping, the bedroom should be the most important place in our homes. Sometimes it can be hard to achieve this, here are my favorite ways to transform your bedroom into your haven.

1- Our bedrooms should be quiet, minimalist and the least trafficked room in the home. When decorating, choose soothing colors in shades of blues, browns, grays or greens. Choose a bedroom on the back of the home or furthest away from busy roads or distracting outside lights.

2- Choose side table lightening that is dim and if you like to play music in your bedroom - stick to tranquil, soothing and quiet music - especially at bedtime.

3- Bedrooms should always be free of televisions and computers since the electromagnetic fields can make a person feel irritable and agitated.

4- Remove all plants from your bedroom area since they release their carbon dioxide at night - removing the oxygen from the room. You want to be able to breath deeply and freely all night long.

5- If possible choose an organic mattress, sheets, pillows and bedding. Breathing hard toxic chemicals all night long will not promote a healthy rest.

Choosing to transform your bedroom into a relaxing oasis will allow you to have a better nights rest while living a full and long life.

ps- Making sure that your one year old Pug doesn't grunt you out of a dream, is a tip I need to learn. {wink}

How have you transformed your bedroom into a haven of sleep and comfort?
What tricks do you use to get a good nights sleep?

5 Healthy Habits for Healthy Green Kids

Have you ever wondered how healthy your child really is? Here are my top 5 questions to ask yourself about your child's health?

1- Is my child getting the proper nutrients he/she needs every single day?

Eating a diet that is well balanced and whole is essential for the health of your child. Children especially need the proper nutrition since it directly affects their immune system, mood, weight, energy levels and brain and body functions.

2- Does my child get enough physical activity?

This question is especially important if your younger children go to a school that no longer has recess and P.E. and for children who are in middle and high schools. Exercise and physical time is important as it helps to make healthy habits that will last a lifetime and it's fun too!

3- Is my child stressed out? If so, does he/she manage it correctly?

Everyone experiences small amounts of stress in their everyday life - that is normal. If you child is overloaded with many small stresses or even large stresses this can affect their overall health. Signs to look for may include; trouble sleeping, stomachaches, nervousness and anger.

4- Does my child drink enough water?

Hydration is an absolute when it comes to a healthy child. Making sure that your child is consuming enough water when they are away from you at school all day is tough. Send your child to school each day with a reusable BPA free water bottle full of fresh water. Encourage your child to drink the water and to refill the bottle throughout the day. Proper hydration is necessary for energy, digestion, immune functions and staying hydrated can chase away those nasty headaches.

5- Does my child get enough sleep on a regular basis?

There are recommended amounts of sleep for all age levels. Making sure that your child is getting enough sleep is essential for their overall health and well being. Sleep gives the body time to repair itself and helps to relieve stress. If your child has a hard time sleeping there are certain herbs and homeopathic remedies that may help them. Eben has always done well sleeping in a room that is completely dark - with heavy thick curtains and something for white noise - he prefers a the feel and sound of a fan blowing on him.

How do you keep your children healthy?
Which of these are challenges for your children?
Which of these are you spot on?

Photo credit

Carrie Marill - The Living World in Full Color

Carrie Marill is an artist who lives in Arizona. Her art is nothing short of fantastic. The colors, the statement - they are very inspiring. I am in love with these three pieces; Be Realistic Demand the Impossible, A Dream World Glimmers in the Background of the Soul and The Tortoise. Wouldn't they be fantastic in a family room, nursery or a child's bedroom?

In Carries own words:

"Growing up with a strong relationship to the natural environment I developed a heightened awareness of the conflict between human systems and ecological systems. I have been inspired by the interconnectedness of matter, especially as it is manifested in ecological systems; specifically, systems impacted by humans in non-sustainable ways. At the heart of my work is the continuous human struggle to reconcile the tensions between the natural world, art, science and lived experience. My artwork over the past five years has explored these tensions through paintings and drawings that contrast the kineticism of the natural “living” world with the static “inanimate” depictions of natural history illustration."

Which pieces are your favorite?
Do you like art that has an environmental message?

Happy Autumn - Can it Make you Sick?

Today is the first day of fall - how time flies. In south Florida, the weather is more like a warm summer day, than a crisp, cool fall one. For a lot of you, autumn makes the turning point between the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. This is definitely a part of living in the west that I miss - dearly. I will savor every second of autumn when I am in Washington at Cascadian Farm next week.

Did you know that the seasonal change can cause the respiratory system to have issues such as cough, asthma and even pneumonia. At least this is what Chinese medicine has always said. Chinese medicine also states that drinking plenty of fluids, eating soups, practicing breathing exercises, eating sour foods and remaining calm and relaxed can help you to avoid these illnesses during this transitional period.

What do you think?
Does the change in seasons effect your respiratory system?

photo via Cinnamon*

Green Book Adventure of the Week - A Garden for Pig

A Garden for Pig - written by Kathryn K. Thurman and illustrated by Lindsay Ward is a delightful book about Pig - who lives on an apple farm and is tired of having nothing to eat but apples. Apples for breakfast. Apples for lunch. Apples for dinner. Apples for dessert. Pig wants something different, Pig wants more.

Pig dreams of vegetables and you won't believe how his dream comes true!

Eben and I thought this book was fantastic with it mixed media artwork and fun message about organic gardening and eating a whole balanced diet.

This would be a perfect gift for a little one on your upcoming holiday shopping list. It is simple, silly and sweet. A real treat!

Reclaimed Furniture from Viva Terra

I love Viva Terra's collection of furniture made with reclaimed wood. I am especially smitten with the Railroad Tie Desk and Heritage Storage Console. Reclaimed wood has such a lovely character and grain, it just makes me smile thinking of the life the wood originally had.

Would you decorate your home using reclaimed wood pieces? 

Organic Kids - Whole Balanced Breakfast

Do your children start off their day with an organic, healthy, whole and balanced breakfast? A number of studies show that children who don't eat breakfast are more likely to be overweight, since they may snack more throughout the day.

A whole balanced breakfast will also give your children the energy they need to fuel their morning. Studies also show children who eat a healthy, whole breakfast do better in school.

In other words, a healthy, whole breakfast is just good for your children.

Choosing to give your children an organic, nutritious, whole and balanced breakfast that tastes yummy can be easy to do if you follow these 4 simple steps:

1- Choose organic cereals, breads and oat meals that are made with whole grains that have at least 5 grams or more fiber per serving.

2- Make your own organic whole grain pancakes, french toast or waffles and freeze them for breakfast throughout the week.

3- Choose a good source of organic protein such as; milk, yogurt, peanut butter, nuts, oats or an egg.

4- Choose an organic whole piece of fruit and skip the fruit juices or canned sugary syrup fruits.

Some of Eben's favorite choices for breakfast are:

- A bowl of organic granola and organic yogurt and fruit.
- A bowl of organic whole grain cereal with organic fruit and yogurt.
- 2 Slices of organic 100% whole wheat bread with organic fruit and yogurt.
- 1 Slice of organic 100% whole wheat bread with nut butter and organic fruit and yogurt.
- 2 Homemade organic whole grain pancakes and organic fruit and yogurt.

What are your children's favorite organic breakfast choices?
Do you choose healthy, whole and balanced meals?

photo via Cinnamon*

Indoor Climbing Tree by Kaja Osholm Kjølås at Inhabitots

Isn't this indoor climbing tree by Kaja Osholm Kjølås fantastic? You can read more about what I wrote about it at Inhabitots.

Would you install one of these in your child's room?

Earth Friendly Etsy Giveaway: La Alicia - Recycled Goodies

This week's Earth Friendly Etsy giveaway is from La Alicia, a fun little shop opened by Alicia Collina-Ashby in December of 2007. La Alicia is full of Earth Friendly frills including; earrings, bobbies, clocks and purses, all made out of recycled materials. Her fave materials to use are recycled paper, maps and buttons. Alicia is offering a Mini Eco Clutch. Wouldn't this be the perfect little bag to grab on your way out the door. It is made using last month's magazines, catalogs and other uninvited mail. Isn't it a fantastic collage of colors, words and images.

Alicia is inspired by giving new life to objects that would otherwise find their way into the landfill. Alicia's mission is to make our society a more Earth friendly place to live and she is committed to doing three good things for the Earth each day. She recycles, uses fabric shopping bags and limits her car trips. This year she is also focusing on avoiding plastic and using more food grade stainless steel, shopping at her local Farmer's Market and having at least three meat free meals a week. Fantastic.

Jump over to LaAlicia and check out her fantastic store and leave a comment to enter!

I will choose a winner on October 4th!

You also also share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Technorati, Digg, Stumble Upon, Kirtsy, your blog, email it to a friend or anyway that you would like for an extra entry each, just leave a separate comment for each that you do.

* A huge thank you to Alicia at La Alicia for sponsoring this giveaway!

** UPDATE: WINNER: Laura Kirk is our winner! Congratulations and enjoy.

Have a Lovely Green Weekend + A Few Green Things

Hello Everyone.

How was your week? Can you believe we are already halfway through September? Are the leaves changing colors where you live?

Tonight, Eben is having a sleepover at his school with all of his classmates. A sleepover at school? I know, right? I have never heard of such a thing, however - it does sound like a lot of fun. They will be playing team building games, eating tacos, watching a movie with popcorn and waking up to a pancake breakfast. Can I go?

While Eben is having a blast, Mr. Sweet Greens and I are going to have an adults night out with his mother and step father - who are in town for the week. We were thinking maybe a little dinner and dancing. What do you think? What would you do if you have an entire evening to hang out with the adults only?

While I ponder my choices for the evening, here are few green things I have been wanting to share with you:

- The new Tom's wedge looks pretty cute.
- I wonder if Flour Pot has organic breads. The packaging is divine.
- A little kitten love to brighten your day.
- Do you live in Portland and want to green up your school?
- Because your little one would love a wooden mustache teether.
- What a fun way to measure your child's growth.
- Isn't the above beach picture fantastic - it reminds me of part of my weekend to come.

I hope you have a great green weekend! I can't wait to see you on Monday.

xo,
Sweet Greens

Let's REDU our Current U.S. Educational System

REDU stands for rethinking, reforming and rebuilding our current U.S. educational system. It is a movement that is designed to encourage everyone to start talking and thinking about education reform. It provides the resources to learn how we can help and a community to connect with each other.

Thankfully, Eben goes to a private Montessori program that still offers art, science, playtime, field trips, music and math in a fun, loving and safe environment.

Can you image what it would be like if all public schools provided everything that children need to love to learn and grow up wanting more and more.

What type of school does your child go to? Are the public schools in your area still offering all of the above referenced programs?

Let's do it together.

Exciting News - I am Going to Cascadian Farm

I spoke with my editor, Craig from Cascadian Farm several weeks ago about an upcoming trip to Cascadian Farm that he was trying to arrange for me. I am excited to announce that I will be visiting the Farm October 1-3. I have been to Seattle in the past visiting fantastic friends, however I have not been to the Skagit Valley where Cascadian Farm started. I am excited to meet some of the other Cascadian Farm team members, including Craig, my editor and Janice Croze, a fellow Cascadian Farm blogger. I am also excited to visit and explore the farm and learn about organic farming from Cascadian Farm's head farmer, Jim.

Note: I have to admit when I was first approached to fly clear across the country to visit Cascadian Farm for the weekend - I declined. I felt guilty about the prospect of traveling all the way across the country by airplane, especially for such a short trip. My editor talked to me about the importance of visiting the Farm and how much they wanted me to be a part of the trip. How lovely. Who could say no to that? I will be visiting Cascadian Farm and I will also be offsetting the carbon emissions with my TerraPass.

Popcorn: To Microware or Air Pop?

We love, love, love family movie night. It usually involves making your own pizza followed by a big bowl of popcorn to share. In fact, I just don't think that movie night would be the same without our huge antique cabbage shaped bowl full of popcorn.

However, if your movie time snack is the microwavable version, then beware! It may contain a dirty little pop secret. Some microwave popcorn contains chemicals that can cause major health problems. We have all heard of popcorn lung, right?

The chemical perfluorooctanoic acid (PTOA) has been found to cause both cancer and lung disease and Diacetyl is responsible for popcorn lung disease.

So, next time your family decides to snuggle on the sofa for movie night, pop your own popcorn. It is easy, simple and very affordable. All that you need is a large deep pot, a few tablespoons of organic canola oil and a cup of organic popcorn kernels. When the popcorn starts to pop, just shake the pot gently so that the unpopped kernels fall to the bottom - continue until you can count slowly to five in between pops.

If popping your own popcorn sounds more like work than fun, consider purchasing an electric popcorn maker. My lovely mother gave my family this one a couple of years ago and we enjoy it weekly.

Does your family enjoy popcorn?
Do you make your own? Or do you chance it with the microwave version?

photo via Janice Croze

Bonsai at The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Have you ever visited a Bonsai exhibit? When we were at The Morikami Musuem and Japanese Gardens on Friday evening, we spent some time at the Bonsai exhibit. It is always fun to see miniatures trees that are up to 400 years old. I have to admit, they are very captivating to me - the thought that someone has loved each and every one of these trees and spent countless hours training and pruning them is fantastic.

I could spend an entire afternoon, just imagining the tiny people who could live there.

Want to see all of the pictures that I shot of the Bonsai? click here.

10 Simple Ways to Beat Stress Today at Cascadian Farm

Does back to school have you stressed out? How about everyday life? Life is naturally very stressful, however there are simple things that you can do to beat stress today and everyday. Here are my personal top 10 simple ways to beat stress today that will have you going from Aaaarghhhhh! to Awwwww in no time.

How do you beat stress in your everyday life?

Please leave your comments below!

photo via Palinkas Tamara

Is Brown Rice Better for your Health?

Have you wondered if brown rice really is better for your health? The answer is Yes. Brown rice offers protection from high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries.

Why isn't white rice as good for us?

It's all about the layer between the white center of the grain and the brown outer layer. The brown outer layer is responsible for helping our health.

Pop Quiz:

Is white rice a different type of rice than brown rice?

Answer: No. White rice comes when the fibrous outer brown shell of rice is milled away - leaving nothing but the soft white center.

Which is your favorite, brown or white?
Do you eat brown rice simply because it is better for you? Or do you enjoy the taste?

Please leave your comments below!

photo via Emily Kristin

Welcome New Sponsor: Ecolissa - Where Fashion Meets Eco

Please join me in welcoming Sweet Greens newest sponsor: Ecolissa. Ecolissa is where fashion meets Eco. Ecolissa has everything thing that you need to look fabulous and be green at the same time. Ecolissa's entire collection is Eco friendly and vegan. You will find everything from beautiful dresses to jeans to beautiful jewelry and accessories.

I love, love, love Indigenous Indi Zip Hoodie. (above) Isn't it fantastic? I am also a huge fan of the Elroy dresses and anything by Lilikoi. And your entire orders ships for only $5.

Rush over to ecolissa and view her beautiful, fashionable Eco clothing.

A huge thank you to Melissa at Ecolissa for sponsoring Sweet Greens. Would you like to learn more about becoming a sponsor? If so, please click here.

Have a Lovely Green Weekend + A Few Green Things

Hello Everyone, how has your week been? Can you believe that it is already September? I am starting to yearn for the changing of the season's colors back in Colorado. However - when it starts to freeze and snow there, I will be at the beach!

Mr. Sweet Greens' planned a family night out tonight - we are going to The Morikami Museum and Gardens for sushi, a stroll and then a Fushu Daiko performance. I really don't know what part I will enjoy more, it just sounds like an evening full of fun and culture. Don't you agree?



This weekend, Mr. Sweet Greens's mother and step-father are coming into town to visit for a week. Eben is super excited - nothing like seeing the grandparents, right? We plan on spending time together at the beach and enjoying family dinners together.

While I get ready for a busy weekend, here are a few green things that I have wanted to share with you:

- Aren't these map deconstructions fantastic?
- These DIY crayons are the best ones I have seen. Just like a rainbow.
- I want to make a T-shirt bag - maybe this weekend.
- If I could get married again, it would be like this.
- Now this is my type of general store, let's go.
- This weekend, I want to eat a bunch of organic cherries.

Have a lovely green weekend and I will see you on Monday.

xo,
Sweet Greens

ps: The lovely Cameron Mora is working on fixing my comment problem, so hopefully we will have it up and running soon. Isn't she fantastic?

Do you like what you have seen? If so, please share:

Green Book Adventure of the Week: The Good Garden

The Good Garden - How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough, by Katie Smith Milway is the story of Maria Luz and her family, who are struggling farmers in the hills of Honduras. When the family is left with not enough food to survive, Maria's father has to leave to find work - leaving Maria to tend to the family's garden. When a new teacher comes to town and shows Maria how to feed the soil with compost, stop erosion and how to sell her own crops at the market - Maria spreads hope to other family farmers across the hillside of Honduras.

The Good Garden is a beautifully illustrated book which targets a big question: What if our food supply runs out? Written in a simple manner, The Good Garden shows that simple changes can have a huge impact.

*Book Adventure of the Week is a new weekly series here at Sweet Greens, where I would love to share some of the books from our own book shelves with you. If you have a book to recommend, I would love to hear about it, please send me a message to mysweetgreens@gmail.com.