Love Life By Minding Your Carbon Footprint

"Love Life" is a Vlog by actress-ecoist Daryl Hannah, all about how to love your HEALTH and your PLANET.

Here's an episode (if you have a few minutes) that gives us examples of how to be mindful of our carbon footprints. She suggests simple things like using your car one less day a week, eating meat one less day a week, air-drying laundry and changing lightbulbs to the energy saver variety . Hey, that's no problem. How to take it is step further? Daryl herself lives completely off the grid, drives a biodiesel car, and tries to grow most of her food in her own organic garden. Nicely done, Daryl.



Another interesting tidbit I uncovered about using your electric clothes dryer:
Dr. Enshayan, an engineer at the University of Northern Iowa, learned from his local utility company that his town, Cedar Falls, Iowa, spends about $1.3 million to dry clothes every year. His county spends something like $5 million, the city of Des Moines $19 million, and the whole state of Iowa, $117 million. Just to dry clothes!

Creating positive change in the planet begins with a single person. If you make your personal environment, whether it be your home, work, or larger community, a healthier place to live...well, that affects the people around you and their desire to do the same. See where I'm going here? Yes, the ripple effect. Gotta love it.

Be the change!
Liz
Vishen Health Guru

Beauty and Brains and... Oh, why not just HAVE IT ALL!

Who says fashion models aren't smart? Not me. This gal Gelila of Ford Models pretty much does most of my job for me in her explanation of the fabulous flaxseed.



Flax promotes healthier looking skin and contributes to better functioning brains. No wonder Gelila's got it goin' on! And while it's true that genetics probably had a lot to do with Gelila's beauty and brains, don't for one second think that what you eat doesn't matter. Eating healthy actually DOES AFFECT the expression of genes! It's called epigenetics, if you wanna search for more news on this exciting topic.

A few other tidbits:
A mixture of various freshly ground seeds can actually function as medicine. They can regulate women's hormones, improve gastrointestinal health, increase the body's ability to eliminate toxins, and more.

Beauty, brains, health...can you really have it all?
Intentionally Urban Magazine (In Ur) thinks so and I enthusiastically agree. In Ur's first issue (June 2008) will be dedicated to exploring ways we can be mindful and conscious of health and the environment while still enjoying life to it's fullest. Check out their online zine for a preview: www.inurmagazine.com


Liz
Vishen Health Guru

THE DIRTY DOZEN: 12 MUST-BUY ORGANIC FOODS

Have you heard of the Dirty Dozen? Well grab your pen and paper and write these foods down on your grocery list of “must-buy organic foods”.

Apples
Cherries
Grapes, imported (Chili)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Raspberries
Strawberries
Bell peppers
Celery
Potatoes
Spinach

Based on an analysis of more than 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results, researchers at the Environmental Working Group (EWG) developed this “dirty dozen” list. They say you should ALWAYS BUY ORGANIC (if possible) when purchasing these fruits and veggies because the conventionally grown ones tend to be laden with pesticides, even after being given a thorough washing.

Here's some good info about the effects of pesticides (and other chemicals in our environment) on fertility:



Hmmm, I think I'll spend the extra couple bucks and avoid that daily overdose of pesticide residue. As the saying goes, DON'T PANIC, BUY ORGANIC! What a simple way we can all invest in our future health!

How to Take Health a Step Further:
Reducing current and future exposure to pesticides by buying organic is important, but what about PAST intake of pesticides?
Pesticides tend to be stored in fat cells - this is the body's way of "locking them up" so that they cause the least amount of bodily harm. However, when you exercise or lose weight, pesticides tend to be released from fat and recirculated into the bloodstream. Vishen health practitioners emphasize the need to REGULARLY aid the body in ELIMINATING the inevitable daily dose of past and present toxins, whether it be from pesticides, car exhaust fumes, drinking water, or other sources. Here's a new one for ya'll: DON'T WAIT, ELIMINATE! Not to shabby if I do say so myself;)

Think healthy.
Liz
Vishen Health Guru