¤TU¤ - ~Natural Thoughts~

Travel more naturally

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:03:20 -0700

1. Solar radiation doubles every 6,500 feet of altitude. Boost your in-flight UV protection by drinking water with Emergen-C it contains vitamin C and antioxidant that studies has shown to protect cells from sun induced DNA damage.

2. After deplaning, eat and sleep on local time to stave off jet lag. Or take one tablet of homeopathic treatment like No Jet-Lag, which contains Arnica Montana, Bellius operennis, and Chamomilla, at takeoff and landing.

3. Too much caffeine can lead to dehydration, so skip the coffee and tea on your flight. For an added measure of safety, pack plenty of your own bottled water, such as volcano-derived Volvic or Fiji water, which comes from the island of Fiji. The Environmental Protection Agency recently found that tap water on 15 percent of aircrafts contained harmful bacteria. But, be sure and buy your water after passing through the security checkpoint. Otherwise you will have to place the water in a sealed zip-lock baggie and it will take longer to get through the checkpoint, it is easier just to buy it after the security x-ray point.

4. Ward off plane-spread colds and flu with Budda Nose immune Booster Spray and Salve an aromatherapy prophylactic that contains lemon, clove, cinnamon and raven Sara essential oil to fight airborne viruses and germs.

5. Whether youre suffering from motion sickness or too much road-trip fare, sweetened ginger slices, like Reeds Crystallized ginger can alleviate queasiness. Also, a study in Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine found that taking slow, deep breaths reduces the symptoms of motion sickness.

6. Recycled air can leave you with a dull and haggard complexion. To moisturize and refresh your skin go for a spray. Spiriting your face and hands with rose water (10 drops of rose essential oil in 1.8 ounces of water) throughout the flight can help drastically.

7. Crowds and close quarters can bring on a tension headache. To keep you body relaxed, rotate your shoulders and roll your head in each direction. When snoozing, cradle your neck in a supportive pillow. Try the buckwheat-filled Bucky U-shaped travel pillow.

8. Long flights and car rides can lead to blood clots in your legs, also known as deep vein thrombosis. To keep your blood flowing, wear below-the-knee elastic stockings on long journeys. That way youll be six times less likely to suffer DVT.

9. Dont forget to pack you aromatherapy needs with Soothing Sols Traveler Tote. Its loaded with five essential oil blends that fight germs, calm your skin, keep you energized, relieves tension headaches, and settle a queasy stomach. All are contained in a space-saving zippered pouch.

10. And keep all your holistic travel needs in a zippered, clear, see-through plastic bag. It makes it easier to go through the security-checkpoint at the airport as well.

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Save $3,000 a year

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:08:31 -0700

Its easy money! Simple strategies will boost your bank account and help the planet.

It doesnt matter if you need to, want to, or just think you should: Saving $3,000 a year-and doing it in a way that has a trickle-down effect on the earth is not as hard as you think. There are a number of things you can do that are environmental, as well as economical.

One way is to make big changes that yield big results; switching from a gas-guzzling SUV to a hybrid car can get you a $2,000 tax deduction through years end (and a tax break of 1,700 to 3, 400 next year and save you more than $1,000 annually in gas). Or you can make little changes that add up over the course of the year; just figure out how much you could save by bringing your lunch to work every day.

The average American household spends more than $40,000 a year on everything from essentials (such as housing and groceries) to leisure activities (such as going to the movies and eating out). To save $3,000 a year, you need to sock away just $250 a month, or $57.69 a week-which means only $8.24 a day! See? Its not so hard. With a few smart steps you can save a bundle. Take your pick from the following ideas.

1. Use your car less: Most of us shell out approximately $8,000 a year getting from here to there; thats second only to what we spend on housing. Carpooling is a great way to save money and lower emissions that taint our water and air. Instead of driving to work every day, join a carpool group. Cant carpool? Buy a hybrid and you can double your gas mileage. Replacing an SUV with a hybrid car will not only save you on gas, it will keep 9,300 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas that causes global warming, from the atmosphere. To find out what a hybrid can mean for your wallet, go to 40mpg and use the sites calculator.
(Savings of $1,000 or more)

2. Choose durable over disposable: Suddenly every product comes in a throwaway version, from mops and dusters to sunscreen wipes and even toilet bowl cleaners. These items may be convenient, but they costs quickly pile up-as do the heaps in the landfills. Do the math and youll discover that you pay 25 to 90 cents per wipe, cloth, or sponge you use. Disposable mops can cost $115 per year, compared with $50 for a traditional sponge mop with replacement heads and cleanser. Choosing disposable diapers means you are throwing away $1,000 annually. Each year in the United Stated, we toss out two billion plastic razors, a million and a half tons of paper towels, and 12 billion disposable diapers-which require about 100,000 tons of plastic and 250,000 tress to manufacture, and decades to decompose.
The bottom line: Use durable, products as frequently as possible, including a sturdy mop, cotton napkins, rags instead of paper towels, and refillable ink cartridges for your printer. As for diapers, try using cloth when youre at home during the day and disposables (Seventh Generation has an environmentally friendly line) at nighttime and when youre on the go.
(Savings of $200, if you use a regular mop, a rechargeable razor, and a reusable toilet brush instead of throwaway.)

3. Learn how to share: Youve exchanged best-sellers with your best friend and eggs and butter with your next-door neighbor. And, when you found out you were pregnant, you happily accepted maternity clothes from your sister. Why not try that same whats-mine-is-yours system for big ticket items you use only occasionally, such as the lawn mower, which sells from $200 to $2,000; a snow blower, which can run from $500 to $1,000; and a pressure washer, which can run from $200 to $1,000? Sharing high-prices equipment can cut your expense in half. And theres an even greater payoff: It can foster a sense of community.
(Savings of $100 to $1,000)

4. Reframe what new means to you: There are so many ways to acquire other peoples stuff these days-Craigslist, Freecycling, eBay, and thrift shops. And secondhand no longer is synonymous with second-class. In fact, its often better quality. On the flip side, you can also unload things you no longer need and receive either cash or good karma in return. Post your items on the Web, hold a yard sale, swap with friends, or take things to a resale shop. The more often you purge the old, the more often you have extra cash. Even if you give your things away, you can get something in return. Make and itemized list of donations, get a receipt from the charity, and you can often get a break on your income tax.
Savings of $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on how much you resell or donate.)

5. Buy in bulk: You have probably already gotten into the habit of purchasing large quantities of staples, such as toilet paper and canned goods, at discount prices. That same habit can apply to things you may not have thought of too. Ask about package deals or frequent buyers cards where you get a freebie after a certain number of visits-for any service you use regularly, from cosmetic treatments (such as facial peels or laser hair removal by your dermatologist) to oil changes at your garage.
(Savings of $75 or more)

6. Plan ahead: In the United States there is $590 a years in spoiled or uneaten meats, fruits, vegetables and grains tossed out. You can prevent most waste with a few easy steps. Make a quick inventory of the contents or your refrigerator and pantry every week so you dont end up buying something you already have. Store food properly (find out how at Food Safety and plan your meals before making a grocery list. Most important, stick to that list. Most people leave the grocery story with a dozen more items than they planned on, forking over about $2,000 a year on impulse buys.
(Savings of $590 to $2,000)

7. Bring the sale to you: Go to the Web sites of your favorite stores and brand to take advantage of promotions. For example, the Body Shops site has a Lunch Lounge that features lunchtime-only bargains. At Seventh Generations site you can print out coupons. Sign up for stores e-mail lists to find out about sales or additional discounts. Track down other coupons and discounts to use online by going to Deal Hunting, Quick to Click and Discount Codes, or Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas in your area.
(Savings of: $260 or more)

8. Repair instead of replace: The wiring in your bedside lamp gone bad? If youre like most people, you reluctantly toss it out and buy a new one. Same goes for your cordless phone, your washing machine, and your vacuum. were a throw away society. But nearly everything can be repaired-and usually at a fraction of the coast of buying a brand-new one. Repairs for a vacuum are anywhere from 25 to 50 bucks. To buy a new one, it can be up to $300. The rule of thumb is to fix something whenever the cost of repairing it is less than 50 percent of the replacement price. Call the manufacturer to find an authorized repair shop in your area.
(Savings of $25 or more)

9. Just ask: You would be surprised how much leeway there is in price at all sorts of places, from framers markets to your doctors office. 17 percent of medical patients ask for a discount, and half of them get it. Next time youre trying to work up the nerve to negotiate with the billing office over costs your insurance wont cover, just ask yourself, what the worst that can happen? The trick is the make the request nicely. Youve got nothing to lose and whole lot to gain.
(Savings of $100)

10. Take good care: When you properly maintain your possessions, they either run better or last longer or both. That goes for everything from your clothes to your air conditioner to your car. For instance, with proper true inflation, Americans could collectively save 746 million gallons of gasoline a year. Yet half of us are driving on tires that are under inflated by an average of four pounds per square inch. Thats not only wasteful, its dangerous. By checking your tires monthly, you can save three percent of your total gas bill over the course of one year-which may add up to about $35-and double the lifespan of your tires, which could tack on another $100 of savings. Driving with spark plugs and air filters that are clogged or dirty wastes as much as two miles per gallon of gas. Getting regular oil changes and an annual tune-up, and replacing the spark plugs and air filters as needed, can save you as much as $75 a year.
(Savings of $210 or more)

11. Screw in a new light bulb: Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that are Energy Star-approved use two-thirds less electricity than the traditional kind and last six to 10 times longer-so youll save on the bulbs as well as your electricity bills. When you replace the five lights you use most in your home (typically in the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and on the porch) with fluorescent bulbs you can save $60 a year in energy costs. If every household in the United Stated did this, wed keep more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases out of our air, and amount equivalent to the annual output of more than 21 power plants. To figure out what lighting output you need, go to Energy Star and click on Lighting. Most 60-watt incandescent lights provide around 800 lumens, so if you normally use a 6-watt bulb, look for a CFL that provides 800 lumens or more.
(Savings of $60 or more)

12. Watch your water: Unless youre careful, what you pay on your monthly water bill may be money going down the drain. For instance, your daily shower accounts for one fifth of all indoor water use in your home. A conventional showerhead pours out five to seven gallons of water every minute. Trade it out for a low-flow showerhead (which you can get for around $20), and you will cut your bathroom water use by 30 to 50 percent-and save about $200 or more a year for the water and the energy used to heat it. Look for an aerating model which adds air to the water stream and maintains good pressure. Be sure to check for leaky toilets, because they can double your monthly bill and waste 200 gallons of water a day. To test a toilet, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank, dont flush for at least one hour. If the color reaches the bowl, you will know that you have leak-so call a plumber.
(Savings of $200 or more)

13. Lighten your energy load: Most utility companies offer a home audit that you can do online. Theyll then explain how to make changes that will save energy and cash. You can also conduct a virtual inspection here. A few easy moves to try now: Put your computer and monitor in sleep mode when you are not using them and turn off the printer. This could save you more than $80 a year and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1,250 pounds. Unplug chargers for your cell phone and laptop when not in use these use over 58 billion kilowatts of electricity a year-releasing 40 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere and cost you $20 to $50 annually.
(Savings of $100 or more)

14. Be entertained for almost nothing: You can save by singing up for e-mail list at all the entertainment spots you frequent. (If youre worried about getting to much junk mail, set up a separate e-mail address just for this purpose.) Before visiting a museum or other cultural hot spot, go to the institutions Web sit to print out coupons and to find out if there are any days with discounted-or free- admission. For example, at the Web site for the Salvador Dali Museum in Saint Petersburg, Florida, you can print out a coupon for $2 off admission, and every Friday evening at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan, the usual $20 admission is waved.
(Savings of $50, if you use free tickets with a $10 value five times during the year.)

15. Pull out your library card: You could pay $20 for a new DVD or rent it for about $4.50. But why do either when you can watch the same movie for free? Many libraries have extensive film collections, and all you have to do is flash your card to claim everything from classics to new releases. If you switch to renting to borrowing three moves a month, thats a savings of more than $150 a year. If you change from an online service like Netflix to the library, you can save more than $200 annually.
(Savings of $150 or more)

16. Go back to the source: at M.A.C. Cosmetics, if you return six of its empty cases-from used lipstick, eye shadow, foundation, you name it the company will recycle the plastic and youll get a free lipstick, a value of $14 to $19.50. So at all the places where you shop, inquire about recycling promotions.
(Savings of $14 to $19.50)

17. Travel smarter: Planning a trip? Instead of staying in a hotel where the average daily rate of a luxury room is typically more than $200, consider swapping your home with other homeowner through a service like HomeLink International. You pay an annual membership fee of $80 and then get a Web directory of available houses around the world where can stay for free while another member stays at your house. You can make as many trades as you like no additional charge.
(Savings of $1,000 for a five-night stay)

18. Ditch your diet: Americans spend $33 billion a year on weight loss products and services, yet the vast majority of people who go on diets eventually gain back the pounds (the failure rate is high as 75 to 95 percent). Rather than sinking your money into the latest weight-loss supplement or shake, invest in healthy daily exercise and well-balances, nutritious meals of minimally processed, fresh foods. If you make only one change such as having two fewer soft drinks a week, you can save more than $200 and 14,500 calories a year.
(Savings of $200 or more)

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How to recycle almost everything in your closet

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:45:00 -0700

Deciding to get rid of stuff in your closet can be a lot easier than figuring out what to do with the piles of clothes, shoes and accessories that result from a top-to-bottom reorganization. Fortunately, there are charities around the country that have come up with ways to repurpose the things you no longer need. Keep in mind that anything you donated, including athletic shoes, should be washed or dry cleaned and be in good condition. Agencies have to pay to cart away un-wear-ables and youll not only be making a needy persons life a little easier, youll also be doing your part for the plant by easing the burden on landfills.
About nine million tons of textile waste ends up in landfills each year, per The Environmental Protection Agency.

Here are more than 30 ways to feel good about cleaning out your closet. Each one of these organizations can put your clothes to good use.

 Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation

Helping the Lakota Families:

Boots for Rangers:

 Passages Northwest:

 Goodwill Industries International

 The Salvation Army

 Career Closet

 Career Gear

 Dress for Success

 Jobs for Youth/ Chicago

 Fairy Godmothers Inc.

 The Glass Slipper Project

 The Princess Project

 City Team Ministries

 I Do Foundation

 The New York Cares Coat Drives

 One Warm Coat

 Lions Club International

 New Eyes for the Needy

 Unite for Sight

 The Humane Society of the United States

 Hats Off to Chemo

 Suitcases for Kids

 Project Shoe Assist

 Soccer for Life

Some Extra Tips:
If clothing is too worn to donate, use it as rags or put it in the trash. Unfortunately, most textile recyclers only accept goods in bulk from textile manufacturers.
For a $3 fee, Excess Access will e-mail charities in your area to help you locate one that needs what you want to donate (athletic gear, for example).
Call local shelters, grade schools, and churches, many of which hold school-supple drives for low-income or underprivileged children.
Call local shelters, domestic violence programs, and churches and ask about being able to donate what you have to their cause.
Call churches, shelters, and domestic Violence programs to see if they are in need of coats or jackets as well if any of the other programs arent working for you as far as donations.

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The BIG 10 of going green

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:29:20 -0700

1. Design to maximize natural daylight & passive ventilation.

2. Choose deconstruction and construction site recycling instead of demolition.

3. Weatherize to save energy.

4. Buy energy-efficient appliances.

5. Choose water-efficient fixtures, (i.e shower heads, and low-flow toilets).

6. Use low-or no-VOC paints.

7. Choose formaldehyde-free products.

8. Buy used, recycled or certified or registered wood products.

9. Harvest your rainwater for irrigation & toilet flushing.

10. Landscape using native plants and permeable materials.

(Small things count just as much as the big things!)

Get more green tips at The Eath and Me Go Green!

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The benefits of the herb Neem

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:19:53 -0700

This evergreen tree, called a village pharmacy, is a mainstay in Eastern medicine and should be a main ingredient all over.

Its medical spiritual texts, the Vedas, which called the tree sarva roga nivarini, or one that cures all ailments.

Neem oil has been quoted by some, to be the next cure-all and may eventually benefit every person on the planet.

It treats skin conditions: Because of its antibacterial and antifungal activity, the plant is an ingredient in about 75 percent of traditional ayurvedic medical formulas. Neem extracts and essential oils have been used for centuries to treat all manner of skin conditions, including acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts, athletes foot, and chicken pox. And oil from the seeds is commonly applied to the scalp to prevent or treat head lice.
It boosts oral health: Neem extract kills the bacteria that cause dental plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. Neem oral products are available in health-food stores everywhere.

It heals ulcers: Neem as been shown to reduce the secretion of stomach acid and helps treat ulcers. Neem leaf extracts work as well as the drug Zantac® to some and helped relieve stomach pain in others.
It gets rid of pests: Neem oil has been used for years by some to help control pest problems on household and outdoor plants. Some pests it can rid plants of and is still widely used in most areas of the U.S. are cotton-infested boll weevils, citrus threatening Florida beetles.

Side Note: Neem may also help worldwide efforts in eradicating malaria, which kills more than 700,000 people a year. Korean researchers have discovered that neem oil can be used to kill the larvae of the mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

To find out more information on this cure-all herb, click here to vist the Neem Tree Farms website.

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Health food craze for Kombucha tea

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:05:34 -0700

The natural food aisle has gone tea crazy. What am I talking about? Kombucha pronounced kum-boo-cha is a fermented tea that, doesnt have the backing of the Food and Drug Administration, but has been around for thousands of years and health nuts are crazy about it.

It is believed the tea is a cure-all. It detoxifies the body and its acids and bacteria known as probotics are helpful in digestion, suppress appetite and rejuvenate the skin.

Kombucha is made from a culture that is kept growing and alive similar to yogurts properties. Steve Lee, the founder of Kombucha Wonder Drink did an interview with the Albany Democrat-Herald and stated that the fermentation process means the drink has a slight alcohol content, but generally less than .05 percent. He also adds, Kombucha Wonder Drink is pasteurized; a process that raw kombucha fans say kills the probiotics that give the drink its health benefits.

But still some say the organic acids are enough to be a cure-all for them. This wonderful tea can be purchased at any health food or health conscious market. Pick some up and see what it does for you.

Happy Kombucha Drinking!

Learn more at

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Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Recipes For Natural Living

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:25:44 -0700

Lemony Green Beans:

1 1/2 lb. green beans, trimmed, or three 9-oz. pkg. frozen whole green beans.
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil.
3 large shallots cut in thin wedges.
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced.
1 Tbsp. finely shredded lemon peel.
1/2 tsp. salt.
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper.
Lemon wedges

1. In a 12-inch skillet cook beans in lightly salted boiling water for 2 to 5 minutes or until barely crisp-tender. Drain; rinse beans with cold water. Set aside.

2. in same skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shallots and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes or until softened and beginning to brown. Add green beans. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon peel, salt, and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges. Makes 8 servings.
(Each serving: 80 cal., 5 g fat)

Jeweled Spaghetti Squash:

1 3-to 3 1/2 lb. spaghetti squash.
1/2 cup water.
1/2 cup orange juice.
3/4 cup dried tart cherries.
2 Tbsp. butter.
1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
1/4 cup snipped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley.
1/2 tsp. salt.
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

1. Halve squash lengthwise, discard seeds. Place one squash half; cut side down, in microwave-safe baking dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap, turning back a corner of wrap to allow steam to escape. Micro-cook, covered, on high (100% power) for 20 to 22 minutes or until tender, turning once. Keep warm. Replace water; repeat with remaining squash.

2. Using a fork, scrape stringy squash pulp from shells into a bowl. Discard shell.

3. In saucepan bring orange juice to boiling. Remove from heat. Add cherries; let stand 10 minutes. In skillet cook nuts in hot butter over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes or until toasted, stirring occasionally.

4. Add cherries and juice, toasted walnuts, parsley, salt and pepper to squash pulp. Toss to coat. Serve warm. Makes 8 (about 2/3 cup) servings.
(Each serving: 135 cal., 6g fat)

Rosemary Beef Tenderloin:

1 recipe of Dijon Spread(in a small bowl combine 2 tbs. Dijon style mustard; 1 tbs. olive oil, 1 tbs. snipped fresh rosemary; 3 cloves of garlic, minced; 3/4 tsp. salt; and 1/4 tsp. pepper)
1 2 1/2 to 3 lb. center-cut beef tenderloin roast or boneless pork top loin roast. (Order center-cut tenderloin from the butcher or meat counter ahead of time. The center cut holds its shape best during roasting.)
1 4 to 6 oz. log garlic and herb goat cheese (chèvre), cut crosswise in 8 slices, or half an 8-oz tub cream cheese spread with chive and onion.
Snipped fresh rosemary.
Garnishes such as figs, additional rosemary, steamed beets, or steamed baby artichokes.

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare Dijon Spread. Spread over roast. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan.

2. Place roast in oven. For medium rare doneness, roast the beef, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes or until internal temperature registers 135°F on an instant-read thermometer. Cover with foil; let stand 15 minutes before slicing. Meat temperature will rise about 10°F on standing. (For medium doneness, roast, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes or until meat reaches 150°F. Cover and let stand as directed above.

3. Cut roast into 8 slices about 1 to 1 1/2 inch apart, cutting to, and nut not through, bottom of the meat. Tuck a slice of goat cheese into each cut (or spoon 1 tablespoon cream cheese into each cut). Sprinkle with additional rosemary. To serve, slice through the meat between each cheese portion. Serve roast with figs, steamed beets, and steamed baby artichokes. Makes 8 servings.
(Each serving: 275 cal., 14 g fat.)

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The tap water could be making you sick

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:40:58 -0700

Keep in mind that these contaminants are common in U.S. water supplies:

ARSENIC: a poison that also can cause cancer is found in all 50 stated but is highest in the Southwest.

ATRAZINE: a widely used pesticide, may cause hormone disruption, cancer, muscular degeneration and cardiovascular damage. Found in all 50 states, its most common in the Mississippi River Basin during spring runoff.

LEAD: a heavy metal can cause brain damage and developmental problems in children and it adversely affects blood pressure, kidneys and red blood cells.

METHYL TERTIARY-BUTYL ETHER (MTBE): a gasoline additive can leak into groundwater from underground fuel storage, spills and storm-water runoff and may cause cancer.

PATHOGENS: such as Cryptosporidium, E. coli and Giardia are carried by animal and human waste. They can cause gastrointestinal illness that can be life-threatening for individuals with weakened immune systems.

PER CHLORATE: is a contaminant from rocket fuel that harms the thyroid and may cause cancer.

TRIHALOMETHANES (THMS): including chloroform, are byproducts of chlorine treatment and are linked to cancer, miscarriages and birth defects THMs can occur after heavy rains, when chlorine reacts with organic matter such as leaves and animal waste.

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Terms to consider on your next grocery trip

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:23:03 -0700

Understanding certain lingo on products will help you choose the most organic, natural and at times sustainable ingredients out on the market.

ORGANIC: Used for produce that is GMO-free, grown without pesticides or any type of synthetic herbicide, and not irradiated: for dairy, beef, and poultry it means animals were feed organic feed and not given hormones or antibiotics. Certified Organic indicates that production methods were verified by an independent inspector. Three USDA-approved labels for packaged foods exist: 100% Organic for products made with all organic ingredients. Organic for products with at least 95 percent organic ingredients, and Made with Organic Ingredients for products with at least 70 percent organic ingredients.

LOCALLY GROWN: Generally used for produce grown in the same region as the store. Exactly what this means will vary from store to store. Whole Foods, for example, define it as produce that has traveled less than a day (seven or fewer hours) from the farm to their store.

FREE-RANGE: Indicated that an animal was raised with access to the outdoors. This claims only regulated by the USDA for poultry chickens, not for egg-laying chickens or for meat. Keep in mind, however, that only five minutes of open-air access per day is enough to qualify for a free-range poultry claim.

CERTIFIED HUMANE: Used for meat, dairy, and eggs to indicate that the animals were raised in humane conditions, including having sufficient space and being allowed to engage in their normal behaviors. Whole Foods has plans to roll out its own similar label, Animal Compassionate.

RAISED WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS: Indicated that no antibiotics were used in the production of a meat or dairy product. According to Eco-Labels, the USDA doesnt use the term antibiotic-free because it considers it un-approvable.

HORMONE-FREE: Indicated that no hormones were used during the production of the product. No organization verifies these claims beyond what is already required by the USDA, which prohibits the use of hormones on pork and poultry but allows certain hormones in the raising of cows.

TRANS FAT: The worst of all the fats, Trans fats are found mainly in foods that contain (or as fried in) partially hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenation is a chemical process that turns vegetable oil into solid fat-a less expensive option than animal fat which, once upon a time, was believed to be healthier. Note that a product can claim to have 0 g Trans fat if it contains .5g or less.

NO SUGAR: Contains no sugar, simple as that, but these products may be sweetened with artificial chemical sweeteners, such as aspartame or Splenda®, or with sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, xylitol, or malitol, which can affect the digestive system adversely if consumed in large quantities.

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Keeping your mind sharp

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:36:00 -0700

There is no denying that our minds get less and less on-top of things as we age, but if we practice simple techniques we can keep our brains in check to stay sharp no matter what age.

Working your brain with challenging ways stimulates the production of neurotrophins, which are nutrients that make brain cells more resistant to the effects of aging. Here are three ideas to help boost mental fitness with neurobic exercises.

In the Morning
Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand, including opening the tube can dispensing the toothpaste. You can adapt this technique to any a.m. activity, such as styling your hair, applying makeup, buttoning clothes, or eating.

In the Car
Close your eyes and use only your sense of touch and spatial memory to find your car key on your key chain, unlock the car door, slide into the seat, buckle your seatbelt, insert the key into the ignition, and locate familiar controls like the radio, heater, or windshield wipers, then open your eyes and drive.

At Work
Rearrange the location of all your familiar objects that you tend to use and reach for without thinking. Stapler, tape, pens, paper, stamps, etc.

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ABUNDANT FORESTS ALLIANCE

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:33:34 -0700

Renew.Reuse.Respect

The true magic of forests is that even when you leave them, you never really do. From the wood in our homes to the paper in the office. Its amazing how often forests touch all of our lives. Maybe youre wondering, if we use so many of these products, will there be enough trees for furture generations? Yes, if we balance the needs of nature with our needs. Thats way the people of the wood and paper products industry plant more than 1.7 million new trees every day, work to protect wildlife habititas and encourage recycling. So while this day may not last forever, at least our forests can. Learn more at Abundant Forests.

*Green Tip: Tame allergies the natural way. Your runny nose and watery eyes are annoying, yes I feel your pain. The over-the-counter allergy medicine isnt cutting it nor are they containing any sort of great ingredient to help the environment, much less helping you. You many not know that there are proven natural rememdies to ease your symptoms and some even nix them completely. The best ingredient and product I have found to work GREAT is butterbur (petasistes hybridus). A European herb with the abilities to ease hay fever symptoms. It contains compounds that inhibit production of leukotriense, which help trigger inflammation when you are exposed to allergens. Give it a try, it might be YOUR miracle drug of choice.

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Plant-it for the Planet

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:17 -0700

Planting a tree for the environment has never been more fun. There are companies out there today that are helping with this effort and your too can pitch in and make a difference. Plant For The Planet, their Billion Tree Campaign is being launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Another earth-friendly, making a difference group the U.S. Forest Service, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. They have committed to replanting national forests that have been ravaged by fire, storns and disease by planting 50 million trees over the next 50 years.

The National Arbor Day Foundation is now teaching kids in 10 U.S. cities to plant urban trees as well. With all of these efforts and foundations coming through to help with the lack of trees on the Earth, you too should join in the efforts. Plant a tree or two, or three, or ten on your own property or in your neighborhood. Its so awesome to see something you have planted grow into a huge magnificant creation.

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Our garden throughout the season

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:14:54 -0700

Make a Smilebox slideshow

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It's Burt's "Burt" Day!

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:12:34 -0700

Get your hands on some free lip balm before June 20th! Click here to enter!

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Keep your face looking great all the time by following these steps

mcwilkerson1977@yahoo.com (Shelly Hardage-Wilkerson) — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:37:44 -0700

It's easy to keep your skin looking great no matter what the case. Here are some steps to keeping your skin in tip/top shape at all times.

1. Cleanse: Never go to bed with a dirty face. If you can't shower after a long day, always be sure your face is clean and always remove your makeup before you go to bed as well.

2. Tone: Toning the skin helps to balance the skin and it also helps to improve moisturizing effectiveness as well.

3. Moisturize: Be sure and moisturize the skin with a lotion that won't clog the pores. And once you moisturize, don't touch your face on purpose.

Throughout the day, it's not a good idea to pick or touch your face all the time. The oils in your fingers and hands can cause your skin to break out and clog the pores.

It only takes about 3-5 minutes each morning and each evening to keep your skin looking and feeling great. Toning throughout the day can also help to keep the skin looking its best.

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