Health Notes.
The Earth Issue.

Earth Day Is Here. Are You Kidding Me. 1 DAY??

We do not live on Earth.
We are part of Earth. Our existence is utterly codependent.

I certainly appreciate such a day but something is wrong here. One day for Earth? How about Earth month, or Earth year? Better yet, Earth Lifetime.

Is it not about time that caring about what sustains us is part of daily awareness, lifestyle, and a constant practice like brushing our teeth?

Unfortunately that is not the case. We have a long way to go. Profit before our survival seems to be of more importance. Short-term perspective before long-term. And the bare essence of our interaction with the very planet that takes care of us everyday is not even something that is natural to us.

How can we take something this essential to our existence for granted?

The Earth factor.

Going Green is the buzz word these days. Finally it is fashionable. That should help since that is ever so important for us. Yes I am being critical here. When our appearance is more important than our values we loose the aspect of being human that makes us so. The ability to interact instead of using. The ability to see ourselves as forever part of a relationship that is an expression of who we are rather than what we would like to be perceived as.

What You Can DO.
9 easy actions to take:

  1. The obvious one is recycling, which seems so basic that it should be second nature. But it is not. Please go out of your way. And if possible, compost.
  2. You can chose products from recycled materials over those that are not. That includes spending a little more money on quality clothes that last longer and save it until it comes back in fashion. Or give it to those who need it when you don't. Some companies are also introducing Eco-Fashion, even Levis.
  3. Carry your own bag instead of getting one from the store. Lot of little foldable ones on the market these days that fit nicely into your handbag.
  4. Choose non-toxic products. This would be better for your health anyway.
  5. You can eat in a way the helps sustain earth rather than exploiting it.
  6. Buy produce and food in its whole form and bulk so little or no packaging is needed.
  7. Get a water-filter and refill a water bottle instead of buying more plastic ones.
  8. Get your news-paper on-line, don't print every document unless you need to.
  9. Save on energy, like turn off lights, don't wash dishes under running water, only use the AC if really needed, and use rechargeable batteries.

Product Tips And Food Choices:

Choose Organic Foods
Eating organic food is healthier for you and for the environment as it omits the pesticides and toxic fertilizers. It also helps sustain smaller farmers, instead of factory farms, which leads to less pollution.

Factory farms pollute more, contributing to global warming. Apart from the fact that they abuse the animals, the meat from these animals is harmful to your health.
Choose sustainable farmed food, adapt a foodstyle high in vegetable choices, and when eating meat and eggs, choose from free-range, non-antibiotic and non growth-hormone animals.

Choose fish from non-toxic farming resources or wild, and best when not choosing the overfished ones for our long-term consciousness.

Shop and eat in appropriate proportions, cook with care, and don't waste it.
This does not mean eat everything on your plate since stuffing your belly instead of the garbage-can. That does not help the environment either. Overconsumption causes disease and therefore more waste with the need of medicine and hospitals, not to mention, you suffer.
Instead, ask in advance to omit foods from the dish that you already know you are not going to eat anyway, bring left-overs home with you for lunch tomorrow, or give it to someone hungry in the street.

Go Waste-Less and Choose Natural and Non-Toxic Products
Non-toxic household cleaners, unbleached toilet-paper and paper-towels. Again both healthier for you and the earth. You don't have to breathe in the fumes or have toxic products touch your skin. And for the environment, it causes less pollution to the manufacture of these.
Try products from such as Seventh Generation, EarthWise, BioKleen, and Ecover.

Use recycled paper at the office and omit the throw-away pen.

Store your food in glass containers that last longer, especially if you use a microwave (not recommended) to heat your food. Plastic breaks down over time and is also unhealthy for you as it leaks into the food when heated.

Buy microfiber cleaning cloths that are washable, reusable and trap the dirt and spills better than using tons of paper-towels

Buy larger containers of dish-soap and poor into smaller containers as you need it instead of many small bottles.

Wash and dry out your ziplock bags, if you use such.
Hang it on a chopstick in a glass.

Buy products that come in glass containers with lids that screw on so you can use them for storage later.

Take off your shoes indoors - less cleaning, less use of energy.

Choose airlines with the newest fleet when traveling. They use less fuel. I believe Continental is the one with newest planes right now.

Cool Places, and Communities who Think and Act Globally.

Global Mindshift
ReGeneration
Ode Magazine
Global Oneness

"Achieving genuine happiness may require bringing about a transformation in your outlook, your way of thinking, and this is not a simple matter"
The 14th Dalai Lama

PATH FOR LIFE self-nourishment center
How wellness is nurtured
and habits change for good.
Path for Life is a resource for learning and experiencing the wellness-effects of changing food and self-care habits. The 9 Step System integrates the healing factors of food choices and emotional wellness. Path for Life provides a thorough integration of food knowledge, a gently awakening to your emotional behavior patterns, along with steps for implementation and tools for new choices and solutions.

Monthly Health Notes Archive:
The Stress Issue, March 2008
The Cold and Flu Issue, Feb 2008
The Diet Issue, Jan 2008
Becoming 2008, Dec/Jan 2007-2008
The YOU Issue, December 2007
T
he Root Issue, November 2007
The Grain Issue, October 2007
The Toxic Issue, September 2007
The Antioxidant Issue, August 2007
The Milk Issue, July 2007
The Summer Salad Issue, May 2007

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