Showing posts with label healthy lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy lifestyle. Show all posts

Monday, October 10, 2011

Transitioning into the Fall Season


The autumn equinox marks the transition into the fall season. An equinox occurs twice a year, the vernal equinox in spring, and the autumnal equinox in fall. The characteristics of an equinox include equal periods of light and dark at all latitudes with 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. This is an optimal time for reflection and creating balance in our lives.


Fall is a time of year that is undoubtedly about change. As the days grow shorter, the nights grow longer, and the winds blow colder, our perspective seems to change as well.  Fall is a good time to re-assess our situation, let go of what no longer works in our lives and move past limitations toward year-end success. Going with the flow and deviating from an original plan shouldn’t be interpreted as failure. It’s more about coming to terms with the reality of a situation an intuitively getting back on the right track. The outcome of assessment may mean reaffirming your commitments or changing gears and direction. In the midst of change we’re able to fine-tune our lifestyle and make necessary adjustments on the path to being the best we  can be on our quest for self-fulfillment and contentment.

When transitioning into the fall season with a holistic point of view, it’s important to take into consideration our emotional, mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Clarifying our emotions and letting go of fear and anger will help to create balance and replenish physical and creative energy. Identify the personal lifestyle habits that may undermine your health. Replace bad habits with healthy alternatives and be conscious of portion control and modifying consumption of unhealthy foods such as processed foods, chemical additives, stimulants and sugar. As the season transitions it’s a good time to establish a new cooking routine based on the available seasonal produce.



Spending time in nature enhances our connection not only to the rhythms and cycles of nature but also to our spirit or intuitive self. Walking or taking time for self-reflection can be conducive to letting go of everyday stress and moving forward with clarity. Along with a healthy, nutritious diet, stretching, deep breathing and exercise will help detoxify the body, clear the mind, improve circulation, metabolism and immune function.


As the cooling weather starts to settle in, we need to shift to foods that create warmth and and establish a warming physical environment to counteract the effects of the elements as the cold, dry, windy fall season begins to take hold. Living in harmony with the season will help maintain a strong and balanced state of health. It’s so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of everyday life and forget to take time for reflection. Connect with your inner wisdom and move toward positive change. Take the time to fill your home with the aroma of the comfort foods of the season, as it’s sure to inspire and warm the heart of all those that enter.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Going Organic

http://www.flickr.com/photos/volatile1966/450829137/

Eliminating additives, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics and pesticides from your diet is a great way to start making positive changes to your lifestyle.  Understanding the impact that food choices have on our bodies can be a motivating factor in taking action on eating a cleaner, healthier diet.  We’re exposed to chemicals through our environment and through the foods we eat. The average person is said to have more than 700 chemical contaminants in their bloodstream.  Scientists are beginning to make the connection of the health risks from long term chemical exposure not only from the environment but from the foods we eat.  The list of changes we can make collectively and as individuals seems endless.  Making small steps toward change and buying fresh organic fruits and vegetables is a great place to start.  Harmful contamination from pesticide residue can become a hidden menace in the quality of food we choose.  The Environmental Working Group www.ewg.org has created a shoppers guide that is helpful in determining which produce has the highest and lowest levels of pesticide residue.  Generally, fruits and vegetables with thicker skin have lower pesticide residue. 

High in Pesticide Residue
High in Pesticide Residue
Onions
Celery
Avocado
Peaches
Sweet Corn
Strawberries
Pineapple
Apples
Mangos
Blueberries
Sweet Peas
Nectarines
Asparagus
Bell Peppers
Kiwi
Spinach
Cabbage
Cherries
Eggplant
Kale/Collard Greens
Cantaloupe
Potatoes
Watermelon
Grapes (imported)
Grapefruit

Sweet Potato

Honeydew Melon




The Environmental Working Group is a non profit organization that specializes in providing useful resources to consumers while simultaneously pushing for national policy change.  By using the above list as a guide you can make educated decisions about when to buy organic as you turn the corner toward a cleaner, healthier diet.