September 5, 2010
What a whirlwind the month of August was! With all the warm and wonderful summer days we have been experiencing in the northeast U.S. it has been a challenge to stay indoors and work on the computer thus my interlude from blogging. J
All of that is changing now with cooler nights and shorter days we know that Fall will soon be here. There is nothing like a day inside with the slow cooker going and the aroma of a pot of chili or a pot roast filled with garden veggies that gives way to thoughts of slowing down and getting back into the rhythm of the school year. Be grateful for the special summer times you have had and yet embrace the uniqueness of the new season that approaches and always with a smile of love and gratitude for all that is.
July 20, 2010
Meditation Works -- Have you been thinking about meditating but just can’t seem to get started? Today may be the day to begin!
There have been many studies proving the benefits of a daily meditation practice. Meditation can help build self confidence and compassion. You learn to calm the "monkey mind" thus creating a restful state.
Meditation, over time, helps in all areas of your life. A calmer you when challenged by difficult situations. The ability to remain in the moment and to be more focused, allowing you to do more and to be more. Most meditators I have met seem happier with life.
People will notice. Family, friends and co-workers can see just how relaxed you are – you are the one who stays calm in the midst of daily dramas.
As someone who enjoys a daily meditation practice I can honestly say it can be life changing. Even five minutes a day can make a difference, just be consistent and then try adding another minute or two every couple of weeks…before you know it you’ll be up to an hour and meditating like a monk! J
July 15, 2010
We mentioned earlier about the "Clean Fifteen" -- some additional findings are listed below:
The Clean Fifteen
The vegetables least likely to test positive for pesticides are onions, sweet corn, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant and sweet potatoes.
Asparagus, sweet corn, and onions had no detectable pesticide residues on 90 percent or more of samples.
More than four-fifths of cabbage samples (82.1 percent) had no detectible pesticides, followed by sweet peas (77.1 percent) and eggplant (75.4 percent).
Multiple pesticide residues are extremely rare on vegetables low in overall contamination. No samples of onions and corn showed more than one pesticide. Sweet potatoes showed multiple pesticides in 9.3 percent of samples.
The most contaminated single sample among the low-pesticide vegetables showed 4 different chemicals.
The fruits least likely to test positive for pesticide residues are avocados, pineapples, mangoes, kiwi, domestic cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit and honeydew.
Fewer than 10 percent of pineapple, mango, and avocado samples showed detectable, and fewer than one percent of samples had more than one pesticide residue.
Nearly 60 percent of honeydew melons had detectable pesticides but only 14.2 percent of samples contained more than one residue. Grapefruit had residues on 54.5 percent of samples, and 17.5 percent showed multiple pesticide residues.
Courtesy of the Environmental Working Group www.foodnews.org
July 10, 2010
We previously mentioned the "Dirty Dozen" -- some additional findings are listed below:
Of the 12 most contaminated foods, 7 are fruits: peaches, strawberries, apples, domestic blueberries, nectarines, cherries and imported grapes. Notable findings:
The Dirty Dozen
More than 96 percent of peaches tested positive for pesticides, followed by nectarines (95.1 percent) and apples (93.6 percent).
Nearly 86 percent of peaches contained 2 or more pesticide residues ‚ followed by apples (82.3 percent) and nectarines (80.6 percent).
Strawberries and domestic blueberries each had 13 pesticides detected on a single sample. Peaches and apples were second, with 9 pesticides on one sample.
Peaches had been treated with more pesticides than any other produce, registering combinations of up to 67 different chemicals. Strawberries were next, with 53 pesticides and apples with 47.
Celery, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale, collard greens and potatoes are the vegetables most likely to retain pesticide contamination:
Some 95 percent all celery samples tested positive for pesticides, followed by imported cucumbers (84.5 percent) and potatoes (84.2 percent).
Nearly 85 percent of celery samples contained multiple pesticides, followed by sweet bell peppers (61.5 percent) and collard greens (53.2 percent).
A single celery was contaminated with 13 different chemicals, followed by kale (10), and collard greens, domestic green beans, spinach and lettuce (9).
Celery had been treated with as many as 67 pesticides, followed by sweet bell peppers (63) and kale (57).
Courtesy of the Environmental Working Group www.foodnews.org
July 5, 2010
Have you ever wondered which foods are "clean" and perhaps you can skip the extra cost of organic?
Clean 15 (Best) least Pesticides
- Onions
- Avocado
- Sweet Corn
- Pineapple
- Mango
- Sweet Peas
- Asparagus
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Grapefruit
- Sweet Potato
- Honeydew Melon
Courtesy of the Environmental Working Group www.foodnews.org
July 4, 2010
Happy 4th of July to everyone – enjoy this special day of relaxation and fun with family and friends. We have so much to be grateful for, Independence is a wonderful thing.
June 30, 2010
To buy or not to buy organic…that is the question! The list below will help in your decision.
Dirty Dozen (Worst) has the most pesticides - purchase organic
- Celery
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Nectarines
- Bell peppers
- Spinach
- Kale
- Cherries
- Potatoes
- Grapes (imported)
Courtesy of the Environmental Working Group www.foodnews.org
June 25, 2010
Today is a perfect day to remember to BREATHE! Breathing is a miracle so take a moment to breathe – slowly inhale and then gently exhale out. Throughout your day remember to breathe. In the midst of a crisis, during a meeting, with a difficult client or waiting in line -- remember to breathe. This can calm and diffuse a situation and helps to center and relax you. When you can spend a few minutes in quiet, on your inhale, breathe in pure, unconditional love and on the exhale breathe out that love to the world. There, doesn’t that feel great?
June 20, 2010
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there – relax and enjoy the day. Be present to the wonders of your family. In the blink of an eye we turn around and our children are grown. Take a moment to give thanks for all that is in your life – gratitude for the beautiful and perfect beings that you have helped to bring into this world – rejoice in this perfect moment.
June 15, 2010
We love honey! My husband uses it in his coffee instead of sugar. We have a wonderful local beekeeper that we purchase our honey from…he is a wealth of information on bees and their production of honey. Look for your local beekeeper at your farmers market this summer and indulge in this wonderful treat.
June 10, 2010
There is an International food movement called the Slow Food Movement – a great concept and summer is a perfect time of year to begin. Check out their web site and look for your local chapter. It started in Italy in 1986 and was founded by Carlo Petrini as a resistance against a McDonalds that was opening near the Spanish Steps in Rome…you go Carlo!
www.slowfood.com
www.slowfoodusa.org
June 5, 2010
Summer is a great time to visit the farmers markets in your area and to incorporate seasonal and regional food into meal time. Supporting your local farmers helps all of us. Get to know where your food comes from – it can make all the difference in not only how you feel inside but how you feel on the outside too – look at how your complexion glows!
June 1, 2010
We are finally here! Thank you for finding our site in the vast world of cyberspace and we extend a warm welcome to our blog. Our vision is to extend to you, our readers, information that has helped us find a happier and more centered place in our world. Sharing little tidbits here and there that have made a difference in our lives and the lives of our family and friends. Life is not always easy but knowing there is a peace that goes beyond all understanding can smooth out the bumps along the way. Thank you for sharing the journey with us.