Health & Lifestyle Management

Monday, February 23, 2015

Plastic vs Glass

By Lisa VanWilliams

We are trying to move away from plastics in our household and go more with glass options. Plastic cups, plastic water bottles, and plastic storage containers are just a few of the things that you may utilize on a daily basis. It is a small step we can make towards a healthier lifestyle by trying to eliminate some toxins and live a more eco-friendly greener way. We found a great site called Wild Mint which was started out by a mom looking out for the safety of her family. They list 7 reasons why families should switch from plastic to glass.

Glass containers won't absorb food and color or smells. Plastic is a porous material that will absorb and retain food colors and odors. Glass, on the other hand, is non-permeable and won't absorb color and odor from food.
Food Safety. Studies have shown that chemicals in plastic break down and leach into the food or drink they are storing (esp when heated). In turn, we consume the food and drink, allowing the chemicals to enter our bodies.
Taste. From a personal perspective, Wild Mint thinks food and drink from a glass container simply taste better.
Better for the Environment.
Saves you $$ over time.
Multi-functional. Food Storage. Food preparation. Serveware. From the freezer to the fridge to the oven to the table.
Gorgeous. From a simply aesthetic (and again personal) point of view, glass is gorgeous and food has much more of an appeal when presented in a glass container over a plastic one.

You can find out about more products on their web page here:
http://www.wildmintshop.com/

One thing we are doing is keeping some refreshing cold water options available. You can find a glass beverage dispenser at any store like Walmart, Target, Marshalls, Home Goods, Bed, Bath, & Beyond Pottery Barn, Crate&Barrel, etc.

Then add the magic. Sliced cucumbers, lemons, limes, apples, & frozen melon balls. Not only will it smell great, be healthy, and taste good, it will look gorgeous!

Sources: http://www.wildmintshop.com/

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/1/prweb10344973.htm

Friday, February 20, 2015

Everyday Coconut Body Lotion By Alaffia

By Lisa VanWilliams

We love products like this. If you have perpetually dry skin like myself, I am always on the hunt for a remedy. I recently tried this Everyday Coconut Body Hydrating Lotion. The lotion has no synthetic fragrance, it's paraben free, vegan, no animal testing, gluten free, handcrafted & unrefined. It's a very light cream but it leaves a silky finish. So if you like a heavy, thicker substantial cream, this would not be for you. The scent is nice and soft and it does not smell like you just packed up at the beach and you have leftover suntan lotion all over. Not at all.

This company was started by a Togolese native in West Africa, "as a way to generate funds to conduct community enhancement projects in his home country and other West African nations in order to reduce poverty and gender inequality." They are using their indigenous coconut oil to raise money for these projects. So, what kinds of things have they done with these proceeds? Amazing things.

They reduced the maternal death rate in Togo by providing comprehensive prenatal care to 1,000 women every year
Bicycle for Education Project - 5,300 bikes were distributed
Reforestation Project - 25,000 trees planted
School for Supplies Project - 8,000 students were recipents

I picked this up at Whole Foods for $10.99 for a whopping 32 FL OZ. It's a large cool looking bottle with a big dispenser pump.

Source: http://www.everydaycoconut.com/shopEDC/index.php/aboutus.html

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Blackened Salmon

By Lisa VanWilliams

If you like some spice and lots of flavor, blackened is the way to go. This works best for me in a cast iron skillet and it gets nice and crusty with a nice brown color, then I toss the pan right in the oven to finish baking it all the way through. Add some rice and veggies and this a is a quick healthy meal that will leave everyone satisfied.

Blackening became popular in the 1980's because of New Orleans Chef Paul Prudhomme. His famous specialty was blackened redfish cooked in a red hot skillet. This is also the same chef that is credited with creating the turducken (deboned chicken, stuffed into a deboned duck, which is then stuffed into a deboned turkey).

Ingredients:
4 pieces of salmon
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
sprinkle of garlic powder
lemon
olive oil - cover bottom of pan

Directions:
In a small bowl combine the paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano, salt, garlic powder, and mix together. Coat your fish and cover both sides with the spice mix. Let the olive oil get hot in the cast iron and then add in your salmon. Sear and cook each side 3-4 minutes and then flip.

Once both sides are browned, toss it in the oven on 350 for another 10 minutes or so while you make your sides. Drizzle with fresh lemon when you take it out of the oven and serve. Enjoy!

*Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Prudhomme

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackening_%28cooking%29

http://www.foodterms.com/encyclopedia/blackened/index.html

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Vintage Gates -14 Ways To Get Creative

By Lisa VanWilliams

Check out what can be done with these old gates to bring that rustic charm into your home. You can look for these at flea markets, Habitat For Humanity ReStores, or side of the road tag sales, but you never know where one might pop up on your travels. When I look at these I get so many ideas that can be done with them such as:

being used as a headboard
make an indoor window look larger by adding these as shutters
create some character and allure on a blank wall
create a focal point on a large wall
use them to decorate in a garden, patio, or porch
create a fake door to no where
hang them over a mantel
make a coat rack/bench
use it as a pantry door or make a mini spice cabinet

If you like the look of these but you don't want to go find your own, you can always order them online! We found these great sets at: http://www.grandinroad.com/

They have a couple different styles and they range in price anywhere from $129-$139

http://www.grandinroad.com/arras-gate-artwork/611458

Inspiring Ideas

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask

By Lisa VanWilliams

Below zero temperatures are hard on exposed skin and we have been getting a beating in New England with a harsher winter than normal. I tried Burt's Bee's Hydrating Mask and I really like the product and would recommend it if your skin is feeling a little sad about the weather. My face felt immediately moisturized and better prepared to go outside and handle the extreme weather. It would also be beneficial for sun exposure to replenish dried out skin.

It has pretty high ratings on most sites usually scoring between a 4.5 out of 5 on reviews. I read that Clary Sage does not really help with hydration but the essential oil is useful in aromatherapy for treating anxiety and fear. It's not a product you would use everyday, only when needed. Face masks can be rather expensive but this is reasonably priced. I picked this up at Bed, Bath, & Beyond for $14.39 (using the 20% off coupon). Cheer your skin up and moisturize with this mask fix that will leave your skin irresistibly soft.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

By Lisa VanWilliams

Spring is around the corner and now is a great time to start exploring your local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms. What is CSA? The USDA defines it "as a community of individuals who pledge to support a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production."

You basically buy into a farm up front and receive weekly shares of the crops throughout the growing season. There are pro's and con's to being a member and we will go over a few of them. The items can include fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, herbs, honey, eggs, dairy products, and meat.

Pro's

You are supporting the farm and cutting out the middle man.
Reconnecting to your local land
The food is as fresh as you can get, besides picking it yourself
It's inexpensive when you average it out
It's interactive with the community and farmers
Hierloom produce you cant get at grocery stores
You can find local USDA & Farmers Pledge certified farmers
You can teach your kids about farming and fresh food
Higher quality food
You will learn to eat and make new things that you have not tried before

Con's

You would be limited to the farm you choose to work with
The food is fresh and has a limited shelf life, so it must be cooked fairly quickly
You can enjoy all the seasonal produce
You pay upfront all at once
They might have requirements like volunteering
Unexpected items, If it comes in your weekly box, it's yours and you will need to cook it. You might not like brussel sprouts, and you could get them.
Crops can be damaged by things like bugs, freezing weather, etc.

If you live in Connecticut, you can go to CT NOFA to find out where your local farmers are in your area: http://ctnofa.org/CSAs.htm

You can also look on LocalHarvest and they give locations throughout the US:
http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

Sources: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community-supported_agriculture

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Sunburst Mirrors

By Lisa VanWilliams

Show your love for the sun with these great King Louis XIV of France inspired mirrors that emulate the suns powerful shining rays. You can search for antique ones or easy to find replications but either option will add sophistication and class to any room. If you have a wall that could use some dimension and light, try adding one of these decorative fireballs. Stand one alone or combine a few different styles to fill some blank space.

Check out some of our finds here: