Have you ever heard the phrase, “children learn by our actions, not by our words?” When it comes to many issues, this is very true. Children emulate what they see. If you want your children to grow up to be environmentally conscious and responsible adults, show them what that looks like. Show them what it means to be eco-friendly.

Here are ten ways to become eco-parents: Read the rest of this entry

Beautifully shiny hair is a sign of health and vitality. Treat and pamper your hair with Dr Hauschka Organic Conditioner, a conditioner that can be used for all hair types. The product is certified to be eco-friendly and natural and complies with stringent certification rules.

The company strives to obtain most of their ingredients from organic and biodynamic sources. None of the ingredients and the product itself are animal tested. The company also prides itself in using eco-friendly packaging material and non-toxic and non-chemical preservatives and additives.

The conditioner contains jojoba oil, marsh mallow, larch extract, macadamia nut, burdock root, neem, nettle, rosemary extracts and apple cider vinegar. Together they nourish, soften, moisturize, detangle the hair, invigorate hair follicles and the scalp, improve shine and luster and prevent residue build-up of old shampoo, conditioner, hairspray etc.

The Dr Hauschka Organic Conditioner will improve the health and appearance of your hair, helping it to become stronger and shinier.

Bamboo is an eco-friendly and sustainable material and the Bamboo Cheese Grater will be the talk of your next dinner party. It is very stylish looking with its naturally inspired bamboo box and stainless steel grater plate.

The set also includes a beautiful cheese knife with bamboo handle, which again, would be a very attractive asset to any dinner table. Cheese lovers will enjoy this!

The bamboo box is crafted from beautiful and renewable bamboo. It also features a drawer to catch the freshly grated cheese. Bamboo naturally resists mold, which makes it a great material to use in any kitchen. The stainless steel cutting surface is designed to quickly grate lots of hard cheese. The stainless steel grater plate can easily be removed and put into the dishwasher after every use.

This beautifully crafted Bamboo Cheese Grater with Cheese Knife set would make a lovely gift for all cheese lovers and people who enjoy eco-friendly and stylish presents.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the newest addition to the team of superfoods we’re only beginning to discover – Goji Berries. Actually, Goji berries aren’t new to people in Tibet, the Himalayas and China; however, they’re fairly new to western civilization and boy are we glad they’re finally here!

Goji Berries, The Newest Superfood

Goji berries, also called wolfberries, are rich in antioxidants including carotenoids like beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin is known to protect the retina of the eye and may protect against developing macular degeneration. Read the rest of this entry

When choosing the right floor for your home there are many considerations. You want it to be durable, to be beautiful and to fit your budget. You may also want it to be an environmentally sound decision, having the least impact on the environment. Weigh all your options; cork flooring may be your flooring of choice.

Here are five advantages of cork flooring: Read the rest of this entry

100% organically grown Bamboo

Bamboo is an environmentally friendly material which is being used more and more by today’s modern consumer. Bamboo is a grass that is easily grown and sustained – it can handle flooding as well as drought and does not need pesticides or herbicides to grow. In contrast to trees, bamboo grows very quickly and is used nowadays as flooring, clothing and furniture.

The Bamboo Nesting Baskets are made from 100% organically grown bamboo. This set of three comes in different colors and sizes that fit into each other for easy storage. They are attractive and stylish and can be used for anything in the household. They can be used in the kitchen and hold fresh herbs, fruit, bread but can also be a great place to put keys, office materials, hair accessories, toiletries and other odds and ends.

No matter where you display these Bamboo Nesting Baskets, their beautifully simple design will look stylish and modern.

Looking to cut back on your meat consumption, reduce your grocery bill, or eat healthier? These five healthy, meat-free sandwiches are ideal for the grab and go lunch. Pack them for work or take them on a picnic. They’re quick, easy and delicious.

1. Veggie Reuben Sandwich

   Ingredients

   • Sauerkraut
   • Russian dressing
   • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
   • 12 slices tempeh bacon
   • 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
   • 8 slices rye bread
   • 12 slices dill pickle
   • 2 cups grated Swiss cheese (8 ounces)
   • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

   Directions

   Step 1 – Preheat broiler to low.

   Step 2 – Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the tempeh in batches as needed, until crispy golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels.

   Step 3 – Spread butter on one side of each slice of bread. Place pieces, buttered side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread some of the Russian dressing on the sides facing up. Evenly lay the pickles, tempeh, sauerkraut, and cheese.

   Step 4 – Place the open faced sandwiched under the broiler and cook until the cheese melts, about 2 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the broiler. Close sandwiches, return to the broiler and toast sandwich, turning once so both sides get nice and golden brown, about 2 minutes total. Enjoy hot out of the oven or wrap in foil and enjoy later in the day.

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As people become more and more aware of the negative impact we have on our earth and the environment, they are trying to make their own personal changes to change environmentally and socially bad habits.

The book Good News for a Change by David Suzuki and Holly Dressel tells the stories of how individuals, activities, community groups and governments have already put changes into place to create hope for our planet.

David Suzuki is an environmentalist, broadcaster and scientist who has educated people about science and the environment for the past 40 years. Holly Dressel is a writer and researcher for radio and television.

You will read about sustainable farming in North America and crop productions in poorer countries that can feed its people without destroying water and land resources, forest management, business practices, technologies to conserve the soil, save animal species and help our planet and humankind, the advantages of living in harmony with the world’s natural systems and much, much more.

This book is a wonderful resource for anybody who is worried that we are ruining our world and wants to know where to go next to change for a better future. The authors present a multitude of practical working solutions that can help us to achieve a better planet, environmentally and socially.

You can buy the book on Amazon.com.

We all know we’re supposed to eat a diet rich in fiber. Despite this basic knowledge, many people are confused by what fiber is and how to get it. And because a large percentage of the nation has or is cutting back on carbohydrates, they’re also cutting back on fiber. This can be harmful to your health.

What Is Fiber?

Fiber, dietary fiber, is essentially a non-digestible carbohydrate; your body cannot break it down and digest it. Dietary fiber is divided into two main categories: soluble or insoluble.

Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water and therefore moves through the bowel without any type of breakdown. Due to this, it promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk. The result is regular stools and a constant removal of build-up in the intestines.

Soluble fiber forms a gel when mixed with liquid, while insoluble fiber does not. Insoluble fiber passes through our intestines largely intact. It helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.

So how much soluble and insoluble fiber should you be taking?

Despite the fact that the average American’s daily intake of fiber is about 5 to 14 grams per day, adult women should consume 25 grams of fiber a day and men should consume 38 grams a day.

Whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts and many vegetables are good sources of insoluble fiber, while oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium are a good source of soluble fiber.

Great Sources Of Fiber And How to Get Enough

In order to make sure you’re getting enough fiber, it’s important to understand what foods to get it from. Great sources of fiber include:

• Green leafy vegetables
• Whole grains
• Seeds and nuts
• Dried beans and peas
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Psyllium husk

1/2 a cup of almonds, for example, contains 2.4 grams of fiber and a medium apple contains 4 grams. So one small snack of almonds and an apple contains about 1/4 of a woman’s daily fiber requirements. To get a meal that packs a real fiber punch, add beans. A cup of baked beans contains 16 grams of fiber; that’s more than half of your daily requirement! And whole grains like buckwheat, bran, bulgur and oats contain a significant amount of fiber. Leafy greens are good too; a cup of cooked spinach has 7 grams of fiber.

To make sure you’re consuming your daily fiber requirement, make sure you have at least on serving of whole grains, beans and healthy snacks like raw fruits and veggies and nuts. A little fiber with each snack and meal should be enough to keep your body running optimally and to stay healthy.

Tide pools present a unique opportunity to see an ocean environment up close and personal. Their easy accessibility makes them an ideal learning experience for young children, who can explore ocean animals and habitats without having to take them scuba diving.

Here are a few tips and strategies to explore tide pools with your children: Read the rest of this entry