Recently in Health Category
blogGetting Healthy and Going Green
Here at Green is Universal we're all about taking small steps toward making a huge difference in the world and for the environment. This week is the first-ever Healthy Week at NBC Universal and all across our platforms we will be highlighting the values of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle and the Green team can't think of a better time to offer information and tips on changing your habits for both yourself and the world around you! Let's get healthy for the earth's sake.
According to the Center for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death across gender and age lines and the prevalence of childhood obesity is at an all time high as nearly 20% of youth ages 6-19 were identified as obese in 2008. While heart disease and stroke have been leading causes of death throughout time, risk factors such as smoking have been consistently declining over the past 3 decades but the causes of heart disease are more commonly attributed to high blood pressure/hypertension caused by poor diet, lack of exercise and obesity.
Add this on top of the damage we do to our environment everyday with some of the unhealthy and unnatural habits we have developed and we've got ourselves a sob story! But there is hope! There are lots of easy things you can do to stop this cycle of bad health in its tracks and protect yourself and the world's future generations.
blogHave a Green Halloween
From GreenHalloween.org:
It's really not about the candy. Kids have fun when their parents get involved and have fun themselves. Part of being green is focusing on people instead of things, so try to reduce the amount of 'things' you incorporate into your Halloween by increasing the focus on fun. Here are some ideas for making your Green Halloween fun for your kids and for you:
- Make a big deal of your child's costume - getting dressed, taking pictures, etc.
- Have a neighborhood party and forgo trick-or-treating all together. Ask your child's school to consider making their Halloween celebration green as well.
- Have a charity-themed party. Instead of giving out prizes for games, allow children to pick from a list of charities and make a donation in their name.
- Have a Halloween gratitude party. Deliver handmade cards to your local farmer and take a tour of his/her field. Arrange before hand for each child to bring a mini pumpkin home.
- Talk to your neighbors about what they will be giving away in advance. One option is to trick-or-treat only at homes where you know Green Halloween items will be passed out.
- Show your Green by displaying your own Green Halloween sign and ask your Green Halloween neighbors to do the same. Turn looking for the signs into a hunt for treasures. The Green Halloween sign on your own door will announce to trick-or-treaters that they're in for a great surprise!
- Give kids a full, healthy meal before they go out trick-or-treating so they are not hungry.
- Talk to your kids about what is in candy and why it is not healthy. Ask them to come up with creative, kid and Earth-friendly alternatives that your own family can hand out and feel good about.
- When trick-or-treaters come to your door, shout, "Happy Hallo-green!!!
For more tips and treats on having a Green Halloween, visit GreenHalloween.org.
It's really not about the candy. Kids have fun when their parents get involved and have fun themselves. Part of being green is focusing on people instead of things, so try to reduce the amount of 'things' you incorporate into your Halloween by increasing the focus on fun. Here are some ideas for making your Green Halloween fun for your kids and for you:
- Make a big deal of your child's costume - getting dressed, taking pictures, etc.
- Have a neighborhood party and forgo trick-or-treating all together. Ask your child's school to consider making their Halloween celebration green as well.
- Have a charity-themed party. Instead of giving out prizes for games, allow children to pick from a list of charities and make a donation in their name.
- Have a Halloween gratitude party. Deliver handmade cards to your local farmer and take a tour of his/her field. Arrange before hand for each child to bring a mini pumpkin home.
- Talk to your neighbors about what they will be giving away in advance. One option is to trick-or-treat only at homes where you know Green Halloween items will be passed out.
- Show your Green by displaying your own Green Halloween sign and ask your Green Halloween neighbors to do the same. Turn looking for the signs into a hunt for treasures. The Green Halloween sign on your own door will announce to trick-or-treaters that they're in for a great surprise!
- Give kids a full, healthy meal before they go out trick-or-treating so they are not hungry.
- Talk to your kids about what is in candy and why it is not healthy. Ask them to come up with creative, kid and Earth-friendly alternatives that your own family can hand out and feel good about.
- When trick-or-treaters come to your door, shout, "Happy Hallo-green!!!
For more tips and treats on having a Green Halloween, visit GreenHalloween.org.
blogLactose Intolerance in Children
Does your kid need to stay away from milk? Intolerances and allergies, such as milk, have become so common that parents have a long list of foods that are prohibited from entering the school to keep children safe. When I recently spent an evening with mothers and their children, I was taken aback by the number of questions and concerns on dairy intolerance.
Intolerances and allergies have existed from time immemorial. However, they were never as widespread or severe as they are today. Normally, natural allergens like pollen cause seasonal allergies, which run their course and die out. But according to most doctors, allergies are no more seasonal. They have become perennial. And this is due to the influence of 'unnatural' allergens - like fumes of diesel exhausts, volatile organic solvents (VOC), pesticides, and tobacco smoke.
blogWhat is Green?
Last week a new friend sheepishly asked me what "Green" really meant. This question reminded me of how I started my Going Green blog in order to help people everywhere learn how to start going Green. I had thought that being Green had been a bit too exclusive...a club where you needed to know the handshake before you could join. I hoped that this Green blog would start to change that pattern and bring anyone who wanted to join under the Green tent. A place where you can ask questions and expect to get an understandable, practical, expert answer.
Since Green is personal, I thought I'd share what Green means to me and then invite you to do the same.
Since Green is personal, I thought I'd share what Green means to me and then invite you to do the same.
blogAre toxic plastics prowling in your home?
By Nicole Ohebshalom, Radiant Living Wellness
It's a question many fathers and mothers are looking for answers. Health officials in Canada and United States are putting more attention on chemicals being used to make baby bottles, water bottles, and food containers. The focused chemical is bisphenol-a, or better known as BPA.
Research has shown that trace amounts of BPA migrate to our food and liquid through polycarbonate (PC) plastic bottles. There is still debate on how much of a health worry BPA is, but retailers like Wal-Mart are withdrawing baby products manufactured with it. Canada has declared BPA to be so toxic that it's not allowing anything containing it on their shelves!
It's a question many fathers and mothers are looking for answers. Health officials in Canada and United States are putting more attention on chemicals being used to make baby bottles, water bottles, and food containers. The focused chemical is bisphenol-a, or better known as BPA.
Research has shown that trace amounts of BPA migrate to our food and liquid through polycarbonate (PC) plastic bottles. There is still debate on how much of a health worry BPA is, but retailers like Wal-Mart are withdrawing baby products manufactured with it. Canada has declared BPA to be so toxic that it's not allowing anything containing it on their shelves!
blogGold is Fleeting, Polymers are Forever
When I first picked up The World Without Us
by Alan Weisman, I thought to myself, "Self,
hang on for a depressing ride", but after the first chapter I was
actually feeling optimistic. For someone who is not into science as
much as she is into shopping, the way Weisman describes the cyclical
process of nature is easy to follow and I eventually began to
understand that yes, the stresses we are putting on the environment are
leading to potentially disastrous results, but at the same time nature
can and will evolve to correct the world with us. But only if we change our ways. Starting yesterday.
blogEco-Staycation
By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com
Eco-Staycation
Ah August...the perfect time to get away and escape the stress of the eleven other months of the year. Typically, my husband and I take a week to ten days off in August and travel locally to Shelter Island, Nantucket or the Catskills. This year a variety of reasons kept us in NYC including the high price of gasoline and airfare. (What a shame that our politicians couldn't manage to vote on the new energy bill before their massive FIVE week vacation.)
So to make the best of it, I planned my five day "staycation" to escape my day-to-day routine and pretend I was visiting a fabulous eco-spa.
blogAn Organic Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Cost Low
By Nicole Ohebshalom, Radiant Living Wellness
People are switching to more organic foods even though it's costing them a few more dollars. In my practice I have especially seen those dealing with chronic illness and individuals concerned with preventative care to love and revs up the benefits of organic vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy. A key motivation for consumers doing this is a simple belief that it's better for them. People see that if they spend a few more dollars at Whole Foods it will save them more money and time at the doctor's office.
But is it true that there are health benefits to eating organic food?
The US Department of Agriculture have revealed that since the 1940s the mineral levels in fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy have declined substantially in conventional foods. Combine this with pre-ripened picking, longer storage, and more processing of crops, and it's not surprising that we may be getting fewer nutrients in our food than we were 60 years ago. Government tests show that conventionally grown fruits and vegetables can retain up to 13 pesticides even after washing and cooking.
People are switching to more organic foods even though it's costing them a few more dollars. In my practice I have especially seen those dealing with chronic illness and individuals concerned with preventative care to love and revs up the benefits of organic vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy. A key motivation for consumers doing this is a simple belief that it's better for them. People see that if they spend a few more dollars at Whole Foods it will save them more money and time at the doctor's office.
But is it true that there are health benefits to eating organic food?
The US Department of Agriculture have revealed that since the 1940s the mineral levels in fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy have declined substantially in conventional foods. Combine this with pre-ripened picking, longer storage, and more processing of crops, and it's not surprising that we may be getting fewer nutrients in our food than we were 60 years ago. Government tests show that conventionally grown fruits and vegetables can retain up to 13 pesticides even after washing and cooking.
blogGreen Goodies for Kids
By Mary Beth Gonzalez, iVillage.com
Last weekend I brought a Panda, a Gorilla and a Penguin to my brother's house for a visit with his family. Seems kids' marketers frequently name their kid targeted products after animals so kids will love them more, and it seems to work. I was just happy knowing that my gifts were healthy, organic and starting them on their path to green.
The Panda was actually an Ecogear blue organic cotton backpack for Jake, my four year old nephew. The azure blue dye is non-toxic, and it closes with easy to close sustainable wood fasteners. All very cool but his Dad knew that the ultimate stamp of approval was mentioning that Peter Parker (Spiderman) had a backpack just like it. Then Jake knew that the Panda would be perfect for his first trip to day camp next week. You can see in this photo how much he likes it.
Last weekend I brought a Panda, a Gorilla and a Penguin to my brother's house for a visit with his family. Seems kids' marketers frequently name their kid targeted products after animals so kids will love them more, and it seems to work. I was just happy knowing that my gifts were healthy, organic and starting them on their path to green.
The Panda was actually an Ecogear blue organic cotton backpack for Jake, my four year old nephew. The azure blue dye is non-toxic, and it closes with easy to close sustainable wood fasteners. All very cool but his Dad knew that the ultimate stamp of approval was mentioning that Peter Parker (Spiderman) had a backpack just like it. Then Jake knew that the Panda would be perfect for his first trip to day camp next week. You can see in this photo how much he likes it.
