Monday, December 20, 2010
Organic produce delivered to your door!
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!
Great way to try new fruits/vegetables you normally wouldn't, because, hey, you already paid for it! Also, supports your local farmers, and how deliciously fresh!!
Enjoy!
Know of another site/organization that offers the same service? Comment below or e-mail me at naturallynourishing@gmail.com
Great way to try new fruits/vegetables you normally wouldn't, because, hey, you already paid for it! Also, supports your local farmers, and how deliciously fresh!!
Enjoy!
Know of another site/organization that offers the same service? Comment below or e-mail me at naturallynourishing@gmail.com
Waste-free way to wrap gifts this year!
CLICK HERE!
I thought of a couple more...
Save bags. Keep the bags/wrapping that you receive gifts in at your Holiday Parties, Christmas gift exchanges, and use them at your family Christmas or next year!
Paper grocery bags. These are great for wrapping! It's like pre-cut wrapping paper!
Save your boxes. Keep any shoe, jewelry, cosmetic, etc. boxes you receive throughout the year and use those to wrap, tie a pretty ribbon around them to jazz them up!
Use Defunct Christmas decorations. Every year when we pull out our decorations we find several ornaments that no longer have a hook, garland that somehow came detached from the rest of the strand, or a random poinsettia/bow that just doesn't go anywhere in the house. Use these to add a little flare to your wrapped gifts!
Have more ideas? Comment below or e-mail me at naturallynourishing@gmail.com
I thought of a couple more...
Save bags. Keep the bags/wrapping that you receive gifts in at your Holiday Parties, Christmas gift exchanges, and use them at your family Christmas or next year!
Paper grocery bags. These are great for wrapping! It's like pre-cut wrapping paper!
Save your boxes. Keep any shoe, jewelry, cosmetic, etc. boxes you receive throughout the year and use those to wrap, tie a pretty ribbon around them to jazz them up!
Use Defunct Christmas decorations. Every year when we pull out our decorations we find several ornaments that no longer have a hook, garland that somehow came detached from the rest of the strand, or a random poinsettia/bow that just doesn't go anywhere in the house. Use these to add a little flare to your wrapped gifts!
Have more ideas? Comment below or e-mail me at naturallynourishing@gmail.com
QUOTES OF THE DAY
It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
The whole secret of the study of nature
lies in learning how to use one's eyes.
-George Sand
"We don't stop hiking because we grow old,
we grow old because we stop hiking."
-- Finis Mitchell,
"Maybe freedom really is nothing left to lose. You had it once in childhood, when it was okay to climb a tree, to paint a crazy picture and wipe out on your bike, to get hurt. The spirit of risk gradually takes its leave. It follows the wild cries of joy and pain down the wind, through the hedgerow, growing ever fainter. What was that sound? A dog barking far off? That was our life calling to us, the one that was vigorous and undefended and curious."
— Peter Heller
— Peter Heller
"How strange that nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!"
Emily Dickinson
The importance of an active lifestyle/going outdoors
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| Image from: imagesus.homeaway.com |
When discussing health, what's most talked about is typically food (more specifically dieting... but we'll save that conversation for another time!). Exercise is normally thrown in there, but for many who have strayed a bit off track, they immediately picture hours of intense work at the gym daily until they ultimately burn out and remember why they hate the gym in the first place.
While I completely condone the gym, and do not think it should be taken out of the equation, I feel equally passionate about the importance of living an active life outside of the gym. Not only an active life, but an active life outdoors!
When I think of my favorite memories as a child I think of ACTIVITIES, mainly outdoor activities. Immediately I remember intense games of tag, hide and seek, make believe, family football games around the Holiday's... I am incredibly thankful for these memories because they are what give me my passion for the outdoors now. I am not suggesting that you hit up your neighbors for a weekly game of hide-and-seek, unless they're up for it :) but I am saying, "Don't forget about the outdoors!!" Get out there! Take a walk, make a snowman, ride a bike, start a garden, get your hands dirty! Walk to a store if there is one close enough, or pick the farthest parking spot from the entrance. While you're doing this, enjoy the scenery! Use the time to appreciate what's around you. If you don't feel you have enough time (it's been suggested to go out at least 15 min a day) limit your electronic intake. Cut back on TV, computer, phone, etc. and I bet you could free up at least 15 minutes a day!
When we started taking family walks everyday, they continued to lengthen because we got so much from them. The benefits are not only physical, but our relationship grows too! With a "no phone" policy we are able to spend the whole time talking and catching up, not to mention the stimulation our daughter receives from all the beautiful scenery. Everyone returns through the front door happier than we left. Now that the weather has dropped significantly, our walks have turned into increments of time playing in the backyard throughout the day. Most times I don't even bring any toys out back, my daughter's favorite activity is just listening to the sound her boots make on the ground as she walks around, and collecting sticks!
Here are some sites that have a little more information about the importance of getting outdoors!
Children Outdoors
Vitamin D
University Study
Article on active lifestyle
Do you have any information, research, or studies to share? Comment below or e-mail me at naturallynourishing@gmail.com
Sunday, December 19, 2010
E-mail From a reader in response to "Find a Farmer Near you!"
WHAT IS MEANT BY LOCAL
The term "locavore" was coined by Jessica Prentice from the San
Francisco Bay Area for World Environment Day 2005 to describe and
promote the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested
from within an area most commonly bound by a 100 mile radius.
EAT SEASONALLY
By purchasing local foods in-season, you eliminate the environmental
damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles, your food dollar
goes directly to the farmer, and your family will be able to enjoy the
health benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
Buying seasonal produce also provides an exciting opportunity to try
new foods and to experiment with seasonal recipes. And it simply
tastes better! We have found a great resource for food miles and
local eating at the Natural Resources Defense Council. They have every
state and every season easily accessible!
EAT LOCAL - IT HELPS THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Another benefit of eating locally is helping the local economy.
Farmers on average receive only 20 cents of each food dollar spent,
says Ikerd, the rest going for transportation, processing, packaging,
refrigeration and marketing. Farmers who sell food to local customers
“receive the full retail value, a dollar for each food dollar spent,”
he says. Additionally, eating locally encourages the use of local
farmland for farming, thus keeping development in check while
preserving open space.
Check out this study by the University of GA regarding the economy of
buying locally. According to a recent study by the University of
Georgia's Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, if the
Peach State's approximately 3.7 million households spent just $10 per
week on Georgia-grown produce (from any source, not just directly from
producers), more than $1.9 billion could be pumped back into the
state's economy. There's more: for every 5 percent increase in local
produce purchases, Georgia would see 345 additional jobs, $43.7
million more in sales, and $13.6 million more in farmer income. To put
these numbers in perspective, direct farmer to consumer sales
currently contribute 132 jobs, $14.4 million in sales, and $4.5
million in labor income.
Thank you Norma for this information!! How motivating to buy locally!
The term "locavore" was coined by Jessica Prentice from the San
Francisco Bay Area for World Environment Day 2005 to describe and
promote the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested
from within an area most commonly bound by a 100 mile radius.
EAT SEASONALLY
By purchasing local foods in-season, you eliminate the environmental
damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles, your food dollar
goes directly to the farmer, and your family will be able to enjoy the
health benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
Buying seasonal produce also provides an exciting opportunity to try
new foods and to experiment with seasonal recipes. And it simply
tastes better! We have found a great resource for food miles and
local eating at the Natural Resources Defense Council. They have every
state and every season easily accessible!
EAT LOCAL - IT HELPS THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Another benefit of eating locally is helping the local economy.
Farmers on average receive only 20 cents of each food dollar spent,
says Ikerd, the rest going for transportation, processing, packaging,
refrigeration and marketing. Farmers who sell food to local customers
“receive the full retail value, a dollar for each food dollar spent,”
he says. Additionally, eating locally encourages the use of local
farmland for farming, thus keeping development in check while
preserving open space.
Check out this study by the University of GA regarding the economy of
buying locally. According to a recent study by the University of
Georgia's Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, if the
Peach State's approximately 3.7 million households spent just $10 per
week on Georgia-grown produce (from any source, not just directly from
producers), more than $1.9 billion could be pumped back into the
state's economy. There's more: for every 5 percent increase in local
produce purchases, Georgia would see 345 additional jobs, $43.7
million more in sales, and $13.6 million more in farmer income. To put
these numbers in perspective, direct farmer to consumer sales
currently contribute 132 jobs, $14.4 million in sales, and $4.5
million in labor income.
Thank you Norma for this information!! How motivating to buy locally!
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