Oprah & Pure Natural Diva
June 12, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings
Oprah is Having a Contest and my friend, Desiree, at Bottles To Britches told me I HAD to enter. So I got to work.
Now that my video audition is complete – please check it out – and more importantly – VOTE!!! Voting couldn’t be any easier – no forms to fill out – just one second to click on vote.
I Need Your Votes – TODAY, TOMORROW, OVER and OVER and OVER again! The math goes like this - I need every single fan to generate 8 votes daily. Yet we know that only 10% of people really get involved that really means I need my biggest fans generating 65 votes every single day… hmmm…
Your votes will get Pure Natural Diva one step closer to having a show on the air that is fully dedicated to Whole Living with Style and Ease – imagine the difference we could make.
This is a hardcore competition with high stakes. The current leader of the contest is Rener Gracie – he has the entire Fighting Community voting for him – in two weeks he’s gotten over a million votes.
Spread the Word – Share – Share – Share
Forward this via email to everyone on your contact list, copy and paste the message below on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and all other social media networks.
Tweet & Status Update
Vote for Pure Natural Diva to win her own show on Oprah’s network – give a voice to healthier, greener living! http://bit.ly/dwAlGP
Blogger’s: I’ve created a simple post that you can use on your blog
Click Here to grab your story!
Check out the Audition
http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=5711&promo_id=1 to view my audition piece – then click “Vote” – that’s it!
One voter had this to say on the Oprah site:
“We need Pure Natural Diva Live! America needs this show! I love that Tania is a mom who wants to make a difference in all our lives. She has passion and really dives into the issues, makes you feel passionate too about wanting to make changes in your own home and life. In addition to being a hilarious and genuine person she is incredibly smart. Tania has invested her heart & soul in Pure Natural Diva….out of not just her own family & personal needs but seeing a genuine need in all of our lives & in society today Please pick Pure Natural Diva Live to be an Oprah show!”
View Tania’s audition here and don’t forget to vote – http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=5711&promo_id=1
Very Important – So I’ll say it again!
Voting is not limited – so please vote AS MANY times as possible before the deadline on July 3rd.
Thanks guys! Together we can make this happen and positively impact lots of lives.
Extra Bonus Points
Help get the producer’s attention by posting a comment too! Show the producer’s that you believe a show like PND live can make a difference in lives around the country!
Gardening 101: Diva Style
June 8, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings
I am not the gardener in my family. To keep my yard looking remotely presentable a team of people show up for one hour every Wednesday mornings and presto flowers. Attempting to grow food – other than my citrus trees – is monumental for me.
We live in one of the best growing climates in the world and I have a weekly gardener coming to tend to my yard, sprinklers to water it and NOTHING to show for it… ever.
This year I decided that it was time to try to grow some food. My mother is an avid gardener, as are both of my sister… I could do this.
The initial idea was to plant in an amongst my regular plants. That didn’t work out very well… turns out our team of expert gardeners is not very adept at steering around newly sowed seeds and the soil wasn’t very good.
Our Chosen Location
Not to be discouraged I pitched Dude on the idea of turning a thin sliver of our yard into a garden. By some miracle, not only did he agree – he also said “why not make it bigger”!
So I set to work – which in this case required a meeting with my gardener and we set a time to tear up a section of our yard, put in a drip watering system and import some compost. Now, after a few hiccups in the execution I have a lovely raised bed garden.
I’m still not sure we found the best soil. I searched high and low in Los Angeles for organic compost and ended up going with compost that is made from clippings from Griffith Park and zoo doo – yep exotic poo! The city calls it TOPGRO – they say it’s organic, it’s free for the taking and well tested to ensure that it is ready to be used.
In the LA area you can also get compost from the Green Recycling Center – 2649 Washington Street, Los Angeles. Fri/Sat/Sun from 9-3.
Once we got the compost in the fun started. My family had set up a rough plan for me that I tried to follow… and I’ve been trying to companion plant using this guide. There are many moments of confusion… will this lettuce really work in full sun, I need a taller plant that will work in the shade here… and so on.
The children are over the moon excited. I bought them each their own watering can to avoid the ongoing battles that would have come with one. I also faced an interesting dilemma at the garden store when purchasing a watering can of my own… Buy the plastic can that is made in the US or the Metal Can made in China? I opted for plastic – I think it will hold up much longer and not need replacing.
So far we have planted: Strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, red & green peppers, butternut squash, melons, cucumber, snap peas, lettuces, spinach, basil, broccoli, leeks, basil, chives, beets, carrots and grapes! Still to come are parsley, oregano, zucchini, beans and baby pumpkin.
We did a couple other things to help create a natural good growing environment:
- Worms – The kids went crazy over the container of worms I bought to get my worm population started… never thought I’d use those words together in a sentence!
- Ladybugs – Apparently ladybugs eat aphids and other undesirable pests… We’ll see because I set at least a hundred of them free one night. Releasing them at night, they don’t fly away. Instead they look for food and will hang out and lay more eggs. We’ll see!
I’m still noticing that some critters are munching on my delicate fresh plants, so I need to determine what is doing the damage to find the right natural predator for the job. I’ve also planted nasturtiums throughout the garden to help.
The gardener got me up and running and I’m doing the planting myself. For the gardening purists this may seem wrong, but for this Diva I’m going to call it a happy starting point.
Once I get this plot going – I’m going to go through my landscaping and see where we can find places to add raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.
Please VOTE for my Oprah Audition!
Help Pure Natural Diva Live get on Oprah’s New Network
June 4, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings
Blogger’s: I’ve created this simple post that you can use on your blog
I would love it if you would support the PND effort to win a talk show on the Oprah Winfrey Network. You get a break from writing and I benefit from your amazing support! Simply cut, paste and edit at your discretion and presto! Feel free to use all, part or none of this! I’ve included the code and image as well.
You get a day off – PND get’s invaluable promotion!
I’d love to know who takes me up on this – so please leave a comment so I can thank you personally!
If you don’t have a blog – click here for some of the ways you can support the latest Pure Natural Diva adventure!
Here is Your Post
Oprah’s new network OWN has created a contest and the winner will get their own talk show. Tania Reuben was inspired by her blog – Pure Natural Diva – to enter the contest. Pure Natural Diva is an informational site dedicated to Whole Living with Style and Ease.
The show – Pure Natural Diva Live – will cover the same topic. Simple Solutions to help people live greener, healthier lives.
This is a hardcore competition with high stakes. The current leader of the contest is Rener Gracie – he has the entire Ultimate Fighting Community voting for him – in two weeks he’s gotten over a million votes. As a blogger I am thrilled to support Tania and leverage the power of social media to make her a contender! She has a great mission, a wonderful site and a her show has the potential to create meaningful change in our country.
One voter had this to say on the Oprah site:
“We need Pure Natural Diva Live! America needs this show! I love that Tania is a mom who wants to make a difference in all our lives. She has passion and really dives into the issues, makes you feel passionate too about wanting to make changes in your own home and life. In addition to being a hilarious and genuine person she is incredibly smart. Tania has invested her heart & soul in Pure Natural Diva….out of not just her own family & personal needs but seeing a genuine need in all of our lives & in society today Please pick Pure Natural Diva Live to be an Oprah show!”
View Tania’s audition here and don’t forget to vote – http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=5711&promo_id=1
Her website can be found here – www.purenaturaldiva.com
Grab the code for your post here!
<h5><span style=”font-size: small;”>Here is Your Post</span></h5>
<p>Oprah’s new network OWN has created a contest and the winner will get their own talk show. Tania Reuben was inspired by her blog – Pure Natural Diva – to enter the contest. Pure Natural Diva is an informational site dedicated to Whole Living with Style and Ease.</p>
<p>The show - Pure Natural Diva <em>Live</em> – will cover the same topic. Simple Solutions to help people live greener, healthier lives.</p>
<p><a href=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Picture-11.png”><img title=”Picture 1″ src=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Picture-11-300×160.png” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”160″ /></a></p>
<p>This is a hardcore competition with high stakes. The current leader of the contest is Rener Gracie – he has the entire Ultimate Fighting Community voting for him – in two weeks he’s gotten over a million votes. As a blogger I am thrilled to support Tania and leverage the power of social media to make her a contender! She has a great mission, a wonderful site and a her show has the potential to create meaningful change in our country.</p>
<p>One voter had this to say on the Oprah site:</p>
<blockquote><p>”We need Pure Natural Diva Live! America needs this show! I love that Tania is a mom who wants to make a difference in all our lives. She has passion and really dives into the issues, makes you feel passionate too about wanting to make changes in your own home and life. In addition to being a hilarious and genuine person she is incredibly smart. Tania has invested her heart & soul in Pure Natural Diva….out of not just her own family & personal needs but seeing a genuine need in all of our lives & in society today Please pick Pure Natural Diva Live to be an Oprah show!”</p></blockquote>
<p>View Tania’s audition <a href=”http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=5711&promo_id=1″ target=”_blank”>here</a> and don’t forget to vote – http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=5711&promo_id=1</p>
<p>Her website can be found here – <a href=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com” target=”_blank”>www.purenaturaldiva.com</a></p>
<h5><span style=”font-size: small;”>Grab the code for your post here!</span></h5>
<blockquote><p>Oprah’s new network OWN has created a contest and the winner will get their own talk show. Tania Reuben was inspired by her blog – Pure Natural Diva – to enter the contest. Pure Natural Diva is an informational site dedicated to Whole Living with Style and Ease.</p><p>The show - Pure Natural Diva <em>Live</em> – will cover the same topic. Simple Solutions to help people live greener, healthier lives.<a href=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Picture-11.png”><img title=”Picture 1″ src=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Picture-11-300×160.png” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”160″ /></a></p>
<p><a href=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Picture-1.png”></a>This is a hardcore competition with high stakes. The current leader of the contest is Rener Gracie – he has the entire Ultimate Fighting Community voting for him – in two weeks he’s gotten over a million votes. As a blogger I am thrilled to support Tania and leverage the power of social media to make her a contender! She has a great site and a her show has the potential to create change in our country.</p>
<p>One voter had this to say on the Oprah site:</p>
<blockquote><p>”We need Pure Natural Diva Live! America needs this show! I love that Tania is a mom who wants to make a difference in all our lives. She has passion and really dives into the issues, makes you feel passionate too about wanting to make changes in your own home and life. In addition to being a hilarious and genuine person she is incredibly smart. Tania has invested her heart &amp; soul in Pure Natural Diva….out of not just her own family &amp; personal needs but seeing a genuine need in all of our lives &amp; in society today Please pick Pure Natural Diva Live to be an Oprah show!”</p></blockquote>
<p>View Tania’s audition <a href=”http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&amp;response_id=5711&amp;promo_id=1″ target=”_blank”>here</a> and don’t forget to vote – http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&amp;response_id=5711&amp;promo_id=1</p>
<p>Her website can be found here – <a href=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com” target=”_blank”>www.purenaturaldiva.com</a></p>
<a href=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/n1576231091_30005075_15621.jpg”><br />
</a></p></blockquote>
<blockquote><p style=”text-align: center;”><a href=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Optimized.41_2_3.jpg”><img title=”Optimized.41_2_3″ src=”http://www.purenaturaldiva.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Optimized.41_2_3-258×300.jpg” alt=”" width=”258″ height=”300″ /></a></p>
Help Pure Natural Diva Live get on Oprah’s New Network
Greener Shopping Spree at the Local Outlet Mall
May 21, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings
Trying to make eco savvy choices at the mall can be a challenge! In this video I share some finds from a recent outlet mall shopping spree.
I’ve dropped one dress size and many of my clothes no longer fit. This was in no way a perfect effort – it is a realistic idea of choices anyone can make that are a little kinder.
Stores where I had the best success:
AG – Made in Los Angeles
Banana Republic – Organic Offerings
American Apparel – Made in Los Angeles
Pyrex – Made in America
Two Fresh Ways to Honor Your Mother
April 30, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings
Uninspired about what to do for your mom this Mother’s Day? Here are two ideas that promise to transcend typical offerings – they are gifts that will keep giving and will truly make a difference in the lives of the recipient.
Instead of sending another box of candy full of calories she’d rather avoid or flowers that will wilt in days, consider a gift that will make an unmeasurable difference in the life of someone on the other side of the world.
I can’t think of a better way to honor your mother than to help another.
Make a difference in the life of a Refugee
The International Rescue Committee has created a program that will allows you to honor your mother and make a real difference in the life of a refugee family.
For example with $24 you can purchase a safe birthing kit for a refugee mother, which includes vital supplies for a safe home delivery in a conflict zone, plus a blanket and clothing for a newborn other gifts are available and pricing start at $18:
- Mosquito nets for a refugee family in Africa – $18
- Pre-natal care for a new mother living in a war zone – $52
- One year’s education for an Afghan girl – $52
- A farming kit, including seeds and tools, to help a family grow food – $60
- Summer school for a newly arrived refugee child in the U.S. – $100
- Job training for a refugee to help her become self-sufficient – $330
Purchase one of these options and the International Rescue Committee(IRC) will send the honored mothers a beautiful, personalized Mother’s Day card in the gift-giver’s name.
The IRC has been helping refugees since 1933 and you can shop with confidence knowing that 90% of all the funds they raise goes directly to fund programs and services.
Finance an Entrepreneur Around the World
If you want to let your mother choose who she wants to help – send her a gift certificate to Kiva.org. I first heard about Kiva on Oprah and what they do is pretty extraordinary. They enable individuals to lend money to entrepreneurs across the globe.
Your mom will be able to browse through profiles of entrepreneurs from around the world, she’ll be able to decide who to fund with her gift certificate, and the best part – when the loan is repaid she’ll be able to fund another entrepreneur.
What I love about Kiva is they give people the tools they need to be able to create a sustainably better life. I’ve made several loans and have had all of them repaid – which is fun because then I can chose another person to fund!
I know for some – it might be a stretch to think about not sending a gift that mom can hold & touch – but this might just be more tangible than most options we would typically consider.
Two Fresh Ways to Honor Your MotherChild Free & La Jolla Bound: The Very Long Walk
April 29, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings, Travel
Part 2 – read part one here.
Where were we? Dude and I had just checked into Estancia La Jolla for our first weekend getaway in almost 2 years.
Mustang's & Burros
After settling in we made a beeline to the bar – Mustang’s & Burros – for what might have been the best nachos Dude and I have ever eaten! Seriously. The atmosphere couldn’t have been better – we managed to to snag prime seats in front of the gorgeous outdoor fireplace.
Best Nachos Ever!
Tip
Be sure to check out their happy hour specials – they had a cheese platter for $9 on Friday and the other offers looked appealing.
Don’t make your drink “a double” or you’ll find the priciest margarita’s I’ve seen anywhere at $22 each!
At the beginning of this story we’d asked “Ted” how far it was to walk into town? He told us it was about 2 miles. So… after leisurely drinks and stuffed with nachos we decided a walk into town for dinner.
It was a perfect night for a walk – the sun was setting – the conversation easy. Wild nasturtiums were everywhere - for some reason this fascinated me. About an hour into our “2 mile walk” we started noticing that we weren’t even close to town … as a matter of fact we can see “town” on the other side of the bay.
Wild Nasturtiums... Everywhere.
Our relaxing evening stroll to dinner – over 2 hours long. For some reason I found myself humming the Gilligan Island theme song. I was grateful for the practical flats I’d chosen to wear yet wished they were sneakers and secretly wondered if “Ted” had known we were going to order nachos that night and intentionally underestimated the mileage in consideration of my waistline.
After wandering through town looking at restaurants we settled on Vigilucci’s an Italian Restaurant with a large outdoor patio, great atmosphere, live music and a stunning view.
I wish I could say the food was equally impressive – both Dude and I were a little disappointed. I like garlic, but my pasta had enough to keep away more than a few vampires and Dude’s meat had to go back for a little extra time. The restaurant wasn’t the only one struggling. I somehow managed to send a shrimp tail flying across the room - if anyone noticed they didn’t say a word.
We focused on enjoying our wine – which was chosen because the Vineyard and Lil Diva share a name and the winery was local.
We made our way back to the hotel, marveling the entire taxi ride at just how far we had walked. We finished the evening with another glass of wine at Mustangs & Burros before turning in for the night.
I don’t have to tell you how nice it was not to be woken the next morning by children crawling on top of us for the first time in forever!
While I caught a few extra zzzz’s Dude went off to read the paper, and have an early breakfast.
Stay tuned for our hike to the beach… “Ted’s” way.
Child Free & La Jolla Bound: The Very Long WalkMore Vegetables Please? Getting Your Kids to Eat Vegetables
March 24, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings, Food & Nutrition
Do you dream that your children – or in my case husband – will ask this question at the dinner table?
You’re not alone – It’s just a dream in my home too! Do you know that ideally we would consume 9 – 1/2 cup servings of fruits and vegetables a day and should have no less than 5! Some of my friends seem mystified by how many vegetables my children eat, so I’m giving away my secret.
Many people are familiar with hiding puree’s in your food. I do use this technique, but need it less and less as my children eat their vegetables without me having to hide them.
Once you have this mix – add it to everything you cook that week at the end of 5-7 days cook up whatever is left and put it in the freezer for use on a day when you are out of the fresh mix.
We use this mix to up the veggie count in spaghetti sauce (1/2 vegetable and 1/2 meat), shepherd’s pie, tuna noodle casseroles and other comfort foods. I put it in mac & cheese, quesidilla, enchilladas, burritos, rice pilaf, soups, ready made spaghetti sauces (my kids never met a noodle they didn’t love!) and eggs. Basically if I’m cooking – there are mixed vegetables going in.
Once the mixed vegetables are in, I also add chopped frozen spinach to most dishes and other vegetables that are part of the dish. For example, in our home peas are part of shepherd’s pie and tuna casserole.
It’s also a good idea to add flax meal to any dish that will hide it’s dark color, 1-2 tablespoons in the sauce. A tablespoon in the pancakes or french toast egg mix. You won’t taste it, but you will amp up the nutritional value.
So there you have it. You are hiding vegetables, but they still know they are there.
Some of you may find your eaters pick around the vegetables (I’m OK with this, they can’t get them all) and in my experience they will eventually give up with most dishes. My daughter used to pick around the vegetables in spaghetti sauce and after enough nights of “you can’t have more noodles until you eat the sauce”… the sauce is now eaten with the noodles.
We just need to be more persistent and consistent than they are.
Come back soon – we’ll talk about the salad!
Tamiflu Use Leading to Drug Resistant Virus
March 6, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings, Health & Wellness
The flu sucks.
We all want to do everything possible to shorten it’s duration or better yet avoid it all together.
Yet – virus’ are clever little buggers and are mutating to become immune to our biggest tool – Tamiflu.
Unless we are in a high risk group… we don’t want to be treating the flu with drugs that are causing these virus’ to mutate. Doing this puts us all at greater risk.
Natural remedies like Black Elderberry have been shown in studies to shorten flu duration.
The moral of the story seems to be – once again – use caution before taking drugs. If we don’t all collectively do this – we’ll find ourselves without the tools to fight these virus’ when we really need them.
Image by mybloodyself - photo links.
While we’re on the subject of virus’ mutating it’s a good time to remind our readers that antibacterial products have been shown to be of concern for a similar reason – bacterial resistance according to the AMA.
Our best defense against cold and flu is frequent hand washing with REGULAR soap and water (not antibacterial).
Read up on the tips and tricks we use to fight cold & flu in the Diva home.
The Bottom Line is that we are putting ourselves at risk using antibiotics and other drugs when a cold or flu is inconvenient rather than saving these drugs for true medical emergencies.
Pandemic Flu, Like Seasonal H1N1, Shows Signs of Resisting Tamiflu.
Tamiflu Use Leading to Drug Resistant VirusDiva Tips for Greener Living
February 18, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings, Greener Living
1. Before You Buy – Use What You Have.
Chances are you have a lot of stuff in your closets waiting to be used! I’ve recently broken a habit of buying bulk. One of my challenges has been to use what I have before moving on to greener and better options. Don’t we just get excited and want to go shopping!
Dig around. You’ll be surprised at what you have – using what you have is better than a green acquisition. In the PND pantry we still have 3 boxes of plastic Costco cutlery, 1200 paper napkins, ribbon, gift wrap, moisturizers, conditioners, sunscreens… you get the idea. We’re working on it!
A Brighter Future
2. Take Care of The Things You Own!
Taking care of your “stuff” values the resources that went into making it! You’ll keep them longer and reducing impact by not having to replace it. Your home, cars, clothing, shoes, toys, etc… will all benefit from being well taken care of. And the environment will thank you, if it’s taken care of it’s less likely to be tossed when you are done with it. It’s more likely that you’ll be able to pass it along to a new home when you’re done with it.
Teaching your children to care for their things will impart values that will last a lifetime.
3. Pick just one area of your life to green!
Wherever you are in your green journey… whether you are just beginning or an ecosavant, pick ONE new area to work on. Once mastered you can add another, another, another… you get the idea. Living a greener, healthier life is a journey that starts with one step.
4. Buy Organic
Start buying organic in a new area of you life.
You may have bought organic food, or this might be new for you. You may buy organic dairy, but haven’t moved into the produce section yet. Pick a new area to explore the benefits of organic.
If you’ve never bought organic cotton or denim, next time you’re shopping keep your eyes and mind open. Ask the stores you shop at. Even if you make a conventional selection, asking the questions will help spread the word that customers care and want to see more options. You may even find organic options in places you don’t expect. This last holiday season I was able to buy organic cotton casual clothing for lil’ Diva at Walmart and Organic PJ’s for both the kids at Costco.
Keep your eyes peeled and ASK!
5. Buy Fair Trade
I buy fair trade chocolate. I figure chocolate is something I don’t NEED. It’s a luxury. I figure, if it’s a luxury I can step up and make sure children aren’t picking the cocoa beans for my chocolate. It’s been fun, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect fair trade organic fix to my chocolate cravings.
It doesn’t have to be chocolate, you could pick coffee, clothing, bananas, again… sometimes starting in an area of your life that is already a splurge will make it a little easier to spend that little bit extra that fair trade calls for.
You’ll be surprised how it will inspire you!
6. Buy Quality
Can’t find what you are looking for organic or fair trade, buy good quality. It will last and when you’re done you’ll be able to pass it on. As a country we have become accustomed to buying everything in quantity. We can take a page out of the Europeans’ book, attempt to retrain our sense of value. Buy fewer high quality items, moving away from our culture’s more, more, more frame of mind. Look for items that are made in your country too, supporting your own economy.
5. When You’re Done with Something – Pass It On!
When you are done with something, find a new home for it! We had a rug that our dogs had scratched. I listed it on Craigslist with pictures of the damage, within 30 minutes I had 10 people that wanted it. When we we’re renovating I listed mirrors, sinks, hardware… whatever I thought someone else might find useful…. and they came. These items were destined for the landfill, but with not too much effort were taken away and used by others.
That said – this is one of my areas of weakness. I have a hard time saying goodbye to my stuff. I’m sure it comes from growing up really poor!
6. Reusable Water Bottles
If you don’t have a reusable water bottle and a way to filter your water. Get one and start using it!
Get in the habit of taking your bottles and the children’s bottles ALL THE TIME. In particular parties, sporting events and school. Eventually if host/ess’ start seeing guests arriving equipped with their own beverage containers they won’t feel the need to buy bottled water for their parties. We put out iced tea, water with glasses.
7. Group you errands into similar geographic regions.
Saves trips, saves gas, saves time! SCORE!
8. Detox Your Beauty!
When I first began the journey to detox my beauty routine, I started by using up what I had (still doing this of a few things!) and replacing them with safer options! I encourage everyone to do this. The next item you are running low on, replace it with something better. Use PND to help find the replacement that is right for you. Knowing what I know now, if I was pregnant, I wouldn’t use the “use it up” method. I would make the switch immediately.
Do this for your children first if you have them! Their developing systems are more vulnerable to the toxins in their environment.
9. Pay attention to Preservatives and Additives.
While you are shopping, get in the habit of reading labels! If you can’t read the name of the ingredient, chances are you’d be better off with a different option. You’ll be surprised – pick up pickle relish and 2 brands will contain HFCS, one will not… easy healthier switch.
10. Use Less Canned Foods.
Chances are you’ve heard about BPA’s in the news, in particular concern over plastics and baby bottles. But did you know how we ingest the most BPA’s – Canned Food. Opt for glass packaging over canned to minimize your families exposure!
11. Green Your Parties!
Parties can be a huge source of waste. We opt for convenience, buy a lot of pre packaged, convenient entertainment foods. We serve foods on paper or plastic plates, drink from countless paper & plastic cups. Start adding up the cost of all that convenience and not only are you throwing a lot of hard earned money in the landfill, but that plastic will live there forever.
One year we were getting ready for a super bowl party and did the math. For the cost of buying paper goods, we were able to purchase inexpensive white plates, glasses and wine glasses from IKEA. We use these for our parties - including the parties for the little ones. It may take a little extra effort, but I never have to run out to the store for cups and plates last minute! Next on the list is to get party flatware.
You can also find reasonably priced “catering” sets at Pottery Barn, Cost Plus, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
The pre-packaged food options. Sometimes it’s easy to succumb to the ease of this ready to go food, but for so much less money you can buy really nice, high quality foods, fruits and vegetables.
You might even find with all the money you’re saving on prepared foods and paper goods that you can spend your savings on getting an extra set of hands to help you at the party!
If you can’t bear the thought of these suggestions buy eco friendly disposables. You can find them at Smart & Final, Whole Foods and such. You are looking for plastics that can be Compostable. This typically means they will biodegrade in a few weeks. Compostable plastics can be placed in our “green” garbage bins in Los Angeles. With a little research you can find out if you can compost with your yard waste in your area (in the event you don’t have one in your yard)!
12. Clean Green
Start cleaning your home with green cleaners or make your own formulas using some of our easy recipes. You’ll reduce the toxins you are breathing in your home after you’ve cleaned it.
I’ll never forget an Oprah “ah ha” moment for me… “CLEAN DOESN’T HAVE A SMELL“!
Extra Credit: Use less plastic!
Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Choose products with less plastic packaging. Choose items packaged in glass. Store your leftovers in glass.
You Can Do It!
I know, I know… I missed so many things… you can do those things too!
I hope these tips inspire you to find new things you can do to have a healthier, happier, greener life!
SHARE WHAT YOU PLAN TO GREEN IN YOUR LIFE!
Diva Tips for Greener LivingFamily Meals + Sleep – TV = Lower Risk for Childhood Obesity
February 9, 2010 by Tania Reuben
Filed under Diva Musings
Sitting down to a family meal, ensuring your child doesn’t watch too much TV, and that they get a good nights sleep! All great ideas, but sometimes it can be hard to get it all done.
A new study out of Ohio State University has just linked all three habits together with a 40% reduction in childhood obesity rates!
Other studies have looked at these activities singularly, but this is the first study that has looked at the three habits in a national sampling of 8550 US preschoolers born in 2001.
Image Courtesy of andrea pi
The study criteria for family meals, sleep and television were as follows:
- Eating a family meal more than 5 times per week
- Sleeping at least 10 1/2 hours per night
- Watching less than 2 hours of television per day
It does seem logical that families who will take the time and commitment to foster these routines are likely going to be taking an active interest in the health of their children.
It’s worth noting that these routines alone will not protect all children – an indicator that there are other factors that come into play when looking at the issue of childhood obesity. However, children with higher risk factors for childhood obesity were able to overcome the odds when these habits were a part of their family life! Great news.
Risk factors for Childhood Obesity:
- Mothers who are Obese
- Household Income Below the Poverty Line
- Mothers who have not finished High School
- Growing Up in a Single-Parent Home
Encouraging News:
56% of families studied have meals together at least 6 nights a week.
57% of families reported their preschoolers are sleeping 10.5 hours per week.
To read the full report:
Family Meals, Adequate Sleep and Limited TV May Lower Childhood Obesity.
Family Meals + Sleep – TV = Lower Risk for Childhood Obesity
