Chevy Chase Green Auction opens bids to spend the day with your fave celeb! November 6, 2009

This November, bid to spend some time with your favorite celebrity while helping communities and schools become greener–and stronger! Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni Chase, who has over 20 years of experience with Green education and environmental community action, are tirelessly dedicated to providing underserved communities with the tools and resources necessary to create healthy learning environments and greener neighborhoods. The 6th Annual Chevy Chase Green Auction benefits GREEN Community Schools, whose mission is to create long-term holistic partnerships between the school, local community residents, stakeholders, available resources and families to ensure that the community is environmentally aware and able to successfully practice and promote sustainability in their lives, communities and globally.

Please be warned, these amazing experiences pose a sizeable bidding war. Who can afford to spend as much as $15,000 or more on a single day? Certainly, not only those with tens of thousands of dollars of dsiposable income will reap the rewards? I would be interested to hear from philanthropic companies who are bidding and will award the experience to one lucky staff or community member, or any other person who is somehow involved with the auction who did not necessarily make the winning bid.

The faboulous list of auction items is seemingly endless. Here are simply a few highlights: 

Enjoy a 10-Day/9-Night Expedition for Two Exploring the Galapagos Islands with Lindblad Expeditions Aboard the National Geographic Endeavour Includes: A category 1 cabin for two for departure before December 31, 2010.

Small ship expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands are your opportunity to discover one-of-a-kind wildlife in a spectacular setting with a top-tier Expedition Team. We’re proud to have been the first in the Galapagos Islands. That’s over 40 years of experience in the Land of Darwin. And thanks to our long history of expedition cruises in the Galapagos Islands, you’ll do so much more than observe this precious ecosystem. You’ll interact with it. Grab a snorkel. Hop in a kayak. And discover up close the wonders that make the Galapagos Islands one of the world’s most unparalleled adventure travel destinations. It could be the most exciting educational travel experience you’ll ever have. Please click HERE to learn more!

Meet Oprah Backstage! Includes: a framed, signed headshot, 2 VIP tickets to a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show plus a meet and greet/photo opportunity with Ms. Winfrey. Must be redeemed by April 2010. Show tapes in Chicago, IL. All attendees must be at least 18 years old and show photo ID. Attendees are subject to procedures and conditions of the show. May not be transferred.

Here’s your chance to be a part of the audience on the show of this American multiple-Emmy Award winning host with the highest-rated talk show in television history.

Meet Stephen Colbert on the Set of The Colbert Report What The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is to evening news, The Colbert Report is to personality-driven pundit shows. Stephen Colbert brings his sarcastic charm to a half-hour report, tackling the important issues of the day and telling his guests why their opinions are just plain wrong. Now, you and three others get this fun and informative opportunity to meet Stephen Colbert.

Enjoy 2 Tickets to Saturday Night Live Includes: 2 air tickets to Saturday Night Live good from September 2009-May 2010. Winner must contact SNL at least three weeks prior to reserve the tickets. Must present certificate when making the reservation. Please note that the first, last and Christmas shows are not available. Children under the age of 16 will not be permitted.
Vie

Attend the Premiere of “Due Date”, Starring Robert Downey, Jr. Includes: 2 tickets to the premiere of Due Date starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan and more. Date and location TBD.

Due Date is the story of when a high-strung father-to-be is forced to hitch a ride with a college slacker on a road trip in order to make it to his child’s birth on time.

Meet Regis Philbin After a Taping of “LIVE with Regis and Kelly”! Includes: 4 tickets to the studio audience of Live with Regis and Kelly plus a meet and greet with Regis Philbin. Winners must make reservations at least 4 weeks in advance. Names will be left on a VIP list. Winners must arrive by 8am. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and children under 10 are not permitted. Eating, drinking or smoking in studios is not permitted. ABC prohibits weapons of any kind onto the premises (including an individual who may have a legal right to carry a weapon).

With Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa — and who knows what celebrity guests — the winner of this auction lot is guaranteed a fun-filled morning that includes meeting Regis Philbin! Taping takes place at their studio at 67th Street and Columbus Avenue in New York City.

Spend a Day in the Studio with Howard Stern This exclusive experience for Jayni and Chevy Chase’s Green School Auction: Sit in on the Howard Stern Show and watch Howard and Robin and the gang do their show live–you’ll also get a full tour of the studio and offices by Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’ Abate! However, as promised by Howard, this year will be even better!

The winner of this incredible experience will be able to sit in during a taping of the show and observe all the action. A meet and greet with the entire crew is included in this package. HOWARD ALSO COMMITTED WHEN CHEVY WAS ON THE SHOW ON SEPTEMBER 18TH TO LET THE WINNER PICK AN EXACT SHOW BASED ON WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THE GUEST SCHEDULE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WINNER’S EXPECATIONS ARE EXCEDED…INCLUDING HAVING CHEVY COME BACK TO ACCOMPANY THE WINNER. For true Howard Stern fans who listened to the September 18th exclusive one hour Chevy Chase interview and know their long and close history, this is truly a Howard Stern fan dream come true. Gary Dell’Abate, Howard’s long time producer will serve as the host for this experience and tour the winner around the studio.  For Howard Stern fans, life does not get any better! View all items

Meet Joel McHale on the Set of “The Soup” Plus Take Home a Signed Script from “Community” Includes: 2 tickets to The Soup  plus a meet and greet with Joel McHale plus a signed script from Community. In condition as donated, may not not be returned or exchanged. Winner must schedule “The Soup” set visit at least 3 weeks in advance. Tapings are Thursdays at 7:15pm at E! in Los Angeles. Must be over 14 years old and be redeemed by December 2010. ‘The Soup’ is an E! Entertainment Television weekly series. The show is hosted by Joel McHale, who provides sarcastic and biting commentary on the various clips. View all items

More information on The GREEN Community Schools.

More About: product review · Celebrities · Eco Contests

Get 20% off organic Amenity Home baby gear! November 4, 2009

Soft, natural, eco-friendly fibers are a must-have for baby’s soft skin. Beautiful, timeless design often comes with a steeper pricetag, so a discount is certainly welcome.

Eco-friendly Amenity Home  offers lovely and for well-designed products for modern living. These beautiful products are whimsical but not at all babyish, and are sure to be cherished while ”growing” with your child. For the first time ever, the company is offering 20% off site-wide (Muir Collection excluded).  Just use the discount code – “fall20″ – at checkout.   

While Amenity is available in many cities, the best place to see the all the collections is online.  Among all of the modern organic products, the Amenity Nursery Collection offers an adorable, contemporary take on nature and woodland creatures, and would be perfect for both genders. So sweet! My sons are ages 2 and 4, but they would just love lounging on the animal floor pillows!

If you’re looking for a thoughtful and luxurious shower or baby gift, the organic baby basics are useful and versatile.  Softer than you can even imagine, the organic baby blankets would make a welcome keepsake item.

Tips and thoughts on a gluten-free Thanksgiving November 2, 2009

Managing a gluten-free diet is tough at the best of times. In even the most innocuous foods may lurk soy sauce (made with wheat) or mystery fillers in those fabulous eggs you ate at that cute brunch spot. Traveling to visit friends and family over Thanksgiving holiday presents an obstacle course for staying gluten-free.

Your best defense is to host Thanksgiving at your place, with you doing all the cooking yourself. Of course, delegate others to set the table and wash the dishes! Just because you want to eat right through the holidays, doesn’t mean you must become a martyr.

I love what Gluten-Free Girl says about living with gluten intolerance  around the holidays. ”I’ve had requests for gluten-free cinnamon rolls, mincemeat pie, stuffing, and gravy. Everyone, it seems, wants to eat exactly what he or she ate as a child — before the celiac diagnosis — and have it taste exactly the same.

The thing is, everyone, it will never taste the same. No matter how good your pumpkin pie recipe with a gluten-free crust, it will never taste like the pie you ate as a child. It could taste even better. But it won’t taste the same.

Early on in this gluten-free journey, I decided that longing for the same old foods with gluten-free ingredients was like longing for a boyfriend I had broken up with. It never works.”

Celiac.com offers some helpful advice for surviving the holiday:

• A gluten-free holiday dinner starts with a gluten-free turkey. Believe it or not some brands of turkey do contain additives that are not gluten-free—so, like everything else, read the ingredients and use Celiac.com’s Gluten-Free Ingredient Lists or Gluten-Free Shopping Guides to help you shop.
• Don’t risk gluten-based stuffing in your turkey. Instead, try this gluten-free stuffing recipe.
• Gravy is easy: Use a gluten-free gravy recipe.  Remember, bouillon cubes can often be a source of hidden gluten in holiday meals so be sure to use gluten-free bouillon cubes.  To thicken your homemade gravy you can use corn starch or arrowroot flour.
• Gluten-free holiday side dishes are easy: Browse Celiac.com’s extensive listing of gluten-free recipes to find side dishes that will impress anyone—celiac disease or not. (My own website, UnassumingFoodie.com also has several amazing Gluten-Free and Low-Glycemic dishes!)
• Order gluten-free baking ingredients and other hard-to-find items like prepared gluten-free pies ahead of time for convenience—this will allow you to spend more time with friends and family rather than spending all of your time in the kitchen! Many excellent prepared gluten-free products can now be ordered and delivered directly to your door from places like the Gluten-Free Mall..

For more info: 

 

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Green home makeover? 10 Eco-chic furniture tips October 30, 2009

This story appears in my Green Living column on Examiner.com.

Obsess about style, yet crave functionality? Greening your home shouldn’t mean giving up your aesthetic, or necessarily even adopting a new perspective. One person may relish a rough-hewn jute while another demands smooth, luxurious fibers. Whether you prefer wood, metal, cloth or plastic, you will be pleased to learn there is an eco-conscious company manufacturing stylish furniture pieces for virtually every taste and, yes, budget. 

Jacob Gordon at the fabulous website Planet Green compiled an excellent list of points to consider before obtaining your next piece of furniture. The following are excerpts:

1. Choose certified sustainable wood When cave people realized that boulders weren’t the most comfortable things to sit on, wood was almost certainly where they looked. The world needs more trees, not less, so practices that lead to deforestation aren’t any good. Not only do trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, they keep the surface of the planet cool, they hold soil together so it can stay rich, and they provide the habitat that animals, insects, birds, and other plants call home, not to mention they support many people’s livelihood. Simply put, don’t mess with the trees. There are sustainable ways to harvest wood, however. Wood from sustainably harvested forests, sustainably harvested tree farms, and reclaimed wood are the main sources. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and its largest forest certifier, the Rainforest Alliance, is the most widely used standard for sustainable forestry.

2. Furniture made with reclaimed materials If wood is taken care of, and sometimes even if it isn’t, it can last a really, really long time. Let’s make good use of all the wood that’s already out there. Reclaimed wood usually comes from old furniture, houses, or other built things that are ready for some friendly reincarnation, from flawed wood, or from scraps from a factory that makes other stuff. Some reclaimed wood even comes from logs that sunk to the bottom of rivers as they were being floated downstream to the sawmill, or from the bottom of man-made reservoirs (check out the Sawfish). Either way, furniture made from reclaimed wood is a great example of resource efficiency, but usually comes in shorter supply. The Rainforest Alliance has a Rediscovered Wood Certification label to look for.

3. Bamboo represents a family of grasses that range in size from tiny to huge, and in color from lime green to maroon stripes. It is incredibly fast-growing and versatile and has become the unofficial poster material of environmental designers and builders. Bamboo can be flattened into flooring, molded into furniture, pressed into veneers, sliced up to make window blinds, or hey, you can just build your whole house out of it. Using bamboo in buildings earns architects and builders LEED points. Most bamboo comes from China and is grown with few of no pesticides. Because it is so fast growing, it is much easier to maintain healthy bamboo forests. This also means it uses a lot of water, however, and harvesting too fast can deplete soil fertility. Some growers do use pesticides and other chemical inputs, however, so keep that in mind. But for the most part, bamboo is one of the greenest materials around.

4. Recycled/recyclable metal and plastic Since both metal and plastic are recyclable, at least in theory, these can be considered eco-friendly materials for furniture. More and more furniture is being made from recycled plastics and metals as well, like the recycled aluminum Icon Chair. Recycled materials require less processing and fewer resources, and help support the market for recycled materials. Technologies are always improving, meaning that recycled plastics and metals are always going up in quality.

5. Recyclable and disassemblable Good eco-friendly furniture should lend itself to easy repair, disassembly, and recycling. Products certified by MBDC’s C2C (Cradle 2 Cradle) product regimen are a perfect example, like certified office chairs from Herman Miller and Steelcase. These products can be easily taken apart, sorted into their constituent parts, and recycled at the end of their useful lives. When buying furniture, stay away from “monstrous hybrids”, pieces that are an inseparable amalgam of materials. If they can’t be taken apart it’s probably a sign that they can’t be repaired very well either.

6. Look for furniture that’s durable and fixable One of the most important but often overlooked aspects of green products (and this definitely goes for furniture) is durability. If something is tough and/or can be readily repaired, this lessens the chance that it’ll end up in the landfill, and could easily save you money in the long run, even if it’s initially more expensive. Even recyclable materials if they break (and can’t be fixed) require energy and other resources to reprocess and then replace. Durable goods that will last a long time can be passed on from person to person. Even if your style changes and that kitchen table isn’t your thing anymore, a good strong table will almost always be appealing to someone else, while a broken (and unfixable) one probably won’t. When it’s time to part with your possessions, think of Craigslist, Freecycle, or eBay, and find it a new home.

7. Low-toxicity furniture When you buy a piece of furniture, bring it home, and set it down in a room, it doesn’t just sit there. No matter what it’s made out of, chances are, it’s offgassing (or releasing substances into the air). Almost everything offgasses, which isn’t necessarily bad, but synthetic materials or those treated with synthetic substances can offgas chemicals which are toxic. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are the most common family of chemicals that are offgassed and have been linked to birth defects, endocrine disruption, and cancer. Flame retardants and formaldehyde are common VOCs offgassed by furniture. Especially if your home or office is well-insulated (which it should be for energy purposes) toxins can’t get out easily. In fact, studies have shown that air quality inside your house (or car) is often worse than outside. Everyone should be conscious of the kinds of chemicals they bring home, but especially if you have kids, pets, or other family members who are low to the ground and prone to licking things. There are some good ways to help maintain good indoor air quality when it comes to furniture choices.

Greenguard is a certification which ensures furniture is low toxicity. Herman Miller, Haworth, Knoll, and the more affordable Izzydesign all offer Greenguard certified furniture options. Also, look for furniture that is untreated or treated with natural substances, like natural wood finishes, or naturally tanned leather. Organic cotton is also less likely to be treated with toxic stuff. Another great way to dodge toxic chemicals is to buy furniture that is vintage or second-hand and has already done most of its offgassing (just make sure it doesn’t carry anything worse, like lead paint). You can tell intuitively that new things offgas more actively–just think of that new car smell.

8. Buy vintage With all the slick, mod, “eco” brands jumping into the market it can be hard to keep in mind that pre-owned goods can be the most green purchase of all. Vintage and second-hand and furniture requires no additional resources to manufacture, is often locally sources (cutting down on transportation), is pre-offgassed and eases the load on the landfill. Quality vintage furniture can also have excellent resale value (sometimes selling for the same price it was bought) which certainly can’t be said for most new furniture, green or otherwise.

9. Buy local Just like the food on the dinner plate, we might be amazed how many miles the constituent parts of a piece of furniture might have had to travel in order to reach us. If possible, source furniture close to home. This will support the local economy, small craftspeople, and decrease the environmental cost of shipping (not to mention the other kind of cost).

10. What to do with it when you’re over it When it’s time to bid a chair, table, bed, or dresser farewell, make sure it goes to a good home. Sell it on Craigslist, eBay, or the local paper, give it away via Freecycle, or include it in your next yard sale. Putting it safely on the curb with a “free” sign on it can also do the trick. If you are the crafty type, lots of furniture can be repurposed into new functions or just freshened up with new paint or finish. No sturdy artifact should have to live out eternity in the landfill. Think about refurbishing old furniture or entirely repurposing other objects, like this bathtub turned arm chair. The Spanish group Drap-Art has a reuse festival that is ripe with ideas.

Chair pictured above by KnollStudio.

Follow me on Twitter! @RebeccaLacko

Winner for Greesnburg GreenTown’s Chain of Eco-Homes Competition After the town of Greensburg, Kansas was completely devastated by a Level 5 tornado in 2007, the town of 1,200 residents agreed to rebuild itself…  »

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10 natural remedies for Fall allergy sufferers October 29, 2009

While Fall has finally arrived, pollen, ragweed, and mold are still taking their toll on allergy sufferers.  According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, approximately 20% of Americans suffer from allergies and another 20% suffer from hypersensitivities to food, and environmental substances.

So what can you do about Fall allergy symptoms? ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner, Dr. Ian Wahl, DAc, LAc, CH is a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist who specializes in the treatment of children and adults with allergies and hypersensitivities. Dr. Wahl offers relief to sufferers with 10 tips breathing easier this season:

1) Take a whole food based Vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine. Dr. Richard Podell, author of When Your Doctor Doesn’t Know Best: Errors That Even the Best Doctors Make and How to Protect Yourself, recommends 1000 milligrams of vitamin C (Ester-C) twice daily to help with allergies and asthma.

2) Magnesium eases breathing. Some immunologists suggest taking 400 milligrams of magnesium daily helps with nasal allergies and breathing problems. Taking more than that can cause diarrhea. If you want to supplement your diet with magnesium–rich foods, the best sources are nuts, beans, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, and bananas.

3) Wear sunglasses when going outside. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, creates a certain amount of photosensitivity. Wearing sunglasses helps reduce your sensitivity to light and thus helps your eyes from excessive watering.

4) Bring a cold pack. When you are at an outdoor sports event, periodically place a cold pack over your eyes and on your face to reduce inflammation and help relieve some of your symptoms. 

5) Drink a lot of cool water. Rehydrating is one of the best ways to eliminate toxins from your body. It cools you down and provides some symptom relief.

6) Stay away from dairy If you have hay fever, eating dairy will produce even more phlegm and make you feel worse.

7) Use your bathroom exhaust fan when taking a shower. This will help prevent to growth of mold in the shower. Replace your liner every month or two, if you have mold sensitivities or asthma.

Keep your dryer vent clear. Build-up of lint in the dryer vent will cause an excess of dust in your house. Have your vents cleaned regularly to avoid aggravating your allergy symptoms.

9) Get rid of clutter. Allergy sufferers need to be especially careful about controlling dust in their homes. Clutter is a major source of dust and dust mites.

10) Get tested for food allergies. Many people who have allergies are also sensitive to different foods. These multiple sensitivities build on each other and stress the immune system. Find out what foods you are sensitive to and either eliminate them from your diet or get treated for them so you can eat those foods symptom-free.

For more information, please visit www.chicagohealers.com. Dr. Wahl’s practice, Wahls of Wellness is located at:
3375 N. Arlington Heights Road, Suite A
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
847-392-7901

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Dr. Lauren Feder to offer 3 LA-area Safe Vaccination Lectures October 27, 2009

There is a growing movement among parents to question the safety of such standards as vaccines and antibiotics. 

Dr. Lauren Feder, author of The Parents’ Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations, presents three Los Angeles-area workshops for parents who are seeking optimum health for their children. Dr. Federer will present an overview of health, disease and each vaccination, including pros, cons, risk, benefits and prevention of vaccine side effects. Syllabus included.

Patients of all ages often ask Dr. Robert and Carri Tanaka of Natural Life Chiropractic this question: ”what do you think about vaccinations?” The Tanakas encourage all families to “get education from multiple resources on this important topic. One person we look to and trust is Dr. Lauren Feder. Dr. Feder is a Los Angeles-based doctor and, in our opinion, her lecture is a must for any parent to be, or person concerned about their families health.”

Dr. Feder’s lectures sell out quickly, so early registration is highly recommended.
Cost: $25 per person, $45 per PARENT couple.

See below for details on locations and times. NOTE: Dr. Feder will have books on hand as well as homeopathic flu remedies for sale. Please bring cash for these items. The Swine Flu will also be addressed.

For more info on this topic, for vaccine exemption forms and more, visit www.nvic.org.

Location: Belly Sprout
Saturday, November 7, 2009
10:30am – 12:30pm
426 W. Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, Ca. 92832

Location: Golden Bridge Yoga
Sunday, November 8, 2009
1:30pm – 4:30pm
6322 De Longpre Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90028

Location: Yo Mama Yoga
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
6:30pm – 8:30pm
1404 3rd Street Promenade, Suite 204
Santa Monica, Ca. 90401

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EEK!-o-friendly tips for a greener Halloween October 25, 2009

Here’s a scary Halloween fact: Consumers spent $1.4 billion on Halloween decorations in 2007, including everything from plastic ornaments to throw-away utensils.

As the second biggest holiday for decorating after Christmas, Halloween negatively impacts the environment by generating a lot of waste. Ally Maize, LA’s resident “green” teen and founder of local nonprofit, the Green Youth Movement, is urging communities nationwide to reduce their environmental impact this Halloween with some simple, easy-to-do tips. Here are a few things that Ally, along with the help of GreenHalloween.org, is doing to ensure every step of her Halloween preparations are “eek-o” friendly.

Top 5 Tips for a Green Halloween:

1. Shop your friends’ closets. Costumes are half the fun in Halloween. Instead of heading to the mall to find new costumes, get creative and reduce your environmental impact by hosting a fun costume swap meet with your friends to trade and borrow threads from Halloweens past.

2. DIY (Do It Yourself). Give your Halloween festivities a personal spin and make your own decorations and treats. Acorns, pumpkins, and apples are great for “Hallogreen®”-friendly embellishments and make less of an environmental impact than store-bought decorations. You can even make your own natural face paint from corn starch, water, and organic food coloring!

3. Offer environmentally and socially responsible treats. Make a true green statement this year by handing out fair trade certified chocolate, raw honey and/or agave sticks, and organic fruit roll-ups. Better for the planet, better for the community, and better for you.

4. Recycle. Before you head to the store to buy Halloween supplies, take stock of what you already have. Everyday household items can be cleverly recycled into spook-worthy decorations. For example, pillow cases, table cloths, brooms and cans lying around the house are great for turning into Halloween ornaments. If you don’t have the items you’re looking for, head to a local thrift store – one person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

5. Use reusable bags or buckets for trick-or-treating. When you head out the door to trick-or-treat, opt for reusable grocery bags, buckets, or pillow cases as an environmentally-conscious alternative to wasteful plastic/paper bags. They’re also likely to hold more candy!

For more information: Click for more information on how to reduce your environmental impact beyond Halloween.  Ally Maize’s Green Youth Movement website is full of great information on how young people can make changes in our lifestyle to lead a healthy, happy, money-saving, sustainable life. 

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Dustin Maher wants to know your goals and dreams. They’re different, when you stop to think. October 22, 2009

I don’t remember how I came to know of Dustin Maher, but what struck me right away about this ambitious, success-oriented personal trainer was his radically different approach to exercise–and the fact that his niche is singularly focused on moms, and our desire to get back into shape after pregnancy and stay in shape throughout our busy lives. As with male gynecologists, I understand how they might “know a lot” about the subject matter, but how can they really know? (And does it matter?)

I took a chance and signed up for his e-newsletter, and was surprised that the very first one was a video of his appearance on a news program. He was explaining to an anchor/new mom how to deeply contract her stomach muscles, instead of doing crunches. I love this concept for a few reasons; 1. Crunches are one of the worst exercises for the post-partum woman. Unless you are holding your abs rock-tight toward your spine, you may very well be crunching them into a muffin shape! 2. Holding in your abs tightly can be accomplished while doing pretty much anything: driving in the car, brushing your teeth, holding and feeding your baby, standing, sitting, you name it. And they’re easier to remember to do than Kegels–you’re reminded about your tummy every time you do up your pants! and, 3. Holding your tummy tight makes both your stomach and your lower back stronger (what new mom couldn’t use a little help with her lower back?) When you have a strong core, you stand up straighter and taller–you look better, and you feel better when the body is in alignment.

Speaking of being in alignment, it seemed to me that Maher and I were. Then, just after a meaningful Sunday at church, where we were pointedly asked to consider our visions for our lives, to explore our dreams and what goals we might set to achieve them, Maher posted an article about just this idea.

“I had a mini epiphany this weekend,” he shared after reading an article written by Greg Justice of AYC Personal Training, “about the difference between goals and dreams.”

“You hear me talk a lot on this blog about setting goals. I believe so much in goal setting as one of the most powerful tools to helping you go from where you are now, to where you want to be in the future.  But this article I was reading talked about how we set goals in order to achieve our dreams. It is our dreams that should really get us excited and keep us motivated!” Maher said.

He challenged readers to offer three goals and resulting dreams, first allowing readers to hear his.

Goal: To eliminate my knee issues/pain.

Dream: To be able to play recreational basketball, football, and any other sport for many more decades.  To be able to hike some of the highest mountains in the world, to be able to play with my teenage kids and be able to beat them!

Goal: Achieve 4% body fat

Dream: To place in the top 5 at the world fitness modeling championships in Vegas (unfortunately with my elbow this will have to wait a year)!

Goal: To help transform the lives of 1,000,000 moms.

Dream: The overwhelming satisfaction of knowing that I not only empowered them to be the best they could be, but also played a role in helping the kids of the moms live a much healthier and fitter life. 

Now it is your turn!  Also please consider the following question: If all your goals were achieved and became reality overnight, when you wake up tomorrow morning what would your life look like?

Goal: To finally lose those last 8 pounds that have held on since my last pregnancy (How can I be so close to my goal weight yet see no change when I’m constantly working on it?)
Dream: To feel honestly beautiful within my own body. To love and accept myself, and reflect that self-acceptance in my relationships with others.
Goal: To teach my children proper eating habits and a love of nutrition
Dream: To have them enjoy cooking with me, and exploring new recipes, tastes and culinary experiences as a family.
Goal: To write a book from the heart. To work fearlessly and joyfully–with gratitude.
Dream: To know success and enjoy success as a result of my decision to work diligently and share what I’m learning and care about most.

How about yours?

Get free Ice Age Halloween downloads, and attend Fox’s carving event! October 21, 2009

Ice Age will be taking over pumpkin patches in Los Angeles this weekend to celebrate the October 27 release of Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs on DVD and Blu-Ray.

As part of a nationwide initiative, Fox Entertainment will be hosting Family Fun Days this Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and 25, at two pumpkin Los Angeles-area patches with professional pumpkin carving artists, movie giveaways and other festive activities that create the perfect fall outing for the entire family. Win prizes including DVD copies of the first two installments of the Ice Age trilogy, and branded Ice Age glow sticks to keep Halloween night fun and safe.

If you love Manny, Diego, and Sid, stop by Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch in Culver City or Lopez Pumpkin Patch on West 3^rd (across from the Grove) this weekend to take part in the festivities.

Free downloadable pumpkin carving stencils and Halloween safety tips from Sid.

 

 

 

For more information: Shawn’s Pumpkin Patch

5750 Mesmer Ave.,

Culver City, CA 90230

(323) 325-3059

 

Lopez Pumpkin Patch 

West Third St. and Fairfax Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90036

(213) 949-6880

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Kid-Friendly Gluten-free DESSERTS! October 19, 2009

Gluten sensitivity is a neurological disease. With symptoms including diarrhea, bloating, cramps and general weakness, we don’t readily consider out tummy pains to be affecting our brain. However, as Dr. Eydi Bauer relates in her new book, Life After Bread, any organ or system in the body supplied by the brain and the nerves can be damaged by gluten sensitivity. This means that all systems can be affected–digestive, nervous, reproductive, musculoskeletal, as well as your psychological functioning.”

Dr. Bauer goes on to report how studies estimate as many as 40% (almost half!) of the US has antibodies against gluten, suffering a wide range of symptoms most have just come to consider “normal.” She adds that, “Celiac disease (a manifestation of gluten intolerance) is now being called the most common and most under-diagnosed autoimmune disease of our time.” 

Below are some tested and delicious gluten-free dessert recipes. (Looking for more great recipes? Check these out! Gluten free, kid tested, and foolproof recipes for special diets (Part 1); Gluten free, tested, delicious recipes for special diets: Soup and salad (Part 2); Gluten free, tested, delicious: Recipes for special diets (Part 3).

Autumn Harvest Raw Apple Pie with Almond-Date Crust Get the kids to help with this one, using the time together for a short history lesson about how food was gathered and prepared when Grandmother (or Great-Grandmother) was young.

Carrot Pudding (Gajur Halvah) This rich carrot dessert, which is popular throughout Northern India and Pakistan, became an obsession of ours when I was pregnant with my oldest son, Joseph.

Raw Brownies with Icing Treat yourself to some Scharffen Berger cocoa powder. Green and Black’s makes a nice organic one. Navitas makes Raw Cacao Power, perfect for the purist. (The extra cost for your luxury cocoa splurge is justified by your savings in flour, eggs, butter and milk!)

For more info: Dr. Eydi Bauer suffered from undiagnosed chronic health problems for over 20 years. Today, she is a holistic doctor and chiropractor practicing in Mendocino, Calif. The author of the new book Life After Bread, Bauer says, “Gluten intolerance is a serious and widespread nutritional problem that is causing an incredible array of health problems in America. It is also largely unrecognized by the Western medical Establishment. Learn more here.

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