to Make a Difference and Save Money!

by  Stacy McGuigan,  guest blogger

Green is the New Black

Have you heard that “Green” is the new Black? For weddings it is. Planning an eco-friendly event is in vogue and not as hard as it may seem. I offer you a few tips below to get things started. You can have a fabulous green wedding without sacrificing your personal style or the environment.

According to Green Wedding 101  besides the environmental benefits, there are also social and economic benefits as well. “Being green usually saves you money, and in today’s economy this is probably reason enough to do it!” They continue by stating, “Having a green wedding is an opportunity to make a difference by supporting companies that actively incorporate social and environmental responsibility into the way they do business.”

In super chic New York City where the parties are always lavish, one couple did things their way. “We wanted a celebration that was meaningful to us, instead of just traditional,” says Baly, a Green America member. “Going green and keeping as many purchases local as possible meant a lot to us.”

It seems that today’s bride is more aware of the impact a one-day affair can make not only on the earth but also on their pocketbooks. According to a recent New York Times article, “Many couples who go green in their wedding planning have already recycled their glass, paper and plastic, shopped for organic food at farmers’ markets and conserved energy at home, so they want to extend their earth-conscious values to their big day.”

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your earth-friendly affair:

Venues

Search the Green Hotel Association for venues in your area

The great outdoors make a perfect backdrop for any affair

Choose a location that is local to cut back on travel time for guests

Paperless Invites

Many on-line sites are now available

Use Recycled paper

Have them Hand made

Rings/Bands

Choose to purchase conflict free diamonds for the rings

Use Wood Bands

Go Vintage

Attire

Use Pre-owned or handmade dresses, who’s going to know?

Go Vintage

Choose to donate whatever you choose to a charity when your big day is over

Catering

Organic

In Season food

Favors

Make a donation to your favorite charities

Give packets of seeds your guests can later plant

Centerpieces

Potted plants or herbs

Beeswax Candles

Photography

Use digital and ask for your proofs to be sent via email so chemicals and paper will not be wasted

Registry

Ask for guests to contribute towards your honeymoon

Do not register for items you know you will never use

Reuse and Recycle

Keep in mind the three R’s: Reduce – Simplify, Reuse – Share, and Recycle – Save (the environment). By using these tips, you will have a wedding that is not only unique and memorable to you and your guests, but you will also be giving a little back to Mother Nature.

In the same article by the New York Times, “..with more than 2 million marriages taking place in the United States each year, many couples see value in the cumulative and ripple effect of a green wedding, including supporting eco-friendly products and services and inspiring friends and family to follow the happy couple along a greener path. “

Stacy McGuigan, Party Concierge

Everyday Celebrations

ecpartyconcierge.com

by Karen Teeters

Owning pets I think, just makes us all a little more human. I have had two beagle dogs in my life. And now they are both gone. Such gentle, loving dogs and they are great with kids. Both of my beagles were adopted. Buddy was listed in a free newspaper by a young family that had a young toddler and a new baby. He was already an older dog but so sweet. My family loved him. He passed six years later from complications with diabetes.

Three  months passed and I adopted another great  mature beagle from the local shelter. Spudz was not quite as  docile with our two cats as Buddy was. But Spudz listened and had his own quirky personality. Boy could he do a great job of decorating the living room with  our kitchen trash when went out sometimes. But we loved him. He passed recently while my husband was petting him and soothing him from  a heart illness that took him from us.

Here is a great story about our Buddy.  I wrote this a few years ago. I found it recently when I was looking for some other old material I had stored on the computer.

Buddy "BooBoo"

Buddy the Party Animal

When I had my first beagle for a while, good friends of ours who had two dogs and a large piece of land used to invite my husband and beagle to visit with everybody, the dogs, the kids, the adults to just hang out.

One evening my friend who fancied herself a real knowing pet person said it would be OK to let my beagle off his leash and roam the grounds free with her dogs.

Well, you know what happened, we started talking and that beagle nose led that beagle of ours on an adventure in the woods of south Jersey. I did not know much about beagles back then, but you can never let them loose because their noses run them!! It got really late and we searched the whole neighborhood. I was in tears. Something inside me said to stop going crazy and just go home. Thing was as I was hunting in those woods I thought  I  heard a car stop on the road and I thought I heard a car door open.

So we went home, a good twenty minutes away and called the police almost as soon we walked in the door. They did get a call about a beagle  and in that same minute our neighbor knocked on our door and there was Buddy.  He had been partying with the neighbors after some strangers brought him home in a car!  Thank  heaven for I D tags! We were not home at the time so they stopped him off at the neighbors’ party because they were still up!  Party Animal!

Buddy had an adventure and I talked to God. Yes, when I walked into my house and before we called the police, I broke down and cried and said, “God I just want my beagle back!” I got my divine answer. And I am glad Buddy had a good time at the party. I still love that beagle!

Although I read about this idea many years ago, I became reacquainted with it recently in Marc Allen’s book, “The Millionaire Course.”  This is a very old idea and it works if you have the discipline to do it. It’s also very simple. Let me describe it and then I’ll explain why it works.

One day while thinking about my daily routine, I realized that I wanted to add something to my morning routine that would help me to stay on focus with our (“our” includes my wife Karen Teeters) long range objectives. I started out by asking what our“ideal scene would look like 12 to 18 months from now.

I clumped everything into four sections:

1. Work/Business

2. Financial

3. Home

4. Personal

After each heading, I wrote a short affirmation. My favorite is this, “Our business flourishes all year around.” (That just makes me feel all warm inside.) Then I list out the various things that are important to us in each group.

I worked on this for about an hour one Sunday afternoon until I got it pared down so that it fit on to one page. Each item is just a general notion of what we want to be experiencing in the 12 to 18 month time frame. I do not have everything all detailed out for each item. I save that kind of detailing for my idea log if need be.

The point of condensing this down to one sheet of paper is because I rewrite this every morning. Like I said, this probably isn’t for everyone, but when I read that a billionaire does this every day I thought, “He must be on to something.” Since I am just rewriting what I have written before, it only takes me about 20 minutes to do this. Here’s why it works.

Obviously, your hand writes a lot slower than your mind can think. By rewriting each item, you are forcing your mind to slow down and let the words soak into your subconscious mind. By keeping each line as short as possible, what I’m really doing is writing, seeing, reading, and hearing inside my head each line as an affirmation.

We’ve all heard the expression, “repetition is the mother of all learning.” Fortunately, that’s not true for all things, but for many things such as multiplication tables, learning a foreign vocabulary, and driving new suggestions into your thinking, it’s a very good technique.

In essence, you are reminding yourself of these things every day… day after day.  Before you know it, they’re always just behind the front of your thinking, on the lookout for situations that resonate with those ideas. When something jives with one of your affirmations, it will send a signal to your cerebral cortex, “HEY! Pay attention to this!

This event is connected to that thing you keep rewriting every morning, so pay attention!” This is an excellent way to condition your mind to be alert for opportunities that would otherwise slide on by you. Your subconscious mind remembers everything you have ever said, done, and experienced.

By feeding your mind with suggestions of what you want to create with your life, you begin to use your subconscious mind to work for you, rather than against you. The subconscious mind will work one way or another. It really can work at your directive. It can dish up old dirt on you or be like a barking beagle watch dog. That’s one of the amazing things about the human brain and the spiritual concept of Free Will.

Not only do we get to choose our thoughts, but we get to choose “how” we spin them… for better or worse, with a positive or negative charge. We choose. So Write out the affirmations of the goals you would like to achieve in short sentences and then try the act of quickly rewriting these sentences everyday. They may just get into your subconscious to do something positive for you!

Organic Cleaning Products are Toxin Free

Have you noticed that many stores are now carrying organic cleaning products? Before you purchase, it is best to go to a sight like  EWG for great advice.

A popular movement towards green cleaning has been underway for the past few years. Here are a few basic points to remember when shopping in the store or  on your favorite green online store.

What is Green Cleaning?

• This is cleaning that is done with organic cleaning products; these are toxin free products that do not present the harmful chemicals of common commercial products. Green cleaning companies are supposed to be held to much higher standards than are required by either federal or state regulations.

• What is the Purpose of Going Green?
  The purpose is to finally address the large variety of illnesses that have sprung from exposure to commercially branded cleaning products. Not only have people suffered from the use of such products; our environment has taken quite a toll from them as well.

• What is the Benefit of Green Cleaning?
  The benefit of green cleaning is that we discover and use healthful and safe ways to maintain our clean environment. We protect our health when we live green because we minimize if not eliminate toxins in our environment. Often by living green we can avoid illnesses that toxins can present, and allow our bodies to heal if we’ve already gotten sick from toxin exposure.

Dangers of Toxic Chemical Cleaning Agents

When we are exposed to chemical cleaning products, it increases our risk of developing allergies, contributes to the development of cancer, and reduces our immunity. With all of these potential health risks facing us, it’s no wonder that we are all searching for healthier alternatives.

What, do you suppose, drives the push for more research? Suits, probably. These toxic chemicals are making people sick. They go to the doctor as a result of falling ill only for the doctor to determine that these toxins are the cause. Research has shown that benzene, formalin, and other solvents are all harmful to our health. This has caused our legislators to enact regulations to limit our exposure to them.

Still, it’s surprising, however, that many of these chemicals have not been banned at this point since their dangers are known. For this reason, we see the movement toward organic cleaning materials.

Organic cleaning products are a safe, natural alternative to the harmful chemicals found in traditional cleansers. For the most part, they are relatively easy to find. Though you might have a bit of difficulty in locating organic cleaning agents at one of your favorite retailers, you should not have any trouble finding them at health food stores or online. In fact, many people prefer shopping for organic cleaning products online because the internet offers a greater number of products from which to choose.

Shop for Organic Cleaning Agents

As you search for organic cleaning products, keep in mind that you still need to carefully read product labels. Some products might say they are “natural” or “organic”, but in reality, they might not actually meet this claim. Become familiar with the ingredients that are most commonly used in both traditional and organic cleaning products so that you can become an informed consumer, and learn how to choose the safest products for your home.

In the United States, one way that you can be more confident that you are purchasing truly organic cleaning products is by looking for the National Organic Program on products before buying them. Organic cleaning products, on the other hand, might still have a stamp of approval from an accrediting agency indicating that they have gone through a standard regulatory process in order to certify that they only sell true organic items.

When you take the time to become better informed about the choices that are available to you, you’ll learn that organic cleaning products are easy to find, and will probably fit nicely into your budget. The overall benefit to you and your family will make you wonder why you didn’t make the switch sooner.

by Karen A. Teeters

Years ago about a year or so after 9 /11 I was enrolled in a personal growth seminar where we  were all assigned to make something happen that  would make a difference in our community or world.

My idea was to get an action group together and  strive to get legislation passed that would declare September 11 as Peace day. The poject was approved by the leader and I had my plan in place. A few days later as I was explaining this plan to a good friend, she told me that the president had already passed a bill to make Septembet 11th Patriot Day.

I was sitting at my desk this morning planning my week and  I noticed  on my calendar that we are all supposed to  be honoring Patriot Day this coming Sunday. It took me  right back to the disappointment I felt when I heard about this  Patriot Day so many years ago. Back then I changed my plan and  decided to sponsor several peace speakers at  a large holistic living event. To me it is all about what is going on inside each and every one of us.

Being a loyal patriot to your country is one thing. Living and expressing a peace filled life is another, more universal concept.

So this September 11th I will be meditating for peace, sending the thought out that inner peace will create outer peace not just for one country but for the people of the entire planet.

Won’t you join me?

“All we are saying is give peace a chance.”  John Lennon

“I hope some day you’ll join us and the world will live as one.”  John Lennon

Packing a Healthy School Lunch

_________________________________________________________

by Guest Blogger, Roe Melnicove – Health Consultant

__________________________________________________________

School days are always on parents’ and children’s minds and I can’t help but wonder if we are putting as much thought into what we will pack for our children’s lunches as we did when we selected the lunchbox itself. If you were like me, we visited several stores before selecting just the right lunchbox; it needed to be a certain color, shape and size. I was amazed at how much time was spent selecting such a simple item!

Your child’s school lunches are a major source of the essential vitamins and minerals they will need to grow and develop over the years. Did you know that, according to recent research, healthy lunches are an essential tool in a student’s ability to learn effectively? In fact, studies show that kids who eat a healthy breakfast, as well as a healthy lunch, have better cognitive function, improved performance in the classroom, more energy, and fewer absences from school. Without enough energy from food, children will feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate in class. Foods high in sugars and additives are the main culprits here; they are way too over-stimulating for our children’s brains and bodies. These are some mighty powerful findings; so let me give you just a few tips to follow when packing those lunches.

Be sure to keep the lunch “kid friendly” and simple. Be creative! Remember that children are more interested in the way something looks and the way it tastes then its nutritional value. For young children, be sure to keep the portions small; this will have an instant appeal for them. Remember that children judge food by taste, touch, and sight. Keep them interested with lunches that include a variety of shapes, colors, and textures.

Try to think of ways to get protein into their lunch. A small cup of tuna salad or hummus in a vegetable wrap are great ways to add protein. Remember that kids love to dip. Pack hummus, soy butter, peanut butter, or guacamole for them to use as healthy dips. Send in raw veggies to eat with these dips, such as, baby carrots, broccoli heads, and red pepper strips. They are all easy to pack, yet so nutritious.

Grains are a necessity in your kid’s diet. Try using multigrain pitas, flatbread, tortillas, or wholegrain cereal instead of plain bread. This is much healthier for them and it makes the lunch much more interesting to youngsters.

Add variety. At least half of their lunch should include fruits and vegetables. Pack strawberries, blueberries, pears, apples, melon balls, and cherry tomatoes. Try sending in a fruit smoothie as an alternative.

So, as a final reminder, remember to “think outside of the box” when preparing those school lunches. By packing a variety of healthy, tasty foods, you are guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Roe Melnicove is a believer in healthy living for herself and her family. She has a successful health business in the South Jersey area and you may feel free to contact her with any questions.

Roe Melnicove

Juice Plus+

roejp@comcast.net

856-358-1038

Your Outer and Innner World

by Guest Blogger, K. Scott Teeters

Greetings…

What’s going on in the world? What’s going on in my life? If you pull back, you can see that there is the “outer world” that we see played out in the news and through observation. Then there is the “inner world” that we experience through our own perception. The outer world can delight, amuse, frustrate, sadden, and anger us. Often the outer world seems out of our control. Our inner world often seems that way as well, but does it have to be that way? Are there ways of creating inner peace and serenity without selling everything we own, and moving to the mountaintop?

People have been asking these same basic questions for ages. Fortunately, the same answers have been coming through inspired writers and teachers for ages as well. They are so common that they have become platitudes to which we do not pay much attention. Expressions such as; “We become what we think about.” – “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” – “We are all One.” In the face of worldly and inner challenges, these words can seem like sayings in a Hallmark greeting card.

But these are inner spiritual perspectives that when understood, lead you to an “awakened” experience of life. While integrating these understandings is a challenging task, it is not impossible. Actually, it is completely do-able by everyone. How do we know this? It is a matter of understanding; that if someone else has done it, so can you!

You start to see a pattern. We are asleep, then we wake up, then we go back to sleep, and on and on. Once you have awakened and know that you have awakened, this seemingly nonstop going back to sleep can be maddening. Living an awakened life can be the most challenging, yet rewarding thing you will ever do. It is the effort of a lifetime – meaning that you will be doing this for the rest of your life.

That’s the bad news and the challenge. The good news is that there is plenty of help. As individuals most of us have marginal impact on the world stage. Outside political and natural forces can most definitely change our experience of life, and sometimes make us feel helpless. However, “we” are in complete control of our inner life. There’s a Zen saying that states, “If you think so… so. If you think not so… then not so.” (those Zen dudes always have an out-of-the-box way of saying things.)

Never before has it been easier to find resources to awakening. Just stop and consider the fact that as little as 50 years ago, if you wanted to learn the secrets of life, you had to first find a metaphysical bookstore then hunt for the books you wanted. Or even more challenging, you would have to travel far and long to find your teacher on a solitary mountaintop or ashram. Now, all you have to do is visit your local mall and visit one of the national chain booksellers. All of them now have large “new age,” “metaphysical,” or “inspirational” book sections. And if you don’t like to read, many of the best selling conscious living/metaphysical books are now on tape or CD. It couldn’t be much easier.

There is a common misconception that once you have had a mystical experience, that’s it! “TA-DA! I have arrived! I got my mantra, my beads, my charged crystals, and I wear lots of purple. But my boss is a jerk, my kid won’t listen or clean his room, and my car is a junker!” As Ram Dass used to love to say, “How do you stay conscious when the stuff hits the fan? Because it will and you can.” It’s called, “normal life” and for a newly awakening individual, it can slam you right back into snooze-land.

Ah, but there is a bright side to all of this. Once the process of awakening begins, there is no going permanently going back to sleep. “Catnaps” will happen from time to time, but completely going back to sleep is out of the question. Fortunately, when it comes to awakening tools, there’s something for everyone.

What Is Awakening?

What is this elusive state of “awakening?” Being “awake” is always a “right now” thing. It’s is being in the present moment with as much awareness as possible. Reflecting on the past and planning for the future are important, but your “experience” of life is always right here, right now. This understanding came to me in the early ‘80s and is something that I have shared with many people over the years. But an interesting thing often happens. I have observed that “rational, linear thinking,” controls our society. Of course, in a technological society, linear thinking is critical. The Space Program is no place for ambiguity or vagueness. Computer software is right or it’s wrong. There are so many places in our culture where linear thinking has produced spectacular achievements that we tend to look toward those achievement as proof that linear thinking is the best.

However, life has many subtle aspects that are outside of rational, linear thought processes. To a linear thinker, talk of the “Eternal Moment of Now” can sound like nonsense. In discussing this with people, many have said to me, “You mean, live for today and the hell with tomorrow?” This is an excellent example of black and white; you’re with us or against us, polarized thinking. When we think in narrow compartmentalized ways, we are missing the shades of gray that are inherent in all things. This is different from the linear model of thinking. A very powerful way of “being” is to use BOTH ways of thinking. It is believed that people who use both the right and left sides of the brain are very balanced and extremely successful in life. Here is a more creative way of perceiving everyday reality.

You understand that you are in the Eternal Moment of Now, but that you also have previous experiences of what was once a “now” experience. You call this your past. You also have events that you have not yet experienced. You call this your future.

While in your current moment of Now, you reflect on your past…look at it… and examine what happened. Don’t judge, criticize, or condemn… just observe. Try to “see” it as clearly as you can. Notice what was right, what worked, what didn’t work, and what was the quality of the experience. This is “learning” from your past, please do not indulge in judging. Our culture is so habituated to judge, criticize, and condemn (because it “makes sense”) that almost all of us do it unconsciously to others and especially ourselves. I would ask that you simply suspend, for the time being, such indulging.

The next step is to envision your future. Motivational speaker Brian Tracy likes to remind us that it is very important to think about your future because that is where you will be spending the rest of your life. But our culture has us habituated to thinking of the future in fearful ways. You only need to look at our fear-laced entertainment to clearly see how we tend to envision our future.

But despite what rational thinking people might claim, this fear is not a requirement. Always being prepared and having an open mind is a good mental habit. In the Middle East they have an expression, “Trust in Allah, but tie your camel.” Or in western terms, you could say, “Trust in Jesus, but lock your Chevy.” Be mindful of Our Oneness, but keep your eyes and senses open.

If you take the middle ground of neither fearing or anticipating your future, and simply look to see what is possible for your life, you will see more possibilities than you had previously realized. This is an excellent place to ask yourself as you start to stay awake for longer periods of time, “What would be my ideal experience? What would I most like to be?” Envisioning your ideal scene and what you want to “be” are powerful tools for manifesting. This is a relatively new wrinkle in goal setting technologies. Quiet your mind and envision what you would most like to be, and your Higher Self will reveal what you originally intended to do and be. All of the things we “do,” we are doing so that we can have a “beingness” experience. You exercise so that you can “be healthy.” You go to school, learn, do a good job, so that you can “be successful” and “be happy.” You work extra and save your money so that you can “be secure.” You groom yourself and develop your personality to attract a partner so that you can “be happy in a relationship.” This is a pattern that maps over in all areas of our lives. We are always seeking a “beingness” experience.

When you start living an awakened life, you work with your past to see what worked and what didn’t and then project your most desired future into your mind’s eye. You become your ideal, no longer judging yourself. Learning from your past while using a projected possible future as a goal, gives you this positive goal to live your life into.

So, Now What?

What does an awakened life “look” like? From an external view, it may not look like anything unusual. Another Zen expression offers this wisdom, “Before Enlightenment, there is chopping wood and carrying water. After Enlightenment, there is chopping wood and carrying water.” A person living an awakened life may still have all of the challenges, stresses, and troubles as before… but with a difference. She sees challenges as opportunities to show herself what she’s capable of achieving or experiencing. She sees stress as an indicator that she’s taking things too seriously and needs some perspective. She sees problems as opportunities for new learning or to remember solutions forgotten. After a time, it will seem as if there is a new person inside of an existing body. Serenity will have a transforming affect on your inner and outer world.

Have you ever been around someone who is supremely serene, peaceful, and calm? In “As A Man Thinketh” James Allen wrote, “Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life? It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm. They are like shade giving trees in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm.”

If you have ever been around someone like that, you know that they are unmistakable. Ken Keyes Jr. was such a person. Many years ago, I had a chance meeting with Ken after one of his talks. At that time, I was not familiar with Ken’s landmark book, “Handbook for Higher Consciousness.” Even though he was wheelchair-bound, Ken filled the room with his love and pure presence. Everyone was getting a contact high just from being close to him. Later I learned that Ken was a supremely peaceful and serene man, despite the fact that he was in a wheelchair and could barely move one of his arms.

Living an Awakened Life is simple, but not easy in the beginning. But like the old joke, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice!”, it does get easier the longer you are actively engaged in the process of awakening. So take heart, and remember that what others have achieved, you can as well.

Scott

K. Scott Teeters is t a Reiki Master and author the book of It’s  Time To Wake Up, Reiki and other essential tools for spiritual awakening. You may read more of his articles at ItsTimtoWakeUp.net

or What’s the deal with organic foods?

by Karen A. Teeters

Years ago my immune system was in poor shape. I suffered from so called seasonal allergies all year round so my body was fighting those natural foreign substances all the time even though things like mold, dander and pollen really could not hurt me.

I discovered that supplements could build up my immune system and make me feel better. I was feeling run down all the time so you can imagine that when I discovered supplements, I thought it was a miracle.

But many years later I made a better discovery. Naturally or organic grown whole foods like fruits and vegetables had all these great vitamins and nutrients in them. The healthy, organic soil is the source of the nutrients. And my body could absorb these nutrients in a natural healthy way that built up my immune system even better than supplements. Agribusiness no longer farms in this older, organic fashion and thus the conventional whole foods do not contain the nutrients our bodies need to thrive.

Here are two great videos I discovered on YouTube. They are offered by an educational health video company called PsycheTruth. So what’s the deal with organic foods? Watch on…

Youtube LinkOne

Youtube LinkTwo

What is your opinion? Do you buy organic to get the nutrients your body needs naturally? What difference has it made in your health?

Nourish, and Detoxify the Body

Guest Post from Organic LifeStyle Magazine

by Carrie Ciula

Watermelon

The cooling qualities of watermelon make it wonderful for a quick and easy summer detox staple. Add the delicious factor into the mix, and you’re sailing along with a warm weather cleansing trifecta! With positive effects on the kidney, bladder, heart, stomach, colon, and liver, watermelon works to cleanse (nearly) the entire body! According to traditional Chinese medicine, it cools the energetic channels in the body that are dominated by fire-making.

It is therapeutically helpful in cases of urinary tract infections. for those who cannot tolerate high sugar foods, watermelon juice can be fermented (using the same cultures and process as kefir) into a refreshingly fizzy, sugar-free drink.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sprouts

Sprouts are, literally, bursting with life. Sprouting is the natural process of transforming a dormant seed to a living seed. Grains, legumes, and other seeds that have been sprouted sport an impressive amount of precious enzymes, and aside from being important to digestion, enzymes play a role in the ongoing process of detoxification.

Sprouts are rich in plant-based protein and are an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. To top it all off, sprouts offer an easy way to keep fresh, inexpensive food in your home, year round.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cucumber

Largely due to faddish, eye-covering cucumber pics strewn about nearly every magazine, few of us are a stranger to the cooling potential of cucumber. Chinese medicine believes that cucumber has a cleansing effect on the blood and clears internal heat from the body, which is helpful for inflammatory conditions…it also believes cucumbers have a soothing effect on the nerves and aid in the treatment of insomnia. While this cooling fruit’s thirst quenching nature makes it a great summer treat eaten alone, it is equally incredible juiced and/or infused into a pitcher of water- in the same way many people do with lemon or lime.

Aloe Vera

There is a reason that bottles of aloe vera gel line grocery store shelves every summer season. if you have ever sliced open an aloe leaf to slather it over a sunburn, you’re already familiar with its cooling savvy. Taken internally, aloe reduces heat and has intestinal stimulating abilities. for this reason, when used mindfully, it can be an effective treatment for constipation. While good quality, organic bottled aloe can be found, it is best fresh, scooped straight from the leaf, with all of its cooling constituents entirely intact.

Purslane

Ahhh…..purslane. ((Love!)) Purslane is a special plant~ rare in its qualities, but not in its findings. it is actually a very common and beneficial weed. What is extraordinarily brilliant about purslane is its omega 3 content- unusual for a land vegetable, as most omega 3 comes from oily fish and micro-algae. Like many of the other hot weather friendly foods, purslane is a contender when it comes to cooling inflammation in the body. it is a potent detoxifier and effectively dissipates internal heat. Make an omega 3 rich meal by adding a handful of purslane- fresh from the yard- into your favorite salad or smoothie.

Carrie Ciula is a writer, educator and mind/body therapist, focusing on health and sustainability through indigenous nutrition and vibrational medicine. Carrie is passionate about restoring a connection with our Earth~ in a way that allows transformational healing for both ourselves and the planet~ and celebrating this connection between our personal well-being and wild lands through sustainable living practice, wild/whole food education and energetic healing. Carrie works, lives (…and plays) in Indianapolis. Her website is www.carrieciula.com. Read more about Carrie Ciula

Guest Video/Blog from The Hour Interview with Ed

The actor and environmental activist talks about 40 years of living green.

The Moment it All Changed:

“I started in 1970 with the first Earth Day… I was 20 years old — I’d lived two decades in that horrible choking smog… I’d had enough, I said, ‘Earth Day, sign me up! I want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.’ I started recycling, composting, I rode my bike around, I took public transportation.”

On Riding His Bike to an Oscars Party:

“I was thought of as more odd than I am today, if that’s possible.”

On how his Eco-Friendly House fit into the Hollywood Lifestyle:

“There was a time when people thought it was really weird, and people said, ‘Ed, have you fallen on hard economic times?’ They literally thought there was something wrong, that I’d had a bankruptcy filing or something.”

Thank you to The Hour for this story.

Ed Begley walks his talk and even has his own natural cleaning product, Begley’s Best.