Day 38

10/13/12

20 Uses of Coconut oil for Baby & Nursing or Pregnant Mother

Coconut Oil is very beneficial and safe to use before, during, and after pregnancy - here are 20 uses for mom and baby.

1. dissolve cradle cap
2. prevent stretch marks
3. use on sore nursing nipples
4. relieve yeast infections
5. safe diaper rash cream
6. relieve vaginal dryness
7. reduce stretch marks
8. use on perineum starting at month 8 to prepare, protect, soften (less chance of ripping)
9. use on newborn's bottom to prevent meconium from sticking
10. consume 3 tbsp. daily to increase milk supply
11. ear infection - put a few drops into ear
12. lessen morning sickness
13. boost immunity
14. circumcision healing
15. decrease cellulite
16. shaving cream
17. soft spot strengthener
18. teething pain reliever 
19. carrier oil for homemade baby wipes ----> consider this since most baby wipes contain antifreeze (propylene glycol)
20. heartburn relief

---30 more uses on day28--- *If you know of more uses, please share*

Day 37

10/12/12

Who wouldn't want to lessen their environmental footprint and save money at the same time?  Here are some more energy-saving tips to do just that.  Additional tips for the kitchen and laundry room can be found on Day 31.



-invest in a (5-10$) Belkin Energy Saving Socket which shuts off after 1/2 hour, 3 hours, or 6 hours - I use mine for my cell phone at night since overcharging them lessens battery life

-set computer to enter sleep mode after 30 minutes and it will use 95% less power

 -switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs which save up to 75% on energy and last longer  than regular bulbs

-turn down the brightness on televisions and computers 

-set air conditioner 2 degrees warmer and heater 2 degrees cooler than you prefer

-use a programmable thermostat

**standby power accounts for 5-10% of energy use - plug electronics, TVs, chargers, and game consoles into a power strip and shut off when not in use - it costs 165$ a year to power a turned off entertainment center


To calculate your household's low impact living score, visit low impact calculator
My household's index is 65 which seems pretty low.  Please share your scores in the comment section below!

Day 36

10/11/12

My Green Juice Lunch!

I LoVe how this....                                           .....plus this:

 

equals this!

I mean, how else could you fit a handful of kale, 10 baby carrots, 1 green apple, 1 red apple, 1/2 orange, 1/2 grapefruit, 2 stalks celery, and 1/3 cucumber into one meal? I know I couldn't fit all of those whole fruits' nutrients into my stomach in one sitting... if I didn't have a juicer!

**Let me know what delicious juice recipes you love!**

Day 35

10/10/12

Fish is a high-protein, low calorie food that fits wonderfully into a healthy diet.  It should be enjoyed about twice a week.

Benefits of eating Fish:

• Fish has more protein and less fat than meats.
• It may alleviate prostate cancer, depression, dementia, asthma in children, diabetes, and inflammation - arthritis
• Contains selenium which is thought to have cancer-fighting properties
• Intake of fish/ fish oil reduces total mortality by 17%
• Eating one to two servings of fish a week can reduce risk of death by heart attack by 36%.
• Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease high triglycerides (fat in blood), lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, boost immunity, and improve learning ability in children. 
• Fatty fish; such as salmon, herring, and to a lesser extent tuna - contain the most omega-3 fatty acids and therefore the most benefit

Things to Avoid:
*Some fish, such as tilapia and catfish aren't as heart healthy because they contain higher levels of unhealthy fatty acids. Remember - any fish can be unhealthy depending on how it's prepared. Broiling, poaching, grilling, steaming or baking fish is a healthier option than is frying. 

*Fish produced on farms may have harmful effects due to antibiotics, pesticides, and chemicals.  Wild-caught fish is the healthiest option.

*****The Institute of Medicine states that pregnant women can consume up to 12 ounces of fish a week (including up to six ounces of albacore tuna), and should avoid shark, tilefish, king mackerel, and swordfish. These guidelines also apply to children under 12. For everyone else, the institute advises that if we eat more than two servings of seafood a week, we should eat a variety of types to reduce our risk of exposure to contaminants such as mercury.

 Fish highest in Omega 3 fatty acids per 3.5 ounces:

Mackerel	2.6grams
Lake Trout	2.0grams
Herring	1.7grams
Tuna	1.6grams
Salmon	1.5grams
Sardines (canned)	1.5grams
Atlantic Sturgeon	1.5grams
Albacore Tuna	1.5grams
Whitefish (lake)	1.5grams

Day 34

 10/9/12

Speaking of fish, Rene made us a spinach salad with butter garlic talapia on top. Hmm. I whipped up the salad dressing.

So.. we've got some spinach, baby carrots, boiled eggs, cheese, and ... fish.....with the random dressing i whipped up.

Like I said - I really don't like to measure, so I added:

1. fresh squeezed juice from half of an orange
2. balsamic vinegar
3. extra virgin olive oil
4. random spices from my cupboard - parsley, garlic salt, and black pepper
5. a little pure maple syrup

*I taste tested along the way and added what I thought was necessary. It was pretty good!

For the fish:

Combine 2 tbsp butter, 2 cloves finely minced garlic, 1 dash pepper, 1 dash salt, 1 pinch dried parsley, and 1 dash paprika to a saucepan.  Heat on low until melted butter starts simmering. Remove from heat.  Brush a little of the mixture on the bottom of a shallow baking dish, then place talapia fillets on the buttered area.  Brush the top of each fillet with the mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until talapia flakes with a fork.

courtesy of southernfood.com

Day 33

10/8/12

Things I am training myself to like:

1.) Dark Chocolate - this is harder than I expected.  I LOVE milk chocolate and started my 'training' with 86% cacoa... mistake.. Bitter.  I placed it in the drawer and bought myself a couple bars of 60% cacoa, which is much more bearable to start with.  I think I can teach myself to like it the same way I taught myself to like peppers, onions, and celery.  Hopefully within a few months I will bring out the 86% and be able to enjoy it.

2.) Coffee - currently, there is no way I can drink black coffee.  I have never been a fan of anything coffee-flavored, but after my husband suggested I try some to help my low energy, I decided I would.  Once in a while I stop at Starbucks or a cute little coffee shop in town and get something yummy and cinnamon-y... eventually I hope to drink it black or with a little milk or creamer.

 3.)Fish- Another hard one - especially since I grew up vegetarian.  It's hard for me to bring myself to eat anything that was once living.  I have been told by multiple people that I am probably not getting enough protein and maybe that's why I get headaches.  I thought I'd give it a try.  I have made fish a few times and my husband has too.  It's not easy to eat, but burying it in other food usually helps.


I believe that it's possible to train your taste buds and brain to like something if you eat/drink it gradually.  What are some things you wish you liked?

P.S. If you have any tips or delicious recipes that would speed up the process, do share :-)

Also - I am still looking for guest bloggers.  If you would like to share your knowledge on a certain subject matter, let me know!

Day 32

  10/7/12

Healthy Replacements for White Rice

White Rice                                                       Brown Rice

Clearly, brown rice has a lot more calories and carbohydrates than white rice.  It also has more Potassium, Fiber, and Protein.  I would say that the benefits outweigh the extra calories and carbs, as long as you control your portions.

*Brown rice reduces the risk of heart diseases, helps digestion, controls high blood pressure, and reduces constipation. Brown rice also contains nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium, iron, manganese, and selenium.

Other alternatives to white rice include:

Barley: packed with fiber and protein - stir into soup or mix into a casserole

Bulgur: use to bulk up a veggie burger or add to cold salads

Farro: combine with vegetables to make a grain salad

Quinoa: stuff vegetables or make an oatmeal-style breakfast

Brown Basmati Rice: nutty flavor, works well in everything from stew to rice pudding, rinse before cooking

Couscous: try it with anything that you would normally use white rice for

Allyou Magazine, October 2012

Time to Experiment with healthier alternatives! Good luck!