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What Is The “Healthiest” Form Of Exercise?

October 14, 2022 0

Achieving good health goes beyond watching what you put in your mouth. Sure, you can follow a brilliant diet full of superfoods, anti-inflammatories, and antioxidants, but that doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually be healthy. Alongside a good diet, you need to exercise! 

Regular exercise is amazing for your body, though there is one question that might play on your mind a lot. What form of exercise is the best – or “healthiest” for you? When we define “healthiest” we’re talking about exercises that provide you with the most benefits and have the least side effects. 

So, which ones should you be aware of? 

Swimming

Swimming has always been seen as the ultimate form of exercise. You’re immersed in water, so there’s plenty of resistance for your body to fight against. As such, you pretty much work your entire body. The best thing is, you don’t have any heavy impacts on your joints. This is why swimming has been used for decades to treat a lot of injuries – it’s also highly recommended for older people as it keeps them fit without harming their joints or aggravating back pain. 

Nowadays, a lot of people are installing swimming pools in their gardens, which could give you easy access to one of the healthiest forms of exercise out there. If you already live somewhere with a pool, perhaps it’s time to give this a go. 

Walking

That’s right, good old-fashioned walking is a very healthy way to exercise your body. This is why we are often encouraged to walk 10,000 steps a day. Walking burns a lot of calories while toning your legs at the same time. It does a good job of building leg strength, which is super important as you get older. 

Much like swimming, walking is a low-impact activity. As such, it’s included here instead of running, which can have a high impact on your joints and cause all sorts of pain and injuries. Try to aim for 10k steps a day and it will improve your health. 

Yoga

Lastly, you have yoga. This is a form of exercise that has been around for generations and largely focuses on stretching your muscles and holding different poses. Consequently, it is fantastic at keeping your body in a state of balance. Stretching helps to prevent injuries and alleviate muscle soreness. At the same time, holding yoga poses requires strength, so this exercise is great for building your strength naturally. 

Once more, it isn’t overly impactful on your joints and has a low degree of risk involved. Yoga is suitable for just about anyone of any age, so give it a go. 

So, what is the healthiest form of exercise? The three mentioned here are wonderful for your health & well-being. They provide a range of benefits, improving your fitness and strength at the same time. But, the key thing with each form of exercise is that they don’t present any long-term concerns. Things like running or weight lifting are definitely good as well, but they may cause injuries and problems in the future if you’re not careful. 

4 Eco-Friendly Energy Solutions For Your Home

October 12, 2022 0

Have you noticed the cost of energy these days? It seems to shoot up every month without warning! Sometimes it feels like there isn’t much we can do about rising energy costs, but in reality, there are plenty of options. Find out more about alternative energy sources right here.  

#1: Heat Pumps 

An air source heat pump might use electricity, but it’s far more sustainable than oil and gas boilers. An air source heat pump works like a refrigerator in reverse; instead of taking warm air from the outside and cooling it down, it extracts heat from the air and warms it up some more. 

Air source heat pumps can be used for indoor heating and for heating water; they can also be used in conjunction with renewable energy ensuring that you get the best value from your heating system. An air heat pump is an effective heating system from as low as 15 degrees.

#2: Solar Panels 

For many years solar panels were inefficient and expensive; although they have always been somewhat effective, they have not generally been accessible until now. Nowadays, solar panels are cheaper and more sustainable; they also provide some added value to your home supply. 

Plus, it’s nearly always possible to install them onto an existing roof, though it’s best to work with a professional roof rejuvenation company if your current roof is nearing the end of its life. That can ensure that your roof lasts for as long as the solar panels do, which eliminates having to remove and reinstall the panels later down the line.

Modern solar panels are very efficient, much more so than even five years ago; the reason is the rise in demand for accessible renewable energy along with government targets. When you use a solar panel system installer for your home, you can generate excess energy and sell it. 

#3: Biomass Systems 

Biomass systems are renewable carbon-zero heating systems for domestic homes. Unlike conventional boilers, they don’t use fossil fuels; instead, they use wood pellets sourced from a forested locality that is grown specially to be sustainable. That’s why it’s a carbon-zero option. 

If you want to operate a carbon-zero home install a biomass boiler; not only are they better for the environment and more sustainable in the long-term, but they can also save you substantial sums of money every year on your power bills. Quite an incentive with the rising energy costs.    

#4: Solar heating 

If you’re installing solar panels for your electricity, you might as well use them for your heating as well. Solar heating systems are intelligently designed, you have a water tank that is gradually heated and maintained throughout the day, so you always have access to sustainable hot water. 

Again, solar heating is both sustainable and profitable because any power you generate and done;t use can be sold back to the grid for profit. Nowadays, solar panels are more efficient than ever before, and they can be installed in a range of places like roofs, walls, and free-standing.   

Final Thoughts 

The cost of energy is rising steadily because of geo-political events and reduced supplies; at the same time, renewable energy is becoming more affordable and more accessible, allowing you to make an intelligent switch rather easily. There are several options to choose from, including solar panel systems, biofuel boilers, heat pumps, and more. Now is the time for a green home.

How To Drink More Sustainably

October 6, 2022 0

When it comes to consuming alcohol, there’s more than one way to drink responsibly. Many of us don’t consider the fact that our alcohol consumption could have a high carbon footprint. From the manufacturing process to what ingredients you choose, there are many ways in which your drinking habits can affect the planet. Below are some tips on how to drink more sustainably. 

Support local breweries, distilleries, and wineries

Many of the beverages we drink come from other states or are imported from other countries. This results in a lot of carbon emissions.

When choosing to buy from local producers, these carbon emissions are greatly reduced as the beverage doesn’t have to travel so far to get to you. 

Consider researching local breweries, distilleries, and wineries to see what is available to buy in your area. You may be able to buy these drinks in local stores or directly from the producer.

In some cases, it could be worth trying new types of beer or spirits. For example, there may not be any local rum or vodka producers, but you may have a bourbon distillery nearby. Experimenting with whiskey cocktails such as this paper plane cocktail recipe could open up your tastebuds to new drinks while reducing demand for imported goods. 

Look out for beverages that strive to be green

Some producers go the extra mile to make their products eco-friendly. This includes using energy-efficient manufacturing methods, using organic ingredients, or giving proceeds to earth-friendly causes.

This list of sustainable beers is a good example. Choosing these beers could help to reduce your damage to the environment and possibly even go some way to undoing environmental damage. 

Go vegan with your drinks

The meat and dairy industry has a huge negative impact on the environment. For many people, going vegan is not just a way of protecting animals, but also saving the planet from excess greenhouse gases.

Some people assume that all alcoholic beverages are vegan, but actually many aren’t. Some wines add extracts of egg or casein to reduce bitterness and browning. Meanwhile, animal extracts like honey and gelatin are sometimes added to beers. 

By sticking to strictly vegan beverages, you can reduce any harm to animals and any harm to the planet. This includes alcoholic drinks and mixers if you like to have cocktails. 

You can check whether a drink is vegan by looking it up online. There are also online guides that you can read through. Check out some of the best vegan wines here at this post. 

Use less disposable plastic (such as cups and straws)

Do you often drink cocktails through a disposable plastic straw? Do you give everyone plastic cups whenever you have a house party?

These disposable plastics are often not biodegradable and some aren’t even recyclable. This means that they often end up cluttering landfill sites. 

By using a reusable straw and sticking to glass or reusable plastic cups, you can help reduce your plastic waste. 

How to Embark on a Vegetarian Lifestyle that’s Healthy and Delicious

September 30, 2022 0

If you’re considering embarking on a vegetarian lifestyle, you’re in luck! Not only is a vegetarian diet healthy and delicious, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to reduce your environmental impact. This blog post will discuss some tips for making the switch to vegetarianism, as well as some recipes for delicious and healthy vegetarian meals. So whether you’re a full-time vegetarian or just looking to add more plant-based meals into your diet, read on for some tips and recipes that will make the transition easy and enjoyable!

Do your research

As with any major lifestyle change, it’s important to do your research before you dive in headfirst. This means learning about the different types of vegetarian diets and what foods you’ll need to avoid (or eat more of) in order to maintain a balanced diet. You can find plenty of resources online or at your local library, so take some time to educate yourself on the ins and outs of vegetarianism before you make the switch.

In addition, it’s also important to research recipes like instant pot potato soup! This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised how many meat-based dishes you’re used to eating that can easily be made vegetarian. A quick Google search will yield tons of results for delicious and healthy vegetarian recipes, so take some time to peruse some cookbooks or food blogs before you start your new diet.

Find healthy substitutes for meat-based dishes

One of the best things about vegetarianism is that there are so many healthy and delicious substitutes for meat-based dishes. If you’re used to eating a lot of meat, you may be worried about giving it up, but there are plenty of plant-based proteins that can easily take its place. Tofu, tempeh, seitan, lentils, beans, and quinoa are all great sources of protein that can be used in a variety of recipes. And if you’re not sure how to cook with these ingredients, again – research! There are tons of resources available online or at your local bookstore that can help you learn how to cook with meat substitutes.

Incorporate meatless meals into your diet gradually

If you’re not ready to commit to a full-time vegetarian lifestyle, that’s perfectly okay! You can still reap the benefits of eating more plant-based meals by incorporating meatless dishes into your diet gradually. Start by substituting one or two meat-based meals per week with vegetarian alternatives, and then slowly increase the number of meatless meals as you get more comfortable with the idea. Not only will this help you ease into a vegetarian lifestyle, but it will also give you time to experiment with different recipes and find vegetarian foods that you really enjoy eating.

In conclusion, embarking on a vegetarian lifestyle is a great way to improve your health and reduce your environmental impact. With a little bit of research and some delicious recipes, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a delicious and healthy vegetarian diet.

7 Simple, Fun Eco-Friendly Ways to Spend Fall with Your Family

September 22, 2022 0

Happy 1st Day of Fall! 

I love fall – it is my favorite season and my favorite time of year! What’s not to love? We are at our mountain home in North Carolina right now and it is fall perfection! The cooler weather, morning hikes, snuggles by the fire, chai tea, cozy sweaters, and pumpkin everything. Looking for some fall inspo?

Here are 7 simple, fun eco-friendly ways to inspire you!

1. Take a Listening Hike
One of my favorite fall activities is hiking! And one of my favorite ways to enjoy a hike is when we take what we like to call “a silent hike.” A silent hike is just that – we hike together as a family in complete silence. It’s amazing how the act of simply being quiet and listening can have a huge impact on your hiking experience. There have been many times that we come upon an animal grazing or fish swimming in a creek – it’s amazing. We also like to stop along the way to listen to the rustling of the trees, the chirping of the birds, or to watch leaves quietly wafting to the ground. It is a great time to reflect within too, while still being with the ones you love.

2. Take It Outside
Fall is the perfect time to take whatever you are doing – outside! The mister and I start every morning by taking the dogs on a hike right out our backdoor. It’s quiet and there are always a ton of deer and turkeys around every corner. I also LOVE to take my tea and blanket and head out to the back porch to snuggle by the fire table while listening to the bubbling of the creek. 

3. Slow It Down
Now that school is back in session, you have to admit that you are much busier than you were all summer. I know that if something isn’t on my schedule, it probably isn’t going to happen. This is why during the fall months, we really take extra consideration to slow things down at our home. We like to schedule extra time in the morning and afternoon, just to be. We usually spend this time snuggled up chatting about our upcoming adventures.

4. Get Centered
Along with slowing down, fall is a great time to get centered. Spend time each day doing whatever it is that makes you feel connected and centered. For the mister, this means yardwork – he loves to get outside in the North Carolina fresh air and work in the yard. For Eben, this means a hot cup of cocoa and a really good book on the back deck (it’s his happy place!) For me, I like to snuggle down with my iPad to pin my favorite eco-friendly things (usually on the back deck with Eben when he’s here with us!) or end the day with a soak in the hot tub! 

5. Plan Ahead
One thing that I have definitely learned along the way is that it is super important to enjoy the moment. To ensure that every moment of fall is enjoyable for my family, I like to plan ahead. I sit down with my journal and jot down things that I really want our family to do together during the fall. I include all of our traditional fall family activities, as well as new ideas that I can run by the guys (when Eben is home from college). The idea is that if I plan these activities ahead of time, we spend the time we have together doing fun things together without much thought – since everything was planned well in advance.

6. Find an Adventure
One of my favorite parts of fall is the cooler weather – which always equals more time outside. We always schedule a trip to our mountain home during the fall season. I HAVE to visit the pumpkin patches! We really enjoy the cooler days spent outside, followed by the crisp nights roasting marshmallows over the fire!

7. Get Cozy
Fall is a great time to reconnect with family and friends. Our best friends are visiting us next week while we’re still here in North Carolina. We have all kinds of fun things planned: bike rides, hikes (of course), visiting our surrounding small town, and peeping all of the leaves (they are already starting to turn colors!)

In what ways do you plan to spend fall with your family?

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