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5 Steps to a Good Night’s Sleep – You Deserve it

September 24, 2010 0

sweet dreams

I slept in this morning – one hour past my alarm clock to be exact. It was nice. I was roused from a dream by a grunting little pug. As I lay in the darkness staring at the dark abyss above me, I started thinking… Since we spend almost a third of our lives sleeping, the bedroom should be the most important place in our homes. Sometimes it can be hard to achieve this, here are my favorite ways to transform your bedroom into your haven.

1- Our bedrooms should be quiet, minimalist and the least trafficked room in the home. When decorating, choose soothing colors in shades of blues, browns, grays or greens. Choose a bedroom on the back of the home or furthest away from busy roads or distracting outside lights.

2- Choose side table lightening that is dim and if you like to play music in your bedroom – stick to tranquil, soothing and quiet music – especially at bedtime.

3- Bedrooms should always be free of televisions and computers since the electromagnetic fields can make a person feel irritable and agitated.

4- Remove all plants from your bedroom area since they release their carbon dioxide at night – removing the oxygen from the room. You want to be able to breath deeply and freely all night long.

5- If possible choose an organic mattress, sheets, pillows and bedding. Breathing hard toxic chemicals all night long will not promote a healthy rest.

Choosing to transform your bedroom into a relaxing oasis will allow you to have a better nights rest while living a full and long life.

ps- Making sure that your one year old Pug doesn’t grunt you out of a dream, is a tip I need to learn. {wink}

How have you transformed your bedroom into a haven of sleep and comfort?
What tricks do you use to get a good nights sleep?

5 Healthy Habits for Healthy Green Kids

September 23, 2010 2

Have you ever wondered how healthy your child really is? Here are my top 5 questions to ask yourself about your child’s health?

1- Is my child getting the proper nutrients he/she needs every single day?

Eating a diet that is well balanced and whole is essential for the health of your child. Children especially need the proper nutrition since it directly affects their immune system, mood, weight, energy levels and brain and body functions.

2- Does my child get enough physical activity?

This question is especially important if your younger children go to a school that no longer has recess and P.E. and for children who are in middle and high schools. Exercise and physical time is important as it helps to make healthy habits that will last a lifetime and it’s fun too!

3- Is my child stressed out? If so, does he/she manage it correctly?

Everyone experiences small amounts of stress in their everyday life – that is normal. If you child is overloaded with many small stresses or even large stresses this can affect their overall health. Signs to look for may include; trouble sleeping, stomachaches, nervousness and anger.

4- Does my child drink enough water?

Hydration is an absolute when it comes to a healthy child. Making sure that your child is consuming enough water when they are away from you at school all day is tough. Send your child to school each day with a reusable BPA free water bottle full of fresh water. Encourage your child to drink the water and to refill the bottle throughout the day. Proper hydration is necessary for energy, digestion, immune functions and staying hydrated can chase away those nasty headaches.

5- Does my child get enough sleep on a regular basis?

There are recommended amounts of sleep for all age levels. Making sure that your child is getting enough sleep is essential for their overall health and well being. Sleep gives the body time to repair itself and helps to relieve stress. If your child has a hard time sleeping there are certain herbs and homeopathic remedies that may help them. Eben has always done well sleeping in a room that is completely dark – with heavy thick curtains and something for white noise – he prefers a the feel and sound of a fan blowing on him.

How do you keep your children healthy?
Which of these are challenges for your children?
Which of these are you spot on?

Photo credit

Carrie Marill – The Living World in Full Color

September 22, 2010 0

Carrie Marill is an artist who lives in Arizona. Her art is nothing short of fantastic. The colors, the statement – they are very inspiring. I am in love with these three pieces; Be Realistic Demand the Impossible, A Dream World Glimmers in the Background of the Soul and The Tortoise. Wouldn’t they be fantastic in a family room, nursery or a child’s bedroom?

In Carries own words:

“Growing up with a strong relationship to the natural environment I developed a heightened awareness of the conflict between human systems and ecological systems. I have been inspired by the interconnectedness of matter, especially as it is manifested in ecological systems; specifically, systems impacted by humans in non-sustainable ways. At the heart of my work is the continuous human struggle to reconcile the tensions between the natural world, art, science and lived experience. My artwork over the past five years has explored these tensions through paintings and drawings that contrast the kineticism of the natural “living” world with the static “inanimate” depictions of natural history illustration.”

Which pieces are your favorite?
Do you like art that has an environmental message?

Happy Autumn – Can it Make you Sick?

September 22, 2010 0
Today is the first day of fall – how time flies. In south Florida, the weather is more like a warm summer day, than a crisp, cool fall one. For a lot of you, autumn makes the turning point between the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. This is definitely a part of living in the west that I miss – dearly. I will savor every second of autumn when I am in Washington at Cascadian Farm next week.

Did you know that the seasonal change can cause the respiratory system to have issues such as cough, asthma and even pneumonia. At least this is what Chinese medicine has always said. Chinese medicine also states that drinking plenty of fluids, eating soups, practicing breathing exercises, eating sour foods and remaining calm and relaxed can help you to avoid these illnesses during this transitional period.

What do you think?
Does the change in seasons effect your respiratory system?

Green Book Adventure of the Week – A Garden for Pig

September 21, 2010 0
A Garden for Pig – written by Kathryn K. Thurman and illustrated by Lindsay Ward is a delightful book about Pig – who lives on an apple farm and is tired of having nothing to eat but apples. Apples for breakfast. Apples for lunch. Apples for dinner. Apples for dessert. Pig wants something different, Pig wants more.

Pig dreams of vegetables and you won’t believe how his dream comes true!

Eben and I thought this book was fantastic with it mixed media artwork and fun message about organic gardening and eating a whole balanced diet.

This would be a perfect gift for a little one on your upcoming holiday shopping list. It is simple, silly and sweet. A real treat!
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