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For the past few years, strawberries have topped the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) list of The Dirty Dozen. The Dirty Dozen refers to the list of fresh fruits and vegetables that are likely to contain the most pesticides.
I rinse all of my fresh fruits and vegetables before I eat or cook with them, especially those with skins you are intended to eat. I pay close attention to the EWG’s annual Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, and make ...
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Caroline, this one’s for you! Summertime and the living is easy, except when the flies, gnats and mosquitoes join the party. I can’t tell you how many toxic sprays and creams I covered myself with many years ago without knowing the chemical dangers. The most well-known chemical in insect repellents is DEET. Did you know that it melts plastic and fishing line? Of course it’s effective and insects are smart enough to stay away, but do we want to be ...
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After decades of being prescribed antibiotics by my doctor for my chronic and frequent sinus infections, I tried my first acupuncture treatment 25 years ago. It was time to to try something different, and I was delighted that I could breathe so much better after my first treatment! I learned that regular treatments could help me manage my allergies and build and maintain my immune system.
Eleven years ago, after months of cancer treatment, my immune system was shot. Surgery, chemo ...
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“Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail, who were good little bunnies, went down the lane to gather blackberries. But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor’s garden and squeezed under the gate! First he ate some lettuces and some French beans. And then he ate some radishes. And then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley.” – Beatrix Potter, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
If any of you are gardeners like I am, I’m sure you ...
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I am of the baby boomer generation that didn’t use sunscreen growing up. The “in” thing was slathering baby oil all over our bodies to enhance the tanning effects of the sun. I’ll spare you the details of my sun-spotted arms and hands, but I certainly wish I knew then what I know now!
When my kids came along, I thought I was being a diligent parent when it came to applying sunscreen. However, little did I know that those sunscreens, ...
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It seems like you can’t turn around these days without hearing something about probiotics. Haven’t we all seen Jamie Lee Curtis in a magazine or on television touting the benefits of Activa and the probiotics contained therein? But what are probiotics, really, and why should we care?
Twelve years ago when I started taking probiotics, not many people were familiar with them. Certainly it was new for me. I participated in an herbal healing weekend in 2003 and was officially introduced ...
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It’s March! The days are warming up and we’ve just turned the clocks forward so what to do with this extra daylight and Vitamin D? I know I’m looking forward to our annual trek to the mountains for some pre-Spring skiing and snowshoeing. What I love in particular about snowshoeing is that it’s a healthy, inexpensive workout. You can rent the equipment and all you need is a large flat or hilly area. Public golf courses, school grounds, parks often ...
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Puxatawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2nd which means six more weeks of winter. Skiers, snowboarders, snowshoe enthusiasts, and ice climbers are thrilled. Those not so thrilled — those people NOT in the above populations and those slipping, chipping and digging out from the mounds of snow in the Boston area. Many parts of the United States are experiencing unusually cold temperatures this winter and lots of people are just plain “over it.” Whether you’re enjoying the winter months ...
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Are you a yoga enthusiast? According to a 2014 article in The Huffington Post, more than 20 million Americans practice yoga. Yoga Journal estimates that practitioners collectively spend nearly $27 billion dollars a year on classes, clothing and accessories. For many practitioners, a yoga mat is their first purchase. Last spring I learned that many yoga mats, including the one I had purchased, are made from toxic chemicals that can pose a significant health risk. The next time you’re doing ...
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From time to time I’m going to turn my blog over to a friend or colleague who is really “the pro” in their respective area of healthy living. This week I’m pleased to announce my first guest blogger, Natalie Oliva, a bright, young foodie, with a degree from the French Culinary Institute in New York. She has a passion for fresh, healthy foods that incorporate seasonal ingredients.
When you hear, “Baby, it’s Cold Outside,” there’s nothing better than a steaming bowl ...
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