A Healthy Bite - ThatOrganicMom

Looking for recipes from Gilmore Girls that you can make? I get you, and I have a solution! You're watching Rory and Lorelai eat stacks of pancakes and drink copious amounts of coffee, and suddenly, you are ravenous. Been there, done that. So what's the solution? Head over to EatingGilmore.com to whip up a recipe that will satisfy your food cravings! Larisa, the creator of EatingGilmore.com is in the process of creating a recipe for every single episode of the popular series Gilmore Girls. And why not? You know they're always eating and it makes us so hungry! In this episode, we explore our mutual love of food, cooking, cookbooks, and of course, the popular hit show Gilmore Girls. Meet the Author behind EatingGilmore Larisa is a home cook obsessed with Gilmore Girls and is cooking her way through the series one episode at a time. Each episode she chooses a dish, drink, or meal to prepare inspired by that episode then develops a recipe to share on her website. Cooking has always been something Larisa enjoyed and it truly shows in the food she creates to pair with each episode. eatinggilmore.com Making Recipes from Gilmore Girls - Rebecca's Favorites Apple Cider Ice Cream - see photo belowMac and Cheese Chocolate Milk Shakes - see photo belowCoconut Shrimp Tacos with Mango Avocado SalsaDr. Pepper BBQ Chicken Nachos (I substituted Kombucha Brew Dr., and it was still absolutely amazing!) My daughter and me toasting our perfect milk shake and episode pairing thanks to Larisa! Lorelai: We should be eating, I'm hungry! Don't they want us eating? Isn't that what the point of the Hungry Diner is, to feed the hungry diner? Or is the point of the Hungry Diner to keep the diner hungry, in which case they should call it the Eternally Hungry Diner cuz you're not gonna get any food here, loser!Rory: That would be quite a sign.Gilmore Girls While eating dinner in front of the tv isn’t something experts recommend doing every night, an occasional dinner at the coffee table while watching your favorite show is a great way to bond with your family or friends. When you pair Gilmore Girls with one of Larisa's recipes, you can turn screen time into family bonding time. Apple Cider Ice Cream Recipe by Larisa and then I used my caramel sauce recipe for a delicious topping! Rory: You know, there will be food there.Lorelai: Finger food, aka snooty little balls of attitude!Rory: Oh boy.Lorelai: I need real food, peasant food, hearty bread, meat, cheese, little pickle chips, sauce, a special sauce. This is the food that sustains me, this is the food of my...Rory: Oh my God, just eat the burger already!Lorelai: How crabby!Rory: I'm not crabby.Lorelai: I didn't even get through my special sauce speech. That's crabby.Gilmore Girls Transcripts EatingGilmore [00:00:00] Rebecca: So tell me a little bit about yourself so that you know, people can get an idea of who you are from you.  [00:00:06] Larisa: Yeah. so I'm Larissa. I am the person behind the Instagram and blog called Eating Gilmore, and essentially the project is where I recreate a dish or drink of some sort that is inspired by every single episode of my favorite TV show, which is Gilmore Girls. [00:00:28] Larisa: That is so cool that you had the idea to do that, because I. It's interesting  [00:00:33] Rebecca: when you watch a TV show or sometimes even a movie, but I feel like it's more with TV shows and they're eating something. It always makes you want to eat too.  [00:00:43] Larisa: Yes, . I'm always hungry when I'm watching the show  [00:00:47] Rebecca: because they eat all the time and I got my coffee because I'm like, okay, we're gonna be talking about Rory and Lo Loli, so I know there's gonna be coffee involved , so I have to have my coffee. [00:00:58] Larisa: Perfect.  [00:00:59] Rebecca: Yeah. So obviously you loved Gilmore Girls, it's your favorite show, you said.

[00:00:00] Rebecca: I listened to your, talk at the Weston A Price Conference and was so fascinated by everything that you've done and everything that you've experienced. So to start off, would you just give us a brief introduction of who you are and how you got to be where you are eating like a human. Who is Dr. Bill Schindler [00:00:17] Bill Schindler: Sure, I would love to, and thank you for the opportunity to talk with you today. So my name is Dr. Bill Schindler, and I am the executive chef currently of the Modern Stone Age Kitchen, which is a full family endeavor, which I'm sure we'll talk about in a little bit, and also the director of the Eastern Shore Food Lab, which is our non-profit. https://eatlikeahuman.com/eastern-shore-food-lab/ [00:00:34] Bill Schindler: And the where, how we got to this place, you know, our tagline, our, our motto, all of it is, is "eat like a human" because my background is actually in anthropology and archeology and I've spent literally my life at some level looking and I'm trying to understand and studying ancestral and traditional diets. [00:00:52] Bill Schindler: Some through the archeological record and some millions of years old and some more recent in historic through the ethnographic record and tried to make sense. And I'm using that to make sense of, our current issues surrounding food and diet and health and ethical eating and sustainability and all those things that we're really, you know, trying to problem solve today as a species. In Person Classes: https://eatlikeahuman.com/product/eat-like-a-human-3-day-intensive-march2023/ The Question We Should Be Asking About Food, Not What but How [00:01:13] Bill Schindler: We've, I think my, my wife and I and my family have really started to at least ask the right questions. We don't have all the right answers, I'm sure, and we're headed in the right direction, but I think we've, we've started to at least ask the right questions, which I think is, is, is very important, especially in today's [00:01:28] Bill Schindler: dietary climate where we had landscape, where we have all sorts of, of information hitting us, left and right and don't really know, know how to feed ourselves. But my own relationship with food is, is actually incredibly important as well. I spent most of my life, very unhealthy because of how I ate, incredibly poor self body image, battling weight, battling, metabolic disease until we've really took this ancestral and traditional approach. [00:01:52] Bill Schindler: my, I'm I'll turn 50 in about a month, and I've never felt better. I've never been in better health and, my entire life has been transformed because of, of this approach. And, and very quickly, I think just to mention what that approach is. We as a species right now, as humans, are trying to understand obviously how to feed ourselves. [00:02:11] Bill Schindler: Most of us wanna lose weight or feel better or live a better life, and to figure out how to do that, we're asking the question, "what should I eat?"  [00:02:19] Bill Schindler: And trying to achieve that health or that body. Through that answer. You know, what, what should I eat? And we think that, you know, from that sort of Weight Watcher's mentality, if I have this much carb, this much protein, or I go on this diet and I eat this green smoothie and all this, all my problems will be solved. [00:02:35] Bill Schindler: And even though what we should be eating is a very important question, what I hope we get a chance to dive into a little bit today during this conversation is it's not the only questions that humans need to ask.  How Should We Eat? [00:02:47] Bill Schindler: We are a completely different species. The way we go about eating and getting our food is completely different from every other animal on the planet. It is partially the what built us as a species with these big brains and these big bodies.

Move over butter, ghee is on the rise! My guests on this episode of A Healthy Bite are the founders of Simply Ghee, and they're sharing everything you could ever want to know about this golden superfood! Listen using the player above, but also make sure to use the table of contents below to read more about ghee. Just for you, they've created the coupon code OMGhee to save 20% at SimplyGhee.com. (Nope, this is not a sponsored post and I'm not an affiliate for the product. As I often do, I'm sharing information about a fantastic product that I believe in, because I think it will be beneficial for you!) What is Ghee and How Is it Made? Ghee comes from the process of separating the various components of butter. Technically speaking, ghee is almost clarified butter. Keep reading. So, how is ghee made? Well, butter is made up of saturated fat, sugar, protein and moisture. When it is heated on low heat, it melts and separates the solids of lactose and casein from the fat and moisture. Those solids sink to the bottom and as the heat cooks more the fat (oil) becomes clearer. Once done, you can see down to the bottom of the pot where the solids have adhered to the bottom. The solids are responsible for imparting a caramelized/slightly nutty flavor profile in ghee. Is Ghee better than butter? Yes and no! Simply put, ghee is butter without lactose (sugars) and casein (proteins) and moisture leaving behind the beautiful saturated fat. Beyond clarified butter which always contains solids. Ghee is way purer! Ghee is purer than butter but good grassfed butter also has many healthy benefits too. Those who might have issues with dairy can tolerate ghee without lactose and casein since these two culprits have history doing so with lots of folks gastrointestinal systems.Simply Ghee Is Ghee Healthy Ghee has numerous health benefits! Here are just a few: Rich in essential, health-boosting vitamins, minerals and nutrients, ghee has plentiful amounts of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. These nutrients nourish and protect the brain and boost the immune system. In addition, ghee aids the body’s absorption of fat-soluble nutrients from other foods.Heals and repairs the digestive tract - In Ayurveda, ghee is believed to aid in digestion. Because it only contains trace amounts of milk, it is suitable for most people with dairy allergies and also fits the Paleo diet.Perfect balance of Omega 3, 6, and 9, the same fatty acids found in foods like avocado and salmon.Contains conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) which has been shown in studies to lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. CLA may help reduce tumors, inflammation, and help fire up the metabolism. A study on a rural population in India showed a significantly lower prevalence of coronary heart disease in men who consumed higher amounts of ghee.Increases energy levels, according to Ayurvedic Medicine, by supplying life force to the body and mind. Learn more about the health benefits of ghee. Ghee Benefits According to The Complete Book of Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad, mixing a small amount of ghee in warm milk may help relieve constipation. Beyond the health benefits ghee helps to protect and brighten the skin, according to Vogue in Why Ghee Should Be Part of Your Skincare Routine. Apparently, it can act as a carrier to increase the potency of other ingredients when mixed together and applied to the skin. It is said to help fight dryness and fine lines while being an ideal moisturizer for rosacea prone skin. What is A2 Ghee As I mentioned in the podcast, I first noticed A2 milk while shopping. I'd never heard of it and I grew up on a dairy farm; so I immediately began looking up studies and research that had been compiled on the topic. Here's what I found: All milk contains proteins, one of them is casein and it makes up about 80% of the total. The most common forms are A1 Beta-Casein and A2-Beta Casein,

This podcast episode with Dr. Michelle Segar was as beneficial for me as I believe it will be for you. Listen using the player above, and find transcripts and additional resources below. For years I’ve had a love-hate relationship with exercise. I’ve tried to build healthy habits in most of the usual ways. I used habit stacking, and all the things experts tell us to do to maintain workout motivation. But I still struggled to meet my fitness goals. For years I went to the gym early each morning right when I woke up. My personal trainer would punish me with squats, lunges, and strength training to get me out of my comfort zone. “No pain, no gain,” she’d yell! It didn’t last. Why? Because I don’t enjoy punishing workouts! It’s hard to consistently do any form of exercise you don’t enjoy. In addition, my workout motivation was weight loss and good health. While good health is an excellent reason to work out, weight loss is not. The evidence is now clear: Exercise is excellent for health; it’s just not that important for weight loss. So don't expect to lose a lot of weight by ramping up physical activity alone.Vox The Best Workout That’s why experts say the best workout is the one you love doing. If you love it, you’ll do it. Try to force yourself to do exercises you hate, and you’re more likely to resent the hard work, eventually giving it up. If you enjoy HIIT exercise, go for it! Pilates is your thing? Do it! If you love dancing, turn up the music and get your cardio exercise in with your favorite tunes. Create a playlist to listen to while you dance or work out. The best workout songs are those with about 120-208 beats per minute. Search for these on Spotify you’ll get the best cardio workout of your life! Hip Hop dancing includes full-body movements, developing muscle strength, stamina, and endurance while burning around 450 calories per hour. Of course, you’re likely not going to dance for a solid hour, right? But you might dance for 10 minutes, at multiple intervals throughout your day! Remember, your fitness journey doesn’t have to be painful, punishing, or something you dread. The fact is, it doesn't even have to be long and grueling! It just has to be something that brings you joy from true motivation, not guilt or a feeling of failure. This is the beginning of a concept Dr. Segar develops in The Joy Choice that will help you achieve sticktoitiveness in the area of exercise and healthy eating. Home Workout vs. Gyms Dr. Segar explains the difference between what she calls habiters or unhabiters. Habiters, who are very disciplined and organized, stick to their plans, everything runs according to schedule, and are 100% onboard with eating healthy foods and exercising. For some folks, going to the gym is the only fitness motivation that works. Working out at home may lead to negative self-talk and zero motivation. If that’s you, keep your gym membership and make it part of your fitness routine. Just try not to go down the perfection rabbit hole. Shy away from rigid plans and unrealistic goals, we’ve learned to equate to success when exercising. A key step in my coaching process involves helping clients learn to shift away from the perfectionistic exercise and eating beliefs that, while still widely believed, are now very outdated. Michelle SegarMichelle Segar, Ph.D. If that's not you, you might be an unhabiter, like many others, including Dr. Segar! You'll find relief listening to this podcast episode and cutting yourself slack in this area of your life. And when you do, you'll discover something quite interesting. You'll achieve more success when you find the best workout motivation for you. (Hint: the book will help you find what truly motivates you!) Everything listed below will make much more sense if you listen to the podcast episode or read Dr. Segar's book. After reading The Joy Choice, I felt such a sense of relief and less of a failure when,...

Nurture and nature; two components in the development of individual differences. Understanding the root cause of abuse may help in the emotional healing process and provide an avenue of forgiveness on a deeper level resulting in better mental health for generations to come. Introduction to Loose Cannons A while back I watched Keep Sweet, Pray and Obey, a documentary mini-series that focused on the polygamous Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, an offshoot of mainstream Mormonism, and its leader Warren S. Jeffs. It was shocking to say the least. Following that documentary, I saw Murder Among the Mormons, a true crime documentary miniseries following Mark Hofmann, one of the most notable forgers in history, who created forgeries related to the Latter Day Saint movement. So when I read the book Loose Cannons: A Memoir of Mania and Mayhem in a Mormon Family, the subject matter didn’t surprise me, although it did sadden me. There was a connection to those documentaries I'd seen. Diana Cannon-Ragsdale’s father worked in the district attorneys office during the time of salamander letters. His journals, along with her mothers’ journals during psychological therapy, gave Diana insight into the poor emotional health of her parents. Their mental illnesses had a devastating impact in Diana’s own life. Like ripples in a pond, that impact touched the lives of her own children. She was determined to find healing on her journey to stop the pain from reaching her grandchildren and future generations. Diana now advocates for those who cope with mental illness, were raised by dysfunctional families, and must overcome abusive situations. She details her challenging journey in her memoir, Loose Cannons. When Generations of Your Loved Ones Have Suffered While Diana’s father claims to have never been disciplined, he was more than a little heavy handed when it came to raising his own children. Perhaps because boundaries make kids feel safe and secure. Raising a child without boundaries or discipline often leads to narcissism. Parental boundaries allow children to grow up, to understand they can't always get their way, to be more patient and mature. Knowing that there is a limit to how much comfort and pleasure their parents will provide, children can learn to cope with disappointment; as an added bonus, the mild disappointment often brought about by boundaries can also help children to develop empathy — perhaps for others who have discomfort and disappointment. Understanding the meaning of "limits" allows kids to be more connected to the real world.Healthy Boundaries in Parenting In addition, Diana's mother had a mental illness that left her checked-out most of the time, and later led to complete abandonment. Undiagnosed Mental Illness Led To Abuse Her parent’s undiagnosed mental illnesses were the root cause of their unhealthy obsessions and behaviors. As a result, Diana and her siblings faced abuse and neglect as part of their daily life. The level of neglect was so extreme that she was often hungry as her parent’s barely fed them. An older brother learned to prepare spaghetti so they’d have something to eat. In fact, it was so bad that she didn’t realize they weren’t a poor family until much later in life. The reason they weren’t fed had nothing to do with lack of finances. Read the memoir Loose Cannons: A Memoir of Mania and Mayhem in a Mormon Family. I’ve learned there is no such thing as a lie, it always reveals itself eventually. I feel lies and secrets are far more damaging than truth! Remove the Source of Emotional Pain Likely one of the best ways to begin emotional healing is to remove yourself from the source of emotional pain if possible. In Diana’s case, there were a number of years she chose to put distance between herself and her parents. Begin Emotional Healing Painful emotions can be a detriment to your overall well-being.

Want to design the life you desire? Here's a question to start with: do you make life happen or is life happening to you? There's a significant difference. My mission is to help you instill habits practiced by the longest-lived people on earth. Why? So you can extend your healthspan and have the most heartbeats available to spend! Stacey Aaron Domanico, author of "Where Do You Spend Your Heartbeats?" issues a gentle wake-up call in this episode to spend our time wisely and purposefully. After two bouts with cancer, Stacey realized healing is hard when you're not being authentic. During her second cancer diagnosis, she found herself caught up in pretending to be happily married and doing the same thing she'd done during the first battle against cancer. I continued the same way of eating, worrying about what others thought, living in an unhealthy relationship, and treating myself like a foe and not a friend.Stacey Aaron Domanico in "Where Do You Spend Your Heartbeats" Signs You're Just Surviving Does any of this sound familiar? You are tired and life is tiringLife feels painful most of the timeYou believe you have no powerYou're keeping your head downTelevision is an escapeYou numb yourself with emotional eatingYou feel like a victim of life's crueltiesWalls are your friend, a prison of your own creationYou've learned when it comes to life, it's best to grin and bear itYou feel stuck If you're struggling to make a decision, you're not alone. Mental and emotional strain can lead to very real decision fatigue. In her book, Stacey has a five-step "stethescope gut check" that I found to be incredibly useful. Ready to Design the Life You Desire? What kind of life do you want to live? Are you living it? What legacy do you want to leave? Do you take steps that lead in the direction of your dreams? Stacey is available for coaching, read her story here: coachingwithstacey.com. The great paradox of our time is that many of us are busy and bored at the same time. While running from one event to the next, we wonder in our innermost selves if anything is really happening.Henri Nouwen Getting Started Reading Stacey's book was empowering. She asks questions that made me think. At the end of every chapter, she lists key reminders. I've gone back to them frequently over the past few weeks. As I mentioned in the podcast episode, I highlighted a significant portion of her book. Below are some key points to focus on: Create a timeline of the milestones and experiences you want out of life (a bucket list of sorts)Find people who embrace life and seek their advice.Stop comparing your life to others - focus on your gifts, talents and abilities.Life has a way of filling our days, be proactive and fill your days in a way that gets you closer to your dreams.Understand that you can change your current circumstances but often there is a price to pay. As Stacey mentions, "The fear of change overpowered the pain and that's really what the scale is. Once the pain became more than the fear (...) The ability to take care of [yourself] grows stronger.""For just one week, visualize your dream life in as much detail as you can. You have nothing to lose but a life of joy." page 153 Chapter 8 Key Reminders from "Where Do You Spend Your Heartbeats?" Meet Author Stacey Aaron Domanico Website: coachingwithstacey.com Following a dynamic career of over 25 years at the executive level leading teams and coaching women in a Fortune 50 company, Stacey Aaron Domanico became a certified life and empowerment coach so she could focus on her first love of mentoring women: a role she began to enjoy while still in her corporate life. Today, as a two-time cancer and toxic relationship survivor, it is Aaron Domanico’s purpose and passion to help other women by sharing the lessons she has learned and tools she has developed throughout her own journey. Against the backdrop of the fact that we all have a fi...

This past weekend I attended the 22nd Annual Conference of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Multiple exhibits stressed the harmful effects of Electromagnetic Radiation on Humans including today's guest, Justin Frandson. You can’t hear, see, or smell them; electromagnetic fields. The earth emits low level electromagnetic fields. The earth, sun and ionosphere are all natural sources of EMF. However, the subject of this podcast episode isn’t how to block EMFs; it is about learning to live with them. Although, manmade magnetic fields are causing a broad spectrum of dangerous radiation to human health. As mentioned in this podcast episode, full blocking (like sleeping in a Faraday bag) would also cut us off from the good energy emitted by the Earth. The increase in biological exposure to manmade EMFs is in the billions, so how can we learn to live with them with the least damage? There are folks who suggest that EMF exposure is not harmful; however, let’s keep in mind that doctors denied cigarettes were harmful to public health in the beginning. Keep in mind it’s easier to prevent than treat disease, or as I mention in the podcast episode, err on the side of caution without living in fear. Types of EMFs On average, there are four types of manmade EMFs in a home. Dirty Electricity - Itinerant frequencies that create unnatural electromagnetic environments like fluorescent and LED lighting.Radio Frequency/Microwave Radiation - WiFi and Bluetooth devices along with microwave ovens.Magnetic Fields - These occur when electricity is flowing. Frequently used appliances with large motors are typically the worst offenders. (Avoid having these large appliances share an adjoining wall with your bed as the closer you are to these magnetic fields, the stronger. The further you are, the more they fall off.Electric Fields - Emanate from all the wiring in your home. This includes extension cords and power cords. Considering the four types of manmade EMFs, exposure can come from many sources, such as: mobile phones, laptops, iPads, bluetooth headphonespower linesx-raystanning beds, microwave ovens, and other electric appliances The main topic of this podcast conversation will be concerning electronic devices which use WiFi and Bluetooth, however we touch on other types of EMFs briefly. Where Does EMF Exposure Come From? Families are exposed to EMFs at school and at home. Children are exposed to electromagnetic fields in many forms from baby monitors to iPads. In American schools, children are often able to use computers as early as preschool. France banned WiFi in elementary schools years ago. The governments of other countries such as Spain, Germany, and Russia have recommendations to ban WiFi from schools due to potential health challenges. EMFs influence metabolic processes in the human body and exert various biological effects on cells through a range of mechanisms. 1 EMF exposure intensity decreases as you move away from the object that’s sending out waves. High-frequency EMFs are the ionizing type of radiation. Scientific literature agrees that large exposures can cause damage. Xray machines, CT Scans, and tanning beds are examples of this low levels of this type of radiation. (National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet.) Low- to mid-frequency EMFs are considered non-ionizing type of radiation. Examples include hair dryers, power lines, cellphones, and microwave ovens. EMF Exposure Symptoms The problem of health effects of RF EMF has not been definitively resolved, however, they suggest it appears necessary to use precautionary principles and ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) principles. it is recommended that the interpretation of results from studies on health effects of RF radiation should take sponsorship from the telecom or other industry into account. It is concluded that the ICNIRP has failed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of health risks associated with RF radi...

The toxic chemicals used to treat clothing remain on the fabric, even after washing. Chemicals such as formaldehyde, stain blockers, flame retardants, and more are endocrine disruptors. These can penetrate the skin and lead to serious health conditions. Exposure to these chemicals, often used in fast fashion, is shown to cause multiple abnormalities in the reproductive system of women, even in minimal doses.(1) Clothing is one of the most significant environmental problems, along with housing, transportation, and food. Not only that, but many manufacturers don't pay factory workers a living wage. What's the answer? Learn to be ethically fashionable for your health, the sake of the environment, and for humanity. The more you know, the less you need.Yvon Chouinard What is Ethical Fashion? Throughout the full life cycle of a garment, from manufacturing to disposal, making choices that are responsible towards the environment, people, and animals. Using textiles created in a responsible and conscious way. Materials, dyes, labor, and even buy back programs are part of sustainable and ethical fashion. Are ethical, sustainable, and slow fashion all the same? Technically, most of us mean the same thing when we talk about these terms. However, each of us may hold different ethics. In the end, slow fashion is a movement meant to provide better quality products that consumers are able to hold onto longer, thus slowing the need for disposal. Slow fashion may include limited items as well as made to order clothing. Sustainable fashion is entirely based on a more environmentally and socially conscious production. Overall, the combined goal is similar. Fast fashion is sold in high volume with a pretty low profit margin, for example a popular example is Shein. Workers being underpaid and overworked along with dumping untreated waste into local waterways. Many clothing manufacturers such as Shein and others may say they're working on sustainablity, but the proof is not forthcoming. Supply chain transparency, fabrics, and waste management are three big areas to look at when deciding if a company is ethical or sustainable. Options for Being Ethically Fashionable The fashion industry has a detrimental impact on the environment - in fact, according to EcoWatch, Fast Fashion is the Second Dirtiest Industry in the World. It is up to you, the consumer, to vote with your dollars. To make it easier, suggestions are listed below to help you get started becoming ethically fashionable. All of these recommendations may not suit your lifestyle. One or two of them will be enough to help you stay stylish and make ethical clothing purchases. Purchase second-hand clothing Undoubtedly, the most economical way to be ethically fashionable it to purchase clothing second hand. Second hand purchases reduce carbon emissions, save lots of resources, water, and energy. When you buy clothing from a second-hand shop, you are making a sustainable purchase. Every time you buy used clothing you are keeping one more item out of the landfill. Your purchase also keeps local thrifts shop in business and your dollar going back into your local community. Win-win. You can make your ethical purchases even more effective when you shop for sustainable clothing brands at a second-hand shop! Being budget-friendly and ethical are two of the main reasons why I buy more and more of our clothing from second-hand shops. Speaking of buying locally Local clothing shops and boutiques are another good way to make an ethical choice in clothing. When you shop at a local boutique, you can ask where they clothing came from, see the quality and support your local business owners. If you still prefer to purchase your clothing brand-new, consider taking your items to a second-hand or consignment shop so that they will be reused and kept out of the landfill. You can be ethically fashionable by donating your gently used quality cl...

Have you ever been in a funk and made the smart decision to take a walk? If so, you already know the immediate benefits walking has on your state of mind. So what are the benefits of walking in reference to your physical and mental health? After you find out, you'll want to walk every day for a happy mood boost. For those who are unable to walk, try to sit by a window and move your arms. Doing whatever movement you can do; preferably outside. Listen, if you can walk, be grateful and do it as much as you can. Walking is something I once took for granted. That is until we issued a walking challenge in one of my groups. During the step challenge I became aware of my privilege. I can walk. In this group one dear member mentioned that she was proud to have been able to take a few steps that day (she is paralyzed in her left leg with extended injuries throughout her body from a motorcycle accident).  That is when I realized how I had been taking my ability to walk for granted. I am so thankful that I am able to walk when and where I want to. I enjoy nature walks with my children. There are so many benefits a simple daily walk for physical activity. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes and you'll be on your way to better overall health. Weight Loss with Walking Any form of exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve energy levels. However, walking is a form of exercise you can do at any fitness level. According to studies pedometer-based walking programs result in a modest amount of weight loss. (1) Tracking steps and recording calories can help you achieve better results. Read more about what tracking apps work best here. Try to increase your walking pace to help you reach your weight loss goals. Brisk walking is best for weight loss, but any amount of walking is clearly better than none. The American Heart Association (AHA) categorizes brisk walking at a pace of 2.5 miles per hour as a moderate-intensity aerobic activity. A University of Tennessee Study showed that women who walked had lower body fat than non-walkers. Just 30 minutes per day can improve cardio, strengthen bones and boost muscles. More muscle means more fat burning and can lead to lower body weight over time. The Mayo Clinic suggests if you add 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily routine, you could burn about 150 more calories a day. Quick Tip: Don't add weights when walking. They increase your risk of injury and slow you down so you end up burning fewer calories. Instead, try using walking poles. This incorporates your upper body into your walk, which does burn more calories. Poles also make you more stable when walking. Win-win! I use Black Diamond trekking poles, as they were recommended to me by several people in my hiking group. They also help me walk faster on pavement. Although, I can't use them when I walk the dog! Health Benefits of Walking Walking isn’t just for burning fat. It helps move your lymphatic system. This type of movement helps the lymph flow more effectively and could potentially help prevent infections and other diseases, like cancer. A daily walk gets your blood pumping and can therefore lower your risk for heart disease and blood clots. Walking may also reduce your risk for a stroke, improve your mood, help your sleep quality, reduce stress, and sharpen your mind. A daily walk may lower risk of dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. A study of 6,000 women, ages 65 and older, found that age-related memory decline was lower in those who walked more. The women who walked 2.5 miles per day had a 17% decline in memory, whereas women who walked less than a half mile per week had a 25% decline. Walking may help to slow down the aging process, and it works no matter what age you get started. Walk to Improve Your Health According to the American Heart Association, walking can lower your risk of heart disease and other health conditions.