Wonderful Baking Soda 1: Kitchen Odors
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Baking soda is one of our best friends when it comes to quick and natural cleaning and housekeeping. The things I have learned to do with baking soda are amazing, and as you can see from the last post about carpet deodorizing, it’s applicable to our daily lives.
For the kitchen, I have come across some areas that could really use special attention, and baking soda is just the magic bullet. I know that in particular, my spice cupboard can take on very strong odors from aromatic spices such as cumin, curry powder and cinnamon. I have to hold my breath when opening it! Plus some weaker spices can take on the smells of stronger ones.
Another big thing for me is that gross “freezer smell” and taste. Baking soda can fight both problems and more!
For fridges, freezers, and cupboards, I open a box of baking soda and place it in the side of the fridge or cupboard. Just let it be; it will deodorize, neutralize, and keep food fresh. I usually change the box 2 or 3 times per year just for good measure.
I have also tried sprinkling baking soda at the bottom of the garbage cans around my condo to keep odors from forming. Essentially, anything that harbors odors could use a sprinkling of baking soda to keep a fresh scent.
Melissa
5 Pregnancy Exercise Myths
Filed Under Fitmom Wellness | 1 Comment
MYTH: If you haven’t exercised before, you shouldn’t start.
THE FACTS: Simply NOT TRUE. Exercise for pregnant women is recommended, even for women who do not exercise regularly, because the benefits drastically outweigh the risks.
MYTH: You should not get your heart rate over 140 BPM.
THE FACTS: This myth, which seems to travel the internet by storm, varies in its exact number. Heart rate during pregnancy is quite variable and is influenced by age, stage of pregnancy, and level of fitness. The standard rule of thumb is if you can talk (that is hold a conversation for 2 minutes) while you exercise, then you have enough oxygen for mom and baby. You may breathe heavily but should not be gasping for breath and pausing to breathe before continuing to talk. Some active women will pass this TALK TEST with a heart rate into the 170s and some inactive women may not be able to get their heart rate to a conservative 140. It is very individual.
MYTH: You should not exercise in the first trimester.
THE FACTS: This myth is long-dispelled with tons of research to back it up. There is one study out of New York University that cites a decrease in miscarriage in women exercising in the first trimester. While the largest number of miscarriages occurs in the first trimester, the facts are that most are chromosomal in nature.
MYTH: You cannot lift weights over your head.
THE FACTS: While lifting weights over your head can affect your lower back, this should not be a blanket guideline for active women. With proper positioning that supports the back, everyone can benefit from this exercise. Active women can often continue this type of exercise throughout pregnancy without a problem. Putting the arms over the head can increase heart rate but strength training will rarely raise the heart rate to a concerning level. (To make sure, use the talk test.)
MYTH: Exercise shortens labor.
THE FACTS: This is more of a misunderstood fact than a myth. Exercise improves your endurance, which in turn gives you the energy you need to stay active during labor. If you stay active and upright during labor, movement and gravity will assist the baby to move downwards into the pelvic outlet more effectively. Women who don’t exercise regularly are more likely to request an epidural in the earlier stages of labor due to exhaustion. Once in bed, your movement is restricted and your labor can slow down.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Mothering Mother Earth
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I often wonder what they will think of us. Will they (the mothers of tomorrow) be happy with our legacy? Will they be as inspired by us as we are by the many women and mothers who fought for – and still fight for, depending on where you live – our equality?
While the severity of inequality for women and mothers is, perhaps in our eyes, extreme in other parts of the world, a mothering issue of our own is happening right here in the west. We represent the largest consumer base on the planet, and it appears we are ignoring our responsibility for the imminent danger facing us and our quality of life.
North Americans are followed in second place by Europe in terms of global consumption rates. And there’s quite a gap between the two continents, given that the rate of consumption for North America is double that of Europe. That’s right! We are the leading cause of global warming by these estimates. It’s a startling fact and many of us, who were knee-deep in denial, are now coming to terms with it.
We all need to just “mother” the earth by saying “NO” to big corporations with no social conscience and politicians who don’t have a strong platform for mothering the earth. And we can do that with our votes and our spending and with a commitment to getting educated and challenging everyone you know to do the same. As a mother, I’m realizing more and more that this is non-negotiable. This is why I’ve taken up the cause of “mothering Earth.”
It’s not easy by any stretch, as the conveniences we have all taken for granted are actually addictive. In the west we get from point A to point B in almost everything we do with the flick of switch. If we don’t like it, we dump it. I am not without fault. I still drive a gas guzzling minivan, for example. However, as a family, we have started strategizing ways we can make the changes required to be a ZERO footprint family. That should be everyone’s goal.
TIPS for moms who strive to make the family a ZERO FOOTPRINT family and are just starting out:
BUY LESS: The reality is when you buy less, you can budget to get the healthier and sometimes pricier products, like toys and plastics that are not full of toxins.
BUY USED: Buying recycled clothing is easier on the Earth and the pocketbook. Some clothing is treated with harmful toxins (formaldehyde being one) that are linked to serious illness like cancer, for example. Second-hand clothes that have been washed numerous times are better. Having said that, check the chemicals in your detergent and consider switching to a more eco-friendly detergent.
ORGANIZE SWAPS IN YOUR COMMUNITY: Whether it’s books, kids’ clothes, toys, or other items you don’t need, why not have a semi-annual swap at your local community center? It’s a great way to foster community spirit and save money.
PLAN YOUR NEXT VEHICLE FAST: Tree-hugging is not just for the left anymore. We all know that the mainstream is beginning to get it. So let’s just expedite the inevitable so we can move forward with sustainability. Explore hybrid options and if you don’t drive a lot, look into car share organizations.
WORK FROM HOME: This one is a great one for moms and many “mompreneurs” do this already. Save time, money, and resources by doing what you do where you live. Don’t travel to and from to perform tasks that could easily be done from your home.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PLANS: Many homeowners are making changes to their homes to create more energy-efficient households including such things as switching to more sustainable forms of energy (solar panels are one example) and using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Natural Remedies for Sports Injuries (cont’d)
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) | Leave a Comment
MSM (Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane) (6,000 mg or more daily) – a naturally occurring organic source of nutritional sulfur found in ever-diminishing quantities in fresh fruits and vegetables, commonly lost during storage and cooking. MSM is a stable metabolite of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), a substance popularized in the 1970s and 80s for its ability to reverse pain and inflammation in arthritis and other degenerative diseases. DMSO can be used as an enhancer of both nutrient and drug absorption into body cells. Unfortunately, the use of DMSO causes individuals to develop a severe garlic odor of the breath and body. MSM has all the same properties of DMSO but is odorless and has no side effects at any dosage.
Sulfur is a critical component of many important amino acids contained in cellular proteins, enzymes, hormones, and other body structures. In high doses, MSM is a powerful free radical scavenger, improves circulation, boosts nutrient absorption, reduces inflammation, and helps reduce lactic acid build-up, the chemical that causes muscle soreness and fatigue after strenuous exercise.
In addition, MSM fights fatigue, helps hair and nails to grow faster, and has been shown to be anti-parasitic. The efficacy of MSM is enhanced by vitamin C supplementation. The beneficial effect of glucosamine sulfate in the reversal of osteoarthritis is thought by some experts to be related to its sulfur component, something that can very effectively be delivered to the body by MSM.
Vitamin C (3 grams or more daily, depending on bowel tolerance) – shown to reduce muscle damage after working out and aid in muscle recuperation by reducing cortisol levels after intense exercise. Growth hormone, testosterone, and insulin are all, to various degrees, dependent on an adequate supply of vitamin C. The value of vitamin C as an antioxidant as well as a crucial nutrient in bone health is well documented.
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) (100–200 mg daily) – protects against exercise-induced muscle injury and fatigue caused by exercise. Many reports also indicate that coenzyme Q10 is an effective remedy in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and other immune system diseases involving damaged cellular mitochondria. Its value is limited by its high price.
Glucosamine sulfate (1500–2000 mg daily) – supplementation may speed healing of recurrent joint injuries such as chondropathia patellae and thus prevent the development of osteoarthritis. MSM coupled with an adequate protein intake eliminates the necessity of supplementing this nutrient.
Proteolytic enzymes (3 or more capsules daily) – trypsin and chymotrypsin, usually considered enzymes that break down dietary protein in the gastrointestinal tract, have also been shown to promote the healing of many exercise-damaged tissues. Bromelain (from pineapple stalks) and papain (from papayas) have been reported to have similar beneficial effects.
(to be continued…)
Dr. Zoltan Rona
Commitment: It’s Not What You Think
Filed Under Law of Attraction | Leave a Comment
I have been working with a friend lately, and I notice we don’t work the same way. I intend and then allow the answer with effortlessness in perfect timing… and only take inspired action. She follows a structured path given to her by business training (training which I also have). What I noticed is that she is committed to feeling safe, under control, and the cost of this is that things are much more difficult than they need to be for her. Have you ever been in her shoes? Or mine?
What are you committed to? I remember saying to myself, “I am committed to working out 3 times per week”, but actually I only work out 2 times per week. In order to stop struggling, I just changed my commitment to 2 days per week! Now, my friend does not realize she is committed to safety and struggle… which is just fine, if she chooses. Most people think their circumstances are the reason they are struggling, when actually it’s their commitment to feeling in control that is the reason they struggle.
You are not committed to something just because you said you are. You will know you are committed to something when it actually starts showing up. If it doesn’t, you are still in your own way, somehow.
THE GOOD NEWS: You are connected to Law of Attraction, which supports you in every way whether you know it or not. The more you do things to feel good, and the more you surrender, the SAFER YOU ARE because that is when the entire Universe is conspiring for you.
Feeling safe is limiting. Instead of focusing on trying to feel safe or in control (which are both very limiting intentions), today, put your attention on feeling inspired, expansive, and joyful. Those are far above safety and control. You might have to relinquish control to experience your true power (which ultimately means you are in control anyhow, hunh?).
Jennifer Hough
What Is Your Life Purpose?
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Your life’s purpose is to fully be who you are, then spread the good news so others might do the same.
Most people search for purpose backwards. They look for what they feel they should be doing, where they should be working, or what project they should take on. Why is that backwards? Well, because it truly does not matter where you go, or what you do when it comes to living on purpose. We forget that everyday, you are talking to 1-100 people, each of whom you can powerfully affect, whether you do it in a job or not. We forget that the underlying purpose of life is JOY and PEACE and CO-CREATION. Do you really need a job or project to experience or share those things?
Most people forget that joy, peace, and co-creation are choices you can make in any circumstances. And in fact, in Law of Attraction, you will not ever attract a new job or project of your dreams, until you live in joy and peace about your current projects.
Jennifer Hough
How to Live Without Worry or Fear
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Do you ever get a little worried about things? Embarking on a new adventure maybe? You are not sure of the outcome in the future, but when you think about what you are doing right now, today, you feel inspired.
The solution: Stop creating futures that don’t exist… and start focusing on what is inspiring you right now.
Right here, right now is all there is. Here I am writing to you, right now, in this moment. I am feeling in touch with the keys, with you, with my heart, with the conversations outside my office, with my cute dog lying next to me… it’s a great now. What if all “nows” are great? You see, I could be worrying about being on time for my lunch meeting, worrying that I am 5 minutes behind schedule because my client is waiting as I write this, or wondering how I am going to get an unwanted piece of furniture returned today. That would have been the old me. Do you see the difference?
Milk your moments for all they are worth. Do whatever you are doing fully in the present, feeling it, experiencing it with appreciation. Actually feel the richness of your life, through loving every moment (even when it seems sub-optimal - feelings are part of the rich tapestry of life). You won’t have time to be worried or afraid.
Love is the opposite of fear. Fear is the result of creating a future in your mind that has not yet happened. Love is all that exists in the present moment. If you string many present moments together, you will have a life of miracles.
Jennifer Hough
Andrea’s Top 5 Mommy Resolutions for 2008
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Be more patient.
Let’s face it. Our lives are rushed. Usually while in the pursuit of money or distractions. Sometimes we don’t even notice we are on a treadmill. As I start 2008, I resolve to be more patient with myself. Yes, I run a business, and I’m a mom and I do both with very little family support. So, I have to stop being hard on myself if I drop the ball once in a while. I believe if we are more patient with ourselves, we can be more patient with others.
Mother the mother.
Allow other people to do things for you. If that person does not exist, make 2008 the year you dump the guilt that surfaces when you lie in bed with a cup of tea and a book. Moms need this break; otherwise, they are overstretched and often resentful without even knowing it.
Be a bit more old-fashioned. It’s HIP.
With all due respect to working moms who put in long hours (and I’m one of them), it saddens me to think of the limited time my mother-in-law spent with her children when they were young because she had no choice but to work. We can’t get that time back. This year I am going to spend more time with my kids.
Slow down.
This is so hard since it seems like there is not enough time in the day to do everything we want to do. A logical place to start is by simply doing less. Simple living is good for you and we are an overcommitted culture. Being in this state has us overlooking the small things that matter most.
Celebrate life like a child.
So often we find ourselves saying to our kids, “Don’t do this, don’t do that, quiet down, settle down.” While I think children need to learn self-discipline, we, the adults (especially the overburdened Mommy Managers), need to let loose more often. Go ahead and make a mess or jump around to loud music with your kids. See if you can do it without smiling. I bet you can’t!
Recommended reading for new and expecting Moms:
Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives by Deepak Chopra
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Post-Season Rebalance for Mom
Filed Under Fitmom Wellness | Leave a Comment
Depending on where you are in your life and what you did over the holidays, you may be buzzing with energy anticipating the New Year and all that lies ahead. Alternatively, you may be burnt out from all the bad food and wine consumed during the endless holiday parties. While it is such a pleasure to connect over the holidays with friends and family, some of us feel unsettled as we approach the New Year. Here are a couple of suggestions to help you bounce back.
Nutrition: It may be time for a detox, but at the very least, spend the coming weeks eating lots of fruits and vegetables, especially those that contain antioxidants. Leafy greens, blueberries, and pineapples are a few good ones to throw on your plate. Also, remember to drink lots and lots of water to allow your body to do its job most effectively.
Exercise: At this time of year, people tend to bust out the resolutions. I personally still think they are great. However I do think people, especially moms, tend to live in extremes in terms of time commitments. I definitely believe in and promote the benefits of intense exercise but caution people about regimens that leave little time for anything else, especially when you are juggling a busy family life as well. This is why exercising intensely for 30 minutes four times a week will serve you best. Stay away from separating cardio and strength exercises and think in terms of time effective, results-based workouts. Work out smarter, not longer.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Remembering Who You Are
Filed Under Law of Attraction | Leave a Comment
It’s one thing to use The Universal Laws to help you create your life, and it’s a totally different thing to remember who you are and simply live in the Miracle Zone. One takes effort, and the other is effortless. What I mean is, living “your remembered magnificence” is effortless, but actually getting to the place where you remember who you really are might take a paradigm shift. That’s why I teach the “Get Out of Your Own Way” course for those who want to simply BE effortless, rather than work on it!
So who are you, anyway? Someone telling you who you are will give you a good idea intellectually, but really that’s just a description of who you’ve been. To truly remember who you are, it must be experienced. You may have had one of those experiences – like if you have given birth, if you have stood atop a mountain, if you transformed a village, or cried when you sang with all your heart.
Who you are is worthy of miracles, warmer than the sun, more beautiful than a starry night, more magnificent than the tallest redwood. and more loved than your heart can imagine… at least from the perspective of “All that Is” (and me, of course).
I’m honored to have connected with you, to have you read these blogs. By the Law of Attraction, if we’ve connected, you must be at least as magnificent as I am. I know for sure that I rock; ergo, so must you. Remember yet?
Try writing out 50 ways that you are blessed, so you can remind yourself of how powerful you are. Think about it: on the day you were born, at that hour, at that minute, on that milli-second, the Universe could have made a galaxy, but instead it made you!
Jennifer Hough
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