Be Resourceful: Positively Picky

I am a picky eater.  This realization has been a difficult concept to grasp since I used to unconsciously judge people who were difficult to please with respect to food. I assumed it was a function of being closed-minded or stubborn.  I used to eat pretty much everything, and was always more than willing to try the most exotic of foods. I still consider myself to be an adventurous eater but as my understanding and interest in nutrition has evolved, my tastes and preferences have changed accordingly. So, now, I am eating my words and coming to grips with the reality that picky can be a good thing.

More than just picky, being healthy means having standards in terms of quality and health benefits--not to the point where you become crazy and obsessive, but just being conscious about what you put into your mouth.  It is much more enjoyable to eat something less nutritionally beneficial when it is really special—like a fabulous piece of chocolate cake every now and then when you want it, instead of using your junk food budget on potato chips when you are starving just because it is the only thing available.

Of course, pickiness for the sake of health presents challenges when the preparation or purchasing of food is not completely within our control. To help make eating well practical and cheap, I put good use to food that travels well and carry a stash around with me wherever I go like a little healthy packhorse.  Along with my yoga outfit and laptop, I always have a buffet of healthy snacks with me to save me from choosing between eating junk or being hungry all day.

Here is a list of some healthy foods that I have found travel very well:

Avocato-all you need is a plastic knife and it you can eat it by itself.  It is probably an acquired taste, but is decadent and the high fat—healthy fat—content will keep you satiated for a long time.  It is an ideal raw healthy snack that doesn’t need refrigeration.

Bananas

Orange

Apple

Larabars-raw vegan bars made with dates, nuts and spices

Justin’s Nut Butters-I always have a pack of this stuff on me.  Most of the time I just eat it out of the package.  A little weird, but it works for me!

Organic Oatmeal Packs-not the sugary artificially flavored stuff, of course.  This is only great if you have a way to get the hot water to put it in, but don’t forget every coffee shop and most restaurants have it if you are desperate.

Be Light: Recycling, Rio Style

The other day on my walk home from work, I was jolted out of my ipod zone by a crash of breaking glass behind me.  I was horrified when I turned in time to see the city garbage truck devour a tower of translucent bags filled with almost all recyclable materials.  Although environmental issues are more mainstream than they used to be, I constantly notice how little effort seems to be put into considerate disposal of waste. Even in the office where I work in progressive Medical School, there is no recycling receptacle.  Whenever I happen to have something that needs disposal, I take it with me until I can find a bin.  Unfortunately, once outside, there is no place to recycle either.  It still baffles me that in a city like NYC, we can't manage to put recycling containers in public places.  Wouldn't it make sense to have one beside each trashcan?  Most of what ends up being tossed out while on the street is bottles, glass, plastic and paper products from the food and drink we are toting around with us on the go- these are all recyclable materials.  

A couple of months after the garbage truck incident, I visited Brazil and Argentina with my family, and the first day walking around the streets of Rio, noticed an amazing sight: The city sidewalks are sprinkled with multicolor recycling receptacle stations, with separate slots for the type of waste: ie: glass, plastic, paper, etc.  It was the exact vision I had for what we need in US cities, and was so impressed I couldn’t resist taking pictures to share their good example. It amazes me that other countries understand the importance of environmental consciousness so much more than we do and have put very simple, yet effective practices into place. In contrast, it seems that for many people “green” is just a trendy word that represents a concept most don’t quite understand or see the value in. Luckily, that is beginning to change.

My best friend has for years talked about environmental initiatives, and through her influence, I have also developed not only awareness, but more importantly a lifestyle that is light on the earth. It has been a work in progress, but is a perfect example that no matter where you are in the process of living in a more green way, there are always make small changes you can make that will have a big impact in the long run. For the things in my life that weren't green by accident, like my choice to eat a mostly plant-based diet, I have worked to gradually change habit by habit, to improve my overall impact.

One example is making sure anything I use that can be recycled actually ends up in a recycle receptacle.  I make mental notes of locations in NYC where receptacles are located and carry trash with me until I find one instead of trashing it in a landfill pile just because it is more convenient.  I have reduced my use of plastic in general and use either paper or glass as an alternative. An important point to note when making this switch is that synthetic materials, plastic, etc., also are the least desirable choice for your health. The chemicals leach into food and liquid, especially when heated. Getting back to basics is a win-win for your health and the earth.

I have been surprised to realize that living in a purposefully more green way has been very natural and hasn’t required any more effort, just a willingness to learn better options.  Like healthy eating, it’s about developing new habits. It just makes sense to life more in harmony with nature instead of destroying it.  When you notice a great green idea in practice like the Rio bins, let it inspire you to make decisions that are a little more conscious of the earth. 

Some quick and easy green habits to adopt:

• Replace plastic Tupperware containers in your house with glass bowls for food storage in the fridge.  They make glass bowls that have tops, or Corningware with tops work well also.

• Use glasses while at home and buy a canteen to carry water when out instead of plastic water bottles.

• Bring your reusable shopping bags (at least one) everywhere you go, so you never have to take a plastic bag if you stop into a shop, get food to go, or make an unplanned trip to the food store.

**Check out Ange’s blogs for more great ideas on living lighter.

Be Bold: Shopping for Good Quality, Healthy Food

Part 1: Health Frontier

I love food shopping.  When I have the precious opportunity, I can think of few things I like to do more on a Saturday morning than taking an early yoga class and heading straight to the store and the farmer’s market.  It is one of the few times in life that I take my time to smell the roses and relax. My enjoyment of the process has actually grown significantly as I have evolved my approach of cooking, eating, and living.  Growing up in suburban Florida, the only food shopping option I knew was the Supermarket.  Now, other than Whole Foods, I really don’t find any use for “supermarkets” and even at whole Foods, I am selective about what I buy.  I know I am extremely fortunate, that in New York City, we have a huge number of markets to choose from. However, there are health food store options relatively close in most areas of the country. I am such a health fanatic that I actually google-search towns for health food markets if I leave my area for an extended period of time and need to shop.

The obsession started in college, as I started becoming acutely aware of the impact food had on health, and the difference fresher, naturally grown and produced food made in my general well being. I became a “health food store convert.”  As Ange and I like to joke, health food stores are very easy to identify since the names always have something to do with Nature, a path, frontier, good life, a garden, etc.  Of all of the health stores, we have frequented in the past several years, the names are constantly getting jumbled.  I don’t even know any of the real names anymore.  Nature’s Garden gets confused with LifeThyme, with the cereal company Nature’s Path.  I finally gave up and now jokingly call them all Health Frontier!  Suffice it to say they are easy to identify if you know where to look. 

I prefer health food stores to supermarkets because the store is set up as I would logically shop and eat, and the majority of the space is dedicated to fresh produce. Most of the store-or at lease half- is the produce section, which is my favorite place.  They typically stock many varieties of vegetables and fruit unavailable in a traditional grocery store. The produce is much fresher. They also have a mix of locally grown produce and organic. A natural food store considers that you may actually want to buy some produce. Imagine that?!  Last time I was in a traditional grocery store, all of the lettuce except for the iceberg, was wilty and very unappetizing and it seemed like a third of the store was stocked with a myriad of frozen products.  No wonder so many people have a hard time eating vegetables.  It would be torture for me to eat them too if they looked and tasted like that.

In addition to food, most health stores also sell natural body products, supplements for those who need them, and prepared food to appeal to a variety of dietary preferences. Most of the time, you will find a section where they sell dry bulk foods like grains, beans, dried fruit, granola, nuts, and seeds.  I love the bulk concept; it saves you money and the hassle of dealing with the packaging after you use it. It is extremely environmentally considerate for the same reason. 

While it is best to get as much as you can from the farmer’s market, the health food store will supply most everything else you need (except of course soda and traditional junk food, but as far as I am concerned that a good thing.)

Be Bold: Shopping for Good Quality, Healthy Food, Part II

Part II: The Farmer’s Market

One of my absolute favorite things to do in New York is visiting the green markets.  Preparing a meal is so much more fun when I go to the market not sure exactly what I will find.  My recipes always have to be flexible enough to accommodate a last minute change.  Since the variety is so large, it is a great opportunity to try less common varieties. I recently had purple cauliflower, which I’ll admit freaked me out a little, but tasted delicious!

From a nutritional perspective, the fresher the food, the better.  Freshness is actually more important than organic if you had to choose, but organic is hugely beneficial for your health and the environment.  Consider how much time goes by for a piece of fruit coming off of the tree or vine from South America or Mexico. Before that fruit gets to your supermarket, it must be picked before ripe packaged and shipped across the world before you see it.  Also, while globalization of our food supply allows us access to more variety in our food options, it is a huge strain on the environment and has contributed to increased instances of food borne illness because the ability to control farming and production methods from outside of the country is difficult at best.  Obviously, there is a limit to the extent that most of our diets that can be local.  Unless you live in a climate that can produce a variety of produce year-round, it is inevitable that some portion of your diet will need to be purchased at a store, and for that, stick to the natural ones.

By purchasing directly from the farmer, you have a unique benefit of knowing where your food comes from, how it is produced, gaining insight into the best crops for the current season, and supporting local agriculture—which is struggling to compete with less healthy, environmentally-taxing grocery chains.

It gives you a connection to your food and the earth, and an appreciation for natural, whole foods, the type of food we were meant to eat. 

*Local Harvest  http://www.localharvest.org/ is an incredible resource and guide to get you started eating more locally as well as Sustainable Table http://www.sustainabletable.org/ 

Be Creative: Healthy Pizza

Ange and I were both having a pizza craving. Sometimes, well actually many times, we think so much alike, it is scary.  Anyhow, one evening, we set out to make a healthful and delicious pizza, much more satisfying than pizza made in a traditional way and not just a regular pizza with vegetable toppings. Ange's and my culinary delight in life is making food dishes that are satisfying, decadent, and delicious but also more healthy than the traditional dish. We start out intending to make a traditional dish with a traditional recipe, but modify the recipe to make it as healthy and satisfying as possible. Selecting ingredients is the first step and requires some creativity. Substituting the called-for ingredients with healthy options means replacing some of meat, cheese, eggs as well as replacing any processed white rice, flour or sugars with healthy options and ingredients (hopefully, local and organic ).  After Ange and I perfect a recipe, I get lots of practice making my great-tasting healthy dishes for my family. I visited my family last week in Florida and in honor of my making "Jen" meals with them last week, I am going to share TheBeList Heathy Pizza recipe which I made for a snack for my family one afternoon.

My favorite part of this recipe is that it is very easy to make several versions of the pizza, at the same time, to accommodate dietary or taste preferences. Last week, I had 6 eaters--all with totally different favorites. My brothers love meat, don’t like much cheese, and veggies aren’t their favorite. My mom and boyfriend like all the toppings. Dad likes meat and cheese but not all veggies. I prefer a completely vegan pizza and love anything that is a vegetable. Here’s how I made it work:

Ingredients:

* Some flat bread, I use naan, but flatbread, pizza bread or even sliced multigrain or focaccia would be      great. Point is, it really doesn’t matter.

*A couple of cans of whole or chopped organic plum tomatoes or fresh works also

* Half a tube, jar or can of tomato paste

* A couple cloves of garlic

* Fresh Basil

* Sea or Himalayan Salt

* Pepper

* Red Pepper flakes (Optional)

* Half of a large onion, any type, or a whole small one.

* Half an eggplant, chopped.

* One zucchini, chopped

* One bell pepper, chopped

* One cup chopped plum or cherry tomatoes

* Two cups spinach or arugula (once it wilts down, it won’t be much)

* Half a cup shredded cheese

* About half of a pound of meat, whatever you like, Chicken, sausage, anything could work.

Be creative! If you want to do a vegetarian version, use faux sausage or pepperoni. Ange once made my family a vegan pizza bread stuffed with fake meat and none of the meat eaters knew the difference. That recipe for the fabulously delicious vegan pizza bread is to come…

No matter what, use as much fresh, organic, local food for the ingredients as possible.

First, preheat an oven to 350 Degrees.
The start to a great pizza or pasta dish is the sauce. I always make it homemade. It isn’t imperative, but I promise, it will make it taste so much better. For me, this isn’t a step to cut corners . Although homemade pesto is great on pizza and something to try, to try to please everyone, I chose a conventional tomato sauce. I start with a little olive oil and a couple of cloves of garlic in a pan. (I am not much of a measuring kind of girl, just adjust based on how much you like.) Heat until the garlic is aromatic and golden on a medium heat, but be sure not to burn. Add a can or two of chopped organic canned plum tomatoes. I use the whole ones and chop myself, but it probably doesn’t make a big difference if you are pressed for time. Fresh tomatoes work fine also, but I would probably use regular tomatoes and process lightly in a food processor so there is some liquid. Once it starts to boil, reduce heat to simmer and add organic tomato paste until it is the desired thickness. I like to add some chopped fresh basil also. Salt, pepper, and let simmer until you are ready. If you like a little kick, I sometimes add red pepper flakes.
While you are doing the sauce, in two other pans, get the toppings going. In one pan cook the meat, chicken, sausage, whatever you want.
In the other, make a little veggie topping mixture. I start with olive oil and add onion. Cook on medium high for a few minutes and then add any of the following, and anything else that sounds good to you. I use eggplant, zucchini/squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach and/or arugula. Simmer and let cook down. You can also add a little tomato paste to that mix if you like.
Once all three components are close to done, I cut the “pizza bread” into small triangles or squares and arrange on a baking sheet to toast. When toasted, then all you have to do is assemble. I make combinations that I know each person will like. Some with just cheese and sauce and meat. A few with everything. A few with just sauce and veggies. Lots with meat and sauce. This part you should adjust based on your group.
A note on the cheese. I like to use one or two kinds of fresh cheese and grate myself as I am making it. It seems to come out better than a pizza made with the packaged, pre-shredded kind.
Once assembled, stick back in the oven until they look melty and yummy! Just a couple of minutes will be enough.
Time can be cut significantly if you already have the sauce left over from a pasta dish that day or a day or two earlier. In that case, this is a 15 minute effort. If you do the sauce at the same time, I approximate 25min.

Be Healthier: The Natural Sports Drink

Have ever been running and suddenly noticed a terrible stabbing pain in the side of your stomach, or a cramp that shoots through your foot and makes it impossible to walk?  These very uncomfortable experiences, are symptoms—your body’s natural signals—that you most likely are dehydrated or have an imbalance of electrolytes. 

Even though I had run for several years, I never discovered the right way to hydrate.  I always suffered with cramping, and assumed it was a natural pain of the activity.  When I began favoring yoga to my gym workouts a couple of years ago, I realized that plain water wasn’t enough to keep up with my fluid and electrolyte loss from the profuse sweating. Very quickly after my first class, I started feeling poorly. I was very dehydrated and a classmate suggested I try coconut water.  After my first Zico, pure premium coconut water, I immediately went from nauseous, dizzy and weak to feeling like superwoman.  It totally revived me.  I walked straight home and read about the amazing liquid and educated myself about why it helped me feel so good. I have since become knowledgeable and devout believer in coconut water for hydration and electrolytes. It is the natural sports drink, cure for too much alcohol, and provides lots of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.

Maintaining our body’s electrolyte balance is essential for our organs and cells to function properly.   Although the minerals required are in relatively low amounts, it is a crucial harmony that, when disturbed, causes noticeable effects like cramping and nausea.  The importance of electrolyte balance is discussed in circles of athletes, but the average person may be less familiar with the concept. Thanks to very effective marketing by the sports drink industry, most of us-including me until the past couple of years- mindlessly reach for a brand sports drink before or after a workout, not realizing there are any other options for rehydration and replenishment of crucial electrolytes.  For that matter, most of us don’t really even understand what electrolytes are and how they affect our bodies.  We just drink this sugary, salty, artificially flavored, colored and processed concoction because it is popular and we aren’t aware of any other options.  I am a huge believer in exploring alternatives.  It is especially interesting to compare a natural remedy to a man-made or chemical solution from a lab.

While I have permanently given up Gatorade in favor of my tetra pack of Zico, fresh coconut water is the absolute best for taste and nutrition than the packaged stuff. Many health foods carry coconuts for drinking as well.  Since it isn’t always practical to locate, I think drinking it in the packaged form is perfectly fine, but if you have the option to buy a young coconut, or have the opportunity to try it at a local juice bar, it is a treat.

**My favorite brand of the packaged version is Zico, since it tastes less sweet than the others and has a couple of naturally infused flavored options.  If it isn’t available in your health food store, they can also be ordered in bulk, which is the most cost effective way to buy it.

Be Connected

One of the amazing things about people is our ability to provide support and encouragement to each other.  Somehow, with a friend by our side, we can find the strength to get through a difficult time, the courage to conquer a challenge or the inspiration to change our comfortable ways.   When I think about the few popular  “diet plans” that seem to actually help people, they all have at least one thing in common: group support systems.  Although I am not a proponent of “diets” in general, I understand and appreciate the need for a positive, supportive network.  

My health support has been from my mom and Ange.  My mom and I have always talked a lot about healthy choices and body image and worked together to promote healthy choices and share things we learned with each other.  It is a very important woman-to-woman connection addressing the specific pressures and challenges women face with learning to develop a healthy body image and healthy eating habits.

From the beginning of our friendship, Angela and I have been preparing food and cooking together. In the past few years, we have both become very committed personally to health, food, and the environment, all of which are inextricably linked.  Even from the time we whipped up salads with homemade dressing on a floor set-up in our dorm from the mini fridge, she expressed a willing and enthusiastic desire to be healthy with me.  Now we are regularly squeezed into our tiny Manhattan kitchen together, experimenting with new recipes, trying out cool kitchen gadgets, and using each other as the taste test.

I have started to appreciate my yoga studio for this support also.  Save the physical, mental benefits and love I have for yoga for another day, just being a member of this community that is healthy and green has opened the door to meet many people who are interested in living a life committed to good health. Sharing a common bond of things that are good for you adds a new dimension to a friendship or relationship. It is about making your health and the environment a lifestyle. It takes teamwork. We are all in this together, so get connected.

Be Connected, Part II: Salads and Cheeseburgers: Can They Coexist?

One of the most valuable reasons to cultivate an amazing network of health- savvy friends is support. The strength and acceptance it gives you, helps you connect with all of the people in your life who don’t always feel as committed to health and people who, many times, do not want to hear about the healthier choices. Full confession time--I am always tempted to try to convince my cheeseburger-loving boyfriend of all of the reasons he should eat a salad instead. I am sure many of you work to cook super healthy meals for your mate or family, hoping they do not notice the veggie balls which replaced the their favorite meatballs and at mealtime, you may even talk about important issues to share a new perspective. Now, I have never been at a loss for words and I am definitely not shy about talking about things that I am passionate about. But, a funny thing happened. Recently, my dad mentioned how great it is that I have become “so much less annoying about all of the health stuff.” Point taken! Good thing I’m not sensitive. Of course, my intentions were good, and came from a place of love, but I started appreciating the benefits of directing my health talk to my friends who are interested and only offering helpful advice to others when asked… (well, most of the time at least). Then, an amazing thing happened. I got a call asking from a certain someone asking for directions to steam broccoli, without a microwave, in a plastic steamer bag--I tried really hard not to gasp out loud-- and the next week this certain someone told me he was swearing off his favorite fast food burger joint and was going to try more healthy eating options. because last time he ate it, it made him feel terrible. I tried to hide my excitement knowing that this was an important step and I could blow it by going back to my old. It is all about baby steps, so I vow to be available for questions and advice and to bite my tongue at other times. I mean, it is about letting the healthy food do the talking.

Be Bold: Natural Beauty

Spring is in full effect, and as a sun deprived New Yorker, I have been daydreaming about the summer days at the beach where the sand, salt water, fresh air and sunlight worked wonders for the appearance. Growing up in Florida, I logged in some serious beach time. Aside from satisfying the need for Vitamin D, the natural healing and beautifying effects of nature are abundant, not to mention cost effective. I have become increasingly more of a believer in nature’s power to deliver what we need as opposed buying products from a lab that continuously whips up new chemicals, concoctions and beauty potions. Most of the drug store or luxury brand products come at a high cost and promise to be the fountain of youth and transformation. The claims made by sellers of beauty products are similar to the promised miracle work of diet pills: they are too good to be true. Being the dedicated health student that I am, I have set out on a quest to find the best beauty products, skin and hair care remedies that are natural. I’ve always been a girly girl and have long been obsessed with beauty products and new fixes to dry skin, hair, or nails. Prior to the past couple of years, when I became committed to the concept of “healthy and natural living,” I loved testing out different lotions, body washes, shampoos, and makeup. I was product obsessed. My standards have changed, however, and now there is another consideration for products I use. I have progressively shifted away from most of the conventional beauty products and changed to more natural and basic remedies. I immediately noticed that as I limited my exposure to chemicals in food, I became increasingly sensitive to chemicals in products. My perfumes started to give me headaches and make me feel sick to my stomach, the scents in lotions and shampoos I once loved, started to seem overpowering. After researching the benefits of natural beauty care, I now seek out any information I can find on both natural, “old school” remedies, and companies that produce products based on natural ingredients. Here are a couple of links for you to try Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, wholeliving.com, thedailygreen.com. Just like with food, using natural beauty products is a win-win-win. Not only are the natural products much healthier for you-bear in mind that your skin is your largest organ and is permeable: chemicals you are slathering all over it are in fact absorbing into your bloodstream- but they are also better for the environment. To boot, you can utilize some foods as beauty products so they serve double duty. I recently went digging around in my pantry after reading about the moisturizing effects of safflower oil and decided to give it a try. For years, I had been using baby oil in my shower thinking it was pure since it made for the most sensitive of consumers, which is unfortunately not the case.) Once I realized that it contains fragrance, I began to search for a good alternative natural oil. As opposed to coconut oil which made me smell a little funky, the safflower was more oily, less creamy and doesn’t smell at all. I don’t mean it is unscented like those lotions that say “unscented” but actually do have a smell. It is odorless, or at least undetectable to my very sensitive nose. And, it is awesome to use in cooking as well because it is very tolerant to heat so you can make double use for it. In many cases, the natural remedies are less expensive.

Be Discerning - Green Up Your Fashion

Fashion is impossible to ignore when you're in the city. A sidewalk perspective offers the opportunity to experience trendsetting at it's best. Constantly surrounded by such an array of personal styles, you can't help but be inspired to make a fashion statment of your own. I've always put thought into the outfits I wear and enjoy finding ways to be creative, interpretative and expressive with clothing. More recently I've become very Interested in labels, but different from most, caring a lot less about who I'm wearing, and more about what it is that I'm wearing.

Going to your closet to pick out an outfit deserves more thought than just which shoes look best with which pants. Clothing production is just that; a production. And it can be a very polluting one. If you are anything like me, you are probably hyperventilating just thinking about something else you have to consider when you already regularly declare how you just have nothing to wear! Not to worry. With some label-decifering know-how and a better list of fashion Do's and Don'ts you'll probably find that you will have even more options than before and you might actually dress for comfort and style in the process. Here's my guidelines to never endup a fashion victim.

Do look at labels: If you don't look at labels except when shopping for your size, now is the time to start. There is actually a labeling law that requires certain information to be disclosed. Fabric content is one of them. 

Don't buy synthetics: If the majority of the garment is a synthetic, you can bet it wasn't produced in a very earth friendly way and probably has chemical finishes that are especially irritating to sensitive skin.

Do stick to natural: fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, wools, and even bamboo don't have to be produced in a lab and easily eliminate one harmful step of the manufacturing process. I know you're probably skeptical about how natural translates into fashionable, but we've come a long way from the hemp, grass, and burlap sacks that may come to mind. Nowadays, high-end designers are exclusively dedicated to using these "new natural" fabrics and the popularity of their designs is catching on with mainstream retailers as well.

Do Know where the garment is made: Unfortunately, there are not as many clothing manufacturers in the US, but the farther away the Made In _____ is, the more fossil fuels were used to get it on the hanger in front of you and you can't always be confident in the labor practices either. 

Do wash your own clothes: Turn the label over and you will usually find the care instructions. It is no coincidence that natural clothing is less maintenance, saving you tons of money on dry cleaning and eliminating the need for a harmful laundering method. 

Do look for organic: Even better than natural is a natural fiber that is produced organically. Pesticides are for pests, not for the things you want closest to your body. Dyes and bleaches are arguably the most polluting element of clothing production so, by buying organic you're ensuring that only plant derived dying agents are used, such as henna and indigo. Save the bleach for cleaning your bathtub. Well....there's something better for that too, but I'll have to get to that later.

So, after all this talk about natural, this may seem a little contradictory, but everything considered, I do believe there is still a need for other synthetic, performance fabrics. I run, do yoga and lots of different outdoor activities enough to know that not everything should be done in cotton. However, there's still room to choose your active gear wisely. Fleece jackets can be made from recycled plastic bottles and my new favorite running shorts from Lululemon are made from 86% recycled polyester. They stay cool and dry and are thoughtfully and stylishly designed. Its the best of everything combined! Don't forget that even if your clothes weren't the perfect prototypes of eco-conscience clothing when you bought them, you can make them green and recycle them yourself. Give clothes still in reasonable condition a second life by handing them down, donating, consigning, or swapping with friends. Before you trash old t-shirts and other things not worth giving away, cut them into a variety of sizes to use as rags to wash your car and clean around the house.

Start incorporating these ideas into your new style perspective and you'll have a much more interesting answer when the fashion police asks, "who are you wearing." More than any other red carpet, each day offers an opportunity to say something meaningful with what you choose to put on. When you make responsible clothing choices, what's on the outside really is what's counts and that's one trend that won't be going out of style.

Be Connected - Shared Planet, Shared Responsibility

Nowadays, unless you make a concerted effort to actually be private, you can bet someone is taking notice to something someone else is doing. I am no exception and living in New York offers around-the-clock people–watching opportunities. 

It was one of those perfect early summer weekends up here when everyone was out and about, enjoying the weather and completely exposing their habits. I chose to spend the afternoon in Central Park at the “New Yorker’s Beach.” On a day like today, the 15 acres of lawn was predictably blanketed with people.  Even though I came here by myself to get some work done, it was impossible to remain isolated.

I first noticed the couple to my left speaking a foreign language, romanticized by everything around them. Another woman had spontaneously planted herself in front of me, sitting on her jacket and catching up on phone calls from family back home. Just barely within earshot was a guy doing an independent workout on his beach towel singing along to his iPod playlist. On my other side, was a group of attractive-enough guys talking and throwing around a football: presumably pretty eligible bachelors. As the best subject for my people-watching entertainment, I positioned myself to discreetly and absently observe what else they were up to through my dark sunglasses.

Not hugely surprising, this was a mostly uninteresting, uneventful, and unentertaining distraction from my work. I was about to turn around, when I noticed a huge red flag. They pulled out various lunches and as two of them began to eat, they deliberately watched as one of their plastic shopping bags slowly blew out of arms reach. I thought, surely after the next bite, they’ll run after their rightfully owned trash. It tumbled further. They looked away and continued eating with complete disregard. 

Eligible bachelors no more! I realized how disgusted I’d become through witnessing the inaction of a couple of strangers.  To me, this cavalier disrespect for the environment displays all the character flaws in a person I care to know. We’ve all heard not to get involved with men who mistreat their mothers. Maybe we should start analyzing how they treat their Mother_Nature, too. You never know who’s watching and when you litter, there may be more than just a plastic bag getting away.

(Don’t worry, a nice person a few feet upwind caught the bag and properly disposed of it. I wonder if he’s available…??)

Be Healthier - Man-made vs. Nature-made

I'm a Manhattanite now and can't imagine a more dynamic place to live, but I grew up in Florida and will always be a gulf beach girl at heart. I waited all winter long for my most recent trip to the Sunshine State and have been refueling my tank with some much needed sand, sun and surf. When it came time to suit up with my sisters and soak up some afternoon rays (and essential vitamin D ) the debate began. Beach or pool?

For me there is no comparison between the two nor would I ever consider them interchangeable. How did a concrete hole, requiring massive excavation , filled with chemicalized, chlorinated water be the substitute for the most amazing element of our earth: the ocean?

Our water sources today are so overly treated; stripping it of anything beneficial and adding in a slew of bacteria killing compounds. Good in theory, but when you start to think that this is the stuff you bathe, cook, and brush your teeth with, it makes you wonder. If you ever have access to any clean, natural body of water, getting in it is the best thing you can possibly do for yourself.

Salt water is especially good for you because the skin is able to absorb all of the naturally occurring minerals your body needs and the sand and salt act as gentle exfoliants which have healing properties as well. I'm seriously surprised someone hasn't bottled this stuff up and put it on skincare shelves everywhere so it can be accessible all the time. It's that good. Even better is the total experience of being out on the beach. It's more rejuvenating than any treatment available at the spa and in this case, man-made just can't compete with mother nature.

Be Resourceful- Paper or Plastic

Most grocery stores present you with a choice every time you go through the check out line: paper or plastic. What is really the better option for you and the environment?

It sounds simple, but it can't hurt to be reminded that, anytime you can replace a plastic with something else that is comparable but completely biodegradable , you should. Plastic, virutually never biodegrades, and even if recycled, it can only be made into another plastic product which virtually never degrades. When it comes to grocery store shopping, I try to bring my own tote bags (made from recycled plastic bottles, light as air, and only set me back $.99). When I forget them or make an impromptu stop, I always opt for paper. I know there was concern awhile back about paper products resulting in massive deforestation . Saving trees is admirable, but brown bagging it is usually the result of post-consumer waste and recycled  material, not fresh pulp. So selecting paper is better if you forgot your reusable tote. The same cannot be said of plastic which is not nearly as often derived from recycleables or recycled after use and is extremely hazardous to the environment from production to finished product. And, you can use the sturdy paper bags for other things once you've put your groceries away. I use mine as trash bags, recycle bins, or even book covers. They also make great craft paper or surface protectors for children's activities. It's the perfect example of the greenest golden rule: reduce, reuse, recycle. The alternatives are limitless. Just think outside the bag.

Exposing My Healthy Skin, continued

I spent a few weeks experimenting with a gentle daily exfoliator, and deep pore mask alternated with a non-chemical light skin peel. Once my skin was clean and smooth I applied tea tree oil and a vitamin E moisturizer under mineral powder make-up.  It sounds cumbersome, but these were all simple replacements for things I was already using. Here are some of my favorites:

Earth Science  apricot exfoliating cleanser: Used in the shower every morning, its simple composition and soft grit keeps impurities from getting trapped under the surface of the skin reducing breakouts, removing dead skin cells and invigorating the blood vessels to keep skin bright and luminous. Great at removing make-up, too!

Alba  Deep Sea pore refining mask: Used twice a week. Works like a pressure cleaner (without the pressure of course) to flush out pores and keep them clean, refined and invisible, just the way I like it.

Reviva Labs  Non-Chemical Light Skin Peel: Used once or twice a week to give your skin an overhaul. It has citrus fruit acids that work in combination with naturally occurring salicylic acid and crushed almonds to treat existing acne and visible skin damage and create super smooth and squeaky clean skin.

Desert Essence  Blemish Stick: The main ingredient is tea tree oil which is a natural antiseptic. It is great a a spot treatment or for daily use over regular problem areas.

Vitamin E: Known for its skin damage repair and healing properties, fades scars and any dark spots. You can mix it into a lighter moisturizer depending on your skin type.

Tarte  Mineral Make-up: I love this brand for its sustainability efforts and it comes in a pressed powder compact for easy application. It is Talc Free (known to be hazardous to the environment) and contains vital minerals for your skin to be its healthiest. It’s also built in with an SPF 8 and has good coverage, but who has anything needing to be covered up, now?! 

Even better, (what could be better than great skin, right?) is the earth is prettier and cleaner now, too. Reducing the amount of skincare products containing chemicals from getting washed down the drain helps to keep our water supply systems clean as well.

Exposing My Healthy Skin, continued 2

So you are probably wondering how the experiment ended up. In all honesty, My skin has never looked better. Although it may not ever be perfect or what I consider to be the most ideal, I have accepted that for my skin to be its best it just needs some special attention. I acknowledge there are several cases that need a professional opinion, but this trial has piqued my interest in trying out other similar product lines on the market, and I think I’m close to finding a regimen that works best for me. More importantly, I am always working on shifting more of the focus from dwelling on these less than perfect things about myself so that I am able to recognize the things that are really great (and it doesn't hurt to have a good friend around to remind you of all the things you have going for you, either, Thanks, Jen!).

I hope that by exposing this insecurity of mine, it will make it easier for someone else to face their own self consciousness about their skin or otherwise. I never imagined I would have allowed myself to be so candid about this, but a recent conversation with a couple of women at work gave me the courage to come out from under my cover-up.

I walked up on one of my friends explaining her most recent trials with the dermatologist and her frustrations with the process. She had previously mentioned to me her problems with hyperpigmentation so I knew right away what the conversation was about. I began to offer one of my own related skin tribulations (even to do that would have even been a big step for me), but before I could, the other woman immediately opened up about her desperation with eczema . Someone else walked by and chimed in about how they are frequently inhibited by their psoriasis . I would have never noticed these imperfections on others that always remain perfectly covered by clothing or make-up. We all could have kept them in hiding rather than exposing ourselves to the risk of scrutiny, but I'm so glad none of us did. Sharing these areas of personal vulnerability and outwardly admitting to these imperfections made me more comfortable and confident than I've ever been when skin is the topic of discussion.  I felt more beautiful through being honest and real and when I opened myself up to the judgement of others, I realized I have always been my only critic. We are all living with something we wish was a little more perfect. Stop holding yourself to someone else's standards. Confidence reveals true beauty and beauty is truly skin deep. 

Be Discerning - Paperless

In this day and age, e-mail pretty much always trumps snail-mail. Sadly, impatience has replaced the excitement once felt when postmen rounded the block. I always enjoyed getting real mail as a child and for some reason, I’m still much more anxious to check my mailbox than my inbox. So when day after day, I came home to a bundle of envelopes with my name typed beneath a cellophane window instead of colorful, hand addressed ones, I started to rethink what I was so excited about and began accepting a (more) paperless society.

I quickly and easily got to work at reducing my mailbox clutter by first enrolling to receive paperless statements for all of my accounts. Not only are the current statements due emailed to me, but I have a paperless record of all my statements on electronic file in one place on my computer, which has resulted in reducing home office clutter, as well! Another benefit to handling your bills on-line is you never have to worry about someone getting their hands on your information because it essentially disappears once you’ve navigated away from the page or it’s been idle for too long. With secure login access that requires a username, password, and frequently a security question as well, it sure beats all the dangerous paper shredders people have around so they can “safely” destroy the paper counterparts to e-statements.  While you’re at it, go ahead and set up online bill pay with your bank. Making e-payments saves the checks, the stamps, and most of the hassle associated with paying bills. You can even set up reminders to be emailed to you so you can avoid annoying late fees, ugh! Why stop there? Remove yourself from catalog mailing lists and shop online from the retailers you actually like. And remember, whatever junk mail you may be solicited with should never, ever end up in the trash. If it’s paper, guess what? It’s recyclable; creating post-consumer material for the production of other things (I bet you’ll never look at your Starbuck's sleeve the same way again)!

Be Light - Live Lighter and Switch 'em off

"Did you grow up living in a barn"? I’m sure we’ve all heard this saying a time or two. Even though I have always lived in or near suburbia, my dad had to frequently ask my sisters and me just that when we were growing up. It presents a sharp opportunity to ponder the wasteful things we commonly do without much thought. I can still hear his words echoing in my head when I notice something he would commonly refer to, then I quickly fix whatever may be morphing my civilized city living into aloof barnyard stable. No matter where you grew up, these are some of the things I suggest doing to ensure your upbringing doesn’t resemble anything barn-like:

Turn off the lights when you leave the room

Shut the windows and close the doors promptly when you are using the AC (do however, use the windows and let the fresh air in when it is pleasant weather and give the HVAC a break)

Don’t stare at the contents of the fridge with the door open letting the cold air rush out (you’re probably just bored and not hungry anyway)

Unplug every appliance you can when it’s not in use (even if it’s off, it is still sucking wattage )

Draw the curtains and turn off the air (or set the timer) when you leave the house for the day in the warm months

Let the sunlight in and turn off the heater (or set the timer) when you leave the house in the cool months.

Don’t continue to peak in the oven when it is heating (you’ll most likely mess up whatever it is that you’re baking by doing this, too)

Don’t let the water run before you get in the shower or while you are brushing your teeth.

Use only what you need, use everything you can.

Be Bold - Geeks, Gigs, and Green Technology

I’ve been on the market, until just recently, for a new computer. The notebook I had been using was old and unable to stay charged, had an incurable virus and was, literally, falling apart. Apparently, If you take care of your computer, it will take care of you, or so I was told by one of the geeks of the geek squad when I took it in to be looked at. It was obvious that I hadn’t done the best job of that, but I thought it might still stand a chance at being able to be resuscitated. After the assessment was given, I decided it was best for everyone involved; me, the computer, the techie, and my wallet, to just pull the plug, and buy new.

I’ll be the first to admit my technological shortcomings and if the earlier geek experience hadn’t already made that obvious, I could now see it written all over the face staring back at me. “What type of computer are you using now,” a woman with a name badge asked. “Uuuuuhhhhh....” I really don’t know this. She attempted to ask me more questions she thought I might know how to answer in order to narrow down the selection and find the right laptop for me. She’d explain the benefits of one over the other and I’d pretend to understand most of what she was talking about.

I don’t need confusing bells and whistles, just a portable laptop with basic functions that works. However, there was one feature I was particularly curious about. Since it has been a number of years since I bought a new computer, I wanted to know what was on the market now in the way of greener computer production. So I asked,“What are some components being used that make a computer better for the environment?” Now I was the one with the baffling questions,“Uuuuuhhhhh....” I guess you can't be a genious at everything. Although she was helpful in mentioning how most computers are now Energy Star approved and that this particular retailer has a recycling program which is basically a junkyard for old motherboards (admirable), what about looking for highly recyclable aluminum encapsulation over plastic and polycarbonate, super efficient mercury and arsenic free LED lit screens verses CCFL's and LCD's , use of responsible, low waste packaging, fewer parts, less toxins, and more energy efficiency? This is becoming a new and exciting standard in the world of technology and it seems we all stand to learn a lot.     

Paperless, continued

Now that you’ll have less and less unwanted mail showing up via USPS, maybe we can all get excited about getting letters from people again. Although I am always trying to reduce my consumption, especially when natural resources are concerned, I am still a believer in the importance of hand written notes and love beautiful stationery . I’ll scour several shops all over town just to find the perfect card for someone special. Recently, I needed to find father’s day cards, a graduation card and, birthday cards for three different family members. While reading through just about the entire selection at Papyrus, one of my favorite places for these very special paper products, I noticed more than just the sentiment inside. Every card displayed the company’s commitment to long-term environmental sustainability and I found they have an entire green line which uses paper from responsibly managed forests or post consumer material , soy and vegetable based inks, and eco-friendly production methods. I picked up boxed notes, wrapping paper, journals: all green and all up to my very picky standards! I am thrilled to know that beautiful, environmentally friendly cards are available on the market and that I don’t have to become completely paperless to be eco-conscious.  Evidently, there is still much to do with mail that is worthy of excitement and nothing trumps having a handwritten note from someone special appear in your mailbox.

Be Steadfast - Think Provokes Thought

Despite the fact that I've just declared making your own coffee to be the most thoughtful way to do it, there are some places pioneering the precedence for coffee shops to feed the habit with a conscience. ThinkCoffee is one of my favorite spots. Lucky for me, it is super convenient to where I work, but I've gone out of my way several times to support their business over other, more prevailant competitors. Think has thought about more than just serving coffee and turning a profit. Think has thought more about everything else that matters instead and has become a huge success in the process.

So first things first. The coffee. It's all certified shade grown.  If you prefer tea, they serve it up fair trade and all organic. Think Coffee does not just serve you any old milk off a refridgerated semi truck, they serve you cow's milk from local farmers sans hormones and antibiotics .
Not only are their plastic cups made from plants (bioplastics) and are completely biodegradable and compostable , the bins for paper and plastic recyclables, as well as compost (i.e. your plastic cups) are easier to spot than the trash (if you still have any after putting everything in its proper future use recepticle). As for being a good neighbor, they stand alone. They serve beer from local breweries, wine from small distributors and squeeze fresh juice daily. They offer all natural treats with some vegan and organic options, for any time of day. All of which are either made in house or from bakeries and cafe's around the neighborhood. They have a "give and take" library for books to be used and reused and 10% of their profits gets donated to local charities and yet, the price you pay for all of this good stuff is not inflated because of it. In fact, its a bargain when you really think about it!

It makes me feel good to know that I am helping to contribute to all of these great causes every time I stop in for a caffeine kick or snack I can trust. I hope this is the beginning of a trend for other food establishments to start thinking about all the things Think believes matter. And truly, they've given us all something to think about.