QNexa Should Not Be Your Next Choice

QNexa?  Leave it to Big Brother Pharmaceutical to look out for our best interests - right?  Please tell me you know the answer is wrong!  There are very few instances where the right answer is taking a relatively new drug whose side effects may include some serious heart issues.  The FDA is concerned enough about heart problems from Qnexa that they are considering requiring studies – but the studies could come after the drug hits the market and loads of people begin taking it.  Really? What on earth is the FDA here for?  To let drugs hit the market, see what happens and then make a decision about whether its safe or not?  WOW!


I heard a radio news story about QNexa and how the pharmaceutical companies thought they had a good answer to weight loss.  I'm sure that's exactly what they think.


Perhaps each of us need to take our health into our own hands.  You know in your heart what is best for you and what isn't.  What I hope for each person that is struggling with weight loss is that you find yourself a good support system and discover what the real issue is.  Oftentimes there is an emotional cause as to why many women struggle with their weight, so keep in mind that there is NEVER any shame in seeking professional help in overcoming your hurdles!


That's the end of my sermon for today.  Take care of yourselves and let's be each other's cheerleaders!

Happy Ground Hog Day!

Useless and Fun Ground Hog Day Facts you wish you knew!  Hey, we're all about sharing fun!  Our friends at the Huffington Post did all the work for us, so why not share the HogLove?

To put more of an eco-spin on it, Ground Hogs are just another reason to keep our waterways clean and our forests standing.  Humans are not the only living creatures on the planet and didn't our Mommas teach us how to share?!


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/01/groundhog-day-2012-facts_n_1245259.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003#s649298&title=Woodchucks_Dont_Chuck

Breakfast does a Body Good!

Great article from Nutrition Babes...check it out!  Thanks Lauren & Kathleen!

If you're a B.A.B.E, you always start off your day with breakfast...right!?!?

Topic: Breakfast
Author: Kathleen A. Siegel
2011-09-05 23:23:25

Start your day off right...with Breakfast!

Your mother was right; breakfast is the most important meal of the day!  We all know that nutrition is essential for proper growth and development in children.  And, starting the day with a good breakfast will have additional benefits as well. 

Breakfast promotes better performance

Studies have consistently shown that children who consume a good breakfast can actually enhance their performance on cognitive tests and in school.  Your body and brain need to be fueled to function well and last night's dinner is no longer providing it!  Consuming a complete breakfast will improve one's cognitive function, memory, punctuality and attention.

Breakfast promotes better behavior

Consuming breakfast at home or in school has displayed a decrease in behavior problems.  In elementary schools, studies displayed when children are hungry there is an increase in behavior problems such as hyperactivity, fighting, stealing, having difficulties with teachers and not following rules.

Breakfast promotes a healthier body

US researchers found that when teenagers regularly consumed breakfast, they were more likely to consume a healthier diet, exercise and have a lower BMI compared to the same age children who regularly skipped breakfast.  Studies have already linked skipping breakfast to a higher BMI.

All together, eating breakfast is a habit that promotes a healthier lifestyle.  Jump start your day with breakfast!

What makes a good breakfast?

An egg, slice of whole wheat toast, almond butter, a piece of fruit and a glass of low-fat or skim milk

Whole grain cereal, skim milk, a piece of fruit and yogurt

Whole wheat wrap, egg whites, low-fat cheese and an orange

Low-fat cottage cheese, fruit and a whole wheat English muffin

Whole wheat pancakes, fruit and skim milk

Think protein, fiber and add some color!

Check out some of our breakfast recipes, enjoy!

Banana Pancakes

Fruit and Oatmeal Breakfast Parfait

Grab-and-Go Breakfast Squares

Banana Bread

Strawberry Oatmeal Breakfast Pie

Frittata

Zucchini Bread Squares

Apple, Cinnamon Walnut Oatmeal

Peach and Banana Ambrosia

Organic Lawn Care is it for Real?

It's that time of year again - we play in the yard, tidy up the yard, let our digs run around in the yard.  But what's in your yard?  Rather, what's on your yard?  If you are like 75% of U.S. households, you use herbicides on your lawn or other forms of pesticides for a variety of unwanted pests and things in your lawn and around your home.  4.4 billion applications a year.  WOW.

Well, being environmentally-focused gals, we can't help but to spread some info about pesticides, a.k.a. poison.  Seriously, that's what pesticides are: poison.  Now, we don't particularly favor dandelions in our lawn, ants in our cupboards or prickly grass.  For us, there was a point in time where the light bulb went off & we asked ourselves "at what cost is our lawn nice?"
Points to consider:

• When it rains heavy, all the pesticides - poisons - from your lawn run off into the storm drains.  Most neighborhoods have a retention pond where some folks fish, ducks gather, your dog drinks after a long walk.  Now think - what's in that water? You guessed it!  Everything that went down the storm drain - including your lawn pesticides.  
• Pesticides have been linked to asthma, learning disabilities, birth defects, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
• There are tons of companies that now offer organic lawn care if you're not up for doing it yourself.
• Consider watching Chemical Reaction ; we venture to guess it will be a game changer.  It was for us.

There are lots of statistics that we could throw your way from how many birds die each year because of pesticides (60-70 million - just in the U.S.), to almost 70 million pounds of pesticides are thrown on U.S. lawns each year.  But, in the effort to hold your attention, here's a nifty link for more info: http://www.organiclawncare101.com/

Take a few minutes and see if making one slight change this month can make a difference in your health and that of the planet.

Eco Chic Beauty Tips

How fun to be asked to talk about stuff that you like to talk about!  Example:  I was asked to be interviewed by Columbus Alive  and Jackie Mantey.  She wanted my thoughts on eco-friendly style & beauty tips.  Fun!  Because newspapers have limited space & I do not, here is the complete list of tips I threw out:

1. Do not use any bath or beauty product with Palm Oil in the ingredient list.  This is the single most damaging environmental product out there.  Seriously.  Burning down forests, loss of life, greenhouse gases; the list is extensive.  Check it out:  www.theproblemwithpalmoil.org
2. Go with the organic seal.  Then you know that no pesticides were used to grow the ingredients used in your product.  Pesticides = Poisons.
3. Use one nice razor, like the Mach 3 (love it!) instead of a gazillion disposable ones.  The better razors need only the head replaced. Come on, you have the cash to pony up the money for one nice razor.  Skip Starbucks for 2 days & you'll be fine.  Over 2 billion disposable razors are dumped into our landfills each year?  
4. Get a low-flow shower head.  Do you know that even a low-flow uses 2.5 gallons a minute?  In many city slums in other countries, they only have about 8 gallons of water a day for everything they need.  Makes ya think about that 20 minute shower.
5. Look for "Not Tested on Animals" & the "Cruelty Free" seal.  That's the best you can do to ensure you're not contributing to cruel & inhumane practices.  Not necessary in today's world.  Boo.
6. Use the same washcloth for a few days instead of facial wipes and use the same towel for a few days...you are clean, right?
7. Use organic cotton cotton balls.  25% of pesticides used are used for growing cotton.  Someone lives downstream from all that poisonous waste.  
8. Take stock.  Organize your stuff, donate what you don't need (shampoos/conditioners to local shelters) and you'll save time & money!  When you are disorganized, you end up buying more stuff and making more stuff is not eco-friendly.  
9. Do the best you can!  Don't get overwhelmed and think you can't possibly do it all!  Maybe just change one thing a month and you'll be on your way to becoming a B.A.B.E!

Thanks to Jackie & Jodi Miller (photographer) for taking time to spread some eco-love and helping us all to be Better Earthlings!