by Wendy

In this day and age, we’re always curious at what we’re putting on and into our bodies and looking for ways to eat better, feel younger, and stay healthier. Whether it’s the food we eat or the shampoo we use, we scan through aisles of products and see words like, organic, all natural, gluten free, and fat free being used.

And since we’re also trying to be more eco-friendly and more aware of what we give our families, taking a peek at the ingredients label has become more and more important. But what happens when we come across ingredients like Butylated Hydroxyanisole? What’s that? I wasn’t quite sure until I looked it up and found that it’s commonly used as an antioxidant and preservative in food, food packaging, animal feed, cosmetics, rubber, and petroleum products.

Here are 2 must have books for your home that can help you figure out what those labels are telling you:

A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives – This book will tell you all you need to know about more than 12,000 different ingredients that go into the food we eat. From preservatives, pesticides, and even growth hormones, you’ll learn about the items you’re purchasing from your supermarket shelves and what to avoid.

A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients – Cosmetics always have ingredients you’re not too sure about that promises to help you become “wrinkle free” or “get healthier skin”. Find out what they’re really putting into that bottle before you put it on your skin.

Be aware of what you’re putting into your body as well as your family. Making a few changes to what you put into your shopping cart can make a big difference.

What are your must have reference books for your home?

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.

by Wendy

Imagine a world where one out of two Americans was obese. What would that look like?

According to recent studies, you may not have to look too far. We all try to do our share to keep our waistlines trim as well as stomachs satisfied, yet we continue to see obesity rates rise, and at a higher rate than ever. With already more than one third of the current U.S. adult population being classified as obese, studies are forecasting this number to grow to as high as 42% of the entire population by 2042.

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Not only this, but the cost for the U.S. healthcare system to medically provide for those with obesity-related conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, is projected to be approximately $550 billion over the next two decades.

Prevent yourself and the ones you love from being part of this statistic!  It’s never too early or late to start. Start by measuring everyone’s’ Body Mass Index (better known as BMI) with this BMI calculator provided by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and aim to have a BMI score lower than 30. Keep a food journal will help you become more aware of your family’s eating habits. Replace foods with high calorie counts with healthier options, like fruits and veggies. And take the family to the park instead of the movies to get some exercise in the day. For more tips, check out our blog for healthy recipes and ideas the entire family would enjoy.

Let’s do our share to fight obesity in America.

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.

Lemon and orange slices exfoilate and polish your skin naturally!

Make sure you hit your T-zones! Your forehead, your nose, and chin to soak up oils.

Mix Egg, milk, and Honey for an easy, breezy face recipe!

One of the best ways to start the New Year is by refreshing your skin during the winter months when skin becomes dull, dry, and often tired looking from rounds of Christmas and New Year’s parties.  Here are three easy recipes for taking care of your largest organ that will cost you practically nothing!  Cheers to that!

Milk and a Washcloth: 

Take a washcloth and soak it in a bowl of milk then ring it out.  It’s best to use cow, goat, or buttermilk for smooth and supple skin.  Microwave for 30 seconds then place on face for ten minutes or until the washcloth cools.  This aids in both soft, smooth skin and is effective for getting rid of age spots since it lightens skin pigmentation.

The Breakfast Mask:

This little mask requires a blender and a little tender loving care!  I use this mask almost everyday because it is gentle and helps reduce redness, dark eye circles, and acne.  I’ve even started my teenage daughter on this regimen to gear her through the teenage years.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of rolled oats
• 1 cup of boiling water
• a drizzle of honey
• 2 TBSP milk
• 2 TBSp coffee grounds
• 1 teaspoon of Greek yogurt

Pour the oats into the blender and soak for a couple minutes in the boiling water.  Then add the additional ingredients and blend well.  Cake on face until dry then use a washcloth to exfoilate.  You can even keep leftovers in a separate container that can be heated up for 40 seconds for the next use.

Waterfall:

Take a common everyday vaporizer, preferably the warm heat model, then steam your face for at least 15 to 20 minutes.  After steaming your face, which opens the pores, then splash ice cold water onto face to close them.  Then moisturize as usual.  Prior to doing this, spend the day drinking an entire gallon of fresh water by the jug.  This will purify your skin from the inside/out. 

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on her blog, Charming Laurali Star, and on her site, The Damsel in the Attic, where she sells handmade and vintage clothing and accessories.  Another fab way to help reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Check it out!

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Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.

I’m sure before you Discover more at My Fitness Hub for fitness exercises you start with reading magazines and happen to make a pile of it somewhere in your drawer. For your knowledge, Fitness Magazines are not just a great read: They can be reused over and over in several fun ways!

This New Year, why not kill two birds with one stone.  Keep your resolution for going green, getting the body you’ve always dreamed of or taking holiday weight off with fat burning pills, and organizing your paperwork, your life, and your home all at once.  You can start with that stack of fitness and health magazines that have been sitting in a pile and collecting an array of dust.  This month, check back every Wednesday to tackle one project at a time.

This Week:  Get in shape while reducing, reusing, and recycling!

Step One:  Magazine Subscription Insert Cards

Use subscription insert cards to blot lipstick! Keep stacks in your make-up organizer for ready use.

 

Step Two:  Donate Magazines

When finished with old magazines, pass them on to friends, family, or even your local doctor’s office to keep the ideas going and to inspire another.

Step Three:  Create a Fitness Scrapbook

When I’m completely finished with my fitness magazines I cut out the moves, ideas, inspiring words, and recipes into a personal fitness scrapbook.  I bought a journal for $5.00 at my local Big Lots, took a glue stick, scissors, stickers, and gems to create my work-out scrapbook on the cheap.

My personal work-out scrapbook that I bought for a mere $5.00

 

Recycle old fitness magazines by cutting out moves and recipes then using a glue stick to place them where you like then get ready to shape-up!

 

Old magazine clips have a wealth of routines, moves, and recipes!

Creating your own personal scrapbook gives you time to research and reset your brain for easing into a fitness routine for the New Year!

Step Four:  Use Tear-Out Cards!

Take tear out cards and mix n’match by using a hole puncher and place them on a ring for quick and simple work-outs!

Step Five:  Cut and Paste low-cal Recipes on Index Cards

Be sure to buy an index card box too with a variety of colors then cut and paste your favorite healthy recipes.  Use a label divider to keep your recipes stored in order such as, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and smoothies.

Magazine subscription cards also make great bookmarks for the avid reader!

Blogger Laurali Star can be found on her blog, Charming Laurali Star, and on her site, The Damsel in the Attic, where she sells handmade and vintage clothing and accessories.  Another fab way to help reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Check it out!

Green Halloween® is a nationwide non-profit initiative started by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. In 2010, Green Halloween became a program of EcoMom® Alliance and has events in cities across the U.S.