As we get older, we start to ask important questions about our lives. Some wonder if they are in the right career or not. Some question if they are living in the right city, or with the right person. Some ask if they are making a difference in the world, or if when they are gone, will people remember them. People like me, however, wonder if they are looking older. Call me superficial, but I don’t want to grow up! I don’t want wrinkles and sun spots and yellow teeth. So instead of freaking out, I’ve done some research on natural ways to stay young. And as it turns out there are some pretty tasty ways to combat aging.
Wild Salmon Salmon and other cold water fish are great sources of protein. These proteins help to maintain skin cells and help promote cell regineration…which means they are anti-wrinkle! The omega-3 fatty acids in Salmon help keep skin radiant and fresh and also helps brain function…bonus! The dark pink color in salmon comes from an antioxidant called astaxanthin, which is an anti-inflamitory…goodbye fine lines and wrinkles!
Wheat Grass Wheat grass and barley are close cousins of all dark leafy greens, but wheat grass packs a much more nutrient dense punch. Green foods help to detoxify the skin to keep it looking radiant. Because of the high levels of chlorophyll, wheat grass has positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and the immune system. The chlorophyll also fights against bad breath…who knew?
Olive Oil Every diet needs good fat to help absorb the nutrients from our fruits and vegetables. Olive oil keeps our cells supple which translates to smoother skin. Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains oleic acid which helps us absorb omega-3’s and other nutrients in our food. The acid keeps our cells outer walls supple allowing nutrients to enter easily and waste to escape.
Blueberries These little blue balls (don’t be gross) are full of anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation causes sagging and wrinkles and we don’t want that. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and improve memory and brain function. Anything that is good for the brain is good for the skin.
Green Tea Green tea contains polyphenols which help to get rid of free radicals that cause inflammation. New studies also show that polypphenols help protect cells from cancer causing DNA damage. Another new finding suggests that the green tea polyphenols, also known as EGCG, reactivate dying skin cells, in turn, making us look younger!
Grapefruit Sour citrus fruits, including grapefruit, lemons, and limes contain antioxidants called limonoids. These limonoids help prevent cancer by boosting detoxification in the liver, lower blood cholesterol, and inhibit cancer cell growth in skin. A study conducted for Bordeaux Medical also found that the proanthocyanidins (say that 3 times fast!) found in sour citrus strengthen capillaries which maintains the elastin of our skin keeping it healthy and youthful.
The great people at 3b Bags saw my blog review of their product and as a “thank you” sent me a few packages of their reuseable produce bags! So, I thought I would share this wonderful product with my readers by giving you a chance to win! Link here for the product review blog I did a few weeks ago: https://sarahgoesorganic.wordpress.com/2010/08/01/3bbags-reusable-produce-bags/
Here are the rules:1. You must subscribe to my blog. Just click on the “subscribe” button located on the upper right side of your computer screen. 2. You must leave a comment on this video. Let me know what you have done to go organic, or what your favorite blog entry is on my site, or what you plan on working on to become more “green”. You can pretty much say anything you want to, but each comment you leave has to be different from the last. 3. The more comments you leave, the better chance you have to win!
Contest starts with the posting of this blog and closes on
Friday August 20, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I will use random.org to choose the winner and will let you all know who wins after the close of this contest. If you have any questions, please email me 🙂
I love going to Farmers’ Markets, but I especially love going to Farmers’ Market in San Luis Obispo, Ca. If you are ever on the Central Coast in California you have to stop by downtown SLO on Thursday night for their unforgettable Farmers’ Market. This is a year-round happening, every single Thursday and I LOVE it! I had the pleasure of making the short drive over last night and wanted to share the awesome produce and other wonderful products I purchased. Farmers’ markets are a great way to buy locally and to help support organic farmers in your area.
It has been almost a month now since I started this blog and began to change my lifestyle to become more “organic”, so I wanted to share my progress.
An Update on My Organic Transition
This is what I’ve changed so far…
Food and Drink The first thing that I have changed is the way I eat. Right now I’m only eating whole foods, which means fruits, vegetables, poultry including eggs, fish, and meat. I cut out everything processed and everything with chemicals and most preservatives (excluding citric acid, a natural preservative). Obviously, for fruits and vegetables I am trying to buy all organic, but if I can’t it’s not the end of the world. For poultry and eggs I am buying only cage-free, hormone-free, organic chicken and eggs. I’m buying wild caught seafood and the little meat that I eat (I just don’t love it that much), I’m chosing grass-fed, hormone-free and free-range when I can. For an extra challenge I have also cut out all processed foods. I’ve included what I would call healthy processed food in this to make it more simple for me, so no bread products or dairy. However, I do put cream in my coffee :). I will eventually get into incorporating and exploring more of whole grain bread and bread products and organic natural dairy products including cheese, but for now I’ve stayed away because I want it to be a little more simple. I’m not a freak about it though! I have had “normal” food a few times when I’ve been out with friends and family, but for the most part it is pretty easy to eat whole foods everywhere. I do believe in that old saying: Everything in moderation!! So for drinks, I have completely cut out all chemicals and fake sugars. Basically, I’m drinking water, iced tea and coffee. I used to be addicted to Sweet-N-Low and shaky packets that you put in water bottles. Both fake sugars and shaky packets are chemicals in a little pouch! Who even knows what they are doing to you? I thought that it would be a really hard transition, but it was surprisingly easy. So those are the changes in food and drink I have made and I feel great! I know that all of you have eaten fast food or a really huge dinner that is heavy and greasy and gross and you feel heavy and greasy and gross afterwards. Since I have been eating this way I feel completely light and healthy and fresh. It’s been totally fun and totally easy :).
Beauty Products You have already seen a couple of product reviews that I have done, but for things that I need to purchase from this point on, I will be purchasing the most natural and most organic products that I can. You probably already know this, but our skin is the largest organ of our body. Anything that we put on our skin will get absorbed into our bodies, so the point behind buying natural and organic is to only put the “good” stuff in. This has been the most fun part for me. I obviously love to shop, I love make up, I love products…anything! It has been so fun to switch over to a whole new world of products. I have found really great things that I am so excited to share with you :). And I’ve already been approached by several companies that have sent me products to review and even a few things to give away to my readers so stayed tuned for a chance to win!!
Household Cleaning Products Last, but not least, for my home, I am searching for and buying all natural cleaning products. Everything that we wash down our drains or that we throw away ends up in our water supply or our landfills and I’m trying to be more responsible in this area too. The fewer chemicals and “man-made” stuff that I can use in my home the better. So for doing laundry, doing dishes, and for all around general cleaning I will try to buy the most natural, most organic products that I can. I will be reviewing those products as I use them and can form better opinions. I am also researching homemade cleaning products that are made out of everyday ingredients. If any of you have recipes for natural cleaning products, please send them my way. I would love to try them in my home.
Thank you so much for your support in reading my blogs and watching my videos!
I have been very surprised by the interest, which makes me oh-so-happy 🙂
Say Goodbye to Bottled Water
It is estimated that we Americans spent over $15 billion last year on bottled water. That is more money than was spent on movie tickets and iPods. When purchasing bottled water we are under the impression that we are being healthy. The sad reality is that the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for tap water are actually higher and more enforceable than the Food and Drug Administration’s are for bottled water. Studies have even shown that bottled water is less regulated and more contaminated than tap water! Another sad truth, when purchasing bottled water, we are only paying 10% of the purchase price for the water, the other 90% is the cost of plastic! And, it is estimated that over 75% of plastic water bottles purchased end up in landfills.
The Solution
If you are still unsure about drinking water straight from the tap, purchase a water purifying pitcher. I have used a Brita pitcher for years and I love it! You simply fill up the top portion of the pitcher with tap water and a charcoal filter filters the water into the bottom portion. You can then use this water for drinking, cooking, making ice cubes or whatever else you need water for. The cost of a Brita pitcher is about $25 and the filter are $10 for 3 with each filter lasingt about a month or so depending on use.
I would also suggest purchasing a reusable water bottle. I have used the same Nalgene bottle for 8 years! They are virtually indestructible! My bottle has literally been around the world with me and I love it. You can get any reusable water bottle, but get something to keep with you full of water so you are less tempted to purchase bottled water when you are on the go.
You can watch the vlog below,
or once again, I’ve included pictures and text below.
I LOVE popcorn! It’s salty, and crunchy, and buttery, and lovely. I could go on and on about it. I always have microwave popcorn in my cupboards. But since having gone “organic” and only eating whole foods, I have not touched a bag of the stuff, and I must admit that I miss it. If you have a box of popcorn hanging around your kitchen, take a moment to read the ingredients label. It is full of butter, salt, sugar, artificial color and flavor, oil, and preservatives…all of which we should not want in our bodies. Lucky for you though, I came across an amazing, life changing, tip this week on how to make natural microwave popcorn at home! Brace yourselves, you are about to be amazed!
All you need are 2 simple things:
A brown paper lunch bag Popcorn Kernels
You can find these in the popcorn section of the grocery store.
Any kind will work, or you can purchase Organic Kernels at places like Whole Foods.
So, how do you do it? Follow these simple steps:
1. Open lunch bag and put 2 small handfuls of popcorn kernels in.
2. Make 3 tight folds at the top of the bag. You should roll the bag down only an inch or so. The popcorn needs room to expand as it cooks.
3. Place in microwave for 2 minutes. (when are first trying this, stay by the microwave to listen for the popping to stop. Every microwave is different, but mine takes about 1.5 minutes to cook) 4. Remove from the microwave, open up the bag and enjoy wonderfully natural popcorn!
Following this recipe will give you a medium bowl full of popcorn. So, obviously, if you are cooking for a large crowd, are super hungry, or have a double feature movie night, you might need to make more than one batch. This popcorn is all natural so you can control what you put on it. You can add butter, salt, pepper, parmesan cheese, whatever you like! You know exactly what you are eating which is exactly what we want! Also, since there is no oil on the kernels, you can reuse each brown paper bag up to 5 times…so no wasting paper!
I am so excited that this actually works. To be honest I did not believe the article when I read it. I mean, if we can make microwave popcorn at home, why wouldn’t we? Isn’t there a reason we buy it at the store? But this actually works and I’m thrilled! So, go pop some popcorn and enjoy! You will be amazed. Guaranteed :).
Once again I have a vlog, or if you prefer to read,
I’ve included pictures and text below :).
I have an addiction to lip balm. I keep it everywhere. At work, in my car, on my night stand, in my bathroom, in my purse, in my beach bag, and even on my coffee table! Needless to say, I love it, so naturally, I was so excited to find a new 95% organic 100% natural lip balm!
Evolution of Smooth Lip Balm!
FUN FACTS ABOUT EOS LIP BALM
95% Organic
100% Natural
Free of Parabens, Petroleum and Gluten
Made with Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, and Shea Butter
Glides on Smooth and CLEAR
Each Sphere is $3.29 (very comparable to other chapsticks)
This lip balm comes in a neat sphere shape and is avaliable in four flavors. I purchased three of them. Lemon Drop which also contains an SPF 15, smells like sugary sweet lemonade. Summer Fruit is extremely sweet-smelling. It reminds me of being a little kid and strawberry shortcake. My personal favorite is the Honeysuckle Honeydew. It smells fresh and light with melon undertones. I love this scent, everyone should try it! My local drugstore did not have Sweet Mint, so I will surely be on the lookout for that one! I encourage you to purchase this product next time you need a lip balm…you will not be disappointed!
Never Fuel Your Body at the Same Place You Fuel Your Car
Did you know that American gas stations now make more money selling food than they do selling gas? I walked into a gas station several months ago while on a road trip because I needed something, anything, to eat and I found row after row of prepackaged food, all of which had a layer of dust on it. I was grossed out! It’s hard to believe that some people actually rely on this type of food to get them through the day. What’s that old saying, “you are what you eat“?I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be a gas station!
All of the food found in gas station convenience stores is highly processed, prepackaged snack food. This food is almost as bad for your body as the gasoline you are pumping into your car would be to drink. Try to think ahead and bring snacks with you on your car trip, or simply wait to eat at a restaurant. But, if you are in a bind and have to buy something at the gas station, stick to a bottle of water, and if you’re lucky, you might find an old piece of fruit by the register :).
Never Fuel Your Body at the Same Place You Fuel Your Car
I recorded another video blog, so please watch.
If you prefer to read, I’ve included text and pictures below 🙂
I don’t know about you, but I have jumped on the bandwagon of using reusable totes at the grocery store. You buy them for about a $1.00 and bring them back when you do your shopping to cut down on the use of plastic bags. These reusable totes are everywhere! Grocery stores, pharmacies, large chain stores, even clothing stores. They are a great way to reduce waste and save plastic. So needless to say, I was so happy when I came across this new product!
I am so excited to introduce to you 3bbags Reusable Produce Bags
These bags are so cool and so smart! They are made by a company called 3bbags based out of Colorado. The product is exactly what they are called; Reusable Produce Bags. They are made of out polyester, come in a pack of three, have a draw string to close, and are completely washable and reusable. They take the place of those plastic bags that come on a roll in the grocery store for your fruits and veggies. Worldwide we use a shockingly large number of plastic bags.
“The consumption rate of our plastic bag addiction is estimated at well over 500,000,000,000 plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute.” www.3bbags.com
Using these bags, or a similar product will drastically cut down on our plastic bag consumption. I ordered a pack of three bags (two standard size and one oversized bag) from their website for $7.50. Shipping to my door was around $1 and they arrived within 3 days. The bags are washable either by hand or in the washing machine and air dry in no time at all. I encourage you to go to their website and check out the product, it’s just another small thing we can do to make a difference.
Salmon and other cold water fish are great sources of protein. These proteins help to maintain skin cells and help promote cell regineration…which means they are anti-wrinkle! The omega-3 fatty acids in Salmon help keep skin radiant and fresh and also helps brain function…bonus! The dark pink color in salmon comes from an antioxidant called astaxanthin, which is an anti-inflamitory…goodbye fine lines and wrinkles!
Wheat grass and barley are close cousins of all dark leafy greens, but wheat grass packs a much more nutrient dense punch. Green foods help to detoxify the skin to keep it looking radiant. Because of the high levels of chlorophyll, wheat grass has positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, and the immune system. The chlorophyll also fights against bad breath…who knew?
Every diet needs good fat to help absorb the nutrients from our fruits and vegetables. Olive oil keeps our cells supple which translates to smoother skin. Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains oleic acid which helps us absorb omega-3’s and other nutrients in our food. The acid keeps our cells outer walls supple allowing nutrients to enter easily and waste to escape.
These little blue balls (don’t be gross) are full of anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation causes sagging and wrinkles and we don’t want that. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and improve memory and brain function. Anything that is good for the brain is good for the skin.
Green tea contains polyphenols which help to get rid of free radicals that cause inflammation. New studies also show that polypphenols help protect cells from cancer causing DNA damage. Another new finding suggests that the green tea polyphenols, also known as EGCG, reactivate dying skin cells, in turn, making us look younger!
Sour citrus fruits, including grapefruit, lemons, and limes contain antioxidants called limonoids. These limonoids help prevent cancer by boosting detoxification in the liver, lower blood cholesterol, and inhibit cancer cell growth in skin. A study conducted for Bordeaux Medical also found that the proanthocyanidins (say that 3 times fast!) found in sour citrus strengthen capillaries which maintains the elastin of our skin keeping it healthy and youthful.
Sarah Goes Organic 
