Guest Day! 6 Ways to Green

Today, I wanted to share a great post from a fellow Green Mom:

6 Easy Ways To Go Green Everyday


I consider myself to be a green living enthusiast because I am always thinking about how I can use less, how I can switch to more earth friendly options, and how I can reuse or giveaway things that others might reuse. I think that more than anything, being green is about, the desire to help preserve the beauty of nature and acting on that desire. Being green doesn’t have to be expensive, it can actually save you money because it should be about using less and using used too!

Here are 6 easy ways we can all help to reduce, reuse & recycle in our daily lives:


1.Recycle! Sounds simple but so many people just don't take the time to sort or to drive. Here is a statistic that may open your eyes- The United States accounts for about 5% of the world’s population and produces about 40% of the worlds waste. The need to recycle is clear. The United States’ rate of recycling is estimated to be about 30% by the EPA. While this is not bad, Austria heads the EU in its recycling efforts with approximately 60% of its waste being recycled. I wish that the US would head recycling efforts!


2.Save things that can be reused. I save all kinds of things for craft projects to do with my daughter! You can save junk mail and use the reverse for shopping list and other notes. You can save spare shopping bags (when you forget your reusable totes) and use them for bathroom trash can liners. You can save bottle tops for craft projects or to use for teaching small kids to sort or count.

3.Buy things that are less packaged! The other day my husband brought home some deli cheese that was pre-sliced with plastic between each piece and I was horrified. Just buy a block of cheese! It is cheaper that way too. The same goes for all the individually packaged bags of chips and cookies. It is cheaper and more earth friendly to buy a full box and use a reusable container to package it for snacks and lunches.

4.Unplug electric boxes that draw energy even when not in use (like your phone charger!) I have heard that your savings can add up to a few hundred bucks a year by unplugging electronics that aren't in use. This is an overlooked but easily corrected problem. Anything that is plugged in is drawing power and anything with box on the cord is drawing even more. It is great to make sure you unplug things you don’t need on daily basis. The Department of Energy says that a Plasma TV costs a whopping $165 a year for its standby power consumption alone! Help save the environment and top paying electric bills for stuff you aren't even using.

5.Start a compost pile for organic waste from the kitchen- you get the bonus of enriched soil for your garden! There are plenty of website that offer detailed instructions on how to build your own compost bin. I admit, I do this the lazy way. I just have a corner of my yard where we dump all the yard clippings, leaves, and kitchen waste. You can use simple wire fencing to help contain it. Composting is simply decomposing organic material into rich soil. According to the EPA, yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 26 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. That's a lot of waste to send to landfills when it could become useful and environmentally beneficial compost instead!

6.Buy local when you can. Try to support your local farmer’s market and local businesses. Not only are you likely to get fresher, healthier, yummier offerings, you also save transit which saves fossil fuels. Sustainable.org helps you find local, sustainable food sources when you enter your zip code

There you have 6 easy ways to go green everyday and help be the change you want to see! There are many more ways and I would love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and share your tips!


Guest post by Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees Blog- a green mom giveaway blog. She is a stay at home mother to two children and an avid nature lover. She is also founder of >MWYT Social Media Marketing and Café Mom Group-Green Earth Green Home.

Blueberry-licious!

Yesterday I purchased some huge organic blueberries from the market and I have to tell you, I felt like I was eating candy for breakfast this morning. I told my sons, “Back in the “olden days” these blue “babies” were like candy! You should try them.” Before I knew it, they were playing catch with large blueberries, popping them in their mouths, like “goals” at a hockey game!

With boys, nothing surprises me, but what does surprise me is how delicious this Food Flirt Friday Banana-Blueberry Mini Muffin recipe from The Stevia Cookbook is. With blueberries abound at every farmer’s market, take advantage of it-there’s nothing like locally grown fresh blueberries. Purchase extra pints and freeze them right away to capture their freshness for your wintertime recipes. You’ll thank me later!

*Important point about cooking with Stevia:
The most important thing to remember is not to use too much, which can result in excessive sweetness and an aftertaste. Always start with the exact amount called for in a recipe, or even a little less, then taste before you add any more. Stevia is delicious in almost any recipe using fruit or dairy products, but does present a bit of a challenge when used for baking, since it lacks sugar’s abilities to add texture, help soften batter, caramelize, enhance the browning process, and feed the fermentation of yeast. On the other hand, one of the excellent facets of stevia is that high temperatures do not affect its sweetening properties.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (organic if available)
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 ripe, medium-sized bananas
1/4 teaspoon white Stevia Powder (can be purchase online or at most natural foods grocery stores and markets)
1 cup buttermilk, or kefir
8 tablespoons unsalted (sweet) butter, melted
2 large egg whites
1 cup fresh blueberries (or 1 cup thawed frozen blueberries)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 400*F
In a large bowl, sift together the four and baking soda, and set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until they reach a lumpy consistency. Add the stevia to the buttermilk, and combine with the bananas. Gently stir in the melted butter.
Using an electric hand-held mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold them into the banana mixture.
Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed. Do not over stir. Gently fold in the blueberries and walnuts .
Scoop the batter into a lightly oiled or papered mini muffin tin. Fill each cup with a heaping tablespoon of batter, and bake for about 12 minutes. When toothpick comes out clean, muffins are done. Let cool and ENJOY! Makes about 24 muffins

Casteel Coffee Celebrates Grand Opening of new Chicago Cafe with Week of Promotions

Hey Green Moms, check this out if you're in Chicago!

Renowned for its "fresh from our roaster to your cup" quality, Casteel Coffee of Evanston announces a new cafe site in the famed Aqua building on Columbus in Chicago with a week of special promotions February 22 through February 26, with the Grand Opening Day on February 25.

Casteel Coffee @ Aqua offers freshly roasted coffee, baked goods, sandwiches and paninis Monday through Friday from 6AM to 5PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 7AM to 4PM. Carol Harris, founder and owner of Casteel Coffee emphasizes, "At Casteel, our artisan approach to coffee provides a difference that our customers have appreciated for more than a decade in Evanston, so we are pleased and proud to offer another cafe site, now in downtown Chicago."

As part of the week long celebration, Casteel Coffee @ Aqua's Grand Opening Day is Thursday, February 25. From 8AM to 11AM, customers will be treated to a Fair Trade market of tastes and treats: bakery and Mariage Freres tea product samples, Fair Trade displays, special 20% off on all World of Good purchases, free coffee travel mugs ($8 value) with coffee drink purchase and live music. Roastmaster Joshua Millman will be on site to offer free coffee tastings and roasting information.

February 22, Monday through Friday, Casteel @ Aqua welcomes all to the new site at 225 N Columbus with:

Monday: $1 Small Lattes
Tuesday: Free Small Drip Coffee with purchase of any baked good
Wednesday: Free Soft Drink with purchase of any sandwich or panini
Thursday: Grand Opening Thank you--Free Stainless Travel Mug ($8 value) with purchase of any coffee drink (while supplies last, one per customer) and 20% off all World of Good purchases
Friday: 25% off Fair Trade Guatemala at $9 per lb per lb special price

With an eco friendly design and easy to find location at 225 N Columbus, Casteel @ Aqua is a destination coffee cafe with the added value of high speed wifi. The cafe offers fair trade coffees as part of its corporate mission to protect and support coffee farmers, and is an active community supporter, with outreach to schools, community centers, religious organizations and not for profit events.

For more information, visit www.casteelcoffee.com.

Demand Healthy Funding Boost for Child Nutrition Act

Renegade Lunch Lady launches letter-writing campaign: One More Dollar for Healthy School Food

The Child Nutrition Act, slated for reauthorization this year, serves up a rare opportunity for healthier funding of school lunches. Chef Ann Cooper, aka the Renegade Lunch Lady, in partnership with Slow Food USA, Roots of Change, and Healthy Schools Campaign, is rallying a million moms and dads to write Congress demanding an additional subsidy of $1 per lunch.

Cooper is providing templates of letters requesting a budget increase to underwrite real (not highly processed) food for school kids: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, clean proteins and natural dairy products, with a priority on regionally produced food. This letter-writing campaign launches on the heels of the Obama administration's proposed $1 billion budget increase for school lunch subsidies. Cooper and her allies say this increase is not enough to feed our children well.

"We have the opportunity to make a positive impact and teach children about healthy food choices, which will influence their long-term health," said Cooper. "The Child Nutrition Act has not changed in 15 years and the time to help 31 million schoolchildren is now."

The Child Nutrition Act, reauthorized every five years, pays $12 billion to feed breakfast and lunch to schoolchildren, averaging only $2.68 per day for each child. Cooper and numerous nonprofit organizations and health-conscious companies are calling for an increase in funding - a dollar a day per student - dedicated 100 percent to food that promotes better health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity is the most commonly diagnosed medical condition of childhood and is a risk factor for many other diseases, including high blood pressure, asthma and type 2 diabetes.

Constituents can find the advocacy letter template at www.lunchboxadvocates.org and view informational videos at http://vimeo.com/9185123 and http://vimeo.com/9181529.

Seeing Green in 2010

With much resistance, I took down my holiday decorations this weekend; and with new resolve I decided to make my list of resolutions. It's quite a list, as always, but usually by mid June or July, I seem to notch most of them off of my list. I'm hoping this year is the same.

I have a lot of energy and I'm always looking for the next learning adventure. I don't claim to know it all, but I'm always willing to listen and learn and become a better person. I do feel a ubiquitous "green" movement in the air. It's no secret that "green" is the new black but will this trend continue throughout the year, decade and century? I sure hope so.

With your support and open mind to all that is green, together we can make the small steps toward a more sustainable planet. Let's resolve to use less, recycle more and reuse what we can. That's all that's asked of you. Then, once that becomes a walk in the park, do more. Read all that you can on the subject and then pay it forward.

For the next few months I will be working on my book about living a healthy, happy green life and I will be starting up my radio show again in February--and yes, these are on my list of to-dos. I will keep you informed of all the updates and happenings as they develop. Thank you for reading my blog and I invite you to come back soon.

Here is a link to my most recent TV appearance in Orlando on the Daily Buzz morning show. I have to tell you, the hosts were such a ball! So much so that right before we went on air, they told some really silly jokes, making me laugh--very hard. So, when you see me chuckling in the clip, you'll know why! We all need more laughter in our lives, so why not on national television!

Happy 2010!

TOPS Ten Tips for a Healthy, Happy Holiday

Thanks to the Take Off Pounds Sensibly Organization(TOPS)for submitting this wonderful holiday tip sheet. Check it out then check them out!

The holiday season doesn’t have to create havoc on your weight-loss goals, says TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization.. Follow these ten strategies to navigate the eating season for a great time without a great gain.

1. Don’t go hungry. Arriving at a party on an empty stomach is a recipe for disaster that can lead you to overeat and make poor choices. Have a light snack of a low-fat, high-fiber food a half-hour before you go, such as yogurt, an apple with a teaspoon of peanut butter, a piece of string cheese, or vegetables with low-calorie dip. This will help curb your appetite and make it easier to control your intake.

2. Treat yourself. There’s no need to ban your favorites; decide what you want to try and then set a limit. Cakes, cookies, and pies are available year-round, so indulge in small portions of only the best seasonal, holiday foods. Just a taste of something special can be enough to quell a craving without going overboard.

3. Take control. Offer to bring a low-calorie dish or platter to holiday gatherings. By preparing something that you know fits into your meal plan, you’ll have at least one healthy item on hand and other guests will likely appreciate it. Your hostess may also be grateful for the lessened stress of preparing multiple dishes.

4. Slow your pace. Eat slowly until you are satisfied, not stuffed. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to signal that you’re feeling full, so enjoy each bite and give yourself time to know when you’ve had enough. You’ll likely consume less than usual.

5. Mind your beverages. Drink plenty of water to help feel full and hydrated. Adding a twist of lemon or lime to sparkling water is a lively alternative to alcohol and coffee drinks, which can actually make you feel sluggish. Alcohol can also impair your judgment and make it difficult to stick to healthy eating resolutions. If you do choose to imbibe, select light beers and wines, and limit your intake to one or two drinks per occasion. Drink high-calorie seasonal favorites, like egg nog, punch, and full-fat hot chocolate, in moderation – or steer clear of them altogether.

6. Pair up with a friend. Make a pact that you will support and help keep each other on track. Don’t hesitate to lean on each other if you need encouragement to resist tempting treats or power through a workout. Remember, you’re not the only one refraining from holiday overindulgence.

7. Keep moving. It’s easy to let workouts fall by the wayside. If you aren’t able to set aside time each day for exercise, commit to at least 30 minutes three days per week. Many people continue their regular walking or jogging schedules year-round, but also consider walking in malls or the building where you work. Indoor pools, weight-workout rooms, tracks, and basketballs courts are commonly available in community facilities and schools. Municipal ice skating rinks, both indoors and out, offer a change of pace from the usual routine, while cross-country skiing and hiking let you build up your strength while enjoying nature’s beauty. Maintaining a workout routine also can help you manage holiday stress by releasing “feel-good” endorphins and provide a “time out” from worry and harried thoughts.

8. Rest up. Make adequate sleep – seven to eight hours – a priority, especially during this busy season. Getting enough rest can help repair your body, keep you mentally sharp, and enable you to be more productive.



9. Make friends and family a priority. Although food and drinks can be a big part of the holiday season, they don’t have to be the focus. Set aside time to spend with good friends and family, making memories that make the holidays worthwhile.

10. Keep your perspective. Be realistic and maintain a long-term view of your weight-loss goals. Overeating one day won’t make or break your plans; just aim to eat healthy and in moderation the next day. Dieting can be especially difficult during the holidays. Focus on maintaining your present weight and look toward the new year as a fresh start.

Remember, there will be many more holidays to enjoy. Employ these tips and come January, you will feel as good about yourself as you did before Thanksgiving – one more reason to celebrate.



TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the original, nonprofit weight-loss education and support organization, was established more than 61 years ago to champion weight-loss support and success. Founded and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., TOPS promotes successful weight management with a philosophy that combines healthy eating, regular exercise, wellness education, and support from others at weekly chapter meetings. TOPS has about 170,000 members in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada, and several chapters in Europe.

WE HAVE A WINNER!!

YAY!! WE have winner in our Essilor's Airwear/TwitterMoms blogging contest about "Seeing Green to Live Green". We had so many amazing entries, it was challenging selecting a winner.

Since Essilor's Airwear eyeglass lenses are made with 100% recycled water and uses 100% recycled packaging, it's easy to see why so many moms are "seeing" green; and this contest proved it. We all really do care about our choices and how they impact the planet. I love that by just purchasing earth-friendly eyeglass lenses we can be green moms!

You can read our winning blog by Rhiana, below:

REDUCE the poo: Got a baby? Did you know that ordinary disposable diapers take over 1000 years to disappear from our Earth? Cloth diapering is a wonderful thing, but not practical for everyone. Welcome biodegradable diapers to the neighborhood! (Enter gDiapers and Nature Babycare.) Of course, if you’re really brave [and have a lot of free time] you could try EC.

REUSE clothing: Fashionista? Go green without a lot of green. Create a clothing swap with your similar-sized, similar-taste friends and neighbors. Raid each others’ closets. Want something new? Go shopping together (carpool). Chip in on a few great outfits. Share. Circulate and reuse baby/kid clothes too! (I just made baby pants out of Hubby’s old t-shirt!)

RECYCLE everything: This family of 4 humans (one of which is a baby) and 2 dogs usually has about 1-2 bags of garbage per week. How? We recycle as much as possible … that toilet paper roll, tissue paper from that birthday gift, the box the noodles came in, the plastic thingy from new socks … You name it, we recycle it! (Remember last week when I told you not to forget to recycle those plastic bags?) Most counties have recycle pick-up that doesn’t require that you separate glass, aluminum, and plastic from one another. Our recycle collection does ask that we flatten boxes and paper. Go ahead … sign up. Don’t have pick-up in your area? Look for a recycle center near you now!

Greening Your Holidays

The holidays are a time of joy and thanksgiving and this year, you can also make it a time of renewal for the planet. Without going to too much trouble, you can implement several green aspects into your holiday preparations and celebrations.

Technology to Save Energy: You are going to be on the computer anyway, so consider sending holiday greetings to family and friends via e-mail. For lots of holiday fun, check out Elf Yourself to turn yourself and family members into elves for the holidays—virtually.

Reuse It: If you prefer to send handwritten notes, make your own cards with paper you already have. Or look for holiday cards printed on recycled paper. Eliminate envelope waste by sending postcards or folding and sealing notes so you can address them on the outside. Every bit of paper you save, really adds up and it saves you money on postage!

Recycled Party: When hosting holiday parties, use reusable glass or plastic ware, and recycled paper napkins. Marcal Small Steps products are made from 100% recycled paper rather than from trees, making your party oh-so-eco-chic and festive. At Biodegradable Store, you can find various biodegradable paper plates and cutlery to keep your party green through and through.

Bag It: Lately everyone seems to be remembering their reusable grocery bags at the grocery store, but we also need to carry our own canvas bag or backpack, or reuse shopping bags when shopping for gifts and holiday decorations. One smart choice is Chico Bag’s new rePETe bag made from seven plastic bottles that would ordinarily end up in landfills; instead, they’re put to good use in this reusable tote that can carry up to 25 pounds of gifts, food and other goodies.

Non-Material: Any mother will tell you that she’d prefer receiving gifts of your time or services. Consider a free breakfast in bed or perhaps a lunch date. Save valuable resources and share some quality time with a loved one. Consider gift certificates—for restaurants, movies, babysitting, etc.—or give consumable items such as baked goods.

Give What Is Needed: Resist the urge to spend money on fad gifts that may not even be used; instead, give gifts that are on someone’s list and are possibly made locally or in the US. This approach results in happy gift recipients and a happy planet (less waste).

Re-gifting Is Not a Crime: Pass along hand-me-downs and heirlooms as special gifts for family members. These are also called “story gifts” because they carry stories with them, and often invoke treasured memories. Share a story and some history with a loved one!

It’s a Wrap: According to the Medical University of South Carolina, waste output increases 25 percent during the holiday season. When wrapping gifts, consider re-using packaging from previous years or maybe even use the funny pages from the newspaper or use recycled wrapping paper. Get creative and use unique containers to hold gifts, such as cloth sacks or boxes from other products. Save countless trees and give your creativity muscle a boost!

Ever-Green: Everyone loves the smell of fresh cut holiday trees, however, Consider alternatives to a cut tree, such as a live tree, decorated houseplant or artificial tree. To maintain that reminiscent evergreen odor, consider tree-scented air fresheners or candles. Check out EarthKind for some eco-friendly options. Also, remember to recycle your Christmas tree when you can no longer use it. Many neighborhoods have tree recycling programs.

Decorate with Nature: Use natural items from around the house to decorate your tree, such as popcorn, berries and outdoor greens. Mother Nature will be so proud!
Buy Energy-Saving “LED” Holiday Lights: Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season. LED lights are available at many major retailers, including Target, CostCo and Ace Hardware.

Buy Organic or Locally-Grown Produce: And cook at least some vegetarian meals—make the most out of food resources and fuel. Support local family farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you’ll be doing your part for the planet too. Consider preparing food that does not have to be refrigerated to lower the amount of power wasted by continually opening and closing the fridge. Give away untouched leftovers and unwanted gifts. Others less fortunate than you could be very appreciative of these re-given gifts.

Fair-Trade Chocolate: Fill your stockings with Fair-Trade Chocolate and you can eat your way to a better planet. Consider Divine Chocolate, whose mission is to improve the livelihood of smallholder cocoa producers in West Africa by establishing their own dynamic chocolate brand.

Cool House: Take a pledge this New Years’ to reduce your home energy use by buying energy-efficient light bulbs. Installing only six compact fluorescent light bulbs will save the average American family $60 per year. If there’s a fire in your fireplace this Christmas, turn down that thermostat—lowering the temperature even five degrees can take 10 percent off your energy bill.

Product Labeling Act by Rep. Steve Israel

No matter what your party affiliation or your opinion on the Health Care Reform Bill, you HAVE TO AGREE with this proposed legislation! Rep. Steve Israel from New York is concerned about ingredient labeling for household cleaning products and is DOING something about it.

Check out this video blog to find out more!

Support the cause to KNOW what's in your cleaning products, it could be killing you...literally!

Soy it Isn't So!

Thanks to one of the most revealing newsletters I read today, www.healthfreedomalliance.org:
It is no secret that at Health Freedom Alliance in the choice between regular and organic food, they prefer organic! They take great strides to provide their members with as much scientific research as they can on the harmful effects of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that are used in the food industry today. They know they are not alone and that many of their members go out of their way to shop for organic foods and maybe even pay a little more to keep themselves and their families as healthy as possible. Which is why it is so disturbing to find out that the food company giant Dean Foods has recently been caught trying to fool customers into thinking the Silk brand soy milk they produced was organic.

At one point, up until early 2009, the milk was made with organic soybeans. But then Dean Foods switched to conventional soybeans, which most of the time are grown with pesticides. Somehow they forgot to mention this to anyone. They kept the same bar codes on the milk cartons and kept the label the same, while only quietly switching the word "organic" with "natural." And of course they kept the price the same. Because the bar codes were kept the same even some retail grocery stores were just as fooled as the consumer. Said one store owner. "We don't want to be part of customer deception." It appears that consumers need to be more careful then ever in distinguishing between organic and natural labels.

*Rule of thumb, read labels!!

Flu Fending Foods

I truly thought for some strange reason that my family would be immune to the nasty flu that's going around like wildfire, but I was wrong. This past week, my son came down with a hefty dose of fever, chills, etc. which proves to me that no matter what you do, sometimes you still get sick.

It's no secret that kids don't eat a completely balanced diet like adults aim to do. You know the drill, hiding candy in their desk drawer, or throwing vitamins in the fish bowl, etc. I used to feed my dog brussel sprouts from the kitchen table and to this day, my mom never knew (until now). Nowadays, I'd climb to the highest mountaintop to have a plate of sauteed brussel sprouts and onions!

Take charge this season and feed your body what it needs to fight off the flu and come out on top. A run-down body that is out of balance inside and out makes way for viruses to come in and wreak havoc to your immune system and health. It's almost impossible to live in a society and not come into contact with the multitude of germs that are literally everywhere during the flu season, however you can reduce your own susceptibility and strengthen your immune system by simply choosing the right foods to put on your plate--and, once in a while, open a window or two to let the germs out and fresh air in--cool or not.

Leafy Greens
Kale, spinach, seaweed and algae are excellent sources of Vitamin D, the immunity-booster we usually get from sunshine in the summertime. Along with contributing to a stronger defense against people coughing, recent studies indicate that higher Vitamin D levels can benefit ailments as diverse as osteoporosis and multiple sclerosis.

Red Bell Pepper
Gram for gram, red bell peppers have twice as much immune-enhancing vitamin C as an orange. Vitamin C is an essential weapon in your flu-fighting food arsenal; it can decrease the duration of a cold by 80 percent and the severity of symptoms like sniffles and cough. Eat red bell peppers chopped up in omelets or on sandwiches. Or, for a quick spaghetti sauce, saute chopped red bell peppers, garlic and olive oil until tender. Puree and drizzle over your favorite whole-wheat pasta.

Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics- good bacteria that line our intestines and defend our body against invading germs. Buy plain yogurt to get fewer calories and less added sugar than you do from fruit-flavored versions, and add your own sweetness with a teaspoon of honey (which may also be an immune booster, because it feeds good bacteria in our gut). To make sure your yogurt contains probiotics, look on the container for the National Yogurt Association's "Live and Active Cultures" seal, which means there are at least two types of healthy bacteria and 100 million bacteria per gram.

Green Tea
Green tea contains an immune-boosting chemical called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). To get the most health benefits from this hot drink, steep tea in boiling water for about 4 minutes. You can change up the flavor by steeping tea with a 1-inch chunk of fresh ginger, fresh mint leaves, a twist of orange peel or a cinnamon stick. Aim to drink 3 cups (24 ounces) or more per day.

Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of the disease-fighting antioxidant vitamin E. Aim to have 24 almonds (1 ounce) per day as a snack; use chopped almonds on oatmeal, salads or stir-fries; or try this recipe for sugar-and-spice almonds: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay raw (unsalted) almonds on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray, and sprinkle with brown sugar and a pinch of cayenne. Bake for 6 minutes, cool and eat!

Kiwi, Grapefruit Orange
All are great sources of vitamin C, the antioxidant we've known for decades to be powerful in fighting colds and flu. Chop up and create your own fruit salad--or perhaps dip the pieces in yogurt for a one-two punch of benefits.

Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes' beta carotene content makes them an immune-enhancing food. Beta carotene, the vitamin that gives sweet potatoes their orange pigment,is converted to vitamin A in the body, which research suggests may be particularly helpful in the treatment of respiratory infections. These taste best just roasted and topped with a small pat of butter!

Chicken Soup
A research study published in the medical journal, Chest, found that chicken soup has mild anti-inflammatory properties, which may help prevent colds and flu by decreasing mucus production and throat swelling and irritation (so you might be spared the sniffles or sore throat associated with colds). Make your next batch of soup with chicken, onion, sweet potato, turnips, parsnips, carrots, celery and parsley.

Garlic
Sulfur compounds in garlic may make us 2.5 times less likely to get sick this season-these compounds have been shown to kill viruses. Fresh garlic has more immune-boosting potential than cooked, so add a clove of fresh minced garlic at the end of cooking. Try this healthy version of fresh garlic bread: Toast sliced bread and rub with fresh garlic cloves.

Ginger
Ginger contains gingerol, a natural plant compound that can help fight off infection. Put a 1-inch chunk of the spicy root into a cup of boiling water to make ginger tea, or make fresh ginger vinaigrette to top raw or cooked vegetables. Here's how: Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated ginger and 1 teaspoon sugar.

Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts contain selenium, an antioxidant that may help protect us against conditions such as colds, flu and even cancer. But be careful: These nuts are rich in selenium (they have about 10 times more than other foods), but they're also high in calories- 190 calories per 7 nuts.

Treasures Found

I came upon this fantastic site, bottledupdesigns.com and thought you might want to considering it for your "green" holiday gift-giving.

The jewelry is handmade from antique glass and bottles reclaimed from wooded habitats and rural farmlands throughout the beautiful part of the country where the artist, Laura Bergman, lives, in Pennsylvania. While outside one day, digging and collecting she found several collectible bottles, and over time, she also saw so much wildlife running through the broken remains that she decided to do something about it. Now the broken pieces of bottles and dishware come home with her and are handmade into a remarkable line of recycled glass jewelry, "Bottled Up Designs". When Laura began making these she found herself explaining over and over again what the glass was that people were looking at, so she decided to put each piece with a card telling "The Story of the Glass" so every customer can enjoy the remarkable history behind their piece. This image is of her pink depression glass earrings, which sell for $45. www.bottledupdesigns.com

Born Free

I am 7 years gone from having an infant and often miss that time in my children's lives. There are so many wonderful new products for infants, nowadays. Here's one I wish were around when I needed it.

BornFree, an all-natural, Bisphenol-A (BPA), Phthalates and PVC free line of bottles, cups, pacifiers, teethers and accessories for babies and kids.

BornFree was the first brand to provide a completely safe line to consumers, even before health concerns over plastic bottles and chemicals made the headlines. The products also have unique venting systems that minimize vacuum pressure as well as orthodontic silicone nipples and pacifiers, safe for kids’ developing teeth (developed under the guidelines of biological dentistry).

A-List celebrities like Nicole Richie, Halle Berry, Ashlee Simpson Wentz, Heidi Klum and Tori Spelling are all huge fans of the brand and use the products with their kids. BornFree products are sold at Target, Babies R Us, CVS, Whole Foods, Buy Buy Baby and more. Check it out!