Organic foods require a lot of work and dedication from the farmers and inviduals involved in growing or producing the organic products that many people count on to keep them healthy. The prices for organic goods are usually slightly higher than prices for foods and produce that come from conventional farming because, quite simply, it costs more for farmers to grow and produce healthy and organically.

NPR news followed the story of one Dairy Farming family who switched from converntional farming to organic farming practices with their herd of cows.

But after a couple of years with an empty barn, they decided to try again. This time, they would go organic. Kristen says she’s always felt organic farming is healthier for the cows and the environment. It means the cows must be given feed grown without pesticides, and they can’t be given antibiotics or growth hormones. And, for at least three months a year, the cows have to be out on pasture.

“We know that there is a growing movement of consumers out there that are truly concerned about where their food is coming from, and what is — and is not — in it,” says Kristen.

In the past, pesticides and fertilizers were created in order to help produce more foods at a faster pace, even though much of the food chain was then covered in toxic chemicals.  To go organic means to forgo any of those chemicals.  Foods purchased for the cows must be grown naturally, which takes time and patience.  There are other differences in organic farming that don’t involve chemicals.

The names are cute, but knowing the cows individually serves an important purpose. Because organic farmers can’t give their animals antibiotics, catching any potential sickness early is the best health care.

“Prevention is a huge part of what we do,” says Kristen. Her family does things like check the hooves of each cow nearly every day to see if they’re getting an infection.

“The hardest part was learning how to treat the cows organically,” she says. “The milking isn’t different, but labor-wise the cows need more attention. If we have a cow that isn’t feeling well, we don’t come in the house until they’re taken care of.”

Living green means supporting organic farming practices and all of the wonderful healthy benefits that come from it.

Wild Yam is a natural plant estrogen that is often used in skin care formulas meant to reduce the signs of aging in women and men. Wild Yam is a preferred alternative to the many harsh chemicals that are often found in traditional beauty creams.  It is natural, without the toxins associated with some formulas and certainly without the complicated risks of wrinkle-reducing surgery.

Wild Yam for Wrinkle Reduction

Why Wild Yam for wrinkle reduction? Clinical evidence has shown correlations between menopause and endogenous skin aging.  This input has been used in various studies investigating the relevance of estrogens for skin and what this means to skin aging, as well as estrogen compounds and their possible therapeutic effects. For cosmetic purposes phytoestrogens seem to present a promising alternative to the medical treatment and harsh chemical peels.

Injectable alternatives mean that fillers such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and fat, are injected beneath the skin to fill and plump out wrinkles. Using natural alternatives such as Artistry Time Defiance^® Vitamin C + Wild Yam Treatment, you can achieve natural wrinkle reduction using a non-invasive approach. Pure pharmaceutical-grade, nature-identical vitamin C instead of a needle, this combination product is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 58% when applied to the face. And it’s the only vitamin C and wild yam product on the market that allows you to control when the vitamin C is activated. It provides the ultimate in potency, effectiveness, and wrinkle-fighting power

If you have been looking for a noninvasive, natural anti wrinkle product, Wild Yam and Vitamin C Artistry Time Defiance is the right product for you, naturally.

Living Green doesn’t mean you have to actually wear green, but the idea behind the thought is still the same.  The clothes that you choose go a long way towards helping define your efforts to environmental responsibility.  If you cannot find a Green Clothes retailer in your area, you can try to choose clothes made from natural fibers and produced as locally as possible.

Green Clothing Choices

When shopping for clothes, pick out ones you can run through a cold water wash cycle.  During warmer months, air-dry your clothes on clotheslines instead of relying on the dryer.  As for the clothes you already have, consider replacing or repurposing the ones that require warm washes first, rather than the cold-wash friendly ones. Also, try to avoid or at least limit, the number of outfits that need dry cleaning.

Why such a focus on cleaning?  Because it takes a lot of resources to wash the clothes you wear.  Apart from the water itself, there’s the energy needed to power the washing machine and dryer, even more if you’re using a hot-water wash that will take up still more electricity.   These are resources generated in most cases by fossil fuels, and easing our dependence on these is an important part of living sustainably.

Beyond the physical wash, there are choices to make about the cleaning products you use. Green Laundry Detergent is the perfect choice. Finding a proven, effective green cleaning product line for your home is easy if you choose a superior brand with a proven product, and then stick with that brand for all of your household cleaning needs. For instnace, the Legacy of Clean green household cleaning products allow you to purchase a cleaning bundle. The LEGACY OF CLEAN Intro Bundle is filled with planet-positive laundry and cleaning products for every mess, every surface and every room in your home.  You won’t have to worry about finding the right green product for each mess when you have this bundle at your fingertips.

Green your wardrobe and how you use it as a part of your Green Living promises !

Preparing yourself for a healthier, more balanced new year doesn’t have to require a lot of money and time jointing health and fitness clubs and finding the perfect equipment.  In 2010, finding a new healthier you has gone back to basics.  Simple, common sense and a bit of nostalgia have combined into the newest, yet oldest fitness craze across the nation.

Naturally fit without your wallet taking a hit, that’s the difference this year.

Getting Fit Naturally, and Free:

Stop buying all of those expensive work out DVDs or joining DVD clubs in the hope that you may save a few dollars as you go.  The largest and best DVD resource for you is at your local library!  The DVDs are free, and if you don’t like it you simply return it for another one.  You’ll never get sick of a particular workout DVD because you always have another waiting for you.  Since one of the greatest reasons people give for not working out is that they got sick of their workout video, you won’t ever have to give this as a reason.

Free Check Ups are worth your time:

From April to September 2010, The Skin Cancer Foundation will provide free skin screenings during its Road to Healthy Skin Tour. Go and see at SkinCancer.org for availability in your area.

Find Organic Beauty Product samples, free!

Find the Best Free Deals on Organic Health and Beauty products: You can receive free samples and products in main just for asking about free samples!  The switch to healthier, natural products can’t be any easier!

It’s Yoga Day!

Jan. 23, 2010 is Yoga Day,USA, when yoga centers around the country will offer free classes. To increase your flexibility and strength while relieving stress.

The old saying that the greatest of journeys begins with one small step is even more relevant to everyday life than you may imagine. The big changes that we each make in our lives, the all encompassing changes that are long term, often do not happen in one inspirational moment with a dramatic musical score.

The real changes in our lives happen gradually, in small steps that slowly bring about lasting change.  With each small change comes a switch in momentum, building the drive and dedication until that eventual Big Change happened already, quietly and unobtrusively.  One day, you wake up and you became what it was that you dreamed of.

Small adjustments, Big changes

If you are making changes in your life with renewed dedication this year, try to remember that a singular, massive effort to enact real change may not be what you are looking for.  Small efforts will be those things that you can actually do with relative ease and little discomfort.  Because the changes are small and easy, you’ll be more likely to keep up with them and include larger changes as time goes on.  Before you know it, large changes happened.  They may have taken longer to happen, and they were less noticeable, but they were permanent.

Here are some small adjustments   vs   the bigger changes that you eventually want to happen:

Writing down the food you eat:         Reduce Calories by ¼

Park at the far end of the lot and walk:      Get More Exercise at Work

These small changes are examples of first steps on a journey towards lifelong healthy changes.

Nutrients dominate much of the discussion about supplements and that causes many people to become confused about what is considered a vitamin and what is a mineral.  In truth, there is so much that goes into understanding what each vitamin and mineral do for and to your body that it can be hard to keep track of them all.

Minerals Basics

Minerals are inorganic elements that the body does not make by itself. Instead, the body obtains minerals from the foods that are eaten or through supplements. The two types of minerals are Trace minerals and Macro minerals.

Some minerals are taken specifically because they may be great contributors to beautiful skin, hair and nails. Some people call these the Beauty Minerals.

How Minerals Affect Beauty

• Sulphur is known as the “beauty” mineral. It keeps hair, nails and skin strong. It plays a role in the production of collagen, which helps maintain the skin’s elasticity. Sulphur also helps with such conditions as eczema, psoriasis and acne. Sulphur can be found in lean meats, fish, eggs, milk, legumes, cabbage, brussel sprouts and turnips.
• Iodine, which is found mainly in the thyroid gland, regulates the release of energy in the body. It also regulates the metabolism so without iodine a person would gain a great deal of weight. Iodine also contributes to healthy hair, skin, nails and teeth. Good sources of iodine are leafy vegetables, fish, shellfish, and onions
• Copper protects the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as bones. It helps keep arteries from hardening and is needed for healthy hair and skin. The body also needs copper to produce antioxidants. Half of the body’s copper supply is in the bones and muscles. Copper can be found in beef liver, black-eyed peas, shellfish and cocoa.

Learn more about beauty minerals.

The harmful chemicals and toxins that are commonly used in everyday health and beauty products affect our health in many ways. Should it be surprising that the dramatic increase in makeup use in young girls over 20 years ago coincided with a massive increase in autoimmune diseases in those that are now adults?

Many common reactions and health problems can be attributed to toxins and chemicals that are absorbed through the skin. Eczema, Psoriasis, Sensitive skin, these are often said to be simple allergens, but if you consider that an allergy is a reaction to something then you may be on to something.

Take a moment and think of just how many personal products you use everyday that could be harmful to your health.

• Facial Cleansers
• Exfoliates
• Mineral Masks
• Conditioners
• Moisturizers
• Shaving Cream
• Shampoos
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Liquid Hand Soap
• Tooth Paste
• Mouth Wash
• Deodorant
• Body Cream
• and so many more

The truth is that many of the products that you use on your body are absorbed through the skin. The common synthetic chemicals used in beauty products can be avoided if you make the switch to natural, organic products that benefit your beauty and keep your body balanced.

Organic beauty products are created using environmentally safe processes and naturally occurring pigments, oils and nutrients that are beneficial to your body while meeting your high expectation for beauty products. Years ago, synthetic products were created because they were cheaper to mass produce, but the far reaching effects on health were not studied at that time. Choose natural, organic beauty products to maintain your beauty and your health.