There are so many reasons to “heart” the Big Apple and one of them is this event on September 27, 2008 called “Here Comes the Sun,” the first-ever outdoor yoga festival in Central Park, that will feature expert yoga instructors teaching a variety of themed classes for all levels such as Yoga for Better Sleep and Vinyasa Detox Flow. Celebrity yoga personality Sara Ivanhoe will teach classes throughout the day. Four interactive Lotus Lounge spaces will offer massages, mini-makeovers, food and beverage sampling, one-on-one nutrition consultations and more. The festival will culminate with a live performance by Grammy-nominated singer Joan Osborne.

Organic foods contain no synthetic pesticides or herbicides, are not genetically modifies and have no hormones, antibiotics, artificial ingredients or trans fats. The fertilizers used in organic foods do not contain synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge. And if that’s not enough to convince you to buy organic think about all the harmful chemicals and CO₂ you’ll help keep out of the environment. Organic fruits and vegetables are 25% more nutritious, and definitely more delicious, than the non-organic variety. We understand that organic is not always available, and tends to be more expensive, but there are some key items that you will want to buy organic because they tend to carry more pesticide residues.

To keep the ocean clean. You use it, you love it, you swim in it, you admire its beauty and strength…so why not take care of it.

• This bag is not a toy: Use fewer plastic bags - marine animals can choke on them.
• Don’t be toxic: Buy environmentally friendly cleaning products.
• Sweep it off: Sweep your driveway instead of hosing it down with water.
• Turn off the faucet: Running water moves trash into the ocean and taxes water treatment facilities.
• Pick up trash: Next time you see trash on the beach just pick it up and throw it away. Every little bit helps.

When Bush muttered those fateful words “let’s roll” in 2002, those words symbolized more than just the sturm und drang guiding the invasion of Iraq. Those words also referred to the utter moral irresponsibility that impacts our environment in a negative way. The latest news seeping out of Washington is the Bush Administration’s decision to reduce the number of environmental reviews that federal agencies must undergo in order to get a proposal across, which could, in turn, speed up commercial development and threaten already endangered species. The new plan puts the control into the hands of the developers. In other words, if the Department of Transportation decides to build a new road they can bypass a review by the Fish and Wildlife Service and move forward with their development, a decision that could cause a devastating impact to the environment. Bush can’t help but use the world as his personal toilet. He’s a child in the driver’s seat of a very powerful nation. Yet, as we are left to clean up his mess we can happily celebrate the end of his destructive presidency.

Bursting with juicy flavor, a handful of blueberries delivers more antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants found in blueberries fight free radical damage, improve mental acuity, promote GI and heart health and help protect the collagen matrix. Add blueberries into your diet by tossing a handful into your salad, yogurt or cereal or surprise someone you love with this simple waffle recipe. Read more…

It seems like every time you turn around a new food product is being launched with claims like “healthy”, “all-natural” and “organic”. Now there is a website, Labelwatch, that helps consumers make smart choices about their food products. Labelwatch contains over 25,000 foods in its database which all have their nutritional information, ingredients, and additives, all based on scientific research. Even better, if you’re deciding between Danon and Yoplait this site compares the ingredients in well-known products so you can make informed choices next time you’re in the grocery store.

It can be a life’s journey to find the right hair care products for your hair. I have had affairs with Paul Mitchell, Bed Head, Kerastase and was always on the constant quest for a commitment. I finally found my happily ever after with Bumble & Bumble’s Curl Conscious Creme that “helps wound-up, hyperactive hair settle down - it tames and defines curls, prolongs springiness, and adds softness and shine without making hair look sticky or stiff.” Now that’s what I call a match made in heaven.

“Next month Nestle will be going upscale with the launch of this new skingestible that will be sold at high-end department stores Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Glowelle, which will be available in both liquid and powder form, is billed as a dietary supplement packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fruit extracts said to hydrate skin and slow down the aging process. Starting in September, well-heeled shoppers will be able to pick up a $7 bottle of this beauty juice, or splurge for a seven or 30 day supply of powder packets for $40 and $112 respectively.”

-Reported by Trend Central.

The French and the English have officially called a truce in the making of this recipe. We use a high-fiber (8 grams each), multi-grain Thomas’ Light English Muffin and egg whites as the foundation of this delicious breakfast. We topped it with mangoes today (gotta eat them while they’re still in season) and can’t wait to try berries or bananas next time. Read more…

This isn’t the lunch lady’s tuna salad. Influenced by the Mediterranean, this tuna is prepared with olive oil, red grapes, Bubbies pickles and olives. A sweet and salty variation of this tuna fish sandwich lends itself to those who crave a more sophisticated tuna salad.
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