eat your carrots

Loving these beautiful carrots I discovered at my grocery. Look great as crudites, in salads and would be wonderful roasted for Thanksgiving.  The big nose likes them too, he photo bombed the shot.

stylish serendipity photos

The Food Lovers Kitchen

yoga for beginners

go plastic free

We are learning that plastic food storage containers are full of chemicals that leech into our food. Time to invest in glass and steel, glass for home and steel for on to go.

This cylinder glass set with stainless lids is good for soups and stews, on sale now at Target.

Traditional tiffins are available on Amazon in two or three tiers and can be purchased with  cloth carrying bags as well. Shop here.

Crate and Barrel carries my favorite glass storage jars with lids, French styled but made in the USA, the Working Glass line, purchase here.

They also carry traditional refrigerator glassware in several sizes. Shop here.

The Container Store carries a line of hermetically sealed jars.

Throw your plastic containers in the recycling bin and choose only food safe storage!

how to peel a pomegranate

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They look so beautiful displayed in bowls during the holidays but they are delicious and very healthy as well so we must eat them! Here is the easiest way to peel them.

drink your vinegar

Do you know about this product? I found it in the health food section of my regular grocery. Look at the list of benefits. I am drinking it daily in water with a bit of honey.

"Apple Cider Vinegar -The only vinegar that can, and SHOULD, be consumed daily. Benefits: Helps clear acne when taken orally and applied topically. If applied topically you dilute it with water, dab it on a breakout and rinse after 15 minutes. Promotes digestion. A blocked digestive tract can lead to all kinds of skin problems. It is also a natural cure for constipation. Super high in minerals and potassium which can help slow down the aging of your skin. Helps reduce sinus infections and sore throats. Encourages the growth of healthy bacteria within your body. Can help ease menstrual cramps. It has been used for centuries as a natural weight loss remedy. When purchasing apple cider vinegar make sure that its says "Raw" and "Unfiltered." This is very important. 1-2 tablespoons per glass mixed with water daily! Add a tablespoon of organic honey or stevia 

if it tastes too bitter for you. Hippocrates-recommended!"

Visit the Bragg's impressive website here.

insomniacs, put this on your ipod dock tonight

According the The Telegraph, this song will reduce your blood pressure, slow heart rate and reduce the stress hormone, cortisol so you may sleep. Read more here.

do you know how to calculate your BMI?

Go to Dr. Oz's website here to use the calculator

Detoxifying foods

to incorporate in your daily diet to stay healthy and detoxify toxins in our bodies.

1. dandelion greens  2. broccoli sprouts 3. apples

4. lemons  5. beets  6. garlic

7. flax seed  8. artichokes  9. turmeric

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improve your air quality

by adding houseplants to your home.

Joel Snayd/source

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Jessica Helgerson/source

Elizabeth Sullivan/source

Brooke Giannetti/source

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Shannon Bowers/ source

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is your sunscreen safe?

the lisa porter collection

a recent study by the Environmental Working Group found that sunscreen products sold in the US are not required to live up to their promised claims or contain safe, effective ingredients. Guidelines in the US are much more relaxed than in Europe and the FDA has not changed its guidelines in 30 years!  This pertains to the safety of the chemical ingredients and the actual protection the product provides.  Read about it here on Fab Over Fifty.  Here are some that are considered safe and effective:

Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Sunblock, SPF 50

Kiss My Face 100% Natural Pink Sunstick

Elemental Herbs Sunscreen Sport, SPF 20

California Baby No Fragrance Sunscreen, SPF 30

Marie Veronique Organics Moisturizing Face Screen, Light Tint, SPF 30

Products available on Drugstore.com

Marie Veronique products available on Amazon

chai

Each morning my husband brings me a warm cup of chai, here is how he makes it.

In a saucepan, add several cups of water and 

several spoons of black tea

a few pods of cardamom, cracked open

a spoonful of fennel seeds and

maybe a small stick of cinnamon. Bring to a boil and add

some milk until it is the color you like, my husband adds a lot of milk. Bring to a second slow boil, do not leave it or it will boil over quickly.  Drizzle

honey over the velvety concoction and enjoy!

for excellent fair trade organic loose leaf tea, go here

time for tea

Did you know?

- Tea reduces the risk of heart disease

- Tea reduces the risk and growth of cancer

  - Tea aids digestion  

             Tea improves concentration and reduces fatigue

 -Tea fights allergies 

- Tea wipes out the germs that cause bad breath 

- Tea may improve immune system functioning - Tea relaxes and revives the body and mind 

- Tea prevents cavities and improves overall bone density 

- Tea may be helpful in combating arthritis and rheumatism

- Tea may aid in weight-loss 

available here

Infusing loose leaf tea is the proper way to brew tea so we may enjoy all these benefits.

There are white teas, green teas, black teas, oolong teas, rooibus teas, botanical blends and yerbe mate teas. 

Storehouse Tea is a  company that specializes in delicious organic, fair trade loose leaf teas, their products can be purchased here.