Live Actively

Taking care of your body physically is just as important as nutritionally. Things to keep in mind when developing an exercise routine:

• Each week, find a routine that hits aerobic, anaerobic, core strengthening and stretching. 
• Keep a schedule to allow your body to get into a routine
• When doing intense workouts, rest days are just as important as workout days
• Find something you think is fun!

Also important is to avoid sitting for long periods of time, like at work, or in the evenings. So…

• If you're watching TV, try getting up during the commercials. 
• While working, set a timer that reminds you to get out of your chair every 20 mins or so. 
• Schedule walking meetings, instead of sitting around a table. 
• Put some music on and take a dance break every once and a while! 

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Live Locally

When possible, buy food from local resources. 
(Did you know that when you buy locally, approximately twice as much of your money spent stays in your local economy than if you buy at a chain store?)

• Direct from farmers (CSA - Community Supported Ag, Farmers Markets)
• Locally owned businesses

All chain stores are NOT created equal

• Find stores that buy produce & supplies from local farmers
• Ask your stores if they support local charities/organizations
• Support living wages

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Live Simply

Buying whole foods is best.

• Pre-packaged foods have required a lot of handling and processing, thereby losing most of their nutritional value they once contained along the way. 
• Plus, they likely contain hidden sugar and toxins.

Make it yourself

• Cooking from scratch doesn't have to be hard and time consuming. I can show you how!

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Live Sustainably

What's in your food?

• The longer it can last on your shelf, the less you want it in your home. 
• Learn how to read food labels.
• Avoid GMO foods. 

*There's a lot of controversy surrounding this, but one thing seems pretty straight forward and has been researched well. They are harmful to the natural environment, both due to cross-pollination with non-GMO species and because GMOs are associated with a higher use of pesticides & herbicides; and therefore, I'd argue that they are also harmful to you.

Eat with the seasons.

• Strawberries grow in the summer. If you're eating them mid winter then they've likely travelled a long way, giving them a large carbon footprint and loosing their nutritional value along the way. 
  
• Your body's needs change during the year. Eating with the seasons helps keep you functioning at your best.

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Live Peacefully

Research shows us that things like happiness, being nice, helping others, and showing love improve our health, reduce our stress, and help us live longer. So go ahead and help yourself:

• Get good (and enough) sleep
  
• Practice kindness towards yourself and towards others
  
• Give hugs, often
  
• Laugh out loud
  
• Take time to stop and smell the roses
• Give a helping hand
• Lead life with your heart and stand tall

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