Every year around Halloween I cringe to think about all the candy, sugar and yes, junk that our children get when trick-or-treating. Several years ago I started giving out fun things like Halloween pencils, notepads, spiders, stampers and other creative things hoping that it may catch on. When children would stop by my house most had positive remarks like ‘Cool!’ and ‘Wow!’. That was a good reaction!
Going out this year with my daughter I found that everyone in our neighborhood was still giving out candy. I know there had to be something that I could do to help not only our children, but our future as well. Teaching children healthy habits early pays off greatly.
In searching online today I found it. A mother from Washington state has started something big…. Green Halloween.
I was thrilled to learned about what she was doing and know it will make a difference. She has gathered the support of her community, both businesses (like Whole Foods) and families that want to make a difference and change the traditional ‘candy-centric’ Halloween into a healthier and environmentally friendly event that can be enjoyed by everyone.
You’ll find lots of ways to encourage your neighborhood, school or families to enjoy a ‘Green Halloween’ and make a difference, both for younger as well as older children. The community and web site is new and still growing but you’ll find some great resources.
You can read more about it at:
http://www.greenhalloween.org
By taking action together, we can make a difference.
To your best health!
Mark
P.S. Last year we also gave out ‘Boo-key Balls’, a healthy treat from the WholeFoodFarmacy that they make once a year as an alternative to traditional candy. It’s one of several dozen healthy, natural and organic foods, snacks and personal care products they have available. It was a hit and the kids loved it!
Filed under once a year, neighborhood school, healthy habits, organic foods, personal care products, washington state, teaching children, halloween, candy, environmentally friendly, food, green, wholefoodfarmacy, sugar, whole foods, children by admin
I often get asked what’s the best thing to do to help the environment. Recycle, drive less, eat locally grown food, take public transportation? It was often a toss up to what I may suggest since each one is helpful although none really stood out as the best.
Now have the answer.
The United Nations (UN) recently released a report that stated the single best way to help the environment is to stop eating meat. The amount of pollution created in raising animals for human consumption is staggering, more than 130 times of human generated pollution. The amount of water used for animal raising is staggering as well.
Watch the video below from the Glenn Beck show that details more. Now Glenn is no vegetarian, but he makes a valid point that those that want to help the environment ought to be a good example and show others what they can do to make a difference.
Not only is skipping meat good for the environment, it’s also been proven to reduce your chances for disease, extend your life and increase the quality of your life considerably.
If you’d like to help the environment (and yourself) take the first step and reduce or eliminate meat from your and your family’s diet. Look at resources that help with adding convenient and delicious foods to your diet, vegetarian and vegan options as well as vegan raw options.
To your best health!
Mark
Filed under eating meat, fruit vegetables, glenn beck, raising animals, united nations, recycle, pollution, green, environment, food, eco living, video, vegan, vegetarian, studies by admin
Watch this short video to learn how to reduce the impact of your living choices on the environment and your health.
To your best health!
Mark
Your Health and Weight Loss Coach
Natural Living Advocate
Diets Don’t Work
http://www.HealthyLivingTalk.com
Filed under environmental footprint, environmental toxins, green, pollution, environmentally friendly, inspiration, chemicals, environment, eco living, video, toxins by admin
