I came across this video this morning and thought I would share. This is what I am going to do later. Enjoy!
admin on August 25 2010
{be well} Making a Difference
I had always been one to help others. I immigrated to the United States from the Philippines when I was 4 years old. But, I still have family in the Philippines. And I have traveled back to the Philippines. So, I know what it is like to not have clean water. I know what it is like to save water in a bucket to take a bath. I know what it is like to boil the water before I drink it. I believe the Clean Water Blogivation campaign is so important. Living in the United States, we often waste our water. Also, some Americans feel entitled or spoiled to have clean water, especially if they have never been abroad to a third world country. Just last night I discussed with a colleague how I can make a difference to other people since my job has not given me that satisfaction. I know now how I can make a difference. By supporting the Clean Water campaign and blogging about this important cause.
Do you want to help me make a difference in this world? Vote for my blog.
“I have signed up to participate in the Clean Water Blogivation campaign. If my blog receives the most votes, I will win an opportunity to join Dr. Greg Allgood on a clean water expedition to Africa and a $15,000 donation to my favorite charity tackling water issues.”
FACTS ABOUT THE WORLD WATER CRISIS
· Less than 1% of the world’s fresh water is readily accessible for direct human use. (2)
· Almost 1 billion people lack safe drinking water. (1)
· More than 1.4 billion children under age 5 die each year because of diarrheal diseases
associated with contaminated drinking water—more than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.
(1)
· Every 20 seconds, a child in a developing country dies from a water-related illness. (2)
· Providing safe, clean, drinkable water can reduce deadly diseases by about 50%. (4)
· The daily per capita use of water in residential areas is: 350 liters in North America and
Japan, 200 liters in Europe and 10-20 liters in sub-Saharan Africa. (3)
· An American taking a 5-minute shower uses more water that the typical person living in a
developing country slum uses in a day. (2)
· Waterborne diseases remain the leading cause of illness and death in the developing world.
(2)
References
1. WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply & Sanitation. Progress on
sanitation and drinking-water: 2010 update. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2010
2. WHO: http://www.who.int/docstore/water_sanitation_health/vector/water_resources.htm
Accessed 6/23/10.
3. http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=25
4. www.csdw.org
admin on August 25 2010
{be well} How to be Alone
I loved this video ever since I first saw it on Caitidid Designs and then saw it again on Jamie Ridler’s blog. The contents of the video rang true for me. I believe the video originated on Susannah Conway’s blog, Ink on My Fingers. Every time I watch this video, I remember when I first moved to NYC, not knowing a single soul. I come from a big family and have always been surrounded by them. If not family, then friends and colleagues. When I lived in Maryland, I can’t remember a time when I was truly by myself. I never did anything by myself, not even eat at a restaurant or go to the movies. In 2002, being alone in a big city, I thought I was lonely, but really I needed to be by myself in order to get to know myself. And that was when I grew up. These days I have to schedule “ME” time in order for me to be alone.
admin on August 23 2010
{be healthy} Health Tips – Week 33
Research has found that combining a healthful diet with aerobic exercise can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 20 points.
According to a recent study, researchers found people who consistently engage in moderate exercise five times a week improve their immune function and keep colds away.
admin on August 20 2010
{be inspired} Poem
Redwood trees in Muir Woods
One of the highlights of BlogHer was having a blogger, Alana Reynolds, author of Momku write an original poem for you on a typewriter. Yes, she wrote up my poem the old-fashioned way. And yes, there are still typewriters out there. I gave Alana, otherwise known as Momku, a topic and she quickly wrote up a poem for me. Want to read it?
Being Present
The moment clicking by
like the keys of a typewriter
They are spelling
stop. look. breathe
Isn’t that poem great? Alana took only a few minutes to come up with this poem with my topic of Being present.
{image: picture taken by Eddie Ching and cannot be used without permission}
admin on August 18 2010
{be well} DIY: Sunscreen
I got this sunscreen recipe from Lisa, author of Style Essentials, who got it from Julie Gabriel, author of The Green Beauty Guide . Thanks so much, Lisa!
There is no excuse for not putting on sunscreen cause you can make it yourself. I admit we may not all have pure beeswax or zinc oxide in our medicine chest. But, you get the picture.
Simple Sunscreen Recipe
3 oz. sesame oil
2 oz. sweet almond oil
1/2 oz. pure beeswax
4 oz. distilled water
2 T zinc oxide
5 drops rose hip oil
5 drops chamomile
smallish enamel simmer pot
double boiler
stick blender
glass jar
Directions:
1.) Heat your water first, then begin adding your ingredients. Melt sesame, sweet almond oil and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat.
2.) Remove from the heat, add water & blend until smooth. You can also use a wire whisk; we did.
3.) Allow to cool. Now here is the truly cool part..watch what happens when you add the zinc (I won’t ruin the surprise)….add the zinc oxide and the essential oils, if using, and blend more. (The essential oils are optional, btw.)
4.) Transfer to a glass jar. Your sunscreen will last for up to six months. You can begin using it right away!
Cleaning
Now, cleaning up can be a bit tricky. Minerals and water do not mix. Soap and hot water don’t easily take off the residue from your tools. Advice from Lisa: rewash all the dishes and do not load them in the dishwasher. Remove the residue using newspaper, or paper towels. Then, wash with hot soapy water to remove the rest of the residue.
Lisa bought her supplies from Mountain Rose Herbs, which she highly recommends and got her simmer pot from a thrift store. Lisa had a hard time finding zinc oxide. I have always seen it in drugstores like Duane Reade in NYC. In Lisa’s blog, she stated she may put together kits, each one enough for one batch of sunscreen. If interested, please contact her.
{image: found via Green Genie)
admin on August 16 2010
{be healthy} Lemon Pepper Chicken
This recipe was inspired by Mark Bittman, New York Times columnist. But, I found the recipe in Ellie Krieger’s book, Small Changes, Big Results. When I first read the recipe, I thought it might be bland, but boy, was I wrong. The chicken was full of flavor and it was so good. I made this simple recipe two weeks ago, and it was a hit in my house. I served this chicken dish with steamed asparagus and rice. This dish contains 333 mg of sodium. If you are concerned with the sodium content, you can skip the salt.
Lemon-Pepper Chicken
3 boneless chicken breast, pounded to a uniform 1/2 inch thickness
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1.) Pat chicken breasts dry
2.) Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper
3.) Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over a medium-high flame.
4.) Place chicken in pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning once
5.) Turn off heat and squeeze some lemon over the chicken.
6.) Ta da! You are finished! Serve
Wasn’t that easy? This recipe is simple, only 5 ingredients and fast!
Nutritional Value
Calories: 160
Fat: 1.8 g
Protein: 32.8 g
Carbohydrates: 1.3 g
Fiber: 1 g
Cholesterol: 82 mg
Sodium: 333 mg
{image: found in Food Network}
