April 22nd, 2009 is Earth Day!

Some upcoming Earth Day events in Calgary:

April 15th, 2009 - Trout Unlimited Canada´s Yellow Fish Road program

April 25th, 2009 - TELUS World of Science Earth Day Celebration

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd each year to celebrate environmental awareness and progress.  What are you doing for Earth Day?  Let’s all honor and celebrate our planet by making every day “earth day”.  Simple actions do make a big impact!  Make a list of the things you already do and commit to adding to it this year:

• Buy local
• Conserve more water
• Put up a clothesline
• Plant a garden and use sustainable methods
• Walk more, drive less
• Support your local “green organization” (here in Calgary, check out Clean Calgary Association for environmental education, products and services) www.cleancalgary.org

Julie's Eco-Living Tips

1. Place a rain barrel or large bucket at the end of your downspout to catch rainwater and use it for watering your garden, plants and flowers.
2. Use one part vinegar to four parts water (more vinegar, if more dirt) to clean your windows and use newspaper to dry windows to a shine.
3. Use glass canning jars (fill only ¾ of jar) instead of plastic containers to freeze leftovers like soup or chili.
   

10 Tips for Healthy Weight Loss
Book your spot by May 1st and pay $30.00 (savings of $10.00!)
After May 1st - $40.00 per person
25% Calgary Dollars accepted
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SPRING SPECIAL!  Book by April 17th 

Family Nutrition Package

Includes:

• Individual nutritional assessments for mom and dad and up to three kids
• In-home pantry clean out and healthier alternatives list for day-to-day ingredients and your own favorite foods
• Recipes, meal plans and other healthy tips!

$789.00 if booked by April 17th!   The first family to complete their Family Nutrition Package will also receive a SIGG water bottle for each family member - as an extra bonus!

Eco-friendly Parenting Tip - Plant a garden with your kids!

What could be more greener and fun?  It involves dirt and water – two things kids love. 

Tips for gardening with kids:
Find a sunny spot in your yard and create containers or a small bed of dirt.
Look up gardening (library, internet) and find out about mulch, compost and seeds.
Let them name their garden and make sticks to tag each row with a seed packet or drawing.
Let them research how long it takes things to grow and mark it on a calendar or keep a growing journal.
Let the kids be in charge of their garden: watering with rain water; spreading grass clippings around plants to conserve water and help feed the plants; and nurturing and tending to the plants.
If it’s messy or they forget to tend to it, let nature be their teacher.
Help make it fun rather than worrying about them doing a perfect job – let them learn from their mistakes.
Kids are more likely to eat what they grow – watch their excited faces as they bite into a fresh carrot from the soil they have cared for.

For more tips and ideas and all your gardening needs, check out Kayben Farms at Okotoks (close to Calgary and area).  My daughter and I are heading out there to a workshop on Vegetable Gardening – Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 p.m.  www.kayben.com

Check out these great Canadian resources for more kid friendly gardening tips:
Kids’ Valley Garden (www.copper-tree.ca/garden)
www.icangarden.com and check out kidz corner

Relaxation Tip

Breathing exercise for stress reduction and weight loss: Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4, hold it for 7 counts, then slowly blow out of your mouth for 8 counts.  Repeat this 4 times in a row twice daily and whenever needed.  It is also excellent for relaxing and clearing your mind before bed. 

April Recipe –   Black Bean Salad 

Dr. Joe Klassen told me how much he loves Black Beans mixed with olive oil, balsalmic vinegar and cilantro.  I just had to try it for myself and now I make a Black Bean Salad every two or three weeks.  Here’s my version of this dish that’s high in fiber and numerous other vitamins, minerals and nutrients:  like the trace mineral, molybdenum; antioxidants; folate;  magnesium; iron; thiamin (B1) and the list goes on.  Packed full of nutritious goodness and taste – give this salad a try!

2 cups cooked black beans*
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon hemp, flax or Udo’s 3.6.9 oil
1 or 2 celery stalks chopped
1 Tablespoon minced purple onion
1 handful chopped cilantro
4 Tablespoons of balsalmic vinegar
2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar (Bragg’s raw unfiltered is my personal favorite)
Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

*Can substitute 1 large can (540 mls) organic or additive-free Black Beans.  Pour the beans into a strainer and rinse in cold water until the water runs clear and the foam is gone.  Place the beans in a bowl, add oils and stir.  Let the beans sit and soak up the oil while you chop the vegetables.  Once all the vegetables are chopped, add to the beans and stir.  Add the vinegars, sea salt and pepper and stir thoroughly.  This salad can be eaten immediately, but it is tastier if allowed to sit and let the flavours infuse.

I exchange vegetables like zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and parsley for cilantro on occasion.  Adding sweet raw corn to it would make a tasty complete protein source suitable for vegetarians.

How to prepare and cook black beans:

Black beans are best cooked after soaking overnight.  One cup of dried black beans will equal 2 cups cooked.  Place beans in a large bowl and pick through the dried beans and remove any split beans, pebbles, stones or other foreign objects.  Pour enough cool water over them and remove any other debris that floats to the top.  Clean and rinse any remaining dirt and debris.  Once they are clean, cover with two inches of water and let soak overnight in a cool place to prevent fermentation.  The next morning, drain and rinse.  Place in pot and cover with two inches of fresh water.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for two hours.  Check occasionally and add boiling water if needed.  Once beans are cooked, remove from heat and let cool.

April Birthstone – Diamond

The greeks named the diamond “adamos” meaning invincible – fitting as it is harder than any other substance on earth. 

Diamonds are crystallized carbon formed deep within the earth where there is intense heat and pressure.  Centuries ago volcanic activity brought diamonds to the surface where they were found within volcanic rock formations or washed out into rivers.

The earliest sources of this gemstone were found in India, including the famous blue Hope Diamond.  Today’s diamonds come from Africa, Australia and the Soviet Union.  They range in color from blue, clear, pink, yellow and brown to the rarest of red.

Diamonds have been admired throughout history.  They were used to adorn crowns, swords and emblems of royalty.  During the middle ages diamonds were used to heal illnesses.  Legend has it the ailing person had to warm the stone by sleeping with it in order for its medicinal properties to work.

Diamonds are surrounded by romance, mystery and promise.  They symbolize purity, faith and everlasting love.

“The ultimate test of man’s conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard”. ~ Gaylord Nelson, Co-founder of Earth Day

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Thanks to Carmella Lesiuk of Edmonton for her auction purchase of the Wayne Dyer tickets.  $120.00 was donated to the charity Africa Book Project.

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We hope you find our e-newsletter informative and enjoyable and we welcome your comments.

Sam Rafoss, RSW, RHN    Phone: 403-988-7507    Website: www.cherubconsulting.com    Email: info@cherubconsulting.com

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