Happy New Year! Here’s wishing you a healthy, happy, prosperous 2009!
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Free Draw for this SIGG water bottle
Free Draw for this SIGG water bottle: To enter, send 3 eco-living tips by midnight MST, January 31, 2009 to sam@cherubconsulting.com. A random draw will be made and the winner notified by 10:00 a.m. MST, February 1, 2009 and announced in the next Newsletter!
December Winner: Jess Bergen of Laird, Saskatchewan. Congratulations, Jess! See Jess' Eco-Living Tips below: |
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Jess's Eco-Living Tips
- Place grass clippings around the base of your trees. It helps keep moisture in and also provides weed control.
- Place a rain barrel at the end of your downspout and use the water for watering plants and your garden to reduce the use of tap water.
- Replace electric lights for solar lights outside.
Sam’s Eco-Living Tips for January
Since January is the month so many of us aim for a healthier diet, these tips are all about healthy, nutritious and eco-friendly food choices.
- Buy local foods. Head to your local farmer’s market or farm! Most growers and farmers love to talk about the food they grow. You can ask lots of questions to find out how and why they grow the food the way they do. Also, when you buy local you are supporting your local community and saving the environment from transport emissions.
- Buy foods in-season. They have the most flavor and nutritional value and are most affordable.
- Buy organic and GMO-free. Organic foods are free of chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Genetically modified foods contain experimental ingredients and pose unknown risks to your health and environment.
When you purchase local, in-season, organic and GMO-free, you support local, sustainable, organic agriculture and provide the most nutritious, flavorful food for you and your family.
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Dr. Wayne Dyer
"Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life"
Monday, April 6th at the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary. We’ve got two floor tickets up for grabs… watch for details coming soon!
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Here’s my family’s favorite “healthy” muffin. They are great for snacks and lunch boxes.
Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins*
 1 ¾ cups organic whole wheat flour (or substitute your favorite)
¼ cup sucanat (or natural dark brown molasses sugar)
2/3 cup organic applesauce
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup pure maple syrup (or organic honey)
2 organic or free-range eggs
2/3 cup organic whole milk
½ teaspoon pure vanilla
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup dark chocolate, chocolate chips (or carob chips)
Preheat oven to 350 F. Mix flour, sucanat, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside. Beat eggs lightly and then add the applesauce, olive oil, maple syrup, vanilla and milk. Gradually blend in the flour mixture. Once the ingredients are well mixed – fold in the chocolate or carob chips.
Spoon into greased or paper-lined muffin trays. Bake for 13 minutes for regular sized muffins or 10 minutes for mini-muffins.
Kids love making and eating these muffins!
*For added nutrition and fiber sometimes my kids and I will add ½ cup of grated zucchini or ¼ cup of freshly ground flax and pumpkin seeds. Muffins are a great way to try out your own variations. Be creative and enjoy!
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Parenting Tip for January
 Pick a day and make a note of how many times you give your child a hug, say “I love you” or any other positive interaction vs. how many times you correct or criticize your child.
Most experts will agree that to nurture your child’s self-esteem, he or she needs more than 13 positive affirmations to offset each negative comment or interaction! How do your numbers add up?
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January Birthstone – Garnet
 Red garnets are the most common, but in fact they come in a wide variety of colors including yellow, brown, pink, black and the very rare green garnet.
The name garnet comes from the Latin “granatum” meaning pomegranate because the crystals in the garnet resemble the seed-like form and red color of this fruit.
Garnet jewelry dates as far back as 3100 BC in Egypt and Sumeria. Throughout history garnet was favored for its beauty and for the powers it was believed to have, such as:
- Protection from poisons and wounds
- Break a fever
- Prevent nightmares
- Reduce inflammation
- Stop bleeding
- Cure depression
- Stimulates passion, creativity and intention
Today most individuals value garnet for its beauty. It also symbolizes happiness and deep enduring love for many admirers.
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