The Story of Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (The Zen Element) — Sun, 30 May 2010 06:18:00 +0000

I am absolutely in love with these films. They raise awareness of the part we, as a society and as individuals play in consumerism and the environment.

I highly recommend you take a few minutes to watch these amazing works.

They may just change your life.

You are what you eat. 10 easy peasy ways to be healthy.

noreply@blogger.com (The Zen Element) — Mon, 25 May 2009 03:25:00 +0000

In our past paced "microwave it", "drive-through" society it's no wonder the incidence of disease is through the proverbial roof. Not only are we getting lazier but our foods do not contain nearly enough nutrients due to the over use of chemicals and pesticides leaving us susceptible to illness and disease.

Gone are the days when we each individually had to plough the fields, plant the seeds, harvest the crop and prepare our meals, nowadays we simply stretch out our hands and "poof" our meal is served. Don't get me wrong I'm all for convenience, it just seems our need for fast foods has left us lacking a connection with nature and a disregard for the foods we eat.

A lot of the ingredients in the foods we consume are grown in labs, in the form of artificial additives, colours and preservatives made to extend the shelf life and appearance of the products that are usually shipped inter-state and overseas.

This further disconnects us from the vital essence and health giving properties of our foods.

All this giving rise to the debate as to whether these so-called ingredients are to blame for increases in incidences of ADD and ADHD and other health related issues.

Then there is the subject of genetically modified crops and there validity in the food chain.

GM crops are popping up everywhere and I think we have to ask ourselves, "What is good for us, and what is not"?

Here are a few tips on how to start eating healthy and avoid your food coming back to bite you.

1. Fresh is best

Eat fresh fruit and veggies wherever possible and buy locally and in season. Alternatively grow your own if you can, not only do you know they are free from chemicals and pesticides but they taste fantastic as well.

2. Check the labels

Beware of cheeky corporate marketing, they will tell you a product is all natural but you can guarantee there's a catch. Generally the natural part is overshadowed by the list of ingredients whose names you can't get your mouth around to pronounce, let alone eat.

3. The sugar hit

A lot of so-called fruit bars, juices and muesli bars contain a lot of sugar including the pseudonyms; sucrose, glucose, fructose, dextrose, corn syrup and maltodextrin just to name a few. Go for snacks and juices with no added sugars and nibble on nuts and dried fruit rather than those high calorie nasties.

4. To eat meat, or not to eat meat?

The debate continues to rage as to wether red meat is a contributing factor to the global warming crisis. I'm not here to convince you either way. So if becoming vegetarian seems too much of a stretch try eating free range instead, it's more environmentally sustainable and kinder to the animal, and tastes better as well.

5. Free the chickens

Free range chickens and eggs are by far superior to caged varieties and don't have to be much more expensive if you shop around.

6. The war on GM

By law in Australia companies do not have to list Genetically Modified ingredients on their packaging. Items such as rice, canola and soy are a GM minefield so keep an eye out.

Below is a link with a list of GM and GM free products

http://www.truefood.org.au/truefoodguide/

7. Too much take-away

Limit take-away meals to a minimum, most of the time they are full of salt and trans-fats.

Having take-away every now and again will not only save you money but will save your waistline as well.

8.Fishy friend

Fish are good source of the good Omega oils that assist brain functioning. Try using tinned tuna it is cheap, versatile and easy to prepare. Just remember to purchase dolphin friendly varieties and help our sea creature friends.

9. Eat consciously

When you are eating your food be grateful. Remember the process that takes place allowing your food to get to you plate, the people that contributed and the resources utilized. As well as the nutrients that are flooding your cells with every bite, nourishing your very being.

10. Enjoy

The most important thing is to enjoy you food. Savour the flavour, the smells and textures and know that it is contributing to your health and well-being.

Remember these immortal words;

"Let food be you medicine and medicine be you food". Hippocrates

Creating calm from chaos.

noreply@blogger.com (The Zen Element) — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:57:00 +0000

It sometimes seems on the journey of life we come across moments of hopelessness, lack of motivation and direction, creative blocks and just plain boredom.

When these moments arrive it is easy to get lost and to despair, to feel lonely or to loose interest.
Negative thoughts can ripple the once calm waters of the mind creating chaos and fear.

At these times I like to embrace the simple things, they seem to clear the mind and allow me to stay in the moment rather than fussing about the worries of the future or the past.

The simple act of playing with my baby boy for example replaces the ripples of chaos and fear with joy and love. Reading a book, playing my favourite music even sleeping in or taking an afternoon nap takes my mind off any worries, even if just for the moment.

Take the time to indulge in your favourite things, in childish delights no matter how silly, they stimulate the mind and spirit and maintain the creative spark in us all.

Living in the now and not worrying about the goings on in your life, even if just for the moment has the wonderful benefits of recharging the body stimulating "feel good" chemicals, lowering blood pressure and even changing brain wave patterns allowing for a more relaxed state of mind.

It indulges the spirit, the inner child, taking away the pressures of everyday worries and revitalises, allowing for moments of clarity, creativity and joy.

In the immortal words of Lao Tzu;

"Be careful what you water your dreams with. Water them with worry and fear and you will produce weeds that choke the life from your dream. Water them with optimism and solutions and you will cultivate success".