Sydney Australia welcomes in 2013

as the world turns celebrations to bring in the new year 2013 have already begun with Australia leading the way with their amazing harbor side firework display … these days I live in Vancouver, Canada however once upon a time I lived in Australia so I keep up to date on what’s going on there through curiosity and friends .. happy 2013

Guide to ‘Re-Seeing’ How Much You Eat

http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/your-guide-to-re-seeing-how-much-you-eat?did=t1_rss4&hpt=hp_bn16

Food portions is a very important topic when it comes to calories and wellness. Our food portions have reduced significantly since becoming Vegans. We have really noticed the change of portions to the whole food plant based lifestyle that came naturally and without force. The better we eat the less we eat it was just a natural turnaround. Our plates have become smaller and we use bowls more. We just love the smaller portions the less washing up and the amazing energy we get from our good food.

Sixty 60-Second Tips to a Healthier You

http://www.livebetteramerica.com/Home/healthy-living/health/well-being/articles/sixty-60-second-tips-to-a-healthier-you

Sixty 60-Second Tips to a Healthier You

A minute goes by like that (finger snap), but it’s more than enough time to do something that will help you feel good.
On any given day, we might not have an hour to go to the gym, 30 minutes to prepare a home-cooked meal, or 15 minutes to read. But who can’t find a minute here or there?

There are many things we can do that are good for us that take 60 seconds or less. Don’t believe it? Take a minute to read our list of 60, all practically guaranteed to make you feel good almost instantly. Ready. Set. GO!

1. Drink a glass of water.
2. Take 10 deep breaths.
3. Think of something you’re grateful for.
4. Scratch your dog’s belly.
5. Pet your cat.
6. Eat an apple.
7. Swivel your hips.
8. Shimmy your shoulders.
9. Write a thank-you note.
10. Call your parents.
11. Do a yoga pose and hold it.
12. Sprinkle a spoonful of flaxseed in something you’re about to eat.
13. Hug someone you love.
14. Hug someone you kinda, sorta like.
15. Hug someone you don’t care for one bit.
16. Sign up for an art class.
17. Balance on one foot for 60 seconds.
18. Balance on the other foot for 60 seconds.
19. Floss your teeth.
20. Schedule a complete physical.
21. Eat a handful of almonds.
22. Tell a joke.
23. Do 60 jumping jacks.
24. Close your eyes and think of nothing.
25. Listen to one good song.
26. Sing along to one good song.
27. Dance to one good song.
28. Eat a tomato like it’s an apple.
29. Give someone a minute’s worth of your undivided attention.
30. Make a cup of tea.
31. Pay someone a compliment.
32. Pay yourself a compliment.
33. Jump rope.
34. Do 10 push-ups, on your knees if you have to.
35. Do 10 sit-ups, crunches if you have to.
36. Make a list of your five favorite songs.
37. Meditate.
38. Try a vegetable you think you don’t like.
39. Stretch and yawn, even if you’re not sleepy.
40. Read a poem.
41. Lie on the floor with your legs up a wall.
42. Call your congressman about an issue that’s important to you.
43. Spin a hula hoop around your waist, neck, or each arm.
44. Read the first page of a new book.
45. Make a list of your five favorite movies.
46. Strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know.
47. Make a paper plane and launch it.
48. Take a multi-vitamin.
49. Do 10 squats.
50. Give yourself a temple massage.
51. Bend forward at the waist and hang.
52. Yodel.
53. Gargle.
54. Try to balance standing on your tippy toes.
55. Eat a handful of berries.
56. Open a window and take a breath of fresh air. Even if it’s January.
57. Take off your shoes and walk barefoot. Even if it’s January.
58. Look up into the branches of a tree.
59. Send a check to a good cause.
60. Wash your hands.

Cardboard bicycle can change the world, says Israeli inventor

I found this interesting article … sharing …

Israeli inventor Izhar Gafni holds his cardboard bicycle as he poses for a photo in Moshav Ahituv, central Israel September 24, 2012. The bicycle, made almost entirely of cardboard, has the potential to change …

http://news.yahoo.com/cardboard-bicycle-change-world-says-israeli-inventor-090732689.html

By Ori Lewis and Lianne Gross | Reuters – Mon, Oct 15, 2012

Peace on Earth … and in your life ..

I saw this little story and thought it a good one to share for everyone perhaps as a reminder perhaps as an ah ha. Simple ideas, ways we may already know and do. Especially as we move into December just a little reminder to take time for yourself to unwind.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Those in other countries have many rituals to help them relax
• You can take a page out of their book, especially during the holidays
• Indulge in a quick massage, a sauna or some togetherness with friends

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/27/health/peace-life/index.html?hpt=hp_bn12

Canada’s organic food certification system ‘little more than an extortion racket,’ report says

“There is no mandatory laboratory testing of products to ensure organic-labelled food is actually farmed without pesticides, leaving the organics industry in the hands of the honour system.” Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In Canada.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11/24/canadas-organic-food-certification-system-little-more-than-an-extortion-racket-report-says/

World Toilet Day – November 19, 2012

Wow – who know that today is World Toilet Day? This is the first I have heard of this day and want to share as an important issue for people and definitely for the environment.

World Toilet Day is observed annually on 19 November. This international day of action aims to break the taboo around toilets and draw attention to the global sanitation challenge.

Did you know :
2.5 billion people do not have a clean toilet
1.1 billion people defecate in the open
Investing $ 1 in sanitation generates a return of $ 5

 

Can you imagine not having a toilet? Can you imagine not having privacy when you need to relieve yourself? Although unthinkable for those living in wealthy parts of the world, this is a harsh reality for many – in fact, one in three people on this globe, does not have access to a toilet! Have you ever thought about the true meaning of dignity?

World Toilet Day was created to pose exactly these kind of questions and to raise global awareness of the daily struggle for proper sanitation that a staggering 2.5 billion people face. World Toilet Day brings together different groups, such as media, the private sector, development organizations and civil society in a global movement to advocate for safe toilets. Since its inception in 2001, World Toilet Day has become an important platform to demand action from governments and to reach out to wider audiences by showing that toilets can be fun and sexy as well as vital to life.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/19/health/toilet-day-sanitation-crisis/index.html?hpt=hp_bn12

Pedal perfect: Bikers shed spandex to inspire new riders

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/13/living/bicycle-fashion-tweed-ride/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

I saw this article and want to share. This type of event breaks down barriers brings people together and reminds one that cycling and wellness can be for anyone – it’s never to late to start. It’s always good to have options. Imagine if you can get fit at the same time as having fun. Perhaps your entire direction will change completely. Personally I have always loved a good cycle however since changing my lifestyle to the whole food plant based one and losing all the weight I have my cycling time and adventures has increased dramatically. The fitter I become the further I can go the more weather I can take (rain, wind, winter) and it just keeps on getting better. Definitely many more people should be opening up to cycling – its a natural progression in my opinion to have as your only set of wheels (do Zip Car for example if you need one) or to have on. The rewards are as easy as getting on your bike and heading out there …

Exercising Regularly Can Prevent a Shrinking Brain

I spotted this very quick snapshot clip about old age and exercise for those over 70. For those of us with stubborn parents who don’t want to exercise perhaps this may help. Perfect for starting exercise at any age of course. Exercise is important for the whole life of course however brain shrinkage is no good for anyone so lets help people of all ages start moving get moving and keep moving.

Exercising Regularly Can Prevent a Shrinking Brain
November 8, 2012

Exercising regularly in old age is better than mental or social stimulation when it comes to preventing brain shrinkage.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/video/top-news/1112727998/exercise-good-for-brains-110812/

How a Hong Kong alley rat changed a young couple’s life

“He was a street rat, no more than a few days old. His life had begun in the grimy alley beside our apartment in Hong Kong, and to most people, he would have embodied filth and disease. But we saw instead a fragile, unknowable life, and in the three years that followed, we came to see him as no average soul.” Read more via link below ….

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/17/living/oprah-hong-kong-alley-rat/index.html%3Fhpt=hp_bn11?iref=obnetwork

In between the hype from last nights US Election I saw the headline “How a Hong Kong alley rat changed a young couple’s life” and read it. It reminded me how the labels we give animals separates from what is “good” animal to what is “not good” animal.  The innocence of this story reminds us that all animals have a place that such as this story can be life changing. What this couple did was an enormous gift of giving to what society would label “awful creature that must be killed” – many others would have passed by Mr. T in repulsion yet this couple picked it up and discovered more about themselves through Mr. T than perhaps any amount of soul searching book reading lectures of offerings of human wisdom would have offered.  Hence Mr. T’s story reminds me why I became a Vegan which at first was about health which eventually turned to my life long love for animals now labeled by society into categories of what is a pet for us what is food for us and what we should be scared of.

Thanks so much for the inspiring story.