During the winter time, we midwesterners don’t have much of a chance of getting enough Vitamin D through sunlight (which is the best way to get this vitamin). But with all the benefits of Vitamin D, we should really be sure to get adequate amounts each day. Good thing there are supplements!

Dr. Oz on the Importance of Vitamin D

It all started with a table.

I found an old table at my workplace that was banged up and not being used.  But I loved the shape of it and knew that I could fix it up and give it new life.  So, I brought it home (with permission of course) and started the operation.  Josh showed me how to use his Kreg Jig to repair the split in the table top and I used a hand sander to remove the dried on glue stains and the old varnish.   Before I could paint, I had to find THE perfect color.  I admit, it took me probably way too much time to decide on just the right shade of blue, but it was worth it in the end.  Many trips to home improvement stores and many paint chips later, the table got a fresh paint job and some fancy new hardware.

I fell in love with my table.  I also fell in love with junking.

Now I like to spend time browsing antique stores, vintage stores, flea markets, estate sales and garage sales looking for old forgotten items that need a little TLC or can be repurposed into something useful or beautiful.  Every sale is like a treasure hunt.  An eco-friendly treasure hunt.

I plan to start sharing more about my junking adventures on the blog… so keep reading.  I’m sure I’ll find many fabulous things to show you!

And if you have any junking tips or questions, leave a note in the comments.  As always, I love to hear from you.

If I was going to be in town on Friday, you would probably find me at the Unglued Christmas Market pop up shop in downtown Fargo for their opening day!   But I’ll be sure to head over there to check out the goods when I am back after the holiday weekend.  There will be lots of fun local and handmade items and some sweet vintage finds so I’m excited to check it out.  If you’ll be around Fargo this Christmas shopping season, I recommend heading over there!  The pop up shop will be located at 68 Broadway November 25 – December 24, 2011.  Support local/handmade/small business!!!

All the new moms that I know are extra cautious when it comes to their baby’s health.  They research car seats, bottles, toys, cribs and diapers before buying to make sure that the products are super safe for baby.

But, many moms are still believing that bath and body products marketed for babies must be safe for babies.  I encourage moms to research what they are putting on baby’s body just as much as what goes in and around baby’s body.

For example, I am going to pick on Johnson and Johnson a bit.  They are known for their baby shampoo.  I would guess that when most people picture baby shampoo in their mind, they are thinking about that signature gold bottle with the “no more tears” label.  But, there is an international coalition of health and environmental groups urging consumers to boycott Johnson & Johnson baby products until the company agrees to remove potentially cancer-causing chemicals from its baby products sold around the world.  (Click on the link to read more information).  Parents can no longer trust companies marketing their products as safe for babies without doing their homework.  Pretty scary!

But, it is not all gloom and doom.  Thank goodness!  There are companies out there addressing this issue and offering safe alternatives for parents.  Check out Shaklee’s line of baby products for starters and let me know if you find some other great products on the market.

I have tried meditation many times in my life, and have found it to be difficult for my wandering mind to get into.  I tended to just fall into a quick nap or get frustrated because my mind refused to be tamed into peaceful submission.  But recently I took a Discovery Board Workshop from Laura Egland at Vision Architect (which I totally recommend, by the way) and was confronted with my misgiving about meditation.  Laura led us through a very calming and grounding mediation exercise that allowed me to clear my mind and focus on the task at hand.  No falling asleep, no aggravation.  Woo hoo!

Today I found the following article from Organic Soul that speaks to people like me… those of us that have not found meditation to be second nature, but are seeking the calm and focus that it can achieve.  With all the stress of the holiday season encroaching, we could all use a little mental break right about now!

Finding inner peace can sometimes result in a frustrating battle between your desire to just chill out and the realities and stresses of the world. Between appointments, work, family, friends and other distractions it can be difficult to be in the moment and relax. While there is no specific “formula” about how to “properly meditate”, sometimes the best way to do it is through visualization and transporting your mind someplace else.

It may be easier said than done, but it is beneficial to try and meditate every single night. This may sound difficult to commit to, but spending those few moments with yourself can help to clear your head before getting a good night’s sleep. You’re put in a more tranquil state of mind, naturally keeping you more relaxed and positive in everyday life.

I suggest beginners start right before bed and utilize aromatherapy and calming music. Try the following suggested visualization meditation to help ease you slowly into a meditative state:

Laying on a flat and supportive surface with spine aligned; slowly begin to sink deeply into the ground. First feet, then legs, core, arms shoulders, and head… all fully are sinking down, as if sinking into a floating cloud. Our body feels very heavy as every muscle relaxes into the floating cloud, floating high in the clear blue sky. As the cloud is floating on the sun shines bright and warm on the skin and the cool breeze gently blows upon our face. All worries and troubles are washed away like a passing spring shower. We feel refreshed and cleansed, ready to start a new day. We lay here floating on, feeling comforted and happy bringing us to a place special in our hearts. What does this place look like? Imagine we are arriving at this place….

Meditation can also work during the day by adding a gentle alarm that will ease you to come to. As you’re beginning to move, remember the following:

…Slowly start to wiggle toes and fingers, awakening our bodies for the rest of the day. Rotating to the right side, lie in the fetal position. Using the left arm as support, and keeping eyes closed, sit up and come into a cross legged position. Let’s be thankful for this day, for our loved ones, and for having the courage to try something new today.

The overall goal of meditating is so we can maintain a positive state of mind and become more conscious of ourselves.  I speak about positivity a lot, because I find that positive thinking and gratitude can help boost your immune system, improve your eating habits, and motivate you to workout. When you have a positive outlook on life, all other aspects of your life begin to improve: you’ll feel energized and more likely to be fit and healthy, you’ll appreciate the Earth what it does for us, and you’ll appreciate others and their contribution to the world.

This piece was contributed to Organic Soul by Brittany D. Costa, health and wellness educator and journalist. Costa currently works at Brittany D. Costa Freelance, where she performs private in-home and electronic personal training and health and wellness guidance. She has also worked at several fitness clubs and is the Official Health and Wellness Guide for various Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageant contestants. Check out her blog for more information!

Harvest time!  Today’s post comes from one of my favorite bloggers: Bonnie of Going Home to Roost.  She shares why it’s important to buy organic, and which fruits and veggies you should buy organic when possible.

buying organic (and local!) produce is extremely important to me. sometimes though, my wallet just won’t allow for it. knowing which items are most and least important to purchase organic has been a tremendous help to me (and our bank account!), so i thought you might be able to use the info as well. here’s a simple guide to what you should always buy organic, and what other items are naturally low in pesticides (usually due to their thick skins).

THE WORST for pesticides (buy these organic):

spinach, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, kale/collard greens, potatoes, bell peppers, celery and grapes.

always try to buy these organic, as their thinner skins allow for the most amount of pesticides to reside within.

THE BEST (lowest in pesticides):

onions, sweet corn, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, pineapple, sweet potato, melons and avocado.

when you’re in a money pinch, you can always rest assure that these veggies and fruits have the lowest amount of pesticides.

This summer the hubby and I decided to get rid of our cable TV.  To fill the time that I would normally be watching another episode of Bones or the latest reality contest show, I have been reading.  I read like I’m a kid again… only instead of reading about the Berenstain Bears or The Babysitters Club, I am immersing myself into non-fiction… mostly pertaining to natural health, the environment, and business.  And I am loving it.

I’m switching between reading a few different books right now (depending on my mood), but one I wanted to share with you is called Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway.  I heard about this book months ago and finally ordered it on Amazon.  I started reading it while on a fishing trip with my husband, and barely got two pages into the book before I was reading him interesting and/or infuriating passages.  (PS. Don’t read this book before going to bed.  It may get you riled up.)

Here’s the blurb from the back of the book to give you a taste of what it’s about:

Merchants of Doubt has been praised- and attached – around the world, for reasons easy to understand.  This book tells, with “brutal clarity’ (Huffington Post), the disquieting story of how a loose-knit group of high-level scientific advisers, with deep connections in politics and industry, ran effective campaigns to mislead the public and deny well-established scientific knowledge over four decades.  The same individuals who claim the science of global warming is “not settled” have also denied the truth about studies linking smoking to lung cancer, coal smoke to acid rain, and CFCs to the ozone hole.  ”Doubt is our product,” wrote one tobacco executive.  These “experts” supplied it.  Merchants of Doubt rolls back the rug on this dark corner of American science.

You can find this book in your local bookstore, on Amazon, or for your Nook or other e-reader.

Last week for my birthday my husband bought me a Nook Color.  So I got to browse through all the books and magazines available for the Nook to find some things that I liked.  I stumbled upon Natural Health Magazine and downloaded a free trial.  I love it!  When I sat down to check it out, I read it cover to cover.  So many interesting and useful articles.  (Unlike the redundant and useless articles about which pair of jeans fits your body type or which lipstick shade is best in most magazines geared toward women).  They have sections about healthy living, green living, and even holistic care for your pets!

If you’re looking for a fun read this summer, check it out.