100% All-Natural Latex for Chemical-Free Sleep

Many people these days are looking for ways to live a greener, more chemically-free life. Since we spend about one-third of our life sleeping, going chemical-free with your mattress is a great place to start.  One of the best ways to do this is with a 100% all-natural latex mattress.

A 100% all-natural latex mattress is completely botanical and made from the sap of a rubber tree.  It is hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and dust mite-free.  Quite simply, it is the cleanest mattress you can find and ideal for those with allergies or those looking for a greener mattress alternative.

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Ode to Carrots

I think that we will never see, a veggie grand as carrots be…

Okay, so I am not a poet… but I would like to sing the praises of carrots, however ineloquent that praise may be.

Last night, while in a rush to prepare dinner during a busy afternoon and evening of activities, I finished up the main course and reached for a bag of carrots to serve my boys.  “Carrots are awesome!” I thought to myself.  No matter how rushed we are, I can always count on carrots, ready-to-eat baby carrots  in this case, to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.  They are tasty, nutritious, and low in calories and my boys (ages 11 and 13) love them.  Who doesn’t love a veggie that your kids love?  If we are on the run, everyone can have their own little container or baggie of carrots to snack on in the car, boat, or at any activity where quick and easy nutrition is needed.  I count out a predetermined number of baby carrots for each serving.  They sit in their own little bowl, a testament to their reign of greatness as the veggie of choice in our home.

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Cold Weather Camping Tips (Especially If You Are Camping With Youngsters)

As I think about the camping I will be doing with my son’s Boy Scout troop this weekend, I am reminded of my “tricks of the trade.” Some of these work well with “car camping” (when your car is nearby and you are not hiking your gear in), like I do with my Cub Scout pack, some are better suited for back packing. Here are my recommendations (besides the obvious tent for shelter):

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Watch Your Back – Preparation for Outdoor Winter Activities Prevents Injury

Tis the season for shoveling and winter sports. We thought this article from the American ChiropracticAssociation (ACA) provides great advice in preparation for these events:

“When snow, ice and frigid weather blast into town, watch out, says the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Winter recreational activities and chores can pose problems for the outdoor enthusiast whose body is not in condition. Winter sports like skating, skiing and sledding can cause painful muscle spasms, strains or tears if you’re not in shape. Even shoveling snow the wrong way, clambering awkwardly over snow banks, slipping on sidewalks and wearing the wrong kinds of clothing can all pose the potential for spasms, strains and sprains.

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Exercise Can Lower Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

I have heard this question often:  “Can exercise lower my risk of type 2 diabetes?”

The answer:  Absolutely! In a recent study of 41,000 women, it was found that moderate exercise (walking, biking, etc.), done four times per week, cuts the risk of diabetes in half as we get older. This is a very exciting finding! It was also found that 8% of diabetes found in inactive adults may have been prevented with moderate exercise. Although there are genetic factors involved in acquiring type 2 diabetes (previously called adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent), the biggest culprits in the development of the disease are inactivity and excess body fat. This research shows yet another debilitating disease that can potentially be avoided through moderate exercise.

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Need Better Sleep? Pills Are Not the Answer

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola in his article, The Top 5 Natural Sleep Aid Tips, the number of Americans getting eight or more hours of sleep per night has dropped 34% between 1942 and 2013. Dr. Mercola goes on to say that number of people getting less than five hours of sleep per night increased from 3% to 14% in that same time period.  These stats are alarming.

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One Easy Thing To Do To Add Fitness to Your Busy Day

Want to add fast and easy upper body fitness to your day but find you are crunched for time? Here’s an exercise that is as simple as washing your hands. In fact, you should do it every time you wash your hands, or every time you are in front of a counter. Here’s how:

Every time you are in front of a sturdy counter, sink, or bar, do ten or more push ups.  That’s it.  It’s that easy.  It is amazing how often we are in front of a sink or counter and can do this in such a short time.  Place your hands shoulder width apart on the counter and slowly lower your chest to the edge of the counter.  The stronger you are, the farther away you should place your feet from the counter.  You can also vary the width of your hands to place the emphasis on different muscle groups.  Place your hands closer together for more triceps (back of upper arm) work; place your hands farther apart for a greater emphasis on your chest.

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A Natural Latex Mattress or A Memory Foam Mattress?

I see this question quite a bit on the web.  Should you choose a natural latex mattress or a memory foam mattress?  It’s the biggest question since Ginger or MaryAnne or Freddy versus Jason.  The problem with the memory foam mattress versus natural latex mattress question is that the only one who can answer it is you.  It’s just like Ginger or MaryAnne – both are great, it’s just a matter of preference.  (Freddy versus Jason can have an actual winner, but who knows who that would really be?)

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Lack of Sleep is Bad for Your Body

How a lack of sleep can affect your body and your health is something I don’t need research to tell me. I have always been acutely aware of this and make sure I get enough sleep to stay as healthy as possible.

The article, What Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep , written by the Brain and Spine Team of the Cleveland Clinic, points out the following things that can happen if you don’t get enough sleep, including, but not limited to, lack of alertness, impaired memory, relationship stress, impacted quality of life, and an increased likelihood of car accidents.  Even missing as much as 1.5 hours of sleep can have an impact.  Chronic or continued lack of sleep can also lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Obesity, depression and a lower sex drive are also potential problems.

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Natural Latex Mattress: Look for 100% Natural Latex

Many people are turning to all-natural latex as their mattress of choice. Sure, you want natural latex for its comfort and its 100% botanical qualities, but how can you be sure you are getting 100% all-natural latex?  You have to do your homework and you have to ask the hard questions.  Here’s why:

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