Rainforest and Persistence

After a recent trip to Alaska's Temperate Rainforest, I was enthralled with the relationship between the rocks and the trees. Since the rocks are a predominate part of the landscape, the trees have little soil in which to plunge their delicate roots. I was amazed as I rode up a very steep mountain side to a boardwalk that wound through the delicate rainforest. The trees seemed to grow right out of the rocks as you look at them! Amazing...
I had the pleasure of talking with a Tlingit guide while I was in part of the Tongass National Forest which is part of the largest temperate Rainforest in the world. My guide spoke with great knowledge and passion about the rainforest as we maneuvered carefully down the steep mountain trail. She pointed out the different stages of the forest, as the trees went from new to old and then after they had fallen, lived on in a way as a nursery tree, supporting the life of a new tree!

My guide told us that the trees depended on each other during the winds that plague the area. Without their neighbors, the trees would fall easier in the winds since their roots are shallow. In the rainforest, the trees intertwine their roots and grow close to each other to help keep each other strong. As a tree ages, its roots spread over more and more of the forest, reaching out to more and more trees.
Reminded me of how we have to live our lives, interacting with others and supporting each other. When we face a challenge alone, we are not strong enough. But with friends and family, and of course our God, we can face any obstacle. Even in death, the forest gives back life, just as we do when we leave our legacy for others to follow.
Please help the Audubon Alaska Group, Alaska Sierra Club, the Alaska Wilderness League and others keep our temperate rainforest free from logging. Each time one of the old growth trees is cut down, part of the forest dies. These trees cannot be replaced. The forest starts to dry out and we, as citizens of the USA as well as the world, loose something precious and vital to our survival.

Working-In Your Summer Work Out!

Summer means great opportunities to have cook-outs with family and friends, picnics on the lake, family reunions, Memorial Day, 4th of July celebrations, Labor Day celebrations, summer Cruises and many more. Even though we are more active in the summer in some ways, because of the heat, we often avoid the long walks and moderate exercise that helps keep our weight down. It is hard to work-in your work out!

We have to be careful in the summer because of the possibility of Extreme Heat Related Illness and Death. So as we go about our summer activities we need to stay out of the heat in the middle of the day. Weight management is possible and necessary.

Keep your exercise fun and varied during the summer. Swim one day, walk the next, play a game with the kids on another. Adults need to have about 30 minutes a day in moderate exercise while children need about 60 minutes. Wear comfortable lightweight clothes, comfortable shoes, and sunglasses when doing any work out outside along with a wide brim hat.

Walking is a great way to keep moving in the summer heat. You can walk in the early mornings, late evenings, and even at the local mall. Some of my friends combine shopping at the big warehouse stores with a bit of exercise! Just grab a buggy/shopping cart/basket and walk the aisles for half an hour before you begin your purchases. Drop in a heavy bag of cat litter or dog food to add some resistance as you get your exercise. Grab some water on your way out and pop in a Cinch Tea packet for an afternoon boost! Stay hydrated.

Now, remember a little sun is good for you, you need the Vitamin D, so don’t apply Sunscreen for about 15 minutes each time you go out so you get a small amount of sunshine several days a week. But don’t Sunburn, since according to the CDC, sunburn is bad for your skin as well as makes it hard for your body to regulate your temperature as you go about outdoor activities.

Even on that summer Cruise with all those tempting meals 24/7 you can keep a weather eye on your weight. You don’t have to deny yourself those special treats while you are on that once a year vacation or cruise. Just take advantage of the gym and the promenade deck on the ship for walks and jogs. The gyms at sea are really sophisticated now, with state-of–the art work out equipment. Many ships offer instruction in Yoga, Palliates, low impact aerobics and dance. Take advantage of shore excursions that have moderate to higher excretion involved. And push outs work too. Push out from the dessert table! I know that is hard to do, but enjoy your meals, just don’t overdo! Moderation is rewarded.

So enjoy your summer! Eat those favored summer foods; add some more salads and fresh home grown tomatoes and fresh fruits for great meals. Stay healthy and safe by following common sense and keep moving!

Is "Green" Really Green?

Is Green really Green? How can you tell the difference? There is a lot of what on article called “green washing” going on in the marketplace today. Since “green” has gotten to be such a big business now, about $105 Million in sales from April 2007-April 2008. That is a lot of green!
But not all vendors play fair with the word green, listing only what they want to list since there are no laws saying they have to list ingredients on labels. According to a recent article by Jane Hoback, manufacturers are required to have a Material Safety Data Sheet listing cautions and known health effects available upon request. So you have to request a list of ingredients to be safe should you have allergies or sensitivities.
The main thing to do is seek products that are plant-based, biodegradable in three to five days, contain no phosphates, chlorine, synthetic dyes or fragrances or petroleum products.
And remember, since truly green products are not harsh, it may take them a few minutes to “work”. Read the labels and follow the advice of the manufacturer, they know their product and how to best utilize its benefits. How nice to clean your bathroom and be able to breathe while you are cleaning!
Stay Healthy and Green!