(Reprint from May, 2008)
It is Memorial Day week-end; a three day week-end for most of us…Picnics, barbeques, parades, pool parties and numerous other ways of celebrating Memorial Day!
What are YOUR personal Memorial Days?
And, as we all celebrate this weekend, I wish for us all to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day…(I actually looked up the meaning on Wikipedia, to be sure I understood the full meaning) It says:
Memorial Day is a United States Federal Holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action.
I didn’t know that it went as far back as the Civil War. Did you?
One of my very favorite coaches and authors is Phillip E. Humbert PhD. he wrote of Memorial Day and “your personal Memorial Day” back in May, 2005. I wish to direct you to his post, as this is one of my favorites. Hope it becomes one of your favorites, also.
http://www.philiphumbert.com/TIPS/20050529.htm#3
Now that you have read this, may I ask you again
What is YOUR personal Memorial Day?
How are you doing with the “dirty dozen?” Those are the twelve foods that you really want to purchase as organic.
Now let’s talk about the fifteen foods that we do not need to purchase organic.
The Clean Fifteen fruits and vegetables are: Asparagus, avocados, broccoli, cabbage, eggplants, grapefruit, kiwi, mangoes, onions, papayas, peas, pineapples, watermelon , sweet corn, and sweet potatoes.
The reason these fruits and veggies typically do not need to be organic, is because they have thick, protective skins, husks, or pods, while broccoli and cabbage are cold weather crops that are grown when pests are less prevalent. Tree fruits often require fewer pesticides because they are high above the ground where they are less susceptible to insects.
Make sense? It does to me… These are the fruits and vegetables that I do NOT buy organic.
Want more info on this quandry? Check out the EWG.
Now that we have a clear understanding of organic vs non-organic choices. What shall we ponder next?
Sharon has asked the question, “are there really Super Foods, and what difference do they make?” Thanks Sharon…stay tuned for the answer to your question.
What questions do YOU have? I would love to hear from you.
The “dirty dozen” refers to twelve foods that are high enough in pesticides and other contaminants that it is worth the extra money to purchase them.
The “dirty dozen” briefly listed are: ( in order of their pesticide load from worst to least worst) peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, lettuce, grapes, pears, spinach and potatoes.
Dr. Andrew Weil gives a great commentary on the “dirty dozen.” Check it out here.
Do I purchase only organic for these 12 foods? Truthfully? Yes! if I cannot get organic, then I would rather not eat them at all.
What do I eat instead? The clean 15! Stay tuned for more info on the 15 fruits and vegetables that you do NOT need to purchase organic!
How about YOU? Would YOU rather go “without” than eat contaminated foods? I would love to hear your opinion…
Now that your kitchen is clean, what foods are you going to fill it up with? What are your most pressing questions?
Is “organic” worth it? What about “local foods”? Are there any real “super foods?” These are the questions that I am most often asked.
Tomorrow, we will begin with “organic foods”-which are worth it and which really don’t need to be “organic.” And…what does “organic” REALLY mean?
April has almost come to an end. Let’s finish up this month with the physical cleaning of our kitchen. Then, on to May, with the Spring Cleaning of our bodies. How does that sound to you?
I would love to be able to speed clean my kitchen! Michaeline Raczka, Clutter Coach extrodinarie must have read my mind…Check out her post on just that: Can You Really Speed Clean Your Kitchen?
I LOVE your questions and comments! You truly have been reading, pondering and sending! Not only have you been focusing on the article by Michaeline Raczka “The” clutter coach, but your questions have gone beyond that…actually, they have gone BEFORE that;
How do I get started, many of you have asked! So, let us back up a bit and explore Michaeline’s previous posts. The Secrets of an Organized Kitchen will be our focus for the next few days; and since I have been over-my-head in academia, my kitchen can certainly use some organization 
Thanks Michaeline! When it comes to de-cluttering-YOU ARE THE BEST!
Thank you for all of your questions on “eating healthy!” As we Spring Clean our Heart, let’s start with our physical heart. Shall we?
Michaeline Raczka, Clutter Coach-extraordinaire, wrote a great article on Healthy Kitchen Habit; From Processed to Whole Foods Please click on the link, read the article and then we will set some goals together. OK?
I welcome you to post your goals on this website, or email them to me at janet@nourishyourlife.com
You have two days…start reading, pondering and sending…
It is now April and we have journeyed well into Spring. Does your heart “sing” as mine does during the season of Spring? There is something about the newness of life that wants me to Spring Clean everything; including my heart…
What does it mean to Spring Clean your heart? I asked a number of women and came up with a number of answers. The most common answers fell into these catagories: Making room for forgiveness, getting priorities straight, eating healthy and getting more exercise. Interesting variety of answers…some clearly Spiritual and some clearly mental and some clearly physical.
What does “Spring cleaning your heart” mean to YOU? Let’s explore this togeher.
I just came across this great article and wish to pass it along to you.
Spring Clean Your Spirit
by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
Spring is a time for renewal. Use these steps to be refresh your spirit and be the person you were meant to be.
1. To live in this world you have to be strong. Start developing inner strength in mind and spirit by affirming the great fact that God built strength into your nature.
2. Practice praying during the day. Talk to God as you drive your car, as you make dinner. Wherever you are – it’s always the perfect time for prayer. Imagine the Lord is there for you. He is!
3. No matter what your situation is, be hopeful! Raise your sights and see the possibilities—always see them, for they’re always there.
4. Your thoughts and words have a strong impact on how you feel. Focus on thinking and speaking positively, even when you feel down.
5. Release your fear to God. He will give you faith, and faith is always stronger than fear.
6. Don’t limit your future with small thinking. Pray big, believe big, think big.
7. Remember: what you think you will become—good or bad, weak or strong, defeated or victorious, so picture yourself strong, happy and successful.
8. Be thankful. Let your prayers consist of all the wonderful things that have happened to you. Name them, thank God for them and make that your whole prayer. You will soon find that these prayers of thanksgiving grow longer and longer, and you will have more and more things for which to thank God.
9. Rest in the fact that God is watching over you and protecting you. Praise him for helping you grow and bloom.
10. Be patient. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but in time, with faith, you’ll feel refreshed and ready for any challenges or opportunities that come your way.
On March 20 at 1:32 EDT, Spring arrived! What were YOU doing at that moment? I was on a three-day silent prayer retreat, praying for YOU. I took my watch down to my favorite bridge on the river, and at exactly (or almost) 1:32 EDT, I welcomed Spring with a prayer for peace.
This Spring, I will take a “fresh” look at all that has entered my life this year. Is it working? What do I need to eliminate? What do I need to add? What do I need to take to a deeper level?
Ah yes, my favorite question: what do I need take to a deeper level?
On my Journey to Higher Ground; taking a fresh look and going to a deeper level. Can’t wait!
