Natural Calm Drink Recipes

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Feb 222013
 

GreenCupboards is excited to now offer Natural Vitality products to our great customers. Natural Vitality is a purpose-driven company committed to the belief that the nutrient content of the American diet has declined over the last sixty years and this makes well-chosen supplements necessary for a healthy, sustainable life. To that end, they have developed a line of premium-quality supplements based on research and formulated to produce a noticeable result.

Natural Vitality believes that agriculture focused on quality, not just on quantity, is critical to our health. For their dietary supplements, they seek out organic plant-based ingredients wherever possible. All the fruits and vegetables they use are organically grown. The agave, stevia, and fruit flavorings are organic as well. This not only assures customers of no pesticide residues and no GMO ingredients but also provides financial support to organic farming.

Photo courtesy of www.fortheloveoffoodblog.com

Below, we compiled a few different recipes from our favorite bloggers (For the Love of Food Blog, Detoxinista and Veggietorials) to get you a few ideas on how to use Natural Vitality’s Natural Calm Raspberry Lemon anti-stress drink. The Natural Calm helps you balance your calcium intake, restores healthy magnesium levels and helps prevent muscle cramping.

No-Stress Blood Orange Spritzer
(2 servings)

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh blood orange juice (about 6 medium oranges)
1 – 2 teaspoons Raspberry Lemon Natural Calm
16 ounces sparkling water
Ice
Fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Directions:
Juice oranges and mix with magnesium powder. Add sparkling water, ice, and garnish with fresh mint (optional). Serve and enjoy!

 

Sugar-Free Calming Spritzer
(1 serving)

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon Raspberry Lemon Natural Calm
8 oz. sparkling mineral water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)

Directions:
In a large glass, combine the Natural Calm and mineral water, stirring well. It will bubble up quite a bit, so be sure to use a big glass!

Mandarin Mimosa Mocktail
(1 serving)

Ingredients:
8 oz. fresh-squezzed mandarin juice
1 teaspoons Raspberry Lemon Natural Calm
Ice

Directions:
Mix the Natural Calm with the Mandarin juice. Add ice and enjoy!

Have you ever tried these recipes? What did you think? Do you have any recipes of your own? We’d love to hear them. Leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter!

5 Eco-Friendly and Effective Flu Fighting-Products

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Feb 072013
 

Stop the spread of cold and flu germs with the help of GreenCupboards. Many traditional products contain chemicals and toxins that can be harmful to our bodies and our environment. We’ve outlined five eco-friendly and effective flu fighting-products below to help you stay healthy.

Crane Drop Shape Humidifier: Humidifiers add moisture to indoor air, relieving congestion from the common cold and flu and soothing scratchy throats, dry skin and eyes, and irritated sinuses. Perfect for babies, adults, and everyone in between, a humidifier’s additional moisture thins the mucus in the sinuses, making it easier to breathe. Even if you’re feeling great, Crane’s Drops are must-haves. From smooth skin to shiny hair to cared-for furniture, they keep you and your home looking beautiful and feeling comfortable. $45.99

Germ Guardian Sanitizer Wand: Germ Guardians says the Sanitizer Wand can now kill 99% of viruses and bacteria without the use of chemicals. Posing no threat to humans or pets, the wand also flights unwanted odors and allergens. Germ Guardian says the secret to all this germ fighting power is the UV-C technology. UV-C light kills germs by penetrating the thin walls of viruses and bacteria. Once it has penetrated the walls the UV-C light alters the genetic structure of the organism which causes the organism to die. This is also how the Sanitizer Wand is able to fight odors and allergens. $52.99

MegaFood MegaFlora Plus: This intensified tablet from MegaFood is designed to support intestinal health, bowel irregularity and increase immunity. Containing a wide variety of essential probiotics, this tablet is super-packed so that you can maintain the highest possible health and immune system without worrying about any harsh or harmful chemicals. They use only the highest quality ingredients to ensure the safety and longevity of your adventurous life. The supplement is organic, gluten-free, vegan, dairy free, GMO free and non-toxic. $52.40

PureGreen24 Starter Pack: PureGreen24 says its disinfectant provides a complete kill of the influenza virus while providing residual protection without the use of toxic chemicals. The company is dedicated to reducing health risks caused by exposure to viruses, fungi and bacteria without endangering people and animals during the disinfecting process. Not only do these products work against viruses such as the flu, they also kill common household germs. The start pack includes 1 spray bottle, two pump sprays and three microfiber cloths. $24.99

California Baby Cold & Flu Spritzer: An indispensable product – always keep a bottle handy! California Baby recommends rather than exposing you and your child to potentially damaging over the counter medications, use their natural Colds & Flu spritzer to keep the air clean when symptoms such as simple congestion and stuffiness appear. Mist sheets, pillows and the air before bedtime with this spritzer to help you stay congestion free throughout the night. This product is organic as well as gluten, diary and cruelty-free.

Important Note: All claims above have been made by respective product manufactures. Please contact the manufacturer directly if you have questions regarding effectiveness of products outlined above. It is also important to contact your physician regarding all illnesses and before undertaking any treatments.

Have you used any of these products? Did they help you stay healthy? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also find us on Google+, Pinterest and Instagram.

Eco-Friendly Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

 Green Living  No Responses »
Jan 182013
 

Valentine’s Day is a powerful opportunity to demonstrate your love and admiration for the special people in your life by gifting them with safe, eco-friendly gifts.  You may wonder “How can a Valentine’s Day gift be eco-friendly?”  As you shop for your sweetheart, think about what the product is made of and where it comes from. Whether it’s organic, fair trade or made with sustainable materials, choosing earth friendly products is easier than ever before with our top five eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gift ideas.

Eco-Friendly Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Potting Shed Creations With Love Cosmos: Roses are a tradition on Valentine’s Day but they are often imported from outside the country and full of pesticides and chemicals that seep into the earth. Skip the red roses this year, and try something more sustainable with this vibrant red garden-in-a-bag. With Love Cosmos will brighten any space for that very special person. It is also a gift that will last much longer than any bouquet of flowers.

Sjaak Organic Dark Chocolate Bites: Sweets for your sweetheart is always a good gift idea. This year, try buying organic and fair trade chocolate. Sjaak Organic Dar Chocolate Bites comes in a variety of flavors including mint, zesty orange, red raspberry and creamy caramel. Not only are these sweets organic, but they are also fair trade & GMO free.

Make Love Not Trash Drop Zip Satchel: Combine fashionable and eco-friendly with this Make Love Not Trash bag that is made from 100% natural cotton canvas and the highest quality vegetable tanned leather for the trimming. This tanning process uses tannins derived from tree bark and other organic vegetable matter making it an ideal environmentally friendly handbag.

Equal Exchange Organic Spicy Hot Cocoa: Spice up your Valentine’s Day with this deliciously spicy twist on hot cocoa that combines cocoa with cinnamon and cayenne pepper for cocoa with a kick. Made from organic cacao from small-scale farmers in the Dominican Republic and organic sugar cane from small-scale farmers in Paraguay, this gift will not only show your Valentine you care about them, but also the planet. This organic and fair trade treat is perfect for any couple looking to spice things up.

Yala Designs BambooDreams Sheet Set: Welcome your sweetie to bed this Valentine’s Day with a new set of Yala Designs bed sheets. Made of 100% Viscose from Bamboo, these sheets get better with age. The more you use them and wash them, the softer they become. Plus, natural fibers such as organic bamboo viscose are sensitive to touch. They’re soft and breath unlike other fabrics.
For eco-friendly date ideas, check out GreenCupboards’ green date ideas for Valentine’s Day.

Running in the Snow

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Jan 092013
 

If you’re like most people who made New Year’s resolutions, you probably vowed to do a little bit more exercise. But if you’re like us at GreenCupboards, chances are you are experiencing lots of snow and ice outside, making it hard to go running in the snow. Slips on winter snow and ice are some of the leading causes of breaks and bruises during cold months.  If you catch yourself without any tread on your shoes and want to go running in the snow and ice, try this DIY snow shoe trick:

Materials

  • Shoes with little or non-existent tread
  • Zip ties

Directions 

  1. Take two zip ties
  2. Conjoint ties at a right angle
  3. Fit the ties to your shoes
  4. Viva la traction
    running in the snow

There is also a few different types running gear you can purchase to help you stay safe while running in the snow such as yak tracks. Whatever you end up using to create traction, we hope you stay safe and motivated to keep running and stick to your New Year’s resolutions!

FDA bans BPA baby bottles

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Jul 182012
 

BPA free for everyone! That is what the FDA is saying with its latest ban on Bisphenol-A (BPA) in all baby bottles and sippy cups. The decision to ax the plastic chemical in our babies’ drinking cups came down yesterday even though manufacturers of these products have already cut BPA out of their manufacturing process. According to The Huffington Post, the FDA’s decision is a response to a request from the American Chemistry Council. The council argued that the official ban would help increase consumer confidence and help settle any confusion over products.

Beaba's BPA Free Babypote

BPA has been the subject of controversy over the last several years in the scientific field.  The FDA originally said BPA was safe back in 2008 but then started expressing some concerns two years later in 2010. The NY Times writes, “Reports of potentially negative health effects have made BPA notorious, especially among parents, and led to widespread shunning of products thought to contain the chemical. Canada, Chicago and Suffolk County, N.Y., have banned BPA from children’s products.” Does this make the FDA’s decision a little late?  The Times continues to site the FDA saying it had “some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.” Yikes! We don’t want any of that going on with our precious kiddos!

This week’s decision does not mean the health risk is eliminated for all. The ban does not include containers used for baby formula and many canned food items are sealed with a product that has BPA in it. Often, if a container is made with BPA it will have the #7 inside the recycling symbol on the bottom of the container. Many argue that babies are not the only ones who should be protected from BPA.  Again, the NY Times reports, “The chemical can leach into food, and a study of over 2,000 people found that more than 90 percent of them had BPA in their urine. Traces have also been found in breast milk, the blood of pregnant women and umbilical cord blood.”

GreenCupboards understands the concern for products containing BPA because…well, we have those same concerns. For this reason, we have dedicated one of our Eco-Traits specifically to BPA Free products. When cruising through our site you’ll find that you can separate our product offering by how you live. So, if you want to eliminate BPA from all of the containers and baby products in your house, just check the BPA Free box and you’re good to go!

5 bike safety tips for the school year

 Green Living  No Responses »
Jul 182012
 

You may be wondering why we are talking about the upcoming school year in the middle of July. Well, we want to share 5 bike to school tips that can be put into practice now so that come September you will feel confident in your child’s safety on his or her ride to school. These 5 bike safety tips are tried and trued. At GreenCupboards, we have several bike commuters in the office. Whether riding to school or the office, we practice these 5 tips to help keep us safe on the road.

  1. Be prepared. With your children, get into the habit of checking over their bikes once a week. Two things that we pay special attention to are tire pressure and brakes. Make sure that tires are inflated between the minimum and maximum tire pressure (you can find the suggested tire pressure on the sidewall of the tire). When looking at brakes it is crucial to make sure the brakes are tight and there is an appropriate distance between the brake pad and the rim of the wheel. We suggest leaving about the width of conventional corrugated cardboard between each brake pad and the rim. Remember the 5 P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
  1. Wear a helmet. Helmets are lifesavers, literally. If anything were to happen, a helmet is usually the only protection a bikerBike to school tips has. Parents, please insist on your kids wearing a helmet. We suggest that you go to a local bike shop to purchase a helmet if you haven’t already.  At the store, your child will be able to find something that fits correctly and is comfortable. Plus, you will be able to get help from the experienced staff at the shop if you need.
  1. Buy a lock. When looking at a lock there are a couple things to think about. First, how safe is the area where the school is? If you feel that the school is in a safe neighborhood then a sturdy cable lock might be a good option. However, if you want increased protection for your children’s bikes, look for a U-Lock. U-Locks are more expensive and a little bulkier but they are by far the safest option. We’d rather be safe than sorry so we always lean towards using a U-Lock.
  1. Ride the route. After a couple weeks of biking to school your child will start to feel super comfortable with the route. However, it does take time. Each route has its own quirks and things to look out for while riding. We suggest riding with your child a couple times so they get the hang of the route before the school year starts. Lastly, while riding the route determine how visible cyclists are to motorists. If you feel that visibility is poor on any part of the ride we suggest picking up a cycling light. The LIKEaBIKE Froglight is a great solution that is super easy to work with.
  1. Leave early. Giving yourself extra time will allow you to ride comfortably to school. When rushed, awareness is compromised which reduces safety. Give yourself plenty of time to get to school. It allows you to enjoy the ride and it keeps you safer.

photo: www.streetsblog.org

world environment day

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Jun 052012
 

Today is World Environment Day.  WED is all about celebrating the positive environmental action taking place around the world.  At GreenCupboards, we love to take steps every day to impact Mother Nature in a positive way but today is especially important. WED started way back in 1972 and is a program run through the United Nations. Today, WED is one of the biggest events the UN hosts to bring global awareness to the environment.  WED is not just about educating people about good environmental practices, but also empowering them to take a stand and require political action to support the environment.

This year’s theme is Green Economy: Does this include YOU? The UN says Green Economy, “results in improved human and well-being and social equality, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.” The UN says people can celebrate WED in a variety of ways– street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions, tree planting, recycling efforts and clean-up campaigns.

Here at GreenCupboards, we work hard every day to show respect to Mother Nature. Today, we will over-deliver and show the earth some extra love. How will you celebrate WED? To learn more about the celebration or how to get involved click here.

father’s day gift ideas!

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Jun 052012
 

Showing Dad that he is a cool dude can get a little daunting, so our crew of father figures have pulled together a list that ought to make shopping for pops a little easier this year.

Hang Ten, Pops

Moby Carrier- For dudes turned dads, this baby wrap is  more than fit for a new comers to the Father’s Day scene. Dispersing weight throughout the back and shoulders lets daddio carry his little one in a 5.5 meter natural cotton band of love.

Everyman Jack- We know your mister is hardly a generic Joe, so accent his dudely cool with spiced up personal care body washes, shampoo and hygiene products from Everyman Jack! Try a cedar wood or rosemary infused body wash. If that isn’t enough, tea tree and peppermint extracts ought to please your pappy.

Goal Zero- For the outdoorsy yet electronically inclined dad in your household, Goal Zero strikes a balance between woodland wilderness and keeping your essentials charged. This combo pack uses portable solar panels to charge a tote friendly power pack, perfect for camping or trips that cloister you from the grid! Amp your dad with a Goal Zero charge!

Vers Audio- Petrify him with a stupendous selection of electronic wood craft gear from Vers! Perhaps a walnut iPad 2 case or a cherry wood iPhone holder for your tech savvy señior. Not an Apple guy? No worries, Vers Audio has the same great wood shaven craftsmanship put into every head phone and stereo set they make, so consider yourself set with a forest of options.

 

bike month

 Green Living  No Responses »
May 152012
 

The hallways of GreenCupboards are often decorated with employee's bikes.

If you haven’t heard yet, May is National Bike Month and this week marks National Bike to Work Week. For this reason, we think it is important to shine light on the importance of commuting in a culture where only .06% of Americans bike to work.

So, why bike to work? Among the many reasons, three stand out to us. First, the health benefit that can be attained from biking to work is undeniable. A 10 mile commute leads to 50 miles a week. With a standard work schedule those 50 miles equate to 2,500 miles each year. Furthermore, people sit for most of the day at their job. Sure, there are meetings to walk to and errands to run but studies show that most Americans sit for an average of 8 hours per day. By commuting to work, the body is given the ability to do what it does best, move! And this movement allows calories to be burnt, stamina to be built and coordination to be improved.

Secondly, commuting to work saves money. A study entitled, “How Bikes Can Save Us” reports that 20% of the average family’s budget goes directly to transportation (i.e. gas or car maintenance). By commuting to work, money is being saved on the ever-rising cost on gas. Additional money can be saved in the amount of medical treatment avoided. The aforesaid study states that the average American that cycles for 30 minutes each day saves $544 on medical costs every year.

And finally, by commuting to work you are positively contributing to something much bigger than yourself, the environment. Although it may seem like a menial reduction, through commuting to work Americans will be rewarded with healthier air and a cleaner, more sustainable environment.

So the question remains, why do we at GreenCupboards care about biking to work? The answer is simple. We take our commitment to positively impacting the environment seriously. For example, we have reduced our carbon footprint by offering carbon neutral shipping on all of our products. Commuting to work acts as one more way that each GreenCupboards employee can personally contribute to the environment as well as the company’s mission.

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