Blog Posts by FourGreenSteps.com

Written by Four Green Steps.com



The weekend never seems to be long enough, probably because we are so busy during the week that when the weekend comes we want to both 1. Lie around doing nothing and 2. Fit in all the things we want to do during the week but can't. Here are some things you can do to save time during the following week and make sure you don't regret a second of your time off:

- Don't waste your weekend in bed! Designate one day you can sleep in or have a small nap, and avoid spending as much of your free time sleeping or watching reruns of Jersey Shore. If you are having sleep issues or are overtired, try to go to bed slightly earlier during the week, that way you'll have more energy and free time.

-Use Sunday to make the bulk of your meals for the following week. You'll save time, food and money! You also won't have to resort to fast food or scrambling to find something to eat after work when you are running low on time and energy. Make sure you try some of our

Read More »from TGIF! Making the Most of Your Weekend

Written by Four Green Steps.com

So you've already given up regular bread and beer but truly avoiding celiac disease could mean being extra selective when choosing cosmetics. Researchers have recently warned that while gluten is required to be listed as an ingredient in foods containing it, many cosmetics contain no such warning.

From the Huffington Post:

"Lipsticks and powders and foundations are probably the ones we worry about most, and you really never see ingredient lists on those products," says Prakash, who helped conduct the research. She and her colleagues surveyed the websites of 10 leading makeup companies, Prakash says, and found that "none actually provided any information on products that contained gluten."

An estimated 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease. When these people consume gluten, their immune system attacks structures (known as villi) that line the small intestine and are crucial for absorbing nutrients from food. Symptoms can

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Written by Taylor Wells, Four Green Steps.com

Do you ever eat a big meal and are still not satisfied… so then you turn to the junk cupboard to try to curb that feeling? Well maybe it's not you, maybe it has a little more to do with what in particular you are eating or drinking that is making you feel this way.

The worst foods for you that will keep you wanting more are sugary junk foods, and especially processed foods. I know that there are some very delicious microwavable meals out there but try to avoid those as much as possible; they contain ingredients that will almost always keep you wanting more.

Another thing you should try to avoid is chewing gum. As claimed by faddiets.com "chewing gum merely stimulates the gastric juices, the saliva that is produced while chewing goes down to the stomach, thus fooling the stomach into thinking there is food to be digested…"This feeling is very short-lived. So instead of grabbing that stick of gum when you feel you need to

Read More »from Healthy Eating & Foods that Make You Hungrier

Written by Four Green Steps.com

Great news for anyone suffering from chronic migraines- the easiest way to prevent these painful headaches could be as simple as regular exercise. A new study suggests exercise might be the best medicine as it seems to reduce migraines to the same extent as prescription drugs.

From the Huffington Post:

The small, new study, conducted by researchers at the Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology at the University of Gothenburg, shows that regular exercise seems to prevent migraines about as well as drugs or relaxation therapy. The finding was published in the journal Cephalalgia.

The results were surprising because the drug used in the study, topiramate, is one of the top drugs of choice for treating migraines, study researcher Dr. Emma Varkey told Reuters.

Topiramate seemed to do a bit better than relaxation therapy and exercise in terms of reducing the severity of migraine pain, Reuters reported. But relaxation therapy and

Read More »from Study Suggests Exercise as a Natural Way to Prevent Migraines

Written by Four Green Steps.com

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and celebrate with a giant feast. No need for Vegans to feel left out thanks to these amazing recipes food-lovers everywhere will enjoy:

Appetizers:

Vegan Pumpkin Banana Bread

Toasted Garlic & Cayenne Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Erissery

Main Dish

Homemade Tofu Turkey

Sides-

Roasted Butternut Squash

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Dessert

Pumpkin Brownie Tarts (or pie)

Bon Appétit!Read More »from Vegan Menu: Simple Thanksgiving Recipes

Written by Melanie Kozlan, Four Green Steps.com

Breast cancer is one of the most talked-about cancers not only due to some company's infamous 'pinkwashing' campaigns, but also because it is the cancer most diagnosed to Canadian women. Unfortunately a sum of 5 300 Canadian women are expected to die from the disease is 2011 alone. Luckily there are so simple ways to assist prevention. In the spirit of breast cancer awareness month, share these tips with women you love:

1. Avoid Drugs and Alcohol

While some studies suggest that red wine can successfully help prevent breast cancer, it is important to consume alcohol in moderation.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Keeping a steady body weight throughout your life can help decrease your risk of breast cancer- gaining weight midlife can greatly increase your risk.

3. Exercise Regularly

30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day is a great approach to breast cancer, when it comes to prevention, consistency is key.

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Written by Four Green Steps.com

As you may recall, Fall 2011 had recently been predicted to be a particularly difficult season for allergies. Depending where you live, the season might be much worse than anticipated- the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has organized a list of the five worst cities for allergies this year. Did your city make the list?

From the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America website:

Top 5 Fall Allergy Capitals for 2011

1. Knoxville, TN

2. Dayton, OH

3. McAllen, TX

4. Jackson, MS

5. Oklahoma City, OK

Tips for dealing with allergies:

-Make sure to shower before bedtime to clean away anything that may have clung to your skin or hair from outside. Similarly, try to bathe and brush any pets you may have on a regular basis.

-If you can, keep your windows shut so no allergens blow inside.

-Stay hydrated: Drinking a lot of water to eliminate any toxins

-Wash your sheets on a weekly basis

Read More »from Do You Live in One of the Top 5 Worst Cities for Allergies?

Written by Four Green Steps.com

There's no doubt reusable shopping bags have gained popularity in the last few years but according to studies only 10% of consumers remember to use their reusable shopping bags. Many find themselves buying new bags every time they leave their home realizing they've once again forgotten to bring one along. While some argue that reusable bags can have their own negative impact on the environment, bags made with recycled fibers that are used again and again are clearly more eco-friendly than plastic bags which are generally impossible to recycle. Here are some simple solutions to help remember your bag next time you head to the supermarket:

-Keep a reusable bag in your purse. Many bags fold up quite small so you can always have one on you just in case.

-Keep reusable bags in your car

-Keep your keys in your bag so you won't be able to leave your house without it.

-Keep your bags by the front door so it's in clear sight when you're coming and

Read More »from Green Tip: Use Reusable Bags (and Don't Forget Them at Home!)