Blog Posts by FourGreenSteps.com

http://media.zenfs.com/en-US/blogs/partner/prom_pic.jpgWritten by Lauren Sigler, Four Green Steps.com

The special unforgettable night that every high school student dreams of is slowly approaching...Prom! The night that you've been waiting for since you entered high school is right around the corner. Who to bring, your hairstyle, makeup and "the dress" are the topics of prom that bombard the minds of teenage girls before prom. Although most will cherish this night forever, many are also unaware of how damaging many aspects of prom can be to the environment. For those of you wanting to incorporate eco-friendly products into your prom night or "go green" for prom, here are some suggestions.

Donate or Swap Your Dress

You can always donate an old dress of yours to charity, so those who are less fortunate have a chance to wear something beautiful on their prom night. Another alternative is to trade in an old dress of yours for a new one (at a discount) at stores who offer this service. If not, you can try and arrange a dress swap

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Image credit: Creative Commons.Written by Kaley Hall, Four Green Steps.com

From quinoa to goji berries to turmeric, chia seeds are now hitting the market as the next "superfood." Why?

1 serving contains 11g of fibre, 4g of protein, and 18% of your required daily calcium intake making it an ideal supplement for vegans. While it has almost 9g of fat, part of these are omega 3 fatty acids which may fight cardiovascular diseases and promote brain activity. One serving is only two spoons, packed with all these nutrients it's no wonder chia has been dubbed a "superfood."

Try putting a spoonful of chia seeds in your bowl of oatmeal, your favourite smoothie or even sprinkle them on salad! They have a faint taste but an exciting texture, similar to poppy seeds. Find them in your local bulk or health food store.

Recipe for raw vegan chia cookies.

Try some of our recipes that use chia seeds:

Power Me Up Pumpkin Sesame Cookies

Tropical Lemon Cranberry Coconut Chia Bars

Maple

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Image credit: Creative Commons.Written by Marissa Miller, Four Green Steps.com

Is your Blackberry calendar starting to look like a Jackson Pollock painting? Our brains are complicated organs, but creating the right schedule can simplify things drastically. Fill in the empty time-slots with a mix of leisurely and productive activities, and soon enough, your body will adapt to this healthy second-nature routine.

Cardio:

7 am: Cardiovascular activity, including jogging, stationary biking, aerobics classes, release endorphins that help keep your mood heightened all day. After your morning cup of java, a half hour of heart-pumping won't seem to be such a daunting of task. Eating a carbohydrate-rich dinner the night before, such as whole wheat pasta, will ensure that your glycogen stores can sufficiently power your morning workout. Plus, your runner's high afterglow could replace your blush and leave you strutting with confidence all day long.

Stretch:

7:30 am: Breathe in and out for at least ten

Read More »from Tackling Stress with Time Management Techniques: An Hourly Guide to Maximizing Your Day

Written by Joanna Falcone, Four Green Steps.com

Spring is a great time to lift your body's spirits- a time of rejuvenation and rebirth. Free yourself from the burdens of a long winter and emerge revitalized. Winter often steers us away from our usual intake of fresh produce and whole foods. It happens, but if poor food choices persist, the body rebels. Detox diets have been a Hollywood fad for years. However, they aren't just for young starlets or leading men. Detoxifying one's body is a promising way of getting back on that wagon and flushing bodily toxins acquired through dietary and lifestyle contaminants, and spring is the perfect time to turn over a new, freshly blossoming, leaf.

What is a detox?

A detox, short for detoxification, removes possibly harmful substances from the body. Foods, herbal supplements, and fasting are common ways to cleanse one's self from environmental and dietary toxins. These may include inhaled chemicals, resulting from bad air quality and

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Written by Melanie Kozlan, Four Green Steps

Hiding from the world under your pillows? Finding yourself having small panic attacks or just need to relax? Forget binge-drinking and saving up for Club Med, we have seven surefire ways to soothe your inner stress monster!

1.Take 30 minutes a day to organize yourself.

Making time to organize will make sure you are organized. Being organized will help you manage your time and make an endless task-list seem less intimidating.

2.Eat healthier!

Taking the time to eat properly will likely cut your stress in half; you'll feel better and have more energy. Taking care of yourself is basically the antithesis of stress because you're focusing on bettering yourself rather than spreading yourself thin. Try some of these delicious vegetarian recipes.

3.Consider a detox diet

Try a revitalizing detox to free your body of harsh chemicals and feel lighter, better and like-new.

4.Do something nice for someone else

Read More »from 25 Instant Stress Relievers