By Toni Salter


The Asian diet is reputed to be one of the healthiest in the world and is primarily plant-based and rich in soyfoods with only a small amount of fish. This wholesome traditional diet is thought to be why many Asian countries avoid the metabolic diseases that are so prevalent in Western societies. [1]

So it is, that we may learn from our Asian friends how to reduce our risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes by adopting their eating patterns. Some naturopaths and nutritionists recommend eating Asian inspired stir-fry because of the number of vitamins and minerals we can obtain from them.

Ecomii's Guide to Soy Health
Ecomii's Ultimate Organic Recipe Finder

If you look at the typical stir-fry you will see a variety of different vegetables, such as root vegetables, fruiting and leafy vegetables. Unlike the bland Western diet of "meat and three vegetables (oftentimes starchy potatoes), a stir fry can easily contain at least half a dozen or more vegetables, herbs and

Read More »from Growing a Stir Fry Garden

By Sherry Brooks



I just returned from Cuba, where they don't have car seats, bike helmets, avocados or berries out of season, traffic or much of anything with a brand name, other than the ubiquitous State branded Havana Club Rum. Dogs run in the streets with nary leash in sight, but these materially deprived citizens did sport a multitude of smiles, lots of music, extremely grand historic, albeit crumbling, architecture, lovely caged birds and longevity. According to the United Nations, the average life expectancy in Cuba is 77.3 years, ranking 36th in the world along with the U.S and Denmark.



Market

While the mild climate and relatively stress-free Caribbean lifestyle, (most Cubans live rent-free) and free medical care may have something to do with it, the strict rationing of meat may well be a strong contributing factor. Cubans are forced into frugality, as their resources are limited and tightly controlled, yet perhaps they are the richer for it as they value time spent with

Read More »from Cuba Today – the Life and Culture of Forced Frugality

Gardening GiftsWhether she enjoys tending tiny indoor plants or she gets her hands dirty every weekend digging in the backyard, your mother will love these gardening gifts for Mother's Day. Keep reading to see my favorite gifts for green-thumb moms!














ToteGardening Tote, $155
Why shouldn't your mother look fabulous while gardening? This heavy-duty tote is up to the challenge. Manufactured by Artifact Bag Co., this American handmade bag is made from leather and a sleek wax canvas. Not only is the tote good for gardening tools, but it also doubles as a stylish bag for groceries, commuting and notebooks.
Get it here












ToolsGarden Tools, $28.00
Swap out your mom's old gardening tools for these fresh, Parisian-inspired gardening tools. Cute bag included! This three-part set is made by Alice Supply Co. It comes in multiple patterns and includes a drawstring cotton bag, trowel and hand rake. Give your garden some Parisian flair!
Get it here













Seed BombSeed Bombs, $7
How cute are these mini packages of seeds? And on that note,

Read More »from Sow Much Love: 7 Gardening Gifts for Mother's Day

Check out these amazing sustainable products. Tell us how green would you go?



Walls made from recycled corks
Habitus cork is created using sustainably harvested cork-the bark of the Mediterranean cork oak tree is merely trimmed, allowing the trees to live up to 200 years. I was pleased to learn that Habitus cork mosaic tile is recycled from Spanish and Portuguese wine stoppers, making my occasional glass of Vinho Verde feel especially verde. The hand-cut chips are warm, insulating and antibacterial, with an assortment of organic stains available. Their richly textured custom finish brings contrast and depth to a modern space.
 Habitus Finishes LLC, 800-729-5120,habitusnyc.com.



Baskets made from recycled rubber

A group of women based in Rome handknit baskets using Neoprene, a type of rubber used in the plumbing, car and motorcycle industries. We think they're the height of eco-chic.$220 for red, $180 for white, available at Design Within Reach, Greenwich, (203) 422-2013, and Westport,

Read More »from How Green Would You Go?

If you think you're drinking smarter by sipping from a water bottle, you may be mistaken.

Think Before You Drink

4 Surprising Secrets About Bottled Water // woman drinking out of a water bottle © Thinkstock I have a product I want to sell you, and I call it AirFlow 3000. It's a ventilation system that pumps air into your house. AirFlow 3000 air comes in an elegantly packaged delivery system that will lend you and your family style and sophistication. And it's available for just $5 per day, per person! Interested?

Well, just to be clear: AirFlow 3000 is 100 percent identical to the air outside. It contains all the same pollutants and funky odors, and it doesn't do anything special for your health. You're really just paying for the packaging, because you're already breathing the exact same air for free. Still interested?

Search: Bottled Water And The Effects On The Environment

Of course you aren't. But the AirFlow 3000 pitch is essentially the same pitch water bottlers are making right now. The difference is they're not so straightforward about their wares.

Read More »from 4 Surprising Secrets About Bottled Water

By Woman's Day Staff

Keep your cool-inside your house, that is-while trimming your bill by trying one or more of the following easy tips. Photo credit: Getty

Tune up your a/c

If you have central air, hire a licensed HVAC contractor to do a preseason check ($85 and up). He'll do routine maintenance that can prevent costly problems later. Every two or three years, have the ducts checked: Proper sealing and insulation can cut energy use by 20%. Clean the filter monthly, and replace it at least every three months (about $15). For a room air conditioner, remove any winter cover you have on the condenser unit, hose down the coils and clear the area for full air flow; clean or replace the filter monthly.
Discover 15 clever ways to use everyday items.

Set your thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat ($50 and up) can pay you back in energy savings the first year. Hire a professional installer if you aren't a DIYer or if your system is more than 10 years old. For

Read More »from 5 Super Energy Savers

Photo courtesy of Ulta.comBy Alison Syrett, Lucky magazine

Alicia Silverstone and Juice Beauty just launched a line of environmentally-friendly cosmetics last Sunday was which was, quite fittingly, Earth Day. The five-product range, priced between $16 to $36, marks the eco-conscious brand's first collaboration with a celebrity.

Read More: The 50 Best Pairs of Jeans Under $50

"She has effortless beauty," Karen Behnke, founding partner and chief executive officer of the company, told WWD. "The Juice Beauty girl is similar: quick and easy. They don't want harsh chemicals, but they want to feel glamorous."

Read more: Summer Skin 101: How to Treat a Sunburn

Although we associate Alicia Silverstone with her 1995 role in Clueless as a do-gooder valley girl whose wardrobe we still covet 12 years later, the actress has actually changed a lot since then. She now dedicates most of her her time to promoting a vegan and green lifestyle, but we think her alter ego would approve of this endeavor. Looking beautiful and

Read More »from Alicia Silverstone's New Eco-Friendly Beauty Line