On-Site Workshops in the Spotlight

4-Week Jump Start

Are you feeling tired or sluggish? Do you have lack of focus or "brain fog?" Do you get frequent headaches or muscle aches? Our 4-week Jump Start Program is a great way to start your transition into healthy living.

Topics include:

• Cleaning out your pantry
• Health assessment questionnaire
• Elimination-diet guidelines
• The "Dirty Dozen" of produce
• Reducing exposure to home toxins
  

Feng Shui in the Workplace

Hang a wind chime to boost popularity. Never sit at your desk with your back to the door. These are just a couple of tips from the ancient Chinese philosophy used to create harmony with our environment and bring balance into our living and work spaces.

This workshop focuses on creating optimal office spaces designed to increase your success and enhance your career. Learn where your personal auspicious locations are and how to maximize energy flow.

Greener Homes & Gardens

Are there toxins in your home? Learn how to reduce your exposure to chemicals and toxins in and around your home by making informed choices about the products and services you use.

For more information and to schedule one of the above workshops please contact The Back Rub Company at 480-330-2066.

Do You Know What's in Your Dinner?

Recently, The Back Rub Company attended a special showing of the film, Food, Inc.

The movie was quite an eye-opener, exposing the American food system and its effect on our health, our people, animals, the economy and the environment.

The film was preceded by a panel of local experts who are making huge strides in changing our food system.

We encourage anyone who eats to see this film.

Some Simple Changes:
1) Make informed choices - READ LABELS
2) Plant a garden
3) Buy organic food with little or no pesticides
4) Buy as much as you can from your local farmer's market
5) Write to congress

Valley Advocates:
Slow Food Phoenix
The Urban Farm
Duncan Family Farms - 623-853-9880
Mya's Farm
Phoenix Permaculture Guild
Double Check Ranch
Edible Phoenix

The NEW Water Bottle

Summer is on its way and we'll be increasing our water intake soon.

Plastic is out! If you want to contribute to protecting the planet and your health, it's time to switch to materials like lined aluminum or stainless steel to store your water.

Not only do these types of bottles come in a variety of colors, sizes and patterns, they're better for the environment and you!

Pick these bottles up at any sporting goods store or order online.

Sigg - Aluminum bottles lined with a BPA-free resin for adults and kids.

Klean Kanteen - BPA and lead-free stainless steel bottles and sippy cups.

Think Sport - Insulated stainless steel bottles for hot or cold beverages.

If you have a question about green living, please e-mail us and we'll include it in a future article.

Is there really such a thing as biodegradable plastic bags?

Although those handy grocery store bags serve a wide array of functions, once they actually make it to the landfill they'll be there forever.

Conventional plastic is made of petroleum - 1.6 billion gallons each year! - one of the only materials on earth that never goes away. Even if it breaks down after being exposed to heat and sunlight, the tiny particles contaminate soil and water, eventually making into the food we eat.

Americans go through over 380 billion bags a year, and only an estimated 5.2% are actually 'recycled.'

The solution?

• Green: Don't just throw them away when you get home. Reuse the bags as a trash liner, littler box liner, etc.


• Greener: Take the bags back to your grocery store. Some stores like Whole Foods and Fry's give customers a nickle off for every bag they bring in to reuse.


• Greenest: Eliminate using plastic bags altogether and bring your own reusable cloth totes.

What about kitchen trash bags?
Manufacturers are making progress with biodegradable plastics that break down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass. However, there's a flaw. The 'new' biodegradable plastics are actually 'oxo-degradable,' meaning they only break down when exposed to air or light, not in an oxygen-deprived landfill.

• EarthSense Kitchen Trash Bags made with 70% recycled plastic, 10% post-consumer


• Seventh Generation Drawstring Tall Kitchen Bags made with 45% recycled plastic, 25% post-consumer
  

If you have a question about green living, please e-mail us and we'll include it in a future article.

Confused by Plastic? A common question answered

The not-so recent 'green' movement has produced some hard-hitting facts about many things, including the use of plastics. The plastic food container mystery has finally been solved!

Can I still use my plastic food containers?
Yes and no. I recently cleaned out my kitchen cabinets and ended up throwing many of my containers in the recycling bin.

• Look on the bottom of your containers. Each one has a triangular symbol with a number in it. Numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 are safe plastics. Get rid of numbers 3, 6 and 7.


• Remove any containers from your cabinets that are cloudy or have scratches. Those are sure signs of deterioration and hidden bacteria.


• Make sure that if you use single-use containers, like butter tubs and yogurt cups, they are only used to store cold foods or for freezing. Do not store hot foods in these containers.


• Get rid of any plastic you've used in the microwave. Plastics that are mocrowaved transmit chemicals from the container to your food. Gross! Use glass or ceramic to microwave meals.
  

Stay tuned for next month's 'green' answer to "Are plastic bags biodegradable?"

If you have a question about green living, please e-mail us and we'll include it in a future post.