A few years ago, a dentist told me I’d need dentures by the time I was 50 – that’s how bad my teeth and gums were. Granted, they didn’t look bad – my teeth are strong, straight and pearly white – but my gums were already declining. I was brushing twice a day, but I wasn’t flossing and I was eating plenty of sweets.

After two root canals (and I’m only 30!), I take much better care. I still don’t floss as often as I should, but at least it’s more than I used to. I’d like to save my teeth, and save money too. Here are my natural dental care tips:

First and foremost, use a tongue cleaner. I know, it sounds icky, but the slimy stuff on your tongue when you wake up is plaque. It’s ickier to leave it on.
You have to floss. There’s no way around it. Do anything to make it fun! My husband and I have made a pact to remind each other to floss every morning. Do we always remember? No, but it’s a start!
Use ayurvedic toothpaste for the best blend of warming, astringent and detoxifying herbs. These herbs will promote gum circulation, tightening and cleansing.
Sprinkle baking soda on your toothpaste for extra cleansing and whitening.
Brush a few times a week with a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Rub this on your gums too.
Rinse with green tea for a natural fluoride wash.
If you get a toothache after all that, clove oil works wonders. Apply directly to the painful tooth with a Q-tip so you don’t get the burning oil on your gums. A paste of ginger and cayenne powder also works.
Check out Pristine Planet’s dental care page for a variety of natural products for teeth and gums.

May as well green up the routine, too! Use a Preserve toothbrush made from recycled plastic.

I often grumble about all the work and time it takes to care for my teeth, but I suppose it’s better to have teeth to take care of in the first place! Let us know your own dental care tips in the comments below.

Image: ninette_luz

Can’t stop checking the CNN ticker? Stressing out about bills and bad news? Take five minutes for a little fun and try these free, simple mood lifters.

Make time to watch the sunset. Leave work early, hike up a hill and enjoy the view. If you’re really brave, get up early and watch the sunrise. Spectacular.

Learn some basic acupressure. Once you’ve perfected your technique, share your skills with friends.

Stop and smell the roses. Seriously! It would be a shame for all their perfume to go to waste. Alternately, sit under a tree and watch the world go by.

Start kissing people on the cheek when you greet them and tell them you’ve gone European. It’s nice to kiss and be kissed in a non-threatening, socially acceptable manner. Start the trend in your circle of influence!

Give someone a gift for no reason. It doesn’t have to be something you purchase. Make cookies, give a neck rub, or help them with chores. Getting a surprise gift for no apparent reason will definitely make your friend’s day, and knowing that you’ve made someone happy will make you happy, too.

Indulge in your favorite sex fantasy. Make sure no one’s around to bother you and then drift into an erotic reverie. Why not? Your heart will beat faster, your body will tingle and you’ll have a grin on your face for the rest of the day.

Go outside on your coffee break and feel the sun on your skin. Even if it’s chilly out, basking in the sunlight can warm your soul (and help your body produce vitamin D). If you don’t feel too self-conscious, raise your arms up and let the sunlight warm your palms. This is one of don Juan’s secrets to building up a store of physical energy.

What other little things make you feel good?

Image: tainara

Not everyone is going to find the idea of biking to work practical or appealing. The distance might be too far. Or it might be that you’re physically unable to bike. Not to worry. There is another way to get to work in an environmentally and financially friendly way – carpooling.

Just as we’re challenging you to give up the bottle in 2009, we’re also asking you to consider another simple step to easing your pocketbook and helping the planet.

Joining with others who are traveling the same way as you can save you plenty of money. Check out this Carpooling Savings Calculator. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. All it takes is a little research and you could soon be sitting back and enjoying the ride knowing that you’re reducing the dent in your wallet while doing something positive for the environment.

Here’s some places to help you get started:

Commuters can check out sites such as eRideShare.com, RideShare.com, carpoolcrew.com, and ridester.com to find carpooling buddies.

But it’s not just commuters who can benefit from carpooling. Families should have a look at DividetheRide.com, a site that helps organize carpools with families you know and trust. And concert and conference travellers should check out PickUpPal.com, a global ridesharing and carpooling community.

So what are you waiting for? Give it a go.

Image: /kallu

I love my friends and family, but I don’t like giving them gifts. Wait, that didn’t come out right. What I mean is that I don’t like feeling obligated to give them something simply because it’s their birthday or a holiday. It puts me in a stressful situation, wondering what I can possibly give them that they’ll truly like and that fits my budget. Besides, we all have too much “stuff.”

Here’s a better idea: give the gift of time. Everybody needs extra help cleaning out their garage. And work is best done in the presence of loved ones. So rather than shop “˜til your credit limit pops, make a beautiful card pledging a few hours of your dedicated time. Help, smiles and conversation – it’s a gift that everyone will appreciate.

Here are a few ideas of things you can give to each other:

Childcare

Cleaning

Gardening or yardwork

Pet care

Running errands

Letter writing

Hanging art or decorating

Cooking a meal

Organizing a closet

Helping plan a travel itinerary

Computer or web help

Household repairs

Unfinished DIY projects

This list could go on forever. Perhaps you’re an ace at polishing resumes – why not offer it to your friend who is looking for a new job? Maybe you’re a natural when it comes to packing for a trip – your disorganized gal pal might love some help. Swap your skills and give the gift of time. Everyone will come out feeling as if they’ve received the best gift. What are things you could give?

Editor’s note: Special thanks to LA for the great idea.

Image: Michel Filion

Here we are, in the holidays again! This time brings many celebrations. I acknowledge December as a month of gatherings, sharing warmth and connecting to the winter season. It is a time that crosses over from the social glow to the inner warmth of reflection – the deep stillness that rests just beneath the buzz of parties and gifts.

And tipping us into January is New Year’s and our flurry of resolutions. May I recommend you give yourself plenty of time and start on something now? Choose a habit that doesn’t suit your well-being. Set a gentle and consistent pace with yourself to release a habit that isn’t working and to start a new one that does! How brilliant will you feel doing that?

It takes 90 days, they say, to establish a new habit.  That time marker varies – some say 45.  Just know, no one expects you to dial in a whole new life in 48 hours or less.

The real beauty of starting with something now is that you get a chance to practice! Start small. Just the practice of taking notice of your habits and choosing one each week to play with can bring vibrancy to your winter months.

Here’s one habit I realized I can change really easily: I notice I drink more tea and coffee than water to beat the lack of sunlight and to give my hands that cup o’ warm when it is colder outside. What happens is my body feels more dehydrated, my face looks more drawn and my skin seems to age. So, my habit to shed is substituting tea for water. Here’s my habit to adopt: next time I order a warm drink, I’ll order a warm spring water with fresh lemon slices and maybe a sprig of mint. The next time I go to market, I’ll remember to buy a few blissfully bright fragrant organic lemons to keep on hand for around the house. I’ll turn my warm lemon water tea time into a sweet ritual. And when I am feeling brave, I’ll ask those people who run the cafes I patron if they use organic produce and if they know the benefits to their local economy of buying organic.

Even while you are traveling, you can use this habit shedding and habit adoption process to stay connected to yourself and your ongoing commitment to your well-being. Others learn from our examples of self love.

Image: darkpatator

It seems like yesterday that the SUV was a coveted status symbol and the sight of a compost bucket could elicit a raised eyebrow. As for drying clothes on the line in the backyard? Now that’s just…frugal.

That was then. This is now. With green issues at the fore (both economic and environmental), “going granny” isn’t such a bad idea. We can learn a lot from our older, wiser relatives. They had to make do when there was little to make of anything. Many of our elders – whether grandparents or parents – have lived through a Depression and at least one war. What can we learn from them? Here are 7 lessons.

Save and reuse containers. It’s a completely practical way to reduce waste and go green. Why buy brand new Tupperware when a yogurt container will serve just as well? How about washing out empty spaghetti sauce jars and using them to store anything from nuts and grains in the pantry to nails and screws in the shed? (An overnight soak in water will help the paper label peel off.) There’s no end to what you can save and repurpose. You don’t have to be a packrat, but it pays to be practical.

Line-dry laundry. No excuses! Line-drying is not just for summer. This is something you can do all year round. I’ve read stories of New York City women who would line-dry in the winter and bring stiff, frozen clothes inside for a final warm-up by the radiator. I’m not saying you have to be that extreme, but even a day outside to dry and then a final 15 minutes to fluff up in the dryer (which I do like for lint removal) can save a lot on your electric bill.

Grow a Victory Garden. During World War II, regular citizens were called to grow food on their urban and suburban lots in order to reduce pressure on the public food supply. Well, with a food crisis looming on our horizon, now’s as good a time as any to tear up your front lawn and plant something edible instead. It’s an empowering practice to be part of the process of feeding yourself. If you’re busy or not much of a green thumb, just start small: container gardens on rooftops or balconies, growing herbs in your sunny kitchen window, or just a small garden bed with a few essentials to begin with. Getting to know the process of life that is all around you helps you appreciate your home and your habitat so much more. Even if you’re not worried about a crisis, the act of eating your own organic, local food is both healthy and green.

Work with what you got. Surely you’ve heard the phrase: “Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without.” This doesn’t have to be some kind of austere punishment, but rather a call to creativity. It’s the concept of “touski,” where you only have a few ingredients left in the fridge or a few clean items left in your closet and you put together the finest meal or outfit that you never would have thought of before. From now on, rather than assuming you need to buy something now, look around at what you have and see if you can figure out an innovative, even artistic, way to do what you need to do.

Staycation. For previous generations, hopping on an airplane or taking long road trips across the country weren’t such easy options. Take vacations closer to home; every region has a natural treasure worth visiting. Or spend time on the homefront with your family, playing games, catching up on lost time and relaxing right where you’re most comfortable.

Buy Used. Swap meets, thrift-stores, and Craig’s List are all great places to find what you need. There’s no stigma these days ““ it’s considered practical and green. It’s just a way of people cycling perfectly good objects back into the product stream where someone else who needs it more will find it. Last week I found a HEPA air filtration unit at my local Goodwill for $14.99, and it works perfectly. Got kids? At the rate your little ones stain and grow out of their clothes, it’d be crazy not to buy them used. Household appliances? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen sturdy glass-jar blenders at swap meets for a mere $10. Give it a chance; you’ll be surprised at what you find.

Toughen Up. We’re no longer in the day and age of cranking up the heater in the winter and wearing shorts around the house. Wear sweaters, socks and slippers to stay comfortable as you lower the thermostat. If you find yourself staying mostly in one or two rooms at certain times of the day, lower the thermostat even more and use efficient space heaters. Why heat the whole house when you’re not using it? This goes for summertime protocol as well: open windows, use window fans, and spritz yourself with cold water & peppermint oil to stay cool in the summer. A/C use on occasion is necessary, but try to limit it a bit.

We all might have to tighten our belts a bit over the coming days, but it’s really not a punishment; it’s an opportunity to tweak our lifestyles to a more sustainable model.

Image: mrhayata

December is a month of many celebrations. The one celebration that holds a special place in my heart is Winter Solstice. It is this celebration that has, year after year, deepened my connection to the Earth as a glorious planet that is enveloped in a beautiful and mysterious sea of space and stars. Out beyond the immediate sea of stars is the universe in full.

The fact that my mind simply can’t comprehend it all is in itself a reason to celebrate! When I begin to feel that slight sense of overwhelm in the crowds from too much to do to make the holidays shine, I find special spots in nature that nurture me back to center.

One such place I visited last year was Spirit Rock, an absolutely stunning sanctuary of barren rolling hills on one side and forested hills filled with redwoods on the other. Spirit Rock is also a Buddhist retreat center. The quiet and peace of the land transcends all the hustle and bustle. Making the time for a meditation or for a hike there in December restores balance and brightens my spirit.

Stay centered and vital this holiday season by making special occasions to retreat from it all for 20 minutes to an hour. What you will have to contribute from your nurtured sense of wellbeing to others will be worth the few minutes here and there! You will notice an increase in positive mood, find yourself able to enliven holiday tasks, strengthen your immune system and boost your ability to smile radiantly.

Here are my top 6 recommendations:

Instead of meeting your holiday friends for a hot chocolate indoors, get it to go and take a wintry walk together somewhere peaceful. Devote some of your time together to walking in silence, observing and connecting with the stillness in nature. While you are there, spend a little time exploring in nature collecting beautiful objects to add to your gifts.

Give yourself an extra hour before or after your holiday shopping to visit the ocean, a nearby walking trail or drive into the mountains where you can reset before rushing off to the parties.

Watch out for increasing your caffeine intake! It’s super easy to fall back on caffeine and sugar to boost you when sleep is low and time is tight. Yet the cycle of boosting and dropping energy levels can set you up for adrenal fatigue that you have to struggle with for the rest of the year.

Add 20 minutes of stimulating exercise to your day to perk you up. Remember jumping jacks? Get your whole body moving and add some kind of jumping or bouncing into the experience – as long as it feels comfortable – for one version of a full body hello.

Try breathing exercises like the ones Dr. Andrew Weil provides in his CD, Breathing, the Master Key To Self Healing. There is simply not enough good stuff I can say about breathing exercises to relax the body, calm the mind and provide a balancing shift to the nervous system. When done repeatedly, breathing exercises can cleanse your system and literally breath new life into you, waking you up. This makes a great stocking stuffer, too, by the way.

Try presence meditation for 15 minutes. You can do this almost anywhere.

Image: zarajay

I remember my mother telling me that when my older siblings were little ones, she’d gift them their own toys or clothes for Christmas. “I’d just wrap them up as presents and they didn’t even know the difference,” she recalled. “They were delighted to open something new.”

It may be challening to get away with that sort of deceptive frugality these days: kids are sharper. But we can still find a treasure chest of reusable everyday objects in our cabinets and drawers. If the goal is to recondition society’s throw-away behavior, then it’s a sin to toss in the bin what can be born again.

Here are a few common items with a longer shelf life:

Glass Mason Jars

After you enjoy the pasta sauce, clean the jar and lid and use to store food, such as berries, or corn for popping. Vanessa tipped us off to how to keep strawberries fresh longer by storing unwashed ones in the very jars your grandma used for pickles and preserves. The old Ball glass is also handy for shaking your homemade balsamic vinegrette salad dressing. Make your own scented candles housed in the jars as gifts. Use for sipping ice tea (or moonshine) in the summer.

Shoe Boxes

Don’t dispose of these useful cardboard boxes until they have been reused. Just last night we filled several with homemade cupcakes for the school bake sale. My kids often use them to make dioramas (mini three-dimensional worlds or landscapes in a box) to accompany book reports. Or, just use them as intended, to house and label “important” shoes, such as your wedding or ballet slippers. You can also make great creative use of paper rolls.

Worn out towels, sheets, and undershirts

I used to love sorting through my mom’s rag box to find the best fabrics among the heap to sew doll clothes. Worn out and torn towels and sheets and holy cotton underware can be born again as excellent rags for cleaning, while letting you spare the so-called handy wipes marketed for this purpose. Use them, wash them, reuse them. It’s rare that something becomes too tired to be used as a rag.

Computer paper

The paper you print out for work has a flip side that can should be used as scrap paper for notes, memos and even artwork. It’s fun when my kids etch off a masterpiece with crayons or markers, and the back contains an old travel itinerary. Reuse this paper for your grocery lists, to write directions (not all cars have navigation systems) or for anything useful.

Paper Bags

Sure, we aim to tote reusable shopping and lunch sacks, but sometimes we end up with the paper (Noah’s bagels, party gifts, medication). I’ve given up trying to get one of my daughters to take charge of her own reusable lunch sack, so I reuse bags that I save from various stores. Fortunately, they have a recycle bin at her school for kids bringing paper.  The paper sacks also can  be helpful for making book covers or storing and preserving onions and potatoes in your kitchen cabinet or drawer. And it goes without saying that gift bags given to you or your children should always be recycled when you give a gift.

Leftover Building Materials

If you’ve recently finished a remodeling job, put on your carpenter’s hat and use remaining wood scarps to build a dog house, mailbox, window boxes or a bird house. You can also donate to Habitat for Humanity, which benefits from your doors, windows and other rmaterials for its construction projects.

Egg Cartons

Many schools are scrambling to get their hands on these cartons for school projects, including eco tasks such as planting spring seedlings.  Since the cartons (cardboard or styrofoam) contain natural dividers, they are a natural for separating your beads and paints or even valuables and jewlery housed in your dresser drawers.

Bananas

Yes, we have no ripe bananas. Who does? They go bad faster than a blind date with a guy who forgot his wallet. Luckily for us, rotting bananas make good banana bread and smoothies. There are so many ways to rescue brown bananas: in pancakes, muffins, you name it. With so many benefits derived from this nutritional, tropical fruit, you don’t need to reach for the compost bin just cause they are looking ugly. They can still do your body and recipes good.

Holiday Greeting Cards


Many cards are too lovely to trash them after an occasion. We string ours up on a fisherman’s wire cord in the dining room for display. If you saved last year’s greetings, reuse the cover for this year’s gift tags or to decorate a gift box. We’re always hunting down bookmarks at out house and the cover of a cute card works great.

Outdated Yellow Pages and Phone Books

They replace these massive directories every year (and also will collect them for you for recycling). Before getting rid of the old ones, cut out pages you rely on: the Chinese take-out, beauty salon, zip codes guides for mailing, helpful maps, environmental services. Put it all in a folder and create a micro version for your car or downstairs office. If you’re really feeling motivated, enter the numbers into your PDA or mobile phone, and recycle the paper.

Get more green gift ideas.

Image: Scott Feldstein

If you have noticed new ways to be happy or are one of the cheeky tricksters out there contributing to nurturing talent and improving normal life, you might be unwittingly participating in the growing field of something called Positive Psychology.

In 1998, Martin Seligman chose this theme for his tenure as the president of the American Psychological Association. Whose inspiration gave us the term? Maslow coined the term in 1954 in his book, Motivation and Personality.

Positive psychology might have gone against the grain, since prior to Seligman, “the previous 50 years had been primarily dedicated to addressing mental illness rather than mental ‘wellness’.”

I have always felt a draw to nurture talent and to improve normal life. I found, while growing up, there wasn’t as much support for that as I would have liked. My own studies in the field took me down the path of looking for the problems, because those were the resources available to me educationally at the time. Can anyone say, OUCH! Perhaps, you, like me, find this newer direction in psychology a big plus.

Three overlapping areas highlighted in the field of Positive Psychology that are being explored are:

1. The Pleasant Life or the “Life of Enjoyment”
2. The study of the Good Life or the “Life of Engagement”
3. Inquiry into the Meaningful Life or “Life of Affiliation”

Like “Mental Wellness”, “Green Wellness” – personal ecology – has a nice ring to it, if you ask me!

To find out more, check out this link and peek around on the web, too. Answer the call to wellness on every level and enjoy an outstanding life.

Image: Victor Bezrukov

Those piles of leaves that line the streets when the trees go bare were once a form of childhood amusement. I remember running, jumping and letting their fluffiness break my fall countless times for hours on end.

But, now this sight just makes me sad. With all of the waste that we create, it’s cases like this where we need to change our ways. This year, mulch your leaves instead of bagging them for the trash collector – you’ll find that it’s actually a lot easier than raking. In fact, all you have to do is mow your lawn. This shreds the leaves, and, just like that, you’ve got mulch, which will supply 25% of your yard’s nitrogen needs, reducing the dependence on fertilizers that harm the environment. You’ll need to be very good about mowing your lawn frequently so that grass clippings aren’t too long – otherwise you’ll choke the living lawn rather than supply it with nutrition. Many lawnmowers have a grass catcher or suction, which collects the remains for you. Then, all you have to do is spread this debris around your plants for a natural nutrient-rich mulch. (Note: if you have a gas-powered mower, you may be doing more harm than good. Check out EcoMowers for green options.)

Image: James Jordan