Celebrating Earth week as easy as eating healthy, recycling

By taking care of the earth, we are taking care of ourselves. When we practice taking care of ourselves we become more healthy. This week we celebrate Earth Day, a celebration began by a U.S. senator from Wisconsin. The earth and its issues have become mainstream, as have many of the solutions.

Superior has a great recycling program. If you are not already taking advantage of this easy step to creating a more healthy planet look into it. In many communities you must recycle, separate all your paper, glass, metal and bring it to the center yourself. For the majority of Superiorites the city has arranged to pick it up on your curb. Children love to recycle and if they learn the value of it while young, they will continue the practice throughout their lives.

In 100 years, the small step you make today will transform into better health for your great, great- (maybe great) grandchildren.

The most toxic air we breathe is often found at home. What are you mixing and breathing? What are you getting on your skin? What are you putting on your floors, walls, lawn, and eventually your water? There are great “recipe” books on creating your own cleaners, garden supplies and air fresheners which don’t poison you and your family. One resource I love is “Better Basics for the Home” by Annie Berthold-Bond. I have tried many of the recipes with great success.

Plant a tree, a flower, a vegetable. It has been said that gardeners must be optimists because annually they plant hope. Hope that their hard work will be seen in beauty and fullness later in the summer. Many years my hope was its own reward and the dream plant never transpired. Yet by the time it didn’t turn out, I was so happy with what had and the pride of the work to create it, it didn’t matter. I was still happy.

How are you keeping your body? It is an amazing thing, your body. Are you tending it? Exercise and diet are critical to a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can be as easy as taking a walk. Diet can be more tricky but aim to eat as many whole foods as possible. Whole foods are ones which require less processing. An apple is more whole than apple juice. Learn about the foods you are eating. Read nutrition labels and find out how far your food.

There is much turmoil in the current headlines about our food crisis, understand the part you play. If you are not happy with your role change your behaviors to better support how you would like to impact the earth with your food consumption. You don’t have to commit to your own food production but attending our farmer’s markets this summer will help you eat more local. We also have a community garden on the corner of Hammond Avenue and Broadway Street where you can participate.

We do not leave the earth for our children, we borrow it from them. I do not know who said that line but they spoke truth. What we do today is affecting the legacy we are leaving our children and grandchildren. Small changes in your lifestyle today will make big changes in their world tomorrow. Earth Day was started by a Wisconsinite. We should be proud to be part of the solution. I truly believe I can make a difference in the world even if I am just one small person and I believe you can, too. Happy Earth Day!

Stacy Reuille-Dupont is owner of Superior Balance Fitness Center and SuperiorWorkout.com. She may be reached at www.superiorbalance.com or stacy@superiorworkout.com.

Tags: earth, day, exercise, recycle, children