What is the largest, most comfortable, yet most wasteful thing in your possession? If you answered “my home,” you’re probably correct. Every year, countless people waste tons of cash paying for staggeringly high energy bills. It’s not only financially, wasteful, it’s also a big ecological problem. All the unneeded power your house draws means higher bills for you and a greater carbon footprint for your home. If you can find ways to make your home more energy efficient, you save money and help to save the planet as well! Today we’ll help you fight wasteful spending with five ways to make your home more energy efficient.

Programmable Thermostats

Installing a programmable thermostat is a great way to see some fast reductions in your energy bills, helping to ensure your home is the most comfortable when you’re there to enjoy it. Relatively inexpensive and easy to install, you can program your thermostat to keep your home the coolest overnight as you sleep and allow the AC a break while you’re away from home at work. It’s a fantastic, simple change that can help you save 5-15% a year on heating. While you could also simply reset your thermostat manually, a programmable thermostat saves you the trouble of remembering to constantly adjust it!

Insulation

Insulating your home to retain heat in the winter may seem like a no-brainer, but that same insulation can help to contain your home’s cool air during the summer as well. It’s important to make sure that your ceilings, attic, and walls have proper insulation for all seasons, not just one. Your windows are another important spot to check, as an older window with damage to the frame can become an energy vampire as the temperature controlled air escapes outside. Provided you can fill the gaps and cracks of your home, you can be sure that your inside temperature will stay stable no matter what it’s like outside.

Energy Efficient Lights

Check the lighting in your home. If you still have traditional incandescent bulbs, it’s probably time to go shopping. Replacing your bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs will cost more upfront, but the energy savings more than cover the initial price difference. They are that a great way to reduce your energy consumption while producing fewer burned out bulbs as trash. While LED bulbs do not contain mercury, many do contain lead and other contaminants. Check to see if your local hardware stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot will recycle them for free.

Low-Flow Fixtures

Cutting back on your water consumption is a great way to lower your bills, but nobody wants to stop showering. Fortunately, if you install low-flow fixtures throughout your house, you can save water without sacrificing your hygiene. The EPA states that a family of four can roughly save 20,000 gallons of water annually by simply swapping standard 4.5-gallon-per-minute showerheads with 2.5-gallon-per-minute ones. The lower volumes of low-flow fixtures allow will help guarantee that you’re able to increase your home’s water efficiency while seeing significant reductions in your water bill.

Solar Panels

Arguably the best way to combine energy efficiency with financial savings, installing solar panels can help protect both your pocketbook and the environment. Homes with solar panels can reduce or eliminate their reliance on traditional coal-burning power plants, the nation’s top carbon dioxide emitters, while also lowering their energy costs with cheap, clean, and renewable energy. You might also be pleasantly surprised by the price of residential solar panels, with great financing options and tax breaks available. Out of everything we’ve covered, solar power can have the greatest positive impact on both your personal finances and the health of our planet.

Revamping your home’s energy efficiency is one of the quickest and easiest ways to save money. Best of all, the improvements that you make will actively help to minimize your homes contribution to greenhouse gasses. It’s always a good feeling to save money, but recognizing that you’re also saving the Earth is an even better reward. Whether you look for small, simple changes like programmable thermostats, or large, impactful changes such as solar power, there are tons of ways to make your home more energy and financially efficient. With so many options, we hope this list has given you an idea of where to start on your energy-saving adventure!

Attention ladies! Do you really know what you’re doing to your skin with each cosmetic product you use? I didn’t know. From the timeI wokeup in the morning until I washed my face at the end of the day, I fought with my skin.  After way too many years of this self-inflicted abuse, I came to my senses, put my foot down and decided to make some big changes. That’s when I turned to my daughter, the aesthetician, for advice on how to replace my cosmetic catastrophes with all-natural products. We ended up tossing out all fo my harmful products like my makeup remover, acne cleanser, makeup foundation, and my weekly beauty mask product. With that mess of product gone, we locked in on some easy-to use, all-natural ways to replace each of those products.

So, if you say “oui, oui” to going “au-naturel”, read on and find out what 4 products I now use. And guess what? Cosmetic companies don’t want you to know this!

Makeup Remover: Is Coconut Oil The “Healthiest Oil On Earth?”

First and foremost, what is one thing that we do every day that irritates our eyes? Of course, it’s removing our darn makeup. I have tried so many different makeup removers that I can certainly attribute the wrinkles around my eyes to some of them. Raise your hand if you feel the same way, too! After all, the vigorous action of removing waterproof mascara with an oily pad can sometimes be as harsh as using an emery board to buff your nails.

But then, my daughter told me about coconut oil. Say what? That’s right. She said that the unique fatty acids in it make it an ideal makeup remover because they help to break down and absorb the stubborn makeup on your skin. Not only that, but it’s a natural moisturizer which nourishes your skin. Not to mention the fact that it has strengthened my eyelashes, giving me a super sexy wink. 😉

Let me tell you how you can replace your expensive makeup removers with coconut oil, just like I did. Follow these 3 easy steps and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t hear about this sooner:

1. Add some room temperature coconut oil to a soft cotton pad (It could be a bit hard. It will liquefy due to the heat of your skin.)
2. Close your eyes and press the pad against your eyes for 15 seconds. (This allows the oil to break down and absorb all those nasty little bits of mascara.)
3. Then, take the pad and gently wipe that makeup from your face in a consistent downward motion.

And just like that, the makeup will be removed, and your face is moisturized. Truly ladies, you’ll find that this is a super product that you need to stock up on.

Acne Treatment: Hey Acne! Meet My BFF, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

I’ve always had a serious issue with acne. It was at its worst when I was a teenager, but I still have breakouts here and there. From Clean & Clear to Proactiv, I’ve tried it all. Honestly, nothing really worked. And then a friend told me about this amazing use of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). She told me that it regulates the pH of your skin, which detoxifies the skin and helps get rid of and prevent acne. Now don’t get me wrong, even though it can have a bit of a pungent aroma, it’s well worth the benefits.

And it is super easy to use. Just a heads up, I use Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother, as this is the product in its purest form. All you need to do is use the product at night after you remove your makeup and before you go to bed. So, here’s what you do:

1. Put some ACV on a cotton pad and gently apply it your face in a circular motion until your entire face is covered.
2. Then, while you get your beauty sleep it will absorb into your pores and work its magic all night long. Leaving you with clearer, healthier looking skin in the morning.

That’s all it takes. After doing this every night for about 2 months, I got rid of all of my acne and haven’t had an outbreak since. It’s been almost a year now! Woohoo! By the way, ACV has also been known to eliminate dark spots. Winning!

Makeup Foundation: Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue…And Rosehip Oil Is Perfect For You

After 30+ years of using way, way, way too much foundation, I had enough. So I decided to find a natural alternative. And I found out about rosehip oil. Again, it’s another product that has more than one benefit. Oh yes! It’s been known to reduce wrinkles and restore your skin’s natural complexion.

But ladies, let me tell you that you need to use this as your foundation. Simply coat your face with rosehip oil before putting on your makeup and it makes a great base to put on an even coat of makeup. And what I love about it, too, is that it’s super gentle on the skin. The product that I buy comes in a small bottle with a teardrop applicator. Here’s how you get that “rosy” foundation going:

1. With the applicator (if yours has one), put 1-2 drops of rosehip oil on your fingers.
2. Gently apply the oil in a consistent motion, starting from your nose out towards your cheeks.
3. Repeat this process, until all the “makeup zones” on your face are covered.
4. After applying, give yourself 5-10 minutes for the oil to absorb. This allows your makeup application to be easier and it will look like a professional aesthetician did it for you.

Beauty Mask: Honey! Where’s My Mask?

How many different beauty masks have you tried in your life? Well, have you ever tried a honey mask? OMG, I’m warning you that after you try this, you will be addicted. The powerful nutrients in honey make for rich and smooth skin, and once the coat is done you’re not going to want to stop petting your soft, supple skin.

Now, this one takes a little more effort than the other products.

1. Warm up the honey first to make it easier to apply and to help it absorb into your skin. (Trick: Run the jar of honey under warm water for a few minutes.)
2. Take 2 fingerfuls of honey and begin applying it to your face in a circular motion. Repeat this process until your face is fully coated. (Don’t worry, you can’t use too much. Well, maybe you can.)
3. Once applied, let it cool and dry on your face.
4. Have your lounge chair ready, and get to relaxing for about 15 minutes while the honey works its wonders.
5. Finish off by rinsing your face with warm water. (Attention: Do not use any soap or cleansers to wash the honey from your face or it will cancel out all of that TLC.)

Trust me, honey, you will instantly see the difference when you touch your face after the mask therapy is over. Heck, you might even go for round 2 in the same day. (I did.) Realistically, if you can adopt this as a weekly ritual, you’ll be on the path to adding 10 years of youth to your beautiful skin.

Now you understand why cosmetic companies don’t want you knowing about these ingredients. After all, they’ll save you money, get you Ah-May-Zing results, and make you feel like a natural beauty. 😉 So, which one are you going to try first?

Related Reading:

• 35 Things You Can Do With Coconut Oil
• Beat Eczema Naturally
• Get Naturally Gorgeous Skin with These 4 Home Remedies
• Healthy Skin

We all know our safety—and that of our environment—is constantly under attack. Sometimes these attacks come from very unique, seemingly innocent situations. For example, foreclosed properties could be bad for your health—and the future of our environment.

What Is a Zombie Foreclosure?

Any time property owners fall behind on loan payments, they run the risk of entering into foreclosure. This is most common among homeowners—but commercial properties are at risk too.

The foreclosure process is very lengthy, time consuming, and filled with legalese. It is easy for a property owner to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and pessimistic. Assuming the bank will take over their property no matter what they do, many of these homeowners pack up and move away.

However, for one reason or another, the bank doesn’t acquire ownership. Technically, the property owner is still in possession of the title—even though they’ve moved on. These abandoned properties in a state of ownership limbo are called zombie properties (or zombie foreclosures).

Why Do Zombie Foreclosures Happen?

There are various reasons why a bank might cancel the foreclosure process.

The most common cause of zombie proprieties is the location. These foreclosure homes are in low-income areas and the bank isn’t excited to obtain responsibility of a property in such a neighborhood.

Other times, squatters might take over the property or it falls into severe disrepair. In these situations, the effort to obtain ownership is more trouble than it’s worth.

The cost of foreclosing on the property might be more than the property is worth or more than what is owed to the bank. In these cases, the bank wouldn’t waste the money to complete the process. Similarly, the bank might not choose to proceed if the institution already has an excess of foreclosed homes in its inventory.

Zombie Properties are More Common than You Think

At one point, the number of zombie properties had soared above 300,000. While the number of abandoned properties has come down, experts still report one in five homes has been given up as a lost cause.

Some states have started to get the zombie property problem under control; but as recently as June 2014, half of the states in the U.S. had seen an increase in the number of abandoned homes.

This is especially true in states with the lengthiest foreclosure process: Florida, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey.

The Widespread Effects of Zombie Foreclosures

Abandoned properties quickly become a public nuisance. Studies show that a block with a vacant property has:

• More than 3 times as many drug calls to police
• Almost 2 times as many theft calls

Another study conducted in Philadelphia (a city that spends nearly $2 million each year to clean vacant lots) said any home within 150 feet of an abandoned property loses more than $7,000 in value.

Besides the damage these homes do to our wallets, they also have a terrifying effect on our health and safety. Abandoned buildings have pests, rodents, falling rubble, and sharp, rusty objects.

Plus, the risk of fire increases with zombie properties. Each year in the US, there are more than 12,000 air-polluting fires in vacant buildings which causes more than $73 million in damage.

But most importantly, these abandoned properties are wreaking havoc on our environment. Mold, standing water, and lethal chemicals are just a few of the things we have to worry about.

Homes aren’t the only buildings being vacated. Many commercial properties are left unattended, too. Many of them are classified as “brownfields,” buildings that once housed dangerous chemicals in massive quantities. Known carcinogens like lead, mercury, asbestos, petroleum, and PCBs are still present. These uncontained chemicals can seep into the drinking water. They are blown around during fires. They are quietly destroying our depleting natural resources.

The Solution

RealtyTrac offers two solutions for the zombie property problem.

In reality, the solution will depend on the property and the surrounding area. No matter which method professionals use to rectify the problem, we all need to consider how management of these properties will affect our environment.

Do you have experience with a zombie property? Did you live in close proximity to one? How did it affect your life, home, and health?

Sources:

Abandoned buildings still present environmental hazards – The Day

Florida’s Standing in the Midyear Foreclosure Report – Ziegler Law Office

How abandoned buildings could make you sick

Vacant Properties: The True Costs to Communities by National Vacant Properties Campaign

Zombie Foreclosures – Nolo

Zombie Foreclosures Still A Lingering Legacy of the Housing Crisis – RealtyTrac

“Shine bright like a diamond” – Quite definitely, Rihanna wasn’t talking about her skin here! Oily skin is a condition many individuals like me are weighed down by. From pimples to blackheads, oily skin can be the sole cause of many skin irritants. A lot of my friends, who are blessed with good skin, wonder why I have such an elaborate skin care regime. Little do they realize my plight! Over many years that I have struggled to overcome this problem, I have tried numerous products and quick fixes. It is important to know that oil is good for your skin; the key is to create the right balance.  Here are few elixirs that have helped maintain my skin’s optimal oil content.

Cleansing

As a ground rule, those with oily skin must cleanse their face two times a day using a gentle, fragrance-free, pH balanced cleanser. Because oily skin is so prone to attracting dirt, (resulting in clogged pores and acne), this step is particularly crucial. Ensure the cleanser you use is mild and doesn’t deprive your skin of required oils and moisture. Splash your face with warm or cold water, never hot!

Here’s what I also use to cleanse my face:

Gram Flour, Milk, and Turmeric Paste

This therapeutic paste is extremely mild. The antibacterial properties of turmeric control the breakout of acne and pimples. It also helps regulate the production of sebum. Milk gently moisturizes and nourishes the skin, while gram flour removes the buildup of excess oil and grime.

You Will Need:

• 2 tablespoons of gram flour
• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 3/4 cup of milk

Directions:

Mix all the contents in a cup until the paste becomes smooth. Apply the paste evenly across your face and leave on for 5 minutes. Cleanse your face with lukewarm or cold water.

Exfoliating

One of the most important and possibly the most ignored steps of a skin-care regimen for oily skin is exfoliation.  Exfoliation helps remove dirt buildup and clears dry and dead skin cells on the surface, making skin less oily.

Here’s one you should try at home:

Sugar, Baking Soda, and Honey Scrub

These kitchen essentials can also work as great exfoliating agents. Sugar helps remove dead skin without hurting or irritating the skin. The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of honey are effective in keeping acne at bay. Baking soda helps to dry out existing acne and reduces the visibility of acne scars.

You Will Need:

• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Directions:

Combine sugar and baking soda in a bowl and add water. Stir the mixture and add honey. Mix all the ingredients well and apply the scrub on your face. Wash after 2 minutes with cold water.

Toning

Another essential step in oily skin care is toning as it removes excess oils, unclogs pores, and clears dirt and dead skin cells that may stay on even after cleansing. A good toner also helps the skin absorb other skincare applications, better. Let the freshness soak in with this invigorating toner:

Peppermint Toner

The cooling properties of menthol in peppermint reduce acne inflammation and the secretion of excess oil from sebaceous glands.

You Will Need:

• 1 cup of peppermint leaves

• Water

Directions:

Boil the peppermint leaves in water and let it cool down for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and dab the natural toner on your problem areas with a cotton pad.

Sun Protection and Moisturizing

It’s a myth that moisturizers make oily skin oilier. On the contrary, they help restore the moisture your skin loses while cleansing and toning. If you are worried that moisturizing will give your face the much dreadful shine, opt for a light, oil-free variant.

Here’s a light and effective moisturizer recipe you should try:

Aloe-Grapeseed Moisturizer

When you already have an oil factory on your face, you may be averse to adding to the sheen. Grapeseed oil however, can help regulate the production of your skin’s natural oils and retain essential moisture. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C that keep the skin glowing! Aloe vera gel helps unclog pores and removes dead skin cells.

You Will Need:

• 3 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

Directions:

Mix the ingredients well in a bowl. You can apply the moisturizer on your face as well as your body. Store it in a clean container for future use.

Hydration

Drinking 8-10 glasses of water in a day helps flush out toxins and keeps your skin well hydrated. During hot weather, the body requires higher fluid intake. Drinking plenty water can lower the amount of sebum secreted by the glands and reduce the oil your skin produces. If plain water is too mainstream for your liking, add some flavor with lemon, mint, or delicious berries. 

There are plenty factors that play a role in oily skin – genetics, weather conditions, erratic lifestyles, or the use of products that don’t suit you. If you are worried about the impact make-up and beauty products can have on your skin, switch to water-based, oil-free and skin friendly alternatives. Consume a healthy diet and include high amounts of fiber and leafy greens in your meals. Stay miles away from fried and processed foods. It is imperative to follow a proper skin care procedure and use only products that are right for you. What works on a combination skin may not necessarily work for oily skin; you wouldn’t want to take chances that result in an eruption of acne, would you?

 Further Reading:

• Healthy Skin
• Get Naturally Gorgeous Skin with These 4 Home Remedies
• Natural Remedies for Acne

Sources:

• Use Mild Cleansers To Not Deprive Your Skins Of Essential Oils And Moisture – Medline Plus
• Simple Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Oily Skin – StyleCraze
• Fight Oily Skin Now – Medline Plus

What is confidence? It seems that for some people their level of self-doubt is almost non-existent, especially in comparison to the rest of us on planet Earth. Where does it come from? Is it genetic, like a chiseled jaw line? Or, something more random than that, a trait that some people have but others don’t? Just the luck of the draw? What if confidence isn’t inherited or the whim of fate?  Can it be fostered and grown? Is there something you can do to create or build and grow confidence? Is there a formula?

I have a friend who, for as long as I have known her, just exudes a level of boldness and inner self-worth that leaves me in utter awe. She is a marvel. Nothing seems to shake her, make her question herself or waiver–even when being challenged. After several years of friendship, and a few glasses of wine, I broke down and asked her, “What is your secret? How are you so confident and sassy? Do you not truly care about what others think about you?”

Her answer was simple, clear, concise and confident (naturally).

“Of course, I care what others think about me, who doesn’t? But, I care more about feeling good than pleasing others.”

Great perspective, right? Isn’t this the point of view we all want? Most of us “know” that this way of seeing the world is powerful and freeing, and we want it for ourselves, but why is it that when it comes time to live it, everything changes? It seems like at that moment when we want to choose ourselves and be bold, we cave and choose to please others, look good, or just hide out. I see choosing yourself over others as a move of confidence.

Then, I think, there are two questions: Can we grow confidence and self-esteem? And, if we can, how?

Confidence = the familiarity of repetition.

Confidence = the power of habit.

Confidence = feeling and living your best self.

Repetition is one way to build confidence. Being persistent, practicing consistently, and not accepting “no” are key to the confidence building strategy that Dr. Ivan Joseph shares in his TED Talk, “The Skills of Self Confidence.” Just like anything else we are good at, being confident takes practice. Nothing comes overnight. It takes dedication, discipline, and consistency to build a new skill or behavior. Think about learning a new language–whether that be French or HTML—you can’t really cram for it. It’s the slow and steady, daily attention to learning new vocabulary and grammar, and then practicing using it, that wins in the end.

“We can use decision-making to choose the habits we want to form, use willpower to get the habit started, then – and this is the best part – we can allow the extraordinary power of habit to take over. At that point, we’re free from the need to decide and the need to use willpower.” -Gretchen Rubin

If you’re not already familiar with Gretchen Rubin she is a the thought leader on happiness and habit. Rubin has studied how habits are formed and also how they are maintained. It’s not just about just desire, although it starts with there, it’s actually about what makes it stick.

The New Year is a time when many of us think about and make resolutions for new ways of being or new habits. I started to think about what I want most in this new year and it’s not all the material things or the possessions or more shoulds. I want to do things that are fun and exciting, things that make me feel amazing. Having goals and making New Year’s resolutions are not about setting unrealistic and rigid expectations for the future that you may never meet, failures that make you feel like shit. They are about bringing a new way of being or a new lifestyle into your life, moment by moment, changes that increase your joy, your aliveness, your presence.

We often think too radical–that change happens all at once. Sure, we may have an “aha” moment that immediately opens up a new perspective, but moving it from an insight into a new way of being, forming a new habit or a new neural pathway, is a slow and consistent process. Confidence isn’t talent, genetics or a special secret knowing, it’s simply the result of starting and building a habit, skill or knowledge.

“Women applied for a promotion only when they met 100 percent of the qualifications. Men applied when they met 50 percent. Evidence shows that women are less self-assured than men—and that to succeed, confidence matters as much as competence.”

Katty Kay and Claire Shipman talk about women and confidence in their book the Confidence Gap. They discuss how women have more self-doubt whereas men’s level of inner self-talk seems to differ.

Confidence is where your deepest desires and strengths meet. Confidence is really about feeling amazing and not being so hard on yourself–having compassion for your weaknesses while you focus on what you are great at.

What if you gave up fear, doubt, and those negative internal thoughts for belief, power, fun, and whimsy? What if you were able to be in your dream–to own it, revel in it, and build it–not allowing what others think to affect how you live your life or make your decisions? What if you allowed yourself to feel good and enjoy? How much goodness can you stand?

What could 2015 be like for you if you resolve to be your most risky and awesome self? I think true confidence is about faith.  Faith and belief in ourselves enough to trust our intuition and creativity and to live a life with awe and wonder.

With a new year comes a reset button. The slate is wiped clear and we step into a fresh dream of how our ideal life could be. This year I will… (fill in the your desire here). By January’s end our resolutions are gathering dust. You may find yourself snoozing instead of hitting the gym, or you start to give in on that 2 glass of wine rule and have an extra one before bed (just this one time…right?)

But some people seem to have so much more staying power. You know, “Perfect Patty”, your co-worker who seems to be on a roll with her daily lunch of healthy salads and taking the stairs. What actually makes the difference to those who keep on track with a new goal and are successful?

When our shiny new resolutions begin to slip, it’s easy to think things like, “What is wrong with me? Why can’t I do it? Do I just need more will power? Do they just want ‘it’ more than I do? Do they have more support?  What if I had more money to hire a fancy personal trainer? Or an assistant to manage my crazy schedule? THEN I will be successful!”

I work with people to make lifestyle changes, and when we are successful, these changes make big positive impacts across their lives, deepening a sense of purpose and building a strong foundation to go forth and be even more awesome. I want to make that difference with people so, of course, I am always nerding it up on new brain science around habit, routine, structure, and what we are now finding about why we do what we do and why we don’t. Here is what I found.

Willpower Is So Yesterday

Put down the bat of self disapproval and shame. Turns out, what was once thought of as low will or being lazy is just lack of planning. Planning can be packing our lunch the night before rather than in the a.m. as we rush out the door. It can also look like a new schedule or bringing the gym shoes to the office so we have no excuses. We are either setting up our environment for success or we’re just mindlessly going with what was already in play. We can plan and create an atmosphere that is physically conducive to making the changes we desire.

Make a Plan for Success and Failure

Plan for what will you do when it fails. When you oversleep (or umm push snooze 5 times), or you have a sick kid, or a deadline that is dropped in your lap, what is your plan for that? What we often define as failure (relapse, falling off the wagon, repeating old patterns we are comfy in that cause us to feel miserable) are all part of what being successful looks like. It teaches us how to dust ourselves off and keep going. Most of life will not go as planned, so having the “oh sugar backup” is where it’s at to getting our well-deserved success.

Track It To Change It

Powerhouse digital companies know this about us, we need a lot of cues to change our behavior, so they are coming up with resources to help us win. Seems everyone is wearing a smart device that measures, track, time and measure our efforts. Tracking can be helpful to show us how we are failing and well, that’s successful. We no longer use the power of will but now can use consistency and accountability.

Remember, a new habit is new and you are in fact learning. There is a curve to this, so allow for it. We can measure it with complicated technical devices or use a pencil and paper, it really doesn’t matter. The key is consistency. How you create the consistency is what will bring you the results you desire.

Again and Again

So if it’s not really willpower, then what is it? Turns out it’s simple, a matter of repetition. We are what we repeatedly do, says Aristotle. What we all want is to turn our new habits into automatic action without thought. What can I do to have automaticity alive and well in my life? According to top scientists and the wisdom of sages throughout history, it’s all about consistency.

Let It Sink In

Give it time. How much time? How much time does it take before a new habit becomes hardwired? Some say a mere 21 days. I have read and heard everything under the stars from the range of 21 days to 180 days. So what is the magic number, really? And why? When you are giving everything you’ve got to making change, it would be nice to know when you can expect your payoff. Just like everything else in life, it depends on the individual and the depth of dive or habit complexity for you. Simply adding a fruit to your daily diet maybe be child’s play for some, while exercising consistency could take a bit more effort. So allow for your own timing to come forth and enjoy the journey.

How To Make It Stick

Plan it. Measure it. Then repeat it and let it sink in. Soon you will have a new habit you don’t even have to think about. Now that is awesome.

Further Reading:

• Keeping Your New Year Resolutions
• Beat Unhealthy Habits and Live Better in 2015
• Developing an Attitude of Gratitude Can Help You Live a Longer, Happier Life
• What to Expect When You Hire a Personal Trainer

We generally label foods as fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts by their taste, appearance, and use. Not all vegetables are vegetables, and not all fruits are fruits. And strangely, not all nuts are nuts; some are seeds, and some are actually fruits. Botanists have very specific criteria to categorize fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts that often do not line up with our common definitions.

A fruit is the ovary of a plant that develops from the flower. Fruits contain seeds. So root vegetables like potatoes, beets, onions, garlic, radishes, turnips, etc. are all vegetables. All your greens – spinach, chard, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, etc. – are vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, asparagus – are definitely vegetables.

“Veggies” That Are Actually Fruits

• Tomato
• Snow peas
• String beans
• Sugar snap peas
• Pumpkin
• Avocado
• Eggplant
• Cucumbers
• All squashes (including zucchini, yellow, spaghetti, acorn and more)
• Peppers (including bell peppers and hot peppers)
• Okra
• Olives
• Corn (the kernels are technically the fruit of the plant, though corn is usually classified as a grain.)

The botanical definition of a true nut is a hard-shelled pod that contains both the fruit and the seed. Examples of true nuts include chestnuts, hazelnuts, and acorns.

“Nuts” That Are Botanically Fruits

• Almonds
• Peanuts and other groundnuts
• Hazelnuts
• Chestnuts
• Macadamia nuts
• Pistachios
• Coconuts
• Walnuts
• Pecans

“Nuts” That Are Actually Seeds

• Brazil nuts
• Pine nuts
• Cashew nuts

When it comes to how we eat and what we choose to eat, the botanical categories don’t matter. To eat a truly healthy diet, 80% of our diet should consist of fresh, raw, whole, organic produce – more vegetables than fruits. And when we say more vegetables, we are not specifying the botanical definitions, just the common ones.

We generally think of fruits as being sweet. It is the natural sugar content we should watch as we decide our ration of vegetables to fruits. Three to five servings of fruit a day with one large salad consisting of 10-15 vegetables will give you the nutrition you need to thrive. Check out the 80% Raw Food Diet.

 Sources:

• Surprising Truths About Fruits and Vegetables – Live Science
• Nuts – The Fruit Pages
• QI: Quite interesting facts about nuts – The Telegraph