From the category archives:

Before The Bump

Project Glow 2010: Cooler Cleanse Day 3 and A Little Soup Detour

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on October 18, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Project Glow 2010

My Healing Miso Soup, perfect for cold and flu season

Today is my third day on the Cooler Cleanse, and it has definitely been the hardest day yet. This is through no fault of the cleanse, but because I seem to have caught a little cold that I am trying my darndest to cut off at the pass. I woke up with a sore throat yesterday morning and immediately went into immune boosting mode which involved: a large dose of Vitamin D (I do this for 3 days, then back to my regular dose of 5,000 IU every day as blood tests showed I’m deficient), Vitamin C, using the Neti Pot, gargling with salt water, taking a hot bath, and drinking hot tea with lemon. I feel good knowing that I’m already flooding my body with lots of healing nutrients with this cleanse. It’s also nice not to have to worry much about food prep, when I want to use all my spare time to rest (rest is best!).

In addition to the aforementioned healing practices, my scratchy throat had me craving something savory and warm and more green vegetables and garlic (nature’s healers!). So I decided to go off plan just a bit. The Cooler Cleanse people do not recommend this, and the point of a juice cleanse is to give the digestive system a total rest, which I do think is valuable. But for me, today, the desire for some additional nutrition outweighed my desire for digestive rest, and I choose to go with my intuition about what my body needs (as long as it was healthy). To invent the right soup, I basically just went into the organic grocery store and got what called out to me. I knew that I definitely wanted green vegetables, onion (I read once that you should eat a whole onion when you’re getting sick and it can make it go away–who knows, but it’s become a bit of a ritual), and some miso, which is full of beneficial and immune boosting bacteria. The rest was chosen because it seemed like a good idea. I don’t measure anything, I just eyeball everything and adjust to taste. Here’s my non-recipe:

The pot ‘o veggies before the miso addition. Just remember, never boil your miso!

Andrea’s Healing Miso Soup

  • Add olive oil to soup pot and sauté garlic, bok choy and thinly sliced kale (I used Lacinto/Dinosaur and eat the stems and all)
  • Once those are nicely sauteed add a little water and the following veggies:
    • Shredded daikon radish
    • Scallions
    • Shitake mushrooms
    • Wakame (this is the seaweed usually in miso soup, prepare per package directions)
  • Add as much water as you like depending on how much soup you want and let it bubble and steam for a little bit (not too long, all of these things can be lightly cooked and will be delicious)
  • Boil a big mug’s worth of water and once it is no longer boiling, stir in miso paste. I used mild white miso.
  • Take the big pot of soup off the stove, and once it is no longer boiling add in the miso. Miso should never be boiled.
  • Optional: I sauteed half an onion in a separate pan until it was well carmalized and added it to the soup at the end. It was a really great addition–slightly sweet, and melty, highly recommended.
  • Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste (I went heavy on the pepper) and cayenne or hot sauce if you want the added sinus clearing benefits.

Nothing left to do but enjoy!

As for day 3 of the Cooler Cleanse, juice #2 today was Grapefruit Mint. I’m not a fan of grapefruit juice, it’s just never been my thing. That said, I can’t imagine how it could have been any better, and it didn’t even cause me to make the face I typically make when I have a sip of grapefruit juice. Despite wishing I had the Pineapple Ginger or Watermelon Lime instead, I did think that this juice was probably perfect for my coming-down-with-a-cold-ness, and for that I was grateful. I have the red juice and almond milk left for this evening, and am looking forward to them both. It’s early to bed for me, and hey, I’m over half way done!

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Project Glow 2010: Cooler Cleanse Day 2

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on October 18, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Project Glow 2010

This juice is pure perfection. I dare you not to love it.

All that I really want to say about day 2 (which was yesterday) is WATERMELON LIME juice. Oh my yum. It was yesterday’s juice number two, taking the place of day number 1′s Pineapple Ginger. It was wonderful. The other swap was that the final juice was Brazil Nut Milk instead of the Almond Milk. I am surprised to say I think I actually preferred the Brazil Nut Milk. It was rich and creamy and I’ve been craving it ever since.

I unfortunately have to report that I’m coming down with a cold (typically I would think this is a detox symptom, but I spent 40 hours in a hospital last week so I’m 98% sure it’s a little bug) so today I added some homemade vegetable and miso soup to my cleanse. My throat is bothering me and I really felt the need for something beyond tea to warm me up and help clear me out. I’ll share that recipe soon because I invented it on the fly, and it turned out really well! As far as the numbers game goes, today the scale showed another 1.5 pound loss bringing me to 8 pounds lighter after 2 days of Cooler Cleanse juices and nothing else. I’ll be curious to see how my soup affects the numbers tomorrow. I’m ok with whatever it says. The Cooler Cleanse people do not recommend adding solid food mind you, and usually I am a super rules follower about such matters, but I’m working on being less rigid and more intuitive. Now I’m going to get some extra sleep and let my nutrient-filled and juiced-up body do a little healing!

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Project Glow 2010: Juicing with the Cooler Cleanse, Day 1

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on October 17, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes,Project Glow 2010

Here's a pic from the Cooler Cleanse website. You get one bag just like this for each day of juice cleansing. They are little and cute and have an ice pack to keep everything fresh.

At the beginning of this year I shared that I was preparing for my own pregnancy and birth by creating and committing to some specific health, fitness, and overall life goals to make sure I am happy, healthy, and glowey when the time comes. I called this effort Project Glow 2010, and just decided to add a 5-day juice cleanse to the mix. I am somewhat of a juice cleanse veteran, and last year I even did a 19 day “juice feast” during which I had nothing but highly-nutritious and mostly green juices.  It was a great experience, but to be honest, since that time I’ve been a bit leery of cleansing, and any other dramatic eating program. I realized that in the past few years I got in the habit of using extreme diet changes (including juicing and  cleanses) as a weight management Hail Mary. I was either fasting or feasting, and what could have been healthy practices became part of a yo-yo dieting debacle. I totally know better, and it completely snuck up on me. As did a whole bunch of pounds. I’ve really spent the last year plan-less, somewhat afraid of anything resembling this kooky dynamic I had created.

When you pick up your 3 days worth of juice, be prepared for a 22 pound haul. I transferred 2 of the coolers to my backpack, and am so thankful I did.

That said, I have had amazing health benefits from various cleansing and detox programs, benefits I could really use now. When I did the 19 day juice feast my period that had been wacky for years became like clockwork, as well as PMS-free and headache-free, within 4 days. A cough I’d had for months disappeared, as did some reflux that had been troubling me and a whole slew of other physical annoyances that told me I was not in optimal health. I think I’m finally back in the right frame of mind to use cleansing as a short term medicine to cure what ails me, while committing to a healthy balanced lifestyle the rest of the time (free from the pre-fast feast). So sensing that the time is right for a little healing, I reached out the the folks at the Cooler Cleanse to help me with a 5-day juice cleanse.

The Cooler Cleanse was co-founded by Salma Hayak, a holistic mama in her own right. I got excited about it because I had read a number of reviews that said that of all the cleanse companies, Cooler Cleanse had the best green juice. Well, that good press plus the fact that the Cooler Cleanse is a little less expensive than other juice cleanses (Blue Print Cleanse, Organic Avenue) inspired me to give it a go. I started the cleanse yesterday, and here’s what I think so far:

I picked up my juice at the West Village location at 171 West 4th Street, between Cornelia & Jones streets.

The Pick Up

You can have the cleanse delivered (Cooler Cleanse delivers nationwide via FedEx Priority Overnight Shipping), which if you have the extra money, or aren’t in NYC is totally worth it. I decided to pick it up (which is free) at one of 3 Juice Generation locations in Manhattan where you can grab your cleanse anytime from 10 am – 8 pm, any day of the week. I received my first 3 days worth of organic, unpasturized, raw juice yesterday, and will pick up the last 2 days on Monday. The big drawback to picking it up, which did not occur to me until I was in Juice Generation, is that Juice Generation sells super delicious muffins, sandwiches, and soups. I used to live around the block from a Juice Generation and their pumpkin muffin and vegetarian soup were frequently in my lunch rotation. So if you’re like me, get in and get out, and try not to peep the product lest you’re foiled before you even begin. Another important note, 3 days of juice weighs 22 pounds, which is serious business. I brought a backpack and put 2 of the 3 coolers in there and it helped immensely.

Three days of cooler cleanse juices all lined up in my fridge. What you see is the first two for each day side by side (juices 3 - 6 are behind).

The Juices

The juices are numbered in the order you are to drink them, which is handy and keeps you from drinking the very best first and then kicking yourself for the rest of the day. I love a tasty juice, and consider myself somewhat of an aficionado, that said I have also consumed tons of non-delicious items in the name of health. Here’s what I found: PURE DELICIOUSNESS. I honestly cannot believe how pleasant all of the juices were. Not a clunker in the bunch, nothing I had to just get down knowing it is good for me. Here’s the breakdown of what was in my day 1 cooler:

Juice 1: Essential Green

This juice was light, mild, and for lack of a better word, nice. Yes it was green, but it didn’t taste oh-so-green, which I appreciated. I also love that it includes dandelion greens, which are great for cleansing the kidneys and liver. This was the easiest drinking green juice I’ve ever had.

Juice 2: Pineapple and Ginger

This juice was lovely. It definitely had some heat from the ginger, which is wonderful at this time of the year. Sometimes pineapple can be syrupy sweet, but this wasn’t. It was perfectly balanced.

Ingredients: cucumber, celery, parsley, spinach, kale, dandelion greens, watercress, pear, lemon, ginger.

Juice 3: Essential Green

Same as before–a minimum of 2 green drinks on any juice cleanse is super important.

Juice 4: Young Coconut Water

I am a huge promoter of coconut water (just ask my clients) and this one did not disappoint. It was a bit better than the kind you can buy at the grocery, I’m sure it is because it is fresher.

Juice 5: Essential Red

This is the juice I was most worried about. I have never liked any of my juice concoctions that have included beet, so I thought this might be “the one.” The one I had to just get down, and get on with it. Nope! It was so good. It was at this point that I was like, come on Cooler Cleanse…where have you been all my life?

Juice 6: Almond Milk

Well, you just can’t go wrong here. I love almond milk, and use it as my milk of choice already for cereal, smoothies, baking, etc… Ending the day with something a little richer, and that has some good fat in it, is really a wonderful treat.

I couldn't help myself and took a big sip before I clicked the pic on this one!

Overall Impression

I am starving, but I am in love. My body has not yet adjusted to the liquid only, and no, I did not bound out of bed this morning full of energy. My cravings are still really distracting (I have never wanted a bowl of brown rice, broccoli, scallions, carrots, and almonds, with lemon-garlic-tahini dressing so badly in my entire life). That said, did you hear how healthy that craving is? In terms of weight I am down a shocking 6.5 pounds today. What that tells me is that I had been eating something that had me retaining water. The key at the end will be to figure out what that was, and to keep avoiding it. I knew something was going on because at about 8 pm I started diuresing (a nursey word for peeing) like crazy, and aside from the juice I had not done a great job of having additional water or tea all day. So I have to say that day one, though full of cravings and temptations, was a big success. I have 4 more to go, and will keep you posted!

*NOTE FOR PREGNANT MAMAS: I want to be clear that I do not recommend juice cleansing/fasting for pregnant mamas. I think it can be great for mamas-to-be like me who are endeavoring on their own project glow. What I do recommend if it appeals to you, is that pregnant mamas add juices, in particular green juices, to an otherwise healthy balanced diet. They are also great healthy-diet additions post delivery, especially for mamas who delivered via caesarean. In that case, green juices are more important than ever as they help with tissue repair.

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Pregnant Ladies, You Probably Need (a lot) More Vitamin D Than You’re Getting

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on September 1, 2010

in Before The Bump,General Health & Wellbeing,Nutrition, Food & Recipes

Photo credit: Leo Reynolds

Most prenatal vitamins have only 200 – 400 IUs of vitamin D, though new research is showing that more vitamin D can have very important benefits. In a recent study, 500 women who were 12 or more weeks pregnant took either 400, 2,000 or 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily. In the group of women taking 4,000 IU there was a decreased incidence of early labor, premature birth, and infection. I’ve written about the link between infection, premature labor, and vitamin D previously, in Tips for a Holistic Pregnancy and Birth:

The latest research on Vitamin D tells us that this essential nutrient is protective of just about everything. Seriously. Everything. Unfortunately, we’re almost all deficient in this wonder vitamin, a deficiency that may begin in utero. Prenatal vitamin D deficiency may play a role in increased rates of cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and bacterial vaginitis. Risks to the child long-term relate to brain and immune system function. I talked to Dr. Zina Kroner, Medical Director of New York City’s Advanced Medicine of New York, about vitamin D in pregnancy….Dr. Kroner believes that “checking a prenatal patient’s vitamin D levels is imperative.” When I asked her about cost, she said “insurance will cover the cost if the right diagnostic code is provided. Even if the patient lacks insurance, the cost is approximately $150 at a private lab and labs will usually give a 50% discount if they know that a patient does not have any insurance.” Dr. Kroner believes that “knowing what the level is allows a nutritionally oriented physician to prescribe a more exact dose of vitamin D and decrease the likelihood of undershooting.”

Bruce Hollis, Ph.D., director of pediatric nutritional sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston, was one of the authors of the study comparing different doses of vitamin D in pregnancy. In terms of a generalized dosage recommendation he believes “Pregnant women need to take 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day,” and that “we didn’t see a single adverse effect. It was absolutely safe, and we saw a lot of improved outcomes. The risk of preterm labor was vastly decreased and so was the risk of other complications of pregnancy.” [as reported by Denise Mann for Health.com] One hypothesis about how vitamin D can contribute to a healthy birth is that premature labor is often a consequence of a sub-clinical (meaning you don’t know you have it) infection. Studies have shown that the incidence of an infection called bacterial vaginosis–the number one cause of preterm labor–increases along with vitamin D deficiency.

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First Things First Early Bird Course | New Class To Help You Navigate Birth Decisions

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on August 1, 2010

in Before The Bump,Childbirth Education Classes,HDNYC,Holistic Health,Must Know Info

I recently began offering a pre-childbirth education class called First Things First: Early Bird Course to help mamas earlier in their pregnancies learn about the difference between midwives and ob/gyns, the specialized skills of each, what doulas do, the difference between labor support doulas and postpartum doulas, childbirth education options, and the ins and outs of the four most common venues for birth: home, freestanding birth centers, hospital based birth centers, and the hospital. The parents who have taken the class so far have felt that it answered all of their burning questions and will help them navigate myriad birth decisions. As an NYC labor and delivery RN turned labor support doula and childbirth educator, one of the most valuable things I can offer my clients is honest information so that their births are in alignment with their beliefs, values, and desires.

A lot of the women who I talk with are not even aware of all of the options available to them for prenatal care and labor and delivery. In the US, the vast majority of women choose an ob/gyn as their pregnancy and birth health care provider, and the hospital as their labor and birth venue. For some women this is the ideal choice. For others, it is chosen because they didn’t know there was any other possibility, or perhaps because of a lack of good information concerning the safety, risks, and realities associated with each type of birth provider and birthing venue. Too many books and web posts make it sound like all you have to do is write a birth plan and your wish will be the hospital’s command. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work that way. Hospitals have policies, standard operating procedures, and certain cultural beliefs and values. Ideal candidates for a hospital birth are mamas whose wants and needs are in sync with the care and treatment that the hospital they choose customarily delivers. Makes sense, right? This isn’t to say that hospitals have no range or ability to be flexible, but that range is often smaller than future mamas realize. In addition, it usually works out best to use a service as it’s intended, rather than try to turn it into something it’s not. To use a food analogy, if I really want a fantastic vegetarian meal, I’m not going to go to Peter Lugar (a famous NYC steak house).

Among the birth community, we have another analogy that we use to help clarify birth desires and decision making: “if you buy the hospital ticket you will take the hospital ride.” (The same holds true for buying the home birth and birth center tickets too.) For families who want to take the hospital ride, this works out just fine. Problems arise, however, when people who don’t really want a hospital experience opt to have a hospital birth. In a meeting with prospective clients this week, I explained that who they choose as their provider (the ob/gyn or midwife) and the location for the birth are the decisions that will most greatly influence their labor and birth experience. I shared that if they buy a ticket for the ferris wheel, no doula can turn that ride into a merry-go-round. Doulas can help make the ferris wheel as comfortable as possible, and can explain what is happening on the ferris wheel, but a doula cannot make something built to rotate vertically, rotate horizontally. Do yourself a favor, and get the information that you need to figure out which ride is best suited to the birth vibe and story you desire. And please know, almost every possible birth option and combination can be the right choice–no one particular birthing scenario is all-right, or all-wrong. I’ve seen unmedicated births, medicated births, Caesarean sections, home births and hospital births all turn into great birth stories of empowerment when they were chosen with care based on what the mama-to-be felt was best for her unique birth.

For more information about the First Things First Early Bird Course click here. For labor doula support to help you best cope with whatever ride you’re taking, click here.

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Fertile Mamas Must Know Info: Dr. Sami David Interview (part 3 of 3)

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on January 11, 2010

in Before The Bump,Fertility,Holistic Health,Must Know Info,NYC Local Resources,Pregnancy

Watch parts one and two

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Fertile Mamas Must Know Info: Dr. Sami David Interview (part 2 of 3)

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on January 11, 2010

in Before The Bump,Fertility,Holistic Health,Must Know Info,NYC Local Resources,Pregnancy

Watch parts one and three

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Fertile Mamas Must Know Info: Dr. Sami David Interview (part 1 of 3)

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on January 11, 2010

in Before The Bump,Fertility,Holistic Health,Must Know Info,NYC Local Resources,Pregnancy

Dr. Sami David preformed New York’s first IVF treatment, and now says there is often a better way

If you have a menstrual cycle, you should have this book. I was shocked when I realized how much both I and my girlfriends didn't actually know about our cycles.

In this 3-part video series from Julie Menin’s Give and Take, Dr. Sami David shares a ton of critical information for future mamas, as well as clinicians concerned about fertility. Some of the points that I most appreciated include:

  • The need for clinicians to be dedicated diagnosticians–it is becoming a tragically lost art
  • Real stories that highlight the fact that there is often hope for mamas who have been told there isn’t any
  • How silent infections can get in the way of getting pregnant, and the need to treat the couple to effectively clear them up
  • Discussion of sperm health–sperm quality and quantity has diminished significantly over the last couple of decades
  • Acknowledgement of environmental contributers to suboptimal fertility
  • The value of blending the best of East and West in healthcare
  • Mention of Guaifenesin–the primary ingredient in Naturade’s Herbal Expec and Robitussin–for improving cervical mucus. This is a great tip I first read about in Toni Weschler’s Taking Charge of Your Fertility, a must have book for everyone with a menstrual cycle (the book is in the HDNYC Store under “Books: Women’s Health” and Herbal Expec is under Products: For Sexual Health and Fertility).

I had a wonderful paradigm shift a few months ago when I read that true infertility is incredibly rare, and what most couples are dealing with can be more accurately characterized as suboptimal infertility. This differentiation is important for a few reasons. First of all, it is often simply more accurate. As you will see in the interview, many people who are told they are infertile do in fact achieve pregnancy. Secondly, the mind-body connection is real–as is the placebo effect–and “optimizing one’s fertility” is a whole different mindset than “struggling with infertility.”

I hope you will join me in shifting the dialog from infertility to suboptimal fertility. It really changes the tenor of the dialogue, and I believe will have a positive effect on the bodies, minds, and spirits of anyone looking to invite a pregnancy into their lives. On that note, let me know what you think of the videos, and here’s wishing you great success in your fertility optimization!

Watch parts two and three

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Project Glow 2010: Green Cleaning

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on January 6, 2010

in Before The Bump,Healthy Home,NYC Local Resources,Project Glow 2010

Mrs. Meyers basil scented products are my absolute favorite

Creating a clean zen home is the first thing I want to tackle in the new year and in honor of Project Glow 2010. It is where the heart is after all. I moved into a great apartment in Brooklyn a little over a year ago, but have yet to realize its full potential as I have a hefty amount of decluttering and organizing to do. When I moved in, the apartment was not as clean as I expected, so my landlords gave me the go-ahead to hire someone for a serious deep cleaning. I took this opportunity to try out a green cleaning service, and on someone else’s dime no less (score!). After looking into all of the local green cleaning options, I decided to go with Ms. Green-Clean. Ms. Green-Clean is owned by Cori Morenberg, who is described on her website as, “a high energy, compulsive-obsessive, with a degree in Botany, a passion for nature and art, and a penchant for cleaning. She truly enjoys cleaning and transforming homes using pure essential oils and non-toxic, environmentally-safe cleaning agents not tested on animals.” Ms. Green-Clean had me at compulsive-obsessive.

After my first green cleaning with Ms Green clean in 2009 I showed of my zen pad with a holiday party

Yes, I was committed to the green approach and products used by all of NYC’s green cleaners, but what really excited me about Ms. Green-Clean was the fact that I believed she would get everything really really really clean. When I read that Cori and her associates actually wash floors by hand, because they believe that’s the only way they can really get them clean, I knew this was the green cleaner for me. Within a few days of contacting her, Cori sent out one of her personally trained cleaners and the service fully lived up to expectations. My green cleaner Sarah was here for about 8 hours, and my house smelled amazing when she left.

Fast forward to 2010 and my home is once again in need of some love. When I began strategizing my way to feng shui, I decided that I would commit to decluttering and picking up on my own, and then to invite Ms. Green-Clean back to make my apartment shine. When I talked to Cori last week about my cleaning needs, it dawned on me that her services are actually perfect for my holistic mamas as they prepare for their new arrivals.

I am passionate about sharing information with holistic mamas and creating a truly useful resource list of healthy green products and services, so I asked Cori if she would be willing to answer a few questions and she graciously agreed. Not only did Cori tell me more about Ms. Green-Clean, but she also offered some great green cleaning tips so that DIYers, people on a budget, and non-New Yorkers can benefit from her wisdom. I hope you enjoy the interview and that this information adds to your glowey new year!

How did you get into the green cleaning business?

Cori Morenberg is Ms. Green Clean

Strangely, I was on an assignment as a freelance writer for a weekly paper when the seed of the idea was planted. I interviewed a person who had just started a green cleaning business and I thought to myself what a great idea it was. I’m a person who likes a lot of independence and to be my own boss, and also I have a background in science and environmental-related work, so it melded a few parts of me. It wasn’t until a year or more later, though, that I pursued the idea and conceived of Ms. Green-Clean.

What makes your cleaning green?

Cleaning green is pretty easy days with all the information and commercial products out there, anyone can do it. We fill our cleaning bags with some or all of these essentials depending on job details: baking soda and/or Bon Ami non-abrasive cleanser, Citra-Solv, a milder all purpose like Ecover’s or Mrs. Meyers, a basic, very mild wood soap, a selection of essential oils, and lots of reusable microfiber and cotton cloths. All of the products are derived from natural, plant, or mineral ingredients, are earth-friendly and non-polluting, and are cruelty free and not tested on animals.

I love all of the greenness, but tell me more about the cleanness.

We specialize in deep-cleaning, really kind of old fashioned, European-mama cleaning. It’s very athletic work. We don’t visit on a weekly or bi-weekly visit. I feel most people don’t need our services that often. We’re not there to fluff towels and swish feather dusters. We’re often red faced, sweating and a bit out of breath. We get down on our hands and knees to clean floors. We crawl under furniture to get at corners and hidden spaces, move pieces that we’re able to safely, pick up cushions to clean underneath. We make sure your refrigerator and oven are wiped out, and we do the insides of windows. The list goes on and on and is really particular to the clients’ home when it comes down to it. You really have to experience it to completely get it. Many of our clients do have someone else clean their home more regularly and then they have us in twice per year or quarterly. They’re always surprised and we are always very pleased to find lots of dirt and grime on these visits!

It seems to me that your service would be perfect for someone preparing for baby. Do you do much of that?

Yes! Ms. Green-Clean has many expectant parents as clients, and more specifically expectant parents who are moving into new homes that have had construction work done that creates a lot of fine dust throughout, and that they are very concerned about getting rid of before they bring the new baby home.

Not everyone can afford to have someone else provide the gift of clean. Would you be willing to share a few green cleaning tips for the DIYers out there?

Sure. My favorite way to clean the older enameled sinks that many New Yorkers have is to first rinse it out, then sprinkle baking soda, and to the baking soda add a capful of Citra-Solv orange oil all purpose cleaner. With your sponge, scrub away for a few minutes to get rid of all the stains in the abraded surface. It’s like going for a teeth-whitening! Very satisfying. Another easy one is to add one or two drops of peppermint essential oil to a microfiber cloth for dusting. Not only do you get your dusting done, but you give your home a little aromatherapy treatment at the same time and it creates a spa-like feel. Peppermint has antiseptic properties that make it a great oil to keep in your cleaning arsenal. It’s also said to combat fatigue and depression, as well as aid concentration. Not too many cleaners from the grocery store can claim that!

Do you go all over the city?

Yes, we serve Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, anywhere that the MTA subway will get us to easily. We don’t work in Staten Island.

With castile soap and bucket in hand? How does that work?

That’s one more way we’re green. We travel by subway, bike or foot. It’s pretty easy to carry the products and tools we use in one bag.

Have some green cleaning tips of your own? Please share them in the comments. And if you are in need of a good cleaning too and are in the market for some great green products check out the HDNYC Store section “products: green cleaning,” or your local health food stores and Whole Foods. Want recipes to DIY your own vegan, green, eco-friendly cleaning products for half the price of the store bought ones?  Check out this fantastic article full of green cleaning recipes from the always green and fabulous Girlie Girl Army.

By the by, Ms. Green-Clean was named “Best Cleaning Service” by New York Magazine in 2008. I love that New York Magazine recognized a green cleaner! For more info about Cori and Ms. Green-Clean visit her online www.msgreenclean.com.

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Project Glow 2010: Getting Started

by Andrea Crossman, RN, BS, BA on January 6, 2010

in Before The Bump,Project Glow 2010

Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, and Project Glow 2010 will gratefully receive Ganesha energy!

Like so many of you, I’m using the new year-new decade conjunction as a kick in the pants to become more aligned in body, mind, and spirit. Some time ago I stopped thinking of getting back-on-track in terms of an uphill battle against unhelpful patterns of thinking and habits, and instead understand it as getting in tune with everything I already know, and already am. Not only is this way less overwhelming, I also believe it to be absolutely true. I’m not pretending things are different than they actually are (I don’t recommend that), I am recognizing what truly brings me balance, peace, clarity, energy, and happiness, and then deciding to choose those things. I’m starting today to make more conscious choices in an effort to bring the most wonderfulness into my life. Nothing more, nothing less.

My sense of success won’t be measured by adherence to a set of rules or dogma, but by the litmus test of my glow. Are my eyes sparkling? Do I have the lightness of a person who is happy? Am I smiling easily and often? Is my energy abundant? If not, realign baby, realign!

On my personal list of glow-getting choices are nourishing eating, sweating fiercely and regularly at the gym, connecting spiritually through yoga and meditation, communing with friends and family, seeing the world, and having a clean zen home. These things are always important to me, but this year I’m thinking of them in terms of something in particular, and that is to create the healthiest, happiest, most balanced life in preparation to get pregnant early in this decade and to become a holistic mama myself. Since that is a journey that many of you are on as well, I decided to share what I’m calling Project Glow 2010 here. I will report back on resources I come across and lessons learned that may benefit other holistic mamas-to-be on the quest for their most glowey decade yet. Here’s wishing us all ease on the path!

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