It’s Easy Bein’ Green with These Healthy and Delicious Green Smoothies!

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There may still be white snow on the ground, but it’s never too cold to bring some green into your diet. Green smoothies make fast, easy, and nutritious snacks or meals. People who regularly drink green smoothies report having more energy and even weight loss. Here are some of my favorite green smoothie recipes. Keep these in mind for St. Patrick’s Day treats, too!

The Simple Green Smoothie Formula

Simple Green Smoothies has got the green smoothie down to just a three-step formula. Remember 2+2+3: 2 cups of leafy greens, 2 cups of liquid base, and 3 cups of ripe fruit.

Simple Green Smoothie

The Kick Booty Kale Smoothie

Well-Plated by Erin came up with this butt-kicking recipe that takes just five minutes to make. The pineapple, banana, and honey add sweetness to the kale and tart Greek yogurt.

Kick Booty Kale Smoothie

Not Enough? Here are 50 More Recipes!

Can’t get enough green smoothies? Here are 50 more recipes to try from Skinny Mom. Make a new one each week, and these will last you until next February.

50 Green Smoothies

You’ve gone green at home and the workplace with Life’s Pure Balance, now green up your diet with these delicious green smoothies. For more green tips, contact me today.

Here’s to breathing easy and living life to the fullest!

Gene Wood, Life’s Pure Balance

Why You Need to Add a Degreaser to Your Arsenal of Commercial Cleaning Products

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Earth's Natural Sewer DegreaserWhat can a degreaser do for you? What can’t it do! A degreaser’s uses are as varied as your workplace cleaning needs. Here’s why adding a degreaser to your closet of cleaning supplies is a great idea.

A degreaser is a cleaning product that dissolves substances, such as oil and grease, that can’t be removed with water. Most conventional cleaners contain harsh chemicals and come with a long list of warnings, but some, including Earth’s Natural Sewer Degreaser, are powerful without the health and environmental hazards.

Degreasers don’t just keep the plumbing in working order, though. They can be used to cut through grease on floors, walls, grease traps, and even tools and heavy machinery. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use degreasers at the workplace.

  1. On Heavy-Duty Equipment

Machine parts, tools, and other heavy-duty equipment get grimy fast. This is especially true when industrial lubricants are involved. Use a degreaser to remove lubricant build-up and other grease, grime, and oil. A highly concentrated degreaser allows you to adjust the potency of the degreaser to fit your needs, whether you’re an auto body shop or parts manufacturer.

  1. In Restaurants

A degreaser banishes grime from grease traps, commercial kitchens, and bathrooms that get heavy use. It keeps your grease trap plumbing clear and in working order, reducing clogs. Use a degreaser to remove oil and grime from kitchen walls, floors, shelves, vent hoods, and garbage cans. It’s also handy for removing grime from the walls, floors, and garbage cans in your restaurant’s bathrooms.

  1. At Dog Kennels

Whether you run a doggie day care, shelter, or boarding facility, your kennels get a lot of heavy use, and it’s important to get kennels as clean as possible before a new dog moves in. Degreaser can remove the most persistent grime from kennel walls, floors, and doors. My environmentally friendly one won’t harm your furry lodgers, either.

If you’ve got grime, you need a degreaser to help you keep your commercial space squeaky clean. Choose an all-natural degreaser to avoid harsh chemicals without losing cleaning power. To try Earth’s Natural Sewer Degreaser or learn more about degreasers, contact me today.

Here’s to breathing easy and living life to the fullest!

Gene Wood, Life’s Pure Balance

5 Tips for a Healthier and Greener Pregnancy

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Healthy Pregnancy TipsA recent poll found that 69 percent of expecting mothers who read the popular pregnancy website The Bump were more interested in going green during their pregnancies than they had been before they were pregnant. Using all-natural, organic products during pregnancy can reduce your baby’s exposure to hazardous chemicals. But switching to organic, all-natural products can also improve your health and well-being during pregnancy. Here are five ways to green up your pregnancy.

  1. Add More (Organic) Green to Your Diet

Greening up your pregnancy diet will make you feel more nourished and support your baby’s development. A well-balanced diet rich in protein, fiber, iron, calcium, and folic acid includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Go organic as much as possible to boost nutrition and avoid toxic chemicals found in pesticides.

  1. Spend Time Outdoors

Taking a moment to enjoy the green outside (or, in Minnesota winters, inside at the Como Park Conservatory or Minnesota Zoo) can boost your mood and increase your activity. Both are good for your well-being and the health of your baby.

  1. Avoid Artificial Fragrances

The Environmental Working Group calls the label “fragrance” a code-word for “chemical cocktail.” Companies are not required to disclose the chemicals in their fragrances. Many of these chemicals may cause hormone disruption, allergic reactions, or worse. Go all-natural during your pregnancy by avoiding products with “fragrance” or “parfum” in the list of ingredients. If you need a scent, go for an organic essential oil.

  1. Chose Organic Supplements

Pre-natal vitamins, omega-3s, and vitamin D are commonly prescribed to expecting mothers. Before heading to the pharmacy to find the cheapest option, take a look online at what organic products are available. Quality and pureness of supplement ingredients is as important as the quality and pureness of your food.

  1. Slather on Organic Personal Care Products

Choose organic, all-natural shampoo, soap, and other personal care products for the same reason you want to avoid artificial fragrances and choose organic supplements. Using organic, all-natural products reduces your and your baby’s exposure to toxic chemicals.

Need more green and healthy pregnancy tips? Watch for my follow-up post next month! In the meantime, shop GetGreenwithGene.com for all-natural maternity and baby products.

Here’s to breathing easy and living life to the fullest!

Gene Wood, Life’s Pure Balance

5 Creative Uses for All-Purpose Cleaner

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Earth's Natural All-Purpose CleanerMy referral networking group has a saying: When you ask for “anybody,” you get “nobody.” Great networkers know that the more specific they are about whom they’re asking for, the more referrals they get.

The same holds true for all-purpose cleaner. Its name says you can clean anything with it—but what does that actually mean? Many times, people end up using their all-purpose cleaner on just one or two surfaces.

No more! Here are five specific, creative ways for you to use your all-purpose cleaner.

  1. Commercial Refrigerators and Cold Trays

Commercial refrigerators and cold trays get grimy fast. Cleaning them out and spraying them down is a daily necessity. Use all-purpose cleaner to scrub away grime, bacteria, and mold from exterior and interior surfaces.

  1. Auto Body Shop Public Surfaces

The surfaces in an auto body shop are easy targets for grease, grime, dirt, dust, and germs. All-purpose cleaner keeps your shop squeaky clean and smelling fresh. Use it at the reception desk, on waiting room furniture, in the bathroom, and on the floors.

  1. Fitness Center Exercise Equipment

‘Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions, which means your gym is packed. Keep your equipment clean to keep your clients healthy. Spray all-purpose cleaner on weight machines, yoga mats, cardio equipment, and free weights. Don’t forget to wipe down reception desk surfaces and studio door handles, too.

  1. Dog Kennel Crates and Cages

We love our furry friends, but they can really make a mess. If you run a boarding kennel, grooming salon, or volunteer at a shelter, an all-natural all-purpose cleaner can be your best friend. Use it to disinfect and freshen up kennel crates and floors, grooming equipment, and the surfaces in your work room and waiting room.

  1. Horse Fly Spray for Your Boarding Stable

When your all-purpose spray is all-natural, it’s safe for you and your animals. Dilute your all-purpose spray down for an effective fly spray for horses and livestock. Then use it to clean out feed and water pails.

It pays to be choosy when purchasing commercial cleaners. Conventional ones are full of harsh chemicals.

Instead, I recommend my Earth’s Natural All-Purpose Cleaner, which cleans powerfully with all-natural citric acid and thymol. It’s tough on all sorts of workplace contaminants without being hard on your health or the environment. Purchase online at www.lifespurebalance.com.

Here’s to breathing easy and living life to the fullest!

Gene Wood, Life’s Pure Balance

4 Reasons to Use Essential Oils This Christmas

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Holiday Essential OilsWith Christmas already here next week, you’re likely already in the spirit of the season. Aromas from boughs of evergreens and holiday baking fill your home and put you in a festive mood.

But you may also be experiencing the stress of the season, especially if you’re traveling or hosting the family get-together. Before you give into your bah-humbugs, take a minute to discover how essential oils can help you make your holidays a bit brighter.

  1. Essential oils reduce stress

They can also help you relax, release frustration, and soothe your anxiety. Here are the top oils for stress reduction and relaxation:

  • bergamot
  • chamomile
  • lavender
  • rose
  • sandalwood
  • ylang
  1. Essential oils give your energy and mood a boost

The holidays take a lot out of us. These essential oils can help you stay energized as you prep for Christmas travel and company:

  • balsam
  • geranium
  • lemon
  • orange
  1. Essential oils help keep your emotions in check

Christmastime can conjure up all sorts of emotions, leaving us feeling adrift. Here are the top three essential oils for feeling grounded:

  1. Essential oils can ease indigestion

It’s true! These essential oils can help with the gas, bloating, and stomach upset that accompanies eating too many Christmas treats:

The scents of many of these essential oils complement the season. Balsam, citrus, cinnamon, ginger, and peppermint are festive and benefit your overall wellbeing. Add these oils to a body oil for a wearable scent, diffuse them to add scent to a room, or put a drop or two on the inside of your toilet paper rolls to freshen up the bathroom.

However you choose to use them, essential oils can help you relax and enjoy the holiday season. For great deals these and other essential oils, including free shipping on orders over $50, shop GetGreenwithGene.com or contact me!

Here’s to breathing easy and living life to the fullest!

Gene Wood, Life’s Pure Balance