Living Consciously

Each day is an opportunity for renewal and the beginning of a fresh start. As we move through our busy daily schedules, let's turn off the auto-pilot switch and start living consciously. Many of us look for ways to cleanse our bodies, yet what we also need is a cleanse for our minds and old habits. Taking charge of our thoughts, priorities, and intentions each day is a great way to start to cleanse out that which has been holding us back.

Simple Ways to Clear your Mind and Improve your Day:

*Breathing--practice deep mindful breathing each morning while you stretch and think of your successful day ahead. Inhale happy thoughts, Exhale and let go of any disturbing thoughts. See yourself smiling and inspired all day!

*Radiate Positive Energy--make a conscious effort to radiate only positivity throughout the day. It will be reflected on you exponentially! Smile!

*Eating--make each meal an experience! Question where your food came from, and make sure you are comfortable with the answer. Know that the nutrients you consume will become you!

*Environment--whether it is your workspace or your home, when you de-clutter you remove stagnant energy which can cloud your mind.

*Exercise--no matter how busy we are, we all have time for our bodies. It can be as simple as taking the stairs rather than the elevator (this saves energy as well!). It can be as simple as parking at the end of the lot and walking a few steps further, breathing rythmically, dancing!

*Change begins within us--if you want to see improvements to your health, your business, your social contacts, your interactions, or your family the change must begin with you.

*When you start to Live Consciously, things fall into place for you. You live with Purpose and the Universe brings you everything you need.



I'm pleased to see a new type of renaissance emerging in our society. The rebirth of a caring, compassionate energy among people.

As our bodies continue to evolve, will you be among the Fittest to Survive?

Green Your Shopping Routine

Mission Possible: you can find just about anything you need to make a healthy transition in your life right in your local grocery store! To make this point, I headed down to my local Superstore today and found just about everything I usually get at specialty stores like Trader Joe's, Henry's, Whole Foods. Not everyone lives in a metro hub with specialty stores on every corner, nor does every hard-working family have an unlimited budget to spend on organic foods and snacks in tiny hand-wrapped, hand-stamped containers. Thankfully, the green awareness is spreading and some high-quality products are now available in almost every store.




A Quick Disclaimer is appropriate so as not to mislead anyone with the surprising fact that the specialty items we Vegans shop for are pricier than their Genetically-modified, processed cousins. For example, Vegenaise may cost 3 to 4 dollars more than regular Mayo; Earth Balance Vegan Butter may cost a dollar or two more than regular butter; and Soymilk (especially my favorite Silk) comes in smaller packages and costs more than cow's milk. But stop to think of this: not only are we saving money on the cost of meats and animal products --we are also potentially eliminating the cost of all the future healthcare needed for the Heart Disease, Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Heart Attack, Atherosclerosis, Parasites, Breast/Colon/Prostate Cancer, Premature Aging, Arthritis, Osteoporosis and numerous other ailments directly caused by eating High Cholesterol animal products.


Today, my goal was to show my friends that there are no excuses to not shop green! Moms, College students, frugal shoppers, this guide is for you.


I found almost all of these items at my brand new giant supercenter. With the exception of the Vegenaise and So Delicious which I purchase at Henry's or Whole Foods, all other items were found at Wal Mart. I gave myself 20 minutes to shop.


Brand Name Items:

• EnviroKidz Cereals (made with minimal ingredients, no BHA or BHT preservatives, dedicated to preserving wildlife around the world)
• Amy's Frozen Dinners and Organic Soups (Vegan, non-GMO, delicious)
• Amy's Organic Pasta Sauces
• Morningstar Farms Meal Starters (my favorite vegan "ground beef" alternatives)
• Morningstar Farms Chik'n Strips
• Boca Burgers
• Bob's Red Mill grains (including Quinoa, Brown Rice, Wheat Flour)
• Knudsen Organic Juices
• Greenworks enviro-friendly cleaners
• Scotch Brite Bamboo cleaning cloths
• Scotch Brite Green Sponges
• White Cloud Recycled Bathroom Tissue

Other Verde-friendly items I found walking through the aisles:

• Produce (veggies and fruits)
• Whole grain organic breads
• Whole grain organic pastas
• Whole grain crackers, rice cakes
• Dried fruits
• Canned and packaged Beans, Legumes
• Nuts
• Canned Greens and Veggies
• Organic Juices
• Almond Milk
• Rice Milk
• SoyMilk in Kids Boxes
• Eco-friendly cleaning agents
• BPA-free Water bottles and kids cups
• Reusable Canvas shopping totes
• Organic cotton clothing for kids and adults
• Organic Pet Food
• Energy-efficient lightbulbs
• Herbs in the Garden Center
• Recycling Bins at the entrance

And I even found this beauty to decorate my window sill.

There are dozens of ways to make little changes in our daily routines and make a huge impact on the world around us. Make a statement, take a stand each time you shop!

Go Green...and you'll Save Green!

More Verde Tips to come!