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7 Ways To Love Yourself and Our Planet This Earth Month 2019

• April 22, 2019
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• Health News

Why Earth Day Is Important?

This year marks the 49th anniversary of Earth Day! There are so many reason we should be grateful to Mother Earth: soil that bears our food; oxygen and water that sustains our life, and the beauty of nature just to name a few. There are a two pressing concerns I want to share with you that could affect our health and wellness in a significant way if not corrected in the near future. Also I will share with you some small lifestyle upgrades that will bring better health to both you and our planet.

Access To Nutritious Food

Today is a reminder that quality, nutrient-dense food cannot be taken for granted. As a nutritionist, I often recommend my clients to choose quality foods, however, the quality of food has been decreasing in the past few decades due to soil mineral depletion. How is our health affected by the loss of nutrient levels in our soil? According to Scientific American, many studies across the global has found that compared to the mid 1950s, our food has decreased in the amount of nutrients that they can provide us. For example, we are losing critical amounts of anti-inflammatory vitamin C, bone-building calcium, oxygen-carrying iron, and calming magnesium.  I believe our health and well-being is intertwined with the soil that nourishes and supports us.

Invasion Of Plastics

What is plastic pollution? Why does recycling bottles and containers fail to solve the issue? I want to share with you two examples to demonstrate the scale of the plastic challenge we are currently living with.  First is the issue of single-use plastic. Plastic items take approximately 450-1000 years to decompose in landfills. The reality is, according to Earth Day Network, most of single use plastic doesn’t make it to the landfill. Instead approximately 25 million tons of plastic packaging flows into our oceans every year. As these plastic materials begin their slow decomposition journey, they break apart into small pieces called ‘microplastics’. This brings me to the second issue – microplastic.  How big are microplastics? They range from microscopic fibres that are invisible to our eyes, to about 5 mm. These plastics are often mistaken as algae or phytoplankton by fish, resulting in harmful plastic residues in the seafood we eat. The scale of microplastic pollution can be found in every corner of our oceans – including antarctica. How do microplastics affect our health? If we ingest fish that contains microplastic particles, we are exposed to chemicals such as BPA, which have hormone-disrupting and immune-compromising effects.

What is sustainability?

According to the United Nations, sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the well-being of future generations. We are all part of this balancing act of choosing to be kind to ourselves and our environment. Even small lifestyle shifts can make a difference and you have the power to shift this balance to protect our future.

Here are some ways we can create a more sustainable 2019:

1. Support local farmers who implement sustainable practices. How to start? Take a Saturday morning to visit your local farmer’s market and meet the people who take care of our soil.
2. Bring your own bags! I love the colourful Finlandia green bag that is perfect for a quick grocery run. To minimize the impact on the environment, make sure to roll it up and bring it with you because the cost of making a new bag is worse than producing a new plastic bag.
3. Consider using a low-waste personal hygiene item. Finlandia offers Diva cups as a low-waste alternative to pads, tampons, and bamboo toothbrushes. 
4. Choose an Eco-friendly supplement. At Finlandia, we carry AOR eco-series and Whole Earth & Sea. This line also carries delicious, plant-based protein bars and protein powder. 
5. Invest in bamboo straws. ½ million plastic straws are used in the world daily. Together we can enjoy our green smoothies without sporting a green beard while reducing the plastic that goes into our ecosystem.
6. Bring your own bottle! At Finlandia we have double-walled glass bottle for your favourite hot beverages and Swell bottles that will keep your water cold all day long. 
7. Choose loose-leaf tea. You might be tossing your tea bag into the compost bin because it looks like paper, harmless. Wait! If you are wondering what kind of material is in your teabag, let me share this with you: pressed tea bags contain up to 30% of a type of plastic material call polypropylene that reinforces the edges. What about artisan-looking silk bags? These teabags are often made from nylon, PET or PLA. Hot water can release these chemicals into your tea. At Finlandia, we have a whole herb bar to allow you to have unlimited combinations of herbal tea. We also have easy-to- use, loose leaf tea glass mugs, and stainless steel tea infusers.

Author Bio

Tahlia Sage (Bsc. Food, Nutrition & Health, Certified Nutritional Practitioner) is the founder of Sweet & Savoury Health, instructor at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, and wellness educator.

Her coaching practice helps clients achieve their wellness goals by embracing functional foods and healthy lifestyle changes. Tahlia’s own health challenges and weight issue prompted her to pursue an education in nutritional science and holistic nutrition. Tahlia empowers her clients to regain balance with easy, concrete steps.