Participants in the annual Trek Across Maine bicycle tour get more than an adventure by Clayton Schroeder [Feature article from the Summer/Fall 2012 issue of Green & Healthy Maine] For many of us, there comes a time in life to look for events that will stretch us—push the corners and edges of our personal…
By John Brooking, Bike Commuting Enthusiast Bicycling to work, school and errands can be rewarding, and is not as hard as you might imagine. Bike commuting saves time and money by combining enjoyable outdoor exercise with transportation! So give it a try and enjoy the ride! Here are some helpful tips. What Kind of Bike?…
By Erika Blauch Rusley The resonant “om” at the end of a yoga or meditation class, the brilliant view from the top of a mountain, and the movement of chi through the body during an acupuncture treatment all feel exhilarating—and even more so when shared with a group of people who are experiencing the same…
You may be surprised to learn that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside our homes and in some cases even more so. The primary sources of indoor air pollutants are building materials and finishes, household cleaners and furnishings. Did you know that houseplants can help improve your indoor…
By Erika Blauch Rusley Children are natural yogis. Consider the baby who grabs his feet with his hands or the older kid who loves to balance on one leg—they’ve inherently adopted Happy Baby and Tree Pose. A growing number of yoga studios have taken note and offer specialized classes for kids. Some studios even organize…
By Erika Blauch Rusley Relaxing with a cushiony bolster and an eye mask in a tranquil space may sound like part of a spa treatment, but those elements may also be found in a typical restorative yoga class at your local yoga studio. True to its name, restorative yoga does just that—it is a style…
By Heather Chandler Home is our respite; a place where we feel safe. So it may be surprising to learn that indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside our homes and in some cases even more so. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the average person…
“I need to see a healthcare provider, but they don’t take my insurance.” “I could really use a massage, but it’s not in my budget.” “I’d love to take-up yoga, but I can’t afford to until I’m done with school.” Unfortunately, statements like these are made all too often as healthcare and wellness take the…
By Lora Winslow, Guest Columnist While many consumers believe that all cosmetics on the market have been tested and deemed safe, this is unfortunately not true. While the FDA has legal authority over the cosmetics industry, a law that dates back to 1938, allows the cosmetic manufacturers to regulate themselves. This means that cosmetic companies…
Heather Chandler January 3, 2013 This morning, the furniture store came to pick up my new, super sexy, contemporary, sectional sofa, leaving me with an empty living room. The couch arrived less than three weeks ago, wrapped in a lovely, pewter-colored, velvety fabric with a cool rounded “bump out” feature on one end that took…