Five to Thrive
A Compilation of Ideas, Products and Services Supporting Wellness of People and Planet
In this edition: An update on the Less Lawn More Life Challenge, discovering Environmental Working Group’s website and app, supporting the change of a long time habit, getting some perspective on how much to exercise per week, and finding stress relief through regularity.
#1 Life Balance
Less Lawn More Life Challenge update…
Week 3 - Plant some native plants: I chose two types of sage, a Cutleaf Coneflower, Stoke’s Aster and some Blanket flowers.
Week 4 - Plant a native tree or shrub: I chose a dwarf Walter’s Viburnum. Isn’t he cute?
Week 5 - Identify and remove non-native plants: Currently removing several varieties of turf that are non-native.
Week 6- Make observations on iNaturalist app. This is a fun app! Turns out some of the “weeds” in my yard are actually native annuals!
Week 7 - No Pesticides! No problem there. My garden is FOR the insects, bees and birds so I let them do their thing! My job is to watch and learn.
Stay tuned for weeks 8-12.
#2 Nutrition
I recently discovered that the Environmental Working Group has an amazing website and app! They review all sorts of products and provide a rating for the quality of ingredients as it effects you and the planet. They also send out email blasts. I had been wondering if I should try a veggie wash to remove surface dirt and pesticides from my fresh produce. Their suggestions was a short soak in water and distilled vinegar. So simple and non-toxic!
#3 Self-Growth
I have decided to switch from a melamine foam sponge to a dish cloth. This is a habit changing challenge for me as I have ALWAYS used a sponge to wash my dishes. I have one of those handy caddies that holds the sponge and the soap dispenser. And somehow a sponge has always felt more sanitary to me than a dishcloth (not sure where I got that idea). I am supporting my new quest by ordering multiple dishcloths so that I can use a clean one each day of the week (feels sanitary) and the cloths have a loop that allows me to hang it on my faucet for easy access. And at the end of the day, I just feel better not rubbing plastic all over my dishes and then washing it down the drain!
#4 Movement
I am in an exercise slump! When this happens, I usually feel like I need to push myself harder, do more. But is that really necessary? I decided to check in with the Department of Health and Human Service’s Physical Activity Guidelines 2nd Edition for some perspective. I learned that for maximum health benefits for my age group, I should be getting 150-300 minutes a week of moderate to high intensity activity. So, lets check it out…
Brisk 3 mile walk, 3 times a week = 180 minutes of moderate-intensity activity
2 hours of heavy yard work, 2 times a week = 240 minutes of high-intensity activity
30 minutes of resistance training, 2 times a week = 60 minutes of moderate-intensity activity
Total minutes per week = 480 minutes
So, despite being in the exercise doldrums, I am re-assured that the amount I am doing is sufficient. I will carry on and await my next wave of inspiration.
#5 Stress Management
For about the last six months, I have been using an app to help me organize my cleaning schedule. I choose what tasks I need to do and how often I want to do them. The reminder alerts are really helpful, especially when it involves making sure the trash or yard waste is ready to go. Recently, I have also found that I feel better able to navigate through some of life’s potential stressors such as family emergencies or traveling. Somehow the regularity of the cleaning schedule helps me to feel more settled and prepared for events both planned and unexpected.
Is anyone else participating in the Less Lawn More Life Challenge? Share your experience and your pictures in the comments!