Yoga was developed over 5000 years ago in ancient India as a way of life promoting health, peace of mind and a deeper awareness of ourselves. Many yoga poses (asanas) were created while observing things in the natural world — a mountain, a tree, a butterfly — and trying to imitate their form and spirit. In this way they sought to capture a bit of the energy of each object. As more and more people try yoga themselves and introduce it to their children, they are finding the same amazing benefits the ancient masters did. Some of these benefits include: increased focus and attention, higher self-esteem, greater strength and flexibility, better coordination and balance, learning how it feels to relax fully, and a greater awareness of nature and the interconnectedness of all life.

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The Quick Facts: Mercury is a toxic metal that can damage children’s developing nervous system and may result in negative impacts ranging from neurological defects to learning disabilities. Mercury and its potential health impacts have come to the forefront with a number of findings made in the last few years: Oceana, an ocean-advocacy environmental group, found high levels of mercury in nationwide samples of sushi tuna; FDA changed its stance on the safety of mercury in amalgam teeth fillings seeking comments on whether they pose a health risk; researchers found detectable levels of mercury in samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the sweetener used in packaged foods and soft drinks. This is an evolving issue so it is important to stay informed about future findings on mercury. However, to date, there are three major sources from which you can reduce your exposure to mercury: seafood, dental fillings, and HFCS. Solutions include: avoid consumption of fish found to be high in mercury; avoid or reduce consumption of products containing HFCS; stay informed about FDA’s decision on dental fillings; switch to a renewable energy supplier of electricity to reduce the burning of coal and consequent deposition of mercury; conserve energy; properly dispose of products containing mercury.

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The Quick Facts: Most of us are aware that there are health risks associated with the leaching of chemicals from plastics into our food and beverages—particularly when the plastic is heated. What we may not realize is that dishwashing plastics, even on the top shelf, results in significant degradation of the plastics. This degradation (which may not be visible) leads to increased leaching into our food and beverages of the chemicals that compose our plastic kitchenware and food storage containers. To protect your family’s health, stop washing plastics in the dishwasher and seek alternatives to plastics (such as wood, bamboo, stainless-steel, and glass) for all containers and kitchenware that come in contact with your family’s food and beverages.

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