Wellness Magazine - Tao of Wellness

ask dr. mao:good for theplanet,good foryouQ: Dear Dr. Mao, I am very interested in doing what I can tohelp protect our environment. Do you have any suggestions?Green CleaningProtecting yourself and the planet begins in your household. The first step is to completelystop using cleansers containing bleach or chemicals. There are an abundance of naturalcleaning products on the market that are safe and will not pollute our environment.CLEAN GREEN WITH VINEGARMix a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water and use as a cleaning sprayin kitchens and bathrooms. The acetic acid in vinegar helps inhibit bacteriaand mildew, and dissolves dirt, soap scum and hard water deposits fromsmooth surfaces. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and absorbs odors ratherthan covering them up. The odor of vinegar disappears completely when dry.DR. MAO’S BEAUTIFULHOT HERBAL CEREALA nice big bag ofDr. Mao’s beautiful,nourishing kidney tonifyinghot herbal cereal.May be prepared plainas a breakfast congee,lightly sweetened with honey, maple syrupor rock sugar, or prepared as a savory dishalong with your choice of spices. Perfectfor the crock pot.INGREDIENTS: Shan yao Chinese yamroot, Lian Zi lotus seed, dried chestnuts,dried fox nuts, fu ling poria cocos; black,whole-grain brown, and white rice; mungbeans; red, black, pinto, kidney, lima, whiteand pink beans, pearl barley, red and greenlentils; rolled oats, black sesame seeds,yellow and green split peas, and millet.Servings per bag: Approximately 36CEREAL $20.00AVAILABLE ATthe Tao of Wellness Healing Center,at www.taoofwellness.com and atthe Yo San University bookstore800.578.9526.Less Plastic, More HealthCut your health risks by cutting out as much plastic as possible. Instead, select glasscontainers, wooden toys, natural personal care products and cosmetics, and naturalfiber clothing, bedding and mattresses.Quit Plastic Water BottlesStop buying bottled water. Filter your water at home and store fresh filtered water in glasscontainers in your refrigerator. For travel, use glass jars with lids, stainless steel bottles orreusable BPA-free drinking containers.Pick Unbleached Paper ProductsWhite paper products are bleached with chemicals that leave behind a harmful residue ofdioxin, a known carcinogen. Dioxin enters the landfill in waste paper products; where itleaches into the soil and contaminates groundwater. Natural unbleached paper productsare good for you and good for the earth.Natural Lawn CareLawn weed killers contain chemicals that are toxic to your nervous system. Nourish lawnswith organic fertilizers, pull weeds regularly, and avoid cutting the grass too short whichexposes the roots, and makes your lawn vulnerable to disease.Pest Control Without PoisonPesticide sprays are terrible for your health and the environment. Choose from one of themany chemical-free and/or biologic pest controllers available at local nurseries, hardwarestores and many health food stores.I hope that you will continuously seek out new ways to live in harmony with the earth.— Dr. Mao6 | w w w. t a o o f w e l l n e s s . c o m