We found 53 results tagged with "research"
53 Challenges
Be more label-conscious
What can you learn from a food label? Plenty! From serving size to fat content and the amount of sodium contained in a single serving, the information contained in the Nutrition Facts label is worth...
Embrace the new ecotourism
Ecotourism used to mean flying to a developing country with a rainforest and taking a look around. You can help raise the standard by patronizing businesses that walk the talk when it comes to hiring...
Support local food-processing
Processing – not a nice word when it comes to natural foods, but a real part of our diets. In the past, food processing took place regionally, in small local canneries, grist mills, and...
Take the train
Ah, the mystery and spirit of adventure of train travel! It’s a greener choice than planes and cars. Tickets, however, can be pricey. Why not make a train ride the focus of your next trip? Today...
Take advantage of technology
Imagine it: A flat screen integrated into your fridge that offers tips on eating cleanly, or smart tips folded into relevant text messages. Possible? Yes, but currently only in prototype form. Product...
Make the math curriculum more "nutritious"
Nowadays, schoolchildren learn about real-life math concepts such as credit, balancing checkbooks, and bill paying. Why not calorie consumption? Some experts support incorporating instruction on...
Put the brakes on weight loss
Currently on a weight loss plan? Try slowing your rate of loss; studies show that rapid weight loss may lead to burnout. Today, challenge yourself to evaluate your daily calorie intake; use an online...
Grow one thing
Not a green thumb? Think again! Herbs, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries – depending on your area, various foods can be almost effortless to grow yourself. Start with something relatively...
Go metric
The global standard of measurement is metric, and this standard includes the burgeoning field of environmental science and, more broadly, the green movement. So why is the US one of only three...
Be a borrower
Are you having trouble finding time to workout? A great way to add “anytime” workouts to your repertoire is to check out fitness DVDs from your local library. Today, challenge yourself to login to...
Have spice, will travel
Spices formerly linked to a single cuisine are crossing over: Turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, cloves, Aleppo pepper, and blends like India's garam masala will travel cross-culturally. Take...
Go for the greenest grape
Gifting a host with a bottle of wine is always nice. Why not an organic or low-sulfite variety? Organic wines are produced using organically grown grapes and are free of pesticides and herbicides...
Have fitness, will travel
Whether you have a gym membership that travels or need to find other ways to work out on family visits, doing some research ahead of time ensures you have the right gear and, more importantly, a...
Be a quick fitness study
Barebones or basic workouts in a pinch are fine – but do you have one? A little research will yield a handy list of strength moves, stretches, and weight-bearing exercises that you can take with you...
Have fitness, will travel
Whether you have a gym membership that travels or need to find other ways to work out on family visits, doing some research ahead of time ensures you have the right gear and, more importantly, a...
Automate dishwashing
Doing the “washing up” by hand may be the good, old-fashioned way – but it also wastes energy. The newer ENERGY STAR-qualified dishwashers use half as much energy as washing by hand – and 5,000 less...
Green-up your workout gear
Earth-friendly workout gear abounds -- who knew? From recycled yoga mats to earth-friendly shoes, there are a host of options available. Perhaps most important: Consider how you travel to your workout...
Get an advanced degree in flax
There’s a wealth of information on flaxseeds out there, which is great…but sometimes confusing. Supplement or food source? Ground or whole? Plus, how can you know whom to trust? First, go to a source...
Switch to mini-solar power
Forever forgetting to recharge your cell phone? One way to power your phone up and treat the earth kindly at the same time – without even plugging in! – is to invest in a universal solar charger...
Green up your greens
When it comes to greening up a salad, it’s easy to think, what’s there to add? Microgreens are a great way to boost nutrition and add more complex flavor. What are they? Microgreens are actually...
Dig up minerals
If regular makeup irritates your skin or you’re concerned about toxic substances, try mineral makeup instead. Mineral makeup was actually created in the 1970s but didn’t catch on widely until...
Expand your sport horizons
Women: Ever thought about trying a traditionally male-dominated sport? Pastimes like football, hockey and rugby can be rewarding – and are attracting more women all the time. If spreading your wings...
Learn about the ‘dirty dozen’
That $4 organic avocado got you stymied? Good news: According to the Environmental Working Group, some produce retains relatively low pesticide loads, including avocados, onions, pineapples, mangos...
Pack your power
There are backpacks that can carry a solar charge which is powerful enough to run your personal gadgets? Get out! Turns out it’s true: Powered by monocrystalline cells, these waterproof, scratch...
Read about it
Want to learn about healthy living, but don’t know where to begin? Start small by subscribing to a healthy living magazine. Not only will you enjoy up-to-date news, it will arrive in portions you can...
Research rehabbing an injury
Does a sore shoulder prevent you from playing tennis? Or a tricky knee make soccer a distant memory? Many of us accept old injuries as part of aging. But it doesn’t have to be like that. With today’s...
Take up fitness geography
When it comes to exercise, every region has its benefits and challenges. Finding out what your area has to offer – and what activities present obstacles – can help you develop a routine you can stick...
Explore “living off the grid”
We’ve all heard of the phenomenon: Back-to-the-landers who build their own home, plant a garden, dig a well, install solar panels and wind turbines and call it a day. But what’s really involved in so...
Sack your kids’ lunch box
Did you know that your child’s soft vinyl lunch box might contain lead? Although the US Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains that such lead levels are too low to pose a threat, environmental...
Harvest rainwater
Although the term can be somewhat confusing, harvesting rainwater is anything but. All it takes is a large bucket strategically placed under your roof, a rainy night, and you’ve started. Ready-made...
Volunteer at a fun run
Are you intimidated by the idea of running a race? One way to get more comfortable with the idea is to volunteer at a running event. Helpers are always needed to serve water, direct traffic, and set...
Create a healthy eating plan
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the idea of overhauling your diet. After all, there’s a ton of information out there – some of which is conflicting. If you feel like you want to make healthy changes...
Decide on diapers
Many eco-minded people assume that cloth is the greener choice when it comes to diapers. Not always so: Depending on your location, your local landfill situation, and many other factors, disposables...
Make contact
Contact sports aren’t just for the bold and initiated. From aikido and judo to basketball and football, there are lots of options that suit every fitness style. If you’ve been enjoying solo sports...
Tour an organic farm
Visiting an organic farm can be an exhilarating experience for children and adults alike. Many tours focus on sustainability, education, and farming best practices. And some even end the day with a...
Save face
It might be time to give your face-washing regimen a makeover. While water alone cannot dissolve the pollutants of the day, using too many products may be comedogenic. And harsh scrubbing can damage...
Explore alternative medicine
Are you thinking about exploring alternative medicine as a solution to a stubborn health problem? Thanks to the Internet there are a wealth of resources at your fingertips when you decide to take a...
Learn about grilling responsibly
Summer’s here, so lots of people are getting ready to picnic, grill outdoors, and entertain. Before doing so, it’s a good idea to know about preventing food-borne illness. Here are a couple tips: •...
Research green power options
Did you know that it may be possible for you to purchase electricity from clean wind, geothermal, solar, or hydroelectric sources? Today, challenge yourself to learn if your utility company lets you...
Get acquainted with the stars
Most of us recall an astronomical moment from our youth: camping, the indigo sky and the awesome sweep of stars overhead. Get inspired again! This week, challenge yourself to do a little research to...
Learn to decipher food labels
Organic, all natural, cage-free, Fair Trade...what does it all mean? Today, educate yourself about food labels.
Take credit for energy efficiency
Going green has its benefits - tax benefits, that is. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 offers consumers and businesses tax credits on fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-saving appliances. Today, do a...
Find a good salad recipe
Caesar or Waldorf? Beet or tabbouleh? It’s a toss-up. In the next 24 hours, add to your culinary repertoire by finding a salad recipe you’d like to try out. _(Watch out for the salad dressing...
Know your fish
Many species of fish are on the verge of extinction. And countless more are filled with toxins such as mercury and PCBs. All of these factors can make eating fish confusing for healthy...
Learn about local tap water
Do you drink bottled water because you assume it’s better than tap water? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if you live in the United States bottled water is not necessarily safer...
Go carbon neutral
We all need to take responsibility for solving the issue of global climate change. One way to do this is to reduce our total carbon emissions. That means doing things like turning off the lights when...
Join a hiking club
Ever wish you could get into the great outdoors more often, but you don’t have anyone to go with? Or maybe you’re bored by your usual hikes. There are lots of reasons that hiking clubs are a good...
Research energy-efficient cooking methods
When was the last time you thought about your energy consumption in the kitchen? Today, challenge yourself to identify some energy-efficient cooking methods and then share what you learn with everyone...
Get a fitness question answered
We all have at least one question about how we can live a more active lifestyle. And that question is oftentimes the first step in reaching our goals. This week, take the first step towards your...
Know your body
During the next several months, make it a goal to learn some vital statistics about your body. Challenge yourself to get answers to these basic questions: 1) your cholesterol levels, 2) your blood...
Learn the benefits of going organic
Everyone assumes that organic food is better. But what makes it better? This week, do some research to learn about it. How does it taste compared to conventional produce? How much more expensive is it...
Keep yourself informed
Sometime during the next 24 hours, make an effort to learn about the newest advances in medicine or the latest nutrition research. Search the Internet, join a listserv, read a newspaper, buy a health...
Discover a local farmers market
Locally grown foods are not only beneficial for the environment, they're often a lot fresher and cheaper too. Then, there's the added bonus of supporting local businesses. Make an effort this week...
