words by Catherine Robinson of www.stylealarob.blogspot.com
As a Hip & Healthy reader, we already know you care about your health and fitness. Which also means you’ve no doubt read articles and heard nutritionists wax lyrical about the wonders of fuelling your body with all things green? Green juices… avocado… green tea… leafy, green vegetables… you name it-if it’s green, then it’s almost definitely going to do your body some good.
However, the benefits of going green don’t just stop at nutrition and achieving a happy, healthy lifestyle extends to looking after the environment around you as well as your own body. By making small tweaks to your daily routine here and there you can make a difference to your personal environmental impact as well as taking action to improve your own health and fitness. It’s win win!
Sip Smarter
Choosing to down your daily dose of water (2 litres please!) from a BPA free water bottle rather than a standard plastic one is the right choice for your body and for the environment. Not only do plastic bottles contain the harmful chemical BPA which leaches into your water bottle over time, but the waste created from the use of plastic bottles is also big contributor to landfill. A BPA-free water bottle is reusable and chemical free and you should be able to pick one up at a sports store or try our favourite Bobble bottle.
Move it
By leaving your car at home once or twice a week you can not only make a difference to your wallet (less fuel costs), but improve your fitness and help benefit the environment. Walking has less impact on sensitive joints than running and is a great form of light exercise. By choosing to walk or cycle for the odd trip, you’ll improve your fitness without a visit to the gym and increase your energy levels. Invest in a pedometer to monitor your daily steps and set an aim to reach 10,000 per day.
Sweat It Out
With designers such as Stella McCartney promoting a sustainable design ethos, you can now opt for effective workout gear that looks great, with a clear conscience. Here’s our pick of where you can find great exercise clothing made with the environment in mind:
Get a Natural Glow
The next time you need to stock up on your daily beauty essentials take the time to check out the organic skin care lines on offer. We promise your skin will thank you for it! Natural products are better for your body because they are free from any potentially harmful chemicals that can enter your body through the skin. What’s more, organic farming is free from pesticides and synthetic fertilizers which are highly damaging for the atmosphere. We love the Neals Yard organic range and Pai!
Waste Not, Want Not
Did you know that UK households throw away over 7.2 million tonnes of food and drink every year*? This food waste goes to landfill where it rots, producing the greenhouse gas methane, which is 25 times more potent than the carbon dioxide emitted from your car exhaust. A frittata or omelette is a fantastic way to use up random bits and pieces left in the fridge plus eggs are a great source of protein and essential heath-boosting vitamins A and B and potassium. Or, as we head towards chilly Autumnal days, why not chuck any left-over veg into a big casserole dish with some chopped tomatoes and pulses for a delicious and hearty vegetable soup.
*Source = http://england.lovefoodhatewaste.com/node/2472
Image: Stella for adidas
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