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9 Tips to Save on Gas Four letter words aren’t being used on annoying drivers as much as they are on gas gouging prices . Regardless of what is being said in the political climate: “Other countries are drilling in our waterways...” or “We have plenty on American soil...” or “It’s not our fault...” the fact remains we must still buy to drive. To fill up a compact car like a Ford Focus it costs about 45 dollars. SUVs like Jeeps and Suburbans, and trucks like the Dodge Ram, drain the pocketbook at 70 and 100 dollars for a tank of gas. Here are 9 tips you can use to save on gas:
Adjust Driving Habits
The law of force = mass x acceleration, or physics states cars use more gas in acceleration. Avoid the repeated practice of speeding up and braking in traffic. Try to maintain a steady pace to salvage gas. The same goes for hybrids. Empty Your Trunk of Heavy, NonEssential Items
USE THE RIGHT MOTOR OIL Using the wrong grade can increase tension in the engine.
Limit the Air Conditioner
CARPOOL OR COMBINE ERRANDS TO KEEP YOUR CAR OFF THE ROAD
Keep Tires Inflated to Recommended Levels This reduces the surface area of the tire on the road to limit friction.
There are days and locations where this is less practical; however, turning off the air conditioning five minutes before your destination will reduce fuel use. Park in the shade if possible to reduce the amount of energy used to cool the car upon your return. If possible roll down the window a crack while parked to allow air movement and cooling.
Use Cruise Control to Steady Fuel Consumption
PARK THE CAR ONCE A WEEK REMOVe LUGGAGE, BICYCLE and SKI racks when not in use to reduce drag
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Choose one day per week when there will be no errands, outings, or “emergency” trips. Doing this once a week could save more than 400 dollars annually.
June 2012
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family
Awake to
Summer Adventures UNPLUG & UNWIND IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS Stephanie Mullani Spending time outdoors and connecting to nature are great for your health, yet many still find it hard to unplug from technology and leave it behind, whether just for a moment or for an entire afternoon. The missing ingredient is knowing what’s missing! Finding activities to enjoy can be a real obstacle. To help you take advantage of the great outdoors this summer and to get some of those playful juices flowing once again, here is a list of fun warm weather activities and groups to help get you started.
Adventure Seekers The Idaho Hiking Club is led by experienced hikers who share an interest in hiking and the outdoors. It is open to all ages and ability levels and anyone from beginner to advanced is welcome! www.meetup.com/IdahoHikingClub Boise Trail Heads is for local hiking enthusiasts who want to begin with more moderate hikes. www.meetup.com/Boise-Trail-Heads
Treasure Valley Backpackers enjoy overnight excursions into the wild backcountry of Idaho & neighboring states. They also occasionally organize non-backpacking events such as picnics and day hikes. www.meetup.com/Treasure-Valley-Backpackers
Boise Spelunkers focus on caving expeditions and includes related activites such as rafting and rock climbing. www.meetup.com/Boise-Spelunkers
Gardeners & Homesteaders The Idaho Botanical Garden provides a full garden experience for all ages.
Enjoy their
plant collections, educational programs and events like gardening classes, concerts and exercise classes in the open air! www.idahobotanicalgarden.org
Idaho Homesteading and Aquaponics is a group of individuals and families that have either established homesteads, are developing homesteads, or are dreaming of developing a homestead. Learn all aspects of sustainable living, from raising animals to living off grid and food preservation – just to name a few! If green and sustainable living is up your alley, this may be the group for you. www.meetup.com/Idaho-Homesteading-n-Aquaponics 3
June 2012
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family Gardening in the Boise Area is a group interested in organic gardening – or as close to organic as possible.
If
you grow or would like to grow vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs, check out this group! www.meetup.com/Meridian-Gardeners
Magickal Harvest is a meet-up for Boise area gardeners. Whether you live in a small apartment or have a plot of land,
you will get gardening ideas from indoor kitchen gardens to patio to traditional and will also learn about wild crafting and foraging! Fun for all who enjoy getting their hands dirty. www.meetup.com/Magickal-Harvest
Farmer’s Markets
- An extensive list of open air markets around Idaho can be found at: www.farmersmarketonline.com/fm/Idaho.htm
Treasure Valley Bee Keepers Club is for anyone with an interest in bees and offers workshops and demonstrations throughout the year. http://www.idabees.org
Exercise Enthusiasts Boise Cyclists is a group for all ages and cycling abilities for those who just want to get out and ride for the fun of it! This is a Family friendly and a non-competitive cycling group. www.boisecyclists.com The BAR (Boise Area Runners) is a non-competitive running group that invites runners of all ability levels to run for the fun of it! www.meetup.com/Boise-Area-Runnners
Falun Dafa is a traditional Chinese self-cultivation practice to improve mental, physical and spiritual wellness. Free every weekend at Julia Davis Park (between the Rose Garden and the Zoo) Saturdays, 2:00-4:00 pm. FalunDafaBoise@gmail.com
Aficionados of the Arts Art in the Park is an annual tradition of art and culture at Julia Davis park. It is recognized as one of the premiere cultural events in the Northwest! Mark your calendar for 3 days that promise “something for everyone” including the Children’s Art Festival Tent, Jazz in the Garden, merchants and food vendors. Sept 7-9. www.boiseartmuseum.org/events/AIPinfo.php
Plein Air Painters of Idaho is a group of artists who paint on location, capturing the unique & rich variety of Idaho landscapes. Check out their list of summer painting events at www.pleinairpaintersofidaho.org
Idaho Shakespeare Festival is an outdoor amphitheater and habitat reserve with theatrical experiences like no other! Bring blankets and your own picnic food and beverages (or purchasethere). www.idahoshakespeare.org
Fairs and Festivals Idaho is a resource for festivals, craft shows, art fairs and other events happening in Idaho. www.fairsandfestivals.net/states/ID
Just for Kids Be Outside - Idaho Children in Nature is a local chapter of the Children and Nature Network that provides a cure for Nature Deficit Disorder! This groups aims to connect children with nature in Idaho, from backyards to mountaintops. Visit www.visitidaho.org/children-in-nature for more information and a printable list of 101 Things To Do Outside. www.idahowomensjournal.com
June 2012
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fitness & food
6 Ways. . .
to Feed Your Family for Less
Without Using Coup ons
Natalie T. Myrwold
Saving money at the grocery store
doesn’t have to mean meals of canned chili, hot dogs, or noodle soup. You can eat healthy, reduce your grocery bill, and never use another coupon. It seems everywhere you look these days extreme couponing has exploded with television shows and websites. Of the five big stores in the Boise area only one doubles coupons, indicating a change now for coupon clippers. In addition, most coupons are for processed, frozen, or convenience food items that are full of preservatives. One New York extreme couponist spends five hours to prepare for a trip to the grocery store! By letting go of coupons, you can free yourself to make the best choices possible for your family.
1. MAKE YOUR MEALS GREAT Make a meal plan that works for your family by determining what your family loves to eat. Take regular inventory of your freezer and pantry and use up what has slipped to the back.
2. ELIMINATE ALMOST ALL BOXES, FROZEN FOODS, AND ALL CONVENIENCE ITEMS Researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University have said, “Right now in the United States 35% of women are obese.” A lot of the blame is pinned on the food industry, which more and more is producing cheap and processed foods that have led to ‘passive overconsumption.’
3. PLANT A GARDEN You don’t need a green thumb to successfully grow enough to save hundreds off your food bill. Even a small herb garden on your windowsill can save money and enhance meals. Vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, lettuces, and zucchini are easy to grow and will yield enough to last you beyond summer, stretching your savings even further.
4. THINK SIMPLER Plan meals that utilize less expensive ingredients and proteins. Consider using generic brands and make more meals from scratch.
5. LET GO OF THE LOYALTY Shop the grocery stores where you find the best deals and save the most money. If an item is on sale, stock up and freeze.
6. LITTLE BITS ADD UP AND SAVE YOU BIG • • • • • •
Turn bread ends into bread crumbs or croutons. Store vegetable scraps in a large bag in the freezer. This can later be turned into vegetable broth. Be creative with leftovers! Turn leftover spaghetti into spaghetti pie by adding ground meat, vegetables, and cheese. Eat less at each meal. Stretch your meals. If a recipe calls for a pound of ground meat, try half a pound. Supplement with more vegetables. Go meatless at least once a week.
According to Moneycrashers.com, the average American spends between $500-$1100 a month on groceries. You can cut your grocery bill in half without coupons by keeping your meals simple yet healthy, growing a small garden, being on the lookout for great sales, and remembering that even the little things add up!
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April 2012
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for me
Sore Feet
Solutions
PAIN-FREE, SEX Y FEET
Dr. Yvonne Fedewa
No woman should be told to give up her party pumps. It’s what to wear on girls’ night, it catches the beefy guys’ eye, and it’s a style statement at work. Supporting the weight of the body when a woman strikes a pose is another challenge altogether. Holding the feet in a poised incline over several hours can cause numbing, pain on the balls of the feet, and sore ankles. Take note, according to Dr Yvonne Fedewa, an Idaho chiropractor with two Treasure Valley offices, there IS a way to have pain-free sexy feet, even if you can’t give up the pump. While those 10-inch mountain peaks might not be a fit, women can give their feet their best care using these recovery methods:
Ankle Strength: Some ankle rotations can build strength
Therapeutic Pedicures: It is so important that feet are
for strutting; however, ankle adjustments can give an added edge. In some chiropractic offices, as many as half of adjustments include ankle alignment. According to Dr. Yvonne, “When the foot is angled in heels it puts pressure on the top of the foot, squeezing the toes.” This causes numbness, tingling and pain. Weekly visits to your local chiropractor can breathe life into your feet, helping them go the distance.
well taken care of since they are what gets us from the car to the restaurant! A great way to take that extra stride in foot health is with Foot Reflexology. Areas on your feet connect to the various parts of your body. Sore feet can cause problems in other areas, but this can be avoided with therapeutic foot reflexology. Call a local spa for a foot soak and pedicure that your feet will love.
Sexy, Healthy Shoes: There are shoes that are sexy AND great for the feet. These shoes support the foot and make ankle sprains less common, while adding a heel in a sexy style. These are great for when one wants to look gorgeous without the added pain at the end of the day. Dansko heels are a favorite brand of many Macy’s employees for this very reason. Try a pair. You won’t regret it!
Cushion: Adding a cushion to heels will help protect the ligaments in the foot and make the step lighter. It will also help decrease rubbing that can cause blisters when strutting all day long. Dr. Scholls is a genius at standard insoles for the average foot. Some feet may need a more advanced insole, provided by a local chiropractor.
Massage Cream: A warming/cooling sensation on the feet at the end of a heel-wearing day is a wonderful feeling. Doterra has just the tip for this. Deep Blue Rub is 100% natural, good for the feet, and helps relieve achy muscles and joints. Be a step ahead and try rubbing Doterra Deep Blue Rub on your feet before the day starts to relieve the sore spots before they even start! www.idahowomensjournal.com
Applying these tips at the end of the day can help move a woman in the right direction. 1. Chiropractic ankle adjustments: http://www.elifeboise.com/ 2. Dansko heels: http://www.dansko.com/ Womens/Footwear/Styles/Heels/ 3. Insoles: http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/ forher/insolesandinserts.jsp 4. Doterra Essential Oil Deep Blue Rub: http://www.doterraoil.com/deepbluerub.html 5. Foot reflexology: http://luscious-nails.com/Nail_ Salon_Specials.html
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fun
HONEY DO ... Honey has been used around the world as a healing medicine. It’s only been reduced to a flavor substitute in the recent 60 years. Understanding honey means knowing it can be applied as a salve to treat burns, it is a natural healer in ulcer treatment, it soothes sore throats and coughs, and can be used as a beauty treatment. Honey contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, though exact amounts depend on the floral variety from which the nectar was extracted. Simply put, there is so much more to honey than its sweet, edible goodness!
Honey for Skin Care:
Honey as Salve:
Try this gentle facial cleanser for soft glowing skin: Take 1 tablespoon organic honey and 1 teaspoon baking soda and mix in palm of hand, apply to face in circular motion, let sit for about a minute before rinsing off with warm water. Or, simply spread 1/2 tsp – 1 tsp. pure organic honey on the face by itself.
Don’t forget to carry a packet or two of pure honey in your glove compartment, back pack or emergency kit!
The natural antibacterial properties in honey can zap pimples and its ability to act as a humectant (keeping moisture in/on the skin) helps keep skin soft and supple without being oily. Many acne prone, sensitive skin types have reported far fewer breakouts from using a simple honey face wash!
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June 2012
To use as a topical wound salve, simply place a dab of honey on a band-aid or gauze strip large enough to cover the wound. The dressing or gauze will keep the honey in contact with the wound and prevent the honey from melting off the wound before the antimicrobial properties are able to begin working. The honey can disinfect the wound, kill germs and heal broken skin.
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fun
Does Lots!
Stephanie Mullani
Additional Tips: Make sure the honey you buy is raw and organic if possible. It is best to purchase honey from a local beekeeper or a local food co-op to assure that it is of the highest quality. If you cannot do this, be sure to read the ingredient label and make sure you are not buying “junk” honey. Some brands on the market are actually caramel colored corn syrup without a trace of honey, so please be aware! You’ll want to obtain all of the beneficial health properties contained in REAL honey. Also, it is not recommended that children under one year of age consume honey, as their intestinal tract is not considered mature enough to handle the natural presence of certain endospores that are found in honey. The only worldwide standard for measuring the antibacterial strength of honey is known as the Unique Manuka Factor, or UMF. If you are looking for the highest standard in antimicrobial honey for skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, cold sores, fever blisters, or wound healing, you may want to purchase Manuka honey from New Zealand. Luckily, our local Boise Co-op carries 100% raw certified, bio active Manuka honey. Thank you, Boise Co-op!
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Whether you decide to use honey as a sweetener or for other purposes, knowing its strength as another type of worker bee is something that can come in handy for the summer and is simply fun to know.
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June 2012
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focus “Absolutely love what you do, whether you get paid or not; do what gives you joy and brings others joy.” — Stephanie Mullani Laura Morrison Stephanie Mullani is a woman who has achieved what most would describe as the pinnacle of success. Her pursuits have been soulful and her successes stunning. But success can come in spite of self doubt. Mullani’s greatest growth has come from a place one can only get to when they’ve been through the proverbial fire. Today Mullani is a phoenix, rising from the ashes.
beauty products company, Simply Organic. The company was founded in 2000, and Mullani’s eye for design produced stunning product packaging so impressive industry awards were also added to her sea of recognition. Simply Organic products were even featured in the much-coveted swanky gift bags given to celebrities at the Grammys. The company has continued to grow by leaps and bounds over the last decade, and is attributed as one of the first to coin the phrase “What you put on your skin and hair is as important was what you put in your mouth.”
As a writer and artist, she’s been published in 9 books and been seen on CNN, E!, Style Network, and NBC. Her work is in more than 19 countries and she has received accolades from best-selling authors and inventors. Her donated art for various charities has garnered tens of thousands of dollars for children’s causes. Mullani had arrived as a success story and personal philanthropist.
Mullani continued as Creative Director and worked tirelessly to create the natural and artistic branding which played a fundamental role in Simply Organic becoming a billion dollar company. With her career at a high point, Mullani took a hiatus from Simply Organic. This break began as a reprieve intent on changing Mullani’s direction. In 2003, she met and married Kevin Mullani, a Captain in the Air Force, and they promptly expanded their family with the birth of their son and later a daughter. Frequent relocations are common in the military, but felt harsh to a peace-seeker like Mullani, so her husband retired from the military and embarked on civilian life.
“Mullani clearly had what it took to make it in the corporate world.”
It was clear early in Mullani’s life that she was a gifted artist. She attended art school at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. As an exchange student in London, she attended Wimbledon School of Art and Royal College of Art, which rounded out her passion and creative acumen. Her work as a conceptual designer and artist on advertising, corporate branding, packaging, and web design for major brands proved her aptitude to a much wider audience. Mullani clearly had what it took to make it in the corporate world; meeting the right people at the right time helped too. Mullani met the founder of Soft Soap at an event, and he was so enamored with her work he commissioned her to do the logo work for his charity, “Kidmittment.” This relationship threw the door wide open for Mullani’s career and introduced her to her soon to be partner in business. Mullani’s success and exposure has always been rooted in something unique and akin to stars aligning. Her choices have come through feeling her gut but following her heart. This natural path propelled her head-on into co-creating an organic
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June 2012
The desire for calm waters soon evolved into a tsunami. In 2007 Mullani’s world was flipped upside down. She gave birth prematurely to her third child, a boy who passed away after 12 days in the hospital. Baby Ethan passed away in Mullani’s arms. Within a couple months, Mullani was shocked to learn her growing and thriving company had “restructured” her out of a position and a formidable stake in the company she and her partner had created. Over the next year, the couple used up all their savings and still lost their home. It was as if all they had known had scattered in the wind. Mullani was was devoured by grief, yet she says, “As difficult as that time period was, we had to begin to rebuild and recover.” Mullani had just faced her worst fears. It was with her new found courage she decided to start over. She discovered a path to help her heal and bring joy. She returned to her gifts, artwork
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“Mullani was was devoured by grief, yet she says, “As difficult as that time period was, we had to begin to rebuild and recover.” and writing. Therapeutic writing in journals became a beacon by which Mullani was able to see a brilliant new direction in life. When reflecting on the events of her personal and corporate past, it is easy for her to see how her priorities in life had shifted. Speaking of that time in her life she said, “I was able to see that I was holding back on life—letting dreams slip away that had been pushed to the back burner a long time ago.” A job offer moved the family to Hawaii and Mullani felt the island was a paradise and respite. This was her time to heal and regroup. The Mullanis were able to conceive and give birth to their daughter, Anna, in a place called Ko Olina (a small area of 500 acres within the township of Kapolei, Hawaii), which literally means the return or fulfillment of joy. Mullani says it was a wonderfully appropriate coincidence. It was while she was in Hawaii, poring over her stacks of journals that she realized they could be grouped by themes; these many heart-felt pages were to become the manuscripts for books she would write. This was Mullani’s “aha” moment, when she realized her mission and path was to “restore joy to a joyless world.” Mullani’s personal evolution and rebirth experiences after tragedy have translated into her role as a woman in business. Mullani has launched a natural living blog called Natural Girl Diary loaded with health recipes, wellness articles, projects to do with kids, and many things dealing with living green. Her Pinterest pin boards are the envy of health seekers. Natural Girl Diary and her other projects are, she says, RESOURCES: her heart’s deepest calling to use her talents and gifts to help others. www.StephanieMullani.com She is no longer afraid to follow for commissioned artwork her dream. Rather, Mullani www.NaturalGirlDiary.com said, she’s more afraid of to connect with not following it. healthful living
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