Monday—Active Lifestyle:
Actively Green: Do Good By Your Body and By The Planet

January 5, 2009 Written by Tracy Hepler

With the New Year, many people decide to start off fresh, recommit to goals they have let falter and improve things they are inspired to change. The physical appearance of the body is often on many lists. Whether it’s to lose that last 5 lbs, eat healthier, experience more, there any many ways to improve ourselves while embracing green principles. Here are a few ideas that get our ydt stamp of approval.

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Exercise in the great out doors: Weather in L.A. is near perfect year round. We also have many parks, trails, beaches and recreation centers scattered around the city. So instead of using up coal powered energy on the treadmill at the gym, why not go for a jog outside? You’ll get the same workout and enjoy the benefits of escaping the city while appreciating the natural beauty around you. An even better thing to do is become an Eco Runner. Eco Running combines a passion with a purpose: runners, joggers and hikers are encouraged to bring along a trash bag (preferably a bio bag) while on their excursions. The idea is to pick up any trash you see along your route. Not only are you doing good by your body, you are doing good by the planet as you clean up the areas that you value.

Eat Nutritious, Organic, Local and Delicious: In one given week I can find 4 farmer’s markets happening within three miles of my home. Farmer’s markets are a wonderful way to bring nutritious food to your home while supporting local farmers, minimizing pollution effects from food transport and developing relationships with the people who are growing your food. Many vendors are located within a 100 miles and you can always find organic choices. Another option is to join a CSA, Community Supported Agriculture. When you join, you become a subscriber to that local farm and for a small fee ($15-$30ish) you can get a box of seasonally grown food. Many offer weekly drop off locations through out Los Angeles. You can read more about local Tierra Miguel CSA from our green living section here.

Explore Away From Your Car: Seeing the road from the seat of your bicycle completely changes your view. You’re not separated in your isolated car bubble, in many ways you become one with the road and your surroundings. Your slower pace also allows for appreciation of sights that you often drive by without notice. In addition, cycling provides a great low impact exercise and can be an alternative for trips within a two mile radius (which can keep up to 20 lbs of carbon out of the air on a round trip). While some communities have great resources for cyclists like Santa Monica, many parts are still lagging. So if you’re going to share the road with cars, be on your game. Sign up for a community safety course at C.I.C.L.E.

Adopting these practices will lead to a better body, a better planet and a better you. Here’s to putting your best green foot forward, Happy New Year!

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