Lemon Mint Cucumber Water

I'm loving this doctored up water. It's so fresh tasting and gives filtered water a nice flavorful boost. Make sure to use organic produce and wash the rind of the lemon and the skin of the cucumber really well before slicing.

LEMON MINT CUCUMBER WATER

Hands-on time: 5 minutes

1/4 a cucumber, sliced thin
a lemon, sliced thin
sprigs of mint
2 quarts water

*let everything sit for an hour or two to help the flavors infuse the water

Add cucumber, lemon and mint in a pitcher. Fill with water. Enjoy!

Got the BPA blues?

Most educated consumers are aware of the many health risks associated with BPA chemicals found in resin lined cans and polycarbonate plastics. BPA, or bisphenol A, has been around since the 1960's and can be found in many of the commercial products we buy at the grocery store.

What's scary is that BPA leaches into our food and drink, which is worrisome because research shows that it has hormone-disrupting properties that can lead to weight gain, sexual dysfunction, prostate cancers and even heart disease. Recent research suggest that "93% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies" (Men's Health).

Given BPA's potential dangers, the FDA is pursuing more research on BPA, which will hopefully lead to reevaluating the use of this chemical in our everyday products. But don't wait on the FDA. You can cut down your risk today by taking the right precautions. Here's a few ways you can limit your exposure:

1. Eat more fresh foods and cut down on eating canned foods. This should come naturally during the warm summer months.

2. Never microwave your plastics! If you follow my blog at all, you probably know how I feel about microwaves in general. But if you do tend to nuke your food, make sure it's not in plastic. Heating can damage the plastic and increase the leaching.

3. Examine your labels. It's pays to be a gumshoe grocery shopper. Brands like EDEN FOODS, are now packaging their canned beans and soups in BPA-free lined cans. So you can still have health and convenience! Even popular companies, like NALGENE, are committed to producing reusable rigid plastic products that are BPA Free.

4. Use glass storage containers. You may feel old school using glass mason jars or storage containers, but it's healthier in the long run.

5. When you buy storage bags and plastic wrap, make sure their BPA free. Ziploc brand bags and Saran brand plastic wraps are both BPA-free.

Yoga Classes For $1

This has got to be one of the best deals of the summer. If you shell out just $30 for a PASSPORT TO PRANA (passporttoprana.com), you'll get access to one yoga class in at least 30 participating studios in your metro area. Visit them all and that's just $1 a class. The program includes 7 different cities and is adding six more by fall. You'll be feeling OM SHANTI in no time.

Namaste.

Instant Fitness Tip

Here's a fun idea from this months SHAPE magazine that will help you change things up and get in shape this summer:

"Use a heavy dumbbell in one hand and a light on in the other during strength moves like flies and presses. The uneven weight makes your core work harder to keep you balanced - juts don't forget to witch weights between sets!" - from, 5 instant burn booster