10 Simple Ideas to Eliminate Racism - YWCA USA

YWCA USA offers 10 simple ideas to eliminate racism. Think before you speak, be a role model and explore the unfamiliar are just a few easy ways to promote life without racism. Follow the link below to read more.

Are you making these simple efforts to eliminate racism in your life?

10 Simple Ideas to Eliminate Racism - YWCA USA

Happy Earth Day! Did you choose organic?

According to Maria Rodale, chairman and CEO of Rodale Inc., publisher of Women's Health, choosing to buy organic foods can improve your health and the environment. While eliminating toxic chemicals where the food is grown, you're supporting locally grown foods and promoting a healthier planet. Rodale says that organic farming can actually slow global warming, as well.

Conventional farming uses chemicals that are known to cause many health problems, including allergies, asthma, diabetes, obesity and more. According to Rodale, you can lessen your risk of many serious health conditions by switching to organic foods.

"Organic foods are grown without any artificial chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides, sewage sludge (which often includes toxic pharmaceuticals and cleaning supplies), or GMOs (genetically modified organisms)," Rhodale explains. "If it's an animal, it is fed organic food and raised without the use of artificial growth hormones, antibiotics or GMOs."

For more information about buyng organic, read the rest of Women's Health Magazine's article http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/maria-rodale

Who said walking wasn't a workout?

We all know that it can be hard to get the ball rolling with a fitness routine. Walking is a simple adjustment to your daily routine that can benefit your fitness and overall health tremendously.

According to the National Women's Health Resource Center, Inc., you can reduce your risk for coronary heart disease by 65% by briskly walking regularly. Brisk walking (a 15-minute mile or 4 mph) can burn nearly as many calories as jogging for the same distance.

Walking burns fat, boosts your immunity and energy and relieves stress. While having a low impact on your back, it can be a great way to work out without straining your body. Not only does walking increase your muscle toning, it strengthens bones too! It can be beneficial at any speed, but swifter paces have a more effective result on your overall leg strenght. Finally, try to incorporate big arm swings. This will increase your walking pace and cardio level.

So next time you talk yourself out of going to a workout class, make an effort to increase the amount of walking in your daily routine. Your body will notice the change!

Inspired? Get a YWCA gym membership for only $40/yr. With a variety of fitness classes available and an open gym, you can be on your way to an improved figure. Call (865)523-6126 for more information.

Photo credit- www.motherinc.com.au

Kiera Knightley's PSA on Domestic Violence (UK)

Kiera Knightley starred in this public service announcement in 2009 for Women's Aid, a UK charity. The video features an extremely graphic domestically violent scenario. Does the public service announcement reach its goal to shed light on domestic violence? Are more public service announcements necessary like this one? Is the UK eliminating domestic violence with more direct awareness?
Please join the discussion and leave a comment. "2 women die from domestic violence a week" the public service announcement states. By starting the conversation, you can help save lives. For more scary statistics and more on UK's national domestic violence support charity, go to www.womensaid.org.uk/