I work in an office of about 1200 people, and sit immediately near about 50 of them.  All I hear all day from those around me and those I pass in the halls?  COMPLAINTS!  ”I’m tired!”  “I’m so crabby!”  “I’m bloated”  “I’m hungry!” and let’s not forget the millions of blowing noses, sneezes, and “I’m siiiiiiick” groans.  Ew.  Get your lives together people!   These are the tips & hints I wish I could shout from the rooftops (though sometimes I’ll pull a repeat offender aside).

Behold!  Quick (Green) Fixes for the EveryWoman

Sleep:  If you’re constantly tired, you’re going to be constantly sick.  A good 8 hours of sleep per night is ideal but even if you can log 7 you’re doing well.  It not only helps to keep your immune system in tip top shape, but it also helps your weight loss endeavors.  For 2 weeks, try taking a gentle sleep aid like valerian root or Shaklee Gentle Sleep, and sleep and wake at the same times each day.  You’ll trick your body back into a natural rhythm and your body will start to naturally get tired.  Also, munch on a 1/4 cup dried cherries for your dessert before bed.  They have melatonin which helps maintain your sleep and wake schedules.   Also make sure you’re on a quality multivitamin and if you find yourself stressed, a great B complex.

Crabby:  First and foremost, you’re probably nutrient-starved.  So make sure you’re getting a good quality multivitamin and a B complex.  Second, evaluate your crabbiness.  Is it only for a few days a month or is it most of the time?  Being crabby is a lot of times attributed to our monthly cycles, but sometimes there is something else going on.  If moderate exercise, the extra sleep from above and the multi and B complex aren’t doing it, check your diet and then talk to your doc.  There’s absolutely NO REASON to walk around with a frown.  Your life can’t possibly be that bad, and even if it was, why would it be everyone else’s fault?  If your crabbiness is attributed to your monthly, you can try a GLA complex to help improve mood during your cycle.

Bloated:  Food in, food out!  If you’re not going at least once per day (it’s totally normal to go 3 times a day though I don’t know many women who do), you’re constipated and that can lead to bloating and general sluggish feelings.  Drink 1/2 oz water for every pound you weigh (i.e. 150 lb woman drinks 75oz water per day) and eat at least 3 servings of veggies and fruit (1 at each meal is nice) to make sure things go smoothly.  Don’t bother with laxatives they will only make things worse in the long run.  Think dark, leafy greens in your salads; flaxseed in your protein shakes; an apple a day.  Also if you’ve had a lot of antibiotics in your life, consider adding a natural probiotic in as well, as the colon is the body’s second line of defense.  You should be “moving smoothly” from here on out.  Also try adding 1 tsp Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar to a small glass of water (add a drizzle of honey or don’t) and drink before every meal.  You’ll be amazed how your stomach goes down in size!  This improves digestion immensely and should help you cut down on acid reflux/heartburn.

Hungry:  Pack smart!  The list provided at Women’s Health magazine is awesome. Simply put in your email to be able to download the list:  http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/100-calorie-snacks.  Keeping nutritious snacks handy in your purse, at your desk and in your car can keep you from making ill-advised decisions on what to put in your mouth.  Also, pack your lunch the night before so you can grab it out of the fridge on your way out the door.  Amazon sells these AMAZING compartment containers made by Sistema one for sandwiches, one for salads.  http://www.sistemaus.com/  I actually got mine at Old Navy for $5 and $8.  These awesome containers ensure you have a fresh (non soggy) lunch, which means it has the same appeal as take out.  Put lettuce in the bottom of your salad container, put “fixins” like chicken breast or deli meat in the top with some tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, whatever you have cut up and there’s even a dressing compartment!  Eating your nutritious packed lunch outside may also improve your mood.

Stressed:  Keep a bottle of natural lavender oil at your desk or in your car, and sniff as needed.  Apply a couple drops to your wrists, rub together and inhale.  Roll your shoulders back, take a deep breath through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.  Repeat as needed.  Bliss, baby!!

Sick:  Will you still get sick if you apply the quick fixes above?  I find it hard to believe that you won’t feel almost 100% better.

I am back from vacation!  I promise I will do better about sticking to the “weekly” portion of Weekly Green, and try to post at least once a week.  Now that my life has somewhat calmed down, I should be able to do just that. 

Thanks to Kelly from Buffalo who sent in the question about food dyes.  She has a fear of common food dyes – with good reason! – and wanted to know if there’s an alternative.  Well, Kelly, just in time for Easter, here’s your answer!

Kelly’s question reminded me of the time that my company cafeteria served this awesome taco salad with crispy red & green colored tortilla strips on top.  Almost EVERYONE was in line for this taco salad, and it was delicious!  Overheard the next morning:

…So I went to the, uh, bathroom last night… and, well, I don’t know how to tell you this, but… my, uh, you know… well it was green!

Slowly the more and more people that shared similar fecal commentary, also shared the realization that it was that delicious taco salad.  The dyes used to make those tortilla strips so very vibrant, was exiting their body in just as vibrant a manner! 

Aside from having rainbow-colored bowel movements, there are other fears to conventional food dyes.  Yellow-5 has been known to cause problems in people with asprin sensitivity or frequent asthma, and some of it is made from coal tar which is quite alarming.  Some red dyes are even made from bugs (you will see this on the label as “carmine”) which is not okay for vegans or really, anyone who doesn’t enjoy eating bugs.  Your oranges are typically made from seeds, and your green is seaweed, so those are pretty safe colors.  But food coloring is fun, and a lot of us have kids – so what’s a green goddess to do?

If you want to buy instead of make, consider India Tree Colorings, Chocolate Craft Kits, Seelect, or Nature’s Flavors.

If you want to make instead of buy, it’s kind of a process so be forewarned!  Apparently these methods of boiling leave a taste barely discernible.  If you are making frosting or cake and feel like you can taste the food a bit after adding the color, add a little more vanilla.  Here are the instructions:

Yellow – Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, let cool 1 minute.  Add a small amount of turmeric to the water, and continue adding until you reach the desired color.  Store in a glass container after cooling.

Red – add several unpeeled beets to a pan and cover them with water.  Simmer until they can be pierced with a fork, about 35 minutes.  Remove from the pan and let cool, then peel and chop the beets and put them back into the pan with the water.  Leave the pan for several hours, watching color change.  Strain through a cheesecloth into a glass jar.  Mix 2 tsp of organic white vinegar into the water, shake well and store.  Also you may use red beet powder or red tomato powder.

Green – put 2 cups fresh spinach leaves into a pot, cover with water.  Boil for 1 minute, let the pot simmer for 10 minutes.  Allow to cool, then strain the water through a cheesecloth into a glass jar.  Store with a tight fitting lid.

Please don’t hesitate to send me your burning green queries so I can keep answering!  That was a fun one, thanks Kelly!  Email meangreen42@gmail.com or leave questions in the comments section.