If you love working out and being active, I’m sure you’ve suffered from post-exercise sore muscles before too. And while you could pop a couple pills for relief I’ve found a couple of natural soothers.

Organics by Noah’s Naturals Sea Salt Soak ($16.99): I poured a bunch of this organic blend of sea salt and lavender into a warm bath for a very spa-like pain relieving experience. The intoxicating scent of lavender relaxed my mind and the warm bath combined with the sea salt (which they say helps draw out the impurities from my skin) did offer some subtle soothing. Now whether or not it came from the warm bath water alone or the stuff I was soaking in, I don’t know, but either way I felt better when I stepped out and it was enjoyable.

Topical Anti-Pain By142 ($35): This cream is like a luxe version of Icy Hot. Menthol and camphor work instantly to relieve your pain, but then you’ll feel another sensation sneaking up on your muscle aches. Cehami, a plant-based ingredient first used by Australian Aboriginal people, has an anti-inflammatory power 3,000 times that of Aspirin–with that kind of reputation why bother popping pills! Supposedly the effect lasts up to 4 hours, but I get the most relief in the first hour.

Fourth of July is here and it wouldn’t be a summer holiday weekend without grilling, right? Here are a few tips to make sure you get your grill on the green and healthy way.

Choosing your grilling weapon: Electric and gas grills are the greenest options (unless you can find a solar one). Even though propane is a non-renewable resource, charcoal and wood burning grills release more emissions into the air. If you’re partial to the flavor of charcoal, at least choose an eco-friendly charcoal to reduce the low-level smog and toxic chemicals traditional varieties create.

Cooking safely: Grilling meats can actually produce toxic carcinogenic chemicals in your food. There are two major problems–one is when fat and juice drip and burn, coming back to settle on your food in smoke later. So choose skinless and leaner cuts of beef and remove fat before cooking. Read the rest of this entry »

According to a study in published by Psychological Science, you can be motivated subconsciously by reading inspirational words such as triumph, strive, confident, go for it, achieve or graceful. So if you need an extra push to go for what you want, surround yourself with these words so you see them everywhere you look. Sounds easy enough, right?

Self magazine suggests writing them on sticky notes and posting them throughout your house. Another great idea is to make a collage of inspirational words and use it as your computer desktop image. Or you could wear your motivation on your t-shirt like this “Chase Dreams” organic cotton and bamboo option from Tees for Change.

June is American Express Women’s Golf Month which means a bunch of courses across the country are offering free lessons, clinics, seminars and more. And once you get into the game, you should also know how to green your game (guys–this part is for you too!).

If you enjoy golfing, the beautiful courses and outdoorsy feel of the sport might make you look past all the un-eco aspects of golfing. But think for a minute about all the water those irrigation systems use and the potentially harmful chemical treatments used to keep the greens green. Some courses are better than others though, so start by choosing a spot to play from the Audubon Society’s list of courses that protect the environment, provide wildlife habitats and conserve natural resources. Then consider biodegradable balls and tees. And finally, dress green with a Fila golf polo for women made of 67% bamboo or a Patagonia Vitaliti Jersey Polo for men made of 70% organic cotton and 30% recycled polyester-jersey.

I love this Slouchy Bag from Buji Baja for summer. Made from organic cotton t-shirt material, the bag is reversible so you can go from stripes to a solid to work with your style from day to day. The casual simple shape makes it super versatile too–throw a towel in and take it to the beach or park, use it as a gym bag or carry it around during the day wherever you go. I love the blue and white striped one!

Here’s a cool way to be more eco-friendly when you go to the gym. Gaiam’s Everything Fits Gym Bag is made from 100% recycled polyester. And at a large size of 18″ X 8.5″ X 13″ you’ll have enough room for all of your gym gear–there’s an outside pocket for your reusable water bottle (like Sigg’s “I am Not Plastic” bottle), a vented compartment for sweaty stuff or your bamboo gym towel and straps on the bottom to secure your yoga mat (try one made from natural rubber and recycled materials). Now while you’re getting fit, you’re helping keep the planet fit too.

I love this new twist on the old green grocery bag idea–the I Heart NY t-shirt meets an eco tote. Brilliant!

Each Tbag shopping bag is made out of recycled or irregular t-shirts. It even folds up compactly into an inner pocket made out of a t-shirt sleeve. So you’re eliminating the need for plastic grocery bags and giving new life to a used t-shirt all at the same time. And at only $10 it’s certainly a bag worth buying.

As I mentioned before, I recently was lucky enough to check out a new green holistic spa in the Dominican Republic—the Cygalle Healing Spa at Casa de Campo. One of the most amazing things about the spa and its treatments is the on site “Spa Pharmacy”. Products used during treatments are 100% natural, preservative free, and mixed just before a scrub or wrap is applied. Even better, ingredients are grown locally and responsibly (coffee beans, honey, coconut oil and more), which means that guests are getting the freshest products possible and there’s no shipping needed.

While I was there I got to see the Tropical Daydream Body Wrap being created. It included fresh papaya, pineapple, passion fruit, organic yogurt and coconut oil blended together. The high level of active ingredients and fresh enzymes in a live formula like this will do wonders for your skin and the smell of the mixture is amazing. While you won’t be able to mimic the posh treatments of the Cygalle Healing Spa at home, you can experiment with fresh homemade beauty blends at home. Try a recipe from Health.com.

This is the week that all the ice cream stores host a free scoop or cone day and when it’s free, ice cream is pretty hard to resist. But wouldn’t we all feel better if we indulged in a healthy ice cream treat today instead (even if it isn’t free)?

I just discovered Ruby Jewels handmade ice cream sandwiches. They’re made out of all-natural locally grown ingredients in the northwest including fresh mint, honey, pumpkin, espresso, lavender and you guessed it, hormone-free milk. The entire company is sustainable. They recycle and use everything so they’re nearly 100% waste free. And all technicalities aside, the flavors are the part I love most like Cinnamon Chocolate Cookie with Espresso, Dark Chocolate Cookie with Fresh Mint and Lemon Honey Cookie with Honey Lavender. Move over Skinny Cows!

I recently discovered a new brand of eco-friendly t-shirts and loungewear called Me to We Style. The line is produced in Canada sweatshop-free. And beyond being green, Me to We Style donates 50% of their profits to Free the Children to support developmental projects in rural and impoverished areas around the world.

I’m a fan of their Be the Change tee. You’re doing your part by wearing a tee made out of eco-friendly materials–certified organic cotton, bamboo, recycled polyester or a combo depending on the color you choose–and you’re showcasing an inspiring message all at the same time. I can also tell you that it’s super soft, fits perfectly and is now in frequent rotation in my gym wardrobe.