There’s a little “Green” in all of us!

I’m going out on a limb and going to predict that next week you might begin to feel a little “green.” What do you think? St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17th and is known as the traditional religious feast day of Saint Patrick. I think every holiday is an excuse to feast, but none of them encourage green beer to be a part of the consumption! The day is symbolized by the color “green” and todays “green” isn’t the “green” that it used to be.

“Green” can mean so many things! It can describe someone who is inexperienced, jealous, or sick and be a slang term for money. Several expressions have derived from the word green; “green around the gills” and “wouldn’t be nice to have some green in our pockets.” In some cultures the color “green” can symbolize hope and growth, and in another cultures it’s associated with death, sickness, envy and the devil!

Most associations with green are tied to nature, through common words like regeneration, fertility and rebirth. “Green” is closely related to the old English verb growan, “to grow.” It is used to describe plants, animals, nature and many aspects of the ocean. Most recently, political groups have used the color to name themselves, “Green parties,” which have led to campaigns in advertising, selling “green” products and environmentally friendly suggestions.

Wow, the power of “Green!”

Let’s take green into our world of health. Starting with the most recent “green” we are experiencing right now in our lives. Going green for our environment! Simply put, it means becoming more energy efficient and less wasteful. Examples include; recycling all the plastic, cardboard and glass products that you dispose of everyday; buying products with less packaging; being efficient with your water use; being smarter with the energy you use; not driving and using your car unnecessarily; cooking smarter, eating smarter; using your own canvas shopping bags! No matter what your beliefs or the motivating powers behind this most recent campaign, going “green” and practicing these kinds of healthy changes in your lifestyle can only be good on many levels.

Here’s another one. Green tea, the health and medicinal benefits of green tea have been recognized since ancient times. The secret in the green tea lies with its antioxidant powers. There has been significant research done on the power of the antioxidants found in green tea with the results being favorable against cancer, lowering LDL cholesterol, inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, infections and impaired immune system function, to name a few. Green, Oolong and black tea all come from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea leaves are steamed which prevents the release of the antioxidant compounds of the green tea, as opposed to the fermentation that other types of tea are processed from. This steaming process keeps the antioxidant powers of the green tea stronger.

What about your green fruits and vegetables, are you eating enough of them? We all know that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is very important. Realistically, our diets should have all the colors of the rainbow in it, including those wonderful “green” ones. Green vegetables are packed with antioxidants, fiber, beta-carotene, potassium and calcium to name a few of the very important components that the color green adds. So make sure you eat many things green every day, it’ll make a huge impact on your health.

When it comes to healthy living, the absence of “green” would often be considered to be the better state of well-being. For instance, if and when your skin color turns “green” that wouldn’t be considered good. Green “anything” coming from your eyes, ears, nose or throat; also, not good. Under your toes, if there is green there, again not healthy. Hair turning green, it might be cool looking, but it’s really not healthy for your hair!

Who would have thought that the color green can affect our lives so brilliantly! With the beauty of the color itself and cheerfulness it adds to the upcoming holiday, let’s all wish for a little more of that “green” in our pockets! After all, it’s the Luck o’ the Irish!

 

Deborah Holmes

March 10, 2009