beijingkids Magazine online

Our bodies act as targets for the toxins we are exposed to via the air we breathe and the foods we eat. Individual efforts to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle can help deflect some of those nasties. You can even help your community while you're at it.

Air pollution worldwide is a major contributor to both short- and long-term heart and lung disease. Efforts to reduce carbon pollution will help the Earth's ecology directly, as well as improve air quality. Try switching from driving or catching cabs to cycling instead. The lifetime health benefits from this form of exercise are much greater than the risks from city pollution - this is supported by a very encouraging new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives.

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New Principal at 3e
After joining 3e in 2007, Amy Loveday-Hu has recently begun her new role as principal. She has worked in education for the past 11 years across a variety of areas, including special needs, nursery and middle school. She's lived in Beijing with her husband and daughter for the past six years and is looking forward to many more years in the capital.

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Most people think that living green involves making big lifestyle changes. In fact, making a few simple adjustments is all it takes to benefit the environment and boost our overall wellness.

Eat less meat
Eating less meat is one of the easiest and most important ways to reduce your environmental impact. It's true we need protein to survive, but we do not need the large amounts of animal protein that is common in Western diets. Diseases like cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity have been directly linked to the overconsumption of animal protein, especially red meat.

You don't need to go vegetarian. Instead, think of meat as a complement to a variety of whole grains and vegetables, rather than the center of the plate. Try going meatless once a week and experiment with beans, lentils and tofu. Apart from the immediate health benefits, it's also cheaper.

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Raw food cuisine is simple and nutritious, a diet made up of plant-based foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. By nature, eating raw foods is more of a lifestyle than a diet, but people shouldn't feel restricted to apples and carrot sticks. Armed with some basic ingredients and a little help to get you started, you can make delicious soups, appetizers, entrées and desserts. For those who find that they or their children cannot tolerate dairy or gluten, raw food cuisine provides excellent alternatives. From vegetarians to vegans, to those just seeking ways to add more fresh fruits and veggies to their daily meals, raw is the way to go.

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An Apple for Teacher
September 10 is a lucky day for teachers, or laoshi in China. Instead of a single apple, present your teacher with a whole hand-picked bushel! Fenghuangling in Haidian is a national park full of apples, pears and red dates perfect for plucking in September and October. To get there by bus, take No. 346 from the Summer Palace to the Fenghuangling stop. If you're traveling by car, take the Badaling Expressway to the Beiqinglu exit, then head west on Beiqing Lu until the road ends. Turn right and then follow the signs to Fenghuangling. Entrance fee: RMB 25 for adults, RMB 13 for students and ages 70 and up, free for children under 1.2m. Call ahead. (6245 5933/9492) www.bjfhl.com凤凰岭,海淀区

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