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Welcome to Balance!
Hey, thanks for signing up for our monthly newsletter, we appreciate your support and interest! To find the latest in news and information to help you create a better life of balance, check out our website at www.balanceaustin.com.
Earth Day... Transcending Borders and Boundaries
 Since 1970, April 22nd has signified a day when the eyes and minds of the world focus on the bluish-green sphere floating in space; the one we call Mother Earth. Earth Day 2008 is a milestone. Never before in history has so much global attention been focused on the air we breathe, the ground on which we walk and the water we drink. This year we will celebrate the 38th Annual Earth Day, and where better to recognize our Mother Earth than in Austin, Texas. In this issue, we will discover different avenues you can take in creating Green Balance in your life and for your family.
Local: The Austin Farmers' Market presents the 3rd Annual Earth Day Living Green Festival Saturday, April 19th at Republic Square Park (4th & Guadalupe). Supported by community partner Austin Green Art, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to raising awareness of sustainability issues through art.
State/National: The 3rd Annual Green Apple Festival is “America’s Largest Earth Day Celebration”– a weekend of music and environmental awareness culminating on Sunday, April 20th with eight free festivals occurring simultaneously at landmark locations across the U.S. Approximately 500,000 people are expected to attend free public events in New York City, Washington, DC, Chicago, Miami, Denver, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
How Do You Create Balance?
 In March, Melissa Browne offered this simple advice: “…now that the Spring is upon us, and we’re enjoying this incredible weather, my boyfriend and I make it a habit to go on a walk every evening after work – with a different route each time. We’re discovering parts of our neighborhood we’ve never seen, and at the same time clearing our heads of the day’s stress.”
Thanks Melissa, and for sharing, we’re sending you a gift from all of us at Balance!
Want to be a part of Balance? Visit www.balanceaustin.com and click on “Your Balance.” If you feel like you have tips to share with other women, don’t be shy! If your "How I Create Balance" entry is featured, we’ll send you a gift like Jennifer above!
Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast Hour
 Beginning in April, we’ll be moving the Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast music feature to Majic 95.5 exclusively, and discontinuing the program on Mix 94.7. The change is due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve had on Majic and programming issues on Mix 94.7. If you’ve been an avid listener on Mix, just tune the dial up a couple notches and you’ll find it on the 95.5 frequency! In March, special thanks to Rebecca Lowe and Laura Powell for programming the March 23rd edition. For your efforts, ladies, we're going to send you a Balance gift bag loaded with goodies!
If you have a playlist that sets your tone every Sunday morning, click here and submit five songs. Go ahead, this is your chance to program a radio station, even if its only 15 minutes! The next Sunday Morning Balance Breakfast Hour will be at 8am on April 20th on Majic 95.5.
Balance Favorites
 In celebrating the Earth we hold dear, we have a few suggestions/tips on how you can bring an essence of Green Balance to your family’s lives. We are incredibly fortunate to call Austin home, and in our current economic climate… every penny counts.
Become aware: Keep track of what you throw away during a day. Develop a habit of recycling all that you can.
Buy things that last: Look for long-life light bulbs, for instance, or products with meaningful warrantees. Consumer Reports (online at www.consumerreports.org) can help you identify products that are durable and reliable.
Buy recycled: Look for products that have a maximum of post-consumer content. Computer paper, toner, latex paint, paper towels, garbage bags, and Styrofoam (if you have to use it at all) are available with recycled content.
Be energy efficient: When you go appliance shopping, look for the blue "Energy Star" label, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA to indicate energy efficient appliances. When you cook, use your microwave whenever possible; it uses less energy than your conventional oven or stovetop.
Turn off the tap: While you're lathering up in the shower, brushing your teeth, or scrubbing the dishes, turn the water off. It won't get cold that fast, and you'll save a considerable amount of water. And never hose your driveway down--use a broom for that.
Plant trees: April 25th is Arbor Day. Plant a tree that can create shade for your yard or home.
For a more involved list of how you and your family can live green visit www.thegreenguide.com
Featured Health Tip
 At Scott & White Health Plan, we live and work in Central Texas just like you. While it’s one of the best places in the world, it’s one of the worst places for allergies. So how can you survive this allergy season?
- First, get tested. Ask your doctor about seeing an allergist. This kind of specialist can test you to determine exactly what you’re allergic to.
- Second, be aware. You can predict your allergy attacks by being aware of which allergens are high. Most newscasts and newspapers report daily mold and spore counts in the air.
- Third, get relief. Over-the-counter antihistamines may provide some relief, but make sure you talk to your doctor for advice. You doctor may prescribe medicine or shots as treatment.
From all of us at Scott & White Health Plan, stop sneezing and start enjoying life in Central Texas!
Eco Friendly Household Options
 Cleaning products can be among the most hazardous chemicals in your home or office. Many of these products create hazardous waste and can threaten our health and environment. Borax, ammonia and baking soda are all safe alternatives that can clean and disinfect and are often times less expensive than name brand cleaners. www.ecomall.com is a fantastic resource in locating environmentally friendly restaurants, businesses and products. As a rule:
- Choose products that are biodegradable and non toxic to humans and aquatic life.
- Choose concentrated products that work in cold water.
- Choose products in recycled, recyclable and refillable containers and packaging.
- Avoid products containing chlorine bleach or sodium hypochlorite.
- Using cold water will save close to 85% of the energy and dollars you use on washing.
For more eco friendly options, visit www.ecomall.com.
This Month’s Featured Podcast
 Growing up in her hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico with her parents and two sisters, Noelia Reynolds had big dreams of becoming a teacher. After graduating from the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, she began her career teaching Spanish as a second language to Pope Missionaries and the Peace Corps. Her passion for teaching was so apparent that she was chosen as a model teacher where students from the University were sent to observe her class and then discuss it at the University.
As a breast cancer survivor who has been cancer-free for 12 years, Noelia appreciates each one of life's blessings. She saw her battle with cancer as a challenge and now uses her success to encourage others to fight the same battle and to live their best life. Her struggles, her successes, her family and her young spirit together are what give Noelia Reynolds a balanced life.
To hear Noelia's podcast, click here.
Balance Event's This Month
This month, the Balance street team will be out and about with inspiring new Balance goodies, including our Balance re-usable grocery bags and seed packets just in time for Earth Day!
Check below for where we will be…
- April 13th – Schlotzsky's Bun Run – Auditorium Shores – 8am
- April 15th – Susan G. Komen “Drive for the Cure” – BMW of Austin 12n-2pm
- April 19th – Hispanic Women Univsion Healthfest – Tony Burger Center 10a-3p
- April 26th – 3K Arthritis Walk – Zilker Park 7a-10a
Check out our Events page at balanceaustin.com/events.html for updates on when and where the Balance team will be.
Feedback
From everyone at balanceaustin.com, thank you for your support! Help us grow this community by providing feedback on how to improve the website content or if you have stories or tips to share.
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