Kashi Challenges

Thank your mother

Kashi.com — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Acknowledging your mom’s love doesn’t have to involve buying stuff. Gifting can be as simple as donating to a cause in her name, going for a walk together, or organizing family memorabilia into an album or DVD. Today, make an effort to show your gratitude in some way.

Eat whatever you want

Kashi.com — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Tomorrow is Eat What You Want Day. Sounds liberating, doesn’t it? However, a person who listens to their hunger cues, balances calories in vs. calories out, eats healthy foods, and exercises regularly can eat whatever they want…everyday.

Today or towmorrow, participate in Eat What You Want Day. However, do it wisely and in moderation. Better yet, use it as an opportunity to observe your dietary danger zones. Do you run for the chocolate or savor salty snacks? Reach for a fruit or grill up a steak?

Make the experience meaningful too. Let go of lingering food issues, identify your weaknesses, practice self-acceptance, and create a plan for change.

Pick your pan

Kashi.com — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Matching pan to burner size saves lots of energy on the stovetop. Today, when you cook on your stove, make an effort to match you pan to your burner.

Avoid overdrying

Kashi.com — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Overdrying disappoints in a number of ways. It uses excess energy, it leaves clothes more wrinkled (requiring additional ironing), and it wears fabric faster. The next time you do laundry, challenge yourself to remove clothing when it’s a bit damp.

(We’ve given you 30 days for this challenge. When you log your progress, you only need to log as many days as are applicable.)

Identify your fitness weakness

Kashi.com — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

If you find sticking with an exercise routine difficult, it’s a good idea to figure out why. Perhaps you feel self-conscious at the gym. Or maybe you lack fitness know-how. Today, think about what prevents you from staying active and make a plan for overcoming your weakness. Always consult a physician before starting any exercise routine.

Get your blood pressure checked

Kashi.com — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

If left unchecked, high blood pressure can lead to a host of health problems. In the next 24 hours, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get checked out.

Start a scrapbook

Kashi.com — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Not just for new moms and school kids anymore, scrapbooking is an ideal way to cultivate a passion or memorialize the people, places, and events you cherish. This weekend, get creative and start your own scrapbook. Share what you’re doing with everyone here.

(We’ve given you 2 days for this challenge. When you log your progress, you only need to log as many days as you think are applicable.)

Dare to spare the air

Kashi.com — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

National Clean Air Month is a great time to remind ourselves that global change starts with each and every one of us. Today, challenge yourself to do something – big or small – to spare the air. Some ideas: bike to work, carpool, opt out of unnecessary air travel, and buy local produce.

Reset your thermostat

Kashi.com — Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Did you know that you can save about 10% annually on heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat 10-15° from the usual setting during 8 hours of the day? So, for example, if your heater is generally set at 68-70° in the winter, try setting it back to 58° during the day. Or better yet, turn it off when you’re out of the house. Today set your thermostat to an energy saving level.

Create a sleep-friendly space

Kashi.com — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

What could be more essential to wellbeing than sleep? In the next 24 hours, make your bedroom more sleep-friendly by identifying – and eliminating – anything that interferes with a good night’s rest.

Get acquainted with the stars

Kashi.com — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Most of us recall an astronomical moment from our youth: camping, the indigo sky and the awesome sweep of stars overhead. Get inspired again! This week, challenge yourself to do a little research to identify some good local sky-viewing points. Then, make a date to venture out and gaze at the stars and map out some constellations. Or, better yet, schedule some time to see the cosmos up close by visiting a planetarium.

(We’ve given you 7 days for this challenge. When you log your progress, you only need to log as many days as you think are applicable.)

Grow an organic garden

Kashi.com — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Seeds and starter plants raised without pesticides and herbicides make sense if you’re going organic. And they’re readily available at garden supply centers. This spring, if you’re planning on gardening, challenge yourself to learn about organic options and use them instead of conventional ones.

(We’ve given you 30 days for this challenge. When you log your progress, you only need to log as many days as are applicable.)

Plant a tree

Kashi.com — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Deciduous trees save energy by shading you in summer and, after they’ve shed their leaves, letting sunlight heat your home in winter. This process is most energy-efficient when trees are planted on the south, east and west sides of a house. Today, celebrate Arbor Day and give a gift to the earth. Challenge yourself to plant a tree.

Have an album-athon

Kashi.com — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

The digitization of music has a dark side: When did you last listen to an entire album? Today, challenge yourself to find a piece of music that you haven’t heard in a while and listen to it straight through without skipping songs or stopping halfway. You might discover old songs sound new in a different context.

(We’ve given you 7 days for this challenge. When you log your progress, you only need to log as many days as you think are applicable.)

Cut back on salt

Kashi.com — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Diets high in sodium are associated with high blood pressure. One way to reduce your salt intake is to substitute fresh foods for processed ones. Today, challenge yourself to eat less salt. Here are some ideas:
• Swap store-bought sauces and dressings for homemade versions (e.g., fresh tomatoes instead of jarred sauce, or oil and vinegar instead of bottled dressing)
• Avoid processed lunchmeat in your sandwiches or buy low sodium
• Watch your condiments (ketchup and mustard contain sodium)
• Drink water instead of beverages like tomato juice, or look for the low sodium versions

Go climb a mountain

Kashi.com — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Get inspired by Earth Day. Sometime during the next week, challenge yourself to hike your favorite nature trail or explore a new one. Always consult a physician before starting any exercise routine.

(We’ve given you 7 days for this challenge. When you log your progress, you only need to log as many days as are applicable.)

Turn off your TV

Kashi.com — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Besides leaving you free to take a walk, meditate, read, cook or socialize, a TV-free life means you save energy and feel like you did something truly rejuvenating. This week, join people across the country during “TV Turnoff Week” and challenge yourself to find other ways to entertain yourself in your free time.

Make family time happen

Kashi.com — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sometimes it’s important to reassess our schedules and our commitment to family life. If you’ve been feeling like you don’t have enough quality time with your loved ones, challenge yourself this weekend think about ways you can better organize your time. Then make an effort to get together and do something. Here are some tips:
• Exercise together (evenings and weekends are ideal)
• Cook together (kids love meal prep, and we all gotta eat)
• Go to bed early; snuggle up or read side-by-side.
• Rent a family-friendly flick

Be a good steward of the earth

Kashi.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

You live here. We live here. International Earth Day (on April 22) brings the world together and it feels good. This year, participants are working to combat climate change.

One way to affect change is to vote. That’s why organizers suggest that if you do one thing for Earth Day this year, you should vote for positive changes for the environment. If you’re not already, today challenge yourself to register to vote.

Learn to decipher food labels

Kashi.com — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Organic, all natural, cage-free, Fair Trade…what does it all mean? Today, educate yourself about food labels.