Source H20 - September 2020

Source H20 - September 2020

303-792-9799 | www.thesourceh2o.com

September 2020

What Clean Water Teaches Us About Self-Improvement

Hi, clean water family! September is Self-Improvement Month, which really stuck out to us because self-improvement happens to be what the clean water family is all about. Better water gives us a better life, but there are also so many other ways we can improve ourselves and our lives. Luckily, water can be a great conversation starter to talk about them. The Importance of a Healthy, Restorative Home Environment A big part of why clean water feels so great is because it helps make your home feel cleaner. We can easily get stressed, overwhelmed, and lose motivation to pursue our goals when our home feels dirty. That’s why, in many ways, cleaning helps you take care of your health, as well as your mind and soul. One study from 2010 by the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that women who described their living spaces as “cluttered” and full of “unfinished projects” were more likely to be depressed or fatigued than women who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative.” The women with cluttered homes also had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Small daily actions, like cleaning countertops or toilet seats, can make a noticeable difference in our day-to-day mental health. Our homes’ visual simplicity also plays a huge role in how successful our self-improvement goals can be. For example, researchers at Princeton University found that a disorganized environment makes it very difficult to focus on important tasks. It has a lot to do with our visual cortex, which is easily distracted by irrelevant objects in our environment. So this might be a great month to visually simplify your space — you may be surprised how encouraging and relaxing the results are.

How do you identify “toxic” people in your life? Just because someone is a bit annoying or difficult doesn’t necessarily mean they’re toxic. Toxic people often aren’t open to your thoughts and ideas, they don’t show equal or consistent compassion toward you, and they often draw out the worst parts of yourself. Getting rid of these toxic, draining people can loosen up your time and social circle for the people who can positively impact your life! That’s all we have this month! From everyone at The Source H2O, we hope that these tips help give you a few ideas about where to start your Self-Improvement Month celebration. If you’re ever interested in ways to use clean water to keep your home sanitary — without the chemicals — just give our expert team a call. Stay healthy! People you know and care about are missing out on the benefits of clean water, for a limited time we are giving away a $50 dollar stimulus gift card to any of your friends and family who have us come test their water. You can send us their name and phone number to [email protected] and our friendly office staff will reach out to them. Who do you know who hasn’t had their water tested yet?

Keeping Our Social Life Free of Toxins Clean water isn’t just about one person. It’s about a community.

People often say we’re the product of the five closest people we know. Thus, when we have people in our lives who are toxic and destructive, it’s very difficult to move forward with self-improvement. They stress us out and cause chronic stress. Many studies have shown that while weeks of stress can cause reversible damage to brain cells, months of stress can permanently destroy them. One study from Yale University even says it can shrink the size of the brain.

–The Source H2OTeam

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Looking for Your Next Home Project? The Hottest Quarantine Kitchen Remodels

Cooking in a beautiful, open kitchen is the dream of homeowners everywhere. Luckily, in 2020, many quarantined kitchen lovers have turned that dream into a reality. There have been a ton of kitchen projects trending on Twitter and Instagram, and if you want that natural and open aesthetic for yourself, try implementing the renovations below. A popular project has been to install more open shelving, and it’s not just because people want organizational space! By using open shelves instead of cabinets, you can make your kitchen feel larger while showing off those beautiful plates and cups! Whether you install a sleek slab of reclaimed wood or an industrial wood and pipe shelf, there are a lot of natural pieces you can use to make your kitchen look like it stepped out of a modernized village home. Pantry remodeling is another popular trend that’s improving the kitchen and adding space. Why does the door to the pantry have to be solid wood? If you want something more lightweight, try using a porch door. The

see-through features can make the space more inviting, especially when painted a beautiful, bright color like emerald green or baby blue. Then, upgrade your pantry’s organization with wooden boxes, tall glass jars, and natural-colored containers. Thinking of a bigger project? We’ve got your back. One way to make the soft light in your kitchen stand out is to install dark flooring. Not only can it contrast lighter furnishings and cabinets, but it’ll also flatter your lighting even more! To keep up with the bright, easy- going appearances, try using light reclaimed wood for cabinets. It’s visually textured and healthy for the environment! Furthermore, Carrara marble countertops can add sleekness to your kitchen without drawing attention away from the other beautiful accent pieces in your kitchen. Still looking for more inspiration? Check out the #interiordesign hashtag on your favorite social media site and find your dreamy, movie- perfect kitchen.

Explore International History in a Beautiful New Way Free Virtual Museum Tours to Explore With Your Family

There’s nothing quite as memorable and educational as going to an international museum. For that day, people get to traverse a world and a history entirely different from their own. While we can’t travel to many of these fascinating exhibits in person, we can step into these museums with free virtual tours. Give your family a break from YouTube and take a 15-minute adventure to a faraway land. British Museum, London First opened in 1759, the British Museum is the world’s first national museum. They have set the standard for museums worldwide today — and, quite honestly, they still do despite the pandemic. It isn’t a conventional museum experience, but prepare to have your mind blown as you step into a cosmic, musical history experience that will fill you with awe and the desire to explore. Click through a guided tour that looks like a guitar fretboard and learn about our earliest known human history starting in 2000 A.D. Check it out at BritishMuseum.WithGoogle.com. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam For a beautiful virtual tour that resembles an in-person experience, look no further than the Rijksmuseum’s Close-Up Masterpieces series. You’ll be able

to click through each of the halls and exhibits, click on interesting paintings (painted by Veneer and many other masters!), and hear audio commentary about them as well. The gorgeous architecture of this museum certainly helps make the tour that much more enjoyable. Try it out for yourself at Rijksmuseum.nl/en/masterpieces-up-close. Musée d’Orsay, Paris Built upon the grounds that were originally the garden of Henri IV’s famous queen, Marguerite de Valois, it took hundreds of years for the Musée d’Orsay to turn into the breathtaking museum it is today. It is one of the most comprehensive online exhibitions you can find and shows vast collections of art made between 1848 to 1914. With oil paintings, modern art, and impressionism, you’ll learn so much by clicking through the artwork and museum halls. Search “Musee d’Orsay” on ArtsAndCulture.Google.com. Prep your kids with some popcorn as you explore history in a new way together. From everyone at The Source H2O, we hope this helps you expand your education from home!

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Have You Tried These Underrated Coffee Brands Yet?

Hello, clean water family! Do you know one of the first compliments we get about clean water? “Wow, my coffee tastes amazing.” That’s because clean water intensifies the flavor of your brew by picking up more of its flavor through the process, whether it be drip coffee, French press, or espresso. That’s why your clean water system gives you a great excuse to try all sorts of different coffees! Here are some of our favorites: Stumptown’s Hair Bender Whole Bean Coffee Whoa , you might be thinking. That’s a weird name for a coffee. Named after a shuttered beauty parlor that formerly housed the brand’s first location, Stumptown’s Hair Bender bean variety is a Portland cult-favorite — and you know how much Portland loves its coffee! Accessible at your local Target, you’ll be taken by its notes of citrus and dark chocolate that create a wild, rich, and smooth coffee experience.

creamy, and medium- to light-bodied flavor, and, whether you’re brewing espresso or drip coffee, it is extremely versatile and silky smooth. You’ll find it easily on Amazon, and like many reviewers, you might forget about your everyday coffee once you try this — like the “Men In Black” memory wipe. Nguyen Coffee Supply’s Loyalty Signature Blend Are you a fan of Vietnamese coffee, or maybe you’ve never had it? Vietnamese coffee is loved worldwide, and now you can get it as fresh as can be. Roasted weekly in Brooklyn, New York, it’s tough to say you’ll find a better American-made Vietnamese-owned coffee blend than from Nguyen Coffee Supply. They don’t use any additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients in their roasts, and you may be pleased to know their Robusta beans have double the caffeine and 60% less sugars and fats than arabica beans. Order through Amazon and give them a try! Have fun looking for your perfect cup! Now, we haven’t forgotten about you, tea lovers. Next time, we’ll do some recommendations for teas you probably haven’t tried yet! Catch you then!

Lavazza Super Crema Coffee Blend Alright, this is kind of cheating, but we have to spread the word. Lavazza is a well-known brand, especially in Italian households. Have you tried this blend? The Super Crema will surprise you with its mild,

Puzzle Time

Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

Directions

•

4 medium sweet potatoes

1.

With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside.

•

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

2.

•

2 medium tomatoes, diced

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1 tbsp olive oil

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1 tsp cumin

3.

•

1 tsp coriander

•

3/4 tsp salt

4.

Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!

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1/4 cup sour cream

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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Answer on Page 4

Inspired by EatingWell.com

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Page 1 What Clean Water Teaches Us About Self-Improvement Page 2 The Hottest Kitchen Remodeling Trends During Quarantine Explore International History in a Beautiful, New Way Page 3 Have You Tried These Underrated Coffee Brands Yet? Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Page 4 The Truth Behind the 21st Night of September

What Happened on the 21st Night of September? 4 Decades of Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘September’

“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”

White and Willis proved to be excellent songwriting partners, but they clashed over one key element of the song: the nonsensical phrase “ba-dee-ya,” which White included in the chorus. Throughout the songwriting process, Willis begged to change the phrase to real words. At the final vocal session, Willis finally demanded to know what ba-dee-ya meant. White replied, “Who cares?”

In 1978, Maurice White of the band Earth, Wind & Fire first asked this question in the song

“September,” a funky disco song that quickly topped the charts. While disco may be dead today, “September” certainly isn’t. The song is still featured in movies, TV shows, and wedding playlists. On Sept. 21, 2019, the funk hit was streamed over 2.5 million times. It’s no wonder that the Los Angeles City Council declared Sept. 21 Earth, Wind & Fire Day. The story behind “September” is almost as enduring as the song itself. It was co-written by White and Allee Willis, who eventually became a Grammy- winning songwriter and Tony nominee. But before any of that, Willis was a struggling songwriter in Los Angeles living off food stamps. When White reached out and asked Willis to help write the next Earth, Wind & Fire hit, it was truly her big break.

“I learned my greatest lesson ever in songwriting from him,” Willis recalled in a 2014 interview with NPR, “which was never let the lyric get in the way of the groove.”

The groove is why “September” has stood the test of time, right from that very first lyric. For decades, people have asked Willis and members of the band about the significance of Sept. 21. As it turns out, there isn’t much beyond the sound.

“We went through all the dates: ‘Do you remember the first, the second, the third, the fourth …’ and the one that just felt the best was the 21st,” Willis explained.

The truth is that nothing happened on the 21st night of September — except a whole lot of dancing.

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