“Healthy Living” is the new tag phrase in Oregon. In the last year alone Portland moved from number 17 to number 9 on the “Americas fittest cities” list in Men’s Magazine. Maintaining a fit or healthy lifestyle can be easy to achieve for many reasons. One, Oregon is heavy on the out door sports and activities. Second Oregon is never short on organic products and healthy foods both on the menu and in grocery stores. Lastly, Oregon has many weight loss facilities all over the state. However, Oregon was not always so health conscious, but over the last decade Oregon has made a pledge to fight obesity one person at a time.

Passing the “bike bill” in 1971 put Oregon as the first state which took the first step toward healthy living. By 2001 3.8% of people were biking to work at least three days per week to according to Oregon.gov. Other fitness activities have also increased over the years. The Nike Hood to Coast Relay Marathon is the largest relay race in North America. It began in 1982 with eight teams. By 1999 it reached capacity of 1,000 teams. If biking or running is not really your cup of tea, there are plenty of hiking trails, gyms and countless dog parks where all activity levels are welcome.

Organic and Trans fat free foods have taken center stage over the last five years. Portland again was at the top of the list as the city had one of the highest percentages of organic food buyers in 2007 (27%). Portland only trailed San Francisco (35%) and Seattle (37%) by a few percentage points according to Vegetarianorganicblog.com. Seeing this demand, grocery stores met with a supply of organic products, a health food section and stocking Trans fat free items. In the past many grocery stores either did not offer items such as tofu or soy and if they did, the cost was through the roof. Now with the increased interest in these products, stores have answered with sales for these items. Grocery retailers are not the only ones seeing the growing health trend, but restaurants also see the benefit to healthier choices.

Not only in Oregon but nationwide restaurants are offering alternatives to high calorie menu items. Applebee’s was one of the firsts to offer Weight Watcher menu items and Red Robin offers meat substitutes for all their burgers. Often dieters avoid eating out because typically there are few healthy choices besides a salad on menus. But now with these special menus, dieters can feel confident eating out instead of feeling chained to their ovens and health food recipe book.

Being healthy is not simply about eating right but also getting daily exercise. Oregon again has topped the list in this department. While the weather can be temperamental at times, this does not stop people from getting out and enjoying the scenery. Oregon has many parks with pathways, schools with tracks, and parks for dogs. If running or walking is not your thing, many people bike to work. Often in Oregon many companies have “biking groups” with contests for the person who rides their bike the most. Oregon was the first state to pass the “bike bill” in 1971, by 2001 3.8% of people were biking to work at least three days per week according to Oregon.gov. Since Lance Armstrong brought biking back into the spot light over the last few years, biking in Oregon is hitting an all time high.

Being outside and having healthy foods at the tips of your fingers is not something every state can brag about, the elite states such as Oregon can claim to be a “health nut” state. Oregon’s healthy lifestyle trend is not likely to change anytime soon. Get out and enjoy the bragging rights, every healthy Oregonian has earned them!

The grape vine trellis is a vital part of your vineyard! One really good thing about grapes is that they grow on a vine and need a grape vine trellis in order to grow well. Because of this space is usually not an issue. A grape vine trellis can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the needs of the grape grower and it can be made out of a variety of materials including iron, pre-treated wood, stainless steel, PVC pipe, or aluminum. It can be purchased or a simple functional design can be fairly easily constructed by hand.

People can grow grapes in their backyards with only a small amount of space just as well as vineyards can on a few hundred acres of property. Vines are not strong enough to support themselves and therefore need a trellis for support. The way a grape vine trellis looks depends upon the person who is growing the grapevine. It can be very decorative or it can strictly be functional.

Normally, taller grape vine trellises are used in warmer climates. A trellis that is shorter has a better chance withstanding winter weather and makes it easier to prepare the grapevine for winter. Shorter trellises use posts that are about three feet high. Larger trellises require a post that is about eight feet high.

A grape vine trellis can come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the needs of the grape grower and it can be made out of a variety of materials including iron, pre-treated wood, stainless steel, PVC pipe, or aluminum. It can be purchased or a simple functional design can be fairly easily constructed by hand. Although grapevines can be grown in a yard, they are a fairly large plant. You will need a space of about eight feet by eight feet for one vine. Important: A grape vine trellis should be constructed before the vine is planted into the ground.

Planning where your grape vine trellis is going to be should be considered before you start digging holes to place the poles into. You have mapped out your sight place the first post about two feet into the ground. Taller eight foot posts will be sticking about six feet out of the ground. It is suggested to cement the post into the ground. It takes several years before you will see a crop of grapes so; your grape vine trellis is going to be a permanent fixture for some time. Posts can also be secured by using catch wires anchored to the ground or another much shorter post set in the ground next to your main post.

Posts are set into the ground at a distance of eight feet apart. Two rows of galvanized steel wire need to be run between the posts. The first row runs along the bottom of the posts about three inches from the ground. The second wire should run along the top of the posts. Use a staple gun to staple the wires in place.

KEY CONSIDERATION: Remember that grapes benefit most from maximum sunlight … so make sure that you “align” your grape vine trellis network so the arc of the sun across the sky gives your vines maximum sunlight and does not “shade” one side of the vine and give more sunlight to the opposite side.

When your vine is planted and it begins to grow it will grow up along the two main trellis wires with some coaxing on your part. You can use string or cloth to tie the vine to the wires. Using more wire to tie the shoot in place can sometimes damage the shoot.

When your vine is planted and it begins to grow it will grow up along the two main trellis wires with some coaxing on your part. You can use string or cloth to tie the vine to the wires. Using more wire to tie the shoot in place can sometimes damage the shoot.

If you eat, and I am relatively certain that you do, you should consider online grocery shopping. Here are four really good reasons why online grocery shopping is right for just about everyone:

1. You can create more time in your week. Time is often worth just as much as money if not more. Grocery shopping online is much faster than the old way of going to the store. What could be better than more time and fewer chores?

2. You save money. You will save money and lots of it shopping online. If you are a person that tends to shop without a grocery list, more than likely you are also prone to making impulsive purchases. The entire grocery industry is very adept at knowing how to make us pick up an extra item here and there. Without the displays constantly tempting you to spend, your savings may be extensive.

3. You save stress and frustration. Yes, online grocery shopping is the absolute best for flexibility. You simply shop when you feel like it, in the comfort of your own home. No crowds, not pallets of merchandise to trip over and no over tired crying kids to sidestep. You shop when you want without the hassles and then set up delivery for when it is convenient for you to be home. What could be simpler?

4. Free delivery rocks! Internet grocery stores use good service to compete with their bricks and mortar competitors. A favorite way of doing this is to offer competitive prices with good service and free shipping. Free delivery is almost always standard. More service and free delivery without extra expense. Why not give online shopping a try?