Integrating Green

Preserving Fresh Herbs

2012-02-10T12:07:00.002-06:00

"Fresh herbs can be very expensive and are typically seasonal. To extend the life of fresh herbs, try freezing them in ice cube trays. For each cube, place one tablespoon of herbs and cover with water. Freeze then store separated cubes in zip top storage bags."

- excerpt from The Food Allergy Cookbook, by Carmel Nelson and Amra Ibrisimovic

Meat Glue?

2012-01-15T14:48:00.002-06:00

Can you read the following article about meat glue without feeling ill? I can't and I don't even eat meat. There are so many shortcuts allowed with regard to labeling that it no longer is an efficient way to verify the health and ingredients of your food. Know where your food comes from and how it is prepared and that goes for all food, not just meat.

Meat Glue: What It Is, And What You Should Know About It by Faceless39

New Year, Healthier You and Attainable Resolutions

2012-01-15T14:22:00.005-06:00

The new year doesn't mean you need to make big resolutions you can't keep. Give yourself small goals that you can accomplish without a major change in your usual routine. Enough small changes will eventually add up to big change and a healthier you.

Buy organic produce now. Yes, organic produce costs more, but in the long run, it will be way cheaper than medical bills down the road. Chemically grown and treated foods may not visibly hurt you now, but they can wreak a silent war that can leave you prone to a whole host of diseases later in life. Prevention with healthy foods begins now!

Eat out less. Even cutting one meal a week away from your kitchen can cut costs and your exposure to unhealthy food choices. If you don't have time in the morning to prepare a lunch, make several meals over the weekend and freeze them for use later in the week so you have a variety of choices of already prepared foods.

Make one day or just one dinner a week meat free.

Substitute gluten free pasta or bread.

Switch to organic, grass fed cow milk or cut cow milk out all together and switch to organic coconut, almond, rice, or soy milk. Better yet, get a high powered blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix and make your own nut milks.

Get a juicer and/or blender. Start your mornings with juice or a smoothie.

Get a dehydrator to make your own granola, chips, and fruit roll ups or to dry your garden herbs.

Check out this list for 5 Packaged Foods You Never Need to Buy Again by Jane Mountain

More Reasons to Eat REAL Food

2011-12-19T13:37:00.002-06:00

Posts like the following from LISTVERSE are disturbing in so many ways.

http://listverse.com/2009/03/10/top-10-bizarre-food-ingredients/

Watch It...Now!

2011-09-05T16:20:00.000-05:00

You can currently view Forks Over Knives on Netflix instant play. Go there, play it, watch it...now! When you are done, check out Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. You can thank me later.

Food

2011-02-08T16:30:00.000-06:00

Some helpful food tips:

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/financiallyfit/14-ways-to-save-money-on-groceries-2447559/

And some delish vegetarian recipes:

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/want-to-eat-healthy-try-these-8-vegetarian-meals-2448539/;_ylt=AhcSo4eE3gAoCOKqPTy7zxhhbqU5

Happy New Year

2011-01-20T19:01:00.001-06:00

Happy 2010! I've been busy continuing my quest to be green.

In 2010,

* I joined a CSA

* Planted my first garden, and

* Switched to all organic meats and veggies (a huge hit to the wallet but worth it in the long run)

In 2011, I will,

* Expand my garden

* Buy more organic/eco friendly clothing, and

* Continue to educate my children on the importance of living green throughout their lives for their own health and that of this lovely planet we live on.

What have you done/will you do?

Happy Green Living!!!

Apples

2010-09-15T21:30:00.000-05:00

Apple juice seems to be a common staple for kids, but have you ever looked at the label...have you ever really read where the juice comes from? Organic and non organic apple juice sold in the US often comes from other countries such as Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Argentina, Chile, Turkey, Brazil, and/or China. Have you ever wondered how long ago that apple juice was made, under what conditions, and how much of it is actually apple juice, rather than water or some form of sugar? On top of all of that, the following article points out that it also contains arsenic:

http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/19/apple-juice-contains-high-levels-arsenic/

Your best bet is to get yourself a professional grade blender (Vitamix or Blendtec) and a juicer (Omega, Green Star, Jack Lalanne, Breville, or break the bank with a Norwalk). That way you can purchase the produce yourself (hopefully from local sources) and enjoy it without added water, sugar, preservatives, dyes, etc. Nothing beats a home made cup of juice or smoothie.

Cheers!

Salt

2010-08-16T17:24:00.000-05:00

Apparently salt has a lot more uses than I could ever imagine, some of them quite natural like:

Repair walls.
To fill nail holes, fix chips or other small dings in white sheet-rock or plaster walls, mix 2 tablespoons salt and 2 tablespoons cornstarch, then add enough water (about 5 teaspoons) to make a thick paste. Use the paste to fill the holes.

Deter patio weeds.
If weeds or grass grow between bricks or blocks in your patio, sidewalk, or driveway, carefully spread salt between the cracks, then sprinkle with water or wait for rain to wet it down.

Check out the following article to find out more wonderful ways to use salt.

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/46-smart-uses-for-salt-2270681/

Be sure to check out the links below the article to find out uses for beer, baking soda, and white vinegar.

Plastics - Midway Atoll

2010-08-14T13:06:00.000-05:00

PBS highlights photographer Chris Jordon's documentation of the effects of plastic on the Midway Atoll near the Great Pacific Garbage Island.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/environment/an-ocean-of-plastic/2686/

And here is a link to the Midway project website for more information:

http://www.midwayjourney.com/

Documentaries Worth Watching

2010-08-14T11:34:00.000-05:00

Here, in no particular order, is a list of documentaries I think are worth watching. Some of them are available online for free while others can be viewed via Netflix. A Delicate Balance can be seen online for $5 US.

1. Food Fight - http://www.foodfightthedoc.com/foodfight.html

2. Dirt - http://dirtthemovie.org/pages/all-about-dirt

3. A Delicate Balance - http://www.adelicatebalance.com.au/

4. Fresh - http://www.freshthemovie.com/

5. Killer at Large - http://killeratlarge.com/main.html

6. King Corn - http://www.kingcorn.net/

7. The Garden - http://www.thegardenmovie.com/

8. The Power of Community - http://www.powerofcommunity.org/cm/index.php

9. The Real Dirt on Farmer John - http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/realdirt/film.html

10. The Future of Food - http://www.thefutureoffood.com/

11. Food Stamped - http://www.foodstamped.com/

12. Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers - http://www.lesblank.com/more/garlic.html

13. The Price of Sugar - http://www.thepriceofsugar.com/

14. All In This Tea - http://www.allinthistea.com/index.html

15. Fast Food Nation - http://www.foxsearchlight.com/fastfoodnation/

16. Processed People - http://www.processedpeople.com/

17. Food Matters - http://www.foodmatters.tv/

18. Gasland - http://gaslandthemovie.com/

19. Notes on Milk - http://www.pbs.org/pov/notesonmilk/index.php

20. Good Fortune - http://www.pbs.org/pov/goodfortune/

21. The Clone Farm - http://www.vbs.tv/newsroom/clone-farm

22. TOXIC: Garbage Island - http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-garbage-island-full-length

23. Thirst - http://www.pbs.org/pov/thirst/

24. TOXIC: Imperial Valley - http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-imperial-valley-1-of-2

25. TOXIC: Gulf - http://www.vbs.tv/watch/toxic/toxic-gulf-full-length

26. Super Size Me - http://www.hulu.com/watch/63283/super-size-me

Happy Green Living!!!

Recycling in the Garden

2010-04-24T15:25:00.000-05:00

While prepping my seeds to germinate, I took a look at my recycle bin and found several containers I could use as sprouting pots instead of buying some at the store. Some of the items I found useful were egg cartons (especially paper ones because the whole thing can go directly in the ground), plastic rice cracker trays, yogurt and sour cream cups (with holes poked in the bottom for drainage), and tomato containers.

It has been fun watching the honeydew, cucumber, acorn and spaghetti squash sprout in the makeshift containers. Still waiting for the jalapenos, tomatoes, peppers, basil, chives, and my favorite...cilantro.

If you don't have the time or space for a garden in your yard, a great way to reduce excessive packaging and benefit your body with fresh produce is to check out your local farmers market (don't forget to bring your own bag), or better yet, join a local CSA.

Happy planting!!!

Mammalian Excreta, BPA, and Other Gross (Sometimes Toxic) Things to Consider Avoiding

2010-02-23T10:18:00.000-06:00

In this day and age, with our stores filled with pretty packages it is easy to get caught up in the convenience of purchasing readily available items without thinking about what actually goes into them.

Do you buy diced tomatoes instead of dicing your own? Canned peaches? How about chicken noodle soup? Frozen pizza? Spaghetti sauce?

Did you know those cans are lined with BPA? Do you know the regulations that exist allowing an acceptable amount of fly eggs, rat hairs, mammalian excreta, mold and more to make its way into those pretty prepackaged items lining the shelves? Sure sometimes not knowing is easier, but when it comes to the food you eat, you can never be too careful...the food you consume is what keeps you alive and helps to determine how much time you will enjoy on this Earth.

Run on over to the FDA's site and check out the USDA's Defect Levels Handbook for a glimpse of what they call "levels of natural or unavoidable defects in foods that present no health hazard for humans." They may not be hazardous, but they definitely are gross!

Take a good look at your local store. The fresh produce is usually on one side, while the frozen produce line the other side....and everything in between is mostly pretty packages of junk. Try sticking to the outer sections and you will provide your body with the kind of nutrients it was meant to refuel with and avoid the junk that will gunk it up.

Check out this New York Times Op-Ed piece The Maggots in Your Mushrooms for more on what is in the food you eat...my favorite part of this article: "In case you’re curious: you’re probably ingesting one to two pounds of flies, maggots and mites each year without knowing it, a quantity of insects that clearly does not cut the mustard, even as insects may well be in the mustard. "

Homemade Potpourri

2009-11-11T11:12:00.000-06:00

If you are a potpourri fan, but would like a less toxic and more environmentally friendly way to enjoy the lovely scent without shelling out tons cash and disposing of excess packaging...make some of your own.

Fill a little pot halfway with water, add essential oils of your choice, a mixture of spices, and/or get creative with dried flowers or citrus peels, then turn the stove on to low heat and let it simmer. For gifting and making it look a bit prettier, make a sachet with a piece of cheesecloth, add the ingredients and tie it off with some string. Just be sure to check the pot often as the water evaporates to avoid a fire or burning the pot. Add more water as necessary.

One of my favorite potpourri recipes for this time of year is: a few dashes of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and a splash of vanilla. I especially like warming up a pot of this before entertaining guests and to help clear out the awful smell of something burning in the oven. Cinnamon, whole cloves and vanilla sticks work well too.

For those of you, especially pregnant women, who tend to feel a bit stuffy, a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil can work wonders. Bring the water and oil to a boil, remove from heat, drape a towel over your head, hover over the pot and inhale the steam. It is an affordable and natural treatment that can be very beneficial.

Play around with scents you enjoy or do an online search for "homemade potpourri" or "homemade potpourri sachet" to find many more ideas/recipes.

Happy Green Living!!!

Soda Maker

2009-11-06T20:32:00.000-06:00

What a great way to enjoy bubbly beverages for a lot less and while sparing the environment so many cans and bottles!

Check out the Soda Stream at home soda maker.

Cleaning Products in Schools

2009-11-06T14:26:00.000-06:00

What products does your child's school use to clean?

What kind of soap is in the dispensers?

Are our kids breathing safe air?

Could the air in their schools be contributing to asthma attacks, cancer and other medical maladies caused/agitated by environmental contaminants?

While most of us don't know the answers to these questions, it is important that we find out. School age children spend such a significant amount of time inside school buildings that it is necessary to think about the air quality. The impact of cleaning supply contaminants may not be immediate, but can show up years later. Taking the initiative to do something now can help save the health and quality of life for our children.

Please take a look at one of the Environmental Working Group's latest reports on cleaning supplies (the green/black box on the right has test results, faqs, and ways to help schools including a sample letter for parents).

Happy Green Living!

Light Bulbs

2009-10-07T22:38:00.000-05:00

If you still haven't changed the light bulbs in your home or find yourself wondering if the bulbs you have replaced were worth it, here is a Seventh Generation article that can help clear up any confusion and make you feel better about the mercury compact flourescent bulbs (CFLs) contain. The energy saved by switching from incandescent light bulbs is astounding and the mercury levels are way smaller than even two years ago (like 500xs!!!). So whether you prefer LED or CFLs, it is worth it and by 2014 incandescent light bulbs will be a thing of the past and you won't have a choice.

Happy Green Living!!!

Reusing Glass in the Kitchen

2009-10-05T22:42:00.000-05:00

Take a look in your refrigerator and pantry. Do you have consumables in glass jars? When you are done with the contents, what do you do with the jar? Do you toss it in the trash or recycle bin, or do you reuse it?

If you are interested in canning, need new drinkware, or would like a way to contain loose items like paper clips, nails, change...take another look at those glass jars. There are numerous nifty ways to reuse glass jars so you can save money and get organized.

The spaghetti sauce I use comes in a mason jar that will be perfect for canning my tomatoes next year. The cost of purchasing tops and seals for canning will be minimal compared to the amount that can be saved by reusing containers from items that have already been purchased. The honey jar is perfect for the jam I hope to learn to make from my mother. The capers container will become the cinnamon sugar holder. The chicken bullion one will house the nails in the garage that are currently in tattered boxes. The salsa ones are perfect for adult drinking cups while the smaller cherry ones will work better for the kids. How about using a larger jar to make sun brewed iced tea?

The cost of purchasing tops and seals for canning will be minimal compared to the amount that can be saved by reusing containers from items that have already been purchased.

Whether you recycle or reuse your glass jars, avoiding plastic containers that contain harmful chemicals is a fantastic way to help improve your health and that of our environment. Here's a National Geographic article to help provide a glimpse into a disturbing discovery that plastics can break down in the ocean with devastatingly harmful results.

Every little bit you do can have an impact. One change can make a difference. Plant a garden full of fruits and vegetables you enjoy to limit your consumption of mass produced factory foods. While not everyone has the time and energy for a garden, focusing on purchasing products from local producers is just as good...and whenever a store bought item is necessary, try to get it in glass or try to find it with the most minimal amount of packaging possible.

Please post comments to share your thoughts and ideas on other ways to reuse items normally tossed in the trash or recycle bin. It doesn't have to be limited to glass.

Happy Green Living!!!

SIGG Finally Cops to BPA

2009-08-23T09:40:00.001-05:00

If you have Sigg bottles, you will want to read over the FAQ on their website that states before August 2008, their bottles did contain BPA. Below is a picture to help you figure out which lining yours has. I bought some Sigg bottles this summer...half of them have the new liner while the other half has the older, brassy looking one and will be digging thru my receipts to return them as soon as possible.

I also recommend reading the information available on Z Recommends for a little insight into how sly Sigg was over the last few years scurting the issue of BPA in their bottles.

The more I read up on companies and the lies they tell in order to make a profit at the expense of their consumers health, the more frustrated I get. How do these CEO's sleep at night? How can they look into the sweet, innocent face of a child and continue to spew out toxic products? It is pathetic that providing a product became more of a game of profit than safely meeting a consumer need.

Educate, Challenge, Change! You can make a difference!!!!

Back to School - Eco-Friendly Lunches

2009-08-22T22:12:00.001-05:00

Buses are trolling through neighborhoods, backpacks are overflowing with classroom supplies and lunch boxes are stuffed with goodies.

The new school year is here and it couldn't be a better time to take a look at your kid's lunch box (hopefully it is lead and bpa free) and what you use to package sandwiches, veggies, crackers, etc.

Do you use ziploc baggies?

Even though there are new bags on store shelves claiming to have 25% less plastic, they are still made of plastic and end up in the trash after one use. Think about how many of those bags make it to landfills each day, or worse, fly off the truck and end up swirling around in the Pacific Ocean in what has been coined Garbage Island.

In an attempt to cut down on my household's waste, I switched to reusable, bpa free tupperware, but many lunchboxes are not big enough for a drink and bulky tupperware containers.

My problem was solved while shopping at my local Whole Foods the other day when I came across Wrap-n-mats. They are a fun, eco-friendly way to wrap sandwiches, veggies, fruits, crackers or just about anything. Not only are they good for holding food items, but they work well as placemats when opened up.

Clean up is simple...just wipe, air dry, and they are ready to use again.

Look for them at your local stores, order them online, or make your own. Every little bit helps!

Happy Green Living!

Crafty Cool Magazine

2009-08-22T22:04:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in some fun, chic ways to recycle trash into cool treasures, check out the new Green Craft magazine. The first issues hit newstands August 1, 2009 and is printed on recycled paper.

Just Say No To Bottled Water

2009-07-22T16:48:00.000-05:00

Bottled water litters grocery store shelves in various shapes and sizes and now has cute roller skating babies promoting it...but is it really that good? Not at all! Filtered water from the tap is the cheapest and safest form of water available. In fact, its the only water that received a good grade in EWG's water test.

For more reasons why a reusable drinking vessel filled with filtered water from the tap is your best bet, check out these links:

http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/07/will-watching-evians-roller-babies-make-you-stupider.html

http://www.thegreenguide.com/food/buying/tapped-out

Candles

2009-05-10T19:24:00.000-05:00

Do you enjoy lighting a candle to soften the mood, relax, or scent the air? If your favorite candle isn't 100% beeswax, you may want to reconsider and save yourself from doing more harm than good.

Click on the link below to read more about paraffin, lead wicks, soy, and the benefits of beeswax (it actually cleans the air):

Illuminating Thoughts - Toxic Candles at The Epicurean Table

Plastics and a Challenge for You

2009-04-24T11:47:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder how much plastic is produced, used, and discarded without much of a thought as to its effect on our environment? Well, here's your chance! How many bottles of water do you drink in a day...how many cartons of milk do you go thru in a week...how is your bread packaged?

Plastic is a part of our everyday lives in ways that most of us don't bother to think about. While it can be recycled, avoiding it as much as possible is best, but in today's world, is that feasible? It may be difficult, but anything is possible! A little will power and a dash of compassion can go a long way to help improve our environment now and for future generations.

Check out the Enviroblog entry about the movie Addicted to Plastics and see if you can come up with at least one way in which to curb your plastic use. Even the smallest change can have a positive impact.

Instead of buying milk in plastic or unrecyclable wax lined cartons, buy organic milk in reusable glass bottles from a local farm that has grass fed cows. Not only will you be decreasing your carbon footprint, but you'll also get a fresher, more nutritious form of milk that came from a cow in the last week rather than over a month ago.

Educate, challenge, change...you can make a difference!

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T14:42:00.000-05:00

If you are interested making a change in your usual routine to help improve the environment, but don't know where to begin, here are a few fairly simple ways to start the process:

* Recycle everything and anything your local city, town, county allows. If there are limitations, look into local drop sites that take items your local service may not pick up curbside.

* Switch to baking soda and vinegar for most cleaning jobs. Baking soda is a fantastic whitener instead of bleach or oxy brand additives and can easily clean a soap scummy bathroom. Vinegar is a great fabric softener and odor eliminator.

* Instead of chlorine bleached diapers that contain Dioxin, Tributyl-tin (TBT), and sodium polyacrylate, switch to 7th Generation or G-Diapers or, better yet, cloth diapers. The Natural Baby Co has a fantastic line if Dream-eze organic all in one diapers. (I have no financial stake in the company, I just love their diapers and have tried my fair share)

* Use reusable bags when shopping...bonus...some stores offer a refund of 3 - 10 cents when you use your own bag(s)

* When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, forgo the bag

* Buy products with minimal packaging...if you can't avoid this, recycle as much of the packaging as possible or come up with alternate uses like using bread bags to pick up pet droppings, contain a dirty diaper, or for the contents of the tupperware container hidden in the back of the fridge

* Ditch paper napkins and towels and opt for washable versions. You can even go to your local craft store and pick out fabric to make your own.

Bacon and Penguins and a not so well known relationship

2009-04-15T15:22:00.001-05:00

If you enjoy bacon for breakfast, you may want to put some thought into the type of bacon you are eating. The premiere episode of the new season of Stuff Happens hosted by Bill Nye addresses the impact of many breakfast items, including bacon, on our environment. Since it is easier to pick up a package of bacon at the store, bring it home, and fry it up without a single thought about what it takes to get it to you....here is some food for thought to help you out and maybe motivate you to pick a healthier, more environmentally friendly version:

According to Bill Nye: There’s an old supply chain from the South American Western Coast to North American farmers. And what is supplied is fish feed made from anchovies. So, American bacon pigs are fed fish from South American oceans. And so many fish are fished so aggressively that penguins are going out of business. The penguin ecosystem has been devastated, and penguin populations have been decimated by this practice. So we encourage you – the listener, the viewer – to buy…organic, grain-fed bacon. That’s what we want you to do to reduce the market for this anchovy feed. And it’s just something that humans are kind of doing by accident, but on such an enormous scale that’s it’s screwing up an entire ecosystem in the south western Pacific. (from Lab Out Loud)

Vegetarian for a Day

2009-04-10T17:42:00.000-05:00

http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/04/06/why-going-vegetarian-for-one-day-will-help-stop-global-warming/

Right Back At You aka Karma

2009-04-08T10:36:00.001-05:00

Check out the short connect2earth video on the 7Gen Blog

http://seventhgeneration.com/learn/blog/real-karma?source=email

Plastic and Garbage Island

2009-04-07T00:41:00.001-05:00

When you have some time, sit down, pull up this link and watch this 12 part video series. Eye opening and mind boggling. (Warning: It has an occasional naughty word)
http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=1485308505&r=teaser

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

2009-03-19T12:48:00.000-05:00

Know what perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are? If not, its time to learn about these chemicals, how you are exposed to them, and why it matters (you certainly won't find them on any labels but they are in products you purchase and eat).

Check out the EWG Enviroblog on this subject matter for more information:

http://www.enviroblog.org/2009/03/pfoa-in-butter.html

Eco Friendly Exercise

2009-03-05T13:39:00.001-06:00

Interested in an eco friendly work out? Then get yourself a pair of K2's Eco Maia (women) or Etu (men) rollerblades and protective pad set! Not only are they made of recyclable/sustainable materials, but a portion of the proceeds are donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Skate Stats:
100% Bamboo frame
100% Post Consumer Recycled PET Liner
50%Post Industrial Recycled PET Mesh
100% Laces made from Recycled PET
100% PVC Free

Pad Set Stats:
37% Recycled PET Sandwich Mesh
100% Post Consumer Recycled PET Liner

*PET = Polyethylene Terephthalate (A Resin Made From Ground up Water & Soda Bottles)

The shipping box is made of 70% recycled materials and printed with soy based inks.

Check out their website for more information on how K2 is "Save our Planet, One Skate At A Time."

www.k2skates.com/eco

Reusing Food Bags

2009-02-25T10:25:00.000-06:00

Have you ever thought about the number of bags you throw away on a regular basis? Everything from bread to produce to chips come in bags. Rather than throw them away...save them and reuse for dirty diapers, cleaning out the litter box, or picking up presents from your pup in the yard.

Another Reason to Avoid That Nasty High Fructose Corn Syrup

2009-01-27T10:49:00.000-06:00

Apparently high fructose corn syrup has mercury in it...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20090126/hl_hsn/studyfindshighfructosecornsyrupcontainsmercury

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mercury/

Natural Pesticides/Repellents

2009-01-22T09:48:00.000-06:00

Ditch the dangerous, conventional pesticides laced with synthetic poisons that are linked to immune-system disorders, hormonal disruptions, fetal defects, and many cancers. Natural pesticides and repellents are available at most stores, but you can easily make your own.

Boric acid or Diatomaceous earth (can be found at gardening centers) are safe and effective against ants and cockroaches. Sprinkle it around baseboards, under sinks and any other areas they hang out in.

Ants are also deterred by spearmint, peppermint, cayenne pepper, clove and cinnamon.

Fend off flies with sweet basil or clover and fleas with citrus oils, garlic or cedar. Citronella, neem and eucalyptus oils ward off mosquitos.

These are just a few remedies for pests. For more information on natural alternatives to pest control, check out these sources:

Earth Easy
Care2
Planet Natural
Pest Information

* From "Nine Things to Kick Out of the Kitchen" by Michael Witeman-Jones in Boulder County Home & Garden Magazine Fall 2008

Real vs. Artificial

2008-12-21T18:29:00.000-06:00

I have often found myself wondering which was better...a real or fake Christmas tree. I love the smell of a fresh tree, but must admit the needles can be a bit of a pain to clean up. So I looked very thoroughly at a few artificial trees just to see what my options were when I came across an itty bitty warning at the very bottom of a box that stated the tree contained lead and it was necessary to wash one's hands after touching it. That sealed the deal for me. With 4 kids and 2 dogs, there is no way a lead laced tree is going up in my house. While my mind was made up the minute I saw the warning, the researcher in me couldn't leave it at just that. I had to read more...so for those of you who are still debating or are just curious, here are two sites I found very useful:

http://www.christmastree.org/faketrees.cfm
http://environment.about.com/od/greenchristmas/a/christmas_trees.htm

May your holidays be filled with joy no matter what type of tree you choose!!!

P.S. We sold our house and have been in the midst of packing, thus the long break and future spotty postings. My apologies, but I promise to be back in full swing as soon as we get settled in the new home!

Biodegradable Bags

2008-11-17T16:05:00.001-06:00

Green & Clean Diaper Sacks (75 per pack) by Classy Kid Inc.

Don't let the name fool you! These are for more than just stinky diapers...they are also great for pet presents (inside and outside) and any other foul thing that needs containment/odor control before being tossed out.

These wonderful, affordable (which often don't go hand in hand when it comes to all things "green") bags are a great replacement for plastic grocery and empty food bags...yes, I even reused my old store bought bread, veggies/fruits, and chips bags...but now can recycle them and use these greener ones instead.

While I find these bags to be a terrific alternative to other non biodegradable plastic bags, they do have a "fresh scent" that is not clearly defined on the package, so I have emailed the company to find out if it is an eco friendly fragrance.

I haven't found them in any local brick and mortar stores yet but did find them at Amazon for $2.95 (with free super saver shipping) and Babycenter.com for $4.50.

Happy "green" cleaning!

Easy Chemical Free Cleaning

2008-11-08T19:33:00.001-06:00

My mother still has some of the best advice to offer. This time she has completely wowed me with an amazing cloth that can clean just about any hard surface...windows, trash cans, counters, fridges, dishwashers, mirrors, floors, doors, car dash/seats...you get the idea. All you have to do is provide the cloth with a touch of water (works best if you wring out as much of the water as possible and clean well in between uses) and less elbow grease than a Mr. Clean sponge requires. I have been actually enjoying cleaning kid art and fingerprints off the walls now that I am not left with a messy residue that Mr. Clean used to leave and an arm that hasn't turned to jiggly jelly. This amazing cloth won't rid you of all stains, but it sure does better than anything else I have tried.

Of course, there is a catch...just one catch...you can wash the cloth, bleach it, whatever...just DO NOT dry it! If you are like me and tend to lose track of no dry items when transferring laundry from the washing machine to the dryer, don't shed any tears...if you accidentally dry it, it will still work. It just won't be as pretty and a tad bit shrunken.

I highly recommend getting several and marking them with a permanent marker so you don't clean the toilet with the same cloth you clean the kitchen counter.

Check out this website to stock up on this super duper cloth.

Happy Cleaning!!!

Two Fave Non Toxic Cleaners

2008-11-05T19:39:00.001-06:00

Window Cleaner

1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap/detergent
2 cups of water

Combine in a spray bottle. Shake to blend.

Hand Cleanser

In any foaming pump container (I use empty Clean Well brand pumps cuz I like the colors), combine a few squirts of your favorite non-toxic liquid soap (I use the Dr. Bronner's soaps) and fill with water.

While you don't necessarily need soap/bubbles to get your hands clean since warm water and time are all you really need, this makes for a fun non-toxic way to enjoy the benefits of the foam so many of us have been programmed to believe equals cleanliness.

Enjoy!

Homemade Lip Balm

2008-11-05T19:37:00.000-06:00

For a safer, non toxic lip balm, make your own. Here is a super easy recipe I found at Care2.

Basic Lip Balm Formula
From Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

2 ounces oil
¼ ounce beeswax
1 teaspoon honey or glycerin

In a double boiler, cook oil and beeswax over medium heat until wax has melted. Remove from heat and stir in honey. Blend with a handheld mixer until creamy. Add flavoring oil to taste, stirring to combine.

Makes one-quarter cup.

My Favorite Non Toxic Products

2008-11-05T12:10:00.000-06:00

Eleven months ago, I began my quest to transform my household and lifestyle into something greener and healthier. After ridding the house of all toxic personal care/household cleaning products, I scoured the internet for all things non toxic that were within my budget (i.e. basically anything that didn't break the bank and cause my husband, the sole income earner, to have a heart attack when the credit card bill arrived).

Not only was I interested in safer ingredients, but I also wanted the products I use to be cruelty free, fair trade, and from a company giving back to the environment or otherwise doing their part to ensure the future of our planet and its ecosystems.

After months of research and scouring the EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database to find the best products that were as close to food grade quality as possible, smelled good, and actually did a good job cleaning, I present to you my list of favorites:

Miessence Garnet Exfoliant (normal skin) - the best scrub with a wonderful texture that doesn't feel too much like sand paper and delicious citrus scent

Tahitian Breeze Roll On Deoderant - Great scent and the only "safe" deoderant that doesn't leave me stinky on hot sweaty days or after a workout, but bear in mind, it will not keep you dry which is a good thing because you are supposed to sweat, it is your body's way of releasing toxins and cooling off

Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castille Magic Soaps - Peppermint and Sweet Almond, and looking forward to trying new Citrus. This stuff is so concentrated, I dilute it with lots of water so it lasts forever even for a family of 6...just don't use the peppermint in areas that are sensitive to the tingling mint sensation. I use it as a body wash, laundry detergent, toothpaste, shampoo (follow with the Citrus Skakai Hair Rinse and Peppermint Hair Creme). I also fill my foaming hand soap pumps with water and a few squirts of Dr. Bronner's for a great smelling, cheap, and non toxic hand cleanser.

Aubry Organics Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo and Conditioner - I love the scent of this stuff and the conditioner is amazing on my frizzy, dry locks! Its pretty thick, so it helps to add a touch of water to make it a bit easier to get out of the bottle.

Aubrey Organics Ultimate Moist Unscented Hand & Body Lotion - Thick, super moisturizing (I occasionally add a bit of almond oil to thin it out) and no icky scent.

Jaffa Lip Balm - my favorite lip balm because it actually works and has a great citrus, vanilla scent/taste

Ecover Dishwasher Tablets - combined with Wave Jet (below), is a terrific non toxic choice. I tried Seventh Generation but had a lot of murky film and food pieces left, but after 2 months of using Ecover, I am super pleased with my squeaky clean dishes.

Earth Friendly Products, Wave Jet Rinse Aid - Auto Dishwasing Spot and Residue Eliminator, this stuff works beautifully with the Ecover tablets to leave my dishes clean, streak free, and food free. I will soon be testing it in conjunction with Seventh Generation dish powder to see if it improves the film and food particles I was experiencing.

BioPure Probiotic Household Cleaner Concentrate - I love using this to clean my hardwood floors. It uses probiotic bacteria, antioxidants, and enzymes to break down grease, grime and dirt while neutralizing odors with a wonderful light vanilla scent.

BioKleen Bac-Out - contains live enzyme-producing cultures and lime peel extract that clean tough stains and odors while leaving the wonderful non toxic aroma of fresh limes...great on carpets, in bathrooms, and my top choice for use on cloth diapers with #2

Charlies Soap - Love this stuff! I was a Tide and Bounce addict until I converted to this miracle laundry soap. One tiny scoop seriously cleans an entire load of laundry and leaves it fluffly and smelling clean without harsh additives or fabric softeners. I highly recommend the big bucket...you won't have to buy more for at least a year and you can reuse the bucket for mopping, car washing, or storing toys.

Runners up:

Dr. Bronner's Hair Rinse and Conditioning Cream - while I love the scent of the Citurs rinse and Peppermint cream (haven't yet tried the Lavender) it can tend to leave a slight greasy like residue.

Bumble & Bumble Defrizz - the safest rated defrizzing shine goop I have found and a little goes a long way

My favorite places to order these products:
http://paigeye.mionegroup.com/
http://www.iherb.com/ coupon code: SAG078 for $5 off (October $1.99 priority mail shipping fee, always FREE shipping for orders over $60)
http://www.drugstore.com/