Vinegar has many uses and is a versatile natural product that can be used through out your home. Vinegar can disinfect, preserve and heal.
All vinegar starts as alcohol, which is created through the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar. When alcohol ferments, it becomes acetic acid, or vinegar. For example, a bunch of grapes deteriorates to become wine (alcohol) and then wine ferments into wine vinegar. This is pretty impressive considering vinegar is a byproduct of something gone bad.
Your kitchen, for example, is probably one of the hardest rooms to keep clean, with all the foot traffic, greasy pans, and spills. Vinegar is an indispensable tool for your kitchen because it can clean practically any surface. From coffeemakers, to dishwashers and everything in between, vinegar will clean better than any other chemical commercial product for a fraction of the cost.
With this series of “how-to’s” with vinegar we plan on giving you practical do-it-yourself techniques to help you clean your home, clean your laundry, cure some ailments such as hay fever, rashes, and heartburn, along with a few home improvement tips and tricks and much more.
To get started, bellow is a recipe for a multipurpose home cleaner. With this simple mixture, you can get rid of all those harmful, expensive cleaning chemicals. You can use this mixture on virtually any surface for daily cleaning. It is especially good for cleaning stove tops, counter tops, and ovens.
Prepare the mixture and store it in a clean spray bottle. You might want to recycle an old spray bottle from one of the commercial cleaners. To do this make sure to rinse the bottle at least 3 times to clean out the remaining chemicals from the old cleaner. Or you can purchase a new spray bottle at most hardware stores. Make sure to clearly label the bottle and attach a list of ingredients.
You can use this cleaner through out your home on any hard surface. Keep in mind that it is mildly abrasive due to the baking soda so use it carefully on easily damaged hard surfaces such as wood and glass.
* Whenever vinegar is called for through out this series, use distilled white vinegar. If other types of vinegar are called for, the specific types are noted.
Celebrating Earth Day is a fantastic event and it gets us thinking of the environment and what more we can do. And we can do more. We can take the ideas and lessons learned on Earth Day and apply them to our everyday lives.
6 Simple Things You Can Do Everyday
Give up bottled water. Did you know that in America we throw out more than 40 Million plastic bottles every year from bottled beverages, including bottled water? And only 20% of those bottles get recycled.
What you can do:At home, put a filter on your tap and use a glass. If you’re going to the gym; take your own reusable water bottle. At the office, get a water filter or a water service.
Use reusable bags at the store. With your own reusable bags you will know the answer to that annoying question of “paper or plastic?” - You will say, “Canvas, please!” If you did this one little thing, you personally would save 500 plastic bags going into the landfill every year.
Now that is Earth Life!
Eat less (red) meat.
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, one pound of red meat is responsible for 20 times the land use, five times the water use, and three times the greenhouse gas pollution compared with a portion of beans or pasta.
Create an organic garden. Planting your own vegetables means you can ensure they are organic and healthy. And getting your food out of your own garden cuts the carbon emissions that would have been required to bring you food from the farm to the store to your table. Learn all about organic gardening at Gardenerd.com.
Cut the junk mail. First, go to Do Not Mail.org and sign the petition for the “Do Not Mail” Campaign to stop junk mail. This is a campaign to create legislation similar to the “Do not call” registry. We canned spam in our email boxes and we stopped the “junk” phone calls. Now we can stop junk mail, too.
Second, even though the Do Not Mail registry isn’t created yet there are a few paid serves you can get to stop your junk mail.
41pounds.org (not for profit): Cost: $41 for 5 years
StopJunkMail.com (for profit): Cost: $19.95 for individuals and $24.95-$84.95 for businesses
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. The tried and true… But I think we are all getting the idea of reuse and recycle so I would like to focus on “reduce.” Put simply, buy less stuff. America is the largest consumer market in the world with the smallest population compared to other industrialized countries. Do we really need all that junk?
In my neighborhood you drive down the street and even though every house has a 2 car garage, all the cars are parked on the street. Why? because that 2 car garage is full of junk that we bought and clearly don’t need.
April 22nd marks the 38th anniversary of the modern environmental movement that began in 1970, when 20 million participants across the United States gathered at colleges, universities, primary schools and community centers in peaceful demonstration for environmental reform.
According to organizers at the Earth Day Network it is now the largest international secular holiday in the world with a half billion celebrants annually. With immanent climate change at the forefront of today’s global environmental consciousness, Earth Day’s call to attention is more important than ever.
Earth Day 2008 is expected to be the biggest yet! From Tokyo to Togo, to our flagship event on the National Mall in Washington, DC and 7 other U.S. cities, we will be galvanizing millions of people around the world behind a Call for Climate, our global warming action theme. Hundreds of events are popping up all over the globe and April 22 should be a most memorable Earth Day. We will be asking people to call their government and urge significant and equitable action on climate change.
- Earth Day Network
On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.
Earth Hour was created by WWF in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and in one year has grown from an event in one city to a global movement. In 2008, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe will turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America will participate, including the US flagships–Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
We invite everyone throughout North America and around the world to turn off the lights for an hour starting at 8 p.m. (your own local time)–whether at home or at work, with friends and family or solo, in a big city or a small town.
What will you do when the lights are off? We have lots of ideas.
Join people all around the world in showing that you care about our planet and want to play a part in helping to fight climate change. Don’t forget to sign up and let us know you want to join Earth Hour.
One hour, America. Earth Hour. Turn out for Earth Hour!
The people of Greensburg, KA, are leading the nation in green building, green energy use and are quiclky becomming the model community in the US for green living.
Last year in May, Greensburg, KA was hit with a devistating tornado, destroying most of their community. The determind Greensburgers became committed to re-building in a green, environmentaly friendly way.
“We want to re-build our community, why not do it right?” says one Greensburg citizen. “We see green as an American responsibility, one that is taken seriusly for the benefit of our children and our future.”
Most would think green living to be a “hippie,” “left-wing-environmentalist” style of living or set aside for the people who can afford it.
But not the people of Greensburg. They have come to the conclusion that Green is a blue collar, common sense, practical solution for our global future and well being.
Green Cubed
The green movement has spread quickly into the community and has the Kansas State University’s College of Architecture and Design inspired to contribute a project called “Greensburg Cubed“. Their goal is to have 4 - 6 10×10x10 cubes displayed around town. These little buildings will serve as an “education station” informing the community and public about green technology and products.
The green inspiration has also hit the high school where kids have formed the Green Club an organization of young people who want educate and inspire people to be more green. They have created a lightbulb exchange program, and have set goals that include putting recycling bins in their school and other initiatives.
The Greensburgers are not only rebuilding their communty. They are standing up and pioneering the way in one of our nations biggest challenges.
You Can Help Too
Show your support for green living and the community of Greensburg, KA. There is a donation button at the bottom of their web site.
A green home is a healthy home; free of toxins with fresh air and a clean environment for our families. A green home is also an environmentally friendly home with reduced energy use, conscience recycling efforts and sustainable living habits.
Creating a green home is easier then you think.
Reduce your temperature to your water heater by 10 degrees. By reducing the temp, you can save 3% - 5% in your energy costs.
Reduce your thermostat by 10 degrees. Even for just the 8 hours your family is out at work or school, will save you another 10% on your energy bill.
Get a high-performance shower head. This will use 60% less water and most are designed to produce the same feeling of water pressure.
Clean your lint trap regularly. Doing this simple task can reduce you families energy use by 30%.
Use chemical free, natural cleaners. Baking soda, salt, and vinegar are just a few natural cleaners you can use to clean your home. Most people have these items in their homes already and they are much healthier for your family than the toxic chemicals in traditional home cleaners. Let’s just put it this way; if you need to wear rubber gloves so you don’t absorb the chemicals into your skin or if there is a warning label that you must use the cleaner in a well ventilated area, it’s a good bet that the cleaner is not environmentally friendly, safe for your family and may cause illness.
Replace major appliances with Energy Star Appliances. This can be a big investment to purchase new appliances for the sake of having a green home but they end up paying for themselves in the long run. They will reduce your energy costs and help the environment.
Install double-pane windows. Also a big investment, but will pay for itself as well.
Remove all carpet. Drastic, I know, I’m not a fan of carpet. Especially when there are renewable, sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives that are much healthier and easier to keep clean. Bamboo, cork, and reclaimed wood are far better to have in your home than carpet. Carpet collects dust and no matter how great your vacuum is, it doesn’t get it all. The air quality in your home will be substantially improved without carpet.
Buy house plants. Plants are natures way of cleaning the air and producing oxygen.
Use Green Energy. More then 50% of U.S. retail customers have the option to choose green energy from their energy provider. Should you choose to do so, you’ll be using energy created directly from renewable sources like wind and solar power.
A great place to start for the organic newbie is understanding USDA organic labeling and learning what the word organic does and doesn’t mean.
When you’re shopping in the store you will come across a lot of options for healthy, natural and organic foods. Especially these days where the organic market is growing in leaps and bounds. Big money companies are fighting for your dollar and as a result muddying the word “organic” with their marketing gimmicks. Being a savvy shopper will help you make educated purchases and be self-assured that you are buying the best for you and your family.
What to look for in organic - if you have access to a local farmer’s market you’re one step ahead of the game.
The USDA organic label - this is government certified that the food, whether produce or packaged, is organic.
The #9 on Produce stickers - On the stickers you find in a grocery store there will be an item number. If the number begins with the number 9 it is organic.
The word Organic - For a company to even put the word organic on their packaging the product inside must be at least 70% organic which includes the ingredients used to make the product.
Polish up your tarnished copper pots by using a little salt and vinegar. Sprinkle the pots with salt. Then with a cloth dipped in vinegar, scour your pots until the tarnished is gone. Wash as normal.
Remove rust stains with a thin paste made of salt and vinegar. Rub the paste onto the stain and lay out in the sun to dry. When dry run item through rinse cycle. Repeat treatment if necessary.
Finally! — The US Government has come to the conclusion that we need to find alternative sources of energy. It took them awhile! Even George W., the oil loving Texan himself says, “America is addicted to oil.”
Cellulose, a material extracted from plants, could be a good bet. It’s the most abundant naturally occurring molecule on the Earth. Trees, lawn clippings, fall leaves… all of it could be turned into an alternative fuel.
This is how it works:
Extract the cellulose from the plant.
Add enzymes to break down the cellulose molecules into sugar.
Ferment the sugar into alcohol.
Distill the alcohol into fuel.
Result: Cellulosic Ethanol.
Sounds simple, right? Well, it is that simple but it’s really expensive. For scientists, the challenge lies in the break down of the cellulose. Nature has found several ways to break down cellulose; termites have millions of microorganisms in their digestive system, cows and goats have special organisms in their stomachs but scientists need to do it and stay on budget. They are competing with the price at the pump.
But there is hope for those scientists now with a surge of both public and private money. Venture capitalists have invested hundreds of millions on startup companies, the DOE has pledged several hundred million dollars in demonstration plants and research centers and BP has gifted $500 million for an Energy Bioscience Institute.
Is It Worth It?
I think so.
I think we need to find a way to live with the Earth not against it. The fight over oil and other energy sources has resulted in so much war, you would think it was a religion. We’ve scared the Earth, in some place so badly, that no amount of reclamation will return it’s previous beauty. We need to find new answers, whatever it takes, we need new ideas for the future.
It has recently been announced that Al Gore has won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. The former Vice President of the US has won the prestigious award for his efforts in raising awareness of the dangers of global warming, and for being a leading campaigner in the fight to reduce the world reliance on fossil fuels.
Why use those chemicals to whiten your teeth when you probably have the ingredients on hand to do it naturally.
All you need:
Baking Soda
Salt
Water
In a small dish mix equal parts baking soda and table salt. Dip a damp tooth brush into the mixture. Brush your teeth as normal. Then rinse.
Or, you can make a paste by adding a little water to the mix.
I would say this is a much better way to whiten your teeth than those sticky strips. Plus, this way you know you aren’t damaging you teeth.
Of course, this method doesn’t work over night or as quickly as the strips. So my suggestion, if you need those pearly whites for a special occasion this weekend; use the strips but then start a regular cleaning with the baking soda and salt to maintain the whiteness.
Table salt is an inexpensive way to treat your body to a nice relaxing delight. Salt can be used to relieve dry itchy skin and reduce the oiliness of oily skin. Salt, along with baking soda, can make an excellent toothpaste that is great at fighting plaque and is a natural whitener.
10 ways to use salt as a health and beauty product
Relax sore muscles by massaging your skin with salt. While your body is still wet in the shower gently rub salt in a circular motion all over your body. This will help relax the muscles and increase your blood circulation.
Wake up in the morning by invigorating your mind, body and skinwith salt and lavender essential oil. In a bowl add 1/4 cup of salt and 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Massage this mixture into your skin in a warm/hot shower. Then rinse off.
Relieve dry itchy skin by soaking in a bath tub of saltwater. You can use either table salt or sea salt; add 1 cup of either to a nice hot bath. Soak for 20 - 30 minutes.
Cleanse and tone your face with a mixture of olive oil and salt. In a bowl mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt. Use mixture to gently massage your face; avoid contact with your eyes. Wash your face as normal and pat dry with soft cloth.
Reduce oily skin by spritzing your face with a spray bottle filled with a mild saltwater solution. Fill bottle with lukewarm water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Pat dry with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary.
Get rid of bad breath with a natural mouthwash solution of salt, baking soda and water. In a small glass of water mix 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Use as a mouthwash and rinse.
Natural teeth whitener brush teeth with a mixture of equal parts baking soda and salt. Dip a wet toothbrush into a small bowl containing this mixture and brush teeth.
Natural toothpastebrush teeth with a paste made of baking soda, crushed salt and water. You can crush the salt with a spoon in a bowl.
Relieve mouth pain (sore gums, a bite on your cheek or tongue, or toothache) with a salt water solution. In a glass of warm water, add 1 teaspoon of salt. Swish in your mouth for a few seconds and spit out. Repeat if necessary. Any serious mouth problems; you should see a dentist.
Emergency toothache but can’t see the dentist right away; rinse your mouth with this solution: 4 ounces warm water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon salt. Repeat as needed.
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