Archive for February, 2007

10 Ways to Use Baking Soda in Your Kitchen

February 28, 2007 · Filed under Baking Soda, Home Cleaning

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Some Guidelines

You can use baking soda in 3 different ways:

  1. Directly - sprinkle it directly on a surface or on a sponge.
  2. Solution - use 4 tablespoons of baking soda per quart of warm water.
  3. Paste - add just enough water to make a consistancy that will not run when applied.

10 ways to use baking soda in your kitchen

  1. Use a baking soda paste to remove stains from plastic/rubber utensils and containers.
  2. Use a solution to remove stains from wooden bowls and utensils.
  3. Use directly or in a solution to clean your stainless steal sink and other kitchen surfaces.
  4. Use a paste to remove stains from laminated countertops. Apply, let dry and then rub off.
  5. Use 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water to clean tile floors. Mop and rinse.
  6. Use directly with a sponge or scrubber to remove black shoe marks from floors.
  7. Use a solution to clean induction and glass stovetops.
  8. Use directly with a sponge to remove coffee and tea stains on cups and mugs.
  9. Prevent clogged sinks by periodically pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down your sink, followed by hot water.
  10. Use a homemade solution (directions bellow) to cut grease and clean stoves, backsplashes and enamel surfaces.

Grease Cleaner Solution

1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup ammonia
1 gallon hot water

Mix in a cleaning bucket and clean surfaces with a sponge or scrubber. Wear rubber gloves and use in a well-ventilated area.

~ Do It Yourself Naturally

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No More Chemical Cleaners

February 28, 2007 · Filed under Home Cleaning

cleaning.jpgSpring is just around the corner and it will be time to clean your home from top to bottom. From the kitchen to the closet, using natural products have several advantages.

  • - Healthier - no harmful chemicals or additives that are dangerous to breath and absorb through your skin
  • - Inexpensive - natural cleaners will save you money
  • - Easily accessible - natural cleaners are easily found in your grocery store if they’re not already in your cupboard
  • - Safe for the environment - natural cleaners have no damaging effects on the environment and are not tested on animals

Before you begin the annual ritual of spring cleaning throw out all your chemical cleaning products.

Throw these out:

  • Degreasing cleaners for sinks and bathtubs
  • Multi-surface cleaners
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Dishwasher detergents
  • Toilet bowl cleaners
  • Floor cleaners
  • Polishes
  • Window cleaners
  • Disinfectants and bleaches
  • Metal cleaners and scourers
  • Air fresheners

Go for “soft chemistry”:

  • Pure soap flakes - and hot water with a little washing soda will clean just about anything. Simple - it works. 
  • Liquid soap (no additives)  
  • Baking soda - buy in bulk - you will get a lot of use out of it. Baking Soda is a natural mineral and a versatile cleaner.
  • Table salt - a mild disinfectant that is gently abrasive for scouring.
  • White vinegar - cuts through dirt and will effectivly clean glass, and remove stained coffee mugs and pots.
  • Washing soda - a natural water softener and cuts through grease making it an effective heavy-duty cleaner for walls, floors, and kitchen surfaces.
  • Essential oils - tea tree, citrus, thyme, sage, and eucalyptus oils all have disinfectant properties and can be added to any natural cleaners for fragrance.
  • Lemon juice - fragrant, safe and versatile cleaner 

Natural Cleaning Tools:

  • Non-treated Steel wool
  • Wooden handle bristle brush
  • Cellulose sponges
  • Old t-shirts and sheets

~ Do It Yourself Naturally

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Chocolate Lovers Beware - - It’s Good for You!

February 14, 2007 · Filed under Healing Foods

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It’s all about those Flavinoids

So what are the flavinoids and why are they so good for you?

Flavinoids are plant pigments responsible for many of the health benefits of many fruits and medicinal plants.

Flavinoids in chocolate:

  •  are antioxidants that are especially important in protecting against damage to the lining of the arteries from high cholesterol
  • prevent excessive clumping of blood platelets that cause blood clots
  • they also work like a very low dose of aspirin to prevent blood platelets from becoming too “sticky”

Is ALL chocolate good for you?

To a certain extent, yes because all chocolate contains the health benefits of the flavinoids derived from the cocoa.

But some are better than others.

Semisweet dark chocolate contains a higher amount of flavinoids as well as less fat and sugar. Milk chocolate, in comparison still has the flavinoids but has a higher level of fat and sugar. For example, in a 3 ounce piece of chocolate, semisweet dark chocolate has 170 milligrams of flavinoids and milk chocolate only has 70 milligrams.

Why we love chocolate so much….

Chocolate contains a “bliss chemical” called anandamine that simulates the feeling of “being in love” in the brain. Chocolate also contains another chemical called phenethylamine (PEA) that triggers mood boosting endorphines and dopamine.

It’s no wonder why chocolate is so wonderful to eat and makes us feel so good. So go ahead, indulge a little this Valetine’s Day.

~Do It Yourself Naturally

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Bass Fishing Rocks!

February 12, 2007 · Filed under Just for Fun

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I went bass fishing today at Lake Plesant, AZ. Had a great time but got rained out half way through. Can’t wait to go again next weekend to make up for it. I’m now pretty tired after getting up early, hiking in and getting some fishing done. So, I’ll catch you all tomorrow.

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My Next Car Will Be Powered by Bio-diesel If I Have To Make It Myself

February 9, 2007 · Filed under Bio-Diesel · Tagged , , , ,

b100.jpgIn my research of bio-diesel this is what I have uncovered so far.

- Bio-diesel is a blend of regular diesel fuel and a vegetable or plant oil; cotton seed oil, corn oil, peanut oil and others.

- The blends very from a 5% blend, known as B5 (mix of 5% plant oil and 95% petroleum diesel), to a 100% plant oil, known as B100.

- Bio-diesel is a biodegradable.

- Bio-diesel is a non-toxic fuel.

- It produces far fewer emissions when burned compared to petroleum based fuels.

In fact, B100 is so non-toxic that the cotton farmers in Texas that are using B100 to plow their fields are actually providing nutrients to their crops and making the soil richer.

Bio-diesel is the future…Not Hydrogen or Electric

I see a truly renewable resource in bio-diesel unlike hydrogen and electricity.

Hydrogen is only available in certain parts of the world which is our problem now with petroleum fuel. Hydrogen also comes with a huge cost for the infrastructure to distribute it and for the cars to run on it.

Electricity is expensive. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to see my already ridiculous power bill go up even more just so I can charge my car to go to work in the morning. And let’s face facts, hydrogen and electric cars are gutless wonders with horrible horse power making them impossible to drive on a city freeway where the average speed is 65 or better.

Bio-diesel has a lot more potential.

vw.jpgBio-diesel can run in any diesel engine on the market today. The only sad fact is that the only diesel engine that can run on B100 is the diesel engine made by Volkswagen. So, what about Ford, Chevy, and Dodge? The power houses of American cars. Their diesel engines will run on bio-diesel, you just have to use a blend not pure bio-diesel like the Volkswagen.

* Use caution when using bio-diesel for the first time in a car/truck that normally runs on regular diesel - - the natural oils used to make bio-diesel are great natural solvents that will clean your pipes through and through. You’ll need a tune-up before that first tank is gone. But after that, you and your car/truck will be fine.*

Also, bio-diesel can be distributed just as easily as regular diesel fuel or petroleum based fuels. The only problem standing in the way is consumer demand. If we ask for it, they will provide it. It’s the nature of the game.

My next car will be powered by bio-diesel if I have to make it myself.

A few years ago, we had a gasoline shortage here in the valley of the sun due to a pipeline brake. This created a huge mess as you can imagine; panic, price gauging, even leading to violence in some areas. After spending several hours in the 100 degree sun, pushing my car because I had run out of gas waiting for my turn at the pump, I told myself that my next car would not run on gas.

So naturally, the selling point for bio-diesel to me is that you can make your own bio-diesel in your garage. It’s safe and seems easy enough. I will do more research of course, before I actually dig in. But if you’re interested you can read more at Journey for Life or at Collaborative Bio-diesel.

~Be the Change You want to See!

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Too Much Time on the Computer? Relive Tired Eyes Naturally

February 6, 2007 · Filed under Eye Care · Tagged ,

tired eyesMy day usually involves 10-12 hours of looking at a computer monitor. From writing this blog to creating various designs for web sites, by the end of the day my eyes are exhausted, dry and aching. If you find yourself in the same position, there are a several ways to relieve and refresh your eyes naturally.

Prevent Tired Eyes

  • Drink plenty of water. At least 1 liter per day.
  • Take regular brakes every 30 minutes throughout the day. Allow your eyes to relax and breath, even a short day-dream can help.
  • A short walk outside can help boost energy and the brake from concentration can refresh your mind and eyes.
  • Use an LCD screen which operates at a lower voltage and has less strain on your eyes.
  • Sit at least 30 inches away from your screen to prevent eye strain.
  • Work in diffused light to prevent glare.

Sooth Tired Eyes During the Day

Splash your eyes with cold water several times. Then place a hot washcloth over your closed eyes and massage gently with your fingertips. Alternate the cold water splash and the hot washcloth for 10 minutes. Pat dry with a soft towel.

Refreshing Tired Eyes

At the end of the day, do the cold water splash and hot washcloth as described above. Finish by lying flat on your back in a relaxing environment with your feet slightly elevated. Place one cold cucumber slice on each eyelid and relax for 5 - 10 minutes or longer, if you wish.

Puffy Eyes

Black tea contains tannins that reduce swollen tissue around your eyes.

  • Place cold, wet, black tea bags on your eye lids for 10 minutes. Lye down and relax.

Pampered Eyes

The skin around your eyes lacks oil glands allowing the skin to dry and show aging. To help moisturize the skin around your eyes, use the treatment bellow a few times a month.

  • 5 drops of chamomile essential oil
  • 5 drops of rose essential oil
  • 1 fluid ounce of jojoba oil
  1. Mix ingredients and put into a small glass bottle with a dropper.
  2. Cleanse your face.
  3. Place 2 small drops on your fingertips and gently dab on the skin around your eyes.

~ Do it yourself naturally

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The Futrue is Now - 4 Cities That Are Changing Their World and Going Green

February 2, 2007 · Filed under Urban Green

Talk about a grass roots effort! The citizens of Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Los Angeles are on the move to change their cities. The best part is; it’s working!

Chicago

Chicago has some major problems but her citizens aren’t easily discouraged. They’re stepping up in a BIG way to reverse the damage of pollution, combustion, and over population. And they aren’t afraid to use their muscle to beat political corruption to fix their city.

Friends of the River is grass roots organization founded by the residents of Chicago in 1973. Tired of their Chicago River being treated as a legal dumping ground, they organized and recruted hundreds of people to restore 156 miles of river that traveled through 50 towns in the Chicago area. Today, with their hard work and dedication, the Chicago River is showing signs of revitalization with the return of native plants and wildlife.  

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is reviving their beautiful city and reclaiming what it once was in the first half of the 20th century. With thousands of vacant lots, empty homes and degrading industrial buildings left behind from economic change; Philly citizens have a lot of hard work ahead of them but they are determined to create a sustainable success.

The Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers were once so polluted that they couldn’t sustain aquatic life. Today, Philadelphia has built 3 award-winning water pollution control plants that remove approximately 92% of all waste-water pollutants before it is returned to these rivers. As a result, 42 species of fish now inhabit these waters. 

Seattle

One of our greenest cities, Seattle has set an example for green, sustainable living and it continues to raise the bar.  The green roots of Seattle lay in the hands of her dedicated and motivated citizens who have come together to form strong community organizations. They have worked to put green roofs on public buildings to capture rain water, provide natural cooling and other benefits. They have also planted more than 2,000 community gardens throughout the city to provide healthy food for low-income residents. 

Los Angeles

L.A. is one of our largest cities and a destination for many Americans with big dreams. With it’s sprawling population and grid-lock traffic, L.A. has brought the terms smog and pollution into our homes. It isn’t usually referred to as a city for sustainable living but everyone from innovative citizens, determined environmental groups, and strong political leaders are determined to improve their great city.

One person with a BIG dream, Andy Lipkin, founded TreePeople. He was only 15 when he first mobilized his fellow summer campers to pull up an old parking lot to plant a meadow. Today with thousands of supporters, TreePeople and Andy Lipkin are changing the L.A. landscape by creatively solving problems by incorporating nature. 


 “All our cities were built without understanding nature,” Andy said, “this is about working in partnership with nature.”

For more:
Eden Lost and Found
TreePeople

~ Be the change you want to see.

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