I could not talk my husband into a washline...isn't that just nuts. He got mad because we have white lights on our porch and I hang my blankets on it when I wash them, to dry outside....he won't give me a washline, says they look tacky...personally, I think they look cute and country!
Well he bought me a retractable one yesterday. We did not put it up yet, and I can't wait to use it! We already have the set up for it to hook to, as the lady we bought our house from had one so he just has to hang the device itself.
I will let ya know how that goes.
Monday, April 28, 2008
How to make a Non-toxic cleaning kit
I got this article from a yahoo group and thought I would share it. It's been ages since I blogged....I use Shaklee cleaning products and love them, but in case I ever need something in a pinch, this is good to know.
www.shaklee.net/dillman if you are interested in shaklee cleaning products!
How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit
By Annie B. Bond, author of Clean & Green (Ceres Press, 1990).Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don’t pollute and save you money. Most are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into a non-toxic and healthy haven.Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family’s health is protected, and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterpart—and that includes costly, but worthwhile essential oils, and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade recipes.SUPPLIESBaking sodaWashing sodaWhite distilled vinegarA good liquid soap or detergentTea tree oil6 clean spray bottles2 glass jarsRead more about these 5 basic cleaning ingredients, and a vinegar update.CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBERSimply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.WINDOW CLEANER1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent3 tablespoons vinegar2 cups waterSpray bottlePut all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.OVEN CLEANER1 cup or more baking sodaWaterA squirt or two of liquid detergentSprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER1/2 teaspoon washing sodaA dab of liquid soap2 cups hot tap waterCombine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.FURNITURE POLISH1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juiceMix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.VINEGAR DEODORIZERKeep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don’t even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.MOLD KILLERSTea Tree TreasureNothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I’ve used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.2 teaspoons tea tree oil2 cups waterCombine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.Vinegar SprayStraight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.
www.shaklee.net/dillman if you are interested in shaklee cleaning products!
How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit
By Annie B. Bond, author of Clean & Green (Ceres Press, 1990).Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don’t pollute and save you money. Most are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into a non-toxic and healthy haven.Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family’s health is protected, and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterpart—and that includes costly, but worthwhile essential oils, and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade recipes.SUPPLIESBaking sodaWashing sodaWhite distilled vinegarA good liquid soap or detergentTea tree oil6 clean spray bottles2 glass jarsRead more about these 5 basic cleaning ingredients, and a vinegar update.CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBERSimply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.WINDOW CLEANER1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent3 tablespoons vinegar2 cups waterSpray bottlePut all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.OVEN CLEANER1 cup or more baking sodaWaterA squirt or two of liquid detergentSprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER1/2 teaspoon washing sodaA dab of liquid soap2 cups hot tap waterCombine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.FURNITURE POLISH1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juiceMix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.VINEGAR DEODORIZERKeep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don’t even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.MOLD KILLERSTea Tree TreasureNothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I’ve used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.2 teaspoons tea tree oil2 cups waterCombine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.Vinegar SprayStraight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Clutter Attack
I am on a declutter rampage. I went through my boys clothes. They have so many things to wear, and only wear the same few outfits, yet I wash it all constantly, they pull it out and put it in the wash again for me. So I washed it all and said, will you wear this….YES or NO…maybe means NOOO.
I have tons of clothes to give to my husband’s friend with kids.
I put a box in their room for future clothes they pull out and no longer warn,I will empty it and give it to a good home. Hopefully this will eliminate the unnecessary clothes wash I keep doing.
Next, embarrassed to say, I went through their video tapes. Now mind you, my boys are almost 13 and 15 years old. I found VCR tapes, which we don’t watch VCR tapes anymore of Baby songs and all. They are all boxed up and ready to go to anyone who might have little ones and a vcr yet.
My next stop is their book shelf. My sister teaches kindergarten and also, I have homeschool friends who can take some of the books she can’t use. The are never touched. My boys are into video games, and computer’s. They also play the guitar, drums and outside play. Everything else in their room has to go!
I
I have to get off the computer now, because, once I am in a “I don’t want any of this stuff in my house” mood, I need to get on it, or I will change my mind and find something else to do. It’s time to get it all done!
Clutter Attack!
I am on a clutter attack in my home. My boys have so many clothes and they only wear a fraction of them, yet they throw it all in the laundry, I wash things they never wore...
sooo
I rewashed everything and said, will you wear this....YES or NO and Maybe means NOOOO
I have a big back of clothes to give a friend for his kids. I am keeping a box in their room for any future items they pull out and decide they don't plan to wear anymore, so I don't have to rewash it over and over again.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Food Additives Suck
Another great article I found on this site...this site is awesome...if you have a rainy boring day, get on it, you can read for days!
Here is the food addtivies article
http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/02/15/food-additives-suck/
Chemical Food Additives - Are They Slowly Killing Our Children?
Some children are more sensitive to food chemicals and display immediate effects soon after ingestion of additives, colours in particular. In small amounts additives are not harmful. Effects are dose related and, tragically, dose for weight, children are consuming several times more additives than the acceptable daily intake (ADI)…The mixtures of the additives had a much more potent effect on nerve cells than each additive on its own. The effect on cells was up to four times greater when Brilliant Blue and MSG were combined, and up to seven times greater when Quinoline Yellow and Aspartame were combined…Risk of toxic additives, in isolation or in combination, is evidently most high among infants and children. Age is an important susceptibility factor, with infants and young children being most vulnerable to chemical carcinogens. Scientific risk assessment data suggests that infants (newborns) have a limited capability to detoxify due to premature development of the liver and drug-metabolising enzymes, furthermore their extremely small body weight may provoke toxicity…The fact that young children have higher nutritional requirements, smaller body masses and their diet is less varied than those of adults suggests that they may have the greatest susceptibility to toxic effects. For example, their soft drink and dairy consumption alone may be as much as 16 times greater than that of adults.
Processed Meats are Too Dangerous for Human Consumption Says World Cancer Research Fund
The review says that processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Practically all red meat used in frozen prepared meals was said to be unsafe as well as other processed meats including bacon, sausage and hot dogs. The World Cancer Research Fund claims the link to cancer is through the carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite, which is used in the production of all such products to make the color more attractive to consumers.
Rumsfield the Aspartame Poisoner
Here is the food addtivies article
http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/02/15/food-additives-suck/
Chemical Food Additives - Are They Slowly Killing Our Children?
Some children are more sensitive to food chemicals and display immediate effects soon after ingestion of additives, colours in particular. In small amounts additives are not harmful. Effects are dose related and, tragically, dose for weight, children are consuming several times more additives than the acceptable daily intake (ADI)…The mixtures of the additives had a much more potent effect on nerve cells than each additive on its own. The effect on cells was up to four times greater when Brilliant Blue and MSG were combined, and up to seven times greater when Quinoline Yellow and Aspartame were combined…Risk of toxic additives, in isolation or in combination, is evidently most high among infants and children. Age is an important susceptibility factor, with infants and young children being most vulnerable to chemical carcinogens. Scientific risk assessment data suggests that infants (newborns) have a limited capability to detoxify due to premature development of the liver and drug-metabolising enzymes, furthermore their extremely small body weight may provoke toxicity…The fact that young children have higher nutritional requirements, smaller body masses and their diet is less varied than those of adults suggests that they may have the greatest susceptibility to toxic effects. For example, their soft drink and dairy consumption alone may be as much as 16 times greater than that of adults.
Processed Meats are Too Dangerous for Human Consumption Says World Cancer Research Fund
The review says that processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Practically all red meat used in frozen prepared meals was said to be unsafe as well as other processed meats including bacon, sausage and hot dogs. The World Cancer Research Fund claims the link to cancer is through the carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite, which is used in the production of all such products to make the color more attractive to consumers.
Rumsfield the Aspartame Poisoner
So, what's in that Happy Meal besides a cheap toy?
Here is a great article I read. If your kids are beyond happy meals, well then, they and we adults are eating more of the same...
Ever wonder what’s really in your fast food meal? Here’s the ingredients list for a Happy Meal that contains nuggets, fries and a Hi-C beverage:
http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/02/12/so-whats-in-that-happy-meal-besides-the-cheap-toy/
Ever wonder what’s really in your fast food meal? Here’s the ingredients list for a Happy Meal that contains nuggets, fries and a Hi-C beverage:
http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/02/12/so-whats-in-that-happy-meal-besides-the-cheap-toy/
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Valentine's Day
Well, Valentines day really means nothing to me. It's a great time to get conversation hearts, but really, if they need a day to remind people to be romantic once a year, well that is just sad.
My husband and I spend time together, we go out to eat, hang in the hot tub drinking wine, etc all the time. I never really needed a day for stores to tell us that we need to spend money on jewelry we normally would not have bought because I don't wear the jewelry I have, or Godiva chocolates (ewww)....
I have been with my husband 17 years this year. I think we do just fine.
Shannon
My husband and I spend time together, we go out to eat, hang in the hot tub drinking wine, etc all the time. I never really needed a day for stores to tell us that we need to spend money on jewelry we normally would not have bought because I don't wear the jewelry I have, or Godiva chocolates (ewww)....
I have been with my husband 17 years this year. I think we do just fine.
Shannon
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