Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Simple and Delicious Treats


If you are looking for a great recipe book to make healthy and delicious cookies, brownies, cakes and more, look no further! Simple Treats by Ellen Abraham is just that, plus the recipes are really easy to prepare, are all vegan and use no refined sugar. This is by far my favorite baking book and everything I have made from it is amazing- even my non-health conscious friends love it!

You can find this book on the sidebar of my blog under "Books I Love."

Awesome Tree Free Paper


Need a new journal? Help save the rainforest and check out Ecopaper.com to see their journals, which are made out of 100% post consumer tree free paper. These journals mix both post consumer recycled content and agricultural waste from bananas, coffee, lemons and mangos, to help reduce pollution from the agricultural industry.

http://www.ecopaper.com

Another great paper company is Mr. Ellie Pooh (yup, spelled like my name), which makes paper out of elephant dung. This might sound strange, but it totally works, makes awesome paper, and is great for the environment.

http://www.mrelliepooh.com/
http://store.mrelliepooh.com/index.html


Rainforest Facts:
According to Rainforest Action Network, more than an acre-and-a-half is lost every second of every day (refer to the entries below to see, quantitatively, what that translates into). That’s an area more than twice the size of Florida that goes up in smoke every year! "If present rates of destruction continue, half our remaining rainforests will be gone by the year 2025, and by 2060 there will be no rainforests remaining."

Every second . . we lose an area the size of two football fields
Every minute . . we lose an area 29 times the size of the Pentagon
Every hour . . . we lose an area 684 times larger than the New Orleans Superdome
Every day . . . we lose an area larger than all five boroughs of New York City
Every week . . . we lose an area twice the size of Rhode Island
Every month . . .we lose an area the size of Belize
Every year . . . we lose an area more than twice the size of Florida

Monday, April 26, 2010

Heal Your Body, Mind and Spirit

Tom Monte, author and teacher of natural healing, is a phenomenal resource for helping you heal your mind, body and spirit. His books, articles, workshops, classes and programs are life-changing and will guide you to better understand yourself and your personal needs.

He is also one of the most prolific writers of natural healing in the world and has written over 30 books and hundreds of articles on every area of health. I have attended his classes over the last few years and was inspired by him to make real changes in my own life.

Check out The Heart of Healing, a free lecture he gave at the macrobiotic summer conference in 2008.

http://macrosaveslives.blip.tv/#1149143

Find out about workshops, classes and programs he offers from his website:

http://www.tommonte.com/

Green Business Cards Made Easy


Need new business cards? Check out 123print's recycled business card option for high quality business cards. You can choose from pre-designed styles or design your own. These cards are affordable and you can order them in small, medium or large quantities.

http://www.123print.com




Monday, April 19, 2010

Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies, Naturally


Using natural cleaning supplies is better for you (and your children and pets), the environment and can save you money! Here are some easy recipes to make your own home cleaning supplies from Natural Home Magazine.

Scouring Powder: Baking soda and salt with a hot water rinse
Disinfectant: Borax or soap with hot water
Drain Cleaner: Boiling water and a rubber plunger or plumber's snake
Furniture Polish: Olive oil mixed with a little lemon juice
Floor Cleaner: Castile soap with hot water, or white vinegar with water in a spray bottle or bucket
Oven Cleaner: Be proactive and line your oven with foil. Wipe up spills after each use.
Tile and Tub Cleaner: Baking soda, with a cut of lemon for removing stains
Air Freshener: Open the windows for a really good airing to avoid the need for air fresheners. If you want a scent, use a diffuser with a candle underneath and essential oils in water on top to be burned.
Window Cleaner: White vinegar
Antibacterial/Antifungal/Antimold: Tea Tree oil with borax

Lemon Mint Window Wash
For the shiniest windows, use sheets of newspaper (black and white only) to scrub and shine them. The newspaper ink may darken your hands, but it shines the window without streaking.

Juice from two fresh lemons
4 cups water or club soda
1 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
2 teaspoons corn starch

Mix all ingredients and pour into plastic spray bottle. Shake well before using.

Lavender and Tea Tree Spray Cleaner
This spray cleaner disinfects, wipes out mold and discourages its return.

1 teaspoon borax
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 cups hot water
1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into spray bottle for use and long term storage. To use, spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.

All-Purpose Cleaner for Kitchens and Bathrooms
2 teaspoons borax
4 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
4 cups hot water

Mix ingredients and pour into a refillable spray bottle. For stronger cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap, such as Dr. Bronner's. If desired, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil for disinfecting strength or neroli oil for citrus' cleaning oomph.

Grapefruit Abrasive Cleaner
This cleanser is comparable to a soft scrub and can be used for tubs, sinks, tiles, and even hardworking hands stained with grease. The lingering scent is pungent and fresh!

1 cup fine-grade pumice
1/2 cup clay powder
2 tablespoons grapefruit essential oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 to 1 1/2 cups boiling water (enough to make a thick paste)

Mix all ingredients together and stir. Store in a labeled airtight container. To use, apply gently with a damp sponge or cloth and scrub. Use a light touch on fiberglass fixtures.

Spritz-and Spray Toilet Bowl Cleaner
The baking soda and vinegar in this formula dissolve mineral buildup, while the oils loosen grime and give a fresh, clean scent.

4 tablespoons baking soda
4 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons orange essential oil
2 teaspoons grapefruit essential oil
4 cups water

Mix all ingredients in a measuring cup or a bowl. When you mix the vinegar and baking soda, it will foam. Let this mixture stand for 10 minutes before pouring into a spray bottle.

Carnuba and Lavender Furniture Wax
This paste wax will clean, condition and polish wood surfaces while providing a protective coat of wax. Fine carnuba wax is derived from the leaves of the palm tree.

The lavender essential oil enhances cleaning power. Use a circular motion to rub it onto wooden floors and antique furniture, buff with sheep's wool and a soft cotton cloth.

1/4 cup carnuba wax
2 tablespoons beeswax
1 1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon lavender essential oil

Melt waxes over low heat in a small saucepan. Stir on olive oil, then lavender oil. Pour mixture into a container of tin, plastic, or glass and allow to harden.

Greener Spring Cleaning


I recently started to help a friend clean her elderly parent's home and she suggested we pick up some natural ingredients to make homemade cleaning supplies. I was happy to hear of her sensitivity to using natural cleaning products and while we shopped, we found these great natural fiber non-scratch scrub sponges by Scoth-Brite. How exciting to use another natural product in cleaning that is 50% made from the agave plant, 23% recycled paper and uses 100% natural fibers! Spring cleaning just got a little greener.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Flow


Who owns the world's water supply? The privatization of water has been a serious issue and is explored in the documentary, FLOW. I found information about this new movie from Alicia Silverstone's blog, The Kind Life. Look out for this movie being shown near you, or get a copy of the DVD.

http://www.flowthefilm.com/trailer

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Global Oneness


Have you considered the idea of global oneness? Global Oneness Project travels the world finding stories about people, sustainability, spirituality, social justice and more. Check out their website to watch movies that make a difference.

http://globalonenessproject.org

Thursday, April 8, 2010

The Story of Stuff


If you haven't checked out "The Story Of Stuff" film yet, you are in for an eye opening 20 minutes. The film takes you through a provocative tour of the real costs of our consumer driven culture—from resource extraction to incineration.

Learn more and check out:

http://www.storyofstuff.org/

Friday, April 2, 2010

Invisible Children

3 young guys from California bought a video camera on EBay and decided to go to Africa in search of an interesting story. What they found was much more than that.

They found thousands of children commuting to sleep in the streets so they could avoid being abducted and forced into being soldiers.

I recently saw the movie Invisible Children. It reminded me that there is so much more out there in the world than just what I see in front of me. There are things to learn, stories to be told, and people who need our help.

Check out this powerful, heart-breaking and inspiring movie. Spread the word and do something good.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qds5MQCqWnk