Due to family obligations and life demands I have decided to make the challenge a weekly deal...I think I bit off more than I could chew on this one....hehehe...but I will be posting a new challenge weekly and other odds and ends so please check back frequently and very sorry for the inconvenience Green Babies!


Love and Light,
Nirvani

Day 17 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

For today's challenge I am making Ghee, also known as clarified butter. Making it is as simple as one, two three... Some of the benefits of Ghee: It is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid and it can withstand high temperatures without oxidizing or smoking. It has a nice buttery, nutty flavor! Also many who are lactose intolerant can handle Ghee because it is strictly butter oil. I like to make up a batch on the weekend to use all week. It is great for sauteing, pan frying, or roasting...it is a wonderful alternative to other oils.

 

Directions:

Melt four sticks of organic unsalted butter in saucepan over medium heat...Let boil. You will see the milk solids separate and rise to the top of the butter. The butter will start to turn brown after about 20 minutes. Set a piece of cheese cloth over a sieve. Pour melted butter over cheese cloth. the solids will remain in the cloth. You now have pure Ghee oil. Pour into an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to two months. Give it a try Greenie Babies!

Love and Light,

Nirvani

Day 16 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

Hello Greenie Babies, 

    Here is some fantastic information about dust/bed mites....it is rather an eye-opener. So strip those beds and do some serious disinfecting...your family's health could depend on it!

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What's In Your Sheets?

If you could put your sheets under a microscope, you might be surprised - and a little freaked out - by what you would see. Almost very bed has dust mites, which are microscopic bugs that feed off of dead skin cells. These little things live, die and reproduce in the same bed sheets that you sleep in. The only way to keep these creatures under control is to wash your bed sheets on a regular basis. Otherwise, you may develop an allergy, or even a lowered immune system. As gross as dust mites are, they aren't the only things hiding in your bed sheets. Here's what you also may be sleeping in:


Dead skin cells - Your body sheds about a million skin cells a day, so some of those are bound to come off when you sleep. Unfortunately, dead skin cells are a tasty snack for dust mites.

Oils - Your body secretes natural oils as you sleep, which, of course, end up on your bed sheets.
Sweat - If you get too hot during the night, your body will sweat to cool off.

Bodily fluids - Saliva, blood, urine, fecal matter and bodily fluids from intercourse are all liable to show up on your bed sheets.

Food crumbs - If you like to bring that midnight snack to bed, there's probably crumbs and other food particles that are begging to be eaten by bugs.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bed Sheets?

• If you're washing your sheets only once a month, that's not going to cut it. Your sheets need to be washed at least every other week, but weekly is ideal.
• It's also important to wash your pillow at least twice a year. Pillows can harbor mold, yeast and bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, asthma or bronchitis. If you have never washed your pillow, you may want to consider throwing it away and getting a new one.
• If you are taking care of someone who is sick, you should try to wash the sheets every day so that person isn't recuperating in a germ-filled bed. If you aren't able to wash them every day, then just changing the pillowcase daily should suffice.

How to Wash Your Bed Sheets

The key to keeping bedding clean is to know how to clean it. It's important to follow the manufacturer's care instructions, but if you aren't familiar with them, then follow these tips to clean everything from sheets to comforters:

1) Bed Sheets

• Wash them in hot soapy water and let them dry completely in the dryer.
• Don't wash them with clothes as it might damage the sheets or cause them to become fuzzy.
• If the sheets have a stain, tend to it before washing.
• For a natural way to brighten white sheets, add a quarter of a cup of lemon juice to the wash and wash with warm water.
• Use medium or low setting when washing or drying. High heat can cause the fibers to weaken, which can lead to rips and tears.
• Ball your sheets up when you put them in the washer. This will prevent them from stretching out and losing shape.

2) Blankets

• Wool blankets should be washed in cold water and put on a low spin in the dryer.
• Electric blankets should not be dry-cleaned since the solvents used can damage the wiring.
• If you don't want to wash your blankets often, vacuum them in between washings to remove dust and lint.
• Mend any rips or tears before washing blankets.

3) Comforters/Bedspreads

• Test your comforter or bedspread for colorfastness before washing it. Dip a corner of the bedspread or comforter into a bit of the detergent to see if the color bleeds. If it does, have it dry-cleaned instead.
• Consider cleaning your comforter or bedspread in a commercial washer and dryer. Your own appliances may not be able to tolerate the wet weight of the bedding.
• Wash your comforter in cold water and dry it on low heat. Or, hang it on a clothesline and let it air dry.

4) Quilts

• Wash quilts the same way as a comforter.
• If the quilt is filled with batting or is old and fragile, hand-wash it.
• If the quilt has silk or velvet on it, do not wash it.

5) Pillowcases

• Machine-wash pillows in cold water and dry them on a cool setting.
• Fluff pillows daily to get rid of lingering dust and dead skin cells.
• Air out your pillows frequently to freshen them up. Hang them on a clothesline or near an open window.

If you're washing sheets for someone who is sick, hold the bedding away from you and make sure you wash your hands afterward. Wash the sheets in warm water and dryer them on a high setting.

http://www.symptomfind.com/health/washing-bed-sheets/

Love and Light,

Nirvani

Day 15 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge....

Yes Greenie Babies! Sex....you heard it right...It is good for you...actually great for you...in sooo many ways....So today's challenge is to get your groove on...This one should be a given;)

You know the old say "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"...So go get your groove on!

Sex cures mild depression according to recent study of 293 women. American psychologist Gordon Gallup reported that sexually active participants whose male partners did not use condoms were less subject to depression than those whose partners did. One theory of causality: prostaglandin, a hormone found only in semen, may be absorbed in the female genital tract, thus modulating female hormones. Besides, by having regular sex, the body releases endorphins into the bloodstream, producing a sense of euphoria and a feeling of well-being.

Sexmaking can burn up those calories you piled on during dinner and make you lose weight. Unbelievably, sex burns at least 200 calories (about the same as running 20 minutes). In fact, British researchers found out that by having sex three times a week for a year, you can work off the equivalent of six Big Macs because a person aroused has a pulse rate of about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete putting forth maximum effort. Sex tones up every muscle in the body. And if you are a frequent reader of Men’s Health magazine than you probably already know that the bed is considered the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented.

Sex relieves headaches because immediately before orgasm, levels of a hormone called oxytocin surge to five times their normal level. This hormone releases endorphins, which relieves the pain of everything from headaches to arthritis to even migraines.

Sex reduces the risk of heart disease in men. According to the Queens University study in Belfast, hat by having sex three or more times a week, men reduces their risk of heart attack or stroke by half.

Sex help you have better teeth. Kissing, saliva washes food from the teeth and and plaque buildup. Besides, researchers have found that sexual etiquette usually demands the brushing of one’s teeth before and/or after intimacy, which would help promote better oral hygiene.

The more often you have sex, the more sex you will be offered. This principle is based on the fact that a sexually active body secretes large quantities of pheromones, a subtle sex perfume, which drives the opposite sex crazy, making him/her to want for more.

http://www.healthmedicalarticles.com/6-reasons-why-sex-is-good-for-your-health/

Love and Light,

Nirvani

Day 14 of the 365 Day Green Challenge...

When it comes to green living, reducing the amount of energy you use is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do. 

While electricity itself is not unfriendly to the environment, the production of it is as most of the facilities we use to generate electricity are powered by fossil fuels. 

Fossil fuels are not renewable and the output from these facilities produces carbon which leads to global warming.

Luckily, there are several things you can do to reduce your energy consumption and the bonus is that you’ll also save money on your utility bill!

1. If you’re not using it, then unplug it. 

Many electronic devices today have LED’s that draw energy even if the device is not powered on. Your VCR, Coffee Maker and even your electric toothbrush all use a little bit of energy when plugged in. 

Those little bits can quickly add up, so when your appliances are not in use, try to get into the habit of unplugging them.

2. Shut down your computer. 

While it’s nice to have your computer always ready for use, it also uses a lot of electricity. When you go to bed at night, power off the computer, monitor and printer.

3. Get a programmable thermostat. 

Getting an automatic thermostat can be a great way to reduce your heating costs, be it from oil, gas or electricity. With a programmable thermostat you can set it to the optimum temperatures and then forget about it. 

Set it to 68 degrees Fahrenheit for daytime use when people will be home and 55 degrees Fahrenheit when you are sleeping or at work. 

4. Make your water heat more efficient. 

Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and get an insulated sleeve for it to insure it is working as efficiently as possible. 

5. Use your lighting wisely. 

Switch to more energy efficient lighting like LED lights or compact fluorescent lights and be sure that you don’t leave lights on overnight or when no one is in the room.

6. Energy efficient laundry. 

Even doing laundry can be an opportunity to save on energy. Make sure you always clean the lint basket after each load and be sure to set the appropriate water level in your washer. 

Doing these will help your washer and dryer run more efficiently.

7. Set the right temps in your fridge. 

Your refrigerator should be set to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit for most efficient use. 

Also, make sure you clean out all the dust bunnies behind and underneath the fridge.

8. Don’t run the dishwasher until it is full.

Make sure there is a full load in the dishwasher before you run it and use the energy saving cycle.

9. Buy energy efficient appliance. 

Using energy efficient appliances can help reduce energy usage as well as your electric bill so the next time you are in the market for a new appliance, make sure you look at the energy star rating and buy the most efficient model you can afford.




These are some great tips to get you Greenie Babies moving toward a more Green lifestyle. Good Luck Greenie Babies!




Love and Light,
Nirvani

Day 13 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge....

Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil are popular among vegans and vegetarians who want a non-animal source of Omega-3 fatty acids. However, everyone can benefit from adding flaxseeds into their diet. While flaxseed oil contains higher levels of Omega-3 than the seeds, the seeds actually have many more benefits than just the oil. Here are 10 health benefits of flaxseeds and flaxseed oil:

1. Flaxseeds are a a great source of fiber and work as a natural laxative. They are a great way to keep things regular.

2. Flaxseed oil contains concentrated amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fat. Vegetarians and vegans often use this as a substitute for fish oil, although there are differing opinions over whether the Omega-3 in flaxseed oil is as beneficial as that in fish oil.

3. Ground flaxseed has been shown to work just as well as statins in lowering cholesterol.

4. Flaxseeds are a good source of magnesium.

5. Flaxseeds contain high levels of lignans. Lignans may protect against estrogen-dependents cancers such as 

breast cancer.

6. An ounce of ground flaxseed per day was shown to regulate estrogen levels in post-menopausal women.

7. Flaxseeds have been shown to protect post-menopausal women from heart disease.

8. Flaxseed decreases insulin resistance and may protect against diabetes.

9. Preliminary research in mice shows that flaxseeds may prevent or slow the spread of prostate cancer.

10. Studies in mice show that flaxseed may prevent or slow the spread of melanoma. 

    As with everything, moderation is key. Too many flaxseeds may cause negative effects. Just one tablespoon per day is enough in most cases. If you are unsure how much is right for you, ask your doctor how much he or she recommends.

     I eat flaxseed in and on just about anything...I put it in my Green shakes and in my oatmeal and even sprinkle it on my salad....Wonderful healthy benefits Green Babies! Especially the added protection against cancer....so I challenge you to go out and get some and make it a happen to use it every day!

Love and Light,

Nirvani

Day 12 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

   For today's Green Challenge I am making Homemade Deodorant...Yes you heard it right....how will you give up your anti-perspirants?? Well to tell you the honest truth...anything that has been invented to stop one from perspiring is really not good for the body and can be potentially unsafe. Not only is your body meant to perspire, but also it is through these pores that your body rids itself of impurifications and toxic substances that enter the body, also your body temperature is regulated by its ability to perspire. If you would like to know more about this I suggest you do a little research on line and see for yourself.
     Now body odor is another story altogether...I am all for deodorizing oneself, but instead of putting unnecessary chemicals on our body that can seep into our pores and wreck all kinds of havoc on our internal systems, we can find natural ingredients that work just fine...it may take you a bit to find the right blend of essential oils that work best with your body chemistry...

Ingredients:

1/4 to 3/8 cup baking soda
1/4 to 3/8 cup cornstarch
5 tablespoons coconut oil
Essential Oils (I used cedarwood, teatree, and vanilla)

Blend all ingredients together...do a little online research to make sure the Essential Oils you use are safe for skin and also it is good to try a little on the wrist to make sure that you do not have a reaction.
I've saved up all of my used deodorant roll up plastic bottles to be refilled...Use a spoon to put deodorant batter into bottle and push down well....It may seem as if it is not thick enough...just place in the fridge for several minutes and it will become nice and solid. So give it a try Greenie Babies...I would love to have some feedback on this one...

Love and Light,
Nirvani

Day 11 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

    This morning I got up and made a delicious Green shake and thought I ought to share it as today's Green Challenge..I make these shakes all the time and actually throw in just about anything that is good for me! I don't usually take measurements, but will give you an idea and then I suggest you do a little experimenting on your own or check out some websites that are all about Green Shakes!

I will say that you have to have a relatively good blender...my old one did not blend everything down to liquid...but I love my KitchenAid...it works beautifully! Investing in a good blender is well worth it!

Here are the ingredients I used in this morning's shake...

1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 medium sized banana (very ripe work great)
1/2  cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you prefer)
2 tablespoons flaxseed
1/4 of Matcha Green Tea whey protein
1 tablespoon honey (optional..good if you like more sweetness)
small cup of crushed ice

Blend all ingredients together thoroughly...as you can see the blueberries add a nice color to your Green shake and make it appear more appetizing...and let me tell you this was one yummy shake! I could barely taste the spinach...it was quite sweet with the honey...so give it a try Greenie babies...this is a fantastic way to get your green veggies in for the day...you could do a shake a couple times a day and get all you need! Happy Blending Greenie babies!

Love and Light,
Nirvani

P.S. Here is a site with some other combinations...I add the flaxseed and Matcha for additional nutrition...
Green Diva Mom

Day 10 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

by Jennifer
Hybrid Rasta Mama

So what’s the deal with coconut oil?

I thought this article was well worth the share! You cannot go wrong with coconut oil! It is an amazing natural remedy for just about everything you can think of...and it actually tastes good! So give it a try... I always have a jar of it in my home and have replaced all my other cooking oils with it....you will love it Greenie babies!

General information about Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil Is:

·       Anti-inflammatory
·       Antimicrobial
·       Antifungal
·       Antiviral
·       Improves nutrient absorption

Daily Dosage:

Here is a chart outlining the recommended daily dosage of virgin coconut oil for persons over the age of 12. Coconut oil may be consumed by children under 12 but it is advisable to check with a healthcare practitioner on the proper dosage. Any good naturopath will have the information at the ready.

Weight in pounds/kilograms	Number of tablespoons of coconut oil daily
175+/79+	4
150+ /68+	3 1/2
125+ / 57+	3
100+/ 45+	2 1/2
75+ / 34+	2
50+ / 23+	1 1/2
25+ / 11+	1

Type to use:

·       Expeller pressed coconut oil can be used for anything. It does not have a coconutty smell of taste.
·       Virgin coconut oil tastes coconutty and is great for cooking and baking where you want that flavor.
·       Food grade should always be used.

80 Uses for Coconut Oil

Personal Hygiene/Body

1.       Moisturizer – simply scoop some out of the jar and apply all over your body, including neck and face.
2.       Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
3.       Preshave – coconut oil will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
4.       Aftershave – coconut oil will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores.
5.       Deodorant – coconut oil alone can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!
6.       Hair Conditioner/Deep Treatment – use as a leave in hair conditioner by applying a teaspoon of coconut oil to your ends and then running your fingers through your hair to distribute the rest! For a deeper treatment, rub in a tablespoon of coconut oil onto your dry scalp and gently work through to the ends. Put a shower cap on to prevent transfer onto bed linens and leave on overnight.
7.       Hair Gel/Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
8.       Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.
9.       Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
10.   Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!
11.   Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!
12.   Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!
13.   Sunscreen – see my post on natural sunscreen for more detailed information.
14.   Stretch Mark Cream – coconut oil is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.
15.   Nipple Cream – works great to nourish cracked, sore, or dry nipples. Apply to a cotton ball and leave on your nipples between feedings.
16.   Diaper salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.
17.   Cradle cap – having issues with dry skin on your baby’s scalp? Coconut oil will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
18.   Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
19.   Healing – when applied on scrapes and cuts, coconut oil forms a thin, chemical layer which protects the wound from outside dust, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil speeds up the healing process of bruises by repairing damaged tissues. Plus, it smells a heck-of-a-lot better than anything from the pharmacy.
20.   Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
21.   Skin problems – coconut oil relieves skin problems such as psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
22.   Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.

General Health and Wellness

23.   Stress Relief – relieve mental fatigue by applying coconut oil to the head in a circular, massaging motion. The natural aroma of coconuts is extremely soothing thus helping to lower your stress level.
24.   Digestion – the saturated fats in coconut oil have anti-bacterial properties that help control, parasites, and fungi that cause indigestion and other digestion related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. The fat in coconut oil also aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, making you healthier all around.
25.   Fitness – coconut oil has been proven to stimulate your metabolism, improve thyroid function, and escalate energy levels, all of which help decrease your unwanted fat, while increasing muscle.
26.   Nose bleeds – coconut oil can prevent nose bleeding that is caused by sensitivity to weather such as extreme hotness and extreme coldness. This condition happens when the nasal passages become dry because of cold or dry air resulting to burns and cracks in the mucus membranes so bleeding happens. To prevent this just put coconut oil in you nostrils. Coat your finger with coconut oil and then lie down and coat your finger inside your nose. Doing this will strengthen and protect the capillaries in the nasal passages. A Vitamin C supplement will also help prevent nose bleeding.
27.   For breastfeeding moms, consuming 3 ½ tablespoons of coconut oil daily will enrich your milk supply.
28.   Helps with weight loss & controlling cravings.
29.   Helps keep blood sugar levels stable and/or helps with cravings in those with diabetes.

Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when taken internally)

30.   Eczema – in addition to taking it internally, many have success applying it externally, some don’t
31.   Skin problems
32.   Toenail fungus
33.   Hot flashes
34.   Bleeding hemorrhoids (can also be applied externally twice a day)
35.   HIV
36.   Head lice
37.   Improvements in menstruation regarding pain/cramps and heavy blood flow
38.   Migraines (with regular use)
39.   Mononucleosis
40.   Parasites
41.   Thrush
42.   Relieve gallbladder pain
43.   Has helped some people improve symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, results have shown subsequent thyroid blood tests becoming normal
44.   Energy boost
45.   Flaky, dry skin
46.   May relieve acid reflux and indigestion when taken with each meal
47.   Adrenal fatigue
48.   Alzheimers
49.   H. pylori
50.   Candida albicans
51.   Asthma, even in children
52.   Autism
53.   Cholesterol – improves HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) to HDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) ratio in people with high cholesterol
54.   Chronic fatigue
55.   Circulation/feeling cold all the time
56.   Stronger immune system
57.   Mental Clarity
58.   Depression
59.   Helps with inflammation in Crohns

Health Problems (that coconut oil is known for aiding, relieving, or even curing when applied topically)

60.   Athletes foot
61.   Back pain/sore muscles
62.   Canker sores
63.   Acne
64.   Cellulite
65.   Herpes (applied topically and taken internally)
66.   Genital warts (through topical application over 6 weeks, and coconut oil enemas twice a day depending on the location of the warts)
67.   Circumcision healing – although I am personally against circumcision, I have read that coconut oil is a really great healer for this.

Cooking

68.   Use 1 cup to 1 cup ratio when replacing other oils/butter in recipes with coconut oil.
69.   Replacement for butter/lard/Crisco/PAM in it’s solid form – greasing pans, pie crusts, etc.
70.   Replacement for various oils in liquid form – baking, cooking, sautéing, etc.
71.   Nutritional supplement – melt and add to smoothies.

Other Uses

72.   Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with Deet! Tons safer too.
73.   Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to their water bowl daily.
74.   Goo Gone – just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge.
75.   Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!
76.   Polish Furniture – coconut oil with a little bit of lemon juice to polish wood furniture. However, I recommend you test it first on a very small, unobtrusive part of your furniture to make sure it works the way you’d like.
77.   Polishing Bronze – all you have to do is rub a little oil into a cotton towel and then wipe down the statue. It cleans and helps deepen the color of your bronze.
78.   Seasoning animal hide drums
79.   Seasoning cookware
80.   Moisturizing and cleaning leather products

Did I miss any? Do you use coconut oil for something not on my list? Please add it in the comments. I am always excited to find new ways to implement coconut oil!

Blessings,
Jennifer

Read the Full Article Here: http://hybridrastamama.blogspot.com/2011/06/80-uses-for-coconut-oil.html

Love and light,

Nirvani

Day 8 and 9 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

This will be two post in one, since I did not get a post out yesterday...I think today's challenges will be a bit more fun...How about some all natural pampering? And mind you this is good for women and men...hehehe...It might be fun to do this with your significant other;)

This is a DIY mud mask...
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Blend into a nice thick paste...smear generously over entire facial area, being sure to avoid the eye area. Keep on for 30 minutes, then wash off with warm water while rubbing skin in circular motion to exfoliate. Before applying this mask, it is always good to do a skin test to make sure the skin will not become irritated. Use a little on the top of your hand to test.

This mask is so effective due to the properties that these ingredients carry...honey and nutmeg both act as anti-inflammatories and reduce swelling and redness. This mask is great at minimizing acne scars....You will find your skin feeling quite invigorated and smooth.

Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Ingredients:
1/2 cup coarse brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
A few drops of Olive Oil or Coconut Oil

Blend together and store in an air-tight container. It can be keep for several weeks, if keeping longer I advice using Coconut Oil...Olive Oil tends to go rancid...This scrub will leave your skin feeling soft and supple. Enjoy!!

Love and Light,
Nirvani

A little Green humor....

"Checking out at the grocery store recently, the young cashier suggested I should bring my own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. I apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days." 
The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations." She was right about one thing -- our generation didn't have the green thing in “our” day. 

So what did we have back then…? After some reflection and soul-searching on "Our" day here's what I remembered we did have.... 

Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles repeatedly. So they really were recycled. But we didn't have the green thing back in our day. We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day. 
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right. We didn't have the green thing back in our day. 

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she's right. We didn't have the green thing back then. 

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn't have the green thing back then. 
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus, and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint." 

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then? 
(Shared with me through a facebook friend)


Love and Light,
Nirvani

Day 7 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

   Sorry I am behind today...having a busy weekend...today's challenge is to replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs...incandescent bulbs are not very energy efficient, hence the replacement of bulbs quite frequently due to lack of durability and the threat of Mercury contamination to ourselves and the environment. Imagine millions of light bulbs that are just sitting in landfills with all that contamination. 

       Although fluorescent bulbs are more pricey, they last twice as long or even longer....I have yet to replace any in my home since moving in back in May of last year. If you are unable to replace all of your bulbs at once, just change out a few at a time or switch out whenever an incandescent bulb blows. 

     Even though you will initially spend more per fluorescent bulb, in the long run you will save. I have not bought new bulbs in almost a year, when using the old bulbs I found I was buying them literally on a monthly basis. So let your lights shine Greenie Babies!


Love and Light, 
Nirvani

Green Wisdom...

Sunil Thakkar

~A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.~

Greek Proverb

Love and Light,

Nirvani

Day 6 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

  Today's challenge is to focus on eliminating or minimizing the usage of plastic bags. Go through the plastic bags you have and separate the bags that are torn or have holes from the the bags that are still usable. You can find many ways to reuse the bags you already have...you can even return them to the store where they came from or just reuse them when grocery shopping.

   I have opted for the reusable Green bags...you can find them in many stores for very inexpensive...I think I spent $1 each on mine. I keep them in the trunk of my car so I do not forget them and get stuck without when I am out shopping...If I do happen to forget them I opt for brown paper bags...I actually like to collect some of the brown bags to use for such things as  Holiday wrapping paper or mail shipping paper.
   The plastic bag issue has become quite a pet peeve with me...hundreds of billions of plastic bags enter our landfills every year, in which it takes hundreds if not thousands of years to break down...and the worst part is that billions of these bags escape our landfills, blown into the environment, where they can cause great harm to wildlife. To me, this should be the most simple thing we can do to become environmentally conscious. Just make up your mind not to use plastic bags...simple as that! Greenies babies...lets look out for our wildlife and our planet by purging ourselves of plastic!

Love and Light,
Nirvani

Day 5 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge....

  For today's challenge I went through my bedroom closet and drawers and pulled out any clothing that I had not worn for at least six months, for whatever reason. Then I put aside clothing that I still like but had not worn due to damage and repaired what I could either by using my sewing machine or by hand. I was actually able to revive several summer dresses I love but had not worn because they needed only a minor repair. I was even able to repair my fave Victoria's Secret bra! WoooWhooo! Now I can get more use out of that $50!

    I then bagged up any clothing that I would absolutely never wear again, but was still in relatively good condition and put the bags in the car to take to Good Will...I pulled out any old clothing that was no longer wearable and cut them up for rags and put them in a bag I keep under my laundry sink for messy jobs. Also my dear friend Andi told me today that using the toe or heel portion of old cotton socks are great for making sachets with herbs and essential oils to sew up and throw inside drawers or closets to keep things smelling delightfully fresh!


     I am going to raid my husband's and my children's closets as well and do the same thing....So my lovely Greenies get busy and raid some closets and drawers...Good Luck Baby Greenies!


Love and Light,
Nirvani

Day 4 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

 

    For today's challenge I want to encourage everyone to think Organic...food that is...Yes organic food can be quite pricey if I say so myself, but with that being said, it is not impossible for a family to eat organic, even on a budget. So on your next trip to the grocery store I want you to take a good look around and get familiar with what organic products your preferred grocer carries. If you happen to have a Whole Foods or vegetarian grocery store around you, you might be able to utilize their services, but if you are like me, I could never afford to shop solely at these stores. 
    
    It is important to do your research so you don't get overwhelmed. Make a list of food products you buy on a regular basis and find out if your grocery store carries any of those items organically...you will be surprised how much the organic market has grown...What I do is pick about five to ten items on my grocery list and replace them with organic choices on each grocery visit...if you can only do a few at a time, then that is way better then doing none at all and will get you a step closer to your goal of total Organic. Also if you happen to have a Farmer's Market in your area, you can find amazing deals on organic veggies and fruits...and you will be supporting your local Farm Co-Ops. The more we buy Natural Organic products the more demand there will be for them...the more demand  the more produced, which in turn will create a wider market, and by this, product will become more affordable. 
   

    If you question a product being authentically organic, just look for this label and it is guaranteed. If a product does not have this label and has the word Natural or Organic on it, more than likely it is not 100% organic. So make sure to do your homework and question everything without this label...So to reiterate for this challenge we are going to pick a few items to replace with organic brands on each grocery shopping trip. When I started this I picked items that I did not have to replace as often and also chose organic veggies and fruit that were available at my grocery store. Each time you do this you will find it easier and easier to choose organic. So let the healthy shopping begin! Good Luck future Greenies!

   

  ~Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, 

Nothing is going to get better. It's not.~

Dr. Seuss 

Love and Light,

Nirvani

Day 3 of the 365 Day Green Home Challenge...

   I am calling today Operation Roundup for Day 3 of the challenge...I went around my home and rounded up all products that are chemically laden and put them all in bags for disposal or donation. This was not an easy task for me...at least from a psychological perspective...sigh...no more Bath&Body or Victoria's Secret for this girl! Well unless they invent some products that meet my 'organic' standards of course;)

   Included in these bags are cleaning products, sunscreens, lotions, perfumed body sprays, hand sanitizers, and  anything else that is not considered 'natural' or 'organic'. If you can't pronounce at least half of the ingredients on a product's label, then you can just about guarantee it is not good for you or the environment.

   My husband, got a little worried when he saw me adding the sunscreens into a bag...The man's skin turns red if he is in the sun for more than 5 minutes so I could certainly understand his concern...After the many alarming articles I have read online regarding the dangers of sunscreen, I am on a mission to find an alternative sun protection for my family. Believe it or not, it is not that easy to find a trusting source for sunscreen...so I am on a mission to find one!
    I approached today's challenge with the mindset, that if I knew beyond a doubt that any of these products could cause cancer I would dispose of them immediately, no matter how much I loved and used the product in the past. Nothing is worth the sacrifice of your health and well-being...So get those bags out and start purging today Greenies!

Love and Light,
Nirvani

Homemade fabric softener...

   One of my greatest desires in the challenge is to replace all chemical cleaners with organic or homemade products. After doing quite a bit of research via the internet I have come up with so great solutions...some I have tried and not cared for and others have been a huge success...I will be sharing various remedies with you throughout the year that have worked for me. I would love any suggestions from those of you who have discovered tried and true methods.
   One of the first things I changed was my use of fabric softener. I had discovered that many of the store bought softeners were loaded with chemicals. I used to use the dryer sheets but found that they have chemicals in them that essentially adhere to our clothing and we can absorb those chemicals into our skin. I may be experimenting with several different methods, before finding the one that works best for my family. Cost will most definitely be a factor in this endeavor. I want to show that becoming green need not break the bank like some are led to believe.

   I first took an old laundry detergent bottle and cleaned it out thoroughly. This goes along with my philosophy  of 'if it can be reused then it is not trash'. As you can see I am more about resourcefulness that presentation, evidence the Tide bottle:-)

 
Ingredients:

3 cups of hot water
2 cups of vinegar
1 1/2 cups of hair conditioner (your choice)

   With a large glass or plastic bowl, mix together hot water and conditioner. Although my conditioner is not organic, I still used a natural conditioner with very few chemicals. Lavender is a fantastic scent on clothing!
Next, slowly mix in vinegar and blend well...I used an egg beater. Pour mixture into your bottle and leave the lid off for a while until it cools down. If you happen to have a larger bottle to store your softener in you can certainly double the ingredients. Just give your bottle a few shakes before each use.

   I must tell you I am a devout user of and believer in the power of Dr. Bronner's products. If you have not tried them, you should! I use Dr. Bronner's for just about anything from shampoo to glass cleaner to laundry. I have replaced my laundry detergent completely with Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds. It is an all-purpose mild biodegradable concentrate. I put approximately 2 to 3 hearty tablespoons into my top-loader washer and put about 1/4 cup of the softener into the fabric softener dispenser and Waaa Laaaa!

 
    I spent $16.99 on a 32 oz. bottle of Sal Suds...that is more pricey than most would pay because everything costs more in Hawaii...but this bottle of concentrate will last me months and months and has more uses than you can imagine...I will be sharing different uses for Dr. Bronner's products through out the challenge. By the way, you can find Dr. Bronner's products at most health food stores. I get mine at Whole Foods Market.

    On a side note, whenever I am washing whites I put about a 1/4 cup of vinegar into my rinse cycle. It will do just as good a job as bleach but is much better for the environment. Do not put the vinegar in before the rinse cycle because the vinegar will cancel out the effectiveness of the Sal Suds. Good Luck Greenies!

Love and Light,
Nirvani

Day 1 of the 365 Day Green Challenge

  Today I officially kick off the Green Challenge, and what better way than having a written plan of action. So for Day 1 I will set my intention by writing down my Green goals...I will start with more manageable easy short-term goals and then make a separate list with my overall long-term goals.


   So why is writing down your goals so important? 


1. It becomes a written contract to yourself which usually sparks motivation within you to achieve them.


2. Writing them down helps you to define your objectives more clearly and encourages you to state your plans in a more detailed way.


3. It frees your mind from having to 'remember' what your goals were to begin with. You can always refer back to your list.


4. It encourages motivation and helps you to stay on course and gives you a sense of accomplishment when you complete a goal.


   I challenge everyone who is participating in the Green Challenge to write down your short and long term goals and how you plan to accomplish these goals...If your plan is to eat organic food only...then write down this as your long-term goal, but make sure to write down short-term goals that will help you to reach this objective. If you are on a limited budget, as I am, make small manageable goals and graduate up to more extensive goals. 

~Obstacles are those frightful things you see when 

you take your eyes off the goal~

Henry Ford

   Start today, write down your Green goals in a notebook and read over your goals daily and have a plan and you can't go wrong! Good Luck future Greenies!

Love and Light,

Nirvani