Last Tuesday we opened our ecology and health class with an activity that involved mixing our own eco-friendly all purpose cleaner (minus window cleaning). My prof came in with ingredients for Alice's Wonder Spray, and I have been happily cleaning with it since.
Here are the ingredients:
2TBSP Borax
1/4 cup white vinegar
Hot water (add to 32 oz. sray bottle)
1/4 cup liquid dish soap--add last because it gets bubbly
20 drops of essential oil--optional (I put in my lavendar essential oil)
Apparently Borax is really cheap, and so it is very easy to buy a box and be able to keep refilling the same bottle every time you need new stuff. You can get cheap spray bottles at Menards for like $.99 so go ahead and begin your journey with your first home-made, earth-happy cleaner.
Also, its important to note, that while this is much better for you and your environment, Borax is not something you add to your tea or rub on your body, etc. You must make sure to keep out of reach of children/animals because it can be toxic in generous amounts. So make sure you find a safe place for your box. See here for more info on toxicity and its compound properties: Wikipedia.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Top 10 plants to reduce pollution in your household air
The New Ecologist made a list of the top 10 anti-pollutant houseplants and their descriptions. They rate the best as:
The Feston Rose plant
This houseplant brilliantly tolerates highly saline conditions, lack of water, scorching heat and billowing winds. The leaves of this houseplant bear a very strong and pleasant aroma. This houseplant not only purifies the air in your house but also leaves a beautiful aroma.
Devil’s Ivy
This plant acts as an excellent natural anti-pollutant against common pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. If kept on a top shelf, this plant climbs down as it matures. However, you should take care that this plant is not ingested in any way even by your own pet dog.
Phalaenopsis
With its beautiful flowers, this plant will surely enhance the beauty of your home and also purify the air inside your house. The houseplant itself is very small but the flowers are relatively big and marvelous.
English Ivy
An ideal houseplant for people who have pets. Scientifically termed as Hedera Helix, this plant is known to filter indoor pollutants like fecal particles, formaldehyde aerosols and much more and keep your house toxin free. Care should be taken while placing English ivy indoors because it is poisonous.
Parlor Ivy
Scientifically termed as Philodendron Scandens, this beautiful climbing plant is easier to grow and much easier to maintain. It successfully filters out unwanted and harmful chemicals in your household making the air fresh and healthy to breathe in.
African Violets
One of the most beautiful houseplants, African Violets make your house appear prettier and also fresher. Scientifically termed as the Saintpaulia species, this houseplant has really pretty violet flowers that simply awe you. However, you should take care that these beautiful plants are not infested with those pathetic mealybugs.
Christmas Cactus
Unlike its name, this plant is neither a Christmas tree nor a cactus. Moreover, this plant blooms beautiful during Christmas time and hence can prove to be a great Christmas gift.
Yellow Goddess
Be careful not to ingest all parts of plant are poisonous. Also keeps the air fresh and fragrant, so its attractive to bees.
Garlic Vine
Everyone very well knows the use of garlic as a placebo for innumerable health conditions. Even this plant can be used for the same. You can use the leaves, roots, flowers, etc., to treat cold, fever, sore throat and other breathing problems.
Many people suggest that this houseplant pushes out all the bad luck from your house. It bears beautiful lavender hued bell shaped flowers. Garlic vine serves a two in one purpose of air purification and treatments.
Peace Lily
The nail polishes, paints, other solvents and adhesives contain harmful pollutants like benzene, toluene and xylene. These pollutants are successfully filtered out in the ambience of your house by the beautiful Peace lily houseplant. To prevent sun burn, you must place the peace lilies away from the direct sunlight.
This article interests me as my itchy throat has persisted and it has been beyond the time frame that a viral bug would survive. I have been thinking allergies might be the culprit or the air quality of my apartment. I was lucky enough to find an article at Dr. Mercola's website that spoke to plants that help reduce pollution in your house. I was surprised to find that 3 out of 4 of my houseplants were on the list (Devil's Ivy, Orchid, and Peace Lily). I plan to purchase another plant this weekend as I have felt the need to have some in my bedroom as well.
As Mercola's website pronounces living closer to nature can help you live longer, and so the presence of some household plants can do more than you think for your psyche.
For a more detailed, thorough explanation of how these household plants help your air quality please check The New Ecologist from which all textual information was found.
The Feston Rose plant
This houseplant brilliantly tolerates highly saline conditions, lack of water, scorching heat and billowing winds. The leaves of this houseplant bear a very strong and pleasant aroma. This houseplant not only purifies the air in your house but also leaves a beautiful aroma.
Devil’s Ivy
This plant acts as an excellent natural anti-pollutant against common pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. If kept on a top shelf, this plant climbs down as it matures. However, you should take care that this plant is not ingested in any way even by your own pet dog.
Phalaenopsis
With its beautiful flowers, this plant will surely enhance the beauty of your home and also purify the air inside your house. The houseplant itself is very small but the flowers are relatively big and marvelous.
English Ivy
An ideal houseplant for people who have pets. Scientifically termed as Hedera Helix, this plant is known to filter indoor pollutants like fecal particles, formaldehyde aerosols and much more and keep your house toxin free. Care should be taken while placing English ivy indoors because it is poisonous.
Parlor Ivy
Scientifically termed as Philodendron Scandens, this beautiful climbing plant is easier to grow and much easier to maintain. It successfully filters out unwanted and harmful chemicals in your household making the air fresh and healthy to breathe in.
African Violets
One of the most beautiful houseplants, African Violets make your house appear prettier and also fresher. Scientifically termed as the Saintpaulia species, this houseplant has really pretty violet flowers that simply awe you. However, you should take care that these beautiful plants are not infested with those pathetic mealybugs.
Christmas Cactus
Unlike its name, this plant is neither a Christmas tree nor a cactus. Moreover, this plant blooms beautiful during Christmas time and hence can prove to be a great Christmas gift.
Yellow Goddess
Be careful not to ingest all parts of plant are poisonous. Also keeps the air fresh and fragrant, so its attractive to bees.
Garlic Vine
Everyone very well knows the use of garlic as a placebo for innumerable health conditions. Even this plant can be used for the same. You can use the leaves, roots, flowers, etc., to treat cold, fever, sore throat and other breathing problems.
Many people suggest that this houseplant pushes out all the bad luck from your house. It bears beautiful lavender hued bell shaped flowers. Garlic vine serves a two in one purpose of air purification and treatments.
Peace Lily
The nail polishes, paints, other solvents and adhesives contain harmful pollutants like benzene, toluene and xylene. These pollutants are successfully filtered out in the ambience of your house by the beautiful Peace lily houseplant. To prevent sun burn, you must place the peace lilies away from the direct sunlight.
This article interests me as my itchy throat has persisted and it has been beyond the time frame that a viral bug would survive. I have been thinking allergies might be the culprit or the air quality of my apartment. I was lucky enough to find an article at Dr. Mercola's website that spoke to plants that help reduce pollution in your house. I was surprised to find that 3 out of 4 of my houseplants were on the list (Devil's Ivy, Orchid, and Peace Lily). I plan to purchase another plant this weekend as I have felt the need to have some in my bedroom as well.
As Mercola's website pronounces living closer to nature can help you live longer, and so the presence of some household plants can do more than you think for your psyche.
For a more detailed, thorough explanation of how these household plants help your air quality please check The New Ecologist from which all textual information was found.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Clothing Swaps
Green Tip for today:
Recycling goes beyond cans. Take recycling to a-whole-nother level, be creative. Host a clothing swap for your friends (and yourself)!
Tonight I attended an amazing event. I went to my first clothing swap! It is as simple as its name... basically you bring items you don't wear anymore and then you trade them for new stuff! The quote one person's trash is another person's treasure couldn't apply more here. In fact it could even be extended to sharing your treasure you can't use anymore with somebody you also adore. My friend Kate hosted the clothing swap at her place. There were great snacks and drink and there were 6 people total to attend the event. At first we were nervous on the low attendance, but it turned out for the better. Everybody brought clothes they loved but could not wear anymore...too short, too long, too tight, etc. All clothes, accessories, etc. were laid out and hung up on hangers. Mirrors were put up around the room, and we all went shopping!! We tried on the clothes, modeled them for each another and then gathered our newfound loves into piles. It was like Christmas. Once everyone was satisfied with their piles, we each had to go through each item we choose and we had to show it to the entire room of shoppers. If anybody had any objections they were able to do so then, and the two parties would have to model the item to see which person deserved it more. Luckily with the number of girls and the kinds of girls there (different body types and styles) we were all able to find items that we all really loved and nobody was tug-o-war-ing with one another. There was plenty to go around and the rest of the items leftover are being donated.
I had an absolute blast, because not only was it completely free and wonderful to get "new" things for the fall season, but it was also good for the environment because there was no buying/consuming of new things, just the sharing of resources. I had so much fun I am already going through my closets and searching for items to donate to the next clothing swap.
Here are some pictures of the great grabs I got most of which came straight from the hostess's closet.
Also, I can't not mention the fact that today I helped with my family garage sale and also had the chance to check out our neighbor's sale and scored a bundt/angel food cake carrier as well as a pie/smaller cake carrier, along with a set of 6 wine glasses for a total of $5. Garage sales are another great way to conserve and share what is already out there!
Now I think it's time to bake!
Recycling goes beyond cans. Take recycling to a-whole-nother level, be creative. Host a clothing swap for your friends (and yourself)!
Tonight I attended an amazing event. I went to my first clothing swap! It is as simple as its name... basically you bring items you don't wear anymore and then you trade them for new stuff! The quote one person's trash is another person's treasure couldn't apply more here. In fact it could even be extended to sharing your treasure you can't use anymore with somebody you also adore. My friend Kate hosted the clothing swap at her place. There were great snacks and drink and there were 6 people total to attend the event. At first we were nervous on the low attendance, but it turned out for the better. Everybody brought clothes they loved but could not wear anymore...too short, too long, too tight, etc. All clothes, accessories, etc. were laid out and hung up on hangers. Mirrors were put up around the room, and we all went shopping!! We tried on the clothes, modeled them for each another and then gathered our newfound loves into piles. It was like Christmas. Once everyone was satisfied with their piles, we each had to go through each item we choose and we had to show it to the entire room of shoppers. If anybody had any objections they were able to do so then, and the two parties would have to model the item to see which person deserved it more. Luckily with the number of girls and the kinds of girls there (different body types and styles) we were all able to find items that we all really loved and nobody was tug-o-war-ing with one another. There was plenty to go around and the rest of the items leftover are being donated.
I had an absolute blast, because not only was it completely free and wonderful to get "new" things for the fall season, but it was also good for the environment because there was no buying/consuming of new things, just the sharing of resources. I had so much fun I am already going through my closets and searching for items to donate to the next clothing swap.
Here are some pictures of the great grabs I got most of which came straight from the hostess's closet.
Also, I can't not mention the fact that today I helped with my family garage sale and also had the chance to check out our neighbor's sale and scored a bundt/angel food cake carrier as well as a pie/smaller cake carrier, along with a set of 6 wine glasses for a total of $5. Garage sales are another great way to conserve and share what is already out there!
Now I think it's time to bake!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Green thought for the day. Step One: Realization
Good morning!
I never imagined I would have a blog. But you know what? I do. In fact I have two blogs now. This particular blog has been born because I realized my other blog has a tendency to turn a bit towards political, environmental and social issues, and I tend to go into "rants." With that said, I thought I would organize myself a bit here and dedicate a page to my green efforts. I want to make it a point to share my thoughts in a more constructive way. Rants are necessary to revolution, but there is a point where you must move from the anger and mobilize yourself and be positive. Nobody wants to hear another angry person and that's just the truth. So after attending another class that reminded me of how our world is hurting, I felt a need to more actively participate in resuscitating our lovely planet. This blog is my dedication and attempt to share what I learn and do in my daily life to keep a healthy conscience and an awareness of my connectedness to everything on Mother Earth.
The only constant in the universe is change, and I hope every day that human beings can make the changes necessary to save our planet. The whole "going green" campaign is nothing new, but I am all about resharing and relearning information, especially because it is very important.
Today's green thought lies in a quote that was introduced to me last night in my Ecology and Health course.
Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895)
"The chess board is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
Every species has played this game of survival. We play this game everyday, and every move we make in the wrong direction will not be overlooked. However it can be corrected. The part about this quote that is not stated clearly but that is so important is that the goal of this chess game (the game of life), is not about winning. We, humankind are not here on Earth to BEAT the rules of nature, but to make the game last as long as we can.
So the first step in making this game last to its full potential is the recognition that we are not here to dominate the world or nature, we are here to coexist. Only once we the people are willing to acknowledge our role in the world, and admit that we are not here to "beat" each other, our children, our land, our animals, we can make leaps and bounds for our civilization, individually, locally, nationally, and globally.
I never imagined I would have a blog. But you know what? I do. In fact I have two blogs now. This particular blog has been born because I realized my other blog has a tendency to turn a bit towards political, environmental and social issues, and I tend to go into "rants." With that said, I thought I would organize myself a bit here and dedicate a page to my green efforts. I want to make it a point to share my thoughts in a more constructive way. Rants are necessary to revolution, but there is a point where you must move from the anger and mobilize yourself and be positive. Nobody wants to hear another angry person and that's just the truth. So after attending another class that reminded me of how our world is hurting, I felt a need to more actively participate in resuscitating our lovely planet. This blog is my dedication and attempt to share what I learn and do in my daily life to keep a healthy conscience and an awareness of my connectedness to everything on Mother Earth.
The only constant in the universe is change, and I hope every day that human beings can make the changes necessary to save our planet. The whole "going green" campaign is nothing new, but I am all about resharing and relearning information, especially because it is very important.
Today's green thought lies in a quote that was introduced to me last night in my Ecology and Health course.
Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895)
"The chess board is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance."
Every species has played this game of survival. We play this game everyday, and every move we make in the wrong direction will not be overlooked. However it can be corrected. The part about this quote that is not stated clearly but that is so important is that the goal of this chess game (the game of life), is not about winning. We, humankind are not here on Earth to BEAT the rules of nature, but to make the game last as long as we can.
So the first step in making this game last to its full potential is the recognition that we are not here to dominate the world or nature, we are here to coexist. Only once we the people are willing to acknowledge our role in the world, and admit that we are not here to "beat" each other, our children, our land, our animals, we can make leaps and bounds for our civilization, individually, locally, nationally, and globally.
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