let the gardening begin!
Showing posts with label green and simple living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green and simple living. Show all posts
Monday, March 21, 2011
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Food Democracy Now!
ACT TODAY! Or Kiss Your Organics Goodbye!
After years of bureaucratic wrangling, a recent USDA environmental review may finally approve Monsanto’s GMO alfalfa. If approved, GMO alfalfa will fundamentally undermine the entire organic industry overnight. In addition, the USDA says Americans consumers don't care about the contamination of organics. ACT TODAY: comments are due by close of business Wednesday, March 3rd.
Please join us in calling on Secretary Vilsack to stand up for organic family farmers and reject approval of Monsanto's GMO alfalfa by signing this petition.
Here is the link to sign the petition;
http://fdn.actionkit.com/cms/sign/make_a_stand_for_organics/?referring_akid=.111219._JIQe5&source=taf
Not sure why its important that we do not have GMO alfalfa/fruit/veg? Here are some of the harmful effects of GMO foods;
-food allergy
-increased toxicity
-decreased nutritional value
-antibiotic resistance
If you're still not convinced, then do some googling/research! Don't be ignorant and chose to ignore it! Ignorance is only bliss when you're not effected by it. Trust me, people WILL be effected by it eventually. Maybe they will finally get it when there kid is sick, and will not get better because they have a resistance to antibiotics. Lets stand up to Monsanto and let the government know that we don't want GMO food! Many countries have already ban GMO foods- that gives us hope!
In all this, we trust that God's Will, will be accomplished either way!
Christ be lifted high!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Homemade Natural Body Products
For the past week, or so I have been testing out some recipes given on Lindsay's site:http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/
So, after using the products for about a week now, I thought I'd share them with you. My favorite recipe first:
Deoderant:
5-6 TBSP of coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch or arrow root powder (I used cornstarch, b/c that is what we had in the house)
mix all the ingredients together, and store in a small container.
*After about 3 days of using this, I and David's underarms began to sting/burn. We are pretty sure this is because of the baking soda. Some people have sensitive skin towards the stuff. We were SO bummed because quite honestly, this deo worked better than ANY I had ever bought in a store. Granted, it does not keep you from sweating, but BOY it does keep you from stinking! This might sound gross, but I actually stuck my nose right in my husbands pit, and smelled nothing... did I mention it was at the end of the day too? OK, so anyway, this is what we did to prevent the burning.... before applying the deodorant, first apply some of the coconut oil (you should have extra of this, because you didn't need that much for the deo recipe). Then after you've applied the coconut oil, go ahead and apply the deo, and voila! No burning! This is really a great recipe, because the coconut oil is really such a light scent that works for both men and woman. Try it and let me know what you think!
Shampoo:
put a pinch of baking soda in your hand, and massage into scalp. Now, this isn't going to lather like regular soaps do, but dang skippy, it sure does clean your hair!
Conditioner:
1 cup water
1-2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
I know this sounds so gross to most of you, and honestly it sounded just as gross to me. I hate the smell of ACV, or any vinegar for that matter! But I was really looking for an alternative to buying products in the store, so I bucked up, and tried it. So I whipped some up, and stuck it in an old body spray bottle. After you've washed your hair, spray the ACV/water mixture on your hair, and let sit like regular conditioner. Rinse. I hate that this recipe smells awful, although I am slowly getting used to the smell. I LOVE how it makes my hair look and feel. It doesn't leave that greasy feeling like most store bought conditioners do. The other nice thing is that the yucky ACV smell is in the shower only, and when you dry your hair, there isn't even a hint of smell.
Soap:
I don't have a recipe for soap, however I do have a natural soap from Trador Joes that I love. Its a vegetable glycerin soap, with oatmeal in it. Its like $1.40 for 2 bars. I highly recommend it! If you have any recipes for shower soap, please share!
Let me know, if you try any of these. Its always encouraging to hear how other people are doing in their quest of a simple life that longs to worship the King!
your buddy,
jess
So, after using the products for about a week now, I thought I'd share them with you. My favorite recipe first:
Deoderant:
5-6 TBSP of coconut oil
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup cornstarch or arrow root powder (I used cornstarch, b/c that is what we had in the house)
mix all the ingredients together, and store in a small container.
*After about 3 days of using this, I and David's underarms began to sting/burn. We are pretty sure this is because of the baking soda. Some people have sensitive skin towards the stuff. We were SO bummed because quite honestly, this deo worked better than ANY I had ever bought in a store. Granted, it does not keep you from sweating, but BOY it does keep you from stinking! This might sound gross, but I actually stuck my nose right in my husbands pit, and smelled nothing... did I mention it was at the end of the day too? OK, so anyway, this is what we did to prevent the burning.... before applying the deodorant, first apply some of the coconut oil (you should have extra of this, because you didn't need that much for the deo recipe). Then after you've applied the coconut oil, go ahead and apply the deo, and voila! No burning! This is really a great recipe, because the coconut oil is really such a light scent that works for both men and woman. Try it and let me know what you think!
Shampoo:
put a pinch of baking soda in your hand, and massage into scalp. Now, this isn't going to lather like regular soaps do, but dang skippy, it sure does clean your hair!
Conditioner:
1 cup water
1-2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
I know this sounds so gross to most of you, and honestly it sounded just as gross to me. I hate the smell of ACV, or any vinegar for that matter! But I was really looking for an alternative to buying products in the store, so I bucked up, and tried it. So I whipped some up, and stuck it in an old body spray bottle. After you've washed your hair, spray the ACV/water mixture on your hair, and let sit like regular conditioner. Rinse. I hate that this recipe smells awful, although I am slowly getting used to the smell. I LOVE how it makes my hair look and feel. It doesn't leave that greasy feeling like most store bought conditioners do. The other nice thing is that the yucky ACV smell is in the shower only, and when you dry your hair, there isn't even a hint of smell.
Soap:
I don't have a recipe for soap, however I do have a natural soap from Trador Joes that I love. Its a vegetable glycerin soap, with oatmeal in it. Its like $1.40 for 2 bars. I highly recommend it! If you have any recipes for shower soap, please share!
Let me know, if you try any of these. Its always encouraging to hear how other people are doing in their quest of a simple life that longs to worship the King!
your buddy,
jess
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Frugal, Green Cleaning Supplies made by: YOU!
As of late, I have really been enjoying reading my friend Lindsay's blog: http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/
She is a gem. There is no way that you can read her blog and not be encouraged and inspired. Lindsay loves the Lord, and really has a passion for biblical womanhood, homemaking, and living green. Seriously... go right now and explore her blog. Do it! Go! Now!
...waiting for you to return....
Okay, you're back! SO... what did you think?! I told you she's lovely! Anyway...
So I've been enjoying Lindsay's site, and she has totally been inspiring to me to dive deeper into green living. David and I have really been trying for the past year and a half to find practical ways that we can 'go green' AKA be good stewards of the earth that God has so graciously given us! Lindsay has posted here: http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/recipe-index all of her recipes. If you scroll down to the very bottom of the page she has a couple links for cleaning products and the like. So I gave them a try and guess what! They work! They're cheap!AND... they're green! So go out and buy some extra spray bottles, or recycle some from your old cleaning supplies, and try these recipes out!
Laundry Soap:
1 cup dr. bronners castile soap, grated
1/2 cup washing soda (I was able to find this at foodmax in the laundry detergent section. Make sure you buy washing soda and not baking soda- they are both made by arm and hammer, but are different products)
1/2 cup borax
mix together in container
*use 1 tbsp for light loads, 2 for medium, and 3 for large to extra large
Fabric Softener:
vinegar
*I know what you're thinking: "ew, thats gonna make my clothes smell nasty." I got news for ya... you're wrong! Your clothes will not smell like vinegar!
Dishwasher soap:
Mix together equal parts of borax, and baking soda (you may substitute washing soda for baking soda if you'd like). I store mine in a easy to pour container.
* Increase amount of washing soda if you have hard water.
All Purpose Cleaner:
large recipe:
1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda 1/2 gallon water
mix together and store in squirt bottle.
small recipe:
2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsbp baking soda, 16 oz. (2 cups) of water
Window Cleaner:
2 tbsp of vinegar w/ 1 liter warm water OR use
all purpose cleaner
Dusting Oil (only for wood):
1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
* if you're using freash squeezed lemon juice, make sure to strain the juice really well, or else you will clog the spray bottle.
*Lindsay gave a great tip to not got out a buy dust clothes, but instead recycle or socks, Tshirts, towels, and use then as dusting/cleaning rags.
Mold and Mildew Cleaner:
vinegar or lemon juice at full strength with small amounts of salt.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Photos and Thoughts
PHOTO(S) OF THE DAY
Sunday May 17, 2009: sweet lil elli mae
Monday May 18, 2009: red sweetened perfection
Thoughts on Going Green...
What does that even mean? When I first heard the term, I immediately thought 'tree hugger'. I think that today there are many people that are using this 'going green' revival as a way to scam people and make money. I will admit that when I first heard talk of 'going green' I thought it was ridiculous... it seemed rather "left wing". But the more I educated myself on the subject I came to realize that its not such a bad idea. God has given us this beautiful planet to live on- each day here on earth nature screams out the awesomeness of The One who created it. I think as Christians we have a greater reason to 'go green'... unlike tree huggers, we don't 'go green' because we want the planet to last longer... we know that someday its gonna burn. We 'go green' because earth is one of God's gifts to us, and we should take care of that gift...it is a way in which we can worship and thank Him. This lady says what I'm trying to say much more eloquently http://mamagoesgreen.blogspot.com/2007/10/christian-perspective-on-going-green.html
Over the past year or so my husband and I have found some very easy ways to 'go green' that really don't take much effort at all. Here are some of the things we've done;
1. recycle
2. use natural cleaning products or make our own out of vinegar
3. only start the dishwasher when its FULL
4. Use reusable grocery bags. ( you can buy them at most grocers for under $1.00)
5. buy local fruit and veg
6. buy organic when we can
7. turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer
8. eat less beef (mind you, we haven't given it up, we just eat less of it)
Anyway, those are some of the easy things we've done. I'm sure there are more but I just can't think of them at the moment. We've been doing this for about a year or so now, and its just become the normal for us. So, go for it! GO GREEN, & use it as a way to honor, worship, and thank God for this beautiful earth!
Sunday May 17, 2009: sweet lil elli mae
Monday May 18, 2009: red sweetened perfection
Thoughts on Going Green...
What does that even mean? When I first heard the term, I immediately thought 'tree hugger'. I think that today there are many people that are using this 'going green' revival as a way to scam people and make money. I will admit that when I first heard talk of 'going green' I thought it was ridiculous... it seemed rather "left wing". But the more I educated myself on the subject I came to realize that its not such a bad idea. God has given us this beautiful planet to live on- each day here on earth nature screams out the awesomeness of The One who created it. I think as Christians we have a greater reason to 'go green'... unlike tree huggers, we don't 'go green' because we want the planet to last longer... we know that someday its gonna burn. We 'go green' because earth is one of God's gifts to us, and we should take care of that gift...it is a way in which we can worship and thank Him. This lady says what I'm trying to say much more eloquently http://mamagoesgreen.blogspot.com/2007/10/christian-perspective-on-going-green.html
Over the past year or so my husband and I have found some very easy ways to 'go green' that really don't take much effort at all. Here are some of the things we've done;
1. recycle
2. use natural cleaning products or make our own out of vinegar
3. only start the dishwasher when its FULL
4. Use reusable grocery bags. ( you can buy them at most grocers for under $1.00)
5. buy local fruit and veg
6. buy organic when we can
7. turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer
8. eat less beef (mind you, we haven't given it up, we just eat less of it)
Earlier we said that going meatless makes a bigger impact than any other action you can take. Here's an example: If you gave up showering, you'd save less water than what's required to make a single pound of beef. Not beef for a whole year, just one miserable pound. A whole year's worth of showers takes about 5,200 gallons, but it takes 5,214 gallons to produce a single pound of beef.http://michaelbluejay.com/veg/environment.html
Anyway, those are some of the easy things we've done. I'm sure there are more but I just can't think of them at the moment. We've been doing this for about a year or so now, and its just become the normal for us. So, go for it! GO GREEN, & use it as a way to honor, worship, and thank God for this beautiful earth!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)