Natural Homemade Hand Sanitizer

Getting rid of microbes is certainly wise, but the means that conventional producers sell us to accomplish it aren’t exactly desirable. And, while all-natural formulas are healthier, toiling away in the kitchen over large batches of homemade formulations won’t always mesh well with busy lifestyles. The easier the DIY option, the better in this fast-paced age. Antibacterial gel that can be made in under 5 minutes is exactly the kind of “easy” most of us are looking for. You’ll squeak with delight when you learn how efficient it is.

Why It’s Important To Use Natural Sanitizers
Chemical “sanitizers”, antibiotics, and pesticides create “superbugs.” Several variations of these bugs have developed a resistance to synthetic antibacterial serums over time. Continue reading »

How to Make an All Natural Insect Repellent

With the arrival of warm summer days and crisp blue skies comes the inevitable influx of pesky insects to make your outdoor time uncomfortable. If you don’t want to spray on commercial insect repellents with their array of potentially harmful chemicals, why not spend a little time making your own all natural insect repellent using essential oils? Herbal insect repellents are quick and easy to make. Plus, when you use them you don’t have to worry about absorption of chemicals that can cause allergic reactions and even cancer. Here’s how to make your own all natural insect repellent as well as some ways to customize it. Continue reading »

MiO: Customizable Water or Sugary Dye?

Many different waters and water enhancers have been developed over the years. It all started with Canadian Clear and was followed by the easy to transport Crystal Light. In March 2011 Kraft launched MiO, what they call the first ever customizable water enhancer. MiO’s claim to fame has many dimensions. Not only are there six “epic” flavors, but each of those flavors boasts what seems to be a myriad of features. According to the official MiO website, all are caffeine-free, calorie-free, contain zero carbohydrates, and are sugar-free, free of artificial flavors, kosher, gluten-free, tasty, and good-looking. Whew. That was quite a list. That all sounds pretty fantastic, right? Well, that is until the remaining ingredients are inspected.

MiO is sweetened with sucralose. According to the official website, Kraft states that sucralose is a “calorie-free, artificial sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar.” That is indeed fact. There are some downsides to sucralose, though. Ingesting sucralose can lead to some uncomfortable and embarrassing gastrointestinal issues, which include and are not limited to bloating, gas, and diarrhea. On a more serious health note, sucralose is linked to anxiety and depression, breathing problems, migraines, decreased fetal weight, and decreased red blood cells. Continue reading »

Perk Your Garden Up: Using Coffee Grounds in the Garden

Every day in America, millions of pots of coffee are brewed at homes, restaurants and coffee houses. That means that millions of pounds of used coffee grounds, filters and bags are ending up in garbage cans, instead of being reused or recycled. That is a tremendous waste, as coffee grounds are a rich source of many nutrients, and make a fantastic (and free) garden fertilizer.

What is so great about coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds are loaded with nutrients any garden would welcome. They are acidic, and will balance out any alkalinity problems your soil may have, as well as adding texture to your soil. They contain 2% nitrogen fertilizer, as well as magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, potassium and trace minerals, making it a perfect fertilizer. Worms love coffee grounds, and wherever you find worms, you’ll find good soil. Using coffee grounds in your garden will attract worms, and the worms will aerate your soil, making drainage better, and loosening compacted soil so that plants and trees have an easier time building root systems. Continue reading »

The Green Diaper Debate: Cloth vs Disposable

New parents are overwhelmed with a barrage of choices regarding their new baby. Along with picking out a crib, a car seat, a stroller, and a name, modern parents are also faced with another decision: to use cloth or disposable diapers. There are many factors to take into consideration when choosing cloth versus disposable diapers, including cost, convenience, and environmental concerns.

Cost
In the first year of life, the average baby gets their diaper changed approximately two thousand times. The average cost of a disposable diaper is 25 cents, and at two thousand changes per year, a total of $500 will be spent on boxes of disposable diapers. The average cost of a cloth diaper is 6 cents, which results in a much lower investment of approximately $120 for the year. The initial startup cost of buying cloth diapers may seem pricey, but in reality, it is a fraction of the cost of disposable diapers. Continue reading »

5 Breakfast Ingredients To Avoid

You should never skip breakfast; doing so can leave you lethargic the entire day. Preparing a healthy breakfast can be hard, though, because of the following five unhealthy ingredients.

1. Sodium nitrate – this ingredient colors, flavors and preserves ham, hotdogs, and bacon. You might want to cross it off your breakfast menu as it has been linked to many forms of cancer.
Tip: use roasted chicken.

2. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) – this has been identified as a cause of obesity in Americans. HFCS can increase inflammation, oxidative stress and provoke an aggressive insulin response. The liver also reacts to it as though it were a toxin! Despite this, it’s present in syrups used to flavor your daily cuppa.
Tip: try honey. Continue reading »