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Power of the Sun

I came across an article written by Susan McQuillan called
10 Easy Ways to Harness the sun.

I thought it was worth repeating.
So here goes.

1. Sun dry a batch of tomatoes. You can use any variety. Halve or thinly slice them, depending on size, remove seeds, and arrange in a single layer on a clean screen or mesh rack. Cover loosely with cheesecloth to keep out dust, debris and insects.Lay the covered screen on a table outdoors in direct sunlight. If more drying is needed, take them indoors at night and set them outside the next day.
2. Dry your clothes outdoors. When the sun is high, your clothes will be dry in an hour or so. You'll have to forego fabric softner sheets; try Green Way Lavender and Rose scented liquid softner in the wash.
3. Remove stains. Use the suns bleaching/fading power to remove stains from white and light colored laundry by leaving clothing, cloth diapers and linens out in direct sun for several hours longer after they've dried in the sun.
4. Freshen up throw rugs and fabrics. Direct sunlight destroys musty odors and even some bacteria. Air out shower curtains, small rugs, table linens, and anything that's been sitting in the linen closet over the winter.
5. Dry your hair outdoors. Put down the blow dryer, put on some Live Better! sunscreen, go out in the backyard to brush your hair dry under the sun.
6. Highlight your hair. Instead of using chemical lighteners, stop at the supermarket and pick up a few fresh lemons or a container of real lemon juice for light hair or a box of America's Choice chamomile tea for darker hair. Combine lemon juice with an equal amount of water, or brew the tea. Streak, spritz or saturate your hair with either liquid, and be sure to apply protection to your skin before going out in the sun. Wash it out before the end of the day.
7. Catch some vitamin D. Natural vitamin D forms under your skin, using ultraviolet rays from the sun. Go out for 10 minutes during low sun periods (in the morning or later in the day) to pick up enough rays to supplement your diet without getting a burn.
8. Kill some weeds. Cover fall planting sites with plastic tarp for a couple of weeks to kill weeds with trapped heat. (This method is only effective in areas where there is a lot of sunshine.)
9. Make sun art. Purchase sun sensitive paper or even simple construction paper at a local art supply store. Have children gather a variety of natural items like leaves, rocks, and flower petals. To make prints, follow directions on the paper package or at www.ehow.com/how_5779488_make-sun-art.html
10. Learn to use a compass.
Both old fashioned, hand-held compasses and newer smartphone compass apps use the sun to help you find your way.

For other ways to incorporate green into your everyday life http://bit.ly/bKh8Sj

Toxic chemicals

90 degree weather is here! Time for restocking sunscreen, lotions, bug sprays and bathing suits. Do you know the ingredients or additives in the products you consume or wear?

Check out the top five toxic chemicals in our everyday life.

Water wise

I was reading about water conservation, which started me thinking about what we can do in our own homes to save water and money. You can take a few steps inside your home like taking a shower instead of a bath. This can save 40-55 gallons of water.

You can install water saving showerheadsalong with the great standby taking 2 minute showers. Turn off water when brushing teeth. Use an egg timer to brush teeth and don't turn the water on until the timer is up. (that helps with the little ones)

Run only full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine. Lastly check your water using appliances for leaks, especially your toilet, a leaky toilet can waste up to 100 gallons of water every day.

Outside your home you can utilize quite a few ways to conserve water. Water lawns and gardens only when needed. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean patios and walkways.

Plant flowers and vegetables that are drought tolerant.
Use mulch around shrubs and garden plants. A four inch layer helps to keep the soil moist and roots cool. Bathe pets outside in areas that need water.

source: www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com

Green goofs

How many times have we just grabbed for the papertowels because it was the easiest thing to do, honestly because they were just there. We knew handy rags were positioned in the corner waiting to be used but paper towels just called our name. We listened we didn't think twice. I've done this more then once, sad to say.

I'll say what most of us think time to time...this is not easy being green! Having to look at our planets needs and our children's futures before ourselves can at times be quite a pain in the you know where!

The next time we ball up the tin foil instead of reuseing or just throwing it in the trash can don't be so hard on yourself. Having a green household can be achieved with baby steps one day at a time. Thinking about what you can do to help save yourself money and be eco friendly takes time and work.

I leave you with one guarantee you will make some green goofs.

Organics

Organics

Organic or not organic?
Much information is being discussed in public conversations about organic food. One friend says conventional is poisonous another says come on the government looks out for us while there are some that say who even cares. Here is what we do know. What the FDA says is true.

If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it’s produced and processed according to the USDA standards and that at least 95 percent of the food’s ingredients are organically produced. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.

Products that are completely organic — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods — are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry a small USDA seal. Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal or the following wording on their package labels, depending on the number of organic ingredients:

• 100 percent organic. Products that are completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.
• Organic. Products that are at least 95 percent organic.
• Made with organic ingredients. These are products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients. The organic seal can’t be used on these packages.
• Foods containing less than 70 percent organic ingredients can’t use the organic seal or the word “organic” on their product label. They can include the organic items in their ingredient list, however.
• You may see other terms on food labels, such as “all-natural,” “free-range” or “hormone-free.” These descriptions may be important to you, but don’t confuse them with the term “organic.” Only those foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards can be labeled organic.

Green Laundry

Levi & Strauss Asks what is the future in line drying? enter their contest "Care to Air" , you can make a difference with your ideas!

Saving energy in summer

Here are 8 ways to green up energy in summer.

1. Use fans instead of air conditioner.
2. Change your air conditioner filter.
3. Seal or fill in cracks around windows and door.
4. Walk to work or shopping just one day a week.
5. Lighten the load in your car.
6. Wash clothes in cold water.
7. Dry just one load of laundry on clothes line everyday.
8. Use crock pot instead of stove.