Homemade Sunburn Spray

Just in time for the sunny season.  Try to prevent sunburns by using a sunscreen lotion at all times while you are outside.  If you do get a sunburn, follow the recipe for better healing results.

Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Water
- 2 Tablespoons Pure Aloe Vera Gel
- 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- 4 oz Glass Spray Bottle

Mix all ingredients together in a glass measuring cup or bowl. Carefully pour the solution into the glass spray bottle.  Spray on sunburned skin as often as needed. Solution may feel sticky on skin at first but it dries with time.

Lavender is known for is healing properties specifically for burns, and healing skin.

Some other essential oils to try with the mix include Frankincense and Melaleuca, which is also known for its healing properties.

Tips for Preventing a Sunburn:

- Remember to reapply sunscreen if you spend more than 2 hours in the sun in a day.

- For sunscreen to protect your skin apply up to 30 minutes before entering the sun.

- Sunscreen should be worn even on a cloudy day because UV rays the rays that cause us to get a sunburn are capable of going through clouds.

 What else do you do to help when you have a sunburn?

Visit www.simplepleasure.biz for your essential oil needs.

Thyme Essentail Oil

Thyme is common to most people as it is a spice for seasoning. It is used widespread for cooking but it is also valuable for cleansing and clarifying.
Properties: Antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic.
Historical Oil Uses: Thyme was used during the embalming process, respiratory problems, bronchitis, chronic gastritis, against infectious diseases and illnesses, infections, dyspepsia, laryngitis, digestive complaints, pertussis, asthma and tonsillitis.
Possible Oil Uses: Thyme essential oil can help with colds, depression, bacterial infections, digestion, rheumatism, circulation, wounds, flue, immunological functions, headaches, insomnia, viruses along the spine, and urinary infections.

Application:

• Topically – Dilute before placing on skin with carrier oil.
• Internally – Take the oil using a gel capsule or can be used with food and drink.
• Aromatically – You may diffuse Thyme essential oil by Doterra.

To order visit:  www.simplepleasure.biz

Get a Dog and Lose Weight

1. Exercise at night.
According to one study in the journal Obesity, our circadian system makes us hungriest a few hours before bedtime. But you may feel fuller after working out: A separate study in the journal Metabolism found that perceived fullness was higher among participants after 12 weeks of aerobic training than before they were exercising. A brisk walk after dinner each night may make you less likely to snack before bed.
2. Break up your regular meals.
If you usually top your breakfast oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts, eat the oatmeal plain when you wake up, and save the blueberries and nuts for a snack later, suggests registered dietitian Jen Brewer, author of Stop Dieting and Start Losing Weight. Brewer explains that it’s the same amount of calories divided throughout the day, so you’re able to snack healthfully and still feel satiated — without adding more calories to your “three” meals a day.
3. Get a dog.Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that having a pooch is linked with burning 200 extra calories per week. Registered dietitian Keeley Mezzancello says people who own and walk their dogs are 34% more likely than people who don’t to meet the American Heart Association's recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Dog-walkers generally strolled about an hour longer per week than non-dog-walkers, which translates to an additional 230 calories burned a week.

4. Brush your teeth after dinner.
Cutting calories may be less about what you’re devouring and more about how much of it’s going in your mouth. Tara DelloIacono Thies, a registered dietitian and nutritional strategist at Clif Bar & Company, recommends using cues to let your mind and body know that mealtime is over. She suggests that you’re less likely to snack if you always plan for a post-meal brush, indicating that eating time is over.
5. Use social media.
“If you have to post that you ate M&M’s, you’re less likely to actually eat them,” says DelloIacono Thies. “That social aspect makes you more accountable.” Using social media apps to track calories and workouts — and share those results — can also help you consume fewer calories, according to a study by LUNA and Institute for the Future.
6. Sit while you eat.
You may want to skip even occasional on-your-feet eating. A Canadian study found that people who ate from plastic containers while standing consumed 30% more calories later in the day than those who ate an identical plated meal while seated. Hunger and fullness cues can be skewed if you’re not in the proper meal environment, says Mezzancello, so have a seat to eat mindfully.

7. Eat fruit first.
An easy, healthy way to avoid extra calories is to reach for an apple or other fruit before a meal. DelloIacono Thies says that if you’re bored, the fruit won’t sound good and you won’t want it, but if you’re truly hungry, you’ll want the fruit. “The worst that will happen is that you’ve eaten an apple — not a doughnut,” she says. She recommends choosing a fruit with a peel because they take longer to eat — giving your brain ample time to recognize you’re satiated — and drinking a glass of water with it so you feel fuller.
8. Laugh.
A good giggle boosts your mood and alleviates stress, which may be at the root of your comfort-food hankerings: “Laughter has been associated with a reduction in cortisol, a stress hormone associated with cravings for high-fat and high-sugar foods,” says Mezzancello. A study in the International Journal of Obesity found that laughing increases both heart rate and calorie expenditure by up to 20%, with 15 minutes of chuckling burning up to 40 calories.

Make your own Sauces

Homemade Ketchup      

• 1 pound yellow onions, roughly chopped
• 1 pound bell peppers (any color), seeded, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar (5 percent acidity)
• 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 10 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded, roughly chopped $
  Click to see savings
  

Preparation

1. 1. Combine all ingredients except tomatoes in a large heavy-bottom pot; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
2. 2. Stir in tomatoes, raise heat to medium and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until mixture begins to thicken, stirring frequently, about 30 minutes.
3. 3. Using an immersion blender, puree until smooth. Mixture will be thin. (Alternatively, remove pot from heat, let mixture cool slightly and puree it in batches in a blender.) Return mixture to pot, return pot to heat and boil over medium heat until very thick, stirring frequently to prevent scorching, 2 to 2 1/2 hours longer. Ketchup is ready when a dollop spooned onto a plate does not weep liquid. (Cooking time might vary based on width of pot and juiciness of tomatoes.)
4. 4. Ladle ketchup into prepared half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace, and process for 15 minutes using the boiling-water method (see below).
5. Boiling-water method:
6. Don't be intimidated: Getting the right seal to keep food fresh is as easy as boiling water.
7. STEP 1. Put the rack in a large pot. Arrange empty jars, open side up, in a single layer. (Arrange a full layer, even if you are planning to use only a few, to keep jars from tipping over.) Add cold water to the pot until there is at least 2 inches of water above the jars' rims. Set the pot over high heat, cover it and bring water to a boil. Put lids, white side down, in a large bowl.
8. Step 2. Prepare recipe as directed up until the ladling step (keep hot until ready to place in jars). Reduce heat under the pot so water is hot but not boiling.
9. Step 3. Using canning tongs, remove a jar of hot water from the pot. Pour it over the lids in the bowl. Set the jar on a clean kitchen towel. Remove 2 more jars, pouring the water back into the pot, and set them on the towel.
10. Step 4. Insert the funnel into the first jar. Carefully ladle the hot food into the funnel, keeping the headspace--the distance from the top of the mixture to the top of the jar--indicated in the recipe.
11. Step 5. Swipe a bubble tool between the mixture and the inside of the jar to release any air bubbles, adding more of the mixture if necessary to achieve the proper headspace. Repeat with remaining food and jars.
12. Step 6. Use a clean kitchen towel dipped in hot water to carefully clean the rim of each jar. Use soft-tipped tongs, a lid lifter or your fingers to retrieve a lid from the bowl and center it on the jar. Screw the ring on the jar with your fingertips, taking care to make it tight enough to stay centered but not so tight that you won't get a vacuum seal. Repeat until you have filled the jars.
13. Step 7. Use canning tongs to lower filled jars into hot water. Be sure jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Begin counting your processing time when the water is boiling. When the time is up, turn off heat, remove pot lid and allow the jars to rest for 5 minutes.
14. Step 8. Using canning tongs, remove the jars to a towel-covered surface. Let rest for 24 hours. To test the seals, remove the rings and gently push up on the lids. If they stay in place, the food is safe to store for up to a year in a cool, dark place. If the lids don't stay put, refrigerate the jars and eat the contents soon.
15. 1 cup cider vinegar
16. 2 tablespoons sugar                          
     
     
 

Homemade Pickles

 

1. 1 teaspoon salt
2. 2 small cloves garlic, crushed
3. 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
4. 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
5. 1 small red or green chili pepper, halved and seeded
6. 1 large cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

7. Preparation

   1. 1. Combine vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sugar and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt.
   2. 2. Place remaining ingredients in a large heatproof bowl. Pour vinegar mixture over. Add water to completely cover cucumbers, if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Pickles will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Peach Jam

1/2 cup bottled lemon juice

4 pounds firm peaches, peeled, pitted

6 cups sugar                               

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation

1. 1. Combine juice and 1 cup water in a wide, heavy-bottom pot. Roughly chop peaches; add to pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until peaches are tender and just beginning to break down, 10 to 30 minutes, depending on ripeness. Slightly crush mixture with a masher, leaving some large chunks.
2. 2. Add sugar and cinnamon; cook, stirring constantly, until sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to high and boil rapidly, stirring constantly, until thickened and at the gel stage (see below), 20 to 30 minutes. Skim off any foam from the top and discard.
3. 3. Ladle jam into half-pint jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Process for 10 minutes using the boiling-water method (see below).
4. How to test for the gel stage:
5. When preserves hit that magical jammy consistency--spreadable but not runny--it's considered the gel stage. Jam sets at 220ºF. Use a candy thermometer or these visual cues.
6. Watch the jam as it cooks. Bubbles will increase in size as the gel stage nears.
7. Lift some jam with a wooden spoon and tip it back into the pot. When it runs off in drips that thicken into a flat sheet before coming off the spoon, it is a sign that the jam has reached the gel stage.
8. Drip a bit of hot jam onto a frozen plate. Give it a minute, then push it with your finger. If the cool jam wrinkles as you nudge it, your jam has reached the gel stage.
9. Boiling-water method:
10. Don't be intimidated: Getting the right seal to keep food fresh is as easy as boiling water.
11. STEP 1. Put the rack in a large pot. Arrange empty jars, open side up, in a single layer. (Arrange a full layer, even if you are planning to use only a few, to keep jars from tipping over.) Add cold water to the pot until there is at least 2 inches of water above the jars' rims. Set the pot over high heat, cover it and bring water to a boil. Put lids, white side down, in a large bowl.
12. Step 2. Prepare recipe as directed up until the ladling step (keep hot until ready to place in jars). Reduce heat under the pot so water is hot but not boiling.
13. Step 3. Using canning tongs, remove a jar of hot water from the pot. Pour it over the lids in the bowl. Set the jar on a clean kitchen towel. Remove 2 more jars, pouring the water back into the pot, and set them on the towel.
14. Step 4. Insert the funnel into the first jar. Carefully ladle the hot food into the funnel, keeping the headspace--the distance from the top of the mixture to the top of the jar--indicated in the recipe.
15. Step 5. Swipe a bubble tool between the mixture and the inside of the jar to release any air bubbles, adding more of the mixture if necessary to achieve the proper headspace. Repeat with remaining food and jars.
16. Step 6. Use a clean kitchen towel dipped in hot water to carefully clean the rim of each jar. Use soft-tipped tongs, a lid lifter or your fingers to retrieve a lid from the bowl and center it on the jar. Screw the ring on the jar with your fingertips, taking care to make it tight enough to stay centered but not so tight that you won't get a vacuum seal. Repeat until you have filled the jars.
17. Step 7. Use canning tongs to lower filled jars into hot water. Be sure jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Begin counting your processing time when the water is boiling. When the time is up, turn off heat, remove pot lid and allow the jars to rest for 5 minutes.
18. Step 8. Using canning tongs, remove the jars to a towel-covered surface. Let rest for 24 hours. To test the seals, remove the rings and gently push up on the lids. If they stay in place, the food is safe to store for up to a year in a cool, dark place. If the lids don't stay put, refrigerate the jars and eat the contents soon.   

Garden Relish

1/4 cup kosher salt

2 pounds tomatoes, preferably plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, diced                               

3 lbs Zuchini

1 pound bell peppers, seeded, cut into 1/4-inch dice                

1 pound yellow onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice

3 cups distilled white vinegar (5 percent acidity)

1 cup sugar                               

1 tablespoon mustard seed                

1 tablespoon celery seed

Preparation

1. 1. Trim zucchini and halve lengthwise. Scrape out and discard seeds. Cut into 1/4-inch dice, toss with salt and set in a colander to drain for 1 hour.
2. 2. Rinse and drain zucchini. Combine with remaining ingredients and 2 cups water in a large, heavy-bottom pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, then simmer until vegetables have softened and mixture has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. If mixture begins to dry out, add up to 1 cup water.
3. 3. Ladle into prepared half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace, and process for 10 minutes using the boiling-water method (see below).
4. Boiling-water method:
5. Don't be intimidated: Getting the right seal to keep food fresh is as easy as boiling water.
6. STEP 1. Put the rack in a large pot. Arrange empty jars, open side up, in a single layer. (Arrange a full layer, even if you are planning to use only a few, to keep jars from tipping over.) Add cold water to the pot until there is at least 2 inches of water above the jars' rims. Set the pot over high heat, cover it and bring water to a boil. Put lids, white side down, in a large bowl.
7. Step 2. Prepare recipe as directed up until the ladling step (keep hot until ready to place in jars). Reduce heat under the pot so water is hot but not boiling.
8. Step 3. Using canning tongs, remove a jar of hot water from the pot. Pour it over the lids in the bowl. Set the jar on a clean kitchen towel. Remove 2 more jars, pouring the water back into the pot, and set them on the towel.
9. Step 4. Insert the funnel into the first jar. Carefully ladle the hot food into the funnel, keeping the headspace--the distance from the top of the mixture to the top of the jar--indicated in the recipe.
10. Step 5. Swipe a bubble tool between the mixture and the inside of the jar to release any air bubbles, adding more of the mixture if necessary to achieve the proper headspace. Repeat with remaining food and jars.
11. Step 6. Use a clean kitchen towel dipped in hot water to carefully clean the rim of each jar. Use soft-tipped tongs, a lid lifter or your fingers to retrieve a lid from the bowl and center it on the jar. Screw the ring on the jar with your fingertips, taking care to make it tight enough to stay centered but not so tight that you won't get a vacuum seal. Repeat until you have filled the jars.
12. Step 7. Use canning tongs to lower filled jars into hot water. Be sure jars are covered by 2 inches of water. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Begin counting your processing time when the water is boiling. When the time is up, turn off heat, remove pot lid and allow the jars to rest for 5 minutes.
13. Step 8. Using canning tongs, remove the jars to a towel-covered surface. Let rest for 24 hours. To test the seals, remove the rings and gently push up on the lids. If they stay in place, the food is safe to store for up to a year in a cool, dark place. If the lids don't stay put, refrigerate the jars and eat the contents soon.

What to drink and what not to drink by Dr. Weil

4 Healthy Beverages
Published: 5/7/2014

 

 

 

1. Green tea. Dr. Weil's beverage of choice, green tea is a potent source of catechins - healthy antioxidants that can inhibit cancer cell activity and help boost immunity. Look for an organic and fair trade version ideally and try to replace your morning coffee with a cup of tea for a healthier wake-up.
2. Cranberry juice. Cranberries are a rich source of vitamin C and contain a substance that hinders the attachment of bacteria to bladder walls, which can help prevent urinary tract infections. Instead of cranberry juice cocktail, opt for unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate and dilute with water or sparkling water. Diluted blueberry juice is a healthy choice as well.
3. Red wine. The antioxidant activity of red wine has been linked to heart health benefits, reduced stress, and even preserving memory. If you enjoy an occasional drink, limit your intake to one to two glasses a day. If you don't drink, don't start - there are other ways to get antioxidants in your diet, including fresh whole fruits and vegetables.
4. Pure, filtered water. Staying well hydrated is essential to optimal health and overall functioning. Sip water throughout the day, and in the warmer months, be sure to drink water before and after exercising to avoid dehydration.

4 Unhealthy Beverages
Published: 5/6/2014

 

Whether you are watching your weight or just want to eat healthier, taking a look at what you drink is key. Empty calories can lurk in all types of beverages - especially these:

1. Coffee drinks with extras such as sugar or flavored syrup. These deliver a concentrated dose of quick-digesting carbohydrates that can lead to weight gain. A better option is a plain coffee with a little half-and-half, or, better yet, enjoy antioxidant-rich green tea instead of coffee.
2. Frothy summer cocktails. Whether it's a margarita or a piña colada, sugary drinks pack a double dose of calories due to alcohol and sugar - some can top 800 calories in one drink! A better option is a glass of red wine (60-100 calories) or a light beer (about 100 calories).
3. Non-juice "juice drinks." Before buying bottled juice, read the label and make sure it is 100% juice (not just "made with" real juice) and check for added sweeteners and calories. Many of these products are no better than drinking sugared water. The best juices are fresh, not bottled, and made partially or wholly from vegetables rather than fruits. If you consume fruit juice, I recommend adding purified or sparkling water to reduce the sugar content. 
4. Soda. There just isn't anything nutritious about soda, whether it's diet or regular. If you're a soda addict, breaking the habit is among the best moves you can make for your weight and your health. Consider switching to sparkling water with a slice of citrus.

An Oil Blend for Happiness

Recipe for the blend:
• 20 drops Bergamot
• 10 drops Grapefruit
• 10 drops Cypress
• 10 Drops Frankincense
• 5 drops Ylang Ylang
• 2 drops Ginger
• Fractionated Coconut Oil
Combine all essential oils in a clean roller bottle (fill the remainder with FCO if needed) and apply topically or combine & diffuse as you would other essential oil blends.

16 Ways to Feel Happy

Smile. A 2011 study showed that thinking about something positive that makes you smile can actually make you happier (fake smiles don't do the trick), while 2003 Clark University research found that smiling activates positive memories.

Go for a run. Physical activity boosts the brain's release of endorphins, feel-good neurotransmitters that can improve mood and well-being.

Pray. Spirituality and religious involvement is linked with greater well-being and happiness, according to a review of more than 300 studies on the connection between spirituality and health, while prayer is thought to relieve stress.

Laugh. In addition to relieving stress, laughter can boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Go for a stroll in the park. There are many health benefits to spending time in nature, including, perhaps, increased well-being. One UK study showed that subjects were significantly happier when in natural environments as compared to when they were in urban environments.

Perform an act of kindness. Do something nice for someone else today -- it could make you happier, according to University of California research.

Listen to happy music. Students who listened to "happy" music while making a concerted effort to feel happier experienced elevations in mood, according to a small study published this year in the Journal of Positive Psychology.

Walk tall. Walking with an upbeat stride might make you feel happier, according to Florida Atlantic University research. In the study, walkers who were told to take long strides with their arms swinging and heads held high reported feeling happier after a three-minute jaunt than a group that shuffled and looked downwards while walking.

Meditate. Meditation may be helpful in lowering stress levels and reducing symptoms of mild depression, and has been linked with emotional well-being and improved sleep.

Keep a gratitude journal. Be thankful for what you have! A number of studies have found a strong correlation between gratitude and well-being, starting at a young age. Teaching kids gratitude in schools has been linked to boosts in positive emotions and optimism.

Go on vacation. The mere anticipation of an upcoming trip can boost overall happiness for up to eight weeks before you take off, according to a 2010 Dutch study.

Play with a puppy. Your brain may be wired to enjoy playing with puppies. One study suggested that petting a furry friend can increase activity in the left-side of the brain, which is associated with pleasure and happiness, and pet ownership has been linked with increased well-being.

Take a nap. Sleep deprivation can up your stress levels. One experiment showed that after memorizing a list of words, sleep-deprived college students could remember 81 percent of words with a negative connotation ("cancer"), and only 41 percent of positive or neutral words ("sunshine"). What's more, researchers have linked catnaps with improved mood.

Enjoy a nice cup of tea. Noticing and appreciating life's small pleasures can literally rewire the brain for happiness by shifting the brain's negativity bias, according to psychologist Rick Hanson, author of Hardwiring Happiness. "We're surrounded by opportunities -- 10 seconds here or 20 seconds there -- to just register useful experiences and learn from them," Hanson told The Huffington Post.

Volunteer. Helping others could go a long way towards helping yourself. A recent University of Exeter study found that volunteering can boost happiness, ease depression and even help you live longer, Everyday Health reported.

Have sex. Sex might just help you relieve stress and boost well-being. A study by the Institute For The Study of Labor found that people who have sex at least four times a week tend to be happier and less depressed -- not to mention make more money. Plus, it could even keep your heart and immune system healthy!

Think of happy times. Feeling nostalgic about the past can make you feel happier and more optimistic about the future, according to a recent University of Southampton study.

All natural cleaning recipes for your spring cleaning

Glass Cleaner

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70 percent concentration)
• 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil, which gives the solution a lovely smell (optional)
Great for: Windows and mirrors
How to use: Combine ingredients and store in a spray bottle. Spray some solution on a paper towel or soft cloth first, then on the glass. To get smudge-free glass, rub vertically on one side and horizontally on the other. Hint: Don't clean windows on a hot, sunny day, because the solution will dry too quickly and leave lots of streaks.

Heavy-Duty Scrub

• Half a lemon
• 1/2 cup borax (a laundry booster; find it in the detergent aisle)
Great for: Rust stains on porcelain or enamel sinks and tubs
How to use: Dip lemon into borax and scrub surface; rinse. (Not safe for marble or granite.)

Grease Cleaner

• 1/2 cup sudsy ammonia mixed with enough water to fill a one-gallon container. (Sudsy ammonia, which has detergent in it, helps remove tough grime.)
Great for: Oven hoods, grills
How to use: Dip sponge or mop in solution and wipe over surface, then rinse area with clear water.

All-Purpose Cleaner and Deodorizer

• 4 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 quart warm water
Great for: Kitchen counters, appliances, and inside the refrigerator
How to use: Pour solution on a clean sponge and wipe.

Last-Resort Clothing Stain Remover

• 1 gallon hot water
• 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
• 1 cup regular liquid chlorine bleach (not ultra or concentrate)
How to use: Use only on badly stained washable or bleachable garments. Mix and pour ingredients into a stainless steel, plastic, or enamel bowl (not aluminum). Soak garment for 15 to 20 minutes. If stain is still there, let it soak a bit longer, then wash garment as usual.

White-Ring Remover

• One part white non-gel toothpaste to one part baking soda
How to use: Dampen a cloth with water, add toothpaste mixture, and rub with the grain to buff over the ring. Then take a dry cloth and wipe off. Use another soft cloth for a final shine. Polish as you normally would. Not safe for unfinished wood, lacquer, or antiques.

Dishwasher Stain Remover

• 1/4 cup powdered lemon or orange drink
How to use: To remove rust from the inside walls, pour the powder (which contains citric acid or citric acid crystals) into the detergent cup and then run a regular cycle. Repeat as necessary.

Marble Cleaner

• Mild dishwashing liquid (non-citrus-scented)
• Warm water
How to use: Mix a drop or two of detergent with 2 cups warm water. Sponge over marble and rinse completely to remove any soap residue. Buff with a soft cloth; do not let the marble air-dry. Caution: Never use vinegar, lemon, or any other acidic cleaner on marble or granite surfaces; it will eat into the stone.

Brass Cleaner

• White vinegar or lemon juice
• Table salt
How to use: For non-lacquered brass, dampen a sponge with vinegar or lemon juice, then sprinkle on salt. Lightly rub over surface. Rinse thoroughly with water, then dry well immediately with a clean soft cloth.

SAFETY TIP

Never combine ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or products containing bleach, such as powdered dishwasher detergent. The fumes they'll create are extremely dangerous. Before doing any mixing, read the product labels first.

Go Green and Help the Environment

Here are some tips to help you go green 

and help the environment. 

  

1. Use Different Light Bulbs. 

 

Using a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) is the quickest, easiest way to save energy -- and money. Unlike incandescents, CFLs convert most of the energy they use into light rather than heat. 

  

 

2. Recycle Electronics 

 

The Consumer Electronics Association created mygreenelectronics.org to help people find a recycling resource in their area. The site also provides a list of electronics, from laptops to baby monitors, that are easier on the environment and your energy bill.   

  

 

3. Support Local Farmers 

  

Shopping at Farmers Markets helps you support the local economy and you can know what things are being used to grow your food, and your food will be much more fresh and you are saving energy because they do not have to transport their food over 100 miles to sell it. 

  

 

4. Fix the Leaky Faucets 

 A dripping faucet can waste up to 74 gallons a day, a leaking toilet up to 200 gallons a day. That is a lot of water and on average American use 100 gallons of water a day.  

 

5.  Make your own Wipes

Use an old container or buy one at the store that you can store your wipes in.  Reuse an old Clorox wipe container.  Here are a few of our favorite recipes. Please note we do only recommend Bounty paper towels. We have tested just about every paper towel on the market. Bounty has been the most consistent source of a paper towel that does not shred or pull apart.  It is well worth the extra few dimes that it costs.  Here are some recipes:

Cleaning Wipes: 

• 1/2 roll of Bounty Paper Towels
• 2 cups Warm Water
• 2 tablespoons Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 3 drops Melaleuca Essential Oil
• 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (added to prevent mold)

Baby Wipes:

• 1/2 roll of Bounty Paper Towels
• 1 3/4 cups Boiled Water (or distilled)-cooled but still warm
• 1 Tablespoon of Pure Aloe Vera- check the ingredients
• 1 Tablespoon of Pure Witch Hazel Extract
• 2 Tablespoons of Liquid Castille Soap
• 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract or 2 capsules of Vitamin E (added to prevent mold)
• 6 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 6 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil

All- Purpose Wipes:

• 1/2 roll of Bounty Paper Towels
• 1 cup Warm Water
• 1 cup 100% Pure Aloe Vera
• 2 tablespoons Organic Castille Soap – unscented
• 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 10 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (added to prevent mold)

Make-Up Remover Wipes:

• 1/2 roll of Bounty Select-a-Size Paper Towels
• 1 cup Warm Water
• 1 cup 100% Pure Aloe Vera
• 2 tablespoons Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 6 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (added to prevent mold)