So, we would like to make you aware of a potentially game changing strategy by Proctor and Gamble. They are launching a program called Future Friendly, in which they are challenging you as the consumer to increase your awareness of all things environmental. Naturally (pun intended) this includes buying their products to help you do so.

Informed consumerism is important.  Buying products that have been reformulated certainly can reduce overall environmental load. We all make small steps to support each other in the quest for a healthier environment. When a giant makes a small step, the values add up very quickly. Let’s face it, P&G is a giant.

Although I prefer to support small and local, inevitably, I find myself in a strange town, with some minor emergency, needing a product from a large chain grocery store. I’ll always read the ingredients label before I make a purchase, but maybe being aware of their new Future Friendly program, I’ll be more likely to consider one of their products.

At least check out the wonderful Challenge Tracking tools and Kids Coloring Chart.

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Gather the girls for an in-home facial party. Celtic Naturals provides themed, customized products tailored to your skin, teaches you the steps and gives you the recipes. After an evening of camaraderie, you leave feeling refreshed and sporting glowing complexions.

Care

This spa workshop empowers you to remove the synthetics and preservatives from your skincare. While sharing your time, you’re caring for each other, and your surrounding environment. By removing synthetics and preservatives from your skin care products, you are providing the healthiest ingredients for your skin. Not only are you helping yourself and your friends, you are helping the environment as well. Where do those chemicals go when you wash them off your body? Down the drain.

Celtic Naturals is committed to helping you reduce the chemicals that are washed down the drain. That’s why we are helping the environment one shower at a time.

Show them you care.

Please contact Angela to schedule your party.

Suggested Themes, Winter 2010-2011

Peppermint Twist

Silk and Honey

Winter Ginger

Comments or questions are welcome.

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As your lights burn out, consider replacing with LEDs. The power savings are tremendous. Happy Decorating!

So, after a few disgruntled exclamations, I agreed. She does all the packaging design for Celtic Naturals (at this point, for free), so I definitely owe her a few favors. I just received an entire package of It’s Enzymatic cleaners from Green Irene, so this would be a fantastic opportunity to test them and receive some very critical feedback. If it can pass for clean between my mom, my sister and myself, well, it could very well pass for anyone.

Enzymes: What are they? Why do we care?

Remember high school chemistry? We learned about catalysts: those inert substances that speed up a reaction without actually getting involved. Back then, our discussions were (thankfully) limited to the much simpler non-organic reaction. Fast forward to the more thorough understanding and consciousness of the world around us though, and we as a society must have a greater understanding of organic chemistry.

Enzymes are the catalysts of the organic world. The enzyme is so influential, when multiple reaction possibilities exist, the enzyme can determine which reaction occurs. According to the Enzyme Nomenclature Database, as of November 2010, there are 4367 named enzymes. (An increase from the mere 3705 named by October 1999.) It can be expected that many more enzymes will continue to be detected and understood.

It is the natural order of organic life to decay. Dirt, dust mites, grease, viruses: all die and break down to their basic elements, eventually.  Carefully selecting which enzyme is exposed to the dirt and microbes in your home can greatly enhance your cleaning efforts. You can now clean organically, breaking down these offending elements into their basic elements, which are water soluble.

Selecting Enzymes?

Different surfaces of the home tend to attract different types of soil. Certainly, the glass tables in my sister’s home seem to attract my son’s fingerprints. The keys on the piano are also suspiciously dirty. The hardwood floors, the floorboards, fans and the grease in the kitchen all collect different types of dirtiness.

Are you overwhelmed? Have no fear, the It’s Enzymatic cleaning line offers a different collection of enzymes for each surface:

• Kitchen,
• Bathroom,
• Floors (hardwoods included),
• Stainless and Glass,
• Spot and Stain Remover, and
• Mildew.

Overall Assessment

We started only with hardwood cleaner, and tried to clean nearly everything with it. It was fantastic on all the floorboards, the piano and fan blades. Scrapes and general scuffs on the wall came out well, however, those unnamed spots of goo that are the result of pets and toddlers were resistant. For those, we choose the Mildew Remover. Wow! Worked like a charm.

In my personal quest to choose natural cleaners, I have found glass cleaners to be the most difficult. I was quite skeptical when I heard of the glass cleaner. Since I have a toddler and glass coffee tables (as does my sister) I was quite delighted to find that in combination with the microfiber cleaning cloth, the glass cleaner was fantastic. Playdough, cat snot, toddler fingerprints are all a thing of the past – with no obnoxious smells, no streaks, and no chemical residue. This is one happy mom (who has a happy sister!)

In fact the glass cleaner was so effective, we tried to avoid opening the Kitchen cleaner, but found that it was necessary when trying to clean the grill on top of the microwave. The grease here was thick enough to measure, so we needed some heavy duty grease cutting. The grill required some patience and a second application (and a little more patience) but using nothing more than the Kitchen cleaner and a soft cloth, the microwave was sparkling.

My mom was so impressed, she is ordering products as a housewarming gift for my cousin – who took possession of his first home last weekend. For now, I know that my son will be playing in a clean and toxin free home when he visits my sister. All in a day’s work.

I’m so impressed, I’ve decided to represent Green Irene products. Check ‘em out, they are about as green as they come. Prices are reasonable, and they have the same philosophy about packaging as Celtic Naturals. If you’d like to know more, I’m always available to answer questions.

Helping the environment one shower at a time.

Angela J. Buckley

P.S. We calculated that we used approximately $10 worth of products for the great room, the family room, dining room, kitchen and entryway. This included wooden floors, floorboards, kitchen cupboards, chair railings, two ceiling fans and piano. I find this to be significantly cheaper than the baking soda, vinegar, water and essential oil method that I would have used. (I’ve also never been happy with an eco-friendly glass cleaner before.)

What’s involved?

1. Reduce your use of harsh and toxic cleaning chemicals.
2. Reduce your personal exposure to toxins by using all natural skin care products.
3. Increase your recycling efforts.
4. Eliminate dryer sheets by using dryer balls.
5. Choose alternative transportation once a week: carpool, bike or walk.

The list of options above is by no means an extensive list, however, these are excellent first steps. Taking these first initial steps are simple and achievable improvements in your life. Fit these actions into your current life. When they become second nature, reconsider your actions and make improvements accordingly. It’s a reiterative process. We all learn as we go, and the environment will thank us for our efforts.

Congratulations! By becoming a Personal Environmental Activist, you have exhibited two very important characteristics: stewardship and leadership.  You have begun the journey of stewardship, showing that you are caring, cleaning, supporting and maintaining the environment. Leadership by example is a very powerful tool. Children and neighbors will see your actions.

Please post your comments below. Take the pledge today. What will you do to become an PEA?

Triathlon training can be a lonely business. I joined the Penn State Tri Club and quickly became integrated into the team. Many come to the sport as a cyclist or runner. I quickly organized team swim sessions and spent many hours on the deck working swim stroke drills with new swimmers. During this time, I worked to create a strong swimming team, but also focused on team spirit. It’s not easy to persuade twenty college students to be at the pool when it opens on a Saturday morning. However, we were was so dedicated that we often had to wait for the lifeguard to show up!

After my first race, I performed a needs analysis on my athleticism: I needed to focus on the bike, the run and nutrition. During this initial period, I spent time learning how to ride a bicycle for long distances without injury. I focused on technique in the run. I set goals for myself. I read articles and spoke to experts. I began to make progress against those needs identified after the first race.

The dedication and perseverance of the training through the winter showed itself in my second race in April of 2005. Competing with PSU down in Florida, I placed second in my age group. I had made great gains by learning the techniques associated with the sport, but still had room for improvement. Continued effort and dedication eventually paid off in Aug. 2005 on the anniversary of my first race, when I improved my race time, winning my age group and beating one of my brothers. (Did I mention they are younger than me?)

I have learned many lessons in my endurance training. I have learned that you can smile even when hurting, a great talent since there are so many cameras on race day! I have experienced how you can support a fellow competitor. Not everyone is going to win the race, but noone finishes who doesn’t start. Through my training, I remembered what I previously valued, but had forgotten in recent years: the beauty of the environment, that work can be fun, that food tastes so much better when you’re hungry. Life is an exciting adventure, you’re never sure what lies around the next corner, but all your training and preparation will help you overcome it. It’s the same at every starting line. What event are you preparing for?

Fall has arrived in Central Ohio. Summer camping, canoeing, bike riding and gardening activities have taken a toll on the Buckley household.  With outdoor activities a priority, I seldom spend time inside to focus on those extra cleaning chores – like the grout. Honestly, I’d prefer to just ignore the white grout and pale tiles the contractor installed, but enough is enough. Before the dirt and grime of winter arrives, I will clean the grout in our kitchen and entry way.

The trick is, of course, to maintain a clean toxin-free kitchen and home, while maintaining healthy cuticles and nails. There will be no use of harsh chemicals that cause difficulties breathing, no detergents that strip the oils from my skin. This leaves me with a scrub brush, water and baking soda.

Baking soda is surprisingly effective at removing dirt and grime. Your grandma probably knew this trick, but with aisle upon aisle of cleaning agents from which to choose, our generations have forgotten some simple tricks. Baking soda also softens the water, so scrubbing and cleaning is not harsh on your skin.

You Will Need

• Baking Soda
• Stiff Scrub Brush with Ergonomic Handle
• Bowl
• Water
• Towel/Sponge
• Dab  of olive oil

Create a paste

Create a paste with 1/2 cup water to 1/2 cup baking soda in a bowl.  Mix together so the baking soda is fully dissolved.  You will see some separation. Pour the the solution over each grout line that requires cleaning. If the paste becomes too thick, add water as you approach the bottom of your bowl.

Scrub

Using a scrub brush with an ergonomic handle and stiff bristles, follow the grout lines. Use care when scrubbing to position yourself properly.  A towel under your knees and shoulders located directly over the area you are scrubbing will help prevent sore muscles or carpal tunnel discomfort.

Clean Up

Your scrubbing has now been rewarded with a dirty mess of brown water atop the grout and tile.  Use a sponge or towel to soak water and remove excess baking soda. You may need to rinse once or twice to be thoroughly rewarded with a clean area.

Limited Repeats

Scrubbing is not fun. I know, you already know this, but taken in small spurts, it is not hard on your back, your knees or your wrist.  The limited exposure to the water is not hard on your fingernails and cuticles.  By working only with this amount of baking soda and water each time, you can scrub only a 3 foot x 3 foot area.

The small amount of paste made here was intentional. By limiting your scrubbing to 10 – 15 minutes, you prevent injuries — and you are rewarded with a small section that is super clean — providing you with the motivation to clean the next section. Taken in bits and pieces, the task is not overwhelming.

Although our floors and walls are cleaned regularly, grout focused cleaning happens only once a year. It’s OK if the task is spread out over a few days. Small tasks fit into busy workdays more easily than one large one, and it’s so much easier on your skin and body.

Review

Congratulations! Now you have soft hands and clean grout. Follow up with olive oil rubbed into your cuticles while they are still damp to keep them healthy and moist.

Unless you have significant stains, you will see immediate improvement. The stains in our grout include mildew, coffee and spaghetti sauce. See our next post on getting tough on grime if this is not successful for you.