It’s Easy Being Green

Winter tends to mean more time inside. Now that temperatures have dropped and our families are snuggling inside more I decided to use this blog post to talk about one of my biggest passions…. saving the environment!

What does that mean exactly?!?!? Do you have to stop driving your car, or spend tons of money on expensive organic cleaners and foods? Do you have to become a card-carrying member of Sierra Club and wear clothes made predominately out of hemp? Quick answer: NO! These are stereotypes of what some think of when I mention that I’m passionate about saving the planet. Being green is something we probably do every day and just don’t realize it. Do you try to avoid waste? Do you recycle when possible? Do you try to avoid purchasing products that are harmful to you, your family and the environment? Are you conscious of what you are using, eating and exposing yourself to? Then….insert drum roll….. you are being green!

VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLAR! Don’t buy products that are counter-productive to your health and the environment because the long-term costs are far worse. Our grandparents had it right in the fact that if they could make it themselves….they did. If they could make do without…. they did. It’s amazing what we are capable of fitting into our everyday lives if we make small, conscious choices. Mamas… I know I’m preaching to the choir when it comes to maximizing our time and decisions.

When I’m in my house for long periods of time I start to focus on all the things that need to be cleaned, fixed and rearranged. When it’s cold outside and hard to air out your home, you should try and be conscious of the chemicals you are bringing into it. When you are recycling the air in your home, especially if you or any of your family has major allergy issues, you have to be sure you’re cleaning in a way that does not introduce more toxins into your household. Your house could be physically clean, but the toxin levels could be off the chart with some of these mainstream cleaners.

Below are a few of my favorite recipes for cleaning and body care products. They are simple, extremely cost efficient, great for those with allergies, and most of all SMELL AMAZING! You can make the scents of your cleaning products match the seasons. Essential oils come in hundreds of options so you could have citrus and floral smells all spring, or spruce and cinnamon in the winter. It’s whatever you prefer! You can purchase bottles and ingredients at most mainstream stores now. I know Target and Meijer carry all of these products. If you really get into making homemade cleaning and body care items try visiting a Fruitful Yield, Whole Foods store or check out the online store Mountain Rose Herbs.

Don’t have time to make these products but would like to purchase greener cleaners? I would recommend using Seventh Generation and Method products. You could also go to T.J. Maxx, Home Goods or Marshalls and buy the clearance version of Mrs. Meyer’s products or simply read the back of any cleaner label. Rule of thumb, if you can’t pronounce it or recreate it with the ingredients listed you probably shouldn’t use it in your home.

Here’s an awesome All Purpose Cleaner Recipe from the amazing Sophie Uliano. Sophie is the author of the book Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life. If you want to learn more about how you can save money, save the planet and save your senses by incorporating additional “green” tactics into your everyday life… get this book! IT’S AWESOME!

My Glass Cleaner Recipe

• 1 spray bottle
• 1 part white distilled vinegar
• 2 parts water
• 10- 12 drops of lavender essential oil

My Winter Body Rub Recipe

• 1 pump bottle or glass oil bottle
• Fill near top with Almond , Sunflower Seed or Jojoba Oil
• 10-12 drops of lavender essential oil (or more if you like a stronger scent)

You can even warm it up a little and lather it on after a shower or in the chilly winter mornings, it’s the best!

I found some other cool homemade body oil recipes here.

Do you make any of your own cleaning or body care products? If so, please share!