November 6, 2007 by sdelia.

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Posted in beauty, healthy beauty, chemical-free, chemical free beauty, healthy home, healthy cleaning, green cleaning, home, house cleaning, nontoxic cleaning, Recipe | Print | 1 Comment »

November 6, 2007 by sdelia.

Posted in beauty, healthy beauty, chemical-free, chemical free beauty, healthy home, healthy cleaning, green cleaning, home, house cleaning, nontoxic cleaning, Recipe | Print | 1 Comment »

September 10, 2007 by sdelia.

Aloe Vera Lip Gloss
1 tsp. aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. petroleum jelly

Mix together in glass bowl and heat for 1 to 2 minutes on high in the microwave will yield about 1/2 ounce.

Honey Lime Lip Gloss
7-8 tsp. sweet almond oil
2 tsp. beeswax
Vitamin E capsule
1 tsp. honey
5 drops lime flavoring or essential oil
Small container with lid
Miscellaneous items: microwave- safe bowl, microwave, straight pin, wire whisk, spoon

1 Melt the oil and beeswax in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
2 Remove the mixture from the microwave. Pierce the vitamin E capsule with the straight pin and whisk the contents of the capsule, honey, and flavoring into the mixture until it is set.
3 Spoon the finished lip gloss into the small container.

Undereye Circle Lightener
To lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Wipe off residue and apply an eye cream.

Posted in beauty, healthy beauty, chemical-free, chemical free beauty, healthy home, healthy cleaning, green cleaning, home, house cleaning, nontoxic cleaning, Recipe | Print | 2 Comments »

July 27, 2007 by sdelia.

Executive Summary

How clean is clean? We all have different answers and personal preferences regarding the cleanliness of our homes and surroundings. The many types and brands of cleaning products available on store shelves is staggering. In most cases, when we choose a cleaning product, we are primarily concerned with whether or not it will do the job, going on the assumption that if a product is sold in the grocery store, it must be safe for use in our homes. This report questions that assumption. Household cleaning chemicals, like tens of thousands of chemicals found in the consumer marketplace, are available to the consumer with virtually no information on the potential consequences for human health and little oversight by the government.

Household Hazards was written to provide information on certain chemicals in cleaning products which may pose health hazards. Specifically, it looks at the research on cleaning chemicals such as monoethanolamine (MEA) and ammonium quaternary compounds linked to asthma, and glycol ethers, alkyl phenol ethoxylates and phthalates linked to reproductive harm (e.g. birth defects and fertility problems).

Some research has associated these cleaning chemicals with health impacts, such as occupational asthma in cleaning workers, so it is reasonable to question their use in household cleaning products. Other research in laboratory settings links exposure to certain cleaning chemicals with reproductive harm, such as birth defects or fertility problems in animals. While the impacts of chronic exposure to these chemicals on reproductive harm in humans have not been fully researched, the scientific data compiled in this report, while inconclusive, does present a valid cause for concern. This report also highlights the need for additional studies to fully ascertain the safety of using household cleaning chemicals over the course of a lifetime. Many consumers, especially those who have asthma or women of childbearing age, are accustomed to making choices to avoid exposure to chemicals with potential for harm. This report is intended to provide additional information to consumers who may prefer a precautionary approach to using certain cleaning products in their home.

Common household cleaning chemicals linked to asthma and reproductive harm

Monoethanolamine (MEA) is a surfactant found in some laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners and floor cleaners and is a known inducer of occupational asthma.

Ammonium quaternary compounds are disinfectants found in some disinfectant sprays and toilet cleaners that have been identified as inducers of occupational asthma.

Glycol ethers, such as 2-butoxyethanol, are solvents commonly found in glass cleaners and all-purpose spray cleaners that have been linked to reduced fertility and low birth weight in exposed mice.

Alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEs) are surfactants found in laundry detergents, stain removers, and all-purpose cleaners, which have been found to reduce embryo survival in fish, and alter tadpole development. APEs are commonly detected as contaminants in rivers and streams, and have also been found in household dust.

Phthalates are carriers for fragrance in glass cleaners, deodorizers, laundry detergents and fabric sof teners, which have been linked to adverse effects on male children, reduced sperm count in adult men, and increased allergic symptoms and asthma in children.

Household Hazards

A look at the potential hazards of chemicals in household cleaning products and their association with asthma and reproductive harm.

By Alexandra Gorman

July 2007

Download the full Household Hazards report (.pdf)

Posted in beauty, healthy beauty, chemical-free, chemical free beauty, healthy home, healthy cleaning, home, house cleaning, nontoxic cleaning, green cleaning | Print | 1 Comment »

June 29, 2007 by sdelia.

Excerpt from Natural Beauty at Home - Janice Cox

Josephine de Beaubarnais married Napoleon Bonaparte in France in 1796. She was known for her beautiful clear complexion. It is rumored that she used this simple cleanser recipe every day to keep her skin clean and glowing. It is necessary to refrigerate this cleanser between uses because of the fresh milk. It should last for a few weeks.

Mix together the two ingredients. Store in the refrigerator.

To use: Pour a small amount in your hand and massage gently into your skin. Rinse well with tepid water and pat dry.

Yield: 3 ounces.

Posted in nontoxic cleaning, house cleaning, home, green cleaning, Recipe | Print | 2 Comments »

May 22, 2007 by sdelia.

Greener Home Cleaning
How to clean your house, without jeopardizing your family’s health 

By Rachel Rabkin Pechman When cleaning, the last thing you want to do is fill the air with toxins that are hazardous to the environment — and even to your family’s health. Yet that’s what you might be doing if you use certain traditional cleaners, many of which contain synthetic chemicals that haven’t been safety-tested. Experts are divided as to whether these cleaners can harm you, but if you’re concerned, here’s how to limit exposure, from Linda Mason Hunter, co-author of Green Clean: 

Air it out. Leave windows open during and after cleaning so that the chemicals don’t linger in the air. Buy “green” alternatives, like Seventh Generation and Mrs. Meyer’s. Or look for products with these terms: biodegradable; plant-based; hypoallergenic; formulated without dye or synthetic fragrance; non-flammable; does not contain chlorine, phosphate, petroleum, ammonia, acids, alkalized solvents, nitrates, or borates. 

Make your own. Try: • A mix of baking soda and distilled white vinegar to scrub the toilet 

•Distilled white vinegar mixed with warm water to clean hardwood floors •Vegetable-based soap with a few drops of lavender essential oil to make an antiseptic cleaning spray 

Do what you can. Using green cleaners even some of the time is better than never. To learn more, visit householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov. 

Parenting, June 2007

 http://www.abundantlivinglegacy.org/mypage.php

Posted in nontoxic cleaning, house cleaning, home, green cleaning, Recipe | Print | 1 Comment »