Going Green, Made Easier

"Going Green" can be difficult and expensive! But here are some really great, easy, inexpensive solutions...


After my 2 dogs broke my composting bin last summer, I gave up trying to compost. Mostly because composting bins are really expensive, and I couldn't see spending all that money on something my dogs were more than likely going to break again! So, I was thrilled when my friend Paula told me that she made her own composting bin for around $20. She emailed me this link:


http://simplemom.net/how-to-make-a-compost-bin/

I'm hoping to make one this week. I'll let you all know how it goes.

And by the way, our garden is in full swing. Yesterday, Avery and I planted green beans, cucumbers and cantaloupe seeds. A couple of weeks ago we planted our tomatoes, potatoes, onions, eggplant, peppers, broccoli, cabbage and carrots. Next weekend we will plant our squash, and our garden will be full.

Our Garden, March 29

And here's one more thing worth mentioning. Last week, at my Mothers of Preschoolers group meeting, our guest speaker was the wife and co-owner of a local organic gardening center. She was giving away door prizes, but I didn't win one... :-( But I asked one of my friends who did win a door prize if I could see what she got. She handed me a bag of something called Bug-B-Gone. It's a completely safe and non-toxic insect repellent. The guest speaker's husband is the owner and creator of Ron's Organics, and over several years he came up with his own tried-and-true concoctions for common household problems... bugs being one of the biggest problems. The bag smelled wonderful. It didn't have a chemical smell at all. So I turned the bag over, and the list of ingredients boggled my mind: ground cinnamon, cloves, corn, thyme, and wintergreen oil. That's it... She told my group that she puts the Bug-B-Gone in a bowl under her sink in the kitchen, and it keeps those tiny black ants away. She also puts some in a pretty bowl in her bathrooms, to use like a potpourri, and it keeps the roaches away. She also puts it in old knee-high stockings, and throws a couple of them into her attic to keep all sorts of pests away. She said it works for up to 4 months, and a 1 pound bag costs only $3. Needless to say, I can't wait to go out to their store to get some. We've been so reluctant to use any chemicals in our house and on our lawn because Isaac is so extremely sensitive to them. But then, of course, we get more bugs... But this seems like this could be a great solution. They also sell a blend of cedar wood chips that you sprinkle along the outside perimeter of your house and in your lawn, and it prevents bugs from coming into your home. Oh, and at my meeting we also made an all-natural Febreeze (room deodorizer/linen spray), using tap water and 15 - 20 drops of lavender essential oil that you can buy from any health food store... It smells great!


We were also given a list of all-natural household cleaners that you can make yourself using other essential oils:


All Purpose Cleaner: Add 6 drops of lavender essential oil and 6 drops of rosemary essential oil to 1 pint of water in a spray bottle. Lavender oil contains an all-natural anti-bacterial property.


Furniture Polish: Add 10 drops of orange (or lemon) essential oil to 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and then add 2 - 3 drops of olive oil.


Bathroom Cleaner: For tile or linoleum, add 50 drops of tea tree oil to a gallon of water in a bucket. Tea tree oil contains an all-natural anti-bacterial property.


To remove mold or mildew: Add 3 - 4 drops of tea tree oil to a rag or sponge and wipe directly on the surface. Let it sit for several minutes. Rinse and repeat if needed.


Disinfectant Spray: Add 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil and 10 drops of lemon essential oil to a pint of water in a spray bottle.


Glass Cleaner: Mix 10 drops of lemon, lavender or rosemary essential oil with 1 cup of white vinegar and mix with a small amount of water (1/4 - 1/2 cup).


Laundry: When washing sheets and pillowcases, or anything else that dust mites thrive in, add 25 - 30 drops of eucalyptus oil to the wash water for each load. Laundry comes out softer and fresher.


While in the dryer, simply add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil to a damp washcloth, and toss it into the dryer with your clothes for an all-natural dryer sheet.