YIKES!! It's been a while!!

Ok- so it's been TOO LONG!! I apologize!! A new job + all the holidays at my house (that I'd just moved into 3 months prior) + all of the not fun January traveling = no blogging!! But I'm back!! So let's play catch-up!

January- my resolutions this year are 1. Read the Bible from cover to cover in a year 2. Start keeping my food journal again (this helps me!! I'd rather not write down that I ate a half pan of brownies!! So I just eat one or two!!) 3. Get our clothesline up and use it!! 4. Start our garden.

February- We decided to make it No-Fast-Food-February!! It was hard, but we're still going strong!! Jeff did eat fast food once while Liv was in town, and he got a Sonic slush once that weekend, too. But other than that, we went ff free the whole month (this ban does include drinks! NO SBUX!!). We haven't gone back, either!! We're not huge ff eaters anymore, anyway, but we were starting to get into the habit when we felt lazy. Like, 'I'll hit snooze one more time instead of getting up and fixing my lunch. I'll just grab something.' Not only is this a drag on the finances, but it was a drag on my body, too!! I could feel the effects of rushing through lunch and all that greasy blechiness quickly, and it lasted the rest of the day.

March- it's off to a bang!! We're continuing on with the no ff. I'm getting some seeds started, and we're getting copies of our HOA covenants to figure out where our garden can go! I'm hoping to get enough produce to have some to can (pickles anyone?!!)!! Yay!! I started using a new DRY homemade laundry detergent in January. In the past I've used a liquid one, but this one is so much easier, and it works well!! I'll definately post the recipe soon!

So that's it for now! You're all caught up! Is there something you want me to blog about? I have lots of research that I'd love to share if you have questions!! Just let me know!!

Crunchy Cleaning

Cleaning is no fun!! I guess y'all know that. Cleaning with poison is even less fun!! I used to get sick every time I scrubbed my tub with unnamed cleaners ::cough::comet::cough::. But that's only the beginning. You name it, it bothered me. I lived with daily headaches for years, that worsenend when I cleaned!! Life shouldn't be like that!! So we decided that we would switch to homemade, crunchy cleaners. They take no time to make, they work as well or better, and they're cheaper, too!! 3 great reasons to bump them to the top of my "Let's give it a shot" list. You see, we didn't make all of these changes at once. We started slowly, did our research, and prioritized based on our needs and willingness!! LOL

There are many books, websites, magazines articles, etc... that give MANY different recipes. I use just a few that work for most things. I'm going for less clutter, too, so I don't feel the need for 20 different bottles under my sinks.

For general cleaning:

#1

1-2 tbsp Dr. Bronner's liquid soap (I don't actually measure- I just squirt some in. I use peppermint or tea trea oil (TTO) for their natural disenfecting qualities) OR non-toxic dishwashing liquid (I like 7th generation)

Water

Mix in a spray bottle. Shake. Squirt where dirty. That's it!! Easy cheesy!!

#2

50% vinegar

50% water (amt. depends on size of spray bottle)

Mix in a spray bottle. Shake. Squirt where dirty.

Do NOT use vinegar on marble!! It will ruin it!!

#3

Hydrogen peroxide

Put in an opaque spray bottle (very important as peroxide degrades when light hits it). Spray on surface after vinegar for added disinfecting qualities. Great for cutting boards!!

For heavy-duty cleaning:

#4

baking soda

a couple of squirts of Dr. Bronner's liquid soap OR non-toxic dishwashing liquid

water (enough for consistency)

Mix together in a bowl until consistency is a little thinner than paste (if you add too much liquid, balance it out with more baking soda!!) . Use with a scouring pad or scrub brush to scrub just about anything!! Sinks, faucets, bathtubs, etc...

#5

lemon juice

salt OR baking soda

Mix into a paste. Let sit for a few minutes. Scrub away!


These are what I use most of the time, but the key is to find what works best for you!! I get my scrub brushes and spray bottles from the dollar store, and they work really well!! Dr. Bronner's can be found at most health food stores, some Targets, some grocery stores, and online. Most of these recipes were used for generations by our grandmothers and all those before them. Toxic does not equal clean. New does not equal good. Maybe we should learn from those who came before us. Sometimes simple (and inexpensive) equals BETTER!!

look who's jumping on the blogging train.....

So I guess I'm a blogger now. Go figure. I haven't checked my myspace in 2 months, but I'm going to start a blog. An eco-blog. From a christian's perspective. Sheesh.

I don't know if I'll stick with it, but I'm going to give it a shot. I'm doing this to share my experiences with my friends and family, and to keep myself accountable. I'm not a maniac or anything. I just want to do the best I can.

I'm a christian. And I'm crunchy, eco-friendly, hippie, whatever. Yes. The two can go together. In fact, I think the first demands the second. This planet (and everything on it) is on loan from God. Would you borrow your best friends car, trash it completely, and return it with an, "Oops- sorry- it wasn't easy to take care of it, so I didn't even bother." No.

Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not perfect by any means. I'm just trying. Little by little. Maybe this blog will motivate me. Maybe this blog will motivate you. Who knows? Feel free to ask questions and share.

Here we go!!