Six Tips to Boost Your Immune System
With so many people under the weather thanks to colds and the flu making their rounds I thought I’d share a few natural tips for staying healthy this winter. 1. Eat well. Your diet is the number one means by which you can build your immune system. It is a bit more challenging to find fresh fruits and vegetables in the winter but broccoli, greens, citrus fruits, and squash are a few that are readily available. More »
Shop Green
Shopping for eco-friendly products doesn\'t have to be stressful. Relax and visit our directory of green online retailers. More »
Use House Plants to Purify the Air in Your Home
You might be surprised to know that the air inside your home could be dangerous. In fact, our indoor air is often what causes common illnesses and ailments such as fatigue, asthma, skin conditions, learning disabilities, ADHD, digestive issues, infertility, obesity, and cancer. More »
Stop Wasting Food - It\'s Bad For the Planet and Your Budget
In our house very little food goes to waste. If leftovers aren’t eaten within two days they get frozen. Vegetables that are looking a little sad get thrown into a batch of pasta sauce or soup. If I don’t have time to whip up a batch of something with them then, most vegetables, I can just quickly chop and throw in the freezer (I almost always have frozen chopped peppers or broccoli in my freezer.) More »
Natural Cold and Flu Remedies
When it comes to colds and flu, there are two approaches: prevention and treatment. There are natural remedies for both of these approaches. Stock up on treatments and begin prevention now, and you should have a much more comfortable cold and flu season. Here are some ideas: More »
Detox Your Kids’ Bedrooms
Many parents, including myself, are becoming more aware of all the unhealthy chemicals involved in furnishing and decorating their homes. This awareness is leading to a growing concern about the safety of children in their own homes. There are many things parents can do to provide a worry free environment for their families. Here are a few ideas to get you started with detoxifying your childrens’ bedrooms and making them a safer, healthier place to be.
Bedding
The central part of most bedrooms is the bed itself. Depending on your budget, you can replace your child’s mattress with a natural rubber one. Synthetic foams and plastics found in conventional mattresses can off-gas potentially dangerous, possibly even carcinogenic, fumes. Natural rubber mattresses provide the spring and support without the chemicals.
Flooring
Take up carpet and refinish your hardwood floors underneath with eco-friendly stains and varnishes. If you don’t have hardwood, put down an eco-friendly flooring choice such as natural linoleum, cork, or bamboo. If you want carpet, try wool carpet and avoid toxic glues and adhesives.
Furniture
Use eco-friendly, used or refurbished furniture. There are some very interesting re-purposed items out there out these days. You can also visit the second hand stores and come up with some creative ways to re-use items. Since you are looking for less toxic items, stay away from any kind of plastic. Stick with wood or metal items that can be re-finished with non-toxic paints or stripped and left natural.
If you are investing in new furniture, choose natural wood furniture without synthetic varnish or shellac. Bamboo and mango wood are eco-friendly choices.
Window Treatments
As with the bedding, choose fabrics that are natural and dyed with non-synthetic pigments. Cotton, wool, and linen are good choices. Too much fabric holds dust, dirt, and in our house spiders, in the creases. You should be letting in as much natural light as possible so a simple blind would be a good solution. If you live in country, like we do, you can just leave your windows bare, put up a nice window frame and enjoy the view.
The Walls
There are quite a few companies now that offer non-toxic, eco-friendly paint that is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). You can go crazy and try out some new painting techniques or a mural or you can stick to traditional solid colors of paint on the walls and decorate them with photographs of some of your kids’ favorite places and pets. My daughter’s bedroom walls are an art gallery of horse pictures that she has painted and she just loves it.
Lighting
Use CFLs in lamps and overhead light fixtures. You can have a little more fun with your lighting and use strings of colored or white LED lights. The best light is obviously the natural kind so make sure to keep those curtains and blinds open as much as possible during the day. If you like hunting in antique shops and second hand stores then you can find perfectly good used lighting fixtures and chandeliers that just need a little re-wiring.
Just a few small changes can make a huge difference in the well-being of your child. Apply the changes to all the rooms in your house and the whole family can enjoy a healthier living environment.
