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Love is Vital. Shopping is Vital.http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Tara)Blogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-3959723870665965330Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:59:00 +00002010-04-21T12:59:06.093-07:00cold seasonDIY wellnessEco Friendlyeco wednesdaynatural cold remedyorganicsore throat<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Colds and flus always seem to strike at their worst in transitional seasons such as Spring and Autumn, don't they. If you've got a family, than even worse - once one member of your family has the cold - you are all usually doomed. There are of course healthy practices such as exercise, good nutrition, and hygiene to prevent those nasty little viruses from preying on you and your loved ones continually. But eventually, they are gonna getcha.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfv3AKX58PQ1LUTyx9noQvE9W8Yw1jglLWIO7GjyOy6YQks2omQE5psC_NrAUMPd99u-AOX_hwlGmzjpf1rxwfUnwBvAUvhV9Dp76xRN8DJA6ne4i0IcPVv498smDULmfpEQ3ofzP7-KQ/s1600/nevermindthenapalm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfv3AKX58PQ1LUTyx9noQvE9W8Yw1jglLWIO7GjyOy6YQks2omQE5psC_NrAUMPd99u-AOX_hwlGmzjpf1rxwfUnwBvAUvhV9Dp76xRN8DJA6ne4i0IcPVv498smDULmfpEQ3ofzP7-KQ/s320/nevermindthenapalm.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eggybird/59142001/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Marley recently came down with a nasty sore throat and head cold, which of course as soon as she began to get better, Jeff and I picked up as well. Sore throats are probably the worst part of a cold, and I really felt for my baby girl, because other than infant motrin - I thought there was nothing I could do for her (not now, or even when she's older - children's medicines have become too suspect for me). Regular cold medicines always make my body feel weird too...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHl_avfmY2gZzhJsfoeHXcnVb4J6jI30tWmdIeqoBptfp4K2orIyQuDF_9qBVBYKjreg4hCPDQG4mkhCvPdulApQdWB8ODMGrWFL6iKhy2-d-SVYR3rNYHy4Sju7_rMwft6tYOlJi-AOt/s1600/vicksvintagead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHl_avfmY2gZzhJsfoeHXcnVb4J6jI30tWmdIeqoBptfp4K2orIyQuDF_9qBVBYKjreg4hCPDQG4mkhCvPdulApQdWB8ODMGrWFL6iKhy2-d-SVYR3rNYHy4Sju7_rMwft6tYOlJi-AOt/s400/vicksvintagead.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://flickr.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I did some research, and created a delightful tea that is easy to make and the ingredients you are likely to have in your spice rack and refrigerator as well. It really soothes the throat for two - three hours, better than any lozenge or numbing spray I've ever tried - and it tastes yummy too! I felt so good knowing that my family was feeling better with all-natural, organic and healthy ingredients that work with our immune systems naturally. ***If you're pregnant - this is also safe for you to take, so don't suffer a minute longer!***</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Here's the recipe (Per mug of tea):</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hot water</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ginger, sliced 1/4" thick, and lightly crushed (toss about 4-6 slices in depending on taste)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp anise seeds, crushed</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp organic lavender flowers, crushed (you can find these in the spice aisle)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tbsp organic thyme or lemon thyme</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 - 2 tsp honey depending on taste</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tsp lemon juice</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnYeOB31pJ0dBxf-yLVxMeFCevtN1phSD28SPZ6GxqyqIuk4AmNEc3qId7DjuF5Zk_9OnXLoQ3J1NkccqksEZ6kQjX6ZbEAHOZi6YpSu9FidTW1sZ-q5hyBFU61W9trV_CbVVQh3Xw984/s1600/aniseseeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnYeOB31pJ0dBxf-yLVxMeFCevtN1phSD28SPZ6GxqyqIuk4AmNEc3qId7DjuF5Zk_9OnXLoQ3J1NkccqksEZ6kQjX6ZbEAHOZi6YpSu9FidTW1sZ-q5hyBFU61W9trV_CbVVQh3Xw984/s320/aniseseeds.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/annosvixit/2910994950/">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxsFZt7pzSQt-p0HGxlyKO2gs0QC24_wHoBaSEkuQstsPWNps4uJmisnNCcVK7x6B4O7FZh0blkKl3FJ0QrV6Z2CWoAAbyifE4gOxw0kJNJEnMi4US-09FoLSd0K-ZyJfM6iV_hAQje78/s1600/sliced+ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxsFZt7pzSQt-p0HGxlyKO2gs0QC24_wHoBaSEkuQstsPWNps4uJmisnNCcVK7x6B4O7FZh0blkKl3FJ0QrV6Z2CWoAAbyifE4gOxw0kJNJEnMi4US-09FoLSd0K-ZyJfM6iV_hAQje78/s320/sliced+ginger.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetbeetandgreenbean/4044619245/">source</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /> </span></span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Leave the ginger in the bottom of the mug, but place all seeds and herbs in a tea strainer (the clamping kind are best). Let steep at least five minutes. Remove tea strainer and ginger with a spoon. Drink and rest.</span></span></span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">***For little ones, hot drinks are not generally a big hit, so let it cool down - while the heat is generally a soother - the natural power of these herbs and other ingredients are really what soothes. They can drink it lukewarm, tepid, or room temperature.</span></span></span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm sorry to say I haven't come up with a cure for a runny nose - other than just accepting that it's your body's way of beating the cold. It can be downright miserable though, especially when you get to a chapped nose. For that, I recommend using&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"><a href="http://www.badgerbalm.com/pc-393-2-sleep-balm.aspx">Organic Sleep Balm by Badger</a>, the balm soothes your skin, and the lavender, ginger, rosemary and other essential oils really help you breathe easy. Try it as a relaxing massage on your upper chest too instead of products like Vick's VapoRub.&nbsp;</span></span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnYeOB31pJ0dBxf-yLVxMeFCevtN1phSD28SPZ6GxqyqIuk4AmNEc3qId7DjuF5Zk_9OnXLoQ3J1NkccqksEZ6kQjX6ZbEAHOZi6YpSu9FidTW1sZ-q5hyBFU61W9trV_CbVVQh3Xw984/s1600/aniseseeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /> </a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnYeOB31pJ0dBxf-yLVxMeFCevtN1phSD28SPZ6GxqyqIuk4AmNEc3qId7DjuF5Zk_9OnXLoQ3J1NkccqksEZ6kQjX6ZbEAHOZi6YpSu9FidTW1sZ-q5hyBFU61W9trV_CbVVQh3Xw984/s1600/aniseseeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br /> </span></span></a><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's hoping you don't get a cold - but if you do - here's hoping this helps you this season!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best,</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tara</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/04/eco-wednesdaysore-throat-remedy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-3950664821285935237Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:54:00 +00002010-04-16T18:51:00.429-07:00A Deer Wearing Gym Socksartist interviewCharmaine OliviadeviantArtetsy sellerpaintingurban outfitters<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you haven't yet come across her work, then let this be your introduction to one of my favorite artists, Charmaine Olivia. She is able to use many medias: oil paint, drawings with watercolor, photography - not only is her work charming, seductive, and chimerical - some of it is just plain funny. The "A Deer Wearing Gym Socks" was my introduction to Charmaine Olivia quite some time again; and I absolutely adored the color, the style - and the gym socks! I had no idea of the versatility behind the artist of that funny little painting until recently...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFyarcmJawRbm5HxBC0Y2rrifrUnngHqhg4qtiEoIPuQMyAFtEIEL3BDScMLQ4jiW3fYWRhJ55j8yXWKkeKJfcykflxnVKIfIcgRHQX4JK3ZGeEIVBRUJSJ4mfRf-vUHGACY2SuN4PrpV/s1600/Charm+Collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFyarcmJawRbm5HxBC0Y2rrifrUnngHqhg4qtiEoIPuQMyAFtEIEL3BDScMLQ4jiW3fYWRhJ55j8yXWKkeKJfcykflxnVKIfIcgRHQX4JK3ZGeEIVBRUJSJ4mfRf-vUHGACY2SuN4PrpV/s400/Charm+Collage+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LTvF5CmqGjZmYXZMozJpRMzb4xulV3tX12_d6Y0k2rtohVb2me7_E-JGP_GwtZWkBmgq8UgCZl0jWO_PR7ew1rOH8ANhj4_yhSQ8-v3EEVKvdK4lBZm1CwQ7xKhSTBZ7dwpXfTmvAZZG/s1600/doily_by_charbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LTvF5CmqGjZmYXZMozJpRMzb4xulV3tX12_d6Y0k2rtohVb2me7_E-JGP_GwtZWkBmgq8UgCZl0jWO_PR7ew1rOH8ANhj4_yhSQ8-v3EEVKvdK4lBZm1CwQ7xKhSTBZ7dwpXfTmvAZZG/s320/doily_by_charbage.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6930QsFf3pW9SnOgHeVvhIrs3yS1y6LXjHXxWR5XmlY31KIm-IAb51TJBjuHUMQB7mcPUSMVvXmOyW2gr0oEcIv7ra2Zk6JRJYYuFDJLTZyGIgv8bb2eq3nMGNz_4oVT3zATLYCKkpsnY/s1600/aviator_by_charmaineolivia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6930QsFf3pW9SnOgHeVvhIrs3yS1y6LXjHXxWR5XmlY31KIm-IAb51TJBjuHUMQB7mcPUSMVvXmOyW2gr0oEcIv7ra2Zk6JRJYYuFDJLTZyGIgv8bb2eq3nMGNz_4oVT3zATLYCKkpsnY/s400/aviator_by_charmaineolivia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSk15GhKcFzJMoqpjAkMaWre-KpQZV1AfoRyCC0DxJAW8br6DPQtULAXVoCaYlsGTM7UEwj67CdraWi_0JcMjruq-I7Ohucg7dFphub1zfPwqZtPEeIbrGbXKJ7QtCVVwQM0KD8QP0_sg/s1600/godzilla_grows_feathers_by_charbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSk15GhKcFzJMoqpjAkMaWre-KpQZV1AfoRyCC0DxJAW8br6DPQtULAXVoCaYlsGTM7UEwj67CdraWi_0JcMjruq-I7Ohucg7dFphub1zfPwqZtPEeIbrGbXKJ7QtCVVwQM0KD8QP0_sg/s320/godzilla_grows_feathers_by_charbage.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You can see all of Charmaine's work at her <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1649594932">d</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.charbage.deviantart.com/">eviantArt</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> page; or purchase at her </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/charmaineolivia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Etsy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> shop.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. I <i>can not believe</i> that you have had no formal training (your work is exceptional)?! Please tell us more about your transition from soy sauce and napkins to oil paint and canvas?</span></span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I feel like the soy sauce "paintings" that I used to make when I was little were an important part of my development as an artist. I think that some parents may have considered this inappropriate behavior, but I am so grateful that my parents never told me to "stop that nonsense", even when in a public restaurant. They've always been supportive of me as an artist, which I am super grateful for. Then when I was a little older, around 8 or so, my aunt taught me how to use oil paints. We used to go down to the beach and paint &nbsp;the waves and sky. Since then, I have definitely branched away from the traditional way of painting that my aunt taught me, but she gave me the confidence to do it on my own. However, it wasn't until a few years ago that I really started taking myself seriously as an artist. I ultimately decided against going to art school and took some time to really figure out if pursuing art was what I wanted. It was.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkAtNB8iM7gdlmQFmKpCSsAfx_XuW_pFoemQKxwZDDKKdWiYjjebH2NveBwOw-eRBFcRx3Ye5ogiz4fRJ66Btzj1fKJNrmTzA1jTt212ktyHQCu7hwtj3NtGYokYi_kJPW8mGJROuWSi_/s1600/littlecharms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkAtNB8iM7gdlmQFmKpCSsAfx_XuW_pFoemQKxwZDDKKdWiYjjebH2NveBwOw-eRBFcRx3Ye5ogiz4fRJ66Btzj1fKJNrmTzA1jTt212ktyHQCu7hwtj3NtGYokYi_kJPW8mGJROuWSi_/s320/littlecharms.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The artist, at 8, painting Plein Air on the Beach.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b><br /> <b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. You came on the scene only a little over a year ago - at least at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/charmaineolivia">Etsy</a>. You have gained massive exposure elsewhere - Envelop, Pingg, etcetera. Do you spend a lot of time marketing yourself?</span></span></b></span></div></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I don't spend a ton of time marketing myself. I first started posting my work online through deviantArt and eventually I was able to gain a little following and some momentum. Since then I've started a blog, twitter and facebook fanpage. All these tools are extremely helpful for anyone trying to get their word out. Then I had my first big break last year when I started a contract with the Scandinavian design company <a href="http://www.bolia.com/">Bolia</a> and had my first solo show in San Francisco last October. It's all about getting noticed by the right people, and every little mention helps. I am so thankful for all you bloggers and art-lovers :) And now I'm proud to say <a href="http://printshop.urbanoutfitters.com/product/34584/prints?cl=1">Urban Outfitters</a> is selling one of my prints as of last week! (Which has been my dream for a while now).</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. You use elements of the natural world in your artwork - aspects of your art have an aboriginal or tribal quality to it. Can you talk about the natural world as influence on your art?</span></span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I think my fascination for tribal and natural elements stems from my mother. She's always been interested in archaeology and history and we love watching documentaries together. We used to love flipping through National Geographic and looking at vibrant people and animals from other parts of the world. Now that I live in San Francisco, there isn't a ton of nature around me (at least where I live) so I sort of make up for that by including it in my work.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><br /> </span></div><b></b><br /> <b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4. Honestly, you're just so intriguing - there's more I'd love to know...but I can't think which question to ask. If you want to tell us something else - feel free: (or, if like me you're equally intrigued about the multi-talented Charmaine Olivia, just follow her </span><a href="http://blog.charmaineolivia.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">blog</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to learn more)</span></span></b></span></div></b><br /> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I really, really love tea. I'm kind of a tea fiend. Drinking peppermint tea with honey and doing crossword puzzles with my boyfriend Joe is probably one of my favorite things ever!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-rRqxLG7sN_w0gVwxbJxkiu_r9pCJ1-KBXwPR1-T2h0Odgzuzzkr8Z_OqrLSo02GFsDX4jxCcHglYLiwPuRi8UAcjc9LL-AwORzxb-rR0Cq-wLb5cAr2Q_OO93B1v21T24DvEMiyeuIY/s1600/789_by_charmaine+olivia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-rRqxLG7sN_w0gVwxbJxkiu_r9pCJ1-KBXwPR1-T2h0Odgzuzzkr8Z_OqrLSo02GFsDX4jxCcHglYLiwPuRi8UAcjc9LL-AwORzxb-rR0Cq-wLb5cAr2Q_OO93B1v21T24DvEMiyeuIY/s400/789_by_charmaine+olivia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ms. Charmaine Olivia, currently</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I hope you all have enjoyed learning more about the strikingly talented artist and all-around nice gal, Charmaine Olivia. I will see you all next week!</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Best,</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tara</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div></div></div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/04/artist-interview-charmaine-olivia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-7758231398875427552Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:00:00 +00002010-04-14T12:00:49.150-07:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A little decision I've been toying with since <a href="http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-how-to-week-kickoff.html">Eco-Clean How-To Week</a> - is to make Wednesdays a special weekly feature around here at my wee EVA Blog: <b>Eco-Wednesdays</b>! Each Wednesday will focus on eco-friendly DIY recipes, indie businesses (and maybe giveaways), lifestyle tips &amp; tricks, and as you know - I love shopping...so of course, cool eco-friendly stuff. For our first Eco-Wednesday, we have a Guest Blogger, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/people/GardenofHolly">Holly Grippe</a>, from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GardenofHolly">Garden of Holly</a>&nbsp;at Etsy (She's also our first Guest Blogger, yay!)!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0hlbl-kKxAp3SXtu97OHdGiB-kPZBwb5rREgvX-h1owCF5_KDg74ZW4Wev8e0bjInTGVvoAfioFFxvyN7IxQiN1XQrNbYwYWAALlJtvAHWz0YcyGpSjxWg8yQpm7JdRaNzO_M-Nyu9m_/s1600/gardenofhollyhandcreme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0hlbl-kKxAp3SXtu97OHdGiB-kPZBwb5rREgvX-h1owCF5_KDg74ZW4Wev8e0bjInTGVvoAfioFFxvyN7IxQiN1XQrNbYwYWAALlJtvAHWz0YcyGpSjxWg8yQpm7JdRaNzO_M-Nyu9m_/s400/gardenofhollyhandcreme.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39338485">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Garden of Holly is proud to offer a line of beauty products and cleaning supplies that are non-toxic and synthetic free. All of our products are handcrafted in small batches and made to order. &nbsp;We use only fresh organic, certified organic, and wild crafted ingredients. &nbsp;Only therapeutic grade essential oils are used in our products. &nbsp;Also, none of our materials are ever subjected to high heat. These facts, as well as obtaining almost 100% of our supplies from local suppliers, allow us to offer the most fresh and potent products possible. &nbsp;Our products are rich in minerals and vitamins readily absorbed by the skin.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruFRAqmrNgihh-KFlIn5SvVXY3msl7IuRt7NfI7srlKmfyMiXFPvzuta_Zl1S3eUbGRdQyXItrcSGTRqNMPNqDjUBDu9OPGT3qJZ-05Nh1cE7Ogv8KLnb1NNIOI8KZsQannh_Yk7GRfCe/s1600/gardenofhollychocolatestoutsoap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiruFRAqmrNgihh-KFlIn5SvVXY3msl7IuRt7NfI7srlKmfyMiXFPvzuta_Zl1S3eUbGRdQyXItrcSGTRqNMPNqDjUBDu9OPGT3qJZ-05Nh1cE7Ogv8KLnb1NNIOI8KZsQannh_Yk7GRfCe/s320/gardenofhollychocolatestoutsoap.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42570445">source</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wRxmOgEHNfFcMZXOzd_VJixcMdkuftzM7vm4s1ZujLoyr-or5816Ubu3wVLSyuan1XOhvSsYnpT83wHEHLK8E7M0ncJ5TiPsKLeOMX-lDSUt9Y0q8be6Uc2BQkoLCk2A9RXYAfc4O1_o/s1600/gardenofhollyspotfreefacecreme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wRxmOgEHNfFcMZXOzd_VJixcMdkuftzM7vm4s1ZujLoyr-or5816Ubu3wVLSyuan1XOhvSsYnpT83wHEHLK8E7M0ncJ5TiPsKLeOMX-lDSUt9Y0q8be6Uc2BQkoLCk2A9RXYAfc4O1_o/s320/gardenofhollyspotfreefacecreme.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44162973">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love introducing new customers to the radiance and health that can be experienced using healing aromatic herbs and oils. I feel that looking beautiful should not come at the expense of your health or the health of our planet. Men, women, young and old, all use personal care products every day. Soap, lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, makeup, etc.; what products do you use daily? We feel it is important to know what’s coming in contact with your skin.&nbsp;At Garden of Holly, we recognize that everything you put on your skin enters your body through your pores and is carried throughout your entire body by the circulatory system. That is the reason we never use any <a href="http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/">parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrances or dyes</a>.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Garden of Holly is excited to offer one lucky EVA Blog reader a wrapped, 4 0z. Healthy Hands Organic Protective Hand Cream!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yU_p-Uz2IwrqRrU8bqBJD5nFyDwsaXLuii5riCjkdBp2XutAGSJw-Jeeb5nSo8Ksei4C-drjKleUgtyGwPvgzsnLri1DCT6CMq8hxTo6o1ZNWF48PFmXuuHMF154SXXcr2WWWzIhDDL1/s1600/gardenofhollyhandcremewrapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yU_p-Uz2IwrqRrU8bqBJD5nFyDwsaXLuii5riCjkdBp2XutAGSJw-Jeeb5nSo8Ksei4C-drjKleUgtyGwPvgzsnLri1DCT6CMq8hxTo6o1ZNWF48PFmXuuHMF154SXXcr2WWWzIhDDL1/s400/gardenofhollyhandcremewrapped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To enter the giveaway, just visit the Garden of Holly Etsy shop, and return to the EVA Blog with a comment about your favorite product! As always, extra entries can be obtained by tweeting, facebooking, and blogging the giveaway. Giveaway will run until April 23rd, 11:59 PST.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/04/eco-wednesday-with-garden-of-holly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-4409353509734785376Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:09:00 +00002010-04-08T13:09:49.719-07:00gardenindoor herb gardenoutdoor livingspring gardeningsummerwoolly pockets<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi Everyone,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The taxes are done - with minimal damage done. Yessss! And so now, onto what I've been dreaming about (besides bicycles)...gardening, gardens, flowers, succulents, ornamental grasses, firepits, barbecues...it's definitely safe to say I'm ready for skipping spring and heading straight into summer. Which, according to the locals where I live (Bend, OR), is likely to happen. It has been snowing on-and-off since the Spring Equinox. Today we're due for a massive snow-storm (according to the local weather guy who can never get it right, because the weather here is that strange).&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDT4R7pBSqSeIwZbazkGZnYCWrAtdV06pBQWuGfgZOZHw6VJIPOYIrbw1bXFnKzEXAIS8NJ2XcJp6To3bMNQOXLHG_0DLKEYiHzWVrVaF0OhgxiuFuxWBqjbL81ytwHcO5nTYkM5mxLEg/s1600/Bend+in+Spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDT4R7pBSqSeIwZbazkGZnYCWrAtdV06pBQWuGfgZOZHw6VJIPOYIrbw1bXFnKzEXAIS8NJ2XcJp6To3bMNQOXLHG_0DLKEYiHzWVrVaF0OhgxiuFuxWBqjbL81ytwHcO5nTYkM5mxLEg/s400/Bend+in+Spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/12635150@N04/3579684497/in/set-72157617666874792/">source</a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, enough about snowstorms while you all start your seeds and enjoy your bulbs pushing their way up through the ground. Today, I just have to share some great finds with you all about gardens, planters, DIY projects, etc! Since I can expect to be kept indoors for awhile (til June I hear), I'm thinking about making some of these sweet seed packets for local friends...</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf3o4U8iI6FrZgZn9zGvKIyGm1O3l286oWLYi3k9Tlc6winid9TKJNt3k4RCeerhntUhvQLAAU5kZE7Qryizx8Oy5BCTyBGBjcpvlRV9O-d5yDqX7kmAeEdil9wcZfT8laAYhfE1ctHDh/s1600/seed-matchbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf3o4U8iI6FrZgZn9zGvKIyGm1O3l286oWLYi3k9Tlc6winid9TKJNt3k4RCeerhntUhvQLAAU5kZE7Qryizx8Oy5BCTyBGBjcpvlRV9O-d5yDqX7kmAeEdil9wcZfT8laAYhfE1ctHDh/s320/seed-matchbook.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/2010/04/diy-seed-matchbook-favors/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or maybe just getting one of these adorable succulent planters from <a href="http://succulentlovedesigns.bigcartel.com/product/beastie">Succulent Love</a>&nbsp;to tie me over for a while...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6u6Kzd5bhK0IZxbdDIOQg7SwcuO_iLm4wgIy2A5CpGny5GZcZhsYHcSVTvM2Z9xe5a9J2NmbPJVjBNYeVYEScSEJKTbZXs3ylFAMGwZSNIGZ6Uea2orNF8PoAlgRHi0MDZvoP_GRGBLE/s1600/pocket+beastie+planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6u6Kzd5bhK0IZxbdDIOQg7SwcuO_iLm4wgIy2A5CpGny5GZcZhsYHcSVTvM2Z9xe5a9J2NmbPJVjBNYeVYEScSEJKTbZXs3ylFAMGwZSNIGZ6Uea2orNF8PoAlgRHi0MDZvoP_GRGBLE/s320/pocket+beastie+planter.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://succulentlovedesigns.bigcartel.com/product/beastie">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'd be soooo happy if I could scrounge up some cash to pay for a <a href="http://woollypocket.com/">big indoor meadow</a> like this...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOPXrrXcNmSeeYlsoXdQKNOhCWMiYEnjnLV9lqCthUO9jb8Ru4NneVLBM2PTIvrFxeAei3BJx5qGv50OS6vTX16X3-3ylsmzQAEUZHoly6cAvV8jdcZ8IJmJNS5EQpPU053gSH6yo2hyV/s1600/meadow+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOPXrrXcNmSeeYlsoXdQKNOhCWMiYEnjnLV9lqCthUO9jb8Ru4NneVLBM2PTIvrFxeAei3BJx5qGv50OS6vTX16X3-3ylsmzQAEUZHoly6cAvV8jdcZ8IJmJNS5EQpPU053gSH6yo2hyV/s400/meadow+inside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://cart.woollypocket.com/Meadow">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or just had the know-how to make and care for these amazing gorgeous indoor hanging plants...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgt2z_6_prYbxTM-NKRiKg5eEoxeXEufpr_2-4N7e1VnVKr_0VojJCR1a300XSMdAs8fb9TrCzqfsLXzeam6NPFua6YXvGO-x-taSgMAlqefqNtkokceVY27dVye7uEDbpJvhM0_2lF4X/s1600/string+gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgt2z_6_prYbxTM-NKRiKg5eEoxeXEufpr_2-4N7e1VnVKr_0VojJCR1a300XSMdAs8fb9TrCzqfsLXzeam6NPFua6YXvGO-x-taSgMAlqefqNtkokceVY27dVye7uEDbpJvhM0_2lF4X/s400/string+gardens.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://stringgardens.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I'm still dreaming of the snow-melt, and lounging outdoors. I've found the ideal and over-the-top expensive hanging chair that's just perfect for under the Juniper Pine in the backyard...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUHTZPla9XTfY836aefVCgt0GgYtaYTA2ecK_QdsKaC1MAP_c3nZLf73NYe4jAfMq1nzJkSgBx0LSLqmbTjuCGu9C4fiGAOeX3HgCDb8gsImUyrwaglEsyWIc_7a_mYY32QdKjRlMH_Cr/s1600/urban+balance+cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUHTZPla9XTfY836aefVCgt0GgYtaYTA2ecK_QdsKaC1MAP_c3nZLf73NYe4jAfMq1nzJkSgBx0LSLqmbTjuCGu9C4fiGAOeX3HgCDb8gsImUyrwaglEsyWIc_7a_mYY32QdKjRlMH_Cr/s320/urban+balance+cove.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.spacify.com/modern_contemporary_urban_balance_cove-651-37-Out.UBC+586.html">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">More Woolly Pockets products for outdoors as well, including the lovely Wally for retaining walls or just vertical surfaces of any kind (seems perfect for an herb garden)...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh462KXHpuL07yUBMI5Vxphhkd5NNjKezCzpLHdtSHElXjmDYSNAm180v3fLvMgLCWJzWv5UQs-AsUpk00N8w6sF-H6w6GwotSMK6IndbtvKgy61175TJ2cZy7mYUIad_uCzNBaudOGrHFk/s1600/wally3+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh462KXHpuL07yUBMI5Vxphhkd5NNjKezCzpLHdtSHElXjmDYSNAm180v3fLvMgLCWJzWv5UQs-AsUpk00N8w6sF-H6w6GwotSMK6IndbtvKgy61175TJ2cZy7mYUIad_uCzNBaudOGrHFk/s400/wally3+outside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://cart.woollypocket.com/Wally-Five">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've found the loveliest hammock out there...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbGrK0FGKDNoTxKpVhPkyrtYbMjXTMNgEY-a3quX2gao9sKNzwaHLdmMemICbFaxfOkvJCfWf2ul8jCzDgZKhB7jU3JA7G4X124jg7SwCdSwnZ5JmuTTK5vzCr3ZIDJLtSowKQookm97p/s1600/cool+lagoon+hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbGrK0FGKDNoTxKpVhPkyrtYbMjXTMNgEY-a3quX2gao9sKNzwaHLdmMemICbFaxfOkvJCfWf2ul8jCzDgZKhB7jU3JA7G4X124jg7SwCdSwnZ5JmuTTK5vzCr3ZIDJLtSowKQookm97p/s320/cool+lagoon+hammock.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.overstock.com/Worldstock/Hand-woven-Large-Deluxe-Cool-Lagoon-Hammock-Mexico/3254429/product.html">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which, I will admit, I found on Overstock.com. I scoured Etsy for hammocks...but apparently the crafting world finds that it is far more important for either your newborn to have a knitted hammock for a photoshoot that is overdone - or your vermin to have a hammock for when they throw out their backs. It's definitely fodder for Regretsy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyhoo...when the sunshine comes...I'll be on my back deck, resting (with plenty of SPF and water)...with an outdoor mini meadow on my deck, like her...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxRk0rUeUI3GR7fO__g_7ORep7T4TS55h-LJArZl7mglQBEoAaYYw8zW96wyokaKHhyphenhyphenrgCQlPbzHda39sMufmsXSJhYbH1bvzLm3cB9Ab_GFpg5I8gjxvwbqJYlreWsKfbY4VNJWPTbFZ/s1600/wooly+pocket+in+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxRk0rUeUI3GR7fO__g_7ORep7T4TS55h-LJArZl7mglQBEoAaYYw8zW96wyokaKHhyphenhyphenrgCQlPbzHda39sMufmsXSJhYbH1bvzLm3cB9Ab_GFpg5I8gjxvwbqJYlreWsKfbY4VNJWPTbFZ/s400/wooly+pocket+in+sun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://cart.woollypocket.com/Lil-Meadow">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How are you getting your gardens ready? Any good finds? Please do share!</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/04/dreaming-of-garden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-7821884253092449148Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:53:00 +00002010-04-03T08:53:55.475-07:00artblog featureblog partyblog readersbloggingblogospherecommentselan vital anthologyonline shoppingpromote blogpromote shopsocial networking<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today, I have taxes and family on the brain - as well as a few other things. So it wasn't easy to come up with something for today's post...</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOQiWhiOObwhjPAFMJsjqrgzWclFG1jHVnrQz9kFdd0SbmwHfsDZ-2Irf_PdBhmgdLpkfUo9sE_ret8GhEwk3Yn7FjJ51ps85MPS85WVRsT4nxNO64uNqxju6kvdTKMKr2QQsrsBPoTX8/s1600/exciting+blog+entry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOQiWhiOObwhjPAFMJsjqrgzWclFG1jHVnrQz9kFdd0SbmwHfsDZ-2Irf_PdBhmgdLpkfUo9sE_ret8GhEwk3Yn7FjJ51ps85MPS85WVRsT4nxNO64uNqxju6kvdTKMKr2QQsrsBPoTX8/s400/exciting+blog+entry.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://hello-tiger.blogspot.com/2010/01/nar-man-inte-kanner-for-att-blogga-when.html">source</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I referred to my list of blog post ideas (if I don't keep one...well, you've seen how it can go here in the past with erratic posting)...and remembered, that I'm very very interested in YOU, friends.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you're anything like me (and the simple fact that you are here, indicates a high likelihood you are) - you are also on the constant lookout for interesting blogs (and handicrafts).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNm6tS95X9_yuo11RoFedSz0nVERZlx_1CyXRnA3k1raWhjeQs3lG302uskW9BPFEfddLWAU0IrEKExKqAvlKvs-P-8w6xQZKI2eDIcWDe8OJYNtsoeds1HiumfhvmVKb3qdPg7LiWSKM/s1600/lookoutsingle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNm6tS95X9_yuo11RoFedSz0nVERZlx_1CyXRnA3k1raWhjeQs3lG302uskW9BPFEfddLWAU0IrEKExKqAvlKvs-P-8w6xQZKI2eDIcWDe8OJYNtsoeds1HiumfhvmVKb3qdPg7LiWSKM/s400/lookoutsingle.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelmccraw/2838769694/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's just something about blogging...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1p9nXvugqmZBhTabmG12xjisQWA5_2mSx87fB7fyZlmen_UoZI2wSQ3WhWABi7zCsubZwRSAIi9OiTno91sL-WpMOiX5D1AdbCJkI6hTFGLIV9GqMwscDG0A9ChbIj33oW6zQrZsiQpD/s1600/about+blogging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1p9nXvugqmZBhTabmG12xjisQWA5_2mSx87fB7fyZlmen_UoZI2wSQ3WhWABi7zCsubZwRSAIi9OiTno91sL-WpMOiX5D1AdbCJkI6hTFGLIV9GqMwscDG0A9ChbIj33oW6zQrZsiQpD/s400/about+blogging.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://observatoriodaimprensa.com.br/blogs.asp?id_blog=2">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But if you have a blog (or handmade product, tutorial, etc.), then you know, that promoting it can be a bitch. And I had this idea:&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuE1YmqgChf6AIgftpjTa6Z6ZwXSIy4WrgrLnXyy4aN9-sJpiwbdAzGzUX19iF9QxXaxpSgDprRgHsXTwJHIjtp_dJHMVOIj9jLhwizZl6EhWNwWj4DEecEw79kmniCvDSLZR_gx8H0Hk/s1600/idea_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuE1YmqgChf6AIgftpjTa6Z6ZwXSIy4WrgrLnXyy4aN9-sJpiwbdAzGzUX19iF9QxXaxpSgDprRgHsXTwJHIjtp_dJHMVOIj9jLhwizZl6EhWNwWj4DEecEw79kmniCvDSLZR_gx8H0Hk/s400/idea_large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.yesandyes.org/2009/11/next-stop-inspiration-station.html">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There's <i>a lot of us</i> in this wee space called the EVA Blog at this point. <i>And</i> we have a lot of similar interests, ideas, talents, and aesthetics. <i>Why not promote and share</i> your blogs and whatnots here today - in the <i>comments</i>?!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjLcES2e6xjqRWg99tOCqIFXTsIs84X3cXfjHr0vrhYwY8pkxK-68ERlhNRHsZw7ECbshQtHzpQkE5KVYZ6E_Y1CDX7QkmbLWEkldOjETDmmjCncVuEcE3UUbaW9ADQCwjPgVZfBD5jWn/s1600/blog+typeset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjLcES2e6xjqRWg99tOCqIFXTsIs84X3cXfjHr0vrhYwY8pkxK-68ERlhNRHsZw7ECbshQtHzpQkE5KVYZ6E_Y1CDX7QkmbLWEkldOjETDmmjCncVuEcE3UUbaW9ADQCwjPgVZfBD5jWn/s400/blog+typeset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/06/blog-optimization.html">source</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbnakYApoBkLNeLKRNwSeQdIZmb_uIpgc_GyUVFYtT-635ZHQRK9f-Btb2tFKBwTSpnz6bFIivQJctv2gzrF_kcqlcQuZjBDjWTBpyEVRaP7y2030WPR-C75TVBJxfPSLiQuB9MT4clUS/s1600/share.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbnakYApoBkLNeLKRNwSeQdIZmb_uIpgc_GyUVFYtT-635ZHQRK9f-Btb2tFKBwTSpnz6bFIivQJctv2gzrF_kcqlcQuZjBDjWTBpyEVRaP7y2030WPR-C75TVBJxfPSLiQuB9MT4clUS/s640/share.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://coupdegrace.tumblr.com/page/15">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And this way, all of the readers here can see your blog, thing-a-ma-jig, tutorial, and what-nots; and you can spend the day enjoying it with less time devoted to work.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sound good? I hope so.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tara</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/04/today-its-all-about-you-show-us-what.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-2005752942917726588Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:44:00 +00002010-04-01T16:56:38.141-07:00alexander girard bikebenefits of bike ridingbicyclebikeelectra bikesschwinn cruiservintage cruiser<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want to ride my bicycle! I want to ride it where I like!!!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alas, Target Boutique has given me the Royal Screw-Over; and cancelled my order for my Darnley Bike. You may recall, it was the one I described as being even cooler than this one...</span></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZePFCE9UMxU3T1XAtzJuJlskkBKFVugvpCDMDDdvDCLWKx13Ls1hrOWZFeLE6HuzmMXRiOQWu8fo20KNlg00DhksmzpQXt-jfa-nibH-rGidALjrWdTAFDWNeRhgObXCNDUqBJHBDhIYg/s1600/libertyoflondonbike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZePFCE9UMxU3T1XAtzJuJlskkBKFVugvpCDMDDdvDCLWKx13Ls1hrOWZFeLE6HuzmMXRiOQWu8fo20KNlg00DhksmzpQXt-jfa-nibH-rGidALjrWdTAFDWNeRhgObXCNDUqBJHBDhIYg/s320/libertyoflondonbike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...which is now out of stock, and selling on eBay for $450. Don't even get me started...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And so, now, there will be no bike.&nbsp;</span></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaFc3rtQ2N8_IdUiXcaTyjQEjUJVVRR5owFeyefU1qHAO3cMaYM1-EPYZqsu9DRi8MlvO6W7pB_CxFTucJrFLaqOnH2DpcUaUpvG4oVE13Oq_meSFR4L6tpG2x-YjzceC7kmeGHihgPeO/s1600/nobicycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaFc3rtQ2N8_IdUiXcaTyjQEjUJVVRR5owFeyefU1qHAO3cMaYM1-EPYZqsu9DRi8MlvO6W7pB_CxFTucJrFLaqOnH2DpcUaUpvG4oVE13Oq_meSFR4L6tpG2x-YjzceC7kmeGHihgPeO/s400/nobicycle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At least not for a while. And I am dying to get out of the house! I have visions of bicycles dancing in my head; and dream of the freedom and benefits I could experience whilst riding one...</span></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkwVB8BbjNAun2yVrBD6RMeGV7nTLm6ue9js3I77nBgwxP5d-hMNQs5OZDNxwb43l8lGcsI9wT82gALEfZE4ykiINEPx2H0hi87NSfki7LiUJm-gU8KCG5Q1_mkGP0poJa3wD0HoW_09h/s1600/dancingbicycles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkwVB8BbjNAun2yVrBD6RMeGV7nTLm6ue9js3I77nBgwxP5d-hMNQs5OZDNxwb43l8lGcsI9wT82gALEfZE4ykiINEPx2H0hi87NSfki7LiUJm-gU8KCG5Q1_mkGP0poJa3wD0HoW_09h/s400/dancingbicycles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ffffound.com/image/1c5f1fc160adef462c51265aa06e127d36f8844e">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC2XuEDnyjboz4Y_kPNttilidBFAUzumPDhgRf5ixf488a42KTutl3CeUrBup3wSv3qB-dFdFYoEfQvxSE3laX9O5rkfdhQX6gvSPbCLI6r34nNM9sH7FUNIw15hITJHRjN7W_Kg30rB0/s1600/bicyclefreedom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZC2XuEDnyjboz4Y_kPNttilidBFAUzumPDhgRf5ixf488a42KTutl3CeUrBup3wSv3qB-dFdFYoEfQvxSE3laX9O5rkfdhQX6gvSPbCLI6r34nNM9sH7FUNIw15hITJHRjN7W_Kg30rB0/s400/bicyclefreedom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://audreyhepburncomplex.tumblr.com/">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzPG0-GumOdJGWYVQFuj5V8cQgGzF3Mhf-pdWxwQcJVhxQ2G8ONmjCNjz6nIMgUS3yF_GOtu628LYoUaOwz_3e8dF2ZXiKWZmqvDI2psDsyvlgZKeEI3FiPMVQDAfkh9UtdE1FiI9q67T/s1600/benefitsofbicycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzPG0-GumOdJGWYVQFuj5V8cQgGzF3Mhf-pdWxwQcJVhxQ2G8ONmjCNjz6nIMgUS3yF_GOtu628LYoUaOwz_3e8dF2ZXiKWZmqvDI2psDsyvlgZKeEI3FiPMVQDAfkh9UtdE1FiI9q67T/s400/benefitsofbicycle.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Prior to the whole "Liberty of London is coming to Target" excitement that ensued, I had always been content to have vintage Schwinn cruisers. They are an awesome ride - and require minimal mechanical engineering (which is good for me, since I tend to be all thumbs when handed tools). But over the course of innumerous moves, I had lost or sold my Schwinn cruisers. Whack! (that's me smacking my forehead.) I have of course been doing the eBay search, and the craigslist search - as of yet, to no avail (I'm on a really tight budget).&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gEKjItV2dlkojwnO7LXOZUb2kCjjfA_8tI62XcfVlOPg_5uDFMkMkifcVVZGi4Cr55kv_g7z1_ip0vJt2YDfRFTgsaSQmyAjoRsqJMTDfhzniBoh3bWGYl-O_R54eANfAH0SeN5ZztY0/s1600/schwinn+speedster+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gEKjItV2dlkojwnO7LXOZUb2kCjjfA_8tI62XcfVlOPg_5uDFMkMkifcVVZGi4Cr55kv_g7z1_ip0vJt2YDfRFTgsaSQmyAjoRsqJMTDfhzniBoh3bWGYl-O_R54eANfAH0SeN5ZztY0/s400/schwinn+speedster+ad.jpg" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And if I could just find myself a nice, vintage Schwinn Cruiser (or Speedster - they do look rather nice, don't they), then I might just have to outfit it with one of these...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8akr-VL1l8zo5QYY6g0guASoPPzXT7gE2pEAsQFB-wO5POjjX94wcvgGcKtaaXCA81rUouXpSARV_a6UZjoxk_0d01SKLTtDpO6YikdcvMJfXn7HxBqylWFWp2zZDPatM4a-MuRzVLtJ/s1600/vintagebikebasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8akr-VL1l8zo5QYY6g0guASoPPzXT7gE2pEAsQFB-wO5POjjX94wcvgGcKtaaXCA81rUouXpSARV_a6UZjoxk_0d01SKLTtDpO6YikdcvMJfXn7HxBqylWFWp2zZDPatM4a-MuRzVLtJ/s400/vintagebikebasket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43799292">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAEJ4HN2uDCfJoznGN8Cnizr1PnQffIvJuQ1xlRw0igB78pcXeEkCBIgWm8Me03FuONF8O-7KPQFe-pMMqkatLHkni59k_ggKKtiarNAK4RVdwf9oDEHS4j3m-Z1zE0VdqliE0yarH7AT/s1600/reclaimedredwoodbikebasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAEJ4HN2uDCfJoznGN8Cnizr1PnQffIvJuQ1xlRw0igB78pcXeEkCBIgWm8Me03FuONF8O-7KPQFe-pMMqkatLHkni59k_ggKKtiarNAK4RVdwf9oDEHS4j3m-Z1zE0VdqliE0yarH7AT/s400/reclaimedredwoodbikebasket.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42986307">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">both found on Etsy...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, as much as I love Schwinn...ohmigoodness - I don't think I've ever seen bikes as cute as these Alexander Girard bikes by Electra! Liberty of London for Target can kiss my you know what...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN6D0ZqcIS47XDBcRzA4WJtD-gxm_4h6ILjEPEn-cRkzZZIaHKnGpViRPcL-y838OTxsKti9vEBl6ME9vcnrlUkMcPCFTJwC_V86JhxQyQyfAmYu1mBcSmSeC44MeaW2BsMVkw0CjS8T3/s1600/girardbikewhite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyN6D0ZqcIS47XDBcRzA4WJtD-gxm_4h6ILjEPEn-cRkzZZIaHKnGpViRPcL-y838OTxsKti9vEBl6ME9vcnrlUkMcPCFTJwC_V86JhxQyQyfAmYu1mBcSmSeC44MeaW2BsMVkw0CjS8T3/s640/girardbikewhite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxWEK8tLWBQJ9HmHGydhLho0mf8TLnf6hXQUsIqAk2yke0EExTy2ws36vlE2yUa6zkW2jSFCwAQMtGTjwWOaa2-AJmtStX0BKXIdJNF1KbvWFlhBKgIueiGQ1Ku4jLFecuo5L-kVTnFBx/s1600/girardbikemadonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxWEK8tLWBQJ9HmHGydhLho0mf8TLnf6hXQUsIqAk2yke0EExTy2ws36vlE2yUa6zkW2jSFCwAQMtGTjwWOaa2-AJmtStX0BKXIdJNF1KbvWFlhBKgIueiGQ1Ku4jLFecuo5L-kVTnFBx/s640/girardbikemadonna.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.electrabike.com/">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not sure which one I like the best...and there are three other designs as well...but they are pricey - $600 USD or something insane like that. Definitely cute.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I guess the point here is I've got bikes on the brain. I want one. If you've got one, and it's just been leaning against a wall, lonely, and waiting for you to take it out - don't keep it waiting. Refer to the chart above of "Benefits of a Bicycle" and get out there.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mbyCx4XhKi8q88t9HkCxe9rae9rRB3v6AztQYGqozCj0ktHwEgeoT2vay6fC5ETj8epuDdEumajkLm08Io2ONVcgisX5KNsCsNWPeFG4-JsIH5DETH7PGLPbgH7uPcC4dye3gAZgCpgr/s1600/vintageschwinn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mbyCx4XhKi8q88t9HkCxe9rae9rRB3v6AztQYGqozCj0ktHwEgeoT2vay6fC5ETj8epuDdEumajkLm08Io2ONVcgisX5KNsCsNWPeFG4-JsIH5DETH7PGLPbgH7uPcC4dye3gAZgCpgr/s400/vintageschwinn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=43778320">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's calling you...and you'll feel like this when you're out there - just you and your bike and the open road...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ1YiVAk_wyLnzFe8wewXunmrdrXWCqIcxO3dbE3ENuvAOGvdI-B3saDjgyiUxhJb7sdJBERaOie3mAqH92UAfYhPzu-8kVJ9FFhYjlpmctTUi8Me2siIwNj4xfzhXQz_z8EDhGqeteZ5/s1600/bearonbike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ1YiVAk_wyLnzFe8wewXunmrdrXWCqIcxO3dbE3ENuvAOGvdI-B3saDjgyiUxhJb7sdJBERaOie3mAqH92UAfYhPzu-8kVJ9FFhYjlpmctTUi8Me2siIwNj4xfzhXQz_z8EDhGqeteZ5/s400/bearonbike.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40980314">source</a></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-want-to-ride-my-bicycle-i-want-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-5309502855057658082Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:45:00 +00002010-03-27T19:01:15.544-07:00all natural relaxing bath recipecleanliness is godlinesseco-clean how-toorganic<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ladies (and Gentlemen), we are done. We have cleaned our homes from top-to-bottom in a new, efficient way. We have learned new tricks and tools to get the job done faster. We have learned how to spare the environment and our budgets by making our own cleansers from really simple ingredients. And learning how to make anything by hand makes even a sucky job like cleaning a bit more fun. Though I can't emphasize enough - really good music makes it really good too! So take a load off, Sally. You are all done.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Dw8d0XuhfozMSS-UX_0OGznVBX8UA8sLATQ3_xrpaMR8VbRfZPK1U9r7k8bD2yMU5PImlZWZn4sI1tlGwWeFUurSK-SzgOJ7hexuZkhNMxgLfIKbZt6E9Om96IaEBYBPSoF5thKEjFyS/s1600/aaahhhhh...done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Dw8d0XuhfozMSS-UX_0OGznVBX8UA8sLATQ3_xrpaMR8VbRfZPK1U9r7k8bD2yMU5PImlZWZn4sI1tlGwWeFUurSK-SzgOJ7hexuZkhNMxgLfIKbZt6E9Om96IaEBYBPSoF5thKEjFyS/s320/aaahhhhh...done.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://flickr.com/">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, if you were once "Domestically Disabled" like me, you don't have to wake up like this anymore...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVdsqoJ1XQ7hZdy5EX14gyxw79okyhILB5JhqBtGsWf13ULWkW2YexkYv_cfKAeQn5WGUscx0cejUHAbOjA6bS0ZT1VGyC7a_4RQ08qe0Ing7u5WOXXgKDdQH0v2XSWO18Lx42rhZkwp_/s1600/idreamedmywholehousewasclean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVdsqoJ1XQ7hZdy5EX14gyxw79okyhILB5JhqBtGsWf13ULWkW2YexkYv_cfKAeQn5WGUscx0cejUHAbOjA6bS0ZT1VGyC7a_4RQ08qe0Ing7u5WOXXgKDdQH0v2XSWO18Lx42rhZkwp_/s400/idreamedmywholehousewasclean.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.annetaintor.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have one more chore for you today though...and it's a quick errand - you'll be so glad you ran. Here's the shopping list for a recipe that is all about taking care of <i>you</i>:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Epsom Salt or Sea Salt (3 tbsp)</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baking Soda (3 tbsp)&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vegetable Glycerin (1 tsp)</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 tbsp of jojoba oil, kukui nut oil, or any massage oil you prefer</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5 drops of rose essential oil, or 1 tbsp of rose water (rose water is less expensive)</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5 drops of ginger essential oil, or 1/4 oz crushed fresh ginger</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mix these ingredients in a jar well, and shake vigorously, pour under the hot water. Make sure the water is as hot as you can take it, this will make the bath last longer; and your muscles thank you later.</span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1 English Cucumber (cut into 1/2" slices)</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Petals of 2 Fragrant Roses (preferrably red roses - the color is stimulating)</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Toss these in just before you take the plunge.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSYYfaeBUlqf9tx3nqZZeozyqnRNC8vda8CdJXLidl3YLhxYKJ5xNx-Izjc8n1jqgnYQ4Pd-dpWzvpyVnkk4wQYqfHB09-uTjkDdZsgWq2jmnAR5nmz_UiLaSQgQ7HDNJvGliG4qULFth/s1600/selfcleansebath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSYYfaeBUlqf9tx3nqZZeozyqnRNC8vda8CdJXLidl3YLhxYKJ5xNx-Izjc8n1jqgnYQ4Pd-dpWzvpyVnkk4wQYqfHB09-uTjkDdZsgWq2jmnAR5nmz_UiLaSQgQ7HDNJvGliG4qULFth/s400/selfcleansebath.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/denniswong/2413988302/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You may also want to make sure you have some tea lights on hand, and buy some fresh flowers to brighten up the house - it is spring after all! Before drawing the bath, spritz your linens with your linen spray, light the tea lights, turn on some soothing music...and remember - this is <i>you time</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6wuT4Lr6IwRLwTYk_aIY-qV-B9aG9DDYVzVhXLleuKGy1q3QJvBLEqQFz7Wxb3xQAzlSAqJnHmQPq6dTadCtatW5CjrgNEC2X3lHpuTfHbPcyWhRZbH7Y-EN_ioXB63Ejs7O6gQ7kJ93/s1600/bathescape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6wuT4Lr6IwRLwTYk_aIY-qV-B9aG9DDYVzVhXLleuKGy1q3QJvBLEqQFz7Wxb3xQAzlSAqJnHmQPq6dTadCtatW5CjrgNEC2X3lHpuTfHbPcyWhRZbH7Y-EN_ioXB63Ejs7O6gQ7kJ93/s400/bathescape.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://leprosorium.ru/comments/563022">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'll be back Monday with an Etsy Seller Feature and Giveaway! &nbsp;Now, go shopping for those ingredients, and rest-up, Domestic Goddess.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mntyrq4qAd6N1XzvdujbX_gt2WDNOWwuY9NVBJsokC8Sp8K62VuoS6hhtAjCx6vtxtq78kS8sQYXm1nxjbPTOy_3YzI_KRFEnGrdjRoXZkJookZysdEYHXMzLYdOPJI5FnFvhX7FEJuA/s1600/domesticgoddess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Mntyrq4qAd6N1XzvdujbX_gt2WDNOWwuY9NVBJsokC8Sp8K62VuoS6hhtAjCx6vtxtq78kS8sQYXm1nxjbPTOy_3YzI_KRFEnGrdjRoXZkJookZysdEYHXMzLYdOPJI5FnFvhX7FEJuA/s400/domesticgoddess.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosaydani/82739378/">source</a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tara</span></div><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/cleanliness-is-godliness-consider.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-3737007012741689864Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:19:00 +00002010-03-26T10:19:52.226-07:00all-natural cleaningbedroomEco Friendlyeco-clean how-to<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the bedroom, nearly all previous recipes and cleaning techniques apply from the living areas - and even the linen spray from the laundry day. But there is still work to be done:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Remove all bed linens and window treatments, launder as prescribed. If your drapery calls for dry-cleaning - try and find a "green" dry-cleaner. I'm sure there's not much green about the process; but it's gotta be better than your standard guy.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that your bed mattress is exposed, go ahead and sprinkle your lavender scented baking soda deodorizer atop. Leave it for thirty minutes. Then vacuum the mattress (be sure and use the extensions/attachments, She-Ra) , flip it over - and rotate. If you've got a pillow-top mattress, it won't be necessary or possible to flip it over; but rotate it. If you've got a standard mattress, repeat the deodorizing sprinkle, the 30 minute wait, and the vacuum. Now you've got a dust free, sweet-smelling mattress.</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S96wF5kNt6eppG-H4pQpukZEkUcsmhlXa5Q-sxruKsEFfJ9o3brqkX_jfqQ7pdc0pVB7xAo50N11IZq2E9zVDMOz0IkaVFs9eHvlfZck5cluif7aGHzyS6Zh0NsW6YhwaPVgnquETEqD/s1600/clean+bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0S96wF5kNt6eppG-H4pQpukZEkUcsmhlXa5Q-sxruKsEFfJ9o3brqkX_jfqQ7pdc0pVB7xAo50N11IZq2E9zVDMOz0IkaVFs9eHvlfZck5cluif7aGHzyS6Zh0NsW6YhwaPVgnquETEqD/s400/clean+bedroom.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://citified.blogspot.com/2010/03/castles-in-air.html?utm_source=feedburner">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While those thirty minutes of baking-soda-magic are ticking away, there are a few things you can do:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dust your windows inside, hose them off outside, then use your glass cleaner and a squeegee to finish the job in/out. It's time consuming, and may take an extra day - but once those flowers outside start to bloom; you'll be oh-so-happy you can see them. And if you have screens, take those down and scrub them with some dish soap and hose them off - they collect a lot of yuckiness).</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Probably a more appropriate chore for the half hour(s) you'll have on hand are taking care of the floors: vacuum or sweep/mop.</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8-nH8M9fM8V7hLGnxLk1n-qaOLLSUO5cFs7QYp3zaZTx8SmkzjgpUbUwP0SyucRvmQWRhvot6AIBj7FMlKb7tWCeY41RLxcFRVX7mfA94GDy_jNd3kQaapvYRBXLqkTkUkicNT42itE0/s1600/reviewwardrobe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8-nH8M9fM8V7hLGnxLk1n-qaOLLSUO5cFs7QYp3zaZTx8SmkzjgpUbUwP0SyucRvmQWRhvot6AIBj7FMlKb7tWCeY41RLxcFRVX7mfA94GDy_jNd3kQaapvYRBXLqkTkUkicNT42itE0/s400/reviewwardrobe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://prettyxreckless.tumblr.com/page/4">source</a></span></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...Or, you could begin the process of storing away your winter wardrobe, and bringing the spring/summer wardrobe in. This is always my favorite part - because after an entire season or two of not seeing part of my wardrobe - it's like I've just gone on a shopping spree!</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If there are any clothes that you can't stand any longer, don't fit you, whatever - place them in a bag or box (depending on how many there are) and donate them to your favorite cause. Or, if you're strapped for cash, take them first to your local consignment shop and see what you can get for them. Then donate.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And before you seal the box on that winter wardrobe, toss a couple of small rags with about 5 drops of your favorite essential oil on them to keep your clothes smelling fresh when you return to this box in Autumn.</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't forget to give cushions a smack down, most bed pillows can and should be laundered, vacuum the upholstered lovely slipper chair or fainting chaise, and dust the knickknacks. Just reread the living room(s) post for a reminder on what needs doing. But by now, I trust you are all little eco-cleaning divas.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9bs_Y2TLq5IZItsk-K0tILFq5axbeQG25G3d2qPED2z4yf6OVCh_vec-gD3dapf-0ZBWr7dV93EvwFALFdMqlAoQYdb8DSGYsWXZEf3kb7WA6ibumnLX7GFuv4UC_mmRz8_ez50QnqS2/s1600/housewifeclean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9bs_Y2TLq5IZItsk-K0tILFq5axbeQG25G3d2qPED2z4yf6OVCh_vec-gD3dapf-0ZBWr7dV93EvwFALFdMqlAoQYdb8DSGYsWXZEf3kb7WA6ibumnLX7GFuv4UC_mmRz8_ez50QnqS2/s400/housewifeclean.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/">source</a></span></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-in-bedroom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-8194906479824092804Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:19:00 +00002010-03-26T10:25:13.696-07:00blog giveawayeco cleaneco-clean how-togiveawaymountain rose herbsstarter cleaning kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love this part of the week. Everything is coming to a close, you've all been enjoying the recipes and cleaning tips; been busy little bees enjoying the spring air and ushering in the season with your new state of mind and your newfound way of eco-cleaning. We still have some more posts to come, what with the Bedroom being overdue, and a very special day of self-treats plus ANOTHER giveaway on Saturday.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But, as a lot of you have been wondering to yourselves and aloud in your comments "Where can I find some of these basic ingredients?"...well, I've got BIG NEWS:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YIKRII4OiVHThtF7Og2tYk1uUEwq2m_mpOVCJKSVPMVeiSc-rx-PKf82Fd1uOvpSpQPjw14lor4x93VKa_7sPCq4EuSb3NHRu4Z2T3iO5LSDRSAINsbOXM8Rw0OTZgReoBvslohupo3V/s1600/internetnews.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YIKRII4OiVHThtF7Og2tYk1uUEwq2m_mpOVCJKSVPMVeiSc-rx-PKf82Fd1uOvpSpQPjw14lor4x93VKa_7sPCq4EuSb3NHRu4Z2T3iO5LSDRSAINsbOXM8Rw0OTZgReoBvslohupo3V/s400/internetnews.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://nevver.tumblr.com/post/32290685">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, maybe not <i>that</i> big. But it came as a huge surprise to me; and will undoubtedly leave your jaw dropped...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqcTvncR8mxmVkZGxP3Zkq_iVk7JhMjhQx_CPg7eQ9JdRmH9t9CRJQjuiQ-Gq3ntQrDjlPXP2bS3QAHi0tFM_Y_AqkjrKUbiev_jS4qwjzj3cRc7AthJuR7xv0z8iflgUwFsisvmNBp-v/s1600/surprisefishy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNqcTvncR8mxmVkZGxP3Zkq_iVk7JhMjhQx_CPg7eQ9JdRmH9t9CRJQjuiQ-Gq3ntQrDjlPXP2bS3QAHi0tFM_Y_AqkjrKUbiev_jS4qwjzj3cRc7AthJuR7xv0z8iflgUwFsisvmNBp-v/s400/surprisefishy.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensonkua/2754312951/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But, this surprise giveaway will leave you feeling like a little kid on your birthday (should you win)...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH_vd6graGBlOQd-XnYQXipAe0AWXxOFM4W85G8pSbHeDCQmG-9lcDvuhyphenhyphen2V1kX0g9Ds8FJpVFIvs-vIOhJzd5_i2n4qSSxMo6fgjTX4r-QR_dc9NVudi9oP4-DyDaLo1l0OBMfeVwd4p/s1600/birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH_vd6graGBlOQd-XnYQXipAe0AWXxOFM4W85G8pSbHeDCQmG-9lcDvuhyphenhyphen2V1kX0g9Ds8FJpVFIvs-vIOhJzd5_i2n4qSSxMo6fgjTX4r-QR_dc9NVudi9oP4-DyDaLo1l0OBMfeVwd4p/s400/birthday.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/niki-lynn/3353431151/in/photostream/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And if you don't win, you are still a winner, because you will undoubtedly become more familiar with <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/">Mountain Rose Herbs</a>, as they have generously teamed up with the EVA Blog to give one of our lucky readers a basic eco-cleaning starter kit (sans vinegar - they don't carry that)!!! Here's what you'll win:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span></div><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5 lb bag of Baking Soda</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5 lb bag of Borax</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">16 oz Castille Soap</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">16 0z Vegetable Glycerin</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/2 oz Organic Lavender Essential Oil&nbsp;</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/2 oz Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil</span></span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1/2 oz Organic Lemon Essential Oil</span></span></li> </ul><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In order to be entered to win this fabulous prize, all you need to do is go visit their site; and let them know what product you'd be most interested in trying sometime (please copy &amp; paste the link in the comments section). Also, if you aren't following/subscribed already - do so and leave your email address.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZL1AkNH7fYILqKq_s5L_2P5OsjwGPkVrCOJlEBu8McY1kMIUsLNCv-cy1EpIJi4JoWLvM_jzqTIdftKqbd8omQHTL4QiXMcM8WvJRQYM-WEIIx7phyphenhyphenYYDp5tYQrdZCOWhwl3ShstzT57/s1600/MRH+banner.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZL1AkNH7fYILqKq_s5L_2P5OsjwGPkVrCOJlEBu8McY1kMIUsLNCv-cy1EpIJi4JoWLvM_jzqTIdftKqbd8omQHTL4QiXMcM8WvJRQYM-WEIIx7phyphenhyphenYYDp5tYQrdZCOWhwl3ShstzT57/s640/MRH+banner.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Feel free to wander through </span><a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/index2.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">all of the product categories</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. For those of you who are completely new to working with bulk herbs, carrier oils, making your own teas and herbal tinctures, you might want to take a look at their Aromatherapy, Bath &amp; Body Care, and Home, Garden &amp; Gifts sections first.&nbsp;</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span> </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Extra entries are available (1 ea) for: tweet, facebook post, or blog post about this giveaway. This gives you a total of 4 possible entries!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Deadline is March 28th, 11:59PM (PST), Winner to be announced on Monday, March 29th.</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span> </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you have time while you're on their site, be sure and sign up for their </span><a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/tipnews/tipnews.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">newsletter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> - it's a bimonthly email that features timely recipes of all kinds.</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span> </span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Best,</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tara</span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span></span></div></div><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/big-news-big-giveaway.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-5427990254203448035Fri, 26 Mar 2010 01:56:00 +00002010-03-25T18:56:41.761-07:00blog giveawaycute monsterlavender dryer sachets<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi there everyone:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I realize it's a bit unusual, some would even say it's rare form, to host a giveaway for something without showing a photo of the prize. It's definitely a bit of a tease - and I've decided to make it go longer! Photos of the sachets won't be coming until the Monday post when I announce the winner! It is rather monstrous of me, but...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98m2bGdh63XeEoooFGbEy_PPf6lWJgisq8Bae7U3z-1RyErR5hMwUcoOyr-lZL-cvWMTT2_OxOgs7BNK8DvvLtJl0N4xYd-DPToBZ36dJxuSuHG7T0PUOIPqdIU6JY8rRbWmqYjOYtpeo/s1600/monsterlove.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98m2bGdh63XeEoooFGbEy_PPf6lWJgisq8Bae7U3z-1RyErR5hMwUcoOyr-lZL-cvWMTT2_OxOgs7BNK8DvvLtJl0N4xYd-DPToBZ36dJxuSuHG7T0PUOIPqdIU6JY8rRbWmqYjOYtpeo/s400/monsterlove.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.robertsamuelhanson.com/">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, obviously, I haven't got a clue where you live. And "love" is a strong word. But I feel quite a fondness for all of you; and I will have the winner's address (only used for shipping). Don't worry now, I'm not some sort of weirdo, I just thought that was the cutest "monstrous" image I found all day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tara</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-dryer-sachet-giveaway.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-8911886810039097881Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:57:00 +00002010-03-26T10:25:33.499-07:00all-natural cleaning recipesall-natural fragranceblog giveawaydiy lavender dryer sachetsdiy projecteco-clean how-tohomemade laundry detergent recipesironing waterlinen spritz<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks everyone for understanding my need for a day off, I'm sorry that I broke the agenda - that was unprofessional; but the nice thing about being a blogger - is there's a semi-professionalism that I feel I'm responsible for, which is great - since that's all I've ever been able to achieve in the real world anyways.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, whether you do your laundry at home, or you frequent your local laundromat - you can still go au naturel.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgk_-F0YZeDJRU1d1qC6-aKMThlWS35kpDz3kXQuq9yMR3SkAa7mU0rpHE1mLUk8qJo87ZIr6jY5ea1UBN3IZAnn0X5BnzjiU2nQnsUqhNU0YzcSKyb-LmPqSoB60vSeVuA4s7rzqZvuN/s1600/laundry_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgk_-F0YZeDJRU1d1qC6-aKMThlWS35kpDz3kXQuq9yMR3SkAa7mU0rpHE1mLUk8qJo87ZIr6jY5ea1UBN3IZAnn0X5BnzjiU2nQnsUqhNU0YzcSKyb-LmPqSoB60vSeVuA4s7rzqZvuN/s400/laundry_large.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://littlebitvintage.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-wish-list-party-i-want-it-all.html">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKg8cY4OPJiGuG1-bQ73k-8KmTueSSXb9nmkME7yc83F-ssA2WFmV1UDnKyNRrrJiyP1l9eCKW5nGM76oINRNcFpyz7A66BLNa9kMvU4n0RLBGLEYzJdamtmxWrg-k6SQp7qqhv3Ih-Sr/s1600/alpinelaundromat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKg8cY4OPJiGuG1-bQ73k-8KmTueSSXb9nmkME7yc83F-ssA2WFmV1UDnKyNRrrJiyP1l9eCKW5nGM76oINRNcFpyz7A66BLNa9kMvU4n0RLBGLEYzJdamtmxWrg-k6SQp7qqhv3Ih-Sr/s400/alpinelaundromat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/johannita/3194698147/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Liquid Laundry Detergent:</b> 1 cup liquid castille soap, 2 cups water, 1 cup washing soda, 1/3 cup salt - warm the two cups water, washing soda and salt until mostly dissolved, then transfer to a one gallon container (a cleaned, reused milk container is perfect for this); Add the castille soap to the gallon container, and fill container to top with water. This will be enough detergent for approximately 64 loads: use 1/4 cup per regular load.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Fabric Softener:</b> You'd really be surprised what a little bit of vinegar will do to soften your clothes, as well as disinfect them. During the rinse cycle, toss in 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar. The vinegar smell will rinse out; and be covered up by your fabuloso Lavender Dryer Sachets (instructions to follow).</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMpqlcxljvUorfVNEIc1hHu0j9nWByzmJRoZLxsIX8_bm3ABbKftYqgjh60PF8YJhUabipUHTRAuFbEvGpjfTLJ9Zjxl3UlTHMJ-hDc2VSLTicZ_tuYDnUW5d8ZlEHt8t1ToCsp-8NAjI/s1600/bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMpqlcxljvUorfVNEIc1hHu0j9nWByzmJRoZLxsIX8_bm3ABbKftYqgjh60PF8YJhUabipUHTRAuFbEvGpjfTLJ9Zjxl3UlTHMJ-hDc2VSLTicZ_tuYDnUW5d8ZlEHt8t1ToCsp-8NAjI/s320/bubbles.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dolphin_dolphin/5865761/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A quick note about what to expect from your laundry detergent: it will clean as well as any other "green" product you use; it will disinfect and soften when you add the vinegar to the rinse cycle; it will not be super sudsy like many of the products that you might be using now, that aren't "green" or "eco-friendly", due to the charming lack of SLS. "What's SLS, Tara?", you might be asking - or you could be wiping your brow, "Phew!" with a sigh of relief that crap isn't in there. From either position you sit - you're getting the spiel now:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>SLS:</b> What is it? <a href="http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingredient/706110/SODIUM_LAURYL_SULFATE/">Sodium Lauryl Sulfate</a>. What does it do? It makes sudsing action that we've become programmed to associate with cleaning. You can find it in (of course, your cleaning products) toothpaste, shampoo, shaving foams, bubble baths - if it suds - it's there. It's also a known skin irritant, can cause allergic reactions in the mouth from dental products, and a possible carcinogenic. Just click on that hyperlink up there for a much simpler breakdown of how freakin' scary this stuff is - and then promptly go on tirade through house removing every last bottle containing the crap. 'Nuff said.</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you'll be tossing your clothes in the dryer - I will be offering a giveaway of a set of 3 EVA Dryer Sachets (One with Lavender, One with Rose, and One I'll let the winner decide on based on my stock of herbs and flowers). Now I haven't been a good little crafty blogger, so I haven't even had time yet to make them, take photos, and get you all excited - let alone do a photo-DIY...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But wait, there's more!! I've got photos of the super-sweet vintage fabric I'll be adorning these EVA Dryer Sachets with:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4YR2C4a8sF92_uwF9C8uXUa5mn22WH8niy-UgC4Zz4SA5n284jwk53VocLBpflFJ2AdLoqQlDATYhORwu2L7NsZ_GwPIHUcZqx_Ph4HdZq1UHaAdgjMxKdru7Eu9jDWrdrO-7rF5FrJT/s1600/laundrydayfabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4YR2C4a8sF92_uwF9C8uXUa5mn22WH8niy-UgC4Zz4SA5n284jwk53VocLBpflFJ2AdLoqQlDATYhORwu2L7NsZ_GwPIHUcZqx_Ph4HdZq1UHaAdgjMxKdru7Eu9jDWrdrO-7rF5FrJT/s400/laundrydayfabric.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/elanvitalanthology/4462155121/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To enter the giveaway for the EVA Dryer Sachets, please visit the <a href="http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com/">EVA Etsy Shop</a>, and tell me what your favorite item is. Also, if you aren't already following, now you know the drill - good for each entry is a mandatory subscription - and I think you'll be glad you did! Just be sure to let me know in the comments if you are a new subscriber and your email.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For an extra entry (each of these is worth one) <a href="http://twitter.com/">tweet</a> this post, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=affe6e8e74407622a908412541eb2db6&amp;eu=VkhKQDPQiOHsdQhMZiOtRg">facebook</a>, or blog. Comment with your twitter name so I can find you, your blog so I can read/follow, and your facebook link - so we can be friends!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There will be at least one more giveaway tomorrow, deadlines for all entries are Sunday, Mar. &nbsp;28th at 11:59PM (PST) - I'll announce all giveaway winners on Monday morning! Good Luck!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are the instructions for making your very own Lavender Dryer Sachets:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First of all, you will be in need of Cotton Muslin, you'll determine the yardage, because it depends how many of these you want to make. You need thread of course, and can either hand sew, or use your trusty machine. And organic lavender flowers, again, these can be found from Mountain Rose Herbs or other such places.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To make one sachet, simply cut two 5" squares of your muslin, and sew together using 1/4" seams on three sides. Turn inside out and use a pencil or better yet, a bone folder to make neat corners.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fill with your lavender flowers nearly to the top; but leave about an inch so that you can turn in a 1/4" seam, gently iron (avoiding the flowers), and sew shut.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's that simple!</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These bags are reusable, and when you sense that the lavender isn't freshening up your laundry with the strength you want; just take a seam ripper and open about 2-3" on your top side. Empty the lavender into a bowl, refill your sachet with new lavender, and sew shut again.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, for that lavender just waiting in the bowl. Crush it in your hands, or even better with a mortar and pestle. Keep it around for the next time you vacuum with baking soda - instead of using essential oils, toss out the crushed lavender flowers. Let sit for a half hour as usual. Aahhhh...I just love the smell of lavender. If you don't, there are plenty of other dried flowers you can use in the same manner.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzpFmaFFe1iPDbo9nN73kCiGZ4mnwGUpi5TFKxWKgZEHfrpa_VHvZdl_TeoUiPnRRYlDUhECj8L1iL2UfFPAMjHbpGh6W7F0BZyCqHiAqLEiUAQE5AyobGbMlv2Hy-riS3JI23naghK_K/s1600/clothespins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzpFmaFFe1iPDbo9nN73kCiGZ4mnwGUpi5TFKxWKgZEHfrpa_VHvZdl_TeoUiPnRRYlDUhECj8L1iL2UfFPAMjHbpGh6W7F0BZyCqHiAqLEiUAQE5AyobGbMlv2Hy-riS3JI23naghK_K/s320/clothespins.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/honeypielivingetc/2310675452/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And for those of you who love to use the elements of the sun and air to dry your clothes - now you don't have to worry about tough towels and sheets - that fabric softener will keep them smooth and soft as they dry in the spring breeze.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindlregFYM1bi7JMbil5JSPK4EbHnk4eDlYT7yuSV3WuGOO1jRexYhXP4uf5r1W-hxUaEzMBKB9ADpfoPYGixdfXRbIUF3czpTJYlFxf7SDSSl0T_enEVSR-Stz1a-1S7o1i93x0nn98L1/s1600/springcleaningclothesonwire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindlregFYM1bi7JMbil5JSPK4EbHnk4eDlYT7yuSV3WuGOO1jRexYhXP4uf5r1W-hxUaEzMBKB9ADpfoPYGixdfXRbIUF3czpTJYlFxf7SDSSl0T_enEVSR-Stz1a-1S7o1i93x0nn98L1/s320/springcleaningclothesonwire.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com/page/5">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And lastly, the subject of ironing. We all have to do it &nbsp;- and if you sew, you do it more than just on laundry day. So here's a great recipe for a delicious smelling ironing water that will double as a linen spray before you lay you down to sleep:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a sterile 16 oz. bottle: 3 oz. unflavored vodka, 12 drops lavender or your favorite smelling pure essential oil, 12 oz. purified water. Spritz on linens as you iron, or on bed linens about a half hour to hour before sleep.</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think that covers yesterday's post and gets us all caught up for today's post - the Bedroom...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">See you again later today!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tara</span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-laundry-anyone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-4114417246323087391Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:53:00 +00002010-03-24T11:53:48.652-07:00eco-clean how-tolaundryspring cleaning<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sorry friends, but all of this eco-cleaning madness has got me in need of the day off. I've just got to refresh myself with some rest and relaxation before I'm in danger of sounding like an eco-friendly Martha.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru_Qw4PPRLJZD83A5dDtl1nfDVspn2JtRP5FOvDhyphenhyphenw_SW4lZTW03gLoR123km7UqEPqNEkgLa6IR5uFlh0ndNRJmEBv6lomL7FWxFnis_17m4X7YI8_kW2IuaYpRsDzNIadxep1rld0XA/s1600/refresh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru_Qw4PPRLJZD83A5dDtl1nfDVspn2JtRP5FOvDhyphenhyphenw_SW4lZTW03gLoR123km7UqEPqNEkgLa6IR5uFlh0ndNRJmEBv6lomL7FWxFnis_17m4X7YI8_kW2IuaYpRsDzNIadxep1rld0XA/s640/refresh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://vi.sualize.us/view/0a5a2d537342661b6eca6a7dc3aac8e3/">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So sorry to disappoint you and let you down, I'll try to spring back tonight with those laundry recipes and how-tos...I just think you understand the consequences of sounding like Ms. Stewart.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-back-after-this-message.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-5708035547038265863Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:50:00 +00002010-03-23T11:50:09.357-07:00all-natural cleaningall-natural cleaning recipesbathroomeco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-tohome ecspring cleaning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW6UYWhGGTnUfrDYDaXisap3H5ebCtPfJBjBzXjxZLPCBSsb7av2DmDGKg50ez-46aLuYuq79I3mMXWxHAHHqdLqE1mZeucX81Rw8PyFa4XgK4LePPUuOFR6w_M5jTHFKFQGjVYUkeTqk/s1600-h/bathtime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrW6UYWhGGTnUfrDYDaXisap3H5ebCtPfJBjBzXjxZLPCBSsb7av2DmDGKg50ez-46aLuYuq79I3mMXWxHAHHqdLqE1mZeucX81Rw8PyFa4XgK4LePPUuOFR6w_M5jTHFKFQGjVYUkeTqk/s400/bathtime.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/onenokia/3986819068/in/set-72157622402820557/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We can all admit it, no one likes cleaning this room. It's generally yucky - with bits of funk I don't even want to describe. Fortunately for you, you may have already begun to tackle this funky chicken of a room with some of the recipes you've been supplied with already.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I realized all that's left from yesterday's recipe list, which is applicable to your toilets, sinks, and tubs as well is the all-natural drain de-clogger. Do you remember when you were a kid, there was the erupting volcano experiment?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jlZHjhJgSFsH0a6wJK6ldsAtaOztMJsXd5HTtp8HRIasAXNqPpHmoNRp4lxIH4SNqe709E_JXTdYTwqNvTEv-aHfvn2QkG1hG7rxjJdCvJfJ401G82MfYEActJJc8PIXKWjgB1VbMDbw/s1600-h/volcanoproject.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jlZHjhJgSFsH0a6wJK6ldsAtaOztMJsXd5HTtp8HRIasAXNqPpHmoNRp4lxIH4SNqe709E_JXTdYTwqNvTEv-aHfvn2QkG1hG7rxjJdCvJfJ401G82MfYEActJJc8PIXKWjgB1VbMDbw/s400/volcanoproject.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://shapeshift.tumblr.com/post/257265343/via-purelikegolddd-will-never-stop-loving-this">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All you knew was that something was going to happen, but you didn't know what, and it was so exciting! Who knew unclogging that sink that's been stuck draining slow for a while now could give you (and moreover, your kids) the same thrill?!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then, pour one cup of distilled white vinegar (add a few drops of yellow/red drops food coloring if the kids are there)</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After the eruption and the kiddos bubbling and squealing -- pour one pot boiling water down the drain to finish it off.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Flush, or turn the water on - you'll be amazed at how the water flows now!</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's a great great antiseptic soap solution for you and the kids (triclosan is the key ingredient in those <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclosan">antibacterial soaps</a>); and not only does it work, it's really bad for you because it kills the good germs too:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In an 8 oz squirt bottle, fill bottle with purified water, leaving about an ounce. Add 1.5 tbsp of baby-scent castille soap, and 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Gets hands clean, and gets rid of bad germs. For little ones, help them remember to wash hands long enough by singing the "ABC" song - that's about as long as it takes to really get your hands clean. Use warm water.</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhJ7EOQWezmPTBbYsF40Nm88toJu5sX6s9D1nlTnGGB_xhQuD8zfhArFpLQOaaslUefXBXw0Wr5DGnYK78x1c5qhxYiexdQd95P8DQNTIapX5aTqvQG51K2j3725v6U9dfIw3ceBM59m3/s1600-h/danboshower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhJ7EOQWezmPTBbYsF40Nm88toJu5sX6s9D1nlTnGGB_xhQuD8zfhArFpLQOaaslUefXBXw0Wr5DGnYK78x1c5qhxYiexdQd95P8DQNTIapX5aTqvQG51K2j3725v6U9dfIw3ceBM59m3/s400/danboshower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://openarms.tumblr.com/post/85404068/339">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cleaning the shower is no fun: there's soap scum to deal with - and possibly, mildew:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaBzauJ2le8WxFXvlKspdmv5JlNmLPxe4EZ-T6gbH6uXSrwcapTMOkliXPsfgV2o1PcrrWr6_bylitZDDscdeOp3Lk_WbvvwUmq7Rj_bw6Q-qKXLM8AFuEh46xdoelSbymMye22R4N7a6/s1600-h/psychoshower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaBzauJ2le8WxFXvlKspdmv5JlNmLPxe4EZ-T6gbH6uXSrwcapTMOkliXPsfgV2o1PcrrWr6_bylitZDDscdeOp3Lk_WbvvwUmq7Rj_bw6Q-qKXLM8AFuEh46xdoelSbymMye22R4N7a6/s400/psychoshower.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://csebastian.tumblr.com/post/327429511">source</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For mildew and soap scum on hard surfaces, your soft scrub and spray cleansers will do. But if &nbsp;you have shower curtains and liners - you'll need to wash those. The curtains can likely be laundered in the machine; but you'll probably need to take that liner outside, and either scrub it down or spray it and then scrub. Or both.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, onto the tools of the trade:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A natural bristle brush</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Recycle your old toothbrush, don't throw it out (just boil before using) - it's great on grout and the metal sleeves for shower doors; and really just about any other disgusting little crevice.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bucket with sponge and warm water to wipe away any excess baking soda from your soft scrub.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lint-free cloth for glass</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Micro-fiber dust cloth</span></li> </ul></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-bathroom-my-least-favorite.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-1007404955222024494Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:12:00 +00002010-03-28T10:13:15.752-07:00all-natural fragrancearomatherapyEco Friendlyeco-clean how-tofragrancesimmer sachetssmelling goodspring cleaning<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"></span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is my absolute favorite part of the entire week, teaching you how to make your house smell delicious with the simplest of ingredients. It's also one of the hardest to find photos for, since our sense of smell just doesn't seem to translate well visually. Ah well.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's a quick and simple recipe which will use: some of your produce that's past the point of eating, but not the point of redemption, fresh herbs, fresh flowers from your garden (or just go for a walk and take a few here and there, like I do), and a few spices you'll likely have in your spice cabinet.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The simplest variation on this recipe is a starting point - you'll find what you love as you play around with it; but do start here so you get the idea: citrus peel, cloves, cinnamon sticks, 1-2 twigs of fresh rosemary, and perhaps the petals from a fragrant rosebud. Toss into your smallest saucepan with water, and bring to a simmer on the stove. Replenish water as necessary. Should last approximately 6 hours for a 1500+ sq.ft house (even with the windows open!)</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4RByP8XCgo0F5e46Ze-1peWBA-eWggOGoRq2Dps_XsuyoTwCc9mghwtiAMsDAI5HJIYnvszegmrMbB5Nab64_zN0W2d7nA_yNkEqAzESjRQKQC7N7E_m6tDxiBD0FDuJINq_sTF9OmCy/s1600-h/bloodorange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4RByP8XCgo0F5e46Ze-1peWBA-eWggOGoRq2Dps_XsuyoTwCc9mghwtiAMsDAI5HJIYnvszegmrMbB5Nab64_zN0W2d7nA_yNkEqAzESjRQKQC7N7E_m6tDxiBD0FDuJINq_sTF9OmCy/s320/bloodorange.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shannonpix/4346690998">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD94kU2KYZTVnexK0eU9tcQuB5WqvLZcZ_lOCKu7GPwuO4XbR0UX4t9N6UybSJ4UtR4XfqEXbEaBDwMS7YDvgeiaX6Yxc7CFbOpGLCnVlgDNweQS_mIMK93XWI50j1Lbrhyphenhyphen4wgplf796wp/s1600-h/indoorherbgarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD94kU2KYZTVnexK0eU9tcQuB5WqvLZcZ_lOCKu7GPwuO4XbR0UX4t9N6UybSJ4UtR4XfqEXbEaBDwMS7YDvgeiaX6Yxc7CFbOpGLCnVlgDNweQS_mIMK93XWI50j1Lbrhyphenhyphen4wgplf796wp/s320/indoorherbgarden.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://ffffound.com/image/d895581db7e5a36edd4a65d0f32b8eea00d592a3">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCojU4n50gAOp6OasuhcHR667jjvN7b4FjiJO3hI6iblnduqk4x0ZA4RdYZBkHSj_89SBEaBAVMXjVvGt6GqcUbhB6hxGdyQPKCIRhNSU34ZBww6tvQMdmuwD6MDaLsuSNiYEHg-wNcyO/s1600-h/spices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCojU4n50gAOp6OasuhcHR667jjvN7b4FjiJO3hI6iblnduqk4x0ZA4RdYZBkHSj_89SBEaBAVMXjVvGt6GqcUbhB6hxGdyQPKCIRhNSU34ZBww6tvQMdmuwD6MDaLsuSNiYEHg-wNcyO/s400/spices.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/miumachi/3819385336/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you aren't going to be around the house for a while, but you've just got some lingering smells - like in the bathroom - or maybe the kitchen after a particularly smoky, meaty meal, than I suggest an odor capturing Fragrance Spritz: 8 oz spray bottle filled with distilled white vinegar and 30 drops of your favorite organic essential oil. Since we aren't trying to kill germs here - and we're just trying to make the place smell lovely, feel free to go CRAZY and choose an essential oil that truly appeals to your sense of smell. I'm a huge fan of <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/eo/ylangylang.html">Ylang Ylang</a>, it makes everything smell better. *Bonus: it's antiseptic as well! Oh, and in case you were thinking, "But now my whole house is going to smell like vinegar!" - it won't - the vinegar smell dissipates in about twenty minutes, and the essential oil sticks around. That goes for all the cleaning solutions as well.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9zqKRmoEWoE7bevHUxn1P3NVAG2ojxdlqVf2BMGzGKF30_-2TUx_srlRaoPMMq7ZpbVCnR7RbP6CAJ_C0U8k2vRH2K3pyACi-ADmnryIPkQb99Vxf5DsDkEJwVl20vcsTiT03DbDG0vT/s1600-h/car-freshner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9zqKRmoEWoE7bevHUxn1P3NVAG2ojxdlqVf2BMGzGKF30_-2TUx_srlRaoPMMq7ZpbVCnR7RbP6CAJ_C0U8k2vRH2K3pyACi-ADmnryIPkQb99Vxf5DsDkEJwVl20vcsTiT03DbDG0vT/s400/car-freshner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/breehoffman/3340698876/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And here's a bonus for freshening up your car without that awful dangling cardboard tree: In a small jar, soak a cotton ball or two with the essential oil of your choice. Place the jar under the seat of the car (no lid). When the scent wears off - the cotton ball has dried off. Just repeat with a new cotton ball. No more pine-scented <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabens">parabens</a> making their way through your car.</span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And a quick product plug from my Etsy shop, if you'd like to try my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36981651">Simmer Sachets</a>, please take a look - they are made on the premise of the first recipe I've shared with you; but I've been doing this for a while, and they are heavenly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoNrn-hpCnDeQ38ge8TgLBjGhFP4YwDiI6NRBPHflt5U1MVcC6LG9YsydN6J0Z8Rpuw4hUt0BvblZReWA0Vce2Q0erALTarbYGAfnOzY4mTOLR9OxbaEHCyO4iAOzn4Dv_c4rOsHjkeuH/s1600-h/simmersachets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoNrn-hpCnDeQ38ge8TgLBjGhFP4YwDiI6NRBPHflt5U1MVcC6LG9YsydN6J0Z8Rpuw4hUt0BvblZReWA0Vce2Q0erALTarbYGAfnOzY4mTOLR9OxbaEHCyO4iAOzn4Dv_c4rOsHjkeuH/s400/simmersachets.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally, a word about the big "why" as to making the change to these forms of air fresheners vs. incense, scented candles, plug-ins, air-sprays, etc.:&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Incense smell lovely - particularly the Japanese ones. I used to be quite the fan, until I found out all that smoke was also packed with resin. I just didn't want that for my lungs or Marley's developing lungs. I have missed you lovely Japanese incense, I really have.</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaepJMnoFNWYtLdw-dHRYyOQM2ZdQHOGLlrcIcJWb8GtTi4VT86HMhQE_V3WbYdIMG5ZVMU2FScL0GXq2YiFt9K3UdjqcJtIYhDPUDipEg7WgcBJfeG49qP2-LKAJ9cYiFN7eGySSU3J_/s1600-h/incense.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaepJMnoFNWYtLdw-dHRYyOQM2ZdQHOGLlrcIcJWb8GtTi4VT86HMhQE_V3WbYdIMG5ZVMU2FScL0GXq2YiFt9K3UdjqcJtIYhDPUDipEg7WgcBJfeG49qP2-LKAJ9cYiFN7eGySSU3J_/s320/incense.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/aderowbotham/44652373/sizes/l/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Scented candles, those little diffusers with the tea lights and the yummy "fragrances", plug-ins, and air-sprays all have one thing in common - synthetic fragrances. Synthetic fragrances, just like perfumes, include dangerous chemicals to achieve the fragrance - which have been linked to allergies and asthma. For more information on "Fragrance", see this <a href="http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/checklist/avoid_overexposure_to_fragrances/">link</a>.</span></li> </ul></div></div></div></div></div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-smelling-good.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-758506876632694381Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:29:00 +00002010-03-23T08:29:40.715-07:00eco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-tofeedbackspring cleaningsurvey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlvhzasTkINqNtJb_avg7qITL1nNhSuCv4lcktbFZk0oep2x2Ukd2mgitHb_VF4y_Kp-e2hWmi1PMeNTDt00otSwjIb2Ouml-2BENQtlqkVaizK5e_PlREajMdd5nB1IrVr9yxwQR0IOE/s1600-h/this-is-only-a-test.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWlvhzasTkINqNtJb_avg7qITL1nNhSuCv4lcktbFZk0oep2x2Ukd2mgitHb_VF4y_Kp-e2hWmi1PMeNTDt00otSwjIb2Ouml-2BENQtlqkVaizK5e_PlREajMdd5nB1IrVr9yxwQR0IOE/s400/this-is-only-a-test.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a test, just a quick interruption of our regularly scheduled Eco-Cleaning How-To program for the week. Because, well, for the most part - it's sounding a lot like this around here:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmHzXABWPVrTZA9XnimUiW_ZF9v0uWRxbjGG4GHizvQdQQzBzTBJmIq6CVjcjmOJSDJKnnvjOLcHo1dF8e77IGxeCq8bU5bOn7oF_FaRu4DpYKoSFAAFhCcFF9G5fQnD507mxLnbbVTOB/s1600-h/crickets+around+here.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmHzXABWPVrTZA9XnimUiW_ZF9v0uWRxbjGG4GHizvQdQQzBzTBJmIq6CVjcjmOJSDJKnnvjOLcHo1dF8e77IGxeCq8bU5bOn7oF_FaRu4DpYKoSFAAFhCcFF9G5fQnD507mxLnbbVTOB/s400/crickets+around+here.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoppola/416186194/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's right, crickets. I'm getting a lot of silence from you, dear readers - and I'm getting a wee bit nervous that I might be boring you to wander...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFmeLSHNRkuFVYEVZQJjyX1xT9BLBAjqd276PTZnOY0vD4I9byOGhCLY04HukSqwJO3fQEm1wDyaorMBFoTiLuPK6lXWfZ5BcPizmnOKC77N99ie7cBY-gIN_DVHLVhO2mOGSnMvrLQuT/s1600-h/anxietygirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFmeLSHNRkuFVYEVZQJjyX1xT9BLBAjqd276PTZnOY0vD4I9byOGhCLY04HukSqwJO3fQEm1wDyaorMBFoTiLuPK6lXWfZ5BcPizmnOKC77N99ie7cBY-gIN_DVHLVhO2mOGSnMvrLQuT/s400/anxietygirl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://legitleah.tumblr.com/page/13">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that that's out of the way, if you won't mind filling in the blanks on your own brand of survey...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOd9O10VAWS-GGGhn65Z3fWCiaX0qn_hdtfj74cpTc2cqUJNupcQ1Qbtcv99lbamsSzjWOiHNhYsaazNLtfGZR8d0pWKIXNtlkgUAnQNQ4LXVdGKyGK6_9pT7RHMPqjQ7UqTSZM5FoBQM/s1600-h/survey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOd9O10VAWS-GGGhn65Z3fWCiaX0qn_hdtfj74cpTc2cqUJNupcQ1Qbtcv99lbamsSzjWOiHNhYsaazNLtfGZR8d0pWKIXNtlkgUAnQNQ4LXVdGKyGK6_9pT7RHMPqjQ7UqTSZM5FoBQM/s400/survey.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/zoppola/416186194/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And just leave a bit of feedback here or anywhere else this week to let me know you're still here and all okay. Then I can ditch the "Anxiety Girl" cape and particularly the tights - yuck.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thanks everyone!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/this-is-testthis-is-only-test.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-8157253948118379765Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:03:00 +00002010-03-28T10:19:57.392-07:00all-natural cleaningall-natural cleaning recipeseco cleaneco-clean how-togreen cleaningkitchen cleaningmoppingspring cleaning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJZ8RQclNPIoLulLlAHVJmnja069DcQIPjU24kZhu6BVUmv0HkilSCa9-nRXFYtyyT0pORs-m4qIcKg6bt8XdYzG_HwY1NBauFQCkIYtrkuschSgPsY4GtFXcplgaFV-MMOxQsej-y9SY/s1600-h/kitchenclean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJZ8RQclNPIoLulLlAHVJmnja069DcQIPjU24kZhu6BVUmv0HkilSCa9-nRXFYtyyT0pORs-m4qIcKg6bt8XdYzG_HwY1NBauFQCkIYtrkuschSgPsY4GtFXcplgaFV-MMOxQsej-y9SY/s400/kitchenclean.jpg" width="362" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32330747@N06/4020300327/sizes/l/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are the recipes that will make cleaning your kitchen a natural breeze:</span></div><br /> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Liquid Dish Soap:</b> In a container of your choice (a thoroughly washed squirt bottle from your former brand of liquid dish soap is ideal), add 1 cup liquid castille soap, 3 tbsps water, and 20 drops of tea tree oil (or lavender if you prefer the scent). This soap can leave a bit of a film, which is why the vinegar rinse is such an important step in the handwashing.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwQ1bGEHGy8MRYLks4XjN-tKZ68eITTvYixm5YtsSzTAdF2afcMljjJml1mXAWBLOIzyc0qKj-uoQm5JmnrmPx-7-0kGzpqFYoc5cnLfnF8qYUNNyXCkvzQpWbBkqBTv-Zily4CASQ_Eh/s1600-h/aquanailsandfoamysoap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwQ1bGEHGy8MRYLks4XjN-tKZ68eITTvYixm5YtsSzTAdF2afcMljjJml1mXAWBLOIzyc0qKj-uoQm5JmnrmPx-7-0kGzpqFYoc5cnLfnF8qYUNNyXCkvzQpWbBkqBTv-Zily4CASQ_Eh/s400/aquanailsandfoamysoap.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://wehearit.com/">source</a></span></span></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>All Natural Soft Scrub for sinks, countertops, etc.:</b> In an old 12 oz glass jar with lid, add 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup castille soap or until you have a consistency like cake frosting, 15 drops of an antiseptic essential oil (I prefer tea tree oil for this recipe, just because it smells super-clean). If you have leftovers, add 1 tsp vegetable glycerin to keep moist.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Antiseptic Soap Spray:</b> If you've got areas that are so grimy you want to wash prior to using the All-Purpose Cleaner, by all means - get to it: Fill a 16 oz spray bottle with about 15 oz. of purified water, add 3 tbsp castille soap, and 30 drops of tea tree essential oil. This is some serious cleaning spray, perfect for surfaces that get a lot of germy scum - it's going to come in very handy when you head to the bathroom tomorrow. Just follow it up with the All-Purpose Cleaner to rinse away any soapy residue.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Optional Glass, Tile, and Surface Cleaner:</b>&nbsp;This one is great for ceramic tiles and other surfaces as well as your All-Purpose Cleaner. It also works for glass. It's just a matter of preference at this point, and who doesn't love choices? 16 oz. Spray Bottle: 1 cup Rubbing Alcohol, 1 cup water, 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar. Choose your poison.</span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And finally, the much discussed, and frankly, put-off, mopping solutions. I don't know why I procrastinate sometimes...that's for another blog post, another day.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOTC78LVlkhxqrxrJ9VGAhjyHqaazSZVI7ROYRwRcFcHH4Z5QVSVEtc7ivnO_qdMgUqb-_ZpYKENS0GuSXk_bN3F67U9phinD_aOi297rot8eCY-VHhT9o9cUTCNjyuu9JxRBucPKiiJA/s1600-h/cleanfloors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOTC78LVlkhxqrxrJ9VGAhjyHqaazSZVI7ROYRwRcFcHH4Z5QVSVEtc7ivnO_qdMgUqb-_ZpYKENS0GuSXk_bN3F67U9phinD_aOi297rot8eCY-VHhT9o9cUTCNjyuu9JxRBucPKiiJA/s400/cleanfloors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.plan59.com/av/av011.htm">source</a></span></span></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>General Mop Solution:</b> Perfect for tile floors, vinyl, or linoleum - Fill a small bottle (reused hot sauce bottles are the best for this!) with 1/4 cup castille soap, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, and 20 drops of tea tree essential oil. Mop as usual, and keep a bucket or clean sink close-by filled with 2 gallons of hot water per solution for rinsing.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eGsxYBPwAkD4zO_1wIZ3leujyBFI7Agz-dFPBNIDpmjZghVaCzBjwS1I6Q98fEtrToK2qvjtZSzAnF_aCPGXQY4pNJzonlZikdUgMXljYcB0Rb6rOuYnOdWasj0gr5kX-rACRKSDosJE/s1600-h/glossytilefloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eGsxYBPwAkD4zO_1wIZ3leujyBFI7Agz-dFPBNIDpmjZghVaCzBjwS1I6Q98fEtrToK2qvjtZSzAnF_aCPGXQY4pNJzonlZikdUgMXljYcB0Rb6rOuYnOdWasj0gr5kX-rACRKSDosJE/s400/glossytilefloor.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/becaboo/2397197264/">source</a></span></span></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Wood Floor Mop Solution:</b> For super glossy floors, in a 20 oz. spray bottle, add: 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 tsp. glycerin, 20 drops lemon essential oil, water. Spray, mop as usual, and quickly buff dry to protect your floors.</span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, your kitchen is so clean, and your floors are so clean - you could eat off of them. Or lie despondently like a starved fashion model if you felt like it...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45Oz3_3JBYvC8OMw1F3RO9oag-PK6iYjxpOZjaCzFk4zgbBFuvqqMgwT4Lcw00FaZjvG8Cy7n36Xm-Bd39PksZ74ZaWSH-nNyXStiTehapa9nnQak3WSDnOKtDqY-v1mXHn_lzhbxDRwO/s1600-h/miserablefashionmodelfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45Oz3_3JBYvC8OMw1F3RO9oag-PK6iYjxpOZjaCzFk4zgbBFuvqqMgwT4Lcw00FaZjvG8Cy7n36Xm-Bd39PksZ74ZaWSH-nNyXStiTehapa9nnQak3WSDnOKtDqY-v1mXHn_lzhbxDRwO/s400/miserablefashionmodelfloor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.wetbehindthears.com/2010/01/like-shoes-love-photos.html">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm sorta hoping you'll just relax and daydream on your freshly mopped floors like this:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbSP0AoS7rLeNWepCODjCK7emb1GeB9igN_aGJQNGnATdsoRpBelrxOc8xbbot-9-6lleUay3dtWR2Fz_sD9mEsFM89GMm2NmqiU1Z-4I1h4LMMy6m0Z2QwQyvtT9__0Ob8QB_H8fPeQi/s1600-h/daydreamonfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbSP0AoS7rLeNWepCODjCK7emb1GeB9igN_aGJQNGnATdsoRpBelrxOc8xbbot-9-6lleUay3dtWR2Fz_sD9mEsFM89GMm2NmqiU1Z-4I1h4LMMy6m0Z2QwQyvtT9__0Ob8QB_H8fPeQi/s400/daydreamonfloor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://audreyhepburncomplex.tumblr.com/page/3">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know you deserve it. And hey, the agenda just changed: Home fragrance will be included tomorrow. I'm WAY too wiped out today. Sorry darlings.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best,</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tara</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-second-recipes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-4506675757039742447Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:38:00 +00002010-03-28T10:42:03.746-07:00all-natural cleaningeco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-togreen cleaningkitchenspring cleaningvinegar all purpose cleanser<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is probably, second only to the bathroom, my least favorite part of cleaning. The kitchen's always got icky food-stuffs that trip-up my mild case of OCD, and as if seeing it up close isn't bad enough - you've gotta get your hands in it. Okay. Now that <i>that's</i> out of the way, I'll stop procrastinating with this entry and help you to get through this. We can <i>all</i> get through it together.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRemGVIk02Lq8BHCEd4HrACtGRv6kBjq4w66c5ndP8w3y17ToiO8uOkVbpoZTRCjMDs5J9ONN7CxzTQEIbQhS95GgDtSJeqdgfoYKEZDx4lf9CfDEzgXPsKRY1PoC00BElI2OuL8C3hkAc/s1600-h/dothedishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRemGVIk02Lq8BHCEd4HrACtGRv6kBjq4w66c5ndP8w3y17ToiO8uOkVbpoZTRCjMDs5J9ONN7CxzTQEIbQhS95GgDtSJeqdgfoYKEZDx4lf9CfDEzgXPsKRY1PoC00BElI2OuL8C3hkAc/s400/dothedishes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/onenokia/3984666780/in/set-72157622402820557/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The first thing is to make sure you've cleared off all countertops and work surfaces of any dishes that need washing. If you've got a dishwasher - good for you. Even if you have got one, sometimes there's just too many dishes to fit in one lead and you have to hand wash. I love handwashing dishes (weird, I know). It is a time of the day after the cooking, entertaining, and enjoying the meal that I can digest not just the food, but the whole of the day. It's one of life's uncomplicated processes that allows for remaining efficient, and drifting off into a world of one's own. Int the event that you love to hand wash as much as I do, the following are some tips that will make the nastier bits (i.e. crusted on grease) a cake-walk:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First, it helps if you have a split-sink; but if you don't, you can create one with a deep rectangular tub that sits atop your countertop or in part of your (perhaps) one great-big sink.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDtd3so-EsYgQPVAGzYS7k_egabDXuxwebIJBt0RpWk746AJjJ8GBf3UehRbAVLGx0I9qq7MLPT4jRTmKVPDUCNQe1vRWKX5nHymvvmFvWFmdJ51RC6l2NOL6U7Lg3G-QqtFOxbRFvaYy/s1600-h/dishesdoublesink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDtd3so-EsYgQPVAGzYS7k_egabDXuxwebIJBt0RpWk746AJjJ8GBf3UehRbAVLGx0I9qq7MLPT4jRTmKVPDUCNQe1vRWKX5nHymvvmFvWFmdJ51RC6l2NOL6U7Lg3G-QqtFOxbRFvaYy/s320/dishesdoublesink.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://hello-tiger.blogspot.com/2009/10/stig-lindberg-forgyller-diskandet.html">source</a></span></span></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the order to handwashing dishes that makes it all like butter baby:</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First and foremost, scrape all the food bits off the plates, pots, pans, and pyrex. (Extra points for composting said food bits).</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, before even thinking about those dishes, sprinkle a bit of baking soda into each crusty pot, pan and pyrex (and if there are funky cooking utensils - toss them in a large crusty saute pan). Add a bit of hot water, gently agitate the water with a dirty utensil, and set those pots aside for your grand finale!</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, regardless of your sink set-up, if you're still with me here - you've got two basins of some sort. On one side, you have a basin filled with warm soapy water; on the other side, a basin filled with warm rinse water with a splash of white distilled vinegar. And of course, you have a dish rack or loving partner/friend to help dry those dishes you're working so hard to clean.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First, clean, rinse and dry all of the glassware. Second, the plates and bowls. Third, the silverware and cooking utensils.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And now, for your grand finale: The dreaded greasy, crusty pots and pans. With hot water (do this over the soapy basin), rinse the baking soda out of your pans. Voila! Can you believe it?! Almost every nasty little bit of stuck-on gunk that would have required gobs of harsh chemical cleaners and way too much elbow grease for my style is gone! Just give it a swish in the soapy water, rinse in the vinegar rinse water, throw it on the drying rack - and pat yourself on the back!</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The dishes are done, now comes the time for potentially polishing your cabinets if they are wood (you can find the recipe <a href="http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-first-recipes.html">here</a>), or using the <a href="http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-first-recipes.html">all-purpose surface cleaner</a> for any painted surfaces, plastics, enamels, and yes - you heard me - stainless steel (without streaks!) For cutting boards or other work surfaces that regularly have food prepped upon, spray with all-purpose cleaner overnight and allow to absorb. To quickly sanitize any areas, spray with the all-purpose surface cleaner, and follow with a quick spritz or wipe of Hydrogen Peroxide.</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You'll want to be sure and deodorize your microwave: Using 3-5 slices of Lemon, placed in a bowl with 1 cup of water, microwave on HI for 3 minutes. Keep door closed for 3 mins. Open, and wipe down inside of microwave. Deodorized and clean.</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd75s50cZcir-xFIp0yKjkglgwrKvgxFAAXi_l_lngQWZMzOagDeYkbzcGacNxoRbC-KnxCkegJXCunlicNPakVvwFBhdGwFS3XtKJFClxDXqnzlB0KB1JWxdPw3gKXLZtz6cfoQqg2aM/s1600-h/lemoneyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd75s50cZcir-xFIp0yKjkglgwrKvgxFAAXi_l_lngQWZMzOagDeYkbzcGacNxoRbC-KnxCkegJXCunlicNPakVvwFBhdGwFS3XtKJFClxDXqnzlB0KB1JWxdPw3gKXLZtz6cfoQqg2aM/s320/lemoneyes.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://waif-girl.deviantart.com/art/lemon-gerl-76984952">source</a></span></span></div></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Obviously, your sponges need some TLC too. Perhaps you use dishrags and simply launder them frequently; but if you use sponges, you're probably in the habit of keeping them longer than you should without sanitizing, or just throwing out. Those sponges can be reused and it's easy as pie: Either in the microwave for 3 minutes (in a lidded bowl) or on the stovetop in boiling water - with slices of lemon for good measure. If using the microwave, be ever so careful when removing that lid - the steam is SO hot, and can scald you. Let the water cool for a while, then remove and rinse your freshly sanitized and deodorized sponges in cool water for five minutes.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you need more scrubbing power for your basic sponge, but don't want to buy one of those plasticky scrubbers from the shop - here's a great solution and reuse of something that was going to be tossed or recycled at best: take the mesh bag from garlic, onion, you know the type - and cut it to size so you can toss your sponge in there. Wrap with rubber bands or secure with butcher's twine. It's gentle on your dishes, but gets the grubbies off.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now of course, you will need to scour and scrub your sink to it's original shine. Recipe to come later today.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And in the event that you find yourself with clogged drains - I've got the simplest, healthiest, and funnest drain de-clogger you'll ever make and use. Later.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh right, cleaning and deodorizing the refrigerator: This is something I used to do only when I would move from a place (which was FAR too often), but everytime I do it, I see the benefit of doing it more frequently. If you're smelling something funky coming from your fridge, and all offending products have been removed - you're smelling the fridge. It's time to clean the fridge with Antiseptic Soap Spray shelf-by-shelf, and get some new baking soda in there. The classic 16 oz. Arm &amp; Hammer baking soda box should be refreshed every month.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last on the list, sweeping and mopping - and I promise to include those recipes for mopping today.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just think, when you're all done with these steps, you will feel as lovely and safe as she does in her kitchen:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyJjE-I52CpmgIJzCXnNjA-hbllYJf0Bad-kKrjv8MyWXd84F_bfWLh39tjrsXEcJhcoKEDgudNLvMin_kcEqtjW3bzBnIHTYJgpwCfYAGWsljnj4HGXX8wWVRsXEvMU7N07c-8rr4KmF/s1600-h/safeandlovelyincleankitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyJjE-I52CpmgIJzCXnNjA-hbllYJf0Bad-kKrjv8MyWXd84F_bfWLh39tjrsXEcJhcoKEDgudNLvMin_kcEqtjW3bzBnIHTYJgpwCfYAGWsljnj4HGXX8wWVRsXEvMU7N07c-8rr4KmF/s400/safeandlovelyincleankitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/">source</a></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-kitchen-floors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-9146419685164553116Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:01:00 +00002010-03-28T11:13:03.608-07:00air pollutioneco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-tohealthy child healthy worldhealthychild.orghepa vacuumindoor air pollution<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In cities across the world, the health of the air is monitored. Particularly in the summer, in a big city or a valley, you can see a "Bad Air Day".</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oMHNsanDZDiclx37dzQYxyDruzY5Aolw8al-_sN3PRjl6qIW9UTgXlsAtqPYJq1_5NcIPYxEsoJKZK8sZRdfrH5kyRnmbdknXTvPdCZMk4fIFh-qjsQroVOT_5tZttUvgyfYgxBfGSi7/s1600-h/badairday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oMHNsanDZDiclx37dzQYxyDruzY5Aolw8al-_sN3PRjl6qIW9UTgXlsAtqPYJq1_5NcIPYxEsoJKZK8sZRdfrH5kyRnmbdknXTvPdCZMk4fIFh-qjsQroVOT_5tZttUvgyfYgxBfGSi7/s400/badairday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://vi.sualize.us/view/suckingfaces/84fd0e30c4159f73564b85b6f29e0e90/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We primarily can't see the air pollution in our homes, unless you're talking about those little dust faeries you catch a glimpse of in a sunbeam. Most of the pollution in our homes is either brought in from the outdoors, tracked in on our shoes and trapped by our carpeting; or is actually <a href="http://healthychild.org/5steps/5_steps_3/">from the stuff our homes are made of</a>.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Three simple solutions:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take your shoes off when you come home, leave them in a basket by the door, and wear a sweet, cozy pair of house slippers.</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CCk-Z03_zRk4pd2ce76U-AwiUy_zX-Wfq-0u6TNspGp7R8cEAkla9qqu5QW7Hasxk96jDBO0vTgRftKn02UkI3vcTrgh00IX8sktd30-AQCfFJ-ADU25qDOzbbCZkxlR3mYFNVI9Ob32/s1600-h/houseslippers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CCk-Z03_zRk4pd2ce76U-AwiUy_zX-Wfq-0u6TNspGp7R8cEAkla9qqu5QW7Hasxk96jDBO0vTgRftKn02UkI3vcTrgh00IX8sktd30-AQCfFJ-ADU25qDOzbbCZkxlR3mYFNVI9Ob32/s400/houseslippers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://littleteaspoon.tumblr.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Make sure you're using a HEPA filter vacuum. Otherwise, you might as well do this with the contents of that vacuum bag when you're done:</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0KIRzzBGRVCDk3AeDOQtMZc4_4jskt00SXq2gu_69KgFTgMJXEIxY5mlRc7TkQHE1qj421tafnB5PQQM0l-Gss4LcpB2AtVZdQLbTK9eDdJnKp6iwRbthOFGSDRbwlaaT7ZEdiw-9C7r/s1600-h/vacuumsansHEPA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0KIRzzBGRVCDk3AeDOQtMZc4_4jskt00SXq2gu_69KgFTgMJXEIxY5mlRc7TkQHE1qj421tafnB5PQQM0l-Gss4LcpB2AtVZdQLbTK9eDdJnKp6iwRbthOFGSDRbwlaaT7ZEdiw-9C7r/s400/vacuumsansHEPA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://xag.tumblr.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unless it is a "Bad Air Day" or it's freezing outside, throw open those windows - and invest in some houseplants. They keep the indoor air clean and healthy - and they're pretty.</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lmi7fqpsZN4SAsfxA8SY7OeAqqHlOfyW3QX6vwsUzpLh0KJW9XWs2f9YtK9bqJQ7JlQoDiFsHG296KnkxQvhJLdrugyhYfcuxx-mrfsMkYnM20J2JmwcAedn4h1WUQ8a2WM3AKVzViid/s1600-h/openwindowsandplants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lmi7fqpsZN4SAsfxA8SY7OeAqqHlOfyW3QX6vwsUzpLh0KJW9XWs2f9YtK9bqJQ7JlQoDiFsHG296KnkxQvhJLdrugyhYfcuxx-mrfsMkYnM20J2JmwcAedn4h1WUQ8a2WM3AKVzViid/s400/openwindowsandplants.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://thingssheloves.tumblr.com/page/601">source</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are many more things to be done, these are the beginnings to a healthy home. If I've missed any tips/tricks you know about - please share. Always, always, share. If you want to learn more, try first my favorite resource for this info: <a href="http://healthychild.org/">Healthy Child, Healthy World</a>. You don't have to have a kid to want to have a healthy home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-indoor-air-quality.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-7852900001300307707Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:00:00 +00002010-03-21T15:00:01.290-07:00carpet cleaningeco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-togreen cleaningspring cleaningvinegar all purpose cleanser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7bV5RyTqkq3C6IXiYUq7_WOPwE6y8CTQu-iAleIgRl5c54wC6wcsKbuGdRXDGG1lzTjoT4_PeHqvp3V2SzLm0aWREFLNDMmY2cJMu7C-qd2cWeAgQpa6Zz65auyxdrDUqSi6eNZa2Mdu/s1600-h/recipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7bV5RyTqkq3C6IXiYUq7_WOPwE6y8CTQu-iAleIgRl5c54wC6wcsKbuGdRXDGG1lzTjoT4_PeHqvp3V2SzLm0aWREFLNDMmY2cJMu7C-qd2cWeAgQpa6Zz65auyxdrDUqSi6eNZa2Mdu/s400/recipes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://silhouetting.livejournal.com/139016.html?view=179976">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These are the first of the recipes that you will be using as you clean your living areas; but keep in mind that you will use them in other rooms, and perhaps in other capacities. That's one of the great things about these cleaners - they are so very versatile.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every cleaning kit needs the multi-tasking, all-purpose surface cleaner - your new, improved, organic kit will be no different:</span></span></span></span></div><br /> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fill a 16 oz. squirt bottle with a 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water. Add 15-20 drops of an essential oil with antiseptic qualities of your preference (tea tree, lavender, lemon).</span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Use this recipe for cleaning surfaces after dusting, such as plastic or metal blinds, painted wood surfaces, painted walls, molding - and those once-funky fan blades.</span></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Furniture Polish: Fill a 16 oz spray bottle with 1 cup light olive oil, 20+ drops pure essential lemon oil, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, and fill remainder of the bottle with purified water*.</span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shake well before each use. Spray onto your rag, or directly onto furniture. Buff dry immediately. *Purified water is optional, but recommended based on pH levels of tap water being too hard/soft for proper treatment of wood. You can and should also use this polish on any wood cabinetry you may have throughout your home.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ps0CJOEKNCvWix13ONayxj5yWnJt-5sacnNOF48TdFNA75mZjGwQKEYzG4zznV0bq5Ad2I4Yn656It4czC94VsvHrkUkUde8CmAN74eKox9rE6m_J8UgaeBjUDfnm0iVemYuixL7b5F0/s1600-h/lottaglasstoclean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ps0CJOEKNCvWix13ONayxj5yWnJt-5sacnNOF48TdFNA75mZjGwQKEYzG4zznV0bq5Ad2I4Yn656It4czC94VsvHrkUkUde8CmAN74eKox9rE6m_J8UgaeBjUDfnm0iVemYuixL7b5F0/s400/lottaglasstoclean.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tedjohnjacobs/3426500989/">source</a></span></span></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Glass Cleaner: Fill a 16 oz. spray bottle with Club Soda. That's it. Spray your glass. Wipe with a lint-free rag.&nbsp;</span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I promised you all a fabulous carpet cleaning method that is all natural, as well as some remedies for removing stains:</span></div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mineral Water is an excellent all-purpose stain remover</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For fruit juices/red wine: blot with towel and cold water. Keep blotting and add kosher or sea salt or club soda to lift the stain.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grease: Pour boiling water over the grease, then dry baking soda.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Blood: Cold water or hydrogen peroxide OR a paste or cornstarch with water. Allow to dry and brush away.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rust: Saturate with lemon juice. Rub with Salt.</span></li> </ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that you've pretreated your stains, prepare a mixture of 1/8 cup castille soap to 2 gallons of hot water. Steam clean using standard equipment. Repeat process until water comes up clear. Allow to dry before heavy use (translate: kids, pets).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And as for deodorizing the carpet, depending on how much square footage you have to cover, you'll need a 1/2 cup to a cup of baking soda. Add about 20 drops of lavender essential oil per cup, and stir. Sprinkle the aromatic blend atop your carpet, and let sit for 30 minutes to do its thing. After that half hour, vacuum as normal - and enjoy the fresh, clean, <a href="http://www.ewg.org/chemindex/term/480">phthalate</a>-free air.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwoLPhvaisICp-f-rGLC3If31QDtbVJZ-Zkt8r_WpnyTvta3FG96pMF2OU5WSXJM3bj7-1kvpqazWWvSQSA-ChkpqHCx9dEW9mAfZEjOaBFHG5rX2lHcHxIwq9BZBYpm0fsRMNWIclMpR/s1600-h/fairydust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkwoLPhvaisICp-f-rGLC3If31QDtbVJZ-Zkt8r_WpnyTvta3FG96pMF2OU5WSXJM3bj7-1kvpqazWWvSQSA-ChkpqHCx9dEW9mAfZEjOaBFHG5rX2lHcHxIwq9BZBYpm0fsRMNWIclMpR/s400/fairydust.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://coffeecups.tumblr.com/page/51">source</a></span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Onto the tools of the trade. As I've mentioned, 16 oz. spray bottles are a favorite of mine. As well, a glass shaker (like from the pizzeria) is perfect for the baking soda deodorizer sprinkle, lint-free rags - like the ones you can find from the company <a href="http://www.twistclean.com/">Twist</a> are a favorite in my kit for dusting and mopping (I even attach them to the base of my old Swiffer).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I am going to completely blow your minds and go against the gospel of Martha, Mothers, Grandmothers, and French Maids everywhere by saying this: Feather Dusters do nothing but further spread the dust. Unless you have the right kind (expensive ostrich feathers) – you are just making a bigger, allergy-fest of a mess. So unless you feel the need to dress up like this when you clean:</div><div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZieiPBfNkJyjaggy2LCi3IJC0Juz0qFfeVMPgsGDtARTJX7u0mshJo93MlYQWoESkwhsLer0xzJQZqhLqHuoJozCNjSVdZCSAjxEm2qUxVvhXzNOY1erEXcng5CbnyMWjgjCxDkvrqRjA/s1600-h/frenchmaidfeatherduster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZieiPBfNkJyjaggy2LCi3IJC0Juz0qFfeVMPgsGDtARTJX7u0mshJo93MlYQWoESkwhsLer0xzJQZqhLqHuoJozCNjSVdZCSAjxEm2qUxVvhXzNOY1erEXcng5CbnyMWjgjCxDkvrqRjA/s400/frenchmaidfeatherduster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44426561@N08/4330884263/">source</a></span></div><div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just don't use it, it doesn't help with anything. What you need are microfiber dust cloths: they pick up the dust and keep it held on tight – it's like some sort of dust magnet. When you collect too much dust on one cloth, just take it to the sink, clean it off in warm water with a drop or two of tea tree or lavender oil; and set it in the sun to dry. On to the next dust cloth.&nbsp;</div><div><br /> </div></span></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-first-recipes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-3471230084463753157Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:50:00 +00002010-03-21T10:55:05.921-07:00clean housedustingeco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-togreen cleaningspring cleaningtips and tricksvacuuming<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When cleaning your living spaces such as living rooms, studies and offices, etc.; there is a method to the madness that will have your space spruced up in no time:</span></div><br /> <ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you've got clutter that needs organization, you're obviously going to have to start there - and I'm not <i>even</i> getting into that. By now you're a big girl (or boy) and have found the way that works best for you (or you can work on it with a little humility and research).</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And as you've walked around your rooms, you couldn't help but notice the occasionally accumulating dust bunnies or drop of this or that that's become a Pollock-like mark on your lovely hardwood floors. Thank goodness for carpets - you don't actually see all the funk that is in those!</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once everything's tidied up, unless you are a die-hard minimalist, you will have knickknacks or ob jet d' art (depending on the eye of the beholder), books, artwork on the walls...the list goes on. You've naturally thought about dusting everything at eye level - but to be really efficient - look <i>up</i> first.</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Yuck. </i>There's probably the odd cobweb that's managed to avoid detection and collect dust; if you've got a ceiling fan, just step up on a stool or chair to see what's been blowing around the room...eeeww!</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yJTiOwi41aa67FlyGXVCzTZ8VNElJ0LOxDG8NZ0KXwDywbKH6Su-XMHWi3XwMbHXq-zfGYLfkG10BXdbatTkM_E0tfrbb3Ez_3BSng6QpCM2e1tHPWIvrxEw5IaeKcH-bG9FN_jzXDVE/s1600-h/cobweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yJTiOwi41aa67FlyGXVCzTZ8VNElJ0LOxDG8NZ0KXwDywbKH6Su-XMHWi3XwMbHXq-zfGYLfkG10BXdbatTkM_E0tfrbb3Ez_3BSng6QpCM2e1tHPWIvrxEw5IaeKcH-bG9FN_jzXDVE/s400/cobweb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://gatekeeper.tumblr.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think you can see where I'm going with this - you want to start at the top, because dust settles naturally at the bottom. If you want to save yourself some extra time, and have the manpower or She-Ra like strength, move upholstered furniture out of the area you'll be dusting in - and take the cushions outside at this time, laying out on a canvas tarp for a later beat-down. Oh yes, cleaning can be good for you in many ways - I forgot to mention the free therapy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, by now, you've worked your way from wiping &nbsp;all those cobwebs and disgusting fan blades off; now it's time to dust the knickknacks, electronics, books, etc. on the shelves and tabletops. Don't forget as you remove the knickknacks, books and what-nots for dusting to dust and polish those shelves and tabletops. Now it's time for the walls. First, remove the artwork from your walls, and set aside - you're going to clean your walls with a very mild solution. Dust, grime, and grease from our hands and even from so far away as the kitchen travels and settles in on our walls - so while this may be the most tedious of tasks for the day - just do it! You'll be so happy with how bright and colorful and clean your walls look again. Now dust the artwork, and polish the glass with the glass cleaner of course. Rehang. Gorgeous.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Time to dust and polish and furniture with a hard surface (think tables, desks, built-ins, mantles and fireplaces, wooden chairs, etc.). Be sure when polishing the wooden furniture to buff it dry so that there are no streaks and no possibility of water damage from the polish. As you're polishing each piece, She-Ra,&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBy9gBftG2lhiImiysnGs8HEe5tx4J6zIA_KQWN3aXWbrYI69VJWUDaOWVTueySlUyZzDi8DohRKliKqZA-WUN5AJHG3oBErbvU9eHXYNnUs8U4XRVrjQugE3WP6rxzgxz4cqY8rizJbJ/s1600-h/she-ra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBy9gBftG2lhiImiysnGs8HEe5tx4J6zIA_KQWN3aXWbrYI69VJWUDaOWVTueySlUyZzDi8DohRKliKqZA-WUN5AJHG3oBErbvU9eHXYNnUs8U4XRVrjQugE3WP6rxzgxz4cqY8rizJbJ/s400/she-ra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.homorazzi.com/article/canadas-next-top-model-cycle-3-winner-episode-7-recap-nikita-linsay-eliminated-meaghan/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you might want to consider moving it (the chairs and the like); because your next move is treating the floors. For hard surface floors - sweep and mop. Recipes later today will include both hardwood mop solution and all-purpose hard surface mop solution. If you have area rugs, take them outside and leave them with those dusty cushions - they too are in for a bruising.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpsNZQEZrocOSP-9MJ9XwJSdGlvZcS_MIHiqzLsztu0pDIOML_7G8C1UwyzGDCzRTUlB2mh6GERXXUZH8QU6IHtuZ3lCS1kuduUe9eN5imZQgRSvtcyZAvCvf0Kr9Kh2_HlSQ3pZq2aNx/s1600-h/vintagebroomdustpan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpsNZQEZrocOSP-9MJ9XwJSdGlvZcS_MIHiqzLsztu0pDIOML_7G8C1UwyzGDCzRTUlB2mh6GERXXUZH8QU6IHtuZ3lCS1kuduUe9eN5imZQgRSvtcyZAvCvf0Kr9Kh2_HlSQ3pZq2aNx/s400/vintagebroomdustpan.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://etsy.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wall-to-wall carpeting is a labor of love: first you'll need to pre-treat any stains, and then use the carpet steaming technique/recipe I'll be sharing with you later. If you're just too pooped for this, I hear ya. I've got another neat trick up my sleeve that will not only deodorize those funky carpets, but leave each room smelling sweet. Plus, it's going to give you the half hour you need to go outside and kick the crap outta dust.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6zOqlv1pfm-RBLyUD95-qzWvmogcelCXI64tgk9ag4uT2YQEGF2X_Fvxdni5sDu1RvJ8stYn8ib3j_k_l9sNX1YVFywbolnzX9updCIfUfhkKkcxFu7oqtchWcdKMIOXic_tBfFD13id/s1600-h/kungfu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6zOqlv1pfm-RBLyUD95-qzWvmogcelCXI64tgk9ag4uT2YQEGF2X_Fvxdni5sDu1RvJ8stYn8ib3j_k_l9sNX1YVFywbolnzX9updCIfUfhkKkcxFu7oqtchWcdKMIOXic_tBfFD13id/s400/kungfu.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://boysoccer.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-09-17T02:25:00-07:00">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This part is really simple, because it's all based on your own brand of Kung-Fu, Grasshopper. There is no right or wrong way to beat the dust out of a cushion - just get yourself one of those blue dust masks even if you don't have bad allergies 'cause all that dust is super gross. When you've finished with the dusty smack down, head back inside and rev up your vacuum. Run it over the carpets/rugs a couple of times. So fresh and so clean.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15kuXunM_5qjnQFy2EooBj52X7wWkE-R0pFeEP3ofne7MM8F2gZy0_T1IwUtW0PfjrkDJLFPzGH9_PqnOtpn-5NL2feSn0IviTAk6UUkQ7HRaKKxx8mFemuBBjmb57sPqwoLZmMXDkWuz/s1600-h/vacuum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15kuXunM_5qjnQFy2EooBj52X7wWkE-R0pFeEP3ofne7MM8F2gZy0_T1IwUtW0PfjrkDJLFPzGH9_PqnOtpn-5NL2feSn0IviTAk6UUkQ7HRaKKxx8mFemuBBjmb57sPqwoLZmMXDkWuz/s400/vacuum.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://home.frognet.net/~mcfadden/evu/Ellen_von_Unwerth_Sweet_Time.htm">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Consider it done my friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">PS - This will all go SO much faster with really great music.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/when-cleaning-your-living-spaces-such.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-8344144421049386531Sun, 21 Mar 2010 02:45:00 +00002010-03-20T19:45:17.521-07:00bathroombedroomblog giveawaydiy projecteco cleangreen cleaningkitchenlaundryspring cleaningweekly agenda<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /> </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ0wE0lYQi2OKoUlNh5YnKr2y-BV6Bo9V7w4GOjtwVo7aOCp2IOeuRpHvhaVI-AKHRMt7byHOxjSwVpxEMasAWzM-uvZlAMYjlznaXOB9e6dGN1s3b0UrhxGEtxVgVnQMMJ0Etq3x2zIs/s1600-h/agenda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ0wE0lYQi2OKoUlNh5YnKr2y-BV6Bo9V7w4GOjtwVo7aOCp2IOeuRpHvhaVI-AKHRMt7byHOxjSwVpxEMasAWzM-uvZlAMYjlznaXOB9e6dGN1s3b0UrhxGEtxVgVnQMMJ0Etq3x2zIs/s400/agenda.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37044221">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Naturally you're just <i>dying</i> to know how this week of spring cleaning, handmade, eco-conscientiousness will unfold. And I don't blame you - we all have busy lives - and knowing when you have to tune in and when you can maybe skip it is important. For those of you who still haven't bought in to the whole "eco-friendly" thing, I encourage you to stick around. Not because I'm trying to convert all of you;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0Gj9zOcqpNkPBrCJ5_56T87xDAUZCasaQSRaJRKFrvzGUOu5S878Cf4q6oaKjq-oMxWICWj3ZRJWTKMue2TmZ_YT1VSH-dTFt_UiM5NcpoQrXEa2Ht7PwBAGWCQ9Iq3RqFF-qjYwHnIW/s1600-h/begreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0Gj9zOcqpNkPBrCJ5_56T87xDAUZCasaQSRaJRKFrvzGUOu5S878Cf4q6oaKjq-oMxWICWj3ZRJWTKMue2TmZ_YT1VSH-dTFt_UiM5NcpoQrXEa2Ht7PwBAGWCQ9Iq3RqFF-qjYwHnIW/s400/begreen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but because one thing that doesn't always get made clear about "eco-friendly" is that it's not just good for the environment. When it's handmade (homemade products) you're cleaning with - it's great for your wallet. And <i>everyone</i> these days can jump on that wagon.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Sunday</b>, 3/21: Cleaning Living Areas: Living Rooms, Workspaces, Etcetera - the tips and tricks to make this process as quick and simple as possible.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Sunday</b>, 3/21: The recipes you need for these areas: All-purpose Surface Cleaner, Furniture Polish, Glass Cleaner, Carpet &amp; Rug Deodorizer; the best tools for these tasks.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Sunday</b>, 3/21: Information about Indoor Air Pollution, tracking pollutants inside, and how to reduce both.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Monday</b>, 3/22: A day dedicated to Cleaning the Kitchen:&nbsp;Handwashing Dishes, saving water - and getting them CLEAN, degreasing surfaces, cleaning and deodorizing your refrigerator and your microwave.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Monday</b>, 3/22: The recipes you need to your kitchen sparkling clean: Dish Soap, Surface Degreaser, Basic Floor Mop, Hardwood Floor Mop, Cake Frosting Soft Scrub, Drain De-Clogger</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Monday</b>, 3/22: How to make your whole house smell delicious with ingredients from your spice cabinet, produce drawer, and garden!</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Tuesday</b>, 3/23: A simple day covering the most dreaded room in the house to clean: the bathroom. I'll share with you my favorite tools and techniques - and advise which recipes are appropriate for which jobs.&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Wednesday</b>, 3/24: Wednesday is Laundry Day at Eco-Clean How-To Week. First we'll start with a post of recipes for handmade laundry detergent, fabric softener, ironing water/linen refresher.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Wednesday</b>, 3/24: I'll be celebrating Laundry Day with a look at some of my favorite handmade solutions to eco-friendly laundry: clothespin aprons, felted wool dryer balls, lavender dryer sachets.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Wednesday</b>, 3/24: A <b>Giveaway</b> for all my beloved readers for a set of lavender dryer sachets made by me!</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Thursday</b>, 3/25: A complete overhaul of the bedroom(s) as well as the windows of the house - inside and out. Most recipes have been covered in previous days posts, so we'll mostly be covering all of the really fun stuff like flipping mattresses, freshening things up...you know...the fun stuff. Ugh.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Friday</b>, 3/26: Little eco-cleaning extras like super stain removers, eco carpet cleaning, reminder of basics cleaning kit list (plus a little surprise extra!)</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Friday</b>, 3/26: Yeah! You're done and your house is so clean! <b>DIY</b> Self-Cleanse Bath Recipe for you to treat yourself.</span></li> <li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Friday</b>, 3/26: Etsy Featured Seller: GardenofHolly and <b>GIVEAWAY</b> for Organic Protective Hand Creme.</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's all folks - that's the entire week outlined thus far. I've got a few other things in the works, but I can't promise anymore than what you see here so far. At this point, I can promise you a damn clean house and a sense of accomplishment and pride in doing it all handmade!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-clean-how-to-week-agenda.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-8225054370101456564Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:00:00 +00002010-03-20T10:00:01.302-07:00eco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-togreen cleaninghandmade cleansersmountain rose herbsspring cleaningstarter cleaning kit<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A little over a year ago, while Marley was still just a wee thing - I began assessing not only how I wanted to raise my daughter - but what kind of environment I wanted to raise her in. Amongst the myriad books that I read as I descended into my exploration of homemaking, was one with the credible title, "Healthy Child, Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home" by Christopher Gavigan.&nbsp;</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnbkm9ee9f8a0DzZTORgWXZVKh7hFpWmGNCPCtBlGJApVwoxR5jNhoJ0YV2blmrc-8PLjdz7UAT-Pa0fCOXnBQ8IPy1kaV6d18ACaVjs44_62vtM4dFGtUQpcM5cnUg5xM0J8rI9-9-09/s1600-h/healthychildbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnbkm9ee9f8a0DzZTORgWXZVKh7hFpWmGNCPCtBlGJApVwoxR5jNhoJ0YV2blmrc-8PLjdz7UAT-Pa0fCOXnBQ8IPy1kaV6d18ACaVjs44_62vtM4dFGtUQpcM5cnUg5xM0J8rI9-9-09/s400/healthychildbook.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://astore.amazon.com/healthychildhealthyworld-20/detail/0452290198"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well that seemed like the book for me: I knew I wanted my daughter healthy;&nbsp;I figured it couldn't hurt to learn a few more tips and tricks - but figured I already pretty much had the "green" part covered&nbsp;(i.e. recycling, compost, biodegradable diapers, "green" products like&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.mrsmeyers.com/?gclid=CM3SkuWdt6ACFQldagodAzA5UQ"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mrs. Meyers</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.seventhgeneration.com/products?gclid=CKzljPidt6ACFSZHagodOiouTw"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Seventh Generation</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">,&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.burtsbees.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Burt's Bees</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and the like). And I most definitely wanted Marley growing up in a healthy world! So I read on...and quickly realized that my home was in fact overrun with chemical toxins and pollutants. Not only were they bad for the environment-at-large, it turns out they are incredibly toxic to our bodies - particularly little bodies.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbwz9-dgmN9w7zjbQ-Wdz0IIwtGOA2DJLwDj_Wn4z0j8TQID6UUOCuDskzI0MYYYRB4sBSFZsOA_sx8Dfp7AKL0-z_t1_lazBY8j6dgr9c-hId-NkO3puBAf_DcnUJwduGSLFpEULhj7Y/s1600-h/sickteddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbwz9-dgmN9w7zjbQ-Wdz0IIwtGOA2DJLwDj_Wn4z0j8TQID6UUOCuDskzI0MYYYRB4sBSFZsOA_sx8Dfp7AKL0-z_t1_lazBY8j6dgr9c-hId-NkO3puBAf_DcnUJwduGSLFpEULhj7Y/s400/sickteddy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__cO6Rm663Hg/SsjrrQa5QBI/AAAAAAAAB68/jOOUv-RVNe0/s1600-h/doente.jpg">source</a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't want to freak you out and turn you off to reading on - but I admit I experienced my own panic attack at this point. The </span><a href="http://www.ewg.org/bodyburden/consumerproducts"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Environmental Working Group</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> has a great list on their site of popular consumer products, and the effects of those formidable-to-pronounce ingredients, on our bodies. When I took a look at this list, I went on a zealous tirade and disposed of all offending products immediately. Whew! We were safe at last.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then I was in a real conundrum: I still had to clean my house. How was I going to wash my dishes? Deodorize and vacuum my carpets? Mop my floors? Wash the laundry? Good God! How was I going to get tough on grease and grime? Keep my bathroom sparkling clean?! Would we all need protective suits? Gas masks?</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtj_MEVT1O0UOpvSC1cpXzbsCnNmxIDJy42IAzkTviVs99t8cuEkNUpC2meNVIsYWgOZDCY1IZ8qABmKjbiygpT8iIx0c8GkIYS16N4kbX2XWFCTosSzbiDGvOiI9GYSUDgd-C4qMXYuI/s1600-h/protectivesuitforcleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtj_MEVT1O0UOpvSC1cpXzbsCnNmxIDJy42IAzkTviVs99t8cuEkNUpC2meNVIsYWgOZDCY1IZ8qABmKjbiygpT8iIx0c8GkIYS16N4kbX2XWFCTosSzbiDGvOiI9GYSUDgd-C4qMXYuI/s400/protectivesuitforcleaning.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7448182@N07/2072087886/">source</a></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As it turns out, my brief moment of panic was easily subdued when I realized that I already owned nearly all of the ingredients necessary to make my own, tough-on-grease-and-grime, sparkle-inducing, non-toxic cleaners; and they were <i>all in my kitchen pantry</i>. O Happy Day!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Without further ado, here are the raw materials for your basic eco-cleaning kit:</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIBG2SjCvULs3QHnWBGLe9_bDlyKsOvSY8fcKMjedWCeeKUqWl191DrfNfeOTqUDPLXnk5fJ88zPJcO7VU72wdELd_A6eJVFNkIJ1aRPEUGfQr51FChn-HxpOqjexQoOjTnAFwEGIBBrM/s1600-h/marthanaturalcleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIBG2SjCvULs3QHnWBGLe9_bDlyKsOvSY8fcKMjedWCeeKUqWl191DrfNfeOTqUDPLXnk5fJ88zPJcO7VU72wdELd_A6eJVFNkIJ1aRPEUGfQr51FChn-HxpOqjexQoOjTnAFwEGIBBrM/s400/marthanaturalcleaning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/">source</a></span></span></div></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baking Soda</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Distilled White Vinegar</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lemon Juice</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Light Olive Oil</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Club Soda</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Isopropyl (Rubbing) Alcohol</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cornstarch</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lemons</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Purified Water (only necessary if the water in your tap is too hard/soft)</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Borax</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Washing Soda (cleans as well as Borax; but also softens the water - optional)</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Castille Soap</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vegetable Glycerin</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil (antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic properties)</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Organic Lavender Essential Oil&nbsp;(antimicrobial, antiseptic properties)</span></li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Organic Lemon Essential Oil (antimicrobial, antiseptic, insecticidal properties)</span></li> </ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuBsLonvxaJ-PfyQ80LIxfK_otBJ7wc33PqEvnZWu1l__3ZWt9pT5rCJB3sjx4r_imCOfBzJ2NemR4qdXBbWBKA0-wU_gR1O_WvlUdaPbNnYvmo5OSIRNJsmcp5gacXLXBo0biRow9rPe/s1600-h/pure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuBsLonvxaJ-PfyQ80LIxfK_otBJ7wc33PqEvnZWu1l__3ZWt9pT5rCJB3sjx4r_imCOfBzJ2NemR4qdXBbWBKA0-wU_gR1O_WvlUdaPbNnYvmo5OSIRNJsmcp5gacXLXBo0biRow9rPe/s400/pure.jpg" width="337" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can purchase these ingredients at your local supermarket, but some of them (essential oils, castille soap, vegetable glycerin) may be more difficult to find. Try looking in your local Whole Foods or any natural foods/health market. Since I end up using so much of the stuff, particularly baking soda, vinegar, castille soap, and those beloved essential oils - I try to buy in bulk.&nbsp;</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While they don't have the vinegar - they do carry just about everything else - and maybe other products you'll be wanting from other recipes later this week. I highly recommend my beloved Mountain Rose Herbs. They carry primarily certified organic products, and if it's not organic - it's sustainably harvested. And their <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/about/guiding.html">business practices</a> would make <a href="http://www.rachelcarson.org/Biography.aspx">Rachel Carson</a> proud. (You can also click-thru to their site directly from the banner ad at the bottom of my blog).</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now that you know the ingredients for a well-stocked, merciless-on-funk and gentle to your bodies and the planet, cleaning kit are so simple - feel free to go on your own zealous </span><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4528072_dispose-old-cleaning-products.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">disposal</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> tirade. Just make sure to check with your local waste provider as to the proper disposal method for these chemicals.&nbsp;</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaObduY4PrERSxtRuX_9DFEew1b-mCrgLfv2D8HUSR6pLIMimPVW0PhfCYAxrm_cJwCJqphCAnViiY-DA7waRAEoTyKYAUGsAVR2ywDnzkBKyKGFdhnEt6hxfT_MiNi29og4yCdfrJNNuP/s1600-h/oscargarbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaObduY4PrERSxtRuX_9DFEew1b-mCrgLfv2D8HUSR6pLIMimPVW0PhfCYAxrm_cJwCJqphCAnViiY-DA7waRAEoTyKYAUGsAVR2ywDnzkBKyKGFdhnEt6hxfT_MiNi29og4yCdfrJNNuP/s400/oscargarbage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://plastic-sfoonss.xanga.com/?nextdate=1/9/2010%2019:6:29.460">source</a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Never flush down the toilet; and especially </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">never mix bleach and ammonia, it's a lethal combination.</span></b><br /> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></b><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Later today, I'll be back with the agenda for the week, so you can know in particular which days you definitely want to check in, if not all - not to mention: what's ahead.</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Best,</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tara</span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/eco-cleaning-how-to-week-kickoff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-6549600604330339719Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:00:00 +00002010-03-19T11:00:02.969-07:00eco cleanEco Friendlyeco-clean how-togreen cleaningspring cleaning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvkXMm4S_xeqkDut2Vqn4sXJGzrnM8z7XtwQhgHYaQdtf1BLFUZyP6QsKpFvWRX40Zxf20qExBfWKLA9cxTTJYQcU9u545N_5uPb8BGz1nKHLlOZEFXHJNoOaDA8wMXo-sJeQc1Lh9iJd/s1600-h/evaecocleanbutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvkXMm4S_xeqkDut2Vqn4sXJGzrnM8z7XtwQhgHYaQdtf1BLFUZyP6QsKpFvWRX40Zxf20qExBfWKLA9cxTTJYQcU9u545N_5uPb8BGz1nKHLlOZEFXHJNoOaDA8wMXo-sJeQc1Lh9iJd/s320/evaecocleanbutton.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did you learn how to clean growing up? I didn't. Not that the lessons weren't forced down my throat: chores, chores, and more chores. (By the way, if you're reading this Mom and Dad, we can dispute these facts later, like when Marley's of chore-forcing age.) But the how-to's, the why-for's, and the little tricks to make it easier weren't really taught. Well, maybe they were and I just wasn't really interested.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVYlNpALY-RnaemUhVcFHwJTr5SgxWxPqOR1tloUvuBrD6AM7Znv1E3fpWl6Z4p5LHsFAd1matJEQa1cGdgeqil17eMXBxq8tACqY4eusvTjYKPFbClmdy2I2B-C05MFj6eAr6pN-ARzG/s1600-h/bored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVYlNpALY-RnaemUhVcFHwJTr5SgxWxPqOR1tloUvuBrD6AM7Znv1E3fpWl6Z4p5LHsFAd1matJEQa1cGdgeqil17eMXBxq8tACqY4eusvTjYKPFbClmdy2I2B-C05MFj6eAr6pN-ARzG/s640/bored.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.google.it/reader/view/feed/http://lecinema.tumblr.com/rs"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Up until my mid-to-late twenties, when I finally got my own place (no more housemates with OCD, no more co-dependent boyfriends whose definition of clean was <i>way</i> less lax than mine); I had proudly considered myself "Domestically Disabled".&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLzOkcqFWTAbtA7i9KBk9A_isnC4ymZ6DVPoBWS6EFqPUhgjIPeh_8dFRKNExoYorbqp-H73F4bO_OruTJ_IRLYJ5S8rPzdUv8uIS6REYQU4vPTDNgSMPPuQ_AbV6ikxuPnkbjmpZV747/s1600-h/domesticallydisabled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLzOkcqFWTAbtA7i9KBk9A_isnC4ymZ6DVPoBWS6EFqPUhgjIPeh_8dFRKNExoYorbqp-H73F4bO_OruTJ_IRLYJ5S8rPzdUv8uIS6REYQU4vPTDNgSMPPuQ_AbV6ikxuPnkbjmpZV747/s640/domesticallydisabled.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.annetaintor.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Quite honestly, until there was no one to turn to for those tedious dishes, taking out the trash, or washing the laundry; my definition of clean was at best an embarrassing idiosyncrasy and at worst a major character flaw. I'm sure depending when and whom you asked - it really could be both. Mid-to-late twenties are certainly a time for character growth and this "quirk" was no exception: it was time to hang up the tiara.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUoE4X9dSeb03O06Yy1cioy2LhpM_Z6HqBwYqsubfs7-4f9VZDzxVNFDhydNdZ2NRgdQTV-AClFuTHbKKEJ9wC-bn31a5ap9whfVVkBYWVIRg4WbrluKi4cNyF4ARcA3b_gfeZ0uiO1tD/s1600-h/tiaratorest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUoE4X9dSeb03O06Yy1cioy2LhpM_Z6HqBwYqsubfs7-4f9VZDzxVNFDhydNdZ2NRgdQTV-AClFuTHbKKEJ9wC-bn31a5ap9whfVVkBYWVIRg4WbrluKi4cNyF4ARcA3b_gfeZ0uiO1tD/s640/tiaratorest.jpg" width="539" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I embarked on the journey to learn a whole new life subject, the long-disdained, home economics. Surely I came to master the once-foreign laundromat, iron, wash those tedious dishes, mop floors to shine and not stick, clean glass without streaks, make my bathroom sparkle. It was like I had become a Pod Person. It truly was an amazing transformation, aided not only by the first lone apartment; but the metamorphosis of motherhood that begins with those nesting instincts. With minimal elbow grease and the chemical alchemy of <a href="http://www.scjbrands.com/">SC Johnson (A Family Company)</a>&nbsp;products, my apartment was sparkling clean.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLRYz63_LXoD89alTSI4ogXnBZ-6r71OumXdUil_gIX10coHzRIRGmBRGuAOLCLYX5gqsKwwDhY9MDWn8Kwz8XNZhvNJXwcwU7BJXsoo6eBfKRlHXztH-4trG7YHw3hLrx4B-qj2cf00B/s1600-h/banskymaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLRYz63_LXoD89alTSI4ogXnBZ-6r71OumXdUil_gIX10coHzRIRGmBRGuAOLCLYX5gqsKwwDhY9MDWn8Kwz8XNZhvNJXwcwU7BJXsoo6eBfKRlHXztH-4trG7YHw3hLrx4B-qj2cf00B/s640/banskymaid.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://flickr.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I began to wonder about this baby growing inside me, and the world she would inherit - and what was in those chemicals anyway? How were they affecting her growth? So it seems strange to me; and probably people that knew me not too terribly long ago, that I should be advising, illustrating, and professing the benefits of Eco-Cleaning for a week on this here little blog. But it's going to be great - and I do have a lot to share with you - and hey, it's free. Even if it is from a Pod Person.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9cnAjMFZpufLMBfUJ5XInta_NH9c7H08dh-n98SC_p6eEtq2J11CGBlzo-RBY_EF_ddfifrSeRQ4iOQ5N1bq6MGo8AdgTLscHnbHydeMrC__VnVbWjbNQ98hr4fngg3KaqnbnF7yXA_E/s1600-h/worldinherhands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9cnAjMFZpufLMBfUJ5XInta_NH9c7H08dh-n98SC_p6eEtq2J11CGBlzo-RBY_EF_ddfifrSeRQ4iOQ5N1bq6MGo8AdgTLscHnbHydeMrC__VnVbWjbNQ98hr4fngg3KaqnbnF7yXA_E/s400/worldinherhands.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://her0in-chic.xanga.com/?nextdate=1/28/2010%2018:42:42.660">source</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Save the date: Check in on the blog from March 20th (this Saturday, Spring Equinox) - March 26th </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/domestically-disabled.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-6113359653604216062Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:54:00 +00002010-03-18T09:54:11.149-07:00easy to love difficult to disciplinehumorparentingpotty training<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Being a parent is by far the most rewarding and the most challenging position I've ever taken on in my life. I can think of only one thing more challenging, probably being a soldier. And nothing remotely as rewarding - although saving lives in any capacity is definitely up there. That's how intense it is - like life and death. Not always, but it stretches you to the limits of who you think you are, everyday; and that is no easy task. You will love like you never imagined possible.&nbsp;</div></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdmpHZ6lugamL2RZsmAvvnsge10aJGYKXtYTFNE3OJeQ3_t3CQk-eQujQI6aBL49-YbbtHW1WGPk3TJ1FI0Y-umGtBYFE8uXCPTCjyXw0Swfd72dVzoZeBEFQS-NoQmsn8TNt28BWB_QK/s1600-h/knowlovelikeneverbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdmpHZ6lugamL2RZsmAvvnsge10aJGYKXtYTFNE3OJeQ3_t3CQk-eQujQI6aBL49-YbbtHW1WGPk3TJ1FI0Y-umGtBYFE8uXCPTCjyXw0Swfd72dVzoZeBEFQS-NoQmsn8TNt28BWB_QK/s640/knowlovelikeneverbefore.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.tumblr.com/dashboard">source</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And, you will at times, turn into some sort of devil-woman you never knew was inside you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is easy to love your child, but it is really hard to remain composed at all times. As you know, I've read innumerous books on the subject, attend parenting classes, and have a close circle of parent friends to kvetch or delight with; but still I have found I am just not going to be that perfect mother I thought I could be when Marley was a little bun in the oven...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhira6XnxfRCcgsv2nglMne_FPuCt5EKje_11k0g_Cn1TKNmjOmZJ5KTzPqofj-6q1ak1UXuZmUEhZCWS2aL6bb6_ery48s7b-cEo07I5Lo66iMF3e1et0G-Bo-5_ZQwbEzfB2uSwGGw5aT/s1600-h/perfectmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhira6XnxfRCcgsv2nglMne_FPuCt5EKje_11k0g_Cn1TKNmjOmZJ5KTzPqofj-6q1ak1UXuZmUEhZCWS2aL6bb6_ery48s7b-cEo07I5Lo66iMF3e1et0G-Bo-5_ZQwbEzfB2uSwGGw5aT/s320/perfectmom.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21516981">source</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or even when she was this tiny. (look how sweet she is!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NqAbSga9sgwlWq-genag5wOj6kzexYxzDF78qDDH04hqwQu34jHt2y6Wd-Gl98gDttWtV0I3kGHcTbWPPG36qtZMiePIP61Jj2jSuBCerIseWMysGMOnx-gDEPiKpik7Ld82_Si-l4bs/s1600-h/Marleyholdmyhand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NqAbSga9sgwlWq-genag5wOj6kzexYxzDF78qDDH04hqwQu34jHt2y6Wd-Gl98gDttWtV0I3kGHcTbWPPG36qtZMiePIP61Jj2jSuBCerIseWMysGMOnx-gDEPiKpik7Ld82_Si-l4bs/s400/Marleyholdmyhand.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your child will teach you, inspire you, make you laugh...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J0Or8Zf0PyvBil2jYDOTOQnMt_31mD1kxVTyl_ZSrdvbBEezThyZlxKu7xkH5ae5SFULv0H5Z1L-DpYa9rqbySrZYqi942NMSIh6HqKxKpn84SHkRXlO0Y3A45GpQ3qaf0kTjv2Ofns9/s1600-h/babyteach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7J0Or8Zf0PyvBil2jYDOTOQnMt_31mD1kxVTyl_ZSrdvbBEezThyZlxKu7xkH5ae5SFULv0H5Z1L-DpYa9rqbySrZYqi942NMSIh6HqKxKpn84SHkRXlO0Y3A45GpQ3qaf0kTjv2Ofns9/s400/babyteach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://vi.sualize.us/view/b1b39bc2056b7adebf1badc802f7c898/">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxCijtWy313mAx3_rYmLYEDUWQlInVCtS9sB1I-3oQh66riPVYTknCux-iyvcmwNBaigKvrSwjiSF_pySoiF3wT03TmYBEp3RrhUo6dW45I77ExFBMnqDQcKHrP3JMyfnV1QLp4tf8uAZ/s1600-h/fearlessbabytiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxCijtWy313mAx3_rYmLYEDUWQlInVCtS9sB1I-3oQh66riPVYTknCux-iyvcmwNBaigKvrSwjiSF_pySoiF3wT03TmYBEp3RrhUo6dW45I77ExFBMnqDQcKHrP3JMyfnV1QLp4tf8uAZ/s320/fearlessbabytiger.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://danfortes.tumblr.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And one day, being naked will become a top priority for your sweet thing - and you'll be so excited, because along with being naked, comes an extreme interest in the potty. Diapers be gone!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5HkOvEDcLka6ZxRAhV0bwbsmeQc2ZogByN7hTdLPe3N3gQxmeqEF7vPB6JtHawVuLpluTA7EmF2PRM5_Ob_YDGWafbeik3Bu-DuwOpOEo1ihoI6Da8qcenB95LDlp2gwKztibL5KHFgu/s1600-h/nakedbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5HkOvEDcLka6ZxRAhV0bwbsmeQc2ZogByN7hTdLPe3N3gQxmeqEF7vPB6JtHawVuLpluTA7EmF2PRM5_Ob_YDGWafbeik3Bu-DuwOpOEo1ihoI6Da8qcenB95LDlp2gwKztibL5KHFgu/s400/nakedbaby.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7254249@N03/473617383">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GBEkA4owU6j87uTlxOmmVf-zcM0e0x7z5bYaSMDnRQ4AuthM2WSxmy3Dj68cmdlyAfoWU62NsO0uCNS2dThxSEeKbdj-m1ndBwBISyfoPpokMRl__fMwK3_dFlusKoD2YvszjtKgoiI9/s1600-h/tykeonthepotty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GBEkA4owU6j87uTlxOmmVf-zcM0e0x7z5bYaSMDnRQ4AuthM2WSxmy3Dj68cmdlyAfoWU62NsO0uCNS2dThxSEeKbdj-m1ndBwBISyfoPpokMRl__fMwK3_dFlusKoD2YvszjtKgoiI9/s320/tykeonthepotty.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://eyeslit.tumblr.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then, your child will teach you what it's like to feel terrorized as she rips her diaper off, runs around the room in circles; and as all of your parenting lessons fly out the window you shout, beg, scream, "No! No! Don't Do IT!"...and, She pees <i>all</i> over your carpet.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh-xeAGURxAOvB597Jki3P_mPFCiUzzg0k-LdYEa51wadMsRBcv69OKMo7Oz-AzuQkjSqqpaYI_l0eced0wwC9v8wBvBl4O4AknOq4yr56W5lo19R8fiRrL7nCCjXKhP6WotOti-KzboC/s1600-h/oopspeepeeillustration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHh-xeAGURxAOvB597Jki3P_mPFCiUzzg0k-LdYEa51wadMsRBcv69OKMo7Oz-AzuQkjSqqpaYI_l0eced0wwC9v8wBvBl4O4AknOq4yr56W5lo19R8fiRrL7nCCjXKhP6WotOti-KzboC/s320/oopspeepeeillustration.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laviniacarvalho/2627566781/">source</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAnHjeMCzd2sbkyglhbzkWokK0WEpoJe8YA5tHJcLfkZBF8mKuy0DFXAAszNGs9fM-JhtqYw77FmBQ4F7244SwWNgw5vXStW7ZGNAYJLQndKkf0yxmad49AGlfKV8-PJ5rdu9Va7czkXv/s1600-h/nowpanicandfreakout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAnHjeMCzd2sbkyglhbzkWokK0WEpoJe8YA5tHJcLfkZBF8mKuy0DFXAAszNGs9fM-JhtqYw77FmBQ4F7244SwWNgw5vXStW7ZGNAYJLQndKkf0yxmad49AGlfKV8-PJ5rdu9Va7czkXv/s400/nowpanicandfreakout.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/">source</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As she rubs her hands around in it and you try to regain your composure whilst heading for the cleaning supplies, muttering like Yosemite Sam, you realize your child is growing up, exploring, and has just taught you again - how much you can love.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC6kw314uSd13NcBhEdh_3rMXK360x4Gcqio8uI4GhsVsWc3Wv14YMIfBqumDSsOK0QQpM-rW8w4Qgjh_oE13V8jnru5fO6x3td-PmzUUAapMGgboCbbImRtUft3lyp9r28aBplR4WlxS/s1600-h/babylove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC6kw314uSd13NcBhEdh_3rMXK360x4Gcqio8uI4GhsVsWc3Wv14YMIfBqumDSsOK0QQpM-rW8w4Qgjh_oE13V8jnru5fO6x3td-PmzUUAapMGgboCbbImRtUft3lyp9r28aBplR4WlxS/s400/babylove.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://chalepa-ta-kala.livejournal.com/friends/mustread">source</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-much-you-can-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6336266309075490093.post-1559697251824668836Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:06:00 +00002010-03-17T09:06:11.778-07:00<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Good Morning, Sunshines!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That was an exciting giveaway for my blog - and I am so touched for Abigail by all of the incredibly lovely comments you've had for her. I'm putting together a little document with all of those sweet little nothings from you dear, darling readers - so that she can turn to it if she's ever feeling down, uninspired, or whatever - how we artists get.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Meanwhile, using <a href="http://random.org/">Random.org</a> (a truly cool Interweb find for the math dork in all of us), we've haphazardly determined the winner!&nbsp;</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">MARCH 10, 2010 3:44 PM &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Emily said...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the placements and would love the Elephant pencil case!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will be contacting you by email today, Emily - in the event you aren't religiously and faithfully reading the blog.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">For those of you that didn't win this giveaway - don't despair,&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgett4hpo2tMY35RYOHeHvAdnF-_fG7T9Q1U2EKmst3rJ8k6c0DAGGk3YBRh6jHXrPNzq3fPALJ460_kUyV_WEVwMGtjytwA2mm1Dpuy622dB1B0do9OER6KDs0AYSVbABszAZFkjigB2yQ/s1600-h/despair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgett4hpo2tMY35RYOHeHvAdnF-_fG7T9Q1U2EKmst3rJ8k6c0DAGGk3YBRh6jHXrPNzq3fPALJ460_kUyV_WEVwMGtjytwA2mm1Dpuy622dB1B0do9OER6KDs0AYSVbABszAZFkjigB2yQ/s400/despair.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ktylerconk/2289713627/">source</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">those sweet pencil cases are only $10 a pop; and Abigail has extended the secret sale to my readers! Just type "ELANVITAL" at the Message to Seller for an additional 15% off.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> </div></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com http://elanvitalanthology.etsy.com</div>http://elanvitalanthology.blogspot.com/2010/03/ae-wilder-giveaway-winner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tara)0