tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79320525418762613282024-03-18T21:32:21.815-07:00The Wife LifeGraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-11252298013381720062014-06-03T14:09:00.000-07:002015-09-10T18:16:32.738-07:00Guess Who's BackHello everyone and anyone who is still subscribed to me here or perhaps has happened upon this blog through Pinterest.<br />
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I apologize for the much longer hiatus than I had predicted back in 2012. After taking that break over the summer, I could not find the motivation to get back into it. Finding two new eco-challenges each week to change, implement, photograph, and write about was getting to be frustrating for me.<br />
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However I am very excited to announce that I am now blogging again at a new web address. My new blog will continue to be about very eco-friendly, natural, healthy topics with lots of do it yourself posts. It's also going to expand to be a little more personal and open up the lines for me to talk about other areas of life that I'm passionate about such as ethical practices, living simply, mindfulness, social causes, and living on a budget.<br />
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I'm using a new platform, but you can still subscribe or just check in on your own as you wish. I'm feeling enthusiastic about this new venture, and I hope you will join me! You can hop on over to the new site here:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.heartfulhabits.com/">Heartful Habits</a></span></div>
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GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-47343188174879533962012-07-02T09:14:00.000-07:002012-07-02T09:18:08.175-07:00A Blog to RememberIt's another long weekend here for us in Canada. Happy Canada Day! Normally I don't post on holidays, but today I have an announcement. Lately I've been finding it harder to get my posts written about new and interesting things twice a week each week. Now with summer here, I am thinking it is going to get even busier. For this reason, I am going to be taking a bit of a hiatus from The Wife Life. I will no longer be posting new material through the summer. Come September I will see where I'm at and even where you are all at too. Though I won't be posting anymore, I hope you will still come back for reference on different recipes, remedies, and everything else we've discussed over the last year a half. Here are the most popular posts to get you started:<br />
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9. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/07/lost-my-marbles.html">Lost My Marbles</a></b> - how to make a fried marble necklace<br />
8. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/11/scent-of-home-air-freshener.html">The Scent of Home: Air Freshener</a></b> - deodorizing<span id="goog_1515223218"></span><span id="goog_1515223219"></span> spray recipe<br />
7. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/01/shampoo-yah.html">Shampoo-yah</a></b> - shampoo recipe<br />
6. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2012/02/natural-deodorant-stick-recipe.html">Natural Deodorant Stick Recipe</a></b> - pretty well says it all<br />
5. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/01/milk-beyond-nutrition.html">Milk, Beyond Nutrition</a></b> - facial cleanser recipe<br />
4. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/10/lavender-love-lotion-bars.html">Lavender Love Lotion Bars</a></b> - lotion bar recipe<br />
3. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/02/lesson-in-fat-cells.html">A Lesson in Fat Cells</a></b> - cellulite scrub recipe<br />
2. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/02/hair-raising-results.html">Hair Raising Results</a></b> - hot oil hair treatment recipe<br />
1. <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/02/bye-bye-blackheads.html">Bye-Bye Blackheads</a></b> - facial scrub recipe<br />
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I appreciate each one of you who have been reading and especially commenting. It means so much to me. I wish you all the best on your journeys towards ever increasingly more natural, healthy, eco-friendly lives.<br />
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I'd love to end off by hearing what your favourite post has been. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you!</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-20125800813089853412012-06-28T07:45:00.000-07:002012-06-28T07:45:13.338-07:00Arnica RescueAfter my sister told me about arnica, and I found it in an ointment for 50% off at <b><a href="http://www.saje.ca/">Saje</a></b>, I knew I had to try it. Arnica Rescue is an acute injury ointment. It is 100% natural and contains only arnica montana flower, olive oil, and beeswax.<br />
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Arnica is a homeopathic remedy used for swelling, bruises, sprains, breaks, soft tissue, tendon, and muscular damage. It alleviates swelling and reduces healing time. It has been used and recommended by homeopaths for more than 200 years and is also frequently used by professional athletes.<br />
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I am currently using it on my bruised and swollen calf from white water rafting. Using it as quickly as possible after the injury is ideal, and it has already done wonders for the swelling in my leg. My first use for it though was much more interesting. I have prepatellar bursitis in my knee. This means my bursa (tiny fluid filled sac) on my knee is inflamed which causes severe pain when any pressure is applied to the area (at its worst for me, even the weight of my pants touching my knee causes pain). The doctor didn't have any treatment options for me other than taking about 2,500 mg of ibuprofen a day and using a prescription anti-inflammatory cream. I avoid pills and prescriptions unless really necessary, so I opted for my Arnica Rescue along with some ice. The arnica ointment has really worked well in relieving the inflammation as well as speeding up my healing time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you use to relieve swelling?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-58893599549858489722012-06-18T08:13:00.000-07:002012-06-18T08:13:59.046-07:00Homemade Maple GranolaBrad and I used to be big cereal eaters until we learned that it's actually not so good for you. As an adult I avoided high sugar cereals, choosing boxes that boasted of whole grains and high fibre. I think pretty well everyone knows that Lucky Charms isn't the best option, but it turns out that even the "healthy" cereals like Vector or Special K, aren't good options either. Commercial cereals are put through high heat, high pressure processes which strip the grains of most nutritional value they had. It also destroys the structure of the amino acids which leaves them potentially harmful to our bodies. Even the fortified cereals are pretty well useless, nutritionally speaking, because the vitamins added are man made. The body treats many of these odd "vitamins" as toxins and eliminates them as quickly as possible.<br />
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Making granola is something that I have been wanting to do for a long time ever since I learned all this. We've been buying muesli in place of cereal, but I knew it had to be overpriced compared to making it at home. I always had it in my head that making granola would be some long, complicated process, so I put it off. Well, I finally did it, and it was so easy! This recipe has my own alterations from a recipe at <b><a href="http://www.ebfarm.com/recipes/earthbound-farms-famous-maple-almond-granola">Earthbound Farm</a></b>'s website. You can add or remove any grains, seeds, nuts, and dried fruit as you like.<br />
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<u>The Wife Life Maple Granola</u><br />
-4 1/2 c steel cut oats (not quick cook)<br />
-3/4 c raw sunflower seeds<br />
-1 1/2 c raw almonds (coarsely chop)<br />
-1/4 c flax seeds<br />
-1/4 c hemp seeds<br />
-2 tbsp ground cinnamon<br />
-1 c maple agave syrup<br />
-1/4 c honey<br />
-1/3 c extra virgin olive oil<br />
-1 c raisins<br />
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1. Preheat oven to 325 F.<br />
2. Place oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir.<br />
3. Add syrup and oil. Stir until moistened.<br />
5. Spread mixture on a rimmed baking sheet.<br />
6. Bake for about 25 min until begins to brown. Take out and stir.<br />
7. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown and dry. Take out and stir.<br />
8. Put the baking sheet on a cooling rack. Add the raisins and stir. Allow to cool.<br />
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We both really like this granola. We eat it just with milk (rice milk) in place of cereal for breakfast. It's cheaper than buying muesli or granola in the store, and tastes way better than the store bought stuff too. This size recipe lasted us about a month eating it 5 days a week each. It's so simple to replace different seeds, nuts, etc to change it up sometimes too. It would also be good served as a topping on different foods such as yogurt.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you made your own granola? What do you eat for a healthy breakfast?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-86496560906693263132012-06-11T08:19:00.000-07:002015-11-12T09:50:22.536-08:00A Fresher Night's Sleep: Mattress CleanerBaking soda has so many uses. This weekend we tried out a new one to us. Cleaning the mattress! I have pretty bad allergies, so I am always somewhat concerned about dust especially in our bedroom (though most of the time not concerned enough to do much about it). Our mattress is<i> ooold</i>. It's the mattress I grew up sleeping on and brought along when we got married. Since in bed is where I spend 8-10 hours a day, I decided it was high time to clean it and found a natural way to do so.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-size: x-large; text-align: start;">I've moved to a new website! Head on over to <a href="http://www.heartfulhabits.com/how-to-clean-your-mattress-and-get-rid-of-dust-mites/">Heartful Habits</a> for the natural mattress cleaner recipe. Thanks!</b></span></div>
GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com82tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-73034440882138770572012-06-07T08:51:00.000-07:002012-06-07T08:51:36.333-07:00Ethical Ocean: An Online MarketplaceI just discovered a new (to me) online marketplace that really piqued my interest. It's called <b><a href="http://www.ethicalocean.com/i/p5g3qt1">Ethical Ocean</a></b>. It does require you to sign up, though it is simple. After signing up, you're asking to invite 2 friends to join as well, and this is my invitation to all of you.<br />
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To get a better idea of what the organization is all about, from their website, here is Ethical Ocean's vision:<br />
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Our purchasing decisions affect our society and the planet.<br />
It’s up to each of us to know what we are buying and why—and how each
product we spend our dollars on impacts other people, animals, and the
environment.<br />
But that doesn’t mean we have to know everything. We can share our
knowledge, and ideas, to help one another choose wisely. That’s what
Ethical Ocean is all about.</blockquote>
I love it. To cultivate this vision, every seller and item on their website must qualify for at least one of three designations: Good for People, Good for Animals or Good for the Environment. At present, they list more than 2300 products on sale from 210 ethical vendors and producers. They have items in all the categories of fashion, health and beauty, kids and babies, electronics, home and garden, food and drink, and "everything else." I was especially impressed to see an electronics section, as I know that they are a large problem area.<br />
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If this has piqued your interest as well, I encourage you to check them out <b><a href="http://www.ethicalocean.com/i/p5g3qt1">here</a></b>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Where do you find ethically made and sold products?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-16747511867810581392012-06-04T08:16:00.000-07:002014-07-13T15:55:29.177-07:00Oven Dried StrawberriesI have become quite adept at picking out fruit that is still good from the day old or discount section of the grocery store. I get fruit from there then cut it up and freeze it or use it quickly for juicing <span style="font-size: small;">(hey, juicing is another good idea for a future post)</span>. For half price! I get a rush when I get blackberries for a deal this way. Last time I picked up 2 lbs of strawberries, but we already had plenty of frozen strawberries. Wanting to try something new, I decided we should dehydrate them. We don't have a dehydrater, so this is an in the oven method.<br />
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<u>Oven Dried Strawberries</u><br />
-strawberries<br />
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1. Quarter strawberries. Spread out on a baking sheet.<br />
2. Dry in oven at 210° F for 3 hours. Leave oven door slightly ajar for the last hour.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">They're not much to look at, but they taste amazing!</span></div>
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Soon after making these we went with a group of friends on a 24 km biking trail, and <span style="font-size: small;">(along with other food)</span> these were such a fantastic snack to bring because they are easy to eat on the go and share around. Everyone agreed they are tasty. These dried strawberries are chewy and sweet with a strong strawberry flavour. Dried fruit of all kinds pack a big punch in a little package as well being high in fibre and nutrient dense. I love to snack on these.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you ever dried your own fruit?</span><br />
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*Note:
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I'm now using a new platform, but you can still subscribe or just check in on your own as you wish. I'm feeling enthusiastic about this new venture, and I hope you will join me! You can hop on over to the new site here:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://agracepoint.tumblr.com/">Gracepoint</a></b></span><br />
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GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-20097052769324917392012-05-31T08:20:00.001-07:002012-05-31T08:20:13.412-07:00Norwex Series: Dry MopToday we are moving on in our <b><a href="http://norwex.com/">Norwex</a></b> series from cloths and onto mops, woohoo! There is a telescopic handle which snaps onto an swiveling aluminum mop base that has velcro. The velcro then attaches onto the different types of mop pads. For a long time I have been using the dry mop pad. It was one of my first purchases. Before that I had been an avid Swiffer Sweeper user. When I become more conscious of waste and disposable products, I knew the Swiffer had to go. This was the perfect replacement.<br />
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The dry mop pad is ideal for sweeping and dusting. Its fibres pick up the tiny particles of dust, dirt, hair, crumbs, etc. Of course, using it on the floor is great. On top of that, it also works well for cleaning ceilings, walls, fans, and high windows.</div>
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I love my dry mop pad. I use it mostly on our floors, and it does fantastic picking up hair, dog fur, dust, and dirt in our house. It's still quick and easy to clean off. I use an old toothbrush to remove the dust and hair from the mop pad. It doesn't need to be washed after each use, and when it does, it just goes in the washing machine. The mop pad definitely saves a lot of waste from the one-time-use type of sweepers.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you use to sweep/dust the floors?</span></div>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-2059769486016421732012-05-28T08:28:00.000-07:002012-05-28T08:28:24.061-07:00"Cream" of Broccoli SoupWe are vegetarians, and while I can't see us becoming vegans (at least not any time soon), we do have concerns about where our eggs and dairy products come from. For this reason, we do our best to get higher quality, local, etc products or avoid certain items all together. And sometimes it's just fun to try a vegan recipe. This post is a little bit of both.<br />
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<u>Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup</u> <span style="font-size: small;">(found at <b><a href="http://www.takepart.com/photos/meatless-mondays">Take Part</a></b> as part of their Meatless Monday recipe collection)</span><br />
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2 bunches broccoli<br />
1 tbsp olive oil<br />
1 onion<br />
4 c vegetable stock<br />
1 russet potato<br />
salt and pepper<br />
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1. Chop florets and stalk of broccoli. Set aside.<br />
2. Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, and sweat about 10 minutes.<br />
3. Add stock and chopped potato. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until soft (about 12 minutes).<br />
4. Stir in chopped broccoli. Simmer until soft (about 10 minutes).<br />
5. Remove from heat and puree in a blender until smooth.<br />
6. Salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, drizzle with olive oil, good vinegar, or a squeeze of lemon. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Served with fresh home baked bread. Yum!</span></div>
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I loved this soup. To start with, it was so quick and simple to make. It is definitely up there in my list of favourite soups in regard to flavour as well. It was also satisfying and filling without being heavy. It is perfect for dipping with bread. It was a soup I couldn't get enough of. As soon as one spoonful was in my mouth, I wanted another one.<br />
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I wanted to share this recipe because even though most of you out there are not vegetarians, I think that reducing meat consumption is a viable option for everyone willing. If<i> </i>for <i>one day a week</i> everyone in the States ate meatless, it would be the
environmental equivalent of <b>not driving 91 billion miles</b>. Or, according to Rodale, if<i></i> just one day a week every family in the US left out<i> meat and cheese</i>, it would reap the
environmental benefits of taking the family car <b>off of the road for five
full weeks</b>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What is your favourite meatless, or even vegan, meal?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-13090552939961329402012-05-24T08:21:00.000-07:002012-05-24T08:21:48.881-07:00Norwex Series: Face/Body ClothsThis is definitely my most used <b><a href="http://norwex.com/">Norwex</a></b> product. Yes, it is another cloth. We'll move on soon enough, but their cloths are just so fantastic. Without being too redundant, I just want to quickly mention that these cloths are also made of the higher quality microfibre. They are woven with silver as well which makes them antibacterial. You can read about those two components in more detail in the <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2012/05/norwex-series-enviro-cloth.html">enviro cloth post</a></b>. These cloths however are designed for personal use. (Yes, Norwex sells personal care items too!) They are called body cloths, but I use them on my face.<br />
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<a href="http://norwex.com/images/products/309043-Body-Pack-natural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://norwex.com/images/products/309043-Body-Pack-natural.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://norwex.com/category.php?lng=7&ctg=3&cnt=38">{photo source}</a></span></div>
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The body cloths are ideal for regular body or facial cleansing. Because of the silver again, all you need is the cloth and water. Use them in the shower, in the bath, or at the sink. I don't wear make up, but I have heard from others that they are incredibly effective even in removing make up (just with water). They are also gently exfoliating.<br />
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I love, love, love the body cloths. I recommend them to everyone. As I've written about before (particularly <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/04/when-you-want-to-go-au-naturale.html">here</a></b> and <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/10/excuse-me-you-have-food-on-your-face.html">here</a></b>), I have a long history with unfortunate skin blemishes. As such, I was wary of trying something that seemed so simple. Yet washing my face twice a day with just water and this cloth works! Another friend of mine who has shared my skin related woes has also converted to using just these cloths for her face as well with the same success. I do still use a spot treatment, the <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2012/03/natural-zit-zapper.html">natural zit zapper</a></b>, but there are no cleansers, soaps, creams, or anything else that go on my face. And my face is more clear than I ever could have imagined having before. It's healthier for me, better for the environment, and inexpensive! A one time purchase that will last years to come. I'd say that's the best of all worlds.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you use to wash your face?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-58565472101874203642012-05-17T08:18:00.000-07:002012-05-17T08:18:25.987-07:00Norwex Series: Window Cloth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the second cloth from <b><a href="http://www.norwex.com/">Norwex</a></b> that I use regularly, the window cloth. This cloth is also made of their higher quality microfibre which I discussed in more detail in the <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2012/05/norwex-series-enviro-cloth.html">enviro cloth post</a></b>. This cloth has a different weave and is much smoother though. It also has silver woven into the cloth making it antibacterial as well. The silver weave was also discussed in greater depth in the enviro cloth post as mentioned above. </div>
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<a href="http://www.norwex.com/images/products/305002-Window-Cloth_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.norwex.com/images/products/305002-Window-Cloth_3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.norwex.com/category.php?lng=7&ctg=1&cnt=38">{photo source}</a></span></div>
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The window cloth is perfect for any surface that needs to be polished such as windows, mirrors, faucets, jewelry, or any other shiny surface. For light cleaning/polishing, spray water onto the surface then wipe with the dry window cloth. For dirty objects, wash first with the wet enviro cloth, then wipe with the dry window cloth. Just the cloth(s) and water, and the result is always a bright, streak-free shine.<br />
<br />
I love using my window cloth because every time I wipe my bathroom mirror with it, the whole bathroom feels brighter and cleaner. Plus, I know it's better for me and the environment than Windex or any of its competitors. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you use for windows and mirrors?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-36845599718649693792012-05-14T08:29:00.000-07:002012-05-14T08:29:48.477-07:00Egg Shell Tea for the GardenBrad and I have been composting for about 9 months now (something that I keep meaning to write a post on, it will come soon). At first we put egg shells in along with our other food scraps, but lately we have found a better use for them. I know that putting egg shells in your compost is great, but it drives me crazy how they never ever <i>ever</i> seem to break down. For a while we went back to throwing them in the regular garbage, but I felt guilty about that. Now we get the nutrients in a faster process. I present to you, egg shell tea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4s4mKp-eufmhpnfshk-pFoY8YbLc46XO5NQmLlBoZL5zqXj8992XSxIIwxYuMHNnVud7zXmMIMErjbFRP6VPhd7P6l0nyyxGvPwrbCAOf_ZzDNm57k5iBwvll8e_qHp8u63bVynoA8y0/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4s4mKp-eufmhpnfshk-pFoY8YbLc46XO5NQmLlBoZL5zqXj8992XSxIIwxYuMHNnVud7zXmMIMErjbFRP6VPhd7P6l0nyyxGvPwrbCAOf_ZzDNm57k5iBwvll8e_qHp8u63bVynoA8y0/s320/IMG_0674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">J</span><span style="font-size: small;">ust kidding. But it is similar.</span></div>
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We crush and rinse the egg shells to make sure all the egg white is off of them. Then we soak the egg shells in water for 2-3 days usually. Then we use that water to water our plants. I use it particularly for the <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/06/adventures-in-horticulture.html">spider plant</a></b>, but also for the pot of spinach we are growing outside. I have noticed a big growth spurt specifically in our spider plant since I began to water with the "egg shell tea."<br />
<br />
Egg shells contain water soluble nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Soaking the shells allows me to quickly extract these nutrients and feed them to our plants. Egg shells are also alkaline, and thus using this water somewhat increases the pH level of the soil which is beneficial to some plants.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How do you use egg shells?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-13387975747601177822012-05-10T17:57:00.000-07:002012-05-10T17:57:57.589-07:00Norwex Series: Enviro ClothWhen talking about Norwex, the <b><a href="http://www.norwex.com/category.php?lng=7&ctg=1&cnt=38">Enviro Cloth</a></b> is the perfect place to begin for it is the product with which the company started. The Enviro Cloth is a microfibre cloth. Norwex boasts of their higher quality microfibre. Typical microfibre measures 1 denier while Norwex microfibre measures 0.14 denier (that's 1/100th the size of a stand of human hair). Because of this, it picks up and removes dirt and bacteria much more effectively. There is another extra-special component to the Enviro Cloth (as well as many other Norwex products). Silver is woven into the microfibre of these cloths. Silver is naturally antibacterial, and thus by using these cloths and water alone you will kill 99.99% of bacteria. No cleaners required. The silver also helps to keep the cloth itself clean, meaning you can use the cloth a few times and only rinse it out between washings. It also keeps your hands safe from a transfer of germs while using it and prevents cross contamination between surfaces. At every Norwex party I've been to, the consultant loves to shock the guests by informing us that we can safely use an Enviro Cloth to clean our toilet then go straight into the kitchen and wipe our counters. They have done tests with results showing that not only is there no cross over of bacteria from the toilet to the counters, but the counters are left cleaner afterwards.<br />
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<a href="http://www.norwex.com/images/products/300004-Enviro-Cloth-blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.norwex.com/images/products/300004-Enviro-Cloth-blue.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.norwex.com/category.php?lng=7&ctg=1&cnt=38">{photo source}</a></span></div>
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There are 2 ways to use these cloths: dry and wet.<br />
Dry - dusting (though I don't use it for this, I will get to what I do use later in this series)<br />
Wet - cleaning pretty well anything: counters, toilets, mirrors, sinks, walls, tiles, any metal surfaces, on and on<br />
<br />
I love my Enviro Cloths. The fact that it has replaced nearly every cleaner I could need has saved me so much money. I know that it is so much better for the environment as well not putting anything down the drain. Better for my health as well to not have my house contaminated with cleaner residues or inhaling their fumes. The cloths' effectiveness continues to impressive me each time I use it as well, so I am not sacrificing cleaning power. Plus, it is incredibly durable. I know I will be able to continue to use my same original cloths years from now (and it's guaranteed with a warranty).<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you think of the Enviro Cloth? What do you use for general cleaning?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-67575684799024491612012-05-07T07:56:00.000-07:002012-05-07T07:56:22.035-07:00Norwex Series: The CompanyI just went to a Norwex party this weekend, and it has reignited my love and enthusiasm for these products. I have briefly referenced <b><a href="http://www.norwex.com/">Norwex</a></b> products before, but not in much detail, so now I have decided to have a Norwex series discussing the items I use. Today I am going to start with the company itself.<br />
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<a href="http://www.norwex.com/images/logo1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.norwex.com/images/logo1.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.norwex.com/">{photo source}</a></span></div>
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As it reads on their website, "the Norwex mission is to improve quality of life by radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning." Their whole concept is to clean without chemicals. They even take it a step further by doing a lot of their cleaning just with water alongside their cloths. I love how the Senior Vice President words their theme as a "reverence for the value and beauty of all life on a healthy planet."<br />
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<a href="http://www.norwex.com/images/comp_image2_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.norwex.com/images/comp_image2_7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.norwex.com/">{photo source}</a></span> </div>
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So, what are these products I keep going on about? They have got everything you could need covering all the categories of:</div>
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-microfibre cloths</div>
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-mop pieces and accessories</div>
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-bath and body care</div>
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-home essentials</div>
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-kitchen cleaning</div>
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-personal care</div>
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-kids line</div>
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The Norwex products will save you time and money, improve health, and help protect the environment. Plus, they are the most effective cleaners I have used. I can't wait to dig into them more during the following posts of this series.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you heard of Norwex? Do you use any Norwex products?</span></div>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-69786624224282640582012-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:002012-04-30T08:00:11.515-07:00Eat Green: ChlorophyllWhen Brad and I signed up for a Nature's Sunshine discount card, we received a couple free gifts. One was <b><a href="http://www.energiseforlife.com/item_natures_sunshine_liquid_chlorophyll_SUNCHLORO.html">Nature's Sunshine Liquid Chlorophyll</a></b>. Now, I had only heard of chlorophyll before in my science classes. Chlorophyll is the molecule in plants which makes them green. It is also responsible for the process of photosynthesis, using the sun's energy to turn carbon dioxide and water into sugar (for the plant) and oxygen (for us). That was the extent of my knowledge on photosynthesis. I had no idea why I would want to intentionally consume it. The bottle of liquid chlorophyll sat around unopened for a while until I noticed them mentioning the benefits of chlorophyll in the <b><a href="http://www.hungryforchange.tv/">Hungry For Change</a></b> documentary. In fact, they included it as #2 in the Hungry for Change <b><a href="http://permacologyproductions.com/Hungry_For_Change/Hungry_For_Change_10_Step_Action_Guide.pdf">10 Step Action Plan</a></b>. I, of course, had always heard that you should "eat your greens," and now I know that chlorophyll is the reason why.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z30kZ2fyEsdUmnVYpeYMe9bqNsJK2yU5rFN9-KgeSMM4xsljbksntHaMukyCynvhuc84QKxIgRER3Zgssmma7PPp9ggK9nJTADmG00rxckhlWJXKtsDAOBAFa0bRz8rkIpkJdJ2nQVc/s1600/IMG_0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z30kZ2fyEsdUmnVYpeYMe9bqNsJK2yU5rFN9-KgeSMM4xsljbksntHaMukyCynvhuc84QKxIgRER3Zgssmma7PPp9ggK9nJTADmG00rxckhlWJXKtsDAOBAFa0bRz8rkIpkJdJ2nQVc/s320/IMG_0634.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Nature's Sunshine brand in particular isn't refined, highly processed, or sweetened.</span></div>
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So <b>why</b> should we make sure we get lots of greens?<br />
-the Hungry for Change crew promoted chlorophyll for its cleansing and detoxifying action in our bodies<br />
-is an antioxidant<br />
-fights infections and promotes healing <br />
-increases the quantity and quality of red blood cells (its molecular structure is identical to hemoglobin)<br />
-binds to and removes toxic heavy metals (such as mercury from dental fillings, etc) in the body<br />
-prevents cancer by protecting healthy cells from carcinogens<br />
-treats bad breath by deodorizing the mouth and throat <br />
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<b>How</b> do we make sure we get lots of chlorophyll?<br />
-eat it in natural food sources: spinach, romaine lettuce, kale, broccoli, green peppers, peas, brussel sprouts, green olives, sea vegetables, algae, anything green<br />
-drink it: liquid chlorophyll is a concentrated option that can be added to water, juice, or smoothies, and it is nearly tasteless, or juice your own green veggies<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How do you eat (or drink) green?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-53364063564940875032012-04-26T07:44:00.000-07:002014-07-13T15:55:00.095-07:00Natural Drain Cleaner FailMy husband is a scientist which means periodically we do science experiments in our house. Yesterday we made a volcano in our shower drain. Why, you ask. Because I keep reading and hearing that vinegar and baking soda are the best non toxic drain cleaner. I pretty well shed like a dog, and my hair has the nasty tendency to clog up our shower drain. In the past a plunger has always done the trick, but that is no longer working. I didn't want to use Drano, and I already had baking soda and vinegar in the house.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIYTdiM7bufhkudVMEEQ5UMh0X5R7hkLoRPLA8o9FHu2GRqNyLQZiVsiydXGW4ApJN8B-87rmhBbnUso58v-M-peScZJCxgGx7liP_vm0Pl5IwvKwOl088igvoVHWdF2w_xTKo48RNgc/s1600/IMG_0664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIYTdiM7bufhkudVMEEQ5UMh0X5R7hkLoRPLA8o9FHu2GRqNyLQZiVsiydXGW4ApJN8B-87rmhBbnUso58v-M-peScZJCxgGx7liP_vm0Pl5IwvKwOl088igvoVHWdF2w_xTKo48RNgc/s320/IMG_0664.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
We put:<br />
-1/8 c baking soda<br />
-1/8 c vinegar<br />
down the drain and shut the plug. We allowed that to sit for about 30 minutes. Then we poured hot water down the drain for about 2 minutes. That step almost killed me with guilt for the waste of water.<br />
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The results: It didn't work. Having the shower run for a few minutes still resulted in the tub filling up. I have heard so many people talk about this though, so I know it must work. I am turning to you now to ask for your experiences with this.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What did I do wrong?</span><br />
<br />
*Note:
<br />
I'm now using a new platform, but you can still subscribe or just check in on your own as you wish. I'm feeling enthusiastic about this new venture, and I hope you will join me! You can hop on over to the new site here:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://agracepoint.tumblr.com/">Gracepoint</a></b></span><br />
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GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-70509091229520087082012-04-16T07:55:00.003-07:002012-04-16T07:55:36.906-07:00The Power of Tea Series: PeppermintWhenever I have an upset stomach of many kinds, I turn to peppermint tea. I have used it to alleviate nausea from the flu, stomach muscle cramps or spasms, and even uneasiness from anxiety. It can also relax a stressed out mind. This is one tea that I will recommended to most anyone. I actually use tea bags for peppermint tea, but this is how you could do loose leaf as well.<br />
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<u>Peppermint Tea</u><br />
-2 cups boiling water<br />
-a few peppermint leaves<br />
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<a href="http://www.unleashyourvitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/tea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://www.unleashyourvitality.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/tea.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.unleashyourvitality.com/2010/04/16/natural-herbal-remedies-peppermint-tea-and-beyond/">{photo source}</a></span></div>
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Peppermint tea has a refreshing minty scent as well as flavour. It leaves a cool aftertaste similar to that of mint gum. The high menthol content is believed to be the soothing component. I find that it starts working quickly and effectively. Here are some other benefits to mint tea also:<br />
-eases vomiting <br />
-controls intestinal gas<br />
-freshens breath<br />
-relieves symptoms of colds and allergies<br />
-improves digestion <br />
-treats irritable bowl syndrome<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you drink peppermint tea?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-58367390034001618882012-04-12T08:09:00.000-07:002012-04-12T08:09:07.796-07:00The Power of Tea Series: GingerAt the beginning of March I had a killer cold. At first I thought it was the allergy season starting, but then it got worse and worse. I was constantly having to blow my nose but there was no relief in my congestion. I could hardly get out of bed because of the pressure in my head. This is when I knew it had to be more than just allergies. I immediately began looking for a herbal tea to soothe my symptoms and help my body heal. My choice was ginger.<br />
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<u>Ginger Tea</u><br />
-2 cups boiling water<br />
-1 inch piece of ginger - I used fresh, but you could also use dried or powdered<br />
-optional: honey, thought I don't find this necessary<br />
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<a href="http://pureenergynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ginger-tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://pureenergynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ginger-tea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pureenergynews.com/ginger-tea">{photo source}</a></span></div>
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The effects of the ginger tea were noticeable within the hour. Ginger helps break up the mucus and flush it out. I could breath much better through my nose. I was still blowing my nose a lot, but I was getting some relief from it. It helped significantly with my congestion. I believe it also helped my immune system fight off the infection and get healthy quicker. I sipped on this all throughout the day even taking it with me while going out.<br />
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I used ginger tea for its power against congestion, but there are also many other benefits. Here are some:<br />
-treatment for motion sickness (Gravol has even made a ginger chewable pill)<br />
-heartburn relief<br />
-treats nausea and morning sickness<br />
-anti-inflammatory<br />
-painkiller<br />
-treats menstrual cramps <br />
-sore throat relief - I have written about this before as well in <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2012/01/giveaway-winner-simple-ginger-sore.html">this post</a></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you ever had ginger tea?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-61246292110328847522012-04-05T07:49:00.000-07:002012-04-05T07:49:32.336-07:00The Power of Tea Series: CinnamonI love tea. It's been a sudden and powerful love that has grown quickly. Actually I should be more specific. I love <i>herbal</i> tea. For years I never considered drinking tea nor coffee. I still don't drink coffee. First I drank it because it was something healthy and warm I could drink through the winter. Now as I've gotten more into this natural lifestyle and home remedies, I have discovered the healing power of tea. That is the inspiration for this series.<br />
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Cinnamon is such a wonderful experience for many of the senses. Fortunately it also has many health benefits. The first time I ever drank cinnamon tea was when I was sick with the flu. I had read that it is helpful in alleviating nausea, and at 2 in the morning I was desperate for anything I could find in the house already.<br />
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<u>Cinnamon Tea</u><br />
-approx 4 sticks of cinnamon<br />
-2 cups boiling water<br />
-optional: add honey to sweeten, though I find this unnecessary<br />
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Simmer cinnamon sticks in boiling water. Allow to steep and cool to a comfortable temperature for drinking. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnqHlyspqf2_vJE6I0d51gZF5ri_GLPQk9fCcuUR9j4VkrVsVZ2LJTrrZeyFLnWAJLRHDdGgiyGDTp9qBbzctyuimMdNCdiuR-YTnA8OR1SFLARVZQUk8CNxpH1kpT7E0IRKLvakoaWA/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnqHlyspqf2_vJE6I0d51gZF5ri_GLPQk9fCcuUR9j4VkrVsVZ2LJTrrZeyFLnWAJLRHDdGgiyGDTp9qBbzctyuimMdNCdiuR-YTnA8OR1SFLARVZQUk8CNxpH1kpT7E0IRKLvakoaWA/s320/IMG_0600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I think mason jars are perfect for making huge cups for tea.</span></div>
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It was very effective and quite tasty. The smell of the cinnamon was the best part. It had a soothing effect on my stomach and helped me be able to get back to sleep. I was so happy with the results, I looked into cinnamon further and discovered that it has many other health benefits as well. Here are a few:<br />
-improves circulation<br />
-eases cold symptoms<br />
-eases flu symptoms and upset stomachs<br />
-alleviates indigestion<br />
-acts as an aid to menstrual symptoms<br />
-even found to aid in weight loss<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What are your thoughts on cinnamon tea? What other teas would you like to see featured in this series?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-88574740761727902332012-04-02T08:09:00.000-07:002012-04-02T08:15:10.699-07:00Hungry for Change DiscussionThe evening after posting about the <i>Hungry for Change</i> free worldwide online premiere, I made it a priority to sit down and watch it myself. I am so happy that I did. I hope that some of you did as well. Though it is somewhat advertised as a film about weight loss, which it certainly does discuss, I have never gone on a diet and have very little desire to lose much weight, and I still found tons of material I can apply to my life.<br />
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<i>Hungry for Change</i> was an inspiring and informative documentary. On their <b><a href="http://www.hungryforchange.tv/">website</a></b> it says,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;">In 'Hungry For Change' you'll discover:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">How to navigate your supermarket - what to buy and what to avoid</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">The real truth behind "DIET", "SUGAR-FREE" and "FAT-FREE" products</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">How to overcome food addictions and cravings</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">Why fad diets don't work</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">What food additives to avoid and how to read labels</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">What is fat and cellulite and how do we get rid of it for good</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">The most effective detox and cleansing strategies, and</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 14px;">How to eat for clear eyes, glowing skin and healthy hair</span></b> </li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
And it delivers! There were so many interesting and important topics discussed in detail using scientific facts to back up the message. There were many experts, nutritionists, doctors, authors, people who experienced real life transformations and more who were willing to share their expertise in the area of food and its effects on our bodies. The main point I think the film made was that there is no "diet," in the sense of going on a diet, that will have long term benefits. Weight loss and management and health can only come from living a healthy, natural lifestyle and eating real food.<br />
<br />
What I really loved about <i>Hungry for Change</i> was that it was an empowering film. After watching I felt like I now possessed the knowledge and the practical tips to realistically change my life. I think this should be mandatory viewing for all adults and even children. There is still a promotion going on now where you can watch the first 20 minutes for free <b><a href="http://www.hungryforchange.tv/">here online</a></b>. If you missed out on the full film, I think the 20 minutes are worth it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Did you watch <i>Hungry for Change</i>? What did you think?</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3MvAM97VDE8" width="560"></iframe>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-56089071680595102612012-03-29T08:23:00.000-07:002012-03-29T08:23:21.377-07:00Hungry for Change OpportunityHey! I don't have a blog post planned or written for today. I've been feeling somewhat preoccupied lately. I would like to take this opportunity though to tell you all about an amazing opportunity. The new documentary Hungry for Change is available for viewing online for<b> free</b>! It is just until the end of March though, so you've only got 3 days left.<br />
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<a href="http://yearwithoutbeer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hungry-for-change-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://yearwithoutbeer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/hungry-for-change-300x300.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://yearwithoutbeer.com/2012/essential-viewing-hungry-forchange-free-online-premiere/">{photo source}</a></span></div>
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Hungry for Change is from the makers of Food Matters which I raved about<b> <a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/07/you-are-what-you-eat.html">in this post</a></b>. While Food Matters focused on using food as medicine and treating chronic illness with diet and vitamins, Hungry for Change is more geared towards "created lasting weight loss, abundant energy, and vibrant health."<br />
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I have to admit I haven't found the time to watch it yet either, but I definitely will, and there will be a post to follow soon after. Go to the page to view it for free here: <b><a href="http://www.hungryforchange.tv/">Free Worldwide Online Premiere</a></b> or check out the trailer below to spark your interest. I want to hear your opinions on my blog post about it!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3MvAM97VDE8" width="560"></iframe>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-31858709689222159732012-03-23T08:11:00.000-07:002012-03-23T08:11:54.171-07:00Next Generation Water BottlesYesterday was my birthday, and I am honoured to share it with <b><a href="http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday/">World Water Day</a></b>. Brad got me a very fitting present to suit both occasions, a stainless steel filtered water bottle from The Water Geeks! This is my sweet yellow one:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thewatergeeks.com/images/T/yellow_thumb_watergeeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thewatergeeks.com/images/T/yellow_thumb_watergeeks.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thewatergeeks.com/Stainless-Steel-Bottles-p-1-c-13.html">{photo source}</a></span></div><br />
Apparently this brand is a pretty big deal in the States. We are lucky enough to have a showroom here in our city in Canada. Brad was able to go in a make an individual purchase there. The filter eliminates chlorine, bad taste, odor, chromium, VOCs (volatile organic compounds, eg formaldehyde), and heavy metals in water. I use it daily to filter our tap water. It will also be great in the summer when going hiking or camping because I can put any fresh water from creeks, lakes, etc into the bottle and the filter will make it safe to drink.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thewatergeeks.com/images/W/pureblue_24oz_black-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thewatergeeks.com/images/W/pureblue_24oz_black-01.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thewatergeeks.com/Filtered-Stainless-p-79.html">{photo source}</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You too can enjoy healthy, safer, great tasting water anytime, anywhere while also eliminating the cost and waste of bottled water. This will save you time, money, and the environment. One filter (which comes with your water bottle) can filter <b>400</b> full 24 oz bottles of water before needing to be replaced. Plus, these water bottles are very reasonably priced, no more than a regular water bottle. There are lots of different styles and other products as well. I encourage you to check out their site <b><a href="http://www.thewatergeeks.com/">here</a></b>. </div><br />
Also, in celebration of World Water Day, here is a list of 10 simple, easy ways to conserve more water at <b><a href="http://www.takepart.com/photos/10-astonishingly-easy-ways-save-water">Take Part</a></b>, and a <b><a href="http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-footprint-calculator/">water footprint calculator</a></b> from National Geographic.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How do you save water?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-78235774499277703112012-03-19T08:01:00.000-07:002012-03-19T08:01:54.166-07:00One Ingredient Headache ReliefThis is a remedy I have been using for a long time now, but I always seem to forget to write about it. Today I am finally exposing one of my most used natural remedies. Through high school and college I used to have headaches quite frequently. Each time one struck I would take 1000 mg (2 extra strength) of Tylonel. The drug in Tylonel, acetaminophen, can cause liver damage from chronic use or large doses. I knew this wasn't good for me, but waiting out the pain of a headache for hours wasn't very appealing either. I wanted to find an alternative, and it was one of the first things I looked up in my book <i>1001 Natural Remedies</i> by Laurel Vukovic. Here is it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.massageemporium.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/e/s/essential-oil-lavender-aromaforce-1001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.massageemporium.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/265x/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/e/s/essential-oil-lavender-aromaforce-1001.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.massageemporium.com/lavender-essential-oil-aromaforce-15ml.html">{photo source}</a> </span></div><br />
The simplest, most effective way I have found to relieve a headache is a lavender massage. I dab a couple drops of lavender essential oil on my fingers and use that to massage my temples. I close my eyes and breath deeply while doing this. I was shocked the first time I tried it by how quickly it works! In my experience, this remedy is nothing short of amazing. Lavender has soothing and calming properties which make it ideal as a tonic for the nervous system. It emotionally refreshes and relaxes while physically relieving tension and pain. I luckily do not suffer from migraine headaches, but I have read that lavender works to treat even those as well. <i>Note: Most essential oils <b>cannot</b> be applied to the skin undiluted, lavender is an exception.</i><br />
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Other options for its use would be to add the lavender essential oils to a carrier oil for a larger massage, make a soothing eye pillow containing dried lavender, a tutorial for which you can find <b><a href="http://wifelife2011.blogspot.ca/2011/03/beauty-rest.html">here</a></b>, or add a few drops of the essential oil to a bath and soak.<br />
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<i>Warning: There are certain circumstances where using lavender would be inadvisable, such as being pregnant or nursing or while taking certain prescription medications. Always check first if you have concerns.</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How do you treat headaches naturally?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-7378449786553216872012-03-15T08:04:00.000-07:002012-03-15T08:04:08.125-07:00Natural Zit ZapperDuring boxing week sales after Christmas, I had to stop in at one of my favourite stores, <b><a href="http://saje.ca/">Saje</a></b>. A bunch of products were on for half off, so I decided to purchase and try out the "Zap" roll on acne treatment. It is an essential oil blend of tea tree, geranium, lavender, patchouli, and a few others. This blend is specially designed to eliminate bacteria, reduce excess oil, and promote healing for blemishes. It is used as a spot treatment on acne. I have been using it twice daily, and it is amazingly effective! I recently went for 3 weeks without washing my face at all, I only used this as a spot treatment as necessary.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://saje.ca/all-natural/images/detailed/0/acne-zapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://saje.ca/all-natural/images/detailed/0/acne-zapper.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://saje.ca/all-natural/skin-care/acne-zap-roll-on.html">{photo source}</a> </span></div><br />
I realize that most people reading this don't have access to a Saje store <span style="font-size: small;">(since they are only in BC, Canada)</span>, though you can order online. Another option I thought of though is to make your own! I will admit, when I took my newly purchased Zap home and read the ingredients, I felt a little ripped off <span style="font-size: small;">(and thankful I got it for half off)</span>. I had lavender and tea tree essential oils at home already.<br />
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So, I recommend to any of you looking for an acne spot treatment to make your own version of this. Simply combine tea tree and lavender essential oils, perhaps geranium or patchouli as well if you have them. Then you can dab it on as necessary using a q-tip or some other reusable alternative I haven't thought of yet. That is what I am planning to do when my Zap bottle runs out.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What natural treatments do you use on acne?</span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7932052541876261328.post-70823947441930907062012-03-12T08:02:00.000-07:002012-03-12T08:02:36.149-07:00Homemade Cracker MysteryA while back Brad and I made homemade crackers. They were crunchy and tasty, but I had completely forgotten about them until yesterday when I came across these photos in my "to blog" folder.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCDs9ILqkAI3zY9sOxKveYwpYWFEbhWsCA6lj0rEgv4ZELheq1kCCHAmujwkEDh_TAXsx3WF3nMn8B1EssD_evMzo07Jq2oHhsM3WQ5B_zfCAwxIJD2VAbAweUc2TNNatj3roPRNBq30/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCDs9ILqkAI3zY9sOxKveYwpYWFEbhWsCA6lj0rEgv4ZELheq1kCCHAmujwkEDh_TAXsx3WF3nMn8B1EssD_evMzo07Jq2oHhsM3WQ5B_zfCAwxIJD2VAbAweUc2TNNatj3roPRNBq30/s320/IMG_0433.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2MT0VZv1GyG_EL_G2OUVl79MjpEOn1OsLV9bUGQntSrSlObO1y_7OFJKA3ce-jn74Fjtfp8xJizBYM4M5Q6W4s_tqYnqHdxIPvCamQiGo_rJTNnkje8CTgjtOEestL4I-5iYrO01PrY/s1600/IMG_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2MT0VZv1GyG_EL_G2OUVl79MjpEOn1OsLV9bUGQntSrSlObO1y_7OFJKA3ce-jn74Fjtfp8xJizBYM4M5Q6W4s_tqYnqHdxIPvCamQiGo_rJTNnkje8CTgjtOEestL4I-5iYrO01PrY/s320/IMG_0445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I scrambled to Pinterest to get the recipe for them again, and the blog has been removed! I couldn't believe it. Such disappointment. So today I am turning to you.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I want to hear your homemade cracker recipes! </span>GraceYveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06899186077683057512noreply@blogger.com7