Herbal Stress Relief Bath with Lavender and Oatmeal

Photo credit: melodi2 from morguefile.com
Instead of soaking in a tub full of bubbles that can irritate the skin, try a natural herbal stress relief bath. Trade in the synthetic fragrances and preservatives for skin nourishing ingredients with a lavender and oatmeal soak. Lavender essential oil will normalize the skin, reduce inflammation and help to destroy bacteria on the skin. It also has a calming effect on the mind, easing tension and anxiety. Oatmeal will sooth and soften dry skin. And of course the hot water is relaxing for tired, aching muscles.

To make an herbal stress relief bath with oatmeal and lavender add one to two cups of dried oats to a muslin pouch. Add this to bath water while the tub is filling with hot water to let the emollient compounds and nutrients of the oats to infuse into the water. Meanwhile, add eight drops of lavender essential oil to a cup of water. You can also use a cup of milk as a carrier for the essential oils for a more skin-softening effect. Add the lavender to bath water right before getting in.

Soak in this herbal bath for twenty minutes to relieve stress naturally while also giving your skin a nourishing botanical treatment. This is an excellent natural alternative to synthetic bubble bath products which contain chemical ingredients that are not good for your skin or the environment. Using natural bath additives such as essential oils and herbs is a great way to reduce your exposure to chemicals while also pampering. Just make sure to make this herbal bath a once a week treat to avoid heavy water usage!

Try a Pair of Hemp Socks This Winter

photo by Knit.Spin

If you've never tried hemp clothing before, now is the time to try out this natural fiber. There are so many benefits of choosing hemp fibers over synthetic fibers, and even cotton — benefits for the environment but also for the consumer. Why not buy a pair of warm, breathable hemp socks to keep your feet warm and dry over the winter? A pair of organic, natural socks is a great way to introduce yourself, or someone else, to the benefits of hemp clothing.

Hemp as a Major Textile

Most people think of cotton when they think of natural fibers, but cotton is by far the least eco-friendly fiber. It simply dominates the market. The amount of water alone to grow a field of cotton, let alone the pesticides and chemical fertilizers that are used for non-organic cotton growth, has been devastating farm land around the world for decades. The Environmental Justice Foundation put out a report on the negative effects of growing cotton on the environment and on human health.

Hemp on the other hand is a much hardier plant that does not require the massive water use or the chemical pesticides and fertilizers. It also leaves the soil in an improved condition after use, with more nutrients for the next crop to use. Growing hemp for fibers is not something new. This natural fiber has been grown for clothing and paper for 12,000 years. It is very strong and long-lasting. Your hemp socks are not going to end up with holes in the toes and heels as is often the case after a year or two of washing with cotton and synthetic fibers.

What Are Hemp Socks Like?

Hemp socks are soft and warm. They blend well with other natural fibers such as cotton, flax and bamboo. Not only will they last longer, but they are more resistant to mold than other fibers, making them a great choice for people with sweaty feet. While an ideal warm winter sock, hemp socks are also great in the summer as your skin will stay dry with a breathable, natural fiber. While you can throw your eco-friendly socks in the washer, it is best to keep them out of the dryer. One more clothing item to line dry and save energy with! Try out a pair of hemp socks this winter and see what your feet think.

The Eco Advantages of Reusable Grocery Bags and Where to Find Them

photo by Kat

Its the twenty-first century and it is time for plastic and paper grocery bags to be a thing of the past. Like many products of the twentieth century, from gas-guzzling cars to clothes dryers, they do not make sense in terms of efficiency, expense or the environment. Plastic and paper bags cost stores money, an expense that it inevitably passed on to the consumer. They also have a negative impact on the environment. Why not make the switch to reusable grocery bags? There are so many advantages for the environment, but also for you.

The Facts on Plastic and Paper

Both plastic and paper bags are made from the earth's natural resources — plastic bags are made from oil and paper bags are made from trees. The extraction and manufacturing process of both materials also puts a strain on the environment. After use, what happens to these bags? Some are recycled, but the majority of bags become trash and end up in landfills. From 1 to 3 percent of all plastic bags produced (and hundreds of billions are produced each year) end up as stray bags, jeopardizing marine life, clogging sewer piper and simply polluting, according to the Environmental Literacy Council.

Benefits of Reusable Bags

Switching to reusable grocery bags is a simple way to make this environmental nightmare go away. Many grocery stores now sell reusable bags for one to two dollars. You can also find cute reusable bags online — try Envirosax for washable, designer bags. ChicoBag offers customized reusable grocery bags made from a variety of materials, including their trademarked rePETe fabric, which is made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

From the cute and customized to the standard and sturdy, these bags can be used for years, over and over again. Reusable bags are designed to be super strong, able to carry much more weight than a typical plastic or paper bag. They also are easier to carry, with handles that are not going to break.

Using reusable grocery bags just makes sense. For a few dollars you never have to worry about the hassle of using and properly disposing of paper or plastic. Also, you can use reusable grocery bags for, well anything. When you go shopping for clothes, books, hardware supplies, when you need a few things for a road trip, or to bring a bottle of wine to a friend's house, you have a bag to carry whatever you need.

Eco Benefits of Using Cloth Diapers

photo by Lori Ann

Are cloth diapers a thing of the past, or the wave of the future? With so many environmental benefits of using cloth diapers, not to mention the financial savings, switching from disposable to cloth may be worth looking in to. So, what difference does it make on the environment if you switch to this eco-friendly alternative?

Green Benefits of Cloth Diapers

The primary reason to choose cloth diapers instead of disposables is waste reduction. Cloth diapers are washed and reused over and over again. Disposable diapers are tossed into the trash and end up in landfills. The average child contributes 1 ton of diaper waste by the age of two. An estimated two percent of landfill waste is due to baby diapers. Considering that it takes 450 years for disposable diapers to decompose, according to the EPA, that percentage will inevitably increase each year unless more people use cloth diapers. Just something to think about when you change your child's diaper four to ten times each day.

Another eco benefit of using cloth diapers is a reduction of toxins. Dioxin, a known carcinogen, is found in disposable diapers as a result of the bleaching process. Another chemical, tributyl-tin or TBT is found in disposables, according to Greenpeace research. It can be absorbed into the skin and it also ends up in the environment. TBT can affect the human immune system and upset hormonal balance.

Cloth Diapers Aren't Perfect

Despite the environmental benefits of using cloth diapers, the reusable alternative is far from perfect. First, there is more work involved unless you use a diaper cleaning service. No matter who is doing the washing, cloth diapers need to be washed after each use, and this means an increase in water use. They also eventually end up in the waste stream. Cloth will decompose faster than disposable diapers and obviously the number of cloth diapers accumulating in landfills is nothing compared to the massive tonnage of disposables.

So what is the easy answer? Is there one? What diaper you use is a personal decision that depends on many factors. If you can afford a diaper cleansing service, then cloth diapers ultimately are a win-win situation. Without the cleaning work involved, the increase in water use is a more eco-friendly alternative to the increase in landfill waste.

Another option is compromise. Buy a package of cloth diapers and use them some of the time. Most parents are aware of their child's habits. Why not use a cloth diaper once or twice during the day when there is no danger of a bowel movement and a more serious clean-up. You'll save money and over the two or three years of diaper use, the total diaper waste will be significantly less.

Saving Used Coffee Grounds for Gardening

photo by Steven DePolo

Why coffee grounds? How can they enhance the growth and well-being of plants? Isn't coffee too acidic for the soil? Used coffee grounds are in fact an excellent organic material for gardening. They are a rich source of nitrogen. This element feeds beneficial microbes which break down other organic matter, and supplies nutrition to plants. They make a safe, natural substitute to manure for compost piles, as they are approximately two percent nitrogen by volume.

Researchers have also found that the presence of the grounds in compost piles helps sustain higher temperatures. These temperatures are ideal for preventing potentially harmful pathogens and kill seeds from surviving. Old coffee grounds have also been shown to improve soil structure and attract earthworms. As most of the acids are leeched out into your cup of coffee while brewing, the grounds are actually close to neutral, with an average pH ranging from 6.5 to 6.8. With a knowledge of proper use, used grounds are an ideal substance for growing better plants.

To use coffee grounds effectively they must be broken down before being placed around plants. Before composting, they have a carbon to nitrogen ratio of twenty to one, which is about the same as animal manure. In this state they can potentially stunt the growth of plants. Composting transforms the grounds into a beneficial source of nitrogen.

How to compost the used grounds? One easy way is to spread them on the top of soil weeks or months before planting, and cover with a layer of leaves or bulk mulch. You can also simply toss the used coffee grounds into your existing compost pile. This will allow the material to break down over time. It can then be mixed into the soil as a nitrogen fertilizer or added to houseplants.

Not only are used coffee grounds great for gardening, but this practical use is good for the environment as well. Coffee grounds are thrown away, eventually ending up in landfills. As they decompose in the waste stream they actually contribute to greenhouse gas emissions by emitting methane. While your daily consumption of coffee may not be that high, the amount of coffee grounds thrown away every day by coffee shops is enormous. By making connections with local cafés, asking for their used grounds, you are supplying yourself with free, natural fertilizer and reducing waste and greenhouse has emissions.

Are There Dangerous Chemicals in Dryer Sheets?

photo by Sean Naber

Are dryer sheets toxic? What exactly are these fragrant, softening, wispy sheets? Should I be putting them in with my drying clothes? There are quite a few chemicals in dryer sheets, which may be harmful to the chemically sensitive and undesirable to anyone trying to live a more natural lifestyle. Dryer sheets are essentially pieces of nonwoven polyester (a petroleum-based synthetic fiber) that are coated with softening agents and fragrances.

Every ingredient that goes into a dryer sheet is not dangerous, for example stearic acid, a fatty acid that comes from rendered animal fat, may be used as a softening agent. It helps to make clothes feel soft by actually making them slippery. Softening agents are also used to reduce static. Other possible softening agents, such as quarternary ammonium salts may sound more threatening, but according to the Environmental Working Group's database, they pose no contamination concerns.

Where there is likely to be the harmful chemicals in dryer sheets is in the synthetic fragrances that are intended to make clothes feel so fresh. Fragrance formulas are protected by intellectual property law, so there is no way to know the exact ingredient list in a fabric softening product, nor the potential health risk. In general, many substances that are used in synthetic fragrances can be irritating to skin or the respiratory tract. There are some serious harsh chemicals that may or may not be used, some that are even known carcinogens, but without the specific set of ingredients in a product there is no way to check for danger or not.

Will you get cancer from a lifetime of using conventional dryer sheets? Probably not, but reducing your chemical exposure as much as possible cannot hurt, and dryer sheets are an easy item to give up to do this. Is it eco-friendly to use dryer sheets and other fabric softeners? Well, no. From the polyester to the actual manufacturing process to the chemical fragrances using conventional dryer sheets is not a green choice.

A great natural alternative to being exposed to the potential chemicals in dryer sheets is to freshen your laundry with essential oils. Naturally anti-bacterial, they add a little extra cleansing and a non-toxic, fresh scent. Add three or four drops to the washer per load of laundry. Try lavender, clary sage or eucalyptus. You can add two or three tablespoons of baking soda to the wash for extra softening. For eco-friendly, chemical-free clothes drying, line drying is your best option. If you do like to use the drying machine, you can also choose natural alternative dryer sheets, such as those made from Seventh Generation, which are made from recycled paper and plant-derived softening agents.

Organic Gardening at Home

photo by Steven De Polo

What is organic gardening? What are the 'rules' that a home gardener has to follow to practice this more eco-friendly version of an already environmentally-friendly past time? What are the benefits of practicing organic home gardening rather then sticking with more conventional methods?

Organic gardening at home is fun, really easy and very rewarding. Where commercial farmers face many challenges in converting to organic, sustainable methods, the home gardener has it easy. With a few simple changes and some patience you can have your own organic garden and organic vegetables, fruits and herbs to enjoy.

Essentially organic gardening is simply growing plants without the use of anything synthetic. Instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, eco-friendly alternatives are used such as homemade compost to nourish and improve the soil and techniques such as companion planting to help manage pests. Everything that is put into the earth or used to encourage growth is natural, beneficial and never poses any risk, such as tainting the soil with chemicals.

The result? Produce is also free of toxins (unless there are still some chemical residues in the soil from previous years or even from nearby pollutants). Fruits, vegetables and herbs are fresh and full of flavor. You don't have to pay extra to have organic produce in your kitchen — the organic home gardener grows it themselves. Also, the soil quality is improved for the future.

Fertilizers such as compost, manure, bone meal and other natural substances add nutrients to the soil and beneficial microbes and improve soil texture. Natural mulches such as organic coir, pine needles, straw and compost also act as a source of nourishment. Techniques such as companion planting and crop rotation serve to encourage optimal growth and maintain nutrient balance and sustainability. Basically, organic home gardening is all about being positive. Everyone wins, the gardener, the soil and the environment. With proper techniques and your own home compost pile there isn't even the need to spend more money to go organic.

While organic gardening is much more than a few simple changes, in fact it is more of a philosophy, to step into the world of eco-friendly gardening practices you really don't need to leap that far.

Growing Cooking Herbs at Home

photo by Lizard

Part of living a greener lifestyle is doing things yourself. An easy, fun eco project is to start growing your own cooking herbs. You can easily grow enough plants in small pots, making it feasible to have fresh herbs growing all year round even if you are limited on space.

Growing herbs yourself you will reduce what you need, reducing the negative effects of processing, packaging and transportation, while increasing your ability to produce for yourself and even share with others. You'll also save a little money and may even be inspired to cook at home more.

Which are the best herbs to grow indoors? How exactly does one start an indoor herb garden? First make sure you have what you need — suitable pots, potting soil and a sunny location in the home such as a windowsill. You can use almost anything for planting containers, although they must be clean (don't use previously used containers that held cleaning products or anything with chemicals) and you need to be able to poke small holes or a hole in the bottom for drainage. Recycle plastic milk jugs or soda bottles if you want. Simply cut off the tops and poke small holes in the bottom. You can always purchase three or four small pots. If you enjoy gardening you will get plenty of use out of them. Size does matter. Usually for herbs smaller pots are suitable, such as a four or six inch container, at least six inches deep.

Fill with potting soil, not dirt from outside, leaving about two inches of space from the top of the soil to the top of the container. If possible use organic potting soil. You can also make your own if you have access to compost. Use 2 parts of compost with 1 part garden soil and 1 part sand.

Which herbs are easy to grow indoors? Try:

• Thyme
• Sage
• Basil
• Chives
• Mint
• Oregano
• Rosemary

Start from seed or visit your local nursery for small plants. How to care for your herbs? Lots of sun and not too much water. The soil shouldn't remain moist. Once you've mastered growing cooking herbs you can start your own indoor vegetable garden.

Eco Advantages of Line Drying Clothes

photo by Tabitha Blue

Most of us toss our laundry in a clothes dryer and add a dryer sheet for that clean, fresh scent. Line drying clothes has become a thing of the past. As more and more people look for easy ways to save money and energy it will probably become a thing of the future.

Using the clothes dryer costs the average household between $2 and $10 dollars per month and accounts for about 12 percent of household electricity use. Unlike many other appliances there are not more eco-friendly, Energy Star versions of the clothes dryer — dryers use a lot of energy no matter what the make and model. Unlike many other appliances the clothes dryer is one of those things that you really can do without, with little or no loss of convenience.

Why not start hanging your clothes to dry? With many inexpensive, easy to set up outdoor and indoor options, there's really no reason not to give up conventional dryer use and evolve into line drying.

What are the benefits? You'll lower your household carbon footprint with less greenhouse gas emissions. You'll save money on your electricity bill each month. You can avoid the toxins found in drier sheets. You will be taking a great step towards eco living with little effort on your part.

When line drying clothes you can of course use an outdoor clothesline or umbrella. For those who don't have outdoor space, you can still line dry indoors. For a good indoor retractable rack you can spend as little as thirty to forty dollars. The rack would pay for itself in a few months with reduced energy costs. If you aren't ready to spend the money but you are ready to give up your dryer, be creative. You can hang clothes over the bathroom shower rod and towel rack. Use hangers and hang drying shirts and pants on chairs and doors. Just make sure your clothes have space and ventilation. An open window will greatly speed up the line drying process.

Removing Mold and Mildew in the Bathroom Naturally

photo by Dr. Cornelius

With safe, non-toxic ingredients, such as baking soda and vinegar, you can kill mold in the bathroom, prevent more mold and mildew from growing and keep your bathroom clean and disinfected, naturally. Mold and mildew thrive in a moist environment, which is why shower walls and bathtub corners are prime areas for the growth of these fungi. Mold is not only unsightly, but it can have an adverse affect on health as well, particularly for sensitive people. Instead of using harsh chemicals which are often more harmful then the mold itself, you can opt for natural cleaning solutions for bathroom mold.

To make a solution for removing mold and mildew in the bathroom use:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 gallon of warm water

Use this solution to clean all bathroom surfaces — shower walls, sinks, bathtubs, floors and outside of the toilet. It may smell like vinegar while you are cleaning, but you will not be inhaling any toxic fumes. Also, don't worry, the vinegar smell will go away. Try this anti-mold cleaning solution once or twice a month, depending on how much use your bathroom gets.

For more regular care you can simply spray a solution that will help kill bathroom mold. Using a small plastic spray bottle, mix:

• 8 ounces of warm water
• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 2 to 3 drops of an anti-fungal essential oil such as lavender or myrrh

Shake well and mist over mold-prone surfaces.

While routine cleaning is a cornerstone of getting rid of bathroom mold, fresh, dry air is also essential. Keep the bathroom well-ventilated with a fan and/or open windows and always remove any standing water.

Should You Phase Out Your Incandescent Light Bulbs?

photo by Anton Fomkin

Unless manufacturers can develop a more energy-efficient bulb, eventually you will have to phase out your incandescent lights. (According to the New York Times article by Leora Broydo Vestel, "Incandescent Bulbs Return to the Cutting Edge," July, 5, 2009, the incandescent bulb may not be dead yet. Manufacturers such as Phillips Lighting are coming out with more efficient incandescent bulbs). According to the Energy Independence and Security Act, in 2012 all light bulbs on the market must be 25 to 30 percent more efficient then the typical incandescents available today. California, always leading the pack in going green, has already begin the phase out of incandescent light bulbs; stores are not allowed to re-stock their 100-watt bulbs. Lower watt bulbs such as the 75, 60 and 40-watt incandescents will be phased out in subsequent years.

Why now phase out your own not so eco-friendly lighting products the next time you make a trip to Home Depot or your local hardware stores? Compact fluorescent (CFL) and LED bulbs offer a longer-lasting, more energy efficient alternative. Incandescent bulbs use a whopping 90 percent of their energy to produce heat rather then light, leading to millions of tons of unnecessary pollution being released into the air each year. CFL bulbs are more comparable to incandescent lighting — they are basically equal in terms of brightness, and although the upfront cost is more, they save money on electricity bills and you won't need to buy as many bulbs overall. LED lights are not as bright but they last much longer then both CFL's and incandescent bulbs.

When you do start your household phase out of incandescent light bulbs be sure to dispose of your CFL light bulbs properly (they have to be recycled). LED's, which do not contain mercury like CFL bulbs do, do not have to be recycled.

How to Dispose of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs — Are You Recycling Your CFL's?

photo by Nioxxe

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFL's, have become popular over the past several years as the eco-friendly alternative to incandescent light bulbs, which use the majority of their energy to produce heat, not light. According to the US Department of Energy, Energy Star qualified compact fluorescents use 75 percent less energy then your typical incandescent bulb and they last up to ten times longer. While CFL's themselves are more expensive, they can greatly reduce your electricity bill — by as much as $40 for the lifetime of one CFL bulb.

Green, eco-friendly and a positive step towards more energy efficient lighting. There is a catch however. CFL's contain mercury, and when they are not properly disposed of, they can become hazardous. Polluting landfills with tiny doses of mercury (about 4 milligrams per bulb), which can eventually end up in local groundwater, is not exactly eco-friendly. The mercury is not released when the bulbs are used, but when the bulbs are broken. ("Eco-friendly light bulbs switch on problems." The Washington Times, July 20, 2009).

The solution to eco efficient light bulbs potentially becoming eco hazardous is recycling. In some states in fact it is the law to properly dispose of your CFL's. So, how can you recycle your compact fluorescent light bulbs? You can look up a list of local waste collection agencies and recycling opportunities at Earth911.com. Also, many stores that sell the bulbs, including Home Depot and Lowe's, have CFL recycling programs. Another option is to mail the bulb back to the manufacturer to be recycled and disposed of properly. Check the website of your CFL's manufacturer for more info.

Two Recipes for a Natural Homemade Kitchen Floor Cleaner

photo by Alan L

Regularly cleaning the kitchen floor is important for getting rid of bacteria and dirt that can easily find its way onto your floor. While conventional cleaners can certainly kill bacteria and remove dirt, they also come with a negative side — harsh chemicals. It is possible to use natural products, or even to make your own to avoid the introduction of chemicals into the air, your home and the environment. Natural ingredients such as lemon juice, vinegar and essential oils also have anti-bacterial properties. They leave a fresh scent after cleaning as well, and unlike conventional products, are completely non-toxic. Try these recipes for a natural homemade kitchen floor cleaner.

Lemon and Baking Soda Natural Floor Cleaner

• 1 fresh lemon
• 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 3 tablespoons of baking soda
• 1 gallon of warm to hot water

Fill a small bucket with the warm water. Add the fresh lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda and then stir. Use to wash the kitchen floor. You can also use it as an all-purpose cleaner for countertops, the stove and refrigerator.

Homemade Floor Cleaner with Essential Oils

• 15 drops of essential oil
• 1 gallon of warm to hot water

Simply add the essential oil to the water. Great essential oils for cleaning include lemon, orange, lime, peppermint, pine and tea tree. Blend the citrus oils together, using five drops of each for an uplifting homemade kitchen cleaner. Peppermint, pine and tea tree make a more invigorating blend. As with the lemon, vinegar and baking soda blend, you can use the antiseptic power of essential oils on kitchen countertops and other surfaces.

The Pros and Cons of Home Gray Water Recycling

photo by Sarah Flemming

Clean water is a finite resources, yet many of use use water in the home without much regard for the long-term consequences. According to the EPA, the average American uses 100 gallons of water a day, the biggest offender of home water use being the toilet flush. There are of course many things we all can do to conserve water, but what about actually reusing the water?

Maybe you have heard of gray water recycling before — its the reuse of 'gray water,' mostly for home landscape irrigation. Is this eco-friendly practice really a good idea? With all the graying substances that we add, anything from laundry detergent to fruit and vegetable residues, do we really want to put the things we rinse off and wash with into the soil?

There are many pros of gray water recycling. If of course saves water, and money. It allows households to irrigate shrubs and flowers without taxing the local clean water supply. Practicing gray water recycling also cuts down on your own environmental waste.

On the other hand, gray water is, well, dirty. It can be difficult to collect and move the used water without having a gray water system installed — and its really only well-suited for one household

photo by Robert S Donovan

purpose, watering the plants you are not going to eat. Its not for your vegetable garden! Also, you have to be careful what you use, making sure not to use 'black water,' or water that is too contaminated.

If you use natural cleaning supplies, pesticide-free organic fruits and vegetables and have a lovely landscape to water — it may be a great idea to reuse water from the shower, bathroom sink and kitchen sink. Having a gray water system installed may even be worth it if you live in an area with little rainfall; this allows for an easy transfer of the used water from great gray water sources, the bathtub and washing machine, directly to the landscape. If gray water doesn't fit your specific lifestyle, there are still dozens of ways to cut down on your home water use.

5 Easy to Grow Vegetables

photo by Medved

Spring is here and you're ready to start your organic vegetable garden — but what should you plant? Which vegetables grow well together? What about easy to grow vegetables for the novice gardener?

Growing your own veggies is a great way to:

• Save money
• Eat organic
• Cut down on the eco effects of food transportation and packaging

Organic fruits and vegetables are increasingly expensive. At the same time, the sustainability and health benefits make going organic an important green living step. If you haven't already, this is the year to start your own little plot of sustainable, eco-friendly, organic food — may as well go for the vegetables that are easier to grow and work well together in terms of companion planting.

Start your cop with these 5 easy growing veggies:

photo by CDC

1. Beans
2. Lettuce
3. Carrots
4. Beets
5. Cucumbers

If you want to plant a couple companion herbs, consider borage, which has lovely little purple flowers that attract honeybees and predatory insects, and sage, which repels bean parasites.

5 Uses for Castile Soap

photo by Max Edmands

Simplify all your cleaning needs with eco-friendly castile soap. Available in bar and liquid form, with some brands such as the popular Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps using essential oils for extra cleaning and a beautiful aroma, castile soap is an excellent natural alternative to commercial and conventional self-care products and cleansing supplies. Exactly what is castile soap? Why is it so environmentally-friendly?

Castile soap is really a dream for anyone interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle, as well as for those who wouldn't mind saving a few dollars each month. It is a blend of natural oils, such as olive oil, coconut, hemp and jojoba. This gives the quality of moisturizing as well as cleansing. Other possible ingredients include vitamin E, citric acid, and essential oils. No dyes, chelating agents, fragrances or other synthetics are used. This natural soap also tends to be more concentrated then many commercial liquid soaps, so only a small amount is needed for use.

Using castile soap is of course an eco-friendly decision, simply because it is a natural, toxin-free product. This means significantly less toxins that you and your family will be exposed to, as well as that you will be contributing to the environment. With a very simple soap-making process (Dr. Bronner's uses a no-waste, glycerin-retaining, one step reaction), the manufacturing process for castile soap is also infinitely less harmful to the environment then is the production of conventional soaps and cleaning supplies.

One of the unique benefits of using castile soap is the versatility. Go even more green and reduce your expenses by purchasing liquid soap in bulk. You will be able to use it for all of these castile soap uses:

1. Body cleaning — both bar and liquid soap can be used. With all of the natural oils it is great for helping the skin retain moisture.
2. Shampoo — use instead of your normal shampoo, except reduce the amount you would usually use by about one-third.
3. Shaving cream — for your own natural shaving cream use a tablespoon or two of liquid castile soap.
4. Laundry — use from one-quarter cup to one-half cup for a normal-sized load of laundry.
5. All-purpose kitchen cleaner — dilute in warm water, 1 part soap to 40 parts water, and use to wash floors, counter surfaces and stove tops.

How to Compost Kitchen Scraps for Your Organic Garden

photo by Andrew Taylor

The warm weather is moving in, the soil is thawing — time to fold in a rich layer of organic compost to improve the quality of your soil. If you don't already have a compost pile sitting out back, filling with decomposing organic refuse, now is as good a time as any to start.

An easy to way begin is by using kitchen scraps for compost. This way you can reduce your own personal contribution to the waste stream and at the same time provide nourishing, bioactive matter for your growing plants. Instead of tossing citrus peels, broccoli stalks and tea bags in the trash, gather them together throughout the day and then move them to your compost bin or pile outside.

To make composting kitchen scraps more efficient, and less messy, use a compost pail to store scraps in between trips to the outdoor pile. They are relatively inexpensive, they can be stored under the kitchen sink and they have a lid to hold in decaying vegetable scrap odors.

What kitchen scraps can you use for your compost pile? All,

• Fruit rinds, peels and cores
• Vegetables
• Sea greens
• Grains, cereals and pasta
• Egg shells
• Tea bags
• Coffee grounds 

photo by Steven DePolo

which have not been processed, cooked in oils or salted. Animal products, oils and fish are not good compost scraps. Stick with the fresh, unadulterated, natural, plant-based foods. Also, if you want to keep your garden organic and chemical-free, try to minimize non-organic kitchen scraps as much as possible.

Knowing how to compost kitchen scraps you can really take advantage of your own waste and take a step in the sustainable direction. Be patient with your decomposing pile, turn it every three to four days at first and then once a week and don't forget to add your yard clippings once the grass starts growing.

How to Make a Homemade Natural Air Freshener with Essential Oils

photo by Anita Ritenour

Make your own air freshener with essential oils and water. Those commercial products that you buy are not cleaning the air — they are adding chemicals and causing indoor air pollution! Popular products such as Febreze contain dozens of air contaminates, including acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and ethyl acetate, which is toxic to the brain and nervous system, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

If you are interested in a more natural (and less expensive) alternative, you can make your own homemade natural air freshener with a spray bottle, clean water and a few drops of essential oil. You can make your house smell like a real field of lavender, not a synthetic chemical attempt at nature's aromas.

What are the benefits of using aromatherapy oils instead of commercial products?

1. Essential oils are highly concentrated extractions of plants — this means natural beneficial properties instead of dangerous synthetic properties.
2. Making your own freshener with essential oils will truly clean the air — essential oils have anti-bacterial properties.
3. Aside from neutralizing bacteria and freshening with a pleasant aroma, essential oils also have a positive effect on the nervous system. Some such as mandarin, bergamot and lemongrass are uplifting. Lavender, rose and sandalwood calm anxiety. Rosemary, sage and peppermint are mental stimulants.

To make your own natural air freshener you will need:

• A plastic spray bottle, any size is fine
• Clean water
• 2 drops of essential oil for every ounce of water that you use (so if you fill an 8-ounce spray bottle with water use 16 drops of essential oil)

photo by Francois

Add the water and then the essential oils to your spray bottle. Shake gently and then spray to freshen the air, carpets and even the couch your dog or cat loves to nap on. Excellent blends include neroli and rose, lavender with frankincense and peppermint with thyme.