Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…Literally by Tara Troge
July 28, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Brigid's House
Now that summer is in full swing, many are taking extra measures to ensure their underarms are sweat and odor free. However, if you are like many people and believe that deodorant and antiperspirants are one in the same, please read on.
Antiperspirants are designed to keep you from sweating. They typically contain aluminum salts which clog, close or block pores so sweat can’t be released. With continued use, aluminum accumulates in the brain and has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
On the other hand, deodorants work to kill the bacteria that actually causes body odor. Deodorants allow the body to cool itself through the natural process of sweating. While deodorant is always the preferred choice, what can you do to prevent the embarrassing underarm sweat patches?
Call me lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it!), but I’m one of those people who rarely has underarm odor; however, regardless of the outside temperature, I seem to sweat like I’m continuously running a marathon. Why my body feels the need to continually cool itself is an entirely different matter, but I’ve tried many different concoctions to fight underarm wetness and here are a few of my favorites:
1. Tea Tree Powder: It’s naturally talc-free and keeps me very dry. Just lightly wet your underarms, put some tea tree powder in your palm and pat on to your underarms. The only problem I’ve had with this is when I put on a dark-colored shirt. If you end up getting the powder on your shirt, just dampen a wash cloth and rub it gently over the spot.
2. Baking soda: follow the same instructions as above.
3. Make your own deodorant:
• Powder
o ½ cup cornstarch
o ½ cup baking soda
o 5 drops organic peppermint essential oil
o 5 drops organic lavender essential oil
Place all ingredients in a glass jar with a secure lid. Apply a liberal amount daily (or as needed) with a powder puff, blush brush or your hands. You can also play around with the essential oils – try cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, etc.
• You can also visit http://www.theexpress.com/express%20351/bodyline.htm for other easy, inexpensive homemade deodorant recipes.
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The Scoop on Poop
June 29, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
The Lowdown on Pet Poo
With over 160 million dogs and cats as pets throughout America, the environmental paw-print left by your pet is something to take seriously. Take your pet’s poo, for instance. If left behind, it can get washed from the lawn into a storm drain and the bacteria can cause water pollution. It can also spread disease to other animals and, when stepped in by humans, can cause beaches and parks to ban pets from those spaces.
But what can we do with all that poo? From “Oops I pooped!” biodegradable bags to flushing it down the toilet, check out six ways to ‘green’ your pet poo:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/green-pet-poop.html
Can I Have A Tissue?
June 19, 2009 by
Filed under General Info, Reflections From Brigid's House
Can I have a tissue, please?
If you were in my house, the answer would be a resounding no! If you’ve ever pondered giving up your Kleenex, paper towels and the like, consider this: if every household in America traded one box of Kleenex and one roll of toilet paper for a 100% recycled version, we would save a whopping 807,000 trees! This doesn’t even count the over 1.4 million trees that would still be standing if we replaced our toilet paper and napkins with recycled ones. To give your non-recycled tissues a toss, check out this handy, printable guide (but consider NOT printing) to the most earth-friendly options on the market: http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp
Connect With Fellow Environmentalists
June 11, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From The Stars
In this day and age, most of us are likely to be members of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, or some other social networking site. But if you feel lost amongst the vast array of quizzes, drink requests, and invitations to a water fight, and yearn to connect with more like minded individuals, check out Sierra Club’s new social network called Climate Crossroads. On Climate Crossroads you can publicize green events, learn about global warming, share recipes and more!
Check it out at: http://climatecrossroads.sierraclub.org/index.html
How to Start a Recycling Program at Work
June 9, 2009 by
Filed under General Info, Reflections From Brigid's House
When I worked for corporate America, I was deemed (happily!) by my co-workers as the legal department ‘tree hugger’ because I picked aluminum cans out of my colleagues’ garbage cans, stash them in a box under my desk and take them home for recycling. I even gave each of my colleagues an extra waste basket to throw their paper in and would pick it up on a on a weekly basis for recycling.
As we know, most people will go along with positive change as long as they aren’t the ones who have to do all the leg work! If you’re workplace hasn’t yet caught on to the recycling revolution, make them start now! Take control and banish the bad habits of your workplace by following these simple steps to a more earth friendly work environment:
1. Ask for volunteers to serve as the recycling coordinator. This person must be dedicated and organized! You may actually want to volunteer yourself, since you already have the drive to initiate a recycling program.
2. Decide what you want to recycle. Walk around your office and take note of what items are most often used: paper, aluminum cans, batteries, light bulbs, paper, glass bottles, plastic bottles, etc. If you decide not to recycle everything, then choose what is used the most and focus on those items.
3. Set up recycling bins and guidelines in the break room, inside the front door, or any other place where your co-workers gather to eat and drink. Recycling Guidelines can include such things as a request to smash cans, rinse out containers, etc.
4. Keep your co-workers involved. Send out a weekly/bi-monthly email to let them in on the success, progress and problems with your recycling program.
On a fun note, if you can turn your aluminum cans in for cash, start an office fund that will go towards an office lunch party or happy hour.
Are reusable bags hazardous to your health?
June 4, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
Have you heard the latest word that eco-friendly bags are bad for your health? Before you make the switch back to plastic, please consider the source – the plastics industry! To learn how common sense will keep your reusable bags user-friendly, please visit HERE.
An Eco Approach to Lawn Care for the Earth-friendly Soul by Tara Troge of EcoSisters
June 1, 2009 by
Filed under Reflections From Friends
With summer rapidly approaching, it’s inevitable that the majority of us will begin to suffer from obsessive compulsive lawn disorder. But before you touch one blade of grass, consider this: Did you know that approximately five percent of the world’s air pollution comes from gas lawnmowers? And that the average American uses 20,000 gallons of water each summer on their grass?!
From how to collect rain water to non-toxic fertilizers and pest control, here are some tips on how to leave the earth a little better than you found it and still have a beautiful, healthy lawn to enjoy all summer. The earth (and all its little critters) will thank you!
