Power Packed Parsley

Author: Susan Anderson

Parsley is such a commonly used culinary herb, that it is easily overlooked for its therapeutic and healing benefits. Along with turmeric, chili peppers, sage, cinnamon, oregano and ginger, it is one of top seven powerhouse herbs and spices that are frontline helping individuals to prevent illness and maintain good health. Don't let the easy availability and common use of this herb go unappreciated. Check out the list below of some of the benefits of using parsley on a regular basis.

BENEFITS OF PARSLEY:
1. Builds blood
2. Aids in digestion
3. Boosts energy
4. Combats fatigue
5. Helps the heart
6. Dissolves cholesterol in the veins
7. Supports the adrenals
8. Strengthens teeth
9 Builds bones
10. Prevents birth defects
11. Enhances nutrient absorption
12. Eliminates bloating
13. Reduces inflammation
14. Provides hormonal support
15. Helps with kidney problems
16. Provides general immune support

SOME NUTRIENTS FOUND IN PARSLEY:
1. Beta carotene
2. Chlorophyll
3. Alpha-Linolenic Acid
4. Fluorine
5. Folic Acid
6. Iron
7. Protein
8. B-12
9. Vit K
10. Vit C

WAYS TO USE PARLEY:
1. Add to sandwiches
2. Add to salads
3. Juice it
4. Just chew on it raw
5. Make a parsley tea
6. Purchase a bottle of parsley tincture

So the next time you look at parsley sitting on the side of your plate, remember that its usefulness goes beyond a decorative dish feature, so why not start adding it to your daily routine. It is just another simple, inexpensive, readily available remedy that is a long distance runner!

Read more!

Got Ants?

BY: Susan Anderson

Remember the lyrics to a song from childhood that went, "The ants come marching one by one, hoorah! hoorah!"? Well that is exactly what is playing out on our kitchen counter right now. And to say the least, I would rather have them marching to their catchy little tune outside, instead of tramping through our house.

Each summer it seems these tiny little creatures make their pilgrimage into our house. Sometimes they come by route of the front door, at other times they come from the kitchen window sill, but regardless of their point of entry, they remain uninvited. My first attempt is always to ask them politely to remain outside, but my communication skills with these insects isn't honed enough yet that they respond to my requests.

So the second try is to use non-toxic remedies. Let me clarify, the non-toxic methods are for humans and pets, but are a deterrent to the ants to keep them out. So if you have GOT ANTS too, here is a list of suggestions. Depending on your conditions and the type of ants entering the premises, different suggestions work better than others. So read on to find out what can be done to keep them marching four by four out the door.

It is always a good idea to find the point of entry and work from that direction onward:

1. White Vinegar: place in a spray bottle and squirt the area where you see the ants, let is dry. Reapply as needed

2. Sprinkle plain old cinnamon where you see the ants coming into the house.

3. Black Pepper: can also be sprinkled at the point of entry to keep the ants from marching on in.

4. Mix a 50/50 blend of apple cider vinegar and water and sray as needed.

5. Mix equal parts of Windex and Ivory Soap, then spray the problem area.

6. Keeping Bay Leaves out in the areas that are affected by the ants.

7. Mixing a bit of borax with sugar then spreading out on the counter where the ants will come for a taste.

8. Drawing a line with white chalk where the ants are entering is supposed to keep the ants from crossing over.

9. Mint: not a favorite of ants and they will stay away.

10. Diatomaceous Earth: sprinkled where the ants will be walking.

There are plenty more solutions-- this being just the short list of possibilities. This year we had the teeny tiny little black ants coming through by the kitchen window so I used a combination approach. First, I wiped down around the affected window and counter area with straight white vinegar. After that dried I then mixed cinnamon with some crushed mint leaves and spread a line of the blend right below the window on the kitchen counter, and so far so good- I no longer GOT ANTS at this point in time.

Good luck to you. Send it your suggestions or approaches that have worked for you, I would love to hear them

Read more!

The Many Uses For Your Basil Bounty

By: Susan Anderson

If you are a gardener growing basil, this time of year is when the plant begins to really fill out and provide you with a lot of aromatic abundance. So what are some of the ways to use this garden delight?. Let's see... how can I count the ways?

1) Make Basil Infused Oil. Here is a link to an easy recipe.

2) After you make the infused oil, why not a companion basil vinegar? Go here to see how to make it.

3) Still have more basil coming in- give it away to family and friend,no one says no! Then they will come back asking for more.

4) Want to save some basil for the winter? Freeze the leaves- Here is a trick I learned a few years ago. Clean and dry the basil leaves, then place in a small jar with good quality olive oil, just enough to keep the leaves wet. Place in the freezer. When you pull out your basil in the dead of the winter, it will be fresh and green. If you just freeze your leaves they will not retain their color.

5) Now who can resist basil pesto? Easy to make! Use right away or freeze. Rather than share my recipe which uses no measurements and is completely done by eyeballing it, here is one that is easy to follow.

6) Crush a few fresh basil leaves to use as a herbal rub and topical treatment for insect bites to reduce the itching and inflammation.

7) Make a herbal tincture with basil leaves to help with relieve nervous conditions and induce relaxation. Click here to learn how to make a herbal tincture.

8) Make a herbal tea with fresh basil leaves and a few of the seeds. Basil is known as a herbal aid in digestive issues. Studies show that basil contain anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

9)For a relaxing bath, add some fresh basil leaves to the warm bath water.

10) Use a cooled basil tea made with the leaves as a hair conditioner.

There are many more ways to use this wonderful herb, but instead of overloading you with ideas, let's just say this is a springboard into the infinite possibilities. Have fun! And by the way, why not share your experiences and ...Tell us about your favorite use.

Read more!

Benefits of Probiotics

SOURCE

Because of the many functions shown below of probiotics, studies are showing that probiotics are beneficial in the treatment of many chronic illnesses that seem to have nothing to do with each other.

Among their many functions are:

• Lowering the intestinal pH

• Controlling growth of pathogens like the H Pylori Bacteria and Intestinal Candida

• Taking up space on the intestinal wall to prevent bad bacteria from adhering

• Production of essential nutrients like Vitamin B12 and Omega 3 Fatty Acids

• Regulation of the levels of IgE and IgG antibodies in immune responses

• Binding and metabolizing Environmental Toxins

• Regulation of intestinal motility

• Mucus production

Read more!

10 Things to Do When Snowed In

1. Author: Susan Anderson
   
   When winter's first snow storm hits it's fun. After a few of these gifts of Mother Nature, the appeal starts to wear off, especially if you are stuck in the house snowbound for a few days. So here are 10 suggestions of things to do when you are being held captive in the house and are in desperate need of some distraction from boredom.
   
   

• Cook Something Different. Now is the time to experiment and try a new dish or two. This snow storm I planned ahead and when I went to the grocery store for snowbound shopping I picked up some wontons and eggroll wrappers. I have never made either, but thought, what the heck, it will be fun to try a few new recipes.
  
  
• Tackle Paperwork. Now I am sure this will not rate up there on your top ten list of fun things to do... but if you have piles of paperwork lurking all over the house... if you have made a promise to tackle this at some other time...if you have promised to do this when some time frees up...then today is the perfect storm! Even if you need to do it in small increments of time. Here is one approach that may work 5 minutes of focused effort followed by 10 minutes of reward time. You may not get through all that much using this system but it's a start.
  
  
• Make a Frozen Snow Drink. What a better time to make a fun frozen drink then when Mother Nature provides one of the main ingredients, but be sure its clean snow of course!
  
  
• Play Real Board Games. Do you remember what a board game is? In today's world of video games I wonder if kids get much exposure to this type of entertainment. When my mother-in-law comes to visit, she loves to play games so we always end our day with a game of cards or a board game from the closest. It is always so much fun, so why don't we do it more often? Now would be a great day!
  
  
• Plan the Perfect Valentine's Day for Your Sweetheart. With just a few days left before Valentine's Day, take the opportunity to think up an exciting, out of the box surprise for your honey. One year, which by the way was the best, I planned a treasure hunt for my husband, and it was awesome. I started in the house leaving a simple note with a clue to the location of the next note and clue. I had him going all over town and then finally meeting me at a local restaurant for dinner, which he thought was the finale. But as we finished dinner and he received one more clue from the waitress, it really ended up being an evening away. We had 2 small children at the time and I got Grandmom to stay with the kids so I could do this and it was an amazing time, with a lifelong memory attached.
  
  
• Make a Fictional Character to Have Fun With. My husband always talks about this fictional character Rudy Smith that he made up years ago. It was suggested he create a Facebook page for him. Well last night we finally put the page together and had not laughed so much as we did creating him. Then we invited friends who knew about Rudy to come visit him on Facebook and the real fun began. We had tears streaming down our face as we were writing and responding to comments. Deep, deep barreling laughter resulted--whew! so good for the soul. If you too want to become a friend of Rudy's his email is RudySmith58@gmail.com
  
  
• Lighten the Load. So many of us have more than we need or can really use. We started with a small collection of extra stuff that went into a closet, then a room, then a new house, then a basement, then a garage and now we have a separate storage rental unit for the overflow of all this extra stuff. Yes alot of it is from a closed business but that is just another excuse. All this stuff drains our energy. I have made a promise to myself to lighten the load this year. I have committed to getting rid of at least one large bag of stuff per week, with the hope that several bags or boxes will be leaving the homestead for good. We give to the local thrift shops and/or to friends who I know can use something that we no longer want or need, and finally we put some things on Craigslist to get rid of. Any old way you look at it, less is more! A snowed in day provides a good block of time to sift through our Collections of Stuff.
  
  
• Visit Project Camelot. Here is an interesting website that may seem a bit out there for some people but it is a great site operated by Bill Ryan and Kerry Cassidy. Their purpose is to travel extensively meeting and interviewing truth-tellers in the effort to provide enlightening testimony about the true nature of our world. There are a wide range of individuals who participate in the interviews, which are in audio, video and transcript format. Here is the link: http://www.projectcamelot.org/ Why not take a look for yourself? An eye-opening way to pass the time.
  
  
• Create Art. Find something around the house to make a creative statement with. I have several of these types of projects going right now. One is an old chair that I am repainting in a funky way. Another is making graphic mandalas on the computer then printing them out, framing them and placing a poem or inspirational story on the back, and finally to help get rid of some of that Collection of Stuff I am making yard art--birdbaths, birdhouses and backyard decorations using recycled materials from around the house. After I have a large enough assortment of finished products I am going to get a table at a craft fair. You really don't need to be an artist to create- you just have to be willing to unleash some of the passion you hold inside of you.
  
  
• Plan A Garden. Having a successful garden depends on prior planning. Often people like me omit this step, figuring we will wing it, then wonder when July rolls around why we haven't been as successful as we had anticipated. Alot of this disappointment can be circumvented through a little bit of planning. On a cold day inside of the house, dreaming of being outside in warmer weather surrounded by beautiful gardens is a good place to start. Think about what you want, then start to make it happen. Write your lists, check the seed catalogs. What! Don't have any? No problem go online- with a few quick searches you can find out what planning you should be doing and where to order your resources.
  
  

Well now that concludes this rendition of 10 Things to Do When Snowed In. I hope I have inspired you to do something useful, fun or productive with your day. And of course, I would love for you to share your list of things with me! Keep warm.

PS: By the way, that is my good friend Lynne in the picture at the top of the article with the help sign...sort of explains how we all feel after awhile of being snowbound....Hold on Lynne--Rudy is on his way!

Read more!

7 Steps to a Healthy Lawn

Unless you live in a plastic bubble somewhere, you are aware of potential damage and hazards associated with both pesticide and herbicide usage. Even when we are aware of possible problems, sometimes we don't act upon the information we are given, for a variety of different reasons.

Below is a simple and easy list of some of the steps you can take if you are considering making the shift to a more organic approach to lawn care. As with anything, this is a process and not something that can be done overnight, but with a commitment to taking a healthier approach, healthier results can be achieved over time.

1. MOW HIGH & MULCH
Grass cycling (sharpen those mower blades!) returns clippings to the lawn providing about 1,500 pounds of free fertilizer to the average lawn. Scattered clippings break down quickly and feed the roots of the grass plants. Grass cycling can be done with a mulching mower or regular mower. Clip only 1/3 of the grass length at each mowing. This will keep the plants less stressed.

2. USE NATURAL, ORGANIC, SLOW-RELEASE FERTILIZER
Use natural, organic, slow-release fertilizer in May and September. When nutrients are released slowly, the plants absorb them better, getting more bang for the buck. The goal here is to keep the lawn a healthy shade of green. A "too green" lawn is a sign of overuse of chemicals...a lawn on drugs.

3. WATER DEEPLY & LESS FREQUENTLY
Deeper watering will penetrate the root zone more effectively. Over-watering promotes lawn diseases and can leach nutrients from the soil. Aeration helps water reach the roots and corrects problems with compaction. If there is thatch buildup, de-thatch! Let the lawn go dormant in the summer. Dormant lawns need only one deep watering per month. Otherwise, water about one inch per week in July and August. Use less in late spring or early fall. Water slowly to avoid puddling and runoff. Newly planted lawns, of course, may need some additional TLC.

4. AERATE AND OVER SEED
Aeration and over seeding go a long way toward creating a beautiful, healthy lawn. You can rent a power aerator or hire a professional. If your soil is compacted deeper than 2", find a lawn care professional that has equipment which can penetrate 6-8" for full aeration. Over seed after aeration with a lawn seed mix designed for the northwest. Ask about these mixes at your local nursery. April or May as well as September are the best months for aeration and over seeding.

5. AVOID PESTICIDES & HERBICIDES
Avoid 'weed and feed' products or other pesticides/herbicides. Pesticides and herbicides create problems, rather than solve them. For example, diazinon is thought to have been responsible for the deaths of dozens of birds in the Puget Sound region, while feeding on treated lawns. Instead, use compost on the lawn to feed the soil and enhance healthy lawn growth. Apply compost about 1/2 " deep on established lawns once a year. To prepare soil for a new lawn, apply 2" of compost to 6-8 inches of soil. Water well. Microorganisms in a healthy lawn help fight pests naturally.

Remove problem weeds by hand in the spring and fall. Long-handled weed pullers are a great tool! Other tools work well for dandelions by letting you go deep and getting the whole root. Try using headphones with your favorite music playing to help make hand weeding more pleasurable, or hire local youth to do the job for you.

Sometimes weeds are telling you something. For example, moss means you are trying to grow lawn in a place that is just too wet or shady for grass. Clover may mean you need more nitrogen.

Some folks believe that your lawn is anything green that grows to a height of a few inches and can be mowed! For many of us, clover and moss look just fine in the lawn.

6. REDUCE LAWN
Honey, I shrunk the lawn! We encourage people to minimize the amount of lawn they have, in order to reduce chemical use and save water and your own labor. Using native plants, ground cover, pathways, etc., instead of lawn, makes a lot of sense for many homeowners. To reduce lawn area, simply smother mulch the area of lawn to be converted to garden or other use. Cardboard works well as does a thick layer of newspapers. Apply several inches of compost over this layer and plant a new bed. It's an easy and effective way to make unwanted lawn disappear.

7. ATTEND THE NATURE LYCEUM

Now that you have an idea of some tips that can be done, complete your education by checking out the place to go for an "out of the box" education in Organic Horticulture and the Environment. Known as the home of the "Green Guerrilla", The Nature Lyceum, presents a 2 Day Course in Organics.

As a much needed response, to shift both the approach and education of the green industry into greater balance and harmony with the environment, founder Jeff Frank, opened The Nature Lyceum over a decade ago. His school offered a unique educational opportunity for those looking to be more connected with organics long before Green became trendy.

Working with horticulturists, landscape companies, tree care companies, estate care, grounds maintenance, wineries, golf course superintendents, farmers and the back yard gardener, The Nature Lyceum has helped to spread to the work of organics through their pro-active Green Guerrilla program. Students from around the world have graduated from the program and have taken back to their specific communities a holisitic approach to approach to plant and soil health.

The 2 day course is taught by talented and awesome professional co-instructors. Some of the topics covered in the program include: An Introduction to Organics, Soils, Microbes, Water, Dowsing, Organic Turf & Tree Programs, Compost and Compost Teas, Organic Fertilizers, and much more. Classes are offered monthly.

For information on the next class, contact Jeff Frank at 631-283-1915. Both Scott and I have attended programs at the Nature Lyceum and we highly recommend this to any one looking to expand their perceptions, abilities and knowledge basis as they work more co-creatively with the environment. Website

Natural Lawn Care Tips 1- 6 provided by: Natural Landscapes Project

.

Read more!

Five Ways to Lose More Weight with Walking Workouts

Article By: Debbie Rocker Source

CROSS TRAIN
“Cross train” by varying your walking workout. I’ve been seeing it for over a decade — people tell me they’ll walk the same six-mile route every day. Usually you can cut your workout time in half and get the same results, simply by changing up the way you walk!.

If you always do the same things, your body knows exactly what to expect and it goes into conserve mode. It’s part of maintaining stasis. And your mind goes to that same place — the workout gets boring, and you don’t keep walking at a vigorous pace. It loses what I call the “training effect.”

If you can swim and cycle and walk, that’s fantastic. But walking is something you can take with you anywhere and do throughout your lifetime. You can walk anywhere — outside, in front of your TV, in a gym. Your heart rate conditioning is varied based on different terrain. And when you walk indoors, you’re using completely different muscles in different ways, with different levels of resistance.

Use a treadmill once a week. Another day, take your dog, meet a friend and do a casual stroll. It’s not as dramatic a cross-training effect as going from cycling to swimming, but it’s a big difference compared to walking the same path for three years.

ADD SOME INTENSITY BURSTS
One school of thought is that the longer your work out, the more likely your body is to go into fat burning mode. But another theory goes that after a long workout, 60 to 90 minutes, the body goes into conserve mode.

People will tell me, “When I started spinning I lost 15 pounds; now I’m not losing anymore.” And I say, “You’re just spinning more; you have to spin more efficiently.” The research on this seems to indicate that if you mix short intense bursts, you go into fat-burning mode after your workout rather than into conserve mode. It’s six of one, half-dozen of the other.

Try doing run-walks. Add an interval workout, with intense bursts mixed in every few minutes, twice a week. If you can get in two intense 15 to 20 minute interval workouts per week, plus one moderate but longer workout, that’s a great start. Then work up to adding an additional really long workout that’s very intense. That’s an incredible workout week.

Once or twice a week I walk with a friend for over an hour wearing a Walkvest, and I’m telling you we hoof it — it’s intense. Other than that, most of my workouts are 15 to 20 minutes long. My friend’s dog is a very fast, vital dog. I’ll take the dog out and walk fast for a block, jog for a block, and do that for 15 to 20 minutes. Or I’ll walk, then do lunges for half a block, then tricep extensions, then walk for a block.

WORK OUT WIHT A COACH
Via DVD/CD or in person, three days a week. I know how hard it is to change. We all need help!

Effective training tools are important, but coaching is imperative to reaching new levels of fitness. A good coach can take you places you can’t go alone. My training as a professional coach and motivator helps me know what it will take to bring out the best in you; and as a former pro athlete, I know what will work.

Your coach will be with you every step of the way. You’re starting from scratch, working from the ground up, together.

Even when you’re walking intensely, you can listen to a CD with coaching and music. It motivates you and reminds you of how powerful you are, how valuable your workouts are, how positive it is on every level. This can help in a very physical way too, moving your heart rate around and constantly changing the levels of intensity in the body.

WORK OUT TO LIVE BETTER
Not just lose weight. Your body starts losing bone mass at 30! I want to build and support my body, not wear it down. I want to be better at the movements I do all day long. I want my balance to be sharp and my joints strong, with no more stress on my body than necessary.

Anyone over 25 may be too old to run. I had a training regimen that kept me pounding the pavement for hours on end, and ultimately it had negative effects on my body. I switched my exercise routine to weight-bearing walking, and I started to love my workouts again. I looked forward to walking. Clearly you’re more likely to work out if you actually look forward to it.

I’m going to be 49 this year and I plan to look like this until I die!

CHANGE YOUR MIND

I am a huge proponent of, “Don’t even bother changing your body if you don’t change your mind.” It will be temporary, and it will add to past failures.

We condition ourselves to fail. People are convinced they can’t do it based on their past experience trying to diet and lose weight.

This is another great reason to add intensity bursts to kick-start fat burn. The faster you can get results, the more you build your belief that you can do it. It’s the fastest way to change your body, and your mind changes too.

I also believe the universe brings us what we’re thinking about whether we want it or not. Our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, fears and obsessions drive our actions and behaviors. So focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.

If you want to lose weight, think about how much you want to lose and what you want to look like and feel like, not how much you hate being heavy. If you think about what is, you just get more of what is. Think how much you want to be healthy and fit.

SOURCE
.

Read more!

Natural Air Fresheners

Indoor air pollution can be a big problem, having a major influence on the health, comfort and well being of building occupants. Poor air quality has been linked to problems such as Sick Building Syndrome and has been shown to reduce productivity in offices as well as learning in schools. Depending on the source of contaminants, individuals may be extremely sensitive and have great difficulty remaining healthy and balanced in an environment that contains numerous pollutants.

Read on to find out some of the natural alternatives to keeping your home, office, or indoor space smelling fresh, clean, and healthy.


Open the Windows
This almost sounds too simple to be typing, but how often do we see open windows these days? Let the fresh air in, allow the stale, polluted air out. Even if you can only do this for a short time every day, it does make a difference.

In homes without air exchange systems, open a window and run a central vacuum for a while to get fresh air in and stale air out. Or put a fan in a window drawing air out, and open another window to increase air circulation.

Baking Soda
An oldie but goodie, baking soda is economical, effective and healthy. Place an open container in an area that you want freshened and it will absorb the odours in that enclosed space. It does not need to be relegated to just the refrigerator and the cat's litter box.

Zeolite
This is a natural mineral, which absorbs odors and excess moisture in the air as well as heavy metals. It can be used as a general deodorizer and to combat mildew or mould. When used in refrigerators and freezers, it can reduce electricity cost by up to 12% by maintaining optimum humidity, and it helps keep food fresher. Zeolite is usually sold in packets that can be hung in strategic locations.

Because of the honeycomb structure, zeolite is able to absorb moisture and gas molecules that total about 65 percent of the weight of the zeolite itself. The material has virtually no fragrance, and it releases nothing as it absorbs other materials. A day in bright sunshine is usually enough to release the contaminants and restore the zeolite to working condition. Packets can also be recharged in a 200-degree oven for an hour. The low temperature will keep the plastic bags from melting. (Zeolite itself can withstand temperatures of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit before it degrades.) Source it can be purchased from Environmental Home Center.

Simmerring Herbs & Spices
Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove. Or another option is to purchase from the Thrift Store one of those miniature crock pot type devices for a few dollars. Plug it in and add your spices...it will send fragrance throughout the room you are freshening. In addition to herbs and spices, pure essential oils work well also...but they must be the pure essential oils, not an artificial fragrance.

Place Bowls of Fragrant Dried Herbs & Flowers in a Room
Not only does it look nice, it helps clear up the air. Lavender is wonderful for this, make sachet as well so a fresh fragrance can be released into small confined spaces like the closets and dresser drawers, an added benefit some will also ward off moths.

Household Plants
Plants are the great equalizer in helping with the inflow of oxygen into an area. Rather than relying on chemical-laden air fresheners, try floral scents from the source: fresh flowers! As for potted plants, Dr. Bill Wolverton conducted studies for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration showing that some houseplants can clear carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air.

For example, of the fifty indoor plants tested, the Boston fern was the most effective at removing formaldehyde and the peace lily worked best on acetone. Three types of palms — areca, lady and bamboo — received the highest overall ratings, which included ease of growth and maintenance, resistance to insects and amount of moisture released by the plant, along with ability to remove chemical vapors. See my earlier post Plants that Boost Indoor Air Quality to get a list of the most useful household plants that are up for this task.

Incense
One of my most favorite ways is to burn a natural incense in the house to re-energize or clear. A few of my favorites are sandalwood, palo santo, and cedar. Sage I save for clearing and smugding work. Be sure to use the real deal product, good natural incense and not a cheap knock-off that may be filled with toxins and chemicals.

Just by incoporating one or two of these suggestions you can go a long way toward revitalizing your enviroment's indoor air quality.

.

Read more!

Plants that Boost Indoor Air Quality

25 Top Plants

These plants have been shown to be effective in removing common pollutants from indoor air including formaldehyde, benzene and carbon monoxide.

Common Name.....Scientific Name
1. Anthurium..... Anthurium andraeanum
2. Areca palm..... Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
3. Benjamin Weeping Fig.... Ficus benjamina
4. Boston fern.... Nephrolepis exaltata
5. Chinese Evergreen.....Aglaonema modestum

6. Corn Plant..... Dracaena massangeana
7. Croton..... Codiaeum variegatum
8. Date palm..... Phoenix roebelenii
9. Dieffenbachia..... Dieffenbachia bowmannii
10. English Ivy..... Hedera helix

11. Fig ‘Alii’..... Ficus macleilandii ‘Alii’
12. Gerbera Daisy......Gerbera jamesonii
13. Golden pothos..... Epipremnum aureum
14. Janet Craig ....Dracaena "Janet Craig"
15. Marginata..... Dracaena marginata

16. Norfolk Island Pine..... Araucaria Hetrophylla
17. Peace Lily..... Spathiphyllum "Mauna Loa"
18. Potted Mum..... Chrysantheium morifolium
19. Ponytail palm..... Beaucarnea recurvata
20. Prayer plant (Calathea)..... Maranta leuconeura erythroneura

21. Rubber plant..... Ficus elastica
22. Snake plant ..... Sansevieria laurentii
23. Warneckii ..... Dracaena "Warneckii"
24. Zebra plant..... Aphelandra squarrosa
25. ZZ plant..... Zamioculcas.

And here is the rest of it.

Read more!

Slow Burning Compost

STEPS TO BUILDING SLOW BURNING COMPOST PILE
One very easy thing you can do to reduce your impact on the planet, and bolster your gardening efforts, is to compost. Compost makes rich fertilizer and mulch out of yard waste, food scraps, tree trimmings, old lumber and even certain types of paper.

Pick a Good Location:

In hot, dry climates, it should be a shady, cooler location. In cold or wet climates, it should be a well-ventilated location.

Break Up the Ground a Bit:
You don't have to dig the location, but aerate the top layer of soil and completely remove weeds. If this is your first pile in the area, you may wish to add some worms: Red worms are best, but nightcrawlers will do.

Start with a Layer of Small Sticks or Brush:
The idea is to trap some air pockets at the bottom.

Build Your Pile in Layers:
When possible, alternate layers of brown materials and green materials. The mixing of carbon (brown) and nitrogen (green) wastes fosters breakdown. A layer of green grass, covered with a layer of wood chips or dead leaves, works well. Paper and cardboard is carbon. Coffee is nitrogen.

Chop Up Big Things:
Fruit rinds, over-the-hill garden plants, etc. all break down faster when chopped up. Try a machete: sharper blade equals much less work.

Keep the Pile Damp:

Not wet, damp. In areas with dry seasons, sprinkle the entire pile for no more than five minutes a couple of times a week in the evening.

No Meat or Fat:

Fatty table scraps or meat leftovers tend to attract pests. Bread, some chips and crackers and most tortillas seem ok.

Make Your Pile as Big as Possible:
Bigger piles burn hotter. Anything much smaller than roughly three feet in diameter will break down very slowly, and may not break down completely in any amount of time. Lawn cuttings break down relatively fast.

Crack the Thing Open Once in a While:

This doesn't mean turn the pile upside down. Just break it open with a spading fork, a rake or a shovel. Let some air in.

Keep Building:

Depending on the size of your yard and the amount of waste you generate, the pile will take 4-12 months to produce a meaningful amount of compost. Get materials where you can. Perhaps a neighbor with a big yard can help.

Keep a Tub in Your Kitchen:

A one-gallon plastic ice-cream bucket seems about the right size. Keep the lid on when not in use; empty regularly. People with more class should purchase a special "compost crock' for their kitchen. Put all your vegetable trimmings in there.

Be Picky About Your Materials:

Never put Bermuda Grass or other really tough, noxious weeds in your pile. Beware of vines, burrs, any seed heads or root-runner plants and other potential fringe survivors. Watch out for heavily fertilized or pesticide laden lawn clippings.

HARVESTING YOUR COMPOST:
Without building specific apparatus, the easiest way is with a screen or a series of screens, and a big wheelbarrow. Place the screen over the wheelbarrow. Shovel the compost on. Shake or scrape with shovel to force the compost through. Keep going until the barrow is full or until you have all you need. Use while fresh to take advantage of teeming microbial life. Keep the screening discards for re-composting.
Source
.

Read more!

More Coffee Grounds...More Ideas

DON'T THROW THE GROUNDS AWAY PART II
Every day across America, Asia and Europe, millions of pots of coffee and tea are brewed, and the millions of pounds of wet grounds, filters and bags thrown in the trash. This is both wasteful and foolish.

Coffee by-products can be used in the garden and farm as follows:

1. Sprinkle used grounds around plants before rain or watering, for a slow-release nitrogen.

2. Add to compost piles to increase nitrogen balance. Coffee filters and tea bags break down rapidly during composting.

3. Dilute with water for a gentle, fast-acting liquid fertilizer. Use about a half-pound can of wet grounds in a five-gallon bucket of water; let sit outdoors to achieve ambient temperature.

4. Mix into soil for houseplants or new vegetable beds.

5. Encircle the base of the plant with a coffee and eggshell barrier to repel pests.

6. If you are into vermi-posting, feed a little bit to your worms

7. Toss coffee grounds in with vegetable peelings, add water, grind them in theblender, then feed it to plants that are "slow". It's like a giant vitamin. They start shooting up very soon.

Source

Read more!

Coffee Grounds: 10 Different Ways

DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR COFFEE GROUNDS
Here is an interesting post I came across....some are good and some should be taken with a grain of ...ugr..coffee!

Coffee Grounds have many uses from gardening to beauty to getting rid of cellulite. Here are a few tips and recipes I have made and used over the years. If you know of any other uses for coffee grounds, I would love to hear them.

1. Cellulite Buster
While in the shower, vigorously rub coffee grounds on troubled cellulite spots for a few minutes everyday or a few times a week. Coffee is a stimulant and breaks down fat deposits when rubbed on those areas.

2. Exfoilant
Give yourself a wonderful Homemade Body Scrub/Facial with Coffee Grounds, resulting in the smoothest softest skin you could imagine! For even smoother skin, add a few Tablespoons of Mineral Oil, Jojoba Oil or Olive Oil right from your kitchen cabinet accompanied by a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

3. Plant Booster
For healthier plants, add Coffee Grounds to the potting soil of your house or garden plants. Coffee Grounds will eventually mold so its best to use this for outdoor plants. Keep in freezer until ready for use. Coffee Grounds are very effective when put in Rose Bushes. Just make sure your outdoor pets dont have access to those areas as they might try to eat the coffee grinds.

4. Natural Stain
Coffee Grounds make a great natural stain for wood, clothing, baskets, and covering up nicks in wood furniture. Brewed coffee can also be used in light brown/brunette hair to darken it.

5. Coffee Tan
Replenish your summer tan by rubbing coffee grounds all over your body then leave on for 30 minutes. Brewed coffee at room temperature can also be sponged and left on your skin for 20-30 minutes. Darker skin can be achieved by repeating this process more often.

6. Fridge Deodorizer
Keep a small container of fresh coffee grinds in the back of your refrigerator or freezer for a natural deodorizer.

7. Ant Repellent
Place Coffee Grinds in or near the tracks of sliding glass doors to keep ants away.

8. Kitchen Scrubber
Coffee Grounds act as an abraser removing grease from pots and pans. Keep a little container of fresh grinds near your kitchen sink.

9. Cat Litter Deodorizer
I sprinkle a tiny bit of fresh coffee grinds in the cat litter box for a natural deodorizer or you can place some next to it.

10. Sweat Lodge
Lose 5 to 10 inches all over your body in an hour. This really does work!!!! Rub fresh un-brewed coffee grounds all over your body then wrap yourself in saran wrap. Leave your face exposed please. Find a warm place to sit for 30 minutes to an hour and try to stay as warm as possible. Put on sweat suit, sit in a sauna, or stay in the bathroom with the door closed to keep the heat in. Run the shower as hot as possible to steam up the bathroom. Measure yourself before and after to see the results. I lost 2 inches in my legs, 1 inch in my arms and 2 inches in my hips. This is a short cut version to my typical herbal body wrap, but this does work and you feel great afterwards.

Here is a Homemade Body Scrub recipe I invented. It smells so good you almost want to eat it. Your skin will feel softer than you could ever imagine!

Brown Sugar Vanilla Body Scrub
1 Cup Fresh Coffee Grinds
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Essential Oil
1/4 Cup of either Olive Oil, Mineral oil, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil or Sweet Almond Oil.

Mix together then put into a little container. If mixture looks a little crumbly and dry, add a little more oil. With a Loofah Scrub or your hand, rub all over body while in shower then rinse. This mixture will keep for a few weeks or even longer. Because oil is a natural preservative, this will prevent the coffee from molding. Mine has lasted over a month and still going strong!

Source

Read more!

5 Hot Recycling Tips for E-waste

E-WASTE: GREAT SOLUTIONS!

It makes me furious that electronics become obsolete so quickly. Besides the obvious downside of having to shell out more money for a new item because the old one is a dinosaur, it creates the bigger challenge of disposal. What to do with all this stuff? Well here are some great solutions I have found that will really help to keep these items out of the landfill.

This just may be a List you want to keep handy for future reference!

1. Costco's Trade-In & Recycle Program
Costco has paired with GreenSight to give it's members this option for recycling electronics. You provide the site with the details about your equipment. It gives you a trade in-value. If you accept the value, you proceed. Then they give you a free, prepaid shipping label to send the equipment to them. You get a Costco Cash card for the trade in-value. GreenSight salvages any parts that can be used and then works with others to dispose of the remains without using a landfill.

2. Green Phone
GreenPhone helps you transform your drawer full of unused cell phones into something you'd rather have like money! GreenPhone will pay you by check or via PayPal or Obopay - your choice. Check out greenphone.com for more details

3. My Green Electronics
Find Out Where to Recycle. Just want to get rid of your stuff in a responsible way? At this site, My Green Electronics, you plug in your zipcode and you will be directed to recycling sites for your items.

4. Corporate Recycling
Here is a great listing of the various companies and their recycling programs.

5. Earth Share
Now you can recycle your mobile phones, pagers or PDAs through Earth Share's partnership with the CollectiveGood Mobile Phone Recyling Program! It's easy to use, and you will be helping to support a healthier environment. Depending upon the phone model, a fixed amount per phone will be donated to Earth Share.

So next time you are done with your old electronic gadget, check out one of the options on this recycling list. I'm sure there are alot more wonderful programs out there, if you are familiar with one, post your suggestions.

.

Read more!

Top 5 Alkaline Diet Weight Loss Tips

Thanks to my new friend, Yulia at Great Home Remedies, I found another great website with information about alkalinizing your diet. Here are the top 5 tips they share if you are interested in moving more into this direction.

Although these are really common sense items, how often do we throw common sense out the window when we extremely hungry and ready to eat everything in sight? Just a reminder that being prepared, prepares our being able to handle these challenging moments.

Tip #1 - Drink, Drink then Drink some more!

By far the most important and yet the easiest way to accelerate your alkaline diet weight loss results is to hydrate consistently.

Avoid Coffee, tea, soda and other acidic drinks.

Tip #2 - Avoid Foods with preservatives, food coloruing and additives.

The body wasn't designed to digest these chemical substances, so it must either: eliminate them, neutralize them or park them away where they can't damage your body.

Tip #3 - Avoid artificial sweetners like the plague

If you have been trying to lose weight, chances are you have relied on artificial sweetners to cut calories. You are shooting yourself in the foot on an alkaline diet. They are toxins as in tip #2

Tip #4 - Always have cut veggies and soaked nuts ready in your fridge

How successful do you think you would be in your alkaline weight loss program if you had to fight your craving along the way, every minute of every hour of every day? I bet not too successful.

Well, if you were on an alkaline diet, this would not be an issue because your craving would disappear by themselves over time. I get into that in much more detail in my e-book "Acid Alkaline Diet Simplified"

Optionally, pick up a couple of varieties of hummus to dip the veggies in for added taste.

Tip #5 - Make a huge salad every 3 days

Ever come home so hungry you're ready to eat the first thing that you can get your hands on? Do you regret binging on the junk food, and wish you could have made something better to eat?

If you prepare a huge salad that would last you 3 straight days, you will never come home and wonder what you can eat. With a salad in your fridge - ready to eat - you can eat right away and it's great for an alkaline diet.

Did you know your body can easily return to it's natural weight balance? Click here to find out how an alkaline diet can do this simply. http://acidalkalinediet.com/

SOURCE

Read more!

5 Simple Feng Shui Tips

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese science. Some use this science in conjunction with a more New Age approach which centers on obtaining a good flow of chi in your home or office. This has become a popular way of making our homes and other surroundings a positive place to spend our time and to live in harmony with our environment.

There are many interesting but complicated factors that are part of the Feng Shui way of living. There are also some good health ideas that are easier to incorporate into our lives and our homes.

Below are 5 simple tips that can be used to help maintain good health .

1. GET RID OF CLUTTER
Most clutter is negative. It disrupts the flow of chi, which is life energy. It is especially important to remove clutter from the center of your house. This area is considered the heart and/or center of the house. Other areas of the "bagua" (which is a Feng Shui map which divides your house into nine sections) are all touched by the center health area.

This means all areas of your house are affected by what is in your health area and visa versa. This principle then applies to your life, as in all areas of your life are affected by your health, and your health affects all parts of your life. Therefore, it is important to keep the center of your home clutter free to allow positive energy, "qi," to flow throughout your home.

Do not place any heavy objects in this area. Also, your home center is a good place for happy pictures of loved ones, harmonious bells or chimes, a fountain, or any items that mean something special to you.

2. USE THE SENSES TO YOUR ADVANTAGE IN YOUR HOME
Balance and harmony in your home will stabilize and energize you and your family. Use colors to create the appropriate mood. RED will keep you going--it's bright and full of energy--but do not use it in bedrooms if you want rest. ORANGE is refreshing and revitalizing. Use it in the kitchen or playrooms. Its softer shades can be used in family rooms where it promotes fun and relaxing. YELLOW is a happy color that promotes creativity and vitality. Use it in a kitchen or office. GREEN is a healing and calming color. It is great for living rooms or bedrooms. It renews and keeps us in balance. BLUE is also a healing color as well as a mentally relaxing color. Add blue to a room when someone is sick. Blue will keep the room's occupants calm. Indigo is not only relaxing but is also to keep good health in your home. PURPLE is the color of transformation. It is great for any spiritual room or to put here and there for wealth and abundance.

Use natural lighting when possible, and use dimmer switches to change the atmosphere from bright and energizing to low and calming as needed. Remember that touch is an important and often over-looked sense. Softness and warmth can be used to relax. Rough textures and coolness will energize.

Aromas are another way to vary or change the atmosphere or feeling of a room or a home. Essential oils, quality scented candles and fresh air all promote the change of energy in your home. Use lemon for a light, refreshing energy and lavender for a calming, relaxing energy in your home.

3. IMPROVE THE CENTER OF YOUR HOME
As stated earlier, the middle or heart of your house is associated with health. By adding live plants to this area, you will improve the energies for health and balance. Add yellow and earth tones to give your health chi a boost.

This can be accomplished by things like a pot of yellow mums on a table in the center of your home. Adding something that makes you laugh is another way to promote good health for you and your family. By adding square shapes and flat items to this area, you will allow energetic movement, which is an aid to good health. For example, square coffee table made of stone would be perfect for this area.

You can also add religious objects. Reminders of the higher powers in the universe, no matter the style or symbol, will be of benefit to health. What matters is the intention of the person who placed the symbol. If it has meaning, it is positive for you. A symbol made of stone is even better when placed in the center area of the house.

Remove any wooden furniture or objects from the center. In Feng Shui, wood "uproots" earth. Since health is associated with the element wood, keep these objects out of the center of your home. Also remove any column or tree-like shapes. Items shaped like tree trunks have an upward movement of energy and this is not helpful in your health sector. Examples of negative, column-shaped objects would be columns, tall curio cabinets and spiral staircases.

4. MAKE CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO YOUR BEDROOM
The bedroom is you spend a great deal of your time, so it's an important room for your health. Reducing electromagnetic fields is one of the best things you can do for better health. Remove all electrical appliances from the bedroom if possible. If not, place them at least 8 feet from the bed. Things like electric blankets or waterbeds are the worst offenders, due to the proximity to your body.

Metal objects should also be removed from the bedroom since they conduct electricity. Don't sleep with your feet pointed out your bedroom door. This position is called the "pine box" or "coffin" position and should be avoided due to its negative connotation. Don't face a mirror while sleeping. If you can see in the mirror from your bed, this is like having another person-one who never sleeps-in the room with you.

Also, the water element of the mirror could cause ill health. Mirrors, if not easily moved, can be covered with material hung on a cord or rod. This would allow for use of the mirror when needed, but would keep it covered while you are sleeping. The bed should always be position against a solid wall. This is to symbolize support. If your bed is in front of a window, close the blinds or curtains to give that feeling of solid support.

5. PLACEMENT OF PARTICULAR OBJECTS
Place objects in certain areas of your home for good health and for energizing you and your family. The dragon is a good health symbol but do not place it in the bedroom. He has too much energy, and would make the bedroom restless rather than restive.

Potted plants or wind chimes around your home will disperse negative "chi," which is called "sha." The dragon-headed tortoise is a symbol of steadiness and longevity. If placed at the back of the house, he will symbolize support for you and your family.

Rabbits and tortoises are both symbols of improved health, luck and long life. They both should be placed in your health area. The type of material they are made of is important and depends on your "kua" number and your element. An example would be a kua number of three that means the element is wood. If your element is wood, you would place a wooden rabbit and a wooden tortoise in your health area. To find your kua number and element, search the internet or books on Feng Shui.

These five simple home Feng Shui tips for good health are just the beginning. If you are interested in Feng Shui, there are many helpful books on the subject. Some are specific to health, some give helpful charts and diagrams concerning the elements, kua numbers, etc. Others are filled with information on furniture arranging to achieve a perfect flow of "chi." Feng Shui is growing in popularity and may help you gain better health and happiness.

SOURCE Author: Angela Bartelotte
.

Read more!

List for Empowered People

• The Most Destructive Habit: FEAR


• The Greatest Joy: GIVING


• The Greatest Loss: LOSS OF SELF RESPECT


• The Most Satisfying Work: HELPNG OTHERS


• The Ugliest Personality Trait: SELFISHNESS


• The Most Endangered Species: DEDICATED LEADERS


• Our Greatest Natural Resource: OUR YOUTH


• The Greatest “Shot in the Arm”: ENCOURAGEMENT


• The Greatest Problem to Overcome: FEAR


• The Most Effective Sleeping Pill: PEACE OF MIND


• The Most Crippling Failure Disease: EXCUSES


• The Most Powerful Force in Life: LOVE


• The Most Dangerous Pariah: A GOSSIPER


• The World’s Most Incredible Computer: THE BRAIN


• The Worst Thing to Be Without: HOPE
  
• The Deadliest Weapon: THE TONGUE
  
• The Two Most Power-Filled Words: I CAN
  
• The Greatest Asset: FAITH
  
• The Most Worthless Emotion: SELF-PITY
  
• The Most Beautiful Asset: YOUR SMILE!
  
• The Most Prized Possession: INTEGRITY
  
• The Most Powerful Channel of Communication: PRAYER
  
• The Most Contagious Spirit: ENTHUSIASM

And here is the rest of it.

Read more!

Six Easy Ways to Detox Your Life

Unfortunately, pesticides and toxic chemicals are here to stay. However, there are several simple steps you can take to significantly reduce your exposure to them and help counteract the damage they may cause.

1. Whenever possible, choose organic fruits and vegetables.


2. Minimize your use of insecticides and pesticides


3. On a regular, consistent basis take a quality food-based, multivitamin/mineral complex and include high ORAC value foods.


4. If you have access to a juicer, make fresh juice a part of your daily routine.


5. Don't go on faddish or extreme diets.


6. You must make sure that your bowels are moving regularly
   

To view the entire article, see Detoxify Your Life Six Easy Ways. Author: Dr. David Williams. Source

And here is the rest of it.

Read more!

Ten Steps to Simplify Your Day

DON'T LET YOUR STRINGS GET PULLED...
PREPARE FOR YOUR DAY!

1. Be prepared, arrive to your destination on time
2. Limit your mult-tasking to 3 things, so you don't get too scattered
3. Put space into your day to exercise your Emotional Side..tackling to many things at once will frustrate you and those around you
4. Be "present" to those you speak with, look them in the eye when talkng
5. Know what your are having for dinner, what you need, and when you will get started
6. Time slot your day, working to accomplish what you want to get done, but know that not everything on your list will get completed, and that is just fine!
7. Be realist about today's expectations based on yesterday's accomplishments
8. Start things that need to be started...procrastion can create alot more headaches
9. Set aside some time every day just for you
10. Keep working on a problem until your come to a solution, knowing frustrations in your day are not a permanent visitor.

. And here is the rest of it.

Read more!

Green Living Tips

• Buy local to support the local economy and reduce transportation impacts.


• Buy goods with less packaging and/or recycled packaging.


• Buy in bulk to save money and energy.


• Buy used clothing, books and other products.


• Exchange and share tools, clothing and toys.


• Use canvas bags for all your shopping.


• Buy fair-trade products, which support local economies.


• Use non-toxic cleaning materials and organic linens.


• Go carbon neutral - investigate and buy green tags.


• Buy less. .

These suggestions provide a way for us to Vote with our Dollars. As a consumer, I sometimes forget the power I have in the decision making process. When enough of us say through our pocketbooks,(okay, for you men out there, wallets, too) "We don't want it any more", corporate America sits up quickly, with ears perked, pens poised for action, and changes start to roll. Look at the shift from conventional food to organics that has resulted because of consumer demand.

For Me Personally, I have made a conscious effort to purchase as much as I can locally, especially in the area of food. Our family has joined the local CSA to insure we have good quality, fresh produce as well as to be able to support these great young farmers.

Also I hate things that are over packaged...besides wasting resources, they are just a plain pain to open and dispose of all the wrappings. We actually do quite a bit of things on this list, but are by no means the poster family for Green Living, we still have a lot more we can do before aspiring for that position. But we do feel good about the start we have made and actively work towards doing more all the time.

What are some of the things you do to Live Green?

Read more!

Simple Solutions Don't Make Money: But Potenize Your Water Anyway!

One of my husband's favorite lines is "Simple Solutions Don't Make Money". I'd like throw another thought into the philosophical pot: Simple solutions are not given credit because they lack the razzle-dazzle of high-tech approaches. Now how's that for a clearly scientific statement!

Come on, stay with me, I have a good, simple, uncomplicated suggestion that is so easy, you may be tempted to throw it aside without going any further. But DON'T! This is powerful stuff. Set aside a few minutes to potenize or energize your water so it will provide you with multiple benefits.

I had heard about potenizing water about a year ago from a dowser named Raymond Grace, as well as realizing the importance from Dr. Emoto's work, "Messages from Water." So this got me inspired to start playing around with the idea. One experiment I did that has clear, tangible results was to potenize water for plants that I had rooting. I did this six months ago. I put the cuttings into a vase of filtered water, then added several drops of potenized water. That's it! The vase of water with the cuttings looks the same today that it did 6 months ago- crystal clear. No yuck, guck, or little floaties in the water. No discoloration. No film on the glass. Just a crystal clear vase with my cuttings. This is truly amazing!

STEPS TO POTENIZING YOUR WATER:

• Use a bottle or container of water as your mother bottle that you will start with. The better the original source, the better your results. (what I'm saying is don't start out with a contaminated water source)
• Hold the bottle close to your heart, and with your eyes closed, really connect with the water, you will remain in this position throughout the entire process
• Open your heart center and visualize the energy of unconditional love coming from your heart and filling the water.
• Express your love for the water.
• Give thanks to the water...be sure to express the reasons you are giving gratitude... for all the ways we use water throughout our lives
• Then ask the water to release all trauma and tragedy it may be holding onto that has flowed through it's being
• Ask the water to raise its vibrational rate and frequency to the highest level possible
• Ask the water to adjust to the appropriate surface tension of the person using it
• Ask the water to cleanse all waste materials from whatever it is added to
• Add your own personal healing intention into the water
• Ask the water to retain the memory of each of these requests, so that once a drop or more of this water is added to any other water source, it is equal to or exceeds the properties of the original source.
• End by once again expressing your deep gratitude and love for the water.

This becomes your mother bottle. You can now add a drop or two to whatever other water source you are using. Once the bottle begins to get low, add more water or better yet, start the process all over again. And each time you pick up your mother bottle, remember to smile and send love and gratitude to the water! Do not drink the entire bottle of water, you may have some very strong detoxing effects.

WHERE TO USE YOUR POTENIZED WATER:

• Drinking
• Preparing Food
• Bathing
• Cleaning
• Doing laundry
• Gardening
• Detoxing
• Add to local water sources: streams, creeks, rivers, etc
• Give a bottle to a friend
• Teach others how to do this

The list is endless. Let me know if you try this, what you have done and what you're results are.

Read more!