day 19. june 19. 2010. June 19, 2010

Well. It’s Saturday again. Cleaning day. And it looks like my bathtub needs a scrub. I hate cleaning the bathtub. Up until taking on this ecochallenge I have always resorted to VIM cleaners. I can’t find any information on the ingredients in VIM, but my gut reaction is that they are probably not that great.

I finally found a cleanser that cleans as well as VIM but without all the harsh chemicals; Nature Clean Tub and Tile Cream Cleanser. The ingredients make me happy:

Ingredients: WATER, NEPHELINE SYENITE (A NATURAL MINERAL WITH NO CRYSTALLINE SILICA), SODIUM BICARBONATE (BAKING SODA), GLYCERINE (FROM VEGETABLES), BENTONITE (AMORPHOUS WITH NO CRYSTALLINE SILICA), FATTY POLYGLYCOSIDE (FROM CORN STARCH AND PALM KERNEL OIL), COCOBETAINE (FROM PLANT SOURCE), ETHYL ALCOHOL (FROM GRAIN), XANTHAN GUM AND POTASSIUM SORBATE (FOOD GRADE PRESERVATIVES).

And it’s available at retailers across Canada.

The other cheap and readily available option? You guessed it: vinegar. Try making a paste with baking soda and vinegar to scrub out that soap scum, it will require a little more elbow grease, but just think, you can skip the bicep curls at the gym tomorrow!!

*additional hint: spray your shower curtain and stall with a spritz of hydrogen peroxide cut with water to prevent mildew. (please don’t buy (into) that self cleaning shower spray idea.

day 8. june 8. 2010. June 8, 2010

Antibacterial/ Antimicrobial. You can get it in/on EVERYTHING. Antibacterial toys. Antibacterial soap. Antibacterial clothes. Antibacterial cosmetics.  Antibacterial dental care.  Antibacterial computer equipment.  Antibacterial acne care.  Antibacterial shave gel.  Antibacterial deoderant.  Antibacterial hoses.  Antibacterial furniture.  Antibacterial hockey helmets.  Antibacterial wallcoverings.  Antibacterial whirlpools.  Antibacterial airfilters.  Antibacterial paints.  Antibacterial laminate flooring.  Antibacterial cleaning cloths.  Antibacterial blankets. Antibacterial footwarmers.

Antibacterial footwarmers. Not. Even. Joking.

You know folks. You could just clean with castile soap and water. My absolute favourite is Dr. Bronner’s Certified Fair Trade Pure Castile Classic Soaps (Organic Ingredients). You don’t always need to kill the bacteria (leads to super germs and bacterial resistance), sometimes (most times) you just need to wash them away.

Or, if you are really MUST banish bacteria, for valid reasons, try Nature Clean Household Disinfectant. Its made with all natural ingredients, does not contain any  ammonia, chlorine, perfumes or dyes and uses thyme oil as its natural germ killer.  And of course we are back to my friend, white vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent disinfectant. Undiluted distilled white vinegar (5% solution) – the kind you can buy in the supermarket – kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). See my day 5. post for a do-it-yourself non-toxic cleaner. Don’t worry, your home will not smell like vinegar because the smell dissipates as the vinegar dries. However, you can add your favourite essential oil if desired.

Speaking of essential oils, a personal care option for naturally occurring antibacterial properties are essential oils. The following oils have antibacterial/ antimicrobial/ antifungal and anti-inflammatory characteristics:

• Australian tea tree oil
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Pine oil
• British Columbia wild oil of oregano
• Geranium oil
• Oil of oregano (magically cured a brutal sinus infection in just 2 doses, has many uses)
• Lavender oil

Ananda Apothecary has great info on all many essential oils.

day 6. june 6. 2010. June 6, 2010

I spent this afternoon in my garden. Gardening, in the last four years, has become a soul reviving activity for me. I particularly love to garden in bare feet. Yes, I actually enjoy the feeling of fresh dirt between my toes!

Last summer I (painstakingly) moved my garden from my previous rental to my new rental. I had great fears that the plants would not survive, but against all odds they have flourished! Even my cranky clematis is thriving!

But alas, the new abode does not have a garden. Or a backyard. Actually, it barely has a deck (um, like 13′x4′). But, I am not afraid of challenges! In fact, I am excited about the prospect of growing organic tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, dill, basil, thyme and anything else I can get my hands on.

I am already designing a “gardening unit” that will span vertically up one side of the deck to house the pots. And planning out where the rail supported planters will go. And where we will plunk two little chairs to enjoy our urban-green-oasis. And how I’ll happily pick fresh vegetables and herbs in order to prepare delicious vegan dinners. Such grandiose visions I have!

Speaking of gardening, and vinegar (see yesterday’s post) did you know that instead of using highly toxic weed killer you can pour full strength vinegar on weeds growing in sidewalk cracks and driveways to get rid of them? Cheap, easy, green.

day 5. june 5. 2010. June 5, 2010

WOW! Did you know vinegar has been commercially produced for about 2500 years, making it one of the oldest products in use by humans! There are many different types of vinegar out there, all produced by the oxidization of alcohol into acetic acid. Personally, I LOVE a little balsamic on my tomatoes, or a marinade of balsamic and olive oil on rough cut veggies prior to baking. And apple cider has entire websites dedicated to its healing capabilities, but white vinegar is the most useful and the most versatile by far.

Below is great do-it-yourself non-toxic all purpose cleaner.

• 1 part water
• 1 part white vinegar
• 4 tbsps lemon juice
• 10-20 drops tea tree oil (or other essential oil)

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before using. Safe for daily use throughout the home.

Drink apple cider vinegar with honey for:

• Relaxing Nervous System
• Promoting Deep Sleep
• Relief of Rheumatism
• Relief of Arthritis
• Relief of Bone Pains
• Relief of Heart Ailments
• Relief of Stress
• Insomnia

Recipe:
250 ml (8 oz) filtered water – warm enough to melt honey
1 to 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (organic recommended)
1 to 2 teaspoons wildflower honey (local if possible)

Mix organic apple cider with honey and drink at night before going to bed. Great for calming nerves, promoting relaxation and relief of bone related ailments. I’m going to make myself a cup right now!