Earth Day Revisited

Happy Hippy Christmas! (Earth Day) - Celebrate with Green Cleaner Recipes

Did you know that vinegar eliminates microbes like E.Coli from surfaces and sponges as effectively as commercial cleaners? In fact vinegar kills between 90 and 98% of bacteria! And most importantly it is SAFE for your family not to mention cheaper than dirt!

Well I hosted a Green Cleaning Party last Sunday and it was a great success! I was so pleased with the amazing discussion that evolved and we had a great time making our all purpose cleaner and creamy soft scrub. We indulged in 3 flavors of my homemade hummus (lemon, Thai hot chili and roasted garlic yum), mini pizzas, chocolate cookies, iced green tea and red wine. Even though the sprayers ended up being broken, at least the company is replacing them. If you have a party..make sure to test your sprayers before the big day!

The party was inspired by Women's Voices for the Earth which is "a national, women-centered environmental health and justice organization that works to eliminate or substantially reduce environmental toxics impacting human health and to increase women’s participation in environmental decision-making."

Vinegar: deodorizes, dissolves mineral deposits and grease, removes soap traces, mildew and wax build up, polishes brass, chrome, copper, pewter and stainless steel, cleans brick and stone, removes decals and stickers & removes water spots on leather. Not only does Vinegar eliminate microbes like E.Coli from surfaces and sponges as good as commercial cleaners but it also effectively eliminates between 90 - 98% of bacteria (as previously mentioned but its so cool that I had to restate).

Baking Soda neutralizes acid, scrubs shiny materials without scratching, deodorizes refrigerators, carpets, upholstery, vinyl and drains, extinguishes grease fires and cleans and polishes aluminum, chrome, jewelry, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel and tin!

Here are the recipes...try them for yourself! I am V satisfied with the all purpose cleaner. We used organic lemongrass essential oil as it has antibacterial and anti viral properties.

All-Purpose Cleaner
suggested uses: hard surfaces like counter tops and kitchen floors, windows and mirrors
2 cups white distilled vinegar
2 cups water
20-30 or more drops of essential oil (optional)

Tip: Warming in microwave until barely hot will boost cleaning power for tough jobs. Only microwave in a glass container.

Creamy Soft Scrub
suggested uses: Use this creamy soft scrub on kitchen counters, stoves, bathroom sinks, etc.
2 cups baking soda
½ cup liquid castile soap*
4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (acts as a preservative)
5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any scent you prefer (optional)
Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar, shelf life of 2 years.

Tips: For exceptionally tough jobs spray with vinegar first—full strength or diluted, scented—let sit and follow with scrub.
Dry soft scrubs can be made with baking soda or salt (or combination of both) with 10-15 drops essential oil to scent

Furniture Polish
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
20-30 drops lemon essential oil
Shake well before using
(2 teaspoons lemon juice may be substituted for lemon oil but then must be stored in refrigerator)

Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft brush to work the polish into corners or tight places.
Tips: To remove water spots rub well with toothpaste. To remove scratches use 1 part lemon juice and 1 part oil, rub with soft cloth.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Option 1
Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar, let soak for at least 30minutes and scrub with toilet brush.

Option 2
Put ¼ cup borax in toilet bowl and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Swish with a toilet brush and then scrub. A few drops of pine oil can be added for increased disinfecting. (Note: some people are allergic to pine oil.)
Tip: Let ingredients soak for a while to make for easy scrubbing, especially on persistent stains like toilet bowl rings

Drain Opener
½ cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar
Pour baking soda down the drain and follow with vinegar. Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Flush with boiling water.
Tip: Prevent your shower form clogging by using a drain trap to catch hairs.

Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax
Soap flakes can be made by grating your favorite pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater. Mix ingredients together and store in a glass container. Use 1 tablespoon per load (2 for heavily soiled laundry), wash in warm or cold water.

This standard recipe can be adjusted for soft water by using 1 cup soap flakes, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. For hard water, use 1 cup soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup borax.

Note: Borax should not be ingested.
Tips: Add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to rinse as a fabric softener. For a whitener, use hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach. Soak your dingy white clothes for 30 minutes in the washer with 1/2 cup 20% peroxide. Launder as usual.

Off to celebrate Earth Day...with a fabulous spring weekend of outdoor adoration and amusements. Love your mama!

Chaos

So we signed a contract on our house last night! Our counter offer was accepted. It was a surprise and caught me off guard because we had not heard from her in a couple weeks. If all goes well and the stars are aligned we will be moving May 30! Crazy to think of.

I would be more excited if a) there was not a divorce contingency on the contract till May 1st...meaning if her divorce does not go through as she expects by then...she will most likely back out at that point and b) if I had not misquoted our payoff amount which now means that we need to figure out a way to make the numbers come out right.

NO we are not making money on our home. YES this sucks. Yes we are the lucky folks who ended up loosing money on the whole "investment". A recession combined with a buyers market, rolling our closing costs into the loan (which inflates the loan obviously) & only living in the house for 2.5 years has us scrambling to just break even! HO HUM. I try not to think about it. Its just disgusting. However we have greatly enjoyed our time in the house and will always remember it fondly. We are NOT jumping into another home purchase however. I am presently lusting to rent...oh the irresponsibility of it!

So although we did sign a contract and it is starting to feel like we are going to indeed move...there is still so much up in the air that it is hard to feel settled. I'm honestly thinking about getting a prescription for something to take the edge off. I hate to go that route...but damn.....I am stressed out here.

The logistics of moving have me wired. When to my notice in at work..to be fair to my fabulous boss and yet not before things are looking solid. How to move, when to move, where to move (well we have the city but I mean actual structure). How to pay for it all.

Then of course there are the emotional elements...saying goodbye to this place I love and the people I adore. Uprooting Grant from his beloved school and friends. Moving is one of the most stressful experience you can have (loosing a child is the first). Finding my way in a new city.

In the middle of all the chaos I am preparing to apply for a job that has not officially been advertised yet but I know is coming. I want it sort of....but not really. I just feel like I have to apply because it fits me and it is actually available. If I don't get it I will be fine with staying at home with Grant!!!!! So you see my dilemma. Poor is fine by me. I remember it well from my twenties.

So as you can see....my life is chaotic right now....and I do not do well in these moments. So send me a prayer or a virtual hug please. I just needed to vent!

Beautiful Boy

A Mother's Plea

R.I.P. Happy

Happy departed from this world at 1:40PM Monday, April 15, 2008. It was a very gentle passing and there was no pain.

During our last walk I decided to do one at a time...Happy being the first because she is the eldest and she does not recognize Grant as the Alpha and therefore poses a much greater threat. She also has sever arthritis and even refused to attend the "last walk". Whereas she would not be able to handle life with Sadi....I think Sadi might be OK without Happy. Sadi has always been the "rock head" whereas Happy was eerily human like.

The entire situation is entirely bizarre and morbid. I am still in shock. Yes, I murdered my dog of 14. 5 years. She had been with me since she was a wee 5 weeks old. The runt of the litter, feisty and totally neurotic from day one! I am grieving. She was a good dog and I thanked her till the last second....hell...I am still thanking her. She was by my side my entire adult life. She witnessed it all. My growth, my regression, my mistakes, my successes. And she followed me everywhere.

There is comfort in still having Said here with me. I cant imagine having done both at once...with the way I am feeling.....that would have been a mistake.

Rest in peace sweet Happyloo. Your sprit will be missed. Happy after world to you sweet pup.

Lay in Wait

My ghost faced dog...Sadi.




Agony is upon me. As the minutes pass I am becoming more and more uncomfortable with putting my dogs to sleep tomorrow.



Yes they are OLD. Yes they are deaf and and semi blind. Yes they have severe arthritis and as the vet say, their bodies are giving out on them. Yes they snap at my son and even tonight Happy was having a stare down contest with him that scared me.



However, they are not sick. They have a good quality of life. They still enjoy food, treats and at least Sadi still likes walks. They are content.



Even though the vet encouraged me to put them down (because of the snapping)....I definitely feel like for me, it would be more for convenience than anything. And this is what is eating away at me. Yes, the fact that they pose a threat to my son is definitely a real problem. I do not think any blood would ever be drawn, but you truly never know with animals. For goodness sakes...they are animals right. And being old and crotchety combined with mild dementia...could very well cause an atypical act....like biting.

Here is Happy - my first born.

I just don't know what will go down tomorrow. In a way I just want to stop THINKING about it and just do it. I have already thought about it long and hard and finally made the appointment. On an optimistic point, if you, given the chance, were allowed the option for a painless death while you were still very old but not miserable yet...would you be cool with it? I'm voting yes. Of course its impossible to figure out how long we have left...so that's the kink. How long do these girls have left feeling pretty good and not being officially sick? Sure Sadi can barely get up the stairs and sure they don't even get up for a crazy human appetizer because it is too much trouble...but still...they are in dogs terms, healthy.



SHIT. This SUCKS. It sucks being me right now. My council keeps telling me...well its your decision...only you can make it. GREAT. Lucky me. I realize that I could very well cancel the appointment in the morning and just go about my business and just wait for the next bite scare or the next health problem to debate and worry and deal with it. But honestly...they are old.....they have daily pain, its bound to come up someday soon...so why not tomorrow?



If I go through with it...I just have to believe that I am giving them an honorable death, a peaceful death, and one that I would prefer for myself if given the option. Go out with dignity...before continence is lost, before cancer sets in, before pain consumes...right before life is not worth living.



I took the day off tomorrow. They will indulge in chicken livers, a hike in the woods and a tranquilizer trip. What happens next is as of this writing a mystery.



I apologize for such a dismal, pathetic post. You my friends are my therapist tonight (whats new).

Sadi..what a GOOD dog she is! So loyal and protective.

Rainbow Gatherings Revisited

"When the earth is ravaged and the animals are dying, a new tribe of people shall come unto the earth from many colors, classes, creeds, and who by their actions and deeds shall make the earth green again. They will be known as the warriors of the Rainbow." Hopi Prophecy

While writing yesterday's post, the world of the Rainbow family came back into my reality. It was at one such gathering that my sweet puppy Happy was almost lost for good. She had wandered away in her playful bliss and we stayed around a few extra hours after we needed to leave, to find her. She was SO very happy indeed when she saw us again. That was a close call though. These gatherings can be huge...talking up to 30,000 people! So its no little thing.

My friend Stacey commented about the rainbow gathering phenomenon and it started me thinking more about them and getting excited all over again. I did a little online research and found Wiki has a really great summary:

"Rainbow Gatherings are temporary intentional communities, typically held in outdoor settings, and espousing and practicing ideals of peace, love, harmony, freedom and community, as a consciously expressed alternative to mainstream popular culture, consumerism, capitalism and mass media."W

" The Rainbow Family of Living Light, also known as The Rainbow Family, are a group of individuals committed to principles of non-violence and non-hierarchical egalitarianism. Founded in 1972 in the United States, the Rainbow Family has held annual Gatherings in National Forests for the first week of July each year. The Rainbow Gatherings are non-commercial and all who wish to attend peacefully are welcome. There are no leaders, and traditionally the gatherings take place for a week, with a primary focus on the Fourth of July in North America, when attendees pray, meditate, or observe silence in a group effort to focus on World Peace. Thus, the name Rainbow Family of Living Light is a reflection of both the emphasis on welcoming people of all races, religions, ethnicity, and social status, as well as a spiritual focus towards peace." W

Yes Stacey, I attended the 1996 Annual gathering and a regional gathering at Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri. It BLEW MY MIND. I had never before seen anything like it! It was almost dark when arrived in the remote location. We were greeted with "Welcome Home" and I must say it just melted my idealist heart. Temporary utopia...here I come. Of course utopia does not exist, but it definitely affected the way I look at the world, and ignited a renewed since of hope!

It doesn't surprise me that the press was negative and sensational. How could that not happen? A bunch of subculture folks migrate by the 1000s to redneck village hehe. Its a dramatic culture clash. And just like any "church", there are people there for a variety of reasons, not all being pure. So although Rainbow Gatherings do attract their fair share of drainbows, druggies and curious georges, the heart is beautiful and delicious!

Just writing about the Rainbow Family and looking into it more has reignited my interest! I am a hippy at heart. And everyone who knows me knows that. Sure my innocent idealism has been squashed a bit and I am definitely more realistic than ever before. I have tinges of bitterness and defeat....so interacting with my tribe is critical. Celebrating Earth, peace, love and an egalitarian, sustainable society keeps me hopeful and happy! Living in small town America can be very isolating.

Thanks Stacey for inspiring me to take a walk down memory lane and remember!

Oh...if you are interested in listening to some of the music that is shared at gatherings check this out!

Doomsday Scheduled

Well I did it. I just scheduled my dogs death. How messed up is that? When the receptionist confirmed our 4:30 appointment for euthanasia....it punched me right in the face! I knew this moment was coming...and I have procrastinated and made excuses long enough. They have both lived good long high quality lives..and that is my solace.

I plan to indulge them over the weekend with excessive attention, pampering and lots of human food! I also want to take them on a hike in the woods...their favorite place. Monday I will have the day off to spend with them and feed them raw liver and stinky things only dogs love. Then at 4:30 we start the process. Thankfully they will have tranquilizers earlier in the day so they will be high as a kite and not have a worry in the world.

These little girls...my Happy and Sadi have been with me since they were just weeks old. Happy coming first and then Sadi being adopted 6 months later. They have traveled the country with me and have been at my side through many moves and changes, and through it all they loved me unconditionally. They were the cutest puppies ever:). They have been to dog parks, rainbow gatherings, communes, dozens of campgrounds, trails, lakes and creeks. Overall they have had excellent lives and I hope they can forgive me for ending their lives a bit premature. I know they could hold on longer, but why make them suffer? Their arthritis is bad, they are deaf and mostly blind, one has a tumor that bleeds and Grant annoys the piss out of them. They both have snapped at him (not that he didn't deserve it) but Happy could very well sneak a good bite in someday...especially with her dementia (oh ya...she barks all day at nothing). Happy is 14.5 and Sadi just turned 14 last week.

For now I will focus on making their last hours the best they have had in years...and leave the grieving for next week. This is a rotten thing to have to decide. We never think about this when we are adopting those adorable puppies now do we?

Redneck Weddings

A camouflage theme for a wedding? I guess its just another day in redneck wedding paradise.

Last night during my 15 minutes of TV time I happened to stumble upon this jewel. My hand was paralyzed as I witness the atrocities of a redneck wedding. Call me innocent...but I really had no idea these things happened! I mean I have some serious country roots and relatives...and have indeed been to a barn wedding...but these weddings are truly....well truly...whacked out.

I'm sure it has something to do with me NOT being a redneck...otherwise I would be inspired and excited. However that is not the case and instead I have visions of a bride chasing a greased pig and mudding in her 4 wheel drive and it almost disgusts me. I had no idea how uppity I am! Ok so it doesn't disgust me...but it is slightly disturbing in an intriguing way. Hell..its worth a looksie...a whole new world of redneck I didn't even know existed! In fact..I'm sure I will be back for more. Strange how that works isn't it?

Only Child Syndrome

A while back I had posted about my yearning to have another child. I wanted Grant to have a sibling and not grow up an only child. I also wanted to experience pregnancy and child birth just one more time (yes I find child birth to be precious and empowering). Selfish reasons....or course. What other reasons are there to bring another human on this planet?

However, since that time I have turned about face. Instead of trying to get pregnant (on my own which another post altogether) I am instead relaxed and content with my family of 3. As soon as I stopped wanting...a huge burdon was lifted off my shoulders. It was quite dramatic.

Now we (I) do not have to go through 3 trimesters of varying degrees of discomfort and maternal wondering. We are free from the sleepless newborn phase. We do not have to figure out how to give them both of them enough attention, structure or a college education. My husband and I don't have to go back in time...or regress...we can just focus on the future and move forward with our already 21 month old. This is very much a relief.

So for now....I just enjoy dear Grant to the fullest and am grateful that we were able to bring him into the world to join us in the journey of life. He IS enough (more than enough truly). And we will make sure that he has ample access to lots of little friends wherever we may go so that he is never lonely for peers. And when he asks us why he is an only child we will tell him that Daddy is sterile we wanted to be able to take him to distant lands and pay for his education. Is that so wrong?

St Louis visit in pics

Wow what a weekend! Elaboration now added for your pleasure.

We visited the Missouri Botanical Gardens which is a comfort zone for me. I have a collection of fond childhood memories here and going back with my Mother and Godmother leaves me with lots of warm fuzzy feelings. This green house is one of my favorites and houses blooming trees. I love this inside outside photo

I was exhausted most of the trip. I decided to just plop down on some lush green grass while at the gardens for some much needed nap time. It was so cool to listen to all the sounds around me while I have dozed.
Mother in law and Godmother chat while Grant takes his mid day nap at the garden.

I had to get in the middle of these blooms

This was Grant's first busy busy city streetscape. He was stunned and in awe of everything going on. ..so much to take in.

love this shot
Notice Grant runnin on the left side of the pic. He is a busy fella.

Camelia - not to be confused with Chlamydia

Played hockey with dad at his moms house.

Shot his first hoops!
Slept in the car on our long long drives.

Hung out with more uncles...this one being Ray.

Visited a handful of playgrounds. I love his expression on this one!

The gangway between my childhood home and my Godmother's.

We saw this face more than I care to remember :)

Grant experienced his first teeter totter ( I always scream in excitement when we find a 70s playground complete with see saw):

This creature was still surviving at the same said playground...could use the lead paint scraped off

Then Grant decided to teeter totter standing up...much to the surprise of his father





We celebrated my birthday on and off the whole weekend..complete with 3 birthday sweets including a brownie (pictured), an apple pie and a chocolate cake. It was wonderful hehe.

We dined at my favorite restaurants........hallelujah

We played in the hood. The house is my childhood home and where my parents still reside. It is still surreal to see my son playing on the sidewalks where I played as a child.

Sitting on the stoop. This porch has seen way too much of my life! I tell you when I go back home I go WAYYY back. That seems to happen when your parents dont move and its just all right there waiting for you...like a time capsule.

Here is my dad waving from the garage. Isnt that garage a relic? Another place that just brings it all back. I remember falling from those steps and getting a huge cut on my knee..still have the scar...and my dad picked the rocks out with tweezer.

Am I really turning 35? Weird!

The last month has been a roller coaster of real estate market drama. I am about SICK and tired of running home and pulling a whirling dervish style clean up for a last minute viewing! At least the house is getting seen though...so I hate to complain. I can really tell spring has sprung because a slow showing schedule has turned into a multiple times a week situation...which is great (except for the constant house cleaning...and all of you who have ever sold a home know what I am talking about).

And if that wasn't enough fun....the last month was a big tease! Four weeks ago a lady liked the house. A week later she scheduled a second showing! WOW...our excited was building. A week later she said she wanted to write up a contract. Another week later she actually did it...man she drew that out! I was exhausted from the snails pace. Then........we found out it was not only contingent on her divorce...but she wanted to close in 2.5 months! Thats almost as bad as being contingent on her selling her house...maybe worse. Our counter offer included upping the price a tad, removing the contigency to just the first month and closing at 2 months. Well she is still pondering...and while she does so we are back to showing our house. In fact...we have showed it 2 times in 2 days. Pretty good stats.

I just pray that we sell our house to some one who will love and appreciate it like we did. It is just time for us to move on and start the next phase of our life. I'm really getting antsy to move...even though it will undoubtedly be stressful and scary. Guess I will go ahead and apply for the same job I applied for 6 months ago. Long story short....it has opened up again because the director retired and they promoted the assistant. I have a good shot at it because I was #2 out of 71 applicants last time and the lady who did get hired (who is now the director) is very interested in me. I know all this because I have the inside scoop. I'm a little disheartened because I really want to stay at home with Grant...or should I say not send him to a new day care. But this is the only job in that city that has my name written all over it ...so I suppose I should go for it...and then at least we could afford to send Grant to the Montessori school (they start at age 2).

So I have lots of things up in the air right now...no wonder I was blessed with my first migraine in 20 years last night! Even today I am wearing my sunglasses (from the snowman) at work (the lights are bothering me). I wont even go into my aging dogs who may need to sent to doggie heaven soon. Or my dad who has Alzheimer's and is getting worse by the day.

But on a happier note...tomorrow is my birthday! I'm turning 35 HOLY CATS. Not young not old...just middle aged I guess (depends on how long you live). I don't really think I am quite middle aged yet. My target age is 83 hehe. I was surprised this morning when a gorgeous spring basket of flowers was delivered to me at work! Happy Birthday Mama! Love Grant. Made my day...my year even! My hubby done good.

Now I just need to make it to 5PM...then we are OFF for a fun birthday road trip!!!!! Will tell on upon return. Have a wonderful weekend. I just LOVE this time of the year :)

I Mugged a Snowman and I am Proud of it!

ITs true. This is NOT an April FOOls joke...no ...nu uh....its the cold truth.

We were strolling an outside mall....and there he was....all bent outta shape and sad. The snowman had obviously seen better temps, but by now he was just a few lumps on the boardwalk. A scarf, sun glasses and mittens laid about soggy and forelorn. My husband whispers in my ear, hey, do you like those glasses? Oh he sure knows how to sweet talk me.

So we stepped in for a closer look. Um ya I actually do like the glasses, and knowing how FAST I cruise through them (lost, broken etc), a free pair sounded pretty sweet. So I glanced about with jittery eyes and swooped them up in one graceful lunge. THEN THEY WERE MINE.

I wish I had taken a picture of that sweet old snowman....but the thrill of the act had me moving fast and thinking slow. The fact that I mugged a snow man...is just another experience I can chalk up to being a serendipitous thrill seeker hehe.

LikeaBike VS Skuut

Grant will turn two July 7th. We are already brewing with ideas for his gift. If money was not a problem...the $300 LikeaBike would definitely be it. Oohhhhhhhhh.....ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Skutt....the $90 knock off still seems great although unfortunately they are built in China. Check out the videos on the Skuut website...looks like so much dang fun! Man...I sure do want him to have the likeabike...must save pennies.
>

I CANNOT wait to see him with one...he already gets all excited just seeing them on their websites. Anyone have experience with one of these...or even a different version?

Friday Apples & Six Word Memoir

Here is my Six Word Memoir inspired by Alison over at Three Times Kewl

"Joy in Simplicity Rocks my World"

This boy looooooves apples
See the juice drippin from his lip? Its a juicy yum yum apple

How much you got in there? Open your mouth (he is SO good about this and it doubles as a nice trick for the doctors too). Chew chew chew.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!! May ye all be blessed an merry this spring weekend.

Host a Green Cleaning Party!

Recent cord blood studies of infants at birth found over

200 different chemicals!

If that grabs your attention ( and I sure hope to goodness it does) please continue on to learn more about the plague of toxic chemicals we all deal with and what you can do about it!


Instead of trying to paraphrase what my amazing friend Imani over at Busy Moms Go Green wrote so perfectly...I just copied it here for your edutainment. Please read...and consider having your own green cleaning party! Mine is scheduled for April 12th.

Here's your chance to take action!
Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE) is a national, women-centered environmental health and justice organization that works to eliminate or substantially reduce environmental toxics impacting human health and to increase women’s participation in environmental decision-making. For the month of April they are helping women across the country host Green Cleaning parties for families and friends to inform them about the toxicity of products on the market and how to replace them with non-toxic cleaners they make themselves.

Toxic chemicals invade us in every arena of our lives. There are some 85,000 chemicals in the consumer marketplace and only a fraction of them have ever been tested for their impact on human health. Many of these chemicals are now known or suspected to contribute to a long list of diseases including cancer, developmental disabilities, heart disease, infertility, and reproductive harm. Many of us use cleaners to create a clean and healthy environment. But some of the products you use may actually be harmful to your health. Certain household cleaners contain toxic chemicals linked to birth defects, fertility problems, asthma and more.
EPA research has found that the air inside the typical house contains levels of pollution 2-5 times higher than the air outside and in extreme cases can be 100 times more polluted. Nowadays the average American spends about 90% of time indoors! According to a study of human fatty tissue samples, every American man, woman and child carries at least 700 pollutants in his or her body and the average sample in breast milk produced by American women contains over 100 contaminants. Recent cord blood studies of infants at birth found over 200 different chemicals!

The use of synthetic chemicals is a big industry: a 17 billion dollar cleaning product industry and a 35 billion dollar cosmetics industry with the majority of these chemicals being unregulated and untested. Currently there are over 80,000 chemical compounds in existence and less than 10% have been adequately evaluated for human or environmental safety.

In the US alone, more than 500,000 chemical products are available to consumers with more being produced each year and our government continues to overlook the severity of the issue. This is insane! Let’s use our dollars and demand products that are not damaging to us or the planet! Together, we are powerful!Mother Earth is speaking loud and clear these days in an attempt to communicate her distress. We need to take immediate action to remedy her ailments within our own homes. Seemingly harmless everyday items such as toilet bowl cleaners, laundry detergents, shampoos, cosmetics air fresheners, antibacterial soaps as well as the prescription medicines we take - are polluting our planet as they wash down our drains.

Consider hosting your very own Green Cleaning party! Get all the details HERE

Their website provides everything you need to know to host a party as well as informative fact, including WVE’s Household Hazard report. By hosting a party, you will help spread the word about an important environmental health issue.

SO when is your party???? Mine is April 13. You are invited of course...maybe a conference party???