Vinegar vs. Bleach

I'm an avid bleach user. I'm aware that it isn't natural, but I love disinfectant it is.  I live on a tropical island that is very humid, were mold is a serious issue.  Bleach gets rid of mold.  So I use bleach. I also enjoy how it makes my "whites whiter."  It's really a cure all in a lot of ways.  My previous post advocated using bleach. 

On a separate note I just got the opportunity to talk to this super smart registered nurse and holistic expert, and she was saying how un-healthy bleach is for the whole body including the lungs.  Obviously I knew this, but somehow bleach wasn't on my radar like all the other cleaners were.  She says she uses vinegar, so I thought I would google it to see what I could come up with.

"Bleach is as much of a toxin as it is a cleaner. Here are some of the hazards:

• Respiratory issues
• Skin burns
• Damage to nervous system
• Exacerbates Asthma
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Accidents that cause the skin to come into direct contact with bleach or people ingesting it (as many as 700 adults per year)
• Linked to cancer

Many sources say that chlorine by itself is not hazardous and will break down before it reaches the environment, which may be true (but it sounds a little too good to be true). The real hazard of bleach is that it can’t be mixed with ammonia, vinegar or other acids, and even organic matter (and what would you normally clean up with bleach? Organic matter, of course.). Each of these compounds causes a reaction with bleach that emits toxic, potentially carcinogenic fumes."
This was taken from: Food for Thought: Why is Bleach Bad for Me? (September 14th, 2009) retrieved from kitchenstewardship.com

Is there actually a substitute for bleach, and is vinegar a good substitute?

So after some research I found that vinegar is a good substitute, but used in conjunction with Hydrogen peroxide, which has shown to be more effective in killing e-coli and salmonella than bleach. So it would look something like this.  When you have the basic everyday wipe downs to do, you can use a spray bottle and a simple solution of 1/4 cup vinegar and the rest water.  That's it.  Very healthy can be digested in the human body, very effective at getting rid of grease on stoves and sinks, as well as cleaning mirrors (try using a newspaper on mirrors with vinegar instead of paper towels.)  The next spray bottle will have the mixture of half hydrogen peroxide and the other half water.  This needs to be kept in the dark, or in a dark bottle.  And last but not least baking soda.  These three items are all that is needed to clean and disinfect you whole house.  Vinegar does not leave a vinegar smell in your home for very long, so don't fear the smell. 

Notice in this picture the baking soda is in a re-purposed Parmesan cheese container! Great idea.

Here is the deal and this is the same with bleach as well. The chemicals don't disinfect until they are dry.  When you bleach a surface it's not until it dries that is starts working.  To clean with vinegar you might do something like spray the counter with vinegar and wipe everything down. Wait for vinegar to dry, then spray with hydrogen peroxide solution.  That's it! The baking soda is used on any part of your home that you want scrubbed.  The perfect places would be around your sinks where that icky stuff builds up, or in your toilet with a scrub brush..

Tip! Make sure to have your cleaning rags different than the ones you use on your body, duh!

Also consider these two tips as well..

Clean with vinegar for the basic bathroom wipe-downs, on things like spills, toothpaste and makeup.

Take a baby-wipe container and a pack of white re-usable towels, cut towel into baby wipe size, but doubled so they can be folded over if you want them thicker,if not just cut into baby wipe size.  Pour vinegar solution over rags and wa-la! Safe disinfectant towels, even your kids can use! 

You can put a small waste bin in your bathroom for the dirty home-aid counter towels, then just put them straight into the wash when the bin gets full.

In our kitchen and bathroom we use castile soap in peppermint and lavender.  I put about 1/4 cup of castile soap in a water bottle and the rest water and wa-la, again, you have another safe household cleaner.  All of these are safe to inhale, and safe for children.

Pure castile soap can also be used as soap in the shower and as a mopping agent!

Of course I don't like tchotchke's (chachki's) so I'll pass on these, but there cute and look easy to make!

I don't want to turn this into a green living blog, but cleaning with the above mentioned products not only is better for your health, but it also minimizes having fifty-thousand cleaning bottles in every cubard of your houses!

Awesome.  Soooo, if your not feeling the bleach you now have different options!

~Love...Monique

 

Blanco

Hello Students: Welcome to Home Economics 2011 style.

I'm going to take you on a tour of my home and describe things that I have in white that ease my household chores.  First, when you walk into my home you will be lovingly greeted by my dogs who will probably lick you, and jump on you repeatedly. Then we will walk into my kitchen where my hand towels are all white, this is because of food, spills, raw meat etc. end up on these towels and so they should be bleached.  I only have five white kitchen towels and a few white pot holders and glove. This way they can all be bleached together. 

Next we will walk into my bathroom, that for myself and guest is decorated in all white, except my two small white towels and hand soap dispenser that is also with with a plain black letter P.

Guest I'm sure get a sense of being in a hotel. That is a good thing, as guest do not want to get to know about you and your life in a bathroom.  This is a community restroom, as such it should be kept very clean all the time! Keep your personal items in another bathroom (if you have one.)  If you have one bathroom, then keep the counters free of your personal clutter. You should be safe to assume that most people will take a peek into your medicine cabinet or drawers. This is very normal, not weird, so just keep your personal items in a personal part of your home.  Now if you have other bathrooms such as a master bathroom only you see, still keep it clean and organized but this is your personal room. Do as you please.  In every bathroom in my house all towels are white.  For guest this color shows cleanliness, which a guest will expect from you. This is not why I do it though! If every towel you own in every room kitchen included is white, then how much easier is doing the laundry.  Now let's extend this to all bed sheets. Same rules apply for guest.  Guest enjoy a crisp white clean sheet. I enjoy that too. So keep all sheets white in every room including children's. How much easier would doing laundry be if all your towels and all your sheets were white, would you be sorting less?  Now another reason using white is beneficial is for replacement purchases. If a towel, or sheet starts to look old, or worn out, then you can easily replace one white towel with another. Unless the towels are being displayed (and if they are they shouldn't be used) then nobody will notice the difference between one white towel and another.  This concept is even more important with sheets. I think you know were I'm going with this.  If you are grabbing sheets based on bed size; twin in a child's room, then you do not have to find pairs or sets, you just grab a fitted and loose sheet and pillow case and call it a day. White is white, it doesn't matter.  Now I'm not against using one color scheme for the ease of laundry such as all yellow, all beige, all black, but the problem with colors is the ability to bleach out germs.  Heard of bed-bugs?  *Tip when your washing your white sheets with bleach, make sure to use hot-water.  This system helps with allergies too.  I'm not preferential to fabric softener on sheets, it does make them soft and smell good, but the softness isn't good for skin, and the smell is artificial + it takes the crispness out of them.  ~Hang dry, if you live in an area that it's feasible. That is a trend that should stay. 

I also purposely use the color white in my bathroom's for decoration. I explained above that white is a good color for community bathrooms that guest use. But for style and decoration purposes it can save you money.  How often do you feel the need to re-decorate your bathroom? There is nothing wrong with this, but the whole bathroom set including the shower curtain, mats, and soap counter items really add up, and you haven't even added pictures or candles etc.  So why not use white and add accessories as you see fit. For example:

These above "Paris themed" bathrooms set's are cute, but don't appeal to the masses. The cost of set's like those are expensive too. Since the above set its a trend that a person will likely get tired of quickly because there is so much going on, then it will also get thrown out for another "themed" set.  The set above is also kind of tacky. Obviously not at all how Paris really is. If you like Paris so much, then try to show that through photography of Paris and keep the rest of the bathroom more simple to make re-decorating less of a need. 

Plus most bathrooms in Paris look like this:

Also consider a natural approach to decorating.  The idea of using white doesn't have to be modern, but also antique. 

Let's play a game called what do you like better this or this?

This?

or....

This?

 or...

This?

This one is my favorite and it expresses my point the most about changing the wall art to change the theme instead of buying cheap plastic bathroom sets that are actually pretty expensive when purchased multiple times.

Please read the next post to learn about why bleach is no bueno! And how Vinegar may be a safter option and equally as effective.

~Love...Monique

Houston Texas, Wants Eco Friendly Skin Care!

My previous post on the Pumpkin Enzyme Facial Peel appealed to my long-time friend Joe. He tried it out, and said his skin was looking pretty good and it tasted good! If you don't know what I'm referencing, see previous post. 

Thanks Joe!

RE9

Before I do a post on how using white in your house can make housework easier, I wanted to talk about the skin care product by Arbonne called RE9. I personally have no experience with it. I'm going to use it though for 4 weeks and do an update on my skin at the end of each week. I will also do an initial post now on how is made my skin feel on day 1. But besides that I will update you on the product for the next four weeks.  I think that may be about enough time to start to see changes (or not.)  This is what I know right now:

• Arbonne is a direct sells company that has products formulated in Switzerland, and made and distributed in the U.S. 
• The company has been in existence for around thirty years. 
• Arbonne uses botanically based ingredients
• They do not test on animals
• They are 100% vegan certified
• They do not use animal by-products, Mineral Oils, Artificial Ingredients, Artificial Fragrances, petroleum-based oil ingredients
• They use plant based ingredients, essential oils, plant's vitamin's minerals, and anti-oxidants, in strong doses.

That's all I know. Now it sounds good, but my skin is very sensitive and there are limited products that I can use especially anti-aging ones that don't make me brake out. Typically if I want to anti-age my skin I have to use peels, but not moisturizer.

According to Arbonne's website RE9 Advanced contains:
ingredients proven to nourish skin and combat free radical damage. Key plant nutrients are available to soften and condition, protect and adjust to the skin's specific needs. Vitamin C is also available for the production of elastin and collagen.

Here are some of the key ingredients found in RE9 Advanced:
Kojic Acid - which is a highly effective, natural skin lightening agent that reduces the appearance of long-term sun and environmental damage.
BHA - with antioxidant properties helps to visibly tighten and smooth skin, and reduce the appearance of brown spots and fine lines.
Peptides - which increase skin thickness, produces significant quantities of collagen to restore the dermal matrix.

Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids - Alpha breaks down protein bonds, increasing cell proliferation.
Alpha Lipoic Acid - which is an antioxidant that penetrates skin quickly and absorbs into the skin's cells to increase cell metabolism."

~Photo courtesy of google images  RE9 Advanced after two weeks~


Now for my personal testimony. I've only used the RE9 Advanced Full product line one time. The very first thing that blew me away was that all the products, serums, lotions, and creams didn't leave my skin feeling greasy or oily. This is very big for me, because it's almost impossible to use a heavy night cream for anti-aging without looking greasy and getting breakouts. Every single product absorbed into my skin and made it feel supple.  The smell was very light but noticeable. It was a clean cinnamon smell. It was nice!  Lastly the Renewing Serum had an instant tingling feeling. It wasn't irritating but noticeable.  I can not speak of results that's why I'll write about it once a week for four weeks.  I'll know if I'm going to break out by the end of week one! So we'll see.  I barely have any noticeable fine line (yet) so there will not be much anti-aging in the wrinkle department, however there will be in the texture of my skin which isn't so great right now, also in the appearance of my skin which has freckles and some sun-spots ( I live in the tropics.)  Okay that's it for for RE9. I'll post in about seven days. 

~Love...Monique

The non-color white, is very much a color.

White...is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black...God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white. - G. K. Chesterton

The Color white, used in design:
Positive: Hygiene, sterility, clarity, purity, cleanness, simplicity, sophistication, efficiency.

How do these photo's make you feel?

It must be fun for this pre-teen/teenager to go on a scavenger hunt for her school clothes. Do you think this is the type of space that can evoke concentration during study time?

 This looks like a pretty standard American Living room.  Can you feel really relaxed watching t.v. in this room?

 Again this looks like a pretty normal American Kitchen. Typically the kitchen becomes a large junk drawer.  The most random items a person could own, always end up in the kitchen. The one room that most people spend the most time in (as a family) over the living room, tends to be the least inviting!

Why don't we feel the need to clean up after ourselves. So this one is going to be a discussion on the sexes.  I bet most parents of teen-age boys expect a room like this, after-all it's not horrible.  But why do we expect this from young men? Does the start of low-expectation's reflect on the rest of societies ideals of who is then expected to maintain cleanliness (IE, women?)  I'm not getting all feminist, but boys and men should not be encouraged to be slobs. On a deeper level, we should also encourage our children to take care of what's theirs. To appreciate what the parents have purchased for them.

 This one actually make me feel sad, because no little girl should have to be in such a messy room, even if the room is essentially nice, and clean (as this one seems to be.) The clutter impedes the child from having the space necessary for creativity. The over-dose of toys shows children, that none of them are really important. It's the start of senseless shopping habits. I bet if I were to clean that room, half the toys would be broken or unusable in some way!

 Again, I like this room because there really isn't anything wrong with it. The closet is organized, it's fine. I just don't think every room in every house needs to be packed to the brim with items. Even if the items are used, it's just to much. And if this is an adults room, does it produce the effects of relaxation or romance?

Okay, I'm only going to say one thing. Why are there rocks in the sink? Okay maybe two things, and why is there Altoids in the bathroom, isn't there Colgate there? Empty roll of toilet paper, can't be thrown away?

How do these photo's make you feel?

I'm not going to act like I don't see that some of these pictures are of high-end designing, and out of most people's price ranges. There is a common theme to me, which is no clutter. No clutter means no mess to clean up. It means space to move in. You can think in these spaces, and relax too.  Less clutter means less money goes to JUNK and more money goes to nice furniture pieces.  There is also the common theme of the color white being used.  To much white can be sterile, however a lot of white can be very clean and easy to deal with mentally.

The next post is going to be on how white can make housework easier! Stay tuned...

I think I should clarify something really quick. This is not a blog about organizing junk in a person's house. Instead it's a blog about throwing it out, selling it, and then not buying it back again! To not replace junk with more junk. You get rid of it, then you keep your money and let your wallet grow a little bit for once. 

"Just as black is total absorption, so white is total reflection. In effect, it reflects the full force of the spectrum into our eyes. Thus it also creates barriers, but differently from black, and it is often a strain to look at. It communicates, "Touch me not!" White is purity and, like black, uncompromising; it is clean, hygienic, and sterile. The concept of sterility can also be negative. Visually, white gives a heightened perception of space. The negative effect of white on warm colours is to make them look and feel garish."
Quoted from: Psychological Properties of Colors (October 25, 11) Retrieved from: http://www.colour-affects.co.uk/psychological-properties-of-colours

I just finished the book...

Miss Minimalist: Inspiration to Downsize, De clutter, and Simplify. by Francine Jay. I read something that really stuck with me, that I wanted to share.

"Their very ephemerality is what makes cherry blossoms so special. They only bloom for two weeks each year--and sometimes less, if rain and wind strip their branches of petals prematurely.  We have no control over when they enter or leave our lives: we can only wait patiently for them to flower, appreciate every minute they're in bloom, and then watch the petals fall to the ground.  In fact, Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) can teach us much about minimalist living:

1.) Seek beauty in nature, rather than in stores.
You can't buy a beautiful sunset, a star-filled sky, or a field of wildflowers at the mall--nor can you wrap them up, take them home, and display them on a shelf.  Instead of filling your home with decorative objects, look outside to satisfy your desire for aesthetic beauty."
2.) Appreciate things without owning them.
Don't feel the need to acquire everything you fancy.  Be satisfied to "window-shop," and appreciate the beauty of a necklace or artisan vase--just as you would a spring flower--without bringing it home.
3.) Go with the flow.
Don't try to control the events, things, or people in your life with an iron fist.  You'll feel much happier, and more serene, if you let things happen of their own accord.
4.)Nothing lasts forever.
Recognize that you can't hold on to everything indefinitely, and that some of the most beautiful things in life are the shortest-lived.
5.)Let things go.
Chery blossoms fall at the height of their beauty, rather than withering on the branch.  Allow possessions to fall from your life in the same way, like petals scattered to the wind.
(For example: donate your wedding dress or heirlooms before they deteriorate in the attic.)"

~Quote, Francine Jay

Wow, that was so thought provoking for me! In America, and other developed countries as well, we have moved into an insta-world. We want things, and can buy them at a click of a mouse. Remember what is was like to wander stores and just browse things, you had no intention of buying, or could afford? Remember what it was like to want things, and then dream about them but the dream was all you would ever have. I think there is a reason people "long for the simpler times." I know I do....

If you want some easy to digest tips on how to simplify your life you should consider Francine Jay's book.  She's sell both a full book, and a full guide:
The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to De clutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life

Also if you own a Kindle you can purchase: Miss Minimalist: Inspiration to Downsize, De clutter, and Simplify[Kindle Edition] *Note this is the one I purchased it's only 0.99cents. It's all her blog-post in one guide. I thought it was a full-book. A very good deal.

 

~Love...Monique

How to make an at-home Pumpkin enzyme Facial Peel.

The reason why my title is peel versus mask is because although the mixture will have a mask consistency, it will have strong enzymes thanks to the pumpkin it's self and especially from the the papaya.  I will have a few variations. I recommend making the large size suggested. Get into your tub and put it on your whole body. 

So what are enzymes anyway? I think most of us can relate that word to meaning something useful in cosmetic products.  Enzymes are a synthetic or natural product used to chemically exfoliate the dead skin cells.  If you are using a natural enzyme such as a pumpkin or papaya then you are getting not only the strong chemical benefits needed to keep your cells turning over, but also a natural and safe alternative.  Natural enzyme skin peels are just as effective! The enzyme penetrates more deeply into the top layers of the skin to give a effective improvement to peoples skin textures. 
The enzyme skin peel works to
Get rid of acne
Help diminish scars
Improve texture
Improve ruddiness
Moisturize
Firm
Lessen fine lines.

Seriously... And it's only the cost of a can of pumpkin and a papaya, plus a few other things you may already have at home!

Pumpkin has the skin healing:

Vitamin A: Which heals skin, and corrects scars.  Very helpful for acne sufferers and those with skin pigment issues (so basically everyone.)

Vitamin C: Most of us have seen Vitamin C in skin care products. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and a powerful one at that. The problem with Vitamin C, is that if not used correctly or not used in the correct doses, can have no effect.  Most face washes, lotions, and serums with Vitamin C probably have such a low concentration of it, that it does little good at all.  The best way to deliver Vitamin C is through food at it's purest source IE. Pumpkin face peel.  Antioxidant's are great for all skin types. For restoration and prevention of skin damage.

Zinc:  A mineral that aids in soothing inflammation.  Anti-aging is inflammation, so is acne, and redness of any sort. Zinc will soothe and also heal.

The average cost of a can of pumpkin puree is $1.50. The average cost of a typical Spa's Pumpkin Enzyme Facial is $100.00. 

Now the second ingredient and the most potent.  Papaya. A very fast acting and effective natural peel. The vitamins and minerals in Papaya that balance skin are:

Papain, which exfoliates at a stronger level than any other natural peel can. Papaya is a powerful skin corrector, especially for skin pigment issues! Acne or scars are healed quickly with Papaya as well. 

Papaya can also help aging skin with fine lines, by increasing cell turn-over rapidly. Papain will remove the dead skin cells, forcing your skin to create new "healthy" ones while leaving the skin cells that are alive,alone.  So basically nature doesn't need our technology, it has it all figured out!

So here we are. You are so swept up in the magic peel that could be yours for about $5.00 and you want to know how to do it. Okay I hope you have about 5 minutes, because that's all you'll need to make it.  Yep some things are that simple.

Pumpkin enzyme mask for cell turn-over (all skin types) Please test on your hand first, if you have sensitive skin. And also caution that I'm an esthetician not a dermatologist. I'm not a doctor. Make these peels at your own risk. If you have any questions, please see your physician or dermatologist!!!

1 (15oz) can of pumpkin puree or cooked fresh pumpkin that has been pureed.
1 whole papaya, taken out of shell.

1 egg (for adhesion)

for dry skin types:you can add
1 tbs Honey
or two tbs of Greek yogurt or both.

For oily or acne skin types you can add:
1 tbs of apple cider vinegar or
a hand full of steamed carrots, save steamed carrot juice and add some of that (not to much or it will be to runny!)  or both the carrots juice and apple cider vinegar.
* These ideas are an addition to the pumpkin, papaya, and egg, not a substitute for, unless you have an allergy.

Mix ingredients together, mash into a mask consistency or put into food processor. 

Apply to clean skin for ten minutes, can be used twice a week.

If you sit in your bathtub you can do a full body treatment. Remember to keep out of the eyes.

*Note for Estheticians (or those that want to class this up a bit) Feel free to use gauze with this mask/peel. Also use the seeds in the pumpkin in a food processor to have as a back scrub to go along with this as a back mask!

If you are not an esthetician, the guaze is desigined to have a hole in the nose area, it allows the chemicals to penetrate and allow for easy clean-up which is essential when your at a SPA in a facial chair.  If your home this may not be necessary.  You can get facial gauze here <--- and it can be used also for oatmeal masks. Which i'll talk about soon:)

~Love...Monique