Workshop=sucess (ish)

The workshop today was interesting.  I created a powerpoint but couldn't use it because to rent a projector and screen was going to cost $65.  My entire budget for the workshop was $20.  So I basically had to wing it, which almost always translates into me not covering everything that I intended and standing awkwardly in front of everyone trying to remember what I had wanted to say.

Ten minutes into the workshop I had covered everything that I could think of.  Thank god for people having questions!  I could have gone further in depth about why the harsher chemicals were so bad but I figured those who came already knew that.  Not a safe assumption.

I also made sure to cover some of the bought products, like my Origins makeup, the deodorant, the toner, etc.  If you want to know how earth friendly your product is look for the company's mission statement in addition to the ingredients.  Together these make your product more reliable, earth friendly, and humanly ethical.

Marie, Amanda, and I had prepared some of the recipes that people could try while there.  The toothpaste one actually got people to try...though it didn't taste the best but you can add mint leaves to make it taste better.  My friend Ginger actually tried the cleaning the table (like I had encouraged) but the look on her face was one of enthusiasm.

I'm totally planning of doing another workshop next fall.  This time having more prepared, note cards for when I get stuck, do a lot more advertising, and to encourage people to bring things to clean.  It's really hard to do this workshop without having things to clean.  I want to show people how it works but taking to my apartment and cleaning it seems a little excessive.

ABC 10 was at my workshop!  Once I saw this person set up her camera, I was like: "Just ignore it, do the workshop and hopefully it won't be as bad as I think it is."  I'm not going to lie, I thought I would freak out.  I kept waiting for it to happen but it never did. Perhaps it was because most of the people there were people from ESO or SFSL.

After the workshop the reporter interviewed me!  Totally unexpected, basically she just wanted more of my opinion about my views and why I'm into Green Cleaning.  Jen, I used this to promote my blog, in addition to this workshop being a part of Down to Earth Week. 

Since I can't figure out how to post my awesome powerpoint here is one of the handouts that I had:

Green Cleaning

Materials :

ž  Vinegar

ž  Baking Soda

ž  Lemons

ž  Salt

ž  Tea Tree Oil

ž  Borax

Toothpaste Alternative

Mix together equal parts of baking soda and salt.

The dry salt makes for a fabulous tooth polisher!

Just don’t use this when you have known open wounds within your mouth.

Eggs: Good or Bad?

We’ve all done it.  It’s the end of the semester and there is food that needs to be eaten in the fridge.

Here is a solution to test whether the eggs in your fridge are good or bad:

Place the questionable egg(s) in a pot of salt water.

Fresh eggs sink.

Bad eggs float.

All Purpose Cleaner

2 cups H2O

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 teaspoon pure castile soap(Dr. B's can be substituted)

3/4 cup peroxide

20 drops of tea tree oil (if already in Dr. B's can skip this)

20 drops of lavender or lemongrass essential oil.

Can add 20 drops of citronella oil in summer as bug repellant.

In a 32 oz plastic spray bottle mix:

Suitable for acrylic, ceramic, tile, wood, marble or granite.

Ink Stains

To remove an ink spot from the carpet, pour salt onto the stain and let it soak up the liquid before brushing up the salt.

As with all stain removals, try on an inconspicuous part of carpet first.

Window

3 tablespoons vinegar

1/2 teaspoon pure castile soap

2 cups H2O,

And mix in spray bottle.

Green Pets!

12 oz peroxide

1/2 teaspoon liquid soap

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda.

Mix and store in plastic spray bottle.

A WORD OF CAUTION: If you don't use this up fairly soon the soda will solidify and clog the sprayer though so you can cut ingredients in half.

Fish Tank

Remove water, fish, and other contents. Create a paste of baking soda & white vinegar.  Scrub an rinse thoroughly before returning the fish.

Pest Prevention

Ant deterrent: sprinkle salt onto your shelves to keep ants away.

Not suggested for areas that are damp

Repel Fleas: wash your dog’s bed in salty water.

Weeds and Slugs: sprinkle salt around known areas/areas desired to be lacking in weeds.

Does your coffee pot need to be cleaned?

•               Use salt to clean your coffee pot. 

Just sprinkle some salt within the pot and scrub away.

Air Freshener:

ž  Teaspoon of baking soda

ž  Tablespoon of vinegar

ž  2 ½ Cups of water

ž  After the solution is done fizzling, mix well and place in a spray bottle.

Paint/Vomit: place a bowl of vinegar within the room overnight.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that can mimic hormones in your body.

Has been linked to:

• Obesity
• Prostate Cancer
• Breast Cancer

Can be found:

• Beverage Cans
• Canned Food Container
• Plastic Bottles and Containers
• Dental fillings and sealants

How BPA leaches out of these containers:

• Heating containers or bottles
• Filling the containers with hot liquids
• Putting acidic foods in containers

The other handout that I had was the Cheat Sheet, the link is given in the blog.

Green Cleaning Workshop

As a part of Environmental Science Organization (ESO) and Students for Sustainable Living (SFSL)'s Down to Earth Week, I'm heading up a Green Cleaning workshop!  It's going to be Thursday, March 24 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Huron Room in the University Center at Northern Michigan University. 

I'm trying to incorporate many of the eco-friendly and pocket friendly measures that I have learned thus far in Gorgeously Green.  I'm also adding some recipes from a number of other books that are basic cleaning necessities.  Recipes for things like: toothpaste, all purpose cleaner, dandruff solution, a fish tank cleaner, and much more!

The facebook link is: Green Cleaning at NMU check it out if you're interested or curious.  If anyone has any questions please just ask me.  I'm more than willing to share info!

A Difficulty

I have been trying to use a handkerchief to dry my hands instead of the paper towel dispenser or the air dry machine.  FAILURE!  99.97% of the time I forget, and when I do remember it's an epic moment.

Usually I remember after my hands have been washed so I have to dig around in my purse to get the handkerchief out.  Basically it's just been a nuisance.  I'm going to keep trying, but this is a difficulty.

Why yoga?

Honestly I've been wondering this prior to people asking me.  It does save the gas and emissions of driving to the gym because it's something you can do just about anywhere.  It also doesn't require anything but yourself to practice yoga...with the exception of a mat if you are so inclined to use one.  But I've been practicing ballet in my apartment as well so doesn't that technically count?  And I don't need to use my mat.

According to Green Living Ideas yoga is considered green because of the basis of connecting the emotional, physical and spiritual well beings.  Though the origins are unknown for this practice it is thought to have emerged from meditation within nature and the evolution of civilization.  The numerous postures named after animals and plants is used to justify this in Green Living.  I don't necessarily agree with that justification because we develop land for housing developments and then name the streets after the plants and animals we just removed from the area.

I think I'm just going to settle for yoga bringing together the emotions, physical and spiritual well beings.  I enjoy playing a good volleyball game but honestly a lot of games can get out of hand.  The competition and my own "Watcher at the Gate" make it difficult to deal with others observing/participating in something I am trying to achieve.  With yoga, cross country skiing, and ballet I have only myself and the watcher with me; I can conquer my watcher if it's just me.  (Most of the time)  I can practice at my own pace and I don't judge myself as harshly as if I were with others.

The sense of achievement after conquering my watcher at the gate is similar to a favorite picture of mine.  This is Audrey Hepburn, who originally wanted and practiced to be a prima ballerina.  She wasn't able to make up the lost time of practice while being a prisoner of war in WWII, but just look at the complete joy on her face!  If that isn't accomplishment within oneself I don't know what is.

Exercise, going as predicted.

I am appalled at my lack of exercise over the last week or more.  Now I had a migraine last Monday so I didn't go to ballet.  A cop-out but it's a legit one.  Hopefully the future will be more efficient and consistent.

Yesterday 6 km were successfully skied (cross country) at Crystal Mountain!  Though it took me way too long to perform but that isn't really that bad for only skiing once before this season. The snow was poor quality (basically ice) which unfortunately made it difficult to grip with my skis making it all that much more work.  The grip wax helped little.

Tonight was the first attempt at Sophie's routine.  The stretching of yoga seemed more appealing than a repeat of 6 km.  The 20 minute program is rather difficult to read and perform, so mom read the positions to me.  She also took it upon herself to correct my interpretation of the position.  I suppose that I told her that it was alright to correct me, but I didn't expect her to be so liberal with her criticisms.  Oh the benefits at having a family member who also practices yoga.  Once the program is memorized it shouldn't be that difficult.  It's just the attempting part that's proving to be difficult.