I have felt so much releif this Holiday season not feeling the pressure of having to buy for so many people or having to spend the right amount of money on people. We don't have a lot of money this year and we are working with what we have. I believe I've done good with what we have and this year I did tend to put more thought into gifts. Even when I dispersed the candles I made for gifts I thought about what scent the person I'm giving it to would really like. Grant and I haven't bought for one another since we were friends. He has written me some nice letters for a gift which mean more to me than any gift he could've given me. It was funny because Grant last night said something about Jesus wanting us to buy buy buy! It made me think, did Jesus intend for Christmas to be the way it's turned out. Parents feeling they have to spend so much on a child or get them everything they've asked for. What's happened to the simplicity and joy of Christmas. We had a $50 limit on Amber and that was keeping the gifts simple like and we did consistently remind her why we really are celebrating Christmas.
So this is with hope that Christmas if not this year in years to come will be simple and calming the way it was meant to be!
Daymaking this Holiday Season!
Happy Holidays my fellow Daymaker,
This time of year always holds something very special for my family and me and this year of course is no exception. As we all know the economy is a major concern, people are being laid off work, charities are having a difficult time raising money for their worthy causes, and with everything the government tries to do to reverse this downward cycle there simply seems no relief in sight?
For me what I've learned during these difficult past months has been a real blessing. I usually begin writing down ideas of what to get the people in my life for Christmas a few months ahead of time so I have the time to find something special. When the economy began to weaken so did my ability to purchase the number of gifts as I had in years past. At first I felt scared, defeated, and wary of what kind of holiday season this would be for my friends and my family without the usual surprises under the tree at our home.
What I found is that once I stopped having the "pity party" with myself I noticed giving in a new light and the opportunities for giving became inspiring.
Here is one idea that came to mind that I expect I'll continue in years to come? As you may know I'm an avid reader and have quite an extensive library with all kinds of books. I sat one night with my list and went through my library looking for the perfect book for that person and inscribed the inside cover to them with words of gratitude and love for being part of my life. What I found was that the gift I was giving ended up being a gift to myself as I wrote those words to friends and family. As I wrote down my inscription the gift I was given was the realization of how blessed I was to have that person in my life. The joy in that one evening honestly was better than any shopping splurge I'd been on in years past.
This year my wife Charlie and I talked about what we thought we might want or need for a gift from each other. What we came to realize was that we had everything we needed and more. To take the worry and stress out of trying to find something that would impress or satisfy each other with a gift, was the gift we gave each other this year. We're celebrating each other and that is more than enough this year.
To simply enjoy what we mean to each other and talk about it has enlivened our holiday season and we both feel fulfilled in our day. Of course there will be stocking stuffers that are unique and witty yet I realize that to be with her in this life is my present?
What I also noticed this year with the absence of so much gift buying and racing around from store to store is that I've had time to live in the spirit of the season. I heard Christmas music in a different way this year. I heard the words and reveled in them. I noticed and appreciated the bell ringers in a new way. I watched as my daughters did their baking for the last day of school before break and how intent they were on getting their cupcakes just right. I've been so busy rushing around buying things in years past and checking off my list that I simply didn't notice these gifts of the season.
Yesterday I went to the coffee shop and my coffee was $1.85, the girl behind the counter gave me my 15 cents change and I pulled another dollar out and gave her $1.15. You'd think I gave her a hundred dollar bill she was so grateful? She made my day with her appreciation and I felt generous in my day and imagine it only cost me $1. The world is full of perfect moments and that was one of them.
I wish you well in your holiday season and hope that we can all get through these challenging times with grace, goodwill, and the ability to see how fortunate we are because no matter how bad things are there is always someone else that is fighting a tougher fight.
This is going to be a year I believe that what you write on the gift card could be as much of a keepsake for your friends and family as the gift that it accompanies. I encourage you to spend some extra time on your card this year, listen to your heart and write down your love, appreciation, and admiration for the special people in your life. You'll find like I did that it made my own day in doing so. It allowed me to see how abundant my life is with these beautiful people in it.
Love and peace to you in this blessed holiday season,
David Wagner
www.daymakermovement.com
refer a friend to sign up for Daymaker updates here
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tips on winter cleaning from 7th generation
We've all heard about spring cleaning, but what about the season that comes before it? We're talking about winter housekeeping, and if you've never heard of such a thing, you're not alone! Most people aren't aware that the arrival of snow and cold brings with it the need for new approaches to maintaining our homes.
During the winter months, our dwellings are bundled up against the cold. This is an ideal situation where energy consumption is concerned. But tight, well-insulated homes aren't letting much fresh air enter, and that's a situation that can rapidly lead to an unhealthy environment.
According to the EPA, the air inside the average home contains two to five times more pollution than the air outside. Researchers studying this phenomenon have found some 900 different contaminants in household air, toxins that for the most part can be traced to common household products like petrochemical-based household cleaners that produce vapors, fumes, or microscopic particles.
But you can easily guard against poor indoor air quality with a few quick strategies:
Open a window every once in a while and let in a good dose of fresh air. While it's not the most energy-efficient action, it means a big difference for indoor air quality.
Consider getting some houseplants, which excel at removing airborne chemicals. Particularly effective varieties include Boston fern, areca palm, lady palm, bamboo palm, rubber plant, English Ivy, ficus, and peace lily.
Place large mats at all your entrances to remove particles and other pollutants tracked indoors on shoes. Clean and vacuum these mats frequently so they don't become a source of trouble themselves. And encourage guests to remove their shoes when entering your house. A basket of slippers kept by the door can ensure that everyone's feet stay cozy.
Conventional cleaners create a barrage of chemical fumes and invisible aerosol particles when used, all of which can be easily inhaled. So if you haven't already, stock up on cleaning products made from natural and non-toxic ingredients and use them instead.
Use a chlorine-free dishwasher detergent. Dishwashers vent about six liters of air into your home per minute during certain cycles, and the very hot water they use can turn as much as 100% of a detergent's chlorine into a vapor that's released as they work.
Use warm rather than hot water when you clean so that whatever you're removing from household floors and surfaces doesn't volatize into the air your family is breathing.
During warmer months, don't use mildewcides or fungicides, poisons it will be hard to rinse out of your home during winter. Instead, eradicate mold and mildew with a solution of two tablespoons of tea tree oil in two cups of water. Spray on the affected area, let sit for half an hour, and then wipe clean.
If air seems stale or malodorous and it's just too cold to open a window, resist the temptation to use commercial air fresheners, deodorizers, and other similar products. Instead make your own by adding 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle filled with two cups of water. (For more about indoor air freshening, check out our recent feature!)
If you've stored clothing or other items in mothballs, give them a thorough airing out followed by laundering to remove toxic paradichlorobenzene residues. In the future, use natural cedar to protect your vulnerable textiles instead. By the same token, let dry cleaned items air out in the garage before you bring them inside. They, too, can emit unhealthy fumes.
Although winter's many idle hours may seem like a good time to do some annual maintenance cleaning, resist the temptation until spring. Without open windows and an ability to clean things outdoors, you'll just be stirring back into the air a lot of the dirt and contaminants you're trying to banish.
During the winter months, our dwellings are bundled up against the cold. This is an ideal situation where energy consumption is concerned. But tight, well-insulated homes aren't letting much fresh air enter, and that's a situation that can rapidly lead to an unhealthy environment.
According to the EPA, the air inside the average home contains two to five times more pollution than the air outside. Researchers studying this phenomenon have found some 900 different contaminants in household air, toxins that for the most part can be traced to common household products like petrochemical-based household cleaners that produce vapors, fumes, or microscopic particles.
But you can easily guard against poor indoor air quality with a few quick strategies:
Open a window every once in a while and let in a good dose of fresh air. While it's not the most energy-efficient action, it means a big difference for indoor air quality.
Consider getting some houseplants, which excel at removing airborne chemicals. Particularly effective varieties include Boston fern, areca palm, lady palm, bamboo palm, rubber plant, English Ivy, ficus, and peace lily.
Place large mats at all your entrances to remove particles and other pollutants tracked indoors on shoes. Clean and vacuum these mats frequently so they don't become a source of trouble themselves. And encourage guests to remove their shoes when entering your house. A basket of slippers kept by the door can ensure that everyone's feet stay cozy.
Conventional cleaners create a barrage of chemical fumes and invisible aerosol particles when used, all of which can be easily inhaled. So if you haven't already, stock up on cleaning products made from natural and non-toxic ingredients and use them instead.
Use a chlorine-free dishwasher detergent. Dishwashers vent about six liters of air into your home per minute during certain cycles, and the very hot water they use can turn as much as 100% of a detergent's chlorine into a vapor that's released as they work.
Use warm rather than hot water when you clean so that whatever you're removing from household floors and surfaces doesn't volatize into the air your family is breathing.
During warmer months, don't use mildewcides or fungicides, poisons it will be hard to rinse out of your home during winter. Instead, eradicate mold and mildew with a solution of two tablespoons of tea tree oil in two cups of water. Spray on the affected area, let sit for half an hour, and then wipe clean.
If air seems stale or malodorous and it's just too cold to open a window, resist the temptation to use commercial air fresheners, deodorizers, and other similar products. Instead make your own by adding 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle filled with two cups of water. (For more about indoor air freshening, check out our recent feature!)
If you've stored clothing or other items in mothballs, give them a thorough airing out followed by laundering to remove toxic paradichlorobenzene residues. In the future, use natural cedar to protect your vulnerable textiles instead. By the same token, let dry cleaned items air out in the garage before you bring them inside. They, too, can emit unhealthy fumes.
Although winter's many idle hours may seem like a good time to do some annual maintenance cleaning, resist the temptation until spring. Without open windows and an ability to clean things outdoors, you'll just be stirring back into the air a lot of the dirt and contaminants you're trying to banish.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
How to remove labels from glass jars without goo gone!
So I had a video I watched on this and I cannot get it to upload so your going to get my written explanation instead....
First try to remove the label by scoring (taking a serrated butter knife and putting cuts on the label) then soaking overnight in hot soapy water.
Most of the label should just peel off the next day....but if it there is still some of that real nasty glue left...
Use a hair dryer on it for 30-60 seconds with a fairly close blow...DON'T BURN YOURSEF THOUGH!!!! This should allow the remaining glue to peel or wipe off but if it doesn't then we.....
USE PEANUT BUTTER! Apply a small amount over the glue and wipe off with an abrasive sponge or steel wool pad. Rinse away and all should be gone!
First try to remove the label by scoring (taking a serrated butter knife and putting cuts on the label) then soaking overnight in hot soapy water.
Most of the label should just peel off the next day....but if it there is still some of that real nasty glue left...
Use a hair dryer on it for 30-60 seconds with a fairly close blow...DON'T BURN YOURSEF THOUGH!!!! This should allow the remaining glue to peel or wipe off but if it doesn't then we.....
USE PEANUT BUTTER! Apply a small amount over the glue and wipe off with an abrasive sponge or steel wool pad. Rinse away and all should be gone!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Oh so good morning drink
I sent out an e-mail awhile ago that had good breakfeast options. I tried one and LOVE it! I kinda played with it a little and my hunger does stay away for quite awhile.
1Pkg carnation instant breakfeast (I use the french vanilla)
1/2 pkg of fitsmart shake powder....I get this at our natural store here in Oshkosh. It comes in pkg. like the carnation instant breakfeast. The lady at the store recommended this kind to me because it has a lot of fiber and protein. I've tried the vanilla and strawberry and like both.
Soy milk
1 bananna
Throw it all in a blender and blend for about a minute and voila an awesome tasty treat that's also good for you.
1Pkg carnation instant breakfeast (I use the french vanilla)
1/2 pkg of fitsmart shake powder....I get this at our natural store here in Oshkosh. It comes in pkg. like the carnation instant breakfeast. The lady at the store recommended this kind to me because it has a lot of fiber and protein. I've tried the vanilla and strawberry and like both.
Soy milk
1 bananna
Throw it all in a blender and blend for about a minute and voila an awesome tasty treat that's also good for you.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Laundy Detergent
It is super easy to make your own laundry detergent and it works GREAT!
2 Cups bar soap grated
Preferably natural or organic...I used Dr. Brommers organic soap and I used the pure and natural bars at Target also.
(One can use Ivory, or fels-naptha…I found fels-naphtha at fleet farm in the cleaning supplies aisle)
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Washing Soda
Grate a bar of soap in plastic airtight container. Add the borax and washing soda. Mix well. Use 2 tablespoons to a full load of laundry.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The dangers of fabric sheets and softeners
I have never used fabric softener but do use dryer sheets...actually more for the smell. Anyhoo as I've been doing more research into being green I find that sheets are not good for our clothes or us! I found this article and thought I'd share it with y'all.
I have been using vinegar and some tea tree oil in my softner area and then put them directly in the dryer with nothing and have found there isn't much static.
The Toxic Danger of Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets
by SixWise.com
Many people will remember a famous TV ad where a woman races to her washing machine, fabric softener in hand, only to arrive just as the wash ends. This woman who "forgot to ad the fabric softener" was actually doing herself and her family a favor.
Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, fabric softener and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products around. And chances are that the staggering 99.8 percent of Americans who use common commercial detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and stain removers would think twice if they knew they contained chemicals that could cause cancer and brain damage.
Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:
Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
Limonene: Known carcinogen
A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?
The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling -- so strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50 times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells. Furthermore, synthetic fabrics, which are the reason fabric softeners were created in the first place, do not smell good either when heated in a dryer or heated by our bodies ... hence the need for even more hefty fragrances.
In other words, remove all the added fragrance that endears people to fabric softeners and -- like the cliché wolf in sheep's clothing -- the real smells of the chemical-laced fabric softener and the synthetic fabrics they were designed around may prompt people to shoot their laundry machines and be done with it.
Are "Soft" Clothes Worth It?
Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb. Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the environment. Health effects from being exposed to the chemicals in fabric softeners include:
Central nervous system disorders
Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Blood pressure reduction
Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract
Pancreatic cancer
Don't wrap your family in chemical-coated fabric-softened towels! Simple baking soda will leave your laundry soft and your health intact.
Soften Your Clothes Safely With These Tips
Even if you don't feel the effects of these chemicals today, they can affect you gradually over time, and children, whose systems are still developing, are particularly at risk. There's really no reason to expose yourself to these risky chemicals when natural alternatives exist. Not only are they safer for you, your family and the environment, but they're much more economical too:
Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle to soften fabric
Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to wash soften fabric and eliminate cling
Check out your local health food store for a natural fabric softener that uses a natural base like soy instead of chemicals
I have been using vinegar and some tea tree oil in my softner area and then put them directly in the dryer with nothing and have found there isn't much static.
The Toxic Danger of Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets
by SixWise.com
Many people will remember a famous TV ad where a woman races to her washing machine, fabric softener in hand, only to arrive just as the wash ends. This woman who "forgot to ad the fabric softener" was actually doing herself and her family a favor.
Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, fabric softener and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products around. And chances are that the staggering 99.8 percent of Americans who use common commercial detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and stain removers would think twice if they knew they contained chemicals that could cause cancer and brain damage.
Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:
Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
Limonene: Known carcinogen
A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?
The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling -- so strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50 times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells. Furthermore, synthetic fabrics, which are the reason fabric softeners were created in the first place, do not smell good either when heated in a dryer or heated by our bodies ... hence the need for even more hefty fragrances.
In other words, remove all the added fragrance that endears people to fabric softeners and -- like the cliché wolf in sheep's clothing -- the real smells of the chemical-laced fabric softener and the synthetic fabrics they were designed around may prompt people to shoot their laundry machines and be done with it.
Are "Soft" Clothes Worth It?
Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb. Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the environment. Health effects from being exposed to the chemicals in fabric softeners include:
Central nervous system disorders
Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Blood pressure reduction
Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract
Pancreatic cancer
Don't wrap your family in chemical-coated fabric-softened towels! Simple baking soda will leave your laundry soft and your health intact.
Soften Your Clothes Safely With These Tips
Even if you don't feel the effects of these chemicals today, they can affect you gradually over time, and children, whose systems are still developing, are particularly at risk. There's really no reason to expose yourself to these risky chemicals when natural alternatives exist. Not only are they safer for you, your family and the environment, but they're much more economical too:
Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle to soften fabric
Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to wash soften fabric and eliminate cling
Check out your local health food store for a natural fabric softener that uses a natural base like soy instead of chemicals
Friday, August 29, 2008
Floor Cleaner
Numerous studies cited by Michael Mullen of the Heinz Company have shown that a 5% solution of vinegar (straight out of the store-bought bottle) kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). And, unlike most commercial antibacterial cleaners, vinegar is non-toxic!
This terrific floor wash formula combines the germ-fighting power of vinegar with sweet-smelling herbs for clean floors that can’t be beat. Perfect for ridding the house of the stale smell of winter.
Floor Cleaner with Fragrant Herbs
1/8 cup liquid soap or detergent
1/4 to 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 cup fragrant herb tea (peppermint is great as it adds antibacterial qualities)
Combine ingredients in a pail or bucket. Swirl the water around until it is sudsy. Proceed as normal.
Shelf Life: Discard unused formula
I used seventh generation dish soap. I found that I really like just using straight up vinegar with a little EO of my choice. The soap left the floor a little slippery and it would be a good idea to remop it with just water.
This terrific floor wash formula combines the germ-fighting power of vinegar with sweet-smelling herbs for clean floors that can’t be beat. Perfect for ridding the house of the stale smell of winter.
Floor Cleaner with Fragrant Herbs
1/8 cup liquid soap or detergent
1/4 to 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 cup fragrant herb tea (peppermint is great as it adds antibacterial qualities)
Combine ingredients in a pail or bucket. Swirl the water around until it is sudsy. Proceed as normal.
Shelf Life: Discard unused formula
I used seventh generation dish soap. I found that I really like just using straight up vinegar with a little EO of my choice. The soap left the floor a little slippery and it would be a good idea to remop it with just water.
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