Green Exercise

I read a report a year ago regarding “green exercise”.  Green exercise is basically any form of exercise that is done outside in a green space. 

According to the a report published by American Science just 5 minutes of walking, running, cycling, yoga, stretching, gardening etc outside can help improve your mental health. I know from personal experience that improving your mental health and fighting stress leads to a much happier and healthier lifestyle.

I myself defenently prefer being outside, I really don’t like treadmills or exercise bikes and would much rather run or cycle outside.  I find time goes faster, breathing in the fresh air and sunshine makes me feel more energized and you get some of that very important Vitamin D3.

They did note that if you are working out on a machine you should face it towards a window that looks out on a garden, trees, grass etc.

It is the right time of year to lace up and get outside, enjoy nature and all the beautiful things that God has provided for us and breathe in some fresh air!

Homemade Natural All Purpose Cleaner

Yesterday I showed you my small arsenal of products that I love to use for cleaning.

Today I wanted to share a recipe using water, Dr Bronners Castile Soap and Baking Soda.  I have been using this all-purpose cleaner in my house for around 5 months now and have had great results.

Most all-purpose household cleaners that tout the antibacterial claim include Triclosan which has been proven in recent studies to alter hormones and create antibiotic resistant super bugs. And they have only started studying these types of ingredients.  No Thanks!!!!

If you are a self-proclaimed germ freak, Tea Tree Oil should be your new best friend. 20-30 drops in any cleaner will add great anti bacterial properties. Be careful though it is very strong.

Here is my Recipe

16oz bottle filled with water

3 Tablespoons of Dr Bronners Castile Soap (you can get this in tea tree oil, lavender , peppermint or plain)

1 teaspoon of baking Soda

SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE!!  Go ahead and add the tea tree oil if you are super worried about germs or if you have had a sickness in the house and want that BIG clean.

Another great thing, it works out about $1 a bottle, compare that to the $3 bottles you buy all the time and not only are you being green but you are saving green!

My Natural Cleaning Arsenal

I like to know things are clean, I like my sink to shine and my toilets to not have stains in them or around them (I do have a  little boy). I like my dishes to be clean and those fingerprints on the windows sometimes drive me nuts.

What I like even more than all of that though is knowing that the products that I use in my house are SAFE.  That my son can pick up a bottle of cleaner and spray it and I don’t have to worry about him getting it on his skin or swallowing it.  It makes me happy to know I am not spraying harsh chemicals around my home, that I am helping my family by eliminating some toxins from our lives. I sure can’t control what happens outside my house by I sure can the inside of my house.

So here are the few things I rely on to help me do just that!

Vinegar
Baking Soda
Dr Bronners Castile Soap
Grapefruits
Water

Vinegar is such a versatile product. Vinegar and water will clean and shine those windows, OK the smell may put you off at the beginning but it disappears within a few minutes and you are left with sparkly windows. Add some hot water and go ahead and wash those floors with the vinegar too!  Go to Sams or Costco and you can get 2 huge bottles for under $4

Baking Soda – Scrub the toilets, bath, kitchen sink, baking soda is a must have and its CHEAP!

Dr Bronners – This is a relatively new addition to my arsenal, I wanted a good all purpose cleaner that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg.  Dr Bronners is Organic it is made from different plant oils and IT WORKS.  Add some baking soda and water and you have all that you need.  Look for an upcoming blog post with an exact recipe.  You can buy this at Target or Amazon and a small bottle will last you 6-8 months.

Grapefruit with baking soda makes a great shower/bath cleaner.  Just sprinkle that baking soda on top of the grapefruit and go for it.  Smells delicious too!

So there is this stigma out there that being “green, eco friendly” is expensive.  But honestly I can buy any of these things in bulk or in single bottles for great prices and I hardly have to restock. Once upon a time I added cleaning products to my shopping bag every time I went to the store.  A little of any of these products goes a LOOOOONG way.  

There are some cleaning challenges I still need to work out and convert to natural products.  Dish Washing, Dish Washer Detergent and Laundry.  So if you have any suggestion for these things that won’t break the bank, let me know!

Why exactly am I getting my green on?

Hi my name is Haley. I am not a perfectionist in any terms, I often work with a little mess around me.  I am a mom of one, yes an only child (gasp).  I love my husband with everything in me and live life to keep those around me happy and healthy.

I have been using some green cleaning methods for a while now but am starting to transfer over to all green cleaning, healthy natural cooking and healthy all around living.

Why do this? 

I have spent many hours reading the nasty things that chemicals, fragrances etc can do to our bodies.  I have cancer in my mothers side of the family and have a great friend who lost her mom to cancer at a young age.  I don’t want to go down that path and I certainly don’t want my son to lose me to a disease that I have a little power over.  I am certainly not saying that Cancer is selective but I do believe we can do things in our homes, bodies and lifestyles that can greatly lower our chances. That my friends is why I am getting my green on.

I figure I would share my journey with you.