The 2-Minute Rinse– FREEBIE

THE 2-MINUTE RINSE

Photo by: Soap & Glory

 

What is it? 

According to Soap & Glory,

“The average 5-minute shower uses 35 liters of water (70% of our recommended daily water use), and practically everybody showers (at least everybody we like to spend time with.) So how can a conscientious citizen help?

SAVE WATER. COME CLEAN. DO THE 2-MINUTE RINSE.

We timed seventeen Soap & Glory staffers and calculated that it was entirely possible to get washed, shampooed, conditioned and rinsed using somewhere around 120 seconds of running water. (Yes, there’s a bit of TAP ON/ TAP OFF involved, but make it in under the line and – as a bonus – you’ll get a clean conscience.)”

 

What are they offering?

Soap & Glory is offering a FREE 2-Minute Timer! All you have to do is go to their blog post HERE and fill out the information for your FREE timer! How great is that? Not only do you get an incredible freebie, you will be helping the environment as well.

They also posted this cute “how-to” do the 2-minute rinse…

Photo by: Soap & Glory

ENJOY THE FREEBIE AND USE IT! 🙂

Earth Day Freebies!

FREEBIES!

2013

 

I am a huge Freebies and Free Samples fan! Since I was going to check all my sites to see if there are any Earth Day Freebies, figured I’d share them with you!

 

 

1.  When you bring in 5 plastic shopping bags to recycle at the Disney Store you can get a FREE “Brave” or “Cars 2” reusable bag!

 

2. FREE coffee at Caribou Coffee. When you bring in your own reusable coffee mug or tumbler, they’ll fill it for free.

** They also plant a fruit tree in Central or South America when you “like” it’s Facebook page.

3. FREE packet of seeds from Pottery Barn Kids.

 

4.  The first 50 customers at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store will recieve a FREE reusable shopping bag.

 

5. Stop in at EVOS on Earth Day to get a free organic milkshake.

 

6. FREE entrance into National Parks this week.  Go out to almost 400 national parks this week (April 22-26) and you don’t have to pay an entrance fee. Check with each national park as well because there are many free events happening this week.

 

7. Earth Day coloring pages. Download and print free coloring pages for your kids!

 

8. FREE static cling window decal. Adorable “Bring Your Own Bags” cling!

 

 

Get your FREEBIES today while they last!

 

 

 

8 Easy Ways To Go Green!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Today is Earth Day— To celebrate  I am giving you 10 easy ways you can go Green!  Not only is going Green better for the environment, it also can be a more frugal way of living!

• RECYCLE

When Earth Day rolls around, a lot of us are reminded to recycle. So, what can you recycle? Well, a LOT.

1. Cans— Not only can you recycle cans, but most of the time you can take them to a nearby recycling center and actually get PAID for bringing in your cans (along with other aluminum waste).
2. Paper— Newspapers, magazines, books, christmas cards, etc.
3. Plastic— Grocery bags, cleaner bottles, water bottles, shampoo bottles, yogurt containers, etc.
4. Cardboard— Boxes, milk cartons, pizza boxes, etc.
5. Electronics— Cellphones, computers, keyboards, hearing aids, televisions, microwaves, washing machines, etc.

**For a more detailed list of what you can recycle and how go to Recycle Now.

** There are several places online to sell and/or donate your used cellphone. I suggest checking out the few sites below.

Cell Phones for Soldiers

Sell Your Cell

Wirefly

Recycling for Charities

Alright, onto our list of 8 easy ways (besides the obvious recycling) to go Green!

1. Stop using disposable bags! I can not stress this enough. Keep some reusable bags in your car, purse, by your front door, any place that you can remember to grab them on the way to the market. You can find them at almost any store for fairly cheap. You can also make your own as a weekend craft project with your children.

Here are a couple of places that I’ve seen giving away FREE reusable bags!

Tobacco-Free WNY

Target  (Only available TODAY, on Earth Day!)

For a few ideas of how to make your own for FREE, check out TLC’s 13 Ways to Make Cool Reusable Bags for Free article.

2. Plant a garden! It is great for the environment and also makes for cheaper grocery bills. I understand that some people just don’t have the time to mess with a garden, so instead support your local farmers! It’s cheaper than it is at the store and has less of those harsh chemicals on them. Another great way to have a “mini garden” is to plant some herbs indoors to use when you cook and check out my post about how to keep green onions growing indoors. 

3. Make your own household cleaners and hygiene products! You can find so many homemade recipes online for things such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, laundry detergent, dish soap, deodorant, etc. Not only will this save on money, but you will be using reusable containers.

4. Wash your laundry in cold water and line dry! You will save a lot of energy by using the cold water instead of warm or hot. You also will save a lot of energy by allowing your clothes to dry outside on the line. May take a few extra minutes of your time to line dry, but your energy bill will be thanking you at the end of the month.

5. Skip the bottled water! Instead of wasting your money on bottled water, find a reusable water bottle and keep that with you and fill it up at water fountains. You can also buy water filter pitchers that you can keep in your fridge and keep refilling, or a filter that connects to your faucet to filter as you use.

6. Cancel your newspaper subscription. Most newspapers these days will allow you to check the news that is printed in the newspaper online. Even for all you coupon-lovers, you can cancel your subscription and just go buy one at a machine for the Sunday coupons! Or better yet, find the coupons you want (for free) online and print them out! It’ll save time and money! Another way to get all those coupons is to go to your local recycling center and ask for them. If you go on the right day, they’re all lying right on top of the newspaper bin!

7. Donate to- and shop at- local thrift stores! Donating those clothes, shoes, bedding, kitchenware, etc, that you’ll never use again is a great way to help the community and feel better about yourself. If you’re low on cash, have yourself a yardsale, or sell your items online. What doesn’t sell, then donate to the thrift shops or charities.

8. Upcycle! There are so many articles online that talk about how to upcycle certain items. You can turn an old suitcase into an adorable pet bed, turn old records into bowl decor. (I’ll be doing a tutorial on this soon.) Go online and check out all the different items you may have lying around that you could upcycle into something beautiful. You can make it for yourself or even sell it online at places like Etsy.

There you have it. 8 EASY ways to Go Green and save a bit of money in the process!

Stay Tuned: Next article will be EARTH DAY FREEBIES!

Rid Your Pet’s Fleas With Household Items!

It’s that time of year and as much as I hoped it wouldn’t happen, it did– my dogs got fleas. They are indoor dogs, however they go outside to use the bathroom. It was inevitable. Sure, I could use those harsh chemicals to try and treat my dogs, which don’t always work, but I wanted to find a cheaper, better alternative.

After doing a lot of research online, I came across a couple ideas. These ideas included things you probably already have lying around your house. And guess what….

IT WORKS!

Photo credit: Bill Selak / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

• Bathe your animals in DISH SOAP. Yep, you heard right. Dish soap kills the fleas on contact! 

Haha, ok so not all my animals enjoyed the bath. But, boy aren’t they happy they had one!

NO MORE FLEAS.

You heard me– we checked and didn’t see ONE flea!

.

However, we did find this nasty creature that must’ve jumped off just in time to die.

Poor thing.

(I changed the contrast and brightness so you could see the nasty flea better.)

• After you bathe your pets, grab an empty spray bottle (a clean one) and mix 1/2 part Apple Cider Vinegar and 1/2 part warm water.

 

Once your pets dry, take them outside and spray some of this mixture onto them (avoid their face). It’s supposed to prevent fleas for up to a WEEK.

Definitely worth trying out! The smell may not be pleasant, but can’t be any worse then those nasty bugs, right!?

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Do you have any home remedies for fleas? If so leave it below! I’d love to hear more ideas!

Make Single-Use Ointment Packs!

These DIY single-use packets are great for camping or keeping in backpacks and/or purses!

Keep in mind, you don’t have to use this just for ointment. You can use this same process for toothpaste (see how to make your own natural toothpaste by clicking the link), Vaseline, lip gloss, etc.

• What You’ll Need; 

scissors, pliers, ointment (or your preference), clean straw, lighter

• STEP ONE;
  

Squeeze ointment into straw (only enough for a single-time use).

(Ignore my scratched up craft/coffee table! )

• STEP TWO; 
  

Take your pliers and squeeze the end of straw shut.

(Some of the ointment may squeeze out while doing this– just wipe away with paper towel.)

• STEP THREE;
  

Use your lighter to burn the tip. Keep burning until you think it has melted closed. Squeeze the part you just melted to give it an extra seal.

• STEP FOUR;
  

Cut the straw– leaving a little extra room to seal it.

• STEP FIVE;

Take your pliers and repeat on this end.

That’s it. Easy, right?

One normal length straw makes about 4-5 individual packets for single-time use. 

I tossed these bad boys in my purse, along with a few band-aids, and now I’ll always be prepared.

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If you’re interested in where to find the floral pliers. Check them out here–  Floral Tool Kit or click the picture below.

 

Home Remedies for Allergies

As we all know, Spring brings out some of the worst allergy symptoms. Instead of running to your local store, try some of these home remedies. CHEAP AND EFFECTIVE!

Photo credit: foshydog / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

For Puffy Eyes;

• Peel thin potato slices and sit them on your eyes  for 10-15 minutes.
• Refrigerate your used tea bags. When your eyes get puffy, take them from the fridge and lay them on your eyes for 10-15 minutes.
• If you’re out and don’t have anything to help cure your puffy eyes, rinse your face with cold water.
• Getting enough sleep will help prevent your puffy eyes. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
• Sleep with your head elevated.
• Reducing your salt intake will help prevent puffy eyes.
• Eating more bananas and raisins will help prevent puffy eyes. They alleviate fluid retention.
• By consuming cabbage and cranberry juice, your body will “evacuate” excess fluids.
• Keep a couple spoons in your fridge at all times. When your eyes get puffy, grab the spoons, lay down, and place curve side down onto your eyes.
• Peel thin cucumber slices and sit them on your eyes for 10-15 minutes.
• Drink a lot of water throughout the day.
• Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with warm water. Dab cotton ball into the mixture and dab onto eyes for 10-15 minutes.

For Hives;

• Apply ice to your hives. This will cause them to shrink and reduce the itching.
• Avoid heat.
• Take an Oatmeal Bath.
• Dab Pepto Bismol onto your hives.
• Put a few drops of water into a small dish of baking soda. Mix until it becomes paste-like. Apply to hives. This will help relieve the irritation and itch.
• Put 1 teaspoon of (any kind) vinegar in 1 tablespoon of warm water. Apply onto hives. This will help relieve the itch.
• Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon fresh ginger in 3/4 cup vinegar. Bring these ingredients to a boil and use this mixture (after cooled) and apply several times a day onto hives.
• Take fish oil capsules (1,000 milligrams) 3 times daily.

For Nasal Congestion;

• Pour a little bit of Sesame Oil into your palm and add some black pepper. Mix it with your fingertip and dab right under your nostrils. This will help clear your sinuses. 
• Take a hot shower.
• Take 1 teaspoon of salt and mix into 2 cups of warm water. Pour solution into your nostril by leaning your head back. Repeat in other nostril. (Or use a Neti Pot)
• Get washcloth wet with hot/warm water. Place over face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Eat a lot of spicy foods.
• Eat a few pieces of raw onions.
• Take a slice of raw onion and place under nose and take a few deep breath in through your nose.
• Boil some water and place in a bowl. Add a few drops of peppermint oil and allow face to come close and inhale the steam from the bowl.
• Drink hot tomato juice 2-3 times a day. (Make at home by boiling 1 can of tomato juice, 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic, 1/2 tablespoon of hot sauce, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, a pinch of celery salt.)
• Drink warm Mint Herbal Tea.
• Take a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil and place into cloth. Inhale the perfume regularly.

*THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS; CALL YOUR PHYSICIAN.

Do you have any home remedies for allergies?

If so, leave them in the comments below!

Update: Currently you can win a FREE Neti Pot by liking them on Facebook HERE and taking a short quiz over the information. You’ll get a confirmation email and your FREE Neti Pot will be delivered within 30 days!

Egg Shells Are Great For Gardens!

5 Ways to Use Eggshells in Your Garden

 

Photo credit: Darny / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

 

1. You can add crushed eggshells to planting holes. (Especially good for tomatoes, peppers and eggplant because they are susceptible to blossom-end rot because of calcium deficiency. Although at times, blossom-end rot is do to improper watering, putting egg shells in your garden will give them the calcium they need and nourish your soil and plants.
2. Wash out your eggshells, then use them as seed starters. After breaking your eggs and cleaning it out, place back into egg carton and fill with soil and plant your seed. When they begin to grow, just put the whole starter in the soil– eggshell and all.
3. Crushed eggshells are known to deter slugs, snails, and cutworms. Because of these pest’s soft undersides, the sharp eggshells will deter them from bothering your plants.
4. Add your eggshells to your compost. This will add calcium to your compost and will be great for your garden!
5. If you have bird feeders in your garden, put some crushed eggshells close to the feeder. Female birds, especially those about to lay eggs or have just laid eggs, require extra calcium. They will love you for it!

 

 

Added bonus–

If you boil eggs, use the water you boiled them in to water your garden. The water becomes enriched with calcium! Why waste the water when your garden would love it!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tie Dye With Bleach!

I have been wanting to try tie dying with bleach for a while now. The weather was absolutely beautiful today so I figured I’d do it today!  After watching some YouTube tutorials and reading online, I realized how easy it was. There is no “wrong” way to tie dye a shirt. It all depends on your preference. I tried three different ways with a few old shirts of mine.

What You’ll Need: 

Bleach. Hair ties (or rubber bands). Water. An old bottle with a tip similar to photo. (I used old hair dye application bottle)

Gloves are optional, but highly recommended– bleach can damage your skin.

One or more old t-shirts.

• Fill bottle with 80% bleach, 20% water and give it a little shake.

Style One;

(my favorite)

• Grab your first shirt and begin twisting counter-clockwise from the center.

• Once you have it spun completely around, grab your hair ties and place them all around like how you’d slice a pizza, if that makes sense? 

• Now grab your bottle of bleach/water and cover majority of both sides with the liquid. 

• Let sit for about 15 minutes, or until the bleach has reached your desired color. 

Style Two;

• Grab your shirt and begin spinning counter-clockwise like in Style One. 

• Now, we are not going to use hair ties for this one. So, the next step is to grab the bottle of bleach/water and put some liquid in the middle of the spiral and follow some of the lines until you get to the outside of the shirt.

• Flip over this shirt carefully, keeping it spun. Repeat spiral with liquid on the new side. (This side will be easier to see the spirals.)

• Let sit for 15 minutes or until bleached to the color you desire.

Style Three;

• Grab your shirt and lay it out flat.

• Take your bottle of bleach/water and begin making whatever designs you like. (For a more precise design such as words. Use a Bleach Pen!)

• Flip over and repeat.

• Let sit for 15 minutes or until bleach parts turn desired color.

Last step: Grab your shirts, wash them, dry them.

(I like to hand wash them to make sure the bleach doesn’t ruin other clothes.)

LET’S SEE HOW THEY TURNED OUT!

• Style One;

(Front)

(Back)

• Style Two;

(Front)

(Back)

• Style Three;

(Front)

(Back)

Have fun!

Don’t forget to post pictures of your bleach tie dye shirts below!

Homemade Shampoo!

There are so many articles online that give you recipes for making your own shampoo and conditioner. I’ve tried a few different ways and thought I’d share the ones I like the most!

First, there is a thing called the “No-Poo Method” which is basically “No shamPOO.” Several people have tried this and swear by it. You still “wash” your hair, you just don’t use store bought shampoo.

The ingredients for the “No-Poo Method” shampoo are:

• Baking soda mixed with water as your shampoo.
• Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with water as your conditioner.

Many people say that actually shampooing your hair with store bought shampoo causes your hair to become oily– in turn, you wash it again, and the cycle continues.

When using the “No-Poo Method” you should “wash” your hair about every couple of days. It lacks the “foaming and lather” aspect of normal shampoo, but that is where a lot of chemicals in normal shampoo are.

Check out Ashley’s Green Life video about her experience with the “No-Poo Method”  below.

I noticed that a lot of the shampoo recipes online call for a Liquid Castille Soap. These are liquid soaps made organically. The can sometimes be pricey, but are very worth it! You don’t use very much in your shampoo recipes so it should last a long time. (Keep in mind, do not use more than directed in the recipes. I wanted a “lather” so I added in more of the soap and it caused my hair to be oily.)

The cool thing about Dr. Bronner’s brand of Liquid Castille Soap is that it comes in all kinds of scents. Almond, Lavender, Peppermint… there’s even a Baby Mild form of it. So when mixing your shampoo, there is no need to add in essential oils.

The best shampoo I’ve tried thus far is….

Natural Homemade Shampoo

I found this recipe on Wellness Mama.

• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/3 cup Liquid Castille Soap
• 1/2 of a teaspoon (or several capsules) of Vitamin E Oil  (optional)
• 20 drops of Essential Oils  of your choice.
• For dry hair: add 1/2 tsp olive or almond oil (optional)

How to mix:

1. Combine all ingredients in an old shampoo bottle or jar of some kind (pump soap dispensers and even foaming dispensers work well for this. If you use a foaming dispenser, add 1/4 cup of distilled water)
2. Shake well to mix.
3. Keep in shower for up to a month.
4. Shake before each use.
5. Use about a teaspoon every time you shampoo.
6. If you use a foaming dispenser, it also makes a great shaving cream- just dilute with 1/4 cup distilled water!

For more homemade shampoo recipes, check out INSTRUCTABLES article HERE.

If any of you have tried making homemade shampoo…

Share your favorite combinations in the comments below.

Also, what’s your favorite and least favorite part of making homemade shampoo?

Duct Tape Wallets

I have been on this Duct Tape kick for the past few days. I’ve made three wallets now. They’re kind of difficult to make so I haven’t figured out exactly how to give a tutorial on them yet. Besides, I’m thinking of selling them so I’m wondering if I should even GIVE a tutorial? Hmm… who knows!?

Anyways…

 

My first wallet:

Just a classic duct tape wallet with three pockets on the inside and a billfold for cash.

This wallet (my masterpiece) is the one I made my mom for her birthday. Just finished it a few minutes ago. I love how it turned out:

A tri-fold women’s wallet with a 6 card slots, a billfold for cash that expands, a coin pocket, checkbook pocket and glued a pendent on front for decoration.

These can take a while to make, but I love how I can have a creative outlet when I’m bored. Plus, with all the new duct tapes you can buy, anyone can find something they like!