When urine is exposed to air, an ion excreted in urine gets coverted to ammonia, producing the distinctive smell. And when the urine dries, the odor becomes more intense because of the formation of concentrated urine crystals. Using cleaning products containing ammonia will worsen the situation. The smell of ammonia causes pets to be attracted to the smell even more, encouraging them to urinate in the same area.

To remove urine odors, soak up the urine with a couple of paper towels until the area is no longer damp. Followup by using an enzymatic bacterial cleaner to eliminate the urine odor. Saturate the area with an enzyme cleaner and let it dry naturally for several days. By digesting the bacteria, the enzymes will remove the smell of urine.

In general, I recommend using double the amount of enzymes to urine. For instance, if the urine puddle appears to be roughly 1/4 cup, then use about 1/2 cup of enzyme cleaner over the area. Within a couple of days, check again for odors. If the urine odor is still noticeable, repeat the process until the urine odor is no longer present. If you are unsure as to whether or not the smell has been eliminated after the first or second process, you can be confident it will be gone after the third.

One of the least favorite, but very common, house cleaning challenges is getting rid of mold. A particularly nasty strain of mold (often seen in bathrooms in tightly enclosed spaces with little air circulation) is an icky black buildup.

If you have major mold and mildew buildup, I recommend starting in a totally dry environment. For example, if your shower stall is used only in the morning, then wait to clean until the evening, when the stall has completely dried out. All you need is a pair of rubber gloves and a bag of fine-grade steel wool. Rub the steel wool back and forth along grout lines (and anywhere else you have mold and mildew buildup), which will generate a “powdery dust”. When you are finished, rinse it away with water. This will remove the visible mold and mildew.

After rinsing, I suggest following up with a solution of a natural mold preventative to help keep the icky buildup from growing back. My default “concoction” is 8 oz. of white vinegar, 2 teaspoons of tea tree essential oil and 12 drops of grapefruit seed extract in a spray bottle. Keep it in the shower and spray a light mist over all surfaces a few times each week right after showering. I HATE the smell of vinegar, so I like that the tea tree essential oil helps give it a more medicinal scent.

Green Guide’s Tip of the Week also suggests a similar (allbeit, more conservative, approach).   Natural, environmentally safe and super cheap, it’s all good!

Treat your left wing lab to Democratic donkeys packaged in a stunning cobalt blue foil bag! As for your conservative corgi, perhaps the Republican elephants packed in a power red foil bag would be more appropriate. Either way, these treats pawsitively fit the bill!

Check ‘em out below.  Have a happy, healthy Labor day!

http://www.capitoldogbakery.com

If you are feeling stressed, some essential oils that may provide relief include chamomile, ylang-ylang, marjoram, lavender and neroli (note: this last one is a $precious oil$ extracted from beautifully-scented orange blossoms). Each oil may work differently on each person. Some people may experience immediate relief from a single oil, while others may find it takes a combination of two or more of these oils to alleviate stress levels.

Some days, we may experience different “mental challenges”. For instance, if you are having trouble staying focused, you may find some relief from sandalwood, myrrh, frankinsence and / or spruce. If you are feeling confused and your memory does not seem to be as sharp as usual, some good essential oils to try include peppermint, rosemary and / or petitgrain. And when you are feeling forgetful and require some stimulation, basil, rosemary and / or juniper may be helpful.

For sadness or depression, some essential oils that can be very helpful include jasmine, rose, benzoin and clary sage. These oils are very uplifting and soothing, especially if you diffuse them into the air.

Experimentation is recommended when working with essential oils. My personal preference is diffusing oils because inhaling the essential oils through the air is psychologically uplifting to me. But if you prefer to make your own fragrances, lotions massage oils, etc., be aware that every fragrance - even nature’s pure essential oils - has the potential to irritate sensitive skin.

I recommend experimenting with small batches. Less is always more - it only a few drops of a pure essential oil is needed for any application. For example, if you want to try adding a few drops to a body lotion or oil, do not exceed 3 - 4 drops per 2 oz.

Whatever you choose, have fun and enjoy!

Grapefruit essential oil (GEO) is a favorite of mine because of its uplifting scent. When diffused, a vibrant, energizing and happy scent permeates the air. This essential oil is typically extracted from fresh grapfruit peel by cold compression. GEO has many positive attributes, but some of the most noteworthy include that of diuretic, antidepressant, antiseptic and disinfectant.

For an all purpose cleaner, I sometimes add a few drops of GEO, along with a few drops of tea tree oil, to a base of grain alcohol and distilled water in a spray bottle. But generally speaking, I prefer to use grapefruit seed extract for powerhouse cleaning because it is so effective at blasting nasty bacteria. And a little goes a long way, so it is very cost effective.

Quality grapefruit seed extract comes from organically grown Grapefruit (Citrus paridisi). If it is in concentrate form (i.e., full strength), it MUST be diluted in water, vinegar or another emulsifier. Regular use in household cleaning helps prevent mold and bacteria growth. The extract is nontoxic and has no smell, so it safe to use around children and pets.

Because of the harsh nature of traditional germicidal cleansers, many hospitals are making the switch to using grapefruit seed extract (GSE) as an alternative. One of the benefits of using GSE is that it kills bad bacteria without harming the good bacteria. One major issue with the harsh cleansers is they kill all bacteria, which often leads to the formation of new bacteria strains that are resistant to the cleansers.

It’s not a pretty thought, but hospital linens are notorious for being breeding grounds for fungi, mold, bacteria and rancid odors. Hospitals are also using GSE in washing linens because it provides protection from fungal and bacteria infections. In fact, following many hours of exposure to the various bacteria strains that commonly live in hospitals, several studies have shown that linens cleaned with GSE were found to be free of all harmful or pathogenic organisms. Some hospitals are even using GSE to sterilize surgical tools in operating rooms.

Hospitals are adding GSE to floor cleaning machines because the substance is effective against many pathogenic organisms. Just between 10 and 15 drops of GSE per reservoir gallon is plenty, making this option a fantastic nontoxic and cost effective way to clean!

While I am not sure where the phrase actually originated, I find it interesting the referenced flower is rose. Roses are beautiful flowers that smell delightful. In the world of essential oils, rose oils are referred to as “precious oils”.

My favorite precious oil is Turkish Rose. It is precious because thousands of rose petals are required just to produce a single drop of turkish rose oil. If you have not yet had an opportunity to smell Turkish rose, I recommend adding it to your bucket list!

Turkish rose has a profoundly positive effect on mood. When I smell it, I feel immediately calmer, happier and upbeat. This sensual scent is considered to be an aphrodisiac. Other properties include sedative, antidepressant and antiseptic.

In general, I am not a huge fan of florals and actually prefer spicy scents, but this is one I love to inhale because it really helps to calm me quickly. Due to the expense, many distributors sell it by the drop. I have a tiny glass bottle with a couple of drops of Turkish Rose that I keep in my purse. If I get stuck in a traffic jam, I just unscrew the lid and slowly breathe in serenity.

So next time someone recommends you “stop and smell the roses”, you may want to seek out some Turkish Rose. A couple of drops may cost $10, but it’s the best $10 you’ll ever spend for peace of mind and overall well being!

But speaking of diabetes, if you happen to be diabetic (Type I or Type II), you may have heard that drinking lots of water can help lower your blood sugar levels.  Assuming you are taking care of yourself (i.e., managing your blood sugars by counting carbs, taking your meds and getting some daily exercise) drinking calorie-free fluids regularly will decrease your blood sugars   In reality, any sugar free drinks, including iced tea, diet sodas and / or sugar free juices will do the trick.  But with the continual controversies surrounding artificial sweeteners, water is always the safest bet because it’s pure.

Numerous recommendations from health professionals indicate we should be drinking half our body weight in water per day.  If you ask me, that’s a lot to ask for a drink that is so just so freakin’ blah!

I have been tossing lemon or lime slices into my water to make it a little more tasteful for a long time.  My local health store recently started stocking herbal water by Ayala, which is an awesome alternative to plain ole filtered water:

http://www.herbalwater.com/

All the flavors are yummy, but my top two faves are jasmine vanilla and cinnamon orange peel.  The thing is, we are in a pretty bad economy right now and considering how much water I drink daily, it is difficult to justify $2.50 per bottle.

So donning my Martha Stewart apron, I quickly bypassed Alaya and started making pitchers of my very own custom concoctions - barbara ann’s herbal water!  To my Brita filtered water, I add one pitcher, one little tea ball (typically used for steeping loose tea) and fresh and /or dried herbs and spices.

As I drink several pitchers daily, I love changing it up regularly.  This morning’s water infusion was a couple of sprigs of fresh lavender with 2 big sweet basil leaves.  I just tore them to release their scent and enclosed them in the tea ball.  The herbal water is typically infused within 10 - 15 minutes.

Some other favorites so far include:

Lime Peel and Cilantro (both fresh),
Lemon Peel and Sage (both fresh),
Dried Thyme,
Mint and Orange Peel ((both fresh)
Dried Cardamom and Lime Peel

It’s fun, creative and easy on the wallet in this stinkin’ economy!  For my next trick, I may try to emulate these uber-tasty dry sodas:

http://www.drysoda.com/

Dry Soda has some cane sugar in them, so I usually dilute them with herbal water.  But it seems like adding some herbs to a bottle of sparkling mineral water might be fun and easy to replicate some of these designer waters!

Recipes for Making Household Cleaners

Essential oils (EO) are the ultimate multi-use product because they can be incorporated into many products for the body, mind and home.  Three EO’s I recommend for making your own household products include lavender, lemon and grapefruit because they are inexpensive, readily available and contain cleansing / disinfecting properties.  Making your own products is not enough to detox your body, but it certainly contributes to a healthier environment and will not harm children or pets.

 
All-Purpose Cleaner:

Mix 1/4 cup borax with 5 to 10 drops of EO and add to one gallon of boiling water.  If you are trying to get rid of mold, use grapefruit as your EO.  For a general disinfectant / cleaner, any of the oils listed above (lavender, lemon and/or grapefruit) will work fine.  Apply the cleaner, allow it to penetrate for 5 minutes and then rinse.  For very dirty areas, use a damp sponge to scrub it in before rinsing.

Window Cleaner:

Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with one tablespoon of lemon juice, 3-4 drops of EO of your choice and 2 cups of water.  Spritz onto glass surface and wipe dry with a clean, dry cloth.  For greasy areas, add one drop of Dawn liquid detergent to help break up the goop.

Natural Scrub for Cleaning Sinks, Tubs, etc.:

1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup citric acid
1/4 cup kaolin clay
1/8 cup pumice
10-14 drops of EO

Mix well and put in a cheese shaker.  Although the 3 oils listed above work nicely, I also like to recommend using 5 drops of grapefruit with 2 drops of tea tree and 3 drops of lemongrass because this combination provides an extra shot of anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

TIP:  If you live on the water or in a humid climate, your air conditioning filters may have a tendency to grow mold and mildew.  Applying a few drops of grapefruit EO directly to the filters once a month can help eliminate that icky problem.

Eco-Friendly Fashion and Beauty

The fashion, health and beauty categories now contain some kinder, genter - and gorgeous - products.  We can trade in our formaldehyde-laden clothes for some chic, eco-savvy, organic duds.  Many women don’t realize they apply lead to their lips each day when they swipe on lipstick.  It is true that most of the toxins we come across in these products each day are only trace amounts.  What is troubling is that these trace amounts accumulate daily across our shampoo, conditioner, body exfoliator, soap, lotion, makeup, clothing, linens, furniture, etc.  When I think about all the products I use across a full year, “trace amounts” start morphing into “cumulative chunks”.  So check out some fabulous choices to help us decrease our cumulative annual toxin levels!

Eco Conscious Clothing: 

1)  BambooDreams is really dreamy!  This line of textiles offers bamboo clothing for adults, kids (and beds).  The material is naturally anti-microbial and feels super soft, light and airy.  The fabric is easily maintained and feels airy in sultry summer climates.  You can view their line of offerings below.

http://www.dreamsack.com/

2)  Under the Canopy makes fabulous fashion for women and home.  They use combinations of organic cotton, organic soy and / or bamboo.  Their clothing is beautifully cut, lightweight and super comfy!  The art on the tees is awesome - one of my personal favorites is the “Green is the New Black” tee.  And the bedding is pure bliss.

http://www.underthecanopy.com/\

Naturally Green Lips:

Don’t worry - you’re not doomed to a life of grass-colored lipstick on those kissers!  Lip Pearls give you a pretty, shimmery sexy pout in a kind and gentle way.  These natural lipglosses contain mineral pigments, anti-oxidants, moisturizing oils, plus soothing aloe and sea kelp.  The ultimate in feel good cosmetics, each gloss even comes with a little fortune inside to lift your spirits!  After all, what’s the point of having beautiful lips if you don’t feel great too?!

http://www.parenzanocosmetics.com

Face and Body Care:

Are you still rubbing petroleum, parabens and formaldehyde into your face and body each morning and night?  Guilty of swiping on the season’s must-have mauve gloss - chocked full of lead - all over your smacker?  Stop with yourself already and check out some great alternatives by Alaffia.

Alaffia’s line of face and skincare products rock!  Using unrefined ingredients from sustainable sources, their products are made with soothing nut oils and butters direct from rainforests.  Their shea butter products are some of the best I’ve ever tried.  Alaffia makes fabulous products at GREAT prices and sets a fine example of social consciousness.  Check ‘em out here:

http://www.alaffia.com/

For liver health, a dandelion root supplement is recommened to help stimulate the liver with cleansing.   Taken every morning for one week, it may help filter out drugs, improve cholesterol levels and benefit type 2 diabetics with their blood sugar control.  Milk thistle root with tumeric is another supplement thought to very beneficial for cleansing the liver.  Milk thistle properties include the strengthening, cleansing and rebuilding of the liver; this supplement is recommended to be taken for 5 consecutive days at bedtime.

Gallbladder Health and “Flushes”

For gallbladder woes, many detox programs recommend “flushes” with apple juice, lemon juice, olive oil, etc.  As this topic is quite controversial, see your physician if you have - or think you may have - gallbladder trouble.   Assuming you have no gallbladder issues, following a low fat diet full of fruits and vegetables may help retain a healthy gallbladder.

Herbal Supplements to Cleanse, Purify and Strengthen

A couple of additional supplements for gentle cleansing include olive leaf extract and chlorophyll.  Olive Leaf extract is a phytochemical herb with antibacterial and antiviral properties that strengthens the immune system and increases energy levels.  A chlorophyll complex containing spirulina and wheat grasses is a gentle blood purifier; incidentally, strep and staph infections die in chlorophyll.

It is worth noting again the importance of following a healthy diet during any type of detox / cleansing.  Along with lean protein and whole grain carbohydrates, be sure to include as many vegetables and fruits as you can possibly stand!

The Most Critical Cleanser of All

To keep the kidney and arteries functioning properly, drinking water is highly advised.  In fact, water is considered by many to be a natural detoxifier.  And since about two-thirds of our bodies are water, it is the healthiest choice.  Adding fresh lemon juice to a glass of water helps balance elctrolytes, so no need to dole out the big bucks on sugar-laden sports drinks!

Drinking lots of water can also help to:

- distribute nutrients throughout our body,
- lower blood sugar levels (as a type I diabetic, I can vouch for this one!),
- regulate blood pressure,
- move viruses out the body,
- naturally lubricate joints,
- plump the skin,
- decrease disease-causing inflammataion throughout the body

Alright already!  ‘Nuff said about detoxing and cleansing the body, organs and skin!!!  My next post will cover lots more fun stuff, like easy recipes for making non-toxic household cleaners with a few inexpensive essential oils.  And I’ll also share links to some of my favorite environmentally hip fashion for body and home decor, as well as a great line of non-toxic makeup to die for!

Exfoliating the skin two or three days per week helps stimulate blood and lymph flow to encourage new cell growth.  Ideal exfoliation methods for detoxifying include dry body brushing and / or the use of a salt scrub.

A couple of weekly bath detox treatments in dead sea mineral bath salts are also recommended to heal and sooth.  These salts help extract toxins and impurities from the body and are also beneficial when convalescing from illness.

Exfoliation Method I: Dry Body Brushing

Dry body brushing is ideal for getting the lymphatic system moving.  It works well if done first thing in the morning because the increased blood flow can help awaken and energize. 

Body brushing is performed on dry skin with a body brush with natural bristles.  All movements are performed in an upward direction towards the heart.  Use 7 long, light strokes per for each area listed below and be G-E-N-T-L-E.  If your skin gets red, you are being too aggressive!

Start at the feet and continue upwards, covering each of the following areas separately:

lower legs (front and back),
thighs (front and back),
groin / tummy (both sides),
fanny (both sides),
lower arms (front and back),
upper arms (front and back),
under arms (both sides)

Exfoliation Method II: Salt Scrub

The following recipe is for a detox salt scrub for use in the shower.  In the order listed below, add the following ingredients in a 4 oz jar:

7 drops of essential oil* (see list for recommended essential oils for detox),
1/4 cup of dead sea mineral salts,
2 oz sweet almond oil

After washing, gently rub your scrub (about 1-2 tablespoons) in a circular motion all over your body, excluding face and sensitive areas.  Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse well.  Caution: Do not shave before using scrub and be careful not to slip and fall!  Also, do not perform dry body brushing the same day as a salt scrub because you may irritate your skin.

Dead Sea Mineral Salts Bath:

The recipe below is for detoxifying bath salts.  The salts help emulsify the essential oils and are very nourishing to the skin.

One cup of dead sea mineral salts,
7 drops essential oil* (see list for recommended essential oils for detox)

Run bath water, add salts when tub is almost full and mix in well.  Soak for 15 minutes.

*Essential Oils for Detox:

Dr. Daniel Penoel is a medical doctor and world renowned aromatherapist in France who incorporates essential oils (EO) into his medical practice.  He uses EO’s as an adjunct for healing the body

and mind, as well as for overall health maintainence.  He is also a teacher and author of several books on aromatherapy.  He has done a tremendous amount of research and testing with two gentle,

but powerful, essential oils called Kunzea and Fragonia.  Dr. Penoel encourages using these 2 EO’s together, as he believes they work together to heal the body and mind synergistically.

1)  Kunzea is an essential oil distilled from the leaves a small prolific bush in Australia and was discovered in the 1990’s.  The oil properties are as follows:

- helps with joint and / or muscle inflammation
- kills yeast and e-coli
- aids with skin conditions, including eczema and dermatitis
- helps with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and addictive behaviors
- has a male dominance to it (e.g., provides strengthening)
- increases the power of other essential oils
- can be safely used neat (no emulsifiers required)
- helps relieve respiratory ailments

2)  Fragonia comes from a specific bushy tree species grown in Southwestern Australia called the agonis fragrons.  This essential oil has only been around since 2005, but seems to exhibit very deep healing properties, as follows:

- uplifts and energizes
- clears blocked emotions
- aids female hormonal balance
- helps with OCD & addictive behaviors, such as uncontrollable crying, food cravings and overeating  (WOW…this sounds like an essential oil created just for me!;-))
- has a female dominance to it (e.g., provides sensitivity)
- beneficial for wound healing
- helps with physical and emotional healing

3)  Grapefruit essential oil properties:

- helps with mold and fungus
- good for cellulite
- helps to balance fluid in body
- lymph system detox
- liver and gall bladder stimulant

4)  Palmarosa essential oil properties:

- helps detox at a cellular level
- eases fatigue, nervous exhaustion, stress-related problems
- helpful during convalescence
- cools the body
- aids digestive system
- helps clear intestinal infection and digestive troubles
- relieves sore, stiff muscles

5)  Cypress essential oil properties:

- diuretic
- increases circulation
- helps with varicose veins
- helps with hemorroids
- tightens
- helps with excessive sweating
- lymphatic decongestant
- pancreas and liver tonic

As you perform these detox methods for cleansing the skin and lymphatic system, aim to drink about half your body weight in water and be sure to get in some exercise.  The lymphatic system has a pumping action, so it is important to keep it moving so it can receive nutrients.  Exercise increases lymph flow, which tones your glandular system, removes waste and keeps lymph fluid moving.

BTW, if you experience facial breakouts during your detox, a clay mask will help dry up the breakouts and extract the impurities excreted through your skin.  You are well on your way to looking and feeling healthier, happier and glowing!

Next detox topic will review a healthy cleansing process for the liver and gallbladder.