The most effective way to remove urine odor is with an enzyme-based product. Instead of masking the smell, enzymes chemically break down the urine by eating away the bacteria. To date, this is the only effective scientific approach to permanently remove urine odors. Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »

With this being election year AND Labor day weekend, it’s time to get your four legged family members involved in all the festivities with some natural pet treats from Capitol Dog Bakery. These tasty treats are made from 100% organic ingredients, including peanut butter and honey, and are low fat without any wheat, soy, corn or dairy. Now I finally understand what my neighbor meant last month when she said politics had gone to the dogs! Read the rest of this entry »

There are many studies that have been done on the benefits of using scent to enhance mood. Essential oils impact our emotions and energy levels. Aromatherapy, sometimes referred to as aromatics, provides the ability to create personalized treatments that take into account the physical, emotional, psychological and energy-based attributes that uniquely make a person who he (or she) is.

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.

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Essential oils are always oils, but plant extracts can be water soluble salts or other organic matter. Essential oils can be plant extracts, but not all plant extracts are oils. Clear as mud, huh?! In general, both have similar attributes. With grapefruit, the extract is a very potent disinfectant that can be an extremely cost effective, nontoxic choice for cleaning.

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.

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If anyone has ever told you to stop and smell and the roses, it may be the person thinks you are not enjoying life enough. Sadly, most of us do not take enough time to “stop and smell the roses” because we are too busy with day-to-day responsibilities and obligations.

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”.

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I have been down and out for the last month or so, due to outrageously uncontrolled blood sugars, which is not the norm for me.  Type I diabetes is a chronic and challenging disease, but it has never gripped complete control on me before.  My experience was loooooong, painful and complex.  And as it is not something I want archived to memory, I have chosen to delete it from my brain!

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.

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No one I know really enjoys detoxing.  In fact, some people are freaked out by the concept and completely avoid it.  So if you’re a certified detox avoider, then read on for some simple tips to help decrease your toxin exposure level?  One of the simplest things you can do is make your own cleaning products to use around your home.  And read on to find out how you can further help yourself by doing a little shopping (no really, I swear…)

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.

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Liver Cleansing Herbal Supplements

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.

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It is believed we excrete over a pound of waste through our skin every day.  And when we are full of toxins, our lymphatic systems get clogged.

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.

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