Go Flushless (conservative flushing - saves water)

http://www.goflushless.com/index.html

For less than 16¢ a day, you can save over 37 gallons of clean water EVERY DAY.*

 * These numbers are based on a household of 3 people. One 16 oz bottle will last 5 weeks on average.

how it works

GoFlushless® is made from vegetable based cleaners, essential oils, and food grade colors. It has been independently tested by an ACS Certified professional chemist. Apply two or three sprays of GoFlushless® in the toilet bowl before or after you use it . Add more GoFlushless as needed throughout the day to continue the neutralizing effect. When you spray GoFlushless® into your toilet bowl, the scientifically proven formula captures and neutralizes the odor of urine, replacing it with a pleasant citrus scent. GoFlushless® counteracts the staining chemicals in urine to help keep your toilet bowl clean. Finally, it leaves the water in the bowl an appealing blue-green color.

Saving Water Saves Energy
Water conservation isn’t just about having enough water. It also takes a lot of energy to treat and transport clean water to our homes. And it takes a lot of water to produce energy.

Pressures on our water and energy supplies are growing all the time. Population growth, increased droughts, environmental protections and more all require clean water. New technologies may help, but most use more energy – which will use more water. Conservation of the water we have is the only way to solve both problems without making either of them worse. GoFlushless® will help you and your family save water - and energy - every day without sacrificing anything.

Here Are Some Amazing Facts

• It takes more than 130 billion gallons of water a day just to
  produce half of the power in the US.
• In California, 20% of the state’s electricity is consumed for
  water-related uses.
• 1 ton of recycled paper saves 7000 gallons of water from
  being used and polluted.
• T. Boone Pickens, Warren Buffett, and Ted Turner see the
  urgency of clean water in the future. All three are now major
  players in the investment of water.
  These include major tracts of land that sit above the largest
  clean water aquifers in our country and systems that treat and
  purify water for human consumption.
• Just 2.5% of Earth’s water is fresh and only a tiny part of that
  is useable and renewable.

No Poo - Day 3

This is technically day 2 - but for this process, each day will be counted.

Day 3:  I followed the same steps as Day 1 - timing, etc...  After I styled and dried my hair.  I wanted a 'sniff' test. 

The question was: do I smell like a salad... the answer was "YES".  I will need to do some more research to find out if I did something wrong.  I rinsed thoroughly (at least I felt I did).

No Poo - Day 2

Job interview superseded this experiment. Even though it worked well yesterday, I wasn't willing to risk it on such an important day.

I will resume tomorrow.

No Poo - Day 1

I took the leap today!

The first time I heard about 'no poo' was on a LinkedIn Green group discussion.  

For those of you that have never heard this term.

Wikipedia:  No poo (no shampoo) is a collective term for methods of washing hair without commercial shampoo.  (Some people may make their own shampoo.)


After reading some of the comments, I decided to post a question on my ever loved FaceBook to see if any of my friends had any experience or insight.  It was an interesting response. There was one 'My hair got greasy just thinking about no shampoo...', to 'it's the same as the hospital dry powder', to 'I don't think you'll be happy with it'.  Lily's first reaction was if you want to walk around all day smelling like a salad - go for it. 

After doing some quick research, I found that the majority of folks that tried going No Poo, love it.

The basics that I started with:  

1 tablespoon of baking soda with enough water added to make a watery paste.  

Apply it to warm water, well rinsed hair.  

Work it in at the roots (oily area), not forgetting the temple area.

Keep it on for up to a minute.

Caution: do not work it in too hard, I've read that this can cause the hair to become brittle.

I did not have a timer or a watch, so I'm going to be using my shower routine as the basis of my timing.
My hair felt odd while doing this - then I reminded myself "of course it feels odd, you've never had baking soda in your hair before".

Rinse out the baking soda.

Next:

2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, diluted a bit to give good coverage.  Apply to the ends. Some of the forums advised not applying this rinse on a daily basis.  Do not worry about the smell, it rinses out (as I've read - but this has to be tested).
The whole process with the vinegar - all I could hear was Lily saying "if you want to smell like a salad all day - go for it".  It truly made me laugh out loud in the shower.

This is all there is to it!  Simple, with NO chemicals.

Admittedly I'm missing the scents that come with most shampoos/conditioners.  I'm all about aromatherapy with my morning routine.  I'm going to have to find a way to incorporate some essential oils somewhere with this.

The most helpful resource that I found before starting this project was:  http://www.naturemoms.com/no-shampoo-alternative.html

It provides a much more in-depth overview of the chemicals associated with 'regular' (using that term loosely here) shampoo.  There is also a section on troubleshooting.  Thank you NatureMoms!

After towel drying, I dried and styled my hair as I normally do, but I did not add anything else to it.  I'm pleasantly shocked at the body and how it styled - and it doesn't smell at all like a salad! :)

Day 1 - I'm very pleased with the results... and it feels super clean.  And I feel good that no chemicals went down the drain!

Mother Earth News Fair - September 25-26

The Mother Earth News Fair (MENF) far exceeded any possible expectation that I could have had.  

We made it to 7 Springs Resort around 11:30 and the extended parking lots were quickly filling.  The MENF had set ups outside of the resort as well as two levels inside.  We were very fortunate that Mother Nature cooperated - it was a beautiful warm fall day in the mountains.  Between the vendors, music, demonstrations and panel discussions - it was hard to pick which way to go next (at least it was for me).

There was a large turn out of visitors as well as vendors. I was like a kid in a candy store.  I've heard that MEN is planning other events elsewhere in the country and I do hope that this will be the start of an annual event in this area.  MEN is sponsoring a "Green Home" at the resort, so I would suspect that we will be seeing another MENF next year.  Kudos to the volunteers, MEN staff, vendors, supporters, resort staff for making this a viable event - actions speak louder then words: People want change!

Thank you Mother Earth News!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/

Make Your Own Luxe Spa Treatments

Compliments of Earth911.com

http://earth911.com/news/2010/09/06/make-your-own-luxe-spa-treatments/

by Mary Mazzoni
Published on September 6th, 2010
2 Comments

As any eco diva knows, natural spa treatments are becoming one of the hottest trends in primping and pampering.

But your day of pampering at one of these chic eco spas could cost you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

If you’re looking for a little all-natural luxury on a somewhat more modest budget, we’ve got you covered. Dim those lights, and spark up those candles. Here are five lavish spa treatments that you can do yourself.

The best manis and pedis include a sea salt treatment, which is easy to whip up right at home. Photo: Flickr/FoundryParkInn

1. Sea Salt Scrub

Spa-Day Splurge: Dead Sea Salt Glow and Massage at Great Jones Spa in New York City

Salt scrubs are one of the go-to spa treatments for rich and famous divas looking to brighten and detoxify their skin. Salt works as a natural exfoliant, buffing off dead skin cells and leaving your skin smooth and soft, and essential oils and herbs rejuvenate the skin for a healthy glow.

Price: $130 for 60 minutes

DIY Treatment: Lemon and Essential Oil Salt Scrub

Price: $15 or less

What you’ll need:

Kosher salt, jojoba oil, one lemon, the essential oil of your choice and a glass mason jar.

Mix it up:

Measure out equal portions of the kosher salt and jojoba oil, which you can find at your local organic foods store, and place them in the mason jar. You can store any extra scrub in the jar at room temperature for up to two weeks. So, make as much as your pampered heart desires.

Stir the salt and jojoba oil together, and use a zester or cheese grater to zest the lemon into the jar. Make sure you are only scraping off the yellow part of the rind, not the white.

Now add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice. Try lavender for relaxation or peppermint for a quick pick-me-up. Give your scrub a quick stir, and you’re ready to go.

Take your time when applying the scrub to your skin. Massage it on with slow circular motions, and breathe in the sweet herbal oil smell.

Draw yourself a warm bath with a few drops of the same essential oil for a good rinse and soak afterwards.

2. Age-fighting Eye Treatment

Spa-Day Splurge: CACI ULTRA Eye Lift at Hotel Terra Jackson Hole in Teton Village, Wyo.

This eye lift uses a naturally-derived treatment in combination with micro-current technology to give your eyes a quick lift, but while micro-currents are cool and all, you can get some pretty perky eyes without them.

Price: $95 for 15 minutes

DIY Treatment: Cucumber Eye Treatment

Price: $10 or less

What you’ll need:

One large cucumber, aloe vera gel and one glass mason jar.

Mix it up:

This one is just too easy. Throw about a quarter of the cucumber into a blender. Strain into a mixing bowl, and spoon in just a little of the remaining pulp from the blender.

Add one ounce of the aloe vera gel, available at your local natural foods store, and you’re ready to go.

Cleanse your face first, and apply a generous layer of the treatment under your eyes. The cucumber and aloe will sooth undereye skin and leave you looking rested and rejuvenated.

Allow the treatment to sit on your skin for at least 20 minutes. This one can also be used overnight.

Facials are great for smoothing the skin, fighting blemishes and erasing fine lines. Photo: Flickr/FoundryParkInn

3. Relaxing Facial

Spa-Day Splurge: True Transformation Facial at Le Petite Retreat Day Spa in Los Angeles

There’s nothing like a good facial to make a girl feel like a queen. Most indulgent facials at green destination spas use natural fruit and herbal extracts to clean out pores and tone and moisturize your skin, leaving you feeling clean and refreshed.

Price: $95 for 50 minutes

DIY Treatment: Herbal Steam, Rosewater Toner and Avocado Face Masque

Price: $15 or less

What you’ll need:

Dried rose petals, dried herbs or essential oil, one avocado, one lemon, extra virgin olive oil, a large glass bowl and two glass mason jars.

Mix it up:

The first step to this at-home facial is making your rosewater, which has been used as a natural toner since Marie Antoinette. First, place your rose petals in the bottom of a pot on the stove, and pour in just enough water to cover the petals.

Cover the pot, and let it boil away for about 10 minutes. Once your water smells like rose, it’s done. Take the pot off the stove, and allow your rosewater to cool. You can store any extra in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

While your rosewater is cooling, start on your avocado face masque. Avocados are fabulous natural moisturizers and the fatty acids will give your skin a subtle glow.

Place your avocado in a blender with the juice of half a lemon and about 2 teaspoons of the olive oil. Scoop it into your mason jar, and put it in the fridge for later.

Now you’re ready to start your facial off with an herbal steam. Fill a large glass bowl about halfway with water, and add your dried herbs or a few drops of essential oil. Cover it with wax paper and put it in the microwave until it is nearly boiling.

Sit with your head over the bowl, and drape a towel over your head to keep the steam from escaping. This natural herbal steam will open up your pores the same way a professional facialist would.

After a 10-minute steam, splash on some rosewater, and smooth on your face masque. Relax with the masque on your face for about 20 minutes, and follow up with another rosewater treatment.

4. Salon-quality waxing

Spa-Day Splurge: Organic Waxing at Blue Marble Spa in San Diego, Calif.

Sugar and honey waxing is becoming one of the hottest all-natural beauty trends. The natural ingredients are less irritating to the skin, leaving it smooth and free of redness, but some of these organic depilatory treatments can get pricy.

Price: $80 for one full leg

DIY Treatment: Sugar Wax

Price: $20 or less

What you’ll need:

Sugar, one lemon, vegetable glycerine, cloth waxing strips, wooden popsicle sticks and one glass mason jar.

Mix it up:

Combine two cups of sugar and ¼ cup of water in a saucepan on the stove. Add the juice from the lemon and 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerin. This may sound like an obscure ingredient, but you can find it rather easily at your local organic foods store.

Stir the mixture constantly until hot. Pour it into the jar, and you’re done. You can save this wax for weeks. So, make one big batch if you’re feeling ambitious.

To use your wax, simply place the jar in the microwave for about 15 seconds on high. Stir with a popsicle stick, and allow the mixture to cool for at least a minute before beginning application.

Be very careful. Sugar wax can get extremely hot and lead to severe burns. Test a small amount of the mixture with your finger or on the inside of your arm before applying a thick coating. The wax should be warm but not hot.

Use a popsicle stick to smooth the wax onto your skin in the same direction your hair grows. Smooth on a cloth strip, and firmly press down. Rip the strip off in one smooth motion in the opposite direction.

You can find cloth waxing strips at your local drugstore, or make your own by cutting up some old linens.

5. Conditioning Hair Treatment

Spa-Day Splurge: Restorative Hair Treatment at Moss Wellness Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz.

When a luxury-loving girl notices her locks getting a little limp, she runs to the spa for a fancy restorative treatment. These treats for the tresses are mostly comprised of natural oils, which replenish dried-out locks and add shine and luster.

Price: $25

DIY Treatment: Warm Olive Oil Hair Treatment

Price: $5 or less

What you’ll need:

Extra-virgin olive oil, the essential oil of your choice, a glass mason jar and a plastic bag.

Mix it up:

Pour about a cup of the olive oil into a glass jar with a few drops of the essential oil of your choice. Shake it up, and allow it to sit overnight so the oils can mingle. This will be enough for more than one treatment, and the extra can be safely stored at room temperature for up to a month.

Before use, shake it up again, and place it in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Make sure the mixture is not too hot.

After rinsing your hair with some warm water, use your fingertips to massage a small amount of the oil mixture into your scalp. Repeat until your entire scalp is covered, and apply the remaining oil to the ends of your hair.

Use the plastic bag to cover your head, and lock in the oils. Relax and breathe in the essential oil goodness for about a half hour, and then shampoo as usual.