Friday, June 21, 2013
If you’re like me then you’ll jump on almost any excuse to get outside
and soak up some vitamin D while it lasts. In my opinion, there’s absolutely nothing
better than parking yourself on a sunny patio and enjoying a cold one with a
few good friends. But as we all know, if one beverage leads to more than a few
it will most likely make for an unpleasant morning the next day.
As far as I know, there is no steadfast cure for this predicament but
one of my favourite pick-me-ups when I’m feeling a little under the weather is
a nice big glass of green juice. If you’ve never tried juicing before this
might sound a bit scary, but I assure you that this recipe is delicious
and nutritious. It’s packed with vitamin C and will help flush out those toxins
in no time.
I sometimes modify the proportions a little, but if you follow these general
guidelines you should wind up with enough juice for one tall glass and
maybe a bit left over for later in the day.
To make, simply throw the following ingredients in your juicer (organic
is best!):
- 1 to 2 apples (I prefer Granny Smith but you can use whatever you like)
- 1 cucumber
- 1 hand-full of fresh kale
- 4 stalks of celery
- 1 thumb of fresh ginger
Whether you’re looking to detoxify or just start your day off on a
healthy note this juice will give you the boost you need. Give it a try and let me
know what you think!
Photo credit: Arnold Gatilao
StylishOrganicFamilyLiving.com is your one-stop online shopping destination for fashionable organic clothing & accessories, sustainable furniture, & home décor. Go green in 2013!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
With Mother’s Day just around the
corner, it’s got me thinking about just how lucky I am to have a
mom like mine. She's taught me countless lessons over the years that
have served me well in my life, but three things in particular stand
out as I look back on my childhood.
Just by being herself, my mom was able
to teach me about the fundamentals of living a healthy and balanced
lifestyle. In fact, I'm sure that I learned more from her example
than I ever did from any text book or university lecture. In one way
or another all moms have something to bring to the table when it
comes to teaching their kids, but today I want to share with you the
three lessons that my mom taught me that will forever make her
awesome!
Lesson #1 – Eat Real Food
When I was a kid I used to beg my mom
to buy me store-bought granola bars, cookies, fruit roll-ups, you
name it, for my lunches at school. You see, my mom always went to the
trouble of making everything from scratch and flat out refused to
feed me anything that came from a package. At the time I wasn't
always appreciative of her home cooking, but as an adult I'm now
fully aware of I just how lucky I really was.
Although it was sometimes a struggle
for her, I'm sure, my mom never wavered in her commitment to feed her
family what I like to call 'real food'. I spent countless hours in
the kitchen with her learning how to cook and about proper nutrition.
In my opinion, this life skill is simply invaluable, and for that I
am forever grateful.
Lesson #2 – Respect the Earth
Yup! My mom is probably one of the main
reasons why I turned out to be the earth loving creature that I am
today. By teaching me the basics of gardening when I was a little
girl she also taught me about the importance of preserving and
respecting the delicate balance of our eco-systems. We also talked a
lot about the environment when I was growing up. I think these
conversations coupled with the gardening really helped me to understand our impact on the earth
as a species and why we need to protect it.
Lesson #3 – Stay Fit & Stay
Healthy
My mom must have spent countless hours
trucking me around from one arena to the next when I was a kid. I was
an avid figure skater from the time I was about five to fifteen years
old, and she never missed a single performance in all those years.
I don’t think anyone ever believed I would be the next Michelle
Kwan or Nancy Kerrigan, but my mom recognized the importance of
physical fitness and made every effort to keep me active when I was
growing up.
Of course I'm my own individual, but in
many ways I owe my mother for guiding me in the right direction and for
setting such a prime example in these three areas. This Mother's Day
I'm hoping to spend some quality time with her and to let her know
just how much I appreciate everything she's done over the years. Thanks Mom!
If you're looking to treat your mother to
something special on the 12th, check out our selection of organic bamboo and organic cotton towels. These make a lovely gift for almost
any occasion and come in variety of beautiful colours. When in doubt,
you can also go for a gift certificate and let her choose for
herself!
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Spring has finally sprung which means
that it's time to break out the patio furniture and get started on
the yard clean up after a long and cold winter. If you're like me,
then you're looking forward to spending as much time outside as
possible during the oncoming warmer months.
The key to getting the most out of this
spring and summer season is to create an outdoor living space that is
both functional and aesthetically pleasing. In our family we spend
countless hours eating and lounging on the back deck when the weather
is nice so we work hard to make sure that it's comfortable and
inviting.
When you're setting up your patio this
season, consider adding one of our stylish outdoor rugs to your decor.
These eco friendly rugs resist water, mold and mildew and are very
easy to clean. Made from 100% all-weather polypropylene pile with a
100% natural jute warp, these rugs do wonders for a sparsely
decorated deck. They work great under your table set to protect your
deck from scuffs and scratches; or, you can even use your outdoor rug to cover up unsightly stains and scuff marks until
you're ready to refinish the patio.
Choose from 7 different attractive
designs, including: Ankara Crème/Green, Ankara Creme/Brown, Terme Creme/Green, Terme Creme/Brown, Murat Creme/Brown, Murat Creme/Blue, Murat Creme/Brown.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
In honour of Peter
Cottontail and the oncoming Easter season, I'm dedicating this post
to some of my favourite organic cotton items available right here
through Stylish Organic Family Living.
Cotton
is a great choice for clothing and many types of textile products
because it is soft, breathable and natural. It looks great, feels
great, and it can last for a very long time. But according to
the Organic Trade Association (2011), "cotton covers 2.5% of the
world's cultivated land yet uses 16% of the world's insecticides".
That's more than any other single major crop!
The alternative is to buy organic
cotton, which has all the benefits of conventional cotton but without
the pesticides. In short, organic cotton is better for you and better for
the environment. So without further ado, here are my top three
Easter weekend organic cotton picks!
-
I recently treated myself to one of these robes, and I absolutely love it! The jersey knit cotton is just the right weight for the spring and summer season and it is extremely soft against my skin.
My organic cotton robe is the perfect thing to throw on after a relaxing bath or a nice hot shower because it absorbs excess moisture and keeps me nice and warm. If I had my way of ways, I would never take it off! So if you love to lounge, then this is the organic cotton item for you. -
I don't have any little ones myself but I adore our animal alphabet organic cotton onesies (only available in USA). These fun and colourful bodysuits are a guaranteed hit at baby showers and are a great way to show your support for the momma to be!
-
I'm cheating a bit with this one because it's a blend of organic cotton and organic bamboo but I'm including it anyway. I simply love the figure flattering and feminine design of this halter dress by Jonano. It makes me all that much more excited for the warmer weather so that I can take it for a spin!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
This blog post is the third in a
three part series that I'm dedicating to the topic of creating a
healthier home environment. In this series I will be covering (1)
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, (2) Green Cleaning Techniques and
(3) Improving Indoor Air Quality.
My goal is to make my own home a
healthier place to live. In so doing, I would like to share the
information and resources that I come across in the hopes that it
might be of some use to you and your family. By the same token, I'm
sure that many of you reading this will have some knowledge of your
own in these areas. If you have any helpful hints, anecdotal evidence
or words of advice please share!
Here's to creating healthy homes and a healthy environment with healthy and happy people.
Here's to creating healthy homes and a healthy environment with healthy and happy people.
Did you know that
on average Canadians spend approximately 90% of their time indoors
(hc-sc.gc.ca)? Americans are right up there too with an average of
90% or more of their time spent inside (epa.gov).
I was shocked when
I first read this, but when you consider that most people spend a
good seven hours a day in front of a computer or some type of screen
and then another 6 to 8 hours a night sleeping, it all starts to add
up.
All that to say
that indoor air quality is an important topic for us Canadians and
Americans, and one that doesn't get nearly enough attention. We all
know that clean air is essential to our good health but how do we
prevent it from becoming polluted? I doubt whether 100% clean air is
a possibility but there are some steps we can take to ensure better
air quality in our homes.
According
to Health Canada, there are two major sources of indoor air
pollutants: (1) biological and (2) chemical. Biological pollutants
consist of living organisms such as mould. Chemical pollutants are
gases and particles emitted from things like combustion appliances,
tobacco smoke, household products like cleaners and air fresheners,
paints, and personal care products like perfume and hair spray.
The
list below addresses each one of these problem areas and provides a
brief solution for eliminating the potential hazard:
- MouldThe best way to prevent mould is avoid excessive humidity in your home. If you live in a climate where this might be a potential issue then consider a dehumidifier or perhaps some ceiling fans (especially in the bathroom).
- Combustion Appliances (example: furnace)Make sure to have all combustion appliances checked once a year by a specialist. Without proper maintenance combustion appliances are at an increased risk of emitting carbon monoxide and other harmful pollutants. All houses should also be equipped with a working carbon monoxide detector.
- Tobacco SmokeThis one is an easy fix. No smoking inside!
- Household CleanersMany household cleaners give off harmful gases. For some green cleaning ideas that are both safe and effective, check out my earlier post here. If you must use chemical-based cleaners make sure you follow all the instructions on the packaging.
- PaintIt is now possible to buy VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) free paint. It might be a little more expensive but I personally feel that it is worth the extra cost. If you are using regular paint, make sure that you are working in a well ventilated area as many paints and varnishes will give off harmful gases, such as formaldehyde. It is also important to know that many furniture items are finished with varnishes and paints that can off gas even after they're dry. Click here for our selection of low VOC emission bamboo furniture.
- Personal Care ProductsAnything with artificial fragrances or scents in it is a no no. Lately I've been on a mission to rid my beauty regimen of all unnatural products. So far I've made my own body scrub, lip balm and facial cleanser and I'm on the look out for some natural perfumes to try out. Like with grocery shopping, the best way to go about buying personal care products is to read the ingredients list.
What did I miss?
Do you have any tips or recommendations on cleaning up indoor air
quality? If so, please share!
Friday, March 15, 2013
With Saint
Patrick's Day just a couple of sleeps away I'm sure many of you are
looking forward to a nice pint of beer (or two...) and some good, old
fashioned, toe tappin' Irish music. I know I am! But before the party
gets rolling, let's take a minute to think about how we can turn this
celebration into the greenest day of the year!
Here are my four
quick tips for a super fun and super eco-friendly St. Pat's:
Here are my four
quick tips for a super fun and super eco-friendly St. Pat's:
1. Wear Green
Wearing green on
St. Patrick's Day is a longstanding tradition, but this year why not
take it to the next level by donning something that is both green and
organic? There are plenty of reasons to wear organic clothing but the
long and the short of it is that organic farming is better for the
environment and better for people because it prevents harmful
chemicals from polluting our eco-systems. Check out my earlier post
on Three Good Reasons to Go for Organic for more info.
Another great way
to wear green this Saint Patrick's Day is to pick up something from
your local thrift or second hand store. After all, there's no sense
in letting good clothes go to waste.
2. Drink Green
Remember that nice
pint of beer we talked about? Well, here's a great opportunity to
support your local brewmaster and to do something good for the
environment too. Instead of ordering one of the big brand names that
likely had to travel many miles to get to your chosen watering hole,
ask your server if they have any local or organic beers on tap. Who
knows, you may just discover a new favourite!
3. Travel Green
If you're planning
on partying at home then you can go ahead and skip this one. But if
you're thinking about hitting the town make sure you take advantage
of whatever public transportation is available in your city. Public
transit helps cut back on carbon emissions and it's really the best
option if you're planning on having a couple drinks.
4. Eat Green
Some
of you aren't going to like this one, but if at all possible try to
stick to vegetarian cuisine. According to MNN.com, “the
average cattle ranch can produce as much sewage runoff as a small
city”. I don't know about you but the thought of that is enough to
put me off my burger entirely. But if you're still set on some
traditional Irish cuisine, look into whether you can get some organic
meat.
And there you have it! Four easy ways
to green your Saint Patrick's Day experience. Have you got any tips
of your own? If so, I would love to hear about them.
Have a happy and eco-friendly St. Pat's, everyone!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Refresh for spring with a set of
organic cotton or bamboo towels. On sale from now until Saturday
morning (sale ends 03/16/2013 at 9 AM ET), all towel sets have been
marked down to just $45! Available in a range of beautiful colours,
make sure you get your hue before supplies run out.
Each bath towel set includes one 13 x
13 wash cloth, one 15 x 30 hand towel, and one 30 x 56 bath towel.
Choose between 100% bamboo fiber or 100% organic cotton for the
ultimate in quality and luxury.
My personal preference is the bamboo
for its super absorbency and silky softness, but the organic cotton
is also divine.
Ready to take a look? Click HERE to view our fabulous selection!
Monday, March 11, 2013
Who says that
fashion can't be fun? I'm very excited to announce our new line of
handcrafted earrings, available in a variety of funky animal shapes.
These hand painted clay earrings are so cute they can't help but put
a smile on your face!
Each design is
unique and adorable in its own way, but I'm particularly captivated
by the Tiny Toucans. Colourful and fun, they make me think of
Southern sun and palm trees. Ahhh...I could definitely go for a
little beach vacation right about now!
Don't forget to
also check out the Smiling Parrots, Swimming Fish, Frog Princes,
Little Piggies, Adorable Armadillos, as well as the Lovely Ladybugs.
Any of these earrings would make a great addition to your spring
wardrobe or work very nicely as a little present for one of your gal
pals!
For our full
selection of handmade earrings click HERE.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
One of the best
ways to get silky soft skin is to exfoliate regularly with a high
quality body scrub (source: SkinCare.About.com).
Of course there are plenty of store bought brands to choose from, but
they are often overpriced and full of synthetic fragrances and
preservatives.
Solution? Make
your own! You can use plenty of ingredients to make body scrubs, many
of which I'm sure you already have in your kitchen. But my absolute
favourite one to make is a combination of 1/2 organic coconut oil, 1
cup organic white or brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed
organic lemon juice (source: GreenAndCleanMom.org).
I love this scrub
because it's so easy to make and because it makes my skin feel
amazing after I use it. Simply mix the ingredients together in a
clean sealable container and away you go!
With spring on the
horizon this is just the thing to get you that glowing skin in time
for t-shirt weather!
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
This blog post is the second in a
three part series that I'm dedicating to the topic of creating a
healthier home environment. In this series I will be covering (1)
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, (2) Green Cleaning Techniques and
(3) Improving Indoor Air Quality.
This eco-friendly
cleaning solution is great for the bathroom and kitchen. Believe it
or not, vinegar is an effective natural disinfectant and the added
blast of citrus helps to cut through grease and stubborn soap scum.
Plus it smells a lot better than cleaning with straight vinegar and
water!
My goal is to make my own home a
healthier place to live. In so doing, I would like to share the
information and resources that I come across in the hopes that it
might be of some use to you and your family. By the same token, I'm
sure that many of you reading this will have some knowledge of your
own in these areas. If you have any helpful hints, anecdotal evidence
or words of advice please share!
Here's to creating healthy homes and a healthy environment with healthy and happy people.
Here's to creating healthy homes and a healthy environment with healthy and happy people.
Coming home to a
clean and uncluttered house helps me relax and unwind at the end of a
long day, and I actually feel more peaceful as a result. The problem
is, many of the cleaning products I've grown accustomed to using are
both bad for the environment and bad for our health.
But thanks to
endless amounts of information via the World Wide Web, I've started
my transition from hazardous to healthy cleaning. Below I've included
two recipes, one for an all purpose bathroom and kitchen cleaner and
the other for unblocking clogged drains. These solutions are both eco-friendly and budget friendly!
Powerful Citrus &
Vinegar All-Purpose Cleaner
This eco-friendly
cleaning solution is great for the bathroom and kitchen. Believe it
or not, vinegar is an effective natural disinfectant and the added
blast of citrus helps to cut through grease and stubborn soap scum.
Plus it smells a lot better than cleaning with straight vinegar and
water!
What you will need:
- 16 ounce mason jar
- Citrus peel (I used the peels from 2 navel oranges but you can substitute with grapefruit, lime, lemon, etc.)
- White distilled vinegar
Instructions:
- Place the citrus peels of your choice in your glass mason jar.
- Cover the citrus peels with white distilled vinegar until the jar is full and put the lid on.
- Let sit for two weeks, giving the jar a shake every so often when you think of it.
- In two weeks time strain the vinegar from the orange peels into a spray bottle or the container of your choice. For a less concentrated solution add water.
Natural Drain Cleaner &
'Declogger'
I'll admit that I
have yet to test this one but I'm keeping it in my back pocket in
case of a drain cleaning emergency. I've always felt terrible about
pouring chemical-based cleaners down the drain so this recipe is a
welcome alternative (thanks to diylife.com).
What you will need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1 cup salt
- 1/4 cup cream of tartar
- 2 cups boiling water
- Sealable container
Instructions:
- Combine the baking soda, salt and cream of tartar in a glass or plastic sealable container.
- Stir until mixed.
- Pour 1/4 of the dry mixture down your clogged drain followed by 2 cups of boiling water.
- Let stand for approximately 1 hour then run water from the tap down the drain.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Are you an eco-friendly dog owner with
a flair for interior décor? If so, this announcement should make you
very happy.
StylishOrganicFamilyLiving.com has
teamed up with Kari Whitman, celebrity green designer and founder of
the Ace of Hearts Foundation, to bring you the crème de la crème of
stylish, affordable and eco-friendly dog beds. Kari’s “design
with paws in mind” for her celebrity clients like Jessica Alba,
Kristen Bell and Virginia Madsen led to the creation of Greener Pup
LLC, an exclusive line of custom dog beds made from recycled and
reclaimed materials that both you and your pup will adore.
 |
| Kari Whitman with Kristen Bell & friends |
Greener Pup beds are designed with the
health of your dog and the health of the planet in mind. The
filling for these designer dog beds is made from 100% recycled
plastic, which is converted into a super soft, durable, breathable,
non-toxic, non-allergenic stuffing that won't attract insects. Just
one pound of stuffing requires 10 plastic water or soda bottles to
make, so depending on the size of the bed you could be saving
anywhere from 70-120 bottles from the dump simply by treating your doggie to a new bunk!
 |
| Round Greener Pup Bed in their signature 'Earth' fabric |
The best part is that you get to
indulge your inner designer by choosing the removable and machine
washable cover of your choice. All of their bed covers are made from
discontinued designer fabrics that would normally get tossed, but
now, thanks to Greener Pup, this beautiful fabric gets put to good
use.
 |
| Round Cuddle Bug Bed |
Last but certainly not least, all of
Greener Pup's profits go to Kari's Ace of Hearts Foundation, an
organization dedicated to rescuing dogs the day they are to be
euthanized and placing them in loving homes. This means that some
less fortunate pups will also benefit from your doggy's new digs.
Click here to get your very own Greener Pup bed, available in four different styles in a variety of
sizes and attractive designs. Your pup and the planet will thank you!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
This blog post is
the first in a three part series that I'm dedicating to the topic of
creating a healthier home environment. In this series I will be
covering (1) Household Hazardous Waste Disposal, (2) Green Cleaning
Techniques and (3) Improving Indoor Air Quality.
Every household has them, it seems. Hazardous
waste products that are both harmful to the environment and to the
people who use them. Windshield washer solution, insect killer,
rechargeable batteries, hair dye, paint thinner, nail polish remover,
bleach, drain cleaners, bathroom cleaners, laundry stain removers,
and so on. These items are all examples of household hazardous waste
(HHW) and must be disposed of correctly in order to protect people and pets and to avoid chemical
contamination of our soil, air and water.
My goal is to make
my own home a healthier place to live. In so doing, I would like to
share the information and resources that I come across in the hopes
that it might be of some use to you and your family. By the same
token, I'm sure that many of you reading this will have some
knowledge of your own in these areas. If you have any helpful hints, anecdotal
evidence or words of advice please share!
Here's to creating healthy homes and a healthy environment with healthy and happy people.
Here's to creating healthy homes and a healthy environment with healthy and happy people.
What is household hazardous waste?
Every household has them, it seems. Hazardous
waste products that are both harmful to the environment and to the
people who use them. Windshield washer solution, insect killer,
rechargeable batteries, hair dye, paint thinner, nail polish remover,
bleach, drain cleaners, bathroom cleaners, laundry stain removers,
and so on. These items are all examples of household hazardous waste
(HHW) and must be disposed of correctly in order to protect people and pets and to avoid chemical
contamination of our soil, air and water.
How to dispose of household
hazardous waste.
As a general rule, hazardous waste
should never be poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet.
Doing so will likely damage your plumbing and cause more pollution to
build up in our waterways and oceans. Most of these products come
with proper disposal instructions right on the packaging, but you
should also check with your local community for waste collection
programs.
Canadians can visit the David Suzuki
Foundation website for a full listing of HHW disposal locations in
each province. Americans can check out the EPA's website for more
information on HHW.
But before you go anywhere make sure to
abide by the following four rules:
- Keep all products in their original containers
- Keep all products tightly sealed
- Don't mix different products together
- Always follow any instructions for use as provided on the product labels
Reduce
your use.
Part
2 of this series will go into more detail on ways to reduce your HHW
by providing some chemical-free cleaning alternatives.
Many of our
common household needs can be taken care of without the use of
harmful ingredients and for a fraction of what it would cost to buy
brand name products. For example, white vinegar is an effective way
of getting rid of most mold, bacteria and germs. Check out
VinegarTips.com for 1001 Uses for White Distilled Vinegar. You'll be
amazed at how simple it can be to immediately start cutting back on
your HHW!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Calling all love birds! This is your two day
Valentine's Day reminder.
If you've already got a solid plan lined up
then you can go ahead and skip this post. But if you're still
searching for the perfect way to spoil your sweetheart then you may
want to keep reading.
Below are my top three picks for last minute
Valentine's Day ideas done eco-friendly style. If nothing else, I
hope these ideas will provide some inspiration for a romantic evening
that you and your Valentine will both enjoy.
1. DIY Aphrodisiac Massage Oil -
Massage oil is a gift that you can easily pull together in the time remaining and still come away looking like the Queen or King of romance. Aromatic Lifestyle provides a good resource on how to concoct your very own 'love potion' with ingredients that you can pick up at your local health food store. Personally, I think organic sweet almond oil and rose essential oil would make a lovely combination but there are plenty of options to choose from.
The really great part about this gift is that after you're done giving your Valentine a soothing and sensual massage they may just return the favour.
2. Organic Cuisine “Chez Toi” -
Treat your sweetheart to their favourite meal using organic and/or locally grown ingredients. A home cooked meal can be just as romantic as an evening out plus you get total control over the ambiance. If your Valentine is a star in the kitchen, invite him or her to be an active participant. Cooking is much more fun with two!
P.S. Don't forget to pick up some organic vino.
3. Potted Flowers & Fair Trade Chocolate -
Flowers and chocolate are a Valentine's Day staple but I think there's room for improvement here. This year opt for a potted plant instead of cut flowers. Flowering indoor plants are much more environmentally friendly than cut flowers and they last a lot longer too.
As for the chocolate, it's not nearly as difficult to find organic and fair trade options as it used to be. My local grocery store has at least a couple of different options but there are many more brands available at the health food store. If you want to get really creative, pick up some strawberries and dip them in some melted fair trade chocolate for a delicious dessert that is great for sharing with that special someone.
1. DIY Aphrodisiac Massage Oil -
Massage oil is a gift that you can easily pull together in the time remaining and still come away looking like the Queen or King of romance. Aromatic Lifestyle provides a good resource on how to concoct your very own 'love potion' with ingredients that you can pick up at your local health food store. Personally, I think organic sweet almond oil and rose essential oil would make a lovely combination but there are plenty of options to choose from.
The really great part about this gift is that after you're done giving your Valentine a soothing and sensual massage they may just return the favour.
2. Organic Cuisine “Chez Toi” -
Treat your sweetheart to their favourite meal using organic and/or locally grown ingredients. A home cooked meal can be just as romantic as an evening out plus you get total control over the ambiance. If your Valentine is a star in the kitchen, invite him or her to be an active participant. Cooking is much more fun with two!
P.S. Don't forget to pick up some organic vino.
3. Potted Flowers & Fair Trade Chocolate -
Flowers and chocolate are a Valentine's Day staple but I think there's room for improvement here. This year opt for a potted plant instead of cut flowers. Flowering indoor plants are much more environmentally friendly than cut flowers and they last a lot longer too.
As for the chocolate, it's not nearly as difficult to find organic and fair trade options as it used to be. My local grocery store has at least a couple of different options but there are many more brands available at the health food store. If you want to get really creative, pick up some strawberries and dip them in some melted fair trade chocolate for a delicious dessert that is great for sharing with that special someone.
And if all else fails (shameless plug coming
right up), you can always buy your eco-friendly Valentine a gift voucher from their favourite eco-friendly franchise. At
StylishOrganicFamilyLiving.com we will email your sweetheart your
thoughtful gift within 24 hours of purchase.
Regardless of how you choose to spend this
coming Valentine's Day, I hope it's a good one. Single or paired off,
remember to tell your loved ones you care.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Last
month I talked about how to use organic olive oil as a natural facial cleanser and moisturizer. This month I'm moving forward with my theme
on natural hygiene and beauty products by kicking things off with a
simple but effective recipe for homemade organic lip balm.
Before
I get into the details, let me start by saying that this stuff really
works. For those of you who've visited my blog before you know that I
live in the “Great White North” where we've been experiencing
some major winter storm action as of late. All this to say that I've
had the opportunity to put this recipe to the test in the most
extreme weather conditions and my lips have never felt so soft. It's
way better than anything I've ever bought at the store, and it's all
natural to boot!
So
without further ado, I give you the secret to super smoochable lips –
just in time for Valentine's Day!
Ingredients (double for a larger yield):
- 2 tablespoons of organic coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons of pure organic beeswax (you may choose to use a bit less if you want the final product to be a bit softer)
- 4 drops of organic peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
- Heat your coconut oil and beeswax in a small sauce pot or crockpot until both are completely melted.
- Add your essential oil and stir.
- Pour the liquid mixture into a sterilized lip balm tube or the container of your choice, and wait for it to harden as it cools.
Benefits:
In
addition to being all natural and chemical-free, homemade lip balm
could also result in cost savings if you consider the price of most
store bought chap sticks (natural or otherwise). The block of beeswax
cost me around $13 (CAD) but I barely put a dent in it and I even
doubled the recipe. Plus, all three of the ingredients in this recipe
can be used for other DYI beauty products.
The
other thing I discovered about this concoction (somewhat by accident)
is that it makes a great cuticle cream. I suffer from dry skin
on my hands in the winter so I'm always in search of heavy duty hand creams. While it's a bit greasy to use all over, this recipe
absorbs quite nicely into the cuticles and offers great protection from the
harsh elements.
The
last benefit I can think of, and probably the best of all, is that it
smells amazing! No need for synthetic perfumes or fragrances. The
combination of the coconut, peppermint and beeswax is heavenly all on
its own.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Many of you already know that different
colours affect your mood in different ways. But did you know that
there are people out there who devote their entire careers to
studying and understanding the connection between colour and emotion?
I did a little digging and I came up
with an interesting study (click here to view) on this very topic which was presented at the Color Marketing Group Conference USA in
2005. In my view, one of the most interesting findings was related to
the emotional responses in connection with colours versus neutrals.
The authors, Harrington & Lechner (2005), explained that colours
are generally associated with positive emotions while neutrals (with
the exception of white) are generally associated with negative
emotions.
With that in mind, why not add a splash
of happy to your life with the help of a few colour accents around
your home? Our organic cotton throws by Pure Fiber are just the thing
to get you started. We have four great options to choose from,
including: soothing yellow, creativity stimulating orange, sweet and
innocent pink, and royally regal purple.
Or, if you prefer you hue in a silky
soft bamboo, check out the Lavender & Grey Bamboo Throw and the
Blue & Barley Bamboo Throw. I should also mention that these two
eco-friendly items are currently on sale for half off their original
price!
So go ahead and put those colours to
good use. In the words of John Ruskin, “the purest and most
thoughtful minds are those which love colour the most”.
Graphic art by MissEmmaNicholl
Friday, February 01, 2013
Thank you to everybody who participated in the Fabulous February Blog Contest! The winner is now up! I am thoroughly impressed by all the great stuff you've been up to and I'm looking forward to another great month in March!
I'm also happy to report that I've made
some significant headway with my own new year's resolutions. Despite
the cold, I've been bundling up and spending more time outside. I've
been getting creative with some fun and easy upcycling projects. I've
been sticking to a healthy diet which includes my new lemon water
regimen. I've started converting to all natural hygiene, cosmetic and
household cleaning products. And I've put the wheels in motion to get
certified as a fitness instructor (because I am just as passionate
about fitness as I am about green living).
Whew! It's been a busy month!
I don't know about you but I'm feeling
energized by such a great start to the new year and I want to keep
the momentum going. That's why I'm dedicating the entire month of
February to being fabulous!
Exactly what does that mean, you ask?
You see, I feel so good about the positive changes I've made in my
life over the past month that I want to extend the opportunity to you
to share some of your wonderful accomplishments, big or small.
As an added bonus I'll be treating one lucky reader to their choice of either a *Sustain Tank Top or a *Sustain Yoga Halter in the colour and size of their choice (*subject to availability). Both of these eco-friendly items are designed by 4-rth (pronounced: for earth) and are great for working out or for just plain lounging.
As an added bonus I'll be treating one lucky reader to their choice of either a *Sustain Tank Top or a *Sustain Yoga Halter in the colour and size of their choice (*subject to availability). Both of these eco-friendly items are designed by 4-rth (pronounced: for earth) and are great for working out or for just plain lounging.
 |
| Sustain Tank Top |
 |
| Sustain Yoga Halter |
In order to participate simply leave a
comment on this blog post about one thing you've started doing in the
new year that makes you feel fabulous. This is your chance to shine! Have you started volunteering?
Are you eating more green leafy vegetables? Did you join a fitness
class? Or maybe you and your friends started a book club? Whatever it
is, I want to hear about it!
The winner will be selected at random
and announced here at the end of the month. He or she will be
contacted via email within 48 hours of the contest closing and they
will have 48 hours to respond back with their mailing address to
collect their prize.
So make sure you get those comments in by
filling out the Rafflecopter widget below before February 28, 2013!
*Please note that prize winnings can only be mailed within Canada and
the U.S. mainland.
Good luck, everyone! I'm excited to
hear about all the wonderful things you've been up to in
the new year. February is already shaping up to be nothing short of fabulous!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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