I hope you have a fabulous holiday season.  As a gift, for the month of January, mention this blog, and receive $15 off of your electrodermal screening visit.  You can pass this special on to friends and family, too.  Merry Christmas!  Shanna
 
I thought that I was done with the book The List Makes Get Healthy Guide by the author's of prevention, but I decided to do one more article.  This one is green cleaning products.  At times it is much more expensive to buy green cleaning items, but this list gives some inexpensive options for keeping your house looking great without extra chemical exposures. 
  • Rug and carpet stain remover:  1/2 cup vinegar and 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda to 4 cups of warm water.  Scrub the stain, let dry and vacuum.  I would always test a small spot to make sure your carpet color isn't changed.
  • Glass cleaner:  1/4 to 1/2 cup of white vinegar to a quart of warm water and then rub dry with a newspaper.
  • Bathtub stain remover:  For tub stains, fill a small shallow bowl with cream of tartar.  Add drops of hydrogen peroxide until thick.  Apply to the stain and let dry, and then rinse.
  • Mold and mildew lifter:  Make a paste of baking soda and cool water.  Spread it over the entire survace and allow to sit for a few minutes.  Rinse with cold water.
  • Showerhead cleaner:  Remove the showerhead and soak in a solution of 2 cups white vinegar and 2 cups warm water.  Let it set several hours and rinse.
  • Faucet brightener:  Dissolve 4 tablespoons of table salt in 1/4 cup of vinegar and wipe the faucet - polish when dry.
  • Oven Cleaner:  Sprinkle baking soda in a 1/4 inch layer and spritz with water until it's damp.  Let it set overnight; the grime should lift off the next day.
  • Kitchen counter de-stainer:  Squeeze a fresh lemon over the stain and let it soak for 30 minutes.  Next sprinkle baking soda over the juice, scrub, rinse and wipe dry.
  • Clog dissolver:  Pour 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain and immediately follow with at least 2 quarts of boiling water.
  • Garbage disposal deodorizer:  Freeze 1/2 cup of lemon juice or vinegar in an ice tray.  Grind the cubes in the disposal once a week.  The ice cubes sharpen the blades, too.
  • Dishwasher detergent:  Use one part borax and one part baking soda.
Have a great day!  Shanna
 
I am going to one more blog on the List Maker's Get-Healthy Guide by the author's of Prevention.  This week's topic is "Top 10 Smart Health Moves".  I chose this list, just because it is eclectic.  There are items that we don't think of when it comes to health.  The following 10 items were given by the authors as great ways to improve overall health:
  • Eat Dinner with Your Family:  This is important for both the nutrition factor and for connecting with our families.
  • Practice Deep Breathing:  This is especially important when we are under additional stress.
  • Laugh:  Laughing helps relieve stress and balances our hormones.
  • Tell Someone "I Love You":  This helps us think about others, and caring for others can be a stress reliever.
  • Stretch:  I recommend stretching first thing in the morning and throughout the day (our dogs do this automatically!)
  • Do the Pinch Test:  If you can pinch more than an inch of fat on your abdomen, it is a good indication that you may need to lose some weight.
  • Park Your Car and Walk:  We hear this one a lot, and it does pay off!
  • Take a Multivitamin:  I would add vitamin D, fish oil, and a probiotic to this list for most people.
  • Floss Your Teeth:  This can cut down on inflammation in the body.
  • Get Enough Sleep:  Sleep rejuvenates all body function and is very important to health.
The best thing that we can do is to be happy.  This is the time of the year to pay attention to our mental health.  In Minnesota, many times we fall under the winter blues, but we don't have to feel that way.  Many times, it is necessary to take more supplements, eat better and improve our exercise habits in order to feel good when the days are short.  Have a great day - Shanna