Natural and Sustainable

Creating a balanced ecosystem in your life is easier than you think.

When cooking outside or caring for your patio or deck, you want to go the organic way, here’s how:

1. Freshen cushions naturally: Combine a half cup of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar with a cup of water. Spray on mold and dirt and do not rinse. Treat the mold with a spray mixture of 2 tsp. tea tree oil and 2 cups water. The mold and strong smell will dissipate in a few days. To brighten lawn furniture, dissolve a half cup of washing soda in a gallon of hot water. Rub soda on and let set for 10 minutes. Rinse off. Test on wood to be sure the finish won’t peel off. Be sure and wear gloves as well.

2. Get a cleaner start naturally: Lighter fluid contains hydrocarbon-emitting petroleum distillates, which contribute to unhealthful smog and impart a chemical taste to the food. Use chimney starter (available at hardware stores) to start the fire. It holds the charcoal above a burning piece of newspaper and relies on airflow under the charcoal to create a glowing heat.

3. Fuel the fire naturally: Grilling with natural gas is the most environmentally freindly method of cooking outdoors. Charcoal and wood give off soot particles that polute the air. If food cooked over wood is a must, use the wood ash as an amendment to neutralize acidic soil.

Here is more information on creating a balanced eco-system within yourself and your own home:

Hemp, unlike its cotton cousin, needs little or no pesticides. Plants grow close together to shadow out weeds, require little rainfall and will grow anywhere wheat grows. Hemp fibre is four times stronger than cotton, and although it feels harsh on the skin, manufacturers are working hard to develop a softer version.

Recycled Cotton is another more earth-friendly choice in cotton clothing. Recycled cotton is cotton fabric that has been made from recovered cotton that would otherwise be cast off during the spinning, weaving or cutting process. A trade name for recycled cotton is Eco Fibre; there are no harsh chemicals used in the processing of this fabric.

Recycled plastic (PET) soda pop bottles are refined and purified, chopped down and processed into spun fibre strands. These strands are then knitted and woven into fabric.

New textiles using soy fibres, bamboo and organic wool, which comes from sheep raised solely on organic meal, are also in the works.

The Organic Trade Association
OTA (www.ota.com) is a North American association representing the organic industry in Canada and the United States. Members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmer associations, brokers, consultants, distributors and retailers. The Association has been instrumental in shaping both the regulatory and market environment for the organic products industry. As of Dec. 2003, its members included 76 Canadian companies.
(Source: Women-can-do-anything)

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip®: When trying to find “just the right’ gift to give, think outside the box and gift a gift that keeps on giving such as a charity. They not only give to the less fortunate but they also help cut down on planetary waste.