GREEN CLEANING Natural Household Products to Use in Spring Cleaning

By Kathryn Vercillo www.kathrynvercillo.com

Are you getting ready to do your spring cleaning? Do you want to try to keep that cleaning low-cost and green? Many people are interested in using natural products that are chemical-free. The problem is that many of the green cleaners on the market are expensive. But you don’t actually need those products for green spring cleaning. You can use normal household products instead.

1. Baking soda. This is probably the number one natural product that most people already know how to use in the home. It’s a natural cleaner that is most commonly used to get rid of bad smells in the refrigerator. It also deodorizes in other parts of the home and is great for cleaning stinky things like carpets or rugs. If you’re going to be doing some deep cleaning of pots, pans and Tupperware this spring then you should use baking soda there, too, since it will aid in deodorizing them. Additionally, the slight grittiness of baking soda makes it a really great cleaner for areas of the home that need to be scrubbed and scoured.

2. Hydrogen peroxide. You probably keep this product around your house because it’s great at killing bacteria. This doesn’t just work on your cuts, either. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to kill bacteria and mold all throughout your home. This helps to keep your home safe for everyone who lives there. Hydrogen peroxide is great to use to clean the walls and floor of your home and it can even be used to clean the toilet. You’ll want to dilute it with hot water when using it.

3. Lemon juice. There is a reason that there are so many cleaning products on the market today that have a lemon scent to them. This fresh scent is associated with a clean feeling do to the fact that lemon is a great antibacterial product. Lemon juice is a nice-smelling cleaner that helps to deodorize and freshen the home. It is also a natural bleach alternative. It can be used to clean glass, especially stained coffee pots. It can also be used to clean any copper that you might have in the home.

4. Olive oil. You would not believe how many uses for olive oil exist that have nothing to do with food. It’s a terrific home cleaning product that is used in particular to polish up your home. It works really great on all types of wood so you can use it on floors and furniture. It can also be used to polish stainless steel which makes it a terrific spring cleaning agent for kitchens and bathrooms. And if you notice any squeaky doors or hinges while you’re doing your spring cleaning then you can also apply a bit of olive oil to end that problem!

5. Pure castile soap. This is the one product that you might want to purchase that you don’t necessarily already have around the home. This is a natural form of soap that is safe for the home. Dr. Bronner’s is a popular brand name but you can choose other brands as well such as Elysian Dream or Shadow Lake. Pure castile soap will work well in all areas of home cleaning that require soap. A great tip is to combine this ingredient with either salt or baking soda when you want to scrub an area clean. The grittiness from the salt or baking soda will assist in the scouring of areas such as the tub or the sink. The soap will help to really get these areas clean. This soap can also be used on laundry stains and even to clean your pets. You might also want to use a little bit of lemon juice to improve the smell.

6. Salt. Salt has a bit of that same grittiness that you get from baking soda (although typically a bit more so). For that reason, it’s a terrific product to use when trying to scrub or scour your home. Salt also has deodorizer properties. It can be used to clean your dishes, especially greasy pans since it will soak up the grease. It can be combined with soap or vinegar to make a stronger cleaning agent.

7. Tea tree oil. Like olive oil, tea tree oil can be used to polish up your home. However, it does more than this; tea tree oil is known for its ability to kill germs. You can combine it with water in a spray bottle and use it to clean out mold and mildew from areas like the bathroom. You might also want to add this to your laundry to protect it from mildew and mold.

8. White vinegar. This important product is great for helping to clean your home. The reason for this is that it’s an anti-bacterial product that is capable of destroying germs. It’s also good for killing any mold that you might have starting to grow in your home.

Very few ingredients that you see on the list cost very much at all. Most of these are probably ingredients that you already have around your home. By choosing to use these as natural cleaners this spring, you’ll be able to really freshen up your home at a low cost. And you won’t have any nasty chemicals to contend with in your home!

Stress is part of life. And its causes –work, kids, family, health, money, lack of downtime – are similar for both men and women. Although most people don’t report being stressed, they are likely to develop chronic illnesses linked to high levels of stress. Over time, uncontrolled stress suppresses the immune system and increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, depression, and a host of other chronic health conditions. Recognizing the symptoms of stress is the first step to tackling them and getting you on course to living the healthy, productive life you want.

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Warning Signs of Too Much Stress

Chest pain, rapid heartbeat

Anxious or racing thoughts

Nausea, dizziness • Sweating • Dry mouth

Diarrhea or constipation

Worrying incessantly

• Feeling overwhelmed

Unable to concentrate

Using alcohol or drugs to relax and “unwind”

Changes in appetite -- either not eating or eating too much

Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities

Agitation, inability to relax • Irritability, moodiness

Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ears

Depression, low mood, or crying

• Try calming activities - deep breathing, stretching, or meditating.

• Make time to do activities you enjoy, especially outdoors

• Talk to others about how you are feeling or if you have concerns

• Avoid excessive alcohol or drug usage, these can make stress worse.

Peer

Maine Crisis

Lemon Bars

Recipe by Sidney

Ingredients:

Shortbread Crust

Elaine

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 tsp salt

6 Tbsp salted butter

Lemon Filling

1.5 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

2/3 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons) + 1 Tbsp zest

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp powdered sugar (for garnish)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 325ºF. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt for the shortbread crust until well combined. Melt the butter, then pour it into the bowl

Fresh Double Strawberry Pie

Recipe by Tom Witt

Ingredients:

1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked

1 1/2 quart fresh strawberries

1 cup white sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3/4 cup water

1 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Arrange half of strawberries in baked pastry shell. Mash remaining berries and combine with sugar in a medium saucepan. Place saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water. Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into boiling strawberry mixture. Reduce heat and simmer mixture until

Share of dry ingredients for the crust, and stir until everything is moistened and the mixture looks slightly crumbly. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Press the shortbread mixture into the bottom of the dish in an even layer. pastry shell. In a small bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Top with whipping cream. Add layer of strawberries over whipping cream. Chill for several hours before serving.

Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake the crust for 25 minutes*, or just until the edges are lightly golden.

Easy Green Velvet Cupcakes

(Family Features)

Makes 24 servings

Ingredients:

1 package (18 1/4 ounces) German chocolate cake mix with pudding

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 bottle (1 ounce) McCormick Green Food Color

3 eggs

2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract

1 container (16 ounces) cream cheese frosting or Vanilla

Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe follows) Green sprinkles (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat cake mix, sour cream, water, cocoa powder, oil, food color, eggs and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed just until moistened, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes.

Pour batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups, filling each cup 2/3 full.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Recipe by Kellie www.thesuburbansoapbox.com

1 tablespoon canola oil

3 pound corned beef brisket

12 ounces ale or lager

24 ounces water

3 carrots roughly chopped

3 celery stalks roughly chopped

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 1/2 cups sliced Vidalia onion about one large onion

1 head savoy or green cabbage core removed and sliced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Directions

In a large dutch oven (or skillet, if cooking in the slow cooker), heat the oil over med-high heat. Add the brisket to the pan fat side down and cook until golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes. Turn the brisket over and brown the other side, approximately 5-6 minutes. Turn off the heat and drain the fat. (If cooking in the slow cooker, transfer the brisket to the

Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

Minty Green Cream Cheese Frosting: Stir 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract and 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Green Food Color into canned cream cheese frosting or Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened, 2 tablespoons sour cream and 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract in large bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 box (16 ounces) confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Makes 2 1/2 cups.mixture in a glass serving

Pour the ale over the brisket. Stir in the water, carrots, celery, mustard, thyme, mustard seeds and bay leaf. Cover and transfer to the oven for 3 hours at 300 (Or cover and turn the slow cooker on low for 6-7 hours.)

When the brisket has one hour left of cook time, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Stir in the butter until melted. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the cabbage. Cook until wilted and beginning to caramelize. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes stirring after 10 minutes. (The onions and cabbage should start to turn golden brown and caramelize.)

When the brisket is done, it should be tender enough to pull apart with a fork. If it’s still tough, continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes. Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes covered with foil before slicing against the grain. Serve with the cabbage