Today

I woke up this morning with a HUGE burst of energy.  I don't know if I've ever "bounded" out of bed before.  I feel so GOOD!  It's going to be a good day.

Cleaning with Vodka

In addition to the natural recipes I listed for spring cleaning,  VODKA can be used for a number of things.  Here is the list:

Jewelry
Vodka is great for cleaning hard stones like diamonds. Just pour some vodka in a dish, take the ring and swish it back and forth. Dry it off and it will give a beautiful sheen. If it is really dirty, put it in and let it soak a while and then scrub with a toothbrush. Afterwards, just swish and dry.

Mold and Mildew
To remove mold and mildew from caulking, fill a spray bottle with inexpensive vodka and spray it onto the mold and mildew. Let this sit for about 15 minutes. Then scrub with a toothbrush, if necessary.

Beaded Clothing
Since we don't wear beaded clothes too often, it is a shame to pay for dry cleaning. Some beaded clothes are not cleanable and can be hard to spot clean. To freshen these, put some vodka in a small spray bottle and spritz the underarm area and neckline on the wrong side of the fabric. Hang and let air dry.

Glass and Eyeglasses
Use vodka to clean glass without leaving any streaks. Wet paper towels or even newspaper with vodka and use it to clean windows, glass table tops, eyeglasses, windshields, or any other glass

To get a sparkling shine on your eyeglasses that don't have protective coating, spritz with vodka and buff with a soft cloth. Do not use on coated lenses of eyeglasses that suggest avoiding alcohol based products.

Insects
Because of vodka's high alcohol content, it is a potent insect killer. Put a little in a spray bottle and squirt the bugs or yourself. They will be on their drunken way.

Adhesive Remover
Remove those maddening remnants of price stickers with vodka. It dissolves weak adhesives, so you can easily scrape off the sticky leavings of any labels on your products. Vodka, for the same reason, can be poured over a Band-Aid for painless removal

Houseplant Protector
Keep Aphids off houseplants. Wash off houseplants with tap water then dab the leaves with a cotton ball dipped in vodka. Do not use alcohol on delicate plants like African Violets.

Bathroom Fixures
Shine chrome, glass and porcelain bathroom fixtures. Soak a soft, clean cloth with vodka and shine.

Person Protector
Use it to kill bees and wasps.

Smoke Smell Remover
To get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke, mix one part vodka to three parts water, spray and let dry. (Don't you love the irony of this one?  Cigarettes and Vodka?  COME ON!)

Leather Cleaner
Cleaning leather - this was posted a couple of years ago by a Happy Slob reader: "I also used straight vodka to clean white paint off my son's black leather jacket. Worked great."

Pet Stains
Cleaning pet stains - of which I've encountered many! Vodka is great at lifting even tough stains. Since vodka is colorless and odorless, it won't add any additional staining to your carpet. I would be tempted to try a few tablespoons in my little carpet spot cleaner 

Spring Cleaning - House

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for SPRING CLEANING.  This year I am going to take this to mean my house, as well as my spirit.  Im not going to tell you how to clean your whole house, but here is a checklist you can follow:  http://housekeeping.about.com/cs/cleaning101/a/springclnngguid.htm


Let's start with the HOUSE.  Here are some tips and natural recipes for spring cleaning:


- Open up all of your windows so the air can flow through (if it's still chilly out, open up for as long as you can handle, even if its only for 15 minutes)


- Try to do one whole project at a time.  That might mean one whole room, or one whole project (floors, dusting, throwing things away)


- Don't forget:  garbage disposal (throw in 1 cut up lemon), baseboards, refrigerator drawers, fans, tops of door jams, change smoke alarm batteries, rotate mattresses, change your furnace filter.


Recipes:
Most From Whole Living.  Click here for article.


Natural All-Purpose Scrub
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into a bowl. Add just enough liquid soap to make a creamy paste. Spread mixture on the flat side of 1/2 of a lemon and scrub. Use a damp rag or sponge to wipe away any residue. I used this on my shower and you still need to use a scrubby sponge, but you have to do that with chemicals too, so it might as well be natural.


Mold Remover

Vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner; use it straight for tough jobs, or dilute it with water. Tea-tree oil is a natural fungicide and can help disinfect surfaces -- mix 2 teaspoons with 2 cups water. To whiten stained tiles or grout, use a mixture of 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide to 1 cup water.All of these solutions can be sprayed onto a surface, allowed to dry, then wiped with a damp cloth.  You can also use vodka the same way you would use vinegar.

DIY Tub and Tile Cleaner

Vinegar works well on soap scum and mineral deposits, but rinse thoroughly, as it can corrode some fixtures and etch glaze on tiles. You can also try tea tree oil -- 2 drops tea tree oil with 1 cup water -- in a spray bottle. A natural antiseptic and fungicide, tea tree oil costs more than vinegar but will kill most types of mold and help prevent growth; as with all concentrated oils, it should be used with caution, as it can trigger allergic reactions if it comes into contact with skin.

Natural Carpet Stain Remove

Pour a small amount of soda water onto a fresh carpet spill, and blot with a towel. Don't rub, as you may mat the fibers. If the stain is set, try hydrogen peroxide: Pour some onto a clean, white cloth, then press cloth to carpet. Wait about 15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth. There should be no need to rinse.

Furniture Polish

Add a few drops of olive oil or jojoba oil to 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar.  If you still want that citrus scent, add 2 drops of lemon essential oil.  Make sure it is essential, and not just fragrance oil.  You can choose your scent - try lavender!

Drain Un-Clogger

Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed b 3 cups of boiling water, which converts the baking soda to sodium carbonate.

Hotel toiletries & shelters

If you travel a lot, or just a little, pick up the toiletries (believe me, you're paying for them).  Most people bring their own, and disregard the generic little bottles, but homeless and women's shelters NEED these items.  Bring them home and donate the unopened bottles!

I am cleaning out my bathroom, and never realized how many I had (just in case).  I am throwing away the opened bottles, and making a bag full of unopened and dropping them off to a local shelter, along with larger bottles I have gotten as gifts and do not use, as well as a few other gently used items.

Here are commonly asked for items you may have around:

• Soap & Body Wash
• Shaving Cream
• Body Lotion
• Cleaning Products
• Shoe Accessories (laces, polish, etc.)
• Slippers
• Towels
• Washcloths
• Razors
• Deodorant
• Pill Boxes
• Can Openers
• Back Packs & Duffel Bags
• Sheets (Twin or Queen)
• Bathroom Tissue
• Paper Towels
• Kleenex
• Laundry Detergent

Healthy Tip

I just read this tip and wanted to share:

Wake Up with Water
“Before you put coffee, tea, or food into your body, it’s best to first break your fast with a glass of water with lemon,” says Ashley Koff, RD, a nutritionist in Los Angeles and founder of ashleykoffapproved.com. When you sleep, Koff says, your body isn’t just abstaining from food but from water too. “Because many vitamins are water-soluble, having a glass before you eat will help your body better absorb nutrients from food.” The acidity of the lemon helps rebalance your digestive tract by making it alkaline, allowing “good” bacteria in your intestines to thrive and facilitate optimal nutrient absorption.

Winter Fun

Well as much as I am ready for this winter to be over, the snow to be GONE, and the sun to come out, I did get to have a little bit of winter fun with my friend Donna.  On Saturday:

we went cross-country skiing

followed by a dip in the hot tub with European style sipping chocolate (thank you Trader Joe's!)

(notice that the snow was falling, and got worse as we sat there)

Seedlings!

It's SEED GROWING SEASON!  

I started doing this 3 years ago, but I think it fits in perfectly with my new life - it saves money because if you grow your own herbs, flowers, and veggies, you are spending less money at the grocery store.  Also, it encourages me to eat fresher meals, so NUTRITION!  It encourages COMMUNITY, as I share my extra seedlings with friends and neighbors so they can have fresh food too.  Ask Donna - she grows zucchini the size of babies!

Growing things soothes the soul


When those first little sprouts emerge - it's exciting!  I feel PROUD!






If anyone wants to know how to start your own little seeds, here are the basic instructions: (or you can just start seeds on a windowsill - just grow SOMETHING!)


You need:
Trays
Planting cups
Seeds
Growing light


You need a tray under the cups so the water doesn't leak all over.  For the cups, you can use eggs cartons, yogurt cups, bottoms of 2-liters.  Anything, really.  I buy biodegradable cups with my seeds (from Lowe's) - they can be planted right into the dirt, so I have a less of a chance of screwing up my little seedlings.  For seeds, there are websites you can go to for special plants, or you can just go to your local Lowe's or Home Depot.  You can also get organic seeds.  The growing light can be purchased at any hardware store.  You need the fixture, and then the light bulbs.


Follow the directions on the seed packages - most say plant right under the surface and keep moist.  Some seeds can be planted outside at the beginning of the season.  The light should be very close to the dirt, and raised as the seedlings emerge and grow taller.


Turn on the light daily and watch them grow!  The package will tell how long each seed will take to come out.


GOOD LUCK!  SEND ME PICTURES!

Catch up

Ok, by urging of my sister, Sonya (she says its ok to use her real name), I will recap the last 6 weeks of my life:


Graduation - Official Master of Education (Exercise Science)

My family came in from around the country to celebrate my graduation from graduate school.  I hadn't walked for my undergraduate degree, and didn't think it was much of a big deal, but once I was up there accepting my award, and wearing my gown and tassles, ok it was pretty cool.  And it was really nice to have my whole family together, even though our brunch wasn't any good and it was cold.  What is the message in this part?  Go after your dreams.  I don't know what the hell I'm going to do next, but I followed through and it feels good.

Christmas - too many of them

I proclaim that next year we only have ONE Christmas.  I don't know if any of you have multiple families that you have to go to, but WE DON'T!!  We just happen to have four christmases with the same people!  Christmas eve at Granny's, Christmas at Granny's, presents at Sea's, more presents at Sony's.  Listen kids (and by kids I mean my adult siblings), next year, just one place.  The fact is that it's nice to be with family.  That's what the holiday is all about. Each year we have been trying to give less gifts, and give more of ourselves.  So grab a turkey (tofu for Sony), a bottle of wine (sparkling juice for Mom), and enjoy your family, even if they drive you crazy!

New Year's Eve - Official DD

If you who don't know, that stands for designated driver, as in "get everyone home safe" and laugh at those who can't say no to 1 ... or 4 ... more drinks or shots.  It was fun dancing and hanging out, and although I TRY to be non-judgemental, I have to admit it was amusing watching the people who were hanging out on the streets, or rather hanging on.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!   (Oh, and for the record, some stars that fall from the ceiling are not flimsy, and they DO hurt when they hit you in the face.)


Now .... Job Hunting

So now I am an official graduate, and the job hunt has not been fun.  For the last 2 1/2 years I have been broke, but at least I was going to class.  Now Im just broke.  So I am on the hunt, and its getting frustrating.  I have applied to hospitals, doctors offices, fitness centers.  Am I destined to be a secretary (although a very balanced secretary)?  Does anyone want to hire and incredibly charming, organized employee that has worked in almost every industry?  I think maybe my calling is to be an herbalist.  What do you think?

In the meantime I am working part-time with a good friend of mine, as well as trying to get my new year's resolution underway.  Meditation.  It's harder than I thought it would be.  Sitting in silence, and trying to get your mind to do the same is incredibly difficult.  Try it some time!  It's also incredibly good for your mental health, physical health, energy, and outlook on life.

Resolutions

What are your new year's resolutions?

Every year we make a specific resolution that probably makes it through the first month or two (ok, maybe that's just me).  This is what I want.  No, this is what I NEED:  I need to live a healthier, more balanced life.  Do I need to lose weight?  Sure!  Do I need to eat more vegetables?  Yes, ma'am!  But what about just living life?  What about PAYING ATTENTION?  Listening to my body ... more exercise, better nutrition, better energy balancing, more attention to the earth.  These are not resolutions.  These are lifestyle changes.  So here are all of the things I want my life to look like.  If I can make a step in each direction, I should feel good:

- Eat more local foods
- Eat more vegetables than protein
- Start composting
- Connect with the earth at least once a week
- An exercise plan that includes aerobic activity, flexibility, strength, and FUN
- Meditation, starting with 5-10 minutes per day
- Self-reiki and eventually to help others
- Being a better friend
- Keeping in touch with those that are important to me
- More natural remedies for health
- More natural cleaning products for my home
- Learn about supplements that I need for my body
- Start my path as an herbalist and a healer

And I am leaving this blog open - I may edit it at any time and add more things : )

I am working my way ... towards a more Serene Life.

Winter

I know it's been a long time since my last blog.  I am counting down the long and arduous internship that started at the end of August.  While my activity has improved at work, my extra curricular physical activity has come to somewhat of a standstill.  I have no excuse.  It's vital to my health, both physical and mental.

Sooooo .... here's my question .... Im not much of a fan of being cold.  So here I am just after a snowstorm, and there is no way I want to frolick outside.  What can I do during the winter to keep wellness a balanced part of my life?  Exercise, nutrition, alternative modalities - how do I incorporate them during these "white stuff" months?

Cottage

I'm a little bit behind in writing the last couple of blogs, but it's because it is coming down to the end of summer, and there is always more to do because people are trying to get in their last hoorahs!  It was the middle of August, and I had the cottage all to myself for a couple of days.  It was perfect.  This is me, enjoying the peace, the wind, the serene water.  :)

So, Im a pretty social person.  I don't need much "alone" time.  But WOW.  It is amazing to be here in the woods by myself.  It wasn't even bad coming here by myself in the dark at 11pm.  The creep-factor was relatively low!  And the best part, after spending dinner time with my momma last night, I came back to the cottage where it thunder stormed all night, which is pretty much my favorite sound ever.  THANKS EARTH!

Being there reminded me how important it is to get out of the city, and just feel the grass under my feet.  Hear the water splashing up on the shore.  Hear the crisp sound of birds waking up in the early morning. Experience the sprinkle of rain on my face as it escaped through the trees.  I was lucky enough to have my newly purchased used kayak there, which I used every day - just me and the water.  I even attempted a sunrise ride, but the overcast skies foiled me.  After that, sleepiness foiled further attempts.

On my final day, my Mom came back out and we went out on a boat cruise to see the pictured rocks (http://www.picturedrocks.com).  These cliffs were formed by glaciers, with some perfect points, and various other really cool formations. (See pics that follow).  The painted lines on the rocks are formed by minerals in the rock.  When water seeps through the rock, the minerals create these amazing colors.  We saw reds, oranges, turquoise, gray, and black.  Highly recommended at least once.

It IS the end of summer - get out there!  Take a hike.  Drive to a park and just listen.  Take a tour.  Fall is a great time for getting out too - just dress warmly!

Miners Castle

Bear Face

Peering Eyes

Indian Chief

Ship's Row (lined up ships)

Sphinx

Birthday Ride

A new year, a new celebration.

Usually birthdays around here mean bars, but this year for my birthday we needed a change.  My friend Samantha and I were trying to think of something fun and different.  We discussed murder mystery theatre, or an interactive show such as Tony & Tina's wedding.  We ended up on this idea:  and hour and a half on horseback at night, ending up at a bonfire with hot dogs and s'mores.  Sam wouldn't go without the s'mores  : )

Who puts on such an event, you ask?  The Brighton Recreation Area Riding Stable.  And I encourage everyone to mix it up this year.  Do something different.  Try to have a birthday that is not centered around alcohol.  Sounds easy, right?  So do it!

Pittsburgh

This weekend I visited my sister in Pittsburgh for the first time.  She's lived there for a year already!  Rebecca and I arrived at 5:30pm on Friday to a Sonya who was ready to go!  We dressed and visited Matt's (sony's boyfriend) restaurant, Willow, where he served us AMAZING food!  Bec also came up with a new drink, Guava rum and house-made lemonade ... they are putting it on their summer menu.  GO BEC!

We followed that up with a trip up to Mount Washington to see the view of the city.  It was amazing.

We visited the South side with great people watching, and a couple of cool little bars.

On Saturday we went shopping and ate sushi.  We visited Finnigans, by PNC Park, and watched the Bucs win (on TV).  We headed home to grill veggies (Sony is a vegetarian), drink wine, and played UNO.  The longest game of UNO ever.  Nobody won, but it was so much fun.


On Sunday we headed to brunch at Pino's (click here for the brunch menu).  It was the best eggs benedict with REAL crab I have ever had.  Well done, chef Joseph Mico, well done.

We followed up with a walk at the waterfront.  This river is beautiful.  Sony had never been there, and I feel good that it is somewhere she wants to go back to and spend some time.  I feel like I have been a small link to connect her to nature, and the feel of the water.  Next time we will find the rented kayaks and take a trip down the river.








The best part of the walk was stumbling upon the WATER STEPS.  This is one of the coolest things ever.  Cascading water with dozens of small waterfalls massaged your feet.  Watching the people relax and enjoy themselves, the kids playing, and the dogs get a cool down.  I believe there was a happy energy flowing through that water.  I could FEEL it!  And I think everyone that touched that water was infused with that energy.



It was a great weekend, and it just reiterated to importance of family, and experiencing their lives.  I encourage everyone to go spend a day or a weekend with a sibling or another family member.  Trust me, your life will feel more balanced.

Water

I went to Kensington Metro Park with Rebecca today.  There was a wait list for the kayaks, so we went around the lake on a paddleboat.  There was a platform on the front, so we got to dangle our legs in the water and chatted.  Beautiful day.  The water was so nice that we also stopped at the beach and went swimming.  AND we saw a fish totally do a "look at me mom!" above the water.  Sorry, Bec, for making you swim in shorts.  : )  Next time we go its kayaking and frisbee golf.

Every day I get my nature on I am feeling more and more balanced.

Yoga

Many people have tried yoga, but not everyone likes it.  I have only done it a few times, and never liked it enough to be excited to go back.


WELL I now know that everyone should try different styles, different clubs, and different teachers.  I have really connected with the class at LA Fitness!  The instructor goes slowly and doesn't use any complicated moves.  And she always welcomes people to stay in a pose for longer if we need it and just catch up, which is great when Im getting a really good stretch.  She also talks about when the body shakes (like my muscles do sometimes) and that it's ok, and the body is just warming up.  It helps so I don't feel self-conscious about my arms shaking all over the place.  : )

There are two other yoga places in the area that I plan on trying - and they both give a week or two free!  Does anyone want to join me?  Namaste Yoga, and Yoga Shelter