November 3rd- Voting Day. After you vote, come over to my house for a Green Cleaning Workshop 6-8pm. Free. Family and friends all welcome. Serving light snacks & hot cider. Hope to see you there! Cindy
O. By the way....Happy Halloween!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
IMPORTANT: Septic System Summary
During workshops we talk about septic system health, (which is not unlike human health in that it is mostly a matter of prevention and maintenance through proper use). People with septic systems (most of Maine) have to be diligent about what they flush or put down the drain. (Actually, people on public systems should be too...) We've had our system pumped and inspected recently. Here are a few great points raised by the people who did it, when I pressed them for the top stressors that are put on the systems:
1. Never flush cigarette butts (the filters can and do plug up critical pathways to the leachfield)
2. or those 'wipe and flush' medicated cloths (which say on the box they are flushable, but aren't) or diapers or anything other than 'pee, poop & toilet paper
3. Avoid anti-bacterial products, chlorine bleach, and even biological products made for 'breaking down solids'. Talk to a septic system professional. If you have your system pumped regularly (on a schedule appropriate for its size and usage) and maintained properly, it is built to do the job without intervention. Bacteria is in the world for a reason. It does the 'biological breakdown' without chemical additions.
4. Never flush or put prescription or over the counter drugs down the drain. Out of sight out of mind doesn't mean out of existence. Whatever we 'rid' ourselves of simply goes elsewhere.
5. Never pour grease, oil, butter or viscous liquids into a drain or toilet. ESPECIALLY not fats that are solid at room temperature. They had horror stories of inches thick solid fat that floated to the top and solidified in the tank, obviously causing it's ruin.
6. And this one is poignant too. Never put dry powder laundry detergent into the washing machine. Especially when cleaning in cold water. What happens is- it doesn't liquify, but remains solid crystals that can accumulate in the system, causing a crust, that 'snowballs.' One fellow said he had to chisel it off in one system, it was hard as cement (which is what he first thought it was!)
Instead, blend it with hot water until completely dissolved. And avoid petro-chemical cleaners,(which contain petroleum and chemicals (petroleum is a thick, viscous liquid and chemicals are harmful to the environment).
1. Never flush cigarette butts (the filters can and do plug up critical pathways to the leachfield)
2. or those 'wipe and flush' medicated cloths (which say on the box they are flushable, but aren't) or diapers or anything other than 'pee, poop & toilet paper
3. Avoid anti-bacterial products, chlorine bleach, and even biological products made for 'breaking down solids'. Talk to a septic system professional. If you have your system pumped regularly (on a schedule appropriate for its size and usage) and maintained properly, it is built to do the job without intervention. Bacteria is in the world for a reason. It does the 'biological breakdown' without chemical additions.
4. Never flush or put prescription or over the counter drugs down the drain. Out of sight out of mind doesn't mean out of existence. Whatever we 'rid' ourselves of simply goes elsewhere.
5. Never pour grease, oil, butter or viscous liquids into a drain or toilet. ESPECIALLY not fats that are solid at room temperature. They had horror stories of inches thick solid fat that floated to the top and solidified in the tank, obviously causing it's ruin.
6. And this one is poignant too. Never put dry powder laundry detergent into the washing machine. Especially when cleaning in cold water. What happens is- it doesn't liquify, but remains solid crystals that can accumulate in the system, causing a crust, that 'snowballs.' One fellow said he had to chisel it off in one system, it was hard as cement (which is what he first thought it was!)
Instead, blend it with hot water until completely dissolved. And avoid petro-chemical cleaners,(which contain petroleum and chemicals (petroleum is a thick, viscous liquid and chemicals are harmful to the environment).
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Horsetail
I read that Horsetail, a non-flowering fern, was once used by Native American Indians as a potscrubber. The stems contain silica. Horsetail grows in my yard. It probably grows in your yard too, it's quite common. I collected, dried, bundled and tried to use it to scrub a pan. The results were messy, the horsetail needles fell apart in the pan, and it wasn't very effective.
So, I investigated further. Turns out there are many species of horsetail. The kind growing in my yard is Field Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) and is a ferny plant, slim and with brilliant green soft needles growing on its stalk, looking similar to a bottle brush in appearance.
It's relative, the Woodland Horsetail, (Equisetum sylvaticum) is the true potscrubber. It is hollow stemmed, has no needles or leaves (therefore, no mess).
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So, I investigated further. Turns out there are many species of horsetail. The kind growing in my yard is Field Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) and is a ferny plant, slim and with brilliant green soft needles growing on its stalk, looking similar to a bottle brush in appearance.
It's relative, the Woodland Horsetail, (Equisetum sylvaticum) is the true potscrubber. It is hollow stemmed, has no needles or leaves (therefore, no mess).
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PERSONAL CARE: Because of the silica in horsetail, it is beneficial to restore luster and shine to your hair. Gently simmer a handful of horsetail 20 min. in a cup of non-chlorinated water. Add it to a cup of apple cider vinegar. Use this to rinse your hair after shampooing. The scent of vinegar disappears once your hair dries.
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This morning I went for my usual walk along the river. Imagine my surprise to discover a large growth of Woodland Horsetail next to a patch of yarrow. I got very excited. It looked like what I saw in the pictures, only more beautiful and strange. I picked several stalks and marveled at them on the walk home. The plant feels dry and the stem is vertically lined, like corduroy. It is flexible and hollow. Every inch and a half or so there's a 'dark seam' , which if you twist it there, it actually is a separated section that you can separate and re-attach. Amazing.
I have been searching for something to use as a natural straw, to replace plastic ones. I wondered about horsetail stems. Dissecting the stem revealed that close to each 'seam' is a build up of plant material on the inner wall of the stem with a pin hole in the center, so using the plant as a straw would only be feasible if you poked the inside with a section of coat hanger, or a chopstick, to open it up. I plan to try that and see if it works.
This morning I went for my usual walk along the river. Imagine my surprise to discover a large growth of Woodland Horsetail next to a patch of yarrow. I got very excited. It looked like what I saw in the pictures, only more beautiful and strange. I picked several stalks and marveled at them on the walk home. The plant feels dry and the stem is vertically lined, like corduroy. It is flexible and hollow. Every inch and a half or so there's a 'dark seam' , which if you twist it there, it actually is a separated section that you can separate and re-attach. Amazing.
I have been searching for something to use as a natural straw, to replace plastic ones. I wondered about horsetail stems. Dissecting the stem revealed that close to each 'seam' is a build up of plant material on the inner wall of the stem with a pin hole in the center, so using the plant as a straw would only be feasible if you poked the inside with a section of coat hanger, or a chopstick, to open it up. I plan to try that and see if it works.
POTSCRUBBER UPDATE: I tried it as a potscrubber and it works wonderfully well. Nature is amazing.
Have a great evening/morning/afternoon, whatever it happens to be when you read this. C. Anne
Have a great evening/morning/afternoon, whatever it happens to be when you read this. C. Anne
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Even Free GC Workshops Can Cancel
wooo-hooo....with 4 blogs to keep up with it's no wonder I haven't had a chance to update this one in a while. (Truth be told, I haven't updated the others either). This summer I continue my herbal studies, exploring which herbs are best for disinfecting, antibacterial, and insect repelling. By infusing thyme (the same herb that flavors meat and fish is also a powerful disinfectant) in hot water and vinegar, you'll have a great, natural disinfecting cleaner without the chemicals. Plus it smells wonderful. I feel blessed to have a big patch of spreading lemon thyme in my garden. (oh my darlin' oh my darlin' oh my DARLIN' Lemon Thyme.....)
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Last Sunday I scheduled a free Green Cleaning Workshop at my house in the early evening, for family and friends who haven't had a chance to come to a class at a local Adult Ed program. But no one was able to come to that one either...summer is too busy! Might try again in the fall. Also, had been scheduled to teach a workshop on Frye Island this coming Monday, which got cancelled due to low enrollment. "They'd rather golf if the sun is shining," explained the coordinator. Summer in Maine is short, intense, and activity filled. If you or someone you know would like to come to a fall GC workshop let me know and I'll add you to the 'invite' email list. Meanwhile, enjoy your summer days and live each and every moment fully. Be well, C Anne
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Last Sunday I scheduled a free Green Cleaning Workshop at my house in the early evening, for family and friends who haven't had a chance to come to a class at a local Adult Ed program. But no one was able to come to that one either...summer is too busy! Might try again in the fall. Also, had been scheduled to teach a workshop on Frye Island this coming Monday, which got cancelled due to low enrollment. "They'd rather golf if the sun is shining," explained the coordinator. Summer in Maine is short, intense, and activity filled. If you or someone you know would like to come to a fall GC workshop let me know and I'll add you to the 'invite' email list. Meanwhile, enjoy your summer days and live each and every moment fully. Be well, C Anne
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Tick Talk
Speaking of being 'green' if you are out in the world on this gorgeous day, be mindful of ticks and check yourself and/or your children for ticks after being out in the green (grass, fields, brush, lawns, etc) This time of year is the active 'dog tick' season, but 'deer tick' are possible anytime too. These are the two most common 'tick types' in Maine. (which has up to 14 species of ticks- not all of them bother humans- so most don't get a lot of press).
Dog ticks have silvery-whitish markings; like streaks (male) or horseshoe shaped (female). Deer ticks are dark with no light markings. Nymphs are tiny but adults are similar sized to dog ticks, so can be mistaken for one. Deer ticks are the notorious ones for potentially carrying Lyme Disease bacterium.
BITE PREVENTION is the BEST DEFENSE.
Interestingly, the same prevention measures for ticks apply to mosquitos too, another disease carrying biter. Only female mosquitos bite.
2 great info sites:
http://www.mmcri.org/lyme/ (about ticks in Maine)
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/_lyme/ (about ticks and mosquitos in Maine)
Dog ticks have silvery-whitish markings; like streaks (male) or horseshoe shaped (female). Deer ticks are dark with no light markings. Nymphs are tiny but adults are similar sized to dog ticks, so can be mistaken for one. Deer ticks are the notorious ones for potentially carrying Lyme Disease bacterium.
BITE PREVENTION is the BEST DEFENSE.
Interestingly, the same prevention measures for ticks apply to mosquitos too, another disease carrying biter. Only female mosquitos bite.
2 great info sites:
http://www.mmcri.org/lyme/ (about ticks in Maine)
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/_lyme/ (about ticks and mosquitos in Maine)
Authentic Greening
There is a difference between sincere greening and greening because it is a popular trend. Beware of companies that are using 'the green revolution' as a marketing ploy to sell you stuff you don't need. Buying what is not necessary is not green, whether the product is 'toxic' or not. It's capitalist and opportunistic-meant to make money instead of reducing consumption. Plus in unregulated industries (ie, the cleaners industry) 'non-toxic' is a meaningless term for the most part. It is poorly defined and open to situational interpretation.
Just because a product has green in its name (like Simple Green; Green Works, etc) does not mean it's green, a term that has no regulated meaning either. A company that puts green in a product name might be using a marketing ploy, unless they third party certify what they mean by the word.
Rule of thumb: The more heavily advertised or promoted (such as 'end aisle displays' in stores), a product is, the bigger the company and more money behind it. To me that means: beware.
It, like dreams, are not what they seem.
If you are in Southern Maine, enjoy this incredibly, mind-blowingingly (along with the wind), and remarkably gorgeous (and truly GREEN) day. Life really IS good. C Anne
Just because a product has green in its name (like Simple Green; Green Works, etc) does not mean it's green, a term that has no regulated meaning either. A company that puts green in a product name might be using a marketing ploy, unless they third party certify what they mean by the word.
Rule of thumb: The more heavily advertised or promoted (such as 'end aisle displays' in stores), a product is, the bigger the company and more money behind it. To me that means: beware.
It, like dreams, are not what they seem.
If you are in Southern Maine, enjoy this incredibly, mind-blowingingly (along with the wind), and remarkably gorgeous (and truly GREEN) day. Life really IS good. C Anne
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
What We Can Do Without
People have replaced personal experience and hands on knowledge (ie, learn by doing) with store bought solutions to everyday living. Corporations create perceived need where there isn't any. It leads to the constant 'new and improved' products that continually bombard the media.
Most people have no idea how few cleaners and cleaning paraphenalia they actually need. There are two things that can discipline you along this line. One is learning what is actually in all those cleaners (-they shouldn't even be called cleaners. they are actually polluters, contaminating your home instead of cleaning it).
The other thing that can limit the accumulation of cleaners and supplies is a lack of income. If you don't have it to spend, you don't 'spend it to have'.
When I was layed off I had to go into a conservative money mode. It was the best teacher to learn what I actually do need and what can easily be lived without- like, for example, most cleaners. I clean my house, automobile and (even) myself with very few things. This is good knowledge! It isn't the knowledge corporations want you to have. That alone should make people stand up and pay attention.
Most people have no idea how few cleaners and cleaning paraphenalia they actually need. There are two things that can discipline you along this line. One is learning what is actually in all those cleaners (-they shouldn't even be called cleaners. they are actually polluters, contaminating your home instead of cleaning it).
The other thing that can limit the accumulation of cleaners and supplies is a lack of income. If you don't have it to spend, you don't 'spend it to have'.
When I was layed off I had to go into a conservative money mode. It was the best teacher to learn what I actually do need and what can easily be lived without- like, for example, most cleaners. I clean my house, automobile and (even) myself with very few things. This is good knowledge! It isn't the knowledge corporations want you to have. That alone should make people stand up and pay attention.
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