Greening your Painting Project - EcoMom LV Tip of the Week.

I have been painting a LOT this past week and of course always thinking green. So here are few TOP TIPS for Greening your Painting Project.

1. Purchase low or Zero VOC paints. I like AMF Safecoat.
   
2. If due to the size of the project low or zero VOC paint is not "cost effective" add 5 drops Young Living Purification essential oil per 1 gallon of paint this will neutralize the paints VOC's
3. Between days of painting instead of rinsing everything out just wrap the brushes, roller and pan with plastic wrap. Be sure to save the plastic wrap so you can use it again for the same project. I used the same plastic wrap all week and then threw it out when the project was done. This method saves TONS of water.
4. Before you start check out Green Building Supply. This is one of my favorite websites for all home improvements. If you have any questions give them a call they will answer all your questions.
   
5. Use old cotton rags or t-shirts as clean up rags or use them to apply paint as faux finishes
6. When cleaning brushes and supplies use hot water. It will take less water if it is hot.
7. Put some Basic H2 in water to clean your brushes. Leaves the brushes soft and clean.
8. When painting even with zero or low VOC paint, ALWAYS open windows and turn on fans.
9. Recycle or save any unused paint. www.freecycle.org

Go ahead and welcome spring with some new paint and green your painting project.

Neutralizing VOC's in Paint

This past week I have been married to my basement where we have painted the walls using a faux finish and then stained the concrete floors. Like everything else in my life I wanted to find a "greener" way of doing things without breaking my bank account. At the rate of $40-$60 per gallon of the better VOC paint with how much I was going to need it wasn't cost effective. But with my kids being asthmatic I cant afford to have the smell in the house as this will trigger their asthma. So what to do.....

Well my father told me about his friend Val that sells Young Living Essential Oils and they have one called Purification. When you put 5 drops per 1 gallon paint it neutralizes the VOC's in the paint and there is no smell. My father used this before and said it really does work. So I got a bottle.....ready for the results!

IT WORKS! There was minimal smell putting the paint on, and when I say minimal this was the least smell out of any 0% or low VOC paint I have ever tried! Within 1 hours of me finishing I had people in the house that couldn't believe me that I painted because there was no smell. Really the only smell you have when putting on the paint is the smell of the oil which is a nice smell.

How to use:
5 drops per gallon of paint (I used the regular Valspar paint from Lowes at $20 per gallon).
Stir up
paint as normal.

Were to buy:
You can use any independent Young Living Distributor or you can visit here:
http://valpam.younglivingworld.com

Cost:
$23 per bottle and you only use 5 drops per gallon so you get a lot of use out of this!

Outcome:
I am in LOVE with the purification oil. Now if I had a smaller room to paint I would probably go with the better safer paint such as AFM Safecoat since it is greener company than most other paint companies and they are also helping our environment. But with how much I was going to need at a rate of 3 times a regular gallon of paint I just couldn't afford it.

As I like to say being green is about keeping the environment and your wallet green.

Support your Local Economy! - EcoMom Alliance LV -Tip of the Week.

It seems everyone right now is having a harder time and listening to the news can get a person even more depressed. I think it is so important for us now to pull together as a community and a nation and help our fellow neighbors.

Are you looking to do work on your home, car, ..ect?

Think about who you know that might be out of a job or could use some side work that would be able to preform the job you are looking for. Also think of the local small business you can support by shopping with them inside of the big box store.

Recently I had a friend that wanted new lightening in her kitchen and it just so happened that her neighbors husband lost his job as a electrician. So she hired her neighbors husband to do the work. She got a job done from someone she trusted and he was able to get 2 days worth of pay.

This also goes for farmers, I am a huge supporter of local farmers so before you go grocery shopping hit a local farm or two and see how much of your list you can get before going to the big supermarkets. You will be surprised how much money you can save in the long run, farmers are typically cheaper than your big markets. So you can help your local farmers and also help your financial stability at the same time

Green Kid Crafts

I really enjoy educating families on Greener Living but I think the best part is the kids. They get so excited and really have fun with it. Here are a few fun "Green Kid Crafts", If you have others please leave comments and share.

Bird Feeders:
I remember doing this when I was a kid in preschool and I think it is my favorite craft.

You will need:

• Pine cones
• Peanut butter (if you have peanut allergies Honey works also)
• Bird seed
• String

How to do it

1. Tie string on pine cone so it can hang in a tree
2. Spread peanut butter on pine cone
3. Roll peanut buttered pine cone in bird seed
4. Hang on tree and watch the bids enjoy your craft.

Teach your kids
Show your kids that we need to help animals too and teach them how to care for the environment. We need to do our part so we can enjoy this beautiful gift of mother nature. Let them watch the birds and see how amazing they are.

Recycled artwork containers
I remember always in art classes at school making office supply holders for my parents growing up and how proud I was of them

What you need

• Recycled cans or bottles
• Markers, crayons or paint
• Scissors
• Tape or glue
• Construction paper or newspaper
  

How to do it

1. Cut newspaper to go around bottle or can
2. Lay the cut piece flat and allow the kids to fill it with there best art work
3. Tape or Glue the paper onto the bottle or can
4. Display with pride.

This is great for holding office supplies, kitchen utensils, flowers or put some holes in the bottom use it to plant seeds.

Teach you Kids
This helps show kids that everything does not need to be thrown away. There are tons of way to reuse things, we just need to be creative. Ask them to think of something to reuse for another creative way. I am sure you will be surprise with what kids think up.

Sprout a Sponge Garden
I took this from the EcoMom's Alliance of the Leigh Valley Message Board. I thought this was such a amazing idea

What you need:

• natural sponge (or a short stack of paper towels)
• 1 tablespoon of birdseed
• 1 cup of water

What you do:

1. Soak the birdseed overnight in the cup of water.
   
2. Dampen the sponge or short stack of paper towels, and sprinkle seeds on it. Be sure to push the seeds into all the little holes on top of the sponge. If you're using paper towels, place the towels on a plate before dampening them and sprinkling them with seeds.
   
3. Next, place the sponge or towels in a warm, dark place for a few days until you see sprouts.
   
4. Now move your budding garden to a sunny window. Be sure to keep the sponge/towels damp. When your sprouts get big, plant them in some soil.

Teach you kids
How seeds grow and how important it is to care for there plants. And how something so small can turn into something so amazing. Last year we grew a pepper plant and the kids were amazed from a little seed grew into a big plant and made something that they could eat. They were so proud to eat there pepper.

Source: Greenhour.org

Beating Bad Winter Indoor Air

Today I find myself suffering from a serious case of Spring Fever. Since it is 60 degrees on the East Coast today I have taken some time to air out the house.

We so often forget how toxic our homes can get over the winter months. Just think for 4-5 months are homes are strictly shut down to keep the cold air out. Well that also means all the toxins, bateria and gasses are also locked down. So not only is the warm air inside but so is all the bad things. Just think how many times have to been on a plane and find yourself not long after your feeling/getting sick. This is because air on a plane is recycled well it is the same thing with your house in the winter months.

I was once told by my grandmother once a week she would change the air in her house. I know you are probably thinking the same thing I did...WHAT. How do you change your home air. Well it is actually very simple for 5 mins open all the windows in your house. Keeping the windows open for only 5 mins will not drastically cool down your house. My grandmother explained "heat sinking" and how it worked. She told me that when cold air is introduced the heat will sink onto furniture carpet and other household items.

Since I have a 2 story house I start downstairs open all the windows then I open all the upstairs. Once the upstairs is all open I go back downstairs and close them and do the same with upstairs. This takes me approximately 5 mins.

Some smart advice..

• Don't do this on a -20 degree day, wait for a warmer winter day. If possible I will wait for an above 32 degree day.
• Aim to do this 1 a week.
• If someone is sick in the house try to change there air more often
• If you suffer some Asthma or Allergies I suggest doing this twice a week
• I recommend when you do this to all change the sheets. I find relaxing with clean sheets and fresh air very relaxing and rejuvenating.

For all season I high urge to make sure you home filters are changed on a regular schedule and use a good air purification unit. Make sure when purchasing a air purification unit it does all major forms of pollutions: particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust, and cigarette smoke; microbes such as mold and bacteria; and gases and odors. That's especially critical since the Environmental Protection Agency consistently ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public healthT. I highly recommend the Air Source 3000 this is the only unit I have found that can do all major forms of pollution plus this does up to 3,000sq feet.

Awesome Crayon & Marker Remover

I recently had a friend of mine call me to tell me about how her 2 yr old got a hold of crayons (non washable) and a permanent marker and used her TV entertainment center and her desk as his canvas. She was devastated as it was ruined and didn't know what to do nothing would take it off.

Today I got another call from the same friend very happy as she finally got the crayons and markers off using her Shaklee products. Below is her mixture.

Couple drops Germicide
Couple drops Basic H2
Couple drops Soft Fabric Concentrate.
Mix together in an 16oz bottle with water and scrub lightly with Miracle Scrubber Pad.

The marker and crayons is gone and the furniture looks so nice and shiny. She even washed the rest of her furniture and sofa with the same mixture. Not only did it remove the kids messes but also freshened the room and polished the wood.

Vegan Treats Rocks!

For many people being green also means eating lower on the food chain such as being a Vegetarian, Vegan. Being a former Vegan myself I have the most respect for people that can follow this diet and remain in good health. I unfortunately was not able to be diligent enough with this and thus got myself very ill.

Yesterday I joined the EcoMoms Alliance of Leigh Valley to Vegan Treats in Bethlehem. I really had low expectations for desserts without any Dairy plus being a former Vegan I have had some really BAD Vegan pastries. But I must admit Vegan Treats ROCKS! It was some of the best pastries I have ever had, I am a full believer!

With me I brought my two girls and we split a brownie and cupcake. I have never had a brownie that was so moist and full of chocolate. I didn't try the cupcake because my daughter would let me near it so I am assuming that was good.

If you ever get a chance stop by for a treat. The prices are reasonable about the same you would spend in any good bakery. Below is both the information for Vegan Treats as well as EcoMom Alliance.

Vegan Treats
1444 Linden Ave
Bethlehem Pa


EcoMoms Alliance Leigh Valley