Trying to find natural bath, body and personal hygiene products that work can be a real challenge. There are many on the market but it’s difficult to know what products are truly natural and chemical free and what products actually work.

When it comes to deodorant, this is particularly important. Natural crystal deodorant is one such product that is chemical free and does actually protect against body odor. Here are just a few of the advantages of a natural crystal deodorant: Read the rest of this entry

A visit to your local market may have you seeing some packages labeled Fairtrade. Or perhaps you’ve noticed the media addressing the topic of Fairtrade. Even notable Starbucks Coffee has started an initiative to use only Fairtrade coffee in their establishments. But what exactly is Fairtrade? Read the rest of this entry

There was a time when recycling just wasn’t a priority for most people. But with increased awareness of its benefits and greater access to recycling facilities, many households are making it a point to recycle anything they can. This has made a huge impact on usage of energy and natural resources. Read the rest of this entry

In the old days of coal mining, miners would lower a caged canary down into the mine, wait a few moments, then bring the cage up. If the canary was dead, the miners knew that toxic gases had filled the mine and it was unsafe for humans.

Canaries kept as home pets have been known to die from toxic gases released from heated Teflon/non-stick cookware. Could we conclude, like the miners, that air so polluted is not safe for humans? For that matter, what about the chemicals in Teflon – can they leach into food? Read the rest of this entry

Over a century ago, settlers in Nebraska found themselves in need of shelter but with very little lumber. They contrived straw bale buildings, and the building style is enjoying a resurgence. These early structures used straw bales to bear the weight of the roof; this load-bearing style is therefore called Nebraska-style. Read the rest of this entry

As the cold and flu season approaches and the H1N1 Virus is once again making news, you may be wondering what you can do to improve your immune system. After all, no one wants to get sick. The good news is that there are very simple and natural things you can do to start enhancing your immune system right now.

The first and often most common step is to take Echinacea. In fact, according to a study reported on MayoClinic.com, a 2006 study found that the likelihood of experiencing a clinical cold was 55% higher with placebo than with Echinacea. Here’s how to use nature’s addition to your medicine cabinet: Read the rest of this entry

Mold is a nasty household problem. Not only is it unsightly, but mold can aggravate allergies and cause respiratory distress and structural damage. Yet some of the cleaners on the market for getting rid of mold can also cause an allergic response and other respiratory problems. Here are some natural alternatives for fighting mold in your home: Read the rest of this entry

The concept of carpooling has been around since World War II. However, formal car-pooling structures, including HOV lanes and public transportation, have been around for about forty years. Whenever our country begins to recognize a shortage of resources, we begin taking active measures. Here are a few tips to save fuel by carpooling: Read the rest of this entry

Breakfast is one of those meals that we know we’re supposed to eat yet many of us would prefer to get just ten more minutes of sleep than scramble up a few eggs or make an omelet. Smoothies are a great fast meal solution; they’re healthy for you and they’re great on the go.

Here are five fresh and healthy breakfast smoothie ideas to get you started! Read the rest of this entry

We live in an era of electronics and technology, and while these things are useful, it’s important to keep things in perspective and enjoy the natural world. Studies show that just getting outside for an hour a day is very beneficial, especially for children. In fact, there are more and more programs popping up to help urban school kids reconnect with nature. No matter what your location, there are ways you and your family can get back to Mother Nature. Read the rest of this entry