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Creating a Healthy Family

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Switch Brands, Save $ and Simplify your Life!

April 6, 2015 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Live Green, Shaklee Leave a Comment

Simplifying life doesn’t have to be complicated!

It might be as easy as cleaning out clutter from under your kitchen sink.  BTW, what’s under yours?  What do you use to clean floors, walls, windows, counter tops, mirrors, doors, hand washables, showers, etc?  One bottle of Shaklee Basic H2 has more than 1000 uses.  It can replace multiple cleaners under your sink to save space and remove “clutter”.  We did this years ago and this year we are de-cluttering in so many other areas of our lives as well.  It’s very liberating.   Back to Basic H2, it costs pennies to use because it’s SO highly concentrated.  You simply add water.  Mix 1-2 drops of Basic H2 with 16 oz of water in a spray bottle for windows and it costs only 1 cent.  Add 1/4 teas to 16 oz water in a spray bottle and you get an all purpose cleaner costing 3 cents a bottle. Even if you buy your cleaners at the dollar store or make your own with vinegar, you’ll still pay more than that!  And they work….Once you try, you’ll never want to clean with anything else!

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Basic H2 Sample

April 6, 2015 by Chandra Filed Under: Live Green, Shaklee Leave a Comment

Earth Day Special:  Basic H2 Organic Cleaning Concentrate Samples 

Free sample available in US only – sorry for any inconvenience! Full size bottles are available for purchase in Canada.  This offer is valid through April 22, 2015 only.

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Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day

March 16, 2015 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Live Green, Shaklee Leave a Comment

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  Don’t forget to wear your green and if you are looking for fun ways to green up your day try these:

Green Eggs for the Kiddo

Blend 1 egg and handful of spinach in blender, then scramble like normal.  Kids won’t taste the spinach but will think this is super cool, plus they’ll love to help make them!  In a pinch you can use natural food coloring.   

GreenEggs
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Tips for Eating “Green”

April 27, 2013 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Eat Clean, Live Green Leave a Comment

Did you know the food choices you make and the way you shop for, prepare, and serve food can negatively impact the environment? Well, that is absolutely true—and it is becoming increasingly important that we all help our environment in every way we can. Here are some great “eating green” tips to help you get started.

Go Vegetarian at least once a week. And this is NOT because we are vegetarians {we do love our Texas BBQ}, but because the cost to the environment is far greater than the cost to produce vegetarian protein foods such as vegetables, beans, soybeans, legumes, etc.

Make a shopping list. Take inventory of everything you need for preparing healthy meals before you head to the grocery store, farmers market or Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s. This will prevent multiple trips back and forth to the store. You’ll save on fuel, help reduce gasoline emissions, and save wear and tear on your car.

Grab your re-usable bags. Neither paper nor plastic bags are a good choice for the environment. It takes gallons of crude oil to make plastic bags, and many trees are sacrificed to make paper bags. Invest in reusable canvas shopping bags—and be sure that you bring them with you!  You can also get fruit and veggie bags that are reusable – we love them!

Au Revour Plastic Bottles. Americans buy billions of plastic water bottles every year, and every year tons of these empty bottles get thrown in the trash. Break the habit—use a neoprene bottle instead and consider a water-filtering system for use at home.

Buy local and organic – hit up those local farmers markets. Buying locally grown foods cuts down on the environmental costs associated with transporting produce to your community from great distances. In the summer months, farmer’s markets are the ideal place to buy local produce, but certain grocery store chains actually feature local produce! Try to choose organic produce whenever possible as this is an excellent way to reduce exposure to pesticides and help reduce the runoff and pollutants that may contaminate our water, soil, and air.   We are huge fans of farmers markets and are committed to buying organic whenever possible {especially the dirty dozen}.

Be an efficient kitchen ninja. Save energy and speed up cooking times by covering pots. When it’s time to clean up, make sure the dishwasher is “full” before you run it. If you have a small number of dirty dishes, think about doing them the old-fashioned “by hand” way, without constantly running the water {meaning fill up the sink}, and be sure to use a biodegradable dish detergent.

Green Spring Cleaning Tips

April 21, 2013 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Live Green Leave a Comment

8896287_s1. Reduce – The first step to fighting messes and keeping your home spic-and-span is getting rid of all that stuff you never use. Go through all the places where it accumulates–try closets, junk drawers, out-of-reach shelves, attics and basements, and any other place where you’re inclined to toss stuff as you say, “I’ll deal with this later” and be diligent about– separating out what you really will use someday from what you never will. Be honest: you may say you like that sweater your aunt gave you for Christmas in 2004, but if it still has the tags on it, you aren’t ever going to wear it. And be practical: do you really need that quesadilla maker? We’re not suggesting that you trim down to an uber-minimalist lifestyle, but the quickest way to cut your cleaning time is to simply have less stuff to clean. 

2. Reuse – Now you have a pile that you’re ready to get rid of–but wait: don’t just trash it. First, go through and see if any of those items could serve a purpose you haven’t thought of before: Do you have enough books to stack up and use as a side table? Can you take the frames off those ugly paintings and use them elsewhere? We know of ways to reuse everything from single mittens and broken guitar strings to holiday greeting cards and ceramic tiles–so while we aren’t suggesting you keep all this around just in case, see if any of what you have can save you from buying something else. 

3. Donate – Once you’ve taken stock of what you can use, separate out items that someone else might need. This includes dishes, kitchen gadgets, clothes, books, magazines, toys, home decor–all of these items could find a second life with someone else. If you need instant gratification, just drop it all off at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army; if you’re slightly more patient, try offering items for sale or barter on Craigslist, turning your goods over to an artist, donating through Freecycle, or seeing what you can get for that collection of comic books on eBay. Your house will be less cluttered; someone else can skip buying new; and the landfills will be that much emptier.

 Recycle Image4. Recycle – Once you’ve exhausted all the other options, it’s time to hit the recycling bucket. Of course you’re already recycling newspapers, magazines, and any glass that isn’t salvageable, but take a second look at the rest of your trash, too: did you clean out the fridge? Find a compost pile. Get rid of old electronics, from cell phones to VCRs to ancient computers, by passing them off to retailers with a recycling program or to a specialized electronics recycling company. Check anything plastic to make sure it’s recyclable, and make sure to safely dispose of anything that’s not recyclable or trash-friendly, like old paint or batteries. 

5. Plan ahead – If you keep these tips in mind all year, then your 2013 spring cleaning will be that much easier. Don’t let stuff accumulate in your home; don’t buy things you don’t need; and don’t be shy about returning gifts you won’t ever use. Take advantage of the seasons to edit your collections and donate or sell goods–you might get more at a consignment shop for a winter coat in the fall then in the spring, and your yard sale of extra house wares may do better in late summer if you can catch the back-to-college crowd. Thinking green throughout all areas of your life–from your office to your wardrobe to your home electronics–will put you ahead of the game come next spring. 

Avoiding Toxic Ingredients in Cleaners

Since the EPA doesn’t require manufacturers to list every ingredient in a household cleaner, it can be hard to know exactly what you’re getting. Look for supplies or kits that are plant-based and fragrance-free, and that promise to not harmful ingrdients. Products that don’t test on animals are a plus, as are ones that are biodegradable as well as biocompatible (biodegradable means they’ll break down into their original ingredients, which is fine unless those ingredients aren’t natural; biocompatible products break down into water that’s safe for reuse). And be wary of companies that claim their product is “99% natural”–there’s no way of knowing what might be in that unlisted 1%.

Celebrate Earth Day with Basic H2!

Celebrate Earth Day with Basic H

 Photo updated 10-11-13: Image credit: brookefuller / 123RF Stock Photo

5 Green Resolutions that Make a Difference

January 6, 2013 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Live Green 1 Comment

9216460_s1. Give up plastic and paper bags. Do you opt for paper or plastic when at the grocery store? Neither is a good choice. Twelve million barrels of oil were used to make the 88.5 billion plastic bags consumed in the United States last year. And it takes four times more energy to make paper bags.  The best choice is reusable shopping bags made of cotton, nylon or durable, mesh-like plastic. Put a few reusable shopping bags in your car so you have them handy on your next shopping trip. And if you happen to forget your reusable bag (as we all do!), choose paper if you will recycle it or plastic if you will reuse or recycle it.

17893863_s2. Stop buying bottled water. Did you know that it takes 26 bottles of water to produce the plastic container for a one-liter bottle of water, and that doing so pollutes 25 liters of groundwater? Don’t leave a trail of plastic water bottles in your wake! Stop buying bottled water. Use reusable water bottles instead made from materials like stainless steel or aluminum that are not likely to degrade over time. If you choose a plastic water bottle, check the number on the bottom first: Plastics numbered 3, 6 and 7 could pose a health threat to you, so look for plastics numbered 1, 2, 4 or 5.

3. Give up conventional detergents. Many natural detergents today are made to clean clothes just as effectively in cooler water temperatures. Choose detergents and other laundry products that are plant-based, concentrated and biodegradable.

13518521_s4. Give up 2 degrees. Electric power plants are the country’s largest industrial source of the pollutants that cause global warming. By snuggling under a blanket on the couch on a snowy winter night instead of turning up the heat, or enjoying the breeze from a fan in the height of summer instead of turning up the air conditioning, you can save pounds of pollution, as well as some money off your utility bills. Set your thermostat in winter to 68 degrees F (20° C) or less during the daytime and 55 degrees F (13° C) before going to sleep or when you are away for the day. And during the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees F (26° C) or more.

10571707_s5. Stop receiving unwanted catalogs. Each year, 19 billion catalogs are mailed to American consumers. All those catalogs require more than 53 million trees and 56 billion gallons of wastewater to produce — and many of us don’t even know how we got on so many mailing lists! So grab that stack of catalogs piling up on your coffee table and clear out the clutter. Visit CatalogChoice.org to put a stop to unwanted catalogs. Within 10 weeks, your mailbox will be empty of unwanted catalogs. A less cluttered mailbox means less pollution, less waste and less of the pollution that causes global warming.

 

 

 

Photos updated 10-11-13:
Image credit: hofmeester / 123RF Stock Photo
Image credit: andreadonetti / 123RF Stock Photo
Image credit: mblach / 123RF Stock Photo
Image credit: mblach / 123RF Stock Photo

Save $3400 by Switching to Non-Toxic Cleaners!

September 9, 2012 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Live Green, Shaklee Leave a Comment

Health isn’t just about what you put in your body, it’s about everything around you.
As you may have read in my previous post Is Your Home Toxic? there are natural and nontoxic cleaning choices from Shaklee, that are Safe for You, Your Home, and Your Planet called Get Clean®.

Get Clean’s cornerstone product, Basic H, was pioneered in 1960 as one of the first non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners, years before being “green” was even a movement or cool!

FACT: 1 bottle of Basic H2 equals the cleaning power of 5,824 bottles of 26 oz. Windex®!

The Shaklee Get Clean Starter Kit:

– Has no harmful fumes or hazardous chemicals.
– Rivals or outperforms 20 national leading brands.
– Has the equivalent of $3400 in conventional cleaners {much more if you only use it to clean windows}

And when you purchase the Get Clean Starter Kit you also make a positive impact on the planet:
– Keep 108 pounds of packaging waste from landfills.
– Eliminate 248 pounds of greenhouse gas.

So what is in the kit?  Not a lot of products, but these cleaners are super concentrated. Shaklee sells you the cleaner NOT the water.  All you have to do is measure them out and add water! Here’s what you get:

As you can see, a one-time investment translates into years of toxin-free, good-for-the-environment cleaning!

Get Clean saves a ton of space too!

If you are ready to transform your house into a safe and healthy home, please don’t hesitate to contact me or order online!  Don’t forget there is a 100% money back guarantee.

Tips for Eating “Green”

September 4, 2012 by Chandra Filed Under: Eat Clean, Live Green Leave a Comment

Did you know the food choices you make and the way you shop for, prepare, and serve food can negatively impact the environment? Well, that is absolutely true—and it is becoming increasingly important that we all help our environment in every way we can. Here are some great “eating green” tips to help you get started.

Try eating nonmeat meals a couple of times per week. And this is NOT because we are vegetarians {we aren’t we do love a good BBQ}.  We do go meatless a couple time a week because it is now known that the cost to the environment is far greater than the cost to produce vegetarian protein foods such as soybeans, legumes, etc.

Make a shopping list. Take inventory of everything you need for preparing healthy meals before you head out the door. This will prevent multiple trips back and forth to the store. You’ll save on fuel, help reduce gasoline emissions, and save wear and tear on your car.

Got canvas? Neither paper nor plastic bags are a good choice for the environment. It takes gallons of crude oil to make plastic bags, and many trees are sacrificed to make paper bags. Invest in reusable canvas shopping bags—and be sure that you bring them with you!

Say good-bye to plastic water bottles. Americans buy billions of plastic water bottles every year, and every year many of those empty bottles get thrown in the trash. Break the habit—use a neoprene bottle instead and consider a water-filtering system for use at home.

Buy local and organic. Buying locally grown foods cuts down on the environmental costs associated with transporting produce to your community from great distances. In the summer months, farmer’s markets are the ideal place to buy local produce, but certain grocery store chains actually feature local produce! Try to choose organic produce whenever possible as this is an excellent way to reduce exposure to pesticides and help reduce the runoff and pollutants that may contaminate our water, soil, and air. We are completely committed to buying organic produce whenever that option exists.

Cook and clean up efficiently. Save energy and speed up cooking times by covering pots. When it’s time to clean up, make sure the dishwasher is “full” before you run it. If you have a small number of dirty dishes, think about doing them the old-fashioned way: by hand, with no running water, and be sure to use a biodegradable dish detergent.

Get Clean Water Starter Pack

Is Your Home Toxic?

August 21, 2012 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Live Green, Shaklee 1 Comment

We believe home should be the safest place in the whole world.

Go to your cupboard right now. Pick a cleaner, any cleaner. Does it contain sodium hydroxide, phenol, ammonia or formaldehyde? These–and more–may be toxic. Toxic as in dangerous, as in hurtful, as in not very clean at all. Home is no place for stuff like that. So start by getting rid of those troublemakers. Responsibly, of course – you’ll likely have to dispose of them with your Hazardouse Waste Facility – that in itself goes to show how toxic they are!

We are a toxin-free home and our cleaners of choice are Shaklee Get Clean. The research on quality and effectiveness is unsurpassed. I’ve used these products for over 30 years, starting as a child, in our kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and on our floors.  Every job in your house can be covered with these non-toxic cleaners.  And the best part?  You save so much money!  For the cost of pennies per bottle, you can clean everything!  So when you welcome Get Clean into your home, none of the hazardous chemicals come with it. So you can be sure you’re letting in products that care as much about your family’s safety as you do.

Click for more information on how you can exchange $3400 in Toxic Cleaners for $99!

Considering a High Efficiency Washer & Dryer?

August 5, 2012 by Chandra Filed Under: Blog, Live Green, Shaklee 1 Comment

10995581_sOur dryer is on the fritz and we are in the middle of deciding if we should get the new High Effeciency (HE) models out there.  They are a lot more expense and are a little bit different to use, so there will definitely be a learning curve.  We’d love to hear your comments, recommendations and suggestions about HE washers and dryers.

Maybe you are considering buying a new washer and/or dryer in the near future too?  If you are, there are many decisions to be made prior to the purchase.  There are three different types of machines currently in the market: regular top-loaders with center-post agitators, top-loaders without center post agitators, and front-loaders.

HE washers have been available for a decade and have become increasingly popular in the consumer market in the last few years.  HE washers are available in both front loading and top loading units.  There are many more choices in the front loading HE models than top loading HE washers.  HE washers use significantly less water and energy than traditional units.  The savings will depend on the age and model of your current washing machine.  However, an HE washer can use from 20% to 66% less water and save 20% to 50% in energy use.  As a consumer, these reductions translate to long term cost savings.  There are also significant long-term environmental benefits.

HE washers use low-water wash and rinse cycles.  They utilize a tumbling system rather than an agitator.  In some models, the water level is so low it’s hard to see a pool of water.  Even with the reduced water levels, you can wash the same size laundry loads.  Once the cycle is completed, clothes may feel dryer because more water is removed.  With less water in the HE washers, your HE dryers use less energy AND time to dry the clothes.  So in the end you save time, energy and money.

Detergent Choice

There are detergents specifically formulated for HE washers and should be the only products used.  These HE detergents are formulated to be low-sudsing and quick-dispersing to achieve the best cleaning performance.  Traditional detergents can cause excess suds and will not perform well in a low water level system.

To identify the HE laundry detergents, look for a special HE symbol on the detergent box or bottle.  Always read the label and use the manufacturer’s recommended amount of detergent for your wash load size and amount of soil.

 

Photo updated 10-11-13: Image credit: maxxyustas / 123RF Stock Photo

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ABOUT ME

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TESTIMONIALS

Vitalizer, vita-strip is my go-to for daily health. I’m a busy, working mom and it’s so nice to know my supplements will come right to my doorstep. Some days are so hectic that I don’t have time to cook a healthy meal or exercise, but I know I’ve done something great for my body by taking Vitalizer. I even took it as a prenatal vitamin (along with some extra B complex) knowing it was safe and healthy for my baby and myself.
Molly - Austin, TX
I have been eating pretty healthy for a while now, but typically get derailed by the end of the week due to being overwhelmed and under prepared.  I was lucky enough to be chosen to test pilot the Unjunk Your Diet program for the last 3 weeks and I love it!  I found that it was easy to follow, the meal organization tips helped me stay on track ALL week, the recipes are really delicious and simple to make, and as a side benefit I’ve lost 4 lbs!!!  I thought I felt good before, but my energy is through the roof these day….woohoo!!!
Kristin - New York, NY
What an absolutely fun and educational class!  My daughter loved getting to control her veggie selections but also have the opportunity to try things she hadn’t before.  This class is an amazing perspective for kids to learn how to make healthy food choices.  She loved it so much that she made it at home and was so proud to pick the ingredients.  Thank you Chandra for making food fun!  My daughter can’t wait for the next class!
Christine - Austin, TX
My 5 year old son loved the Healthy Hands cooking class and has told all of our family about how he got to cook “purple carrots.” He’s also telling them about all of the other veggies he tried and was so proud of his cooking skills he’s offered to cook for his grandparents the next time they are in town!  I loved that he was willing to try several new vegetables and would definitely recommend Chef Chandra to any mom who wants her family to start eating healthy!
Jen @JenSmithSocial.com

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DISCLAIMER

This blog is meant to be a source of informative content about nutrition and health. None of the information on this site is intended to be medical advice. Instead, I hope you find this blog helpful as a learning tool and a thought-provoking information source. It should be noted that I do get paid a small commission for some of the products I talk about and link to from my blog. Your support keeps this blog running and is greatly appreciated.

 

ON THE BLOG

  • Fall Smoothie Recipes
  • Watermelon Mint Spritzer
  • 5 Summertime Must Haves {2015}
  • The Best Way to Organize Kids Art
  • Brussels Sprout Salad
  • 5 Healthy Benefits of Quinoa and Tex Mex Quinoa Salad
  • Disconnect and Slow Down to Reboot
  • Switch Brands, Save $ and Simplify your Life!
  • Basic H2 Sample
  • Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day
  • How I Gave up Soda {aka Coke} for Good

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