Healthy Households

Chemical Free Cleaning Tips

Joanne — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:24:35 +0000

If you don’t own a cleaning book from Shannon Lush, then you’d best jump out and grab one. Her tips on cleaning all manner of messes an spils without using chemicals are nothing short of amazing. You’ll find them in most ABC shops. I have a copy of Spotless and have used it on many occasions. Check out all her books at the ABC Shop here >

In the interim, cehck out this news story & video from A Current Affair where you can find out how to toss out a large amount of toxic garbage in your home and still keep it clean. Read more >

Glass Food Storage Comparison

Joanne — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:49:58 +0000

Today we’re comparing the Lock & Lock glass food storage containers with a cheaper brand, Glasslock.

PRICE COMPARISON

400ml Round container (RRP) – Lock & Lock $8.95 vs. Glasslock $9.95
2 litre (approx) rectangle (RRP) – Lock & Lock $26.95 (2.1L) vs. $19.95 (2L)
Note, both brands can be found on sale at various kitchenware & eco / health stores online

Conclusion? The larger containers are cheaper with Glasslock

RANGE VARIETY

Both are quite good, but the Glasslock brand has a couple of extras, like a deep mixing bowl with a lid which the Lock & Lock brand don’t have. There’s a good range of round, square & rectangular containers to choose from.

FEATURES

Both have silicone seal lids that clip in to place, and at a quick glance, look identical. However, the Lock & Lock brand are made from borosilicate glass, like Pyrex is. This means it can go in the oven and be used as cookware. Glasslock cannot do this. It is NOT oven safe. For simple food storage, Glasslock would be fine, but don’t put it in the oven.

Possible cancer causing ingredients in Coke & Pepsi

Joanne — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:48:35 +0000

If you don’t mind drinking something that can strip the dirt off of coins or clean oil off your driveway, you may not mind that there’s a potential issue with the Caramel used in Coke & Pepsi. Read more….

How toxic is Roundup?

Joanne — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 22:55:35 +0000

In the past, Roundup has been a popular choice for killing weeds. Recent research has shown that even when it’s diluted down 450 times, it can still damage human DNA. Scary.

Healthshare website

Joanne — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:41:03 +0000

We were sent a press release about a great new website called HEALTHSHARE. Partnering with a large number of credible organisations (including Beyond Blue, Brain Injury Australia, Heart Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Lifeline, Leukaemia Foundation, Pallative Care Australia and many many others), this website is a source of information and a way of communicating with others who share similar issues.

There’s also tips on healthy living (just what we love!) and a wealth of other free information available. They have received plenty of Press, including Kerri-Anne’s show on Channel 9 and also ABC Radio.

Cleaning mould with Clove Oil

Joanne — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:16:00 +0000

There are many chemical free cleaning solutions around for all manner of jobs. Good quality microfibre cleaning cloths & gloves do wonders in the bathroom, kitchen and beyond, but mould is a tricky one.

If you don’t want to clean mould with toxic chemicals, there is a chemical free solution – clove oil. After hearing this tip from an Enjo consultant, we did some research to find out more about it.

Clove Oil is an essential oil which comes in different varieties.

Clove Bud Oil
Clove Leaf Oil
Clove Stem Oil

For the purpose of mould cleaning, the Clove Leaf Oil is stronger. Firstly, clean off the surfaces with a mixture of hot water, bicarb soda and vinegar. 2 litres of hot water, 1/2 tablespoon of bicarb and 1/4 cup of vinegar is a good place to start.

Once you have a clean surface, place a few drops of Clove Oil in to a spray bottle filled with water. Spray on to affected area, leave for 20-30 minutes and wipe clean. Immediately spray again and leave the clove oil spray on this time. Within 1-2 days, any remaining mould spores should dry and simply drop off.

The cleaning books by Shannon Lush, including Spotless and also Stainless are a great reference for some natural cleaning tips. Both books are available from the ABC Shop for $19.95 each.

Step away from the technology driven foods

Joanne — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:49:55 +0000

I just watched an interview with Cyndi O’Meara, author of Changing Habits Changing Lives. Her message is simple, eat good quality natural ingredients. You can still eat chocolate cake, just make it yourself with quality ingredients. Butter instead of Margarine. Rapadura Sugar instead of Cane Sugar. Watch the interview for more details and check out her website at http://www.changinghabits.com.au/

Coles glass cookware recall

Joanne — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:14:04 +0000

Anyone who has purchased Decor thermo glass cookware from Coles between 19th July and 2nd August 2011 is urged to take it back. An official recall was announced and then re-announced when the issue was discovered to be wider spread than the original 13 suspected cases.

We commend Decor for their quick action and public service to also advertise this issue on the front page of their website. For glass cookware that comes with leakproof lids for storage in the fridge or freezer, we use and recommend the Lock & Lock Boroseal range, available in a larger range of sizes than the Decor, from 130ml round containers through to 4 litre rectangular containers.

Plastic Shopping Bag, the mockumentary

Joanne — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:46:18 +0000

I love it when celebritities lend themselves to causes that aren’t necessarily glamorous. We stumbled upon a fantastically written and well produced mockumentary with the voice of Jeremy Iron - you may know him as the scary guy from Die Hard 3 who steals all the gold, or more recently, the robed gentleman in The Borgias.

This 4 minute short chronicles the migration of the humble plastic shopping bag through a city, struggling to make it’s way out to the ocean, it’s final resting place, the great pacific garbage patch. Made for Heal the Bay, it’s a clever reminder for all of us to remember to take reusable shopping bags to the supermarket with us, whether it’s a funky Envirosax or a drab cheap eco bag you buy from the supermarket or get given when you go shopping.

What’s in season for Spring

Joanne — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:29:04 +0000

When choosing fresh fruit & vegetables, they’re always cheaper and nicer when you pick something that’s in season. Now that spring has sprung, it’s the perfect time for avocados, mangos, melons, papaya, strawberries, asian greens, asparagus, sweet potato and ann things salad!

We found a beutiful Nutty Roast Sweet Potato Salad at taste.com.au that’s perfect for spring.

Enjoy!