{ Greener } Gift Giving for the Holidays

Instead of shopping on Black Friday, support Small Business Saturday.

Sure, shopping Black Friday might net you a deep discount on the latest “must have” gadget at the big box stores. I guarantee, heading out on Black Friday will put me in a black mood. Instead, check out your local small businesses or follow Small Business Saturday on Facebook for updates.

Dive in and make your own gifts:

Handmade gifts truly come from the heart. And they don’t have to be elaborate. These are easy enough that even a beginner can do.

Herb-infused sugars.

Candied orange peels.

Christmas rosemary bath salts.

Easy facial lotion bars.

Security puppy/blanket for a new baby.

Minty hot cocoa mix.

                                             

 

Give books:

But as a book lover, I know there’s nothing better than finding a good book under the tree. They are truly the gift that keeps on giving — especially if we’re talking about non-fiction books to build a library of knowledge. Click through for my take on some of these.

Kitchen:

• Classic Snacks Made From Scratch
• The Kitchen Counter Cooking School
• Parents Need to Eat Too
• The Organized Kitchen
• The Muffin Tin Cookbook

Consider reusable gift wrap:

Recycle t-shirts into sweet little pouches adorned with a snowflake image.

Sew reusable gift bags.

Cover a canister (such as a coffee can) with cute paper for a darling package.

Make your own gift bags from recycled newspaper.

Take a cue from nature and really wrap green.

 

                                                                           Courtesy of: Attainable Sustainable

 

Happy Veteran's' Day

Prepare For the Holidays!

Give the gift of homemade cleaning products to your family and friends. Preparing early is key to keeping your stress low so you can enjoy family and friends. Here are some holiday gift suggestions to give you a jump start...

1.) Homemade Spray Cleaner Recipe:

Mix in a sprayer bottle:
     * 1 cup white vinegar
     * 1 cup water

In the kitchen, use vinegar and water spray to clean countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas.

In the bathroom, use the vinegar spray cleaner to clean countertops, floors and exterior surfaces of the toilet.

2.) Cutting Boards:

Sanitize by spraying first with vinegar and then with 3% hydrogen peroxide.

3.) Furniture polish:

Mix olive oil and vinegar in a one-to- one ratio and polish with a soft cloth.

4.) Brass, copper, bronze and aluminum:

To remove tarnish, rub metal with sliced lemons. For tough jobs sprinkle baking soda on the lemon and then rub.

5.) Sterling silver:

Put a sheet of aluminum foil into a plastic or glass bowl. Sprinkle the foil with salt and baking soda, and then fill the bowl with warm water. Soak your silver in the bowl, and the tarnish will migrate to the aluminum foil. Rinse and dry the silver, then buff with a soft cloth.


                                                                             

Courtesy of: Dr. Dan's Natural Healing Center