Skinny Wifey

Remember that being clean means being healthy.  Most people think of chemicals when it comes to cleaning but there are definitely better and safer alternatives. If you’re in need of some house better cleaning solutions then you are in the right place. Let’s all have a clean house without the chemicals.

Basic Ingredients for healthier household cleaners:

• Baking Soda  –Cleans and deodorizes.  Softens water to increase  cleaning power of soap. Good scouring powder.
• Borax  — Cleans and deodorizes. Excellent disinfectant. Softens water.
• Murphy’s liquid soap — Biodegrades safely and completely and is non-toxic.
• Vinegar — Cuts grease and freshens.

All-Purpose Cleaner:

1.  Mix ½ cup of borax in one gallon of water.   OR
2. Squeeze a drop of soap on a wet washcloth and rub briskly.  A washcloth will last longer and create less waste than a sponge.

Window Cleaner:

1. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar with 1 quart of water
2. Put it in a spray bottle for easy window clean up
3. Dry the window with a soft cloth.

Floor Cleaner:

For Vinyl floors use vinegar in warm water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

1. Sprinkle baking soda inside the bowl.
2. Squeeze a couple of drops of soap in
3. Scrub with a toilet bowl brush and finish outside surfaces with a rag sprinkled with baking soda.

Tub and Sink Cleaners:

1. Sprinkle baking soda on porcelain fixtures and rub with a wet rag.
2. Add a little soap to the rag for more cleaning power.
3. Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film.

Drain Opener:

This will help with minor clogs and prevents future clogs in the drain.

1. Plug drain
2. Pour in ½ cup of baking soda
3. Then add 1 cup of vinegar
4. When fizzing stops unplug drain
5. Then pour down a teakettle full of boiling water.

Repeat this as needed.  However is the clog is stubborn, call a plunger.

Tile Cleaners:

1. Use equal amounts of vinegar and warm water to clean soap film.

Remove Crayon-Markings:

1. Apply a little bit of vinegar to the surface that is marked with crayon
2. Rub and let dry

Clean cutting Board:

1. Wipe down the cutting board and counter tops with while vinegar.

This will cut grease and eliminate absorbed odors.

Clean the Microwave:

1. Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a small bowl.
2. Heat for 5 minutes.

This will remove lingering odors and loosen food.

Looking for a fulfilling snack?  Three ways healthy yogurt can satisfy you.

Chocolate Fix

Melt 2 tablespoons of low fat chocolate chips in the microwave and swirl into 4 ounces of low fat vanilla yogurt.  Stir in 1 tablespoon of slivered almonds and you are ready to sooth your cravings.

Crunchy Fix

Mix 1/2 cup each of plain low fat yogurt and low sodium salsa.  Top with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with baked corn tortilla chips or sliced bell peppers, carrots and celery.

Comfort Food Fix

Load a small backed potato with a mixture of 4 ounces of low fat plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon of chopped red onion and 1 teaspoon each of fresh dill and minced garlic.

Health habits that can add years to your life!

All it takes is for 90% of all Americans to get the recommended flu shots, mammograms and colonoscopies and 30,000 lives would be saved this year.  Less than half of adults over age 50 are up-to-date on colonoscopy screening and only 67% of women over 40 had a mammogram in the last 2 years.  Not to mention that only a dismal 37% of adults got their annual flu shots.  Imagine the little things we can do just to save our lives and live longer.

And now the biggest lifesaver, a daily low-dose of aspirin can save 45,000 more lives!

Tags: health, longevity