Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic. Add a few drops to any homemade cleaning solution for extra powers (disinfecting and scent)!

A few years ago, I read that studies have shown that women who work inside the home have significantly higher cancer rates than those who don’t. Repeated exposure to cleaning products is one of the contributing factors. Since then, I’ve read about a long list of health concerns related to conventional cleaning products so my household went lower toxic. In other words, we make our own cleaning “detergent” from Castille soap, vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemon, and essential oils. Recently, two discoveries have improved my cleaning experiences.

Eco Clean Recipe Spray Bottle

I’ve been on a hunt for a nice-looking spray bottle since I want to leave bottles of vinegar near each toilet. I finally found one that I’m really excited about: Eco Clean Recipe Spray Bottle sold by Crate and Barrel. Not only is this spray bottle better looking than most, but it also has formulas for all-natural cleaning solutions silk screened onto the bottle!

	The perfect spray bottle for homemade cleaning solutions! Sold at Crate and Barrel for $6.95.

Libman Freedom Spray Mop

When mopping floors, and especially for a quick wipe down, I find this so much easier than carrying a bucket or bottles of cleaning solutions with my mop. Not only does this mop contain a refillable spray bottle attached to it (and the spray nozzle is by the handle), but the “mop” uses a cleaning pad that is machine washable and scratch-free. This deep cleaning pad provides a greener clean while saving you money. I love it.

Click here to check out older posts that cover lower toxic cleaning options!

Olive Trees in Thassos, Greece

Olive oil as skin care is an ancient beauty secret that the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans have been using for thousands of years. It wasn’t until this past weekend, however, that I actually experienced the true skin care powers of olive oil!

My Weekend Skin Care Dilemma

My family and I spent the past weekend at a house in which the dryness from the heating system was making us extremely uncomfortable. My one-year-old would cry and point to her legs, which were red from dryness; my three-year-old became constipated; my lips were so dry and cracked that smiling was painful; and we were constantly thirsty!

Having not brought my mom-approved lotions for the girls, I didn’t have easy access to a low-toxic moisturizer so, as my one-year-old cried from the discomfort of her dry skin, I immediately grabbed organic olive oil from the kitchen cabinets to apply to my youngest daughter’s legs. I then rubbed the extra oil around my dry, cracked hands and lips. I was struck by how soothed my hands immediately felt! Moreover, I was surprised that the olive oil didn’t stay oily / sticky. It “evaporated” and/or got absorbed quickly. I’m thrilled about this simple, effective discovery!

Skin Care Benefits of Olive Oil

Apply Organic Olive Oil on Dry Skin!

Olive oil offers a natural, hypoallergenic way to moisturize the skin. It is packed with vitamins E and A, which are antioxidants that can stimulate skin regrowth. According to The Olive Oil Source, “polyphenolic components of olive oil have been compared to traditional antioxidants, such as tocopherols, used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry to prevent skin damage.” They recommend applying olive oil to damp skin to reduce any greasy residue. Eden Organic Foods recommends massaging olive oil on dry skin once per day until skin becomes smooth and silky. They also claim that this treatment is effective for eczema.

Applications of Olive Oil for Skin Care

Olive oil can also be used to exfoliate by mixing some coarse sea salt with olive oil to create a rub that battles dead skin. (Combing olive oil through my daughter’s scalp as an infant was remarkably effective in “cleaning” up her cradle cap!) Or, dab some oil on a cotton pad and use it as soothing eye makeup remover. You can also use olive oil as a deep conditioner for your hair.

From now on, after washing my hands in the kitchen during this long dry winter, I’m grabbing organic olive oil to soothe my mommy hands!

Have you ever used olive oil for your skin or hair? What are your favorite natural beauty tips?

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Olive Oil for Skin: Nature’s Best Moisturizer

A Banana Plant

My mother recently called, excited to share a new discovery: banana peels as skin care.

She’s had patches of itchy, rough patches of skin on her face for years. Her doctors had prescribed a cortisone-based cream that worked but that became harsh for her skin. She recently tried applying a banana peel on the patches, and she has been surprisingly relieved by its soothing effects! She’s only applied the banana peel on these patches twice a day for the past week, but the itchiness is much improved!

So I went online to explore further. Banana peels contains lutein, an antioxidant, and lots of potassium. This may explain why rubbing the inside of a banana peel is so healing. While there seems to be little scientific evidence, the use of bananas as skin care has been around for centuries. Reportedly, banana peels may help psoriasis, bug bites, poison ivy, acne, warts and hemorrhoids. Some doctors attribute the success of the banana skin peel to the sugar in the fruit (doctors know that adding sugar or salt on hemorrhoids can help shrink them due to osmosis). Next time I get a bug bite (mosquitoes love me!), I’m smearing a banana peel on it!

Read more: How to Use Banana Peel For Skin Care | eHow.com

Homemade Nut Milks: Easy and delicious!

After really enjoying nut milks made by some local restaurants, I finally bought a nut milk bag and started making my own at home. I was surprised by how easy it is and by how delicious they are even when I make them!

Both my three-year-old and one-year-old also really enjoy drinking (and making!) the nut milks. So I love that they are an easy way to get my daughters to consume the healthy nutrients of nuts.

The photos below lay out a recent evening during which my oldest daughter and I made cashew milk. Please keep in mind though that the recipe is relevant to a wide variety of nuts, including walnuts, almonds, and more! Soaking times would be the key variation and you can look that up online.

Start with the most natural (unsalted or raw) nuts that you can find. I used one 12oz bag of organic, unsalted cashews.

Soak the nuts for 2-6 hours, before blending for milk

I blended the cashews with some filtered water for about 60-90 seconds

After a few hours of soaking, I pour the nuts (and water in which they’ve been soaking) into a blender, and add enough water so that the mixture reaches the 32 oz. line. If there are more nuts than usual (because I may have some extra nuts (beyond those in the 12oz bag) laying around), then I add a little more water (above the 32 oz line). Don’t fill it to the top though, the blender needs space to do its thing!

Strain the blended nuts through a nut milk bag

I got my nut milk bag from OneLuckyDuck!

To make the nut milk extra yummy, add approximately 1/4 cup agave syrup, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

You’re done! If you’re going to drink some right away, then you may enjoy blending in some ice cubes. If not, then refrigerate in a glass jar! I try to drink ours within three days.

Homemade nut milks made from cashews, almonds, walnuts, etc. are much easier and more delicious than you may think!

Nutritional Value of Nuts

Below is some basic nutritional information on the most common varieties of nuts. To learn more, we encourage you to check out LiveStrong.

Cashews

Cashew nuts grow in tropical and subtropical regions (think Brazil, India, Vietnam), inside a small, pumpkin-shaped fruit called cashew apples. A 1 oz serving of raw cashews (about one handful) contains 157 calories, 12.4 g of fat (only 2.2 saturated), 5.2 g of protein and 1g of dietary fiber.

Cashews also offer vitamin K (required for blood clotting), vitamin B-1 (converts blood sugar to energy) calcium and iron. Studies have shown that cashews positively impact cholesterol levels, may help individuals lose weight, and can women decrease the chances of developing diabetes.

Walnuts

Walnuts are high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and are packed with a plethora of vitamins making them a true superfood. 1 oz of walnuts, or about 14 walnut halves, contain both omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids to boost heart health and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Walnuts also contain measurable amounts of the following nutrients; vitamins C, E, B6 and K, folate, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, choline, betaine, niacin, calcium, iron, potassium, thiamin, zinc and selenium. For all these amazing nutrients you get 185 calories and 18.5 g of fat (but only 1.7g is saturated ), 3.9 g of carbohydrates, 1.9 g of fiber and are 4.3 g of protein. To top it all off, walnuts have phytosterols that boost the immune system, reduce blood cholesterol and a lower the risk of some forms of cancer.

Almonds

Almonds are a great source of protein and vitamin B2. This tree nut offers 7.62 g of protein for only 1 oz ( about 23 whole pieces) of raw almonds. (As a comparison, one egg contains only about 5g of protein.) A 1 oz serving of raw almond also offers 3.3 g of fiber as well as measurable amounts of copper, manganese and potassium.

Pecans

Pecan trees thrive in warm climates which is why they are native to the southern United States and Mexico. Pecans are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and a serving of pecans also contains potassium, copper, thiamin, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus. A 1 oz serving of raw pecans has 196 calories, 20.4 g of fat, (only 1.8 g saturated fat), 3.9 g of carbohydrates, 2.7 g of dietary fiber and 2.6 g of protein.

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are large, nutrient-dense nuts that grow on trees in the rain forests of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia. A 1 oz serving of Brazil nuts offers 4 g of protein, 2 g of fiber, 187 mg of potassium and zero cholesterol. Brazil nuts also contain magnesium, phosphorus, copper and thiamin and have been known to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Do you have any experience making homemade nut milks? Or have you ever tried making nut butters? If so, share your experience below!

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We are continuing our list from Wednesday of cute, low-toxic, eco-friendly furniture and design elements for the children’s rooms! Below are a few more eco-chic products. A fantastic resource has been the website Inhabitots. Inhabitots aggregates the latest eco-friendly products so it’s a fun and interesting website to explore!

Storage by The Q Collection		The Q Collection Junior Abiding by their mantra “People Safe. Planet Safe,” The Q Collection Junior makes beautifully designed low-toxic children’s furniture and organic cotton bedding. All of their products are free of formaldehyde and polyurethane so you can feel comfortable having them in your home. They also use water-based glues, stains, and topcoats. Paints are zero- or low- VOC finishes. The adorable (but pricey) storage units have water-based ink and low- or no- VOC finishes so they won’t impair the air quality of your home. The crib sheets are made of 100% organic cotton and no toxic chemical treatments or finishes are used.
Tree Shelf by Graphic Spaces		Graphic Spaces — Book Shelf Graphic Spaces was started by husband and wife team Christy and Joe Wernert. Their family wood shop supplies the wood for their unique furniture and room accessories, like this fun book shelf. The wood used by Graphic Spaces is sealed in non-toxic finish making it safer for children.
Wall Decals by Graphic Spaces		Graphic Spaces — Removable Wall Decals Graphic Spaces also makes a fun variety of removable wall decals that are perfect for the children’s room or playrooms. These removable vinyl wall decals are made in the USA. They offer a fun and easy DIY project for you and your kid. They can also be labeled with your child’s name ensuring a personalized touch to any room!

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While looking for design options for my children’s bedroom, I hoped to find low-toxic, environmental-friendly ones. I was quite charmed by a lot of what I saw online. The price tags are pretty hefty so I’m sharing these options below for fun, informative “window shopping.”

Organic Acorn Pillow by Jaya Loves Tekeko		Jaya Loves Tekeko Jaya Loves Tekeko is a Miami-based company that uses organic bamboo, organic cotton and other natural materials in their fun, colorful, eco-friendly products.  Their organic blankets and pillows are stuffed with kapok, a hypoallergenic seed that is harvested in the rainforest; and the ink used to create their adorable pillows is non-toxic and water-based.  The company also uses recycled and biodegradable packaging materials.
Fish and Pebbles Organic Twin Sheet Set by Argington		Argington Artist Jenny Argie and husband, architect and mathematician Andrew Thornton, formed Argington in 2003 to solve everyday problems that arise when raising a family.  Argington is dedicated to producing clean, simple and durable designs while minimizing impact on the environment.  It uses wood made from renewable and sustainably-harvested solid birch and low-VOC birch plywood with 0% formaldehyde emission on wood products.  We have the Argington crib, which we’re happy with.  I’ve been admiring its organic crib bedding, which is made with 100% organic cotton and low-impact dyes.  All of its materials, glues, stains and finishes are HAP-free, non-toxic and low-VOC; and any dyes used are formaldehyde-free.
Caterpillar Activity Bench by Green Play Furniture		GreenPlayFurniture GreenPlayFurniture is an inventive children’s furniture company that uses only recycled, renewable and low-impact resources for their furniture. When applying finishes, Greenplay uses low- or no- VOC emission finishes. Staying fully committed to re-usability, Greenplay offers a take-back program in which Greenplay furniture products can be given back to the company to be re-purposed and donated. This fun Catepillar Activity Bench to the left is perfect for a child’s play room table! The top is made of recycled plastic and the entire bench is made with low-VOC emission finishes.
Sam Nightstand By MUU		Muu Made in the USA, Muu products are inspired by the Zen concept that “there is no difference between us and our environment.” This mantra reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability.  Muu creates safe, non-toxic and family-friendly furniture that are made from locally-sourced wood and certified recycled wood fibers. All products are finished with non-toxic finish.  The Sam Collection by Muu is named after the founder’s grandfather and is full of fun, colorful custom-chosen design panels that can also be personalized with your child’s name.  How cool is that?!

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Someone had given my daughter a pink, Hello Kitty watch a while ago. I knew right away from the soft plastic wrist bands that it probably had phthalates and other toxic chemicals that I so often see in the news. Since my daughter loved it so much, I let her enjoy it (but hid it for periods of time, until she asked for it or found it).

Sprout Watches: Low-Toxic, Environmentally-Friendly!

After she evolved to putting the watch in her mouth with more frequency, I threw it out, hoping that she’d forget about it. She didn’t though. She’d ask for it, get sad about her missing watch, and ask me to find it.

I searched for low-toxic watches but couldn’t find any. Then, while browsing Alicia Silverstone’s blog The Kind Life, I discovered a company, Sprout, that creates low-toxic watches.

Depending on the materials, watches may contain phthalates, PVC, BPA and lead. Sprout watches, however, are entirely lead- and phthalate- free. Most of the materials — the case, buckle and inner parts — are made from 100% corn resin (corn resin is a biodegradable material made out of a renewable resource, corn). The watch strap is made from organic cotton and the dial is constructed out of bamboo (bamboo is a natural, non-synthetic fiber that is also a quick-growth plant with a harvesting period of only 3 to 5 years). And, Sprout batteries are mercury-free! How cool is that?

Dedicated to making the most eco-friendly watches possible, at least 80% of Sprout watches are made from eco-friendly, biodegradable materials. Instead of using plexiglass for the lenses, Sprout watch lenses are made from mineral crystal, a type of sand. Sprout’s mission to being as eco-friendly as possible comes all the way down to their commitment to using recyclable packaging materials and reducing the size of their packing cartons.

Please note that the watch is kind of large (larger than it appears in pictures), especially for a child (the face is large for her wrist, and I have to make an extra hole in the wrist band so that it can close to a smaller circumference). Regardless, my daughter loves her new pink watch, and I love that there’s nothing in it that may impair her health!

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This cast iron waffle maker makes delicious waffles without toxic chemicals!

For a nutritious and delicious breakfast, our family loves to make whole grain waffles. While waffles traditionally conjure images of the Belgian-kind with whipped cream, sugary syrup and powdered sugar, waffles can actually be a healthy breakfast.

We like to make ours with a nutrient-dense whole grain waffle mix, flax seeds, fruit and crushed nuts to sprinkle on top. Sometimes fruit is mixed into the batter (great use of fresh or frozen fruits) and sometimes fruit is used as topping for the waffles. Freeze any extras, and you’ll appreciate them later in the week!

Since we are avoiding non-stick pans due to their toxic chemicals (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)), we were thrilled to find and enjoy this cast iron waffle maker. Cast iron cookware is free of the harmful chemicals in non-stick cookware, is multi-purpose, ages well and is relatively affordable. Check out the many to learn more.

Please beware that caring for cast iron is unlike caring for traditional cookware (e.g., you should not use soap, it is not dishwasher-safe, and it will most likely need to be re-seasoned at some point (and pre-seasoned if it doesn’t come that way but many do). Click on Caring for Cast Iron to read more about this.)

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Organic Bedding is on sale at Pottery Barn Teens as of January 9, 2011.

In trying to entice my 3-year-old to stay in her bed throughout the night, I recently transitioned her from her toddler bed to the bottom portion of a new iKea bunk bed that fits twin-sized mattresses. An uncompleted project of mine has been to beautify her bed.

Since pink has amazing powers over my daughter (and most other girls), I had to rule out my most trusted producer of organic bedding because it doesn’t manufacture pink bedding. So I visited a few stores in the city to search for pink organic sheets and a pink organic duvet color. After finding some that are too sophisticated (i.e., expensive) for a 3-year-old, I searched online for more appropriate options.

I found what I was looking for with Pottery Barn Teens — and one is on sale! I just purchased organic pink sheets and an organic pink / white duvet cover from the company. For organic, fun, and stylish, they are more affordable than most options.

If you’ve been interested in getting organic sheets for your children, then check out the sale! They’re also currently offering Free Shipping!

Have you found organic sheets for children that you love? Please share them below.

Please note that I have no affiliation with Pottery Barn or any of its affiliates.

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Our final gift guide for 2010 highlights our home staples that help us live a “cleaner” life. Remember, you may click on the images of the products to buy directly from Amazon. Happy Holidays from the team at The S File™!

The S File™ Household Gift Guide

How do you keep your home clean? What are your favorite low-toxic items for your home? Share your suggestions below!

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Check out The S File’s other Gift Guides: Health, Pregnancy, and Parenting.