Salt - the ultimate cheap-o tool!

No use crying over spilled salt - it's so cheap and it cleans everything! Here are some easy ways to use salt to clean your house, safely and on the cheap:

CLOGS - Mix 1 cup each of salt, vinegar and baking soda. Pour down the drain and let sit for 1 hour, then pour boiling or very hot tap water down the drain.

GARBAGE DISPOSAL ODOR - Mix 1/4 cup each of salt, baking soda and dish-washer detergent into the disposal. Turn on hot water, then run your disposal for a 10 seconds to clean out debris and clear odors.

SILVERWARE - Remove tarnish on silverware by gently rubbing each piece with salt and a soft cloth, then wash them by hand.

COPPER - Copper tarnish can be removed by spraying with white vinegar and sprinkling with salt. Scrub the pieces with a sponge, then rinse to remove all trades of the salt.

RUST - Apply a paste made from lemon juice and salt to rusted object. Rub with a soft, dry cloth (an old sock should do the trick!)

ITCHY SKIN - Soak in a tub full of warm saltwater to relieve itchy skin. Add 1-2 cups of salt to soften skin and relax your whole body.

Be well,
Alex

Healthy homes - the smallest of them all!

I have lived in well over 20 homes/apartments/lofts/flats in my 33 years. They have ranged in size from huge, while shared with others, to tiny and at the end of 5 flights of stairs. The 5th story walk-up in the East Village was cheap and I never needed to hit the stairmaster - my legs and butt were toned! I have been using healthier, non-toxic cleaning products since I was old enough to buy my own, and I try to keep clutter to a minimum.
Dee Williams has me beat by a mile! Watch this short video on a woman who lives in an 84-square-foot home...
http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=3080

Be well, Alex

Dumpster Diver Christmas Wreaths!

This is a great quick video from a news program - if you can get past the smug, disgusted comments from the "newscasters" it's a great little demonstration of what a bit of creativity, some trash and a glue gun can do for your holiday -

Save dollars with creative dumpster-diver wreaths
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/11047184/cbs_wcco_minn/20081210/av_localcat_dontlaun/_goodmorningyahoo_cbslocal51828

Healthy Hypocrite?

Ok, I have a confession...I wear leather.
But I don't eat meat...or cheese...or yogurt...but I DO occasionally buy a "new" piece of clothing or shoes that are leather or animal based. Why?
Because they're used. Someone already bought it new, decided they didn't want it anymore, and then I buy it for next-to-nothing.
I have leather hiking boots that I bought second hand at REI in Oregon 10 years ago and they're still amazing!
(if you're from the Great North West, you've heard the rumors of the yearly members-only sales - if you're not a member, you're crazy! Get on it! www.rei.com Not only do they sell great used outdoor gear for CHEAP, they have an incredible return policy - where do you think all that stuff at the sale comes from?)

I also have vintage leather belts, cowboy boots and motorcycle gloves (which WILL come out of the closet again some day - decided it was best to sell my hog when I got pregnant) - there are just some things that shouldn't be Pleather!

And then there are so many great used items out there for cheap - I think it's much more eco-friendly to buy a good quality, used leather item than buy a new plastic-based vegan item. So, I don't buy new leather, but used it ok by me.
I know, I could get kicked out of the Vegan/Vegetarian Club for this one!

But that's just me...

You? Comments?

Cool YouTube video for healthy cheap eating!

Check out this 9 minute video on YouTube - not the greatest production quality, but "Natalie" offers great tips on eating healthy for cheap!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpqAjtiwmiQ

Best, Alex