Join me Friday the 12th for a FREE and fun event. This 8th Annual Sustainability & Repair Fair brings a great group of folks together at the Garden Home Library in SW Portland. Lots of earth friendly products and information. You can even get your toaster fixed while you visit with vendors. Note: You can bring up to 2 items for repairs but they ask for a heads up. Click here for the Repair Fair registry. This event is so popular they now have to hold it in the adjacent gymnasium to accommodate everyone. And that’s a good thing! 5 to 7:30 pm. Corner of Oleson & Garden Home Rd. See you then!
Green Living
FALL … A Clear Favorite!
Fall is officially here and most of us couldn’t be happier. Autumn is, in fact, THE most popular season of our nation. A Gallup poll done a few years ago ranked it number one with Summer coming in 2nd, Spring 3rd and Winter 4th. This is the time of year when I remind everyone (myself included) about the power of letting go. Whether it’s stuff in your space, weight on your heart or things in your head – letting go brings clearer energy and renewed strength. Like leaves that release from their branches, Nature shows us that it is the letting go that allows for new growth to happen. So, use this natural energy to help you remove and restore on all levels. It’s SO worth it!
Watch here for favorite tips on getting clear this season.
Delicious Cool Tip
Here’s my favorite drink for staying hydrated and pH balanced. Simple (just 3 ingredients) and satisfying, I drink this water year round but it’s especially refreshing during the summer heat. In a glass carafe or pitcher, add 1/2 sliced cucumber, juice of 1 lemon (or lime) and 1 bunch of mint leaves (about 15). Fill carafe with water. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours. Sip on the water throughout the day for a tasty, alkaline treat. Brew will last up to 2 days. Even cooler tip: Before making a new batch, use the cut up cucumber and mint in your favorite smoothie recipe.
It Starts in Bed & Clouds Ahead
How you start your day – even while still in bed – can have a huge impact on your well being. In this issue, I share a simple practice to help make a powerful shift. AND I’m still high from last week’s big event! Find out why I’m an unabashed fan of looking up. Plus, get in on a special ACP offer now through May. Spring celebrates the energy of new ideas and fresh starts. Here’s wishing you inspired thoughts and cloudy skies ahead! Read the latest ACP Enews.
Keeping Your Cool
Temps are climbing to 100 degrees today, pollution levels are high and our long hot summer continues to test people’s patience and wellness. Here’s one way to help keep both you and your space calm and cool. Use a blend of lavender, lemon and peppermint essential oils in your diffuser. This combination aids in purifying the air, lifting your spirits and balancing energies. You can add more or less of any one of the oils depending on your preference (easy on the lemon as it’s more astringent). For even better results, place the diffuser next to your fan for greater dispersement! No diffuser yet? Add the oils to sea salt and place a handful in the corner of your shower to dissolve while you shower. Or toss the salt blend in tepid water for a foot soak. TIP: Make your oils go further. Fill the empty bottle with spring water and replace the cap. Shake. There’s enough residual oil left so you can refill up to three times before recycling the bottle. See my resource section on Essential Oils for more tips.
Solution for Styrofoam Scourge
The waste industry has made major strides in coming up with ways to recycle our refuse. Everything that is except those ginormous blocks of Styrofoam. You know the ones – hermetically sealing everything from flat screen TV’s to furniture and glassware. Even if you break them down into tiny pieces, the choice for disposal is still an ugly one: landfill. UPS takes peanuts but not blocks. The only recycling center in Portland that took Styrofoam stopped accepting it in March. Now what? Enter Agilyx – an energy alternative company located in Tigard, OR. Implementing new technology in renewable energy and chemical recycling with a focus on environmental impact; the company broke ground this year on a facility that will convert polystyrene foam (foam cups, packaging materials) into styrene monomer. Reducing to the monomer form allows for global reuse in tons of ways. Fuel, helmets, housing … sky’s the limit. Best part for Portlanders? Consumers can drop off their Styrofoam for free. YAY! I spoke with the folks at Agilyx to confirm the free part and they shared that there are bins available 24/7 at their facility. Make sure your foam has the “6” on it and that it is clean and dry. If you are a business or have more than a truck load, contact Agilyx at 503-217-3160 to schedule a drop off time. Click here for map and more info. Not in the PDX area? Visit Home for Foam to find recycling near you. Until manufacturers are mandated to use earth friendly packaging, let’s do our best to dispose of stuff mindfully. Here’s to creative solutions and making Earth a clearer home for everyone.
Photo courtesy of NRWS, Paradise, CA.
What’s Behind YOUR Dryer?
You’re looking at what I found behind the dryer in my new apartment. Yep. A collection from the former tenant of stuff that went astray. At least nothing had legs. (I’ve heard some pretty scary stories involving bones and antennas.) Keeping it clear around appliances is an often overlooked task. Do your space – and your energy bill – a favor. Put time on your calendar to check and clean these hidden areas at least twice a year. Use a vacuum nozzle or microfiber brush to remove dust and lint build-up behind and under your washer/dryer. And, of course, empty the lint tray after every use. Clean ducts annually. In the kitchen, pull that fridge out and vacuum the coils. Wash the floor and wall before sliding back in place. If you can’t move the stove, at least pull out the bottom storage drawer (if your model has one) and clean the newly exposed area that way. It’s a hassle well worth the effort. And who knows? You might unearth a long lost treasure. Ready to clean some more? Here are some easy tips on cleaning the inside of appliances (including the garbage disposal) worth a look: Washington Post. Okay – one last favorite item on laundry that’s good to know anytime of the year. Read my tip on this easy energy saver!
Balance Matters
Staying in balance is something we all strive for but it can seem a difficult and elusive task. It’s especially tough when weighed down by physical, emotional and mental STUFF! The latest ACP Enews shares some favorite ideas on how to get back to center. You’ll get a great breathing tool for releasing stress, read about a win/win “letting go of stuff” story and learn my top item to eliminate in your home in order to maintain balance. PLUS enter to win a deck of ACP Wisdom Cards for you or a friend. Just taking a few moments to view the stunning sunset image will help create a positive shift. Make 2017 the year to share the cheer and spread the clear! Read January ACP Enews here.
The Energy of Passion
Find out why passion matters and view examples of two gals on opposite corners of the country who prove it’s never too late to explore your own. Also, get a neat repurposing packing tip and learn about a nonprofit whose mission combines education, recycling and art around the globe. View A Clear News November and Happy Thanksgiving!
How to Recycle Mattresses – Earth911.com
My recent mattress purchase seemed a good time to send out a reminder on recycling options. Most donation centers don’t accept mattresses anymore and the ones that do have gotten tighter with their standards. My fav recycling resource, Earth911, just posted this nice guide including how to disassemble your mattress in order to save it from the landfill. http://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-mattresses/
A Clear Place 