Sometimes having to let go comes when we least expect it. Read about the petty theft I recently experienced and the resulting message of resiliency. Turns out we have more help in dealing with ‘stuff’ than we may think.
Also in this Summer ACP Enews – a favorite and refreshing beverage idea for staying hydrated during the hot months AND a tip on saving $ on your energy bill. Stay cool and stay clear! Read all about it.
Thanks to all who donated to the Do Good garden project this Spring. The residents really dug creating their own mini gardens and raised beds. Take a look at the results and view the property’s latest wish list. Also, read about the surprising delight of a kiwi that came my way, get a tip on cleaning products and learn about the elevating energy of rose. Have a clear day everyone! Read all about it in the latest ACP Enews.
Part of enjoying a clear space involves being mindful of what’s in it. In this month’s ACP Enews I feature a few of my favorite ways to shift into enjoying life right where you are – starting with what I call ‘piece’ practice. This is a wonderful exercise in gratitude and appreciation for what you have. (And a wake up call for what isn’t working for you.)
Read the simple ‘how to’ steps.
Wherever you are, I wish you a clear and a joyful Spring!
Nature is a continual source of inspiration for us especially in challenging times. We can tap into its energy, its wisdom, its beauty 24/7. Clouds remind us that life is all about change. Relish each moment and trust that something wonderful will unfold again. Read my latest Enews to learn more about this featured cloud and the global interaction I enjoy with fellow cloud enthusiasts. PLUS: Know someone who could use some cheer? FREE photo note card to the friend of your choice; and an easy recipe for these in home cooking days. Stay well and remember to enjoy the view! Go to April Enews.
We can all use a bit more self love. Make that a LOT more. The messages we tell ourselves matter most. Read the latest ACP Enews to find out why and get a simple way to start giving yourself good vibes right now. I also share a personal grief story and some tips on how to spread the warmth this winter season. Here’s to a warm, loving and clear new year! Take a look now.
“Fan mail from some flounder?” A one liner from my youth that never fails to bring a smile to my face. It also serves as a reminder that messages do matter – especially ones of gratitude. Click here to read my latest Enews and its dedicated message about the power of cultivating gratitude in your home and in the world.
Whew! Lots of bad news going around these days. But there’s plenty of good stuff, too. Starting with a recent cover from The New Yorker, I talk about tending the garden that is your heart. I also share a personal story about my Dad and suggest a way that you can focus your good energy and really make a difference in the world. I even threw in a little green tip on mighty arugula. Take a moment and read the June issue of ACP Enews.
Here’s to making it a good news day everyday!
Illustration by Tom Gauld courtesy of TNY.
You may know of the hazards of BPA coated receipts but I’m guessing most of you DON’T know that they cannot be recycled. That’s right. NO tossing them in your recycle bin. If that’s not motivation to nix receipts altogether I don’t know what is. Especially when you get those two foot long ones popular at pharmacies and big box stores. That thermal coating that harms your skin also means it has to go in the garbage. Talk about waste. What can we do? There are some calls to action. Green America has a petition going to get the CVC giant to expand its digital receipt options and start using plain paper for printed ones – more on that below. And this month, CA became the first state to propose a bill that requires all businesses to provide receipts electronically as the default starting in 2022. They got rid of plastic straws so I’m optimistic. On the home front: skip the slip whenever you are given the option. The IRS accepts digital receipts so don’t fear the audits. If a paper receipt is the only option, don’t stockpile them! That tends to be one of the biggest causes of paper clutter. ONLY keep receipts for big ticket items like furniture and appliances and keep those in a labeled manila envelope. If there is a user’s manual for your purchase, tape the receipt to the inside of the front cover. In addition, take a photo of the receipt and keep in a digital folder. This is especially a good idea for jewelry, laptops and artwork.
TAKE ACTION: Producing CVS’ notoriously long receipts takes over 35,000 trees and enough energy to power 84,800 refrigerators every year. The pharmacy’s receipt production emits 44 million pounds of CO2 and produces the same amount of solid waste generated by half a million people every day. The phenol coating makes them unfit for recycling, adding even more waste. CVS receipts have been tested and found to have BPS in their coating, which poses health risks for workers and customers. CLICK here to sign the petition to Skip The Slip.
What do Air Wick, d-CON and Sani-Flush have in common? They are just a few of the 30+ power brands produced by the humongous conglomerate known as Reckitt Benckiser (RB for short). I’m focusing on Air Wick today as, once again, I am incensed by their continued false ad campaigns. Inspired by the latest blast by Truth in Advertising, I did some more digging. I wanted to know how a product that contains Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, Hexyl salicylate and a chemically derived camphor was getting away with it. Easy. They don’t list the ingredients on the label. None of their products do. Instead, they refer you to their website where you’ll find all the ingredients conveniently entitled “fragrance components” – wow. What’s more, RB has the nerve to claim that their Air Wick products “help people lead healthier lives” – really? I guess they’re counting on consumers ignoring the product ratings from EWG (Environmental Working Group) which has given every one of Air Wick’s 104 products a D or an F (scale of A to F) with warnings like: “Potential for skin irritation/allergies/damage; acute aquatic toxicity; nervous system effects.” So here’s my annual Buyer Beware reminder: There is no regulation for the terms fragrance, natural or pure. Branding pros can slap that on a label with no accountability. When in doubt, avoid anything with the word fragrance. Ditto the word scented. Never buy anything that doesn’t list the ingredients on the label. I use authentic essential oils daily and have for years but whether it’s oils, herbs or supplements – know your source and use wisely.
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.
A Clear Place 