Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 12-30-16 Online Edition

Health
Cleaning your home with natural products doesn't have to be ex- pensive and you don't have to look far to find clean ingredients that are well-known dirt and grime fighters. In fact, they're probably al- ready sitting in your cabinets. Don't pay insane prices or expose your- self to toxins to achieve the clean, sparkling home. Instead, use these ingredients to make safe, basic cleansers that will have your house looking good as new.
Baking Soda
You can use baking soda to clean anything from your dishes to your carpet to your teeth. Here are a few ways to work the non-toxic, multipurpose ingredient into your routine:
* Keep an open box of baking soda in your fridge, closet, laundry room and pantry to keep out unpleasant odors. * Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth and wipe to clean hard sur-
faces.
* Add baking soda to your laundry detergent for cleaner clothes.
* If you encounter a persistent bad smell in a carpet or furniture,
mix baking soda with your favorite essential oil and clean. Let it soak overnight and then wash it off with water the next day.
* Use baking soda in your kitty’s litter box to neutralize odors.
* To remove grease stains, add baking soda to the wash load or treat stains with a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda, 1 part water).
* Use baking soda to remove burnt food from the grill or pans. Add baking soda and water to the spots and let it soak for a few hours.
Lemons
Keep a basket of fresh lemons in your kitchen for DIY cleaning projects. They con- tain powerful antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties that zap germs and bacteria and are great for counters, windows, cutting boards, bathrooms and hard surfaces. Here's
the recipe that I use often:
DIY Citrus Cleanser:
1. Add 2 lemon rinds + 1⁄2 cup lemon juice to 1 cup vinegar
2. Let sit for 3 days
3. Strain juice + vinegar and use as a window and surface cleaner Pro tip: You can also swap out the lemons for limes or oranges!
Vinegar
Vinegar can be used the clean the fridge, kitchen, bathroom, utensils and pet odors. It’s an all-purpose cleaner that is tough on dirt, mold, mildew and bacteria. Just transfer some to a spray bottle so you can easily apply
it to a dirty surface. It’s worth a shot on stains, too.
Pro tip: Vinegar does NOT work to clean granite, hardwood, mar-
ble or stone.
Essential oils You can add any plant-based oils to the DIY methods
above to create a more personal scent. Some common essential oils to start with for cleaning include grapefruit, peppermint, lemon, rose- mary, and lavender.
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Keep a Daily Calen- Thank The People your last week. It’s not bragging,
dar of Gratitude Behind The Service it’s sharing the positive experi-
Instead of keeping a Every day there are ences that matter to you so that
traditional people in the youcancelebratetogether.
gratitude jour- background of nal — create a our life — the daily calendar paper man, the that you up- bagger at the date each year grocery store,
Say “Thank You” For The Mundane
with one thing for which you are grateful. Each year adds another layer of thankfulness and allows you to savor your past.
2 Mark Anniversaries With Milestones And
Predictions
On your wedding or work anniver- sary, your birthday or any other momen- tous occasion — start a new tradition. Write a letter celebrating the highlights of your year and your predictions for the next year. Seal the letter and open it together on your next an-
Sometimes we get so used to our partner, our mama or our kids doing the things they’ve always done — making breakfast, taking the trash out, sending us surprise packages, dressing themselves in the morn- ing — that we forget to appreciate
these small gestures.
Don’t take those tiny moments
for granted! Start with a small, specific and frequent, “Thank
re7
Raise your face to the sky and
the teller at your bank. Take a minute to ask their name and then sincerely thank them for the ease they bring to your life. Without them, would you be able to do what you do? I think not.
Show some gratitude for the human beings who make your life run smoothly.
Write A Letter Of Gratitude
Have a teacher, coach, co-worker, old friend or men- tor who has made a differ- ence in your life? When is the last time you told them? Sit down and write a handwritten note of thanks for the difference they have made in your life. Bonus points if you can deliver it and
Start Girl Time With Celebrations NOT
Bitching
It’s such a nice feeling to trust your girl- friends with your crazy boss stories or
hideous date experiences... But before you dive into the com- plaints and snark, make a sincere effort to share the highlights of
6
yo9
ni3
from that day or week is a beauti-
ful way to connect before you share a meal. Do this every night, not just at dinner parties or holi- d4ays.
Express Your Thank- fulness For The Hard
Appreciate The Forces Bigger Than Yourself
Next time you are out- side, instead of checking your iPhone or rushing to get back to your
versary.
u.”
Share Gratitude At The Dinner Table
Grace is lovely as well, but if you’re gathering a mix of people with different be- liefs, sharing one “gratitude”
ad it out loud to them!
real life — enjoy the moment.
Stuff
caught up in the ways you were wronged, take a moment to think about what the challenges have taught you. What can you be grateful for? What lessons have you learned? What do you now know about yourself? How have the hardships served you?
give thanks to the Universe that has created snowflakes, streaks of sunshine that make their way be- tween skyscrapers, sunny beaches, forests full of pine trees, autumn leaves or gently rushing streams.
Nature is an incredible pres- ence that we can easily overlook.
Exercise your gratitude muscle by offering a quick prayer of thanks to something greater than yourself.
We all know life can be messy. Instead of regretting your mistakes or remaining
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-B