Christmas Ideas - Feel Good with Boxes

Here's another great tradition - Christmas boxes for other children.

We are all so fortunate to be considering gifts, but as we know, many don't have that luxury.

I like the Christmas Box idea because it not only meets some basic needs, but also makes children feel special and loved.

Here's how it works 

Get kids and grandchildren involved in filling a number of shoeboxes which charities of your choice can then distribute.

Use shoesboxes or re-usable plastic storage boxes and fill them with both practical and fun gifts. Suggestions:

• School: pencil and sharpener, paper, crayons, colouring book, solar calculator, stickers, play-doh and moulds, glue sticks.
• Practical : toothbrush and toothpaste, bar soap, flashlight (solar or manually powered), brush, comb, hair ties and bows.
• Toys: balls, cars, harmonica, yarn dolls, paper dolls, finger puppets, yo-yos. Also sweets, gum, sunglasses, hats, socks, t-shirts.

Once they're packed (and you can include a note and family photo if you wish), deliver them to your favourite charity. If you're not sure who to give them to, do a Google search or in the US go here or the  UK here.

You'll enjoy your Festive Season all the more knowing you've helped to bring joy to some happy children this year.

Christmas Ideas - Appreciate Them

Following on from my earlier Christmas suggestion to Start a Tradition,here's another great idea.

Say thank you to people who have helped you throughout the year, in a very personal yet inexpensive way.

Fill a tin or basket with some home-made goodies, add a short hand-written note and a family photograph. Deliver them to your doctors, police, firemen, church, teachers - anyone you appreciate.

It's a simple yet warm show of gratitude that used to happen a lot more than it does today.

Christmas Ideas - Start a Tradition

With Christmas about to arrive, it's time to start thinking about gifts - you don't want to leave it till the last minute and end up buying rubbish! A well-thought-out,gift shows you care far more than something that is just expensive.

Here's a wonderful idea I found that's easy to implement.

Each year, parents give their children - or grandchildren - a Christmas tree ornament as one of the their gifts. They don't have to be fancy or expensive (although they can be) - they can be home-made, or a collectable, or whimsical. 

These form a collection which becomes theirs when they move out.

The children really enjoy unwrapping their annual ornament, and each one is appreciated as much as the others because of the tradition.

I really like this idea!

Do you have a tradition (or several) in your family?

Fabulous Frankincense

Reading about Frankincense as a child, it seemed to me to be so exotic, so far removed from normal life. But today we can buy it easily as an essential oil. Like most essential oils, it has many benefits (with no side-effects) and so is much more eco friendly than much conventional medication.

Frankincense is probably best known for being an analgesic (pain reliever).  Apply it directly to the site of the pain - either a few drops, or diluted with water.

Anti-inflammatory— apply directly to the affected area, diluted or pure, to reduce the swelling associated with sprains, bumps and bruises.

Antiseptic— apply directly to an open wound to prevent or reduce the risk of infection.

Antidepressant— apply directly to the sides of the nose and above the upper lip.  It can also be ingested orally by placing a few drops beneath the tongue.

Antifungal— apply directly to any area of the body adversely affected by a fungus, such as psoriasis and eczema.  It could also be useful if you ended up sharing communal living conditions, for example, during Hurricane Katrina.  Apply it to the base of the feet to prevent fungal infections.

Sedative— apply topically to areas of the body where tension is felt, or ingest orally as a dietary supplement to reduce episodes of panic, fear, confusion, stress and anxiety.

Astringent/ Expectorant— acts as a drying agent. Great for sore throats as well as runny noses.

Bonus tip: to save buying a large number of different essential oils, combine with friends - each person buys different oils and you borrow as you need them.

It's All in the Numbers

These numbers can help show what a difference re-using and recycling can make.

• If you use a printer at home or at work, don't discard the empty printer cartridges - they can be re-used and recycled. According to the office supply chain Office Depot, 2 1/2 pounds (1 kilogram) of metal and plastic plus half a gallon (2 litres) of oil goes into making each ink and toner cartridge. Simply recycling these items saves resources - and landfill space.
• According to Resourceful Schools, the equivalent of 185 gallons of gas (700 litres of oil) is saved for every one ton of paper that is recycled.
• Of course you're not using bottled water, are you? 25 million plastic bottles are discarded every HOUR! Many end up in the oceans and cause problems for sea life.
• When electronic devices are ready to be replaced, don't throw them out. Their toxic contents can seep out into the ground in landfills. Many non-profit organizations will gladly take them and re-distribute them where they are needed, or recycling companies will take them and re-use their components. (Or better still, hang on to it for a bit longer before buying new!)

Fun Green Weekend

Have Fun this weekend!

Do you sometimes need to find something to do at the weekend that doesn't cost the earth and is green too?

Walking tours of nearby cities are always interesting - but can be expensive, and the groups can sometimes be large. 

But now it's easy to get a guided tour cheaply (sometimes free) - and you can stop where you want for as long as you want.

To get your personal, private tour guide, use your smart phone or your computer.  You can find a walking tour, cuisine tour, gift shopping tour, or whatever takes your fancy. 

1. If  you have a smart phone, go to Google and type "phone app city tour" and add your city's name.  Many of the apps are free.
2. Or use your computer to Google "city tour" and the name of your city, and choose a tour that looks interesting.  

Print out the highlights, and then go (without the official tour) to the places they suggested, armed with all the facts.  You can go where you want, when you want, just as you wish.

Even if you've lived there all your life, you'll be sure to learn to learn new things.  And it's fun seeing your city with fresh eyes!

How to Get Awkward Things Clean and Sparkling Again!

Here are some green and eco friendly ways to care for things that can sometimes be awkward to clean!

Your computer keyboard becomes dirty after a while, but it's awkward to clean. There are commercial cleaners available but they're expensive and contain chemicals.

So here's a better, natural, easy and chemical free solution.

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a small bowl. 
2. Dip a clean rag or cloth into the solution, and wipe the keyboard clean - your computer should be switched off, of course! 
3. Use a Q-tip or cotton bud dipped in the solution to clean in between the keys.

If you practice Yoga and use a Yoga mat, it can become dirty after a while. Here's a lovely all-natural solution to keep it in top condition:

5 drops eucalyptus essential oil

10 drops Tea Tree Oil

15 drops lavender essential oil

¼ cup / 60ml witch hazel

1 cup / 250ml water

1. Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle. 
2. Spray directly onto your mat - preferably immediately after your workout. 
3. Wipe it down with a clean rag or cloth.
4. Let it dry for a couple of minutes before rolling it up.

Want Deep, Healthy Sleep? Here's How....

We all need deep, healthy sleep. 

If you can't sleep, choose green remedies instead of medication - better for you, and for the planet!

Do you suffer from insomnia?  

If something is worrying you, do you sometimes find it difficult to sleep?

Natural remedies are always good to try, and many are easy and quick. And of course, they're green and eco-friendly.

Many people find that warm milk with a little honey puts them into dreamland. 

For me, warm milk brings back childhood memories, and the addition of honey adds a little sweetness to make it more attractive.

Alternatively, these teas all contain natural relaxants and can be drunk before bedtime:  

• chamomile tea 
• passion flower
• lemon balm. 

They can be made with fresh leaves or from a tea bag.