Cheryl C McNeil's Tips To Going Green and Living Green

Back From Sabattical

2009-06-11T23:15:00.004-05:00

For any that may have wondered what happened to me over the past year let me assure you it has been a wild ride.

My brother developed bone cancer and threw me into a tail spin. For one of the few times in my life I did not have a clue what to do. I remembered our childhood and how he taught me to read, to ride a bike and to do some things that he shouldn't have. Though he is 6 years older than me we have always been very close. We spent a lot of time together, I left the girls with my husband and went to my brothers. We talked, laughed, reminisced and just had so much fun. It seemed unconceiveable that I could lose him.

He eventually had chemo and stem cell transplants and did very well. he learned a couple of weeks ago that he needs to do it again and will be going for that soon. I know he will do just fine and that he will be with me many more years. I ask that you keep him in your prayers.

Though this is not related to my blog, I felt the need to share this with my readers.

Look for more tips coming in the next few days, I am so excited to be back online.

Have a great day.

Cheryl C McNeil

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Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

2008-08-22T16:05:00.003-05:00

Tips to going green was founded with two goals, to raise awareness to the needs of our environment and to save others money who wish to go green. Though I have been environmentally aware since the 60's not everyone has practiced environmentally friendly living that long.

I am here to help you make this commitment easier and to reach out to many people on a daily basis.

My mother has told me since I was 4 that I can't save the world, maybe I can't but I can make a difference. From bringing home stray animals, including a baby skunk I found to wanting my parents to adopt a whole orphanage of children it was clear at an early age that I was different than my family.

Though I was told my whole life there was nothing I could do to change things. Thankfully I never believed that or I would be stuck at a 9-5 job which I would hate without ever attempting to make a difference in my world.

Today I want to share how Earth Day came about with those that celebrate it but do not know how it came to be.

Senator Gaylord Nelson began the push for politicians to show support for the environment as early as 1962. He visited with Attorney General Robert Kennedy and President John Kennedy who were both open to the idea. The concern over the environment needed to be thrown into the political limelight. Kennedy began what was a conservation tour in Sept of 1963. This became the seed that eventually led to Earth Day though the tour did not succeed in 1963 for many reasons. In 1969 with the Vietnam War protesters making a huge impact the grass roots campaign for Earth Day developed. The same energy being spent on protesting the War could be used to voice concerns over the environment.

The media caught hold of this and sent it out from coast to coast. Now the activist that were demonstrating on different subjects such as the Vietnam War, womens rights and civil rights had a cause they could all come together with.

Early in December, Senator Nelson selected a 25-year old named Denis Hayes, the dynamic former President of the Stanford student body, as national coordinator. Hayes, postponing plans to enter Harvard Law School, immediately set to work making plans for the inaugural Earth Day.

A full-page ad that appeared in the New York Times in February 1970 announced that on April 22, 1970, at locations throughout the United States, citizens would demonstrate for a cleaner environment, piquing the curiosity of network broadcasting giants.

On April 22, 1970 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment.

To countless participants, Earth Day was a turning point in their lives, which they remember to this day with awe and reverence. "It was something magical and catalytical," remarked Denis Hayes, "touching a huge cross-section of Americans."

On the 20th anniversary of Earth Day in 1990 more than 200 million people in 141 countries participating in celebrations of the planet that supports us.

Today the issue is once again receives much press with such stars as Oprah Winfrey and others doing great shows on Earth Day. How do you celebrate Earth Day? My wish is that you celebrate it year round.

Look for more green living tips daily.

Cheryl C McNeil

Green Living Tips

2008-08-16T19:38:00.001-05:00

The hard facts are we are all looking for ways to save money. I have some green living tips and the amount of money you can save while living green on a budget. Though we are in the midst of a recession what better time for going green and putting some extra money in your pocket.

Did you know if you only take 24 pictures a month, and most of us take many more than that, you can save $144 a year by using a real camera opposed to a disposable camera.

Use rechargable batteries instead of disposables. Save the billions of ready to use batteries from the landfills yearly. You will save a ton of money and remember that cell phone batteries, laptop batteries and others can be recycled.

Instead of using paper towels I use microfiber cloths for cleaning up. You can wash them and use them over and over. I purchased 4 a couple of years ago. I use them for cleaning up in the kitchen, dusting, cleaning the bathroom and washing my dishes, I don’t use a dishwasher, if you do set it on air dry or leave the door open for your dishes to dry as to conserve electricity. That was two tips in one

One of my favorite ways to save is carrying my own cup with me when traveling or for those that commute daily. You can fill it in any store with coffee or from your pot at home. I don’t know about saving money on this one, if you fill it from home you will, but it is a great help for the environment.

Buying products in packages that you know can be recycled. These include packages made of foil, steel, glass and #1 and #2 plastics.

You can save over $2000 a year in the grocery stores by purchasing large packages over individual packaging. It may be more convenient with the indiviual containers but I would rather put the $2k in my pocket and less in the landfill. .10 for every shopping dollar is used to pay for packaging, the individual packages require more packaging.

We have to buy toilet paper, check to make sure the one you buy is made of recycled materials.

Use boxes that have already been used for moving, there are stores online and in your community that sell green boxes or check with your local restaurants on the days of their deliveries to pick up their boxes. Keep the cardboard out of the landfills and save trees.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and I will see you next time.

The Green Movement is Gaining Momentum

2008-05-31T14:24:00.003-05:00

I was working at my computer yesterday, the tv was on but I was not watching, I heard someone say something about making their restaurant green.

I looked up and it was a soap opera. Days of Our Lives had most of their show about going green.

As they talked about making Chez Rouge green and then the Brady's talking about making the Brady Pub green I was thinking to myself, the green movement is truly growing and what better platform than a soap opera? How many million women and yes, even men, watch these daily? The answer is astronomical then they are replayed on Soap Net at night for those that missed it during the day. Yes I am a Days fan, have watched it since it hit the air back in the 60's. I do not watch in the day as I am always busy with something just happened to have the tv on while working yesterday.

I decided last night to check out Soap Net and see if any of the other soaps have begun to promote going green as of yet, didn't find one last night but I am sure if they aren't they will follow soon.

I think it is great that not only Oprah, Martha Stewart and other day time talk shows promote going green but the soaps have followed suit.

Do your part today by taking at least one step to change something in your home, office or some part of your life.

Cheryl C McNeil

Tips For Going Green With Your Beauty Regimen

2008-05-15T14:36:00.006-05:00

My first hint for this part of going green is to use what you already have. Us women are notorious for buying more and more beauty products than we need. So chances are you have plenty of good products that need using up.

Now recycle the containers if they are recyclable and make sure to check when buying products in the future.

You can also re-use the containers for storing different things around your house. I keep small containers to keep pins, the kids rocks they love to collect when we are out and about, my husbands nails, screws and wire ties he loves to collect but never seems to use. There are many things you can keep around your house in smaller containers.

I buy supplements and meal shakes for the children that come in fairly large containers and these are great for storing leftovers. As they have lids they are perfect.

Use all natural products

After you have used up what you have stored in your bathroom then look into all natural products for cleansing and make up. Using these products has helped my skin and my environment. I find they have worked better than any product I have ever bought over the counter.

My girls will not use anything that is not natural, they totally freak out when they go to their aunts to spend the night when she tries to bathe them in her products. I have had to make sure to include their products in their bags when they go anywhere overnight. I can say I have done my job well on teaching a 4 and 6 year old to be environmentally conscience.

So even with beauty and personal care you can still use the three R's, re-use, recycle and reduce.

Have a great day and look for more posts coming soon.

Cheryl C McNeil

Green Gift Wrap & Alternatives

2008-05-15T12:46:00.003-05:00

There are many occasions throughout the year for giving gifts. You need alternatives for gift wrap if you are choosing the green lifestyle. Researching takes time, thus my goal with this blog is to save you the steps by giving you many green ideas.

Reusable Bags

There are many sites with reusable bags, I love using them to put gifts in. Not only will you be giving the gift you purchased for the occasion but also a gift of a reusable bag which eliminates plastic bags to our landfills.

Check out Happy Bags

Make the container part of the gift

Use buckets, stock pots, mixing bowls etc... to place the gift in. For instance for the cook you know use a huge mixing bowl and place a great cookbook, pot holders, kitchen towels, or anything else that comes to your great imagination in it. A nice bucket with flower or herbal seeds, small gardening tools or books on gardening make a lovely gift for the avid gardener. Always be thinking outside the box when it comes to going green.

You Don't have to use Bows

Instead of bows for decoration look to nature. Berry sprigs, pine cones, leaves, sea shells and many other options are available for decorating your gifts.

No Need for Tape

If you are going to use gift wrap make sure it is recycled and earth friendly. There are many sites online with green gift wrap. Instead of tape make sure you fold tightly then instead of using petroleum based tape use hemp or wool yarn which is also reusable.

Green Gift Wrapping

Here are some sites for purchasing green gift wrapping.

The Daily Green

Green Girl Gift Wrap

You can find many more sites with green gift wrap online. Make sure to give the gift of green all year long.

You can even use aluminum foil, newspapers, old greeting cards and many other items lying around your house.

I love being green and sharing my ideas with you weekly. If you are just beginning to share my passion for living green I know you will find some useful tips for going green on this blog.

Cheryl C McNeil

Tips For Going Green

2008-05-13T23:13:00.003-05:00

Being very passionate about my planet I chose to Go Green. I will list some tips here for you that can make a huge difference in your health, your electric bills and most of all your planet. I know that many of you are concerned with Global Warming and would love to do your part, I am going to help you with that today.

Paper Or Plastic?

The answer to that is neither. Most people answer this question saying paper, that is a wrong answer. Use re-usable bags that you can buy online or from stores in your area. Keep your bags in your vehicle so that if you make an unexpected stop to purchase something you have your own bag with you. You can google cloth bags and find a choice for yourself.

Cleaning Products

Not only do cleaning products put toxins in your home for you, your children and your pets to breathe they are also not environmentally friendly. I use products that are natural and organic, have no warning labels so I know if my toddlers get them I am not going to have to rush them to the emergency room to have their stomachs pumped or call the poison control center. Women that work at home run a higher risk of cancer than women that work away from home. The risk is 54% higher. As I work from home and have children and pets I switched to all natural products. Shaklee not only has all natural products they are also the first company in the world to be certified Climate Neutral meaning they leave no footprint on the planet.

Packaging

When you are buying look at the packaging, things that are packaged inside of packaging cause too much waste. Buy things that are minimally packaged.

Paper Plates Or Plastic Plates?

Of course it is best not to use either but there are times when we must. When you are faced with this situation buy plastic plates that are 100% recycled. You can wash these, in an all natural dish detergent and use them over and over. Once done they are recyclable.

Organic Produce:

Buy produce that is organic. This means that it was grown with no pesticides which makes it healthier for you and for the planet. It costs a little more but is well worth the price. You can find a place near you where you can purchase organic produce online. Local Harvest is a great place to look, type in your zip code to find a farmer near you.

Reusable Water Bottles:

Instead of buying bottled water buy reusable water bottles. With the money you save from buying bottled water you can afford to buy a water filtration system for your home. Or you can buy reusable water bottles with a filter built in to them.

Look at your local landfill:

If you go take a look at a landfill in your area it will give you a wake up call. Most of the things there are not bio degradable and the ones that are will not be gone in your lifetime or the lifetime of your children and grand children.

Light Bulbs:

Buy energy efficient light bulbs. They are higher than the regular light bulbs you have been purchasing but they last for 5-10 years so the cost is minimal in reality. G E makes some great CFL bulbs. You will not only be helping the planet you will also find that you save on your electric bill. If everyone changed just one light bulb it would be equivalent to saving the carbon emissions on 800,000 cars. I switched all light bulbs in my home so I know this has made a huge difference to the planet.

Re-Cycle

The average person creates 4.5 pounds of trash per day. Think how much is going into the landfills if you are not re-cycling. You can re-cycle aluminum cans and foil, glass, but please rinse all containers before re-cycling, paper, a 4ft stack of recycled newspaper is equivalent to a 40 ft. fir tree, cardboard, such as cardboard boxes but if you have a cardboard container that pizza came in it can not be recycled as they can not use it if it is dirty, take your packing peanuts to your local shipping store, most will take them from you happily. I re-use my aluminum foil over and over before recycling it. I also buy foods packaged in containers that I can use to put left overs in when possible.

Water Consumption:

When showering or taking a bath spend less time in the shower and do not fill your tub to capacity when taking a bath. This will save a lot of water and if we all did this we could save enough water to ensure that everyone in the world could have water. Also fill up your sink when shaving instead of running the water for the duration of the time it takes you to shave.

Re-cycled Products:

Use re-cycled toilet paper and paper towels. I know it is not as easy to shop when you have to check packaging but think of the good you are doing for the environment.

Napkins:

The average person uses 6 paper napkins a day. That is a lot of waste going into our landfills. I switched to cloth napkins and then I just wash them in my environmentally friendly laundry product and re use them. I love the feel of the cloth napkin as opposed to paper also, it adds a nice touch to the meal.

Smart Power Strips:

Plug your small appliances, tv’s and clocks into smart power strips. When not in use turn them off from the strip, this will save you a lot of money on your electric bill and is very healthy for the environment.

Candles:

Most of us love candles. Use an all natural candle made from soy, they burn clean and clean up with soap and water. I know I love the smell of candles in my home.

Printer Ink:

Instead of buying a new cartridge each time you need ink take your cartridge to a store where they re-fill them. I get mine done at CVS Pharmacies.

Gift Wrap:

Buy gift wrap that is made of 100% recycled paper.

Computers:

Instead of throwing your old computer away donate it. You can also find people that buy them to re-build them.

If each of you will incorporate one of these tips into your daily life the difference you make will be huge. I do all the things I have listed, as I said I am very passionate about my planet and especially the health of my family. It is difficult in the beginning to make all these changes but it becomes routine before long as anything you practice all the time does. How passionate are you about the planet? Thank you for being here and I hope I have given you some great tips you have not thought of before.

Cheryl C McNeil

While On Vacation

2008-05-09T19:47:00.003-05:00

I just returned from a week at The Great wolf Lodge here in Grapevine, Texas. This place is geared for children, an indoor water park, the magi quest that is 3d interactive on all 8 floors of the hotel, the arcade where you win tickets from the games to get prizes with and a creativity class where the kids can paint their own shirts, banks, play on the computer and many other activities.

The indoor water park is part of the package when staying at the lodge but as it is indoors walking in to it the smell of chlorine almost knocked me out. I had much trouble breathing and could not stay in there over an hour at a time. I understand that I am very sensitive to the smell of chemicals as my home is toxin free but this was truly ridiculous.

I am not ragging on the place, the children had a wonderful time and the concept is great. I also had issues with no form of recycling, as I am very into being green this bothered me, the waste there is unbelievable. This place is sold out constantly and they are doing nothing to help the environment but they are giving tours about the animals and the rhythm of nature. It seems to contradict itself at every turn.

These lodges are all over the United States and they do a huge business. I have written them of my concerns for being more environmentally friendly but one voice is never enough and I need all the help I can get to make a difference. I believe with enough people contacting them that they would be willing to change some of their policies.

Though I loved the whole concept, the way the kids loved it and the good time they had I can not in good conscience go back or recommend this place to others until some changes are made there with the green movement. I did introduce them to my non toxic cleaners and showed them how they could save millions a year using them they had no interest in that either.

I will be writing letters to their corporate offices and sending in many ideas that would help them leave less of a footprint on the planet and would hope that anyone that has visited one of their lodges would do the same. If we all use our voice we can change many things in our lives.

I am going forward, who is coming with me?

Cheryl C McNeil
5/9/08

Green Wedding Ideas

2008-05-09T15:01:00.009-05:00

We are coming into the busy wedding season, have you thought of a green wedding?

I would like to give you some ideas of things you can do for your wedding to help with the environment while still having a great and unique wedding.

Starting with the invitations that are plantable and will grow beautiful wildflowers. Check out the options at Botanical Paperworks.

The catering is always important and going green with your menu is also an option open to those that are serious about the green movement. It may take a little longer and cost a little more but the impact on our planet makes it well worth the extra time and money. Start by using organic meats and vegetables that you can find through your local harvest site for your area. You can find meats, poultry, vegetables, eggs and many other things through this site. Make sure you check out the fair trade coffees and chocolates at Global Exchange.
You can also purchase organic wines, visit Four Chimneys Organic Winery. Be sure to add some comments about your choices and why you chose them so that people will understand why you are choosing the food selection you have. Go seasonal as much as possible to cut down on the expense.

For the most important day of your life, you must have the most beautiful gown. Still green is an option, go to Olivia Luca, check out the menu, you will find fair trade materials, hemp, organic cotton and you can play with the design and build your own wedding gown on the site. Check online for other apparel for the wedding party. There are many options, you could even have a used gown.

Your brides bouquet can be from organic flowers as well keeping with the green theme for your wedding. Go to local harvest for organic flower growers to check out your options of beauty for your wedding. You can type in your zip code to find a merchant near you. You can find not only the bouquet but options for the flower girl and for the wedding parties flowers, centerpieces and more.

Throwing bird seed instead of rice is a good idea, the birds will come along and eat it later. Make sure it is a bird seed that is for the birds of your area.

The wedding cake and how to top it. You can choose edible toppers made from marzipan from Aisle Dash. There are many resources available to you I am just giving you a few here for your convenience and ideas for green weddings.

For a huge array of wedding favors that match your theme go to wedding favors. You will find many different types of wedding favors and those for all times of year as well.

These are just a few ideas and you can find many more by researching green weddings. With the green movement becoming huge, funny I just looked up at the tv screen and it said Going green and is showing some wedding ideas on the news right now. The green movement is gaining momentum, I see something about it daily on the television or somewhere. I am proud to say I have been involved in this great movement since the 60's when us "hippies" got together and became socially and environmentally conscience.

When planning your wedding plan it in a location that is closest to the most people so there can be car pooling to save on emissions. Watch the weather if you are having it outdoors so that your perfect day stays perfect.

Hope you have a wonderful day and if you are planning a wedding keep the green theme in mind.

Cheryl C McNeil
5-9-08

Earth Day 2008 With Some New Tips

2008-04-22T16:57:00.008-05:00

Did you know that the average person creates 4.5 lbs. of garbage per day? What can we do about this. Use your waste as compost for your flowerbeds and plants. You can use your tea bags, egg shells, green vegetables, coffee grounds, banana peels and much more in your compost and cut down on what you are sending to the land fills. Do not put meats and dairy in the compost. For more information on how to compost go to http://www.oprah.com/ to see the segment on this.

It takes 1000 years for plastic bags to decompose and 14 million trees are cut down to make one years supply of paper bags. So when you are asked paper or plastic, the answer should be neither. You can buy re-usable bags online from many sources. They are very reasonably priced and last for several years, when done they can be recycled.

Computers, cell phones and tv's are invading the landfills. You can go to http://www.ban.org/to find out how to safely dispose of these items.

Buy organic foods. We have many whole foods markets available to us today to shop from. If you do not know of a whole foods market in your area go to http://www.localharvest.com/ to order organic fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats. Organic foods have no pesticides, anti-biotics are not genetically enhanced and are a win-win for your family and your planet.

Instead of using plastic cutlery you can now find these items that are made from the starch from potatoes. You can also get cups that are made from sugar cane and these products decompose in a matter of days instead of thousands of years. The cost difference is only pennies and sometimes even cheaper than the plastic.

If your body wash, shampoo and other personal care products contain parabens you should be using natural products. Check out information on parabens by clicking here. You should also use fragrance free products. Deodorants contain aluminum and face lotions contain germall.

With the news full of what is in our water supplies now is a great time to invest in a water filtration system. Serve the water from a stainless steel pitcher so as not to invest in the plastic ones that not only do not last long but go into our landfills.

We all love candles and the stars are coming out in support of the soy candles. I have used soy candles for a few years and they not only burn clean, no soot on the jars but they clean up with water. Once my candle is gone I clean out the jar with water and my natural dishwashing liquid and have a great container for many uses in my home. The stars are coming out to support these types of candles, Sandra Bullock uses them in her home and her restaurant in Austin, Texas.

There are many tips for going green and I have listed many here before but continue to support my earth and my family by living green. I still suggest catching rain water for watering your plants and flower beds and changing your light bulbs to those that use 23 watts for a 100 watt bulb. These bulbs not only last for a few years they do not emit the heat into your home of a regular light bulb and use much less electricity.

Remember we are our planets keeper.

Cheryl C McNeil
4-22-08

The Opus Movie: The Opus: From Vision to Plan to Performance

2008-04-16T22:09:00.000-05:00

The Opus Movie: The Opus: From Vision to Plan to Performance

Celebrate Earth Day With Shaklee

2008-04-16T21:19:00.003-05:00

Earth Day is April 22nd and I will be attending events throughout my area talking about the importance of our environment and sharing with others the line of all natural products I use from kitchen to skin care. Help us plant a million trees. I aligned myself with a company that cares about others and cares about our planet. Did you know Shaklee is the first company to be certified Climate Neutral?

We will be building more habitat for humanity houses at our convention in New Orleans later this year. Bringing money into the city with our convention and helping add homes for those in such need is why we chose to hold our convention in this great city that was all but destroyed by Katrina.

Here are a few of the things we have been doing recently to help the earth and others.

Let’s plant trees. One million of them. Together, we can make a difference that may alter the climate of the entire planet. Sounds ambitious. It’s not. It’s going to be fun. And we want you there. Bring your family. Call your friends – change the world.

Come to a meeting. Come to a tree planting. Come along with us and make a big difference.

Celebrate Earth Day!

Shaklee Corporation Helps Build a Green Home & Plants Trees to Celebrate Earth Day

More than 60 employees from Shaklee Corporation participated in an Earth Day Build-A-Thon in Oakland, California on Thursday, April 19. The event was organized by the East Bay Chapter of Habitat for Humanity®. Shaklee donated more than $10,000 to the nonprofit home builder, purchased trees, and pledged a complete set of Get Clean^TM products, to each of the 26 green homes planned for the green community.

Shaklee participants framed a green home and planted six, eight-foot tall trees to provide shade for the new residence. To date, Shaklee has planted more than 371,000 trees as part of the A Million Trees. A Million Dreams™ campaign. This event celebrated Habitat for Humanity's commitment to build homes that are not only affordable, but also sustainable, using environmentally friendly techniques and materials, including photovoltaic panels mounted on the roofs of the homes.

"Together with Habitat for Humanity East Bay, our Earth Day efforts demonstrate how one can live a greener, healthier life. We can build green homes, plant trees, and use earth-friendly cleaning products. These are but a few of the ways we can all do our part to make the world a better and safer place for our children and future generations," said Roger Barnett, Shaklee Chairman and CEO.

Cheryl C McNeil
04/16/08

For Those That Say...

2008-03-17T13:54:00.005-05:00

I hear many people say they have their doubts about global warming and that they don't understand all the fuss about the environment. I have a few things I would like to say about that.

Wouldn't you rather see our landfills with less in them instead of the huge mass of filth they are now?
Would you like to save on your electric bill by using eco friendly light bulbs?
Fact, just last week on the news they told about the pharmaceuticals found in our drinking water, buying a water purification system should seem very important to you now.
With gas being over $3 a gallon and going to $4 by summer wouldn't carpooling be an option for you now? Ride a bike a couple of days a week to save even more money.
Disposable diapers take 500 years to decompose so use cloth instead, they are better for your child anyway.
If you have children with sensitive skin check out the organic products I reccomended in a previous post
How do you feel when you see litter all over the roads? Recycling helps keep our cities beautiful

Whether you believe in being environmentally friendly or not many things I talk about on this blog will help you with your wallet and I know we all love to save our hard earned money. Many people say they are saving money and do not even realize what an important part they are playing in helping their environment.

Cheryl C McNeil

Love Those Compact Bulbs

2008-03-17T12:33:00.005-05:00

I began changing the light bulbs in my home a few years back. I love the fact that not only do they not emit the heat that the regular light bulbs do but they last for years which means I do not have to climb on my ladder to get to those hard to reach places so often.

I love the shape of the curlicue bulbs, and use the daylight bulbs at my desk and in my bathroom. I love this in the bathroom as it makes applying my make up so much easier as I can actually see what I am doing. My daughter lives next door and was coming to my house all hours of the day and night to apply her make up, pluck her eyebrows and use my mirror for many things. I told her to go buy some of the bulbs I use and she said they are too expensive. Well being as environmentally conscience as I am I told her how long they last, I have had the bulbs in my bathroom for 4 years now, how they are environmentally friendly as they not only last longer, which means less waste to our landfills and that I was tired of her waking me and my grand daughters that I am raising up all hours of the day and night. I gave her one to put in her bathroom and wouldn't you know, she went to the store the very next day and bought some for the rest of her house because she loves to have her place look like it is daylight all the time.

There are many ways to save yourself money, this is one and I know many don't give a hoot about the environment but most like to save money so invest a little in the light bulbs you use and save on your electric ill, the cost of your bulbs in the long run and help the environment.

I find as many ways as I can to help my earth and to make it a better place for everyone.

Cheryl C McNeil

Some Helpful Hints For Your Home

2008-03-15T23:46:00.005-05:00

I know many of you clean with vinegar, personally I do not like the smell that lingers in my home.

Some great ideas for all natural ways to make your home smell great:

Place a pot of boiling water on the stove and add 1-2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon for a simmering potpourri. Don't forget to add water as necessary so as not to burn up your pan.
Put cinnamon sticks into your vacuum cleaner bag to freshen as you vacuum
Make arrangements in a glass or glass bowl of cinnamon sticks anchored by whole cloves, this makes a pretty and wonderful smelling decoration.
Mix oil of cinnamon with water in a spray bottle and use for air freshener.

There are many ways you can make your house smell fresh without using chemicals and costly over the counter products which are harmful to the environment.

If you love the smell of lavender mix some oil of lavender with water and sprinkle your linens with the mixture. This will keep your linen cabinet smelling wonderful and your sheets will have that natural smell when you put them on your bed.

Cheryl C McNeil

2007-12-10T12:26:00.000-06:00

Share your tips on how you help the environment

2007-12-07T17:23:00.003-06:00

Wanted to share some of these and if you have some you would like to add leave a comment and I will add them in for you.

I carry my canvas tote bags in my car so that if I have to stop and get something I do not have to use the stores bags.

I use old washcloths to clean up spills and stuff around the house instead of paper towels, this saves me money and helps the environment.

I collect rain water for watering my plants and flower beds.

I consolidate my trips out so that I save gas and cut down on my carbon emissions.

I use old comforters and sheets for my pets beds instead of buying them beds to sleep in, they still sleep with me though, no matter what I do.

I use cloth napkins instead of paper towels, I wash them out with my all natural cleaner and hang them to dry.

I cook in my roaster and my crock pot as much as possible, this saves my house from heating up and definitely saves on my ac usage while cooking.

I use all natural products in my home for everything, washing clothes, washing dishes, cleaning the furniture, the floors, the bathroom all the glass and windows, even the carpets.

Share some of your tips with us.

Cheryl C McNeil

Tips For Being Environmentally Friendly

2007-12-06T13:31:00.003-06:00

First of all, reduce. Reducing what you buy and reducing your waste is the one of the top environmentally friendly tips. Simplify your life as much as possible and become less materialistic. In addition, switch from disposable items to reusable items-particularly diapers, dishes and razors, and switching from paper products that get thrown out to cloth ones that can be washed.

Some other "reduction"-type environmentally friendly tips include only buying what you need, buying in bulk (and then transferring into your own reusable containers), and trying to avoid creating excess trash. Finally, see what you can do to stop receiving junk mail.

Secondly, reuse. Try and reuse products and materials as much as possible before throwing them out. Hold and shop at garage sales. Donate whatever you have that you don't need. Let your younger children wear your older children's clothing. Buy good quality products that will last for a long time. Buy used and secondhand items. Reuse zip lock and sandwich bags, shopping bags, twist ties, rubber bands, boxes and more. Find creative ways to reuse everything!

Another environmentally friendly tip is to recycle

Recycling involves more than just putting your used papers into recycling bins-although that is all definitely a huge part of it. Nowadays, there are so many different materials that can be recycled. Besides paper, you can recycle newspapers, magazines and junk mail, cans and bottles, glass, styrofoam, plastic, aluminum, cardboard, even some batteries. Some other recycling tips include purchasing products made out of recycled materials, starting a compost pile, and using rechargeable batteries.

Conserving Is Also An Environmentally Friendly Tip

Next, do your part to conserve. Energy and water are the two major resources you can help to conserve. The majority of environmentally friendly tips focused on energy conservation include reducing your overall energy consumption, and using your utility company's tips for saving energy in your home. Consider going with a utility company that uses renewable energy. Some specific tips include turning off all the lights when you don't need them, using cold water as much as possible, insulating your hot water heater and unplugging appliances when they're not in use.

To reduce your water consumption, keep faucets on low pressure with cold water as much as possible, turn them off when they're not in use, and run full loads of dishes and laundry on a short cycle with low water levels.

There are many other environmentally friendly tips you can incorporate into your lifestyle as well. For example, choose non-toxic, environmentally friendly household products as much possible, try eating and gardening organically, use natural body products, cancel your magazine and newspaper subscriptions and go online, pick up trash outside as you're walking and give creative, eco-friendly gifts that don't come in wrapping or packages.

Cheryl C McNeil

No More Fears, Your Guide To Safe Childrens Products

2007-12-06T12:13:00.002-06:00

Fact: Your child's "natural" and "tear-free" shampoo might actually contain harmful ingredients.

Just because a shampoo or sunscreen is labeled "children's" doesn't mean it's been tested and found safe for kids. In fact, we found that 82% of children are exposed weekly to ingredients linked to brain, nervous system, and reproductive damage in lab studies

There are many companies with natural childrens products. Shaklee and California Baby are just two that come to mind.

Cheryl C McNeil

Toxins In Your Home

2007-12-06T10:40:00.001-06:00

This is Cheryl McNeil again with more education
about toxins in common household products.


I wanted to share with you this article from the
Chicago Daily Herald, June 7, 2005.


HOW COMMON HOME PRODUCTS CAN MAKE LIVING IN YOUR HOME
HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH


BY SUSAN STEVENS
Daily Herald Health Writer
Posted Tuesday, June 07, 2005


Most calls to poison control centers are from acute
exposures. A toddler swallows a handful of pills. A
man drinks pesticides stored in an old pop bottle. It's
the hidden toxins that might be more insidious.


Household cleaners, plastic food containers, even the
flame retardant in your sofa cushions leach chemicals
into the air and onto your skin. They persist in the
blood and make their way into women's breast milk.


Scientists and advocacy groups admit we don't know
for sure how bad these are for you. Human tests have
never been conducted on most of the 18,000 chemicals
produced each year. But evidence is mounting. Some
of the worst chemicals have already been banned, and
states are looking at stricter regulations for others.


Many of these toxins are lurking just behind your
front door. Take a deep breath - surprisingly, the air
inside your home can be more polluted than what's
outside - even if you live in a busy urban area,
according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.


Modern building materials, furniture, everyday cleaning
solutions, dry-cleaned clothing and other household
products release organic chemicals that linger in the
still air of a well-insulated home. Even if you are
vigilant, chemicals can enter your home in unexpected
ways.


Labels advise using paint strippers, adhesive removers
and spray paints in well-ventilated areas, but gases can
leak even from closed containers. The products contain
methylene chloride, which causes cancer in animals.


Carbon monoxide and benzene - a known human carcinogen
present in auto exhaust - can leak from an attached
garage right through porous drywall and into the house,
said Leeann Sagula, owner of Healthy Home Consulting, a
home environment business in Pennsylvania.


"The room above the garage is not the room you want to
have for your nursery," Sagula said. "It's probably one
of the least healthy rooms in your home."


The glues, paints and adhesives holding your house
together can pollute the air, too. Off-gassing from new
construction can irritate the eyes, nose and throat,
said Dr. Jerrold Leikin, a toxicologist at Rush University
Medical Center and author of a toxicology handbook.


Pressed-wood products emit formaldehyde, which at
elevated levels can cause wheezing in people with asthma.
Usually, there are no permanent effects, Leikin said.


But you could be dosing yourself repeatedly; plug-in air
fresheners release a steady stream of pleasantly scented
formaldehyde into your home.


Scientists are uncertain how much exposure, or how long,
is necessary for many of these chemicals to harm your
health. Some people are more sensitive than others.
Those with asthma or pulmonary conditions often react
more strongly.


"Most people don't realize that the air can be dangerous,"
said Glen Ellyn resident Nicholas Nardella, owner of
Environmental Technology Solutions, a firm specializing
in indoor air quality. "They figure if you can't see it
and you're breathing, you feel fine. But sometimes you
feel nauseous, you feel weak, maybe your kids are always
sneezing."


Nardella's firm recently retrofitted several rooms at the
Hilton O'Hare Airport with hardwood floors, non-vinyl
wallpaper and all-cotton bedding. All the building
materials, from the furniture stain to the bathtub caulk,
are free of volatile organic compounds. The cleaning
staff will use only non-toxic products.


The rooms are so pure that if a maid accidentally sprays
Lysol, an alarm will sound. The hotel is planning to
replicate its "Enviro Rooms" in other cities to cater to
travelers with asthma, allergies and chemical sensitivities.


Nardella is taking the technology home. He's building an
Enviro Room for his 4-year-old daughter, who has asthma.
You don't have to gut your house to make it healthier.
When Sagula built a new home in St. Charles two years
ago, she and her husband couldn't afford hardwood floors
in every room. Chemical-free, "green" building materials
were beyond their budget.


So they installed air cleaners on each floor, cleaned the
ducts before they moved in and kept the windows open so
fresh air could flush out chemicals that are more
prevalent in new construction. When they moved in,
Sagula didn't suffer any of the headaches, joint pain or
respiratory symptoms she experienced in a previous new
house.


"It's just amazing with what little we did the difference
it made," she said.


Sagula has since moved to Pennsylvania, where she
advises clients on ridding their homes of toxins. The
biggest problem, she said, is the harsh chemicals in
cleaning products.


"If it's 'fatal if swallowed' or it has to be used in a
well-ventilated area, chances are you can find a safer
alternative," Sagula said.


TV is bad for you - Some toxins arrive incognito, in
products without ingredient labels. The flame-retardant
chemicals used in thousands of household appliances
and textiles can leach out into your home.


Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, have turned
up in dust bunnies, dryer lint and the gray film that
accumulates inside windows. Children, who tend to stick
dirty hands in their mouths, appear particularly at risk of
exposure.


PBDE's persist in the environment and build up in your
body over a lifetime. Scientists have detected them in
women's breast milk, human hair and fat cells. In lab
animals, PBDEs disrupt thyroid hormone balance and
alter brain development.


This spring Illinois legislators joined five other states
and the European Union to phase out penta and octa,
two types of PBDEs often used in appliances like
televisions, computers and coffee makers. After 2006,
retailers can't order new stock with penta or octa.


It was a largely symbolic victory. Once states like
California began banning penta and octa, major U.S.
chemical manufacturers quit producing them. The focus
has shifted to deca, the third major PBDE compound,
which is widely used in upholstery, mattresses and
other textiles.


Illinois' new legislation calls on public health
Officials to analyze deca's effects and report to the
General Assembly by the end of 2007.


Manufacturers could switch to less-toxic flame
retardants, or use chemicals that are bonded to
products so they don't leach out, said Frances
Canonizado, environmental advocate for Illinois Public
Interest Research Group. Dell, Apple and Sony
stopped using PBDEs. Ikea's furniture is PBDE-free.


"Companies have the ability to use safer materials,"
Canonizado said. "We can't as consumers sit idly by
not knowing what we are being exposed to."


Making life easier - Convenience might come at a cost.
Nonstick and stain-resistant coatings typically contain
perfluorochemicals, or PFCs. They show up in Teflon,
Scotchguard, Stainmaster and Gore-Tex. They're in
cookware, clothing, wallpaper, paint and food packaging,
including some McDonald's paper products.


They're also in us. PFCs turn up in the blood of more
than 95 percent of Americans tested. Yet they remain
something of a mystery. Scientists aren't sure how they
get into our cells or accumulate in the environment. The
EPA has launched an investigation to find out.


In animals, they cause cancer, birth defects and
developmental problems, as well as high cholesterol.
3M, the maker of Scotchguard, has already reformulated
its product in favor of less-toxic chemicals, but they
remain in other household goods.


These chemicals are turning up in unexpected places,
including the water supplies of cities with no large-scale
commercial use. One known source is cooking. Heating
Teflon-coated pans to high temperatures releases the
fumes that kill pet birds and sicken people temporarily.


DuPont says Teflon is safe. Consumer advocates say
the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act places too high
a burden on the public; the EPA can require a
manufacturer to test the safety of a new chemical, but
only if the government can prove it poses an unreasonable
health risk.


The sheer number of chemicals heading to market mean
many have never been tested for toxicity.


"The EPA just doesn't have the power to get health
data before products go on the market," said Lauren
Sucher, spokeswoman for the Environmental Working
Group, a coalition of scientists and public policy
advocates.


"Banning a chemical is an uphill battle," she said.
"Consider that asbestos is still legal in the U.S. We
can't even ban asbestos and we know hard-core that
it kills people."


Baby bottle battle - California law makers are
considering a bill that would ban certain chemicals from
plastic baby products. Phthalates are in some soft vinyl
toys and in cosmetics such as nail polish and hair spray.
A study published in the journal Environmental Health
Perspectives last month found that infant boys born to
mothers exposed to phthalates had a higher chance of
genital abnormalities.


The California proposal would also ban products
intended for children that contain bisphenol A, or BPA,
the key building block of hard, clear, polycarbonate
plastics.


BPA is found in baby bottles, food storage containers
and water bottles such as Nalgene. It's also used in
resins that coat the inside of food cans and in dental
sealants for children.


BPA's health effects have been hotly debated. Some
studies - including all of those funded by the industry -
show no ill effects. But evidence is mounting that the
chemical causes reproductive abnormalities in lab
animals at low doses.


Much of that evidence has come in the past five years,
said Frederick vom Saal, a biology professor at the
University of Missouri-Columbia who has studied BPA
for a decade. The last time the EPA assessed the
health risks of BPA was in the 1980s.


"This chemical acts like the estrogen in birth control
pills," vom Saal said. "As an adult man or woman, you
are putting a sex hormone into your body that's going
to alter your reproductive system. You decrease fertility.
You cause sperm abnormalities."


No human studies have been conducted, however, and
whether BPA harms human health remains controversial.
The plastics industry says polycarbonate plastic is safe
and that small amounts of BPA pose no health hazard.


In studies, exposing plastic to the heat of a microwave,
dishwasher or hot foods caused more BPA to migrate
into food. Heating degrades the chemical bond that holds
polycarbonate plastic together. But some studies have
detected leaching even at room temperatures. Heavily
scratched or worn plastic degrades faster.


Polypropelene and polyethylene plastics, which are
marked with product codes 1, 2 or 5 on the bottom,
appear safer, vom Saal said. The problem is polycarbonate
is commonly added to other plastics and might not be
on labels.


"There is no such thing as safe microwaveable plastic,"
vom Saal said. "As you heat it, you degrade the chemical
bond. You can't see this happening. You can't taste it,
you can't smell it, but you are getting dosed at a higher
and higher amount."


Toxic outlook - The long-term health effects of small doses
of chemicals are difficult to study. They don't always show
up in blood tests, or if they did, effects might take decades
to develop. Animal studies don't necessarily translate into
equivalent effects on human health.


"We need more data," said Dr. Helen Binns, a pediatrician
at Children's Memorial Medical Center in Chicago and a
member of the American Academy of Pediatrics'
environmental health committee. "The hard thing is
sometimes the data come too late," she said. "The PCBs
are out there. The DDT is out there."


The most common environmental hazards are nothing
new. The EPA identifies lead as the top environmental
health risk for children. Tobacco smoke is another killer,
even when parents only smoke outside.


Other household products that contain potential hazards
have in fact made our lives easier. Cooking your eggs
in a nonstick pan means you can use less artery-clogging
oil. Extra-strength cleaners make housework go faster.
Plastic baby bottles don't break. These are definite
trade-offs. �A lot of these are things that have made it
more tolerable to live in our environment," Binns said.
"We always need to approach their use with caution.
Where clear, better alternatives exist, we need to choose
the alternatives."


To get more information on keeping your family safe
and removing toxins from your home, contact:


Cheryl McNeil
Wellness Consultant
817-902-2580
www.shaklee.net/jcm

What Is Under Your Sink

2007-12-06T10:11:00.005-06:00

	Carpet Cleaners Extremely toxic to children. The fumes given off by carpet cleaners can cause cancer and liver damage.
	Chlorine The chemical most frequently involved in household poisonings and a potent pollutant. May cause reproductive, endocrine, and immune system disorders.
	Degreasers May contain petroleum distillates and butyl cellosolve, which can damage lung tissues and dissolve fatty tissue surrounding nerve cells.
	Drain Cleaners One of the most hazardous products in the home. Can contain lye, which is a strong caustic substance that causes severe corrosive damage to eyes, skin, mouth, and stomach. Can be fatal if swallowed.
	Glass Cleaners May contain ammonia. Fumes from ammonia can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
	Mold and Mildew Removers Often an acute respiratory irritant. May damage lungs, eyes, and skin.
	Oven Cleaners One of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can cause severe damage to eyes, skin, mouth, and throat.
	Scouring Cleansers May contain butyl cellosolve, a petroleum-based solvent that can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage.
	Toilet Bowl Cleaners One of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can contain chlorine and hydrochloric acid. Harmful to health simply by breathing during use.
	Tub and Tile Cleaners Can contain chlorine and may contribute to the formation of organochlorines, a dangerous class of compounds that can cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders. Going Green is not only a smart choice for the planet but for yourself. Think of the harsh toxins you are breathing in daily from the chemicals you use in your home. Cheryl C McNeil