Friday, October 22, 2010

Using White Vinegar as an All-Round Cleaner

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

If you are looking for a safe, non-toxic cleaner and overall household helper, look no further than white vinegar. This humble substance can be used in a variety of ways to clean and disinfect your home. Here are some ideas for how to use this inexpensive liquid.

1. Deodorizer

Vinegar can help remove odors from clothes and drains. For drains, pour about 1 cupful of baking soda into the smelly drain. Then pour in about 2 cups of vinegar and leave overnight. In the morning, flush with hot water.

For removing odors from clothes, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda to your laundry. You can add this at the beginning of the wash cycle or during the rinse cycle. This mixture has a fabric-softening effect as well.

2. Drain Clog Remover

In addition to eliminating drain odors, vinegar can help unclog drains. Follow the steps in #1 above. The foaming action dislodges many clogs.

3. Toilet Cleaner

To clean and disinfect your toilet bowl, sprinkle in about a cup of baking soda. Then pour in 2-3 cups of white vinegar. (You will find your kids more willing to help you clean if it involves a fizzy toilet!) When the fizzing dies down, use your toilet brush to clean as usual. The vinegar inhibits the growth of mold and mildew as well as killing germs.

4. All-Purpose Spray Cleaner

You don't need to buy chemical spray cleaners. Just mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 3 cups of water, 10 drops of tea tree oil, a teaspoon of liquid soap, and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil in a 1-quart spray bottle. Use this disinfectant spray on counter-tops, sinks, floors, and any surface that needs cleaning.

5. Mold Eradicator

Vinegar is effective against mold. Spray your shower with white vinegar and allow it to soak for about 20 minutes. Then scrub and rinse. Add some tea tree oil to the vinegar for even better effectiveness. Spray your shower after each use to prevent mold from forming again.

For a moldy shower curtain, add a quart of vinegar to the washing machine when you wash the curtain.

6. Weed Killer

Pour or spray white vinegar directly onto weeds. Thoroughly wet the leaves and let the vinegar soak into the ground.

7. Window Cleaner

Mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap per cup of water. Spray onto windows and wipe thoroughly, or dip a cloth into a bucket of this solution and wipe. Use a squeegee to scrape off the cleaner.

8. Remove Odor from the Air

Take about ½ cup of white vinegar and put it in a small bowl and set it on your counter-top. The vinegar will draw odors from the air to freshen your home. I use it all the time, and it works.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Friday, October 8, 2010

Natural Energy and Mood Boosters

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Most of us know that draggy, afternoon feeling when we would love to lie down for a nap. Few of us, however, have the luxury of taking that nap. Also, many of us struggle with depression or tense, angry moods. So what can you do? First, get more sleep each night. That is the first step toward reducing fatigue and irritability, and preventing exhaustion. After you've got that underway, there are other things that can help you boost your mood and your energy. Here are some ideas.

High-Energy Foods

Keeping a high-energy snack on hand will help give you a lift. Here are some ideas.

* Nutty trail mix can help
. Nuts are high in healthy fats and protein. These fats are implicated in relieving depression, especially depression associated with hormonal shifts. Add some dried fruits to the mix. They have natural sugars and fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals. Mix some dark chocolate chips into your trail mix, too - chocolate is not only healthy, but the caffeine can gently open your eyes as well. Don't put white flour pretzels or sweet cereals in your trail mix.

* Whole grains are key to energy. Despite their bad press, carbohydrates are the body's source of energy. Just make sure your carbs are derived from whole, natural grains. Replace white rice with whole grain, and brown rice and conventional pasta with whole wheat pasta.

* Avoid white sugar where you can. Sugar can greatly affect mood, producing a high followed by a grouchy crash (don't all parents know this?).

* Avocados
are another food that boosts both mood and energy due to its high (but healthy) fat content.

* Raw fruits and vegetables can boost energy
. Try snacking on these before reaching for something like pretzels. Maybe you can eat a piece of raw fruit or a leafy green salad with your nutty trail mix on the side.

Vitamins

Controversy remains over the effectiveness of vitamin supplements. But it is true that certain vitamins, such as B-complex, do in fact boost mood and energy levels. And many people do not get enough vitamins in their diets. Therefore, a good multi-vitamin may be just the thing to help you. Or, just supplement with B-complex.

Get Moving


Just getting your circulation going and your muscles working can help you feel more energetic and positive. Take a walk if possible, or do a midday workout. If you work in an office building, see if you can get a couple of minutes to walk a lap or two around the building. And make regular exercise part of your routine.

Nap Like a Cat

Some people swear by the 5- or 10-minute nap for boosting energy. Try sneaking just a doze and see if it peps you up.

Stretch

While you're acting like a cat, stretch. This improves your circulation and helps relieve muscle tension that can tire you out. Yoga, Tai Chi, and other simple stretching exercises and techniques can really help.

Herbal Supplements

Sometimes, a little herbal tea or supplementary capsules can improve mood and boost energy. Herbs that boost energy include:

* Yerba mate
* Tea - green or black
* Ginkgo biloba

Herbs that can gently improve a bad mood include:

* St. John's Wort
* Ginkgo biloba
* Chamomile


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Building Strong Families through Spirituality

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall


The manifestation of spirituality differs in each individual and family. But the overarching concept of spirituality has a bonding effect on the family regardless of how it is practiced.

What Is Spirituality?

In a general sense, spirituality is a life philosophy or approach to life that includes and focuses on spiritual concepts. Spirituality embraces the idea of a human spirit or soul, and seeks to achieve the best state for the soul. A spiritual person believes in a higher power, and practices a set of disciplines and/or behaviors that bring them closer to this higher power.

Spirituality claims to be free from mainstream religion. Spiritual people seek to improve their lives and become better, more positive, loving people.

How Does Spirituality Build Strong Families?

* Forgiveness - Spirituality teaches forgiveness. This is crucial in families, where several people live together under one roof. Knowing how to receive and give forgiveness helps families deal with the inevitable glitches of family life.

* Focus on a higher power - A focus on something higher than yourself helps you break out of a self-centered approach to life. This is conducive to greater harmony in the family, and encourages family members to give of their time and abilities.

* Tolerance and patience - These concepts are components of spirituality. Learning how to be patient and tolerant of other family members is essential to a strong and harmonious family. Everyone makes mistakes; it's how we deal with those mistakes that makes the difference. Spiritual families teach these concepts.

* A sense of belonging - When everyone in a family is drawn together over a common belief system, it gives family members a sense of belonging. Family members see themselves as a unit under the umbrella of a higher belief system.

* Encourages gratitude - Spirituality fosters a sense of gratitude. Because spiritualists acknowledge a higher power, they see the good things in life as blessings and gifts to be appreciated.

* Rituals and behaviors - Practicing the same rituals and behaviors bonds families. If hiking in the woods is a spiritual experience for you and your family, it can become a habitual behavior that you all engage in periodically. It becomes something you share together, which brings family members closer.

* Emphasis on spiritual things - Families that are spiritual do not emphasize material things or appearances. They look beyond the physical, making them more accepting of others in general. A family that does not place importance on material things would be less subject to fights over toys or other items, for example.

* Love for one another - Loving each other is the most important component of a strong, bonded family. Spirituality teaches love for one another, family members included.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Friday, October 1, 2010

The Dangers of “Third-Hand Smoke”

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

For decades we've heard about the dangers of smoking and of second-hand smoke. But there are now concerns over "third-hand smoke," or smoke that has penetrated fabrics, paper, and other substances, and settled on indoor surfaces. This residual smoke can, apparently, form new chemicals when it settles on common household items such as carpets and furniture.

More than one study has looked at the issue of residual tobacco smoke. The results of the most recent study were released early in 2010. The earlier study recognized the presence of third-hand smoke on indoor surfaces, and coined the term "third-hand smoke." The more recent study not only recognized the existence of residual smoke; it indicated its dangers.

Long after a smoker leaves a room, the smoke lingers in the air. It settles on surfaces and penetrates porous ones. The danger, according to the more recent study, is that the tobacco smoke mixes with common indoor air pollutants and forms tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). These are potent carcinogens.

Nitrous acid is produced from gas ovens and burners that are not properly insulated. It is not an uncommon indoor air pollutant, and it was shown in the study to create TSNAs when mingled with residual tobacco smoke. What's odd (and not a little frightening) is that the researchers discovered a TSNA that is not only tobacco-specific, but specific to residual tobacco smoke in particular. This is a TSNA that is not present in smoke that has recently been emitted. In other words, tobacco smoke may become more carcinogenic over time. There are a lot of chemical changes and reactions going on around us, apparently.

The catch is that improving indoor air circulation does not necessarily help. The problem comes from smoke that accumulates on household surfaces or is absorbed into porous materials. And no household objects are immune - children's toys can harbor third-hand smoke just as the kitchen counter and family room carpet do. It is present in household dust, and we all know how ubiquitous that is!

Clothing is another big culprit in third-hand smoke. Parents may pride themselves on not smoking in the same room as their kids, or smoking outside only, but when they cuddle their baby even hours after having a cigarette, their clothing is rife with third-hand smoke.

Adults and children are vulnerable to the dangers of third-hand smoke, but babies and toddlers who explore the world through their mouths (and who are in close physical contact with adults) are especially at risk. Read this article from The New York Times


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

How to Deal with Stress Naturally

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Emotional Healing with Homeopathy

Stress is a significant problem in our modern era. Many people turn to powerful drugs to help them cope, but there are alternatives. Homeopathic medicine offers some positive options.

Homeopathy, or homeopathic medicine, is often considered synonymous with natural or alternative medicine. But homeopathy is a specific kind of natural medicine.

Homeopathic remedies are said to stimulate the body's own reactionary, healing response. Homeopathy is based on the Law of Similar, or the "like cures like" philosophy (hence the first part of the word, "homeo," meaning "like" or "similar"). The theory is that minute, diluted doses of a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person can alleviate those same symptoms in an ill person.

For example, caffeine is a stimulant that keeps people awake. But in homeopathy, extremely diluted doses of caffeine and other stimulants would be given to someone suffering from insomnia. This is known as the Law of the Infinitesimal Dose.

Homeopathic remedies focus on healing the whole person, not just curing the illness or alleviating symptoms. This is why homeopathy is so appropriate and helpful for emotional healing. A specific diagnosis is not necessary before undergoing homeopathic treatment. The remedies are chosen based on the patient's personality and symptoms.

Homeopathic remedies come in various degrees of dilution. The higher the number, the greater the dilution. Remedies that are "3c," for example, have been diluted less than a "6c" remedy. The "c" stands for hundreds. The 3c remedy is therefore diluted 100 times, then 100 more, then 100 more - 100 to the third power, in other words. Sometimes you will see remedies with an "x" rather than a "c" - this means the dilution is based on 10, not 100. A 12x remedy is about the same dilution as 6c.

Emotional Healing

While it's a good idea to consult with a homeopathic practitioner, here are some remedies that are generally recommended for emotional healing.

* Pulsatilla is a remarkable remedy for "weepiness" and depression. It is particularly effective when these symptoms are the result of hormonal shifts in the body, such as puberty, menopause, or post-partum.

* Sepia helps depression that is accompanied by irritability.

* Aurum helps with feelings of self-loathing and thoughts of suicide.

* Calcarea carbonica is used to treat exhaustion and depression, and is helpful with anxiety as well.

Stress

* Sepia can help when feeling overwhelmed, especially when these feelings are due to excessive worries and responsibilities.

* Arsenicum can help a person who is suffering from exhaustion or restlessness. It can also help if a person feels stressed over the need to keep his or her house and belongings perfectly clean and neatly organized.

* Chamomilla is a good remedy for children and adults alike. It helps ease irritability and impatience and promotes a sense a calm.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Tips for Growing Vegetables in a Small Space or City Garden

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Something to start working on for next year.

Would you just love to grow vegetables, but you don’t have the space? While a big sprawling garden may be the ideal, quality vegetables can be grown even in the absence of a yard. Many people who live in apartments in crowded cities still manage to grow great veggies to enjoy.

When you don’t have a yard to plant in, you can turn to container gardening to grow your fresh fruit and vegetables. It’s easy to find pots and other containers, both large and small that work great for apartment gardens. Plastic gardening containers can be purchased fairly cheaply and work well in most cases. If you’re looking for something more stylish, you can buy or make wooden containers.

These keep the soil temperature from fluctuating as much, but require more watering because they’re very porous. If container gardening seems just a little too boring for you, there are plenty of products on the market to make gardens more catchy and cool. One example is the garden sock. This looks like a giant hosiery sock that you can use to plants various vegetables or flowers.

If you’re totally lacking a yard or balcony, you can use more decorative pots or containers. If you place your vegetables correctly in your apartment, they can act as decorative pieces as well as great food. The key for decorating with vegetables is to get creative. Wrapping a vine from a vegetable plant around a post or railing can make a nice accent. Just be sure indoor plants are getting plenty of direct sunlight and do not over water.

You’re probably still thinking “what kind of vegetables could I possibly grow in such a small space?” While there are certain fruits and veggies that grow in small spaces, like strawberries, the real key is picking the right variety of vegetables to grow. Many vegetables have smaller versions that don’t need as much space as their full size counterparts. When picking plants to grow, look at how much room they need to have and how far apart they need to be.

Hopefully one or more of these tips has gotten your imagination growing. Just remember, instead of concentrating on how your small space limits you, think of the fun and creative things you can do with vegetables in the area you do have.


About the Publisher: Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com

Smart Driving Tips to Get More Mileage out of Your Tank

Publisher: Earl Williams
The Affiliate Mini Mall

Why You Should Have the Right Amount of Pressure in Your Tires


There are all kinds of good reasons to have the correct pressure in your vehicle's tires. With the proper tire pressure, you will get better mileage and save fuel, your tires will experience less wear and tear, and your vehicle will emit less pollution. Perhaps most importantly, you will be safer in a vehicle with tires that have the right amount of pressure. Here are some helpful tips and reasons to keep the tire pressure at the right level in your vehicle.

1. More is not better

Some people think that inflating your tires to maximum capacity is the way to achieve the benefits of properly inflated tires, but the key is to inflate them according to the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific vehicle. If you are having someone else put air in your tires, make sure you let him or her know this.

The manufacturer's recommendations for your vehicle can be found on the tire information placard label, usually located on driver's side doorjamb. This information is also in your vehicle's owner's manual. Always make sure your tires are cool before checking your tire pressure. When you drive your vehicle your tires get warm and they will stretch which gives a different reading then when they are cool.

2. Better gas mileage

Having the correct tire pressure saves fuel, which is good for the planet and easier on your finances. Tires that are underinflated will "drag" along the pavement as too much of the tires' surface area comes in contact with the road. This increase in friction forces your engine to work harder - and therefore use more gas - to overcome the friction and maintain speed.

3. Less wear and tear

Tires that are under-inflated are, as noted above, prone to greater friction against the road. This friction not only increases gas usage; it also increases the chance of the tires overheating, which can cause their treads to separate.

Overinflated tires increase the tendency of the vehicle to bounce, making your ride uncomfortable and causing uneven wear - the center of the tire is disproportionately pressed against the pavement while the edges don't hit the road surface much at all. Overinflated tires are also more prone to puncture.

4. Fewer emissions

The engine of a vehicle traveling on correctly inflated tires does not have to work so hard, thus cutting down on emissions. You use less gas, and less carbon dioxide gets into the air.

5. Safety

Maintaining the correct tire pressure is crucial to vehicle safety. Tires without enough air will compromise your ability to brake in time and turn corners. Not being able to handle your vehicle accurately can be the difference between a dangerous accident and no accident at all.

Also, tires that do not have the correct pressure are more prone to damage - either by overheating such as occurs with under-inflation, or by puncturing which is more likely with overinflated tires. A tire that "blows out" while you are driving can put you and your passengers in great danger.


How to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Car


You do not have to purchase a hybrid or electric car in order to reduce your automotive carbon footprint (although it's ideal if you can!). There are ways you can reduce the carbon footprint of your existing car. Here are some tips.

1. Maintain your car

Keeping your car in top working order makes it work more efficiently, thereby keeping emissions and gas usage at a minimum. Some things to keep in mind when taking your car in for maintenance are:

* Tire pressure - Keeping the tire pressure at the optimum level for your specific car can make a great deal of difference in your gas mileage. Be sure to tell the mechanic or technician to inflate the tires according to the manufacturer's standards. It should be printed on the inside of one of your car's doors, and/or in your owner's manual.

* Filters - Clean oil and air filters use a lot less gas than dirty ones, because the engine does not have to work as hard to draw oil or air through clean ones. If the filters are dirty, the engine has to work harder and therefore uses more gas.

* Oil - Keeping your oil fresh is important for maintaining your engine performance. A well-lubricated engine is much more efficient.

* Tune-ups - This is one of the most basic and significant means of effective car maintenance. Regular tune-ups keep your car running efficiently and will extend the life of your car.

2. Turn it off

When you are waiting in your car, turn off the engine when possible. Turn off the air conditioning when you are driving uphill.

3. Drive carefully

You may not realize it, but how you drive your car can have as much impact as how often you drive it. Accelerating rapidly, speeding, or gunning the motor are all wasteful (and dangerous) activities to engage in.

When going uphill, do not try to maintain your exact speed; be willing to slow it down a little and catch up to the speed limit when going downhill. Try to look ahead and anticipate when you will need to stop; slamming on the breaks wastes fuel.

4. Use alternative means of transportation

One of the ways you can responsibly use your car is not to use it! Public transit is inexpensive and far less polluting than cars. You can also make good use your car to transport groups in a car pool.


These are just some of the ways you can reduce carbon footprint of your car. There are benefits for all if we employ some of these techniques; even some insurance companies are offering lower rates to customers who drive their cars less and drive more carefully.


About the Publisher:
Earl Williams is a real entrepreneur who is making money with his online marketing business using some of the largest Affiliate programs on the Internet. He uses the affiliate programs to setup Affiliateminimall.com where you can fine discount shopping along with great coupon deals. To learn more visit: www.shoptamm.com