Conservation Tips
There are different opinions about global warming and the effects of global warming. Regardless of what you believe, always making the least harmful choice has better earth friendly results. the chesmore's
Help protect our world's Butterflies and Bees.
Insecticides, urban development, dwindling food plants and nectar plants threaten not only their survival, but the very ability to pollinate our food sources.
ButterflyWay.com is planting additional butterfly and bee friendly gardens, removing useless ornamental grasses.
We strive to recycle as much as possible; to conserve energy, water and changing our daily shopping habits. We also have invested in alternative energy, efficient and eco friendly lighting. Lastly, we are encouraging others to become aware.
We won't tell you these changes are easy, as we have been well trained to be unaccountable to nature.
"Look deep into nature, and then you
will understand everything better"
-Albert Einstein
Butterfly Garden Greener Tips
Plant a tree…
A lemon tree or a butterfly friendly tree? One tree can absorb up to 1 ton of carbon dioxide in its life time.
Plant a Nut Tree…
Walnuts can be frozen indefinitely and are a great source of protein and good oils. The bonus is soaking up carbon dioxide and uses only water and sun to produce, unlike meat products that require numerous resources to produce.
Friendly Pesticide...
Use a couple drops of dish soap (preferable without dyes, phosphates and perfumes) in a spray bottle with water. Spray your plants over and under the leaves.
If there are butterfly larva, wait until the larva becomes a Butterfly. The other option is to remove the unwanted critters by hand.
Spray your plants with the hose. This should knock off the unwanted bugs. You may have to repeat this process if you have aphids…or hand squish!
Snails and slugs love Beer…so give them some in a dish with the rim even with the soil surface.
Protect Your Prized Vegetables!...
Use tulle cloth over your vegetables to protect from unwanted insects. Place sticks around your vegetables with the tulle cloth draped over the sticks attached with clothes pins (you can find tulle cloth at your local fabric store and its inexpensive). This isn't 100%, but work well when accompanied with soapy spray.
If you must use pesticides, shop wisely and use lightly.
After treatment, cover the as plant with a sheet or plastic so precious critters don't land on the poison and die soon after. Once the pesticide is no longer toxic, remove. Remember to recycle the plastic.
Why mow a lawn when you can have a Butterfly Garden?
Try this site for ideas on planning your Butterfly Garden:
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Butterflies.htm
Try this site for Cleaning Products
Homemade Cleaning Products Help Save the Earth| OnlineTip
Non-toxic Cleaning Recipes
Here's a few of our favorite recipes. Follow the recipe or experiment a little with the ingredients to make your own!
All-Purpose Cleaner
suggested uses: hard surfaces like countertops and kitchen floors, windows and mirrors
2 cups white distilled vinegar
2 cups water
20-30 or more drops of essential oil (optional)
Tip: Warming in microwave until barely hot will boost cleaning power for tough jobs. Only microwave in a glass container.
Creamy Soft Scrub
suggested uses: Use this creamy soft scrub on kitchen counters, stoves, bathroom sinks, etc.
2 cups baking soda
½ cup liquid castile soap*
4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (acts as a preservative)
5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any scent you prefer (optional)
Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar, shelf life of 2 years.
Tips: For exceptionally tough jobs spray with vinegar first—full strength or diluted, scented—let sit and follow with scrub.
Dry soft scrubs
Can be made with baking soda or salt (or combination of both) with 10-15 drops essential oil to scent.
*WVE recommends using a liquid castile soap that does not contain sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate (SLS) or Diethanolamine (DEA), which may have harmful side effects.
Furniture Polish
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
20-30 drops lemon essential oil
Shake well before using
(2 teaspoons lemon juice may be substituted for lemon oil but then must be stored in refrigerator)
Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft brush to work the polish into corners or tight places.
Tips: To remove water spots rub well with toothpaste. To remove scratches use 1 part lemon juice and 1 part oil, rub with soft cloth.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Option 1
Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar, let soak for at least 30 minutes and scrub with toilet brush.
Option 2
Put ¼ cup borax in toilet bowl and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Swish with a toilet brush and then scrub. A few drops of pine oil can be added for increased disinfecting. (Note: some people are allergic to pine oil.)
Tip: Let ingredients soak for a while to make for easy scrubbing, especially on persistent stains like toilet bowl rings
Drain Opener
½ cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar
Pour baking soda down the drain and follow with vinegar. Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Flush with boiling water.
Tip: Prevent your shower from clogging by using a drain trap to catch hairs.
Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax
Soap flakes can be made by grating your favorite pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater. Mix ingredients together and store in a glass container. Use 1 tablespoon per load (2 for heavily soiled laundry), wash in warm or cold water.
This standard recipe can be adjusted for soft water by using 1 cup soap flakes, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. For hard water, use 1 cup soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup borax.
Note: Borax should not be ingested.
Tips: Add 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to rinse as a fabric softener. For a whitener, use hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach. Soak your dingy white clothes for 30 minutes in the washer with 1/2 cup 20% peroxide. Launder as usual.
For more great recipes, visit care2.com
Some great recipes (pdf) from the Association of Vermont Recyclers
Do homemade cleaners work? Learn more about the properties of these cleaners!
Environmental Questions?
Ask Umbra! Go to:
grist.org , then click on ask umbra.
This is a Great Site! Click on "Report Card" and be shocked!
http://womenandenvironment.org/pdf/2008_report_card.pdf/view?searchterm=report%20card
Other links to check out:
http://womenandenvironment.org/
these sites suggested by rapidresponse@pprc.org