Sharing is Caring, Especially When It Comes to Cleaning

Fun Facts About Beer

January 20 by

We all know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and that a glass of red wine is good for the heart, but what about a nice cold beer?

While beer is high in calories, it is high in B vitamins too! A Dutch study showed that beer drinkers had higher levels of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. Moderate beer drinking has also been shown to decrease your risk of stroke and kidney disease, while at the same time decreasing the risk of dementia.

Most women are likely to make the switch from beer to wines or hard liquors because drinking too much beer leads to the well known weight gain phenomenon called the “beer belly.” However, when it comes to quality calories, beer isn’t as empty as it seems. The key is to drink in moderation. Instead of focusing on light beers with no flavor, try to find out what styles of beers you most enjoy. Sipping a well made, great tasting beer will give you many more benefits that quickly tossing back something with a few less calories.

Last but not least, beer had very high levels of silicon, which can help increase bone density.

Cheers!

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DIY Holiday Gift Baskets

December 20 by

Gifts are always nicer when they come from the heart. Giving a personalized present to your loved ones doesn’t have to be a hassle with home made gift baskets.

Start by thinking about each particular person’s favorite things. For coffee or tea lovers, add a few different fair trade coffee/tea varieties. Top it off with a new mug filled with home made cookies.

Do you have a friend who loves to cook? Fill his/her basket with some gourmet salts, exotic spices, or a new apron. Throw in a cook book, or make a recipe book out of a pretty journal, or a beautiful box with index cards.

Spoil someone with a gift basket of organic soy candles, bath beads, potpourri and a nice lotion or new bathrobe.

Pick out a few baskets from a flea market or craft store. If the baskets are too big it will look empty, so pay attention to size. Wrap the baskets in shrink wrap, tying the top closed with a ribbon, and heat with a blow dryer.

Viola, the perfect present!

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Conservative Never Looked So Cool

September 5 by

I recently read a review of the 2011 MTV Music Video Awards which congratulated the network, performers and guests for this year’s more conservative, simplistic platform and behavior.

While performers like Lady Gaga and Chris Brown, wowed and impressed the crowd and viewers with their chart topping songs and creative choreography, their performances received acclaim for the simplistic approach. Some even said it was refreshing to see celebrities tone down the drama and extravagance.

It seems like in these scary, uncertain times, even celebrities have started promoting conservatism and sustainability. I applaud this cultural shift and the celebrities who, conscientiously or unconscientiously, set a leading example.

This helps us reinforce conservation and sustainability across the board. Whether you start a recycling program in your neighborhood or donate reusable water bottles to your office water cooler, follow this year’s trend and make conservative and sustainable actions look cool in your life.

Filed Under: Going Green, News Tagged With: , , ,

Amy Winehouse and Clean Living

August 8 by

It’s been about a week since the death of British jazz singer Amy Winehouse hit newsstands and social networking sites. While reporters, police and fans attempt to find the cause, I think that international interest keeps neglecting an important fact. Her death is about clean living.

Winehouse was a woman struggling with a serious illness, like several other millions of people in the world. Winehouse suffered from substance addiction. And, instead of educating the public about the reality of substance addiction, we subconsciously teach all generations to view addicts as dangers to social order or romanticized visions of fame. Yes, Winehouse, joined the 27 Club but that’s not important. She was unable to successfully live a clean life—a life without excessive amounts of drugs and alcohol.

For some people, clean living means having your house professional cleaned. But for others, clean living is truly a life or death decision.

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Carpet Use Throughout History

April 26 by

Though carpets are most commonly used today as home floor coverings, historically, they have had an
array of other uses that have contributed to their rich history.

The practice of hanging and displaying carpets as treasured artwork originated prior to the 17th century when carpets hung from castle walls as decorative pieces, and lay flat on tables, benches, and trunks as artistic coverings.

Other historical sources point out that carpets and rugs were used as curtains, blankets, canopies, saddle covers, and even tomb covers for those that could afford the fine art.

In addition, carpets also had many regal purposes as their value and intricate weavings were highly prized by aristocrats and royalty. In such cases, carpets were sometimes used as tribute money, gifts from one state to another, and ground coverings for special ceremonies.

In the US, during the 19th century, a new use for carpets came about along with the term “carpetbagger.” This term, designated for opportunist Northerners arriving in the Southern US with their belongings in bags made of old oriental carpets, has remained a term still in use today. Along with this term, the trend of using old carpets as material for bags and luggage has continued in women’s fashion.

A departure from these traditional uses of carpets, today, different types of carpets are used for soundproofing music studios, Astroturf carpet is used in stadiums and other playing fields in replacement of grass, and cat-scratching posts for beloved pets.

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