Upcycle Old Stuff and Make it Cool Again

We've all heard of recycling, which is good for the environment, but how about upcycling?

Upcycling is when you take something old, ugly and/or damaged and make it into something new, interesting, cool, beautiful and functional. It's basically giving something old a makeover so that it has more value than it did before. Great concept, right?

I love decorating my home and collecting interesting and beautiful pieces to make my living space more comfortable. Buying furniture and good quality decor can be fun, but it can also be very costly. I have been building my living room, one piece at a time, with used and vintage furniture that has good structure, but needs a bit of help.

My first project for home decor is upcycling a console table. After some research, I decided to refurbish my table and give it a distressed look. I chose this style because I like the rustic chic look. It reminds me of the Autumn I spent living in the mountains of rural Vermont, doing organic gardening and getting to cook and eat freshly grown food each day. I also love having one of a kind, unique pieces of furniture and this project will turn my table into just that!

I got my wooden console table from Craigslist for $20. It is originally from Bombay Company, which I think is good quality and probably retailed for $150-200. http://www.bombaycompany.com/furniture-store/hall-console-tables

Here is my table's before picture.

I wanted a cool piece of artwork to go with the table, so I got a photo that I took from gathering flowers in the organic Vermont garden and turned it into a vibrant piece of art by getting an inexpensive "photo-to-canvas" Groupon. Once my picture was turned into a photo on canvas, I hung it up and tried to find a pretty color of green paint to match some of the green in my photo. Home Depot had a great low-VOC paint and I found my color!

I gathered all of my supplies from Home Depot. I think this was seriously my first time going in there by myself, and I obviously had no idea what I was doing, but I found someone to help me.

I bought:
a few sheets of 60 coarse grit sandpaper
tack cloth
2 medium sized paint brushes
a 30 oz. container of light green paint
polyacrylic protective finish

Once I gathered my supplies, I got to work. I took guidance primarily from
http://upcycledtreasures.com/2013/06/beach-inspired-console-table/
http://www.hgtv.com/handmade/how-to-distress-furniture/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEYRjltR0jM

First I detached the drawer handles and took out the drawers. I then sanded the entire piece of furniture by hand. Make sure you have enough sandpaper if you have a large piece. Here is the table top after sanding:

Once I sanded everything, I painted the whole table and drawer fronts with one coat of paint. I then let it dry and did a second coat of paint.

Once the second coat of paint dried, I used sandpaper and sanded away paint on the corners of the table and any edges, where paint might normally come off of an old table. You want the piece to look worn out and old. You can sand as little or as much as you like. I tried to make mine look authentic.

After sanding, I painted the table with one coat of polyacrylic protective finish and let it dry.

And here is the finished piece! Since it's Autumn, I decorated my table with some pinecones and mini tiger pumpkins. I also have a key dish on the table and a basket under the table to hold my rain boots and umbrellas.

Natural Autumn Decor Warms Up Your Home

I love Autumn in the northeast. The rich, vibrant, golden colors surrounding us when we are outdoors inspire us to get outside more, appreciate nature and breathe in fresh, crisp air. I find that the deep burgundies, burnt oranges, rich chocolate browns and dark forest greens of the season actually help to comfort and “warm us up” as the weather begins to turn cold and we find the need to break out our knitted sweaters and scarves.

One of my favorite things to do, besides cook and bake like crazy during this season, is decorate my home. I am pretty much OBSESSED when it comes to gourds and home decorating during this time of the year. I enjoy bringing a little bit of nature’s bounty into my home and appreciating all of the rich colors, textures and scents of the season.

When I think of Autumn I think of the smell of Old Fashioned Cinnamon Apple Crisp filling my home and pumpkin everything - pies, breads, muffins, puddings. I also love making hearty soups, stews and roasted vegetables. Pretty much anything warming, creamy and comforting helps me feel nice and toasty from the inside out in this cold weather.

I love to start gathering cute little gourds, different sized edible pumpkins and squashes, pine cones and pressed leaves to arrange as centerpieces for my festive holiday tables. These inexpensive natural decorations can really help to enliven a living space and bring natural beauty into your home.

I recently had a friend over for lunch and made a beautiful arrangement using many of these items. What a difference it made! The table was all dressed up and took our meal from mediocre to fabulous!

To make your own Autumnal inspired decorations, start with some simple gourds and pumpkins. I recently found some beautiful Tiger pumpkins at my local Trader Joe's. How stunning! Mix these with an assortment of mini pumpkins or even some white pumpkins like these:

White pumpkins like these are so stunning and simple, they even look good like this, in a simple arrangement on a plate or bowl.

You could also get more creative and arrange something more elaborate like this:

Here are some other fantastic arrangements that will brighten up your Autumn table for any holiday, family gathering or upcoming Thanksgiving meal:

Here is a more elegant look for a table setting:

 

Check out this link for Martha Stewart's Fall Centerpieces to dress up your table and home: Martha Stewart's Fall Centerpieces

Happy decorating! 

Cooking in Non-Stick or Aluminum Pans, What's the Big Deal?

Over the past ten years or more, there have been concerns about the toxicity of using aluminum and non-stick pans. What's the big deal, right? What actually happens when food is heated in these kinds of cookware? People have been using aluminum for years...

Well, I think this article from TreeHugger.com sums up the information best, addressing health concerns when using these types of cookware.

"Aluminum, a soft metal, is found nearly everywhere in the environment. Most exposures to aluminum occur through ingestion or eating and drinking, with daily intakes generally low, averaging between 30-50 mg. For the typical person, drinking water, medicines and other pharmaceuticals (such as antacids and antiperspirants) are the biggest contributors to aluminum exposures; however, aluminum cookware is also a potential source. As you note, aluminum exposures have raised some health concerns due to the effects of aluminum on the human nervous system and the much discussed (but inconclusive) linkages between aluminum exposures and Alzheimer's disease.

Aluminum exposures from cookware, of which more than half is made of aluminum, is not well studied, but is thought to be a relatively minor source of aluminum exposures. Exposures to aluminum through food can occur when aluminum leaches or otherwise dissolves from the cookware into the food. Leaching is most likely when the foods being cooked or stored are highly basic (like baking soda) or highly acidic (like tomato sauce, lemon juice, oranges, or vinegar). For example, tomato sauce has been shown to contain 3-6 mg aluminum (per 100 g serving) after cooking in aluminum pans, which translates into about one-tenth of the typical daily intake. This leaching of aluminum with acidic foods does not happen with aluminum cookware that is anodized, or electro-chemically processed to seal the aluminum in the cookware. Clemson University Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center tested different cookware types, and found anodized aluminum cookware to be safe. Regardless, it would probably be wise to store tomato sauce and other acidic foods in something other than an aluminum pot."

Using aluminum cookware sounds pretty risky, right? If food is meant to be prepared mindfully and lovingly, for the nourishment of our friends and family, then why would use such questionable wares in our home kitchens? When we know that natural, non-toxic pots, pans and utensils not only don't cause harm, but can actually support our bodies and improve our health, why would we use anything else? Food for thought.

Find the full article from TreeHugger Here

As for non-stick Teflon pots and pans, this snippet from the Environmental Working Group says it best:

"Non-stick surfaces are metal pans (such as aluminum pans) coated with a synthetic polymer called polytetrafluoroetheylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon, a DuPont brand trademark. Learn more about Teflon and its perfluorinated chemical “family” (PFC’s) in our chemical dictionary.

Toxic fumes from the Teflon chemical released from pots and pans at high temperatures may kill pet birds and cause people to develop flu-like symptoms (called "Teflon Flu" or, as scientists describe it, "Polymer fume fever"). Ingesting particles that flake off scratched non-stick cookware isn't toxic because solid PTFE flakes are inert.

Manufacturers' labels often warn consumers to avoid high heat when cooking on Teflon. But EWG-commissioned tests conducted in 2003 showed that in just two to five minutes on a conventional stove top, cookware coated with Teflon and other non-stick surfaces could exceed temperatures at which the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases.

See a graphic of what happens at to Teflon at various temperatures.

Health dangers: When you breathe kitchen air polluted with fumes from overheated Teflon, you're at risk for developing flu-like symptoms (yes, "Teflon flu"). The long-term effects of routine exposure to Teflon fumes, and from Teflon flu itself, have not been adequately studied.

PFCs have been found in nearly all Americans tested by federal public health officials. Chemicals from this family are associated with smaller birth weight and size in newborn babies, elevated cholesterol, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, liver inflammation and weakened immune defense against disease.

Environmental hazards: Manufacturing PFCs and the consumer products that contain them poses great risks to the environment and wildlife. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says PFCs present "persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity properties to an extraordinary degree."

Wow, really? Well if you haven't already thrown out your non-stick pots and pans by this sentence, I bet you'll want to. But you know what, don't take my word for it, look into this subject for yourself. Especially if you have children or feed large groups of people on a regular basis. If you care about the well-being of your family and friends, think twice before cooking with aluminum and on non-stick surfaces.

Find the full article from the Environmental Working Group Here

Freshen Air Naturally

Are you wanting to freshen up your bathroom but don't want to spray toxic chemicals into the air? Although there are some all natural air fresheners in your local natural food store, they are often expensive, some are around $7-8 a can!

1. For a longer lasting natural way to freshen your bathroom and even your whole home, there are a few simple things you can do. First, open all of the windows in your home. This will help to bring fresh air in and move old stale air out. 
2. Next, get your hands on a diffuser and some essential oils. This is my favorite way to refresh a room. It also helps to create an enjoyable mood and can help people to feel relaxed, invigorated or balanced. Fill the top of the diffuser with a few tablespoons of water and then drop one type or a combination of essential oils in the water. Put up to 20 drops or so of essential oil. Then, put a tea light candle in the bottom of the diffuser and light it. Place the diffuser on a stable surface, away from an edge or where children can reach it. As the candle heats up the essential oils, the wonderful scent of the oils will waft throughout your home. 

You can find the [affordable] diffuser pictured above here, Beautiful Diffuser

Not sure which essential oils to try in your home? Choose Your Mood

Here are more options for natural ways to freshen your home, Freshen Air Naturally

Truly Peaceful Candle Light

Many people light candles to help set a relaxing mood, to use in a diffuser, or to commemorate special holidays and events. If you are someone who uses candles in your home on a regular basis, it's a great idea to look into buying a non-toxic kind. Often times, the wax in candles can be made of paraffin, which when burned, can give off poisonous fumes which pollute the air and harm your lungs. Buying beeswax candles can be great because they are non-toxic, but can also prove to be expensive.

I was recently on a mission to find myself some affordable tea lights, since I use candles in my home on a weekly basis. Everywhere I looked I found cheap toxic candles, and not many alternatives. On a routine trip to Whole Foods, I stumbled upon a very affordable and totally toxin-free box of unscented tea lights at a great price. I was so happy after all that searching, I snatched up 3 boxes! Now I use my good-for-me-and-the-planet candles every week in peace- knowing that they are not harming me or my roommates or guests. I am so happy about my new find, I wanted to share it with everyone. So, if you are in the market for tea lights and want to create a healthy and happy home, try out these babies! If you really want to stock up on these because you use them often, you can get them for as low as $48.00 for a case of 400.

Feel good about the products you use in your home around your family. Have peace of mind that you are buying products that will only lead to bringing greater health and happiness to your loved ones. Even though a product like this is more expensive initially that what you might be used to using, you are investing in your family's well-being for the future.

Happy candle burning!

http://www.naturalcandles.com/

Oh-So-Elegant and Eco, Cloth Napkins

I moved, yay! And with my move, I am inspired to begin to create a new home that embodies a greener, more mindful way of living. One thing I am excited about with this new surge of inspiration is switching to cloth napkins.

Switching to using cloth napkins has been in my mind for a while, but has not been something I have been able to do, since I have been traveling. But, now that I am (hopefully) staying in one place for a while, I will be able to enjoy my new napkins and feel good about not creating a lot of unnecessary waste from paper napkins.

I recently scored my colorful, hand printed fair trade napkins at the eco-boutique, Sustainable NYC, but if you don't live in New York, you can find cloth napkins at any home store. Also, if you want to take your eco-commitment up a notch, you can find organic and fair trade varieties online, in many colors and prints.

Check out this website for the classic striped variety above, which are 40% organic cotton:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/porternapkins.html

Mopping Made Easy!

Want an easy, eco way to clean your floors quickly? Who doesn't?

Mop your floors in a few enjoyable minutes with the Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop. A good friend of mine excitedly told me about this awesome mop. It is durable and lightweight and has a reusable microfiber pad that you can toss into your washing machine when it gets dirty. No more disposable pads- more over Swiffer!

It also picks up 50% more dirt and dust than regular mops. The mop has a refillable spray bottle so you can make your own all-natural cleaning solution or use plain hot water. This is especially important if you walk around your house barefoot or have small children crawling around on your floors, since using chemical cleaners can leave a residue of chemicals. I like to use a solution of hot water and white vinegar for cleaning floors, but if you want to really get it clean, you can dilute some Dr. Bronner's with water and spray away!

Check it out online:
Rubbermaid Reveal Mop

If You're Gonna be Lazy... Be a Lazy Environmentalist

It all started out with caring about the environment. This led to a satellite radio show, writing two books about green products, companies and trends, owning an eco-design company, producing and hosting an award-winning eco-reality show, and finally, becoming a national spokesperson and CEO. This guy Josh Dorfman, aka The Lazy Environmentalist, continues to find easy, stylish and inspiring ways for regular people to go green. He also is an example of how someone who really cares about something meaningful and important can turn his passion into a successful career. (Amazing!)

The Lazy Environmentalist is an excellent resource for learning all about great solutions to everyday challenges in making greener lifestyle choices for everything we use in our day-to-day lives.

Check out the books The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. Also, these great websites are handy tools to use for more info and inspiration on easily going MORE green.

The Lazy Environmentalist Website

The Lazy Environmentalist TV Show

Greener Spring Cleaning

I recently started to help a friend clean her elderly parent's home and she suggested we pick up some natural ingredients to make homemade cleaning supplies. I was happy to hear of her sensitivity to using natural cleaning products and while we shopped, we found these great natural fiber non-scratch scrub sponges by Scoth-Brite. How exciting to use another natural product in cleaning that is 50% made from the agave plant, 23% recycled paper and uses 100% natural fibers! Spring cleaning just got a little greener.

http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scotchbrite/greenerclean/

Fire and Light

For beautiful eco-glass dinnerware and giftware, check out Fire & Light. They have a beautiful and colorful array of hand poured colored glass pieces that are made with over 91% recycled glass.


I have one of their cobalt blue soap dishes at my kitchen sink and I love it!
Check them out at:

http://www.fireandlight.com/movie/
http://www.fireandlight.com/

Home Decor with Unique Eco-Cushions

Add style and flair to your home with this lovely succulent hand dyed merino wool cushion or the free form felt rock cushions below. These unique 'creative products with a conscience' from Be Sweet are fair trade and help support community development around the world. Find out more info at:

http://besweetproducts.com/index.php

An Easy Way to Shop Green

For an easy way to shop green, you don't have to travel further than your local Target store, or better yet, further that your own home, since you can shop online at:

http://www.target.com/b/sr=1-2/qid=1245882124/ref=sr_ilm_2/186-7739637-9022561?ie=UTF8&node=357202011

Check out the great selection of affordable eco-friendly home, kitchen and apparel goods.

Lovely Organic Cotton Towels

These beautiful and soft towels from Gaiam are are 100% organic cotton and the colors are created from low impact dyes. Chlorine and softener-free finishing keeps the cotton soft, perfect for for your eco-home! These towels come in a set with a bath towel, hand towel and wash cloth, or can be purchased individually. I have a few sets in my bathroom and use the washcloths for my body scrub.

You can find these towels at:
http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-home-outdoor/bathroom/view+all/organic+cotton+towels.do