I guess it has been quite a while since I was last here! I can't say that I have simplified much in the past four seasons! But now it is spring cleaning time. This month I attended a seminar about health and wellness. The speaker was Natalie Foeller of the Centre of Education for Children's Health and the Environment. www.ceche.net What an eye-opener that was!
Tips:
- Cross-ventilate your home. Open all windows for 20 minutes a day.
- There is pesticide in VIM and chlorine bleach.
- Plastics: Do not drink out of them. Use Klean Kanteen or SIGG. www.kleankanteen.com www.mysigg.com Plastics # 3,6, and 7 are garbage. Plastics # 2, 4, and 5 are safer but never put them in the dishwasher or microwave! Plastic # 1 is for one use only.
- Phthalates: estrogen imitator, respiratory problems, carcinogen, and neurotoxin. They are found in Febreeze, Johnsons and Johnsons baby wash and lotion, Swiffer wet, plug ins and air freshners, baby wipes, nail polish, PVC and vinyl (#3 plastic),etc. http://www.ceche.net/PDFs/plastics.pdf
I have become a member of Melaleuca (www.melaleuca.com). I am very happy with their cleaners, vitamins, and personal care products. Anyone else know of any safer alternatives? Please let me know about the companies you have decided to use. I am always looking for ways to improve my home environment and the safety of my children.
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The snow has arrived in Nova Scotia.
The children love to go sledding, make snowforts and snowmen.
Then inside they come with red noses and fingers.
Yummy hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies.
We enjoy the snow while it is here..lately it has only been lasting a few days.
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We have a new addition to the homestead. "Raja" is a cute blond kitten. I have never seen another cat this color! The children love him. He has been dressed up in doll clothes and carted around. He has found a great hiding place inside the couch!!!
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I have been reading every book my local library has in stock on the topic of "simple living."
I am trying not to buy so much "stuff"...where does it all come from?! I have been sorting and cleaning and tossing and giving away!!! But I just keep finding more and more. It was in closets and boxes and bins and ....Yes, I admit, I am a packrat and it is hard to stop 
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Any suggestions for keeping rats and mice away?!
I am buying a cat at next opportunity.
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I have been reading other blogs today and I am feeling overwhelmed!! What should I do first?! I desire soooo much to be a true homesteader, but I feel I am at a loss. All you experienced homesteaders, what are the top three things that I should do in my home? I need to get started, but where?!
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I am attempting to be a "homesteader". I have been homeschooling for six years now. Two years ago I started to buy more natural and unprocessed foods. I have a small herb and flower garden.
At our old home my husband had a medium-size vegetable garden. But alas, our present lot is very small and our soil is poor. I would like to know about "raised" vegetable gardens and how to garden organically...just the basics for now (carrots, beans, tomatoes, peas, radishes..)
We would love to move to a more secluded area with more acreage. We have a spot in mind and we are just waiting for God to open up the doors:-)
That's all for now.