8/27/10

Upcycle old silk flowers into ceramic-looking ones in minutes. Mix about two cups of powdered plaster (from the hardware store) with water according to the package instructions. Dip each silk flower into the plastic and dry standing upright by securing them to an old Styrofoam block. When dry, arrange in a basket just like ceramic flowers.

8/26/10

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies that can make sleeping at night difficult. One often-overlooked area that can be a breeding ground for dust mites is our drapes. Every few months, remove your drapes and run them through the dryer (without washing) on high heat for a few minutes to remove all the dust, dander, pollen and dust mites. If that isn't possible, be sure to use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to give them a good cleaning.

8/25/10

Don't confuse the words "organic" and "healthy" with each other. Just because a box of chocolate-dipped cookies filled with white frosting are certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it doesn't mean they are good for you. What does make them better is the fact the ingredients have been grown without harmful insecticides or chemical fertilizers. So while your waistline may not go down by eating organic cookies, at least your eco-guilt can lighten up.