Making your own cleaning products

So many of the cleaning products on the market have dangerous ingredients in them. We thought we'd give you some ideas on making your own products out of safe ingredients.

For the sink try baking soda, add just enough dish soap to make a paste, and use a half of a lemon as a scrubber. This will leave your sink smelling great too.

On wood try a mixture of white vinegar and olive oil.

Remember that vinegar is a disinfectant - you can use it on almost any surface. If the smell bothers you, add a few drops of an essential oil.

To clear a clogged drain use 1 cup baking soda followed by 3 cups of boiling water.

No more worries about keeping the kids away from the cleaning supplies.

Feeding your kids

Although ultimately your child will decide what to eat, you can help him start healthful eating habits by providing wise selections.  Children know how much they need to eat, but they don't know what kids of food to eat.  

Children should have 6 servings or bread or grains daily, 3-5 servings of vegetables, 2-4 servings of fruit, 3-4 servings of milk, and 2-3 servings of protein.

Something I always wonder about is serving size.  According to WIC, we should give our children one tablespoonful of each food for each year of the child's age (a 5-year old should have 5 tablespoons of vegetables and 5 tablespoons of rice) and let them ask for more if they're still hungry.

A serving size for bread, grain or cereal is roughly 1/2 cup;

for vegetables a serving size is 1/3 - 1/2 cup raw or cooked;

one serving of fruit is 1/2-1 small piece of fresh fruit, or 1/3-1/2 cup canned fruit;

3/4 cup is a serving of milk (or 1 ounce of cheese);

1 1/2 ounce (3TB) is a serving of meat or fish, 1/2 cup is a serving of vegetable protein (lentils, tofu, peanut butter.)

How to treat Injuries

School's almost out and the kids will be playing outside more.  Be sure to have first-aid supplies on hand just in case.  Bumps and bruises are sure to happen, but what if it's more?

For scrapes and cuts - usually they'll stop bleeding on their own, but if not, apply gentle pressure for 20-30 minutes.  Clean thoroughly with soap and water, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment, and cover with a dressing.  If the cut is deep, visit the hospital or doctor to see if stitches are necessary.

Ankle sprain - ice it and wrap in an elastic bandage and make an appointment with the pediatrician.  If the swelling is significant, visit the E.R.

If there's something stuck in your child's ear - try getting it out using gravity.  Have your child or use tweezers to gently take it out.  Do not put any tool into your child's ear.  If it's an insect, try tilting your child's head so the insect is upward.  Then pour mineral oil or olive oil into the ear and try to float the insect out.  Do not try this for anything else - only insects.  If these don't work or your child still has pain, seek medical advise.

Blisters - cover a small blister with an adhesive bandage.  For large blisters, cover with a plastic-coated gauze pad that allows the blister to breathe and absorbs moisture.

For bumps, bruises and strains - rest the area; ice the area for 20 minutes every 2 hours; compress with an elastic bandage, but don't do it too tightly; and elevate the area is possible to improve circulation and reduce swelling.

Getting rid of junk mail

Each year the average household in America receives 1.5 trees' worth of junk mail.  42% of timber harvested nationwide ends up as pulpwood for paper.  Just think of the resources we could save if everyone reduced just their junk mail each year.  Visit www.41pounds.org to sign up for their service.  They do all the leg work and stop your junk mail for five years.  It costs $41, but is well worth it.

Another good resource is yellowpagesgoesgreen.org.  Visiting this site can get rid of the unwanted yellow pages that end up on your doorstep.