Dryer Balls

Further to my post on Laundry Solutions I have come across another laundry helper - Dryer Balls.  Dryer Balls have spikes on the outside to lift and separate clothing, allowing the heat and air in a tumble dryer to circulate more freely.  Clothes dry more quickly and you use less energy.  They also soften your laundry naturally by physically manipulating the fabric.  The can cut drying time by up to 25% (and who doesn't want to save power these days considering our August power bill was $650 eeekkk)  Laundry balls will last up to five years and they are hypo-allergenic too, brilliant!!  It is the safe, easy way to soften fabrics while saving money on chemical fabric softeners, dryer sheets and energy. Clothes will dry up to 25% faster too. Dryer balls are reusable over and over again and they last for years! 

How do I use the dryer ball?
Simply place both of your dryer fluff balls (there are 2 per pack) into the dryer with your laundry and set the dryer to desired heat setting. 

I've just ordered mine off TradeMe for $5, the same seller also does 3 Washing Balls and 2 Dryer Balls for $40

Toxic Products especially Nail Polish

Did you know that the average adult uses at least 9 personal care products per day, exposing them to 126 synthetic chemicals? And that 89% of 10,500 ingredients currently used in personal care products have NOT been evaluated for safety!  Let me start with most mainstream skincare products these days have some level of toxicity (im not talking about Natural or Organic products) and by skincare I refer to face care products, toothpaste, body wash, makeup, hairspray, shampoos, liquid soaps, moisturisers and deodorants and that's just naming a few!


Nail polish seems to have an even more toxic recipe, traditionally nail polish has many chemicals in it including (but by no means limited to) toluene (solvent), formaldehyde (preservative and polish strengthener) and Dibutyl Phthalte (DBP) (plasticizer - allows movement and keeps polish adhered to the nail)  Toulene effects the central nervous system and is a possible reproductive and developmental toxin (definitely not the best to use if you are pregnant!)  Formaldehyde (also called formalin) is the chemical used to preserve dead bodies and may cause allergic reactions in some people and is also a carcinogen (can cause cancer)


As for DBP, studies suggest that phthalates cause birth defects in laboratory animals and recently been shown to cause reproductive organ birth defects in boys particularly and has been banned in Europe after the EU banned it along with many other personal-care product ingredients known or strongly suspected to cause cancer, mutations and birth defects.


Now dont completely freak out, here are two things to consider: one is that nail polish makers are under pressure to reduce or eliminate potentially toxic ingredients and in 2006, several makers agreed to phase them out.  Two, these chemicals are found everywhere in everyday mainstream skin care products and I mentioned above.


The good news is that there are alternatives, try and change not just your skincare products but also all your cleaning products to ranges like Ecostore, Baby Bird or alternatively get Wendyl Nissen's book 'A Home Companion' and 'A Domestic Goddess on a Budget' (I'm waiting on tender hooks for her new book on baby care to come out!) or check our her site, Wendyl's Green Goddess and try and make your own, she lists all her recipes on her packaging and on the site, well done Wendyl!

Look for skincare products that are organic or as natural as possible (don't go by what they are called, such as 'Natural Essences') actually check the ingredients and if you dont know what to look for or if you dont understand what an ingredient is, dont buy it until you have checked it out here - if in doubt, check it out!  Take control of what you use in your house and on your body, you DO have a choice, especially if you are pregnant - remember everything that you breathe in or use on your skin goes directly to your baby via the umbilical cord.

And at Rejuvenate I only use natural or organic products and that goes for what I clean the room, the sheets and the towels with.  My nail polish products SpaRitual are DPB, Toulene and Formaldehyde free and the SpaRitual manicure and pedicure products are made with certified organic ingredients!

Arrange a Better (and more beautiful) Bouquet

A lovely bunch of flowers bought from the florist or the supermarket may have been grown in a greenhouse thousands of miles away (Kenya is the largest supplier of cut flowers to the European Union).  Apart from the environmental issue of transport over long distances, the boom in horticulture in some developing countries has a high social and environmental cost.  In Colombia, the flower industry uses enormous amounts of polluting pesticides and exposes poorly paid garden workers to chemicals that may be carcinogenic or toxic.  In drier regions, such as Kenya, horticulture requires substantial amounts of water and, as a result, overuses local water resources.


Flowers especially Roses imported into New Zealand (which let me say most Roses that we buy at florists or supermarkets are imported - I'd be surprised to find any that aren't) are dipped and sprayed with anti-fungals, virus and bacteria killing toxic chemicals.  So not only are they bad for the environment becuase they have been transported from overseas, grown using pesticides, and large amounts of water but they are really unhealthy to have in your house.  We have always had huge Lavender hedges growing around our houses, and I always plant Iceberg Roses, so we always have a supply of flowers in the garden for vases all year round.


If you want a traditional bouquet, seek out organic or Fair Trade flowers, Look for the Fair Trade or VeriFlora labels, which ensure your flowers come from farms with high environmental and labour standards.  And consider buying or giving a potted plant from a local nursery as a gift rather than a bunch of flowers.  Check out the Give Plants website on how to send a plant rather than a bouquet - gosh I'd love to receive one of these, they look amazing and it will last far longer! 

Make Up - Do you think about what you are putting ON your body's biggest organ - the skin?

I came across some amazing blogs recently one is Anya's Green Baby and Anya has written a guest post on Kanelstrand Organic Living, this post was about Make-up and some great alternatives and what to look for when you choose Make-up.


When we are 'greening' our homes and clearing out the toxic chemicals quite often we forget about one of the most important things which is to check the products we use on our skin and hair, she has put this beautifully in her blog, check it out and re-think what you use and why:

http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2011/05/time-to-save-superwoman-from-her-make.html

Whats really in your Sunscreen?

I know its the wrong time of year for us but I just received an email from 'Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' and thought id share an excerpt with you:


"Have you ever wondered about the claims on the bottle of sunscreen in your medicine cabinet or beach bag?  Environmental Working Group (one of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics' founding organizations) has released its 2011 Sunscreen Guide.


Of the more than 600 beach and sports sunscreens analyzed, EWG can only recommend one in five.
Why? For starters, the sunscreen industry continues to use misleading, sky-high SPF ratings that may protect against UVB rays that cause sunburn but leave skin at risk for UVA damage.
Plus, many companies are still using retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A that might actually speed the development of skin tumors on sun-exposed skin, as well as hormone disruptors and nanoparticles (a particular concern for spray and powder products), both of which  present other potential health threats.
Fortunately, there are companies making effective and safe sunscreens. Find safe options, see the "Hall of Shame" and learn more about sunscreen safety: Read EWG's 2011 Best Sunscreen Guide"


I have the most amazing sunscreen available at Rejuvenate, USpa's Organic Sun Defence SPF 20, this unique moisturizer created by Uspa from the ground up provides sun protection as well as offering anti-oxidant benefits and soothing hydrating properties. The Green Tea extract provides powerful antioxidants to assist in the fight against signs of aging and sun damage. The Aloe Vera nourishes and hydrates by infusing the skin with humectants. Uspa Organic Sun Defense also contains light Rose Oil, Lavender Oil, and Vitamin E to help soothe and nourish the skin. This is the perfect combination for your defense against the sun. Screens harmful UVA and UVB rays. PABA free/fragrance free. Regular use of sunscreens can aid in the prevention of some skin cancers and premature aging of the skin. Highly hydrating without leaving a residue or white tint.  Sunscreen by Uspa Screens harmful UVA and UVB rays. PABA free/fragrance free. Regular use of sunscreens can aid in the prevention of some skin cancers and premature aging of the skin.


And my wonderful Sensé Daytime Protective Emulsion has an SPF15 in it, perfect for everyday use!

Don't eat what you don't agree with - vote with your $

In our house we only eat Free-Range eggs, bacon and chicken, if we cant afford it we don't buy it and go without.  My theory is I'd rather eat vegetarian than support industries that are in the business of making money without caring about the welfare of their animals.


We love Freedom Farms ham (well my son does!)  And lots of other companies out there are jumping on the Free Range bandwagon and good on them, our new favorite is Kiwi Bacon who are doing New Zealand Free Farmed, its a slightly cheaper price which makes it more accessible for all, and its readily available from Pak'n'Save


My main point here is vote with your dollar, if you don't agree with something then don't buy it!

Beware of Off-Gassing

New non-metallic products that contain VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) will 'offgas' for years, which means they will release chemicals into the surrounding air by evaporation (this is what you can identify as the 'new car smell') in your home or place of work.  The effects are even more toxic in a well insulated building.  Buying second-hand furniture means that it has done most of is off gassing already and you are also giving a home and life to a piece that may end up in the dump.


I specifically chose a second-hand cot for my son firstly because of the off-gassing issue (I chose a Nature Baby Touchwood cot more than 4 years old, as the oil used back then was less toxic), secondly its an item used for a short time and doesn't need to be new, and thirdly we would never have been able to afford to buy new as these cost close to $1100 with the mattress (I'm a true believer in buying second-hand quality products that will hold their value for re-sale in the future!)

Give your Clothes a Second Life

Fashions change and clothes gradually accumulate in wardrobes.  On average, the manufacture of 1,000 items of new clothing produces over 200Kg of waste as cloth, paper, and packaging.  If old clothes are in good condition they can be put back into circulation on the second-hand market, TradeMe is perfect for this as its a win/win situation, someone gets your old clothes that they want and will use and you get their money.  You can also give to charity or if you know ow to sew, alter old clothes into new garments.  The second-hand market offers an economic, environmentally friendly alternative to new clothes.


Sift through your clothes, and donate those you no longer wear to charity or sell them.  Clothes that are too damaged to be worn again can be used as cleaning rages.  When buying clothes think of alternatives to new, such as TradeMe or Op Shops, which is an increasing trend, keeping up with fashion, while consuming less - I bought the most lovely cream Dorothy Perkins top from an Op Shop the other day, brand new with tags, never worn $12!!


And its not just clothes, think household items as well - there are some amazing bargains to pick up - and vintage is cool!

Weed by Hand

Each year gardeners pour millions of litres of chemicals onto their lawns and gardens.  Excessive use of herbicides and other pesticides threatens biodiversity and freshwater resources, two essential elements of life on earth.


Avoid using chemical weed killers.  To remove weeds from your garden, hoe regularly, and pull weeds out before they can seed.  Boiling water from a kettle (I tend to use what is left over from when I make a cup of tea), Vinegar and lemon juice can also be used to kill some weeds.

Do the small things, but don't lose sight of the big picture

Making small adjustments to our daily habits is important.  For example, if every household replaced one regular bulb with a compact fluorescent, it would prevent the equivalent of the emissions generated by 800,000 cars (however, at this stage we have decided against using CF's in our house, as I'm not totally comfortable with what may be some negative effects, more information on this website http://hubpages.com/hub/Negative-Side-Of-Compact-Flourescent-Bulbs-CFLs)


However, we cannot alleviate the strain on our planet simply by buying better dish soap or using rechargeable batteries.  As we implement the small improvements, we must keep in mind the need for greater change.  reducing the amount of petrol we use by driving hybrids or small fuel efficient cars is good, but creating public transport systems that eliminate the need for cars is much better.  Some of the big-picture actions we should keep in mind are ridding ourselves of oil dependence; reducing the amount of land we require for food and limit the environmental impacts of big agriculture; re-imagining our communities and living standards to curb unsustainable suburban sprawl; and electing officials, from the local level to parliament, who have clear environmental priorities and policies.


Don't compartmentalise your efforts: Understand where each gesture fits into the larger context of sustainability and always look for ways to make a leap toward great change!

Air Freshners.....

The CFC's (choloflurocarbons) in aerosols are now illegal in the EU, but artificial air freshers are still an energy-intensive and toxic way to produce a 'nice' smell.  Each year the UK uses around 600 million aerosol cans, yet aerosol propellants contain flammable and nerve-damaging ingredients as well as tiny particles that can lodge in your lungs.  Fragrances of all kinds can provoke allergic and asthmatic reactions, also take into account the new advertising genius of 'botanical' and 'aromatherapy' plug ins - these again are nothing more than chemical creations with nothing beneficial to your home or body!


Replace artificial air fresheners with an essential oil diffusers, candles, incense (be careful of which one you choose, as these are have also been proven to be as bad as smoking), fragrant plants or flower arrangements (citronella, honeysuckle or lavender).


My favourite oil diffuser is the Aroma Stone by Absolute Essential one that stays on 24 hours a day at the cost of about 20c per day, it contains no water, you just place about 5 drops of the essential oil directly on the stone, and viola, a lovely smell!


And remember essential oils or aromatherapy, not only smells nice but you can use different oils to help with health issues, I regularly use Absolute Essentials Head Ease when I have a headache or migraine, it can often help and I wont have to take medication.  


Absolute Essentials have an amazing range of products and what I LOVE is that they are labeled so that I know which ones are Mother-to-be, Baby and Child friendly!  Check out their website www.absoluteessential.co.nz and if you wish to order anything I can get these into Rejuvenate for you!

Pumpkin is in abundance - Pumpkin and Spinach Lasagne

Well its that wonderful time of year when everything in the garden is fruiting at once, we've had a pretty good tomato harvest which has all gone into salads and into pasta and veges for our wee one.  Our perpetual spinach, just keeps feeding us, its amazing, every week it provides us with at least one vegetarian meal.

Our neighbours and friends from our old house popped over and gave us 2 pumpkins, I made a sensational Pumpkin and Spinach Lasagne, a total triumph!  I also made a pumpkin and lamb casserole in the crockpot, a total disaster, that went into the compost!  My husband wanted to give the other pumpkin away, but as pumpkin lasts I think I'll hold onto it.

Pumpkin and Spinach Lasagne

1/2 Medium Pumpkin, chopped, cooked in vegetable stock and mashed

1 Onion, chopped finely

2 Cloves garlic crushed

10 Large Spinach Leaves chopped finely

1 Large container Cottage Cheese

2 eggs

1/2 cup of Edam Cheese

Salt and Pepper

6 Fresh tomatoes

San Remo Wholemeal or Organic Pasta

Pine Nuts

Use the left over stock from the pumpkin and cooked down the whizzed up or finely chopped up tomatoes, cook down in an open pot for 20 minutes or until it has reduced down to a thick sauce.

In a bowl combine Onion, Garlic, Spinach, Cottage Cheese, Eggs, 1/2 of the Edam and Salt and Pepper.

Assemble lasagne by placing a layer of the tomato sauce, followed by sheets of lasagne, Spinach mixture, pumpkin, continue until you have used all the ingredients, you should get about 3 or 4 layers depending on your container.  Sprinkle the top layer with the left over cheese and pine nuts.  Cook in a moderate oven for 35-45 minutes, enjoy!

Our Autumn table, our neighbours kindly donated Pumpkin, our yellow tomatoes and some beautiful flowers that my husband bought me!

Dairy and Egg Free Savoury Pancakes

I'm trying to come up with ingenious recipes to use the vegetables out of the garden.  I made pancakes for lunch the other day for the family as I wanted to use up the huge Courgette out of the garden and had run out of eggs.  These were delicious and easy, and a great way to get veges into the little ones!

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Soda Water

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 1/2 Tbsp Rice Bran Oil (or any other oil you have)

1/2 Cup Rice Milk

1 Grated Courgette

Fillings of your choice - I used mushroom, tomato and ham

Mix all ingredients together except for the fillings, pour into an oiled pan, when bubbles form place in the fillings then flip in half, fry until cooked. Yum!

New Products I Love!

Thought I'd just do a shout out for a few new products that have graced the supermarket shelves lately that I've been impressed with


San Remo Wholemeal Pasta range, I cant rave about this enough, not only does it taste great (adults and children would not know the difference from normal pasta), the price is reasonable too.  It comes in Penne, Spaghetti and Lasagna, yum!  San Remo also do really reasonably priced Organic range.  Available currently at Countdown


Vileda Naturals range of cleaning sponges and scourers, my favorite is the Vileda Naturals All Purpose Scouring Sponge, I loved their normal 3 in 1 Scourer, but this is brilliant (I must say I was skeptical, but it proved me wrong!)  Its made from renewable and recycled materials – corundum, cellulose, recycled bottle flakes and coconut shell abrasives.


Sistema have just started making a range of baby plasticware that is not only BPA Free but also Phalate free and the price is fantastic!   I picked some food storage containers and a sippy cup - but the range is extensive. Currently available from Countdown supermarkets.