We are experiencing a cold front here in Florida – which means that today the high is 70°. So basically to us Floridians, it feels like it is freezing outside! Seriously. I was so excited to break out my sweaters and scarves – hooray for a cold snap! I received a beautiful, sustainable merino cotton Anastasia scarf from Krimson Klover earlier this week – right in time. It is thick, cozy and super luxurious – it feels so comfy around my neck! I have paired it with a simple fitted sweater, skinny jeans and riding boots and the scarf takes a simple outfit to a whole new level.
I love Krimson Klover, they are hands down my favorite Colorado company. Their clothing is the perfect mix of sustainable, fashionable yet super wearable and comfortable. I have several pieces in my wardrobe and find myself mixing them in all year long. If you are looking for a holiday gift or want something cozy to wear this winter, I highly recommend checking them out.
Don’t wait until that first big snow storm to figure out that that your home isn’t winterized. Get to work now to find out the areas that your home is lacking and make those improvements now. If you take the time to properly safeguard your home against the cold you can conserve energy and money all winter long. Read on to learn my 6 favorite affordable and eco-friendly tips for winterizing your home and get started this weekend.
1. Get with the Program If your home doesn’t have a programmable thermostat that allows you to automatically set your heating schedule, it is time for an upgrade. You want to program your thermostat to automatically turn the heat down when you aren’t at home or at night when you are snuggled down under all of those blankets in your bed and then adjust accordingly for the times that you are at home and need to stay warm.
2. Clean it Up Now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with your local HVAC professional. Have your furnace inspected to ensure that it will work efficiently and effectively all winter long. If it is time to upgrade your furnace, pick an energy star one that will save you energy and money in the long run.
3. Seal it Up Now is the time to check all of your door and window weatherstripping – if there is extreme wear and tear or you can see light when a door or window is closed, it’s time to for an update. You may also want to do an outside inspection of your home and caulk around pipes, spigots and hoses.
4. Get Insulated Check to make sure that your home has the proper amount of insulation in your attic. If you need to add insulation, choose an option that is toxic-free and environmental friendly – I am a huge fan of blue jean insulation.
5. Get Vented If there are particular areas or rooms in your home that you are not utilizing, close the heating vents and shut the door to that room. There is no reason to heat a room that isn’t being used.
6. Get Efficient If you don’t think your home is energy efficient or you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint or monthly utility bills – check with a energy expert, such as the Mark Group they can assist you in finding out exactly what areas of your home need improvement and then make the necessary improvements before the first big snow storm! Your Turn: How do you plan to winterize your home? Please share your tips in the comment section below! Full Disclosure: This post was brought to you in collaboration with Mark Group.
Hello, Friends! Are you enjoying November? Today, it has been rainy and overcast all day. Perfection! I am looking forward to a low-key Friday night that includes nothing more than organic wine in the hot tub with the mister. Sounds about right!
Tomorrow, we are heading south to visit the mister’s 98 year old grandfather. We love to visit a couple of Saturdays each month to get him out of the house and into his favorite deli. Then on Sunday, we are hosting a birthday party at our pool for one of Eben’s close friends. It should be a day of fun and maybe sun – if not, there is always he hot tub!
I hope you have something cozy planned for the weekend – while I gather up the swimsuits, here are a few green things to take you into the weekend:
Dear Sweet Greens, I have a top-loading washer and whenever I wash my clothes they come out smelly mildewy! The washer is only a couple of years old – what is going on? How do I naturally clean it? Sick of smelling stinky socks, Melissa
——————————Hi Melissa,
Ha! I completely understand and have experienced the stinky mildewy smell before. Luckily, I have a remedy that will knock that stink out and some tips that will help ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Step 1: Clean + Green
First, fill the washer to the top with using the hot water feature, then add 2 cups of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons eco-friendly dish washing liquid to the water because it starts the wash cycle. BEWARE: It is going to look disgusting – you can repeat this process if the water isn’t clean in the rinse cycle.
Step 2: Keep it Fresh
Keep the yuck out tips: The main reason that your washer smells mildewy is due to using too much soap. Cut back on the amount of dish washing soap that you are using to wash your clothes and after you place the clothing in the dryer – leave the lid open until the inside of the washer is completely dry or until you wash your next load.
Hello, Friends! This post is sponsored – thank you for supporting the companies that help to run Sweet Greens!
Last spring, the mister and I underwent our first detox – a juice detox to be exact. It’s believed to be very beneficial to your body taking the pressure off and allowing it time to get rid of waste products that have built up. There are different ways to do this, including juice detoxing, all of which draw out toxins. Here are 3 tips for a healthy juice detox.
Tip #1: Be Prepared
Whether you’re planning a short detox or a longer one, you should gather everything you need before starting. Many people begin with a short fast if they are detoxing for five days or more, but it’s not essential, especially for a short detox. You will need to buy a plentiful and varied supply of fresh fruit and vegetables for making your own juice at home. It is important to be able to rest while you do it, so avoid days when you are likely to be busy and do your housework before you start; it’s far easier to carry out a detox in clean, uncluttered surroundings.
Tip #2: Food and Drink
Even if you’re not fasting, you should still restrict your intake to food and drinks that won’t overload your digestive system. Eating plenty of raw or steamed fruit and vegetables before a detox will supply your body with antioxidants, commonly found in vitamins A, C and E, which can help to fight off infection and prevent the development of a range of health problems, including heart trouble, cancer and cataracts. A diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables has also been shown to have a beneficial effect on the skin, leaving it less prone to spots and blemishes. My skin completely cleared up while juice detoxing. Drink plenty of water as you detox, to stay properly hydrated and to ‘flush your system’.
Tip #3: Moisturize and Massage
In order to increase the benefit of a detox, it’s a good idea to stimulate the circulation in your skin and an effective way of doing this is through massage. While you could get your spouse to join you in your detox and give each other massages, if that isn’t an option, you can reach most parts of your body without too much of a struggle. Using a substance to help you to move your hands smoothly across your skin will increase the efficacy of the massage; a good moisturizing body oil spray can be very useful for this as it isn’t too heavy and can be applied easily. There’s very little point in detoxifying your skin if you are going to apply a product that will clog it up!
A detox can be challenging, but with the right preparation and a bit of determination, you will manage it. Once you’re experiencing the benefits of healthier digestion and clearer skin, and possibly some weight loss, you’ll be glad you gave it a try.
