How to Clean Like You Know What You're Doing

       Maybe this is me being weird, but I adore cleaning. I love when my house is clean, organized, and fresh smelling! It feels like starting over, in the best of ways. So many people overcomplicate cleaning or make it more expensive than it needs to be. I thought I'd compile a list of cleaning tips to help everyone. Some of these I've learned through experimenting, others I've picked up from experts I love to learn from!

       You'll notice that many of these recipes have the same/similar ingredients. That's because proper cleaning really doesn't require you have cabinets filled with ridiculous amounts of cleaning products. You don't need to buy tons of one-use plastic bottles (headed to the landfills when you're done) loaded with chemicals (that harm the environment, your lungs, and your endocrine system) to have a clean house. It's important to me that we all put in some effort in reducing waste and using ingredients that are beneficial for our environment. Using re-usable glass spray bottles or re-using our old plastic spray bottles is a great step in achieving this goal. 

All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

1 3/4 cup water
1/3 cup white vinegar
10 drops essential oil (for cleaning my go-to's are tea tree (melaleuca) oil, lemon, or clove.)

Yoga Mat Cleaner Recipe

water (you want it to take up just over half the spray bottle)
witch hazel (about 1/4 of the spray bottle)
3 drops of tea tree oil
3 drops lavender or clary sage oil (lavender will work best for most people, but I am a huge clary sage fan!)
Vinegar can be used instead of witch hazel, it really comes down to preference.

Carpet Cleaner Recipe

1/4 teaspoon of liquid castile soap (clear dish soap will also work)

1 cup of water (use distilled if you have hard water!!)

1/4 cup seltzer water (NOT CLUB SODA)

1/2 cup vinegar

If there is a bad stain, pre-treat the carpet with hot water, peroxide, and lemon oil.

Laundry Recipe

Pre-treat with a vinegar soak (1 part vinegar to one part water).

Use 1/8 cup of liquid castile soap (double that if you don't have a HE washer) and 1/3 cup of baking soda.

Consider adding 1/2 cup of vinegar and about 3-5 drops of lavender oil to the rinse cycle, as well.

Laundry Machine-Adding about a quart of vinegar and having it run a cycle should be enough.

Walls and Wood Recipe

Adding about 3 tablespoons of castile soap to a bucket of warm water and using a microfiber cloth should do the trick. However, consider these additives for certain disasters-

1/4 cup of Isopropyl alcohol- For markers on walls.

White chalk- For super greasy stains on walls, cover them in white chalk, wait a few minutes, then wipe off with a warm, damp cloth.

Vinegar-If you just need a little extra umph.

Dishwasher

In one container on the bottom rack, fill with vinegar. In another on the top rack, fill with baking soda. If something somehow got stuck on the dishwasher, simply scrubbing it with vinegar and water should suffice.

Oven and Stove

Stove top-A mixture of warm water, teaspoon of dish soap, and some vinegar will go a long way.

Overhead fan-If you've got lots of super stubborn grease build up, the best solution I've found so far is using mineral oil or water-proof eye makeup remover on a warm rag. Seriously! 

Overhead fan filter-A cup of oxiclean and a big bucket of warm water. Soak for 30 minutes. 

Oven- Sprinkle with a generous layer of baking soda. Wet the layer with vinegar (spray bottle is best). Leave to sit overnight. Scrub away with a damp sponge.

Blender Procedure

Add 2 cups of warm water and 1-3 drops of dish soap. Blend. Rinse. You're welcome.

Vacuums (my personal favorite)

Foam filter-Rinse the foam filter (if your vacuum has one) with warm water and soap. Add 2-5 drops of your favorite essential oils, and allow to fully and completely dry before placing in the vacuum again. It'll make your house smell a LOT better! PS, you should be cleaning your foam filters at least once a month!

Cartridge filter-You should treat this with care. Simply removing it and tapping the dust out (GENTLY) should be enough.

HEPA filter- You do NOT clean this. Ever. AT ALL. Replace it about once a year.

Brush roller- Trim and remove any long hairs or fibers wrapped around it and wipe it down with some diluted tea tree oil.

Whole vacuum- laying a trail of baking soda and antibacterial oil (1-2 drops is all you need) and vacuum.

Good luck and happy cleaning!

A Word on Character

       Everyone has done a few things wrong every now and then. Whether it was an innocent mistake, a decision made out of ignorance or immaturity, or something done with wholly malicious intent, all of these incidents should be learning moments for us. We should look back on those moments, acknowledge that they were moments of weakness, learn how we can do better next time, apologize, take action to fix what is still fixable, and move forward. For those of us witnessing the wrongdoing, we should allow space for the person to learn and correct themselves, extend grace, and encourage character growth. I know with a surety that people absolutely can change. They just require the opportunity and compassion to do so. All of this taken into account, I believe there is an occasion where it is our moral obligation not to turn a blind eye...

       This occasion occurs when someone continues to ignore their mistake, justify what they did, or try to distract you with frivolous and unrelated "good" things they've done recently. This demonstrates that they are not owning up to what they've done wrong and are doing nothing to grow from their past. This is a blatant display of deficiency in character.

       We have a responsibility in these circumstances to see them for what they are and invest our time, energy, and loyalty in others. No one can outrun their past. They must face it and accept the consequences. When we dismiss what people do wrong because they show no interest in making things better, we contribute to the detriment of their character. Sometimes we need to point out that what someone did was wrong because they've never had the opportunity to learn any better. That's okay. They still need to be held responsible for what they've done and must correct it.

       Even when someone does take action to right their wrongs, we are under no obligation to invite them back to our table. It is absolutely possible to forgive someone for what they've done, wish them well, and maintain your space. There are even times where that is the only responsible thing to do. For example, when someone has done something particularly abusive or malicious, it's probably best you set firm boundaries and maintain ample space. To read more on forgiveness specifically and what it means to me, you can read a past post I wrote here.

       Recently, I've noticed a pattern that I know now feeds the core of many of the emotional traumas and stresses I've experienced. The pattern goes thus; Someone-a person, an organization, etc. does something morally reprehensible. I (alone or in the company of others) will know that this action is problematic. I'll speak up about it. What I say gets dismissed and the bad thing gets excused because "look at all these good things that they've done" or "they probably don't even realize they've done anything wrong in the first place". Sometimes I'm even met with the "it'll all come out in the wash" response. After that, I'm expected to just move on, sweep it under the rug, and be done with it.

       I'm not satisfied with that. In fact, I'll no longer accept it, personally. I can't excuse the toxic behaviors of people or establishments anymore, especially not when I will have to interact with them in any personal capacity.

       This isn't an idea I share to complain (though trust me, it feels good to write about!). Rather, I share my perspective with you, my dear readers, because no one ever shared it with me. It has always been and will continue to be my life's mission to be there for others in ways I was never supported. I want to tell you all that regardless of what has happened-from a mild spat during a stressful winter or full-on abuse, or even being tricked by a company, you are entitled to whatever your emotional response was. It is good that you recognize toxic behaviors. They should right their wrongs.

       If you've ever been ostracized for a decision you've made or something you've said, especially to such a point where you feel embarrassed trying to fix it or even face that what you did really was wrong, I understand. You are human. I extend to you grace and privacy to work on yourself and grow and learn. You deserve the space to become a better person-a constant endeavor from birth to death. It's okay that you aren't perfect.

       Peace and compassion are two elements I am optimistic that our society is making more use of. While we continue to learn to show compassion to our planet, I encourage you all to learn to show compassion to yourself and others. Stand firm where you must. Correct what needs correcting. Hold yourself accountable as you do others. Speak out, loudly when something needs saying. Never shy away from growth. Continue to build your character.

Tips for Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle

       I've recently discovered that veganism is beginning to take the world by storm! From popular 30 day vegan challenges to Beyond Meat stock becoming so huge, veganism is really getting some attention. I'm so grateful for this development in our society! Here's a list of tips to help you start your vegan journey in a sustainable way.

Cut out the canned stuff and opt for bulk foods.

       It does not take that long to cook beans and rice when you really think about it! Bringing your own refillable glass jars or bags and buying beans and rice (and everything else!) in bulk is not only easier on your wallet, but fantastic for the environment, too! If this isn't an option for you, there are pre-packaged bags of beans/rice available in paper on occasion, and plastic as well (though, plastic is not as desirable). 

       I make this work by setting them out to soak in a big pot of covered water (sometimes salted, sometimes not) the night before or the morning of the day I want to cook them. I almost always cook them in mass batches that last me a few days. Planning meals ahead of time may be a different experience for you, but it is so worth it and really not anywhere near as difficult to do as people make it out to seem. 

       It should be noted that canned products often have an excess of salt as well as preservatives that aren't the best for our bodies. If you're trying to take care of your heart or balance your hormones, you'll really want to go the extra mile and avoid canned products at all costs!

Track. Your. Nutrients.

       First of all, as soon as you switch to a vegan diet, everyone will be asking "oh, where do you get your protein from" and drive you insane. You may also start to worry as the pseudo-scientists start to hound you about calcium. Tracking your nutrients will confirm to you that you are in fact consuming protein (despite it not being sourced in a carcass that will go rancid in your gut). 

       Second of all, tracking your nutrients will help you become more familiar with what foods you need to eat more of and what you should cut back on. You can become empowered and in control of what happens with your body as you continue on your journey. 

       I (along with many other vegans, it seems) use the cronometer app to track what I eat. It tracks all of my macros, vitamins, minerals, and all sorts of amino acids and fats. It also tracks water intake (including water you ate). I love that it shows me everything I need to know, and also takes into consideration my exercise, weight, and weight goals (losing, gaining, or maintaining). Many of my vegan recipes are saved on it, too! 

Don't be Afraid to Supplement.

       If you're transitioning from a junkier diet or using a lot of mock meats and fries, you probably aren't extra familiar with what to eat to meet all of your needs (and frankly, probably already need to supplement). There are plenty of supplements out there that are vegan-friendly. I love the Garden of Life brand supplements (I'm going to eventually start taking their prenatal vitamins) because they're ethically sourced and derived from actual plants as opposed to synthetics and fillers. I don't think everyone needs to take supplements for the rest of their life. They're just a good fail-safe while you're still learning how to eat properly!

       Quick note, many people are afraid of being low on Vitamin B-12 on a vegan diet. I get more than enough B-12 from my probiotics, which I'll address in a second. Another great option is using nutritional yeast. Many brands sell b-12 fortified nutritional yeast, just be sure to read the label! 

Heal your Digestive System

       The standard American diet (often referred to as the S.A.D. diet) is harsh on our systems. Many of us suffer from leaky gut syndrome, in addition to many other digestive disorders. Your gut may not be loaded with the bacteria needed to properly break down healthy fats and proteins and absorb them. Healthy bacteria is good for your mood, digestion, and even breaking some bad food addictions! 

       I use Garden of Life's Raw Probiotics for Women. I love that they are soil based so they're easier to digest, and they have no fillers or carriers like dextrose. They also have vitamin B-12 and selenium (which is awesome for the thyroid). Definitely look for probiotics that are alive and diverse. If you have a harder time with digestion, look into taking things like papaya! 

Be Daring with Food

       Veganism has taught me just how diverse food can really be. There's so much more we can do to food to bring out its different flavors and textures. Did you know you can roast a head of cauliflower and make it absolutely deliciously crusted? Chickpeas make fantastic pizza crusts. Tacos taste awesome when they're filled with black beans and guacamole and tomato! There's so much more you can do with food when you stop making meat the star of the plate and really branch out with fruits and vegetables. Try new stuff!
       I'm lucky enough to have a foodie husband (who is precious and I love him so dearly omg) who inspires me often in the kitchen. I'd be lying if I said that I don't feel a competitive drive to produce the most delicious and complex meals I can to out-do his omnivore meals and prove to him once and for all that vegan meals aren't bland! But every now and then, even I need a little extra help to figure out what I want to eat. I love browsing Pinterest and Instagram to find different foods I want to try. The foods always look so pretty, and I promise that just because a meal looks incredible, that doesn't mean it's impossible or even difficult to make! Try everything! 

Find Your Reason to Stay Committed

       Veganism touches so many different aspects of our lives, but it can be really difficult when everyone else around you is eating differently and animal products are in so many things! There are so many reasons to stay in the boat, though! Vegans as a population have a far healthier BMI average than other populations. Vegan hearts tend to be healthier. Nothing died for your meal. No animals had to be abused or separated from their mother. The environment is healthier. You can eat more. Whatever touches your heart the most, hang on to that when you are struggling!

Surround Yourself with Support and Reliable Information

       Find online vegan communities. Follow vegan influencers. They'll fill your feeds with vegan recipes, news, and support! When it comes to research, really pay attention to where the funding for the study comes from. Sources of funding have a pitiful influence on the scientific community and the integrity of studies. Research with wisdom!

       It's extremely important to learn the facts about what you eat, what you buy, legal protections animals or the dairy industry have, companies who push leather...on and on the list goes. As you learn, drop the superstition, too! You can get everything you need from your food. You do not need meat to get all of your essential amino acids. You get your protein from the same place their meat gets its protein from. Hunter-gatherer tribes we're descended from had very different lifestyles from the way we live now and the diet they had is not what we need now. Carbs don't make you fat, you need all macros to survive. There's so much nonsense society clings to in an attempt to avoid change. Empower yourself with knowledge. 

You Don't Have to be Perfect

       If eating with non-vegans in situations where vegan options are few and far between is fairly common for you, it's perfectly okay for you to be the kind of vegan who is vegan at home and eats animal-based products when at social events. If you eat cheese once or accidentally consume something with milk in it, that's okay! That doesn't make you a "bad vegan" or mean you have to be damned to a life filled with hot dogs and liver. Every vegan meal you have, leather product you avoid, etc. is a huge win for your body, conscience, and the environment. Varying from that path doesn't make those wins any less effective or powerful. Be easy on yourself!

You've Got This!!!!

       Veganism isn't just a diet, though diet is the hardest aspect to tackle for most. Veganism is a lifestyle in which you choose not to exploit or harm animals. That means not consuming them, their byproducts, or using products that are detrimental to their health or survival. This is not an overnight thing! You will get better at this as time goes by. Just keep leading with your heart, and it will all fall into place. Living harmoniously with mother earth and the rest of her inhabitants is very possible!

       I'm so proud of all of my friends and readers alike who are trying to be more health-conscious as well as treating the planet more compassionately. Whether you're starting by eating an all vegan meal once a week or by banning all plastic and animal products and starting your very own garden or anywhere in between, every positive change counts! Stick with it!