If you’re someone that loves to decorate the home for the holidays, you need to take the proper precautions to protect your family and pets from the potential dangers of holiday plants. Many holiday plants are poisonous and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. Not only can these plants cause reactions, but also they can be choking hazards. Here’s how to protect your family without compromising the holiday spirit in your home:
Keep holiday plants out of reach from children and pets. If you have cats, remember that even high places can be accessible to them. If ever in doubt, place the plant in a sealed greenhouse or move it to a pet-free room in the home.
Make sure that any needles or leaves from holiday plants are picked up because they may contain hazardous poisons or compounds. A real Christmas tree drops a lot of needles, which are choking hazards for pets and kids as well.
If you intend to plant any herbs or plants, make sure that you read all the information on the plant. Even some common plants such as holly berry or mistletoe can have severe side effects.
So which plants should you watch for? The following plants can cause skin irritations, vomiting or even death:
Mistletoe
Jerusalem Cherry
Amaryllis
Cedar Christmas Trees
Holly Berries
Poinsettia
Rosary Pea
Are there any safe choices for the home? Actually, yes. A Christmas cactus is one that is considered to be non-toxic, although it probably wouldn’t feel very good going down the throat. A pine, spruce or fir Christmas tree is also non-toxic, although the needles can still cause choking.
Image: activerain.com
Tags: environment, holiday plants, holiday trees, holidays, plant safety, plants
It’s that time of the year again – the leaves have fallen off the trees, frost is on the pumpkins and it’s time to bring your plants in for the winter. Winterizing your plants is a must if you want them to survive the cold winter that brings snow, frost and chilling temps. Late fall is the best time to do this, and there are different methods depending on the type of plant that you’re winterizing.
For example, perennials can be covered with straw or pine needles after the ground freezes. Since perennials are stronger plants, the straw helps when temperatures drop to freezing, which can destroy even hardy plants. Once the temperatures start to warm up in the spring, the straw can be removed and the perennials will start to grow back.
You may think that shrubs can handle the winter months, but they can get winter burn that results in brown and damaged leaves. Water the shrubs before the ground freezes and wrap the trees in a burlap wrap that has an open top. You can also try an anti-desiccant spray to protect the shrubs.
Some plants won’t make it outdoors no matter how hard you try. For these plants, bring them indoors where they will stay for the winter season. Give the plants a good rinse and move them to an area where they receive the same type of light as they do outdoors. Don’t overwater the plants; instead, feel the soil first, and if it’s moist, it won’t need watering. Also check that the plants are safe for pets if you have them roaming around the home.
Finally, give your lawn some attention by applying a winterizing fertilizer that encourages root growth. This will speed up the growth of your lawn come spring. You can also give your trees added care by wrapping cylinders around them for extra protection, especially from rodents.
Image: Jerzy Opioła
Tags: environment, plants, save trees, shrubs, winterizing plants
If you’re concerned about the toxic chemicals in your cleaning products, there are smart changes you can start making today. For years, families have tried to swap out their harsh cleaning agents for gentler substances such as vinegar and baking soda, but these ingredients are just not harsh enough to kill bacteria and viruses. Fortunately, one natural ingredient has been shown to be effective at killing germs and bacteria and is a powerful antiseptic: Thymol.
Thymol is found in the oil of thyme and is extracted from the plant for its use as an antiseptic and its pleasant aromas. Thymol is regarded as an essential oil and is FDA approved as a synthetic flavoring and preservative and is a normal part of the human diet. With this in mind, several manufacturers that produce green cleaning products are using thymol in their products, more specifically, Seventh Generation.
Thymol actually has a history in the medical field, as it has been used to treat ringworm infections and hookworm infections. It can also be used as a mouthwash when coupled with halothane. When used in cleaning products, you can enjoy a pleasant thyme scent that is often paired with lemongrass. The aroma is enjoyable, the product is safe to inhale and the home becomes a healthier, safer place, especially for those with allergy and asthmatic problems.
When using thymol, you’re also protecting the environment, as you’re not adding harsh chemicals or pollutants into the air. With the safe, non-toxic properties of thymol, you can use these cleaning products on children’s toys, books, counters and garbage cans. To use, simply spray and wipe clean. Stubborn spots can let the spray sit for a minutes extra. Now isn’t that easy?
Thymol cleaning products kill 99.99 percent of germs and have a pleasing aroma, making them just as effective as bleach, but without the strong smell. Thymol has no negative health or environmental effects, and cleaning products can be purchased at any supermarket for a similar cost of traditional cleaning supplies.
Image: dailyfinance.com
Tags: eco-friendly, environment, green cleaning products, green products, thymol
It’s Halloween. The house is decorated; the costumes are bought. The bowls are filled with candy and you’re probably out of money. Believe it or not, next to Christmas, Americans spend the most amount of money on Halloween; a whopping $6.5 billion to be exact. The worst part about spending all this money is that there is very little to show for it. The cheap costumes are found littering the streets, candy is splurged on and decorations are tossed away. All we’re left with is rotted pumpkins and a few extra cavities.
Fortunately, you can not only save money by smart-shopping tactics, but also save the environment. In fact, such sites as greenhalloween.org are dedicated toward promoting a green Halloween. For starters, ditch the cheap PVC costumes that are cheaply made and usually only last one day. Instead, look through your own closet, head to a resale shop or sew one of your own costumes. Not handy? Try purchasing your child an actual dress-up costume that is quality made, kid-friendly and can be used over and over again.
For food, focus on the fresh fruits and vegetables instead of the candy treats for your family. Head to the local farmer’s market and see the abundance of colors and aromas that are there. If you have a sweet tooth, try making your own candied apples using fresh apples from the market. Organic jellies and homemade pies are other great treats for the Halloween season and will cost less than those giant bags of candy.
Since you can’t hand out produce to the trick-or-treaters, opt for treats that don’t come individually wrapped. Instead, try coupons from local restaurants or ice cream shops. For example, McDonalds sells coupon books for free cheeseburgers, shakes and the like. Or, try favors that can be purchased in bulk quantities and don’t come individually wrapped such as skeleton rings, stickers or glow in the dark bats. Pencils, pads of paper and erasers are other inexpensive favors that save on the environment.
Finally, be smart about your decorations. Use beeswax candles instead of paraffin ones that pollute the air. Get the most out of your carved pumpkins by cooking the seeds, or use the insides of the pumpkin for cooking and baking. You can also compost the remains of the pumpkins, as 99 percent are used for carving jack-o-lanterns and just end up in the landfills. And don’t waste money on cheap decorations that will be thrown in the garbage. Consider investing in decorations that can be reused or try making your own and save the money for Christmas – you’ll need it.
Image: usafeast.com
Tags: eco-friendly, environment, green, Halloween, save the environment
This weekend, people from all over the country celebrated Make a Difference Day. USA WEEKEND sponsors this day with HandsOn Network. It’s held on the fourth Saturday each October and designed to help others around the world by making a difference in one day. This special event may only last for one day, but having people come together for one common goal really does make a difference. One of the tasks that many organizations took part in was planting trees.
For example, several students from Montana State University planted maple, linden, hackberry and crabapple trees in a nearby neighborhood. Lawrence Tech students did the same thing, as they planted a variety of trees in Detroit neighborhoods.
It wasn’t just university students that came out to dig for the day. Community organizations also made plans to improve their cities by planting trees along bare streets and neighborhood parkways. Although many low-income areas were targeted because of their lack of healthy tree life, some areas took advantage of this day to create more areas for birds to live and migrate to.
With bird watching becoming a popular past time for millions of Americans, establishing homes for these birds is a necessity. Adults and children came out to help dig and plant for hours, and for most locations, the weather cooperated. In fact, some programs were so successful, they said they actually had to turn volunteers away.
The more we know about trees – how they lower toxins in the air, create more carbon dioxide, increase property value and increase bird watching opportunities – the more people are taking an active interest in preserving and planting them. In many parts of the country, people also felt that Make a Difference Day was one last opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors with the family before the cold weather really sets in.
If you missed out on this year’s Make a Difference Day, be sure to look for community events in your area next year. Or, take advantage of tree planting programs that are held throughout the year and always looking for volunteers to dig and plant.
Image: nj.com
Tags: eco-friendly, environment, Make a Difference Day, planting trees, trees
In a housing market that is seemingly getting worse each month, it’s important to retain the value of our houses as much as possible. New evidence is showing that trees add value to neighborhoods and can in turn, help preserve value and help homes to sell faster. Although studies have always shown the worth of trees in urban cities, these studies have become more important in recent years as we shift our focus toward preserving these trees and investing in more to be planted.
It is these issues that were at the heart of Mark Tercek’s speech last week. A representative of the Nature Conservancy, Tercek says that it’s time to focus on the economic value of nature conservation. He cited several studies, one in Oregon that found that homes sold faster when there were developed trees on the street.
Don’t think that urban trees are just for selling homes, either. The rental market is soaring right now, and these properties can be rented out faster when trees are planted nearby. You can expect, on average, that property will be increased by $5 to $21 a month for these rentals, which is extra money in the renter’s pocket. And for housing sales? Well that’s even more impressive, as a few established trees have been known to increase the value of a home by $7,000.
Cities are often hesitant to invest in new trees, as they are costly and labor-intensive to plant. But it’s important to remember that the value the trees bring to the neighborhood far exceeds these initial costs. If more cities invest in this project now, it can really help properties make back some of their money when the market starts to come back.
To get involved, see what programs exist in your neighborhood that work with trees. Some programs plant new trees, others recover dead and damaged trees. More importantly, trees are an excellent source of clean air and help to reduce pollution, toxins and energy consumed. If you have trees in your yard, you already know the benefits they offer in terms of keeping the home cooler, adding private and providing additional beauty.
Image Source: mikeslandcarellc.com
Source: Triple Pundit
Tags: benefits of trees, clean energy, plant a tree, save the trees, trees, urban trees, value of trees
“During the 112th Congress, the Republican House majority has taken aim at issues ranging from labor protections to women’s right to choose. But it may be the environment that’s hardest hit by Republican efforts to reshape the federal government.” (Huffington Post) And according to Henry Waxman, it is the most anti-environment house in history.
What makes this the most anti-environment house in history? According to the Huffington Post, the House of Representatives apparently passed 125 bills that undermines environmental protection. Does this make you wonder why? Why have a house so against the environment anyways? For those who love to pollute the environment etc., or just don’t seem to care about the environment, I guess they are supporters of this bill then, wouldn’t you say?
Read the full article on the 112th Congress record on Huffingtonpost.com.
Source: Huffington Post
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Tags: clean energy, eco friendly choices, save 1 million trees, weather and environment, wildlife
No one wants their food prepared on a dirty, bacteria-infested surface, so why are you still using that raggedy old cutting board?
Let’s face it; we probably don’t invest as much time in our cutting board collection as we should. We grab out a board, cut up our meat, fish, veggies or fruits and then toss it in the dishwasher. I have a mix of cutting boards in my cabinets: Thick plastic, thin plastic, wood and stone.
Yet without proper care and cleaning, cutting boards can harbor a lot of bacteria that can seep into our foods. While chances are slim that the bacteria will be enough to “taint” the food, there is always the possibility that it can make us sick.
There have been some conflicting statements about wood or plastic being the better choice. Many believe that germs and bacteria can seep into the cracks of the wood and breed like crazy, whereas they are more easily cleaned off plastic cutting boards. Yet some people can’t help but like the professional and trendy appearance of wood boards, especially if they’re left out on a countertop.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: Bamboo. Bamboo cutting boards look like wooden ones, and they’re super strong and dense so you won’t cut through the board. A little natural cleaner is all you need to wipe down the surface, and bamboo is naturally resistant to bacteria and mold. Best of all, bamboo boards are attractive in design, eco-friendly and affordable, making them welcome in almost any kitchen.
Don’t think that the uses for bamboo stop here. Bamboo can be used for cutlery, flooring, sheets, clothing and yes – panda food. Next time you’re shopping for wood, consider bamboo as a fresh alternative, even in the kitchen.
Image Source: fantes.com
Tags: bamboo, eco-friendly, environment, wood, wooden
I believe that houseplants are an excellent way to spruce up the home. It seems that this notion is enforced by home improvement channels that say there’s no replacement for real plants – sorry artificial ones!
While we can all agree that real houseplants look better than their fake alternatives, caring for them is much harder. Not only do you have to remember to water on a regular basis, but plants also require certain environmental settings that may be difficult to replicate. I learned this the hard way when I tried to bring a California palm tree back to Chicago.
If you happen to live in a dorm or apartment, trying to recreate a bright, sunny and warm setting can be all the more difficult. But don’t skip out on the fresh flowers quite yet. After all, plants have been known to improve the quality of air, filter out toxins and add color and warmth. Fortunately, there are quite a few plants that are easy to care for and can be welcomed into any home, anywhere.
1. Peace Lily – Also one of the best plants for improving indoor air quality, the peace lily looks lovely and is simple to care for. It basically tells you when it’s thirsty, as the leaves will begin to wilt. And, only low levels of light are needed.
2. Lucky Bamboo – Although this plant isn’t bamboo at all, it’s certainly unique looking and associated with some good luck! Keep in moist, but not too wet, and in low light conditions. It can be planted in soil or left in a decorative pot.
3. Pothos – This plant is not only easy to grow, but it’s nearly impossible to kill. (If you succeed, you can probably consider yourself a really poor plant keeper). These plants keep on growing even if you ignore them, although the tips of the leaves will turn brown when they’re dried out. To keep them looking their best, a simple pruning job will do.
4. ZZ Plants – These plants can survive in just about any setting and have few demands for light and water. With their flexibility, you can set them anywhere and enjoy their beauty.
5. Spider Plants – Because these plants continue to grow, they are often planted in hanging baskets and need to be re-potted every few years. They are easy to care for and will successfully fill a pot with little effort.
If you’re looking for other easy plants to add to your home, a few others to consider include aloe, jade plants, prayer plants and soft succulents.
Image Source: ob-noxious.org
Tags: eco-friendly, environment, houseplants, indoor air quality, plants, save the trees, trees
I have to admit, I’m not very good at keeping plants alive. Not that I don’t love the way they look and how they brighten up the home, but I tend to keep plants up high and then just forget about them. Until I read this really cool article in one of my parents magazines about how certain indoor plants can make a difference in your indoor air quality.
If you know anything about indoor air quality, it’s that it directly affects your health and the way you feel. It refers to the quality of air throughout the home and can be impacted by such factors as dust, air fresheners, cleaning products and paint. One of the best things you can do to improve indoor air quality is to open up the windows, let the air filter through and mix together with fresh air. Another way to improve the quality of air: Household plants.
A study conducted by NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America found that gerbera daisies, the peace lily and the spider plant are among the few that remove toxins from the air and improve indoor air pollution. And from what I hear, the peace lily looks great and is easy to take care of, too!
The same study looked at how each plant affected the quality of air and what toxins they removed the most. For example, the bamboo palm worked well at filtering out formaldehyde, while pot mums worked great for filtering out benzene.
To read more about this study, I included a link below. I also included a list of plants that have proven to be the most effective at filtering out air pollution and improving indoor air quality. They’re available at your local nursery, so take advantage of fresher, cleaner air today!
1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium’, heartleaf philodendron
2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana’, cornstalk dracaena
4. Hedera helix, English ivy
5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig’, Janet Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii’, Warneck dracaena
8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa’, peace lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena
Source: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/houseplants.html
Image Source: spaths.com
Tags: Eco-friendly choices, indoor air pollution, indoor air quality, plants, trees
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