-The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe Newsletter No. 46-
In this issue: Consumerism is Killing the Planet
5 Top Uses for Bicarb Soda
Recipes: Lavender Deodorising Powder, Bicarb Bath Soother,
Date & Walnut Cake
The Amazing Attributes of Vinegar!
Safe & Organic Sprays in the Garden
Coffee Snail and Slug Deterrent
Pear Jam Recipe
|
| | Consumerism is Killing the Planet |
|  |
If every single man, woman and child on earth lived the full 'consumer lifestyle' (of what we have become accustomed to) it would be physically impossible for the earth to sustain humanity. We are, in reality, living far, far beyond our means. Our lifestyle - although materially pleasurable - is impractical and obsolete in terms of the future.
'Consumer products' are created using resources and energy from the Earth. Thousands and thousands - hundreds of thousands - maybe even millions - of different products - from packaged food, clothing, appliances, knick-knacks, white-goods, home-ware, etc. etc. ALL produced via resources precious to the earth - from the raw materials used, the energy to create, chemical run-off from production and containers and packaging. Not to mention the fact that many of these products do not sell for various reasons - out-of-date, consumer disinterest, faults, etc. so are removed from the shelf and dumped as land-fill. 'Time is money' for large manufacturers - the responsible task of painstakingly recycling the products - both ingredients and container - is just not a 'profitable' option - so all these products are 'dumped' - further clogging up and poisoning the environment leaving Mother Nature and the environment to deal with it. What a huge waste and absolute disregard for the planet - the basis for which we reply upon for survival.
|
| | | The answer is simple - start the ball rolling by: BUYING LESS CONSUMER PRODUCTS. No longer partake in the mad rush to spend, spend, spend. Send the big companies the message that their behaviour is unacceptable. How?
There are many ways to step away from consumerism - re-use what you already have, recycling, buy secondhand, and, of course, use alternatives, that is, use one single product that has multiple uses - replacing a range of individually manufactured products. The two most resourceful products are: bicarb soda and vinegar (with soap, lemons and eucalyptus oil a close second). Lets start with bicarb soda - most people are already familiar with it and maybe even already using it in their home:
|
| 5
Top Uses for Bicarb Soda
What
is Bicarb soda?
Sodium bicarbonate is a white
alkaline powder. It occurs naturally -
but is commercially produced from soda ash (calcium carbonate) - used
extensively in glass making, cement, cleaning products, soap-making, detergents
and more.
Where
is it?
Supermarkets sell it in
boxes or bags in the cooking section (near the salt, flour, etc.). A money saving tip is to purchase it in bulk from selected stores
- health food shops and shops that supply food in bulk bins.
5 Top Uses:
1. Deodoriser - An instant powder deodoriser readily absorbing all odours. Sprinkle on carpets and mats (in the house or car) before vacuuming, Great for deodorising the fridge (place a small container in the back of the fridge), removes offensive smells from the cat litter tray and will even deodorise and shine the dog or cat's coat (rub in and brush out). Also very good for deodorising smelly shoes!
2. Cleaner - A safe-to-use powder cleanser - for all surfaces, walls, oven, door handles, chrome, stainless steel, etc. Simply apply as a paste with water - it's abrasiveness will allow for easy removal of dirt and grime whilst removing odours at the same time.
3. Whitener - Great for whitening 'whites' - soak under-garmets, nappies, etc. in a water and bicarb soda mix before washing. Use to clean and whiten white plastic items (furniture, kitchen utensils and equipment). Apply as a paste then wipe off. Great also for whitening teeth (make a simple teeth-cleaning powder using a mix of 1/2 bicarb and salt - for that familiar minty tooth-paste flavour add a drop or two of peppermint food flavouring),
4. Stain Removal - Apply bicarb soda to wet stains to soak up excess. Leave to dry - brush or vacuum off. Great for carpet stains (wonderful in the car!) or stains on clothing, furniture and similar fabrics.
5. Baking Agent - Besides being one of the components in SR flour to make cakes rise when baking - bicarb soda may also be used as an alternative to egg as a binding agent (see recipe later).
Extra Top Tip: Flat battery? Get one last charge by coating the terminals in bicarb soda. Much cheaper than purchasing a very expensive road side service battery!
|
| | | | | Lavender Deodorising Powder
Pour approx 1 cup bicarb soda into a clean recycled jar. Add 6 drops lavender essential oil. Apply the lid and shake well. Leave 24 hours for the perfume to permeate
the bicarb soda. (Punch holes into the
lid of the jar to form a sprinkle-top container).
To Use: Sprinkle the bicarb soda onto the carpet area, focusing specifically on areas that require deodorising. Leave 15-30 minutes. Brush or vacuum off. (From e-booklet No. 9 - Amazing Bicarb!)
Bicarb Bath Soother
Mix together 1 cup bicarb soda with 1/2 cup sea-salt. Add 6 drops each of eucalyptus and lavender essential oils. Mix well. Pour 1/4 cup of the mix into the bath before bathing. Not only will it impart a wonderful perfume, but the bicarb will soften the water (and your skin) and soothe tired muscles. (From e-booklet No. 37 - Beautiful Baths $12.00)
Date-Walnut Cake
Place the following in a bowl: 1 cup SR flour (sifted), ½ teaspoon
bicarbonate of soda, 2 teaspoons cinnamon (or mixed spice), ½ cup raw or white
sugar, ½ cup chopped dates and ½ cup chopped walnuts.
Place in saucepan: 2/3 cup water and 1 tablespoon
butter or margarine. Heat to melt the butter. Stir the water-butter mix with the dry
ingredients.
Pour into greased round cake tin. Bake moderate oven for 30 minutes.
(From e-booklet No. 12 - How to Make Do - The Kitchen Improviser $12.00)
|
| | For more information.....
You'll find more detailed information in e-booklet No. 9 - Amazing Bicarb - 70 Uses for Bicarb Soda. $8.00.
For details click here.
Here's where you'll more info. about bicarb soda in specific areas:
Cleaning: e-booklet No. 23 - Green Cleaning $12.00
Deodorising: e-booklet No. 22 - Air-Fresheners and Deodoriser Substitutes $8.00
Personal Deodorants: e-booklet No. 2 - Homemade Deodorants $12.00
Teeth and mouth care: e-booklet No. 1 - Homemade Toothpastes and Mouthwashes
Foot Care: e-booklet No. 27 - Fantastic Feet! $8.00
Bath Products: e-booklet No. 37 - Beautiful Baths $12.00
|
| | The Amazing Attributes of Vinegar!
The other very versatile alternative is, of course, vinegar. The uses for vinegar are innumerable - it cleans, disinfects, deodorises, anti-bacterial agent, preservative, insect repellent, hair conditioner, skin astringent, personal deodorant, weed killer, garden spray - plus has therapeutic uses. Amazing! More information about vinegar in:
E-booklet No. 33 - Versatile Vinegar $8.00
For more information or to purchase click here.
OR The Shoppe Newsletter No. 31 contains a feature article on the many wonders of vinegar. Click here to download back issues of The Shoppe Newsletters
|
| | e-Booklet No. 21:
Safe
& Organic Sprays for Home and Garden
Contains an array
suggestions for making sprays for:
1. Insect
repellents 2. Plant diseases
3. Plant
nourishment.
Over 40 suggestions
all using simple, safe and easy-to-locate ingredients. A very popular title – being one of
the best sellers! It's great to see people are looking for less
chemically orientated ways to treat common plant problems.
Price: $12.00. For download info - click here
--------------------------------------------
Recipe: Slug and snail deterrent:
Make up a strong coffee spray consisting of one part brewed coffee with
10 parts water. Spray onto plants and surrounding soil frequented by slugs and
snails to discourage their presence. |
| | | Recipe: Homemade Pear Jam: I recently ran a very successful workshop on 'Making Jams, Chutneys and
Pickles'. As pears were the 'ín-season' fruit at the time we made pear jam. It
was very tasty and enjoyable. Many people have asked for the recipe - here it
is .....
|
| Pear Jam: Core, peel and slice 2 kilograms pears and 500 kilograms
green apples. Place in saucepan with the juice and rind of 3 lemons. Simmer until tender. Add 2
kilograms sugar, dissolve, boil mixture rapidly until it gels when tested –
about 15-20 minutes boiling time should be sufficient. Pour into sterile jars and seal ready for use.Adapted from 'Fig Jam' recipe in e-booklet No. 74 - Ways With Fruit. $12.00. For information click here |
| | If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy,
if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice for
your soul is alive.
Eleanora Duse |
| | I hope you
enjoyed the newsletter. Keep well - and
I'll catch you next time.
Pam
Marshall
The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe
www.theshoppe.com.au
Educate
others about the benefits of 'anti-consumerism' and alternatives - please
forward this newsletter to a friend!
For back Issues of The Shoppe Newsletter click here
© 2013 Pam Marshall -
The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe
(To
unsubscribe to this newsletter see below) |
| |
|
