Homemade Hand Sanitizer

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Is it just me or or does it seem like it’s ALWAYS flu season or just about to BE flu season? As if that weren’t enough to worry about, we now have the Coronavirus to contend with pretty much everywhere in the world. Keeping our hands clean is always good but now, more than ever, it’s imperative that we wash them for 20 seconds with soap OR use hand sanitizer to keep ourselves and our kiddos healthy.

Well…I went to my local drugstore and they were sold out of hand sanitizer. So I went to, literally, seven other stores and they were all sold out, too. Then I checked Amazon and only third party sellers had any left and the prices were through the roof. The laws of supply and demand were in full effect *sigh*  Naturally, I had to immediately complain about this to my bestie, and she said “Just make your own.” My first thought was “Nahhh…I don’t feel like doing all that”  but then I remembered that hand sanitizer is NOWHERE TO BE FOUND and decided I’d give it a try.

So I did it and it couldn’t be easier. This recipe is simply aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. Are you shocked? Yeah, me too!

Combine in a bowl:

2/3  cup of rubbing alcohol (91 or 99% isopropyl alcohol – available in most pharmacies or from Amazon)
1/3 cup of aloe vera gel
A few drops of lavender oil, peppermint oil or any other scent you like (this step is totally optional)

Stir thoroughly and pour into a clean pump bottle or, if you prefer, a purse-size container to carry with you.

Remember, in order for hand sanitizer to be effective, you must cover your hands with it and let it dry.

Oh, and while we’re talking about sanitizing, don’t forget to clean your phone periodically with some rubbing alcohol. Phones are really germy!

Wee Sprout Glass Baby Food Containers

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Glass Baby Food Storage ContainersWhat: Set of 12 glass baby food storage container jars with 4 oz capacity, durable measurement markings, 12 multi-colored leakproof lids that seal airtight for freshness

Features: High-grade food-safe glass. Microwave, freezer, & dishwasher safe. Germ Resistant.

Green Factor: Reusable and 100% non-toxic with a chemical-free finish. Free of phthalates, mercury, lead, cadmium, PVC and BPA.

Bonus: Dry erase marker included for easy labeling

Find It Here: Wee Sprout Glass Baby Food Storage Jars

Thrift Score: My Funky New Old Dishes

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A few years ago, I’d read that some of the cheaper dinnerware produced in China was turning up with lead in it. I looked at my inexpensive and chipped (but very pretty) dinnerware and got a little concerned. Rather than spend a couple hundred dollars on what I really wanted, which was a set of lead-free Fiestaware for eight, I decided that until I could find something made in the US that was also not ugly or overly expensive, I’d go with something simple and safe—glass.

I looked at a few department stores and didn’t find much in the way of glass and what I did find felt flimsy so I decided to check my local thrift stores. I didn’t find any complete sets but I did find tons of glass pieces in a variety of patterns and suddenly it hit me…I didn’t need a matching set at all! I would mix and match and have a funky, eclectic set of with everything I needed for a next to nothing. I picked out 8 dinner plates, 8 salad plates, 8 bowls and 8 saucers in a handful of patterns —bamboo, florals, vines, contemporary, lattice, and textured.

I brought everything home, washed it and unceremoniously trashed all the old, chipped stuff. I put my “new” dishes away and have used them ever since. In that time, not one piece has chipped or broken. Once I realized how durable my funky, mismatched dinnerware was, I gave up looking for anything else. Best of all, though, is that it cost me less than twenty dollars for peace of mind that my stuff is lead-free.

The takeaway? Things don’t have to be new OR expensive to be awesome 🙂

Photo by Nancy Bea Miller

Yoocaa Reusable Collapsible Straws

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What: Yoocaa Collapsible Reusable Metal Straw

Features: Portable, collapsible, reusable, dishwasher-safe and made from food-grade stainless steel and reusable at least 1,000 times.

Green Factor: Billions of disposable plastic straws litter our oceans and cause great harm to marine life, as well as our oceans. Bringing your own portable straw and foregoing the plastic disposable ones is one way you can help stem the plastic straw pollution of our planet.

Bonus: The Yoocaa collapsible straw comes with a keychain style case that you can attach to your belt, bag or keys so you always have it with you, plus a brush to clean the inside of your straw.

Find It Here: Yoocaa Collapsible Reusable Metal Straw

Non-Toxic & PVC-Free Air Beds (Updated 2/25)

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pvc air mattress non-toxicThese days, when you need an extra bed, you’re more likely to pull out an air mattress than open a sofa sleeper and for camping, the inflatable air mattress will be found on most packing lists.

The problem, however, is that inflatable are commonly made with PVC, which outgasses harmful chemical fumes called phthalates long after that telltale “new mattress smell” has dissipated. (Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors that can cause a variety of insidious health issues for unborn children, as well as adults. We strongly recommend avoiding them whenever possible)

A few years ago, those of us who objected to breathing in dangerous chemicals may have had little recourse other than to forgo the luxury of an air mattress and lump it—but thankfully, we now have many more options:

Intex TruAire Luxury Air Mattress: Made of TPU and free of PVC, BPA, phthalates and chlorine, this 13 inch air mattress is lightweight and compact. It also comes with a built-in air pump and features a multi-zone support system. Made of patented non-stretch fibers. Comes with a carrying bag.

Serta Queen TPU Perfect Sleeper Air Mattress: NEW! This premium 18 inch PVC-free air mattress is constructed with heavy-duty waterproof puncture-resistant TPU. The Serta Perfect Sleeper sits tall like a traditional bed, futon, or sofa bed. This luxury air bed also has 4 firmness settings on the built-in auto shutoff pump. Just set the pump to Plush, Medium, Firm, or Extra-Firm and enjoy a perfect night’s rest. Comes with a full two year warranty.

Intex TruAire TPU Luxury Camping Mattress: NEW! This 8.5 inch PVC-free air mattress is made of TPU material that provides superior properties with better elasticity, as well as stronger abrasion and puncture resistance for comfort. Comes with carry bags for mattress and pump and a USB air pump. Free of BPA, phthalates and chlorine.

KingCamp 2-Person PVC-Free Ultra Light Airbed with Pump: Made of 100% polyester with TPU coating, this 2-Person PVC-Free airbed is only 6 lbs, damp-proof, comfortable, durable and very firm with 192 stabilizers between the top and bottom. The Boston valve air tap and battery operated pump provide rapid inflation and deflation. It is convenient to adjust the comfort level of this airbed. Includes compression straps, an oversized oxford carrying bag and repair kit.

ALPS Mountaineering Vertex 2 Person Air Bed: Made with durable PVC-free fabric, this air bed is incredibly lightweight (the queen size weighs in at just over 4 lbs) which makes for easy transport. It utilizes a coil system for a more solid and comfortable sleeping area and comes with a carrying bag and state-of-the-art pump with multiple power options: wall outlet, car outlet or rechargeable battery. For indoor/outdoor use, it also inflates and deflates quickly and easily.

Lightspeed Outdoors Ultralight Flexform Curved Inflatable Single Air Bed:  This indoor/outdoor super lightweight air bed (under 3 lbs) is made of PVC-free durable 30D stretch FlexForm polyester with TPU coating. Features a curved baffle design that cradles and conforms to body shape, a thicker 4.3 inches of inflation, built in pillow, adjustable firmness and inflates with 5-10 full bag pumps. Pump included!

Kelty Kush Queen Air Bed: Weighing in at just 5 lbs, this two person air bed is a plush 6 inches thick, PVC-free and made to last with abrasion-and-puncture resistant TPU laminated fabric. Comes with a battery operated air pump and carrying bag.

Sierra 2 Person Camping Air Bed Mattress:  This budget-conscious queen size air mattress (Note: reviews say it’s more like a full) is made of phthalate-free TPU and is PVC-free. It features a built-in pillow, a free-flowing 2-part Boston Valve and includes an oversized storage bag and battery-operated pump.

Happy PVC-free sleeping!

Light Up Your Life

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What: HybridLight Journey Flashlight

Features: SOLAR RECHARGEABLE  Charge using the built in solar panel outdoors OR indoors under incandescent lighting, OR by connecting via the included USB cable for rapid charge

CHARGE MOBILE DEVICES – Connect using the included USB cable to charge cell phones and other mobile devices while away from home or during power outages

EXTREMELY DURABLE AND WATERPROOF – Tested to 3 meters and it floats so you won’t lose it

DUAL MODE –  High or Low Beam. Super bright LED shines for up to 25 hours on low beam and 7 hours on high producing 160 lumens of bright white light

HOLDS A CHARGE FOR YEARS –  Always ready when you need it. Perfect for any emergency

Green Factor: You can avoid contributing to the hundreds of thousands batteries discarded into landfills by solar recharging instead of relying on the lithium ion battery that comes with the HybridLight Journey Flashlight

Bonus: The HL160 can be stored without sun for 7 years and still retain 90% of the original power. Also, guaranteed to work every time you turn it on!

Find It Here: HybridLight