Let it Begin with Me.

April 22 is National Earth Day and I wanted to just jot down a few ways I try to go green in the kitchen. I am so thankful for my time here on earth, and I believe life is such a gift. If you are given something, you want to cherish and care for it, and it is the same here with Earth and all it's resources. The good thing is, you can always start small. You don't have to have solar panels on your ceiling or an Eco friendly car in your driveway..start from the inside. Find creative ways to reuse things. Don't waste. Invest in bins to recycle your plastic bottles and pop cans. Turn off the water if you're not immediately using it. For me, I am in the kitchen a lot, so there is where I try and be wise and repurpose things-especially food. I have a couple favorites that are my go-to for a variety of things. #1. Coconut oil. As much as I use this in actual cooking, I repurpose it for many other uses. It clears up cradle cap. (my 4 month old daughter's head cleared up in less than 3 days) I use it to clean my jewelry-my wedding ring spRkles after I buff it with coconut oil. I use it as face and body lotion. It is silky, and blends in well, without leaving the greasy residue. It's great for hair, nails, and even as a deodorant! Coconut oil is a great gift in that it can replace so many other things (plastic bottles of lotions, cleaners filled with harsh chemicals..) is completely natural and you can feel confident in using it. #2. Vinegar. Vinegar is another natural agent that I repurpose for other uses besides whipping up an amazing salad dressing. Another great cleaner, I disinfect and scrub down the bathroom with it. It leaves a clean, crisp bathroom with sparkling surfaces. I use vinegar for acne and as an excellent hair rinse. It is not harsh, and works as a clarifying shampoo. I use it at least 1-2x a week and my hair is bouncy and shiny and is rid of buildup. I know these may be small things, but they are SOMEthing. My desire is to continue to learn and grow, educating myself on ways to recycle, repurpose, reuse, and regard this precious gift of earth and all it holds. I hope you find some of these tips useful! Happy Earth Day.