The CleanSuds Blog
Where education and truthful facts are easy to come by.
Forget the New Year’s Resolutions
The statistics for sticking to New Year Resolutions are dismal. My most used resolution was to quit biting my nails. Another popular personal resolution was to be more organized. These both make me laugh today so you can guess how successful I was at keeping them! So I say, forget the New Year’s resolution!
I did someone last year and I did it secretly. I wanted to see if it would work and since I didn’t seem to have much willpower when it came to resolutions. Last December I picked a word or a “theme” for the year 2017. My word was STRENGTH. I told no one. I picked this word with intention. I knew I wanted to be physically stronger and I also knew I would need a lot of mental strength to get through a few very big projects professionally. I thought this word STRENGTH would be the perfect theme to get through 2017.
Losing weight is the most common New Year’s resolution. Once I decided on my word I started working on my physical strength right away. In order to get stronger I needed to start eating better so I started following a meal plan and writing down everything I ate. I measured myself and began strength training. I took pictures so I could see the progress since I wasn’t going to “lose weight” but lose inches. So when the clock struck midnight on January 2017 I was already 5 days into making myself strong!
A few weeks into 2017 I began a class I was very much looking forward to: Brick House Branding. It began at the end of January and was 8 long weeks of honing into the knitty gritty of what I wanted the core of MamaSuds to be inside and out. It was HARD but it was necessary. My mental strength was challenged when I had to make key decisions on my business. I hired a graphic designer and stayed awake a lot of nights worrying about decisions I had made and whether they were the right ones. I hired a business coach/advisor that helped me through the really hard stuff and relied on my business network a lot. I bounced everything off my closest friends and family and in the end the results were nothing short of spectacular!
Sourcing new packaging took a different kind of mental strength: patience. Finding a bottle company who would sell me a small amount of bottles was exhausting. Then once I found them they changed the price on me a few times, then delayed the delivery so many times I wanted to say forget it and look for new packaging.
My body started changing from strength training and I developed muscles I never knew were there and muscles I hadn’t seen since high school. My physique was slowly transforming but my energy as what changed very quickly. Cutting out all the sugar I was consuming and the nonsense calories raised my energy levels dramatically.
Looking back on 2017: The Year of Strength, I feel accomplished and... strong!
What’s my 2018 theme? Stay tuned!
What is your word/theme for 2018?
My Favorite Kombucha Recipe
My Favorite Kombucha Recipe
I am a total newbie when it comes to making Kombucha at home. But I have done a few batches and they were delicious so I thought I would share my recipe because it tastes wonderful and costs just pennies in comparison to what I was buying at Kroger.
So back when we went on our Solar Eclipse Trip we stopped and stayed with out-of-town friends for a visit before we all traveled to southern Kentucky. While we were there I saw my friend Elaine had a few giant glass jars of Kombucha brewing on her counter. I picked her brain for awhile about it and told her I had been putting off trying it because A) I don't have time and B) it looks hard. Come to find out, it's so easy and takes no time at all. So once she walked me through all the steps she offered me a SCOBY (it stands for Symbiotic Culture of Yeast and Bacteria). I was so excited because I also wondered how to get one. She even gave me a giant jar (how great is Elaine?). So the SCOBY is the pancake looking floating thing that "eats the sugars in the sweetened tea and creates an acidic, vitamin and probiotic rich beverage". (Wellness Mama)
So after I took the SCOBY and jar from Elaine I put it in the fridge for almost 3 weeks before I got the guts to try it. After researching lots of different recipes I decided to do a combination of black tea and herbal tea and to go decaffeinated. Why? I drink too much coffee as it is, I don't need anymore caffeine and my husband doesn't drink caffeine either and I really want him to drink it (hint hint Jim!).
I used a half gallon glass jar so if you have a gallon jar, double the recipe
- 3 black tea bags and 2 Herbal Teas (not flavored!) I used Celestial Times Sleepytime Honey
- half gallon of water (64 fluid ounces, 8 cups)
- 1/2 cup of organic pure cane sugar
- 1 cup of starter liquid (mine came with the SCOBY that I was gifted
Steps
- brew tea and sugar in 8 cups of water (I used RO water)
- let cool completely (otherwise you'll kill your SCOBY!)
- remove tea bags and pour into glass jar
- add in your starter tea liquid
- place your SCOBY in the jar
- cover with a tea towel or cheese cloth and put a rubber band around the neck
- store in a dark room temperature place
Note: I used vinyl gloves when handling my SCOBY to be sure that I didn't get any germs on it.
Now wait 7-10 days and then you can bottle your Kombucha. Personally, I reuse a vessel I have (mason jars, distilled water jug) and store in the refrigerator.
I was concerned that the SCOBY went down to the bottom in my batches but apparently that is fine. It has full range of the jar to hang out in 😀
Have a recipe that works for you that you'd like to share? Please comment below and let us know!
How to Heat Your Home Without Damaging the Environment
How to Heat Your Home Without Damaging the Environment
As winter approaches, there will come a point when you decide to switch on the heating. For environmentalists, this can be a difficult moment, but we’re here to help you live sustainably, so that you can heat your home guilt-free. Follow these tips to ensure you do as little damage to the environment as possible.
Insulation
Most homes in the USA are not properly insulated. The sum total of air leakages in the average American household is equivalent to having a window open all year round. This means that heat escapes during the winter and the outside cold air is let in. As a result, American families are having to turn up their heating, burning more fuel than necessary.
Most heat is lost through the attic and roof, so check that this area is thoroughly insulated with high quality materials. Then make sure to insulate cavity walls, tanks, radiators and floors. Aim for R-value thermal insulation, which has the maximum performance. This would require proper installation from a professional, but will save you money in the long run. Also, materials such as wood fiber, hemp and sheep’s wool are the most eco-friendly and very efficient solutions, while plastic materials rely on fossil fuels and can release harmful toxins.
Non-Pollutant Cleaners
The problem with airtight homes is that, while they hold in heat, they also stop harmful chemicals from escaping. Indoor air pollution is responsible for 4.3 million deaths globally each year, making it more deadly than outdoor air pollution. After completely insulating your home, ensure you also have proper ventilation and use cleaners which are free of harmful particulates, so the air in your home remains clean.
Avoid products containing hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid or sodium hydroxide. Instead purchase cleaners containing natural substances, such as baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils.
Clean Energy
However well insulated your home is, if you live in a cold area then it is always going to need heating. There are many different ways to heat a home, each of which vary in their effect on the environment. Instead of a coal or wood burning fire, consider a bio-ethanol fireplace. This will provide the warmth and comfort of a fireplace, whilst using only the cleanest burning fuel.
Ideally, you will find a way to switch to an energy source which is completely renewable and doesn’t release harmful chemicals. For areas with a lot of sun, solar panels are a great way to gather electricity during the day and heat your homes at night. Windy areas, on the other hand, are increasingly building wind farms to supply electricity. The switch to clean energy is happening slowly and may be expensive, but it is one way to be sure that your electric heater is doing no damage to the environment.
Heating your home shouldn’t be a guilty pleasure. If you are still reliant on energy that releases greenhouse gases, then you can limit your use by insulating your home. This is the quickest and most effective way to reduce energy consumption. Just make sure to limit your use of indoor air pollutants to maintain clean air both inside and out.
Contribution by freelance writer Sally Writes
This Mama's Story: Jessica
This is a blog series highlighting the amazing women who are living examples of the MamaSuds Manifesto.
How did you find MamaSuds in the first place?
I honestly cannot recall exactly how I stumbled upon MamaSuds. One way or another, it was luck! I do know that 2 years ago I began looking into non-toxic products and making my own products at home. I know I acquired a post on Pinterest from the MamaSuds blog, so I may have found MamaSuds through Pinterest, or I really think it was when I was searching for an alternate option to Dr. Bronners Castile Soap that everyone likes to rave about. I was far from impressed with the price to product amount ratio with Dr. Bronner's, and I like to find products that aren't so commercialized. When I found MamaSuds I remember coming back to the site a few times knowing I wanted to place an order but hesitant about splurging on the gallon of Castile soap. I finally "took the plunge" and ordered laundry soap, all purpose spray, and a gallon of Castile Soap! Best purchases ever!
What's your favorite MamaSuds Product?
I love the Castile Soap and Laundry Soap. The Castile soap is so versatile and I am able to make my own all purpose cleaner, face wash, and floor cleaner from one product! The laundry soap is the safest I have found and probably will ever find, and I was excited to find a liquid! The absolute best part of all of this is to know that I am buying from the US and from a mother who started her own business and is so passionate about her products!
What is your favorite thing about yourself?
My favorite thing about myself is my personality. Don't get me wrong -I have my moments- but overall I am an easy going, happy, there to help everyone kind of person. Life is too short to dwell on things or be mad at the people you love!
What is your clean living tip?
My clean living tip is to take it one day or one week at a time! Start with one item in your home and replace it, and then find another item and try replacing that one. It takes time and does not have to happen overnight. In time you will love the changes and keep moving forward towards a more non-toxic living environment, that you can be proud of!
What inspires you to live more sustainably?
My family is what inspires me to live more sustainably. After having my daughter, I began to become even more aware of the toxins that surround us. I began working at changing out everything from personal care products to cleaning products and everything in-between, as well as living a more "greener" lifestyle. I work in a Cancer Center and it truly is scary to see all the different types of cancer and what people and their families go through. I would like to think and hope that small changes made in my home may help my family to avoid unnecessary health issues that are linked to toxins in our daily environments.
We hope you enjoyed Jessica's story! If you have a story to tell, we'd love to hear it.
Mark Your Calendars
Celebrate a whole NEW MamaSuds!
MamaSuds has a whole NEW look! It's been months of research and many more months of designing (thank you RowanMade) and we are ready to launch our brand new look.
Hold up- I want to reassure you that even though we've changed the packaging, the product itself.... the inside stuff, the ingredients- it hasn't changed at all. It's still fresh, pure, clean and truly safe. We now have the packaging to match!
Our LAUNCH date for the NEW MamaSuds website is
Wednesday, August 23, 2017.
But you won't have to wait for that date. YOU will get special early bird 🐦 shopping an entire day early. A special password will be sent to you to enter our new site and get it first. Plus, our old packaging will be available at first-come first-serve prices!
Dates to remember:
Monday August 21: BLACK OUT DAY
coinciding with Solar Eclipse Day 🌑, the MamaSuds website will be "under construction"
Tuesday August 22: Early Bird 🐦 Shopping
A private password will be emailed to those on our Email List: they will get to shop a day early and receive special pricing on our old packaging.
Wednesday August 23: NEW MamaSuds site will be LAUNCHED 🚀
The new site will be open to the public 🌿
In just a few more days we'll be announcing a BIG giveaway and begin unveiling our New MamaSuds Collection!
Big Dreams + A New Look
Big Dreams + A New Look
It's been 8 months of hard work and late nights, but the time is finally here to tell you our big news: MamaSuds is getting a makeover!
We are really excited about our new look and we hope you love it too. Why the new look? Well, a year ago I had a big dream: to bring our products closer to you. I reached out to hundreds of stores, send countless samples all over the country, and heard a common theme when I asked for feedback: "We love your products, but your packaging doesn't match the aesthetic of our customers."
At first I was confused. What? What does that mean? I researched and read and decided I needed help. So I hired Lela Barker from Lucky Break Consulting to guide me through rebranding MamaSuds.
I am not going to lie. It was really hard. But the end result is stunning and beautiful.
In the upcoming days, I will be sharing our rebrand story and the new look with you. If you'd like to get sneak peeks and news then I invite you to join our mailing list HERE.
12 Ways to Live a More Sustainable Life
12 ways to live a more sustainable life
1. Think before you shop and become and environmentally conscious consumer
2. Ditch the plastic water bottles
3. Speaking of water.... be water wise! Here are 100 Ways to Conserve Wise
4. Eat less meat (Resources: Take Extinction Off Your Plate and Reducing Your Footprint
5. Reduce your household energy use by using the right lightbulb
6. Quit using ridiculous disposable products
7. Support fashion brands that are ethical and environmentally conscious: Loomstate, Patagonia, and Reformation are just a few you may want to check out
8. Use washable stainless steel straws instead of disposable plastic straws
9. Borrow books from the library instead of purchasing them directly or buy them used from a local used bookstore (now you're buying used AND local!)
10. Donate unused clothing and household items to The Salvation Army
11. Buy second-hand
12. Support local and indie businesses
How many of these do you already do? Which do you feel has the greatest impact?
Why I chose Cloth Diapers
Since I had kids I have changed a lot. I think most people can relate to that sentence. But I often think about how pre-kids Michelle and post-kids Michelle would probably not be friends. Just the thought of these two personalities in the same room together makes me laugh. There is no way pre-kids Michelle would even recognize herself 10 years later.
Okay, enough talking about myself in the third person.
When I first heard about cloth diapering I scoffed at the idea. In fact, I am pretty certain I was repulsed. I remember someone showing me the “new” cloth diapers (probably an AIO: all in one) and thinking: why would you use that when you can just throw a disposable out?
I can’t pinpoint what exactly made me decide to check into cloth diapers. But what bothered me about disposables was the time it took for them to decompose. I have read everything from 250 years to more than 500 years. And you can’t recycle disposables. It's very disturbing to me to think about how many diapers I used with my oldest, then multiply that by multiple kids, multiple families.... I just can't comprehend it.
Using cloth diapers, even part-time, is extremely eco friendly and economical. Not to mention they are really cute too!
I used cloth full time with my middle daughter, using disposables for just a week when we went on a trip. But with my third daughter, I had the hardest time finding anything that would not leak at night. I spent a lot of money trying to find the answers to dry pajamas and sheets, but I didn't find anything (this was 5 years ago), so I did do disposables at night with her.
I wish there were better options back then for disposables, but there really weren't many choices.....
Now though? There are many good options and a few great options. Check out this company, called Poof that makes completely biodegradable diapers AND wipes! Hooray for innovation!
How was your experience with cloth? I'd love to hear!
How to get Your Kids to Help with the Cleaning
• Age-appropriate chores should be assigned to each child.
• Use chore charts to organize the tasks and have children check off when completed.
• Incentivize kids by providing rewards for completing consecutive chores.
• Consistent cleaning habits and a good work ethic can be instilled in kids through their involvement in household chores.