Celestial Seasonings suffers poor quality control and failed tests.

In a study performed by Glaucus Research and Eurofins, Celestial Seasonings had 10 out of 11 varieties of their tea test positive for dangerously high levels of pesticides. Not only were the levels exceeding that of US guidelines, there were known carcinogens that have no known safe consumption level present. Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Kids Goodnight Grape Herbal, contained 0.26 ppm of propachlor, which has no safe harbor limit under California’s Proposition 65. This is the tea that you would be giving to your child before bed. Some of the other teas sampled also had traces of propargite. This is another pesticide that has no known safe harbor limit under Proposition 65, as it is also a known carcinogen.

The results of the testing were startling, but not surprising considering the history of Celestial Seasonings with the FDA. The FDA has issued two prior Warning Letters to Celestial Seasonings for quality control issues.

The full report on the Celestial Seasonings findings can be viewed here.

Teavana has 100% of their samples test positive for dangerous levels of pesticides.

When the Glaucus Research and Eurofins study was complete, 100% of the tea samples had tested positive for dangerous levels of pesticides that were over the US limits. Surprisingly, one of Teavana’s most popular and expensive teas, Monkey Picked Oolong, was the most contaminated with 23 pesticides. Additionally, 77% of the tea samples failed the European Union pesticide import standards and 62% had traces of Endosulfan present which has been ban in the US, EU, China, and 144 other countries because it may impair fertility and harm unborn babies.

The full report on Teavana can be found here.

Tea is one of the last places I would expect to find such high levels of pesticides. Do these findings surprise you at all?

I made two versions of this bag and neither required sewing. I am sewing inept. I can’t do it and refuse to learn, so no-sew projects are a must. All this project requires is a pair of scissors and an old shirt, absolutely nothing else. How do I do this magic you may wonder? Here are the simple steps required to creating a stylish new bag from your old ragged tees.

A No Sew Tee Shirt Handbag

What you need:

• Scissors
• Old Shirt

Directions:

Lay your t-shirt on a flat surface. Cut off the sleeves  - the straighter the better, but honestly uneven is okay. Next cut the neckline off the shirt. You can cut it in a squared off fashion or rounded depending on how you want the opening of the bag to look. I chose to go with a rounded look on my bags. Just cut off about an inch past the seamed area of the neckline. The deeper the hole, the bigger the opening will be on the bag. The result will be a deep-cut tank top.

Next simply cut inch long slits into the bottom of the bag. The slits should be about an inch in length and an inch apart. Using a ruler for this part can be helpful, but not necessary. After you have your slits cut you will simply tie the bottom slit areas. This will create a tasseled look at the bottom of the bag. The longer the slits the longer the tassels.

Now give your bag a good stretch and it is ready to go.

Produce Bag Version

I made a second bag with a more mesh look to it. Many produce bags have holes throughout to allow for more expansion in the bag. This is great if you have a bag that is exceptionally stained or torn. You can then incorporate those tears and stains and make it look purposeful. Simply follow the instructions above and then fold the shirt into fourths across the width of the shirt. Make a few cuts in each side and unfold. Now you have a bag with multiple holes throughout. Wash the bag and it is ready to go.

A great photo tutorial for this project  is provided by instructables here.

What is your favorite repurposing project?

Organizing Your Sheets

DIYCrafts suggests storing sheets in their corresponding pillow case to organize the closet. I never would have thought to do this. I have seen some comments by those with large bedding, like king and queen size, saying that they can’t fold both the fitted sheet and flat sheet small enough to fit inside one pillow case like the photo. However, they seem to be overlooking the fact that a king or queen set typically comes with two pillow cases, so for the larger sets put one sheet per pillowcase.

Cereal Box Organizer

I thought this tip from Katydid and Kid was fantastic. She literally used old Cheerios boxes and scrap paper to make beautiful organizers. What I like is that you could adjust the height and sizes to meet your needs based off of the type of box you use and how far you cut it down. Her instructions are very easy to follow, and you will have a cute new organizer in minutes. You also have the ability to choose the color scheme and pattern of your organizer. Just choose scrap paper or other items you have to decorate. Think old buttons, wrapping paper, construction paper, or anything in between.

Lego Storage Containers (or other small items)

I came across this super cute lego storage container and was surprised to learn it was made from old snack containers. You can get full instructions on how to make this masterpiece at Obsuessed. However, I would suggest using an eco-friendly spray paint, or other leftover paint at the house instead of heading out for a VOC filled spray paint can.

Organizer Out of Old Jeans

NellieBellie has a great way to repurpose on old pair of jeans that has seen better days. No sewing is required for this creation which was a plus for me. All you need is hot glue, an old pair of jeans, scissors, tacks, and an old board or shelf to attach the jeans to. It is surprisingly simple to make, yet looks like you spend hours on end creating this organizer. You can make it as big or as small as you like so it can be used anywhere.

There are so many great organization tips on Pinterest that this doesn’t even begin to cover all the possibilities. However, if you are organizationally inept like myself, Pinterest can give you tons of ideas that are easy, budget friendly, and green. What is your favorite organizing tip found on Pinterest?

Check out a few of these naturalist programs offered at parks across the country.

Junior Ranger Programs

The National Park Service and US Department of Interior have a Junior Ranger program that is available at a number of National Parks across the US. The Junior Ranger program is the perfect way to incorporate some education into your summer vacation, while still making it fun. The Junior Ranger program is perfect for children interested in exploring, history, science, or nature.

One great aspect of this program is the self-paced activities. Your child won’t be tied down to specific program schedules. Rather, they enjoy the park at their own pace and learn as they go. The program offers guidance to learning throughout the program, but also allows the child flexibility. At the completion of the program the new Junior Ranger will receive a badge or certificate.

View a full list of participating National Parks here.

Junior Naturalist Programs

Many State Parks have Junior Naturalist Programs. We were recently at the Greenleaf State Park in Oklahoma and had the opportunity to learn more about the Oklahoma State Park Junior Naturalist Program first hand. These naturalist programs are little known gems that are hosted at most State parks. If the park has a nature center, this is the perfect start to learn more about the program.

If your child is interested they will be given a workbook to complete during their visit to the park. They will be encouraged to learn about:

• local wildlife
• park safety
• park care and upkeep
• identifying animal tracks
• identifying plant life
• looking at the park from an artistic view

Much like the Junior Ranger program, these programs can be structured or unstructured. They can be completed at an individual pace over the course of the summer, or in one visit to the park. The child can choose how in-depth to take the course. At the completion of the course the child will receive a certificate from the State identifying their status as a Junior Naturalist and in many cases will be listed on the State’s official website.

The programs are specifically designed to help foster a relationship between the park and the child. They hope that the Junior Naturalist programs will encourage children to have a life long love for their park sanctuaries and encourage a generation to have an appreciation for the park system as they get older.

My daughter had lots of fun completing the program and by the end was impressing me with her leaf identifying skills. Have your children participated in a Junior Ranger or Junior Naturalist program?

About Face

Using four central ingredients (baking soda, oatmeal, granulated sugar and coffee grounds) you can mix some truly terrific and beneficial facial scrubs depending on your skincare needs.

Sugar to nourish your skin? It might sound crazy, but using it as an exfoliant can soften skin and keep it smooth. Mix 1 teaspoon of sugar with ½ teaspoon of honey and add a bit of lemon juice. If it feels loose add more sugar. You can also use this on your whole body, just combine larger quantities. Use in the shower as it will be sticky. You can substitute brown sugar instead of granulated too.

Ground oatmeal can work wonders on the skin. It’s soothing, hydrating and can tackle many problems from acne to dry skin – and even heal a sunburn. Make a facial scrub by combining 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal with a ¼ teaspoon of salt. The salt acts as an exfoliant while the oatmeal feeds the skin. Add 1 teaspoon of water or olive oil to create a paste.  Rub the paste into the skin in a circular motion and then let it sit for five to ten minutes. Rinse off. This scrub is gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Body Work

Your morning cup of Joe can pull double duty when you use the coffee grinds as a body scrub. The caffeic acid in the grounds (wet) is an anti-inflammatory that can boost collagen. Mix 4 tablespoons of coffee grinds with 4 teaspoon of water or olive oil and it will moisturize AND exfoliate your skin at the same time.

A good salt scrub is one of the best ways to get skin silky smooth. For a body scrub, mix together a ½ cup of salt (can substitute with sugar) with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. It won’t keep more than a day so use it the day you make it. Rub into skin and rinse off. Skin is new, fresh and smooth.

If you want a body scrub that will last a longer time (think gifts!) try using coconut oil mixed with brown sugar. Stored in an airtight container, this scrub can last up to six months. Take 1 ¼ cups brown sugar (raw can be used too) and mix with 6 tablespoons of coconut oil and 15 drops of vanilla essential oil. Apply it to wet skin. It smells divine and rinses off easily, leaving behind glowing skin.

Shop this set at Polyvore

With all this talk of hemp, have you explored it or tried it?  Hemp seeds can be used in cereals, smoothies, baked items, and breads among other things.  There’s even hemp milk and hemp ice cream.

Health Benefits of Hemp:

There are several benefits to hemp.

• Hemp is an amazing source of non-meat protein.
• The omega fatty acids in hemp are a perfect ratio of omega 3′s to omega 6′s.
• Unlike some other exceptional healthy super foods, you don’t need to soak, grind or do anything major to hemp.

Where to Buy Hemp:

You can buy hemp seeds at any health food store. Fresh seeds should be similar to sunflower seeds in smell and taste. Be sure to look for hulled seeds. Once purchased, you can store hemp seeds up to a year at room temperature and longer in the refrigerator.

Cooking With Hemp:

There are a variety of uses for hemp, but it is easily burned, so be careful when cooking it. Here are some ways to enjoy your hemp:

• Sprinkle a tablespoon or 2 over a salad or pasta salad, or even yogurt.
• Mix it into trail mix, cooked grains or hot cereals like oatmeals.
• Use it in smoothie as well (a more powered version works for this).
• Ground hemp seeds can be used mixed with water to replace eggs in a recipe (like muffins or breads) much as ground flax seed can.

Other Uses For Hemp:

It’s not just for food. You can also find hemp in body care creams, lip balms, and salves for it’s superb emolliency. Other uses include:

• Several green companies encourage using hemp instead of cotton for clothing.
• Several car companies are using hemp composites in door panels.
• Energy efficient homes are built using hemp concrete.

With all these health and green benefits, it’s shocking that the grain cannot be grown in the United States. You can take action by visiting HempHistoryweek.com, writing or calling your your State Representative or Senator, or finding an event near you. Imagine if America could grow some of this crop that already has 452 million in U.S. sales?

Turning a men’s shirt into a stylish new look for you is incredibly simple and only takes a few seconds. Watch the video below to see some of the amazing styles using the men’s button up shirt.

Video courtesy of Colour Heels Diary

Men’s Shirt to Dress and Back Again

I tried all the different styles in this video with one of my husband’s old shirts and they were incredibly simple. Once I got the shirt on I realized there were even more ways to style it. The possibilities really were endless. This is not only a great way to repurpose old shirts, but also any shirt with a pattern you like. After you’ve worn it in dress form, simply wash and iron the shirt and it’s back to normal again.

If you don’t have any old shirts lying around, or want something with a different pattern – head to your local thrift store. Shop in the men’s department to find some button up shirts that can easily be converted.

The dress is a mini dress, so if you prefer a longer look, choose an extra long men’s shirt. Alternatively, you can just wear the mini dress as a shirt with pants underneath or leggings. I typically wear a size 6 dress and I used a men’s large button up and it fit perfectly. The tightness of the top will depend on where you button it. Therefore, I could have easily fit in an x-large or medium shirt as well. The larger the shirt, the longer the dress will be.

Try it With a Tee

Don’t have a button up men’s shirt? It can be done with an over sized tee shirt as well. Cut Out and Keep offers a simple two step tutorial on how to turn a baggy shirt into a tee shirt dress. Super simple and cute. This project is no sew and even easier than the button up shirt. However, it is a more basic look than the button up.

These ideas embody a truly unique twist on green living and combine it with easy and functional style. Greening up your wardrobe doesn’t have to break the bank. Have you repurposed any old clothing items? What is your favorite repurposed look?

Starting Your Cutting Garden

There are no hard and fast rules to creating a cutting garden, but deciding which of your blooms to cut can be difficult. You don’t want to mess up your exterior landscape, but you also want the beautiful flowers indoors. If you are going to struggle with chopping up the look of your landscape, you may consider creating a separate cutting garden away from your landscaped yard. This garden will be specifically for cutting and is typically setup in vegetable garden format with rows of your favorite flowers. Or you can plant flowers any way you’d like, since it is for the expressed purpose of cutting for beautiful indoor flowers.

If you want to keep your garden together, or don’t have the space, one option is to color coordinate your gardens. Plant in similar tones (cool colors, dark, light, etc). Then, even when blooms are cut, there are plenty of the same or similar colors left. This also prevents the garden from looking messy or confetti like.

Caring for Your Garden

Your cutting garden will be maintained in the same fashion as your standard landscaping garden. Knowing what plants, shrubs, or flowers grow best in your is key. Speak with your local garden center to f ind out which blooming varieties will be best set for your soil type and climate.

Creating Your Bouquet

Now come the fun part: creating your bouquet. Bouquets can be simple, elegant, or a single
flower nicely packaged. Regardless of what is in your bouquet, there are a few tricks to keeping your bouquet fresher for longer.

Follow these simple tips:

• Cut your flowers when it is coolest outside (typically early morning).
• Place the stems directly into water after
  cutting.
• Freshly cut the stems when you bring them inside.
• Add floral preservative to the water for extended life.

Creating a beautiful cutting garden is easy and rewarding. What is your favorite fresh-cut flower?

EcoColors Hair Dye

Permanent, gluten free, non-toxic and all natural, Eco Colors is available in hair salons and has an at-home hair dye kit option.  Made primarily from 100% organic Rosemary oil it also contains Vitamin E & C, grapefruit, seed extract, nettles and flower essences.  It works well on gray hair, comes in a wide array of colors and provides a high quality shine that helps to restore hair each time it is used.

Light Mountain

This one has been around since the 1980s. Light Mountain is henna based and has a smaller amount of basic color options like red, blonde and brown.  It works by softly tinting hair of all types, especially gray hair.  It is extremely affordable and can be used often.

Clairol’s Natural Instincts

One of the first mass-produced, semi-permanent natural drugstore options Natural Instincts has a range of shades that brightens hair without using ammonia.  You can go from blonde to black at any time and keep hair loaded with antioxidants.  This tint gives good shine while still being low in peroxide and loaded with Vitamins C & E.

Garnier HerbaShine

Garnier has a few options for natural hair coloring but HerbaShine is their star performer.  Made from Bamboo extract this is one luxurious cream that feels silky and rich that cares for hair during the coloring process.  Using an ammonia-free formula is offers brilliant color in over 18 color options.  It is also fast and easy taking only 10 minutes to cover gray hair or test out a new hue in a natural way.  Priced right and sold in drugstores.

L’Oreal’s Natural Match

It may have limited color choices (only brown and dark blonde) but it packs a colorful punch while using only natural ingredients like jojoba, pomegranate and apricot oils.  Giving hair a gorgeously glossy shine it pumps up dull, dry hair and is ammonia-free.  Highly affordable, Natural Match is available in drugstores everywhere.

Today there are a wide set of options to color your hair naturally in beautiful, shiny shades that are also less damaging to your hair, body and the environment.  Ask your stylist if they can also be used on your next salon visit.

Fortunately for families, there are a number of completely free educational resources online. As a full-time homeschooling family, I have found that these free resources can be just as beneficial (if not more so) than some of the standard workbook type programs. Here is a list of my top 5 favorite free homeschooling resources for elementary students:

PBSKids.com

PBSKids.com is a fantastic site for fun and educational games. The site is definitely appealing to small children and easy to use. The games focus on a variety of topics from basic grammar, reading, and math skills to computer skills. The website features all the popular characters from PBS cartoons and is packaged in a way that encourage kids to learn while playing.

Along with educational games, the site has a full list of videos and programming. You can watch PBS Kids shows and snippets from the site and then play corresponding games. Martha Speaks is a favorite in our house.

Starfall

Starfall.com is a free public service company that helps teach children how to read with phonics. Starfall is a great alternative to learning for children and is designed specifically with preschool-2nd graders in mind. This program is also used by many homeschooling families for phonics curriculum as well as children with special needs.

The site is separated into sections: Learn to Read, Fun to Read, and I Can Already Read. This makes it easy to determine where to start with your child. According to Starfall creators: “Our method of instruction motivates children in an atmosphere of imagination and enthusiasm, provides opportunities for child-directed instruction, and supports English language learners and struggling readers learning alongside their peers.”

ABCya

ABCya.com is perfect for those kids who want to brush up on their computer skills while touching on core subjects like math and reading. The site is separated out by grade level and incorporates programs for those Kindergarten through 5th grade. Simply click your student’s grade level to begin. All of the activities were created – or approved – by certified school teachers. The games are free and are modeled from primary grade lessons and enhanced to provide an interactive way for children to learn.

Cookie

Cookie.com is another fantastic website dedicated to fun, colorful, and educational games that will hold your child’s attention. You can choose from a variety of subject areas and grade levels. Cookie also provides free printable exercises you can do with your child. Play the online games or print off some worksheets to take the lesson away from the computer.

Mother Nature Herself

The ultimate free learning resource is Mother Nature herself. What better way to learn than going out and doing? From insect life cycles to weather patterns, there are so many lessons that Mother Nature can provide. Setup some experiments or just let your child ask questions about the world around them. You can turn a day in the park into an educational opportunity by discussing the animals, plants, or even people you see.

Little minds are curious minds. Don’t let your child’s mind stop working just because it is summer. What fun ways do you incorporate learning into your child’s break?