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?

Works of Art

It’s hard not to jump on the nail art bandwagon – but it isn’t always easy to master it.  The cool, fun, and funky designs seen on celebrities and many Pinterest boards are back for another season.  You can try your hand at creating your own version of the stars and stripes or just pick up a set of press on nail art by Jamberry.  Mix and match decals with stars, stripes and even fireworks for a unique spin on the holiday.  If it all just seems too complicated go classic and paint your nails a gorgeous cherry red with a high gloss shine.  For a look that is a bit more daring find a cobalt blue shade to brighten up your mani or pedicure.

Waves of Glory

You may not be able to show off hair in ‘amber waves’ but you can add your own July Fourth spin to your tresses.  Spray, paint or chalk your hair in bright red stripes or get bold and use blue for a knock-their-socks off look.  They all wash out at the end of the day so go ahead and live it up!  If a hair color change is not your thing, then find something simple, elegant and cool for a day spent at outside.  Using a beach waves salt spray you to create waves adds volume and a laid back vibe.  Create a small French braid using the first section of hair in the front of your head and pin it back with a bobby pin for a casual ‘do.  A loose ponytail or bright scarf tied into your hair makes a pretty statement too.

Baubles, Bangles & Beads

Get a fresh, new take on the day by stacking eco-resin bangles in clear, white and red on both arms.  Or go a step beyond the flag pin and earrings and stay true to classic style roots.  Find symbols like anchors, stars, eagles and even wholesome cherries or apples and play them up in gold and silver charm bracelets, pendants and earrings.

Relax, light some fireworks, chill by the lake or pool and enjoy the day and night with good friends and family celebrating our great nation.  Festive nails, hair or otherwise it is sure to be a good time.

Shop this set at Polyvore

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?

Go During the Slow Times

It may seem impossible to do, especially during the summer months, but try to go during slow times – especially weekdays. If you do end up visiting a park on the weekend, try getting there first thing in the morning before everyone else starts arriving.  You’ll get on some rides and have photo ops before the crowds get crazy.

Research the Rides

This might seem silly but it is totally worth it.  Go onto the theme park’s official website and read the descriptions and height requirements for the rides. Nothing is worse than waiting in line for half an hour only to have to turn to your child and say they can’t get on.  If anyone is concerned about how intense a ride is, search for reviews or a video on Youtube.

Beat the Heat

Avoid being out in the sun between 10am and 2pm.  Getting to the park early means you will have plenty of fun before taking a break.  Find indoor shows, enjoy a leisurely lunch or check out shopping areas during the hottest times and definitely make sure everyone is drinking enough to avoid dehydration.  Hats are a great source of protection and kids often enjoy those battery operated fans (especially the ones that can be filled with water!).

Food and Drinks

Let’s face it – food at amusement parks is not only expensive, it’s can also be unhealthy.  Of course, it’s fine to splurge once in a while but it also is a good idea to pack healthy drinks and snacks to keep thirst and hunger at bay while you’re enjoying the park.

Motion Sickness and Other Illnesses

Being jostled around on a rough ride can cause some problems and an upset tummy can ruin a day very quickly.  For that reason, it’s not only a good idea to avoid heavy, greasy foods but it’s also advantageous to carry something for motion sickness.  It’s also smart to pack your own pain relievers and adhesive bandages in case someone has a headache or a booboo needs covering.

What are your tips to share?

I hope these tips to get a good night’s sleep help you get to seven to eight hours a little easier.

10 Tips to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

1. Use a schedule.  Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day. Your body will begin to get used to a rhythm, which will make it easier to sleep consistently. Weekends too!
2. Indulge in a bath or shower. Soak your worries away and soothe tired muscles by indulging in a hot bath or shower before bed.  A lavender scented body wash or scrub will help with relaxation as well.
3. Stop the caffeine.  Enjoy caffeinated beverages early in the day to avoid having the caffeine keep you awake at night.
4. Get comfortable. Draw the curtains. Turn off the music.  Make sure the room temperature is comfortable.  Fluff your pillow.  Do whatever you need to do to make your bedroom a relaxing oasis.
5. Avoid drinking before bedtime.  Avoid having too many things to drink right before bed. Waking up to use the bathroom can disrupt your night’s sleep.
6. Relax. If stress is a factor in keeping you awake, work on relaxation techniques and ways to reduce stress.  Do a few deep breathing exercises and visualize a peaceful place to help you drift off to sleep.
7. Go to sleep early enough. One of the things I struggle with is not “working just a few more hours” after dinner. If I need to wake up at 6:00 AM, I need to be in bed by 10:00 PM to get 8 hours of sleep.
8. Exercise. Studies have shown that doing 30 minutes of exercise each day will help you sleep better.
9. Avoid napping.  Avoid taking naps during the day to ensure that you sleep at night.
10. See a doctor. If these suggestions don’t help you get a full night’s sleep, see a doctor for underlying causes of poor sleep patterns.

Do you have any suggestions for getting a good night’s sleep? Do you get seven or eight hours each night?

This inevitably means that I get less done during the day. I find myself working later and later which impacts how quickly I can get dinner on the table for everyone. As much as I’d love to give everyone peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, I don’t think that would go over very well.  I want to give them something for dinner that’s nutritious and delicious but that I can prepare in less than 20 minutes. Finding a recipe that fits all three of those categories can be a challenge. That’s where this Pasta all’Uovo recipe comes into play.

Pasta all’Uovo With Mushrooms, Mascarpone and Parmesan

Ingredients

• 1/2 package of pasta all’uovo (egg noodles) 
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 6 – 10 sliced fresh mushrooms (to your taste)
• 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 container of mascarpone
• 1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
• Parsley to garnish

Directions

• Cook 1/2 package of pasta all’uovo (egg noodles) per package direction
• Melt butter and extra virgin olive oil in a large frying pan
• Add the mushrooms and cook until tender
• Pour in the heavy whipping cream and add the mascarpone. Stir until melted.
• Add the cooked pasta and stir well.
• Add a small handful of chopped parsley.
• Stir and serve topped with grated fresh parmesan cheese.

What are your favorite summer recipes?

Needless to say, you can always find fresh vegetables in my refrigerator – along with an assortment of salad dressings.  I’m the oil and vinegar type dressing girl, while my husband is more the creamier type (blue cheese for sure!)  My dad used to make an oil and vinegar and blue cheese dressing (long before Newman’s came out with the bottled kind) and after begging for years, he finally gave in and typed up the recipe for me.  But he labeled it TOP SECRET and I had to promise not to share it with anyone outside of the family.  So let me just say it includes oil, tarragon vinegar, red wine vinegar, garlic, blue cheese and lots of spices (including dill weed and red peppers).  Even though I can’t give out that full recipe, I will give you my mom’s favorite salad dressing recipe.

Mom’s Salad Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 cup oil
• ¼ cup vinegar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp celery seed
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• Dash pepper
• 1 small onion minced

Directions

Mix together and refrigerate.  She used to serve this with a salad of 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese or feta cheese, any kind of lettuce and 1 cup cashews.  She would also sometimes add other ingredients like red onion, celery, raisins or dried cherries, crisp bacon or ripe olives.

Quinoa Salad

Vegetables are so versatile when used in salads.  In addition to lettuce salads, vegetables (and many fruits) can be used in potato salads, pasta salads, cole slaws and quinoa salads. Quinoa is the new pasta.  Try out this recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 4 medium radishes – very thinly sliced
• 1/2 pound thin green beans
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 large English cucumber – quartered and cut into small slices
• 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp parsley – chopped
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 6 ounces Greek feta cheese – thinly sliced

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring the red wine vinegar and sugar to a simmer. Remove from the heat and add the radish slices. Let stand until cool, about 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan of salted boiling water, blanch the green beans until they are crisp yet tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse the beans under cold water until cool. Pat the beans dry and cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths.
3. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cups of water to a boil. Add the quinoa, cover and simmer over low heat until all of the water has been absorbed, about 12 minutes. Uncover and let stand until cool, about 10 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, toss the cucumber with 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss the quinoa with the parsley, lemon juice and the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. Drain the radishes and add them to the quinoa, along with the beans, cucumber and feta.
5. Toss well and serve or refrigerate for a later time.

Now that it is summer and getting warmer, a nice cold crisp salad for dinner is a way to beat the heat.  Pass the salad please.

Our friends at Chili’s are giving away one million of their NEW freshly-baked flatbreads — but time is limited and they’re going fast! Loaded with signature toppings on a crispy crust, it’s a taste not to be missed. Click the banner above to claim your free flatbread* before they’re gone and get to your local Chili’s!

Be sure to share this page with your friends, family, fans and followers using the sharing tools above, too…

Enjoy!

*visit site for additional details 

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?

Heartworms are transmitted to your dog through mosquito bites, and live in the heart of your dog. There are several things that must occur in order for your dog to become infected, not just any mosquito bite can cause it, and it requires the right temperatures and stages of development in order for your dog to become infected. You can read about the steps to heartworm infection on A Creature Comfort.

Even though it seems like it’s a one in a million chance your dog will get it – there are still things you can (and should) do to prevent it.

Prevention

Prevention of Heartworm Disease is something every dog owner should take seriously.  Heartworm treatment is painful for your dog as well as dangerous – the treatment can be lethal.  It is also expensive.

The first thing you need to do is be sure there is no stagnant water nearby where mosquitos can breed.  Keep your dog inside during the dusk and dawn hours to help prevent mosquito bites.  There are many recipes for homemade, non-toxic mosquito repellents which can be safely used for both humans and dogs.  Apply them to your dog before walks and when it’s necessary for your dog to go outside.

There are heartworm preventatives you can give your dog.  Most require a prescription from your vet, however; there are some that are holistic.  When using the standard treatments such as Heartguard, remember they are literally poisons, and keep an eye on your dog for a day or two after administration as there are some dogs that can have reactions to these products.  They can be hard on the liver, so if your dog has liver issues, discuss this with your vet before giving them to your dog.

Heartworms are preventable if care is taken. Do some research, talk with your vet and determine which type of preventative is right for you and your dog.  Simple steps can keep your dog safe and heartworm free.

Symptoms of Heartworm Disease

Dogs in the very early stages of Heartworm Disease typically have no discernible signs of infestation.  In a heavily infested dog, symptoms can include, a persistent cough, fatigue after moderate exercise, reduced appetite and weight loss.

Detection & Treatment of Heartworm Disease

A blood test done by a veterinarian is needed to confirm heartworm infection.  Most dogs infected with heartworm can be successfully treated. The goal is to kill all adult worms and microfilariaewith. Heartworm infected dogs showing only mild signs have a high success rate with treatment. Patients with evidence of more severe heartworm disease can be successfully treated, but the possibility of complications and mortality is greater.

Stay safe this summer with protection for you and your animals.