Cell Phones For Soldiers

The other day I got a wild hair and decided to clean out the junk drawer in the kitchen. When I did I found 2 or 3 of Mr. K's old cell phones. On top of this, I know we have a few more lying around. Truthfully, I don't know why we even kept them, but they seem like something you don't just throw away...so they stay.

One of my new campaigns is to get things done. I think if Mr. K took an entire month off, we still couldn't get all those little things done. But, I thought if we made a huge ridiculous list that we could plug away at it a little at a time.

Back to the cell phones.

These old useless cell phones have now made it to the list. Find something to do with them.

I started searching the internet for information on recycling old cell phones. The first stat I found was that I wasn't the only one with such a pile. There are 500 million old cell phones lying around waiting to be thrown away.

Cell phones and accessories are made from valuable resources such as precious metals, copper, and plastics - all of which require energy to extract and manufacture. Recycling cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions, keeps valuable material out of landfills and incinerators, and conserves natural resources. Recycling just a million cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 33 cars off the road for a year.

Cell phone recycling and wireless recycling programs keep valuable materials out of landfills, including an estimated $630,000 of precious metals from circuit boards, and enough copper from phone chargers to recover the Statue of Liberty, twice.

So, recycling cell phones is good for the environment.

But, wait...there's more.

You can donate the phone to charity, too. And, that is when I came across Cell Phones For Soldiers. Basically, it works like this...You gather up your old phones and mail them in. The sell the phones to a company that recycles them for that valuable material. The money they get from selling the phones is used to purchase calling cards for soldiers stationed overseas, allowing them to call home.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.

This program is cool on so many levels, and you should help out! Click here to donate your old phones today.

Calling Dr. Pepper

No, not that Dr. pepper.

I have been teaching myself to cook for the last 9 months or so. And, being the wife of a restaurant/chef (sort of), my kitchen is filled with lots of gadgets and "good" knives. All I know, is when we first moved in together I was chastised for attempting to place one in the dishwasher. A mistake I have never repeated.

So, I am not what you would call a natural in the kitchen, or any other place where I am required to wield sharp objects. Maybe my husband is right when he says I have ADD. I like to think I just do a bad impression of the quick knife skills of the chefs on Food Network. But, whatever the case, I cut myself a lot. And, not on purpose.

I asked for a mandolin once some time ago. And, Mr. K sighed deeply and said "I don't think I would feel comfortable with you using a mandolin." I asked again, more recently, and he said he would think about it if we could find one that had a really good safety that would block me from slicing my hand off.

As I said, it isn't strictly knives, its any sharp object. 2 days ago I snipped my finger while giving the dog a trim. And, once I got crazy with a block of cheese a gratered my finger pretty good.

It just occurred to me that no one who reads this will ever eat my cooking again.

Anyway, I found this little tidbit, and thought I would post it for all the other inept wannabe chefs out there.

Next time you nick yourself in the kitchen, reach for the black pepper. Run cold water over the wound to clean it, using soap if you were handling meat. Then sprinkle on the pepper and apply pressure. In no time, the bleeding will stop. Turns out, black pepper has analgesic, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. Pepper doesn't sting, either!

Wonderful Watermelon

When I was little I loved watermelon gum. And, to this day, if I am stuck in line at the grocery store, I will pick a pack and take whiff. It still smells awesome...even if I no longer relish the taste.

Real watermelon, on the other hand, has never been as appealing to me. I know so many people who really love a slice in the summer, but I unfortunately am not among them. To me it doesn't really taste at all. It is just...watery I guess.

And yet, I am drawn to watermelon in a weird way. It is big, and therefore hard to miss piled high at the grocery store. It is colorful...hot pink and green is an eye catching combo. And, I just like the name. Watermelon.

What's even more appealing about this BBW (big beautiful watermelon, in this instance), is that it's beauty is much more than skin deep. Watermelon is incredibly good for you! Like, really good for you. So good, that it would be easier to tell you what's NOT good about it.

First of all, lycopene. A few years ago, we started hearing all about lycopene. It is good for you and you should consume it. Vitamin commercials praised it, and pretty soon ketchup bottles jumped on the bandwagon since lycopene is most notably found in tomatoes. The truth is, the jury is still out on the actual verdict, but there is some evidence which link the antioxident effects of lycopene to decreases in things like cancer & cardiovascular disease. And, even though tomotoes get most of the credit, watermelon may actually be a better source since the high water content makes it easier for your body to absorb it.

Next up, vitamins.

Vitamin A in watermelon helps prevent night blindness and macular degeneration (AKA your eyes getting bad as you age) and boosts immunity by enhancing infection-fighting action in lymphocytes.

Vitamin B6 found in watermelons is extremely useful in manufacturing brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which preliminary research shows may help the body cope with anxiety and panic.

Vitamin C is also instrumental in boosting the body immune system and also deters aging and conditions such as cataract.

Watermelon also provides minimal amount of Potassium, which reduces muscle cramps and helps fight osteoporosis, kidney stones, high blood pressure, and strokes.

Finally, as the name would indicate, water. Watermelons by weight are about 92% water. So they are a filling and hydrating snack. And, we all know by now how important water is to our bodies, especially during hot summer months.

There are more than 1200 varieties of watermelon ranging in size from less than a pound, to more than 200 pounds with flesh that is red, orange, yellow, or white. It is believed to have originated in southern Africa, and watermelon seeds were even found in the tomb of the Pharoah Tutankhamun. Today the seeds are roasted and used as a healthy snack in many Arab countries because they are high in protein and fiber.

You can check out the National Watermelon Promotion Board for more information than you ever dreamed possible on watermelons. How to choose a good one, festivals in your area, tons of recipes, and LOTS more. I am pretty anxious to try the summer melon soup myself.

Sunburn Cures

If you missed my riveting expose on sunscreen, chances are you ended up with a nasty sunburn.

If so, shame on you!

But, to show that all the nasty things people say about aren't entirely true...I am going to help you out.

Here are some effective ways to take the sting out of the burn:

Lavender Essential Oil. Drip onto the effected area, and very gently rub it around.

Vinegar. Just soak some face clothes in white vinegar, and apply to the skin.

Baking Soda. Just like vinegar, there are a million uses for baking soda, and one happens to be treating sunburns. You can add this to a bath or make a paste and apply it to the burn.

Cold Whole Milk. Not so cold that send the person into shock, but cold. Again, just soak a face cloth and apply to the effected area. Be sure to take a shower afterward or you won't be very popular the next day.

Aloe Vera. Many people know about this one, but unfortunately most OTC "aloe" isn't actually pure aloe, so the relief you're seeking isn't going to happen. Either pop open an actual leaf, or go to a health food store where you are buying the real thing.


Tea. Make a tea using about 4 teabags per quart. Allow the tea to cool to lukewarm. Soak a rag or dark colored face cloth in the tea, and place the soaked cloth onto the victim. This will drip, so do so in the tub, or laying on an old towel.

Water. This is sort of a no brainer, but important to remember. You need to hydrate yourself...inside and out. Take lots of baths and drink lots of water.

Yogurt. Apply a thick layer to the burn and allow it to sit for about an hour, and rinse.

Crushed Ice and Instant Potatoes. This was one of the more unique remedies I came across. I almost want to go out and fry myself just so I can see if it really works. The ice is obvious, but the starch in the potato is helpful as well.

Preparation H. Reduces the inflammation and takes out the sting...everywhere apparently.

Cucumber Slices. Apply thin slices of cold cucumber to the burn and remove when they become warm.

Mashed Strawberries. I wasn't able to find out why this should be helpful, but there you go. Strawberries.

Which Hazel. This has a lovely, and much appreciated, cooling effect.

1 part Tomato & 6 parts Buttermilk. Pour onto the burn and allow to sit for 1 hour. Rinse, and repeat as necessary.

Again, keep in mind, it is much easier to prevent than to treat! Wear sunscreen!

Smell 6 Years Younger

Dr. Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell and Taste Treatment Research Foundation in Chicago, reported that a study showed that women wearing the scent of pink grapefruit were perceived by men to be six years younger than their age.

Other scents put on middle-aged models had no effect, Hirsch said, including broccoli, pumpkin pie, banana, cucumbers and spearmint leaves.

Hirsch, a board-certified neurologist and psychiatrist, said grapefruit's aroma has no effect on a woman's perception of a man's age.

Hirsch's study is getting attention all over the country. The researcher doesn't know why grapefruit's scent has such an effect on men and noted perfumes don't have the same effect as grapefruit. "Maybe it induced men to become sexually aroused," Hirsch speculated.

There are about a million grapefruit perfumes and body sprays out there. You can do a search to find one you like or just hit up Bath & Body Works. However, I recommend investing in a little bottle of essential oil for a few reasons. A) The scent will be a little less diluted and a little more authentic than in a OTC perfume or body spray...since its from the real deal. B) You can do lots with essential oils, so your little $5 to $10 bottle will go a lot further.

Here are 10 ways to use your grapefruit essential oil:

1. Add 10 drops to your bath water.

2. Add 5 drops to a cotton ball, and place in drawers, closets, etc for a homemade sachet/air freshener. This is also a good one for inside shoes or at the bottom of the kitchen trash can.

3. Make your own body spray. Add 15 drops to a 1 oz. glass spray bottle of spring water. Shake well before each use. This can also double as a room spray or fabric refresher.

4. Add 10 drops to a clean dry rag for a homemade, cost effective, and environmentally friendly dryer sheet.

5. Add 15 drops/oz. to jojoba oil for a homemade after bath moisturizure or massage oil.

6. Make your own, chemical free carpet powder by adding 5 drops per cup of baking soda. Sprinkle over carpets and allow to sit for an hour or so, then vaccum up.

7. Make your own diffuser by putting 1 drop on your light bulbs. The heat will evaporate the oil, and fill the room with fragrance. Just don't try it on halogen!

8. You can add 1 drop to a tealight to make your own scented candles.

9. You can add a few drops to the rinse water of your dishes or when cleaning out the refridgerator.

10. Grapefruit is uplifting and rejuvinating. Why not spend 15 minutes in the morning just inhaling the scent. Clothes your eyes, breathe deep, and get ready for the day.

In addition to smelling great, grapefruits are also great for you! Check out my previous post on grapefruits but clicking here.

Free Sachet

You know those scent strips inside magazines that let you preview a perfume? If you are like me, you give them a quick whiff and move on, right? Well, I found the best little use for them! Cut them out and shove them in a drawer or place on the closet shelf for a quick and free sachet!

Postage Stamp Increase

I had heard this was on the horizon, but I didn't pay too much attention to when it was actually going into effect.

As of May 11th the price of stamps will be increasing by .02¢. It will now cost .44¢ to mail a regular old letter. The only way around this is to stock up on Forever stamps now.

In addition to stamps, pretty much every other postal service will be increasing as well. For a full list of the new pricing go HERE.

Sunscreen

Today's blog is brought to you today by my eavesdropping. Sort of. I was present during a conversation between my biology instructor and a female student.

She had asked our instructor if he wore sunscreen because he is very tan. He said he did NOT because he found that when he wears it as part of his routine, if he forgets it for a day, he tends to get a very bad burn because his body is so "dependant" the sunscreen. I had never heard this claim before, and tend to think that its a little exaggerated.

Next, the conversation turned to recent rumors or warnings about sunscreens containing cancer causing chemicals. This was a new one for me, too, and I began to feel very out of the loop.

At this point I interjected myself into the conversation and suggested an organic sunscreen. However, according to the other student, the organic sunscreens contain the same carcinogens as the inorganic versions, namely titanium dioxide.

So, naturally, I needed to investigate it.

First off, all sunscreens work in pretty much the same way whether they are organic or not. They keep your skin hydrated so it is less susceptible to damage and they reflect or absorb UVA/UVB rays...which do the damage. The SPF rating is the degree to which the sunscreen does this. The lighter you are, the less ability you have to do this naturally, and the greater an SPF you need. You can read more about sunscreen, and the extremely complicated SPF ratings, here.

Next is organic vs. inorganic. You automatically think organic must be better, right? See how easily we are conditioned! For food, organic typically means little or no man made chemicals, but for sunscreens this is not the case. For sunscreens, organic means carbon compounds and inorganic means other chemical compounds such as titanium dioxide. Note that BOTH VERSIONS HAVE CHEMICALS. Also, organic version tend to absorb the rays, and inorganics tend to reflect them. Most popular OTC sunscreens are a mix or both of these.

So, what other option do you have? Well, you can always make your own. Its a little bit of a project, but certainly not an all day event. And, personally, I like knowing what is going in or on my body these days. So, if you're so inclined, the recipe is as follows...

Homemade Sunscreen
3 tablespoons of unrefined sesame oil
1 tablespoon of unrefined avocado oil
1 tablespoon of unrefined jojoba oil
1 tablespoon of almond oil
1 tablespoon of shea butter
2 tablespoons of cocoa butter
1 teaspoon of beeswax
1 teaspoon of soy-lecithin liquid
2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
2 tablespoons of lavender water
½ teaspoon of borax powder
20 drops carrot seed essential oil
3-5 drops of coconut fragrance oil

The majority of these ingredients can be purchased at a health foods store or an organic skincare shop. You can also specially order them online with a simple google search.

1. Combine the first 7 ingredients by melting them over medium heat in a double boiler. Once melted, add the soy-lecithin. Mix these together and remove from the heat.

2. Warm the aloe vera and lavender water, stirring in the borax until it is dissolved.

3. When both of these mixtures are about the same temperature, mix the 2 concoctions forcefully (you can use a food processor). A cream should come out of this. Be sure to blend thoroughly.

4. Stir in the carrot-seed and coconut.

If you're not up for making your own, here are a few ready made, less chemically version to try:

Organic Hemp Seed Oil Sun Block


Organic Mineral Sunscreens, SPF 15, SPF 20, SPF 30 and SPF 40 Lavera Organic All Natural Makeup and Skin Care


Natures Trusted Source

Now, regardless of what sunscreen you choose...organic, homemade, or otherwise...it is important to realize that no sunscreen offers 100% protection from the sun. There are lots of other steps you can and should take.

1. Limit your exposure. It's just like sex...the only safe sex is no sex. Well, the same goes for the sun. The best protection is to stay away or cover up, especially during peak hours (10AM - 4PM). And, wear a hat and sunglasses...your skin isn't the only thing in danger!

2. Use sunscreen all the time, not just at the beach. Lots of lotions and cosmetics now come with a built in sunscreen so those are good options for everyday use, though obviously not sufficient for a day in the sun.

3. When you will be spending time outdoors, choose a sunscreen with a high SPF rating that is water proof. Apply it 30 minutes before sun exposure, like before you get in the car to drive to the beach, not when you get there...and reapply it every 2 hours.

Now you're ready for fun in the sun!

For even more info, check out the Sun Safety Alliance.

Eat Sun Chips

Frito-Lay has announced one of their snacks is becoming just a bit more sustainable. Starting in 2010, all of the SunChips multigrain chips will come in fully compostable bags made out of plant-based materials. They claim the packaging will completely decompose in about 14 weeks. Let’s hope they begin using this type of bag for all their snacks.

Debbie is right. Why doesn't everyone do this?

You can read more here.

Stacations

If you aren't planning a trip this summer, why not make staying home more fun? You don't have to leave town to have an active vacation.

Here are 10 ways to liven up your leisure time at home (or at least in the neighborhood).

1. Check into adult swim hours at your local pool. Hit the water and swim some laps.

2. Instead of climbing the walls at home, literally climb the walls — at a local rock-climbing gym.








3. Dust off your bike and cycle through your neighborhood.







4. Grab a partner and visit the public tennis courts or golf course; forgoing the golf cart, of course.







5. Take a walking tour of your town's business and shopping area.

6. Put on a pair of in-line skates and do some laps in the park.








7. Head for the local bowling alley or ice rink for an hour or two.

8. Move your weight-training and toning exercises into the backyard.








9. Find some empty bleachers at a local school and do some open-air stair climbing.








10. Set up a croquet set, basketball hoop or volleyball net in your yard and challenge your kids to a game.