Lisa Sharp

DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

January 30, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Avoid the waste and stress of buying Valentine’s Day gifts and try these eco-friendly, DIY Valentine’s Day gifts instead.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and it can be a day that costs a lot of money and comes with a lot of waste but it doesn’t have to. One way to reduce waste and save money is making your own eco-friendly Valentine’s Day gifts.

There are so many great ideas out there with something for everyone on your list. And homemade gifts come from the heart and can be a lot more special than a store-bought, generic gift.

DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Microwaveable Heating Pad from Bren Did
Lavender Bath Bombs from Retro Housewife Goes Green
“Let Love Bloom” Seed Bombs from A Bride on a Budget

Peppermint Shower Bombs from Life Currents
Lollipop Covers from Green Child Magazine
Love Embroidery from Adventures of a DIY Mom

Fabric Treat Cone from Super Mom No Cape
Beard Oil from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Mason Jar Gift for Teachers from Confessions of a Mommyaholic

Chai Vanilla Sugar Scrub from The Rising Spoon
Bird Feeder Hearts from Thrifty Jinxy
Valentine’s Tote from Organized 31

Lavender Bath Soak from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Face Scrub from Mindful Momma
Recycled Love Blocks from Organized 31

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6 Foods to Avoid During Cedar Season

January 26, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Cedar pollen season is here. If you find yourself dealing with some new food allergies it may be oral allergy syndrome. Learn how to stop the symptoms.

If you are currently experiencing allergies it’s likely due to tree pollen, mainly cedar pollen. Cedar allergies affect people usually November through April with the heaviest levels of pollen occurring in December, January, and February.

In Oklahoma “tree season” starts with Mountain Cedar pollen and is later followed by Eastern Red Cedar pollen. It can cause a lot of problems for allergy suffers.

Cedar pollen is very common in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic has been showing a rise in the pollen counts lately.

The reaction to cedar pollen is sometimes called cedar fever. The symptoms are similar to hay fever which is usually caused by ragweed pollen.

Symptoms of cedar fever include-

Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Watery or itchy eyes
Cough
Sinus and facial pain and pressure
Headaches
Decreased sense of taste or smell
Sneezing
Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
While cedar fever doesn’t cause a fever, inflammation triggered by the allergic reaction can cause a slightly elevated temperature

Treatments include antihistamines, corticosteroids, allergy shots, decongestants, and other over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Another way you can help reduce your systems is by eliminating some foods that may be causing you to have Oral allergy syndrome.

Oral allergy syndrome is caused by cross-reacting allergens found in pollen and in raw vegetables, fruits, seeds, and tree nuts. The immune system recognizes similar proteins found in these foods and causes an allergic reaction to it. Cooked forms of the foods don’t often cause the same issue.

It’s estimated that up to a third of pollen allergy patients suffer from oral allergy syndrome. Most cases are mild but it can cause serious, even life-threatening reactions.

Treatments for oral allergy syndrome include treating the underlying allergy with sublingual immunotherapy, antihistamines to control symptoms temporarily, and it’s also important to avoid symptom-causing foods, especially during peak allergy season.

Common oral allergy syndrome triggers for cedar pollen suffers include-

Apple
Cherry
Bell Peppers
Kiwi
Paprika
Tomato

If you eat these foods take note of any symptoms after. This can be helpful for your doctor to help figure out if you have oral allergy syndrome or if your symptoms are a food allergy.

The most common symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include-

Watery or itchy eyes
Tingling in the back of your throat
Itchy or swollen lips
Scratchiness on the roof of your mouth

If you notice any of these reactions be sure to let your doctor know and avoid the food. You can also avoid these foods as a precaution, as you may not be able to notice they are making your allergies worse.

Be sure to check the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic’s website to stay up-to-date on current pollen counts.

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Organic Food on a Budget

January 11, 2018 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Eating organic food doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. These are great tips for eating healthy food on a budget.

Eating organic food is better for us and the planet. Organic food is grown without harmful pesticides and usually is better for the environment. Some studies have shown some organic food to have higher nutritional value as well.

Cost is often what stands in people’s way when they want to eat more organic food. While organic food doesn’t always cost more it often does. While the increased cost may be worth it not everyone is in a place where they can add the added cost to their budget.

As organic food has become more popular the cost is down and there are more ways to save. Now more people can afford to add organic food into their budget.

How to Eat Organic Food on a Budget

Eat at home more often. This will help you save overall because eating out can be very expensive. This is also better for your health. One thing that can help you eat at home more often is meal planning. Try this free guide to meal planning or if you’d rather have it done for you, check out Eat At Home meal plans. They even have a no flour/no sugar plan.
Buy grains in bulk. Stores like Native Roots Market, Whole Foods, and Sprouts have a great selection of bulk foods.
Eat less meat. Meat can be very expensive and most of us eat too much of it. You don’t have to go vegetarian just try adding more meatless meals to your diet. One great way to do this is, Meatless Monday.
Learn what is most import to buy organically. Check out the Dirty Dozen to find what produce is most important to buy organically.
Eat seasonally. Produce is cheaper when it’s in-season so learn to eat in-season produce. Frozen fruits and veggies are a good choice when the food is out of season in your area.
Be careful not to waste food. American’s waste around 27 percent of the food available for consumption. Making sure you aren’t throwing away food will help you save. Meal planning can also help reduce food waste.
Grow your own food. You don’t have to have farmland to grow your own food. Even a few pots with some favorite produce can help you save.
Check out local CSA’s, farmer’s markets and co-ops. You can often get better prices by going straight to the source.
Buy less packaged food. Packaged food almost always costs more than making it yourself. This also helps cut down on waste.
Use coupons. There are a fair number of coupons out there for organic food. Check out Saving with Organic Coupons for more.
Use apps to save money. There are some great apps that you can submit your receipt to and earn cash back. It’s a great way to save a little extra money.
Shop Online. Use online services like Thrive Market and Amazon Prime Pantry to find good deals on organic food.

Following these tips can help you buy more organic food without breaking your budget. Do you have any tips to share on saving on organic food? If so please share them in the comments below.

Gluten-Free Holiday Treats

December 14, 2017 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

A gluten-free diet doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy treats during the holidays. Try these gluten-free holiday treat recipes, you are sure to love them!

The holidays are full of delicious treats, cookies, cakes, pies, and more. If you are avoiding gluten it can be hard to be around all of these treats.

Having gluten-free holiday treats available makes the holidays more fun. Even if you aren’t gluten-free you likely know someone that is and having these recipes on hand is great in case you are going to a party or want to bake a fun treat for your gluten-free friend.

Gluten-Free Holiday Treats

Additional Resources: 6 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday Party

Additional Resource: 101 Christmas Cookies Recipes

Having trouble finding gluten-free ingredients? Find them and save money by shopping at Thrive Market.

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Eco-Friendly Artificial Christmas Tree

December 5, 2017 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Artificial Christmas trees may not be the most eco-friendly option but if you have one you can make it a bit more eco-friendly with these tips.

There is something magical about a Christmas tree, especially when it’s all lit up at night and you turn off all of the other lights. My brother and I used to love laying under our tree and just looking up at it. We also used to sleep in the living room at least one night during the Christmas season, just so we could sleep with the Christmas lights on.

We had real Christmas trees the first couple of years of my life. However, my parents figured out I was allergic to the real trees and the rest of my childhood we had an artificial Christmas tree.

There are advantages and disadvantages to real versus artificial. From an environmental point of view live is likely best but from a homemaking point of view artificial likely wins. For me, there is no choice, artificial or an asthma attack. Any surprise that I stick with artificial?

If you go with a real tree be sure to try to get one locally, bonus green points if it’s potted. If you do choose to go with an artificial Christmas tree, there are ways to make it greener.

HOW TO GREEN YOUR ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE

TAKE CARE OF IT.
The best thing you can do is take care of your tree and get as much use out of it as possible. If you do decide to get a new tree when your old one still has some life in it, donate it. Many can’t afford a tree and would be happy to take your tree, even if it’s not perfect.
VACUUM AND DUST OFTEN.
Most artificial trees contain PVC which can contain lead and most lights also contain lead. Make sure to vacuum and wet dust the room the tree is in often to reduce lead exposure. Also, don’t let kids touch the tree and wash your hands well after handling it.
CHOOSE A LOW PVC OR PVC-FREE TREE.
PVC-free trees are hard to find and quite expensive. However, you are now seeing more trees that use more PE plastic in place of some of the PVC. Our tree is mostly PE with just some PVC. It’s from Balsam Hill and we are very happy with it. Look for the trees they call “most realistic.” The realistic branches are the non-PVC ones.
USE LED LIGHTS.
LED lights use less energy and last longer. They also put off less heat making them much safer. Remember, even LED Christmas lights can contain lead. Wash your hands after using them and don’t like kids handle them.

Want more green Christmas tips and to have a stress-free Christmas? Check out A Stress-Free Christmas: A Complete How-To Guide.

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Eco-Friendly Gift Guide

November 28, 2017 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Need gift ideas for the people on your list? These eco-friendly gift ideas that are perfect for everyone on your list!

Christmas can mean a lot of waste but choosing eco-friendly Christmas gifts can help reduce the waste and help the people on our list continue to make a positive impact.

Eco-friendly gifts don’t need to be boring or smell like patchouli, there is a wide range of eco-friendly gifts now and they are anything but boring. Eco-friendly also doesn’t have to mean expensive, this list features a ton of items under $25.

These gifts are online but don’t forget to also shop locally to support your local community. Use these ideas when you can’t find what you want locally.

Eco-Friendly Gift Guide

These gifts are great for everyone on your list and all budgets. Don’t forget to wrap your gifts in eco-friendly wrapping paper.

Stocking Stuffers

Under $25

Under $50

Over $50

Looking for homemade gift ideas? Check out these great 20+ Homemade Christmas Gifts.

Homemade Christmas Gift Guide

November 16, 2017 By Lisa Sharp 1 Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Looking for some great homemade Christmas gift ideas? People will love these gifts and they are all eco-friendly.

Christmas is a magical time but sometimes the magic is lost when we are stressed about our budgets and finding gifts. Homemade gifts come from the heart and can save us money. It’s also a great way to reduce waste this holiday season.

There are so many great homemade gift ideas out there, you are sure to find some you would like to make and give this year. All of these ideas can use eco-friendly materials, many can even use upcycled supplies.

Homemade Christmas Gift Guide

Fizzy Peppermint Bath Salt from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Simple Cable Knit Scarf from A Modern Homestead
Upcycled Sweater Cup Sleeve from Organized 31

Cinnamon Ornaments from Strenght and Sunshine
Coffee Bean Ornament from Bren Did
Peppermint Bath Bombs from Retro Housewife Goes Green

Additional Information: 25+ More Homemade Christmas Gifts

Massage Candle from Rebecca Lavender
Beard Oil from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Lemon Sugar Scrub from Savings Lifestyle

Mocha Lip Scrub from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Gingerbread Cookie Scrub from The Pistachio Project
Etched Wooden Spoons from Mindful Momma

Additional Information: 8 Reasons to Shop Locally for the Holidays

Lotion Bars from Utensi
Chocolate Peppermint Lip Balm from Fit as a Mama Bear
Woodsy Cologne Blend from Everblossom

Gingerbread Bath Bombs from The Pistachio Project
Cold Processed Soap from My Homestead Life
Peppermint Vanilla Lip Scrub from Retro Housewife Goes Green

Additional Information: A More Meaningful Holiday Season

Coffee Soap from Beauty Crafter
Candy Cane Room Spray from Retro Housewife Goes Green
Wine Cork Key Chain from A Few Short Cuts

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Lead Exposure and Christmas Photos

November 14, 2017 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Christmas photos of kids, pets, and families wrapped in lights are cute but they may not be safe.

This time of the year you will see photos of kids, pets, and couples wrapped in Christmas lights. Sure these photos are cute but are there hidden dangers?

One big danger is the fact that most Christmas lights contain lead. According to one CNN analysis, four common brands of Christmas lights contained lead levels that are considered to be dangerous to children. And many experts say no level is safe.

“There is no level at which lead exposure is safe,” Dr. Trasande said. “Even at one microgram/deciliter — the lowest level in a person’s blood stream that we can detect — that level has been associated with cognitive impairment in children.”- read more

A quick search on Pinterest and you will find hundreds of photos of babies wrapped in lights, some with the lights in their mouths. This is very concerning given the amount of surface lead found in Christmas lights. Also in many of the photos, the lights are plugged in, adding an extra danger to the situation.

Protect Yourself from Lead Christmas Lights

Don’t let children handle the lights.
Wash your hands after handling lights.
Wear gloves while handling lights.
Choose Made in the USA lights when possible, generally, they have lower levels of lead than imported brands.
Buy lead-free lights.
Vacuum often with a HEPA filter vacuum and/or wet mop.
Dust often with a wet rag.
And of course, skip the photos with people and animals wrapped in Christmas lights.

Artificial Christmas trees often contain lead as well, so use the same caution with the tree. Also look for trees that use PE tips, it reduces the amount of PVC and lead.

Be sure to share this post to help prevent lead exposure this holiday season.

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8 Reasons to Shop Locally for the Holidays

November 9, 2017 By Lisa Sharp 3 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Christmas will be here soon. While buying gifts give back to your community by shopping locally.

The holidays are fast approaching. There is so much to do, including gifts to buy. This holiday season you can help support your community by shopping locally. Here are eight reasons why it’s important to shop locally.

Reasons to Shop Locally for the Holidays

Create Jobs – “If every American spent $64 on something made in America, we could create 200,000 jobs right now.” [source]
Keep Money Local – Sales taxes help fund vital services in our communities. Also, local businesses are also more likely to spend money locally, keeping more money in the community.
Creates a Diverse Community – Shopping locally encourages people to businesses that are unique and an alternative to chain stores.
Better for the Environment – Many locally owned businesses also offer local products which require far less transportation.
Better Customer Service – Local businesses owners are passionate about their businesses and connected to the community. This often contributes to better and more personal customer service.
Helps Your Community Grow – Keeping tax dollars in your community and creating demand will help encourage new businesses and help your city grow.
More Support for Nonprofits – Studies show that nonprofits receive 250 percent more support from small businesses than larger businesses.
Connect with your Community – Shopping locally helps you connect with people in your community and learn about more things going on around you.

Encourage your friends and family to shop locally this year by sharing this post and this graphic.

Consider supporting Small Business Saturday instead of Black Friday this year as well. It’s a great way to save money while supporting local businesses. It also gives you more time with family for Thanksgiving before going out shopping.

Be sure to also follow us on Facebook to learn about great local shops and gift ideas.

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Why You Shouldn’t Rake Your Leaves

October 24, 2017 By Lisa Sharp Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for full disclosure.

Raking leaves is a chore you may want to skip this fall. There are several reasons to let the leaves be instead of bagging them up.

As the leaves change color and fall we start to see bags of leaves lining the streets. Raking leaves isn’t a fun chore but one many believe is necessary but it may not be. Not only that but raking leaves may be harmful to wildlife and the environment.

Scientists are urging people to skip raking their leaves. It’s one chore you can remove from your list this year.

The Benefits of Not Raking Leaves

Creating Wildlife Habits

Many wildlife species including box turtles, toads, earthworms, and chipmunks live in or rely on the leaf layer for food. Many butterfly and moth species overwinter in the leaf layer. When you rack the leaves you are likely getting rid of some beneficial insects as well. These insects are also important food sources for birds in the spring.

Increased Soil Health

Leaves create a natural mulch that can help suppress weeds and also fertilize the soil. This can save you money on mulch and fertilizer and also is safer than many of the commercially available options.

Reduces Waste

Many people rake and bag their leaves. This can waste a lot of trash bags and means a lot of plastic ending up in our landfills. According to the EPA yard trimmings and food accounted for 28.2 percent of household waste.

Reduces Pollution

Leaf blowers save a lot of time and are becoming more common but they also often rely on fossil fuels and create a lot of pollution.

What to do Instead

Sometimes you do need to remove leaves from your yard. If you are in a high-risk fire area, a homeowners association, or maybe you just really don’t like having leaves in your yard. Instead of just bagging your leaves and letting them go to the landfill try one of these options.

Compost

Composting your leaves is a great way to get the benefits from the leaves without the mess. Home composting is easy and can reduce your waste. Check out this Composting Guide: Using Leaves for Composting.

Additional Resource: How to Start Composting in 30 Seconds for Less Than $3

Use for Mulch

Leaves are a free and effective mulch. Put the leaves in a big trash can and use a weedeater to shred them. Then apply the shredded leaves to flower beds, trees and shrubs, vegetable gardens or simply mow the leaves and leave them on the yard.

Donate Your Leaves

Check with local community gardens or schools to see if they could use some leaf mulch. It’s a great way to keep the leaves out of the landfill, clean your yard, and help your community all at once.

Use all that time you’ve saved not raking leaves to enjoy fall activities around Oklahoma.

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Lisa Sharp

DIY Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Common oral allergy syndrome triggers for cedar pollen suffers include-

How to Eat Organic Food on a Budget

Gluten-Free Holiday Treats

HOW TO GREEN YOUR ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE

TAKE CARE OF IT.

VACUUM AND DUST OFTEN.

CHOOSE A LOW PVC OR PVC-FREE TREE.

USE LED LIGHTS.

Eco-Friendly Gift Guide

Stocking Stuffers

Under $25

Under $50

Over $50

Homemade Christmas Gift Guide

Protect Yourself from Lead Christmas Lights

Reasons to Shop Locally for the Holidays

The Benefits of Not Raking Leaves

Creating Wildlife Habits

Increased Soil Health

Reduces Waste

Reduces Pollution

What to do Instead

Compost

Use for Mulch

Donate Your Leaves