Healthy Habit Thursdays: Give Your Kitchen a Health Makeover

Posted on February 24, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Genre scene, woman in kitchen peeling vegetables

Image by George Eastman House via Flickr

What do you think are the dirtiest, most germ-laden areas in your home?

Most people would probably say the bathroom or the kitchen.

Interestingly enough, studies reveal items like your television remote, cell phone and computer keyboard are actually the culprits!

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/08/ten-most-germy-places-in-the-home/

How many of you lifted your fingertips off the keyboard just now? 🙂

No worries…you can easily clean it by turning it upside down and gently shaking to release any crumbs…then wipe with a cotton ball slightly damp with alcohol or special computer cleaning fluid and finish with an antibacterial wipe. Clean each key…the black ones are dirty even if you can’t see the bacteria. 🙂 For more detailed information: http://www.ehow.com/how_2215315_clean-computer-keyboard.html

Even though some research has put computer keyboards, TV remotes and cell phones at the top of the germ hot-spot list, the kitchen is not far behind.

So what can you do to insure that your kitchen is a safe place to prepare and store food for your family?

Here are 6 simple steps to give your kitchen a Health Makeover!

1. Always start with freshly washed hands when preparing or serving food…then wash hands, utensils, countertops and cutting boards, especially after touching raw meat or poultry.

2. Promptly refrigerate leftovers…bacteria can grow at room temperature.

3. Switch to glass food containers because some plastics contain chemicals that leech into the food.

4. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and remove outer leaves of lettuce and cabbage.

5. Wash off the tops of cans before opening…you never know who or what was crawling on the merchandise in the store warehouse.

6. Rinse off your can opener after each use…and give it a good wash on a regular basis.

Young children love to help in the kitchen…mixing and measuring give them a sense of competence…one of the building blocks in the formation of a positive self-image. If you are looking for fantastic fun-filled cooking activities, check out SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING, available right now at half-price on my website.

Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is coming sooner than you think (May 8^th)…why not grab a copy for a special mom or grand-mom in your life. And maybe one for yourself! It’s a gift that provides 100’s of fun-filled educational activities…and answers the question…what are we going to do today?

De-clutter Equals De-Stress

Posted on January 6, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

Did you know that living in a cluttered environment actually adds to your stress level?

It’s doubly hard for me because I would like to be organized and live more minimalistically, but my husband is a collector…of many things! Books, all things flyfishing, art supplies (he has taken up painting and is really very good). So you can imagine how difficult it is to keep things neat and in their proper places because we have so much STUFF that we sometimes run out of the proper places and stuff winds up on tables, chairs…even the back of the couch! If this sounds familiar, maybe the list of books below will help.

I am always waiting for the BIG block of time to REALLY get organized 🙂 but I think the secret is to simply make a decision to DO IT and when you have an hour or a half hour, clear one drawer or one table and just keep at it. Even if it takes a month or more, eventually you will be more organized and surrounded by less clutter. AHHHHHHHH!

There are hundreds of books available on organizing and cleaning up clutter. I’ve listed just a few you might want to get from the library or bookstore if you’ve decided to organize and want some more direction. Some of the books listed are geared for homes with children…children definitely benefit from living in an organized environment also! You can also go online and find a wealth of ideas.

1. Helping Kids Get Organized – Activities That Teach Time Management, Clutter Clearing, Project Planning and More by Robyn Freedman Spizman

2. Organized Kidz: E-Z solutions for Clutter-Free Living by Debbie and David Williams

3. Stop Clutter From Wrecking Your Family: Organize Your Children, Spouse and Home by Mike Nelson

4. Organized Living: Clutter Clearing Strategies and Creative Storage Solutions by Dawne Walter and Helen Chislett

My husband asked me the other day what my New Year’s resolutions were…now I know. In addition to trying to blog EVERY day with something of value, I am going to take my own advice and grab an hour or half hour every day and clear out one drawer, cabinet, counter or whatever…I promise to blog in a month and update everyone with my progress.

How to keep your house clean and green

Posted on August 10, 2010 by viviankirkfield

You are probably going through your child’s clothes right now, weeding out the items that have been outgrown. Perhaps we can apply that same concept to our cleaning supply shelf. Haven’t we outgrown the toxic-to-our-children-and-the planet, chemical-laden glass cleaners, bathroom scrubs and dusting sprays. I looked in my cleaning supply cabinet the other day and I was horrified to find cans and bottles of cleaning supplies that I don’t use anymore (having gone “cleaning green” a while back), but had not gotten around to trashing. And throwing this stuff out is a whole other issue…you can’t (or shouldn’t) just dump these items in the garbage. Many communities have drop off locations or special dates where residents can bring these toxic supplies for safe removal – I wonder if there is any safe way to dispose of some of this stuff.

Cleaning green is not difficult – and in addition to being so much better for your family’s health and the planet’s survival, it is also CHEAPER! White vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice…the triumverate of being green and clean!

Here are a few simple “recipes” for some basic cleaning solutions:

GLASS/HARD SURFACE CLEANER: Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar with a gallon of water. Soak your cloth, ring it out and wipe surfaces. Dry with a clean cloth.
FABRIC SOFTENER: Add 1/4 cup white vinegar to final rinse cycle of your washing machine.
DUSTING MAGIC: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 tsp olive oil in a clean glass jar or spray bottle. Apply a little to your dusting cloth and wipe down your wooden furniture.
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANSER: Mix 1/2 cup pure soap (such as Castile), 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 gallon hot water for dishes, countertops, floors and walls.
BATHROOM TUB AND TILE CLEANER: Combine 1 part water and 3 parts baking soda for an awesome grout and soap scum cleaner.

Now, I’m not saying you should leave these cleaning supplies around for your preschooler to play with. However, unless your child drinks the bucket of all-purpose cleanser or sprays the dusting magic solution in his eyes, you will be able to rest a lot easier as your house shines and you, your family and the planet take a breath of less polluted air. One person can make a difference. Why not get started?

Please post comments with your own green cleaning solutions.