Swati Prakash

Top Tarot Healing and Wiccan Expert

Category: Eco Conscious Lifestyle

  • 11 Helpful Household Items that Harm Health

    11 Helpful Household Items that Harm Health

    If you like me thought that toothbrushes and sofas are essential items, you are not alone. In the matrix we all have been victims of several cleverly engineered and well architected products and consumer items that are not actually good for health and wellbeing. Most families and homes will be using the following things that can be detrimental.

    1. Carpeting: Minute particles and strands of fibre from carpets, rugs and mats on the floor can obstruct air flow in our nose and irritate the respiratory tract. Carpets due to gaps in their fibre bits are also storehouses of tiny particles of dirt, dust, food and millions of germs each day that seldom go away by way of vaccum cleaning or brushing. Painting the floor, clay floor and using eco-friendly minimal floor coverings is helpful as an alternative.
    2. Cushions: Pillows, mattresses, duvets and cushions seem to comfort and cosy up our homes and provide rest to our head and back. However they can also cause problems in posture and spine as well as arthiritis complaints. They also carry tremendous germs within especially when we lay sleep breathing over them. Sleeping on the floor without mattresses seems to cure moderate health problems.
    3. Curtains: Thick curtains may look attractive and luxurious in big houses but also are perfect places for pests and insects to hide into and live there, within their folds and linings. They also attract dust and germs by the millions and block valuable sunlight. Negligible curtains or frosted glass may be better for privacy.
    4. Furniture: Bulky furniture can be an eyesore inspite of the hefty pricetags on the pieces. They are attractors of termites and parasites and store germs and dust in their crevices and create blockages to cleaning the floor and walls properly causing more germs to settle around them. Sitting on floor is better for health and cleanliness or consider using negligible furniture.
    5. Computer: A phenomenal cause of ocular defects or myopia, neck and spinal problems as well as mental stress are computer screens. Living without computers or with minimal usage cures eye strain and also impacts the mind better. Going computer free unless absolutely essential and for limited times is necessary.
    6. Smartphones: Microwave radiations and wifi technology can certainly harm us whether 3, 4 or 5 G or any other in future due to the imapct on the brain cells and draining our brain as we are plugged into unnecessary apps and social media. Chargers, cords and cameras connected to gadgets also block free flow of movement around the home. Replacing smartphones with a small old style phone set without apps, only for emergency or important sporadic communication is helpful.
    7. Kitchen appliances: Large oven cooking ranges, smaller microwaves, pop up toasters, grillers, blenders, refrigerators and other food processing appliances are also capable of harbouring numerous food particles and germs and also atrract insects to them. Gain freedom by using natural raw vegan food that requires minimal cooking and processing and keep the kitchen clean.
    8. Lights: Artificial electrical light used at night-time can affect the brain, cause severe anxiety and sress, insomnia, disturbed sleep and waking rhthyms as well as inhibit natural adjustment to our environment. Sleeping when appropriate at darkness and not working overtime or at night are helpful.
    9. Razors: Shaving instruments and epilation can unduly block pores and cause ingrowth as well as cuts on skin, that too unnecessarily just for social approval. These instruments also lead to itching, acne and skin infections. Being comfortable with natural clean hair intact with follicles is apt.
    10. Brushes and Sponges: Scouring pads, sponges, wipes, brushes including toothbrushes, dusters and washing cloths are host to many many infectious germs that spread through them. While you believe you are cleaning clothes, dishes, teeth, body and surfaces, you are actually subjecting yourself to even more infections. Use hot water and hands for cleaning and washing as far as possible or use clean cloths.
    11. Cleaning products: From toothpastes to dish washing up liquids, shampoos to soaps and hand-gels we have a host of harmful substances manufactured in poisonous chemical factories and sold in stores in plastic tubes and bottles. Eliminate them by using natural plant soaps and solutions such as cinnamon, neem, soapnuts and rock salt.
  • GOING FRUGAL: How to Minimise Shopping and Increase Abundance

    GOING FRUGAL: How to Minimise Shopping and Increase Abundance

    I was thinking about how little we actually need, and how much more shopping people actually are trained to enjoy through advertising and media brainwashing. As a child I remember too many movies, television shows, with the idiot box on all day and evening at varied intervels, and what we were learning as children was, to buy, to shop, to desire and want more things, especially ‘omnivore items’. Little or no moral education was there with crime, romance and silly songs or stories always fed into the head that have been manifesting outwards in our ‘reality show’ simulation. We were not introduced to what life actually is about, a balanced life where we live alongside others of all species as equals in respect of the right to live, with dignity and respect to all and no harm as far as possible. We are not told that we are trapped or lost in a simulation, controlled and unable to escape. We have no mind power or psychic gifts or any avenue of discovering our true home. We are taught to earn and buy to survive. With dairy milk spoiling every tasty treat, biscuit, chocolate, cake – we have not many options in vegan aisles but shopping less is actually a good thing if you decide upon spiritual awakening. A mindlul shopping list would probably be of fruits and fruit like vegetables in majority so that until we have time to contemplate, meditate and find a way back home, we engage less in the outer world.

    MAIN FOOD – FRUGIVORE

    There is an awesome variety of fruits that are plain fruits or vegetables to choose from, forage or cultivate.

    1. Cucumber
    2. Tomatoes
    3. Brinjals, aubergines, eggplants
    4. Pumpkins
    5. Squashes
    6. Okra, ladyfingers
    7. Green runner beans
    8. French beans
    9. Broad beans
    10. Bottle guard, calabash, lauki
    11. Bitter guard, bitter melon, karela
    12. Snake gourd, chichinda
    13. Pointed gourd – parwal
    14. Apple guard, tinda
    15. Ridge gourd, sponge guard loofa, torai
    16. Corn cobs
    17. Jackfruit
    18. Olives
    19. Avocado
    20. Peas
    21. Zuccini, courgettes

    Sweet Fruits

    1. Apples
    2. Bananas
    3. Nectarines, peaches
    4. Plums
    5. Gooseberries
    6. Oranges, clementine, tangerine, satsuma
    7. Pears
    8. Melon
    9. Watermelons
    10. Persimmons
    11. Pomegranates
    12. Mangoes
    13. Pineapples
    14. Kiwi
    15. Sapodila, chikoo
    16. Grapes
    17. Raspberries
    18. Blueberries
    19. Strawberries
    20. Mulberries
    21. Blackberries

    Soap fruits, soapnuts and soapberries or soap weeds for washing (all purpose)

    Natural plant based compost and mulch of fruit peels, fallen leaves, bark and straw (for growing).

    Rainwater collection and harvesting, and compost toilets, else use of minimal water supply and sewerage.

    Clothing developed and handmade with natural fibre of leaves and bark or second hand clothes from charity.

    Cob or natural housing without deforestation if one has an option of leaving the system, else small home.

    You do not need refrigeration or electicity either if living fresh and raw in suitable environment or use vegan electicity minimally with not many white goods.

    Careers as healers, meditators, psychics instead of a long list of materialism based professions.

    From here on we might actually need little else, but not everyone lives freely and most people still go shopping and live in conventional systems. As per market or consumer demand for those who want to add more items you do have a lot more if you want more nutrition and conveniences to purchase or grow more things minimally such as:

    Leaves and shoots if need be

    1. Kale
    2. Spinach
    3. Chard
    4. Cauliflower
    5. Brocolli
    6. Romanesco
    7. Cabbage
    8. Pakchoi
    9. Celery
    10. Rhubarb
    11. Asparagus
    12. Globe artichoke

    Legumes as per necessity

    1. Kidney beans
    2. Black eyed beans
    3. Chickpeas gram
    4. Lentils – red, brown, yellow, green, black

    Raw Desserts and rich snacks if needed

    1. Dates
    2. Raisins, sultanas
    3. Nuts – walnuts, almonds, cashews, peanut, macadamia,brazil, hazel, pecan, peanuts
    4. Coconut
    5. Dry fruits – prunes, mixed
    6. Cherries
    7. Cacoa
    8. Cranberries
    9. Currants
    10. Maple, date or coconut sap
    11. Sesame

    Grains, seeds as per availability if necessary

    1. Rice
    2. Oats
    3. Quinoa
    4. Chia
    5. Flax
    6. Pearl millet, bajra
    7. Finger millet, nachni
    8. Amaranth

    As per need or availability:
    Cane and rattan furniture
    Cotton, jute, yucca and hemp fibre
    Terracotta, clay art
    Natural unmined stones

    Herbs and Seasonings

    1. Tamarind
    2. Black pepper
    3. Cinnamon
    4. Fennel, saunf
    5. Mustard
    6. Cumin, jeera
    7. Carom seeds, ajwain
    8. Dill leaves, soa
    9. Sage
    10. Coriander, dhania
    11. Mint, pudina
    12. Basil, tulsi

    Tisanes

    1. Lavender
    2. Chamomile
    3. Lemon
    4. Peppermint
    5. Lemongrass
    6. Hibiscus
    7. Rose
    8. Matcha
    9. Lime
    10. Nettles

    MINIMALLY
    Mushroom, edible fungi – chestnut, portabello, button, closed cup, porcini, oriental – shiitake, oyster, enoki
    Preserves and jams
    Gluten – Wheat, Rye, Barley, Spelt
    Processed foods
    Soy
    Bamboo paper
    Found stones
    Vegan soaps
    Medicinal herbs if and when needed
    Underground roots and tubers – potato, swede, tapioca, turmeric, onion, garlic, ginger, leeks, beets, yam, horseradish, radish, taro, jerusalem artichokes

    You would agree that if you were to shop for the extra items besides the frugivore list, that still is an awful lot of items already for those who go beyond frugivorism and indulge a little while shopping. And some people think veganism means there is less left for them to consume!

    AVOID
    Synthetics eg. pesticides, plastics, artifical fabrics, resins
    Timber wood and wood pulp paper
    Mined metals and gems
    Cosmetics and unecessary toileterries
    Yeast
    Sugar
    Snacks, colas, crisps and treats that are unhealthy

    Travel to places for fun and work can be minimised if we live simplistically

    NEVER
    Anything affecting psychic channels adversely – eg Coffee, Black Tea, Alcohol, Drugs
    Animal products
    Animal tested items
    Fossil fuels
    Non essentials
    Domesticating new animals as pets and slaves

    We do not need to fly for holidays, non-essential travel, to go all over the world on polluting vehicles and cause harm to nature and wildlife by using infrastructure, roads, petrol pumps and airports.

    There is simply no need for outside entertainment, television, cimena and mindless celebrity shows or social media, especially animal exploitation, zoos and media if we are happy alone and focused on spirituality.

    No need for large houses, cars and luxury items, perfumes of anything requiring you to accumulate money.

    There will be very less need to technoloy, gadgets or internet if we have a place to live and meditate in and fruits to consume as per necessity grown on soil that is not owned or usurped by harming wildlife.

    Meditation should be our work and purpose of life not on being ‘someone’ professionally but to discover the way out of the untruth, the simulation, the world we are encased in artificially into truth or home. Unfortunately our education system demands from us enslavement into a system of jobs, profitable business and useless consumerism, a chain very hard to break if we are unaware of it.

    If we were to focus on the items at top in frugivore lifestyle, we eliminate almost entirely our diseases, and dependency on the system of shopping, packaging, garbage and waste of time and resources. From then on we can focus on ascension and spiritual truth and healing. If we continue to be consumerists, highly dependent on the system and loyal to it, money focused, accumulating gold, cash and possessions, and not even vegan, there is little use of spirituality or healing.

  • 16 Harmless Ways to Keep Pests at Bay

    16 Harmless Ways to Keep Pests at Bay

    We can be conscious and avoid the intentional harm of any species, by choosing vegan, cruelty free products, plant based diet and organic vegetables. But what about insects and pests?

    While it is true that accidental deaths and injury of other tiny life-forms may not always be avoidable, here are a few simple and non-toxic ways to repel bugs and pests without harming them, your health or the planet.

    1. Garlic: One of the best and easiest ways of repelling insects is garlic. A few peeled cloves of garlic left scattered around the house can keep roaches away. Not only that, garlic water sprayed around the house and garden can keep many pests away. Not just cholesterol and heart disease, in some cultures consuming raw garlic has also been believed to ward off mosquito bites too.garlic-1549453_960_720
    2. Cloves: To repel flies and mosquitoes slice a lemon or orange and insert a few cloves into each half and place wherever needed. Cloves and cinnamon contain ‘eugenol’, a substance that repels insects. lemons-1330740_960_720
    3. Oils: A very popular cure for repelling insects is citronella oil. Tea-tree oil also works to repel bedbugs, ticks and fleas. Oils can be used in aromatherapy diffusion or within a spray.essential-768949_960_720
    4. Citrus Peels: The peels of oranges and lemon rind can be effective at repelling ants, cats and insects, so do not simply throw them away immediately. Scatter or leave some around in your windowsill or cupboards for some time.orange-1403256_960_720
    5. Mint: Planting plenty of mint in the garden is great for warding off spiders, mice and a variety of bugs naturally. You could also spray peppermint essential oil for similar effect at home.mint-1549247_960_720-1

    6. Bay Leaves: Whole laurel bay leaves in your kitchen shelves, cabinets and wardrobes can keep infestations of ants and bugs at bay.laurel-272961_960_720

    7. Neem: Not only does neem prevent germs, cavities and skin infections, it is also fantastic as an insect repellent, both as loose leaves or powder and as essential oil.neem-leaves-651913_960_720
    8. Conkers: Spiders are mysteriously repelled by a few loose conker shells placed along the boundary of your property.conkers-15186_960_720
    9. Visual Deterrents: If pigeons are getting stuck in your solar panels, try scaring them off with shiny rods, chimes, foil or tape that move in the wind. Scarecrows, owl and cat figurines in the garden also keep pests away.scarecrow-670720_960_720
    10. Copper Tape: Copper makes an excellent barrier against slugs and snails in the garden to protect your plants without using pesticides.tape
    11. Flower Power: Lavender, marigold, geranium, petunias and chrysanthemums are not only beautiful flowers but also work as natural pest repellents.lavender-3479492_960_720
    12. Cooking Herbs: Oregano, basil, eucalyptus, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, fennel, chives, dill, parsley, mint, catnip and lemon balm are but a few herbs reputed to keep infestations out. Their essential oils are great too.basil-932079_960_720
    13. Sunshine: A lot of natural light and strong sun is great for warding off unwanted pests and diseases, so let there be light!house-2609484_960_720
    14. Aeration: Clean and fresh air, especially cross-ventilation with plenty of windows is not only great for health but also keeps germs and bugs away. Stale environments, stagnant energy and closed rooms however would attract infestations.dining-2112653_960_720
    15. Minimalize: Not only is keeping your house clean and clutter free with minimal objects stacked around good for reducing negative energy but also works to ensure fewer infestations. Keep your home especially free of newspapers, bulky furniture, heavy curtains, carpets, plastic bags, junk and old bedding where insects could hide.minimal
    16. Things to avoid: Salty foods, artificial perfumes, alcoholic drinks, sugary treats, chocolate, dairy products, cans, stale food, leftovers, food particles, junk food, overflowing bins, dead animals or meat would attract pests and hence not recommended.garbage-1260833_960_720

     

     

  • 15 Tips for An Amazing Eco-Friendly Life

    15 Tips for An Amazing Eco-Friendly Life

    We all know about the impact humans have had on the environment, whether by cutting down trees, filling our oceans with plastic or polluting our air with greenhouse gases leading to an human-made climate change. Fortunately there are somethings that we can all do right from the comfort of our homes.

    1. Food: A planet friendly diet of fruits and vegetables, especially organically farmed is sustainable and cruelty-free. Animal farming has been contributing more greenhouse gases than all our vehicles put together and has also added to severe shortage of land,  grains and water. Sourcing our food from organic farmers who do not use plastic packaging or growing your own food in your allotment or backyard, and cooking or raw-eating at home can dramatically reduce garbage created by food processing industry and supermarket shopping. fruit-932745_960_720.jpg
    2. Personal Care: Much of our garbage consists of toiletries, makeup and personal care items encased in plastic and filled with harmful chemicals as well as extracts from killed animals. You would be surprised that fruits called soapnuts or soapberries such as shikakai and reetha, tied in muslin and soaked in a cup of warm water can totally replace all of our shampoos, detergents, dish-washing or cleaning liquids. Similarly neem, licorice,  babool or meswak sticks that can be chewed and rubbed on teeth after each meal can completely replace all tooth-cleaning products to leave us with healthier and squeaky clean teeth,while reducing cold and flu at the same time by their natural medicinal juices.neemsoapnuts
    3. Cleaning Aids: Plastic brooms, brushes and scouring pads can  all add to  non-biodegradable waste. These can be easily replaced with pure cotton or coconut scrubbers, traditional plant based broomsticks (traditional besoms of the west and jhadus of India) and cloth wipes (pochas used in India) with metal buckets for cleaning floor and surfaces. Loofahs made of dried up fruit called gourd are a fantastic biodegradable replacement for kitchen sponges too. Biodegradable bin liners are already replacing plastic bin liners all over the world and we can use metal or bamboo bins for containing our waste instead of plastic. broom
    4. Menstrual Hygiene: Napkins, pads and  tampons are not only expensive and single-use, they also can add to plastic and non-recyclable waste. Menstrual cups are an inexpensive option that can last a lifetime as you simply empty, wash, fold and reinsert it and vegan cups that do not have animal testing are in vogue.mooncup2
    5. Toilet Hygiene: Wipes and rolls of paper take a toll on our environment too by using trees. Bamboo paper is being used by some manufacturers to save trees as it is more sustainable than virgin or recycled paper rolls. However the traditional Indian system of washing with water and soapy solution and wiping with a personal towel could save a lot more trees. While ‘jet-spray gun’ attachments are normally fixed in Indian toilets adjacent to the toilet bowl, they are new to western loos where bidet attachments are being introduced within the toilet seat itself.bidet
    6. Medicine: Most of our healthcare needs can be handled at home with a few kitchen herbs, clean environment, rest, yoga, meditation, energy healing and a healthy plant based diet. Simple home remedies such as cloves for pain relief, cinnamon and turmeric for antiseptic, licorice for cough, cumin, carom and fennel seeds for digestion, holy basil for fever, eucalyptus oil and mint for cold and aches can greatly reduce clinic visits and make us less dependent on synthetic, animal tested drugs and environmentally toxic pharma products. Make your own medicine by grinding a few kitchen herbs such as cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, licorice, fennel, cardamom seeds, cloves and dates to make ‘churan’ rolls for digestive health and to ward off common ailments.churan golis
    7. Accessories: Carry bags, shoes, table-mats, home-decor, laundry and waste bins, and curtains can all be easily made with jute, bamboo,hemp and other sustainable plant based fibers that are completely eco-friendly and cruelty-free while looking beautiful at the same time.bags-2379225_960_720.jpg
    8. Clothes: Synthetic clothes have filled the marketplace in the last few decades and not many people realize that they are not planet friendly or skin friendly as compared to plant based and less industry intensive options such as ‘khadi’ cotton or hand-loom and hemp fabric.material-1397958_960_720.jpg
    9. Kitchen and Tableware: In addition to eliminating single use plastic straws, disposable cutlery and bone china or ceramic that contain animal parts and hence not cruelty-free, we can also use eco-friendly storage containers, serving dishes, spice jars and bottles of water made of glass, bamboo,terracotta or earthenware.baskets-1001439_960_720
    10. Furniture: Instead of wood, plastic and synthetics that are harmful for environment or leather upholstery and feathered cushions which are animal intensive and cruelty based, we can opt for environment friendly cane and bamboo furniture with natural plant based fabric for cushions and seats.floating-flower-1782388_960_720.jpg
    11. Stationery: Environment friendly and sustainable paper such as bamboo paper and bamboo stationery that saves trees, plant based plastics for scissors, paper instead of cello-tapes, vegan glues, plant based brushes and canvas, non-toxic crayons, eco-friendly pens instead of plastic are some of the everyday items that we can be more mindful of while shopping. eco-friendly-stationery-kit-7.jpg
    12. Electronics: Instead of plastic intensive laptops, tablets and phones, some manufacturers are introducing environment friendly electronic gadgets including recyclable laptops to eliminate the sizable e-waste that is threatening our planet.paperlaptop.jpg
    13. Toys: Plastic toys have been far too prevalent in the market, but we can now choose wooden and environment friendly toys even as toy manufacturers have started to think about plant based plastics to replace conventional ones. Eco-friendly handicraft toys are beautiful and give children a chance to appreciate creative crafts too.bicycles-17511_960_720.jpg
    14. Travel: From simply walking, cycling or jogging down to work, school or shopping whenever distance permits, to using public transport instead of private cars we can drastically reduce fuel consumption and our carbon footprint. Shopping locally and using homemade products can also help us be carbon neutral by avoiding unnecessary transportation or import of goods. Electric and solar powered vehicles  including solar air-crafts have already been introduced.solar.png
    15. Housing: Sustainable and environment friendly homes include those built with recycled material, terracotta tiles and roofs, home on wheels or boats as well as quirky tree-houses incorporating rainwater harvesting, recycling water and sewage for growing trees, growing your own food, natural ventilation and solar paneling. Earthship Global for example specializes in sustainable housing.SAMSUNG

     

  • Nine Plant-Based Plastic Alternatives To Save Our Planet

    Nine Plant-Based Plastic Alternatives To Save Our Planet

     

    Plastics have invaded our homes, our soil and even our oceans and rivers to such as extent that it looks almost apocalyptic.

    Ordinary plastic, including some sugarcane plastics may be recyclable but not thoroughly biodegradable. Some countries such as India which have difficulties in recycling have attempted to ban plastics already. While eliminating plastic products is the ideal solution, we can get closer home by creating more environment friendly bio-plastics.

    Here are a few alternatives:

    1. While using banana leaves for plates is an ancient tradition, in India leaf plates or ‘donas’ have been used since centuries as bio-degradable and environment friendly utensils that are very affordable.

    2. Potato Starch can be used to create edible bags and cutlery.

    3. Edible cutlery made of wheat, millet and rice can be either eaten or decomposed

    4. Cassava or Tapioca starch can be fashioned into plastic bags too

    5. Hemp Plastics can replace ordinary plastic to create a range of products

    6. Corn Plastics are already being used in a range of products to replace non-biodegradable plastics

    7. Sugarcane Bagasse is a waste product of sugarcane that can be fashioned into eco-friendly plastic-ware too

    8. Rice plastic has also been developed

    9. Peels of fruits such as oranges and bananas could also be used for manufacturing plastic

  • 12 Eco Friendly Homemade Alternatives to Personal Care Products

    12 Eco Friendly Homemade Alternatives to Personal Care Products

    We all know that personal care products such as shampoos and shower gels not only contain harsh chemicals but also harm our planet with excess plastic packaging. While eating healthy raw vegan foods and enjoying a meditation routine are the best way to ensure healthy body, skin and hair, through the power of consciousness we can use completely natural, homemade, organic, ethical, vegan and plastic-free products for personal care and do our bit to save the world, one day at a time… and save money too.

    1. Body Wash and Scrub: A great homemade alternative that can be easily incorporated in our bath is ‘ubtan’ or a gentle paste of oatmeal or gram flour (besan) mixed with a little water, to which we can add a sprinkle of ground turmeric for its wonderful antiseptic qualities. As we apply and scrub our body with these all natural ingredients we feel relaxed, healed and cleansed at the same time.besab
    2. Hair Wash: We may not need to search far and wide for shampoo alternatives. Going ‘poo’ free is easier when we can have all natural and organic Shikakai or hair-fruit, a few pieces of which added to warm water can give us a mild lathery and fragrant concoction for washing our hair. Herbal teas such as nettle and rosemary can make excellent rinses for the hair too. shikakai
    3. Detergent: Laundry can smell wonderful and be really clean with a small muslin bag of soapnuts (reetha) tossed into your bucket or washing machine. reetha
    4. Hair Conditioner: All those expensive brands of conditioners can be easily replaced with pure and natural organic oils such as coconut oil, olive oil or gooseberry (amla) oil which can be lightly applied to the hair follicles before washing to result in clean as well as balanced hair. olive-oil-bowl-tease-today-160307
    5. Skin Care: Our skin loves the feeling of fruit pulp such as organic avocado which can give most skin creams a run for their money. Expensive brands or beauty parlors may not be necessary; mashed banana applied on the skin with cucumber slices on our eyes can make a great home based beauty treatment. Most natural organic vegan oils such as coconut oil can bless our skin with moisture and that nourished feeling. avocado1
    6. Ear Cleaning: Ear buds are terrible for they push wax back into our ear canals to block our ear drums causing infections and the plastic in them is unhelpful to the environment too. Simply add a drop or two of olive oil in your ear canal and leave it in for a few minutes before repeating this for the next ear so that within a few days the excess wax is released naturally.olive-oil-for-ear-infection
    7. Hair Color: Harsh bleaches and chemical dyes in our hair color and treatments are not only expensive but also damaging to our health in the long run. A homemade paste of organic henna leaf powder with a bit of water can be easily applied all over our hair and washed off after an hour for a gentle and natural color that is easy on the eyes and leaves the hair soft with a beautiful natural fragrance. Henna Leaves With Powder On Ceramic Bowl
    8. Mouthwash: Fluoridated and alcohol based mouthwashes can be harmful in the long run. A small piece of cinnamon bark can cleanse the mouth effectively with its anti-microbial action. You can also boil it in water and cool it to prepare a fresh home-made mouthwash in minutes. Chewing a pod of cardamom can freshen breath in an instant without any of the sugars or plastic of chewing gums or lozenges.Cinnamonum verum
    9. Teeth Cleaner: While toothpastes without fluoride and sulfates can be hard to find, we can try to cleanse our teeth with a home made paste of powdered cinnamon and clove. Chewing a neem bark or ‘dantun’  as a natural toothbrush has germ repellent effects. Chewing a clove can be extremely effective in warding off tooth  aches too. neem bark
    10. Skin Detox: Acne, eczema and skin problems can be easily remedied at home with the help of neem leaves, a few of which boiled in water, strained and cooled can be added to bath for an effective skin detox. A paste of neem leaves can cleanse and purify skin as a face pack. Herbs such as basil, lavender and chamomile are not only great as herbal teas, they can also be great for skin care when added to bath for a fragrant and chemical free spa experience at home. neem-leavs
    11. Lip Color: Wax, chemicals and plastic in lipsticks can be harmful for the skin and environment. Organic dragon’s blood tree sap or ink can actually be healing for our skin as well as provide a beautiful red or pink tint at the same time. Lip gloss can be easily made at home using by grinding and straining beet juice and adding a bit of coconut oil to it which can even be solidified.lip
    12. Perfume and Sprays: Highly devoured brands of fragrances and body sprays not only cost much more than they are actually worth, they might have artificial fragrances and harmful ingredients too. Simple and pure essential oils that can be safely dabbed on to our clothes include lavender, geranium, rose, patchouli and many more. Essential oils such as peppermint, citronella and eucalyptus can also be sprayed or diffused in rooms for deodorizing and repelling insects sans chemicals.essential-oils-2738555_960_720
  • Eight Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Everyday

    Eight Easy Ways to Reduce Plastic Everyday

    Plastic, short for pliable elastic, was invented in 1907 and contained no molecules of nature whatsoever, making it hazardous to the environment as it does not biodegrade like other natural substances. Within just a few decades plastic has managed to pollute our planet to a great degree by being falsely marketed to us as an inescapable part of our daily life. Little do we realize that plastic was popularized only in the 1960s and many of us had relatively plastic free childhoods. Here are some easy ways we can return to a greener lifestyle.

    1. Bring Your Own Bottle: We instinctively buy a can or bottle of juice or water when we feel thirsty outside but this habit can cost us our planet. Cans and bottles used in packaging beverages account for a majority of our plastic waste all over the world. According to this Greenpeace report on plastic, of the 480 billion plastic beverage bottles sold in 2016 alone, less than half were collected for recycling, and of that only 7 percent was turned into new plastic.. We can easily change our one behavior pattern and save the world, and our money, by simply carrying a durable and long lasting bottle of water from home whenever we set out. thirst-1474240_960_720
    2. No Unnecessary Disposables: We do not really need straws to sip liquids. Similarly we do not always require disposable shopping bags if we simply carry a spare bag with us. Electric razors could reduce plastic waste as compared to disposable razors. We could use cardboard applicators instead of plastic ones for tampons. Disposable plastic cups, spoons and stirrers can easily be replaced with regular mugs and durable cutlery. Better still, having our coffee at home could be great for our health, wallet and for the environment than cafes that serve us in disposable plastic. tea-3190241_960_720
    3. Go Micro-bead Free: Fine plastic beads in our toothpastes, exfoliating scrubs, shower gels, face wash and other cosmetic or personal care products are likely to be commercial gimmicks that are neither very helpful to our health nor good for our environment. As they go down the drain they contaminate our water bodies such as rivers and oceans threatening life and health by entering our food chain. According to this shocking report on micro-plastics, 80 percent of tap water all over the world is contaminated, Simply do not purchase products containing micro-beads.soap-dispenser-2337697_960_720
    4. Eco-friendly Grocery: While ordinary supermarkets have been selling plastic packaged food items, we also have fantastic organic farmers that home deliver fruits and vegetables to us in eco-friendly boxes and paper bags, as well as green grocers who sell whole foods without plastic bags and boxes. We can also use our own shopping trolley and say no when offered plastic bags at checkout. Reducing pre-packaged food in our diet is also great for our health as our bodies love fresh and raw produce. Eating fresh would also reduce the need for storing foods in plastic bags and zippers in the fridge.img-farming-riverfordbox1_big
    5. Beware of Hidden Sources of Plastic: Many people are surprised to know that some of the things we consume everyday, such as teabags and chewing gum may contain plastic which could be hazardous for health. Using a tea-strainer with loose tea, especially herbal infusions and getting rid of the chewing gum habit could be healthier and more eco-friendly.tee-592047_960_720
    6. Alternatives to Plastic Packed Toiletries: Most of us find it convenient to use plastic packaged washing products, however paper wrapped soap bars could minimize our dependence on plastic bottles, while natural alternatives such as Shikakai and Reetha (Soap Nuts) are considered great for hair and can also be sealed in a muslin cloth and tossed with our clothing in the washing machine for cleaning and a wonderful aroma in our linen too. Natural homemade products such as avocado pulp cream, banana mash face pack, olive oil for hair can be good alternatives to packaged brands. natural
    7. Be Natural: By having a simple, minimalist and spiritual lifestyle we can reduce our overall consumption of unnecessary cosmetics, hair products, plastic gadgets such as hair dryers, personal care brands and other lifestyle products that rely heavily on plastic packaging. By loving our natural hair, skin and healthy body and using less plastic we not only enhance our well being but make our planet more beautiful from within and outside. hair
    8. For Babies and Children: Many parents are trying cloth nappies instead of disposable ones, not only to save up on their expenses but also to reduce non-biodegradable waste as disposable nappies or diapers do contain plastic. Similarly glitter used in crafts and many stationery products such as pens and glue-sticks may contain plastic, the usage of which we can keep to a minimum by using pencils, eco-friendly glue and stationary. Many eco-conscious parents try to buy wooden toys instead of the common plastic ones for their children.toys-1705501_960_720
  • Five Super-Easy Ways To Go Eco-Friendly

    Five Super-Easy Ways To Go Eco-Friendly

    You do not necessarily need to rush to an eco-friendly store and buy a lot of ‘eco-friendly’ products in order to start living a more eco-friendly life. Sometimes simplification can be the easy way to natural living. Living a healthier life on a healthy planet is possible right now with these simple daily initiatives that each of us can adopt without much ado.

    1. Always carry a large foldable bag or a smart looking big bag when you go shopping. Not only will you save money in buying new bags at last minute, you will also do nature a favour by reducing the demand and usage of plastic which indirectly helps a LOT in reducing overall plastic manufacturing. Say no to the cashier when he or she offers you a plastic bag.  You will certainly look much smarter without those ugly plastic bags in both your hands.  Plastic_bags.jpgbags.jpgeco
    2. Is your shopping list full of processed foods that are packed in boxes,  bottles, cartons, cans and plastic covers? If you are interested in a quick meal and used to buying ready packaged foods, you will find that in the same or lesser amount of cash you can enjoy delicious fruits and salad vegetables that can simply be washed and eaten without much cooking or spicing. Not everyone is lucky to have a garden or allotment space to grow your own foods as often as you can. Why not try to buy more fresh and healthy raw foods from your local grocers and give your body as well as the planet a health boost? Ditch your processed foods section in your supermarket and head to the fresh food store instead. Processed-Foods1.jpggrocery-store-2619380_960_720.jpgproduce-2472015_960_720
    3. Go easy on your makeup and personal care products. The natural look is not only much more attractive, it is also a life-saver for our eco-system simply because all these chemical based products we use on our body and skin can damage our environment and not just our health. We can reduce the risks of various cancers and allergies while enjoying the fresh feeling of beautiful and healthy skin, no matter what our colour. Allow your inner radiance to shine through.makeup-792129_960_720.jpgmakup.jpgmaxresdefault
    4. Get your news online and the lesser and more positive, the better. Huge amounts of trees are cut to manufacture papers even to this day. We still find people reading papers while commuting and at home when all they are filling their mind with is news about violence, accidents and murders that are of no personal relevance most of the time. The only people benefitting from these papers are advertisers who draw attention to purchase whatever we do not really require. The more negativity we read, the more we attract because what goes into our head also projects out as our reality. Instead, try being more choosy and get your news only as and when really needed online, and go easy on your ad exposure.british-newspapersmedia-1.jpgunnamed
    5. Keep separate bins for separate types of trash for recycling and composting. Many families have just one large bin at home for all kinds of trash that cannot be recycled even though their local government allows recycling and waste segregation. You can have a much cleaner environment both at home and outside and save the planet which you live on, simply by using differently coloured and labelled bins for different types of trash. Your home will look and feel better as a result too. If your local authorities have not introduced recycling you can form a group and encourage people to create a movement and motivate the relevant authorities through people power. Dirty_trash_can_overflowing.jpgbinsplace-small-home-recycle-bins-in-key-locations-to-encourage-recycling-21808008.jpg