Archive for February, 2008

How To Make Your Garden Vibrantly Beautiful with Flowering Shrubs

Friday, February 29th, 2008

By Lee Dobbins Gardens are one of the most important aspects of your home in terms of aesthetic value. The first thing that people see when they approach the house is the landscape and to make a great impression of your house, your garden should be vibrant. There is no better way of making a garden stunningly beautiful than adding brilliant colors amidst the green backdrop and this can be done by planting flowering shrubs. What Are Flowering Shrubs? The term flowering shrubs refers to a particular group of flowering foliage whose stems are woody and whose branches form an intricate network as opposed to the single-trunk structure of trees. Shrubs typically grow to about 10 to 20 feet, and can serve as great focal points for any garden with the stunning color of their flowers that could hover over a landscape. What Flowering Shrubs Are For Flowering shrubs are planted in home gardens for a variety of reasons. They make great garden borders when planted side-by-side or in between other types of plants. Other people plant them mainly for their aromatic flowers especially shrubs like purple leaf sandcherry, lilac and viburnum. Some homeowners plant shrubs to establish some privacy by shielding the home against prying eyes. Flowering shrubs can also help control noise with their rich leaves that absorb sound. What Flowering Shrubs Need to Grow Most popular flowering shrubs are not really difficult to grow and maintain. They are hardy plants and usually just need regular watering, some fertilizing and the occasional pruning. Shrubs may also be trained to follow certain directions of growth to define a certain look in the landscape. While shrubs may indeed grow practically on their own, you could expect more progress if you take more care of them. What Flowering Shrubs Are Available There are many popular flowering shrubs, each having their on characteristics that make them ideal for different kinds of situations. Here are some of them: 1. Viburnum Shrub - viburnums are among the easiest of flowering shrubs to grow and maintain. While there are over 150 species belonging to the viburnum genus, it is not commonly seen in home gardens. Most viburnums are found in arboretums and botanical gardens. Viburnums are very hardy plants, a lot of them are quite resistant to diseases and pets, making them quite self-sustaining. 2. Weigela Shrub - weigela shrubs are very popular in both home and public gardens. This deciduous plant grows with an upright weeping tendency. They can add a lot of color to any garden. The leaves themselves can become purple, dark green or even bright yellow. The flowers colors can range from milky white to bright ruby red. Weigela are also very attractive to butterflies, so if you like beautiful critters aside from beautiful blooms, this type of shrub may be right for you. 3. Forsythia Shrub - forsythias are another popular type of shrubs. This deciduous plant typically grows to about 8 to 12 feet with upright or arching branches. Forsythias are quite easy to grow as they do well with most types of soil, although they thrive best in rich loose soil, needing only the occasional pruning after flowering. This shrub produces vibrant yellow flowers during early spring. 4. Hydrangea Shrub - this is another popular kind of flowering shrub that can also come as trees or vines. Hydrangeas can produce different kinds of flower colors that can be modified by altering the pH level of the garden soil. Basic soils result into pink flowers, while acidic soils result into blue flowers. Hydrangeas that have white flowers usually do not get affected by the soil pH level, but are nevertheless attractive shrubs. 5. Lilac Shrub - lilac shrubs are among the most favorite home flowering shrubs. While the term lilac usually refers to purple with pinkish tinge, lilac flowers may come in a variety of hues including blue, red, pink, white, and of course, lilac. Lilac shrubs like sunny weather and soils that drain well. They attract butterflies and bees. This resilient plant needs only occasional pruning after flowering and some mulch as fertilizer. Flowering shrubs are good additions to any landscape. They provide shade and color that can make any garden look vibrantly beautiful. Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.backyard-garden-and-patio.com where you can find out more about gardening and landscaping as well as how to do container plantings, installing a garden pond and decorating your garden. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Make-Your-Garden-Vibrantly-Beautiful-with-Flowering-Shrubs&id=358264 ativan weight loss buy ambien online 100 tabs ambien cold turkey ambien and weight gain lunesta and weight gain

What Everybody Ought to Know About Administering a Special Needs Trust

Friday, February 29th, 2008

By L. Mark Russell Copyright (c) 2007 L. Mark Russell Even if a special needs trust is properly prepared, the special needs trust can affect the child’s ability to receive government benefits if the special needs trust is not properly administered. For example, recipients of supplemental security income (SSI) are entitled to receive $20 of unearned income per month without reduction in SSI benefits. Receipt of unearned income in excess of $20 per month, however, results in a dollar-for-dollar reduction in benefits. Because distributions from special needs trusts are considered unearned income, distributions in excess of $20 per month result in a benefit reduction. In addition, using trust property to provide food or shelter for the person with a disability results in unearned income as well. How can this limitation on trust distributions be avoided? Have the special needs trust purchase items for the person with a disability and retain ownership, permitting the person with a disability to use, but not own, the property, and do not use the special needs trust to provide food or shelter. Under the SSI eligibility rules, special needs trust distributions that do not result in the person with a disability receiving food or shelter, or anything that can be used to obtain these items, do not count as unearned income. Thus, the trustee can use the special needs trust assets to pay for items such as vacations, recreation and leisure activities, companion or housekeeping services, special job training, vocational or employment supports, lawn care, laundry services, CD players, television sets, VCRs, computers, medical insurance, improved medical or dental care, telephone bills, or furniture without any reduction in benefits. If, instead, the trustee were to give the person with a disability the money to pay for these items, the distribution to the person with a disability would count as unearned income, resulting in a possible reduction in benefits. Similarly, if the person with a disability were to actually own, rather than merely have the right to use, the item purchased, the receipt of the item would be considered unearned income because the item could be sold and converted to cash. The trustee will also be required to perform various administrative functions related to the special needs trust. The trustee will need to obtain a taxpayer identification number and file annual tax returns. Generally trust income that is used for the beneficiary will be taxed to the beneficiary, and the trustee may need to help the beneficiary with his or her taxes as well. Trust income that is not used for the beneficiary will be taxed directly to the special needs trust. The trustee will generally have a fair amount of discretion in investing trust assets, but investments should generally be conservative in order to preserve the property in the special needs trust for the benefit of the person with a disability. Investment in tax-exempt securities may be advisable both to protect the special needs trust property and due to the generally high rate of tax applicable to trust income. The trustee will need to keep good records of trust income and expenditures both because the special needs trust document is likely to require that accountings be provided to a person specified in the document, and because trust activity may later be questioned by the government to make sure that the trust has not been administered in a way that affects the beneficiary’s entitlement to government benefits. The trustee will also need to be sure to avoid commingling property in the special needs trust with other property owned by the trustee or the beneficiary of the trust. Arm yourself with time tested strategies that will protect your child with a disability and assure their happy and fulfilled life, even when you are no longer able to care for them yourself. There’s still time to plan for your child’s future IF you begin now by going to specialneedslegal http://www.specialneedslegal.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Mark_Russell http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Everybody-Ought-to-Know-About-Administering-a-Special-Needs-Trust&id=440458 ambien and alochol buy prescription ambien halcion drug induced arousal from the permanent vegetative state ambien ambien coupon

Men - Don’t Make These 4 Dangerous Dating Mistakes

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

By Scott Patterson Dating can be tough on many guys! This is especially true when it comes to attracting women. The problem is guys tend to make many mistakes that they’re not even aware of. For instance, I was recently at a bar where I noticed a guy talking to an attractive woman. What’s interesting was this guy was giving off confident body language, while not being aware that she was not interested in him. In essence, he was clueless about his ability to “pick-up this chick”. You could easily tell from the bored look in her eye, that she was looking for an opportunity to get away from this loser. What’s funny was he was actually a decent looking, well dressed guy. So obviously his problem wasn’t his presentation. Instead he was doing a few things which were instantly turning her off and killing ANY chance of attraction If he knew about these mistakes, and corrected them, he could have easily attracted this woman. Now if you want to NOT be like this man, then I recommend you take a close look at these 4 MAJOR dating mistakes: Dating Mistake #1- Not reading her body language You can discover what a woman is feeling by observing her body language. Without saying a word, a woman will tell you when she’s attracted or when she’s repulsed. Your job is to study her body language and calibrate. For instance if you see a bored look in her eye, then you know that you have to switch tactics and change the topic of conversation. Dating Mistake #2-Buying her affections with free drinks One of the quickest ways to show lower status is to buy a woman a drink. Let me explain When you buy a woman many drinks, you’re showing that you need to purchase her attention in order to start a conversation. While sometimes it’s polite to buy a round, don’t try to please her by constantly buying her drinks. What’s interesting is lots of other guys are great for making women drunk, but they’re doing nothing to attract them. By buying drinks, they’re simply making it easier for some other guy approach and pick them up. Dating Mistake #3- Acting too arrogant One of the principles I recommend in my ebook is to act in an overconfident manner. But even though this personality trait is important, you should realize that acting TOO arrogant is just as bad. While women love men with a good amount of confidence, having too much is an instant turn off. This means if you’re dominating the conversation and bragging about your accomplishments, you’re demonstrating a specific type of behavior which infuriates women. In order to impress a woman, all you need to do is display confidence through your actions and body language. If give off a confident aura, you don’t have to open your mouth to prove it. Dating Mistake #4-Being a clown Well know that many women are attracted to guys “with a sense of humor”. However it’s a mistake to act like a clown and try to do funny things around women. While it’s important to be funny, it’s equally vital to never look like a fool. Being funny does nothing for building attraction. Instead of trying to make her laugh, try using a technique which is known as “cocky/funny”. This personality trait means focusing on teasing a woman with a bit of mock arrogance. Basically you’re a funny guy who likes to bust a woman’s chops about various things. By being able to identify all of four of these dating mistakes, you’ll be able increase your overall success with women. So your job is to quickly identify these mistakes and make a concerted effort to eradicate them! Want to learn 50 different ways to meet, approach and attract women If so, take a look at Scott Patterson’s Free eBook which provides 50 tips for approaching, attracting, and dating ANY woman. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Patterson http://EzineArticles.com/?Men—Dont-Make-These-4-Dangerous-Dating-Mistakes&id=513386 lorazepam for dogs information on the medication ambien ambien ordering zol zolpidem tartrate

Marketing Strengths vs. Weaknesses

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

By Daniel Wadleigh When you have decided how you are going to promote the benefits of doing business with you versus the other guys, you have put into motion the mode or image that you are going to embody. There is a popular notion - which sells a number of books - that you need to be at war with the competition. This concept is termed, “Marketing Warfare.” I take issue… While you need to declare your strengths and your benefits, you don’t have to treat the competitor as the enemy. The goal is to have no competition, not bring attention to it! The more unique you can make yourself, the more you appeal to a select part of the market. You are carving out your own defined market. In my opinion, 7-Up doesn’t compete with Coke. 7-Up, by calling itself “the Uncola”, appeals to people who don’t want caffeine or dark soft drinks. 7-Up defined a market which was waiting for an alternative. To say that these companies aren’t competitors may be going a bit far, but the point is, you need to take care of defining your specialty, and promoting it, in the maximum possible way. When you promote positive benefits, with flair and impact, you’ll get your market share. I also maintain that even though you have declared your image and have made it known, you still need to be aware of any changes in the competition that favor your position. If Brand X got caught with its hand in the till, it’s not time to say, ‘We’re honest.” People tend not to like those who take too much advantage of a bad situation. However, you need to know when the positive effects of doing business with you are available, like running a few ads if Brand X is out of inventory (without rubbing their noses in it). In addition to offending the public, bear in mind how the competition will remember should the tables ever turn. Part of your image needs to be that you possess integrity. That by itself will bring a certain amount of business your way - and you’ll have a better conscience. Daniel Wadleigh is a nationally published marketing consultant and has programs for start-up and existing businesses including effective web sites, e-mail/database, other non-internet ways to drive them to your website, and low cost ways to get more new customers. Go to: http://www.more-new-customers.com to get free copy of “Marketing to Men vs. Women- the 8 different responses” and a Free copy of “Market Research- 7 Questions to Ask to Start-up and 7 to Ask to Improve Any Business.” Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Wadleigh http://EzineArticles.com/?Marketing-Strengths-vs.-Weaknesses&id=140620 ambien works ambien online europa danger ambien ambien controlled substance

Dangers Of Getting Into A Relationship With A Woman Who Isnt What You Really Want

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

By Teddy Shabba It is amazing how a man can date a woman he doesn’t particularly like and when she dumps him; find himself trying to be the man she wanted him to be even though he didn’t really like her. Suddenly, his belief becomes every women wants what she wanted therefore I must become that in order to attract another woman in my life. How does a man change his beliefs so easily especially based on what a woman he didn’t like that much to begin with wants? Surprisingly, the pain of losing something you don’t want can be much more painful than losing something you do want. When you settle for a relationship with a woman you like just a little bit it is like a Heavyweight Champion putting his belt on the line to a no name boxer. If the champ wins he gains absolutely nothing (staying in the relationship or you breaking up with her) and if he loses he loses everything and falls below the new champ (her breaking up with you). Whatever her reason for breaking up with you is now a flaw that you need to work on because if it wasn’t good enough for her, how could it be good enough for a woman you really do like? So how do you avoid a situation like this from happening? You don’t allow a woman you are not completely attracted to even compete for a relationship. You can have sex with her, go out with her, even become emotionally attached to her. Yet the moment you find yourself looking at a possible relationship with her, ask yourself if you can and want to do better? If you answer yes to this question realize that you are putting a lot on the line by accepting less than you want and gaining absolutely nothing at all as well. Teddy Shabba is a Dating Coach for Men who has a daily newsletter that provides you with a wealth of information on how to be more successful with women. You can sign up for the Teddy Shabba Dating Advice Newsletter for Men now. Also with over 500 articles from a variety of dating experts just for men our Dating Advice and Seduction Article Database is the perfect place for any man. To learn more about How To Attract Women visit our article section Attract Women Today Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teddy_Shabba http://EzineArticles.com/?Dangers-Of-Getting-Into-A-Relationship-With-A-Woman-Who-Isnt-What-You-Really-Want&id=426131 zolpidem pupil ambien online presciption zoloft and lorazepam lethal dosage of ativan

University Research Projects and Case Studies of the Franchising Model

Monday, February 25th, 2008

By Lance Winslow It seems there is always a business college somewhere putting out industry data research. These research projects give the kids something to do and learn as they practice studying this industry or that. Often one political group or another to illustrate a point or in an attempt prove their side of an argument about a particular industry uses these reports. Sometimes governments, political groups or the industry, fund these projects themselves. Those who use such research or figures should immediately be called into question, as we all know figures lie and liars figure. But are all these kids really lying? No, generally they are doing the best they can with limited resources and lack of knowledge, as well as highly skewed data. In studying over 22 Industry sectors for the last 20-years in hopes of keeping my company at the forefront of the cleaning industry, I have seen my fair share of research which did not fit my actual knowledge of the industry as an insider or observations thru careful analysis. Recently a research student contacted me to send me a free copy of a research project they did on the Franchising Industry. Sounds great, as it is free right? Well, sure free is a good price indeed, yet the research student and college was in India and it was a study of the franchising Industry World Wide. Being deeply involved in the Industry and having wrote books on the subject, I respectfully declined my free copy noting; I appreciate your offer, really I do. Yet, I have experiences, observed and follow the trends, so I find it difficult to understand what information could come from academia that I would not already know. I find academia views of things to be quite skewed and non-understanding of reality. Do you have justification of why I would want your academia-jaded knowledge as perceived by someone who has never done it? Franchising I mean? Is this unfair of a comment to the academia world? It is better to make them feel all warm and fuzzy about their work and stay Politically Correct? Or is it better to save the trees to print it and the fuel to ship the research book, if you really do not want it? Additionally isnt it better to send a message to academia to stop putting out bogus crap or half-backed claims, which in turn are used by worthless politicians to make policy, effecting jobs, tax base, industry and our economic engine? Instead I asked; If you will send me a summary, I will review it and if appropriate, then I will be glad to post it on our website to help you alert the World about your research and book at my leading industry website Franchising.org Additionally I asked the question that everyone should ask when someone tells them that they have proof of their argument due to a study from academia; Can you convince me, why this information is worthy of note? I would be interested in our justification. Of course I got no reply and therefore I rest my case. Do not trust academia research on industry, any industry, unless you know the facts and can check their data. Think on this. “Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; www.WorldThinkTank.net/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://EzineArticles.com/?University-Research-Projects-and-Case-Studies-of-the-Franchising-Model&id=96927 ambien long term side effects buy zolpidem overnight valium ativan difference zolpidem ambien drug class medical uses medication side

You Can Lose Weight if You Want To

Sunday, February 24th, 2008

By Peter Fisher What does the word “diet” say to you? Does it conjure up pain and hardship involving a loss of so much you enjoy? Does the very word make you go cold? Well if it does you are not alone. Most people talk about their diet as if it is some kind of penance to be endured. But there is a different way of looking at it. Instead of thinking about the things you see yourself giving up - which equates to the hardship - why not try to think about what you will gain. Start by thinking of a “diet” as merely a change in lifestyle. Your current lifestyle is probably quite laid back and involves enjoying your food in a relaxed way. This new lifestyle is better than the old one and is all about learning to eat well and exercise in a healthy way so that you can enjoy the rest of your life. It doesn’t mean you have to go pounding the streets every morning, but it does mean taking enjoyable exercise regularly enough to have the desired effect. You gain a new freedom from the tyranny of “diet” and eat and exercise according to your needs. Without the excess weight, you can enjoy new clothes, travel and improved confidence and relationships. This approach is not unique, but it is one you are most likely hear from a health professional. The overall purpose is to help you put an end to the weight -off, weight-on dieting cycle. Temporary weight loss is no benefit to your health in the longer term; the only long term solution is to approach eating and exercise as the new way of living. Experts tell us that when you when you eat poorly and become overweight you increase your risk-factors for diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, heart disease, even Alzheimer’s disease and forms of cancer. But you are taking the first steps to lose weight and feel better just by reading this article. Let me now emphasise something absolutely crucial for you: Eating well and exercising regularly is the only solution to long term weight loss. I can’t emphasise that last point enough. It’s the most important point I must make. The whole point of our website is dedicated to your weight loss help. Peter Fisher is an expert Author and Publisher of Your Weight Loss Help For more resources to show you can lose weight if you want to, go to You can lose weight if you want to Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Fisher http://EzineArticles.com/?You-Can-Lose-Weight-if-You-Want-To&id=255218 buy b ambien b ambien no consultation fee ambien generic online prescription ambien works

No Excuses for Men

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

By Christopher Walker Men have spent the last 2,000 years placing an erection on a pedestal, trying to teach women how important and valuable it is. We have placed orgasms and climax at the peak of romantic relations, and in many, many cases, inflicted that narrow perspective through our unconscious behavior toward women. We owe an apology for our blindness, and for the mass of history caused by this small perspective. A tender touch, a warm compliment, a kind acceptance, a generous smile awakens the depth in a women far deeper than any erection. They truly connect to her femininity. It is true that some women have accepted the masculine count of climax as real, but beneath that mask of social confusion, lives a tenderness and sensuality that has nothing at all to do with a peak, an outcome, or a result. This femininity is the goddess within all of us. She is worshipped in the softness of a touch, the integrity in your care, and the way you make her happiness a priority over yours. No excuses men. Now you are aware. No excuses women. You have spent the last 2,000 years defending yourselves against a more physically powerful foe. He has tried to hurt you, tried to impress you, forced himself on you, and known very little about you. It has made the mass of women angry, determined, and ambitious - power is now being wrestled from him. However, you must be careful that you do not start to emulate his ways. Your anger can turn you into the thing you most resent. Your demands can become symbolic, your resentments can become personal, your history can become a burden. You must learn to be your whole self, and cast away the anger, because this can only harm your lover. Beware of a sexuality that measures itself in masculine approval, objectifying. Beware of social norms that make you the object of mens appetite. Beware of corporate cultures that deny you the right to feel and sense before you are required to calculate and time. Honor the sensitivity that is the goddess, the emotional vulnerability that is at her deepest heart. Demand tenderness and respect from yourself, and then from others. No excuses. Chris Walker http://www.chriswalker.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Walker http://EzineArticles.com/?No-Excuses-for-Men&id=323376 purchase phentermine without prescription phentermine no prescription us order phentermine without prescription cheap phentermine no prescription needed

New Age Torture

Monday, February 18th, 2008

By Samantha Stevens I’ll admit it … I’m a spiritual tramp. I’ve spent the last few years slutting around, looking for a cure for all my aches and pains. So far the only thing I seem to have cured is my curiosity. This morning, as I rose from my bed, feeling worse than ever, I found myself summing up the total experience of my New Age Vision Quest with one Monty Python line: “Nobody ever expects the Spanish Inquisition!” For like the Spanish Inquisition, the goal of New Age Therapies is to get you to confess — for instance — you’re lying on a table, all blissed out, and then suddenly some healer, with a gentle voice sticks a needle attached to an electrode in between your front and second toe, mumbles something about “activating the Chi in your angry liver” and then walks away with a sadistic chuckle telling you”it’s all right to scream if you want” while recalling painful childhood memories. For all of you that are not familiar with the many New Age Tortures out there let me demystify the magic behind some of these healing practices: Cranio-Sacral Therapy: A healer bids you to lie down on a white-sheeted table. Time to relax? Mais, non. It is time for the Spanish Inquisition! After explaining that the bony plates in your skull are not unlike the shifting tectonic plates beneath the earth’s crust, causing all manner of nervous upsets, migraines and general unwellness, the healer cradles your head in his hands and begins to squeeze and squeeze and squeeze until you feel just like Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With The Wind, (in that scene where Clark Gable tries to physically squeeze the memory of Ashley Wilkes out of Vivian Leigh’s head.) While the healer has your head in his vise-like grip he will urge you to confess some deep, dark memory of hidden child-abuse or forgotten head injury (like the time you banged your head on the sharp corner of the coffee table when you were six years old,) When you don’t confess, the healer rebukes you by sighing and acting generallydisappointed and requests that you come back for another appointment. Aromatherapy: “Smell this eucalyptus!” beseeches the pretty aromatherapist. “And these geranium, rose and orange oils.” If you pour these scents into this one hundred and fifty dollar aromatherapy diffuser I’m about to sell you, I promise you’ll be back in two weeks to tell me how much better you feel!!. Unfortunately, I must confess that my place now smells like a whore house in Morocco and I still don’t feel any better! Positive Affirmations: This is a New Age torture that you can do to yourself in the privacy of your own home! All you have to do is repeat to yourself again and again, a positive affirmation such as “Every day in every way I am getting better and better.” until all other thoughts of unwellness are eclipsed by this one excellent statement. I must confess, that after a few weeks of reciting this again and again that I feel that “every day in every way I am getting more and more repetitive.” Rolfing: “Oh, goody. Time for a pleasant, relaxing massage” you think as you enter the pleasant office of the professional Rolfer. No. It is time for the Spanish Inquisition! The next thing you know, the Rolfer has jammed his long sinewy fingers deep into your joints, right into the bones and is pulling, squeezing and stretching every sinew of your tissue out of alignment. You feel like each of your limbs as been tied to fourhorses which are about to run in different directions and while this is happening the Rolfer beseeches you to confess, to cry out, to laugh, to release verbally any memory which has been lurking deep inside your muscular tissues. Soon, you find yourself just making stories up, about the time you were molested by your hillbilly cousin, just to appease the cruel monster if only this torture would please, just, stop. ALL right! I CONFESS! THIS HURTS! Just please make it stop… Samantha Steven’s articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. If you wish to buy Samantha’s books about metaphysics click herehttp://www.insomniacpress.com/author.php?id=110You can meet Samantha Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Stevens http://EzineArticles.com/?New-Age-Torture&id=20830 buy phentermine no prescription needed cheap phentermine no prescription free shipping phentermine w o prescription phentermine & no prescription

Spring Cleaning with Nontoxic Cleaners

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

By Debra Lynn Dadd Spring cleaning goes beyond normal everyday cleaning. It’s a major project of home revitalization: to make everything new by removing dust and dirt, to make sure everything is in good repair, and to put things in order, so that you will have everything in your household in working condition for the coming year. Here are some tasks that are traditionally included in a major spring cleaning: * Put away winter clothes and take out spring and summer clothing. * Sweep and vacuum floors, walls, and corners. * Wash floors and carpets * Clean window panes, sills, and frames. Replace thick winter curtains that keep heat in with light summer curtains that allow breezes through. Remove storm windows, hang up screens. * Brush or vacuum stuffed furniture and remove spots. * Wash every surface in every room that has accumulated dust or grime. I like to finish a spring cleaning by bringing in loads of spring flowers and placing them in vases in every room. USE NONTOXIC & NATURAL CLEANERS With so much cleaning going on, I always make sure to use cleaning products that are simple, safe, and eco-friendly. When choosing a cleaning product for a specific job, I use the least-toxic, most-effective product, in the smallest effective amount. Cleaning products are the only household products regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission under the 1960 Federal Hazardous Substances Labeling Act, which requires products that contain hazardous chemicals to carry warning labels. In general, it is best to avoid using products that say “Danger,” “Poison,” or “Warning,” on the label. Many safer products carry the “Caution” label, even though they are acceptable to use. Fortunately, the least toxic products voluntarily disclose their complete ingredients on the label, so you can determine for yourself the safety of the product. There are even cleaning products now made with organically-grown ingredients. Nontoxic cleaning actually requires very few specialized ingredients. I do all of my cleaning with a squirt bottle of fifty-fifty distilled white vinegar and water, liquid soap, and baking soda. For laundry I use a natural soap powder and chlorine-free oxygen bleach. Other substances I have on hand for occasional cleaning needs are salt, lemon juice, borax, and chlorine-free Bon Ami scouring powder. SIMPLIFY YOUR CLEANING While scrubbing away at your spring cleaning, there are two things you can resolve to do in the coming year that will make cleaning easier. These will also reduce the amount of cleaning products you use, saving resources and money. But the most important thing to me is that they save time and reduce the amount of cleaning needed. First, I incorporate preventive maintenance. I put a cookie sheet on the rack under a casserole that is likely to spill over, for example, which pre-empts the need to scour baked on food from the oven. If the casserole spills, the cookie sheet can be effortlessly soaked clean in a few inches of water in the kitchen sink. I also keep in mind the adage “A stitch in time saves nine,” which means if you take that first stitch to fix the tear before it gets bigger, youll save having to make nine stitches later. In cleaning, this translates to wiping up the spill when it happens, cleaning surfaces before they are caked with dust and grease, just cleaning as you go while theres not much to clean. Its only when we dont clean that we may need harsh chemicals to tackle what would have been an easy job earlier. “Clean your room well,” say the Shakers, “for good spirits will not live where there is dirt.” Find nontoxic, natural and earthwise cleaning products at http://www.debraslist.com/cleaning. Hailed as “The Queen of Green” by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a consumer advocate for products and lifestyle choices that are better for health and the environment since 1982. Visit her website for 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural and earthwise products, and to sign up for her free email newsletters. http://www.dld123.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Lynn_Dadd http://EzineArticles.com/?Spring-Cleaning-with-Nontoxic-Cleaners&id=21632 phentermine online sales buy phentermine online no rx order phentermine online no prescription buy phentermine now