This week we received the latest newsletter from the manufacturer of our water filters. They report excellent sales despite the current economy. It would appear that consumers are making the choice to stop buying expensive bottled water and make the cheaper choice to install home water filtration systems. This is good news for the environment - Less plastic, fantastic!!

Our range of water-filters were amongst the ones featured on Dr Oz recently so check them out and see if there is one that suits your needs. www.itsecotime.com/water-filters

Last week I wrote about what a difficult choice Peter and I had faced recently when buying a new car. In our small town one green choice families have been making, especially since the credit crunch hit, is replacing their second car with a golf cart. They use these for all local journeys e.g., taking the kids to school, going to the sports club, church etc. They are obviously a cheap alternative to a second car and are very energy efficient. The other evening we were at a small exhibition by local business and I was surprised and delighted to see a booth advertising Solar Powered Golf Carts. They were comparable in price and power to electric versions, what a fantastic option!

Now we, at It’s Eco Time, are not intending to sell these Carts but we can supply you with a contact number for futher information should you want it. Just contact us at info@itsecotime.com and we will be happy to help.

As you know Peter and I are committed to making choices in our lives to ensure we lead as healthy and eco-friendly a lifestyle as possible without being obsessive.

Recently we decided we needed to buy a new car. Sometime ago we had taken the decision that we really did only need one car so this new car had to meet both our needs. We researched various models and made a list of dealerships to visit with a view to purchasing a Hybrid as we believed that would be our “greenest” option. Soon it became clear that Hybrid design had quite someway to go before we could sensibly make this choice. I am not particularly tall but in some cases I couldn’t sit in the back without my head touching the ceiling. Apparently this is because, in this particular model, the battery pack is located under the rear seats. In other cases the battery meant that the trunk space was so reduced we couldn’t fit more than one set of golf clubs in.

So, sadly, we have had to content ourselves that we have made a difference by only having one car and the move to a hybrid will have to wait for technology to catch up with our family needs.

Cooking with Waterless Cookware is not only the healthiest way to cook it provides you with additional benefits. It saves time and energy therefore saving you money!

Waterless Cooking can benefit you in the following ways:

• More nutriants are retained due to the lower temperatures used and the absence of added oil and water. Low temperature cooking retains more of the natural vitamins and minerals in food, it also means less oxidisation which results in the food retaining maximum flavour and colour.
• Saves time because food cooks faster, no need to stir during cooking. This method also makes cleanup easier.
• Lower temperatures mean savings on energy costs.
• Almost any recipe for the oven can be cooked in this cookware on the top of the stove, e.g., Lasagna, Pineapple Upside-Down cake. Again, saving on energy costs and time.
• This cookware comes with a lifetime guarantee.

If you would like more information on this method of cooking then contact info@itsecotime.com. To view the cookware visit www.itsecotime.com and click on the waterless cookware link.

With the summer holidays behind us and the children back in school this is an excellent time to get some projects underway.

There is an abundance of cheap soft fruit in the shops as the season draws to a close, or maybe you are lucky enough to have your own fruit bushes, this makes it an excellent time to make jams or prepare fillings for pies. Tomatoes, even tomatoes which have failed to ripen, make excellent relish which can be bottled and stored for use in the holiday season.

In this month’s Newsletter I will be sharing some recipes for Relish and for a healthy option to fruit pies. So sign up for our Newsletter at www.itsecotime.com

God’s Pharmacy! Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye… And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

 
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today’s research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Most of us are still suffering from the downturn in the economy but there are so many little things we can do each day to save money, many of which save energy too!

Unplug your chargers (cell phone, cordless tools, battery chargers, cameras, etc.) while not actually charging.

Use a power strip or surge protector to turn off TV’s, stereos, home theatre systems while you are not using them. They are still consuming energy even in “standby” mode.

Use a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature during the day while out of the house or active in the house and also lower at night for sleeping.

Set the water heater to 120 degrees.  This should still provide plenty of hot water but still save energy.

Most electricity suppliers offer a peak/off peak schedule.  Set up to use washing machines, dishwashers, etc. during off-peak periods.

Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and use short cycles for all but the dirtiest loads.  Setting to air dry will also provide good savings.

Use cold water in the washing machine.

Swap out standard light bulbs for energy saving compacts. Use solar powered lighting in your garden and on your patio.

Check for gaps around windows and doors.  Caulking, weather-stripping and “door-sweeps” can stop significant air leaks.

And finally, don’t forget when replacing appliances or buying electrical goods always check the energy star rating.

Everyone knows that fresh fruit and vegetables are essential for a healthy diet. However, to get the maximum benefit from fruit and vegetables we need to consider 2 factors. Is this produce in season? Is it locally grown?

When you buy locally grown produce you are getting the most nuitrient-rich fruit and vegetables. Often buying from large supermarkets means the produce has probably been picked several days, maybe even a week, before it has found it’s way on to the shelves where it sits even longer. Sometimes, to allow for packaging and transportation, this produce is picked before it is ripe which again reduces the nutritional value.  Fruit and vegetables start to change as soon as they are picked and the vitamin content begins to deteriorate.

Finally, consideration should also be given as to how we cook fruit and vegetables. It is important not to overcook them or, again, essential nutrients are lost. Steaming, or using waterless cookware , is the healthiest method. You can see our range of waterless cookware at www.itsecotime.com.

Recently a friend of mine who had just become a new Mum was searching for the “greenest” household cleaning products in order to make her home chemical free and reduce the risk of allergies. I was reminded of the time in the 80’s, when as a new Mum myself, with a baby who suffered multiple allergies, I had to do the same research. I found that most cleaning could be taken care of by using store cupboard basics. Cleaning with natural products is not only healthier but more cost effective and reduces the need to recycle all those plastic containers. Here are just a few of my recipes. If you would like more or have specific requests then contact me at info@itsecotime.com

General Cleaner and Disinfectant

Dissolve 1 cup Borax in a gallon of warm water

Scouring Powder

Sprinkle Borax, baking powder or dry table salt on a damp sponge; scour and rinse.  Alternatively rub the area to be cleaned with half a lemon dipped in Borax.  Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.

Dishwasher Soap

Most automatic dishwashing detergents contain phosphates that pollute waterways. An environmentally preferred alternative is one part borax and one part washing soda.

Laundry Soap

Detergents were designed to clean synthetic fibers.  Natural fibers can be cleaned with natural substances.  Use a mixture of half borax and half washing soda.  To keep colors from fading, add a drop or 2 of vinegar in the laundry water.

Lavender Laundry Softener

32oz white vinegar, 32oz baking soda, 64oz distilled or purified water. ½ oz lavender essential oil.  Mix the vinegar and baking soda together over a sink as the two material when mixed will cause a fizzing reaction.  Add water and essential oil and stir again.  Pour into a container and use ¼ cup per load in the rinse cycle.

Drain Opener

Dissolve 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar in boiling water and pour down the drain.  Continue to flush with hot tap water until the clog breaks.

Over Cleaner

For spills, let the oven cool, then sprinkle salt on the spill right away.  Let it cool for a few minutes, then scrape the spill away and wash the area clean. For scouring the oven use baking powder.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Use a solution of baking soda and water or vinegar to clean the bowl. Sprinkle baking soda around the rim.  Scrub with toilet brush as needed.  The solution will clean and deoderize.

Furniture Polish

Mix 2 parts cooking oil with 1 part lemon juice.  Apply to furniture with a soft cloth and wipe dry.

Ceramic Tile Cleaner

A mixture of ¼ cup vinegar to 1 gallon of water removes dirt without scrubbing and doesn’t leave a film.

Check out our pre-4th July offer!

We are offering a solar powered decorative light string with 45 energy saving Red, White and Blue star LED lights at a special price of $30.00.

These lights are ideal for decorating shrubs, umbrellas or doorways.  This 23 ft string of lights with a separate solar panel allows lights to be placed in shady areas.

The lights automatically illuminate during darkness, they will give up to 6 hours of light each night when fully charged.

No mains wiring, no operating costs, you simply install and enjoy. See our full range of solar powered lights and water features at www.itsecotime.com

Have a great party!