Haiti: How You Can Help
After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, you may be wondering what you can do to help. We at Find Bliss have listed the names of several charitable organizations (in no particular order) that are providing food, water, medical treatment and shelter to Haitian earthquake survivors.
(AP Photo/Jorge Cruz)
People can donate in support of the relief effort in Haiti at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution. A $10 donation made through mobile giving can provide a family with two water cans to store clean drinking water, a blanket appropriate to the climate or other supplies to give people the ability to cook for their families.
Your contribution helps empower grassroots leaders and organizations around the world that are promoting human dignity, civil rights and self-determination. For the seventh year in a row, AJWS was recently awarded four stars by Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent evaluator of not-for-profit organizations.
YELE
Started by Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean, Yele uses music, sports and the media to reinforce projects that are making a difference in education, health, environment and community development. In practical terms this translates to over 3,000 new jobs, close to 7,000 children being put in school, more than 8,000 people a month receiving food and approximately 2,000 young people a month learning about HIV/AIDS prevention.
UNICEF
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is absorbing all associated administrative costs so that 100% of every dollar you give to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will support UNICEF’s relief efforts for children in Haiti.
CARE
Based on preliminary estimates, CARE has established the Haiti Emergency Response Fund, with a goal of raising $40 million to support our five-year response to provide immediate relief and longer-term rehabilitation. Your gift will help us address the needs of the survivors of this unprecedented disaster.
Get a Spa Bathroom in 3 Easy Steps
Why wait for your next spa visit to relax and unwind? Instead, create a spa in your bathroom with these easy tips. And no, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a spa-like experience every single day!
1) Change your Showerhead
It’s something we use every day, but rarely pay much attention to: the showerhead. If you’re using the plain old showerhead that came with your home, you just don’t know what you’re missing!
Invest in a spa-like showerhead that is tailored to you. Maybe you like a lot of different water pressures, or perhaps just a soft rainfall effect works for you. Either way, showerheads are inexpensive and take 10 minutes to install. Once you’re standing under a showerhead you really love, your bathing experience will become an enjoyable ritual rather than just one more thing to cross off your list.
2) Install a Heated Towel Rack
A heated towel rack may seem like pure indulgence, and that’s exactly why we urge you to get one. Once you wrap your body in a warm towel from your very own bathroom, you’ll never go back to cold towels again!
Like the showerhead, heated towel racks are easy to install. They come in all different sizes and prices, so do a little research based on your needs. The most basic models begin in the $80 price range and go up from there.
3) Accessorize
Once you’ve gotten the DIY work out of the way, it’s time to outfit your bathroom with feelgood accessories. A Box of Bliss will certainly enhance your home spa experience and comes with a candle, bath salts, relaxation CD, a box of tea and a special surprise. We also recommend big, fluffy towels and a plush robe. You may want to play music. These speakers are perfect for a bathroom. Tiny but with big sound.
How do you bring the spa experience home?
Texting and Driving: What you Should Know
Recently talk show host Oprah Winfrey did a show about the perils of using your phone in the car. The findings of this show were staggering: talking on the phone while driving (even hands free) is the equivalent of driving drunk. Driving while texting is more dangerous than driving drunk.
Further research concludes that the human brain simply isn’t equipped to multitask in this way. Fiddling with your phone in the car leads to slower reaction times and a sort of a “tunnel vision” where the driver is literally unable to see what’s going on around him or her.
The car may seem like a good place to catch up with friend and family, but the truth is, the car isn’t an office. Instead of looking at the car as a place to catch up with other people, think of it as a place for you to catch up with yourself. It’s a chance for you to be alone, process what’s going on in your life, listen to music or have some quiet.
Oprah is hosting a no-phone in the car pledge on her site. To take your pledge, click here.
Color of 2010: Turquoise
The Pantone Color Institute, the authority on color and design trends, has declared turquoise the color of 2010. Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director for Pantone says, “In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color. It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky.”
Turquoise replaces Mimosa Yellow, the official color of 2009. The sunny color represented hope in times of economic hardship. It is believed that turquoise symbolizes the “calm after the storm”, emblematic of calmer, more peaceful times.
“Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy,” says Eiseman.
5 Steps to a Blissful Home
Sometimes it can be difficult to find bliss, so why not let bliss find you? Making your home environment more blissful is easy with these five simple tips!
1) De-Clutter
It’s difficult to be truly happy in a cluttered home. Little things that should be easy (like finding your car keys or wallet) become a hassle. A place with stuff everywhere can make a person feel overwhelmed, overloaded and a bit helpless. Who needs that kind of stress in their own home?
Start decluttering by taking a good hard look at your wants and needs. Are you really going to use those 65 paper bags you’ve been collecting from the grocery store? Recycle! And those clothes that you’ve been hanging onto with the hopes of wearing again? Donate!
Your home should be a place of peace and order, and the first step towards achieving that is getting rid of excess. You’ll be surprised how much you can live without.
2) Incorporate Calming Colors
Most of us live with white walls because, well, that’s the way they came. We suggest painting at least one room (most likely your bedroom) a calming color. Blues and greens are great for soothing what ails you.
If you’re a renter, it’s best to check with your landlord before deciding to paint. If it’s a no-go, buy large white canvases, paint them your favorite calming color and hang them on the wall. That way you’ll have a relaxing atmosphere and ultra-inexpensive art.
3) Bring the Outdoors In
Plants, flowers and other things found outdoors make for a blissful home because they breathe life into an otherwise blah space. Plus, certain plants have the ability to clean the air, meaning that your place is not only spruced up, it’s free of toxins, too.
Herb gardens, hanging plants, even dried flowers are fun ways to bring the outdoors in. If it’s relaxation you seek, invest in a little fountain and let the trickling water soothe you.
4) Make a Space for You
It’s important that your home be a place where you can express yourself, enjoy yourself and relax. If possible, carve out a little place in your home that’s entirely your own. Whether it’s a sunny corner where you like to read, or a space on the floor to meditate, make sure your home is equipped with space to decompress.
5) Celebrate Your Home (and the people in it)
We all swoon when we see a beautifully decorated room in a magazine. The problem is, even if we replicated that very room in our own home, it wouldn’t reflect who we are or what our families are about.
A blissful home is one where everyone is represented and considered. Kids should get some space on the art for their art and adults should be able to display their prized personal collections (within reason).
And it doesn’t matter whether your home could make the cover of a decorating magazine; if everyone is comfortable, happy and feels at peace with their space, then you’ve achieved a blissful home.
5 Ways to Organize your Kitchen for Efficient Cooking
Cooking is a pleasure and prerequisite to maintaining good health. It can be a task of ease, grace and greater joy when we have the kitchen organized and structured for proper flow and functionality. Eating healthy is vital, but how we cook directly impacts our health as well. Cooking in a hurried pace and being stressed out may still put a beautiful plate of food on the table, but it’s quality is diminished by the frustration we experience while cooking.
1. Bring in Beauty
Even if your kitchen is small, find ways to bring in beauty with fresh herbs and flowers. I have a small altar in my kitchen with a photo of my guru, an incense burner and a candle. I always light the candle before I begin cooking as a token of my gratitude and reverence for the act of self-nourishment.
2. Know what you Need
One of the ways to ensure that cooking can be pleasurable is by organizing your kitchen to include proper utensils as well as a stock of essential staples.
If you do not have enough room for all your pots and pans, get a pot rack and hang them. This will open up space for organizing dry goods. One of the ways to attract abundance is by displaying what you have in an organized and abundant manner. I prefer glass jars to store lentils, beans, rice, nuts and other grains. Besides the aesthetic value, it is always clear as to the supply.
3. Commit to Natural Materials
Commit to using wood and cast iron in the kitchen. Invest in two cast iron skillet sizes – 9 inch and 14 inch. Use wooden spoons for cooking to avoid toxins from plastic spoons and utensils. Stainless steel is a good choice for soup pots. The use of paper goods in the kitchen is minimal in mine. I use cloth dinner napkins and cloth towels for clean-up. A good quality chef’s knife, a paring knife and a serrated knife and a couple of bamboo cutting boards are all you need for cooking healthy meals. A blender or food processor will further contribute to saving time on prep.
4. Stock Up
If your kitchen is organized and is well-stocked with staples you are more likely to be inspired to cook. And cooking at home is not only healthier, but also cost-effective. Have at least 2 lbs of rice, quinoa, a variety of beans and legumes on hand. Make available spices such as cumin, turmeric, pepper, fennel, cinnamon and sea salt. Have olive oil and grapeseed oil for cooking.
5. Shop Wisely
As a way to save money and time, I prepare a menu each week before I go shopping. I buy exactly what I need and don’t waste money on buying foods that are tempting but may go bad because I did not have time to cook it. Shopping at farmer’s market allows me the simple luxury of eating organic, locally grown and seasonal produce.
Like anything in life, when you are organized, you will be more productive. In the kitchen, it results in stress-free cooking, delicious healthy meals and happy diners.
Before relocating to Santa Barbara, Aparna Khanolkar was the main chef at the Chopra Center for Well-Being in Carlsbad, Ca. She also taught Ayurvedic cooking classes and worked as a part-time chef at the prestigious Chopra Center for Living in Rancho Santa Fe. Today, Aparna continues her affiliation with the Chopra Center as their Culinary Consultant to resort chefs around the US and Europe while offering Ayurvedic lifestyle and culinary coaching services in the Santa Barbara area. She can assess your dosha and will work with you to create menus that are best suited for your body/mind. Each session includes a private cooking class, personalized lifestyle recommendations, and referrals to holistic health practioners. www.themistressofspice.com
4 Houseplants that Clean the Air
A lot of people may not realize it, but often the air inside the home is dirtier than the air outside. With winter upon us, fewer windows are being opened more heaters are cranking out recycled air. Fortunately, you can rely on a tried and true remedy for getting access to clean air: the houseplant.
We know from science class that plants give off oxygen, but you may have forgotten that they also have the capability to purify the air we breathe. In studies conducted by NASA and the Associated Landscapers of America, houseplants removed benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene, (among many other agents) from the air.
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, (Sansevieria laurentii)
This sassy plant is hearty, making it the perfect plant for the person lacking a green thumb! It doesn’t need much water or light and is known to remove nitrogen oxide and formaldehyde from the air.
Gerbera Daisy
Okay, so technically it’s a flower and not a plant, but Gerbera Daisies are so bright and beautiful they made the list. They help remove trichloroethylene (found in adhesives, varnishes and ink) concentrations from the air.
Weeping Fig (Fiscus, Benjamina)
This common houseplant likes a lot of sun but can go without it if it needs to. Also, avoid placing it too close to a door or window in the winter; it doesn’t like cold air!
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Next to Mother-in-Law’s tongue, this is up there with plants that can tolerate neglect. This is probably one of the reasons spider plants are so popular!
Now that you’re in the know, you probably want to head straight to the nursery, right? Well, don’t stock up too much. The good news is that a little plant goes a long way. You don’t need to fill your house with a ton of different foliage; a few, well-cared for plants will do.
Non-Toxic Cleaners you Already Have
Walking down the cleaning aisle at the supermarket can be a very overwhelming experience. There are so many detergents, powders and sprays; it really makes you think: Do I need all of this stuff?
The short answer is no. Ordinary household items serve as great cleaners. Besides being super cheap, the other plus is that they’re non-toxic and therefore safe for you and the environment.
Vinegar
Ordinary white vinegar doesn’t just clean windows, it cleans about everything! Because of its antiseptic properties, it kills 99% of bacteria. A lot of people aren’t crazy about the smell, but thankfully it doesn’t linger for long.
How to Use Vinegar as an Air Freshener:
Forget the air sprays; vinegar actually absorbs bad odors instead of covering them up. Place a plastic container full of vinegar in the smelly room with holes punched in top. After a couple of hours the bad odor should be gone. Dispose of the vinegar and the container.
How to Use Vinegar to Wash the Floor
Add half a cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of hot water to wash the floor. You may also want to squeeze the juice from half a lemon or a few drops of essential oil into the bucket to cut the smell.
How to Use Vinegar to Clean the Microwave
Place a microwave-safe dish with 2 cups of water and 1 cup of vinegar into the microwave. Cook on high for a few minutes until the water is boiling. Let the dish sit for a couple of minutes after the timer has gone off to let the steam sit in the microwave. You should be able to wipe grease, grime and little spots of food away with no problem!
Lemon
It’s no wonder that so many cleaning products come in lemon scent. This little fruit makes a great summertime drink and acts as a great household cleaner. The ascorbic acid in lemon juice removes stains and kills germs at the same time.
How to Use a Lemon to Clean your Countertops
Sprinkle a little baking soda with the juice of one lemon. Work into a paste and scrub the countertop. The paste will remove stains, kill germs and deodorize all at once.
How to Use a Lemon to Clean your Garbage Disposal
If you’re garbage disposal smells less-than-clean, use a lemon to clean it. Simply drop a quarter of a lemon down the disposal, turn on the water and grind the lemon down until there’s nothing left.
How to Use a Lemon to Clean your Hands
The next time garlic or a fishy smell gets stuck on your hands, rub them with lemon. You can also use lemon to clean your hands if you don’t have access to soap. And no, it doesn’t leave your hands sticky!
Olive Oil
Sure, it’s great in food but people have also been using olive oil around the house for centuries. Check out its many uses.
How to Use Olive Oil to Clean Wood
Forget those wood sprays, olive oil works better. For a basic spray, combine ¼ cup of olive oil, 4 tbsp vinegar and 2 tsp lemon juice. Spray on surface and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Tip: Test the mixture on a small area before cleaning.
How to Use Olive Oil to Clean your Hands
Have you ever noticed that paint just doesn’t come off your hands with soap and water? Next time, coat your hands in olive oil and wait a few minutes before rinsing. That stubborn paint will come off in a snap!
How to Use Olive Oil to Condition Leather
If your leather furniture could use a little TLC, try rubbing a little olive oil onto the surface. Let it soak in for a half an hour before giving it another wipe down with a dry cloth.
If you’re looking to stray away from store-bought household cleaners, never fear! The ordinary household items sitting in your pantry–vinegar, lemon, olive oil, baking soda–works just as well as the stuff you find in the store. Moreover, these cleaners are non-toxic, meaning they’re safe for you and the planet.
5 Ways to Go Green(er)
Composting may seem a bit extreme to the everyday person, but with today’s technology, you can’t go wrong. Many of the bins are extremely easy to use and don’t require much maintenance. Plus the reward–ultra rich soil–is such a great benefit!
Many major cities are subsidizing the cost of composting bins and they are now available for a fraction of what you’d find at the hardware store. Check your city’s website to see if your neighborhood qualifies.
2) Watch how you Wash
The key to going green is maximizing efficiency, and this is especially true when we do dishes or laundry. How many times have we started the dishwasher when it wasn’t totally full? Probably too many!
Make sure that the machines are full every time you do laundry or run the dishwasher. Also, try to run the cycles at off-peak hours, such as before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. It’s a lot cheaper that way.
3) Unplug your Appliances
Did you know that when an appliance is plugged in it still pulls energy, regardless of whether the appliance is on or not? It’s true!
The toaster you use twice a week or the cell phone charger that isn’t charging is using energy and costing you money. Unplug every appliance that you aren’t using right this second and you’ll instantly be greener (and a little richer!).
4) Go with Microfiber
You know those amazing towels and dishcloths you see advertised on TV that clean up just about any spill or mess? They actually work!
Home Office Feng Shui
If you are at all familiar with Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese practice of balancing your surroundings, you may have heard that one should never sit with their back to a door. This simple, general truth is based on the theory that you will feel uncomfortable and unable to focus well if you have your back to the opening of a room. This is also just plain common sense and most people can relate to this general premise. We all feel most stable with a view in front of us and a solid wall behind us. But for the home office, this edict may not be as relevant or important to adhere to.
What goes on in a commercial environment, with fellow co-workers literally barging in on you in your office, is completely different than the often serene and quiet atmosphere of working at home.
If a room is windowless, it is nice to have scenic art work that gives an optical illusion of depth to counter balance the confinement often felt with all solid walls. Having full spectrum lighting in the room will be less draining than fluorescent lighting. For a room that is small, mounting pictures a little high on the wall will draw the eyes upward and make the room feel bigger.
Kartar Diamond is the founder of Feng Shui Solutions and Four Pillars Publishing. She is the author of The Feng Shui Continuum - A Blueprint for Balanced Living and The Feng Shui Matrix: Another Way to Inherit the Earth.
