Natural Cleaning: Have You Tried Soapnuts?

Dried Soapnuts/Soapberries/Reetha

Spring cleaning can feel like a chore, or a breath of fresh air, it all depends on how you approach it.

Yogis think of housekeeping as an opportunity to practise saucha, or holistic cleanliness, and using earth-friendly, all-natural cleaning products is one way to practice ahimsa, or non-violence.

Practicing the yamas and niyamas, or virtuous restraints and habits, enhances physical health, encourages mental clarity and enlightens the spirit.

There are so many natural and earth-friendly ways to make all that scrubbing and sweeping easier and more pleasant.

Last year on Earth Day I tried soapnuts for the first time and I've been loving them ever since.  If you haven't tried them yet, it's time!

Soapnuts aren't actually nuts at all.  They are the dried fruit of a tree native to India and Nepal.  The berries aren't good for eating as they contain natural saponin, making them bitter-tasting, but a very effective natural cleanser.

For thousands of years they've been used for washing dishes, laundry and as an ayurvedic hair and body wash.  They are considered to be a safe, natural insecticide and even have mild contraceptive qualities!

How to use soapnuts:  

I like to put five of the dried berries in a small muslin cotton bag and throw it in the washer with my dirty clothes.  When I transfer the clothes to the dryer, the little bag goes with them.

The clothes come out clean, soft and unscented, and the towels are extra fluffy and absorbent!

The best part is, those same five soapnuts can be reused up to ten times!

Usually after 6 or 7 washes, I transfer the little bag to a pot of water on my stove and boil it to make a liquid all-purpose cleaner with the "tea".  I use it to wash dishes and windows, counters and surfaces.

Just remember to use the soapnut liquid up within a week as it has no preservatives and will spoil eventually.  No worries if it does, just dump it down the sink or in your garden, its totally biodegradable!

I get my soapnuts from Asian grocers, where they go by their Indian names of Reetha/Ritha/Aritha or from Eco Nuts or better yet, in bulk at Earth's General Store.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Is There Anybody Out There?

Wow!  I can't believe its already March!  So where have I been since December?

Oh, mostly snowed in as per usual, but its been productive!

I've been making lots of all-natural, earth-friendly beauty products and cleansers, jams, jellies and bowls full of stove-top popcorn.

I've been studying the works of great Yoga Masters like Paramahansa Yogananda, Sri Ramakrishna and the classic Upanishads. (More on all that coming soon!)

And I've been busy teaching yoga to some wonderful private clients and the awesome kids and staff of the Children's Psychiatric Units at the Glenrose and Royal Alexandra Hospitals.

Its been a great winter and now that the sun is shining and things are brightening up, I'm excited to share it all with you!  So stay tuned for recipes, events, tips, classes, workshops and more!

Namaste and Happy 2015!

Wild Rose Vinegar

Wild Rose Vinegar (Day 1)

Wild Rose Vinegar is easy to make and extremely versatile!

What you need:

- A glass jar

- Clean, dry, organically grown rose petals

- Vinegar (any kind, its up to you)

What to do:

- Fill the jar with rose petals.

- Top it up with vinegar, making sure all the petals are covered.
- Let the jar sit in a cool, dark place for a few weeks, until the color from the petals has transferred to the vinegar.
- Strain and use for natural beauty, cooking and cleaning!

What to do with it:

You can use this vinegar as is in your favorite salad dressing, or dilute it 1 part Wild Rose Vinegar to 4-8 parts water for a natural cleaning spray, bug bite soother, sunburn cooler, conditioning hair rinse, softening foot soak, or facial toner.