I know, I know who wants to talk about the laundry room?  I have a few quick tips to keep your laundry room spiffy so you spend less time in there.

1. The Dryer Lint Catch: We all know to clean the lint out each time you switch your loads but did you know every couple of months you should clean the lint screen with some soapy water and a toothbrush? When you look at the screen it may look clean but when you run it under a faucet and the water sprays, it’s time to clean it. You can tell it is clean when the water runs straight through. Your dryer will dry your clothes faster when the air circulates better.

2. Underneath the Dryer Lint Catch: You should clean out the area the lint catch fits in. I used a coat hanger but any type of stick will do. They sell brushes specifically for this but I use what I have on hand.

3. Dryer Sheets: You can quickly rub a dryer sheet onto your blinds to keep dust away. The anti static coating keeps dust from sticking to your blinds and you only have to dust once in a while.

4. Method Laundry Detergent: I love my ultra-super-duper concentrated Method Laundry Detergent. You don’t have to pour anything, just pump it 4 times directly into the liquid detergent tray. It is not heavy to carry and does a great job. It takes up less room then a small regular liquid detergent. If you go to the Method website, you can down load a coupon for $2 off!

5. Musty Smelling Laundry: Once in a while, I forget to switch the wet laundry into the dryer. Stinky! Instead of doing another whole wash cycle, run a short cycle in cold water with amonia. I know it sounds wierd but it takes away the musty smell.

6. Tennis Balls: Throw a tennis ball into your dryer when you are drying bedding and towels. Your loads will come out extremely fluffy and dry in record time. I keep mine hidden in the drawer below so my dogs can’t find it and get it all slobbery.

Hopefully, this helps you get those piles done faster!

Add housework to the list of things I look forward to doing. Don’t think I’m crazy, either.  Here’s the theory: housework is part of maintaining our lives. There simply is not an option of parenting without maintenance.  Why not love your job?  Okay, before you answer, I will offer my guidelines for loving this particular maintenance job.

First, I intentionally breathe into each required movement.  I feel it instantly. When I synchronize my body’s movement with life force (breath) and intention (well-being), I gain immediate benefit from the mind~body~spirit connectivity. Here’s an example: I breathe out as I squat or pick up a dirty garment, breathe in and center myself with love, breathe out as I throw the clothes into the machine. It might take a little practice, but the mindfulness makes me happier.

Second, I intentionally twist a little further than is required.  Many maintenance tasks involve twisting the trunk of your body:  dishes, laundry transfer and folding.  Twisting the trunk squeezes and releases toxins from your internal organs.  Enjoy dish-washing, knowing every dish gets you lighter, especially if you breathe into and out of the twist.  Breath in as you straighten, breath out as you twist. It’s really that simple.

Third, I improve my posture every time I reach for something on the ground.  Picking up clutter from the floor and washing a child’s hair (standing while they are sitting in the bathtub) can actually increase vigor instead of being another part of the grind.  Leaning over the bath is the same as doing a right-angle yoga pose (lengthen your body as you bend forward and keep your trunk outright, hips anchored, chin tucked and connected with muscles in your core).  And when you bend down to pick up toys,  bend at the hip crease and perform a slow-motion dive; keep your spine straight instead of bending your lower back.  This pose is wonderful for a good night’s sleep. You can also squat to invigorate your nervous system and improve alignment.

And, as enjoyable as these maintenance tasks can be when you make them yoga moves, it’s also yogic to delegate tasks to the kids.  I know that some tasks are more work for you when your child helps…  Delegate carefully.  If you just need to get stuff done without the kids interfering, try my method of talking to your kids about the value of a happy parent.  A speech about the benefits of a happy mom sends my 5-year-old right toward quiet, independent play every time.

Please, comment if you have additions to this approach!!  From every lemon, we can make lemon cookies, lemonade, lemon frosting, lemon-pepper linguini, etc.

Why buy organic flowers for Valentine’s Day or any holiday?

1. It’s best for our environment by reducing chemical usage.

2. Safer for the farmers, laborers who work the farm and florists.

3. Promotes long term sustainability to the soil.

When farmers use pestisides, the tend to move around to and can contaminate water supplies, our homes and gardens.

Organic flower farmers use prevention instead of toxic chemicals. They use pest-resistant plants which promotes a healthier soil.

Many of the flowers sold in supermarkets come from other countries who do not have strict regulations about pesticides like we do in the United States. So the floralists can suffer from the chemicals.

Please try to support the farmerst who grow organic. Ventura County Farmers Market sells organic flowers and you can order them from Organic Bouquet.

Teachers, neighbors and family love receiving baked treats for Valentine’s Day. Here are some ideas to present your gifts that the whole family can make.

This rainy weekend the kids and I had fun making Valentine’s Day gifts from jars I had saved. We used spaghetti sauce jars, salsa jars, chocolate syrup jars…..any jars you have! I measured some muslin around the jars and sketched a design in pencil. Place the muslin in an embroidery hoop and use embroidery floss to stitch your design. It only took a few minutes and was fun to do while watching a movie with popcorn. The supplies cost around $10 depending on how many colors of floss you purchase. You can make quite a few jars with this small investment.

If you don’t want to embroider a design you can use paper to wrap around the jars as well. I used some tissue and the bark I mentioned in my earlier Valentine article. The peace sign heart was gold tissue glued onto a cereal box and cut out. I tied it on with red rafia. Paper, ribbon and a left over buttons would be fun to use.

You can fill the jars with anything you want to give your sweetheart. We bought some flowers and one bunch filled 3 -4 jars. Valentine candy is always an option everyone loves to receive. You can also make a candle out of the jar. I filled them with pistachios because I had them in my pantry but you could use sand or white beans, too. Just place the candle on the top.

A handmade gift for your Valentine is a true gift from your heart. Have fun!!!