Lip Balm 05/18/2010
 
You can make your own lip balm with 3/4 ounce of beeswax, 1 cup sweet almond oil, and 1-2 tablespoons of honey.  Melt sweet almond oil and beeswax in a double boiler, add honey.  When the mixture begins to form a slight film around the edges, pour into small containers.  Use on lips after hardened.
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Weed Control 05/16/2010
 
For weeds or grass growing in the cracks of your driveway or sidewalk, boil a kettle of water and pour it on the crack.  I have rocks bordering my garden and the boiling water works well to get rid of grass growing between the rocks.
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Arthritis 05/12/2010
 
Essential oils that help reduce inflammation include ginger, lemon, eucalyptus, wintergreen, chamomile, clove, cedar, basil, thyme and rosemary.

Base ingredients that help reduce inflammation include sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, beeswax, and green tea.  (lotion making ingredients)

Foods or spices that help reduce inflammation include celery seed, chili peppers, cinnamon, ginger tea, green tea, honey, turmeric, thyme, garlic, basil, licorice, calendula, green tea, Alaskan salmon, kelp, sweet potato, papaya, blueberries, broccoli, and shitake mushrooms.

Supplements that help reduce inflammation include glucosamine chondroitin, turmeric, and SAMe.  
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Lansing Lugnuts 05/08/2010
 
Taking the students to the Lansing Lugnuts game as a reward for a job well done was great fun!  We have to raise money for one last activity... The Humane Society.  The activity is free but we need money to cover the bus, lunch, and a substitute teacher.  This is a great community service activity and many of our students would like to work with animals after leaving high school, so it is also a good job exploration activity for our special kids.
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Lemon juice a natural substance that can be used to clean your home.  It has natural anti-bacterial properties.  Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and  hard water deposits.  Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper.  It can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes.  Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section.  Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. 
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Vinegar is great at removing adhesives  and residue that get stuck in places they shouldn't, like kids stickers on dressers, price tags on your new lawn ornament, or even car window decals that you no longer want.
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Beeswax 04/27/2010
 
Beeswax has amazing healing properties.  Did you know beeswax acts as an anti-septic, anti-allergenic, germicidal anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, emulsifier, humectant, emollient, thickening agent, and softening agent?  Look for it in the products you buy.
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Body Products 04/24/2010
 
 Body mists can be used both as a body, hair, or clothing refresher.  It also works as an air or fabric freshener.  My favorite recipe is water and essential oil of lemon.  The lemon acts as a disinfectant for daily cleaning in the classroom and as a bonus, the scent of lemons in studies has increased student test scores.
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Common Ailments 04/20/2010
 
Magnetic bracelets have been shown to heal joint, bone and muscle pains--the principal complaints of arthritic diseases. The magnetic property appears to supplement additional treatment to improve the well-being of the arthritis patient.
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Common Ailments 04/19/2010
 
Allergy season has arrived a little early this year.  If you are prone to sinus infections or suffer from nasal congestion, a good preventative measure is to use a Neti Pot two times per day.  It helps to clear out allergens and keep the sinus infections away.
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