DIY Cleaning Products - I'm not buying regular bleach again!!!!

Ok, so the title seems a little angry. That's because my family has tightened the purse strings in the pursuit of our goal to be totally debt free (including the house). I'm angry because I've been spending money on cleaning items that are outrageously overpriced. I already make my own laundry detergent (read my recipe here).

Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I'm a clean freak. I like things to be neat and tidy AND as germ free as possible. After researching several blogs and recipes, I decided to switch bleach products. I'm sure you're asking, "What the heck can you substitute for bleach?". My answer, "Pool shock powder." Yup. I bought a case of powdered pool shock a year ago and we even haven't put a dent into our supply.

My recipe is to mix a tablespoon of pool shock with a gallon of water as I need it. Beware that the chlorine gas dissipates relatively quickly, taking the effectiveness with it so only mix what you'll use within a month or so. Wal-Mart sales a six pack of pool shock cleaner for $18.97. It sounds like a hefty investment but using a tablespoon at a time in a tightly closed container, it'll last forever. Try buying a smaller pack, around $4 and let me know what you think.

Please note, I don't use this bleach mix for laundering my white clothes. I was in really hot water and hang dry in the sun.

Easy To Implement Weight Loss Tips/Tricks

I would like to include a small caveat before jumping into this post. I understand that some women, and men, have hormonal imbalances or medical issues that contributes to weight gain or complicates weight loss. This advice may not suit all people. After all, we're all different. We have different medical issues, life circumstances, etc.

I thought I'd jot down a couple of tips that have helped me maintain my high school weight after having two children. Please feel free to comment on what works for you. Wishing you all the best health! :-)

Keep your house clean. - A 150lb woman can burn 100 calories during 30 minutes of house cleaning. It is easier said than done, especially when you're a working mom like me, but you place priority on what is important...right?! Well your health is important. Besides, you'll be killing two birds with one stone...NICE!

Park far away from the store entrance. - It is so tempting to grab the nearest available parking spot near the entrance but why not make a couple extra steps and shed a few pounds? Burn 12 calories every time you park in the back of the parking lot. Now imagine you do this every time you park at work, church, the mall, etc.

Do not eat your child's leftovers. - Those small calories will slowly (but surely) enlarge your waist line. If you've already eaten, and are full, there is no need to go back to your child's plate and finish it off to avoid being wasteful. Here's a plan...put it in a tupperware for your little darling to devour at a later time or make him/her a smaller plate to reduce food waste.

Plan meals ahead of time. - Ever look up at the clock and it is 6pm but dinner is no where in sight? Most of us resort to fast food or prepackaged dinners which are loaded with sodium and fat. On Sunday, plan your meals, cook some soup and freeze it, make a casserole and place it in the fridge to be reheated at a later time. If your appetite changes and what you thought you wanted on Thursday doesn't sound appealing, switch it for your Friday or Saturday meals.

Buy smaller plates. - #PortionControl. If you see food left on your plate even though you are full, chances are you will be tempted to 'finish it'. I always seem to hear my mom or grandma's voice telling me, "Finish your food. There are kids starving in Africa!" However, we need to listen to our stomach telling us, we're full and that food can be eaten tomorrow for lunch. The average plate size in an American cabinet is 10-12 inches. On the other hand, the average plate size in other countries, like France for example, is 6-8 inches. It may not seem like a big difference but those added inches leads to added caloric consumption.

Food Documentaries

I absolutely loooooove to watch documentaries. They can be informative while being entertaining. While I don't place all my trust in what documentaries portray, they do offer some insight on the dangers of what we consume or the way we live. Pick and choose what you will implement on your life. For example, going vegan is not the only way to become healthy. We're all adults here, do what's best for you! Pop some non-GMO popcorn and enjoy! :)

• Forks Over Knives
• Food Inc.
• Food Matters
• Tapped
• FrankenSteer
• Back to Eden

These films may be found on YouTube or Netflix. Any other documentaries that you found to be informative?

Anti-Viral Immune Boosting Tea - Part Two

I absolutely love anything 'garlicky'. So it is no surprised that I researched the health benefits of eating this wonderful allium (member of the onion family).

Although mainstream science doesn't support its antiviral/antibacterial benefits, I know firsthand that garlic has helped myself and my children get rid of some nasty colds. Garlic by itself is a good but pair it with honey (anti-viral and anti-bacterial) and lemon (antioxidant rich) and you've got a surprisingly tasty cold remedy. Try this tea when you feel yourself coming down with a 'bug'. 

• Boil 5 organic garlic coves in 3 cups of distilled water for 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat and let it steep for 20 minutes.
• Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey and 1 tablespoon of organic lemon juice. 
• Let the concoction cool to a comfortable temperature, drink and enjoy!

Anti-Viral Immune Boosting Tea

My daughter recently came down with a cold so I searched my cabinets for herbs that have proven antiviral properties. I'm not a fan of commercial products currently on the shelves because they treat the symptoms but don't go to the root of the problem: a virus has overtaken your body as a result of a compromised immune system. So what can you do to help your family without breaking the bank? Try this anti-viral/immune boosting tea.

1 tablespoon dried lavender (antiviral)
1 tablespoon dried rosemary (antiviral)
1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice (loaded full of vitamin C)
1 tablespoon of raw honey (antioxidant and antibacterial)
1 cup of water

Place one cup of water in a small pot. Bring to a boil. Add herbs and lemon juice to the boiling water and allow to steep for five minutes. Strain herbs out and pour tea into a mug. Stir in honey and enjoy. Drink this tea three times per day.

Remember to drink at least 8 cups of water every day.

DISCLAIMER: The medicinal information provided on TotalLifeProsperity.org is intended for research purposes only. It is not meant to be used without qualified medical supervision. Herbs have powerful effects on the body and can cause serious harm or even death if used incorrectly. You should consult your health care provider before using herbs on yourself or on anyone else.

Charity Spotlight: Southeast Gwinnett Co-Op

Editor's note: Every month we will feature a charity that is significantly impacting the community. We aim to focus a "spotlight" on the good people are doing in hopes that it encourages every reader to do their part. Have a suggestion for a charity that is making a difference. Send an email to mytotallife@gmail.com.

I have personally volunteered for the Southewast Gwinnett Coop. They are passionate about helping those in need of food or financial assistance. Without hestitation, I recommend that you seek God and donate whatever you can to the SE Gwinnett Co-op.

Here's a brief description of what they do from their website (http://segwinnettcoop.org/wordpress/):

The SE Gwinnett Coop provides a central location where sponsoring churches can direct any or all assistance requests to in order for them to be properly handled. Our ministry will screen the recipients to ensure they are legally qualified to receive assistance and that they reside in the Snellville, Loganville and Grayson designated areas. In addition, any church member of a financially supporting church can request assistance regardless of their city or county of residence.

Raising disciplined children

I approach the subject of raising disciplined children as a teacher and student. I am constantly learning new parenting techniques and figuring out the best method to implement in my family. There is absolutely no elitist attitude here! I'll be the first to admit that I'll never arrive at the point of mastery of raising children. I hope to remain at a state of constant learning. It is my goal give you ideas about how to raise children that are well rounded, responsible members of society. This is not an all encompasing article on the subject of parenting.

The first rule is to place Jesus as the head of your life and the center of your family. If you do this, the Holy Spirit will give you all the instruction you will ever need to raise a healthy family. Review, or better yet--memorize, one of our articles entitled 7 Scriptures Every Parent Should Know. However, one of my favorite parenting scriptures is Proverbs 22:6 which reads, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." What you teach them now will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Remain in the word constantly, actively apply it to your life on a daily basis, and maintain a consistent prayer life. 

Notice that in the previous paragraph, I emphasized constant, daily basis and consistent. This is not for dramatic affect. I'm trying to convey how important it is for you to be persistant in your parenting methods. You (and your spouse) must already be or earnestly strive to become unchanging. Your children look up to you and your spouse as moral compasses and behavioral examples. Exemplify the behavior you would like to see in your child and they will be sure to mimic the behavior. Set an example for today and your tomorrow will be that much easier.

Set a firm stance on the important stuff (ie., education, chores, etc.) and stick to it. If your children see that you are willing to bend the rules, they will, most likely, follow them. Plan a meeting with your family discussing all the rules and expectations that you have them. To ensure every topic is covered, sit down with your spouse to create an agenda and goals for the meeting. After the guidelines are established, for them to follow and consequences if they do not choose to follow.

I didn't place the term 'important stuff' in the preceding paragraph as a filler word. To become a good parent and maintain your sanity, it is imparative that you pick and choose your battles. Just because Little Johnny doesn't fold the bed sheets like you do does not mean he is not obeying you. Relax! Little mishaps do not have to turn into WWIII! Don't get into the mode of being so such a disciplinarian that you forget what is important: affirming what your child is doing right. Regularly praise them on accomplishments and you'd be surprised how far he'd/she'd go to repeat that positive behavior. Place little notes in their backpacks or the dresser to let them know how proud of them you are. Give them a big hug just because. Ask their opinion on some household decisions (dinner, weekend activities, etc.). Sit down for dinner at the table and ask how their day was, what their concerns are or talk about something out of the norm (world events, your childhood memories, etc.). The attention given to a child now is priceless to them.

There is no formula for raising disciplined children. Figure out what works for your child and your family. It is never too late. These simple suggestions will make a happier child, happier parent and happier family. 

Share your parenting tips in the comment section.