In this day and age we want quick, reliable and useful. We don't enjoy time consuming activities that use up our precious time. Time is money, and well, most of us wish for more of that too. Believe it or not, I can help you with both dilemmas — save you both time and money with some healthy and helpful household hints.

Over the past couple of months, I have had some readers call and e-mail me with some interesting questions pertaining to just that, how to save time and money on the home front. Many want to seek out eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products and others just want to know if some peculiar 'old wives tales' are really true. Well, I'm here to answer those questions, as well as impart some healthy household wisdom that has been granted to me.

One reader asked how to best eliminate the unpleasant and unavoidable 'new clothing' smell. In response to that question, I would firstly like to unearth the felonious chemicals lurking behind the 'new clothing' smell. An array of chemicals is applied to garments to either to keep them from wrinkling, as a disinfectant or for stain resistance. This odious coating on clothing can consist of formaldehyde and other noxious chemicals. When you bring home your newly purchased garments, be sure to wash them before wearing, you might save yourself a headache or two. The best way to ensure that your new clothing is fit for wearing is to place clothes in the washing machine with 1 cup of baking soda and let them soak for over six hours. After soaking, add laundry soap and launder as usual. This method also works for all types of washables that contain other strong scents such as perfume. Repeat baking soda method if needed and you can also personalize your new clothing smell by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

Another reader wanted to know how to safely clean jewelry without purchasing specialized cleaners. After making a quick call to my mother, who can spot a diamond in the 'buff' from miles, I acquired an answer. My mother's tried and true jewelry buffing method consists of a kettle, an old toothbrush and some toothpaste. If you trust your pearly whites to your toothpaste, then why not try it on your jewelry? Put some toothpaste on a toothbrush (not yours, but maybe an annoying family member's) brush jewelry and rinse. As your kettle boils, place toothbrush handle through ring and hold over kettle for 2-5 minutes. Your ring will look sparkly and new without having to purchase a specialized cleaner and it is toxin free.

One of my clients wanted to know if there was an alternative to moth balls. Thankfully the answer is yes. We don't have to smell that unpleasant odor any longer, let alone breathe in the accompanying chemicals. A great way to ward off moths is to use lavender essential oil and cotton balls. Instead of littering your closets with stink balls, consider adding 2-3 drops of lavender oil onto cotton balls. Place them anywhere you would normally put moth balls and start to breathe easier. Not only are you eliminating indoor air pollution, your closet now smells of sweet lavender.

Like a good book, healthy household advice should be passed on. I encourage you to share yours.

You too can have your household questions answered or, if you have some great healthy household hints that you'd like to share, e-mail me at service@immaculateinteriors.ca, I'd love to hear from you.

It's a new year, a newly turned leaf and a clean slate. Keep it clean and keep it green.

After tiring yourself with all that encompasses the beloved Christmas season: holiday cooking, shopping, wrapping gifts, travelling, clearing your home of visitors, snack foods and libations—you could certainly use little time to yourself to relax and regroup.

This is usually when we decide what is most imperative in our lives to change, and thus a resolution. Whatever your resolution is this year, remember that a happy and healthy body can do so much for the productivity in our lives.

To ensure that we are on a road to a healthier existence, try to take a wholesome approach to your personal care regimen. Simply changing to more environmentally friendly hygiene and beauty products can be a worthwhile change for the health of your system as well as the ecosystem.

Many products on the market today contain harmful phthalates, parabens, plasticisers, fragrances, sodium laureth sulphates, aluminum and petroleum products. These harmful chemicals are potentially harmful, possibly causing nausea, breathing problems, headaches and more.

Look for products that are least harmful to you and the environment. Great products will be packaged minimally and/or from recycled post consumer waste or be fully recyclable. You can also look for products that do not contain harmful chemicals or brands that contain organic ingredients in the list and are biodegradable. Products should include the amount of naturally derived ingredients, they should also be easy to read and understand. The less ingredients, the better.

There are more than 10,000 chemical ingredients found in personal care products that are available in North America. Did you know that 25% of women and 1 out of 100 men use 15 or more personal products per day? That is a lot of chemicals going down our drains, into our skin and diffusing into our air.

Why not make some of your own products? I know we are all extremely busy in this day and age, and there are excellent green and healthy products out there, but what about the fun of it?

Dedicate an afternoon, if you can schedule one, and make some sensual bath, shower and personal care products. That way, you can add the natural essential oils that you like best, or make a wonderful early Valentine's gift for your special someone, family and friends.

Here are some excellent recipes for you to try. Feel free to add or subtract your favourite essential oils, but try to stay within the recommended amount.

Brown Sugar Body Scrub

1-1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl to make a paste. Use in the shower or bath as a body scrub.

Peppermint Bath Salts

2 cups Epsom salts

1/2 cup Sea salt

4-5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

2-3 drops food coloring of choice

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Separate mixtures according to colour if you desire a layered effect for gift giving.

Natural Body Oil

10 drops essential oil of choice

20 drops essential oil of choice

1 ounce jojoba oil

2 ounces sweet almond oil

Mix all ingredients together in a glass bottle. Allow mixture to mature for 2 days. Use as a body or bath oil.

Enjoy your natural personal care experience, whether you decide to be creative and concoct your own at home or you purchase products that respect your health and that of the environment.

Happy New Year!

You too can have your household questions answered, or, if you have some great healthy household hints that you'd like to share, e-mail me at service@immaculateinteriors.ca, I would love to hear from you.

When was the last time you took a ride in a vehicle, bought some gas, flipped on a light, purchased an imported good or took a long hot shower? My daily life consists of many of these activities. All are various forms of consumption that contribute to the production of greenhouse gas emissions actions that are embedded in everyday Canadian life.

Activities associated with consumption are large contributors to the creation of Canadian emissions. Key factors include energy usage, burning of fossil fuels, industrial processes, solvent use, agricultural processes, forestry waste and others. Most Canadians are dependent on many of these processes and are largely unaware of the potential ensuing environmental impacts.

Every day, each one of us is reliant on industry and government to carry out our usual activities. For instance, to drive and operate a vehicle we need raw materials, manufacturers, fuel stations, service bays and government funded road systems, to name a few. Conversely, these entities require the participation and support of citizens and consumers to offer these services. Industry, individuals and government are dependent on each other to maintain present standards of living and everyday activities.

Who, then, should be responsible for the reduction of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions? Is it individuals, industry or government? If each entity plays a role in contributing to Canadian emissions, why should the responsibility fall on one more than another? It shouldn't. A tug-of-war cannot be won by one single-handedly, but by many working together.

Consumers, individuals and citizens alone cannot be solely responsible for greenhouse gas reductions, although behavioural changes and educated choices can certainly make a considerable environmental difference. Similarly, industry most likely will not reduce production, minimize energy consumption or use more environmentally friendly manufacturing alternatives without consumer motivation or government policy. Additionally, government almost certainly will not impose policy or provide incentives without public and industry support, involvement and interest.

Each entity depends on the assistance of the other to initiate change.

How can Canadian individuals and citizens take responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Firstly, consumer behaviour can be transformed. Many individuals have bought into the consumer culture that purchases disposable products, items that have travelled from the other side of the globe, drives an eight passenger automobile to independently do groceries, buys gasoline without a thought, eats food ridden with pesticides, wastes water, uses copious amounts of energy and more. This type of behaviour communicates to industry and government that unlimited production is necessary or acceptable and that consumers are not interested in energy or fuel efficiency, ethical sourcing, local production, water conservation or the like. Consumers must educate themselves and make sound, environmentally conscious decisions when voting with their dollars.

To make a difference, individuals can purchase alternative energy, fuel efficient cars, take public transit, carpool, retrofit and update their homes, recycle, reduce, reuse, purchase local and organic produce, turn off lights, purchase energy efficient appliances and buy environmentally preferable solvents and solutions. What about voting for political parties with environmental agendas, or purchasing from manufacturers that respect the environment, or supporting local community environmental organizations? These are all ways in which the individual, citizen and consumer can take responsibility and action for their share of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.

How can the government take responsibility for reducing greenhouse gases? Industry support through policy making, laws and regulations is a very effective way in moving towards declining emissions. Policies, laws and regulations aimed at industry are useful strategies to limit emissions monitor waste, water and energy efficiency and develop product standards. In addition, government-backed incentives, certifications and rebates are excellent motivations for industries to observe more environmentally preferable practices.

The government can also encourage citizens and individuals to take action by providing consumer incentives, rebates and public environmental education. Some good examples are tax rebates for bus passes cash incentives for hybrid cars, energy efficient appliances, heating and cooling devices and incentives and education for retrofitting and updating homes. The government, indeed, is responsible for taking action as well as providing encouragement to its citizens and industry to reduce Canadian emissions.

How can industry assume responsibility for reducing its greenhouse gases? To start, industry and manufacturers can initiate voluntary environmental responsibility in the areas of water and energy efficiency reduced waste, emissions and packaging recycling of pre and post-consumer goods ethical and local sourcing and other environmentally responsible business practices. By performing such actions, manufacturers can boost corporate environmental image, attract consumer support and take part in government endorsed incentives and programs.

Consumers can encourage industry and government to make environmentally sound enhancements. Government can provide incentives, laws, regulations and policies to support industry as well as educate and persuade environmentally preferable consumer behaviour. Industry can lead by example and work in conjunction with government policies and laws as well as provide consumers with environmentally responsible goods and services.

We are all accountable for our actions. All Canadians are responsible for working towards the common goal of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. We must research, learn, evolve and take action to better enhance our abilities to make educated environmental decisions, at home at work and at play.

Government, industry and individuals depend on each other to thrive. Likewise, to succeed in reducing Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, all parties must seek collective efforts and commit to do their part to achieve this worthwhile goal. For this worthwhile challenge, Canadians must unite.

Give the gift of sweet smelling, pretty looking chemicals in a bottle. Wrap that up with a complimentary bout of nausea and a headache to make the package complete. I can guarantee that this item is on many wish lists this year and that you have purchased a bottle for someone special at one time or another.

Ah, the pleasing scent of perfume, its enticing ads and the allure of the 'perfect gift'. As we walk through department stores and specialty shops we are constantly bombarded with sensual scents, whether we like it or not. Is it really the perfect gift?

Some of us have taken a liking to this 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. We think we are spraying what we are smelling lilacs, lavender, luscious fruits and the like. But that is where the wolf comes in, peeking through the sheep's clothing. I too, have taken home a wolf or two, thinking I had a sheep, and fallen prey.

Not all perfume is potentially harmful, but you should know what is in your sweet smelling bottle. Fragrance. Have you ever seen this word in an ingredient list? Well, the manufacturers are not lying, there is fragrance in your bottle of smelly. What is fragrance you might ask? Well, according to an Adbusters article, there are three types of fragrance: naturally derived, similar to nature and synthetic. Naturally derived fragrance comes from natural essential oils that have been extracted, by one method or another, from plants, flowers, seeds and roots. Similar to nature fragrances are synthesized from petroleum, forestry or agricultural wastes and are structurally identical to naturally derived fragrances, but are made of a mixture of chemicals and natural ingredients. Synthetic fragrances are, well, synthetic. They are made up of chemicals and are the most inexpensive form of perfume.

What is in fragrance? You might need an interpreter for this list. According to a 1991 American Environmental Protection Agency study, fragrance can contain the following chemicals and toxins acetone, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, linalool, methylene chloride and many more. These chemicals can cause an array of symptoms such as central nervous system disorders, dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, drowsiness as well as mouth, throat, eye, skin and lung irritation, kidney damage, headaches, respiratory failures and fatigue.

Now you are scared. That is not the intent. However, such chemicals and symptoms will make you question what you wear as perfume and where and how you use it. More and more people are finding that they are experiencing heightened chemical sensitivities and perfume doesn't help matters. Try to remember to be mindful of the sensitivities of others. Like the saying goes, 'no scents is good sense', might be a good consideration before loading up on the smelly.

There are alternatives. Before the dawn of synthetic perfumes in the early 1900s, there was such a thing as perfumes that were naturally derived. You can still find some relatively clean and natural perfumes out there. Try looking for them at your local health food store or essential oil shop. Aveda has designed a line of naturally-derived fragrances called pure-fume that are great, as did the Rocky Mountain Soap Company.

You can also make your own perfume and tailor it to your liking. A good recipe from www.makeyourowncosmetics.com calls for the following ingredients to make a sensual perfume concoction:

1/4 ounce bottle of jojoba oil

7 drops vanilla essential oil

7 drops sandalwood essential oil

4 drops rose oil

3 drops ylang ylang oil

2 drops frankincense

2 drops geranium

Mix all ingredients together and let sit for 2-3 weeks. Use sparingly as a perfume and not as an all-over-body oil, as essential oils are concentrated.

Help keep perfumes pleasant and as natural as possible. Maybe you can even make your own gift in a pretty little bottle, without the chemicals.

Link: Rocky Mountain Soap Company Link: Aveda Link: Make Your Own Cosmetics