By Wendy

It’s hot out and you can’t seem to think settle on something to eat. You don’t want something too heavy that’s going to sit in your stomach and raise your body temperature, but you want something light and refreshing. Why not make yourself a smoothie. Smoothies are an easy way incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, especially if you have little ones who don’t quite enjoy their greens. And they’re easy to take with you on the go.  Usually made fruits, milk, sweetener and ice, these cold blended drinks are great to enjoy during those hot sweltering days. Here are 5 quick and easy smoothie recipes you can make:

Lynn’s Quick and Easy Fruit Smoothie- use any type of fruit and sweetener you have available in your kitchen with this versatile recipe using only fruit, milk, yogurt, ice, and a little bit of sweetener

Tropical Treasure Smoothie- filled with tons of healthy tropical fruits and a touch of spinach, this smoothie will give you the nutrients you need to get through the day

Pumpkin Smoothie- fall will be here before you know it. Try this healthy pumpkin smoothie if you’re in an autumn mood and in the need for a fruity drink with a little bit of spice

Banana Smoothie- because bananas are so rich and creamy, they’re great to use in smoothies. Use fresh or frozen smoothies to make this recipe

Raspberry Avocado Smoothie- avocados may sound a little odd at first, but it’s a great ingredient to add into smoothies

If you find that you made more smoothie than you can finish, don’t pour it down the drain! Repurpose them! Try pouring them into a popsicle tray and stick them into the freezer for a healthy popsicle snack to enjoy later.

What’s your favorite smoothie recipe?

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.

By Wendy

We’re in the middle of summer and the heat is not letting up. Weather forecast seems to report a heat wave every other week. The ice cubes in your cup seem to be melting faster and you can’t seem to get comfortable. The high temperatures can result in many different heat related syndromes such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If these progress, may even be fatal. Here are some tips on how you can stay cool this summer without air conditioning:

1 Exercise during the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler. If that’s not possible, shorten your workout as to not overexert yourself

2 Wear light color, loose fitting clothing will help reflect the sun’s rays. Cotton clothing will also allow your skin to breathe better than synthetics, and also absorbs any extra perspiration on your body

3 Closing blinds, curtains or drapes will help prevent any extra heat coming in from outside. Using fans will help circulate the air in a room. You can also turn off any unnecessary electronics or lighting to keep extra heat from forming

4 Drink plenty of water to keep from dehydrating and avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol since both can make you dehydrated

5 Take a shower or a bath in cool or tepid water. If you can’t take a shower, use a spray bottle on your arms and face to keep cool. As the water evaporates, it’ll naturally cool your body

6 Heavy meals, especially those with a lot of protein, tend to raise body temperature. Instead, try eating multiple light snacks throughout the day, and keep my body healthy with the thermogenic fat burner

7 Take advantage of public spaces where air conditioning is available, like the library, museum, shopping mall, movie theaters, or even your city cooling center

8 Head to the local ice skating rink for a nice chilly afternoon activity

How do you stay cool in the summer?

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.

By Wendy

With most baking recipes, cakes, cookies or cupcakes, there’s always a need for vanilla extract. And if you’re an avid baker, that little bottle you buy at the store runs out pretty quickly. So instead of finding yourself in mid-baking mode without your much needed vanilla extract, why not make a homemade batch in your own kitchen. All you need is a few ingredients and less than 5 minutes. The hard part will be waiting to taste the homemade goodness.

Making your own vanilla extract is definitely less expensive than purchasing a bottle at the supermarket. You can also spice up your homemade vanilla extract by customizing it with other flavors of vodka. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the intense flavors you’ll get from soaking your own vanilla beans in your choice of alcohol. And it’s eco-friendly!

What you need:

4 ounces of vodka

1 vanilla bean split down the middle

What to do:

Put ingredients in a bottle and seal for 4 to 8 weeks

Note: the longer you let the vanilla beans soak in the alcohol, the stronger the flavor.

If you’re new to DIY projects, this would be an easy one to start with. And it makes a great gift for your fellow bakers. Can’t wait to taste my very own homemade vanilla extract. Only a few more weeks to go!

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.

By Wendy

There are so many household & carpet cleaner. being sold these days that are loaded with strong, artificial colors and fragrances and harsh cleansing agents like bleach, ammonia, and acids; as well as unneeded antibacterial ingredients like pesticides that can potentially make bacteria even stronger. So why not make your own all purpose household & carpet cleaner. Making your own will let you cut out all the unnecessary toxic and environmentally polluting ingredients.You can also contact professional painters and decoratorsif you need help, and if you need your cabinet painting there are specific services for this.

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What you need:

½ cup vinegar

¼ cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax)

½ gallon water

What to do:

Combine all ingredients

If you don’t have time to make your own household cleaner, try one of these natural household cleaning products that are less harmful to the environment.

CitraSolv Natural Multi-Purpose Cleaner- CitraSolve all purpose cleaner is not only made of naturally derived products ideal for using on many surfaces. It’s also made with environmentally conscious packaging

green works All Purpose Cleaner- 97% naturally derived, this all purpose cleaner is tough on grease, grime and dirt. And it comes in original and lemon scents

Just Natural & Co. All Purpose Non Toxic Cleaner- Just Natural & Co all purpose cleaner is chemical free, soy based cleaner that’s safe to use all around the house

Mrs. Meyers Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner- this earth friendly all purpose cleaner will clean kitchens, bathrooms and ever other room in your home

Seventh Generation Free & Clear All Purpose Cleaner- Seventh Generation creates all types of household and personal care products that are good for your family and the planet. This all purpose cleaner will help get those tough stains out

Ausan Natural All Purpose Cleaner- this all purpose cleaner has ingredients that will naturally remove dirt and grime on any surface

what-EVER! Natural All Purpose Cleaner- gluten free and hypoallergenic, this all purpose cleaner is safe for waterways and marine life

So whether you create your own all purpose cleaner or buy a natural all purpose cleaner that is safe for the environment, you’ll be helping your family and the environment.

What is your go to all purpose cleaner?

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.

By Wendy

School is over and it’s time for some good old summer fun! You want to make sure the kids are not spending too much time in front of the tv and doing something that will keep them active and entertained. Here are 4 fun eco-friendly activities you can do outside with the kids’ right in your backyard.

Start a Garden- not only will you be teaching your kids how to grow their own food; you’ll also be able to teach them about where some of the food they eat every day really comes from. The easiest way to start is with an herb garden. It’s very easy to start your own herb garden. All you need is some dirt, seeds, water, and some sunlight. First day morning, I got a new lawn sweeper and we started to clean and prepare the lot to plant herbs with the children.

Water Fights- water fights are such a great way for the kids to stay active and cool on those hot summer days. Squirt bottles are great to give the kids since you’ll most likely have some around the house so there’s no need to buy plastic water guns that usually only get used a few times a year or water balloons.

Create Your Own Sandbox- a cheap and easy way to bring the beach right to your backyard. You can create your own sandbox with just a few bags of sand, a big container to keep the sand contained in, and a few toys. The kids will love having a sandbox right in the backyard.

Make your Own Bird Feeder- help kids gain an appreciation for nature and the wildlife right in their backyard with this inexpensive and fun project for the kids to create this summer. You’ll be surprised that you can make one with items you already have around the house.

So whether you’re creating a garden with your children for the very first time or having an old fashioned water fight, there are definitely lots of eco-friendly ways to keep your kids active and entertained this summer.

What are some of your eco-friendly activities for the kids this summer?

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Wendy Yu is a digital marketing professional living in New York City. When she’s not using the power of social media to share ideas on how to be more environmentally friendly, she is exploring the city, trying local foods, and learning more about how she can reduce her carbon footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Green Halloween® or our partners.