Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Full size fitted bed sheet blues buster!

I just came up with an idea to easily differentiate the top/bottom part of the fitted bed sheet from the sides: a safety pin! Before undressing my bed for laundry day, I put a small safety pin near the elastic in the middle section of the bottom. Now when I return the sheets to the bed, I won't have to tug and spin the sheet around like a mad woman!

You could probably also mark the bottom with a stitch or two of embroidery thread in a color that contrasts from your sheets or a laundry marker. I just happened to have a safety pin by my bed.

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Brooklyn-based green cleaning scientist featured in Edible Manhattan

I was thrilled to read a profile of EcoLogic Solutions in the Nov/Dec issue of Edible Manhattan. EcoLogic is a Brooklyn-based manufacturer of powerful eco-friendly cleaning solutions that supplies green-minded institutions like Whole Foods, Chipotle, and Amy's Bread. According to the article, Whole Foods recently set up their on-site generation system that turns water and salt into a mild detergent, as well as a disinfectant 80 times more powerful that chlorine bleach by passing it through an electrical charge.

Read the two page spread on pages 40 and 42 of this online PDF edition.

Anslem Doering, founder of EcoLogic Solutions. (photo via WSJ)
 Tip: EcoLogic's generation system isn't available for homes, but the Activeion works with a similar, if not the same, technology and it's available to home consumers now. I totally want one!

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 

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Friday, November 25, 2011

Children's Holiday Book Drive in Park Slope

My favorite kiddie and crafts gift shop, Pink Olive, is hosting Milk + Bookies, a children's book drive at it's Park Slope location on Saturday, December 3rd 11am-3pm. Kids are encouraged to bring books to donate to needy children, then stick around for milk, cookies, and story time with local authors. Kudos to Pink Olive for encouraging the values of literacy and sharing to youngsters! (More info.)


Please also remember my Vegan/ Animal Rights Book Swap on Dec. 10th.

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #24: Celebrate Thanksgiving!

This morning, celebrate Thanksgiving at home. If you're eating supper at a friend's place, with extended family, or at a restaurant, start the day with a peaceful breakfast feast. Prepare a delicious meal in modest portions, so you can save room for later. Set the table with your favorite dinnerware. Bust out the cloth napkins. Light a candle. Say a few words of gratitude to the Universe for your meal, your home, and for your many other blessings. Enjoy every bite!

Today, and every day, I'm most happy to be alive and free to choose abundance over misery!
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for reading my blog and all my random ideas on how to have more awesomeness at home. Have a lovely day!

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #23: It's Business Time!

I don't think you'll need instructions or a pep talk for doing this abundance creating activity. It's business time!


Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #22: Spend 1 hour less online

Today's mission is to spend one less hour online than you would normally do on an average weekday before or after work. Do something fun, fabulous, or just plain necessary. Instead of reading Facebook news feed, I plan to take my expressions of friendship offline and write some holiday cards.
This Seltzer Goods Bunnies on Ice Card is as eco-friendly as it is adorable. It's made of 100% PCW recycled paper and printed with veggie-based inks in Canada on American paper. You can buy this and other Seltzer Goods holiday cards individually or in boxes of 8 at Sustainable NYC!

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Monday, November 21, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #21: Adopt-a-Turkey!

Open your home and your heart to an adorable feathered critter this Thanksgiving. Make a one time donation of $30 to Farm Sanctuary and you can support their efforts to end the misery of commercially-raised turkeys. The animal rescue and advocacy organization will even send you a picture of your turkey that you can frame and put up with all your other pet and family photos (definitely a great conversation piece)! Learn more about the Adopt-a-Turkey Project.

Payton the rescued turkey lives in the CA shelter.
(Bonus: Turkey-free Thanksgiving Recipes & Suggestions. Field Roast's Celebration Roast is my favorite turkey alternative!)

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #20: Share something from your home.

Today Richard and I went to Aissa and Mary's potluck birthday brunch. Everything we ate was so delicious, especially Aissa's impromptu warm-from-the-oven rosemary biscuits. We were proud to bring a bowl of fruit salad inspired by the one at Alchemy (our current favorite local omni-vegan romance brunch spot) and the balance of a huge plate of bite-sized snickerdoodles baked for us by our lovely neighbor Korin. We love being able to share a small treat from our home. We also love having fantastic friends share their home and foods with us.


A simple fruit salad of red grapes, blueberries, Bartlett pear, Gala apple, banana, a bit of fresh lemon juice, and an even teensier bit of sugar takes five minutes to prep and is a great mid-day dessert.

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 

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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #19: Exercise!

Exercising is a great way to not only get fit, but also to reduce stress, re-energize, and shift energy into a more abundant place-- at least that's what I've heard. *Giggle, snort!*  Here are two tips:

  • Sign up for a free 10 day trial of GaiamTV.com, a site of on-demand wellness videos and pay just $9.95/ month after. (I heard about this via Well + Good NYC, the website any NYC gal who is thinking about living a little healthier should read.)
  • Kick start your home yoga practice with a private yoga session. My amazing friend Melissa is offering in-home sessions for one to four people for only $80. (Book a free consultation with her to get more info.)
Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Friday, November 18, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #18: Clean cabinets & fridge!

Today is the perfect day to clear out your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator and make room for fresh favorite foods and spices and holiday treats. Here are some green instructions on clearing out and cleaning your cabinets and fridge, including stainless steel refrigerators!

Kitty Marty helps with cleaning chores.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #17: Make herbal vinegar!

Making a herbal vinegar cleaning solution is a great way to enjoy a boost of germ killing action during cold and flu season. Here's to not being too sick to enjoy New Years Eve!



  1. Put some branches of fresh or dried herbs with disinfecting powers in a jar. A blend of equal parts lavender, thyme, sage, and rosemary with garlic is known as "Four Thieves" and is rumored to have defended those who ingested it from The Black Plague. That's probably a myth, but why not give the combo a go anyhow? Mint is a great addition that will make the concoction smell a little better.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #16: Vegan Book Swap!

The Vegan/ Animal Rights Book Swap benefiting Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary returns soon (Sat. Dec. 10th, 2-5pm)! This time it will be in Crown Heights, Brooklyn at the local non-profit hub of creativity and good-times, LaunchPad. Start weeding your bookcase to make room for some fabulous finds. Hello awesomeness!


See our Facebook invitation for more info and to RSVP.

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #15: Donate a coat!

Clear out your closet a bit by donating a gently worn coat to the annual New York Cares Coat Drive. The organization aims to collect and distribute 100,000 coats to the 18.7% of New Yorkers living in poverty. You can drop off up to 10 coats at any NYC police precinct, bring a coat to a coat drive like the one at Green Drinks NYC Holiday Party (admission is free with a coat), or host a coat drive of your own. Donations must be made by December 31st.

Update 11/22: Green Drinks NYC Holiday Party admission is no longer free with a coat donation, but a portion of the door fee will be donated to New York Cares.


Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Monday, November 14, 2011

Create Abunance at Home #14: Keep Promises.

If there's a household chore you've been promising yourself or your family you'd take care of, do it today. Get help if you need it, but take the initiative to ask for it today or start research if you need more skills to get the job done. It feels great to know you can trust yourself for more awesomeness!

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #13: Get out of the box!

If you have something that you've been saving for a special occasion, let me remind you that there is no occasion more special than the present. Tuesday, I finally opened a set of flannel sheets I purchased months ago. A little part of me was waiting for the "right time," even though we were sleeping on my great grandmother's very old and, frankly, ratty sheets. I guess I was afraid of change, as well as of not having something special to look forward to. Well, now that I've opened them, I've enjoyed hours of rest on the softest, coziest sheets you can imagine and look forward to hoping into bed at the end of each day. I wished I had opened them sooner!

What are you waiting to open?

(Image via Re-Nest: 9 Ways to Green Your Gift Wrapping.)

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #12: Self High Five!

Give yourself a high five if you've done a single thing from my list of activities or your own creative idea on how to get more awesomeness at home. There's so much to do everyday and each task seems to have a bullhorn announcing all the reasons you should DO IT NOW. Congratulations on taking a little break to enjoy your life and your home!

If you haven't done any self care this month, here is your assignment for today: Take a long bath with some super skin nourishing sea salts, a bellini, and a fun book. Or do whatever else makes you happy at home. DO IT NOW!

Take your bath experience to the next level with Raganella's Mini Spa Kit. It's handmade in Prospect Heights!

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Friday, November 11, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #11: Ask for Help!

Today, I'm going to share the fantastic Kate Hanley's (aka Ms. Mindbody) blog post on the important of asking for help. I know this is a lesson I needed to hear today. Ask and ye shall receive!

Help is Not a 4-Letter Word

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #10: Create a Keepsake!

I've always been envious of those people who have things that have been in their family forever. Regardless of whether it's a quilt, a cabin, a grandmother's engagement ring, a silver spoon, a doll; anything that has the history of being passed down for generations makes me jealous. I don't own anything physical from my ancestors. Not to downplay wisdom and good looks, I long for a tangible connection to my family roots.

Just today it occurred to me that I can create a family heirloom. It seems like a novel idea in an age of disposable cell phones, but it's still possible. I still have my beloved Mousie, a stuffed animal I've had since I was a year old. I could save that for my future child or one of my baby cousins to enjoy.


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #9: Carve a quiet space

Make a quiet space where you can meditate, chant, daydream, draw, journal, knit, or just simply relax. Some of us may have the option of moving furniture around  to create a cozy corner. For others, it might mean just designating any already comfy location (like a spot on the sofa) as a relaxation zone.

We like to sit on the couch and daydream in front of our "magic garden"-- complete with a gnome and fountain!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #8: Breathe.

The last thing you wanna do is get Alpha about abundance. Some say all you have to do is breathe and allow space for the Universe to deliver awesomeness. Today let's remember to check in with ourselves and make sure we are using our breathe to comfort us, to give us strength to experience life's challenges with joy, to help us act with love. I learned this from my amazing friend Samuel, who created Artists of Living  ("a personal approach to well-being developed by Samuel Jakob Kirschner, drawing from his expertise in emotional sharing and support, meditation, mindfulness, breath, music, touch, and dance").




Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Monday, November 7, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #7: Rock out!

Listen to an album that inspires good feelings because creating abundance is all about de-stressing so that you can allow awesomeness. Today, I'll be singing along to Edie Brickel & The New Bohemians, Shooting Rubberbands at the Sky. So excited! What are you listening to?



Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Sunday, November 6, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #6: Have fun!

Plan an indoor activity that you, your housemates, and pets can all do together. It doesn't have to be a huge thing to orchestrate. 10 minutes of focused fun could be all it takes to get you and your family "into the vortex"/ space for allowing abundance.

My cat Lucy likes to chase a Superball down the long, thin hallway of our apartment. She also likes to attack the shadow of her cat charmer. My boyfriend Richard is excellent about spending Q time with Lucy everyday, but it's almost neglectful how seldom I take more than 3 minutes to play these games with her. When I am playing, I'm often not focused on the present. I'm thinking about all the other crap on my to do list. Ugh! Tonight is at least one night where things will be different. Game on!

Some other cat playing with the cat charmer.
Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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Saturday, November 5, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #5: DIY Mold Killer

Creativity is the mother of Abundance. When we take the time to make something with care, love, and enthusiasm, we get the ball rolling for more awesome things to start flowing in. Here's an exceptionally simple recipe for a safe bathroom tile mold killer. Less mold, more awesomeness!

A bathroom like this could be heavenly or hellish!
  1. Fill half of a small empty spray bottle with regular ol' white vinegar. White vinegar is an acid that kills 82% of mold species. As you may have a type of mold that vinegar doesn't kill...

Friday, November 4, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #4: Co-own!

Co-owning is a budget-friendly way to get more awesomeness and strengthen relationships in the process. Look around your apartment for one item you can co-own with your neighbors. Next think of something you wish they could share with you. Then talk to them about it: call them, send an email, knock on their door, or, if you're shy, post a note in the lobby of your building.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #3: Junk Drawer Detox!

A big part of getting more awesomeness is making space for it. Let's start by creating physical space. Starting small is the most way fun to begin, so let's start with the junk drawer. It might be a junk box or junk pile or junk bag in your case, but I trust you'll recognize the catch-all, I'll-deal-with-it-later spot I'm talking about. The key is to clearly define your start and end point, or else you'll probably get overwhelmed or, even worse, not recognize the progress you've made.

Grab a trash bag, the recycling bin, a cardboard box labeled "Give Away Nov 10" (one week from now), and another box or bin labeled "keep". Pick each item up once. Spend 30 seconds or less to ruthlessly decide which box or bag to put it in. Let the simple question "Have I needed this in the past year?" guide you.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #2: Picture it!

Using magazine images, create a collage your ideal home. Kidding! I kinda hate to "collage through the feelings." I'm sure that works for some people, but flipping through the perfume poisoned pages of magazines in search of the perfect picture mostly makes me want to gag. Plus, I am such a unique creature that what I want doesn't exist yet and it's hardly a physical commodity that I'm really trying to get at so how could a slew of images from corporate produced glossies even begin to visual express my desires?

Instead, I'm going to draw some stuff, maybe paste a spare button from an old favorite shirt or a hunk of clay to the drawing. I don't know. All I know is I'm going to bust out the craft supplies and go ape on some poster board to make a fun piece of art that represents where I want to live and all the awesome stuff that I'll be feeling and doing there. Woo hoo!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Create Abundance at Home #1: Appreciation!

Slowing down to recognize and appreciate the awesomeness that surrounds us is an easy way to feel our blessings multiply. Sometimes when the shit hits the fan, it's hard to see all the amazing art that's hanging on our now poop splattered walls. Spend a bit of time in each room of your home and jot down everything you love about it. This could include a beautiful couch, photos, the view from a window, even a memory of something lovely that happened there. If you find yourself particularly at a loss to find anything loving to write, consider including the fact that it's a room you can call your own. Considering there are about 100 million homeless people in the world, that totally counts! How much time you spend on this is up to you-- 1 minute, 15 minutes, 30 seconds, whatever you can spare is great! How many things should go on this list? Whatever it takes to make you feel a little bit better.

Olivia Lane is a Blogger, Green Living Educator, and Health Coach trained at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She's also author of Baking Soda & Bliss: The Healthy & Happy Guide to Green Cleaning 
 
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24 Ways to Create Abundance at Home: Preface

In celebration of November and my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, I'll be posting activities we can do to create domestic abundance from Nov 1th through Nov 24th. (Abundance being New-Age lingo for "more awesomeness.")

Why? Because I've been in a funk for the last month or so. My landlord's negligence of the building I rent an apartment in hit what seemed to be at an all-time high on Labor Day Weekend when the ceiling of my bedroom literally fell down.

"Holy holey" said my neighbor.

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