Thursday, February 3, 2011

Milk Paint, Non-Toxic & Biodegradable

So after spending a week in the hospital, due to a blood clot in my leg and smaller clots in both lower lobes of my lungs, I am home and resting. During my stay at the hospital, for the first few days, I could NOT move from my bed. Needless to say, I did a tremendous amount of reading.

One magazine that had arrived in my mail, was Mary Jane's Farm, The Everyday Organic Lifestyle magazine. I don't remember subscribing to this, but will definitely enter my renewal. This is full of great organic ideas for around your home as well as many unique ideas for recycling.

For all of you thinking of Spring Cleaning, which according to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is just around the corner, there is an article on how to make Homemade Milk Paint, courtesy of The Real Milk Paint Co.,

Milk has been used as a base for paint for centuries. Cave paintings and Eqyptian artifacts were painted with a milk mixture and have survived throughout the years with vibrant colors. Milk paint is a simple mixture of milk and lime and was used to paint furniture, houses and barns. A protein found in milk called Casein, dries to a very hard finish, and is so durable that even a harsh chemical stripper cannot remove it. You can add earth-based pigments to tint or color the paint producing intense, velvety colors.

The best thing about milk paint is that it is completely non-toxic and biodegradable. You can make milk paint at home using the following recipe:

Homemade 1870's Milk Paint Formula

1 quart skim milk, at room temperature
1 ounce hydrated lime by weight, available at building centers
(Do Not Use quicklime, as it will react with the water and heat up. Hydrated lime has been soaked in water, then dried.)
Earth based powdered pigments to tint (color) the paint


1. Stir in enough skim milk to hydrated lime to make a cream. Stir in remaining skim milk; mix well.
2. To tint, add powdered pigment (available at www.realmilkpaint.com) to desired color and consistency (pigment powder must be lime-proof.) Styir well for a few minutes before using.


For best results, continue to stir paint throughout use. Apply with a cheap, natural bristle brush. Allow to dry before applying next coat, and dry thoroughly 3 to 4 hours before use. For extra protection, give paint a coat of oil finish or sealer. Colors may change, test in an in cospicuous area. Mixed paint may be kept for several days in the refrigerator, until the milk sours.

Milk paint does not stick well to metal surfaces, plastics, or oil-based paints.

As my voyage to live a more sustainable lifestyle, this project has been added to my To Do List. And don't forget to check out my site here for all of your cleaning and personal eco-friendly, non-toxic needs. Any questions, feel free to e-mail me at atjshelby at yahoo dot com.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I am Literally Allergic to Housework

Good Tuesday morning to all. I have been very busy lately working on paperwork for a new job and spending time with my mother and at the hospital, my step-dad has been there since December 22nd. Everyday is like a rollercoaster, he has 1 good day, then 1 bad day. Please say a prayer for him.


As I stated, I am allergic to housework. For years I have had headaches that I thought were sinus headaches, and I always thought it was from what I ate the night before. For awhile there, I blamed them on tomato juice, jalepenos, (although, that was a bummer, because I love spicy foods), and avacados. A few months ago I had a headache so severe, after the fourth day of pain, I went to the emergency room to desperately have them treat my headache that just wouldn't go away. They hurt so bad, I was sick to my stomach. Anyway, after a few hours in the ER, and serveral questions from the doctors and nurses, turned out I had allergies. It boiled down to mowing the lawn the day before the headaches started. No cure for allergies, just use the sinus rinse, and take Claritin daily and wear a mask when doing yardwork and housework.

I remember having allergies as a child, when I ate homegrown tomatoes or watermellon, I would loose my voice and my throat was itchy, but never did I have such excruciating headaches.

Well the other day, as I sat watching tv, elevating my surgery foot, I noticed dust on the base of my tv, and grabbed a dust rag and removed that dust, which led to, 'it's a little dusty under the table, and that table' and well, bottom line, the next day resulted in the headache-from-hell, hence I am allergic to housework! I didn't wear a mask, because I wasn't planning on a two hour house cleaning, just one thing led to another and I will NEVER clean house again (without a dust mask on). Or better yet, just a great excuse to not have to do housework as it affects my health!

I am going to see an allergy doctor this week, to see if there is some magic pill he can give me if I ever get another headache because the pain is so bad, I would never wish it upon anyone. Wish me luck.

There will be no mowing this week, as we have over 4" of snow on the ground and are expecting another 4" tomorrow. And after reading this, you know how much housework I plan to do, zero.

One last tidbit, if you haven't already submitted your e-mail to ALL YOU, hop on over to HERE for a daily alert e-mail for the freebie of the day.

Have a great day, and check you grocery list, if you are in need of any eco-friendly cleaning or personal products, stop on over at Celadon Road and mention consultant id 11395 for all of your toxic free needs.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Scentsy is Scent-sational

I love Scentsy.  Those of you who have heard about it, probably own a few warmers and love it too.  And for those of you who have never tried it, I can guarantee after reading my post your mouth will be watering, and your nose will be tantalized, and you too will be hooked. The Scentsy product
isn't meant to be explained, it is meant to be experienced. The Scentsy Collection has something for everyone.


I have always been a huge fan of candles, but now being more eco-conscious, and living a more eco-friendly, greener lifestyle, the Scentsy product is perfect. Flameless, smokeless and soot-free—with Scentsy’s wickless candle bars and electric warmers, I can enjoy all the sensory delights of scented candles without the dangers of an open flame. Scentsy offers a safer alternative to traditional candles.


A few years ago I was introduced to the amazing Scentsy Collection. I was visiting my sister in Arizona, and she had plugged in this really decorative, stylish warmer with wax that melted by the heat of a small light bulb.  Her house had the most wonderful aroma from this wickless candle concept.  I was hooked immediately. It was the Bubble Gum scent, which reminded me when was in grade school and my favorite lip balm, Bonnie Bell Bubble Gum Lip Smackers, I didn't go anywhere without  my Lip Smacker, this brought back so many memories of my childhood past. 

Last year for my birthday I received the Scentsy Nebraska Cornhusker warmer, with five different yummy smelling scent bars.  I have not been able to go one day without plugging my warmer in, and enjoying in the delicious aroma that fills my house.

My Scentsy consultant, my friend is Sheila. Along with selling Scentsy, Sheila also sells houses in Arizona, and she owns her own Real Estate firm and she says "I love it when my listings smell good-always helps make a great first impression!  I know most everyone else wants their home to smell good, whether it is for sale or not.  (Who wouldn't!!!)".

You can make a statement in any room with a Scentsy warmer, and with over 80-plus scents, and enjoy a total fragrance experience. Scentsy has plenty of creative gift ideas for everyone on your gift-giving list, whether it's a special occasion or just because. Scentsy sells large or medium size warmers, room sprays, over 80 bars or bricks scents, plug-in warmers, car fresheners and more.

To place an order, host a party or even become a Scentsy Independent Consultant where you can enjoy the flexibility, fun and satisfaction of connecting people you care about with the products you believe in. Go HERE to Sheila's Scentsy website for more information.

Click HERE and "Like" The Scent Fairy on Facebook where Sheila gives the inside scoop of upcoming events and monthly specials. 

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Before and After

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and is starting 2011 in a positive direction.  Anyone made any unusual New Year's resolutions?  I vow to continue my blogging and promoting Celadon Road products. I want 2011 to be a prosperous one and will work diligently on it.

Anyway, day six, after my left foot bunionectomy. I am still in alot of pain, and very thankful for the pain meds I am taking. If I didn't have those, I think I'd be crying non-stop all day.  I would never wish the bunionectomy surgery on anyone, I think the pain is worse than childbirth! Ha.

A few posts ago, I published the before picture of my left foot, remember, the one with the "worn-out" toenail polish? Well, here it is again, along with the 'after' picture.





It's still quite swollen, but the Dr. seems to think everything is going well, and x-rays showed great alignment.  My highlight of the day,,,,I get to take a shower.  Do you know how hard it is to take a bath with one leg hanging over the tub? Not easy, and very uncomfortable.

Along with my shower, I am going to re-organize my coupons, I'm sure 90% of the ones in my case have expired in 2010.  My next post will be about coupon deals I have found, along with some amazing coupons I have up for grabs for anyone who replies or comments.

Happy Tuesday, be safe.