Simple Habits that Help the Environment - Part Three

USE RECYCLED TOILET PAPER

Oh no! I'm talking about toilet paper again. I'm fixated. Don't judge me. But there is just so much TP consumed each year that it is hard not to be. Think about how many trees that is.



So, why not use recycled TP. Think about how many trees it would save. At the moment, Jeremiah and I are fortunate to be in close proximity to Trader Joes and we buy their 100% recylced toilet paper.

It isn't difficult. Make it a habit.

The Gift of a Good Back Rub - Very Basic Techniques

One of the things I like most in the world is a back rub. It is one of the best presents you can give me.

Because I enjoy them so much I know what feels good, so I also give a good back rub. Something that Jeremiah has capitalized on.

I am not a trained massage therapist, but I don't need to be for Jeremiah to enjoy my touch. I know that improper massaging techniques can do more harm than good, so I do only as much as I know, and most of that is just rubbing in the right places. Here are a few rules I stick by. Please remember that I am not a trained therapist so anything I say here is purely opinion and should not be taken as fact.

1. Always have a yummy-smelling, home-made candle burning.

2. Use lots of oil, with delicious fragrances. My favorite is Aura Cacia Aromatherapy Body Oil, which is part of my winter time skin care routine.

The edible oils sink in to your skin much better than mineral oils.

TIP On the morning of my wedding, I received a massage. The therapist told me to never buy lotions that contained mineral oil or alcohol, since the alcohol dries the skin, and the mineral oil isn't absorbed but gives a temporary impression of moisturization.

Having said that can give a good back rub through clothes.

3. Never-ever rub the backbone.

4. Always stick to muscle, not bone.

5. Never apply so much pressure that it hurts.

There are some great online resources for massaging techniques. I love the video jug instructional videos. There, you can learn very basic massage techniques.

To me, massage is one of the most natural ways of communicating love, relaxation and healing. For Jeremiah and I it is one of the better ways to maintain our emotional bonds. Also, since Jeremiah has trouble getting to sleep at night, a massage is an immense help to him. Often, after just fifteen minutes, I find that I have massaged him to sleep.

Giving a good massage is a great gift to anybody - your friend, sister, father, uncle, and mother. But especially your spouse.

Simple Habits that Help the Environment - Part Two

TURN THE SHOWER DOWN

Still in the bathroom, but not quite as personal a subject. Turn the shower down. Unless you have the absolute worst shower in the world, and I know you don't because I know where it is, you can turn the water controls towards off quite a significant way before you notice any significant pressure change from the shower head. But less water will be flowing and that is what is important.

Fresh water is the worlds most precious resource, and we are running out fast. It takes two seconds to turn your shower down. Make it a habit.

Simple Habits that Help the Environment - Part One

USE LESS TOILET PAPER

OK, I know this is a bit of a disgusting one to start off with, but it is so simple.

Be honest, when you pull the paper off the roll, how much of that do you really need? You are probably pulling close to an arm's length right? That's about six sheets. Per wipe. It's not necessary, I promise. You can use at least half that and still keep your hands clean.

So every time you pull the paper off the wall, put half of it back.

You can also save even more per wipe, by folding the paper over after each wipe and wiping again. In theory, you should use a quarter of the toilet paper that you were previously using. Think of the trees you save.

Credit goes to my husband, Jeremiah, for commenting on the amount of toilet paper I was using and forcing me to rethink my bathroom habits. It doesn't take much effort to use less toilet paper. Make it a habit.