Soul Compass - Articles

Our environment...A mirror of ourselves - 13/08/2009

As the elements of our environment influence our living, it is powerful wisdom to understand the enormous reflection our outer world is of that within. A stem of traditional Chinese Medicine, Feng Shui is a philosophy that looks at the direct impact our environment has on our physical health, wellness and behavioural psychology, to name a few.

Based upon the five universal elements of nature’s cycle (wood, fire, earth, metal and water), Feng Shui like TCM, investigates and remedies the origins and roots of ailments presented, and not the symptoms alone. Like a protective shell, our homes are a reflection of the quality of our lives. Notice, when you first walk into a space... that subconsciously you pick up on the mood and feel within it. Creating a balance between yin/ peaceful and yang (stimulating/ active energy) is key in helping uplift the mood of a space.

A couple of examples are:

Opening windows and drawing back the curtains in dark rooms

Bringing window dressings in where there is too much light

This is sometimes the case with glass walls in popular modern architectural design. While this may suit many people, for others, a highly exposed environment can lead to a feeling of being exposed and vulnerable.

Keep in mind that bedrooms are for resting.

Day and night is the ultimate example of universal law in yin and yang. And as we are active during the day (yang) time, it is important to balance this with enough rest at night. The better rested we are, the more energy we have for the day. In the philosophy of yin and yang, it is said that one depends upon the other for its strength. Looking at this principle we can see that not being active enough during the day, can lead to restlessness at night, where as not enough sleep can lead to lethargy.

The bedroom is an important area to look at as one that needs to be kept more yin: which can often be hindered by stimulating colours, and electrical equipment such as televisions and sound systems. Keep in mind that electrical equipment also emits electro-magnetic fields disturbing our energy and sleep when in the bedroom.

Objects on the outer wall of where we sleep

Another thing to be aware of is the outside walls of our bedrooms. Having electric or gas meters on the other side of our bed head wall can lead to ill health in the long term and therefore should be avoided.

Art in the bedroom

Take note of any art placed on the bedroom walls also. Images can be a powerful influence on the subconscious mind, and therefore our dreaming state, when this part of our brain is most active. Peaceful and serene images can on the other hand encourage good rest, though keeping the bedroom “Zen-like” with as little as possible allows for even deeper rest, while letting the mind totally switch off. This means clearing it of all clutter and anything unnecessary.

When a busy picture is the last thing we see before going to bed, our mind can remain busy, prolonging the time it takes for us to completely shut off and in turn minimizing the time we spend in the deeper states of sleep. In most cases, active images are best kept outside the bedroom for this reason. Inspirational images are more suited to a living space, where we spend time during the day, to enhance our energy.

Stimulating the five senses

It is a good thing to be aware of the five senses, and how each of them responds to your environment. A great way to enhance the mood in a room instantly is by using aromatherapy. Different scents can bring a great deal of life to a space, and enhance the mood quite significantly. To help relax in the evenings, a great oil to use is lavender, either with a few drops on the pillow or in an oil burner. Even added to the washing with sheets and bedding is great. Using lavender oil during the later stages of pregnancy has been known to have an instant affect on the baby once born, having had mum respond this way.

Decorating Children’s bedrooms the Feng Shui way

Children’s bedrooms can be confusing when decorating, as these are often doubled as a play room. I encourage you to follow your intuition with this area though keeping the bedroom’s purpose clear will more than likely lend itself to encouraging sleep much more easily. It can sometimes get confusing, becoming a grey area where the child also associates the room with play, therefore stimulating the desire to do so, when it is sleep time.

This is especially so when toys are on display, bearing an abundance of bright colours, stimulating their curious minds and active imaginations. I would encourage keeping the play area or toy box separate from the bedroom, so that the children may have a space that not only allows for, but also encourages proper rest. Although white or cream may seem boring colours for a child’s bedroom walls, the more neutral they are the better. There is most often enough brightness and colour in their possessions, clothes and surroundings during the day (and at pre-school, in story books and in the paints drawings they create).

Having a restful room for children to sleep in, gives them a good rest from the constant activity they seek during their waking hours.

Imitating the Natural world

Look to nature for ideas in designing your own environment. Red is a colour used sparingly in nature, and its power is strong enough to make an impact in the smallest of roses, potent in its beauty and energy enough to impact its surrounding significantly, so be aware when using the colour at home, in design. I often see large feature walls, bright red, and in bedrooms especially, which can be overbearing, and far too stimulating.

Blue, green and brown have a significant presence in nature.

Therefore, to enhance the natural feel of your home, incorporate these colours. While brown has a heavy grounding, and earthy feel, green and blue are more active colours that tend to stimulate a lively, uplifting energy (of the growth and circulation, which is the nature of wood...being the element these colours bring, energetically). Pairing the qualities of these colours... is fantastic when it comes to creating a balance of yin and yang.

Plants around the home

Using plants (indoors & out)...is another great way to improve the life quality and feel it has around the home, both aesthetically and physically. Not only do they help create a carbon balanced environment, neutralizing the effect of the electricity and resources being consumed, but they also have a very calming presence about them.

Our environment is a very honest picture of us as people who create them, and as people who choose to occupy them. An environment with too much yang, open spaces and fast flowing energy, without a balanced amount of containment, indicates a fast paced life, with an abundance of opportunity, social activity and flow, with little rest and security, privacy and peace that a comfortable enclosed and contained space provides.

In this kind of environment there is little to capture and soak all of the positive qualities, yang energy may bring in. This is where we become depleted, in this kind of environment. A highly active life can only sustain us when it is balanced with proper rest, as we also need the rest and also to be able to shut it all out from time to time.

What Western Astrology has to teach us... - 22/09/2008

What is the Natal Birth Chart?

The natal birth chart is a key into the deepest and most unconscious parts of our nature that play a huge role in life patterns, and what we attract along our journey. A reflection of ones very unique psychological signature and soul path, the analysis of a natal chart can reveal life circumstances that may manifest in the presence of certain planetary alignments over time. Unlike a general daily horoscope of ones sun sign, a personal chart can reveal very specific details of ones spiritual journey and life lessons, that are unique to the individual.

There is a great deal more to a person than their sun sign and in fact, personal planets that are more accurate when looking for guidance in relationships, to reveal what kind of person we are attracted to and the kind of relationships we will naturally be drawn to.

The natal birth chart is a map of ones spiritual make up and potential, which can also be looked at with regards to how we energetically interact with others, when looking at two charts together.

Learning about the four elements within the system of Western Astrology, gives us a sense of what spiritual energetic qualities one predominantly has, within their chart, their make up. This firstly when looking at the chart of an individual, gives us an awareness as to how one tends to express themselves, and look at the world, in terms of their most prominent values.

From this information, we are able to understand the key elements and qualities within others which bring a person balance. We learn through looking at what we call the modes/ modalities, within ones chart, which can be related to as the channels through which one manifests their intentions, about how one tends to operate, overall, whether they naturally lean towards leadership, are more malleable and adaptable, or if they tend to be more results oriented and idealistic.

There are many things within this great tapestry of philosophy that can be revealed, through the exploration of ones chart, and as we get further into the depths of learning how to read a horoscope, we explore the essential qualities of each sign, why opposites attract and compliment one another, their ruling planets and much more.

Looking further, we learn about the planets, and begin looking deeply into the chart, to see where in life we will have our greatest challenges and through which means we will reap the most rewards. The natal birth chart is a compass to the soul, revealing to us, exactly the type of energies we can draw upon personally, to expand and develop ourselves, where we tend to enjoy life the most, our deepest most inherent values and the spiritual path we can learn the most from.

Through learning how to read the western chart, we are given a key into the psych, and into the realm of ones inner workings, their strengths and also the ways in which they may best reach personal fulfilment, healing and success. We are also able to look at the influence of time and how we are influenced by the heavenly movements of all planets, their interaction with the birth chart, and how this may manifest itself over the course of our lives.

Learning about the transits of Astrology, gives us a great awareness as to how to make the most of what energies are present at different times along our journey. It is through this awareness that we are brought great peace, patience and understanding, when it comes to the unfoldment of every aspect of our lives.

Fudamentals of good Feng Shui - 22/12/2007

The first basic fundamental principle of creating good Feng Shui relies upon the harmony between the five elements. Without having a Consultation carried out by a qualified practitioner, there are still some things that can bring balance and peace to your home and life according to the five elements. These five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water in their natural creative life cycle, and when in harmony can bring balance to your surroundings in many ways.

The key to maintaining holistic health and wellbeing lies in keeping a balance between these elements within the physical body, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. In Feng Shui, however it is the harmony within the home and workplace that relies very much on this balance between the elements. To maintain a peaceful flow of energy in the home or living space, we must first be sure to look at what elements are present in the space and how they interact. Most importantly, the elements present must support and nourish each other in their cyclic nature.

The destructive life cycle of the elements, is wood to earth (restricts), fire to metal (melts), earth to water (blocks), metal to wood (cuts) and water to fire (extinguishes). Although these elements can in some instances, compliment and activate one another, they are generally negative in their association with one another.

Given that each of the five elements of Chinese medicine and philosophy relate to certain health functions of the body, and energetic qualities, too much of any one element within a space will need to be balanced with the element it creates in the natural life cycle. An example of this would be an overwhelming amount of wood in a space, with lots of green colour and floor boards, for instance with tall wooden furnishings and decor. To balance this, you would use the fire element, as this will burn off the wood energy, by providing an outlet, and expression, as too much wood energy can create anger related problems.

In Traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is the seat of anger, which also relates to the wood element, and can also be stimulated by the presence of too much metal, in a wood dominated environment. In this case you would need to minimise the metal element so that you are not aggravating the energy with the energetic cutting of the wood.

The second thing you would do is bring water into the space to harmonise these two elements. Metal supports the water and is therefore no longer attacking the wood, which will then be supported by the water. This can be done using the colour black, physical still water in a dish (regularly recycled for freshness) and irregular curvy shapes. If there is still an overwhelming amount of wood in the space, it is still advisable to reduce this where possible, or use plenty of fire and earth elements to exhaust this and reduce the likelihood of an aggravated home, work or business environment.

Using this philosophy, there will be an energetic balance in the environment, between the elements and within the health and wellbeing of the occupants. Aside from maintaining harmony between the elements in order to create good Feng Shui, there are many things that can be done. More and more people are coming to the realisation that our surroundings have an enormous influence over our sense of wellbeing, which is just one of the things that can result in having a nurturing living environment.

With interior design providing modern homes with a stylish feel and open light, airy spacious environments, Feng Shui is more often than not, still contradicted and ignored by the new trends in both building and interior design. The most fundamental principle of Feng Shui is to create a space that provides containment and stability and although the open plan with wall to wall, and floor to ceiling windows, is in fashion, it is not at all what gives us a sense of protection and containment from our environment.

A note of caution for when you are using the colour red, or the fire element in general such as candles and images with fire or bright vibrant fire colours. Fire is not only an element that is very yang, active and stimulating by nature, but it is used sparingly in the natural world as well so you only ever need a small amount to be very effective. The second note of caution here is to be very careful, as the fire element can also be stimulating the wrong types of energies within the space.

There are certain earth influences that are made even stronger with fire that stimulate sickness and ill health, as well as obstacles, struggles and general misfortune. So it is best to consult a qualified consultant to asses the energies within the home before applying any interior design changes or structural renovations being contemplated. If these changes are carried out under the guidance of a Feng Shui practitioner, you could be saving yourself alot of stress and money later down the track.

Basic tips for uplifting and enhancing the energy of the home or any space

·         Get organised

Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place. There is no such thing as an organised mess. Clutter is clutter, and is literally an un-organised array of unnecessary junk or things that are uncared for. This suggests that there are things in your life that need to be taken care of and it will always be reflected in your home, as it is merely an extended version of your self. It is a mirror of what is going on beneath the surface, just as our skin shows the health of our lungs- which carry vital life force energy (Chi) and vibration, and reveal how well we are accepting the flow of life.

·         Inspire yourself

Take note of what it is your surroundings make you feel inside. Do you feel uplifted and inspired? Or do you feel weighed down and heavy when you are at work or at home? This is just a couple of things to consider, when wanting to enhance the energy of any space you occupy.

It is important to keep your environment full of things that have meaning for you, particularly things that represent the type of energy you resonate with or that you want to attract into your life, so that it is easier to get into the feeling space of already having it. Take a look around you right now, are you surrounded by inspirational material? Everything, from the books on your shelf, to the ornaments, objects, papers and magnets on your fridge, all play a huge role in influencing your subconscious mind and what you create for yourself.

Your home is much like a womb that norishes and develops the embryo of your life, and your creation. It is the food source from which you may derive the support, protection and inspiration to live the kind of life you dream of, desire and wish for. Treat this space as your temple. It is your most powerful key to use in unlocking your true potential.

·         Know why you keep possessions

Just walk through each room, going into each basket, box, cupboard and draw, right now. Take one moment to just consider why it is you keep each object, photo, paper, gift, item of clothing, and everything else that you own. What are your reasons for keeping each thing you have? If it is to help you move closer towards your goals and visions in life then that is what you want. If it is because you always say you might need it one day- then when that day comes, do you think it is still going to be the best thing to have at that time. There are a number of things to consider, and the reasons for keeping things can be many. You will know if this is right or not, if you simply take this time to observe.

·         Select images carefully

The images on your walls, where ever you are, have the power to influence your feelings, moods and thoughts so select them wisely to support a positive feeling. In general, images of flowing water relate to prosperity, though should be carefully placed in Feng Shui, as there are some energies you do not want in abundance, while others you do- particularly the wealth energies. Though some may feel water images are calming and soothing, and good for a bedroom space, this is actually advised against in Feng Shui. Water is naturally flowing and moving, which is the opposite of what we want in our sleep. Night is a yin time for rest and recovery, while the day is yang and active.

The better the rest we have at night, the more active and alive we feel during the day. So generally it is good to keep active images out of the bedroom. Choose images for the home that uplift you, and represent what it is that you enjoy and aspire to in life, as this is a powerful way to enhance that very vibration in order to help attract more of it into your life. For bedrooms, it is better to have images of mountains, as they represent solidity, stability, stillness and support- which are good for sleeping. It can also help to have an image of a mountain behind your desk at work for this same reason. Be sure to keep inspirational images and material in front of you also, while you are at work.

·         Keep it fresh

Maintaining a fresh environment is a key in keeping good Feng Shui. Going through your space more often, usually takes less time, energy and effort, and helps keep the space feeling light, uplifting and clear, which will help us feel the same. Remember that our surroundings are a mirror of what is going on within us. This is why Feng Shui is so powerful. If we pay attention to what is happening in our environment, we will notice how much this really does reflect what is happening within us, and there for our lives. If there are things on hold or unfinished at home, our lives will feel the same. This is also the case for when we forget to attend to the daily chores as we will often see that we are also forgetting to take care of our own bodies, relationships and basic things that matter the most to us. This is always good to have in mind when things just don’t seem to flow in our lives.

Healing for the Home - 19/08/2007

Have you ever wondered why there are certain properties on the market either for sale or lease at an unusually frequent rate? As a trained specialist in the field of life force energy in buildings and the kind of influence they have on our health and wellbeing, i understand it can be hard to know whether a new home you are considering was home to people who moved on to bigger more expansive lifestyles, after the growth they experienced in that home or if it was to the contrary. It may be that the last occupants were experiencing financial difficulties, health or relationship challenges that brought them to search for more suitable homes.

The question is what the last occupants moved on for, and if there has been a reoccurring pattern in particular life circumstances that have manifested while living in that building. There are some buildings that have a history of very specific types of ailments in its occupants, as well as the same types of misfortune or on the other hand, successes. What’s important is the unique energy dynamic of the building and how it manifests in the lives of those utilizing the space. There is no denying that we are each affected by certain places in ways that become obvious to us over time, although it can then become a matter of changing the way the space is used, in order to harmonise the life force energy within certain areas of noticeable tension.

It has been recorded in my research and studies that there are many particular types of influences a building can have over the life and health of us living or occupying the space. For example, there have been certain places that have brought a very specific nature of misfortune to a number of occupants, after one another over time. On the contrary, some places have been noted to bring a particular degree of life successes to people after a short stay, bringing them to a point where they move on only to more conducive places, to mirror and suit their new more expansive lives, families or financial positions.

Since coming to practice energetic alignment with buildings using certain design principles, I have had numerous success stories with both businesses and homes, including flourishing practices with health professionals, sales with commercial properties and harmony in the home. Given the nature of this process, it has been known to be a powerful catalyst for healing and transformation in people’s lives and in helping them reach their goals and grow as individuals, families or businesses. Used at all stages of design, including drafting and interior it can be referred to as the solution that prevents the need for life coping strategies as a result of energetic tension and imbalances in the home that influence our own energy fields immensely.

Consultations to homes and businesses are carried out in two stages with an initial assessment and analysis of the building, and secondly to present a report on all findings and recommendations, specific to the unique energy influences within the space. Advice is practical and specific with consideration to the requirements and goals of the occupants. The service includes recommendations with regard to space allocation, placement of furnishings, objects, alongside colour and materials. With a strong sensitivity to visual appeal, style and design needs this can be a highly transformational process once applied to a space.

Divine Synchronicity - 24/07/2007

If you have ever wondered why certain things have occurred during your life at the moment they did, what purposeful meaning lies behind it all, or if things have all happened according to a higher order, it is that questioning and yearning to understand that was coming from a voice within you, of knowing and connectedness. That questioning is born from the place within you that is one with the universe, the being within you that is pure energy. There is not one moment of life that passes in which nothing that happens is divine synchronicity.

We are all part of this divine synchronicity, of God, universal light and consciousness. Physically we are surrounded by people places and circumstances that we, as a part of this order, have been carefully chosen and selected for the greater good, and this I say in belief being someone who has been curiously observant of such abstract realities. In my eyes, there is not one thing in existence, physical or non-physical that ever was or ever will be that does not serve humanity and the universe. From the smallest of acts, deeds, words and thoughts, we are indeed contributing to the simple perfection that is.

A walk, a touch, a look or a spoken word will never be without purpose and great contribution. We are everlasting vibrations sending energy out from within, reaching and encompassing the whole that inevitably returns as a part of existence, and as a part of the foundations that form new life, to sustain the great perfection that always has and always will exist on the planet, within the universe and also within us all.

Each moment of existence we have choices. Whether we understand them or consciously contemplate and even comprehend them, we are making choices that serve our unique purpose, contributing enormously to the balance and perfection of all that is. Our choices extend to the greatest and finest detail, that reach even beyond our conscious thinking. They indeed come from our higher centres, our infinite being and our oneness with all.

We choose everything in our life for many higher purposes. We each chose to enter this life in order to serve for the greater good. It is for many reasons, my firm conviction and stance that, we each came here to earth having already chosen the family and parents through which we set our foundations to teach us all we needed to know in order to give us the abilities to serve humanity. I believe that we each have chosen our families carefully so that we could reach the very point we are now to where we really chose to be. The moment we realise that all that is, in our lives, is our personal choice, we are most certainly gifted the greatest of power in being responsible and influential in our own journey and unfolding destiny.

It was our higher intelligence and resonance with all that is, that knew the perfect channel to get us to where we have chosen to be, where we knew we could make a significant difference and contribution to the divine. And sometimes we may not even realise this ripple affect that we so preciously possess. We choose the experiences we have, not as a physical body or intellectual being but as a part of this intelligent universal perfection. We choose everything we do to serve our purpose simply through our mere and wondrous existence.

Free Will & Destiny - 17/03/2007

There are many things that will influence our personal fate over our journey here on the physical plane, and the most powerful force in our life is our selves. We have choices every breathing moment of our day. Some bigger than others although each and every one of these choices contribute to a much larger picture, which is our experience of life.

We are most certainly affected very much by our environments and upbringings although we grow into the most influential keys in the unfolding of our destiny. We each are born with certain strengths and weaknesses, talents and gifts… although it is up to us to notice these and appreciate them.

It is up to us individually to work on these and develop them, so that we can use them to get us where we want to go in life. Everyone grows to want different things and certain experiences and it is ultimately our choice to get there or stay where we are as a result of past circumstances.

Many people end up continuously stating the reasons why they are stuck or remaining in a situation in which they were placed as a result of certain things that occurred to them. The people who are not complaining about such issues on the other hand, have committed themselves to their visions. These people have applied themselves and developed every facet of their being in order to make their vision possible.

It takes a long testing road of application, learning and also the realization of personal values to get to the point of being committed to personal dreams. Life does not always give very easily, in fact the most valuable things come after much challenge, perseverance and belief. If we do not have this in ourselves to begin with then how is it that our environments are going to provide us with it.

Our surroundings are a reflection of our own inner world. We choose the environments in which we live. Even if this is on a subconscious level, we deliberately surround ourselves with energies and environments that match and support our own.

As human beings we are creatures of habit and our homes and work places are part of our habituated ways of being. It is first us who choose our environments for many reasons and then our surroundings that continue to influence us and our energies as space is an entity of its own.

Certain places attract certain types of experiences and opportunities. Space is like a womb that nourishes particular energies that will manifest over time with the right conditions. Where we choose to spend time has a very strong influence over our destiny and life journey.

Different places have different life force energies that can be likened to our own thought fields and belief patterns. They can either hold us back or empower us to move closer towards our dreams and aspirations, supporting us through the trials and turbulence of both life and time.

Creating A Healthy Home - 04/03/2007

It is important that we vote with our dollar when we are out shopping for both living and personal body products. The power is in our choices and when we choose to care for our immediate environment and its health, we are ultimately affecting the world around us. Each person is energetically like a pebble in a pond. By our existence alone, our influence is radiating out into the universe. We all play a huge role in the environment in which we live and are powerful beings.

There are many products that we use from day to day and it can be a huge wake up call to just monitor the amount of harmful and toxic chemicals each of these contain. It is scary when you begin to do just a little research on exactly where each of these chemicals came from and how they contribute to various detrimental health hazards over time. Ignorance can be bliss, but it is also proving to be catastrophic in the long term as we are all here as the ancestors of generations to come.

In just a few short years, our environment has become a very scary topic. People think that they are powerless in when it comes to the environment and that it is all up to the government to make the necessary changes. This is a huge misjudgment. We as ordinary people, have the power of choice. If we choose to live consciously, we can begin one by one to eradicate the poison toxic health hazards, that we have come so used to living with on a day to day basis.

The best place to start is at home in your immediate surroundings, over which you have the most power. This is the one place where we have freedom to choose whatever we want. Begin with the bathroom, where you store all of your personal body and skin care products. This is usually a very powerful experience, just to clean out the shelves. Beginning to read the labels of each product you may be surprised at what nasty chemicals you have come to use on your body.

The next areas of concern to look for, is the shower and bath cleaners, anti mould products and bleach based products. Bicarbonate Soda and vinegar used with a scourer, is a very simple and easy, healthy alternative to these nasty toxic cleaners. For personal care products, there are a range of alternatives on the market. Visit your local health food shop, there is usually a number of different organic herbal products that are safe, and many of the products you find in health food shops contain herbs and oils that are known to promote health and wellbeing, and stimulate the senses.

Once you have been through your bathroom and personal care products, go to the kitchen and clear the cupboards there. Look out for the oven cleaners, bench top and surface cleaner and the floor cleaning products. For a healthy product with equal power to any kitchen cleaning spray, mix together 300ml water with a tbsp Castile soap and a tbsp pure vanilla essence. Shaken well and use as required, you will find this to be just as effective. A good anti mould product, for all wet areas around the home is a mix of 200ml water and 40 drops of pure tea tree oil in a spray bottle.

For baked on grime in the oven, use Enjo marble scrub. Another alternative is vinegar and Bi carb soda spray. Vanilla spray is also very effective, so say good bye to all the poison heavy duty oven cleaners from the supermarket, and enjoy better health for both your body and your home. All it takes is a little extra love and care for preparation, which is actually much more enjoyable and rewarding as a process. For a great floor cleaner, use 2 tbsp of Castile soap in warm water with 10 drops of tea tree oil.

Another problem area in the home is the toilet. Toilet bowl cleaners, sprays, air fresheners and bleach based cleaners are all harmful products. Mix up 300ml of water with 2 tbsp Castile soap and 20 drops of tea tree oil. Shake the bottle well and spray the bowl when cleaning. For an air freshener, mix together 200 ml water and 20 drops of essential oil of your choice. Shake well before spraying.

In the laundry people commonly use harmful washing powders and liquids, fabric softeners and ironing aids. A healthy selection that is already available at supermarkets is Award or Planet Ark. There are also a number of other products such as Envirocare, Natural Organic Instinct and Herbon that are all available at health food stores. If you want a natural and safe fabric softener, throw a handkerchief in with 10 drops of Eucalyptus oil, in with the washing on the final rinse.

When it comes to tough stains, do not use chlorine bleach, it is better to soak them with either oxygen bleach or Borax, which is available at the supermarket. For ironing aid, use liquid starch sparingly. Dilute it in a spray bottle and spray onto clothes from a distance. Instead of using carpet deodorizers, mix half a cup of bi carb soda with 20 drops of essential oil of choice and sprinkle over areas to be vacuumed. Leave for 15 minutes before you start vacuuming.

For indoor insecticides, use citronella candles that are soy based and not paraffin. Peppermint oil on cotton balls in cupboards can be used to deter mice. For dog bedding you can use essential oils of thyme, lavender or eucalyptus in water to make up a spray. This can also be good to use in areas that are walked over more frequently. Another problem area that can easily be solved is air fresheners, general sprays and electrically released perfumes.

A natural uplifting alternative is to use Aromatherapy. A few drops of essential oils in an oil burner with a tea light candle underneath will give any space a more pleasant mood. You can also mix up a spray with 200 ml water, a tsp of pure vanilla extract and 5 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of bergamot essential oil. This is a great spray for stuffy areas. With all of these alternatives to house hold cleaning products, you will find your shopping trolley a lot less full. The more you can eradicate chemical waste around the home, the more you begin talking with your dollar.

After a while you will begin noticing what a difference this makes, especially for those who tend to suffer from chest congestion and asthma or allergic reactions. When your surrounding environment is clean and healthy, you will also benefit. Over time you may even notice you are more sensitive to harsh chemicals in other environments and be able to see the hazardous effect these are having on the health of not only buildings, but also the occupants living in them.

There is an abundance of people living with unnecessary products that do much more harm than good. Ill health is very much avoidable more often than not and a good place to start is with lifestyle choices that support the health of both your body and environment. Organic food and body products may cost more but you are most definitely getting what you pay for.

You will either pay for your health now or you pay for it later. The choice is yours. What surrounds you, you end up breathing in, and what you apply to your skin, ends up in your blood, as the skin is also a breathing organ. That is why people use patches on their skin when trying to quit smoking. This is for the simple fact that whatever you put on your skin ends up in the blood stream. Take good care to remain aware of the products you are using. Many of the widely available and heavily marketed range of products are dangerous in the long term. My advice is, do your research.