In the past years we have all become more sensitive to our carbon footprint and how our lifestyle choices impact the environment and our health. As we continue our journey to a more earth-friendly, sustainable lifestyle, we also learn that being “green” can be fun, easy and economical. The following household cleaning recipes are offered in this spirit.

To learn more about the chemicals used in common household cleaning products and their impact on the environment and your health, visit the Environmental Working Group.

Supplies

• White Vinegar: cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up
• Baking Soda: cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours
• Natural Unscented Soap: unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
• New, unused spray bottles
• Water
• Essential oils of your choice:
• Tea Tree antiseptic, antibacterial, anti fungal Stimulant
• Lemon antibacterial, astringent Uplifting, clarifying
• Sweet Orange repels insects, disinfectant, antibacterial, anti fungal Cheery, happy, calms the mind
• Lavender antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial Lifts the mood, calming, analgesic, anti-inflammatory
• Oregano antiviral, antibacterial, anti fungal, repels insects Clean and fresh
• Eucalyptus antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, astringent, repels insect Stimulating, fresh, clears the mind
• Grapefruit antiseptic, disinfectant. Uplifting, stimulating
• Pine strong antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, repels insect Invigorating

Use only good quality, single note, 100% pure essential oils. Fragrance oils, perfume oils or nature-identical oils are synthetic chemicals or chemical blends and do not have the same properties as pure essential oils.

Purchase essential oils that are packaged in small, (4oz or less), dark colored or opaque glass bottles. Beware of plastic bottles or glass bottles with rubber eyedroppers; plastic and rubber will degrade and contaminate the oils.

All Purpose Cleaner

2 cups water
7 drops essential oil of lavender, tea tree, pine, grapefruit, oregano or eucalyptus

Combine ingredients in a clean, unused spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

 All Purpose Cleaner II

1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 gallon of water
10 drops lavender oil
10 drops grapefruit or eucalyptus oil

Combine ingredients and store in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

 Kitchen Scouring Cleanser

1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
6 drops lemon or grapefruit essential oil

Mix ingredients to make a paste. Use to scour microwave interior, sink and other hard surfaces in the kitchen.

Bathroom Scouring Cleaner

1/4 cup baking soda
1 Tablespoon Natural Soap
7 drops lavender oil
7 drops tea tree oil

Add enough white vinegar to make a thick, creamy texture.

Mix ingredients to make a paste. Use to scour bathroom surfaces.

Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner

2 Cups Water
1/4 Cup White Vinegar
1/4 tsp. Tea Tree Oil
1/4 tsp. Lavender Oil

Combine and store in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Use where ever a disinfectant spray is needed.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda

Pour both ingredients in to toilet bowl and allow to soak for about 10 minutes. Swish with toilet brush. A few drops of lavender and tea tree essential oils may be added to disinfect.

Window Cleaner

1 cup White Vinegar
10-15 drops of Lemon oil
Water

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

Floor Cleaner I

1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
14 drops of your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend

Add all ingredients to a bucket of warm water.

Floor Cleaner II

1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
5-10 drops lemon, pine, spruce
1-2 squirts natural dish soap

Add all ingredients to a bucket of warm water. A plain water rinse may be needed after mopping to avoid stickiness or slipperiness from the dish soap.

Carpet Freshener

1 cup baking soda
16-20 drops of your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend

Combine ingredients in a glass bowl and mix well. Cover and allow to sit overnight so that oils can be completely absorbed by the baking soda. Sprinkle over your carpet the next day and then vacuum.

Warm water wishes,
Seraphina Ashe,
Guest Experience Program Director

As a parent and chief of the Glen Ivy Gardens I want to express the importance of clear communication. My children behave better when I clearly state my expectations of them and so do my plants. You only get one shot at raising them so providing them with a loving and well-defined foundation is very important. With this in mind, here are my expert tips for a few conversations you should absolutely have with your plants:

Don’t drink too much - Water is so important and it’s a drought year.
Choose your friends wisely - That cactus is gonna get you into trouble!
What’s that noise your listening to? – Country builds character so turn down that punk rock.
You can’t be seen in that! - Terra cotta is classic and suits you much better; that plastic pot isn’t fit for a plant as beautiful as you.
Eat your vegetables - There are carrots in your compost and they are good for your eyes.
Get plenty of exercise - You don’t want to grow up with weak limbs, do you?
Respect your elders - That’s an old growth forest, you know.
Do your homework - You will be tested on biology.
Cleanliness is next to godliness - Stay out of the mud!
Are you feeling okay? You’re looking a little green. - Good for you!

-Patrick Mitchell
Director of Landscapes & Sustainability

Our partnership with German-based Primavera Life Skincare company could not be a more perfect fit. Their certified natural skin care and aromatherapy products for the skin, face and senses, with specialized lines for beauty, wellness, and home complement one another, working synergistically for an individual’s needs, moods and lifestyle. Primavera began over twenty years ago and was founded by Ute Leube, Kurt  L. Nübling and their group of friends who shared their passion for nature and its holistic benefits, becoming one of today’s best known names in aromatherapy. Primavera brings a sensibility that is aligned with Glen Ivy’s own legacy, with a philosophy that every day is a chance to bring nature closer, to discover balance with the both outside world and the world within—their mission, to simply share the benefits of healing plants to the skin and senses.

Executive Spa Director Danny Silva on the new partnership: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Primavera—the preeminent organic skin care line from Europe, and the first skincare company to receive NATRUE certification. We have been working closely with their knowledgeable team to create an exclusive menu of facial offerings that we know our guests will love, not only for the benefits of their plant based products on their skin (our body’s largest organ), but also for the harmonizing Primavera aromatherapy ritual that begins and ends each treatment.”

We can’t wait for you to meet our friends at Primavera, so we are celebrating with “5 Days of Primavera Giveaways!” Fans will learn more about Primavera and have a chance to win some wonderful prizes. Every day next week we will be highlighting 5 of our favorite Primavera products.

How do you win? Make sure to check our blog daily next week, wait for the Primavera product review and details on how it can be all yours! If you need a hint, our first product includes the ingredients Organic Grape Seed and Organic Sage Essential Oil which are prized for their skin clearing and softening benefits.

Thinking about Earth Day this month on Friday April 22, we have devoted our April Challenge to Building a Stronger Connection with Mother Nature. The first place many of us first look to make a difference is changing some of our daily habits. The world today needs our help more than ever, so we have compiled a list of easy ways you can be “greener” in your day to day lives without a lot of effort:

1. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
2. Install a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
3. Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
4. Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
5. Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you’ve just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
6. Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
7. Recycle your old cell phones, computers, and other electronics. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
8. Make your own cleaning products. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
9. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Electronics can still consume energy even when turned off.
10. Run a full dishwasher whenever possible, it uses half the water and energy of washing the same dishes by hand.

Click here to see the full list of new ways you can go greener from World Watch Institute.

Introducing the Birds of Glen Ivy and the Temescal Valley

The Santa Ana Mountains, which rest between Riverside and Orange Counties, are considered to be the last intact coastal ecosystem in Southern California. The Gavilan Hills are one of the region’s most important Grassland Ecosystems and Temescal Creek carves an important riparian corridor between the two lofty ranges. At the heart of where these important natural communities meet is called an ecotone, and this is where we find Glen Ivy Hot Springs.

Because of this diversity in plants, geology, elevation, and the availability of clean surface water, the Temescal Valley is an important flyway and stopover for many birds. With this in mind, Glen Ivy Hot Springs is pleased to present Birds of Glen Ivy and the Temescal Valley. This dynamic new bird list documents more than 3 years of research and field records.

Totaling more than 150 birds, the list includes seasonal occurrences and rarities as well as those you’re likely to see any time at Glen Ivy. Over time the list will grow, as many of the area’s birds like to hide in dense brush, or float on open water. Others are active in the twilight hours and quiet the remainder of the day. To see some of the birds of Glen Ivy and the Temescal Valley, call us for a personalized bird watching tour, ask for a copy of the list during your next visit to the Hot Springs, or download here at home and bring it with you. And who knows, maybe you will be the first to see a bird not yet on the list!

See you soon and happy birding!

-Patrick Mitchell
Director of Landscapes and Sustainability

It’s the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and here at Glen Ivy we try and go green whenever possible. Going green helps to reduce your impact on the environment and if you aren’t already doing your part, today is the perfect day to start! Here are some little ways to go green but that will make a big change!

Paperless Bills. Do all of your billing online. Just check with your bill companies to sign up!

Turn Off Lights When You Leave a Room. Try opening up those blinds or curtains to let natural light in.

Fix Leaky Faucets. You would be surprised how much water gets wasted by a leaky faucet. Another way to conserve water–turn off water while you brush your teeth.

Get a Reusable Water Bottle. Grab an inexpensive reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic disposable bottles. Just purchase a water filter for your refrigerator or sink and you’ll be set! Check out The Story of Bottled Water for some interesting facts!

Unplug Unused Appliances/Electronics. Try plugging all electronics into a power strip and switch the whole thing off when they aren’t in use. This helps prevent “phantom” energy use and can save you up to $200 a year!

Take Shorter Showers. Not only will this lower your water bill, but it will lower your heating bill too!

Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances. Even just switching to one helps! Just look for the “energy star” label.

Install Compact Fluorescent Bulbs. CFL’s consume 75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer!

Use Reusable Bags. Pick some up bags you can use over and over again for shopping trips.

Recycle Electronics. Donate or recycle when it’s time to say bye-bye to your electronics. E-waste contains mercury and other toxins that are hazardous to the Earth.

Remember, even the smallest actions can have lasting environmental effects.

Tell us how you’ve gone green!