GREEN BODY: De-bug naturally with chemical free repellant

Want to stay bug-free while basking in the sun and participating in your favorite outdoor activities? Here are several products that may keep the bug bites away without all of the harsh chemicals:

Burt's Bees Herbal Insect Repellant is a spray that combines Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Citronella oils.

BiteBlocker® Herbal Insect Repellent Spray formula protects against bites from mosquitoes and black flies.

Terrain Herbal Armor Natural Insect Repellent Pump Spray is biodegradable, cruelty - free, and contains no petrochemicals or animal byproducts.

Quit Bugging Me Insect Repellant Spray made by Jason Natural Products is DEET, PABA and paraben free and contains natural oils to repel bugs.

Kiss My Face Obsessively Natural SwyFlotter Tick & Insect Repellent with Lemon Eucalyptus is DEET and paraben free and also safe for kids. The product contains citronella, pennyroyal and tansy.

GREEN ENERGY: Go out, save energy in your home

Here are the top 10 places you can go to, during the summer heat, and save the energy in your home. When you're at home during the day, you have to use your fans, your air conditioner, your computer, etc. This one is for those of you who work at home, or are off of work during the summer.

I'm going to do this David Letterman style (LOL)!

10. Bake or buy a lovely batch of brownies or muffins and take them over to a friend or your sweet grandmother. You can relax at their house, enjoy the brownies with muffins or herb tea and save energy at your house! This is not to be confused with freeloading, for the simple fact that you are bringing an edible offering with you!

9. Volunteer at a local youth or senior center. Participate in or lead fun activities such as: games, creative writing, visual art/crafts making and movie screening.

8. Drive to a nearby town or the next state over and go sight seeing. Pack a lunch so that you don't have to spend any money!

7. Check out new exhibits at local museums.

6. Go for a walk and a picnic lunch in the park. Take a friend, books and magazines, and a frisbee to make a day of outdoor fun.

5. You may have to spend a little money, but if you love the spa for manicures, pedicures, facials, etc. you can spend some hours there pampering your body and easing your mind. Maybe plan to spend $50 or less, at least less than what it would take to cool your home for the 8-10 hours that you may normally be up using power.

4. Barnes & Noble, Borders and other bookstores stay open all day and much of the evening. Read your favorite books and enjoy coffee or teat in their cafe.

3. The library is always free and kept very cool and quiet! You can read, write, and check your email on the computers. Quiet as it's kept some people have been known to find a cushy corner of the library and take a nap!

2. Go to your gym and work out, try some laps in the pool to strengthen and cool off!

DRUMROLL...And, the number #1 place to go when it's hot and you want to save energy in your home: THE BEACH! You might as well enjoy the sun and sand. Remember to drink plenty of fluids AND wear your sunscreen!

Remember, when you're away from home, you are not using power in your home. The whole idea is saving power = saving energy=saving the strain on the environment=saving $ and resources!

Yours in a sea of green,

DuEwa Frazier

GREEN HEALTH: Ways to beat the summer heat!

The summer season can be relaxing, fun and entertaining for some, or a hot, sticky, bothersome season for others. There are a number of ways in which you can stay cool and healthy during the summer, while also saving energy in your home.

TIPS FOR STAYING COOL IN THE SUMMER

• When it is especially sunny outside, during the daytime, I close my blinds in the living room so that it stays cool.


• If I use the air conditioner I turn it on just long enough to cool the place, and then to save energy (and to keep from getting too cold), I turn the air off.


• I try not to use a curling iron or other heating tools on my hair when it is very hot. These tools use up alot of energy and with a full head of hair like mine, my hair may frizz out anyway. In this case I opt for my favorite "air dry" hairstyles.


• On a hot day, my kitchen and living room are usually warm. To avoid heating my entire place to an uncomfortable temperature, I try to cook on top of the stove as much as possible.


• If you do not have an air conditioner and you find yourself using one of more fans to keep cool at night, try dampening a small face towel and leaving it in your freezer in a sandwich bag for a few minutes. Once the wash towel is nice and cold, rub your face, neck, chest and arms with it. This method should cool you off in no time!


• Drink plenty of H20. If you do not trust the good ole' tap, try instilling a water filter on your kitchen faucet so that you can drink cool water round the clock and take a bottle or two with you when you go out.


• Wear sun glasses, sunscreen, cool hats and anything else that will help you enjoy the summer and stay healthy.

Here is an article featuring other tips for staying cool. Enjoy!

Yours in a sea of green,

DuEwa Frazier