Spring Clean Kitchen

Spring Clean Kitchen

I have been known to say, “If you don’t get started, you will never get done!”  This is true about many things in life and especially true about spring cleaning.  I grew up on a farm where we had a row of beautiful lilac bushes.  Each spring they were one of the first flowers to bloom.  Their beauty and scent not only reminds me of the spring but also the time to get spring cleaning.  The kitchen is the best place to start because it is the high-traffic hub of our homes where we gather for meals, smell coffee in the morning, share stories of the day to connect with our family and of course where we raid the pantry.

Also, it is a place where we work hard and make our appliances work harder, often feel crumbs beneath our feet, know there are forgotten spills, crusted-on spots and greasy areas.  For all these reasons, we will start spring cleaning our kitchens.

To get started, you will need: EnviroCloth, Window Cloth, Micro Cleaning Hand Pad, Cleaning Paste, Spirisponge, Descaler & EnviroWand.

  1. Cupboard Tops – Attach your EnviroWand to the Mop System handle and bend your EnviroWand to the width of your cupboards, spray the thick tassel side of the wand with 2 squirts of water and wipe across the tops of your cupboards. For heavy grease spots, use a dab of Cleaning Paste and scrub with a Spirisponge and wipe with a well-wrung EnviroCloth.  Done!
  2. Cupboard Doors – Use your EnviroCloth to wipe down the fronts, backs, sides and knobs.  If you have debris in the nooks and crannies, use the sharp Spirisponge edge to loosen and simply wipe off. Finish by polishing your door fronts with a Window Cloth. Done!
  3. Cupboards – This spring break I enlisted my girls for help! I asked them to choose two cupboards per day to clean.  They chose to work from smallest to largest!!!  They did a fantastic job with just water and an EnviroCloth.  I will give you the same instructions I gave them:
  • Remove Items.
  • Discard expired items.
  • Recycle any empty containers.
  • Wipe down cupboard shelves, edges and walls with a well-wrung EnviroCloth.
  • To remove scuff marks, cut a small square of the Micro Clean Hand Pad and give it a scrub.  Wipe clean with an EnviroCloth.
  • Replace items.
  • Repeat.
  • Done!

Tip for utensil drawers:

  • Vacuum drawer after removing utensils.
  • Use a Micro Clean Hand Pad to remove scuffs in your utensil try and wipe clean with an EnviroCloth.  Done!

utensil drawer collage

4. Back Splash & Counter Top – Remove items from your kitchen counter.  Wipe your back splash and counter tops with a well-wrung EnviroCloth.  If your grout is grungy use a dab of Clean Paste and scrub with a Spirisponge, wipe clean with EnviroCloth.  Done!

5. Sink – Clean the sink basin with a dab of Cleaning Paste and the scrub with a Spirisponge.  Spray the edge around your sink and the base of your faucet with Descaler.  Let sit for a few minutes and scrub with an old toothbrush.  Wipe clean with an EnviroCloth.  Pour two tablespoons of Descaler into a plastic baggie and submerge faucet head, secure with an elastic.  Let sit for a few hours.  Use the sharp Spirisponge edge to remove build up.  Wipe down sink and faucet with EnviroCloth.  It will smile back at you.  Done!

Now go out and enjoy the spring flowers, you have accomplished the start of your spring clean! Check back next week when we will tackle the home appliances.

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

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Toxins and Brain Development?

Toxins and Brain Development?

While we may not see the impact of our decisions now, our children and grandchildren certainly will.  We need to develop a mindset of change for the better, and it is for this reason that I love my job!  Like John Muir, I find that, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” Our choices today, are writing our future.

Here is an eye opening study done by Simon Fraser University, their finding are remarkable. Watch:  Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxins on the Developing Brain.

It is my heart’s desire is to make a difference, one home at a time.  In 2006, no one in my community had a clue what Norwex was.  But back then, our hospitals, nursing homes and health care workers were struggling with a Norwalk virus outbreak.  So, when I would say “Norwex”, they would ask “Norwalk?”  Literally no one knew what Norwex was, it was unheard of.

However, Norwex is now becoming a common household brand name!  I am delighted to do presentations for all types of families. I have grandparents putting away their traditional window-cleaning sprays, mothers and fathers abandoning their use of paper towels and young couples wanting to set up their new homes with ONLY Norwex products.

Young brides were teenage girls less than a decade ago, attending their mother’s first Norwex presentations when I first began as a consultant.  Now, they are ready to start families of their own, and Norwex is the only way they want to clean their homes.  It is my goal to educate this upcoming generation, and show them they are able to clean effectively without the use of harmful chemicals!

I am just one person, but my one shift to switch to the Norwex product line,  is now linked to thousands of home across North America who have now made the same shift.  That is humbling.  One person can make a difference.  I never would have guessed that my desire to teach others would have this ripple effect.  You can have the same impact as Norwex is underrepresented across North America.  You have your own contacts, friends and family whom you can educated.  Join my team today!  I would be happy to train you.  How many homes will you give the gift of Norwex to?  How will you impact their quality of life?

The testimonials which Norwex consultants receive weekly from their customers are evidence that these products are positively impacting the environments of those using them.  One of my greatest satisfactions is knowing that our girls have no recollection of toxic cleaning chemicals in our home.   When they help me at Tradeshows, they explain that the mop pad we are currently using in our home, is the original one we purchased over 10 years ago… and it still works!

Resource: https://youtu.be/E6KoMAbz1Bw

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

 

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How “Micro” is the fiber?

How “Micro” is the fiber?

Getting all of the surfaces in your home as clean as possible, as quickly as possible, can be challenging.  In addition, many of today’s popular cleaners contain harsh chemicals.  One would assume that since they are sold in our local stores that they were tested and are safe to use.

I was shocked to learn that; “About 80,000 new chemicals have been introduced into the environment in the last 50 years.  Sadly, only about 200 of these have ever been assessed for their impact on human health.”   Bjorn Nicolaisen (co-founder of Norwex)

When first introduced to Norwex, I was intrigued and excited, but my husband was the skeptic.   Hearing that Norwex EnviroCloths could clean the surfaces in my home without the need for additional chemical cleaning products was foreign to me. On top of that, the claim that I could clean my home in a quarter of the time seemed too good to be true.  But, I loved a clean home and was more than willing to remove the chemical cleaning products from where I was raising my young family.

My first thoughts included, What’s the difference between Norwex EnviroCloths and the cloths sold at the dollar store?

What differentiates the two is how “micro” the fibers in the Norwex cloth are.  The cloths available at your local store generally have a fiber size of approximately 1/6 the size of a human hair while the EnviroCloth fibers are 1/200th the diameter of a human hair.  It is how “micro” the fibers are that determines the cleaning ability of your cloth.  If we were to completely unravel an EnviroCloth, the 2.9 million meters of microfiber would reach all the way from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada right down to the Gulf of Mexico!

As incredible as that is, there is still more cleaning ability contained within the cloth!  The Envirocloth has BacLock™ in the cloth – micro silver antibacterial agent – that goes to work to self-purify and inhibit odors from bacteria, mold and mildew growth within the cloth.  This self-purification process ensures the cloth is ready to use again within 24 hours.

The Norwex Microfiber has the ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions.  The super-absorbent cloths pick up and trap everything that was on the surface until you rinse it out.

Our family was totally sold on the Norwex product collection when we learned the cloths were already being used to clean hospitals.  It was this simple; if these cloths cleaned to a level high enough to pass the stringent testing required to be used at the hospital, they certainly were good enough for our home!

Key Benefits:

  • Cuts cleaning time by up to 75% by using only water.
  • No need for harmful chemicals.
  • Saves money by using only water.
  • Eliminates the need for paper towels, creating less waste.
  • Used them dry for dusting, it creates static electricity that lifts the smallest particles of dust and dirt up into the cloth and prevents them from resettling on the surfaces.

Did You Know?

  • Norwex Microfiber products are created in state-of-the-art factories with optimal working conditions.  Check out my posts about China.
  • Most paper towels are bleached and then patterned with dyes.  Drying your hands with them can leave your skin rough and cracked.

Warranty:

  • Two Year Warranty
  • 60-Day Money Back Guarantee

As a leader, I was very selective in naming our Team.  My group of consultants are located throughout North America are called:  “The Solution Team.”  Norwex is the solution!  You’ll clean safely, quickly and thoroughly, using super-absorbent EnviroCloths.  You’ll save time, money and the environment by using only water to clean your home.  You will reduce landfill waste, prevent chemicals from getting into our waterways and protect your family’s health as you minimize dust, allergens and chemicals in your home!

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

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Cancer Wake-Up

Cancer Wake-Up

It is often tragedy in our lives that causes us to want to lead healthier lives; tragedy tends to bring about change. Few around the world have been fortunate enough to have been unaffected by cancer, allergies, or disease. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, cancer affected 1 in 87,000. Today, cancer is present in 1 in 3 people, and 150 chemicals found in the home are connected to allergies, birth defect, cancer and psychological disorders*

In 2000, I had my wake up call. My dad was diagnosed with cancer and passed away six weeks later. Born and raised on our family farm, we had all been blessed with perfect health. My dad’s sudden passing was a shock!  We had grown our own vegetables, raised our own beef, grew chickens for meat and eggs, and drank milk straight from the dairy cows. Mom had us ‘canning and jamming’ every fall.  The water in our taps ran off the local glacier.  Our diet would be perfectly described as what is now often referred to as “Clean Eating”.   However aside from preparing our own food, we were unaware that how we tended to some areas of the farm could be harmful to us in the long run. We stained the fences and then washed our hands and arms with farm gas, mixed fertilizer with our bare hands, and inhaled and absorbed all sorts of chemicals inside and outside of our home.

Sir Tom Blundell, Chair of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, said, “Given our understanding of the way chemicals interact with the environment, we are running a gigantic experiment with humans and all other things living”.  And indeed, we are. We are the human guinea pigs of many major chemical companies, and in turn, need to ask ourselves how these products will affect us in the years to come.

Research done by Dr. Dick Irwin, a Toxicologist of Texas A&M University, has proven that “Chemicals have replaced bacteria as the main threat to health. The diseases we are beginning to see as the major causes of death in the latter part of (the 1900’s) and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin.”  Thankfully, Norwex allows to us to move forward into a brighter, healthier, and chemical-free future.

Whether you purchase your cleaning products from store aisles stocked with chemical-containing products or from a company like Norwex, it is your choice how to maintain your home and body.  We all are exposed to a myriad of chemicals daily, but the only environment we can truly control is that within our own homes.  Use of Norwex product is an easy way to radically reduce your exposure to chemicals within your home and ultimately improve the health of you and your family.  While we cannot prevent illnesses from occurring, we can certainly be conscientious about the choices we make for ourselves and our loved ones.

It has become my mission to educate home owners that they have other options in the cleaning of their homes.  I believe when consumers are taught that cleaning can be effective and efficient with the use of natural products, they will definitely choose Norwex!

One home at a time, I will spread the word.  As a team of consultants we are on a global assignment to be good caretakers of this earth and to help others do the same.

Resource: The Consumer Protection Agency.

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

 

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Dying To Look Good!

Dying To Look Good!

Do you own a handbag or two?  Do you go shopping now and then to update your closet to keep up your look fresh?  Here’s a question for you….  what will you wear front and center for the rest of your life?  Your beautiful face!!  Are you investing in the future to maintain that ‘look’ as well?  Let’s take a look at what quality skin care really means as it’s a great investment that can I guarantee you will never regret.

I take great pride in the products I sell.  With confidence I provide my family and friends safe product that will give them the great results they deserve. Because Norwex offers such an array of body care products, there’s something for everyone.

My daughters and I absolutely love the Mediterranean Moisture Aloe Vera Face & Neck Gel which we use twice a day as a toner.  It’s applied after washing our faces with the Body Pack cloths.  For my girls, these products are the perfect combination of a natural cleanser and a wonderfully light moisturizer that keeps their teenage skin healthy.  As for myself, I am a huge advocate of the Naturally Timeless Set. Who doesn’t want to fight the signs of aging?

Norwex has taken skin care to the next level with an exciting breakthrough which focuses on the natural, rejuvenating benefits of a rare apple.

The Swiss apple, Uttwiler Spätlauber, is descendant of a seedling planted in the middle of the 18th century. It is well-recognized for its ability to be stored for long periods without shriveling, exemplifying its longevity virtue.  Rich in phytonutrients and proteins, the apple’s unique ingredients are incorporated into the Naturally Timeless skin care line which offers:

  • Firming Face Serum contains Apple Stem Cells, Multi Peptides and Sea Algae to visibly firm and smooth your skin.
  • Radiant Eye Cream contains an extract from a Persian Silk Tree to reduce signs of dark circles, fine lines and under eye puffiness.  Includes Apple Stem Cells, Multi-peptides and plant based moisturizers to help re-hydrate the delicate tissues around your eyes.
  • Anti-Gravity Night Cream  contains a hydrating blend of essential plant oils, Apple Stem Cells, Shea Butter and plant peptides to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Also contains Sea Algae Extract to rejuvenate your skin at the cellular level overnight.
  • Day Cream contains Apple Stem Cells , precious plant oils and Shea Butter to defend against wrinkles, seal in moisture and boost the radiance of your skin.

This unique offering is currently one of the most pioneering and innovative breakthroughs in skin care development across the globe.

Aside from providing remarkable results, knowing that the products I am applying to my body daily are natural and not laden with ingredients linked to potential health concerns leaves me feeling good both inside and out.  Norwex is one of the few North American companies certified by Ecocert; a company that began in France who sets high standards for natural and organic cosmetic products made in Europe.  They set the benchmark for all to achieve, assuring that the products they approve are being made from renewable resources using environmentally friendly manufacturing methods. Check out Norwex’s other body care certifications here!

Prior to discovering Norwex, many of the products I was using contained “the Dirty Dozen” (learn more about that here!)  However, some products are better than others. To see what’s in your daily skin-care routine, click here.

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Delores VandenBoogaard is an Independent Norwex Sales Consultant from Edmonton, Alberta Canada with customers and consultants throughout Canada and the United States including; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, North West Territories and Ontario. She also has customers and team members in; Michigan, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina, Idaho, Washington, New Hampshire, Iowa and Maine.

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