Annie's Green Living Monthly Column brought to you by Maid Brigade

The Best Advice For Successful New Years Resolutions

January 2012

There is no better time than the present to take stock of your priorities and prepare yourself for the year ahead.

With plenty of motivation, positive reinforcement, and reasonable goals, you can make this year’s resolutions come true. While you want to be successful, you must be realistic in your goal setting.

Make Your Holiday Season Joyous and Green

December 2011

The holiday season is upon us, which is the perfect time to think green. Here are some great tips to keep you feeling healthy, joyous and environmentally-friendly through this wonderful time of the year:

Ways to Avoid Catching Colds and Flu this Season

November 2011

Autumn weather marks the beginning of cool air, colorful foliage, and the cold and flu season.

According to the American Journal of Medicine, the common cold leads to 75 million to 100 million physician visits annually.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 5 to 20 percent of Americans are infected with the flu virus each year, about 200,000 are hospitalized due to complications from the flu, and more than 3,000 Americans die from flu-related causes each year.

Lowering Your Risk of Breast Cancer

October 2011

October marks National Breast Cancer awareness month, the time of year when women can learn all about breast health. It is a month filled with fundraising walks, outings, and luncheons, all aimed to benefit research to find a cure and empower women to fight the fight.

According to the American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2011, there are about 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women, and about 39,520 deaths from breast cancer in women.

About 85% of women who get breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease.

Good-Bye Summer, Hello Germs!

September 2011

School is back in session and that means children may start to bring home more than just homework.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 22 million school days are missed annually due to the common cold alone.

Great Mosquito Repelling Tips From Around The World

August 2011

If there is one thing people all around the world can agree on, it is finding a way to get rid of mosquitoes! Most of us want to avoid using chemical-based repellents on our loved ones, but are not sure which natural approaches work.

Throughout my research on finding the best natural mosquito repellent that money can buy, I have come across tons of advice from bloggers all around the world who have found alternatives to chemical-based mosquito repellents that are just as effective. I compiled a list of the most popular tips that I would like to share with you….Enjoy!

This Summer, Take Time For "You"

July 2011

Ah Summer. There is nothing like it. As I sit here on the beach overlooking the beautiful ocean waves, I realize how important it is to step out of my stressful, everyday routine and enjoy life, nature, and all the beautiful things that our world has to offer, because those moments are what "recharges" me.

Family Activities to Keep Your Summer Fun and Green!

June 2011

We have been counting down the days since March - three months until summer, two months, one. And now that summer's here, it is time to figure out just what to do with all those hours of sunshine and free time. What should we do with our children this summer?

Home Cleaning to Reduce Asthma and Allergy Symptoms

May 2011

More than 15 million Americans suffer from asthma, a life threatening illness that can cause severe lung inflammation. It can start at any time in your life, and can be caused by a mix of factors, including your environment (dust mites and house dander in your home), your lifestyle (the toxin levels that you are exposed to), and your genetics.

The Dangers of Toxic Cleaners

April 2011

The chemical industry is constantly expanding. With the growth of strong and harmful household chemicals in the past decades, the potential for illness has also increased.

Maid Brigade Book Drive Supports Read Across America Day

March 2011

The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. This program focuses on motivating children and teens to read, through events, partnerships, and reading resources. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, community centers, and companies participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books.

Staying Healthy this Flu and Infectious Disease Season

February 2011

With all the differing information available about H1N1 and seasonal influenza, it’s no wonder the average person is confused about the cause of these viruses and how best to prevent contamination.

A New Year, A Greener You!

January 2011

Happy New Year! In the beginning of every year, most of us take a few moments to think about our lives and consider the goals we would like to accomplish, and then set resolutions. While it seems that a great many of those resolutions involve things like losing weight and making money, wouldn’t it be great if we all decided to live a little greener in 2011?

End Of Year Holiday Cleaning Tips

December 2010

As we approach the end of 2010 and look forward to the beginning of a new year, I thought it would be nice to leave you with some great cleaning tips that I have gotten from friends, family members, and co-workers along the way. Use them wisely and share them with your friends so that this year's holiday cleaning can be fun and "green" for us all!

Proper Cleaning for Flu Season

November 2010

Cold and flu season is now upon us! This is the time of year when most of us are concerned about keeping ourselves and our families "germ-free".

We already know the precautions about covering our coughs and sneezes, washing our hands frequently, keeping our hands and fingers away from our faces, and keeping a distance from infectious people...

...but what if the infectious person is someone you live with or work with?

Maid Brigade Celebrates National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 2010

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time when people become more educated about the signs of breast cancer, its symptoms, and how to help prevent it. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, one of every eight women will learn they have invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.

Fall Disinfecting

September 2010

September is here! Summer is winding down, the new school year has begun, and autumn weather is quickly approaching. For many of us, the first sign of autumn isn't just a yard full of leaves. It's the sneezes, sniffles, asthma, and a variety of germs that follow, especially if you have children.

Helping Others Live A Greener, Healthier Life

August 2010

Last year, my husband and I were asked to be part of a new reality TV series called Breakthrough with Tony Robbins. Robbins chose six families, all with different struggles in their lives, and helped them overcome tough obstacles to get back on the right track. The show recently aired two of its six series.

What Chemicals are in Your Cosmetics?

July 2010

Did you ever try to read the ingredients on the back of a bottle of shaving cream or face wash? You probably read things like, "propylene glycol, quaternary ammonium compound, or nonylphenols." What the label didn't tell you is that these ingredients are all known to be hazardous chemicals, in some cases causing bronchial asthma, gastritis, skin irritation, and even death.

Green Ways to Prevent Mold, Mildew, and Bugs

June 2010

The hot weather has finally arrived, which means summer is almost here. Summer brings lots of good times and family fun, but it also brings heat, humidity, mold, mildew and bugs!

Throughout the month of June, Maid Brigade will be discussing non-toxic ways to prevent and remove mold and mildew in and outside the home, plus offer green cleaning tips on keeping your home "mildew-free." For those interested in a "bug-free" summer, we will also be discussing different kinds of natural insect pest control. Log on to blog.maidbrigade.com for more information.

Make this summer a happy, healthy, and "green" summer for you and your family!

Spring Cleaning For Allergy Sufferers

May 2010

In a recent survey by the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about 20 percent of the U.S. population suffer from allergies and asthma, and their conditions are exacerbated by the tiny dry particles floating around our homes. The natural response to this is to keep our homes sparkling clean, but unfortunately some of the products we use to rid our home of allergens contain irritating ingredients themselves.

Do You Know What Chemicals Are In Your Cleaners?

April 2010

When it comes to household cleaners, consumers have little or no information about the chemicals contained in these products and there is no legal requirement for full ingredient labeling. Don't you have a right to know what is inside the cleaners you use in your home and around your families?

Introducing Marie

March 2010

As Maid Brigade’s new Consumer Health Advocate, I believe that “green” living is such an important step in healthy living. I feel there are still so many people that are confused with what is “green and healthy” for their families and the environment and what is not, especially when it comes to green products and green cleaning. I can understand how doing research on this topic can be very time consuming, so through my role as Consumer Health Advocate, I plan to do the research and keep our readers informed about proper green cleaning and how this way of life is healthier for our families. This way you can focus your time on more important things in life.

Go With Chemical-Free Cleaning in 2010!

February 2010

There are many easy (requiring no work), unexpected and ground breaking, as well as new yet routine ways to go with chemical-free cleaning in 2010. What do I mean by chemical-free? Easy, smart ways to get the job done without chemical products –even natural ones-- and how.

2009 Holiday Crisis Cleaning Tips

December 2009

The holidays tend to present more emergency cleaning challenges than other times of year. This month Annie shares her helpful green cleaning tips to ease your stress this holiday season!