Our planet is suffering and it is time that we are careful with resources and the environment. With a little thought and know-how, anyone can contribute to a healthier environment and thus to a healthier life for themselves.

1. Use items over again, instead of constantly buying new products. Look around to see if the item you are considering purchasing is actually needed.
2. Surround yourself with natural durable materials, instead of polluting the environment with plastic materials.
3. Avoid unnecessary products, like room fragranced sprays, and air fresheners which pollute the environment and are often unhealthy. Instead, ventilate with fresh air which is free!
4. Switch to organic, which reduces pollution and is better for your health. Shop at local farmers markets, which cuts down on transportation of products.
5. Fill the washing machine completely, not only half way. Dry your clothes outside instead of in the dryer.
6. Turn off electrical devices when they are not in use. Pull the plug out from the wall because otherwise many devices will consume more power.
7. Avoid bottled water. Drinking plenty of water is healthy, but the transportation of this water to markets is often long. Water from plastic bottles also takes more resources and can lead to more pollution. Filter your tap water which saves money and resources.
8. Take a basket or tote bag to the market with you instead of constantly using new plastic bags which can pollute nature.
9. Avoid expensive packaged products.
10. Do a lot of walking instead of always using the car. It consumes less fuel and is better for the environment.
11. Power with “green energy.”
12. Plant a tree in the garden. It filters the air, produces tons of oxygen and binds the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

Bees and wasps are also beneficial insects, and do not need to be controlled chemically – use natural alternatives for protection instead

Life shifts to the outdoors as the wonderful warm season begins. The terrace, the garden, and the balcony often replace the living room and dining room for breakfast. Nothing compares to a fresh morning breakfast start, enjoying the first rays of sun out in nature. Unfortunately, quickly pests such as wasps and bees appear, also smelling the delicious things on the patio table from afar. This can also be dangerous if they go unnoticed and fly into a glass or have contact with a food that enters the mouth.

Tips and home remedies for wasps and bees on the patio and balcony

• Leave no open jam jars or sweets on the table
• Use mosquito hoods for use sausage plates
• Cover glasses and cups
• Screw bottles or always put a closure
• Hang wasp traps made of glass or clay with attractant (sugar water, beer, etc.) at some distance
• Grow plants with natural repellents or plant in pots, for example, lavender, thyme, or marjoram
• Put an orange or lemon studded with cloves on the table
• Use a fan (insects do not like drafts)
• Set up the evening blue light bait
• If it is really bad, hang a summer canopy of netting and set the table underneath. This can also be very decorative

One should do without any type of chemical pesticides (sprays, plugs with pesticide, pesticide-containing candles or incense, stickers with integrated pesticide, etc.). They usually contain nerve poisons that are effective but in the long run, very harmful. Bees and wasps are also beneficial insects, and do not need to be controlled chemically. You have natural pesticide alternatives to use for protection instead.

Author: Silvia K. Müller, CSN – Chemical Sensitivity Network

Many dining room tables and kitchen and terrace tables are made of untreated wood. Its unique appeal reflects the “country style” or “bohemian” trends again.

But what is the best care for the surface of a wooden table without a painted surface?

Is wax or oil a better treatment?

Carnauba wax dissolved in water with no additives and is certainly a good alternative that leaves a clean surface. However, oils, on the other hand, often contain solvents, resins, and essential oils as additives. Thus, many friends with allergies do not like oil because of the pollutants and allergy-triggering ingredients. Particularly, those with sensitivity to chemicals would rather choose a completely untreated surface.

Pure Nature House Fairy Tips: Care of untreated solid wood tables

Wash the table after every meal with a cloth and soapy water.

What should be done to grease stains from food or water stains from a glass on the table?

No problem: Just give a little Vienna lime or other fragrant free scouring powder on a cloth or cleaning gloves and scrub the surface lightly. In no time the stains are gone and the surface is sparkling clean.

An added bonus effect: The surface of the wooden table from the fine-grained sand or lime leaves the surface quite smooth and velvety.