Fast - Pray - Give

For many, this time of year is known as Lent.  "Lent" is the term given to the forty days leading up to Easter.  It is normally characterized by fasting.  

The primary question asked by people who are familiar with the tradition of Lent is, "What are you giving up?"  And traditionally the answers are "chocolate," "ice cream," 
"TV," and the like.  

In actuality Lent is meant to be a tool that we use to prepare our hearts and homes.  A way of turning down the static that the everyday frenzy of life creates so that we can focus on our values and take some time to see if our life is aligned to those values. 

To sum this up, it is a time to: 

-Fast (from the excesses that have built up over the past year),  

-Pray (think about our goals & values, hopes & dreams, actions & in-actions), and  

-Give (put our values into practice). 

I have found a wonderful website that makes getting involved in Lent fun and easy.  It has a Lenten calendar that offers very brief inspirational messages as well as different goals for each of the forty days.  Look on the right side of this page to find the link to Busted Halo and join in. 

By practicing what we preach 

we can all be 

a Ray of Hope in this world, 

no matter what our faith or belief.

Some more cleaning products...

A company called biokleen recently sent me some of their product samples and I have been trying them out over the past 2 weeks.  They sent me samples of their Laundry Liquid, Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator, and some Dish Liquid.

The Laundry Liquid: It is a 32oz bottle that washes 32 regular loads (64 HE loads).  It is scented with grapefruit & orange extracts.  I actually like using this detergent.  I personally think that the smell is pleasant and not overpowering.  My clothes come out clean and there are not a lot of extra soapy suds in the washer like some of the regular detergents I've tried. 
The Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator:  Also a 32oz bottle, is scented with lime extract.  The bottle lists it's uses to include not only stain and odor removal from laundry and carpets but also general cleaning, including bathrooms & mold/mildew removal.  Although I do like the smell of lime, I really didn't find this product to work very well.  It didn't leave much of any type of smell (either limey or clean) after I cleaned the house with it.  I also tried it on some laundry stains and saw no results.
The Hand Moisturizing Dish Liquid:  Another 32 oz bottle scented the same as the laundry liquid.  I've been using it liberally to wash pots, pans and dishes and am finding that liberally is how I have to use it.  It does not go nearly as long a way as my regular dish liquid.  I am constantly pouring more onto my sponge.  To be fair though, I am still washing dishes with the water running the entire time and the bottle does recommend that you fill the sink, add a capful to the water, and then wash them.  I also do not feel that it has been mild or moisturizing to my hands at all.  One other use listed on the bottle is as a pet shampoo.  Maybe I'll find better luck using it like that.
Finally, Biokleen's products must be purchased in stores (Whole Foods carries them as well as other health stores) and not through their website.
Of the three products I would only comfortably recommend the laundry detergent.
In the meantime, my dish-washing habits remind me that I need to work on trying to conserve water a bit better!  If you have any suggestions about water conservation let me know.