Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner

When I lived in Italy, I had an extremely strange fascination with the smell of a particular dishwashing solution. I secretly relished in the smell every day and always offered to do the cleaning up after dinner, if only to be able to openly whiff the scent.

In this light, it's no surprise that I love a clean house, and one that smells good.

Since moving into our apartment, we've made it our mission to take good care of the butcher block and countertops, making our home as much of a calming space as possible. What this translates to is constant surface wipedowns, making our big weekly clean the opposite of a big deal. It also means that if I'm touching cleaning products more frequently, I'd rather it be something that I feel comfortable being around my body as on it.

Many mainstream all-purpose cleaners wade into dangerous territory with the addition of antibacterial agents that have even the FDA up in arms. Whether you're as much of a clean freak or not, it's likely that you spend some time with a towel in one hand and some type of all-purpose cleaner in the other. 

Below is my recipe for a  fresh-scented all natural all-purpose cleaner that you can whip up in five minutes flat, and use to keep your bathroom, kitchen and tables clean. White vinegar is an unbelievably effective and non-toxic all-purpose solution, and when combined with essential oils, lemon and distilled water, won't make your home smell like a salad. Use freely on wood, porcelain and glass surfaces, but steer clear when treating marble or granite as they're more porous in nature.

Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner

3 parts distilled water

1 part organic distilled white vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

7-10 drops lemon essential oil

3-5 drops sweet orange essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a glass bottle with a spray top. Shake before use as ingredients may separate, spray surface and wipe down with a warm cloth.

Happy weekend...

I'm looking forward to a few days of centering myself and cooking up some warming meals while the snow falls outside. Here are a few things that are currently floating around my brain space to take you into the weekend:

• Rediscovered The Pious Bird of Good Omen, the early Fleetwood Mac album, which grooved me toward the end of the week. Really dig the wildly sexy version of "Black Magic Woman." 
• Mesmerized by Yuri Ancarani's video of a Italian marble quarry boss, his gentle gestures and the enormity of it all.
• Reminded by this article of the value of lunchtime walks. We sit too much at work - period. Next week, let's all promise to get out of the office and give our brains a break. 
• And lastly, touched by this beautiful quote on the personal nature of forgiveness that has stuck with me over the past month, from the wonderful revived "Dear Sugar" podcasts on WBUR:

“The hard thing is that you have to do all the work. And the beautiful thing is that you get to do all the work.”

— Cheryl Strayed

Soul Soothing Emotional Management

Emotions.

I've been thinking a lot lately about how important, yet difficult it is to manage them, particularly when the timing isn't right ... which is generally when they tend to hit. But really, when was the last time you felt a strong emotion and took the time to stop, step back, and try to understand where it was coming from?

On a day to day basis, this is easier said than done. But studies show that emotional intelligence is just as important as work ethic and IQ when it comes to being successful in work and life.  On the flip side, a steady diet of emotional distress can wreak havoc on your health, your resilience, and your focus.

“The emotional brain responds to an event more quickly than the thinking brain.”

— Daniel Goleman

Last year, I had the pleasure of attending a conference out west and hearing from The Energy Project, a firm that partners "with organizations to create workplaces that are healthier, happier, more focused and more purposeful." Part of our experience focused on discerning how adequately we each were currently meeting the four core needs they believe we all have in life: Physical, Spiritual, Mental and Emotional.

The Energy Project defines "emotional energy" as being "about learning to cultivate the specific emotions associated with high performance, because how people feel profoundly influences how they perform." In this light, if emotions affect the way we feel, and the way we feel affects the way we perform, then a good portion of our happiness lies within how well we can understand and manage emotions themselves.

People who mindfully manage their emotions tend to demonstrate self-awareness, motivation and empathy, which in turn can also help create a more balanced, and even longer, life. Compared to the alternative, that doesn't sound so bad. Below are a few key steps to take when your emotions hit the fan.

Quick Tips for Managing Emotions

Breathe. Next time you feel the urge to pour out your frustrations, instead try taking a few slow, deep breaths. Count to 3 as you inhale, and 6 as you exhale. Research shows that venting actually fuels your anger, rather than extinguishing it, as does quietly dwelling on your negative feelings.

Translate. Dr. Darlene Mininni, author of The Emotional Toolkit created the following formula to identify emotions: thoughts + body sensations = emotion. Once you've accepted the reality, bucket your emotion into one of the following categories - anxiety, sadness, anger and happiness - and identify how your thoughts and related physical reactions align. 

For example, if a deadline has you stressed, you might feel angry, causing your heart to race and your muscles to tighten. Pinpointing these details can help you ask yourself the right questions about what exactly you're feeling, and how it affects you, and better cope by moving forward.

Write, write, write. People who write, and re-write, have a better handle on their emotions, which can "lead to behavioral changes and improve happiness." Keeping a journal can also help you track emotions, take notice of patterns, and identify what habits or stimulants might be stirring your emotions.

Spicy Turmeric-Honey Elixir

Throughout much of the winter, it's a battle to ward off sickness, particularly when stress levels are high and there are germs abound. Drinking more water and keeping clean hands only goes so far. And for this, I've discovered that turmeric is powdered gold.

How It Works

As our bodies age, they must work harder to balance both the stressors of every day life and healthy restorative rebuilding. Certain herbs and spices called adaptogens can help us respond to these continuously changing environments by normalizing our cells and aiding in the recovery process. Turmeric in particular helps boost the immune system due to it's high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature. It's also a great addition to boost skin health, though be careful if applying topically as it stains quite easily. 

How to Use It

Turmeric has a mild peppery taste and is fantastic as a cooking spice in many South Asian and Moroccan dishes. But for a quick remedy, I've been creating a simple paste that can be kept in a jar on the counter for an easy and warming drink.

Spicy Turmeric-Honey Elixir

1/4 cup raw honey

2 teaspoons ground turmeric

1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder

Freshly ground pepper

1/2 lemon

Place honey in a jar or cup. Mix in turmeric and cayenne to create a thick paste. If storing for future use, cover and keep at room temperature.

To serve, scoop a teaspoon into a mug and pour hot water over. Stir spoon until paste is evenly dissolved. Squeeze in 1/2 a lemon and top with plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.