Blog Posts by Intent.com

My last post talked about taking care of your pet from one end to the other. Most of us hope that's all we ever have to worry about. Unfortunately sometimes there are health issues that concern us. Fleas and ticks may be a nuisance, but they also carry diseases that can affect you pet.

One of the best ways to treat these concerns is with a natural solution or preventative care. Just as with humans, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Some of the solutions below may surprise you, but they are proven to work - just ask Annie!

Flea Care Too many soaps and sprays are toxic to the animal and the environment. Consider more natural solutions to problems like combating fleas the natural way by frequent and thorough vacuuming (disposing of the vacuum bag afterwards), bathing and combing your pet often, using herbal flea repellents such as pennyroyal, and adding garlic and brewer's yeast to your pet's food. All Natural Pet has some great natural products for flea control. I use

Read More »from Protect & care for your pet the green way

Kermit's words have never been truer than they are today. It ain't easy being green, especially when it comes to your personal care regimen. With all the efforts being made to green our cars, homes and even our government, we can sometimes get overwhelmed and give up at the thought of spending extra time and money searching out the perfect eco-friendly shampoo.

So what's a greenie to do? First off, cut yourself some slack. If you have the time and resources to go all out I applaud you...but if you don't, simply start small and begin phasing out the things in your cabinet that our planet can easily do without on an "as you use them" basis.

Now, where to start?

Lip balm - These days everyone uses it. It's not only about a fruity kissable pucker anymore; it's protecting your lips against harsh elements with a balm that is gluten, paraben, petroleum and certified cruelty free. Eco Lips brand balms come in a variety of SPF 15 and SPF 30 (thank you!) tubes ranging from your basic, toRead More »from How to Green Your Beauty Regime

Raising children is hard enough without worrying about the environmental consequences of your parenting choices. Don't sweat it. You already care about your child's well-being and green choices make it easier. If you are losing sleep over diaper selection - biodegradable or cloth - let it go. Many have entered the landfill vs. water consumption debate with no clear winner (check out Green Is Universal for Mr. Green's opinion on the eco-friendly diaper conundrum). Life is full of these imponderables and who knows that better than parents trying to answer their children's questions. My in-laws tell me they are still traumatized from all the difficult questions my wife threw at them when she was a preschooler. When it comes to eco-parenting, here are eight fundamentals:

1. ) Lead by example. You are the greatest role model your child will have. She will look up to you, learn from you, and embrace your habits. If you teach when you talk, you avoid many of the "why" questions that

Read More »from Eco-Parenting in 8 Simple Steps

When did eating become so complicated? How do we sort our way through hundred mile diets and the dilemmas of omnivores? Should I feel terrible for eating California lemons in Canada?

Everyone needs to eat but the act has evolved from necessity to complexity. Humans have developed an unhealthy relationship with food.

As we struggle to embrace environmentally-responsible lifestyles, that relationship with food becomes even more complex.

It's enough stress to give anyone heartburn, but here are some simple suggestions to nurture your inner green foodie:

1.) Seek the local advantage. If you can get fresh local produce in your community you are doing yourself and the planet a world of good -- minimal transportation, minimal greenhouse gas emissions, minimal preservatives (and probably pesticides) and maximum flavor and nutrition.

2.) Eat your veggies…and fruit. Mom was right, and there is no denying it. To paraphrase healthy eating pioneer and Fit for Life author Harvey Diamond, those

Read More »from 6 Steps to a 'Greener' Diet

Dating today is a lot different, from an eco-friendly perspective, than it was 25 years ago when I first met my wife.

In 1984 we would hit the McDonald's on the way to the beach and order bags of fast food placed in Styrofoam containers. After we had our fill of the sun, we would jump back in the car and drive the short one-half mile distance from the shoreline to the Boardwalk where we would play Putt-Putt and shop for souvenirs.

While Mary Beth and I still enjoy our time at the beach, our approach has changed based on our knowledge of how we can better protect the Earth for our children and grandchildren and so on. While there is still plenty of interest from both of us to keep the passion and romance alive, we are beginning to learn how to find romantic things to do that respects our planet at the same time.

1. Exchange cards or notes made out of recycled papers. Nothing delights me more than to find a card or note Mary Beth has left for me. Today, it's easy to find recycled

Read More »from 9 Green Dating Ideas for Earth Day

I want to make Earth Day more than just another celebration. I am taking a vow to reduce and where possible eliminate any chemical cleaning products that are not earth friendly. I hope you join me!

Making Earth Friendly Products

Here are the ingredients and how they will be used. You will save money and be a healthier citizen for our planet in the process.

White Vinegar:

A natural all purpose cleaner. A disinfectant and deodorizer, but always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and is incredibly cheap.
You can use it to clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. When the water level goes down, squirt the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim and scrub.

Vinegar should never be used on marble floors.

Here is how you mix it properly: ½ vinegar with ½ water Lemon, Grapefruit/Lime: Citrus is great for cutting grease and leaves a nice smell. You can use it fresh or as an Read More »from Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products You Can Make For Your Space

Now that you intend on having an open and honest sex life, how do you plan on getting him into the sack? Slutty and sexy are a couple of very effective tools you have at your disposal for snagging a guy. Both tactics will get you a man, but will they secure him for the long term? There are a few things you need to know about acting slutty versus acting sexy before you use them.

Slutty

It's so easy for women to be slutty. It only requires two ingredients: skimpy clothes and attitude. When it comes to clothes, it's not about what you're wearing, but how little you're wearing. It's about skirts so short that they come with a government health warning. It's about blouses and tops that are so see-through that they might as well not be there. Cut is also important, as items should either be cut high or plunge low. Underwear isn't necessarily a must, and if you're going to wear some, it should be obvious what Victoria's keeping secret. And remember, slutty dressing is a minimalist art --

Read More »from Slutty Versus Sexy: How Do You Plan to Snag the Guy?

When battling depression, many people go to their medical doctor and get a prescription for an antidepressant. The recommended treatment for mild to moderate depression is psychotherapy and, if needed, a prescription for an antidepressant. Medication seems to be the first line of defense. Psychotherapy is rarely mentioned. In addition, there are many things clients can do for themselves to reduce depression symptoms, yet this information is rarely presented either. You can try these techniques instead of medication if you are mildly or moderately depressed. You can use them in addition to medication if more severely depressed. What are some of these things you can do for yourself?

A lot of things you can do for depression require you to do the opposite of how you feel when depressed. Depressed people often stay indoors, do not go out, keep the drapes drawn and the lights out. They often sleep all day and stay up all night. They do not exercise or clean house. They frequently let

Read More »from Treat Your Own Depression - Naturally