Norwex - why didn't I think of this??

I was reading some of my many favorite cleaning/organizing/decluttering blogs a few weeks ago, looking for some recipes for homemade glass cleaner that wouldn't leave streaks of yellow (pollen) all over my windows. One of the bloggers mentioned mentioned how much she "loves Norwex window cloths". Off I went in search of them...

I first found them for sale on some big-name shopping sites (one of which starts with an "A" and ends with a "mazon"). This shop wanted as much for shipping as the items themselves - that's never made sense to me.

The more I looked, the more I read and learned and finally I landed on a site where I could sign up to sell these products and by that time, I was hooked. Or at least, I thought I'd get a bunch of really cool new cleaning supplies to play with...and I LOVE cleaning supplies ...just take a peek in my hall closet if you don't believe me.

Fast-forward about a week: I got my starter kit in the mail and started using the products. I have to admit, I was skeptical. I've bought microfiber cloths in the past and frankly, I thought they didn't do a bit of good. I've been more of a plain ol' dish-towel girl, using old ones to wipe up messy spills and clean doggie-water-bowl-dribbles off the floor.

Friday night (yes, I'm a wild woman): I started trying out the supposedly "amazing" microfiber cloths. And if the fact that I was still scrubbing anything I could get my hands on at midnight tells you anything - YES, they are AMAZING! My daughter was laughing at me, because I was literally wiping down everything in the house with these cloths dampened with tap water.

Here are a few things I have cleaned, so far, with the Norwex Antibacterial Microfiber Cloth:

All of the kitchen counters
Stove (top to bottom)
Fridge doors/handles
Sharpie off the bathroom tile (don't ask)
Walls behind trashcan (yuck, they get gunky!)
Door frames and window sills
My future son-in-law's Playstation 3 (hey, they get dusty and have lots of fingerprints!)

If you have cheap flat white paint on your walls, you feel my pain at trying to keep them clean...I wiped down a few walls of my own - painted with cheap flat white paint - that didn't get damaged one bit from the cloth and looked like new after.

I tried the dry mop over the weekend. Frankly, I wasn't very impressed. But maybe I'm not using it right or something, because everyone else raves about how great it is. I should read the instructions or something...will report back on this when I use it again.

The window cloth that I'd originally been searching for is... for lack of a better phrase... the best thing since sweet tea, Cheerwine, and Sun Drop! And if you're a fellow Southerner, you KNOW how great sweet tea, Cheerwine, and Sundrop are! For my yankee friends - it's the best thing since a grilled brat or Euchre. (How's that?) No streaks whatsoever, works dry or dampened with a little water... I'm gonna have birds flying into my windows like on that commercial (but without the stinky smell of that product)

Anyway, just thought I'd share my experience, and if you're at all interested in learning more or getting some Norwex stuff for yourself (either as a hostess - online, in-person, or business orders) just give me a shout via email or my Facebook page!

A new (ad)venture!

So, I've been talking for awhile with a friend of mine (actually my niece's stepsister) about her home-based business. I really HATE selling things - which is why my Avon and Tupperware businesses went kaput. LOL I'm just not a salesperson, I don't like to pressure people (not that all Avon & Tupperware people do!), and I loathe having home "parties" to sell stuff to my friends and family that they don't really need - just so I can get some freebies. That said, I have been known to attend many such parties - and I'm a sucker for a great smelling candle or new storage container! :)

Most work-at-home jobs are in sales, as we all know. Been there, tried them. Don't like 'em. I wanted to work with a company that makes a difference in the world. I'm trying to make our home as green as possible, and this company is SO earth-friendly and environmentally-conscious! I just love that. This is truly a company I can be proud of and enjoy working with.

With my job in somewhat of a precarious state due to the economy, I am VERY happy to have found out about this opportunity to make some extra cash from home, and possibly replace my existing income and work at home full time - which is what my friend has done in just the past few months! I've already met my great team that is helping me to get up and running. So excited!!!

If you want to know more about this, just click on my banner and click "Get more info" and I will contact you - NOT a telemarketer or some sales agent. And yes, I have set up a website already - as I said, I'm not a salesperson, but I AM a very proud geek! ; )

Memorial Day Meat?

This is a strange post for a day that is traditionally celebrated with cookouts featuring moist hamburgers, perfectly grilled hotdogs, thick steaks, and so on... But I'm just not in a meat mood lately. I'm seriously considering going vegetarian. Not vegan, I can't begin to imagine giving up cheese! But using beans and other high protein foods in place of meat-filled meals, and eating lots more fresh fruits and berries and veggies. Perfect time for that, right? With the gardens about to overflow with fresh produce!

Sometimes just the texture of meat turns me off - I've been known to spit out a bite when the thought crosses my mind "This is something's flesh I'm chewing!" (don't worry, I do spit it out in a napkin, and have mastered the art of making it look like I'm just wiping my mouth) It's funny, I called my sister today to ask her a question about making homemade granola and she told me that she has been feeling the same way lately about eating meat. Not that it's a protest against animal cruelty, or even for health reasons (though that is certainly a benefit!) - but just cuz it seems ....well....gross lately. Maybe it's age? Anyone else change your eating habits for no apparent reason the older you got? Please share!

Anyway, I went to Earthfare today and got some really yummy, organic stuff to make my granola. And I got my very first wheatgrass shot! I had seen some show on tv where the people were drinking it and gagging and like it was just the nastiest thing EVER. But I was pleasantly surprised. It was kind of a ...well...grassy taste. LOL Fresh, not bitter, went down very easily - and I got a little psychological boost for doing something "healthy for my body" (even though some people debate the claims of many "wheatgrass pushers", one thing is for sure - it's packed with vitamins and minerals by all accounts).

I've also been drinking green smoothies for a few weeks now, and I can REALLY tell when I don't have one in the morning. I didn't have time today, and after running my daughter and her friend all over the place shopping, I was a little sluggish by the time we got home. I'm almost certain if I'd had my green smoothie before we left, I'd have had a lot more energy. My favorite smoothie is just a combo of mixed frozen berries (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry), a little OJ to help it mix up, and all the spinach I can stuff in it. I use my Magic Bullet and it makes the perfect, single-serving every time. Blend the fruit and OJ first as a base, then just keep adding organic spinach and blending until you have a full serving. Sound like it would be pretty nasty - but it's one of THE best smoothies I've ever had - and a lot cheaper than buying one at some expensive smoothie bar! Try it yourself and play around with flavors you like - I bet you'll be hooked. :) Oh yeah, don't be alarmed if your berry green smoothies don't turn out green - they still taste great! (I've had a couple that were more like a brown...but they were also the yummiest!)


Anyway, not really sure why I felt the need to share all of that here...I guess I don't really have much else to report these days. Been a really busy weekend, but nothing very interesting. So...for Meatless Monday - I'm

Melinda, signing off and going to make some granola! :)