Friday, April 29, 2011

Save Our Peat Bogs!!

I like to pride myself on being environmentally conscious and responsible, but I have been corrected on a mistake that I've been making for years!

I often talk about planting seeds indoors prior to last frost so that your plants can be ready to plant once the temperatures and ground warm up. I have been recommending using peat pots to do this, since these can be transplanted directly into your garden in the pot. Here are some things that I did not know!

- It takes about 220 years to replace the peat stripped from the land in one year
- Harvesting peat releases carbon dioxide, a known greenhouse gas
- Peat bogs have the amazing ability to remove harmful impurities from water
- Peat bogs hold 10% of the worlds fresh water

This year I purchased Planters' Pride Biodegradable Pellet Greenhouse Kit. Incredibly easy to use, no need for potting soil, and even came with a humidity dome! I've planted my seeds and am now anxiously awaiting the first sprouts.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Join My Mailing List!!

Want to keep up to date with the latest promotions and news from Beyond The Stage Homes? Well then join my mailing list! Visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com and click on the "Join our FREE Email Mailing List" button on the left side of the page, or click here.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Spring Cleaning, Naturally...

Have you noticed how many companies are now offering “healthy” cleaning products? This isn’t a new idea! In fact, before all the fancy, expensive cleaners, our predecessors simply used products that they found around the house. I myself started to turn away from the chemical cleaning products several years back when I noticed one day that I needed an entire closet to store them all! Sure, I still use some now and again, but overall I have found alternative, natural products that work great. Now this isn’t a hippie, tree-hugging, far-out idea. It’s common sense. Natural products will save you money, and are better for you, your family, your pets, and the environment.

The Essentials

I use 3 main household products for cleaning:
1. Vinegar
2. Baking Soda
3. Lemons


Vinegar is your all-purpose cleaner. Use straight, or diluted with water, depending on what you’re cleaning. There are so many uses, that I simply can’t mention them all. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water, and use for cleaning windows, mirrors, and countertops. Use the same solution to mop the floors. Use straight for disinfecting door knobs, and phone receivers. If your showerhead is clogged, remove and soak in undiluted vinegar (scrub holes with a toothbrush). Remove lime and mineral deposits by setting a rag soaked in vinegar on the problem area for about an hour. Run vinegar through your coffee maker and dishwasher to clean out any hard water deposits. You can even add a cup of vinegar to your laundry as a fabric softener.

Baking Soda is great for hard stains. Mix with water to create a paste to remove juice, tea, or wine stains, or use as a chrome polisher (I use it to make my stainless steel sink shine). Pour down a drain and allow to sit for 30 minutes, then flush with hot water to clear clogs. Shake onto your carpet to soak up spills and prevent staining.

Lemon Juice not only helps to remove stains, but smells great. You can also use a little
juice to remove mild tarnishing on silver. Rub a lemon wedge over a cutting board that
you’ve used for onions or garlic to clean and remove the odour left behind.

Natural Air Fresheners
All the above mentioned can also be used as a natural air freshener. Bowls of vinegar or baking soda left in a room can help to absorb odours and freshen a room. Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for an hour before vacuuming to remove odours. Bake an unpeeled lemon in the oven at 300°F and open oven door, or boil in hot water on stove. Other items around the house that can be used to freshen the air are orange
slices, cinnamon, vanilla or almond extracts—boil any combination in hot water on the stove. Another great way to freshen the air is to grow fresh herbs indoors. They’ll also handy to have around for cooking!

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As I mentioned, these are just my favourites for cleaning and deodorizing. I consider these the 3 essentials, but there are many other great cleaning products to be found around your house. Happy, healthy cleaning!

Written by: Shauna Lynn Simon


Phone: 1-266-240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com

www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Join My Mailing List!

Want to keep up to date with the latest promotions and news from Beyond The Stage Homes? Well then join my mailing list! Visit www.beyondthestagehomes.com and click on the "Join our FREE Email Mailing List" button on the left side of the page, or click here.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Make Your Own Re-Usable Shopping Bags

Plastic shopping bags have harmful effects on our environment, and as a result of a more environmentally conscious society, most stores are now charging for plastic bags. Many stores will sell you their branded shopping bags, but what better way to get one that suits your style perfectly then to make one yourself!

My favourite pattern is from Morsbags.com. I started making these before Christmas as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly hostess gift for my holiday gatherings. Most get-togethers during the holidays are pot-luck style in which you're asked to bring an appetizer or dessert. I thought it would be a great idea to bring these goodies in a fabric bag that I could then leave for the host as a gift. They were so well-received that friends and family are constantly contacting me to get more!

The bags take no more than an hour to make, fabric prep and all, and fold up compact to fit easily into your purse. Check out www.morsbags.com for your pattern!

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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

BTSH was a proud sponsor of the 2011 KW MS Walk

Congratulations KW on raising an amazing $220,000 and counting for the MS Society of Canada. Your contributions will help us in our fight to endMS!!

For more information, visit www.mswalks.ca

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Monday, April 18, 2011

Friday, April 15, 2011

Thank you KW for your generosity!!

This week has been an amazing week. As an organizer of the KW MS Walk, I have been actively speaking out to endMS, thanks to the Kitchener Record, and Rogers TV, and my voice has been heard. Thank you so much to Thrive Juice Bar, Distinctively Tea, Boston Pizza, Heffner Lexus Toyota, and The Charcoal Steakhouse for your generosity and support of this great event. Lots of other sponsors are already on board, including Revive, Queen St. Wellness, Zehrs Kitchener-Waterloo, Dominos Pizza, Tim Hortons, Valet Car Wash, Petker & Associates, Dare Foods, Old Dutch Foods Ltd., Weston Bakeries, Jones Packaging Inc., Valet Car Wash, Pamela Wideman Photography, Turtle Jacks Muskoka Grill, and Flashpoint Productions.


If you're interested in sponsoring the event, please email me at ShaunaLynn@btshomes.com. For more information regarding a walk in your area, visit www.mswalks.ca.

Looking forward to a beautiful weekend!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

BTSH is a Proud Sponsor of the KW MS Walk!

On April 17th, 2011, approximately 1000 KW residents will walk in Waterloo through Waterloo Park and Laurel Creek Conservation in an effort to raise funding and awareness for MS. BTSH is a proud sponsor of this year's walk.

If you're interested in showing your support by walking, visit www.mswalks.ca to register.

If you own a business, and would like to sponsor the walk as well, there are opportunities still available. Please contact Shauna atShaunaLynn@btshomes.com.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

BTSH is a Proud Sponsor of the KW MS Walk

On April 17th, 2011, approximately 1000 KW residents will walk in Waterloo through Waterloo Park and Laurel Creek Conservation in an effort to raise funding and awareness for MS. BTSH is a proud sponsor of this year's walk.

If you're interested in showing your support by walking, visit www.mswalks.ca to register.

If you own a business, and would like to sponsor the walk as well, there are opportunities still available. Please contact Shauna at ShaunaLynn@btshomes.com.

Check out Shauna on Rogers Daytime on Monday April 11 at 12pm!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Another BTSH testimonial proving staging works...

Congratulations to the sellers of a recently sold BTSH staged home who had this to say: "You did a wonderful job on the house and we got tons of compliments! It was well worth the money!"

If you're selling your home, be sure to stage before listing. Contact me for details - www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Monday, April 4, 2011

Another BTSH staged property!

MLS# 1191571

This 4-level backsplit in Cambridge features an extra large master bedroom, oversized en-suite with jacuzzi tub, and family room with 10 ft ceilings, gas fireplace, and dry bar. Check it out!!