Easy DIY Green Cleaning Tips and Recipes from ACHS and Metro's Caran Goodall

Do you know the difference between chlorine bleach and other whitening agents? How about natural ways to get streak-free windows and a sparkling kitchen?

To learn these tips and more, check out our YouTube video Safe, Simple Recipes for a Clean Healthy Home presented at American College of Healthcare Sciences in Portland, Oregon, by Caran Goodall from Metro.



Have you tried these recipes for soft scrub and general cleanser? Or, perhaps you have perfected your own recipes? Let's do a green cleaning recipe exchange! Feel free to post your comments and feedback about the recipes in Safe, Simple Recipes for a Clean Healthy Home and your tried-and-true green cleaning recipes.

Lavender U-Pick at ACHS and Lavender Open House Pictures

Our Lavender Open House July 20 was so much fun! Thanks to everyone who participated.

If you're in the Portland area but were unable to attend in-person, stop by the ACHS campus @ 5940 SW Hood Ave, Portland for U-PICK LAVENDER from our Botanical Teaching Garden. It's just $6/bunch! Call (503) 244-0726 for more info. We look forward to seeing you!

We posted pictures from the Lavender Open House to ACHS Facebook here facebook.com/ACHSedu Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite lavender tips!

Visit our YouTube channel ACHStv for videos of the day's demonstrations, too.

Photo of Erika Yigzaw, ACHS Chief Institutional Officer and Master Gardener, demonstrating how to pot lavender and herbs. Image by Joel Strimling, Dean of Freshmen Students. Image © ACHS 2011.

ACHS Annual Lavender Open House, Distillation, and U Pick July 20

We are soooooo excited about our Lavender Open House tomorrow. If you're in the Portland area, make sure to stop by the ACHS campus from 11 am-2 pm for a workshop about the health benefits of lavender, growing lavender, and how to distill and harvest lavender. It's going to be lots of fun!

If you're able to attend, make sure to RSVP to (503) 244-0726 or email achs@achs.edu. The event will be at the ACHS campus at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland Oregon 97239. You can find directions to our campus online here: http://www.achs.edu/about/campus-tour.aspx?id=15

If you're not able to attend in person, not to worry--we'll post lots of pictures and video from the day's events to ACHS on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu AND our YouTube channel, ACHStv here

Here's a clip from our 2009 Lavender Open House and Distillation. Enjoy! Watch Parts 2-5 on ACHStv here

Valerian in the Herb Garden: How to Grow and When to Harvest Valerian

Check out this new video we posted to ACHStv, our YouTube Channel ... In Valerian in the Herb Garden ACHS President Dorene Petersen gives a short overview of the herb valerian, including medicinal properties and tips for harvesting the root in the fall.



Be sure to share this link with your herbal medicine and gardening friends! Then post a comment with your best valerian tips for growing, harvesting, and using the herb in natural products!

ACHS Aromatherapy Bar at the Beaverton Farmer's Market June 25

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our community wellness booth at the Beaverton Farmer's Market last Saturday, June 25! We've posted a few photos from the event for those who were not able to attend in person: Pictured left, ACHS Acting Director of Operations Tracey Miller (right) and volunteer Erin Pech and pictured right, ACHS Director of Marketing Kate Harmon (left) and ACHS Chief Institutional Officer Erika Yigzaw (right).

Did you enjoy our aromatherapy bar and demonstrations? We've posted a link to our demonstration of How to Use an Essential Oil Travel Kit to our YouTube channel, ACHStv, here: http://www.youtube.com/ACHStv#p/u/0/lOGYkuuTZds Stop by ACHStv, rate our video, and subscribe for immediate notification of when new videos are posted.

If you weren't able to make it to the Market this time, we have two more schedule dates this summer. Catch ACHS at the Beaverton Farmer's Market July 30 and August 27.

For a full listing of 2011 ACHS community wellness events and holistic health courses, visit us online at ACHSedu (www.achs.edu)

We always love to hear from you! If you have an idea for a community wellness workshop or ACHStv demonstration, let us know! You can post your suggestions here and to ACHS Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu

Practical Aromatherapy: Using Aromatherapy to Help Attract Home Buyers

Experts say selling your home takes a little luck and a lot of preparation. With a gaggle of homes currently on the market, spending that extra time to make the best first impression may make all the difference. It certainly couldn’t hurt!

To prepare your home, realtors suggest taking several steps to present an organized, clutter-free and clean home, including cleaning out your drawers and cabinets, making minor repairs, and deep cleaning.

Part of deep cleaning is scent. For example, it’s important to clean out drains so they look nice, but also because hidden debris can encourage mold and an accompanying musty smell. A little tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil diluted in water can be an effective, chemical-free alternative to more traditional cleaning products. Plus, it smells better than synthetic cleaners and room sprays used to mask odors.

You may also want to diffuse some essential oil into the air before you show your home. This can help to freshen the air and to encourage a positive first impression. There are many essential oils to choose from, but you may want to select an oil that has general appeal, that is a familiar, and that is uplifting, such as bergamot (Citrus aurantium var. bergamia), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), mandarin (Citrus reticulata), neroli (Citrus aurantium var. amara), and ylang ylang (Cananga odorata).

Watch Aromatherapy Blending from ACHStv next!