DECEMBER GREEN TIP: DR. M'S SOLUTION TO THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS DEBATE

Are you smack dab in the middle of a christmas tree debate?
Real vs. artifical is the holiday version of "paper or plastic?" and it can get tense.

I have another solution, some redemption for both home and conscience, and it is beautiful. Smells good too.

Instead of a tree, I use plants to create my holiday scene.
Add lights and ribbon and food, and the mood is set.

In my office I have mixed the following plants to create a holiday scene: Rosemary + ivy topiary + paper whites + poinsettas.

I added lights, popcorn strings, ribbons, and scents ("fir" candle and "gingerbread" lotion).

Here's how my holiday decorations fit into the three R's:
Reduce
---No tree necessary.
---I used one string of lights around a doorway - it's less Las Vegas, more Holiday 2007.

Reuse
---The rosemary plant can be plundered regularly for meals.
---The ivy topiary cleans the air (see below for ratings) and with the addition of an appropriately colored ribbon will celebrate holidays throughout the year.
---The paper whites and poinsettas will get planted so they can reappear again.
---The holiday gift cards turn into gift tags, all ribbons can be used over and over again.
---The containers for the candle and lotion will easily be refilled with more candles and lotion.

Recycle
---The popcorn is being recycled right now as I type this.......

Decorating like a chiropractor takes care of the planet and the body.
This holiday scene soothes and stimulates the nervous system by engaging the senses:
-Smell: Stimulated by the rosemary, paper whites, gingerbread lotion, and fir candle.
-Sight: Engaged by the lights and variety of different leaf and plant shapes.
-Sound: Miles Davis and George Winston are soothing.
-Touch: Try some gingerbread hand lotion.
-Taste: Stimulated and soothed by the popcorn strings.

And by using plants to create holiday decorations, I am cleaning the air around the clock - a necessary errand as winter air and inversions roll in.
From the book How to Grow Fresh Air: 59 Houseplants that purify your home or office, following are the clean air ratings for some familiar holiday plants:

1) Poinsettia - Overall rating 5.1
Removal of chemical vapors: 3
Ease of growth and maintenance: 5
Resistance to insect infestation: 7

2) Christmas Cactus - Overall rating 5.8
Removal of chemical vapors: 3
Ease of growth and maintenance: 9
Resistance to insect infestation: 8

3) Norfolk Island Pine - Overall rating 6.2
Removal of chemical vapors: 2
Ease of growth and maintenance: 7
Resistance to insect infestation: 9

4) English Ivy - Overall rating 7.8
Removal of chemical vapors: 9
Ease of growth and maintenance: 8
Resistance to insect infestation: 8

Reduce, reuse, recycle....soothe and stimulate.....with just a little planning these tips can be a part of a holiday celebration.

Be Spine Tingling,
Dr. Madeline Behrendt, chiropractor
iwomenfilm@gmail.com
For information and education only.