Budget Friendly Tips for the Organic Kitchen You'll Want to Know!

Every home deserves affordable organic options, from food to cleaning supplies. At Bayes, are happy to have the honor of not only passing on helpful organic food tips, but also to provide you with quality cleaning products we proudly stand behind. 

Are you ready? Here are some budget friendly tips for the organic kitchen you'll be happy to have!

grow your own. 
Most living spaces allow for some type of gardening. Backyards, balcony's and windows are all great places to try your hand and growing edible plants! Whether you'd like to grow tomatoes or even just basil and mint, it all can be done. And the huge bonus is that you know the ingredients, the grower and you can harvest as needed. 

buy as you need it. 
Ok.  Maybe this is obvious to some, but not all. Do your meal planning based on ingredients rather than recipes. One idea to have a list of staples you use each weak, like bananas, apples, spinach, broccoli and zucchini.  Get your staples and then choose a few other veggies or fruits that are on sale that week and find a recipe online based on that ingredient. Usually, the things on sale are the foods that are in season. Great news for you? You'll be eating affordably and in season; double healthy points! Don't have every last item?  That's ok.  Get creative. I'm sure you have a great replacement and you will surprise yourself at your ability to make affordable, organic and edible pieces of art!

freeze the extras.
If you found a particularly good deal on a food item, go ahead and grab it to have on hand at a later date and simply freeze it until you're ready to use it again.  

coupon your savings.
More and more, Natural food stores are releasing coupons for organic products. This is great news! You will save the most money when you pair coupons with a store sale. This way, you get the store’s lower price, plus you get a greater cost reduction by using a coupon. If you can stack a store sale with a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon, then you will be making your purchase at the absolute lowest price. Keeping your coupons and their expiration dates clearly organized is the key to strategically using those little slips of paper to save big on your grocery bill.

compare prices for bulk items.
Find the best prices on prepackaged snacks, organic varieties, and even produce when you price match online. This is a great strategy for moms looking for affordable school snacks for the kids. The best shopping strategy for a wholesale club is to purchase items there that you typically don’t see featured on sale, or that do not offer coupons. (Think: gourmet coffee and cheeses, produce, organic products, nuts and dried fruits.) After purchasing in bulk, dole out smaller portions into zippered snack bags. Packing your own snack-size options not only cuts down on spending, but it provides you with healthy, ready-to-eat snacks in appropriate portions.

make it your own.
We tend to shy away from cooking from scratch because we think of it as an inconvenience. But it actually doesn't take that long and doesn't have to be complicated! From cakes, to cleaning supplies, making your own DIY goods is far more easy and affordable than you may have thought.  Ease into cooking from scratch by starting with something simple, like chocolate chip cookies or a delicious marinara sauce. For cleaning, make a simple all purpose spray. You’ll avoid the extra costs of prepared goods by avoiding unnecessary packaging and ingredients. 

At Bayes, we strive for excellence in health and home, which is why we are committed to making quality organic cleaning products especially for your needs and budget.  Everyone deserves a healthy home and we want to start with you. 

Want a Greener Kitchen? Here's Your Simple Guide to Kitchen Composting!

Don't get bogged down with excess information and facts! Composting in he kitchen is both easy and a simple way to contribute to environmental health and sustainability. 

Even children enjoy the experience as they observe the process and decomposition of life and and how it affects our own bodies. 

When we choose to compost our food scraps and other biodegradable waste, we are creating soil, and nutrient dense fertilizer for our gardens, not to mention, reducing what goes into the landfill. At Bayes, we encourage all our friends, families and customers, to be responsible with the choices they make and to respect the world they live in. 

Here are some simple composting tips for the green kitchen:

How To Compost 

Composting requires warm temperatures at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit, moderate moisture, and space to turn the pile. You can really make kitchen waste composting as simple or as complex as you which. The end results are finer with multiple bins or with a rotating tumbler whereas piles on the ground or mixing into garden beds yields more robust and chunkier compost.

For the simplest way, keep an air tight container in the kitchen, on the counter or under the sink are common places, where you will store your scraps as you go. You can even purchase biodegradable bags to line your container with, even you don't plan to add it to any soil and choose to dispose of it in your yard waste container instead.  Be sure to empty that bag every 5 days or so, since it is compostable and will begin to biodegrade as well. 

For even more thorough kitchen composting, you can also utilize a worm bin where the little guys eat their way through your debris and deposit moist worm castings for fertilizer and soil amendment. {www.gardeningknowhow.com}

Different Composting Methods 

It wouldn’t really be stretching the truth to say all you need are a shovel and a patch of dirt for kitchen waste composting. Dig the scraps at least 8 inches down and cover them with dirt so animals aren’t tempted to feast on them. Chop up the scraps with a shovel or spade. Smaller pieces have open surfaces for anaerobic bacteria to attack. This makes composting a faster process.

Alternately you can invest in a 3-bin system where the first bin is raw compost or fresh kitchen scraps. The second bin will be partially broken down and well turned. The third bin will hold fully composted material, ready for your garden. You can also just make a pile in a sunny location and layer the scraps with leaf litter, grass clippings and soil. Turn the compost material every week and mist with water when composting kitchen waste.

At Bayes, we not only support green business but we are one as well. We have created a line of organic cleaning products that not only leave your home in sparkling condition but pampers your health as well.  Be sure to check out our top selling granite counter cleaner today!

Enjoy Your composting journey!

Save Money and Your Health with the Best Ways to Clean Organic: DIY AND Affordable!

Cleaning with organic products not only protects your family's health but also furthers the health of the environment and it only takes a few small changes. There are many company's out there providing affordable, high-quality products that keep your home clean and family healthy. 

We at Bayes have chosen to be on of those companies, because we know you are busy and shouldn't have to over think what's very simple for us to do. Some products are simple to make but have special and more rare ingredient combinations that make the product even more efficient. One example is our organic granite counter top cleaner, that not only cleans granite counter tops, but also deep conditions them, causing them to last longer and maintain their elegance. 

However, for more simple projects, some very basic ingredients can get the job done! By buying these low-cost organic ingredients, you save money while improving your life and the quality of the lives around you! 

Top Ingredients:

Vinegar: White vinegar is effective at dissolving grease and makes a great surface cleaner in the kitchen and bathroom. Vinegar works well because of its acidic nature and antibacterial effect. Japanese research found that the bactericidal activity of vinegar increased as the temperature of its solution increased, underscoring the need for double benefit of warm cleaning solutions. Mix 1 cup of vinegar with water in a bucket or spray bottle and use it to clean windows and mirrors to toilets and floors.

Baking Soda: Baking soda deodorizes and has an abrasive quality that out shines toxic, powdered cleansers. Use on surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen to remove stains or even clean the inside of a messy oven. Adding salt can provide a boost in scrubbing power.

Lemon Juice: The inclusion of lemon in many commercially available cleaning products is one rare area where they got it right! Lemon juice kills mold, cuts through grease, and leaves a streak-free shine. The applied food science laboratory in Lincoln Nebraska examined the ability for lemon oil to inhibit mold growth by applying a coating of lemon juice and vinegar to roast beef. This was found to support prevention of spore germination and outgrowth. Combine lemon juice with vinegar or olive oil to make compound cleaning products that work harder and provide a natural scent.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide has a bubbling action that is amazing with hard-to-clean situations. Fill a spray bottle with a HP and water mixture, keep it near the laundry area as it can be a great spot cleaner.

Olive Oil: Polishing wood with with olive oil and lemon juice moisturizes it and provides amazing shine with a fresh scent. Blend 1 cup of olive oil and 1/2 cup of lemon juice in a spray bottle, mist onto a soft cloth and polish wood furniture the natural way.                       (reposted with gratitude from the Global Healing Center) 

It's fun to make your own cleaning ingredients for sure! For the more complicated tasks, Bayes is here to provide a full, non toxic line of cleaners including our amazing granite counter top rejuvenator.  Stop by Bayes for the top Counter Cleaner available!!  

The Best Green Cleaning Tools No Kitchen Should Be Without!

Having a toxin free home is important to your health, which is why you choose cleaning products that are organic and free of dangerous chemicals. But why stop there? The tools you use to clean your kitchen are just as important to keep an eye on as the ingredients your home is cleaned with.  At Bayes, we provide organic home cleaning supplies and we proudly support those that are committed with us, to caring for the health of our homes and lives. 

We wanted to share this great information from Mother Earth Living and hope you enjoy it as much as we did! 

From all of us to your home, here are the best green cleaning tools no kitchen should be without!

We do our best to avoid hazardous household cleaners, but what about the integrity of the tools we use to clean our homes? Unfortunately, most of them are cheap, disposable pieces of plastic manufactured with no regard for the health of our homes or our planet. Next time you find yourself in need of a cleaning tool, opt for one of these more health-conscious and eco-friendly choices.

No (Plastic) Scrubs 

If you haven’t done it already, make the switch to biodegradable sponges and scrubbers. Conventional neon-colored sponges are made of oil-based, landfill-clogging plastic. Cellulose sponges, on the other hand, are made of compostable plant-based materials, and are available unbleached and undyed. Twist Loofah Sponge and TwistScour Pads, $1 to $5.

Tip: Toss sponges in the dishwasher or a pot of boiling water to disinfect.

Helping Hands 

All-natural homemade cleaners are great alternatives to common chemical-laden varieties, but even natural ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and essential oils can be irritating. Open windows to ventilate rooms while you clean, and wear gloves. If You Care Household Gloves are made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified latex, and the rubber harvesters receive a fair wage. If You CareHousehold Gloves, $3;

Tip: To make your own hand exfoliant, mix two tablespoons olive oil with kosher salt in the palms of your hands and rub.

Dust Buster 

Does your vacuum suck (in the pejorative sense)? If you have pets, large area rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, consider investing in an energy-efficient vacuum with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters pick up tiny particulates—dust mites, pet dander and other allergy triggers—that other vacuums leave behind. We like bagless models (less waste) with lifetime washable filters. Dyson DC24 All Floors, $400.

Tip: Empty canisters or change bags outside—and do it often.

Paper Trail 

Paper manufacturing is the third-largest user of fossil fuels worldwide. Curb your consumption by replacing paper towels with an arsenal of reusable dish cloths. Stash dirty rags in a bin under the sink until it’s time to do the wash, but make sure they’ve had a chance to dry out first to avoid mold. Full Circle Tidy organic cotton dish cloths, three for $6.

Tip: Repurpose old clothes and towels as cleaning rags.

Clean Sweep 

Streamline your collection of brooms, mops and floor-cleaning gadgets into one space-saving, sustainable workhorse. The Cradle to Cradle-certified eclipse collection includes a pole made from 30 percent recycled aluminum with three interchangeable heads: broom (made from recycled soda bottles), mop (made from 30 percent soy) and microfiber duster (traps dust without chemicals). eclipse collection, $8 to $30.

Tip: For a natural floor cleaner that smells great, combine ¼ cup white vinegar with 10 drops lemon oil and 4 drops oregano oil in a bucket of water. (thanks Mother Earth News!)

Bayes loves to be part of your home's health! From our organic granite counter top cleaner to many other products, we hope you enjoy what we have made to make your lives healthier, cleaner and much better!

5 Easy Tips To More Sustainable Living for Every Family!

Looking for more ways to green up your life? Choosing a sustainable lifestyle is easier now more than ever.  Bayes was founded on the idea that every home deserves natural, organic solutions. So if you are ready for better in health and home, here are 5 easy tips to more sustainable living for every family!

Compost

Most people throw out old food and scraps from the table and never give it a second thought. But when you have a composting system in your backyard, you can turn those old food scraps into fertilizer or even a material that can help repair damaged parts of your lawn. You can also include lawn clippings and leaves in your composting system to create a comprehensive source of organic material. You can create a compost pile in your backyard, or you can invest in a more advanced composting system that will create the materials you need for your lawn and garden.

Conserve Water

In some parts of the world, there are water conservation laws that dictate how residents of those areas can use water. But everyone should be conscious of water conservation and preserve the water we have. Instead of allowing rainwater to flow into the ground, you can develop a rainwater collection system and use it to water your garden or your lawn. This saves you money by allowing you to water your landscaping without using your house spigot. You can save the dishwater from when you do the dishes and use that to water the lawn or clean up accessories around the home. Conserve water and you will save money and help your community.

Conserve Energy

There are many things you can do to conserve energy in your home. Always be sure to turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use. Invest in new doors and windows when the old ones have become drafty and unable to help regulate the temperature of your home. If your home appliances are 10 years old or older, then replace them with more energy-efficient models. You may also want to think about adding alternative energy sources such as solar panels and windmills. An extreme measure is purchasing an electric car and charging station. These alternative energy sources will reduce your reliance on electricity that is generated using fossil fuels, and it will also help to lower your monthly energy bills.

Recycle

Recycling in the home starts with finding out where you can take old newspapers and cardboard in your community to get it processed into new products. Many communities have recycling programs that make it easy for residents to put their old paper and cardboard to good use. If your community does not have an official paper recycling program, then check with a local church or civic group to see if they are running one. You can also recycle old plastic and glass food containers or reuse them by washing them out and using them as storage containers around the house. Before you throw anything out in your home, make sure that you cannot find another use for it and reduce the amount of garbage that goes into your local landfill.

Green Cleaning 

Sometimes being green at home is not about saving money. Sometimes it is about using supplies that are safe for the environment and safe for the family. For example, home cleaning supplies that use harsh chemicals can get into the water table around your home and contaminate your property. Those harsh cleaning supplies can also leave behind a residue that can get on the hands of your children and possibly cause disease. Instead of using those harsh cleaning chemicals, you should use more environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. There are many different kinds of cleaning solutions you can make from household items that have no dangerous chemicals at all. By learning to make our own safe cleaning solutions at home, you are teaching your children a skill that they can use when they grow up to save the environment and keep their children safe as well.

This is where Bayes comes in.  We know that you have a lot of options for better green living, and we want to make sure it's as simple as possible. This is why we developed our line of organic cleaning products. We want you and your home to be as healthy as possible. Stop by today and see what we have made for you!

Does Choosing Organic Cleaning Products Really Make a Difference? Find Out Now!

There's a lot of discussion around whether or not people should use chemical or organic ingredients in cleaning. We want to help clear it up for you. We at Bayes, had the same concern years back and did our own research and is why we have chosen to use only organic ingredients in our cleaning products. 

We say that choosing to use organic cleaning products DOES in fact, make a difference and here's why: 

Organic Cleaning Products Are Safer for Your Health

One of the main benefits of using organic cleaning products is that they are much safer for your health than traditional cleansers. Because these products contain natural ingredients, they do not pose the same health risks and potential for allergic reactions as other common cleaners. Many cleaning products can contribute to cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergic reactions, and behavioral problems. However, green cleaning products use ingredients such as isopropyl alcohol, citrus oils, and vinegar, which clean just as well as the ingredients found in other cleansers but without many of the harmful side effects.

Organic Cleaning Products Are Safer for the Environment

In addition to being safer for your health, organic cleaners are also much safer for the environment, as they do not contain the toxic chemicals found in traditional household cleansers. Unlike standard cleaners that can poison the air and water, organic cleaning products have extremely low toxicity, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and are extremely biodegradable. These cleansers not only improve indoor air quality by reducing the number of harmful chemicals released into the air, but can also reduce water and outdoor air pollution. In addition, green cleaners are extremely easy to dispose of, since you do not have to follow special instructions to prevent them from harming soil and water supplies.

Our organic cleaning products are an excellent option for homeowners that want to protect both the environment and their health. While such cleaners may require a bit more of an initial investment than standard household cleansers, the benefits you receive by protecting both yourself and your environment ultimately make this worthwhile. Bayes is dedicated to your health and we are happy you've chosen to take steps toward your self care.