3 Houseplants to Help You Feng Shui Your Home

featured this week on Inhabitat.com

Photo credit: Shutterstock via inhabitat.com

Photo credit: Shutterstock via inhabitat.com

Hurrah! Spring is here! In feng shui philosophy, the spring season symbolizes new beginnings, growth, and expansion—like when the trees start to grow back their leaves. We use plants, the colors green and blue, as well as columnar and expansive shapes in feng shui to symbolize this type of energy. But in addition to making indoor spaces more attractive, did you know that houseplants also improve indoor air quality? Many houseplants remove harmful pollutants from the air that off gas from synthetic materials found in our buildings, furniture, and even clothing. These toxins can lead to poor health and low productivity. Adding plants to a space can also help create a softer and more vibrant energy, and they can heal us visually and physically—their natural green tones are relaxing and therapeutic. Now that the new season has sprung, infuse some positive energy into your home and adopt a houseplant this spring. Below are the three houseplants commonly used in feng shui adjustments.

Lucky Bamboo

Bamboo is a plant that is abundant in Asia and grows very quickly. It represents upright and honest growth, as well as flexibility and adaptability. Since the bamboo plant does not flower or fruit, it’s lifespan is long and simple. And because it is hollow, bamboo also symbolizes an empty heart of humbleness. I love the fact that in western culture, lucky bamboo has also become a symbol for the green sustainability movement. Lucky bamboo is not technically bamboo, but it looks very similar, is super easy to take care of, and represents the same thing symbolically.

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by Anjie Cho

eHow.com Video: Herbal Homemade Conditioner You Can Make in Your Own Kitchen

Herbal Homemade Conditioner You Can Make in Your Own Kitchen

Herbal Homemade Conditioner You Can Make in Your Own Kitchen

Here's a simple and easy recipe to make your own herbal hair conditioner. I use this every week. I whole-heartedly believe in all natural and organic materials in all areas of your life, including your beauty products.  Please share some of your own great recipes!

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Video Transcript:

I'm Anjie Cho, and this is how to make herbal homemade conditioner in your own kitchen.

Most hair conditioners that you find in stores use harmful and or synthetic chemicals that will not only, over time, dry your hair out, but may also be toxic. Though these chemicals preserve the shelf life of the product, they do absolutely nothing to preserve the health of your hair. This herbal homemade hair conditioner can be made in your own kitchen with just a few simple items.

Note, this hair conditioner is very similar to a hot oil treatment, and it's really great for dry hair but also for oily hair too. You'll need some good quality oils, such as jojoba oil, olive oil or coconut oil. I prefer to use raw extra virgin oils if possible.

You gently warm the oil so it's warm to the touch, and then you can add some herbs or essential oils of your choice. Basil is really great for oily hair and promotes hair growth. Chamomile, like the tea, is great for fine normal hair, and it also gives golden highlights. You can use a teabag and just take it out when you're done. Clary sage oil is great for dandruff treatment. Lavender is also great for dandruff and itchiness. Peppermint is good for dry hair and promotes hair growth so again you can use a teabag or you can just use the peppermint and strain it. Finally, tea tree oil is great for oily and dry scalp.

To make this homemade hair conditioner, or to use it, you can use up to half or 2 teaspoons if you have long hair like me, and apply it to dry or damp hair. Massage it first into your scalp then down to the ends. Leave it in for an hour or two, shampoo and rinse.

This hair conditioner will heal and nourish all types of hair. It will condition dry and brittle hair as well balance oily hair.

by Anjie Cho

How To Spring Clean Like A New Yorker

Featured this week on BondNYMagazine.com

by guestblogger Anjie Cho, who is a holistic interior architect and a sought-after expert in the fields of feng shui and green design. A New York state-registered architect and certified feng shui master, Anjie creates beautiful and nourishing spaces throughout New York City and beyond. Check out her Blog, Facebook, Twitter.

The spring equinox is March 20th and everyone will be out and about, bursting with happiness and liveliness. I imagine it will be even more so after this extraordinarily snowy winter, because we’ve been stuck inside even more than normal. The first day of spring marks an especially auspicious time to start spring cleaning. Below are spring cleaning tips to get that dormant winter energy moving!

1. Non-Toxic Cleaners

Let’s start with the basics. Spring clean your cleaning products! Take an honest look at your cleaning products. Unfortunately, many conventional cleaning products are made up of toxic chemicals. We barely have enough fresh air living in an urban area – why make it worse inside your home? It’s so easy to find or make non-toxic alternatives to most household cleaners. You can make your own all-purpose cleaner by mixing 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. I love eucalyptus because it is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial.

2. Clean The Entrance

Start spring cleaning at the entry of your home. Vacuum your welcome mat, toss all the clutter that has accumulated over the winter and sweep up the dusty corners. In feng shui, your entry represents the mouth of “chi”, where energy comes into your space. Therefore it is important to clean out this area and keep it clean and fresh so you can attract the best energy in your life.

3. Deep Clean the Refrigerator

Next, move into the kitchen and go through the entire refrigerator. Look for any expired food and put it aside to compost. Your refrigerator represents how you nourish yourself. Old and moldy food may indicate or even lead to health problems. There are many locations where you can drop off your food scraps for compost now in NYC. Click here to see where. Be sure to scrub the inside of the refrigerator including all the shelves, drawers and interior walls with a sponge and your new non-toxic cleaners!

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by Anjie Cho