Wednesday, December 19, 2012

HomeMade Laundry Detergent

So I finally got an opportunity to sit down and photo blog my attempt at making my own detergent. I was getting sick of buying expensive laundry soap and then being worried about my skin being sensitive to the dyes and perfumes used. After hearing of friends making there own varieties of detergent I went on the hunt looking for a recipe that would accomodate our needs: Cost, Allergen Sensitivity, and Cleaning ability. This stuff is great because it is way stronger then the store bought laundry soap. You only have to use 1-2 Tablespoons per load. I have been using it for a few weeks and so far my skin is fine! It was very easy and makes enough for my husband and I to use literally for months! Our initial cost was less than $20.00 !!  Best of all it smells Fantastic! The whole house smells amazing when I wash and dry laudry and the fresh scent last so much longer than ordinary store bought detergents with all of there additives. Below are my photos and the recipe!
 
1- 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz)
 
1- 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg)

1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz)

 3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap
 
All Items can be found in the detergent aisle.
 
*Optional Ingredients

2 small containers of Oxy Clean or store brand Oxy Clean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total)
They do Sell an Oxy Clean at your Local Dollar tree!
I have a pretty messy husband so the cleaner the better with the Oxy Clean!
If you love a scent you can add laundry crystals to the mix. You can find laundry crystals in the detergent isle. I used Purex Lavendar Crystals. They are 87% Natural!
All Items can be found at WalMart or Wegmans.

                                     
  I forgot to add the Bars of Fels-Naptha to this photo!!


Start out by grating your Fels-Naptha soap like cheese. You can use a food processor or use your hand grater. I used a very fine grate for my HE Machine.
 

** Fels-Naptha will dissolve in your washer even if you only use cold water.
 
Toss all ingredients in a 5 gallon bucket. This part makes your whole house smell amazing!
 
 
 



 

Final Product!
 
 
 So far I am keeping my detergent in My 5 Gallon Bucket, Still on the look
out for a cool container for it! Smells amazing every time I open the lid!
 
I also got a little scoop that is about 1 tablespoon to keep inside,
 it was the scoop from the Oxy Clean actually!
 
Safe for HE washers
Safe for Sensitive Skin
I have a friend who uses this recipe and she has 2 small children
 and it causes no problem for there skin.
 
Have Fun! Send me a comment on how its working out for you!
 
 

 
 

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Bug Free Me!

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Ok, so I know that Winter is just starting to begin, but we CAN dream about summer and plan for summer now!! I just started this spring making an all natural chemical free bug repellant. I have named it Bug Free Me! Its all natural, chemical and Deet free formula. Its made with lemon grass, and Eucalyptus so it has a Lovely Fragrance. Best of all it WORKS!! I used it on myself and husband, my inlaws and small nieces. I am selling it on my Etsy Website: https://www.etsy.com/listing/98174797/bug-free-me-all-natural-non-toxic-deet





Bug Free Me And Chemical Free Me too!
All Natural, Non toxic, Deet Free Repellent.
4 oz.
The only thing worse than Annoying Pests is the chemical laden insect repellants. Enjoy a bug free summer everyday when you use “Bug Free Me”
Bug Free Me is a totally natural and chemical free bug repellent! Safe for young and old. Smells great, and is perfect for those of us who don't want harsh chemicals on our skin. Contains a wonderful blend of Pure Essential oils and ingredients. It has herbal extracts to keep those nagging pests off your skin, and stay away.

Spray on skin, hair and clothing, (you may want to spot check before you completely cover your fabrics to check colorfastness.) Always keep away from eyes and mouth. Apply every 2-3 hours for effectiveness.

Comes in 4 oz PET dark green plastic bottles ( PET does not leach into product) with a spray

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Homemade Exfoliant

Like Most women I love to have my skin feel soft and smooth,
but I hate paying high prices for store bought exfoliants, with chemicals and scents. 
What can a girl do? Easy! Check your cupboard for 3
  simple ingredients: Brown sugar, Raw Oatmeal, and Olive Oil.
 
1/2 C ground oatmeal
1/4 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C olive oil

 
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix with a spatula until well blended and store in a sealed jar. Repurposed baby food jars work great! You can add a few drops of vanilla for a natural scent if you want!
 Scrub scrub scrub away!
 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Cinnamon and Honey

I wanted to share these great remedies made with Honey and Cinnamon. Not only do they work but they taste good too!

Drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus. Honey is also the only food that will not spoil or rot. What it will do is what some call 'turning to sugar'. In reality, honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will "crystallize". When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water and sit the honey container in the hot water, but turn off the heat and let it liquefy naturally. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. This will kill the enzymes in the honeyToday's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.


CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterolcould be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.


GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.



RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour before
breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: Gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so your breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Naturally Beautiful


 
A soothing way to unwind at the end of a long day is to take a bath with oatmeal. Here's a simple recipe: While running a lukewarm bath, add one cup of milk, two cups of uncooked oatmeal and a tablespoon of honey. Soak for 10 to 20 minutes, and your skin will be moisturized and rejuvenated. How relaxing! Note that some folks like to use colloidal oatmeal for the task.
 
 


Doctor Oz said that this Flawless Skin Home Remedy is a great way to clear your complexion. The aspirin has salicylic acid which helps to remove acne and pimples since it is like a chemical peel. The lemon juice has vitamin C and helps minimize sun damage to your skin. Baking soda works great at the end to neutralize the salicylic acid.
1. Mash up 6-12 non-coated aspirins and combine with freshly squeeze lemon juice.
2. Let the aspirin dissolve until it turns into a paste.
3. Apply the mask to your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the face mask by dipping a cotton round in some baking soda and some water to neutralize the salicylic acid.

Use Once A week. May cause slight stinging for a few seconds, but not nearly as bad as a chemical peel!


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Howdy! Welcome to the Sticks!







       I'm a simple blue jean, muck boot wearing, red hair in a pony tail, sitting on my swing under the apple tree, country girl. I love my family, my friends and doing anything creative and artistic. I have always been that way since I was a kid, and as an adult my projects have me scattered and moving from one to another, but like any artist when you get an idea you gotta start composing!
The things that shape and define who I am would be: my love for God and his creation, my husband Steve, my family and friends, my home and pets. I am definitly a little Eccentric, I love the whole country, hippie, rockabilly (southern Vintage), bohemian style. I Love flea markets, thrift stores, auctions and garage sales, where I can find items with a past that tell a story.
My Hubby is my partner in my shop, he helps with ideas, and gives me tons of encouragement and support! I am so lucky to have him as my very best friend and I love him for everything he is, everything he is not and everything in between!
I Love nature, watching birds and all kinds of outdoorsy stuff, camping, canoeing, snowboarding, gardening, hiking...the list goes on and on!