{diy} homemade laundry detergent recipe

1 bar soap (ZOTE, Fels-Naptha, Ivory)
1 cup of washing soda
1 cup of borax

You can use a hand grater for the bar soap, but I feel like I am tasting it when I do that, which is very unpleasant, so I started putting mine in a food processor that is now devoted to these kinds of projects. I usually make big batches so I don't have to make it it very often. I'm always surprised at how far one big batch lasts.

I can find ZOTE, Fels-Naptha and Ivory at the local grocery store. I like to use Ivory and either the ZOTE or the Fels-Naptha because the latter two are specifically intended for laundry use. There are other natural soaps out there, but these are the only ones I've used and can vouch for.

This laundry detergent is septic safe and works for HE washing machine. 

{diy} homemade calcium carbonate

In my posts about making tooth powders and toothpaste, I list calcium carbonate as an ingredient. Don't wanna buy it? You can make it yourself!


Directions
I prefer farm-fresh, free-range eggs.

Use your eggs as you normally would. I rinse off the egg white left over first and then store the shell in the carton for later use.

Once you have filled up your carton, rinse really well, removing any egg whites that may have been missed in the first rinse, but try not to remove the membrane, these have additional nutrients.

Boil 6 cups of filtered water in a stock pot
Carefully place them into the water
Boil for 10 minutes
Drain
Spread the shells on a baking sheet or baking pan and let dry overnight.
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
Bake for 10 minutes
Using a coffee mill, powder your baked eggshells
Store in a tightly sealed mason jar and keep them in cool dry environment (basement or pantry is fine)

{diy} make your own wool dryer balls

Go here for pictures detailing these steps...
make your own wool dryer balls - take two

I have to say, I was really surprised at how well these worked, I don't think I really expected it to. There was less static and my laundry was really fluffy. And these are so easy to make. It's better for you, your family and it can extend the life of your dryer. Apparently, the chemicals on dryer sheets clog up the filter which can cause the machine to burn out and even scarier, can cause fires.

They make great gifts too.

1. Start by wrapping the yarn loosely around two fingers aproximately 10-15 times
2. Pull off your fingers and begin wrapping, shaping into a ball
3. Wrap until it's about the size of a tennis ball
4. Once you've reached your desired size, using plastic yarn needles, weave one last strand (I usually cut the yarn so that there's about a foot left to work with) of yarn back and forth through the length of the ball. After doing this a few time or until you feel certain that it's secure, just snip off the end, being careful not cut the yarn that you've so carefully wound.
5. Place in an old sock or stocking, you can tie it closed or tie a piece of string so it's nice and snug
6. I just throw it in with my wash a few times until it felts. You'll be able to tell that this is happening because the strands will begin sticking together.

Some options: When it's about half the size you want (or half the size of a tennis ball), you can add a few drops of essential oils. My favorite is lavender, but you can use the essential oil of your choice. Some nice ones are sweet orange, vanilla, or ylang ylang. Keep in mind, the scent doesn't last, but it's nice while it does.
Another option is to make a core. I uses Fisherman's Wool for the whole thing, but you could start with the cheaper wool to make a core and then finish with something fancier. 

my very own homemade garlic supplements...

Garlic has so many wonderful health benefits that we've been taking it in supplement form. So, I bought organic garlic, dehydrated it, milled it and then put it into capsules myself.

buckwheat zucchini pancakes recipe

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup milk - I used my homemade almond milk
• 2 cups chopped zucchini
• 2 large eggs or equivalent egg substitute
• 1/4 t salt (optional)
• 2 T sugar or other sweetener, to taste
• 1/4 t ground cinnamon
• 1/4 t ground ginger
• 1 1/2 cups buckwheat flour - I made the flour for this using my dry blade container right before combing these ingredients.  
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 

Directions

1. Place milk, zucchini, egg, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and ginger into the Vitamix container and secure the lid
2. Starting on variable 1, turn machine on and slowly increase to variable 5
3. Blend for 15-20 seconds. Remove the lid and add flour and baking powder
4. Replace lid and blend for 5-10 seconds or until mixed

homemade butter

So, I made butter for the first time today using my vitamix. . .

2 cups (16 oz.) heavy whipping cream (I used organic)
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste (optional)

1. Pour the cream into the vitamix and place the lid
2. Starting at variable 1, turn blender on and slowly increase the speed to variable 10, then to high
3. Blend until the cream thickens and you hear a change in the sound of the machine
4. Stop the machine, using a spatula, scrape down the sides, pushing the whipped cream into the center of the container
5. Using variable 5, blend for 5 seconds, stop and scrape sides again
6. repeat this a few times until you begin to see liquid, you'll also notice that the sound changes and the blades seem to move more easily
7. Blend for a few more seconds until solid butter sets up in center on top of blades
8. Using a fine strainer, drain the butter. What drains is buttermilk. I didn't save mine this time around, but I intend to next time
9. Put the butter into a bowl and add salt to taste. Manipulate the butter using a spatula or a spoon to push out as much liquid as possible
10. I used a small mason jar to store mine. I'll probably take half of it for storing in the freezer. We simply don't go through butter that quickly.

If you don't have a vitamix, try using a blender, a mason jar or a food processor. 

homemade sunscreen recipe

• 1/2 cup Avocado oil (has natural SPF)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil (has natural SPF)
• 1/4 cup beeswax (adds a bit of waterproofing)
• 2 tablespoons Cocoa Butter (or shea butter which has natural spf properties) 
• 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide. (This makes an SPF of about 20. More can be added for a higher SPF.)
• 30 drops of your favorite essential oils (Do NOT use citrus oils) 

1. In a double boiler, or some home-crafted facsimile, over low heat, melt the beeswax and butters.
2. Remove from the heat and allow to cool just a bit. (Some microwave, I choose to heat on the stove because I'm never sure what microwaving kills or diminishes)
3. Add the zinc oxide powder, and essential oils. Note: Be extremely careful not to inhale the powder, use a mask if necessary, inhaling can be dangerous.
4. Stir until zinc oxide is dissolved.
5. Pour into whatever chosen container or dispenser you have set aside. Push up containers work well for this recipe but as you see, I chose a small jar for this small batch.
6. Allow to cool and harden on the counter overnight and then you’re good to go! During times of heavy sun and swim exposure be sure to reapply often for the best coverage.
7. Left out, this will last about 4 months, if refrigerated, a year. I keep mine in the fridge.  

homemade hand sanitizer recipe

Once again, I couldn't believe how easy it was to make this. And, although I am a firm believer that germs have their place in our world, there are times when I can't wash my hands...

I'm a little unsure about the alcohol because of the drying properties, but I like the idea of knowing one of the ingredients would definitely kill germs. Some of my research has led me to the notion that just tree oil, witch hazel and aloe vera gel would be enough, but being this was my first attempt, I was feeling a slightly neurotic about the process/ingredients.

• 1/4 cup pure aloe vera gel
• 1/4 cup grain alcohol (Everclear)
• 1 Tablespoon of witch hazel
• 20 drops tea tree oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops lemon grass essential oil

homemade lavender dream pillows -- how to...

This was so quick and easy to make.

• Satin Chinese Brocade Fabric
• Rice
• Garden Lavender (dried from last summer)
• Funnel (for filling the sewn pillow)
• measuring cup (for pouring into the funnel)
• And of course, my handy-dandy, sewing machine.

homemade natural mouthwash

To go with my toothpaste, I decided to make natural mouthwash. We used to use Listerine all of the time, but the use of mouthwash containing that much alcohol can have a drying effect. Not to mention, I don't like not really knowing what that effect of synthetic ingredients can have on our bodies. I just used an old listerine bottle to dispense it from.

• 2 cups of filtered water
• 3 Tbsp xylitol (or to desired taste/sweetness) (or stevia) 
• 1 Tbs of aloe vera gel
• 3 tsp of baking soda
• 2 tsp of peppermint extract
• 8 drops of pure peppermint essential oil
• 6 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 4 drops of bergamot essential oil (optional)
• 1/2 tsp of myrrh tincture (optional)

First I blended the water and xylitol in my vita-mix. Sans the vita-mix, I would have warmed the water first to dissolve the xylitol. Then I added the rest of the ingredients to a jar and shook really well to mix.

Update: I cleaned out a used brown, glass bottle that my Omega 3-6-9's came in and it's perfect. And it stays fresher longer because I'm using glass and because it's brown, so less light gets in.

homemade toothpaste recipe

I am loving this first toothpaste recipe! When I had my metal fillings replaced, I had no idea that what they were replacing it with would make my teeth so sensitive to cold. This has replaced my sensodyne!

I've updated with 2 additional recipes.

recipe 1

• 2 Tbsp bentonite or kaolin clay
• 2 Tbsp arrowroot powder
• 1 Tbsp calcium carbonate
• 1 Tbsp xylitol
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3 Tsp peppermint extract
• 3 Tbsp coconut oil (or until desired consistency is reached)
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil 
• 5 drops clove oil (optional)
• 2 drops orange oil (optional)

recipe 2

• 1 1/2 Tbsp kaolin clay
• 1 1/2 Tbsp bentonite clay
• 2 Tbsp arrowroot powder
• 1 Tbsp xylitol
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3 Tbsp glycerin (or until desired consistency is reached)
• 3 Tsp peppermint extract
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil

recipe 3

• 2 Tbsp arrowroot powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 3 tsp glycerin (or until desired consistency is reached)
• 1/2 Tsp peppermint extract 

homemade vanilla extract

OK, so here is a basic recipe. If you want a larger amount, just multiply.
3 vanilla beans
1 cup vodka
glass jar with tight fitting lid

I've seen a few methods for this. One using a jar tall enough for the beans to stand in the jar,  another, cutting the beans into little pieces and yet another cutting the beans lengthwise. Some don't state how to prep the beans at all.

Sterilize jar/bottle
I cut my beans into two to three inch pieces
combine vanilla beans and vodka in jar
label with date + contents
store in cool, dark place for at least one month, shaking periodically

OK, here's our finished batch... I put some in a bottle with a squeeze dropper for easy use.