{diy} make your own wool dryer balls - take two

OK, so these are the same instructions as my previous post, but this time I've added images for all stages except for #6
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.
	Start by wrapping the yarn loosely around two fingers aproximately 10-15 times Pull off your fingers and begin wrapping, shaping into a ball Wrap until it's about the size of a tennis ball
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.
	Place in an old sock or stocking, you can tie it closed or tie a piece of string so it's nice and snug 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.

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