Lilolu

Our Favorite Cold Kicker Remedy

 

This is one of the best and our favorite remedy for warding off colds and the flu.  I got this recipe from Meg over at Cracking An Egg With One Hand.  You're probably wondering why I'm thinking about cold remedies already.  Well, the school year will be starting soon and we all know that's how those nasty viruses spread so quickly.  This recipe requires you to wait up to 4 weeks before you ingest it.  Last year I waited way too long to make this and regretted it.  Not this time around though...I'm going to be ready!  

I wrote an article about it and the recipe over at The Krazy Koupon Lady.   

Homemade Toothpaste A Bust For Us

Oh yes, another homemade tutorial.  This time I'll be showing you how to make toothpaste. Why do I want to keep learning how to make my own cleaners and body care products? Because I can and knowing my body care items and household cleaners only contain ingredients I want it to have, puts my mind at ease.

 

Okay, so here is what you'll need:

 

• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup baking soda (aluminum free)
• a pinch of stevia powder (I used much more)
• several drops of peppermint essential oil
• a travel size refillable lotion bottle

 

 

 

 

 

Just mix all of the ingredients together very well.  You can add water if you need to but only a little at a time.  I didn't add any water to my mixture and it was still very creamy.

 

 

Pour into your bottle..

 

 

...and there you have it.

 

 

 

This is a super easy concoction to make.  After doing some research I found that the stevia and baking soda really help keep your teeth clean and healthy.  Bella and I were really excited to try it out and after we did we agreed it made our teeth feel so clean BUT...we couldn't get past the salty taste which comes from the baking soda.  The peppermint felt great but the salty taste was stronger.  We tried adding more essential oil and more stevia but it didn't help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So why am I sharing this recipe if we didn't like it?  Because others may not mind it so much.  I would love to hear your opinion on this.  If you've tried this recipe, did you like it and what can I do different to make it more pleasant.  

 

 

Organic Deals

 

After a little research I came across some great coupons for some organic foods and eco friendly cleaning products.  For those of you who may be interested, I just wanted to share them with you.  

 

Cascadian Farm $1.00 off coupon

Ecover Cleaning Products coupons

Organic coupons on Redplum

Organic coupons on Mambo Sprouts

These are just a few.  There are many more.  Here are my resources for some great organic coupons:

Organic on a Dime

Organic Food Coupons

Organic Deals and Coupons

Saving Naturally 

Natural on a Budget

How NOT To Depend On Stuff

About 2 years ago a wonderful project was created called The Story of Stuff Project.  Annie Leonard, made an incredible video, teaching everyone the process of how stuff gets made and where it ends up.  You will be completely surprised and learn so much when you see this video.  Please take some time to check it out, you won't regret it.  You can also read "The Story of Stuff" to learn more.

Want to learn how you can change the cycle?  Here are a few links:

One Green Generation

storyofstuff.org

greenfaith.org

facingthefuture.org

The Backyard Homestead

The Ultimate Guide to Homesteading

Easy Green Living

Believe me, I know how challenging this may all sound, but no one is asking you to be perfect...just learn, try and teach.  That's all it takes.

I'm still learning, so if you have any useful links please do share.

Moms 30-Minute Blog Challenge.

  

GE Alfalfa Update (who won?)

 

Not too long ago I wrote about Monsanto's GE alfalfa and how you had a chance to voice your opinion on this topic.  Well, many of you chose to speak up about how you disapproved of GE Alfalfa and may have helped the Supreme Court with their ruling regarding an earlier lawsuit.  Read more here.

Homemade Natural Deodorant

Homemade deodorant is one of my favorite homemade recipes.  It's natural/organic, smells and feels great!  This is one I just had to share with you.  You will need:

1/4 cup baking soda (aluminum free)

1/4 cup arrowroot powder (You can also use cornstarch but it contains talc)

1/4 cup organic coconut oil

10 drops of Thieves (You can also use either Tea Tree oil or Lavender oil.  I happen  to love the smell of Thieves and it fights against bacteria and fungus.)

 

 

1. Pour 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup arrowroot powder and 1/4 cup coconut into a bowl and mix until it has a paste like consistency.

 

 

2.  After you mix the baking soda, arrowroot powder and coconut oil add about 5-10 drops of Thieves.  Mix it all together until it has a thick cream-like consistency.

 

 

 

3. Fill a wide-mouth jar or an old (but clean) deodorant container.

 

 

 

 

You may have to place the containers in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes just so it solidifies.  The deodorant stick container is convenient but it crumbles a little while gliding it on.  I prefer using a wide-mouth jar and apply it with my fingers. 

 

 

 

So there you have it.  This deodorant is NOT an antiperspirant but will prevent you from stinking up a room.   I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we do.  

 

 

     

10 Great Ways to Use Thieves

 A friend of ours introduced Thieves to us a couple of years ago and we have been intrigued since.  I personally think this a very valuable oil and wanted to share it with you.

The first question everyone asks is, "Why is it called Thieves?"  Well, while the bubonic plague decimated Europe in 1413, four thieves were captured and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims.  When the thieves were tried, the magistrate offered leniency if they would reveal how they resisted contracting the infection as they performed their gruesome acts.  They explained that they were perfumers and spice traders and told of a special concoction of aromatic herbs, including cloves and rosemary, that they rubbed on their hands, ears and temples.

In 1997, studies conducted at the Weber State University showed it to have a 99.96% success rate against airborne bacteria.  After only 10 minutes of exposure, there was a reduction of 82% in Micrococcus luteus, 96% in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 44% in Staphylococcus aureus.  

10 great ways to use Thieves:

1. Soothe Head Pressure- Place a drop of Thieves Oil Blend on the tongue and pushing it against the roof of the mouth may be soothing for head pressures.
2. Purify Air- Put 4-8 drops of Thieves Oil Blend on a cotton ball and place on heating/cooling vents to assist in purifying the air to help control odors.
3. Sanitize Your Dryer- Place 2 drops of Thieves Oil Blend to a wet cloth and place it in a clothes dryer to help keep the dryer sanitized and control odors.
4. Improve Vision- Rubbing Thieves Oil Blend on the big toe before bed may help with proper vision.
5. Freshen Your Home- To keep your house deodorized and freshened while on vacation, put several drops of Thieves on cotton balls in glass bowls around the house.
6. Hand Sanitizer- Sanitize your hands by rubbing a small amount of thieves on them.
7. Soothe Irritated Throat- Place 3-6 drops of Thieves in a glass of purified water then drink it to help soothe an irritated throat.
8. Build Immune System- Rub a couple of drops of Thieves on the bottom of each foot each day to help build the immune system and ward off winter illnesses.
9. Improve Gum Health- place a drop of Thieves on your toothbrush before brushing your teeth to improve gum health.
10. Control & Stop Mold- Spraying Thieves with purified water onto mold has been tested effective to control and stop mold.

How do you use Thieves?

General Safety Information: If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and give children only the gentlest oils at extremely low doses. It is safest to consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children. A skin patch test should be conducted prior to using an oil that you've never used before. 

Donation Pick Up

Not too long ago, I wrote about ways you can recycle clothes that are in no condition for anyone else to wear.   There are many places you can take your unwearable items to.  And recently one of our readers contacted me about a great organization called Donation Town. This organization is solely devoted to helping people schedule a donation pick up with a local charity.  The charities on DonationTown.org will come to your house and pick up your unwanted stuff, FOR FREE.  It doesn't get any easier than that.  No more excuses, people. It's incredibly convenient, tax deductible, good for the environment and helps great charities. Donation Town is 100% free for donors, charities and Everybody.

Here are some great facts about donating and the environment that you should be aware of:

• The average american throws away about 68 lbs. of clothing and textiles a year.
• Donating old clothes reduces the needs for landfill space.
• Re-using is a major component of recycling.  Donating to charities give your old stuff a second life.
• Most synthetic fibers do NOT decompose.  Wool and cotton clothing that does decompose produces methane gas which contributes to global warming.

So, give it a go.  Here's how it works:

 

Special thanks to Missy Pifer (a dedicated Donation Town volunteer).

Keeping Clothes Out of Landfills

 

Did you know that about 93% of all textile waste diverted to recycling is successfully reclaimed, yet 85% goes directly to landfills?  I'm all about giving and receiving hand-me-downs but I never knew what to do with our tattered clothes.  We certainly have no use for so many rags.  I was always too embarrassed to donate clothes in such despicable condition to Goodwill.  

For anyone who may have felt the same way, be embarrassed no more.  Goodwill, The Charity Guide, The Vietnam's Veterans Association and  Salvation Army will gladly take your unwearable clothes and make sure they get properly recycled.  Check out this post from Eartheasy.

Overcoming Procrastination

This is what I've been procrastinating for a long time.  That thing down there...do you see it?  After my last not-so-good doctor's visit, I realized it was time for me to really start taking care of my body.  I wish I could say I got started right away but I didn't.  Eating healthy isn't the problem...it's getting motivated enough to exercise and keep it a healthy habit.

 

   

My mother was kind enough to give me this awesome exercise bike.  I placed it in my family room since it's the one room we spend most of our time in.  Now it's in my face all the time.  I started with a few minutes a day and I'm so proud to say I was on it today for 56 minutes.  This may not seem like much but this is HUGE for me. I really hope taking these baby steps will turn into a healthy habit.

Check out these exercise bikes I came across.

1. Kinda retro

 

2. For kids...who knew they made them for kids?

 

3. Wii has some pretty cool games.  I wish I had one of these, it looks like fun.

 

4. These portable ones look pretty convenient. 

 

 

5.  Whoa! The person who designed this watched one to many Stargate SG-1 Episodes.

 

6.  For those who wish to get a workout in while getting their hair done.

 

7.  Um...lets move on.

 

8.  This one is sort of space age its' suppose to target fat deposits by using pressure to increase the blood flow, which stimulates the metabolism......yeah, okay (that's sarcasm you sense).