Fabric Softener

As it seems there is a constant stream of information on how the contents of everyday household products are dangerous, I have really started to incorporate as many homemade options as possible.

Fabric softener was one I questioned. Can these alternatives really soften the fabric? Will it work on things I don't put in the dryer, but dry on racks?

I have used vinegar off and on, not 100% thrilled with it. Items that I leave out of the dryer - jeans, cardigans, and so forth sometimes were a bit to stiff for me.

If you want to try vinegar, I just use the fabric softener ball and fill it with about a half cup of white vinegar.

What I gave a try this week for the first time is a very simple option from Everyday Roots. I chose to omit the EOs in the recipe. I may add them in the next batch, mostly out of curiosity.

The results of this option are much more my thing. Both the items from the dryer and the rack are soft and definitely work with my preferences.

My Obsession

I have a problem. I have a bit of an obsession with Mason jars and other fun glass jars.

At least my obsession has practical applications. I use large Mason jars to store dry goods in my teeny, tiny pantry cabinet. I use the other smaller sizes for the lotions I make. I have a jar of buttons with my sewing materials. When I make a bag of dry beans, I use jars to divide up the cooked beans and freeze for later use.

While I do worry about my clumsiness coming out to play and resulting in the breaking of jars, with more appearing to show that plastics can be harmful, I figure phasing out the plastic is a good bet.

While the branded Mason jars can be challenging to find outside of buying new at the store, I found a few tips for creating a collection of glass jars:

1. Put the word out to your friends, family, coworkers. Periodically a bag of jars appears in my office. I bring in baked goods or homemade pickles as thanks.
2. Save the ones you use - jelly, sauces, etc all come in jars - make use of 'em!
3. Watch rummage sales and estate sales. Our church has a rummage sale and periodically I can nab some there.

Those Little Irritations

It happens to the best of us, something irritates your skin. You get one of those annoying itches that just won't go away but isn't due to anything in particular. Your skin gets dry and itchy.

Welcome Lavender!

I put lavender in pretty much everything. Particularly if it is going to serve as a moisturizer or lotion. It is soothing both to the skin and a peaceful scent.

In my purse I carry a small roller bottle that contains about 8 drops of Lavender and the remainder of fractionated coconut oil (as the carrier oil). This has been helpful when I get those little itches and irritations. I've even shared it with others and despite their skepticism, they had to admit it helped.

Recipe: Black Bean and Rice Patties

These Black Bean & Rice Patties are a new favorite for me.

I found they do not have a ton of flavor on their own, but they make the perfect base to add some great condiments to or add to well seasoned vegetables.

When I made a batch, there would be no way I could eat 8 patties before they turned to the dark side in my fridge. I let each cool, then wrapped them up individually and froze them. This makes them perfect to toss in my lunch bag and take to work. I like them a bit crispy, so I make use of the toaster oven in our staff kitchen. You could just as easily use the microwave or a frying pan to reheat them. I wouldn't waste the time or energy using the oven, but I would suspect that is also an option.

I like making sandwiches with these and some great homemade ketchup. I might try some of the sweet & sour Asian inspired condiments in my fridge too.

Plus if you're watching your budget, these are super cheap to make!

Another Source & Sales!

I forgot to mention how much I love Mountain Rose Herbs.

They are where I get many of the materials for the various projects I make. They also have good prices on EOs. However, their shipping is more than Spark Naturals and is not flat rate.

My general plan of attack then is to take advantage of the monthly specials that Mountain Rose Herbs offers and to plan my orders so I am getting several products at once. This way the shipping is more cost effective. Spark Naturals is still a great choice as they have flat rate shipping, so if you're in desperate need of just one bottle of something you won't get zinged with the shipping.

This month Lemon Essential oil in the half ounce size is on special for just $4.46! After doing some calculations, I decided to order 4 bottles of it along with some witch hazel extract and aloe gel for other concoctions  This made the shipping worthwhile and is filling my stores for things I need on hand - more face moisturizer, after sun spray, etc. Have to make sure I'm ready for all the summer plans!

Oil Pulling

When I first heard of this, I thought it was bizarre  Finally I decided to give it a go when I found coconut oil for a reasonable price at Trader Joe's.

The concept is simple and outlined on a multitude of sites. You simply swish a vegetable oil in your mouth for 20 minutes.

The idea behind it is that it helps to pull out toxins, whitens teeth, helps with sinuses. I have found it to particularly help with the later.

When I feel congestion forming, especially in my sinuses, I pull out that jar of coconut oil. Since I don't want to deal with it in solid form (personal preference, even though it will melt in your mouth), I put about 2 tablespoons of oil in a small ceramic bowl and microwave it for a few seconds to melt it. This worked well in its base form.

Then I ran across a list of EO additions from Camp Wander that can target specific issues.

Let me tell you the wonders of adding a drop of Melaleuca to the coconut oil! Wow! At the least notice of a problem I do the oil pulling for a couple of days in a row and I'm fine - no congestion sets in, no sinus infection, most importantly - no sinus headaches.

Sunday's Quote

Only love can be divided endlessly and still not diminish.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh