Homemade Sunscreen

Do you use sunscreen?  Do you know what the ingredients are?

Oxybenzone

Common ingredient in US sunscreens is detected:

• ·         in nearly every American
• ·         found in mother’s milk
• ·         1-9 % skin penetration in lab studies

Side Effects: Allergies, immune toxicity, Endocrine 

Octinoxate (Octyimethoxycinnamate)

Has hormone-like activity, disrupts the reproductive system, thyroid and behavioral alterations in animal studies.

Nine of the 16 chemical sunscreens are considered endocrine disrupters.  Most commonly disturbed are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid.

Carrot Seed Oil

Has a natural SPF 38-40

Coconut oil

Has a natural SPF 2-8 

Mix 15 drops of Carrot Seed Oil into 2 ounces of coconut oil

Use Caution When Using Natural Oils for Sunscreen

Since not all oils are created equal, the SPF can vary when it is on your skin. Determining the exact SPF factor of an oil is difficult, espeically given that natural oils oxidize (lose some of their medicinal properties) over time and when exposed to light. Ensure that you are purchasing your oils from a recommended source and always do your research.

Super Laundry Bombs

There are occasions when you have some seriously Filthy clothing that needs to be washed. These little beauties are "Da Bomb", Laundry Bombs - that is! This recipe takes out bondo, grease and goodness knows what else! While I normally use our a simple mixture of Fels Naptha, Washing Soda, and Borax there are occasions that a Laundry Bomb is necessary, 48 loads of laundry for $0.88  

Here's how to make them:

You'll Need:
1/2 Fels Naptha Bar
1/2 c. Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
1/2 c. Borax
2 c. water

Measure the Washing soda and Borax into a small bowl, mix well to combine and break up any chunks that may be in the soaps.

Very finely grate the 1/2 bar of fels naptha. (I used my food processor  In a medium size saucepan bring water to a boil, dump in the finely grated fels naptha and stir continuously until the fels is Completely melted. This should take about 8 minutes. If you're using an electric stove, it will take considerably longer. If your fels naptha is NOT finely grated, it will take considerably longer. Do not add additional water, you want the finished product to be very concentrated.

Once the soap is completely (100%) dissolved with NO chunks at all, add in the washing soda/borax mix, stirring constantly. It will be a very thick, creamy consistency. Remove from heat and pour into a medium size bowl, let it cool for at least 20 minutes.

Using a Hand mixer, Whip it until it has doubled in volume. Do not add any additional liquid, it is not necessary and will dilute the strength of your finished detergent.

Once the mixture has been whipped, form it into 48 balls. This can be done several different ways, a melon baller works perfectly to make even balls. Alternatively, we found this delightful mini-ice cube tray at the dollar store (Each slot holds 2 tsps) 

Fill each slot, place the tray in the freezer for 15 minutes, then pop out the Laundry Bombs. Again, if you don't have a mini ice cube tray you can use a melon baller. Each ball is about 2 teaspoons TOTAL.

Store them in a covered container or plastic bag. We prefer a covered container to prevent them from being broken/crushed.

I labeled mine so that there would be not mistake by anyone to eat them ;)






To Use:

Use 1 bomb per load. Simply toss it into the machine with your dirty clothes. This is fine for HE machines, front loaders, top loaders, old machines. The ingredients are all considered to be "Septic Safe". 

I get all of my supplies at Hy-Vee our local grocery store.

Baby Wipes

I would encourage you to consider making your own baby wipes at home. The money you'll save is significant. The environmental impact is nice. The confidence of knowing what you're using to clean your baby's face, hands, or bottom is wonderful.

- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp oil (olive oil, baby oil, whatever simple oil you want to use)
- 1 tbsp baby soap
MIX WELL and pour over wipes in portions.

An even simpler recipe, that has been great for her poor little irritated bottom (a result of the bathroom issues one often faces from changing bacteria when moving overseas) is this one:
- 1-2 tbsp of lavender smelling baby oil
- 2-3 cups of water
MIX WELL. Add wipes to box in small portions, pouring portions of the mixture over the wipes until both wipes and wipe solution are gone.

Thanks to our friend Kristin

Homemade Laundry Detergent

2 Cups finely shredded bar soap (I use Fels-Naptha)
    I use my food processor to make it very fine
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Each batch makes 4 cups laundry detergent and costs approx $.95-$1.00 to make. I use 2 tablespoons per load – yielding me 32 loads per batch ($.03 per load). This is for a super capacity washing machine!!! I make about 8-10 batches at a time so I don’t need to bother with it very often.

From our friend Heather

Vapor Rub

By far my favorite item that was made at our Pathways Connect Holistic meeting.  No more chemical rubs in our house!!!



2 parts Coconut Oil

1 part Beeswax

Essential Oils: peppermint

                        lemon grass

                        eucalyptus

Melt the beeswax and coconut oil in a pan over medium heat until it is all liquid. Add 5 drops of each essential oil.  (more or less to you preference) Pour into metal containers and use when needed!

Remineralizing Toothpaste

2 Tbsp. coconut oil

2 Tbps. baking soda

2 Tbsp. calcium magnesium powder

2 Tbps. xylitol or green stevia powder

2 tsp. real sea salt

20 drops essential oil (I use peppermint.)

10 drops trace minerals

Personally I thought this had the most interesting texture and taste.  It is nothing like your store brands at all.

I saw my dentist 6 months after his laser said I had a cavity... so we x-rayed and ...
NO CAVITIES!!!

First of all, you might be asking, "What's wrong with fluoride?"

These are the ailments, illnesses & diseases that I know from research are contributed to by fluoride. 

• Lowered IQ
• Hyperactive Behavoir
• Infertility
• Thyroid Dysfunction
• Bone Growths
• Fractures
• Osteosarcoma
• Decreased Immunity
• Neuorological Problems

Homemade Deodorant

Deodorant
5 tablespoons coconut oil
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup baking soda
essential oils, optional