Shampoo is the most common hair care product we buy, but the harsh chemical compounds present in commercial shampoos cause too much harm to our tresses and make them dull, dry, and unhealthy. Going organic can save your hair from this turmoil and DIY recipes can be easy on your wallet. So, here are 5 simple DIY organic shampoo recipes that can give you beautiful, attractive hair:

Organic Coconut and Lemon Shampoo Recipe

This simple, easy and inexpensive shampoo can nourish both your hair and scalp to give you gorgeous locks.

Ingredients:

• Liquid castile soap – 1 cup
• Organic coconut oil – 1 tablespoon
• Lemongrass essential oil – 20 drops

Directions:

1. Pour liquid castile soap into a mixing bowl.
2. Add organic coconut oil and stir well.
3. Add lemongrass essential oil to the opaque mixture.
4. Mix everything once again.

Organic Shea Butter Shampoo Recipe

If your hair is extremely dry and severely damaged, this shampoo can restore its natural moisture and put it into good health.

Ingredients:

• Liquid castile soap – 200 ml.
• Organic shea butter – 15 ml.
• Lavender essential oil – 8 to 10 drops
• Sodium bicarbonate – 1(1/2) teaspoons
• Distilled water – 50 ml.

Directions:

1. Melt solid shea butter by placing it over boiling water. Let it cool to room temperature.
2. Mix water with sodium bicarbonate to make a solution.
3. Pour this solution into liquid castile soap. Stir for a few seconds. Avoid forming too much foam.
4. Add melted shea butter.
5. Add lavender essential oil to the bowl.
6. Blend everything together.

Organic Chamomile Shampoo Recipe

You can opt for this organic chamomile shampoo to turn your curly, frizzy and dry locks into soft, smooth and manageable ones.

Ingredients:

• Solid castile soap – 2 tablespoons
• Organic chamomile tea – 1 cup
• Chamomile essential oil – 4 to 5 drops
• Pure glycerin – 1 tablespoon

Directions:

1. Grate a solid bar of castile soap from one side.
2. Brew a cup of strong chamomile tea and pour it into the grated castile soap.
3. Add glycerin.
4. Add chamomile essential oil.
5. Blend everything well.

Organic Vegetable Oil and ACV Shampoo Recipe

Say ‘bye bye’ to dandruff and improve the overall appearance of your hair significantly with this super effective organic shampoo.

Ingredients:

• Liquid castile soap – 4 tablespoons
• Organic vegetable oil – 2 teaspoons
• Organic apple cider vinegar (ACV) – 4 tablespoons
• Coconut flakes – 4 tablespoons
• Fresh thyme – 4 tablespoons
• Fresh rosemary – 4 tablespoons
• Distilled water – 2 cups

Directions:

1. Bring distilled water to a boil.
2. Add coconut flakes, fresh thyme and fresh rosemary to it. Stir well and boil for 30 more minutes.
3. Strain the mixture and add liquid castile soap to it.
4. Pour vegetable oil and ACV into it.
5. Mix everything well.

Organic Green Tea Shampoo Recipe

The antioxidant properties of green tea can make your tresses look healthy and beautiful by preventing grey hair and reducing hair fall.

Ingredients:

• Liquid castile soap – 1 cup
• Organic green tea leaves – a handful
• Organic olive oil – 1 tablespoon
• Organic raw honey – 1 teaspoon
• Distilled water – 1 cup

Directions:

1. Boil fresh green tea leaves in distilled water and brew for 30 minutes.
2. Add liquid castile soap.
3. Add olive oil and honey.
4. Combine everything well.

Further Reading:

• Morrocco Method Hair Care Review
• Four DIY Homemade Cosmetic Products For Healthy, Vibrant Skin
• The Soap and Shampoo Conspiracy
• How to make your own Natural Deodorant at Home – Recipe
• Fight Cavities and Gingivitis Naturally With Homemade DIY Oral Health
• Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula

References:

• Green Tea for great Health, Skin and Hair – Beauty Glimpse.com
• How to Make Natural Shampoo – Wellness Mama

If you are making a transition from conventional medicine to an all-natural, organic approach to wellness, it helps to know which items to stock up on so your medicine chest and first aid supplies are ready for action.

Many of the items you will need are likely to be found in your pantry or refrigerator. Try to keep extra on hand – especially the essentials.

Items for a Well-Stocked, All Natural Medicine Cabinet

Raw and Fresh

• Garlic
• Ginger root
• Aloe vera

Dry Stuff

• Baking soda (non aluminum, organic)
• Sea salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Eyebright tea

Bottles and Jars

• Raw, organic honey
• Organic coconut oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Argan Oil

Essential Oils

• Eucalyptus
• Tee tree oil
• Neem oil
• Cinnamon oil

Vitamins

• Vitamin C
• B-complex
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A

Other

• Epsom salts

Bandages

• Rolls of gauze
• Squares
• Butterfly bandages
• Finger gauze
• Tape
• Band-Aids

Hardware

• Eye cup
• Droppers and bottles
• Neti pot
• Hot water bottle
• Ice packs
• Tweezers
• Magnifying glass
• Scissors

Tonics and Supplements to Buy

• Total Tonic
• Spanish black radish
• Echinacea

First Aid

First aid doesn’t have to be complicated. That said, there are many alternative treatments for the same problem. Don’t hesitate to do the research to learn a variety of treatments.

Burns– Immediately cool the area by running it under cold water. Follow with ice. Cover with aloe vera, bandage if desired.

Scrapes – Wash the area with organic soap, rinse and pat dry. If you feel the need to further cleanse the area, pour on a little hydrogen peroxide. Pat dry. You can use raw honey for a dressing or 1 teaspoon coconut oil with 4-8 drops of essential oil (tee tree oil, cinnamon, etc.) or cover with argan oil.

Eyes – If you get something in your eye an eyewash can be very helpful. Make a saline solution with pure water (distilled is best) and salt. Boil the water, even if it is distilled. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the water to cool to lukewarm before using. (Very important! Do not use hot or cold water in your eye!)

Use a sterilized eyecup or dropper. If you keep extra solution, sterilize the jar or bottle.

If you accidently splash a chemical in your eye, don’t wait; flush with tap water immediately – for 20 minutes.

Bug bites – Use apple cider vinegar, cinnamon oil, aloe vera, tea tree oil and others. Remember to use a carrier oil with essential oils. (Mix 4-8 drops of essential oil with one teaspoon of coconut or other oil.

Infections

There are four types of infection: bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitical. In order to be healthy, your body needs a strong immune system. Diet is the most important element to health. Your body requires a full array of nutrients for every system in the body. Minimizing exposure to toxins and helping the body eliminate waste and toxins is the next step. Good sleep, exercise, sunlight, and grounding are all important as well.

If you eat a truly healthy diet, you will rarely get sick. When you do, your immune system will respond quickly and efficiently. You still might want to help it along now and then.

Viral Infection – At the first sign of a viral infection, gargle with pure apple cider vinegar. The more you gargle, the better. This lessens the viral load, killing off those nasty bugs so your immune system doesn’t have to battle so many. Gargle enough (every hour!) and you will definitely experience a milder illness or you may just nip it in the bud. Total Tonic can also be a great help. To learn how to make your own, check out Natural Remedies for Colds, Flus, and Other Common Viruses for the recipe.

Fungus (Athlete’s Foot or other skin infections) – First try straight apple cider vinegar. Just pour it on or use a cotton ball to squeeze it on the effected area. Tea tree oil (4-8 drops with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil) can be applied to skin or fingernails and toenails.

When you have a fungal infection, you can bet you have an overgrowth of fungus in your gut. Check out How to Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem.

Parasites – No parasites are not limited to third world countries. A truly healthy diet with plenty of raw food (80% at least!) helps the body rid itself of parasites. See Common Parasites and How to Kill Them. You definitely don’t want uninvited critters feasting on your body.

Bacterial Infection – Gargle with apple cider vinegar for a sore throat, too. Yes, it burns like crazy, but afterwards, the pain is usually gone. Spanish black radish is remarkable for bacterial infections of all kinds – bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, tooth infection, etc. Garlic is also a time-honored cure. To strengthen the immune system for viruses and all other parasites, check out Make Your Immune System Bullet Proof.

How to Use Other Items in Your Medicine Chest

Ginger – Use ginger to settle the stomach. It’s great for nausea. Use it for migraines. Make fresh juice at the first sign of a migraine. Apple/carrot juice with ginger is awesome. It knocks migraines out before they can get going. More on Ginger.

Garlic – Garlic is one of nature’s strongest antibiotic, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, and antiviral substances. Eat it raw, but know that this practice, while great for killing viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, might make you throw up. Try chasing it with a ginger shot to keep it down. You can also use garlic topically to kill warts and eliminate skin tags. More on garlic.

Baking Soda and Salt – Make a saline solution to wash the sinuses with a neti pot at the first sign of infection or when pollen becomes a problem. For instructions, check out How to Use a Neti Pot for Sinus Infections.

Eyebright Tea – Eyebright tea knocks out pink eye and relieves eye inflammation. Be sure to thoroughly strain the tea so that no plant particles remain in the solution. Use an eye cup and rinse the eye with the solution. (Remember solutions for the eyes must be lukewarm, not hot or cold). Be sure to check out Shillington’s Eyebright Formula.

Epsom Salts – Use Epsom salts for a variety of muscle or skin issues, including muscle cramps. To learn how to properly use Epsom salts, read The Health Benefits Of Epsom Salt Baths.

As you learn more about natural remedies, it might help to keep a notebook. There is much to learn and many homemade recipes you will want to remember. As you do, your natural medicine chest will grow.

Further Reading:

• How to Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe
• Cayenne and Capsaicin, Natures Miracle Medicine

A lot of people are growing vegetables to beat the credit crunch. Growing vegetables is the best way to turn your gardening expertise into a means to save significant money. There are numbers of inexpensive vegetables that can easily reduce your food expense. Here is the list of the specialty crops worth planting.

Cilantro

You either love it or hate it, but if you pay for it, you undoubtedly want to consider growing it. Cilantro is worth more than $20 per sq ft. Also, keep in mind that you always grow cilantro close to some other taller vegetables to shade it in the warmer weather.

Arugula-Roquette

Arugula or Roquette, is a family member of the mustard family. This spicy bite compliments the particular sweeter lettuces and it is also best for your salads. This plant could completely be farmed, or individual exterior leaves could possibly be cut from the plant. It is advisable to grow it just like you grow cilantro, in between the taller plants.

Green Salad Mix

Mesclun and lettuces are standard salad ingredients. Once you start eating the green lettuces, you will save iceberg lettuce for baloney sandwiches. Green salad mix can definitely help you save some serious income.

Chives

Mix chives into scrambled eggs or cottage cheese, or add to a baked potato. You must have this in your garden. It’s easy to grow in the ground or in a container. Did you know it grows in winter?

Dill

Dill is worth more than $16 per square foot. You can use it in salads, quick breads, and also you can have it with fish. You should try tuna pasta salad with a bit of chopped garlic, green pepper and dill Trust me; it’s simply awesome.

Lettuce

Any lettuce, from the salad bowl to Romaine could save you more than $18 per a square foot in your garden. With lettuce, many varieties can be grown from its seeds.

Cherry Tomato, Modest & Method

You should definitely try Red Cherry, Sweet Million or Sweet 100. You can consume it directly into salads without slicing it. With these tomatoes you can save over $15.00 per square foot.

Herbs

Herbs have become much more popular in the last two decades. You can make use of them in cooking, for herbal products, and for medicine herbs. They are a value-added item to grow in your garden.

Lavender

Growing lavender is a great way to turn your love for herbs into a solid income.  Once planted, lavender will continue to produce hundreds of blooms for 15 years.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are easy to grow in a small space and expensive to buy in the supermarket.

You can also grow the 10 veggies to save a huge amount of income. They are worth $6 to $10 dollars for each square foot.

• Turnip
• Squash
• Basil
• Celery
• Tomato, large
• Pumpkin
• Tomatillo
• Radish
• Cucumber
• Chard

Recommended Reading:

• Things You Should Know About Garlic – DIY, Recipes, Other Tips
• Total Nutrition – Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula
• Permaculture Agriculture: The Transition to a Sustainable Future
• Companion Plants for Organic Gardening
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

Polytunnels seem to be popping up all over the place – and with good reason! They’re a fantastic gardening tool that can increase crop size, extend the growing season, and protect your plants from the elements. And, you get all of these benefits without the hassle that comes with erecting a permanent structure such as a greenhouse. Around 90% of people who purchase pre-made polytunnels choose to erect them themselves, because it’s incredibly simple to do, and can save a significant chunk of cash compared to hiring a handyman or builder to do it for you. So here’s an easy guide to walk you through the process of building your very own polytunnel.

What Is a Polytunnel?

Basically speaking a polytunnel is constructed from a metal-framed semi-circular tunnel covered in hardwearing polythene with UV inhibitors to maximize its lifetime. A large amount of air is enclosed by a polytunnel, so it stays warm much longer than a greenhouse – and also does not suffer from such dramatic temperature fluctuations in summer. During the winter you can regulate temperature and maintain heat very simply by lining the inside of the tunnel with bubble wrap and then removing it in spring. The polythene film has a lifespan of between five and ten years, but the cost to replace it will be only 15%-20% of the cost of the original tunnel.

Lay the Foundations

As with building any structure, you need to start by laying the foundations. Correctly placed foundation tubes are absolutely vital to the safety and longevity of your tunnel, so it’s crucial to get this step right. Start by marking the base positions around the site of the polytunnel – these will form the outline of the tunnel and will provide the base structure for you to build your aluminum frame. You should make sure the positions are evenly spaced and that the corners are at right angles, otherwise your tunnel might not be stable. You should then simply drive the foundation tubes into the ground at those marked positions. You can do this with a large hammer – but make sure to place a wooden block between the hammer and the tops of the tubes to avoid damaging or distorting them. You can either use tubes provided in a pre-fabricated polytunnel kit, or if building your own tunnel from scratch, offcuts of scaffolding poles or mains water pipe provide the perfect inexpensive substitute.  These should be cut to about six feet in length and driven into the ground to a depth of about three feet, depending on your desired polytunnel size. The bigger the tunnel the deeper the poles should go. Once they’re securely in the ground, check to be sure the tubes are level with a spirit level.

Build the Frame

Whether you’re constructing a pre-fabricated polytunnel or building one from scratch, you’ll need a series of aluminum hoops to make up the frame of your tunnel. To build the frame, simply connect the hoops together (they generally come in multiple sections) and simply slide them over the foundation tubes, bolting each in place. Finally, fit the ridge pole down the centre top of the tunnel, corner bracing and doorframes. Check that the hoops are all straight and in line, then tighten all the joints carefully.

Add the Cover

Now your framework is securely in place, it’s time to attach the cover and add the ‘poly’ to your tunnel. Most pre-fabricated polytunnels will come with some sort of cushioning to put over the hoops, to ensure the polythene sheet doesn’t snag or tear – but if you’re building one from scratch you can use foam coverings or anti hot-spot tape (which can be sourced from larger garden stores). This isn’t absolutely vital, but will increase the lifespan of the sheet by around a year – so it’s a good investment. Clear any stones from the ground around your frame and unroll the cover, sliding it over the hoops so it sits evenly over the frame. To secure it you can either attach it to the base rail if you have one (as most pre-made kits will), or  simply bury a skirt of polythene in a trench approximately 30cm deep. If your model is supplied without a base rail, but you don’t have space to dig a trench, you can make one using lengths of 70 x 45mm timber, cut to length, then bolted on to the foundation tubes. Whichever you choose it’s important to keep the plastic sheet as taut as possible during fitting. Now simply either cut a V shape in the sheet where you’d like the entrance to be, or use whichever door system is provided in your kit. There you have it, your very own polytunnel!

Be sure to check out our website, premierpolytunnels.co.uk

Forget buying toothpaste, reading all of those ingredients, wondering if you can recycle the toothpaste tube or not. Make your own toothpaste, mouthwash, and more. There’s nothing you can get in the store that will do as well as these recipes.

But remember, there’s nothing you can do for your gums and teeth that will heal them and keep them healthy without eating a healthy diet. Your mouth emulates the health of your gut. Disease starts in the gut, and that’s true for everyone except for the few people who smoke but eat very well. Smoking (tobacco, marijuana, anything) is extremely bad for the teeth and the gums. That’s not to say that if you choose to smoke you should not use these homemade recipes, it’s just that your teeth and gums will deteriorate if you do not take care of the rest of the body. These formulas can reduce the deterioration rate, or, if the body is taken care of, they will accelerate the healing, reverse cavities, remove inflammation, eliminate infection, and whiten.

One other exception, and an unfortunately common one, is someone who takes very good care of their body, but is stuck with mercury fillings. These fillings will also deteriorate teeth and gum health, but there are steps you can take that will significantly reduce health consequences.

Homemade Remineralizing and Whitening Toothpaste Recipe

Make your own remineralizing toothpaste with calcium, magnesium, stevia, coconut oil and essential oils to help your teeth stay strong and your gums stay healthy.

Ingredients

• 5 parts calcium/magnesium powder (the best calcium for this can be obtained with this homemade calcium recipe)
• 2 parts baking soda
• 1 part unrefined sea salt, finely ground
• 3-5 parts coconut oil to get desired texture
• Optional ingredients: Essential oils for flavor and/or kill germs (mint, cinnamon, tea tree, peppermint, orange), and stevia (takes very little)

Instructions

• Mix calcium, salt, and baking soda in a bowl
• Add coconut oil, one part at a time until you reach the desired consistency
• Add any optional ingredients
• Store in small glass container.

Hydrogen peroxide is added to many home toothpastes, especially those formulated for whitening. But hydrogen peroxide is one of those ingredients you are not supposed to swallow and it can irritate the gums. It is not a good idea for kids or for anyone with sensitive, damaged, or diseased gums.

Simple Toothpaste Recipe

If you don’t have access to some of the ingredients listed above, or you just want a simpler formula, you can make homemade toothpaste, that’s not really a paste, with the following:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon unrefined sea salt, finely ground

Instructions

Just mix the ingredients.

Homemade Earthpaste Recipe

If you like the earthy shampoos and soaps, then this toothpaste formula is right up your alley:

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp bentonite clay
• Distilled water
• 5 drops tea tree oil
• 5 drops liquid stevia
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 Tsp unrefined sea salt

Instructions

• Combine 2 tablespoons of water with the bentonite clay in a glass bowl and mix well using a non-metal spoon (clay shouldn’t come in contact with metal)
• Add tea tree oil, stevia, and peppermint essential oils
• Add salt, mix well
• Add water to taste and texture.
• Store toothpaste in a glass with a lid (the toothpaste will dry out over time if left uncovered)

Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic method of oral care that involves swishing oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Some say that this practice can detoxify the whole body and heal all kinds of diseases, but these statements aren’t possible if the diet is not addressed. It does promote good oral health by reducing the amount of harmful bacteria and dental plaque while cleaning the areas of the mouth that brushing and flossing cannot get to. Oral health does increase the strength of the immune system, so oil pulling can lead to improved overall health.

Traditionally, sesame oil was used, but these days coconut oil is more often recommended, and it’s my preference as well. To increase the potency of this protocol, use essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, or clove. Tea tree oil and oil of oregano are two good options, but they can get really intense. Start off with just a small amount.

Here are some suggestions with the essential oils for oil pulling. Add these to a tablespoon of coconut oil.

• For bad breath: 2 drops of cinnamon, spearmint, or peppermint essential oil
• Toothache: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
• Canker sores: 2 drops of holy basil essential oil.
• Gum disease: 2 drops of cinnamon, clove, or tea tree essential oil.
• Receding gums: Add 2 drops of Myrrh essential oil.
• Cavities: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
• Any infection in the mouth: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each

How to Oil Pull

Swish the oil around in your mouth (like you would with mouthwash) and pull through the teeth, for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t swish hard, or your cheeks will get sore very quickly.

The longer you do it, the more benefit you’ll get. 15 to 20 minutes is ideal, and I like to do it while I write articles, but even just doing it for a few minutes is very beneficial. You may need to take your time and build up your mouth strength. (I did.)

Spit it out! Do not swallow it. That oil gets nasty, and it’s better to dispose of it than swallow it. Follow with tooth brushing, or at least thoroughly rinsing the mouth. And don’t spit it out in the sink. The oil could stop it up.

Homemade Mouthwash

There are lots of interesting mouthwash recipes, but between the homemade toothpaste and the oil pulling, I hardly ever want to use it. When I do, I just put some water in my mouth and drop in some essential oils like peppermint, mint, or clove, and follow with swishing and gargling. But here is one recipe I have made that I like very much.

Ingredients

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 teaspoon unrefined sea salt
• 1 teaspoon calcium magnesium powder (homemade calcium recipe)
• 4 drops spearmint essential oil*
• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil*
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil*
• 2 drops clove essential oil*

Directions

Mix ingredients in a glass bottle and shake.

* optional

Instant Breath Freshening

If I need to freshen my breath in hurry, I gargle with apple cider vinegar, or I chew on raw garlic, parsley, and/or cilantro (whichever I can find first). As long as you rinse well with water afterwards, you’ll have fresh breath.

Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula (click here to buy)

There is a third step in dental care for anyone who is struggling with gingivitis or wants to use a preventative treatment. Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula can be used as a mouthwash (one dropperful to a cup of water), on your toothbrush (8-12 drops on your toothbrush after brushing your teeth), or with a water pick (2-4 dropperfuls, but rinse out your water pick after use so the tee tree oil does not shorten the life of its rubber seals). After each of these methods, do not rinse; allow the ingredients to continue working.

Dr. Shillington writes, “The Echinacea in the formula deadens pain, kills germs, kicks the immune system into action, and starts working against bacteria that is deep down in the gum pockets. Bayberry and Oak Bark will tighten up the gum tissue right before your eyes. Peppermint is a very strong disinfectant, reduces inflammation, and also increases blood circulation to carry off toxins, bring in nutrition, and generally cleanse the mouth. Clove oil is a great pain reducer for toothache.”

You can make your own Tooth and Gum Formula with Dr. Shillington’s recipe or purchase the Tooth and Gum Formula through Green Lifestyle Market.

Dr. Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula Recipe

(Use Organic ingredients where ever possible).

• 10 oz Echinacea tincture
• 1/4 cup of tea tree oil
• 4 oz. bayberry tincture
• 2 oz. oak gall (or 3X oak bark) tincture
• 2 TBS. Cayenne tincture
• 2 1/2 dropperfuls of peppermint oil
• 2 1/2 dropperfuls of clove oil

A “part” is a measurement by volume, not weight. Blend all ingredients together and make into a tincture using a 50/50 blend of alcohol and distilled water. For more, see How to Make a Tincture.

A dropperful is considered to be about 1/2 way up the dropper from a two ounce bottle.

Be sure to shake well before each use.

Conclusion

Gum disease is not only avoidable, it is, contrary to conventional opinion, completely reversible. For more on oral health, be sure to check out Mercury Fillings, Root Canals, Cavitations – What You Need to Know. As far as that healthy diet we were mentioning, check out 80% Raw, which also has an amazing salad recipe.

Recommended Products:

• Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula
• Earthpaste Spearmint Toothpaste
• Peppermint Oil
• Cayenne Tincture
• Shilllington’s Herbal Snuff
• Shillington’s Echinacea Plus

Further Reading:

• Periodontal Disease, Gum Disease – What you need to know
• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Mercury Fillings, Root Canals, Cavitations – What You Need to Know
• How to Kill Candida and Balance Your Inner Ecosystem
• Still Have Candida? How Mercury Fillings Cause Candida Overgrowth

Sources:

• Remineralizing Toothpaste – Wellness mama

Cleaning surfaces and unblocking drains is usually perceived as a rather unwelcome chore. This is especially true if you’re proud to live a sustainable lifestyle and do not want to use store-bought conventional cleaners. But fans of green living (and cleaning) don’t need to despair. There are plenty of easy and very useful sustainable cleaning hacks that you can draw on when you cannot or do not want to buy an expensive eco-friendly cleaner, but want to keep it green at the same time.

How to Treat Stains Naturally

Even unusually stubborn stains can be treated using all-natural remedies. Hydrogen peroxide is an eco-friendly alternative to chlorine bleach and, diluted, a great cleaning solution that will work wonders on most stains. For food stains, sprinkle some baking soda on the area and then spray a water and hydrogen peroxide solution on the stain. Let it soak for a while, and then wash as usual. This green solution will even get rid of wine stains if you let it soak for long enough.

White vinegar can also act as an effective stain remover pre-wash. But keep in mind to always test any cleaning solutions on a small area first to make sure you won’t damage the fabric.

How to Unblock Your Sink

As an outdoorsy person who puts a lot of emphasis on a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle – but at the same time likes creature comforts – glamping is the perfect choice of holiday for me. It’s low maintenance and close to nature, but with many of the perks that usually only hotel accommodation offers.

Last time I embarked on a glamping trip, I stayed in a cabin close to the woods. It was lovely to have a bathroom and small kitchen area at my disposal whilst still being as close to nature as you can get, but unfortunately, that luxury was short-lived when the sink clogged up on my second day. I had to choose between getting in touch with the owners to have them take action, and figuring out how to unblock a sink myself.

As a firm believer in green cleaning, I remembered a homemade remedy to clear the drains. All I needed was baking soda, boiling water, and a cup of vinegar. Luckily, the cabin had all of these things in stock. If you want to try this green unblocking remedy, pour the baking soda down the drain, then follow this with a few cups of boiling water. The baking soda will react with the water and dissolve any gunk. If the sink is still blocked after that, repeat the process with baking soda and vinegar, and carefully plug the drain. Then clear the drain by pouring down more boiling water.

Taking matters into my own hand rather than contacting the cabin’s owner saved me a lot of trouble – and time – so it’s always good to be prepared and have some cleaning hacks like this one at the ready.

How to Clean Surfaces the Green Way

Grease stains on kitchen surfaces are ugly. They seem to cling to kitchen surfaces like a magnet, and after you let them sit for a couple of hours, they can be tricky to remove. But if you’ve got vinegar and vegetable oil in your kitchen cupboard, you’ve already got yourself a highly effective surface cleaner to leave your kitchen sparkling. Spray vinegar onto the surface; let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe off the surface with a cloth.

If there are still some greasy remains left after this first stain, it’s time to treat grease with grease. Soak a paper towel in natural vegetable oil to scrub away especially stubborn stains. This should remove even the most persistent stains.

Further Reading:

• How To Clean Your Bathroom In a Green and Organic way
• 6 Effective Ways to Make Your New House Green

Sources:

• What is Glamping? – Discover Glamping 
• How to Unblock Clogged Drains and Eliminate Odours – Cleanipedia

Attention ladies! Do you really know what you’re doing to your skin with each cosmetic product you use? I didn’t know. From the timeI wokeup in the morning until I washed my face at the end of the day, I fought with my skin.  After way too many years of this self-inflicted abuse, I came to my senses, put my foot down and decided to make some big changes. That’s when I turned to my daughter, the aesthetician, for advice on how to replace my cosmetic catastrophes with all-natural products. We ended up tossing out all fo my harmful products like my makeup remover, acne cleanser, makeup foundation, and my weekly beauty mask product. With that mess of product gone, we locked in on some easy-to use, all-natural ways to replace each of those products.

So, if you say “oui, oui” to going “au-naturel”, read on and find out what 4 products I now use. And guess what? Cosmetic companies don’t want you to know this!

Makeup Remover: Is Coconut Oil The “Healthiest Oil On Earth?”

First and foremost, what is one thing that we do every day that irritates our eyes? Of course, it’s removing our darn makeup. I have tried so many different makeup removers that I can certainly attribute the wrinkles around my eyes to some of them. Raise your hand if you feel the same way, too! After all, the vigorous action of removing waterproof mascara with an oily pad can sometimes be as harsh as using an emery board to buff your nails.

But then, my daughter told me about coconut oil. Say what? That’s right. She said that the unique fatty acids in it make it an ideal makeup remover because they help to break down and absorb the stubborn makeup on your skin. Not only that, but it’s a natural moisturizer which nourishes your skin. Not to mention the fact that it has strengthened my eyelashes, giving me a super sexy wink. 😉

Let me tell you how you can replace your expensive makeup removers with coconut oil, just like I did. Follow these 3 easy steps and you’ll be wondering why you didn’t hear about this sooner:

1. Add some room temperature coconut oil to a soft cotton pad (It could be a bit hard. It will liquefy due to the heat of your skin.)
2. Close your eyes and press the pad against your eyes for 15 seconds. (This allows the oil to break down and absorb all those nasty little bits of mascara.)
3. Then, take the pad and gently wipe that makeup from your face in a consistent downward motion.

And just like that, the makeup will be removed, and your face is moisturized. Truly ladies, you’ll find that this is a super product that you need to stock up on.

Acne Treatment: Hey Acne! Meet My BFF, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

I’ve always had a serious issue with acne. It was at its worst when I was a teenager, but I still have breakouts here and there. From Clean & Clear to Proactiv, I’ve tried it all. Honestly, nothing really worked. And then a friend told me about this amazing use of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). She told me that it regulates the pH of your skin, which detoxifies the skin and helps get rid of and prevent acne. Now don’t get me wrong, even though it can have a bit of a pungent aroma, it’s well worth the benefits.

And it is super easy to use. Just a heads up, I use Organic Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother, as this is the product in its purest form. All you need to do is use the product at night after you remove your makeup and before you go to bed. So, here’s what you do:

1. Put some ACV on a cotton pad and gently apply it your face in a circular motion until your entire face is covered.
2. Then, while you get your beauty sleep it will absorb into your pores and work its magic all night long. Leaving you with clearer, healthier looking skin in the morning.

That’s all it takes. After doing this every night for about 2 months, I got rid of all of my acne and haven’t had an outbreak since. It’s been almost a year now! Woohoo! By the way, ACV has also been known to eliminate dark spots. Winning!

Makeup Foundation: Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue…And Rosehip Oil Is Perfect For You

After 30+ years of using way, way, way too much foundation, I had enough. So I decided to find a natural alternative. And I found out about rosehip oil. Again, it’s another product that has more than one benefit. Oh yes! It’s been known to reduce wrinkles and restore your skin’s natural complexion.

But ladies, let me tell you that you need to use this as your foundation. Simply coat your face with rosehip oil before putting on your makeup and it makes a great base to put on an even coat of makeup. And what I love about it, too, is that it’s super gentle on the skin. The product that I buy comes in a small bottle with a teardrop applicator. Here’s how you get that “rosy” foundation going:

1. With the applicator (if yours has one), put 1-2 drops of rosehip oil on your fingers.
2. Gently apply the oil in a consistent motion, starting from your nose out towards your cheeks.
3. Repeat this process, until all the “makeup zones” on your face are covered.
4. After applying, give yourself 5-10 minutes for the oil to absorb. This allows your makeup application to be easier and it will look like a professional aesthetician did it for you.

Beauty Mask: Honey! Where’s My Mask?

How many different beauty masks have you tried in your life? Well, have you ever tried a honey mask? OMG, I’m warning you that after you try this, you will be addicted. The powerful nutrients in honey make for rich and smooth skin, and once the coat is done you’re not going to want to stop petting your soft, supple skin.

Now, this one takes a little more effort than the other products.

1. Warm up the honey first to make it easier to apply and to help it absorb into your skin. (Trick: Run the jar of honey under warm water for a few minutes.)
2. Take 2 fingerfuls of honey and begin applying it to your face in a circular motion. Repeat this process until your face is fully coated. (Don’t worry, you can’t use too much. Well, maybe you can.)
3. Once applied, let it cool and dry on your face.
4. Have your lounge chair ready, and get to relaxing for about 15 minutes while the honey works its wonders.
5. Finish off by rinsing your face with warm water. (Attention: Do not use any soap or cleansers to wash the honey from your face or it will cancel out all of that TLC.)

Trust me, honey, you will instantly see the difference when you touch your face after the mask therapy is over. Heck, you might even go for round 2 in the same day. (I did.) Realistically, if you can adopt this as a weekly ritual, you’ll be on the path to adding 10 years of youth to your beautiful skin.

Now you understand why cosmetic companies don’t want you knowing about these ingredients. After all, they’ll save you money, get you Ah-May-Zing results, and make you feel like a natural beauty. 😉 So, which one are you going to try first?

Related Reading:

• 35 Things You Can Do With Coconut Oil
• Beat Eczema Naturally
• Get Naturally Gorgeous Skin with These 4 Home Remedies
• Healthy Skin