My journey to all natural and homemade has been a long time coming. I have researched and studied and even incorporated aspects of the all natural and homemade lifestyle off and on for about 7 years. My husband made fun of me when I first started so I pretty much quit for a while. I have recently, however, acquired a passion that I don't think I ever had before. I ran across a blog that I have not been able to get enough of that sparked this renewed interest in the all natural way of life. Check it out at
One Good Thing By Jillee
My most recent journey began with using coconut oil as a personal lubricant. I found so many great uses for coconut oil that I started looking into other frugal and simple products that would be multi-functional in my health and beauty and cleaning regimen.
So, here's what I'm doing so far with some of these things being things I've done intermittently for years and some things that I've just started.
When I first wake up in the morning, I start with
oil pulling. I use one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil. In the shower, I use all natural tea tree shampoo and conditioner. I don't use a towel in my hair anymore per tips and tricks from
Curly Girl. Instead, I wrap my hair in what's called a "plop" with a long-sleeve t-shirt after applying aloe vera gel and homemade hair gel, recipe found here:
homemade hair gel.
Update: After several days of using my homemade hair gel, I have decided that it is the best thing that has ever happened to my hair! I love the way my curls look when I use this! And, I love that it has no chemicals!!! While my hair is wrapped, I "clean" my face with a mixture of coconut oil and olive oil. I didn't follow a recipe for that. I just poured some olive oil in my container and added coconut oil until it was a creamy, not so runny, texture. Then, I use witch hazel as toner. I brush my teeth with homemade toothpaste, recipe found here:
homemade toothpaste.
Update: I don't like this toothpaste recipe, looking for another one! Updated again: Ok, so I've tried 2 different toothpaste recipes and didn't like either one but I haven't been able to purchase essential oils yet. I think that will make a big difference. For now, I bought a tube of Tom's of Maine and I really like it as far as taste and texture. I have noticed, however, that my tooth sensitivity is coming back :( For shaving, I am using aloe vera gel.
I hand wash my dishes with simply washing soda and vinegar which is also my go-to cleaner for ANYthing dirty. it's really great on dirty floors :) For my laundry, I use my homemade powdered laundry detergent, recipe found here:
homemade powdered laundry detergent (note: she said Wal-Mart doesn't carry washing soda but ours does now so maybe yours will, too ) To my load of whites, I add 1/2 cup of peroxide. To my colored clothes, I add 1 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of baking soda. I buy my baking soda at the local feed mill for 40 cents/lb. and I have recently learned, but have not yet tried, that you can change baking soda into washing soda from this website:
homemade washing soda.
On November 4, 2012, our family committed to trying to eat God's way after reading a book called The Bible Cure by Dr. Reginald Cherry. The first thing we did was cut out all animal/fish/bird foods that He prohibited in the Old Testament. We still consume too much sugar/processed foods but we are definitely making progress and working on making better food choices. I stopped using sugar in my coffee a long time ago and started using honey and Coffee-Mate. I now try to only use local honey and have cut out the Coffee-Mate and started using low fat milk instead as Coffee-Mate is one of those over-processed food products and has too many ingredients that I can't pronounce :)
For nutritional supplements, in the mornings I take 1 potassium, 1 Vitamin D-3, 1 Maca Root capsule, and 1 multi-vitamin. I also drink an apple cider vinegar tonic made with 2 tablespoon acv, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon organic blackstrap molasses, and 1/4 c water. In the evenings, I drink a cup of spearmint tea with 1 teaspoon molasses and 1 teaspoon honey. I also take another potassium capsule and another Maca root capsule as well as drinking a dose of magnesium supplement. I also sprinkle my food with flaxseed meal. Most of the nutritional supplements I use are geared toward alleviating PCOS symptoms and constipation, both of which I have struggled with for years and am seeing much improvement in. I have also lost 5 pounds in the last month :)
