Day #5 Homemade

I have been slowly replacing the chemicals in my life with safer, healthier, homemade versions of products i use a lot.  here are a few examples and results:

deodorant

i have been using my homemade deodorant for quite a while now and i love it!  so far no BO!!!!!

6 tblsp. melted coconut oil
1 tblsp. almond oil
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/4 c. baking soda
about 25 drops essential oil ---so far i have only used peppermint because it makes me peppy---heehee

melt the coconut oil in the micro, whisk in the almond oil and then the dry ingredients & essential oil
pour into a container and let sit.  it will harden.

all ingredients are found in the grocery store except the essential oil i bought in the health food store.
i apply this with my fingers, it rubs right in and dries.  so far it has worked really well for me

shampoo

1/3 c. castille soap (liquid)  purchased at the health food store
1/3 to 2/3 cup water  (depending on how runny you want it)
2 tblsp. baking soda
1 tblsp. melted coconut oil
25 drops essential oil

there are a few different pre-scented castille soap or you can buy unscented and create your own scent with the essential oils.
so far i also love the peppermint, again because it makes me peppy!
i mix it all up and put it in a little squeeze bottle.  you can make larger amounts too!

air freshener spray

5 oz. water
1 oz. alcohol
essential oil--25+ drops

put ingredients into a small spray bottle--found mine at walmart.  a couple spritzes into the air does the trick.  so far my favorite scent is spearmint.  we only use this in the bathroom and i swear the house smells sooo much better.

bug spray

ok, this is AWESOME.  and i should know because we live in black fly and mosquito heaven!

again, i use a small spray bottle from walmart

4 oz. witch hazel
1 oz. sweet almond oil
essential oils:  citronella, lemon, lavender, peppermint

you can also use eucalyptus but i've heard you shouldn't use that oil on babies?  use at least 3 of the essential oils--about 15 drops each.
i spray this on my skin and rub in.  i spray it on my hair.  i spray it into my palms and rub it all over my face and ears.

no bites!!!!!! i so far have only been bitten in spots that i didn't spray (like one got down my shirt)
i am very impressed and so far have made and used a couple of batches.  the bugs hover, but do not bite.

i researched for these products and looked for simple recipes and then tweeked them. and i must say i am very happy with the results--especially the bug spray!

some essential oils are $$$$$  but i don't think i spent more than $10 a bottle. some were $4-$5.  but they last a long, long time and they are natural & pure.

The house always seems extra calm and quiet after taking a precious little boy home. We had ethan overnight and brought him home around 5 pm. He is so funny and sweet. He has become very easy and enjoyable to have stay over. Joe didn't stay the night this week. Meghan is weaning him off his pacifier ( he is 2 1/2) so we decided to wait until this is accomplished. So far, so good!
So far february in maine has been cold and snowy. The past week we've been getting storms every other day it seems.
I've been setting a weekly goal of 10 miles for my walking, but i haven't been hitting it. So far this week i've made it to 5 miles! Weight loss goals are suffering too- my motivation is low :(
I switched to some homemade deodorant a couple weeks ago and so far i like it!  Today i made some shampoo and used it this evening-it smells very pepperminty! We have been trying to cut down on the amount of chemicals we are using.  I'm going to make some air freshener spray next.