Eat Your Yard! (Continued)

Since posting about edibles in our yard, I have found even more of them!  Here are a few more things you are bound to find in and around your yard, even in the city...  don't use Round-up to poison these edibles- harvest them!  Foraging is not only fun, but it's FREE :)

Red Clover

You are probably familiar with Red Clover already, but did you know that this lovely plant (from the legume family, none the less) is edible and medicinal?  Red Clover is found all over the United States, and is commonly used as cattle feed!  As you can see in the pictures, this species of clover has pretty pink blossoms and "stripes" on the leaves.  It usually grows in large patches in open, sunny fields (or in the middle of your yard!).

The leaves and flowers can be eaten raw or tossed into a salad- they also make a nice tea!  Some people experience bloat when eating large quantities of red clover, so pace yourself.

Traditional Chinese medicine believed that it was a good tonic for colds, to purify the blood, and at one time they burned it as incense. Native Americans used it as a salve for burns, as well as for bronchial problems. Many cultures have traditionally used red clover to treat whooping cough, respiratory problems, psoriasis, eczema and even cancer. Red clover is one of the herbs in Essiac, which is a herbal blend for cancer patients, and grows in many areas around the world. 

Sweet Red Clover blossoms

Broadleaf Plantain

The next edible/medicinal herb is Broadleaf Plantain- a great herb to have around in case of an insect sting, burn, open wound, or intestinal upset!  Plantain is not only edible, but packed with nutrients.  It grows alongside roads or your driveway, in our case :)  It is easily recognizable by the long, stringy veins in the leaves, as seen in the picture below:

The stringy veins of the Braodleaf Plantain leaf

When using plantain as a wild green, it is prefered to blanch the leaves first to make them more tender.  This plant tends to be a little tough and slightly bitter when eaten fresh.  After blanching, the leaves can be frozen for future use in soups, casseroles or sauteed!  Dried leaves make a great tea for digestive problems.

Braodleaf Plantain along the driveway

As you can see, Broadleaf Plantain grows all along our driveway... I showed my youngest son how to chew the leaves and apply them to insect bites, since he tends to swell when stung.  The medicinal qualities of plantain draw out the poison from stings and hasten healing from burns or open wounds.

Oriental Poppy

I was amazed at the beauty of this Oriental Poppy!  But, poppies aren't just ornamental... their seeds are delicious to harvest after the blooms have faded away!  Just harvest the seed pods when they start to brown and let them dry in your kitchen.  When the pod is fully dried, open them to reveal the nutritious seeds inside!  

Poppy seeds are known to decrease levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and are high is dietary fiber.  The seeds are excellent source B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid. Many of these vitamins functions as co-factors in substrate metabolism especially fat and carbohydrates.  Poppy seeds contain good levels of minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium.

Small amounts of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds have been found to have some beneficial effects on the human body; soothe nervous irritability, act as painkillers. Its seed extractions found useful in pharmacy and in many traditional medicines in the preparations of cough mixtures, expectorants, etc.

Milk Thistle

The last edible I will show you is Milk Thistle.  Although this plant is very spiky and unfriendly-looking, I assure you it is quite edible!  It is a tall (it can reach 3 ft in height), spiny plant that grows in full sun just about everywhere... I have seen them as far south as Florida and well into the Rocky Mountains.

The flowers of this plant (although they aren't blooming at this altitude yet) are light purple and bloom on the terminus of the plant stalk.  All parts of the plant are edible, even the roots.  Thistle leaves can be eaten raw, sometimes as a spinach substitute, after the spines are removed.  Flower buds can be cooked, as can the stem after peeling and soaking to reduce bitterness. Thistle can be used as an asparagus or rhubarb substitute or added to salads.  Milk Thistle seeds can even be roasted and ground as a coffee substitute!

As a medicinal herb, it is a great tonic, increases appetite and aids in digestion. It is used by many people, including those who were addicted to alcohol to cleanse the liver. Milk thistle is used internally in the treatment of liver and gall bladder diseases, jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis, acne and poisoning (including mushroom poisoning). 
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Explore your surroundings!  You'll be surprised at all the edibles you find in your area :)
Enjoy nature and its bounty!

Eat Your Yard!

I am constantly looking for edibles in our yard... my kids yell at me when we are outside and I bend down to pick a snack :)  I am trying to teach my kids about wild edibles, and they are slowly accepting that you don't have to go to the grocery store to get your greens!  

There are many varieties of wild edibles in this country, but since I am in the mountains I am going to show you what we have found here.  I am sure some of these are widely available, so keep your eyes peeled next time you wander through your neighborhood...

Common Mallow

The first wild edible I found is Common Mallow.  This a wonderful green herb- it reminds me a little bit of spinach when eaten raw

The plants are usually about 1 foot high. The mid-Spring flowers can be white, pink or light purple, and all have five petals. Shortly after the flowers drop off, the plant produces a small, disc-shaped fruit that resembles a wheel of cheese about 1/4 inch across.

Common Mallow in bloom

All parts of mallow are edible, and nutritious!  Although the leaves and stems are yummy when raw in salads, all parts, including the roots, can be boiled with soups to make them thicker.  The roots can be eaten after being boiled until translucent.

If you can find enough of the roots, you might be able to use them as people have traditionally used marshmallow roots-- to make candy. To do this, peel the root, slice it and boil in just enough simple syrup  to cover. The root will first turn translucent and then seem to melt away. The liquid should be reasonably thick at this point and, after straining any remaining solids, can be dropped by the spoonful onto waxed paper to dry or whipped into a chiffon-like confection. 

Common mallow leaves are rich in vitamins A and C as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium.  Dried leaves can be made into a nutritious tea.

Pineapple Weed

Pineapple weed, is a beautiful, feathery edible!  The plant can reach up to 18 inches in height and has fern-like leaves.  It resembles its relative chamomile, although the flowers seem to have no petals!  

Pineapple weed got its name from the pineapple-y scent it emits when you crush it.  You have to have a pretty keen nose to get the full pineapple effect, so don't fret if you can't smell it!
Pineapple weed makes a very nice, relaxing tea when you steep the arial parts of the plant in hot water for about 5 minutes.

Close up of Pineapple Weed flowers

Since it is a cousin to chamomile, you can expect the same medicial properties- very calming, good for menstrual crams, improves digestion, alleviates gas and treats colds.  It has been noted as having mild antiseptic properties, as well!

It's also great to munch on when you find some on a hike!  Feel free to toss some flowers and leaves into your spring salad mix :)

Dandelion

One of the best known wild foods is dandelion.  Although the leaves are best harvested in early spring, before the plant blooms, the flowers can be harvested throughout the summer and made into a delicious "wine".  Once the plant blooms, the leaves become very bitter, although still edible.

The flowers and long taproot can also be eaten. The flowers are best stripped of the green sepals at their base and stir fried or used as a colorful garnish for soups or salads. The taproot needs a long simmering before eating or can also be roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute.

As I stated in my previous post on dandelion wine, the dandelion has been used traditionally as a liver detoxifier and has many vitamins and minerals, including calcium and iron.

Daisy Fleabane

I have always been a big fan of daisies, but I never knew they were edible.  This variety of daisy grows  anywhere between 1 ft to 4.5 ft in height.  The leaves of this plant tend to be hairy.

Only the leaves are edible. Since they are hairy, the leaves have a somewhat ‘furry’ texture making eating them raw not too nice. They can be used wherever you cook with greens. 

Daisy fleabane leaf extracts contain caffeic acid which is an active compound that has antioxidative and neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells.

Catmint

Every plant in the mint family is edible- just look for squared-off stems, opposite leaves and a minty scent!

Catmint tastes minty,  although more delicate and more floral than other mints. It can be used in the same ways you might use any more common mint such as peppermint or spearmint. In other words, in just about anything. 

You can also drive your cats crazy with catmint!  It is said to be just as stimulating as catnip for some cats...

Catmint is really great for menstrual cramps, and is also a calmative and muscle relaxant. It is said to relieve the symptoms of colic in children, and can be used as a digestive aid for adults.  Just eat the leaves right off the plant or make into a fragrant tea.

Common Yarrow

On the subject of medicinal plants, Common Yarrow is a legendary powerhouse.   It sprouts in early to mid-Spring with leaves that resemble green pipe cleaners. Its flowers are white to pink and grow in large umbrella-like bunches. 

Common Yarrow in bloom

Common Yarrow's leaves, stems and flowers, dried or fresh, make an herbal tea that is particularly popular in Europe and contains more than 120 active, medicinal compounds. Some of those compounds stop bleeding from open wounds, suppress menstruation and help heal bruises and burns. Those compounds are balanced by other compounds that promote the free flow of blood. Tea brewed from the leaves has been used as a heart, circulatory, arterial wall, and kidney tonic. It also lowers blood pressure and helps sweat out colds, flu, fevers and other infectious illnesses. As if that weren't enough, it has anti-inflamatory and antiseptic qualities. A fresh leaf can be crushed and applied directly to an aching tooth to soothe the pain.

Leaves can be consumed raw or cooked. They have a somewhat bitter flavor yet they make a great addition to mixed salads. They are best used when young. Common yarrow leaves are also used as a hop-substitute for flavoring and as a preservative for beer. Although in general yarrow is a very nutritious and beneficial plant to add to the diet, it is recommended that this not be consumed in large quantities. Tea is made from the flowers and leaves.

Wild Rhubarb

I had never seen rhubarb growing wild before we moved to Colorado!  But, along the seasonal creek that flows past our home, I found a large bunch of this purple-stalked edible.  

Fresh raw stalks are crisp (similar to celery) with a strong, tart taste. The stalks are primarily used in the U.S. in desserts (think strawberry/rhubarb pie!).  Do not eat the leaf, as it contains toxic components.

Rhubarb has cathartic and laxative properties and is used in the case of constipation.

Wild Strawberry

The next two edibles are very similar, even in name- the wild strawberry and the wood strawberry. But, the two fruits are very different, so keep in mind the differences between the two plants.

Anybody who has tried a wild strawberry knows that they taste the same as strawberries sold for cultivation- just much smaller :)  As you can see in the photo, wild strawberries have three, toothed leaves and white flowers (unlike the "fake" wood strawberry- below- that has yellow flowers).
The fruits of the wild strawberry grow downward and hang from the plant, the wood strawberries point upward and are easier to spot.  Both fruits are edible, but wood strawberries are known to be disappointing- they have zero flavor.

So, if you like strawberries, don't be fooled by the beautiful red fruit of the wood strawberry!  Here is a list of things to look for when searching for real wild strawberries:

• Red fruit, pointing down
• Three, toothed leaves, plants close to ground
• white flowers

The roots and leaves of the wild strawberry can be made into tea.  It has been used to treat cases of diarrhea, ailments of the lungs and stomach and can be used raw or dried for skin infections.  Like the dandelion, all parts of the plant are edible!  Like the wild strawberry, the leaves and roots of the wood strawberry can be used for much of the same purposes...just not as tasty.

Wood Strawberry

Common Mullein

This is the most exciting find yet!  Known more for its healing properties than its edibleness, mullein is a very useful herb. As with many of the most useful plants, mullein has many names, including Jacob's staff, flannelleaf and feltwort. I have even heard Coloradans call it "Indian toilet paper"! 

Mullein leaves can be more than 2 feet long. The leaves feel exactly like felt. In its second year, mullein sends up a thick flower stalk that can reach 10 feet in height. Yellow flowers, then seed pods develop on the terminus of the stalk.  When we moved here in December, I remember seeing all these stalks, still persisting in the cold weather...

Mullein, shooting up a flower stalk

Mullein thrives in places where few other plants can grow, like sandy or overly alkaline soils.  It has antihistimine, antiseptic, pain inhibiting, antispasmodic, tranquilizing and sedative qualities. In addition, it can help heal wounds, soothe burns, reduce swelling, stimulate growth and soften skin.

A tea made from the leaves and carefully strained to remove the hairs contains loads of B vitamins as well as vitamin D, choline, hesperidin, PABA, sulfur, magnesium, mucilage, saponins and other active substances. It's one of the most effective remedies around for a sore throat or bad cough. Smoking the leaves can alleviate asthma, bronchitis and other lung ailments. 

A tea with many of the same properties can also be made from the root; this is especially helpful during the winter after the leaves have vanished. Tea made from the flowers has been used to treat migraine headaches, and oil extracted from the flowers has cured ear infections. The yellow flowers contain a color-fast dye that can be used on cloth or, as many Roman women did, to dye hair blonde.

The leaves can be used to treat arthritis because they increase blood flow wherever they are applied. They are also one of the best things around to use as an impromptu bandage.  After having been bruised, just wrap the leaf around the wound!

Mullein leaves and flowers are edible, but tea is probably the preferred method of ingestion :)

This is one herb/edible with many uses!  One of my favorites :)

Juniper 

I found juniper bushes all around our property and in the forest behind us.  The berries are a beautiful shade of blue and have many uses as well!

Bruised juniper berries have traditionally been used as a spice in meat dishes in Europe.  It has also been used to flavor gin (the name "gin" is derived from either the French "genievre" or the Dutch "jenever", both meaning "juniper") and other traditional beverages.

Juniper has diuretic effects, is believed to be an appetite stimulant, and is used to treat rheumatism and arthritis.  It is also being studied as a possible treatment for diabetes, as it releases insulin from the pancreas.  Some Native American tribes used juniper as a female contraceptive.

Juniper essential oil is readily available for use in skincare and aromatherapy.

Be sure to identify the species of juniper you find in your area, as the  Juniperus sabina is toxic and should not be eaten.

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Go out and explore your local area!  Find out which edibles are available and show your own family that greens don't always come from the produce section of the grocery store!  Enjoy!


For part 2 of my edibles post, click here!

Homemade Hair Stengthening/Growth Tonic

Ok, I have to admit, I am obsessed with making my hair grow- I have visions of my hair flowing over my shoulders and being everlastingly full and radiant!  Unfortunately, I have my father's hair- thin and stringy (when it gets too long).  My homemade hair products are wonderful, but none of them are helping with the length or fullness of my hair.  The quality of my hair has always been fine; I even had a fellow student (years ago) ask if she could touch my hair because it is so soft and shiny!  So, I am on a mission to find the perfect blend of hair-nourishing herbs that will make my locks healthy and full.

Bingo!  I found a recipe for a hair tonic with rosemary and stinging nettle that is supposed to stimulate your scalp and actually grow thicker hair.  I took that recipe and added some essential oils to aid in the scalp-stimulating properties of the tonic.

What you need to make your own herbal hair tonic:

1 T dried rosemary
1 T dried stinging nettle
1 c white vinegar
1 c filtered water
5 drops each: lemon and lavender essential oil

• Put all ingredients (except essential oils) into a small pan.
• Bring to a simmer, then turn heat to lowest setting and make a strong decoction. (takes about 1 hour)  Add more water if it gets too low!
• Remove pan from heat and filter out the herbs.
• Add essential oils when tonic has cooled to about 100 F.
• Keep in a cool place and shake well before use.

To use:

Use sparingly on your scalp (apply either with a dropper or a small squirt bottle), using 10-15 drops and massaging it in with fingers.  Do NOT rinse.  

Since this has vinegar in it, it will have a slight odor at first, but that will dissipate once the tonic dries.  Use this tonic every-other day.

Enjoy your healthy scalp/hair!

Homemade Cream Conditioner and Liquid, Hot Process Shampoo

The Shampoo:

Although I love my henna shampoo bar, I was curious about making more liquid shampoo- not from an already-made soap like Dr Bronners, but from scratch.  I have made liquid soap before (click here for the post), but I wanted to use oils that could be used for moisturizing shampoo and infuse it with essential oils that would promote healthy hair.  Since my hair is thin, I chose a juniper berry/spearmint scent for the shampoo.  Juniper berry essential oil is one of the essential oils that actually promotes new hair growth :)  I just like the smell of spearmint!  I also didn't want to make the recipe too complex or I would only make it once... so, I chose oils that would be easy to find and kept the list at a minimum.

Here's my recipe for hot process shampoo (which could also be used as body wash!):

17.5 oz castor oil
17.5 oz coconut oil
22.5 oz sunflower oil

24 fl oz distilled water
12.8 oz KOH (potassium hydroxide)

1 gallon distilled water for dilution (yes, this make a LOT of shampoo)

1-2 oz essential oils (optional)- I used a 60/40 mixture of spearmint/juniper berry

I followed the instructions (with pictures) found on these Instructables directions :)  This is the best tutorial I have found regarding liquid soap.  Very easy and concise!   Although my cook time differed from the Instructables author, the process is the same.

A few notes:

• Do not worry if you don't see every stage of liquid soap!  My soap passed by the "mashed potato" stage so quickly I didn't even see it...
• I ended up cooking my soap for 7 hours before I felt it was clear enough.  
• I did NOT add borax at the end because I was at a 3% superfat in my recipe- no excess lye needed to be neutralized in the finished product!

The Cream Conditioner:

I used to use a vinegar rinse as a conditioner, but I was never very fond of the smell or the difficulty with getting it through all of my hair.  It was also very cold when applying in the winter months- yikes!

I wanted to continue with the healthy/new hair growth theme of my shampoo, so I concocted a mixture of essential oils for that purpose.  Some essential oils you may want to try include:  ylang ylang, clary sage, lemon, rosemary, basil, cedarwood, cypress, peppermint, or a mixture.  Mine had a little bit of everything in it, and it turned out very sweet and herbal!

Here is the recipe that I found on www.brambleberry.com:

374 g distilled water
2 g liquid silk
22 g glycerin
27 g emulsifier
13 g jojoba oil
4 g sweet almond oil
4 g essential oils
( I did NOT add the preservative)

Heat all the ingredients (except essential oils) until solids have dissolved.
Hold that temp for 10 minutes.
Cool to 140 degrees before adding essential oils.

A couple notes:

• I had to use my stick blender to get the fixed oils to incorporate completely.  Just be careful while the mixture is hot!
• pour into a pump bottle immediately after adding the essential oils, as this will be hard to do once the conditioner is completely cooled.

The results:

I am very pleased with this shampoo/conditioner combo!!  Even my husband (who doesn't always like my concoctions) praised these products!!  Andy has hair past his shoulders and always has a hard time brushing his hair through when it's wet- with this combo, his hair is knot-free and shiny :)  I've recently had a major hair cut, and although I do not need detangling, my hair is soft and full of body.

Although the process of making this shampoo is a bit more time-consuming than the henna shampoo bar, it is well worth the effort!  And, since this recipe makes so much, you only have to make it every few months!  As far as the conditioner goes, I cannot think of an easier way to make anyone's hair soft and shiny- and no vinegar-y smell in your shower!  Enjoy!!

Homemade Deodorant

A few months ago, I wrote a post entitled "5 Steps to a Chemical-Free Morning Routine"... since then, I have run out of homemade deodorant.  So, I thought I'd take this chance to show you all how it's made ;)  This deodorant is so easy to make, there are no excuses NOT to make your own!  While conventional deo is full of nasty chemicals and synthetic perfumes, this homemade version is natural, moisturizing and really keeps the stink away.  It costs very little to make, too!

For each batch (which fills 1 1/3 deodorant stick container), you will need:

3 T coconut oil

2 T shea butter

1 T beeswax

2-4 T baking aluminum-free baking soda

essential oils of choice

Melt oils and beeswax together, on Med-Low heat, in a small pot.  

When oils/wax are melted, add desired amount of baking soda.  Some people are sensitive to baking soda, so you might want to start with a little and add more as you see fit.  Stir until the mixture doesn't separate when left alone for a couple minutes, then add your essential oils.  This time, I used lavender.

 

When the deodorant is a pudding-like consistency, pour into recycled deo tubes or cosmetic-grade pots.  I made 3 batches today, so I had enough for 4 :)  I located 3 gel deo tubes and reused them. Then, I put the rest in an old lotion pot !

The gel deo tubes have small holes at the top, allowing only a small amount to be dispersed at once.  This type of tube works perfectly with the homemade paste!

There you go!  Homemade deodorant in just a few easy steps :)  Use only a small amount- a little goes a long way.  Enjoy!

Homemade Healing Salve

This post was inspired by a friend's request for help with first-aid items to keep on hand :) 

As you can see, we have already dug into this salve- actually, my kids reach for this salve regularly!  They have learned that it can soothe the itch of a bug bite or help bruises heal more quickly.  Since I have added lavender essential oil, it also smells great :)  We use this salve for anything and everything- scrapes, bug bites, blisters, chapped skin, bruises, sun burn, etc.  If I had a baby in the house, I would also use this to prevent/treat diaper rash!

Here's my recipe for healing salve: (all herbs are dried)

2 parts plantain leaf

2 parts comfrey leaf

1 part calendula

1 part yarrow

1 part echinacea

1/2 part rosemary

olive/coconut oil

beeswax

Depending on how much you are making, choose your measuring tool (anything from a tablespoon to a cup).  Fill a canning jar about 1/3-1/2 way with herbs, then cover the herbs with olive oil, coconut oil, or a mixture of both.  Cover tightly with lid.

Next, set your jar on a thick cloth in a crock pot.  Fill crock pot with water, up to lid of jar.  Set crock pot on "warm" setting and let it warm the herbs for 2 to 3 days.  Shake once a day to keep herbs circulating (add more oil if the herbs are not covered).  Add water to crock pot as it evaporates.

After infusing your oil, strain off herbs into cheesecloth or other thin towel.  Place infused oil into a small saucepan.  Add 1 oz beeswax for every 4 oz infused oil and heat until beeswax is melted.

Remove oil from heat and add essential oils (I like lavender)- pour into containers while still warm.

Your homemade salve is ready to use when it is completely cooled!  

5 Steps to a Chemical-Free Morning Routine

I love to use products that I've made myself.  No label-reading necessary, because I know exactly what is in them.  And, my friends are always willing to be guinea pigs for my homemade concoctions, so I get free feedback from them.  If something doesn't work for any or all of them, I can make adjustments until it is perfect! 

 

In this post, I am going to share with you 5 easy steps to make your own chemical-free bathroom products- just imagine, a morning routine that doesn't involve bathing yourself in chemicals and synthetic perfumes!  

 

 

Step One:  Make your own tooth powder!! 
Did you know that, historically, fluoride has been added to water supplies as a poison?  Yes, fluoride is a toxic chemical that has been forced upon us in drinking water and conventional toothpaste.  You can take my word for it, or do your own research (here's a good article, or this one). Here's the good news: you can rid your life of fluoride-ridden toothpaste!  Make your own tooth powder :)  Here's the recipe I use every day:

Tooth Powder
2 T aluminum-free baking soda
1 t fine sea salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/8 t clove powder-or-5 drops clove essential oil

Mix ingredients well and keep in a sealed container.  To use:  wet your tooth brush, then dip bristle tips into powder.  Brush as usual.  This powder will not only clean your teeth but give you fresh breath as well!

Step Two:  Make your own deodorant!!
Please read the ingredients label on your stick of conventional deodorant.  First off, can you identify all the ingredients?  Didn't think so.   The worst ingredient in conventional deodorant (in my opinion) is the aluminum.  I read an article recently that said 100% of malignant breast tumors contain aluminum... where would the tumors absorb this aluminum?  My guess is:  conventional deodorant! 

Although "natural" deodorants work, I am still not convinced that they are totally safe.  Better safe than sorry- make your own!!  Here's the recipe I use every day:

Deodorant Paste
3 T coconut oil
2 T shea butter
1 T beeswax
4 T aluminum-free baking soda
essential oils (about 5-10 drops)

Melt your oils over low heat (heat until beeswax is completely melted).
Add baking soda and stir... and stir... and stir until everything is mixed thoroughly.  You can take breaks in between stirring.  When mixture has cooled and started to solidify, you can add your essential oils (I like orange and ginger).  Store in a cleaned deodorant tube or a small pot in your bathroom.  This can be spread on or rubbed in with your fingers.

Step Three:  Make your own lotion!!
Once again, read your labels!  Store-bought lotion is nothing but chemicals with a little oil thrown in.  Do you really want to slather chemicals on your body right out of the shower?  That doesn't sound too clean to me.  Here is a very simple recipe that I use every day (including on my face):

Body Butter
3oz shea butter
3oz cocoa butter
3oz coconut oil
3oz almond or grapeseed oil
essential oils (optional)

Melt solid oils over low heat, then let them cool for 30 minutes.
Add liquid oil and any essential oils for scent.
Chill until mixture starts to solidify.
Whip with a hand mixer until light and fluffy!
You can store this in your bathroom in a sealed container, as long as it doesn't get too hot.

Step Four:  Make your own shampoo and conditioner!!
Check out my recent posts on liquid shampoo and vinegar rinse and henna bar shampoo!
Store-bought shampoo has lots of chemicals- some for lather, some for shine, some for sensitive scalp, etc.  If you just use a homemade, chemical-free shampoo, you will have lather, shine and a healthy scalp, and without all those added chemicals :)

Step Five:  Make your own soap!!
This is  a big step, but I know you can do it!  There are many how-to videos and instructables online that teach soap-making basics.  I have also done a detailed post on making goat milk soap.  If you are not comfortable making your own, just be careful when buying soap at the store.  Pick soaps that do not have synthetic scents and chemical additives.  Some skin problems, like eczema, are aggravated by harmless-looking ingredients and fragrances.

If this list looks very daunting to you, just take it one step at a time!  Try one recipe per week, or two if you're feeling motivated :)  You can rid your life of chemicals and feel good about doing it.  Enjoy!

Homemade Henna Shampoo Bar

A few years back, I found and printed out a recipe for a shampoo bar.  It interested me, but I had my favorite store-bought shampoo and was unwilling to give it up... now, after trying my hand at liquid shampoo, I am ready to take it to the next level :)  Although I was satisfied with the liquid shampoo,   I was curious to try a shampoo bar on my fine, thin hair.  With the liquid shampoo, my hair is left a bit heavy, like I used a little too much product when styling it- even when I let it air dry with no product whatsoever. 

With the shampoo bar, my hair is shiny, light, soft and manageable!  Here's a picture of what my hair looks like after washing with the bar, using a vinegar rinse, and air-drying (keep in mind that I have not been kind to my hair in the recent past):

The original recipe that caught my eye so many years ago was from the Snowdrift Farms website, which has since shut down.  I changed the oils to suit my needs, and added henna leaf powder and coconut milk to improve the health of my abused hair and scalp.  Here is my revised shampoo bar recipe (oil and lye measurements are by weight, milk and water are fluid oz.):

Oils:

15 oz coconut oil

12 oz macadamia nut oil

6 oz castor oil

4 oz palm oil

3 oz jojoba oil

Lye (NaOH)

5.5 oz.

Liquids:

5 fl oz coconut milk ( I used canned., organic milk)

10 fl oz water ( I froze the water before adding lye)

At trace, I added:

1 oz henna leaf powder

0.4 oz chamomile flower powder

0.4 oz silk protein liquid

splash rosemary essential oil

While the ingredient list is extensive, this recipe is well worth the trouble!  

You make the shampoo bar just as if you were making lye soap.  

**If you need detailed directions, please see my other post on making  goats milk soap.  The only difference would be that I added the coconut milk directly to my heated oils and mixed the lye with the ice/water.**

I am so happy I found a more natural way to make my hair look healthy.  No more crazy, long chemical names on my shampoo bottles- and no more bad hair days, either!  Enjoy!

For other shampoo/conditioner recipes, chose a type:
hot process liquid shampoo and cream conditioner
liquid shampoo and vinegar rinse

Homemade Shampoo and Conditioning Rinse

 

 

I am really excited about this post!  Homemade shampoo has been on my list of "things to do" for quite a while, but I hadn't found a recipe that really caught my eye until now.  (Check out the inspiration for this post at Instructables!)  The recipes are simple and can be tailored to any type of hair. 

 

My hair is fine and thin, so I paired my homemade shampoo with a vinegar rinse.  The rinse will help with any heavy feeling that is left after shampooing.  Without the rinse, my hair feels like I have a lot of product in it- even though I could use some body, I cannot use this shampoo without a rinse.  

 

I have a good friend who has naturally curly hair, and she uses her normal conditioner with this shampoo, with excellent results!  She told me her hair feels light and clean, just like after a trip to the salon :). 

 

Here's what you'll need for your own homemade shampoo:

 

1/2 c castille soap (I used Dr Bronners Citrus Hemp Castille Soap)

1/2 c water

2 t jojoba oil

2 t glycerine (I used a homemade green tea extract in glycerine)



Mix all ingredients in a large, glass measuring cup, then pour into dispensing bottles!  Make sure to shake well before using.  I squirt this directly into my wet hair, as it is very watery (but it makes amazing lather!).

For a vinegar rinse, just use 1 quart water (or tea- I used a strong linden leaf tea) and 3/4 c vinegar (you can use whatever kind you have on hand- I used apple cider vinegar).  Mix.

Use 1/2-3/4 c per rinse- just work through your hair to your scalp and leave it on while you wash your body.  Then, rinse and let your hair air dry!  When it's dry, no vinegar scent :)  Enjoy!

Homemade Raw Goat's Milk Soap

I am a soapmaker. It is not a career for me, just a very satisfying hobby. I get special orders from friends once in a while, but usually just make soaps for my family to enjoy. I first started making soap about the time that Hurricane Katrina came through New Orleans... my hubby was working with the clean-up efforts, I was home with 4 small children and needed an activity to keep me sane. :) Soapmaking found me, and I've been enjoying it ever since!

Recently, I became aware of a local goat dairy from which I could get raw milk- was I excited! I have made soap with canned goat's milk, but it's just not the same; even the technique to making the soap with raw milk is different. If you have ever made soap before, here's a recipe that you will thoroughly relish:

Fats:
20 oz coconut oil
20 oz olive oil

Liquid:
12 oz goat's milk, frozen and broken apart.

Lye:
6.08oz sodium hydroxide (NaOH)






The reason you need to freeze the goat's milk is that the NaOH will burn it otherwise. If you have ever burned milk, you know that it isn't pleasant- and the soap will be ruined! What's great about this technique is that the lye solution doesn't even get above 100 degrees, so as soon as the oil is heated to the correct temp. it's time to mix! No waiting needed.

Step 1: Mix your NaOH into the frozen goat's milk. **Please use precautions when handling lye, as it is caustic and can cause serious burns. Use eye protection and long gloves to protect any exposed skin.** Once the milk is thawed, leave the lye solution in a protected area.

Step 2: Heat your oils to about 100 degrees. This will not take long at all :)

Step 3: Mix the lye solution into the heated fats in a stream no larger than a #2 pencil. Stir with a metal spoon until incorporated.

Step 4: Using an immersion blender, mix the soap until a light trace (thin pudding consistency). Add any additives at this point, then mix until incorporated. I used about 0.3 oz ground lavender buds and 0.7 oz lavender essential oil.

Step 5: Pour your soap into a prepared mold. I used a commercial-grade 9x13 baking pan, lined with plastic. Cover your soap with plastic and wrap your mold in a blanket.

Step 6: Remove your soap when it hardens. This can take anywhere from a couple hours to a day. Cut into bars (From my pan, I cut 10 2 1/2" x 4" bars and several "samples") and let them cure for 2-6 weeks. **Always test the pH before using soap!**





The finished product is a cleansing, hydrating bar that makes a gazoodle bubbles! I can't wait to try this out in the shower and breathe the calming lavender scent... I have tried a couple sample slivers, and it is definitely one of my favorite soaps thus far!

This post was shared on Monday Mania at the Healthy Home Economist.

Homemade, Non-Greasy, Bug Repellent

I have gotten so tired of mosquitoes this year! The rainy season has been upon us for months, and I see no end to it in the near future... although the constant buzz of sprayer airplanes is overhead, we are still plagued by mosquitoes every time we open the door! Unfortunately, their favorite place to hide is on our front porch :(

I have attempted to make homemade bug repellent a few times, but it never worked out. I used olive oil as my base every time, and it was messy and sticky! As with some commercial repellents, having sticky, greasy skin while outside is not the ideal situation. Every time I used my homemade olive oil blend, I came back inside with sand, dirt and various other organic material stuck to me in a slimy mess... not any more!

The solution to my dilemma was witch hazel! Witch hazel is a natural astringent, so it is soothing for the skin, non-greasy and quickly absorbed. It also has a very mild scent- kind of like graham crackers :)

For my homemade formula, for every 1/2 cup of witch hazel, I add:

25 drops cedar wood essential oil
15 drops citronella essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops tea tree oil
a drizzle of neem oil (to your discretion, as this really alters the nice, herbal scent. Neem oil tends to smell like a fart.)

Mix everything in a mister bottle and spray liberally on exposed skin before going outside.

Be sure to shake before each use! You'll be amazed at the effectiveness of this homemade herbal bug repellent, and no grease :)

Homemade Bar Lotion

I use lotion every day. During the winter, when we have to turn on the heat occasionally, my skin needs that extra moisture even more!

I have made cream lotions, but they actually contain more water than oils! I find the moisture is short-lasting, although easily absorbed into the skin. For winter moisture, I prefer bar lotions. This type of lotion is not watered-down at all! It is 100% natural oils that moisturize your skin to the fullest, and they take very little effort to make.




I can make 4-1.5 oz bars from this simple recipe:

1.5 oz beeswax
1 oz cocoa butter (very moisturizing, and good for scarred skin, too!)
1.5 oz Shea butter
2 oz liquid oil (either olive oil or avocado oil)

Melt oils and beeswax in a small saucepan over low heat.
Remove from heat and add 1/4 t vitamin E and about 5 drops of your favorite essential oil
Pour into molds and let harden! If they get stuck in the molds, simply pop them in the freezer for an hour or so.

To use:
Rub the bar in your hands to warm.

I have used this as a facial moisturizer, and it works great on feet and elbows, too!

This post has been shared at Monday Mania

Homemade Hair Detangler

My oldest daughter used to have hair down to her bottom, and boy was it hard to keep neat! It didn't help that she didn't like having her hair brushed. We got store-bought detangler and it worked, but I didn't like the ingredient list one bit. Really, there was more than one ingredient I couldn't even pronounce! I was inspired to make my own detangler when I came across an herbal product online called "Hair Shine" by http://www.beeyoutiful.com/ ...

In my homemade detangler, I use:

2 oz aloe gel (try to find the purest aloe you can- NOT the green aloe for sunburns.)

5 oz distilled water

20 drops orange essential oil

20 drops lavender essential oil

8-10 drops rosemary essential oil

4 drops grapefruit seed extract (optional- for freshness)

I re-used an old detangler spray bottle (I've used the one in the picture for about 3 years!) to mix all the ingredients together. This concoction is best when used on dry hair, in between washings. Shake well before use :)

Homemade Sunscreen

We are having a homeschool field trip to Sanibel Island this week, and I noticed that we have used up all of our sunscreen. Although some sun exposure is good for your vitamin D levels, spending all day at the beach with no sun protection is a sunburn waiting to happen.

Drugstore sunscreen is no longer allowed in my home because of the chemicals used in them. These chemicals actually penetrate your bloodstream and flow through your body- I would rather use a sunscreen that protects my kids from the outside.



Here are the ingredients for my homemade sunscreen:

48 g liquid oil (I use either sweet almond or olive oil)
52 g coconut oil
20 g emulsifier (this is to mix the water and oil)
10 g stearic acid (this is a thickening agent)
380 g water
35 g zinc oxide- at this amount, the sunscreen will be approx. SPF 20
10-20 drops essential oil (NOT sweet orange, which can make your skin sensitive to sunlight.)

Heat all ingredients except zinc oxide and essential oil in a stainless steel pan until hot but not boiling. Then, mix with a stick blender until everything is incorporated and creamy- be careful as this mixture will be hot. Once it is mixed, you can add your zinc oxide and mix again with the stick blender. If you are adding essential oils, wait until the mixture has cooled to add them.

Here is the finished product! It is thick and looks a lot like store-bought sunscreen. This is not completely waterproof, so re-apply after swimming!

I put my sunscreen in a recycled lotion bottle with a pump. This makes it easier for the kids to re-apply themselves!