Spring is in the air around here. My body was acting up in ways I never imagined pre-kid/pre-30′s. Asthma was flaring up, I was sneezing, my eyes were itchy, and my skin and scalp were screaming from dryness and irritation from the dry winter months.

About a month ago, my husband and I were walking on a childless day around the flea-market and came across a booth with homemade bath bars and such. Since I love things natural and I love helping local business/entrepreneurs out, I decided to buy a glycerin bath bar infused with herbs and a shampoo bar (which I am STILL using to this day) spending $5 for each. About that time I also won a bath bar made from goat milk.

For someone who was used to ordering skin care products and buying the high end shampoos and conditioners from the stores and sometimes in the salon, money spent on “beauty” was not that big of a deal. Those 3 pieces were the best $10 ever spent and won on skin products because the outcome of these products after a couple weeks of use was astonishing. I’ve used natural products before but never for as long as a month and without using other store bought bath products in conjunction. This time I ONLY used the shampoo bar (was amazed that a separate conditioner was not needed) and I only used the bath bars. My hair has so much more body that lasts the ENTIRE day, it’s shinier, super healthy looking, and my once stick straight hair actually has some bend to it now!

I found that I LOVED the herbal bath bar (glycerin base) on my skin because the scent of the herbs used lingered on my skin even hours later. BUT I must admit that I preferred the goat milk base over the glycerin soap base. It seemed to last longer and my skin felt softer. In addition, I wasn’t too fond of how the glycerin soap just seemed to “melt” and become “goopy” over time unlike the goat milk version.

I also stopped using my regular facial lotions, eye creams, and body lotions. I switched over to using just Jojoba oil which I LOVE! I can literally put it on in the morning and the next day my skin is STILL soft even if I don’t put it on after my evening shower. It’s also great for removing makeup every evening. I won’t even mention how much money I’ve spent on facial lotions and creams in the past. These products were ordered so you can guess at how much money was spent every other month or so. Perfumes, colognes, spritzes, and smelly lotions from the stores have even become too strong for me and I now much prefer the oils infused with essential oils as a scent on me. Talk about SAVINGS by using a natural substitute in lieu of perfumes and facial products!

BYE-BYE…

I’ve decided that it is time to declutter my beauty & bath products. I held on to them for security in case the “natural” route didn’t suit me. But now it’s time to clean out the old and rid as many bath & beauty products possible with harsh ingredients (like alcohol & sulfate). The less number of ingredients, the better. I have talked to hubby about making our own soap and shampoo bar recipes and he couldn’t agree with me more. I mean, why pay someone else the money to homemake something for you when you could do it yourself and maybe even turn it into a business if you found/created the right recipes.

Now I need to find more natural makeup products! The good thing is that my skin is more radiant now than before and honestly the only thing I feel like I need is mascara and some soft eyeliner. I rarely wear foundation and I only occasionally wear eye shadow. So if I can find a good natural brand that’s all I really need.

Right now I am also on the look out for a good natural substitute to covering grays (or silvers like I have) instead of using the harsh store or salon hair color products. I’ve heard that coffee, sage, and rosemary rinses are good but to expect doing the rinse a couple of times for coverage on brunettes. I’ll have to try that since I have a huge rosemary bush out back and plenty of coffee around here.

Do you know of a good natural hair color solution? Please share!

What Next?

~ This Tuesday Toot is brought to you by MommyCommunity.com. ~

You’ll need…

• 2-3/4 yards of fleece fabric (to make 30″ & 60″ long scarf and have a some extra)
• Sewing machine
• Thread to match or contrast with fabric
• Scissors

How to make a fleece scarf…

1. Cut two pieces of fleece equal in length and width. Length will determine how long your scarf will be. (I personally like them long so I did one 30″ long for my Little One and another 60″ long for Ladybug.)
2. Lay the two equal pieces with the right sides (if you have printed fabric, the side that has the pattern on it) facing in each other and pin the pieces together.
3. Leave a ¼” seam and sew the full length of the scarf (do not sew the ends). Repeat on the other side.
4. Trim the fabric as close to the seam as possible without allowing it to unravel of course.
5. Turn scarf inside out so that the sewn seams are now on the inside.
6. Iron the scarf to flatten it.
7. Sew a running stitch along the top of the fringe to “close” the ends of the scarf.
8. Using a pair of scissors, cut the fringe at the ends by cutting your desired width/length for slits.
9. Trim any loose threads.
10. Scarf is now complete.

Some Tips…

• You can easily change the length of the scarf simply by laying a measuring tape over the shoulders and measuring the desired length. I personally like long ones so I can tie or wrap easily with length left over to hang.
• Make sure you use good scissors. Dull scissors will make cutting clean straight lines difficult.
• You can embellish a scarf with ribbon, buttons, etc to give it a unique look.

I added buttons so the scarves would remain around the necks. For Ladybug’s (A) I added a button halfway so the ends would be parallel. For Little One (B) I added the button more towards one end.

Here’s an easy way to make some homemade chicken dumpling and no…I’m TERRIBLE when it comes to measuring things out. I often cook by eye and taste.

INGREDIENTS…

• Chicken Pieces
• Chicken Broth
• Water
• Milk
• Mixed Veggies
• Green Onion Chopped
• Butter
• Flour
• Salt & Pepper

DIRECTIONS…

• Boil water and broth in a large pot.
• While water boils…Mix flour and milk together to make a doughy consistency for the dumplings in a bowl. I like to “cut” butter in to make it moist like I’m making biscuits.
• Once water boils turn it down on low, scoop out (I use a mini cookie scooper) dumpling mix and drop into water.
• Add chicken pieces and mixed veggies.
• Add salt, pepper, and a little bit more butter to taste.
• Cook on low for about 30 minutes.
• Let cool and add green onions to top prior to serving.

You can…

• REFURBISH things…Not only are you keeping items out of the landfill but you’re saving the money you may have spent for something new. Go to 2nd hand shops, yard sales, flea markets, or utilize local groups like FreeCycle.org. You’d be surprised what you can find out there that’s practically being given away because someone didn’t want to take the time to do a minor fix or no longer wanted it anymore. You might even be lucky and find practically new things for free! It’s been awhile since I’ve purchased a replacement printer I can tell you that. Even picked up a couple computers to build a “new” computer for the kids one year.
• BAKE/COOK…Bake some cookies, homemade spice breads, or even jams. Pick up holiday themed tins for at the dollar store or a box of glass canning jars for under $20 to make a dozen gifts.
• SEW/NO SEW…Can you knit, crochet, sew, or perhaps just cut and tie? This is the perfect season for keeping the bodies warm. Make some no-sew fleece scarves and blankets.
• REMELT…Grab all those candles that are burned as low as you dare and start scrapping them from the containers to remelt into new candles. Find any container that is heat resistant to fill it with wax and throw in a new wick. You can even remelt crayons into shapes using muffin trays. Did this last year for Little One and she loved her “new” circle crayons her big sister and brother made that went with the new coloring books she got.
• REGIFT…(be sure not to gift it to someone who you got it from or to someone the original gifter knows) Empty the closet of the items you’ve never used and give them to someone who can and will use them. This might sound tacky but why waste space with items you can’t use.
• GIVE TIME…These days we’re so busy that we rarely take the time we need with others. Spend quality time with someone. Give coupons of favors to someone (dinner, baby sitting, etc). Spend time giving back to the community by helping those that are lonely less fortunate (retirement home, hospital, soup kitchen). There will ALWAYS be someone less fortunate than you even in your toughest times.

Here are some other places for ideas…

• 50 Homemade Gift Ideas
• 100 Hom-Made Gift Ideas
• Homemade Gifts
• Christmas Gifts
• Homemade Gift Ideas Under $10
• The Best Homemade Gift Ideas

Now crank up the Christmas tunes, make some hot chocolate or warm apple cider, and get creative with the family.

Got any more ideas you’d like to share?

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