Newest concoction

So, the handmade deodorant is going well. I love that there is no film left under my arms, yet I don't stink. I have been using baking soda and salt with some peppermint oil mixed in for my toothpaste. I never thought that I would use baking soda or salt as toothpaste, but I am and I am actually enjoying it. I need to start ordering some things to make creams, soaps, and various other necessary household things. I also made some floral smelling oil from Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles. I did switch out the rose oil for bergamot oil, yet it still seems to work. I need to learn more about essential oils/aromatherapy and then I can hopefully make my own blends. I will also be trying my hand at natural housecleaners. Hopefully thy'll work well and I won't have to have dangerous concoctions around with the 3 kiddos.

Oh, I also started knitting the sweater for my daughter's christening outfit. The dress is sleeveless and the Christening is in Oct. Now I still have to make my sons' outfits and also 2 halloween costumes!

Stay tuned for more natural and handmade things.

Amy

Update

I made the natural deodorant and was not expecting great things given my past experience with natural deodorants. I was pleasantly surprised that this actually worked. I wore it all day yesterday and after taking care of 3 kids and doing errands all day, by bedtime I was still smelling just fine. I even made my husband check to see if it was working and he said it was. This has definitely spurned me on to making more of my own natural products. I need to find out more about essential oils and maybe try my hand at actual soap making. I have heard really good things about natural soap and how much better it is for your skin. Then there is always the cost benefit from making your own never mind using the best products that you can find vs leaving up to other to decide what average or below average product they want to use. So at this point I have made my own hair wax and my own deodorant and am on to making my own cologne.

Wish me luck in this endeavor,
Amy

http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2009/03/quick-stick-deodorant.html is the website that I got the recipe!

Tuesday

I have been so tired trying to find a deoderant that works,yet doesn't leave a wicked film under my arms. I have tried so many deoderants and anti-perspirants, from that regular secret type drug strore varieties to the totally natural salt crystals. I decided that I would try to make my own. I found what seems to be a decent recipe consisting of baking soda, cornstarch, coconut oil, and lavender oil (tea tree oil also works supossedly). So far so good, but I haven't attempted anything during the day yet. Tomorrow will be the true test of how it works. I hope it works since I love the smell and can only imagine that it is going to leave my underarms feeling much better than the drug store varieties!

I have so many projects to work on! I wrote down what I need to complete over the next couple of months and can't believe what I have to do. I love making things, but can't seem to find the time that I would like to have. I guess that is what happend when you have 3 kids under a year and a half. I have to say though, I wouldn't change a thing about my life. I have the best husband and the best 3 children anyone could ask for. My husband is so supportive of my wish to be more natural and more holisitic.

As a family, this summer we have gone to so many farms and farmer's markets. Tonight for dinner we had a chicken from Tendercrop Farm in Newbury, purple potatoes from a farm in Hamilton, and Amaranth greens from the Hmong Farmers. Such a good dinner, even Michael my 17 1/2 month old liked everything. My plan is to continue to cook most of our food myself. With winter coming sooner than later, I guess we'll go back to buying food from the grocery store.

I'll post how thge deoderant works and any further natural things that i do.

Amy

Baptism

We need to have all 3 kids baptized and I am attempting to make all their outfits. I have started cutting out the pattern for my daughter and have actually completed the embroidery on the front top. I think I may be crazy to attempt this, but they are going to be very simple cotton outfits and I am so excited to be able to have made my kids baptism outfits. I can't wait to have them completed and see what they look like on the kids.

Once that is completed I need to sew 2 halloween costumes. We will all be a character from the Wizard of Oz. I have already made Tom a scarecrow and me Dorothy many years ago. Last year I made Michael a scarecrow which will become Thomas' costume and Michael will either be a scarecrow, but bigger or the cowardly lion and Eva Rose will be a mini Dorothy! Crazy but awesome

Amy

BTW- Cloth diapers are going great so far. Not too difficult when you use a combo of disposable and cloth!

Newest Changes

Well I broke down and decided to go for it. I am doing a mixture of cloth diapers and disposable for all 3 kids. We started with the oldest first since he was having skin issues. It has certainly seemed to help with his rashes. I'm sure cloth diapers for 3 is not going to be easy, but I feel like I really have to do something to change my carbon footprint and the effect my decision have on this world now and in the furture. I was saying to my husband today that I don't know if this is an early midlife crisis that is making me question my ways of daily life and what I am doing to harm the future of this planet, but I think that questioning this is a good thing. What even small changes can I do to help keep this planet a healthy place for my kids and future generations of kids. I want to eat local, buy local, use service people local. I have actually been feeling this way for quite some time, and now I am actually acting on it. I also want to ensure that I am doing things that are healthy for my body, my husband's and my kid's. I plan on using natural soaps, eating better, making my own baby food etc.

Now let's see if I can maintain thses changes. I am well aware that with 3 kids, there is only so much I can do and I am willing to not be so cut and dry with what needs to change.

Amy