Am I crunchy?

I must ask you a very serious question... 

AM I CRUNCHY? 

Nearly six years ago, I embarked on a journey that I had no idea would take me to places that I could never have imagined!

“Where’s that?” You might be thinking.  No, It’s not a far away white sandy beach with a million dollar view.  (A girl can dream, though, right?)  Ok, back to my point…

I took a journey into “Crunchy-Ville!”   And I haven’t look back. It seems to have taken hold and won't let go. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the slightly derogatory of “crunchy,” it’s simply a term to describe someone who lives a lot like a hippie.  The term should make you think you heard someone crunch on granola.  Now that that is out of the way…

Let me clarify- I don’t run around with a crown of flowers around my head and I still shave my legs and underarms.  To be honestly, I don’t like the term. It seems too judgmental. I try to leave the judgement for a much higher being.  And let’s be realistic, it just doesn't fit me.

At any given time, the two kids and I are in blue jeans and boots, my long braided hair pulled back through my University of Florida baseball cap, a camouflage backpack is thrown over my shoulder.  I count my chickens to make sure none have wondered off while the cows can be heard grazing on grass across the fence as we scramble in the front screen door. 

Does anything about this seem "crunchy"? 

I have decided that I will outlaw the term crunchy and replace it with NATURAL.

Ok, I am back on track now.  

I made the decision almost six years ago to live a NATURAL life. 

Here’s how:

• We no longer use bleach or chemical cleaners in the bathroom- only vinegar and citrus essential oils.
• We no longer eat ready-to-cook meals- only all-natural, from scratch foods for us.
• We no longer fill our pantry with pre-made box meals- only ingredients to cook a meal. 
• We no longer just pick up any bottle of shampoo- only paraben, phthalate, and sulfate-free shampoos for us.
• We no longer rush to the drug store for a tummy ache, or to the doctor for prescriptions for a cold- only essential oils as soon as someone mentions an upset tummy or hurting ear.                                                       (Please know that I do not ALWAYS stick to this.  I have some sense. My family won't suffer.)
• We no longer grab the OTC meds when we feel a cold coming- only put an essential oil mix on our feet at night. 
• We no longer buy lotion and deodorant- only homemade from coconut oil, beeswax, and other naturally found ingredients.
• We no longer spend a ton of money on fresh veggies- most are grown in my garden, pesticide-free.
• We no longer buy decorative ornamental plants- only ones that serve as nutritional food while looking pretty.
  

  

  A Barbados Cherry bush that grows well in our climate

• We no longer use baby wipes- only washcloths and water with a little lavender to ease irritations.
• We no longer use steroid eczema cream- only lemon balm spritzer and homemade itch-cream
• We no longer use aerosol sprays to make the house smell yummy- only diffuse essential oils.
• We no longer fill Saturdays pointlessly watching TV- only find outdoor projects (like my newest water collection system) to do as a family. 
• We no longer buy fragrance-laden detergent- only use the kind that I make here with vinegar if it's super stinky!   
• We no longer just live conveniently- we try to live with purpose, hope, health, and love! 

Those are just a few of the ways in which I think we live a NATURAL life. Call me crunchy, call me a health-nut, call me crazy, but just know that I aim to march my family into a healthy lifestyle. 

So what do you think? Am I "crunchy" or Natural? 

Thanks for stopping by, 

Laundry Detergent

Pure Laundry Soap

       After we had our daughter, we learned all about eczema.  Not only did we learn all about it, but we lived it. After pinpointing her outbreaks to the laundry detergent, we tried EVERY type out there.  The super expensive to the super cheap.  Every free and clear and unfragranced, itchy type we could find.  We wouldn't stop until we found something that would work for us and keep my baby from breaking out.  (Oh, I don't miss those days of breakouts!)  So until recently, we used a "Free and clear" brand that kept her from breaking out.  It was bearable but still not quite what we needed.  Then I had a revelation... I'd make our own. 
BONUS:  It's super clean, green, and CHEAP!!!!!!

Ingredients-
Tap water
Dove Sensitive Soap
FelsNaptha Soap
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (at local stores in cleaning/laundry section)
Borax
Essential Oils 

Here's how I do it:
1. Add 4 cups water to a large pot. 
2. While the water is boiling, grate both bars of soap. 
3. Add the soap and boil on medium heat until the soap is dissolved.

4. Once the soap has dissolved, add 8 Cups water.

5. Return to a light boil then add 1/2 Cup Borax.

6. Stir until dissolved.

7. Add 2 Cups Washing Soda.

8. Continue to boil and stir until dissolved.

9. If desired, add Essential Oil.  I use Lavender.  20-ish drops. 

10.  Stir for a few more seconds then pour into containers.  I use old water jugs and vinegar jugs. 

11. Pour into container until it is half full (Not half empty :-))

12. Fill the rest of the jug with water. 

13. Last but not least is my favorite step...

Shake, shake, shake... The more you shake it, the better.  Work out those arms and get out some pent-up hostilities!

I usually spruce it up by adding some labels and tags just to make it cute.  But you don't have to. 

What's the final product?

Free and clear and perfectly lavender love!

When using it, keep in mind that this is a non-sudsing formula.  You won't get those suds you get in your store-bought laundry soap.  I don't add those chemicals. 
 I usually use a half cup and add it to my washer and let the water fill before adding the clothes. 
 I don't notice that my clothes are dingy or color-less.  I also shake it up a little bit before I add it to the wash. My husband loves the smell and I love my baby girl not breaking out in rashes.  All in all, I bought the ingredients and paid a whopping $5 and have made enough for the last 6 months and I still have some ingredients left.  Talk about cheap!
An added bonus:
My husband is a farmer and a tractor driver.  He usually gets stuff (stinky stinky stuff) on his work clothes.  I add 1 Cup white vinegar to his clothes.  I NEVER smell the gunk on his jeans.  He doesn't smell the vinegar.  It's a win-win situation. 

I hope you enjoy it!

Ahh-mazing cream

Ahh-mazing nighttime face cream

I absolutely love making my own bath and body products.  After recently learning about all the "bad stuff" we put on our bodies all day long, I decided it was time to make a change. (Just read this)

 I don't want to put things on my body's largest organ (my skin ;-)) that I cannot pronounce, much less have no idea what it's used for. But anything homemade isn't as good, right?
                        Wrong!    

So it had to be rich and creamy to meet my needs.This does it all! 

  Without further introduction, here it is:

Ahh-Mazing nighttime face cream

2 Tablespoons beeswax (I use little beadlets)

1/2 Cup hazelnut oil (I get mine here)

1/2 Cup warm tap water

6 drops lavender essential oil 

2 drops melaleuca essential oil 

2 drops frankincense essential oil

1. Melt (med low heat) beeswax and hazelnut oil until it's liquid.  I used a double broiler method.  (glass measuring cup with ingredients in a pot of boiling water)
   
2. Remove from heat. 
3. Add essential oils. 
4. Mix together using a submersible hand mixer. 
5. Drizzle in water until it's all mixed well. 
6. Place in a jar and Viola! 

ENJOY. 

A quick note about which essential oils I chose and why... 

 lavender- I am OBSESSED with the way it smells.  Plus it can help with tension and relaxation. 

 melaleuca- Has anti-bacterial properties which is perfect for my imperfect skin. 

 frankincense- Can help reduce the appearance of scars and imperfections. 

I ONLY use DoTerra oils.  They are the purest oils you can buy.  Click on the header if you are interested in buying some.

A HUGE PLUS:

My daughter has severe eczema and this really helps calm her skin!  It's a win-win.
Additionally, it's pennies on the dime to make and as long as I have a few simple products, it's easy to do!

Thanks for stopping by, 

and Thrifty Thursday

How to protect your outdoor furniture

Living in beautiful south Florida, we spend an extreme amount of time outside.   Three years ago, my handyman bought me a glider for our anniversary for on the back porch.  It was perfect.  I love anything made of natural materials (it’s a problem, really).  So I decided to let it “age” a little on the deck.  Well, of course life happened, lil’ cowboy was born, and it aged more than I had anticipated.  Living in this amazing climate, we get tons of sunshine, tons of rain, and our humidity is off the charts. With that comes mold, mildew, and rotting wood.  NOT GOOD for an anniversary gift. 

Given I only have a week left before I must pull myself back return to work, I decided to do what I had intended to do years ago- I was going to “water seal” it. 

What is this “water seal” nonsense and why should you care?

            First let me say that I am in no way affiliated with any of the brands or products I am using here.  (I am just a lowly, happy consumer.)  This is water sealer and it is Ahh-Mazing because it keeps mildew, mold, water, and elements off your furniture.  It makes the furniture last way longer than it would alone.

 

Here’s what I did:

1. I simply sanded down my bench with our sander. 
2.  I applied the water sealer. Using gloves and an old shirt.
3.  I admired!

That’s it.  It was super simple.  Took me a total of about 40 minutes. 

 (Including the time I had to stop and say things like, “don’t run over your sister” or “Be nice to your little brother, please.")

Here it is, the left side had not been sealed.  The right side has.

Here it is, COMPLETED!

And for those with a super keen eye, I totally sealed the railing on the porch and painted the walls.  I was on a roll, what can I say? I feel like a rock star.  Oh and if you come over, don't sit too long on the back deck, or I will "seal" you. ;-)

Now I have a happy little back porch again.  All I have to do is repaint the floor and get a cute outdoor rug. Can’t wait till my handyman and I enjoy our evening drinks talks together out there after the kids are asleep tonight! 

What do you think?  

Thanks for stopping by!