Grocery List Fail

I'm always making grocery lists.  But there always seems to be items that I can't remember to buy or get on the list, but then the store doesn't have the item.  Here are some of this weeks items!

Natural Apple Sauce
Maple Syrup
Corn Meal
Buckwheat Flour
Vanilla Extract

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

This is what I use for normal toilet bowl cleaning.

Mix the following in an old dish soap bottle:
1/2 Cup Baking Soda
1/2 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Dish Soap

That's it!  Really, I squirt it around the bowl and scrub with a brush.  Then I let it sit until someone uses the toilet.

Homemade Laundry Softener

Homemade Laundry Softener, Okay this isn't really homemade, but it works great.  Are you ready for this revelation?  Vinegar.  Just plain old vinegar works as a great laundry softener.  Here's why I love it as a softener:

• Smell - really after drying it doesn't smell so my clothes smell clean and not like smelly softener.
• Low residue - doesn't leave a film on towels like other softeners.
• Low stack cling
• Cost about $0.02/load (I use 1/4 cup per wash)
• Non-toxic
• Better for environment.

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have been using this for 6 months now and am pleased with the results.

Mix until combined:

• 1 Bar Fels Naptha (shredded to powder)
• 1.5 Cups Borax
• 1.5 Cups Washing Soda

Use 1 TBS in wash instead of soap. 

Tips:

• I use a hand grater to powder the bar soap.
• Use any soap you want, I like a low smelling laundry soap.
• Cost: $0.03/load
• The above amount lasts a long time - 3 months or so.
• For whites you must use Oxy Clean - otherwise the whites can dull.

Homemade Sugar Scrub

I use this everyday as a face and body scrub.  Such a great cheap luxury!

Mix until combined:

• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1/4 Cup Baking Soda (optional)
• 1/8-1/2 Cup Coconut Oil (enough to coat sugar)
• 2-10 drops essential oil of choice

Tips:

• I put this in a cottage cheese container and keep it in my shower.
• This is so great, my daughter loves to play with it.
• I use this head to toe everyday.

Homemade Deodorant

I LOVE this stuff and I smell better than ever before!  Never thought I would, but it is is better than anything in the store.

Mix until combined:

• 1/4 Cup Baking Soda
• 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 2-6 drops of essential oil of choice

Tips:

• I put mixture into an old deodorant tube.
• For travel it's best to not use the tube because Coconut Oil melts at 72 degrees.
• It is easy to put too much on.  Be sure to rub into skin after applying.
• I allow it to dry some before I put a garment on (I have never had issues with staining, or grease spots on my clothes).

Homemade Shea Butter Salve

This stuff is great for dry skin.  It's a little tricky to make but worth it!

Heat the following in the microwave (heat in batches of 20-30 seconds until melted):

• 1 Cup Shea Butter
• 1/2 Cup Oil (I used Olive and Avocado Oils)

Add the following to the melted mixture:

• 4 Capsules Vitamin E

Put in the fridge for 30-40 minutes to cool the mixture.

Then I whip the semi-cooled mixture in the kitchen aid until frothy.

Place in container of choice.

Tips:

• As with all homemade lotions there is a shelf life of 3-6 months.
• You might have to warm this salve with your hands before applying.
• I use this as a night cream and on any area that is too dry.
• Be careful not to use too much oil, as it makes the salve oily.

Homemade Chapstick

Recipe for Homemade Chap-stick.  I love this and always have one with me.

Heat the following in the microwave until melted (heat 20-30 seconds at a time):

• 1.5 tsp Beeswax
• 2 tsp Coconut Oil
• 1 tsp Cocoa Butter
• 3 tsp Oil (I use 1 tsp Olive, 1 tsp Jojoba, 1 tsp Avocado)

 Then add the following to the melted mixture:

• 3 Capsules Vitamin E
• 5-12 drops essential oils (I used Sweet Orange and Lavender)

Pour in to 6-7 empty chap-stick tubes.

Tips:

• Use a Pyrex measuring cup, so you can pour into the tubes.
• Do NOT use emulsifying wax not the right texture for chap-stick.
• Experiment with different essential oils to get a unique smell.
• Mountain Rose Herbs is a great place to find the ingredients.

Why I love to nurse my toddler

That's right Toddler!  I know I'm so UN-American but it is so wonderful I had to share some of the reasons why!

• Fussy - put her on the boob for a few minutes and then she is a happy, content child again.
• Hurts - nursing is a pain reliever
• Sucking - I don't have to mess with pacifiers, or her sucking her thumbs, she is able to fulfill that need during our nursing sessions.
• Food - I don't worry about how much she ate and when.  She eats often but I know everyday she is getting "good" food when she nurses.
• Sleep - So easy to put her to sleep!  No crying, going to be is a happy time at our house.
• Sick - When she is sick, nursing helps me keep her hydrated and feed when she wont eat anything else.
• Sick - We don't get sick that often and when we do it is very mild!  Thanks to all those immunities in breast milk.
• Calm - Nursing releases hormones, when I'm grumpy and she is too, a few minutes of nursing and all is right with the world again.

This list could go on and on!  SO many wonderful benefits!

Finance New Years Resolutions

Every year I hope to get our finances in order, so that they can be on autopilot.

• Increase: 
• 401K
• 529
• Roth IRA
• Savings
• Cash Budget
• Trust/Will
• SELL House!

What do you want to work towards this year?

Family New Years Resolutions

I hope to do this with my family in 2012

• Eat dinner together 5 times a week
• Walk together at least twice per week
• Pray together daily

New Year Resolution Categories

A new year is just around the corner.  Here are some New Years Resolutions Categories I will be working on in 2012!

• Spiritual
• Family
• Health
• Finance
• Home Projects

What are some categories you will be working on this upcoming year?

Financial Links

Here are some financial sites/books I like.

• Dave Ramsey
• Rule #1 Investing
• Rich Dad Poor Dad
• The Automatic Millionaire
• Suze Orman
• Yahoo! Finance

Do you have some faves?

Fall Morning Joys

Fall morning joys:

• Morning sun on crimson red leaves of Japanese maple tree
• Smell of coffee delivered to me by my favorite barista, Karl, with frothy milk!
• Steamy hot shower
• Listening to talk radio while I curl my hair
• Creamy taste of blueberry banana smoothie with some crunchy sliced almonds for breakfast
• Smell of my favorite Bath & Body lotion, Japanese Cherry Blossom
• Looking for my warm winter coat on the first 32 degree morning

What are your favorite fall morning joys?

Fall House Projects

Fall Outdoor Cleaning List!

• Power wash the house
• Clean the gutters
• Check Roof
• Trim Shrubs and Trees
• Rake leaves
• Touch up on outside Paint
• Wash Windows
• Drain Hot Water Heater
• Organize Garage (swap summer items for winter)

What projects do you get done before the winter comes?

Related Posts:
Things I like to do in the Fall but never get around to doing
What I like to do on a cool rainy Fall day