Baking Soda and Vinegar - An Unbeatable Combination

We've talked about the many uses for vinegar and we've talked about the many uses for baking soda, but they are even more amazing when the two are combined!

Combine vinegar and baking soda for the following uses:
1. To clean tile - combine 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar, and 1 cup of ammonia to a gallon of warm water.
2. To clean your bathtub - wipe it with vinegar, and then scour with baking soda.
3. Clean a showerhead by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into a sandwich bag and tying it around the shower head. Allow to soak for 1 hour after the bubbling stops.
4. Remove carpet stains by making a paste with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Rub the paste on the stain, and allow to dry. Vacuum up the powder.
5. Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent, and just enough vinegar to create a creamy texture.
6. Clean your drains/garbage disposal by pouring 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, then 1 cup of hot vinegar. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then run hot water down the drain.
7. Clean pet accidents (or bedwetting accidents) by first blotting the area, then applying a vinegar and water solution, blot again until almost dry. Sprinkle with baking soda, allow to dry, then vacuum up the powder.
8. Remove stains from plastic and fiberglass by applying a paste made up of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts baking soda. Wipe off with soapy water, and rinse clean.

30 Uses for Coconut Oil

I’ve mentioned Coconut Oil in a couple of different posts this week, and it really is an amazing substance. So beyond Making Your Own Deodorant and oil pulling, what are some other uses for this incredible oil?

1. Coconut oil is great as a cooking oil. It has a high smoke point, and can be used in baking, stir frys, and deep frying.
2. It can be used as a dairy free replacement to butter/margarine.
3. It can be used in place of vegetable oil in any recipe.
4. It’s an immediate source of energy when eaten, and isn’t stored in the body as fat.
5. Coconut oil can be used to season cast iron skillets.
6. Soothe a sore throat and cold symptoms by dissolving a tablespoon in warm tea.
7. Consuming a tablespoon of coconut oil before each meal can help improve digestion.
8. It can be added to smoothies to give them a nutritional boost.
9. Daily ingestion of coconut oil can help alleviate allergy symptoms.
10. Rub it into your skin as a basic lotion.
11. As mentioned above, it can be used in homemade deodorant.
12. Can help prevent stretch marks during pregnancy when rubbed on the belly.
13. Coconut oil can be used as a night time moisturizer.
14. It can be rubbed on your lips as a natural chapstick and to clear up cold sores.
15. Coconut oil applied to the skin acts as a natural SPF 4 sunscreen.
16. It can help heal a sunburn (after the initial heat of the burn is gone).
17. It can reduce the itch of insect bites, chicken pox, or poison ivy.
18. It can soothe irritated skin caused by eczema or psoriasis.
19. It can improve general oral health through oil pulling.
20. Coconut oil can be used by itself, or combined with baking soda, as a naturally whitening toothpaste.
21. Mix a small amount with salt and rub on feet to remove dry skin.
22. Consumption of coconut oil can improve insulin levels.
23. It has been shown to increase the level of absorption of calcium and magnesium.
24. A tiny amount rubbed on hands, and then run through hair can help reduce frizz.
25. When mixed with an equal part of sugar it can be used as a body scrub in the shower.
26. Nursing moms can take 3-4 tablespoons a day to help increase milk supply.
27. Coconut oil can be used in place of lanolin cream for nursing mothers.
28. It can be used on mom, and in baby’s mouth to treat thrush.
29. It can be used as a cloth diaper safe diaper cream, simply rub on baby’s bum.
30. Coconut oil can help remove cradle cap – massage the oil into baby’s head, and rinse with a warm washcloth.

There are numerous other uses, but this will give you an idea of how truly versatile this oil is! Try it out for yourself!!

Adventures in Oil Pulling

I first heard of oil pulling a couple of months ago, when an internet search brought up the unrelated topic of oil pulling. Intrigued, I read the information that appeared in my search, and then thirsting for more information I searched for more information about this curious phenomenon. After much reading, I decided that there wouldn’t be any harm in trying it myself, but I was skeptical of the reported results.

A Brief History of Oil Pulling:
Oil pulling has been a practice in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, but became much more common in the United States after the 1992 report by Dr. F. Karach, MD in which he stated that the act of oil pulling cured him of a blood disease that he had been battling for years. During his study, Dr. Karach noted that oil has healing properties that can treat many medical ailments.

What is Oil Pulling?
Quite simply, oil pulling is the act of rinsing your mouth with oil. Various types of oil can be used effectively; the most common oils used in oil pulling are sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. Coconut oil has become a more common oil for use due to its naturally occurring anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties (and the fact that it tastes better than other oils).

How it works:
Bacteria build up on your teeth makes your gums more prone to infection and inflammation. Overtime if left untreated, this infection and inflammation can eat away at your gums and bone structure. This gum disease is known as periodontis. Periodontis has been linked with diabetes, heart disease, increased pain for those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, worsening lung conditions (thought to be caused by the increase in bacteria in the lungs for those suffering from pneumonia or ailments such as COPD), and during pregnancy periodontis has been linked to low-birth weight babies.

Your mouth is teeming with bacteria, some of which are beneficial and some of which are not. While oil pulling, the bacteria in your mouth become trapped in the liquid oil. In the most basic sense, the act of oil pulling is done to remove bacteria from your mouth. Many sites state that other toxins are pulled from your body and become trapped in the oil as well, though I find that more difficult to believe.

Studies regarding oil pulling:
In a study published in 2008 that followed 20 adolescent boys, oil pulling was found to significantly reduce the bacteria Streptococcus Mutans (the primary cause for plaque build up and tooth decay) in as little as two weeks.

Another study, again using 20 adolescents, found that oil pulling greatly reduced all of the markers for halitosis (bad breath), and was just as effective as a chlorhexidine mouthwash.

How is Oil Pulling done?
The act of oil pulling is quite simple.
1. Put about a teaspoon to a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
2. Gently swish the oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes, pulling it back and forth through your teeth.
3. Spit out the oil. (Note: if using coconut oil, or any oil that is a solid at room temperature, you will want to spit into the trash, and not down a sink drain. The oil can resolidify in your pipes and cause a blockage)
4. Rinse out your mouth and brush your teeth as normal.

My experience with Oil Pulling:
I’ve been Oil Pulling for a couple of weeks now. I do my Oil Pulling while I’m showering in the morning, it’s the part of my day where I’m least likely to be interrupted by the demands of my family. As I mentioned in the opening of this article, I was skeptical in regards to Oil Pulling. I went into this “experiment” fully expecting that it would fail, but I had nothing to lose by trying.

The results were almost immediate. After my first session of oil pulling I was amazed at how clean my mouth and teeth felt. The clean feeling lasted the entire day. My breath was fresher, and my teeth just felt cleaner. Having done it for a couple of weeks now, it’s become a part of my morning ritual. My gums feel tighter (not that they felt loose before, but they feel healthier now), my teeth feel clean all day, and flossing is not nearly as daunting as it had been.

While I’m still not convinced that Oil Pulling is capable of curing cancer, AIDS, or kidney disease by itself, I am convinced that it does have great benefits for one’s oral health.

Make Your Own Deodorant

Did you know that you can make your own deodorant?  It's one of those things that I have never really thought about making myself, it's not overly expensive to buy, and it's readily available.  However, when I stumbled upon this recipe online, it seemed so simple that I had to try it!  I already had all of the ingredients, so there was nothing to stop me (aside from the fear that it wouldn't work, and I would have to endure a day of being a stinky mess!).

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
5-6 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil
1/8 Cup of Arrow Root Powder
1/8 Cup of Corn Starch
1/4 Cup of Baking Soda
Several Drops of Bergamot Essential Oil (for scent)

Directions:
In a bowl, combine the powders.  Add in the coconut oil, and mix to form a thick paste.  Add several drops of essential oil, until you've reached the scent level that you want.  Store in an air tight container.

To use: Simply scoop out a small amount and apply to your underarms.  If you have any remaining on your hands you can simply rub it into your skin as a lotion.

If you don't have Bergamot essential oil, you could use your favorite essential oil scent in place of it. Personally, I would probably forego the essential oil next time I make it, the coconut oil already gives it a light coconut scent on its own.

Admittedly, I was hesitant to try this out; who wants to spend a day stinking up the office in the event that this homemade concoction fails?!?! I mixed it up on a Thursday evening with the intention of trying it out over the weekend when the only people that would be witness to any offensive smells would be my loved ones. Friday morning, as I was preparing to go to work, the little jar of homemade deodorant was calling my name. Casting my hesitations aside, I tried it out (on a workday!). Having little confidence in the efficacy of this DIY deodorant, I tossed my regular deodorant into my work bag just in case I needed it.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well it actually worked! It worked just as well, if not better than my store bought deodorant, and it was entirely all natural! That was it, I was hooked!

My family was on vacation the following week, and I packed my little jar of deodorant, and again the back up store bought deodorant. I never once had to use the store bought stick, my homemade stuff served me well, even in the heat of the summer!

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Make Your Own Almond Butter

A friend of mine posted this picture on Facebook, and I wondered, "Could it REALLY be THAT easy?" While I was out grocery shopping, I bought some almonds with the sole purpose of trying this!

According to the picture, all I would need was a food processor, and some almonds. Easy enough, so that's how I started. I simply dumped 2 cups of whole almonds into the food processor, and turned it on.

After 5 minutes it looked like this:

There wasn't much change after 10 minutes...

After 15 minutes of spinning around in the food processor, it started to turn into a grainy paste...

After 20 minutes the magic started to happen!! The ground almonds were suddenly turning into something that resembled almond butter!!

After 25 minutes, the almonds became ALMOND BUTTER!! A taste test revealed that this almond butter was lacking something (my daughter agreed), so we added less than a teaspoon of sugar, and it was perfect!

We poured the almond butter into a mason jar, and we were finished. Two cups of almonds yeilded about 8 ounces of almond butter.

Next time I do this, I'll warm the almonds in the oven a little bit before starting. I've read that warming the almonds helps to speed up the almond to almond butter process. My food processor is rather antiquated, so it may not be an issue with newer machines; however, I kept stopping the food processor, and stirring the almonds around with a spoon for fear that the motor on the food processor would burn out.

Overall, I declare this a HUGE SUCCESS!!

Vinegar - The Household Staple with Hundreds of Uses! Part 2

Let the fun with vinegar continue!!  Here are some more household tips and tricks using that magical clear liquid!!

• Rid your house of ants by spraying undiluted vinegar around doorways, windowsills, appliances, or anywhere that the pests like to hang out.
• Deter fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted vinegar.
• Clean the wheel of your can opener with undiluted vinegar and a toothbrush.
• Clean shower door tracks by filling them with vinegar, let sit for an hour, rinse with hot water, and scrub the grime away.
• Clean woodwork and wood paneling with a solution of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water.
• Remove water rings from the finish of your wood with equal parts vegetable oil and vinegar, rub with the grain of the wood.
• Remove skunk odors from your pet by wiping them down with a solution of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water.
• Keep cats out of your garden by soaking a cloth in vinegar and setting it in your garden.
• Kills fleas by adding a small amount of vinegar to your pets drinking water.
• Prevent cats from eating your plants by spraying the leaves with a solution of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water.
• Keep frost off your car windows by coating them with vinegar.
• Remove winter road salt residue from your shoes, or car interior by spraying with a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water and blotting with a clean cloth.
• Make your own all purpose window cleaner using a few ounces of vinegar and a quart of water in a spray bottle.
• Stop bug bites from itching by applying a cotton ball soaked in vinegar.
• Soothe sun burned skin by spritzing with vinegar.
• Make nail polish last longer by wiping your nails with cotton balls dipped in vinegar.  Let dry, then apply your nail polish.
• Vinegar can be used as an antiseptic on cuts and scrapes.
• Kill weeds and grass that are growing in unwanted places by pouring undiluted vinegar on them.

Beyond Baking - Household Uses for Baking Soda

Baking Soda can be used for far more than just a leavening agent in your baking! There are countless household uses for this simple pantry staple!

• Baking soda can be used as an antacid, mix 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda into a glass of water and drink to relieve heartburn

• Use it as toothpaste by mixing 1/2 teaspoon with enough peroxide to make a paste

• Rub a mix of baking soda and water on your skin to relieve the pain from a sunburn, or the itch of an insect bite.

• Add a couple of tablespoons to your baby's bath water to help relieve a diaper rash.

• Use it as a deodorizer by sprinkling it in areas with odors (inside smelly shoes, the cat's litter box, etc).

• Add it to the water in you flower vase to keep cut flowers fresh longer.

• Leave an open container of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb food odors.

• Sprinkle on your carpet, and vacuum up to freshen your carpets (and your vacuum).

• Absorb toilet odor by pouring a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and allowing to set for an hour before flushing.

• Use it to scrub sinks, showers, and counter top by sprinkling it on the surface and wiping with a dampened sponge.

• Combine with water to make a paste, and use it to clean stainless steel and chrome around your house.

• Sprinkle it around your tomato plants to sweeten the taste of the tomatoes.

Personally, I have yet to find anything that makes my kitchen sink sparkle the way that baking soda does so effortlessly!  Go dig your box of baking soda out of the cupboard, and give it a try yourself!  You're sure to be amazed!
 

Vinegar - The Household Staple with Hundreds of Uses! Part 1

Vinegar is a marvelous thing!  It really is!  This common household items has countless uses beyond use in cooking!

I've already mentioned in this post, that vinegar can be used in place of fabric softener in your laundry, but there is so much more that vinegar is useful for!

Cleaning with Vinegar:

**Please Note: Never use white distilled vinegar on marble, as the acid content of the vinegar could damage the surface**

Undiluted white distilled vinegar can be used as an all purpose cleaner.  Fill an empty spray bottle with vinegar, and use as you would an other cleanser:

• Spray counter tops and wipe clean with a rag. 
• Clean the grime from the top of the refrigerator by spraying and wiping clean with a damp rag.
• Clean grout by spraying with vinegar; let it set for 10-15 minutes and then scrub with an old toothbrush.
• Disinfect the bathroom by spraying sinks, counter tops, and cabinets with vinegar and wiping clean with a dampened cloth.
• Clean mildew and soap scum from your tub and shower by spraying with vinegar and wiping with a dampened cloth.
• Clean stained linoleum by spraying with vinegar, allow to set for 10-15 minutes and wipe up.
• Disinfect doorknobs by spraying with vinegar, and wiping dry.
• Clean a grease splattered oven door by spraying with vinegar, allow to set for 10-15 minutes with the door open, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

A diluted vinegar solution of 1/2 distilled white vinegar, and 1/2 water can be used for many other larger tasks:

• Clean the shelves and walls in your refrigerator by wiping with a rag soaked in the vinegar solution.
• Remove stains in an aluminum pot by boiling 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in the pot.
• Remove wallpaper by using a paint roller with equal parts of vinegar and hot water.  Apply to the wallpaper to saturate.
• Clean fireplace glass by wiping with a rag soaked in equal parts of vinegar and water, and then wipe dry.
• Clean glass baby bottles by filling with equal parts vinegar and hot water, let sit for an hour and scrub with a bottle brush.

Other cleaning uses:

• Deodorize your garbage disposal by freezing distilled white vinegar in ice cube trays.  Run several cubes down the disposal while running cold water.
• Clean the microwave by putting 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of water in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat to boiling in the microwave.  The steam will loosen the baked on food.  Wipe clean with a damp rag.
• Clean the inside of your dishwasher by dumping 1 cup of undiluted vinegar in it, and running a full cycle.
• Clean stains and smells from your plastic containers by wiping with a rag soaked in undiluted vinegar.
• Remove labels and stickers by covering with a rag soaked in undiluted vinegar.  Let set overnight, and the labels should slide off easily.
• Remove odors from your dishcloth by soaking it in vinegar for an hour, and then drape over a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes.
• Remove buildup on faucets by wrapping them in a cloth soaked in undiluted vinegar.  Let set for a couple of hours (or overnight) and wipe clean.
• Deodorize your toilet by pouring 3 cups of undiluted vinegar into the bowl and allowing to set for 30 minutes, scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
• Clean linoleum floors by mixing 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of water, and mop.
• Remove paint splatters from windows by applying undiluted vinegar to them with a paintbrush.  Allow paint to soften, then wipe clean.
• Clean old concrete by undiluted vinegar and allow to dry before painting.
• Clean paintbrushes by soaking them in a pot of undiluted vinegar for an hour.  After soaking, heat the pot of vinegar on the stove, simmer the brushes. Rinse clean.
• To disinfect children's toys, soak them in a sink full of hot water and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
• Clean sticky grime from your scissors by wiping with a rag soaked in undiluted vinegar.

Cost Minimizing Baby Steps - Laundry

Laundry is one of those necessary evils, but there are ways to cut down on the cost of this task.  Over the course of the last few years, I've slowly added the following cost-saving methods to my laundry protocol.  While some of it does require more man power and time, it also yields sizeable cost savings over the course of a year.

Line Drying Clothes: Armed with a set of hand-me-down clothes drying racks, I began drying our laundry by hanging clothes inside rather than using the dryer.  While it was more work, and the clothes didn’t dry as fast as they do in the dryer, this simple act cut $20/month off of our electric bill.  For Christmas a few years ago, I was given an outdoor clothesline.  During warmer months (typically April-November), our laundry gets hung outside to dry. In my mind, nothing beats the fresh smell of laundry that has been dried in the fresh air and sunshine.

Vinegar as a Rinse Agent: When my daughter was an infant, we used cloth diapers.  If you’ve never used cloth diapers, you may not be aware of the laundry regimen involved.  There are specific ways to wash cloth diapers to make them last longer, and avoid getting smelly.  One of those tricks is to use white vinegar in place of fabric softener.  I was hesitant at first, because I can’t stand the smell of vinegar, but since it was recommended I gave it a try.  I was amazed at how well it worked with the diapers, and began using it with all of my laundry.  The vinegar smell fully dissipates, and clothes are left smelling fresh. For about $3 I can buy a gallon of white vinegar that lasts me for a couple of months, which is far cheaper than purchasing fabric softener.

Wash in Cold Water: With certain exceptions (whites, towels, and bed linens), all of our laundry is washed and rinsed in cold water.  For sanitary purposes, the above mentioned exceptions still get washed in hot water. 

Homemade Laundry Detergent:  For a small upfront investment, the cost savings overtime of making your own laundry detergent can be huge!  The recipe that I use for laundry detergent is listed below.  Each batch yields about 2 gallons of detergent.  I simply saved some old laundry detergent containers, and reused them for my homemade detergent.  A box of Washing Soda costs about $10.  A box of Borax costs about $10.  A bar of Fels Naptha costs about $2.  In the two years that I’ve been making my own detergent, I’m still using the same boxes of Washing Soda and Borax! 

Hot water
1/2 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Borax
1/3 bar Soap (grated) – I use Fels Naptha

• In a large pot, heat 3 pints of water. Add the grated bar and stir until melted. Then add the washing soda and borax. Stir until powder is dissolved, then remove from heat.
• In a 2 gallon clean pail, pour 1 quart of hot water and add the heated mixture. Top pail with cold water and stir well.
• Use 1/2 cup per load, stirring before each use (will gel).

While the Fels Naptha does give the detergent a nice clean scent, if you prefer a stronger smell you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix before adding water.