If you are an avid sourdough starter user you are familiar with those times that you have left your starter on the counter for more than 24 hours and it isn’t as full of life as it used to be. By all means, this sourdough starter is still good! It can simply be considered discard at that point which means you can make easy sourdough discard recipes with it.
You might also have sourdough discard if you are starting a new sourdough starter and literally “discarding” half of your starter in those first few days. Once a sourdough starter is established there is no need to discard before feeding again. It is important to note, all of these 3 easy sourdough discard recipes can be made with bubbly and active starter, it does not have to be lacking bubbles in order to make sourdough discard recipes.
3 Easy Sourdough Discard Recipes
Sourdough Discard Crepes
Sourdough Discard Tortillas
Sourdough Discard Pizza
What are the benefits of sourdough?
Sourdough is a long time tradition, dating back to biblical times. Although it wasn’t always called sourdough, any reference to ‘yeast’ before approximately 1850 was most likely referring to sourdough. Packet yeast was not available until right before the turn of the 20th century.
The benefits of sourdough come from the probiotics that create a nice bubbly sourdough starter. In order for the sourdough starter to become bubbly, it must continuously multiple good bacteria (aka, probiotics). As most of us probably know, probitoics are great for our gut health!
The benefits from a sourdough starter are more prominent when you do extended soaking time with your recipes. This means making the mixture and allowing it to rest for at least 12 hours so the good bacteria can soak up into your flour (depending on the recipe).
Combine all of the ingredients in a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment.
Turn the mixed on low and allow the sourdough discard tortillas knead for about 10 minutes.
Once the dough is done, take it out of the mixer and start pinching off palm-size balls to roll out.
Roll out your tortillas to whatever size you like, I prefer to do around 6-8 inches.
Add the tortilla to your hot pan and allow to cook about 1 minute on each side.
IMPORTANT!!!!! Once the tortillas has cooked, immediately place it into a towel and wrap it up. This is what makes the tortillas stay soft. If you skip this step they might feel crunchy or hard to roll/fold.
Store flat in the freezer and defrost as needed.
Sourdough Discard Pizza
Ingredients:
1 Cup Sourdough Discard
Toppings of Choice
Directions:
Preheat a well seasoned cast iron skillet in a 425 degree oven.
Once the pan is hot, take it out of the oven and pour your 1 cup of sourdough discard into the skillet.
Move the skillet around so the sourdough discard coats the entire pan, even up the sides of the pan. This will be your pizza crust.
Put the sourdough discard pizza crust back into the oven to cook for about 10 minutes.
While the crust cooks prepare whatever toppings you like, I used onions caramelized in a balsamic glaze.
NOTE* It is best to precook any raw ingredients before adding them to the pizza to ensure the crust will not overcook.
Once the crust is done cooking it will come away from the sides. Take your sourdough discard pizza out of the oven and add all of your toppings.
Place the pizza back into the oven and use the broil function to quickly melt the cheese, if you choose.
Serve as usual.
All of these 3 easy sourdough discard recipes can be made in unique ways depending on what you have or what is in season. Adding fresh fruit and raw whipped cream to the sourdough discard crepes would be a marvelous addition!
Making your own detox bath recipe is a great way to remove toxins from the body. Unfortunately, the world we live in is full of toxins. Although we might not think about it too often, there are tons of toxins in our life every day. To give a few examples, are you wearing polyester or other synthetic clothing? According to this study, polyester has been linked to infertility due to the toxic chemicals in the material.
Detox Bath Recipe
Do I Need to Detox?
Our clothing is only one small factor that contributes to toxins in our life. Is your house connected to the city’s tap water? You can go to this website, type in your zip code, and see the literally hundreds of chemicals in your water. Unless you’re using a high-quality water filter, we use this one in our house, you are ingesting these toxic chemicals in your water.
Needless to say, most of us need to detox every now and then considering how many toxins we are exposed to. It is important to note, not everyone is a good candidate for detoxing despite being exposed to chemicals. Pregnant and breastfeeding women as well as young children should not detox.
The main and most well-known benefit of adding oatmeal to your bath, or in this case to your detox bath recipe, is that oatmeal is very moisturizing. Do you know how babies have the softest skin? That’s what it feels like to get out of an oatmeal bath. Oatmeal baths can also be soothing if you have a skin irritation such as eczema or psoriasis.
Detox Bath Recipe with Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is volcanic ash that has become compressed over time. It has a naturally high colloidal value. Bentonite clay works to detox in a unique way as it slowly draws out the toxins in your skin as you soak in a detox bath. You’ll notice this recipe only calls for two teaspoons of bentonite clay. That is because there can be a risk of over-detoxifying your body, which would essentially make you feel worse than before.
Coriander Oil for Detox
Coriander essential oil is derived from the cilantro plant. When cilantro goes to seed, it becomes coriander. Cilantro has many detoxifying benefits, mainly to detox heavy metals in the body. Most tap water contains heavy metals and if you’re not using a high-quality water filter, you are directly drinking heavy metals every day.
DIY Detox Bath
How to Make a Detox Bath
Ingredients Needed:
1/2 Cup Oatmeal
2 Teaspoons Bentonite Clay
5-7 Drops Coriander Essential Oil
Instructions:
Blend oats into a powder, it does not need to be very fine.
Combine all ingredients; blended oats, bentonite clay, and coriander essential oil.
Start a warm/hot bath and add 1/4 cup of your detox bath recipe to the water. Stir it around until mostly dissolved.
Notes:
The finer you blend the oats the less mess that will be left in your bathtub once you’re done bathing in the detox bath.
This recipe only makes 1 detox bath, feel free to double or triple the recipe if you want to keep it on hand for the future.
I do not recommend using this if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or a small child.
Okay… one of these recipes is a bug-repellent candle, but I had to use skincare in the title for google-search purposes. If you live in a place like mine, spring is hot and sunny (most of the time). DIY skincare recipes like homemade sunscreen, Bug-repellent lotion, and sunburn relief cream are essential this time of year. Also, a bug-repellent candle keeps those freshly hatched mosquitos away!
Many store-bought products aimed at repelling bugs and protecting you from the sun can be filled with chemicals. Switching to homemade skincare can significantly reduce your exposure to toxins.
Here Are Your 4 Must-Have DIY Skincare Recipes for Spring
Melt the shea butter and coconut oil over a double boiler.
Once melted, turn the heat off and mix in the remaining ingredients.
Allow the DIY homemade sunscreen to sit at room temperature for about an hour until it has fully set.
Apply as needed.
It is that simple! Now, you might have a few questions about making sunscreen at home. Here are some common questions that most people wonder when making a DIY natural sunscreen recipe.
Tips For Avoiding a Sunburn
Wear a homemade natural sunscreen (to learn about the toxic ingredients in conventional store-bought sunscreens, keep reading.)
Limit sun exposure to increments of 2 hours at a time before seeking shade, then reentering into the sunshine.
Optional, wear large hats to cover sensitive areas like your face, neck, and shoulders.
Is Homemade Sunscreen Waterproof?
The answer is yes. You might find it odd to add beeswax to a homemade sunscreen recipe but beeswax is the key to making the sunscreen waterproof. If you’ve ever used beeswax on your skin before you will know that it wicks away water, allowing the homemade sunscreen to stay active on your skin even while getting wet.
It is important to note; that using too much beeswax can cause the homemade natural sunscreen to not set properly. Therefore, following the recipe measurements is important with this one.
What is Non-Nano Zinc Oxide?
This is essentially the SPF part of the natural sunscreen recipe. According to this article, “Zinc oxide sits on top of your skin (rather than soaking in, as chemical sunscreens do) and protects you by scattering, absorbing, and reflecting the sun’s rays. It can stand alone as a sunblock because it is truly effective against UVA, UVB, and even UVC rays — this is called a “broad-spectrum blocker.” But zinc oxide isn’t just effective at blocking the sun! It’s also good for your skin.”
Another great thing about using non-nano zinc oxide is that it is considered safe for marine animals, whereas nano zinc oxide is not safe for marine animals. To read more about that, check out this study.
Homemade Sunscreen with Essential Oils
I love adding essential oils to almost every homemade recipe. Essential oils add a great fragrance when used in natural sunscreen made at home. If using peppermint essential oil in your DIY natural sunscreen recipe as I did, your skin will feel cool and tingly, in a good way, when using this sunscreen.
If you want to make this sunscreen a 2-in1 deal, aka, bug repellent and sunscreen, there are some essential oils to repel bugs that you can use. Examples: peppermint, citronella (great for repelling mosquitos), and eucalyptus. To learn more about essential oils that repel bugs, check out my DIY Bug Repellent Lotion Recipe.
Here are some essential oils for homemade sunscreen:
In recent years, some studies have exposed the toxic and harmful ingredients used in common conventional sunscreens. Some of the harmful ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and nanoparticles. Not only are these ingredients harmful when used on our bodies, but they are also harmful to marine animals. When swimming in the ocean specifically, I am sure you have seen your sunscreen leave an oil trail next to where you are in the water. Leaving that trail behind means the marine animals will encounter it, later on, harming them the same way it harms us.
To read more about the harmful effects of conventional sunscreen, check out this website.
If you do end up with a sunburn, check out my Natural Sunburn Relief Cream recipe to help ease the pain and discomfort of a sunburn.
How to Properly Store Sunscreen
When making a DIY sunscreen recipe with essential oils, it is important to store the sunscreen in a glass container. Essential oils have the capability of breaking down plastic over a long period of time therefore it is better to be safe than sorry and just use glass. Make sure to use a tight lid on whichever glass container you choose.
1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil over a double boiler.
2. Once melted, turn the heat off and whisk in the remaining ingredients.
3. Allow the DIY homemade sunscreen to sit at room temperature for about an hour until it has been fully set.
4. Store in an airtight glass container and apply as needed.
Notes:
It is nearly impossible to measure exactly how much SPF this natural homemade sunscreen has, however, it is safe to assume the SPF is around 30, give or take.
This sunscreen is generally safe to be used anywhere you would normally apply sunscreen, like your face. Just be sure to use essential oils that you are not allergic to and be sure to keep the sunscreen out of your eyes.
Use your best judgment when applying this to your children. I use this on my kid’s age 6 months and up with no issues. Some kids might have sensitive skin when using essential oils, so feel free to omit that.
DIY Bug Repellent Lotion
DIY Bug Repellent Lotion
Dealing with bugs in the summer is inevitable, especially mosquitos. These little insects love to eat me up all spring and summer. That is why I decided to make my own DIY bug repellent lotion. When using this lotion, I notice a significant reduction in the number of mosquito bites I get when I’m outside, it has been a life saver!
You might be wondering, what can I put on my skin to keep bugs away? The key to this DIY bug repellent lotion is the essential oils, this is what will help repel the mosquitoes, as well as other bugs. There are a few different essential oils you can use to repel certain bugs, for example, citronella is a great oil to use when you want to repel mosquitoes.
Essential Oils for Bugs
Citronella
Citronella essential oil is great for repelling mosquitoes. If you have ever purchased a “bug-off” spray from the store, this usually contains artificial citronella fragrance.
Peppermint
Peppermint essential oil is truly one of the most versatile essential oils, especially when it comes to pests. It is one of the strongest natural insect repellents. This essential oil can be effective at repelling ticks, mosquitoes, moths, spiders, you name it.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil is great for repelling mosquitoes. There was a study done in 2014 that showed eucalyptus oil provided more than 95% of protection from mosquitoes for up to 3 hours.
Nature Shield Blend
Nature Shield Blend is a great all-in-one blend to have on hand. This blend combines the citronella and eucalyptus essential oils plus a few others, making it very effective at repelling mosquitoes.
Kids Shield-Me Blend
If you plan to use this DIY mosquito repellent lotion on little kids, I recommend using the Shield-Me essential oil blend because it is deemed kid-safe.
Shea Butter Mosquito Repellent Lotion
Shea butter is my favorite ingredient to use in my homemade lotion recipes. Once melted and solidified, shea butter truly feels like butter on your skin. Although shea butter might feel a bit oily, it is extremely moisturizing for the skin. You can purchase the shea butter I use right here.
Coconut Oil for Skin
Coconut oil is a versatile ingredient, having benefits when used in the kitchen and your skincare. According to this article, “There are different mechanical and chemical processes that are used to manufacture coconut oil—for use in skincare, unrefined (virgin or extra-virgin) cold-pressed coconut oil is what’s recommended.” This is because when coconut oil is cold-pressed, meaning the oil is removed without the use of heat, the process is thought to retain more of the oil’s nutrients compared to other processing methods.
How to Use DIY Bug Repellent Lotion
Using this lotion is simple, just apply the lotion to areas you find mosquitoes bite you the most. Me, I am often a bit on my legs and arms therefore I always apply the lotion in those places before going outside during the spring and summer.
Set up a double boiler on the stove, this is a pot filled 1/3 of the way up with boiling water and a heat-safe bowl placed on top.
Once the double boiler is hot, add your shea butter and coconut oil into the heat-safe bowl. Stir continuously until both have melted completely.
When the shea butter and coconut oil are melted, turn off the heat.
Add the essential oils and stir until combined.
Working quickly, pour the hot mixture into your lotion container, I like using mason jars since they are heat-safe.
Allow the DIY mosquito repellent lotion to set completely on the counter, this will take a few hours if it is hot inside your house. You can also put it in the fridge to set up quickly.
Once completely set, take a small dime-size amount of lotion and apply it to your body. A little goes a long way!
DIY Bug Repellent Candle
How to Make a Bug Repellent Candle
It is that time of year again, the bugs are out and trying to come inside. Living in the south, bugs are something we deal with all year however, the mosquitos, flies, gnats, and a whole host of other bugs show up in great quantities during the spring and summer. This bug repellent candle is simple to make, only requires a few ingredients, and is effective at keeping (most) bugs away.
Before learning about the negative effects artificial fragrances and chemicals can have on our bodies, I, like most people, would go to the store and buy a generic brand bug repellent candle. Now, once educating myself on how harmful these candles can really be, I make my own every year using this recipe.
To learn a little bit more about creating beeswax candles, check out my blog post HERE.
Two Ingredient Bug Repellent Candle
There are only two simple ingredients needed to make this DIY bug repellent candle:
For this recipe, I used a combination of essential oils including peppermint, eucalyptus, and citronella, although using just one can still make an effective bug repellent candle.
This is a classic scent used in most generic brand mosquito repellent sprays and candles. As I mentioned before, the artificial fragrances and chemicals used to make these repellents can be toxic for us to inhale. When using a pure citronella scent, like with this essential oil, there are no artificial fragrances or chemicals. With that being said, this scent is great for repelling a lot of bugs but in particular, mosquitoes.
Peppermint essential oil can be effective for many different things throughout the home. I personally love using peppermint oil in my garden to keep pests away as well as in a candle like this bug repellent candle to keep most insects away from the inside of my house.
Eucalyptus oil is great for keeping mosquitoes away. There was a study done in 2014 that showed “eucalyptus oil provided more than 95% protection against mosquitoes for 3 hours.”, You can find that study here.
Thyme is another wonderful essential oil to use when making a bug repellent candle, There was a study done that showed thyme to be a more effective mosquito repellent than DEET. You can see that study here.
Clary sage essential oil is typically associated with women’s health, particularly in its ability to induce labor naturally (I would know, it induced my second labor very quickly!), however, there are also properties to the essential oil that help to deter many insects including mosquitoes.
Creating a combination using any of these essential oils to make a bug repellent candle can be an effective method to keep bugs away from your home.
Make a double boiler by filling your pot with water 1/3 of the way up. Once the water is boiling, add your glass bowl or measuring cup on top of the pot so the water is hitting the bottom of the glass.
Add the candle wick to the candle container.
Pour in beeswax pellets and stir consistently until they are completely melted.
Once the beeswax has melted, turn off the heat, add your essential oils, and continue to stir.
Immediately pour melted beeswax into your candle container, the beeswax will harden quickly so this process must be fast. If your beeswax happens to harden before you are able to pour it into the candle mold, turn the pot of water back on and reheat the glass bowl or measuring cup until the beeswax melts again.
Allow the candle to completely set before using, mine usually takes around 30 minutes – 1 hour depending on how big the candle container is.
I like to burn my candle near the back door so when the door is open to let the kids or dogs in and out of the backyard, the bugs aren’t tempted to hurry inside while the door is open.
Natural Sunburn Relief Cream
Even with using sunscreen, which by the way, I would recommend using a natural sunscreen like this one if you don’t want to make your own, there are times when sunburn is inevitable.
Sunburns can be avoided, for the most part, by limiting your time in the sun to increments of 2 hours and using a natural sunscreen if desired. When sunburn does appear, it can be painful and uncomfortable. I love to use this sunburn relief cream on my whole family. The aloe vera brings instant relief from that burning feeling while the shea butter moisturizes the skin, aiding in quicker healing of the sunburn.
Tips for avoiding a sunburn:
Unfortunately over the years, many people have had the belief that the sun is bad for us, but it really isn’t. The vitamin D we receive from direct sunlight is essential for optimal health and overall wellness. With that being said, sunburn is one side effect of being in direct sunlight. There are a few things we can do to avoid sunburn when possible, such as;
Limit sun exposure to increments of 2 hours, taking a small brake inside or in the shade before going back out for a few hours.
Wear a wide brim hat to protect the most common areas where our skin burns, such as our face and shoulders.
Aloe vera for sunburn:
Growing up at the beach meant lots of sunburns for me when I was a child. My mom would always apply aloe vera to my skin after a long day in the sun, however, it was always the bright green kind from the drugstore. After learning more about harmful ingredients, I have come to realize this artificial aloe vera we see on most store shelves is actually toxic. It is full of artificial dyes, preservatives, and many other hormone-disrupting ingredients.
According to this article, “Aloe vera is soothing and moisturizing, and it has cooling properties. This makes it an ideal and inexpensive choice for soothing the pain of minor sunburns at home. Sunburned skin loses moisture, and applying aloe may help retain skin moisture due to a substance called mucopolysaccharides found in the plant.”
Make sure the aloe vera you choose is a gel, not a liquid. This will help the mixture solidify once cooled.
Shea butter for sunburn:
Sunburns usually cause the skin to become dry and peel off. Applying a natural sunburn cream with shea butter, like the one in this recipe, can help to moisturize the affected area. Once the area has become moisturized, the skin can begin to heal.
According to this article, “One suggestion for an especially potent sunburn moisturizer comes from Dr. Ernest Brown, founder of Doctors To You: shea butter. “In addition to moisturizing the skin (which helps to reduce infection), shea butter is packed with nutrients and vitamins that increase its healing properties.”
Lavender essential oil for sunburn:
Lavender essential oil is great for natural pain relief. When adding the oil to the natural sunburn relief cream, be sure to only use a few drops since essential oils are very potent.
According to this article, “Just like chamomile, lavender oil also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to treat sunburn, says Dr. Sobel. A 2004 study refers to lavender as “one of the mildest of known plant essential oils,” making it a safer pick if you have sensitive skin.”
Begin by setting up a double boiler, this is a pot of water filled 1/3 of the way up, brought to a boil, with a glass or heat-safe bowl on top.
Once the double boiler is ready, add in your shea butter.
Allow the shea butter to melt completely.
Once melted, turn off the heat.
Add in the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Pour into your container of choice, remember this is a lotion so you will not be able to squeeze or pump this out, a wide mouth jar like this is a good option.
Once cooled, put cream in a stand up mixer or mix with a handheld mixer using a whisk attachment. (see notes)
Apply as needed
Notes:
Although whipping the cream is an extra step, it helps to ensure the aloe vera and shea butter mix completely. During the cooling process, the aloe vera gel and shea butter tend to separate, therefore mixing them together after the natural sunburn relief cream has cooled allows the cream to provide its full benefits.
You can watch a tutorial on making all of these recipes right here!
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Its symptoms, including itching, redness, and dryness, can be extremely uncomfortable and have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. While conventional treatments exist, an increasing number of individuals are turning to natural remedies, like red clover, to find relief from eczema symptoms. In this blog post, we delve into the benefits of using red clover as an eczema relief cream.
Understanding Eczema
Eczema is a complex and multifactorial condition that affects the skin’s barrier function, leading to dryness, itching, and inflammation. The cause of eczema is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Triggers for eczema flare-ups can include allergens, irritants, stress, changes in temperature, and certain foods.
Conventional treatments for eczema often involve the use of topical corticosteroids, emollients, and antihistamines. While these treatments can provide relief, some individuals prefer to explore natural alternatives due to concerns about long-term use of medications.
Exploring Red Clover as an Eczema Relief Cream
Anti-inflammatory Effects of Red Clover
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is an herbaceous flowering plant that belongs to the legume family. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its various health benefits. Apart from being a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, red clover also contains phytoestrogens and isoflavones, which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Inflammation plays a pivotal role in eczema, as it contributes to the characteristic redness, swelling, and itching. Studies have shown that red clover extracts can inhibit the activity of certain inflammatory molecules, potentially reducing the inflammatory response in eczema-affected skin.
Moisturizing and Soothing Properties One of the key features of eczema is excessive dryness and skin barrier dysfunction. Red clover extracts, when used topically as a cream, provide deep hydration to the skin, replenishing the lost moisture and alleviating dryness. This moisturizing effect helps soothe the skin and improve its overall appearance.
Promoting Wound Healing Individuals with eczema are more prone to skin wounds and infections due to persistent scratching and weakened skin barrier. Red clover has been shown to promote faster wound healing by stimulating the proliferation of skin cells and enhancing collagen synthesis. This can aid in the repair of damaged eczema-prone skin and reduce the risk of secondary infections.
Antioxidant Benefits Eczema is often associated with oxidative stress and increased free radical activity, which can further damage the skin and perpetuate inflammation. Red clover, with its antioxidant properties, helps neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from oxidative damage. This antioxidant activity can aid in reducing the severity and duration of eczema flare-ups.
While that is melting, grind the dried flowers with a Mortar + Pestle until they are a fine powder.
When the Shea Butter has melted, take it off the heat and pour it into a bowl along with the dried flowers.
Add Vitamin E Oil to the mixture and stir until combined. Transfer salve into a container of your choosing, I like these.
Allow the salve to set at room temperature for a few hours until it has completely cooled.
Use a dime size amount on problem areas as needed.
Notes
S
While red clover offers potential relief from eczema symptoms, it’s essential to remember that everyone’s skin is unique. What works for one person may not work for another. If you have severe eczema or are unsure about trying natural remedies, it is advised to consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional.
In conclusion, red clover, with its anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, wound-healing, and antioxidant properties, can provide effective relief for those suffering from eczema. By harnessing the power of nature, we can find natural solutions to improve our overall well-being. Give red clover eczema relief cream a try and experience the benefits for yourself!
Pin it on Pinterest!
eczema relief cream
Watch it on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/uT0UHVPZMjQ
Eczema Relief Cream YouTube Tutorial
This post may contain affiliate links, I may receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
All purpose cleaners are great to have around the house since they can be used on any surface. Most all purpose cleaners are liquid, like this DIY natural all purpose cleaner recipe I have on the blog, but a homemade cleaning paste is just as effective and easy to make. A natural homemade cleaning paste can be a great option for things that you really need to scrub. The baking soda in this recipe helps to loosen grime and scrub it off easily, making this recipe great for grout, bathtubs, stovetops, and much more.
What is a Cleaning Paste?
A cleaning paste is a mixture of baking soda, Castile soap, and essential oils used to create a paste. The paste can be used on tough surfaces like grout, bathtub grime, and glass stovetops to remove those tough stains.
Natural Homemade Cleaning Paste
Homemade Cleaning Paste vs. All-Purpose Cleaner
Homemade cleaning paste and all-purpose cleaner are essentially the same thing however, cleaning paste is more efficient at scrubbing out tough spots. If you are looking to mop your floors, I recommend a liquid diy all purpose cleaner because it is a much more efficient method for such a big job. If you want to clean your bathtub or stovetop, it is great to use a homemade cleaning paste since the job is small and the cleaning paste is very effective at removing grime.
How to Use Homemade Cleaning Paste
Take a tablespoon of your homemade cleaning paste and put it on the surface you desire to clean. Begin scrubbing the paste on the area using a towel.
Here are some ideas on where to use the DIY cleaning paste…
Kitchen: stovetop, sink, countertops, oven
Rooms: walls (great for getting mud off!), doors, windowsill
Mix the remaining ingredients (Castile soap, water, and lemon essential oil), into a separate bowl.
Slowly combine the liquid mixture into the baking soda, stirring as you go. This should form a thick paste.
Transfer the homemade cleaning paste into a container of your choosing, I like to use these.
Taking a towel or sponge, dip it into the diy cleaning paste and scrub on any surface.
DIY Cleaning Paste
Essential Oils for Cleaning Products
You can use any essential oil in this recipe, and for any DIY cleaning products. I prefer the fresh, citrus or clean smelling scents when making my own homemade cleaning paste.
Mix the remaining ingredients (Castile soap, water, and lemon essential oil), into a separate bowl.
Slowly combine the liquid mixture into the baking soda, stirring as you go. This should form a thick paste. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, as needed.
Transfer the homemade cleaning paste into a container of your choosing, I like to use these.
Taking a towel or sponge, dip it into the diy cleaning paste and scrub on any surface.
Notes:
Make sure to use an airtight container so the homemade cleaning paste does not dry out. If your paste happens to dry out, try adding in some water until it becomes a paste again.
Watch the Video Tutorial on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/Na2PzxYXUeE
This post may contain affiliate links, I may receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.
If you’re doing a garden this year, your crops might be producing some amazing vegetables already. If you haven’t tried a homemade bug spray for vegetable plants yet, it is something you have to put on your to-do list! Gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby, however it does come with its challenges. Pests are a big challenge in most gardens. As soon as your vegetables begin to produce, you notice bites taken out of your plants.
This home remedy to kill bugs in the garden is also effect on more plants than just vegetables, it is great when used on fruit trees, bushes, any plants indoor or outdoor.
Mix all of the ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle, I use these.
Shake Vigorously until mixed. The neem oil might separate from the water slightly, just shake the bug spray before using to help with the separation.
Spray your homemade bug spray for vegetable plants in your garden every few days, or as needed. It is best if this is used early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid spraying pollinators such as bees.
So now, you’re probably wondering..
Homemade Bug Spray for Vegetable Plants
What can I spray on my vegetable plants to keep bugs off?
This homemade bug spray for vegetable plants is the perfect solution to keep bugs off your plants. The combination of neem oil, a very powerful natural pesticide for vegetable plants, and essential oils creates an effective and non-toxic vegetable bug spray.
Neem oil is great at keeping away the bad bugs, like those tomato hornworms that will eat all of your tomatoes if you don’t catch them early. Naturally containing many antibacterial and fungicidal properties, neem oil is effective at getting rid of the pests in your garden.
Although neem oil is effective at getting rid of the bad pests in your vegetable garden, it is suggested to only spray it early in the morning or late in the evening in order to avoid disturbing the beneficial pollinators like bees. If you see any moths, bees, or ladybugs it is best to wait on spraying your plants until they are gone for the day.
Essential oils are a great addition to a homemade bug spray for vegetable plants. There are many effective oils to keep bugs away. If you’re looking for essential oils to repel bugs from your home and your body, check out these recipes
Those same essential oils used in most bug repellent recipes are just as effective when used in the vegetable garden.
The most common pests in the garden are aphids. This homemade bug spray for vegetable plants won’t necessarily kill the aphids, but it will repel them. Aphids do not like peppermint, making peppermint essential oil a necessity in any homemade aphid spray recipe.
Eucalyptus essential oil is another necessity when making a bug spray for vegetable plants. The difference when it comes to peppermint essential oil for aphids in the garden and eucalyptus essential oil is that eucalyptus will actually kill the aphids. As mentioned above, peppermint essential oil will only repel the aphids, which is still effective. However, for the aphids that are not repelled by the peppermint, eucalyptus essential oil will take care of them quickly.
Castile Soap as an Insecticide
Castile soap is great for killing soft-bodied pests like mealybugs. Castile soap is only effective when sprayed directly on the inspect that is invading your garden. Therefore, when you see a pest on your plants it is important to spray them immediately with homemade bug spray. This will kill the pests that are currently present on your plants, and combined with the essential oils it will also repel the pests from coming back.
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Homemade Bug Spray for Vegetable Plants
How to Make the Best Homemade Bug Spray for Vegetable Plants
Mix all of the ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle, I use these.
Shake Vigorously until mixed. The neem oil might separate from the water slightly, just shake the bug spray before using to help with the separation.
Notes:
I use this bug spray a few times a week if I notice more evidence of pests in my garden. Due to watering your plants and the rain, it is only natural that the bug spray will wear off after a while so being consistent with spraying your plants is important.
Neem oil is natural and safe, it is important to get pure neem oil. You might see neem oil sprays advertised at your local gardening shop but most of these are filled with other chemicals, making it something you don’t want to spray on your plants then consume.
Making your own toothpaste might feel intimidating but it is probably much easier than what you think! There are many benefits to making your own charcoal toothpaste recipe such as it is free from fluoride, the ingredients are simple and clean, and it is great for whitening the teeth as well as cleaning them.
Fluoride has been around for years however, there has only been research done in recent years on the adverse health effects of fluoride. According to this study, fluoride can have a direct link to Alzheimer’s disease. I encourage you to read the study for yourself in order to understand how fluoride attacks our central nervous system.
Fluoride is in many things within our environment such as conventional toothpaste, drinking water, and so much more. Using a DIY charcoal toothpaste is just one way you can reduce your intake of fluoride.
Whitening teeth with coconut oil and baking soda
Using coconut oil for oral health is not a new trend, this has been done for years, specifically in India. As it becomes more popular across the world, people begin to notice that coconut oil whitens your teeth. Teeth whitening is a great benefit of adding coconut oil to a charcoal toothpaste recipe, but there is also an added benefit of coconut oil helping to prevent gum disease (source).
When you read the ingredients list on toothpaste, you will typically see baking soda listed. Baking soda can be beneficial when used in toothpaste. There is evidence to support that baking soda in toothpaste can help to reduce plaque and stains, whiten teeth, and kill bacteria in our mouth.
As you can imagine, coconut oil and baking soda make a dynamic duo for an activated charcoal toothpaste recipe.
Charcoal Toothpaste Recipe
Charcoal toothpaste benefits
Activated charcoal is becoming more popular as an aid to whiten teeth. To sum it up, activated charcoal works to absorb stains on the surface of teeth which in turn makes our teeth appear whiter.
Although there is not a significant amount of data available on activated charcoal used in toothpaste, I have personally noticed a difference in the whiteness of my teeth when using this charcoal toothpaste recipe.
Activated charcoal is great for many other uses, not just teeth whitening. I always keep some on hand to use when the stomach bug hits our house, it is great at drawing out the virus and stopping the symptoms within an hour. I also love it for my skin. Check out my DIY charcoal face mask recipe here.
Essential oils for teeth and gums
There are a few essential oils that can be beneficial for our teeth and gums.
Peppermint: Peppermint is a common oil used in natural toothpastes. Besides the great cooling effect it has on the mouth, there are some benefits like the ability to kill oral pathogens and common bacteria in our mouth. By killing these common pathogens, there is a reduction in the possibility of developing cavities and gum disease.
Clove: Clove essential oil is great for those with sensitive teeth. There is an old wives tale that clove oil helps when you are experiencing tooth pain. It is important to note, clove oil is not recommended to be used by pregnant women.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a powerful anti fungal, making it great for a charcoal toothpaste recipe. Like the other oils, cinnamon can help to prevent or reverse gum disease due to its ability to kill off unwanted bacteria in the mouth.
Like with all essential oils, be sure to only use a small amount in the charcoal toothpaste recipe. This toothpaste should not be swallowed, only used to brush your teeth.
Once Melted, add coconut oil into a bowl with the remaining ingredients.
Mix until combined and transfer to container of choice.
Allow the mixture to solidify before using.
Notes:
This charcoal toothpaste recipe is much easier to mix when the coconut oil is melted. If you are in a hurry, you can skip the melting step.
Activated charcoal will make your teeth look black while you are using the charcoal toothpaste, don’t fret! Rinse your mouth as you normally would and the black residue will go away.
Feel free to omit the essential oil in this recipe if you aren’t comfortable with using it, just know there won’t be much flavor at all. Alternatively you can add a few drops of peppermint extract for added flavor, although its important to note that this will not have the same benefits that peppermint essential oil provides.
I would omit any essential oils in this recipe if you plan to use it with your young kids. Not ideal, however if this is swallowed by young kids it is not harmful to them – that is the great thing about making your own charcoal toothpaste recipe!
Watch the full video tutorial here!
Charcoal Toothpaste Recipe
Want more DIY recipes you can make at home? Check these out!
Using a natural DIY laundry scent booster can be just as effective as the store-bought scent boosters and safe to use in your home. Most people have a desire for their laundry to smell good, I know I do. Many store-bought laundry scent boosters have artificial fragrance and chemicals that are hard to pronounce. These artificial fragrances and chemicals can negatively impact our health.
Learning to make laundry smell good with essential oil is a game changer. As a replacement for artificial fragrance, making a DIY laundry scent booster using essential oils is the best route to go for clean smelling laundry.
Some common questions about using a DIY laundry scent booster are…
DIY Laundry Scent Booster
How do you make natural laundry boosters?
The answer is using 3 simple ingredients: Epsom salt, washing soda, and essential oils. It is really that easy!
Mix all of the ingredients together and add to an airtight jar, I use these ones.
Add 1 scoop (about 1/4-1/3 cup depending on the size of your load) on top of the clothes in the washing machine. Add laundry detergent as usual and wash.
The DIY laundry scent booster will last for about a year. If you would like to make this in bulk, simply double all of the measurements.
Do you put scent boosters in the washer or dryer?
When using a DIY laundry scent booster, it is best to use it in the washer. Simply put a small scoop of scent booster on top of the clothes in the washer. Follow up by adding your regular laundry detergent, I like this one, and wash as normal.
DIY Laundry Scent Booster
DIY Laundry Scent Booster with Epsom Salt
You might wonder why there is epsom salt in this recipe. Typically you see epsom salt used in bath products, like this Lavender Rose Bath Soak recipe, however epsom salt is a great addition to a homemade laundry scent booster. The main benefit of adding epsom salt to a DIY laundry scent booster is how soft it will make your clothes. If you look at the ingredients on fabric softeners, many of them use epsom salt in the ingredients list.
What is washing soda?
Washing soda, also known as soda ash (sodium carbonate), can be used as a natural cleaner. Although washing soda is a chemical compound, it is not harmful when used in DIY laundry scent boosters. If you do not have washing soda on hand, you can buy some here. Alternatively, you can just use baking soda as a replacement for washing side in laundry scent boosters.
Essential oils for laundry use
Essential oils are a great addition to any laundry product, especially homemade laundry boosters. Adding a beautiful fragrance to the laundry without any harmful artificial fragrances. Essential oils can leave your clothes naturally scented for days after being washed. If you will be using this DIY laundry scent booster on your kids clothes, just be sure to use a kid-safe essential oil.
Transfer mixture to an airtight container, I like to use these jars.
Use in washing machine to freshen the smell of your clothes.
Notes:
If you do not have washing soda, you can use baking soda as a 1:1 replacement in this recipe.
This will stay fresh for about a year. As time goes on the essential oil scent might fade a tiny bit, if this does happen you can add a few more drops of essential oil to refresh the scent booster.
Want to see a video tutorial for DIY laundry scent booster? Check out my Youtube channel below!
With summer being in full swing, that means spending a lot of time out in the sun. Although commonly thought to be a bad thing, spending a lot of time in the sun can be very beneficial to our bodies. However, too much time in the sun results in a sunburn, which I am sure we all have experienced a time or two. Learning how to make homemade sunscreen is great for this time of year. The process is quick, there are minimal ingredients, and you can whip up a batch in less than an hour when you are running low.
Melt the shea butter and coconut oil over a double boiler.
Once melted, turn the heat off and mix in the remaining ingredients.
Allow the DIY homemade sunscreen to sit at room temperature for about an hour until it has fully set.
Apply as needed.
It is that simple! Now, you might have a few questions about making sunscreen at home. Here are some common questions that most people wonder when making a DIY natural sunscreen recipe.
Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe
Tips for avoiding a sunburn
Wear a homemade natural sunscreen (to learn about the toxic ingredients in conventional store-bought sunscreens, keep reading.)
Limit sun exposure to increments of 2 hours at a time before seeking shade, then reentering into the sunshine.
Optional, wear large hats to cover sensitive areas like your face, neck, and shoulders.
Is homemade sunscreen waterproof?
The answer is yes. You might find it odd to add beeswax to a homemade sunscreen recipe but beeswax is the key to making the sunscreen waterproof. If you’ve ever used beeswax on your skin before you will know that it wicks away water, allowing the homemade sunscreen to stay active on your skin even while getting wet.
It is important to note; that using too much beeswax can cause the homemade natural sunscreen to not set properly. Therefore, following the recipe measurements is important with this one.
What is Non-Nano Zinc Oxide?
This is essentially the SPF part of the natural sunscreen recipe. According to this article, “Zinc oxide sits on top of your skin (rather than soaking in, as chemical sunscreens do) and protects you by scattering, absorbing, and reflecting the sun’s rays. It can stand alone as a sunblock because it is truly effective against UVA, UVB, and even UVC rays — this is called a “broad-spectrum blocker.” But zinc oxide isn’t just effective at blocking the sun! It’s also good for your skin.”
Another great thing about using non-nano zinc oxide is that it is considered safe for marine animals, whereas nano zinc oxide is not safe for marine animals. To read more about that, check out this study.
Natural Homemade Sunscreen Recipe
Homemade Sunscreen with Essential Oils
I love adding essential oils to almost every homemade recipe. Essential oils add a great fragrance when used in natural sunscreen made at home. If using peppermint essential oil in your DIY natural sunscreen recipe as I did, your skin will feel cool and tingly, in a good way, when using this sunscreen.
If you want to make this sunscreen a 2-in1 deal, aka, bug repellent and sunscreen, there are some essential oils to repel bugs that you can use. Examples: peppermint, citronella (great for repelling mosquitos), and eucalyptus. To learn more about essential oils that repel bugs, check out my DIY Bug Repellent Lotion Recipe.
Here are some essential oils for homemade sunscreen:
In recent years, some studies have exposed the toxic and harmful ingredients used in common conventional sunscreens. Some of the harmful ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and nanoparticles. Not only are these ingredients harmful when used on our bodies, but they are also harmful to marine animals. When swimming in the ocean specifically, I am sure you have seen your sunscreen leave an oil trail next to where you are in the water. Leaving that trail behind means the marine animals will encounter it, later on, harming them the same way it harms us.
To read more about the harmful effects of conventional sunscreen, check out this website.
If you do end up with a sunburn, check out my Natural Sunburn Relief Cream recipe to help ease the pain and discomfort of a sunburn.
How to Properly Store Sunscreen
When making a DIY sunscreen recipe with essential oils, it is important to store the sunscreen in a glass container. Essential oils have the capability of breaking down plastic over a long period of time therefore it is better to be safe than sorry and just use glass. Make sure to use a tight lid on whichever glass container you choose.
1. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil over a double boiler.
2. Once melted, turn the heat off and whisk in the remaining ingredients.
3. Allow the DIY homemade sunscreen to sit at room temperature for about an hour until it has been fully set.
4. Store in an airtight glass container and apply as needed.
Notes:
It is nearly impossible to measure exactly how much SPF this natural homemade sunscreen has, however, it is safe to assume the SPF is around 30, give or take.
This sunscreen is generally safe to be used anywhere you would normally apply sunscreen, like your face. Just be sure to use essential oils that you are not allergic to and be sure to keep the sunscreen out of your eyes.
Use your best judgment when applying this to your children. I use this on my kids age 6 months and up with no issues. Some kids might have sensitive skin when using essential oils, so feel free to omit that.
