Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

I absolutely love making my own cleaning products for our home. As I've talked about before, we are making a conscious effort to get away from as many of the chemicals, food dyes, and preservatives, that are in the products we have been using. I already posted a recipe for a Liquid Dish Soap and my husband, who is my major pots & pans hand dishwasher, loves it, but for the rest of my dishes? That's what dishwashers were made for. So imagine my surprise when I was grabbing my commercial liquid dishwasher soap and begin reading the ingredients listed on the container. WOW!!! And we're eating our "healthier" food off of these dishes that are coated with this stuff. I was now on a new journey to find a better way.

It's a learning experience too be sure. I knew I wanted to use my liquid castile soap as my base, as well as my citrus essential oils,; lemon is great for helping to cut the grease. I ended up trying washing soda. It's found in the laundry area at the market and is fairly inexpensive. As well as going greener we are also really watching our pennies. So far everything I have made has ended up being less expensive than the commercial brands I was previously using. I was spending $6 up to $16 a month for chemical filled Liquid Dishwashing Detergent. I figured the cost for my homemade Liquid Dishwashing detergent and it came to less than $0.02 a load. That makes me really happy. (Doing the happy dance)

In my large bowl I added 1 cup liquid castile soap and 1/4 cup washing soda.I'll come back to this big error in a moment but let's first talk about Hot water content. I first added 1 cup Hot water to my mixture, and I ended up with paste. Thick, gooey paste. I added another cup and stirred, stirred stirred, then another cup and stirred, stirred, stirred,, and then one more cup, stirred and finally, the consistency I was looking for. For a person that suffers from arthritis, believe me, my poor shoulder was so sore after stirring this for so long. Here's the part about "big error" I mentioned earlier. Clumps, Lumps and me being the Chump. Never, and I do mean never add your washing soda with you soap first, you will have the before mentioned lumps. And a lot of them. When making my second batch I slowly pour 4 cups Hot water into the washing soda and stirred until it dissolves, then add the 1 cup of liquid castile soap. By the time you've stirred all of this together the Hot water is cooled enough for you to now add your essential oils. I used 20 drops of lemon but you can use whatever "citrus" essential oil you want. The citrus helps cut the grease. 

Liquid Dishwasher Detergent

1 cup liquid castile soap 
4 cups hot water
1/4 cup washing soda
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil 

Instructions:

Slowly mix hot water and washing soda until dissolved. 
Stir in the castile soap and then finally add your lemon 
essential oil.  Allow to sit overnight to thicken. I put mine 
in an old recycled commercial liquid soap "squeeze bottle" 
 but you can use a mason jar also.

To use: 

Shake liquid dishwasher detergent before each use. Add about 1 tablespoon
of detergent to dishwasher soap dispenser.

It worked great in the dishwasher, everything came out clean and fairly spot free, as spot free as I think WE will ever see, we have very hard water here. Once it's time to refill the rinse agent I'll be switching to just plain vinegar.  Actually there is only one thing wrong with this recipe, the stirring portion, I want to play with it and see if an emulsion blender will work hence, saving my poor shoulders. 

But for now I'm very happy with my results and my money savings. (Insert one more happy dance)  I've made up a 6x4 recipe card you can download HERE or just click on the card. 

Thanks for checking out my Blog and as always, God bless. 

Joint Pain

I've suffered from "Joint" pain for a very long time. It's that lovely stiffness in my hands, shoulders and sometimes knees. That feeling, like if I look at my fingers, they will resemble little fat sausages. Which they don't thank goodness but they sure do feel like it. Trying to make coffee in the morning is a  real chore. I no longer have a good grip so I drop things easily. Hence the reason of finding a good recipe for this affliction. I've been going over in my mind, what essential oils would be the best for my individual needs.

For me, the main problem is pain, inflammation and blood flow as well as deterioration of cartilage. So by using these essential oils together I find great relief.  

I came up with these essential oils.

-Peppermint

• Helps with inflammation

-Frankincense

• Promotes Cellular Health
• Reduces Inflammation

-Cypress

• Soothes tight, tense muscles
• Supports localized blood flow

-Wintergreen

• Pain Killing Properties - conditions including headache, nerve pain (particularly sciatica), arthritis, ovarian pain, and menstrual cramps.

-Geranium

• Supports the circulatory and nervous systems
• Has the ability to revitalize body tissue.

Joint Pain & Inflammation 

6 drops Peppermint

6 drops Frankincense

6 drops Cypress

6 drops Wintergreen 

6 drops Geranium

Top off RollerBall with Fractionated Coconut Oil.

Apply to the affected area 2 to 3 times a day.

These roller ball recipes are very simple to make; just put the correct number of drops in a 10ml glass tube, fill remaining space with FCO (fractionated coconut oil) snap on the roller ball and screw on the lid. Give it a good shake and you are ready to go. Apply to affected areas, ie. hands, knuckles, knees...


I've made up a 6x4 recipe card that you can download HERE or just click on the card below.

As always, Thanks for visiting my Blog and God Bless.

All Over Body Pain Cream, Whipped

Another glorious day in Arizona. Perfect weather to be outside, in the backyard raking leaves, weeding and just general upkeep. With that being said, it's also a time for tired and sore muscles and just all over body pain from not being active during the winter months. Happens every year;  you'd think by now we'd learn.  But since we haven't learned yet I decided I better make up an “All Over Body Pain Cream, Whipped” to rub on tonight so that we don't wake up tomorrow sore.

I started with researching which oils to use and came up with this combination. Again, if you don't have some of these oils on hand you can always swap them out for what you do have. Just find what works best for you.

I did my usual research on what oils would work best for my needs. Following is a list of my choices:

-Lemongrass

• Improves Circulation
• Anti-inflammatory
• Assists with Tissue Repair

-Frankincense

• Promotes Cellular Health
• Reduces Inflammation

-Wintergreen

• Pain Killing Properties - conditions including headache, nerve pain (particularly sciatica), arthritis, ovarian pain, and menstrual cramps.

-White Fir

• Relaxes Muscles and Soothes Joints
• Promotes Circulation
• Supports a Healthy Inflammatory response

-Deep Blue

• Soothes Sore Joint Pain
• Soothes Sore Muscles
• Supports Healthy Circulation

-Marjoram

• Calming Properties on the Nervous System
• Soothes Tired, Stressed Muscles

-Peppermint

• Used as a Driving Oil

All Over Body Pain Cream, Whipped

3/4 Cup Coconut Oil (You can Use Shea Butter)

1 Tablespoon shredded Beeswax (2 tbsp if you live in a warm climate like I do)

15 drops Lemongrass essential oil

15 drops Frankincense essential oil
15 drops Wintergreen

10 drops White Fir essential oil

30- 45 drops Deep Blue essential oil 

15 drops Marjoram essential oil

20 drops Peppermint essential oil

In a double boiler; place your coconut oil and beeswax and heat on medium to medium-low until the coconut oil and beeswax melt. I don’t own a double boiler so I use my Pyrex measuring cup in a sauce pan that has about 3 inches of water in the bottom. Take off of heat and pour into a glass mixing bowl and allow it to rest on the counter-top for about 5-10 minutes before you add your essential oils. You don’t want to add the essential oils to soon; they may evaporate and you’ll lose the healing properties. 

At this point you have the option of just pouring it into a glass jar and using it as a salve.

I like a whipped body butter consistency so I put some plastic wrap on my bowl and place in the fridge for about an hour. You want the coconut oil to start firming back up. Next get out your hand mixer and start mixing as you would frosting. That’s the constancy you're looking for. It should about double in size. I whipped mine for about 3-4 minutes. That’s it. Now just spoon it into a glass jar with a lid. Remember a little goes a long way. I use mine at night before bed to allow the coconut oil to absorb into my skin. 

Not only will you get some wonderful pain relief but your skin will love you!!

This was really quick and easy. The longest part was waiting for the coconut oil to firm back up. Once finished my husband and I both used it and loved the results. I'll probably be making another batch using Shea Butter for myself. My husband loves all things Coconut but it can be a little bit oily for my skin now that I've reach 55. I prefer Shea butter or Mango butter. 

I've made up a 6x4 recipe card that you can download HERE or just click on the card below.

As always, Thanks for visiting my Blog and God Bless.

DIY Vapor Stick

Here's another Do-It-Yourself I just made for my husband. He's been using a vapor stick that I've been buying from doTERRA for awhile now and my husband uses it almost nightly and absolutely swears by it. A couple of days ago he announced that his stick was gone and needed another. I, not being able to read his mind and realize that the stick was running low, didn't have a spare stick sitting in my "Everything Natural" storage area. Yes, I have a large area in one of my storage closets that is filled with everything "doTERRA" and all the other items I keep in stock for soaps, lotions or any of the many things I make for our health and home.

It struck me that I should be able to make something close to what he's been using. Honestly this is why I love doTERRA so much, they sell a lot of pre-made items for those of us who don't have the time or inclination to try and make them ourselves. But seeing as I have the time to play around in the kitchen, I decided to give this one a shot.

I did my usual research on what oils would work best for my needs. Following is a list of my choices.

 -Breathe 

• Maintains clear airways and breathing
• Supports overall respiratory health
• Helps minimize the effects of seasonal threats 

-Peppermint

• Promotes healthy respiratory function and clear breathing

-Melaleuca

• Renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating effects on the skin
• Promotes healthy immune function
• Protects against environmental and seasonal threats

Next, I searched on Pinterest for a pre-made recipe for a breathe sticks or at least a recipe that I could adapt to my needs. What I found were recipes for lip balms and salves which are both about the consistency of what I was needing; The only change was that I used olive oil instead of sweet almond oil. I was out of stock of the almond oil and worked with what I had.

After making the recipe I poured the mixture into the empty stick I already had and the remainder into a glass jar. Now as the stick empties out I can just refill it by putting the glass jar into my microwave; watching closely so as to only heat until re-liquefied, and refill my stick. I have found empty stick containers on Amazon if you want to buy some. I'm big into "recycle and re-use" but will eventually run out of what I have and have to being buying items myself.

It's not exactly like the original stick he's been using but in a pinch...It worked. My husband used the home-made stick last night and absolutely loved it. He especially liked how it moisturized as well as kept his nose passage clear. 

Vapor Rub Stick

1/2 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp. shredded beeswax

40 drops Breathe

20 drops Peppermint

20 drops Eucalyptus

Since I don’t have a double boiler I put a heatproof glass bowl inside a simmering pot 

of water and place ingredients inside the bowl. (I use my Pyrex measuring cups)

Melt together the olive oil and beeswax. 

Carefully stir the contents until mixture is nice and smooth.

Once everything is melted, remove from the heat.

Wait 5-6 minutes or so and then add in your essential oils. (If you put them in too soon,

the heat may evaporate them).

Stir well and pour immediately into glass jars since the mixture will begin to solidify.

I used an empty tube I had from doTERRA’s Breathe stick.

This should keep for a year or so if stored in a cool, dark place.

How to use:

Use like you would any vapor rub by applying it to chest, lung and neck area. I like to

place a bit under the nose and take in a deep breath. You can also use this for allergy

attacks. It really does work.

I've made a recipe card with instructions and you can download it HERE  or just click on the recipe card below. 

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As always thanks for checking out my blog and God Bless.

Bottom of Feet Relief

A few months ago I woke up; stood up and sat right back down. I could not even begin to explain the pain I was experiencing on the bottom of my foot. I seriously wanted to cry. Finally, after about a week of hardly being able to put weight on my foot, I decided to find an oil combination that would help with the pain. I began some stretches and icing which really helped a lot but what helped even more was this recipe I found on pinterest.

Bottom Of Feet Relief  

Here's what you'll need:

• 12 drops Marjoram
• 12 drops Lemongrass
• 6 drops Peppermint
• 6 drops Frankincense
• 6 drops Deep Blue
• 24 drops Fractionated Coconut Oil

1. Add all essential oils as well as the fractionated coconut oil into a 10ml rollerball. 
2. Apply to bottom foot; repeat 4 times daily or until pain subsides.

I do love my oils. I'll tell you, the cooling/comforting relief I got from rolling this on the bottom of my feet was wonderful. 

 I made up another recipe card for this, so you can just click on the card below to download.

Have a great day and God Bless.

As always, Thanks for visiting my Blog and God Bless.

Liquid Dish Soap

Did you know that you can make your own dish soap for next to nothing? or how about laundry soap? I know for me the cost of shampoo and conditioner is breaking my budget. So let's start with some household items that I know you will love. I've been making most of these "recipes" for awhile and as I tweak them I'll be sure and updating the information to you.

Liquid Dish Soap

1/2 cup grated soap (I used Kirk’s Castile soap)*

4 cups water

1 Tbs vegetable glycerin 

(optional: used as a hand moisturizer)

10 drops Lemon

10 drops Grapefruit

10 drops Wild Orange

10 drops Lime

(I used this combination because the citrus helps cut grease)

Directions: 

Grate bar of soap. In a saucepan add water and 1/2 cup grated soap. Over 

low/medium heat gently heat without bringing to a boil until all the soap has dissolved. 

Add in vegetable glycerin and stir well. Place in a jar. After cooling for a short time 

(30 minutes to an hour; adding to soon will take away the effectiveness of the oils) 

add in combination of essential oils and allow to set up for 24 hours, stirring 

occasionally.

Pour into a soap pump or squeezable container. Give it a shake, and enjoy!

Below are other oils to try.

10 drops lemon, 10 drops grapefruit, 10 drops wild orange, 10 drops lime (this is what I used)

15 drops lemongrass, 15 drops tangerine

15 drops wild orange, 15 drops peppermint

20 drops lemon, 15 drops eucalyptus

15 drops lemon, 15 drops thyme

5 drops cinnamon, 20 drops wild orange

My hubby and I have made this and used it. I love the aroma and he (being my main "Hand" dish washer) loves the way it cuts through the grease.  We put the citrus oils in; they help cut the grease. It didn't gel up as well as I would have liked so I'll be playing around with it to see if I can get a better consistency. Just remember in most of these recipes that the lack of suds Does Not mean it's not working. You won't get the bubbles but it will do the job, trust me. 

Give it a try and let me know what you think.

***Update: I ended up placing this dish soap recipe in a empty foaming pump dispenser I had kept. I can't tell you how wonderful it works. Just pump it onto a sponge and start washing dishes. It really foams up well when used this way.

If you want to download the "Recipe Card" shown below just pres HERE.

As always, Thanks for visiting my Blog and God Bless.