Returning to Home -

It was breezy and the small wind seemed to increase a bit, but nothing prepared us for the gust that came! Suddenly it gusted 3- - no 40 - no 50 mph! picking up dirt, debris, bits of tree branches flew by. The gust didn't end - it increased! dirt and sand in the eyes- we couldn't see the road any longer- so thick was the wall of dirt going by-  the umbrella for the table picked up and flew 10 feet into the pool, trying to grab it and save it and nearly fell in -then continued blast- trash and tree limbs flying across the parking lot... a dust devil the size of a small tornado picked up large tumble weeds and threw them into a whirl 200 feet up in the air... it kept going....until it was gone.
... just as suddenly as it started....
I saw this happen last month.

 An actual occurrence, that turns out to be a perfect analogy for our lives this last three months.

A whirlwind, a tornado of events, turmoil, upheaval, and then sudden calm.  Discovering how to survive a storm and still smile with little left.
I am not comfortable giving out whole details, but in short- we were buying a house, the seller backed out 5 days before escrow, everything fell through, and three months later- after multitude of events such as losing cars and jobs- we are finally back in a rental house.
It is now a week after our move and I am still going through boxes, and discovering where things might go and basically...settling down.

Whew.
I never intended to be away so long.

I learned a great many things during that time and I want to share it all with you, I just have to figure out how to word it all. I missed writing!
The three months covered the bulk of summer here. The hottest months- we did a great deal of swimming and walking.
Many hours got spent outside- and we enjoyed the BBQ many nights, rather than going out to eat fast food. I found out just how bad I could feel after nasty fast food. (McD's made me feel like I had poisoned myself into a sluggish grease pit, I wasn't alone! Everyone including the kids agreed!)
Oh, how I missed real food! I craved home cooking daily. We all craved it after just a week of not having it! The BBQ helped, but really  nothing compares to homemade lasagna fresh from the oven (our voted most missed food 2nd was baked chicken).

 I missed my All natural cleansers and safe cleansers. I used baking soda whenever I could but could not escape the motel cleansers etc.

In the heated outdoors, I discovered Lavender Essential Oil is fantastic for mosquito bites, and spider bites, and virtually eliminates all itching! It also deters ants and flies.

I discovered my small jar of coconut oil could become far more than cooking oil, it turned into my daily moisturizer, my hand lotion, and a soothing answer for sunburn!

I discovered my bottle of castile lavender soap could wash dishes, be a hand and body soap, and shampoo!

I discovered that even in trying times and adversity I still could not compromise my beliefs that natural is better than the convenience products sold on the shelves. All in all the experience was like a test for all of us- did our steps to go real food and more natural before really take hold? I'd have to say a resounding YES!!!!!

So happy to be back! So happy to be able to write it all again!

As I unbox and unravel from the past summer- I hope to start sharing everything again. Thanks to everyone for following and thank you for your patience!

-Janey
a truly Consistently Sporadic Writer

DIY Homemade Body Wash

DIY Homemade Body Wash

 

I am still using castile bar soap in the shower, but occasionally- especially during extra hot summer days-  I love to use body wash- and my favorite is peppermint body wash during the heat.

 In a recycled, or new squeeze bottle add:

2/3 cup Castile Soap (Dr. Bronner's Peppermint is my favorite in the summer for cooling relief;  Lavender is fantastic at night ; and Citrus is refreshing and great for energy and early mornings! But, any will work!)
1/3 cup Coconut milk (hydrating for skin)
2 tsp. glycerine
2 tsp. vitamin E oil (an antioxident that actually helps preserve the mixture)
additional Essential Oil for more scent, if desired. (5-10 drops of whatever you like- whatever compliments the mood!)

Shake well to mix.


Wet a washcloth, or loufa and squeeze a bit on- lather and enjoy!

Rinses off with ease, doesn't dry your skin out or leave you with icky film, is refreshing and wonderful and all natural!!!


Best Homemade Body Wash I have found yet!

Great for kids!  Perfect, if you choose Baby Mild Castile Soap for youngest ones! (Reduce amount of essential oils added extra for babies - you don't want to irritate their sensitive skin!)
All Natural and safe from toxins, and perfumes! Yay!

Note: Unless you know you will be using a lot, make small amounts at a time, store in cool place, will last a week or two.

I hope you enjoy!




You might also enjoy the links found in:

Make Your Own Monday 8/5

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DIY Homemade Dish Soap

DIY Homemade Dish Soap

Dish soap is so cheap, and so easy to grab, and just too easy...why would I replace dish soap?

Many reasons, actually.
It touches your skin- one of your most important organs on your body.
It touches the dishes you cook and eat off of.
It goes down the drain and flows back through the system, eventually retouching the earth we come from and live off of.
All Three very good reasons to consider using a product with far less toxic chemicals in it. Think green.
Green cleaning is so easy, it is even cost effective if your are on a tight budget.  It is also so much better for your family in the long run!

To make Homemade Dish Soap

you need a mixing bowl, a small sauce pan to boil water in, a grater and a whisk.
2 cups water
1 tbsp. borax
1 tbsp. grated Castile soap bar. (I use Kirk's Castile Original, but any Castile bar will work. Dr. Bronner's Citrus is excellent!) 
Essential oils (lemon is my favorite- but you can also use tea tree oil for antibacterial, or any combination you prefer! Lemon and Lavender is wonderful! So is orange and lemon for a bright energetic citrus smell of fresh and clean!)

Boil the 2 cups of water in sauce pan.
In bowl combine both the borax and grated bar soap
pour boiling water over the soap mixture and whisk until the soap dissolves.
Now let it rest. As it cools it will gel up.
Let it completely cool for a couple hours. 4-6 actually depending on your house's temp.
Add essential oils, if you choose to,  at the very last step.
Pour into recycled/ reused dish soap bottle and use as you normally would for dishes.

Note: This is not intended for dishwashers-just in the sink dish-washing.