New Stuff :)

Spent my weekend tending to a sick babe & working on Extract and got some new labeling and packaging underway plus a new body oil up in the shop! I think you are all going to absolutely love this new body oil - it's perfect to add into your bathtub or massage directly onto your skin just like you would body lotion to achieve a flawless, moisturizing, nourishing, & glowing effect all day long. And not oily or greasy at all!!
It's made up of entirely 100% organic expeller pressed oils (avacado oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, vitamin e oil, & lavender essential oil) and works for all skin types and especially well on dry skin. I have a special promo listing up for a custom oil cleanser as well as the body oil both for only $16 if you're interested!
And once we get some more money coming in next month I'm excited to purchase more supplies to extend my line to include bath salts, bath bombs, eau d'toilettes, and body scrubs -  Very excited :)

Oh & Landon? He was up all night Saturday night coughing and came down with a fever and 102 temp yesterday....Up sick again last night but finally caught some peaceful, cough-free Zzzzs at 4am and slept until 11, waking up fever-free and cough-free. Finally :) We'll be spending the rest of the day low key & enjoying the sunny 65 degrees together outside B)

The Nitty Gritty on Cloth Diapering: Cleaning, Storing, Drying, Using, & Loving

One of the biggest topics of interest I get from people who read my blog is in regards to cloth diapering. (You can read my first post on cloth HERE). So today I'm sharing with you everything else I've learned in my 2.5 years of navigating the world of cloth: the best kinds/brands, how to properly use, store, wash, & dry. I hope with these additional details and I'm able to answer some questions to make this all a little easier and maybe a little more appealing to you!

The Best Out There:
I have tried a lot of different brands and will say that the best (most absorbant, clean, cute patterns, and easy to use & clean) are Pocket Diapers by Rumparooz and Blueberry. I recommend pocket diapers versus the others out there (fitted, snaps, AIOs and prefolds) because you don't need to worry about or purchase any additional items, and they are very absorbent, easy to assemble and easier to use than the others, and they also clean much better than others. I strongly dislike Grovia and those other “hybrid" diapers, which may be tempting, as it was for me, since they are interchangeable with disposable pads, but they do not work well. (Read: very leaky & holds stains). And whatever you do, don't go out and buy the cheapo brands at Target or Babies R Us. I would strongly advise going for an all-in-one or pocket diapers, and I would also recommend snap button closures. The velcro ones aren't bad per say, but sometimes over time the velcro can start to wear, they're a pain in the butt if you forget to velcro them before throwing them in the dryer, and little ones can figure out how to pull them off - not a good thing. All that being said, Rumparooz and Blueberry have never once failed us. They have a ton of adorable patterns, they wash the nasties away extremely effectively, they are super absorbant for even bigger toddlers and bladders, they never leak, and always hold everything in.

Changing the Diaper & Preliminary Cleaning:
When you change your little one's cloth diaper, you can just take apart the wet ones and throw in a wet bag. (I would also recommend investing in a smaller wet bag for when you're on the go). I also sprinkle some baking soda in the bag to help eliminate some of the odors as they sit and wait for a wash.
The dirty ones are a bit more complicated to deal with, as you can imagine. I never bought one of those toilet fixtures. I have always used these squirt bottles that I got in the hospital when Landon was born, which I keep in my bathroom filled up and ready to use for the next pooper. I put on my plastic cleaning gloves, use my squirt bottles to get all the nasties off, and then throw in the wet bag. For what it's worth, I've heard you can find those toilet fixtures pretty inexpensively and they are very easy to assemble and use from the other cloth diapering mamas I've talked to, but this method has worked very efficiently for me.
If after rinsing off the nasties you have stains on the diapers, you can pre-soak with any cloth diaper laundry detergent, which I'll get to next.

Washing:
Once your wet bag is filled up and you are ready to do a wash (note: I would not let these dirty diapers sit for any longer than 2 days or they will start to smell and stains will begin to set), you can throw them all in the washer to clean, turning the wet bag inside out in with it to wash so you don't even end up touching any dirty diapers. If you put baking soda in your wet bag this has amazing cleaning properties as well so it's a great cleaning agent for cloth to add in as well.
I then do a pre-soak in cold water (or a pre-wash in cold water with no detergent) and and then do the main wash with detergent in a hot water, on a heavy-duty cycle with an extra rinse. It's important not to start off with the first wash in hot water as it may set stains, but hot water will clean best for the second main heavy-duty wash. The extra rinse cycle is very important as it ensures all the soap is rinsed off the diapers, and helps eliminate odors caused by a build-up of detergents.
As for the laundry detergent or soaking detergent, do not use generic, store-bought whiteners or bleach. The bleach will shorten the life of your diapers and whiteners will damage waterproofing on the all-in-ones and diaper covers/shells. I have used a few different kinds of specialty laundry detergents for my cloth diapers but would highly recommend Rock 'N Green. I know it sounds like a pain to have to go out and buy special laundry detergent, but you can easily order online, and you can also use this detergent to wash normal clothes as well. It lasts a LIFETIME too. One package is good for up to 90 loads.
When you take the diapers out of the washing machine, they should smell fresh and clean. If they still smell of dirty diapers, even faintly, then rewash. Odors can mean that the diapers contain lingering bacteria, which can irritate your baby's skin or cause diaper rash.

Drying:
You can throw in the dryer for a normal drying cycle to make extra fluffy and soft for baby's bottom, or you can hang air dry. When we lived downtown we had to pay for our laundry so I always air dried. Depending on your sunlight, they will dry within a day or two, and natural sunlight actually helps brighten whites and naturally remove stains. By air drying you are also saving power and electricity on the dryer load, so naturally more eco-friendly and it also helps preserve the life of your diapers. However, since we moved to the burbs and have our own washer/dryer unit, I've been drying in the dryer because it obviously dries them a lot faster and also leaves them much softer and fluffier for my precious little baby butt. Your choice. If you do dry in the dryer, do not use fabric softener, as it will wear away the diapers absorbency. I've also found that I need to run my dryer for longer - about 60 minutes to fully dry some of the thicker cloth diaper inserts. Some of the shells may not be recommended to put in the dryer, so always check the manufacturer's instructions beforehand.

Storing: 

When they are done drying, I put them all together and store in a basket near his changing table, and one or two in his baby bag, all ready for the next use.

Other Misc Notes:
- I would recommend having at least 8-12 cloth diapers in your stash. You don't need to get them all at once – you can order one and see how you like it before you order more.
- Don't feel like you need to cloth diaper all the time. I know it's a lot of extra work and just not managebale when you are traveling, when you have a babysitter or when they're in a child/daycare, and when you're just not feeling well and zapped of energy. I always keep a pack of disposables on hand and use in between washings and for when we are out and about all day.
- Intimidated by their price? Cloth diapers can seem like a big investment at first, running anywhere from $20-$25 a diaper, but when you look at how much you are saving versus disposables, you'll see it's worth it! (See the comparison HERE). You can also purchase gently used cloth diapers at a discount from some online merchants.
- Baby got diaper rash? You can still use diaper cream with cloth, but some do not work as well as others with cloth. For the most part, anything natural/organic will work fine, just avoid anything with cod liver oil or other fish oils. I use Burt's Bees and swear by it. Other mamas report really good things with Coconut Oil, Lansinoh, Corn Starch, breast milk, California Baby, and CJ's Butter.
- Most cloth diapers are adjustable to fit newborns all the way through toddlerhood. I didn't use them on my LO as a newborn, but there are easy snap closures to adjust to tiny bodies. So unlike diaposables, you don't need to continuously go up in sizes.
- Will this make me a slave to the laundry machine? No, it really won't. I wash a load of cloth diapers once every other day. With the amount of laundry my family goes through anyway it's really not a big deal and does not take up as much time as you may think.

Good luck & feel free to reach out to me with any questions!

Essential Oils

I've recently become obsessed with essential oils. Ever since I started making my own skincare products and cleaning agents, I've been finding all sorts of random uses for them around the house and in my everyday life. I'm absolutely obsessed with essential oils for several reasons: first, they smell absolutely amazing (favorites: lavender & rosemary), second, the oils are extracted directly from roots, wood, flowers, fruits and/or leaves and thus are 100% pure and contain absolutely no chemicals or toxins, and lastly and perhaps most incredible thing of all is that essential oils have healing properties. Each contains certain properties to help heal certain ailments as well as promote health in specific areas.
Below is a list of ways I currently use my essential oils, a few of these I have not yet tried out yet but hope to soon:

For The Home:
- Added into homemade all-purpose cleaning agents (vinegar, water, and baking soda combined in spray bottle). Favorite essential oils to mix to this are Lemongrass, Bergamot, Lime, or Orange, or a mixture of any of those.
- Soak washcloths in Lemon essential oil mixed with water to disinfect germs
- To clean and increase shelf life of fresh fruit: fill bowl with water and Lemon essential oil. Drop fruit into water and stir.
- Carpet deodorizer: Add approximately 10 drops of Lemon, Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint, or Ylang Ylang essential oil to a box of baking soda. Mix well and then sprinkle over carpets. Let set, then vacuum.
- Home aromas: Put favorite essential oil in oil diffusers that are either plugged into the wall or in designated spot or filter on humidifier. I like Lavender, Rosemary, Vanilla, Grapefruit, Sweet Orange, Cinnamon, Peppermint, and Clove.
- Add your favorite essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water to use as an air freshener.

For Your Health (Mind, & Body):
- Apply Tea Tree or Lavender to cuts, scrapes, or scratches (or combine in water bottle and spray onto cuts/scrapes).
- For colds and sinus congestion, Lavender, Eucalyptus, & Rosemary (optional to combine with 1 cup milk or cream) and pour into hot bath.
- Grapefruit essential oil promotes focus, alertness, & helps stimulate memory
- A good mood booster & fatigue fighter is the Peppermint essential oil.
- Juniper Berry, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Lavender, Losemary, & Lemon help soften and soothe the effects of a hangover. Blend all or some of these oils in a hot bath.
- If have a fever, soak washcloth in water with Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Lavender and apply to face, head, or sponge bath.
- For headaches, massage a few drops of either Lavender or Peppermint onto temples.
- For sore joints/muscles, ass Eucalyptus, Sage, and/or Basil essential oils to Jojoba Oil and massage onto affected areas.
- For better sleep, Chamomile and/or Lavender essential oils aroma in room (plug in diffusers or added to humidifiers) or in sheets (when drying sheets, drop a few drops into a cloth and drop into dryer with them).

For Your Skincare, Hair, & Beauty Needs:
- Add your favorite essential oil to oil cleansing facial mixture
- Add your favorite essential oil to homemade natural facial scrub.
- To use as a skin toner: Mix 8 oz water with a few drops Lavender, Palmarosa, & Rosewood essential oils. Shake and apply to skin with cotton ball.
- Deep oil conditioner for dry hair: Mix Rosewood, Lavender, Sandalwood, Geranium, and Jojoba oil and apply to hair in hot shower. Keep in for 10-20 minutes and then rinse out.
- Add your favorite essential oil to a carrier oil for massages (coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil work well)
- For a body moisturizer or lotion, add your favorite essential oil to carrier oil in spray bottle (jojoba oil and castor oil work well. For dry skin try sunflower oil, or a mixture of each of these)

**If you are interested in purchasing Essential Oils, you can buy the best pure grade essential oils here!

My {mostly} diy natural skincare & make-up

Ever since making the move over to natural skincare for my face via oil cleansing and LOVING it, I've decided to work other all-natural, mostly diy products into my other skincare regimens. Since so many of you ask me, and since I find myself having these all-natural skincare conversations almost daily, I've finally got enough information digested and tested out to put together a well informed post.

After trying a few different concoctions and other organic store-bought products I've settled into what works best for me and am very, very happy with the effectiveness, price point, and of course chemical-free-ness (esp. as I am hoping to bake another lil bun in the oven soon) I hope you can try some of these out for yourself, & let me know what you think of them!

I make my own body moisturizer, facial cleanser, facial moisturizer, toner, make-up remover, & deodorant:

BODY MOISTURIZER:
DIY: I use Fill spray bottle with oil (would recommend jojoba oil, liquid coconut oil, or almond oil), a few drops of vitamine e oil, + a few drops of your favorite essential oil (My favorites are lavender or patchouli and lime or patchouli and orange)

You can get little travel spray bottles pretty much anywhere - Target, Walmart, Dollar Stores, etc. and you can find your essential oils at any apocathery, Whole Foods, or online (I like Ananda's Apothecary but Amazon carries pretty much everything too). Whole Foods or a local apothecary is great if it's your first time buying so you can smell the samples and ask questions and talk to the store reps.

DEODORANT:

DIY: Straight up lime juice. Fill in spray bottle and refrigerate. You can either juice fresh limes or use store bought lime juice, both will work great.
A lot of store bought brands use lime or lemon juice in their deodrant already and you will find that just using lime juice will work just as well and also smells really good. I was a little doubtful and hesitant in trying this out but I am so, so happy I finally did. No more chemicals or wasting money, and I'm fresher than I ever was before, win-win-win. Seriously, try it, you'll be happy you did.

FACIAL:

DIY Oil Facial Cleanser: A post all to itself, here. & you can buy my custom facial oil cleansers here.

DIY Facial Moisturizer: I don't use any moisturizers because my OCM keeps my skin properly hydrated. Sometimes I won't wipe off all the oil completely to give a little extra moisture/glow throughout the day. Of course, drinking lots of water helps too.

DIY Exfoliator: Occasionally I will use my homemade brown sugar exfoliator. This I probably do once a month, maybe a little more frequently in the winter months.

Make-Up Remover: My oil works really great at removing both eye and face make up.

Toner: Mix 2 part Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 part water. Combine in travel container, shake well, and apply to face with cotton ball after cleansing or before applying make-up. (Read more on the amazing topical benefits of apple cider vinegar here).

SOAP:

I love Beau Savon's handmade soaps, which have all natural ingredients and contain no preservatives or lather enhancers. They smell amazing and there are so many different kinds to choose from but some my favorites are Champagne Swizzle, Crimson & Clover, European Blend, & Milk & Honey. (Great to give away as gifts too - these are beautifully packaged and can buy 4 or 5 bars at a time for discounts).
Also currently loving the castile soap from Dr. Bronner's. This stuff is amazing & just a little goes a very long way!

HAIR:

Shampoo & Conditioner: I use Pureology (the purple bottle, "Hydrate" line) which is absolutely ah-maz-ing. It contains NO sulfates and is 100% vegan and still top notch salon quality. It is on the more expensive side, but it totally pays off. One bottle will last you forever. You just need a very very small amount to get a really good lather and it leaves your hair so, so incredibly soft & sleek. 

Deep Conditioner: Coconut Oil once every month or so. 

Styling products: Moroccan oil. This is the only product I use in my hair and am a huge spokesperson for it -- It is full of protein to strengthen your hair, omega-3 oils and vitamins for shine, as well as antioxidants. You can work a tiny, tiny bit through damp hair and then blow dry to lock in moisture and nutrients, and it will simultaneously serve as a stylizing & volumizing agent as well.

NAILS:

Not all my nail polish is organic or vegan, but I recently started on two new, non-toxic, vegan-friendly brands, Butter & Scotch Naturals and love them both A LOT. Favorite Butter brand color: Yummy Mummy. How appropriate. Favorite Scotch brand colors: Roasted Mellow and Neat. You can find acetone-free removers now at mostly all convenient stores now but Butter also manufactures a nail polish remover pack that is acetone-free with more favorable scents like pina colada or almond, and Scotch a soy polish remover.

MAKE-UP:

You should note that I very rarely wear make up anymore these days. I love, love make up, but since becoming a mom, and staying home with Landon, I really only put make up on when we go out socially on the weekends. 

I have a lot of make-up, and not all my make-up is chemical-free {yet} but I will run you through my favorite products that I use most often:

Foundation:

Currently using up my Bobbi Brown foundation stick (not organic/vegan) which I really like, but have problems smearing something all over my face that is not 100% organic or vegan. It does however work really, really well, and was about $45, so am just finishing the stick. I put a little bit of my facial oil on my face first before applying so it blends better and moisturizes, and looks more natural.

I also use Lush powder foundation which is vegan and made with jojoba oil. Will also add in a little bit of my oil mixture to this to make this a more of a tinted moisturizer, which comes out amazing.

Eyeliner & Mascara: I've tried organic certified mascara but had zero luck with it (But to be honest, I've only tried Organic Wear by Physicians Formula) However, this mascara did not last long at all and ran and left black smudges under my eyes within an hour of putting it on.....I used it twice and then chucked it in the trash and resorted to my favorite "They're Real" mascara by Benefit (truly amazing) and favorite thin black eyeliner from Maybelline. 

Lips:

Burts Bees tinted lip balm in color Hibiscus. This is a staple that I always have on me, looks good with or without make up, is the perfect color, and is 100% natural.

Chanel rouge allure velvet lipstick in #42 (my fave) - not organic but I only wear for special nights out and it is truly the best lipstick product I have ever known.

For a basic chapstick at night with no color I use plain old petroleum jelly as well as Lansinoh lanolin. I know that sounds kind of gross but it is the purest thing out there and safe for even the tiniest of babies to ingest and works really well to moisturize and protect severely dry lips/skin.

Current favorite lip balm are Dr. Bronner's 100% organic lip balms (the peppermint is awesome!)

FOR BABY:

Bath Wash & Shampoo: Everyday Shea. This stuff is only $10 for 32 fl oz and a little goes a verrry long way. I've had this now for months and we still have a long way to go. It smells absolutely amazing, made up from shea leaf to moisturize & soften lil baby's sensitive skin. I love the blend of this lemon, eucalyptus, and mint for a really nice, invigorating yet also calming scent.

Also use this same brand for shampoo, either lavender or vanilla mint scented. Again, a tiny bit goes a long way. I used to buy Landon new toiletries almost every single week but since switching over to Everyday Shea, I haven't had to buy him wash or shampoo in months.

Moisturizer: Landon has ezcema so we use an intense moisturizer, Hydrolatum which I absolutely love. It is super moisturizing, and made up entirely of petroleum and purified water. It works especially well for eczema flair ups and is gluten free, steriod free, peanut free, and alcohol free. And it doesn't leave behind the greasy residue that you get with Aquaphor or Eucerin. Great, great product :)

Diaper Cream: Burt's Bees all the way. I've tried every single ointment out there (organic and non-organic) and Burt's Bees works the best by FAR and also smells so, so good. If you are looking for all-natural, some mamas like the organic Budreaux's Butt Paste - I haven't had much luck with it but I know it's popular amongst other health/product conscious mamas. I've also heard lots of mamas using Coconut Oil for diaper rash, this hasn't worked well for us but reportedly does for some.

Got any other all-natural diy or vegan products that you currently use & love? Please leave a comment and share! I'd love to hear more :)

Also, if you are interested in learning more about why you should make the move from conventional OTC skincare products and cosmetics to all-natural DIY products or certified vegan/organic products, please watch this short youtube video:

go green! without having a garden (with fresh herbs & the best indoor houseplants)

L-R: parsley, cilantro, & basil

Gerbera daisies

Our beloved peace lilies 

fun crafts with Landon 

Landon's (soon to be) daisies & strawberries

When my mother in law passed away we got this beautiful peace lily plant from some friends and I am proud to say that it has been thriving and growing beautifully under the care of my green thumb for over a year now. I have always wanted to have my own garden but obviously there's one of the pitfalls of renting. I've heard a lot about bucket or container gardening which is a great way to garden without a yard, but our space is still pretty limited for that. But then I realized I could still do something even smaller, sans yard. After a trip to the farmer's market a few weeks ago I purchased my own herbs & started my window herb garden. I currently have sweet basil, cilantro, & italian parsely. I also started growing gerbera daisies which not only serve as our pretty table centerpiece but they have lots of indoor air purifying qualities as well (keep reading below). And Landon also started his two baby pots of daisy and strawberry seeds yet to sprout :) 

SO if you are only renting or have small space without a yard I strongly encourage you to start a little window garden because it is easy to take care of and plus there are so many great benefits to having house plants and fresh herbs in your home. The peace lilies are really great because they clean the air of a lot of indoor contaminants. It'd even be a good idea to place one in a bathroom or laundry room because they remove microscopic mold spores in the air by 60 percent, but they also remove many other contaminants such as benzyne, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Another great plant to have in your home are gerbera daisies, which also remove benzyne from the air, and are also known for improving sleep because they absorb carbon dioxide and give off more oxygen overnight. Higher levels of oxygen have been found to stabalize breathing & increase duration of sleep by 10 percent. So a great idea to place to place in your bedroom or baby's nursery ;) Some other great indoor air purifying plants include bamboo palm, snake plant, areca palm, spider plants, African violets, Boston ferns, eucalyptus, & English ivy. (Read more here & here for more info).

I started reading Back to Eden a few months ago where I've been learning all about the many medicinal and healing properties of herbs. Not only do they add a lot of flavor for cooking, but they are also really good for you too. Here's a breakdown of the health benefits associated with the herbs I'm growing so far:


Basil can help treat neausea and stomach cramps. It is also effective in relieving/healing snake bites and insect strings. Recently there has been a lot of research into the health benefits conferred by the essential oils found in basil. Scientific studied in vitro have established that compounds in basil have potent antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties, and potential for treating cancer. In India, it's used for supplementary treatment of stress, asthma, and diabetes and in Siddha medicine it's used for treating pimples. (Source).My favorite way to eat basil? Tossed in with chopped tomatoes and chopped mozzarella in a caprese salad (optional add-ins: cucumber, avacado, salt & pepper, and/or balsamic vinegar).

Cilantro also contains lots of antioxidants as well as antibacterial properties against salmonella. In Iran, it is used for relief of anxiety and insomnia and in other holistic medicine it is used as a carminative (helps eliminate gas) as well as aid in the digestive tract. (Source). 

Favorite way to eat it? In fresh guacamole :) Combine 2-3 mashed avacados, 1 chopped onion, chopped tomato (1 large or a few roma), salt, pepper, & fresh lemon juice. Helpful hint: keep avacado pits in the mix to keep your guacamole fresh and from turning brown over long periods of time or for leftovers.

Parsley (Note that"curley" parsley is usually just used for a garnish or decoration although it can be consumed, but "italian" parsley is more typically used to cook with and consume). Parsley is very rich in iron and vitamin C and vitamin A. It actually contains more calcium, potassium, & phosphorus than the same amount of spinach. It is commonly used for its diuretic effect and helps with kidney stones, urinary problems, fevers, and it is also very good for your liver and spleen. (Source). Apigenin, a chemical found in large quantities in parsley, has been found to have strong anticancer properties. Lastly, this super-herb is antimicrobial and can also lower your blood pressure. (Source).

Favorite way to eat it? In anything! I throw it right in with in my salads, lasagna, & pasta sauces. 

Note that when preparing food or cooking with fresh herbs, you will want to add the herbs in their "raw" state for the most flavor and health benefits. Otherwise toss in at the end of cooking because many herbs will lose their flavor as well as lose all their good qualities when cooked at high temperatures.

There are so many more other benefits to growing your own herbs. You will find yourself saving lots of money by growing your own -- Each of my plants were about $3.00 a piece, they last forever, & are always growing and producing more fresh herbs to constantly pick off and eat. Compare with a small package of fresh herbs for $3.00 or $5.00 a pack (if organic) that only lasts only a couple of days. Another great benefit to growing your own is that they will be grown 100% organic, without use of any pesticides. And last but not least there's the huge convenience factor of having them always fresh right in your home to use whenever you need.

I hope I've inspired you to start growing your own herbs or other plants in your home. I'm definitely not an herbalist but I love continuing to learn about all this and I hope to keep it up and grow even more in my learning and experience with a real garden someday. Pun intended :)

One last bit of random information to leave you with since it sort of goes with the spirit of this post and I probably will never find another time to share it: Next time you are finished with your green onions/scallions, don't throw away the white ends. Put them in a glass of cold water and place by a window and they will almost instantly start to grow right back. After a couple of days, just use scissors to cut off what you need for meals and periodically replace with fresh water. Pretty cool huh?

Disclaimer: The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information should not be used for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Green Cleaning

I have been meaning to make my own household cleaning products since I was pregnant but finally just ran out of all my Windex and Pine Sol and decided now was the time. It is seriously the simplest thing to do and you probably have most of the ingredients in your home already. And it works really, really good. I also enjoy it because I know that I'm cleaning with natural products so neither Landon nor Chris nor I are inhaling any harsh chemicals or toxic substances. Plus you also save lots of $$! It's seriously so easy to do and makes so much sense that I probably won't ever use store-bought cleaning products again.

To make your own Windex, you will need:

- 1 empty spray bottle

- 1/8 Cup white ammonia

- 1/4 Cup rubbing alcohol

- 1 drop laundry detergent or dish wash detergent

- water to the top

This windex seriously cleans JUST like the real thing, it smells like the real thing, and you can add a drop of blue food coloring so it looks like the real thing. Ends up running you about .30 cents a bottle to make. I've also done this by leaving out the ammonia and adding white vinegar and it works just as well. 

Make your own all-purpose cleaner:

- 1 empty spray bottle

- 1/4 Cup white vinegar

- lemon juice

- water

You could also add in 1/4 Cup of baking soda, 1 Cup ammonia, 1/4 Cup rubbing alcohol, or all three if you feel like it. Also heard that lemon or orange rinds work great as cleaning agents and for a lovely scent - will try this for my next batch!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Homemade Brown Sugar Exfoliator

After the tremendous amount of traffic and interest in my Oil Cleansing post, I'm back with a follow-up sister post on a homemade, natural exfoliator that is so simple to make. So it's important to exfoliate during the winter because it helps shed dry skin and achieve an even, glowing skin tone even during the cold dry months. Brown sugar actually tightens and moisturizes and gets rid of that dry, flaky winter skin. And sea salt is proven to improve your circulatory system and contains many minerals and nutrients that are beneficial and therapeutic for the skin as well. 
It's great for your skin, no chemicals, you can tailor it to your skin type, and if you've already tried the OCM, you probably have most of the ingredients in your home already!
All you need is brown sugar, sea salt, castor oil, and then whatever other combination of oils you prefer for your skin. My concoction consists of the brown sugar & sea salt, plus olive oil, castor oil, and jojoba oil. There is no special measurement/proportions, but just keep mixing until your ingredients blend well together in a consistency that is right for your skin.
For a cheat sheet on which oil is best for you, as well as proportion recommendations for your skin type, please visit my last post on OCM.
Remember you don't need to exfoliate daily, usually only once or twice a week. Now go glow :)

Homeopathic feel-good remedies

After feeling a pretty dumpy for the past couple of days I thought it would be worth it to share a few good & all natural immune-boosting & natural energy producing supplements.

Ever feel yourself starting to get sick, over-tired, sore throat, nasal congestion, etc. & want to do something about it before it gets worse?? Enter homeopathic feel-good remedy no. 1: Echinacea.
I love - No, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this magical herbal supplement and have been using it for about 5 years now and guess what? Surprise surprise, I haven't had to make one sick trip to the doctor's office since it's inception into my life. & this is coming from the girl with a low white blood cell count & the past Queen of Sinus Infections.
So what is it - It is a pretty purple flower in the daisy family home to eastern & northern America and when its parts are ground up & consumed, have been found to contain rich immune-boosting properties. Clinical studies are inconclusive about its medicinal effects but if you take as directed as soon as you feel cold symptoms coming on, some studies have shown that it cuts your chances of catching the cold by more than half. If you take it as directed while you have the cold, some studies have shown it decreases the length of your cold by 1-2 days.
I can only speak of personal triumph with this herbal supplement and believe it works absolute wonders.

Next up, homeopathic feel-good remedy no. 2.
Ever feel like you're over-dosing on caffeine & it stopped helping?? Don't eat meat or have a poor diet & find yourself totally zapped of energy?? Enter Vitamin B.
I started taking vitamin B when I became a vegetarian for the second time. When I cut out all meat from my diet, I noticed a sharp decrease in energy levels right away, and that was when I heard about the benefits of Vitamin B from my friend Caitlin, an 19-year long vegetarian with all sorts of veggie tricks up her sleeve. What I found out was that Vitamin B reduces stress and produces energy. Awesome right? Basically there are 8 different B Vitamins, each is equally very important. Vitamin Bs can be found in foods such as meat, whole grains, & molasses, but most of the time, each & every B Vitamin is not found to coexist in these food items together, so it makes sense to just get them all in a Vitamin B Complex.

Other amazing benefits of Vitamin B:

• It supports & increases your metabolism. 
• Maintains healthy hair, skin, & muscle tone.
• Enhances the immune & nervous system functions. 
• & Vitamin B's have also been hypothesized to improve symptoms of ADHD. Which we all have, right?
• Lastly, I've found taking Vitamin B after a night of drinking helps stave off a hangover the next day. 

Oh, & you will be thanking me later for introducing these into your life ;)

Oil Cleansing Method

**EDIT: Now SELLING custom made organic oil cleansers in my etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/extractskincare -- Please check out my shop & feel free to contact me with questions!!

Before you call me a crunchy hippy, please just listen to what I have to say ;)

I used to use (& spend tons of money on) all sorts of OTC and designer cleansers, creams, & topical ointment, plus a prescription retinol cream that I used for acne outbreaks that would occur around my chin area.
When I found out I was pregnant the first time, I had to stop using anything containing any chemicals on my skin, or else, as you other mamas know, they would be absorbed through my skin into my body and harm the developing baby. After years of using all these cleansers and creams I was nervous I would break out like never before, but what I found was the exact opposite - My skin improved. Dramatically.

I first heard about the OCM a few months ago. At first I thought it was totally counter-intuitive (who the heck would think washing your face with oil wouldn't cause you to break out?) But I did some more research on it read several articles and testimonials from women who used it and it started to totally make sense. Now, I have been making and using my own oil cleanser for about 4 years now and absolutely love it. My skin feels and looks better than ever, & even through the most hormonal, acne-prone periods of my life.
Basically the reason this all makes sense and works for every single skin type is because our skin is made up of oils -- really good oils that we don't want to dry out and add chemicals to. According to chemistry, like dissolves like. So, effectively what you’re doing is dissolving and wiping away all the dirty oil on your face and replenishing it with cleansing, nourishing oil. So cleansing your face with these essential cleansing oils gets dirt our of your pores and restores your skin's natural moisture balance. & all in a natural way, without chemicals or products that strip your skin of its natural oils. What happens when you strip your skin of its natural oil is that it goes into overdrive, trying to create more - which leads to clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, & irritation. (I'm sure many of you have heard the like before with the negative result of over-shampooing, right?)

Okay so now that we know how awesome this is for your skin, here's the low down on the oils.

• Castor Oil is the main one you need in any mixture. It is the base ingredient in all mixtures as it is the most cleansing & dissolving oil & also highly antibacterial in nature. It also tends to be drying so if you have oily skin, just increase its amount. & likewise if your skin is dry, take a little out.
• Sunflower Seed Oil (for all skin types and for dry skin)
• Jojoba Oil (for all skin types and for acne-prone skin)
• Sweet Almond Oil (For all skin types and for oily skin)
• Olive Oil (all skin types)
• Avacado Oil (dry and aging skin)
• Grapeseed Oil (All skin types, and for oily skin)

You can use any of these in combination to make your own concoction, tailored to your skin type. Once you pick your oils you need to mix them together. I've found it's easiest to work in terms of halves and thirds. Basically Castor Oil is going to be used in any combination of oils. So you use 2/3 in your mixture for oily skin, 1/3 of it if you have dry skin, and 1/2 of it in your mixture for normal skin. The remaining 1/3, 2/3, and 1/2 (respectively) is filled with secondary oils listed above. Make sense?

You may need to play around with these for a few trial runs to see which & what proportion of these feel best on your skin. (I currently use/love my mixture of Castor, Jojoba, & Sunflower).
I get my oils and containers online @ Mountain Rose Herbs, a very trusted company, or Whole Foods when I'm in a pinch and need something right away (everything can be found in their natural skincare section). AND - you can add in a yummy, relaxing, or invigorating scent by adding in a few drops of an essential oil. Tea Tree is great for acne-prone skin, lavender and chamomile are great for all skin types in general, and a few others I love are Peppermint, Lemon, and Rosemary.

Instructions:

1. Mix your oils together in a little container. No need to make a lot, especially for your first time trying, you are bound to empty some out and add in more of a different kind until you find the combination & proportion of oils that is right for you. The travel sized empty tubes you can get at any drugstore (Target, Walmart, etc.) are perfect for this. 
2. Shake up your mixture and put about a quarter-sized amount of oil in your palms, and massage in circular motions onto your face. This is also a great make-up remover so you can start cleansing with a completely dirty, made-up face. Take your time, make sure the oils are deeply & completely massaged into your pores. 
3. Run a washcloth under steaming hot water and place over your face until it cools. This part is important because the hot steam is what works with the oils to open & cleanse your pores of all the impurities. 
4. Wipe the oil gently away and repeat step 3 once more. No need to scrub, just a gentle wipe.

A Few Misc. Notes:

• Typically you should only need to do this once a day at night. No need to deep cleanse in the morning if you're waking up with skin cleansed the night before. You may not even do it every night. You don't want to over cleanse & cause more oil production & irritation...remember the objective of all this is to clean while balancing your skin's oil production at the same time. If you don't do it every night, on the nights off, please don't use a cleanser with chemicals & unknown ingredients...just stick to some other all-natural cleanser so your skin doesn't get totally confused & irritated. 
• This takes time! Any major change in a skincare regimen will at first irritate your skin. When I first started this I broke out pretty bad around my chin, but I added in a little more Jojoba & after 1-2 weeks it will clear and work the way it is supposed to. If it doesn't seem to be working for you don't give up! Just alter your ingredients or amounts and you will find it was well worth the transition time and trial & error. 
• You may find you don't need moisturize as much or as often as you used to. 
• The only oil you really want to stay away from is Coconut Oil, it tends to cause blackheads by clogging pores.
• If you're not up for starting the Oil Cleansing Method just yet, or have tried it but just don't love it, I would still highly recommend using all-natural skincare products & make-up. (Some of the ones I used that I still highly recommend are Burt's Bees products here, here, & here). WATCH THIS VIDEO!!!!

**EDIT: Now SELLING custom made organic oil cleansers in my etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/extractskincare -- Please check out my shop & feel free to contact me with questions!!

Cloth Diapers!

I never even thought about cloth diapering Honeybunny before he was born, or for the first couple months of his life. If you would have tried to talk to me about cloth diapering when I was pregnant I probably would have told you to go take your hairy armpits on a hike. I thought it was only for dirty hippies and something only our grandmothers and grandmothers' grandmothers did.

It all started one day in my favorite baby boutique, Be By Baby. After adoring everything in the store I couldn't afford, I was on my way out when the most adorable little diaper covers caught my eye. At first I actually thought about just buying them and putting them on over Landon's disposable diaper. Then I thought maybe cloth diapering isn't as nasty as I once thought. After getting sick of (literally) throwing money away on disposable diapers and doing some research, I have now become a STRONG advocate of the many, many perks of using cloth diapers. I have come to see how cloth diapers SAVE you money, SAVE your babies' bottoms, and SAVE the environment. And just how adorable they are on those precious little baby bottoms. 

There are so many articles and studies about the many benefits of cloth diapering your baby but here were a few big ones for me: 

- Every baby that uses disposable diapers produces approximately 4,000 pounds of disposable diaper waste that ends up in our landfills. 

- It costs between $2,500 - $3,500 for disposable diapers for one child vs. $500 or less for cloth diapers - and most can be reused on several children 

- Disposable diapers contain a chemical called Dioxin. Dioxin is listed by the EPA as the most toxic of Cancer related chemicals and has been banned in most countries except in the US. Dioxins are highly poisonous to human tissues and cause them to mutate into cancer cells.

- Babies in cloth diapers potty train sooner than babies in disposables! Many believe this is because babies can feel the wetness much easier in cloth than in modern pull-ups and training pants.

- Disposable diapers do not "breathe" like cloth. This causes a child's scrotum to be up to 2 degrees higher than the rest of his body temperature and many  professionals believe this can be linked to infertility problems later in life.

 I found it's one thing to know you want to try cloth diapering but it's quite another to buy your diapers and start using them. There are tons of different kinds - pre-folds, all-in-ones, hybrids, inserts, hook & loops, snaps - it can be overwhelming and hard to know where to start.

I ordered all my diapers @ Everything Birth after attending a diaper party at my friend Erica's house. Through everything birth, you are able to attend a FREE consultation with a Diaper Party Representative at a diaper party near you where you get a hands-on explanation of how to use them and see all the different kinds out there. Each diaper and accessory comes with its own little cheat sheet so you can read about the product and how to use it, while seeing, touching, and trying it. Plus you can also enjoy some yummy food and meet new mommas :)

& I think Landon is pretty happy in them too ;)