Natural Antibacterial Body Wash Recipe

I developed this body wash by combining aspects of other recipes that I liked. This is more liquidy than the body wash you would buy at the store, so I use a spray bottle to be less wasteful. It's kind of fun because it is so different than any other way you would use soap in the shower. My boyfriend says he really likes using the spray bottle!

The castile soap is a great natural soap base, and aloe vera and coconut oil are awesome moisturizers. Eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender are all antibacterial oils. I use the glycerin is to help preserve the concoction, but also acts as a moisturizer!

Ok, here you go!

Earthwise Natural Antibacterial Body Wash Recipe

1 cup castile soap (your choice of scent) (I used Dr. Bronner's Lavender)
1/4 cup aloe vera juice
1 tsp. vegetable glycerin
10 drops eucalyptus oil
10 drops tea tree oil
5 drops lavender (I just like to add more lavender ;) )
1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
Spray Bottle
Funnel

Mix together everything except the coconut oil. Melt the coconut oil to a liquid, whichever method you like, it doesn't take much to melt it. Then mix it in quickly, so it doesn't re-solidify. Then use a funnel to put it in your spray bottle!

If you want to make more at a time, just double the batch!

I hope you will try it out and let me know what you think!

love & light,
Claire

Homemade Dish Soap

Homemade Dish Soap

1 & 1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup liquid castile soap (any scent of your choice, just keep this in mind when adding other oils later)
1 Tbsp. White Vinegar
1 Tbsp. Arm & Hammer's Super Washing Soda (can be found in the laundry isle at grocery stores)
1/8 Tsp. Tea Tree Oil (for antibacterial properties)
I like to add 10-20 drops of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, or rosemary to up the antibacterial-ness :)

Mix the ingredients in a bowl and make sure to break up all the washing soda clumps with a fork. Once it is a nice consistency, allow it to sit and cool, stirring every now and then. When it is cooled, I use a funnel to put it in my reused dish soap bottle. This soap is runnier than traditional store bought dish soap, so be careful when you are pouring it out.

I have been using this for several months now, and I think it works great!

Let me know what you think of it!

love & light,
Claire

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread with Agave

Here it is, my homemade bread recipe! This is one of my all time keepers. It makes 2 loaves at a time and I keep one to eat and freeze the other. I love the fact that it is 100% Whole Wheat.

If you have never made bread before, don't get discouraged. It takes a few times before you get the hang of the correct consistencies and amount of flour to add. Just remember, don't over-flour, don't overcook, and HAVE FUN! Also, making bread is a fairly long process, you have to let it rise for almost an hour, twice, before you even bake it. You can get other household chores done, do some reading, or watch your favorite TV show while you wait.

I adapted this recipe from the one that I found here.

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread with Agave

1 Tbsp. yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 & 1/2 cups hot tap water
6-7 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup apple sauce
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/2 tbsp. sea salt

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Let sit about 10 minutes.

2. When the yeast is ready, pour the hot tap water in a separate large bowl. Then mix in 3 cups of whole wheat flour, oil, applesauce, agave nectar, sea salt, and the yeast mixture.


3. Mix in 2 more cups of whole wheat flour.

4. Slowly add the remaining 1-2 cups of flour (1/2 cup at a time). Be very careful to not over-flour the dough. Remember, the end product will begin to form into a ball and should still be slightly sticky. Flour a large surface such as your countertop, pour the dough out of the bowl and knead it for 8-10min.

5. Coat a large bowl with oil, form the dough into a ball, then place the dough in the bowl.

6. Place a clean dish towel over the bowl and let the dough rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.


7. IT HAS RISEN!! Spray a large area on your countertop with cooking spray. Dump the dough ball onto the counter and divide into 2 sections. Punch down and re-knead the dough sections into bread shapes and place into greased bread pans.

8. Cover the bread pans with the towel, let rise for about 45 minutes or until they have doubled in size again.
9. Bake the bread loaves at 350 degrees for 25-35 min. the tops of the loaves should be nice and golden brown. When the bread is finished cooking, I like to coat the tops with a little Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread and a light sprinkle of sea salt.

10. Let the bread cool a few minutes before removing them from the pans. Then place them on a cooling rack until they are no longer warm on the outside. I usually eat a slice at this point! It's just too tempting. ;)

Mmmmmmhmmmm!!!

What is your favorite bread recipe?

love & light,
Claire

Shopping Mindfully

So, one of the biggest ways we bring waste into our homes is through grocery shopping. I'd like to share some ways to avoid the extra waste:

• Write grocery lists on old receipts, scrap paper, junk mail, etc.
• Bring your own shopping bags, mesh produce bags, and bulk bags.

• Buy from bulk dispensaries - no packaging, weeee!!
• Look for liquids in bulk too. You may be able to find items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, syrup, honey, and olive oil. Just bring your own refillable glass bottles.
• Remember, when you bring your own bulk bags and glass containers you need to get a tare weight. They need to be weighed at customer services or a checkout before filling them up. It's easiest to just write the tare weight on the container with permanent marker or wax pencils. Use washable markers to write the item numbers on your bags and containers.

• If you buy meat and cheese, buy them at the deli and bring your own jars/containers to put them in.
• Ask your local grocery store; some won't do it. (Locally, I have found that The Merc will.)
  
• Buy bread at the bakery and use a cloth bag.
• Try making your own bread. (My recipe here!)

Homemade Whole Wheat Bread with Agave!

• Buy non-packaged produce.
• Better yet, get your produce at your local farmers' market - None of those pesky stickers, and you're supporting the local farmers!! :)
• If food is out of season, remember to try canning some yourself for the next year (I'll have a tomato canning tutorial with my Grandma, one day this year!)
• If you have to buy something in a container, try to get glass. It's much more easily recycled.
• Look for local dairy farms that sell milk in refillable glass bottles.
• Bring your own jar to local, family-owned, or specialty stores to fill up on items such as ice cream, candy, dog treats, etc. Just ask if they will allow you to do it first.
• Buy refillable "adult beverages."
• Get beer from your local brewery and refill that growler!
• Call local wineries to see if they will refill bottles.
• Screw or flip top bottles are the least wasteful.
• Brew your own! It's fun!

I hope you find this post helpful! Do you have any shopping suggestions to share??

love & light,
Claire