Non-Toxic Bug Repellent Recipe with Coconut Oil NOTE: A few weeks back, my recipe for bug repellent was featured on the CoconutOil.com website. Since there are still some high days of summer left and the bugs are in full swing, I wanted to share my recipe for bug repellent on here too! by Jessica Espinoza CoconutOil.com Looking for an all-natural, non-toxic insect repellent that doesn’t contain the chemicals (like DEET) that most of the commercial brands do? Catnip Cedarwood Cinnamon Citronella Clove Eucalyptus Geranium Lavender Lemongrass Patchouli Peppermint Rosemary Tea Tree Note: Some citrus oils, like lemon, also have strong bug repellent properties, but are also considered “phototoxic”, meaning that the skin could damage or burn easily if those oils are applied to the skin and then exposed to any source of ultraviolet (UV) light. Natural bug repellents are not going to be 100% bugproof, nor are they going to last all day. Bug Balm Recipe This recipe makes approximately 4oz (1/2 cup) of bug balm. Ingredients: 1/4 cup coconut oil
3 simple homemade toothpaste recipes While some people in rural parts of the world may resort to the use of brick, charcoal, rangoli powder, mud, salt or ash for toothpaste, western brushers usually rely on a tube of mystery ingredients to make their pearly whites sparkle like the Pepsodent girl's. But the ingredients found in conventional toothpastes — including sodium fluoride, synthetic dyes derived from petroleum or coal tar, sodium hydroxide (also known as lye or caustic soda), sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, artificial sweeteners, and triclosan — might make us think twice about the products we employ for the sake of our teeth. Of course, we’re not actively swallowing the stuff, but it’s unavoidable that a bit will slink down the gullet from time to time. And given that most of us brush our teeth 730 times or more a year, there’s no shortage of opportunity to ingest ingredients better left in the lab. The most controversial of all the ingredients is fluoride. 1. 2. 3. Related stories on MNN:
Natural air fresheners: 9 nontoxic options that really work Chemical air fresheners are not just a problem for people with chemical sensitivities; they are a problem for everyone. Inhaling petro-chemicals, dyes, and perfumes can cause long-term health problems. Time magazine reported that many chemical air fresheners contain phthalates, a type of chemical that causes cancer. Why willingly expose yourself to cancer-causing chemicals when you can freshen your air naturally? When cleaning your house, opening your windows, and sprinkling baking soda isn't enough, try these nontoxic options. Aura Cacia grapefruit oil I spent way too much time sniffing this essential oil when I bought it. Aura Cacia olive candle lamp I avoided buying an essential oil candle diffuser for a long time, because most of them look too hippie for my taste. JR Watkins Aloe and Green Tea Room Spray Have you ever noticed that chemical bathroom sprays actually make the bathroom smell worse than the original offending odor? Clean Air Room Spray Zeofresh Carpet Deodorizer
Frame Key Holder Time for my first official DIY post ever. Let me start off by saying I do not consider myself to be a crafty person, though I aspire to be one, ha. I have a mom who can do about anything crafty there is to do. Growing up, she managed a fabrics and crafts store, taught craft classes, sewed tons of our outfits, fixes band suits in high school, took in and hemmed prom dresses, etc etc. If you don’t believe me, she has a quilting blog to prove it! That being said, I hope at least a little bit of that is in my blood, and that someday it will come forth. But we will start simple. Very, very simple with a frame key holder, inspired by Pinterest. DIY Frame Key Holder Things you will need: A frame. What to do: Take your frame and plan out where you’d like your hooks to be placed. Yes, it’s that easy! To some, they may not even be considered a DIY project due to it’s level of non difficulty, but it was a definite start for me. Now I need to get pinning and find my next project!
How to Make Glue | Homemade Glue Recipe During their childhood, kids use a large amount of glue. Most of them are chemical mixtures with no ingredients listed on the packaging. You can only imagine what’s in there. Preschoolers love pasting and collage, as well as tasting anything that comes close to their mouths. Besides the awful taste, shop bought glue might not be the perfect substance for their tummies. Whether you would like to avoid a chance of your kids digesting chemical glues, make your house greener and as chemical free as possible or just want to avoid buying stuff and reducing wasteful packaging, the recipe above is a sure winner. How to make non toxic homemade glue This glue will keep for a few days. Vinegar in this glue recipe acts as a mild natural preservative. This glue needs more time to dry, but when dried, the bond is really strong. P.S. Similar Posts:
DIY & Crafts 45 Uses For Lemons That Will Blow Your Socks Off These 45 health benefits and ways to use lemons will definitely motivate you to keep lemons on hand at all times and maybe even work lemon water into your diet. Credit: Au Feminin Most people are familiar with the traditional uses for lemons to soothe sore throats and add some citrus flavor to our foods. However, the diversity of applications for lemons far exceeds general knowledge and once you read the following list, you’ll likely want to stock at least a few lemons in your kitchen 24/7. 1. 2. 3. 4. Credit: Organic Facts 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. Credit: Galore Mag 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. Credit: Healthy Food Spirit 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. Credit: Live Science 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. * If you do consume lemon peel, stick to organic lemons to reduce your pesticide exposure. John Summerly is nutritionist, herbologist, and homeopathic practitioner. Credits: preventdisease.com True Activist
49 Brilliant Garage Organization Tips, Ideas and DIY Projects Great Shove Rack for Organizing Garden Tools Garage organization starts with getting large tools out of the way. You can build a great rack for rakes, shovels and other gardening tools and you only need a few pieces of wood and some nails. Just cut slots for the tools to stand in and you can get them off the floor and make them a bit more organized. Via: Familyhandyman – Garage Storage Project: Shovel Rack Floor Tile as a Wall Covering You can really clean up your garage space by simply adding something to the walls. Garage Organization for Real Families You can find tracks with hooks on them at your local hardware store and these are great for organizing the garage. Pretty Up Garage Space by Painting Steps Your garage doesn’t necessarily have to look like a garage. Easy Storage and Organization Solutions A few strategically placed metal shelves and some plastic totes will really help you to get that garage organized. Add a Tool Tower Rack Utilize Wall Space for Storage Hang Everything
Use baking soda for easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs Sometimes, I’m a little slow to pick up on cause and effect. Let me give you an example. My husband’s family loves deviled eggs, and for years, I’ve been making them by the dozens for different events. A few years ago, I noticed that I was having trouble peeling them. The shells were sticking to the insides, ripping the hard-boiled eggs apart and creating a not-so-attractive side dish for parties. It never occurred to me that the problem was the type of eggs I was buying. Fine Cooking says this is because the albumen, or the egg white, will stick to the shell of a fresher egg, but as the egg ages, it doesn’t stick as much to the shell. I hadn’t heard this until someone mentioned it on Pinterest, but once I read about it, I decided to give it a try. When I went to peel them, the one that had been in the water with the baking soda peeled with no problem. I was pleased with the results of my experiment, and I’ll be adding baking soda to the water next time I boil eggs.