Wax and Bubbles

-All Purpose Surface Spray
1 spray bottle
2 tsp. borax
Hot water
1/4 tsp. liquid soap (Castile)

Fill the bottle with hot water and add the borax. Close the bottle and shake to combine; making sure the borax is completely dissolved. Add the castile soap and shake mildly. Can be used on just about any surface within your home.

-All Purpose Glass Cleaner
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1/2 tsp liquid castile soap

Mix the water and the vinegar in a spray bottle and shake to combine. Add the castile soap and mix lightly. You will only need to use the castile soap to remove the buildup left from your other conventional cleaners. Once you feel the buildup is gone you can just simply use vinegar and water to clean your glass. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar you can add a few drops of essential oil to this mix.

-Laundry Detergent
1/8 cup liquid detergent
1 tbs. washing soda
1/4 cup vinegar

Add the liquid soap and the washing soda to the washing machine while it is filling with water. Add the vinegar to the rinse cycle.

-All Purpose Scrub
2 tbs. baking soda
Castile soap

Mix the baking soda and the castile soap in a wide mouth jar and use just as you would any other scrub. It works great in the shower and in the toilet.

-Dishwashing Powder
1/4 cup citric acid
1 1/2 cups borax

Place both ingredients into a plastic container with a tight fitting lid and shake well. Use about 1 tbs. per load of full dishes in your dishwasher. If you desire you can add a few drops of essential oil to this recipe to have a cent released when you wash the dishes.

• C

1. Cataracts: Taking bilberry supplements two to three times a day can help guard against radical damage to the eyes. Also wearing sunglass with UV protection and a hat during the times you are outside in the sun can help dramatically.

2. Chronic Fatigue: Inhaling tea tree oil helps to build up the immune system and inhaling geranium and bergamot oils help to combat the depression symptoms associated with chronic fatigue as well. Raising the body temperature a couple of degrees for a few minutes every day helps to multiply your white blood cell count.

3. Colds: Defeat the cold virus quicker with acupressure by pressing down on the hollow points on either side of the collarbone. Raven Sara oil is an antiviral scent and adding lemon and eucalyptus or pine oils to it give the mixture a medicinal benefit. Lavender oil added to a warm bath helps to boost the immune system. Working up a sweat can also help; it helps to rid the body of toxins as well.

4. Constipation: Massage some olive oil mixed with chamomile, rosemary and thyme onto your stomach clockwise to relax the intestinal muscles. Always eat fiber rich foods to help soften your bowel movements.

• D

1. Depression: Try inhaling rose, lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang, clary sage and cypress. Cutting out sugary foods, caffeine and even alcohol from your diet as well. Taken St. John’s Wort supplements can also help.

2. Diarrhea: Sip on pomegranate juice instead of high calorie sports drinks or sugar laden fruit juices. Mixing together lemon oil, honey and salt helps as well.

• E

1. Earache: Hold your nose and eat a clove of garlic a day till the ear ache is gone. Pulling on your ear lobes about 10 times a day can help increase circulation as well.

2. Eczema: Calendula ointment will give instant relief. Add a few drops of lavender, chamomile and olive oil to your non scented body lotion can also help calm irritated skin as well. Add some baking soda and warm oatmeal to your bath to help with the itching. Detox your liver with dandelion root tea to get to the heart of the problem as well.

Sea salts contain minerals, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, sulphur, phosphorus, and chlorine, that have a refreshing and relaxing effect on the body and even your mind. Pour a scoop or two of these natural salts into your bath and relax.

• Ocean Kissed Bath Salts:
Makes 8 ounces

1/4 cup sea salt
1/4 cup dried dulse (seaweed)
1/4 cup baking soda
2 to 3 drops lavender essential oil

Mix together ingredients and pout into a clean, dry container that has an air tight fitting lid. To use, pour 1/4 cup into the tub under luke warm running water.

• Zesty Seaweed Salts:
Makes 8 ounces

1 cup sea salt
1/2 cup dried dulse (seaweed)
15 drops orange essential oil
10 drops grapefruit essential oil
5 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops olive oil
1 Tsp dried and crushed citrus rind (orange, lemon, grapefruit, or lime)

Mix all of these ingredients together in a large bowl. Allow the ingredients to sit in the bowl over night to let everything combine. Place in an air tight container and use 2 to 3 tbs. at once pouring into bath water under warm running water.

• Fizzing Bath Salts:
Makes 8 ounces

1 cup Epsom salts
1/4 cup Baking soda
3 to 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
¼ cup dried dulse (seaweed)

Mix Epsom salts and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add the essential oil and combine completely before adding the dried dulse. Once the seaweed is combined, let rest for 10 minutes. Pour entire contents into an airtight container. Make sure this container will not allow any air to sip through, because it will weaken the fizziness when you go to use it.

• A tea and beer rinse is one of the oldest ways to bring shine to your hair. Boil used tea leaves in enough water, let it cool and then use this liquid as the last rinse.

• In the similar fashion you can use flat beer (i.e. after letting the fizz out). This is a great conditioner to be used for your hair.

• Lemon juice mixed with water can also be used as a last rinse to give your hair a shiny and bouncy look. Don’t use too much lemon juice on your hair before going out in the sun. Rinse very well before heading outside or getting into a tanning bed.

• A shiny look is also provided if you use vinegar for your final rinse.

• To bring that shine one can use honey to keep your scalp moisturized. You can make honey lotion for your hair by mixing 3 teaspoons of honey for pint of water.

• The use of henna as a natural conditioner proves to be very beneficial for your hair. It helps to bring back the bounce and flair of your hair which has been lacking for quite a while. There are also henna colors for the hair to get a great colored look. Of course the henna coloring doesn’t last quite as long as the other brands or colors on the market, but it is a natural way to acheive great color for a temporary length of time.

• You can add small amount of baking soda in the shampoo which, removes dirt and grease from your hair to give you the shiny look.

• To remove the dirt and other matter from your hair you can use one fourth cup of apple cider vinegar in one gallon of condensed water. This can be stored in the refrigerator and can be used every two weeks for clean, smooth, silky and shiny hair. The proper way to use this solution is to wet your hair with warm water, shampoo and rinse your hair. Pour two cups of this mixture and leave it in your hair for about 2-3 minutes. The last stage is to rinse your hair with cold-water.

• To get that extra shine for your hair brew one cup of strong espresso, let it cool. Pour the espresso over your dry hair and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it to get the extra shine and glow.

• You can also make egg shampoo at home which requires 1 egg, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon castile soap, 1/2 a cup water or herbal tea and last but not the least 5 drops of essential oils of your choice. Blend all these together to make an Egg shampoo which can bring shine to your hair.

• Many of us who want to clean their hair use shampoos. Try this for a change, massage baking soda into your hair and scalp. This absorbs oil and loosens the dead skin on the scalp. Rinse it thoroughly with water. In the initial stages the hair would be dry but after several weeks you would be dandruff free with smooth and shiny hair.

Warning: Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. Do not over use these products, for they could dry out the hair. (Source: Some information pulled from Pioneer Thinking)