Homemade Antibacterial Soft Scrub Cleanser

Ingredients
3/4 cup baking soda (you can add a little more if it seems a little thin after it’s all mixed together.)
1/4 cup castile soap
1 Tablespoon water
10-15 drops of tea tree oil
1 Tablespoon vinegar

In a medium sized bowl, combine the baking soda and castile soap. Add the water and tea tree oil and stir with a fork.

After the first 3 ingredients are well combined, SLOWLY add the vinegar. The mixture will bubble up because of the chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar.

Stir until you achieve a paste-like consistency. (You may have to add a little more baking soda at this point until it is the “perfect” consistency.)

Transfer to a repurposed dish soap container (or any other container you prefer), grab your sponge and start cleaning!

Courtesy of One Good Thing by Jillee

Homemade Lavender Rosemary Rash Ointment

1 cup coconut oil
Corn starch
5 drops each Lavender & Rosemary essential oil

In a double boiler, melt the coconut oil, do not boil. Remove from heat. Add a few drops of the essential oil.   Stir gently. Add cornstarch to the coconut oil, stirring the whole time. You want to add enough cornstarch until the coconut oil is really thick like an ointment. Spoon into an airtight container and let cool. Use as needed to treat rashes & chaffing. This costs about $2.00 per batch and lasts a long time. Lavender and rosemary essential oils are good disinfectants and are healing and soothing.  Coconut oil has antibiotic qualities that will help heal as well.

DIY - Comfrey Balm

Comfrey has been used for generations as teas, balms and poultices.
It is also known as boneknit because it helps to heal or knit back together strains, bruises and even broken bones.
  
The roots are used to make teas for internal problems and the leaves are used for external
problems.

It is such a good healer because of the Allantoin it contains.

Allantoin is a chemical compound naturally produced by many organisms, including animals, plants, and bacteria.
 It is a frequent ingredient in lotions and skin creams, as well as in oral hygiene products, cosmetics, and other toiletries. Allantoin is also used in medications for dermatological 
conditions including acne, impetigo, eczema, and psoriasis. 
more info at: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-allantoin.htm

This balm will help heal very fast. It will heal so fast that it should not be used on any cuts that look infected or any that may have dirt in it because it may heal over
the dirt  or infections which need to be out before healing. It is good for burns, cuts, bruises, rashes, scrapes and even diaper rash. It also helps to minimize scarring. You can also use it as a lip balm. It even helps my grandsons eczema.

To make the balm you will need.

4 ounces dried comfrey leaves or 8 ounces fresh if you have comfrey
2 cups coconut oil ( you can use almond or any oil you prefer, I just like coconut)
3 ounces bees wax

A double boiler or a 4 cup glass Pyrex measuring cup, saucepan and a strainer or some cheesecloth.

If you are using fresh comfrey, wash it and then chop or tear it a little to make it easier for the juices to steep out of it.
 
Put your oil in to the double boiler or the Pyrex cup which you then place in the saucepan with water in the bottom.
 
Turn the flame on at the very lowest it will go. Don't let the water evaporate away.
 
Keep an eye on it so if the water gets low you can add more.  Once your oil is warm and liquid add your comfrey leaves.
 
Let them sit there and steep for at least 45 minutes. I let them steep for an hour. Keep the flame as low as possible, you want it
to steep, you do not want to cook it. Once they have steeped strain the leaves out  into a clean bowl using your strainer or cheesecloth.
 
After you have strained it put the liquid back into the pan or pyrex cup  and add your beeswax you can compost or discard the leaves.
 
Let it melt completely, stir it gently to mix the oil and wax together. Then pour into tins or small jars (preferably with a large mouth).
 

Now let it cool and you have an amazing healing balm.  You  can keep it in the fridge because it feels good going on cold and that way it never spoils. 

Courtesy of Homestead Survival

BLD Quinoa

You can make a big batch of this early in the week and then eat it for Breakfast Lunch or Dinner throughout the week!

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Quinoa

Ingredients

-1C quinoa, uncooked

-2C water

-1C dried cranberries (less or more)

-1/2C sunflower seeds

-2T honey

-1/4C balsamic vinegar

Method

1. In a medium sized pot, bring 2 cups of water and 1 cup quinoa to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer until all water is absorbed. Transfer into a large tupperware and refrigerate for 2 hours.

2. Once your quinoa has cooled, mix in the rest of your ingredients.   

Courtesy of Fit Foodie Finds

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa

Ingredients
1/4C dry quinoa
1/4C cow/soy/almond milk (I used vanilla soy mil)
1/4C water 
1/4t cinnamon
1 packet of stevia
2T raisins
1T chia seeds
1 medium apple, finely chopped


Method
1. In a small saucepan bring quinoa, milk, and water to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
3. Add in cinnamon, stevia, raisins, apple, and chia seeds. Continue cooking on low until all liquid is absorbed. Total cook time is anywhere between 8-12 minutes.

You can  enjoy this breakfast warm, but I am sure it would taste just as good cold and topped with additional ice cold soy milk. Also, this would be a genius breakfast to prepare in bulk.

Courtesy of Fit Foodie Finds

Coconut Chia Pudding with Raspberries and Chocolate

Chia seeds are sort of like magic; put them in any liquid and they turn into a gel-like substance. This is perfect if you’re trying to create a vegan pudding. The consistency of this pudding, which is literally a “mix and stir” recipe, is a little like tapioca; the longer you let it sit the more it will firm up.
You would never guess that this recipe takes a ridiculously short amount of time, is vegan and low on sugar. Make it once and it might just turn into your new evening (or afternoon) obsession.  And you can easily make it on its own without Raspberries and Chocolate or change up the fruit you want to use!

Coconut Chia Pudding with Raspberries and Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• Chopped dark chocolate for topping

Directions:

Mix chia seeds, coconut milk, almond flavoring and sugar in a bowl. Pour immediately into small serving containers and let sit for about 5 minutes.

Cook down raspberries along with a dash of sugar in a saucepan on medium heat. Pour on top of pudding. Sprinkle with chopped dark chocolate. Serve immediately.

Courtesy of Ecosalon

ACV Sore Throat/Cough Syrup

¼ teaspoon Cayenne
¼ teaspoon Ginger
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (an organic one, like Bragg’s, is preferred.)
2 Tablespoon Water
1 Tablespoon Honey (use a locally produced raw honey, if possible.)

Dissolve cayenne and ginger in cider vinegar and water. Add honey and shake well. Take 1 Tablespoon as needed for cough. Hoo-wee.

Note: this doesn’t dissolve perfectly. Always shake well before using.

Combined, they turn into a curious orange syrup that can cut through the croup.

And, the taste is really good!

Courtesy of Good Food Matters