Homemade dishwasher detergent

If anyone read the post of my newest obsessions, you will know that I'm trying to save money and our health by making products myself without chemicals.

The first thing I wanted to try was dishwashing detergent. I wanted to try this because dishwasher soap can get pretty expensive.

I've tried only one recipe, and I'm happy with it so far.  I'll keep using it and update if I find something better, but so far this is what I am using:

Homemade dishwasher detergent:

* 1 cup washing soda 

* 1 cup Borax (Borax and washing soda are both natural disinfectants and mild abrasives.)
* 1/4 cup salt (reduces the effects of hard water)
* two packets of lemonade flavored Kool-Aid (ONLY lemon and ONLY unsweetened!)

Mix everything together and use 1-2 tablespoons per load.  I use 2 because I think we have hard water.

If you are looking for an inexpensive rinse agent, use vinegar.  You can also add about a cup of it to the bottom of the dishwasher before washing.  This will also wash your dishwasher as it washes the dishes! Don't worry though, your dishes won't smell like the vinegar.

Coming up: homemade deodorant and toothpaste.

-April

My new obsessions

People, I have to tell you a little about myself.  I have ideas and plans all the time, but fail to follow through, and if I do, it's for a short period of time.  I don't know, maybe my mind can't sit still.


I guess you could say I know a little about a lot of things.  In the past few years here are have been a few things I have picked up, and put down:


Playing piano
Sewing
Making flower pens
Decorating
Gardening
Exercising (I know, this is common, it's still on the list though)
Makeup (buying and making)
Blogging!


I have made a resolution to stick with things longer, and I think I will be happier with myself.


One thing that has been with me for a while now is cooking/baking and making my own products.  I've done a lot of research, and I think I'm ready to take it a bit farther.


Now for the meaning of the subject of this post, my new obsessions.


I have been reading a lot about Coconut Oil and Dr. Bronner's Castile soap.  I will share with you some great things about both of these products, so read on if you are interested in hearing awesomeness!


Let's start with Coconut Oil.  Apparently this gem has been used widely for many many years now.  Who knew!  I'll start with a link to a great site that has good information on it's greatness.


Here are just some wonderful things I have found on the Internet that  Coconut Oil is good for (I'm not sure if I need to capitalize the "C' or the "O", but it's so awesome I will!)

Personally I've only tried making the toothpaste, but you can be sure I'm going to try the rest.


Face moisturizer-  It can also help with skin problems like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin conditions.
Stress relief- Massage a bit on your forehead and relax.

Digestion- use it in your food.  Saute some veggies. You can eat it straight out of the jar too!

Fitness- it's been showing to boost metabolism, help your thyroid and increase energy.

Healing- put it on a scrape instead of a topical medicine from the store. It protects the scrape and helps with healing.

Hair Care- it's seriously the best conditioner.  Be careful tough, a little goes a LONG way.

Did you know that it's Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Anti fungal, Antiviral and Improves nutrient absorption??

Eye cream – apply under the eyes to reduce puffiness, bags, and wrinkles. Use on the lids in the evening.
Pre shave – it will prep skin for the pending damage caused by shaving.
Aftershave – it will help heal your skin after shaving without clogging pores.
Deodorant –  alone it can be used as a deodorant, but even more effective in combination with cornstarch/arrowroot powder and baking soda!
Hair Gel/Defrizzer – rub a little between your palms and either scrunch into hair (for curly hair) or finger comb in through from scalp to ends (for wavy/straight hair).
Toothpaste – there are numerous recipes out there but I just mix coconut oil, peppermint oil and baking soda and dab a little of the mix on my toothbrush.
Make up remover – use a cotton swab and a dab of coconut oil and you would be amazed at how well it works!
Chapstick – just rub a little into lips and it not only acts as a softening agent but it also has an SPF of about 4 so you get a little protection!
Massage Oil – pretty simple; grab some and rub!
Lubricant – it is an all natural, perfectly safe personal lubricant. Not compatible with latex!
Stretch Mark Cream – it is great at nourishing damaged skin. It may not be the magic stretch mark cure but it will help.
Diaper salve – very comforting on a rashy bum with no harsh chemicals. Also safe for cloth diapers.
Cradle cap – it will not only nourish your baby’s skin, it also helps eliminate cradle cap. Just rub a teaspoon onto scalp daily.
Body scrub – mix coconut oil and sugar together and rub all over! Rinse off and your skin will be super soft! You can add in essential oils if you would like a specific smell.
Bug Bites – when applied directly to a bug bite, coconut oil can stop the itching and burning sensation as well as hasten the healing process.
Swimmers Ear – mix garlic oil and coconut oil and put a few drops in affected ear for about 10 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a day and it usually works within one or two days.

Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Keeps insects off better than anything with Deet! Tons safer too.
Great for dogs and cats for general wellness. Just add a teaspoon to their water bowl daily.
Goo Gone – just mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda into a paste. Apply to the “sticky” area and let it set for a minute. Then scrub off with an old toothbrush or the scrubby side of a sponge.
Chewing Gum in Hair Remover – just rub some coconut oil over the stuck chewing gum, leave in for about 30 minutes, then roll the gum between your fingertip. Voila! It’s out!
Baldness – apply three times a day to affected area of hair loss. Coconut oil supports cell regeneration. 

Burns – apply to burn site immediately and continue applying until healed. Will reduce the chances of permanent scarring and promotes healing. 

Mole Remover – when applied after an apple cider vinegar compress for several weeks, moles have been known to “slide off” or just disappear. 

Oily Skin Fix – prone to oily skin or an oily T-zone? Use a pea sized amount underneath makeup or alone to reduce the appearance of oil. 

Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose making it great for both diabetics and non-diabetic. 

Nausea – rub some coconut oil on the inside for the wrist and forearm to calm an upset stomach. 

Make healthy Magic Shell ice cream topping.

Oil pulling, this site is interesting to find out about it.  I might try it sometime.

For nursing mothers, consuming coconut oil will help increase your milk flow.

If you’re prone to nosebleeds, coat the inside of your nostrils with coconut oil regularly.

Take a spoonful to help with heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion.

Massage into your nails and cuticles to help strengthen them.

It's also linked to helping with Alzheimer's disease <3

Information compiled from here, here and here.

This is just what I've found so far, I can imagine what more research will unleash.  I'm ready to go buy more!

Now, on to the next obsession, Dr. Bronner's Castile soap.

This wonderful soap comes in 8 scents: peppermint, almond, citrus, eucalyptus, rose, tea tree, lavender and baby mild (for the little ones.) I have only purchased the peppermint scent (because I LOVE peppermint) but I really want to get some rose next.

This is what I have found that you can use this soap for:

Body/face wash: mix with water.

Toothpaste: just a couple drops will do.

Hand soap: mix with water.

Fruit wash: use a bit with a lot of water and wash away!

Dish soap

Disinfecting counter spray

Household cleaner: normally a ration of 1:40, or 1:20 for heavy duty cleaning.

Pet shampoo

Cleaning make up brushes/paint brushes

Washing clothes

Basically you can replace all of your soaps/cleansers with some form of this soap.  Imagine how much money you will save!

I bought a 16 oz bottle for $11 at Target, and from the small amount you need to use in each recipe, it seems it's going to last me quite a while.

I'm thinking the Rose for body wash and hand soap.  Oh, or peppermint... 

I hope this post was helpful to some (or at least one person.) I will make sure to post about my individual recipes and my thoughts.

I will leave you with 2 products that I made this weekend:

First is the toothpaste.  I combined 3 tablespoons each of Coconut Oil and baking soda with 25 drops of peppermint essential oil.  I like it.  It's definitely different, and you can tell there's baking soda in it, but for only having 3 natural ingredients in it, it's amazing.  Coconut Oil is great for your teeth and gums, and the baking soda will whiten and keep them clean.  

The other thing I tried is a shower cleaner.  I needed something to fight the soap scum.  I came across the recipe of equal parts of vinegar and dawn soap.  I sprayed this in the shower and let it sit for an hour or so.  The soap scum scrubbed off so quickly and easily.  I think what I'll do from now on is spray this in the shower a few times a week and just rinse, no scrubbing needed!

Well, there you have it.  An in depth post of my newest loves.

If anyone tries one of these 2 things and loves them, please let me know.

-April

Cupcake Wars

Alright, well it's not really a war.  These two are on opposite sides, but they do say opposites attract.

I wanted to make cupcakes for the employees at work.  This would mean making at least 50.  I was up for the task.

I really wanted to make the recipe that I got in my special delivery and this was a perfect time to do so.  However, I knew everyone would not like a mocha cupcake, and I had a ton of strawberries, so I sought out a good strawberry cupcake recipe.

Let's start with chocolate, why shouldn't we?

There were wet and dry ingredients, like usual, but these were not as normal as you would think.

Wet ingredients consisted of oil, vanilla and buttermilk. Oil is so fun, so is science :D

The dry ingredients were pretty standard.  Flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and our friend espresso powder (which I hope has a long shelf life, as I have recently given up coffee.)

Mixed together they make a very tasty looking batter.  Dip your finger in it?  Don't mind if I do!

They made some tasty chocolate cupcakes.  They were not as moist as I had expected, but maybe I should have cooked them just a tad less or had my mixer mix them a little less.

Chocolate sprinkles were added to the frosting.  Aren't they pretty?? :)

Strawberry cupcakes are next.  I like to look at several recipes and read reviews before I attempt one.  I really wanted one with fresh strawberries.  After searching, I was not surprised to find one on Annie's site.  I used her recipe for the cupcakes, and intended to using her recipe for the frosting.  Unfortunately when it came time to make the frosting, I couldn't find the cream cheese I know I purchased.  Oh well, next time.

Fortunately I found a great strawberry buttermilk recipe.  Let's get started...

The batter was pretty simple, yet delicious.  I doubled both the chocolate and this recipe, and I was very lucky my mixer was large enough to hold it all.

The batter looked and tasted so good.  I was very excited.  After baking they looked just as delicious.

Of course you could eat them as is, but why would you?  Let's add some buttercream frosting, please.

I don't know why I didn't take a picture of the strawberry alone, but there you have it, opposites attracting and being tasty friends.

Recipe for Deep Dark Mocha Cupcakes (from Joy the Baker's special delivery)

2 cups plus 4 tablespoons all purpose flour

2 cups packed brown sugar

1 cup double-dutch cocoa

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons instant espresso

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 cups buttermilk

4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line cupcake pan with paper liners and set aside.  In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.  Set aside.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, buttermilk and vanilla extract.  Slowly whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients being careful not to over-mix.

Spoon the batter into the prepared cups and place in the oven for 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cup comes out clean.  Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then place on a wire rack until completely cool before topping with espresso buttercream.

For the buttercream frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

6 cups sifted powdered sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

4 teaspoons hot water

2 teaspoons instant espresso

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter and 1/3 of the sugar.  Beat until thick and incorporated.  In a tiny bowl, stir together vanilla, hot water and espresso powder.  Stir until powder is dissolved.  Add the remaining sugar and espresso mixture to the bowl.  Beat on medium speed until smooth and slightly fluffy.  Spread on cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles! 

Recipe for the Strawberry Cupcakes (adapted from here)


5 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter
3 cups sugar
4 eggs
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups chopped strawberries


Preheat the oven to 350°. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.


Sift flour, salt and baking soda into a medium bowl. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time until combined. Add buttermilk, oil and vanilla and beat until combined. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in chopped strawberries. Fill cupcake wells ¾ full with batter. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.


For the Strawberry Buttermilk Frosting (recipe found here)


4 sticks (16 tbsp) of butter, room temperature 
2 cup strawberries, pureed (I measured out the strawberries first and then pureed them)
6 cups powdered sugar


Cream the butter in the mixer on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes. On slow speed, gradually add about 2 cups of powdered sugar and turn back up to high for a few minutes to really incorporate the sugar. Turn to slow speed again and fold in the strawberries. Add more sugar until desired consistency is achieved. Once all the sugar is incorporated, turn to medium-high for a few minutes to mix well.  

One thing I did learn from this experience is that I need to practice and get more creative with my decorating tips.  Oh, and I need to buy more :)

-April

Making almond milk

Happy Monday, well, it's almost Tuesday so I hope you all had a nice Monday.

I wanted to make some almond milk, so I did.

I got almost a pound of slivered almonds without skins.  This made the process much easier.  I didn't have to take off the skins, and since they were already sliced it made blending much easier.

I threw 3 cups of slivered almonds in the blender with 5 cups of water (2 batches.)  I also added dates.  Many recipes called for dates, and they were pretty cheap at Sprouts.  I think I used 5.

I have never had a date before (haha, that sounded funny when I re-read it), and I still can't tell you what one tastes like outside of the almond milk.  Maybe tomorrow I will try, maybe not...

Anyway, the process was pretty simple once I got the hang of the cheesecloth.  I really need a rubber band next time.  All I did was blend and strain.

I strained it twice just to make sure, but I won't swear there isn't one or two bits of ground up almond in there.  Hey, I'm not perfect. 

In the end it made about 30 ounces which is almost a liter and not quite a half gallon.  I put the milk in some recycled vitamin water containers.  Save the planet, save some money!

The cost is a bit more than the store brand (if you pay full price, maybe not that much more) but the quality is much better, and I don't have to worry about all those things I can't pronounce that are in the store bought milk.  Who knows, maybe someday I will see almonds for $2 a pound (in my dreams!)

After I made the milk I had all of this almond pulp left over.  I really didn't want to throw it away, so I made little batches of them and threw them in the dehydrator.  I'm trying to make raw almond cookies.

More on that tomorrow, I'm being positive.

So, the moral of the story is I have homemade almond milk that is not cheaper than from the store, but better for us.  Besides, we don't have milk that often anyway.  It's really there for cereal and for my bread.

With that I leave you with today's picture:

I made jerky, and I'll do it again!!! Wait for it...

-April

Homemade Pizza

I've made homemade pizza before, but never with homemade dough.

I wanted to use the ingredients that I prepared last weekend, and it was the best idea.

I made 2 kinds of pizzas.  One had a tomato/mushroom/spinach sauce with mozzarella and pepperoni.

The other was something I threw together.  I took 3 tablespoons of my homemade ranch dressing, about 2 cups of the BBQ sauce I made last weekend on top of that, 8 ounces of pepper jack cheese and chicken I prepared ahead.

It was seriously the best pizza I had ever eaten.  The pizza crust was so delicious, and the combination of the sauce and toppings was perfect.  I didn't even have to us extra spices.

Anyway, here's a picture (that honestly doesn't do it justice, but I barely had time to take a picture of it before I devoured the last slice.)

For recipes see this post.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Magazines

What was I doing on Black Friday, you may wonder...

Well, first of all I slept in, then I went online.  I found a site that pretty much showed all of the great deals online and in stores for the day.  Someone did all the work for us, he should get an award!

Anyway, I was browsing the site and came across a great deal on magazine subscriptions.  You might also be wondering to yourself "why would someone want to subscribe to a magazine when there is the Internet?!?"  Well, to answer your question, because I like tangible things, so sue me!  Also, these subscriptions were a steal!

With the Black Friday deal, and another deal I got from Groupon, I got 8 subscriptions for under 40 bucks.  The only bad thing I can think of is I don't think I will be eligible for the great prices if I want to re-subscribe.

One of the magazines that I was most excited about is bon appetit.  I got my first issue today, and the cover sucked me in (I haven't even taken the magazine out of the plastic wrapping yet!):

It's hard to see in the small picture, but that there is fried chicken, and they claim it's the BEST EVER.

You KNOW I am going to put it to the test.

More to come, I hope you all had a wonderful Monday.

-April

Make ahead meals, the recap!

As you may have read, I was ambitious yesterday.  I had a whole list of things I wanted to make ahead for the week.

I wasn't as successful as I wanted to be, but pretty successful none the less.


I made hamburger buns, and froze half of them.
I made pizza dough and froze it.
I made chicken for quesadillas.  I had so much of this I may use half in the enchiladas soon.
I made delicious BBQ sauce, half of which I froze.
I made and froze black bean burgers.
I made ranch dressing.
I made croutons :D
I also prepped the beef in the crock pot which was DELICIOUS!
During the course of the day I was snacking on some spinach artichoke dip (which I promise to blog about when I make it again.)


I took a couple of pictures of the BBQ sauce.  Everything else was pretty typical, so the pictures wouldn't have been as exciting.  This BBQ sauce is so beautiful and tasty!

It was so pretty simmering for hours...

Doesn't it look delicious?  The recipe made a bunch, and it's nice and thick!  

I promise to show you pictures of when I use it on chicken this week.

If anyone is interested in the recipes, I'll list them below.  

Thanks for reading about my first attempt at this.  I think I will have more fun (and time) next time around.

-April

Recipes (you will see most are from here because she's my food sister, I swear!):

BBQ Sauce

Ranch Dressing

Chicken Quesadilla Meat

Black bean burgers

Hamburger Buns

Pizza crust

Crock pot beef and pepperoncinis

For the croutons I just seasoned them with some herbs de provence, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper.