Search results for 'homemade deoderant'

4 Items You Don’t Need In Your Bathroom

by Lindsay on Mar 19, 2010 in frugal & simple, natural & green

Photo credit

Here are four standard bathroom products that you can eliminate rather easily. Yes, the market tries to persuade you that you need this and that for the best look or feel. But are they truly all necessary? Here is your opportunity to fight back!

1. Shaving Cream

What is the purpose of shaving cream? Supposedly, it is to protect you from cutting yourself while shaving, correct? So I thought, until I really evaluated whether or not it served its purpose. Maybe 50% of the time. The other 50% of the time I would get cut, scratched, or hurt in some way. Both my husband and I shared this experience. Then I decided there had to be some way I could just live without it.

Alternative #1: Hair Conditioner. Conditioner is a perfectly useful alternative to shaving cream, and yet it clogs the razor and dulls the blade quicker. And as you will see in #2, we’ve eliminated this product, so its no longer an option at our home.

Alternative #2: Bar of Soap. Yes, the simplicity of a bar of soap does the trick! Scrub yourself down and shave in the process and you just eliminated another purchase for your bathroom. Guess what? My husband prefers this method too. We both agree that we cut ourselves far less, our skin remains soft and moistened, and we get a perfectly clean shave. My technique in order to avoid extra waste is to lather up one leg with soap, and before washing it off, I shave immediately, and then wash down. This works to help use the least amount of soap possible for both jobs of washing and shaving. We recommend a good natural bar of soap such as Dr Bronners.

Alternative #3: Nothing. Some would argue that you can use a little water and go for it (but I personally prefer the soap). :)

Save yourself a few dollars each month and take it off the list. It works.

2. Hair Conditioner

Hair conditioner is a nice product to have. It does help produce that silky smooth appearance. But is it necessary? We’ve lived without it for quite some time.

Alternative #1: Apple cider vinegar (Approximately 1-2 Tbls. cider to 1 cup water). If you don’t mind the fragrance, try a squirt of apple cider vinegar in your hair for its natural de-tangling ability. Or add a bit of essential oils to balance out the scent.

Alternative #2: Coconut oil. Applying coconut oil after showering as a leave in conditioner is very effective. It can be used as a curling gel for my hair, or a smooth gel for my husbands hair. Just remember…a little dab will do you. Too much and you can have a greasy look. It is wonderfully nourishing for the hair.

Save yourself a few dollars and use something you already have or skip it altogether.

3. Make-up Remover

Alternative #1: Soap and water. Yes, it works quite nicely.

Alternative #2: Coconut oil. Apply a little coconut oil to a cotton ball and apply to eyelashes to remove mascara and all other products on your face. Moisten your skin while removing make-up at the same time.

4. Aftershave

Alternative #1: Shea Butter / Coconut oil Combo. Check out our homemade aftershave recipe. (The hubby thinks this works the best!)

Alternative #2: Coconut oil (surprise!). While not as soothing as the combo above, coconut oil makes a great alternative in a pinch.

I could go on to share how you can also make your own shampoo or go the no-poo/baking soda route, how to make an effective homemade deodorant, and so on, but we’ve already been there before. Check out all the wonderful uses for coconut oil that we have compiled for further inspiration.

This post is part of Fight Back Fridays.

What items have you eliminated in your bathroom? What creative alternatives have you discovered?

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Homemade All-Natural Deodorant

by Lindsay on Feb 08, 2010 in natural & green

Republished from March 21, 2008. Updated to include FAQ’s, photo, and video tutorial.

Did you know that nearly all commercial deodorants contain aluminum salts, usually aluminum chlorohydrate? Manufacturers like aluminum because it effectively suppresses perspiration but the metal has a dark side once it makes its way into our body. Aluminum toxicity It has been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other health issues. It is especially important for women to take thought to the harmful aluminum materials in deodorant as it has been linked to breast cancer, being that the breast tissue extends up into the armpits.

Most commercial deodorants also contain parabens, which act as preservatives and stabilizers, but which like aluminum can be absorbed into the skin. Parabens mimic estrogen, and though the amounts we absorb on a daily basis might be small, over time, the accumulation can be significant.

Did you know you can make your own wonderful effective deodorant with just a few completely natural ingredients? This recipe is awesome! It’s even edible! It is frugal and very effective! Aaron & I have been using it for over two years now, and it has worked wonders. It smells wonderful, but very faint. For years I tried every natural alternative on the market without much success. It has been successfully tried by hundreds of readers! Coconut oil is an all natural oil that has wonderful anti-bacterial and immune boosting qualities. It can effectively nourish and moisturize the skin. This recipe is also very frugal, costing less than a dollar per batch.

Ingredients:

6-8 Tbsp Coconut oil (solid state)
1/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (arrowroot is preferred)

Directions:

  1. Combine equal portions of baking soda & arrowroot powder.
  2. Slowly add coconut oil and work it in with a spoon or hand blender until it maintains a firm but pliable texture. It should be about the same texture as commercial deodorant, solid but able to be applied easily. If it is too wet, add further arrowroot powder/cornstarch to thicken.
  3. You can either scoop this recipe into your old deodorant dispensers or place in a small container with lid and apply with fingers with each use. Makes about 1 cup. This recipe lasts about 3 months for two people with regular daily use.

For a picture tutorial placing this recipe in an old deodorant container, visit here.

Check out my video tutorial for a visual guide through this recipe. Excuse my nervousness….yes, this is the first time I have gotten behind the camera for this site!

Frequently Asked Questions

Since the original publication of this post, I have received numerous repeated questions. I have compiled them all here.

1. I am having issues with an itchy rash under my armpits. Any solutions?

Baking soda can be an irritant for some people. Try decreasing the baking soda by 1 Tbsp and replacing with more cornstarch/arrowroot powder. Itchiness can also often be related to applying this too soon after shaving. Wait an hour or two after shaving to apply. Add 1/4 cup shea butter or cocoa butter to the recipe for its healing benefits is another alternative. You also can try using arrowroot powder as it is more natural on the skin or make sure to choose a talc-free cornstarch. The final option is to apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel/juice to your skin for its healing benefits before applying the deodorant. It will help cool, refresh, and prevent irritations to the skin.

2. Can you use any other oils for this recipe?

It is possible to use other oils on this recipe, such as sweet apricot oil, but we do not recommend other oils simply because they are not as effective as coconut oil with its anti-bacterial benefits. Apricot or olive oil also remain liquid in form, and thus make this messy to apply. Coconut oil remains solid under 76 degrees, so it is perfect for deodorant. You can use palm oil as it is another natural oil that is solid at room temperature, but again not as effective as coconut oil.

3. Will this deodorant stain my clothes?

Not likely or not any more than a standard deodorant or antiperspirant. I have only noticed slight staining on white garments, but this can be avoided by soaking with soap after wearing and before washing. Dishwashing soap and hot water are very effective stain removers.

4. What kind of coconut oil can I use? Is there a recommended brand?

It is recommended to use a high quality coconut oil purchased from a health food store, if possible. I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs coconut oil for its superior quality and benefits. Other recommended brands include Nutiva, Tropical Traditions, and Wilderness Family Naturals. You can also use refined coconut oil, as that version is suitable for the skin but not recommended for consumption. Refined coconut oil will be cheaper in price.

5. Can I add essential oils to this recipe?

Yes, feel free to add various essential oils for the added scent, but beware that essential oils can cause irritations. Start with making a small batch to make sure you do not react. Tea tree oil is an excellent oil to add for its pleasant scent (men and women alike enjoy it), and it has great antibacterial qualities.

6. Is there any solution for preventing this from melting? (Note: coconut oil melts at 76 degrees).

If you live in a particularly warm climate, add a little melted candelilla wax or beeswax to the mixture. Store in your fridge, if necessary. For summer travel, I recommend storing in a cooler. Remove from cooler or refrigerator 10 minutes before use to allow it to soften slightly for application.

7. What’s the benefit of using arrowroot powder over cornstarch?

Standard commercial cornstarch contains talc, which debate continues over its safety for use in body products. Arrowroot is a more natural thickening agent alternative. I use arrowroot powder as an alternative to cornstarch in all my cooking. You can also purchase talc-free cornstarch at your local health food store. Arrowroot powder is available through your local health food store, Whole Foods, Azure Standard, or Bob’s Red Mill.

8. I am allergic to coconut oil, is there any alternatives?

I have heard people experiencing success by replacing coconut oil with equal quantities of shea butter and cocoa butter. You can also use palm oil because it remains solid like coconut oil. Add a few drops of tea tree essential oil for the antibacterial properties.

9. I am heavy sweater? Is this an antiperspirant?

No, this is not an antiperspirant, so you will sweat but it will definitely be decreased quantities. Sweating is a natural bodily process that is necessary for health in removing toxins from your body. I am definitely a heavy sweater myself, but this deodorant works to remove the smells like nothing else I have ever tried. I do recommend multiple applications if you are doing strenuous work or exercise for it to be effective.

Learn more about the benefits of coconut oil and all its wonderful uses here.

To read all the reviews on this recipe, check out the original post here.

Please note: Passionate Homemaking is an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs (my coconut oil source) and receives a small percentage of each sale purchased through my links. I only recommend products that I have successfully use and can highly recommend.

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Gift Ideas for the Natural Mama

by Lindsay on Nov 25, 2009 in making a home, natural & green

Welcome to the first in my series of posts on gift ideas for the family with a focus on natural, nourishing, and green. Today, I would like to share some recommended picks for the nourishing mama – simple kitchen and household accessories that will help you provide good healthy cooking for your family, but at the same time not adding additional clutter. I avoid gadgets at all costs, but I love receiving gifts that are very practical and multi-purpose.

KITCHEN

Screen shot 2009-11-24 at 2.07.36 PMAdjustable Measuring Spoons – I don’t know about you, but I love having only two spoons in my kitchen drawer for all my baking needs! Pampered Chefs sells this wonderful set (Tablespoon & teaspoon collection) for only $8. Easy to clean, and easy to use!

Wooden/Bamboo Kitchen Utensils – Wooden or bamboo kitchen utensils are simply wonderful for natural home cooking. You will find wooden tools work so much better and no fear of plastics or scratches! Amazon sells a great variety of wooden utensils for your kitchen. The pasta tool is on my wishlist this Christmas! These bamboo salad tongs are awesome! Check out this cool maple soup ladle! Wooden utensils are usually cheaper than their plastic competition, $4-7 each!

Wooden Cutting Boards – I absolutely love wooden cutting boards! They are long-lasting, durable, and wonderfully useful for all your cutting needs! Check out Totally Bamboo for great quality and sustainability in various sizes and prices.

Stoneware – Since receiving a few items of stoneware from Pampered Chef after hosting a show this summer, I cannot say enough as to how wonderful they work in the kitchen. Completely natural cooking surfices that provide well balanced heat distribution. No chemical linings or glazes, and always produces beautiful results! I have the pizza stone, muffin tin, and square baker and they are used all the time now in my kitchen! Check out the Pampered Chef stoneware.

Cuisinart Safe Non-Stick Pan – I received this pan last year for Christmas and highly recommend it! Safe non-stick surface that works perfectly for crepes, omelets, eggs, and many other uses.

Screen shot 2009-11-24 at 3.13.08 PMBlendtec Total Blender – This machine does it all! A great way to get quality but simplicity in your kitchen. The Blendtec Blender is a commercial-quality 1,560-watt countertop blender with 3 HP direct-drive motorcan that can grind grain, make ice cream, knead dough, function as a basic food processor, and most importantly a very high powered blender. Vitamix is in the same line as the Blendtec and another great alternative, but I choice the Blendtec because it fits under your counter top cupboards, shuts off automatically, and has easy digital touchpad controls, making it easier to use while juggling other kitchen tasks! This a true multi-purposing kitchen item that will last! At $400 it is spendy but worth every penny, especially if you are wanting a mixer, grinder, food processor and cannot afford each of these items individually. I use it several times a day making homemade raw apple sauce, peanut butter, salsa, protein bars, muffins, green smoothies (yes, it blends those greens so smoothly you never know they are there!), and numerous other uses.

BODY/FRAGRANCE PRODUCTS

Bare Minerals Get Started Make-Up Kit – This basic set of natural mineral makeup has lasted me for two years now! ;) Screen shot 2009-11-24 at 2.40.06 PMBeyond buying another container of warmth (their variety of blush) I still have plenty of all the other items in this well-rounded make up collection set. I highly recommend it! For my full review, visit here.

Make some homemade deodorant or homemade perfume for some nice natural skin care!

Vegetable/Soy Wax or Beeswax Candles - Candles made from beeswax are very natural and safe for your home. Paraffin is a substance that is rather toxic and is the standard ingredient in most candles. I love candles! Look for 100% beeswax or soy wax…they like to combine them with paraffin to trick you! ;)

BOOKS

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials – Do you like sewing? Check out this fun book with lots of ideas for repurposing items around your home into fun, new, inventive clothing and household items.

Home Cheese Making: Recipes for 75 Delicious Cheeses – want to learn how to make cheese? Check out this fun book! Also check out the Mozzarella/Ricotta cheese making kit from Cultures for Health.

Womanly Dominion: More Than A Gentle and Quiet Spirit by Mark Chanski- my favorite read this year on Biblical womanhood. Highly recommended!

From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out by Nancy Twigg – my favorite read this year on simplifying! I love it!

The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity – my favorite book on seeing mothering as a mission from God!

The Kindle Wireless Reading Device is an amazing gift idea. It’s on my wishlist (maybe someday -for now I am happy with the free Kindle edition for the I-phone)! ;) Books require a lot of paper and energy to make. Reading digitally saves on resources and saves us money. It is a portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. I love the idea of having a book with me at all times without wasting paper and is also easy on the eyes! Not too bad at $259.

What is on your wishlist? Have any good natural gift ideas for her that you might recommend?

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All the Wonderful Uses of Coconut Oil

by Lindsay on Mar 04, 2009 in health & nutrition, recipes & kitchen tips

coconutOne product that pretty much does it all for us! Coconut oil!

Coconut oil is a highly saturated tropical oil derived from coconuts of the coconut palm tree. Traditionally it has provided many health benefits to the peoples who live in areas of the tropics and subtropics where coconut palms grow. Many newly discovered health benefits are now being unearthed through careful research and use in clinical practices.

We have been lead to believe that saturated fats are the dietary contributor to heart disease.

According to Sue Gregg, “There is a double reason not to fear coconut oil. First, it is highly debatable that saturated fats cause heart disease. Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD in The Cholesterol Myths (www.NewTrends Publishing.com) presents the facts of exhaustive research over the decades to disprove this theory. Secondly, the saturated fat of coconut oil is different than the long chain fatty acids of meats and also of polyunsaturated fats.” Read the full article here. Read more from Nourishing Traditions and the Weston A. Price Foundation counter-acting the false beliefs about coconut oil here.

Coconut oil has been called the “healthiest dietary oil on earth.”

Health benefits include:

- May help promote weight loss
- Provides an immediate source of energy
- Supplies fewer calories than other fats
- Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health
- Is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life)
- Is heat resistant (the healthiest oil for cooking)

According to The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife:

- Protects against heart disease, cancer & diabetes
- Acts as an antioxidant in its resistance to attack by free radicals,
protecting against degenerative diseases, in general.
- Protects from a range of infectious diseases. Fife lists 28 infectious
and degenerative disease conditions that coconut oil can help to relieve,
reduce or prevent.

I thought it would be fun to compile a master list of all the wonderful uses of coconut oil that we have found in our household. Here it goes…

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Q & A: Coconut Oil

by Lindsay on Oct 24, 2008 in health & nutrition, recipes & kitchen tips

Caroline asked:

I was wondering about coconut oil. I bought some and cooked an egg in it and the egg tasted like the oil. After that I just can’t bring myself to use it to cook with again. Is there a certain kind that you use that doesn’t make the food taste like the oil?

With a small item like a single egg, you will probably notice the taste, so I would recommend using butter in that occasion. When I have prepared a larger quantity of eggs or anything else, the taste will naturally just blend in. I use either coconut oil or butter most frequently now depending upon the item I am preparing as they are the best options nutritionally for cooking (read more about healthy oils here & here). Also, you don’t need very much for it to go a long ways! A little dab will do you for all your stir-frying and cooking needs (approximately 1/2 tsp is about right!).

Coconut oil is best for all stir-frying, sauteing, and also works great in baking. I will often use butter and coconut oil in combination in my baking with great results. Butter also works great for sauteing and baking. For butter, homemade from raw milk is great, or else kerrygold butter (read more here) is another wonderful option.

For the best coconut oil, choose extra virgin organic coconut oil. The best price available that I have found is through Mountain Rose Herbs. It is worth every penny!

Beyond cooking, coconut oil gets a lot of use at my house! Read more about it’s health benefits here. I also use it as a conditioner, deodorant, in combination with other ingredients for toothpaste, and in replacement for lotion, aftershave, etc.

Bulk organic herbs, spices and essential oils. Sin

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Natural Hair Care: Shampoo Recipe

by Lindsay on Aug 21, 2008 in natural & green

In the past few months I have been weeding out all of our standard hair and body products in order to simplify and replace with more natural and safe alternatives. I just love having one product for most of our basic needs! This has been the main purpose…to simplify! I honestly got tired of purchasing five or more different products for our needs (shaving cream for me, hair gel for him, etc). Now I just buy two products that together supply most of our needs.

Most body products have an unending list of ingredients which are impossible to pronounce. This alone makes me wonder what they really put in all of them. Skin Deep is a good resource to refer to in evaluating the contents of your favorite products.

So we have finally nailed down what works for us in simplifying our body care products! I formally tried the no-poo approach, and although that would be the ultimate frugal option (using baking soda & apple cider vinegar alone), it didn’t fly too well with the hubby. I also didn’t enjoy the lack of soapiness which I find necessary to really make my hair feel clean. I wanted to have a system that worked well for all of us, including the littles!

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Simplifying in the Bathroom

by Lindsay on Jul 15, 2008 in frugal & simple, making a home, natural & green

On the counter: toothbrush holder, toothpaste dispenser, soap dispenser – that’s all!

Welcome back for further simplifying tips for every room of your house…last week, we discussed the kitchen, and today, we enter the bathroom! Normally this room is piled high with various body, hair and facial products. I have been there! Items that just make this room look so cluttered. How can you simplify? Preparing for this post got me extra motivated to get more organized in the bathroom – I even pulled out a few items that needed to go! Remember every little baby step you take to simplify your life will open up time to focus on the important things – investing in family and the lives of others!

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Energy Efficiency tip- Take less showers!

by Lindsay on Apr 16, 2008 in frugal & simple, natural & green

1. Turn down your thermostat

We starting doing this in February. We turned our thermostat down just two notches over the past two months, from 68 down to 66. We also turn it off at night.

2. Take less showers

We found that it is really not necessary to take a shower every day like we were previously. Over this past month, we started limiting our showers to the mornings when we did our exercise routines, and desperately needed them. ;) We now take showers around three times a week. Maybe our natural deodorant recipe is keeping us smelling fresh longer! ;)

We are finding that frequent showers are not necessarily good for you anyway.

According to Jordin Rubin, author of The Maker’s Diet, “excessive showering -even in the purest water – can actually rob your hair and body of the natural oils. It can also alter your body’s pH. Then you have the added problem of heavily chlorinated public water supplies.”

Chlorine in water can be very harmful for your health…more on this later.

Our Savings

Our electrical bill went down $22 over the last two months! We went from an average of $65 per month, to our bill this month was $45 (although April does tend to be a cheaper month).

Comparing our figures to last April, I realized that the savings wasn’t so significant, as our bill was $52 last April and $45 this April. It is definitely helpful to compare last year’s use! Since we live in a condo association the water bill is paid by the association (a flat rate for us, that doesn’t change no matter how much we use), so if you pay your water separately this would provide more of a savings. I do think the health benefits of decreasing showers are worthy to consider though.

Works for me!

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Lotion, Aftershave – Natural Alternatives

by Lindsay on Apr 11, 2008 in natural & green

There is one product that meets all of these needs without doing a thing, except rubbing it on! Can you guess what it is? This product is fabulous for you health both on the outside and the inside. It feels wonderful, without being too greasy or messy. It is all natural! When purchased in bulk and used for other things (listed below), it can be quite reasonable!

What is it?

Coconut Oil!

Lotion/Moisturizer - a little dab will do you! Scoop out and rub on your skin. Sweet fragrance as well. I have replaced all my miscellaneous lotions with this one product!

Aftershave – I told my husband he just had to try it as an aftershave, and low and behold it worked. I love using it as well after shaving those sensitive areas. Calms and refreshes.

For Married Women -It also works well for that special hubby and wife time.

Other uses I have had success with:Deodorant

Cooking uses:

stir-frying
replacing oil/butter/shortening in baked goods
melting and adding to smoothies
greasing pans with it
any other ideas?

I am a huge fan of coconut oil (if you haven’t noticed already)! The more products I can cover with just this simple natural alternative, the more I save and the more I rejoice! I just found a recipe for toothpaste that uses it as well. Can’t wait to try it and share the results (if successful)! The way I am going, pretty soon this will be the only product in the bathroom! ;)

Buy it here at:

Mountain Rose Herbs

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Natural Living 101

by Lindsay on Jan 02, 2008 in Uncategorized

This list is a compilation of articles, books, and resources on all topics related to establishing a nourishing kitchen and home. You will find not only articles written here at Passionate Homemaking, but a wealth of other resources on important topics from fellow enthusiasts in the blogging web community. We desire this to be a resource for you to find the answers for your questions in a simple, cataloged fashion. Enjoy and may you be blessed as you seek to nourish and provide whole and natural foods for your family and encourage a natural lifestyle for the glory of God!

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Nourishing Beginnings

Resources for Beginning a Healthy Lifestyle

Nutritional Eating: What is Most Important?

Nutritional Eating on A Budget: My Step by Step Journey

Getting Real with Food series (from Heavenly Homemakers) – where to start?

Weston A. Price – Great info about eating like our ancestors did. The cookbook “Nourishing Traditions” is based on his findings.

Real Milk - Wonderful site on the lost value of raw milk, the history of why we stopped drinking it, and local farms that sell raw cow’s and goat’s milk.

Urban Homemaker – I love this site for very helpful information for making the steps towards improving your health. She offers tips on bread making, soaking, lots of recipes, practical kitchen items and tips.

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Real Food Cookbooks

Nourishing Traditions, by Sally Fallon – a good resource for nutritious living. I do not support her new-age approach, but I do appreciate the wealth of recipes, information, etc.

Sue Gregg Cookbooks & Website - I appreciate Sue Gregg’s Christian perspective in regards to healthy eating. She provides a wealth of recipes that are nutritious and yummy incorporating soaking methods. I own the Main Dish and Breakfasts cookbooks, and I believe they are the best. Her Whole Grains Cooking class book is well worth using to glean information on grains, soaking and other processes. Her website alone provides a lot of information on whole foods.

More-With-Less Cookbook (World Community Cookbook)- cookbook by the Mennonities – also a ton of recipe for living simply and nutritiously on a budget.

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Real Food E-courses

Gnowfglins Fundamentals- this 15 week e-course will teach you how to turn quality raw ingredients – God’s, natural, organic, whole, foods, local, and in season – into nourishing food. We will do this one week at a time, one skill at time. Class is offered by donation.

Real Food on A Real Budget – Jenny at Nourished Kitchen offers everything to know about cooking real food in 12 easy lessons. You’ll be able to find fresh local foods, maximize nutrition and minimize cost while developing simple, nourishing recipes that your family will love. Real food doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive … if you have the right know-how. In this multi-media, online e-course, you’ll learn how to shop in season, maintain a budget and plan healthy meals for your family.

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Real Food Bloggers

Here are a few helpful blogs that write regularly on topics regarding building a nourishing healthy home:

Kelly the Kitchen Kop

The Nourishing Gourmet

Heavenly Homemakers

Keeper of the Home

Nourishing Days

Naturally Knocked Up

Frugal Granola

Kitchen Stewardship

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Sources for Whole Foods

Eat Wild – Find local, and sustainable farms that you can buy directly from. Mainly lists farms raising grass fed meat of different kinds.

Local Harvest – This is a site where you can find local farms, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), which is an excellent way to go for produce. It is very reasonable and you get whatever is growing in that season. I am starting a CSA in my area this Spring, and they actually deliver the produce every week. There are many options for getting the best quality, and in the freshest possible manner.

Azure Standard- An excellent family run business that distributes all over the Northwest, Midwest, and other areas. This is a wonderful source for natural/organic foods on a budget. They have the most reasonable prices I have found. Check out here for my recommendations.

Frontier Co-op – an excellent source for herbs, spices, body products, essential oils and various food products. They have excellent low prices.

Real Milk - Find local farms that sell raw cow’s and goat’s milk.
Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs – A wonderful resource for organic oils, herbs, spices and teas! I absolutely love their organic coconut oil! They offer the best price available, especially if you go in on an order with friends. Check it out!

U.S. Wellness Meats – Grass-fed beef, lamb, poultry, butter, cheese, and wild caught fish. A great online source for these products if you do not have a local source.

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Whole Grains

About Whole Grains – article by Sue Gregg

Variety in Your Grains – all about the wealth of varieties available for your whole foods kitchen

Whole Grains -Learning the Benefits of Soaking – why fresh flour is best and exploring the world of soaking grains to break down phytates

Soaking Grains (from The Nourishing Gourmet) – Part 1 & Part 2 – Kimi’s explanation of the soaking process

The Two Stage Process – Sue Gregg shares on soaking

Q & A On Soaking – Answering a few basic questions on the soaking process.

Soaking Methods for the Dairy Intolerant

Sourdough Benefits (from the Nourishing Gourmet)

Sourdough Starter Step by Step Instructions (by Heavenly Homemakers)

Soaking vs. Sprouting – a comparison on the benefits of soaking versus sprouting your grains. Which is more nutritional?

Sprouting Grains (by the Nourishing Gourmet) – basic steps on sprouting grains

Sprouting Seeds

Sprouted Breads – Sue Gregg shares on the benefits of sprouting and includes her sprouted bread recipe

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Whole Foods Articles & Recommendations

Natural Sweeteners

My Favorite Natural Sweeteners – discussing rapadura, sucanat, stevia, honey, sorghum, maple syrup and the like

A Guide to Natural Sweeteners (from the Nourishing Gourmet) – including information on coconut sugar

Oils

The World of Healthy Oils, Part 1 & Part 2 – detailing the best oil choices being coconut oil & olive oil

Coconut Oil Benefits

Raw Milk

Dairy Dilemma – article by Sue Gregg on raw milk

Wonders of Raw Milk - Sue Gregg shares further on raw milk benefits

Soy

All About Soy – Sue Gregg shares why it is not recommended

The Ploy of Soy – Weston A Price shares on the harmful findings of soy products

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Natural Body Products

Skin Deep (Cosmetic Safety Database) – this site has an extensive database of beauty and toiletry products, including makeup, skin care, hair care, eye care, nail care, baby care, fragrance and oral care. Simply search for the brand or name of a product, and you can view a very detailed description of the product ingredients, and their possible health risks.

Vitacost: Very good prices on items such as toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, etc. and includes brands such as Avalon, Burt’s Bees, Desert Essence, Dr. Bronner’s, J/A/S/O/N, Nature’s Gate, Tom’s of Maine, Weleda and many others. They offer a flat shipping rate no matter the size of your order.

Mineral Makeup – all about what I use for mineral makeup

Natural Paraben Free Beauty & Skin Products – this website is a great source of information for paraben free products!

Homemade Deodorant

Coconut Oil for Your Body- enjoying the wonderful benefits of coconut oil for numerous body products

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Natural Pregnancy

Facial Care During Pregnancy

Protein During Pregnancy

Natural Insomnia Help

Prepatory Herbs for a Natural Delivery

Prenatal Supplements Recommendations

A Journey in Pregnancy & Childbirth (From Walk Slowly, Live Wildly) – helpful tips and advice on midwifery, homebirth and resources

Diet for Pregnant & Nursing Mothers (from Weston A Price)

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Natural Healing

Natural Cold Remedies for Children

Natural Healing for the Family

Nourishing a Sick Child (from the Nourishing Gourmet)

Emergen-C: Cold Solution & Energy Booster

Cold Remedies from the Kitchen (from Frugal Granola)

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Natural Household Products

Smart Plastics Guide

Safe Cookware for your Family

Safe Bakeware for your Family

The Bosch Mixer Review

Green Housecleaning – simple recipes for every housecleaning project

Cutting Boards – what are the best options for safety and sustainability?

Household Plants – learn about the benefits of growing real plants in your house

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Green Living

The Story of Stuff: An interactive and informative video on our overly focused consumeristic culture.

The Green Guide: A useful resource including buying guides for everything from cosmetics to home improvement to kids and babies, links to green blogs, tips and tools, and a wealth of information in their article library (a division of National Geographic).

Environmental Working Group: An excellent resource for information on health, toxic chemicals, farming, natural resources, and babies/children’s health and safety.

Sustainable Table – Info about shopping sustainably, and local food resources, as well as recipes. You can find info about what veggies and fruits are in season in your area all year round.

Smart Plastics Guide- a valuable guide to understanding plastics

A Call to be Good Stewards – why Christians should take the lead in practicing Good Stewardship

Serve God, Save the Planet by J. Mathew Sleeth- a valuable read on the importance of good stewardship from a Biblical perspective.

Pollution and the Death of Man by Francis Schaeffer – a solid Biblically based read on good stewardship.

The Green Kitchen Handbook by Annie Berthold-Bond (my review) – getting started on equipping your kitchen for green and healthy living!

Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan (my review) – natural housecleaning solution recipes

Easy Green Living by Renee Loux-This is my all time favorite green living resource! It is a huge manual covering every topic to maintain a safe, healthy and sustainable home while taking good stewardship of the earth.

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Safe Baby Care

Super Baby Food by Karen Yaron – an excellent resource with tips and recipes for making your own homemade nourishing baby food

Baby Food – making your own baby purees

Wholesome Baby Food – this site is an excellent source for recipes, articles, and information for feeding your baby well and includes numerous homemade baby purees recipes.

Baby Food – Whole grain porridge

Nourishing A Growing Baby (by Weston A Price)

Affordable & Safe Baby Bibs

Cloth Diapering – is it worth it?

Natural Diaper Rash Solutions

Nourishing Portable Food for Babies & Littles

Recommended Baby Gear

Avoiding Harmful Plastic Products - a few recommendations

Safe Mama Guide & Soft Landing Blog – Two excellent websites for finding toys and baby products that do not have toxic materials such as BPA, PVC or lead. A wealth of updated research has been put into both of these sites to provide you with safe non-toxic toy and baby gear lists.

Bugaloo Kids is a small business started by my cousin selling her personal designs of soft leather baby shoes. We love them!

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