REVIEW ~ 101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home

I was recently asked to review a brand new book on some of my favorite subjects: homemade skin care, health care and home care. And I need to tell you if EVER there were a great "what-book-would-you-recommend-for-newbies" book, THIS IS IT!

101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home by Jan Berry, founder and blogger at The Nerdy Farm Wife.

It has EVERYTHING you are looking for in a book chock-full of information . . . 

~Right from the start, it has a sweet homey cover that just draws you to it

~Even the Table of Contents is exciting  to read: Getting Started . . . , Nontoxic Herbal Skin Care, Naturally Soothing Salves and Balms, Exotic Body Butters and Lotion Bars (oooo, ahhh), Easy, All-Natural Cream and Lotions, Garden-Fresh Bath Soaks and Salts, Beautiful Bath Melts and Scrubs, DIY Lip Care, Luscious Hair Care, Simple Homemade Soaps (any kind your little heart desires), Herbal Home Remedies, Nontoxic Solutions for the Home. And even All-Natural Pet Care!

~The book, itself, is made in such a way that all you have to do is lay it open . . . anywhere, on any page . . . and it will lay open. No laying something heavy on top, no bending or breaking the spine, it simply lays open so that you may read your recipes while your hands are busy.

~The photography is simply beautifully done and all photos were taken by Jan, herself.

~Jan has added a very detailed Resource List of some of her favorite websites.

~Something I don't believe I've ever seen anyone else do, in many of her recipes, Jan has included substitute ingredients and adjustments for using fresh or dried herbs.

~One of my favorite parts is her extensive listing of various herbs, their benefits and a list of recipes she has used them in along with the page number so that you can go right to the recipe.

Jan and her family live in rural Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and as mentioned above, is a writer and photographer for the popular blog: The Nerdy Farm Wife. She write for HobbyFarms.com and Natural Herbal Living Magazine and has been featured in many other publications.

You may follow Jan at these links:
https://thenerdyfarmwife
https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdyFarmWife/
https://instagram.com/nerdyfarmwife
https://pinterest.com/nerdyfarmwife/

I am SO very excited to recommend this book to you. If you know someone who is thinking about growing herbs and making their own homemade skin, health and home care THIS is the book you need to gift them with. And if you purchase a copy for yourself, BE SURE to let me know how much you LOVE this book! 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade Dusting Spray

So . . . we have our homemade laundry detergent (or homemade liquid detergent), our homemade dishwasher detergent, homemade dish soap, our homemade wet jet cleaner (whoops, looks like I still need to tell you about that ;-) ), our homemade rug deodorizer, homemade soft scrub . . . and on and on . . . we must also have our homemade dusting spray. 

Right?

Of course.

This blend will give your furniture a sweet shine with a great fragrance (of your choice) and will not be greasy, sticky or tacky to the touch, causing your what-nots and antiques to leave a ring when you pick them up. 

You Will Need:

~1 c. distilled water
~1 ts. liquid castile soap
~1/4 c. distilled white vinegar
~2 TB. olive oil
~15 drops essential oil ~ I recommend EITHER: lemon, lemongrass, sweet orange, lavender or rosemary
~spray bottle; glass or plastic

Directions:

1) in the spray bottle, add the essential oils FIRST
2) add all other ingredients
3) attach spray lid and shake to blend

To Use:

1) shake well before using
2) you may apply to dust cloth, but it works better if you spray directly onto the furniture
3) wipe to clean, be sure to get into the intricate details of any antique furniture, picture frames or other wooden antiques 

How do you like it? Let me know.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Icky-Sticky Grease Cutter

Just in case you don't know, I live in an old house. The original part of the house is 170+ years old. Of course, there have been many, many up-dates through the years and even some of those up-dates are old. 

For instance, my range cover. The "dear" (eh-hem) old people who lived in this house for about 40 years before us, merely "up-dated" (and I say that with MUCH GRACE) simply to make it livable for themselves. In the 17 years we've lived here, each time we repair or improve something we find out just how good God has been to us, in that, this house hasn't burned down over our heads! 

One of the "improvements" that came with the house was an old range hood with the obligatory over-the-stove light and exhaust fan . . . only . . . we can't use the exhaust fan because it goes up into my cupboards and into the wall. 

*sigh*

And without an exhaust fan, all the icky-sticky grease from everyday cooking attaches itself onto the stove back splash and the exhaust hood. 

Over the years I have used commercial cleaners, grease cutters and my own homemade soft scrub, which only go "so far." My soft scrub is one of my favorite cleaners but it is, admittedly, better for counter tops, sinks, tubs and showers. 

Earlier today, I had a EUREKA moment ~ I was making some of my homemade toothpaste and while pouring in the hydrogen peroxide, I thought, "why not try this with some baking soda on the range hood?" I grabbed my hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, mixed them in a shallow dish, wet a sponge and went to work . . .

WELL! . . . 

Sure enough! Not only did it completely whisk away the icky-sticky greasy crud from my range hood like butter . . . but . . . it also got the formerly unremovable grease marks off of the tile back splash!!!!

Looks like new. I am tickled pink.

Just had to tell you. So, leave me a comment and let me know how much you LOVE this cleaner.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<>< 

Homemade Antiseptic Skin Spray

Everybody gets boo-boos, right? 

Minor cuts, scratches, scrapes, bug bites, sunburn . . . 

 DD#1 with a sunburn ~

Ouch!

My personal favorite cure-all is my homemade Thieves Oil and all the wonderful uses there are for it, but some people simply do not like that strong smell. (I happen to love it and would wear it as a perfume if I could! :-D )

So, for my family and friends who prefer something that is very effective, quickly relieves that pain or sting and stops those germs in their tracks, I also have on-hand a wonderful antiseptic skin spray that is just as strong, just not as strong smelling.

Another easy-peasy recipe:

 This is all you need ~ 

easy-peasy!

You will need:

~a clean spray/mist bottle (approx. 4 oz. size for this recipe)
~10 drops tea tree essential oil
~10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
~7 drops lavender essential oil
~4 drops frankincense essential oil
~3-4 oz. of distilled water
~1/2 oz. whiskey or vodka

Directions:

1) add all essential oils to your spray/mist bottle
2) add distilled water
3) add whiskey/vodka
4) shake to blend

To Use:

1) Shake well before using to blend the oils
2) spray liberally onto boo-boo
3) if necessary ~ cover boo-boo with a band-aide. 
4) reapply as needed

**NOTE** If you are concerned about the alcohol, remember that MOST common cough syrups (also see my Medicinal Hot Toddy recipe) and antiseptic meds contain alcohol. It is a time-tested germ killer. 

As bug and outdoor activity seasons approach, be sure to let me know how you like this product. Your comments are always welcome.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Homemade Antibacterial Sprays

Germs and viruses are around all the time, but at this time of year, they are EVERYWHERE! As many of you know, I work at a health food market and we wait on SO MANY sick people. We handle their dirty money and credit cards, they breathe on us and ~ as so many sick people who just wish they were home in bed are unmeaningly apt to do ~ they sigh deeply and exhale their germs RIGHT in our faces. :-O It's everything we can do to not catch their colds and flu and not bring those germs home to our families.

Something I do is make a few different types of antibacterial room and hand sprays.

My favorite and most used is my Thieves Oil. It's made with the 5 historic essential oils and you will never want or need another. I make a master mix in a 2 oz. dropper bottle, I also keep a 1 oz. essential oil bottle in my purse and I take it with me EVERYWHERE, especially to work. At work, I keep it in my apron pocket where it is right at my fingertips. At home, I use my Thieves Oil in a room spray ~ simply put 25-30 drops of Thieves in a 4 oz. misting/spray bottle and fill the rest of the way with distilled water, shake well before each use. Use this spray in the bathroom, as a room spray and as a spray-on hand sanitizer. As a side note ~ for added protection, I use Thieves in my homemade toothpaste and add a drop or two to my favorite herbal teas.

Another favorite that I keep in the kitchen is my rosemary and peppermint spray. In a 4 oz. misting/spray bottle, use 10 drops of peppermint and 20 drops of rosemary, fill the rest with distilled water, shake well before using. This will open up stuffy sinuses, cleans hands and is a lovely room freshener anytime of year. 

Keep your family and yourself well this year, inside and out. For the inside, don't forget my medicinal tea blends.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Multipurpose Oils

We all know that there are different types of cooking oils, and that there are different types of body and skin oils. I happen to be of the opinion ~ and practice ~ that you DO NOT need BOTH.

I use food-grade oils for BOTH cooking AND body care. Mind you, I sell some top quality body and carrier oils in the health and beauty department of the health food store I work in, but given the opportunity to advise, I will ALWAYS guide the customer over to the food isles and recommend that they buy the food-grade oil. By nature, a top quality food-grade oil is good for BOTH cooking and skin care. Why waste your money on another product ~ especially one that is often cut with jojoba oil as most health and beauty carrier oil are? 

Here are some of my favorite dual purpose oils ~ 

COCONUT OIL

Probably what could be called a miracle oil, if any of them could (besides olive oil). As a food product, you can cook with coconut oil at all heat levels. Do you still pop popcorn the old fashioned way? Use coconut oil and you will NEVER use any other. It's what the movie theaters used to use until the food nazis came in and told them it was terrible for your health! . . . and then . . . and few years later . . . that had to detract that statement, with their tails between their legs, because it is one of the healthiest oils in existence. 

Coconut oil has been proven to be an AMAZING help with brain function, particularly with Alzheimer's patients. I wish I had found out about this when my mom was first diagnosed, however, Dr. Newport's amazing Youtube videos on the trials she conducted on her own husband didn't come out until just after her passing. Because of this near miraculous study, I take a TB per day ~ whether in a hot cereal, in my protein shake or just from a spoon. I try to be pro-active when I can.

It also has the ability to raise good HDL cholesterol levels. This goes along with brain health, in that we NEED GOOD FATS for our brains. Starve the brain of GOOD fats and you will effectively give yourself Alzheimer's. I happen to agree with the owner of our store that Dr's OFTEN put people on meds that reduce their cholesterol TOO MUCH and they develop Alzheimer's or dementia. As a sort of experiment of my own, if someone comes in and wants something for memory or for their parent or spouse who is showing signs of poor brain health, I ask them if they are on cholesterol drugs ~ I have YET to have someone say "no." Scary stuff.

Another reason to eat about 1 TB a day ~ it cuts your appetite and breaks up fat! Woohoo! Most especially the dangerous belly fat that forms around your vital organs. 

For the skin, coconut oil is a tremendous moisturizer. Coconut oil comes in a semi-hard state, it will immediately start to liquefy at 72 degrees F, which allows it to start doing it's work as soon as it touches your skin. I use it in my homemade solid deodorant, best deodorant I've ever used. No one has complained yet ;-) Another little-known fact is that coconut oil is also a great sunscreen ~ it blocks 20%-25% of UV rays. Dry hair? Before your shower, work some coconut oil through your hair from the nape of your neck, down. Wait 10-15 minutes and then comb out as much as possible (you don't want to clog your drain) and then shampoo out what's left. Result? Soft, shiny hair. Coconut oil is my #1 oil for most of my balms and salves.

**NOTE** NEVER . . . EVER . . . keep coconut oil in the refrigerator. Store in a cool place. If it's hot and humid where you are and it starts to liquefy, don't worry, that's not a problem and it will harden again below about 72 degrees F. 

ALMOND OIL

Almond oil is very popular because of it's slightly sweet fragrance and taste. A medium-light cooking oil, many use it for stir-fries over medium-to-low heat, baking sweets and salad oils. 

Once again, this is an oil that has benefits for brain health and reducing cholesterol. It's a very good source of vitamins A, D, E and a source of magnesium and calcium.

It has it's own benefits for the skin care, too. It's a very popular carrier oil for essential oils ~ even though it has a slightly sweet odor, it doesn't over-power the fragrance or potency of your essential oils. Almond oil is a great oil to use immediately after a shower; a little goes a long way as it soaks into your skin. It is a great message oil because it warms to your touch (or your masseuse's), soaks deep into your skin and relaxes your tense muscles and reduces inflammation. 

If you like to make your own balms and salves, almond oil is good to the drier skin types. 

Avocado Oil

Mmmm . . . as much as I'd like to talk about guacamole, here, I'm going to force myself to limit this to the oil! lol. 

As a food oil, Avocado oil is recommended to anyone with poor eye health. It is rich in lutein and beta-carotene/vitamin A. Make THIS your salad oil, every time. This oil is also known to increase the health of your circulatory system, blood pressure and heart. Avocado oil is also known as an anti-inflammatory and is good for the health of your cartilage. If you are already taking hyalauronic acid/MSM/Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements, make sure you add avocado oil to your regime. It's also a great source of B12, to boost your energy without making your heart palpitate or making you jittery and nervous.

For your skin, since it is a great source of B12, it also helps with skin rashes and psoriasis. Mix just a little with a few drops of Vitamin E oil OR cream and use on skin irritations or on your dry face or body skin. A LITTLE BIT goes a long way. For use ONLY on your body if you have an oily face.

GRAPESEED OIL

I have to say, whether for baking or stove-top cooking (if I'm not using olive oil), THIS is my favorite. Grapeseed oil is a VERY clean, light oil. 

As a food, grapeseed oil makes a lovely, light weight salad oil and will not detract from the flavor of the fruit, herbs or spices that you use. Anytime a recipe calls for vegetable oil, I go for the grapeseed oil.

Taken as a supplement or using the oil in your food, grapeseed oil is very well known for brain heath, heart health, circulation, inflammation, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol. Another benefit, which I think is directly related to the above conditions, is that it is good for eye health ~ night vision, in particular.**DO NOT use if you are already on blood thinners.**

If you have recently been in an accident or have had surgery and it has caused you to have edema, take grapeseed oil supplements, and gently message some of the food-grade oil on the swollen area and use the oil in your cooking/baking. You will be amazed at the improvements you will see. 

Many also use grapeseed oil to be proactive against cancer. Since is works as sort of a system cleanser, it may work to force out toxins.

For the skin, grapeseed oil is the most versatile of oils. It is so clean and light and even oily/acne-prone skin-types can use it! This food-grade oil can be used directly on the skin ~ especially right after you dry off after a shower or bath ~ as it absorbs right in. As with ALL oils, a LITTLE BIT goes a long way. Use this oil as a carrier oil for essential oils and as a filler oil if you make your own herbal capsules. In my humble opinion, anything you want in a skin oil, you can get from using grapeseed oil.  This is another excellent oil for medicinal oils.

I know that there are many more oils, but these are the "best selling" food-grade oils that can double as skin care that I recommend at the health food store. It would have been fun to tell you these thing in person, but I know you can't all come to the store ;-D 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

**This is NOT meant to be medical advice. Please see the obligatory disclaimer at the bottom of this page**

Ideas, Plans and Prayers

Gathering ideas . . . making plans . . . sending up many prayers . . . 

 For plans like . . . 

A sweet little kitchenette that's a
good place for demonstrations

 And something like this 
for sales and product displays

Let's hope so :-)

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

I Have Nothing . . . Except All That is Necessary

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, 'Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.'

"Elisha replied to her, 'How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?'

"'Your servant has nothing there at all,' she said, 'except a little oil.'"
~2 Kings 4:1-2 [emphasis mine ~ KW<><]

Bad economies effect everyone ~ and even in the best of economies there are people who, for whatever reasons, struggle with providing for their families. 

Saving money and wanting to take care of my family the best that I could on one income is the biggest reason I started cooking for from scratch and making my own house-hold products, skin and health care, and home remedies. Then, when my husband was laid-off and our finances where devastated in '99, my homemade everything . . . was in large part why we still have our home, today (before I went back to working outside the home). (You can read about this and my thoughts on handling hard times HERE.)

One of the things that is so appealing and convenient about making your own house-hold, home-care goodies is that on any given day, you already have the ingredients on-hand to make what you need. Just like the woman who came to Elisha for help . . . 

She was in dyer straights, for sure, but it took Elisha to make her focus on what she already HAD rather than what she DID NOT HAVE. And don't forget that we serve a mighty God Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills! (Psalm 50:10) He ultimately supplies all of our needs and sometimes it takes someone who has once walked in our shoes to help us SEE what we actually have.

So, when Elisha asked her, "what do you have in your house?" all she could think of was "nothing . . . except a little oil." A little oil. To her, that little bit of oil and maybe a pinch of flour was all she had to feed her family with; but . . . Elisha was about to give her a great lesson in how God can make our faith into something tangible.

God caused that little bottle of oil to flow until it filled every jar in her house! "They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full . . . " (2 Kings 4:5[b]-6) Did you get that? "When ALL the jars were full"! We don't know how many jars she had, but it was enough that after she sold some to completely pay off her bills that Elisha told her "You and your sons can live on what is left." (2 Kings 4:7[b]) She already had all that was necessary.

What do you have that is necessary? A few herbs and spices? Then you can make tasty seasonings to change-up a tired old recipe; you can make healing herb tea blends. 
 
Do you have any baking soda and liquid castile soap? Then you have the makings of the best soft scrub cleaner you've ever used. Do you have aloe vera gel and tea tree oil? Then you will never have to make hand sanitizer again. Do you have liquid castile soap, tea tree oil and a water source? Then you can make the best disinfecting spray cleaner ever. Add several drops of your favorite essential oil (or blend) to distilled water in a little spray bottle and you have just made your new favorite air freshener. Do have coconut oil and arrowroot powder in your cupboard and an empty deodorant stick? Then you have the makings of homemade solid deodorant. Do you have a hand-full of dried chamomile and coconut oil? Then you can make a very simple, soothing, healing chamomile salve for your family's boo-boos and dry skin. 


Just when we start to panic, just when we think, "I have nothing;" that's when we discover that we actually have all that is necessary.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Easy-Peasy Homemade Oil Candle

Saw this on Pinterest & HAD to share it with you.

The simplest candle EV-ER :-)

You will need:

~as many oranges as our want to make candles out of; each orange makes 2 candles 
~essential oils of your choice (orange, rose, ylang ylang, clove, cinnamon, peppermint . . . )
~cooking oil (safflower or grapeseed oil will burn clean)

Directions:   

1) Gently score a circle around the middle of an orange, CAREFULLY peel so that the middle "string" that goes through the middle of the orange slices remains in the orange "cup" & sticks up; this will be your wick

2) carefully add 20-25 drops of your favorite essential oil to the orange halves

3) carefully, slowly pour oil into the orange halves ~ DO NOT cover the "wick" 

4) light your candle & enjoy

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><  

Freshening Your Mattress

Saw this on Facebook and I thought it was worth passing on to you . . . 

This is a great way to freshen and quick-clean your mattresses.

You will need:

~1 c baking soda
~4 drops lavender essential oil
~mason jar w/lid
~kitchen sifting-type strainer

Directions:

1) pour baking soda & lavender essential oil into mason jar; screw on lid
2) shake to mix
3) strip bed(s) of sheets and bed-clothes
4) holding the kitchen strainer over your bed, pour about 1/4 c of mixture into the strainer
5) lightly shake all over the top of your bed; let sit for at least 1 hour
6) thoroughly vacuum the mattress

The baking soda draws moisture, deep dirt and even dust mites up to the top to be swept away. The lavender disinfects, leaves a fresh scent and aids in lulling you off to dream land.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><            

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

OK . . . as much as I have enjoyed using my gel-type laundry detergent over the years, I'm often asked if I have a recipe for a liquid laundry detergent. And I have to admit, I'm interested in trying it, myself.

Well, my friend, sweet Nanny Dearest, was the one who pushed me over the edge & caused me to research an easy-to-make, easy-to-use, EFFECTIVE liquid detergent recipe. And I believe I have found it . . . with, as always, a little tweaking of my own. lol ~ you KNOW I have to. O:-)

***This recipe makes 2 gallons, it's VERY EASY to cut in 1/2 if you only want to make 1 gallon.

You will need:

~3/4 c. LIQUID castile soap ~I always use Dr. Bronner's because it's a product that I trust for quality & effectiveness. If using "green" products is important to you, this is the one for you, too. I also usually buy the UNscented/Baby soap. These products are available at health food stores & many major grocery stores that are adding "healthy" areas (like Kroger) now carry them.
~1/2 c. Arm & Hammer Washing Soda (NOT baking soda!!!)
~1/2 c. 20 Mule Team Borax
~25-50 drops of your favorite essential oil. I usually use Lavender b/c it is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal & it smells lovely. If you would like some ideas of other essential oils for the laundry check out this post.
~2 gallon bucket, dedicated only to making soaps & laundry products. Be sure to LABEL it so that no one in your family accidentally uses it for cooking. 
~HOT water
~Measuring cup for liquids
~Large-mouth Funnel
~large spoon or whisk
~2 empty gallon jugs or old liquid laundry bottles OR 1 if you are using the 1/2 recipe. 

Directions:

1) In the bucket, mix the 2 powdered products WELL. Whisking blends a little better than using a spoon.
2) Add enough HOT water to cover the dry products. Whisk or stir until the powders are COMPLETELY dissolved.
3) Slowly add the Castile soap; if you add it too fast it will suds. Using a large spoon, stir to mix completely.
4) Using HOT water, slowly fill to the 2 gallon mark OR 1 gallon mark for 1/2 recipe.
5) Add your favorite essential oil & mix well, using the spoon.
6) Use the measuring cup & funnel to fill your container. As these photos (from Google Images) shows, you can use nearly anything that hold liquid & has a good cap/lid for your detergent. :-)

 To show you what you can use, this is what I used to keep my gel-type detergent in. It would work for the liquid, too.

To Use:
1) Shake well before each use.
2) Use approximately 1/3 c for each load. 2 gallons is good for about 90-100 loads!!  

I will up-date this next week w/my own photos. :-) 

Let me know how you LOVE this!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><