All Purpose Disinfectant

I truly enjoy reading blog posts.  However, I do get a little concerned with mixing chemicals to make at home cleaners.  One recommenced using ammonia and the blogger was mixing it other chemicals.

So I was very glad to see an article on www.webmd.com that had a recipe for a simple effective seemingly safe disinfectant cleaner--- and --- without the chemical triclosan.   

The article is below.  It is very interesting about how triclosan and triclocarban (an antibacterial chemical in bar soap) stay in our environment for a long time and here's a direct quote, "the CDC now periodically monitors levels of triclosan, the most common antibacterial agent, in randomly selected Americans".

Yikes.

Well, here is my new cleaner.  Besides my citrus enzyme cleaner that I made.


 Antibacterial Soap Cleaners


All-purpose disinfectant:

1 teaspoon borax

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 cups hot water

1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil

3 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into spray bottle for long-term storage and use. Spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with a clean, damp cloth.

Shared on

New Life on a Homestead, Nourishing Simplicity,

Right the Wrongs

My son just shared this video with me.  Amazing.  Thought Proving. Profound.

Please watch.

I remember being made fun on in school.  I'm 45. And I remember things that happened back in elementary school.

This video is about one man's and his wife's story of the ridicule they went through in school.  It's heartbreaking and empowering and should instill a desire to right the wrongs of being mean to others.

Wow! This should be a must-see in every school across this nation.

"To This Day Project" by Shane Koyczan.
YouTube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltun92DfnPY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Share Your Story . . . 

Shared at . . . .

New Life on a Homesteadcom

Nourishing Simplicity

Full Circle

Well..... it's been quiet in my soul lately.

I had so much to say.  I had so many posts to write.  But now... I seem to be in a holding pattern.

A long time ago I started out with DIY home decorating blogs and somehow moved to preparedness/ DIY personal products/ homesteading blogs.

I had surgery in December.

I go back to full time in a couple of weeks.

I won't be getting chickens anytime soon.  I didn't start seeds indoors.  I feel like I've come full circle- back to where I started.

I still want a garden - but I can sow seed directly or buy transplant.

I stopped my milk herd share for a few weeks.

It's ok to stop and make adjustments.

I'll get back into my 'normal' routine and slowly prioritize the things that matter most. :)

Thank you Lord

Not sure what to write.

I'm 8 weeks post op.  I had a hysterectomy on December 17.  I have good days and bad days.  Right now I'm tired.

I start back to work full time and already I'm feeling overwhelmed about what's to come.

BUT!  I won't focus on the negative part of my job- the long drive.  I'm going to focus on the wonderful job God has blessed me with!  Thank you Lord!

Thank you for providing this wonderful blessing for me and my family.

Say Yes to "Poo" by You

Well, I've read the blogs and seen the pictures of the no poo method.  I'll keep my comments to myself.

I work in a professional environment and I'm not even willing to try no poo or plain water.

AND I'm not going to spend like $8 for 'natural' shampoo at Earth fare or Whole Foods.

So here's 'my' shampoo recipe.  I start with a real 'natural' shampoo and add other ingredients to it to make the one bottle last longer and thus be more economical.

So far one bottle has lasted me over several months.

I found a shampoo on sale at www.vitacost.com.

It's "Avalon Organics Thickening Shampoo".

Here's the description....

Avalon Organics Thickening Shampoo Biotin B Complex Therapy Description

• NEW MORE SUSTAINABLE
• Fortified with Biotin, Saw Palmetto, Wheat Protein and vitamin E for an energized scalp and thicker, fuller hair.

• Helps build body in fine, thinning hair.
• Stimulates scalp to encourage hair growth.
• Cleans and nourishes hair from follicle through entire shaft
• Strengthens hair strands
• Boosts volume so hair feels thicker and softer
• pH Balanced.

Free Of

Parabens, harsh preservatives, synthetic colors or fragrances, phthalates, sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate and animal testing.

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Here are my ingredients for 'my poo':

A used shampoo container (or other container) (rinsed out really well)
A "Natural" shampoo as the base
Aloe Vera Gel
Filtered water
Jojoba Oil
Lavender Essential Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Witch Hazel

Now- I haven't measured the ingredients.  I guess at it.  I will probably leave out the tea tree oil next time.  I think it may be too drying for my hair.

I squirt some shampoo in the bottle.  I usually fill it about 1/4 full of the shampoo.


I had a large squirt of Aloe Vera gel to add volume. 


I add about 1/8 tsp of the jojoba oil.  


A few drops of Lavender Essential Oil (that's my favorite - add your favorite smell)


A quick squirt of the witch hazel.


I fill the rest of the bottle with filtered water.

(I forgot to put the essential oils in the picture.)

That's it.

Real easy.  Inexpensive.  These same ingredients have lasted for numerous months.

If "no poo" hasn't worked for you- do "Poo by You"! :)


Linked With . . . . .

Nourishing Simplicity, New Life on a Homestead, Like a Mustard Seed, Sarah Dawn Designs, Frugally Sustainable

Radon Gas. Please Test For It.

My husband got news today that one of his dear friends was just diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma.

First, please pray for the man, his family, and his doctors.

UPDATE:  My husband's friend has since passed away.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Second, my blog today will be about radon testing.

Adenocarcinoma is mainly caused by smoking (he nor his wife smoke).  The other main cause is Radon gas.

His wife also had lung cancer and had one lung removed.

As far as I know they haven't had their house tested for Radon.  Radon was what came to my mind.

I know we blog about "no poo", "DIY deodorants", "starting seed", "off the grind living", etc.

But Radon Testing is simple and kinda inexpensive- of course that definition depends on your budget.  :)

Radon testing kits can be found at hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot.  I would imagine most hardware stores have them.  Call first and check out prices.  Keep in mind there is also a $30 lab fee.

The article below is from the EPA's guide to Radon.

EPA Radon Guide

1. Why Do You Need to Test for Radon?

a. Radon Has Been Found In Homes All Over the U.S.

Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water. Your home can trap radon inside.

Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Contact your state radon office for information about radon in your area.

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Please test especially if you have a basement or a root cellar.  

Well it's not a normal blog for these circles- but it is so important. 

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Linked to . .

 Frugally Sustainable

Feminine Adventures

Little House in the Suburbs

Craftionary.net

Fight the Good Fight

What a day.

I feel I have been sucker punched.  I'm not feeling the love, I'll tell you that.

But- here's what I know.  I serve a good God.  He loves me.  He is my redeemer.

When the 'world' or 'enemy' through meany people come against me-

He is my strong tower that I can run into...

Even if I cry and whine and lick my wounds....

He is faithful.  He is righteous.  He's my big Daddy that's gonna whoop (and has whooped up) on the enemy!

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!

If He is for me- who can be against me!

Nana nana boo boo!

Whoo Hoo!  I feel better!!!!!

Love you Lord!!!!  You are awesome!!

Final Expense... Memories or Bills?

I love reading Blogs.  Blogs about the Christian life, being a wife and a mother, DIY natural cleaners, homesteading, raising chickens and on and on....

I've seen posts about managing money and being frugal, meal planning and buying in bulk.

Here's my question......

Are your's and your family's final expenses covered?  I know many talk about 'green' burials.  I've looked into those and there aren't many approved 'green' burial sites.  I'm not talking about 'green' burials.

I'm talking about having the 'green' to pay for whatever type of burial you chose.

There are term life insurance policies and whole life policies.  Yes, there are others but I'm going to keep this blog simple. :)

Term life ends.  Some are 20 years, 30 years or longer.  Some may be through an employer.  At the end of the 'term'... it ends.  All those premiums paid... gone.

Whole Life policies are basically for one's 'whole life' or the 'life' of the policy usually paid up at age 95 or 100.

If you have life insurance- be sure you know what kind it is and how much it is for... make sure it will cover costs now or in the future.

Talk to some local funerals homes and preplan your burial.  Or get prices on the type of burial you want before contacting a local insurance agent in your area.   Don't let a commission hungry insurance agent talk you into more than you need or can afford.

The Proverbs 31 woman planned ahead.  She was a business woman as well as a godly wife and mother.  The Bible tells us to be good stewards of our finances.

Preplanning and/or having a life insurance policy is a good thing.

Linked to .....

Your Thriving Family

Guard Your Heart (Emotions)

Yesterday I talked about our thought life and how important it is to guard our minds.  Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.  Today I’ll talk about guarding our emotions.

Even as I write this there were two issues that happened.  I was confronted by two different people over icky situations.  I could feel my emotions turning toward the negative.  I had to preach to myself to forgive those involved and I prayed for wisdom on how to handle each situation.

The enemy wants to rob us of our joy and peace - all the time- but especially during hard times.

When STUFF happens- of course we’ll have emotions (we’re humans)- just don’t let the emotions have you.  Be the one in control of your thoughts and emotions.  Pray.  Find a scripture (or more) that speaks to the situation.  Speak those scriptures over the situation.  Believe that God has a plan and can handle the tough times.  He loves you.

Remember speak TO the mountain - not about it.

Chicken Korma Florentine

I combined an Indian dish with a French dish.  Saves time and is yummy.

Serve with Naan bread over Basmati rice.

2 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
sea salt and pepper to taste

1 can (BPA free) tomatoes (with the juice)
2 local organic 'healthy'* chicken breasts cubed
1/4 cup chicken bone broth
1/4 cup cream (or raw cream)
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 cup or more of frozen spinach

Heat oil in large skillet.  Put in spices.  Stir in tomatoes, chicken broth and chicken.  Cook until chicken is done (10 minutes or more).   Remove from heat.  Add cream.  Heat and drain spinach.  Add spinach to chicken.  Heat on low for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed.  Taste.  Add more spices to your liking.

Serve over rice and with Naan bread.

Try to use local veggies and local and/or *healthy (no antibiotics nor steroids,  vegetarian and grass fed) meats whenever possible.  Robin at  Thank Your Body  has a wonderful bone broth recipe.

Yes you can substitute brown rice for the Basmati.  See The Healthy Home Economist for an interesting article about white over brown rice. Hhmmmm.  (And she has info on how to soak grains).

This article is linked to . . .

Nourishing Simplicity

Real Food Whole Health

Tasty Traditions

http://missy-what2do.blogspot.com/