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Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Easy Homemade Raw Buckwheat Granola

If you didn't know, boxed cereals are really worth pennies and they are sold for about $4-$5 a box.  What a rip off.  Well, we used to had them, but now it has been about two years that we have not even tasted it.  Of course, if we did, it's not a big deal, but honestly, we don't miss it.  Sometimes, when we see them at the grocery store, we wanted to try some but we don't care for them much.   Mom explained to us  the process of making dry boxed cereal and the many reasons why we prefer not to buy them.

Instead, we have enjoyed homemade granola, raw buckwheat cereal and homemade corn flakes (We will share recipe soon).  To make anything with seeds, nuts and grains, don't forget to sprout them first, here is why.

You will need:

2  -1/2 cup sprouted and dehydrated buckwheat groats

1/4 cup sprouted and dehydrated sunflower seeds

1/4 cup sprouted and dehydrated pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup sprouted and dehydrated and chopped almonds

1/2 cup sprouted and dehydrated chopped walnuts or pecans

3 TBLP coconut oil

4 TBLS sorghum, maple syrup or raw honey

1 tsp cinnamon powder

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup of dried fruit of your choice.  We used raisins and cranberries here.

Mix them all up and dehydrate (118 degrees for about 4 hours).

image

We like it on our homemade yogurt,  homemade ice cream, or homemade frozen yogurt, or also just by itself as a snack when we're out.

 

Easy Homemade Natural Mouthwash

We have been more careful about our oral health because of Danielle's early tooth cavities.  A mouthwash is something new for our family.  We have never used one.  I thought it is great to use in between meals and after a snack.  A quick rinse will be easier than the whole teeth brushing activity.  So, what goes into our mouths, especially under our tongue, goes straight to our bloodstream.  That is why we make ours with natural ingredients.

You will need:

1 cup of Hydrogen Peroxideimages-1

1 cup of filtered water

2 drops of peppermint essential oil

a few drops of liquid stevia

Very simple, just mix them all up and there you have it.  Destiny makes this for us.

 

Monday, June 10, 2013

How To Make Natural Body Wash

This is so easy and very inexpensive.  All you need is a bar of soap and your favorite essential oil for fragrance.  We like a natural soap like castile or any other good one like goat's milk, oatmeal etc.  Our soap was only a dollar.  We made a body wash that would have cost about $10 or  more.  We like to save.

image

How to make natural body wash or shower gel:

1.  Cut up the soap in small pieces, the smaller the better, or shred it if you want (we don't like to shred soap).

2.  Bring about 3 cups of water to boil.

3.  Melt the soap in the water.

4.  Let it cool.

5.  Pour in  your 4 cup container

6.  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil (about 4-6 drops).  We like lavender.

7.  Add 1 Tblsp of vegetable glycerine or a couple Tblsp of coconut oil

That's it, enjoy!

 

How To Make Apple Cider Vinegar And It's Many Uses

Here we are with Destiny and Danielle making raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar.  This is so easy and costs you nothing.  Well, nothing you really have to buy.  When we eat apples, we save the cores in a bag in the refrigerator.  When we have enough, we make the vinegar.  Please get organic apples because they are heavily sprayed with harmful chemicals.

All you need is:

A glass jar

Apples (cores, peels, or whole apple)

water

coffee filter or napkin

rubber band

another glass jar for your finished cider

How to do it:

Simply let apple cores or peels brown a little by leaving them out for a short while.  Since we keep ours in the refrigerator, they are a little brown already.  imagePlace them all in the jar and fill the jar with filtered water.  Make sure there is a little room left at the top of the jar.

imageCover with napkin and fasten with rubber bank.  Leave it for about a month (longer if the weather is cold about 6 weeks).  After a month, drain the liquid into your other glass jar.  Congratulations, you've just made raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a must in any natural home.  It is anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic.  It kills 98% of all germs.

Some health benefits are:

What are the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

 

* Rich in potassium, a mineral that is often times lacking in adult diets. This mineral is key for growth, building muscles, transmission of nerve impulses, heart activity etc. It also helps to prevent brittle teeth, hair loss and runny noses.

 

* Rich in acetic acid. This acid is said to slow the digestion of starch which can help to lower the rise in glucose that commonly occurs after meals.

 

* Rich in ash which gives Apple Cider Vinegar its alkaline property. This aids your body in maintaining proper pH levels for a healthy alkaline state. (It is particularly important if you drink a lot of coffee or wine.)

 

* It can help regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol.

 

* Rich in malic acid which gives ACV its anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.

 

* May help improve bowel irregularity and helps to remove toxins from the body at a faster rate.

 

* It can help clear up skin conditions and blemishes.

 

* Apple Cider Vinegar helps with weight loss by breaking down fats so that your body can use them rather than store them.

These are just a few of it's many wonderful uses:ACV-dw7-602467

 

1. Reduces body fat, particularly that pesky abdominal fat, and triglycerides (the bad cholesterol).

 

2. Balance your pH levels to bust fatigue and keep your energy levels up.

 

3. Improve circulation.

 

4. Detoxify the liver and kidneys.

 

5. Break down mucus and cleanse the lymph nodes to heal allergy symptoms. Also gets rid of nasty side effects such as headaches, sore throats, and sinus infections.

 

6. Strengthen your stomach acid and prevent acid reflux and heartburn from junk food.

 

Helpful tip: Drink it with a straw to keep it away from the enamel on your teeth.

 

You can also incorporate apple cider vinegar into your beauty routine:

 

7. Increase the body and shine of your hair by running a cup of ACV through it after shampooing a few times a week. It’s great for removing build-up and restoring your hair to its natural state. Don’t worry – if you rinse well, you won’t smell like vinegar.

 

8. Fade age spots and kill acne by using apple cider vinegar as a skin toner. Dilute it a bit with some water, then soak a cotton ball in it and rub it all over your face before bed.

 

9. Treat warts or ringworm by soaking a cotton ball in ACV, placing it on the affected area, and securing it with a band aid. Leave it on overnight and repeat this until the wart dries up and falls off.

 

10. Heal a sunburn fast by adding adding a cup of ACV to warm bath water and soaking in it for 10-20 minutes. When I did this I rubbed coconut oil all over my sunburn after the bath and it worked wonders.

 

11. Whiten your teeth by brushing with ACV before brushing with toothpaste. Don’t do this often to avoid wearing away the enamel. (Admin Note: Use only Non-Fluoride Toothpaste – All Natural is best)

 

12. Relieve itchy mosquito bites by rubbing a cotton ball soaked with ACV over the affected area.

 

Clean your home and pets with apple cider vinegar:

 

13. Clean your toilet with apple cider vinegar by dumping a cup into the bowl, letting it sit overnight, scrubbing it clean in the morning, and flushing.

 

14. Create an all-purpose apple cider vinegar cleaner by adding half cup ACV and 1 cup water to a spray bottle. Use it to clean microwaves, kitchen counters, bath tiles, windows, mirrors, shower scum, and other non-porous surfaces. This is one of my go-to ways for quickly wiping down the bathroom. I also had a grand idea the other day for reusing a Clorox Disinfecting Wipes tube – add this solution to the empty tube, stuff some rags in there, and grab one when it’s time for a quick clean up. Much cheaper than the store-bought wipes.

 

15. Add a tablespoon or two to your dishwasher for extra clean and sparkly dishes. I don’t have a dishwasher, but when I soak my dishes before washing I add a little ACV to the mix to help break down food residue.

What Is Apple Cider Vinegar?

 

Vinegar is a product of fermentation. This is a process in which sugars in a food are broken down by bacteria and yeast. In the first stage of fermentation, the sugars are turned into alcohol. Then, if the alcohol ferments further, you get vinegar. The word comes from the French, meaning “sour wine.” While vinegar can be made from all sorts of things — like many fruits, vegetables, and grains — apple cider vinegar comes from pulverized apples.

 

The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar, or any vinegar, is acetic acid. However, vinegars also have other acids, vitamins, mineral salts, and amino acids.

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

25 Uses For Lemon Peels And Homemade Lemon Vinegar

We made this fabulous orange vinegar for cleaning, disinfectant and spray.  We never have chemical loaded cleaners because they make  you sick.  We liked it a lot so we made lemon too.  This is a great way to clean our house naturally.  We use it to mop our floors, clean our table, counters, bathroom, stove, everywhere.  Dad doesn't like the strong vinegar smell, so with this lemon or orange vinegar you can't smell the strong vinegar anymore.  It is still there but much pleasant.  Making it is easy too.

We also found in our pinterest 25 uses for lemon peels.




imageAll-Purpose Lemon Vinegar Cleaner:

  • Fill container of your choice with cut up lemon peels.

  • Add vinegar to cover the peels. Seal with tight-fitting lid.

  • Put it away and forget about it for two weeks.

  • After two weeks, strain the lemon peels from the vinegar then add water. I used on a 50/50 mix of water and lemon vinegar.


HERE ARE 25 MORE THINGS TO DO WITH LEMON PEELS:


as seen in domesticdiy.com/home/25-amazing-uses-for-lemon-peels/

Skin Lightener/Brightener

Lemon is a natural skin lightener because of the citric acid in them which is a bleaching agent. Apply leftover lemon peels to your hands, elbows and heels to refresh and lighten the skin and tighten pores.



Garbage Disposal Deodorizer
Lemon (or orange) peels tossed regularly into the garbage disposal will keep the garbage disposal smelling fresh.

Simmering Stove Top Scents
Add lemon rinds to simmering water along with cloves, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels to make a delightful aroma AND humidify the air.



Ant-Proof Your Kitchen
Scatter small slices of lemon peel along thresholds, windowsills, around door entrances, and near any cracks or holes where ants or pests may be entering. Ants do not like lemon and will not enter your home. Lemons are also effective against roaches and fleas.



Coffee Cup Stain Remover
Put a section of lemon peel into a stained coffee mug and add water. Let it sit for several hours, then wipe with a cloth. Stains should disappear.

Refrigerator Freshness
Cut lemon in half and let it absorb fridge smells.

Tea Kettle/Coffee Pot Cleaner
For mineral deposit build up in your tea kettle, fill the kettle with water, add a handful of thin slices of lemon peel and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and let sit for an hour, drain, and rinse well. For coffee pots, add ice, salt and lemon rinds to the empty pot; swish and swirl for a minute or two, dump, and rinse.



 

Microwave Cleaner
Add lemon rinds to a microwave-safe bowl filled halfway with water. Cook on high for 5 minutes, allowing the water to boil and the steam to condense inside. Carefully remove the hot bowl and wipe away the mess with a damp towel.

Chrome Polish
Cut through mineral deposits on chrome faucets and other tarnished chrome by rubbing with a squeezed lemon half, rinsing, and lightly buffing with a soft cloth.

Copper, Brass, & Stainless Steel Polish
Brighten copper, brass, or stainless steel by dipping a juiced lemon half in salt (you also use baking soda or cream of tartar for the salt) and rubbing on the affected area. Leave on for 5 minutes. Then rinse in warm water and polish dry.



Stove Top Humidifier
If your home suffers from dry heat in the winter, put lemon peels in a pot of water and simmer on the lowest stove-top setting to humidify and scent the air.

Cutting Board Refesher
The antibacterial properties of lemons make them a good choice for refreshing cutting boards. After disinfecting give the surface a rub with a halved lemon, let sit for a few minutes, and rinse.

Brown Sugar Keeper
Add lemon peel (with pulp removed) to brown sugar to help keep it moist and easy to use.



 

Lemon Zest
Zest is simply grated peel, and it can be used fresh, dried, or frozen. If you don’t have a zester, use the smallest size of a box grater. To dry zest, spread it on a towel and leave out until dried, then store in a jar. To freeze, use a freezer-safe container. Use zest in salads, marinades, baked goods, grain dishes, etc.



 

Lemon Twists
Use a vegetable peeler or a knife to cut the peel into long strips, cutting away the white pith which is bitter. These can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container or bag. Great in cocktails, sparkling water, and tap water.



Lemon Extract Powder
Using the zest or twists from above, dry the strips skin-side down on a plate about 3 or 4 days. Put in a blender (or spice grinder) and pulverize into a powder. Use the powdered peel in place of extract or zest in recipes.

Lemon Sugar
Add lemon extract powder (see above) to sugar, or use fresh twists, put them in a jar with sugar and let them infuse the sugar.



Lemon Pepper
Mix lemon extract powder (see above) with freshly cracked pepper.

Candied lemon peel
Candied peels can be eaten plain, or dipped in melted chocolate, used in cake, cookie, candy, or bread recipes.



Lemon Sugar Scrub
Mix 1/2 cup sugar with finely chopped lemon peel and enough olive oil to make a paste. Wet your body in the shower, turn off the water and massage sugar mix all over your skin, rinse. Feel the softness!



Nail Whitener
Whiten fingernails by rubbing with a lemon wedge.

Travel Sickness Cure
Suck on a slice of lemon to help you stop feeling nauseous.



Grater Cleaner
Remove dried food from your grater by rubbing with the pulp side of a cut lemon.

Firelighters
Bake discarded orange or lemon peels until they darken. These create natural, fragrant firelighters.

Trash Can Deodorizer
Throw a few lemon peels in the bottom of the can from time to time to keep it smelling fresh.

Remember…..When Life Gives You Lemons…..Don’t Throw Away The Peels! 

 

What do you use Lemon Peels for?