Thursday, May 24, 2012

OCM (Oil Cleansing Method)

So here is something that I have been using on my face in place of soap and moisturizer: OCM! I have been using it for a couple of months and have been VERY happy. I am about to toss all of my other products. This works well under my make-up, when I wear it. It is also good at removing my mascara! When I first made it, I used 2 tsp each and it has lasted about 2 months.

Ingredients
2 tsp castor oil
2 tsp olive oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil

I have the product in a glass container with a squirt pump, and I use 2 squirts in the morning. (Only use this product once a day!) Right before I get in the shower, I apply the OCM to my fash. I get in, wet and wash my hair. I take my towel (or you can use a washcloth) and pat my face and neck dry. I continue with my shower as usual. If your face feels too oily or dry, you can increase one of the ingredients based on your needs.

"For those with acne-prone or oily skin, reduce the proportion of EVOO, and try three parts castor oil to one part EVOO. For those with drier skin, start off with one part castor oil to three parts EVOO." (Taken from http://simplemom.net/oil-cleansing-method/)

Monday, May 16, 2011

Toothpaste or TTOP

Here is my recipe for toothpaste or TTOP, as my nephew dubbed it. It doesn't taste great like regular toothpaste, but it isn't as salty as my original recipe that I found online.

Ingredients:
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (EVCO), 4 tsp
Baking soda, 1/8 tsp
Tea tree essential oil, 2 - 3 drops

Mix ingredients and store in container. I was using a small plastic container with a lid, but I just made some and used a travel-sized shampoo dispenser. I will let you know how this new dispenser works.

Where to purchase the ingredients:
EVCO - I purchased at GNC.
Tea tree essential oil - I purchased at Chuck's Healthfood Store.
Baking soda - I purchased a really big bag at Costco

What I've been told:
* Baking soda changes the pH in your mouth. Too much will not allow the enzymes in your mouth to kill the bacteria.
* Tea tree oil kills bad bacteria in your mouth.

Laundry Detergent, powder

Ingredients:
Fels Naptha soap bars
20 Mule borax
Arm & Hammer washing soda
Container to store detergent (I use a Rubbermaid container.)
1 - 1 tbsp scooper

Instructions:
1. Grate Fels Naptha soap bars
2. Measure soap
3. Add 1/2 to whole ratio of borax and washing soda to soap.
4. Mix well, crushing any clumps

One bar of Fels Naptha soap measures about 1 1/4 cups.

Using instructions: measure 1 - 2 tbsps per load. Detergent will NOT sud.

Things I've learned:
* I purchase all of my ingredients at Ace Hardware.
* using the smallest holes in the grater works better.
* running the bigger chunks through the food processor will make the soap finer

Things I've been told:
- White cotton shirts are often dyed white. T-shirts may turn gray. I haven't seen this with our t-shirts.