Homemade Laundry Detergent

For a while now we've been using this homemade laundry detergent because it's so easy to make and very inexpensive.
Here's how we do it:

First, you need


-1 bar Fels-Naptha, 2 bars of Ivory bar soap OR (the cheapest option) 1 bar of Zote but you'll have to double the other ingredients
-1 Cup Washing Soda
-1 Cup Borax
-a smallish air-tight container

All of these ingredients (except the Ivory- that's in the body soap isle) can be found in the laundry isle at WalMart.

The first time I made this, I used Ivory and to get it small enough to go in laundry detergent, I nuked it in the microwave.  The effects were SUPER cool to watch! (Kind of like those "snakes" you buy at the firework stand.)  The kids enjoyed being in on this.  When we ground it with our hands, there seemed to be a lot of Ivory smell that was a very overwhelming.  I managed to mix it all in and it worked great to wash with.  I was a little concerned about the strong Ivory smell making our clothes smell like that but it never did.

The rest of the times I've been using the Fels-Naptha.  Unless you want to experience the cool affects of microwaving Ivory bar soap, I would recommend preparing the Ivory the same way I've done the Fels-Naptha.

1st - You need to grate the bar of soap.  You can do this with a cheese grater or a food processor with a cheese grater.  I used a food processor but needed to cut the bar first in order to fit.

I ground some washing soda in with the grated soap in order to make it even finer.

2nd - Stir together the grated bar soap, 1 cup of  the borax and 1 cup of the washing soda.  The clear container with the flip-top blue lid is what I've been using to store mine in and though it's not technically "air-tight", it's been working fine.

3rd - To wash, place 1 heaping Tablespoon for large load in washing machine while it's filling with water (before clothes are in). Once the soap has dissolved, which doesn't take long, add clothes.

Special Notes:
-Your clothes will not smell like the detergent when it's all done.
-For a clothes deodorizer, place 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener section in your washing machine.  This method seems to be VERY effective!
-For an all natural dryer experience (since I've been reading a lot about how toxic dryer sheets are), you can use wool dryer balls.  I'm hoping to post soon on how to make these out of 100% wool yarn.

Homemade Granola

 Ingredients:

-10 cups rolled oats or oatmeal of any kind

-1 cup oil

-1 cup honey (or 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup brown sugar)

-1 cup coconut (optional)

-1 cup nuts or peanut butter (pecans, almonds, walnuts, peanuts or cashews)

-1 cup raisins or cranberries (added after baking)

This is a great base for granola.  You can add or omit ingredients to come up with your favorite mixture!

You will need 1 large oven proof bowl or 9x13 inch pan
The granola will be softer if you cook it in a bowl and crunchier in a pan.

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients, except raisins or cranberries, in a large bowl.

And stir.
The honey, brown sugar and oil won't mix in real well at first but as you bake they'll blend better.

Place in 9x13 pan or leave in oven safe bowl.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 min.
Remove from oven, stir well and bake for another 10 minutes.
You can stop after a total of 20 minutes or bake for another 10 minutes for a crunchier granola.
Add raisins or cranberries.

 
Remove from oven, stir and allow to cool before placing in a jar or container of choice.

Mixtures:
-Tastes great with homemade yogurt
-Also tastes good with milk like cereal

DIY shampoo and conditioner

Why do we like homemade shampoo and conditioner so much?
1- It's very cost effective!  Not only does it save money on shampoos and conditioners, but I no longer have to spend money on mousses or gels.  I just dry and curl or straighten.  The only thing I use is occassionaly hairspray to set the style.
2-I don't have to wash my hair so much.  Some who use this method choose to wash every 3 or so days but I do mine every other day.
3- Your hair retains it's natural oils creating healthier hair, less static from dryness, no need for artificial products to add back those moistures you took out with other products.
4- My daughter with naturally wavy hair that is generally very frizzy, poofy and crazy, now has controlled, sleek, nice hair!

Things you need for homemade shampoo and conditioner:
Baking soda
Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Condiment Bottles (mayo and ketchup squirt like bottles found at Dollar Tree or the kitchen isle at WalMart- $1 each)
   

Instructions:

For Shampoo:

mix 3 parts water with 1 part baking soda and shake well.

Apply at the roots of your hair and let it set for a few minutes.

Rinse it out with warm water.

For Conditioner:

Mix 4 parts water with 1 part apple cider vinegar.

Mix well.

Apply at roots and rinse with cold water.

Helpful hints:

-You can add essential oils to the apple cider vinegar to add fragrance.

 -If you have longer hair you can tip your head over and apply at the under side of your hair.

Your hair may feel yucky at first and even while you're washing it, but give it time and try it out.  Also, your hair may be oily after the first week of using this method.  Commercial shampoos contain a lot of chemicals that cause your head to react creating many oils.  It takes some time for your scalp to adjust and slow down the oil process.  Remember, some of that oil is very good for your hair!

Crock Pot Fajitas

Here is a very simple, yet very delicious meal that anyone can make!!

Serves approx. 6

What you need:
3 chicken breasts (frozen or thawed)
3 bell peppers (colored add the best flavor)
1 onion
1 packet of taco seasoning

Directions:
Cut up bell peppers and onion and place in bottom of crock pot.  Spread chicken breasts on top of onion and peppers and then sprinkle packet of taco seasoning on chicken breasts.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours and then turn down to warm until ready to serve.  Shred chicken in crock pot with fork and mix with other ingredients in crock pot.

Serve on tortillas with sour cream, cheese, rice, salsa...
Enjoy!

Notes:
-You can add black or kidney beans to the ingredients as well if you'd like. If you do add them, make sure to drain them first.
Some day I'm going to try rice cooked in as well to try to absorb all the juices.  I'll let you know how that goes when I do. :)
-To double the recipe, double everything except the taco seasoning.