Homemade Cleaning Products

Borax http://www.20muleteamlaundry.com

Bathroom
Sprinkle on damp cloth and wipe on shower stalls, tubs, walls and tile to remove soap scrum, hard water deposits, and dirt.
Kitchen
Scratch-free cleaning for stains, grime, and grease. Use 1/2 cup borax dissolved in 1 gallon warm water or sprinkle on damp cloth to clean sinks, counter tops, cookware, refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, etc. Includes tile, ceramic, porcelain, slate, marble, granite, and stainless steel.

Baking Soda http://www.armandhammer.com/solutions.aspx

Kitchen
Small amount to coffee mugs to remove coffee and tea stains. For tough stains soak overnight. 
Bathroom
1/2 cup in toilet bowl. scrub and allow to sit for 30 min to 1 hr. 

Vinegar Spray http://www.motherearthliving.com/healthy-home/natural-cleaning/versatile-vinegar-zmhz13jfzmel.asp

     2 cups water
     1/4 cup vinegar
     1/2 tsp dish soap (opt.)
     5-10 drops essential oil of choice
*infused vinegar is another option

All Purpose Spray

     2 cups distilled water (warm the water to dissolve borax)

     1/4 cup vinegar
     1 tsp borax
     15 drops essential oil of choice*
*cinnamon, clove, lemon, eucalyptus, pine, niaouli, thyme, grapefruit, lime

Wood Floor Cleaner

     bucket warm water
     vinegar
     10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Multi-Purpose Floor Cleaner

     bucket warm water
     1/2 cup baking soda
     5 drops lemongrass essential oil

Laundry Boost and Softener

Add 1/2 cup borax to each load of laundry.

 

Homemade Granola Bars

2 cups oats
1/2 cup rice crispies
1/2-1 cup small pieces of nuts of choice (almonds, walnuts, peanuts) opt.
1/8-1/4 cup flax seed (opt)
6 tablespoons oat flour (you can make your own in a food processor)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup coconut oil
6 tablespoons honey or agave (my recent variation I used fig preserves)

1/4-1/2 cup chocolate chips (opt)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine dry ingredients. In small bowl combine wet (I microwave for a few seconds to help dissolve sweetener). Combine wet with dry ingredients. Transfer to square baking dish. Press VERY firmly using back of spoon. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Cool. Cut. Enjoy

Cold and Flu Herbal Recipes and Remedies

Ginger Lemonade

adapted from Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs

4-6 TBS Thinly sliced fresh Ginger
4 med. lemons, juiced
2/3 cup sugar or honey

Bring 2 quarts water and ginger to boil. Turn off heat. Cover. Steep for 10-15 minutes. Add sugar or honey to warm water. Stir until dissolved. Add lemon juice. Serve warm or over ice.

*Herbal remedy for cramps, congestion, and fevers.

 Ginger Syrup

adapted from Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs

2 inch piece fresh grated ginger
1 cup honey
2 TBS cornstarch (opt)

Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat. Add cornstarch if jam is desired. Pour into jar and refrigerate for several weeks.

Use 1 TBS as needed. Add 2-3 TBS to hot water for ginger tea.

*Herbal remedy for motion sickness, stomach aches, colds, and coughs.

Elderberry Syrup with Ginger

adapted from Mountain Rose Blog

1 cup fresh or 1/2 cup dry
3 cups water
1 cup honey
cinnamon stick, 3 cloves, pinch ginger

Bring water and elderberries to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Crush berries with back of spoon. Strain. Pour back into pot and add honey. Stir until dissolved. Pour into jar and refrigerate for up 12 weeks.

*Used to fight off cold or flu. 1-2 TBS several times throughout the day.

Freezing Fresh Ginger

Break into small usable pieces. Place into freezer bags/container. Store up to 6 months.

Spring Garden

Starting seeds for spring garden.

Fire Cider (cold, flu, and allergy herbal remedy)

1 quart jar with plastic lid or plastic wrap/parchment under metal lid (don't want vinegar to touch the metal)
1/2 cup horseradish, grated
1/2 cup ginger, grated
10 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
1 medium onion, thinly sliced or chopped
1 lemon, zest and juice
1-2 peppers sliced cayenne
apple cider vinegar

Store for 4-6 weeks. Shake daily. Strain. Warm 1 oz of fire cider add honey to taste.

*Can be used to make a hot toddy.

Benefits

horseradish- expectorant

ginger- decongestant

garlic- antibiotic and antiseptic

onion- expectorant, antiseptic

lemon- vitamin c

peppers- symptoms of cold and muscle aches
apple cider vinegar- fights allergies and strengthens immune system.

*There are other benefits to the ingredients.
*Vinegar is highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel. It can also decrease potassium levels.

Homemade Yogurt

Equipment needed: large stock pot, thermometer, ice chest, mason jars

Ingredients: 1 gal Milk
4 oz yogurt starter (i use fage Greek yogurt but you can add any plain yogurt just make use it doesn't have added thickeners eg. gelatin)
1 cup sugar (opt.)
1 TBS Vanilla extract (opt,)

Warm milk in stockpot on medium until foaming. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. Remove from heat. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Allow milk to cool to 110 degrees. Add vanilla and stir until combined. Add yogurt starter and stir gently until small lumps remain. Pour into quart mason jars. Place jars into ice chest. Fill 3-4 extra jars with very warm water (i get my tap as hot as it will get). Place warm water jars into ice chest. Replace water jars with warm water about half way through incubation. Allow to incubate 8-12 hours. Keeping temperature between 100-110 degrees.

*Clean your stockpot with borax and warm water. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.


*Other methods of keeping yogurt warm: heating pad, oven, and hot summer weather.

Homemade Buttermilk

1/2 cup Cultured Buttermilk

3 1/2 cups Milk

Pour into quart jar and shake well. Set out on your counter for 12-24 hours. Refrigerate.

*When you have a 1/2 cup left, put in clean jar and make another batch.