Heartburn, Indigestion, Upset Stomach, SAY NO to the pink stuff!

Incase you didn't know...heartburn sucks! I never really had much indigestion, and never any heartburn before having a baby. However, here we are, and as you know by now (assuming this isn't the very first post you have read on my blog) I try to stay away from chemicals, dyes, and such. So that means no pink stuff, or any of those useless chalk like tablets that claim to provide calcium. I'm sure they mean well, and they probably really do contain calcium, but have you ever wondered if your body can actually consume and use that said calcium that they put there? I have...and that is a whole different blog topic. Today we are discussing what to do when we need a little plop-plop-fizz-fizz in our glass without all the added junk. Also, that junk is expensive! Have you purchased any stomach helping medicines lately? Goodness! Ingredients aside, I would want to make my own even if it was just to save money. So here we go...my homemade heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, "I just don't feel good in the tummy area" remedy. Like my homemade mouthwash, it is almost free it is so cheap! Better then that though, it works!

Homemade Tummy Trouble Relief

Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

4 oz water

Mix, Drink, Feel better.

The fine print is below:

Before using anything you should always do your own research, and make the best decision for you, your body, and your health. I can not tell you if this will work for you, or even if you should try it. I just know that it is safe for me to consume, and it works for me. Use at your own risk.
Warnings:      •     Ask a doctor before use if you have a sodium restricted diet.      •    Ask a doctor or a pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription drug. Antacids may interact with certain prescription drugs.       •    Do not administer to children under age 5.      •    STOMACH WARNING: TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY, DO NOT TAKE UNTIL POWDER IS COMPLETELY DISSOLVED. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT NOT TO TAKE THIS PRODUCT WHEN OVERLY FULL FROM FOOD OR DRINK. Consult a doctor if severe stomach pain occurs after taking this product.       •    Stop use and ask a doctor if symptoms last more than 2 weeks.

• Baking soda may be ingested for heartburn, gout or even urinary tract infections. Mixing a small amount of this white powder for relief is a relatively simple and very inexpensive way to help improve your body's pH so that these health conditions are not as severe. Baking soda is not a cure for any disease, nor is it a substitute for regular medical care. Be sure to talk to your doctor first to see if ingesting baking soda is right for you and how much is safe.
• Baking soda is high in sodium and is not safe in high doses nor should it be used over a long period of time. It is also not safe for people who have certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease or edema. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid it unless directed by their doctor. If not dissolved properly or if taken on a full stomach it can cause an upset stomach.
• Possible side effects of drinking baking soda in water include stomach cramps and increased thirst. If you notice more serious side effects such as nausea, weakness, slow breathing, mental changes or swelling of the feet, contact your doctor.

Want to get good quality essential oils? Click here.

Homemade Healing Salve

My son and I were playing outside in the sprinkler the other day, eating fresh peaches and enjoying a beautiful summer day. When we came inside I noticed both of us had several bug bites and a few scrapes on our legs. After thoroughly cleaning the wounds with water and calendula goats milk soap, I decided I should put some sort of salve on it to help heal quicker and relieve the itching. That is how I came up with my very inexpensive (especially if you keep these ingredients on hand like I do), easy, and effective healing salve.

Homemade healing salve

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup coconut oil 

1 tablespoon dried calendula 

Directions:

Warm the coconut oil just enough so it is a liquid (this can be done by putting it in glass jar and running warm water over it until the coconut oil melts). Once you have your liquid coconut oil, mix 1 table spoon of the calendula into the coconut oil. I added a couple extra pinches of it just for good measure. Once mixed store your salve in a airtight container in a cool place. If it is too warm you will have coconut/calendula soup instead of salve. 

I use this on bites, scrapes, burns, ect. You can add a few drop of lavender essential oil to give it antibacterial, antiseptic, and slightly pain reliving properties. 

This salve helped soothe the itching, and helped my son and I heal up quickly from our bug bites and scrapes. I will be sure to keep some on hand for the rest of the summer!

Want to get good quality essential oils? Click here.

Laundry Soap and Fabric Softener

I have been making my own laundry soap for about 5 years now. Mostly because I'm allergic to pretty much every single kind at the store. Out of desperation I started making my own. Over the years it has saved quite a bit of money, my clothes are clean, my skin doesn't itch so I keep making it. Recently, I have been striving to be "chemical-free" in my home, which caused me to change my detergent recipe. This new recipe is great! It is a liquid, which I recently learned is much better for your washer, and it is very easy to make. This is one of those things I can throw together even while holding my son if necessary. I make a gallon at a time. Feel free to make a big 5 gallon bucket of it if you want, the only reason I don't do this is because I use my bucket for other things and never remember to buy a new one with a lid, and I really don't want to mess with where to keep it and getting it out. For me, one gallon at a time works great. One gallon does about 48 loads, and cost aprox: $2.21 (about .05 cents per load). If buying in bulk it cost about $40 to get all the ingredients (you can get it as cheap as $15 but it makes less detergent), however, I use every single one of the ingredients for other purposes so I buy in bulk, it makes more sense that way. If you spend only $15 on the ingredients it will make several batches (about 3-4 gallons) and you will know if you want to invest in the bulk versions next time.

 Here is what I use:

Laundry Soap

• Dr. Bronners liquid castle soap in lavender (you can use any brand, or scent) 
• Borax
• Washing soda
• Warm water
• Gallon container (I use an empty vinegar bottle)

I put 1/4 cup each of borax and washing soda into the bottle, add very warm water and shake until dissolved. Then I add 1/2 cup of the liquid castle soap. I usually shake before using, and I use around 1/3 cup per load in my HE washer.

Feel free to add a few drops of essential oils. Sometimes I add extra lavender, or if I use the unscented castle soap I will add peppermint, lemon, or just whatever smells good.


Mixing Tip:

• Once you put the powder into the container then put a little water into the container, shake, and then fill about 1/3 full of water before you add the castle soap.

Fabric Softener:

I fill my fabric softener container on my washer with pure white vingear. My clothes are soft, static-free, and they do NOT smell like vinegar. Also, I keep several wool dryer balls in the dryer to help dry the clothes faster (saves money on electric), and really helps the static if you forgot the vinegar.

Just a side note: 

Fabric softener sheets are very hard on your dryer. The waxy junk on them builds up in the vent area and is basically impossible to remove, which eventually can be a fire hazard (and makes you use more energy to dry clothes, therefor, costing more money).

Want to get good quality essential oils? Click here.