DIY Wood Wick Candle

As much as I love my maintenance-free electric fire place, it is missing a key component: the warm sound of crackling wood. There are those insanely expensive Wood Wick candles that make this comforting sound but they are also known for their "divine" scents. I have written about the dangers of artificial fragrances here. Phthalates are especially troubling as it is an endocrine disruptor (as if we don't have enough going on in our lives to make our hormones wacky) and has links to breast cancer and birth defects.

So, of course I am making this myself because #1, I'm frugal (cheap? whatever!) and #2, watery eyes and headaches are not my idea of relaxing in front of the fire. My local craft store sells wood wicks in a package of six for $6 and two pounds of palm wax for $10- completely reasonable in my book.

A quick note on palm wax: please make sure that it comes from a Rainforest Alliance Certified company.  Malaysian and Indonesian rain forests have been devastated by the over-harvesting of palm trees. Even if the bag reads an eco-friendly renewable resource, it is just a technicality. Trees are being cut down at a rate where new plantings can't keep up. Wildlife can't survive in a grove of new saplings and mature trees are the lungs of this planet. Of course, non-GMO soy or beeswax will work just as well!


Supplies

2 wood wicks with metal clamps (should come together in the packaging)
2 cups wax pellets (palm, beeswax or soy)
2 glass jelly mason jars
1 glue gun
1 large glass measuring cup
1 sauce pan for the water bath
1 cookie sheet
1 cooling rack
Essential oils for fragrance (optional but I have a pleasing and stress-reducing combo below)

Start by hot gluing the metal wick clamps to the bottom of the jelly jars. Try to center them as much as possible. Pour the wax into the large measuring cup and pre-heat the oven to the lowest setting.

Make a water bath by placing the glass measuring cup into a sauce pan. Carefully fill the sauce pan with water until it is half way up the measuring cup. Don't get water in the wax. Place on the stove over medium to low heat until all the wax has melted, stirring occasionally. Remove the measuring cup from the water bath. While the wax cools, place the jelly jars on the cookie sheet and place in the oven to heat for 3 minutes. Warming the jars will help the wax cool more evenly and slowly to help prevent any dips or air bubbles in the finished candle.

After the wax has cooled for a few minutes add: 80 drops lavender essential oil, 50 drops rosemary essential oil and 30 drops cedar wood essential oil. Stir gently to combine. Place the wood wicks into the the metal clamp and carefully pour half the wax into each jelly jar.

                                     Place the candles on a cooling rack to harden over-night.

The next morning, using sharp scissors or nail clippers, trim the wood wick to 1/4 inch- it is important to keep the wick short or you will have a mini-bonfire in a very small container. As always, please don't leave a lit candle unsupervised, especially around children and pets.

Tonight I'm going to take advantage of Dino putting the kids to bed- and curl up with a good book in front of my glowing fireplace and crackling candle. Enjoy- I know I will!

Linked with the Simply Natural Saturdays blog series.
*This was their Featured post for the week.*

Finding More Ways to Afford Organic Food

Eating food that is sustainable for the planet and our bodies is a top priority in my house. That means a larger portion of our family's budget goes towards groceries. In The Hidden Cost of Cheap Food, I explained how conventional food will actually cost you more- not only monetarily but in your health as well. There's no doubt that organic food will initially cost you more up front.  As daunting as squeezing your already tight budget may seem, there are ways to shift other priorities to make this work. Today I have a follow-up to a previous post, Finding Ways to Afford Organic Food, where I shared a major way my family diverts money to our groceries. Below are six more practices that my family uses to make organics a more affordable option.


1)  Turn the thermostat down.

At night when you are toasty under the covers and during the day when you are not at home, lower your thermostat. You actually sleep better and deeper in a cooler environment.  When you are away from home, it just doesn't make sense to keep an empty house super warm. You don't have to get all crazy, either- just a couple of degrees should show a difference in your heating bill. Dino and I are in a constant thermostat war because I am cold all the time but we can agree on turning it down for these two circumstances.

2) Dim the lights after dinner.

Once dinner and the clean-up is done, we try and keep the house at low lighting. This is great for the electric bill and also allows your body to naturally increase its melatonin levels that help you fall into a healing sleep. Melatonin is also a potent antioxidant.

3) Cancel the landline phone.

Yes, I truly believe there is a radiation risk when using cell phones but they are a necessary (and fun) evil. With two cell phone bills the landline seemed a little unnecessary and frivolous. If the radiation is a concern, like it is for me, then try texting more and use the speaker function when you do have to chat.

4) Cut the cable cord.

Too much of a stretch? We weren't sure how we were going to handle it either but, honestly, I don't even miss it. We can watch our TV shows online and were even able to connect the laptop to our smart TV to watch the Super Bowl- all without the insane cable bill hanging over our heads. Thanks to Goodwill and Savers, we have plenty of movies and Spongebob episodes for the kids when they (but mostly me) need a break... and I don't have to worry about them being barraged with asinine commercials for crap they (and again, mostly me) don't need.

5) Go on mini-vacations.

Putting the focus on making memories and not just on the destination can make a "mini" seem just like a big, splashy family vacay. During the winter months a weekend at an indoor water park can be a much needed relief from the blustery weather outside. In the summer, camping is a great way to get out and see the world without breaking the bank. 

6) Only go to restaurants on special occasions.

Being the only cook in my house, this was a hard one to implement as I enjoyed the much needed break from cooking and clean-up every week. What I didn't enjoy was all the genetically modified ingredients, pesticides, and artificial hormones that my family was ingesting on a weekly basis at $50 to $60 a pop. That is half of my organic grocery budget for the week and this wasn't even safe food! We do have a few restaurants that have local and organic offerings but they weren't what we could afford for our family of five on a regular basis. By limiting restaurant visits to birthdays and our anniversary, that local organic burger isn't so out of reach now.

This is what we have found to work for our family and I know that this will not work for everyone. My hope is that it will at least get you looking at different areas of your life and start weeding out what isn't really necessary for what is: food that is sustainable for the planet and you!


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Artificial Dye-Free Valentine Gummy Hearts

With Valentine's Day less than a week away, these super quick and easy gummy hearts make the perfect treat for your little Valentine(s). Better yet, they are made with grass-fed gelatin (you can read the benefits here and here), local honey and with no artificial colors. On occasion, I do let my kids have the rare clear soda and conventional treats when we are away from home because I don't want to be that mom. However, I am always and unapologetically that mom when it comes to artificial dyes.

The FDA states that the artificial dyes used in our foods are perfectly safe and take issue with the multiple studies that claim otherwise. Due to these same studies, countries like Norway, Austria and Britain have banned artificial colors in their foods. In addition, the European Union requires warning labels on foods containing any artificial dyes. So what, exactly, was found in these studies? In lab tests done on animals, damage to DNA and genotoxicity occurred along with birth defects. In studies done on human children with or without ADHD, increases in hyperactivity were shown in both groups. Some scientists also state that artificial dyes are contaminated with known carcinogens. Anyway you slice it, artificial dyes are bad news. I urge you to start checking labels of the foods that you buy. You will be surprised where artificial colors like Yellow #6 are hiding. (They're everywhere!)

The Valentine gummy hearts are colored with a splash of tart cherry juice... but an organic cranberry or pomegranate juice would work just as well. Let's keep our treats safe and sweet- just like our Valentines!

Artificial Dye-Free Valentine Gummy Hearts Living Life Granola Printable recipe here

1/3 cup Izze sparkling apple (or other juice-sweetened soda) 3 tbsp grass-fed gelatin 3 tbsp local raw honey 1 tbsp organic tart cherry juice (or other organic, red fruit juice) In a small sauce pan, whisk the honey, cherry juice, and Izze together until the honey is fully incorporated.  Working one teaspoon at a time, otherwise the mixture will be clumpy, sprinkle the gelatin over the honey juice and whisk until all the gelatin powder is wet. Continue until all the gelatin is in the pan (9 tsp total). It should turn into a thick paste. Heat the pan over low-heat until the gelatin/juice mixture is liquid and runny again. Pour into an ungreased 8 x 8 x 2 glass baking dish if using a small cookie cutter or carefully pour into candy molds. Place the baking dish or molds in the freezer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the gummies or pop the gummies out of the molds. Can be stored in the fridge, in an air-tight container, for up to 2 weeks.

Linked with the Homemade Mondays blog series.

Sources:


http://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelhennessey/2012/08/27/living-in-color-the-potential-dangers-of-artificial-dyes/

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/11944-banned-foods.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/457555-the-side-effects-of-artificial-colors/

Natural Medicine Cabinet with a Soothing Antiseptic Recipe

Over the last couple of years my medicine cabinet has had a complete overhaul. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines not only suppress symptoms and impede your body's ability to heal itself but they are comprised of synthetic chemicals that are highly toxic to you and your family.  No one wants to suffer when they are sick or injured so below is a list of natural remedies that do not just cover up symptoms but actually help your body to recover and mend in a timely manner.

***Please confer with your licensed health care practitioner before taking any herbs if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or going to be administering anything new to an infant. I am not a doctor and everyone has unique health needs. Do not give honey to an infant under 1 year of age. Eucalyptus essential oil should not be used with children under 10 years of age.***


Colds/Flu/Viral or Bacterial Infections

• Bone broth: beneficial for healthy blood cells and strengthens the immune system.
• Elderberry Syrup: anti-viral and anti-inflammatory. Helps relieve nasal congestion.
• Echinacea tea or extract: potent anti-viral and my personal go-to when I feel a cold coming on. If you buy the extract and it doesn't make your tongue go a little numb, then it is not the real deal.
• Slippery Elm tea: helps soothe sore throats.You can usually find this at your local grocer.
• Eucalyptus essential oil: with a towel draped over your head and a steaming bowl of water, add a few drops of the oil to the water and inhale to help open congested airways. (Not for children under 10.)
• Local Raw Honey: great cough suppressant. (Not for infants under 1 year.)
• Garlic and Olive Oil: smash a garlic clove in a teaspoon of warmed olive oil and place a couple drops in the ear for aches or infection. Repeat as needed and refrigerate any leftover oil.

Allergies

• Local Raw Honey: 1 teaspoon per day. This could take a few weeks so be patient. (Not for infants under 1 year.)
• Peppermint tea: extracts of the leaves have been shown to inhibit histamine release.

Insomnia

• Chamomile tea: mild relaxant and also has sedative properties.
• Room Freshener: spray on linens before going to bed to help calm and soothe the mind.
• Take 10 deep breaths. Breathing in as much as you can and fully exhaling right before bed.

Heartburn/Upset Stomach/Intestinal Complaints

• Activated Charcoal: antacid remedy, powerful absorbent in the stomach and intestinal track that also picks up harmful bacteria to pass it through the body. This can cause constipation if over-used but it is useful in treating diarrhea.
• Psyllium Husk: great for constipation- a natural alternative to Metamucil.
• Peppermint tea: soothes an upset stomach, aids in digestion and helps relieve bloating and gas.
• Chamomile tea: relieves heartburn, indigestion and colic.
• Ginger tea: anti-nausea. Can usually find at your local grocer.
• Bone broth: great anti-inflammatory and also is very healing to the digestive tract.

Pain/Sprains and Bruises

• Turmeric tea: potent anti-inflammatory. Great for arthritis pain.
• Aloe Vera plant: gel squeezed from a cut leaf is very soothing and healing for burns. Easy to grow and care for- every home should have one.
• Arnica cream: reduces pain and swelling and promotes healing. Do not use on broken skin or take internally.
• Peppermint tea: cooled and applied to the nipple prevents cracks and pain in breastfeeding mothers.
• Epsom Salts: 1 cup poured under running bath water helps relieve sore muscles.
• Lavender Bug Bite Balm: DIY balm great for itchy or painful bug bites.

Fungal Infections

• Tea Tree Oil: a couple of drops neat (straight from the bottle) onto the infected toe or nail. Repeat until infection is gone.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: soak a cotton ball and place over the wart, with medical tape, and leave overnight. Repeat until wart falls off.
• Oil of Oregano: apply a little to Plantar warts every morning and night until they are gone.

Cuts and Scrapes

Soothing Antiseptic Vinegar Living Life Granola Printable recipe here

1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup distilled water 30 drops tea tree oil 15 drops lavender essential oil 15 drops bergamot essential oil Mix all the ingredients in a finger pump spray bottle. Let sit for at least 24 hours in a dark cabinet before use.

Humans have been healing and treating themselves for thousands of years before the advent of OTC's. This is actually a small list in comparison to all the natural remedies out there but I hope this will get you started in the right direction!

Linked with the Simply Natural Saturdays blog series.