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How to make your own natural hand wash

May 12, 2016 · 18 Comments

How to make your own natural hand wash

Around this time of year (winter for us in Australia) the ads for ‘antibacterial’ handwashes start to hit our TV screens in force.

Apparently we need to buy their anti-bacterial handwash to have happy, healthy kids!

Not only are these ads misleading, they are promoting a product full of chemicals with the words healthy? Arrrgh!

 

Okay, so what is so bad about anti-bacterial handwash?

“There are two types of antibacterial products, those with alcohol and those with triclosan. Triclosan weakens the immune system and is suspected of causing cancer. Its overuse can also lead to the creation of “superbugs.” Slow Death by Rubberduck.

“Triclosan also affects the natural environment. Wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical, which means it ends up in our lakes, rivers and water sources. That’s especially unfortunate since triclosan is very toxic to aquatic life.” Environmental Working Group

Alcohol in antibacterial products worries me too. A 60-75% alcohol content makes them highly flammable and dangerous around children. There have been cases of children hospitalized from accidental ingestion and poisoning. A quick google search also reveals that teenagers are drinking hand sanitizers to get drunk!

Other ingredients commonly found in hand wash and sanitizer is fragrance which can contain phthalates – known endocrine disrupters. “They have been linked with endometriosis and early puberty in girls, and reproductive organ abnormalities and reduced fertility in males. They can also act on the thyroid, and have been linked with obesity.” Choice Australia

 

How to make your own natural hand wash

I do prefer to use a hand wash over soap and water… mostly because it is less messy in the bathroom. It’s so easy to make and it’s very cheap!

 

Here’s how you do it:

1. Get yourself a foam pump

You can buy foaming soap pumps/dispensers. If you want something cheaper and you are not worried about plastic, you can buy a foaming dispenser with hand wash already in it and then repurpose it! Eco Store and Thank You are two brands that make a foaming dispenser. Of course you can buy the hand wash refills and do it that way if you like but I prefer making it myself as it’s cheaper, contains fewer ingredients and I can tailor it to suit.

 

2. Pour in about 50ml (or 1/4 of your container) of Castile soap

Castile soap is a very mild, all purpose vegetable based liquid soap. One of the most popular brands is Dr Bronners – I like this company as the ingredients are ethically sourced. I use the unscented baby version.

3. Add around 10 drops of essential oils of your choice

This is where I like to tailor the hand wash to suit. If the family is a bit germy or it’s lurgy season, use some oils that will kill bugs like the tea tree or eucalyptus.  You can also try the Wellness Warrior blend.

 

4. Top up with water and give a vigorous shake

This is the fun bit! Leave a little gap at the top so it mixes in well.

 

5. Your hand wash is ready to go!

The result is a natural, safe handwash at a fraction of the cost you buy them at the supermarket.

 

Is this something you might try??

 

PS thanks to my ‘hand model’, my daughter… she thought it would be cute to make a heart shape with it 😀

 

Filed In: HEALTH, HOME / Tagged: castile soap, DIY, essential oils, hand wash, handwash, homemade, natural, natural cleaning, natural remedy

Homemade Relaxing Bath Salts

October 15, 2014 · 12 Comments

 

Homemade Relaxing Bath Salts

 

I am always shocked at how expensive bath salts are to buy! Let’s not mention all the toxins – fragrances and artificial colours and chemicals added to commercial ones as well.

You can make a batch of your own for such a tiny cost. They also make amazing gifts – just pretty them up with a cute jar, label and scoop! So, here is my favourite way to make relaxing bath salts. Enjoy.

 

Homemade Relaxing Bath Salts

1 cup magnesium flakes

10 drops of good quality essential oils

handful of dried rose petals or any other flowers

Mix everything together in a ceramic, glass or stainless steel bowl. Stir well to distribute the oils or massage it in with your hands.

Package into cute glass jars, label and add a scoop or spoon to make a cute gift.

To use: Add to a few tablespoons of foaming product (such as castille soap), mix well and then dissolve in a hot bath or foot bath as needed.

 

♥ Magnesium flakes are fabulous for relaxing muscles and improving your magnesium levels and the bicarb will soften your skin and help detox the body.

♥ I really love the Instant Calm essential oil blend from Twenty 8. Based on Lavender, Mandarin, Orange, Frankincense, Roman Chamomile and Neroli it helps to strengthen an overburdened nervous system and restore calm. A great oil blend if you need to calm your emotions and relax before bed or simply to get into a nice quiet space. I love that these oils are affordable, but superior quality and Aussie owned. 

♥ I never buy dried rose petals as such. I just save them from bunches of flowers. All you do is just pull the roses apart and leave the petals to dry in a warm spot. When they are dried out, pop them in a jar and keep them in the cupboard. I also like to sprinkle a few in birthday cards!

 

HOT TIP: The bath is a perfect place to meditate. Turn off the lights and put a candle on and tune out from the world!

 

Do you DIY for gifts? 

 

Filed In: HOME / Tagged: bath, bath salts, Christmas gifts, DIY, gifts, homemade, Mother's Day, mother's day gift

The Great Home-Made Chicken Nugget Competition

October 10, 2012 · 13 Comments

Just say NO to nuggets!!

You can do it. Make your own at home, easily, quickly and much more healthy!

Chicken nuggets from fast food outlets and the freezer section of your supermarket can contain so many questionable ingredients including harmful additives.

I have shared several recipes on the blog now for super-healthy home-made chicken nuggets.

Here they are:

Crunchy Chicken Strips

Polenta Chicken Bites

Chicken and Vege Bombs

The Best Homemade Chicken Nuggets from Bloggers

Rice Cracker Chicken – two ways

Quinoa and Dukkah Crumbed Chicken

Super Vege Chicken Nuggets

But, now it’s your turn.

Whenever I post a recipe for home-made chicken nuggets, many of you share with me how you make your chicken nuggets. There are so many great ideas out there and we want you to show them off! Are you ready?

So, this is what you need to do:

1. Email me your chicken nugget recipe to naturalnewagemum@yahoo.com.au

2. Include a picture if you can

3. Make sure your recipe is an original one, contains chicken and is healthy

4. Be a liker of the following Facebook pages, Natural New Age Mum, Cut out the Crap, Superfoods for Kidz, Organics on a Budget and Lilydale – Living Free Range.

So, these are the prizes:

The best chicken nugget recipe creator will win:

  • Both Cut Out The Crap and Cut Out the Crap for Kids recipe books by the amazing Collette White,
  • A jar of Vital Veggie Power from Superfoods for Kidz AND
  • An apron, cooler bag, oven mitt and mini-tongs from Lilydale Free Range Chicken

All entries will also go into the draw for a $25 gift voucher from Organics on a Budget as a thank you for taking the time to enter!

How will we choose a winner?

I am under no illusions how tough it will to choose a winner. So, I have enlisted the lovely Collette from Cut out the Crap and Vanessa from Superfoods for Kidz to help me judge! They are both natural new age mums, excellent cooks and avid supporters of my Just Say NO to Nuggets campaign. I have featured both of their chicken nugget recipes on the blog!

We will choose a top six to cook and taste and the winner debated from there.

Things we will be looking for include: how healthy the recipe is, how easy it is, how accessible the ingredients are and of course, what the kids think!

The winner of the Organics on a Budget voucher will be chosen using random.org

Terms and Conditions:

You must have an Australian address to enter. Entries are open from now until Wednesday the 7th of November at midnite. Recipes must be original. By entering this competition you give this blog permission to publish your recipe along with your first name. I will do a special blog post with the winning entry and also blog the best runner ups as well. Both winners will be notified by email and also announced on this blog post.

This giveaway is now CLOSED. Please click here to see the winning recipe and the winners!

I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Good luck everyone and please share this competition with your friends too.

Many thanks to our sponsers:

           

Aussie Giveaway Linky
Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

Filed In: FOOD / Tagged: chicken nuggets, free range chicken, healthy chicken nuggets, homemade, recipe

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