Homemade dishwasher detergent

Quite a while ago I found a homemade dishwasher detergent recipe on Pinterest and since my current Norwex (which I love) detergent was almost empty, I decided to give this homemade one a go. I thought it would be cheaper - providing it worked as well as the commercial ones! 

Here's the recipe:

1 c. washing soda 

(I used baking soda, as some comments on the website said it worked 

just as well, and washing powder can be hard to find)

1 c. Borax

1/4 c. Kosher salt

2 packages unsweetened lemon Kool Aid

(I could not find this, and left it out completely - 

does not seem to affect anything!)

Mix these all together and store in container. 

Add 1 - 2 tablespoons of the mixture to dishwasher.

Add 3 drops (no more!) of dish soap to the detergent compartment. 

Splash 1/2 cup of  vinegar into bottom of dishwasher before turning it on. 

Some comments on the website recommended putting the dish soap in the Jet Dry

compartment of the machine, but my dishwasher is old and doesn't have one of those.

Splashing it into the bottom works just fine for me.

 

I've been using this homemade recipe for over a month now, and I am quite happy with it. The glasses come out clear, not cloudy, and plates and cutlery are clean as a whistle. 

Things I've been lovin' this summer...

Here is a list of random things that I've been loving this summer. 

First is Avon SuperShock mascara. I first tried this when I was home in Killarney in August. Thanks to a mom that sells Avon, I get to try anything that I want (within reason!). This mascara is a big honkin' tube and the wand/bristles are bigger than normal, which I like, as I feel that my lashes are much more dramatic/luscious/long. I always wear mascara, even if I'm not wearing any other makeup, and this mascara totally delivers on bringing attention to my eyes with minimal effort. Love it! Regular price $9.99 

My second fave item this summer is the Norwex Body Pack. These cloths are antibacterial and are used like a washcloth. You just wet them, wash your face, rinse and let dry. Because they are antibacterial, you don't need to use any cleansers. I have sensitive skin and I have to be super careful about what I use on my skin, especially my face. With these cloths I can wash my face without worrying about breaking out from some nasty cleansers full of perfumes, dyes, preservatives and chemicals. I've had these cloths for over 2 years and they still work great. I wash them with my towels and dry in the dryer (never use bleach or fabric softeners!) I have recently begun selling Norwex products, so yes, this my shameless plug for Norwex! If you are interested in these cloths or anything else from Norwex, let me know! Regular $22.99 for a 3 pack.

This is a product that I carry with me at all times. Dove Pomegranate and Lemon Verbena scent Go Fresh Body Mist is great to have in your purse to spritz and freshen up, especially in the summer months when you can get hot and sweaty. This is a great scent - very light and refreshing. The daycare I work at can get super hot and sometimes after a rough morning, I like to spray myself with some body mist and then I just feel better about the day and myself! There are many other scents from the Dove Go Fresh line, all of them are just delightful. I think this retails for about $3.99 at drugstores - maybe less if you can get it on sale!

My friend Liz recommended this Rimmel Natural Bronzer to me quite a while ago, and I finally just went ahead and bought it! It's available in 2 different shades, 1 lighter and 1 darker. I think I bought the lighter one, as I hate when bronzer looks like bronzer, if you know what I mean. I am quite enjoying this product, it gives a very nice, natural look without being overdone. A hit, especially in summer. I think I paid $8 or $9 for this at Shoppers (which was dumb because Shoppers is always more expensive) but I saw this for about $7 at Zellers. 

Well, that's all I can think about for now, and it's time for bed, so this post is done! I'll maybe think about another list of things to post in the future. Happy Sunday!

Operation Deodorant: SUCCESS!

For the last several months I have been trying to find a deodorant that is Propylene Glycol (P.G.) free. This is near to impossible. P.G. is almost always the number one ingredient when it comes to antiperspirants and deods. Since I am allergic to it and it gives me nasty pit rashes, I am trying to avoid it at all costs. I have tried 3 different deods. They have all failed.

First came Kiss My Face. This was as hard as a brick, making it difficult to apply and left me smelling less than desirable at the end of the day. I chucked it.


Then came Degree antiperspirant. This was a more traditional deodorant because it contained aluminum. I couldn't see P.G. on the ingredient list, so I gave it a try. It worked for a few weeks - no rashes and no stink! However, P.G. was lurking in the background under some other name and I broke out in a rash. Into the garbage it went.


Next I tried Dry Idea. It was advertised as being hypo-allergenic, therefore good for people with sensitive skin. I gave it a try. Worked for a few days and then I broke out again. Very frustrated at this point!!


In a fit of desperation I drove to SuperStore, determined to find something that would work and not have me scratching at my pits all day long. I found Dr. Mist. Dr. Mist was originally featured on the CBC show Dragon`s Den. Made from minerals from the Dead Sea, it is completely natural and eliminates the bacteria which causes body odor. It boasts that it can eliminate body odor for up to 3 days, even without showering. I haven't tried this yet and don't think I will! But many testimonials on the website say this is true. Anyway, it comes in a liquid form. Simply shake and spray. I still get dampness under my arms, but have not experienced any stink or stench in the week or two that I've been using it. All in all, I am very happy with this purchase. My rash from the previous attempts is fading and I feel good about myself! Dr. Mist also says it can help treat skin conditions like eczema, help speed healing in open wounds, and treat acne! An all around helpful product.

Operation "natural deodorant": FAIL

About a month ago I tried a more natural deodorant from a brand called Kiss my Face (you can read about it here). After my allergy testing back in March, the dermatologist told me I needed to avoid Propylene Glycol (P.G.), as I was irritated by it on my patch test. Unfortunately for me, P.G. is in quite a lot of products, including most deodorants. Well, the Kiss my Face deodorant failed. I would classify myself as a moderate-heavy sweater, and when I'm pushing 8 babies in a stroller up a hill, I need something that works! The natural deod just didn't cut it for me. Not only was it abrasive to apply (like rubbing a brick under my arms), I found myself smelling pretty ripe by the end of the day. And I really don't want to be the smelly girl. So after giving it a week to prove itself, I chucked it. I then had to take myself to the deodorant aisle at SuperStore and start reading ingredient lists. I found Degree "fresh energy" deodorant that doesn't have Propylene Glycol in the ingredient list, and so far has been proving itself worthy of my pits! My skin hasn't been irritated by using it, so I count that as a plus.

On another note, my first week of classes went well. The homework load doesn't seem too heavy - mostly a lot of textbook reading, but I don't imagine I'll have too much trouble with that! Of course there is a group presentation that has to be presented! You can never avoid those, but am praying for strength and courage as that approaches. I also have to put together a portfolio on a child in my classroom at daycare. This is an ongoing project that isn't due until the beginning of June, and I am looking forward to getting that put together. So the course itself seems manageable, although the busy week was a bit exhausting! I am hoping that each week is a bit better as I get used to this new routine.

Too Much Information ahead - be warned! Ladies only....

On my limited budget, I decided I needed to find a wallet friendly way to supply myself with the ever present need for period supplies. I have always been an Always girl, as that is what my mom always had at home. Like mother, like daughter, as they say. During a visit to WalMart last month, I decided to take a rather large leap of faith and try their store brand ("Equate") pads. Although I normally use tampons, I sometimes need the extra protection of a pad, as I've got a pretty heavy period.

Lo and behold, I found the "no name" pads to be excellent! The packaging and construction is quite similar to Always and they "work" just as well. I have no complaints and love that a package is only $5. I've made the switch from brand name to no name and feel pretty good about it!



On another note, I have also purchased and tried the Diva Cup. The Diva Cup is a silicone menstrual cup that collects menstrual flow. You can learn more about it here. Although I have other friends who really love it, I abandoned it after a few months. I found it too messy to deal with and although I liked not having to buy pads/tampons, it wasn't worth it for me. Have any of you heard about it/tried it/loved it/hated it?



Sorry if this post was too much information, but I always think that a good bargain should be shared - whether it's bloody or not!

Kiss my Face (and eat a muffin)

In my last post I wrote that I needed to find a new deodorant that was Propylene Glycol (P.G.) free - something I found out I am allergic to, thanks to my allergy testing last week. I did some online research, and found that the brand Jason Organics was P.G. free. When I got to SuperStore, I double checked the ingredients, and found P.G. right at the top of the list! I was outraged! But fortunately, right next to the Jason Organics brand was Kiss my Face. Their deodorant is P.G. free and comes in great scents. I choose "summer" and have been quite happy with it this week. For a "natural" deodorant, it holds up quite well. I consider myself a bit of a heavy sweater, and previous dips into the natural deod department have left me reeking of B.O. So I was a bit leery this time around. But I was tired of the itchy armpits, so $5.99 later, I bought the Kiss my Face deodorant and have been happy with it! It's a bit rough to apply...most deods soon curve to the shape of your pit, for easier application, but this one feels like I'm rubbing a brick under my arms! A definite con for this product, but I am hoping it softens up eventually. A good purchase!



On another note, I am baking a double batch of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins today! I have taken the original recipe and "lightened" it up quite a bit in an attempt at healthy snacking!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

4 eggs
2 c. brown sugar
3 c. flour (I use 1.5 c white flour, and 1.5 c whole wheat)
1.5 c unsweetened applesauce (instead of oil - gives it a bit of an appley taste, but after a few bites, I hardly noticed it)
2 c. pumpkin
1 T cinnamon
2 t. baking soda
2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1-2 c. chocolate chips (or raisins if you like that kind of thing)

Bake at 375* for 15-20 minutes.
**I bumped the temp up because the applesauce tended to leave the muffins a bit soggy on the top when baked at the regular 350*. The higher temps crisps them up just right.**

ENJOY!

A rice dish to be proud of.

I will begin by saying that I cannot cook rice for the life of me. Despite many phone calls to my mother confirming that I was indeed making rice on the stove-top correctly, it just never worked out for me. It was either too gummy, still crunchy, or just plain yucky. I was never impressed with the rice I produced, but seeing that rice is cheap, I continued to make it on a weekly basis.

After conferring with some of my small group girls, I discovered that they all used rice cookers and absolutely loved them. So, last week I went to Wal-Mart and bought a Salton rice cooker for $19.97. The price, and the fact that it is red, made me purchase this particular brand.

On Monday night I tried it out for the first time, and may I say, it is genius! Throw in some rice and water, click "start" and 20 minutes later there is perfect rice waiting for me in a non-stick removable pot. I was totally impressed and was so pleased to finally present a rice dish to be proud of (meal of the night was curry and rice)! So although I have failed at making it the traditional way, this small appliance has given me a new zest for rice!

Curly haired girls: Rejoice!

On Wednesday I went to a local beauty supply store, Maritime Beauty, with a friend from work who is also a hair dresser. Thanks to her professional "I'm a hair dresser" ID, I was granted access to the wonderful world of hair products, all at a wholesale price. Total heaven! I was hoping to find a new mousse, and I came home with Tigi Catwalk Curlesque Lightweight Mousse.


I am loving this mousse! It is hydrating and makes my curls rock. I find my frizz is totally controlled and my hair is super soft. It is definitely a heavier product (even though it is the "lightweight" version of this product), so people with fine hair might not like this. But it works wonders on my thick curls. I was able to buy this for $5 a can (I went back today and bought 3 more!) but it was regularly priced at $12 each. However, that is wholesale pricing, so I have no idea how much it would go for in a salon. This would definitely be a splurge purchase!


On a food related thought, I tried this Pineapple Salsa from SuperStore at a friends house, and bought some for myself for $2.50 a jar (on sale). I've never tried anything but traditional tomato-based salsa, but this was delightful! A great light taste, a nice change from the usual. I found this in the organic/natural food section of SuperStore.

The cure for excess facial hair.

I have often looked at this product on the store shelf, but I finally bought the Parissa Body Sugar at home waxing kit last week when it was on sale for $9.99 (regular $12.99) at Shoppers Drug Mart.



I normally go every 6 weeks or so to get my brows and chin (yep, I've got nasty chin hairs, the bane of my existence) waxed at my local salon. This service costs me about $26 dollars for both. Quite frankly, that's a lot when you are on a tight budget! So I bought the Parissa Body Sugar kit, thinking that I would give it a whirl and save some money.

And whirl, I did! I am pleased to say that I absolutely recommend this product! It is easy to use and the strips and the wooden applicators are washable and therefore re-usable, meaning that this kit will last me forever and save me a ton of money.

In the box:
-big old tub of body sugar (140 mls - I can see this lasting me years)
-20 washable strips (the body sugar just melts away when you rinse it with hot water)
-3 wooden applicators (again, the body sugar washes away easily)
-1 vial of Azulene oil (for smoothing onto the newly waxed area)

Just heat up the body sugar in the microwave (between 20-40 seconds), smooth sugar onto area to be waxed, slap on a strip and yank it off. I have never found facial waxing to be very painful, so this was easy-breezy for me, but others might find it a bit more unbearable. I found yelling "1-2-3-GO!" gave me motivation to pull the strip off myself!

I waxed my chin this morning and thought I did a fairly good job, seeing as it was only my first time. I also tried doing my brows, which I thought was quite risky, but I used a toothpick to apply the body sugar and thought they came away looking cleaned up, and most of all, even! I will continue going to the salon for brow waxing, though...I just don't think I will become an expert at that. I still need a professionals touch! But for in between appointments, this body sugar kit will certainly do the job!


On another note entirely: This morning Josh and I went to Staples to buy printer ink, and we came home with this:



A big giant calculator, which Josh wants to hang on the wall in his computer room. Who wants to guess how much he paid for this work of art?

Leah's Favourite Things: In the Kitchen!

And the list of favourite things continues! Here are some of my favourite Pampered Chef items:

I love my Stoneware Baker. Now that I've been using it for over a year, it has become nice and seasoned, meaning I don't have to spray it before using. I love this piece because it doesn't absorb odours - I can (and have) baked fish one night and then made cookies the next day without any cross-contamination! This is my go-to dish when cooking dinner in the oven.



If I do have to spray something, I love using my oil mister. I use olive oil in mine, give it a few pumps and I am ready to start spraying! It really is a cost effective solution to buying and throwing away empty aerosol cans.



These measuring cups make the top of my list! These cups have the measurements printed on an inside angle, which results in easy measuring without having to crouch down to make sure you've got the right amount. Best invention ever.



The ice cream scoop is a close second to the best invention ever! This scoop has a nontoxic defrosting liquid embedded in the handle, which uses the heat of your hand to warm up and make scooping ice cream a breeze! This totally works! I sure could have used this while scooping hundreds of cones at The Beach Hut.



My very first Pampered Chef item was the crinkle cutter. I always use this to cut my carrots or potatoes - it cuts through the tougher vegetables with ease and gives them a fun little crinkle design!



The can opener is supreme. It is designed to cut off the top of your can without leaving any sharp edges, and it works, every single time. It never gets stuck or dull like some other openers I have had the displeasure of using. This one is a winner!



Of course, there are many other Pampered Chef products out there that totally rock, and if you have the opportunity (and the money) to spend on some good quality kitchen items, you should!

What are your favourite Pampered Chef gadgets??

Leah's Favourite Things: Norwex Sanira Toilet Brush System

Like Oprah, I have favourite things! Unlike Oprah, I cannot afford to give them away to you. But I can share some of my favourite items with you and post a picture, too!

One of my favorite things that first comes to mind is my Norwex Sanira Toilet Brush system.



From Norwex.ca:
Both cleaning solution and brush are produced from environmentally friendly raw materials. The cleaning solution is vegetable-based with coconut oil and a naturally-occurring sugar surfactant. The brush does not contain any metal parts. Using only 3-4 ml once a week (compared to 30-40 ml of traditional cleaner), the solution will last approximately 1 year.

I bought this toilet brush system in 2009 after I hosted a Norwex party. The hostess gifts from Norwex are amazing, so if you haven't had a Norwex party yet, you should! My cousin Erica is having a Norwex party soon, which is why I was inspired to write this post! Because I used some "free" money from the hostess gift, this toilet brush came at no cost to me! I think it retails for about $50, and the refills are about $15 (I think). Unfortunately there are no prices listed on the website. But I've been using this system for over a year, and although I have a refill waiting until the bathroom sink, I have yet to pull it out! It is advertised that using it once a week will give you about one year of clean toilets! If that's not great bang for your buck, I don't know what is!

The thing I like best about this toilet brush is how convenient it is! There is no separate toilet cleanser to pull out and squirt around the bowl, no chemicals, and no nasty smells! All you do is push down on the handle of the toilet brush, the solution oozes out onto the bristles and you are ready to scrub! I love the smell and being able to clean a toilet in less than 10 seconds is a bonus!

Au Naturale

A few weeks before Christmas I ordered a Baltic Amber-Hazelwood bracelet from a Canadian company called Hazelaid.

Baltic Amber is a natural resin. As it warms with the body’s natural temperature, Baltic amber jewelry releases healing oils containing succinic acid which are absorbed into the skin and then into the bloodstream. This acid is beneficial to the human body because it is a natural remedy for pain relief.

From Hazelaid.com:

Commonly known as "teething jewelry" in Europe, Baltic amber has been a natural remedy for pain relief for hundreds of years.

Amber is also known to reduce inflammation of the throat, ear and stomach and to fight irritation, infections and respiratory disease as it dramatically improves the body’s immunity. Natural amber beaded necklaces are a completely non-invasive remedy for side effects associated with teething, such as lack of appetite, redness in the cheeks, swollen gums, diaper rashes, upset tummies, earache, fevers and colds. Baltic amber is also a natural analgesic that will calm your child and is recognized by allopathic medicine specialists as antispasmodic and anti-fever. Many adults report improvement of arthritis discomfort and carpal tunnel pain in their hands when wearing amber on the wrists.

Hazelwood is also an amazing natural product:

Hazelwood products help to create an alkaline environment in your body which may help prevent and appease many of the symptoms caused by acidosis (being too acidic).

The use of hazelwood jewelry originated long ago when Aboriginal people discovered that they could put hazelwood chips on their babies’ necks to soothe teething pains. This lost art was revived only a decade ago when a few companies in Quebec, Canada (where the hazelwood trees grow indigenously) rediscovered the unique properties of hazelwood. Since then hazelwood has grown in popularity as more and more people have experienced its benefits. Most notably, Hazelwood has been able to help many people with skin issues such as eczema, providing a natural alternative to many of the more expensive, intensive, and messy treatments.

Since I have somewhat frequent headaches, and I also suffer from eczema, I bought a Hazelwood-Amber bracelet that looks like this:



You can also buy necklaces/bracelets/anklets with just the Baltic Amber:



Or, just Hazelwood:



Since wearing my bracelet day and night for almost a month now, my headaches have been much less frequent. I also went to the chiropractor before Christmas and will go again soon, so that helps too. I can't say if it has helped my eczema, as I went to the dermatologist last month and got some help medically. But the testimonials on the website are amazing. Many parents buy these products for their teething babies, or babies who are struggling with skin irritations.

Just thought you'd all like to know!