Going Green

We have made major changes around here. I don't just mean buying organic food. I also don't mean no longer eating certain fast food places.  I mean more extreme, like no more meat, no more dairy, no more eating things that have ingredients that we have no clue what they are, no more harsh cleaning chemicals, no more weird OTC meds, no more strange beauty products. NONE. OF. THAT. And when I say we have made changes, I don't mean like a few months ago, Its been like almost TWO YEARS. So, this isn't just a fad for us, its been a complete lifestyle change. Has it been hard at times?ABSOLUTELY! Have we had people who question what we have done? EVERYDAY Have we not been invited to dinner as much by friends because they don't know what to feed us? WHY YES. Do we feel 100% better about the food we are putting into our body, the food we are providing for our children, the reduction in chemicals in our home, sleeping better, better skin, better emotional outlook, ( the list goes on an on) ABSOLUTELY!!!!

As we document more and more of the journey we have been on over the past 3 years as well as the journey we will continue on....you will understand the WHY's of what we have done. You know what's the most AMAZING part about all of these changes we have made? Knowing our story is being used for good. Knowing others are being impacted by the changes we have made, the way we live our lives, seeing others make changes in their lives and getting amazing results. Its not about the number on the scales, the size pants your buying at the store, it's about so much more than that. Its about how you feel about yourself, the empowerment that comes with knowing you are taking control of your health.  Its been a pretty awesome journey we have been on and we are trusting and believing, its only just begun!!!!

There were so many changes that took place in our home and with our lifestyle the first few months of our increased awareness of our diet and environment. One of the first things I did to reduce the amount of chemicals in our home was to being making our own laundry detergent. Little did I know the detergent would be the first, of many, homemade recipes I would be making to replace chemical packed stuff we had been using for, well, our whole lives.

 I had to try about 10 different recipes, but now, I prefer my homemade stuff over any store bought brand. It has helped the budget BIG time! Making a huge batch of detergent will usually last at least 2 months, so it comes out to only a few CENTS a load!

I would like to share with you my favorite laundry detergent recipe. Are you thinking of making your own? Give this one a try, and let us know what you think!!!


HOMEMADE LAUNDRY DETERGENT

½ cup borax
1 cup washing soda
1 bar Fels-Naptha soap
3 gallons water
5-gallon bucket with a lid

1. Using a box grater, grate the entire bar of Fels-Naptha soap. You’ll end up with a pile of little soap curls.

2. Pour 4 cups of water into a large pot and bring to a boil, then lower the heat until it’s simmering. Add the entire pile of grated soap, handful by handful, and stir with a wooden spoon until it’s all dissolved.

3. Pour 3 gallons of water into your bucket. (Make sure the bucket is clean first.) Pour in the borax, washing soda, and pot of soap; stir until dissolved.

4. Cover the bucket and let the mixture sit for 24 hours.

The mixture will be a little clumpy, so give it a good stir before using. The globs will dissolve in the washing machine anyway. Use 1 cup of detergent per regular-size load. Makes 52 loads.

Cost per load: 7 cents

Adapted from: http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/green-cleaning/which-homemade-laundry-detergent-recipe-best/#ixzz37hG7gkwp