Homemade deodorant

The following is my recipe for homemade deodorant, which I snatched from Lindsey at Passionate Homemaking. I've been using this homemade deodorant since summer and really like it. It has few ingredients and works wonderfully.


Homemade deodorant

6-8 tablespoons coconut oil
1/8 cup baking soda
1/4 cup + 1/8 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder
1/4 cup Shea Butter  (optional)

Mix thoroughly and store in a jar, or a recycled deodorant bottle. If using recycled deodorant bottles, this recipe is enough to fill two.

You CAN put this into an old deodorant container, I've done so in the past with great success. The only drawback is the fact that the coconut oil melts during warm weather. With a recycled deodorant container you most certainly will have to refrigerate your deodorant to keep it from leaking. I've bypassed the need for this by simply keeping the mixture in a jar, and applying with my hands.

               

                                           
                                               Cheers!~ Mama Homesteader

The benefits of Shea Butter

Recently, I purchased  five pounds of raw grade A Shea Butter to replace some of the products found in my family's medicine cabinet.  For those of you who don't know what Shea Butter is, it is the fat extracted from the nut of the African Shea Tree Vitellaria Paradoxa. Commonly, it is found in the cosmetics industry and is used in lotions. It is also edible. In Africa it is used as a cooking oil, and in the chocolate industry it is sometimes used in place of cocoa butter.
Over the last few months, I've strived to eliminate many harsh chemicals out of my household. In Shea Butter I've found an all natural product to use as a moisturizer. It relieves dry itchy skin without leaving skin feeling greasy. It's gentle enough to use on my daughter, AND I don't have to worry about her ingesting any of it. (Which is a big deal when dealing with curious three year olds!)

I even added some to my last batch of homemade deodorant. I've found it to be an excellent additive to sooth the bumps associated with shaving. No more irritated underarms (EW!) And I also plan on adding some to homemade soap this summer.

With my Fibromyalgia I've used it as a massage for my joints and other areas of pain. It doesn't require a lot of rubbing (which I can't stand) to be worked in, and I find it to be very soothing. I'm also anxious to try out Shea Butter for nasal congestion. Apparently massaging some into the face can help relieve congestion by relaxing the facial muscles. My husband is prone to congestion, so this would be awesome if it worked!

And did you know that plain raw Shea butter is safe for your cats and dogs as well? We have a few of our feline friends who've struggled with severe itchy, scabby skin.  Within two applications of Shea Butter the scabbing has cleared up, the itchiness has dramatically increased, and their skin is now looking normal. Their coats are soft as kitten fuzz- and one of our cats Callie, is back to acting like a kitten! I've been so happy with the results that I believe that a bit of Shea Butter occasionally applied to your pet's coat is a wonderful gift for your furry friend.

I'm hoping that this is just the start of discovering the many benefits and uses of Shea Butter. I've fallen in love with it, and I highly doubt I'll be returning to store bought lotion anytime soon!

                                                  
                                          Cheers~ Mama Homesteader

Trademarking a Lifestyle

In this day and age I thought I've heard and seen it all. Until reading a post at Hexemaus Farms that is. I urge you to read their post in its entirety. Apparently, a prominent "Urban Homesteading" family by the name of Dervaes in California have trademarked the following names:

* Urban Homestead
* Urban Homesteading
* Path to Freedom
* Grow the Future
* Homegrown Revolution
* Freedom Gardens
* Little Homestead in the City


OK Dervaes Family, SUE ME. C'mon I DARE you. While I get "Little Homestead in the City" and MAYBE "Grow the Future"- the rest is sheer hogwash. You started your 'Urban Homestead" in 1985, YEARS after the original urban homesteaders of the 1960's and 1970's. Hell, my GRANDFATHER was urban homesteading in the 50's and 60's! I thought what you had accomplished in the city was admirable, enviable even. But now the world has seen you for what you are: greedy individuals corrupted by money. You CANNOT trademark a lifestyle, and I will not abide by your trademark.

                               Cheers~ The Urban Homesteader named Mama Homesteader

                                             

Winter in Ohio vs Compulsive Gardening

This has been one unusual winter here in Ohio. Or utter lack thereof. We've had little snow and the weather has been more akin to a very early spring than the heart of winter. Luckily we did get snow this weekend that seems to be staying a spell. Kiddo was happy yesterday to have finally gone out to play in it. Sled riding, snow angels,and  snow balls made for lots of fun with Daddy.

I have garlic growing out in the garden that bigger than anything I had last season. Hopefully it will still grow for me come spring's official arrival. But the un-winter like weather has me impatient, chomping at the bit, absolutely frothing for garden weather to kick off. LOL I've been busy putting in the effort to choose what I really want in my garden this year. Last year I primarily settled on plant varieties I could get my hands on at the local Walmart. Very few were heirloom, a vast majority were hybrids.  I had a bumper crop of squash, pumpkins, corn, and beans. But I felt  things could have been better.

 I was in LOVE with my heirloom Dutchman and Djena Lee Golden Girl tomatoes, while other varieties I could have lived without. So for many reasons I have decided to go the route of  95% or better of my garden planted in heirloom varieties. Going with heirloom vegetables is my experiment on getting away from sub standard GMO tasteless produce. I for one am not keen on GMO  foods (which is a whole different discussion for the future). Secondly, I want what is in my garden to taste good. I want my food to taste like what I remember from my childhood. A tomato tasted like a tomato, and not a bland pile of mush.

Heirloom seeds are not the only major revolution in this year's garden. This year I'm adding 7 additional beds to my 8. And they will ALL be made over into raised beds. This will allow me to have my garden elevated somewhat above the occasional puddles that develop in the low areas. My plants wont get drowned, and the clearly defined edges will allow for weedwacking to keep the yard tidy. (This is a must since I live in town!) PLUS the boxes will be filled with better quality soil to promote better growth. The raised beds will also warm sooner in the spring and allow me to plant sooner. But the biggest surprise to this years garden will be the addition of Gooseberry, Currant, Elderberry, Haskap, and Strawberry beds. Once established along with my black raspberries, my family will be able to enjoy fresh fruit right out of our own garden!

But while I've reached my limit of what I'm investing in my garden this spring, the planning doesn't stop  there. With Raised beds in place, I'll be able to construct quick hoops (and maybe one cold frame)  to extend my growing season into colder months. With determination I may be able to add several more raised beds next year. But a priority for next year will be the addition of cranberry beds, as well as a dwarf apricot tree and a dwarf cherry tree.

Sigh. If only spring would arrive instead of teasing us Ohio gardeners, then all would be right in the world!


                                     Cheers!~ Mama Homesteader

Introducing the "Little Lady"

    In my last post, WAY back in November, I commented on my desire to unplug from some of my modern conveniences. My clothes iron was my prime example. I hated the modern one and rarely used it. Since switching to my cast iron beauty, I actually enjoy using the iron. I don't use it much but I do smile every time I see it and use it.
   In my latest attempt to unplug I've acquired a 1916 Singer 127 Treadle Sewing Machine- the "Little Lady". While the machine was in excellent condition, it still needed help. After a new belt, a thorough cleaning, some new parts, and adjusting her tension- she works like a dream! I can sew through heavy materials easily, while my modern Brother machine groaned at the very thought. And the rhythmic clicking of the shuttle is relaxing. Even Sarah has fallen in love with Mama's new sewing machine! And the best part, no electricity needed (with exception of a small lamp if needed). Even better still, any part I may need can be bought inexpensively online. One less product to break down, and have to be completely replaced! I can fix this myself :)
So here she is, my "Little Lady"-

Soon I hope to have some video of the old gal in action. But if your interested in the meantime, scroll back to my "1900's House" post. In one of the clips you will find Mrs. Bowler using a similar sewing machine.

                       Until Next Post! Cheers!~ Mama Homesteader

Time to Unplug

As I've contemplated a simpler homesteading life, I've found a desire to unplug and get away from some newer tech in my home. I've started with my electric clothes iron. It's big, it's clunky, it's ugly and I don't use it all that much.  So it's on its way to a new home, being replaced with a vintage 6lb cast iron clothes iron. I bought it on Ebay for a few bucks. It's heavy, so when I do use it I'll be getting a workout . It also looks nice, fitting into my  new idea of functional and decorative. My DH laughs at the concept. But I figure that by downsizing some of the stuff in my kitchen and replacing some things with vintage items- I'll have a tidy and aesthetically pleasing kitchen. Ah bah, who am I kidding- I just like old stuff, hence my husband ;p

                  Keep in mind this is the first of a handful of changes I want to make, so stay tuned!


                                                        Cheers! ~ Mama Homesteader

1900 House: Part 3

The final clips to "1900 House" courtesy of effectiveideologeme at Youtube!


















I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!


Cheers! ~ Mama Homesteader