Tutorial: UPCYCLED WOOL DIAPER COVER

This post is for the moms over at DS who asked for it!

These soakers take all of 15 minutes to cut and sew if you are an experienced seamstress.  Or tailor.  Whatever.  And while knit wool soakers are really cute, hours and hours versus 15 minutes... laziness wins for me!  Also, I use preshrunk sweaters for these, so if dh accidentally tosses them in the washing machine, all is not lost.

In this post I am going to share the secrets I've learned for sewing these covers SUPER FAST, with the fewest tears, and broken needles. 

 

There is a great free pattern on the web (google Katrina Soaker pattern), but the above soakers are made from the Sweet Baby pattern by Wired Up Designs on hyenacart.com.  I'm not affiliated with Wired Up in any way, but I've tried at least two dozen free and bought patterns for wool diaper covers, and this is the only one I use anymore.

 

So, you'll need a wool sweater, a pattern, and a sewing machine:

 

Secret #1: Only use REALLY GOOD wool for these.  Most thrift stores charge the same for junky wool sweaters and name brand wool.  I am using a 100% Italian Merino cardigan for the first soaker here.  It is super-soft and pre-shrunk by somebody.  I machine washed and dried it prior to cutting to be sure it wasn't going to shrink any more.  It is still VERY thin, though fully felted, as many fine merino sweaters will be!

Secret #1.5: Be sure to SNIFF the sweater really well before you buy it.  If it smells very perfume-y or you get even a hint of mothballs- pass.  I don't care if it's Niemen Marcus.  You won't get that smell out.

 

Cut out your pieces.  I consider 2 full body pieces a must.  You can use 1 layer if your sweater is super-thick, and you can stitch a second layer only in the wet zone, but for a beginner, just go for 2 layers of a thin or medium-thickness sweater.  The cover will be bullet-proof and the finished product will look more polished than a wonky double-wetzone.

2 body layers, 1 waistband, 2 leg cuffs.

(Now, you CAN cut a waistband and leg cuffs from the body of your sweater.  If you do that, follow the pattern.  You will cut a double tall waist band and leg cuffs, fold in half,  and stitch the long edges to keep everything from shifting while sewing to the main soaker piece.)

 

BUT-

Secret #2: If your sweater has a nice, ribbed waistband, as most sweaters do, use that for both the waistband and the leg cuffs.  See how stretchy it is?

Plus, a 1-layer cuff or waist is easier to sew on to the body of the soaker.  (Just don't discard the excess ribbing.  It is very useful for other upcycled projects.  You may find another sweater that doesn't have ribbing.)

 

Secret #3: Because your ribbing is so stretchy, cut it SHORTER than the pattern calls for, otherwise your waist and leg holes may gap.  Like so:

That pattern piece says "Sweetie Bums," but it is actually the Sweet Baby pattern.   



These leg cuffs actually came from the neck band of my sweater because the waistband was too short.  Do NOT attempt this unless you are pretty experienced with sewing stretch fabrics.  The stretch is diagonal on these pieces here, and it makes it sorta tricky.  If you are a beginner, just use a sweater with a long/ big enough waistband for both the waist and legs of your soaker!

The reason I like the angled leg cuffs is that the leg opening are larger, but the cuffs pull in nice and snug, and this gives the soaker an overall trimmer fit than most pull-on soakers in this style.
 

If your baby is already here, the only reason NOT to cut your waist and leg cuffs shorter is if your baby is incredibly chubby, and you can't find a diaper cover that doesn't squish her thigh and tummy rolls.  In which case, use your stretchy ribbing and cut the proper size!

***Now, if you are a beginner, you may want to sew both your main soaker pieces together so they don't shift while sewing on the legs and waist.  I don't ever do this because I am lazy.  Make sure both pieces are right side out, and stitch all the way around the outside edges of the pieces with a long straight stitch, gently (GENTLY) stretching the fabric as you sew.  This is generally what you do when sewing knits. 

After this, pull your soaker pieces on the edges to make sure your stitching is not too tight.  It shouldn't decrease the stretchiness of the fabric.  If you pull the edges, and find your stitching is stopping you from pulling, and if you stretch the fabric any further, you break the stitching...  STOP.  You need a longer stitch, OR you need to stretch the fabric more as you sew, OR your machine tension is too tight.  Do the first 2, and if things don't improve, you might need to take your machine where you bought it and ask them to show you how to loosen the tension just a bit.  I wouldn't rely on your manual or google for this.  It is tricky.***  (Now, if you really want to get this done, and your sweater only cost $1, and your baby is due to wake up in 20 minutes, just sew the whole thing with a medium zigzag stitch.  It will sidestep your  machine's tension issue, but the seams will wear out sooner.  That's why a cheap thrifted sweater is so nice.  No need for perfectionism!!!)

Sorry I have no pictures of the above, but like I said, I am too lazy to sew my main pieces together into 1 piece.  It does make the next steps easier, though.

(The rest of the steps use a 1/4" seam allowance.  Don't forget to secure your seams by backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam!)

Most, or all, soaker patterns will instruct you to sew the side seams of your main soaker (BUT DON'T), then sew the side seam of the leg cuffs, (BUT DON'T), and then "set-in" the cuff into the leg opening like you would a sleeve in an arm hole.  Lazy sewers will go to great lengths to avoid set-in sleeves because they are tricky and unpleasant. 

Here's what we'll do instead, which is Secret #4: Lay your main soaker pieces face up on your work surface and then pin your leg cuff along the leg opening, right sides together.  Sew like so:

Bad pic... but the three layers are going through the machine here.

 Don't forget to stretch your cuff to match the leg opening if you cut it short. 

And here's what it looks like from the right side:

Add the other cuff just the same way:

 

NOW sew ONE side seam, which includes the leg cuff and main soaker:

AND NOW STOP!!!  DO NOT SEW THE OTHER SIDE SEAM!!!

 

Instead, take your waist band, and pin it right sides together with your soaker.  Sew, remembering to stretch it to fit if you cut it shorter than the pattern:

OK, see how nicely it is coming together?  That step saves you from having to sew the waistband on like the cuffs, set-in.

 

Line up the second side seam: cuff, body, and waist band:

I pinned that just to show you... I usually would just go for it :).  (Also, ignore that seam across the butt of the soaker.  I had to piece the 2nd main soaker layer because my sweater was so small.)

Sew:

 Isn't that pretty?

 

 This is the seam allowance of the last side seam... trim diagonally at the top (waistband).  This will ensure your seam allowance doesn't show from the front.  Sorry if that is confusing....

 

And here you see the angled leg cuff.  You don't need to trim the seam allowance because the angle of the cuff hides it:

On a soaker leg cuff that is cut straight, instead of angles, you'll want to trim the seam allowance here, too, to prevent it from peeking out while being worn.

 I do not finish my seams on the inside because they won't fray if the sweater is felted .  Also, when I have overlocked or zigzagged them on the edges, they get somewhat stiff and bulky.  And scratchy.  So I use really soft sweaters and leave them alone.  I think this is most comfy for babies.

 

Although this pic shows the waistband seam, and it is very obvious, it is much more subtle when it is on a baby.

 

And another soaker, 2 layers of a thick cashmere with the rest of the merino waistband:

You may be able to tell that I did not trim as much off the waistband here.  The waist doesn't pull in as much as on the soaker above.  It should still be enough to prevent gaps.
 

The pink cashmere sweater didn't have a stretchy ribbed waist.  It had a firm edging like this:

The cuffs were fine for the legs, but I wanted a stretchier waist.  So I used the leftover ribbing from the first sweater.  Waste not, want not!

 

Happy sewing.  Leave any questions in the comments and I will try to get to them asap.

 

 

"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?" ~Milton Berle



Home Remedy Month- homeopathics

First, some updates:

Today is Isaiah's 8th birthday! Seems like just yesterday....

We found out on Tuesday that our baby... is a girl. We are very excited, especially Rosemary. We are still duking it out over names.

And, in my last post, I said Ed's job will be ending here in the forest in a couple months, and that we will be heading back to the city, most likely. I didn't say WHICH city, for the good reason that we don't KNOW which city!!! We hope to be able to share our plan by the end of April... provided we actually have one by then. (And don't worry, we have plenty of options, we just haven't made any decisions.)

To wrap up Home Remedy Month, I want to share a bit about how we use homeopathics around here. The best thing about homeopathic remedies is that they produce zero side effects. If you take or give a dose of the wrong one...

Nothing happens.

A helpful saying for understanding how homeopathics work is "One lock, many keys." As far as I understand, it means that there's not just one homeopathic that will work in any given situation, and also that there are lots of homeopathics you could try that won't work in a given situation. In other words, it's a little confusing to sort it all out.

In Mexico and many European countries, homeopathic medicines are utilized by MD's just as often as allopathic (mainstream pharmeceuticals) medicines. Unfortunately, in the late 19th century, Big Business in the form of newly formed pharmeceutical giants, started sponsoring medical schools and overnite homeopathics disasppeared from the curriculum.

Since there are plenty of excellent books on homeopathic medicine in any library, I won't go into their history or chemistry any more than that.

I have a small handful of homeopathic remedies that I use regularly because I 'know' them well. Similar to herbs, it can be more helpful to build your stash around a few remedies versus buying a huge kit containing dozens of remedies you're not sure how to use. And remember that the more sure you are that a homeopathic is the 'right' one for your situation, the higher dosage you can use.

(The other thing to remember is that strong herbs, mint especially, and caffeine 'antidote' homeopathics. So don't store them near your herbs or your coffee canisters and don't take them within 15 minutes to an hour of consuming any caffeine or mint products.)

Arnica Montana is the first one I have around with wild kids and a rocky canyon. Arnica is used just like its herbal counterpart- for any bump, bruise, strain or sprain that doesn't break the skin.

Hypericum Perforatum is used for nerva pain, and I use it for any bump that does break the skin. (Yesterday while partying with his friends, Isaiah busted his knee on a rock and Rose punctured her hand on a fence. I gave them both Hypericum and coated their little woundlets in lavender oil.)

Chamomilla (homeopathic chamomile) is helpful for cranky or restless kids, anywhere herbal chamomile would help.

Ignatia Amara is good for grief or emotional upset (read temper tantrum).

Hyland's makes a line of wonderful homeopathics for little ones- teething, colic, slepplessness, etc. Their Hyland's Kids' Kit is a great and inexpensive way to get started.

If you want a book, Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants is excellent and thorough.

Many moms prefer homeopathics to herbs because, as I mentioned, there are zero side effects and there is no danger if the wrong one is accidentally administered. Also, homeopathics require little or no preparation (what, stewing tinctures for months at a time isn't your idea of fun?) and take up a lot less space in the kitchen cupboards. And they travel better, I have to admit.

Personally, I find herbs to work more powerfully, but the more gentle action of homeopathics is really a plus for small children. In any case, combining your herbal arsenal with homeopathics can really yield the best of both worlds.

Tomorrow I'm introducing a new giveaway, so check back!!!


"The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience. Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around.... Throughout history, "tender loving care" has uniformly been recognized as a valuable element in healing."
~Larry Dossey

"Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing."
~Redd Foxx

Herbs for Allergies

*DISCLAIMER* The author of this post is not a healthcare professional or a licensed herbalists. This information is provided for educational purposes only.*

Allergies suck. Food allergies, outdoor allergies... they suck. Those 2 types are what we deal with around here. The wildflowers and grasses are beginning to bloom int he mountains and we all have red eyes, plus mom has swollen sinuses and joints.

One of the finest ways to deal with the swelling (anywhere) associated with allergies is to EAT REALLY SPICY FOODS. (Incidentally, this is a Mexican folk remedy for allergies.) Jalapenos, cayene, real horseradish, and ginger are great for calming swollen sinuses and relieving aching joints. The 'hot oils' in these foods counteract the swelling caused by the allergic histamine reaction. That's why some people can't eat avocado without their throats swelling shut, but with the addition of enough chopped jalapeno, no problems, no near-death experience. Of course, my sister-in-law, who has this problem and solution, still keeps an epi-pen about just in case, but she's never had to use it.

(A note on hot peppers like jalapeno and cayenne: the 'hot oil' is called capsaicin, and it is amazing. It causes, among other things, the release of endorphins and lowering of blood triglyceride levels, just like when you exercise. New Mexico's heart disease rate is HALF the rest of the country's, though I'm pretty sure the overweight/ obesity rate is NOT half. Studies from the University of New Mexico link that to the very high rate of hot pepper consumption. Seriously, when local chile peppers are in high season, you can only buy them in the store in 40 lb boxes. Ummmm, do people really eat 40 lbs of hot chile peppers here? Yes, they do.)

Unfortunately when it comes to food allergies, no herb will help you much. Avoidance is the way most herbalists suggest dealing with food allergies. Sometimes, in the case of dairy allergies, extreme fermentation, usually in the form of really over-cultured kefir, can break down the allergens lactose and casein far enough to allow the individual to eat them without triggering a reaction. Not for us, unfortunately, but for some. Extreme kefir like that is good in smoothies or thickened as a sour cream or cream cheese sub.

As far as herbs go for seasonal allergies, stinging nettles, in the form of freeze-dried nettle capsules and tea, are helpful. Take them in advance of the season, following the dosage on your bottle, and drink any tea containing nettles 3-4 cups/ day. Mountain Rose Herbs (they should really pay me) make a great nettle-containing allergy tea called "Seasons of Discontent" that tastes great.

Well, that's it for me today. I've got a really messy kitchen because I made homemade pasta sauce yesterday but was too tired to clean the kitchen before bed... and I wanted to knit. It was really delicious and you can look forward to the recipe after I tweak it just a bit more.


"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."
-e.e. cummings

Echinacea: an Ounce of Prevention

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care.”
-Benjamin Franklin

(Is there a situation for which that glorious hypocrite doesn’t have a quotable quote???)

Well, Echinacea is not my favorite herb, I’ll be honest. Personally, I think there are so many herbs that taste good, why dabble in the incurably bitter?

In the case of Echinacea, it’s because there is nothing else that works like it. Period. (Well, maybe olive leaf, but that actually tastes worse… if that’s possible!) So in my apothecary, lavender is the queen, but Echinacea is the king. (See that? Spell check even capitalizes it automatically for some unknown reason!)

Not only is Echinacea a supreme preventative of… just about everything… it works for you once you get sick, too. The easiest way to take it is in tincture form. If you want to make you own tincture, you can use my super-cool tutorial:
http://breadwithhoney.blogspot.com/2011/10/herbs-finally.html

More kid-friendly Echinacea recipes:
http://breadwithhoney.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-ways-to-get-your-echinacea.html

(Sorry, my computer has an unfixable problem that doesn’t allow me to post links, just cut-and-pasties.)

You can use Rosemary Gladstar's directions, too. However, for kids, I’d make the glycerite tincture, and add more cinnamon sticks than I did in my tincture, above.

I add the alcohol tincture to tea. Once upon a cinnamon stick, I used to drink an immune cocktail every day: 1 cup OJ with 1 teaspoon elderberry extract and 1 dropperful of Echinacea tincture. I started that when I was pregnant with Isaiah because that winter the flu was terrible but I didn’t want to get the vaccine. (NOTE: Echinacea should be avoided during the 1st trimester of pregnancy. Some sources suggest avoiding it throughout pregnancy, some indicate that it is safe after week 12. Always do your own reading and use your discretion.)

Now OJ is pretty much a verboten food around here unless it is fresh squeezed, and heck no, I’m not a committed enough foodie to fresh-squeeze orange juice every day. Sheesh, people, I have a life outside food.

So I sneak it into tea when I remember. Which is ok, as general protocol for Echinacea is to take it on and off, not continuously. So, maybe, 5 days on (M-F) and 2 days off (weekends). Or 2 weeks on, 1 off. I will swear that the winters I actually do that consistently, NO ONE gets even the sniffles. I’m usually not that consistent. Once you are sick, 1 dropperful of tincture every hour or two should kick a cold or other virus in a day or 2. Sneak it into a spicy, cinnamon-y tea, and children (and picky adults) don’t even notice.

John Paul, the kid who still licks the floor, and Rosie, the mud-eating queen, both had a runny nose earlier in the week and I brewed up a pot of strong Echinacea-rose hip-raspberry leaf tea with stevia and cinnamon (using green Echinacea herb) and made them each a thermos. They sipped all day and (to my surprise) they’ve been snot-free ever since.

Herbs for Kids makes a nice glycerite called Sweet Echinacea that is very tasty. I don’t buy it, because my kids think it is candy and pester me for multiple doses in an hour. It’s that yummy. This would be great for the non-tea brewers among you. (I really don’t think juice is a good thing to give kids. Ever. So I don’t even suggest it anymore, unless you really are going to fresh-squeeze it every day.)

Taking too much or very strong Echinacea will make your tongue numb, but this is harmless (and actually sorta cool). It will fade in a minute or 2.

Well, I could wax poetic for a few more pages about Echinacea, but I bet you’ve had enough, and I need to go feed my pregnant belly. So enjoy your tea today and come back and see us tomorrow.


“To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.”
-Helen Keller

Fever Helpers

Fever in itself is not an illness. It is a symptom that your body is fighting one.

I will NEVER forget the winter of 2007... Rosie was due any day, and Isaiah came down with some mystery virus, the only sign of it being a ridiculously high fever.

At one point, we raced him to the ER during a fit of fever so high he was hallucinating. The fever was down by the time we got there and they sent us home. Phew. Saving us a thousand bucks, I'm sure.

A couple days later we took him to a clinic (Sunday afternoon of course) when his high fever simply wouldn't break. It's the talking to given us by the doctor on call that I'll never forget.

"Why are you so worried about a (insert cuss word) fever? I've got six kids and we never give them anything for fever. Fever is good. t's your body's way of fighting germs. I wouldn't give my kids Tylenol to break a fever. Ever."

Even if they ended up in one of those fever seizures?

"Correct. After infancy, it won't hurt them, it's just scary for mom and dad."

WELL! Thank you, doctor. No really. I had always heard such contradicting information on fever- it's good, it's bad, bring it down, let it go...

Now, I would never let a fever go so high that it sent anyone into a seizure, and Ed is so paranoid over fevers that if my self-help methods don't work- quickly- he breaks out the Tylenol.

So I try to be effective when a fever gets too high or goes on too long.

Ginger with lemon tea is one of the best fever reducers there is. Ginger itself is warming, working on the homeopathic principle that "like cures like." Plus, with a drop of stevia, it is delicious and my kids have never refused it. (Just place a few slices of fresh root in a cup, cover with boiling water, cover, steep 10 minutes, sweeten, and enjoy.)

The other herbal tea good for fevers is peppermint and lavender; use a half teaspoon lavender and a half teaspoon peppermint per cup, sweeten, and enjoy. Peppermint is a cooling herb. Lavender, you know, it’s just pretty much good for everything. In a pinch, you can use 1 drop peppermint oil and 1 drop lavender oil in a teapot of hot water; use organic oils; and be prepared for a strong tea! Editing to add: this essential oil tea would be appropriate for adults, but it would be too strong for small children. See the commments for some ideas on how to use eo's for fever in little people.

If your little people aren't big tea drinkers, well, let's face it, you're a bad mom.

JUST KIDDING!

Seriously, if your children hate to drink tea, there is a great brand of herbal glycerine extracts (sweet, not gross like alcohol tinctures) called Herbs for Kids. They make a "Temp Assure" that is very, very tasty, and works well. Could be a good choice for traveling, for adults or children.

*DISCLAIMER* This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to take the place of care by a qualified allopathic, homeopathic, or herbal professional.*


"Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

Herbs for Headache

Serious headaches needs medical attention... blah, blah, blah.

*DISCLAIMER* The author of BreadwithHoney is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. Information here is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk and always consult your healthcare provider.***

OK, that's out of the way!

Headaches have different causes, so when looking for a natural remedy, you may need to try a couple before 1 works on yours' particular cause. Guess what my favorite remedy is for headaches?

Lavender Essential Oil

Apply it to your pulse points or inhale straight form the bottle.

If that doesn't work, do the same with Peppermint Essential Oil.

And if that STILL doesn't work, drink a glass of something super-sour, like 100% cranberry juice, or a whole lemon squeezed into a few ounces of water.

And if that doesn't work, for heaven's sake, take a Tylenol and go to sleep. Life needs you!


"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin."
-William Shakespeare

Herbs for a Sore Throat

There are about a million herbal remedies for sore throats. I'm just sharing my 2 favorites.

Number 1 is just plain old salt water. I make it super-strong with Himalayan Pink Sea Salt
and baking soda. Then gargle away, every hour or 2. It works. It just doesn't make anybody big bucks, so you don't see commercials on TV for it....

Number 2 is licorice and cinnamon tea. These 2 herbs release a mucilaginous substance that coats your throat really well. You can purchase tea bags of Throat Coat Herbal Tea, which contain herbs that do this, too.

To brew licorice and cinnamon tea, just place 1 teaspoon licorice root (about 1 slice, licorice root is usally sold in slices) or 1/4 t licorice root powder, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips (or 1 cinnamon stick, or 1/4-1/2 t powder) in a large mug and cover with boiling water. Cover tightly while brewing at least 10 minutes. Sweeten with dark, raw honey or stevia as desired. Drink as much as you want, at least 3-4 cups a day when your throat really hurts.

Do you have a favorite home remedy for sore throat? I'd love to hear it!


"Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another."
-Juvenal, Satires

*DISCLAIMER* The author of BreadwithHoney is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. Information here is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk and always consult your healthcare provider.***

Herbs for Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids. Luckily, this pregnancy has been blessedly free of them. People don’t like to mention them. Right?

Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in that MOST uncomfortable of places. And they can pretty much ruin your day.

To prevent them, FIBER is the best weapon. After giving birth, one doctor I know recommends eating ¼ to ½ head iceberg lettuce every day. Sorta extreme, but very effective.

Once they arrive, nothing beats witch hazel fresh from the fridge. Apply with a soft cotton round and if you want, leave it there till you feel the need to replace it.

There are 2 homeopathic remedies that work amazingly well on hemorrhoids, too. The first is Hamamelis, which is especially appropriate if the hemorrhoids are accompanied by bleeding. (Consequently, Hamamelis is Latin for witch hazel, and is simply the homeopathic form of witch hazel.) The other common homeopathic for hemorrhoids is Muriaticum Acidum. There are other homeopathics for hemorrhoids, so reading up on all of them before you decide which to go with is helpful. (But remember, homeopathics are very safe so if you accidentally choose the wrong one, there are no side effects.) 30c is a good strength for quick relief.

*DISCLAIMER* The author of BreadwithHoney is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. Information here is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk and always consult your healthcare provider.***


"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.... People think pleasing God is all God care about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back."
-Alice Walker, The Color Purple, 1982

Herbs for Diarrhea

Diarrhea, cha-cha-cha.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Diarrhea can have many causes, but generally speaking, unless you are suffering from amoebic dysentery, the herbs and foods that will help are the same. Foods are always the safest, gentlest way to treat bowel imbalances. Magic Rice Tea is great for vomiting/ diarrhea situations. Oatmeal and yogurt are excellent for any diarrhea, any cause. Coconut water is great for rehydrating during diarrhea.

The very best herb for diarrhea is blackberry root, taken as a tea or tincture. The tincture can be hard to find, and honestly since diarrhea is the only thing I would use blackberry root for off the top of my head, I rarely have any. Raspberry leaf actually makes a good substitute and I always have that, since it works well for such a host of things. If you prefer tea bags: Raspberry Leaf, Herbal Tea .


The main concern with any diarrhea is dehydration. Know the signs and call your doctor if you see them. And keep offering the coconut water and rice tea!


"God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars."
-Author unknown, commonly attributed to Martin Luther

*DISCLAIMER* The author of BreadwithHoney is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. Information here is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk and always consult your healthcare provider.***

Herbs for Heartburn

Heartburn is one of those things...

For most of us, heartburn is an annoyance and not a serious condition. The information here is for this type of occasional heartburn. Severe, prolonged, or constant heartburn should be overseen by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Herbs are not miracle cures. That means if you are consistently eating a less-than-healthful diet, don’t expect miracle results with any herb. Herbs always work best when you are doing your best to eat a healthful diet and live a healthy lifestyle.

Peppermint is the “Digestion Doctor.” Occasional heartburn can be taken care of quite effectively with a strong peppermint tea. Loose peppermint is available at virtually any healthfood store. For the lazy, buy a brand of tea bags that come individually wrapped so they stay fresh. Traditional Medicinals is a great brand for tea if you need tea bags. While it costs a bit more than other brands, I can promise you their teas are much stronger than most brands. Brew this at the first sign of heartburn. Pour boiling water over your tea bag in a nice large cup and then COVER your cup tightly with a plate or saucer. Let it steep 10 minutes or more.

Mmmm- minty! Add a drop of stevia and enjoy.

If you are prone to heartburn or you know a certain meal may cause it, drink a cup 30 minutes before the meal and then again 30 minutes after the meal. Don’t wait for it to start. Peppermint tea is good for you, so no need to worry about drinking too much. (UNLESS you are a nursing mother. Mint herbs can adversely affect milk supply, so be aware.) Peppermint essential, just 1 drop, can also be added to your water glass at dinner to help avoid the development of heartburn after the meal. That can be a good choice when traveling, as a tiny bottle of Peppermint Essential Oil takes up little room and won’t get smashed like a tea bag might.

If you don’t care for peppermint (what’s wrong with you?), or you do happen to be a nursing mother, then another good digestive herb is anise. You can get anise in teabag form also. But I buy it by the pound and it gets used up! Use it just like peppermint. This is a traditional after dinner tea in Egypt. It is also used in Egypt for colic, and for many Egyptian babies, it’s the first “food” they will taste after mother’s milk.

Editing to add: One of my friends recently got sick of hearing me whine about pregnancy heartburn, so she told me to go drink some baking soda. Boy, it tastes gross, but a little baking soda dissolved in a little water gives lots of folks immediate relief from occasional acute heartburn. My mother-in-law confirms that this is the folk remedy of choice in northern Mexico.


"In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia."
-Charles A. Lindbergh, Life, 22 December 1967


*DISCLAIMER* The author of BreadwithHoney is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. Information here is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk and always consult your healthcare provider.***

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Well, we missed Strewsday Tuesday yesterday. Sorry, but we were at the PARK!!!

Today is my last essential oil post, I think. If I were stranded on a desert island, I would pick lavender oil and tea tree oil as my 2 essential oils. Because if you cut you foot on the coral, you're gonna need some good disinfectant.

Tea tree oil may not be pull-the-rabbit-out-of the-hat magic, but like lavender, it comes awfully close. Dh is currently using it to get rid of a rash (it seems like I have many tales of skin woes, which is odd, but we have been married 10 years, with 3 kids who like to roll in the grass, and moderately sensitive skin... oh, and my husband works around industrial chemicals!) that has baffled his doctor. His doctor wanted to prescribe a particularly noxious pharmeceutical, but I begged for 2 weeks to try to heal it naturally.

First we tried a geranium oil spray, in case the rash was viral or bacterial, but I suspected the rash was actually fungal. He likes the geranium smell, and wanted that to be the solution, hehe. But I had him switch to tea tree oil, neat- NO you shouldn't use tea tree oil neat (neat means undiluted)- unless directed by a qualified healthcare professional, and NO, I'm not one of those, but I do what I want. Anyway, the rash is almost gone.

Thank you very much.

Tea tree works on all sorts of germs, but it is superior on fungus (think YEAST). You can find directions for using it in a douche for vaginal yeast infections. You can add a drop to an all natural diaper cream for yeasty diaper rash, or just add it to a spray bottle with witch hazel and spray it on baby's bum before giving him plenty of naked time. A drop added to baby's bath will work on yeasty diaper rash, too.

Just like lavender, it is great on pimples. I have one right now, actually, and it really disturbs John Paul. Hang ona sec while I go put some on....

OK, hope that helps. He was trying to brush it off my face all day yesterday.

Tea tree is wonderful for cleaning. Tea tree in white vinegar is pretty much the world's best all-purpose cleaner. Add some lavender if the antiseptic, hospital-ish smell is more than you can bear. Great on bathroom surfaces, floors (diluted), whatever (sorry, I don't clean very much!).

If you happen to be the type of family that gets those unnameable illnesses- you know, not a raging bacterial issue, and whatever virus it is has no name an cure but tincture of time, and meanwhile kids are really cranky and, well, so are you... add tea tree with any of the lavender oil suggestions, on the stove to clear the air is my favorite, and pack a double whammy on your strange cold-shivers-tired-headache-stuffed-up junk.

It's realy easy to get your hands on inferior quality tea tree oil, so beware. The Body Shop used to sell a travesty of a product labelled tea tree oil. But when you read the fine print, magnified 20x with a monacle, it was really a jumble of crap with about 2% added tea tree oil. Not very effective when my sister tried to use it on a crazy skin infection several years ago. You need 100% tea tree oil. Latin name Melaleuca alternifolia. Buy a reputable essential oil like Aura Cacia or NOW. Mountain Rose Herbs would be an even better source; their oils are amazingly concentrated, so theirs I would never use neat, even on a lazy day. NOW oils just aren't as strong in my experience and their tea tree is what have used neat when I get lazy. And NO I'm not suggesting that as a good idea, more as a confession, really.

So besides your diaper bag (or purse) first aid kit, these three essential oils are a good way to green up your medicine cabinet. You can toss (no! not in the garbage! Find a community hazardous waste facility!) your cortizone creams, your cold medicines, and your antibiotic ointments at least, by now, if you've been reading through March.

I guess we'll need a diarrhea remedy, a heartburn remedy, a sleeplessness remedy, a fever remedy, and an allergy remedy to round out Home Remedy Month. Because I've got some really great food and nature stuff brewing, so I'm sorta eager to wrap up Home Remedy Month... like before someone sues me or something. Heh-heh, just kidding, you can't sue me because

*DISCLAIMER* The author is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. This information is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk.*****


"Man's heart away from nature becomes hard."
-Standing Bear

Geranium Essential Oil

I remember the smell of broken geranium stems from when I was a girl... both my mom and grandma had lots of geraniums and that pungent, sharp smell is unforgettable.

Essential oil of geranium (also called rose geranium), though, smells very sweet, really too sweet. But it mixes well with other scents. It is a powerful wound healer, anti-depressant, anti-bacterial, and the list cgoes on.

Geranium is so powerful it should NEVER be used on infants under 6 months, and betwen 6-12 months only with the advice of a healthcare professional.

It must be strictly avoided during pregnancy.

My favorite use of geranium oil is as a remedy against staph infection. God forbid you and your family ever contract antibiotic-resistant staph. But we did. (I am referring to SKIN rash-type staph, not staph infection of open wounds!)

John Paul was just a baby. By the time Ed noticed this rash oon his trunk, it was bad, and I mean bad. He was prescribed oral antibiotics and chose to take them. When we all succumbed 1 by 1, thankfully, I caught it early and our PA thought a topical ccream would do.

Well, it didn't do. It was a big, fat, terrifying mess. Another PA suggested antibacterial body wash. Nice. Like I wasn't already breeding super-germs in my house!

Then one weekend Isaiah fell on his knee and I found a big puss-filled thingy on his knee. I was sure it was going to have to be lanced and drained. But I wasn't about to spend 6 hours and $600 in the ER for that. My friend and midwife suggested trying geranium oil on it while I anxiously waited for Monday morning to come. I used the oil neat (undiluted, and NO you shouldn't do that... it should always be diluted... I was just having a reeeeally bad day) and covered the area with a hefty bandage.

Monday morning, 10 am, PA's office. Bandage comes off. PA frowns. PA looks at me puzzled. "Where is it?"

It was gone. The quarter-sized, pus-filled boil had disappeared.

SUH-WEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She actually asked me to give her info on geranium oil, as she had several patients really struggling with staph and she couldn't give them any more antibiotics in good conscience.

Over the next couple of weeks, we continued to have little staph spots appear but the geranium oil banished them all very quickly... WAY more quickly than the topical antibiotic we had tried first. Our PA continued to be awed and impressed by the superior results.

Generally, to use geranium on wounds or bacteria, yoou dilute it a few drops to a few ounces vodka or rubbing alcohol- use witch hazel if straight alcohol is too drying for you. Geranium in witch hazel also makes a great deodorant for sensitive skin that can't handle natural deodorants containing baking soda or salt.

The reason I had geranium on hand, though, was as a help for the after-baby blues. Avoid it while pregnant, but remember it after birth if you feel down in the dumps. Use the deodorant spray or just sniff the bottle a couple times a day. As my dh likes to remind me, the fatsest way to get a chemical into your blood stream is to inhale it.

Oh, and he's an industrial construction safety specialist, not a druggie, in case you were worried.


"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck."
-Emma Goldman

"Even if you think the Big Bang created the stars, don't you wonder who sent the flowers?"
-Robert Brault

DISCLAIMER* The author is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. This information is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk.*****

Lavender: the mother of all remedies

*DISCLAIMER* The author is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. This information is for educational purposes only. Use all home remedies at your own risk.*****

"How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...."
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Lavender.

Some say the rose is the queen of flowers....

But she is so expensive!

Lavender is like the poor man's rose, then.

Lavender is an amazing cure-all, and as such, it really makes the backbone of my herbal medicine chest. The dried herb makes a lovely potpourri and repels bugs when tucked into linen chests and closets and drawers. You can use it as a tea, too, but I find the essential oil to be the easiest and quickest to use.

When purchasing essential oil of lavender, look for the latin names Lavandula officianalis or Lavandula augustofolia. If the bottle says spike lavender, Spanish lavender, lavender 50/ 50, or something like that, leave it on the shelf.

Most essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier before being applied to the skin or added to the bath. Lavender is an exception. So gentle, it can be applied directly to the skin, though many sources suggest diluting it anyway, to be on the safe side.

I'm really lazy, though. I use my bottle of lavender like a salt shaker and sprinkle it right on.

Here are some of the multitudinous uses you will find for lavender:

-headache remedy: unscrew the lid and inhale deeply, or rub a drop into each temple

-sting and bite relief: numbs the pain and itching right away and stops/ prevents swelling

-pimples: apply a drop directly

-general germicide: place a drop on the chest or shirtfront of a person sick with... anything; the vapors will go to work against all those germies

-viral infection: lavender has been proven to inhibit the reproduction of viruses, flu even; add a few drops to a bowl and place on the sick person's floor in an out of the way place, but near the bed, and fill with boiling water which will disperse the vapors into the air while the sick person sleeps (essential oil vaporizers work wonderfully, but they are expensive)

-prevention: lavender flowers or a drop od lavender oil (add another drop every half hour) in a pot of simmering water on the stove will keep the herb's
vapors in the air, help keep sinuses open, and can help prevent infection or its spread

-colds: use lavender flowers or oil in a traditional herbal steam treatment; see any published herbal resource for how to do this

-sunburn: lavender oil in your aloe will make it more effective

-stress: inhale lavender, sprinkle it on your pillowcase, bathe in it

-insomnia: not a true cure for insomnia, but the relaxing properties of lavender make it a good scent to sniff in the evenings in addition to whatever other remedies you use for insomnia

-inflammation: whether it's your joints, your skin, whatever, lavender oil in a massage oil like almond or coconut will soothe imflammation quickly

Buy lavender oil in small quantities. Essential oils do not have a long shelf life, compared to other herbal remedies. Never use undiluted lavender on babies; never use essential oils of any type on babies under 6 months without the advice of a qualified natural-friendly healthcare professional.

Because lavender is cheap and radily available, it is a great place to start with herbal home remedies. Check out a book from your library on herbal remedies or hebal medicine and I guarantee you will find dozens more uses for the miraculous stuff.

Happy healing!


"Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green,
When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.
Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so."
-English folk song

Earache Remedy

Talk about ridiculously simple. This earache remedy is one of my favorites. Although mullein grows abundantly here, and its flowers make a superb infused oil for earaches, I am too lazy to do that. So here, in its stead, is an earache remedy for dummies and lazy folks.

Take a 1 oz. dropper bottle.
Fill 3/4 of the way with rubbing alcohol.
Add 3 drops tea tree essential oil.
Cap and shake.

Add 2 drops to the affected ear as needed.

This remedy is found in several of Rosemary Gladstar's books. My mother-in-law also confirms that rubbing alcohol alone is used in Mexico as a folk remedy for ear infections and ear pains of all types.

We rarely to never get ear infections or earaches, but in early December, I developed one in both ears that was excruciating. We were on the road and the first thing I did when we got home was mix this up. It provided instant relief. In January, Isaiah got some water stuck in his ears by over-zealous neti-potting, and woke up at 2 am screaming with ear pain. These drops also worked in moments for him.


"Ah, me, herbs cannot cure love!"
-Ovid

Natural 1st Aid Kit

With warm weather approaching... um, it is approaching isn't it???- my thoughts turn to my neglected daypack. (Not, at the moment doing double duty as a diaper bag.) In addition to the usual stuff a mom needs for a day away from home, I always carry a 1st Aid Kit. Always. You never know with a gaggle of kids in tow!

It's easy and inexpensive to put together your own kit full of all-natural remedies. The key is to use versatile remedies to avoid lugging the whole medicine cabinet with you.

Here is what I carry:

Band-aids
Tiny pair of sharp scissors
Tiny pair of tweezers
Needle (in case those tweezers don't cut it)
Safety pins, just 2 or 3
Lavender oil- the heart of any minimalist, all-natural 1st Aid Kit for on the go- see below
Arnica salve or pastilles- see below
Rescue Remedy- see below
Alcohol or iodine swabs (not strictly necessary if you carry lavender oil)
Anti-itch cream or spray for mosquito bites, etc.

Lavender oil: this little miracle replaces lots of other junk. Take several deep whiffs for headache relief. Drop one drop on any type of sting for immediate analgesic relief. Use instead of an anti-biotic cream or gel; it's a very powerful antiseptic. Dab on skin rashes, too. Lavender oil is one of the ONLY essential oils that can be used "neat," that is, straight, even on kids. Most every other eo needs to be diluted in a carrier oil or in water, making other oils rather cumbersome for on-the-go usage.

Arnica gel/ salve/ pastilles: water-based preparations of arnica are considered homeopathic; oil-based are considered herbal. If that's Greek to you, just know that strong herbs, such as lavender, can diminish the effectiveness of homeopathics if stored together. I like to use an oil-based salve of arnica to avoid this issue. Arnica is for bruises, sprains, bumps, etc, WHEN THERE IS NO BROKEN SKIN. Arnica should absolutely never be used on open wounds.

Rescue Remedy: technically a homeopathic remedy for stress, anxiety, and violent emotions in general (think temper tantrum from over-tiredness, hunger, etc). This is a ready-made remedy made by a company called Bach. You can buy this as an alcohol preparation, a spray, or in pill form. I like to keep this separate from my main kit in my bag, as the lavender can deactivate its awesome powers :). Pastilles (pills) are nice for kids, but so is the spray- spray in the mouth, on this skin and rub in, etc. I find the original alcohol tincture impractical for on-the-go. (Sometimes Amazon puts these remedies on sale: Rescue Remedy.)

Well, I hope that gets you dreaming about warm days in the woods.


"We seem to be going through a period of nostalgia, and everyone seems to think yesterday was better than today. I don't think it was, and I would advise you not to wait ten years before admitting today was great. If you're hung up on nostalgia, pretend today is yesterday and just go out and have one hell of a time."
-Art Buchwald

March is Home Remedy Month!

Well, it is at BreadwithHoney! In an attempt to get back to regular blogging, I'm going to share with lots of super-duper-simple remedies for all sorts of things.

***DISCLAIMER*** Maureen, owner of BreadwithHoney is neither a healthcare professional nor a certified herbalist. Any information here is for educational purposes only. Use at your own risk. Always cross-consult 3 published works before using any herbal remedy.***

My philosophy when it comes to home remedies is definitely to KEEP IT SIMPLE. Rosemary Gladstar wrote something like she'd rather see an herbalist who can use 1 herb in 50 ways than an herbalist who can use 50 herbs only 1 way. My lazy thought exactly!

I like to keep herbs around that are SAFE and versatile. Plus, using fewer herbs for more things keeps the herbal apothecary hogging only a reasonable number of kitchen cabinets!

Some of my favorites are ginger, lavender, tea tree, rose hips, raspberry leaf, peppermint, and geranium. Lavender is really the mother of my herbal repertoire. There used to be a book called "The Lavender Essential Oil Bible" which is out of print. And anyone who wants to make me really happy should feel free to find this book and send me a copy.... Anyway, lavender is as close as I've ever been to magic!

I hope you'll join me this month and glean some useful, or at least interesting, information.


"If the day and night be such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweet-scented herbs, is more elastic, more immortal - that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself."
-Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Food on Your Face

OK, so Food on your Face it is! What food are we putting on our faces today? Well, we are going to start with your favorite oil. My favorite oil is extra virgin olive, so that's what I use!

The method we're talking about it called the Oil Cleansing Method, OCM for short. The concept here is that like cures like, or like dissolves like in the case of oils. Most of us consider with horror the prospect of slathering our faces with oil. We're told that oil is the enemy. Oil will clog your pores. Oil will make you oily.

Not so. Oil cleanses. Until a few years ago it was technically impossible to make a soap or a lotion without oil. Impossible. Soap requires an oil or fat (like lard). Lotions, too, are an emulsion of oil and water. Only the miracle of modern science- and all the accompanying chemicals- allow folks to make 'cleansers' and 'moisturizers' without oil!

Here's the basic OCM method:
-Mix your oils
-Apply generously to a dry face
-Massage in an upward motion for 2-3 minutes
-Steam the oil off by using as washcloth soaked in VERY warm/ hot water (Lay the washcloth on your face until it cools, then wipe gently. Repeat until ALL the oil is gone.)

Do not scrub your face with the cloth. Dry gently or air dry, again, don't rub your face with the towel. If your skin is dry after this, apply a drop of oil, lavender oil, or natural face lotion (Mountain Rose Herbs makes inexpensive and amazing face lotions).

Here are the oils you can use:
extra virgin olive- some find this oil to thick and sticky. Some claim it clogs their pores. It is best for dry skin.
safflower- good for all skin types, no instances of problems with this oil that I have read of.
grapeseed- best for oily skin, may be too drying for less oily or dry skin.
jojoba- not a true oil, but a liquid wax, good for all skin types (some use this oil alone without castor oil for their OCM).
coconut- some sources clain this oil is comedogenic (pore-clogging) in OCM, but this seems nonsense to me, as MANY face lotions contain it and many people use it straight as a moisturizer- I know I have. Great for dry skin, also has UV protective qualities.
sunflower- similar to safflower.
almond or apricot- all skin types, not very popular for OCM it seems.
avocado- extremely nourishing and moisturizing, dry skin.

One or a mix of these oils is mixed with castor oil. Use 25% or less castor oil in the mix for dry skin, more for oily skin. Castor oil is drawing, drying, and cleansing. Too much will leave your skin TOO DRY so beware! Also, you may want to get your castor oil from a health food store, as Walmart or Walgreens' castor oils are often hexane extracted. Meaning: nasty chemical residues your face might not appreciate!!!

Really, that's all there is to it. Your skin should glow and radiate after this treatment! You do not need to do this every day, let alone 2x a day. You can use plain water to wash in between your OCM days.

If you google OCM, you will find some freaky scary stories about people having serious and awful reactions to OCM. Please do not be driven off! Here are my theories on bad reactions to OCM:

1) I do not want to discount the possibility that some people really just can't do it. Here's what to watch for- excessive redness or itching after troubleshooting your primary oil type, aquiring pure castor oil from a healthfood store, and decreasing your OCM to only every third day, with steamy water washes in between. Watch also for the development of cystic blemishes- these are hard and painful zits, not regular old blemishes. If you feel these developing, discontinue the OCM right away.

2) It's too big a shock! I think your skin needs a detox period if you are using a mainstream skin care regimen like Proactiv or Clinique or something. Here's how I detoxed b4 switching over to the OCM: first, I switched to Aubrey Organics skin care (cleanser and moisturizer). This brand is the purest and most natural ready-made skin care out there, in my opinion. It works, it's not overly expensive, and it's really safe and natural. (Many websites sell a travel set of Aubrey's skincare, which is cheap and lasts for about 2 months.) They're not sneakin' anything in there. (Consequently, if OCM sounds too crazy to you, I really hope you'll try Aubrey's Organics. No, they don't pay me.)

OR, try this: wash your face with a paste of baking soda and water; soften the bs with the water (wait till the grains dissolve a bit, especially for acne-prone skin), and very gently rub on your face- it will exfoliate your skin, but DON'T overdo this. Rinse gently. Moisturize with a dot of natural moisturizer, lavender essential oil, jojoba, or coconot oil.

Do this for several weeks or months. Why? To give your skin a break. Mainstream skincare is made up of synthetic chemicals, leaving your skin in a most UNnatural state. Why switch to OCM from these other natural regimens? Well, OCM is VERY nourishing to your skin; it fills in wrinkles; it super-moisturizes; it makes your skin glow; it reduces scars; it fades acne scars and blotches of unknown origin!

I had no trouble transitioning to OCM after about 3 years of experimenting with other 'natural' and food-based skincare. I have acne scarring- just dark blotches- on my chin and around my mouth- and so far OCM has faded them somewhat. From what I have read, I should see them continue fade with time. Also, my skin is VERY dry in the winter and OCM helps it stay moisturized better than any other skincare regime I've tried. (One winter, in desperation, I didn't touch my skin for 2 weeks. Amazingly, it helped a ton :).) It greatly increases circulation to your face, and this causes the glow. I like the glow. Ed often thinks I'm wearing makeup for hours after I cleanse with the OCM. I never skip adding a dot of lavender essential oil to dry spots and blemishes after cleansing. It really makes things perfect for me. I've been wanting to order some Rose Facial Cream from Mountain Rose Herbs, but they've been out of stock forever.

If you want to, and if you have some serious time on your hands, you can google OCM and read ad nauseum about it and how different people adapt it.

OK, go slather up and tell me how it goes, OK?


"I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful."
-Author Unknown

Food on Your Face; Food in Your Hair

I detest blog posts about what the author is "going to do", or "wants to do." Heck, I could make three posts a day based on everything I'm wanting and planning to do! So I've spared you these posts for over 6 months, while fine-tuning them and, hopefully, making them more than just interesting ideas.

If you've got any degree of crunch in your step, you've most likely heard of "No 'Poo." (As one of my friend's husbands said, reading over her shoulder, 'You know I tried that, but by day three I really had to go....') No, not that kind of poo. 'Poo as in short for shampoo. No shampoo.

Slightly more obscure is the OCM, Oil Cleansing Method, which is a way to wash your face without soap. I'll get to that tomorrow.

First, the No 'Poo. The basic concept is quite simple- use baking soda to 'wash' your hair, and apple cider vinegar to 'condition' it. Sounds really simple, but it's actually very tricky to get right. You could spend a week straight on the net reading about different ways to do it, how long to wait in between washes, how to troubleshoot hair that's too dry or too oily... you get the point.

Betcha can't tell which 2 heads are regualar Poo and which 2 are No 'Poo (sorry for the grainy pic...):

Baking soda is alkaline and vinegar is acidic, and finding the right balance of these 2 gives your hair the proper pH it needs to be beautiful. But there's no formula for getting it right.

I've decided that it works a bit differently for every head of hair and it takes quite a lot of experimenting before you find what's going to work on your own head. But it is so worth it to get rid of the expense and the chemical bath of regular shampoos and conditioners.

(I actually have No 'Poo'd my hair during the first trimester of each of my pregnancies. I get really paranoid about everything synthetic I put on my body and it's unknown effect on the baby's development. So shampoo is the first thing to go, yes, even the fancy and supposedly safe organic ones. But the first three times I never stuck it out past that.)

And it starts with the dreaded 'adjustment period.' This period can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, but the general consensus is that the longer you can stick it out, the easier your transition will be. During this time, well, you don't wash your hair, at all, with anything. Period.(But you still shower as usual!)

Gross? Sort of, especially if you have naturally oily hair. Though, after a while, you notice that your head is less greasy, because you actually start to reabsorb your own oils.

Modern heads produce oil on overdrive, because every time you wash with a shampoo, you strip your head of its natural oils. Head freaks out and over-produces more oil to compensate for this. Hence, an evil cycle of overewashing and over-producing, courtesy of, and profitable for, all those rich shampoo companies.

One blogger, with way more time on her hands than I have, actually read through archives of ladies' magazines and papers from the 1700s and 1800s and discovered that up untill the 20th century, it was general practice for ladies to wash their hair about every 2 weeks. And you've seen those soft, glossy, thick up-do's all those ladies had! Apparently, shampooing every day is not a biological necessity!

So how do you do it? Well, after your adjustment period, during which pony tails, braids, and do rags are your friends, you start with a baking soda (bs hereafter) wash. I've read people doing everything from dumping the bs on their head and then rubbing it in under the shower head, rubbing a paste of bs and water into the scalp, dipping the whole head in a basin of bs and water. But the general consensus seems to be that the best way to do it is to dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of bs in 2-3 cups warm water and pour it through your hair. Massage your scalp with your fingers and a cool thing will happen. The bs will react with your scalp's natural oil and produce some small, delicate bubbles. You just made a natural soap reaction! After your massage, rinse the hair with warm water.

Rosie's No Poo'd head:

For the first couple of months, I skipped the vinegar altogether. My head was still producing extra oil. However, in the next few months, my head started getting drier and I added it in. Some people need the apple cider vinegar (acv) all over their head, and others only need it on the ends of their hair. You just have to try it out both ways. If your hair generally seems to oily, back off on the acv. If it generally seems dry, step it up.

Again 1-2 teaspoons of acv in 2-3 cups warm water is all you need. You can add an essential oil to the acv mix to match your hair type. Rosemary is great for dark or oily hair; chamomile for blonde or fine hair; tea tree for 'smelly' or oily hair or irritated scalp; lavender for all hair and if your pregnant (it's one of the few GRAS- generally regarded as safe- eo's for pregnancy).

Well, them's the basics. Here are some common issues you may experience:

*Flaky scalp- can be dryness, or too much bs in your wash, or bs build-up, or something else... for the first three problems, you can massage the acv rinse into your scalp which can help. I've seen some recommendations for using a hot oil treatment for the scalp if it is really bad, but since I have no experience in that area, Google is your friend. Clary sage e oil helps combat dandruff; add a couple drops to your acv rinse.

*Can't comb/ brush through hair while it's wet- this seems pretty normal. Don't force it or you risk a lot of split ends and damaged hair. Always brush wet hair as gently as possible and try a different type or style of hairbrush. Detangle hair well before washing. If dry hair is ok to comb through, then don't worry. If dry hair is still extremely difficult to comb through, your pH is off- keep experimenting with your bc to acv amounts.

*My hair is still too oily- go longer between washes. Rinse hair every 2-3 days in the shower, but don't do the bs/ acv more than 1x/ week. 1x/ 2 weeks is about ideal. Less washing will actually slow your scalp's oil production. Also, my beloved Rosemary Gladstar recommends combing a few drops of an oil-absorbing essential oil into the hair between washes. Try lemon, patchouli, rosemary, tea tree, or ylang-ylang.

*My hair is still too dry- see above. Same advice will give your scalp the extra time it needs to produce enough oil. Use eo's for dry hair instead of oily: myrrh or peppermint.

There are lots of variations on this basic technique. Some folks use the bs as the wash, but continue using a chemical-free commercial conditioner (you want something without glycerine or silicone). Others Use coconut oil rubbed through the hair as a conditioner. Some do the adjustment period and then try to figure out how long they can go between regular old shampoo washings- many say 1-2 weeks. Others mix regular shampoos with No 'Poo; that's the only variation that I think is a bad idea, as it will really 'confuse' your head.

Look:

Three heads of No 'Poo'd or Never 'Poo'd hair!

*Does your head stink? Um, no. Even during the 2 month adjustment period of only rinsing my head, even my husband (he has a vey sensitive nose...) thought my hair smelled quite normal. Some people might have smelly heads, but remember that BO comes from bacteria, so if you feel like your head smells unpleasant, use tea tree essential oil in your routine somewhere.

*Can kids do this? Of course. But some kids' heads don't need it- or anything excpet water, for that matter. My kids have, well, never or almost never had their hair shampoo'd. Occasionally we use some Dr. Bronner's castile soap on their hair, but usually it's just warm water. Think about it- if a head never gets messed up with commercial cleansers, it never has to be fixed. On youTube, you can find videos from this woman who explains HWW- hot water washing- where, yup, the only thing you ever put on your head is hot water. Which I wouldn't believe, except that my boys have never had their hair touched by anything, and their hair is thick, shiny, and quite pretty, if I do say so myself.

*Can you do this if you swim in chlorinated water? Probably not. It's important to strip that chlorine out of your hair, and bs and acv just don't have the umph to do that. I may be wrong, though, and would love to hear from a regular swimmer who No 'Poo's.

After 6 months, I still have good hair days and bad hair days, I have to admit. But I've tried so many shampoos, from cheapies to very expensive salon stuff, to too many 'organic' or 'all-natural' hair junk to even remember, and the No Poo works just as well or better than anything I've tried before. And it's so nice to know exactly what's going onto and therefore into my head! I also will admmit that the pH of my hair and scalp have changed since becoming pregnant and I'm still troubleshooting a few things, and I was even tempted to give up during the later first trimester, but things, errrr hairs, are in the process of settling down.

"Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old."
-Franz Kafka

Some Days, This Job's the Pits

Here's what it looks like when we've had a great day of academic and artistic pursuit:

Let's not even talk about what a bad day might look like! My children have constant access to all our learning materials and yes, it can get messy. But life is messy. Might as well have fun and learn something, eh?

But this post is actually about deodorant. What? Ya, I've got a recipe for that, too. (My children are always flattering me: Mom, I need a yo-yo... do you have a sewing pattern for that? Mommy, will you cook cook us some blue paper like the blue playdough you cook? I dread the day they discover that their mom is not, in fact, Superwoman.)

The aluminum in anti-perspirant is a big no-no for your health. It is a known carcinogen. It seals up your body exocrine glands which were designed- get this- to sweat. Your body isn't mistaken. You need to sweat.

You just might not want to stink while you do it.

Deodorants might be a lesser evil, but they are still an amalgam of synthetic chemicals... even most of the health food store ones. My husband discovered, lucky dog, that simply rubbing baking soda under there after a shower works well for him. Me? Not so lucky.

So here's my recipe. The baking soda is a no-brainer. The coconut oil is antibacterial and prevents the proliferation of those pesky bacteria that stink you up. The essential oils make you smell good!

Reaaaally scientific:
Dump some baking soda in your container. Add enough coconut oil to moisten. Add your essential oils of choice. I used lavender and vanilla and it smells a little too edible. Lavender and tea tree is great, though.

Put the lid on. Enjoy!

And just in case you needed 1 more picture of my back yard:

"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is."
~Francis Bacon

"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place."
~Mark Twain