Coconut/Vitamin E DIY Lotion

Now that I found out that I am allergic to many of the lotions and creams out there on the market, I've been doing some investigating on how to make my own. Here is one of the recipes I've tried, and so far, so good.

Place  1 cup extra virgin coconut oil and 1 Tablespoon vitamin E into a bowl. It whips up better if it is in its solid form.

Then blend it up. My instructions said to whip it for seven minutes, but I put this into my small food processor and pulsed it until it was pretty well mixed. Then I set it to mix for a couple of minutes. I placed it into a glass jar, and boy did it smell wonderful (extra virgin coconut oil smells just like coconuts). The texture is really nice. You don't need a whole lot on your skin; a lot goes a LOONG way! 

Cruise Jewelry

In a very short while, my husband and I are going to be setting sail on the open seas! Yes, we are taking a cruise. We will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. Both our mom's are coming along. My mom loves to cruise, and my mother in law has never been, so we decided to invite them to come along. I'm so glad I have a mom and mother in law that are very easy to get along with.

I've been going through my closet to try to figure out what I want to bring. I do not plan to buy any new clothes, but I do plan to make me a few new pieces of jewelry so I feel as if I have a new outfit. I've got so many beads and such, I don't have to buy anything to make new pieces.

One of the dresses I plan to bring has a very bright (and loud) print to it. After digging around my beads, I finally came up with this necklace.

Looking at these two pictures, it seems that they really don't go very well, but before I started stringing up the beads, I made sure the matched.

Perfect!!!

I started to put together a pair of earrings, then I realized I had these pretty sterling daisies with the robin egg turquoise stone in the center. They don't match exactly, but they will be way up on my ears, so you really won't be able to tell much of a difference.

I am really glad that I can just go into my (very messy) craft room and put together something like this. It makes me feel as if I have a new outfit. I might just have to put together something else before I head out on the wide open seas...

foto friday

landscape

This past month (March) our photography club's theme for Take A Picture Everyday For A Year, was.....

LANDSCAPE

Here are the pictures I took this month. March started out like lion with snow the first couple of days, and went out as a lamb...still cold, but with some of our trees already blooming. 

March 1

March 2

March 3

The first three pictures were taken of our backyard; in fact most of the pictures I took were of our backyard.

March 4

A friend and I went out to the park one day, and I took a bunch of really pretty pictures. It was hard to choose which one, but I finally chose this one of the tree trees by the lake.

March 5

The next day it snowed again! This year our area got more snow in just the first few months than it did the whole last year. Crazy!

March 5

You will see that I doubled up on some days, because I was not able to get out every day for a picture.

March 6

March 7

This picture of the black birds in the tree was a popular one. A lady from our photography group liked it so much that she bought a print of it. My first photography print sale!

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March 8

One early morning I got up to let our dog out to potty, and I saw this gorgeous sight. The sun was just beginning to peak out and the moon was above the trees.

March 9

My husband and I took a stroll at the park and, again, I had some really nice shots. I like this one of the man fishing.

March 10

The next morning, another beautiful sunrise.

March 15

As you can see, I skipped almost a whole week. Not sure what happened, probably life. The picture above was taken close to Waverly, Tennessee. I'd been looking for an old building all month, and finally was able to find this old place.

March 16

While in Waverly, we went to visit my father in laws grave and I was able to take this shot of the bull, it's like he posed for me.

March 17

Back at home, I took this. Not all that great, but it was one of those crazy rainy days, and I was not going to get out there with my camera.

March 18

After all the rain we got the day before, the clouds hung around for a couple of days. It allowed me to get this shot of all the beautiful colors.

March 21

March 22

March 24

Finally, the buds are beginning to come out!

March 25

Then came some more snow. The day I had to leave to travel to my doctor in Louisville, KY...about three hours away. Most of you think, no biggy, but I am a deep south girl. Not use to driving in ANY snow. I called to find out the weather, and it seemed that Southern Kentucky got more snow than the north, so off we went. Glad I went because not only was I able to find out about my rash, but I got some really pretty pictures, one of which one first place in our monthly photography club contest!

March 26

My mother in law came with me, and we stayed with her cousin. He lived really close to the train tracks. I was able to get a few pictures of train stuff. I was glad, because this was something I wanted to get for this month.

March 26

Here's the train speeding through the night.

March 27

And here is one I took of us while going over the tracks. Not too bad for a picture taken from a moving car...

The Louisville area has some really nice parks. Cousin Bill took us around to see some of them while we were there. 

March 28

The picture above is the one that won first place in our contest. I think it was the oar by the lake that gave it the right touch.

March 28 

March 28

March 28

I know, there are a lot of March 28, but I was trying to make up for the week I had not done. Besides, there were so many nice things to take pictures of...I took over 130 in just one day. Yep, you could say I went just a little crazy!!!

The next picture, I took in Waverly. After our stay in Louisville, we met my husband down in Tennessee---turkey season had started. On our way back home, my husband took me by this old place. He knew I was looking for something like this and thought it would make a great picture. He was right!

March 30

March 31

The last day of March, Easter Sunday, was a very nice day. It was a bit on the chilly side, but the sun was out and I noticed that there were more blooms on our tree at the side of our house. The tree is just right out some of our windows, and I love looking at them while sitting down to eat at our dining room table, or on the couch watching TV.  Even though March was still a little dreary looking, I think I was able to get some nice shots. I am really looking forward to next month. April's them is WATER. Since I will be spending a lot of April down in Florida and some of it on a cruise, I'm sure there will be a lot of opportunity to get a few good shots.  Too bad my son has to stay back and take care of the house...I'm sure he would enjoy coming too. Oh well....maybe next time!

Dancing

Had to show off a little bit of dancing...

I just wanted to share this youtube video of my daughter. She is a dancer, choreographer and yoga instructor.

Ashley is a beautiful dancer and this video is of some of her contemporary moves.  She also does jazz, ballet, hip hop, ballroom, folk, and just about every other type dance, including TAP!!! Boy, you should see her tap, like WOW!

It's hard to believe that just a few years ago, she was having ankle surgery for an injury she encountered while dancing. She spent a whole summer in a cast and was told she probably would not be doing much dancing again. Goes to show you what a little hard work and perseverance can do...

Hope you enjoy!!!!

Fresh air and fresh water somewhere close to Elizabethtown, KY
formaldehyde 

This is my biggest concern, because there is pretty much nothing I can do about this. It is in EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!! There are other names for this too. Well, actually, other ingredients that turn to formaldehyde once it is put into our clothes, furniture, and a slue of other things.

Formaldehyde

     dimethylolu rea

     quaternium-15 (dowicil200)

     imidazolidinyl urea (germall115)

     diazolidinyl urea

     bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol)

     DMDM hudantoin

I was told by my doctor that I should only wear clothes with 100%. Like 100% cotton, or 100% silk, etc. Well, I'm not sure that is going to happen, because 100% of my closet (well, almost 100%) is NOT 100%. Did that make sense? 

Did you know that fabric that is not 100% has formaldehyde in it? They use this as a bonding agent. Formaldehyde bonds the different fabrics together. So, if you are wearing a poly/cotton, or spandex/nylon (which is what bathing suites are made of), or some other mixture of fabrics, then you have been wearing something that has formaldehyde in it. Did you know they use formaldehyde to bond soil resistant or stain retardant, or flame retardant? Yes, our children's PJ's are made with formaldehyde.

Some other products that contain formaldehyde are--glue, plywood, insulation, fiberboard, particleboard, timber paneling, lotions, shampoos, sunblock, soap bars, cosmetics, body wash, toothpaste, baby wipes, bubble bath, home cleaning products. This is just a short list of all the products we use that contain formaldehyde.

The other day I posted something on Facebook. I said, "Formaldehyde is a carcinogen....causes cancer...So why is it in almost everything  Beauty products, clothes, furniture, etc." After I posted this, a pharmacist friend of mine commented, "It is such a minuscule amount that it doesn't cause harm." Well, yes, there is a very little amount in each and every product, but when you combine all the stuff that has formaldehyde in it, there is more than a "minuscule amount."  A little bit of this ingredient is probably not all that bad, heck, I've heard our bodies even produce formaldehyde, and that it is even an essential role for our metabolism. One thing I've been taught is, "moderation is all things." I feel that because there is so much formaldehyde in our products, that we have been over exposed to this, and, therefore, it is starting to cause problems. Allergies, headaches, sinus issues, cancer, etc, are just a few.

The purpose for me posting this blog about formaldehyde, is that as consumers, we need to know about his type of thing. I feel that the more of us that know about this, the more we can have our voices heard, and do something about all this formaldehyde and other ingredients that are not safe.  

Not long ago on the Doctor Oz show, I saw where they "blew the whistle" on sports drinks and some soft drinks. Do you know that there was a dangerous ingredient called BVO or Brominated Vegetable Oil. This is the same thing they use as a flame retardant for mattresses, and children's clothes. Overseas, this ingredients has been banned, but not her in the United States and Canada. Click here for the article that talks about this.

Soon after this episode of Dr Oz, I heard that these companies were taking BVO out of their products. See? Have you ever heard the saying, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil?"  Let's be a squeaky wheel and start having our voices heard. We need to let these companies know we do NOT want this stuff in our homes or on (and in) our bodies!

Here are are few other good places to get info about this. Click here for The Hidden Formaldehyde in Everyday Products. Click here for another good article about formaldehyde and what it is, etc. For another good blog, go to Thank Your Body here, for info on indoor air quality. You can also just search formaldehyde and get all kinds of info.

I had someone tell me the other day that, "I can't die." At first I had no idea as to what he meant. Then, I caught on...formaldehyde is used to embalm dead bodies. At first I said it was a good thing I wasn't a mortician. Now, I just say, lets leave the formaldehyde to the deceased...

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Laundry Day

Today, I get to do one of my most favorite things...Laundry!!! Just kidding! Actually, I hate to do laundry, but it is a necessary evil. I will have to say, lately, it has been a lot easier than when I had four children at home with all their dirty clothes.

Remember my new washer and dryer? Just got them when we first moved. They are pretty nice. We got the low end; I really don't like a bunch of bells and whistles on my appliances, but these days, one does not have much of a choice. When I start up these boogers  I feel like I am getting ready to play a video game. The sound cracks me up...."tadada DA TA da.......CHARGE!!!!!" Crazy!

Well, back to the topic at hand...laundry. Specifically, detergent and dryer sheets. I'm glad I don't have to change my laundry soap, as I was already using something that is fragrance free, and all that other stuff I can't have free. 

source

As far as dryer sheets, I just use whatever is on sale. I really need to use them, because I am a very "electrifying" person. You see, it seems like everything I put on (including 100% cotton) has a lot of static. One thing I did not realize, is that dryer sheets are very toxic! I hear that are bad from your dryer too. You can go to Thank Your Body and read up on it there. 

So, what is a girl to do? I was talking to my daughter about this, and she told me she just throws her clothes in the dryer and then sprays vinegar on them, and then drys them as normal. Well....that is what I did. I filled up a spray bottle, sprayed about 15 or so sprays onto my clothes in the dryer, and turned it on....

The result?

I was a little skeptical; wasn't sure that my clothes would come out smelling like vinegar. The first load I tried this with was a load of very static prone articles. They came out with ZERO static electricity, and ZERO smell!!!! Everything was nice and soft, including a few small towels I had in that load.

The second load was full of towels and sheets. Again, no scent of vinegar, AND!!!! the towels and sheets are soft! Looks like this is going to be a great alternative to dryer sheets. Not only will I be eliminating things I am allergic to and toxins, I will also be saving a lot of money! Vinegar is much less expensive than those pricey dryer sheets. Try it....ya never know; you might be converted, I know I am....

Home Made Bronzer

Since I have recently been diagnosed with allergies to just about everything in body, hair, and makeup products, I have decided to try to make some of my own stuff. 

First off I have to tell you about this blog site my daughter told me about. Actually, she is friends with this girl. Thank Your Body is a great place to find all kinds of info on all kinds of stuff and she shares recipes for a lot of things I am in drastic need of. I plan to try some and share the recipes and what I think as I try them.

The first thing I tried was a bronzer. I had all the ingredients in my kitchen! Here is her recipe for the 

All Natural Bronzer

1 Tblsp cinnamon powder

1 tsp cocoa powder

1 tsp nutmeg powder

2 tsp cornstarch

15 drops of lavender or rosemary essential oil*

*if you prefer a loose powder leave out the essential oil

Adjust the amount of ingredients to your own skin tone, and mix well in a bowl, making sure to break up any clumps. Put into a clean container and use a cosmetic brush to apply. 

I actually really like this stuff. I didn't use any essential oils because I don't have any. Not sure it really needs it, as it smells delicious! I just need to find a compact to put it in though. 

Hope you try it and let me know what you think. By the way, this is a lot cheaper than store bought, and much better for your skin. If you go over to Thank Your Body, she will explain all about why it's best to try to stay away from store bought bronzer.