Dishwasher Detergent

I have used so many different dishwashing detergents and all of them left spots or residue on my dishes so I decided to make my own. I got this recipe from a friend and it is amazing! I've used it a couple of times now and my dishes come out looking great and smelling fantastic! It only takes a few minutes to put together and it will last for a long time.

You will need:
1 box of Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 box of 20 Mule Team Borax
24 packets of Unsweetened Lemonade (you can use Koolaid brand but I used Great Value and it works just as well)

Mix all ingredients well in a large container. When ready to wash dishes, fill the detergent compartment and wash as normal.

Cloth and Disposable Baby Wipe Solution

One of the first homemade products I made was a baby wipe solution. It is easy and only takes a couple of minutes. You can use it with cloth wipes or make disposable wipes with a roll of paper towels. I just used a basic recipe I found on the internet. I've used them for my daughter and they work great.


Cloth Wipes
You will need:
2 1/2 cups of water
2 TBSP Baby Oil
2 TBSP Baby Wash or Shampoo
Cloth Wipes
A spray bottle if you are using cloth wipes
(You can use an Essential Oil, but I do not.)


Step 1: Boil the water to disinfect and let cool.
Step 2: Add the Baby Oil and Baby Wash to the water and mix.
Step 3: Pour into spray bottle and spray on wipe or baby before use.


Disposable Wipes
You will need:
2 1/2 cups of water
2 TBSP Baby Oil
2 TBSP Baby Wash or Shampoo
A roll of soft paper towels cut in half
A large container


Step 1: Boil the water and let cool.
Step 2: Add the Baby Oil and Baby Wash to the water and mix.
Step 3: Pour into container and insert half a roll of paper towels. Allow to absorb for about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the tube and pull the paper towel in the middle of the roll.

Lifestyle Change

I've started a new lifestyle gradually. What lifestyle? The natural living lifestyle. It's healthier, typically cheaper, and it's pretty easy. How did I decide to start this new lifestyle? There are a lot of reasons but some of the main ones are:


Cloth Diapering
It started when I was expecting my daughter and I started researching about what diapers are best. During my research, I learned that it takes hundreds of years for diapers to decompose and that many babies get rashes from different types of diapers because of the chemicals used in them. In our first step at becoming a cloth diapering family, I looked up tons of Youtube videos about cloth diapering and read all of the forums I could find. Once I learned how easy cloth diapering could be, I looked up the cost efficiency of cloth diapering and I was sold! I told my husband about all that I had learned and at that moment, my husband and I decided that cloth diapering was the best option for us and our baby. I stocked up on some BumGenius One Size Pocket Diapers, bought a wet bag and was ready to go. I used them periodically but I will admit, I have used disposables quite a bit until recently because... well, I was lazy. Huggies gave her a horrible rash, Up & Up gave her a rash, some Pampers gave her a rash, and the trend continued until finally, we found that Luvs didn't really give her a rash so I used those for a while though I also used my cloth diapers from time to time. Last week while we were on vacation, I finally had had it when I found a clump of diaper gel on my baby during a diaper change. After that, I decided if I was going to cloth diaper, I might as well use cloth wipes too.


Organic Foods
I watched the movie, Food, Inc., which started my journey to natural eating although we already got our fruits and veggies from the local Farmer's Market simply because the quality was better. One day, I went to Commissary to buy some Rosemary and realized that buying the plant was cheaper than the package so I started growing my own herbs. Now I'm starting to buy more organic produce and am looking into organic meats.


Natural Products
I worry about all the chemicals that are used in my daily products and how they may affect the health of me and my family. With terminal illness rates, such as cancer, so high and no real explanation as to why, I want to use products in my home that I am aware of what ingredients are used and their effects. I am in the process of converting all of my household cleaners and hygiene products into natural, homemade products.


So now, I am using this blog to continue documenting my daughter's growth and our life but also to share my journey into this natural lifestyle.

2011

2011 was a year full of excitement for our family! We experienced so many firsts and cherished all the time we had together. I loved 2011!

January:

We found out we were expecting a little one in October!

February:

I had my first ultrasound at 6 weeks, 3 days. Our baby had a beautiful heartbeat of 119 beats per minute! Brian's mother flew in for a few weeks.

March:

We had our second ultrasound at 11 weeks, 3 days and her heart rate was up to 162 bpm! Brian joined the MacDill Honor Guard and celebrated his 23rd birthday!

 

April:

We moved to our new apartment! You actually started to be able to tell I was pregnant!

 

May:

 Brian and I celebrated 7 years together and we reached 20 weeks into pregnancy so we started preparing for our baby's arrival. We also found out we were having a GIRL!

June:

We went on a getaway to the Sirata resort and celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary at the Melting Pot!

July:

We made a trip to Texas for my baby shower and I turned 21 years old!

August:

We got our 3d ultrasound! She definitely looks like her daddy!

 

September:

We did our maternity pictures and went to the Air Force Ball!

October:

My mom flew into town just after I went into labor and a few hours later, my precious baby girl arrived 3 days past her due date! A couple of weeks later, we celebrated her First Halloween!

My last day pregnant



  

November:

We took Veteran's Day pictures for Daddy, went to church for the first time, and Brinlee turned one month old! We also celebrated Brinlee's first Thanksgiving, got pictures with Santa, and went to Brian's cousins wedding.

 December:

Brinlle turned 2 months old and had her dedication ceremony! Brinlee had her First Christmas and got to meet her Nana, Grandaddy, and all of her aunts.