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August 2016

Welcome back to this week’s Happiness is Homemade Linky Party!

 

Welcome to Happiness Is Homemade!

Hello again, everyone! Welcome back to another week of the Happiness is Homemade Linky Party! Be sure to check out your hosts and their posts from this past week, see what other awesome creatives have made this week, and then be sure to link-up your own best and brightest projects, tutorials, recipes, and posts from this past week.
 
Thank you all for stopping by! 
 

 

 

 

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All-Natural DIY Deodorant

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If you’re anything like me, the need for deodorant in summer is an unavoidable seasonal product. Between the hazy humid Mississippi days and my daily workout routine, I need to keep deodorant stocked-up in our home. But in an effort to maintain a more zero waste household I make my own. So here’s a little as to why I make my own DIY, All-Natural Deodorant blend. 
 
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Over the past year, while on a journey to better health, I knew I wanted to switch my deodorant from my proven commercial brand, in an attempt to avoid cancer and Alzheimer’s causing aluminum byproducts. The issue for me came to price. I knew I wanted to look into better, more organic deodorant brands, but with prices exceeding four times the amount of my previous brands, this was simply not an affordable, non-couponed option. 
 
So what to do? Either sweat like a horse or subject myself and my family to the possible long-term development of Alzheimers and breast cancer? Fortunately, through trial and error, I was able to create my own natural homemade deodorant recipe that works as both a deodorant and antiperspirant and is still all-natural and affordable.
 
I will admit that I’ve also tried several natural deodorant products and for me, they didn’t work. At all. And many natural deodorants costs four times the prices of my previous brand, it was a natural progression for me to try to make my own blend. And guess what? After a few weeks of using natural, I noticed an unexpected side effect. Natural deodorant helped prevent sweat more than my previous commercial brand. So, now I’m a user for life! 
 

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What I love most about this blend is that you can customize your deodorant to your scent preferences with essential oils, if desired or omit them for an unscented version. It’s also quick and easy to make. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup coconut oil 
  • 2 tablespoons shea butter or avocado butter 
  • 1/3 cup arrowroot powder or organic corn starch
  • 4 tablespoons baking soda (reduce to by half for sensitive skin)
  • 15 drops essential oil

Directions:

  1. Melt coconut oil and shea butter in a small saucepan over low heat.

  2. Stir continuously until melted for 2-4 minutes.

  3. Once completely melted remove from heat and whisk in arrowroot powder (and/or corn starch) and baking soda.

  4. Add essential oils.

  5. Mix thoroughly and quickly. The mixture will start to thicken immediately.

  6. Pour into two empty deodorant containers or mason jars.

  7. Let your homemade deodorant sit until completely set for 2-3 hours at room temperature; this process can be sped up by putting your deodorant in the fridge for ten minutes. 

  8. Place lid on and use as you would any other deodorant.

  9. Use within one year.

 

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  • Some people react negatively to the baking soda and develop a rash or underarm discoloring. If this happens to you, I’d suggest stopping using the natural deodorant until you are able to resolve the issue. Many people cut the baking soda amount in half and notice that the irritation goes away. 
  • Before starting a natural deodorant a DIY mask of bentonite clay armpit detox can help pull out some of the chemicals from past deodorant that led to rashes. 
  • If allergic to coconut oil you can just omit this step. Coconut oil can also be substituted for almond, jojoba or avocado oil.  

Everyone, I urge you to try making your own deodorant. You’ll feel better knowing you weren’t putting anything on your skin that you shouldn’t be in contact with, and your wallet will thank you too! If you do try it, let me know the outcome! I’d love to hear your story!

Here’s to natural products,

Niki-designstyle-friday-m

Two-Ingredient, All-Natural Oven Cleaner!

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Fact: cleaning an oven is hard. It’s time-consuming and the chemicals used are often expensive and caustic. Whether it’s the seasonal necessitated, pre-holiday cleaning or the smoking-up-the-kitchen by way of burnt food on the bottom of the oven messes, you need a clean oven. No matter the cause, it’s a drain. 

The good news, however, there is a simple, affordable, natural cleaning solution. All you have to do to get a shining oven requires only two affordable kitchen staples, baking soda and vinegar!  

Here’s what you need:

  • 1/4 Cup White Vinegar
  • Spray Bottle
  • Baking soda; 2 cups for a large oven and 1 for a toaster oven.

To clean your appliance:

  1. Starting with a cold, off oven, just spray the bottom of your oven or toaster oven with a healthy mist of white vinegar and then sprinkle a thick layer or baking soda to start the cleaning process.
  2. You will need to lay out a quarter inch layer of baking soda paste on the bottom of the oven.
  3. Should any of the baking soda become dry, spray a light amount of vinegar, around a quarter cup per dosing, over the baking soda.
  4. At this point the fizz, the natural cleaning oomph will begin! 
  5. You’ll need to leave the baking soda on your appliance for two hours.
  6. Then after two hours, simply wipe up the paste with a cloth and all the grime comes with it.
  7. For really baked on grime, this may take a couple applications, but it always works.
  8. If using a toaster oven, turn the oven on for fifteen minutes prior to your next use to make sure the elemental strips are cleared of agents before adding food to your unit.

So for the cost of a quarter and the span of a few hours, you’ll have a like-new oven too! 

Here’s to natural cleaning,

Niki-designstyle-friday-m

All-Natural DIY Sun Lotion

DIY All-Natural

 

If you’re anything like me, you love all things summer. From gardening to family vacations, summer has always held a special place in my heart. One of my favorite warm weather activities has always been sunbathing. While I adore the feel of the sun on my skin and believe moderate amounts are important to our health, I’m no longer a fan of endangering my health by overdoing it. So, how can a savvy saver naturally and frugally protect themselves from the sun?

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Walmart: New Chef Boyardee Rollback Savings!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #SaveOnChef   #CollectiveBias

 

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With the back to school season approaching, my family is looking for easy weeknight meal solutions. By spending less time in the kitchen, we can enjoy other after-school activities together. Now through August 29, 2016, each 14.5 to 15 ounce can of Chef Boyardee is on Rollback at Walmart for only $0.80! Purchase five cans for $4 in a variety of flavors that include: Mini Ravioli, Beefaroni, and Spaghetti and Meatballs. You can enjoy a week’s worth of quality meals at an affordable price.

Be sure when you stock up on Chef Boyardee at Walmart to look for the Chef Boyardee cans that feature NO artificial flavors, NO preservatives, and NO artificial colors. With quality ingredients since 1924, Chef Boyardee has been a pantry staple for many families.

While shopping at Walmart, be sure to look for the Rollback signs for Chef Boyardee in the Canned Food aisle!

Here’s to savings,

Niki-designstyle-friday-m