rawvidaloca

After having the most delicious Pink Lady apple…so crisp and fresh…I realized I have a Mount Everest size pile of dirty clothes hiding out in the laundry room, where I swear it reproduces when the lights are off.

As I was scooping the detergent into the washing machine, I started thinking about how we can be so conscious about what goes in our bodies, why not be just as conscious about what goes on them and subsequently, in the process, our environment.

That being said, I have decided to make my own laundry detergent today. Researching, I have found a “recipe” on http://www.diynatural.com that sounds like it will serve the purpose and then some.

Here goes:
-1 bar of Dr. Bronner’s Lavender, Citrus, Peppermint, Almond or Baby soap (or Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day) as long as it is all-natural.
– 1 dry cup of Borax
-1 dry cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
-opt. a few drops of tea tree for disenfecting (esp. good for cloth diapering)

*grate soap into sauce pan- add 2 cups of water- stir, dissolve.
*into a five gallon bucket add Borax, washing soda and tea tree if using.
*dump melted soap liquid into bucket and stir quickly
*add water to about 3/4 of way to top- stir and put lid on.
*set overnight- measure out 1/2 cup of liquid for light loads and 1 cup for normal

For approximately $5, this makes a 5-gallon bucket of laundry detergent that isn’t harmful to our children or environment!

Fabric softener is another story in and of itself. It is LOADED with chemicals. For the last year I have been making my own and it is better than any commercial fabric softener and 100% natural.

1 quart of white vinegar
Fresh orange peel from 1 or 2 oranges (which is easy for me as Cait and I go through 3-4 a day)

Place the orange peel into a 1-quart size glass Mason jar, fill to the top with white vinegar, and let set for a day or two. Add approximately 1/4 cup to the rinse cycle. This breaks down any remaining laundry detergent to make for soft and fluffy towels and fresh-smelling clothes. If you are worried about static cling, simply pin a couple of safety pins to a washcloth and toss in the dryer or two or three balls of aluminum foil. The electric charge from same will eliminate static cling.

Just by doing this, you have a CLEAN environmental/health conscience and save major $$$$. It’s a win-win for everyone!! : )

Love and light…..

On waking up this morning, before my feet hit the floor, I have the strongest sense of gratitude. Not for material possessions or just because things might be “going my way” lately; more of a sense of gratitude for the ability to embrace life and live it honestly. A to-the-bones awakening to the fact that the face I present to others is the TRUE essense of who I am and what I am about, not who or what they want me to be. In laying this foundation of HONESTY, I am building a strong sense of self-worth that carries over to my loved ones, my friends and family, and my children. It is okay to accept who you are at this very moment and know that whatever your station in life is, is exactly what it is meant to be. It is your DUTY to figure out what your purpose is and how you can make it a BETTER day for everyone, be it a smile, a hug, or allowing someone to make a mistake without dredging up the stockpile of prior ones you were harboring. It’s time to let go, lighten our load, decrease the burden and in doing so create light and love.

rawvidaloca

Need a chocolate fix???

It’s a lifestyle….. “raw” (chemical free, environmentally friendly) laundry detergent. Who would’ve thought??

Attitude of Gratitude, honestly….