Getting Back to Basics

Money’s been tight for many people and there’s a shift towards simpler living.

I’ve been finding myself gravitating more towards homemade and organic products. Eating fresher, less takeaway, stopping by secondhand clothes stores and entertaining at home. We’ve been watching our money, cutting out luxuries and saving more. How about you, have you been simplifying your life too?

Lately, I’ve also been thinking a lot more about products I buy that I could make at home. Things like food, cleaning products and beauty treatments. By making something myself I can cut out some of the extra additives, chemicals and possible poor work practices. I know so many people have been doing this for years. I’m new to the party and I’ve got a lot to learn. I’d love you to share any tips you may have.

I’ve put together a a few simple ideas to get me started. You might be interested too.

- Make Your Own Bread

Nothing beats fresh bread straight out of the oven, covered in lashings of butter and drizzled with honey.

Jamie Oliver has a fab recipe here.

The Fresh Loaf has everything you need to know about making bread and a heap of fab recipes on it’s site.

Nothing beats fresh bread. Photo: The Fresh Loaf

- Make Your Own Ice Blocks

Kidspot has a yummy yoghurt ice block recipe here. You can also fill your ice block holders with chopped up fruit like pineapple, frozen berries or mango and pour in fresh apple juice. Delicious.

Watermelon ice blocks are delicious. Photo: Pinterest

- Make Your Own Flea Spray/Floor Cleaner (JustB reader Kirrily swears by this):

“1. In big bowl of water (3-4 cups), put some lemon rinds and bring to boil – I use at least 3 lemons’ worth – then switch off stove.
2. Add 4-6 cloves and 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar.
3. If you wish, add some essential oil like lavender, tea tree, neem oil, eucalyptus, etc. (tea tree is antiseptic, I have been using this to sanitize the floors at same time)
4. Let the mixture steep, covered, overnight.
5. Strain and put in spray bottle for use.

Play with quantities for your floors, but I’ve been adding a dash to very warm water for the floorboards and tiles. I also use it as a bench cleaner and even as a spray on toner for the dog after a bath!”  Thanks, Kirrily.

- Make Your Own Kitchen Cleanser 

Mix a paste of three parts warm water and one part bicarb soda to scrub kitchen stains, pots and clean the oven. Add bicarb soda to dishwashing liquid until you get a thick paste to use as a bathroom cleanser. (This is a Martha Stewart recipe. For more like it check out her website.)

- Make your Own Window Cleaner (This recipe, and the following three recipes, are from Rhonda Hetzel’s brillaint blog: Down To Earth) 

Pour a little vinegar onto a sheet of newspaper and wipe windows. Remove all the grime and polish the window with a clean sheet of newspaper.

- Make Your Own Silver Polish

Put the plug in the kitchen sink, lay a piece of aluminium foil on the base and add your silverware. Pour in enough boiling water to cover the silver.  Then add one teaspoon of bicarb soda and one teaspoon of salt to the water. Let it sit for about ten minutes. The tarnish will disappear without you touching it.

- Make Your Own Furniture Wood Polish

Mix the 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/4 cup of vinegar or fresh lemon juice in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wooden surfaces. Seal and store indefinitely.

- Make Your Own Toothpaste 

Combine 1/4 cup of natural sea salt and 1/4 of bicarb soda and store it in a sealed jar. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to help mask the slightly bitter taste. Sprinkle the mixture on your toothpaste and brush as normal.

- Make Your Own Facial Scrub

This recipe from Making This Home has only three ingredients – one teaspoon of sugar, one teaspoon of olive oil and a drop of vanilla essence. Mix together and rub on your face. How easy is that?

Fresh and clean.

I am going to give these recipes a try and see which ones I can incorporate into my daily life. Are you going to give any a try? Do you like the idea of getting back to basics? Do you have any great homemade recipes or tricks to share? 

Have a fab day,

Bianca x

Main photo: www.kingdomfirstmom.com