DIY COUGH DROPS

Here is a recipe for some pretty cool tasting coughs drops.  I was inspired to make them when my daughter and husband both caught a cold and passed it on to me.

You will need
- 2 cups organic sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1/4 cup butter
- Drops of Essential Oils ( I used 4 of Thieves and 4 of Lemon)
I only use Young Living Essential Oils and only suggest using them if you decide to make this recipe. 
Their oils are 100% pure and natural with no other ingredients added to them.

1. Put all the ingredients except the oils in a heavy pan and cook over medium heat until it reaches that hard rock stag.
2.Do not rush this process, turning the heat up will cause this to burn.
3.Once it boils down and reaches the hard rock stage, remove from heat.  Wait about 30 seconds then add your oils and mix.
4. Pour your mixture onto a greased cookie sheet.  Fold the edges into the middle untill it is cool enough to handle. Once cool enough form into a ball and stretch it out.  I used a knife to cut my pieces but you can use scissors.  Cut into nice size pieces. It seemed like they would soften up a bit so I put them on a cookie sheet and flash froze them.  This step is optional.  I then placed them in a zip-lock bag and stored them in the freezer to keep them hard.

DIY Carpet Refresher

I really do hate having carpet, I so much prefer wood floors. The house we bought had carpet and my family likes it.   The kids love to be able to lay on the floor, play , jump etc... They say woods floors are cold.

The problem is, that just vacuuming does not make the room feel clean or fresh.  I have used carpet refreshers before, but prefer not to since they have chemicals in them and my kids literally roll around on the carpet.
Here is a recipe I found on how to make you own.

DIY  Carpet Refresher
1 1/2 -2 cups of baking soda
20-30 drops of your favorite essential oils ( I used both Peppermint and Orange)
A container with holes poked out.  ( I used an empty Parmesan cheese container)

Put the baking soda into your container, add your oils, shake it till its mixed up pretty good.
Then all you need to do is sprinkle some on your carpets and vacuum.

DIY Detergent

Now since we all need to wash clothes we're going to discuss laundry detergent.
Yes you know those bottles that go on sale for $1.99 at your local supermarket.   They are so cheap how can you not buy them.  Well I will tell you why NOT to buy them..  They are loaded with chemicals, reason enough don't you think.

 Here's a simple DIY laundry detergent that will last you at least a year.  It lasts me about 6 months and we are a family of 10 (9) living at home.  So we do alot of laundry here. Put it this way if 1 or 2 loads do not get done then we are backed up and have to spend at least one whole day washing just to catch up.


1 box Washing Soda (buy here ) 
1 box Baking Soda (buy here)
1 box borax (buy here) (not pictured)
1 or 2 bars of soap.  You can either use
Fels Naphta, (buy here)
Zote (buy here)
1 or 2(if the small one) container of oxi-clean. (buy here)
This last you at least a year.
Use 1-2 tbsp per load.

If you prefer a liquid version bring 4 cups of water(per one bar of soap) to a boil, then lower the heat till it simmers.  Add the soap shavings a handful at a time. Stir with a wooden spoon till dissolved.
Pour 3 gallons of water in a bucket add in all your ingredients and stir till undissolved. Add more water if needed. Cover the bucket and let sit for 24 hours.  Stir before each use.
1 cup of detergent for a regular load is all that you need.

What I love most about this DIY detergent is that it not only cleans my clothes.  It softens my towels.  I don't know if this happens to you but after a while my towels are no longer as absorbent as they used to be. After a couple of washes your towels will be nice and absorbent.

Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling is when you take an oil either coconut oil, sunflower oil, almond oil etc.. and swoosh it in your mouth for 20 minutes.  I use coconut oil because it is anti bacterial and has tons of health benefits.   You can read about some of the benefits here.  When my kids have cold sores in their mouths I tell them to simply put coconut oil on it.

Oil pulling strengthens your gums, whitens you teeth, prevents tooth decay, etc...  the health benefits are many.

By adding essential oils to your oil you boost the working power of the oil.  Some oils you can add are Lemon ( good for , Thieves, Oregano(spicy), Peppermint etc..

You can get the Coconut oil I use (here)
You can get some essential oils from (here)

Ready to wear fast

I spent some time reading a couple of  blogs today and everyone posted all of the garments that they had sewn in 2013, unfortunately for me I'd have to say I've sewn at least 5.  This would include sewing for others.

I don't do resolutions but I do make plans.  My plan for this year is to sew more, whether for myself or for others, it doesn't matter.
I joined the RTW(ready to wear) fast over at goodbyevalentino. This might mean lots of skirts and dresses in my wardrobe since I have not been able to sew up a pair of pants where I like the fit.  Not that having lots of skirts and dresses is a bad thing, its just that I am not confident in sewing up pants.  All of my previous attempts have flopped.  But this will make me sew more that's for sure and perfect a pair of pants.  I just have to overcome my fear of failure.

Another way to help me stay and track of this goal is by sewing a garment a month.  I joined the make a garment a month blog challenge.
                                                   

Well I have a busy year in store for me but I am ready and excited about it.