Home Made Tooth Powder

So I made some home made deodorant and I thought I would try out some home made tooth powder. I already ditched the conventional toothpaste a long time ago and have been brushing with a coconut oil & baking soda mix. I wanted to add more to the mix to boost teeth and gum health and also whiten teeth. 

Those of you who may know me know I have a great smile so here is what I go to keep it healthy ^.^

I found this recipe on Mommypotamus (link). I switched up the recipe based on what I already had at home.

Here are the ingredients I used: 

4 tablespoons bentonite clay 
2 teaspoons baking soda- I only did 1 tsp
1 ½ teaspoons finely ground unrefined sea salt
½ teaspoons clove powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoons activated charcoal 

 Here is all the ingredients with the mixing bowl and a mortar and pestle.

 Since I did not have any organic cinnamon powder I hand ground from the sticks that I ordered on bulkherbstore.com. This was quite a task. Cinnamon is a great anti-inflammatory and has a great taste. 

 Here are the whole cloves before and after grinding. Once again if you can get the organic powder cuts down on work and time- but with the cinnamon and clove it smelled like Thanksgiving dinner to me ^.^

Cloves are especially good for oral health. Oil of cloves has been used to help with things like toothache as well. If you do not have oil I have read that you can chew a clove and place it in the area of the ache. (Please do your own research as well before attempting- I am not a dentist.) 

 This is a course sea salt I got from the local store- I ground it up a little as it was in very large granules.

 Activated charcoal (I got this from GNC)- like the Bentonite clay it is great for detoxing. Also a side tip if you are looking to whiten your teeth naturally open a few of these capsules and mix with water and brush onto your teeth. Let set for 10-15 minutes and then brush off. Just use caution with opening capsules as the black gets on everything if you are not careful. 

 I just love this clay good for so much. This is the same bag I got from a sale at bulkherbstore.com. 

 Here are all the ingredients before mixing. I want to note I only used half the dose of baking soda as I already use it in the coconut oil mixture.

 Here it is all mixed up. 

 I used an old Burt's Bees glass container to hold it. 

I use this powder in conjunction with the coconut oil and baking soda mixture.
For the coconut oil and baking soda mixture I start with a container of Extra virgin coconut oil and add bits of baking soda until it feels as though it has some "grit" to the oil texture. I test between my fingers so it is up to you to determine what you like best. I also add a few drops of essential oil in peppermint for flavor. Although it is not needed.

I use my toothbrush to scoop up some of the coconut oil mixture then dip it into the tooth powder and brush away. 

You could just mix it all together but I prefer to keep it all separated.

I have been using this now for about a month and I am really happy with it. My mouth feels super clean after brushing ^.^

Try it out at let me know what you think!

Home Made Deodorant

So I decided to venture out and try making my own home made deodorant. I did not want to use the conventional ones full of nasty chemicals-and the natural ones I have tried I have so far not been happy with. 

I found this recipe on the blog "Body Unburdened" (link).

I have been using it now for about a month and I really like it. (Nick has been using it as well- says it smells like Old Spice.)

So here is the recipe: (links for products used)

5 tablespoons or 4 oz organic virgin coconut oil

4 tablespoons baking soda
3 tablespoons arrowroot
2 tablespoons bentonite clay (great for detoxing)
5 drops essential oils- lavender 

 All the ingredients with a mixing bowl and container. 

 Baking Soda: I just used the generic store bought stuff. 

 Starwest Botanicals Organic Arrowroot Powder

 Bentonite Clay from Bulk Herbs Store.com (got this on sale)

 Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut oil

 Lavender Essential Oil (received in one of my herbal kits)

 

 Here are all the ingredients before mixing. 

 Here is everything all mixed up and the container I plan to use. 

As you can see this container is a little too large. I ended up switching to a smaller container. You can also use a regular deodorant applicator. ( I just don't have one). 

With the coconut oil as a base it is also sensitive to extreme hot or cold. So it will be soft or hard depending on the temperature where it is stored. Mine usually at a comfortable room temp is just slightly soft- enough to apply with my fingers. 

I hope you enjoy my little tutorial and maybe try this out for yourself!

 

Now with Sharon Power Managment!

Hello everyone! I am very happy to announce that I am now signed with Sharon Power Management!
It was one of those days where I submitted with out the expectation of getting a reply and to my surprise I did!
 I am very excited to work with Sharon and her team in the future. After talking to her at lenght about my expectations and specifics I have never meshed so well with representation before.
Another fun little fact is Sharon Power Management is based in New Zealand (with other bases in Australia and Los Angeles). Any of you that know me know that I have a little obsession with New Zealand so this is a fun prospect in that I might actually get to visit it at some point in my life! 
I am sure if I do there will be much self taping of Lord of the rings dialoge in the appropriate locations ^.^
I will keep you all update on projects as they come along!

Chibi Bubble Ninja's Sewing Cafe- Panda (Polar Bear Cafe) Purse/Bag

New Project completion Panada (Polar Bear Cafe) Purse/bag!

This really turned out super cute!

Here is an original character photo: 

 Here is the completed purse- was made completely out of a pleather materiel. I also added a ring of boning around the front part of the purse/bag to keep it rounded. 

 Here is details of the side connecters for the strap. The strap is made out of a cotton woven materiel and is adjustable.

 "Hidden" Zipper detail on the top.

To add something fun to the mix I gave it a bamboo cotton lining. :)

A few more projects are in the works this month so stay tuned!

Horse Training

I have been thinking a lot lately about farm/homestead related things. Of course on of the things I plan on having on the homestead is horses. I have been looking at ways to do everything more natural for the animals in my care. One of those things is training or partnership with the animals. 

I ran across this documentary on youtube: The Path of the Horse: 

I thought it was a beautifully done documentary- I especially liked the Russian trainer Alexander Nevzorov.

If you have a moment it is a really beautiful film.

Another trainer I really enjoy watching is Cynthia Royal- trainer of the horse Shadowfax in Lord of the Rings. http://www.gobeyondhorsemanship.com/

 

Also here is a video just for fun :P

This is how I intend to connect and work with my horses in the future and I just wanted to share ^.^