MINIMAL
BLOG POSTS
Living on the map
12 random things to start making yourself
I wanted to write an article on hand made, natural, everyday use items, that are so easy to make it blew my mind. We make all of these things ourselves all the time, and I actually can't even remember how I use to buy them already made.
By making things yourself, you not only get to chose all the ingredients that goes in your product (or all the chemicals that don't), and limit the packaging used to make those everyday objects, but you also actually LEARN new skills ! How empowering is that ??
Alright so before we dive into this world of random hand-made items, I want to say that once you open this door, there is no closing it anymore. Once you have successfully made natural deodorant and used it for a while, you won't be able to go back to the factory made crap in a bottle they sell you in supermarkets.
After seeing the very few ingredients you actually need to make a super efficient, heavenly scented multi surface cleaner, you won't believe the amount of unnecessary and harmful stuff they put in the chemical version. We need so little to stay happy, healthy and clean humans.
The world has taken an opportunity to make us believe otherwise, but the truth is, most of the things we purchase can and should be avoided. When you think about it.. we really don't need a lot to be happy, healthy humans !
SO HERE IS TO SAVING MONEY, LEARNING NEW TRICKS AND KEEPING OUR LIVES NATURAL AND CHEMICAL FREE !
1. DRY SHAMPOO
This one is a must in our little house (isn't it for most of us ??) It is 100% natural and super easy to make ! It's ideal to absorb oil, make your hair look fresh and has a lovely fragrance.
For brunettes :
Blend 1 tablespoon of cornflour or arrow root powder with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. You can add more cocoa powder if you are a darker shade of brunette.
Add the ingredients together, give it a good mix and keep it in an airtight container.
For blondes :
Blend 1 tablespoon of cornstarch or arrow root powder with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon ground ginger root powder. To match your hair coloring, you can add a bit of cocoa powder if you are a darker shade of blond.
Add the ingredients together, give it a good mix and keep it in an airtight container.
To use, simply dab your fingers in the powder, comb them through your hair and on your hair line, then brush your hair and repeat if necessary !
LOUISE HERE !
hi
I'm so happy that you stumbled on our little corner of the web.
I hope this space serves you in your journey to a more mindful and sustainable life !
Stay in touch
TOP CATEGORIES
MINIMAL
Sharing ideas, tutoriels and solutions to live simpler lives
WELLNESS
Opening a window onto health for the body, mind and soul
NOURISH
Sharing delicious and nutritious recipes and solutions toward better living.
2. COUGH SYRUP
This one is super easy to make and super efficient ! Every ingredient has a special role to play. Apple cider vinegar helps balance the ph levels in the body, ginger is the best ally to help reduce inflammation in the lungs and throat, cayenne pepper heats up the chest to get rid of excess fluids and eases the pain sensors sent to the brain, lemon juice's vitamines and anti-bacterial properties do wonders on sore throats..
You get the picture !
To make : Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger powder, the juice of half a lemon, 2 tablespoons of raw honey, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a bowl. Add 1 cup of water and stir until all the ingredients are combined.
Pour into a tall jar for easy use.
Drink in the form of small shots throughout the day, directly in the back of the throat, and you can wash it down with a glass of water since the taste is not the most amazing.
3. REUSABLE BAGS
I have been making small bags for our bulk items or fresh fruits and veggies, and they are super easy to make. I've followed a video tutorial for the no sew version if you don't have a sewing machine (link below) or you can follow my easy steps if you do.
No Sew :
An old t-shirt, some fabric glue, a pair of scissors. Follow the directions here !
Sew :
4. DEODORANT
I have been using a super easy natural deodorant recipe for years now, it takes me five minutes to whip together, is super efficient and lasts for months in it's little tin container.
1tbsp arrow root powder
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp coconut oil
Drops essential oil
Melt your oils in a double boiler system, or by simply placing a glass or metal bowl above a pot of boiling water. Once everything is melted, remove from the heat and add the powders and essential oils. Blend well then pour in a small container.
This deodorant will harden with time, but might also melt in the summer, so stay mindful of that !
Everyone is different, don't hesitate to play around with the recipe a bit to find a balance that suits your body.
5. GRANOLA BARS AND ENERGY BALLS
These are super easy and fast to make, can last for weeks in the fridge and will fill you up and keep you satisfied for a long time !
Recipe on our healthy road-trip snacks post
6. SALAD SEASONING
This is an odd one, but pre-made salad seasonings can be full of additives and are completely unnecessary.
7. BODY SCRUBS
There in nothing easier than to make a coconut sugar body scrub. It is incredibly gentle on the skin, leaves it soft and moisturized and is incredibly cost efficient.
1/2 cup of coconut oil,
1 cup of white or brown sugar
10 drops of essential oil
Melt the coconut oil, then add the white sugar for the face or brown sugar for the body (the finer the sugar, the most gentler on your skin). Stir well, then add the essential oils. I like to use vanilla essential oil or lavender and lemon are very gentle on the skin too.
Store in a jar and use up to a year and enjoy your smooth, smooooooth skin !
8. ALL PURPOSE CLEANER
You are going to hear this a lot on this blog post so let me just warn you first : I love white vinegar for cleaning as much as I love chocolate for life. Alright, now that's out of the way -
We have one cleaner for the house, we use it for EVERYTHING and I love it so much. You can make it with 3 ingredients (one being water).
2 cups of water
1/2 cup of white vinegar
Lemon peels (optional)
20 drops lemon essential oil
Place the peels of your lemons (after juicing them and reserving the juice for later) in a jar, add vinegar, water and essential oil drops. Give it all a good swirl.
You can keep it in a simple jar, and tip some over a cloth to clean, reuse an old plastic sprayer or buy a reusable glass one. If you chose to add the lemon peels, use within a week, if not, it will keep forever and ever. (Avoid spraying on granite and marble as the vinegar might etch the natural stones.)
9. DUSTING CLOTHS
We have ditched paper towels a long time ago in our house, and it has saved us a lot of time and money. Instead, we like to keep little cloths in a glass jar, ready to use when needed !
Cut old t-shirts and other cotton fabrics little rectangle shape. Then place them in a bowl with a solution of 1 cup hot water, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 10 to 20 drops essential oil and swoosh them around.
You can then ring them and let them dry. Once they are completely dry, place them in a jar or other container and keep them on hand, ready to sponge any spills or clean any surface.
Toss them in the washing machine when used, and either start the process again or leave them as is !
10. BUG SPRAY
Living in a van and parking close to lakes and rivers, we are constantly fighting off mosquito in the summer. I have found that this repellant is incredibly efficient !
2 tbsp fo vodka
2 tbsp of sweet almond oil or olive oil
100-115 drops of essential oils
Place directly the ingredients in a spray bottle (you can reuse an old bug spray bottle or get a glass container with a spray head). Best essential oils for repelling bugs are lavender, lemongrass, eucalyptus, cedar wood and rosemary.
I like to do 50 drops of lemongrass and 15 of each of the other ones, but you can use only lemongrass and lavender !
11. NATURAL BIRD FEEDER
I love to leave little bird treats, especially in the winter. What I like about these, is that we make them then leave them behind to decompose, as we change location with the van. They are super cost efficient and 100% compostable.
Cut an orange in half and eat the fruit, leaving two round shells.
Fill them with a mix of coconut oil and seeds until you get a thick paste. Fill your little cups with the feed and either place them on a tree branch or tie a little string to it to let it hang from them. Make sure your string is made out of compostable materials and is not waxed or coated in plastic if you are leaving it behind !
12. HOMEMADE BREAD
Homemade bread (when well done) is the most comforting and rewarding thing in the world ! Luckily for you, we have put together a recipe that is literally unscrewable (not a word, but should definitely be one).
Recipe of our delicious homemade bread here !
There are so many ideas out there of things to make yourself instead of buying them. I love making things myself. I find the activity wonderfully soothing, and I love to know exactly what ingredients were use and how it was made. I find it incredibly empowering to realize that you can make just about anything yourself !
And the web is a wonderful place to help us achieve these little milestones !
I hope you enjoy making these changes as much as we did !
Love you all, let us know how you get along with these xx
