O.K...... maybe it's more like gelification, but regardless there is a shape emerging.
Somewhere along the way I/ we became what I would call a "natural" family. I am not sure if that is the right word but I don't want to use the word "green" because it doesn't quite fit.
Maybe it was the choice to give birth to all three of my children "naturally"? - yep that's right not even a Tylenol in sight..
Maybe it was the choice to give birth to my last child at a birthing center? Did I mention my husband helped deliver baby number 3?
Was it the decision to homeschool? What could be more "natural" than a mother teaching her children?
Or could it have been when we decided to start growing vegetables organically in our back yard? Could we use nature to grow food naturally?- YES!
I know........... it was 1 too many documentaries!
What ever it was, I like where things are going, and what I am beginning to see, how we can live quite happily, naturally......... - Woo! Did I just break out with a little Dr. Seus-ness of my own?
So here are a few things I wanted to share with you........
This week we went to see "The Lorax" We loved it- surprise!
A few weeks ago our family watched a really neat documentary called Chemerical. It's funny and informative. It documents one families experience as they exchange their commercial cleaners for more natural alternatives.
Check out their site to see the trailer:
* If you have Netflix you can watch it instantly!
So if you watch the documentary you will find out that borax is one of the "natural" alternatives for things like laundry detergent boosters. It also happens to be a key ingredient in making FLUBBER! All you need is Elmer's school glue, borax, and water http://www.food.com/recipe/flubber-134095
This girl surprises me all the time. You can actually blow up flubber with a straw!
Mom note: This is not at all a messy thing and if it gets in your carpet or on your kids clothes it easily comes out with white vinegar- I tested it for you!
When we have time to relax the kids and I love to spend time outside and lately that includes photographing butterflies. Some of my favorites:
This season we decided to try our hand at growing loofah. Those are the natural bath sponges you see in the store. So far they are looking good and we have a few buds and"baby" loofah. By December we should have the final product.
I have a new addiction!........Monster smoothies! No they are not really called that but they are green and so the name fits. I wish I could take credit for the recipe but I can't so here is the link : http://joythebaker.com/2011/01/kale-spinach-and-pear-smoothie/
Wish I had a picture...... I know Kale, spinach, and pear smoothies probably do not sound delicious but it is so good!
Mom note: This is not at all a messy thing and if it gets in your carpet or on your kids clothes it easily comes out with white vinegar- I tested it for you!
When we have time to relax the kids and I love to spend time outside and lately that includes photographing butterflies. Some of my favorites:
GARDEN
This season we decided to try our hand at growing loofah. Those are the natural bath sponges you see in the store. So far they are looking good and we have a few buds and"baby" loofah. By December we should have the final product.
FOOD
I have a new addiction!........Monster smoothies! No they are not really called that but they are green and so the name fits. I wish I could take credit for the recipe but I can't so here is the link : http://joythebaker.com/2011/01/kale-spinach-and-pear-smoothie/
Wish I had a picture...... I know Kale, spinach, and pear smoothies probably do not sound delicious but it is so good!
So until next time.................
“It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
What are you using to wash your dishes?
ReplyDeleteAt this point Seventh Generation products. But this weekend I plan on making the dish and laundry detergent (gel) from the Chemerical documentary. We have made a few small changes like cleaning almost everything with just baking soda, vinegar, and tea tree oil, and or lemon juice. I have also started using junk mail/ newspapers and vinegar water to clean mirrors and windows. I do need to find a good floor cleaner though.I will keep you posted on the new detergents etc.
DeleteI just remembered to tell you that we recently cleaned our carpets. Sprinkle the whole area with baking soda and vacuum well. Then steam clean (using the machine)with just hot water and white vinegar. No detergent is needed. It looks and smells just as clean as ever.
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny that you are going this route with all natural stuff because Stacey (my wife) is gearing toward the same thing. We watched some other documentaries on food like "Food Inc, Sick Fat and Nearly Dead" which really opened our eyes toward the "dangers" of food. Who would've thought that the food you are eating is most likely causing your health problems, pretty scary. But she also starting buying this all natural soap that you can get at Earth Fare and are looking for natural cleaning products. The only thing we need is a house with some land so we can also grow our own food. But I think its great that your family is going all natural and moving toward being self sustaining because with the world and economy like it is now and where it might be in the near future, if you don't plan on doing that, you're in for some really rough times. I'll be looking for a pastor position soon since I just got my MDiv and were hoping to move in the "self-sustaining" direction soon. :)
ReplyDeleteDan, That is great! I have seen both of the documentaries that you are talking about. It is hard to ignore or not make changes once you learn about all of these things. I think you will enjoy this site: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/watch-online/ It is like being a kid in a candy store only with documentaries. :) I absolutely agree with you about having a house with land. Had I known what I know now, we would have purchased a house with much more ( right now we are in a subdivision). All of the yards are small but we are working on maximizing each inch. Natural soaps etc. I think are harder to replace but there are some good things out there, you just have to figure out what you like. Olive oil based soaps are great and organic unfiltered coconut oil makes a great substitute for hair conditioner, and it smells great. It just needs to be applied at night and washed out in the morning or used as a hot oil treatment.
DeleteCongrats on your MDiv!! That's Awesome!
Oh, and good job on the Dr. Suess comments. Maybe you should start writing children's books. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha Thanks!
DeleteMy grandmother always used newspaper to clean windows. I have been using my ponderosa lemons and baking soda to scrub my shower.
ReplyDelete