DIY : Peppermint + Lavender Shampoo

After completing my Mason Jar Shampoo Dispenser I went to work on filling it with my first attempt of making homemade shampoo. Since I have made it, I've used it three times over the course of a week and I'm pleased to say that so far I don't regret the decision of going all natural. 

Only with a week of testing my hair has phased well. After washing it feels fresh and clean and once dry it feels soft and shiny, and I've actually noticed less build up and/or dandruff. 

And with all things that you change in life, there are a few things to adjust to:

First: This concoction is very liquidy. With my first attempt at using it I squirted it into my hands and it was basically like holding water.... which we all know doesn't pan out so well. So since then I've just squirted it directly on my head, not the norm but less waste. 

Second: It leaves my hair extra tangled, which maybe I just need to make up a conditioner/rinse to help combat this issue or maybe in time as my hair adjusts to being chemical free it will soften up... I'll give it some time and post an update.

Ingredients:

<The original recipe I found here.>

1/2 Cup Dr.Bronners Unscented Baby Mild Castile Soap 

1 1/2 Cups Distilled Water

3 Tsp Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

3 drops Rocky Mountain Lavender Essential Oil

1 Drop Rocky Mountain Peppermint Essential Oil

Directions:

Liquify your coconut oil, on your stovetop or 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave.

Combine all ingredients into your mason jar and give it a good shake. Replace regular lid with your soap dispenser and voila you've got yourself some new shampoo! 

*The only thing I think I will change with this recipe is to add a bit more essential oils, as it stands I can't smell the lavender or peppermint and I would like my hair to have some sort of scent to it. When I buy more castile soap I'll try out one of the scented ones and see if that helps.

Fluff Mail

Recently we received a very exciting parcel, something known in the cloth diapering world as fluff mail!

For Rylee's birthday I wanted to get her some new night-time diapers as the ones she has are on the verge of being too small. I spent a lot of time researching a good quality diaper that would be super absorbent, fitted, and will last hopefully until potty training days. Finally after reading a lot of reviews, asking a lot of questions from fellow cloth diaper momma's, and overcoming the unbearable desire to purchase every cute diaper I came across, I finally found an awesome cloth diapering company called "Sustainablebabyish" (aka sbish).

In the parcel were 6 snapless sbish cloth diapers. When I pulled out the first diaper from the parcel I gave it to Rylee which she grabbed onto with pure excitement. She had a huge smile on her face as she hugged it close to her chest. She then turned and ran away with it, found a place to sit and played with this new soft delightful diaper putting it around her neck and on her head.

These diaps are awesome! They are a heavy organic bamboo/cotton terry cloth. Each diaper also comes with two 3-layer organic bamboo fleece inserts for extra absorbancy. They have a trim body (perfect for our tiny Rylee) and the long wings allow for a custom fit and quick change as you only need one pin to secure it. At first when I was looking into these diapers I was extremely hesitant to use pins in fear of stabbing myself and squirmy Rylee. I sided with the snapless because of their ability to provide a fit, since Rylee is so tiny its hard for the diapers with snaps to fit properly around her legs (thus creating quick leaks).

I also purchased a knit wool cover, which is necessary for these diapers and when they are paired together it creates a wonderful leak-free combination. The cover is my favourite color, purple, and are soft, stretchy, breathable, durable, and ultra-absorbant. At first it seemed like they would become quite the chore since you have to lanolize and wash them by hand. But I think now that I've done it and know what I'm doing it's not going to be that much of a bother, and I only have to wash them every few weeks.

And an added perk to finding such great diapers is that its a great company, not only are their diapers organic but for each diaper you buy a tree is planted! And although the wool covers are made in China, they are made in a socially and environmentally responsible knit house. The knit line is also a part of the one diaper-one tree program and their handtags are plantable which means no packaging waste and you and your baby get to plant and watch your flowers grow.

 

Simply Organic

I've decided that I want to start Rylee off on a good start by feeding her homemade organic foods.

So far it's been really easy, and very cost effective! Depending on the size of the fruit or veggie I will get at least 3 servings out of it. I just plop it in the baby bullet, add some milk (from the mother source not the cow source of course) or water if needed, and pulse it to pieces and Voilà...baby food!

I really love the Baby Bullet's storing supplies, not only are they super cute but they're the perfect size for a single serving and they have a date-dial so you can remember what day you put it in the fridge...perfect for the "mommy-brain." And the batch tray is awesome for freezing, so you can store a smorgasbord of flavors and whenever you need one you just squeeze it out.