OK so I know this is not food related but once in a blue moon you will see me posting something not food related if I think it is worth sharing. I believe this post will benefit a lot of my readers so I thought to share it!

This is one out of several DIY posts I have in the blog. In case you want to check the other ones out, here they are.

DIY coconut shampoo

DIY mosquito spray

DIY cough medicine

I have been using this DIY detergent on and off and to be honest I quite like it. I have seen other versions using bar soap however I think I like this better. I don’t know if this is cheaper than buying regular detergent but for me the important thing is to have a clean and chemical free detergent. I have a He machine and I am fine using this detergent. No problems thus far.

For the recipe today I used half of the amount that the recipe calls for because I couldn’t find a bigger container. You can try and do this first too instead of making the huge amount and see how you like it. I think you will, but just in case!

Note that I have used Jasmine and lavender essential oils, just because I love their smell but you can use any other oil of your choice.

I am going to make my own DIY deodorant next. I have seen a couple of recipes that I am really excited to try. For the most part I have stopped using deodorant but once in a while I must use some. Now that the hot weather is upon us I don’t think I should leave the house before wearing some :-)

Well, there is not much else to elaborate here. If you get to try this DIY detergent let me know what you think.

Stay safe and enjoy!

DIY laundry detergent

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• An empty  1/2 gallon old detergent jug
• 1/2 cup liquid Dr. Bronner's Soap- pure castile soap
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 10 drops jasmine essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Directions:

Pour castile soap, baking soda and favorite essential oil inside the jug. I used a mixture of lavender and jasmine. Using the essential oils is optional but it will leave you with good smelling laundry.

Fill the jug with hot water, this will help dissolve the baking soda, until you reach almost the top of the jug. Close it and shake it.

Use about 1/4-1/3 cup per load. Make sure you shake the jug slightly each time before using. Not too much though otherwise when you open the jug the mixture will burst out.

Recipe source homemade ginger

The post DIY laundry detergent appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

I recently stopped at a very popular coffee shop with my husband where he ordered a Green tea latte. I was kind of looking forward to trying it and perhaps order one for myself as well, however, after trying it, I was really disappointed.

I mean, how much sugar did this green tea latte have? It was not drinkable at all. We had to go home and dilute the thing with more milk and by then the green tea taste was almost gone.

I really don’t know who can drink this sweet drinks but for sure not me.
Anyhow, enough of my rant. This incident prompt me to make my own green tea latte at home and to tell you the truth I don’t know why on earth I waited so long to start make them.

This not only was super easy to make but a hell of a lot cheaper and tastier all together. I actually made a big batch and kept it in the fridge for future consumption. I really love green tea and from now on I am going to use it much more.

It is very cold here in NJ so excuse me while I make another batch of this Green tea latte and warm myself up with it :-).

Enjoy!

Green tea latte

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Matcha powder, Green tea powder
3 cups organic hot milk, any type will work, I used soy but I also use almond milk sometimes
3 Tbsp hot water
2-3 Tbsp maple syrup, honey or 1/2 dropper nunaturals stevia liquid extract

Directions:

I have seen many methods of making green tea latte but this is my preferred method.

In a big jar or glass mix the hot water with the green tea powder until it dissolves. Add the maple syrup and milk and mix though. Serve

I keep some of it in the fridge for future consumption.

Nutrition facts calculated based on the recipe giving 2 servings.

The post Green tea latte appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

I have been making this all winter and I love it. Since flu and cold season seems to be on full swing, I figured I post this. It has helped me not to get sick, so I thought it may help you too!

I pretty much take it when a member of my family starts getting sick, or when I feel I am getting sick myself.

The properties of the vinegar, ginger, cayenne and honey are superb so it doesn’t hurt to take a tablespoon of this concoction every day for preventive measures.

Since taking this, I have not gotten sick once. Note, all my family members have, so this must be working!! I take this followed by zinc, and so far so good.

Originally this was suppose to be a cough medicine, which is strictly what I used it for at first, but then, I used it for when getting sick or preventing getting sick.

I tried to give this medicine to my 2 year old but no luck however my 6 year old does tolerate it!

I think this is something I will be making for years to come. It does work for me, it is natural and I love it.

Enjoy!

This is working for me thus far. The properties here are outstanding so I hope you like it.

DIY Cold Medicine

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients:

1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup warm water

 

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients until they dissolved and store in a jar in the refrigerator. I take 1-2 tablespoons every 4 hours when sick and 1-2 tablespoons when I feel I am starting to get sick or a member of my family is sick.

Sometimes I take 1 tablespoon a day just because s the properties of these ingredients are outstanding :-)

The post DIY Cough/Cold/Immune booster Medicine appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

Granted the ones I got were 100% whole wheat and were actually really good, but the price tag was not making it easier for me to keep buying them anymore. Maybe on an emergency bases.

This is the first time I have actually made crackers and what I have learned is that you really need to roll out the dough kind of thin. Some of my crackers were rather thick, nothing wrong with that but I prefer them to be thin and crispy.

These homemade crackers are my introductory post to my next one. As I mentioned before, I have to post one of the desserts that saved us while on vacation. These crackers are part of that post so stay tuned for the next post. Here it is actually….2 minute S’mores

Enjoy!!

Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. If you feel the dough is to dry add an extra spoon of water. On the right picture, don’t mind my helper, in between plastic wrap roll out the dough until thin.

Here you can see the crackers before and after baking. Don’t forget to poke the holes before baking. I used a fork for that. I also used a pizza cutter to make little cracker squares.

These are awesome. I hope you get to try them, and by the way they are not that sweet!!

DIY home made Whole grain graham crackers

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 35-40 crackers

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup oat bran
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted or at room temperature
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon aluminum free baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

 

Directions:

Lined two cookie sheets with unbleached parchment paper and set aside.

In a bowl add all of the ingredients and mix thoroughly. I do this with my hands :-) If you have a stand up mixer go ahead and use it.

If you think the dough is too dry add 1 more tablespoon of water. At this stage you can preheat your oven to 350F.

Roll out the dough in between plastic wrap until thin and cut little squares with a pizza cutter. This is what I used and works really well.

Place cracker squares on the baking sheets and with a fork, poke some holes, like in the pictures, on each cracker.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. I baked mine for 10 minutes. Let them cool completely on the cookie sheets.

Store in an air tight container.

Nutrition facts calculated based on the recipe giving 40 crackers. 1 serving = 1 cracker

The post DIY home made Whole grain graham crackers appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

A few weeks ago I posted this Natural home made mosquito spray that I found to be awesome. 

Because that post became quite popular and people where also intrigued for the other homemade items I am making so far…here it is. Another one of my homemade concoctions, homemade coconut shampoo.

I have been making this shampoo for quite sometime and we love it.

I don’t know if it is cheaper or not but I really couldn’t care less. You see, there are only 4 ingredients in this, so guess what? I will take my homemade shampoo for any other store bought brands which contains tons of toxic ingredients!!

I have also been making homemade clothing detergent, that we love as well. Maybe, in a few weeks I will post that as well :-)

Well, let me know if you try this and if you like it. We love it so I hope that you do too.

Enjoy!!

I used an empty castile shampoo bottle to store the new made shampoo. You can use any other type of shampoo bottle. Also using a funnel helps with pouring the liquids in the empty shampoo bottle.

I actually double the amount so that it lasts a bit longer :-) Just shake before each use. It is really awesome. I hope you like it as much as we do!!

Home made coconut shampoo

Yield: 20 shampoos

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 2/3 cup castile soap (I used Dr. Brooner's brand)
• 30 drops essential oil (I used jasmine)
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

 

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients in an empty shampoo bottle or jar and shake. I used a funnel to pour ingredients in the empty bottle.

You can keep it in the shower for one to two months. Shake well before each use.

NOTE: If you find that your hair remains oily and still heavy use apple cider vinegar to rinse it out. A lot of people using this shampoo recipe have found that the vinegar helps a lot.

Recipe from one good thing by Jillie

The post Homemade coconut shampoo appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

OK my friends, I know this is not food related but I felt I had to share this with you, especially for the ones of you that have kids. You see, when summer rolls around and mosquito season comes, me and my kids get bitten like crazy.

I hate using the conventional products out there and even though I have found some natural ones I have always wanted to make my own.

This is the easiest, best and healthiest way to keep mosquitos off anyone. I hate the products that are available out there with all of the nasty and hurtful chemical ingredients in them. I actually found the recipe here and was super excited to try it.

I actually used lavender witch hazel, which I got online. This one has not parabens and it is alcohol free. I got the ingredients at amazon which is where I always go to get my vitamins and such. This is just awesome.

The citronella and lemongrass oils are essential on making this. Then you can choose from a mixture of tea tree oil, peppermint or lavender essential oils.

I have also been making my own home made shampoo, which we love, and home made detergent. Maybe I will post those as well, will see.

Sorry for those that were expecting something food related but I felt it would be beneficial to share this with some of you :-) and don’t  despair I have an awesome lemonade cake waiting for you for the next post :-) That is if it works!!

Enjoy!!

I used small bottles as well as a bigger one for when we travel. I am taking these every where when going outdoors :-)

I used a CD pen to label the bottles. You can use any other fancier ways to do so :-) Shake the bottle each time before use, the solution will become cloudy, and remember not to spray directly into the face. Be careful with your eyes :-)

Natural home made mosquito spray

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

12 oz bottle witch hazel (mine was lavender infused and had no alcohol or parabens)
15 drops citronella essential oil (I use a bit more)
15 drops lemon grass oil (I use a bit more)
10 drops peppermint essential oil
10 drops tea tree oil (optional, but it works against ticks)
A funnel
An empty spray container
An empty mixing jar to mix the contents in

 

Directions:

Pour witch hazel in the mixing jar and add the essential oils. Shake well and place in your spray bottles using a funnel, is the best way.

Before each use just shake up a bit. Make sure you don't get any in your eyes and when using for your kids just place a little bit over a small area to make sure they are not allergic to any of the essential oils.

Adapted from here

The post Natural home made mosquito spray appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.