I’ve always wondered how to make apple cider vinegar, and this weekend I thought I’d give it a try.  I actually made pineapple vinegar instead of apple cider because I had pineapple scraps.  You can use fruit scraps to make fruit scrap vinegar, and apple cider vinegar is just another fruit scrap vinegar. Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits Apple cider vinegar has many health benefits, and is great for making salad dressings, using in a bath for detoxification, and even cleaning.  Apple cider vinegar has been often called a wonder drug, and contains vitamins and minerals essential to good health.  Losing weight, lowering blood pressure, and even healing headaches have been some of apple cider vinegar’s benefits.  Personally, I take it when I feel a cold coming on because I think it helps ward off the bad germs. When you make your own apple cider vinegar, you control what goes in it, and you know you are getting the real deal.  When I purchase apple cider vinegar, I buy the Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar because it contains all the goodness [...]

I hunted for a long time for how to make your own natural, homemade dishwasher detergent.  I found many recipes that were natural and called for just borax and washing soda, but they never seemed to work very well.  They just didn’t get the dishes clean.  I’ve found a recipe that finally works well and won’t poison my family!  It’s also super easy to make as well. Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Recipe -1/2 cup borax -1/2 cup washing soda -1/4 cup Citric Acid -1/4 cup kosher salt How to Make Dishwashing Detergent Mix all ingredients together well by shaking. Mine clumps but I just shake it before I use it. If you don’t want to order citric acid online, you can check a beer making store or even a health food store. I found some in bulk at our local health food store! Use about 1 Tablespoon per load.  If you wanted to scent yours, you could add a few drops of your favorite essential oils in.  I really didn’t mind it unscented, so I went with that. For months we [...]

Here’s a face scrub recipe that you can make at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand.  It will cost you a few minutes of your time but it is definitely worth it! photo credit: Malte.S Ingredients: 2/3 cup sugar 3 Tablespoons applesauce 2 teaspoons olive oil Mix all ingredients together well.  When you’re ready to use, put a small amount on your hand and work in a circular motion on your face.  Rinse well after using.  That’s it! How it works The malic acid and amalase enzymes in apples help remove dead skin and dirt that can clog pores.  The sugar polishes away rough spots, while the olive oil brings the moisture back to the skin.  All natural healing!