Fun With DIY
For those who have a heart for the natural things in life, as well as an adventurous bent toward being more self-sufficient, away from the cacophony of mainstream—perhaps you will enjoy reading and even trying some of these Do-it-Yourself ideas.
YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN HERBAL SHAMPOO You will need a jar with a lid. Next, pour one tablespoon of olive oil, one 16 ounce bottle castile soap and 2 to 3 teaspoons of your favorite culinary herb. Lemon verbena, rosemary, and thyme are good choices. Mix your ingredients well with a wooden spoon. Put the lid on the jar and let the contents rest in a dark place for about a week. Then strain to get the solids out. What remains is your herbal shampoo. Or you can use it as a hand or body soap.
DIFFERENT WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR TEETH When you are out and about and feel the need to brush your teeth and you don’t have a toothbrush handy, try an organic apple. It is a good temporary solution. You can also use a paper towel or a washcloth. The apple is good for other purposes. For instance, when you are driving and feeling drowsy, eat an apple, it will help keep you alert.
TOOTHPASTE can be made from baking soda with a drop of oil in it, such as spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon, or cloves in. Or a mixture of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part salt. The best recipe for toothpaste made at home is a mixture of 4 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon mint flavoring, and just enough water to get a “toothpasty” texture. Keep in a covered container so it does not dry out.
KEEPING WARM is very important for the area we live in. So, if getting firewood is a problem, consider rolling a newspaper tightly to make a homemade Pres-to-Log. Newspapers can also be used as an emergency blanket.
SOLAR COOKERS can be a great adventure. They are a wonderful technology that uses the sun’s energy to cook. No energy cost, no pollution. You can find plans online to make one and there are many commercial varieties for sale. I bought my solar cooker on eBay in excellent condition and paid only $40 for it. You can cook just about anything as long as the sun is shining.
CLEANING SOLUTIONS When it’s time to clean, it’s useful to have on hand distilled white vinegar, baking soda, salt, and borax. A simple cleaner: Equal parts water and distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. A scrub for stains and more difficult cleaning: Equal parts vinegar, salt, and borax to form a paste. Apply the paste to problem areas and let sit for several minutes and then wipe with a clean cloth.
PLUMBING PROBLEMS Another use for these common household products is unclogging a drain: Put 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar. Once the mixture stops fizzing, pour boiling hot water down the drain.
AND THEN THERE IS FOOD
If you are not presently growing food or have a limited space to grow, consider the growing towers that are available to purchase or creating your own growing tubes from PVC sewer-size pipes. Cut the top off lengthwise, cap the ends and drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill them with dirt, and plant your veggies. These can be chained one above the other in a greenhouse or sunny window, allowing watering from the top to drip to the next level down. A good way to conserve water.
ANOTHER TRICK TO GROWING FOOD When I buy a head of lettuce at the market and have consumed just about all of it, I cut the core off the bottom, put 3 toothpicks spaced evenly around, and place in a jar of water. Keep the water levels above the bottom of the core. Within a couple of weeks you will see new green sprouts coming up from the core. And eventually there will be roots so that you can plant your new growth. I have done this with celery as well. It works, and you double the return on your food purchase.
AND OF COURSE, OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IS NUTRITION
Learn how to grow wheatgrass. Wheatgrass juice contains every nutrient the body needs. You will need a juicer. There are hand-crank ones that work fine if you have the time and patience. Some electric juicers have the attachment specifically for wheatgrass juice.
If you have any questions about any of these DIY ideas, please e-mail me at divima17@yahoo.com. Subject: DIY info. I will be very happy to answer any questions I can. Have a great month of May!
The Six Best Doctors in the World
—Charlie Chaplin
The Sun, Rest, Exercise, Diet, Self-Respect, Friends
Stick to them at all the stages of your life and enjoy a healthy life.
