cloth diapering (I'm not always 100% on this, but I'd say I cloth diaper 75% of the time and it saves me loads of money and keeps my laundry machine running for background noise :). But I do think it's much easier diapering your own kids -- when my sister, or sister in law, first suggested cloth diapering, I thought "ew, gross". I almost puked on my nephew when I changed his diaper and couldn't bring myself to clean it, so my poor brother in law had a stash to clean when he got home from the hospital with my sister and her new baby. Needless to say, I was weak-sauce and maybe not the best helper, but when it comes to my own kids -- I CAN do it! :)
on this same note
Using Lanolin. So, I bought lanolin when I had Amy and had cracked nipples. But, it has many more uses than that -- I found it is about the BEST chapstick anyone could hope for. It's initially really sticky when you put it on, kind of the consistency of honey, but then it moisturizes so much better. I also found it is a main ingredient in some of the bum cream I like using for the girls, so I started using it straight on Esther's bum and her rash has cleared up really fast. I also use it when I get cracked skin in the winter.
Washing my hair twice a week or less. I had never considered this... ever, until I had a friend with very cute curly hair tell me that she never uses shampoo because it dries her hair out too much. I was stunned that she mainly does a vinegar rinse on her hair and uses conditioner. Wow! I was looking to do something different with my hair, because it seemed to get oily way too fast. Who would've thought this would be the answer -- We shower every day, but I only wash my hair on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and once a month I use Apple Cider Vinegar on my hair to rinse it and it feels so silky smooth and soft afterwards. Things I've noticed? 1- My hair doesn't get oily as fast... by Wednesday I look forward to shampooing it, but it doesn't look oily... just shiny. 2- I'm saving lots of money on shampoo and conditioner and could maybe even afford to buy the type I really like, 3- I can finally remember what day I'm supposed to wash my hair, 4- my hair looks healthier and is not as brittle as it used to be, so it's growing faster.
Applesauce. I started using applesauce instead of oil because the only oil we had was extra virgin olive oil and I though the taste would be too strong in my bread. My bread not only still tastes as great, but it's fewer calories, and you can use applesauce in SO many things. I recently started subbing it in when I make cake mixes too. I made cookies last week with no butter or oil -- it had applesauce and bananas. They're not bad for being so healthy. (If you want the recipe, it's on the Everyday Inspirations blog: http://www.365inspirations.com/1/post/2011/03/healthy-chocolate-chip-cookies.html)
Fat Free Plain Yogurt. I don't buy sour cream anymore -- and this is much more versatile... I can use it to make smoothies AND use it in place of sour cream in alfredo sauce, or on our burritos. I love it (though Ryan sometimes wishes we'd just get sour cream, but he's a good sport) and if our family can grow up being used to that, all the better for them.
Making my own lotion. I make my own lotion with coconut and olive oil, and lavender or jasmine essential oil for fragrance. I LOVE it.
Making my own soap. I made my own soap with a friend a few weeks ago (Jasmine) and I love it too! It lathers so nice
4 comments:
I'll have to try out applesauce in place of oil. I'm skeptical, but it sounds like a brilliant substitution.
I use plain yogurt for tons of things -- even in place of cream cheese. You can put it in a few layers of cheesecloth and let it sit in a colander over a bowl for 8-10 hours in the fridge, squeezing it every so often, and it thickens up to the consistency of cream cheese. I also use applesauce instead of oil in lots of recipes -- it works very well!
Also, have you heard of the Diva Cup? I use it and would totally recommend it. It's a little pricey to start, but completely worth it when you think about never having to buy sanitary products again! (Well, until you have another baby... can't use it post-partum. But the rest of the time... it is so nice.)
Have also started using lanolin as chapstick - fantastic!
I didn't know what you'd been trying with your shampoo. Sounds like a good idea.
Ah, I wish we lived close to each other so we could try out super crunchy things together!
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