Simplicity is a Home's Best Friend

This is a list of unconventional changes we've made in our home to move us toward a more balanced life. Great ideas for folks who want live cheaper and healthier and have less of an impact on our environment.

Homemade Laundry Soap - I've had random customers from FITniche ask me for this one. This recipe is tried and true. I've used it for months upon months with satisfaction. The cost comes out to less than $.01 per load! And for any cloth diapering moms out there, this has been great for our cloth diaper loads. How could you not try this amazing, green, money-saving recipe? It completely works for energy efficient washers too!

Homemade Diaper Wipe Solution - I've tried a few different versions, but my favorite is "Basic Wipes #2." Even with the poopiest diapers, we've been very satisfied with the results. Just whip it up, transfer to a spray bottle, apply to your baby wipes (these are the kind we use.), and there you go!

Honey Whole Wheat Bread - After realizing that it's much, much cheaper and healthier to make our own bread, I started experimenting several months ago. I've tried many recipes from The Knead for Bread, but didn't find anything that really suited our everyday bread needs. (Although, I did find a killer pita bread recipe.) I started branching out some more, and then I found this recipe! By far, the best everyday bread recipe I've made.

Homemade Veggie Stock - Vegetable stock can be used to replace chicken broth or beef broth whenever you need/want it to. It's also a lot cheaper than its alternatives and SO easy and cheap to make. Simply keep ANY and ALL vegetable scraps you collect. This includes, onion ends, the base of lettuce, the mushed leftovers from minced garlic cloves, the top of leeks, potato or carrot shavings, virtually any veggie scrap. Once you get approximately a gallon-sized Ziploc bag worth of scraps, pour it into a large pot, fill with water (there's no rules here.), bring to boil, reduce heat and cover and let simmer at least 30 minutes (the longer, the tastier).

Homemade Facial Scrub - This is my favorite homemade facial scrub that I've tried. It combines two simple ingredients: brown sugar and olive oil. I know what you're thinking. Olive oil? On my face? Won't that clog my pores? Nope! I did, however, follow the scrub with a very light soap rinse to remove any excess oil that was still very much on the surface of my face. I've tried this thrice and loved it every time. It will definitely become a weekly ritual! (P.S. Check out her organic and eco-friendly facial products. I can't wait to try them out!)

Odor Shield - So how many of you know that baking soda is a great deodorizer? Most of you, right? How many of you know that you can apply it (dampened with some water) directly under your armpit and you'll stay odor free all day? I had no idea it was so simple a fix. I've been doing this for over a month now, and I feel horribly lied to by all of the commercial deodorant companies that tell me I need an amazing concoction of chemicals to "stay fresh." Just as a disclaimer, though, this will not keep you from sweating. We are supposed to sweat. This will merely keep the sweat from smelling. Here is a link on the dangers of commercial deodorants. WARNING: You only need a VERY small amount of baking soda for it to be effective. Too much will start to irritate the skin.

What are your favorite tips/recipes/alternatives that have helped you? Please share whatever you've found helps you! I love learning how simplify our lives more!