Happy Hippie Housewifery

I am always on the lookout for good recipes
for something I can make at home instead of buying at the store. Today’s
experiment was homemade deodorant. Here was the basic recipe I used.

1/2 cup coconut oil

3 Tbsp. beeswax pellets

3Tbsp. baking soda

1 Tbsp. arrowroot powder or cornstarch

3-4 drops essential oil

Heat ingredients together in a small pan over low heat until dissolved. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour into an old deodorant stick or a small jar and let set overnight or put into refrigerator to harden.

Some specifics of the recipe I used:

I used Spectrum refined organic coconut oil. Any brand/type should work the same. Unrefined will smell like ummmmm, coconuts. So if you do not want a slightly tropical smell go with refined.

I used Bob's Red Mill aluminum free baking soda. Again any brand/type should work.

I used Lavender and Tea tree oil to scent mine.

I recycled an empty deodorant stick
container. I just washed it out and turned the dial until it was all the way
back down and refilled it. If you do not have an empty one a baby food jar or small condiment jar works well if you don't mind applying it with your fingers.

The verdict

It smells great. I am a big fan of lavender.
I think it could be made with any essential oil. I think I will try a bergamot
or lemongrass the next time around.

It is not an antiperspirant. I was a bit
sweaty when doing sweaty type stuff. That might be more of an issue in the hot
weather but I live in Minnesota, so in all honesty, nine months of the year it
is not a big concern for me. Coconut oil does liquefy when warm so you need to keep this at room temperature or less. Some people store it in the fridge.

My arm pits have never felt softer.

Product spotlight series Blueberry one size bamboo fitted diapers

Blueberry recently released a new addition to their already extensive product line; Bamboo one size fitteds.

Being a huge fan of fitted diapers, one size diapers and diapers that come in cute prints, I had to try them for myself right away.

When I first opened my order I was pleased with how nice the prints were as well as how thick and cushy they felt. I washed a few and put them on my test pilot.

Here is my verdict......

These are just flat out cute. The prints are bright and pretty. I love the darker prints because I suspect they will hide staining really well.

These are highly absorbent diapers. Even when they were wet the wetness was not detectable on the outer layer of the diaper until they were really, really wet. I tried them overnight as well and the outer layer felt barely damp.

The fit was good and very adjustable. My Son is 3 months old and 15 pounds and these should fit him for the duration of his time in diapers.

The only drawback I was able to find is the dry time. Like all higher absorption natural fiber diapers they are slower to dry. The more moisture they hold the longer it takes.

We currently have a few of the prints in stock at our store www.happilyhomegrown.com. Look for more additions to our stock of Blueberry's products in the future. They also recently release some new prints in pockets and covers.

welcome

My name is Amy and this is my blog.

After starting my own natural parenting product website I though a blog to go along with it would be a nice place to share my own experiences, suggestions, and overall philosophy on raising a family in a environmentally friendly manner.

After much trial and error (I mean much, I am pregnant with my fifth child) I feel like I have the what kinds of things you NEED for a baby pretty well down. Thinking back to my first pregnancy, I remember being overwhelmed by all the products the magazines and TV told me I would need for my baby. I ended up with loads of stuff that was neither needed or particularly useful: sleep positioners, diaper stacking devices, little mitten things for their hands. In the end the sleep positioner could easily have been replaced by a rolled up towel, the little mittens could have just as easily been a pair of baby socks that I already had. I cannot even remember what I did with all those things. I must have donated them to a thrift store at some point. In the end it was all just more stuff cluttering up my house. It did not change my life or improve the newborn period, it just was a waste of money.

In reflecting on how I wish I knew what products were actually useful way back then I started to consider starting my own website that stocked only worthwhile baby products that I would actually use myself. Things I knew were useful from experience, my personal favorite stuff. Thus www.happilyhomegrown.com came into being.

There are many sites that sell some of the same products that we carry. The biggest difference with me is I will not be stocking products that I would not use. For example, a brand of cloth diapers which I will not name here is carried by most of the big cloth diaper websites sent me a wholesale list of their products recently. I deleted it. I actually bought some of their diapers once. They lasted less than a year with normal washing and wearing. I would hate for a parent to buy them, they were adorable but a huge waste of money and in the end when I threw them away not so much better for the environment.

It is hard to sort thought the reviews out there. For every positive review there is someone who does not like it. I suspect that many of the review are actually posted by distributors and creators of the diapers. Some of the big sites even have their own lines they manufacture and sell "exclusively". You can bet you won't find a negative review of those on their sites. They are looking for a sale.

Don't get me wrong I would love to sell you stuff. I just want it to be practical, useful stuff that is not a waste of money.

I will always try to be honest and stock only really great products.

Feel free to follow us on blogger, facebook, or visit us at www.happilyhomegrown.com.