5 Things You're Buying That You Should Make!

DIYing is a big part of my life. There's something so satisfying to me about taking something that's usually store-bought and figuring out a way to Do It Yourself! I'm afraid this post may push the boundaries of going natural without going nuts...But it's all relative to what point you are in the process of living a green life.

1. Toothpaste

I've already talked about the scary stuff that can be found in your toothpaste, and I'm going to be honest--buying natural toothpaste is not cheap. If you care a lot about saving money and staying green, consider making your own toothpaste. The recipe is so simple; the main ingredient is baking soda (which is already in a lot of brand-name toothpastes for its whitening capabilities). You can get creative and add peppermint essential oils or whatever other scent you'd like.

Here's a sample recipe from Care2.com

INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, finely ground
1 drop peppermint, spearmint, sweet orange, clove, or cinnamon bark essential oil
A few drops tap water

Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix them thoroughly with a toothbrush, your finger, or a small spoon until a smooth, thick paste forms. The paste shouldn’t be too runny; it has to stay on your toothbrush.

Dip your toothbrush into the paste and use as you would regular commercial toothpaste.

2. Cleaning Supplies

You can have a cleaner and healthier home by ditching brand-name cleaners and making your own. This article from Rodale goes into details about which specific brands to avoid. Your all-purpose

cleaner probably contains compounds that can trigger asthma. Check out the link for more details. In the mean time here's a recipe for an all-purpose cleaner.

9 parts water

1 part white vinegar

Put it in a spray bottle and you're good to go. They also recommend adding hydrogen peroxide for a stronger solution to kill more germs. 

3. FOOD!

This one is broad, but that's because the possibilities are limitless. There are so many foods that we buy from the store that can easily be made at home, saving you money and also helping you be environmentally friendly by avoiding plastic packaging.  Here are some typically store bought foods that I've made at home..

• Crackers
• Tortillas
• Ice Cream
• Granola Bars
• Peanut Butter
• Oreos
• Caramel
• Potato Chips
• PIZZA ROLLS (best...thing...ever...)

The possibilities are pretty endless. It's also a nice way to have junk food without it being full of crap.

4. Paint

If you're like me and you get uncontrollable urges to finger-paint, you don't have to leave the comfort of your home for the supplies! Plus, you can get exactly the color you want.
Here's a recipe from Red Ted Art

3 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt1/2 cup corn starch
2 cups water
Combine ingredients in small saucepan. Warm until mixture thickens. Cool & pour in containers. Add food coloring to create desired colors.

5. PLAY DOUGH!

the finished product!

Everyone needs play dough...it's essential to our daily lives. I'm 19 years old and if there's play dough around, I will grab it without a doubt (and secretly lick it to make sure it still tastes the same..shh). It's especially good for households with little kids or pets that get into trouble. There are a million recipes out there, but I like this one from Hidden Ponies a lot:

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour

½ cup salt

2 Tbsp cream of tartar

1 Tbsp oil

1 cup water

½ tsp vanilla extract (or coconut, almond, etc…this makes it smell nice, which is optional but fun :))

Food colouring

Instructions:

In medium saucepan, stir together flour, salt, cream of tartar, and oil. Add water, extract, and food colouring and mix well. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat, until it forms a stiff clump and you can’t really stir any more (about 3 minutes).

Remove from stove and knead by hand for 3-5 minutes, until very soft and pliable.

Store in airtight bags or containers between uses.

DIYing is time consuming but so rewarding. I challenge you to try at least one thing on this list!