I don't do any chemical dyes at all in my diet. I have found a great resource for sugar though and its a lot healthier then sugar and artificial sugars and that is Stevia its kind of $$ but in the long run its all natural and it has no calories within it. I have found that one 50 pack box lasts quite a while.

Oh yes, olive oil is wonderful! So is coconut oil---I LOVE that stuff. Raw coconut oil (make sure its RAW). I take a spoonful of it a day and lose weight! I also put it on my skin as a wonderful moisturizer and it makes a delightful lubricant...

And yes, stevia is wonderful. So is Zero by Wholesome Sweeteners and agave nectar, as far as sweeteners go.

Olive oil is marvellous - just warm it up slightly and you're good to go.

Porridge is also great for really dry skin. You stick some oats into a bag or an old sock and then tie it under the tap whilst you're running a bath

I can't recommend garlic too much for its antiseptic qualities

Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with just enough water to form a paste. This works as an amazing toothpaste!

If you have a wound, dab tea tree oil on it two to three times per day, and it will disinfect it. It also works well for drying out acne.

Drink a lot of water- at least 3 liters per day, if not more. It helps to keep skin clear!

I haven't tried this yet- I still have to finish off my stash of shampoo. But, I've heard that if you make a paste of baking soda and water, scrub it into your scalp, then pour cider vinegar over it,it works excellently as an alternative to shampoo!

If you're dying your hair either a reddish colour or blue-black, consider using henna dyes. They're not harsh at all, and actually condition your hair quite nicely. The effects can last for more than a month. I know that Lush carries such dyes, but would could probably find less expensive recipes for henna dyes online.




Lately I've been trying to use more natural products for cleaning as well. Unfortunately I live with roommates who think that my way of cleaning is 'weird', so they still use the harsh chemicals I'm trying to avoid... however, I still use more natural ways of cleaning. I believe that avoiding unnatural chemicals and products with scary warning labels is good for one's health. If you read the warning labels on some products, it can be very worrisome! One of the oder eliminating sprays that my roommates uses says that you shouldn't spray it around small animals, like mice and birds, because it could kill them! With effects like that, how safe could this product really be for humans?

But that rant aside, here are a few or my cleaning tips.

To Clean Drains- Make a paste of either baking soda and water or baking soda and lemon juice. Smear it into the drain, then pour about a cup of white vinegar over it. Cover and let sit for a half hour. Do this once a week, and your drains won't get clogged!

To Clean and Disinfect Countertops- Mix white vinegar with water (I believe you need 1/8 cup of vinegar for every cup of water), spray your countertop with it, and wipe it off!

To Clean Toilets- Scurb the toilet with baking soda, then add vinegar to the mix. Let it sit for a half hour.

To Soften Fabrics- Put 1/3 cup of vinegar in the washing machine during the rinse cycle.

To Get Rid of Icky Smells- Fill diffusers with essential oils, and place around smelly areas (the garbage can, dirty laundry bins, etc.) For a spray version of this, mix sweet almond oil with a little bit of essential oil, put it in a spray bottle, and spray it like you would spray a commercial oder eliminator.

I use white vinegar all the time for cleaning. It is a great disinfectant and a wonderful multi-purpose cleaner.

This website has some cool homemade beauty recipes.. I have tried a few out before and I really like the product I made

http://www.makeup-care.info/beauty/homemade-beauty-recipes/index.htm

I like this one too

http://www.mybeautyrecipes.com/