Pregnancy Notes: Homeopathy Remedies

There are so many things I love about homeopathy... it is safe, aids the body to heal, non-toxic and my kids even think the pellets are like candy because they taste sweet! For those who are not familiar with homeopathy... Please read this great, simple article that explains what homeopathy is and how it works. 

It is so safe that I don’t have to worry about my kids getting sick if they swallow a whole bottle and... ahem... my oldest daughter has done that a few times! As a child, I did that but with a bottle of baby Tylenol and had to go to the emergency room to get my stomach pumped. Yeah, that's why you will never see that stuff or any form of over-the-counter/prescribed medication in my house. I don’t want that to happen to any of my kids!

So, if you take the wrong remedy for something… you don’t have to worry about it making you sicker because it won’t do anything to you if it is not the right kind! You can simply switch to a different kind of remedy better matched to your symptoms. You can’t really do that safely with over-the-counter or prescribed medication.

Below I am going to share a few that I’ve used through each of my births and what they do. Then I want to share with you a new program that I am doing right now (started late, though) with pregnancy #4 that I learned recently from a homeopathic.

Again, this is why I love homeopathy… I do not have to worry about any harm being done to the baby or me while doing this program!

Oh, ahem... again, before you read on, I have to say this for legal reasons... I'm not a doctor, just a pregnant gal who likes to share what she is doing to have a healthy pregnancy & birth. Please consult your midwife or doctor about any changes you make to your diet while pregnant. Homeopathy does not cause interactions with pharmaceutical drugs and are safe for everyone. You can read more FAQs about homeopathy here.

Homeopathy Remedies for Labor & Birth

We all know that childbirth is a natural process and unless complications develop, no intervention is needed. More and more parents are accepting this view once again and choosing to labor without anesthesia and, more so recently, many prefer to have their baby born at home.

Homeopathy can help make childbirth easier with the use of homeopathic remedies to help prevent lengthy, painful labor and soothe sore muscles after birth.

Caulophyllum thalictroides

I first learned about this remedy from Homeopathic Medicine at Home while pregnant with Tobi (#3) and believe it made a difference in my labor & birth. Here’s a soundbite from the book:

"The early settlers first learned about this remedy from the Indians, who called it “squaw-root” or “birth-root”. Indian women chewed the root when they were at full term. The early homeopaths, ever on the alert for curative medicines, potentized this remedy, which they called Caulophyllum thalictroides.

In the event of false labor pains (pains not accompanied by effacement and dilation of the cervix), the remedy stimulates the onset and continuation of effective contractions.

A British homeopath, Dr. Douglas M. Borland, author of Homeopathy for Mother and Infant, recommends taking a daily dose of Caulophyllum during the last 2 or 3 weeks of pregnancy to ease labor. Many mothers (including myself) have reported a rapid, “easy” labor."

I started taking this remedy about a week before my due date and Tobias was born exactly the due date I predicted (he’s the only one I knew for sure when I conceived!). The labor was fast and fairly easy. I was surprised by how quickly it was happening and how smoothly it flowed. Tobi was born in less then 2 hours!

When to use:

You can start taking it, once or twice a day, 2 to 3 weeks before the due date. Or when you start to feel contractions, take it every 15 minutes and stop when contractions become full and steady.

Carbo vegetabilis

I have not needed to take this, but always have it on hand just in case. This remedy is known as the “great reviver”, proved to help restore strength when exhausted.

If labor has been going on for some time and you feel completely depleted and too tired to carry on. Plus, you cravings for cold, moving air… Carbo vegtabilis is the remedy for you. After taking your first dose you should start to feel your strength coming back to complete the job!

When to use:

When you feel completely exhausted, take repeated doses every 15 minutes until you feel your strength come back. Stop taking when you feel strengthened.

Arnica Montana

I was first introduced to homeopathy after the birth of my first baby. My midwife gave me a bottle of Arnica Montana to help with muscle pains and aches from the birth.

I was all for trying a natural alternative to Tylenol or aspirin. I didn’t want to take either, but didn’t know what I could take to help with my sore muscles because I was still very new in the world of natural remedies at that time. Thankfully my midwife took care of that for me!

After she told me how much to take and how often… I was shocked to find myself feeling great very quickly. I noticed if I missed a dose within the time frame I start to feel sore, but as soon as I took my dose… my pains and aches magically went away! It was amazing!

After that experience, I knew I had to explore the world of homeopathy. Ever since, I have been able to treat my family holistically using homeopathy, among other natural remedies, with great success! I am still learning as I go along in life and have to say that I am not an expert even though I’ve been using homeopathy for over 5 years now.

I’ve used Arnica with all my pregnancies and ALWAYS always have a bottle or two around for my family. I also have a bottle of arnica oil that is wonderful to rub on sore muscles and a bottle of arnica tincture to mix with water for a more potent effect. This is one homeopathy we use quite often with our 3 energenic kids and lots of animals running around!

In addition to relieving sore muscles and bruised parts, Arnica will speedily heal an episiotomy or tear if they happen.

When to use:

Immediately after delivery and repeat the dose every 15 to 30 minutes until you feel comfortable. Keep taking it every hour after that.

Homeopathy Remedies for Pregnancy

A while back I received an email update from Joette Calabrese who is a practicing homeopathic and has a wonderful website, HomeopathyWorks, that I’ve learned much from. The focus of the newsletter was about pregnancy and how to have a healthy pregnancy, quick labor and easy birth by using homeopathy. 

Joette shared her experiences of using these very homeopathies to improve the outcome of her last 2 pregnancies after having a very long (40 hours!), painful labor with her first (all natural too!). The results were amazing… pain was minimal and the labor/birth were quick & easy! She gave birth at home and was over 40 years old at those times.

The following program came not only from her own personal experiences, but also from attending many home births and working with lots of women. She recommends a daily intake of homeopathic cell salts, instead of prenatal vitamins, that will supply the nutrition a mama and baby needs. She says they have a proven record and unlike some prenatal vitamins, carry no side effects.

Remember, no amount of homeopathy or prenatal vitamins will substitute for a poor diet. So, it is vital that you load up on wholesome, nutritionally dense foods... read my note on "Super Foods for Mama & Baby" (coming soon!).

Below is the list of remedies and the schedule she recommends for mamas to follow for the duration of the pregnancy and for as long as the baby nurses:

Calcarea fluorata 6 or 12: Prevents stretch marks, varicose veins and hemorrhoids.  It also builds good tooth enamel in the mother and child as well as strong bones for both.

Ferrum phosphoricum 6: Strengthens blood vessels and arteries and helps prevent anemia.

Magnesia phosphorica 6: Alleviates spasms and cramps, such as leg and abdominal cramps. It can even eliminate the baby's hiccups in utero.

Natrum muriaticum 6: Helps cope with metabolic changes of pregnancy.  Prevents and cures dry skin, heartburn, swollen ankles and helps to eliminate toxins.


Silicea 6: Needed, for blood, skin, hair and nails. 

Schedule

Month 1:  Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Ferr phos 6x

Month 2:  Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Ferr phos 6x

Month 3:  Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Nat mur 6x

Month 4:  Calc fluor 6x, Nat mur 6x, Silicea 6x

Month 5:  Calc fluor 6x, Ferr phos 6x, Silicea 6x

Month 6:  Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Ferr phos 6x

Month 7:  Calc fluor 6x, Mag phos 6x, Nat mur 6x

Month 8:  Calc fluor 6x, Nat mur 6x, Silicea 6x

Month 9:  Calc fluor 6x, Ferr phos 6x, Silicea 6x 
(Continue for as long as the baby is nursing)

Take three to four pills of each remedy, three times a day, according to the monthly schedule.

Just like higher potency homeopathic remedies, cell salts (sometimes called tissue salts or biochemic homeopathy) are prepared in highly diluted dosages. This gives them a greater ability to work. 

You can purchase cell salts in most health food stores, Vitacost (this link is my referral link, get $10 off on your first purchase from Vitacost!) or online. They are pretty inexpensive.

Joette’s office also carries a convenient cell salt kit which you can purchased if you are interested.

What about you? Do you use homeopathy during pregnancy, birth and/or postpartum? Please share below!

Linked up at Monday Mania and Simple Lives Thursday.

Note: I am not affiliated with Joette or Homeopathy Works or 1-800-Homeopathy.

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Pregnancy Notes: Soothing Postpartum Pads {recipe}

I made these pads when pregnant with Tobi and it did wonders for me after the birth. It felt so soothing… and cold, but in a good way! They helped a lot with the soreness and swelling associated with having a vaginal birth. Each ingredient has specific purposes for promoting healing of the vaginal area along with bring relief. Read on to learn what each ingredient does to bring comfort in the midst of the postpartum period…

The Ingredients

Witch Hazel: A mama’s best friend during the postpartum healing time. It is a natural astringent, helps reduce swelling and typically used on swollen body parts… birthing does give our bodies quite a beating! This soothing liquid makes a wonderful treatment for two problems that can happen to new mamas – sore perineum & hemorrhoids.

Aloe Vera: Best known for its natural healing of skin, wounds and other skin issues. It’s excellent anti-inflammatory properties help relieve joint & muscle pains. It is SO soothing on a sore perineum and leaves you feeling revitalized.

My choices of essential oils… Lavender, Rosemary and German Chamomile… not only smell wonderful when combined, but all are natural astringents that help with reducing swelling. Each of them also have their own special ways of helping along the healing process:

• Lavender essential oil has a wonderful calming scent which can help in treating nervous exhaustion, restlessness, emotional stress, nervous tension, headaches, anxiety and increase mental activity. It is also an excellent remedy for various types of pains caused by sore muscles, tense muscles, muscular aches, backaches and the lumbago (lower back) area. Lavender oil is good for improving blood circulation in the body, which is essential for complete healing in the perineum area.
• Rosemary essential oil has the ability to strengthen the entire body and relieve pain (like lavender) associated with muscle pains, sore muscles & headaches. It also boosts mental activity, so when your brain feels tired (and we do feel brain-tired after having a baby!)… inhale some rosemary oil to get fresh mental energy!
• German Chamomile essential oil is a workhorse being naturally anti-septic, anti-biotic, won’t let biotic infections (such as bacteria, fungi, etc.) develop, wipes off infections already present, can effectively reduce pain in the muscles & joints, calms all nervous disturbances, is effective in curing inflammation and check swelling of the blood vessels. In nature, it is a tonic that helps tone up the skin, muscles, internal organs and more.

Knowing all this just brings a huge smile of awe on my face because God is so good to give us the resources to naturally heal ourselves! Now you know these cool & soothing pads will help bring comfort after childbirth and allow you to enjoy your new baby without being too distracted by the postpartum healing that can be painful and challenging.

Where to Purchase Everything
Thankfully, all these ingredients are very easy to find and reasonably priced. You will most likely be able to find everything you need at your local health food store. Knowing that prices are always a little more at the local health food store... you can simply purchase the witch hazel at any drug store for cheap and buy your aloe vera (or use your fresh leaves!) & essential oils online for less.

I love to buy my essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs, they have lasted me a long time! I've also purchased my essential oils from Vitacost.com (this is my referral link, you can get an instant $10 coupon on your first purchase!) and have been happy with the Aura Cacia brand, but quality-wise... Mountain Rose Herbs' essential oils are the ones to get. 

The pads you see in my pictures are from Lunapads and I love them. They don't feel bulky and are very comfortable. There are other companies that make cloth pads and prices varies, but you can easily make your own pads if you are sewing savvy! 

Making the Pads

For pads, I used my cloth ones because they are more breathable and aren’t full of stuff that can irritate the vaginal area (plus, I save so much money using them!). I prefer to put the special liquid on the inserts that slip onto the pads, but you can put it directly on the pads itself. You can use disposable pads, but be sure to get unscented or natural kinds!

I would prepare 15-25 pads and put them all in a plastic container to store until ready to use. 

What you will need:

Overnight maxi pads (cloth or disposable)

2 cups Witch Hazel (distilled extract, available at any drug store)

½ cup pure, edible Aloe Vera gel/juice (fresh or store bought)

15-20 drops Lavender essential oil

15-20 drops Rosemary essential oil

15-20 drops German Chamomile essential oil

Aluminum foil

In bowl, thoroughly combine everything. Pour into a small spray bottle or simply use a Tablespoon. Unfold the pads and spray each pad until damp or pour 1 Tbsp. (make a vertical line down the center area) on each pad. Wrap each pad in aluminum foil and store in the freezer. When ready to use, take one out and unwrap it. Let it thaw for about 2 minutes before put it on. If you put it on right away, it will be COLD… but it feels great!!

Note: If you are using fresh aloe vera leaves. Simply peel the skin off and lightly rinse it. Then put the clear gel in your blender and blend until smooth.

Enjoy!

linked up at Simple Lives Thursday

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NEW! My Pregnancy Notes Series

Here I am about halfway (about 21 weeks) through! I may not look that big, but I feel big... LOL!

While I haven't been doing a whole lot on my blog and just throwing up a post when I felt like it or found the time... all that is going to change for a while.

I finally found some inspiration!

Ta-da!

Now that I am pregnant with #4 I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my pregnancy "notes" on what I've done in my previous pregnancies and again doing with Bebe Cuatro. That way you can be blessed with some great information and I can have a place to keep all my notes for future references!

My "notes" will be a mixture of recipes, remedies, tips and encouragement... don't expect me to cover every detail or share cures for every pregnancy ailment that is common among us preggy Mamas. There are some things, such as morning sickness, that I did not have a big problem with during all my pregnancies and therefore won't be sharing much on that subject.

Now, if you are not yet a Mama... no problem! This series of "notes" will be excellent for you to save for when that day comes when you are pregnant for the first time. There are some information among these "notes" that actually apply to you now because it is vital to start preparing your body before you conceive, not after.

Think of it has "getting the house ready" for the baby... you want your body to be clean, strong & healthy before your baby moves in, grows in your womb for the next 9 months and drinks your milk for however long you decide to nurse!

For those who are Mamas, have children and done... don't pass this off too quickly. These "notes" may have valuable information for you and your family's health. If you have daughters that are growing up, getting married and ready to have babies... this is great to pass on to them! Plus, this series can be great to pass on to your other Mama friends! Thanks so much for sharing the love  :o)

For those of you who are still planning to have more kids, then you will find much that you can use for your next pregnancy! With each pregnancy I've learned new things and add in one or more things to improve my pregnancy, labor & birth.

Here is a tentative list of "notes" I plan to share over the next few months and are not in any particular order:

• Top 11 Pregnancy, Childbirth, Breastfeeding & Postpartum Books/DVDs
• Super Happy Belly Tea {recipe}
• Whole Food Supplements
• 7 Superfoods for Mama & Baby
• Homeopathy Remedies
• Treating Group B Strep Naturally
• Exercising the Right Muscles for Labor & Birth
• Hospital Birth, Home Birth & Unassisted Birth
• Soothing Postpartum Pads {recipe}
• Mama's Rich Milk Tea {recipe}
• Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath {recipe}
• DIY Natural Nipple Cream {recipe}

If there is something you would like me to share that I might've missed in my list of notes... please let me know! It helps to get ideas from other Mamas who have been there and done it. With being pregnant, sometimes I forget some very important ones... ah! That's something I could write about! Curing forgetfulness during pregnancy! LOL!!

While I am sharing my "notes" I want you to remember that I am only sharing what has worked for me through each of my pregnancies. Also, please don't feel like you have to do EVERYTHING I do or have done. Find what you think will work for you! I am not a doctor or anything... just a mama who likes to share and has been blessed with 3 beautiful pregnancies, births & babies! Now I am looking forward to making it a fourth one  :)

I hope you will enjoy my notes and if you have anything you would like to share, have questions or want to add more thoughts into the posts, please write in the comments area! Thanks!

PS- in case you are wondering, that is me pregnant with Tabitha (#2). This was taken a few hours before she was born  :o)

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Review & Giveaway: NaturoKits

I am thrilled to be introducing all of you to NaturoKits... founded in 2009 by 2 mamas and licensed naturopathic physicians, Julie & Padeen. They are dedicated to helping parents meet the needs of their families simply and naturally with just a handful of first aid tools.


These mamas have thoughtfully and carefully created a wonderful first aid kit, the Basic First Aid NaturoKit, using a small, canvas travel pack filled with natural remedies for everyday use and common accidents. Giving parents the confidence and resources to care for their families at home and while traveling.

Why You Should Own a NaturoKit
Here's a blurb from the company:

• NaturoKits are the first and only Naturopathic Care Packages.
• We have many years of personal and clinical experience with the remedies in our naturopathic first aid kids and can testify to their quality and effectiveness.
• We have written the instructions so you can be assured of dependable information that is easy to understand and use.
• Our health kits are competitively-priced and include a cute, compact bag and full instructions on use.
• Refills are available and all remedies can be purchased individually.
• The remedies, if stored and used properly, should last many seasons.

Tuck NaturoKits® into your purse, your backpack, your glove box, your suitcase, your medicine cabinet, your desk drawer and your workshop. You will have peace of mind and assurance that relief is at hand. When exploring the world of alternative medicine for naturopathic treatments for you or your loved ones, you may have come across "natural cures" which seemed a bit dubious. Be assured that we at NaturoKits have worked hard to develope first aid packages which contain simple and easy information and resources for you to safely and effectively manage minor injuries and complaints on your own (often while approprate medical care is being sought).


Our aim is to educate and empower you in your healthcare choices. And that is why we created NaturoKits: Naturopathic Care Packages.


My Personal Experience
About a month ago, I received the Basic First Aid NaturoKit to try with my family. I love it! The canvas bag looks cute, instructions are easy and simple to follow, the remedies are neatly in place and I even had enough room to include my Chamomilla homeopathic remedy for Tobi (going through teething). I've used the Crisis Calm with my kids a few times already and noticed the change after they've taken a couple bad falls on our concrete floor. I am pleased with how effective the Calendula Succus tincture was on my daughter's, Tabi, cut that she got from our cat. It cleared up quickly with no pain or infection! You know how cat scratches can be painful and dirty!


I am very familiar with homeopathy, herbal medicine and I've been using to prevent & cure my family of different ailments ever since Naomi was born. I love knowing that I can care for my family with confident and knowledge without a doctor. Out here in the "wild west" of Honduras... I am basically the doctor! I look back over the years and truly believe that God put that desire within me to learn & know how to care for my family naturally. I have learned much since Naomi was born and the only time we've been to a doctor was for broken bones (my hubby... fell off a horse & later a bike) and blood tests. I have treated my family for sprains, stomach aches, bites, cuts, infections, coughs, loose stools, burns and more with natural remedies (homeopathy, herbal medicine & essential oils) and wholesome food. From my personal experience... natural remedies DO WORK! It takes patience and consistency to see results. So often we expect it to work quickly like conventional medicine, but you have to remember... they are bandages covering the root of the problem. Natural remedies dig deep to the root of the problem and help the body to restore order & bring about long-term healing.


Homeopathy is known to work fairly quickly. I have personal experience with using Arnica after each of my 3 births. I am amazed at how good I feel when I take it every 30 minutes, but when I forget to take a dose... oh, I am sore! But what I love about Arnica (and homeopathy in general) is not only does it take the pain away, but it also promotes healing of the area that is sore! I have found myself feeling almost normal within 24 hours after my births! Common over the counter painkillers take away the pain temporarily, but don't promote long-term healing. That is the beauty and power of homeopathy!


Even though I love this simple kit... it would be even better if they could add into their kits arnica rub for immediate external relief. We have a tub of it and use it on stubbed toes, smashed fingers, bruises and sore muscles. I also included in my kit liquid arnica drops for my little man, Tobi. The little tabs don't dissolve quickly and he often gags on them. I know you can dissolve the tabs in water and give it to him with a dropper, but that takes too long. It is best to have it now and ready to go when needed. He's had some contact with our concrete floor one too many times and it is so nice to have this little canvas NaturoKit on hand ready to meet his needs of pain relief, calming and healing!


The Basic First Aid NaturoKit is a "must-have" in every family (especially missionary families!) who desire to meet the health needs of their kids in a natural, healthy and simple manner! Along with clear instructions... it includes 5 homeopathic remedies (Apis, Arnica, Cantharis & Hypericum), 2 herbal medicine (Calendula Succus & Wild Weed Salve), 1 bottle Crisis Calm flower essence and 1 bottle Activated Charcoal. These natural remedies addresses over 40 first aid situations - burns, cuts, bites, sunburn, hives, food poisoning, indigestion, anxiety, bruising, allergic reactions and more!


Want this kit for your family? Head over and buy yourself one! NaturoKits is offering $5 off the Basic kits with code (good through August 10th): DCMAKENOISE.

Would you rather have a chance to win one? Read on!


The Giveaway...
The First Aid MiniKit (a value of $20) to one noisy follower!


How to Enter...
First, check out the list of items included in the Basic First Aid Kit. Share, in a comment below, which remedy you would find most useful for your family OR share why you would like a kit as a whole. That's one entry... please read on for more entries to increase your chance of winning!


Extra Entries...
You must do the main entry above first before doing the extra entries. Remember that each entry is a separate comment! Thanks and have fun!

• Sign up to receive the NaturoKit newletter (1 entry)
• "Like" my blog on Babble, I am #57 right now! (1 entry)
• Follow my blog (1 entry)
• "Like" NaturoKits on Facebook and share on your wall (1 entry)
• "Like" Just Making Noise on Facebook and share on your wall (1 entry)
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway (tag me @marebeard)! (1 entry)
• Email your friends about the giveaway and leave a comment for each friend you emailed! (1 entry for EACH friend you email!)

Remember, if you've already done most of the above... you automatically get those entries. Please post a separate comment for EACH entry. You can have a total of 8 entries or more!


The Rules...
Every comment must have an email address. You can comment with your blog as long as I can contact you through there! The giveaway ends August 5th and is open to anybody in the USA. The winner will be chosen via random.org


No purchase is necessary to enter. I am not an affiliate of NaturoKits. I received a sample of their product to review. Everything I wrote here are my own opinions.


Have a great week and thank you for spreading the news about this giveaway! Hugs!

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Alternative Laundry 101 Series-Part 2: Natural vs. Chemical Laundry Detergents

VS.

A couple weeks ago, I shared the 9 reasons why line-drying your laundry is all around healthier for you and the environment. Now I want to talk about what to use to clean the laundry with.


What we’ve been taught for so long, that we need to use chemicals to effectively clean our clothes, has never been the true or smart . Many natural soaps work as a great & cost effective replacement and will not pollute our bodies & the environment.


The chemical detergents (and all cleaning products) are full of toxin chemicals that quickly wear out your clothes, pollute the land & water sources, harm our animals, cause allergic reactions and damaging to our health. Have you ever wondered if your favorite laundry detergent is making you sick? Here are the 10 common ingredients you will find in any laundry detergent:

• Phenols: Toxic, a suspected carcinogen and rapidly absorbed. Effects include swelling, pimples, and hives. Internal consumption can cause circulatory collapse, cold sweats, coma, and death.
• Optical brighteners: These synthetic chemicals convert UV light wavelengths into visible light, which makes laundered clothes appear whiter (although does not actually affect the cleanliness of the clothing). They’ve been found to be toxic to fish and to cause bacterial mutations. Further, they can cause allergic reactions when exposed to skin that is later exposed to sunlight.
• Linear alkyl sodium sulfonates (LAS): These synthetic surfactants are commonly listed as ‘anionic surfactants’ on labels, and are one of the most common surfactants in use. During their production process, carcinogenic and reproductive toxins such as benzene are released into the environment. They also biodegrade slowly, making them a hazard in the environment.
• Petroleum distillates (aka napthas): These chemicals have been linked to cancer, lung damage, lung inflammation and damage to mucous membranes.
• Phosphates: These chemicals are used to remove hard-water minerals to make detergents more effective, and to prevent dirt from settling back onto clothes during a wash. A major problem with them is that, when released into the environment, they stimulate the growth of certain marine plants, which contributes to unbalanced ecosystems. Many states have banned or restricted the use of phosphates for this reason, and you may see laundry detergents advertised as “low-phosphate” or “phosphate-free.”
• Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach): This is a chemical precursor to chlorine, which is highly toxic and involved in more household poisonings than any other chemical. When it reacts with organic materials in the environment, carcinogenic and toxic compounds are created than can cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders.
• EDTA: Skin irritant leading to allergies, asthma, and skin rashes. EDTA is a class of compounds used as an alternative to phosphates to reduce mineral hardness in water, prevent bleaching agents from becoming active before they’re put in water and as a foaming stabilizer. EDTA does not biodegrade readily and can re-dissolve toxic heavy metals in the environment, allowing them to re-enter the food chain.
• Artificial fragrances: Toxic effects on fish and mammals, often causes allergies, skin and eye irritation. Do not easily bio-degrade ain the environment.
• Ammonia: Can cause burns, cataracts & corneal damage. Long term repeated exposure can cause bronchitis and pneumonia. Also has a toxic effect on plants, animals and fish.
• Sodium Sulfate: It is corrosive and a severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritant. Can cause asthma attacks.

Makes you think twice before using detergent, yes? Read more here and here and here.


Did you know that companies who make laundry detergents are not required by law to list their ingredients?! They claim that their formulas are "confidential"... does that make you wonder what they are hiding? Now, please don’t be fooled by the “free & clear” detergents… they are still made with the same chemicals, just “free” of dyes and fragrances that often cause skin reactions and trigger headaches. Much like the fabric softeners I mentioned before.


With all that said, I use biodegradable & natural products to wash my laundry. I like knowing that my natural soaps contain ingredients from nature, not man-made chemicals. Over the years, I have tried many different laundry soaps… Charlie’s Soap, Earth Friendly ECOS, BioKleen, Ecover, Soap Nuts and many others. Be careful... not all natural soaps are really "safe and natural"! I learned that the hard way, for the past 4 years I’ve been using Charlie’s Soap mainly because I read from reviews that it was the best to use on cloth diapers. Yes, it did a great job of cleaning and not creating a scum that prevents the diapers from being absorbable... BUT I no longer use it for 3 reasons:

• I learned from a friend that Charlie’s Soap is not entirely natural or safe like it says on their products and website. That really bothers me!
• When Naomi was in diapers, she used to break out in HORRIBLE rashes from her diapers if I didn’t make sure to double rinse the diapers after washing them with Charlie’s Soap. If that stuff is supposed to be natural… why was it burning my little girl’s bottom?!
• Since we moved to Central America, it hasn’t done a very good job washing our clothes and diapers in cold-water… especially hard water. Even when I add vinegar and baking soda to help soften the water, still no good.

Now, I’ve switched over to BioKleen and found it did a way better job of cleaning our clothes and diapers. I am also using Soap Nuts... I love the fact that they grow on trees and are completely God-made, but I can't decide if they are really doing a good job of cleaning the laundry. I bought them because 1) they weight less then powder or liquid… 2) I read such great reviews about them and... 3) I got a really great price for 1,600 loads worth. I will keep using them and time will tell if they really do work or not!

I'm sure most of you are wondering if your natural laundry soaps are really "natural and safe". These days there are so many different kinds of natural detergents out there that its hard to know what is good and what is simply a cheap imitation... here are 10 things I've learned to look for when buying GOOD natural laundry detergent:

• 100% Non-Toxic and 100% Biodegradable – Helps protect the environment… most importantly... our water sources, lakes and streams.
• Uses 100% natural and eco-certified ingredients – All natural ingredients plus testing by an independent agency that certain ingredients used are indeed ‘green.’
• Uses only plant-based enzymes – Avoid animal-based enzymes and other animal ingredients (which can lead to unnecessary animal testing). More on the importance of enzymes coming up.
• Butoxyethanol Free – Found in Charlie's Soap and most common laundry & cleaning products (source).
• Petrochemical Free – Free from 1,4-dioxane (and all its derivative names) and NPE. You already know the health risks associated with these.
• Phosphates and Sulfates Free – Free from phosphates and SLS/SLES (and other derivatives).
• Derived from plants, vegetables, and natural food sources – Contains only natural food-grade ingredients.
• Free from bleach, dyes, fragrances, optical brighteners, and masking agents – Only natural oils and food-grade ‘cleaning’ sources used.
• Includes a plant-based fabric softener – No need for a separate softener (not necessary if using vinegar and/or baking soda).
• Performs ideally in cold water and is safe for delicate fabrics and colors –Saves energy over hot water. Performs well regardless of fabric material and colors.

Basically, you want to look for natural soaps derived from non-toxic plant-based and food-based ingredients. That's not always easy to find and often we might find out 1 or 2 years (or 4 years, in my case!) to late that the "natural" soap we've been happily using, isn't so natural... which is why I really want to like my Soap Nuts!


I would also LOVE to make my own laundry soap, but have not found a recipe with ingredients that I can find here in Honduras. I know this would be the most frugal and easiest thing for me to do in the long run. Anybody got recipes to share with simple ingredients and no borax???


Next, in Part 3... I will share with you how to use vinegar and baking soda for all your laundry needs!


Tell me, what are you favorite natural soaps and why? Do you make your own laundry soap and is it effective?


Don't forget... The Everything Beans ebook is on sale to all my noisy readers and check out the Against The Grain eBook Giveaway!!
Have a great week y'all...

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Alternative Laundry 101 Series-Part 1: 9 Reasons Why Line Drying Really Is The Healthier Option

Hello everyone! I hope you all are enjoying the spring weather! The rainy season is slowly starting up here and it is beautiful to see everything turning green again. We have tons of wild easter lilies popping up everywhere. They are gorgeous!


Well, as you can see... I am start a small series of posts about the one thing all mommas "love" to do... laundry. HA! I am excited about this and hope to encourage many of you with simple ways to effectively do laundry and actually enjoy it. I will be honest, I still have my days where I wish I could burn up the clothes and live like we are in the Garden of Eden. LOL! Don't worry, that's NOT going to happen  ;o)


In the Alternative Laundry 101 Series... I will be sharing the reasons why line drying is all around a healthier option, tips on how to save time, rules on hanging the clothes, ways to lessen the loads, how to make it fun and more. I am looking forward to sharing what I've learned over the last few years. I hope you all will enjoy it and walk away learning something new! Please take the time to ask questions, share tips or ideas in the comments section. I want this to be interactive as much as possible!


Now, let me start of by sharing a little bit of my experience...


I’ve been hanging our clothes out to dry for years, but in various ways… inside and outside. I remember when I first started line drying our clothes when we were missionaries in Baja California. I would hang all our clothes inside the house we were living in on retraceable lines. With the fan blowing on them, it kept our house cool and moist during the hot, dry months. I choose to do that because the roads around the area we lived in were very dusty. I would often cringe whenever I saw someone’s clothes hanging out getting bathed by dust blowing around. Besides, we didn’t have to use our swamp cooler to cool the house because the clothes did an even better job!


Then, after we moved back to the states. We were given a used dryer, which I started using without much thought. I was in the midst of my first pregnancy and adjustment to life back in the states that I was grateful for one less thing to do… hanging the clothes to dry. Of course, I hung my undergarments and delicate clothing, but the rest went right into the dryer. Even during the summer months… instead of having my hubby put up some lines outside where we had plenty of open space… I chose to keep on using the dryer in our tiny laundry room.


But as I learned more about natural living and health after Naomi was born, I remember reading in one of the many health books that I checked out from the library stating that drying your laundry in the sun is really the healthier option. That moved me to start drying my clothes out in the sun and use the dryer less. Of course, I didn’t always dry everything outside… sometimes I created forts with damp blankets and sheets in the middle of my living room with the fan blowing them dry! Other days I chose to throw half in the dryer and the rest line dry. I didn’t have a system, just did what I could when I could! Our move to Central America as missionaries forced me to really go hard-core with hang drying our clothes (and diapers) for several reasons that I will share with you below. Of course, we have a dryer (our first since living in C.A.) which we only use for emergencies (rainy days) and occasionally Tobi’s diapers ;o)

Now that spring has arrived and summer is just around the corner… Here are some of the reasons I learned to believe hanging my laundry out to dry is all around healthier for my family, our wallet and the environment:


1. Its Free!
Of course, the first and obvious reason is money… what the sun gives is freely given, while the use of a dryer is not. Dryers use a LOT of energy, coming in second place (the refrigerator is first) for the highest energy- consuming household item.


I learned that the US Department of Energy estimates that a clothes dryer accounts for almost 6% of a household annual electricity consumption, sometimes more or less. That might not seem like a lot, but think about how many items in your house uses electricity. If you average about $100 a month for your electric bill… you are basically paying around $72 a year. Think about it, that’s almost a month of electricity in your home! Our electricity here in Honduras is run mainly on diesel, so electricity can get expensive with the way things are going with gas prices. I know when I don’t use my dryer for a whole month, our electricity bill is around $10-$15 less. That may not seem like a lot of savings, but if you add it up… that’s about $120-$180 saved a year!


Plus, during the winter, your dryer is taking warm air from your house to dry your clothes and sending it outside. So, not only do you pay to run your dryer… you are paying more for indoor heating. I know this because I used to live in Iowa!


2. Cleans Better
Our Creator gave us sun with natural ultraviolet radiation and this kills germs. Hanging your laundry out in the sunshine allows the natural radiation to effectively disinfect them! This is great to keep in mind if your family is going through illness… both viral and bacterial. When my girls had pink eye and we had no hot water to disinfect the sheets, clothes and stuffed animals. I simply hung everything out in the sun for the whole day after washing and it worked just fine :o)


Bonus: Did you know that our amazing sun can kill annoying bed bugs? Awesome! All the more reason to also throw your bed out for a day or two  :o)


3. Smells Better
The work of the sun and wind naturally makes your laundry smell clean and fresh. Often, I find that when I throw my laundry in the dryer… it comes out smelling clean enough, but can quickly become stale or musty smelly. Yes, you can buy those smelly, headache-inducing dryer sheets to get your laundry smelling nice... but that won’t remove the odor, just adds another scent to cover up the true smell. Plus, that's one more thing to buy… when you can get fresh smelling clothes for free using the sun’s resources!

4. Brightens Your Whites Naturally
I don’t know anybody who loves the smell of bleach… I don’t. I’ve hated that stuff even before I started doing laundry when I married my hubby over 7 years ago. The smell alone gives me headaches! Here are three reasons you should toss out that bottle of Clorox:

• Can cause cancer
• Turns your white clothes yellow. Why? Because chlorine bleach is actually a caustic acid. Over time, the frequent bleaching of laundry not only makes them white, it also removes fibers... breaking down the fabric of your clothes. Therefore, your whites turn yellow.
• Won’t fully wash out of your clothes. How you like the idea of wearing your bleach? I didn’t think so.

Thankfully, we have a natural alternative… again, the sun! The sun is not only a natural disinfectant, but it is also a natural whitener. When you put your wet whites out on the line, you will see the stains fading naturally as it dries.


I learned a tip from a friend that the morning dew has a way of getting your whites beautifully bright. Simply hang them the night before, allow them to get dewy in the morning and pull them down when dry… I will have to try that sometime. Another way to brighten up your clothes and help stains to disappear is to add ½ cup baking soda and ½ cup vinegar into your wash.


5. Less Chemicals are Used
All those flowery smelly dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners are not anything you want to snuggle with. We all know they are used to make the clothes soft and remove the static cling caused by the dryer, but do we also know the common ingredients (they don’t even list them!) found even them? Benzyl Acetate, Ehtanol, Camphor, Chloroform, Linalool, A-Terpineol, fragrances and more! Still want to cuddle up with your soft, warm towel pulled from the dryer? Yeah, didn’t think so.


Thankfully, we don’t have to use softeners because the sun doesn’t cause static charge while freely drying your laundry. You can use vinegar in place of liquid fabric softener to help soften your clothes… does a great job and won’t rob you of your health! Plus, it is much cheaper too!


5. Clothes Last Longer
Now you know that bleach breaks down the fibers of your clothes, thus shortening the lifespan… but did you also know that the dryer weakens the fibers of your clothes too? All that lint you are required to remove after each cycle are fibers that have worn off of your clothes! That means that the dryer can wear down your clothes much faster than if they were line dried. Sure, it’s gradual… but with my family, we prefer to buy less clothes and make them last a long as possible.

6. Wrinkle-free Laundry
Let’s be honest, using the dryer often results in clothes getting tangled and wrinkled. No matter how you do it… you still get wrinkles. Which means you will end up spending more time on laundry if you chose to iron (I never do!). If the clothes are shook out good and hung right, you will get wrinkle-free laundry!


Seriously, there are rules… yes, rules… on how to properly hang your shirt to get that nice, wrinkle-free look. Also, you won’t get those annoying rolled up hems on your pants or skirts like you would if you put them in the dryer. I will share more on that later :o)


7. Shrink-free Laundry
I remember having to buy clothes that were a little big so I didn’t have to worry if they shrunk in the dryer. If I had a shirt or pants that fit me perfect… I never put them in the dryer. They were always hung up on a little line and blown dry by a small fan.


Remember the lint I talked about earlier? That’s the results of your dryer “pulling” the fibers and causing the clothes to shrink. There’s no chance of that happening when your clothes are drying on the line.


8. Less Laundry
Line drying can take up a little bit more time, but it does make you more aware of what clothes really need washing and what can be worn again. All around, it can help you use up less energy, water and time when doing laundry.


For me, it is truly a quick and easy process… throw load into the washer with soapnuts or biokleen and then out to the clothesline. Usually, my clothes are dry within a couple hours on a dry day… I take each item down and fold them, right away, into the basket and then put them away. I will be writing more on ways to save time when line drying your laundry!

9. Healthy & Therapeutic
Last and most important. When hanging my laundry… I’m outside breathing in fresh air and meditating on the Lord’s goodness. I’m sure some of you are thinking I’m crazy, but let me explain…


Most days, I do really enjoy hanging our laundry out to dry. During these times I often find myself praying and talking with the Lord about everything that comes across my mind. I don’t often have a lot of time to simply sit down and have that whole hour of quiet time before the Lord. I often find myself undisturbed and alone in my thoughts when hanging clothes while the girls play and Tobi naps. So therefore, I enjoy opening my thoughts to the Lord and would often sing out loud as I work… making that my “quiet” time with Jesus :o)


Also, for me, it is a simple act of service to my family when I take the time to carefully and joyfully hang our laundry. There is something wonderfully soothing about seeing all our clothes hung in a neat row and flapping in the breeze!

So, knowing all this... what will you do now? What steps can you take to start drying your laundry on the line? Keep you eyes open for the next post in the series!!

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