True to the style on my behalf, I put the bubbles in the tub so I could have a bubble bath. Clean, dry, was my body and hair, I threw on my brand new Gucci underwear. For all the girls I might take home, I got the Johnson's Baby Powder and the Polo Cologne. Fresh dressed like a million bucks, threw on the Valley shoes and the fly green socks. - Ladi Dadi, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick

I am all about self-sufficiency so anytime I can find a way to make something myself and save money I am going for it.  The motivation behind this experiment came from laziness mixed with frugalness.  I was low on funds, out of laundry detergent and didn't want to fight through traffic to purchase more.  Thank God for google and DIY bloggers like   wellnessmama.com and mommypotamus.com.  I decided to make my own and I was pleasantly surprised.  I have an HE washer and had no problems using this detergent. I washed all the big items, comforters, blankets, bed sheets and everything came out clean and fresh.  So without further adieu I present to you the recipe I used for my homemade laundry detergent.  Please Note: I have no problem using borax but if you have mixed feelings or want to avoid it mommypotamus.com has a recipe that is borax-free.

Natural Laundry Soap Recipe:

• 1 bar of soap, grated until finely ground.  I used my homemade Castile (olive oil) soap 
• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda
• Optional: your favorite essential oils (ex: lime, lemon or grapefruit)

Grate the bar of soap using a hand grater or food processor into fine particles.  Carefully mix with the washing soda and borax.  Finally, add in your essential oils and stir.  For my heavy loads I use 2 Tbsps, for lighter loads I use 1 Tbsp.  Store the detergent in an air-tight container.

Cause only heaven knows, what to make of these changing times, but for tonight, let's just leave it all behind.  I know this world's so cold but don't let teardrops change your mind, so for tonight, let's just leave it all behind - Leave it All Behind, The Foreign Exchange

I have tried several leave-in conditioners and they have all been effective at making my hair softer, acting as a heat protectant and moisturizing but this conditioner takes it a step further.  Not only does it do all of the aforementioned but it also makes my hair smoother and more manageable.  When I blow dry my hair with this leave-in it looks like I have pressed it with a flat iron already.  I love it and my hair loves it too.  What's even better is this conditioner will balance the pH in your hair.  Human hair and scalp oil, sebum, has a pH balance of between 4.5 and 5.5. This natural hair acidity prevents fungi and bacteria in the hair and scalp, and keeps the cuticle closed and healthy. A substance that is too alkaline will cause the hair cuticle to open, while a substance that is too acidic will cause the cuticle to contract.*

My Favorite Leave-in Conditioner
2 Tbsp of silicon-free conditioner
2 Tbsp aloe vera juice
1 tsp castor oil
1 tsp jojoba oil

Add all ingredients to a bottle and shake them together until blended completely.  Apply leave-in to damp, washed hair and style as normal.  It's just that simple,  What's your favorite leave-in?  What do you love about it?
​
*Website for Reference:
http://www.wikihow.com/Balance-pH-in-Hair-Naturally

You may have guessed by now that I am an avid DIY'er.  Well this weekend's experiment was with the Caramel Moisture Treatment.  This is a pre-poo treatment that is supposed to leave your hair softer and very moisturized.  Since Saturday is my wash day I decided to try it out.  There are several versions of this concoction on the internet and below is the one I used.  Overall I did like it, my hair is definitely softer, I'm just not so sure if it's more moisturized.

Caramel Moisture Treatment
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup raw honey
1/4 cup molasses
2 ripe bananas
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp cornstarch dissolved in water
1 tsp of sunflower oil (or any ceramide containing oil ie. walnut oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil, corn oil, hemp seed oil, etc.)

Add all ingredients to a blender and mix until smooth, then add to a pot and heat until it begins to boil then turn the heat off.  If the mixture is too thin you can add more cornstarch dissolved in water. to thicken it up.  Once the mix has cooled apply a generous amount to your damp hair and let it sit for 1 hour then shampoo off.  You don't need to sit under a heating cap.  Have you ever tried a Caramel Treatment?  Did you like it?  What were your results?

I don't wanna stop just because, people walkin' by are watchin' us, I don't give a damn what they think, I want you now, I don't wanna stop just because, you feel so good inside, oh my love, I'm not gonna stop, no, no, no, I want you, all I wanna say is...any time, and any place, I don't care who's around, - Any Time, Any Place, Janet Jackson

If we are going to be friends there are a few things you will have to know about me.  Let's start with the fact that I'm addicted to dark chocolate and Cookie Monster is my spirit animal.  The lyrics to Janet's song above describe my love for dark chocolate perfectly.  Hello, my name is Lani and I'm a chocoholic.  It's been zero days since I had my last hit.  Here is a nice healthier alternative recipe to the flour/gluten/sugar laden desserts out there that will give you a chocolate fix that you will love.  If you decide to try it please let me know how it turns out.

Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies:

• 1 cup smooth almond butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 whole egg
• 1/4 tsp sea salt (for unsalted almond butter)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

​Preheat oven to 350F and grease an 8" square pan.  Mix almond butter, honey, egg, salt and baking soda until well combined, then fold in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into 8" pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown.

You can make this recipe vegan by subing flax eggs or Ener-G egg replacer or a banana, etc.  Adapted from detoxinista.com

Brown Sugar won't cha give it to me? Come on baby won't cha give it to me? Make it hot like it's supposed to be.  Brown Sugar baby give it to me. - Brown Sugar (Extra Sweet), Mos Def ft. Faith Evans

I think you can tell by now that I love creating and mixing things together.  Whether it's food, drinks, hair or skincare products, I'm always experimenting.  Today's recipe is for a facial scrub.  This is actually my favorite facial skincare product.  When I first made it I didn't realize how well it would work but the brown sugar really exfoliates your skin, the baking soda cleanses your pores and the honey leaves it feeling hydrated and moisturized.  I love it so much I want to share it with you.  Do you have a facial scrub recipe that you make?  If you decide to try this one please let me know how it turns out.

Brown Sugar and Honey Facial Scrub
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Baking Soda
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Honey
2 drops Frankincense essential oil
2 drops Lavender essential oil

​Mix all of the ingredients together.  A little goes a long way so just scoop out some in the palm of your hands and rub it on your face in a circular motion.  Make sure you don't leave out the area under your chin or your neck.  Rinse with water and admire your beauty.  

Do I believe in God, do I believe in me?  Some people want to die so they can be free
I said life is just a game, we're all just the same, do you want to play?
- Controversy, Prince

Most health-conscious individuals are very aware of this controversial topic of petroleum jelly and whether or not it is good for you.  On one side you have those that make the statement that the side effects of petrolatum include finding the petroleum byproduct in breast tumors, suffocation of the skin, premature aging and aggravated acne.  On the other side you have proponents of the product that state that petroleum jelly is highly-refined, triple-purified and regarded as non-carcinogenic, depending on the brand you purchase.

The fact is petroleum jelly was originally discovered as the waxy petroleum byproduct material that formed on oil rigs and distilling it. The lighter and thinner oil-based products make up petroleum jelly, also known as white petrolatum or simply as petrolatum. Basically, the crude material undergoes vacuum distillation. The still residue is then filtered through bone char to yield petroleum jelly.

As with everything, what you look for you will likely find.  Meaning if you look for reasons to believe this substance is harmful, you will find many sites and studies supporting that fact and vice versa for reasons to believe the product is harmless.  Regardless of what side you're on, I want to share a recipe for homemade un-petroleum jelly.  

Un-Petroleum Jelly
2 Tbsp shea butter
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp bees wax

Directions: Melt the bees wax, shea butter and coconut oil over a double broiler, I use a glass bowl over boiling water.  Add olive oil and any essential oils you want.  I add frankincense essential oil and peppermint essential oil.  Mainly because I believe frankincense oil is magical and peppermint oil is soothing.  You can also try tea tree, or lavender or any others to add flavor like orange essential oil.  The results are pretty much identical to petroleum jelly without the worry.  

Do you make your own petroleum jelly?  What recipe do you use?

Websites for Reference:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/226763-side-effects-of-petrolatum/
http://www.organicmakeup.ca/CA/PetroleumCosmetics.asp
http://www.health-report.co.uk/petroleum_petrolatum_health_concerns.htm
http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/2/173.full.pdf