My friend Alex e-mailed me recently to ask if I really did use baking soda and vinegar to do my laundry. When we live overseas, I truly do. Coming home this summer, I still had some Tide to go through, as well as a few other laundry products. So here is what is in my laundry cabinet right now.

1. Nellie’s Nuggets- These are great because you just toss one in per load.

2. Allen’s Naturally- This box lasts forever because I only have to use one little scoop per load of cloth diapers.

3. Static Eliminator Reusable Dryer Sheets- I have been using these dryer sheets for a few years now and enjoy them, although I will admit I miss the smell of my Bounce dryer sheets.

A few other “green” laundry tricks for you:
1. A cup of white vinegar per load helps eliminate static.

2. Dish soap works great as a stain remover.

3. Adding hydrogen peroxide to your load brightens up whites.

I hope this little series on some of the green products I use has been useful in some way. Like I said, it has been a process for me and I am in no way a “green” expert, but am taking baby steps here and there to play my part in keeping the planet a nicer place for future generations. I am also praying for the speedy return of Jesus to redeem this earth and establish it once again in the state it was meant to be!

Today I am going to open up our medicine cabinet to you and show you what we keep around the house for the ups and downs of life. As any of you with kids know, sickness can happen at any time. For the most part, our kids are pretty healthy. I notice a big increase in sickness when they are in a school setting while overseas though. So I like to stay well-stocked for whatever we may face.

1. Rubbing Alcohol (not pictured), Hydrogen Peroxide, Band-aids, Saline Nasal Spray, Antibiotic Cream, Hydrocortisone Cream and the Snotsucker- These are just the basics that I try to keep on hand for medical needs (as well as other uses int eh case of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide)

2. Badger Balm and Winter Wonder Balm- The original balm is used for dry areas, as well as a cream for cuts when needed.  The chest rub is used for those stubborn colds and used other places than just the chest.

3. Generic Infant Ibuprofen, Generic Children’s Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen, Tylenol Meltaways- Although I try not to give the kids much in the way of traditional medicine, I do keep it around for when they really aren’t feeling good. I have an easier time not taking medicine myself than I do withholding it from one of our kids when they really aren’t feeling well.

4. Hyland’s Cold Relief with Zinc 4 Kids and C-Plus Cold Tablets- These two homeopathic remedies work well for our kids’ colds. We have tried various flavors of Airborne, but our kids don’t dig it, so these easy strips and tablets work better for us.

5. Children’s Pepto Chewable Tablets and Hyland’s Ipecacuanha- Here again I have the traditional medicine, as well as a homeopathic option.

6. Boiron Coldcalm and Oscillococcinum- These two products are my immediate go-to when I am feeling rundown or have a cold (I am also big on loading up on the honey and garlic).

7. Generic Children’s Allergy and Hyland’s Allergy Relief 4 Kids- Elijah struggles with some allergies, so last year I bought some generic children’s allergy medicine. This year I decided to try the Hyland’s option and it has worked pretty well for him so far.

8. Triple Paste and Baby Bits- I have mentioned before how well I think Triple Paste works and that I make my own wipes with the Baby Bits solution.

9. Calms Forte 4 Kids- If the kids are pretty wound up, this is a good homeopathic option to help them wind down.

10. Hyland’s Earache Tablets- Abby tends to get earaches (I think each of the kids seems to manifest their illnesses in a different area). These tablets are kept around for her benefit.

11. Badger Sunscreen- We like Badger sunscreens around our house.

12. Jason’s Naturals Kids Only Toothpaste- This is the current toothpaste I am trying out with the kids. They are sort of picky about the taste, so we have tried a few different natural brands.

13. Tylenol PM and Hyland’s Restful Legs (both not pictured)- One of the hazards of Joe’s job is restless sleep. When you are overtrained (which almost always happens overseas) it is really hard to have sound sleep. Joe often reaches for the Tylenol PM, but since I found the Restful Legs, that has been an option for him at times as well.

Yesterday, I shared 5 items that solve as multi-purpose items around the house and in personal use for our family. Today I am going to share some of the personal care items I have found that have worked well for me.These series of posts are in no way complete guide on how to do green living.  The products I use have just been on the front burner for awhile and are an area of concentration for me.

Let me first of all say that my approach to “going green” this time around is a bit different.  Instead of find a product to replace every product I had used prior, my first step along the way was cutting back on what I do use and/or the frequency of that use.  For example, I no longer wash my face twice a day (this was actually a tip from the woman who does my facials and not actually an attempt on my part, so that worked out well!)  So only washing once a day cuts my product use in half.  I also no longer use multiple hair products and only use body lotion on occasion (I used to SLATHER on lotion, but cutting back has allowed my skin to adjust and produce the proper amount of oil that my skin needs).  So here are the products I use most days (I do have additional make-up, but I don’t wear it on a daily basis).

1. Beauty without Cruelty Moisture Plus Shampoo and Conditioner- I have had a really hard time finding what works with my hair in regards to natural hair care.  I tried going the baking soda and vinegar route and supposedly it returns your hair back to its natural state, which led me to believe that I simply don’t like my hair’s natural state!  I tried shampoo bars for awhile too (I used bars from Chagrin Valley.  I do like a number of their products, but am not using any currently because you have to order separately from them and I haven’t done so in a bit), but I still wasn’t totally pleased with how my hair was looking.  So I went searching through the EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to find a brand of shampoo and conditioner to try.  Many are pretty expensive, but I saw the Beauty Without Cruelty line had mostly 2-4 ratings on the hair care and decided to check it out.  They carry it at Wegman’s where I do my grocery shopping, which was an added plus because I prefer not to have to special order my products.  Before I got my hair colored, I used the Daily Benefits shampoo and conditioner and really liked them.  But after I got my hair colored wanted something for color treated hair and switched to the moisture plus.  Since my hair tends to be on the dry side, this was great for me.  I had tried Burt’s Bees and Yes to Carrots shampoo and conditioner before and this is by far my favorite, so I will be sticking with these for awhile.

2. Dr. Bronner’s Bar Soap- I used to use a bath puff and shower gel, but Joe always used soap.  Since I now dry brush before showering, I am pretty exfoliated already and just need soap.  So I switched both Joe and me to Dr. Bronner’s bar soaps.  You can find these at Target, Wegman’s and other stores or order them online.  They have a nice clean scent and are the best value (ie. price per ounce) for natural soaps I have found.

3. Schick Intuition Sensitive Skin- I have used this razor for years and at times have tried to switch to other razors and shaving cream and just can’t do it.  This is the only one for me, so I hope they never discontinue it.

4. Thai Crystal- I know this is going to gross many of you out, but I barely use deodorant anymore.  I cut out antiperspirants/deodorants with aluminum out a number of years ago when I was having some weird reactions while nursing.  I then switched to more natural deodorants and then finally to this crystal that has lasted 2 years and would probably go for another 10 years!  Anymore though, I often don’t use anything.  I notice my body has adjusted to this, although I do still sweat, but that is a healthy thing.  Of course, body odor still happens at times, so any easy solution is to swipe a slice of lemon on, which kills any odor.  Plus lemons are great to have around the house, as I put it in my water first thing in the morning (not the same slice I swipe under arm, don’t worry) for an easy detox.  Ok, moving on now, as some of you are probably totally grossed out.

5. Aveeno Moisturizing Lotion- When I do use lotion, I use this Aveeno lotion is simple and cheap.  It is fragrance free and what I use on the kids as well.

6. Pureology Anti Split Blowdry- This product is probably my most chemical-filled of the group.  It isn’t listed on EWG’s site, so I am not sure of the exact hazard score.  I use it since coloring my hair in order to prolong my hair color since I often blow dry my hair.  This way I can go 8-10 weeks between colorings, which I only do in the summer though.  It is the only hair product I use and when I let my hair air dry, I pass on this product.

7. 100% Pure Primer- This primer is supposed to reflect light to give your skin a smoother appearance.  I am not sure if it does that, but I like to believe it does

8. 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20- A little of this goes a long way, so I use a dab for SPF protection and to even out my skin tone.

9. Tom’s of Maine Toothpaste- I have used Tom’s toothpastes for about 8 years for the kids and myself (Joe is a devout Colgate Total user and will not switch over). Since taking this picture though (a couple of weeks ago), I finished my tube of Tom’s and am usingDessert Essence Tea Tree Oil and Neem Toothpaste. After this tube is done, I want to take Maria’s suggestion and try tooth soap shreds.

10. Yes to Blueberries Smoothing Daily Cleanser- I usually use baking soda to wash my face, but once a week or so, I like to use something more moisturizing.  So I tried this cleanser, but am not totally sold.  It is ok, but not exactly what I am looking for, so I will keep searching.

11. 100% Pure Super Fruits Night Balm- This is the moisturizer I use at night.  It smells great, a little goes a long way and I do think it has reduced some wrinkles under my eyes.

12. Yes to Carrots Lip Butter in Berry- This is a nice smooth lip balm that is easy on the wallet. I woudl like to try the pomegranate one with SPF to see if it can replace my Burt’s Bees one.  I have forbid myself from buying another lip balm though until all my others are used up!

13. Desert Essence Organic Tea Tree Oil- I already mentioned yesterday that tea tree oil is one of my favorite products and this is my preferred brand.  I also use the Lavender Tea Tree Oil, as I like the smell and the cap is more convenient as it just lets out a drop at a time.  I save the smaller bottles when they are finished to add the regular tea tree oil into.

So those are my basic products. Some of them will change because I am always on the lookout for good, green products. If you have any suggestions, please share in the comments. Thursday I will share what I use for the kids (tomorrow is “What I Like Wednesday“.

I first started to consider “going green” back in 2004 when I was pregnant with Abby. I was reading a lot on nutrition and natural living and got really excited about finding ways to remove a lot of toxins from our life. So I dove HEAD first in and replaced every single personal care item I owned with something from the Burt’s Bees line and would only buy a food item if it was organic. What I didn’t realize was how many areas of life you could include in “green living” and very soon I was overwhelmed. When we headed overseas in 2005 and I slowly saw that I was not going to be able to find many natural products, I then became discouraged and sort of threw in the towel. About a year later, I decided to try and take it a small step at a time. In 2006, I started to cloth diaper. I was still making small change sin our diets, but I wasn’t ready to throw myself completely back into green living again because I didn’t want to become consumed and then discouraged. So in 2009, I decided to start using Earth Day as a chance to make small goals for each year to make a handful of changes in living green.

After working to use more natural cleaning products, bringing reusable bags to the grocery store and cutting way down on paper products, I got pregnant with Isaiah in 2010. That is when I decided to go back and try incorporating more natural personal care products back into my life. Instead of replacing every single product this time though, the first thing I did was to learn to simplify the number of products I used. I realized that washing my face at the end of the day was plenty, I didn’t need to wash it twice a day. I realized slathering on tons of body lotion and lip balm wasn’t necessary and that cutting back would allow my skin to start to learn how to produce the amount of natural oil it needed. I realized that if I cleansed my hair gently, I wouldn’t need any styling products to calm down the stress harsh chemicals were putting it through. Then once I narrowed down what i actually needed, I started adding natural products into my regimen.

For me, “going green” has always been sort of intimidating because I feel like I will always meet people who are doing more and might make me feel bad for what I am working at doing in this part of life. But once I realized it is a process, I was able to be much more patient and make changes that have been long lasting for me. I have always been curious about what others use who are much more “green” than I am. So I thought I would share in a few posts some products I have found that have been helpful. As I said, I am no “green expert”, but the journey has been fun and enlightening, so I thought maybe I could share something that might help you make a little change you have been wanting to make.

Today I am going to share my 5 essential green items. These are 5 things that are very multi-purpose for me and that I always have no matter where in the world I am living. And 4 out of the 5 I can easily find wherever I am.

1. Baking Soda. Baking soda gets a lot of use in our home.  I use it in the laundry, for cleaning toilets, as part of a scrub in the Eco-Me Kit, to wash my face and often sprinkle it in the kids’ bath water.  It is super cheap and easy to find anywhere in the world.

2. White Vinegar. Even though my kids despise the smell, I use white vinegar a lot.  I use it in the rinse cycle of the wash, in my Scooba, and for cleaning with my Eco-Me Kit.

3. Tea Tree Oil. This is my go-to product.  Have you seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”?  If so, you know the Greek father sprays EVERYTHING with Windex.  He believes it can pretty much fix anything.  That is how I am with tea tree oil.  Joe laughs at me because I give it as a solution to everything.  I use a couple drops in the kids bath, in making homemade baby wipes, for pimples or other rashes and for any other thing that might be in need of a disinfectant.  Isaiah had something funky going on with his two big toe nails.  The pediatrician had no idea what it was and said to schedule an appointment with the dermatologist.  But I decided to see what putting a little tea tree oil on it would do and in a week his nails were cleared up!

4. Honey. This is another of my favorite items to have around the house.  I like to use a tablespoon plus a garlic clove each day for immunity.  I also use it for the kids when they have a cough, instead of cough syrup (never in a child under a year old though).  Honey is also what I use for a facial mask.

5. Olive Oil. We are big consumers of olive oil around our home and I use it a lot for cooking, but there are other great uses for olive oil too.  We always seem to end up with squeaky doors overseas, so we use olive oil to grease the hinges.  I also use olive oil and white sugar as a facial scrub.  And I have used olive oil to help relieve ear aches.

These are just a few uses of these multi-use items (searching on the internet will give you many, many more).  But with these 5 products (hydrogen peroxide is also becoming an essential the more I learn about its uses) , I have cut out on a lot of the products that I buy.  Tomorrow, I will share some of my favorite green products for my own personal care use.