Mouthwash & other recipes

We have been using several homemade versions of basic items and love the results. The recipes have been going around the internet for so long now that it is nearly impossible to know who started posting them. I am adding them here though for those who may not have found the recipes yet but would be interested in trying them.

Mouthwash

1 cup (8 oz.) water
1 tsp. baking soda
Flavoring
Stevia

Mix together the water & baking soda until soda is dissolved. Add a bit of your favorite flavoring (mint, vanilla, etc) and stevia to taste. Mix well.

This is a great recipe. We were wanting one that was alcohol free and safe enough that if our toddler were to use it and swallow a bit of it, she wouldn't get sick. We use mint extract in ours. The Stevia is a natural sweetener that adds no calories and has no nasty aftertaste like many of the artificial sweeteners do. We use Stevia as it is completely natural, other artificial sweetneers can be used though if you prefer.

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Deodorant

I got this recipe simply for those times when you are in between paychecks and money is tight. That always seems to be the moment that you run out of the store bought. I am only just now trying it out, so will have to give a critique of it later. For now though, I am liking it.

About 5 Tbsp. Coconut oil (found at the grocery store)
3/4 cup baking soda
3/4 cop cornstarch

Mix together the boaking soda and cornstarch in a bowl. Stir in just enough coconut oil to make a stiff paste about the consistency of play dough. Place in a small container, such as the 1/2 cup size resealable bowls. You can use a round makeup sponge to apply it. I am using an old one from a makeup compact that I had washed the makeup out of.

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Toothpaste

Again, this is a recipe I got for in case we ran out before we could go to a store. It works well, I personally don't like coconut, so am not fond of the taste. I may try to find a different ingredient that I can substitute for the coconut oil. I will post if I find something else that works.

About 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
3 Tbsp. Baking soda
flavoring of choice
Stevia

Warm up the coconut oil if needed. Stir in the baking soda until dissolved. Add flavoring and Stevia to taste and mix well. To use, just dip the toothbrush into the toothpaste. Be aware, this does have a shelf life. I made it and put into the smallest sized baby food jars, making a jar for each person so we are not sharing. NOTE: sharing the toothpaste is not a good idea in case someone has a cold or is not feeling well.

Coconut oil will get liquidy at about 70*F. If you want to prevent it from getting liquidy, store in a cool place or in the refrigerator.

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This last recipe is one that is old, but is a good one to have on hand if you have an infant or toddler still using baby formula. This is the same baby formula recipe that my mom used for me, just as most moms used for their babies until the commercial baby formula became popular. Whether you choose to use this formula for your little one is a personal choice. It is the only formula (including the store bought sensitive stomach and the soy based ones) that I have been able to feed our son without him spitting up. Be aware that it does not contain the DHA and ARA that commercial formulas have in them. Whenever making formula, be sure to use sterilized containers. Never make up more than one recipe's batch size at a time. I use glass jars to store the formula in as they are much easier to clean and sterilize.

I have updated this recipe! It no longer uses the corn syrup as I feel the corn syrup to not be a healthy option. For a sweetener, I found that the black strap molasses is better. It has a stronger flavor, so I cut back the amount used. Molasses is also a source of potassium. I have also added the product called: Flora's Udo Choice Infants Blend Probiotics, which is sold in powder form at health food stores. Probiotics help to add the good bacterias to your body which it needs to fight illnesses and infections. It is especially important for rebuilding your natrual good bacterias after you have been on a round of antibiotics - which will kill off the body's good bacterias while also eliminating the bad ones that caused the illness you are being treated for. Probiotics come in formulas for all age groups.

Baby formula

2 (12 oz) cans of Evaporative Milk
4 cups (32 oz) water, distilled or boiled
1 Tbsp. black strap molasses
3 ml Baby Vitamin Drops
1/2 tsp Flora's Udo Choice Infants Blend Probiotics Powder (or a one day's dosage of a liquid infant probiotic)


If you are not using distilled water, boil the water before using.
Mix together the water with the molasses and probiotic powder, making sure the probiotic powder and molasses are fully blended in. Mix in the milk and vitamins. Pour into a sterile jar and store in the refrigerator. This recipe makes enough for formula for 7 (8 oz.) bottles, about one day's supply. This formula would be a good one to have the ingredients on hand in your pantry in case of emergency, such as when the ice storms or other unforeseen emergency.

For those who may wonder how this formula may be affecting Micah, he is doing great on it. No more spitting up! His breath has lost the "sour" smell that the formula has caused and he is less fussy since I started him on this formula. He eats a small stage one jar of baby food with cereal & formula mixed in twice a day so he is getting plenty of nutrients.