I have been working on this sweater since Thanksgiving, and it feels like it will never end. This project hasn't been riddled with problems or difficult to execute, life has just gotten in the way.
Since late summer I have been dealing with some new health issues, and a few other life things have made me put my knitting on the back burner for awhile. I've spent the last five years as a military spouse, and the experience has helped me embrace the unexpected with a positive attitude. I'm very much a plan-it-all-out kind of woman, so this has been a challenge.
My health stuff isn't major or life-threatening, but my doctor hasn't been terribly helpful. In my usual fashion, when I don't get the answers I want, I do my own research. Lots of reading online and at the library has shown me that it is in my best interest to start eating organic foods and avoid chemicals and plastics. This sounds easy enough, but on a budget it means that I have to start making even more things from scratch, like beauty and cleaning products, and have less time for knitting. I've written before about priorities and time, and taking care of my health and well-being is definitely at the top of my list.
I've been doing my all-from-scratch routine for a couple months now and already feel much better. During the summer I was spending almost half of every month curled up in pain and so tired that I couldn't do my job taking care of the house and meals. Now I'm down to just a couple days a month of more manageable pain, and I have much more energy.
So, while it isn't knitting, I figured I would start sharing my other handmade endeavors since they are important aspects of my life. Here is what I made this week:
Since late summer I have been dealing with some new health issues, and a few other life things have made me put my knitting on the back burner for awhile. I've spent the last five years as a military spouse, and the experience has helped me embrace the unexpected with a positive attitude. I'm very much a plan-it-all-out kind of woman, so this has been a challenge.
My health stuff isn't major or life-threatening, but my doctor hasn't been terribly helpful. In my usual fashion, when I don't get the answers I want, I do my own research. Lots of reading online and at the library has shown me that it is in my best interest to start eating organic foods and avoid chemicals and plastics. This sounds easy enough, but on a budget it means that I have to start making even more things from scratch, like beauty and cleaning products, and have less time for knitting. I've written before about priorities and time, and taking care of my health and well-being is definitely at the top of my list.
I've been doing my all-from-scratch routine for a couple months now and already feel much better. During the summer I was spending almost half of every month curled up in pain and so tired that I couldn't do my job taking care of the house and meals. Now I'm down to just a couple days a month of more manageable pain, and I have much more energy.
So, while it isn't knitting, I figured I would start sharing my other handmade endeavors since they are important aspects of my life. Here is what I made this week:
Beauty
Aloe face vera cream. Since I started doing the beauty-products-from-scratch thing, I've been using pure argan oil on my face. It was fine with warmer weather (and strangle smelled like lemon cake), but now my face feels like sandpaper and I need something more moisturizing. I happened to see this recipe on the Prairie Homestead blog and did a little happy dance. I whipped up a half-batch to try it out, and my skin is so much happier now.
Food
 | Fermented salsa & pickled veggies So many people in my life are sick now, I can't believe it. Fermented foods, along with tasting delicious, are supposed to be very good for supporting the immune system. I'm a big fan of fresh salsa and pickled vegetables, so both of the recipes will be a staple in my fridge. I used water kefir and salt as the culture for my salsa. For the pickled veggies I made a brine of 2 teaspoons salt and enough water to cover, plus 1/4 cup water kefir. |
Sewing
 | Dress shields. These are something I can't find much information on, except on Gertie's sewing blog. I have a problem with sweating (mostly due to social anxiety) and I have never found an anti-perspirant that works for me. Now with the no-chemicals thing, I make my own deodarant, which keeps me smelling good, but sweat is still a problem. I am trying out various versions of dress shields, and this pair made with flannel and PUL lining have worked best so far. They made me feel a bit clammy, but I didn't get the embarassing stains on my clothes. I plan to make the next pair with a few more absorbent layers. |
Pads. Yeah... this is another topic nobody really wants to talk about. Well, I found this blog post on Little House Living, and these work great for my needs (mostly as a liner and not a pad). I'm a big fan of Merissa's blog and book, she has lots of great ideas that don't cost an arm and a leg.
Books
Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality. I never thought I'd find a Catholic nun hysterically funny. As a recent convert, I'm still growing in my faith and trying to find my footing, and Mother Angelica never fails to have relevant advice and very funny stories. Just when I need it, I find little bits of wisdom and comfort. I am so grateful to have found this book!
So, what sort of from-scratch beauty and cleaning products do you make? What DIY recipes have helped you to embrace the homemade way of life?
So, what sort of from-scratch beauty and cleaning products do you make? What DIY recipes have helped you to embrace the homemade way of life?
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