Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Time for Toothpaste!

Seasons...they come and they go and once again the fall season is here!  The weather has been beautiful as I sit out in my rocker lawn chair on the back porch sipping my Irish Creme Tea!  I absolutely love these moments of quiet times and expressing my thoughts.  They don't happen often enough!

We started our summer off with Tom and I celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and taking a short backpack trip in the Trinity Alps.  Our plan is to take a longer trip to either Alaska or Hawaii in the near future.  Can't wait!

The rest of our summer was mostly filled with rafting and getting ready for a big show called the Candy Dance in Genoa, NV.  Needless to say, my house was filled with aromas of all the different soaps, over 1000 yummy lip balm and boxes of sea salt scrubs, body butters and all the other products.  My soap room was literally filled to the ceiling.  The show ended up being a ton on fun and there were a ton of shoppers with wagons being pulled behind them as they purchased all kinds of goodies from all the vendors.

Now the toothpaste....

So are you wondering about my catchy title about toothpaste?  The reasoning behind this is that the Fall time is a great time to make toothpaste!  With a puzzled look on your face, you are now asking "why".  I respond with "Because Fall brings cooler weather and cooler weather means that my toothpaste doesn't melt."  I know, now you are a bit confused...toothpaste melting???  Well if you haven't guessed yet, I make my own toothpaste with coconut oil which has a melting point of 76 degrees.  Thus my house in the summer time is usually around 79 degrees...which means my toothpaste is usually a bit runny.  So I have been testing this product for a year now and I really like it.  Yes, it is different from toothpaste from the store, but it is better for you and cheaper!

So are you ready to make you own?   First, lets look at the benefits!

1.  Coconut Oil naturally contains antibacterial/antimicrobial properties because of its high lauric acid content.

2.  Baking Soda neutralizes acid loving bacteria in your mouth which is responsible for causing cavities.  Baking Soda is known for whitening teeth, removing plaque and maintaining healthy gums.

3.  Xylitol is a natural sweetener and contains cavity-fighting properties.  From my research, I have read that Xylitol gets ride of the harmful bacteria and raises the pH in your mouth.  It can also protect and remineralize teeth by repairing the deep layers of enamel.

4.  If you flavor your toothpaste with peppermint, cinnamon or citrus essential oil, all of these oils have antibacterial properties.

Now if you want all of these benefits, but don't have time to gather the ingredients and make it for yourself, The Essential Olive can help, just let me know!  Otherwise, here's the recipe!

HOMEMADE TOOTHPASTE

  • 5 Tablespoons Calcium Powder or Calcium Magnesium Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
  • 3 Tablespoons Xylitol Powder– This ingredient is not completely necessary, but I like the sweetness.   (I add 4 Tablespoons)
  • 3-5 Tablespoons coconut oil at room temperature
  • 30+ drops of essential oil of choice: Peppermint, Cinnamon, Orange or Protection (a synergy blend, also know as Thieves Oil)
Mix all ingredients in a mini-food processor and store in jar.  Dip toothbrush in and enjoy a natural way to clean your teeth.  (If it is too runny or too thick, try adding more water or calcium to get desired thickness. ) 




Thanks for reading everyone!  Hope you enjoy the photos as well as the blog!  Till next time!

Debbie
The Essential Olive...Living




Monday, March 28, 2016

I LOVE Spring!!!!

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are excited as I am about Spring!  The flowers are blooming (tulips are my favorite with lilacs next in line), the leaves are popping out (my car is yellow from pollen...thank God I do not have allergies), my peas & potatoes are growing in the garden, wood chips for the garden are being delivered from the local tree cutting service and the pool is starting to warm up!  Oh...Spring is here!!!  I am so thankful for all these things and especially for the good winter rains we have had.  These rains have helped fill up Shasta Lake and brings healing to our dry land.

I have found that being thankful is extremely helpful in always walking with a good attitude.  If I am having a not so great day, I just start thanking God for whatever...like a clean house or a messy house too.  Messy tells me that I am busy with many projects and that I am healthy and am able to use my arms and legs and my brain.  I am thankful that I am able to wash dishes, for the sun that warms me, for my amazing kids and a great husband....my thankful list is endless!

Speaking of projects, I am always trying something new and my very latest homemade creation is keifer.  Every tried it?  It is super easy to make and is great in smoothies.  There are 36 - 56 kinds of good bacteria in homemade keifer.  You ask, "Why do we need good bacteria?"  Well good bacteria is necessary to properly digest food and to absorb nutrients.  It also plays a big role in our immunity.  For more information on good bacteria, I recommend checking out this link from Wellness Mama.

Another project with The Essential Olive includes making deodorant.  I have really cute little deodorant tubes for purchase!  I have been using my homemade deodorant for a few years now and love it!  You can find some of these deodorant tubes at Roses & Rust, April 8-9 at the Anderson Fair Grounds or email me to order yours.

I am also working on a Baby line of products which include a Baby Oil, homemade washable Baby Wipes with a Natural homemade Baby Wipe Solution and a Baby Wrap.  My Mom is a is an excellent seamstress and she has made these wipes and wraps.  These products will be launched soon!     Be watching my Facebook post when the launch comes out!

With summer quickly approaching what do you have planned?  We recently purchased a raft so that we can have some white water fun on the Trinity River this summer.  We are planning a couple of trips with friends and family.  We also have 4 kayaks so we can will have a slew of people going down the river!  So fun and can't wait!  Along with that, we have a few camping trip set up.  My husband and I will probably squeeze in an overnight backpack trip too so that I can use my new backpack!  Ya Hoo!

Well don't forget to shop local and support all those mom and pop places that bring a friendly smile to your community.  Community is huge these days...getting to know where the products you buy come from and who is making them.

Thanks for reading I'd love to hear a quick "hello" from you if you enjoyed this!

Enjoy, Be Thankful & Blessings!

Debbie
The Essential Olive