I've really been struck by how much we waste as a culture. Food, packaging, you name it. Maybe it's reading the Molly books in the American Girl series and seeing how the whole country worked together to conserve for the war effort, maybe it's because today is trash day.
Around here, I've been waiting until something is ALL gone before going out to replace it. That's new for me. I do use it eventually, but I tend to stockpile things. Instead I'm using all those travel-sized shampoos here and there that are half full, lotions, deoderant, saline solution.
And when the shampoo is gone, I'm going to use Kimberly's method of hair washing. She says it's been great for shine and reducing tangles. Something the girls would definitely appreciate.
Kimberly is an amazing woman, a kindred spirit--a woman I'm glad so blessed to call my friend. And even a face-to-face friend, at that! (Though we did meet through this blogging world.)
She did a post (just for me!) with some recipes and links I've been requesting. Go here and check it out--shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent.
Tell us if you make the laundry detergent:)
Posted by: Holly | February 20, 2009 at 05:22 PM
I checked out that site and it was awesome! Thanks for the tips....
Posted by: Rachel Reeves | February 20, 2009 at 06:57 PM
We're reading the Molly books too and we liked the idea of a Victory garden. We tried our hand with a garden last spring and didn't have much luck, possibly because we didn't put in enough effort. Back then they had to make it work. I would love to convey that to my kids.
I was thinking that this was a great post considering our "lean" times. But then lately I've been thinking that I wished we were more aware of these things as a rule not just during harder times. Maybe a good thing that will come out of our recessed economy is a greater sense of frugality.
Posted by: Tara | February 20, 2009 at 08:34 PM
I've talked to several ladies who make their own detergent. I haven't. I guess I thought it sounded like too much work. But I checked out your link and copied down the recipe, so we'll see, I just may have to give it a whirl:)
We haven't read any of the American Girl books yet. They sound really good. They also sound similar to ones we are reading from a series called Sisters in Time. They are historical fiction books that take the life of a young girl in a certain time of history and tell a story about her life and her faith. My almost 6 year old really likes them. And I think she'd like the American Girl ones too.
Thanks for links!
Posted by: Tammy S. | February 20, 2009 at 09:10 PM
Yeah, I read her entry on the shampoo. Interesting idea!
The tutorials are up! (:
Posted by: Puva | February 21, 2009 at 07:38 AM
In our paper we get a neat insert called Shopping Sense. It always has advice on how to save money.
www.shoppingsense.biz
I also have the books on all the stuff you can do with vinager. I also have the one for baking soda. It is quite amazing.
Posted by: Loney | February 21, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I've been thinking of doing this...partly out of necessity and partlyout of curiousity to see if it really does work just as well. I'm thinking there's something to be said about going back to basics...
I'm just a little afraid of vinegar though! I tried using it in my homemade dryer sheets and that's all I could smell!
Posted by: Michelle | February 21, 2009 at 06:40 PM
I grew up in central Florida where the water was really hard and left deposits on everything. My mother had us use vinegar for rinse water often and it does leave hair shiny
Posted by: janine | February 21, 2009 at 08:26 PM
So very true. We recycle as much as possible and it makes you all the more aware. Best.
Posted by: CarolinaMama | February 22, 2009 at 05:14 PM
You aren't kidding! We spent a week in Costa Rica last week and the lifestyle difference is amazing. We are so blessed and yet so ungrateful and wasteful.
Posted by: Jen | February 22, 2009 at 06:23 PM
I've been looking for a homemade shampoo alternative, I'll have to give that a try.
On my blog, I have a similar laundry recipe that is a powder. I've never used liquid and well, don't we all get stuck in our habits. The dry is easier for me though, as I just mix it all up and make sure to throw it in at the beginning of the load.
Posted by: Deanne | February 22, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Here's the link for my powdered detergent:
http://tryingtraditional.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/laundry-detergent/
Posted by: Deanne | February 24, 2009 at 09:36 AM