Knowledge Weighs Nothing

5 Incredible Uses for Diatomaceous Earth

DiatomaceousEarth

In recent years, the topic of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) has increased in mainstream consciousness. This unique compound is derived from fossilized phytoplankton, and its uses range from killing parasites in chickens to promoting healthier teeth and bones. If you’re curious regarding the use of this ancient fossil for modern healing and health, then continue on to discover the 5 incredibly useful and innovative uses for this ancient compound.

Update: You could now say there are 6 uses for diatomaceous earth as our new post: 5 home remedies for fleas details how to use DE to combat fleas around the home

5 Incredible Uses for Diatomaceous Earth

#1 | Natural and Effective Toothpaste

Due to the unique composition of DE, it’s among one of the greatest all-natural products to strengthen, whiten and protect your teeth. While it does feature slight abrasive qualities, its gentle enough to safely scrape away plaque and food particles from between teeth without damaging its enamel. Simply sprinkle a little DE over your favorite toothpaste and experience a natural way to brighten your smile.

#2 | All Natural Deodorant

The list of negative studies regarding the use of commercially-produced deodorants as it blocks your body’s natural ability to sweat and release toxins. Because of this, many are turning to all-natural alternatives; however, those with sensitive skin may develop rashes or irritation after using such products. DE is an excellent alternative as it inhibits the formation of bacteria that causes body odor without hindering with your sweat glands.

#3 | Exfoliating Facial Scrub

Because DE features a slight abrasive nature, it makes the perfect natural alternative to an exfoliating facial scrub. Due to its mineral concentration, such as calcium, zinc, copper and selenium, your skin is treated on the cellular level while dirt and debris is thoroughly lifted away. To utilize this remedy, mix one tablespoon of diatomaceous earth with aloe vera juice or coconut oil until a thick paste is created. Simply rub this solution on your face for one to two minutes and rinse clean with warm water.

#4 | Nourishing Shampoo

DE features a high silica concentration, which makes it an excellent product to nourish and treat your hair. To utilize this remedy, simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons of DE powder with a quarter-size amount of shampoo and thoroughly scrub. The unique composition of DE treats your hair by removing dirt and debris while injecting a large amount of nourishing minerals directly into hair follicles.

#5 | Eliminate Bed Bugs

Should you be suffering from a bed bug infestation, the use of DE is just as powerful – if not more – than the leasing chemical pesticide. Did you know many bed bugs have mutated to become immune to the active compounds in popular pesticide products, which renders them useless against an infestation. DE is a powerful option as it is capable of penetrating through the shell of bed bugs and literally drying them out. Simply sprinkle DE powder along your mattress and anywhere else bed bugs may rest to effective eradicate these pests from your home.

Amazon has a great range of Diatomaceous Earth, here is the one we use.

#6 | Bonuses

For even more incredible uses for Diatomaceous Earth, check out our other posts: Spiders, Roaches, Ants & More; Get Them Out Of Your Home With A 100% Natural/Safe Product and 5 Home Remedies For Fleas & A Flea Trap That Really Work!

Homemade Body Butter Recipe

body butter DIY

There’s nothing quite as lovely as curling up with a friend or partner and feeling their soft skin. Unfortunately, unless you’re one of the rare individuals who were blessed with naturally supple skin, environmental and lifestyle toxins have scratched away your tenderness and replaced it with rough, dry skin. While there are hundreds – if not thousands – of skin care products designed to eliminate roughness, the majority of these solutions are nothing more than marketing hype. Moreover, the ones that actually do work hold a serious price tag few can easily afford. So what are you to do when you want softer skin without the skyrocketing price tag? The solution is easy – homemade body butter.

Homemade Body Butter Recipe – Professional Quality Results at a Fraction of the Price

The reality is most commercially bought body butter products and other skin softening solutions are nothing more than common ingredients packaged inside fancy bottles or cases. However, as with many mass-produced products, manufacturers tend to stray from all-natural compounds for harmful synthetic ingredients. If you have sensitive skin or wish to avoid adding potentially toxic substances on your skin, you’ve likely found many skin care products are simply unacceptable.

The following homemade body butter recipe calls upon the natural healing and restorative qualities found in nature. Each ingredient was carefully selected due to its potency, cost-effectiveness and quality. Whether you have sensitive skin or are on a tight budget, this recipe is ideal for you. Feel free to adjust its concentrations or add your own favorite skin-protective ingredients.

The Ingredients

  • ¼ cup of coconut oil
  • ¼ cup of cocoa butter
  • ¼ cup of Shea butter
  • ¼ cup of sweet almond oil
  • Essential oils (optional)

Directions

Step One – Combine the coconut oil, cocoa butter, Shea butter and sweet almond oil into a small cooking pot. If you’re using essential oils, do not add these into the mixture quite yet.

Step Two – Simmer the ingredients over low heat while constantly stirring with a wooden spoon. Be very careful to not over-heat these compounds as they can burn, which ruins the entire batch. Continue to stir until the ingredients transform into a silky liquid.

Step Three – Once the ingredients have liquified, remove from the heat and pour into a metal or ceramic bowl. Allow the butter to partially solidify, which typically takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

Step Four – After the butter has partially solidified – or set – add up to 15 drops of an essential oil and vigorously whip the butter with a hand mixer until the butter is fluffy. It will closely resemble nice, creamy the cake icing/frosting.

Step Five – Pour the completed body butter into resealable jars, such as a glass container, and apply as often as needed to support soft, healthy skin.

(Image from: Nina Nelson)

No-Knead Skillet Bread (The Different & Easier Way To Bake Bread)

skilletbread

There’s nothing quite like fresh baked bread. Unfortunately, traditional bread recipes are often too complex for those with little cooking experience ­ or those who simply don’t have the proper ingredients. Thankfully, this no­-knead skillet bread recipe exists to provide an easier way to great, homemade bread. This is a basic­ level recipe. Feel free to experiment by adding ingredients to create a unique, one­of­a­kind skillet bread.

No Knead Skillet Bread ­ The Recipe

Step One ­ Add 3 cups of unbleached, all-­purpose flour into a large mixing bowl.

Step Two ­ A 1/2 Teaspoon of instant yeast in the bowl. If you only have standard dry yeast, proof the yeast by mixing 1/2 teaspoon with 1/4 cup of warm water. Let the yeast rest for five minutes before stirring.

Step Three ­ Add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and thoroughly stir the ingredients together.

Step Four ­ Add 1 1/2 cups of water (warm or cold works just fine).

Step Five ­ Mix the ingredients together with a dough whisk. If it’s not available, use a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon. Only stir the ingredients until they’re properly mixed together ­ remember, don’t over mix.

Step Six ­ Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for 12 to 18 hours

Step Seven ­ Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated, place a cast iron skillet or pot into the oven for 30 minutes ­ this preps the skillet for the dough.

Step Eight ­ Add a liberal amount of flour onto a surface covered with pastry cloth, if available. If not, any flat surface will do as long as it’s coated with flour.

Step Nine ­ Pour the dough onto the floured surface, and using your hands, which should also be coated in flour, roll the dough into a large, round ball. Try to not to knead the dough during this process.

Step Ten ­ Line the pre­heated pot with parchment paper and carefully add the dough into the pot.

Step Eleven ­ Cover the pot and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

Step Twelve ­ After the initial 30 minute bake time, remove the lid and continue to bake for an additional 15 minutes to create a lovely crust.

Step Thirteen ­ Remove the bread from the pot and place on a cooling rack. Allow the bread to cool for 10 minutes before cutting and enjoying.

(Photo from: Wikipedia)

Homemade Tiger Balm Recipe: All Natural!

Tigerbalm jar

You may have seen Tiger Balm lining the shelves of your neighbourhood market or touted in online advertisements, but what exactly is Tiger Balm? Moreover, can you make this product at
home with all-nature products?

What Is Tiger Balm

This pain-relieving topical ointment has been used by Chinese elite for hundreds of years, and in our modern society it’s synonymous with joint pain relief. With over 20 million jars of Tiger Balm sold each year, there’s something to be said about its effectiveness. While the effectiveness of Tiger Balm may be disputed among healthcare professionals, holistic and natural remedy proponents suggest this product as a natural way to calm pain and relieve congestion from chest colds.  Whilst being touted as a natural cure, Tiger Balm does in fact contain petroleum jelly and paraffin. Below is a recipe to make your own version using beeswax and coconut oil.

Step-by-Step Guide to Homemade Tiger Balm

  • Step 1 – Add 1⁄2 ounce of beeswax and 2 ounces of coconut oil into a small saucepan.You may also use extra virgin olive oil instead of coconut oil.
  • Step 2 – In a larger saucepan, add 2 to 4 cups of water. Place the smaller saucepan into the larger one, which creates a double boiler.
  • Step 3 – Increase the stove heat to medium.
  • Step 4 – Continually stir the ingredients until they melt. Make sure to constantly stir the ingredients to prevent them from burning.
  • Step 5 – Remove the saucepan from heat once the ingredients are melted.
  • Step 6 – Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil, 10 drops of peppermint oil and 5 drops of clove oil into the melted wax and oil.
  • Step 7 – Vigorously mix the ingredients together until they’re thoroughly mixed.
  • Step 8 – Allow the mixture to cool for several minutes.
  • Step 9 – In a separate saucepan, bring 1 pint of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of crushed garden sage, wintergreen, willow or black haw. Allow the water to boil until the liquid reduces by half.
  • Step 10 – Strain the herb out of the water and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water into the wax mixture.
  • Step 11 – Heat the wax and water mixture in the double boiler, and stir for several minutes.
  • Step 12 – Pour the warm mixture into a metal or glass container. Place in a dry, cool area for several hours, or until completely cooled.

How To Make Braided Pizza Calzones

Braided-Pizza-Calzones

Several years back we were lucky enough to end up in Malta in the Mediterranean. This is where I first became aware of what a Calzone was, and I have been hooked ever since. I mean seriously, what’s not to love? I have no idea why calzones are not more popular than they are. They are awesome and delicious anytime, but in Malta they were often eaten on the fly as street food. That’s one thing against pizza, it’s not great for eating when out and about, but as all the gooey loveliness is wrapped up inside the calzone, this is where they excel!

If you have never tried a calzone, or you just fancy making some, head over to ‘The Mama’s Girls’ via the link below and get the recipe and instructions. You can put any filling inside your calzone, my favourite is meatballs!

How To Make Braided Pizza Calzones

(Image from: The Mama’s Girls)

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

cowboy caviar

This cowboy caviar recipe from ‘bebe a la mode designs’ is absolutely delicious. We made a slight variation of this recipe a few nights back, as a side dish with some delicious homemade beef burgers and it was a big hit!

Cowboy caviar contains black beans,  sweet corn, tomatoes, avocado, garlic, cilantro and a few other ingredients. Not only is the recipe delicious and versatile, you can also knock it up in minutes, it is seriously quick and easy to prepare. Click the link below for the full recipe and give it a try!

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

(Image from: bebe a la mode designs)