Tag Archives: DIY

By Fredrica Syren: Witch hazel, a shrub that grows in the eastern and midwestern U.S. as well parts of Canada, has been used by native Americans as medicine for a long time. It’s best known for its anti-inflammatory properties because it contains tannins that help reduce swelling and fight bacteria. …

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By Emma Grace Fairchild:  When I was traveling last summer, I packed a sandwich every day for 2 weeks, using gluten free bread from a chain grocery store and a rotating selection of tofu, cheeses and vegetables. I decided to do this with my travel buddy because we both are …

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By Kim Robson: Traditional store-bought stain removers are full of nasty toxic chemical solvents. Luckily, there are plenty of natural alternatives, many of which are probably already in your pantry. Keep these items on hand and you’ll always be able to make your own natural solvents: Distilled white vinegar Baking …

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By Kim Robson: Often, when I find a paperback book to read from our neighborhood Little Free Library, its corners and edges are bent and torn. Reading a damaged, dilapidated book is never fun. I have a great technique that uses strips of heavy-duty clear packing tape to repair these …

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By Fredrica Syren: Are you, like me, tired of skin and beauty products containing harmful chemicals? I am fed up with that as well as how pricey natural and chemical free products are. So I have started making my own. Besides using safe products that also save me lots of …

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By Kim Robson: In the United States last year, we spent $465 billion dollars on holiday gifts. Experts estimate it would only take $175 billion to do away with hunger for one year. Why not kill two birds with one stone: gift-giving coupled with feeding loved ones a healthy meal. …

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By Kim Robson: Recently we’ve been getting these lovely hand soaps from Earth Dance Botanical Body Care, and one of the many delightful scents to choose from is Lemon Calendula. I’d heard of calendula before but didn’t really know much about it. As it turns out, calendula is a powerful …

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By Kim Robson: Spring will be here soon, and I’m already thinking about which herbs I’ll want to grow in my planter box. My favorites are basil, thyme, rosemary, mint and oregano. With soft herbs like basil and chives, it’s possible to utilize all of the cuttings, including the stems, …

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By Larraine Roulston: Old sweaters sporting holes at the elbows are quite unsuitable to pass along to others. They need not be tossed away, however. Besides being unraveled for the wool, they also offer easier opportunities to create unique holiday gifts and crafts via upcycling by cutting and using various parts of the sweaters. Mittens: …

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By Larraine Roulston: With Christmas fast approaching, assembling Do It Yourself lotion bars might be the perfect fit for you to offer family and friends. In fact, they make natural personal gifts for all occasions. Lotion bars can be created with either a masculine or feminine touch. Scented with lavender, they can be added …

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