Ugh.

I have so much I want to share with you all:  recipes, corn-free products that aren’t corn free, new hidden places of corn, personal care product recipes, corn allergy research, products with hidden corn in process that isn’t labeled, etc.

–

But, I can’t.  I’m exhausted.  We have had so many reactions piling up over the past 3+ weeks that … I just can’t think straight, I can’t concentrate, focusing is impossible and poor Yipi needs a lot of extra help, time, and loving right now.  She is where ALL of my energy is going, as it should be, but there’s not a lot of energy remaining.  Later this week I will post about hidden corn in something, but I’m not sure what.

–

Bear with me, I will return.

Corn Free Deodorant Recipe – It Smells…

MizCastle over at MySoCornedLife shared a new deodorant recipe with me.  It looks really awesome!  We will need to substitute the beeswax with candelilla wax and I think I will change the essentials oils to have a more earthy smell.  I decided to use organic Patchouli, Cedarwood, and Lavender to give the product a more woodsy scent.  We’ll see what the hubby thinks.

–

Most, if not all, commercial deodorants use corn derivatives in their ingredients.  This poses a problem for my family and other corn allergic/intolerant individuals.  We make do and then we make our own.

–

Homemade Deodorant

–

Make sure your ingredients are processed and company confirmed corn derivative free.

–

Ingredients:

• 1/8 cup arrowroot powder
• 1/8 cup baking soda
• 2 1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 heaped Tbsp. candelilla wax
• 8 drops organic Cedarwood essential oil
• 8 drops organic Lavender essential oil
• 8 drops organic Patchouli essential oil

–

Procedure:

• Combine the coconut oil and candelilla wax in a glass container, place the container over a pot (3/4 of the way filled with water) and melt over low heat.
• While the mixture is melting, measure out your dry ingredients.
• Once completely melted, add your dry ingredients and mix well
• Once mixed, add essential oils.
• Quickly pour into your containers and keep uncovered until set.

–

About the name: I gave the hubby a few days to come up with the name and he was no help.  The deodorant was for him.  I finally gave up and titled the deodorant “It Smells…” which it does.  It smells nice but I can’t think of a name.  Maybe one day inspiration will strike and I’ll re-title this blog post.  Until that happens, please enjoy the “It Smells” corn-free deodorant recipe.

Quick Post: NearSea Naturals Coupon Code

NearSea Naturals is having a sale for EarthDay.  I really needed to make some blankets and pillows so this sale couldn’t have come at a better time.  Wanted to share the sale with you all.

–

Celebrate Earth Day with a 25% discount on sustainable fabrics

–

Earth Day should be every day, because we’re always in favor of encouraging people to pay attention to the planet. We still want to celebrate the day that everybody else observes, though, and we’re doing so by offering 25% off your orders at NearSea Naturals and American Grown•Spun•Milled. Valid until midnight, PST, on Sunday, April 22, 2012. Just use the code 25off74gf65h when checking out to receive your discount. (Shipping and tax aren’t discounted, of course!)

Quick Post: Emergency Preparedness Checklist

We are in the midst of Tornado season, here in Alabama, and I am not prepared.  I was going to post about the use of Corn Gluten as Weed control and another homemade personal care product recipe but I decided to post about what I’m actually doing…freaking out.

–

Well, not exactly freaking out, but trying to prepare just in case another round of awful tornadoes come through the area and we’re without power for 5+ days.  I’ve made a few checklists, however I always feel as if I’m missing something.  We have a few things on order that should arrive this week including more canned beans, 1/2 gallon mason jars for filtered water storage, and more mung bean noodles.  The GWLW (guy we live with, you know…the hubby) is planning to obtain gas for the generators to keep the freezer and fridge running (in the event that the house is still standing, sans power) and I’m making muffins for the freezer also.  Our diet is so limited, I really cannot think of anything else to have on hand.  If the gardens manage to survive the storms then we will have fresh produce to eat.  I’m also gently encouraging the GWLW to build an outdoor fire pit.  He was slightly opposed to the idea but after some discussion I think he agrees that it would not be a bad thing to have.

–

So, here’s my list:

• Canned beans
• Mung bean noodles (cook quickly)
• 8 Gallons of filtered, safe water
• Gasoline for generators
• Frozen muffins
• Vegetables from garden
• Frozen vegetables
• Glow sticks
• Flashlights
• Extra Batteries
• Gauze, cotton swabs, compounded ibuprofen and diphenhydramine

–

What am I missing?  What are some items on your emergency preparedness checklists?

Personal Care Recipe: Bug Repellent Salve

Mosquitoes.  I hate those little bugs but oh how they love me.  They either view me as their queen and have to be near me or they view me as a very yummy, irresistible snack.  I also have a knack of attracting spiders, gnats, flies, really, any bug outside (or inside) will make it’s way to me for a quick snack or to just say hi.  In the hopes of becoming slightly less visible to my insect friends, I decided to make a bug repellent.  I was hoping to find a good, allergen free bug repellent this year, as I was unable to find one last year; alas, this was not the case.  The closest thing I found was the Beat It product!  This product may work very well for some of you with less sensitive contact reactions; we unfortunately cannot tolerate some of the essential oils used in the product.  Unplugged Sunday posted a great recipe for DIY bug repellent and that is the recipe I will be using.  Making toiletry/personal care items is usually the safest way to protect my family from unnecessary allergen exposures.

–

Figuring out essential oils (EOs) is always the most difficult part of a recipes for me.  I have many essential oils in my cabinet.  Occasionally I ask myself this question:  Which of my essential oils go well together?  Mountain Rose Herbs does a great job of listing complementary essential oils on the “Learn More” tab for each individual essential oil.  I decided to compile a list from the information on their site and wanted to include it here.  All of the EOs listed below can be used as insecticides:

–

• Cajeput – goes with lavender, rosemary
• Cedarwood – goes with eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary
• Lavender – goes with cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, tea tree
• Eucalyptus – goes with cedarwood, lavender, peppermint, rosemary
• Peppermint – goes with eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, tea tree
• Tea Tree – goes with eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, rosemary
• Rosemary – goes with cedarwood, eucaluptus, lavender, peppermint, tea tree

–

Homemade Bug Repellent

–

Equipment:

• “Double boiler” – pot and a glass bowl
• Fine strainer
• Silicone Spatula
• Glass measuring cup with spout
• Glass bowl, or a second glass measuring cup
• Chopstick, for stirring
• 9-2oz cosmetic tins or jars with lids

–

Ingredients:

–

• 1 cup dried calendula
• 1 cup fresh rosemary  -  I didn’t have any uncontaminated rosemary so I left it out this time
• Enough olive and coconut oil to cover herbs (as carrier oils)
  • I used about  1 1/4 cup of oils
• 4 tablespoons kokum butter
• 2 tablespoon candelilla wax
• 20 drops organic Rosemary essential oil
• 20 drops organic Cajeput essential oil
• 10 drops organic Lavender essential oil
• 10 drops organic Eucaluptus essential oil
• 5 drops organic Tea Tree essential oil

–

Procedure:

–

1. Put water in your pot and set the bowl on top.  Bring the water to a boil and turn the heat down until the water is lightly simmering.
2. Put 1 cup dried calendula into your bowl. Pour in enough olive oil and melted coconut oil to cover your herbs (I used more coconut oil than olive; 2 part coconut / 1 part olive oil).
3. Cover your bowl and let the water simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not overheat the oil or allow the water the boil.
4. Pour the mixture into a glass measuring cup.  This would be a great place to use your spatula.  -  I skipped this step and really wish I hadn’t.  Oil was EVERYWHERE!
5. Strain the oil into your second glass measuring cup.  Press the herbal infused oil with the spatula to expel as much oil as possible.  I ended up with 1 1/4 cup of herbal infused oil.
6. Put the oil back into the “double boiler” with the kokum butter and candelilla wax. Melt over low heat.  Stirring occasionally.  -  I sat the glass measuring cup into the pan to let the butter and wax melt.
7. Once the butter and wax are melted, turn off the heat and add your essential oils.  Stir gently.
8. Pour the liquid into your cosmetic containers and allow the salve to set up. Once the mixture is completely cooled, cover with tight fitting lids and store in a cool, dry place.

We Need Your Help!

Let’s gain Corn Allergy Awareness.

–

I would like to encourage you to write 2-3 paragraphs concerning corn allergy and how it impacts and affects every aspect of your life.  This can include finding safe food, drinking water, medical issues, ADD/ADHD, neurological and behavioral issues, etc.  Please encourage those who love you and who are also affecting by your corn allergy to write 2-3 paragraphs concerning how corn allergy also affects their lives.  It doesn’t have to be the best written letter….IT JUST NEEDS TO BE WRITTEN!  Sorry for shouting, but so many people have tried over the years to gain corn allergy awareness.  This had a good shot if everyone would just try.  You can write the paragraphs anonymously.  Just please, consider writing something.  If you don’t feel like it, get your child to write it or your husband, or a supportive grandparent, or a supportive friend or sibling.  It think it would be powerful to hear about corn allergy from their perspective.

–

Please share this with everyone you know.  People on allergy awareness forums, people off of any forum, people with blogs, people on Facebook, people on the Facebook avoiding corn group, anyone, everyone who loves and supports you.

–

Please consider this.  This is an actual plea….with a bonafied southern accent to boot.

–

Here’s the link to the Write-In Campaign:  http://cornfreedom.com/blog/?p=154

–

If you’re not on Facebook, email the letter to me (cornfreelifestyle@gmail.com) or paste it here and I will get it to Nicole over at corn freedom.

–

If you have a blog please re-port this, you don’t have to post it word for word…just post it.  Please.  Encourage everyone who loves you to write in.  My hubby wrote 2 pages.  It was cathartic for him.  I would let Yipi write something…but, well, she’s only 21+ months.  She can read but her writing needs some work  ;-)

Quick Post: Free Shipping from Tropical Traditions

Tropical Traditions is offering free shipping now through midnight EDT, Monday, April 16th.  I always mark my calender with the end date as a reminder to stalk their Facebook page to see if they have any other offers that we might want.    Other offers can inlcude a certain percentage off any products or a “buy one get one free” deal on products.  I can rarely find coupons for the foods we purchase so this is how I save.  I also use cash-back shopping, but that doesn’t apply to Tropical Traditions.  I wanted to let you guys know about the free shipping deal!

–

Today I think I’ll just go ahead and order more oil, I don’t foresee them getting any flakes or shreds in any time soon…

–

Coupon Code is 16412.

Personal Care Recipe: Homemade Sunscreen

Frugally Sustainable posted a great recipe for homemade sunscreen and I think I’m going to borrow it and make a few adjustments.  We are not able to use beeswax or vitamin E oil and I am not 100% certain of the candelilla wax.  Instead of trialing that much candelilla wax without more of a buffer of oils and butter I think I will instead substitute the wax with extra shea butter.  I was going to use kokum butter, as it is harder than the shea, but time only permitted the use of shea butter.  I will substitute the vitamin E oil with…nothing.  I did locate a Vitamin E oil, supposedly sourced from sunflower seeds; however I think additional questions pertaining to processing and refinement need to be answered before trying the product.  Please ensure that your ingredients are unrefined and corn free (processing and manufacturing).

–

Homemade Sunscreen

–

Ingredients:

• Organic Coconut Oil (unrefined) - 0.75 ounce
• *Organic Shea Butter (unrefined) - 1.75 ounce
• Organic Jojoba Oil (unrefined) - .25 ounce
• (Substitute .75 ounce of shea with .75 ounce candelilla, carnauba, or beeswax if you can tolerate it)
• Zinc Oxide – .3 to .36 ounce (~10%)
• 30 drops of organic, steam distilled essential oils (we’re using lavender and tea tree)

–

Procedure:

1. Gather ingredients and kitchen tools. 
2. Melt oils and butters in a “double boiler” over low heat.
3. Remove from heat and allow to slightly cool.
4. Add the zinc oxide powder.  Note: Wear a mask when working with zinc oxide. Although it has not been proven harmful when used topically, inhaling the substance can be dangerous.
5. Return to “double boiler” for approximately 20 minutes (may need less time).  Stir constantly to dissolve zinc oxide.
6. Remove from double boiler.  Add essential oils.
7. Mix with an immersion blender until completely combined.
8. Pour into a container (I’m using these.  It would have been nice to find a safe push up container).
9. Allow to cool to just under room temperature, stirring every so often.
10. Refrigerate until set (stir before refrigerating).
11. Remove from refrigerator and let set / harden on the counter overnight. (Only if you use wax)

–

*If you have kokum butter, then use .75 oz of kokum and 1.00 oz shea.

Quick Post: Arnica is a Flower…

I’m not blaming anyone but myself and my own lack of research, but how did I just discover that arnica is a flower?

–

Arnica ointment was my go-to homeopathic cream for aches and pain.  I had no idea it was a flower, I don’t mind claiming my ignorance.  It’s time to remedy this.  Mountain Rose Herbs sells arnica flower, or course.  It is exceptionally more expensive than anything else I purchase but I think I’m going to order a small amount with my April/May order.  Based on past experience, it would really help with reducing the effects of swelling and subsequent pain that I experience from my allergic reactions.  I plan to make it into a balm/salve for rubbing onto my affected areas.

-

More about Arnica Flower

–

Typical Preparations

Used as an oil (1 part dried herb in 5 parts plant oil) or ointment (1 part arnica oil to 4 or 5 parts base).

-

Summary

Arnica oils and creams are used topically to treat sprains, bruises, and muscle pain. Diluted tinctures of arnica are used in foot baths (1 teaspoon of tincture to a pan of warm water) to soothe sore feet. Grieve’s Herbal reported that nineteenth century American physicians recommended arnica tincture as a hair growth tonic. Homeopathic arnica is traditionally used to treat seasickness. Research published in June 2005 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that homeopathic arnica can reduce post-partum bleeding.

Quick Post: Fiddledee IDs

Fiddledee IDs is having a 10% OFF plus free shipping sale on their medical ID bracelets.  Now would be a great time to order your “please don’t kill me while trying to save me” medical IDs.

–

• Purchases must be over $20 and this offer expires on April 17, 2012.  Enter Code:  SPRINGstep
• Free shipping on all domestic orders over $25.
• Free engraving.

–

–

It is very tempting to have a really cute band for your Medic ID bracelet but I would like to encourage you to get a obvious Medic ID bracelet.  You want to limit any and all confusion and make sure the Emergency Medical Team realizes that you have additional and important medical needs, more so than the average person.