Real Life Tested Recipes, How-To, and DIYs

I started my “mom blog” when my kids were little, which seems like eons ago. My goals were two-fold: write out my real life tested recipes and how-to guides for my kids and family, and document my journey toward a more simple life.

I tackled one thing in my house at a time in order to learn how to make it myself (multi-purpose cleaner, floor cleaner, shampoo bars, you name it). I wanted to learn age old skills before they passed away with the older generation.

Twelve years ago, you couldn’t find organic options in the stores. And you couldn’t find many websites that taught you the step-by-step process of how to make things for yourself. I really had to test, change my recipes, test, and change again. This is why I have multiple deodorant recipes for example, because my husband can’t use baking soda, but I can. Many of you are like that as well.

Now, fast forward 12 years and you can find a lot of organic options and a plethora of products that claim to be all natural and healthy. The problem is that most of those products still have ingredients that are very toxic and even cancerous, even though they claim to be natural. You really have to know ingredients!

On top of that, AI is at the top of everyone’s search. It takes ingredients from 20 different recipes it randomly finds online and puts them into one, giving you something completely out of context and untested. My little rant: AI is putting blogs like mine on the 3rd and 20th pages of searches. People are believing its programmed bias instead of knowing the source. It’s very important to know your source for information. Always.

So, what do we do when a lot of products claim to be healthy, yet still have 32 ingredients that call for a deep internet search to understand, and AI is giving us recipes or ingredient opinions that are not curated by someone you can trust?

THE ANSWER?

Stick to those you know and can trust!

Make a list of your favorite websites, because they will be filtered out of your inbox, and you may forget they exist.

I’m happy to be able to provide recipe for food, soap making, cleaning products, and herbal remedies that we’ve used in our household for over 20 years. You KNOW that you’re making something that works and you KNOW that it will be healthy, no corners cut, no toxic ingredients added.

Here are some examples of categories I’ve been working on over the years:

Real Food Recipes

We have to eat every day, but as I ask my kids, “Are you putting fuel in the car?” I think enjoying food is a wonderful thing, but you can also provide your body the nourishment that it needs at the same time. If you keep putting junk in the fuel tank, your car won’t run very well for long. In the same way, what we eat effects everything: our energy, skin, hair, nails…everything. Eat well without all the toxins!

The Best Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Best Salmon Rub Recipe Ever

Soap Recipes

I love making soap! Cold process is my favorite, but you can make any of my recipes with the hot process method. I also provide some melt and pour and hand milled options.

How to Make Castile Soap for Sensitive Skin

6 Christmas Soap Recipes Make Unique Gifts

Shampoo Recipes

Don’t forget your hair! I enjoy making hair rinses and make many shampoo bars and conditioner bars or rinses.

Make 3 Organic Shampoo Bars for All Hair Types

3 Easy Summer Herbal Shampoo Recipes

Herbal Remedies

These remedies are not pirated from other websites that make claims, and not just a random untested idea, but are results from herbal studies and long tested results. You can have confidence that they pair wonderfully with your own studies. Always check with your physician if your condition is serious or before combining with any medications.

Easy Elderberry Syrup Recipe for an Immune System boost

Leaky Gut Tea – Herbal Digestion Aid

Cleaning Recipes

It defeats some of the purpose of cleaning when you kill germs but leave harmful chemicals. Instead of making that trade, make products with essential oils that kill bacteria and don’t leave toxins. You can learn more about essential oil safety here.

9 Natural Cleaning Recipes for Spring Cleaning

3 Easy to Make Laundry Soap Recipes

Makeup Recipes

Women use a high number of toxins on their face and body daily. To cut down on that amount, or even eliminate the toxins all together, I’ve tried making blushes, lip sticks, mascara, eye liners, and foundations. All 100% natural clays and herbs only.

Chocolate Truffle Lip Balm Recipe: Great Handmade Gifts

Make Your Own Makeup with this Natural Finish Powder Recipe

Home and Garden Guides

I raise chickens, ducks, and have fruit trees, as well as flower and vegetable gardens. If I have chicken herbal aids or other DIYs I’ve put together, I try to share them with you.

How to Use Herbal Remedies for Chickens

How to Make Maple Syrup: Processing Sap

Products in my Shop

I’ve had a lot of friends and family ask for my soaps, shampoos and tooth powders over the year. I’m happy to be able to provide them in my shop. Highest quality ingredients, no exceptions.

Beauty Gift Set from Simple Life Mom

Calcium Bentonite Clay Tooth Powder from Simple Life Mom

Let me know what recipe, how-to, or DIY you’re looking for. I’d love to help or get started on my next project of finding out what works best in the healthiest way.