Finding natural dish soap options that are effective and easy-to-make was a long process. I wanted to ensure they:

• contained minimal and accessible ingredients
• didn’t require too much extra effort to clean off extra dirt

I’ve been using this natural DIY liquid dish soap for several months now and have not looked back. For extra dirty and oily dishes, it does require rinsing a second time or another squirt of soap. But it’s a small price to pay to avoid all the synthetic chemicals that are damaging to our health and the environment.

Remember: don’t expect a synthetic chemical result from a natural product or recipe. Going natural may require a bit more elbow grease but the joy and empowerment totally makes up for it.

Watch the video or read on below for the recipe…

Natural DIY liquid dish soap recipe

• 1 TBSP cleaner concentrate
• 10 drops essential oil
• Soap nuts liquid

To make the soap nuts liquid, put approximately 20 soap nuts in large mason jar filled with water. Let soak in the refrigerator overnight then strain.

Slowly pour all ingredients in a glass dispenser. Your natural DIY liquid dish soap is ready-to-use immediately! Use this soap to hand wash and soak extra dirty dishes in the sink.

Learn more about our natural, non-toxic dish-washing routine. I share with you my favourite natural DIY dish powder recipe for the dishwasher. I also give you some tips for ensuring your dishes come out spotless.

Hope this helps!

M.

PS – start implementing this homemade product into your natural lifestyle by joining the next Non-Toxic Living Challenge! Be part of the discussion and watch live video training by joining The Non-Toxic Living Collective.

The post How to make natural DIY liquid dish soap appeared first on Rustik Health.

Cleaning the grout in the shower is NOT one of my favourite house-keeping activities. I have to admit, the space between our shower tiles was getting quite dark and dirty. I knew the only way I would be motivated to do something about it was to find a great all-natural DIY recipe.

When it comes to DIY recipes, I have strict boundaries. We are a busy family of 5 plus one crazy, lovable cat. Any recipe I use must:

• Require minimal ingredients (2 – 5 maximum)
• Contain easy-to-find ingredients
• Be super quick to make

And this particular recipe checked off all the boxes!

Watch the video or read on below… For live videos and to be part of the discussion on natural living, join The Non-Toxic Living Collective.

Natural DIY grout cleaner recipe

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
• 20 drops lemon essential oil

Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl. Apply the paste to dirty grout. Leave for 15 minutes then clean using an old toothbrush or grout brush.

You can play with the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide proportions. This particular recipe makes a watery paste so if you notice it doesn’t stick, reduce the peroxide or add more baking soda. Be careful not to make it too dry! Otherwise, the paste will flake off.

Tip: if your shower is how mine was and there’s A LOT of dirty grout to clean, take on a little at a time. I set a goal for myself to tackle it all over 5 days. I set a reminder in my phone so I wouldn’t forget. This reduced the overwhelm and gave me quick wins, which kept me motivated.

Enjoy!

M.

Start implementing this homemade product into your natural lifestyle by joining the next Non-Toxic Living Challenge! Learn more.

The post How to make natural DIY grout cleaner appeared first on Rustik Health.

You’ll find out what is the average DIY product shelf life. I’ll also give you some tips to make your DIY products for home cleaning and personal care last longer.

Watch the video or read on below…

The problem with DIY natural products

The issue with making our own house cleaning and personal care products is we don’t include preservatives. In fact, avoiding preservatives is usually one of the reasons we start making our own products!

By not having any preservatives in our DIY natural products, they become susceptible to mold and bacteria growth. Some ingredients in the recipe may also eventually become rancid, break down and lose their effectiveness.

What goes bad and what can help

Certain ingredients tend to go bad more quickly or frequently than others. These include:

• Fruit (e.g. lemon), yogurt and eggs.
• Water – remember, water breeds life and that includes bacteria and mold!
• Preparations with hydrogen peroxide.

Although not preservatives, certain natural ingredients can help extend the shelf life of your DIY products. There are typically anti-microbial agents and antioxidants, such as:

• Borax
• Vitamin E oil
• Alcohol
• Essential oils
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Citric or ascorbic acid
• Salt or sugar
• Vinegar

So how long do your DIY natural products really last

My rule of thumb, which I determined based on my research and own personal experience, is 2 – 4 weeks for recipes that include water and up to 3 – 6 months for other recipes.

DIY product shelf life will also depend on how big of a batch you make, how often you use it and how much you use each time.

Tips for extending the life of your DIY natural products

This is a list of my favourite tips for making your DIY natural products last as long as possible.

• Make small batches so your products don’t sit on a shelf too long and have time to go bad before you run out. The best way to extend the shelf life of your products is by making shelf life a non-issue to begin with!
• Clean and sterilize the containers you will be using very well so you don’t find yourself with bacteria right from the start.
• Use distilled or boiled water.
• Keep products refrigerated as heat can affect shelf life.
• Store your DIY natural products in dark, amber bottles as sunlight can create oxidation.
• Wash hands to avoid contaminating your products, especially when it comes to face and body creams or scrubs.
• Use oils that have a longer shelf life, such as jojoba and fractionated coconut oil.

And finally, my FAVOURITE tip of all… Pick recipes that call for minimal preparation and ingredients so you can whip them up at a moment’s notice.

I hope this was helpful Feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments below.

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in The Health + Mindset Collective group.

The post DIY product shelf life | How long do non-toxic products last? appeared first on Rustik Health.

As a teenager and even into my early twenties, I had very oily skin. I would wear tons of foundation and powder my face multiple times to give a semblance of perfect skin. As you can imagine, my pores were also quite clogged and I was prone to breakouts.

I tried multiple different face washes, creams and masks but nothing make huge improvements. To be honest, massive shifts only began happening once I became much more conscious of my diet and transitioned to non-toxic face products.

To celebrate, I haven’t used face powder or foundations in YEARS. I can remember the last time I put anything on my face except for blush. I’m actually terrified to put anything more on my face than that given all of the progress!

For a while, my favourite non-toxic DIY face mask was simply egg white. I liked the tightening effect and may go back to it someday but lately this has been my go-to…

DIY face mask recipe

• 1.5 tsp green clay
• 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 drop essential oil

This makes a one-time use portion, which I love because I don’t have to worry about it going back or adding preservatives to it. I leave it on for about 5 – 10 minutes, or dry, and then wash with water. I’ll then go over oil-prone areas with witch hazel and apply face oil to moisturize.

Watch video

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I set an alarm on my phone to remind me to do this mask every week. I will sometimes change it up and only use green clay and water. I’ll also switch up the essential oils I use. My favourite include geranium, frankincense, black spruce and tea tree.

And your non-toxic facial routine can be as simple as that!

What’s your favourite DIY face mask recipe?

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

The post DIY face mask | Clay, essential oils and apple cider vinegar appeared first on Rustik Health.

The other day, I read a quote about “romanticizing your life” and I completely fell in love with this concept. It encouraged us to find excitement, fun and all-around joy in the simple, mundane aspects of our life.

I fell in love with the concept because it’s what I preach and teach about the non-toxic lifestyle. I just never had such a beautiful label for it. Your success in transitioning to a healthier way of living will be influenced by your ability to find joy in using cleaner + greener products for your body and home.

Every time you exfoliate with your coconut salt scrub, take a moment to recognize the nourishment you are providing to your body – free from any synthetic chemical that could disrupt the functioning of your cells and endocrine system. Every time you spray that essential oil + vinegar mixture onto your counters, feel the satisfaction of knowing there’s no harm being done to yourself or the earth – in fact, you are getting side health benefits!

I recently shared in my social media stories how I like to turn making the bed into a more enjoyable chore by spraying my linens with a non-toxic DIY linen spray. This is just one of the super simple ways you can romanticize your non-toxic lifestyle. This is how I do it.

This idea is so much easier to implement in your life once you master your health, mindset and habits. I support you through this with Lead Your Health and Mastering Emotional Intelligence for Health.

Non-toxic DIY linen spray recipe

• Take a 4 oz stainless steel spray bottle
• Add 15 drops of high-quality essential oils
• Fill with water

I go crazy spraying the pillows, sheets and comforter with this non-toxic DIY linen spray. I even open the closet and spray our clothes. And I feel gosh, darn amazing and powerful doing it. I actually look forward to making the bed in the morning!

My favourite essential oil mixture is 5 drops of a citrus oil, 5 drops of a flower oil and 5 drops of a mint oil. The citrus provides a fresh scent, the flower smell is romantic and the mint is energizing.

This non-toxic DIY linen spray lasts me a couple of weeks and I have just as much fun coming up with a new scent combination.

How do you romanticize your non-toxic lifestyle?

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the The Health + Mindset Collective group.

The post Non-toxic DIY linen spray and romanticizing your lifestyle appeared first on Rustik Health.

But the last thing I want to be doing is soaking in a bunch of synthetic chemicals that have carcinogenic, neurotoxic or hormorne-disrupting properties. Especially when my pores are wide open from the heat so ensuring I’m taking a non-toxic bath.

Sometimes, I’ll simply take a bath in water (seriously!). Other times, I’ll whip up one of the following recipes.

Espom + baking soda soak

Ingredients

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup baking soda

Instructions

Mix both ingredients in bath until dissolved

Fizzing bath bombs

Ingredients

• 1 cup citric acid
• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup fractionated coconut oil
• 8–10 drops of your favourite essential oil(s)

Instructions

1. Place citric acid, baking soda, cornstarch and oil in a bowl.
2. Add 8–10 drops of the essential oil or blend of choice.
3. Mix well with spoon until soft dough is formed. It should have the consistency of damp sand. Note: If the mixture is too wet, try adding a little more baking soda and cornstarch until consistency is correct. 
4. At this point, you may add food coloring, dried herbs, or flower petals to mixture. 
5. Place mixture in silicone molds. Let sit 24 hours before removing from mold.
6. To use, drop in tub or shower and allow to dissolve.

(Source)

Colourful bath bombs

Ingredients

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup citric acid
• 10–20 drops essential oil of choice
• 100% pure witch hazel in spray bottle
• Mold (Silicone or metal)
• Natural coloring such as Mica

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine baking soda and citric acid. 
2. Add ½ teaspoon natural coloring and mix well. 
3. Stir in essential oils. 
4. Spray the entire surface of the mix with witch hazel and mix with hands. Continue to spray and mix rapidly until the mixture holds together. 
5. Quickly press the mixture into desired mold, making sure it is firmly packed. Let mixture set in mold for 20–30 seconds. Gently tap the mold to release bath bombs. 
6. Let dry for 30 minutes or until they are firm and do not fall apart.

(Source)

Essential oil bubble bath

Ingredients

• 1 cup unscented castile soap
• ½ cup vegetable glycerin
• 2 tablespoons water
• 15 drops essential oil(s) 

Instructions

1. Combine castile soap, glycerin, and water into glass bowl.
2. Add essential oils.
3. Stir until well combined.
4. Pour into glass container.
5. To use, add ¼–½ cup of the essential oil bubble bath mixture to warm, running bath water.

(Source)

Soap satchels

Ingredients

• 4 small burlap bags
• 1 natural soap bar of choice, grated
• ¾ cup old-fashioned oats

Instructions

1. Place grated soap and old-fashioned oats into a small bowl and mix until combined.
2. Divide mixture equally into burlap bags.
3. When showering or washing hands, wet the burlap satchel and use as a loofah or hand exfoliator. Add a drop of grapefruit or wild orange for uplifting properties. 

(Source)

Epsom salt bath

Ingredients

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil
• 10 drops essential oil(s)

Instructions

1. Add essential oils to Epsom salt and fractionated coconut oil and stir together.
2. Draw a warm bath and add ¼–½ cup of the mixture to the tub.

(Source)

For tips on storing your non-toxic bath recipes and other homemade natural DIY products, read this post.

What is your favourite non-toxic bath recipe?

M.

Get my top 5 non-toxic living tips.

Join the conversation in the Non-Toxic Living Collective group.

The post The Non-Toxic Bath | 6 homemade DIY recipes appeared first on Rustik Health.

I’ve tried making some in the past but the recipe included dairy and eggs. I was determined to come up with a recipe with no animal products – except for honey – and here is the result. If you’re a true vegan, you can always sub the TBSP of honey with 2 TBSPs of sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 TBSP instant dry yeast
• 1 TBSP honey
• 3 TBSP olive oil
• 1 TBSP chia seeds
• 3 TBSP water
• 1 TSP salt
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 TBSP sourdough starter
• 1 cup sucanat
• 2 TBSP cinnamon
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

Mix sucanat, cinnamon and 1/4 olive oil in a bowl and set aside. This will be the filling.

In a separate small bowl, mix the chia seeds and 3 TBSP of water and let thicken (about 20 minutes). This will be the egg replacement.

In a separate glass bowl, mix the first three ingredients listed (water, instant dry yeast and honey) and allow yeast to activate for about 5-10 minutes. Add 3 TBSP of olive oil, salt, flour and sourdough starter. Once the egg replacement has thickened, also add it in.

Knead the dough, cover with a warm damp cloth and allow to double in size. This will take a few hours but keep an eye on it. Then, refrigerate for 30 minutes so it’s easier to work with.

Preheat oven to 400F. Take the refrigerated dough and roll it out in a rectangular shape on a lightly floured surface. Add the filling, and roll tightly from the wide side. Cut into rolls.

Bake for 30 minutes on a ceramic pan (might need to bake less if using any other kind of pan). Again, keep an eye on it!

Next time, I plan on cutting them thicker as they were thick with a harder crust than I would like.

Enjoy!

M.

The post Cinnamon buns (dairy and egg free) appeared first on Rustik Health.

Only a few months ago, I would have told you I would NEVER remove meat from my “diet”… but ALL animal products (except bee products) have gone out the window these last several weeks except for the very rare occasion.

For the record, I hate the word “diet” which is why it’s in quotation marks. I really, really hate it. Can we remove it from the modern vocabulary?!

I was already eating loads of veggies but I’ve shifted my focus to the fruit – the melons, the berries and the grapes (you can read why here). I’ve even TONED DOWN the veggies.

The ultimate goal is to eventually go 100% raw but I still crave the odd roasted vegetable. We’ll see how my body adjusts to the already drastic changes I’ve done and we’ll go from there. I do see myself (finally!) being able to do a real juice fast and I’m actually excited about it instead of dreading it.

So whether or not this type of eating is good for everyone would certainly spark a huge debate. Always do your research before switching anything up and reach out to your healthcare professional if you have any reason to be concerned.

I’m personally going this route because it makes sense to me that fruit (and some fruits in particular) are highly astringent, cleansing and hydrating compared to most vegetables and the other food groups.

And if the so-called expert sources I’m paying attention to now are correct, all my current health issues center around excess mucus (I know, that sounds gross…). I am voluntarily being a guinea pig to see if I can break it up and eliminate it from my body through these food changes.

I’ve been having good days and bad days but it’s all part of the healing process. I’ve got decades of milk-drinking and salami-eating under my belt so I expect it’ll take a few years to undo it all.

One of my favourite quotes is from actress Kristen Bell’s therapist. She shared that he once told her: “you can’t walk 10 miles into the woods and expect to get out in 5…” It was said in a totally different context but I think it applies really well to health.

What about this liquid sunshine morning drink you ask?! Am I ever going to get around to talking about it???

Well, it’s how I’ve been starting my days on this fruitarian regime. The first thing I’ve been drinking is a mish mash of citrus juices: the ULTIMATE mucus destroyers.

There’s no precise recipe here… I’ll take whatever combo I’m feeling that day of lemon, lime, orange and/or grapefruit, use my citrus press machine and fill up a 6 oz glass. To protect my enamel, I’ll use a straw or chug it so fast down the back of my throat it never gets to touch my teeth.

Side note: depending on your health struggles, high-acid fruit to break your fast in the morning might not be the best option. Some days I’m not feeling the acidity and will reach for watermelon.

I’ll share more about what I’m doing and how things are working as I continue to move forward on this journey. To get the latest blog post updates, make sure you subscribe to my blog so you can get the notifications in your emails. Or, join my mailing list.

Cheers to citrus juice!

M.

The post Liquid sunshine morning drink appeared first on Rustik Health.

So my smoothie recipe is not for every palate. If you’re a crunchy health nut like me, you might think it is delicious! Otherwise, don’t get your hopes up

This is my basic recipe, and it rarely changes:

• 1 banana 
• 1 cup pineapple  or mango  
• 3-4 kale leaves or a handful of spinach
• 1/2 bunch parsley 
• 1 chunk cucumber  
• 1 tbsp goji berries 
• 3 tbsp hemp seeds or chia seeds
• 1 tsp spirulina or chlorella
• 1 tsp Maca or Tulsi
• 1 tsp bee pollen  
• 1-2 cups spring or coconut water
• 1 tbsp coconut or MCT oil (occasionally)

No dairy… no store-bought dairy alternatives… no protein powders… just simple, mostly unprocessed foods!

What’s in your smoothie?

M.

The post What’s in my smoothie? appeared first on Rustik Health.

A new habit I recently incorporated into my lifestyle is making homemade kombucha tea.

Kombucha has a host of health benefits but I take it primarily for digestion and gut health. I make sure my 6-year old son drinks one glass a couple of times per week. He loves it! You can learn more about why it’s so good for you here and here.

There are a variety of ways to make it – my personal favourite is to customize with hibiscus. Hibiscus has its own benefits, plus a great taste! You can use black, white or green tea for this recipe. However, I usually stick to green tea.

Ingredients

1. 6 cups of water
2. 1/2 cup organic white or coconut palm sugar
3. 2 tbsp green tea leaves (or 7 tea bags)
4. 1/3 cups of dried hibiscus leaves
5. 1/2 cup starter liquid from a previous batch
6. Kombucha SCOBY
7. Glass container
8. Cloth or towel
9. Rubber band

Instructions

Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Remove from heat and mix in sugar until dissolved. In a fine-mesh strainer, place tea and hibiscus. Sit strainer in the pot, ensure the liquid covers the leaves and let sit for 10 – 20 minutes.

Remove the strainer and let cool completely – do not let hot liquid come in contact with your SCOBY. Once cooled, pour the tea into a glass container with the SCOBY and starter liquid. Cover with a clean cloth and secure with the rubber band. Let the mixture sit in a dark place for a minimum of 7 days.

I was lucky enough to get SCOBY from my aunt, along with the 1/2 cup starter liquid from a previous batch which is required for the recipe. You can also buy a SCOBY kit online to get started.

Once brewed and ready to drink, I love to add a drop of lemon doTERRA essential oil which is safe for internal use.

Enjoy!

M.

The post Sweet hibiscus kombucha tea appeared first on Rustik Health.