I am sure those words from The Sound of Music sound familiar to you. I am going to share with you a few of my favorite things since we are in the Holiday Season. These are products I use daily, and they offer solutions for many issues. Also, they are non-toxic, healthful and save money in some cases.
I love using anything natural as it is one more defense against health issues as we age. I also feel it is important to keep our homes clean and sanitized.
Truly, I am into researching the best way to support aging gracefully which gave me the inspiration to write my book, Feel Better Every Day. Sometimes, life just happens no matter what we do but we can try our best to stay healthy and feel good.
Baking Soda
I love baking soda and use it every day in one way or another. I remember my mother having a box of baking soda open in the fridge. Other than that, I never heard of anyone actually using it for anything else.
I have a cup of baking soda in the laundry room for washing clothes, next to the litter box, and one in each bathroom for quick cleaning.
When I am in a hurry, I often just pour a little in the toilet, sinks and tub and clean up in about 10 minutes. I also mix baking soda with white vinegar and a favorite essential oil such as lemon or lavender, and clean almost everything in my house.
I make my own toothpaste which is far superior to commercial brands that possess many additives. Also, my husband gets an occasional bout of heartburn and one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water ends it.
Cacao Powder
Most of you are familiar with cocoa powder, and cacao powder is just the healthier version. There are no preservatives added and also no heat treatment. Cacao powder is reported to have four times the antioxidant power then regular cocoa powder.
Add some to your coffee or milk, or make delicious chocolate pudding. It can be a healthy substitute when you need cocoa for a recipe. The good news is that most of us love chocolate so why not use the best?
Hydrogen Peroxide
My first experience with hydrogen peroxide was as a teenager. I dipped some cotton in the solution and spread it on my hair. I got the results I wanted – red/orange hair, and a very angry mother, which was not in my plan.
Today, I add a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide in my toothpaste blend, and some to my cleaning solutions and produce wash. It is also excellent for scratches and bruises.
Tonic Water
I am not going to suggest Gin and Tonic here, though it is certainly okay. I keep a bottle of tonic in my house for that occasional leg cramp. As I hobble to the kitchen, I take a few sips and the cramp is gone.
Cider Vinegar
This vinegar has been around for years and was used to cure many illnesses. There is lots of hype today with reports of curing many illnesses and conditions.
I personally use it for making salad dressings and even adding to soups and stews. I was in the fabric store the other day and chatting with the sales lady about my book. Anyone who will listen gets an earful.
She told me about her experience with cider vinegar. She had a stroke several years ago and now has her cider vinegar every day. She is no longer on blood pressure medication. You may want to research for yourself. I have done a lot of reading about cider vinegar and feel it may be wise taking it every day.
Lavender Essential Oil
I love essential oils and make many lotions and potions. Lavender is my favorite and appears in many recipes that I create. I even keep a small bottle by my computer and give it a sniff when I feel stressed or tired.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you have some favorite natural things you use? I would love to know about them, so please share in the comments below.
