Green Living: Homemade Cleaners

from Lydia Krupinski

I’m having a serious love affair with the Eco Etsy blog. Not that I’m biased or anything (I’m an official contributor), but I really do find myself enamored by the daily articles and encouragement that ensue. If you’re a clever crafter or a super greenie, you’ll find that the blog has something for everyone, no matter how new you are to the concept of conscious living.

An article that was posted last week brought this home. Despite all my knowledge of DIY, I have still never experimented with home cleaning products made by hand. But this article from the Eco Etsy blog has challenged me to give it a go – and I think you should too! Beyond making life healthier, creating your own cleaners will be easier on your wallet while eliminating all of the packaging that comes along with store bought products.

So if you’ve put off making your own tub scrub or floor detergent – make this week the one where you give it a shot! I’ll be sure to post my updated finds in the comments below, and I hope you will too!

Snack Attack: Rustic Homemade Granola

by Lydia Krupinski

One of my 2010  resolutions is to eat healthier snacks. Now, I’m not talking about Pirate Booty processed organic carb TJ chocolate chip cookie snacks, but honestly good-for-you bite-sized whole foods.  Things that are straight from the source, mixed up, raw, and baked…that’s what’s on my mind.

To start things off on the right foot I want to share my favorite recipe for home made granola. The ultimate renaisssance food, it is breakfast, snack, and power surge all in one! With the hearty nuts, dried anti-oxidant rich berries, soothing oatmeal, and comforting spices, you’re sure to fall in love as well.

As expected, I’ve tweaked the original concoction for my own palette, but any of the add ons below can be swapped for other ingredients.  Try walnuts in place of almonds, papaya in place of cherries, or add some cardamom and sprouted rice for an exotic twist!

Rustic Homemade Granola

DIY Recycled Paper

By Lydia Krupinski

A typical scenario: I’m downtown and realize that I’ve just run out of soy milk, so I stop at Trader Joes, and as is common, I don’t have my cloth shoppers with me.  My eyes turn downward. The guilt and shame of paper bagging envelope me as I leave the store.

DIY Deodorant

Written by Lydia Krupinski  Photos by David Paul Downs

Over the years I’ve tried every natural deodorant imaginable….Tom’s, Jason, Dr. Hauschka, Burt’s Bees, Lush, crystals, lotions, and good ole’ soap. All left me either stinky and slimy, or red and rashy.

Determined to win the battle, I began to scour the internet to find an effective DIY Deodorant recipe. After two failed attempts using Essential Day Spa’s recipe, I ditched the clay, coconut oil, and lavender, and opted for the following simplified recipe.

I recently recruited several guinea pigs, including my husband David, to put my homemade concotion to the test. Through wind and rain, heat and cold, lazy days and vigorous bike riding, my subjects’ pits smelled as fresh as ever! I am now proud to present you with this easy DIY Natural Deodorant tutorial… Sprout Chicago style!