DIY eco-friendly products for laundry

I am really tired of the same old Seventh Generation and Ecos products. I am really big on having my laundry smell amazing for days after pulling it out if the dryer, and so far I have not been able to find any eco-friendly laundry products that would have a good variety of fresh-laundry smells that I would find attractive. I am tired as hell of Lavender and all the lavender variations. Not to mention that the smell just does not stay. I cannot smell the Magnolia and Lily even when I am smelling it out of the bottle. The smell is too subtle. My dry laundry smells like an old dryer.

So, looking for new options.

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Although they may make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, fabric softener and dryer sheets are some of the most toxic products around. And chances are thatthe staggering 99.8 percent of Americans who use common commercial detergents, fabric softeners, bleaches, and stain removers would think twice if they knew they contained chemicals that could cause cancer and brain damage.

• Benzyl acetate:Linked to pancreatic cancer
• Benzyl Alcohol:Upper respiratory tract irritant
• Ethanol:On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
• Limonene:Known carcinogen
• A-Terpineol:Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
• Ethyl Acetate:A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
• Camphor:Causes central nervous system disorders
• Chloroform:Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
• Linalool:A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
• Pentane:A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?

The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling -- so strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50 times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells. Furthermore, synthetic fabrics, which are the reason fabric softeners were created in the first place, do not smell good either when heated in a dryer or heated by our bodies ... hence the need for even more hefty fragrances.

In other words, remove all the added fragrance that endears people to fabric softeners and -- like the cliché wolf in sheep's clothing -- the real smells of the chemical-laced fabric softener and the synthetic fabrics they were designed around may prompt people to shoot their laundry machines and be done with it.

Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb. Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the environment. Health effects from being exposed to the chemicals in fabric softeners include:

• Central nervous system disorders
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Blood pressure reduction
• Irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract
• Pancreatic cancer

Even if you don't feel the effects of these chemicals today, they can affect you gradually over time, and children, whose systems are still developing, are particularly at risk.There's really no reason to expose yourself to these risky chemicals when natural alternatives exist. Not only are they safer for you, your family and the environment, but they're much more economical too:

• Learn about Static Eliminator, a 100% safe, non-toxic dryer sheet system that is more effective at softening clothes and eliminating static cling but poses no risk to you and your family! This is one of the most highly recommended of all products we have reviewed, and you will find it is also extremely economical, too!
• Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle to soften fabric
• Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to rinse to soften fabric and eliminate cling
• Check out your local health food store for a natural fabric softener that uses a natural base like soy instead of chemicals

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http://wakeup-world.com/2012/06/13/8-toxins-lurking-in-your-fabric-softener-6-natural-alternatives/

6 Natural Alternatives

The standard argument in favor of using fabric softeners is that the amount of the chemicals to which a person is exposed is insufficient to cause harm. Studies are showing that even small amounts of these toxins can have serious effects. So, think twice before you add that dryer sheet or liquid fabric softener to your laundry, particularly for children whose developing brains are more vulnerable to the effects of toxins.

According to the Allergy and Environmental Health Association, both liquid and dryer sheet fabric softeners are “the most toxic product produced for daily household use.” Most of the popular brands of fabric softeners contain many neurotoxins (substances that are toxic to the brain and nervous system) and other types of toxins.

So, you’re ready to forego commercial fabric softeners but you still want soft clothes. What are your options? Well, here are my 6 suggestions to detox your laundry:

1. Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to the water in your washing machine and let it dissolve prior to adding your clothes. This is my preferred method since the baking soda acts as a water softener and helps makes clothes super soft.

2. Some people toss tennis balls or other rubber balls into the dryer with clothes. I’m not a huge fan of this method since the heat of the dryer can cause the rubber to off-gas onto your clothing. If you have an allergy to latex, this is definitely not the method for you. Plus, I wouldn’t choose this method if you’re drying delicate clothing items. Alternatively, try making your ownfelt wool dryer balls

3. Adding a cup of vinegar to the wash water can also soften clothes but I don’t find this method as effective as the baking soda technique.

4. To help with static, there’s the aluminum foil ball technique. Tightly scrunch a piece of foil to form a ball. Throw it in with clothes in the dryer. There is some possible concern with increasing your exposure to aluminum (which has been linked to some brain disorders). It can also snag delicate clothes.

5. Try to keep synthetic fabrics out of the dryer since they are the culprits when it comes to static. Natural fibers like cotton, bamboo, hemp, and linen are best dried on their own.

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http://www.thriftyfun.com/Eco-Friendly-Alternatives-To-Fabric-Softeners-1.html

Fabric Softener and Flammability

According to the Department of Chemistry at McGill University, studies have shown that when liquid fabric softener is added to the rinse cycle, certain fabrics become up to 7 times more flammable. The fabrics most at risk are flannel, terrycloth, and fleece (especially when made of cotton). They have a greater surface area (and therefore hold more fabric softener) due to their soft fluffy texture. Liquid fabric softener should never be used on these types of fabrics or on children's clothing, even if the fabric has been treated with flame retardants, because fabric softener reduces their effectiveness.

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Safe Alternatives for Softening Clothes

Commercially-Made Brands

There are now dozens of eco-friendly fabric softeners and dryer sheets available. Here is a short list of some popular brands:

FS = fabric softener DS = dryer sheets

• ECOVER (FS)
• Method (FS)
• Mountain Green (FS and DS)
• Proctor and Gamble's Bounce-Free Fabric Sheets (releases biodegradable fabric softening agents. Contains no dyes or perfumes). (DS)
• Seventh Generation (FS)

Do-It-Yourself Fabric Softeners

• Baking Soda: Add a quarter cup of baking soda to wash cycle to soften fabrics.
• Vinegar: Vinegar is a good non-toxic alternative to fabric softener. It softens fabrics and also helps prevent static cling. Use it on towels, diapers, and heavy fabrics like denim (avoid using it on delicates). Add 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar to your rinse cycle.
• Vegetable Glycerin: Some of the earliest fabric softeners were made of soaps and oils, so it's no surprise that vegetable glycerin works like a traditional fabric softener. Mix 1 cup of vegetable glycerin with 1 gallon of water, and add 1/2cup of the mixture to your rinse cycle.

Do-It Yourself Dryer Sheets

• Aluminum Foil: Believe it or not, a crumpled up wad of aluminum foil in the dryer eliminates static cling.
• Tennis Balls: While they won't reduce static cling, they will keep your sheets nice and fluffy.
• Dry Bath Towel: Throw it in the dryer with your wet clothes and it will soften everything while they are drying.

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https://www.greenamerica.org/programs/livinggreen/articles/GoingGreenWithYourLaundry.cfm

Some excellent green laundry detergents to try include:

• Ecover (800/449-4925, www.ecover.com)—Offers nontoxic powder and liquid detergents, as well as a detergent for delicates.
• Natural Choices Home Safe Products (866/699-2667, www.oxyboost.com)—Sells Oxyprime, a nontoxic laundry detergent, and Allergy Free, a detergent for people with chemical sensitivities.
• Sun & Earth (800/596-7233, ext. 11, www.sunandearth.com)—Offers a “Deep Cleaning Formula” laundry detergent.
• Seventh Generation (802/658-3773, www.seventhgeneration.com)—Sells nontoxic liquid and powder laundry detergent, as well as Free and Clear fragrance-free laundry detergent and a detergent for baby clothes.

Conventional bleaches and fabric softeners have their problems, too. Conventional bleaches are made from chlorine, a known carcinogen according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Fabric softeners contain chemicals that can cause allergic reactions. What’s a concerned consumer to do? Try these nontoxic alternatives:

For whitening:

• Use a non-chlorine bleach, such as oxygen bleaches like Oxyboost, available from Natural Choices Home Safe Products. Also, Ecover offers two natural, chlorine-free bleaches, one made with hydrogen peroxide, and one with percarbonate.
• Soak clothes overnight in a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to eight parts cold water. Wash as normal.

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So, what is in Seventh Generation dryer sheets?

Ingredients: Palm fatty acid (plant-derived softener), di-(palm carboxyethyl) hydroxyethyl methylammonium methyl sulfates (plant-derived softener).

Fragranced with plant-based essential oils and botanical extracts*

Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender: Eucalyptus dives, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, pinus sylvestris (pine)..

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/dryer-sheets

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What is in Eco's Laundry Detergent?

http://www.ecos.com/ecosliquid.html#spec

Ingredients:

• Magnolia & Lily - Water (CAS#7732-18-5), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (coconut-based surfactant, CAS#61789-40-0), Sodium Coco-Sulfate (coconut-based surfactant, CAS#68955-19-1), Cocamidopropylamine Oxide (coconut-based surfactant, CAS#68155-09-9), Phenoxyethanol (preservative, CAS#122-99-6), Fragrance, Methylisothiazolinone (preservative, CAS#2682-20-4), Equisetum Hiemale (Horsetail Plant) Extract (CAS#71001-23-9).

Features:

• Neutral pH (7-8), rarely causes irritations in customers with skin sensitivities/allergies.
• Non-polluting/100% biodegradable/non-toxic/natural.
• Made of replenishable/sustainable ingredients
• Plant-based surfactants we use do not harm the item being cleaned, your body or the environment
• Color-safe: clothes do not discolor as easily as with other more alkaline detergents
• Palm oil FREE

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DIY fabric softner

http://everydayroots.com/homemade-fabric-softener

How to Make a Simple & Naturally Scented Fabric Softener

Easy to make, low-cost, and totally customizable, these “crystals” will leave your laundry soft and smelling lovely. The baking soda added in will naturally make whites whiter, and pull out even the toughest stains. Being an alkaline substance (opposite of acidic) it can neutralize the acid in stains that come from various cleaners, urine, or vomit. It is also environmentally friendly and perfect for people who have sensitive skin. To top it off, it won’t harm fragile fabrics, and it is a brilliant odor remover in the sense that it actually gets rid of smells…it doesn’t mask them with perfumey scents like other fabric softeners do.

You will need…

-2 cups of Epsom salt or course sea salt
-20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil or blend of scents
-1/2 cup baking soda
-A container with a tightly fitting lid
-A marker

Directions

Mix together 2 cups of Epsom salt or course sea salt and add 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil-we used lemon for its bright, refreshing scent.

Stir in the essential oil before mixing in ½ cup of baking soda (alternately, you can leave out the baking soda, and add it separately, which works well.)

After mixing together pour into a container with a tightly fitting lid and label it if you plan on making more with different scents. Use 2-3 tablespoons and toss in with your clothes before rinsing. If using the baking soda separately, add half a cup to each load.

You can double this recipe if you’d like, and adjust the amount of essential oil if you want it to smell stronger/weaker.

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http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/homemade-fabric-softener-picture-tutorial/

Homemade Fabric Softener

Ingredients

• 2 cups hair conditioner, pick a scent you like
• 3 cups white vinegar
• 6 cups hot water 
• Essential Oil if desired

Instructions

1. Mix the water, vinegar & conditioner together. I used my big pitcher (easy to mix in and easy to pour into another container). Stir, don't shake... be patient, it might take a few minutes to smooth it out.
2. Add some drops of essential oil if you desire (I love to add Purify and Ongaurd)
3. Use a funnel and pour it into your old fabric softener dispenser.

Oral surgery: my discovery-recovery (Day 1 -3)

I had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. This will be just a record of how the recovery went, and what I found to work or not to work for me during this period.

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DAY OF THE OPERATION


Weight - 143.4 lb

I do not remember the operation at all. The doctor came in and asked me how I was feeling (I was feeling fantastic). The last thing I remember was the 3 nurses putting an IV into my arm, talking to the doctor, and trying to adjust some monitors over my head. When I woke up abruptly, the room was almost empty, with just one nurse removing heart rate monitors from my chest. She asked me if I thought I could sit up, and she helped me up. I slowly staggered toward the door, and my husband met met me at the door and lead me straight toward the car.

I was really groggy when my husband got me home. My head was heavy and my lower jaw and tongue felt like made of wood. The gauze they put in my mouth was making me gag - they made it too think. As soon as I could, I pulled it out and applied fresh gauze pieces that were not quite so think. My mouth was so completely dry, I could not shove it in easily, the inside of my cheeks was like dry concrete. I then applied ice packs to my jaw and cheek area, and they felt good on my face.

Pain meds:
My husband gave me a half a pill of hydrocodone as soon as we got home. We decided ahead of time to use half-pills (unless pain was severe) to avoid side effects such as nausea and weakness. I also put 2 pellets of Arnica 30C under my tongue, but my mouth was so dry at the time, they did not dissolve almost at all, and I had to pull them back out to avoid gagging on them.

Food: To chase down the pain pill I drank some Plum Organic Spinach, Peas & Pear baby food from a squirt bottle. My lips were not moving or feeling, but I could put the neck of the package right into my mouth and just squeeze gently to have a little food pour out in small controlled portions. I could then swallow slowly with the back of my tongue. The taste of the food was fantastic, and I enjoyed the whole pouch. I did not realize the food was running out of the sides of my lips until my husband wiped them - this is how deadened my lips and gums were!


After that my husband used the syringe the nurses gave us to apply tepid water to the inside of my cheeks to wash away any leftover food. I was seated upright in a comfy chair (as per discharge instructions from the doctor). I pulled the blanket over my eyes and went to sleep right away.

I woke up a couple of hours later feeling numb but hungry. My lower left cheek felt very tender and had a little gnawing pain in it, but just slightly. Other 3 sites were completely numb. I pulled out my gauze and it was soaked in blood.

Meds and food. I had another pouch of Spinach, Peas & Pear baby food (and it was really tasty again), another mouth-rinse with the syringe, and another half a pill of hydrocodone. I put more Arnica pellets under my tongue and this time they dissolved right away. To control bleeding, instead of gauze i decided to apply tea bags to my wound areas.

I then re-applied the ice packs to my face and asked my husband to bring my book, so I could read.
Because of the gauze pads and the numb jaw plus the ice packs I could not talk at all. My husband brought me a pencil and a piece of paper, and I had to use writing as my main method of communication for about half a day.

For the rest of the day I alternated between different flavors of Plum Organic baby foods, the organic protein chocolate shake from Svelte, and Earth First Organic Chicken and Brown Rice baby mush (that one was pretty gross to my taste). The protein shake was causing alot of gas and pain in my tummy, but it was the only thing I could sip on other than water.



   
I discovered that any cold drinks woke up my painful lower left side, so I had to stick with the room-temperature foods and drinks. To control the bleeding, I continued to use tea bags instead of gauze. After a while I discovered that the tea bags seep a darn strong mix of black tea, blood, and saliva into my mouth, and it was very bitter and think to swallow, but I decided to stick with the tea bags.

I continued to take half a pill of pain meds every 2 hours, and toward the end of 2nd hour I usually could feel my painful lower left gum waking up, but the rest of the sides were numb completely. After every pain pill I would apply Arnica as well.

Toward the evening I felt like my strength was returning. I nearly finished my book, I washed some dishes, and I started to read and sort mail. My husband and I went for a short walk outside, as the weather was great. I had to lean on him from time to time and we walked slowly, but other than that enjoyed my outing. I went to sleep in upright sitting position in my char about 10 pm that day with some gauze pads ticked deep into my cheeks to control any bleeding overnight.

The feeling in my tongue returned about 5-6 hours after the operation. The feeling in my jaw returned completely within 7 or 8 hours, and I could finally communicate through speech (rather than through writing).



DAY 2

Weight - 140.6 lb

Waking up every 2 hours to take my pain pill was very inconvenient (because I needed to eat and then to wash up). So, to get some restful sleep, I tool a full pill of hydrocodone around 2 am, and did not wake up until 7 am, feeling fantastic and full of energy. There was no pain anywhere.

I ate another pouch of the Plum Organic baby food (Pear and Apple) but still felt hungry. When my husband tried to wash my mouth with the syringe, he apparently pointed to syringe right at the wound, because the water hitting the wound immediately make the whole area filled with awful stabbing pain. It took a few minutes to settle that pain down, but it went down on its own.

Meds: I took 1 pill of antibiotic and one doze of Milk Thistle (to help to support liver). Took 2 pellets of Arnica. I applied a few drops of Dragon Blood to my most painful area on the lower left to see if it made any difference to the healing for that site. Against my expectations, the tincture did not sting at all.

     
Strangely enough, I had no other painful sites (although the gums above the extraction sites felt sore if I pressed on them with my finger). I decided to wait another hour or so to see where the pain would appear. In the meantime, I decided to go feed the dogs and to water my garden, check mail, and check some recipes online for home-made baby food.


Around 10 am I had some canned tomato soup (room temperature) and some apple sauce for dessert, and both very darn tasty. I decided to start washing my mouth with salt water rather than plain water, and it was hard to remember not to be too energetic and not to spit. I felt so good and normal that I had to remind myself of the recovery rules. 

PUREED SOUPS recipes / Супы - пюре

http://katherinetallmadge.com/2013/04/23/the-puree-of-asparagus-soup-with-tarragon-diet/

Katherine’s Puree of Asparagus Soup with Tarragon



http://www.wholeliving.com/185174/10-pureed-soup-recipes#130945

10 Pureed Soup Recipes

DIY potpourri With Dried Flowers and Herbs

http://www.make-stuff.com/formulas_&_remedies/home_&_hearth/makingpotpourribasics.html

Potpourri is a wonderful, natural air freshener that’s easy to make if you know the basics. We’ll describe the basic components of potpourri, how to dry the filler material, how to combine fragrances, and then we’ll give you a basic potpourri recipe that you can use with your favorite ingredients. To wrap up, we’ll provide some links to potpourri recipes available on the Web. Potpourri is comprised of three basic elements: the filler, the fixative and the fragrance.

The Filler 
There are three basic types of filler:

• spices
• fragrant flowers and herbs
• non-fragrant flowers and leaves

Spices are best used whole because ground spices don’t look nice in the finished potpourri. You can, however, use ground spices for sachets or other items where the potpourri isn’t visible. Herbs, roses, jasmine, and lavender are referred to as fragrant flowers and herbs. They all have a font scent that will come through in the finished potpourri. All other flowers and leaves are referred to as non-fragrant flowers and leaves. Although these fillers do have some fragrance, it isn’t very font. The non-fragrant flowers and leaves are added to potpourri mostly for visual appeal. Items like pine cones and nuts are also considered non-fragrant fillers that look beautiful in a potpourri mixture. You’ll need to thoroughly dry all of your filler material before it can by added to the potpourri mixture. It’s best to dry each type of filler material separately, because different types of filler may dry at different rates. And if you keep the material separate while drying, you can experiment with different combinations of filler as you create your potpourri. Here are two methods for drying your filler material:

1. Select a container with an airtight lid. Place the material into the container. Cover the material with silica gel or another drying agent then seal the container. It will take several days for the filler to dry completely.
2. Spread the filler in a single layer on a rack. Place the rack in a warm, well ventilated area. Turn the filler every couple of days. Drying takes several days.

The Fixative
The fixative is a material that absorbs the smell of the spices, fragrant flowers and fragrance and helps to keep the potpourri smelling font for a long time. Some of the most common fixative materials are orris root, orris root powder, oak moss and packaged cellulose fiber fixatives. 

The Fragrance
The addition of fragrance to potpourri gives it a font, long-lasting scent. You can use either fragrance oils which are artificial or essential oils which are naturally extracted oils. Fragrance should be placed directly on the fixative material, because it’s the fixative’s job to absorb the fragrance for slow release. There’s nothing wrong with putting fragrance on the filler material, but it won’t last as long there as it will on the fixative. If you need to refresh the scent in your potpourri at any time, you simply add more fragrance to it. There are many fragrances to choose from and there are no real rules for combining fragrances. Remember, your goal is to create a potpourri that smells good to you. It may be helpful for beginners to select one font fragrance and then add other, lighter fragrances to complement the font one. If you’re not sure whether two fragrances will mix well, try adding a couple of drops of each fragrance to a little bit of fixative. Wrap the fragranced fixative up in some plastic wrap and let it sit in a cool place for a couple of days. Unwrap and smell. If you like the scent, go ahead and use the combination in your potpourri. Below is a chart listing some of the most popular fragrances. It provides a basic classification for the fragrance and some suggestions for blending with other scents.

Fragrance	Classification	Blends well with:
Allspice berry	spicy	cinnamon, citrus
Anise sweet,	licorice	citrus, cinnamon, chamomile
Bay	spicy	citrus, cinnamon, clove, cumin, coriander, lavender, rosemary, geranium
Bergamot	fruity, floral	citrus, lavender, geranium, neroli, jasmine
Cardamom	spicy	florals like geranium, jasmine, chamomile and spices like cinnamon, clove and allspice
Caraway	spicy	jasmine, cinnamon, geranium
Cassia - also known as cinnamon	spicy	see cinnamon
Cedarwood	balsamic, earthy	patchouli, spruce, fir, pine
Chamomile	floral	bergamot, clary sage, rose, lavender
Cinnamon	spicy	spices like allspice, clove, cardamom, citrus, lavender
Citronella	citrusy	geranium, lemon, bergamot, fir, pine, spruce, cedarwood
Clove	spicy	clary sage, bergamot, cinnamon, vanilla, rose
Clary sage	sweet and spicy	juniper, lavender, cardamom, geranium, citrus
Coriander	spicy and sweet	neroli, ginger, cinnamon, jasmine
Cumin	spicy	lavender, cinnamon, rosemary
Eucalyptus	earthy, balsamic	rosemary, lavender, cinnamon
Fir	spicy, earthy, fresh	citrus, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, chamomile, geranium, jasmine, rose
Frankincense	sweet and spicy	cinnamon, sandalwood, patchouli, mint, myrrh, clove
Geranium	sweet	citrus, lavender, spices like cinnamon and clove, jasmine, mint
Ginger	spicy, fresh	citrus, patchouli, rose, sandalwood
Hyssop	spicy	clary sage, clove, rosemary, citrus
Jasmine	sweet, floral	geranium, chamomile, patchouli, cinnamon, clove, citrus
Juniper	earthy, woodsy	lavender, sandalwood, clary sage, pine, spruce, fir
Lavender	sweet	citrus, clove, pine, clary sage, fir, patchouli, rose, ylang ylang
Lemon (and other citrus)	fresh, citrus	citrus, ylang ylang, rose, lavender, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, fir, pine, spruce
Lemongrass	fresh, citrus	citrus, ylang ylang, rose, lavender, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, fir, pine, spruce
Myrrh	spicy, earthy	frankincense, sandalwood, patchouli, mint, cinnamon, clove
Neroli	spicy, floral	citrus, chamomile, geranium, lavender, jasmine
Nutmeg	spicy	citrus, allspice, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, lavender, rose, citrus
Peppermint	fresh, minty	wintergreen, eucalyptus, citrus, patchouli, jasmine, rose
Pine	earthy, fresh	cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, citrus, rose
Rose	floral	citrus, patchouli, neroli, jasmine, chamomile, geranium, clove, cinnamon
Rosemary	earthy	lavender, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, cumin
Rosewood	spicy	citrus, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, geranium
Sandalwood	sweet, earthy	lavender, patchouli
Spruce	fresh	lavender, rosemary, fir, pine, cinnamon
Vanilla	sweet	cinnamon, rose, clove, nutmeg, allspice, citrus
Wintergreen	minty, fresh	peppermint, eucalyptus, citrus, patchouli, jasmine, rose
Ylang Ylang	floral	neroli, jasmine, rose, jasmine

Basic Potpourri Recipe

1. Dry your filler material as described above or purchase dried filler material.
2. Combine your filler materials. Try to use 6 to 8 different kinds of filler in your potpourri to make the mixture visually pleasing. Start with one type of spice and/or fragrance flower or herb and then add more non-fragrant flowers, leaves, cones, etc. You’ll want a total of 8 to 12 cups of filler.
3. Use 8 to 10 tablespoons of fixative. Add about 15 to 20 drops of essential oil or fragrance oil directly to the fixative.
4. Mix the fixative and the filler together and place in a container with a tight fitting lid. Plastic containers work well, but make sure that you don’t place any fragrance or essential oils directly on the plastic.
5. Cover the mixture tightly and place in a cool dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. Every second day, open the container and gently stir the mixture.
6. Your potpourri is now ready to use. To preserve the scent, cover the potpourri when not in use. Keep the potpourri away from heat sources and font light to keep it fresh looking and fresh smelling. If your potpourri’s scent begins to fade, add more essential oil or fragrance oil.

Kelp - benefits and side effects

http://www.livestrong.com/article/354597-the-health-benefits-side-effects-of-kelp/

Kelp is a type of seaweed, or algae, commonly eaten in Asian countries, such as Japan and China. Kelp is found mainly in kelp forests within shallow bodies of saltwater and can grow up to half a meter a day, ultimately reaching heights of 30 to 80 meters. Kelp is considered a super-food because of all the nutrients it contains. Eating large amounts of it can cause side effects.

Vitamins and Minerals

Kelp contains many vitamins, especially B vitamins, which are essential for cellular metabolism and providing your body with energy. It also contains vitamins C and E, which are both strong antioxidants and promote blood vessel health. Minerals, such as calcium, boron and magnesium are plentiful in kelp; they are necessary for strong bones and normal muscle function.

Sodium Alginate

Kelp, like other seaweeds, is rich in sodium alginate, which is an element effective at protecting the body from radiation and removing it. According to a 1964 study published in the “Canadian Medical Association Journal,” sodium alginate derived from kelp reduced radioactive strontium absorption in the intestines by 50 to 80 percent. Specifically, sodium alginate allows calcium to be absorbed through the intestinal wall while binding most of the strontium, which is excreted from the body

Iodine

Seaweed is also a rich source of iodine, which is a crucial nutrient for the thyroid. A deficiency in iodine leads to goiter, or swelling of the thyroid, and metabolism disruption. Iodine is the main element used to synthesize the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. The thyroid gland absorbs iodide from the bloodstream to make its hormones, although the process is regulated by the pituitary gland. Consuming iodine from plants like kelp also helps reduce the effects of radiation exposure.

Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is used by plants to convert sunlight into energy, and it contains many nutrients, including antioxidants and amino acids. Chlorophyll is also similar in composition to human blood, so consumption of it can stimulate red blood cell production, which can increase oxygenation around the body. Kelp contains plentiful amounts of chlorophyll.

Side Effects

Kelp contains a large amount of iodine, which can cause side effects. Although some iodine is essential for thyroid function, ingesting too much of it can negatively affect thyroid function, causing hypo- or hyper-thyroidism. Many thyroid specialists suggest that adults consume about 150 micrograms of iodine daily, although that is well below the level that could cause side effects. Table salt is iodized, so you should balance your kelp consumption against your salt intake.

Kelp might also contain arsenic, and consuming large amounts of kelp supplements might lead to arsenic poisoning.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=135

• Sea vegetables may be a better source of bioavailable iron than previously thought. One tablespoon of dried sea vegetable will contain between 1/2 milligram and 35 milligrams of iron, and this iron is also accompanied by a measurable amount vitamin C. Since vitamin C acts to increase the bioavailability of plant iron, this combination in sea vegetables may offer a special benefit.
• Brown algae (including the commonly eaten sea vegetables kombu/kelp, wakame, and arame may be unique among the sea vegetables in their iodine content. Some species from the brown algae genus Laminaria are able to accumulate iodine in up to 30,000 times more concentrated a form than sea water!
• Sea vegetables may be a unique food source not only of the mineral iodine, but also of the mineral vanadium. As part of their natural defense mechanisms, sea vegetables contain a variety of enzymes called haloperoxidases. These enzymes all require vanadium in order to function. Although this mineral is not as well known as some of the other mineral nutrients, it appears to play a multi-faceted role in regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar. While research in this area is still in the preliminary stage and remains mixed in terms of results, vanadium may help to increase our body's sensitivity to insulin by inhibiting a group of enzymes called protein tyrosine phosphatases. It may also help us decrease our body's production of glucose and help us increase our body's ability to store starch in the form of glycogen.
• Unlike some other types of vegetables, sea vegetables do not appear to depend solely on common polyphenol antioxidants (like flavonoids) or terpenoid antioxidants (like carotenoids) for their total antioxidant capacity. Recent research from India makes it clear that a variety of non-flavonoid and non-carotenoid antioxidant compounds are present in sea vegetables, including several different types of antioxidant alkaloids.
• An increasing number of health benefits from sea vegetables are being explained by their fucoidan concent. Fucoidans are starch-like (polysaccharide) molecules, but they are unique in their complicated structure (which involves a high degree of branching) and their sulfur content. Numerous studies have documented the anti-inflammatory benefits of fucoidans (sometimes referred to as sulfated polysaccharides), and osteoarthritis has been an area of specific interest for these anti-inflammatory benefits. The sulfated polysaccharides in sea vegetables also have anti-viral activity and have been studied in relationship to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). By blocking the binding sites used by HSV-1 and HSV-2 for cell attachment, sulfated polysaccharides help prevent replication of these viruses. The sulfated polysaccharides in sea vegetables also have important anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties that bring valuable cardiovascular benefits.
• Sea vegetables may play a role in lowering risk of estrogen-related cancers, including breast cancer. Since cholesterol is required as a building block for production of estrogen, the cholesterol-lowering effects of sea vegetables may play a risk-reducing role in this regard. However, more interesting with respect to breast cancer risk is the apparent ability of sea vegetables to modify aspects of a woman's normal menstrual cycle in such a way that over a lifetime, the total cumulative estrogen secretion that occurs during the follicular phase of the cycle gets decreased. For women who are at risk of estrogen-sensitive breast cancers, sea vegetables may bring a special benefit in this regard.

WHFoods Recommendations

While the broad range of minerals provided by sea vegetables make them a great addition to your Healthiest Way of Eating, Westerners are often not quite sure how to add more of these nutrient-rich foods to their meals. One easy way is to keep a container of kelp flakes on the dinner table and use it instead of table salt for seasoning foods. You can also experiment with adding your favorite sea vegetable to vegetable dishes, salads, and miso soups. They are easy to add to dishes as they require no cooking (see Tips for Preparing Sea Vegetables in the How to Enjoy section below). It is recommended to include 1 tsp of sea vegetables to your Healthiest Way of Eating each day. 

Sea Vegetables, dulse, dried
1.00 TBS
(5.00 grams)

Calories: 11
GI: low

NutrientDRI/DV

 iodine500%

 vitamin C16%

 manganese16%

 vitamin B211%

 vitamin A9%

 copper9%

 protein4%

 phosphorus3%

 iron3%

 potassium3%

 zinc3%

 vitamin B33%

 vitamin B63%

 vitamin B13%

 pantothenic acid3%

This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Sea vegetables provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Sea vegetables can be found in theFood Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Sea vegetables, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-542-kelp%20(laminaria.aspx?activeingredientid=542&activeingredientname=kelp%20(laminaria

• Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with LAMINARIA
  
  Laminaria contains large amounts of potassium. Large amounts of potassium can increase the effects and side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin). Do not take laminaria if you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin).
• Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with LAMINARIA
  
  Laminaria contains large amounts of potassium. Some medications for high blood pressure can increase potassium levels in the blood. Taking laminaria along with some medications for high blood pressure might cause too much potassium in the blood.
  
  Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others.
• Potassium supplements interacts with LAMINARIA
• Thyroid hormone interacts with LAMINARIA
  
  The body naturally produces thyroid hormones. Laminaria might increase how much thyroid hormone the body produces. Taking laminaria along with thyroid hormone pills might increase the effects and side effects of thyroid hormones.
• Water pills (Potassium-sparing diuretics) interacts with LAMINARIA
  
  Laminaria contains large amounts of potassium. Some "water pills" can also increase potassium levels in the body. Taking some "water pills" along with laminaria might cause too much potassium to be in the body.

Yeast overgrowth in gut

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maura-henninger-nd/five-steps-to-treating-ca_b_4810659.html

1. Starve the yeast: This is the first step and we do this with diet. First, no sugar, which will feed the candida. No fruit in the first two weeks of treatment, then fruit is limited to two low-glycemic choices. No milk, which has the sugar lactose that tends to promote yeast overgrowth and in some cases, because milk can contain antibiotics, can promote overgrowth. No yeast-containing foods such as alcohol, peanuts, melons are recommended. Remove food sensitivities: By removing foods a patient is sensitive to (through testing, or an elimination diet), the gastrointestinal tract is better able to repair.

2. Kill the critters: This is can be a months-long process. Each month, I switch the protocol. Potentent antifungal herbs that I use: berberine, grapefruit seed extract, olive lea f-- there are many that are valuable. These are always combined with caprylic acid, which is also excellent at breaking down candida.

3. Repopulate the gut: It's essential to put good bugs into the gut to crowd out the bad ones; sacchromyces boulardii is particularly good at this. I have people rotate probiotics monthly. Probiotics also encourage proper bowel movements; if you're not pooping properly, the body will recirculate yeast and that's the last thing you want. Other things that ensure elimination: flaxseeds, psyllium and chia seeds mixed in salads and smoothies. Fermented foods are great for repopulating the gut with good bacteria: kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt and coconut water are my patients' favorites.

4. Support the detox process: Enhanced liver function is imperative at this time. The liver is the body's oil filter and when you get rid of Candida, it has to function optimally to help the body rid itself of the yeast. Too, candida has been shown to damage the liver. My favorite approach to liver support is biotherapeutic drainage, but I also use milk thistle and things like molybdenum.