What Nourishes Me. . . and Recipes.

I read in a book today that every person should keep notes about what inspires of nourishes you, and it's been popping back into my mind every little while, so I thought I would start one of those lists:

1.  PEDICURES!!
2.  Reading an engrossing book that makes me think.
3.  Lunch with a friend.
4.  A smiling baby with a new tooth.  (Just one.)
5.  The "Amie-ness" of my life--I'm enjoying it more every day.

Good talk.

It has been brought to my attention that I forgot to post the recipes for the super-hippie homemade cleaning products.  So here goes. 

Homemade Detergent

1 bar pure soap (Fels Naptha, Zote, etc.)
1 C. Washing soda (not baking soda)
1/2 C. borax
Medium sized container with lid

Grate soap (do not use for food after this) and place into container.  Add washing soda and borax.  Mix well.  Use 1 Tbsp. per load or  Tbsp. per load for heavily soiled clothing.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

2 C. Borax
2 C. Arm and Hammer washing soda
1 C. Lemi shine
1 C. Kosher salt

(I found all these items in my super Wal-Mart)  Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until mixed.  The recipe I found suggests running an empty dishwasher cycle with this solution to make sure your dishwasher is clean.  Use 1 tsp. of detergent per load of dishes.  LIke I said--it works wonderfully!

Homemade Febreeze

2 C. Warm Water
1/4 C. Liquid Fabric Softener
1 tsp. baking soda

Mix these three ingredients together in a spray bottle, shake well, and spray.

Also, we have baby worms in my classroom!  Not sure why this is so exciting, but it is.  I read in my extensive literature about vermicomposting (composting with worms) that they only reproduce when they are comfortable, so I'm feeling like a good hostess.