References and other stuff

Here are a few references to things I've recently talked about:

Homemade Reese's PB cups: The only I changed was the chocolate (I only had Fair Trade dark cooking chocolate) and the peanut butter (I used normal Skippy creamy) but the rest was exactly like the recipe. Oh, and after they chilled completely, I put them in a Tupperware and just kept them at room temp- much better a little softer, if not the chocolate hardens too much in the fridge.

Tea tree oil (and any other essential oil): I used to go to Naturalia when I actually had time to go shopping (but this is a good thing that my free time is limited!= less temptation) but now any type of essential oil I get off of ebay. They seem more reasonable in price and you always find what you are looking for. Even a small flask lasts ages and I use it for the cloth diapers, for the cloth wipes and for cleaning.

Borax: I haven't yet found a source for this in France but I haven't really looked yet either!

Bath gel: On a soap making whim a couple years ago, I bought some fragrance oils but never opened them. Then this year, I had the idea to make bath gel instead of buying some to go with the knitted washclothes I was making for family members for Xmas. I am thinking that the recipients have probably poured the bath gel down the drain by now because it doesn't resemble in the least Bath and Body works bath gel and it does look handmade but on a daily basis, it does the job for us. One thing I haven't yet found in France is a good 'unscented' shampoo that literally has no scent and that might be one of the reasons that my own fragrance oils don't smell as strong when mixed with the other stuff. Essential oils work great too, by the way. I am going to work on finding another alternative as a base and I think from now on this will only be given as a gift to those I know appreciate handmade 100 percent because I cannot compete with Bath and Body or the French culture of non-crafting (I have vowed never to make a handmade for my family in-law, that's another post in itself)

Anyway, hope those references help! I also wanted to add that to reuse and save money, I do a lot of street sales (brocantes) and ebay to buy the kids' clothes. Louise has I don't know how many top brands that you would pay hundreds for that I got for a matter of dollars because the CEOs on the W. side of Paris don't want them anymore. And, I am very picky about how the kids dress, so you can still be picky and buy cheap. Or, sometimes my SIL gives me something I wouldn't normally choose but they're clothes and they're free, so I usually change the outfit a little by putting a different shirt of a different pair of pants. The dress Louise is going to wear to two weddings this summer isn't probably something I would go out and buy for her had I the choice, but I found it in mint condition for 5 dollars (the little girl had only worn it once), so you just can't argue with that.

We are not an example of natural and cheap living. In fact, we are far from it and I so wish we could follow her examplee. E and I are both teachers living in Paris- not good combinations! We've been saying for a year now that we were going to do something drastic to cut our spending and here we are again, saying the same thing. It's getting a little better and we've taken baby steps but to stop spending it demands the same motivation and reflection someone on a diet needs when they grab that next Krispy Kreme without thinking. It asks for us to stop before reaching for the pocket book and ask ourselves why we are buying and do we really need that. Most people in our society don't think, they just buy and buy and buy. I am guilty of it. You are guilty of it. We all are. E and I are really hoping, little by little, this year to change our mentality a little more than we did from last year, and to really stop and think about our next purchase and to decide if it's really necessary or can we make do with the wealth of stuff we already have? Hopefully, this will lead more natural and cheaper living.

Comments

[Alice]

Thanks so much for sharing all this! I think I still have some Peter Pan peanut butter in my cabinet, although I hope it's still good -- believe it or not, I sometimes forget I have these things and then don't use them when I should, or when I have cravings! I'm getting to be as bad as my mom, geesh!

I'm going to try to get some tea tree oil as well, because I like the idea of cleaning with more natural things, and I already have some crystal clear vinegar at home, as well as some vinaigre de cidre... I need to start somewhere!

I'm curious about the whole cloth diaper process, though... I'm only 14 weeks along at this point, but I'm starting to think about it, and at the same time, I'm a bit nervous and daunted by the process. I really hope I can stick to it, because I hate the idea of disposable diapers! For so many reasons...

[Tara]

Thanks for the resources. I've started using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning and will be buying some tea tree oil soon.