Try this!

Busy afternoon.  I went to Target quick while Matthew took his lunch break today.  I needed whipping cream.  You know, to go with the pumpkin pie I made yesterday... :)  I also needed a couple other things.  OH!  Writing just now I realized I forgot to get the Corn Chex I have been craving.  Oh no!  I might just have to make another trip out.  They've been sounding good for the past 2 days.  And come on, it's not like I'm craving another 3 scoops from Baskin Robbins... we're talking Corn Chex.  Though I confess, I would be putting a little sugar on top.  :)

When I got home, Brielle and Joshua helped me mop the kitchen.

Brielle loves mopping.  She loves pretty much all cleaning.  If the living room looks like a toy store went through a hurricane in there, all I have to do is tell her I'll let her dust - ALL BY HERSELF - and I guarantee the living room will be clean in less than 10 minutes.  I don't think I've ever seen a kid her age so passionate about cleaning.  She actually pouted today because I told her I was going to clean the toilet in her bathroom.  I'm totally serious.  She'll vacuum, wash windows, scrub counters, wipe doors/counters/walls/etc, dust, clean showers, empty/fill the dishwasher and more.  It's kinda crazy.  :)  (Of course, I love it... nice to have company!)

After we finished that, we came into the kitchen and whipped up two batches of toothpaste.  I love that homemade toothpaste is free of fluoride and glycerine.  I've read that glycerine actually coats the teeth and prevents them from remineralizing, which leaves them more prone to decay and prevents the enamel from strengthening itself the way it's supposed to.  As for fluoride, don't even get me started.  It's a toxic chemical that is a by-product of aluminum manufacturing that's also found in rat poisons and industrial pesticides.  Yum.  If it spills, it will literally eat through concrete!

Fluoride has been linked to

• Acute Poisoning 
• Birth Defects 
• Osteoarthritis 
• Bone & Uterine Cancer 
• Perinatal Death 
• Immune System Suppression 
• Gastrointestinal Disorders 
• Essential enzyme inhibition
• Lowered IQ (especially in young children)
• Skeletal Fluorosis (leading to brittle teeth and bones)

Some studies a long time ago, had supposedly found that fluoride was good for preventing cavities when applied topically... but offers ZERO benefit when ingested.  Blech.  We'll pass, thank you.  So we make our own toothpaste.  Not only does is not include yucky ingredients, but it leaves our teeth feeling so much cleaner than traditional toothpaste.  The taste takes a little getting used to, but once we felt how clean our teeth were, there was no question that we'd keep using it.  It's a bit salty, and it doesn't foam (because there is no sodium lauryl sulfate).  Give it a try!!

Homemade Toothpaste
3 T virgin coconut oil, softened or melted  (That stuff is the best!)
3 T baking soda
1 1/2 tsp sea salt (or regular salt will work too)
20 drops (or to taste) peppermint essential oil  (Other oils would work well too, I've heard some people like citrus like grapefruit oil, or even ground cinnamon.)
Xylitol to taste (I couldn't find mine today.)

Mix all ingredients in a small container and put in the bathroom!  That's it.  No need to refrigerate, and it will last much longer than it will take you to use it up.  Coconut oil is also antimicrobial/antibacterial so you could dip your toothbrush into the container to use it.  However, that kinda grosses me out, so I scoop a little out with a clean finger and place it on my toothbrush.

Anyway, Matthew just got off work so I'll get off the computer and visit with him a bit.  :)  Let me know if you try it!  I'd love to hear what you thought!!