This is our fourth summer surfing with Surfers Healing (surf therapy for autistic children). This time was extra special because we were all there together, all three of my autistic kids and my husband. Previous… More
DIY Liquid Castille Soap. The easiest DIY you’ll ever do.
Since I learned about laurel sulfates and parabens and their dangerous risks, including endocrine disruption, protein breakdown, cancer.. to name a few… I’ve been looking for safe products, ways to de-toxify our home environment Here’s what I’ve learned.
Products, especially shampoos, are starting to be more available. But, they are not inexpensive. Enter Castille soap. The hippy staple for decades. Castille soap is so good, so pure, so versatile. You can use Castille soap in so many ways from hair and body, to laundry and scrubbing your sink. But Castille soap can be pricey, especially if you’re using it in so many ways.
I found an awesome DIY on Pinterest to turn Castille bar soap into liquid. It has saved me so much money, and it’s so incredibly easy that I had to share.
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All you need:
1 bar of Castille soap (Kirk’s is pretty inexpensive)
1 mason jar
1 pot
2 3/4 C water
Knife
Boil the water. While it’s boiling chop up the soap.
Place it in the mason jar.
Poor the water in the jar. It’ll melt pretty quickly. Some bits take longer so let it sit for 20 minutes. Stir.
Use in all your normal liquid Castille soap ways. It’s a bit thin, but cleans perfectly. I use it in my homemade laundry soap, hand soap, dish soap… etc.. You can add essential oils of your choice.
Some DIY recipes are tricky. But this is a great one to cut your teeth on if your a newb.
It hasn’t been an easy transition for my autism kids. I use old shampoo bottles for shampoo and liquid soap. So far so good. I’m currently working on finding a way to get them to accept DIY toothpaste because I haven’t been able to find something without glycerin. (Glycerin prevents re-mineralizing toothpastes to do their job). I’ll post when I find an autism accepted recipe for my family😊.
Good luck! Let me know how you’re turns out.
What is Zero Waste, and some easy ways to start.
I had to sit a moment and think about where my zero waste journey began. I decided it began as a teenager in the late 80s. I became more conscious of recycling and was vegetarian for a while. I remember asking my mom to buy recycled loose leaf notebook paper. I had to convince her of its merits, since it was about a dollar more.
As a grew older I began to be more aware of how plastic was convenient, but I knew I could save money buying one permanent thing, rather than repeatedly buying plastic bags.. etc. I think living through financial struggles really helped me dig into ways to save money, and they always involved making something myself, sewing something, or repurposing something. Really, this is how our ancestors lived.
This gradual unfolding of my life has lead me to realize I can label myself “zero waste”… much like I did with minimalism.
Zero waste means we stop using plastic in our daily living. For me personally, I feel like a steward of mother earth. She has few advocates. I can do my part. So can you. If we all did, we’d have a much healthier planet to leave our posterity.
Since I’m fairly new at this, and you might be too, I’ll share some things I’ve started doing. Then I’ll share my upcoming plans for my zero waste living.
1. Use cloth towels and napkins instead of paper towels. You can make them, or buy them. Here is a great DYI
2. Make your own beeswax plastic wrap, I’ll post about my first time making these next.
3. Use reusable grocery bags. I’ve been collecting these, and keep them in my car so I won’t forget. If I do, I recycle the plastic grocery bags.
4. Stop buying plastic as much as possible. I know in our consumer driven disposable world, this is easier said than done.. but I’ve found you can find reusable products almost anywhere. (Even Wal-Mart sells metal reusable straws)
5. Make your own earth friendly products. Skip the chemicals! Helps your body and the earth. Win win! I make my own laundry soap, soft hand soap, sunscreen, body butter, lip balm, mascara, and toothpaste. I’ll post soon about my DIY adventures.
6. Dry your hands on your clothes, when you can, at public restrooms, instead of using paper towels or hand dryers.
7. Recycle all the things! My proudest garbage days are the days when I have a full recycling bin and a nearly empty garbage bin. Yes!
8. Be conscious. There are so many little things we can do. Like not using a plastic straw at a restaurant, or bringing your own reusable take out box.
My future plans of zero waste include:
1. Removing toxic plastics for from our home. This one is big…and trickier than you think because these plastics are in everything and replacing them is tough because I’m on a budget.
2. Continue to share and educate others on this important topic.
I am a newb.. but mostly in the terminology. I love my planet. “It’s where I keep all my stuff!” as the Tick would say. I know a lot of people won’t make these changes. I know corporations won’t stop using masses of plastic. But the few kind souls who do, will make a difference.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
Ghandi
How Yoga Changed Me, a year of daily yoga practice.
I started taking yoga classes, sporadically, in my twenties. I loved them. I loved how I felt after I took them. It felt sort of magical, but I didn’t know why. The classes were always at gyms, and were only once or twice a week.
Over the years, around pregnancies and crazy life stuff, I took a class here and there. I even tried doing it at home a few times, but in my mind I thought I had to have the big open room, the subdued lighting, the soft ethereal music, and have the gentle voice of a teacher. In contrast, I had a messy house, no space, babies crying, loud boys, and a yoga video playing loud enough to try and tune it out. Everything I thought was wrong, was all in my mind, my perception. I’ve since seen amazing mama’s yoga through pregnancies and toddlers. Incorporating it into their lives. But anyway.. back to my story…
So when I finished having all my six babies, and when I was done nursing my last son. I found myself in a new place in my life. After I mourned the end of that part of me, my body creating babies and milk for babies, I slowly began learning about myself. What else was I? Learning things that angered and bewildered me that it took me 42 years to figure out. I think because I was pregnant or nursing for so many years, that I had a hyper focus on my babies. I hardly paid any attention to myself. And now, there I was. Starting to see myself.
Yoga came again. I started watching YouTube video classes, and found a program for beginners to practice daily, for flexibility. I started feeling recognizing this, I call it “bliss”, after doing yoga. At first yoga, I thought, was just a way to get in shape and feel good. But yoga is a powerful force that slowly showed me deeper and deeper layers about myself. I started realizing that my lower back didn’t hurt anymore after decades of pain, that my wrists didn’t hurt anymore after pain since my childhood. I found my voice, I felt brave and bold. My throat chakra slowly opened, my heart chakra cracked open the brick walls that contained it. I felt this incredible connection to my body and mind that I had never felt before. To my breath. This wave that lived there my whole life. This beautiful wave that I learned to love and appreciate and that I could control to give me energy or calm me down. Bliss.
About three months into a daily practice, I knew I wanted to teach people yoga. So I started my teacher training. I read books and began to more deeply understand yoga. The yamas, Sanskrit.. There was so much to yoga. I began meditating. I taught my kids to meditate. We began meditating as a family. My kids and husband joined me doing yoga.. bliss!
I taught my first class to a gym full of about 50 girl scouts. It was exhilarating. I was blissed out! I had so much fun. I had to ask the question.. why did it take me into my 40s to find this wonderful, magical thing? I’m still not sure. Just so grateful I did.
It’s been a year in March that I started my yoga journey. I am new. I love my body now. Not because yoga has sculpted it, and I can contort it into wonderful asanas…. I love it because it is the house of my spirit, my breath, my mind, my chakras, my energy system.. etc… I love that yoga has introduced me to myself. I love that it has made me a better mother and more adoring wife to my brilliant husband. I’ll never stop doing yoga. When I pass on from this world, I’ll indeed be in svasana. 🕉
Why I am Homeschooling My Autistic Son
Recently, during the first school year semester, I pulled my lowest functioning and youngest autistic son out of public school, where he attended an autism intermediate class. Here’s the story:
My son was moved to our neighborhood school, because they finally had an autism program. He was previously attending a school further away. His new teacher and aides were very kind, and patient. He struggled with the change, but he was adjusting. Then just a few months in, we found out, because of budget cuts, we were going to lose our teacher, and they weren’t keeping his aides. I was literally in tears, knowing how hard it is to find a good autism teacher, someone with compassion., and how hard it would be on my son. I was angry at the school , for not fighting for our kids. Special ed. classes are the red headed step child.
We were told that they would be dissolving a preschool program, and that the preschool teacher would move up to be his new autism teacher. I complained, I talked to the administration, but they just tried to flower up this new teacher like she was some kind of glorified autism guru…. listing all of her degrees. I had seen her and she was in one word: cold.
My son’s “good” teacher who was leaving, pulled me aside and said, “if he comes home saying something “happened”, BELIEVE him.” I was terrified for my son. Then on the day of the switch, which was a half day of his good teacher, and a half day of his new, his old aide pulled me aside, and in tears, expressed how much she loved my son, and how worried she was for him. I told her that they were really scaring me! She repeated what the teacher had warned me about.
When I arrived to pick up my son, after school, I found him sitting on the bench were he waits, alone, his fists clenched, his face red with tears, crying and growling. No adults were with him, trying to help him. (even though there were three or four adults near him) I immediately asked him what happened, and let me just say, this has NEVER happened before. He’s never been this upset at school. He yelled through his cries, “that teacher kicked me!” pointing to his new aide.
“OH NO SHE DID NOT!” was my first thought..as my mama bear boiled to the surface with a vengeance.
I came up to her and questioned her about it. She completely denied it, and I repeated, “he said you kicked him, he is hysterically upset, he doesn’t make things like this up, explain this!” Her response was one that still bothers me to this day.. she said, “I am an adult! HE is a CHILD!”
WHAT?!?! I’m thinking… what does him being a child matter? So does she mean we don’t listen to children? We shouldn’t believe children? I was furious. I went to his new teacher, who played dumb, and said she has no idea what was going on. Nor somehow didn’t notice my son sitting there in hysterical tears waiting for the bell to ring.
I went and found an administrator who listened to me as I cried, I was so upset, and my son cried, and this “aide” running up behind me trying to say “nothing happened”. The administrator told her she’d deal with her later and made her leave. Then the administrator tried to tell me, again, how great the new teacher was. HA! I was soo upset, probably more then I’ve ever been. I told her I was not sending my son back until the aide was gone.
So that evening the principal calls and tells me she is starting an investigation. She asked us to come in in the morning. We came in and sat in the office waiting. The aide actually walked in with another autistic child, saying hi to everyone but my son. purposely shunning him. My son told his story to her. She started questioning people. The story was this: that my son was sitting next to his friend, another autistic child, in music. The aide for some reason, pulled her to a new place to sit. His friend yelled for help, and my son tried to help her by pulling on her arm. The aide then kicked my son in the stomach. (I’ve later since found out that she jabbed him in the side with her long fake nail when he wouldn’t do his seat work,that day).
So after she interviewed everyone she called me that afternoon.
“Sorry, but since I can neither prove or disprove this event, I can’t move the aide.” I responded with. “OK, I’m very disappointed, and I believe my son. I’ll be pulling him out today.”
So he has been homeschooling. He sometimes reveals new mean things teachers or aides have done. So I’m saying now.. a good autism teacher, no I mean a GOOD autism teacher is a priceless and rare human. I hope that if YOU have an autistic child, that you believe them. That you fight for them. I hope that if you are a special ed teacher, that you stop being one, if you know it’s not right for you, or you get out if you are burned out. And if you are one of the good ones, BLESS YOU!!!!! Keep it up! We need more of you. These innocent children deserve you, and more of you!
Weed Therapy
Sorry… Weed, as in the annoying plants that mock you by being able to grow anywhere you don’t want them to. 
I have a confession to make. I love to pull weeds. It’s strangely satisfying. It’s actually a kind of therapy. When I am pulling weeds as the morning sun warms me, I have time in my mind to clear things I don’t want, of negative thinking. “Stinking thinking” as my father-in-law used to say. It’s much like pulling weeds.
I water my weeds before I pull them. This may sound silly and wasteful, but it actually helps the weeds pull easily from the ground, root and all. In my mind I organize what I need to clear preparing myself to get rid of unwanted thoughts and tracks of thinking. Water is the prep.
When I pull weeds, as anyone knows, I pull from the root. If you leave anything there it will just grow back. Even the babies have to be pulled, although they look innocent enough. This is the most important of all in cleaning my mind. I work on eradicating each negative thought with each weed, throwing it out. It’s important not to let those baby weeds, or those little seemingly harmless thoughts have a chance to grow. I have to get rid of them as well. They will just become full grown jerks.
This is a practice that I must do constantly. I can’t weed constantly, but it is such an awesome reminder for me to keep my mind free of negative thinking.
About My Aspie Son
My 13-year-old son is on the autism spectrum. I still call it as it was diagnosed: Aspergers Syndrome. I know this is not used anymore, and I don’t care it fits. He wasn’t diagnosed until he was in second grade. Prior to his being tested by a neuropsychologist, we just thought he was a very eccentric, strong-willed, fiery kid. We homeschooled him for his first years and this was a daily trial by fire. When we put him in an actual brick and mortar school, we found it was impossible to get through a day without the school calling telling us how he keeps running out of the classroom, climbing on or under desks, or throwing things.. including chairs. This is why we decided to have him tested. When we learned of the autism it came as a relief for me. I felt like I finally knew what was going on and why and that we could properly manage things. It wasn’t easy. It took time, and we still deal with meltdowns and school phone calls.
One of the most difficult things he deals with currently is controlling his temper and using what I call his “filter”. Most neurotypical kids know when to keep their mouths shut. They know when they are with their friends out on the playground they can say certain things as compared to when talking to a teacher or principal. They know when they can complain and when to hold it in. My son is slowly, very painfully learning this important social skill. It has cost him friendships and the affections of many a teacher. But thankfully, he has been blessed with several good boys who have accepted him and forgiven him and remain his friends.
This Monday a teacher sent me an email telling me of how he called has been calling her a “moron”, and how she has ignored it up until now. I am grateful for the patience of adults who teach and lead my son. He has had to write several letters of apology to teachers.. and in this recent case, I hope her affection for him hasn’t failed, it takes a very good person to forgive and let go. These teachers and leaders who have will forever have my gratitude.
What breaks my heart, though, is his tremendous desire to be “normal” and to fit in with the rest of the world. I know this sounds like a typical thing, but I don’t mean fit in with a popular crowd, or something.. I mean fit in with anyone.. anyone. When in fact, he is truly extraordinary. His wit is quicker than most adults, his mind races and words fly out much like Sherlock Holmes. He reads at speeds I can’t comprehend. He loves babies and feels an overpowering need to protect all of them. He recently learned what abortion is and it had him in tears. Many people will assume those with autism don’t have compassion, or feelings as strong as neurotypicals, but I attest that in my own experience with autism, my three sons, they feel just as much if not more keenly. A super power my 13-year-old possesses is overly powerful senses. Hearing, touch, and taste we have seen to be beyond normal. I believe his feelings can at times be just as extra powerful… for both good and bad. This explains the over stimulation of thought that brings on escalation and meltdowns. Or the over stimulation of thought that causes pain and sorrow for him.
We all struggle. We all have trials and pain and grief and stumbling blocks and difficulties. I just wanted to share a bit about a beautiful 13-year-old boy whose struggles are autism, a literal difference in the way his brain functions. Not just today, but for the rest of his life. A boy who will one day do great things or even change the world. A boy who fights to be “normal”, and loves babies. A boy who, at 13, still has a difficult road ahead as he tries to fit into a neurotypical world that looks at anyone different as scary. I just hope more people will see him as the wonderful human he is instead of just getting annoyed or ignoring him. I hope his future teachers and leaders will be patient. I hope that his future bosses will see his genius…
and I hope he will see the good and the honest in his ….future employees. 🙂
How Powerful the Desire to Create
When I was a child I was always drawing. In high school I was planning on attending an art school. I even began taking graphic arts classes in college. But my journey lead me down many different paths. I never became an artist… at least not the kind I thought I’d become.
I’ve always had some kind of creative outlet. When I stopped drawing, during many of my baby years, I wrote poetry instead. When my children grew older, and I found myself a doula, I became a henna artist. Doing henna made me happy. And as I write this I realize I have spent about four or five years recently not being creative. While going to school and getting my degree in surgical technology I did nothing to release my creative sensibility. Last year was one of the most stressful.
And here I am. I just decided last month that I wanted to try decorating sugar cookies this Christmas. I didn’t think it would pull me in and bring me so much joy! It’s because I am creating again. I starting out copying cute cookies from pinterest, but quickly started adding my own touch, and then my own designs. I feel like I’ve stumbled upon a while whole new world! Possibilites! And the little wheels are turning in my brain to even start a business. How powerful the desire to create!
The Boy Who Went Ahead
This poem has been knocking about in my mind and I finally got it all down on paper. Writing poetry has always been a way for me to work through my feelings. This is for Richard, who passed away November 5th.
A swirling ball of energy,
an infectious smile and a mischevious twinkle in his eye.
Lining up pillows, climbing up counters-
sneaking sips of Monsters.
Always going, the boy who went ahead.
Quick hugs and he’s off again.
Always somewhere to go-
hiding in the old camper, or clutching a tablet behind the bed,
a little head pops up giving him away.
Uncle tosses, flying with joy.
Then off again laughing-
the boy who went ahead.
Ahead he went…
Left us here to weep and grieve,
and try to understand.
But his mouth is open at last,
and his voice heard in the heavens.
His ancestors rejoice in him,
they hug him tight and honor him.
Did I recognize the greatness of this little spirit?
I tremble in amazement to think of it.
A perfect boy was with us for a while.
But he went ahead-his future sure.
We will see him again,
the boy who went ahead,
for families are forever.
How to prepare for Christmas, a minimalist guide.
We finally made it back around to my favorite time of year. It seems like there are endless Falls, and Christmas’s.. but in reality I’ve only had forty-two of them so far. Since I’ve embraced minimalism, and my family has not.. I have found these 5 ways to minimize “stuff” from the holidays.
- Eatable gifts for friends and family are the best. Instead of buying things, I make goodies. All people like to eat especially during the holidays. Maybe it’s just me.. but it brings back lovely childhood memories to have Thanksgiving and Christmas plates of cheeses, cookies, summer sausage, fudge, and other treats laying around, filling up the counter tops. It’s a great way to teach kids about giving. They love to help make it, then they see the joy of the recipient.
- Christmas prep for kids. I Even before I realized what minimalism was about I would have my kids go through their toys and donate what they no longer play with, knowing there would soon be a whole new bunch of toys Christmas monring. I go through their clothes as well… but this is something I do almost every month. Growing kids.. the ebb and flow of clothes never ends.
- Reduce the amount of gifts given. A decade ago we had much less children, and spent much more on each. A few Christmas’s back we started downsizing gifts and stocking stuff. This year we’ve decided on two gifts per child. However this doesn’t stop them from buying and giving to each other. In fact even in a minimalist mindset, I encourage them to be generous and giving in whatever way they feel.
- Make stocking stuffers make sense. The last time I was at Target at Christmas time I saw all these little “stocking stuffer” gifts for a buck each. These are seriously a waste of money. They are mostly junk. Maybe it’s because of my childhood, but I like to get them things they need, but fun at the same time. A new cool battery operated toothbrush, some slippers, or fuzzy socks, yummy smelling lotion, some candy, nuts and a huge orange in the toe. My husband thinks I’m a little screwy, but It’s better then giving them useless junk and too much candy, I think.
- Go through Christmas decorations. I love Christmas. It’s the only holiday I decorate. The last two years I’ve inherited my mother’s decorations. She had triple my own. It was a difficult thing, but I was able to go though and keep the decorations I love the most, or knew she loved the most. I still have way too much.. but it’s a process. Last year I finally threw out old broken ornaments I just have kept for over ten years. I keep the very old ornaments and the ones my children have made, but if I don’t love it, it’s in the donation bag.
This Thanksgiving and Christmas will be very special. Only the important, loved and valued “things” of the holiday will be here in my home. If you are on a journey of minimalism, I hope this list helps you enjoy your own wonderful holiday season.
Beginning Meditation. Letting go of Meditation Stereotypes.
Meditation….
It’s always seemed so difficult for me. I’ve always thought of it as something reserved for new age hippies, monks, and Vulcans with special candles. I guess I’ve given into the stereotypes thinking I have to have a quiet peaceful zen place to meditate, and I live in a chaotic circus of boys on the autism spectrum. Not to mention it also hurts to sit cross-legged too long. I could go on…
However, I was thinking last night… I do meditate.. in my own way. At least I’m on a path toward better meditating. I sit and watch my chickens and the birds and I’m mesmerized. I lose touch with time and what’s going on around me. I do this with clouds and sunrises. I lay on our trampoline and watch the sky. I get lost in it all. My breathing slows down, I am perfectly relaxed.
Does there have to be rules to meditation? Do I have to sit cross-legged and chant om? Do I have to empty my mind? Does it have to be perfectly quiet?
I think more people would meditate if they knew they could do it in whatever way it worked for them. I believe that when I’m transfixed by nature and focused on the beauty and majesty, that I am in the now. Isn’t that a kind of meditation? Whatever you call it, it’s a step for me. Ultimately culminating in an ability to keep myself stress-free and truly be in tune with my body and energy. To truly be open to inspiration and personal revelation from God.
Imagine if the whole world prayed and meditated for peace.. or even just positive thoughts, what would happen? I think it’s time for more people to, like me, let go of stereotypical ideas of how to meditate. Whatever works for you is a perfect start. Just breath.
How I Make Pomegranate Chia Seed Kombucha Second Fermentation
One of the ways I like to simplify my life is to make things at home. I make probiotic foods like kombucha, kefir, pickles, yogurt and my husband makes kimchi. I believe these foods really improve my families digestion and overall health.
A second fermentation can make your kombucha incredibly versatile. You can add so many flavors. One of the best parts about a second fermentation is the FIZZ! The fizz turns this ordinary fermented tea into a fizzy flavored party in your mouth! I also add chia seeds for their added health benefit.
Keep in mind, this is how I do it, through my own trial and error. It’s not the only way.. .. it’s just how I do it. 🙂
First I harvest about three pomegranates from my tree or buy them. I pull all the seeds out and put them in a bowl. You can add all kinds of fruit. I also regularly make blueberry flavor.
I use a Nutri bullet to get to the juice. Then I strain out the pulp with a strainer and a rubber spatula. My chickens love the pulp!
I pour the strained juice into a very sterile mason jar. I’ve also purposefully bought and saved store bought kombucha glass bottles. They are perfect for making fizzy kombucha. 
I add the chia seeds at this point and it’s usually a tablespoon or more.
Now I add the kombucha that has fermented a week or more. I use a bowl that has a pour spout and strainer to keep our stray globs of scoby.
After I’ve poured in the kombucha I close it up tight. I will let it sit out for a day if I want it really fizzy, or put it right in the fridge.
It’s so yummy and a huge savings if you are a regular kombucha drinker. And your tummy will thank you! 🙂
You Are Not Nameless
A poem I wrote a few days ago after finding some old photos of my ancestors I’d never seen before.
You are not nameless,
I see you.
Your dreams are imprinted with mine.
Your hope lives, your secrets, your divinity,
even your flaws.
You are not nameless.
A chain, hands clasped on and on,
generations.
It lives on. The journey continues,
with my children, and theirs.
Will they see me?
Will they look for me?
Will they want me?
Your hands now hold mine, in a chain of hands…
Yes… they see you,
You are not nameless.
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