My overall favorite posts: 

Green Wedding Feature: I’m not the biggest fan of weddings in general, yet I really had fun during green wedding month. I liked the whole darn thing. The cake, the lighting, the flowers, the dresses, and more. It was a super entertaining theme, and I think I was surprised by just how many cool green wedding resources there are out there.

100 Ideas for Your Green Family & 60 Eco-Friendly Ways to Celebrate Spring & How Kids Can Make A Difference: Saving the Planet from A to Z – Good stuff. Also these lists posts take flipping forever, so I better love them.

The Tree Hugging Change Surprise – This post was pretty dull, but for me it marks something good. This was the post where I introduced Peggy when she joined Tree Hugging Family. I think Peggy’s been the best addition ever to this blog. She’s the best green co-blogger you could ask for, a good friend, and an all around killer person. Now, before I get too sappy, I’ll leave it at this – aren’t you glad she joined the party?

Month-by-month favorites:

I was trying to think, now how can I choose my favorite posts of the year. I can’t. It’s hard. So I’ll choose one great, visit again worthy post from each month, and be done with it. Here we go….

September: 10 Fun Organic Gardening Projects for Kids

October: Seven Trees A Year

November: Eco-Friendly Birthday Theme Cakes

December: 25 Reasons To Get Outside During Winter

January: Peace & Social Change: 10 Ways You Can Actively Participate

February: Make Your Own Solar Light!

March: Eco Tips from Kids

April: Homemade Organic Paint Soap for Kids

May: Organic Food Costs Rise – 11 Ways to Save Money on Organic Food

June: Overcoming Reusable Bag Shyness

July: Go organic without losing your mind

August: Solar Art Project

What are some of your favorite THF posts of the year? 

(random flower images via stock.xchng)

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Homemade Sugar Body Scrub

Homemade Organic Facial Toner

Homemade Organic Cleansing Creams

Homemade Organic Paint Soap for Kids

Today let’s look at a couple of hair masques.

I have super long, curly hair, so most of the stuff I make has properties that can solve hair that tends to frizz or act crazy. However, these masques are also good for adding shine and smoothness, no matter your hair type. Also, I have hair to my waist so I make double batches of everything you see below. If you have regular length hair, just make the recipe how I post it below.

Avocado rosemary hair masque:

Smash up one avocado with fresh organic rosemary. Since you’re using fresh rosemary, you’ll want to really mash it up or the little rosemary prickles will poke you. Break open a vitamin E capsule and mix that in. Add a splash of olive oil for extra dry or thick hair or add a splash of a lighter oil (like almond or apricot) for thinner, less dry hair. Don’t add too much oil, or you’ll get a conditioner, not a masque. The texture should be sticky and thick not runny. Drop in four drops each of tea tree and orange essential oil and two drops of peppermint essential oil.

Apply to your hair and let it sit for 30 minutes or so. You could wear a shower cap – but I don’t believe in using them. I just clip my hair up in a twist – it works fine and never drips. Rinse out well in cool water for shiner less fizzy hair.

Cucumber & yogurt masque:

Note: This masque is drippy, other than adding some base like flour (don’t do that) I have no idea how to thicken it up. So, you may want to take a nice bath as you let this soak into your hair.

Mix in a blender: 1/2 cup organic plain yogurt, 1/2 of an average sized peeled cucumber, a tablespoon or so of honey, a few drops of lavender essential oil, and chamomile. You have some different choices regarding the chamomile. You can chop fresh really fine, boil fresh to a reduction, or add some essential oil of chamomile. I usually have added the oil, or shopped fresh. Boiling is too much extra work. Apply to your head, clip hair up and soak in the tub for 30 minutes. Rinse in cool water for softer, smoother hair. Cucumber is also known to fight off chlorine damage well if used weekly.

Some people I know mix egg with their cucumber masques, but I don’t like the smell so I don’t. You can though, for extra shine.

Of course, always feel free to experiment. Add essential oils that are beneficial to your hair type.

Before making a homemade beauty product read: Homemade Beauty Products – Safety 101

[photos via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I’ve been considering trying to make this with natural veggie, plant, or fruit dyes, but I’m not sure how well it will work. If you do try to make painting soap with all natural dyes remember that not all plants are safe for kids to be slathering on their bodies.

If you aren’t sure that the plant is safe for your child (i.e. won’t cause an allergic reaction) then don’t use the dye in a body care product like this.

Gather together:

• 6 Tbs. cornstarch
• 2 Tbs. water
• Organic food coloring
• Your favorite essential oil – something mild like lavender or orange is good for children.
• 1 oz. unscented organic liquid soap – most natural food stores and co-ops sell clear organic liquid soap in bulk.
• A bottle or bowl for the soap paint

To make the painting soap:

1. Mix the cornstarch, water, and a few drops of oil. Stir well.
2. Add drops of color until you reach your desired shade. Mix the color in well.
3. Add the liquid soap to the mixture, mix, and adjust color if needed.
4. Store in your container.

Kids can use this to paint the bathtub and their bodies during bath time. It won’t hurt your kids or your tub. You can also put the kids in an empty kiddie pool outside and let them paint. Another option I’ve been considering is to buy organic soap flakes and use that instead of cornstarch and liquid soap. You could make little soap crayons (or balls). I haven’t tried it – but I bet it would work. Well, maybe.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family