Egg Shell Calcium

Thank you Butter Nutrition for your recipe for egg shell calcium. I use a very similar recipe for additives for my dog chow, however they like crunchy bits and I do not. I am also squeamish about taking the powder, so I buy gel tabs from health stores and viola! If taken with food, no upset belly. Also, please understand that you will get a different quality of calcium from free range or organic eggs than cheapy discount eggs. Also always wash eggs before saving.

Ingredients:
A few dozen used egg shells (kept in fridge or freezer to maintain freshness)


Cook dry, thawed egg shells at 300 degrees for about 20-25 minutes to dry them out. Let cool for 30-60 minutes. Blend in a coffee grinder or high speed blender (like Vita-mix) until you get a very fine powdered consistency (very important!)

To Use:
Consume about 1/8-1/4* tsp with a little water or juice 1-3x per day or as needed to meet your individual health needs. 1 tsp eggshell calcium equals about 800 mg calcium.

Store cold.

Essential Pomade

My guys go through this and hair gel like water. I'm talking everyday. To buy the really good stuff that's not full of drying agents and chemical crud is expensive. So... make your own tailored to your taste.

Ingredients:
1 ounce beeswax
1.5 ounces shea butter
2 ounces jojoba 
1/8 – 1/4 teaspoon essential oil*

Melt beeswax in a double boiler over low heat. When the beeswax is melted, add in shea butter. When the mixture is melted, add jojoba and stir until just melted. Pour mixture into a container and allow to cool slightly, then add essential oil

To Use
Rub a small amount between your fingertips until there are no lumps, then work through hair and style.

*Notes on essential oils..
-Lime essential oils smells amazing, and is helpful for balancing oily hair (in a more concentrated form it may also lighten hair)
-Peppermint and rosemary essential oils stimulate hair growth and add shine. Great for normal hair
-Lemon balm, basil, thyme, patchouli, tea tree, yarrow and lemongrass have astringent properties which are beneficial for oily hair
-Chamomile, lavender, sandalwood and rosemary are helpful for dry hair.
-Tea tree, eucalyptus, patchouli and myrrh are helpful for dandruff

Homemade Teething Oil

Thank you Mommypotamus for the recipe and tricks! I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that had kids teething on natural rubber toys that squeaked. My oldest ran around forever with a big shark hanging out of his mouth.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 drops clove bud essential oil
 
Combine ingredients and test a little on yourself to make sure it’s not too strong. Once you’re comfortable with the ratio’s pour your mixture into a clean container. Light oxidizes oil, so a dark amber or cobalt is best if you plan to leave it on the counter. Another option is a clear glass container that is kept in a cool, dark cabinet.

To Use
Shake well, then apply sparingly to gums with your finger tip. Reapply every 1-2 hours as needed.

Homemade Chicken Feed

Chicken weren't made to live off corn alone. They were made to eat bugs and seeds and petals from flowers. The only additions to this recipe that I personally add is 1/2 part marigold flower and a sprinkling or red wrigglers or meal worms. I also keep fresh grass, alfalfa or lentil sprouts handy for a treat. Thank you TLC's Green Living for the recipe.

Ingredients:
2 parts whole corn
3 parts soft white wheat
3 parts hard red winter wheat
½ part Diatomaceous Earth (not the kind you put in your pool)
1 part hulled barley
1 part oat groats
2 part sunflower seeds
½ part peanuts
1 part wheat bran
1 part split peas
1 part lentils
1 part quinoa
1 part sesame seeds
1/2 part kelp

Mix the feed by hand so that it is thoroughly mixed. It doesn't hurt to run your hands through it before feeding in case something settles. This is based on a good bit of Internet research from a variety of places. You may find Bird Farm helpful. It has a lot of specialty mixes. Another good place for information is the forum at Backyard Chickens.

Keep the oyster shell calcium in a container so the chickens can eat it as they need to.

When you make Homemade, organic chicken feed you have the opportunity to completely control everything that goes into it. The tendency is to feel like you should make huge amounts to save time. Don't do it. Another benefit of homemade feed is that it is often more fresh that the commercial feeds, retaining much of the nutrients.

Store your fresh feed in an airtight, covered container.