Doing bits and bobs

This post is going to be just about the odd thing here and there.

So teeth again. I tried biting the Lush tabs in half and it's perfect. The full tooth brushing tab was making me look kind of rabid but using half at a time is just about the right amount and I didn't get as much of that odd taste from it either, more just the mint coming through. And they really work along with my bamboo brush, feeling very clean indeed.

I got all my items today for making my own deodorant as per the Trash Is For Tossers suggestion. I will be making up a batch of this soon. The solid bar I got from Lush is good but a bit rough on the pits. The powder it's made of is quite compacted and not really rubbing off easily like the top layer did. 

I have had a problem with some things though. Getting my ingredients and low waste items is creating waste in postage packaging. I can't get some things around here, I have no idea where I could get them if I can, and so I order them. I needed shea butter for the deodorant, I have no idea where to go and buy it. It came in a zip lock bag, inside another zip lock bag, inside a plastic postage bag. This outer bag says it is recyclable plastic but still, it's a lot of plastic. I'm just hoping that it will still be far less plastic than buying commercial finished products. My coconut oil is in glass, corn flour (UK version of arrow root) is in card, bicarb (baking soda) in card and oil in glass. I'm only starting out though so still figuring out how to keep it as low as I can.

I have also replaced my hand wash with soap from a small family business, as well as using their bath bombs. Lovely stuff, small place and local. They said they are going to be having a bash at making sold shampoo and conditioner bars too so I'm looking forward to those. I am not a big fan of just basic soap as I have always found it quite drying, but these little colourful, fruity soaps are actually really nice.

And lastly, I'm trying to make more things to eat rather than buy things. I made some wholemeal pastry (I normally suck at pastry but it's not too bad) and made little pasties with potato, leek and feta in a basic sauce. Pretty nice. Going to make some pies too, got some little oven dishes/ramekins I can use over and over rather than foil trays or anything disposable. I'm wanting to make some stuff from scratch and freeze them instead of having boxes and wrapping and foil to throw out. It should be cheaper, healthier and produce far less waste. We also have a lot of plastic tubs with lids from ordering Chinese food.  We have always saved them so I shall be able to use those as well, get plenty of use out of what I already have up til they break before they go in the plastic recycling bin. One of the projects on the list is making fabric food wrap with bees wax, that can be used instead of cling film for storing things.

So many things to do.