Hello hello! How are you?

This last weekend, I had the pleasure to attend both Greenfest and Veganário Fest!

Greenfest is “the biggest sus-tainability event in Portugal, where we celebrate what is best done in the four strands: Environmental, Social, Economic and Cultural”.

Veganário Fest is an event whose mission is "education for human, animal and environmental causes and the dissemination of causes within this theme".

I was really pleased by the amount of people who are attending these kind of events, who seek information, who want to take a step for a change. That’s what we as a society need: individuals who want to increase their knowledge about these issues, in order to make informed decisions as consumers. If one person alone can make a huge difference, imagine a whole bunch of them! And the number is increasing! Go, us! Woohoo!

“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something” - Max Lucado

I want to give a shout-out to everyone who attended my talks! Thank you so, so much!

At Greenfest was more like an unusual showcooking, where I talked about my transition to a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle, with a demonstration of some DIY household cleaning and personal care products that I make at my house.

At Veganário Fest I talked about Veganism and how it is more than a diet (despite what a lot of people think), how it it a lifestyle. Besides I discussed about certain social and environmental factors that aren’t usually consider by vegans when adjusting their lifestyle, and that - in my opinion - should be included in their decision-making process.

Anyway, this post is to share with you the recipes - or formulas, as you prefer - of those DIY products that I made at Greenfest’s showcooking.

HOUSEHOLD CLEANING

• All-purpose disinfectant (with vinegar): 1/2 vinegar + 1/2 water + a few drops of essential oil
• All-purpose disinfectant (without vinegar): 200 ml water + 3 tbsp liquid soap + (optional) a few drops of essential oil
• Toilet Cleaner: 100 ml baking soda + 50 ml liquid soap + 200 ml water + (optional) a few drops of essential oil (apply and let it sit for 15 min, scrub and flush)

PERSONAL CARE

• Deodorant: 4 tbsp coconut oil + 2,5 tsp baking soda + 10 drops of lavender essential oil
• Toothpaste: 2 tbsp coconut oil + 1 tbsp baking soda + 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
• Mouthwash: Boil 200 ml water + 4 clove buds + 2 tsp rosemary leafs

As I said at the event, vinegar shouldn’t be used on marble, granite and waxed surfaces. Someone asked me if it would be safe to clean acrylic with vinegar and at the time I didn’t have answer - as I said, I know better what I’ve used and whatever works better for the materials that I have at my house. Well, I have an answer now: you can use vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice on acrylic surfaces!

Well, I hope that you give these recipes a try and please tell me your feedback about them! Leave a comment, share this recipe with your family and friends, and enjoy!

Hope you have a great week! *