Going Green! Homemade Laundry Detergent

We, as a society, are becoming increasingly aware of the household toxins that plague our homes. Toxins can pose a wide range of negative affects to our bodies some of which are suppressed immune systems, nausea or cancer. We firmly believe that it is imperative for the believer to take authority over all sicknesses and attacks but we have to do our due diligence. TotalLifeProsperity.org has made a shift, as of February of this year, to become more Green. This is no fad for us, it is a way of life. 

The first article in a new series called Going Green is making your own laundry detergent. Commercially produced laundry detergent can obtain many toxins, preservatives, and skin irritants. Not to mention...they are EXPENSIVE! Follow this super easy recipe to make your own laundry detergent. 

Note - I bought all items for less than $15 at Walmart and I project that it'll last me all year. Your costs may vary slightly depending on your location and size of family/usage. 

Items needed:

2/3 bar of soap (Fels Naptha or Ivory-for those with sensitive skin)

1 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda (not baking soda)

1 cup Borax powder
5 gallon bucket with lid
NOTE: All ingredients can be found in the laundry aisle of any supermarket.

Directions:
Place twelve cups of water in a large sauce pan. Turn the heat on the sauce pan to medium heat. Grate the bar soap, add to the warm water, stir until the bar soap is completely dissolved. Pour in the Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and the Borax powder and mix until the mixture is fully dissolved.  Remove the 'sauce' pan from the heat source. Add 3 gallons of water to the bucket and stir. After the soap settles for 24 hours, the laundry detergent may be used. Use 1/2 cup per load. The detergent may have a gelatinous consistency. Be sure to mix thoroughly after it has set. The consistency has no effect on its effectiveness.

Have any Green ideas? Email them to mytotallife@gmail.com and it may be featured in one of our articles!

Anti-Stress Confessions

It goes without saying that stress can affect you mentally and physically. With the hectic nature of most of our lives (kids, careers, etc.), controlling your stress level can become a daily battle. The Bible offers several scriptures to help you during these times. Confess these scriptures aloud whenever you are feeling overwhelmed.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

You (God) will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Isaiah 26:3 emphasis mine

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6-7

Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear, for the battle is the Lord's and He will give unto your hand.  1 Samuel 17:47

Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His promise. Romans 8:28

But You, O Lord are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Psalm 3:3-4

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Pslam 55:22

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:10-12