Maggie lived a quiet life on a farm. They raised Jersey cows. They had a garden. They sold the milk from their cows and tomatoes from their garden at the local market. But, I’m sure that there were things that they went into “town” to buy. They probably made monthly trips to the general store. And I imagine that her grocery list was much smaller than mine. She would have bought staples in bulk. These would have been the things that she couldn’t make herself – sugar, molasses, flour, cornmeal, coffee, tea for the kitchen, lye for soapmaking, seeds for gardening, etc. In order to be more thrifty and frugal I have set out to make as many products as I can rather than buying them. My goal in this is to make products that cost less than what I can find online, on the grocery store shelves, or in the aisles of the health food store. I also try to make things with simple ingredients that are safe and that I have on hand. And lastly, the end product needs to work as well, if not better that what I could buy. If something doesn’t meet all of these parameters, then I’m likely going to buy it rather than make it myself. I don’t have to make everything. So, welcome to my “General Store.” If you would rather make it yourself rather than buy it at your local store, then look through the recipes below for all the homemade things that I use on a regular basis.

Baby:
Cloth Diapers
Constipation
Diaper Rash
Diaper Spray
Ear Oil (ear infections)
Eczema
Food Sensitivities
Hives
Itching
Mama Cloth Menstrual Pads (regular and postpartum use)
Skirty
Sleeplessness
Teething Remedy
“Tiny Oil”
Wool Diaper Covers

Beauty:
Clay Mask
Cologne
Facial Scrub
Facial Toner
Hair Spray
Hair Spray – Anti Frizz
Hair Gel
Hair Tonic/Rinse
Lip Gloss
Lotions
Perfume/Body Scent

Body:
Anti-Frizz Hair Spray
Bug Spray / Insect Repellent
Deodorant
Foaming Hand Soap
Hair – natural highlights
Hair Spray
Hair Rinse
Hair Tonic
Hand Wash – antibacterial
Lip Balm
Lotion Bars
Sunscreen
Sugar Scrub
Shampoo
Toothpaste – “Candy Cane” flavor

Cleaning:
Bath
Floors

Crafts:
Fall Twinkle Lights
Indoor Sandbox
Mini-Abacus

Food:
Allergy Friendly Recipes (allergen free)
Crock Pot Cooking
Favorite Recipes
Garlic Skins
Teas

Herbs:
Garlic Oil

Essential Oils:
Quick Reference Guide

Home:
Air freshener
Bugs

Laundry:
HE Laundry Detergent (cloth diaper safe)
Laundry Spray – stain/spot remover

Medicine Cabinet/Remedies:
Bug Spray (insect repellent)
Constipation
Cough and Cold Drops
Diaper Rash
Ear Oil (ear infections)
Eczema
Essential Oils Quick Reference Chart
Food Sensitivities
Garlic Oil
Hives
Itching
Remedies
Sleeplessness
Sore Muscles
Sunscreen
Teething
“Candy Cane” Toothpaste
Mint Berry Toothpaste
Chocolate Spice Tooth Powder
Urinary Tract Infections
Well Drops

Sewing/Crafts:
Dyes
Mama Cloth
Recycled Sewing Projects

School:
Homeschooling Articles
Homemade Mini-Abacus
Homeschool Books by Subject
NYC Field Trips
Rescue Crayons: Crayon Blocks
Printable Hundred’s Chart Worksheets
Printable Morning Worksheets

Disclaimers