Category: Homemade Products

How to Crochet Your Own Slippers

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Sweet, Beautiful and Beloved Black Sisters,

One of my aunts was a crocheting genius. She could crochet anything. She could crochet a blanket with words! I really admired her creative abilities. Once she crocheted me some house-shoes that I absolutely LOVED. I always wanted more but I never got any. I guess it wasn’t important enough to me to really bug her about it.

But she passed in 2006 and that made me really want some more, if just to remind me of her. She was really artsy; a free spirit, so to speak. And could do all the things that I always wanted to know how to do. You know, sew, cook, decorate and she had so much flavor! Whenever anyone in my family needed any type of garment, she was the person to go to. I really miss her.

When I started becoming more of a homemaker, I realized that, now that we have YouTube, we can learn how to do ANYTHING we want. There are tutorials for everything from how to juggle, to how to do a back-flip to, (to my extreme joy) how to crochet house-slippers.

I was fortunate enough to learn how to crochet when I was young, due in part to my beautiful aunt whose amazing crocheting ability I was privy to from as far back as I can remember. Thankfully, one day I got the idea (which I can only credit to Allah) to search YouTube for a tutorial on how to crochet house-slippers.

I picked one and was surprised at how simple it was. The tutorial was very easy to follow and was formatted in a way that even first-time crocheters could master the slippers very easily. For those of us who like to make our things ourselves, this video will help us in fulfilling that inclination. I will never buy another pair of house-shoes again. 🙂

There are others that are a bit more stylish and others for men. But this one is a good introduction to the craft. She talks a lot but you can just skip.

I’ve also made these which are much more durable. Even though it says for men, I need another (sturdier) pair, so I plan on making these but with the sides and the back to go around the entire foot, like in the first video.

I categorized this under “Relaxation Techniques” because crocheting is wonderfully therapeutic. Crocheting, as well as knitting, sewing, cooking, cleaning and pretty much any homemaking activity, frees your mind and body from stress and worry and allows you to clear your thoughts and formulate ideas all while creating something, made through your own creativity, that you can really be proud of.

They also make great gifts. 😉

 

 

HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A PEDICURE

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beautiful and Beloved Black Sisters,

Summer is coming and I know you guys are going to be breaking out your sandals. So, since I decided to give myself a pedicure, today, I thought I would share with you how to give yourself one and save for yourself a little money, and from yourself the possibility of picking up Athlete’s Foot from one of those Korean shops. :/

You can use pretty much the same tools you would use for a manicure. The set in the picture is what you get in any manicure set (with the addition of a cuticle pusher see below). If you want to add a little extra, you can purchase some nippers which give you the feeling like you are really doing something. (I like that feeling 🙂 )

NIPPERS

A manicure set is imperative for proper grooming, Sisters. If you don’t have one in your vanity, medicine cabinet, or somewhere in your house, go out in invest in one immediately.

DIRECTIONS

(I’m not even going to tell you to remove your polish because you should know Black Queens don’t need any extra stuff like make-up or nail polish. We are Beautiful as is. All we do is keep groomed what Allah (God) gave us naturally.)

1. CLIP 
Cut nails straight across to just above the skin. Make sure your nail doesn’t extend over the tip of your toe. And, don’t clip the sides of nails, that can cause ingrowns. File them.

2. FILE 
File nails in one direction until they are even. File the corners round or square, whichever you prefer.

3. SOAK & WASH
Fill a large bowl with warm soapy water. You can use dish detergent, bubble bath, shampoo, it really doesn’t matter. The more cracked and calloused your feet, the longer they need to stay in.

*Here’s a trick only the pros know: Add a quarter cup of milk to your bath. The lactic acid in the milk loosens dead skin.

4. TRIM CUTICLES

Use the tip of the cuticle pusher

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to gently remove the loose skin at the base and sides of the nail. I like to use the square side. (It’s safer. 🙂 ) Use a circular motion.

Here is where you can use your cuticle nippers. I love this part because I feel like I’m really making a difference I can see. Be careful to only “nip” the dead skin, not interfering with the healthy part.

5. SCRUB

Apply an exfoliating scrub to your feet and then you can use a pumice stone or a foot file to slough away the dead skin on the balls and heels of your feet.
But I’m a use-whatever-I-have-in-the-house type of girl and my son’s old firm-bristled wave brush works fine. Knawmean?

Scrub the balls, bottoms and sides of your heels and around the toes. Sit on the side of your bathtub, facing inward. “Smooth, don’t remove.” Stop if your foot turns red (this means you’ve scrubbed too hard). Remember, that tough skin is there for a reason.

6. DRY & MOISTURIZE
Dry feet thoroughly including between the toes and rub in a thick moisturizer or olive oil. Massage your feet real good and relax. Enjoy the little pleasure. I mean, I’m sure you put on lotion or some type of moisturizer every day but why not take this opportunity to really pamper yourself???

*Trick I learned from my aunt: If you put on socks after rubbing in the moisturizer, it will penetrate the skin deeper and do a better job of retaining the softness in your skin. 😉

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Okay Ladies, that’s it! Now, you are even “finer” than you were thirty minutes before you started. But be humble. Don’t hurt ’em! 😉

HOMEMADE SUGAR SCRUB-A-DUB

BISMILLAH

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beautiful Black Sisters!

I used to buy Sugar Scrub from Bath & Body Works, but I’ve been coming across Sisters selling it lately, and their skin looked so beautiful, I thought I would try making some.

I feel like I can make anything. You Can Too.

I Googled Homemade Sugar Scrub and a lot of different recipes popped up. I looked at a few, but the one that I liked the most was a simple recipe that just called for Brown Sugar and Olive Oil. That’s it.

I didn’t even look at how they made it. I just put some Brown Sugar in a little container and added some Olive Oil. I put a little Vitamin E in it as well. If you make it yourself, you can make it as thick or as thin as you desire. You also won’t have to worry about toxic chemicals that manufacturers add to everything. You know they (the devils) are trying to kill us.

I love the results on my face. And if I get a little in my mouth, it tastes SWEET!

You can use it all over your body. You can also add scents if you like, like Lavender or Orange or Both!

HOW TO MAKE A BOW TIE

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beloved and Beautiful Asiatic Sisters of the Aboriginal Black Nation of the Planet Earth!

Beloved Sisters,

The bow tie is the distinguishing characteristic of a well-dressed man. Being Blackwomen, we should be skilled in the Art and Science of Sewing, so it is only natural that we should be knowledgeable in the science of how to sew a bow tie for the men in our family.

The Nation of Islam is well-known for the distinguished Brothers of The Fruit of Islam, whose uniforms consist of a bow tie, and who generally, wear bow ties with any suit.

The history behind the wearing of the bow tie, as opposed to a long necktie, is due to an event in our Nation’s history during which some devils entered one of our Mosques and attempted to HANG ONE OF THE BROTHERS with his own necktie!

Suffice it to say, Our Beloved Messenger, The Honorable Elijah Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) advised the Brothers to wear bow ties instead. And why not? They look much better than an ordinary necktie, which is why the bow tie is the tie of choice to be worn with tuxedos.

Here is a video from one of our Sisters, instructing us on how to make a bow tie from the scraps left over after hemming our men’s dress pants! So they will have a bow tie to match! I would not be surprised if she used to be in the Nation. I have heard a Brother say that his mother used to do the same thing.

ALL-NATURAL COLD REMEDIES

BISMILLAHI RAHMANI RAHIM
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
MASTER FARD MUHAMMAD,
TO WHOM PRAISE IS DUE FOREVER

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beautiful and Beloved Asiatic Black Queens!

The cold weather is coming and that means colds and flu. I cannot remember the last time my son got sick. It may have been around two years ago. However, yesterday he began exhibiting symptoms of a cold. I was raised on over-the-counter cold and flu medicines, but I wanted to try a more wholistic method of treating my son’s illnesses. So, I have been trying different methods using all-natural ingredients.

Yesterday evening, I gave him a glass of Lemon-Water (8 oz. of spring water and 1 teaspoon of fresh-squeezed lemon juice NO SWEETENER). This drink is very healing. Many people drink it every morning to give a boost to their overall health, but my son does not like it, so after some resistance, I insisted that he drink all of it.

He started showing signs of immediate improvement, but he was still stopped up and releasing phlegm. So, I gave him a tiny piece of a garlic clove and had him chew it. Garlic is strong, but the piece was so small. He still gave me a hard time. But, I would not stand for him to get sick. So, I made him eat it and about every 45 minutes after, I gave him a translucent slice of garlic and had him nibble on it until he went to bed.

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In the morning, I did not wake him for Fajr (morning prayer). I let him get his rest, thanking Allah for His Mercy, Forgiveness and Understanding that his slave, Hakim, was sick and that that was the only reason he missed his prayer. And knowing that Allah Had the Power to Heal My Son.

He woke up on his own around 8:00 and showed no signs of sickness. It is important to start treating the symptoms as soon as you recognize them. You might see glassy eyes, or sniffling, maybe lethargy. I just used these two treatments and they worked amazingly.

If the sickness has progressed so that the garlic and lemon-water is not effective and your child still is suffering from congestion, Peppermint Tea works wonders. You can make tea from the leaves of peppermint, but if you can get some Peppermint Oil, you can put a couple drops in some water that has just been boiled and have your child cautiously lean over it. (It can be strong.) The vapors will open his sinuses. He can then drink the tea.

If your child develops a sore throat, Aloe Vera Tea is very soothing. Just extract the pulp from an Aloe Vera leaf and boil it in about 8 oz. of water. Sweeten it with honey and have your child drink it.

Here is a recipe for a very effective All-Natural Cough Suppressant, made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Water

* If you are making this for your children, don’t use 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper. Just use a few shakes. It will still work.

PLEASE CLICK THE BOOK COVER BELOW

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Natural Glass Cleaner

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beautiful and Beloved Black Sisters,

Sisters, I just wanted to share a recipe for homemade glass cleaner which can actually double as an all-purpose cleaner as well. I use it to clean windows, mirrors, and glass tables. And because it contains alcohol, it has some disinfecting properties, so I also use it to clean my sink, toilet and the tub.

It consists of just three simple ingredients, which you probably already have in your home.

Just combine 1/3 alcohol, 1/3 vinegar and 1/3 distilled water in a spray bottle and that’s it!

CUCUMBER EYE GEL

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beloved Black Queens!

We should always try to look our absolute BEST! One way we can improve our appearance is by doing everything we can to eliminate puffiness under our eyes.

Periorbital puffiness is caused by several different factors. The most common is simply: aging. As we age, the skin under our eyes becomes thinner and the fluids that uphold our eyes begin to collect in this skin under the eyes.

Periorbital puffiness is usually more prominent upon arising from sleep. People who sleep on their stomachs have periorbital puffiness more often than people who sleep on their backs. And, people who sleep on their sides, generally have more periorbital puffiness in one eye than in the other.

This is because while we are sleeping in these positions, gravity causes fluids to build up and collect in the thin skin under our eyes. It is recommended that if one suffers from periorbital puffiness, she should sleep on her back and elevate her head with an extra pillow, in order to prevent these fluids from building up under her eyes.

You should make this change in your sleeping habits soon, Sisters, because if it is not remedied, after a few years, periorbital puffiness can become permanent!

There are other causes of periorbital puffiness, such as allergies, and eating salty foods.

The causes of allergies should try to be avoided by:

  • Staying indoors when pollen counts are highest, usually in mid-morning and early evening. Close the windows and run the air conditioner (window fans can draw in pollen and mold spores). If you go out, wearing eyeglasses or big sunglasses can help block pollen from your eyes. Driving? Keep the windows closed and run the air conditioner.
  • Limit your exposure to dust mites by encasing your pillows in allergen-impermeable covers. Wash bedding frequently in water that’s at least 130 F. If your mattress is more than a few years old, consider getting a new one. Old mattresses are often teeming with allergens.
  • Clean floors with a damp mop. Sweeping tends to stir up rather than get rid of allergens. Especially if a pet shares the house with you, consider replacing rugs and carpets, which trap and hold allergens, with hardwood, tile, or other flooring materials that are easier to clean. Go with blinds instead of curtains.
  • To stop mold from growing inside your home, keep the humidity under 50%.  That might mean using a dehumidifier, especially in a damp basement. If so, clean the dehumidifier regularly. Clean your kitchen and bathrooms with a bleach solution.
  • If your pet is causing your allergies, try to keep it outside as much as possible. At the very least, keep it out of your bedroom. Don’t let it share your bed.
  • Don’t rub your eyes. That’s likely to make symptoms worse. Try cool compresses instead.

Periorbital puffiness due to salt can be eliminated by limiting your salt intake.  Excess salt encourages fluid retention and may lead to puffy eyes.

Some temporary remedies for periorbital puffiness include cucumbers, wet tea bags, and potatoes, which are all natural astringents – chemical compounds that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, thereby reducing puffiness.

You can simply grate a fresh potato and apply it to your eyes for about fifteen minutes. Or wet two teabags and put them in the freezer for fifteen minutes, then place them over your eyes until the swelling goes down.

Here is a recipe for cucumber eye gel, which significantly reduces periorbital puffiness in a relatively short amount of time.

CUCUMBER EYE GEL

Ingredients

2 oz aloe vera gel

1/2 large cucumber (peeled)

Directions

Blend cucumber.

Add aloe vera gel.

Refrigerate.

Apply for a few minutes in the morning, when you do your grooming.

Homemade Butter!

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beloved Sisters!

My son, Hakim, finally convinced me to allow him to do a science experiment with some heavy whipping cream I had in the fridge. I wanted to make ice cream, but he wanted to make butter.

I finally acquiesced, and I’m beginning to think that he may have stumbled upon one of the best ideas he’s ever had. (And he’s had some good ones.)

I let him do all the work. The first time, he only used 4 oz. of cream; and it seemed like I got about 4 oz. (one stick) worth of butter!

The next time (the time of the butter shown in the picture), he used two cups. It yielded about a cup of buttermilk. So, if you subtract that from the starting amount, that means he made about a cup (two sticks) of butter. But it seems like much more because you don’t need to use as much as you would store manufactured butter.

In short, 8 oz. of cream will yield 8 oz. or two STICKS of Butter.

I tasted some of my leftover store bought butter and some of his homemade butter and the difference was astonishing! His butter had twice as much flavor and was creamier and smoother.
Suffice it to say, we will be making our own butter from now on….

“VEGETABLES, MILK AND BUTTER are the right foods to eat, when they are pure….”
(HOW TO EAT TO LIVE, BOOK TWO)

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And it is so easy to make! All you have to do is pour some Heavy Whipping Cream into a glass jar with a lid and shake it up. That’s it!

The length of time depends on how much cream you use. But it didn’t take nearly as long as I had remembered. (I did it once when I was little). First, the cream will get really thick and if you want to make whip cream, you can just sweeten it and eat it like that. But to make butter, you have to keep shaking it and eventually the liquid will separate from the solid and you will be left with fresh, homemade butter!!! Also, if you don’t want to do so much shaking, you can let it sit for about 15-20 minutes after it gets to the whipped cream state and then come back and shake it up. It will turn into butter right away.

**UPDATE**

Sisters, yesterday I used the butter in my cooking and I melted it before I used it…. Why was it creamy yellow and milky? It was nothing like the butter I used to buy from the store! The butter I used to buy from the store used to separate into two liquids when I melted it. THEY ADD WATER TO STORE-BOUGHT BUTTER!! I feel like such a fool for buying that crap all of my life. And it is ridiculously easy to just make your own. But if you knew better you do better….

“If you must have some type of fat take the fat from milk (butter).” – HOW TO EAT TO LIVE

Convert Baking Soda to Washing Soda

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beloved Sisters!

You may recall, in my post, “The Love of Doing Laundry,” I mentioned that most of the homemade detergents I found call for something called “Washing Soda.” I had never even heard of it prior to this search.

“In domestic use, [washing soda] is used as a water softener in laundering. It competes with the magnesium and calcium ions in hard water and prevents them from bonding with the detergent being used. Sodium carbonate can be used to remove grease, oil and wine stains.” (Wikipedia).

I could not find any washing soda in the stores in which I shop.  But I learned that it is very easy to convert baking soda into washing soda just by heating it.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spread one pound box of baking soda over a baking sheet.

2. Put the baking sheet into an oven and set temperature to 200 degrees F. Bake for about an hour.

That’s it! I just add it to the wash and it makes the water very soft. Try it and see if you notice the difference.

Homemade Shea Butter Deodorant

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

****PLEASE CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER BELOW****

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In the Name of Allah,
Master Fard Muhammad,
Our Most Beneficent and Merciful Saviour,
To Whom We Forever Give All Holy Thanks and Praise

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum Beloved and Beautiful Sisters!

I heard a while ago that anti-perspirants can cause cancer due to the effect they have on our sweat glands. Anti-perspirants prevent the sweat glands from releasing sweat and this can cause the build-up of toxins which can lead to cancerous tumors. I just read an article on antiperspirants/deodorants and  cancer from the National Cancer Institute and basically they said that more research needs to be done on the subject. It seemed like they didn’t want to say it had been proven. But the article stated this: “Findings from a different study examining the frequency of underarm shaving and antiperspirant/deodorant use among 437 breast cancer survivors were released in 2003. This study found that the age of breast cancer diagnosis was significantly earlier in women who used these (shaving and antiperspirant/deodorant) products and shaved their underarms more frequently. Furthermore, women who began both of these underarm hygiene habits before 16 years of age were diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier age than those who began these habits later. While these results suggest that underarm shaving with the use of antiperspirants/deodorants may be related to breast cancer, it does not demonstrate a conclusive link between these underarm hygiene habits and breast cancer.”

You see, it hasn’t been proven that anti-perspirants/deodorants cause breast cancer but “the use of antiperspirants/deodorants may be related to breast cancer”. You know what I think? I think the companies that manufacture anti-perspirants/deodorants are in league with the doctors who release such vague and ambiguous statements. As Our Beloved Messenger (PBUH) wrote in HOW TO EAT TO LIVE, BOOK TWO, the devil will sell us anything he can commercialize on with no regard concerning the harm that it is doing to us. And he will take whatever steps necessary to ensure that nothing interferes with his ability to get rich off of his potentially life-threatening product.

So, while they continue to sell these products which are “related to breast cancer”, I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

Do not shave under your arms. In the M.G.T. & G.C.C. (Muslim Girls’ Training and General Civilization Class) we are taught to never shave our pubic hairs. We trim them with scissors.

This article proves the wisdom in such teachings given to us decades ago.

It would also be wise to start making your own 100% Natural Deodorants for yourself and your family.

Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) is an excellent odor absorber and works very well as a deodorant. All you have to do it mix it with a little water to make a paste and you can use it just like that. It does not eliminate wetness, however.

I found a recipe for a more moisturizing All-Natural Homemade Deodorant and made it when I first started trying to live healthier and eliminated all personal products that contain toxins. I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

This recipe calls for something called Arrowroot. However, I have seen other recipes that use cornstarch. If I had known that, I would have used Cornstarch, which is significantly cheaper. I think next time I might use Cocoa Butter too. I like it better than Shea.

Here is the recipe for your own homemade Deodorant:

INGREDIENTS

3 T Coconut Oil

2 T Shea Butter

3 T Baking Soda

2 T Arrowroot (or Cornstarch)

Essential Oils (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a glass jar, in a pot with a little water, melt Shea Butter and Coconut Oil over low heat.

Add Essential Oils and mix.

Add dry ingredients.

Let set.

Congratulations! You have just made SHEA BUTTER Deodorant. And every time you use it you can rest easy knowing you are not polluting your body with harmful, toxic chemicals.

PLEASE CLICK THE BOOK COVER BELOW

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*UPDATE*

I NO LONGER MAKE THIS DEODORANT, BEING HOMELESS, IT’S DIFFICULT TO GET THE INGREDIENTS. THE MAIN INGREDIENT IS BAKING SODA, SO I JUST MIX BAKING SODA WITH WATER OR OLIVE OIL, IF I HAVE IT, AND APPLY IT UNDER MY ARMS.

IT WORKS JUST AS WELL.

BETTER EVEN, BECAUSE SOMETIMES, I WOULD GET IRRITATION FROM THE DEODORANT. I’M NOT SURE WHY. ALL YOU NEED IS THE BAKING SODA.

BUT IF YOU WANT THE CONVENIENCE OF ALREADY PREPARED DEODORANT, GO AHEAD.

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