Did you guess?

Remember when I did this post several weeks ago and asked that you guess what I had made?  I........made..............TOOTHPASTE!  

I went from using this 

 

which has a warning label on the back (see below) that says "Keep out of reach of children" and "If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away"

Unfortunately, I can not show you all the ingredients included with this tube of toothpaste, because it is listed on the box which I do not have anymore.   From looking at some boxes of toothpaste in the store, there are several ingredients that I can not even pronounce, which probably means they are not the best things to be swallowing and why there is a warning to "Keep out of reach of children".

Click on photo for a larger version

I find it weird that we encourage children to brush their teeth, but manufacture toothpaste that indicates it needs to be kept out of their reach!  OK.STEPPING.OFF.SOAP.BOX!

I made several attempts at making my own toothpaste before coming up with a recipe that I like.  

I started with these ingredients: 

Baking Soda, Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Liquid Soap, Stevia, Coconut Oil, Sweet Orange Oil and Spearmint Oil

The recipe came from Naturally Knocked Up, a blog I regularly follow. 

Please visit  here for her recipe (no point in re-doing work that is already done!)

This recipe was not bad, but it never hardened up to a state I was happy with.  So I cut down on a few of the ingredients that were not really necessary in my opinion (water and Dr. Bronner's Soap). The soap is to help give you the foaming feeling that we have all grown used to in toothpaste. 

After two attempts at altering the recipe, I came to one I was happy with.  

2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil*

1/4 tsp. Baking Soda*

15 drops Mint Oil 

Pinch Stevia (this is VERY sweet, so it does not take much)

This recipe is very easy to customize depending on what you want for your toothpaste.  Add the baking soda, essential oil (whatever flavor you desire), and Stevia at whatever measurements you wish to have the taste you desire. Have some fun experimenting!

Here is what my toothpaste looks like: 

*I am using a different coconut oil and baking soda then I did in the original recipe.  The first recipe was a very cheap coconut oil, which is not as healthy for you as Virgin, Organic, and Unrefined Coconut Oil.  Please check out Kelly the Kitchen Kop's post on the benefits of this great oil and the best kinds to purchase. I purchased mine at the local health food store. 

I am taking a Real Food E-course from Kelly and learning TONS! 

*I have also purchased a baking soda to use in my cooking which is aluminum free. 

This can be found at a local health food store.

I still use the Arm & Hammer Baking Soda for all my cleaning products. 

So do any of you make your own toothpaste? I would love to hear if you try this recipe and if you like it!