I finally put together an easy homemade shampoo that works for my hair made from soapnut powder (also known as soapberries and reetha). I just mix it up before my shower. Hair and scalp types vary widely, so you will probably have to experiment with this to get it correct for your type. Also, if you have been using store bought shampoo there will most likely be an adjustment period for your scalp and hair. In addition, I have never colored my hair, so I don’t know if this works for color treated hair. I’m just sharing a recipe that works for me; try it at your own risk!

• Step 1 is to get the ingredients. This is the brand I buy:

The above three ingredients are also available as a set of three in a smaller quantity:

• Step 2 is to take a squirt tip bottle and a funnel to add the ingredients easily into the bottle.

Add the soapnut, shikakai, and amla powders one scoop at a time. Depending on your hair length and thickness, you will have to experiment with the amount. One teaspoon to one tablespoon of each. I use the biggest portion of soapnut, a little less shikakai, and the least of amla.

I also add one drop of tea tree oil and six drops of moringa oil. Again, this is the brand I buy:

You can add other powders too (I buy Merlion brand) such as their fenugreek powder. I tried that as well, but it wasn’t for my hair. You can also use different oils.

• Step 3 is to add hot tap water:

• And lastly, shake well! Then let it sit while you get ready to shower and shake again. Letting it set and shaking makes the powders dissolve that get stuck at the bottom of the bottle.

This is a liquid shampoo. I squirt it directly on my scalp with one hand and massage it around my scalp at the same time with my other hand. I also use this scalp massager to help work it around my scalp. Since this type of shampoo barely makes suds, the key is working it into your scalp. It does clean the scalp and hair; you just have to get used to not having a sudsy shampoo.

After rinsing it out, I use a conditioner as usual and a shower comb to distribute the conditioner and detangle. Then rinsing again helps remove any of the leftover powder grit from the shampoo in addition to the conditioner.

Last of all, I wrap my hair in a towel to dry it some. Then I use one of these oils to scrunch through my hair:
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Again, there are different hair types, so you will have to experiment with what works for you. These are just the products I personally use and have found the companies to be quality and reputable. The babassu oil is like a light coconut oil. I switched to using it instead of coconut oil, because it is lighter but similar in quality. Coconut oil would make my skin break out when the oil got on my skin from my hair. Babassu oil even looks like coconut oil when it’s cold. At warmer room temperatures (upper 70s) it is totally liquid.

The argan oil is a heavier oil than babassu in my opinion, so I use a smaller amount of it. The marula oil is very nourishing and my favorite one to put on the lower portion of my hair, braid it and then it gives me smooth braid waves. The moringa oil I mentioned at the beginning in the shampoo mix is one I also use for getting great braid waves. I rotate all four of these oils on my hair. They last a long time, so it’s economical using them.

I hope this helps you have healthy hair as well. I’ve also found it saves money making my own shampoo. I don’t have to use other products on my hair besides the above mentioned oils and minimal conditioner. It cuts down on plastic bottles too! In addition, the ingredients are so basic, whereas store bought shampoos have so many ingredients that aren’t actually healthy. Regular shampoo tends to strip your hair and is usually the wrong pH for scalp and hair. Soapnuts and shikakai have a pH of between 4 and 6, which is ideal for hair and scalp. I’ve found my hair keeps improving the longer I use them. Again, there is an adjustment period while adapting and also while you find the correct ratios and customization for yourself.

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I found a cocoa powder that is organic and verified gluten free. They batch test it to ensure there is no gluten. They also have carob powder that is organic and verified gluten free. I’ve bought from this company for years and have linked the cocoa powder and carob powder on Amazon below.

After much experimenting, I finally put together a recipe for gluten free and vegan cocoa chocolate chip cookies, or double chocolate cookies, as I also call them. I have been working with different recipes trying to find a good gluten free cookie recipe with wholesome ingredients...here are the results:

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons rice flour (I use a blend of brown rice flour, white rice flour and sweet rice flour)

• 1 tablespoon coconut flour (if you don't have coconut flour, you could replace this with tapioca flour)

• 2 tablespoons almond meal/flour (or grind your own almonds finely)

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder or carob powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

—Mix the above ingredients together in a small mixing bowl--

• 4 tablespoons margarine (I use Earth Balance organic margarine)

• 1/3 cup coconut palm sugar (you can also use your own white sugar)

• 1 tablespoon flax powder mixed with 3 tablespoons warm water to replace an egg...let this sit for a few minutes before mixing into the batter. (If you're not a vegan, you could use a real egg.)

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

—Beat the above wet ingredients in a mixer...or by hand works, too. If the dough is dry, add some milk (the kind of your choice...rice, soy, etc. One teaspoon at a time until the dough is moist enough).

—Then, add the prepared dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.

Then add and mix in:

• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

​—Place small balls of the cookie dough on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow to cool briefly on cookie sheet before removing. Makes approximately 12-18 cookies, depending on the size of cookie dough balls you use.

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