tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21690360120244157202024-03-19T01:45:37.902-07:00Natural Mamajschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-75382295132140496122015-12-11T15:57:00.005-08:002015-12-11T15:57:24.338-08:00Natural Mama: Natural Body Wash<a href="http://jcshlieder10.blogspot.com/2014/10/natural-body-wash.html?spref=bl">Natural Mama: Natural Body Wash</a>: I spent a lot of money on fancy body wash products (and fancy personal care products in general). I definitely bought into all the claims o...jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-4836591688667808212015-12-11T15:57:00.003-08:002015-12-11T15:57:13.355-08:00Natural Mama: Liquid Hand Soap<a href="http://jcshlieder10.blogspot.com/2015/06/it-has-been-long-time-since-i-have.html?spref=bl">Natural Mama: Liquid Hand Soap</a>: It has been a long time since I have created a post on my blog. SO I decided to start off with an easy recipe for everyone to try. We go thr...jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-32248876799454451272015-12-11T15:57:00.001-08:002015-12-11T15:57:02.081-08:00Natural Mama: Homemade Christmas Gifts<a href="http://jcshlieder10.blogspot.com/2015/12/homemade-christmas-gifts.html?spref=bl">Natural Mama: Homemade Christmas Gifts</a>: Wow! It has been several months since I have written a blog post. I am hoping that my followers have not abandoned me. I will be working har...jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-72018676090650865742015-12-11T15:56:00.001-08:002015-12-11T15:56:46.703-08:00Natural Mama: How to Make Soap (With or Without Lye)<a href="http://jcshlieder10.blogspot.com/2015/12/how-to-make-soap-with-or-without-lye.html?spref=bl">Natural Mama: How to Make Soap (With or Without Lye)</a>: I’d always been crafty, and when I found recipes for soap making in an old-time homemaking book, I was intrigued. At the same time, I was un...jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-15222836698440915372015-12-11T15:53:00.001-08:002015-12-11T15:53:18.539-08:00How to Make Soap (With or Without Lye)I’d always been crafty, and when I found recipes for soap making in an old-time homemaking book, I was intrigued. At the same time, I was unsure about some of the ingredients that the recipes called for, especially tallow and lye.<br />
<br />
In fact, despite my intrigue with homemade soap, it took me a few years to work up the courage to make it, so I just bought handmade soap from a local vendor in the meantime. When I finally attempted to make homemade soap for our family, I was amazed at how simple it was, and how much money it saved!<br />
<br />
While the process seems overwhelming at first glance, it is very simple, especially after you’ve done it once. Also, in less than an hour, it is possible to make enough soap for our family for months and months, and I was able to make soap for less than half the cost of buying it, even with organic ingredients.<br />
<b>Can You Make Soap Without Lye?<br />
</b><br />
Often, the biggest concern with soap-making is the lye, and this was one of my biggest concerns as well before I researched it.<br />
<br />
Lye comes with its fair share of warnings and with good reason, but that doesn’t mean that the finished soap product is in any way dangerous. The most often asked question on my soap recipes is “can I make soap without lye?” The short answer is no, but the long answer requires a little science…<br />
<b>What is Lye?</b><br />
<br />
Chemically, lye is Sodium Hydroxide, a caustic alkali. It can eat holes in fabric and skin and cause severe reactions with other chemicals. For soap, the crystal form of pure Sodium Hydroxide is used (this is important!) and the lye must be added to water, not the other way around.<br />
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<b>Sounds dangerous… right?</b><br />
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<b>Not so fast.</b><br />
<br />
After all, table salt is made up of sodium and chloride, both dangerous on their own but edible once combined.<br />
You Can’t Make Soap Without Lye<br />
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Soap by definition is an alkali mixed with fats. When combined, a process called saponification happens, creating soap. This not only allows the liquid and oils to mix (they don’t do this naturally, as you might remember from grade school science class), but also creates the action by which soap has its cleansing properties.<br />
<br />
In other words, without Lye, you just have a bucket of chunky, fatty oils floating in water.<br />
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The important part is to make sure that the correct amount of Lye is used for the particular soap you make (more on that below) as different oils and fats require different ratios of lye.<br />
Don’t Want to Handle Lye?<br />
<br />
If you don’t want to physically touch the lye but still want the experience of making soap, all is not lost. There are ways that you can make and customize your own soap without handling the lye by using a pre-made melt-and-pour soap that has been pre-saponified (in other words, the lye has already been handled).<br />
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It is not lye-free, but you won’t have to handle the lye yourself.<br />
<br />
This is the brand of melt-and-pour soap that I’ve used before, and it worked really well. You can add scents with essential oils, or add other ingredients like clays, salts, or other add-ins if you want to create a personalized soap. Again, it isn’t lye-free and you haven’t technically “made” the soap but it is a way to have the experience without having to handle the lye (but it is also much less cost effective).<br />
<b>How To Create Your Own Soap (With Lye)<br />
</b><br />
As I explained, though Lye can be dangerous on its own, there is no lye remaining in soap that has been properly made and no reason for concern when using lye appropriately and in the correct ratio for soap making.<br />
<br />
If you are ready to tackle the simple process of soap making using lye.<br />
<br />
Before you begin, it is important to have both a recipe and the necessary ingredients. You can make a custom soap with almost any variety of oils and fats, and a good soap calculator will help you know how much of each ingredient you’ll need. The bulk oils I keep on hand for soap making (and general cooking and use) are:<br />
<br />
Coconut Oil<br />
Olive Oil<br />
Shea Butter<br />
Cocoa Butter<br />
Castor Oil<br />
Avocado Oil<br />
Mango Butter<br />
<br />
I also found these kitchen tools helpful and I keep a specific one of each just for soap making and not for kitchen use:<br />
<br />
A digital scale (this is important for making a soap that is not too harsh or too oily)<br />
Glass jars and bowls<br />
A stick blender <br />
plastic cups (optional)<br />
A metal spoon<br />
A wooden spoon<br />
A spatula<br />
Soap molds (or an old cardboard box lined with parchment paper). I have green flower molds, red silicon rose molds and basic bar soap molds.<br />
Gloves and sunglasses or eyewear<br />
A large bottle of white vinegar for neutralizing the lye mixture if it spills on anything.<br />
<b>How to Customize Your Soap</b><br />
<br />
At this point, you can also decide on any add-ins for your soap to customize the color, scent or texture. In the past, I’ve used:<br />
<br />
Essential oils<br />
Dried herbs (for texture or color)- my favorites are dried lavender flowers, chamomile flowers or calendula, though any dried her could be added.<br />
Colors– natural color options I’ve tried are spices and plant materials like spirulina, turmeric, cocoa, ground coffee (my favorite), hibiscus, beet root and others.<br />
Texture add ins– like dry freshly ground coffee, healing clays, salts, oatmeal or any other ingredient.<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-52596957634368950332015-12-06T06:51:00.000-08:002015-12-06T06:51:05.987-08:00Homemade Christmas Gifts Wow! It has been several months since I have written a blog post. I am hoping that my followers have not abandoned me. I will be working harder to create a new blog every few weeks again. Since it is the Christmas season I decided to post several wonderful cheap, easy, and fun gift ideas. I was busy making many of these this past weekend and had lots of fun. <b><strike><strike></strike></strike></b> <br />
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<b>Sugar scrub<br />
<i></i></b><br />
Pour sugar into medium sized mixing bowl<br />
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Add coconut oil until desired consistency is reached; stir<br />
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Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil into the mixture<br />
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Divide your sugar scrub mix into two equal portions<br />
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Add a drop or two of food coloring into one of the portions (be careful not to add too much!)<br />
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In mason jar, alternate pink and white layers of sugars to create a “candy cane” effect. Press sugar down with a spoon to compact between layers.<br />
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Print sticker label for the front of the jar and add with a bow to gift. <br />
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<br />
I personally love the scent of Cinnamon and the scent of Vanilla. They remind me of the holidays and winter time. So I decided to make a Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub…and let me tell you…this one smells so good! I think it is now my favorite so far I love the texture of this one. This sugar scrub is a little bit different than my other ones because I added some Raw Cane Sugar. This sugar has a larger granule and I love the feeling and the exfoliation it along with the smaller granules of the white sugar. You will need the following materials to make this scrub recipe.<br />
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<b>Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub<br />
<i></i></b><br />
1/2 cup White Sugar<br />
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1/2 cup Raw Cane Sugar (baking aisle)<br />
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up to 1/4 cup oil (Olive Oil, Almond Oil, or Coconut Oil)<br />
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1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract or Essential Oil<br />
<br />
2-3 drops of Cinnamon Essential oil (I personally buy my oils locally from The Rosemary House in Mechanicsburg)<br />
<br />
dash of cinnamon (optional)<br />
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Mix all of the ingredients together and place in your favorite container. <br />
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<br />
<b>Lip Gloss<i></i></b><br />
<br />
This was a very easy and fun recipe to make, I believe it only took me 5 minutes to make. <br />
<br />
<b>What You'll Need<i></i></b><br />
<br />
Petroleum jelly<br />
Coconut oil<br />
Powdered Jello or Essential oils<br />
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Scoop out the coconut oil and petroleum jelly into a microwave safe bowl using a 1 to 1 ratio. (We used 1/2 cup each, and it makes lots)<br />
<br />
Put it in the microwave for 30 seconds and then mix the mixture with a spoon until almost smooth.<br />
<br />
Using a separate bowl, measure out 4 teaspoons of the oil and jelly mixture and 1 teaspoon of the powdered jello. This amount fit my containers perfect. (If you do not want to use Jello mix than you can substitute that for essential oils instead.) <br />
<br />
Let them set up over night and you have lip gloss. Please note, these will not add color to your lips, they do however have a slight flavor. You can add more jello to make the flavor more intense.<br />
<br />
<b>Sugar Cookie Body Butter<i></i></b><br />
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My skin gets super dry and itchy in winter, and regular lotion just won’t cut it. I love using rich and creamy body butter to keep my skin soothed and nourished, so I was thrilled to discover that it is incredible simple to make at home. This homemade whipped body butter is thick and luxurious, and you can use any scent or fragrance that you like – I made my batch a sugar cookie body butter (yum!)!<br />
<br />
<b>What You’ll Need:<br />
</b><br />
Coconut Oil<br />
Raw Shea Butter<br />
Almond Oil<br />
Fragrance or Essential Oils, if desired (I used Sugar Cookie Fragrance)<br />
<br />
In a small saucepan, melt the oils together over low heat. I used 1/3 cup each of the coconut oil and shea butter(I ordered mine on Amazon, check you local organic grocery stores) and 2 tbsp almond oil. Carefully pour the liquid oil into a chilled bowl, mix in 20 drops of fragrance or essential oil, and allow to sit until the oil begins to harden. You can throw the bowl in the fridge if you want to speed up the process, but be careful not to let it get too hard! You want the oil to be firm, but not solid, for the next step (about the consistency of softened butter). When the oil is ready, whip with a mixer for several minutes until the body butter is fluffy and the volume has increased.<br />
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This recipe makes just over a cup of body butter, so it fits perfectly into one of these short little mason jars. Package it with a cute bow, and you have an easy peasy DIY holiday gift that’s ready for giving!<br />
<br />
<br />
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jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-65489902822119992512015-06-07T05:17:00.001-07:002015-06-07T05:17:46.941-07:00Natural Mama: Liquid Hand Soap<a href="http://jcshlieder10.blogspot.com/2015/06/it-has-been-long-time-since-i-have.html?spref=bl">Natural Mama: Liquid Hand Soap</a>: It has been a long time since I have created a post on my blog. SO I decided to start off with an easy recipe for everyone to try. We go thr...jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-61822135481649253082015-06-07T05:16:00.000-07:002015-06-07T05:17:07.206-07:00Liquid Hand SoapIt has been a long time since I have created a post on my blog. SO I decided to start off with an easy recipe for everyone to try. We go through a lot of hand soap. The only downside of foaming hand soap is that you need a special foaming pump and these eventually wear out.<br />
Liquid Hand Soap…<br />
<br />
I got enough questions about if this would work as a liquid hand soap that I decided to create a recipe specifically for liquid hand soap. This uses the same idea as my homemade laundry detergent of grating a natural bar soap and melting in water to form a natural gel.<br />
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This is not only cost effective (a $3 to $4 bar of premium natural soap will make up to a gallon of soap), but simple and more natural than regular soap.<br />
Is it Antibacterial?<br />
I would avoid antibacterial handsoaps and other products because of their potential to create resistant bacteria and microbiome changes. Plain soap and water have proven as effective as antibacterial soaps without the risk and this natural version is a simple and cost effective natural soap.<br />
<b><i>What You’ll Need</i></b><br />
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<b><b>A natural bar soap of choice. Homemade bar soaps usually work well and my other favorites are Dr. Bronners, african black soap, and Kombucha soap<br />
Distilled or filtered water<br />
A dispenser: Reuse an old soap dispenser, use a glass one or metal one, or make one out of a mason jar by drilling a hole in the top and hot gluing on the top of a soap pump dispenser.</b><br />
<b></b></b><br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients<i></i></b><br />
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<b> 1 ounce of finely grated bar soap (approximately ¼ of a regular bar of soap)<br />
1 quart of water<br />
Optional: essential oils of choice for scen</b>t<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions<i></i></b><br />
<br />
<b> Place the bar soap and water into a small saucepan.<br />
Turn on medium heat and stir constantly until soap has dissolved into the water.<br />
Let cool completely and pour into the container you plan to use.<br />
It will take about 24 hours to completely "gel" but it will not be quite as thick as regular hand soap. You can add more grated bar soap to create a thicker soap but it will be more difficult to pump and will not get hands any more clean, so I stick with this.<br />
After 24 hours, shake well to make sure it has gelled completely and use as normal.</b><br />
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jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-13174548073925819972014-10-15T10:32:00.002-07:002014-10-15T10:38:00.380-07:00Natural Body Wash I spent a lot of money on fancy body wash products (and fancy personal care products in general). I definitely bought into all the claims of how they would make your skin softer/tighter/smell great/acne free/etc and had several that I mixed and matched to get the scent and effect I wanted.<br />
I don’t use most conventional products anymore and usually just default to using bar soap, but when I still want the skin softening, great smelling benefits of body wash, I make my own.<br />
<b>Natural Body Wash Ingredients…<i></i></b><br />
This body wash combines several of my favorite skin care ingredients. I use:<br />
<b>Raw honey:<i></i></b> I’ve posted before about how honey is a great skin care ingredient on its own and how it is great for wound healing (and even used in hospitals). In this recipe, it helps soften skin and is naturally soothing & antibacterial. I use local, raw honey when possible and use an organic raw honey (like this one) when I can’t find any locally.<br />
<b>Natural Oils: <i></i></b>I use the oil cleansing method to wash my face each day and my skin has never looked better. This recipe uses natural oils to accomplish some of the same benefits as oil cleansing for the whole body. I used a mixture of castor oil and olive oil.<br />
<b>Liquid castille soap-<i></i></b> This gives it the cleansing ability. I use Dr. Bronner’s Baby Mild so that I can customize the scent with essential oils, but any scent of organic liquid castille soap will work.<br />
Homemade Natural Body Wash<br />
Simple and natural homemade body wash with liquid castille soap, raw honey, natural oils and essential oils to nourish skin without drying.<br />
<b>Ingredients<br />
3 Tablespoons<i></i></b> liquid castille soap<br />
3 Tablespoons raw honey<br />
2 Tablespoons oils (I used 1 TBSP each of castor oil and olive oil)<br />
10 drops of essential oil of choice (or more for your preferences)<br />
<b>Instructions<i></i></b><br />
Carefully mix all ingredients by hand with a spoon in a glass liquid measuring cup. Do not use a blender, whisk or had mixer as this will create bubbles and make it impossible to get into a container.<br />
Pour into a (preferably glass) container and use in the shower as a body wash. I use with a natural sea sponge for easy use.<br />
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jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-33706321490190663562014-09-13T10:38:00.000-07:002014-10-15T10:40:20.511-07:00When I was pregnant with my first child, I was given literally a million bottles of baby lotion by friends and relatives. The smell reminded me of my own childhood and I loved that it was a lotion specially formulated for baby. I figured all of the ingredients must be natural and safe since it was for babies after all… and then I actually read the ingredients.<br />
<b>What’s in Baby Lotion?<br />
<i></i></b><br />
I wondered why things like Propylene glycol, parabens, artificial fragrances, synthetic waxes and petroleum based oils were considered safe for children. Turns out, they aren’t considered safe for children and the products I’d been given had a hazard rating of 5-6 on the EWG website and had “moderate risk of allergies and immunotoxicity as well as reproductive and developmental toxins.<br />
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I definitely wasn’t going to put that on my baby, so I started looking for natural options. I found some great ones, but also found out that most of them were pretty expensive and when you are living on a budget those options were not for me. <br />
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I decided to try to make my own from all natural, food safe ingredients and this ended up being less expensive for me anyway since I had many of these ingredients on hand for my homemade lotion bars and other homemade beauty products.<br />
Choosing Natural Ingredients<br />
<br />
Instead of propylene glycol, parabens and synthetic ingredients, I wanted to find all-natural ingredients to put on my baby’s skin and I wanted them to even be safe enough to eat!<br />
<br />
<b>I decided to use:<i></i></b><br />
<br />
Cocoa Butter because it is naturally high in antioxidants and fatty acids that are moisturizing to the skin. <br />
Shea Butter – Natural source of Vitamin A and other nutrients, shea butter is highly nourishing to the skin. <br />
Olive Oil- Moisturizing and skin protecting.<br />
Castor Oil- Optional but high in ricinoleic acid and skin protective. (this is the one I use)<br />
<b> Essential Oils:<i></i></b> I used Frankincense, Myrhh, Chamomile and Rose and the scent was incredible. The Chamomile I used was blue chamomile.<br />
<br />
I loved that this recipe is completely oil-based with shelf stable ingredients. Since no liquid is added, it has an indefinite shelf life and will last for months or years. It takes a few minutes to absorb in to skin and only a tiny bit is needed. I’ve had friends say that this was incredibly helpful for eczema and skin problems as well.<br />
<br />
<b>The Recipe<i></i></b><br />
<br />
¼ cup cocoa butter (or 32 cocoa butter wafers)<br />
¼ cup shea butter<br />
2 Tablespoons olive oil<br />
1 Tablespoon castor oil<br />
Essential oils of choice. I used 15 drops each of Frankincense, Myrrh, Chamomile and Rose.<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions<i></i></b><br />
<br />
Heat all ingredients (except essential oils) in a double boiler or in a glass jar or bowl over a small pan of boiling water.<br />
Stir carefully until melted.<br />
Remove from heat and add essential oils if using.<br />
Pour in to a glass jar for storage.<br />
Use a small amount as needed for baby's skin (or adult skin)<br />
<br />
<b>What did you use on your little ones? Ever made your own? Share below!<br />
<i></i></b><br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-49570222181504584822014-08-06T17:59:00.000-07:002014-08-06T17:59:32.277-07:005 Natural Face Mask RecipesFor those of us who don’t have the time to escape to a spa for relaxation, these homemade face masks are a great solution for giving skin a boost. Even better, they are all made from completely non-toxic ingredients… in fact, you can eat most of them!<br />
1. Basic Face Mask<br />
<br />
Use some bentonite clay or kaolin clay and add enough water to make a paste. Apply to face in a circular motion until face is covered. Let dry and use a warm, wet washcloth to remove.<br />
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Good for: All skin types<br />
2. Tropical Mask<br />
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Mash one banana with 1 tablespoon of honey and mix until it forms a smooth paste. Apply to face and allow to stay on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well.<br />
<br />
Good for: Dry skin<br />
3. Chai Mask<br />
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For a delicious smelling mask that also gently exfoliates skin, mix this mask that doubles as a sweetener for Chai tea. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg.<br />
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Rub on face and let sit 20 minutes. Remove with a washcloth and warm water. (Note: some people react to cinnamon or nutmeg on skin. Test a small amount on your inner arm before using)<br />
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Good for: oily or normal skin<br />
4. Guacamole Mask<br />
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For dry skin, mash 1/2 of a ripe avocado with 2 tablespoons of honey and apply to the face. Let sit 20+ minutes and rinse well.<br />
<br />
Good for: All skin types, especially dry skin<br />
5. Cool Cucumber Mask<br />
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This one is especially great for oily or inflamed skin. Blend 1/2 of a cucumber with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of bentonite or kaolin clay. Add additional clay if needed to create a paste. Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
Remove with a washcloth and warm water.<br />
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Good for: All skin types, especially cooling for acne prone skin<br />
Aftercare:<br />
<br />
After using a facemask, a sea salt spray or 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in 1 cup of cool water work as great toners to lock in the effects.jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-7572993845129765872014-08-06T17:50:00.000-07:002014-08-06T17:50:14.825-07:00Sweet Salt Texturizing Spray for HairTurns out, combining these two recipes is not only possible, but awesome.I stumbled upon my beach waves spray and homemade hair spray when looking for natural hair products that would give my hair some body without weighing it down or making it look greasy.This texturizing spray combines the texturizing ability of my original sea spray with the extra hold of my homemade hair spray for a long-lasting texturizing spray. I also added essential oils to this recipe for scent and to stimulate hair growth. I spend a lot of time outside in the summer, and these oils help protect hair and encourage new hair growth.<br />
<br />
This spray is incredibly inexpensive and simple to make and it has worked better on my hair than any store-bought product I’ve ever tried. In fact, even if you buy a top of the line glass spray bottle to use for this recipe (which can be re-used many times) and use all of the optional ingredients, this 8 ounce recipe still costs much less than a 4-ounce bottle of Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, which is one of the few conventional products that I’ve ever really liked.<br />
<i><b>Texturizing Spray Ingredients<br />
<i></i></b></i><br />
1 cup distilled water, heated but not boiling<br />
1 Tablespoon Epsom Salt<br />
1 Tablespoon Organic White Sugar<br />
1 teaspoon Spiced Rum (optional- to help preserve and avoid sticking)<br />
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil (optional)<br />
10 drops Lemon Essential Oil (optional)<br />
10 drops Clary Sage Essential Oil (optional)<br />
5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil (optional)<br />
1 teaspoon of Coconut Conditioner (optional but can help prevent the bottle sticking. Adding conditioner will not work for all hair types and will make the spray thicker. If you don’t want to use conditioner, you can just soak the spray top in hot water to dissolve the sugar/salt if it ever sticks)<br />
<br />
<i><b>How to Make Texturizing Spray<br />
</b></i><br />
These directions get pretty complicated, so bear with me… Just kidding! This recipe is incredibly easy to make so don’t blink or you might miss the directions.<br />
<br />
Pour the hot water in to the glass spray bottle.<br />
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Add all of the other ingredients.<br />
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Shake until ingredients are dissolved.<br />
How To Use Texturizing Spray<br />
<br />
Spray into dry hair and scrunch until the spray dries.<br />
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For extra volume, use a curling iron to loosely curl 1 inch sections of hair and scrunch again.<br />
<br />
<b>TIP:</b> For easy morning hair, braid dry hair in to a french braid (or french braid pigtails) at night and spray with this spray. In the morning, use dry shampoo if needed and unbraid hair. Re-spray and scrunch for all-day texture and waves.<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-3875750415813280272014-06-09T16:13:00.004-07:002014-06-09T16:23:59.708-07:00Homemade Dish SoapNatural Liquid Dish Soap Recipe<br />
Are you looking to save money on cleaning products and work toward living a natural lifestyle, eliminating toxins and chemicals from your everyday products? Do you love the challenge of making your own cleaning products. <br />
<br />
If so, you have to try our simple recipe for homemade dish soap. Not the kind that goes into a dishwasher, the kind you squirt into a sink full of water when you’re stuck with the chore of hand-washing the dishes. <br />
<b>Ingredients:<br />
</b><br />
1 ¾ cups boiling water<br />
1 Tbsp borax<br />
1 Tbsp grated bar soap (use homemade soap, castile bar soap, Ivory, or whichever natural bar you prefer)<br />
15-20 drops essential oils, optional (find 100% pure essential oils here)<br />
<br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
<br />
Heat water to boiling.<br />
Combine borax and grated bar soap in a medium bowl. Pour hot water over the mixture. Whisk until the grated soap is completely melted.<br />
Allow mixture to cool on the counter top for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. Dish soap will gel upon standing.<br />
Transfer to a squirt bottle, and add essential oils. Shake well to combine.<br />
<br />
Now you’re ready to use your liquid dish soap just as you would use any commercial brand!jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-22896829629757113272014-05-28T15:40:00.001-07:002014-06-09T16:24:25.626-07:00Tangerine Gummies for Radiant SkinLuckily, adding gelatin to your diet and your kids diet is not only easy; it’s delicious! The Gelatin Secret, which goes into detail about how gelatin nourishes each part of our body and includes many recipes, both savory and sweet so you can jumpstart your journey to health right away.<br />
Tangerine Gummies for Radiant Skin<br />
What you’ll need:<br />
<br />
1 cup strained (no pulp) tangerine juice (preferably fresh squeezed)<br />
7 Tbsp gelatin (preferably pastured like this one)<br />
4 Tbsp honey (preferably raw)<br />
Silicone molds (these and these are the ones pictured)<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
<br />
Bring the juice and honey to a low simmer (don’t let it get too hot as it will kill the probiotic awesomeness of the honey!)<br />
Add the gelatin and mix quickly with an immersion blender or with a whisk and some patience until it’s fully dissolved.<br />
Pour into molds and place in freezer for 20 minutes (for easy transport, place the silicone mold on a cookie sheet).<br />
Take out and enjoy!<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-27124932787430744302014-05-28T15:37:00.000-07:002014-06-09T16:24:44.426-07:00Natural Glass CleanerSometimes the best things in life are free… or really, really cheap, like this natural glass cleaner recipe. I’ve experimented with many types of natural cleaners and have finally found natural options that are as good (or better) than conventional cleaners.<br />
<br />
This natural glass cleaner was a pretty easy recipe to figure out after I got the tip to use vinegar from a neighbor. Apparently, that is what everyone used in past generations and we’ve just been slow to figure it out. What’s old is new again, I suppose…<br />
<br />
This cleaner has a somewhat strong smell that completely evaporates once it dries. I prefer to use microfiber cloth to wipe down the windows now, but old newspapers or t-shirts also work. Just avoid paper towels as they tend to leave lint on them.<br />
Natural Glass Cleaner Recipe:<br />
<br />
In a 16 oz or bigger spray bottle (or squirt bottle) mix:<br />
<br />
1 pint (2 cups) water<br />
2 tablespoons vinegar<br />
10-15 drops essential oil (optional, but helps the vinegar smell)<br />
<br />
Shake bottle and spray on windows. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to wipe off.<br />
<br />
NOTE: If you have always used commercial window cleaner in the past, mix a couple drops of liquid castille soap or liquid dish soap in some of this mixture the first time you clean the windows to remove detergent residue.<br />
<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-1314024665117724472014-03-27T04:13:00.000-07:002014-06-09T16:27:58.290-07:00Homeade Dishwasher DetergentDishwasher detergent can be one of the tougher products to find good natural options for. Homemade versions can work, but getting the ratios right is really important.<br />
<br />
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent:<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
<br />
2 parts borax<br />
2 parts washing soda<br />
1 part citric acid (this is the kind I used)<br />
1 part salt<br />
essential oils for scent (completely optional)<br />
<br />
<br />
The upside is that it is a simple and cost effective recipe and you know exactly what it contains. The downside is that it can leave a residue depending on your water, the temperature used, and other factors.Tropical Traditions Dishwasher Detergent:<br />
<br />
Another option that I use often is Tropical Traditions Powdered Dish Detergent. It is also all-natural and an enzyme cleaner so it is a much safer option than many store bought dish detergents.<br />
<br />
One canister lasts at least a month at our house (often much longer). This one is a little more pricey but it cleans well and lasts longer than many of the other natural options.<br />
Ecover Powder:<br />
<br />
Another natural option that works well is Ecover Powder. It is available locally in many places, it cleans well and it isn’t that much more expensive than store bought brands. It was pretty close between Ecover and Tropical Traditions as to which one cleaned better, and I’d use either one.<br />
<br />
<br />
Another natural brand that I’ve tried that actually gets the dishes clean is Mrs. Myers. It comes in a variety of natural scents and is also available locally in many places. It is more expensive than the other natural options, but it does a good job.<br />
What I do:<br />
<br />
I’m all for a DIY option whenever possible, but in the case of dishwasher detergent, finding a homemade option that works with your water quality and dishwasher can be difficult.<br />
<br />
If the homemade options haven’t worked for you, I’ve used all three of the other above powdered dish soaps with good results and would use them again. Most often, I use Tropical Traditions, but it is only available online and the other two can often be found locally.jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-9041716890075544992014-02-21T04:12:00.001-08:002014-02-21T04:12:32.506-08:00Honey Face Wash Sound strange? So does cleansing your face with oil, but it turns out that they are both natural and effective ways to cleanse skin naturally.<br />
<br />
For this method, raw honey must be used. Raw honey has natural anti-bacterial properties and contains enzymes and probiotics that are good for skin. This method can be especially good for acne-prone skin as it doesn’t stop moisture from the skin but does reduce oils and bacteria. (Acne is usually in internal problem though, so it is important to look at diet too!)<br />
<br />
Honey is gentler than soaps, which strip the skin of beneficial oils, and it gently nourishes skin. I know a local vet who has even used raw honey to speed skin healing on animals as it helps reduce bacteria and speed healing while protecting the skin from outside disturbances. This idea appears to have some scientific backing, as there are now medical grade ointments (like this one) that use honey for wound and burn healing in humans.<br />
<b>What to Use</b><br />
<br />
I’ve personally tried two different types of honey for facial cleansing:<br />
<br />
Manuka Honey<br />
Raw Organic Honey<br />
<br />
Both seem to work really well. Manuka honey is considered more cleansing and antibacterial (and has health benefits when used internally) but from what I found, either one works great for skin care (and raw honey is cheaper).<br />
<br />
A friend of mine also recommended adding a tiny bit of vitamin C powder (which is also great for skin) and some essential oils for extra anti-bacterial and acne fighting power. Personally, I mix a few drops of lavender and frankincense oils in to the honey I keep in my bathroom.<br />
<br />
I also still use the Oil Cleansing Method daily and I use honey for a second wash if needed. Typically, I wash my face at night with the oil cleansing method since it also removes makeup, and wash my face in the morning with the honey method if I use it. I keep a small jar and spoon of honey on my bathroom counter for this purpose….<br />
<b>How to Do it:</b><br />
<br />
Wet face with warm water. Place a small amount of honey in your hands (Usually less than a teaspoon is plenty) and rub your hands together. <br />
<br />
Massage in to skin in a circular motion to get all areas of the skin.<br />
<br />
Optional: Leave on for 5-10 minutes for deep pore cleansing.<br />
<br />
Wash off with warm water and pat dry.<br />
<br />
Enjoy the soft skin!<br />
<br />
Have you ever washed your face with an unusual ingredient? Share below in the comments!jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-85626699044398782882014-02-13T05:14:00.001-08:002014-02-13T05:15:14.904-08:00Seven Natural Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day<b>Homemade Chocolate:</b><br />
<br />
If you are going to do the chocolate thing, why not make some gourmet chocolate that is actually good for you?<br />
<br />
This is my favorite homemade recipe made with cocoa butter and raw honey. You can also top with a bit of sea salt for a salted version ,or add a drop of food grade peppermint essential oil for a mint flavor.<br />
<br />
This recipe also works really well for making chocolate covered strawberries (or other fruit) or as a magic shell topping for homemade ice cream.<br />
A Creative Date:<br />
<br />
I share my 7 top favorite unusual date ideas in this post, but anything that gets you out of the house and breaks up the norm can be fun. In the long run, it will be the creative dates and the time spent together that they remember, not the expensive gifts or dates!<br />
<b>Maca:</b><br />
<br />
For a long time, if we gave store bought gifts at all, they were practical ones that we needed anyway.<br />
<br />
Maca is a root (herb) that supports healthy hormone health. It has often been used for hormone balance, to increase libido, to help with infertility, etc. It also is great for boosting energy levels and it is one of the supplements that I take often.<br />
<br />
Due to its libido-boosting properties, Maca can make a great Valentine’s day gift idea for men or women. This is the one I use.<br />
<b>Beeswax Candles:</b><br />
<br />
Candles are often given as a gift, but many candles contain harmful chemicals that are released in to the air of your home:<br />
<br />
“Regular paraffin candles are petroleum derived and can release chemicals like benzene, toluene, soot and other chemicals into the air. These types of candles do more harm than good for indoor air quality and should be avoided.<br />
<br />
Pure Beeswax Candles on the other hand burn with almost no smoke or scent and clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air. These negative ions can bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.<br />
<br />
Beeswax candles are often especially helpful for those with asthma or allergies and they are effective at removing common allergens like dust and dander from the air. Beeswax candles also burn more slowly than paraffin candles so they last much longer.<br />
<br />
I personally only use beeswax candles in our house. We buy them by the case and our favorites are:<br />
<br />
Tea-light beeswax candles<br />
Votive size beeswax candles“<br />
<br />
Beeswax candles are a great alternative as they provide the relaxing benefits of a candle as well as air-cleaning benefits.<br />
<b>Lotion Bars:</b><br />
<br />
Lotion bars are a great gift idea for Valentine’s Day. They are completely natural and can be customized for men or women. This winter especially, it has been really cold at our house and any time we’ve started to get dry skin, I turn to the lotion bars.<br />
<br />
They are easy to use (apply to dry skin) and less messy than regular lotion. They can also be made in silicon molds in any shape, so you could create a bouquet of lotion bar flowers (with a mold like this one) or stick with a simple bar for guys (like this one).<br />
<b>Salt Lamp:</b><br />
<br />
Another favorite are salt lamps clean the air and create a relaxing orange glow. We use them to purify the air and in hallways at night so kids can see if they have to go to the bathroom (we keep rooms dark).<br />
<br />
Salt lamps are also a unique and novel gift that can be useful all year instead of pretty for a day. This is the one we have.<br />
<b>Time Together:</b><br />
<br />
Our go-to gift for most events… uninterrupted time together. With kids, this often just means time watching a movie, but we also make an effort to do activities together when we can.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Do you celebrate Valentine’s day? What are you doing this year?jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-43796986414768202162014-02-05T16:10:00.001-08:002014-02-05T16:10:42.078-08:00Homemade Healthy Fruit SnacksWe are big fans of Gelatin at our house and we use it in a lot of different ways. These homemade fruit snacks and homemade marshmallows are the kid-favorites in our house, and I can feel good about giving it to them since it is a source of protein and vitamins.<br />
<br />
Just like the chewable vitamins recipe, different vitamins can be added to these to make them even more nutritious. The kombucha adds nutrients as well, making these fruit snacks even healthier.<br />
<br />
There are really endless ways this recipe could be adapted, and I’ve included our favorite below. If you experiment with different flavors or combinations, please share them below!<br />
<br />
These can be made by pouring in to an oiled container or silicon molds. The molds we have are: assorted geometric shapes, dinosaur molds, bugs and flowers and hearts. The recipe fills about 4-5 of these molds, or a medium baking dish (oiled). If you use a baking dish, just cut the fruit snacks once they gel. If you use the molds, stick them in the fridge to harden and in the freezer for 5 minutes before popping them out to make them come out easier.<br />
<br />
<b>Homemade Fruit Snacks</b><br />
<br />
Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks Recipe Homemade Fruit Snacks<br />
Print<br />
Healthy homemade fruit snacks packed with nutrients from gelatin, fruit, kombucha (optional) and juice.<br />
Author: Wellness Mama<br />
Recipe type: Snack<br />
Ingredients<br />
<br />
1 cup water (divided)<br />
½ cup (8 tablespoons) gelatin powder<br />
¼ cup honey or maple syrup (optional and to taste)<br />
1 cup kombucha or fruit juice (Here’s how to make Kombucha)<br />
1 cup pureed fruit (strawberries and other berries are our favorite – applesauce will also work) The easiest method I’ve found is to defrost frozen berries and puree them with a blender or immersion blender<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
<br />
Note: It is important to have all ingredients ready before beginning as you’ll need to work quickly once you start.<br />
Puree fruit to create a puree the consistency of applesauce or a little thinner. For us, defrosted frozen berries pureed in a blender or food processor work perfectly. Set aside one cup of pureed fruit.<br />
Set aside one cup of kombucha or fruit juice. We prefer homemade kombucha flavored with strawberries for this recipe. (Here is how to make kombucha)<br />
Boil ½ cup water.<br />
Place ½ cup cool water in a medium sized bowl or quart size mason jar.<br />
Add ½ cup gelatin powder and stir quickly to create a paste.<br />
Quickly add the ½ cup boiling water and stir again briskly.<br />
This should form a thick but stirable liquid.<br />
Add the honey or maple syrup and stir.<br />
Add the kombucha/juice and pureed fruit and stir well. You can stir with a spoon or whisk, or use an immersion blender to make it really easy.<br />
Very quickly pour the mixture in to molds or a greased glass baking dish or other greased dish and allow to cool in fridge for 2-3 hours.<br />
Store in fridge in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-85754623791028233802014-01-19T10:05:00.003-08:002014-06-09T16:29:03.414-07:0021 Uses for Epson SaltWe use epsom salt (affiliate) a lot at our house. It is a good source of magnesium (here’s why we love magnesium) and has dozens of household uses. Here are our favorites:<br />
<br />
As a relaxing Magnesium Bath Soak – Add at least 1 cup of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.<br />
Splinter Removal- Soak in concentrated epsom salt water to pull out a splinter.<br />
Magnesium Foot Scrub- Make a homemade magnesium scrub (recipe here) for a boost of magnesium and super soft skin.<br />
Better Vegetables- Add a tablespoon of epsom salt to the soil below a tomato plant to boost growth.<br />
Facial Wash- Add a pinch of epsom salt to your usual face cleaner (or to your oil cleansing routine) for a skin exfoliating magnesium boost.<br />
Tile/Grout Cleaner- Mix equal parts of liquid dish soap and epsom salts and use to scrub tile and grout. Rinse well for a streak free shine.<br />
Body Aches- Add 2 cups of epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes to help relieve muscle sprains and for a transdermal magnesium boost.<br />
Homemade Sea Salt Spray- Make your own sea salt spray to add texture and volume to hair- recipe here.<br />
Water House Plants- Help house plants grow by adding a couple tablespoons of epsom salt to the water when you water them.<br />
Volumizing Hair Mask- Combine equal parts of conditioner and epsom salt and leave on hair for 20 minutes. Rinse well and let air dry for thicker hair.<br />
Foot Soak- For a concentrated magnesium boost, add 1 cup of epsom salt to a hot foot soak and soak for 20 minutes.<br />
Get rid of slugs- Have slugs in your garden or on your patio? Sprinkle epsom salt to deter them.<br />
Making Magnesium Lotion- Using magnesium flakes is a better option, but in a pinch, you can use epsom salt to make homemade magnesium oil (recipe here).<br />
Laxative- For occasional constipation, a teaspoon of epsom salt dissolved in water can help. Check with a doctor first.<br />
Beautiful Roses- Add a tablespoon a week to the soil around rose bushes before watering for faster growth.<br />
Soil Prep- Before planting, we add a few bags of epsom salt to the soil in the garden and water in to help replenish soil magnesium levels.<br />
Headache relief- There is evidence that soaking in a soothing epsom salt bath may help relieve headache.<br />
Smooth skin- Mix 1/2 cup epsom salt with 1/4 cup olive oil and scrub skin in the shower for healthy and smooth skin.<br />
Itchy Skin or Bug Bites- Dissolve a tablespoon of epsom salt in to 1/2 cup of water and cool. Spritz on itchy skin or apply a wet compress to help relieve itching.<br />
Minor Sunburn Relief- Use the same ratio in the itchy skin relief above and spritz on to minor sunburns to help soothe them.<br />
Help Kids Sleep Better- Add a cup to kids’ bath water before bed to help them sleep peacefully.<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-60239247203960912222014-01-11T19:49:00.003-08:002014-01-11T19:49:47.439-08:00Vaniila Latte Sugar ScrubI love the smell of coffee and but do not like drinking coffee turns out, coffee can have benefits when used externally! <br />
<br />
Coffee scrubs can be beneficial in reducing cellulite as well. The massage and exfoliation benefits skin by stimulating blood/lymph flow and the caffeine in the coffee has a tightening effect. Pinterest is speckled with accounts of coffee scrubs and wraps working for reducing cellulite and loose skin.<br />
<br />
This sugar scrub combines some of my favorite natural beauty ingredients:<br />
<br />
Coconut Oil – For naturally nourishing skin <br />
Castor Oil – A naturally astringent oil that is great for skin tone (I also use it in my facial cleansing regimen… and by regimen, I mean super-simple one-step process that leaves skin feeling amazing)<br />
Coffee- The caffeine has a tightening and stimulating affect on skin and it is often used in anti-aging products<br />
Sugar- Bad inside the body but great on the outside as it naturally exfoliates<br />
Vanilla – Because it smells good<br />
<br />
This simple scrub smells like a vanilla latte (thus the name) and leaves skin silky. It smells and looks sophisticated, but is incredibly simple and inexpensive to make. <br />
<br />
A simple sugar scrub recipe with coffee,coconut oil, castor oil and sugar. It leaves skin soft, healthy and energized.<br />
<br />
<b>Ingredients</b><br />
<br />
½ cup finely ground coffee<br />
½ cup organic sugar<br />
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil<br />
2 Tablespoons Castor Oil<br />
½ teaspoons natural Vanilla Extract<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions<br />
</b><br />
Place the coffee and sugar in a medium size bowl.<br />
Add the vanilla and mix well.<br />
Add the oils and stir with a fork or the back of a spoon until well mixed and moistened.<br />
Store in an air-tight container and use as desired for soft skin. Especially good on legs for helping with cellulite.<br />
Enjoy!<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-79281242727714597102014-01-11T19:19:00.000-08:002014-01-11T19:19:04.484-08:00Hair Detangling SprayTo make this detangling spray, I use distilled water, marshmallow root, conditioner and essential oils with optional other herbs. Any conditioner will work, but I prefer a natural one, especially for kids. Natural conditioner are more expensive, but with as little as you need for this recipe, one bottle lasts over a year for all three of my daughters.<br />
<br />
The top natural brands that I’ve tried that smell good, work well and don’t have harmful ingredients are:<br />
<br />
Shea Moisture Organic Restorative Conditioner (I love all of their products and we use this cream all the time too)<br />
Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue Conditioner (more earthy/tea tree scent but organic and works really well)<br />
EO Sulfate Free Coconut and Hibiscus Conditioner (least expensive and smells excellent)<br />
Acure Organics Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner (light and fresh scent)<br />
<br />
In the picture, I used a glass spray bottle I got during a Zulily sale, but I’ve also used this spray bottle from amazon and the sprayer actually works better for this.<br />
<br />
<b>Here’s what to do:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Hair Detangling Spray</b><br />
<br />
Natural Hair Detangling Spray Natural Inexpensive and Easy to Make DIY Hair Detangling Spray<br />
Print<br />
Simple homemade herb-infused detangling spray that saves money and works wonderfully.<br />
Author: Wellness Mama<br />
Recipe type: Beauty<br />
<b>Ingredients<br />
</b><br />
12 ounce or larger spray bottle<br />
1.5 cups distilled water<br />
3 tablespoons marshmallow root<br />
2 tablespoons conditioner of choice (see above)<br />
10+ drops of essential oil of choice (completely optional)<br />
<br />
<b>Instructions</b><br />
<br />
Boil water and marshmallow root in a small pan.<br />
Reduce heat and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.<br />
Let cool slightly and strain through a cheesecloth or very thin wire strainer.<br />
While still warm, pour in to bottle add conditioner and essential oils (if using) and shake until mixed.<br />
Store for up to 2 months (this is as long as I’ve tested).<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-29343733815074671622013-12-28T16:02:00.000-08:002013-12-28T16:02:35.148-08:00Natural Make- Up RecipesWith proper skin care, the skin will be naturally healthy and you won’t even need to wear makeup most of the time. Most days, I skip the makeup altogether, but when I do wear it, these are the recipes I use:<br />
Cosmetics are a major source of exposure to toxins for many people, and making your own cosmetics and adopting a natural skin care routine for your skin type can go a long way toward reducing this exposure.<br />
<br />
Homemade cosmetics are easier than you would expect to make yourself and herbal ingredients are actually good for the skin and don’t expose the body to a bevy of toxins.<br />
Homemade Blush Ingredients:<br />
<br />
Arrowroot Powder<br />
organic Cocoa Powder<br />
Hibiscus Powder<br />
<br />
<b>How to Make Blush:</b><br />
<br />
As with any homemade make-up recipe, the amounts vary by person. You’ll have to experiment with quantities of each ingredient to find the shade that works for you. I always start with a base of about 1/2 tsp of arrowroot and darken as needed, testing on my inner arm as I go.<br />
<br />
When you get your desired shade, store in a small jar or old makeup shaker and use as needed.<br />
<br />
<b>Natural Foundation</b><br />
<br />
Homemade Option: At the recommendation of a friend who had used cocoa powder for natural bronzer, I started experimenting with natural foundation options, and came up with a recipe similar to a mineral make-up, though lighter, and smoother…<br />
<br />
I start with a base of arrowroot powder (can also use cornstarch, but arrowroot works better) and then slowly add in cocoa powder and finely ground cinnamon powder until you get a shade close to your skin tone. You can then store in a jar or old powder container and use a brush to apply. It took me a few tries of mixing to get the color correct for my skin tone, but most days, a quick brush of this is all I need.<br />
<br />
If you want to make it a more solid base so that only a little sticks to the brush, use a few drops of essential oil or vodka to mix with the powder and push down in a compact. This will make it hard like a regular compact.<br />
<br />
I’ve thought about adding this combination to some homemade lotion to make a liquid foundation but haven’t tried it yet.<br />
<br />
Commercial Options: If making makeup isn’t your thing but you still want some natural options, there are a few good choices. No commercial choice is as natural as the homemade option, but they are a tremendous improvement over any conventional options! <br />
<br />
<b>Natural Eye Liner and Shadow<br />
</b><br />
Homemade Options:Always be careful when using any products, even natural ones, near the eyes. I mix up several colors of eye shadow using cocoa powder (brown shades) Spirulina (green shades) and arrowroot (light shades). My favorite is just cocoa powder with a tiny bit of arrowroot mixed in for smoothness.<br />
<br />
For eye-liner, I either use a tiny bit of cocoa powder mixed with coconut oil, or a tiny dab or activated charcoal on a slightly damp brush. Be careful not to get either one in the eye. I store the eye shadow in an old powdered eye shadow container and apply with my finger or a very slightly damp brush.<br />
<br />
To make a smoother eyeliner, I mix equal parts of coconut oil and cocoa butter (about 1/2 ounce of each) and add about 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal to make a black eyeliner that is thicker. You can also do this with cocoa powder for a brown hue.<br />
<br />
<b>Homemade Makeup Recipes</b><br />
<br />
Katie - Wellness Mama 204 Comments<br />
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homemade makeup recipes natural Homemade Makeup Recipes<br />
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I get a lot of questions about natural makeup options, and this was definitely one of the tougher things for me to find natural alternatives for. In college, I practically collected makeup, and had endless tubes and compacts of makeup that never even got half used.<br />
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While there are some good natural alternatives that you can buy (see list below), the cheapest, easiest and most natural way is to just make your own, and you might have all of the ingredients in your kitchen already!<br />
Natural Skin Care<br />
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What you do to your skin before you use makeup is just as important as the makeup you use and there are some great natural options for skin care.<br />
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Personally, I’m a microfiber convert, and only use microfiber products with natural silver fibers (antibacterial) for washing my face and for make-up removal. This is truly the most natural option you can use, since you don’t even need soap (and microfiber is great for baby too… no chemicals to irritate skin!).<br />
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For deeper cleansing and moisturizing, I’ve also use the oil cleansing method, which leaves skin very soft and smooth. You can also use a natural sugar scrub (equal parts sugar and natural oil) or natural microdermabrasion (baking soda) to make skin look younger.<br />
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With proper skin care, the skin will be naturally healthy and you won’t even need to wear makeup most of the time. Most days, I skip the makeup altogether, but when I do wear it, these are the recipes I use:<br />
Natural Foundation<br />
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Homemade Option: At the recommendation of a friend who had used cocoa powder for natural bronzer, I started experimenting with natural foundation options, and came up with a recipe similar to a mineral make-up, though lighter, and smoother…<br />
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I start with a base of arrowroot powder (can also use cornstarch, but arrowroot works better) and then slowly add in cocoa powder and finely ground cinnamon powder until you get a shade close to your skin tone. You can then store in a jar or old powder container and use a brush to apply. It took me a few tries of mixing to get the color correct for my skin tone, but most days, a quick brush of this is all I need.<br />
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If you want to make it a more solid base so that only a little sticks to the brush, use a few drops of essential oil or vodka to mix with the powder and push down in a compact. This will make it hard like a regular compact.<br />
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I’ve thought about adding this combination to some homemade lotion to make a liquid foundation but haven’t tried it yet.<br />
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Commercial Options: If making makeup isn’t your thing but you still want some natural options, there are a few good choices. No commercial choice is as natural as the homemade option, but they are a tremendous improvement over any conventional options! Dr. Haushcka Translucent Foundation is the most natural liquid foundation I’ve found and my skin reacted well to it. I also loved Nvey Eco Liquid Foundation. I’ve also used Nvey Creme Foundation which is thicker and is mainly great as a concealer or under-eye cover.<br />
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For powdered foundation, my favorite one I’ve tried is Aubrey Organics Silken Earth which doesn’t have titanium dioxide like many of the mineral make-ups and which has almost completely natural ingredients.<br />
Natural Bronzer/Blush<br />
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Homemade Option: Similar to above, natural bronzer and blush can be easily made with a base of arrowroot and by adding more cocoa powder and cinnamon to get a darker shade. I’ve also tried powdering dried beet root (in the dehydrator) or dried hibiscus flowers to add a pink tone which works well as long as you can very finely powder them. Store in a shaker make-up container or an old compact.<br />
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Commercial Options: For natural blush, I love Aubrey Organic Silken Blush or Nvey Eco Powdered Blush.<br />
Natural Eye Liner and Shadow<br />
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Homemade Options:Always be careful when using any products, even natural ones, near the eyes. I mix up several colors of eye shadow using cocoa powder (brown shades) Spirulina (green shades) and arrowroot (light shades). My favorite is just cocoa powder with a tiny bit of arrowroot mixed in for smoothness.<br />
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For eye-liner, I either use a tiny bit of cocoa powder mixed with coconut oil, or a tiny dab or activated charcoal on a slightly damp brush. Be careful not to get either one in the eye. I store the eye shadow in an old powdered eye shadow container and apply with my finger or a very slightly damp brush.<br />
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To make a smoother eyeliner, I mix equal parts of coconut oil and cocoa butter (about 1/2 ounce of each) and add about 1/2 tsp of activated charcoal to make a black eyeliner that is thicker. You can also do this with cocoa powder for a brown hue.<br />
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Commercial Options: Nvey Eco Powdered Eyeliner is the best I’ve used so far and is almost completely natural.<br />
Natural Mascara<br />
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Homemade Option: I don’t wear mascara most days, but when I want a natural option, it is an easy one to make. In a small bowl, I just mix a few drops of Aloe Vera Gel from Mountain Rose Herbs, a couple drops of Vitamin E oil, and a pinch of activated charcoal (not very precise… I know). I mix it up as I use it, though you could also make and store in an old mascara container or in a small jar and just clean the mascara wand between uses. I brush it on with a clean mascara brush, or even a used Bass Toothbrush from OraWellness.<br />
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<b>Supplements for Skin Care</b><br />
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I’m firmly convinced that what you put into your body is just as important, if not more so, than what you put on it when it comes to skin health. I used to have terrible acne and since changing my diet and supplements, I don’t break out at all and my past scars have healed. The supplements that seemed to have made the biggest difference in skin health for me are:<br />
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Fermented Cod Liver Oil- for the Vitamins A, D and K, Omega-3s and Antioxidants, all which are great for the skin.<br />
Gelatin – Which is a pre-cursor for collagen and has made my hair, skin and nails noticeably stronger and smoother (great for cellulite too).<br />
Magnesium- An anti-inflammatory and lacking in many people’s diets. Topical Magnesium Oil seems to be the most effective for skin health.<br />
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jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-69902252320875623752013-12-20T19:05:00.002-08:002013-12-20T19:05:59.891-08:00Do you use a night light?What’s the Problem?<br />
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Exposure to light during the night has been implicated in depression, increased cancer risk and decreased hormone function. As this post explains:<br />
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Light inhibits the secretion of melatonin, a hormone that naturally promotes sleep. Even if you doze off, light can be detected through your eyelids—and your brain won’t produce melatonin if it’s confused between night and day, You want as much darkness in your bedroom as you can handle without tripping over things.<br />
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A good (cool and dark) night time environment is vital for hormone health, yet we often put lights in kids’ rooms. Only within the last 100 years has this even been a possibility. Before that, there was a natural cycle of light and darkness and while people might have had candles or lamps after dark, there would not have been lights on all night.<br />
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More and more research is emerging that shows a link between night time exposure to light and health problems. <br />
Importance for kids:<br />
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Night time light exposure can decrease sleep quality, but it can also shorten the duration of sleep, leading to further problems:<br />
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Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory through a process called memory consolidation. In studies, people who’d slept after learning a task did better on tests later.<br />
Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and store carbohydrates, and by altering levels of hormones that affect our appetite.<br />
Safety: Sleep debt contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the daytime. These lapses may cause falls and mistakes such as medical errors, air traffic mishaps, and road accidents.<br />
Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Too little sleep can also leave you too tired to do the things you like to do.<br />
Cardiovascular health: Serious sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat.<br />
Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.<br />
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The research I’ve seen shows that white and blue lights are especially harmful at night since these are the same colors of light that the body would be exposed to during the day and they trick the body in to thinking it is day time.<br />
What to Do About It:<br />
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Making the change to complete darkness as an adult is a relatively easy process that mainly involves figuring out how to make the bedroom dark. The process isn’t always so easy for children, especially for children who are used to a night light or who have a fear of the dark.<br />
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With all the research showing the importance of night time darkness, I felt strongly that this was something I wanted my kids to do. It took a little time to get all of the kids used to sleeping in darkness, but we finally have.<br />
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We converted our kids’ bedrooms to better sleep environments by:<br />
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Removing night lights, alarm clocks, etc<br />
Keeping the house cooler at night to facilitate better sleep<br />
Covering windows with blackout curtains to cover artificial light from street lights and to help heating and cooling costs.<br />
Using sound machines to help them stay asleep<br />
Using red tone lights (like these Himalayan salt lamps that also clean the air) in hallways and bathrooms so they could see to go to the bathroom if needed but there wasn’t any blue or white light to disrupt sleep.<br />
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Helpful Tips:<br />
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These tips were helpful along the way:<br />
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Using sound machines helped sooth them to sleep and help them stay asleep. We use these machines with the kids because they can be plugged in instead of using batteries and the “rain” sound is a definite favorite.<br />
The first few nights making this switch with our oldest, we turned on the sound machine first and read to him with the light on. Then, we turned off the light but left the door open with the salt lamp in the hallway. From here, we slowly worked up to putting him to sleep with the door closed and complete darkness.<br />
Avoiding TV at night also helped. The blue light from TV suppressed melatonin, making it harder for them to fall asleep.<br />
Letting older kids drink a cup of chamomile tea with a little honey (helps with any hypoglycemica issues) and some butter blended in to it. The healthy fats support hormone function and this combination has been great for sleep.<br />
Rubbing Magnesium Body Butter on their feet before bed (and putting socks on). The magnesium helps promote sleep and is beneficial in other ways too.<br />
Switching to organic mattresses also made a big difference for us, especially for someone who has bad allergies. The light made a bigger difference, so I wouldn’t put new mattresses as the highest priority.<br />
jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2169036012024415720.post-48888869248036774922013-12-09T05:54:00.000-08:002014-06-09T16:29:54.141-07:00Three Natural Ways to Clean Indoor AirTurns out that indoor air can often contain more toxins and chemicals than outdoor air. Everything from mattresses to pots/pans to kids PJ's can contain harmful chemicals in indoor air.<br />
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It’s best to reduce chemical exposure in any way possible, but in today’s world, it is practically impossible to completely avoid harmful chemicals. For the remaining chemicals in indoor air, there are some natural ways to help reduce your family’s exposure.<br />
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I’ve mentioned houseplants before and they are a great option for improving indoor air. We have about eight indoor plants and I’m hoping to add more soon. For those who don’t want the upkeep of indoor plants or can’t have them due to pets/kids/etc, there are some other natural options.<br />
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Besides indoor plants, these are my top three natural air cleaners.<br />
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<b>Beeswax Candles<br />
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Regular paraffin candles are petroleum derived and can release chemicals like benzene, toluene, soot and other chemicals into the air. These types of candles do more harm than good for indoor air quality and should be avoided.<br />
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Pure Beeswax Candles on the other hand burn with almost no smoke or scent and clean the air by releasing negative ions into the air. These negative ions can bind with toxins and help remove them from the air.<br />
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Beeswax candles are often especially helpful for those with asthma or allergies and they are effective at removing common allergens like dust and dander from the air. Beeswax candles also burn more slowly than paraffin candles so they last much longer.<br />
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I personally only use beeswax candles in our house. We buy them by the case and our favorites are:<br />
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Tea-light beeswax candles<br />
Votive size beeswax candles<br />
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<b>Salt Lamps</b><br />
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Salt lamps are another natural way to clean indoor air. They are made from himalayan salt crystals and just like the beeswax candles, they release negative ions in to the air to help clean it. They are also a beautiful light source. The only downside…. my kids like to lick them!<br />
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The Himalayan Natural Crystal Salt Lamp also works as an air purifier. When lit, the lamp emits negative ions that fight against positively charged particles that cause you to feel stuffy and sluggish. The lit salt crystal clears the air naturally of allergens like smoke, pet dander, pollens, and other air pollutants. It dilutes odors so that you can breathe easier. People with asthma often find it helpful in reducing their symptoms. You can keep the lamp lit for as long as you like to maintain this purifying effect.<br />
We don’t do night lights in our kids rooms, but if we did or if we need a light source at night for reading, we use salt lamps. The natural orange glow doesn’t disrupt sleep hormones like fluorescent or blue lights do and I find it very relaxing.<br />
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Bamboo Charcoal</b><br />
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Another natural air cleaning option I recently discovered is bamboo charcoal. I’ve talked about one of my unusual uses for charcoal before and we use a charcoal block water filter to remove toxins from our water.<br />
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Charcoal can have the same toxin-removing effect on the air. They work wonders for odor removal and removing toxins from the air:<br />
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“Moso air purifying bags, made of linen and filled with bamboo charcoal, absorb unpleasant odors and dehumidify the air. The porous structure of the high density bamboo charcoal helps remove bacteria, harmful pollutants and allergens from the air and absorbs moisture, preventing mold and mildew by trapping the impurities inside each pore. The Moso air purifying bag has been scientifically proven to reduce the amount of formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, and chloroform gases emitted from everyday items such as paint, carpeting, furniture, air fresheners, chemical cleaners, rubber, and plastics. Toxin free, the bags are safe to use around pets and children. The bamboo charcoal rejuvenates when the bags are placed in sunlight once a month. You can reuse the bags for two years, after which the charcoal can be poured into the soil around plants to fertilize and help retain moisture. <br />
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I’ve found that these are also great for removing odors from cars or from the bathroom (especially if you have recently potty-trained boys who don’t always have perfect aim!).jschlieder109http://www.blogger.com/profile/01860965206555119711noreply@blogger.com1