Homemade Lavender Scented Body Lotion

I originally found this recipe here http://wildfernacres.blogspot.com/2011/01/home-made-body-lotion-recipes.html

But Sabrina wanted something lavender scented so I tweaked Sarah's recipe. Here it is...

Lavender Scented Grape Seed, Sweet Almond and Apricot Oil Body Lotion

Ingredients:

1/8-1/4 tsp (less than 1/4 but more than 1/8) borax powder

½  cup water (use lavender water – simmer lavender buds & stems)

½ cup grape seed oil, ¼ cup sweet almond oil, ¼ cup apricot oil

2 Tablespoons grated beeswax

8-10 drops of lavender essential oil

Directions:

-Mix the borax and hot lavender water, stir until sediments are gone.  

-Mix the oil and beeswax (microwave, or hold bowl with wax and oil over pot of boiling water and stir).

-Pour the water into the blender and while it is on high and add the hot oil in a steady stream. (Try not to spill, what a mess I made!) 

-Blend for 2 minutes until thick and creamy, add essential oil(s) and allow to cool if necessary.  

-(blend a 2^nd time if consistency is not to your liking, and then allow to cool again)

- Put that stuff in a bottle with a cover, and enjoy!

I have to give this recipe a whopping 5/5, because it's great! The lotion is a thick and rich, scrumptiously lavender scented, and doesn't leave a lingering greasy feel on your skin.

Homemade Toothpaste

Natural toothpaste.
Why? you ask, well because fluoride is poison and Sodium lauryl sulfate is a diarrhetic (not that I eat toothpaste, but since it goes in my mouth I'm sure that I inevitably swallow some).

Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons of Baking Soda (Quoting Wikipedia "Sodium bicarbonate is also used as an ingredient in some mouthwashes. It works as a mechanical cleanser on the teeth and gums, neutralizes the production of acid in the mouth and also as an antiseptic to help prevent infections occurring.")
2 Tablespoons of Coconut Oil (for some of the benefits of coconut go http://a-h-z.com/coconut-oil-for-teeth/  or  http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html)
A touch of Stevia or Honey to sweeten your paste (this is for the benefit of your taste buds, if you can go without, then do.)
A touch of salt
25 drops of food grade peppermint oil (antiseptic properties and keeps you minty fresh)

Mix and try to enjoy!

I say "try" to enjoy because though it has a paste-like consistency, the baking soda makes it a bit gritty and is a bit rough on the gums. Or maybe I'm brushing too hard in attempt to make up for the lack of foaming bubbles, curse you Sodium lauryl sulfate!
If you absolutely need bubbles, find a recipe that includes glycerin.

I chose this recipe because I had all of the necessary ingredients. It did leave my teeth, gums, and mouth feeling fresh, but I think at best I can only give it a 3.75/5. Perhaps I'll tweak the ingredients in my next attempt.

p.s. To naturally remove stains, bite into a lemon and rub it on your teeth, rinse and spit.

DIY-All Natural Deodorant For Your Pits!

I have been searching for a natural deodorant to replace my toxic antiperspirant for years now. This appears to be a trend with a lot of the women I've talked to lately. We all know that antiperspirant, and the aluminum it contains, is bad for us, so for the love of our pits, fear of alzheimer's, and the health of our breasts, let's stop using it every morning!

I've recently found two brands that seems to be working for me.

1) Nature's Gate, Autumn Breeze: it has a spicy/musky odour which I don't mind. It isn't 'feminine' smelling, but that doesn't really concern me. I can apply once in the morning and I'm still smelling good when I get home from work after walking 2.5km to and from work.

2) EarthScience, a)Mint Rosemary & b)Lichen: these work alright but I have to reapply after my walk home from work because it leaves me smelling not quite as fresh as I'd like.

I just recently made my own deodorant and thought I'd share. I found this recipe from other blogs. They all seem to have the same ingredients more or less...
For me it's as follows:


Ingredients:
-1/3 cup of baking soda (because it absorbs odours)
-1/3 cup of corn starch (because it naturally help you sweat less)
-just under 1/3 of a cup of either coconut oil or shea butter (the coconut oil makes it rather sweet and tropical-ish smelling, like coconut rum or something that makes you think of Cuba! Using shea butter, the smell isn't as sweet).





Directions:
-Melt the coconut oil or shea butter and add the baking soda and corn starch and mix until smooth.
-Add a few drops of essential oils to create a fragrance I used orange, ylang ylang, and a touch of cinnamon. Another great mix is clove, lime and tea tree oils.
-Pour this into a container and allow it to set. It should harden, if not your house is too warm so put it in the fridge. Scrape off a pea sized amount and apply to clean pits daily! Or pour it into an old cleaned out deodorant stick.

I put some of this stuff on last night before I went to the gym. I got home and made poor Sabrina do the sniff test... and I didn't stink like BO!!

Using this stuff, you will still sweat, it isn't antiperspirant, but it really stops you from smelling!!