Delighting in the Days....

Dec. 11, 2008 - Homemade Bath Salts

It's easy and inexpensive to make a big batch of relaxing bath salts, scoop into jar, tie on a pretty ribbon, and give to someone who could use a thoughtful gift..

This recipe is based on one I have used in Stephanie Tourles' book, Organic Body Care Recipes.

You will need:
2 cups baking soda
2 cups sea salt
15 drops lavender essential oil
15 drops chamomile essential oil

What to do:
Mix all ingredients together and pour into glass jar.
Please be careful not to let undiluted essential oils come into contact with skin, they can burn.

How to use:
Scoop 1/2 to one cup of mixture into bath tub while water is running. Soak for 20 minutes.

This recipe can easily be adjusted to make different amounts. Double or triple and fill a few jars, or cut in half (or even quarter) for a smaller jar. Also, feel free to experiment with different oils, use all lavender or all chamomile, or add another oil of your choice.

For more Frugal Friday visit Biblical Womanhood.

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Sep. 4, 2008 - Frugal Friday - Homemade Detangler

Posted in Homemade Body Products

My daughter's hair is very fine and long, prone to knots and tangles, and usually in need of a good brushing.

I recently learned how easy and inexpensive it is to make leave-in conditioner/detangler. Which means I may never have to buy it again!

All you need to make your own detangler is:

1 1/4 cup water
3 Tablespoons conditioner
Spray bottle

Warm the water in the microwave to aid in mixing. Add the conditioner. Stir. Pour into bottle and shake.

That's it!

Spritz on hair and comb through.

You could also add the water and conditioner directly to the bottle and shake. I just like to make sure it is mixed well.

This recipe was found here

Visit Biblical Womanhood for more Frugal Friday tips.

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Jul. 6, 2008 - Lemon-Lime Sugar Scrub

Posted in Homemade Body Products

Lemon- Lime Sugar Scrub

1/3 cup virgin coconut oil

2 cups sugar

20 drops lime essential oil

3-5 drops lemon essential oil

3 drops orange essential oil

3 drops bergamot essential oil

½ teaspoon green sugar sprinkles

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
(May substitute Safflower, Jojoba or Avocado oil.
Or make a mix of a few of these to add up to ½ cup)

1. Mix all ingredients, except for olive oil, in a large bowl.

2. Gradually add olive until you reach the desired consistency.

3. Put in a pretty jar!

4. Scrub on desired area and rinse off with water.
Is especially useful to aid in the sloughing of dead skin...back of arms, hands etc.

5. Enjoy the refreshing fragrance of lemon and lime.

This recipe was adapted from Babean's Lime Mint Sugar Scrub.
Click here to see the original recpe and visit a wonderful mom and blogger!

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Jun. 28, 2008 - Homemade Belly Butter for Mama!

Posted in Homemade Body Products

This post will show you how to make a lovely cream for a pregnant mama's growing belly. I recently made some for a few friends and it was very easy. All you have to do is mix, melt and pour.

This recipe is based off of the Stretch Mark Cream in Natural Beauty at Home (a book I love!)

To make 4ounces (I divided this up into two 2 oz jars), you will need:

1/2 cup cocoa butter
2 Tablespoons wheat germ oil
2 teaspoons light sesame oil
2 teaspoons apricot kernel oil
2 teaspoons vitamin E oil
4 teaspoons grated beeswax
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)

( I purchased most of my ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs - a company I highly recommend)

In a heavy saucepan, mix all ingredients except vanilla extract.

Heat over low heat until the cocoa butter and beeswax have melted.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Let cool a little, then pour into two 2 oz glass jars or one 4 oz jar.
Leave lid off until product has cooled completely.

Cream will thicken as it cools.

Cap and add a label if desired.

To help skin remain soft and pliable rub a small amount onto stomach each day.

If you are able to obtain all of the ingredients, this is really an easy cream to make. It probably took no more than 10 minutes. It smells delicious and is extremely emollient, just the thing for a growing belly.

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May. 7, 2008 - Homemade Body Products

Posted in Homemade Body Products

Over the last year I have had a lot of fun making different products. Surprisingly, it is not that hard. Most of the recipes I have tried involve some mixing and melting. If you have all the ingredients on hand, it is really quite simple.

I’m sure there are many more complicated recipes than the ones I have tried, so far I have not run into much trouble at all. If you have any desire to make your own body products, please don’t be intimidated, give it a try.

A few weeks ago I put together some homemade deodorant (pictured above). It works quite well. And I LOVE knowing what is in it. Click here for the recipe.

I also tried some Green Tea lotion. This one was a little more time consuming. It turned out great! I really liked it. Unfortunately, I should have stored it in the refrigerator. Because it does not have preservatives, it doesn’t keep very well. Oh well, live and learn! Click here for the recipe.

Homemade lip balm is also quite simple and fairly quick. Click here to see the recipe we used. Your friends will be so impressed when you give them a tube of homemade lip balm! (I buy the lip balm containers from Mountain Rose Herbs - look under bulk ingredients).

Another easy one is non-petroleum jelly. Click here to see step-by-step instructions.

The fun about most of these recipes is that the kids have been able to help. I am excited for them to learn how to make these things. It is good for them to know that they can do it if they want to.

What products have you made (or would like to make) at home?

~Stacy
P.S. I buy most of my ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs. Their prices are reasonable and service is great. I highly recommend them!

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Jun. 21, 2007 - Non-Petroleum Jelly

Posted in Homemade Body Products

A few days ago we made non-petroleum jelly. It works like vaseline but it better for you!

First we took a trip to the local honey factory and bought some beeswax. That, in itself, was great fun!

Here is a picture of the beeswax we bought:

Next, we melted the beeswax enough to get 1/4 cup for our "recipe":

EDIT: We now grate the beeswax and measure before melting.

Added 1 cup light olive oil (You can use any oil you like) and stirred it up:

Pour into jar to cool:

We had fun watching the mixture harden from the bottom up:

And there you have it, homemade, non-petroleum jelly. Good for those dry patches!

I originally found the recipe at http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,1099.0.html

RachelsSupply.com has some other interesting recipes for homemade beeswax products (I'm planning to make lotion and antiseptic balm)

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About Me

I am an Australian married to an American, currently living in the U.S.A. Join me as I strive to delight in the moments that make up our days and aim to have a happy family that loves God and serves others.