100th Blog Post

Welcome to my 100th blog post!  I am so glad you are here.  I decided to use my 100th post as a continuation of my recent HERS Magazine blog post.  Stealing the phrase from my buddy, Don, here is a Heals for Your Heels post with an easy to make scrub to help heal your dry, cracked heels.  It also helps to smooth calluses on your feet.

To make this scrub, you need four ingredients:

3 TBS of Rice, brown or white
1/2 TBS Honey
1/2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar

To begin, crush the rice into smaller chunks.  You do not want to crush the rice too fine as the coarseness of the rice is what will help exfoliate and remove your dry, dead skin.  I used a mortar and pestle but you can also use a food processor or blender to quickly pulse the rice.

For best results, I want to use raw honey in this recipe.  Processed honey, found in most grocery stores, no longer contain the healing properties of raw honey.  These benefits are largely removed by the pasteurization process.  Though processed honey will still provide moisture in this recipe, I really recommend you seek out some local, raw honey for maximum healing and moisturizing.

Next, add in the apple cider vinegar (ACV).  If you only have white vinegar on hand, you can use it instead of the ACV.  ACV  helps to exfoliate dry, dead skin and leaves younger, healthier, and more vibrant skin in its place.  This ingredient has antibacterial properties, so it will help to kill bacteria found on the skin.

Mix the three ingredients together and plan to use immediately.  

After soaking your feet (up to 20 minutes to help soften skin), apply the scrub all over your feet.  Rub it in a circular motion across the entire foot surface.  You can let it sit a few minutes and then rinse the skin well.  Pat your feet dry, apply your favorite lotion or oil, and cover feet with a pair of thick socks.  The longer you keep the socks on the better, so you may wish to do this right before bed.  

Thanks for joining me on this journey.  Your support is what keeps this blog going.  Please comment or otherwise like my posts where you see them on the various social media to keep these posts coming!

Treat your dried and cracked heels

Here's a link to my most recent blog post on the HERS Magazine blog.  Check it out and learn how to naturally treat your dried, cracked heels this winter!

Valentine's Day Lotion Bar Hearts

I received an order for some Valentine's Day lotion bars.  I melted together equal parts cocoa butter, coconut oil, and beeswax.  Once melted, I added essential oil and poured into a heart shaped mold (2.5 inches.)  Let the mixture cool completely then remove from the mold.  

When they were all done, I wrapped the hearts and tied them with a ribbon.  A quick and easy gift for Valentine's Day!

Oatmeal Healing Bath Bombs

Made with oatmeal, drop one or two of these beauties in your bath for a little fizz and a lot of nourishment.

Never one to hide from the truth, these bombs are not good to make in a humid environment.  It was definitely way too humid when I gave these a try.  

After pouring into the molds, the citric acid, which gives the bomb its fizzing power, continued to fizz right on up and over the molds.  They aren't pretty to look at, but they work.  I hope to give these another try when it is less humid, which will likely be around the time these are scheduled to make an appearance on the blog!  

Chocolate Raspberry Lotion

I wanted to lick the spoon as I was stirring this lotion!  Made from cocoa butter, raspberry extract, coconut oil, vitamin e and beeswax.  

Diaper Rash Treatment

A great friend has a grandson who has been experiencing some diaper rash concerns.  He is often in cloth diapers and the zinc oxide found in most commercial diaper creams, while great for keeping the cream on the skin, makes it dang near impossible for getting off the diapers.  His mom is interested in natural products and so I started doing a lot of research into what might make the best DIY diaper cream.  

The above is my first attempt at creating a well working, natural ointment for the little guy.  This is a thin lotion.  Next time I think I will go a little thicker.  It contains bentonite clay (to whisk away wetness), arrowroot powder (also great at getting rid of that pesky wetness), coconut oil (which is great as an anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties while also being a great moisturizer and helping heal the skin), shea butter (again to help heal and give the baby soft tushy!), beeswax (provides a thin layer of a moisture barrier on the skin), chamomile (cleaning, quickens healing, softens, moisturizes, and soothes irritated skin), Vitamin E, and lavender.  

This lotion should not become a permanent part of the cloth diaper, but the parents can use a diaper liner OR, this nifty baby powder I whipped up.  Now, while you should still be cautious and not dump the powder so that it gets into the baby's face, this powder contains only bentonite clay and arrowroot powder.  After applying the diaper lotion, add a small sprinkling of powder.  This will help keep the lotion from getting onto the diaper and will provide extra wetness protection for the little guy.  

I look forward to hearing how they like this one!

Yogurt and Flaxseed Oil Face Mask

Pre-mixing

I had some yogurt hanging out in the fridge that was screaming to be made into something.  Always one who likes to keep recipes simple, I created this yogurt and flaxseed oil face mask.  Yogurt heals rough skin, evens skin tone, hydrates, moisturizes, diminishes scars and revitalizes skin.  It has antibacterial properties, so it cleans and softens skin while killing bacteria, including those that cause or encourage acne blemishes.  Flaxseed oil has omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that are antioxidants which help prevent aging.  The flaxseed oil is sold in the vitamin section of the pharmacy in capsule form.  Just pierce the capsule and squeeze the contents into your yogurt.

Use this mask to brighten dull, dry skin or to help clear up excess oil from your oily skin.

A shot of goodness for your face!

To use, apply to face and let sit 3-5 minutes.  Rinse off and moisturize skin as usual.  

Hair Detangler/Leave-in Conditioning Spray

During a recent visit with family, I decided to try this hair detangler.  I know a certain six-year-old with long hair that absolutely HATES having her hair brushed.  Ever.

We made this spray with aloe gel, distilled water, rosemary essential oil, and lemongrass essential oil.  

This was the six-year-old's hair pre-detangling spray.  

And here she is after brushing.  Definitely an improvement in the squeaking and grumbling that usually goes on during the brushing of the hair!

Trying a new lotion recipe- Twilight Rose

This lotion is similar to the Twilight Rose Perfume fragrance although I think the rose does not come through as strong in this version.  This has shea butter, olive oil, Vitamin E, rose water, patchouli oil and grapefruit oil. 

This particular recipe must be blended with an electronic mixer or else it will not come together correctly.  Once combined, it seems to hold the proper consistency fairly well, even in a very warm house.  If you have any concerns, just shake a couple times before using but it seems to be holding up well.