Wow we are half way through summer already!  Where did it go?  But anyway by now you probably have a decent tan and you’ve been so busy that you haven’t done any exfoliating lately right?  I hear ya.  Well this morning as I was sitting here eating my Pineapple I thought of this quick and easy recipe to slough off some dead skin cells as well as use up the rest of the juice.

Pineapple has natural acids which act as an exfoliant.  Although they do tend to bleach the skin slightly it will help smooth, balance and even out the tone.  The Sunflower Seed meal finely ground will gently scrub away dead skin cells and because the oil from the sunflower seed is extremely rich in vitamins A,C,D and E it is very soothing and gentle when applied to the skin.   Use this scrub no more than once per week on oily, normal or combination skin.

All you need is:

1 tablespoon fresh, raw pineapple juice

1 tablespoon sunflower seed meal

Combine the ingredients to form a paste.  Gently massage onto face & throat and allow to sit for about 10 minute.  Rinse and follow with a light moisturizer.  Ahhh!

Body Honey??  Sounds pretty interesting huh?   Not only is it simple and great for your skin.. it’s edible!  Perfect for an evening of enjoyment.  Ooh lala..  “Oh honey???  Could you grab the body honey??”   You get my point..

Here is all you need:

1 Teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 Teaspoon of your favorite Raw Honey

1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Whip up the ingredients in a small bowl and your ready to go!  A little goes a long way but you can make more or less if you wish.  Only make what you plan to use.

I’m so thankful for my little angel who helps me discover new Eco-friendly Cleaning Products.  Yes just this morning she took what was left of my dishwashing liquid and happily squeezed it into the toilet.  How she got it down from the sink is another story but in short the toilet it nice and clean…

Anyway I have tried this recipe before and for some reason I forgot to share it but it does make for a nice, non-toxic and simple addition to your natural household cleaning supplies.  All you need is some liquid castile soap, water and some essential oil.  Here are the measurements:

1 Cup Liquid Castile Soap

1/4 Cup Warm Water

5-10 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil (Or your preference but Citrus Oils work best)

Simply combine the Castile Soap with warm water in container, then add Essential Oil.  If you want to make it look pretty you can also add a few drops of food coloring as shown.  I used Sage coloring.  Voila!  Works great, smells great and I didn’t even have to run to the store.  You can of course double the recipe depending on the size of your container.  Remember to shake it gently before each use.

All You Need…

Pour the Castile Soap into container…

Add Lemon Essential Oil

Make it perdy!  Add some food coloring..

Your done!  Takes about 5 minutes and you have your own dishwashing liquid!

The juice from the Strawberry contains effective yet gentle astringent and bleaching properties and gentle exfoliating acid that helps to remove dead-cell buildup.   Need a quick, light, rejuvenating facial?  Make your own fresh strawberry facial cleanser!  Quick and simple and perfect for when you need a little facial pick-me-up.  Very refreshing!   Best for use on oily to normal or combination skin.  Use no more than once or twice per week:

Simple Strawberry Facial Cleanser

4 Very Ripe, medium-sized strawberries, sliced and stems removed

2 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

1 Drop Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Mash the strawberries in a small bowl or mortar & pestle.  Then strain the pulp with a mesh strainer or cheesecloth so that all that remains is the juice.  (Its ok if a little pulp comes through)  Then add the essential and stir.

Apply to face and neck area with cotton square but be sure to avoid the eye area.  Massage gently for about 1 minute.  Rinse thoroughly with coolish water.  Follow with a gentle toner and apply a light lotion.  Walla!  You are refreshed and ready for a special day.

Here is a simple yet very effective recipe to whip your nails into shape.  This blend nourishes the nails to help strengthen and prevent brittleness, dryness, peeling and cracking.  Great for those whose hands are exposed to the elements, dirt or chemicals.

You will need a good quality Lavender Essential Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Almond base oil and jojoba base oil and a small dark glass bottle with a dropper.  (Glass is best when working with essential oils)

20 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

10 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

1 Tablespoon Almond Base oil

1 Tablespoon Jojoba Base Oil

First add the essential oils into your container drop by drop.  Then add the base oils.  Close the top of the container and shake it up a bit to blend.  Allow the mixture to sit for 24 hours so that all of the oils synergize nicely.  Make sure the temperature in the room is between 60-80 degrees.  Use the mixture within 6 months if stored properly.  It’s best not to expose the mixture to high heat or moisture which can shorten the shelf life.

To use:  Apply to nails nightly.  Follow with a nice hand repair creme to wake up to soft, silky hands and nails.

If you are like me then you are totally SICK of the rising costs of everything including laundry detergent.  I am feeling like the whole world is just using the recession as an excuse to jack up prices so whatever I can do to save money these days I will do..

Here is a great money & earth hugging way to save some bucks for your family.  Make your own laundry detergent that lasts quite a long time and works excellent!  I was skeptical at first but I am happy to say it passed the test.  Compare this to your favorite brand and see for yourself.  I’ve been paying around $15 for a large jug of Gain detergent.  This recipe is equal to about 3 jugs and it only costs around $5 to make!  Cha Ching!

You will need:

1 Bar of Fels Naptha Soap (Old fashioned washing soap)

1 ½ Cups Borax Detergent

1 ½ Cups Washing Soda

1 oz. Essential Oil of choice (if desired)

Lot’s o’ Water

5 gallon bucket or tub

Here’s how:

1. The first step is to grate the soap, add the grated soap to a large pot.
2. Add 12 Cups of Water and cook on medium heat until completely melted.  Stir occasionally and don’t let it boil over.  (About 15 mins)
3. Once melted remove from heat and add the Borax, stir and add the Washing soda,  then stir until completely dissolved.  (Be careful not to inhale the powdery dust as you pour.)
4. Next add 8 cups of hot water to your 5 gallon pale or large tub.
5. Add the soap mixture to the tub and stir.
6. Next add the 1oz. of Essential Oil and stir.  I prefer Sweet Orange myself,… reminds me of a Creamsicle.)
7. After that add another 2 ½ gallons of H2O and stir.  (Cold is fine.)
8. That’s it!  Cover and let it sit for 24 hours.  Stir it up a once or twice while you wait.  After 24 hours you can pour it into the containers of your choice.  Milk jugs work the best.  You will notice this recipe makes quite a bit so if need be you can cut it in half.  Lasts a family of 4 about 3-4 months!  Use ½ per load or 1 cup per large load.   Important!!  Shake before each use.

Going on a trip?  Don’t spend your money on synthetic sunscreen that is laden with toxins.  You are trying to help your skin remember?  Here is a natural sunscreen recipe that you can make yourself and skip the bad stuff.  Keep in mind that this recipe should be used within 30 days and refrigerated as it doesn’t contain preservatives.  But that’s ok because it’s nice and creamy cool when applied so it feels awesome and refreshing.

Skintastic Sunscreen (unscented)

3 tablespoons Zinc Oxide

1 tablespoon Sesame Oil

2 tablespoons Shea Butter

2 tablespoons Coconut Oil

1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel

Combine the Zinc Oxide, Oils and Butter and heat in a double boiler.  Once melted over low/med heat add the Aloe and whisk together.  If you would like to add essential oil you can add about 5-6 drops to the oil mixture once you remove it from heat and before you add the Aloe Vera.  Pour into a sterile container and allow it to cool completely.  Refrigerate and apply as needed.  (Makes about 4 oz.)   If you want to thicken it a bit you can add 1 tablespoon of beeswax and melt with oils.  Walla!  You have your own safe sunscreen that has around a 30 SPF or maybe a bit higher.

I just made some for myself to take on vacation with me and I added some vanilla and lavender essential oil that smells fabulous.  Makes me want to eat some!

We are not in to the cold winter months yet and already my skin is super dry.. So this morning I made a batch of my organic super moisturizing body lotion.  I slathered it on and am feelin’ groovy!  Here is a recipe I like to make for the winter months.  It is super hydrating and easy to apply.

Magic Moisture Lotion

1 cup Aloe Vera Gel (Use fresh or bottled pure Aloe Vera Gel)

1 teaspoon Lanolin (Or you can substitute Cocoa Butter if you prefer)

1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

1/3 cup Organic Coconut Oil

1 tablespoon Beeswax

¾ Cup Grapeseed oil

2 teaspoons Lavender Essential Oil

Melt the oils together in a double boiler.  When completely melted pour into a mixing bowl and add the Aloe and essential oils while blending with a blender or wisk.  Blend until smooth and creamy.  Next pour into a sterile container.

It’s always nice to put it on when mixture still warm but it is best to let it sit for a day before using.  This is a preservative free recipe so you will need to refrigerate it and use or discard within 30 days.  Enjoy!

Natural pumpkin is great because it is packed with food for your skin.   It nourishes the skin with Vitamins A & E which are healing and Vitamin C which is an antioxidant.  It is also rich in beta carotene & zinc.

Here is another DIY recipe for you to get a little quality SPA time at home.  Use to help soften and moisturize your skin:

Pumpkin Body Scrub (1 treatment)

You will need:

About ½ cup Cooked pumpkin (canned works fine)

Epsom Salt or Brown sugar

Add Epsom Salt or brown sugar to the pumpkin puree until you have a course mixture.  Make sure it is not too liquid-y and you can feel the coarseness of the salt or sugar.  Take a shower or bath and make sure your skin is moist. Apply the scrub in circular motion. Rinse off when done and for best results, apply some really good lotion like my Nourishing Body Lotion for example after that.  Walla!  You just saved yourself a trip to the spa and you look and feel fabulous!

Get your fall groove on with one of one of mommy nature’s most powerful antioxidants… Pumpkin!  Not only is it the star of the show this and every fall, it’s a skin rejuvenating dream.  Nutrient rich pumpkin makes an awesome facial treatment for all skin types and especially dull, mature or damaged skin because it is loaded with vitamins.  Here is an easy DIY recipe you’ll love.. So stay in, sip on some Chai tea, and try these rejuvenating masks to renew and repair.  Food for your face!

Pumpkin Face Mask (1 treatment)

2 tsp cooked pumpkin (canned works fine)
½ tsp honey
¼ tsp milk

If your skin is dry you can substitute about ¼ tsp heavy whipping cream instead of milk.

Or if your skin is oily substitute ¼ tsp apple cider or cranberry juice instead of milk.

Directions
Combine ingredients and apply to face and neck.  Leave on for about 10 minutes then rinse with warm water.   Enjoy!