I like the vanilla mint blend in the late winter into spring time because the warmer weather enhances the experience of the scent. The warm air gives you occasion whiff of the scent and it’s just an amazingly refreshing, uplifting scent. It’s hard to not be happy when you’re smelling peppermint.
Using the blend in my spray bottle allows me to still get the benefit of the scent and keep my hair moisturized on days I don’t do a co wash with the vanilla mint conditioner in the shower. The aloe and glycerin are staples in the water bottle because my hair Loves love loves aloe, and really likes glycerin as a moisturizing agent but only if its diluted.
What’s in your spray bottle and why? I’d Love to learn from what your ladies are using in your bottle.
Blueberries are one powerful little fruit. Their pigment provides some of the highest concentration of anti-oxidants of all the other fruits and vegetables. From cancer and heart disease, to vision and memory, blueberries pack a punch that fights many of your body’s battles.
From a skin outlook, those little blueberries power shouldn’t be underestimated either. Their high concentration of anti-oxidants makes them anti-aging fighting machines. Additionally, the ultra high anti-oxidant properties of blueberries help minimize flushing and redness. For those who suffer from severe acne and rosacea, this is an extreme helpful fruit to keep handy. Blueberries serve this purpose from the inside out. Meaning you can tastily snack on them as a treat and you can crush them and apply them directly to your skin to reap the benefits.
Blueberry and oatmeal paste recipe – safe for use morning or night, once or twice a week to help combat redness
You’ll need:
Half cup of plain oatmeal
¼ ounce olive (or jojoba, or sweet almond) oil
10 – 15 blueberries
Instructions:
Grind oatmeal finely
Mash blueberries into a paste
Combine oatmeal, blueberry paste, and oil into a bowl
Apply to face and allow it to sit 10 – 15 minutes
Rinse face and apply normal moisturizer
As you can see, from the inside out, blueberries should have a permanent spot on your grocery list and a regular home in your bathroom cabinet. What’s your favorite blueberry recipe? Leave a comment and share it with us.
Long hours at the mall have likely left you with tired aching feet. After all that holiday shopping, you’re over due for some time to sit down, be still and unwind. Treat yourself to a minty foot soak that will help you leave the aches and pains of the holiday hustle and bustle behind.
You will need:
A foot tub or basin
1 cup of epsom or dead sea salts
2 drops of tea tree essential oil
3 drops of eucalyptus oil
5 – 6 drops of peppermint oil* (not recommended for pregnant women, substitute with peppermint fragrance oil is needed)
Towel
Loofa or pumice stone (optional)
Fill tub or bain with water as warm as you can tolerate without scalding. Pour salts into water and drop in essesntial oils. Don’t worry, one or two extra drops of one or another oil wont hurt if you accidentally drop in one too many. Aloow salt to dissove into water.
Step into tub or basin and have a seat with your favorite mind relaxing activity. Be still for approximately 20 mintues, allowing your feet to soak, and be soothed by the healing properties of the salts and essential oils. Scrub dry areas with loofa or pumice stone if desired and then remove feet, drying with towel.
This soak should help bring some soothing relife to your tired feet. Treat yourself to a candy cane and a moment of peace and solitude for you to enjoy your break from the chores that the holiday brings.
For the DIY’ers out there, I bring you a simple yet very effective scalp and hair oil blend that results in a healthier head of hair with regular use.
neem seeds
• 1/2 oz neem oil
• 3 1/2 oz jojoba oil
• 2 ml of rosemary essential oil
Normally I suggest adding a few other essential oils for a lovely scent of your choosing. However, this is not an oil blend that will land on your favorite list because of the scent. Personally, I find the smell of neem oil to be unpleasant. Because of its fantastic properties for hair and scalp, I choose to deal with it anywhere from an hour to over night until I wash it out. This is a heavier oil (somewhat heavier than olive oil) so you may need to combine your normal washing process with an apple cider vinegar or baking soda rinse to strip away the buildup. With regular use, you will have a healthier scalp and hair.
Making a sugar scrub at home is a lot easier than you think. In less than 5 minutes, you can whip up a batch and be well on your way to enjoying the first day of your renewed baby smooth skin. The recipe below is quick and simple: easy to make, even easier to use; all from ingredients already in your kitchen. I highly recommend adding an “Extra” or two to make your scrubbing experience that much more nourishing and enjoyable!
You’ll need:
1cup of sugar (raw, refined, or brown)
½ cup of extra virgin olive oil
Extras (optional ingredients):
5 to 10 drops of favorite essential oils (aromatherapudic)
1 tbs honey (natural humectant drawing in moisture to skin)
¼ cup ground coffee beans (enhanced exfoliation; uplifting scent)
Directions:
Pour sugar and oil in a glass or plastic container that has a tightly sealing lid.
Stir until sugar and oil are well blended.
Stir in any listed Extras as desired.
Now, head directly to your shower and apply liberally to your entire body by hand, or with a bath cloth or mitt, paying special attention to known dry areas. Your scrub is safe to use daily or as needed. Be sure to store it tightly sealed and it will keep for about 1-2 weeks.
