Living in the Northeast makes for some very dry skin in the winter. I work with money a lot at my job too, so I am constantly washing my hands, which only makes them drier. So I thought I would let everyone in on a wonderful dry skin cream. I use it every day.
This is a homemade cream - and is best applied all over while you are still damp from bath or shower. My skin feels so good after I use it. If you use too much you will be slightly greasy, a little goes a long way with this stuff.
You should be able to get this stuff at any health food store...
Coconut Oil - a few big tablespoons 3-4
Shea Butter - a couple of tablespoons 2-3
Apricot Kernel Oil - a few drops plus a few more drops
Almond or Grapeseed Oil - a couple of teaspoons
Jojoba Oil - just a few drops
Rose Water - couple of teaspoons (this part is optional) I feel like the addition of the rose water makes it a little more lotiony and less thick like a butter, and helps it to absorb just a little better. But the more water you add, the faster it can spoil. This only makes a small batch though, you don't have to worry about it spoiling unless you don't use it for like 6 months.
You can put it all in a pot over a boiling pan of water and melt it. Then put it in freezer to cool - maybe 10 mins or so, and then using a blender/stick blender whip it until its creamy.
I don't always melt it, I just use my stick blender and mix it all together. Put it in a small containter, and you're done. Nice, creamy body lotion that is actually good for your skin. I mean seriously, what is in most lotions out there?? A bunch of crap I don't want on me...
Your skin will thank you for this, I promise.
Showing posts with label all natural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label all natural. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Staying Healthy During Cold & Flu Season
Cold and flu season is upon us. We are a pretty healthy family, but the occasional cold, ear infection, strep throat still plagues us every now and then. For anyone who doesn't know me well, I try to stay away from over the counter drugs and medicines unless absolutely necessary. The same goes for antibiotics. Most of it is way way way too overused and overprescribed. And over the years I have found alot of all natural medicines/remedies that work for the majority of ailments. So I thought I would share some stuff that works for us. We also see a chiropractor regularly and believe 100% that our good health can be attributed to getting regular adjustments. Before we started getting adjusted I would probably get 5-7 colds a year. Now I get maybe 2, and they don't last as long and aren't quite so nasty. So yes, I am a huge proponent of chiropractic care. In case you are wondering, we see Dr. Antonio Marotta and we really love him! So if you are local, check him out. What have you got to lose right? His fees are reasonable, he is great, and his office staff is awesome too! And if you are wondering, yes our kids also get adjusted - it's a family affair.
Probiotics - we take everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. Probiotics put good bacteria in your digestive tract which is where about 70% of your immune system is. All the good bacteria helps fight off any bad bacteria that shouldn't be there. If you have to take antibiotics for anything, I highly recommend also adding in a probiotic supplement. Antibiotics tend to kill ALL bacteria good and bad. Do you ever notice that you sometimes get sick again, soon after ending a round of antibiotics? It's because you have killed off all the good stuff in your digestive tract, and there is nothing left to fight the bad stuff off. So adding in a probiotic really helps.
I take a flax seed supplement every day. Flax seed is good for a number of things. I'll let you google that.
Things you can do/take for colds, ear infections, sore throat etc.
Green tea is really good to fight colds - find organic
Braggs apple cider vinegar is great for so many things. Take a little every day to fight stuff. But if you are sick, you can mix just a little bit in your green tea with some honey. Triple threat.
And you can take that as many times as you want - green tea does have caffeine though.
Ear infections/earaches - a piece of a garlic clove in the ear, and cover with a cotton ball. Leave in for a few hours. You can do this multiple times a day until the earache is gone. A hot compress on the ear also feels good. With my kids, I've found that the garlic works pretty quickly.
Pink eye - chamomille tea. Works like a charm. I brew a cup of the tea, and then use a cotton ball soaked in the tea to clean the infected eyes several times a day. Don't use the same cotton ball on both eyes, you'll just be spreading infection between eyes. This will usually clear up the infection in a day or two.
Sore throat - The green tea/apple cider vinegar also works for sore throats. But what I always have on hand for sore throats is grapefruit seed extract. It takes like junk, I'll be honest, but it works wonders on throat infections. For really bad sore throats, you can put a drop or two directly in the throat. Otherwise, just mix a few drops with a drink of juice and take this several times a day until symptoms are gone.
Lots of hand washing. - When the kids get home from school, they wash their hands first thing. And multiple times through the day. I have a nail biter, so she tends to catch more stuff, so lots of hand washing in necessary.
A note on the apple cider vinegar - you want the raw, unfiltered stuff. Not walmart brand. Go with Braggs. It has all the beneficial stuff in in. When you see floaties, that's a good thing.
Also, with apple cider vinegar - it makes a good bath soak. If you've been achy from cold or flu, you can put a couple cups in a tub of warm water and soak for a bit. It helps to pull toxins out of your body and you'll leave the bath feeling better than when you went in.
Of course, if you are concerned that something is very wrong, you should see a doctor. I have just found that these things work for us, for minor ailments and infections.
I also make our own laundry soap, shampoo and I use a special facial cleanser that I make myself and a jojoba oil moisturizer... Just read the labels on stuff - totally skeeves me out. Anyway, maybe I'll post more on all that at a later date. For now, if you have an all natural remedy that you really like, I'd love to hear it. Leave me a comment and let me know!
See you soon
-M
Probiotics - we take everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. Probiotics put good bacteria in your digestive tract which is where about 70% of your immune system is. All the good bacteria helps fight off any bad bacteria that shouldn't be there. If you have to take antibiotics for anything, I highly recommend also adding in a probiotic supplement. Antibiotics tend to kill ALL bacteria good and bad. Do you ever notice that you sometimes get sick again, soon after ending a round of antibiotics? It's because you have killed off all the good stuff in your digestive tract, and there is nothing left to fight the bad stuff off. So adding in a probiotic really helps.
I take a flax seed supplement every day. Flax seed is good for a number of things. I'll let you google that.
Things you can do/take for colds, ear infections, sore throat etc.
Green tea is really good to fight colds - find organic
Braggs apple cider vinegar is great for so many things. Take a little every day to fight stuff. But if you are sick, you can mix just a little bit in your green tea with some honey. Triple threat.
And you can take that as many times as you want - green tea does have caffeine though.
Ear infections/earaches - a piece of a garlic clove in the ear, and cover with a cotton ball. Leave in for a few hours. You can do this multiple times a day until the earache is gone. A hot compress on the ear also feels good. With my kids, I've found that the garlic works pretty quickly.
Pink eye - chamomille tea. Works like a charm. I brew a cup of the tea, and then use a cotton ball soaked in the tea to clean the infected eyes several times a day. Don't use the same cotton ball on both eyes, you'll just be spreading infection between eyes. This will usually clear up the infection in a day or two.
Sore throat - The green tea/apple cider vinegar also works for sore throats. But what I always have on hand for sore throats is grapefruit seed extract. It takes like junk, I'll be honest, but it works wonders on throat infections. For really bad sore throats, you can put a drop or two directly in the throat. Otherwise, just mix a few drops with a drink of juice and take this several times a day until symptoms are gone.
Lots of hand washing. - When the kids get home from school, they wash their hands first thing. And multiple times through the day. I have a nail biter, so she tends to catch more stuff, so lots of hand washing in necessary.
A note on the apple cider vinegar - you want the raw, unfiltered stuff. Not walmart brand. Go with Braggs. It has all the beneficial stuff in in. When you see floaties, that's a good thing.
Also, with apple cider vinegar - it makes a good bath soak. If you've been achy from cold or flu, you can put a couple cups in a tub of warm water and soak for a bit. It helps to pull toxins out of your body and you'll leave the bath feeling better than when you went in.
Of course, if you are concerned that something is very wrong, you should see a doctor. I have just found that these things work for us, for minor ailments and infections.
I also make our own laundry soap, shampoo and I use a special facial cleanser that I make myself and a jojoba oil moisturizer... Just read the labels on stuff - totally skeeves me out. Anyway, maybe I'll post more on all that at a later date. For now, if you have an all natural remedy that you really like, I'd love to hear it. Leave me a comment and let me know!
See you soon
-M
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Homemade Laundry Soap
LAUNDRY SOAP
I do notice a difference when I use this compared to a store bought brand. The clothes just seem a little brighter and fresher... or maybe it's my imagination. Either way it's cheaper than store bought, so it works for me!
I've posted this before, but I wanted to post again - I'm about to make up another batch
2 bars of grated ivory soap, or you could use 1 big zote bar - can be found in laundry section of grocery
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda - NOT baking soda, they are slightly different products - also found in laundry section
powedered oxyclean (this step is totally optional) I personally don't use it. I feel like it works pretty good, but you may want an extra boost.Blend everything up in a food processor until it looks like powdered laundry soap, store in a covered container. For large loads use 2 TBS, for small loads use 1 TBS. Doesn't sound like alot, I know but trust me your laundry will be clean. This will not suds and bubble, that's normal - and better for your skin. You can also use straight vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in your machine. This helps to deoderize your laundry and prevent static cling. Make as big of a batch as you want - just adjust ingredients accordingly.
I don't know about HE machines with this soap. I've heard that because this soap is low to no sudsing it is safe to use, but don't take my word for it.
and yes, the water in your washer may look dingy - that is totally normal. After all you DO want the dirt to come OUT of your clothes right?
I do notice a difference when I use this compared to a store bought brand. The clothes just seem a little brighter and fresher... or maybe it's my imagination. Either way it's cheaper than store bought, so it works for me!
I've posted this before, but I wanted to post again - I'm about to make up another batch
2 bars of grated ivory soap, or you could use 1 big zote bar - can be found in laundry section of grocery
1 cup borax
1 cup washing soda - NOT baking soda, they are slightly different products - also found in laundry section
powedered oxyclean (this step is totally optional) I personally don't use it. I feel like it works pretty good, but you may want an extra boost.Blend everything up in a food processor until it looks like powdered laundry soap, store in a covered container. For large loads use 2 TBS, for small loads use 1 TBS. Doesn't sound like alot, I know but trust me your laundry will be clean. This will not suds and bubble, that's normal - and better for your skin. You can also use straight vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser in your machine. This helps to deoderize your laundry and prevent static cling. Make as big of a batch as you want - just adjust ingredients accordingly.
I don't know about HE machines with this soap. I've heard that because this soap is low to no sudsing it is safe to use, but don't take my word for it.
and yes, the water in your washer may look dingy - that is totally normal. After all you DO want the dirt to come OUT of your clothes right?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Bathtub Scrubber
I thought I would share what I use to clean the bathtubs around here. I hate cleaning bathtubs just FYI, but these ingredients make it not quite so bad. Cleans soap scum, kid scum, dog scum - whatever you use the tub for, it will clean it...
Just sprinkle a little borax or baking soda in the tub, then pour in some liquid ivory dish soap, scrub away. No harsh fumes that you are breathing in the whole time and it really works, trust me! Plus it's cheap and you most likely have the ingredients in your pantry. Or you can put some baking soda in a jar and mix it with ivory dish soap until it forms a thick paste, stir it up before each use, keep the lid sealed tight and you have a liquid scrubber. You can use it on much more than bathtubs - sinks, counters, stovetops.
Happy Tub Scrubbing!!
Just sprinkle a little borax or baking soda in the tub, then pour in some liquid ivory dish soap, scrub away. No harsh fumes that you are breathing in the whole time and it really works, trust me! Plus it's cheap and you most likely have the ingredients in your pantry. Or you can put some baking soda in a jar and mix it with ivory dish soap until it forms a thick paste, stir it up before each use, keep the lid sealed tight and you have a liquid scrubber. You can use it on much more than bathtubs - sinks, counters, stovetops.
Happy Tub Scrubbing!!
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