Make your own

Recently, a dear friend posted about some of her eye opening revelations on many of the chemicals we sometimes unknowingly expose ourselves to... in the name of beauty! I had planned on sending some of these recipes her way, but thought others might be interested so here goes....

Making your own vs. purchasing is something I find such joy in, as I know many of you do as well. You can insert lots of other really good reasons why its important too (reducing and reusing for the environment, eliminating toxic chemicals, living more simply etc). When it comes to food I must admit its much easier, I've found not purchasing other household things can be tricky.  Recently I took part in a natural care workshop given by a chemist (so we know it works). I learned a lot and even made some new favorite things. Here are (in my opinion) the best recipes...

Basic Cream/Lotion Recipe (My new favorite!)
1 c oil (sunflower, almond, olive or coconut are nice)
3/4 oz (about 3 T) grated beeswax
1 c water
30-50 drops essential oil
2 Large glass jar to use as a double boiler
Blender
Popsicle sticks or chop sticks
Small containers for lotion (I used empty baby food jars)

1. Add shaved beeswax to oil in a glass jar or pyrex measuring cup. Set in a small pan of simmering water (just enough so that the water reaches halfway up the glass). Heat just until beeswax melts and remove the jar from the water. Cool just until slight wax ring forms around the jar (5 minutes or so).
2. While the wax cools, place 1 c water in a separate jar in the simmering water. Let sit for the length of time that your wax is cooling. Your water mixture should be slightly warmer than the oil/wax mixture.
3. Once both reach the right temperture pour the water into the blender, turn the blender on high speed, slowly pour in your oil mixture through the center insert of the blender in a steady thin stream. The mixture will turn white and thicken, after you've poured in about 3/4 of the oil mixture stir it slightly with a wooden stick, then add rest of the oil slowly.
4. If there is any water at the top wick it off with paper towel or pour out. Add your essential oil now--give it a quick blend (don't over mix). You can also add oils separately if you wish to each of your baby food jars for separate scents.
5. Before it cools pour into your containers.

*Has about a 3 month shelf life. This recipe filled a salsa jar full of cream so you may want to half it.

Photo courtesy of Heather

Lip Balm
1 part beeswax
3 parts oil
1 drop essential oil per teaspoon of ingredient

Melt beeswax & oil in glass measuring cup or old jar in a pot of simmering water just until melted. Cool to desired hardness. If too hard add more oil etc. Re-melt and remove from heat, stir in essential oils, pour into containers. Let sit 20 minutes to set.

Toothpaste
1 T. baking soda
1/4 t sea salt
1-2 drops honey
Coconut oil, add slowly to above until you reach consistency you like
5 drops essential oil (spearmint, peppermint, clove, ginger etc)

Mix all together in a baby food jar with lid. Use a popsicle stick or your finger to scoop onto your toothbrush.
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