Fabulous Fall Foot Scrub

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There are certain spices/scents out there that scream 'fall' to me:  cinnamon, pumpkin, clove, orange, you get the picture.  I've been trying to find a way to really incorporate the 'real thing' into some of my beauty products without it seeming overwhelming.  The following recipe is what I have come up with.

The basics:

Equal parts of Ground oats

Cornmeal

Coarse Salt

Olive oil

(For this particular recipe I used 1 Cup of each ingredient)

This is the base for almost all of my foot scrubs.  The result is a semi firm consistency with excellent scrubbing action

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The fall addition combination:

 

1 tsp. ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Orange essential oil

2 drops Cinnamon essential oil

2 drops Clove essential oil

Simply blend all of the ingredients together and store in an airtight container. 

One amazing benefit of this combination is that cinnamon and clove have antibacterial and antifungal properties which make them perfect for use on your feet.  The addition of the orange oil adds antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties as well as being an uplifting scent.

****Essential oil benefits listed for informational purposes only and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any of your ailments.  Please seek a physicians advice.****

Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub

So, we are soon coming to the end of another summer and we want to make these last few weeks last.  How about pampering yourself with a bit of the tropics?  Nothing feels as silky smooth as skin that has just gone through a vigorous sugar scrub.  And nothing smells more tropical than coconut.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have.  This stuff smells good enough to eat!

1/4 C. Coconut oil, melted
1 Tbs. Grape seed oil
1 C. white sugar (can always substitute if you prefer)
1 Tbs. shredded coconut
15 drops Lime essential oil

Melt your coconut oil and combine with the grapeseed oil.  Stir in remaining ingredients and store in an airtight container.  To use:  rub into your skin gently while bathing or showering and enjoy.

*this particular recipe has a firmer consistency than most sugar scrubs as the coconut oil becomes a solid state in temps under 76 degrees.  If you live in warmer climates and/or prefer a more liquid consistency simply adjust the coconut and grape seed oils accordingly.

 

What is Fragrance/Essential Oil Modifier?

So, you want to make your own body splashes and room sprays but you have one problem/question:  How do you combine oil and water so you don't have to constantly 'shake well' your product or worry about clogging up your sprayer?  Believe it or not, the answer is so much simpler than you might think.  Enter:  FO/EO modifier! 

 

 

This product can be purchased through multiple sources and works wonders!  The process couldn't be simpler.  Take your fragrance and combine with the modifier at a ratio of 1 part oil to 4 parts modifier.  Mix together and allow to sit for a good 10 minutes or so.  This gives the solution a chance to incorporate well.  The added benefit here is that, in essence you are stretching your fragrances 4 times as far! Then add your modified oil to your water solution at the desired fragrance level or per your recipe.  Shake well to combine and the product will not separate.  Genius, right? 

 

Stay tuned for some upcoming recipes using this product.  My go to product is a lavender lemongrass room spray and my kids swoon for the cotton candy body splash! 

Lavender Essential Oil plus Recipe

 

 

Lavender Essential Oil

*Considered one of the top 10 essential oils
*Floral, fresh, sweet, and sometimes fruity aroma
*Has calming and sedative properties making it a wonderful oil to relax, help fight stress, and promote sleep.

*Anti-bacterial

*Safe enough to use on children when properly diluted.

*Uses: Anxiety, bruises, burns, headaches, insect repellent, stress and many others.

****information adapted from here.****

Relaxing Lavender Bath Salts Recipe

1 1/2 Cups Epsom Salts
1/4 Cup Baking Soda
1 1/2 tsp. dried lavender flowers
1 tsp. almond oil
1/2 tsp Lavender essential oil

Combine ingredients.  Use approximately 1/4 Cup per bath.  Relax and enjoy!

Chamomile and Calendula

 How do you describe Chamomile and Calendula?  Chamomile has a soft floral, herbal, apple aroma.  Calendula?  Pretty close to the same.  Both essential oils blend extremely well together.  So well that you probably couldn't pick the two apart in this mix.  I chose to use this combination of essential oils in a goats milk/glycerin bar soap and also some bath salts.  I also added dried chamomile flowers to both for appearance, texture, aroma, and color.  Chamomile is known to be anti-inflammatory.  It is wonderful for dry, achy, itchy, flaky skin amongst other things.  Calendula contains many of the same properties and is a wonderful healer.  This combination is also safe for babies in small amounts treating cradle cap, diaper rash, and others.  You can find a million different recipes for bath salts all over the web.  A very simple recipe could contain just a mixture of salts (epsom, sea salt, etc), a carrier oil, and the essential oils.  The soap is simply a melt and pour soap.  You buy the soap in blocks, melt, mix in your additives and pour into molds.  It really couldn't get any easier. 

If you are looking for a good start in finding your herbs and oils, I suggest mountain rose herbs.  I have ordered from them many times and their quality is unbeatable.  I am not compensated in any way for saying that, I just really love the company and the products it provides.

*** I am not a doctor or claim to be an expert.  Please see your physician if you have any ailments.  The recipes/ideas represented here are from my own personal experience and in no way meant to diagnose, treat, or cure anything.