Not So Soft Scrub

Soft Scrub does more than just scrub. One of its ingredient's, sodium hypochlorite, is linked to cancer, lymphoma and leukemia.

Creating a safe and effective scrub with natural ingredients is easy.

Here are a few combinations (see below) that I've used; the results are impressive!

Simply create a paste with any of these combinations and use on location (tub, shower, sink, linoleum floor, etc.) with a scrub sponge, then rinse with warm water.

• Arm & Hammer washing soda and water
• Baking soda and water
• Baking soda and castile soap
• Baking Soda and White Distilled Vinegar
• Thieves household cleaner and baking soda

First Aid with Essential Oils

Now's the perfect time to replace outdated, chemical products found in your First Aid kit with natural ones like Essential Oils.

BRUISES:

• Helichrysum italicum
• Lavender 

HOW TO: Blend 5 drops total of Essential Oil with 1 ounce of jojoba or natural, unscented lotion and gently massage on location.

INSECT BITES:

• German Chamomile
• Lavender
• Peppermint 
• Purification essential oil blend*
• Roman Chamomile

HOW TO: Place 1 drop on location.

INSECT REPELLENTS:

• Cedarwood
• Citronella
• Eucalyptus citriodora
• Geranium
• Patchouli
• Peppermint
• Purification essential oil blend*

HOW TO: Blend 15 - 18 total drops of Essential Oil with 1 ounce of distilled water in spray bottle.

MINOR CUTS & ABRASIONS:

• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree)

HOW TO: Blend 5 total drops Essential Oil with 1 ounce of natural, unscented lotion or 100% pure aloe vera gel and gently dab on location.

NAUSEA:

• Di-Gize essential oil blend*
• Ginger
• Peppermint

HOW TO: Blend 10 - 12 total drops total Essential Oil with 1 ounce olive oil and massage on belly; inhale vapors.POISON IVY:

• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Peppermint (anti-itch)

HOW TO: Blend 15 - 18 total drops total Essential Oil in natural, unscented lotion or 100% pure aloe vera gel and gently pat on location.
SUNBURN:

• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Peppermint (use no more than 4 drops for every ounce of carrier used; cooling)

HOW TO: Blend 15 - 18 total drops Essential Oil in natural, unscented lotion or 100% pure aloe vera gel and gently pat on location.

RESOURCES:
Jojoba @ The Jojoba Company
Natural, Unscented Lotion @ Elizabeth Van Buren
* = Young Living Essential Oil Blend

Insect-Repelling Incense

Summertime, campfires, camping, outdoor meals in New York do not come without Insects!

These handmade incense add a nice ambiance and natural way to repel insects this time of year...
What You'll Need:

• Blank Incense, available from Lavender Lane Forever
• Essential Oils: (Geranium, Patchouli, Peppermint, Purification essential oil blend (from Young Living)

How To:

1. Choose one or two Essential Oils to use on your blank incense.
2. Carefully saturate each blank incense with 15 Total drops of Essential Oils
3. Important: let sit, dry for 24 hours.
4. Light and set into tall, glass vases to burn or incense burner holders.

Safety: Keep out of reach of children; Do Not Leave burning incense unattended.Idea: These are so nice to bundle up with a ribbon and give as a gift.


photo source: flickr.com By Mobentec

Happy Feet

The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments, 19 muscles and tendons.

They get squished into shoes that don't fit, they don't get massaged enough and sometimes we let them get unusually stinky.

And every single day, our feet take us everywhere we need to go. For that reason alone, we need to give back to our feet... simple ways to make sure we have Happy Feet.

Weekly Foot Soak: While you're watching TV, reading a book or magazine, paying bills... Soak your feet in a tub of warm water and 2 cups Epsom salts for 10 - 15 minutes. Epsom salts sooth and relax muscle tissue. If you like, add 3 total drops of your favorite Essential Oil.

Weekly Foot Scrub: Blend 1 cup carrier oil (jojoba, sweet almond oil, grape seed oil) with 1/2 cup sea salt or mineral salts and massage well into feet. Rinse well. Pat dry.

Schedule an appointment for Reflexology or a Foot Massage: If you're feeling out of kilter
Don't know why or what about
Let your feet reveal the answer
Find the sore spot work it out
By Eunice D Ingham
Foot Massage Lotion Recipe: In a 1-ounce glass container filled with all-natural, unscented lotion (I love and use Unscented Aromalotion from Elizabeth Van Buren, available by the gallon), add 4 total drops of Peppermint Essential Oil *Peppermint Essential Oil is cooling, analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory and helps clear stinky feet odors* Shake well before using. Avoid direct eye contact.

Toe Fungus: Lemongrass and Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oils have both shown to have anti-fungal properties. By placing 1 total drop of each of these Essential Oils on the cotton pad of a band aid and placing over the nail bed daily may help inhibit toe nail fungus. If irritation occurs, dilute with pure Vitamin E oil.

Treat yourself to a Pedicure.
You have the option to opt out for the nail polish. Men, too!
photo source: flickr emerson12

Personalized Perfume

Many years ago, I was shocked when I learned the actual chemicals contained in the expensive perfumes I was wearing on my skin, ultimately inhaling and offending others with. But, wearing perfume doesn't have to be a health hazard.

Wearing a personalized perfume made with Essential Oils (substances obtained by steam distilling plant material) makes you smell good and feel good, naturally.

Smelling an essential oil has an immediate impact on our memories and our emotions so when personalizing your "perfume", choose only Essential Oils that you love.

What you will need:

• jojoba, sweet almond oil, castor oil or grape seed oil
• Essential Oils
• glass jar, bottle or roll-on

How To:
For every 1 ounce (2 Tablespoons) of carrier oil used, add 5 Total Drops of Essential Oils.

Suggested Essential Oils:

• Neroli ~ relaxing, spirituality, calming
• Rose ~ grief, depression, anger, despair
• Ylang ylang ~ relaxing, euphoric, sensuality
• Geranium ~ imagination, protects, intimacy
• Cedarwood ~ supportive, grounding, confidence
• Jasmine ~ depression, fear, confidence, optimism
• Sandalwood ~ meditation, protects, calming, grounding
• Myrrh ~ calming, grounding, facilitates meditation, peace
• Bergamot ~ relaxing, calming, uplifting, insomnia, anxiety
• Frankincense ~ emotionally supporting, focus, tranquility
• Patchouli ~ nervousness, calms mind, grounding, sensuality

Suggested Use:
Shake well before using. Apply to ears, wrists, over the heart, on the belly, back of neck, etc.


Safety & Storage:
Avoid direct eye contact. Store in cool, dark place, away from heat and light.

Share:
Personalize a Natural Perfume for a friend.

Resources: 
glassware: SKS
jojoba: The Jojoba Companycarrier oils: Mountain Rose Herbs

Learn how perfumes & fragrances affect our health and environment:
EWG's Skin Deep