DIY-Body Wash with coconut oil

I absolutely love coconut oil, so when i found a recipe that incorporates that into a body wash I was so excited !! It’s a process to make it, but it’s not really that hard. The end result is a phenomenally hydrating wash, that will leave you fresh and glowing. I use glycerin a lot in my DIY so it’s a great product to have on hand at all times. Check out this easy recipe:

You’ll need:

1 bar of soap (Dr Bronner’s Castile is great)

1/2 tbsp glycerin

4 cups water

1/2 cup pure coconut oil

 

Grate your soap of choice with a cheese grater

Put your grated soap in a large pot with the water,coconut oil and glycerin

Heat on medium heat until all of the soap is dissolved

When the soap is dissolved the water will look like murky dish water

Turn the heat off and cover overnight to set

When you return to your soap it will be very thick and jelly like, use a mixer or wisk to mix the soap to a smooth consistency

You can add up to two cups of water to get it to the consistency you like ( I added one extra cup of water for my liking)

You can then leave the soap for another 12 hours to ensure it is the right thickness

Use a funnel to put the body wash in an appropriate container (It makes a lot so you may need one container to store it and one to use in the bathroom )

This body wash does not lather like regular body wash because we have taken out the harsh sudsing agents but it still works well and it is healthy and great for your skin !!

Sassy Water !!

I’m in love with Sassy Water !! I found this great, healthy refreshing and tasty water on AskNaturalWoman.webs.com  and I love it !! At first I was skeptical with the ingredients, but it turned out so great, I drank it all in two days, by myself!! Sassy water has cucumbers, ginger and lemon added to make it a super detox and a super yummy drink. Try it and let me know what you think, You will be HOOKED !!

8 Cups Distilled water

Grated Ginger (1/3 cup)

1 medium cucumber

1 lemon sliced

Fresh Mint Leaves

Add all the indredients in your container of choice and let steep over night. Drink and enjoy!!

Ginger -Ginger can help alleviate diarrhea, aid digestion and reduce flatulence. Ginger can also help lower cholesterol and prevent blood platelets from clumping together. It also stimulate the circulatory system. Ginger may also be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease and cancer, as well as in the treatment of diabetes

Cucumber-The dark green skin of a cucumber is filled with important nutrients like vitamin A. Vitamin A is a powerful nutrient for eyesight and is beneficial in keeping your eyes and skin hydrated. Cucumber skin is high in fiber, which aides digestion and helps prevent colon cancer. It is also high in potassium, silica and magnesium.

Mint-The refreshing taste of mint makes it an ideal remedy for bad breath. Mint tea made from the fresh or dried leaves helps get rid of the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. It will also keep your mouth moist by stimulating saliva production.The stimulating scent of mint can ease the symptoms of stress by inducing a sense of calm.

Lemon Water-Lemon and water both have clarifying effects on the body. By drinking lemon water daily, you are helping your body to flush away harmful toxins. Lemon water stimulates the elimination of toxins and waste products in your liver, helping to purify your digestive system. Because lemon juice is high in vitamin C, lemon water can be used to relieve the symptoms of asthma, allergies, sore throats and tonsillitis.Lemon juice is a diuretic. Lemon water, if consumed daily, can eventually help your body recover from urinary tract infections.Lemon water has detoxifying properties–aiding the body in losing weight. Drinking lemon water alone will not cause you to lose weight. Diet and exercise is key, lemon water only helps by flushing the body of toxins.

DIY-Hair Detangler

Having 3 girls and no detangler is a bad situation in my household. We don’t really use too many hair products but detangler was one we couldn’t do without !! I am an avid label reader and that also goes for hair products, so to know that even the touted “healthy hair products ” had all kinds of unreadable ingredients didn’t sit very well with me. I came across this easy recipe for detangler and was doubtful at first, but it really worked !! My kids have literal “manes” of hair and if it could tame their beautiful manes, it was worth sharing !! To make this easy recipe you’ll need:

 

Spray bottle 

Glycerin

Distilled water

Aloe vera gel

Essential oil of choice

 

Mix all the ingredients in your spray bottle. I didn’t measure. I filled the spray bottle 2/3rd of the way full, added the glycerin and about 10 to 15 drops of Aloe Vera. I used the essential oil initially and it irritated my youngest so our next batch was essential oil free. You can add coconut oil or even olive oil if moisture is a problem. Spray liberally onto hair, and comb through.

Shake the bottle well before each use .

DIY-Deodorizing Body Mist

During the winter months its easy to get the blues. With the sun hiding and the cold temps, we all need to do a little something extra to keep ourselves bright and energized. I found this recipe for an easy deodorizing mist that uses citrus essential oils, and citrus is known to be a great energy booster. Try this easy recipe for a quick pick me up you can use anywhere.

You’ll Need:

A mister for the spray (old perfume bottle,or atomizer)
7 Oz of distilled water
1 oz Aloe vera gel
60 drops Mandarin,Sweet Orange or Pink Grapefruit

Combine the ingredients in the mister of your choice. Spray hands and feet for a mood and energy boost. It also works well to remove sweat and/or stickiness. Let dry naturally.

 

DIY-Awesome Coconut Milk Shampoo !!

I am so excited to share this recipe with you because first it teaches you to make coconut milk and second it teaches you to make shampoo !! I love Win-Win situations !! Coconut is so healthy, smells heavenly and really benefits your hair. Check out this easy recipe and enjoy !!

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/3 cup organic baby shampoo/wash (Aveeno,or even Dr. Bronners )

1 tsp Vitamin E,olive or almond oil

10 to 20 drops of your choice of essential oils

Sieve or Cheesecloth

Container or bottle for shampoo

Add the shredded coconut into the blender or food processor with 1 cup of HOT water. Pulse intermittently 20 times (Dont run continuously) Strain the milk through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Push down on the coconut to make sure you get all the liquid out. Put coconut back in the blender with another cup of HOT water and repeat 3 more times. You will end up with 4 cups of COCONUT MILK !!

To make the shampoo

Add 1/4 cup of coconut milk and 1/3 cup baby shampoo to bottle of your choice. Add 1 teaspoon of oil, then add 10 to 20 drops of your essential oil. Shake ingredient to combine.

DIY-Dishwasher Detergant

I ran across this recipe as I thought back to the time my 7 and 9-year-old wanted to wash the dishes using the dishwasher and added dishwashing liquid to finish the job. Needless to say, cleaning up a kitchen full of bubbles was fun for them, not so much for me !! As always, my thriftiness has brought me to….DIY Dishwasher detergent!! It’s easy to make, and so much more cost efficient !! Try this:
You’ll need:

2 c. borax
2 c. washing soda
1 c. kosher or sea salt
3 Tbsp citric acid (Lemi-Shine can be found at Target)
30-50 drops of lemon or grapefruit essential oil.

Mix all the ingredients together, store in an airtight container and add to your dishwashers soap port as needed !!

DIY-Fresh Fruit Pops

In the winter when it’s too cold outside for the kids to play, we always look for fun things to do that will keep us occupied and that are also kid friendly. Our exploits always take us into the kitchen and this fun,easy and healthy recipe is a favorite of the girls. They love fruit and they love popscicles…its a a win win situation !! You can use any fruit you want. The girls love mangos, kiwis, strawberries, and bananas. All you need is :
Puree of the fruit of your choice..Using a blender or food processor puree at least 3 fruits
Popsicle sticks
Mini Plastic cups

Puree the fruit, layer in the plastic cups and add the sticks
Let freeze overnight

Instant healthy treat !!

DIY-Baby Wipes

I love the idea of making my own baby wipes, and its so easy!! You can make these quickly, with components you already have on hand and its inexpensive !! You can add your own essential oils like lavender for calming baby, aloe for diaper rash protection or anything else that will benefit baby. (Always research essential oils to make sure they will be healthy and safe for your little one. To make your own wipes you will need:
1 roll of Bounty (it’s the only one strong enough )

A very sharp knife

1 TBSP Baby wash (Try Dr Bronners Castile Baby wash )

1 TBSP coconut oil

1 Cup hot water (Hot because it will help melt the coconut oil )

1 container to house the paper towels (just big enough for a half roll of paper towels)

To begin you can cut the paper towels in half first or remove the cardboard insert first (whichever is easier for you )

Mix the baby wash, oil and hot water to combine thoroughly

Pour the mixture into your specified container

Add the cut paper towels and leave for at least an hour to make sure they soak up all the mixture

Pull wipes from center

 

DIY Longer Stronger Eyelashes

I don’t wear a lot of makeup but the main staples in my cosmetic bag includes eyeliner,shea lip gloss and mascara. I love the look of long,beautiful lashes to make my eyes “pop”. My thoughts came around to finding a way to grow beautiful lashes, naturally and I found that fractionated coconut oil (sold by DoTerra)can help. I used an old mascara bottle that I cleaned out and added the coconut oil. By applying every night before bed, I noticed that my lashes were getting longer and stronger. Now I can have long lashes without all the harsh chemicals that are in regular mascaras!!

DIY Shower Vapor Rub disks

The news so far has painted a grim picture of the flu epidemic and almost everyone in our house has had some form of cold. We keep ginger,lemons,honey and tea on hand to get us back to feeling one hundred. With having young kids we look for different ways to bring relief and these vapor disks work great. All you have to do is place them in the shower and the vapors will help with head and chest congestion.

You’ll need:

1 cup Baking Soda

1/3 cup Water

Essential oils; eucalyptus,rosemary and lavender

Muffin tin

Muffin liners

Add  baking soda to a bowl. Slowly stir in water until a thick paste forms (feels like putty). Spoon your mix into the liners in the muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes at 350. Add 15 drops of each essential oil to each disk.

 Make sure to remove them from the liners before using them in the shower