Moisturizing Body Balm and Belly Balm Recipe

Updated 11/16/17                      Make our concentrated, super moisturizing,
                                           fast absorbing body balm.

                                                    Made with 3 natural butters and oil, with pure essential oil ...

                                           a little goes a long way!

If you need some serious moisture, but hate the greasiness that usually accompanies the rich

butters and balms, this is the recipe for you.  This combination of 2 butters, 1 oil and optional

essential oil is highly concentrated, rich in natural skin loving moisture, healing

and best of all it literally melts on your skin.

  

Due to the incredible absorbing property of grapeseed oil, this balm seeps into your

skin quickly, taking the natural butters of shea and cocoa right along with it.

Recipe

3 oz        shea butter

1 1/2 oz  cocoa butter

1 1/2 oz  grapeseed oil

1- tsp     *orange essential oil, or eo of your choice. ( 1 tsp = 5ml or 100 drops)

                   * NOTE on essential oil usage in lotions and oils:   

For adults:

Sensitive skin: .5 to 1 percent dilution = 3 to 6 drops per ounce of oil/butter
Normal, healthy skin: 1 to 2.5 percent dilution = 6 to 15 drops per ounce

Gently melt the cocoa butter with the grapeseed oil, by gently I mean don't over heat or boil, the least degree of heat used is best to preserve the oils properties. Use a double boiler or microwave. Stirring it will dissolve the cocoa butter quicker in the grapeseed.

When the cocoa butter is completely dissolved in the grapeseed, add your shea butter, you shouldn't need to  heat, just stir until completely dissolved.   If adding essential oil, put it in now and stir.

Place your bowl in the frig or freezer to cool oils to the point of getting thick. Then take out and with an electric wisk or hand blender beat the thickened oils.  It should get light and fluffy. You can use it light and fluffy, like a whipped body butter, or put it back in frig/freezer for a few more minutes, take it out and 

beat it again.  As you beat it, you will see it become more the consistency of a balm. Very concentrated.

Place your body balm in clean containers and store in cool dark place.  

This balm is excellent for dry feet, hands, elbows, legs, anywhere you need intensive moisture.  Great for eczema as well.

 For a fabulous Belly Balm for pregnancy to aide in stretch marks and

dry itching from skin stretched tight, make this recipe without the essential oil, as some essential oils are

not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Photo is my attempt at showing you
how beautifully this balm melts!

Two butters, one oil and the finished product. That's all it takes to make your own, spa quality, natural body balm for yourself or a luxurious gift. Don't be intimidated, give it a try!  You can find shea and cocoa butter

on-line for sale and grapeseed is found in any grocery store and Walmart.

I would love to hear if anyone makes this recipe!

Enjoy,     Anna

Fresh Mint Spa Water

Here in sunny Arizona, USA ..... my mint patch started showing its beautiful leafy green offerings!

So, I made my first spa-water for the season with homegrown goodness. I keep a carafe of spa-water

in my frig all the time to encourage myself and family to drink water.

I use homegrown and fresh fruits and veggies from the market. 

Rosemary is looking good outside too, add a sprig for some pizazz!

Wash your fresh mint, veggie or fruit of choice before dropping them in a carafe of water, allow to steep in frig.

Mint is used to aid in opening breathing passages and clear congestion an FYI for
those who deal with spring allergy issues. Also soothes the throat and tummy.

And enjoy !

Creamy Soy Milk soap with Mangosteen

The exotic and fruity Mangosteen

paired with creamy soy milk and soothing, cleansing 

oatmeal  make up this soap.

Mangosteen is a tropical superfruit that grows on the

Garcinia Mangostana tree, mainly of Southeast Asia.  The fruit itself is a force to be

reconned with as it is full of antioxidants and numerous health benefits.

The scent it contributed to this soy milk soap is subtle, and fruity.

I colored it naturally with a bit of paprika.

And added a TBL of finely ground oatmeal as a  skin loving soother.

Enjoy, ............ Anna

Lavender, Petitgrain and Amyris soap from Germany

Gorgeous Lavender Soap from Doreen's Soap Paradise, in Germany !

I was SO happy to receive this lovely soap from Doreen who is a sister-soaper in Bad Salzuflen, Germany.

This Lavender soap was scented with Lavender, Petitgrain and Amyris.  

Petitgrain is an essential oil that is extracted from the leaves of the bitter orange plant

and is known for its soothing, stress relieving qualities. Very refreshing scent.

Amyris is in the citrus family but has an aroma like sandlewood, slightly woody, I LOVE it! 

It takes about 30 years for the plant to produce its sweet essential oil. It is also known for its

stress reducing properties. Great skin regenerator too. Uplifting fragrance. 

When you blend these two exceptional essential oils with Lavender, you get Doreen's richly

scented woodsy lavender soap!  Good job Doreen with this blend, it is stunning.  Just love it.

                                                           Nicely beveled edges.

            And the lather was just as great as the scent!   Rich and thick with lots of bubbles!  WOW!

It left my skin feeling moisturized, and refreshed, I definitely felt the effects of the petitgrain and amyris. 

                       

Doreen has a blog that has gorgeous soap as well as fine knitted scarfs, adorable candy baskets, doilies and some awesome cotton/linen face cloths, all hand knitted or crocheted by Doreen.  She also has authentic German recipes with great pictures. 

Check out her blog:   Doreen's Seifen-Paradies

 Thank you Doreen for the soap and wonderful chocolate bars, ( the best chocolate I've ever eaten!)
and candy that you sent us,  and thank you for sharing a bit of your beautiful country,
Germany with us here in America!

                                    Am Markt          Market Square

Villa

Salzhof mit dem Denkmal Paulinenquelle

                                   Untere Muhlenstr                          

                                   

Aspirin Mask and blemish spot treatment recipe

A natural skin care remedy for clearer, healthier skin, right from your own "Pantry Spa".....

Aspirin, Lemon and Honey

As a facial mask, or spot treatment for acne and redness.
For informational purposes only, not intended to treat or diagnose medical conditions.
Updated: 2/16/16

A great natural skin care treatment to add to your routine. The aspirin mask is becoming quite popular now, but is not new to the skin care world.

Aspirin  ( acetylsalicylic acid) is a derivative of salicylic acid  It is anti-bacterial, anti-
                inflammatory, 

                ( a beta hydroxayl acid ) it acts as a powerful exfoliant that sloughs off dead, dry
                skin cells that clog pores, cleaning them and stimulating 
                collagen and new skin cell growth as well as healing blemishes.      
                

 Honey   is naturally anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and hydrating (a humectant),

              killing bacteria, reducing swelling and moisturizing the skin.  No kidding.

Lemon   is optional in this recipe. It is also a salicylic acid, if you are having problems with

               breakouts, blackheads etc, lemon juice will help unclog the pores which is the

               main reason for breakouts. It's vitalmin C helps minimize sun damage also. 

Water or Jojoba oil ( or other vegetable oil like grapeseed or olive ) Joboba is preferred
               as it is closest to the skins natural sebum, but it is pricey.

RECIPE:   Can be used as an all over mask or as a spot treatment for blemishes.  I personally have never used this as a full facial mask only as a spot treatment, so I  will only
be sharing the spot treatment recipe.  I only share recipes that I have personally used and tested at Natures Home Spa.  

FOR SPOT TREATMENT:
First warm up honey, just a small amount.  

Use uncoated aspirins, but if you have the coated variety just
hold them under warm water and rub
between your fingers until the coating wears off,  you can tell when this happens as the aspirin feels gritty and will dissolve quickly in your hand.    

Add aspirin to your honey. Add a drop or two of lemon juice, this is optional.  Stir well.  

Apply to troubled spots on your face. Acne, pimples, white spots from ingrown hairs,  blackheads. Leave on for 10 minutes, rinse.

Do not use the aspirin mask if you are allergic to aspirin,
or if you can not take aspirin for any other reasons.
Aspirin is not suitable for children under 12 or pregnant women.