Mini bath melts

There are bath bombs and then there are bath melts... what is the difference? 
Bath bombs may have skin moisturizers like shea butter, or coconut oil, etc, in them,
while bath melts are simple and are not made so much for soaking in a tub
(but you can use them that way too) but instead to use in a shower...and the best is you can customize
the scent!

Mini-bath melts

Are these not the cutest little bath melts you have ever seen?!


So want to know how to make these and best of all customize them to your own needs... (all shouting
yes, right?!) Ok then, here you go!






Ingredients:
125gr Baking soda
60 gr Citric Acid
60gr Corn starch
60gr Salt (sea salt or epsom salt)
Water in a sprayer bottle.

Directions:
Mix all the dry ingredients, then spray a little water lightly, you will see the mixture fizz if you have
sprayed too much water, if that happens just start stirring the mixture - the citric acid is reacting to the
water.  After spraying once or twice, test the mixture by holding a small amount in your palm and
squeeze, if the mixture holds together and keeps its shape you can start to fill the molds.  If it is still
crumbly then you can spray one more spray and try again.  This is a bit of a trial and error, it can
be a bit difficult to judge when the mixture is ready.  Just keep trying, and if they do not hold together
and you are frustrated with it, you can put it in a plastic bag, add a bit of essential oils to it and shake.
You can drop that into a bath or foot soak, so you have not wasted anything.

cute hearts!

I've found the best molds are the silicone ones you use for baking, you can
find so many different types in baking stores, craft stores or even on
amazon.ca
Fill the molds and make sure you pack them down firmly.
These need to dry for 1-2 days, so the best way is to just keep them in the
molds and check on it after a day. Pop one out and test if they have dried,
if not keep them in the mold for another day. 


When they have completely dried out you can store them in a nice glass jar and use them as needed.

Ah but here is the best part, you can add any essential oils you like!  Just place a few drops
of oil right before using. 
I love putting these in the shower and have them melt away while they leave behind a gorgeous scent.
You can also use these melts when you have a cold or congestion, just drop some eucalyptus and
peppermint and have a nice steam shower. 

I would recommend putting these melts away from the stream of water so that it takes a bit longer
to melt away and you can enjoy the wonderful aroma for a bit longer!

So what are some of the scents you can use? Really, any one you like or a combination of them. 

Citrus oils are great for an uplifting, vibrant scent.
Eucalyptus, peppermint, cypress, cedar wood are good for congestion and colds.
Lavender, chamomile, bergamot, are wonderfully calming and great for right before bedtime.

Drop about 5 drops of the oils onto the melts right before you are going to use them. Place in the
shower and enjoy a fragrant, aromatic shower!

Some of my favourite aromatic scents to diffuse.

So I've been getting to know my new diffuser a bit better, and I can say that I LOVE IT!
Rather I like that I can have a fresh smelling home without all the chemicals filling the air! 
Did you know that most 'air fresheners' have chemicals, fragrances, and all sorts of other nasty
ingredients that should probably be only found in your car.  

 So I've put together some scents that I love using for different occasions, yes there is an oil for every occasion! You will have to refer to your own diffuser for how many drops to put. 
The great part about diffusing scents is that you need very little oil to achieve a great smelling room, unlike sprays you don't need to keep spraying it, just let the diffuser run in intervals of half hour on and half hour off, will keep your home smelling wonderful.



So here are a few of my favourties so far.  Don't worry if you don't have each specific oils, many of them can be combined with each other. Get out there and diffuse away...let me know what your favourites are!! 


Energizing Scents 

Grapefruit, Orange and Rosemary
Lemon, Peppermint
Rosemary, peppermint & Lemon

Soothing & Refreshing

Orange, Grapefruit, Lavender, Clary Sage
Frankincense, Bergamot, Geranium.
Cinnamon leaf, Lemon, Rosemary 

Calming & Sleep
Chamomile & Lavender
Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, Bergamot
Geranium, Lavender

Here is a little more about each scent. Things you need to know are the types, species (those are the names in latin) and what they mix well with.

Bergamot - Citrus bergamia -
Bergamot has a citrus scent, but also a more spicy, floral undertone.
Mixes well with clary sage, cypress, frankincense, geranium.










Chamomile (Roman) - Anthemis nobilis L - Chamomile is known for its relaxing, calming properties. Has a sweet hay-like scent that is very pleasant.  Mixes well with clary sage, bergamot and lemon.

Cinnamon leaf - Cinnamomum zeylanicum - This is not the typical spice scent, it has more of a herbaceous scent, and not sweet scented. Mixes well with citrus oils, rosemary and other more herbaceous oils.

Clary Sage - Salvia sclarea - Clary Sage while not a well known oil has some amazing properties. Herbaceous, sweet and green odor, is very pleasant when mixed in with citrus oils.  Mixes well with lavender, citrus' and chamomile.

Frankincense - Boswellia carteri - Frankincense Essential Oil has a woodsy, spicy, and warm odour, with a
slight hint of citrus tones. Mixes well with chamomile, cypress, clary sage.

Geranium  - Pelargonium graveolens L'Her - Geranium has a rose like
scent, but is softer and more sweet smelling. Mixes well with clary
sage, bergamot, grapefruit.

Grapefruit - Citrus paradisi - Grapefruit has a sweet citrus-y scent.
Very fresh and lively. Mixes well with other citrus', rosemary,
geranium.

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia - Lavender has a slightly
camphoraceous scent, less floral. Great for relaxation and highly
antiseptic. Mixes well with citrus', geranium, rosemary.

Lemon - Citrus limonum - Lemon has a sharp, bright citrus scent.
Very antiseptic and refreshing. Mixes well with lavender, other citrus'
and bergamot.

Orange  - Citrus sinensis - Orange Essential Oil has a sweet, citrus
smell, the peels give it an intense scent.
Wonderfully uplifting. Mixes well with lavender, sandalwood and
cinnamon.

Peppermint - Mentha Piperita - Peppermint has a sweet, minty scent,
the high amount of menthol is what gives it its familiar scent.
Mixes well with citrus, rosemary, eucalyptus.

Rosemary - Rosmarinus Officinalis - Rosemary has a strong woody,
herbal scent, very refreshing. Great for mental clarity. Mixes well with
ginger, citrus and peppermint.

Ylang-Ylang - Cananga Odorata - Ylang Ylang has an exotic, sweet
floral scent. Mixes well with Sandalwood, grapefruit, Lavender.

African Black Soap - the best gift you can give to your skin!

I've just gotten in a shipment of African Black Soap, been waiting for a while to try to this out again and play around with the ingredients.  If you have not heard about this soap (which I'm not surprised, as it is not very well known) it is an amazing blend of Shea butter, palm kernel oil, cocoa butter and plantain skins - that's all - can't get any more natural than that!

Plantain skins are known for their high anti-oxidant ingredients, also for being high in vitamin A and E. Vitamin E is excellent for treating dry skin, eczema and acne. Shea & Cocoa butters are also wonderful for scars, stretch marks and dry skin.  This soap is wonderful for the skin, nourishing and with an array of skin benefits.


 

When I got my first bar of this soap, I treated it the same way as any other bar of soap - well, that was a mistake.

Yeah, that is a tiny amount of
soap but just wait!

And wow...look at all that lather
from such a small amount.

I couldn't wait to try it out as bath bar, so I rubbed the bar on a bath sponge, applying the usual amount and was surprised by the amount of lather is was making.  I had enough on the bath sponge to wash my whole body and a portion of my hair - this was amazing, I had never came across a natural soap that makes so much lather! 

Commercial soaps, bath gels, and shampoos all have chemicals, SLS's to create lather, but they are suspected cancer causing agents (oh by the way, toothpaste also foams because of this, something to consider!) You can read more about SLS here: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/13/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.aspx

So anyway, now on to happier thoughts.  I decided that I could try to improve the scent, although I am more used to the way natural things smell now, but that wasn't always the case.  The first time I smelled unrefined Shea butter, well let's just say, I was not a fan and thought I would never be able to use this stuff! Well, after a bit of a detox from commercial products, I am happy to say that I am now a fan of natural scents and have gotten used to and appreciate the way real ingredients smell. 
So on to the African Black Soap scent, it is a bit reminiscent of burned ash (no surprise as that is how they process the soap, by burning plantain skins to create an ash) and Shea butter.  I decided to try and add in lavender and orange essential oils and voila a great light scent, that only gets better after rinsing and oh did I mention how soft your skin is after this?  Oh yes, you get soft, hydrated skin that feels like silk, I didn't need any moisturizer after!  I've started to even use it on my hair, and again wonderful results. Smooth, soft conditioned hair.

African Black Soap

Cute aren't they?

You will have to take some care when using this soap as it is very soft, not like your usual hard bar soap. It must be kept in a dry place when not in use and immediately after it is best to store on a small soap dish where air can circulate around it, so that is can slightly dry out and be ready for the next use. 

I am making up small sample sized bars now for anyone who wants to try it out. They are 30gr bars and are great way to try out African Black Soap for the first time.

$3 for a 30gr bar. Try it out and let me know how much you love it!









keeping you beautiful inside & out

Ylang-Ylang

Ylang-Ylang - an amazingly wonderful scent in perfumes, creams, lotions.  A complex and exotic scent that heightens the senses and makes a wonderful perfume when mixed with jasmine and rose!

At first when I came across Ylang-Ylang I was not a huge fan, with time I got to like it. I've noticed that with many Essential Oils you need to get accustomed to them. I believe that we are so inundated with fake, chemical scents that we no longer know what real scents are!

I decided to do some research on it and found it to have some amazing benefits and an interesting history.

Ylang-Ylang is used in our Lively body spray - scent Simply Floral. 

More about Ylang-Ylang.
Cananga odorata, commonly called ylang-ylang,^[1] cananga tree, ilang-ilang, kenanga in Bahasa Indonesia, fragrant cananga, Macassar-oil plant or perfume tree,^[2] is a tropical tree which originates from the Philippines^[3] and is valued for its perfume. The essential oil derived from the flowers is used in aromatherapy.
The fragrance of ylang-ylang is rich and deep ...bright with hints of jasmine and neroli. The essential oil of the flower is obtained through steam distillation of the flowers and separated into different grades (extra, 1, 2, or 3) according to when the distillates are obtained.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy.  It is believed to relieve high blood pressure, normalize sebum secretion for skin problems, and is considered to be an aphrodisiac.
According to Margaret Mead, it was used as such by South Pacific natives such as the Samoan Islanders where she did much of her research. The oil from ylang-ylang is widely used in perfumery for oriental or floral themed perfumes (such as Chanel No. 5). Ylang-ylang blends well with most floral, fruit and wood scents.
In Indonesia, ylang-ylang flowers are spread on the bed of newlywed couples. In the Philippines, its flowers, together with the flowers of the sampaguita, are strung into a necklace (lei) and worn by women

It is classed as a non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing oil, yet could cause sensitivity have been reported and excessive use of it can lead to headaches and nausea.
http://www.bumina.com/cananga_oils.htm

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of ylang-ylang oil are antidepressant, antiseborrhoeic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, hypotensive, nervine and sedative.
Ylang-ylang oil assist with problems such as high blood pressure, rapid breathing and heartbeat, nervous conditions, as well as impotence and frigidity.

• Burners and vaporizers
  • In vapor therapy ylang-ylang oil can be helpful with anxiety, tension, shock, fear, panic, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, aphrodisiac, physical exhaustion, frigidity, impotence, insomnia, depression and stress.
• Blended massage oil or in the bath
  • As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath ylang-ylang will assist with physical exhaustion, insomnia, frigidity, impotence, depression, anxiety, nervous tension and stress while having a calming and aphrodisiac effect.
• Cream or lotion
  • In a cream or lotion it is used to balance the production of sebum in the skin and thereby correcting and balancing overly-dry as well as overly-oily skin.

Ylang-ylang oil blends well with

Although most essential oils blend well together, ylang-ylang oil blends particularly well with bergamot, grapefruit, lavender and sandalwood.
Read more about it here: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/ylang-ylang.htm

My top 5 Essential Oils and why you need them in your home!

Oh the love I have for essential oils.  I could sing their praises all day... but I won't, what I will do is tell you my 5 favourite ones and why you need them in your home!


1. Lavender
There is a good reason that Lavender is on this list as it contains so many healing, healthful properties.
It is antiviral, antiseptic, soothing, calming to the nerves and smells wonderful. 
I would say if there is only one essential oil that you would buy make it this one.
Great for many skin conditions, bug bites, (sun) burns, inflammation and infection as well as for muscle aches and pains.
Lavender oil is one of the few that is considered safe to use undiluted - but in my opinion you should only do this if you have a bug bite, or a burn and want to apply directly to the skin, otherwise it's good to mix with oils. 
Read more about its uses here: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/lavender.htm
 
2. Tea Tree Oil
My second choice for the best oils is one of the most powerful antibacterial oils out there.  Great for wounds, infections, acne, as well as an anti-fungal.  Can be used undiluted but only for more serious issues, like fungal infections or wounds.  Tea tree oil is great as a mouth-wash or toothpaste (DIY mouthwash is simply made with 1/2 cup distilled water, 1Tbsp baking soda, 4 drops tea tree oil, mix
it all up and swish around your mouth) make sure you do not swallow tea tree oil as it should not be  ingested!
Read more about its uses here: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/tea-tree.htm


 3. Lemon

So refreshing and uplifting, it is no wonder that lemon (as well as other citrus) makes you happy and energized.  Great for when you need a bit of a pick-me-up during the day - place a few drops of the oil on a handkerchief and inhale, you are sure to feel refreshed and energized. Great for headaches and migraines, when combined with peppermint oil, it makes a great headache relief balm.  Great for adding into a cleaning regimen as well, with its antibacterial, antiseptic qualities it is of a great benefit for keeping the home clean. 
One warning about lemon oil (as with most other citrus) it is photo-toxic, meaning that it will make your skin more sensitive to sunburn. Make sure if you use anything that has lemon oil in it, that you do so at night or you are covering the area exposed.
Read more about its uses here: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/lemon.htm

4. Peppermint

 

Cooling, refreshing and reminiscent of candy canes, peppermint oil has a myriad of beneficial properties.  The analgesic properties make it great for pain relief, especially for headaches or migraines.
Great for muscle aches, pains as well as for easing congestion and coughs when ill with a cold or sinus problems. 
 Read more about its uses here: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/peppermint.htm




5. Rosemary

Not only great on meats and veggies, this essential oil can help with mental clarity and memory!
Has great benefits for the hair and scalp. Mix a few drops into your shampoo and it may help keep lice away! Use as a hair oil - mix 10 drops into 1/2 cup of avocado oil and massage into hair, keep on for a few hours and then wash out, will strengthen your hair as well as help with hair growth. Wonderful in creams as it promotes circulation.
Read more about its uses here: http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/rosemary.htm



Always remember to dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil (coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil you have.) to about 5% which means you have 1ml of carrier oil you will add 1 drop of the essential oil.  This is a good guide line for most people, but for kids, pregnant/nursing women or elderly you may want to dilute it more - especially with kids and while pregnant/nursing, do take care and read up on oils that are safe for kids and those that are not! Read more about kids and essential oils here: http://www.abundanthealth4u.com/Essential_Oils_Care_for_Babies_and_Children_s/40.htm

Avocado Oil

Avocados are healthy and filled with so many vitamins but best of all they are great for your skin and hair! 

I love using over-ripe avocados for a skin and hair mask, but it can get fairly messy when you try to apply it to your face and hair.  So, what's a girl (and guy) to do? Use avocado oil instead!! Yes, this fantastic fruit is available in oil form while still retaining all the benefits of the raw fruit (just make sure you get the cold-pressed or unrefined version to get maximum benefits)

So, here is a little bit more about AVOCADOS!

Avocado oil is a super moisturizing oil that most people will be able to use regardless of skin types.  Rich in antioxidants like Vitamin A, D and E, high in protein and omega 3 fatty acids which all equal great skin care!

• Sterolin. Avocado oil is high in a substance called sterolin, which studies have shown to facilitate the softening of the skin and to reduce the incidence of age spots;
• Antioxidants. Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, making it useful for healing sun-damaged skin. Antioxidants like vitamins A, D and E in avocado cause the skin to be suppler, and are thus particularly good for dry or aged skin.
• Lecithin and Potassium. Avocado oil contains lecithin and potassium, which are all highly beneficial for the skin as well as the hair; 

Here are more health benefits of avocado oil:

• Moisturize the Skin. Avocado oil applied topically helps relieve dry and itchy skin. Once applied, avocado oil is deeply absorbed by the skin, thus making it an ideal moisturizer and skin care agent.
• Boost Scalp Health. In addition to helping clear scaly skin, it can also relieve itchy scalp symptoms. Avocado oil, when regularly applied to the scalp, can stimulate hair growth.
• Increase Collagen Production. When applied, avocado oil increases the production of collagen, which helps keep the skin plump and decreases the effects of aging.
• Treat Skin Conditions. Avocado oil is useful in the treatment of a variety of skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
• Others. Avocado oil facilitates the healing of wounds and burns to the skin. It also helps to relieve and heal diaper rash.

Using Avocado Oil for Skin

1. External Use

Prior to using avocado oil topically, you should make sure you aren’t allergic to it. To do so, place a few drops of avocado oil on your arm and rub it gently into the skin. Monitor your skin for a day or so. If you develop any negative reactions such hives or a rash, do not continue using it. If you don’t see any negative effects, you are free to begin enjoying all the benefits of avocado oil.

Facial Moisturizing
When using the avocado for salads, instead of throwing away the peel sections, save them for your facials. The peel has a hidden reservoir of oil containing a substance called humectant that acts to retain moisture.
To use the peel, gently swipe it over your skin in upward massaging motions until you have covered your whole face. For best results, leave the oil on your skin overnight, and rinse off in the morning.
Scalp Care
Avocado oil can be used for head massages. It also can be used as a hot oil treatment for the hair, as avocado oil can actually be absorbed by dry hair shafts.

1. To make the treatment, put 2 tablespoons each of avocado oil and castor oil in a bowl, and warm it up.
2. Once the hair is wetted, massage this warm oil into the scalp and leave overnight.
3. Shampoo the hair and scalp in the morning.
4. Regular use of avocado hot oil scalp treatment makes the hair soft and can help eradicate dandruff. 

Dry Skin
Because avocado oil tends to reduce itching and inflammation of the skin, people who suffer from very dry skin or from eczema often find avocado oil to have soothing properties. To treat dry skin or eczema, pour a small amount onto the affected skin areas.

Read more here: http://www.med-health.net/Avocado-Oil-For-Skin.html

All about aloe

Woo hoo...I love Aloe!
So here is some more interesting facts about aloe and why it's great for you and your skin! So come on and try some today!

www.getting back to Natural Living.com - Webstore

Aloe Vera is really quite an incredible plant. It is a succulent plant and part of the lily family (Liliaceae), the same family that garlic and onions belong to.
Different parts of the plant are used for different effects on the body and Aloe Vera has both internal and external applications. Aloe Vera contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and fatty acids- no wonder it’s used for such a wide range of remedies. The bulk of the Aloe Vera leaf is filled with a clear gel-like substance, which is approximately 99% water.

 

1.  Aloe Vera Is High in Vitamins & Minerals:

Aloe Vera contains many vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6. Aloe Vera is also one of the few plants that contains vitamin B12.2. Aloe Vera is High in Amino Acids & Fatty Acids

2. Aloe Vera is High in Amino Acids & Fatty Acids

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. There are about 22 amino acids that are necessary for the human body and it is said that 8 of these are essential. Estimates of the amino acids found in aloe range from 18-20 amino acids, with all 8 essential amino acids

3. Aloe Vera is an Adaptogen

Aloe Vera is a well-known adaptogen. An adaptogen is something that boosts the body’s natural ability to adapt to external changes and resist illness.

4. Aloe Helps with Digestion

Poor digestion is related to many diseases. A properly functioning digestive tract is one of the keys and foundations of health. Aloe is known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract and help improve digestion.

5. Aloe Helps in Detoxification

Aloe Vera is a gelatinous plant food, just like seaweeds and chia. The main benefit to consuming gelatinous plant foods in your diet is that these gels move through the intestinal tract absorbing toxins along the way and get eliminated through the colon.

6.  Aloe Alkalizes the Body

Disease cannot manifest in an alkaline environment. Most people are living and subsisting on mostly acidic foods. For great health, remember the 80/20 rule – 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acidic. Aloe vera is an alkaline forming food

7. Cardiovascular Health

There hasn’t been a lot of studies conducted in this but there has been some research to show that Aloe Vera extract injected into the blood, greatly multiplies the oxygen transportation and diffusion capabilities of the red blood cells.

8. Aloe Helps Boost the Immune System

I think given the stresses of our daily lives, every one can use a boost to their immune systems. The polysaccharides in aloe vera juice stimulate macrophages, which are the white blood cells of your immune system that fight against viruses.

9. Aloe Vera is Great for the Skin

Because of aloe’s well-known healing properties for the skin, aloe is one of the primary compounds used in the cosmetic industry. It is a known vulnerary, (meaning it helps heal wounds) and is great for applying topically to burns, abrasions, psoriasis and even to bug bites.

10. Disinfectant, Anti-biotic, Anti-microbial, Germicidal, Anti-bacterial, Anti-septic, Anti-fungal & Anti-viral:

Wow, I think that covers all anti- bases. Okay, I admit, that was just a sneaky way to add in another 8 good reasons why you should keep Aloe Vera handy and incorporate it into your lifestyle.

12. Weight Loss – A Secondary effect

Improving your digestion, and detoxifying your will have a secondary effect in promoting weight loss because when we start to improve our digestion we naturally eliminate more efficiently, which is a primary way they we detoxify – through our bowels.

Read more here http://sacredsourcenutrition.com/top-12-benefits-of-aloe-vera/

Body cream and hormone disruptors anyone??

Water (Solvent/Diluent), Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii) (Emollient), Cocoa (Theobroma Cacao) Butter (Emollient), Cyclomethicone (Emollient), Glycerin (Humectant), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), PEG-100 Stearate (Surfactant), Cetearyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Babassu (Orbignya Oleifera) Oil (Emollient), Beeswax (Emulsifier/Emollient), Lanolin Alcohol (Stabiliser/Emollient), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Fragrance (Fragrance), Methylparaben (Preservative), Propylparaben (Preservative), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH Adjuster), Caramel (Colour), F D & C Yellow No 5 (Colour).



This is off of a cocoa and Shea butter body butter label (this is just one of them, but almost all commercial ones have all or some of these ingredients)
Well lets look at this a bit more closely...I've highlighted the 'harmful' ingredients and looked it up on an environmental site (great site btw!)

Really if you look at the ingredients, it is enough to scare you into not using anything!
Even some of the safer ingredients on the list are usually an environmental hazard! So basically the whole thing other than the first few ingredients ... Water, Shea butter, Cocoa butter, Glycerin are the safest and natural ingredients...the rest is in my opinion GARBAGE and so harmful!! Just look at the parabens ...it mimics estrogen and disrupts hormones!! I mean really?? 

The problem is we are using so many of these products day to day! Creams, shampoos, toothpastes, lotions, etc all in one day...the chemicals build up.  The chemicals are rated as safe in those concentrations but there is very limited or no research for the cumulative effects of all these products.

Have a look at the list and click on the links if you want to read more about the ingredients. 

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701738/CYCLOMETHICONE/
Cyclomethicone is a silicon-based cyclic compound; may be associated with environmental toxicity.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/721388/PEG-100_STEARATE/
Function(s): Surfactant - Cleansing Agent

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/701237/CETEARYL_ALCOHOL%3B%3B_CETEARETH-20/

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/704811/PHENOXYETHANOL/
Other HIGH concerns: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards; Other MODERATE concerns: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive);

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/703937/METHYLPARABEN/#
Methylparaben is in the paraben family of preservatives used by the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care product industries. Parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/705335/PROPYLPARABEN/
Parabens mimic estrogen and can act as potential hormone (endocrine) system disruptors.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/700697/BENZYL_ALCOHOL/
Benzyl alcohol is a naturally ocurring and synthetic ingredient used as solvent and preservative; has been associated with contact allergy.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706075/SODIUM_HYDROXIDE/
Sodium Hydroxide is a highly caustic and reactive inorganic base.

http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/702442/FD%26C_YELLOW_5/#
FD&C Yellow 5 is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum;  
Pigments from animal, plant, and synthetic sources used to color foods, cosmetics, and other products. Cochineal is from insects. Widely used FD&C and D&C colors are coaltar (bituminous coal) derivatives that are continuously tested on animals due to their carcinogenic properties.


Nice huh?? Makes you think about never using another commercial product ever...well at least that is how I felt when I saw all this and did such extensive research about it!
So that is why I started to make all my health and beauty products! 

Oh and do you know what my Shea & Cocoa butter cream has in it...
1. Shea butter 
2. Cocoa butter 
3. Coconut oil 
4. Essential oil (for scent) 

THAT IS IT! and you can look up all those ingredients on the environmental web site and you will find it all safe!! 

All kidding aside, this is a real problem with really a simple solution, we all have to become educated and demand that the manufactures change their products to less harmful ones.
This is just one jar of cream, but the sad truth is that almost all food, health, beauty products have these ingredients...can you imagine all the chemicals we are ingesting on a daily basis?? Wonder why cancer rates are so high, as well as other diseases and ailments?

This is why I want to share all my products, so that you can make the choice to live a better life! 

http://www.gettingbacktonaturalliving.com/apps/webstore/

All about Shea butter

We've all heard about Shea butter, probably have used it as well, but do you know what Shea butter is and how great it is for your skin health. 

Shea butter is an off- white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa).^[1] Shea butter is a triglyceride (fat) derived mainly from stearic acid and oleic acid. It is widely used in cosmetics as a moisturizer, salve or lotion.

Shea butter is sometimes used as a base for medicinal ointments. Some of the isolated chemical constituents are reported to have anti-inflammatory, emollient and humectant properties.^[12] Shea butter has been used as a sunblocking lotion and has a limited capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation

The fat of the nut of the African Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is the source of Shea butter. The traditional use of the butter is to reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars and stretch marks, and to ease a variety of skin irritations, such as psoriasis, eczema and sunburn. Makers of cosmetics also mix this natural substance with other botanical ingredients. Shea butter is ideal for the topical application of cosmetic and medicinal formulas, because it melts on contact and is readily absorbed into the skin, without leaving a greasy residue.
Shea butter contains vitamins A and E, as well as catechins, plant antioxidants also found in green tea. While it is unclear how well vitamins A and E in raw Shea butter are absorbed, there is evidence to suggest that cinnamic acid esters in Shea fat help to prevent skin damage from ultraviolet radiation  
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/shea-butter-benefits-79280.html

Well isn't that interesting... Did you know that Shea butter is so beneficial to the health of your skin!  Used to treat fine lines, scars and even stretch marks! What a wonder really!

I've made up a batch of Shea & Cocoa whipped body butter, has all the benefits of Shea butter along with Cocoa butter, making a beautifully scented cream that you can be sure is safe to use with nothing but pure ingredients.

Here is how you make it.

1/2 cup Shea Butter (un-refined, 100% natural)
1/4 cup Cocoa Butter (100% natural)

Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler, do it slowly, turn off heat.


Place the Shea butter in a bowl
and whip with a stand or hand mixer, add in slowly the melted cocoa butter and whip until it is all incorporated and fluffy.
Let stand for a few hours then place into a jar. 

Keep it in a cool place and use as needed on hands, face, and body!




If it's just not your thing to make, or don't have the items or time, you can always purchase at our web-store 

 

Lavish Cocoa & Shea Whipped Body Butter - 100gr

 

  Silky Lotion Bars - 15gr 

Let's learn together - Black Strap Molasses

Mmm...gingerbread cookies, yummy! Always reminds me of the wintery season.  As a child we would have a European version of gingerbread cookies, (< - - - click on the link) It was much more of a honey taste and actually didn't have ginger in them at all, they were hard and went well with tea, nice cookies but just not the same as the famous gingerbread-men cookies.

Ever wonder what makes gingerbread have that special flavour? (well, other than the ginger of course!)
It is Molasses.  What is Molasses you ask, (glad you did!)

Blackstrap molasses is just one type of molasses, the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. It is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is therefore the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar's sucrose has been crystallized. Blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for you. Unlike refined white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates, or artificial sweeteners like saccharine or aspartame, which not only provide no useful nutrients but have been shown to cause health problems in sensitive individuals, blackstrap molasses is a healthful sweetener that contains significant amounts of a variety of minerals that promote your health.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=118

Rich in iron, magnesium and calcium, taking just a spoonful will increase your intake of these minerals.
I have been using molasses in my coffee and adding just a bit or organic cane-sugar and a touch of cinnamon, absolutely lovely with some milk (or cream if you like).

Make sure you buy unsulphered molassess as this does not use sulphur dioxide in the extraction process. 

So why not try some today.  Here are some great recipes and some interesting ones!



1 Tablespoon of Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses in a glass of water first thing in the morning. It can also be mixed into lemon water or vinegar water.

You can sweeten a cup of tea or a bowl of cereal with it.

ICED MOLASSES RECIPE:
1 Tablespoon Unsulfured Blackstrap Molasses
Hot Water
¾ cup unsweetened rice milk, almond milk, or hemp milk
Ice
Add molasses to a glass and add just enough hot water to cover the molasses. Stir until dissolved. Add ice and then top off with the milk. It tastes even yummier if you blend it into a smoothie. Tastes like a nice latte or mocha!

http://www.processedfreeamerica.org/resources/health-news/287-the-many-benefits

• 5 minute vegan gravy
• Baked Oats
• Vegan chili
• Caramel sauce
• Vegan Graham Crackers
• Molasses gingerbread cookies
• Pumpkin gingerbread

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Let's learn together - Monthly Article 

October is all about fall harvest and all the bounty that has come from the earth ...ahh that sounded very homey...but really this is the time of year that we can make the most of natural, farm-field raised foods. 

What is in season now?
(This is for the Southern Ontario region) 

1. Cranberries
2. Pears 
3. Plums  
4. Beans 
5. Beets 
6. Carrots
7. Cabbage 
8. Celery 
9. Corn 
10. Mushrooms
    

see the whole list here: http://www.ontario.ca/foodland/availability-guide

Well you get the idea, there are lots of great fruits & vegetables out in your local farmers markets, so go out there and get all the great foods, experiment with new recipes...you never know what you may find!

Cranberries...a lot of benefits in a small berry!

I just love cranberries especially in baked goods! 

Now, I know most of you have only tried cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving times, and probably from a can! Sorry but you just haven't tasted what cranberries really taste like unless you use fresh cranberries!
It is so simple to make cranberry sauce (the instructions are usually on the bag!) takes like 10 minutes to make - seriously who doesn't have 10 minutes - and tastes wonderfully sweet and tart! 
 Probably asking yourself, "what is so special about them?" 
Well check this out:

A substantial number of recent studies have shown that whole cranberries consumed in dietary form—in comparison with purified cranberry extracts consumed in either liquid or dried supplement form—do a better job of protecting our cardiovascular system and our liver. Several groups of researchers have summarized their health benefit findings by pointing out that it is the synergy among cranberry nutrients (rather than individual cranberry components) that is responsible for cranberry's health benefits. This synergy is only found in the whole berry as consumed in food form. This rule about whole dietary intake appears to apply to the antioxidant benefits, anti-inflammatory benefits, and anti-cancer benefits of cranberry.

Dietary consumption of cranberry has also been shown to reduce the Rrisk of chronic, unwanted inflammation in the stomach, large intestine (colon) and cardiovascular system (especially blood vessel linings). 
In the case of our gums, the anti-inflammatory properties of cranberry can help us lower our risk of periodontal disease.
While research in this area is somewhat limited, recent studies on the immune support benefits of cranberry are exciting. In studies on very small numbers of human participants, intake of cranberry extracts has shown the ability to improve multiple aspects of immune function, and to lower the frequency of cold and flu symptoms in the subjects

No area of cranberry research has been more intriguing in the past 10 years than research on cranberry and cancer, even though the majority of studies in this area have involved lab studies on human cancer cells or animal experiments. On a virtual year-by-year basis, scientists continue to identify new mechanisms that establish cranberries as anti-cancer agents. It's important to point out that this amazing list of anti-cancer properties in cranberry is not sufficient to establish cranberry as a food to be used in the treatment of cancer. However, it is a list that appears consistent with other studies of cranberry and cancer showing dietary intake of this food to help prevent cancer occurrence. These cancer-preventive benefits of cranberry are especially likely in the case of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer.

 Read more here: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=145

So go on out and get some fresh cranberries and use them tonight in some of these great recipes!

Couscous Salad with Dried Cranberries and Pecans
Cranberry Butterscotch Brownies
Hearty Cranberry Cornmeal Porridge
Cranberry Pie
Asian Roasted Brussels Sprouts with cranberries
Cranberry Mojitos ( I would leave out the rum and orange bitters - instead add in orange peel!)

For those who use Pinterest - click here for a search with cranberries!

Some exciting news...

Ok, so have been making up the coconut oil natural deodorants for family and friends and they have been loving them! 
So guess what?  You can now buy these at my new web-store (and website)

Click here....

Getting Back to Natural Living Web-Store

  

Only $8.00 for a 100gr container!

All natural ingredients and essential oils - no aluminum, artificial fragrances or chemicals. Choose from the list below, or the custom blends I have come up with, or mix and match from the list!

 
Lavender
Tea Tree
Citrus (Grapefruit & Orange)
Peppermint

or these custom blends I have created ...
Lavender & Lemon
Lemon & Ginger
Rosemary & Orange
Tea tree, Lavender & Lemon
or plain with no added essential oils


If you would like to order please send me an email at 
elvira@gettingbacktonaturalliving.com

Powdered Laundry Soap

laundry detergents are full of additives and chemicals, as well as it is very expensive. 
This version of soap costs very little.
I have not done the per unit cost but I can let you know that the
soap I use costs $1.20 (I use half for one batch), the borax is about $5.00 for a 2kg box, the washing soda is also about $5.00 for 3kg box and the baking soda is about $3.00 for 2 kg.
So a quick calculation of the recipe below it comes to around $2.00 ...YES two dollars! (I'm not sure how many times you can use this but you will only be using 2-3 Tbsp per load...so yeah this is very economical! 



Powder Laundry Soap

2 cup  soap granules (grated from an all natural soap)

1 cup  borax

1 cup  washing soda

1 cup baking soda

Grate your soap so that you have small granules or shavings, place in a bowl along with the borax, washing soda and baking soda.  Mix well and you are ready to use your all natural laundry soap!  Use about 2 Tbsp per load, or 3 Tbsp for a very big load.
I have a front load HE machine and there is absolutely no problem with the soap creating too much foam, there really is no ingredient in there that will make great amounts of foam anyway.  

*Make sure you get WASHING SODA, it is usually in a blue box - it is not the same as baking soda.

**You can increase the amount of washing soda if your water is hard. 

You may have to play around with the amounts until you get a formula that you are happy with.  

All natural hand sanitizer

With kids at school, parents working or just out and about there is one thing that is for sure...germs and bacterial will soon be knocking at your door!

Many schools have a policy that kids have to take hand sanitizer to school, while this is a good idea in theory the problem I have is what is inside these sanitizers.

Key Hand Sanitizer Ingredient May Cause More Harm than Good

Triclosan can impair thyroid function, upset estrogen and testosterone levels, and promote problems that could interfere with fetal development.

While triclosan has been shown to kill most of the bacteria it encounters, both good and bad, bacteria that survive emerge stronger and thus harder to eradicate. Triclosan can also irritate skin and has been linked to higher rates of allergies and hay fever among children. Lab studies have found that triclosan can impair thyroid function, upset estrogen and testosterone levels, and promote problems that could interfere with fetal development.
Scientists have also grown critical of the chemical’s potential effects on the environment. Triclosan can now be found in rivers, streams, and the sewage sludge that’s often used to fertilize crops. It’s toxic to algae, phytoplankton, and other aquatic life. Its absorption by these organisms means it can spread through the food chain. Even consumers who avoid triclosan still risk exposure to the chemical.

 http://otherwords.org/key_hand_sanitizer_ingredient_may_cause_more_harm_than_good/

Pretty scary stuff when you think that so many children are using this!!

So what is the alternative when you cannot get to soap and water...a NATURAL based sanitizer uses tea tree oil, lavender, peppermint and lemon essential oils as well as witch hazel and aloe vera gel.

Tea tree oil is very effective at killing germs because of its anti-bacterial nature.

Click on the following ingredients to read more about the benefits of each

Tea Tree oil 
Lavender essential oil
Peppermint essential oil 
Witch Hazel 
Aloe vera gel

Ok so now you know the ingredients ...here is how you make it.  This amount will make about 100ml.

1/4 cup Aloe vera gel (make sure it is natural and not the green coloured one)
1/4 cup Witch Hazel (I use non-alcoholic one but either will work)
30 drops Tea tree oil
5 drops lavender EO
5 drops peppermint EO
5 drops lemon EO (I used it just for scent so you can leave it out)
1 tsp Vitamin E oil (used as a preservative and softens your hands - you can leave it out if you wish) 

Mix well (I use a wire whisk) and fill your old hand sanitizer containers. Voila, natural hand sanitizer you can be sure is much safer for you and your children.

This will last probably about a month, especially if you have added the vitamin E oil.  Before using be sure to shake it, as the gel and witch hazel may separate a bit (it's no big deal, just shake and spray!)

Kitchen & Bath Cream Cleanser

I have used Vim, Ajax and other various scrubbing types of cleansers for years and to be honest I haven't really wanted to change that, well ok yes I have. The thing was that I had gotten so used to how well these products have worked that I was reluctant to change! So today, I realized that I have run out of my usual cleanser and decided today would be the day I make my own!

When I started to think about exactly all the harmful ingredients in these products...I realized that making my own is the only way to be safe!

So here it is... I used a combination of Borax, Baking soda, dish soap and EO's.  I mixed up a batch and went to clean the bathroom sink and toilets, well you know what...they work fantastically!  The addition of the EO (orange and tea tree) made the bathroom smell so fresh and clean!

So here is the simple recipe!
1 cup Borax 
1 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup Liquid detergent (natural if possible)
1/2 cup Water (distilled is good) 
10-15 drops of Orange & Tea Tree oils

Combine all and mix well.  Put into your 'cleanser' container and that's it! Use just as you would
those other products! Just make sure to shake the mixture very well before using as I have found the
borax makes things a bit clumpy!  (Anyone have a solution to this?)
If things are a bit more runny add more borax or Baking Soda, if not 'creamy' enough add in a bit more
dish detergent to make it 'gloopy'. 

Let me know how it goes!

Whipped Shea Butter

Beautiful Whipped Shea Butter Cream

Well I finally did it! I made my own whipped Shea butter cream...and oh my goodness it is the best thing ever!!
I had bought Shea butter a few months ago and have never gotten around to doing anything with it...was always looking for a good recipe and have finally found one that I like!

Raw Shea Butter

100 gr (4oz) of Raw Shea butter
3 Tbsp carrier oil (coconut, grapeseed, sweet almond oil, etc)
20-30 drops essential oils (lavender, any citrus, vanila) really anything you like
You can also add Vitamin E oil (2-3 capsules or 1 tsp) if you like

Mixer and bowl (yeah that's it!) 

Keep Whipping!

Place the shea butter in a bowl and mash it up a bit with a fork then add in the carrier oil, mash a bit more and then take your mixer (hand, or upright) and whipped the heck out of the Shea butter.  You will see the butter turn suddenly into a beautiful whipped cream-like consistency!  Add in the essential oils, (vitamin E) mix again for a second just to incorporate.  That's it...place in a nice jar and slather on!!

For me the smell of the Shea butter is very strong and nutty (you kind of have to get used to it!) I would prefer a more floral or 'vanilla' scent (that will be my next attempt!) but really the health benefits far outweigh the smell! I've used it on my hands and face and wow...soft as a baby!

Please go out and try some right away...you won't be sorry!  Oh and did I mention how cheap frugal this was!
I paid about $2.50 for the shea butter (3.5oz) and the coconut oil and EO's are very little in price. So I would say for about $3.00 I got a whole jar (about 4oz) of nice cream, best of all no additives, chemicals or any thing else nasty!