It all starts at home...
What I would like to do on these pages is share a bit of home made recipes on the basic necessities of life...the simple bare necessities like toothpaste, deodorant and hand cream just to start. I may branch off to include future additions of lip gloss and shampoo but that is for another day. So come on in to Heidi's spa take a seat and try some products that have only natural ingredients that you can find around the kitchen. And usually there is only 3 ingredients too which makes a big change from the other commercial products that have anywhere from 10 to 20 ingredients - most even I can't pronounce! As always if you have recipes to share or comments to make, please pass them on so that we can include them here.
Toothpaste
There are only 3 main ingredients: (does anyone else see the pattern here??? All natural 3 ingredients - not like store bought manufactured stuff that has a list of about 20!) ok sorry I got a little off track there...
They are:
Now in regards to vegetable glycerin you can find this in any store usually in the first aid/health isles - I went to my local health food store and bought mine - but I have seen it at Walmart, CVS, Riteaide and Walgreens too. Most will say for moisturizing skin but it is the same stuff. Make sure it is only 100% glycerin as some may have additives. I have also heard that there is aluminum in some types of baking soda. This is not true - Baking Powder (some brands) has aluminum but not baking soda. Arm & Hammer is what I used. I also love clove and peppermint which I chose to flavor my toothpaste. Clove is pretty strong so it may not be for everyone. Peppermint is always a safe bet and what the majority of us are used to. You will need only 10-15 drops depending on strength of flavor you want. Now you can use Peppermint extract from the baking isle but it does not have the potency of essential oil so you may have to add more. Another great flavor is cinnamon... you can mix as you like but I would keep the 15 drops maximum so divide by number of flavors used to get the right ratio... I have been using mine for over a month and one thing I noticed was whiter teeth! And a sensitive spot I had is not bothering me anymore. I am not sure if this is all related to using my own toothpaste but I would like to think it is! Enjoy!
Pictures to come when I make this next time
They are:
- 1/4 cup Baking Soda,
- 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin
- 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice!
- That is it... Now mix it all together in a bowl and if it is too think add a bit of water a few drops at a time until the mixture comes out in the consistency you like. You can put it in a small jar and dip your brush in it to use - or if you have a family you can have a jar and spoon it onto the brush - one suggestion from my Mom (thank you mom ;) ) was getting a pastry / frosting kit where they have the bags and tips - your own toothpaste tube! I thought that was great but haven't purchased one yet for my self.
Now in regards to vegetable glycerin you can find this in any store usually in the first aid/health isles - I went to my local health food store and bought mine - but I have seen it at Walmart, CVS, Riteaide and Walgreens too. Most will say for moisturizing skin but it is the same stuff. Make sure it is only 100% glycerin as some may have additives. I have also heard that there is aluminum in some types of baking soda. This is not true - Baking Powder (some brands) has aluminum but not baking soda. Arm & Hammer is what I used. I also love clove and peppermint which I chose to flavor my toothpaste. Clove is pretty strong so it may not be for everyone. Peppermint is always a safe bet and what the majority of us are used to. You will need only 10-15 drops depending on strength of flavor you want. Now you can use Peppermint extract from the baking isle but it does not have the potency of essential oil so you may have to add more. Another great flavor is cinnamon... you can mix as you like but I would keep the 15 drops maximum so divide by number of flavors used to get the right ratio... I have been using mine for over a month and one thing I noticed was whiter teeth! And a sensitive spot I had is not bothering me anymore. I am not sure if this is all related to using my own toothpaste but I would like to think it is! Enjoy!
Pictures to come when I make this next time
Deodorant
What is the most common ingredient in underarm deodorant? Aluminum! Which is linked not only to cancers but also Alzheimers and has been found to mimic estrogen which can throw off your hormone levels! Yup it is time to find a new pit perfume! After long hours of research I have found most every recipe out there has 3 main ingredients -
What You Need:
1/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. cornstarch or arrowroot powder
5 Tbsp. coconut oil
Essential oils (optional – I used 3 drops of ylang-ylang, 4 drops of sweet orange, and 2 drops of tea tree) Or I have heard Lavender and Lemongrass are also nice
Mix everything together very well in a small container. Coconut oil may not solidify, so you may opt to just keep it all in a pretty glass jar. However, I hear tell that this solidifies to the point where you can pack it in an old deodorant container and use it just like you normally do. I may try that if this works! So who is game and will try this with me?
Pictures to come when I make this next time
What You Need:
1/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. cornstarch or arrowroot powder
5 Tbsp. coconut oil
Essential oils (optional – I used 3 drops of ylang-ylang, 4 drops of sweet orange, and 2 drops of tea tree) Or I have heard Lavender and Lemongrass are also nice
Mix everything together very well in a small container. Coconut oil may not solidify, so you may opt to just keep it all in a pretty glass jar. However, I hear tell that this solidifies to the point where you can pack it in an old deodorant container and use it just like you normally do. I may try that if this works! So who is game and will try this with me?
Pictures to come when I make this next time
Gardener's Hand Cream
Supplies needed to make Cream
Now with gardening time here what better way to celebrate then to have your own hand cream to help repair your damaged hands from the abuse they get from weeding and planting. Mine get so dry and cracked from working in the soil it can take weeks to get them back to normal again. Yes I could wear gloves but there is nothing like feeling the Earth in your hands as you plant a seed for future food or flowers. It connects me more than when I wear gloves - which is seldom... This recipe is quite easy and requires only a few ingredients - most of which can be found in your grocery store or local health food store. Here is what is in it:
Mix all ingredients in a pan or double boiler stirring until all melted and smooth. When right consistency is reached remove from heat and pour into jars - let cool. Feels so good and has no greasy residue! Even Jonathan likes it... Hope you like it too!
- 3 Tablespoons of bee's wax - I shredded mine so it melted faster
- 1/2 cup Sesame Oil - this can be expensive but feels so nice - get the one that isn't made from roasted sesame as it give it a different scent then the plain one.
- 1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Calendula Tea ( I brewed mine and let it sit for a few hours before using)
- 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Mix all ingredients in a pan or double boiler stirring until all melted and smooth. When right consistency is reached remove from heat and pour into jars - let cool. Feels so good and has no greasy residue! Even Jonathan likes it... Hope you like it too!