How To Make The Ultimate Detox Bath

via: http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/11/the-ultimate-detox-bath.html

THE ULTIMATE DETOX BATH

A couple of nights ago I was really feeling poorly. I was worn out. Physically and mentally.

I KNOW I bring a lot of it on myself. I don’t get enough sleep a lot of the time (OK…most of the time) and I hardly ever give myself any “down” time. But I try to eat healthy and I take vitamins, etc.  I just felt like my body was trying to tell me something….but I didn’t know what.

Then I started reading about how toxins can build up in your body over time and cause a myriad of uncomfortable symptoms. For some reason this struck a chord with me…and I decided to give aDETOXIFICATION BATH a try! I mean it couldn’t HURT, right?  The worst thing that could happen would be I experienced a nice, hot bath and some rare “down” time. :-)

Toxins and chemicals are all around us, from our drinking water, to our health and beauty products, to the materials used to build and furnish our homes! They are unavoidable. There are, of course, certains things we can do to cut back on the amount of toxins in our living environment. Eating organically and using natural cleaning, laundry, and health & beauty products, are just a few!

If you are feeling lethargic or sluggish or you are just experiencing “Brain fog”, a Detox Bath is a great way to help your body get rid of toxins and ease some of these symptoms.

Most detox bath recipes I found in researching this topic contained different combinations of the same basic ingredients: Epsom Salt, Baking Soda, and Apple Cider Vinegar. A few others also added Essential Oils and Ginger. But very few contained the “secret ingredient” I’m going to share with you today….Clay!

Healing Clay has been used for centuries as a form of natural medicine. Taking a therapeutic clay bath is one of the most effective methods in existence to assist in the elimination of toxic substances which have accumulated in the body. It just so happens that my little town is home toRedmond Clay, who markets an all-natural Utah bentonite clay used by the Fremont indians thousands of years ago. (Note: I will definitely being doing a follow-up post about this amazing clay! Stay tuned.)

So here is my ULTIMATE DETOX BATH recipe:

• 2 cups Epsom Salt (or Sea Salt) - draws out toxins from your body while relieving aches and pains
• 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar - soothes and soften dry, itchy skin while balancing the bodies and neutralizing the bodies pH.
• 1/2 cup Bentonite Clay  - stimulates the lymphatic system to deeply cleanse the body’s largest breathing organ, the skin.
• 5-10 drops of your favorite Essential Oil - lavender, geranium, sandalwood, ylang ylang and blue tansy are all known for their detoxifying properties.

Run your bath water as hot as you like. Add your “ingredients” and agitate to dissolve. Soak for 20-40 minutes. Drink a full glass of water when you’re finished.

Warning! You will be exhausted after your bath, so do this right before bed. I felt like a wrung-out dish rag afterwards, but in the morning I felt energized, refreshed, and had a whole new outlook on life! :-)

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

via: http://lifehacker.com/5817218/how-to-get-rid-of-ants-naturally

When ants invade your home, it's time to battle. You don't have to use ant baits with pesticide in the traps, however, since there are several natural solutions to getting rid of ants and keeping them out.

Dealing with the Ants Already in Your Home

Probably the most commonly used ingredient in house ant control is Borax. Previously we've suggested a 50/50 solution of Borax mixed with sugar placed in a small cap, since most ants are drawn to sweet things. Jonathon Hatch writes on Get Rid of Things that the sweet-based ant baits work for getting rid of Sugar Ants (a.k.a. House Ants or Pavement Ants; those little brown ants that make mounds in the pavement), Pharaoh Ants (golden ants with voracious appetites), and Argentine Ants (long dark ants). If you live in the south where red fire ants swarm or have carpenter ants, unfortunately insecticides seem to be most effective.

Besides Borax, you could also sprinkle a baby powder firewall near the ants' point of entry to make ants inside your home lose their scent trail, get lost, and eventually die.

Borax Laundry Booster, 76 oz Box

List Price: $4.99

Amazon.com: $10.54

Keeping Ants at Bay

To discourage ants from coming inside your house, the baby powder trick may work as well because ants won't climb over the powder. There are other options that also involve scent or clever uses, a few of which we've mentioned before:

• Put cucumber slices near cracks or entry points because ants apparently hate cucumbers.
• Draw chalk lines around your doorways and windowsills—as with the baby powder, this may work because ants don't like particles sticking to their feet.
• Put bay leaves or sprinkle cayenne pepper where the ants are coming in; according toPlanet Green, ants hate the scent of these.
• Make a cleaning solution of vinegar, water, and about ten drops of tea tree oil and spray it around your counters/doorways/etc. Also similar to the baby powder trick, this makes ants lose their scent trails and stop coming around (hopefully).

Regularly cleaning up in your kitchen, taking out the trash, and sealing door sills and window sills are also all good measures. Have any other ant control suggestions? Let's hear them in the comments. Photo by Shira Gal.

How to Make Deodorant Cream

How to Make Deodorant Cream via http://frugallysustainable.com/2013/06/how-to-make-deodorant-cream/

JUNE 7, 2013 BY ANDREA 15 COMMENTS

The skin is our body’s largest organ…

…and everything we put on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Today — with modern farming and mass production processes the way they are – be assured…there are so many toxic chemicals added to commercially-prepared body care products! Chemicals known to adversely affect the body’s immune system, reproductive system, and nervous system.

Years ago — around the time that I took the dive head-first into natural health — I started looking for alternatives to commercially-prepared EVERYTHING. Starting with locally-grown foods to medicinal salves to making my own shampoo…I found that where there is a will there’s a way!

Likewise, I immediately became curious about all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant.

My entire life prior, I had been an avid anti-perspirant user — the feeling of being sweaty just grossed me out – and initially it was all the correlations made between using that and getting breast cancer…that got the wheels turning. Then when my mother was diagnosed with, and won her battle against, breast cancer…I left anti-perspirants without hesitancy.

There are many reasons why we should be concerned about using anti-perspirants and commercially-prepared deodorants! Here are just a few:

1. There are hidden dangers in the active ingredients of conventional deodorant (i.e. Aluminum, Parabens, Propylene glycol, Phthalates, and Triclosan). Current researchshows a strong link between anti-perspirants containing aluminum and Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, birth defects, allergies, and hormonal imbalances. These potentially hazardous chemicals have no place in our homes and certainly no place under our arms.
2. Let the body do what the body will do! I believe that when we attempt to inhibit the natural functions of the body we negatively effect the rhythms created for a purpose. Humans were meant to sweat.

It was all of these concerns combined that led me to create my own solution.

Since then, I have created several natural deodorants that have been used by many with AMAZING success:

• Probiotic Deodorant Stick
• Herbal Deodorant Stick
• Natural Deodorant for Men

All of these are the traditional stick variety.

Recently — and after the request of several of you – my creative drive kicked in and I set out on a Deodorant Cream making mission.

Deodorant Cream Recipe

Ingredients

-2 ounces (approx. 4 tablespoons) shea butter
-2 ounces (approx. 4 tablespoons) sesame oil
-1 ounce (approx. 2 tablespoons) non-nano zinc oxide powder
-5 tablespoons arrowroot powder
-0.5 ounces (approx. 1 tablespoon) raw beeswax
-1/2 teaspoon non-GMO vitamin E oil

Optional Ingredients
***I love adding a few of these ingredients. They are optional — and add tons of odor-fighting goodness — but not necessary for effective use of this product.

-aloe vera extract
-comfrey leaf extract
-calendula extract
-essential oils of choice

Method

1. Using a kitchen scale, measure the ingredients.
2. In a double boiler or small pot, melt shea butter, sesame oil, and beeswax over low heat.
3. Remove pot from heat and allow mixture to cool slightly.
4. Add arrowroot powder and zinc powder. Whisk until all powders are dissolved and well combined.
5. Add vitamin E oil, extracts, and essential oils (if using) at this time. Stir.
6. Pour mixture to a sterile container — one such as these – and allow to cool on counter.
7. Label product and store at room temperature. Shelf stable for at least one year, depending on quality of ingredients used.

To Use

Using fingertips, apply to underarms daily or after showering. A little goes a long way!

Notes

-Zinc Oxide. For safety’s sake, be sure to use only non-nano zinc oxide. Zinc oxide powder is not only a sun protectant, but an antioxidant that is able to soothe, protect and help heal the skin. Likewise, it contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Non-nano zinc oxide is not absorbed by the body and has been proven to present a very low risk to human health.

-Sesame Oil. For centuries, this oil had been widely used as healing oil for all sorts of health problems. Its’ quick penetrating, highly-stable (low risk of rancidity), anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties make it best suited for all skin types. Used topically, common skin invectives such as staphylococcus and streptococcus can be easily eliminated by the regular application of oil on the skin.

-Beeswax. Beeswax – one of nature’s most incredible raw materials –  provides a superb germ-killing, protective barrier for the delicate skin under the arms.

Where Can I Get This Stuff?

-Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! I LOVE the quality of their oils and essential oils. It’s your one-stop-shop!

-The Bulk Herb Store also carries a few of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.

-From Nature With Love likewise carries a HUGE selection of high-quality raw materials.

I do have this Deodorant Cream available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.

Click here to visit the Marketplace…

How To Make Homemade Blush

ViaV

Via: http://thankyourbody.com/homemade-blush/

Keep in mind that with all makeup there is a continuum of “what works” for every individual. This is especially true when we start making things like bronzer, blush, or foundation. What works for me may not work for you. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to adjust and adapt this recipe to work with your skin tones and desired outcome.

With that in mind, you should probably know that I’m extremely pale. And I’m not a huge makeup person. Therefore, my blush of choice is light and subtle. So rather than give you an exact recipe, I’m giving you the jumping off point to find your perfect shade. Are you ready?

Ingredients:

arrowroot powder
hibiscus powder (like this)
cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

Start with a base of arrowroot powder, about 1 Tbs. Add in the hibiscus powder one teaspoon at a time until you get the desired color. Add cinnamon for a little depth and glow.

*Note: Hibiscus powder gives a nice subtle pink glow, but for some it may seem too subtle. You could also try Alkanet Root powder which has a richer, more reddish, tone. But in either case, add the color gradually. You can always add more arrowroot powder to lighten back up, but if you get too heavy handed you’ll end up with a whole lot of blush on your hand.

Life moves on....

So.....radio silence.....


Sorry about that....the page will pick back up shortly.....


Between picking my life back up, working two jobs almost full time and school, my blog got put on the back burner....


This is not what I expected......


A friend suggested some things fall apart so that other things can fall together, and I have to say if I don't think she may have been predicting the future.

It is just weird how things seem to be going right now.


They are good, in a bitter sweet way....


But good none the less....


It's weird, I feel like I should not be happy, not be optimistic, not be ready to move on with my life.


My sister says it's just because I've been hurt so many times before that I am just use to picking up the pieces and moving on and that it is more of a survival instinct than anything...



She could be right.


She could be right...

Free Baby Sling- all you pay is shipping!

We wanted to thank you for being an EverydayFamily member with this promo code for a free baby carrier (a $48 value) at the Seven Slings website! The promo code is "FAMILY2013". 

Go to the Seven Slings website, click on "Shop Now" and select any baby carrier you would like (be sure to go to their sizing page so you can get the right size carrier for you). Once you have selected your size, you will automatically be directed to the "shopping bag" where you can enter the promo code "FAMILY2013". This promo code will take off 100% of the baby carrier purchase and all you are required to pay is the shipping fees. 

You can use the promo code more than once however you will need to open a new browser to do so! 

Thanks again! 

Sincerely, 
EverydayFamily