Simplicity Momma - "Lift Me Up" Essential Oil Diffuser Blend Recipe

Simplicity Momma - Super Simple Bath Wash/Bubble Bath Recipe

This bubble bath/body wash is so simple to make you'll be wondering why you haven't done it sooner! 

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup Castile soap (I used peppermint Castile soap because I already had it in the house for our DIY foaming hand soap. Bonus - I didn't have  to mess with essential oils.) 

- 1/4 cup vegetable glycerin

- 1 TBSP water 

- essential oils (optional if you use in scented soap)

* You can get Castile soap & vegetable glycerin at your local health food store.

Instructions: 

1. Pour ingredients into a Pyrex-type measuring cup with a pour spout.

2. Gently stir ingredients until blended. (If you use unscented soap, here is where you would add about 6 drops of your favorite essential oil.)

3. Pour into a container for storage. (I used a glass bottle for mine, but you could even use an empty shampoo or body wash container.  

To Use as a Bubble Bath:

- Pour into running water for a relaxing bath.

To Use as a Bath Wash: 

- Pour a small amount into a washcloth or loofah. Apply to skin. Rinse thoroughly. 

Keep out of eyes!

Makes just over 3/4 cup product.

Simplicity Momma - My Top-Secret Mint Chocolate Lip Balm Recipe

Yes, you read that correctly! I said, "MINT CHOCOLATE lip gloss!" Did I mention there is REAL chocolate in this one? Yum-O!

There are several mint chocolate lip gloss recipes on the internet. What sets mine apart is the fact that I use a simple recipe, & a carrier oil that doesn't mess with the mint chocolate flavor! 

Ingredients: 

- 1 part (1/4 cup) of carrier oil (I like jojoba oil for this one, because I doesn't have as strong of a flavor as olive or coconut oil do. I don't want to alter the pure taste of the mint & chocolate! You can substitute either, though.) 

- 1 part (1/4 cup) shaved or beeswax pearls. (If you use coconut oil, add a little more beeswax. Coconut oil has a fairly low melting point, & this will help it retain firmness.) 

- peppermint essential oil

- 2 Hershey's chocolate rectangles or 8-10 chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Place the wax and the chocolate in a glass bowl or jar. Using the a double boiler system or the microwave, melt the wax completely. (If using the microwave, heat & stir in 30 second intervals.)

2. Pour the carrier oil into the bowl with the wax/chocolate mixture & stir.

3. Add a couple of drops of peppermint oil. Mix completely. ***See below for information on peppermint oil!

4. Pour mixture into pots & allow it to cool (about 2 hours). 

Notes: This should make about 6 small pots of gloss. Gloss should be discarded around 2 months after creation (if it lasts that long) or anytime you see a change in appearance or smell of the gloss. Keep out of eyes.

*** I suggest starting with 5 drops of peppermint oil. It is EXTREMELY powerful, and you just want the refreshing tingle of the mint on your lips & not a burn. To determine the appropriate amount of peppermint oil, you can do one (or both) of two things: 1. If you smell your mixture & it burns your nose, there's too much peppermint. Add equal amounts of oil & wax to dilute it further. If the smell is barely noticeable, add drops ONE AT A TIME, stirring & smelling after each additional drop until you reach a nice level of mint that smells good without burning your nostrils. 2. Let the mixture cool a little (please don't put hot liquid on your lips!!!), & dab a small amount onto your lips. If it burns, do a quick remelt & add equal parts oil & wax until the gloss no longer burns. If you don't feel a tingle at all, add drops one at a time, stirring after each drop until the right level is achieved. I usually use 10 drops in my mixture.

I've become a lover of this gloss! It's like dessert on your lips! :)

Simplicity Momma - Natural Deodorant Recipe

Ok...hear me out! I was a little leery of this at first myself. I am sensitive to aluminum. Shortly after having my first son, I actually had to go through chelation treatment for aluminum poisoning. 

I tried natural crystal deodorants - only to find that I still smelled at the end of every day. I even tried some "all natural" deodorants (think Tom's), and not only did I still have body odor, but I also broke out from the specific oils used in the two varieties I tried. (I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin.)

So I recently went on a quest to find an all natural, aluminum-free deodorant recipe that worked. Unfortunately all of the recipes I found have corn starch in them. (There's nothing wrong with corn starch. It's a cheap and effective product.) I have a weird sensory thing where I just almost can't stand the feeling or sound of corn starch being rubbed together. (Yes, I know where my older son's sensory problems come from... :)

After a little research, I came across a little thing called arrowroot powder, and my problem was solved! My recipe is below. 

It has been adapted from my friend Sherri's recipe on her Mommas Time Out blog! :)

Ingredients:

- 5 TBSP Coconut Oil

- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder (or corn starch)

- 1/4 cup baking soda

- 3-4 drops of Tea Tree Oil or other essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Pour arrowroot powder (or corn starch) & baking soda into a bowl. Stir loose ingredients.

2. Add 5 TBSP of coconut oil. Use a spatula to thoroughly mix the coconut oil & dry ingredients thoroughly. You will need to push and knead the dry ingredients into the coconut oil. 

3. Once the mixture is about the consistency of raw cookie dough, you can add the optional essentional oil and mix thoroughly. (Coconut oil has a great scent, so oil isn't required. I chose to use a few drops of tea tree oil because it has antibiotic properties.)

4. Place your mixture in a wide mouth jar. (You can use an empty deodorant container, but keep in mind that coconut oil melts at 75*, so it will have to always be stored at a temperature less than that.) This recipe makes about 3/4 cup of deodorant.

To use: Warm a small amount (penny-sized drop) in your fingers and apply to underarms. All it to absorb for a moment or so. Wash your hands and start your day! :)

Simplicity Momma - DIY Tropical Lip Balm

I have been a lip gloss/lip balm addict since I was a little girl. Here's a quick, simple recipe I love!

Ingredients:

- 1/4 cup coconut oil

- 1/3 cup shaved or pellets of beeswax

- containers (I buy bead storage containers - the ones on bottom in the above photo - from Michaels & sanitize them.)

Optional Ingredients:

- orange essential oil 

- honey

- jojoba oil

Instructions:

1. Using a double boiler system (or the microwave), heat the wax & coconut oil until they are completely melted. (If using the microwave, heat in 30 second increments.)

2. Here is where you add any optional ingredients. I like to add a few drops of essential oil for an additional layer of fragrance. (I love orange with this. It smells like a tropical smoothie!) I also love  jojoba oil & honey (add just a tsp) for extra moisture. 

3. Pour into containers & let completely cool (about 2 hours). 

This recipe should fill about 6 small containers. 

Note: Beeswax can be a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way. I suggest purchasing it at a major craft store like Michaels or Hobby Lobby with one of their 40% off coupons! Even better, if you know a local beekeeper, you might be able to work out a deal for local organic wax!

I purchase essential oils at a local organic store (Food Fantasies in Springfield, IL). There are numerous online retailers that carry essential oils. I suggest researching the companies' BBB standing & product reviews before deciding which brand is the best for you.

Devotion - How Do You Smell Today?

Quick check - How do you smell today?

"We are … the pleasing aroma of Christ… To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life."

(2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

As I was reading through this passage this evening, (I hope you don't mind the edit), all I could think about was Reed's (my youngest son's) snuggle buddy. To Reed, who is ready to love him wholeheartedly, snuggle buddy has the most pleasing aroma around. To me, who has no real desire to even touch the icky thing, it's aroma is absolutely repugnant! 

In the same manner, Christians can give off "aromas" of their Christianity. Those who acknowledge they are far from perfect, but openly live a life of reaching towards Christ before others may be a pleasing aroma to someone who has not yet accepted Christ. In contrast, one who puts on airs of being perfectly pious and "holier-than-thou," but lives a life contrary to what they speak may just be an "odor of death" that disgusts others and prevents them from having any desire to accept and follow Christ. 

How do you smell today?

My Redeemer Lives