Homemade Face Wash and Toner

So here's another couple of recipes that I have fallen in love with. The first is face wash. It's SUPER simple to make and my skin feels so good after I've used it. And no! My skin isn't oily after using it. Oil dissolves oil so it's great for getting out the dirty oil in your pores. And after using it I don't even need a moisturizer anymore. So here is how I make it. 

Take 1/4 cup coconut oil whip it with a mixer, I used my kitchen aid.

Then take some cold pressed caster oil and slowly stream it into your coconut oil while the mixer is running. The amount of caster oil really depends on your skin type. If you have super oily skin then you might want equal parts, but I find caster oil to be pretty drying so I just add about 1-2 tablespoons. 

After you slowly add you caster oil (you may have to scrape down the sides of the bowl) it should start to look like stiff egg whites.

Then you can add the oils of you choice and mix throughly in your mixer. Again this is up to you, but I use lavender and melaleuca. I am one of those lucky adults who still gets acne and this is a good blend of oils for that. 

When you're done mixing, put your mixture into a container. When you're ready to use this is what you do.

Apply to dry skin and throughly work it in. Take your time! Don't rush this! Then take a hot wash cloth, as hot as you can handle, and hold it on your freshly oiled face for a good minute! Enjoy this time. Breath in those amazing oils! When done just wipe off thoroughly and dry your face. Then follow with toner.

 And this is how I make the toner. I blend about 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon witch hazel to a small bottle. I then add essential oils of my choice. I still just use lavender and melaleuca and sometimes add frankincense or geranium. I love the combination of the lemon juice and witch hazel and they work way better than any commercial toner I have ever used! And I know exactly what's in it and I LOVE that!

To apply just take a cotton ball or round and apply a good amount of toner to the cotton ball or round and then rub liberally on your face. I find that it has a slight tightening effect and it has also lightened quite a bit of my scarring! BONUS!!!

It's important to note that you might have to play around with these recipes to find what's just right for your skin! But thats whats great about these is it's so simple to make it work for your needs! So go try it out! You won't be sorry! 

Carpet Deodorizer

So I just made my own carpet deodorizer and it ROCKS! And it only takes a few simple ingredients. Baking Soda, Borax, and essential oils of choice! That's it! For me I went with Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Lemon. What's great about this is that not only does it deodorize but also serves as pest deterrent such as ants, spiders and dust mites.  So here's how you make it... 

Combine 1/2 cup soda, 1/2 cup and several drops of oils of your choice depending on how strong you want the scent. I did quite a few drops because I like to be able to really smell it. 

Sprinkle your mixture on your carpet and let sit for about 15 minutes and then vacuum it up! It's that simple! Now go! Clean your carpets! Your home will smell AMAZING!!!

Oil Pulling

So here is something I never pictured myself doing, but here I am writing about oil pulling. So what is oil pulling you ask? Well, let me tell you! In a nutshell, oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic method for detox and rejuvenation. Traditionally, oil pulling was done with sesame oil, but I like using coconut oil because of it's antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and enzymatic properties. Right now I am using the oil pictured below which is already in liquid form, but you could totally use the solid coconut oil you get at the store and just let it melt in your mouth. I also like to add just a couple of drops of melaleuca oil to my coconut oil so I am reaping the benefits of the melaleuca oil as well. It's also important to note that you can oil pull at anytime of the day, but the best time to do it is in the morning before you eat or drink anything. This is to ensure a more thorough detox. Now here is the crazy part! You have to swish it in your mouth for 20 minutes! I know! I know! It sounds like a crazy amount of time, but I promise, it's not so bad. This is what I do. I take a teaspoon of oil and a couple drops of melaleuca and put it in my mouth and start swishing. And then I get ready for the day. I take a shower, get dressed, do my hair, makeup, make my bed, etc. The important part is to stay busy. If you stay busy you don't even realize what you are doing and the time will fly by. Once the 20 minutes is over I spit it out. DON'T SWALLOW IT!! SPIT IT OUT! It's full of toxins, remember? Make sure if you are using regular coconut oil that you spit it out in the trash so it doesn't later clog your pipes and you end up with a big mess! Then after you spit it out, brush your teeth and call it a day. Below I will post some of the benefits of oil pulling, but here are a couple that I've noticed. My sinuses don't hurt anymore! I haven't had a stuffy nose since I started using doterra's oil regimen for allergies, but I still had a little residual sinus pain. It seems like every time I do this, now this is kind of gross, but it actually pulls out mucus from my sinuses! CRAZY! Since I've been doing it my sinuses have not been hurting! Also, I feel like my skin looks better and my teeth feel dentist clean after each pull, which I do everyday in case you were wondering! Give it a try! It can't hurt! 

Health benefits of oil pulling

Studies show that this simple cleansing process can whiten teeth, strengthen gums, and help heal and prevent oral health issues such as:

• Cavities and gingivitis
• Plaque
• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums
• Sensitive teeth
• Dryness of lips, mouth, and throat

Other benefits of oil pulling 

Oil pulling is also used to treat and prevent health conditions beyond the mouth. Some of the benefits may include:

• Reducing inflammation
• Seasonal allergies relief
• Headache relief
• Reducing chest congestion
• Detoxifying the body of harmful metals
• Certain skin conditions like eczema
• Supports healthy kidney function
• May relieve ulcers and diseases of the stomach

Food for Thought

Wild Orange

I just found out some pretty awesome things about wild orange today and I thought I would share them with you!

Wild orange is cold pressed from the orange peel and is excellent for revitalizing and energizing.

It is great for treating bronchitis, the flu and cold, lowering high cholesterol, and it has anti-cancer properties. It can help control appetite, reduce inflammation, and it is also antiseptic and antifungal. 

I LOVE wild orange! I put it in my diffuser and my household cleaners. I even put it in my water and wear it as a perfume when I am needing a little pick me up. And guess what? You can get a bottle FREE just by coming to my class on Tuesday 4/9/2013 or 4/10/2013 @ 7pm! How cool is that?

Not only will you get to learn some pretty amazing things about essential oils, but you'll get to take home a free bottle of wild orange!!! 

So if you are interested in coming please email me to RSVP to

heatherhamm@me.com

Honey and Lemon

I just had to share this little tid bit of information.  Lately in our family, we have been passing around this cold/flu thing.  When it was my oldest daughters turn she developed a cough.  A really persistent and unproductive cough.  The only cough medicine I usually give my kids is a homeopathic honey based cough syrup.  Unfortunately, we were all out.  And then I remembered seeing something on Pinterest (where else) about using honey and lemon for a cough.  So I thought why the heck not.  So I pulled out the honey and food grade lemon essential oil.  

I put a couple tablespoons of honey in a glass and warmed it slightly and then added a 3-4 drops of lemon oil and had her chug it down.  Guess what??  COUGH GONE!!!  And whats even better is that the cough came back only once more, gave her another dose, and the cough was never to be heard from again!!!  WHAT??!!!  AWESOME!!!  Highly recommend!

P.S.  I hope it goes without saying, do not give this to any child under the age of 1.  Honey and 1 year olds don't mix!!!!!   And if using lemon essential oil, make sure its food grade.  Most essential oils in the stores are NOT food grade and have synthetic crud in them.  Just a little FYI for ya!

Now go kick some coughs to the curb!