Friday, May 23, 2014

five things friday: DIY beauty care

As a quick post for today, I thought I would share some of my recent DIY beauty care.

I use coconut oil for a lot of things, like moisturizer, to shave and even to wash my face! At first I thought, hmmm.... washing my face with oil? Isn't my skin oily enough? But it seems to work wonders for me. So besides plain ol' coconut oil, here are my five faves to share.

1. I alternate how I wash my face between solely coconut oil and a honey face wash. I usually use the honey wash more in the shower so I can easily leave it on for a few minutes for extra cleansing. If I had the money I would use manuka honey, but instead I used raw organic honey. I filled up a little mason jar, added a few drops of lavender essential oil and a few sprinkles of vitamin C powder that I had from another DIY I will show you a picture or two below. I mixed it all up and I take about a small teaspoons worth, massage it all over my face and then I rinse with warm water. Quick and easy, just how I like it!

I keep a small jar of coconut oil in my skin care basket so I have it right on hand. The jar on the right is the honey wash.
2. The only other thing I use on my skin right now is this vitamin C serum.
I take 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin C powder and mix it with 1 teaspoon distilled water and let it dissolve and then stir in 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerine. Then I store it in this dark colored glass bottle. You need to store in a dark bottle so the vitamin C doesn't oxidize quickly. I keep mine in the fridge too. Apparently this should last a month or so. I have to figure out exactly how long it keeps, but this is a new addition so I am still working on it.
3. I didn't make this toothpaste. My mother-in-law made it for me, so I am going to send you to the link itself that she used. Along with the toothpaste, I use the Healthy Mouth Blend from OraWellness. I don't have the greatest teeth/gums and this has really seemed to make a difference in how clean my teeth and mouth stays. 
4. I've written about my deodorant before, but I am including this again. This one is a real lifesaver for not only me, but for everyone around me!
All it takes is 4 tablespoons of baking soda, 4 tablespoons of arrowroot powder and 6-8 tablespoons of coconut oil (extra virgin - cold pressed - organic)

Mix 2 tablespoons of baking powder and 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder and add 6 tablespoons of coconut oil to it. Stir this well. Then add another 2 tablespoons of each dry ingredient and again, stir well. Depending on the consistency, you may add another 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil. If it is really soft or liquid, it does harden up so don't worry. Depending on the humidity of your home will determine how hard or soft it stays.

You only need about a dime size amount. Briefly rub it together on your hands and then apply to your underarms. Wash your hands when done and wallah! Stink free!
5. I'll be honest here, I don't get a chance to shower and wash my hair every day. I also know it isn't the greatest to wash your hair daily... at least that is what I hear. My hair used to get super oily if I didn't wash it every day, but after using this I can go days without washing and still have my hair look fresh and oil free. This is the dark hair version.

2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch

I personally just mix a larger jar with half arrowroot and half cocoa powder, mix and then I have plenty on hand. This gets a little messy so I do it over the shower or sink before I put my shirt on so it  doesn't get all over my outfit. I put a teaspoon or so into my hands and flip my head over and start at my scalp and massage it into the roots and then I run my fingers through my hair and brush through. It truly works wonders for me. If only it was a little less messy. And it is great if you love chocolate because you will smell a bit like it. This picture reminds me, I better go whip up another batch. I'm running low!



Some of these recipes I've found on my own, changed up here and there, but you can also get more info, or at least tips from The Wellness Mama. I have found a lot on her site. She also has a DIY shampoo for light headed hair as well. If you are interested in trying some of your own DIY beauty care, I hope you give some of these a try! Or, if you make some of your own already, please share ideas!! 

Monday, May 5, 2014

momma mondays: relief servies

Back in March, my birthday to be exact, my grandfather passed away after many, many months in and out of the hospital, suffering very much. After a few weeks past with my Mom living with my grandmother to help her out, my grandmother made the trip to my parents home and now lives with them. Unfortunately I have only been able to visit with her once since she has come down, but hopefully as she settles in and my life quiets down from the Hub's family visiting, we will have a lot more time together.

So needless to say, life has changed very much for my grandmother and my parents. It has also changed for me. Every week I could count on my parents aka my relief services, coming down for a day or two to visit and give me a helping hand. They'd help me run errands so I didn't have to go in and out of 10 places with two toddlers, help get some ironing done, etc. The things that were harder to do with two little boys that don't nap. Now that Nana is living with them, their time here can't be as much. They are only able to come down for a quick visit here and there. So, I am learning to adjust to being a SAHM with no extra hands.

Hopefully as she becomes more familiar with her new life in my parents home, they will be able to come more regularly to not only just help, but visit. To my readers who are a SAHM, do you have any sort of relief services? If not, what are your tricks to doing it all?