Soap & Body Care
Last month I made our summer soap. We christened it Summer Shoo-Fly as its essential oils were chosen for their insect repellent properties. It is done curing now and is ready for the summer showering, camp use, gifts and trades.
Then last weekend, in between freezing pounds and pounds of berries I whipped up more summer skin care products: lip balm, body lotion and deodorant. My mom was running low on lotion (I'm her dealer - tee, hee) and we were running low on lip balm (getting down to the crystallized honey that seems to settle in the bottom) and I was plumb out of deodorant - a situation that needed to be remedied for summer.
Homemade Deodorant Recipe:
As I've mentioned before my first batch of homemade deodorant was based on Angry Chicken's recipe. This time around I made a few more modifications, enough to call it my own and share it here.
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp cocoa butter with jojoba oil (I get nothing from linking you to products. Shop around for yourself)
- 3 tbsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp vitamin E
- 5 drops each of clove, rosemary, tea tree and eucalyptus - these were the oils I had on hand that I thought would smell nice together. Use whatever you like.
- 5 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract, natural preservative (optional)
Directions:
- In a sterilized pan melt all the ingredients, except essential oils and GSE, together over low heat on stove.
- Remove from heat, add drops of essential oils and GSE, if using. Stir well with whisk.
- Pour into sterilized glass jar.
My last batch lasted months and never went bad or rancid in the bathroom cupboard. This week with such high heat the oils have melted a bit and the deodorant was quite runny so I took a tablespoon out and mixed it with some baking soda to firm it up. This worked well and I've been using this firmer mix in this high heat and humidity.
To apply simply rub some between your fingers and massage onto your skin.
Toothpaste Update:
While we're discussing natural skin and body care I wanted to point out that our family has decided on a toothpaste alternative. Damien wrote all about it at Toothpaste Tribulations. You'll recall I have been looking for a toothpaste replacement. Something with truly natural ingredients that I could make myself, that would clean our teeth, freshen our breath and that we'd all like. Well we mostly scored with Uncle Harrys.
- Natural ingredients - check, I even e-mailed to ask specifically what the plant essences were
- Make myself - well maybe, I know what all the ingredients are but for now we're purchasing it
- Cleans our teeth - check, definitely
- Freshens our breath - check, definitely
- Family friendly - mostly check, Brienne doesn't like how strong it is
Another huge feature of using this toothpaste is that it is great for backpacking and simplifies our packing and personal care products.
More Skin Care Recipes:
Let's try this again shall we.
I've had the pleasure recently of making the on-line acquaintance of Rachel Wolf from LüSa Organics. LüSa Organics is a small family business that makes and sells natural soaps and bodycare products.
Why a giveaway? Well mostly I wanted to draw your attention to this sweet little company. Since I'm unable to sell my own soaps at this time I'd like to support other small businesses who are giving it a go.
measuring oils for handmade soap in my kitchen
I love making my own soap but realize that not everyone has the opportunity or desire to craft their own bodycare products (though you really should consider it, it's easy and adds touches of loveliness into everyday life). If you love handmade soap and aren't making it yourself maybe you'd consider buying from this small family business, literally a mom & pop (and two kiddo) shop.
I can't vouch myself for having tried any LüSa Organics products; I make all our skin care products after all so don't need to purchase any. I was the one who approached Rachel about hosting this giveaway because I want to support what her family is doing and also because I love to give away quality goodies on my blog. Who doesn't want or need a bar or handmade soap?
Lavender Lemonade: my latest batch of spring soap
So this is how it will work. LüSa Organics will giveaway two bars of soap (one a piece) to two lucky readers. Please visit their site and scroll through to see what bar you would like best, I know it's hard to choose from a such a wonderful selection.
I personally love the look (blue is a color I have yet to experiment with, need to get some natural ultramarine oxide for coloring) of Gaia's garden and use those three essential oils - lavender, mint and rosemary in many of my own soaps.
Come back here and leave a comment with the name of the soap you'd like to win. Giveaway closes Sunday night, April 11th. I will randomly draw two names and LüSa Organics will mail out your soap. Congrats Bridget & Michelle.
Giveaway is open to all North American residents (I asked Rachel specifically about being willing to ship to Canada since I know some of you live there). Since others of you visit from overseas I'd like to include you too but if you win and for some reason shipping is too difficult for LüSa Organics because of customs and what not I will mail you a bar of my own latest creation, Lavender Lemonade. Sound ok?
I also recommend Rachel's blog, Clean. She shares tidbits of her family life that I identify with and appreciate - raising kids, cooking, using herbs, living creativity, and of course... making body care products.
Oh, I almost forget. If you decide to place an order with LüSa Organics use the coupon code "hello" and receive a free lip balm with your first order! (Add a lip balm of your choice to your basket.)
Trial
News from the homemade toothpaste front. The recipe I'm using right now, a modification of this recipe shared by Rachel at her blog, Clean is great for cleaning our teeth. My teeth feel awesome and it doesn't even taste too bad. But... (you knew a but was coming) I haven't been able to make a toothpaste that is really breath freshening.
Our family eats a lot of garlic, every day, and I'm getting tired of asking my dear husband every time he leans in to give me smooch, "Hey bud, when was the last time you brushed your teeth?" Only to find out it was a few minutes ago but his breath (how do you say this nicely) smells.
I'm no sweet smelling rose myself (how do you go about smelling your own breath?), he just doesn't complain about it. And then as Damien was leaving the house this morning and we were all giving morning send-off kisses and hugs he mentioned "You know, I'm not totally sold on making our own toothpaste." I hear you honey, loud and clear.
Not to say he's not open to trying other alternatives. Next up is tooth powder that he is going to find on-line and order for us to try - he's the internet shopper around here. But until then we're back to good ol' Toms and fresh breath. (Bring those lips over here baby!)
Error
I have a soap giveaway coming very soon. In fact it was going to be published tomorrow or the day after. But after 45 minutes of writing that post this afternoon I lost it into cyberspace. I know how it happened and let's just say I don't want to talk about it right now.
Keep your eyes open though because some day in the next couple weeks will be a giveaway for two bars of LuSa Organics natural soap. Pictured above is my most recent batch of soap which I've christened Lavender Lemonade. Very lovely for spring.
That's the less-than-fun natural soap and body care news from fun in my back yard.
