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I've been asked to begin a blog that shows a "how-to" for the things that bring pleasure to my life. So, the intent of this blog is to share recipes, gardening, composting, sewing, crafts, art, everyday projects and even psychology tips to aid in healing wounds and living the life you're meant to live, a life with purpose!
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Showing posts with label Essential Oils. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essential Oils. Show all posts

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Gifts of Furniture Cleaner / Polish, Citrus All Purpose Cleaner, Face Creams, Lotions, Salt Scrub & more...

Sent out gifts on Monday. Here are what two care packages of homemade Essential and Garden Produce goodies look like. A sampling of home cleaning supplies, lotions, scrubs, sprays, and sample oils. I send detailed information for those who I know will love playing with oils, a sheet on any oil I send, and instructions on how to apply the herbal treatments. On each bottle is the general recipe (I don't put measurements, because it would just get to crowded). 
 Box one is to someone who will love playing with the oils. They have herbal knowledge, but are new to Essential Oils. The box below is for a loved one who will enjoy the products I made, but isn't really interested in herbs; so the box contains mainly instructions on how to use.
 Items before I boxed them up:
This shipment held items made from the fresh, clean power of citrus.
I decided to use real citrus peels, instead of just my essential oils this time. I used the citrus peels in both cleaning products, as well as sea salt scrubs. Recipes are coming up... 

Note: if you wish to make both the Citrus All Purpose Cleaner and the Furniture Polish, a short cut is to: First I put the lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange peels into the juicer. Then pour white vinegar into the machine to get the loose bits through and to help the peels to give up their oils. I took this citrus goodness and put it into my furniture polish and into my all purpose cleaner mix. I left the furniture polish as is, but strained any peel bits out of the citrus for the all purpose spray cleaner. And of course, you can use drops of Essential oils "instead of" / or "in addition to" real citrus peel 

Basic All Purpose Cleaner:
1 Tbl. OnGuard Cleaner
20 Drops Purity
20 drops Wild Orange
1 C. White Vinegar
1 C. Distilled Water
1/2 C Rubbing Alcohol
Mix, shake well. Pour into spray bottle. Use on most surfaces: counter tops, windows, mirrors, and cabinets.


Recipes:

Citrus All Purpose Cleaner:
1 1/2 C. Citrus Peels 
1/2 C, White Vinegar
Soak peels overnight in flat container.
Juice Mixture in morning. Discard dry peel, keep juice and vinegar mixture. Strain to remove solid pieces. To the strained citrus mixture, 
add half of the basic All Purpose Cleaner Mixture (recipe above).

Now you have two cleaners, one is citrus for the extra tough cleans, (like kitchen cabinets with grease finger-prints) and a regular basic cleaner too!

Citrus Furniture Cleaner & Polish
Ingredients
3 Lemon's peel, one whole lemon
4 Lime's peel
2 Orange's peel
1 Grapefruit peel
1/4 White Vinegar
1/2 C. Almond Oil
1/2 C. Walnut Oil
Instructions:
Juice just the peels in a juicer with one whole lemon; 
Add to the juicer:
1/4 White Vinegar to clean out the bits. 
Discard the dry peel into the recycling bin. Use the pulp mixture in your polish. 
Add the 
1/2 C. Almond Oil
1/2 C. Walnut Oil
Mix with a hand mixer to make creamy.


Store in a glass container; pour out onto a clothe and use on your wood furniture for a rich wood glow!
Note: I later changed my container because my sprayer clogged (Mixture too thick to spray) and this was plastic. At the time I made it, I didn't have a good glass container. Now I do. ;-) This wood table has been through a families abuse and the color now pops! The two smaller containers I sent out were plastic squirt travel bottles, meant for shampoo (glass would have been better, but it is what I had on hand).

Also included in gift boxes:
 Carpet Cleaner: 
(See grey lidded glass jars on the back left?)
8 oz. Baking Soda
15 drops of Clove
20 drops of Wild Orange
20 drops of Lavender
Fill four 4oz. glass jars with lid or perpetrated top (like with powder). Shake on carpet; let set one hour; vacuum rug.

Refreshing Mist Spray: 
(See blue and brown glass spray bottles in middle?)
4oz. Distilled Water
20 drops of Eucalyptus
16 drops of Lavender
10 drops of Lemongrass
Fill 4 oz. glass jar with spray top. (I made three 4 oz. jars by doing this three times).  

This image is of the Lotions, Eve Cream, Day Cream, and Shea Body Butter gifts:


Shea Butter Ingredients:
1 1/2 C. Shea Butter, 
15 drops Myrrh,
3 1/2 Tbl. Aloe Vera,
2 Tbl. Vitamin E and C.
15 drops Lavender,
15 drops Frankincense
7 drops Lemon Balm (besides, therapeutic benefits, also works as a bug repellent).
Fill three 4oz. glass jars.  


Sea Salt Scrub ingredients:

1 C. citrus peel pulp

1 C. Geranium Essence, (or substitute 20 drops of Geranium oil),
1 C. Sea Salt,
1/2 C. Epson Salt, 
2 Tbl. Vitamin E, 
10 drops Lavender,
10 drops Myrrh,
10 drops Frankincense, 
7 drops Lemon, 
7 drops Wild Orange
7 drops Rosemary (Optional)
This makes 3 1/2 C's. ~I filled four glass containers (Three recycled 1 C.'s & one 4oz. canning jar). 


Sore Muscle Cream ingredients and product:

20 drops Deep Blue, (or for a dbl recipe: 40 drops)
20 drops Eucalyptus, (or for a dbl recipe: 40 drops)
10 drops Peppermint, (or for a dbl recipe: 20 drops)
1/4 C. Solid Coconut Oil, (or for a double recipe: 1/2 C.)
3/4 C. Cocoa Butter (or for a double recipe: 1  1/2 C.) 
If you're using refined cocoa butter, it is already creamy for use. If you're using raw-hard-purest-form cocoa butter (which is awesome!), you will need to melt it. Black cocoa butter is the hardest I've used. 
Your options are: 1. In a dbl broiler (two pans, larger one has water in it) to slowly melt it. Or 2. Add boiling liquid to cocoa butter and it will melt. Coconut and Almond have a high smoke rate, meaning they can get to boiling without ruining them. But, don't take them past the point of a boil, or you can ruin their properties. ~Perhaps even making them contain free-radicals.
In general you need a ratio of 75% cocoa to 25% liquid in the form of water or oil (like Sweet Almond or Coconut Oil). 
After melting the cocoa butter, and mixing your coconut and cocoa butter together, you may need to refrigerate to make solid again before you can whip it up with a mixer to make an amazing creamy body butter. I pop mine into the freezer for 15-20 min.'s. ;0)
Add your essential oil drops to creamy mixture and stir in. Fill three glass containers with screw top lid (I recycle & use canning jars).(Or if you doubled the recipe, then six glass jars). ---I edited this because I had a question about how to use the cocoa butter from one person, and another question about how I got six jars out of the recipe. Giving away three, I kept three for myself ;0).--- 

For Night and Day Face Cream Recipes: 

http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2016/05/diy-geranium-essence-for-lotions-day.html

For Eyelash Serum, Bug Off, Diffuser, Baby Wipes & more Recipes: http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2016/03/essential-oil-recipes-ive-been-enjoying.html 

For Hair recipes:

http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/home-remedies-to-treat-winter-hair.html

For more Cleaning recipes: 
http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2011/01/clean-your-house-w-household-items.html
and
http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2016/04/courtesy-rmos-i-stumbled-upon-their.html

The mixture of goodies before I sent the packages out: 

*Note: If you enlarge this picture and spy a gift that isn't included on this blog post, simply ask via comment or in person and I'll add the recipe to this post. I didn't put every recipe that is in the picture(sent as gifts), because I didn't want the post to be too long.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

DIY Geranium Essence for lotions: Day, Night skin and face cream, and sore muscle lotion.



I had just too much fun playing... and saving $
DIY Geranium Essence Master Mix recipe , Day and Eve creams, and Sore muscle lotion recipes below. 


I was making various lotions; trying different mixtures and I wanted to add Geranium as the main ingredient. I made eleven new jars of products; all at a reduction of the cost! I was spending $25-$35 a jar, so I'm counting the savings, not to mention the absence of chemicals!

                    ..................................................................................................................................The far right stack's top two are sore muscle creams, the bottom one is a simpler version of a calming Shea Butter mixture. The Middle pile is my new Evening cream; every night, before bed I lather it on my face, neck and decollete area. The stack on the far left is face cream. Each day, as I head out, I make sure to rub this wonderful stuff onto my face, neck and decollete area. My skin thanks me the rest of the day! Since I have activities that may get me dirty (painting, gardening, and sweating in general) I also add it throughout the day too. For makeup, I simply add a bit of color to it, making it into a tinted moisturizer! Currently, I now have three Day Creams, three Night Creams, and two sore muscle creams in my refrigerator, while I keep four out for my daily use: One Daytime, One nitetime, One sore muscle lotion, and one Shea Soothe.Besides Geranium's wonderful effect on mood, as well as being a natural repellent to insects, it is great for skin and hair care! Not only is it good for oily and combination skin, but it tones and tightens mature skin tissue as well! It can help treat injured skin, healing facial wounds, as it will help regenerate healthy cells, not to mention the damage of the sun (I'm on the lake a lot). Geranium offers soothing, calming effect to skin as well as mood! Lol, a win, win. 



I have tried using my "master mix," a recycled spaghetti sauce jar full of Geranium Essence on my hair. I simply made a hair mask by applying it straight out of the finished jar onto my hair, finger-combing it through. I additionally made a mudd mask for my entire body's skin by simply rubbing it all over me. --Sorry, I didn't take a picture. Lol, I didn't think you all would want to see that!-- After waiting for 15 minutes in the bathroom, I simply stepped into the shower to shower it all off. My hair was fuller and younger looking (how I'd describe it). A hair commercial would say it was, "vibrant with a healthy glow." ;-) 


Something like this, my hair isn't this long, nor am I that gorgeous! Tee hee...

Geranium Essence Master Mix Recipe: 
I didn’t have any geranium oil and I wanted to do something different, that included more of nature's natural bountiful gifts, so I made some. I grow primarily red and white geraniums, which needed pruning, so I took the cut flowers, 



all the scraps (stems and leaves) and made a geranium mixture loaded with geranium’s goodness for    ~my various DIY recipes! 



Once they were slow simmered in solid coconut oil, over low heat for an entire day. (*Note: Cook with a lid to aid in the steaming; additionally, the leaves and flowers were washed by putting into a strainer within a bowl of water to soak and rinse well. Then I did not dry the material, so the water also helped in the steaming process.)  I put the mixture into my powerful juicer, which separated the steamed oil, coconut oil and juices from the dry scrap material (that went out to the compost). 

The next step was picking out skin nourishing ingredients that improve the appearance of skin. The ingredient list needed to include restorative and rejuvenating properties to the skin, anti-aging benefits that reduce the appearance of imperfections, like the reduction of wrinkles, stretch marks, and scars; an anti-inflammatory, skin soothing softness, a glowing, youthful complexion, while hydrating, creating a moisture holding barrier, while promoting circulation and aiding in a healthy cellular function. 

Note: Not all the ingredients listed are needed to make a great lotion! The list are the items, based on their results, I have used, loved and am ready to recommend. 


Day Face
Cream and Night Face Cream:
Pick one or two carrier oils, five Essential oils, two seed or vitamin oils, one tea, and one more addition of something new, which you haven't tried yet! Fresh ingredients like real geranium's and oatmeal will need refrigeration (although, I use one jar at a time, keeping it in my air-conditioned home bathroom and it seems to last around two weeks; I can't say past that because I use it up). Also note, using distilled water in any recipe will extend it's shelf life. 

Ingredients:
Carrier oils: 
Recipe that I did:
1/2 Cup each of Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, 
1 Cup of whipped Shea Butter, 
1/4 Cup Aloe Vera, 
1 Cup Geranium Essence, 
2 Tbl's Rosemary Extract, 
1/3 Cup Vitamin E and C oil, 
14 drops of each: lavender, frankincense, myrrh, Immortelle, 
6 drops of melaleuca, 
3 capsules of Green Tea (or loose green tea, strained) in the Day Face Cream
2 bags or loose Chamomile Tea or 3 drops of chamomile essential oil, in the Night Face Cream 
3 capsules of Evening Primrose oil in the Night Face Cream.  

Mix with a hand mixer the base creams: like Shea Butter and /or carrier oils like solid coconut oil to whip them into a creamy lotion first.  

Then add in your homemade Geranium Essence; see my master mix of Essence? I simply keep it in the refrigerator, until I need it:


 (No worries if you're not wanting to make the essence, you can use geranium essential oil too. I just wanted to try something that contained more of  "nature's gifts." 

To the Evening cream I added evening Primrose capsules, opening them to let their oil out and chamomile tea. Chamomile comes in an essential oil, but I didn't have any, so I improvised: I cooked a small amount of almond oil in a measuring cup to boil, added loose tea (two tea bag equivalence, just tear them open), then I strained the oily mixture; catching the loose tea in the strainer. Note in the next picture: the green chamomile mixture is in top picture, while the orange powder on the bottom of the picture is the green tea. 



To the Day cream I added 3 Green Tea capsules, opening them to release their powders from a capsule (I used Pharmanex, but you can make green tea like I did with the Chamomile). Link:  https://www.nuskin.com/content/nuskin/en_US/products/shop/px_categories/cell_protection/01003529.html



Whip with your hand mixer. I like to use a portable one: 

Upon request, I'm adding the Shea Soothe recipe
Using a hand mixer, whip 1/2 Cup Shea Butter. 
Add 1 Tbl of Vitamin E, 1 Tbl aloe vera, and 7 drops each of 
lavender, frankincense, and myrrh. Simply stir it in. 
I keep this on hand because it is calming for a quick-fix for most skin irritations



Sore Muscle Remedy, or Deep Blue Alternative




I was on a roll with my lotion making, so I also made two sore muscle jars by adding Deep Blue, Eucalyptus, and Aroma Touch to a base lotion of whipped Shea Butter. Now, every night before bed I message my feet, knees, wrists, hands, and anything else that is sore from the Long Day...






Recipe

In a bowl, whip 1/2 Cup Shea Butter with a hand mixer. Add 7 drops each of Deep Blue and Eucalyptus, Add 4 drops of aroma Touch. Stir to mix well. 

Fill 2 recycled clean or new jars with Shea Butter mixture. Use as needed on sore, tired 
muscles. Ahh... 

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Springtime Essential Oil Cleaning Recipes!

Courtesy of RMO, I stumbled upon their Springtime cleaning recipes! 
They are running a sale on the oils we typically use in the spring; sale ends on the 25th of April. ;0) The recipes are conveniently given for each room in your home.  *I noted many of these I actually have made and used; like the first one, only I didn't add the castile soap (occasionally, I'd add Dawn). So, give these a looksie, they are just basic old fashioned recipes with our favorite oils added for more umph!
Note: The links to the Essential Oils will be in orange; first Doterra and then RMO. Whatever company you buy from is fine. I'm currently experimenting with various brands myself. ;0)
Cleaning Recipes for the Bedroom
At the end of the day, bedrooms are often one of the most neglected spaces in a home because guests rarely see them so the motivation to clean is lowered. This shouldn't be the case, however, since this is a place where you (hopefully) spend seven or more hours each day! Transform your bedroom into a tranquil retreat with these cleaning recipes created especially for your space.
Just Like A Pro’s Window Cleaner
Ingredients:
·         2 cups Rubbing Alcohol
·         1/2 cup White Vinegar
·         1/2 teaspoon liquid Castile Soap
·        *Note: DoTerra link first, then RMO link for essential oils needed to make the recipe. 
15 drops https://www.mydoterra.com/ShoppingCart/index.cfm?FuseAction=CategoryShop&CategoryID=42 or Citrus Blend
·         Water
Directions:
In a large bucket, combine alcohol and vinegar. Add enough water to make 1 gallon. Add Castile soap and essential oils and stir gently to combine. Pour into a spray bottle and shake well before every use. Spray on windows and wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth. Good to use on outside windows as well as inside.
Spicy Potpourri
Ingredients:
·         2 drops Nutmeg
·         Peel of 1 orange
·         Optional: Leaves, wood shavings, cleaned and dried fruit stones (peach, plum and apricot), dried flowers, cinnamon sticks, clove buds, whole nutmeg, etc.
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a plastic bag and let sit for a few days so the aroma can settle in to all of the potpourri ingredients. Put in container of your choice. can add extra drops of essential oils as the aroma fades.
Refreshing Mist Spray
Ingredients:
·         4 ounces pure water
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a 4 ounce, fine mist spray bottle. Shake well before every use. Spray the room several times over a couple of hours. Good to clear out stale odors as well as cigarette smoke.
Cleaning Recipes for the Living Room
Living rooms are a great gathering place for friends and family. Establish a welcoming atmosphere with a clean space enhanced by essential oils. Use these recipes to get rid of germs, stains and stale air and help your home become a refuge from the outside world.
Mirror Bright Cleaner
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and shake well before every use. Clean mirrors with it using a dry cloth or towel.
Magic Carpet Cleaner
Directions:
Put the soda in a polythene bag or glass jar with a lid. Add essential oils and mix well. Seal bag or jar tightly and allow oils to permeate the baking soda for at least 24 hours. Sprinkle over carpet, leave for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming.
Room Disinfectant Mist Spray
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a 4 ounce, fine mist spray bottle. Liberally spritz room to clean the air. Can also use it to wipe down counters.

Cleaning Recipes for the Kitchen
The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home. Whether you're cooking meals for your family, having late night talks with your children or hosting a dinner party, you want your kitchen to be clean. To help make that process easier, try one of our cleaning recipes with essential oils! From wiping down counters to ridding your sink of soap scum and leftover food, RMO has you and your kitchen covered.
Ready-to-Use Kitchen Wipes
Ingredients:
·         1 cup Water
·         1 ounce Liquid Castile Soap
Directions:
In a sealable container, add formula and store multiple squares of soft cotton cloth or cellulose sponges. After use, they can be washed and returned to the container. Keep it tightly sealed in between uses.
Fruity Dishwashing Blend
Ingredients:
·         Liquid Castile soap
Directions:
Fill a clean 22 ounce plastic squirt bottle with castile soap (diluted according to directions if using a concentrate). Add the essential oils. Shake the bottle before each use. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the liquid to the dishwasher and wash as usual.
Sink Scrubber for Stains
Ingredients:
·         1/4 cup Borax
·         1/4 cup Baking Soda
·         3/4 cup Vinegar (for rinsing)
Directions:
Combine the Borax, baking soda, and essential oil in an airtight container and shake well to blend. Keep closed and allow to sit for 24 hours. Sprinkle a small amount of the powder into the sink and scrub with a damp sponge. Rinse sink with vinegar, then run hot water for 5 minutes.

Cleaning Recipes for the Bathroom
When it comes to dreaded chores, the bathroom is often a leading source of stress. From mildew growing on the shower walls to stubborn stains in the toilet bowl, the bathroom has a lot of cleaning opportunities that aren't very enticing but must be done.
To help you get the job done, we assembled a list of our staff's favorite bathroom recipes that use essential oils. Your house will be sparkling in no time, and you can rest easy knowing you didn't expose your body or family to harmful chemical cleaners in the process.
Tile/Grout Cleaner
·         1 cup Baking Soda
·         1 cup Borax
Place all ingredients in a large, glass measuring cup and mix well. Pour into a large container with a lid. (Can be an old yogurt or detergent tub.) Label container. Apply with a natural bristle brush for best results.
Toilet Cleaner
·         1 cup distilled Water
·         1/2 cup Liquid Castile Soap
·         1 cup Baking Soda
·         1/4 cup White Vinegar
Mix all ingredients into a large measuring cup. Be careful when you add the vinegar because the whole thing will fizz up. Pour into a squirt bottle and use for the toilet bowl, rim and seat.
Sink/Counter Cleaner
·         Lavender Soft Scrubber
·         3/4 cup Baking Soda
·         1/4 cup Powdered Milk
·         1/8 cup Liquid Castile Soap
·         Water
Combine baking soda, milk, castile soap, and lavender oil in a plastic squirt bottle. Add just enough water to make a smooth paste. Shake or stir to mix. Apply to surface, then wipe area clean with a damp sponge or cloth. Rinse well.
Mold Buster Formula
·         1 cup White Vinegar
·         1/2 cup Water
Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix before using. Spray mixture on surfaces where mold is present and allow to sit for a few hours. Spray again and allow to dry. Do not rinse.

Cleaning Recipes for the Hallway
Hallways are the veins of your home, ushering pets, guests and children to the various rooms. With all that traffic, the hallways can gather fingerprints, dirt and remnants of snow sludge. To keep your space clean and walkways clear, try one of these recipes that utilizes essential oils instead of harsh chemical cleaners.
All-Purpose Citrus Wall Cleaner
Ingredients:
·         1 cup water
·         1/2 cup Vinegar
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle. Shake vigorously before each use. Lightly spray the affected areas of your wall and wipe with a clean, damp sponge.
Citrus-Scented Wood Floor Wax
Ingredients:
·         1 cup Linseed oil
·         1/4 cup lemon juice
·         2 tablespoons grated Beeswax
·         2 tablespoons Carnauba wax
Directions:
Place linseed oil, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and waxes in a double boiler over low heat. Stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. Add essential oils. Remove from heat and pour the mixture into a clean coffee can and allow to harden.
Once the wax has hardened, tap the sides of the can until the wax breaks free. Turn out the wax and gently rub it into the floor, like a crayon. Saturate a cloth with lemon juice, wring it out, and rub wax tracings well into the floor. Buff with a clean, dry cloth.

Cleaning Recipes for the Office
Whether you're tidying your home office or freshening up your workplace, these recipes use essential oils to get your office clean and ready for work.
Easy Breezy Glass Cleaner
·         1 cup Water
·         1 cup White Vinegar
Combine all ingredients in a small spray bottle and shake well before every use. Spray lightly onto a cleaning cloth and wipe surfaces until dry. Good for monitors, glass surfaces of printers, etc.
Basic Office Dust & Germ Buster
·         2 cups Water
·         1 cup White Vinegar
Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and shake well before every use. Spray directly onto a dry cloth and wipe surfaces clean.
Cleaning Office Phone
·         2 tablespoons Water
Blend all ingredients in a small bowl or cup. Moisten a soft cloth with this solution and clean the telephone receiver. Use a second cloth to dry it off.

For more essential oil recipes: 
http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2016/05/diy-geranium-essence-for-lotions-day.html
http://lisakramerartlifestyle.blogspot.com/2016/03/essential-oil-recipes-ive-been-enjoying.html

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