Skip the Spa…DIY Facial

Many skin care companies would have you believe that their special facial cleansers, creams, serums & potions  will magically make your skin perfect.  What they offer may be good stuff… but the truth is that clear skin takes a lot of work.  You have to consider a lot of factors when choosing your skin care regime such as your skin type, diet and the environment you live in.  Yes you need to use a good product and as a rule of thumb there are always certain steps you should follow that will help you find your beautiful skin.  On a daily basis you want to cleanse, tone and moisturize.  Usually am & pm is sufficient.  Exfoliate usually 1-2 times per week depending on how dry your skin is.

One step that is often overlooked is exfoliation.  Getting rid of old skin cells can make our skin look and feel healthier by removing the old layer of dead cells so that healthy, new cells can emerge.  New skin cells can better soak up all the benefits of your new organic facial cream because your face will absorb it a lot better if the dead skin cells aren’t in the way.  Spa facials usually include some form of intense scrubbing and steaming or extraction.  These are wonderful when done properly but unfortunately Spa’s usually use high end chemical skin care products loaded with toxins.  Or they offer chemically produced products doused with essential oils.  Neither are really healthy and basically you spend a lot to damage your delicate facial tissue.

My recommendation is DO IT YOURSELF!!  Save money and just purchase the products that you trust.  You’ll have fun, feel great and be on your way to your beautiful skin.  We offer these cute little scrub mixes that you can use as part of your regime.  Just mix the liquid yourself and you have a nice gentle, all natural scrub.

Save Bucks this Holiday Season and Make Your Own Laundry Detergent!

If you are like me then you are totally SICK of the rising costs of everything including laundry detergent.  I am feeling like the whole world is just using the recession as an excuse to jack up prices so whatever I can do to save money these days I will do..

Here is a great money & earth hugging way to save some bucks for your family.  Make your own laundry detergent that lasts quite a long time and works excellent!  I was skeptical at first but I am happy to say it passed the test.  Compare this to your favorite brand and see for yourself.  I’ve been paying around $15 for a large jug of Gain detergent.  This recipe is equal to about 3 jugs and it only costs around $5 to make!  Cha Ching!

You will need:
1 Bar of Fels Naptha Soap (Old fashioned washing soap)
1 ½ Cups Borax Detergent
1 ½ Cups Washing Soda
1 oz. Essential Oil of choice (if desired)
Lot’s o’ Water
5 gallon bucket or tub
Here’s how:

1. The first step is to grate the soap, add the grated soap to a large pot.
2. Add 12 Cups of Water and cook on medium heat until completely melted.  Stir occasionally and don’t let it boil over.  (About 15 mins)
3. Once melted remove from heat and add the Borax, stir and add the Washing soda,  then stir until completely dissolved.  (Be careful not to inhale the powdery dust as you pour.)
4. Next add 8 cups of hot water to your 5 gallon pale or large tub.
5. Add the soap mixture to the tub and stir.
6. Next add the 1oz. of Essential Oil and stir.  I prefer Sweet Orange myself,… reminds me of a Creamsicle.)
7. After that add another 2 ½ gallons of H2O and stir.  (Cold is fine.)
8. That’s it!  Cover and let it sit for 24 hours.  Stir it up a once or twice while you wait.  After 24 hours you can pour it into the containers of your choice.  Milk jugs work the best.  You will notice this recipe makes quite a bit so if need be you can cut it in half.  Lasts a family of 4 about 3-4 months!  Use ½ per load or 1 cup per large load.   Important!!  Shake before each use.

Naturally Graceful