Happy Hands Solid Lotion Bars

Super Softening & Therapeutic Solid Lotion Bars

There are a lot of recipes to be found for making solid lotion bars.  Most of them are basically 1 part carrier oil, 1 part butter, such as Shea or Mango,  and 1 part of beeswax.  Not that there is anything wrong with that formula, but it is far from SUPER or AWESOME and is actually rather boring.  There is so much potential for a lotion bar! My formula for Happy Hands Solid Lotion Bars contains some really potent and therapeutic carrier oils, two types of butters, Sea Buckthorn oil and Vitamin E.  I also composed a very earthy and uplifting fragrance that is present but certainly not overpowering.  I kept the essential oil to just about 0.6%.  I bought most of my ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs. 

Click HERE to be taken to Mountain Rose Herbs website

Gather the following ingredients:

1/2 tablespoon Mountain Rose Herbs Sweet Almond Oil
1/2 tablespoon Mountain Rose Herbs Rosehip Seed Oil
1/2 tablespoon Mountain Rose Herbs Kukui Nut Oil
1 teaspoon Sea Buckthorn Oil
2 teaspoons Mountain Rose Herbs Vitamin E. Oil
1 tablespoon Mountain Rose Herbs Shea Butter
1 tablespoon Mountain Rose Herbs Mango Butter
1 tablespoon Mountain Rose Herbs Beeswax Pastilles 
1 tablespoon Mountain Rose Herbs Carnauba Wax
2 drops Mountain Rose Herbs Jasmine Absolute
2 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
5 drops Benzoin
5 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil
3 drops Dark Patchouli Essential Oil
5 drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Bring a pot with about three inches of water to a simmer.  Measure out your beeswax and carnauba wax into a 2 cup-capacity glass measuring cup.  Place the cup into the pot with the simmering water. Allow the waxes to fully melt.

Once your beeswax and carnauba wax have fully melted, add in your Shea butter and Mango Butter.  Allow the mixture to melt together.

Measure out your sweet almond, rose hip seed oil, Kukui nut oil, Sea Buckthorn oil and Vitamin E. oil into a small glass.

Measure out your essential oils into the carrier oil blend.

Once the butters and waxes have fully melted, turn off the heat.  While the measuring cup is still sitting in the hot water, add your carrier oil and essential oil mix into the melted wax and butter mixture.  Stir to incorporate together.

Choose a silicone mold for best results.  I found this adorable happy face ice cube mold made from silicone  It is PERFECT for my Happy Hands Solid Lotion Bars.  I made just enough to fill four of the 1/2-ounce cavities.

Carefully pour the hot mixture into the molds.  Fill all the way to the very top for best results.

Allow to cool to room temperature.

After the lotion bars have completely cooled and are firm, gently turn the mold over and apply just enough gentle pressure to pop out the bars.

Store your {super adorable} lotion bars in small tins with lids for portability and to keep them clean.

To use: Massage the bar between your hands to coat them with a thin amount of the lotion.  Return the lotion bar to its tin.  Store these at room temp.

Cheers!!!

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs,  Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details.. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!

Lip Balm for 50!

I was recently approached by a member of the American Cancer Society seeking a donation for the upcoming Relay For Life event.  She was searching for some all-natural goodies for gift bags she was putting together for cancer survivors.  I was honored that she thought of me and was more than happy to donate 50 lip balms.  

At Relay For Life events, communities across the globe come together to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that has already taken too much. The funds you raise truly make a difference in the fight against cancer – just ask one of the nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another birthday this year!

 Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Events are up to 24 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times. To learn more about this important event, head over to the American Cancer Society's website HERE. 

I want to share my recipe for Hemp & Coconut lip balm that makes enough for 50 tubes.  This is a really simple and nourishing recipe that is great for fund raisers, baby showers and group gift giving. 

Hemp & Coconut Lip Balm for 50

5 tablespoons Beeswax Pastilles 

5 teaspoons Carnauba Wax

20 Cocoa Butter Wafers

3 tablespoons Coconut Oil

5 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

5 tablespoons Hemp Seed Oil

2 teaspoons Vitamin E Oil

15 drops Spearmint essential oil (optional)

For "one stop shopping" head over to the Mountain Rose Herbs website (HERE) and you can get all the ingredients above, plus the lip balm tubes.  Most of the ingredients are even Certified Organic.  

I like using Mountain Rose Herbs Cocoa Butter Wafers when I make recipes.  They are so easy to work with. Have you ever tried to chisel out cocoa butter from the jar it comes in? Wafers are so simple! You can order them from HERE. 

Recipe Directions: 

Place a large glass measuring cup into a pot with a  few inches of simmering water.  Add in the beeswax and carnauba wax.  Allow to melt completely. Add in the cocoa butter wafers, allow to melt.  Add in the coconut oil and allow to melt.  Add in the olive oil and hemp seed oil.  Stir to completely melt.  Remove from the heat and stir in the vitamin E oil and essential oil.  Carefully pour into the lip balm tubes all the way to the very top.  Allow to cool completely.  

You can find lip balm containers from Mountain Rose Herbs.  As of February 2014, Mountain Rose Herbs is offering a case of 50 for just $12.75 (good deal!). Head over to their website HERE.

I added a small sticker with a purple ribbon on the cap of each lip balm.  The purple ribbon is for cancer awareness.  

I leave you with the following quotes to encourage those who have been or who are currently being affected by cancer! (I found these quotes on the wonderful website http://www.fightingcancerinc.org/id21.html)

Cancer is a word, not a sentence.  ~John Diamond 

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross 

It's not the years in your life that count.  It's the life in your years.  ~Abraham Lincoln

What does not kill us makes us stronger.Friedrich Nietzsche

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Let food be your medicine, and let medicine be your food.  ~ Hippocrates

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs,  Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details.. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!

Coconut Water & Clay Face Mask

I received an email a few days ago asking if I ever use coconut water in my recipes. I responded that I do use coconut water in some of my recipes and that I had just finished making this clay mask with coconut water and loved that my face felt so soft and smooth after I rinsed it off.  It only has three simple ingredients and my recipe will make enough for two facials. 

Mountain Rose Herbs White Kaolin Cosmetic Clay

I use Mountain Rose Herbs White Kaolin Cosmetic Clay in this recipe.  According to Mountain Rose Herbs, this clay is the most versatile and easily applied clay that is most commonly found in standard skincare preparations and cosmetics.  White cosmetic clay which is also traded as White Kaolin Clay is a very fine and light clay that has natural absorbency properties and is frequently found in powders, body packs, skin care products and deodorants. As of February 2014, Mountain Rose Herbs offers a 1 pound bag of this clay for just $5.00.  Head over to their website to learn more. 

Mountain Rose Herbs Certified Organic Vegetable Glycerine 

I also add in just a little bit of Certified Organic Vegetable Glycerine. According to Mountain Rose Herbs, this pure, certified organic, soy derived vegetable glycerine (glycerin) is used in cosmetics and body care products to assist in retaining moisture and is helpful in pulling oxygen into the skin. Vegetable glycerine is a natural emollient that adds a cooling effect on the skin and has become a predominant ingredient in most skin care products and soaps.

I also use pure coconut water.  Sometimes you can find the fresh baby coconuts from the market that can be cracked open and are full of fresh delicious coconut water.  You can also use the "Never from Concentrate" ones too. 

Place 2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon of clay into a small bowl. 

Drizzle in 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable glycerine over the clay. 

Stir in 1 tablespoon of the coconut water. Mix well with a small whisk until a smooth paste forms. 

Once all the water is absorbed into the clay, you will have a thick and smooth clay treatment that can be applied to clean dry skin.  Allow the clay to remain on for 10 minutes or until dry. Rinse away with warm water.  Store the remaining clay in the refrigerator and use within 7 days. 

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs,  Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details.. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!!

Goldilocks' Herbal Hair Rinse for Blonde Hair

Made with Oatstraw, Elder Flowers, Lemon Peel, Calendula Flowers & Mullein Leaf from Mountain Rose Herbs. 

Whether your are a "No Poo" kinda person, or you enjoy sudsing up your lovely locks, you will LOVE this herbal hair rinse for blonde and light colored hair.  Not only is this recipe as easy as brewing a cup of herbal tea, it will leave your hair clean, shiny and revitalized. This recipe makes enough for one to two rinses (depending on your hair length).

I LOVE getting my Certified Organic Herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs. 

I am an herbalist and I use  a ton of herbs.  I cook with them, I heal with them, and I use them to make awesome skincare products.  My favorite place to get Certified Organic dried herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs.  They really do have the BEST herbs available.  You can visit them at www.MountainRoseHerbs.com.  All of the herbs in this recipe were purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is available Certified Organic from Mountain Rose Herbs. 

You will need one heaping tablespoon of dried Calendula Flowers.

Mullein Leaf (Verbascum densiflorum) is available Certified Organic from Mountain Rose Herbs. 

You will need one heaping packed tablespoon of Mullein Leaf.

Elder Flowers (Sambucus Canadensis) is available Certified Organic from Mountain Rose Herbs. 

You will need one heaping tablespoon of dried Elder Flowers. FYI: These dried flowers smell so wonderful and amazing!!

Oatstraw (Avena sativa) is available Certified Organic from Mountain Rose Herbs

You will need one heaping teaspoon of dried oatstraw.

Lemon Peel (Citrus Limon) is available Certified Organic from Mountain Rose Herbs

You need one heaping teaspoon of chopped dried lemon peel.

Place the dried herbs into a large French Press with 2 1/2 cups of boiling water.

Allow the dried herbs to infuse the water for at least 30 minutes up to 1 hour.  Strain the liquid from the herbs.

Look at how beautiful this herbal infusion is!!!! Perfect for blonde hair!!!

The way I like to use this is to add about 1 1/4 cups of the hair rinse to a spray bottle.  After I cleanse and towel dry my hair, I drape my towel over my shoulders and mist the entire bottle of hair rinse through my hair while combing it through.  I pat my hair dry to absorb any extra hair rinse and then allow my hair to naturally air dry.  I get a ton of compliments when I walk in the sunshine.  The other day a kind lady told me my hair is like spun gold.  Store the remaining hair rinse in the fridge and use within three days.  You can also freeze it in ice cube trays and thaw it out when you are ready to use it.

Cheers!!!

Shannon

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs,  Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details.. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!!

 

True Love Rosy Bath Crystals

I love making handcrafted gifts for friends! This year I formulated and  crafted True Love Rosy Bath Crystals using all-natural ingredients for Valentine's Day.  These beautiful bath crystals are a combination of Epsom salt, Himalayan pink salt, powdered milk, rose buds, rose petals and an essential oil blend of Moroccan Chamomile and Geranium.  This blend looks amazing, smells amazing and is an amazing bath tub treatment that will soothe your senses and your body while gently moisturizing your skin.  You can find all of the ingredients at Mountain Rose Herbs.

You need 1/3 cup of Himalayan Pink Salt.  This delectable salt has beautifully formed crystals which range in color from off-white to lustrous pink.  This salt is often used to stimulate circulation and relax the body.  It can be purchased in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.

You need 1 1/2 cups of Epsom Salt.  It is used in the bath to soothe, relax and relieve sore muscles.  You can purchase it in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Combine both salts into a small mixing bowl.  When both salts are mixed together, they look really pretty!

You need 1 cup of powdered dry milk.  Mix it into the bowl with the salt. Powdered milk is a great way to moisturize your skin and also helps disperse the essential oils into the water.

You need 1 cup of dried red rose petals (Rosa gallica).  Not only do these dried roses look super beautiful, they are therapeutic in the bath and are a favorite bath herb around the world. You can buy Certified Organic ones from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Stir the red roses into the bowl with the salts and powdered milk.  Pretty!!

You need 1/2 cup of dried whole rose buds (Rosa damascena).  These are another favorite bath herb that make a lovely rose infusion in the warm bath water.  You can find them at Mountain Rose Herbs. 

Gently mix in the rose buds with the other ingredients.

You need 20 drops of both Geranium essential oil and Moroccan Chamomile essential oil.  Mix the essential oils into the salt mixture. I LOVE the way these both smell when combined together.  It is an amazing fresh, herbaceous and sweet floral aroma.  You can find both of these at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Store your True Love Rosy Bath Crystals in a glass container with a tight fitting lid.  It makes enough for 6 baths.  You only need about a cup of the bath crystals per bath.

An easy way to use the bath crystals in the bathtub is to put one cup into a 4"x6" cotton muslin bag with a drawstring.  You can buy these from Mountain Rose Herbs. They are inexpensive and can be used over and over again.  I like to use the bags so that the rose petals will infuse the water but I don't have to worry about the messy clean up after the water has been drained.  The salts and the powdered milk will melt into the warm water.

This is also a beautiful way to present these as gifts to a friend.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and would LOVE to hear from you when you make it.

Cheers!
Shannon

This information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate. As with all herbs,  Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.  I am an affiliate with Mountain Rose Herbs,please review my disclosure page for details.. Avoid use  unless discussed with your physician. This information is for educational purposes only.  This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Green Blessings!!!