Before You Go Odor Control Toilet Bowl Mist

There is a popular deodorant spray that is meant to be sprayed into the toilet bowl before you do your private business and it keeps the bathroom space smelling good.  This unique spray is basically a thin and sprayable emulsified lotion that is highly perfumed with essential oils. When you spray the solution into the toilet bowl, a thin waxy film forms on the top of the water and releases the aromatic molecules of the essential oils.  It also works to eliminate the stinky volatile odors that.....poop emits (yes I said it!!!). If you are quick enough to do your business and flush, the odor in the air should be that of lemongrass, sweet orange, bergamot and grapefruit....instead of the  more sinister or embarrassing aroma that can occur without the use of this type of toilet spray.  

After sampling the name brand spray on my hand, I had a pretty good idea of how to copycat it and got busy making my own formula. It is impossible to find a list of exact ingredients that the name brand company uses in their formula, however  I think I did a pretty good job of coming close. Unlike some of the other copycat recipes I found on the internet, my formula seems to be one of the few that actually uses an emulsifier with an oil/water formula.  It seems to me that you need to have an oil and water emulsification in order to make the thin film on the water to trap the stinky odor from coming up.

 I asked a few volunteers to try it out and they all gave positive reviews on how well it worked at controlling embarrassing odors.  Success!!! Here is the recipe I created for my "Before You Go Odor Control Toilet Bowl Mist".

You will need the following ingredients. Most of them can be purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of Fractioned Coconut Oil or another light carrier oil
1 teaspoon of Vegetable Glycerine
1/4 teaspoon Stearic Acid
1 teaspoon Emulsifying Wax
1/2 cup of distilled water
1 teaspoon lemongrass essential oil
1/2 teaspoon sweet orange essential oil
1/2 teaspoon bergamot essential oil
1/4 teaspoon grapefruit essential oil

Directions:
Place the fractionated coconut oil, vegetable glycerine, stearic acid, emulsifying wax and distilled water in a 4 cup capacity glass measuring cup.  Place the measuring cup in a pot that has several inches of simmering water.  Bring the ingredients up to 160 degrees F and keep at that temperature for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Once the mixture is emulsified, carefully remove the glass measuring cup from the pot of water.  Using a hand mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the liquid for ten minutes to cool it down.  When the mixture has cooled to below 100 degrees F, add in the essential oils and continue to whisk for another 5 minutes.  You should have a thin liquid. Pour the mixture into a sanitized glass spray bottle.

Here is a little demo of how this spray works.  The photo above shows a bowl filled with plain water.

After spraying the mixture five times onto the top of the water, you will notice a film forms. You will also notice the wonderful aroma that floats up into the air.

It is the magical aromatic film that keeps the bathroom smelling so wonderful.  Avoid spraying the formula on your skin or your eyes.  Avoid spraying on the floor as it may become slippery.

How did we ever get along without such a product? Especially in single bathroom homes!!!

Cheers!
Shannon Buck

Happy New Year Giveaway (Value of $130)

Happy 2015!!! I sincerely wish each and every one of you a wonderful new year! Enter to win a prize basket worth over $130.00.  Take a look at some of the wonderful items that one lucky winner will receive........then scroll to the very end to enter the giveaway.  Good Luck!!!

A copy of my brand-new book, 200 Tips, Techniques, and Recipes for Natural Beauty.  Find out more about it HERE. $19.99 value!

A bottle of my new Clear Skin Formula.  Clarify & tone problem skin with potent organic essential oils and natural plant oils. Reveal a radiant & clearer complexion. Formulated by an aromatherapist using the best ingredients for skin! This concentrated skin serum is fast absorbing and promotes a healthy balance to your skin. The smell of this serum is amazing and herbaceous and is perfect for every skin type.  

Contains a potent blend of the following organic essential oils:
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Melaleuca quinquinerva var. viridiflora (Niaouli) Oil
Rosmarinus officinalis verbenon (Rosemary) Oil
Thymus vulgaris linalol (Thyme) Oil

 $14.00 Value! Find out more about this product HERE!!

My handcrafted perfume oils come in Neroli, Jasmine, Rose & Vanilla. 

One lucky winner will receive all four of my handcrafted perfume oils.  Neroli, Jasmine, Rose & Vanilla. These adorable perfume oils are blended with all-natural ingredients like Egyptian Jasmine Absolute, Indian Jasmine Absolute, Jasmine CO2 extract, pure Neroli essential oil from France, Neroli Extra essential oil from Tunisia/Morocco/Lebanon, Orange Blossom Absolute from Egypt, Neroli essential oil from Egypt, pure Bulgarian Rose Absolute, Egyptian Rose Absolute, Bulgarian Rose Otto and Rose de Mai Absolute from Egypt and Vanilla Absolute from Madagascar and Vanilla Bourbon CO2 from Madagascar. You can find out more about these perfumes HERE. $40 Value!

My Relaxing & Soothing Lavender Roll-on is also included in the giveaway.  Roll on an instant feeling of relaxation and soothe your mind! This 10 ml Relaxing & Soothing Lavender Roll-on is formulated by an Aromatherapist using six varieties of lavender grown in Sequim, Washington. The lavender varieties used in this formula are: Maillette, Royal Velvet, Sachet, Flogate, Grosso and Hidecote. The concentrated essential oils are blended in a base of pure fractionated coconut oil to moisturize your skin. The formulator of this aromatherapy blend has visited the lavender farm and personally purchased the lavender essential oils directly from the wonderful grower and distiller. Only the finest ingredients are used in this product! If you LOVE lavender, you will LOVE this lavender roll-on. Use it as an aromatherapy product or as a natural perfume for your skin. You can find out more about it HERE! $14 Value!

The Winner of the giveaway will also get my On Cloud Nine Elixir!  A blend of pure essential oils and absolutes that promote a feeling of happy in a hurry for times when you feel down in the dumps. Handcrafted by an Herbalist & Aromatherapist in small batches using the finest ingredients available. 

Featured Essential Oils: Bulgarian Rose, Neroli, Frankincense, Green Cognac & Violet Leaf. Find out more about it HERE! $14 Value!

Also included in the giveaway is The Essential Oils Deck by Hope Gillerman & Joan Arnold.  From soothing massage oils to prescriptive blends for aches, pains, stresses and sickness, it's easy to unlock the healing power of the natural world with this gorgeously photographed deck. From card to card, the deck features profiles of important (and readily available) oils, recipes for prescriptive blends, tips on purchasing materials, and a wealth of information on developing unique blends for the user's specific needs. $13.95 Value!

The lucky winner of the giveaway will also receive an award winning "sachet" lavender essential oil from Martha Lane Lavender.  Check out Martha Lane Lavender HERE.  $15 Value!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hot Cocoa Bath Salt Soak

I LOVE hot cocoa! It is so creamy and rich and decadent.  Have you ever wanted to take a bath in hot cocoa? Can you even imagine how wonderful and relaxing it would be to soak in a steamy hot cocoa infused bath? Indulge your senses with this recipe that will satisfy your chocolate craving without adding any calories to your waistline.

You will need 1/2 cup of Mountain Rose Herbs Baking Soda. You can find it HERE.

You will need 1 1/2 cups of Mountain Rose Herbs Epsom Salts. You can find it HERE.

You will need 1/2 cup of Mountain Rose Herbs Himalayan Pink Salt. You can find it HERE.

Combine the baking soda, Epsom salt and Himalayan salt into a medium sized mixing bowl.

I used a 1/2 tablespoon of Organic Chocolate Extract to give the bath salt an extra kick of cocoa aroma.

Drizzle the chocolate extract over the salt/baking soda mixture and stir well to combine.

Add in 1/2 cup of cocoa powder and stir well to combine evenly.

Your mixture will look like this when mixed properly.  It smells delicious!!!!

I thought it would be fun to fill up some glass milk bottles with the salt soak, but you can choose any container you like.

Fun containers like the one in the photo above, make it super cute when giving as a gift.

You simply add in 3/4 cup of the bath salt to a tub of warm water and swirl the water to mix.  Enjoy the decadent cocoa aroma!!!

You could also add in 1/2 cup of powdered milk for extra moisturizing properties if you like.

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. Shannon Buck and Fresh-Picked Beauty strongly recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented on this website and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming any type product. Anything you find on this website still needs more research to establish the potential effectiveness and safety of any ingredient and/or suggestion.  Before you consider using anything you find on this website, you need to consult with a medical professional to help you weigh the pros and cons of using natural ingredients.  You also need to review all the available safety data for each ingredient before you use it.  Herbs and natural ingredients have been used successfully for many years, but as a precaution, I suggest that you consult a naturopathic doctor, licensed herbalist, or holistic health practitioner who is qualified to guide you in the safe use of herbs and natural ingredients. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. 

Soap-Free Hand Wash Putty

A gentle and moisturizing hand cleansing putty

I was inspired to create this recipe by Lush's Putty for Your Hands Soap. I took a look at their listed ingredients on their website and got busy whipping up my own recipe using the same all-natural ingredients.  I really LOVE this recipe and I have switched from my regular hand soap to this super moisturizing cleanser.  My hands are always super dry in the cold months and this is such a wonderful way to wash my sensitive hands! I know you will LOVE this recipe so much!!!

this is Marshmallow Root from Mountain Rose Herbs.  

You will need 1 heaping tablespoon of ground dried Marshmallow Root from Mountain Rose Herbs. Marshmallow is a perennial herb native throughout damp areas of northern Europe and western Asia. It is now naturalized to the Atlantic coast of the United States and used as an ornamental for its pointed foliage and purple flowers.

References to marshmallow root as a healing herb are found in Homer’s Iliad, written over 2,800 years ago. Its genus name Althaea comes from the Greek altho, to cure, and its order name, Malvaceae, is derived from the Greek malake, soft Marshmallow root was widely used in traditional Greek medicine.

The use of the herb spread from Greece to Arabia and India, where it became an important herb in the Ayurvedic and Unani healing traditions.

It is used in this recipe because it is very soothing to the skin and gives it the putty-like texture. I use a coffee grinder to grind the root into a fine powder. 

If you don't want to grind it yourself, Mountain Rose Herbs does offer it already powdered. You can find it HERE.

Add the ground Marshmallow root and 1/4 cup of boiling water into a small bowl.  Mix well and allow to cool to room temperature. You will have a thick paste. 

Stir in two tablespoons of Mountain Rose Herbs Vegetable Glycerine. 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. You can purchase it HERE. 

Measure out 1/4 cup of corn flour and 3 tablespoons of corn starch. 

You will also need 1 tablespoon of ground oat flour.  

Stir the corn flour, corn starch, and oat flour into the liquid mixture until a smooth and thick paste forms.  Set aside. 

Measure out 2 tablespoons of Mountain Rose Herbs Shea butter into a small heat-safe glass measuring cup. Place the measuring cup into a simmering water bath and melt the Shea butter.  

Add in the following Mountain Rose Herbs Essential oils to the melted Shea butter: 30 drops tea tree essential oil, 30 drops lavender essential oil, and 15 drops blue chamomile. Stir well. 

Pour the essential oils and Shea butter over the mixture and stir well to combine. 

I placed the putty into small round silicone baking molds and allowed them to set up.  Once the Shea butter cools, it will firm up and you can push the discs out of the mold. 

My recipe does not include any preservatives so I put a day's worth into a small metal tin and I freeze the rest.  It chills to the consistency of ice cream and is easy to scoop out a little bit each day.  I take a heaping teaspoon sized amount and rub it gently over my dry hands for about ten seconds.  I then add a little bit of warm water and continue to massage the wash putty over my hands and then rinse away and gently pat dry.  Your hands will be so soft by from the Shea butter and the other ingredients work to purify your hands. 

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. Shannon Buck and Fresh-Picked Beauty strongly recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented on this website and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming any type product. Anything you find on this website still needs more research to establish the potential effectiveness and safety of any ingredient and/or suggestion.  Before you consider using anything you find on this website, you need to consult with a medical professional to help you weigh the pros and cons of using natural ingredients.  You also need to review all the available safety data for each ingredient before you use it.  Herbs and natural ingredients have been used successfully for many years, but as a precaution, I suggest that you consult a naturopathic doctor, licensed herbalist, or holistic health practitioner who is qualified to guide you in the safe use of herbs and natural ingredients. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am not  Affiliated with Lush  in any way nor do I know their actual recipe for any of their products, I am simply using a list of ingredients and creating my own version.

Essential Oils for Concentration & Memory

The following essential oils are often used to help promote good concentration and memory.  They are usually diffused into the air or massaged onto the body.  You can purchase them from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Peppermint Essential Oil: Has many culinary and pharmaceutical uses. It is also used for its soothing qualities on the digestive system. Avoid in epilepsy and while pregnant. May cause skin irritation. Avoid with homeopathics. Mild climate stress in the growing conditions of the plant increases the oil content and sesquiterpene levels in the oil. Purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs HERE. 

Rosemary Essential Oil: Best known for its aid in memory and hair loss. It is also considered a symbol of love, and the sprigs have been traditionally used in wedding ceremonies. Rosmarinus is Latin for dew (ros) of the sea (marinus). Avoid in epilepsy, hypertension, and while pregnant. Avoid with homeopathics. Purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs HERE. 

Lemon Essential Oil: All parts of the lemon have used around the house and medicinally. The oil has been used around the house as a cleaning agent, and medicinally it has an affinity with the digestive system. Lemons are harvested while they are still green to yield a higher quality oil. It takes over 3,000 lemons to produce 1 kilo (2.2 lbs) of expressed oil. May cause skin irritation. Phototoxic. Purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs HERE. 

Basil Essential Oil: Basil has many aromatic properties. Ocimum is derived from the Greek word osme, which means to smell. Avoid in epilepsy or while pregnant. May cause skin irritation. Basil is a sacred plant in India, and used in ayurvedic medicine. Purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs HERE. 

Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Eucalyptus is one of the oldest native medicines used in Australia. It is known now for its use in inhalants and vapor rubs, and as a household disinfectant and cleaner. The word eucalyptus is derived from Greek meaning “well covered”. This refers to part of the calyx that initially covers the flower. Avoid while pregnant and with homeopathics. May cause skin irritation. Purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs HERE. 



I found the information for this blog post from Mountain Rose Herbs. Visit them HERE

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 essential oils, never use them undiluted. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (after you have properly diluted the oil in an appropriate carrier.

NEW Clear Skin Formula Facial Serum

Buy it HERE 

Clarify & tone problem skin with potent organic essential oils and natural plant oils. Reveal a radiant & clearer complexion. Formulated by an aromatherapist using the best ingredients for skin! This concentrated skin serum is fast absorbing and promotes a healthy balance to your skin. The smell of this serum is amazing and herbaceous and is perfect for every skin type.  

Buy it HERE on my Etsy Shop!!!

Contains a potent blend of the following organic essential oils:
Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) Oil
Melaleuca quinquinerva var. viridiflora (Niaouli) Oil
Rosmarinus officinalis verbenon (Rosemary) Oil
Thymus vulgaris linalol (Thyme) Oil

Blended in a base of the following soothing and nourishing plant oils that promote balance:
Safflower Seed Oil
Fractionated Coconut Oil
Sesame Seed Oil
Jojoba Seed Oil
Sunflower Seed Oil
Olive Oil
Vitamin E
Vitamin A

Comes with a reusable cotton muslin bag!!!

Buy it HERE on my Etsy Shop!!!

Directions for use: Massage a few drops into clean damp skin. Use morning and night. Avoid contact with eyes. If irritation or redness occurs, stop using and consult a health care professional. Keep out of reach of children. Not for use during pregnancy.

Made in the USA by Fresh-Picked Beauty, LLC

Packaging: 15 ml amber dropper bottle packaged in a reusable cotton muslin bag.

Buy it HERE on my Etsy Shop!!!
It is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I encourage you to seek additional information about the safety of essential oils if you are new at using them.

Pumpkin Vanilla Shea Lip Scrub

Keep your lips smooth and moisturized!

Here is a quick recipe that only needs four ingredients! My Pumpkin Vanilla Shea Lip Scrub is perfect for Winter-kissed lips that are parched and in need of some serious smoothing! You can make this in less than five minutes and the recipe makes enough to last you all Winter and into Spring!

I used Mountain Rose Herbs Shea Butter, Caster Sugar, Organic Pumpkin Powder, and Pure Vanilla Powder.  

You will need 2 tablespoons of Mountain Rose Herbs Shea Butter.  Shea Butter is becoming increasingly popular in the natural body care and cosmetic industries for good reason. It has been used for centuries in Africa for its moisturizing and healing properties, where it has been used to protect and condition skin which has been damaged. You can purchase it HERE!!

You will need 1 tablespoon of super fine white sugar, also known as "caster sugar".  I like this fine grain sugar as it is very gentle on the skin and is appropriate to use on more delicate areas of the body like the face and lips. 

You need 1/2 teaspoon of powdered vanilla.  I buy my powdered vanilla from Wilderness Poets and they have this to say about vanilla on their website...."Vanilla stimulates general feelings of well being. it is a known mood enhancer in aroma therapy. Vanilla is used medicinally to calm nerves and an upset stomach, its soothing fragrance helps to relax in moments of stress and anxiety."

You will need 1 teaspoon of pumpkin powder.  I like to include this as it provides a bit of exfoliating power to the recipe. 

Cream together the Shea butter and the caster sugar. 

Mix in the vanilla and pumpkin powders. After a few days, the Shea butter will absorb the aroma from the vanilla powder and will smell absolutely decadent! 

The photo above shows the ingredients mixed together properly.

Transfer into a small container with a lid.  To use: Before stepping into your shower, use a small pea sized amount and massage gently over your lips to exfoliate.  Rinse away in the warm shower.  Use several times per week or as needed.

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. Shannon Buck and Fresh-Picked Beauty strongly recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented on this website and that you always read labels, warnings, and directions before using or consuming any type product. Anything you find on this website still needs more research to establish the potential effectiveness and safety of any ingredient and/or suggestion.  Before you consider using anything you find on this website, you need to consult with a medical professional to help you weigh the pros and cons of using natural ingredients.  You also need to review all the available safety data for each ingredient before you use it.  Herbs and natural ingredients have been used successfully for many years, but as a precaution, I suggest that you consult a naturopathic doctor, licensed herbalist, or holistic health practitioner who is qualified to guide you in the safe use of herbs and natural ingredients. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.