These pictures are all from Kentucky, Ohio and Indianan. The river views are the Ohio River, the Cincinnati, OH. and the Covington, KY sides, and then the later river shots are from Indiana, near Vevay.
What's Happening Wednesday-Updates and New Items
I am excited because I just received two new silicone molds. They are supposed to be for baking treats, but of course they will be for soap! The bar one is a tad narrow, but I think it will be just the right size for camping and shampoo bars. And of course the hearts are just too cute for guest soaps.
Speaking of soap, I have changed my soap packaging! I would tell you all about it, but then I would have to kill you! Lol. Seriously though, I have gone to a box for my store soaps and they also have a strip of seed paper included, so buyers can plant and grow herbs with each soap purchased.
I am now in the process of planning my holiday soaps and lotion fragrances, as well as some special packaging. I have included a picture of what is called a box basket. These come in two sizes, the small one is pictured here. They come in a variety of prints, from sports to holiday themes. Of course I am ordering some florals, but I am also getting some Christmas boxes for in store placement of gift sets.
This is Kumquat and Lime
This is called
Splendor in the Grass, it is a proprietary blend
This is one of the box baskets that I am getting for gift sets. I don't think I will put the white paper in it though, I think green would look better.
I currently have 50 batches of soap, all different fragrances. About 12 of those are still curing, having several to just a few more weeks until they are ready to go. But the past couple of weeks I have slacked of the soap making and been concentrating more on writing my essential oil book, as well as taking care of some other business obligations. And next month will be very busy, as I will begin making the melting snowmen and glass snowman ornaments. While I have always waited until August, I have so much to accomplish this year, that I have to begin early!
So there you have what's happening with me this Wednesday, what's going on at your place? Tomorrow's tripod Thursday will be of scenery taken during my 50th birthday celebration. Beautiful river shots, and the Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky country side!
Teaching Tuesdays -The How and Why of Exfoliating!
While exfoliation is a major part of a day at the spa, do you understand the why of it? Do you know how to do it properly at home? Well, you will after this post, so hang in there with me!
While exfoliation techniques vary, the two-fold purpose remains the same. First of all, exfoliation removes dirt and oil residue from the surface of the skin, as well as the uppermost layer of dead skin cells. Removal of these dead cells enables the skin to absorb or react to products which are utilized in treatments following the exfoliation process. And this is the second reason for performing exfoliation, it prepares the skin for any subsequent treatments.
While the affects above are reason enough to include exfoliation in your skin care regimen, there are additional healthful benefits. The act of exfoliation also helps to stimulate and circulate lymph fluids which aid in the elimination of toxins. It also serves as a stimulating massage, which improves over-all circulation. Additionally, it affects the secretion and, in turn, the production of the body's natural oils. This is extremely valuable in regard to the skin's over-all health, its moisture level, and its ability to protect (which is one of its main jobs).
Since exfoliation should be a regular and important part of your skin care routine, it is important to know how to properly perform it. First of all, you need to make sure that you have the appropriate body-scrubbing tools. Sisal mitts, towels, loofahs, abrasive sponges and stiff brushes will all work. Remember that we are discussing exfoliating the body, not the face.
Once you have a tool that you like, you should begin to scrub your body on a daily basis, even if its just for a quick, five minute treatment. When scrubbing for the first time you should be extra gentle, ensuring that you do not irritate or abrade the skin. Continuing the process will eventually allow you to scrub more vigorously, while applying more pressure, but it takes time to get your skin use to it. Also, since all this scrubbing is revitalizing and energizing, it is better utilized in your morning routine, rather than an evening one.
To exfoliate, take your scrubbing tool of choice and begin with your feet, ankles and legs. Working in a circular motion, gently, but firmly, apply an even pressure as you work. keep working, going from the hands to arms and shoulders, gradually working your way down the back, then up through the torso toward the heart.
Once you are finished, a cool water rinse will help to further encourage good blood circulation! Remember to pat dry, no rub, and don't forget the next step is to properly moisturize. You also need to wash the scrubbing tools thoroughly with soap and water, and allow to air dry. It is best to hang them up so that the air circulation is maximized. Proper cleaning and drying is extremely important, as they can develop nasty bacteria pretty quickly.
One quick and easy body scrub to help in your exfoliating is just 1/2 cup of sea salts, 1/4 cup of the carrier oil of your choice, and the tool of your choice. Just dip the scrub tool in a bit of the oil, then dip it into the salt. Rub over the skin in a circular motion, following the instructions above. Pay special attention to the rough spots like the knees, elbows, and heels. When finished, rinse off, pat dry and moisturize. As mentioned before, the exfoliating will prepare your skin to accept the following treatment. So it will soak up more of any moisturizer that you use.
While exfoliation techniques vary, the two-fold purpose remains the same. First of all, exfoliation removes dirt and oil residue from the surface of the skin, as well as the uppermost layer of dead skin cells. Removal of these dead cells enables the skin to absorb or react to products which are utilized in treatments following the exfoliation process. And this is the second reason for performing exfoliation, it prepares the skin for any subsequent treatments.
While the affects above are reason enough to include exfoliation in your skin care regimen, there are additional healthful benefits. The act of exfoliation also helps to stimulate and circulate lymph fluids which aid in the elimination of toxins. It also serves as a stimulating massage, which improves over-all circulation. Additionally, it affects the secretion and, in turn, the production of the body's natural oils. This is extremely valuable in regard to the skin's over-all health, its moisture level, and its ability to protect (which is one of its main jobs).
Since exfoliation should be a regular and important part of your skin care routine, it is important to know how to properly perform it. First of all, you need to make sure that you have the appropriate body-scrubbing tools. Sisal mitts, towels, loofahs, abrasive sponges and stiff brushes will all work. Remember that we are discussing exfoliating the body, not the face.
Once you have a tool that you like, you should begin to scrub your body on a daily basis, even if its just for a quick, five minute treatment. When scrubbing for the first time you should be extra gentle, ensuring that you do not irritate or abrade the skin. Continuing the process will eventually allow you to scrub more vigorously, while applying more pressure, but it takes time to get your skin use to it. Also, since all this scrubbing is revitalizing and energizing, it is better utilized in your morning routine, rather than an evening one.
To exfoliate, take your scrubbing tool of choice and begin with your feet, ankles and legs. Working in a circular motion, gently, but firmly, apply an even pressure as you work. keep working, going from the hands to arms and shoulders, gradually working your way down the back, then up through the torso toward the heart.
Once you are finished, a cool water rinse will help to further encourage good blood circulation! Remember to pat dry, no rub, and don't forget the next step is to properly moisturize. You also need to wash the scrubbing tools thoroughly with soap and water, and allow to air dry. It is best to hang them up so that the air circulation is maximized. Proper cleaning and drying is extremely important, as they can develop nasty bacteria pretty quickly.
One quick and easy body scrub to help in your exfoliating is just 1/2 cup of sea salts, 1/4 cup of the carrier oil of your choice, and the tool of your choice. Just dip the scrub tool in a bit of the oil, then dip it into the salt. Rub over the skin in a circular motion, following the instructions above. Pay special attention to the rough spots like the knees, elbows, and heels. When finished, rinse off, pat dry and moisturize. As mentioned before, the exfoliating will prepare your skin to accept the following treatment. So it will soak up more of any moisturizer that you use.
Make It Yourself Monday- Fishing Treats
Here's a healthy dog treat recipe for the fur ball in your home!
1 15oz can of Salmon or Jack Mackerel
· a small amount of flour
· 2 tsp of salt
· 1 tsp baking powder
· Optional: add sprinkle of garlic powder if desired
Mix the fish plus ALL of the liquid from the can, he salt & baking powder, and add in enough flour for texture. Then spread it all out on a cookie sheet. Score it into sections so it will be easier to break it apart when its done. Bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 min. or until the crust is a nice golden color.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or you can freeze them to keep for a longer period of time. Make sure that you thaw completely before giving to your pet. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
1 15oz can of Salmon or Jack Mackerel
· a small amount of flour
· 2 tsp of salt
· 1 tsp baking powder
· Optional: add sprinkle of garlic powder if desired
Mix the fish plus ALL of the liquid from the can, he salt & baking powder, and add in enough flour for texture. Then spread it all out on a cookie sheet. Score it into sections so it will be easier to break it apart when its done. Bake it at 350 degrees for about 30 min. or until the crust is a nice golden color.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or you can freeze them to keep for a longer period of time. Make sure that you thaw completely before giving to your pet. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
What's Happening Wednesday-
What is happening this Wednesday is that I am taking off for a few days! My 50th birthday is tomorrow and I am heading out to begin my celebration! So you will have to forgive me for the short post today and the inclusion of tomorrows' pictures for Tripod Thursday. Now don't feel bad if you want to go ahead and cheat and look at the photos today, since it's my birthday I will allow it! But, if you'd rather play it straight, you can always come back tomorrow and look at them then! At any rate, I will be off until next Make it Yourself Monday, so enjoy the photos and enjoy your weekend!
If you don't want to see the photographs until tomorrow, don't scroll down!
Here is a bit of the Ohio countryside for your enjoyment!
If you don't want to see the photographs until tomorrow, don't scroll down!
Here is a bit of the Ohio countryside for your enjoyment!
Teaching Tuesdays -Compress and Poultice; What are they and how do they work?
Today is Teaching Tuesday and we are going to look at the uses for a compress and a poultice, and explore just how these can benefit you and your family.
A compress consists of a pad or cloth material, cotton or gauze being the best material choice, that has been soaked in an herbal tea, decoction, or extract, and water mixture. After the appropriate tea, decoction, or extract is chosen and made, you soak the fabric in the liquid, wring it out, then apply the material to the affected area that is to be treated.
Compresses can be used either hot or cold. If swelling, muscle sprain/strain, or a headache is involved, cold is the better option. After the material has been soaked, place the compress in the freezer until it is cold, then apply it.
Sometimes it is beneficial to alternate between heated compresses and cold ones in order to help relieve pressure.
Compresses are ideal for treating, and helping to heal, muscle injuries, wounds, and other external pain. In order to know which herbs are most appropriate for which ailment(s), refer to a herbal book or chart, and look for the list of benefits and properties of the herb that you are looking for. The herbs can be used as single notes, or you can try mixing a few together for a more powerful healing whomp!
For muscle pains, try wintergreen, camphor, lemon grass, sage, or eucalyptus teas. For a headache try a cool lavender, chamomile and/or sage compress. For minor wounds or skin irritations, try rosemary, chamomile, thyme or lavender.
While similar to a compress, a poultice is when the whole herb is applied to an affected area, instead of the liquid soaked fabric. To use the herbs this way, first you must boil the fresh herb (roots can be used too). Then you actually squeeze all of the excess water out of the herb and place it on a thin
layer of gauze that is folded to keep the herb(s) sandwiched inside, then lay the whole thing over the affected area. This poultice should then stay in place for 3-4 hours, but it can be replaced with a fresh one if longer treatment is needed.
Again, the choice of herbs/roots us something that needs to be well though out and researched. However, a poultice of (either one or a combination of two or more) the herbs; rosemary, thyme, lavender or chamomile would make a strong healing poultice.
Chamomile on the skin helps to reduce redness and sooth inflamed skin, as well as being an antiseptic, bactericidal, and mild sedative.
Thyme is reputed to be strongly anti-viral, while also being considered an antibacterial agent and fungicide.
While lavender works well on all types of skin problems, it especially worlds well for healing boils, burns, sunburn, wounds, psoriasis, insect bites, and stings. Among many others, Lavender has the properties of an antiseptic, and an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, a restorative and a mild sedative.
Rosemary also possesses many properties, but for the purpose of a poultice, it is important for its analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, fungicidal, and restorative properties.
A compress consists of a pad or cloth material, cotton or gauze being the best material choice, that has been soaked in an herbal tea, decoction, or extract, and water mixture. After the appropriate tea, decoction, or extract is chosen and made, you soak the fabric in the liquid, wring it out, then apply the material to the affected area that is to be treated.
Compresses can be used either hot or cold. If swelling, muscle sprain/strain, or a headache is involved, cold is the better option. After the material has been soaked, place the compress in the freezer until it is cold, then apply it.
Sometimes it is beneficial to alternate between heated compresses and cold ones in order to help relieve pressure.
Compresses are ideal for treating, and helping to heal, muscle injuries, wounds, and other external pain. In order to know which herbs are most appropriate for which ailment(s), refer to a herbal book or chart, and look for the list of benefits and properties of the herb that you are looking for. The herbs can be used as single notes, or you can try mixing a few together for a more powerful healing whomp!
For muscle pains, try wintergreen, camphor, lemon grass, sage, or eucalyptus teas. For a headache try a cool lavender, chamomile and/or sage compress. For minor wounds or skin irritations, try rosemary, chamomile, thyme or lavender.
While similar to a compress, a poultice is when the whole herb is applied to an affected area, instead of the liquid soaked fabric. To use the herbs this way, first you must boil the fresh herb (roots can be used too). Then you actually squeeze all of the excess water out of the herb and place it on a thin
layer of gauze that is folded to keep the herb(s) sandwiched inside, then lay the whole thing over the affected area. This poultice should then stay in place for 3-4 hours, but it can be replaced with a fresh one if longer treatment is needed.
Again, the choice of herbs/roots us something that needs to be well though out and researched. However, a poultice of (either one or a combination of two or more) the herbs; rosemary, thyme, lavender or chamomile would make a strong healing poultice.
Chamomile on the skin helps to reduce redness and sooth inflamed skin, as well as being an antiseptic, bactericidal, and mild sedative.
Thyme is reputed to be strongly anti-viral, while also being considered an antibacterial agent and fungicide.
While lavender works well on all types of skin problems, it especially worlds well for healing boils, burns, sunburn, wounds, psoriasis, insect bites, and stings. Among many others, Lavender has the properties of an antiseptic, and an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, a restorative and a mild sedative.
Rosemary also possesses many properties, but for the purpose of a poultice, it is important for its analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, fungicidal, and restorative properties.
Make It Yourself Monday- Recipes for (more) Relief
Hope you had a fantastic father's day, and nice weekend. This is Make it Yourself Monday, and here are some more recipes to provide relief!
With summer often comes hot, sweaty, sore, muscles, and sometimes even stinky feet. To provide some relief try one of these recipes.
Cooling and Deodorizing Mist
Get a 8 ounce spray bottle and fill it three fourths full of water. Then add 4 drops of peppermint, grapefruit, and lemon, and 3 drops of wintergreen essential oils. Then add a cap full of vodka. Twist lid on and shake well. You can use this now, or you can wait until it gets cold in the refrigerator for even more cooling, soothing and relief. This spray is great for achy leg muscles after an athletic event, a work out, or just a long day. It is also wonderful for those little piggies who just don't feel up to going to the market anymore! Leave this in the fridge so it will be ready for when you need it, and it will last you for several weeks. You can also give a squirt into those stinky sneakers too for a quick freshen up!
Cucumber Hand Wash
For a nice hand wash that will soothe irritated skin. Try peeling one small cucumber and put it in blender and blend it until it is liquefied. Add one tablespoon of witch hazel to the juice and wash your hands with the mixture. Pat dry and moisturize as normal. This formula helps heal abrasions and relieves puffiness, as well as soothing irritated skin.
Herbal Foot Soak
Herbal soaks are great for tired, achy feet, and they are easy to prepare. Plus, you can alter a herb or two and customize the blend or just give yourself variety! All you need to do is to steep 2 cups of fresh herbs, or 1 cup of dried herbs, in 2 gallons of water for 20 minutes. With the herbs in the pot, bring the water to boil, then reduce heat and simmer with the lid on, for 20 minutes. Once the time is up, strain the liquid and throw away the plant material. Pour the liquid into foot basin. Once it has cooled enough to not harm you (use it as hot as you can handle it, your feet will love you!), soak your feet for 20 minutes, then pat dry and moisturize as normal.
As for herbs, you can use many, but I suggest you try these; comfrey, elderberry, chamomile, lavender, pine, rosemary, sage, and/or horsetail
With summer often comes hot, sweaty, sore, muscles, and sometimes even stinky feet. To provide some relief try one of these recipes.
Cooling and Deodorizing Mist
Get a 8 ounce spray bottle and fill it three fourths full of water. Then add 4 drops of peppermint, grapefruit, and lemon, and 3 drops of wintergreen essential oils. Then add a cap full of vodka. Twist lid on and shake well. You can use this now, or you can wait until it gets cold in the refrigerator for even more cooling, soothing and relief. This spray is great for achy leg muscles after an athletic event, a work out, or just a long day. It is also wonderful for those little piggies who just don't feel up to going to the market anymore! Leave this in the fridge so it will be ready for when you need it, and it will last you for several weeks. You can also give a squirt into those stinky sneakers too for a quick freshen up!
Cucumber Hand Wash
For a nice hand wash that will soothe irritated skin. Try peeling one small cucumber and put it in blender and blend it until it is liquefied. Add one tablespoon of witch hazel to the juice and wash your hands with the mixture. Pat dry and moisturize as normal. This formula helps heal abrasions and relieves puffiness, as well as soothing irritated skin.
Herbal Foot Soak
Herbal soaks are great for tired, achy feet, and they are easy to prepare. Plus, you can alter a herb or two and customize the blend or just give yourself variety! All you need to do is to steep 2 cups of fresh herbs, or 1 cup of dried herbs, in 2 gallons of water for 20 minutes. With the herbs in the pot, bring the water to boil, then reduce heat and simmer with the lid on, for 20 minutes. Once the time is up, strain the liquid and throw away the plant material. Pour the liquid into foot basin. Once it has cooled enough to not harm you (use it as hot as you can handle it, your feet will love you!), soak your feet for 20 minutes, then pat dry and moisturize as normal.
As for herbs, you can use many, but I suggest you try these; comfrey, elderberry, chamomile, lavender, pine, rosemary, sage, and/or horsetail
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