No need to stress when the best way to spread cheer is Pampering yourself this year

Over the years I have learned to just relax when the crazy, busy season comes around. Realizing you make the Holiday's what you want, I have taken the anti-stress route. We deal with enough in our day to day lives that adding stress, sickness traveling through the air, the harsh cold weather drying out your skin, in-laws or family at your home for a long extended stay that you MUST take care of yourself in order to give to others. Here are some great little things you can do for yourself during the holidays.

 

Olive Oil Cleansing Lotion

1 teaspoon Liquid Soap

2 tablespoons Water

2 tablespoons Honey

½ cup Olive Oil

10 drops Sandalwood oil

5 drops Carrot Seed oil

 

Mix all ingredients together in a blender or by hand with a wire whisk until smooth and creamy. Pour into clean jar with a tight fitting lid and label. Put a small amount in the palm of your hand and massage into the skin of your hands. Work it into all the areas of your hands and wrists. Rinse with tepid water and pat dry. Follow with a small application of more oil massaged well into skin.

 

 Nail and Cuticle Treatment

1 teaspoon Jojoba oil

1 teaspoon Almond oil

½ teaspoon Vitamin E oil

10 drops Sandalwood

5 drops Myrrh 

Mix together and store in a clean container. Massage a small amount into your cuticles. Also works well for feet and toenails.

Sugar Scrub

1 teaspoon Sugar

Juice of ½ a Lemon

2 drops Spearmint oil 

Mix together ingredients and work into hands. Use as much water as necessary to make the desired consistency. Rinse well with cool water and follow with a moisturizer.

 

With any of these recipes, if you do them at night, you can add extra moisturizing by following them with Almond, Vitamin E, Apricot, or Olive oil. Massage well into skin and wear 100% cotton gloves to bed to keep the oil on your hands. Enjoy your time of pampering!

 

P.S. I want to say Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my blog and try out new recipes. I hope you have enjoyed everything as much as I have enjoyed researching and typing it all out!

 

 

 

 

Gifts to give

The past few days I have received Holiday gift tips from Rocky Mountain Oils. I will share some of their tips and recipes for fun gifts to make for your friends and family. I am going to make a few of them this weekend to try out.

Sugar and Salt Scrubs:

 

Possible blends:

You can use any blend Rocky Mountain Oil sells, if it’s a scent your friend or loved one already likes.
A single oil is also a good choice. You might try: Lavender, Sandalwood, Blend of Rose, Jasmine, Rosewood, Palmarosa, Spearmint, or Peppermint.

 Blends:

10 drops Sandalwood and 6 drops Cardamom

5 drops each Peppermint, Lavender, and Tea Tree

4 drops Jasmine, 4 drops Ginger Root, 2 drops Cumin, 4 drops Neroli, and 6 drops Clary Sage

4 drops each Rosewood, Cedarwood, and Rosemary

3 drops Ylang Ylang, 2 drops Patchouli, and 3 drops Orange

 

For a sugar scrub add 1 Tablespoon oil (any kind of carrier oil you prefer), 1 cup fine Brown Sugar

 

For bath salts add 1 Tablespoon oil (any kind of carrier oil you prefer), 3 cups sea salt or unscented Epsom Salts

 
Add all ingredients to a ziploc bag, seal it and massage until oils including essential oils are completely mixed in.
Add to a cute jar with a lid. Label and wrap. They will love it!

www.rockymountainoils.com
www.mountainroseherbs.com

Holiday Kisses Lip Scrub

1 tablespoon Fine Brown Sugar

 

1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar

 

1 tablespoon Jojoba oil

 

10 drops Vanilla infusion (can substitute Pure Vanilla Extract)

 

3 drops Spearmint oil

Combine all ingredients in a ziploc bag, seal and massage bag until all ingredients are mixed together well. Store in a small glass jar with a lid. Lightly massage into the lips using circular motions, then rinse off. Use as frequently as needed. Discard after 6 months.

Also, if you are looking for another fun gift go to my previous post on Whipped Shea Body Butter. http://nelsonjuliet.blogspot.com/2012/12/whipped-shea-butter-recipe-for-hair-and.html I just made some this past weekend and packaged it in these cute little canning jars. GREAT Christmas present for the office, friends, or family!

Want to make your own Infused Olive Oil???

I made Infused Garlic oil, but you can add any kind of herb you would like.

 

Ingredients Needed

8oz fresh garlic (peeled and minced)

Olive Oil (warm and sufficient to cover)

 

*Note: If you try Rosemary, basil, Lavender, or any other kind of herb make sure you wash it well and chop it us so the oils from the leaves or flower can be absorbed by the olive oil.**

~Warm the oil in a bowl over a pot of water or a double boiler. Place the garlic or any kind of herb you would like to use in a large jar. Add sufficient oil to cover the herb. Shake and then place in a warm place for 2-3 days. Strain through cotton or muslin, bottle and keep refrigerated.


Last Christmas I made this for each of my co-workers as a Christmas gift and I was told by my boss that it was better than some of the olive oil shops she has go to for tastings. This is a fun and great homemade gift.

I buy Sciabicas olive oil- Marsala (I cook with this all the time, use for skin products for my face and dry skin in the winters)
http://sunshineinabottle.com/products/extra-virgin-olive-oil/marsala-1-gallon.html#.Uqs-eajn99A