DIY IDEAS

HOW TO ELIMINATE CANKER SORES:

Dissolve one-half teaspoon baking soda in a half cup of warm water and use as a mouthwash. Soak a cotton swab or cloth in castor oil and apply it directly to the canker sore. Apply a wet tea bag for temporary pain relieve. And once the sore has started to heal, gently apply some Vitamin E oil to the area.

Chocolate Facial Mask

This decadent mask is actually an excellent moisturizer – it leaves your skin baby soft. Recommended for normal skin.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup cocoa
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 teaspoons cottage cheese
¼ cup honey
3 teaspoons oatmeal powder
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together and smooth onto face. Relax for 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water. (It actually tastes pretty good too!)

Sesame Sunscreen

Makes: 2 ounces of butter
Application: Use half an hour before going in the sun
Storage: 2 ounces dark glass jar in the fridge
Shelf life: 6 months

What to Buy
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon shea butter
1/2 teaspoon aloe vera gel
2 teaspoons zinc oxide

How to Make It
Place the oils and shea butter in a small bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water. Heat until the shea butter has melted. Pour into a glass measuring cup and stir in the aloe vera gel and the zinc oxide. Pour into your jar.

Shaving Cream

Lower your carbon footprint and quit buying chemical-infused shaving creams or those nasty aluminum bottles. Make your own shaving cream.
What You Need:
1/2 teaspoon sunflower oil
1/4 cup unscented glycerin soap
Double broiler
A cup or mug
Directions: In your double boiler, melt chunks of the glycerin soap. Stir in the sunflower oil. Move the mixture into a mug as soon as all of the glycerin chunks are melted. The “cream” will set quickly. When you’re ready to shave, simply work water against the soap until a lather builds and apply.

Hairspray

If you’re looking for something truly natural with light hold, the Light Lemon and Orange Hairspray will do the trick. It’s easy to make and will last you for about a week.
What You Will Need:
A spray bottle
2 lemons
2 oranges
Directions:

Cut the lemons and oranges into slices, and combine in a small pan. Add three cups of water. Boil on low heat for about 30 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Strain water and cool for 15 minutes. Place the liquid in the spray bottle and keep in the refrigerator.
Since there are no preservatives, spray will last for about a week. Keep some lemons and oranges on hand and you got yourself a refill.

Scented bath salts

Supplies:
-Unscented bath salts
-Lavender
-Lavender oil
-Glass jar
-Decorative ribbon
Steps:
1. Pour a layer of bath salts into a glass container.
2. Add a few drops of scented oil.
3. Add a layer of lavender flowers
4. Repeat steps 1-3 until container is full.
5. Finish up with decorative ribbon and a gift card.
Extra tips:
-You can use any type of essential oil that you like; try using layers of dried roses with rosewater.
-Sea salt softens calluses and aids in the exfoliation of the skin
-When taking a bath with sea salts, you’ll notice that your skin won’t prune or wrinkle as quickly as with regular water!

I’d love to know what you think about these ideas. If you try one, come back and let us all know what you think! If you have any ideas you’d like to share, please feel free to provide it in your comment….I’m sure we’d all love to try new DIY ideas.

Glass Cleaner

2 tsp white vinegar

1 litre water

a few drops of essential oil (perhaps lemon? … it cuts grease!)

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake.  Works best by wiping the surface with crumpled newspaper!

Basic Homemade Toothpaste

2 tbsp of coconut oil

2-3 tbsp of baking soda

1/4 tsp of Stevia powder

a few drops of pure peppermint extract or essential oils such as lemon, clove, lime, cinnamon, peppermint, eucalyptus, or licorice (these are all safe to ingest)

Mix all ingredients together until the combination resembles toothpaste.  Store it at room temperature in a small lidded jar, and use a small teaspoon to scoop out a small bit onto your toothbrush.  You can also store it in an empty squeeze tube, which can be found in the camping section of most sporting goods stores.

Coconut oil has a melting point of 24°C, which means that this toothpaste feels more liquidy during warmer weather.  It doesn’t change its effectiveness, though!

Stevia provides a bit of natural sweetness, making the toothpaste palatable, as does the pure peppermint extract or the essential oils.  Try a variety of flavours!!

Posted Spa Treatments:

Anti-Aging Smoothies:  http://wp.me/p12Gyx-vE

Masks:  http://wp.me/p12Gyx-vJ

Masks cont’d:  http://wp.me/p12Gyx-vL

Body Scrub:  http://wp.me/p12Gyx-vM

Coffee Body Scrub:  http://wp.me/p12Gyx-yR