Relax & Focus Spray Mist

Relax & Focus Spray Mist

This is a relaxing blend to promote clarity and focus.
In a four-ounce spray bottle almost fill it with distilled water.
Add
20 drops Grapefruit essential oil
15 drops Orange Essential oil
10 drops Spearmint Essential oil
Recipe from AromaThyme.com

DIY Shaving Cream

The other day I was talking to some old acquaintances, who asked me what I do for a living. When I said that I work for Young Living Essential Oils, the questions started pouring in. The one question they asked that stuck in my mind was, “What exactly can you do with essential oils?” The obvious answers are to diffuse them, take some internally, and apply some topically. However, I started thinking that maybe it is better to have more specific uses for essential oils and everyday ways to experience their therapeutic benefits. Because of this, I would like to dedicate time to new ideas each month on the product blog.

Earlier this week I shared a recipe from one of our distributors that was sure to bring good health to your dinner table using essential oils.

Today I’d like to share something a little different. Here’s a simple alternative to store-bought shaving cream with a Young Living twist that will keep your skin smooth and hydrated.

Easy Homemade Shaving Cream

What You Need:

• 2 tablespoons V-6^™ Vegetable Oil Complex

• 2 teaspoons Copaiba Vanilla Conditioner or Lavender Mint Conditioner

• 2 drops cedarwood essential oil

• 2 drops lavender essential oil

• 1 drop lime essential oil

Preparation:

• Mix the cedarwood, lavender, and lime essential oils in a bowl.

• Add the V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex and stir.

• Add the conditioner of choice to the mixture and whip it until it is light and creamy.

• Gently apply to your face, legs, or other areas and begin shaving.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can substitute a wide array of oils for your own personal needs.

Enjoy—and please share your experience below.

Marco Colindres III—YL Product Marketing Manager

Blog URL: http://blog.youngliving.com/do-it-yourself-shaving-cream/#.UU7BExzvusY

Cleansing with Lemon

Using Young Living Every Day: Cleansing with Lemon

“[A combination of] vinegar, hot water, and lemon oil does a great job cleaning the floor and tile grout. Vinegar, water, and lemon in a spray bottle will clean and shine granite counter tops beautifully. Lemon oil and olive oil make a great stainless-steel polish!”

—Evangeline Joy Reed, YL Gold

Mood Stabilizer Blends

Here is a relaxing recipe I got from Daily Aromatherapy tips. It sounds so relaxing! I can't wait to try it! :) 







Mood Stabilizer Massage Oil 
MIX in clean glass bottle (big enough for adding 1 oz. carrier oil): 
3 drops each: Bergamot, Lavender, Rosewood 
2 drops each: Chamomile (Roman), Mandarin, Jasmine, Rosemary 
Cover and allow to rest for 24 hours before using. 

Mood Stabilizing Inhaler Tube 
Mix 6 drops each: Bergamot, Lavender, Rosewood 
4 drops each: Chamomile (Roman), Mandarin, Jasmine, Rosemary

DIY Shampoo & Conditioner Recipes!

I have been doing a lot of thinking regarding shampoos and conditioner. I really hate buying shampoos and conditioners at the store that I know for a fact are BAD! So may chemicals etc.
And then I think about this [photo]. 26 seconds? OMGosh! That'snot only MAD, but that is SCARY MAD!

I've tried a few organic shampoos and conditioners that I've liked, but after a while, some leave my hair feeling greasy and blaw. (NOT ALL!)

Then ya think about how much $$$ these (both organic and non) shampoos and conditioner cost.

So, what I have been wondering: is there any good D.I.Y (do it yourself/homemade) shampoo and conditioner recipes out there? if yes, how do they work? Are they really cheaper that the stuff that you boy at the store? Etc.

I have not tried ANY recipes yet, but I am excited to try some and am looking forward to experimenting with them. Mwahahaha! lol
Here is a collection of recipes that I found on the net. Just remember, when making these recipes with essential oils, PLEASE be sure to use 100% unadulterated pure essential oils! I (obvious) would recommend therapeutic quality essential oils from Young Living. They are unadulterated  pure, and actually smell like what they are supposed to. If your arr interested in Young Living Essential Oils, please view my Young Living website here.

Now, to the recipe lab! 

SHAMPOO RECIPES!

Comments in [ ]

Citrus Shampoo
3/4 cup Filtered Water
3/4 cup Citrus Liquid Castile Soap [would buy unscented to be sure the oils are non toxic]
1 1/2 Teaspoons Apricot Kernel Oil
8-12 Drops citrus essential oil [YL citrus fresh, orange, lemon, tangerine, lime etc]

Mix together all the ingredients in the bottle and shake thoroughly. Just give it a shake before you use.
Original recipe found here.

HOMEMADE SHAMPOO
1 cup hot water
1 Tbs baking soda
[Add 3 drops of your fave YL EO. Rosemary EO is good for hair]

“In a ketchup squirt bottle (the cheap ones you can get at the dollar store), add 1 Tbsp baking soda, then 1 cup of hot water. Put the lid on, cover the tip with your finger, and shake it up well. (Should last a few days) To shampoo hair: Wet hair in the shower. Start in sections, and squirt the “shampoo” onto hair, and massage into scalp and hair. Keep working in sections until hair is “shampoo-ed”. Rinse as normal.
Original recipe found here.
I found the same recipe here too.

Semi-Homemade Coconut Milk Shampoo
1/4 cup coconut milk
1/3 cup organic baby shampoo/wash
1 tsp vitamin E, olive or almond oil
10 to 20 drops of your choice of essential oils

Add 1/4 cup coconut milk and 1/3 cup baby shampoo to bottle of choice. dd 1 teaspoon of olive oil, vitamin E oil or almond oil. Add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake bottle to combine ingredients. Go jump in the shower and try it out!
Original recipe found here.

All Natural Shampoo Recipe
½ cup distilled water
¼ cup liquid castile soap (I like Dr. Bronner’s unscented baby mild… I can use it on my baby, too!*)
2 tsp avocado oil
1/8 tsp peppermint essential oil
1/8 tsp tea tree essential oil
1 tsp vegetable glycerin (optional, gives the shampoo a little more “body”)
10 – 15 drops of essential oils* (optional, but makes it smell goooood!)

Put the above ingredients in a bottle (you could even reuse an old shampoo bottle). Shake well before each use. Pour a little over your head. Lather good. Gently massage in the scalp for a minute or two. Rinse completely.
Original recipe found here.

Customizable DIY Herbal Shampoo
2 ounces Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile Soap
4 to 5 ounces of water, infused with herbs
1/4 teaspoon carrier oil – more for dry hair, less for oily (options below)
20 to 40 drops essential oil (suggestions below)

Add the castile soap, carrier oil and essential oils to the water. Gently stir until mixed. Try to avoid whipping up any bubbles, as much as possible. Pour into an easy to dispense container. You can recycle an old shampoo bottle for this. This should stay fresh for about four to six weeks or so, depending on the types of essential oils you use. Refrigeration will increase the shelf life, but is not necessary. Shake or swirl gently before each use. If at all possible, follow with either a rinse or spritzing of vinegar and water
Original recipe found here

Rosemary Calendula Shampoo: 
2 ounces Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby Mild Pure Castile Soap
4 ounces water infused with: rosemary, plantain, calendula flowers and rose petals
1/4 teaspoon tamanu oil
10 drops tea tree oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
15 to 20 drops lavender essential oil

This is the recipe that works best for my hubby. You can use dried or fresh herbs.

Add the castile soap, carrier oil and essential oils to the water. Gently stir until mixed. Try to avoid whipping up any bubbles, as much as possible. Pour into an easy to dispense container. You can recycle an old shampoo bottle for this. This should stay fresh for about four to six weeks or so, depending on the types of essential oils you use. Refrigeration will increase the shelf life, but is not necessary. Shake or swirl gently before each use. If at all possible, follow with either a rinse or spritzing of vinegar and water
Original recipe found here

Homemade Shampoo
1 cup pure liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronners)
1 cup green tea (brewed for 30 minutes)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon honey

 Use as is, or depending upon your hair type, add an herbal infusion to replace the green tea in the above recipe. Use a handful of fresh herbs or a spoonful of dried herbs and a cup of boiling water to prepare the infusion, steeping for 30 minutes.

Here are some suggestions for different hair types (and predicaments):
for dark hair: sage leaves
for greasy hair: yarrow
for fair hair: marigold flowers
for dandruff: a mixture of nettle leaves and burdock roots
Original recipe found here.

CONDITIONER RECIPES!

Comments in [ ]

HOMEMADE CONDITIONER
1 cup hot water
1 Tbs apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
[Add 3 drops of your fave YL EO. Rosemary EO is good for hair]

To condition hair: In the mustard squirt bottle (that came with the ketchup bottle!), mix 1 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice) with 1 cup of hot water. After hair has been shampoo-ed and rinsed, condition ends of hair with the vinegar/water mixture, and massage into tips. Rinse as normal.
Original recipe found here.
I found the same recipe here too.

Persimmon and Rosemary
1 ripe persimmon
1 sprig rosemary
1/4 cup almond oil
1/2 cup honey
Peppermint essential oil

This recipe is super easy to make. You’ll need a ripe persimmon and a sprig of rosemary to start. Chop up the persimmon and pulse it in the food processor to make it even finer. Add the sprig of rosemary, along with 1/4 cup almond oil, 1/2 cup honey and a few drops of peppermint oil (you can use a different oil, but the peppermint really complements the rosemary). Continue to blend in the processor until it’s a smooth and creamy mixture, and then transfer to a plastic container with a lid. It’s that easy!
Original recipe found here.

Tropical Island Hair Conditioner
1 avocado
Organic coconut milk

Directions Peel and pit avocado. Mash avocado and slowly add coconut milk until smooth and the consistency of hair conditioner. Work through hair to ends. Rinse after 15 minutes and shampoo.
Original recipe found here.

Homemade Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair
1 large overripe banana (sliced) OR 7 oz banana baby food
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp pure vegetable glycerin
2 tbsp pure honey Instructions:

Place the sliced banana, extra virgin olive oil, glycerin, and honey all in a blender. Blend the ingredients thoroughly making sure no lumps or banana bits remain. (Depending on your blender quality, you may or may not have to then sieve the mixture. Another option is to use banana baby food, though the conditioner may not be as effective.) Apply to hair and let sit for 30-45 minutes under a shower cap. Detangle, rinse thoroughly, and style as usual.
Original recipe found here.

Homemade Conditioner
2.5 cups of hot water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 sprig of rosemary
1 bag of your favorite herbal tea, for fragrance

To make your vinegar rinse, place the water in a container of your choice (old conditioner bottle). Then, add the rest of the ingredients. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes. Use about 3/4 of a cup of the rinse each time you condition, shaking up the bottle prior.
Original recipe found here.


Enjoy playing around and mixing up these fun concoctions! I know I CAN'T WAIT!

Scented Stones

I got this fun tip from Aromatherapy daily last night. I think it would be fun to try. :)

Scented Stones

Almost any smooth, porous stone can be turned into a fragrant diffuser. Using a pipette or a cotton swab apply your favorite essential oils to the stones. Sit them in a sunny window and enjoy the scent. The sun is the secret ingredient that warms the scent. Refresh as needed.



Photo from: wallpaperskd.com

Coconut Lotion Bar

I got this from Shosh Van Cleave on the Back To Basics group via The reGathering. It sounds and looks like SO much fun make. Just HAD to post this! :)

Uses for Lotion Bars:
I often give lotion bars as gifts since they can be easily customized with essential oils or natural scents. They are completely natural and safe on babies and children. The coconut oil and shea butter create a natural SPF of about 5, which make them ideal for outdoor activities.

Coconut lotion bars

-To soften and protect dry skin
-During pregnancy to prevent stretch marks
-On sensitive baby skin to help sooth diaper rash or eczema
-To sooth dry skin from rashes, eczema or psoriasis
-After shaving to prevent dry skin
-As a nighttime facial moisturizer
-After doing dishes to moisturize hands

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Coconut Oil
1/2 cup Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
2/3 cup Beeswax Pastilles or grated beeswax

Optional: 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
Optional: Essential Oils for scent

How to Make:
When I first started making this recipe I used a double boiler and blender before I realized that there was a much easier way that didn’t require excessive dishes. Here’s the easy way (my blender thanks you!):
Combine ingredients in a quart size or larger glass mason jar or reused glass jar. Fill a medium size saucepan with a couple inches of water and place on a burner over medium high heat. I recommend putting a lid on the jar to prevent water from getting in as this ruins the lotion bars.

Bring the water to a simmer and stir or shake the contents of the jar until completely melted. This should take about ten minutes. Quickly pour into whatever molds you are using. I highly recommend silicon muffin cups or molds if you have them because they are so easy to clean. Regular muffin tins or even small glass jars also work. You can even use small jelly-size glass jars if you want to keep the lotion bar in the jar for travel or to give as a gift. This recipe will make approximately 6 lotion bars if using muffin cups or small jars.

Leave in molds for at least 4 hours or overnight (preferable) and carefully pop out of molds. I wrap in cellophane bags and tie with burlap and twine for gifts.

How to Use Lotion Bars:
Lotion bars are designed for use on dry skin in place of lotion. Apply the same way that you would use soap in the shower but on dry skin with no need to wash off. The heat of your skin will transfer a very thin layer of moisturizing lotion to the skin, which will absorb in 3-5 minutes.
Customize Them!

The great thing about lotion bars is that you can customize them to your own preference. Here are a few ideas or I’d love to hear yours!

Add 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil for scent. I like lavender or ylang ylang.
Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1/2 tsp of powdered ginger for use on sore muscles after working out.
Add 1/2 cup organic arrowroot powder and a tablespoon of baking soda to make a natural deodorant bar that puts most regular deodorants to shame. Leave out the baking soda if you have sensitive skin. You can also add the powder of a couple capsules of shelf-stable pro-biotics for extra odor protection.

Infuse the coconut oil before making with some common kitchen herbs to make a bug-repellent bar that works great without chemicals.

Add a couple tablespoons of Zinc Oxide Powder (non-nano) to make sunscreen bars. The powder will settle a little which is normal. Be careful not to inhale the powder.