Homemade Soap Treats!

Honey Oat Chamomile?
Goji Berry Lemon?
Chocolate Honey Peppermint?

Nope, not edible, its...Its Soap!

So I was not able to make my own soap base (that will come eventually), but I did find Clear Glycerin Soap, and an organic goats milk soap at my local craft shop that I could melt down and add my own natural ingredients to.

My trial run went smoothly and I can't wait to make more!

While you're at the craft shop you can also pick up molds of your choice, or you can use empty frozen juice containers or something similar.

Melt the soap in the microwave 45 seconds at first then 10 seconds until melted, or use a double boilers.

Add desired aroma's, herbs and fruits pour into the mold and allow to set (about 45 minutes).

Stevie's Combinations:Honey Oat Bar:

• Organic Honey 
• Honey has humectants characteristics; its ability to absorb and retain moisture deeply hydrates the skin. Honey’s natural antioxidant and anti microbial properties refreshes, rejuvenates and helps protect your skin. 
• Oats 
• Soothes and heals the skin, while reducing inflammation. It also acts as a mild exfoliate
• Chamomile tea 
• Chamomile has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. 
• Almond Oil 
• Prevents and treats acne and blackheads, and makes it less prone to acne. It smoothes the skin and lessens any irritation and inflammation. Almond oil helps to moisturize dry skin. It is good for dry and itching skin. It helps to prevent and smooth wrinkles, soften the skin and make it more supple. 

Goji Berry & Lemon:

• Goji Berries (finely and coarse ground, dehydrated) 
• Combats inflammations and is a powerful antioxidant to help fight against damaged skin. Calms irritated, sensitive skin, while moisturizing with anti-aging properties. 
• Lemon Juice 
• Brighten up and soften your skin, also fades freckles and age spots. anti bacterial and smells lovely. 
• Lemongrass oil 

Chocolate, Honey Peppermint Bar: 

• 100% natural cocoa 
• Cell repair, cell damage prevention, hydration, calms and soothes skin. 
• Organic honey 
• Deeply hydrates the skin 
• Peppermint oil and Peppermint tea 
• Cooling, refreshing and toning... helps with wrinkles and relieves headaches.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat... Naturally!

This weekend, I ventured into the world of Homemade Shampoo.

There are so many natural hair beauty tricks out there, here are only a few...

My Grand-Mother always tried to get me to rinse my hair with vinegar, I was always just a little too scared to try. BUT once I got passed the idea of possibly smelling like vinegar for the day, I gave it a go!

I was more than happy to notice, smooth and shiny hair. And thankfully, there was no lingering vinegar smell at all.

Give it a try!

Vinegar Rinse:

Using a vinegar rinse will help balance the pH of your hair, remove build up (from every day shampoos), and closes hair cuticles allowing the hair to be smoother and shiner.

·         Mix 1 part Vinegar (white or apple cider) with 3 parts water. You can add your favourite essential oils for fragrance.

Add the vinegar and water mix to your hair, and then rinse it out.

You will notice your hair will be smoother and shiner in no time.
I try to do the vinegar rinse once a month or so.

For extra Hydration try the Avocado Hair Mask.

Making a shampoo taught me a little lesson; RESEARCH FIRST. I always knew that Chamomile was good, for hair, I just temporarily forgot that it also lightens you’re hair. 

So after slightly lightning my hair the first time around I set out to try different ingredients to suite everyone’s needs!

Base Shampoo:

• 4 tablespoons of distilled water (you can use tap water, the shelf life may not be as long)
• 4 tablespoons of liquid castile soap
• ½ teaspoon of light veggie, grapeseed, or jojoba oil

ADD INS:

Herbs, Teas and Spices help.

• Strong brewed Chamomile tea (soothes and lightens hair)
• Strong Brewed coffee(darkens & Shines)
• Strong Brewed Black Tea ( darkens hair, Shine and reduces shedding)
• Tea tree oil (dry scalp attention)
• Peppermint oil (Refreshing and fragrance)
• Eucalyptus oil (fragrance and strength)
•  Avocado Oil (hydration)
• Lemongrass or lemongrass oil
•  Dried rosemary ( for Dandruff, fragrance and strength)
•  Dried sage (darkens hair)

Mix all the ingredients and store in a bottle. Shake before using, wash as usual.

***

Day Two After Shampooing; My hair is soft, Clean and still kind if smells like peppermint :)

Have Fun!

Coffee Body Scrub

My cupboards are overflowing with specialty teas and coffees. I drink enough day in and day out, and I needed to use up some coffee ASAP to make space.

Someone, a long time ago told me that coarse ground coffee makes for a great body scrub; So I experimented.

Its actually the caffeine that provides most of the added benefits. However the grounds help exfoliate old skin cells, while the caffeine provides antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits. The Caffeine also helps minimize the appearance of cellulite and varicose veins.

SCRUB! (follow loosely, experiment with added ingredients)

• 2 cups of coarse ground coffee
• 1/2 cup of sea salt or raw sugar (or both)
• 3 tablespoons of Almond oil
• 3 drops of Almond or Vanilla extract for aroma

Mix all the ingredients together, in the shower gently scrub your skin with the mixture( avoid your neck and face), rinse and wash with a gentle soap.

Applying the mixture at first was a little intimidating... Until I rinsed with soap; I thought I might have stained my skin!

Once I rinsed thoroughly, and dried off; I was in awe as to how soft and clean my skin felt!

Please excuse the pale skin, i was kind of hoping it would stain it slightly *blush*

MAY I SUGGEST BEFORE STARTING?

• Use Old or Dark towels you don't mind staining
• Put down a hair catcher in the drain of your shower
• Have a poof or face cloth handy, it really does rid of old skin cells. 
• Keep remaining scrub in an airtight container for a quick scrub next time.

Treating Myself: All Natural Home Spa Day!

Home products for Home Spa

I love Avocados!








They have nearly 20 essential vitamins and minerals. This emollient fruit is rich in potassium, Vitamins B, E and K.  Avocado oils and proteins provide hydration and strength for your hair.
Have you ever had an avocado get a little too ripe to eat? Mash it up and Slather it on!

Avocado hair Mask:
1 avocado
1 egg yolk
½ teaspoon of olive oil

Mash all the ingredients together.
Wet hair with warm water, then massage mixture into your scalp and work your way down until your hair is coated.
Allow the mask to set, about 30 minutes. Then rinse out. Shampoo after if you’d like.

Sugar and Spice, makes everything nice!

Most people have many of these ingredients in their pantry. Combine these spices and sugars for a clean, bright, rejuvenated, and soft complexion!

1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/3 cup of almond oil
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal
1 teaspoon of nutmeg

Scrub your face in a circular gentile motion for about 2 minutes. Rinse and pat your face dry.
You can store the remaining Scrub mixture in an airtight container for another scrub another day.

Don't be scared to try other ingredients in this scrub. I added honey (which deeply hydrates the skin), and a pinch of cinnamon (for aroma). you can add fruits, herbs, or even ground coffee.

So that was my homemade spa day, I didn't even have to spend a penny.

Momma's Day Pizza!

Happy Mothers Day!!!
Kelowna could not have asked for a nicer day to celebrate the day of Moms!
We started by packing the Pup in the car and making out way to the Doggy beach.
With a quick pit stop for coffee and small breakfast.
At the Doggy Beach Maya went swimming in the water and was a sweet thing the whole way!
THEN took another walk downtown to enjoy lunch by the water.

By 2pm we were home and pooped and decided to lounge in the sun!

After lounging I decided it was time to start on Momma's Day Dinner...

On the Menu Grilled Pizza With Fresh Toppings!


Pizza Margherita: The Basics - Tomato, Fresh Mozz, & Fresh Basil

The Experimental Pizza: Asparagus, Avocado, Feta & Garlic Shrimp

Basic Pizza Dough
1 cup of warm water
1 packet of dry yeast
1 tbsp of sugar
2 tbsp of Olive oil
2 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 tsp of salt

Mix dry ingredients that add warm water, then oil and mix until it comes together.
Place in a greased bowl covered with a tea towel. Place the dough in a dry draft free place for about 45 minutes. Kneed and roll.

On the BBQ - Preheat at hottest. Once ready turn down the fire and oil the grill (and a little on one side of the rolled out dough). Place the dough oil side down and grill until the top is puffy.
Oil the top of the crust and then Flip.
On the grilled side add Toppings of your choice, close the lid for about 5-10 minutes and Enjoy!

MMM Salad!

So... This evening I wasn't sure what I should eat for Dinner... There was no fresh meat in the Fridge and I really wasn't in the mood to do much in the Kitchen.

I looked in my fridge and started picking out all the veggies I could see. Radish, Leafy Greens, Onion, Red Pepper, tomatoes, Cucumbers, Asparagus, Green Beans, and Avocado. Yeahhh Fully Loaded! Maybe its only because I am never satisfied with what i have I added Cheese! Then topped off with a home made vinaigrette.

1 part vinegar ( I used Balsamic)
3 parts oil
1 Garlic Clove finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon of Dijon
Salt & Pepper
Pinch of Sugar

shake together... add or remove any ingredient dependent on what you want!

Dinner.

Photo By Stevie

Maple-Soy Glaze
1/2 cup of Maple Syrup
1/4 cup of Soy Sauce
1 tsp of Ginger
1 small Garlic Clove
Salt and Pepper