Natural beauty

I've always enjoyed playing with natural beauty 'fixings' - beginning with things like peppermint facial steams & such when I was in HS.

Recently found the ecoetsy blog, & this recipe for a natural deodorant! I love the Avalon Organics roll on - which I often find 'way cheap' at our local Grocery Outlet, but had to try mixing some up!!

Here's what I used:
3 T coconut flour (called for cornstarch)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 C shea butter
1/4 C coconut oil
5-10 drops neem oil (this is sticky, so had to gestimate!)
10 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Lemon essential oil
5 drops Clary Sage e. oil
heat oils (I put the container above the light on the hood above my stove for ~ 15 minutes) & combine. Add a bit more soda or starch if it needs it.
Viola!
It smells yummy, a bit gritty with the flour/soda, & will give a report after I've used it for a few days!

For a face scrub, I grind some rolled oats in my trusty electric 'coffee' mill, with dried lavender, rose & calendula petals. I may add a bit of cornmeal & clay for more 'grit.' I keep it in a small jar in the bathroom, & use rather than soap for washing my face.

I tend to use locally made glycerine based soaps, BioKleen (made in nearby Vancouver Wa) for my laundry, with a tbsp of baking soda sprinkled on the clothes. (need to look for washing soda)

I've been using coconut oil for my main 'lotion' these days, but inspired by the shea/coconut oil blend, I just combined a Tbsp of coconut oil, one of shea butter, & a tsp of coco-butter, melting them above the light. Nice & smoothe!

I've made the switch to mineral based cosmetics - ordering them online, or occasionally picking some up at a shop in town. If you order from CMH, be sure to check for the monthly special! I especially enjoy her 'chameleon sparkle,' the shimmer veil, & the sampler sets. A small 'sample' size is < $2, so it's easy to try these.

Well, off to the 'salt mines,' & then this afternoon I head downtown to play the harp for our 'Who's on Third' Festival! If you're in the area, stop by :)

Movement is Medicine

I'm so happy to be a participant in the Moving for Lent challenge!

Mon I took a long walk around the neighborhood - both with Gracie, & then to my daughter's office to pick up an ergonomic purse she got in a give away from one of her co-workers.
Wed: just a bit of walking, plus hanging out with the preschoolers all AM at my youngest Grand daughter's playschool - inc. recess :)
Tue & today I took Deep Water Aerobics class at our pool - & can feel a shift happening - more energy, more movement, & some pounds melting - yea (I think using coconut oil is helping with that!) !! I walked home after Tue's class, & both ways this AM . . . ~ 12 minutes.
& tonight I hope to attend Ecstatic Dance @ the College.

Last Nov. I played harp for a presentation on Optimal Aging by the (National) Medical Director of a Sr Care facility, Kevin W. O'Neil, MD. His topic was 'Movement is Medicine,' & Dr. O'Neil began a list of more than 50 diseases that respond (symptoms lessened or remission) with the addition of regular exercise! These include: heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, diabetes, & various auto-immune diseases; plus positive shifts in Mental & Bone health. He commented that regular physical activity is essential for optimal health of those over 55 (&, of course, for younger folk as well!!) saying 10 minutes is the minimum time necessary for exercise to be effective.

One of my favorite statistics: which exercise has an 76% risk reduction for Alzheimer's?? . . . Ballroom Dance! (esp. Tango - which I LOVE!) Movement, social, touch, music, memorization, (inc. body memory!). . .

Dr O'Neil's Rx: for those 65+ (or younger folks with Chronic health conditions):

1st: make it fun, challanging, & try different things!

Do moderate intense aerobic exercise 30 min a day, 5 days a week
OR
Do vigorously intense aerobic exercise 20 min a day, 3 days a week
&
Do 8-10 stength-training exercises, 10-15 rep of each, 2-3 days a week
&
if at risk for falling, perform balance exercises
&
have a physical activity plan.

For reducing the risk of falling (more than 50%), he suggested a daily Vitamin D-3 intake of at least 1000 mg - up from the old USDA suggestion of 400 IU. & getting a blood test to see if you need more (the NDs in our office recommend more for many of their patients (after doing blood work.) Dr O'Neil commented that the 1000 IU a day level is safe for most folks, (those with kidney problem should check in with their doc.)

Oh, & for 'Twilight' fans out there - did you know that there are a couple of mineral make-ups that include 'Twilight' as a colour choice?? A few weeks ago I picked up a 'Bare Essential's' 'Platinum' kit (on sale - $35 so less than $5 each product, plus 3 brushes - these are GREAT tones for my silvery hair :) & the darker shadow is 'Twilight' (I adore the Platinum shadow!)
I can't find this item - either the kit or the shadow - in the on-line shop - looks like it was intro in 2007, as I found a post on it here! You might have to check in a shop that carries the Bare Minerals/ ID line.

My favorite mineral make-up comes from Christina Harris - CMH Essentials - she has a yummy dark green 'sparkle' eyeshadow in Twilight which I love! - I use it as an eyeliner, wetting a brush & swirling it in some of the powder. She has great prices for intro sizes (I've still got plenty of product in my sample size - which is only $1.95) & offers monthly specials. I also use her Shimmer Veil, when I'm in a 'make-up' mood :)
Her diamond or 'blue diamonds' glimmer looks similar to the ID 'platinum' & Chamelion Sparkle is one of my favorites! I got the Green & Gold Trio sets, (Twilight is included in the Green set) & want the purples!
Remember to click the 'discount coupon' in the 'information section - it will take you to the code you need to enter for the monthly special :) Christina's March special is 20% off your order :)

fyi: CMH essentials contains Mica, Zink Oxide, Titanium Dioxide & refined Iron Oxides - no oils, liquids, fragrances, preservatives; & no Bismuth Oxychloride, which irritates some skin, (& is in the 'Bare Essentuals' line.)