Homemade Moisturizer Recipe

Just for fun the other morning upon awakening, I decided to count how many products I used during my morning routine. I was convinced it would be about 8-10 because within the past 5-years or so I’ve significantly decreased the amount of products and cosmetics I use. 

I was totally wrong. 

By the time I walked out of the bathroom and was ready for my day I had used over 16 products from my toothpaste, hair products and makeup. Even though the products I purchase these days are higher quality...they’re still not 100% healthy! I am committing to making more of an effort with my everyday products with the same enthusiasm that I do with my food. Best part, it’s WAY cheaper!!

Funfact: within the past 3 months or so of doing this I’ve lost count at how many compliments I’ve gotten regarding my glowing skin!  

I stumbled across this recipe online, ordered some beeswax pellets and made some. I’m in love. My fiancé is in love (and I didn’t even ask him to try, he willingly tried on his own!). I still can’t get over how quickly it took to throw it together. You only need a small amount each application and it absorbs fairly quickly into the skin. The smell will fade after a few minutes. It lasts a long time in the bathroom, so it doesn’t need to be refrigerated! Amazing for dry hands and feet, or even chapped lips. Got a baby with a rash? It helps their bum, too. Did I mention how affordable this moisturizer is? Please let me know if you give it a try!

Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil (or almond oil)
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup beeswax pellets (I bought mine on Amazon) 
10 drops of essential oil (optional, my favorite is lemongrass)
  
Directions
1. Combine the olive oil, coconut oil and beeswax into a heat proof jug or large jar.
2. Put the jug/jar in a saucepan and fill the pan with water until it comes 3/4 of the way up the jug/jar.
3. Put it on a low heat on the stove.  Heat and stir it until it has melted (about 5-10 minutes).
4. Now empty out the hot water from the pan and replace it with cold water to the same level.  Put the jug/jar back into the pan. This helps to cool the moisturizer down quickly, as you’ll notice.
5. Add your essential oil to the jug/jar now if you are using.
6. Now to finish this quickly, use an electric whisk to quickly whip the ingredients into a moisturizer.  OR if you don’t have a whisk you can use a fork and give it a good stir.  You may have to stir this every 5 minutes until the texture is thick and creamy if not using an electric whisk.
7. Spoon into a glass jar of your choice, something that will be accessible for you to stick your fingers in to grab some moisturizer during your bathroom routine. I bought a bunch of these jars - they work great, you can split up your moisturizer so that you have a few jars on hand, and they are super cute!

Recipe from GreenThickies.com

Orange-Infused Homemade Chocolate

As many of you know from my last newsletter, I've been on a serious kick of making my own chocolate. Every batch is a new chance to try a new flavor. It's been totally delicious, even when the recipes didn't come out as great as I had hoped! A friend got me a yummy orange emulsion and just had to share my latest chocolate recipe with it with you.

Orange-Infused Homemade Chocolate

Ingredients:

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

1/2 cup cocoa powder (or cacao)

2 tablespoons smooth almond, cashew or coconut butter (I actually use sunflower seed butter and it's great for this recipe)

2 - 3 tablespoons grade B maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon orange emulsion

2 - 3 dashes of cinnamon

crushed pecans

2 dates, pitted and sliced very thin

orange zest (and/or grated ginger)

chunky sea salt

Directions: 

Mix the top ingredients well by hand and pour into the bottom of a baking sheet or bread tin. Sprinkle with crushed pecans, sliced dates, orange zest (and/or ginger) and just a bit of chunky sea salt. Place in freezer until hard. Take a knife and carefully jab into chocolate and let it break into random chunks. ENJOY!

Healing the Thyroid

My friend and fellow health coach, Stephanie Martel, and I gave a workshop this past weekend on Healing the Thyroid.  We had an excellent group of people and shared lots of natural healing options when it comes to nourishing and caring for the thyroid.  You can find Steph at the Vibrant Living Project!

Candy Bar Smoothie for Hormone Health

A smoothie that's a sweet treat for your taste buds & your hormones!

(Makes 1 smoothie)

Ingredients:

1 frozen ripe banana 

1 teaspoon unsweetened shredded coconut 

2 tablespoons almond butter 

1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs 

1 tablespoon maca powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Almond or coconut milk 

Directions:

In a blender, place the banana, coconut, almond butter, maca, cacao nibs, cinnamon, and vanilla. Cover with almond (or coconut) milk and blend until smooth, adding more to achieve your desired consistency.  YUM.

Benefits of Maca:  Maca is a root vegetable grown in high altitudes in Peru.  You can find it in powder form in any health food store, or online.  Maca is classified as an adaptogen, which would explain why it would be helpful at balancing hormones.  Maca is generally safe, but if you’re on any hormone-related medication be sure to talk to your doctor before enjoying maca.  I personally enjoy it because I'm hypothyroid and it stimulates my under-active thyroid, which is a great thing!