Tag: do it yourself

The 21st Century Herbalist: Volume 1, Issue 13

It’s week 2 of “One Ingredient…One Great Fix” Month and this week I’m chatting about hydrogen peroxide. You may know it best by its use as a cleanser for minor cuts and scrapes, and of course by its classic packaging. Found in the first aid section of your local drug store, it’s the one in the dark brown plastic bottle topped with a white cap and a basic label displaying its contents. This brown bottle of hydrogen peroxide is so much more than just a first aid solution, its also the active ingredient for, what I’ve heard is, a billion dollar industry — teeth whitening.

Next time you’re in the drug store, grab a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and walk it over to the oral hygiene aisle. Check the active ingredient for most of the whitening toothpastes, mouth washes and whitening cream, gel and strip kits, it probably says hydrogen peroxide. If it’s not the active ingredient, I’m willing to bet that it’s still listed somewhere in the ingredients. That’s the same stuff that you’re holding in the brown bottle and it only costs about $3.

The 21st Century Herbalist: Volume 1, Issue 12

It’s the start of “One Ingredient…One Great Fix” month and I’m starting with one of my favorites, apple cider vinegar. You probably know it best as a culinary ingredient, but it’s so much more than that! I initially intended to give you “one great fix” but apple cider vinegar is so versatile that I couldn’t help myself and I had to give you two great fixes.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
Remove Product-Buildup, Add Shine, Soothe Itchy Scalp

You know all those crazy hair styles you’ve been sporting lately? Your shampoo can only do so much to remove all of the product that you use on your hair and the product that it leaves behind will build up and lead to dull hair. You can also experience lack luster locks because your conditioner may contain glycerin*, which coats your hair making it soft and shiny. It also attracts dust and dirt, which then sticks to your hair and creates buildup.

White Chocolate Bunny Easter Arrangement For Your Table

Easter will be early this year, on April 8th to be exact, and Mom has created a wonderful silk flower centerpiece for this year’s table scape. I love the unique element of having a white chocolate bunny on top that is being haloed by a pretty, pink jewel umbrella above it. This centerpiece comes together pretty quickly and will make a lovely addition to your Easter table.

DIY: Reusable AND Refillable Dryer Sachets

DIY reusable AND refillable herbal dryer sachets from katienormalgirl.com | #DIY #natural #home

It’s time to ditch your dryer sheets and embrace the latest trend in simple, sustainable living…dryer sachets! These chemical-free, all-natural alternative to dryer sheets have been growing in popularity, and this week I’m going to show you how to make your own dryer sachet, that is both reusable and refillable.

Often dryer sachets are sewn shut on all sides and are not refillable without some difficulty and it’s this ability to refill them, that makes this project unique.

These dryer sachets are an easy-sew project, perfect for beginners and can be done by hand or using a sewing machine. It’s also a great opportunity to upcycle old t-shirts, or use up old scraps of fabric from other projects.

I like to take some time on a Sunday afternoon to make a batch of these that can be kept in a basket next to my dryer. As you’re making them for yourself, remember that they also make great housewarming gifts, teacher presents or can be a unique addition to a baby shower gift basket.

Tools & Materials Needed:

Iron and firm surface to iron on
Scissors
Measuring tape or quilter’s square
Sewing machine or needle (if sewing by hand)
4 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ piece of fabric (cotton or linen) and coordinating thread
4″ strip of industrial strength or decor velcro*

*Make sure you are using industrial strength or decor grade velcro for this project. It has double-sided “teeth” that are strong enough to stay closed while tumbling around in the dryer. It can be sew-on or stick-on, for added security, you’ll want to sew it into the sachet, either way.

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How to: Harvest Fresh Aloe Vera Gel

You can use this fresh aloe to soothe minor cuts and burns, including sunburn. It is also an ingredient in my Orange Blossom Face Lotion (recipe coming soon).

Edit: I realize that I should have mentioned that some aloe plants can smell like onion. For more on this topic, check out the comments.

The Many Uses of Olive Oil, Part 1: Basic Skin Care

Olive oil has many wonderful uses outside of the culinary world. In my new series, “The Many Uses of Olive Oil”, I’ll share some great alternative uses that you may not have considered before. Let’s start with some basic uses…no mixing, no blending, no fuss required!

I like to keep a small bottle of olive oil (ideally pure olive oil, not extra-virgin or virgin) next to my bathroom sink, to make application easier. As you’re getting ready for bed, give each of these a try.

Cuticle Moisturizer
Shake the open olive oil bottle with your finger over the bottle’s opening, this will get enough olive oil on the tip of your finger to apply to your cuticles. Repeat until you’ve massaged some olive oil into each cuticle, that’s it! This will keep your nail beds healthy and prevent dry, cracked cuticles.

Lip Balm
Once you’ve got some olive oil on your finger tip, just apply it to your lips as well…they’ll thank you for it!

Deep Moisturizer for Eyes
Use your ring finger for this application, as it is the weakest finger and the skin around your eyes is very delicate. Gently dab a small amount of olive oil beneath your lash line. Then starting at the outside corner of your eye (remember to use your ring finger), gently move your finger under the lash line to the inner corner of your eye, then up into the crease above your eye. Try not to apply directly along the upper lash line, it’s an easy way to get olive oil in your eye (ouch). The natural oils in your skin, will mingle with the oil you rubbed into the crease of your eye and this process will moisturize the lid of your eye, up to the lash line. Continue to gently massage the oil around your eye in this clockwise circle until you’ve rubbed a thin layer all the way around. No additional eye moisturizer required.

Rub any extra olive oil into your hands and have a good nights sleep!

Additional Information
– Olive oil is great for every skin type, especially for those with dry or allergy prone skin.
– Olive oil won’t clog your pores.
– It seems counter intuitive but olive oil is very beneficial to those with oily and acne prone skin.

Homemade: Easy, All-Natural, pH Balancing Facial Toner

It’s a bonus week for Sundays Homemade! Now that you’ve brewed your own Herbal Floral Water, you’ve got a bi-product that shouldn’t be lost down the drain. Turn it into an all-natural, pH balancing facial toner that’s great for all skin types, especially combination and acne prone skin.

You’ll Need:

4 cup, seal-able container (I prefer a large mason jar)
2 cups reserved Herbal Floral Water (dark water)*
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
10 drops peppermint oil

*If you haven’t made the Herbal Floral Water and would like to make this toner: simmer herbs (see herbal floral water for suggested herbs) in distilled water for 1-2 hours, then follow the steps below.

Strain the boiled herbs and their dark water through a fine-mesh strainer, lined with cheese cloth, into a large mason jar.
Add the vinegar and peppermint oil, seal the jar and shake.
After cleansing your face, apply toner and let dry before applying any lotions or creams.

I like to pour some of the final mixture into a container with a smaller opening than the mason jar, making it easier to wet a cloth or cotton pad, for application. The vinegar will act as a preservative, so the smaller batch does not need to be refrigerated; however, I do like to store the remaining mixture in the refrigerator.

Home Brewed: Herbal Floral Water

DIY: Brewing Herbal Floral Water

(Scroll down to view a video version of these instructions)

Growing up, I always adored shelves filled with bottles of potions, lotions and brews. I’ve always been drawn to cabinets lined with jars of herbs, colorful glass bottles, cork stoppers and wooden spoons. Now I am the proud owner of many of these things and there is nothing I enjoy more than creating a new home brew on a rainy Sunday morning.

On this drizzly Sunday morning, I bring you a recipe for a fragrant and oh-so-useful herbal floral water. This water can be used alone as a facial toner, astringent or aftershave, or mixed with additional ingredients to create customized, all natural skin care products.

I like to use the following herbs for my herbal floral water:

3 parts Calendula Flowers – natural acne healing and prevention, good for oily, blemish prone, combination and normal skin types
2 parts Chamomile Flowers – soothing for acne and blemishes, good for all skin types
1 part Yarrow – soothing for acne and blemishes, good for oily, blemish prone, combination and normal skin types
1 part Rosemary – especially good for oily and combination skin
1 part Sage – especially good for oily and combination skin
1 part Lemon Balm – especially good for normal skin types
1 part Rose Petals – any skin type, especially good for dry skin
1/2 part Comfrey Root – soothing and healing for acne and blemishes, good for all skin types