Beauty regime and other such sundries..

Seems the last few days I have been involved in sereval conversations about, what type of beauty products I use or make so I thought it would make a good post.
I make our shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and lotion. We use Dr Bronners castile soap for bathing, I just heard about KIRKS too. Toms oF Maine tooth paste or Trader Joes brand ( same ingredients less cost). Kielhs lip balm with spf 15 on my lips and Kielhs Silk Groom in my hair, I also only wash my hair every 3 days or so, this keeps may hair from drying out. Occasionally we will use lavender scented Vaseline for extra dry skin or on my sons nose when its runny. Epsom salts are used in every bath, as well as sprayed on our dogs bellys ( for hot spots) ( thanks AMY for the suggestion!)

For cleaning products it Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaning for most everything, Clear Choice for stains, and Borax in the laundry. Baking soda and salt for any thing that needs to be scrubbed and vinegar wiped with newspaper for the windows.


During the winter we have 2 humidifier that are in each bedroom that run at nite with water and eucalyptus oil to hydrate the skin and open the lungs. If someone starts feeling under the weather or has a sore throat, lots of zinc and castor oil hot packs on the throat in the morning ( you may think I'm crazy but this really works), and gargling with warm salt water, something that my son thinks is the funniest thing his mom has ever done

I have really bad dry skin, even in the summer! After a shower and before I dry off I spray baby oil on my skin then towel off this helps trap in moisture to the skin. Every other day ( just in the winter) I make a scrub from sea salt, olive oil and lemon juice, there are no measurements just a nice consistency, like wet sand and the juice of a half lemon. I use this as a face scrub as well as on my neck, hands and arm. I usually dont need any lotion on my face when I do this and no the olive oil does not make my skin break out.

One of the best techniques I have used for almost 5 years now is body brushing, use a soft bristle body brush ( you can find them where they sell loofahs) and you brush your skin in short strokes all over you body ALWAYS brushing towards your heart. This helps exfoliate dry skin and helps with circulations!

I usually have a Mrs. Meyers Lavender candle burning when Im working, It was the same scented candle that I burned when I was in labor with Brix, this smell instantly makes happy, strong and joyful! I have a constant supply of lavender oil and put it in all my homemade products as well as on my wrist pretty much every day.

I also ...try... to do a combo or yoga/pilates at least 4 days a week and mediated for an hr each week ( 10 mins here, 20 mins there) Its good to stop and silence your self and just listen to the Universe , it has some amazing things to tell you....

In addition to all of this my family lives a vegetarian life style, we do not consume cows milk, we do eat cows cheese and yogurt but its always organic, I only drink, water & tea, occasionally we will get juices ( carrot, cran or pom) Dru drinks espresso a habit I just recently kicked! I truly believe our food choices contribute to our good health!

Also I am completely ANTI, anti bacterial soaps, I believe that they do us harm by never allowing our body's/ immune systems to be exposed to everyday bacteria thus actually weakening our immune systems so when it does come in contact with say ... oh the flu or a cold our immune system is not strong enough to fight it. Do I have a medial degree NO do I have research or websites to back up my beliefs, NO ( but Im sure they are out there) I just have my common sense to go on! We use plan ol' soap to wash our hands Dr Bronners tea tree!

What your favorite homemade beauty tricks?