Green Babies, Sage Moms

My niece just had a beautiful baby girl, which started me thinking about all new moms. This blog is for you!

Baby toys:

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the chemicals phthalates and bisphenol-A. Alarmingly and unfortunately, they can be found in many items your baby may be using and actively mouthing every day: teething rings, soft plastic toys, and baby bottles for example.

As with the ingredients in cosmetics, the U.S. does not require manufacturers to disclose ingredients in most nonfood consumer products, so until the do, we will have to be the watchdogs for our children's safety.

RED FLAGS:

soft squishy toys
anything that has a new-plasticky smell
vinyl washable baby books
most soft teethers, especially the water or gel-filled kind that can be put in the freezer.

Fortunately, there are lots of new companies (and some old ones too) making safer options available.
This is from the book Green Babies, Sage Moms by Lynda Fassa.

For hundreds of years, parents have trusted teethers and toys made from wood. Now scientists have documented that wood has natural antibacterial properties.

GREEN FLAGS:

www.rosiehippo.com

www.plantoys.com

www.monkeybeantoys.com

Congratulations to all new moms, and to all moms everywhere. I hope this has been helpful to you.

Natural Healthy Beauty Recipes

CITRUS COOLER LOTION

4 T. glycerin

40 drops oil of orange
4 T. lemon juice
Combine ingredients in a clean glass bottle. Shake well and refrigerate.

Cocoa Butter Hand Cream

4 tbs. beeswax
4 tbs. cocoa butter
4 tbs. almond oil
Melt together beeswax and cocoa butter. Add almond oil. Mix completely
until smooth. (May use blender). Pour into a pretty pot or jar. Let
harden and it is ready to use or to be given as a gift.

Cuticle Cream

3 tbs. paraffin
1/2 cup mineral oil
1 tbs. coconut oil
1 tbs. glycerin
Slowly heat paraffin with the oils in a double boiler. Stir until blended.
Add in the glycerin and remove from heat. Let cool before using.

Fall Harvest Massage Oil

Fall Harvest Massage Oil
12 tsp. grapeseed oil
6 drops bergamot oil
2 drops cardamom oil
2 drops jasmine oil
1 drop orange blossom oil
This is a citrus-scented massage oil. Blend ingredients well. Pour into a
small bottle and seal well. Warm up oil before doing any massage.

Use Natural Ingredients to Make Your Own Cuticle and Nail Moisturizer

PERFECT MOISTURIZING HAND CREAM

The proportions of this creme are about one part oil base to one part water, essential oils, and vitamins. In the oil  base ingredients, the proportions should be approximately two parts liquid oil to one part solid oil.

Top water is not recommended in the water ingredients because it can sometimes introduce bacteria to your creme that results in the growth of mold. If using aloe vera, the creme will be more dense but very moisturizing.

Oil-based Ingredients 

3/4 cup (180 ml) apricot oil and/or almond oil

1/2 cup (125 ml) coconut oil and/or cocoa butter

1 teaspoon (5ml) anhydrous lanolin

1/2 ounce (15g) grated beeswax

Water, Essential Oils, and Vitamins

2/3 cup 150 ml) distilled water, rose water, or orange flower water

1/3 cup (75 ml) aloe vera gel

A few drops of the essential oil of your choice

Vitamins A and E (optional)

To Make

1. Heat the oil base ingredients over low heat in a double boiler until the solid oils are melted. Stir gently to mix well.

2. Pour the oil mixture into glass measuring cup and cool to room temperature. The mixture should become thick, creamy, semisolid, and creme-colored. When completely cooled, you are ready for the next step.

3. Place the water, aloe, essential oil, and vitamins in a blender,

4. When most of the oil base mixture has been added and the cream resembles a butter-cream frosting (you may not need to use all of the oil base mixture), turn off the blender. Do not over beat. The cream should be rich and thick and continue to thicken as it sets up.

5. Pour into cream jars, label and store in a cool place.

Thanks to Rosemary Gladstar and Sage Mountain Herbs for sharing this recipe.

Citrus and Mint Facial Toner Recipe.

You will get a salon quality facial toner for a fraction of the price with this wonderful recipe.

Ingredients

Alcohol is a common ingredient in toners. However, because alcohol can exacerbate dryness, people with parched skin may wish to leave it out of their recipe. Instead, they can substitute it for an equal amount of witch hazel. Under no circumstances should you use rubbing alcohol in your recipe since it is a potential skin, eye, and sinus irritant. Instead, I recommend using vodka.

Recipe

Mix 6-drops each of lemon, orange, and mint essential oils in 1-cup of distilled water. Add one tablespoon of vodka or witch hazel. Once you have assembled all your ingredients, locate a container to store the toner in. Most drug stores sell small spray bottles and plastic containers that will work well.

Use a funnel to transfer the liquid into your final container. Secure the lid and you are ready to use your refreshing facial creation.

How to Use Your Toner

You should use your toner every day after you wash your face and before you apply moisturizer. It can also be used conveniently throughout the day. I would recommend saturating a clean cotton ball with toner and wiping it over the entire face. Repeat the process with new cotton balls until you can see no more traces of dirt on them. In this way, you more effectively wipe away residue. However, if you just want to decrease shine in between cleansings, try applying toner with a fine mist spray bottle. Just be sure to close your eyes tightly if you do so since the ingredients sting when they get into the eyes.

You will also get to enjoy your citrus mint toner's uplifting scent every time you use it. For everyone who craves the feeling of salon pampering but also loves a bargain, this is an ideal recipe to try.

Make Your Own Cutting Board Sanitizer

Cutting boards are kitchen essentials. Use whatever board you are comfortable with, but keep in mind that Bamboo is one of the most durable and sustainable materials for cutting boards.

A Bamboo cutting board should be treated like one made of wood: Don't submerge it in water, and massage it with vegetable oil from time to time.

1/4 cup 3 % hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
4 drops grapefruit seed extract
4 drops essential oil of oregano
1 tablespoon baking soda

Mix the hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, grapefruit seed extract, and essential oil of oregano in spay bottle or bowl.
Sprinkle the baking soda on the cutting board.
Spray the board with or dunk a clean sponge in the mixture and scrub the board. It should fizz up a storm.
Wipe the board thoroughly with fresh water before using it.

Body Spritzer

Body Spritzer

Add water or witch hazel to a spray bottle and add several drops of your favorite Essential Oil depending on how strong you want it (about 2-10 drops per ounce of water or witch hazel). Be sure to do a patch test to make sure you do not have any problems with the oil you have selected. Shake the bottle often while you spray as the water and oil will separate. Can be used head to toe (Do not spray it in your eyes or other sensitive places, of course).