Make Your Own Shampoo and Conditioner

From an article on www.Care2.com

By Elizabeth Seward, Planet Green

Oh, shampoo and conditioner. They keep our hair clean and smelling great. While we all love being clean, shampoos and conditioners aren’t totally innocent products. Most of them are filled with chemicals that aren’t any good for our planet. Since they get washed down our drains, these are important things to think about! On top of that, the containers they come in are typically plastic. Sure, we can always recycle plastic, but isn’t it better to reduce the production of plastic in the areas that we can? I think so.

The answer? Try making your own shampoo and conditioner! You’ll save money and use more natural ingredients. And isn’t it better to know exactly what you’re using on your body?

Here’s a basic recipe for shampoo. Feel free to alter the recipe to make it work the best for your hair type.

You need:
1 empty bottle
3 cups of soap flakes (which you can get almost anywhere)
Water
Essential Oil of Lavender
Essential Oil of Rosemary

Directions:
Mix the soap flakes with the water and then add 4 drops of each oil.

For conditioner, the ingredients are probably already in your house.

You need:
1 empty bottle
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon of baby oil
Water

Directions:
Mix the above ingredients together and you’re good to go!

This post was inspired by Hollywood Green

I haven't tried the above recipes but they do look interesting. Way back in my younger days I did try beer as a rinse and mayo to condition. More recently I have used vinegar as a rinse. Have you used any other home-based products on your hair?

Wordless Wednesday

Everyone has a bad hair day!

Top Ten Favorite Links of Pamper U

Hey, my hubby says I spend way too much time on the computer. Little does he know that I love reading other people's blogs. I've come away with inspiration, great recipes, beauty tips, craft ideas, decorating ideas,homemaking tips and ideas for my own blog articles.

So I thought I'd pass along some of my favorites:

http://www.bakerella.com/ a fabulous site if you love really cute baking ideas such as cake pops

http://www.cinnamonandeverythingnice.blogspot.com/ how to make the perfect pie crust (even with her help I don't think there's any hope for me!)

http://www.bitemebaker.blogspot.com/ a thirteen-year-old's blog. She's a creative baker.

http://www.hostessblog.com/ simple chic fall decorating ideas

http://www.partiesandholidays.blogspot.com/ loads of gift ideas

David J. Pollay's blog http://ow.ly/wnw great inspirational reads

http://www.naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/ I'd check it out just becuz the name is fun. This blog is too!

http://www.lollishops.blogspot.com/ fun items

http://www.happynews.com/ Sometimes you just need some happy news!

Jerry shouldn't complain about my time on the computer. This week he's had a great rice/black bean dish, a pan of fantastic Nanaimo bars and I found an easy Halloween costume idea for him. Although if he figured out how much fun blogs are to read, I might never get a turn on the computer again!

What are some of your favorite blogs?

Halloween Nail Art

I found my black nail polish from last year's Halloween. Not too creative--just slap on the black. I was looking for a little more pizzazz and came across Bella Sugar's website. Bella Sugar has posted a fun guide to Halloween nail polishes! Also included are other cute things like decals. I love the candy corn idea. Now if I can just get Jerry to paint my right hand...


Check out: http://www.bellasugar.com/5390380 for Halloween nail ideas. Let us know if you decide to try one and how it turns out.

Fragrance Fun Facts

When you are shopping for a new fragrance, sniffing many of them can be sensory overload. To prevent this,breathe into a lightly worn t-shirt between inhales. Your own scent will help neutralize the air.

When spritzing a fragrance on focus on your pulse points and let the liquid soak into the skin. Don't rub the fragrance in. This can break down the fragrance's formula which in turn can alter the smell. I didn't know this but the skin behind your ear doesn't hold scent very well at all. I am guilty of spray my perfume there, but no more!

Store your fragrance away from light and heat. These can change your perfume's color and aroma. Keep your bottles in a cool area away from windows, not in your steamy bathroom.

Another important tip: while you may just love the perfume you wear, others might not. Go easy on the amount you use! Your perfume shouldn't outlast your presence.

What's your favorite scent to wear?

A Treat for Your Feet

Someone asked...why do we use kaolin clay in our products?
White Kaolin Clay is found in virtually all powdered and dry cosmetics and most wet cosmetics. Its natural absorbent properties makes it essential in hygiene products and is often found in soaps, scrubs, poultices, deodorants, facial powders and masks. It is the mildest of all clays and is suitable to add to products created for people with sensitive skin. It helps stimulate circulation to the skin while gently exfoliating and cleansing it. It does not draw oils from the skin, so it can also be used on dry skin types without negative results.

Kaolin Clay is high in calcium, silica, zinc and magnesium, which are beneficial for oily, blemished skin. The clay's mildly drying and disinfectant properties help heal existing blemishes and inflammations, while preventing new ones from forming.

Now comes the fun part! You get to decide where you want to use it! You can apply it to your face like a typical clay mask OR you can apply it to your feet! My feet!? Yep, your feet! Why? Multiple reasons actually; clay is drawing, meaning that it is going to pull impurities from the skin. Got feet that don't smell so sweet? Do you take your shoes off and think “omg is that MY feet!?” This will help!

The feet are one of the places on the body that will absorb essential oils the quickest. Lavender essential oil is well known for its calming properties. Add 1 drop or two of lavender to 1-2 T. of the clay (& liquid) to make a mask. As the clay is detoxing your skin, the lavender essential oil will be absorbed and work its magic to calm/soothe the nerves, making this a relaxing ritual.
Let the clay dry for 5-10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Your feet will feel a pulling and tightening sensation.
(This mask can also be applied to the back or chest area where there may be problem skin.)

TIP: Mix 1/2 cup sugar & 1/4 cup of honey in a small bowl. Add 1 squirt of liquid hand/body soap (the amount you would use to wash your hands). Mix well. Wet your feet, scoop some of your sugar mix onto your fingertips and rub in small circles on your feet. This will not only help to remove the clay mask a bit quicker, but it will also exfoliate and soften your feet while rinsing clean!

So in addition to using our clay for a wonderful facial mask you can also use it for a sweet treat for your feet! Gathered From The Garden's White Clay is $8.00 for 4 oz. You can add yogurt, honey or milk to make it more moisturizing or just add water. Very simple!

Pumpkin's Not Just For Pie

Pumpkin makes a great pie or jack-o-lantern but it's also good for your skin. It contains antioxidants that can help keep you looking young. Here's a recipe for a fun face and body mask.

Mix Together

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4cup bentonite clay or kaolin clay

1 T. honey

2 T. water

1 T. Almond Oil

2 tsp.cinnamon

Apply to your face or anywhere else you'd like to smooth. Leave on for about 10 minutes than rinse. The clay will draw out impurities, almond oil moisturizes,cinnamon improves circulation (and smells great) and honey is good for replenishing collagen.

Just remember to put it on your face/body, not eat it! Do you have any favorite pumpkin recipes (ones that you can eat too!) you'd like to share?

More Pink News

October 16 is National Mammography Day. Find a clinic near you--www.nbcam.org

Let Your Hands Do The Talking...

Do your hands reveal your age, disguise your age or do they add years to your look?
What makes hands look older than their years? They actually get more use and abuse and less pampering than your face. Here are some solutions to make your hands look timeless and beautiful.

Sunspots—UV damages pigment producing cells causing brown spots to form. Slather on that sunscreen!!

Veins—To minimize the color contrast between your skin and the dark veins try using a concealer or use a self tanner. Jewelry and manicures help give you a younger look too. Keep nails short (1/8 inch long). Shorter nails soften the appearance of veins.

Dryness—As we age our skin produces less lubricating oil and loses its ability to hold moisture.
Apply lotion throughout the day. Rub it on immediately after washing your hands to seal in moisture. Before using household cleaners or doing dishes apply lotion or a hand cream and pull on cotton-lined gloves.


Gathered From The Garden has the most wonderful Goat Milk and Honey Lotion. It’s our best seller! It is loved by doctors, nurses, teachers, and others who need to do frequent hand-washing. It comes in many fantastic fragrances. Once you try this lotion, you’ll never try another! $11.00/8oz. or $4.50for a 2 oz. purse size.

Our Satin and Silk Shea Butter Lotion is excellent for dry skin too. $12.00/8 oz.

Go to http://www.gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com/

October--Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I am seeing pink everywhere this month! From our MN Vikings to the check-out fella at the grocery store. So here are some facts and info about breast cancer to go along with the pink.

*Vigorous exercise can cut breast cancer risk by 30%! Brisk walking just 3 times a week for 20-30 minutes can make such a difference. Just get out there and move!

*Watch your alcohol intake. Scientists know that there's a clear link between even moderate drinking (yes,red wine too) and an increased risk of breast cancer. Cutting down is very worthwhile!

*Keep your girlish figure. Gaining a significant amount of weight in your 20's-50's doubles your risk of breast cancer.

*Drink more tea. Women who regularly drink tea get some protection against breast cancer.

*Up the fiber! Fiber reduces the risk of breast cancer and keep fibrocystic breast condition and mastalgia (breast pain) at bay. Aim for 28 grams every day. (men should aim for 38)

*Take Vitamin D. This vitamin keeps cancerous cells from multiplying, tells tumor cells to kill each other and produces a tumor-suppressing protein.

*Add lots of fruits,veggies and whole grains to your diet.

*Regular mammograms after age 40 may reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer.


I wasn't aware of this until I read it on the Susan G. Komen (http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer) website. "Age is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer. The older a woman is, the more likely she is to develop the disease. In general, rates of breast cancer are low in women under age 40, begin to increase after age 40 and are highest in women over age 70. In the United States, 95 percent of the women diagnosed with breast cancer each year are age 40 or older. Age is also a risk factor for male breast cancer. However, breast cancer is less common in men than in women ." There is a wealth of information on this website.

Check out the sister website (http://www.shopkomen.com/) where you can buy all kinds of neat pink stuff. 25 percent of your merchandise purchase price will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the fight against breast cancer.

I'm sure there are lots of other great things in pink to buy that benefit Breast Cancer research. Have you seen or purchased anything fun?

Are You Cool or Warm?

I've often wondered about that. Back many years ago, it was a big deal to know if your skin tone was warm or cool. I think there were even parties that you could go to and the hostess would determine that for you. I hadn't given it much thought until I recently read an article about it.
(Was Mona Lisa cool or warm?)

You're probably warm if:

*your eyes are black,brown or hazel.
*your complexion has an ivory or yellowish cast (if light) or an olive cast (if dark).
*gold jewelry looks better on you than silver or white-gold.
*you look better in earth tones such as rust,olive and teal.

*in natural light the veins on the underside of

your wrist appear a greenish color
*you looked washed out in black

Some famous "warm" examples: Nicole Kidman, Meg Ryan, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Hough, Marcia Cross, Calista Flockhart, Rebecca Romjin.


You're probably cool if:

*your eyes are blue,green or gray.
*your skin (if light) has a pinkish cast, (if dark) has a bluish cast.
*silver and white-gold jewelry looks better on you.
*you look good in jewel-toned clothing such as ruby,emerald and purple.
*in natural light the veins are your wrist are bluish.
*you can easily wear black

Famous "cool" examples: Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Courtney Cox, Sandra Bullock, Terri Hatcher, Kirstin Davis, America Fererra, Keira Knightley, Eva Longoria.
***(Cool coloring is much more common than warm. I'm pretty sure I am a "cool" gal!)

You're probably neutral if:

*you look great in both cool and warm colors.

(Remember, these categories have nothing to do with your personality. It simply identifies your natural skin tone.)


Why is this important?

With the correct colors (in cosmetics and clothing):

Your skin tone will appear radiant and glowing
Your eyes will appear brighter and clearer
Your hair will reflect highlights

With the wrong colors (in cosmetics and clothing) :

Your skin tone will appear tired and drained
Your eyes may appear shadowed, dark circles
Even your teeth can appear with a slight yellow hue


You can use the above as a general guide when picking your makeup colors (especially when it comes to lipstick). If you're warm, you're going to tend to look best in brick reds, roses and corals. If you're cool, you'll do best with cooler pinks (like fuchsia) and brighter or truer reds.

Did you know if you were warm or cool before today? Let us know if you are warm or cool!