Pumpkin Soap Recipe

Pumpkin Soap Cold Process Recipe

Today’s recipe is for Pumpkin Soap! For this batch, I added a vanilla spice swirl to give the bar just a hint of warm, fresh-baked scent.

Because I have several sensitive family members, I usually leave bars unscented or very lightly scented with natural ingredients only. If you want your soap to have a more detectable smell, you’ll need to greatly increase the amount of essential oils I list, keeping in mind that vanilla absolute will color your soap brown.

This is a Cold Process Soap recipe. An overview of directions can be found in my Soapmaking 101 post. I also recommend my ebook Natural Soap Making: Cold Process Basics & Recipes in order to learn more about the craft, how to color your soaps naturally, 25 of my favorite palm-free soap recipes, and more!

Natural Soap Making 275 px

The recipe is sized to fit a homemade wooden loaf mold, that my husband made for me. The inner dimensions are roughly: 8″ long x 3.5″ wide x 3.5″ tall if you’d like to make your own. You can also use a regular glass bread loaf pan, lined with parchment paper, instead.


Pumpkin Soap CP Cold Process Recipe
Pumpkin Soap Recipe

Liquid & Lye Portion:

    4.19 ounces lye (6% superfat)
    8 ounces distilled water
Oil Portion (30 ounces total):

    16 ounces olive oil (53%)
    8 ounces coconut oil (27%)
    3 ounces sunflower oil (10%)
    3 ounces cocoa butter (10%)

Make according to general cold process soap making directions. (See Soap Making 101 for an overview.) I buy my lye (100% sodium hydroxide) from my local Tractor Supply Store. You can also order HERE from Amazon.com.

At light trace, blend in:

    2 ounces canned pumpkin

101 Uses for Coconut Oil

Katie - Wellness Mama 646 Comments Affiliate Disclosure

101 Uses for Coconut Oil Wellness Mama 101 Uses for Coconut Oil

I’ve said before that I am with coconut oil like the dad in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” is with windex… I use it for everything. Right now, I have a five gallon bucket of it sitting next to my desk because we use so much and I don’t have anywhere else to keep it…

I love this organic virgin and fair-trade coconut oil from Thrive Market (which is like Costco online but for healthy products). Their coconut oil is 40% off retail. (And Thrive Market sells many other of my favorite products at 30-50% off normal prices!)

Today, I’m sharing my top 101 (yes 101!!) uses for coconut oil:
Uses for Coconut Oil

    In cooking as a great oil with a high smoke point. Great for baking, stir-frys or as a dairy free replacement to butter.
    Added to foods or drinks daily for energy
    As a coffee creamer when emulsified into coffee (The only way I’ll drink coffee)
    On the skin as a basic lotion (or coconut oil lotion bar)
    In homemade lotion bars for soft, smooth skin
    In homemade deodorant or deodorant bars
    As an eye-makeup remover
    As a cloth diaper safe diaper cream (just rub on baby’s bottom)
    In making your own Remineralizing Toothpaste
    To lighten age spots when rubbed directly on the skin
    To prevent stretch marks during pregnancy
    To support healthy thyroid function
    In homemade Mayo without the high PUFA vegetable oils
    To help increase sun tolerance and avoid burning
    As a naturally SPF 4 sunscreen
    In homemade lotion recipes
    To get rid of cradle cap on baby- just massage in to head, leave on for a few minutes and gently rinse with a warm wash cloth
    Topically to kill yeast or yeast infections
    As a delicious tropical massage oil
    It’s high Lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism
    A tiny dab rubbed on your hands and then through hair will help get rid of frizz
    In homemade soap for laundry
    Mixed with equal parts sugar for a smoothing body scrub (use in the shower)
    Rubbed on lips as a natural chap stick
    Topically, can help skin heal faster after injury or infection
    Directly on the perineum to help heal after birth
    As an incredibly intensive natural conditioner- Rub into dry hair, put a shower cap on and leave for several hours
 

5 Natural Face Mask Recipes

Katie - Wellness Mama 32 Comments Affiliate Disclosure

Five DIY Face Mask Recipes from food 5 Natural Face Mask Recipes

For those of us who don’t have the time to escape to a spa for relaxation, these homemade face masks are a great solution for giving skin a boost. Even better, they are all made from completely non-toxic ingredients… in fact, you can eat most of them!
1. Basic Face Mask

Use some bentonite clay or kaolin clay and add enough water to make a paste. Apply to face in a circular motion until face is covered. Let dry and use a warm, wet washcloth to remove.

Good for: All skin types
2. Tropical Mask

Mash one banana with 1 tablespoon of honey and mix until it forms a smooth paste. Apply to face and allow to stay on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well.

Good for: Dry skin
3. Chai  Mask

For a delicious smelling mask that also gently exfoliates skin, mix this mask that doubles as a sweetener for Chai tea. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Rub on face and let sit 20 minutes. Remove with a washcloth and warm water. (Note: some people react to cinnamon or nutmeg on skin. Test a small amount on your inner arm before using)

Good for: oily or normal skin
4. Guacamole Mask

For dry skin, mash 1/2 of a ripe avocado with 2 tablespoons of honey and apply to the face. Let sit 20+ minutes and rinse well.

Good for: All skin types, especially dry skin
5. Cool Cucumber Mask

This one is especially great for oily or inflamed skin. Blend 1/2 of a cucumber with 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of bentonite or kaolin clay. Add additional clay if needed to create a paste. Apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes.

Remove with a washcloth and warm water.

Good for: All skin types, especially cooling for acne prone skin
Aftercare:

After using a facemask, a sea salt spray or 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in 1 cup of cool water work as great toners to lock in the effects.

I find that these all work best in combination with the Oil Cleansing Method for completely natural skin care.

Ever used a face mask made from food? How did it work for you? Share below!

Source: http://wellnessmama.com

Basic pancakes recipe

A delicious and easy pancake recipe that is fast to get on the table and better tasting than any convenience pre- packaged mix.
Serving Size:

8
Category:

Basic recipes, Breakfast, Budget, Cakes & Baking, Dessert, Easy recipes, Kids cooking, Kids food, Lunch box, Pancake recipes, Snacks
Prep Time:

5 mins
Cook Time:

10 mins
Ingredients:

    1 cup (150g) self-raising flour
    1 tbsp sugar
    1 egg, lightly beaten
    3/4 cup (180ml) milk
    50g butter, melted

Method:

In a bowl mix flour and sugar.

Beat in the egg and then milk at little at a time until batter is smooth and lump-free.

In a hot pan or flat grill, brush butter over cooking surface and pour 1/4 cup measures for each pancake.

When large bubbles form on the surface, flip over and cook until lightly golden on the other side.


Notes

    Sprinkle freshly cooked pancakes with fresh lemon juice and a dusting of caster sugar.
    Maple syrup is always a favourite to serve with pancakes, but our Managing Editor's favourite are these orange syrup pancakes.
    If you prefer a slightly fluffier pancake, some people swear you need buttermilk, which apparently traps air bubbles more effectively than this basic pancake recipe.
    If your family is adventurous, try Kidspot's 2-ingredient pancakes. Some families swear by them, while others express disdain at the idea of eggs mixed with mashed banana.
    Chocoholics can delight in our chocolate pancake recipe, or even tempt themselves with a choc chip pancake recipe.
    If your household loves pancakes every weekend, make up this bulk pancake recipe, which will keep in an airtight container for up to three months.
    This caramel banana recipe is a delicious accompaniment to any batch of pancakes, as is this peaches and custard topping.
    Wholemeal apple pancakes or berry pancakes with yoghurt are a great way to add a dash of nutrtitious fruit to a weekend treat breakfast. And don't forget blueberry pancakes. Yum!
    Red velvet pancakes are a nice twist on plain ol' pancakes - try serving these for Valentine's Day or just to show your family how much you love them.
    Adorbs! Try making these Santa pancakes for a Christmas treat breakfast or these teddy pancakes just for fun.
    This recipe was created by Jennifer Cheung for Kidspot.com.au, Australia's best recipe finder.

Cake in a mug recipe

This chocolate cake in a mug is a chocoholic's dream and you can make it in less than 5 minutes - and yes, that does include mixing and cooking time! This cake is dangerous and delicious. Find a scoop of ice-cream to eat with it or just wait in front of your microwave with your spoon ready!
Category:

Budget, Cakes & Baking, Chocolate, Dessert, Easy recipes, Kids cooking, Snacks
Ingredients:

    4 tbsp self-raising flour
    2 tbsp sugar
    2 tbsp cocoa
    1 egg
    3 tbsp milk
    3 tbsp vegetable oil
    1/2 tsp vanilla essence
    1 tbsp chocolate chips

Method:

In a large mug, place all the dry ingredients and mix well with a spoon. Use the spoon to grind all of the cocoa against the side of the cup so there are no lumps.

Add the egg and beat it a little on top of the dry ingredients to break the yolk.

Add the oil, milk and vanilla and mix until well combined.

Stir the chocolate chips in and put into the microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Serve with a nice big scoop of ice-cream.
Notes

    This a dirty little secret and should only be shared with other chocoholics so shhhhh.
    Mix it really well and you will end up with a cake that rises beautifully and has a  great texture.
    This recipe was created by Jennifer Cheung for Kidspot, Australia's best recipe finder.

5 Amazing Ways to Use Oil in Your Beauty Routine

Sometimes the best beauty treatments are the simplest—a  one-ingredient facial or DIY toner can be surprisingly effective.

 That’s why one of our favorite beauty treatments is oil. Before there were expensive creams and over-the-top serums, people were using natural plant oils to keep their skin silky smooth and moisturized. Ready up on a few of our favorite beauty hacks using oils.

1. Face Rejuvenator

It seems counterproductive, but fighting oil with oil can be effective. Use a dollop of grapeseed or jojoba oil, and massage it into your skin. Wipe off oil with a hot, wet washcloth. Your skin will feel clean, refreshed, and soft.

2. Skin Softener

Use a teaspoon of coconut oil as a natural alternative to moisturizer. It’s gentle enough that it won’t cause breakouts, but it will still leave your skin soft and supple.

3. Body Scrub

Mix together almond oil and sea salt for a gentle scrub, or try this version with epsom salts. Make sure the consistency is gentle enough that the salts won’t hurt your skin. Slather this mixture all over your body in the shower. You can also use this DIY scrub to exfoliate your lips!

4. Hair Revitalizer

Plop some coconut or olive oil into your hair, and let it absorb for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse it out with some shampoo. This treatment will leave your hair tangle-free and extra shiny.

5. Nail Strengthener

Heat up a small amount of olive oil in a saucepan, and pour the hot olive oil into a dish. Let it cool down until the olive oil is warm, but not scorching. Dip your nails into the oil and let them soak for 5 to 10 minutes.

The olive oil strengthens your nails and gives them a brilliant luster.  Consider doing this every time you remove nail polish—both nail polish and acetone polish remover can leave your nails dry and depleted of nutrients.

Written by Gina Vaynshteyn, this post was originally found on ThriveMarket

5 Natural Lip Balms + Recipes to Make Your Own

I’ve been loving sharing my how-to’s on stuff like laundry detergent and deodorant with you. Continuing in that tradition, this week I’ll be focusing on natural lip balms. Though I live nearly full time in sunny California, I’m back home this month in New York City and freezing my butt off! Cold temps lead to chapped lips and the constant need for balm application, but even warm weather folks will get long-term use out of learning how to make their own lip creams.

There are TONS of amazing recipes out their for lip balms, and we’ve included our favorite below. However, here are some others incase our fave doesn’t do the trick:

    Round-up of ten amazing lip balms including a lip stain, peppermint flavored cool lip balm, a few chocolate themed recipes, beeswax options and more! (DearCrissy.com)
    Mandarin Nutmeg, anyone? (MountainRoseHerbs.com)
    If you’re a visual learner, check out the video below for a beeswax recipe!

Before getting started, we suggest checking out this hilarious blog entry from Not Martha where the blogger outlines her experiences and letdowns with lip balm recipes and creation.

GLOSSY LIP BALM RECIPE

Ingredients:

    2 oz. + 1 heaping Tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
    1.5 tsp vitamin E Essential Oil (You can use the gel caps or the dropper formula)
    2 oz Cosmetic Grade Beeswax
    Plastic Lip Balm Containers (you can order them online here)
    Optional: 25 drops vanilla essential oil or peppermint essential oil (or whatever scent you prefer, just make sure to use an essential oil for fragrance)
    Optional: A slice of your favorite colored lip stick if you’d like to add a slight tint to the balm.