Detox Bath
Ingredients:
2 Cups Epsom Salt 1 Cup Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Sea Salt (you can buy this in bulk to cut costs)
Directions:
Draw yourself a nice hot bath. Add each of the above ingredients to your bath and stir until dissolved. Soak for at least 10 minutes to get the full benefit. If you are familiar with dry brushing, you can do this prior to getting into the bath to further increase the detoxification process.
Kale Chips
Kale is in season at the farmers' market this month and is one of the most nutrient dense vegetables around. It's hard to find creative ways to get the kids to eat their greens, but here is a surefire way to get them to eat healthier!
Ingredients:
• Organic Kale
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (remember to use cold pressed or expeller pressed)
• Salt and Pepper
• Other desired spices
Directions:
• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
• Wash and thoroughly dry fresh kale.
• Tear the Kale into pieces the size of tortilla chips.
• Dress and toss the chips lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper and any other desired spices
• Spread out on a cookie sheet and bake for 20 (low and slow!). Check on the chips after 15 minutes.
They are best right out of the oven!
Homemade Yogurt
Not only is this incredibly easy to make, but it is amazingly inexpensive as well. If yogurt is a staple item in your home, then this is something you have to try. Now, in addition to being easy and cheap, it is very delicious and you can control the added sugar content. How fabulous it that?
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
1 cup of organic plain greek yogurt
4 cups of organic milk
Directions:
Pour milk into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, but do not scald. Bubbles should be along the edge of the pan. (This process is killing any bacteria that would inhibit the yogurt culture)
Let the milk cool to room temperature. Do not allow the milk to get cold.
Pour milk into a glass bowl. Add 1 Cup of organic greek yogurt to the bowl of milk and mix gently. Now cover the bowl.
Place the bowl in a consistently warm place 80-90 degrees. Example: Top of refrigerator or in warm garage during summer months.**
In about 8 hours you will have your homemade yogurt. It should have a jello like consistency. Now take out 1 cup (if you would like) to use for your next batch which will replace the greek yogurt.
NOTE: If you let your yogurt sit too long it will form a clear liquid on top. This will make your yogurt taste bitter.
You can add many things to your yogurt to make it super yummy. I add a little bit of organic madegascar vanilla extract and a few drops of stevia to make a delicious low sugar vanilla yogurt. Also, add some ground flax seed for an added health benefit! Some other things people use are honey, fresh fruit, jam or wheat germ. I also make my own yogurt salad dressings from this too. Enjoy! :)
** There are also many electric yogurt makers you can purchase. Try looking at the Yogourmet and the Euro Cuisine.
Body Polish | Salt Scrub
Fancy salt scrubs from a spa or body store can cost upwards of $15, but salt scrubs are one of the easiest beauty products you can make at home using the same ingredients as all those fancy store bought ones. This recipe is for the most basic salt scrub.
Ingredients:
- Oil Blend
- 3 oz. of Almond (med) Seasame (heavy) or Apricot (light) oil
- 20-50 drops of your favorite essential oils
- Epsom Salt or Theraputeic Sea Salt
Directions:
Place 3 oz. of oil blend in a glass or metal wide mouthed bowl. Top with salt. POUR SLOWLY and mix with a fork while pouring. Add enough salt to make your preferred consistentcy. Once mixed, pour your creation into a working glass or a glass container with a cover. I personally stay away from any plastic to keep the product pure. You can get working glasses at most health food stores.
Benefits:
- Exfoliation - Salt scrubs exfolitate away your dead skin cells leaving you with a fresh new layer of smooth skin.
- Detoxification - Salt scrubs gently pull out toxins and relax tense muscles (epsom salt)
- Hydration - Essential oils and fixed oils re-hydrate and nourish your skin!
Notes:
- Use pure, organic and quality essential oils ONLY. I recommend using DoTerra, Veriditas Botanicals or Elizabeth Van Buren. Sadly some of the oils at health food stores are not that great.
- Test the scrub on a small area of your skin before you use it all over your body. Do this to make sure that you do not have a reaction.
- Don't use salt scrub if you have any cuts, have just shaved or have just been sun bathing.
- If you have sensitive skin, be careful of using fragrances and essential oil. Essential oils are VERY powerful. The scrub works just as well if you skip the essential oils.
