Category: Health and beauty

Posted in Health and beauty, Recipes

Congestion Remedy

Posted on by junebugphx

( I bring back this post from 2017 because everyone in my house is coming down with some sort of late summer cold, leading me to make this a lot this past week so I thought I’d share just in case I’m not the only one fighting off congestion. )

I woke up with a sore throat and head congestion that couldn’t be denied. I felt it coming on for about a day but somehow thought if I didn’t acknowledge it then I would stay healthy. Everyone around me have been dropping like flies so I should have known better.

As I got out of bed there was no denying it, I was sick. My mind went back to a Pinterest picture I had seen a while ago on a sore throat and congestion remedy that was supposed to be fast acting. I thought no time like the present to try it out and hopefully it might help.

I am sad to say that I don’t remember the person who posted it but if you are out there let me know so I can give you credit for this home remedy. I mixed it together and not only did I feel I could swallow again without feeling every part of my poor sore throat, but my congestion is some better. So, kudos to who thought this up, it works great!!! If you can get past the taste, it is SO worth it.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoon of Honey

I warmed up the vinegar then mixed in the honey and lemon.

Posted in essential oils, Health and beauty

Natural Nose Spay

Posted on by junebugphx

Spring may not be in full bloom for a lot of us but those dreaded allergies will be coming soon enough, so because of this I thought I would share a different kind of recipe for you to try.

I worked for years in an ENT office. When I would give info to my patients, I found it was always the simple home remedies that usually worked best.

This is easy to make, does not take long and can be used when needed without side effects. (It’s always best to consult your physician before starting any home remedies)

Nasal spray bottle

Salt

Essential oils :

4 drops of Frankincense, 6 drops of Lavender, 3 drops of Melaleuca tea tree

distilled water

To make this put a pinch of salt in bottom of spray bottle add the essential oils let the oils absorb into the salt then add the distilled water to top of bottle.

Posted in Health and beauty, Recipes, Uncategorized

Eating in this Autum season

Posted on by junebugphx
squash lot
Photo by Madison Inouye on Pexels.com

I know I’m going to sound like a broken record, but this time of year is defiantly my favorite and if I wasn’t on bed rest, I could finally enjoy the beautiful weather outside and go on my long walks and hikes but since I am inside (at least for now) I thought why not share about the benefits of eating with the seasons and what this season has to offer us.

Did you know that eating seasonally helps with our immunity and microbiome in our gut. They have done studies of people that eat with the season and found that they have a healthier microbiome in their gut because of the way our bodies change with the seasons making our nutritional needs to change.

Like in the summer we tend to go for things that hydrate or cool us down but as the temperature drop (even in places like Phoenix) we tend to go more for things that warm or comfort us or are a little heartier.

I find it so interesting that the dark leafy greens, onions, parsnips, pumpkin and squash that we harvest this time of year are perfect for warming us and giving us a little heartier meal.

Here is a list of some of the wonderful foods we can eat during this season of fall.

close up of apples in wooden bowl
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Apples, as a snack by itself or add things like cheese, PeanutButter. You may want to bake with them, like muffins, pancakes or even try them baked if you want a little warm easy desert. Just remove the core then filling with brown sugar, cinnamon, butter and oatmeal making a crumble. Place cored apples in baking pan, fill with crumble pour boiling water in baking pan cover and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

photo of pumpkins
Photo by lil artsy on Pexels.com

“Winter” Squash, can be roasted, steamed, used in soups, breads, pasta, casseroles and even of course deserts, plus their seeds can be roasted for a healthy snack.

sliced vegetables on brown wooden plate
Photo by Eva Bronzini on Pexels.com

To finish off the list,

Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Collard Greens, Cranberries,
Dates, Figs, Garlic, Kale, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Pears, Persimmons,
Spinach, Swiss Chard, Turnips and last but not least Pumpkins.

You can see that there is such a wide variety of wonderful things we can eat in this season.

Posted in essential oils, Green Cleaning Tips, Health and beauty

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner

Posted on by junebugphx

My daughter always tells me I should clean my brushes and I must confess that I might do it once a year! I know, that sounds bad but in my defense my go to daily makeup routine is mascara and chapstick. I feel like a runway model when I use tinted moisturizer and as for contouring I don’t even have a clue.

So since I feel I have such limited use with my brushes I thought I could be lazy but I really shouldn’t, so when I read a cool green cleaning tip for makeup brushes (on Young Living)  I thought  for all of us that don’t clean them but should and those great people who do clean here is an easy to do DIY.

 

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Ingredients:
1 cup witch hazel
4 teaspoons liquid castile soap
5 drops Lavender essential oil
5 drops Tea Tree essential oil

 

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Store in a glass bottle.
How to clean your makeup brushes:
Pour half of the makeup brush cleaner into a cup.
Wet the bristles of the makeup brush by holding the brush vertically, bristles down, under running water.
Once the bristles are wet, dip them in the cleaning solution.
Using a textured surface, scrub the brush in a circular motion.
Repeat steps 3-5  or until makeup is completely out of the brush.
Rinse the brush until there are no more bubbles or soap in the bristles.
Gently squeeze excess water out of the brush and lay it flat to dry.

Toss used cleaner.

Posted in essential oils, Health and beauty

Skin Moisturizer

Posted on by junebugphx

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3 ingredient moisturizer

 

I always like to use natural products for my skin or cleaning but I also enjoy making them myself.

I have found a very easy three ingredient moisturizer that is amazing if you have dry skin and a few moments then give this a try, you will be amazed at the results.

Ingredients:

Aloe Vera Gel

Coconut Oil (make sure you use organic unrefined)

Lavender essential oil

1/2 cup Coconut oil ( melted down)

1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel

15-20 drops of Lavender essential oil

After you have melted down the coconut oil pour into a bowl adding the aloe vera gel and lavender. Stir together and place in containers with a lid. Store in cool dry place.

 

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Finished Product

If you would like to know more about essential oils or purchase products you may find them at my web site that I provided below.

https://www.myyl.com/gwynsch

 

 

Posted in Health and beauty

DYI Face Mask

Posted on by junebugphx

Here is a quick do it yourself mask at home that doesn’t cost much but the benefits are great.

I found this mask on Pinterest and yes it is one that is not a Pinterest fail.

(This will also go well with the blog on Geranium oil)

2 Tablespoons of raw honey

1 Tablespoon of baking soda

and if you choose you may also add a few drops of Geranium oil.

Mix all together, massage in a circular motion. leave on for 15-20 minutes then rinse

This is so simple but gives great results.

 

Posted in essential oils, Health and beauty

6 Essential Oils For Skin

Posted on by junebugphx

From the accent times to now  people have used essential oils in all aspects of their life. I will touch on just six that have wonderful benefits for they have for skin.

The first is Lavender, this one is a great oil to start with. Not only is it a multipurpose  oil but it is gentle enough for all skin types.  I will give a few ways on how to use this oil for your skin.

  1. Simple way to try this oil is add a drop or two to you facial moisturizer. This will give you a mini facial.
  2. A great body scrub, use coconut oil, sugar and a couple drops of lavender oil. The amount you use is up to you depending on your taste.
  3. If a spa is what you want to go for then use Epsom salt and again its up to you on the amount, then start with adding 2-6 drops of lavender oil in you bath water with the Epsom salt.

The next oil is Frankincense, this oil has been sought after for so many centuries and regarded as a sacred oil. This oil is also for all skin types but is very beneficial for rejuvenating and moisturizing skin so this is so wonderful for more mature skin.

  1. To boost your skin’s radiance after cleansing put a drop or two on your finger  rubbing into you skin,then apply moisturizer.

The 3rd oil is Cedarwood this too is good for all skin types and one that is great not only for skin but your hair as well, this will nourish your skin and hair.

1.  Add 2-6 drops to your favorite lotions, it is totally up to you on the amount. This oil has a woody fragrance so go slow and add as you feel is best.

2. Since Cedarwood is great for hair/scalp mix 5-8 drops into coconut oil massage into scalp 30-60 minutes before showering. wash and rinse as normal.

3.Add 3-4 drops to a bowl of hot water, put your face over the bowl with a towel over your head then breath deeply for a few minutes. This will open your pores giving you a facial and with this calming aroma it has a soothing affect for you to enjoy.

 

The Fourth oil is Tea Tree oil, this is wonderful for oily skin because of cleansing properties that it has.

  1. Use as a spot treatment by putting on a few drops to a cotton swab apply to problem areas.
  2.  Add 1-2 drops to your shampoo lather let sit for a few minutes, you will feel is working. Rinse as usual.

Now number five, Geranium oil, this is for all skin types but really helps all those who suffer with dry skin. This oil helps sooth and tone skin but will not dry the skin out.

  1. Use 1-2 drops to a face mask (I will put a DYI mask on my blog that will work great with this)
  2. Put 4-5 drops in two oz  of water then spray on for a revitalizing effect.

For the last of the six but not the least is Ylang Ylang  this is a uplifting fragrance oil that is good for all skin types but works really well on dry or mature skin to revitalize and moisturize.

  1. Add several drops in to a carrier oil, one of many is coconut oil. Apply this combination to the skin. For better results massage into the skin.
  2. Add 2-3 drops to your bath water.
  3. This oil is fine if applied directly to your skin. You may apply 1-2 drops or as needed to your skin and moisturize as normal.

 

I enjoy learning about oils and how to use them, I learn from many different books but one useful source that I use a lot is Youngliving and that is because I am a distributor with them and like the seed to seal promise they  give but the information I have is not bias to them. It can be backed up by other sources and you may use what oils you find best.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Health and beauty

Home Remedy for Congestion

Posted on by junebugphx

With the season of congestion in full swing I thought of a great home remedy that can be easily made because the ingredients can be found in most homes, plus this can be  made in a few minutes.

1/4 Teaspoon  of Cayenne Pepper (powder)

1/2 Teaspoon  of Ginger powder

2 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Tablespoon of Water

1 Tablespoon of Honey

Dissolve cayenne and ginger in apple cider vinegar and the water.

Add honey then shake well.

Take as needed,  this is great for a cough and/ or tight congestion.

Posted in Health and beauty

Sunscreen

Posted on by junebugphx

In theses long days of summer it made me think of sunscreens.

We need to protect our skin all year and here is a great recipe so you can make it at home.

You will need:

1 cup of coconut oil, 1 cup shea or coco and 1 cup bees wax plus 2 Tablespoon Noonan zinc oxide,1 teaspoon vitamin E..add any essential oil of your choice just not a circus.

Mix,melt first three ingredients remove from heat then add the zinc and essential oils.

This a great and safe for young and old.