Healing Scents chemical free make-up

I am extremely satisfied with the chemical free make-up that I ordered about a month ago. The company's name is Healing Scents.

The mineral foundation can be a bit tricky to apply but I have found that the easiest way is to just tap a little (a VERY small amount) into my palm and mix it with lotion then apply. I also dab just a little powder on age spots before I apply the lotion mixture. This just gives an 'evening-out' effect to my skin color. I suppose you could apply more if you wanted full coverage but I really don't like to look like I am wearing a lot of make-up.

The mascara is fantastic. I have been wearing the same brand of mascara for over a decade so I was unsure of making the switch. Healing Scents mascara does not smudge or clump and it is easy to apply additional coats and is also easy to remove.

I am using the Lavender Baby Lotion as a face and body lotion and also a very small container of facial moisturizer (can't remember the what I ordered and there is no label on the container). I am certain that my skin is much smoother and I have fewer blemishes. I have just placed another order for more Healing Scents products including some items for my husband.

My only complaint is that the website is a bit difficult to use but I must add that the prices are VERY reasonable, especially for such a quality product.
http://www.healing-scents.com/

I was, just recently, told about another company, Coastal Classic Creations that has an even better safety rating than Healing Scents -- but they are very close. I may try some of their products when I use up what I have but I do have to admit that I do like Healing Scent's prices.

Composting

Why Compost? As an compulsive-obsessive gardener I found I was spending more and more money on my yard. As you might have noticed by now I am very fond of 'free' and 'cheap'. After doing some research I discovered that I already have most of the amendments that I need for a successful garden right in my own house and yard.

Now my take on composting is super lazy; I have three bins with the bottoms cut out. One is for the current years trash. Two is for last years - now usable compost. Three is for leaves from the yard.

In bin one I throw kitchen waste, paper junk mail, and the few paper products that we use. I layer it with leaves (from bin Three) and green yard waste such as grass clippings, prunings from my banana plants and other non-woody garden trimmings. I keep it moist, and throw in red wigglers about once a year. No turning or fussing with it. This supplies me with compost for my garden - free, and cuts down on the number of trips I make to the dump which saves fuel - cheap.

So what about bin Two? Around spring time I shovel all of the compost from the current year (bin One) to the Last Year Bin (bin Two). The bottom of the bin has by then turned mostly into crumbly black brown matter and it will end up on top. I currently have lettuce and carrots which are a fall crop here in the south planted in that bin. In the spring I will spread it all out into the garden beds.

People always worry about the smell - they never smell. If your bin smells it is probably too wet or you have too much green material and not enough dry, such as paper or leaves. For a more scientific approach to composting go to the Simple Organic Compost Recipe shown on the right side of this blog. Happy Gardening!

Homemade Mayonnaise - Simple things

Yesterday I tried my hand at making mayonnaise at home for the first time.

We have eliminated all 'food-like' substances from our pantry and now only eat real foods (foods without chemicals). I have discovered that it is quite a challenge to find foods, other than fresh foods and veggies, that are not loaded with chemicals of some sort or another - and buying organic is not only expensive but requires that I travel a great distance to a specialty store. So the other option is to make my own. Back to the mayonnaise.

For the first attempt I used olive oil. We use great quantities of olive oil so I buy the most economical (cheapest) that I can find. Works just fine for oil and vinegar dressing, cooking, and skin conditioning. In mayonnaise, however, it is an abomination. That batch was thrown out.

For today's attempt I used safflower oil. The result was a very light tasting and wonderfully creamy delight. I was also surprised to learn two things: 1. How simple it is to make. 2. How healthy it is for you. I have always been told that mayonnaise is unhealthy and fattening. How can two egg yolks (from my own hens) and some very good quality safflower oil be unhealthy?

Making mayonnaise may seem like a simple thing, but I was quite tickled with myself that I was able to do it. This reminded me of how our consumer driven disposable society has become almost completely removed from simple living skills. People often ask me "what do you eat?" and when I reply "real food" most of them have no idea what that means.

The 'virtual' world that we have created today is not without it's benefits - I am using one of those benefits right now as I write this blog. However I believe that many of the problems that exist today can be solved by learning simple living skills, such as creating meals from real food, finding entertainment in the out of doors (instead of in front of the TV) and learning to make things that we want with our own hands.

Natural Skin Care, my quest for chemical-free clean

Due to a long list of skin problems that I am trying to keep in check with out taking prescription drugs I have been on a quest for chemical free skin care. I recently read a statement that said "If you can't put it in your mouth, don't put it on your body". So I felt challenged to put this to the test. Here is what I have come up with so far:

OLIVE OIL- For many years I have only used oil to scrub my skin. Just recently I have switched from a store bought bath oil to plain olive oil. I have noticed a remarkable difference in the texture of my skin. No need to use lotion anymore.
VODKA - Use in shampoo, for blemish control, as a disinfectant, toner, and mouthwash (an extra shot in the evening is good too :-)
ROSEMARY - Rosemary smells great! It is reputed to have many uses but I just make a tea and use it as a general rinse after taking a bath - my husband loves the smell.
OIL REVISITED - I use olive or safflower oil to shave instead of shaving cream. Since I started using oil to shave I have had no more razor burn or dry skin after shaving.
SHEA BUTTER (PURE) - This is not the type that you can buy from the big box stores. I bought mine from a store in the underground in Atlanta. They sell pure shea butter that has only been boiled to remove it from the nut and worked by hand to a semi softened state. You must work it with your hands a bit to soften it enough to spread but it leaves my skin silky smooth. Women in Ghana use this shea butter for cooking, skin care, waterproofing, insect control, and an amazing amount of other things around the home.

MAKE UP - I don't' wear a lot of make up but I do like to have a foundation just to even out all of the different colors that come with age and I do like a bit of mascara. I just placed my first order with a company that has signed a compact with the 'Skin Deep' website and I look forward to trying and reviewing their product.

The most amazing part of this project so far is the SAVINGS!! So far it appears that natural skin care is not only more healthy but it can be cheap too - now that's right up my alley!

While I do enjoy modern tools such as the internet, cell phones and solar panels, I am always amazed at what man has been able to accomplish using only the simplest of tools. On a recent trip to Jordan I was fascinated with the complex plumbing systems used to bring water into the old market places, power the fountains, and drain water from the city streets; all this done with out electricity, pvc pipe or plumbers glue. And those systems still exist for us to observe and learn from today - over 2000 years later!

I am reminded of the quote "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it". In this case I believe that we could be, not doomed, but privileged, to repeat the lessons of the past through preservation and replication of the amazing - and simplistic - methods used by our ancestors to harness the benefits of sun, water, and wind.

Rosemary in the Southern Garden

Rosemary is a snap to grow here in the south. Simply plant in a dry spot that gets full sun and leave it alone – except for harvesting that is. When I give someone a Rosemary plant I always tell them to give it no love at all; no water, no fertilizer, and no rich soil.

In return my Rosemary gives me wheelbarrow loads of fresh herb. The one thing that I do have to do to keep the plants in good shape is take frequent cuttings. If it is not cut often the plant starts to turn brown, and then black, at the bottom and will eventually die.

I hate throwing away fresh Rosemary so I often take bags of it to work to give away. Selling herbs at a local farmers market is on my ‘list of things to do’ when I retire. I will have to learn to properly dry and store it though – I haven’t figured that out yet.

I have found that the easiest way to make new plants is to simply pin down a branch and cover with dirt. When the branch takes root cut it from the parent plant and – presto you have a new plant. I like to keep several ‘starters’ going all of the time to give as presents.

One of my favorite ways to use fresh Rosemary is to put fresh sprigs in a pan of simmering water; it is better than any chemical room freshener.

Someone recently told me that they used the woody stems as skewers when grilling chicken – sounds heavenly – I’ll have to try that sometime.

I read somewhere once that growing Rosemary by your front door brings Good Luck. I don’t know if that is true or not but I don’t want to take a chance. I have Rosemary growing by the front AND back door J.

Create an Organic Wildlife Habitat

From death springs new life. The old tree was past its prime, he could no longer withstand the rigors of hot sun and winter winds. In the end the only thing left was his huge stub of a trunk.

My lovely neighbor saw it, not as an eyesore that needed to be removed, but rather an opportunity to encourage new life. Today the old stump is home to butterflies, skinks and toads and is a beautiful addition to the landscape.

http://organicgardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/create_an_organic_wildlife_habitat

Different Languages - One Happy Dance

I saw this video for the first time today and it is a fitting first post to this blog. Positive energy creates positive energy, no matter where you live, what color you are, or what language you speak.

http://lloydkahn-ongoing.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-people-dancing-on-planet-earth.html

--Smile, it's free--