Easy Face Mask 4 Wrinkles & Toning

Photo credit: Mountain Rose Herbs

Every month I order some new organic/natural products from Mountain Rose Herbs. This past month I ordered a variety of products to make a homemade facial scrub. I was excited to be able to experiment, and play with the items I ordered.

One of the ingredients I ordered was French Green Clay. I have never used any type of clay, and did not know what to expect. What I received was a 1 lb bag of powder, yes it is a powder, I paid $10.75, and know this is going to last a long time. I used to spend $20-$30 on brand name products which lasted about two months, this is going to last longer, and is half the price.

I used some in my facial scrub which makes it look kinda gross, but the real surprise was using the clay in a facial mask. All you have to do is put some in the palm of your hand, add water, put it on your face, let it dry, and just wash it off. However, you know me I have to change things, so I added some wheat germ oil (8 oz $16) to it. While it will not fully dry I saw results immediately after I washed it off. I also need to say I never used it with just water, and after the results I got using it with the wheat germ oil I am not sure I will.

Now I do not have any heavy duty wrinkles, but I also started prevention during my early 30s. I totally believe in prevention, why wait until you have an issue to deal with head it off at path. At 48 I have noticed the skin under my eyes losing elasticity, so my goal has been tighten it back up.  Well, I found it!!! I could see a difference in the skin right away. I skipped one day, and noticed a difference, so I will be using this every day. While I can not say it will totally reduce wrinkles I can say you should see a difference immediately. I will be using this every day, when used this way I saw changes each time.

My skin looks healthier, younger, and feels great!!!! 

You can learn more about French Green Clay and Wheat Germ Oil at the Mountain Rose Herbs web site. Please use the affiliate link on the right, from there you can search the site at the upper right side of the page.

Have you ever used French Green Clay?

This blog shared at Living Green Tuesdays Link Up

GMO Free Open Pollinated Seeds & Giveaway

Photo credit: Oregon Culinary Institute Blog

In lite of Proposition 37, and so many people becoming aware of Monsanto, and all the GMOs (genetically modified organisms) I felt a need to share a great resource for GMO free open pollinated seeds.

I found "Mary's Heirloom Seeds" through a blog hop, and she was hosting a giveaway. Yeah!!! I was the runner up, and received a free packet of basil. At the time I won I had no idea that I was getting GMO free open pollinated seeds. I was tickled to death when I read this information on the seed packet, and placed an order for more seeds.

Photo credit: Mary's Heirloom Seeds

Purchasing products which are healthier for me and my family is important to me. Mary uses her product  which is also very important to me. While our government promotes GMOs they nor their families ingest them, but want us to. Mary is great about sharing her knowledge of the seeds she sells, and very approachable. She has agreed to giveaway her "In the Kitchen" seed pack which contains the following Basil-Fine Verde, Cilantro, Dill Vierling, Oregano, Tarragon, and Thyme. Okay so hopefully I have your attention, and want to share some questions I had for Mary, and her responses.

Photo credit; Mary's Heirloom Seed

Hi,  I'm Mary!  I am so excited to be able to share my passion for heirloom seeds and organic gardening.

You may have noticed that the price on food, especially produce has been going up.  The quality, not to mention the nutritional value, has been suffering for quite a while.  I have been growing my own vegetables and besides the money they save me the flavor is WAY better than the vegetables available at the supermarket.  It also makes me feel less dependent on the supply and I know what goes on my veggies.  I put together a few packages of seeds that seem to belong together and the individual seeds are available also.  

It's Your Life:  Heirloom seeds are past down and can go back many generations how are yours heirloom?
 
Mary: Heirloom varieties are those that can be traced anywhere from 50 years to more than 500 years.  Take for example the Calabrese Broccoli. This heirloom variety was introduced into America from Italy in the 1880s. The French Breakfast Radish is a pre-1885 French Heirloom grown in the US.

The varieties I have chosen to offer at Mary's Heirloom Seeds are hardy varieties.
A seed that has been tampered with such as genetic engineering is not an heirloom variety.  You will not find "frankenseeds" at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.

It's Your Life: Where do the seeds come from?
 
Mary: All of the seed varieties are grown in the US.  I buy them in bulk from a reputable supplier in the US who is a big supporter of the non-gmo movement.
I have signed the Safe Seed Pledge.  I would not sell anything that I would not grow in my own garden!

It's Your Life:  How long have you been selling seeds?
 
Mary: I have been researching non-gmo versus gmo, organic versus conventional seed varieties for 4 years.  I started Mary's Heirloom Seeds in 2011.  Deciding which seed varieties to start with was no easy task.  I started small with a few tomato varieties and a few veggies.  I eventually added herbs and a few more veggies.  In 2012 I added organic sprout seeds and sprouting kits.  I hope to increase the heirloom seeds varieties quite a bit in 2013!

It's Your Life: What made you decide to start selling GMO free open pollinated seeds?
 

Mary: After years of researching nutrition and health I knew I needed to start growing a few things.  I started on my apartment balcony using whatever seeds I could find.  I remember I tried strawberries and tomatoes at first.  It was a disaster! 

I had to do quite a bit more research into seed varieties before I decided that non-gmo, open-pollinated is the only way to go.  Unlike hybrids or GMO’s which often have problems reproducing to the parent strain, Heirloom seeds can be saved and replanted, ensuring a trustworthy supply of food year after year.

Photo credit: Mary's Heirloom Seeds

Mary is also having a sale on her sprouting kits until October 31, 2012 with free shipping on orders over $25. Two ounces of free seeds with the purchase of each sprouting kit, making it a total of 4 ounces of seeds.

                                  SAFE SEED PLEDGE

 "Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms poses great biological risks, as well as economic, political and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately healthy people and communities."   http://www.seed-network.org/network/members.php

Genetic Roulette Movie The Gamble of our Lives lengthily, but a great source of education on GMOs.

You can also find Mary blogging on her other blogs as well as on Facebook.

 Back to the Basics

Mary's Kitchen

I am making it easy to enter, personally I don't like all the follow this, and that, so just leave a comment. Stop by Mary's Heirloom Seeds, and tell which product you would like to have, and why.

Giveaway ends on October 26, 2012 winner will be notified by email, make sure I have access to that, and will need to respond with shipping information within 24 hours. If not another winner will be chosen.

This blog post was shared at Living Green Tuesday Link Up,  Show Off Friday, Courtship Connection,  Friendship Friday,  Eat, Make, Grow Blog Hop.

Choosing Items 4 Homemade Beauty Products & Recipe

Photo credit: tracthertrailher dot com

Since I have started making my own homemade beauty products I have read a lot of articles, and viewed many recipes. However, just like I am known to revamp recipes for food I do the same thing with beauty products. When creating your own beauty products that is just what it should be your own. First decide what it is you want the product to do, than research your oils, butters, essential oils etc to find out which will work best for your need.

This past weekend I created a lip balm from this recipe

1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp other oil almond, jojoba etc
1 tbsp + 1 tsp bees wax
10 drops of essential oil

This recipe is said to make 12 containers however, it did not say which one. I used 2 oz tins, and was able to make 4, I figure they meant the tubes.

I wanted a lip balm that would work well, be healing to my lips, and one I would not have to keep putting on like some.

I choose 2 tbsp of Wheat Germ oil 

Rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, the external application of wheat germ oil benefits the skin in every way. Regular use of this oil improves the blood circulation, which in turn keeps the skin glowing and healthy. If you are fed up with your dry skin then you must try wheat germ oil as it hydrates the skin and keeps it soft and supple.

 Most commonly wheat germ oil is used in aromatherapy. Since the oil is loaded with vitamins such as A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and E, it is very good for body massage. Minerals like phosphorus, iron, zinc, potassium and sulphur present in the oil provides the essential nutrients to the skin, nourishing it and improving the blood circulation, thereby relaxing and rejuvenating the body and mind.

 And treating your skin with wheat germ oil is the surest way of keeping it free of damages from the scorching heat.  Living in Louisiana this one is real important to me.

 The antioxidant properties of wheat germ oil help to fight several problems such as loose skin, wrinkles and other signs of ageing. It is probably because of this reason that the oil is widely used in various anti-ageing creams and lotions.

2 tbsp of Shea butter

Restores elasticity to the skin, heals cuts, and burns without scaring, protection against the sun, and is ideal for dry cracking skin.

20 drops of Orange essential oil

Anti inflammatory, anti septic, and is very good for maintaining a healthy, smooth and glamorous skin.

2 tbsp Bees Wax is used to solidify all the ingredients together be sure to use organic for a healthier product, but it also has other benefits. 
when blended into cold creams and other skin lotions, forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin

Forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin, while still allowing the skin to breath. It also aids in healing, and soften the skin and has antibacterial properties as well.

 3 drops of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a preservative used in beauty products, but it is also beneficial to the skin. Fights skin damage, protection from UV rays, may help to retain youthful texture of the lips by reducing the signs of aging.

And there you have it a orange lip balm from natural/organic ingredients. I purchase all my products from Mountain Rose Herbs, and the essential oils from Young Living essential oils. Affiliate link for MRH is on the right, along with a non-affiliate link to my friend Carrie who sells the oils.

Currently I am working on a homemade spray I am costuming for my daughter who suffers from anxiety, and panic attacks. I also have some infused comfrey, and marshmallow root infusing for a healing salve, and lastly I am awaiting my selected items for my homemade facial scrub.

How fun creating your own beauty care products that you know what is in them. So, tell me what type of homemade product are you, or have you created?

Stop by my friend Mary's blog Back to Basics she is having a giveaway for her GMO free, open pollution Salsa Garden Pack seeds.

  “This post was shared on Creative Corner Blog Hop,  Natural Living Mondays. Wildcrafting Wednesday,” 

Update: When mixing the ingredients together start with them in their solid state. I have found that melting them during the measuring process makes for a tougher product. Melt the ingredients slowly, I use a glass measuring cup in a pot of water this makes it so much easier to take out. The last item to be added is always, always the essential oils, high heat can damage the natural properties of oil.

Tomato Base Hearty Vegetable Stoup

Photo credit: rtdarch

I used to get a canned vegetable soup which had a tomato base, so yummy. We continue to make changes in the food we eat, and avoiding can goods, and other processed foods is a part of it. I have to admit I am bad about eating fruits and vegetables, but love soup. So, Saturday I decided to take a trip to the local produce market, and buy some tomatoes to make a tomato based vegetable soup.

Already planning for this I had been thinking how I was going to prepare the tomato base. Should I skin the tomatoes, and than cook them down in a pot? No, not feeling that idea, did something similar before, and it did not turn out good. Then the Lord gave me a revaluation, put the tomatoes whole into the blender. Brilliant!!! Previously juicing with tomatoes I knew this would work.

I don't have a Ninja, or any other fancy super chopping blender, it's just, well, a blender. If you are like me with just an ordinary blender you will not be able to put the whole tomato in. What I did is cut off the ends, and than cut it up into smaller pieces, they don't have to be real small. Adding the tomato a little at a time works great, so I added two pieces of tomato, put the blender on, and cut up more, adding them a little at a time. This worked great! I used 8 large tomatoes, and than seasoned it with garlic, pepper, salt, basil, red pepper, and thyme.

One thing I have noticed since I have been making stews, soups, and other foods in quantity is you really have to season it. You will need to add a lot of salt to break down the acidity in the tomatoes. This was hard for me to do because I am not a fan of what salt does to my body, (makes me bloat) and don't even like the taste of it, but it does make a difference in the taste.

After I added all my vegetables, I seasoned it again, let it cook for awhile, tasted, and added more. I continued this process until 1. the tomatoes did not over power the taste, and 2. it tasted the way I wanted it to. I like a hearty soup, none of that more broth than vegetables for me. Due to this the males in the house declared that I had not made soup, but stoup.  That is okay, it turned out great, and I have a great stoup full of vitamins and nutrition. By the way it is great as a natural laxative as well.

Be aware that as the tomato base cooks it will look pink, and froth will form on the top. I just felt the froth, but as it cooks the color will change to a red, and the froth disappear.

Photo credit: It's Your Life

Print this recipe

                                                     Hearty Vegetable Stoup


                                                                            8 large tomatoes

                                                                            1 lb of carrots chopped

                                                                            2 baking potatoes chopped

                                                                            1 whole stalk of celery chopped

                                                                            1/2 large zucchini

                                                                             1 medium green pepper

                                                                             1 medium onion

                                                                             1 1/2 cups of peas

                                                                                Seasonings

                                                                                   Pepper

                                                                                   Salt

                                                                                   Basil

                                                                                  Thyme

                                                                                  Red Pepper careful with this one very strong

                                                                                 Garlic

Blend the tomatoes until they turn to juice, add to crock pot, or stock pot. Add seasonings along with vegetables, as it cooks taste to the broth, if it is to acidity, or taste too much like tomato add more salt. Continue tasting, and adding seasonings as the stoup cooks. Because Red Pepper is so strong I only added it once, but it is your stoup now, so add as much as you like. Never be afraid to make a recipe your own, switch out the veggies, or seasonings if you wish. The purpose of this blog was to share what I did using a tomato base, happy cooking.

I will be adding this to the recipe page in the future, but for now I need to finish my amazing chili.


Yesterday I started my homemade chili using a tomato base, I am tickled to death at how it came out. I still need to add the meat, as the day got away from me, will post that when I get some time.

Say You are Doing Excellent & Mean It!

Photo credit; Tiffany Outlet 4 U dot com

Many times we are asked “How are you?” and reply “Good” even if we are not. However, I have also been honest when answering this question, sometimes I would say “Good,” or if the day was so so I would reply “Could be better, could be worse.” Now when people ask how I am doing the majority of the time I reply “Excellent,” because most of the time that is how I am.

I have found that with three key ingredients in my life I can say I am excellent, and totally mean it.

Would like to know what the three key ingredients are? Stop by Friend Friday as Simply Helping Him to read the complete blog.

Thanks to Misty for giving me the opportunity to share at Simply Helping Him, stop by read my guest blog, and show some blogger love.

Homemade Raspberry Jam

Photo credit: Waldord dot com

My youngest loves to jelly with his sausage and biscuit, but we don't have any. I went to the store, and noticed that all the jelly they had contained high fructose corn syrup, say what you will, I don't want it. However, a trip to Sam's Club landed me 12 ounces of beautiful raspberries, which I almost lost to my oldest.

I started looking for recipes and noticed that they all used sure jell, sorry, but reading various articles, and watching various documentaries has led me to not trust anything packaged in big stores. So, this led to more research on the ingredients in sure jell, and what they do. Turns out that fruit pectin is a natural ingredient contained in all fruits, and also what allows the jam or jelly to become firm.

While all fruits contain pectin some contain more than others, and you do not need to add pectin in order to make them, raspberries is just one of them that contains high levels of pectin. So, I set out to make some raspberry jam. First you need to mash up the raspberries this helps to release the pectin allowing for a better jam. In order to make a good jam you need three things acid, pectin, and sugar. Because raspberries are low in acid I add about four drops of lemon juice, which we all know contains high levels of acid.

photo credit: It's Your LIfe

It is important to not use a blender, mixer, or food processor when mashing fruits because it can disturb the pectin. After mashing my raspberries with a potato masher I had two cups of mashed raspberries. The recipe I was using called for 6 cups of fruit and 4 cups of sugar. I used 1 cup of sugar,

Photo credit: It's Your Life

 I put 1/2 cup in the raspberries, and put it in a pot on the stove, and brought it to a high boil. I have an electric stove, and set the heat to medium. During the boiling process you will notice a foam start to form, I found I could remove it easier by stirring the jam. Stirring caused the foam to gravitate to the edges, I than just took my spoon, and scrapped around it. I than removed the pot from the heat, and added the other 1/2 cup of sugar, and boiled it again, foam once again appeared, just remove it.

Photo credit: It's Your Life

 I let the jam sit hoping it would set nicely, but it was still too watery. I searched for a way to thicken it naturally, and found two ways I opted for the second option which was just to strain the liquid from the jam. Apples are very high in pectin, and you can added some shredded apple to aid in the thickening process however, I did not have any apples.

Photo credit: It's Your Life

As you can see from the image above 12 ounces of fruit does not yield a lot of jam however, this being my first experience making jam it is enough. As I strained it I used a spoon to mix the jam helping to make sure all of the unwanted liquid was removed. It did not take long for my 15 year old to make some toast to eat with my new creation. You can see from the image just how thick the jam turned out, guess I did good.


 Raspberry Jam

12 ounces organic raspberries

1 cup organic sugar

4 drops of lemon juice

I will be making more in the future, and feel more confident about making homemade jam. So, next time I will make more.