Tagged with 'diy'

Here's how to use non-toxic kitchen ingredients to nourish your skin and hair and avoid xenoestrogens.

Freshen your face naturally with this invigorating green tea toner that features a few skin-care superstars.

1st, it makes so much sense to use organic green tea because it's a rich source of antioxidants and helps reduce redness and inflammation.

Next, the rose water soothes and hydrates, leaving skin soft and silky.

3rd, witch hazel is an astringent that helps to minimize pores and reduce puffiness.

Last, glycerin seals in moisture and forms a protective barrier on the skin. 

Green Tea & Rose Water Toner

Ingredients:

½ teaspoon organic green tea (TIP: opt for loose-leaf tea or cut open a tea bag)

¼ cup witch hazel

½ cup rose water (TIP: purchase rose water, aka rose hydrosol, at a health food store or herbal dispensary)

½ teaspoon organic vegetable glycerin

Instructions:

ONE: To a small jar, add green tea and witch hazel and seal tightly. Allow to infuse for 2 weeks, shaking daily.

TWO: Arrange a funnel over a glass bottle or spritz bottle. Using a small strainer, strain witch hazel into funnel; discard tea leaves.

THREE:  To bottle, add rose water and glycerin.

FOUR: Seal and shake to combine. The toner can be stored for up to 1 month in your bathroom cabinet or in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.  

TIP: Apply toner using a cotton pad or reusable cloth, or spritz on face. Using after washing your face and before applying moisturizer.       

Recipe courtesy of Clean Eating.                                            

If your hardwood floors are in need of a shine, try this simple and pure recipe that leaves nothing behind.

Cleaning your home should leave it cleaner, right?

Unfortunately, many conventional cleaning products actually pollute your home with the respiratory chemicals, hormone disruptors, carcinogens and aquatic toxins they contain. Instead, make your own version using just three all-natural ingredients.

Wood Floor Cleaner

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

3 tbsp olive oil

10 drops lemon essential oil

1. In a spray bottle, combine all ingredients with 1 liter of hot water.
2. Shake well.

Before using, vacuum or sweep floors. To use, spray floor evenly with wood cleaner, then follow with a damp mop.

If your hardwood floors are under warranty, be sure to follow specific cleaning instructions. Always do a spot test first to check compatibility with your floor’s finish.

Article courtesy of cleaneating.com

I love DIY bath and body products! There’s something rewarding about creating your own from ingredients you select and purchase yourself, and there are so many fabulous benefits packed inside this creamy homemade mask! 

This mask is great because the citrus scent can fire up your mood, and the chilled aloe will help reduce puffiness. And let’s not forget about the probiotics in the Greek yogurt. Probiotics have been touted for years as the key to a healthy digestive system. Through recent studies, the American Academy of Dermatology has found topical application also decreases skin sensitivity and redness, and can result in a reduced appearance of fine lines. Applying probiotics topically might also fight rosacea and acne bacteria too!

Citrus-Aloe Mask

3 Tbsp Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp chilled Aloe Vera

1 Tbsp Honey

1 to 2 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply to dry skin. Let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse off.

Cheers to porcelain skin!

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Recipe courtesy of Dr. Oz The Good Life

A little unknown fact about me—I love beauty products! You name it, I have lots of it…lotions, sugar scrubs, salt scrubs, soaps, body wash, lip balms, and the list goes on. I’ve also become very particular about the brand of product I buy, all pending on its ingredients.

While pregnant, I discovered most commercial “products” contain an alarming number of chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxins, which are quickly absorbed through the skin and into the body’s blood stream. These chemicals were drying out my skin and I obviously didn’t want to expose my baby to anything harmful.

Now I look for products made with “natural,” and ideally organic, ingredients that smell great and feel so good on my skin. Does SODIUM LAUROAMPHOACETATE, OXIDIZED POLYETHYLENE, SODIUM TRIDECETH SULFATE or CHROMIUM HYDROXIDE GREEN sound natural to you? Me, either. (Partial list of ingredients from OIay’s Pore Minimizer Scrub).

My one complaint about many of the “natural” products? Their cost! After a little exploring, I figured out I could make my own beauty products at a fraction  of the cost. Even better, I get to choose the quality of the ingredients and the results have been very satisfying.

Lemon is great for brightening dull, dry skin, so common during the winter months. Another reason to love this recipe is its versatility. You can substitute the peppermint scent for practically any essential oil scent, such as lavender for calming, tea tree for soothing, and sweet orange for brightening your mood. 

This time of year, these homemade items also make great gifts for friends and family. Give it a try!

Here is one of my favorite -- Lemon Meringue Sugar Scrub Bar

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Organic Coconut Oil
• 1/2 cup Shredded Soap (use an unscented type)
• 3-4 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
• 1 cup Organic Sugar

Silicone molds; any shape you want your bars to be.

Directions:

1. 1. In a double boiler, melt your shredded soap. It can take up to an hour to fully melt so be patient. If you do not have a double boiler, microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring in between until melted.
2. 2. Mix in your coconut oil until combined and add your lemon essential oil.
3. 3. Separate into two separate bowls.
4. 4. Add ½ cup sugar to each bowl, doing one bowl at a time. Mix until well combined. You are looking for a slushy like consistency.
5. 5. Pour into your silicone molds and allow to dry for 1-2 hours before unmolding.

*If your sugar and soap mixture gets too thick, microwave in 10 second intervals until you are able to pour.

Enjoy!

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods