Natural from Toe to Head - Shaving Oil

Using a shaving oil is a good idea if you have sensitive or dry skin. Shaving oil can be used solo or under rubbed on before you apply your shaving soap (to give it some more slip and will keep your razor from skipping or nicking).

Shaving Oil

• 1/4C Glycerin
• 1/2C Almond Oil
• 2C Olive Oil
• 2 Vitamin E capsules squished
• 5-10 Drops of your favourite essential oil

A few drops rubbed on to the area to be shaved will do the job (you don't need to use too much - remember your shaving soap will be going on over top of it)

Natural from Toe to Head - Natural Shaving Soap

Shaving Soap is much more decadent than using foam in a can. A note on the brush - you can buy ones with synthetic bristles not all are made from animal hair. The difference between making regular soap and shaving soap is the addition of clay - which will make your soap more creamy.

Shaving Soap 
(this will make a lot of soap so have several clay bowls/tins or whatever you want your soap to be in ready)

• 1.5C of Olive Oil
• 1.5C of Coconut Oil
• 5T of Castor Oil
• 10T of Lye
• 1C of water
• 2.5T of Clay (Bentonite, Kaolin, Rhassoul or Fuller's Earth)
• Between 20-30 Drops of Essential Oil

Now for the tricky part.

Make your Lye solution.
Be very careful when handling this it can burn your skin - remember what happened in Fight Club! So wear heavy rubber safety gloves and goggles (yep I said goggles).

• You will need container to mix a plastic jug works well or a mason jar (be careful though this is going to get super hot don't put it in something that will break)
• Add your 10T of Lye to the 1C of water the recipe calls for sloooooowly and stir being very very careful not to splash - wear your gloves and goggles! (ALWAYS ad lye to water and not the other way around - you will have a bubbling mess if you try it this way) - set this aside someplace very safe --- far away from children or anyone who may not no what you are up to - consider labeling it if you think it will be sitting unused for a little while.

Mix your Oils
Put the oils one by one into whatever you are using to mix them up

Heat It Up

• Pour your oils into a your soap making pot (a cheat used one from a garage sale or the salvation army will do)
• Heat over medium heat until your coconut oil has melted
• Now add your clay and keep mixing
•  Using a thermometer if you have one heat your oils until they reach about 100 degrees (warm to the touch but not hot)
• Turn off your stove
• SLOWLY SLOWLY add the lye water use a long handled metal spoon to gently stir (or use a stick blender not turned on yet)... oils will go cloudy at this point
• When you are done adding the lye start turning on the stick blender in short bursts (3-5 seconds) then stir then burst with the blender stick - you will see your soap starting to come together at this point. Keep blending until everything is mixed together.
• When it is completely blended but not thickening yet add slowly add your essential oils. 
• Pour your soap into tins, clay dishes or whatever you want to use as your shaving soap holders.
• Let cool and voila - shaving soap

* If this is all to much try melting shaved soap bars (something pure like ivory) and add your clay and oils and let reharden in your cup(s)

Natural from Toe to Head - Sugaring

Sugaring isn't new women in countries like Egypt and India have been doing this to remove unwanted hair for generations. I'm blonde with fine hair. I find sugaring doesn't work well for me but, I have friends with darker hair on their legs who swear by it. Below is a good recipe if you'd like to give it a try...


Leg Sugar

• 1 cup sugar (brown or cane)
• Half a lemon for the juice
• 1/2 cup honey (if you are vegan and don't believe in using honey double up on the sugar)
• A little bit of Molasses (only if you have it and just a teaspoon of it - it will work without but, the molasses helps give it some thickness)
• Cornstarch to pre dust your legs with
• Something flat to spread it on with like a butter knife or a popsicle stick
• Cotton fabric torn into strips (something thin like cloth diapers or an old tea towel)

* First off make sure you have at least a half inch to one inch of hair growth on your legs -- if your hair is too short this won't work. 
Mix lemon, sugar, and honey in a heavy saucepan heat until the mix bubbles and is thick looking. If you make candy use your thermometer - heat until 250F (hardball candy stage). Heat on LOW heat so you don't burn yourself and/or make a mess. Don't the mix until it has cooled down a lot but is still warm. Pour your mix into a jar (make sure it heat safe as you will be reheating your mix in the future using a microwave or in a pan of water). Have your 1" fabric strips ripped and ready.
Make sure your legs or where ever you wish to place it is clean and dry. Then dust area with cornstarch so you are working with a nice dry surface. Spread a thin layer of the warm (not hot!) sugar mix on to your leg. Cover with a strip of fabric, and rub the strip the opposite way of hair growth, a few times.
Grab the fabric end and pull it off quickly like you are pulling off a bandaid. Yes this will hurt a bit - of course it will you are ripping hair out of your body! Reheat the mix if it gets too hard to spread using a shallow pan of simmering water float your jar in it until it is warm again. Your leftovers will store for months sealed in their jar in a cool dry place.

Natural from Toe to Head - Leg Scrub Recipes

Did you know that before shaving (or waxing) your legs it is a good idea to do a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove any dead skin?  A variety of items can be used to make exfoliants. The great thing about making your own scrubs is you can pick scents/scrubs from things you already have on hand or to suit your mood. Most of the ingredients used in homemade scrubs are a lot less expensive than store bought options (and best of all no yuck chemicals!)

A few ideas for a scrub bases:

• Coffee: Coffee grounds are a great option to use as a base for a leg scrub - reason - the caffeine in coffee grounds has added benefits.  It is believed that coffee grounds when used as a scrub can help to decrease the formation of cellulite. When applied topically coffee grounds can tighten, and shrink blood vessels which can help in eliminating varicose & spider veins. (a note on this - it makes a mess in the tub- use it in the shower not a bath - and be ready to give your tub a scrub after! Well worth the effort though - I used some last night and my legs feel great)

• Salt: Pink, Kosher, Sea, Table, Epsom take your pick. Salts with a finer grain are nice because they won't have edges like some of the bigger grinds that can scratch your skin. If you are going to use a salt that has a coarse grind - put it through a coffee grinder or in a high speed blender to break it down a bit first. Salts are detoxifying and help your muscles to relax. Dead sea salt (if you can find it) is supposed to help with psoriasis. Don't use a salt scrub if you have any cuts or irritations - what they say about salt in a wound is true.

• Sugar: Brown sugar is gentler than white and has a nice scent (and is probably the most popular type to use). Sugar scrubs don't have the muscle relaxing or detoxifying properties of a salt scrub but, they are much gentler and probably are a better option for people with irritated, dry or sensitive skin.

• Cornmeal: Is useful for exfoliating dry skin (I've been using it for years - I have dry sensitive skin and it is my favourite in facial scrubs). 

• Baking Soda: When made into a thick paste and rubbed on the skin in a circular motion it is a great way to exfoliate

Scrub Recipes 

Coffee Sandalwood Legs a Go-Go Scrub

• 1.5 cup of dry coffee grounds
• 1/2 Cup sea salt
• 1/2 C of Oil (almond/coconut/sesame/olive)
• 4 drops of sandalwood essential oil 
• *smells sooo good and makes your legs silky soft!

Citrus Salt Glow

• ½ cup sea salt
• ½ cup sweet almond oil (coconut oil or sesame oil)
• ½ tsp finely grated lemon/lime or grapefruit zest (finely grated ginger is really nice too)

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Smoothing Scrub 

• 1 cup brown sugar
  1/4 cup almond oil (or coconut)
  2 capsules vitamin E
  6 drops vanilla
  2 drops cinnamon essential oil (or just a dash of dry cinnamon)

Cornmeal Lavender Scrub

• 2 Cups Cornmeal
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 2 Drops of Lavender essential oil

Baking Soda Leg Shine Scrub

• 3 Cups Baking Soda
• 1/4 Olive Oil
• 4 Drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions

Combine ingredients. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Before showering, give it a shake or a stir, then apply to legs in a circular scrubbing motion with hand or soft washcloth - wash off in shower or bath then shave (or wax) if you do as per usual and notice how much smoother your legs feel.  My next post will be on natural shaving creams/soaps/waxes.

Natural from Toe to Head - Slim Legs

A good set of exercises to tone up and slim down your legs. Leg Scrub recipes tomorrow :)

Natural from Toe to Head - Toe Nail Care

 
How to cut them:
I've been told by my Esthetician that toe nails are best trimmed straight across with no tapering or rounding on the corners. Cut your toenails by using a clean, sharp toe nail clipper and cut the toenails no shorter than the edge of the toe. Keep in mind, curved toe nail edges can cause in-grown nails - buff out any sharp edges the clipper leaves with a nail file.

Fungus oh no!
Toe nail fungus infection will in many cases change the colour of the nail. Fungus infects both finger and toenails and is common. The toenail can become yellowish or brownish in color, develop streaks and marks and sometimes not smell so great. People who who enjoy swimming pools, gyms, and use shared dressing rooms are more likely to have this problem. Another reason for toenail fungus is bad foot hygiene.

A few things that might help:

• Probiotics (kombucha yum!), Olive Oil which is a natural anti-fungal and Garlic in the foods you eat help your immune system stay strong.
• Tea-tree oil is said to be great at curing toe nail fungus if rubbed into the nails nightly, as is oregano oil, and sage oil which have antiseptic and antibacterial properties in addition to being an anti-fungal. 
• Apple cider vinegar/White Vinegar is an age old cure of toe nail fungus - soak feet in a foot bath with one cup added or rub on your toes directly

In order to avoid toenail fungus it is recommended to always wash and dry your feet properly after working out, swimming or even if your feet have been wet or not. Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, socks or shoes with anyone, especially those who have toenail fungus. If you have toenail fungus, keep your nail trimmed short and avoid applying nail polish so that your nails can breathe.

Source: Dailyglow

Nail Polish:

Okay so they aren't chemical free but, sometimes a girl just has to paint her toes blue you know? Here are the best "friendly" polishes I know of - If you have any other brands you use that you use I'd love to hear about them

1. Suncoat Water -based Nail Polish:
   A water based nail polished that won the Canadian Alive Award of Excellence in 2004 and 2005. In Suncoat water-based nail polish, the chemical solvents (toluene and acetates etc) are replaced by water. Most of the colours are vegan - there is a list on their site of which ones are and aren't.
2. Zoya:  Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl, Phthalate (DBP and Camphor free, Vegan. The brainchild of Zoya Reyzis who, as a pregnant aesthetician and salon owner in 1984, realized the need for a healthier and more durable solution. 

*I've put links to these products and other things I've mentioned in my Amazon Store section as well to make them easier to find.

Natural from Toe to Head - Foot Scrubs & Lotion Recipes

One of the best ways to exfoliate feet (my favourite) is to go for a walk barefoot on a beach... If you don't have a beach near by or it is too cold you may want to give one of these a try.

Peppermint Foot Scrub Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5T coconut oil
  
• 2 drops of tea tree
  
• 5 drops peppermint oil
• 1/4C of coarse sea salt

Directions:

Combine ingredients. Store in a small glass  jar. Should be crumbly wet feet before scrubbing.

Tingley Foot Sugar Warming Scrub

Ingredients:

• 1/4C Brown Sugar (or try cornmeal for extra scrub)
• /14C Almond or Coconut Oil
• 6 drops Orange Essential Oil
• 1 drop Ginger Essential Oil
• 1 tsp Powdered Cayenne Pepper

Directions:

Mix it all together add cayenne powder last. Warm up the mix before using (if you are in the tub store it in a water tight container and just let it sit in your bathwater for a minute or two to warm it.

Soothing Foot Oil
1/4C Coconut Oil (will melt as you rub it on to your skin)
20 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
2 Vit E capsules (poke them with a pin squish out the goo and mix it in)

Play with essential oils you can use almost anything you like. Sandalwood is also really nice. I keep mine in the fridge until I use it in a glass jar.

Natural from Toe to Head - Callus and Corn Relief

Before doing anything it might be a good idea to try to figure out out what is causing your calluses and corns. If you have shoes that are rubbing your feet in all the wrong places or just don't fit properly - ditch them - I know it isn't easy but, just think new shoes!

• Trim your toenails if your toe nail is too long it can force the joint of your toe to push up against your shoe and will make the toe form a corn (eww) - so keep those nails trimmed down and smoothed.

• Pumice Stones. If you don't have one of these yet run out and get one. After soaking your foot in warm water for about 20 minutes, use a pumice stone to rub away corns and calluses. Pumice stones are made from lava "froth" that has hardened they have large pores that help with exfoliation of dead skin. Used regularly these little rocks will help keep your feet smooth and callus free.
• Ice it. Hard corns can be very painful. If you have a corn try applying an ice pack to the area. This will help reduce swelling and ease the pain a bit.
• Lemon juice. Mix a paste of 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 5 or 6 crushed aspirin tablets. Apply the paste directly to your callus, and wrap your foot in a plastic bag. Keep your foot under wraps for ten minutes, allowing the acidity to soften your callus. Then give your callus a rub with a pumice stone.
• Castor oil is a super thick oil (available at drugstores). Before going to bed, try dipping a cotton pad or ball in castor oil, applying it over the affected area, and taping it in place using a small piece of adhesive tape or rub your whole foot down with it and put on an old pair of socks. *Castor oil should not be applied over broken skin.
• Soak feet Epsom Salts and warm water for approximately 20 minutes will help to soften the skin and reduce swelling.
• Prepare a paste by grinding three or four liquorice sticks and mixing with half a teaspoon of sesame oil or mustard oil rub into the hardened skin at bedtime – will gradually decrease corn in size.
• Get some turmeric powder and add little drops of water and make a paste. Scrub the corn a little and apply the turmeric paste over the corn. Place some cotton over the paste and bandage it so that the turmeric paste stays over the corn. Do this every night when you sleep for a week and the corn will vanish without a trace or a need for surgery.
  

If you are suffering consider investing in a good pair of arch supports and orthotics.  Arch supports and orthotics can help correct a wide range biomechanical foot problems that can be behind some people's corns and calluses. Consult a podiatrist and inquire about using orthotics/arch supports if you are in pain - they can make a world of difference.

Natural from Toe to Head - Dry, Cracked Feet Rescue

Many people have issues with dry, cracked feet - with a little tender tootsie care you can help your feet to heal naturally. Cracked feet (especially around the heels) can be more than a little uncomfortable. If the skin on your feet is itchy, flaky or your heels are so cracked they bleed a few of the things below in addition to dry skin may be causing the problem...

• standing for long periods
• obesity
• wearing cheap shoes
• diabetes, thyroid disorders, skin conditions (such as psoriasis or eczema)
• Heel spurs
• Excessively sweaty feet
• If you are a runner or avid hiker your feet can dry out in the spots that rub against your shoes
• Age (as you age your skin becomes thicker) 
• Living in a cold climate

 Soothing/Moisturizing Foot Treatment

• Add 1 cup of epsom salts to warm water in your foot basin or foot bucket
• Soak your feet for at least 15 minutes and use a pumice stone to rub away any dry /flaky spots.
• After soaking your feet scrub them with a mixture of 1/2C of warmed honey (or aloe vera gel) and 1/2 cup of cornmeal mixed rub your feet well including between your toes and giving special attention to any dry spots.
• Wash your feet with a good castle soap and warm water and dry them well.
• Pick out some old socks and rub your feet down liberally with warmed olive oil or coconut oil place them into plastic bags (no I'm not kidding) and secure the bags so they are air tight at the top (loose plastic bands work well - make sure they aren't too tight around your legs!).
• Next in your cleaned out foot basin refill with warm water and soak your feet for another 15-20 minutes to allow the oil to be absorbed. 

If you don't have time for all this try putting coconut or olive oil on your feet nightly after cleaning them well and cover your feet in old socks so you don't ruin your sheets. It is a bit of work to heal dry, cracked feet but, well worth the effort.

Natural Foot Care - Stinky Feet Fix

The first post in my natural from toe to head green over is a few tips and a foot soak recipe to keep your feet smelling sweet. Did you know there are more than a quarter of a million sweat glands in your feet? That is more than under your arms or in any other part of your body. In addition to the obvious - wash your feet every day with a good quality soap and warm water and make sure they are dry, dry, dry - I've posted a few more tips and a recipe for a foot bath below.
 
Smelly Feet Fix Foot Bath

• 1/4C of Baking Soda
• Enough warm (to hot) water to fill your foot soak bowl or bucket
• 4 Drop of Tea Tree Oil
• 4 Drop of Sage Oil
• 1/4 of Sea Salt

This recipe works because baking soda, tea tree, and sea salt all have strong antibacterial agents which will help to kill any bacteria causing smells. Sage oil is said to help reduce sweating by up to 50% (also great in deodorants). Tea tree and salt are also good for fighting any possible fungal infections caused by things like athlete's foot.

After you soak your feet take a natural fiber foot brush (or pumice stone) and give them a good brushing to remove any dead skin then rinse your feet with warm water. If the skin or your feet feels really dry after this try rubbing in some aloe vera with a little peppermint, sage or tea tree oil mixed in.


Other people have reported good results from soaking in...

• 1/4 cup of plain white vinegar added to warm water  (also great for killing off fungus) or 
• Soaking their feet in a black tea soak (4 bags per foot soak - steep your tea in boiling water and let it cool down) - the tannins in the tea constrict your pours and are a great astringent.

In addition to the soak make sure you...

• wear good quality shoes
• wear cotton, hemp or wool socks that breathe (try a few different kinds and see what works for you)
• Keep your feet DRY
• Try sprinkling some baking soda and cornstarch on your feet or into your socks/shoes in the am after you shower to help keep them dry.
• Rub your feet with a little sage oil and or tea tree oil to help keep the smelly at bay - especially between your toes and into your toe nails. 
• Throw away old stinky shoes they have likely picked up the bacteria that is making your feet smell - try liberally sprinkling baking soda in the stinky shoe first or lace-up and let it set overnight. Dump out the powder in morning. If they still smell get rid of the shoes they can reinfect your feet even after you've taken steps to de funkafy your feet. 
• Try putting fresh lavender into old socks and tying a knot at the end. Stuff your lavender socks into your shoes every night to help them stay fresh and sweet smelling.
• If you live in a cold climate stick your shoes in a freezer bag and put them outside over night (or in to your deep freeze) - this will kill most bacteria and help kill the smells in your shoes.
• Switch up your shoes, don't wear the same pair for days on end
• Try to buy shoes that breathe,
• Walk around barefoot at home to let your feet air out.

Natural from toe to head - Beauty Routine Greenover

Inspired by how well my homemade deodorant and toothpaste are working I've decided to dedicate the next several postings to a toe to head beauty routine greenover. Everything I post will be either homemade options or the best chemical free/yuck free bought options I've found. I'll go from the ground up my first posting will be on feet...

World Humanitarian Day

The United Nations has declared August 19th World Humanitarian Day. This day dedicated to honoring humanitarian aid workers who help millions of people in need around the world. If you would like to learn more I've included a link...

http://ochaonline.un.org/whd/index.html



If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.  ~Betty Reese 

Food Matters

A free documentary on health and food. It is an hour long so go grab a snack and settle in before hitting play - well worth a watch. My brain is still buzzing...


A "New" Approach to Health from Jamie Simko on Vimeo.

Wild Foods - Spruce Salt

My friend Molly J. made Spruce Salt a few weeks ago. Her photo (left) shows how pretty the salt looks - it smells great too. The recipe can be found in The Boreal Gourmet by Michele Genest.

Spruce salt is tart/tasty and a great way to use something local and wild harvested.

You can find out more about the book here if you are interested.


* Spruce tips are super rich in Vit C, calcium, potassium, and iron. 

Making your own Deodorant

A friend has inspired me to try to wean myself off using aluminum based deodorant. I know it is terrible for you but, I've tried using the crystal type a few times in the past and it just hasn't worked for me... or so I thought. I've been doing a little reading and have decided to try it again for at least 28 days. Several people say it takes at least this long for the lymphs under your arms to "detox" and get rid off all the stored up smelly yucky stuff I've been blocking with the aluminum and propylene glycol based commercial sticks. Others say that odor is caused my hormone fluctuations and the type of clothes you are wearing (also makes sense). The plan is to make some deodorant myself (because that is how I roll - why buy it when I can make it?) and try it for the next month. * Update - It works! It works!

Bug Off! - Natural Insect Repellants - Four Thieves Vinegar

Do you use a commercially bought insect spray? Most of us know that the most commonly used ingredient in these sprays is DEET (N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide). Although DEET is approved by government protection agencies as safe for use it is a known eye irritant and can cause rashes, soreness, or blistering when applied to the skin. DEET has also been linked to neurological problems and has been shown to have a negative impact on wildlife and water sources. It is toxic to birds and aquatic life. So with this in mind a few kinder ways to keep the bugs at bay...

 Four Thieves Vinegar (Vinaigre des Quatre Voleurs)

This works really well but, beware it is stinky when you first put it on. The story behind the famous recipe goes that a group of thieves were robbing the dead in France who were infected with the Black Plague. When the thieves were caught they were offered a deal (hang instead of burn to death) in exchange for the secret to what kept them healthy after being exposed to the disease. There are many recipes for "Four Thieves Vinegar" I've given a couple of variations to the most common one below.

• 1 Large Bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 Drops each of  Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint essential oil along with 1 clove of crushed garlic (or try 2 tablespoons of each herb - add in wormwood or rue if you have it stewed in the vinegar for at least 30 days)
  
• Put all into a large jar with lid

If you use fresh herbs turn over jar every two to three days and strain out herbs before using.

Things to take to make your skin not smell so tempting to bugs

• B1, 2T apple cider vinegar daily, eat lots of fresh garlic and oranges.
• Lay off the bananas (skeeters love the smell of bananas)
• Wash with a naturally scented lavender or peppermint soap in the summer.
• Rub lavender flowers or lavender oil on your skin, especially on hot parts of body (neck, underarms, behind ears, etc) to repel insects.
• Rub fresh or dried leaves of anything in the mint family all over skin to repel insects (peppermint, spearmint, catnip, pennyroyal, etc or citronella, lemongrass, etc) Basil is also said to repel mosquitoes.

Other Ideas...

Different bugs are repelled by different smells. If you are making large amounts of insect repellent, a good rule of thumb is to mix the repellent so it's 5-10% essential oil, so mix 1 part essential oil with 10-20 parts carrier oil or alcohol. For a smaller batch use:

• 10-25 drops (total) of essential oils
• 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil or alcohol

The essential oils that work well against insects are:

• Mosquitoes: (Lemon, Peppermint, Eucalyptus radiata, Lemongrass).
• Moths: (Patchouli, Cedarwood, Hyssop, Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint)
• Horse-flies: (Tansy)
• Aphids: (Mix 10 drops Spearmint and 15 drops Orange essential oil in 2 quarts salt water, shake well and spray on plants).
• Cockroaches: (Peppermint)
• Silverfish: (Eucalyptus)
• Ants: (Put down a line of Peppermint or Spearmint essential oil across your kitchen counter or floor and the ants won't cross it. If you already have a line of ants invading your house, just draw a line of oil across them and they will turn back!)
• Beetles: (Peppermint, Thyme)
• Caterpillars: (Spearmint, Peppermint)
• Chiggars: (Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint)
• Cutworms: (Sage, Thyme)
• Fleas: (Peppermint, Lemongrass, Spearmint)
• Gnats: (Patchouli, Spearmint)
• Spiders: (Peppermint, Spearmint)
• Ticks: (Lavender, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme)
• Weevils: (Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood)
• Lice (rose geranium)

Good carrier oils and alcohols include:

• olive oil
• sunflower oil
• any other cooking oil
• witch hazel
• vodka 

You'll need to re-apply the natural product after about an hour or after swimming or exercise. Unused natural insect repellent may be stored in a dark bottle, away from heat or sunlight. If you wish, you may combine the oil with aloe vera gel to change the consistency of the product.

How to Make Homemade Bug Spray:

1. Fill spray bottle 1/2 full with distilled or boiled water
2. Add witch hazel to fill almost to the top
3. Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin (or aloe vera jel)
4. Add 30-50 drops of essential oils to desired scent. The more oils you use, the stronger the spray will be.