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DIY Wellness, Home, Health & Beauty

Do It Yourself projects shouldn't strike fear into the hearts of the not-so-crafty. There are plenty of simple, easy-to-follow recipes out there that are great for your family's wellness and even fun to throw together.

And there's nothing like homemade DIY gifts to show that you care. Check out these recipes for great ideas to make for family, friends and yourself!

Rollin, Rollin, Rollin, What? How to Make Your Own Wool Dryer Balls

July 19, 2015 By Kristi

How to Make DIY Wool Dryer Balls @VeggieConverter

Yeah, I just made a Limp Bizkit reference. What of it? 😉 Rest assured typing out Bizkit hurt me more than it hurt you to get that song in your head after all these years. So, wool dryer balls are awesome. I know this, maybe you know this. But, up until now, I hadn't made my own. I've been happily adding Purification essential oil to these sweet wool dryer balls. I thought to myself, first, why would I need another set? And second, why not just buy them? I mean, I have to buy the yarn anyway, right? It's not that much more to buy the balls. Huh huh, buy the balls. (Sorry, that made my inner 12-year-old come out.)

And then I GASP lost my dryer balls. I eventually found them inside my empty bookbag that I'd packed inside my suitcase (you know, for all the extra stuff you get on trips). Hah. So I found them in Spokane when I'd been looking for them for days back home in Atlanta. Sigh. I'd washed the bag before heading out of town and, of course, didn't think to look INSIDE the bag. But that made me realize I needed a second set. And, hey, why not make some for gifts for friends and family while I was at it? So I looked at the price difference again and thought about it a while. It doesn't really save me a TON to make my own. The skein of wool roving yarn is about $10-11. With each skein you can make about four medium balls or maybe six small ones. These wool dryer balls you can buy already made for about $17 for a set of three. So, savings, yes, but not HUGE.

What I really wanted though, was something sorta Zen to do when I need to shut my brain off a little or I'm hanging out with my little ladies and need something to do with my hands. Making wool dryer balls is totally it. It's like knitting that you can't screw up! (And believe me, the two times I tried to knit, I found plenty of ways to screw up...a lot!) I absolutely love make them. Your hands do get a little tired (or at least mine do) and they take a while. But if you have the time, or want to make the time, I totally recommend it. I make them while I'm watching TV or listening to audio books and training videos, too.

So, how do you do it you ask? Easy peasy. The only real requirements are that you use 100% wool yarn, get yourself a pair of pantyhose that you don't care about and have access to a washer and dryer. Not so bad, right?

How to Make Wool Dryer Balls

Makes about 3 tennis ball size dryer balls

  1. Start at the end of a skein of 100% wool yarn. I prefer wool roving yarn, but as long as it's 100% wool, you're cool. They have Fisherman's Wool yarn in a lot of fabric shops and it's 100% wool, but it's pretty tightly wound, so it takes a little longer to create your ball. Works great, though!
    Dryer Balls Fingers
  2. Place the end between your forefinger and middle finger. Pull your two fingers a bit apart and wrap the yarn loosely around 10 times.
  3. Pull that loop off your fingers while pinching in the middle to keep it together.
    Dryer Balls Pinch
  4. Start spooling the yarn around that loop right next to your finger. Keep spooling it around, tightly now, and start shifting your direction to go around in a clockwise pattern to make a sphere.
    Dryer Ball Pinch and Wrap
  5. Once you've gotten the size you want (a little larger than a golfball is actually fine, but the larger variety---tennis or softball---will dry your clothes more quickly and efficiently), stop rolling and cut the yarn with an inch or so to spare.
    Dryer Ball Measure
  6. Use some sort of skinny implement like a knitting needle. (I used the little key tool for the interior doors of the house instead.) Shove the end of the yarn underneath a few layers of the dryer ball. Strangely, I also discovered a cuticle pusher works really well.
  7. Repeat until you have 3 (or 6 if you get yourself 2 skeins) dryer balls.
  8. Place the balls in the leg of an old pair of pantyhose. Use ACRYLIC yarn or some other string to tie the pantyhouse tightly next to the sides of each dryer ball. DO NOT USE THE WOOL YARN for the ties. It will felt to the pantyhose if you do.
    Dryer Ball Caterpillar
  9. Plunk the whole caterpillar of dryer ball goodness into your washing machine on HOT WASH and COLD RINSE (if your dryer doesn't have a rinse temperature setting, never fear, most default to cold rinse.
  10. Transfer the caterpillar to the dryer and dry on the HOTTEST setting.
  11. At this point you can take a peek, but you may need to go ahead and repeat the washing and drying process to get your wool dryer balls fully felted. So if you don't want to peek, just toss em in again.
  12. Pull those bad boys out of the pantyhose, make sure they're felted together.
    Dryer Ball FB
  13. Add a couple drops of your favorite essential oils. I buy mine here and usually use Purification blend. Place the wool dryer balls in your dryer with each load and you won't need to add softener or dryer sheets. Win!

Didn't I say it was like knitting that you can't mess up? Well, I managed to mess up one of them. I'm just that awesome. But, hey, five of six is not bad. Here's my OOPS shot just so you know I haven't gotten too fancy on you.

Dryer Balls Oops

Save Print
DIY Wool Dryer Balls
 
Makes about 3 tennis ball size dryer balls
Ingredients
  • Skein of yarn
  • Old pantyhose
  • Knitting needle or some sort of pokey thing (like a cuticle pusher)
Method
  1. Start at the end of a skein of 100% wool yarn. I prefer wool roving yarn, but as long as it's 100% wool, you're cool. They have Fisherman's Wool yarn in a lot of fabric shops and it's 100% wool, but it's pretty tightly wound, so it takes a little longer to create your ball. Works great, though!
  2. Place the end between your forefinger and middle finger. Pull your two fingers a bit apart and wrap the yarn loosely around 10 times.
  3. Pull that loop off your fingers while pinching in the middle to keep it together.
  4. Start spooling the yarn around that loop right next to your finger. Keep spooling it around, tightly now, and start shifting your direction to go around in a clockwise pattern to make a sphere.
  5. Once you've gotten the size you want (a little larger than a golfball is actually fine, but the larger variety---tennis or softball---will dry your clothes more quickly and efficiently), stop rolling and cut the yarn with an inch or so to spare.
  6. Use some sort of skinny implement like a knitting needle. (I used the little key tool for the interior doors of the house instead.) Shove the end of the yarn underneath a few layers of the dryer ball. Strangely, I also discovered a cuticle pusher works really well.
  7. Repeat until you have 3 (or 6 if you get yourself 2 skeins) dryer balls.
  8. Place the balls in the leg of an old pair of pantyhose. Use ACRYLIC yarn or some other string to tie the pantyhouse tightly next to the sides of each dryer ball. DO NOT USE THE WOOL YARN for the ties. It will felt to the pantyhose if you do.
  9. Plunk the whole caterpillar of dryer ball goodness into your washing machine on HOT WASH and COLD RINSE (if your dryer doesn't have a rinse temperature setting, never fear, most default to cold rinse.
  10. Transfer the caterpillar to the dryer and dry on the HOTTEST setting.
  11. At this point you can take a peek, but you may need to go ahead and repeat the washing and drying process to get your wool dryer balls fully felted. So if you don't want to peek, just toss em in again.
  12. Pull those bad boys out of the pantyhose, make sure they're felted together.
  13. Add a couple drops of your favorite essential oils. I buy mine here and usually use Purification blend. Place the wool dryer balls in your dryer with each load and you won't need to add softener or dryer sheets. Win!
3.3.3077

 

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How to Make DIY Wool Dryer Balls @VeggieConverter

11 Scents of the Season: Essential Oils for the Holidays

November 22, 2014 By Kristi

Essential Oils for the Holidays | @VeggieConverter

I'm a big fan of essential oils for health reasons, but sometimes I add a few scents to the diffuser just to have everything smell lovely. Especially after the kids have made it smell funky. Here are my 11 favorite scents and combinations of essential oils for the holidays!

1. Orange and Thieves

I frequently add sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks and cloves to simmering water on the stovetop to defunk kitchen smells. This combination--2 drops orange and 2 drops Thieves essential oils--smells exactly the same. I'm in love!

2. Christmas Spirit 

Christmas Spirit is a sweet, spicy blend of orange, cinnamon, and spruce essential oils that tap into the happiness, joy, and security associated with the holiday season. With Christmas Spirit on hand, simply open a bottle and start diffusing!

3. Frankincense and Myrrh

Those wise men were onto something. Diffuse this Christmasy combo to get yourself in the spirit with these precious, spiritually uplifting essential oils.

4. Pumpkin Pie Blend

5 drops cinnamon bark and 1 drop each clove and nutmeg essential oils emulate the tasty smell of fresh-baked pumpkin pie.

5. Walk in the Woods Blend 

3 drops Cypress, 2 drops Idaho Balsam Fir and 1 drop Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood will bring the smells of the forest into your living room.

6. Christmas Tree Blend 

4 drops pine, 2 drops cedarwood and 3 drops of Idaho blue spruce is a great combination to enhance the natural Christmas tree scent (or emulate one if you don't use a cut tree).

7. New Year's Cheer Blend 

1 drop ylang ylang, 2 drops lavender and 5 drops orange essential oils will perk you up for New Year's Eve.

8. Holiday Enlightenment Blend 

4 drops orange and 4 drops Believe essential oils will uplift your spirit and motivate you. Orange has a rich, fruity scent that lifts the spirit while providing a calming influence on the body. Orange brings peace and happiness to the mind. Believe may help assist as you move to a higher level of awareness. As you are able to move past emotional setbacks and barriers, you will be able to reach your true, unlimited potential.

9. Jade Lemon

Jade Lemon essential oil contains high levels of d-limonene, which helps invigorate, uplift, and energize, as well as support clarity of thought and purpose. This oil supports skin health; helps open and release emotional blocks; and is useful to clean, detox, and purify. A 1995 Mie University study also found that citrus fragrances induce relaxation and invoke feelings of happiness.

10. Evergreen Essence 

This essential oil takes you back to nature by combining the scents of a variety of aromatic pine, cedar, and spruce trees. Crisp and invigorating, it refreshes your senses.

11. Into the Future 

A great essential oil to diffuse on New Year's Day, Into the Future empowers you to leave the past behind and confidently move forward.

Not yet a member? Learn more about joining Young Living HERE.

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Essential Oils for the Holidays | @VeggieConverter

 

Soothing Coconut Oil Epsom Salt Scrub

April 30, 2014 By Kristi

Essential Oil Salt Scrub | @VeggieConverter
Coconut oil salt scrub: A great gift to make for friends, family, neighbors, and teachers is this DIY salt scrub. It's incredibly simple. Epsom salts plus coconut oil and a little essential oil. Mix 'em up. Done.

You can use whatever scent of essential oils you like best, or choose your EO based on its therapeutic use!

Make this for any of the ladies in your life. It's great for dry heels, softening your legs before shaving and just about any relaxation home spa gift basket you'd want to give.

And one of the great benefits of salt scrub versus sugar scrub is that your skin can soak in the magnesium from the epsom salts.

Low magnesium is one of the triggers for migraines and other health issues! So soak it in, baby!

Coconut Oil Epsom Salt Scrub

1 pint jar (I like to use the squattier gift jars, but a regular wide-mouth is fine, too)

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups Epsom salts (I use these Epsom salts)
2/3 cup coconut oil, melted if mixing by hand (or use your favorite liquid carrier oil like olive or almond oil for a quick, no fuss version)
20 drops essential oil of choice (I love lavender or Stress Away for this scrub)

Method

Mix all ingredients in your jar (I don't even measure, I just eyeball it in my jar and mix away!). You can also mix it in your stand mixer (if you use this method, you don't need to melt your oil!). Add the essential oil until it smells wonderful to you!

Place a pretty piece of cloth on top of your canning lid, then screw the canning ring on over it for a pretty decorated piece.

I usually print out instructions for how to use it (and how to make your own refills!) and label the jar. My daughter likes to add a little butterfly drawing on the lid, too. So cute.

These make great teacher gifts, too!

The above recipe makes 32 ounces, so you can make eight gifts to fit in 4 ounce canning jars. Split the recipe in half for four gifts. Quarter it for two. Or, to do a single 4 ounce canning jar of Stress Away salt scrub, use the ingredient amounts below.

Stress Away Salt Scrub

Stress Away Salt Scrub

Makes one 4 ounce jar

Ingredients

1/3 cup (2 2/3 ounces) Epsom salts
2 2/3 tablespoons (1 1/3 ounces) olive oil
5 drops of Stress Away essential oil blend

Method

Mix all ingredients in your jar.

Related posts

Calming Lavender-Magnesium Scrub

Homemade Bath Salts

Lemon Sugar Scrub

Do you make your own body lotions or beauty products?

If not, give it a try! Coconut oil sugar scrub is so easy and so much healthier for your skin!

Try my Coconut Oil Lotion Bars, too!

DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars | VeggieConverter

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Essential Oil Salt Scrub | @VeggieConverter

 
Save Print
Soothing Coconut Oil Epsom Salt Scrub
Author: Kristi Arnold @VeggieConverter.com
 
Ingredients
  • 1 1/3 cups epsom salts
  • 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted if mixing by hand (or use your favorite liquid carrier oil like olive or almond oil for a quick, no fuss version)
  • about 20 drops essential oil of choice (I love lavender or Stress Away for this scrub)
Method
  1. Mix all ingredients in your jar (I don't even measure, I just eyeball it in my jar and mix away!). You can also mix it in your stand mixer (if you use this method, you don't need to melt your oil!). Add the essential oil until it smells wonderful to you!
  2. Place a pretty piece of cloth on top of your canning lid, then screw the canning ring on over it for a pretty decorated piece.
3.5.3208

Homemade Essential Oils Honey Lozenges

March 21, 2014 By Kristi

Sick

My girls are weird. They love lozenges. They often fake ticklish throats in an attempt to get them. It's hilarious and ridiculous all at the same time. Lately, we've been making essential oils honey lozenges.

I have to be REALLY sure our lozenges are good for them. No chemical ingredients. Many cough drops come filled with HFCS and other additives.

Now, when we have the time and advanced warning, we make homemade honey lozenges with essential oils.

Essential Oils Honey Lozenges

Adapted from Mama Essential Oil Cabinet

Ingredients

1 cup honey

1 teaspoon ghee or coconut oil (optional)

10 drops Thieves essential oil

5 drops Lemon essential oil

Method

Bring honey and ghee/coconut oil to 300 degrees Fahrenheit using a candy thermometer.

It will take about 20 minutes on medium heat. Stir frequently and turn to low to prevent it from boiling over.

The ghee should help keep the foaming down.

Turn off heat and allow the honey to cool. Once it starts thickening, you can add your essential oils.

You can add more or less, to taste.

Drop into a silicone mold ice cube tray. Let cool until hard and pop out.

Store in a jar or other container in your medicine cabinet; it shouldn't spoil. Or you can freeze most of your batch in a freezer bag if you like.

Enjoy your lozenges!

Image: Amy Loves Yah via Compfight cc

Save Print
Homemade Essential Oils Honey Lozenges
Author: Kristi Arnold @VeggieConverter.com
Recipe type: Health
Cuisine: American
Prep time:  5 mins
Cook time:  20 mins
Total time:  25 mins
Serves: 24
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon ghee or coconut oil (optional)
  • 10 drops Thieves essential oil
  • 5 drops Lemon essential oil
Method
  1. Bring honey and ghee/coconut oil to 300 degrees Fahrenheit using a candy thermometer. It will take about 20 minutes on medium heat. Stir frequently and turn to low to prevent it from boiling over. The ghee should help keep the foaming down.
  2. Turn off heat and allow the honey to cool. Once it starts thickening, you can add your essential oils. You can add more or less, to taste.
  3. Drop into a silicone mold ice cube tray. Let cool until hard and pop out. Store in a jar or other container in your medicine cabinet; it shouldn't spoil. Or you can freeze most of your batch in a freezer bag if you like.
  4. Enjoy your lozenges!
3.5.3251

 

Manly Bath Salts

March 3, 2014 By Kristi

So, my husband is getting a tad oily by osmosis. But he's not a fan of the fruity or flowery scents. So, we ordered him some Citrus Fresh, Lemongrass and Cedarwood for manlier smelling personal care products. Check out my post over at Don't Mess with Mama for more manly conversions on my essential oils beauty products. 

But first...check out our spring bath salts. 

Spring Bath Salts

I also like to make Spring Bath Salts for the kiddos using Eucalyptus Radiata and Lavender essential oils. I use about 15 drops of eucalyptus radiata and 10 drops of lavender in about a cup and a half of bath salts. It's so soothing. I love it for the kiddos and myself!

 

Method

Add 2 cups Epsom salts and 1 cup sea salt to each bag, seal and shake to mix.

Add 8 drops of essential oil mix. Mix by hand and then shake for 5 seconds to mix further.

Transfer to glass or plastic jars with lids. Let the salts sit for 2 weeks, shaking to mix once a day.

Use about 1/4 cup per tubful of warm water.

Now on to the manly bath salts!

Manly Bath Salts | @VeggieConverter diybeauty diy manly
Try this Manly Bath Salts recipe to make your partner's bath time relaxing and manly.

Manly Bath Salts

12 baths

Ingredients

4 cups Epsom salts
2 cups sea salt
12 drops lemongrass essential oil
4 drops cedarwood essential oil
2 one-gallon zipper freezer bags

You can also make easy little Bath Salts gifts using your leftover glass supplements bottles.

Learn how to clean and reuse those bottles in my video HERE.

Bottle Cleaning

75 mL Bath Salts Reusing Supplement Bottles

Fill your supplement bottle with Epsom salts

Add about 10 drops of your favorite essential oil

Put the lid on and shake.

Related posts:

Chlorine Neutralizing Bath Salts

DIY Detoxifying Bath Salts

DIY Relaxing Lavender Bath Salts

Kid-Friendly Squeezable Toothpaste

Homemade Deodorant Stick Plus 5 Bonus Deodorant Recipes!

I’m 36 and I Still Have Zits: DIY Homemade Acne Treatment (Zit Zapper) Spray

DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars

DIY Presents: Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

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Manly Bath Salts | @VeggieConverter diybeauty diy manly

 

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Kid-Friendly Squeezable Homemade Toothpaste & How to Say 'No' to Dentists

March 2, 2014 By Kristi

Homemade Toothpaste | @VeggieConverter kidfriendly

Homemade toothpaste wasn't something I ever thought I'd be whipping up on my weekend. But, my 5-year-old got some bad news at the dentist last week. She has a tiny cavity on one of her molars.

I was super bummed because we'd been loosely following the Cure Tooth Decay protocol. To be honest, with one kid still struggling with potty training, it was REALLY loosely. I couldn't fathom how to get her a non-candy treat for the potty.

Alas, I probably should've figured something else out.

So, now we're hitting the protocol hard. We've been taking our fermented cod liver oil daily.

Yes, it tastes terrible and yes, the kids hate it. But I've explained why they're taking it and it seems to work for them. They follow it with a glass of milk or water to wash the taste out.

We're also taking cell salts---#1, #2, #8 and #12. According to the kids, these are much more enjoyable. According to Bug, "these taste like marshmallows!"

Making our own toothpaste

And now we're making our own remineralizing toothpaste. There are several recipes out there, including Homemade Mommy's, Loula Natural's, Wellness Mama's and The Paleo Mama's.

I'm hoping to craft one the kids will love. Because I wasn't able to say "no" to the dentist. I made the appointment, which I really hope I'll be able to cancel.

I don't want my daughter to have to get a filling. I know there are all kinds of reasons in favor, but there are also many reasons kids should avoid fillings.

I REALLY want to heal Bug's cavity. But then I worry. In Georgia, your child's dentist has to sign off for them to enter school. So, what do I do? Explain I want to try healing the cavity first? Will he still sign?

So, for now I think I'll delay. Try my best to heal her cavity and hope I don't have to worry about begging a signature out of her very kind and understanding dentist.

If I just TALK to him, I could probably assuage all these fears. But there's a little part of me that worries he'll think I'm crazy for wanting to heal a cavity.

I'm asking you all to send me some strength vibes to get through this, I know this is a first-world problem, but it's a struggle for me.

Now on to the good part. The homemade toothpaste recipe!

Kid-Friendly Squeezable Homemade Toothpaste

Fills one 3-ounce tube (BPA free)
Adapted from Homemade Mommy

Ingredients

3 tablespoons coconut oil, solid form (where to buy)

3 tablespoons boiling water to thin, more as needed

¾ teaspoon unrefined high mineral salt (you can buy it at some wholesale clubs)

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons Bentonite clay (where to buy)

1/4 teaspoon Thieves (vitality) essential oil

1/4 teaspoon Peppermint (vitality) essential oil (where to buy)

ground stevia (optional)

Method

Blend together the coconut oil and water.

Let cool slightly. Add salt, baking soda, and essential oil.

Mix in the bentonite clay and then slowly add more water, if needed, a tablespoon at a time.

Once it's smooth, you're ready to fill your 3-ounce tube.

Once you scoop the toothpaste into the tube, you're good to go. Use it to brush just like you normally would.

We don't use stevia, but our kids aren't big sugar people. Add about 1 teaspoon at the same time as the salt if your child needs it.

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Homemade Toothpaste | @VeggieConverter kidfriendly

Save Print
Kid-Friendly Squeezable Homemade Toothpaste & How to Say 'No' to Dentists
Author: Kristi Arnold @VeggieConverter.com
 
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil, solid form
  • 3 tablespoons boiling water to thin, more as needed
  • ¾ teaspoon unrefined high mineral salt (you can buy it at some wholesale clubs)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons Bentonite clay
  • 1/4 teaspoon Thieves essential oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon Peppermint essential oil
  • ground stevia (optional)
Method
  1. Blend together the coconut oil and water.
  2. Let cool slightly. Add salt, baking soda and essential oil.
  3. Mix in the bentonite clay and then slowly add more water, if needed, a tablespoon at a time.
  4. Once it's smooth, you're ready to fill your 3-ounce tube.
  5. Once you scoop the toothpaste into the tube, you're good to go. Use it to brush just like you normally would.
  6. We don't use the stevia, but our kids aren't big sugar people. Add about 1 teaspoon at the same time as the salt if your child needs it.
3.5.3208

 

Homemade Deodorant Stick

February 20, 2014 By Kristi

Homemade Deodorant Stick | @VeggieConverter diybeauty essentialoils

Homemade deodorant is awesome and pretty darn easy. Store-bought deodorant is full of all kinds of icky stuff. But some of the homemade or all-natural stuff just doesn't work for me. I've finally found one that works great.

It's made from cornstarch, baking soda and coconut oil with a bit of essential oil mixed in.

I absolutely love the citrus-cinnamon smell of the Christmas Spirit oil, but Purification works great for smelling nice, so choose what you like!

I'm planning to make my husband some manly deodorant with the Citrus blend essential oil next month.

It sounds like a manly enough scent for him.

What is your favorite scent?

Homemade Deodorant Stick

Makes 2 sticks

Ingredients

1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch (I use this kind) 
1/4 cup baking soda (I buy it here)
1/4 cup coconut oil (I buy mine here)
10-20 drops essential oil of choice (Purification is great for odor elimination and I love the smell of Christmas Spirit)

Method

Mix ingredients together by hand or in a stand mixer.

Pack into deodorant containers.

I used a large spoon to pour in the mixture and then regularly packed it down.

When it was full, I smoothed the tops off with my hand.

Looking for more recipes like this? Check out all of my beauty recipes!

Looking for more homemade deodorant recipes? Try these, you're sure to find one you absolutely love:

  1. Easy Homemade Deodorant for Sensitive Skin by Homemade Mommy
  2. Nontoxic Homemade Deodorant by The Crunchy Moose
  3. Homemade Deodorant that Really Works by Primally Inspired
  4. Homemade Mineral Salt Deodorant Spray by Holistic Health Herbalist

 

Love my recipe? Pin it, please!

 

Homemade Deodorant Stick | @VeggieConverter diybeauty essentialoils

 

 

Save Print
Homemade Deodorant Stick Plus Bonus Deodorant Recipes!
Author: Kristi Arnold @VeggieConverter.com
Recipe type: Health
Cuisine: American
Prep time:  10 mins
Total time:  10 mins
Serves: 1
 
Store-bought deodorant is full of all kinds of icky chemicals. But some of the homemade deodorant doesn't work; I've finally found one that works great.
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 10-20 drops essential oil of choice (Purification is great for odor elimination and I love the smell of Christmas Spirit)
Method
  1. Mix ingredients together by hand or in a stand mixer.
  2. Pack into deodorant containers. I used a large spoon to pour in the mixture and then regularly packed it down.
  3. When it was full, I smoothed the tops off with my hand.
3.5.3251

 

DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars

December 21, 2013 By Kristi

DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars | VeggieConverter

I may have a new favorite homemade gift: DIY coconut oil lotion bars!

I absolutely love them and I hope those who get them as a gift this year will love them, too!

I just purchased a huge starter kit of essential oils (like this one HERE), so I'm going to be creating a lot more awesome beauty stuff. I got them to use for my kids, but I'm finding SO much stuff to use for myself, too.

I'm loving the oils, do you use essential oils yet? If so, what's your favorite?

Mine is lemon for now. I'm sure that'll change when I spend more time with my new ones. 🙂

Want to get your own oils?

Order Your Starter Kit Now

Some of my favorite oils to use are Joy and lavender, both of which come in the Premium Starter Kit. Learn more about it HERE.

Joy Lotion Bars | @VeggieConverter

I think one of the best combos for skin---especially from the starter kit oils---is frankincense and lavender. Lavender is calming for your mind and your skin while frankincense helps maintain radiant skin and smooths the look of healthy skin. Plus, bonus, they both smell yummy!

Lavender Lotion Bars | @VeggieConverter

These lotion bars have made awesome gifts several times over now.

And I try to keep some on hand for myself, too.

I've since experimented a couple of times with adding a little beetroot powder to make the bars a pretty mauve color. They're super pretty.

Want to make lotion bars for Valentine's Day gifts? Try these cute heart-shaped molds. And if you want to jazz up the sexy time even more, try adding Ylang Ylang essential oil!

And although the results make it look like this recipe must be complicated, it's actually really easy. I'm not the most skilled DIY'er in the world.

I've had a few disasters in my day because I tend to hedge toward tossing in ingredients rather than accurately measuring.

But this one is simple and the measurements are pretty forgiving even when you spitball them. I love it!

DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars

Adapted from Frugal by Choice Lotion Bars. 

Ingredients

1 cup coconut oil (buy some HERE)
1 cup beeswax (I use pellets from Amazon)
1/2 cup shea butter
1/2 cup almond oil
Essential oils of choice (lemon, Joy and lavender are all great choices) (I buy mine HERE)

Method

Place all ingredients except essential oils in a quart mason jar.

Bring a stock pot full of water to a boil with the uncapped jar sitting inside.

Stir regularly until all ingredients melt completely.

Let cool slightly. Add oils and stir.

Pour coconut oil lotion bars mix into silicone molds like these I found: daisies silicone mold and snowflakes silicone mold.

Let set completely (overnight is best). Pop out of the molds and place in mason jars, decorate and tag accordingly. 🙂


 

Related on VeggieConverter:

DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

All Natural Pink Lemonade

Slow Cooker Applesauce

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DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars | VeggieConverter

Save Print
DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars
Author: Kristi Arnold @VeggieConverter.com
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup coconut oil
  • 1 cup beeswax (I use pellets from Amazon)
  • 1/2 cup shea butter
  • 1/2 cup almond oil
  • Essential oils of choice (lemon, Joy and lavender are all great choices)
Method
  1. Place all ingredients except essential oils in a quart mason jar.
  2. Bring a stock pot full of water to a boil with the uncapped jar sitting inside.
  3. Stir regularly until all ingredients melt completely.
  4. Let cool slightly. Add oils and stir.
  5. Some of my favorite oils to use are Joy and lavender, both of which come in the Premium Starter Kit. Learn more about it HERE.
  6. Pour into silicone molds like these I found: daisies silicone mold and snowflakes silicone mold.
  7. Want to make lotion bars for Valentine's Day gifts? Try these cute heart-shaped molds.
  8. Let set completely (overnight is best). Pop out of the molds and place in mason jars, decorate and tag accordingly. 🙂
3.5.3208

 

Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

November 13, 2013 By Kristi

Coconut Sugar Scrub

Coconut oil sugar scrub: My absolute favorite gift to make for friends, family, neighbors, and teachers is this DIY sugar scrub. This year, I started using coconut oil instead of olive oil and I love it even more!

Make this for any of the ladies in your life. It's great for dry heels, softening your legs before shaving and just about any relaxation home spa gift basket you'd want to give.

This year this gift is especially useful since I figured out sugar is a migraine trigger for me. So now I'm using up all of my sugar making pretty, pretty gifts for friends, family and myself!

Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

1 pint jar (I like to use the squattier gift jars, but a regular wide-mouth is fine, too)

Ingredients

1 1/3 cups sugar (I use organic white sugar)
2/3 cup coconut oil, melted
about 20 drops essential oil of choice (I get mine HERE)

Method

Mix all ingredients in your jar (I don't even measure, I just eyeball it in my jar and mix away!). You can also mix it in your stand mixer. Add the essential oil until it smells wonderful to you!

Place a pretty piece of cloth on top of your canning lid, then screw the canning ring on over it for a pretty decorated piece.

I usually print out instructions for how to use it (and how to make your own refills!) and label the jar. My daughter likes to add a little butterfly drawing on the lid, too. So cute.

Do you make your own body lotions or beauty products?

If not, give it a try! Coconut oil sugar scrub is so easy and so much healthier for your skin!

Try my Coconut Oil Lotion Bars, too!

DIY Coconut Oil Lotion Bars | VeggieConverter

Image: Peppysis via Compfight cc

 

Copyright © VeggieConverter, LLC.
Recipe by Kristi Arnold.
Microformatting by hRecipe.

 Love it? Pin it, please!

DIY Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub | @VeggieConverter essentialoils diybeauty coconutoil

Save Print
DIY Presents: Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub
Author: Kristi Arnold @VeggieConverter.com
 
Ingredients
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar (I use organic white sugar)
  • 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted
  • about 20 drops essential oil of choice (I get mine HERE: https://veggieconverter.com/oils)
Method
  1. Mix all ingredients in your jar (I don't even measure, I just eyeball it in my jar and mix away!). You can also mix it in your stand mixer.
  2. Add the essential oil until it smells wonderful to you!
3.5.3208

 

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About the Cook

kristi

Kristi Arnold is a former newspaper reporter and editor who is now a gluten-free vegetarian(ish) mom married to Mr. Meaty, a "normal" omnivore.

Helping moms introduce family-friendly meatless meals into their lifestyle with ease. We hope you can benefit from our stumbles and triumphs. VeggieConverter is all about life with our blended-eater family: 1 veggie/gluten-free mama + 1 meaty dad + 2 undecided kids converting traditional recipe favorites into (mostly) vegetarian meals the entire family can enjoy together!

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