Bath and Shower Salts

I just made an awesome, spir of the moment sugar scrub. I had ran out of sea salt, and have heard of sugar being used in its place.  I thought I'd try it!  I didn't measure, I put about a quarter cup of white suger in a ceramic bowl, about a teaspoon of olive oil and a few drops of lavender.  I feel so clean and much more exfoiliated than with the salt.  Mixing some for a friend would make a great gift!

Make a herbal oil by packing a jar half way of dried or fresh herbs (baby jars work great) and fill it with cold pressed virgin olive oil. Olive oil is filled with vitamins we need anyway and the herb will take the olive scent away.  Add one capsule or a couple drops of Vitamin E oil, to preserve the oil, or it can spoil!  Shake for a minute and store in a dark area for about one month.  Shake everyday.  Placing the jar into the sunlight may infuse the oils sooner...it is up to you.  I have read to keep them in the dark and I also have read to have them in the sunlight.  I usually keep them in the darkness and have them in sunlight for one day only. I have made calendula, lavender, and chamomile oil in this fashion-it is inexpensive and the oils are very useful. The calendula is great for diaper rash.  I also use it for and under-eye cream, and lip cream which works wonders for fine lines you might have. It can be used for bug bites as well as the lavender oil.  For some real luxury, smooth the lavender oil on your entire body and let it seep in, taking long deep breaths as you smell the lavender...relax, then gently wash it off in the shower or take a nice bath in it!  You'll feel soooo good, refreshed and relaxed at the same time, plus you'll smell great and have the softest skin! :) Chamomile is my favorite oil of relaxing, I swear it puts me right  to sleep!  I love the scent also.

Please stop buying those expensive body salts, as nice as I know they are, and make your own!  There is something calming, theraputic about preparing your own ointments, creams and salts.  Not to mention your own wonderful love and energy you will place in each jar. Take a jar you plan to store the salts in.  Go ahead and use a plastic jar if you know the salts will be used up in a couple months.  I usally use glass because I save those tostitos salsa jars, they are a perfect size for storing herbs and making bath salts in! OK, now fill the jar with sea salt.  Use epsom salts if your skin is sensitive, as they are gentle to the skin.  Now dump the salts into a bowl, glass bowl please.  Using plastic is a no-no as the essential oils will seep into the bowl and DO NOT come out!  Add an oil of your choice, grapeseed oil is inexpensive and good for oily skin.  Avocado oil is great for dry skin.  If you cannot find these at the health store, use olive oil.  Extra virgin is best, I believe that is the one with less scent.  Add the essential oil of your choice.  Also add vitamin E oil, just a couple drops or one capsule for extra softening.  Olive oil is very oily, so in the case of shower and bath reciepes, I suggest grapeseed oil for best results. The stronger the fragrence, the less you need. For instance, rosemary is very woody, very earthy-very strong. Lavender you might use more of.  Peppermint-one drop is enough! I would let the jar sit for a day or two to let the ingredients marry together and get to know each other-but this not necesary when you are short on time.  I use this scrub in the shower. Use essential oil of grapefruit to uplift your spirits-use everyday where you have celulite. I love using orange, a happy, sweet smelling scent, not to mention my favorite color! Use sandlewood or rosemary before a ritual as a protection and cleansing oil bath or shower.

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