Thursday, May 22, 2014

Save Munchies Leg | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com





Save Munchies Leg | Medical Expenses - YouCaring.com



This little guy needs surgery ASAP. If the break begins to heal then it will have to be broken again before fixing. That means more pain for this little one.


35% of sales will be donated! http://www.lillarose.biz/parties/4988

Discounted Inventory sale at the facebook event. https://www.facebook.com/events/513384385450085



Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Sandalwood



Concentrating with a toddler in the room isn't an easy task which many of you may know. I have been spending the day reading about various individual essential oils. The latest oil I was reading about is Sandalwood.

I bought samples of 3 expensive oils for skin care. I tested s small drop Sandalwood on my skin thanks to my Spring rash. I went about my business and noticed I was enjoying the fragrance. I even commented to my mother. Break is over and I sit back to read more when I realize my concentration level has jump. The toddler is still in the room. I am not drinking coffee either. I am stunned! Here I am testing Sandalwood for skin application and it's working on my brain! I am totally sold on our centre blend.



I am now sold on our Centre Blend which contains Frankincense, Vetiver, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, sandalwood & ylang ylang.

You can purchase the blend here.


You can use Centre in our Diffuser or wear it all day on a terra cotta pendant. Consider using it as a deodorizer in your own made deodorant.  Recipe is found here.


For those curious I am reading about Essential oils from a non-bias opinion at Organic Facts.


What did you learn?

Sunday, May 11, 2014

It works for me!

After 3+ years of formulating my own condition I found a recipe that works for my thick curly hair.  But what do these ingredients do?

 



 

Hydrolyzed Oat Protein - A humectant to moisturize your hair. Since my hair already has volume I want a protein that is a film former to help retain my curls. Some other choices include silk, wheat, oat, corn, & soy.

BTMS - The heart of the conditioner! It's positively charged while our hair fibre is negative, therefore it clings to the surface of your hair.

Cetyl Alcohol - This boosts the effectiveness of BTMS. Both BTMS and Cetyle Alcohol are responsible for emulsifying our recipe.

Argan Oil - This is a new favorite of mine for curl retention. This oil is expensive and is commonly found in Moroccan oil hair care products.

Avocado Oil - Medium weight oil that helps with flyaway hair. (Sunflower is lightweight alternative)

Polyquaternium 7 - It's a conditioning agent and humectant that my hair loves.

dl Panthenol  - Brings in moisture and creates shine. Too much can cause your hair shaft to swell (volume).

Silicones! - There seems to be some controversy with these ingredients but it's my curly hair's best friend and I can not do without Dimethicone! This stuff keeps my hair from frizzing by creating a film on the outside of the hair. FYI Silicones are derived by sand!

Cetrimonium Chloride - This is the special ingredient to detangling your hair! You can't comb curly hair so this is a MUST!

Avena Oat Extract & Carrot extracts add moisture. Carrot extract is magic for my curl retention.



Heating and holding means heating the heated oil phase and heated water phase separately in two heat-resistant containers in indirect heat (like a double boiler) for 20 minutes at 70˚C or 158˚F. The 20 minutes starts when the ingredients reach the required temperature. Read more here.

Heated Phase

Pyrex cup in Pot 1
Water 67.5%
Hydrolyzed Oat Protein (H) 2%

Pyrex cup in Pot 2
BTMS (H) 4%
Cetyl Alcohol (L) 2.5%
Avocado oil (BB) 2%
Argan oil (BB) 3%

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After you mix the lotion well (click here for more information on possible mixing techniques), monitor the temperature until it reaches about 45˚C, then add the cool down ingredients.



Cool Down Phase

Polyquaternium 7 (H) 2%
dl Panthenol 50% Liquid (H) 2%
Cyclomethicone (and) Dimethicone (L) 2%
CETAC 30% - Cetrimonium Chloride (L) 3%
Avena Oat Extract WS (H) 2%
Carrot Extract (BB) 6%
Fragrance (BB) 1%
Phenonip (L) 1%


H - The Herbarie
L- Lotioncrafter
BB - Brambleberry

I use the Eatsmart Precision Pro Kitchen Scale for weighing the ingredients. My previous scale by another manufacturer only last a few months. I have had the Eatsmart for years without an issues.