Homemade Facial Oil for All Skin Types

I am newly excited about making my own all-natural body care products. Some of the benefits of making my own products are that they are simple and easy to make, I select the ingredients that I know are good for my well-being, and they are much less expensive than natural products in the store or mail order products. Also, they last so much longer!

In the past, I have tested many facial moisturizers. After trying products for years, I finally found a great company that sources all organic ingredients, makes their products in small batches and is excellent quality. I would spend about $40 for a 2 ounce bottle of moisturizer, plus pay for shipping. I would usually go through about 2 bottles per year. That ends up costing about $90 for facial moisturizer for the year. Last year, I made my own facial oil for about $14. The oil I made was so potent, it literally lasted me an entire year! Here is the one I made last year:
http://elliesecocollective.blogspot.com/2013/12/homemade-facial-moisturizer-for-oily.html

Now that I have run out of oil, I decided to try a new recipe. I just ordered some new, very potent therapeutic grade essential oils that I want to test out and I want to use effective ingredients, but don't want to spend a lot of money.

Here is information on the ingredients I decided to use this time:

Apricot Kernel Oil

• Affordable
• Non-greasy
• Anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to soothe minor skin conditions
• High in Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA), which enables your skin to maintain its moisture balance. Also helps tone and firm up your skin
• Vitamin A and Vitamin E, which slow down the signs of ageing
• Light, gentle, mild and non-irritating, it can also be used for children and babies
• Great for all skin types, especially prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed or dry skin
• Shelf life of about 1 year, and 2 years if it is refrigerated

Rosehip Seed Oil

• Anti-inflammatory
• Full of vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids which can correct dark spots and hydrate dry, itchy skin, while reducing scars and fine lines
• Vitamin C and lycopene, which works to repair the skin's surface, restoring elasticity and protecting against sun and pollution stressors that can lead to wrinkles
• Promotes wound healing by stimulating tissue regeneration

Lavender Essential Oil

• Anti-inflammatory and stimulating for the circulatory system
• Anti-fungal and antiseptic. Reduces scarring and speeds healing
• Beneficial for treating acne, inhibits bacteria that causes the initial infection
• Calming and stress relieving properties

 

Frankincense Essential Oil

• Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic
• Astringent quality that reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• Helps scars and after marks of boils, acne and pox on the skin fade at a much faster rate.
• Helps eliminate sun spots and generally tones and tightens skin
• Induces a feelings of peace, relaxation, satisfaction and spirituality. It lowers anxiety, anger and stress.

 

 

Here is a recipe for an all natural facial oil I just made for myself. The essential oils I am using are very potent, so I am not using a lot.

You need:

• 2 ounce Dark glass bottle with a pump or a dropper
• 1 3/4 ounce Apricot kernel oil
• 1/4 ounce Rosehip seed oil
• 4 drops Lavender essential oil
• 3 drops Frankincense essential oil

1. Pour the apricot kernel oil into a clean dark glass bottle about 3/4 of the way full.
2. Pour the rosehip seed oil into the bottle, until almost full.
3. Add the lavender and frankincense oil.
4. Close the bottle and shake. Enjoy!

Homemade All Natural Deodorant...That Really Works!

 

Hi Friends,

Life can get busy for many people, and as you can see from my last blog post - which was exactly a year ago, my life is no exception.

As I left off from my last post in 2013, I am once again, getting into essential oils and how seriously powerful they can be in assisting with natural health and well being.

After doing some research, I have decided to start experimenting with creating my own all natural homemade deodorant. This summer I spent 4 months abroad and I ran out of my own natural herbal deodorant. I tried buying something new from the local health food store, and it turned out that it made my tiny bit of body odor even worse!

Now that I am back in America and am making plans to again, be out of the country, I don't want to be dependent on bringing enough deodorant with me. It's time to be simple and make my own. I realized in doing this, that the skin under my arms is very sensitive. Lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic system, are located in your armpits. They are part of your immune system and help your body fight off infections and disease. For me, it makes sense to only put pure, all natural deodorant in such a sensitive place, especially when what you put on your skin gets absorbed into the bloodstream.

Through experimenting, I found out that making my own deodorant is really easy!

Right now I am using a mix of organic coconut oil with geranium essential oil mixed in. I use a tiny bit under each arm and I smell like fresh geraniums all day.

I made the following recipe from WellnessMama.com and it also smells great, but my shea butter and coconut oil separated, so I might have to mix it while it cools. But otherwise, it also works well for me.

One of the recipes I made is from this blog here:
http://wellnessmama.com/1523/natural-deodorant/

Here is another very simple recipe for homemade deodorant, with great photos and a very simple but beautiful way to store natural homemade cosmetics.
http://notrashproject.com/tag/homemade-deodorant/

Homemade Facial Moisturizer for Oily Skin

I have this awesome book called The Aromatherapy Companion, which is all about the medicinal uses for using essential oils. This book has lots of information about using essential oils safely and effectively and gives many great recipes for natural skin and body care.

I found a really easy and effective recipe for facial moisturizer for oily skin. I only like to use all natural skin care products and usually have to special order my skincare online. With the cost of the actual product and shipping, the price can really add up! So I decided to try making my own and see how I like it.

After using it for a few days, I notice that my skin is soft, smooth and supple. I like it even better than my expensive moisturizer that I special order!! I am loving how I am saving money and doing something good for my body. Here is the really easy recipe.

Facial Moisturizer for Oily Skin

• 10 drops niaouli essential oil
• 5 drops cypress essential oil
• 30 ml (1 ounce) hazelnut oil

Combine all ingredients in a small dark glass bottle; shake to mix. To use: After cleansing and toning, place a few drops in the palms of your hands and massage or press lightly over your entire face.

I literally only need 2 drops of this oil and use it on my face and neck.

Soap = Hope

At this past Green Festival in NYC I came across a really cool little soap company. As you probably know, I am obsessed with natural body care products and love to try out new soaps see new products that are on the market. This company, SoapBox Soaps, is a company that not only produces a great quality product, they also distribute soap to children in need. They basically adopted the Tom's Shoes One for One idea, so that for every bar of soap you purchase, SoapBox Soaps donates a bar to a child in need, as well as to local struggling families, homeless shelters, women's shelters and nursing homes. What a cool way to make our purchases - knowing that when we buy something, we are also providing for another person!

I thought this was a great idea, and even better, I didn't have to compromise my values to support this worthy cause. SoapBox Soaps contain all natural ingredients, gluten-free oatmeal, organic shea butter and sea salt. All of their soaps are cruelty-free, made in America, packaged with 100% recycled fibers and 35% post consumer waste and vegan. LOVE IT!!!

I think I bought 6 bars and am working my way through each delicious smelling flavor.

https://www.soapboxsoaps.com/

Cooking With the Hip Chick...

Many women I meet who are interested in learning more about healthy diet and lifestyle often tell me they feel overwhelmed with all of the information out there. One magazine says to eat this, one diet says to eat that - there are so many philosophies and ways of living that claim to the be "RIGHT" way.

To these women, I have recommended one book. One book to start them on a healing journey - to open their minds and give them a basic understanding about healthy food and lifestyle - and to do it all with humor, wit and intelligence. This book that I recommend is written BY an exceptional woman, FOR exceptional women. Once I got my hands on a copy, I really couldn't put it down. It is not only fascinating, but so well explained that it allows the readers to easily grasp the concepts and apply them to their own lives.

This book is The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics. It is always my go-to book for women just starting out and wanting to learn the in's and out's of macrobiotics.

Get a copy - even if you already have a deep understanding of healing through natural diet and lifestyle and the energetics of food, this book is a valuable resource to add to your own collection of cookbooks. It features over 80 delectable recipes that are good for you AND taste good!

Also, if you ever have the opportunity to learn from the Hip Chick herself, Jessica Porter, grab it! She has a wealth of knowledge about food, health and life and her classes are sure to be educational as well as entertaining.

For more information about Jessica Porter and The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics, check her website and blog:

www.hipchicksmacrobiotics.com

www.hipchicksmacrobiotics.com/blog/

Tighten and Smooth Your Skin with Earth & Sea Clay Mask

Hands down - this is the  B E S T  all natural facial mask I have ever used in my life.


Seriously, once I started using this mask nothing even comes close in comparison. My skin feel smooth, looks healthier and is tighter after I use this mask, even just once! I have tested a lot of natural skin care products in my day, and this one outperforms them all. I seriously look 5 years younger after I use it.


Here is the low-down on this amazing skin care product:

This truly all-natural mask is made with bentonite clay, well known for its powerful abilities to draw out impurities, smooth, tighten, and tone. Combined with our other selected plants and herbs, this mask is also effective for diminishing the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, soften, and soothe. Your skin will look more radiant, refined and refreshed. Contains enough for 20 masks.

Ingredients: internal grade pure bentonite clay, organic orange peel powder*, organic rosehip powder*, organic strawberry powder*, wild harvested bladdewrack (fucus vesiculosus), and organic spirulina* (anthrospira platensis).

*Organically grown and produced in accordance with the California Organic foods Act of 1990.

Order it online:
http://www.kushistore.com/Rejuva-Organics-Earth-and-Sea-Clay-Beauty-Mask-Kit-REJ04.htm

Put Some 'Spring' In Your Step With Seasonal Fruits and Veggies

Lots of Veggies in Springtime 

Spring is here and so is an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Spring means that it's time for us to eat foods that are lighter and more refreshing. We can incorporate more raw foods into our meals, salads and pressed salads, light soups, quick stir fries and emphasize vegetables in our meals. Leafy greens, sprouts, parsley and scallions are excellent for this season. Sour and bitter flavors like lemon, lime, and bitter dandelion greens help support the liver and gallbladder in detoxification. Mildly sweet foods help us feel happy and relaxed Cooking with less oil and shorter cooking times are recommended.

Recently, I have been trying to make milder sweet dishes that satisfy my cravings but don't leave me feeling the sugar rush of super sweet baked goods and other desserts. Here are some great alternatives to heavier and more intense sweets from Winter.

Instead of grabbing a cookie, muffin, cupcake or chocolate, try...

• Sweet fresh corn on the cob. Buy organic, steam for 3 minutes and then smear with umeboshi paste. It is DELICIOUS!!! You will never eat corn on the cob another way again.
• Cooked squash - there are so many to choose from and they are all sweet and satisfying.
• Roasted Japanese sweet potato or yams. Clean the yam/sweet potato, take out any eyes, and put in a Pyrex dish in the oven on 425 degrees. Let it cook for about 45 minutes and poke with a fork to see if it's done. When the fork goes in easily, it is ready! Slice and peel the skin. Enjoy the creamy sweetness.
• Whole grains. When I want a sweet snack I take some left over well cooked brown rice and drizzle brown rice syrup over it. So easy and so good.
• Carrot juice - refreshing and sweet. I like it best mixed with green apple juice, so it's sweet and sour 'Carrot Green Apple Juice.' Yummm.
• Fruit compote - if I am craving something fruity, I toss some sliced fruit into a pot with a pinch of sea salt and simmer it for 10-15 minutes. I like to mix it up and use fresh, frozen and dried fruit. Fruit compote can be simple (made from one fruit) or more complex. I like to use apples, dried apricots, frozen blueberries, frozen cherries, peaches, raspberries, strawberries... the combinations are endless. The compote can be eaten plain, served on top of oatmeal for breakfast, or spooned over frozen dessert (see below).

Vanilla Soy Ice Cream with Fresh Strawberry Peach Compote and Toasted Almonds

Affordable Healing Bodywork in NYC

If you are looking for an affordable massage in the NYC area then look no further. The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine not only offers affordable massages, but bodywork treatments that promote optimum well-being and deep healing on physical, emotional and energetic levels.

I just got a Shiatsu there today, and it was GREAT!!!

The reason why I like Shiatsu is because not only is it a great massage, but you are fully clothed and it helps to open up the energy flow in the body- which promotes great health. My massage helped me to feel more relaxed and helped me release tension I have been holding in my body in various places. Ahhh...

This place offers various types of massage such as Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai, Relfexology and Tui Na, as well as Acupuncture and Herbal Consultations. Everything is at discounted prices because the treatments are administered by interns who are overseen by licensed supervisors.

I think I will go back and get some Tui Na next time...

Check them out online:
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Clinic

Shea Butter: The Ultimate Versitile Skin Care Product

Shea butter - it's so simple, yet so versatile. So many products today, even the natural ones, have 10 or 20 things listed in under their ingredients. This ONE ingredient is powerful, effective and great for skin. Shea butter comes from the nut of the African shea tree and is actually edible, so you know you can put it on your skin. Unrefined shea butter is the best for skin care, because it has the most healing properties.

Shea Butter can be used for:

• Sun protection - it has skin protecting qualities that help mildly block UV rays
• All over facial/body moisturizer and eye cream- it helps reduce fine lines, minor scars and age spots and deeply moisturizes
• Lip balm - this is usually a main ingredient in lip balm, so rub it on to keep your lips soft
• Hair tamer and styling product - take a small amount and rub it between the palms of your hands. To define kinky, tight curls, rub through clean wet hair and let air dry. For wavy or straight hair, take a small amount and lightly apply to already styled, dry hair for a light hold and to tame flyaways.
• Deep moisturizing hair and scalp treatment - massage a generous amount into hair and scalp. Let it sit for at least half an hour. Shampoo and condition hair as usual. You might need to shampoo a couple of times to get all of the butter out. Then pat hair dry, blowdry and style and your hair should be shiny and voluminous.
• Soften feet - slather shea butter onto clean, dry feet and massage. The cover feet with warm cotton socks and go to sleep. Wake up with smooth, soft feet.
• Soothe dry, cracked hands - when hands are dry and cracked during cold weather, smooth on shea butter like a hand salve. Reapply as necessary.

I recommend finding some unrefined, organic, fair trade shea butter for best result. A little goes a long way with this stuff. I have had my shea butter jar for years and it is still great.

Thirsty Cold Weather Skin? Try this Regimen.

Is your winter skin in desperate need of a drink? As we age, it is easy for skin to look dry, wrinkled and flaky, especially in cold winter months. Trying to find heavy moisturizers that plump up our dry skin without leaving it too greasy and likely to breakout can be a hassle.

So here are some exciting all natural suggestions that should do the trick! These tips and products will help your skin look its best during the year's harshest season.

1. First, minimize eating baked flour products. Hard, crunchy foods like chips, crackers, cookies, cakes and breads are dried out from being surrounded by heat in an oven. The oven dries out the food (cooking it) so you can eat it. When you eat these foods, you are drying out your body- thus drying out your skin. Try to replace those baked snacks with water rich foods. Eat some leafy greens. Make warm vegetable soups or a nice, hot, steamy pot of oatmeal with cinnamon, nutmeg and dried fruit.

2. Next, get your hands on some all natural facial products and make yourself an ultra-moisturizing skin regimen. My favorite products right now are Power Repair Skin Toner followed by Vitamin C Solution (both by Super Salve Company), then Grateful Body Facial Moisturizer and last, a little bit of shea butter as eye cream. Once you apply makeup, spritz your face with Power Repair Face Mist by Super Salve Company. This will help set your makeup and give your extra moisture so your skin will look natural and supple, instead of powdery and dry. It also smells amazing.

3. Last - Exfoliate. Daily. Cell turnover happens fast, so help your skin out by sloughing off old, dead cells to let your skin breathe, detoxify and be more radiant. Lightly scrubbing your face with a warm washcloth not only feels great in cold weather, but it is actually good for you- and your skin!

Some information on Super Salve Products:

• Skin Toner - Removes the last traces of cleanser residue and debris and prepares the skin for better absorption of moisturizers. Using the toner regularly is an important step to healthier skin and a beautiful complexion.
• Vitamin C Solution - Delivers high potency antioxidants into the skin cells. It is helpful in reducing fine lines, wrinkles, under-eye puffiness, and enlarged pores. 
• Power Repair Face Mist - A high potency mist that delivers vitamin C ester into the skin cells. It is helpful for hydrating and soothing skin while firming and repairing damage. It also contains MSM, which is great for skin!

http://www.supersalve.com/ 

Nature Intended Underarm Freshness, All Day Long

I know it might seem silly to be excited about deodorant, but this one works so well and smells amazing- plus it's all natural and does not contain any aluminum!

Now that we know that much of what we put on our skin gets absorbed through our pores and goes directly into the bloodstream, it becomes more import to make healthy choices about body care products. Using chemical deodorant may not seem like a big deal, but people are exposed to small amounts of toxins on their skin 50 times a day or more - considering how often a person uses hand soaps, shampoos, conditioners, hair styling products, toothpaste, moisturizers, cosmetics, etc. Add that up with environmental toxins and a lifetime of exposure, and that's a lot of toxicity!

Taking small steps to lessen toxic chemical exposure can make you have a healthier, happier home, family and life. It can also be an opportunity to creatively find solutions, like making your own body care products and mindfully consuming less, which is good for you wallet and for the environment.

You can find Home Health Roll On Deodorant in Herbal Scent in natural food stores, or easily online. I ordered mine in bulk from LuckyVitamin.com This website is great because if you order in bulk, you get a better discount.

Home Health Deodorant

Recycled Makeup Bag

Tote your cosmetics in this cute, stylish and water resistant recycled purse from Engage Green. It is lined with cloth inside and is durably constructed to survive living in your purse. I bring mine everywhere with me, since it is spacious enough to hold a lot or a little. Check out this purse and a variety of other eco-accessories at http://www.engagegreen.com/ 

Style and Substance Come Naturally with Summer Raye Oakes

One of the things I love about New York is that there is so much eco-fashion there. As some of you might know, I am working towards starting my own eco-fashion clothing company, so what better way to start it than to go to the eco-fashion hub of America- NYC!

One really awesome resource in NY for eco-fashion, style and beauty is the well-known model and activist, Summer Rayne Oaks. She has done and continues to do so much for the benefit of people and the environment, this woman is truly inspirational. She has worked with Payless Shoesource, Tommy Hilfiger and Conde Nast to help them become more sustainable, is the author of a best-selling book, Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion and Beauty, runs her own sustainability innovation consulting business, and only models for ethically-made, sustainable fashion companies.

Check out her website and blog:
http://www.summerrayneoakes.com/
http://www.summerrayne.net/blog/

Check out this video about helping fashion shows go green with Summer Rayne:
Fashion Shows Go Green

Homemade Bathsalts, Ahhh-mazing.

There's nothing better than sinking into a hot, relaxing and delicious smelling bath after a long day of work. I think making your own aromatherapy bath is a great way to help your mind and body unwind into blissful serenity. You could even draw a bath for someone else- my good friend told me that was one of the best gifts she has ever received!

Making your own is less expensive than buying bath salts plus it's all natural. This recipe is great for yourself to have salts on hand or as a gift for a friend, plus you can personalize it and make exactly what you want. Feel free to change up the recipe if you don't have all the ingredients.

Aromatherapy Mineral Bath
2 Tablespoons borax
2 Tablespoon baking soda
1 Cup sea salt
Optional: 1/2 cup Epsom salt
Essential oils

• In a medium sized clean bowl, pour borax, baking soda and sea salt and mix together with a wooden spoon. Then drop in a generous amount of essential oils (15-20 drops) and mix together. 
• I like to use a mixture of different essential oils to change things up, depending on my mood. My favorite combo is Lavender and Eucalyptus. You can also find premixed blends at your local natural food store. Right now my most recent obsession is Aura Cacia Tranquility, which I use right before I go to sleep. Ahhh-mazing.
• Store in an airtight glass container. I like to reuse old food jars for a cute eco look.
• For sore muscle relief use Epsom salt in the recipe.
• Enjoy your bath!

Here is more information about essential oils:

Essential Oil Basics
More Do-It-Yourself Relaxing Recipes

If You're Gonna be Lazy... Be a Lazy Environmentalist

It all started out with caring about the environment. This led to a satellite radio show, writing two books about green products, companies and trends, owning an eco-design company, producing and hosting an award-winning eco-reality show, and finally, becoming a national spokesperson and CEO. This guy Josh Dorfman, aka The Lazy Environmentalist, continues to find easy, stylish and inspiring ways for regular people to go green. He also is an example of how someone who really cares about something meaningful and important can turn his passion into a successful career. (Amazing!)

The Lazy Environmentalist is an excellent resource for learning all about great solutions to everyday challenges in making greener lifestyle choices for everything we use in our day-to-day lives.

Check out the books The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. Also, these great websites are handy tools to use for more info and inspiration on easily going MORE green.

The Lazy Environmentalist Website

The Lazy Environmentalist TV Show

Bellapierre Mineral Eye Shadows, I'm Obsessed!!

Ok, I know I just wrote about Jane Iredale Eye shadows, but I newly found this awesome eye shadow during a random trip to the mall. You know those people standing at the kiosks in the mall that try to sell you things you don't really want or need? Well, that's actually how I stumbled upon this all natural mineral makeup and realized that these shadows are beautiful, all natural, versatile and affordable!

You can use them lightly to add a little color for a daytime look, layer on color for a more dramatic effect, or use a special eye liner brush- which they sell, dip it in water and mix the water with a shimmery eye shadow and use it as a liner for a more dramatic fun look (my favorite). They have a variety of colors to choose from  and you can experiment with different shades and  update your look. If you want a bunch of colors, they also sell stacks so you can get more variety.

Check out the website to find out more info. If you can buy them at a store the price is better, 3 for $30.

Bellapierre Eye Shadows

Silky Smooth Skin with Homemade Salt Scrub

Sea salt is awesome. It purifies, detoxifies, heals skin, washes away negative energy and adds good quality minerals to your body through the skin. It can also help you to feel more physically and emotionally cleansed in comparison to washing your body with a good ol' bar soap.

Using a great salt scrub once a week on my feet and body helps me to feel all of those wonderful things, especially when I have had a stressful week and am ready for some serious pampering and preening.

I like to make my own natural body care products when I can because it's fun, it's inexpensive and I know exactly what is in my salt scrub- no harmful chemicals, just all natural goodness! I also like to get creative with the scrubs by trying different essential oil combinations and using different dried herbs and things for color and added fun.

Homemade Salt Scrub

Fine sea salt 

Light vegetable oil (like sunflower, safflower or canola)

Essential oil (I like lavender and vanilla right now, but in the summer I like peppermint- it's cooling and tingly!)

Optional: dried herbs or plants for added color and interest 

Glass jar (I like to reuse a jar that I have from something in my kitchen, like a miso jar or an old salsa jar)

Put salt in a bowl and pour oil generously onto the salt. Mix the salt with the oil and add generous drops of essential oils. Mix together again until it smells great and is fully incorporated. Spoon the mixture into a jar. Seal tightly and it's ready to use. Enjoy your new silky smooth skin!

Note: Do the salt scrub a day or later after you have shaved, because your skin might be sensitive and become irritated from the salt. 

Another note: Do not use salt scrub on areas with sensitive skin. Salt scrub can be used on feet, hands, legs, arms, and back.

Heal Faster and Feel Great with Healing Sessions

We all know sleeping enough, eating well and exercise are the basics for being healthy, but sometimes we also need complimentary wellness treatments to help us function at our best and stimulate deeper healing. Some people consider bodywork or massage to be a special "treat" once in a while, but when you really experience the benefits of regular bodywork, you can see how it can play a key role in your overall well-being.

After being out of the country for an extended amount of time, I realize I had forgotten about the importance of getting regular healing treatments. In previous years I had the pleasure of working at a natural health facility where people practiced shiatsu massage and craniosacral therapy, so I often had regular treatments. I experienced what life was like when my body was really healthy - it was blissful! Since I have been back, I received a free Reiki healing session from a friend, and realized what I had been missing for so long! Getting this treatment was a reminder to myself that regular bodywork and energy healing sessions are important to me and my well-being.

Bodywork and other types of healing treatments can help your body heal faster, release tension, help you deal with stress, help your organs function better and help you resist disease.

Some types of treatments I like are:

• Shiatsu Massage
• Reiki Energy Healing
• Acupuncture (my favorite!)
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Deep Tissue Massage

On another note, often times these kinds of treatments can be very expensive. Even so, you don't have to sacrifice these services! Get creative and find ways to make it happen.

Some ways to get affordable treatments are:

1. Ask friends and family members in your area if they know anyone good, then ask the practitioner for a package deal at a reduced rate.
2. Meet people through your local natural food store - often times stores have health events and bulletin boards with posting of healers. Find out if healers need someone to practice on and get a free massage or reiki.
3. Find people through local Meetup groups. You can find people with similar interests who regularly get together and talk about health, give classes or practice healing on each other. If there isn't a group in your area, then start your own.
4. Trade with a healer or practitioner. See what you can offer for a treatment. Maybe you are a great cook, awesome dog walker, or excellent personal shopper.
5. Find a local massage or acupuncture school and get treatments at reduced rates. I have done this in the past and have been very happy with the results, and my wallet's been happy too. Here is a place I have gone to in Arizona: PIHMA Clinic Website

Gorgeous Natural Eye Shadows

Feeding our bodies good quality organic natural foods is important, but so is using natural products in our homes and on our skin. So much of what we put on our skin gets absorbed through our pores and goes straight into our bloodstream! So, I like to find products that work well, smell good, and of course, are good for me and the planet.

One of my favorite all natural cosmetic products is Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadows. I love how they have so many different colors and are made up of minerals, so I know they are natural. I also like how they are pressed instead of loose, because often when I use loose shadows, it can be harder to control the powder and color can end up all over your face, instead of just where you want it. Also, the Jane Iredale brand is constantly coming up with inventive products and colors, so you can try out new things often. Just be sure to read the ingredients list on all products because not all of their products are 100% natural.

Check out their website for more information and to find a retailer near you:

Jane Iredale Website

Natural Beauty with Olive Oil

Need some natural eye makeup remover? Well look no further than your kitchen. A little olive oil and organic cotton balls should do the trick. Just put a little oil on a cotton ball and wipe it on closed eyelids. Your eye makeup should come off quickly and easily. Plus olive oil is gentle on skin and is all natural, so you are saving you skin from toxic chemicals and you cut down on spending big bucks on expensive skin care products.

Olive oil can also be used for other beauty treatments. You can use it as a hair hot oil treatment by warming some organic olive oil in a pan on the stove, applying it to your hair and massaging it into your scalp. Leave it on for an hour or so and then shampoo out and condition as normal. This leaves your locks looking shiny, healthy and soft.

You can also use olive oil as a hair de-frizzer. After a shower and hair has been towel tried, put a few drops of olive oil in the palm of you hand. Rub your hands together and then apply the oil to damp hair by running your hands and fingers through your hair. Let hair air dry or blow dry on low. This technique is especially great for frizzy or wavy hair to tame flyaways.

If your skin is feeling dry and you have run out of body lotion, use olive oil as an all over body oil/moisturizer. Just put some oil in the palms of your hands and then rub the oil into your skin.

Olive oil is not just for salad dressings anymore!