DIY: Basic shea coconut lip balm

Ever since I made my homemade + natural moisturizing lotion recipe, I've been on a quest to eliminate as many chemicals from my home as possible. Some of it involves making my own products like these homemade baby wipes. I've also been trying out a few cleaning and body care products from different brands.

It's been quite an intense journey to be honest, mainly because my life has been on overload recently, but also because I never realized just how many chemicals are around us on a daily basis, it's actually kind of scary! Anything from our skin care routine, to bathing, to cleaning our home, in our food, even our mattress and our car contains harmful chemicals, can you imagine?



With that being said, I have no intention of turning into a full on Green Holistic Naturalist (or whatever you call people that are 100% natural living) but I do hope to find some kind of balance and be more intentional in my everyday life without compromising my happiness and that of my family. Life is just to short to not enjoy everything you love.

Today I want to share with you a super easy basic shea coconut lip balm recipe. I'm using raw, pure and fair trade Shea butter from Kariderm. It's my absolute favorite product from their company. The texture is super light, it absorbs quickly and has intense moisturizing action. I use it in practically all of my homemade body care products.

MATERIALS

1 tsp Shea butter
1 tsp Coconut oil
2 tsp Beeswax (grated)

TOOLS

Glass bowl
Pot
Pipette
Lip balm tube

DIRECTIONS

Heat all ingredients in a glass bowl over a hot pot of water, on low heat. If you have a double boiler, you can use that too. When I'm in a hurry, I do it in small increments in the microwave, but I really don't like using the microwave too much so the stove top is my favorite way. Once everything is melted, mix it a bit, then transfer the mixture to the lip balm tube using the pipette (the recipe is enough for 2 tubes). Wait until it cools and enjoy!



This is super quick and easy to make and it's surprisingly moisturizing. It's been my go-to natural lip balm for quite some time now and although I keep trying different brands once in a while, I always return to my homemade one. It's also a super fun, thoughtful and intentional gift to make for your friends and family.

What kind of skin care products have you tried making at home?

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Kariderm. The Shea butter was sent to me at no cost. All thoughts expressed in this post are my own.

Make your own cookie gift wrap using wax paper

It just isn't Christmas without yummy gingerbread cookies.

I had so much fun coming up with my own gingerbread cookie recipe that I made a few extra batches to give away as party favors for Christmas. I didn't want to put naked cookies in bags because that's just boring. Any chance I have to get creative, I accept the challenge!

I didn't have any fancy bags or boxes so I came up with something super cute using wax paper, markers and ribbon.

MATERIALS:
Wax paper
Permanent markers
Scissors
Baker's twine



1. Cut the wax paper into squares.
2. Draw a simple pattern (or whatever your heart desires) on the wax paper using permanent markers.
3. Flip the decorated paper upside down and place your cookie upside down onto it.
4. Fold the paper to wrap the cookie.
5. Add a pretty string or ribbon.



There you have it! Such a quick and simple way to dress homemade cookies for a cute gift. You could use this for colleagues, friends or even your neighbors. Hope you enjoy wrapping up your home baked goods! :D

Do you have any fun way to wrap up single cookies?

The magic answer to every gift giving dilemma

Have you ever been stumped on what gift to get your significant other, friend, child, parent or even a colleague for their birthday..or Mother's Day...or Father's Day...or Christmas...or a promotion? What do they want to do for their birthday? What do they want to get for Christmas?

Most of the time, I have no idea, especially for guys; husband, dad, guy friend. I don't know why but I just can't think of anything. So I figured out a way for things to be easier for myself, and for the receiving person to be satisfied.

I made a free questionnaire that you can download here. Print it out, give to the person to fill out and ask them to return it to you. Once you get it back, you'll know exactly what they want, no more second guessing!

You could always make your own questionnaire with your own questions! I took the liberty to fill one in for myself Mother's Day. ;)

My day would be perfect if:
I could sleep in, cuddle in bed with my family, not do any chores, get a massage before bed.

I would like to receive:
Flowers (preferably pink carnations!), a grande soy London fog from Starbucks.

Things I want to do:
Plant the garden with my son and take lots of pictures. Go to the park as a family and have a picnic. Take a quiet bubble bath.

5 homemade Mother's Day gift ideas

Nothing says Mother's Day gift better than something homemade don't you think? I mean, there's always flowers, chocolates, even a card, but making something especially for her shows that you truly care.



I always think baking something is a good idea, I usually go for either cupcakes or cookies. My favorite recipe is the extra rich mini chocolate cupcake with cream cheese frosting shown above.



You could also try this super quick homemade chocolate pudding mix.



I also really love this homemade lotion. It's the only moisturizer I use on myself and my family.



Then there's this natural lip balm for some super soft lips.



You could also opt for something on the decorative side with these pot holders made with some dollar store terra cotta pots and acrylic pain.

Vanilla bean sugar recipe

I've been working on an easy vanilla pudding mix recipe to go with my chocolate pudding mix recipe. I wanted to have to add as few things as possible other than milk, so I thought it would be a good idea to have some vanilla flavored sugar. Since I've been trying to do everything as much homemade as possible, I figured this would be a perfect addition. It would also make a deliciously quick and easy homemade gift idea.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of Sugar
1 Vanilla Bean


1. Cut along the vanilla bean and scrape the seeds out.


2. Mix the vanilla seeds with the sugar, then add the vanilla bean cut in pieces.
3. Put in an airtight container and let sit for 1 week.


You can use this sugar in anything you want: milk, coffee, tea, cakes, puddings, milkshakes... That way you don't need to add vanilla essence or syrup!

It came out tasting quite strong and gets stronger the longer you leave the beans in. If you're looking for something a little less strong, you can use 2 cups of sugar with 1 vanilla bean. I'd also suggest removing the beans (not the seeds - obviously, lol) after a couple of weeks, or when the taste is strong enough for you.

DIY: Homemade and natural lip balm

Ever since I made my natural homemade moisturizing lotion, I've been wanting to make more and more of my own beauty products at home using natural ingredients. I am trying to minimize all the unnecessary chemicals in my family's life. I've been using this recipe for about a year now and I'm very satisfied with it. It goes on smooth, doesn't smell like anything (unless you add essential oil) and absorbs super quickly. Most important of all, it moisturizes very well.

INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp Coconut Oil
1.5 tbsp Beeswax


OPTIONAL:
Drop of Essential Oil (I used peppermint)
Drop of Vitamin E (acts as preservative for large batches)


First, combine Coconut Oil with the Beeswax. Microwave until melted.


There are many kinds of Coconut Oils; some are harder than others at room temperature. Because of this, the first time you make this recipe, I suggest starting with small portions and only melting a bit of the Beeswax at a time (melt, allow to harden for a few hours, test with finger, then add more if necessary). I strongly suggest you do this because there is nothing more annoying than a lip balm that's hard as rock! Once you've figured out the exact proportions, you don't need to do this again.

Second, pour in container, let sit until set.


Do you have any natural homemade recipes?

You could also add any other oil you like. Just use the same oil/beeswax ratio and do the hardness test. c:



Disclaimer: This recipe is homemade. I am not a health professional, I am simply a mother trying to find simple and chemical-free solutions for my family. This lip balm works great for us but it may not work for you and I take no responsibility for that.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking them.

DIY: Homemade and natural moisturizing lotion

Since the birth of my son, I have been trying to be as natural as possible with all aspects of his life. Non-medicated birth, exclusive breastfeeding, homemade purees... so I decided to continue and make a natural, homemade moisturizing lotion. After a bit of research, I was inspired rawmazing to create my own recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup Shea Butter
1/2 cup Coconut Oil

OPTIONAL

2 drops Essential Oil (I use Eucalyptus essential oil)
1 tablespoon Calendula Oil



You can change the Essential Oil to modify the smell to your liking. The Calendula Oil is for added healing properties, you can leave it out or change it to another oil of your choosing. You can also increase the quantity to make the lotion creamier.

Instructions

1. Melt all ingredients on low heat.


2. Let cool until semi-hard.


It's important to let the mix solidify slightly, otherwise the lotion will not whip. It may take some time, to speed things up put in the fridge.

3. Whip. (:


The lotion will solidify since both Coconut Oil and Shea Butter are solids at room temperature. Skin contact melts it instantly and the oils absorb quickly. The mixture is shelf stable.

If you are planning on making big batches (or taking a really long time to use your lotion), you can also add a drop of Vitamin E as a preservative agent. All the ingredients have a long shelf stable life, so you shouldn't need to. Stay tuned for my lip balm and eatable lip gloss recipes.

How would you personalize this lotion?

Coconut Oil is moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and helps with healing. Shea Butter moisturizes, is anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and helps with healing. Calendula Oil is moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal. Eucalyptus Oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiseptic, deodorant and decongestant.

Disclaimer: This recipe is homemade. I am not a health professional, I am simply a mother trying to find simple and chemical-free solutions for my family. This lotion works great for us but it may not work for you and I take no responsibility for that.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking them.