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See daily tips and recipes for using your essential oils as well as a huge assortment of information on essential oils. Also purchase your essential oils at...

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Homemade Herbal Deodorant

I have always tried to find deodorants with healthy ingredients, but I’ve found that, unless you make it yourself, it can always be better. I have always put off making my own deodorant until I had more time or whatever excuse I could think of that day, but then I decided to include it in my Spring Cleaning week. I just take a little time to make all of my products at once. It ends up being a fun day and your house will smell amazing!

I found this recipe at The Angry Chicken. I only changed a few things. Here is exactly what I did.

To start…and I use this technique quite a bit when making homemade beauty products…I fill a medium sized pot about 1/2 full and put a glass bowl on top of the pot. Make sure the bowl is bigger than the pot so that it can be taken off easily. I made the mistake of finding a bowl that fit just right and then found that it has a nice suction to it when I tried to remove it. Turn the burn on, boil the water and then let it just simmer while you blend ingredients in the bowl. For this recipe, I put the following in the bowl and mixed well until melted.

3 Tablespoons shea butter
3 Tablespoons baking soda
2 Tablespoons corn starch
2 Tablespoons cocoa butter

Once these were melted, I put about 10 drops of Vitamin E oil. I know some people use the capsules, and just puncture them. My health food store had the oil in a dropper bottle, so I thought that would be easier. Mix well.

Turn off the burner and add your essential oils. I added

8 drops of patchouli
15 drops of lavender
6 drops of tea tree

Patchouli itself works as a deodorant, and lavender and tea tree are great smells and anti-bacterial. All of these oils are also good for your skin along with the shea and cocoa butters.
Mix well.
Pour into small glass jars or any container you like. I let mine sit in the refrigerator until it had hardened. To use, just rub your fingers around on the deodorant and apply.

A Quick Hair Mask

I do this about once a week, but I tend to have very dry hair. Let your hair decide how often this needs to happen. Take about a 1/4 of a cup of olive oil (this really depends on how long your hair is and how much you want to use. If you make too much just save if for the next time.) Add 2-3 drops each of rosemary, lavender and tea tree.(more if you use more olive oil) If you put this in a container with a lid, you can just put the top on and shake well. (I keep a lot of glass jars around.) If you do a big batch, let if sit for a while to really blend. If you've done a small batch, you're ready to go. Just work into your hair as much as you like. I really coat it well. I also leave it on overnight or sometimes during the day. I just put my hair up and it looks wet. But I work from home, so I can get away with that. Leave it on for at least an hour if you can and then wash your hair as you normally would.

Now for the really quick version...just rub a few drops of the rosemary, tea tree and lavender into the roots of your hair, then coat your hair with olive oil. Don't over think this stuff...really!

Welcome to my Spring Cleaning...body and home!

I believe that season changes are important to acknowledge. Nature does, and I've learned that mother nature is a very good teacher and role model. So as nature is busy with all of her beautiful changes, I'm sure you've noticed, your body follows suit. I like to honor those changes by taking time to do my "Spring Cleaning". Don't worry, I'm not talking about closets and spare rooms. I like to take a minute to re-evaluate what I'm doing for my body and home and loved ones, and then make changes where necessary. It's also a great time to clean out all of the unnecessary clutter (body, home, life, whatever!). And for the fun part...it's when I take time to find new products to make and to stock up on my old favorites! I've thought a lot about how to present this to you, and I think I will just go head to toe.

A New Season

So spring is here. Maybe not officially, but it's here. There are a few things I like to do at each season change. To prepare for spring, I like to do a neti pot and some ear candling to give my sinuses a fighting chance and just to do a little spring cleaning in there...you know what I mean. I also like to make a plan (I love a good plan!) for the essential oil products I'm going to need. So I thought this year, I would share that with you. Next week will be my prep for spring week and I will keep you posted on everything I'm doing. Hopefully you will come out of this with some good ideas for things that work for you. I would love to hear from you. Tell me what you would like to make or problems you may need help with. We can prepare for spring together!

Quick and Natural Energy Boost

Step 1...rosemary scalp massage
Step 2...grapefruit leg massage
Step 3...basil and peppermint foot massage

Some years I don't really even notice daylight savings time. Sundays are usually a day of rest. This weekend, however, was full of celebration! But not a lot of rest. So, the time change did a bit of a number on me. Here is how I get a quick and natural boost of energy. First, put a couple of drops of rosemary on your hand and rub your fingertips in the oil. Massage your scalp vigorously for a few seconds. The rosemary will give you energy as will the scalp massage. The rosemary is also great for your roots. (Bald heads...try adding a little cream first.) Secondly, drop a few drops of grapefruit and a dime sized amount of olive oil in the palm of your hand. Rub into each leg quickly to increase circulation. (Bonus, grapefruit is great for cellulite!) Finally drop a drop of basil and 2 drops of peppermint on your hand, take several deep breaths and then rub into the bottom of each foot. There you go! Now you smell great and your body has the energy it needs...naturally!

Visit HealthyByBalance.com to purchase your essential oils and for more information.

Steam Bath for Sinus Problems

I don't know about you, but the weather is keeping me on my toes at the moment. The drastic temp changes and the crazy wind are giving my sinuses a run for their money...whatever that means. Luckily, I have my essential oils to keep me sane. A great way to combat allergies, colds, sinus or breathing problems is a steam bath. This time of year, I'm adding 2 drops of peppermint, 1 drop of basil, 1 drop of rosemary and 1 drop of tea tree. This is a pretty strong mix so start with your face farther away and your eyes closed until you feel comfortable getting closer. Keep your eyes closed the entire time. Click here for more information.