Pumpkin pie spice is something that appears frequently in recipes during the fall (and also the Christmas season). It's good to have some on hand so dishes can be prepared at any time. It's always so frustrating to find a recipe and not have the spices to make it!). If you find yourself in a pinch, with no pumpkin pie spice on hand, or you'd just like to make your own, the following recipe will do the trick. It's quick and easy (and smells great!). This would make a lovely gift too. Just put it in a jar and add...

If you're looking for safer skincare and cosmetics, Beautycounter has you covered. Beautycounter has really impressed me and I am now using a ton of their products. I started out rather skeptically, but am now using Beautycounter hair care, skin care, and make-up! Honestly, I thought I would just use them for makeup, but I love their skincare too. I just started using their Overnight Resurfacing Facial Peel and it has done wonders for my skin. I'm not easily impressed when it comes to this type of thing. So, this is a big deal! What is Beautycounter? Beautycounter is a safe skincare and...

The Beautycounter Holiday collection is here and it's brilliant! These safer skincare and cosmetics are high performing and enjoyable to use. I'm addicted! I've had so much fun playing with all the colors. Which is totally new for me as I have never really been one to do that. Here I am with the colors from the Necessary Neutrals eyeshadow palette and Raspberry lip gloss from the lipgloss vault. What is Beautycounter? So, it may be better to ask “who” is Beautycounter? Beautycounter is a safe skincare and cosmetics company whose mission is to get safer products into the hands...

Elderberry syrup is a staple in most natural medicine cabinets. It's wonderful because it tastes good and helps boost the immune system. Elderberries are high in vitamin C and boast a generous amount of antioxidants and beta-carotene. Fresh elderberries contain a toxic compound that can cause some gastrointestinal distress. This compound is inactivated by cooking. So, if you ever decide to make a tincture with elderberries, be sure to cook them for 30 minutes. This recipe uses dried elderberries, but fresh ones could be used instead (since we are cooking them for 30 minutes), If you choose to use fresh elderberries, you...

How many salt lamps is too many salt lamps? I'm asking for a friend 🙂 I recently received a Grey Salt Lamp from So Well and it is one of my favorite things! Now I want one for every corner of the house! I've had salt lamps for many years and long been fascinated with the benefits associated with them. But none of the salt lamps I've owned previously can compare to this one from So Well. I've already written about the benefits of salt lamps, but want to reiterate just how lovely they are. Not only do salt lamps help neutralize...

Jojoba Oil is expressed from the seed of the jojoba plant, it is a shrub found in southern California, Arizona, and northwest Mexico. The oil has a long shelf-life which makes it ideal for use in body care products. It's actually not an oil, but a liquid wax. The great thing about jojoba is that it closely resembles the oil (sebum) produced naturally by our skin which makes it suitable for most skin types. It's also considered non-comedogenic which means it does not clog pores. It's also well-suited to sensitive skin. An excellent moisturizer, jojoba oil penetrates the skin easily...

Food has been a struggle for me. There are many reasons why (which I'll explain below) but I want to start by saying that admitting and sharing this with you is really scary! However, even though it terrifies me to let others know my struggle, it's important that I do. Not just for myself but for you. If you are struggling with food issues of any kind, you may feel ashamed, defeated and stressed. I want you to know that you are not alone and there is hope. So, let's start at the beginning. Well, as close to it as...

Cocoa butter is one ingredient I always recommend to those getting started with homemade natural body care. It is quite versatile and useful for creating all manner of moisturizing body care products. (By the way, this is the second installment in the natural body care ingredient series. This series is designed to educate you on the different products you might wish to have on hand in order to create natural body care at home. Last time we discussed beeswax.) Cocoa butter is one of my favorite ingredients (mostly because it smells wonderful!). Cocoa butter has a chocolate scent (but it's...

This post contains affiliate links. Lavender is well known as a sedative and is often used to calm anxiety and induce sleep. Besides promoting relaxation, lavender is also uplifting and is thought to be a mild antidepressant. Lavender is also antibacterial and antifungal. Lavender is a useful ingredient in natural beauty products and home remedies. Its beautiful color makes is a lovely addition to DIY gifts. I love lavender so much I wrote an entire book about it! So, what can you make with lavender? Here are a few ideas for you: Lavender Eye Pillow Lavender pillows are a great way...