Pampering Bath Soak

Because I don't do enough bath soaks? This one is very relaxing, but also great for soothing itchy & irritated skin. Because of that I'm calling this a pampering soak: soothe & treat your skin, while enjoying some nice relaxation. This is also great just for keeping your skin smooth & soft--it doesn't have to be irritated to reap the benefits.

I was actually inspired by one of the Dr. Teal's blends. Their Calming & Balance blend with matcha, citrus, and chamomile was really lovely. I decided to make my own copycat version, and then boosted it up a bit because it's mosquito season and my legs could use some extra relief.

Pampering Bath Salts

1 c epsom salts
1/2 c oats, ground
(not quick oats, trust me)
1 tsp chamomile
1 tsp matcha
1 tsp trauma oil
10 drops ylang ylang, optional
(brightens it up a bit)

Dilute your ylang ylang oil, if using it, in your trauma oil first. This really is an optional ingredient, but the ylang ylang works well with the other scents and really brightens things up. Who doesn't want a small mood boost while pampering themselves?

Then mix into your salts. As I usually recommend, follow withe dried herbs, and add your oat flour last. This helps keep the oat flour from getting goop, as it wants to absorb all your liquid. I also highly advise against using quick oats, if you are grinding your own, because they want to absorb the oil even more!

Feel free to make a larger batch. Store in an airtight glass or non-reactive container.

To Use: Add 1/2 c of salts to your bath. You could also add 1 c milk (of choice; recommended cow, goat, or almond) and 1 Tbsp honey. These are extra soothing for your skin and really step it up. Both are purported to be great moisturizers and help fight off acne (in fact, I use an aspirin/honey mask to help clear away pimples).

Essential Oil Self-Care Kit

I put together a gift set for a dear family member who has been suffering from mental illness. Her group therapy brought up the idea of essential oils and she reached out asking for my guidance. Now, I'm no expert, but I did some digging and hit up reputable aromatherapists (such as Andrea Butje from Aromahead Institute), and came up with a  small gift set for her.

I sent over 4 stock blends, a rollerball, room spray, lotion, and bath salts. I also put together a mini booklet so she had the tools to replenish or get creative with new blends. I decided to share that information with all of you too!

Essential Oils for Mental Health
Even though I was making stock blends and toiletries, I wanted to provide a list of oils that could be used and mixed as desired. Most, if not all, of these are mentioned in the recipes that follow, but you can always play around with your own blends in order to find an aroma that is pleasing and has the desired result.

• lavender
• frankincense
• orange
• neroli
• vetiver
• mandarin
• black spruce
• Roman chamomile
• cedar wood
• sandalwood
• peppermint
• geranium
• ylang ylang
• bergamot

Stock Blends
Stock blends are a great way to use your oils in a variety of ways. My recommendation was to diffuse them in some way or another, but you could add to a bath with epsom salt, mix into a plain lotion or massage oil, and more. I put together some safe ratios for different use types:

• Inhaler: 10-15 drops
• Diffuser Jewelry: 1-3 drops
• Car Diffuser: 1-3 drops
• Room Diffuser: 3-5 drops per 100 ml
• Rollerball: 10 drops per 10 ml
• Spray: 8-10 drops per 1 oz

The following stock blends all make approximately 1 dram (which is also equivalent to 4ml or 1/8 oz). Feel free to multiply and make larger batches if needed. Store your blends in glass bottles and keep out of direct sunlight (tinted glass in a cool place is even better).

Anxiety Blend
32 drops lavender
32 drops frankincense
8 drops mandarin

Depression Blend
30 drops geranium
26 drops Roman chamomile
6 drops peppermint

Stress Blend #1
30 drops lavender
30 drops frankincense
15 drops black spruce

Stress Blend #2
25 drops orange
25 drops frankincense
25 drops cedar wood

Relaxation Blend
30 drops mandarin
30 drops bergamot
15 drops lavender

Relaxing Bath Salts
Baths are a great way to chill out and relax. Light some candles, let your body relax along with your mind, and just take some time to get away from it all. These bath salts will help you calm down and fight those dark feelings, while also pampering your body.

1 1/2 cup epsom salt
3 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp dried chamomile
1 Tbsp dried lavender
6 Tbsp liquid castille
18 drops frankincense
6 drops neroli
6 drops orange

The soap is necessary to dilute the essential oils. I like to mix all my dry ingredients together in a large bowl, then combine my soap and oils in a smaller bowl. Don't stir the soap and oils too much or you will get suds, but mix enough to make sure the oils have dispersed. Gently mix the soap and oils into your dry ingredients. Your salts will remain somewhat wet, but won't cake together.

Alternately, you could use a carrier oil in place of the castille soap. Jojoba is a great choice as it nourishes the skin. I opt for castille soap because the carrier oils still just kind of chill on the water's surface, whereas I feel the soap mixes in better. The amount of soap won't give you a crazy, sudsy bath (but you can add more if bubble baths are your thing!).

To use, mix 1/4 - 1/2 cup into your bath water. This recipe is good for 4-8 uses. Store in an airtight container, preferably glass or PET plastic.

Restful Sleep Room/Linen Spray
I planned for this to function mainly as a linen spray, but there's no reason you can't use it to freshen up a room or your space. Spray gently on pillows, blankets, sheets, sleeping masks, and any other bedding before sleep to help you drift off calmly. Apply to towels or your robe to continue a soothing bath experience. Spray in your bedroom before going to sleep, or in your car before travel. The scent will dissipate more in a room that on your linens, but it's also a great alternative if you can't burn incense in your space.

4oz witch hazel
10 drops vetiver
10 drops lavender
6 drops orange

Combine all ingredients in a 4 oz glass spray bottle. You can also use PET plastic, but the essential oils will slowly erode other plastics. The plastic sprayers that come with bottles tend to hold up, so no need to worry there. Store out of direct sunlight and/or use a tinted bottle to extend shelf life.

You can also use water or hydrosols in place of the witch hazel. I tend to like witch hazel because it usually comes in a partially alcoholic solution which helps with evaporation. Witch hazel is also fairly neutral in scent, versus hydrosols which will also cost you a pretty penny.

Because water & oil don't mix, make sure to shake up your bottle before spraying. The oils are fairly diluted, so there isn't a hard cap as to how much you should use at a time, but 4 oz will likely last quite a while and the scent will still be fairly strong with just a few pumps.

Calming Lotion
This recipe is for a small 1 oz batch of lotion. It's actually more of a body butter, and a little goes a long way. Also, you can tuck that 1 oz jar into your bag and take it with you. Use when you need a little me time but are out and about, or enjoy at home after a relaxing bath or before bed.

1 1/2 Tbsp shea butter
1/2 Tbsp coconut oil
5 drops vetiver
4 drops neroli
3 drops lavender

Melt the shea butter and coconut oil (in a double boiler, or you microwave). Allow to cool but not harden, then stir in your essential oils. While still viscous, pour into a 1 oz container. I like to use small class jars with screw caps, but you could also use a tin or PET plastic.

This lotion will get soft in higher temps, so store in a cool place when not in use (or in your fridge! which is a great idea if you make a larger batch).

Emergency Rollerball Perfume 
Also called "Liquid Xanax," this is a great on-the-go solution. Apply when the feelings of stress, anxiety, and/or depression overwhelm you. Or wear to keep those feelings away before they begin (it smells lovely!).

4 drops ylang ylang
4 drops lavender
2 drops chamomile
2 drops sandalwood
2 drops frankincense
10 ml (1/3 oz) carrier oil of choice

When making a roller ball, I always recommend adding your essential oils first, then just topping off with your carrier oil. If you do it the other way around, you risk not leaving enough room for your essential oils. I also find this way everything mixes up a little more evenly.

My usual carrier oil of choice is fractionated coconut oil because it is fairly neutral. However jojoba is another popular carrier that is good for your skin. But don't feel limited; you can use stuff in your kitchen like palm kernel or olive oil ;)

This is for a 10 ml rollerball, which is probably the most popular size (if you were to buy a rollerball blend commercially, it would be this size). However, you can easily cut this in half or make larger batches if you want a smaller travel bottle or to stock up.

Pest Control: Moths

Looks like we've got a theme going on here! This week we have been infested by moths. If you've never had to deal with a moth infestation, you are lucky. This is the second time I've had to deal with them. The first time they were brought in with something (I don't recall what as it was years ago now), and they were a nightmare to get rid of! They stuck around forever and ruined some of my clothes and paper items in storage. This time I wanted to get aggressive to avoid all that trouble. So once again, I've done a lot of digging and am sharing methods that have worked for me.

1. Cedar
There's a reason cedar wood has been used for centuries (we're talking as far back as Ancient Greece). Using a cedar trunk (or wardrobe/armoire if you are lucky enough!) to protect your valuables is a great move. You can also get cedar hangers or planks to hang in your closets. Unfortunately our most recent moth problem is in our kitchen & living room! These are fairly open spaces, so small bits of cedar are less effective. However, cedar chips in a sachet can be placed in cabinets or other places where you commonly see moths.

One important note is that the effectiveness of cedar is linked to the oils in the wood. So fresh cedar is going to be more effective (after about 1 year from being cut, it will start to lose efficacy). To maximize on the benefit of larger cedar pieces such as trunks, you want to make sure your items are not infested when stored & that your item is airtight/rarely opened. For older cedar items, sanding them down a bit or applying cedar oil can increase their effectiveness over time.

2. Vinegar
Cleaning your house with a simple vinegar solution will kill eggs and help keep the moths at bay. You could also use a soap solution or stronger (chemical) cleaners. Whichever your choice, you will want to make sure you really scour the area. For kitchens, this means the cabinets & pantries; for bedrooms this means closets & dressers. Really scrub and make sure you've removed all signs of moths such as webbing, eggs, dust, and any sticky surfaces (which are indicative of moth secretions, particularly in the kitchen). Boiling water in any of your solutions will also help kill any larvae or eggs it comes in contact with.

While you're at it, add vacuuming to your cleaning repertoire. You can suck up any egg sacks, larvae, etc.

3. Dried Herbs & Essential Oils
While moth balls are certainly effective (in small spaces), they are full of chemicals. If you want a natural alternative, consider making sachets or potpourris of dried herbs. Effective herbs you can use and easily access include:

• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Cloves
• Lavender
• Bay Leaves
• Lemon Balm
• Peppermint 
• Lilac
• Cinnamon

You can also use essential oils. You can sprinkle them on your cloths, create a room spray, use a diffuser, or simply apply to cotton balls. I personally like to use cotton balls as they are easy to check & reapply. Also I use this technique for ants, so I am able to choose oils that repel both pests within my kitchen. In addition to cedar &  the above list of herbs, the following oils are effective:

• Vetiver
• Sandalwood
• Sage
• Orange Blossom
• Geranium
• Lemongrass
• Bergamot
• Grapefruit
• Eucalyptus
• Patchouli

Lavender is very popularly used, so that one probably doesn't come as a surprise. I must admit that the others were all new to me, but I love that I have alternatives and can grow some of these myself (well, in theory...I am notoriously bad at gardening).

4. Washing your clothing, bedding, etc & Storing it properly
Simply washing your clothes is a great way to remove & kill moths. Dry on high heat to kill any eggs that may remain. If your clothing cannot be conventionally washed/dried, freezing or ironing it will also kill of moths & eggs (or dry clean, if that is how your item must be cared for). Air drying in the sun or with a blow dryer is also effective, especially for clothing that has recently been taken out of storage.

For natural fibers, you can also brush the material before storing in your closet. Moth eggs often enter the home via clothing or other materials that were outside. This simple action can remove eggs before they become a problem.

Proper storage of your clothing is also essential. Make sure your clothing is well ventilated & thoroughly dried (moths like humid environments). Seasonal items that may not get frequent use or regular washing should be stored in airtight spaces to prevent moths from getting to them--this is particularly useful for wool items.

Moths typically stay away from cotton and synthetic fibers. If you have an infestation, it is still wise to treat these items. However, when it comes to storage, wrapping your other clothing in cotton or a synthetic fiber may add an extra layer of protection. Air tight storage is still your best bet.

5. Creating airtight spaces
We've somewhat gone over this already, when it comes to clothes & bedding, but even in the kitchen this is a concern. It you are able, it is a good idea to caulk various entry points such as cracks in the back of the pantry/closet, where shelves & cabinets meet the wall.

Again, airtight storage for clothing (especially wool/fur/feathers & seasonal items) is very helpful in keeping moths away. Likewise, store open food in airtight containers. This does not kill moths as they will eat your clothing & food, but it can keep them out of non-infested items. Be aware moths can eat through cardboard and light plastic.

6. Check your food!
While moths will typically enter your household by clothing that has picked up eggs, or other items being brought indoors after sitting outdoors or some time, they can also enter your house with the food you buy! Bulk dry food is the biggest concern here, but even prepackaged foods can include moth eggs (I know, it's gross to think about!).

Any food that is infected should be disposed of in an airtight bag. Bulk items should also be check & disposed of. You can freeze items to ensure any moth eggs are dead as well. Even if you don't see signs of moths in your food, a musty or off smell when you are not near expiration is an indicator that your food may have been compromised.

7. DIY Moth Traps
You can buy pheremone traps, which I've heard are very effective, or create your own. One popular method is applying oil to paper (regular oil to brightly colored paper until sticky, and fish oil to fly paper are the two I've seen mentioned).

You can also do a 3:1 mixture of cornmeal & borax. The moths are attracted to and eat the cornmeal, and the borax will poison & kill them. Borax is a salt, but also can be harmful to children and pets if ingested, so keep these traps out of reach. Diatomaceous earth will also harm moths, but this is safe for pets & children.

Pest Control: Mosquitoes

Ants aren't the only pests that plague my home. This summer it's been hard to enjoy a day outside without getting eaten alive by mosquitoes and other biting bugs. My favorite commercial product is All Terrain Herbal Armor, but being a DIYer I've done the footwork to identify some effective methods you can whip up yourself.

1. Home Made Bug Spray
May favorite recipe is UEOS Tick Off/Bug Off. I made some adjustments because patchouli is not a favored scent int his house, so we used the cedar wood Lea recommends. I also scrapped the hydrosols all together (they are pricey and I had to accommodate a lavender allergy), so I just used equal parts water & witch hazel.

2. Mosquito Repelling Garden
There are a ton of plants that will deter mosquitoes and other biting bugs. If you have a green thumb (I sadly do not), you may want to make a small garden to keep the bugs away. I've always wanted to use railing planters around my deck to keep it bug free. There are a ton of plants to choose from, but some of my favorites are:

• chrysanthemum
• melissa (lemon balm)
• catnip
• citronella
• gernaium

There are quite a few others as well, that are really common and you may find them in your herb garden or regular flower bed:

• petunias
• basil
• lavender 
• marigold
• rosemary
• mint
• alliums (garlic, chives, onions, etc)
• lemongrass
• lemon thyme

A lot of these plants keep other pests away too.

3. Candles/Torches
You are probably well aware of citronella candles & tiki torches. You can use store bought ones, or make your own candles, torches & luminaries to keep the bugs away. My favorite is the luminary from A Little Claireification which looks pretty, smells great, and is effective at keeping the bugs away.

4. Smudging
Smoke generally will keep the bugs away, but there are some specific items you can add to your fire to improve the effect:

• cardboard egg cartons
• sage

5. Natural Predators
Encourage a habitat for natural predators of mosquitoes. Hang bird feeders & bat houses to invite them into your yard. If you have a pond, add some fish, turtles, or frogs.

Pest Control: Ants

Is your home being overtaken by ants? Are you struggling to control them in a kid-safe, pet-safe, and/or eco-friendly way? That was me before I did a ton of digging and found safe ways to rid my homes of ants without risking my dog or any visiting kiddos.

My favorite commerical method is EcoSMART, but I've also heard good things about Aunt Fannie's and like that their products come in regular spray bottles. But if you prefer DIY like I do, read on for my tried & true methods.

1. Essential Oils for Deterrence

• cinnamon
• peppermint
• eucalyptus
• clove
• lemon (or other citrus)
• tea tree

Essential oils are a great way to keep ants away. I like to put a few drops on cotton balls and place throughout my house. We have literally watched ants actively avoid these cotton balls or do an about-face. I like to tuck these into my pantry and by entry points. You can also use essential oils in a home made ant spray.

2. Disrupt Their Scent Trail

• lemon juice
• bleach
• vinegar
• soap

Creating a diluted spray with any of the above (solo or in combination, inclusion of essential oils is a good idea too!), wil create a multi-purpose spray. Spray where you have seen ants to disrupt their scent trail, spray around your home or entry points to act as a deterrent, and the natural soap will actually kill ants as well if sprayed directly on them. Primarily I use these ingredients to clean & create a barrier that will disorient ants and keep them away.

3. Create a Barrier

• flour
• chalk (powdered, or just draw a line)
• cornmeal
• cream of wheat
• coffee grounds
• diatomaceous earth
• ground cinnamon
• ground clove
• black pepper

The advantage to using powders to create a barrier are two-fold: these items are generally safe for ingestion by people & pets (maybe keep the coffee grounds away if kids/pets are a concern), and you can tell when it's time to redo your barrier. There are some additional benefits to a few of these items as well: cornmeal, cream of wheat, and DE actually kill ants.

4. Boiling Water
Boiling water is a pretty simple solution. It will kill the ants, but is about the most natural way to do so. Either mix boiling water with some soap to spray ants in your house, or pour boiling water into ant hills outside your home.

5. Borax
Borax will actually kill ants, and can be harmful to pets & children if ingested (just like any other salt in large quantities). If using Borax, I recommend doing so away from pets & children. You can mix Borax into sugar water (add liquid soap for some extra power), or mix it with honey & peanut butter.

6. Baking Soda & Powdered Sugar
As an alternative to Borax, which is harmful to kids & pets if ingested, you can mix baking soda & powdered sugar.