The Muscle Soothe Line-It's Not Just for Muscle Pain

       This line started with an attempt at a tension relieving bath soak and has turned into a go to for me for pain relief and congestion relief. I use it in some form at least 5 days a week. My 9 year old daughter has even found relief for her colds with it and asks for it when she's sick instead of medicine. 
     The three essential ingredients in each muscle soothe product is 100% pure Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Rosemary essential oils. Eucalyptus oil is very toxic when taken internally like most essential oils but these oils have the ability to soak right into your skin and be transported throughout your body in a safe and productive way. Eucalyptus oil targets your muscles, joints, respiratory system, immune system and your nervous system providing relief where its needed. It has the ability to relieve muscle aches and pains, help with poor circulation, relieve pain from arthritis, sprains, headaches, and neuralgia. Eucalyptus oil is an antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, antineuralgic, analgesic, decongestant, and an expectorant among other things. This makes it good for not only aches and pains but colds, flu, and allergies. It can help not only by relieving coughs but helping them to be more productive. It does the same thing for head congestion by keeping things flowing. It works a lot like vapo rub in this way but without all the chemicals. 
     Peppermint essential oil works in much the same way as Eucalyptus but adds an anti-inflammatory to the mix. Many people put peppermint oil in a pot of boiling water for steam inhalation to relieve congestion as well as headaches. Peppermint oil has been shown to be helpful with migraines and mental fatigue as well. It's also great for stomach upset. I use it in a tummy oil for my daughter when she gets a tummyache and I drink peppermint tea to help soothe my own stomach. **As a caution do not use peppermint essential oils on children under the age of 5. (And watch for my tummy oil for the kiddos to be added to my products soon.)
     Rosemary essential oil tops off this amazing blend with an antioxidant, an antirheumatic, an aphrodisiac, a hypertensive, and a restorative property as well as many of the same benefits as the above oils. It's list of benefits include help for muscle pain, poor circulation, rheumatism, asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, colds, flu, headaches, hypotension, neuralgia, mental fatigue, exhaustion, and many stress related disorders. **As a caution Rosemary should not be used by those with high blood pressure or epileptics and I would be happy to make you a muscle soothe sans Rosemary if this is a problem for you.
     Using these 3 key ingredients I have made a bath soak, a body scrub, a dry skin balm, and a body oil. It's pretty self explanatory how to use each of these products but I'll give you some ideas by telling you all the ways I use these products. My bathtub is quite small but sometimes its worth folding myself into it just to get some relief from the aches and pains my arthritis and fibromyalgia heap on me every day. I look forward to sprinkling my Muscle Soothe Soak into the warm water and just soaking the extra tension away. It's not a miracle cure but it helps relax my muscles and my mind so I can continue with my day. When I'm sick it also helps with the extra achyness and relieves the congestion in my head and chest.
     The Muscle Soothe Scrub wasn't even a thought until a friend told me she didn't like peppermint by itself but would love a scrub that smelled like the Muscle Soothe. After making it I was very pleasantly suprised at how much extra relief it gave me while soaking in my bath to lightly scrub this on my skin. The smell helps with my mental clarity and the oil from the scrub moisturizes my skin so there's no need to use lotion.
     The dry skin balm is probably what I use the most. Just a little of this balm goes a long way. At night I use the balm on my feet and hands to moisturize my feet and get some relief for the pain in my hands so I can fall asleep easier. When I have a headache I apply a dab to my temples and neck as that is where the headaches usually start for me. A friend of mine in Ohio has neuropathy and has started using the muscle soothe balm on her feet due to the extreme pain she gets and she seems to really like it as well. When my daughter or I are sick this balm is never far from reach. I rub it on our chests and lung areas to not only relieve the congestion but to help keep the infection from getting worse or spreading. I'll rub it on my temples and sinus areas as well and it releases the pressure and inflammation. At night when I'm sick I will rub it everywhere and it really helps me get a more restful nights sleep. It also keeps me from having to take quite so much cold medicine. 
     The body oil can be used in the same way as the balm but it can also be added to a bath and used like the bath soak but with added moisturizing benefits. 
     As you can see this line can have many benefits for you and your family and without all the harsh chemicals and medicines you would use otherwise. If you have any other questions regarding this line or any others leave a comment or message me on my Simply Yours Facebook page. 

Extra tip: To kill germs in the air and help with congestion put that candle warmer to better use. Instead of filling it with waxes that can contain dangerous chemicals just fill it with water, 10 drops of 100 % pure Eucalyptus oil and 7 drops of Peppermint Oil. The mixture should last through a whole tea light candle depending on the size of your bowl but check it once or twice to see if you need to add more water or oils. Sometimes halfway through the candle I will add a few more drops of each oil just to recharge the smell strength. My daughter seems to know when the tea light goes out and will ask me to put a new candle in as it really helps her breathing and congestion when she is sick. You can also use a diffuser which uses steam to put the scents in the air. Diffusers can be bought at your local health food store, online, or some drug stores for around $30-$40.

**Caution: As with many essential oils this product is not safe for pregnant women. This product is also not safe for children under 5, epileptics, or people with high blood pressure. If you need a special product because of one of these issues contact me and I may be able to make you or direct you to a safer alternative.

The Simply Yours Body Scrubs

     Full size body scrubs come in an 8 oz jar with a gold metal or plastic lid. Each jar costs $8 unless it is a special limited time scrub. Those are $6 and will be marked on my price sheet with 2 astericks **. Currently available scrubs are: Peppermint Lavender (relaxing yet uplifting), Lavender Rose (Gentle and relaxing), Rose Petal (soft and sensual), Coconut Lime (Uplifting, use sunscreen), Almond Coconut (pictured, just a touch of scent, good one for guys), Tangerine Dream ( fun and fresh, use sunscreen), Apple Pie (warm and cozy), Cinnamon and Brown Sugar (warm and cozy), Muscle Soothe (soothes achy muscles and clears nasal passages with peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary, not good for those with high BP.), and ** Peppermint Patty (smells just like the candy, very uplifting)
     My scrubs have a base of white sugar and/or brown sugar and are then mixed with one of 3 oils: Almond, grapeseed, or coconut. The sugar sloughs away dead skin and the oil leaves your skin soft and hydrated. The rest of the ingredients are the fun ones that give each one its unique smell and texture. Essential oils are one of my biggest go to's with their amazing scents and healing properties. I also use all natural dried and crushed herbs and seasonings, almond flour, cocoa powder, honey, and a couple extracts.
     I've tried a few scrubs in the past with olive oil and I have had to wash the oil off after using the scrub because it was just too thick and didn't soak in well.That has not been the case with these scrubs. I scrub it on after I wash my body avoiding any sensitive areas and then just rinse. After drying off my skin feels and looks soft and moisturized. I use the scrub all over 1-2 times a week but my feet get it almost daily sometimes because I just love how soft its keeping my feet.
     Scrubs with essential oils in them are not safe for pregnant women. If you are pregnant and would like to know what scrub will be safe for you just send me a message.

In the Spotlight - Egyptian Lavender Milk Bath

Egyptian Lavender Milk Bath

$10/12 oz - $12/16 oz

     I thought I'd start occasionally choosing one of my products for a spotlight post. In these posts I will help you get to know each one a little better and hopefully answer any questions you might have had about the item. Starting with my first milk bath creation only seemed natural.

     I got the idea for Egyptian Lavender Milk Bath from a recipe I saw in a book from the library. It was a great start but had no scent and just wasn't fun enough for me. So I played with it and did some research on what the great Queen Cleopatra herself might have deemed worthy enough to scent and soften her skin. Well, my results sure made me feel like a Queen during testing that night. This is truly a beautiful soak.

     Powdered Milk, Ground Oatmeal, and Almond Flour have vitamins and other properties in them to heal and soften your skin. Whether your skin is just in need of a pick me up or you have itchy dry patches in need of soothing or you stayed in the sun a bit too long, this soak has what you need. To truly make this an amazing soak I also added soothing dried lavender flowers. They provide a soft flowery scent and as it soaks in the water it releases properties to calm and soothe your skin. The essential oils I went with are of course lavender and Frankincense. As I've posted before Lavender can do so many things and it's amazing for healing, calming, and soothing not just your outside, but your inside. Frankincense is helpful in relieving anxiety, nervous tension, and stress. I've also read that it can help you deepen your breathing while meditating, helping you to reach a more relaxed state. Frankincense also has skin benefits including moisturizing dry and mature complexions, healing blemishes, and fading scars. With all the benefits packed in these oils you almost don't need the soak but combined they make for a very relaxing and healing 30 minutes to yourself to just let the day drain away and take care of you for a moment.

   I have a couple 12 oz jars (pictured) available but will only be selling them in the 16 oz large mason jars once those are gone. You'll be getting more soak for your money that way. I hope that you try my Egyptian Lavender Milk Bath and take some time to pamper yourself or that special person in your life. Have a beautiful day!

Missy

New Release! - Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

$5/$2.50 shipping

     Very exciting new release for me today. I have been trying to think of the best lip scrubs I can bring to my product list and I think I just beat them all out with this one. Lip Scrubs are great for your lips especially with the cold winter months coming. They remove all that nasty dead skin and leave your lips smooth, soft, and supple. This new lip scrub though has a wonderful added benefit for us ladies that our men will love. 

     Cinnamon is a natural lip plumper and  the fact that it smells and tastes great is an added bonus. I decided to make this one with brown sugar instead of the regular white sugar and the results were amazing. I also used 100% pure apricot oil. Apricot oil is fantastic for your skin and absorbs quicker than many other oils. In my research I've found that next to Jojoba oil it is one of the best oils to use for your face which is why I use it in my face balm. 

     To use this scrub just get a little on your finger and gently scrub your lips for 10-30 seconds. When you're done you can rinse it off or just give your lips a good licking. All the ingredients in this scrub are all natural and edible.

      Giving this scrub my seal of approval was an easy decision and I hope that you all will love it as much as I do. Don't miss out ladies! Try this one today!

Missy

One of my favorite things-Cetaphil face wash

     Two months ago I started making my own face wash and using it the majority of the time and so far I'm loving it, but before that this had become my go to face wash. I still use it occasionally just for something different. Cetaphil was suggested to me by a dermatologist about 2 years ago and after using it for awhile I actually really liked it. It's very gentle on my skin and leaves it feeling very clean. It does contain a few of those nasty chemicals I'm trying to stay away from but it works well enough that I will probably always keep it on hand in case I run out of mine or just feel like switching it up. It is non-comedogenic and non irritating so safe for sensitive skin.
      By the beginning of next year I will be making my face wash available for sale as well as my Simply Smooth moisturizer. I have been testing these and other face scrubs and blemish oils for a couple months now so that once I bring them to you they will be perfected. Until then, check out Cetaphil and see what you think.
P.S. I tried the spf moisturizer and wasn't much of a fan of that. Felt a bit greasy. Those with dry skin though may like it better.

One of my favorite things- Oil of Olay Age Defying Body Wash

Products, products, products! There's a million of them out there and they all claim to do miracles for your skin, hair, nails, etc. Well, they can claim all they want but we as consumers are the true testers and I must say I think a lot of these product companies fall quite short on their claims. I've tried products from all price ranges and I have found some of my favorites and I'd like to share them with you. Different things work for different skin and different hair, and we all are looking for something different because of that so they may not all work for you, but some of you might find your next favorite.

     First up is one item I haven't been without for several years now. Oil of Olay has been around for a looong time and many people trust their products and some have used them their whole lives. I like a few of their face products and have used them in the past but as I have been trying to go natural I have made my own face products and have been using them and loving them for several months now. The Age Defying Body Wash by Oil of Olay though is one body wash I don't see myself giving up for quite some time, chemicals or not. This body wash leaves my skin feeling very soft and the smell is very gentle. There are a lot of body washes out there but I haven't found one I like better than this one. You just can't beat the feeling it leaves behind with any other I've tried. In the summertime I can sometimes even go without putting on a moisturizer afterwards. 
      Of course I won't stop trying to make my own more natural body wash but this body wash will be my muse. If I find it you can be sure I'll be sharing it with all of you right away. So check out Oil of Olay's line of body washes and see if one fits you.
      
    

Scenting your home with a diffuser

We all spend loads of money on making our homes smell good through the year. We buy, sprays, plug ins, waxes and warmers, candles and incense. Different smells for different seasons and different noses. Filling our home with various chemicals like alcohols and artificial dyes. I'm guilty of course. I have most of these in my home. Recently though I found a more natural way to scent my home that is also very healing. Essential oils each have properties in them that can help your body deal with different ailments more efficiently. Others relieve stress, boost energy, relax and soothe the body and mind or clear sinuses and congestion. Most are absorbed through the skin through lotions or balms, or ingested in teas or food, but many can share the healing properties by simply being breathed in. Eucalyptus for example is incredible at relieving sinus pain, pressure, and stuffiness as well as chest congestion. Lavender has been used for thousands of years to relax the mind and relieve stress. I will give more examples in future posts.
As for my recent discovery though, I bought a simple diffuser that hadn't been used at a thrift store for $.50. Many of us have them sitting around the house filled with wax. I simply brought the diffuser home, poured water in the top, added 5 drops of each of my chosen essential oils into the water, and lit my tea light. Soon my room was filled with a soft, pleasant scent and my mood reflected that scent. In this pic I used Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang. The combination of these smells was amazing. Both of these essential oils have properties that relax and act like an aphrodisiac.
Here are some tips for using a diffuser like this one. First, check your water level occasionally. It doesn't burn off overly fast but it will burn off and it  also depends on how much water you start with. Second, never put the oils in by themselves. They will burn and stink and won't wash out. Also, I suggest putting your diffuser on something, like maybe a plate, coaster, trivet, etc. The water doesn't come close to boiling or anything but its always best to be safe when using candles and you never know how hot the bottom of that diffuser will get. And lastly Always use 100% pure natural essential oils normally found at your neighborhood health food stores or online.
In the Cole house all of our sinuses have been stuffy with the weather change and I also like us to feel relaxed as everyone is getting home from their day so tonight I will be using a combination of Eucalyptus and Lavender in my diffuser. Which scent will you choose?
Happy Scenting!