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!

Should I Choose Natural Healing?

  I read in one of my natural healing books last night that on average Americans take 26.5 million pills per hour and more than 52 million aspirin or acetaminophen tablets every day. Think about that for a minute. We are becoming a society completely dependent on these chemicals and the drug companies and the doctors are loving it. The more pills they can put you on, the more money they can line their pockets with. You have a headache? We have a pill for that. The sniffles? We have a pill for that too. Chonic pain? Cancer? Problems sleeping, depression, anxiety? Oh we have lots of pills for that. Before you know it your medicine cabinet is full and some of the problems are gone but now you've got new ones. Time to go back to the doctor! Oh this pill gave you the sweats? Just take this one and it will counteract that problem. And the cycle continues.
     Am I saying all pills are bad? No. According to Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A. Balch "Many, perhaps 75 percent, of all conventional medications are refinements of herbal medicines." In other words, they started with an herb but in order for them to be able to patent their drug and sell it for higher prices they had to "jazz it up." So they started extracting the specific chemicals they wanted from the herb and adding synthetic compounds to them that could be patented. Their results gave us easily taken pills that can usually treat a few different types of related ailments. There have been some incredible breakthoughs that have saved many lives and I have great respect for those individuals that work so hard to better our lives and keep us healthy. What I'm saying is that their are other options with little to no side effects that won't put synthetic chemicals in your body and mind.
     Also you can't forget about the rising costs of health care when making your decision. I'm not even able to afford health insurance right now and I'm sure that there are many more of you out there struggling with this dilemna. The government thinks that their options are going to help us but those prices can be just as high. Prescriptions can be expensive with insurance let alone trying to purchase it without any. 1 simple asthma inhaler costs $100. A bottle of Peppermint Essential Oil which contains an antispasmodic and can be inhaled to help control asthma attacks will cost you $10.

Does this mean you don't need to go to the doctor. Hell no! Even when taking herbs or using another kind of natural healing you should consult with your doctor. Just because it is natural does not always mean it is safe for you and you should always follow recommended dosages as some herbs and essential oils can be harmful, if not deadly if used in the wrong way, or by taking too much. Also some herbs can react with other medications. A good reference book for this is, Natural Health Magazine's Instant Guide to Drug-Herb Interactions by Chris D. Meletis, N.D. There are also many doctors that specialize in natural healing that can help guide you in these ways.

     I stopped taking prescriptions shortly after moving to Florida about 4 years ago. I went through a difficult period when I was given my diagnosis and told that there was no cure. I was passed from dr. to dr. I finally ended up on Pain Managements doorstep. I had a very kind, understanding, and compassionate dr. who had even done his training through the Mayo Clinic. I thought this guy had to be my best hope. I was very wrong. By the end of it, my mind was an even bigger mess, I had been conquered by depression, the doctor bills were piling up, I could no longer afford my meds, and my marriage was in turmoil. Something had to change. Moving to Florida and getting off the meds was the best thing I could have done for me and my family.
     Choosing natural healing doesn't have to be a huge change all at once. I first started with yoga, water therapy, and meditation because that was what felt right to me at the time. There are many choices when it comes to natural healing so I suggest getting a book at your library or looking on google to find the different approaches available to you and then make your decision based on what feels right for you. Much of what you will see on this blog will deal with herbs and essential oils as that is what I am researching and using at this time. A few other choices available are: Ayurveda, Flower Essence Therapy, Food Therapy, Homeopathy, Reflexology, Sound Therapy, and Vitamin and Mineral Therapy.
     I hope that this will help you in making your decision and I will continue to post tips and things that I learn in my research to help you get started on your natural path. Remember, each of us are different and our bodies respond in different ways so what is right for one person may not be right for another. For some ailments you may be better off taking the pill from the doctor and in others the pill is just masking an underlying problem that could be healed through natural means eliminating the need for that pill. Listen to your body and listen to your intuition. Have a beautiful week.
Missy

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender-Lavandula Officinalis- Of course I would choose this one first. Lavender has been around for thousands of years. This ancient Greco-Roman medicine has been used for ailments from stomach aches to headaches to stress and depression. It is excellent for beauty products because of its soft flowery smell and its ability to treat all kinds of skin conditions including, acne, athletes foot, eczema, inflammations and irritations, psoriasis, sores, and even sunburn just to name a few. Just inhaling its aroma can bring peace and tranquility and  help prepare you for a good nights rest.
     I use lavender in many of my bath products because of its incredible scent and its amazing benefits. The oil can used and absorbed through the skin or even inhaled directly from the bottle to heed its benefits. The herb can be made into a tea, a poultice, or even stuffed in a pillow or hot pad.
    When purchasing lavender essential oil be sure to buy 100% pure. I purchase my oil and my lavender dried herbs at my local health food store but you can also buy them online or even grow and prepare them yourself.
     This is a fantastic oil to put into your diffuser as everyone is getting home from work or preparing for bed at night. The soft scent will provide a relaxing ambiance to your home and help your family release all that stress and tension from their day.
     Lavender essential oils and other essential oils are not safe for women who are pregnant.

     For bath products of mine containing lavender please visit my Simply Yours facebook page. If you don't see what you want, message me and I will send you a list of everything I have available or we can discuss what you are looking for and I can create something specific to your needs.
Missy

Simply Your Price Sheet

To make orders contact me via my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/simplyyoursbymissycole.com or
 text me or call me at 419-306-4146.

Product       Scents Available

Jar Size/Cost             
Body Scrubs       > Peppermint Lavender, Coconut & Brown Sugar,
8 oz    $8           Lavender Rose Petal, Coconut Lime, Jasmine & Lavender

                         Tangerine Dream, Apple Pie, Lemon Meringue

                         Cinnamon Brown Sugar, Banana Nut Bread ,
                          and Muscle Soothe


Bath Soaks       >Peppermint Lavender, Egyptian Milk Bath
16 oz    $12       Muscle Soothe Salt Soak, Lavender Salt Soak, 

                          Jasmine & Lavender Salt Soak,     
                          Eucalyptus Salt Soak for colds  



Dry Skin Balm/   >Unscented, Peppermint, Lavender, 
Tootsie Balm        Jasmine & Lavender, Muscle Soothe
4 oz $10                   



Face Scrubs     >Coconut & Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Brown Sugar

  4 oz $6            (Cinnamon is NOT for sensitive skin),
                          Oatmeal, Nutmeg, & Brown Sugar

Lip Scrubs         >Peppermint, Cinnamon and Brown Sugar (lip
   $6                   plumper),Banana Nut Bread, Coconut & Brown Sugar
    
Lip Balms         >Peppermint, Banana, Cinnamon Brown Sugar
   $6                   Coconut Creamy


Bath & Body     >Peppermint Lavender, Lavender Rose Petal,
Oils                    Tangerine Dream, Jasmine & Lavender,
  $10                   Lemon Meringue, Eucalyptus, Muscle Soothe