I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I find the idea of savory ice cream intriguing. When I came across this recipe for Rosemary, Olive Oil And Sea Salt Sundae, it seemed like the prefect balance of salty and sweet. But here’s the snafu—the recipe is for homemade ice cream. I don’t have an ice cream maker (not yet, that is) and even if I did, I didn’t have the patience nor inclination to mix much of anything this weekend. So, I cheated. Continue Reading…
Herbalicious: Rosemary Olive Oil Sea Salt Sundae
Eat your beauty: Chipotle Cacao Grilling Glaze
Welcome to the grilling season! Before you throw those dogs, burgers and veggie kabobs on the grill, brush them generously with this sweet, spicy and spunky glaze. All of the ingredients can be found at your average grocery store. So if you’re grilling it up for Independence Day, you can zip to the market, whip this up and have it ready before the charcoals are red hot. Pow! Continue Reading…
For the Mixtresses: Fresh Cucumber Mojito Salt Scrub
I had visions of pleasantly sour mojitos sipped on the porch while watching the stars when I bought this mint to plant in my garden. But looks like I’ll be using it to make the recipe from The Natural Beauty Workshop:
Fresh Cucumber Mojito Salt Scrub (makes a little over 1 cup of scrub, enough for 1 – 2 uses)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh cucumber, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
- the zest and juice of 1 lime
- 1 ounce Cucumber Seed Oil
- 1/4 teaspoon Peppermint Essential Oil
- 1/2 cup Dead Sea Salt, Fine
Get the full scoop on this recipe and many others over at The Natural Beauty Workshop!
Lola’s List: Mama’s got a gun (5 things skeet shooting taught me about life)
I have no interest in running a marathon. Nor do I want to climb Mt. Everest or indulge in other common “Bucket List” aspirations. Naw, My List consists of simple, everyday stuff. For example, years ago we lived near a skeet and trap range, where folks attempt to shoot clay disks flung into the air at high speed from a variety of angles. For years I’d drive by the range, see folks shooting away and wonder what all the hype was about. They’re just a bunch of trigger-happy good ol’ boys, I thought. But still, I was curious. This weekend, The Mister and I braved the heat wave to see first-hand what this was all about.
For the Mixtresses: Homemade Baby Powder
Have a wee-one, or just want to baby your own skin? Check out this Homemade Baby Powder recipe from our good friends at Mountain Rose Herbs.
Thankfully, making your own baby powder is cheap, easy, and allows total control over what ingredients go on baby’s precious skin. Most commercial baby powders contain talc which is potentially carcinogenic, as well as artificial perfumes that can bother a child’s sensitive respiratory system. Crafting your own customized powder only takes a few ingredients and can be put together in just minutes.
Ingredients (click the links to shop ‘em)
- 12 oz white clay
- 6 oz organic arrowroot powder
- 4 teaspoons organic marshmallow root powder
- 4 teaspoons organic comfrey root powder
- 2 teaspoons myrrh gum powder
- 1 teaspoon organic goldenseal root powder
- Optional: no more than 10 drops of organic sweet orange or lavender essential oil— keep in mind that these oils are highly concentrated, so less is best for baby.
Whatever Lola Wants: Mezzaluna Herb Choppers, free Healing Herbs eBook + Oatstraw Hair Rinse
I’m a sucker for kitchen gadgetry. But in this case, I’m a sucker in need. My herbal garden is flourishing, and frankly my regular scissors ‘ain’t about this life’ (haha, I’ve been dying to throw that in somewhere). But the Mezzaluna Choppers will get the job done.
The beveled shape of these stainless steel blades makes the perfect tool for chopping herbs and spices whether fresh or dried. Simply rock the blade(s) back and forth over the herb you’re preparing and watch the Mezzaluna chop with ease.
You can choose from two styles including a single Italian made 10″ blade with wooden handles, or a double 6″ blade with an easy-to-grip plastic handle. I gotta get it.
Now if you’re need to back it up, and start with the basics, cop these FREE e-books for your Beauty Foodie library: Continue Reading…
Kitchen Garden: More herbs + veggies
I spent a good chunk of last weekend playing in dirt. Despite the 90 plus degree weather, I decided to expand my little Kitchen Garden. It was a lot of work, but I am literally seeing the fruits of my labor since planting just a few days ago. Continue Reading…
For the Mixtresses: Castor + Hemp Herbal Facial Cleansing Oil
There’s a thin line between curiosity and ingredient junky-ism. Ya’ll know how it is—you go to the market strictly for eggs, and you leave with some exotic cheese, a jar of chutney that the sample lady convinced you you needed, and other randomness. Likewise, I’ll go shopping for a beauty pantry staple, like castor oil, and will leave the shop with a host of herbs and butters that I really don’t need. It’s no surprise that my beauty pantry is overflowing with a myriad of ingredients, many I’ve never tried. Needless to say, the inspiration for this mix is: I’m running low on facial cleansing oil, so I will make a new batch with ingredients I already have instead of buying something new. Sigh.
Wonky talk: Comedogenicity Rating (will it clog my skin?)
In For the Mixtresses: Castor + Hemp Herbal Facial Cleansing Oil, I mentioned how both castor and hempseed oil are ideal for oil-cleansing because they both have relatively low comedogenic ratings, meaning they are less likely to clog your pores and irritate acne-prone skin. There are many other oils that can substitute in the recipe—check this handy chart first to learn its comedogenicity rating: Continue Reading…
Life + Libations: Summer’s here ya’ll + White Peach Sangria
Summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and the start of the most beloved season of all—Summer! I live for Summer and generally seize most opportunities for merriment, so it’s no surprise that I found myself eating, drinking and being merry with friends in celebration of the solstice. Amongst other libations at the festivities was Peach Sangria. It was dee-vine. So divine, in fact, that I was a bit sluggish the next morning. Sip slowly, please. Continue Reading…
For the Mixtresses: 5-minute Layered Mask Bar
My fellow Mixtress, Lise, never ceases to amaze me. I’ve always thought of her as the Queen of DIY Beauty Bars, but she has simply outdone herself this time. Here is a layered mask/cleansing bar that is both effective, easy to use, and great for normal, dry and sensitive skin types. And to top it off, it’s easy to make! Shall we get started?
5-minute Layered Mask Bar (via LisaLise Natural Skin Care)
Ingredients (yield 1 bar of 100gr)
- 22 gr (0.8 oz) cocoa butter
- 20 gr (0.7 oz) shea butter
- 20 ml (0.68 fl oz) castor oil
- 10 ml (0.34 fl oz) almond oil
- 10 ml (0.34 fl oz) hazelnut oil
- 19 gr (0.67 oz) white clay
- 19 gr (0.67 oz) yellow clay
- 2 ml (40 drops) carrot extract
- spirulina (optional)
- essential oils of rosemary and juniper (optional)
What The Different Parts Do
In (very) broad strokes, the oils attract dirt, the butters moisturize and the clays cleanse and detoxify. The addition of spirulina, carrot extract and essential oils provide extra skin-pampering, toning and nourishing.
Food In Jars: Lavender Honey Simple Syrup
This stuff is effing addictive. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. It certainly has kicked my Tulsi Journey up a few notches. I’m itching to drizzle it on ice cream, or add a couple of spoonfuls to a glass of lemonade. And of course it will be fab in a cocktail. Watch out now! Continue Reading…
This Just Pinned!
