Natural Sunscreen Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp of wax of choice (beeswax, soy etc)
• 3 tbsp of shea butter
• 3 tbsp of mango butter
• 2 tbsp of raspberry seed oil
• 2 tbsp of zinc oxide
• 1 tbsp of avocado oil
• 1/2 tsp of vitamin e oil

Procedure:

1. Melt the wax using a double boiler
2. Add the mango and shea butter and stir until melted
3. Take the product off the heat and add the raspberry seed oil, avocado oil, and vitamin e oil
4. Add the zinc oxide and mix until entirely combined
5. Pour into a glass bottle with a pump or into glass jars (approx 150 ml)
   • Shake before using to ensure the zinc oxide is not remaining at the bottom of the bottle. Reapply every
   • Reapply every 1-2 hours
   • Product can be used as SPF lip balm too

Facial serum for oily & combination skin

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp of Argan oil
• 2 tbsp of Kukui Oil
• 2 drops of eucalyptus oil
• 4 tbsp of sweet orange oil
• 2 drops of geranium oil
• 3 drops of lemongrass oil
• 3 drops of vitamin E oil
• 2 drops of tea tree oil

Add all of the ingredients to a glass bottle with a dropper and shake before each use. Use 1-2 drops for the whole face, after face wash in the morning and before bed.

*Oils used are non-comedogenic* -You may replace the argan oil and kukui oil with other noncomedogenic oils of choice like hemp seed oil.

Natural Solid Deodorant (without Baking Soda)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp wax (beeswax, soy wax, or candelilla wax)
• 1 tbsp of cocoa butter
• 2 tbsp of shea butter
• 2 tbsp of mango butter (or coconut oil)
• 3 tbsp of arrowroot powder
• 1 tbsp kaolin clay
• 2 tbsp of corn starch or rice starch
• ½ tsp of vitamin e oil
• 1 tsp avocado oil (or other oil of choice like jojoba oil) add more after testing if it is smooth on skin
• 1 tbsp of magnesium chloride
• Essential oils of choice

Procedure:

1. Melt the wax in a double boiler or in a measuring cup secured on the edge of a pot half filled with water, on medium heat. Stir frequently with a disposable tool like a popsicle stick
2. Add the cocoa butter and stir until melted
3. Add the shea butter and stir until melted
4. Add the mango butter and stir until melted
5. Add the arrowroot powder, starch and kaolin clay and combine
6. Remove from heat and add the vitamin e oil and avocado oil and magnesium chloride, stir to combine
7. Pour into two 2oz (glass preferably) containers
8. Create two different deodorant scents: add the essential oils of choice to each individual container and stir with a different stick for each (lavender & sage, geranium & rosewater, bergamot & lime etc)

• NOTE: You can use just 1 butter (shea butter is preferable because it is non comedogenic and more solid than coconut oil)
• Save gelato spatulas for easy application
• Magnesium chloride replaces baking soda’s deodorizing effects and it is just concentrated seawater
• The kaloin clay makes it have a greyish tint and that’s normal but if you’d prefer white, sub in a starch instead

Natural Solid Deodorant (With Baking Soda)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp wax (beeswax, soy wax, or candelilla wax)
• 1 tbsp of cocoa butter
• 2 tbsp of shea butter
• 2 tbsp of mango butter (or coconut oil)
• 3 tbsp of baking soda
• 2 tbsp of corn starch or rice starch
• 1 tbsp kaolin clay
• ½ tsp of vitamin e oil
• 1 tsp avocado oil (or other oil of choice) or more after testing if it is smooth on skin
• 5-10 drops of essential oils of choice

Procedure:

1. Melt the wax in a double boiler or in a measuring cup secured on the edge of a pot half filled with water, on medium heat. Stir frequently with a disposable tool like a popsicle stick
2. Add the cocoa butter and stir until melted
3. Add the shea butter and stir until melted
4. Add the mango butter and stir until melted
5. Add the baking soda, starch and kaolin clay and combine
6. Remove from heat and add the vitamin e oil and avocado oil, stir to combine
7. Pour into two 2oz (glass preferably) containers
8. Create two different deodorant scents: add the essential oils of choice to each individual container and stir with a different stick for each (lavender & sage, geranium & rosewater, bergamot & lime etc)
9. Let to set for an hour in the fridge and use when set by warming up a bit in hands and spreading a pea sized amount under both underarms
   • NOTE:
   • You can use just 1 butter (shea butter is preferable because it is non comedogenic and more solid than coconut oil)
   • Save gelato spatulas for easy application

Water Kefir Recipe:

Ingredients: 

• Water Kefir Grains (1 cup)
  • (purchased at The Organic Food Market -Bloor-Spadina area)
• 4 cups of boiled water
• 3 cups of cold water
• 4 tbsp of cane sugar (Never honey*)
• (optional) 3 packets of tea of choice

1. In a glass jar (mine holds up to 8 cups) add the hot water, sugar and tea bags.
2. Steep the tea for 4 minutes, squeeze the bags and discard.
3. Stir the sugar water until all of the sugar has dissolved.
4. Add the additional water and check the temperature to ensure it is not too hot for the kefir grains.
5. Add the kefir grains to the lukewarm water.
6. Cover the opening of the jar with 2 paper towels and tie a string around the opening to secure the paper towel.
7. Store in a cool dark place, like a cabinet, for 24 hours and up to 48 h, taste to know, the sweeter, the longer it needs to ferment. (NEVER longer than 48 h).
8. After 24 or 48 h, strain and set aside the kefir grains before bottling the kefir water.
9. Bottle up your newly fermented kefir water in glass bottles with plastic twist caps.
10. Add lemon juice, lime juice, ginger, or flavour of choice and seal the bottle caps.
11. Store in a cool dark place for up to 48 h, and refrigerate.
12. Once the drink has cooled enough, you may enjoy your freshly brewed water Kefir.

DIY Body Butter for Sensitive Skin

This recipe has the least amount of scent and it is ideal for sensitive skin in need of hydration. If you do not have access to mango butter, just double the amount of shea butter to make up for it. 

Recipe:

2 tbsp of Unflavoured coconut oil

1/4 cup of shea butter

1/4 cup of mango butter

Procedure:

1. Melt the mango butter and shea butter using a double boiler, stirring frequently.
2. Add the coconut oil and combine.
3. Leave in the fridge to firm up slightly but not completely.
4. Whip up the butter using a hand mixer until peaks form.
5. Store in jars and refrigerate for an hour, or if you live in a colder climate, leave at room temperature.
6. After the hour has passed you may use the butter.
7. For best results use after shower for fastest absorption.

Health Benefits of Fermented Foods

Fermented foods have been used for centuries in many cultures worldwide such as that of Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa, as a means to preserve food and increase its palatability[1]. Foods such as yogurt, pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and tempeh fit under the fermented foods category. Fermented beverages have also been produced and consumed for the same reasons. Some of these fermented beverages may sound familiar to you: Kvass, kombucha, and kefir to name a few. These foods and beverages are known to have many health benefits including promoting the health of the digestive system, aiding detoxification and contributing to good overall health. Fermented food and beverages contain lactic acid from the fermentation process, which has been shown to suppress certain bacteria in the intestines, providing antibiotic properties to the body[2]. The health of the digestive system affects the health of other parts of the body including skin and mental health so it is no surprise that fermented foods have an abundance of health properties[3]. Fermented foods have a positive effect on balancing intestinal PH, thus establishing normal intestinal flora, which is essential to digestion[4].  Fermented foods, specifically kombucha aids detoxification of the body, by producing “coupled glucuronic acid” that binds to metabolic waste products and environmental toxins and poisons[5]. Additionally, fermented foods may help the body to absorb antioxidants[6].

Not all fermented products are beneficial to the body, for example, fermented soy products may be high in sodium and store purchased fermented foods may have been pasteurized  (heated at a high temperature) thus eliminating the beneficial bacteria[7].

Making your own fermented foods and beverages can be an easy and inexpensive alternative to purchasing the often expensive foods regularly.

Here are links to producing your own fermented foods and beverages:

• kombucha: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-your-own-kombucha-scoby-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-202596,
• kvass: http://natashaskitchen.com/2012/02/19/angelinas-easy-bread-kvas-recipe/ ,
• sauerkraut: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-homemade-sauerkraut-in-a-mason-jar-193124 ,
• kimchi: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-easy-kimchi-at-home-189390 ,
• Kefir: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-milk-kefir-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-202022,

[1] Baschali, Aristea, et al. “Traditional low-alcoholic and non-alcoholic fermented beverages consumed in European countries: a neglected food group.” Nutrition Research Reviews (2017): 1-24.

[2] Kombucha is useful for gastrointestinal ills. (1995). Better Nutrition for Today’s Living, 57(12), 12. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/194189055?accountid=13631

[3] Kombucha is useful for gastrointestinal ills. (1995). Better Nutrition for Today’s Living, 57(12), 12. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/194189055?accountid=13631

[4] Kombucha is useful for gastrointestinal ills. (1995). Better Nutrition for Today’s Living, 57(12), 12. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/194189055?accountid=13631

[5] Kombucha is useful for gastrointestinal ills. (1995). Better Nutrition for Today’s Living, 57(12), 12. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/194189055?accountid=13631

[6] Komaroff, A. L. (2015, Aug 09). Health benefits of fermented foods not yet proven ask doctor K. Capital Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1703423347?accountid=13631

[7] Komaroff, A. L. (2015, Aug 09). Health benefits of fermented foods not yet proven ask doctor K. Capital Retrieved from http://ezproxy.lib.ryerson.ca/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1703423347?accountid=13631

DIY Face Wash Recipe:

• 250 ml glass bottle with twist cap (or pump)
• 1/2 cup of pure Castile liquid soap
• 1/2 tsp jojoba oil, or avocado oil (or other liquid oil like olive)
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• (Optional) 8 drops of essential oil of choice for scent (lavender, mint, etc

Add all of the ingredients to the glass bottle. Shake before each use. Why maple syrup? It’s antibacterial, helps to unclog pores and is packed with antioxidants! Why sea salt? In combination with maple syrup, it provides an antibacterial action of the face wash and prolongs the shelf life of the facewash. you can opt out of sea salt if you use honey. If using honey, use water to thin out the face wash to your needs.

Face Mask for Congested Skin

Recipe:

• 2-3 tbsp of pure bentonite clay
• 1/2 to 1 tbsp of pure apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp water

Combine well to form a slightly thick mixture and apply to clean face. Leave on for about 15 minutes, DO NOT let it completely dry! Wash off when about 75% of it is dry, even if some areas like nose and cheeks did not dry. Follow up with normal skin care routine, ie toner, and moisturizer.

Revitalizing Bath Melt:

Recipe:

• 2 tbsp of coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of shea butter
• 1/4 cup of mango butter (optional)
• 10-15 drops of orange essential oil

Melt the shea and mango butter using a double boiler (I use a measuring cup on the edge of a small pot of water). Add the coconut oil when the shea and mango butter have melted. Add the orange essential oil and mix to combine. Pour into shaped moulds, ice cube tray or whatever you have that will make it easy to remove. Place in fridge and leave overnight. Pop out the bath melts and store in a jar or resealable container. Melt 1-2 under running bath water and enjoy!