Gardener's Lavender Hand Scrub Recipe

This is a great scrub so make it. And it is so good to your hands after a long day in the garden here The Gardener's Hand Scrub.

I have been making this for years. My hands take a beating with preserving food and gardening. They crack and are so very dry. But this little scrub helps them get clean smell great and take a bit of the garden harsh away!





Gardeners Hand Scrub

1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup coarse sea salt
1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
Mix together and store in an airtight container

Put all the ingredients into a large bowl. Mix them together so they incorporate well. I let them sit for about an hour then re-mix so all those wonderful ingredients mix evenly.

You can now scoop the scrub into jars. I use 4 oz. jars and hand them out to fellow gardeners when they give me stuff. It is a nice Holiday gift idea also just double your ingredients.

• take a tablespoon of mix. massage and rub.
• rinse with warm water.
• your hands will feel a bit oily after but it soon soaks in and they feel like a newborn babies butt

Miracle Wooden Spoon

Looky looky Loou what do we have here.

I was listening to my radio in the car and one of Melinda Lee's sows she mentioned her favorite tools in her kitchen. A flat wooden spoon. Hum what a concept.

But, what is a flat wooden spoon and where in the world do I get it. Spoon? Got me going.

And as Melinda the Great explained it was one of her prized tools. That wooden spoon being flat allowed her to get everything on the bottom of her pans. And her Husband just cut the bottom of a wood spoon Wa La ! 

How simple is that idea. So I skipped into my kitchen grabbed 2 of the thousands of wooden spoons I have. I ran to Pa and directed him to simply cut the bottom off ad sad them soft for Ma! With a puzzled look yet always compliant with my request. (Smart Man) he did it. And POOF yes people we have reached yet another level of Homestead use what you have! 

This is going straight to Instagramcracker! xoxo

How to make your own Febreze non toxic formula

I have been making this spray for many years. I got sick of using aerosol can goods. Just another little rant went on I refuse to use aerosol it is not safe for the environment: you will see this in a lot of my protest post.





So this is what Febreze says is in their product but below this recipe is the Actual list of 87 Toxic Ingredients in this product ! Febreze well the definition is and we quote :

" The active ingredient in several Febreze products is hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). The molecule traps and binds volatilized hydrocarbons within its structural ring, retaining malodorous molecules, which reduces their volatility and thus the perception of their scent."

No we will not take the time to clarify what any of those very large words are or mean. I will just state that this recipe is easy safe and you will know what is hitting your loved ones , furniture and smell bathroom.

Homemade Fabric Freshener 

16 ounce empty spray bottle

1/2 teaspoon essential oil

Distilled water

1/2 cup witch hazel

* * Notes to self Witch Hazel is only 1.49 at wallymart but almost 5 bucks at local drugstore 

Add to your spray bottle the following :

Witch Hazel water and essential oil to spray bottle

Shake and spray!!

Do not use this spray around an open flame.
You can also put a little bit in a small, travel size pump bottle to freshen up in a pinch.



Here is the list of the REAL ingredient in Febreze 

• Below you'll find a real list of just some of the 87 chemicals found by the EWG in Febreze Air Effects, listed in order of their toxicity to humans:
• BHT - Known as a neurotoxin, endocrine disruptor, immunotoxicity, non-reproductive organ system toxicity, skin eye and lung irritator
• Acetaldehyde - Known to cause cancer, toxic to reproduction and development, immunotoxin, non-reproductive organ system toxin, skin, eye and lung irritator
• "Fragrance" - One of the three ingredients actually disclosed, it's a neurotoxin, immunotoxin and allergen
• Propylene Glycol - Causes cancer, allergies, toxic to immune system, accumulates in the system, non-reproductive organ system toxin, is classified with "enhanced skin absorption" and irritates the skin, eye and lung
• 1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol - Carcinogenic (causes cancer)
• Limonene - Synthetic form used is known allergen, immunotoxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Methyl pyrrolidone - Toxin to reproduction and development, allergen and immunotoxin, non-reproductive organ system toxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Alcohol denatured - Also disclosed in the ingredients of Febreze, it's linked to cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Butylphenyl methylpropion al - allergen, immunotoxin and and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Ethyl acetate - linked to developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, organic system toxicity and and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Geraniol - Synthetic form used linked to allergies, immunotoxicity, organi system toxicity and and skin, eyes and lung irritation
• Linalool - Synthetic form used is known allergen, immunotoxin, and and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Benzaldehyde - neurotoxin, and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether - non-reproductive organ system toxicity
• Ethylhezanol - developmental and reproductive toxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator
• Hexyl cinnamal - allergen, immunotoxin and skin, eyes and lung irritator

What to do with Epsom Salts - an endless list

Epsom Salt is one of the most unused organic and natural garden supplements available as well as home use and health.

After reading this post I hope everyone will take that box of Epsom Salt in their cupboard and use them to see garden magic. Oh and they are affordable! Yippee ! !

The reason they are so good is that they are made up of almost exclusively magnesium sulfate.

Unlike other fertilizers Epsom Salt does not build up in the soil. So much better then the chemical over the counter fertilizers.

Ways to use Epsom Salt's in the Garden

Houseplants


For your outdoor and indoor potted plant dissolve two tablespoons of Epsom salt per gallon of water. Do this once a month when doing your everyday water.

This is a great way to refresh and revitalize your garden. It is a great beginning for new plants. Again use this time only one tablespoon of Epsom Salt per foot of plant. You can use this solution in a tank sprayer The tank sprayer is a cheap and great way to spread any liquid solution onto your soil.

Gardening

Vegetables in your garden. Epsom salts are great for Tomatoes and Peppers they both are prone to magnesium deficiency which will show by yellow leaves and diminishing production.  When you use this same Epsom salt recipe is proven in 4 out of 6 gardens did better and had larger pepper plants.







Flowers in your garden will thrive with the same solution of Epsom salt in your garden.

Roses in your garden. Roses thrive with the use of Epsom salt. It will make the foliage greener, healthier and lead to more roses. You can put new rose bushes un-planted into a solution of half a cup of Epsom salt per gallon of water before you plant the rose bush. Prior to planting your Rose Bush put one half of a cup of Epsom Salt into the hole. Also once at the beginning of the season you should apply a half cup or so at the base of each rose bush.





This list truly is endless but there is one thing you want to watch if you are Diabetic you need to know soaking in Epsom salt can and will lower your blood Pressure and could cause problems so please talk to your doctor prior to using them.

Tree Stumps
Drill a  few larger holes into stumps and pour Epsom salt in the holes add some water and in a with in a year the stump is will rot and make it easier to clean up, works great with bushes you want gone. The Epsom does not have an negative results in your garden.

Tomato Plants- Read the Diabetic Disclaimer first! Soil that is low in magnesium, pour a tablespoon of Epsom salt disolved in water and pour in the hole before planting tomatoes or peppers to give them enough magnesium to flourish and thrive. You can also mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salt per gallon of water for a nice and healthy spray. Spray after the first blooms appear. Keep an eye on your plants to see when they need a little pick me up, or spray on them about twice a month for a boost.


I love Epson salt, but if you are a diabetic, you need to be careful with it or any salt product. I am not sure why, but always ask your healthcare provider about such things! Epsom salts are not any kind of sodium. And, in fact, they can lower blood pressure, but care should be taken not to soak too long, causing blood pressure to go too low. The Epsom salts do contain magnesium, which gets absorbed into the skin, possibly causing diabetics’ blood sugar to go too low when soaking in a tub. Because diabetics typically have poor circulation in their feet, foot soaks with ES could cause dryness and irritation, leading to cracking and infection. 

Fabric Softer

Epsom Salts in my fabric softener dispenser instead of fabric softener. Fill a clear glass canister jar about 1/3 with the salts, add a few drops of essential oil, then stir. Repeat until jar is full. Use a scoop to get the salts from jar to washer. It will remove any soap residue in your laundry (which keeps your clothes softer and towels more absorbent) and allows you to scent your laundry with the fragrance of your choice.


Clean Tile

Epsom salt beng abrasive and combined with liquid dish detergent can help your tile shine. Mix equal parts Epsom salt and liquid dish detergent and scrub tile or grout until clean. Rinse with clean water.

Bath Time my favorite use - Read the Diabetic Disclaimer first!
Add 1 cup of Epsom salt and soak for at least 20 minutes to alleviate sore, tired muscles. You can also add a few drops of  essential oil for additional relaxation benefits. When you soak in an Epsom salt bath, your body absorbs magnesium through the skin, which promotes the production of serotonin (and causes you to relax and feel good!). The magnesium also aids in a better night’s sleep and helps restore proper muscle and nerve function. Soak in Epsom salt bath 3 times a week for optimal benefits.


Exfoliating for face
For a natural exfoliate, add a little pinch of Epsom salt to your normal face wash, and gently rub your face with circular motions, and rinse. It will help bring out impurities and rid your face of dead skin.

Foot Soak -    Read the Diabetic Disclaimer first!

Combine 1/8 cup Epsom salt, 1/8 cup sea salt an 1/4 cup baking soda to a foot bath or sturdy container large enough for your feet. Pour in hot water and soak feet for 30 minutes to alleviate tired feet and draw toxins out of your body. The pores on the bottom of the feet are the largest pores in the body, which is why they are a great place to draw out toxins. For optimal benefits, soak feet once a week.

Holiday Decorating

Fill glass jars that I have saved all year, fill with Epsom Salt and a white votive candle, and place them outside, running along both sides of the driveway. They look so pretty!