Luxurious Shampoo Bar Soap Recipe

-9 ounces coconut oil
-9 ounces olive oil
-5 ounces castor oil
-3 ounces jojoba oil
-2 ounces shea butter
-2 ounces cocoa butter
-1 ounce beeswax

*Please note, all amounts are per weight. You will need to use a kitchen scale for these measurements.
-4 ounces water
-6 ounces coconut milk*
-4 ounces lye
*You could use only water, an herbal infusion, or any other type of milk. 

Optional Essential Oils
-Rosemary and peppermint for dark hair
-Lavender and lemon for blonde hair
-Lime and coconut for all types
*Use approximately 0.5-1 ounce of essential oils for this recipe. Yes they are a fun addition, but not necessary.

Directions:
1. Place the water and coconut milk into a large glass measuring cup.
2. Measure out the lye by weight into a 1 cup measuring glass.

3. Carefully add the lye into the liquid and stir to combine. (Adding the liquid to the lye could cause and eruption.) Be careful, the liquid is caustic and not to be touched in anyway. The outside of the bowl will be extremely hot as well. Note: Take the necessary lye precautions with this step.
4. Allow the lye mixture to stay under a vent and cool down while you prepare the oils.
5. Measure all oils, by using a kitchen scale, and pour into a pot.

6. Warm oils and beeswax on low heat until all are melted.
7. Pour melted oils into a crock pot. Be sure the crock pot is on the lowest setting. Note: Do not allow the oils to get to hot.
8. Add the lye/liquid mixture to the oils in the crock pot and stir. Note: Any equipment the lye touches needs to be neutralized in a mixture of vinegar, soap, and water. Vinegar will neutralize the lye.
9. After a brief stir, grab your stick blender and get to work! Blend the oils, lye, and liquid in the crock pot for at least 3-5 minutes. We are working toward ”trace.”

10. Blend until the mixture becomes a thick, pudding like consistency.
11. Once the mixture is pudding-like, cover the crock pot and “cook” the soap for approximately 1 hour.
12. By the end, the mixture should have folded in on itself and it should be completely transparent. Turn off the crock pot.
13. Now it’s time to prepare the molds. I just use a standard glass loaf pan greased with coconut oil and it’s always worked perfectly.
14. Now is the time to add the essential oils (if using).

15. Spoon soap mixture into molds.
16. Allow soap to cool and harden for 24 hours.
17. Remove from mold on to cutting board and cut into 1 inch thick bars.

18. Place bars on a tray with good airflow so that they can harden further. But go ahead and use your first bar!!!
Notes
This is the most amazing natural hair product I have used! My hair is so shiny, soft, and manageable. And the real test…my husband even uses this shampoo bar soap and LOVES it!
-When showering, be sure to complete the use of this shampoo bar soap with a 1 part apple cider vinegar and 3 part water conditioning hair rinse. I like to put this in a spray bottle and spray my hair with it just prior to leaving the shower. I do not rinse it out (more conditioning that way). The smell of vinegar will dissipate once the hair dries.
 http://frugallysustainable.com/2011/12/shampoo-bar-soap-recipe/

How To Make Magnesium Oil

Many people are deficient in this vital mineral that the body uses for hundreds of reactions. Every cell in the body needs magnesium in some way, and it is vital for bone, tooth, muscle and joint health as well as for optimal sleep and stress reduction.

Deficiency of magnesium is widespread because many of us have lifestyle factors that actively deplete magnesium such as lack of sleep, excess stress, or alcohol/caffeine/sugar consumption. On top of that, many natural sources of magnesium are becoming depleted (such as the soil due to over-farming and high pesticide use) and water filtration systems remove much of the naturally occurring magnesium in water.
The ocean is still a wonderful source of magnesium and trace minerals, but for those of us who don’t have daily access to a beach, transdermal magnesium oil can be the easiest and most effective way to increase magnesium levels. It has been found in research that adequate magnesium can do everything from reduce stress to improve sleep and even eliminate morning sickness!

By taking magnesium internally and use it on my skin daily in the form of magnesium oil.

[Note: Ancient Minerals, maker of the Magnesium Oil I use, recently posted about the small differences between homemade magnesium oil made from magnesium flakes and their pre-made magnesium oil. I'd still feel comfortable using a homemade version, especially if the alternative was not taking/using magnesium at all, but you can read the differences here.]

What you need:

•  1/2 cup Magnesium Chloride Flakes
• 1/2 cup distilled water
• a glass bowl or glass measuring cup
• A glass spray bottle (plastic will work too)

What to do:

Boil the distilled water. It is important to use distilled to extend the shelf life of the mixture. Put the Magnesium Chloride Flakes in the glass bowl or measuring cup and the pour the bowling water over it.
Stir well until completely dissolved. Let cool completely and store in the spray bottle. Can be stored at room temperature for at least six months. I keep in my bathroom to use daily.

To Use:

Spray on arms, legs and stomach daily. I use 10-20 sprays per day. It will tingle on the skin the first few times it is used, and this is normal. It should fade after a few applications, but you can dilute with more water if it bothers you too much.
You can leave on the skin or wash off after 20-30 minutes. I usually apply after a shower and then use coconut oil or a lotion bar to moisturize about 5 minutes later.
Have you tried magnesium to help reduce stress, improve sleep or for another reason? Share below! 

http://www.herbsandoilsworld.com/how-to-make-magnesium-oil/

How To Grow Roses From Cuttings

Propagating roses by cuttings is easy, and it brings certain side benefits, says Kris

(1) In an out-of-the-way part of the garden, which gets some shade during the hottest part of the day, dig a trench that has one vertical side. It should be around 6in (15cm) deep; place an inch or two of sharp sand in the bottom.

(2) Choose a stem – about the thickness of a pencil – from the rose you wish to propagate. The wood should be straight (no kinks), ripe (tell by being able to break a thorn off cleanly), and young (from this year’s growth).

(3) The cutting should be about 9in (23cm) long. Cut just below a bud at the base. Then remove the leaves and thorns from the bottom half. You can leave a couple of leaf systems at the top of the cutting if you wish, but I’ve removed mine.

(4) Insert each cutting so that it is two-thirds buried, making sure that its base is well into the sharp sand. Firm the sand around the base, to exclude as much air as possible. Cuttings should be set about 6in (15cm) apart.

(5) Replace soil into the trench and firm it in place; don’t damage the cuttings as you do this. Keep the cuttings watered throughout summer. By November they should have rooted well and be ready for transplanting.

Roses in spuds

My allotment neighbour has a row of roses, which he took as cuttings. I asked how he took them. He simply plunges the cuttings into the ground. But his secret of success is the humble potato! Before planting cuttings, he pushes the bottom end into a small potato, which he believes keeps the cuttings moist as they develop  roots. It sounds crazy, but his row of allotment roses is proof it works. Try it, and let us know how you get on.
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Zamfir - The lonely shepherd

~Orange Cake~

1 (18 oz) box yellow cake mix

1 (3 oz) package  instant lemon pudding mix

3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/2 cup canola oil

4 eggs

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon orange zest

Butter and flour a 10 inch bundt pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of a Kitchen Aid mixer, using the whisk attachment, combine: cake mix, pudding mix, orange juice, oil, eggs and citrus zests. Beat on low until blended. Scrape bowl,and beat on medium speed for 4 minutes. Pour into prepared bundt pan. Bake 50-60 minutes (until set.) Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Turn out onto cake plate and cool completely.

Glaze:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook 1/3 cup orange juice, 2/3 cup sugar and 1/4 cup butter for two minutes. Drizzle over cooled cake. Serve cake with fresh whipped cream and canned peaches (spiced, homemade are best.)

The perfect tea pairing for anything orange… Earl Grey Tea!

Enjoy!

http://www.chindeep.com/2010/09/02/orange-cake/

Clever ideas for decor

Op 21 Maart (Sogenaamde Menseregtedag) het die vent vir sy ongeletterde volgelinge die volgende boodskap gebring! "Steel by Witmense. Dis die regte ding om te doen! Moenie by swart mense steel nie want hulle sal jou toor of doodmaak. Sedert April 1652 het Blankes by ons voorouers hul hoenders, skape, bokke en beeste gesteel en ons met niks gelos nie. Dis ons reg om by hulle te steel. Dis nie diefstal nie, maar 'n proses om terug te neem wat ons s'n is!" Hy meen sy uitlating is nie haatspraak nie, want hy vra nie vir geweld nie - slegs dat die jeug moet terugvat wat in elk geval aan hulle behoort! Hy sal ook nie die uitlating terugtrek nie aangesien die regering niks doen vir die werklose jeug nie! My vraag aan die idioot is "Is die regering wit? Vir wat loop steel julle nie by die wat die land bankrot steel nie!" Sx

http://www.facebook.com/SunetteBridges