Posts tagged ‘Green Living’

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May 12, 2012

Aromatherapy Wellness Cabinet DIY Series: What’s in Mine

beautiful hankies that hold and protect special beloved treasures.

beautiful hankies that hold and protect special beloved treasures.

As many of you know my beloved MacBook Pro died about a week ago and I’m in another flare up – a flare that has lasted longer than they usually do (not that they are totally predictable).  The silver living is that because my laptop died while I was in a flare up, it gave me the break I needed. I’ve felt less guilty about taking time to take care of myself and reflect while I wait for a new MacBook Pro to arrive. Now, instead of filling this post with my computer and health woes, I thought I’d start a series that will help YOU!

Some, but not many, of my friends have “wellness cabinets”.  Wellness cabinets are similar to medicine cabinets (and some aren’t cabinets at all! Even a small box works!). 

And I think they are wonderful things to work into any families home and add to it as you find more ingredients, and other items that are suitable for it. Put it near your first aid or emergency preparedness kit. One of the things we have in ours, is essential oils.

As you may have noticed, essential oils are used abundantly in the product line, and rightfully so as they are superbly healing on many levels as well as smell delightfully well.  You may be wondering, hmm how can I harness the healing power of essential oils outside of these wonderful creations by Batty’s Bath. Well in this series I will cover ten basic essential oils, that everyone should keep in their wellness cabinet. These oils have a wide variety of uses, and we will touch on them each individually.

   The ten basic essential oils that will be introduced to you for this DIY series are:

  • lavender
  • chamomile
  • tea tree
  • eucalyptus
  • lemon
  • peppermint
  • geranium
  • thyme
  • rosemary
  • clove 

In each section of this series basic information will be given on their properties, how you can use them, and even a little treat at the end of each piece with a DIY recipe.

Now before we get into the fun stuff. …..

I want to make sure you are a savvy essential oil shopper!

So I have to give you a quick briefing on how to buy the high quality essential oils. There are a lot of essential oils out there on the market, some are excellent, some belong in the trash can of grouch from sesame street. Here’s why. Top quality essentials oils are of a therapeutic nature.

Here’s a quick list of how to make sure you get the best essential oils:

  1. They will have their scientific and common name on the bottle.
  2. Also check the prices, because different oils take different amounts of material to produce the essential oil, it causes a variety in prices. For example rose essential oil and lemon essential oil should not be the same price. If you see essential oils that are all the same price, or nearly the same price, run to the next brand. This is one of the indicators that the essential oil may have been cut substantially with a substance, so it may be one drop of the essential oil to give it a scent, and it will lack the healing power that the aromatherapy world claims.
  3. You will also want to check how the bottles are stored. Essential oils should be in an amber or other dark colored bottle. This helps to protect it from its properties being destroyed by light.

Now my savvy shopper, once you get your goods home, you will want to make sure that you properly care for your oils.

  • One is to never store them in direct sunlight, keep them in a cool dark place such as a cabinet to help preserve them.
  • Secondly replace the top (lid) of the essential oil bottles as soon as you are done with them, as they can evaporate fairly quickly.
  • Thirdly, and most importantly is to keep the essential oils out of reach of children and pets. Even though essential oils are lovely, they are still medicinal in nature and can have very harmful effects if they get into the wrong little hands or paws!

Well now that those things are covered, we can move onto the fun stuff. Look for my piece on lavender essential oil which will be coming to the blog within the next couple weeks. Until then I have some other topics I’d like to share so stay tuned :)

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April 9, 2012

How to Use Lavender from Your Skin Care Garden

I have been talking to you in the last couple of entries about using herbs from your skin care garden. Today I am going to be talking to you about one of the most common and yet those most fragrant herbs: Lavender!

This is one of the most commonly known herbs and one of the most versatile that I know.  If I were to just grow one skin care herb in my garden this would be it.  It is gentle enough for babies yet hardworking at the same time, and almost everyone likes it. And since you may have already planted some after reading the first part of this series, I will get on to how to use it. :D

One way that you can use it is by making lavender water.

Lavender water is great to have on hand for sunburned skin or when your skin is just feeling irritated in general. Lavender water will cool and soothe it.

To make it……

First you need about a cup of water, three tablespoon of dried lavender buds, a pot, and a 8-10 ounce glass bottle.  Now, I am sure the lavender that you just harvested is not dry yet, but if you read the previous post in this series, I talk to you about how to dry herbs. So what you do now, is bring the water to a boil, and then pour it over the dried lavender buds in a small sauce pan. Let it steep for five minutes or so, and then let it cool. Strain, bottle, and then refrigerate.  Splash on your skin anytime it needs to cool off.

Another way that you can use this lovely herb is coupled with oatmeal in a bath.

Lavender combined with oatmeal is great for skin that is dry and itchy or even bothered by rash.  Place two tablespoons of dried lavender and two tablespoons of oatmeal in a muslin bag or one of the handmade fabric bags you’ve received from an order at my online shop. Pull the drawstring on the bag tight, and place in a warm bath.

Did you know that lavender makes a lovely essential oil?

If you’ve ever used any handmade bath or beauty products with it you do! And while you can’t turn the lavender you harvested in you’re your yard into an essential oil without very special and expensive equipment, I can help you benefit from this healing essential oil.  I have harvested the healing power of lavender essential oil in my lavender swirl soap that will compliment and enhance anyway that you choose to use the lavender from your garden.

Happy gardening :)

lavender swirl soap

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April 9, 2012

Partnering with EcoLiving London

EcoLiving London

Batty’s Bath has partnered with EcoLiving London because I LOVE what they are doing for the local community! They are a non-profit that is bringing together all in the area that are working to see a change towards sustainability. They like to say Healthy People Healthy Plant and Batty’s Bath likes to say Happy Skin Happy People so it couldn’t be a more perfect partnership!

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April 5, 2012

Why Kat and I Got Out of Our Pajamas Yesterday!

Yesterday Kat and I went to an amazing get together (actually a training and networking event!) put on by ecoLIVING London! We both were pretty excited to just get out of the house (both of us don’t have a daily reason to venture out of our houses let alone our pajamas lol – pssst, just between us friends, I walk the dogs in my PJs lol… Drew’s scared that I’m going to de-evolve further and start wearing my house coat to walk them too lol), and boy, what an awesome reason to get out of the house! Tiffany was so entertaining, as usual (that girl always makes me laugh), and we got to meet our follow ecoLIVING London partners who are working together to see positive things happen in London, Ontario (and surrounding areas!). It was super inspiring – so much so that I’ve been up all night fueled by possibilities :)

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March 28, 2012

Skin Care Garden Series: Lemon Balm

Hello again, I’m back with another post about the herbs that you grew in your skin care garden. This time I’ll be talking about the lovely lemon balm, and how you can use it! I think you will enjoy the many versatile uses of one of my favorite herbs.

One way that lemon balm can be used is as a natural insect repellant. Summer is soon coming, and with the way this weather has been, some of us have met summer very early. You know what warm weather and summer mean! Mosquitoes!! Yes those things that go bzzzz in your ear and go after your blood leaving you with bites. This natural insect repellant is very simple to make, and doesn’t require a degree in chemistry.  All you need to do is harvest some fresh leaves, crush them with your mortar and pestle, rub them on your skin, and bam you’re free to hit the outdoors! Wow!

Speaking of the itchies and things that go bite in the night, lemon balm is great to use for skin afflicted with skin boils, chicken pox, and insect bites.  One way to use lemon balm is by making a poultice. To make a lemon balm poultice, you will need to harvest a few fresh lemon balm leaves. Place these lemon balm leaves in a small bowl or tea cup and pour boiling water on them; just enough to cover.  Next mash the moistened lemon balm into a pulp with a spoon or your mortar and pestle.  Let cool. When cool, apply to afflicted areas of skin, and then place sterile gauze pad on top. You can then tape this in place with some medical grade tape (you can get this as well as the gauze from any drug store). Leave on for a few hours or overnight if needed. Lastly, you can use them in a refreshing soak. Harvest some fresh leaves, and add them to a warm bath along with some bath salts  for an extra skin healing experience.

I hope you enjoyed learning how lemon balm can keep your skin as lovely as you are!

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March 15, 2012

Inspiring Video: Homegrown Revolution

Noel and the pumpkin patch

This picture was taken at the old house and was my first attempt at growing a pumpkin patch.

This morning while surfing around and checking all my daily “web stops”, I came across the Urbanhomestead.org. I’ve always been fascinated by the homesteading idea; growing your own food, supplying your own solar power, etc. Living off the land has such a natural appeal, and I’m sure if you’re a tree hugger like me, the thought of growing a garden that supplies the majority of your fruit and veggie needs, has crossed your mind – even if for a brief moment.

The home we lived in before moving away from the “hustle and bustle”, was shaded by huge, grand, old, BEAUTIFUL trees. And while they were gorgeous, and had many benefits (like keeping the house cool in the summer and providing numerous critters with homes), I was always felt held back from having even a small garden because they completely shaded our whole lot. That didn’t stop me from trying to grow pumpkins though! I know, I know.. they need tons of sunlight – but I was determined to try! I grew them from seed and my parents brought over a truck load of good soil to put in the garden boxes in the backyard.  And, surprisingly, the pumpkin vines actually did quiet well after I put them in the “garden” outside. The vines started growing, twisting around things, and reaching up towards the patches of sunlight that made it through all the tree branches and leaves. I was so excited! Even if I didn’t get any pumpkins from the vines, I was encouraged that I could at least grow SOMETHING! Unfortunately, my pumpkin growing excitement didn’t last long! One day, when the vines were getting quiet long, I went out to water my “pumpkin patch”, only to see vines in pieces and the leaves chewed off. Some critter was as excited about the pumpkin vines as I was and had them for their midnight snack!  I’m guessing they had the leaves for dessert! To this day I don’t know if it was one of my dogs, the squirrels, the skunks, or the raccoon family that lived in one of the trees (they were quiet the clan by the way!).

Now that we live with wide-open spaces, where the stars actually twinkle at night, I’m once again getting the green thumb itch! We have lots of space – including space outside the fenced in area that we call “Batty’s dog park” – to plan, grow, and *fingers crossed* harvest wonderful things! I’m so excited and definitely need to get my nose in some books about how to be a good green thumb! There’s lots of work to be done around the property, and Drew and I are actually looking forward to working outside on all the things that need to be done! Between the list of things to do outside the house, I’ll be making a little garden – or two! I’ll also planning on giving the pumpkin patch idea another go! It’s my dream to have a HUGE pumpkin patch that takes over a good section of land and gives us the best Halloween pumpkins ever!  I will no doubt be making sure that work doesn’t get in the way of enjoying our first spring and summer here  :)

Before I ramble too much more, I wanted to share the video that inspired this post! I came across this video at the Urbanhomestead.org. It’s called the “Homegrown Revolution” and is truly inspiring! Enjoy.

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March 14, 2012

Skin Care Garden How-To

Skin Care Garden and Herbs

Spring is fast approaching, and you know what that means. Time for gardening! 

I am sure you see the garden gloves, the pots, and all the seeds out on display by your favorite retailers.  I know when you see the wide array, you may be thinking that gardening is only for the flower lovers, or veggie lovers. However did you know that you can grow herbs for your skin care routine as well? And no, you don’t need to own a sprawling acre with the perfect soil to have a perfect garden. You can have a little bit of land to work with or none at all. Even those who live in apartments or condos can grow at home as well.  Herbs are great for beginner gardeners all the way up to the expert gardeners.  Herbs can be grown inside in containers, or outside.

Alright now to the good part. Herbs that are good for skin no matter the type include lavender, calendula, chamomile, and lemon balm.

Lavender is good for the skin because it is antibacterial and antifungal. It also helps to heal the skin by reducing scarring (you know from picking at ickies you may have had on your skin or from cystic acne), softens it (for those of us that don’t have the baby bottom soft skin anymore), and it keeps all skin types balanced.

Calendula is good for the skin because it helps to heal wounds, high in anti-inflammatory disease, and can heal skin that is suffering ailments such as eczema or dermatitis.

Chamomile is good for skin that has been burned, afflicted with acne, scraped or is irritated from things such as rashes.

Lastly, there’s my good friend Lemon Balm. Lemon balm is good for healing wounded skin, and helps with those pesky insect bites such as those spiders that might be wanting your skin for a midnight snack!.

Apartment Balcony Garden

It is easy to grow these plants indoors and outdoors.

There are many medicinal herb kits that sell the seeds of these herbs and mini containers. Many gardening centers sell the products. They are also easily found on sites such as amazon and other online retailers (try Etsy! They have some really cute and unique kits).  You can also just buy the individual seed packets from your local health food store if you already have plenty pots or containers to grow your skin herbs in.  You probably want to plant these skin loving herbs as soon as it is time for growing them in your growing zone. You can usually find your growing zone on the back of the seed packet. This way you can get the most out of your harvest. Gardening stores may also carry plants that are already mature enough for transplant into any indoor containers or outside plots.

Cold Press Natural Soap Honey and Oat Delight

 Gardening can be a little rough on your hands, so a good exfoliating soap such as my honey oat delight.

A good skin care regimen should include both inside and outside measures. Using good quality chemical free products such as ours, as well as using your new herbs in skin teas will keep you glowing for years to come!

Pink Flower

Stay tuned to the blog because over the next few weeks I’ll show you just what to do with your herbs! Each week I’ll feature one of the herbs mentioned in this post. So get GROWING ;)   and I’ll be here to show you what to do with your lovely greenies when they’re ready! :)

Blue Flower

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March 12, 2012

Glow On Girl! Skin Saving Smoothie Recipe Plus Nutrition for Skin Health

Glow on Girl! Skin Saving Smoothie

We all have heard the saying you are what you eat. It’s true, and especially when it comes to healthy skin. Our skin is the largest organ we have.  When we eat healthy our skin is healthy.

                         

So what foods should you incorporate into your diet to have the skin of your dreams?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

First I suggest you get your essential fatty acids.

The good fats ..the essential fats come from foods such as salmon, cold pressed fish oil, walnuts, eggs, olive oil, flax seeds, avocados and other good for you fats. So how do foods such as these keep your skin in good condition? Well for one essential fatty acids ( more commonly known as Omega 3s), help to keep the inflammatory response of your body down. Skin issues such as acne, eczema and psoriasis are an inflammatory response of the body.  These essential fatty acids also help to prevent water loss from the skin’s cells, and helps the skin maintain moisture and suppleness. When the skin is moist and supple, it helps the skin maintain its barrier to many of the nasty bacteria out there like staph. When the skin becomes dry, and begins cracking, it’s like letting unwanted people into a party and taking over a good thing. You don’t want that.  When the skin is dry as well, you are more prone to wrinkles and other premature aging signs. Increasing essential fatty acid intake is one of the most essential ingredients to skin care, as when you are deficient your skin is the first place that it shows up.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Next, you want to make sure that you get your fresh fruits and vegetables.

Organic is best, because they have more nutritional value than their non organic counterparts. Also non organic produce is grown with chemical pesticides. Those pesticides get ingested by you and then your bloodstream gets unhappy and your skin therefore gets unhappy as well. Anyways, there are many vitamins and minerals in produce that contribute to skin wellness.  They are also full of powerful antioxidants and plant compounds which also to help protect the skin. Zinc for example helps to keep inflammation at bay, it also helps to reduce scarring ( you know from popping zits or from  burns and scrapes ). All of the B vitamins help by providing good circulation to the skin, help reduce stress which can cause flare ups, keep the skin from cracking and drying out as well as help us to grow healthy new skin cells. Vitamin C helps our skin keeps its flexibility and retain our collagen which contributes to our skin glow and suppleness. Silica which is a mineral helps our bodies make collagen. Vitamins E and A have antioxidant properties which helps our body rid itself of free radicals. Free radicals are those body bandits that destroy skin cells and can cause us to get skin cancer and other forms of cancer. Fruits and veggies are also full of water.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

What about Water?

Getting enough water keeps our skin hydrated and moisturized from the inside out. Drinking water also helps the body flush out toxins from the system. Remember, that when we have a lot of toxins swimming in our system, our skin shows it.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Putting what you know into action!

Here’s a delicious smoothie recipe that is full of the vitamins and minerals that your skin needs! Yum yum! Who doesn’t love a smoothie :)

                                                                               

Glow On Skin Saving Smoothie

1 organic banana peeled and sliced

1 organic mango peeled and sliced

1 cup organic spinach leaves

1 ½ cups coconut milk (not canned but the kind in the refrigerated section)

1 tbsp ground flax seed

Place all ingredients in your blender. And blend until smooth. Delish

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March 9, 2012

4 Amazing Things That Happened This Week (My Week So Far: It’s a Batty Life)

Happy Batty!This week has been absolutely AMAZING! There has been so many great things happening – enough for a whole month worth of amazing things! And since they have all happened in the same week I’m smiling from ear to ear and ready to bounce off the walls! lol!

                                                   

Amazing thing #1:

Batty’s Bath was approved by the Leaping Bunny Program!

I filled out the paper work, answered the emails, and basically spent a lot of time proving that Batty’s Bath does not use animal testing on any of our products or ingredients, and neither does any of our ingredient suppliers! There’s no cruelty from start (growing & acquiring ingredients) to finish (final product testing and batch testing)! We will be included as a safe, cruelty free company in the Leaping Bunny’s directly and publications on their next big update!

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Amazing thing #2:

I spoke with the biggest inspiration and my business role model, Donna Maria!

I devote time to my personal growth and well as developing my leadership and business skills. I find it helps me stay grounded, fills my craving for learning, and helps me improve my business. Donna Maria is a huge part of that process! I’m in her Protégé program and have been inspired by her since the very start! On Wednesday, during a conference call, I got the chance to speak with her directly and ask her some of my “burning questions” about my business! She was WONDERFUL! She asked questions, gave direction, and otherwise wiped away the fog and made things clear!  I was so excited after the call I literally did a little jig! haha!  and no, I didn’t capture it on video, but if i had it would have looked something like this:

The Carlton Dance

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Amazing thing #3:

Becoming a member of the non-profit, EcoLIVING London!

Amazing things are happening in my local community when it comes to green living! EcoLIVING London is a non-profit organization that brings together people who want to have a positive impact on their personal health, the health of their family and the health of the planet. Basically, they are my kind of people – they get me and I get them!  I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this amazing community! I’ve wanted to join them for a long time and now that I have the chance I’m diving in head first!  I talked with Tiffany today about all the opportunities they have for me and I’m ecstatic! Over the next few months you’ll start to see blog posts by me on their website, Batty’s Bath will be listed in the directory, we’ll be ‘representing‘ (yo!) at many of their events,  AND there’s something VERY cool coming out in April – when I say very cool, I mean you’ll want to stay tuned because even if you’re not a tree hugging granola like me, you’ll still think it’s pretty dang cool!!! :)

EcoLiving London
                                                                                                                                                                                     

Amazing thing #4:

Less Pain!

This week I started on several new prescriptions (on top of the handful I’m already on), and I feel great! Starting on new medications is always a bit scary – and some times very disappointing! I’ve been dealing with my illnesses for over 10 years, and it has taken this long to get on a regime that has made me feel human again! Or at least feel like what I’m assuming pain-free, illness-free, people feel like! It’s amazing, and totally encouraging to be able to get up every MORNING (yup, morning! I’ve reached one of my resolutions!), and dive right into work – and enjoy it because I’m not having to drag by body around the studio or try to force my eyes to stay open to answer just one more email!  Life is good! Every day this week I’ve been able to get up before Drew goes to work and be a busy bee until he comes from work – and still have energy to make supper and spend some time with him and the doggies! I’m not used to being able to do so much in a day!  This is what life is supposed to be like!  It might seem like a boring life to some, work – supper – quiet time – sleep – repeat, but to me it’s complete bliss!  With what feels like a brand new body, a job I love, and our “new to us” century+ old home, I’m really seeing myself loving every day and maybe even getting a bit domestic!  GASP!!  I’m already cooking supper – something that’s unheard of… the joke around here is that I can cook a mean batch of soap but can’t cook FOOD to save my life lol. I’m turning a new (brighter shade of green) leaf!

Rainbow Leaf Trail

                                                                                                                                                                                     

How has your week been?

I hope you’re starting to see wonderful things in your life too!  If not, keep plugging away! All these amazing things in my life this week didn’t happen overnight and amazing things like this certainly don’t happen all the time BUT that’s why we keep working away and finding ways to enjoy the simple things in life, and take comfort in the silver linings and the occasional rainbows.

Pastel Perfect!

I've been drooling over Katwise's elf coats for years now but could never afford one - although it would be worth every penny because of the tremendous amount of work that goes into them. BUT, there is hope for me to have one of her coats because she now offers the patterns for sale! Hooray!! Do you think I could talk Momma Batty to make me one? lol! My dream one is this one pictured .. look at all those pretty pastels! I've also seen a drool worth one in autumn colors... mmmm!

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February 17, 2012

6 Guiding Commitments that Shape Batty’s bath

When I started Batty’s Bath I was determined to make a company I could be proud of and that made the world a better place! To me, that meant making some serious commitments that go beyond just making great products! I made a total of 6 encompassing commitments that I run my business by. Each was made out of a desire to do more than just “make soap”, or contribute to my family financially. Why? because we all only have so much time and energy each day and I believe if we want to live a fulfilling life that encourages others to do the same, we need to make each action count.

In a nutshell, the commitments I made are listed below, but to really understand how important each one is and what it means for me and my business, please see the full descriptions here.

  • A commitment to …

    • ingredients & artistry.

    • all skin types.

    • education.

    • sustainability.

    • our communities.

    • cherish all beings.

Click here to keep reading…

Posted in Batty's Life, Be Informed, Inspiration, Studio Updates | 1 Comment »

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