Thieves "Make and Take" Party

I had hope that the weather for my March 25 party would feel spring-like. Instead, my guests ventured out in the "last (I hope!)" snow storm of this long winter. Thanks for coming! We made four thieves-inspired projects, and here's the details in case you want to try these at home. If you are curious about the Thieves blend of essential oils, you can read up on why I love it here.

1. Moisturizing Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash

Studies are showing that the triclosan found in most conventional "antibacterial" soaps can create health problems with hormones and resistant bacteria. Here's a recipe for hand soap without the junk!

Ingredients: 

1. One 8oz or 250ml bottle with a foaming pump. You can reuse one or I found mine here. There are directions for making adorable Mason jar containers with foaming pumps, but I didn't have time to cut the lids for this party.

2. 2 Tablespoons unscented castile soap. I bought mine from Amazon.

3. 1-2 teaspoons fractionated coconut oil. I found it on Amazon.

4. 10-15 drops of Thieves essential oil blend. You can buy it from Young Living.

Directions:

1. Pour the castile soap and fractionated coconut oil into the bottle.

2. Add the essential oils.

3. Fill the rest of the way with water, leaving room for the pump.

4. Screw on the top and shake gently. 

I charged $5 for the soap with my bottles, and just $3.50 if someone brought their own bottle.

2. Hand Sanitizer with Thieves Oil

Here's where I found this recipe for hand sanitizer without the nasty triclosan. 

 Ingredients:
1. 2 Tablespoons aloe vera gel. I found the gel on Vitacost.com.
2. 1 Tablespoon filtered water
3. 1/8 teaspoon Vitamin E oil. I also found this on Vitacost.
4. 5 drops of Thieves oil.
5. A 2 oz. squeeze bottle. There are great ones on Amazon for about $6, but I found cute ones in the travel section at Target.

Directions:

1. Combine the aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and the Thieves oil. 

2. Add some water to thin it until it is thin enough to coat your hand. 

Option: One friend brought a small spray bottle, and she made the sanitizer thin enough to spray onto her kids' hands at the park.

I charged $3.50 for the hand sanitizer, and only $1.50 if they brought their own container.

3. All Purpose Thieves Cleaner

Do you know how many toxic ingredients are found in conventional cleaning products? Thieves Household Cleaner uses safe and effective essential oils to clean. 

Ingredients:

1. 32 oz. spray bottle. I found some on Amazon. 

2. Water

3. 2 Tablespoons Thieves Household Cleaner. 

Directions:

Fill the bottle with water to just below the "fill line." Add Thieves Cleaner and screw on top. Shake gently to mix.

I charged $5.00 for the cleaner. I would just charge $2.50 for a refill.

4. Bug Repellent Lotion Bars

Every summer we get tons of mosquitos in our backyard, and I'm hesitant to use typical bug repellents, especially on my little kids, because the DEET is poisonous. I'm excited to try these bug repellent lotion bars this year. You just rub them on your body before heading outside. I'll make sure to include a review of them later this spring. The recipe makes 6 .5-.75oz bars.  If you do get a bug bite, here's an article about an easy remedy that you can find in your kitchen.

Ingredients: 

1. 1/4 cup coconut oil. I bought my oil from Tropical Traditions.

2. 1/4 cup grated shea butter. I found it on Amazon.

3. 1/4 cup grated beeswax, firmly packed. I bought it from Amazon. 

4. 1/4 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil (optional). I found it at Vitacost.

5. 1/4 teaspoon Purification oil blend. You can buy it at Young Living.

6. 1/4 teaspoon Thieves oil blend. You can find it at Young Living.

7. Silicon mold - I bought a Wilson mold at Michael's with a 40% off coupon. 

Directions: 

1. Using a glass bowl or double boiler over a pot of boiling water, gently melt the beeswax, coconut oil, and shea butter.

2. Stir the ingredients until they melt.

3. Remove from heat. Add the essential oils and Vitamin E. 

4. Stir until blended, and then pour into a mold. 

Allow the bars to cool before removing. You can put them in the refrigerator to cool them more quickly. They can be stored for up to 6 months. Keep them in an airtight container. 

I charged $3.00 for each lotion bar. 

Next Steps: How can I get some Thieves oil?

1. You can order on Amazon or directly from Young Living for retail prices. 

2. You can sign up to be an Independent Distributor for Young Living, and you'll receive wholesale prices. The Premium Starter Kit is a great deal with a diffuser and 10 oils including Thieves. 

3. If you're interested in jumping in on my monthly order, I'll pass on my wholesale prices and cheaper shipping to you.

If you register as a retail customer or distributor with Young Living, you need a member code. My number is 1513256. 

Getting ready for spring while we wait for the next snow storm

Another snow storm may be predicted for this week, but I'm dreaming about green grass and warm sunshine. Even though fresh veggies may be months away, here are some ways you can prepare now to enjoy your CSA or local farmer's market.

1. Save your plastic produce bags, fruit containers, and grocery bags. 

These bags and containers are handy when you pick up your share from a CSA. They can also extend the life of your greens when you wrap them in paper towels and put them in a bag in the refrigerator.

2. CSA and farmer's market gift ideas

-Market basket: My mother-in-law bought me a beautiful, fair-trade African market basket.
-Small cooler: I've seen cute ones on Zulily and Amazon.
-Sun hat: You don't want a sunburn while you pick cherry tomatoes.
-A good seasonal recipe book: I have Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything," but I'm sure there are many other resources with seasonal recipes.

3. Get ready to preserve summer's bounty

-Dehydrator: I have an Excalibur Dehydrator, and it's amazing what it can preserve. This year I'm going to work on blanching the spring greens and then drying them. 

-Canning supplies

-Fermenting supplies: Fermenting foods creates an amazing amount of beneficial bacteria for much less cost than probiotic supplements. I use the Pickl-It system that has an air-lock to produce an anaerobic environment. You only have to buy a few expensive Pickl-It jars, and then you can move the ferments to the less expensive Fido jars.  If you want more information about fermenting, the Intentionally Domestic blog has videos and explanations.