DIY Face Hydrating Mist

Want to avoid those ingredients you can't pronounce in your favorite hydrating facial mist? Here's a great way you can do just that by making your own with just a few ingredients.  A few main reasons for keeping our skin hydrated: It delays the signs of ageing and brings the skin to a healthy and glowing skin. Now who doesn't want that for their skin?

Personally, I love using facial mists with my mineral foundation powders.  It allows me to do a wet application for that natural look.  So here's what you'll need:

- 1 ounce of distilled water
- 2-3 drops of your choice of Essential Oil

You may use EO's such as Lavender, Neroli, Rose Geranium, Rose, etc...

Next step is to simply combine the two and store in a bottle with a mist cap.  See picture above.  As you can see, mine is a bottle intended to be re-used.

Shake well before each use and mist away naturally!

How to re-use glass jars!

There are many small acts one can do on a daily basis to preserve our planet. One simple act such as re-using your glass jars and cosmetic containers will greatly reduce the burden on our environment and will also save you money. There are so many wonderful uses for those jars that once housed your favorite spaghetti sauces, olives, fruit preserves and makeup products. Dating back to my childhood days, I have always enjoyed crafting with them and still do.


Below are just some of the many uses for these gems. If you already have a unique use for these, please feel free to share.

• Use to store spices, cereals, cookies, chocolate, flour, grains, salad dressings, pickles and even hot sauce. Then simply create a label and attach to jars. Hot sauce pictured right -->

• Utilize as a holder for pens and pencils. Get creative by decorating the jar with ribbons and bows. Great project for the kids too!

• Store your DIY sugar scrubs and bath salts. Below is a simple coconut oil jar that is now re-used to store one of my favorite DIY scrubs -- Cinnamon Bun Sugar Scrub.

• Get organized by storing your crafting & sewing supplies. See picture below. You may also get creative and add a pin cushion on top of jar.

• Fill with water and use as a vase.
• Use as food storage containers.

• Use for your DIY candle projects.

• Store coins.

I apply this same principle with re-using my glass cosmetic containers. I have cleaned and sanitized the pots pictured below which once housed a few of my favorite eye shadows before converting them into lip balm pots. The pot on the right now stores a bit of Raw Organic Shea Butter.

Please remember to always clean your glass containers and allow to air dry before re-using. For cosmetic containers, I like to spritz with rubbing alcohol after it's been washed with regular soap and water.

I hope I have given you some insight for re-using your glass jars and cosmetic containers. Remember conservation is necessary for preserving our environment and planet as a whole.

Watch My Weight Wednesday!

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This is March's Watch My Weight Wednesday blog hop! 

Add your old or new post below! 

You can post once a week.

Be sure to visit the other links!  Lets help each other!

I can't wait to see all the helpful tips/recipes/stories you have!

Please link directly to your post and not your blog URL. If you could please link back here, so that everyone can join in the fun!

Go Green With Baking Soda

I don't know about you but as Spring quickly approaches there's one thing on my mind besides going out and smelling the fresh air and that is Spring cleaning. Have you started your spring cleaning yet or do you plan on doing so soon? Have you decided on which products you'll be using around your home this spring? Stop! Before you do so, I urge you to pull out those products from under your sink and start examining the ingredients. You may be surprised at your findings. If you can't pronounce all of the ingredients listed then that's a great warning sign that your product may not be so safe for your family and the environment. Traditional household cleaning products are loaded with an array of dangerous chemicals, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, ammonia etc. All of which contributes to indoor pollution due to the toxic fumes they produce. The elderly, kids, pets and asthma sufferers will be most at risk for developing either breating complications or skin and eyes irritation. If you live in North America, then you must be aware of our poor air quality so switching to safter alternatives is 'the' best option for both your family and the enviroment.

Making your own products really isn't that difficult, considering the fact you'll only be requiring a few ingredients per formula. Baking Soda happens to be so versatile for formulatig both beauty and household cleaning products so you'll want to stock up on a few boxes at a time.

Below are some of my favorite Household Cleaning & Beauty Uses for Baking Soda

• Cleaning the oven & stove top. Sprinkle  Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and wipe clean.
• Remove tarnish from silver. Mix a thick paste of Baking Soda with water, apply the silver with a damp sponge, rub, rinse, and pat dry.
• Cleaning the sink (stainless steel). Sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub the sink, and rinse clean.
• Adding as a booster to laundry detergent. Add one-half cup Baking Soda with the usual amount of detergent in your regular wash cycle.
• Cleaning the bathtub, shower & tiles in general. Sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean. Depending on the degree of grime, I may add white vinegar right after the Baking Soda. Allow this solution to sit for a bit then scrub. 
• Cleaning & deodorizing the refrigerator. For cleaning, simply sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and wipe clean. And for deodorizing, place an opened box in a corner of your refrigerator.
• Drains Maintenance: Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of Baking Soda in the drain, followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar and same amount of boiling water. Allow to sit for about 1/2 an hour then wash away with more boiling water.
• Remove burnt-on food on either cookware or stove top. Do Not Use On Cast Iron! Dampen area, sprinkle with Aluminum Free Baking Soda, allow to soak for about 1/2 an hour, then scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry.
• Remove coffee or tea stains from china. Dip a damp cloth in baking soda, gently rub the china, and rinse clean.
• Clean coffee and teapots. Soak in a warm water solution with about 1/4 - 1/2 cup baking soda. Go over with a sponge to wipe away any residual stains then rinse and pat dry.
• Brush your teeth. Whether you're looking to remove tea or coffee stains or just plain brushing, add a small amount onto your dampened tootbrush and brush as usual then rinse. It's safe and besides Baking Soda is fluoride free.
• Soothe tired feet or full body soak. Add 3-4 tablespoons to  warm bath water and soak feet/body. You may also add a couple tablespoons of epsom salts and a few drops of your favorite essential oil for an invigorating bath/foot soak experience.
• Glowing Skin Recipe. Mix equal parts of honey, baking soda & a few drops of milk. Use on any part of your body & rinse. Honey hydrates the skin, baking soda exfoliates while milk cleanses.
• Use as a deodorant. Dust a miniscule amount of baking soda in the palm of one of your hands, add a bit of water to create a paste & apply under arms. Allow to dry completely before getting dressed.
• Dry up pimples. Mix a small amount of baking soda with warm water & apply daily on pimples. Leave on for up to 1/2 an hour then rinse.
• Remove crayon marks from walls. Sprinkle  Baking Soda on a damp sponge, scrub gently then wipe clean.
• Get rid of build-up from hair. Add one tablespoon of Baking Soda mixed with your shampoo. Massage into hair. Rinse, condition and style as usual.

Are you convinced of how versatile baking soda is? Above are just some of the uses for this wonderful product. If you've already been using this awesome stuff, please drop by and share your favorite
recipe(s) with my readers  and I. You may do so by either leaving me a comment here on my blog or on over at my Facebook Page: Simply Green & Healty Living. I'd love to hear from ya!


Until next time, Go Green and start keeping the toxins off and out of your bodies.

Review: 100 % Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

"Are you guilty of neglecting your under-eye area?"


If you are, I promise you wouldn't after you're done reading this article. Once upon a time, I was guilty of not paying too much attention to that area of my face simply because I didn't feel like I had much to address and still don't. Sounds familiar? I'm sure it does but without realizing that's where the first signs of ageing will creep up on you -- under your eyes. Why? Because the skin around our eyes are 'the' most delicate and thins as we age, in addition to sun exposure, lack of sleep and free radical damage.

"So, how can we prevent this?"

The answer isn't what many of you may anticipate since ageing is inevitable we all will eventually grow old at some point but this does not mean we should just throw in the towel and ignore our skin completely. Absolutely not! It simply means that we must start to pay extra attention to what needs to be addressed. The earlier, the better. As you all know, I'm an advocate for using only Natural and Organic products and choosing an eye cream is no different. Since the skin under our eyes are so delicate, it's vital to choose a product containing only natural and potent ingredients that will quickly target that area minus the chemical additions. The 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream, contains none of the latter and is formulated with nothing more that what is required to effectively and safely perform; making it an ideal product to target the under eye area.

"About the 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream."

This potent formula is an anti-inflammatory product that contains caffeine rich green tea and coffee. It is chock full of nourishing and anti-ageing ingredients that are therapeutically formulated to de-puff while increasing blood circulation to alleviate and brighten dark circles. As stated above, it's a natural formula and also free from all known carcinogenic ingredients, synthetic fragrances, preservatives and petrochemicals.

"How Does It Function?"

This product works mainly because of it's combination of potent and concentrated blend of anti-ageing nutrients and antioxidants. See ingredients below.

Ingredients:
It contains only 100% natural and potent organic botanical extracts: Organic Green Tea1, Organic Calendula Hydrosol1, Organic Rosehip Oil1, Organic Green Coffee2 Vitamin E (a-tocopherol), Vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), Extracts of Coffee Cherry, Organic Rosemary3, Organic Oregano3, Organic Thyme3, Organic Grapefruit Seed3 and Organic Goldenseal4, Organic Vanilla Absolute3, Candelilla Wax

"Here's my experience with the 100 % Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream."

Ever since I learned of this range, which was a few years ago, I had placed it on my list of products to try. Like any other range on the market, there are both positive and negative reviews. And I certainly didn't let the negative deter me from trying the 100 % pure range. It's definitely a range that has a lot to offer especially for those on a mission to avoid the chemical nasties. To learn more about 100 percent pure, I suggest you visit their site here.

According to my findings, this formula is quite concentrated and extremely moisturizing and it leaves my undereye area quite hydrated which is a major plus in delaying the signs of aging. I purchased the one ounce size which will last me quite a long time, judging from it's concentration. It glides onto the skin very smoothly and absorbs very easily. The smell in another thing I that I love about this product -- smells like a delicious coffee dessert. You coffee lovers will definitely get your fix with this one.

Thus far, I don't have any major under eye issues to address except for those days when I'm sleep deprived and that's when this product comes in handy. It makes my under-eyes appear alive and awake just as it promises. This product deserves a 5 star and more.

"Where To Buy?"

This awesome product can be sourced directly from the 100% Pure site, major online beauty sites or even at select online healthcare stores.

My source of purchase happens to be via Ebay since that's where I found the best deal -- $15 plus shipping: Kenda at PureCosmetics on Ebay. She is just lovely to do business with and I'm so glad we connected. She was super helpful and very effecient with shipping and communication. highly recommend you check out her store. She only stocks non-toxic, green and healthy cosmetic and skincare. You may also follow her on Twitter to be notified of her deals.

So ladies, what are you waiting for? Why not give your under-eyes a treat to some of this yummy coffee goodness? And please do come back and share your thoughts here with me.


Wishing you all beautiful and healthy looking skin.


Mwah!

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid to review this product. I purchased this product on my own. Just thought I'd throw that in.