Make Your Own: Beeswax Candles!

Make Your Own: Beeswax Candles!

I have to be honest and say that the scent of beeswax is one of my favorite scents.  I love the delicate scent of "honey" that it carries within.  I try to use it in my soaps, and I always use it in my lip balms. One great way to keep that scent around the home is to make your own beeswax candles, as a gift or for your own personal use!

Beeswax candles smell lovely, and are long burning.  They are said to be calming, and are also very beautiful to look at.  Go ahead, make your own, and see what all the "buzz" is about!

Beeswax Candles

Materials:

• 1- 16 x 8 inch beeswax craft sheet
• 2/0 wick (they are about 18 inches each pair)

Instructions: 

1. Let the wax sheets stay out in room temperature for several hours.  Do NOT let the sheets freeze.
2. Cut the wicks to about 9 inches.
3. Cut the wax sheets in half crosswise.
4. Place the wick along the edge of the wax and begin rolling the wax tightly and evenly around the wick. Make sure that the top and bottom edges of the wax stay aligned.  Roll to the end of the sheet.
5. Repeat for the second sheet of wax.

Relax and enjoy your beautiful, new, handmade candles!!

Have you made your own beeswax candles?  Post your comments on how they turned out!

Make Your Own: Homemade Vapor Rub!

Make Your Own: Homemade Vapor Rub!

Here's to hoping that the cold and flu season don't show up at your front door.  BUT, in case it does, one way to provide relief and soothing comfort is to use Vapor Rub on the chest and/or feet.  While some people prefer to just grab a jar of commercial vapor rub from the local drug store, I actually prefer to make my own for my family. It's a fairly easy process, and it is so worth it to know exactly what ingredients are going into the rub!  

One really good way to use this vapor rub is on your feet covered with socks while you sleep.  And the best part is that you can customize this recipe to fit your family's needs.  I personally don't use the cinnamon oil in the rub because it can be a little too overwhelming on the skin, but that is just a personal preference.  So go ahead, give it a try and see for yourself the benefits of making your own vapor rub!

(This recipe is from http://wellnessmama.com/3527/natural-vapor-rub/):

Homemade Vapor-Rub Ingredients:

•  1/2 cup olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil
• 2 level tablespoons of beeswax pastilles
• 20 drops of Eucalyptus Oil
• 20 drops Peppermint Oil
• 10 drops Rosemary Oil
• 10 drops cinnamon or clove oil (optional)

How To Make Vapor Rub:

1. Melt beeswax with oil of choice in a double boiler  until just melted.
2. Add the essential oils (use half the amount for a baby version or dilute with coconut oil before using)
3. Stir until well mixed and pour into some type of container with a lid to store. Little tins work well, as do small jars. I also always make a few in lip chap sticks to keep in my purse or use on baby feet.
4. Use as needed to help sooth coughing and congestion.

*Please note that this recipe should not be used on babies.  Consult a medical professional if you have questions regarding usage of this product on children under six years of age.  Eucalyptus oil, for instance, is not considered safe for use on children.

*Also note that pregnant women should not use rosemary essential oil.

Make Your Own: Rose Petal Jam

There is nothing better than having a slice of fresh bread, toasted on the skillet, and covered with rose petal jam...

It is romantically scented, lovingly colored, and so very personal.  Who wouldn't want a little jar of this? Is there a more loving, romantic, or intoxicating way to show your love at the start of the day?  To get a close up romance kind of love filled first encounter, please visit http://www.emikodavies.com/blog/rose-petal-jam/

No one can explain it better. And I mean no one.

So, in short words, here is a lovely recipe for Rose Petal Jam from http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Rose-Petal-Jam, which I have personally made. Not only is it a sensuous way to wake your self up in the morning, but the perfect way to wake up your partner... even for that kind of crazy morning!!  ;)

How to Make Rose Petal Jam

Edited by Sondra C, Krystle, Nicole Willson, Jonathan E. and 20 others

Most roses are edible. Roses are not the only flowers that can be used to add a delicious and exotic taste to all types of dishes.^[1] The flavor of roses is distinct and immediately recognizable, and it looks as wonderful as it tastes.

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Ingredients

• 1/2 pound pink or red or white (they are all edible) rose petals.
• 2 cups sugar.
• 4 1/2 cups water
• Juice of 2 lemons, pips or seeds removed.

Steps

1. 
   1
   Select any color rose petals or use assorted colors. The color of the petals will be the color of the jam. Some rose varieties are tastier than others. Fragrant red and pink old-fashioned double roses (rugosas, floribundas, Old English, damask, and so on) are often used for jam.^[2] "Rose a parfum de l'Haye", "Caprice de Meilland", and "Baron Girod de l'Ain" keep their aroma and flavor well during the cooking process.^[3]
   • Wash them and then cut off the white bottom of each petal. Before eating them or using them in cooking, they should be washed well to avoid any chemicals that they might have been sprayed with. Ideally, you should use roses that haven't been sprayed at all and that were grown specifically for this purpose. Always check for insects and discard any petals that are brown.
   • Soak the petals in water for three days. This is optional.
   • Place the rose petals into a bowl and sprinkle the sugar over them to make sure that each petal is coated. Bruise them well with your fingers and cover the bowl with plastic film.^[4] Allow it to remain overnight in a cool spot that is not too dry and not too humid (e.g. the refrigerator).
   • Get a saucepan and pour in the remaining sugar, water and lemon juice. Dissolve contents over a low heat. Including the pips (seeds) of the lemon is supposed to contribute pectin, which will help thicken the jam,^[3] although some recipes do not specify their need, so the choice is yours.
   • Stir the rose petals into the mixture and allow to simmer 20 minutes. Bring to a boil and continue to boil for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens. If you have a jelly thermometer, cook and stir until the jam reaches 221°F or 105°C (don't let the bulb touch the bottom of the pan) or until a spoonful dropped onto a cold plate jells and holds its shape.^[2] Then, if you included the pips/seeds, remove them with a spoon, or you can leave them in if a person is careful not to eat them when they eat the jam.
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2. 
   2
   Pour it into a clean, warmed jar and add the cover and a label. If it will not be used shortly, use proper canning procedures to make sure the jam keeps in the jar. Store it in a cool place^[5] and indulge.
3. 
   3
   Finished.
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Tips

• Do not use petals that have been sprayed with an insecticide which is not intended for use on food.
• If put in a pretty jar, this makes a great gift.
• You can also make a delicious rose petal jam simply by crushing rose petals with sugar in a pestle a mortar - the traditional Polish way.[1]
• If you're picking the roses yourself, the best time is in the late morning, after the dew has dried and before the strong afternoon sun. Hold the entire rose by the tips of the petals with the tips of your fingers, pull it off the base, and trim the white sections with scissors - this will save you time.^[2]
• Make your rose petal jam with love and have fun while doing it. Do not think of your problems.

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Warnings

• Roses have thorns, so be careful in handling them
• (Disclaimer:  Please note that I am not responsible for any accidents or additional hazards that may occur as a result of your attempt to recreate anything on this blog, or your usage of any recipes on this blog.  I will be more than happy to reply to any questions related to the above recipes, but please contact a doctor or 911 if you feel you are in need of immediate medical attention.)

Make Your Own: Mavi!

Mavi,  as it is known in Puerto Rico, is also known as Maubry, Mabi,  and Maubi  in many of the different Caribbean islands.  A very refreshing, summery type of fermented drink, it is very tasty and simple to make.  For those of you that don't know, it is the "root beer" of the Caribbean!

Mavi brings back many memories of my childhood.  Growing up, Ginger Beer and Mavi meant summer!  That, along with shaved ice on every street corner, and the coquito man on every other corner, you never failed to have a full summer day as long as you had 25 cents in your pocket! LOL...

Now that I am far from my family, my childhood, and my roots, I am craving them.  I was craving Ginger Beer earlier this week (please see my previous post to make your own Ginger Beer) and am now craving Mavi.  What a better way to give my children a taste of their roots than by making a native drink that represents our heritage and culture?

Mavi Recipe
(http://www.ricanrecipes.com/recipes/detail.php?category_id=11&id=49)

Ingredients Click Picture to Enlarge

1 oz. of mavi tree bark 1 oz. of fresh ginger 1 whole cinnamon 12 1/2 cup of water 2 1/2 cups of sugar 2 1/2 cups of dark brown sugar

Directions

Boil the Mavi tree bark, the ginger, and the whole cinnamon in 1 ½ cups of water in a cooking pot for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes, remove the pot from stove and with a strainer, filter the liquid and let it cool totally.(Like Totally Baby!!) Mix 12 cups of water, the sugar and the brown sugar in a big deep bowl. Add the Mavi liquid and mix well until it starts to foam. Poor the Mavi into glass bottles and seal with a plug made out of cloth. Do not plug it too tight or use your underwear to plug it sealed. The fermentation will create pressure just like a pressure cooker effect! Put the Mavi bottles in the Rican sun for about 4-6 hours or until you see that it is fermented. When this is done, place the bottles in the refrigerator so they can get very very cold.

Tips

The colder the Mavi, the better it tastes. Try making some limbers* with the liquid, it’s yummy. The Mavi bark tree can be found in health food stores and online at: http://herbs-depot.com * My Butterfly Cottage note: "limber" is basically a Popsicle but made in a Dixie cup.  In Puerto Rico, when I was growing up, there was a lady that sold them from her front window for ten cents each, and she had every flavor: coco, mavi, tamarindo, cherry, and mavi.  Most of the time, unless it was Sunday, she came to the window in her bata (or a mu-mu) to sell  them to the eager children of the neighborhood.  LOL!!!

Make Your Own: Sweetened Condensed Milk

Condensed milk.  One of those ingredients you never need.  But when you do need it, it is usually when you don't have it!

Condensed milk is great for so many things, but one thing I especially use it for is as a substitute for milk and sugar in my morning coffee.  With three kids and a hubby who love to guzzle down milk like it's going out of style, it's hard to keep a gallon in the fridge.  So imagine those mornings when I am bleary eyed and anxiously awaiting that pot of coffee to finish brewing, only to open the refrigerator and find that there's no milk for my coffee.  Those are the mornings where I am either ripping hair out of my head, or silently reaching for my little mason jar of homemade condensed milk.

There are many recipes that involve using condensed milk, so if you find yourself without some, here is one recipe for making your own in a pinch!

Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe 

1 Cup instant nonfat dry milk

2/3 cup of sugar

1/3 cup boiling water

2 ounces melted butter

Blend all ingredients in a blender till well mixed.  If you find that your condensed milk is too thick to pour, add a spoonful or so of boiling water.  You may use it right away, or you may store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.  It does get a little thicker in the refrigerator, but when stirred and brought to room temperature, it should be fine.

Now that you are a pro at making your own sweetened condensed milk, why not try your hand at some of these lovely recipes using your new creation?

http://spoonful.com/recipes/20-recipes-with-sweetened-condensed-milk#carousel-id=photo-carousel&carousel-item=2

Enjoy!!

A Quick Buff and Polish: Renewed!

(Photo credit: makelifelovely.com)

Okay, ladies and gentlemen: winter is officially OVER!!!

After you give your biggest "YAY" ever this year, you still have some work to do!  Who went through this winter with their skin unaffected?  I sure know that I didn't!!

I don't know about you, but this winter my skin felt like it was itching and burning.  ALL winter.  I looked like a sweet, itchy mess all season.  I can only imagine what other people thought while I was hiking up my shirt sleeves in the midst of conversation to scratch.  Or maybe I don't want to imagine.

One thing that I found made the itching stop was to use homemade soaps daily.  The natural oils in homemade soaps actually provide a layer of protection for your skin, as opposed to mass manufactured soaps, which strip your skin of its natural oils, thus in turn causing it to create more sebum.  It's a vicious cycle of itchy and oily skin.

So to start the season off right, let's get rid of that dead winter skin by starting off with a body scrub!!

A body scrub is beneficial to your skin.  It not only provides moisture and other essential nutrients to your skin (depending on what you use), but it also exfoliates the dead skin on your body, leaving you nice and soft.  You can go several different routes in order to achieve this.  There are day spas that will do this for you, or you can buy a good quality scrub.  But my favorite way?  Making it at home!

Now, there are tons and tons of recipes out there to use, many of them with normal everyday ingredients that you have right in your kitchen.  I enjoy making my own for the simple fact that I know what goes into it, and it's nice to know that you have made something that is making you look and feel good.  And my main reason for making my own?  No undecipherable ingredients to mull over and wonder about.

Making your own exfoliating scrub is simple.  You can use sea salt, epsom salts, white sugar or brown sugar.  It all depends on your personal preference: fine grain or large grain.  Choose an oil or oils that will best suit your needs.  Add an essential oil for scent (optional) and there you have it!  Your own personal homemade body scrub!

This is actually one of my favorite recipes, which I personally use:

1 cup Olive Oil
2 cups sea salt
8 drops of lemon essential oil (ensure that it is for use on the body, and NOT the kind you use for candles!)

Mix the olive oil and sea salt well in a bowl.  Add the 8 drops of essential oil, and mix well.  At this point some prefer to add a colorant.  I don't, but if you prefer to do so, ensure that you are using a colorant designated for use on the body.  I don't recommend using food coloring due to the potential of staining the skin.

Once everything is mixed well, place in jar of your choice (a mason jar will do just fine) and go to town with it.  This will keep for about 14 days.

One thing I do like to do after exfoliating is use a homemade soap on my skin.  It keeps the skin soft and quite lovely to the touch.

Now that you are inspired, go whip up a batch and pamper yourself!!  Relax and enjoy!!

Homemade Laundry Soap: Making It In Your Kitchen

There is nothing better than putting on a clean shirt and inhaling the freshness of your favorite scent, or tucking your little one in at night in set of clean, fresh sheets.  Those are memories made that are brought up when you smell that same scent again, at a later time. But the feelings that are brought up...  priceless.

Obviously, in order to get that clean, fresh scent, it is necessary to launder your clothes.  And, that, my friend, is where this blog comes in!!

Homemade laundry soap! Not only great for those tough stains that the little ones (and BIG ones) tend to mysteriously acquire, but it is also good for your septic system and the environment. It is also an actual soap, not a detergent... BONUS!! Clean, fresh smelling clothes!

When you make your own laundry soap, you know exactly what goes into it.  No mysterious sounding ingredients, no surfectants, and you can make it specific to your needs.  Have sensitive skin?  Allergic to certain scents?  Allergic to EVERY scent?  Make it the way you need (or want!) it made and you'll never have to guess what's in it again.

For those who would like to make their own homemade laundry soap, it's a fairly easy process that can be done in your kitchen in a short amount of time. Because it is low sudsing, it is good for your septic tanks. One of the recipes I love using is from Crystal Miller's website, thefamilyhomestead.com. I substituted the soap she used for my own homemade soap, but otherwise followed the recipe. If you would like to try your hand at making your own homemade laundry soap, please click on the link to her site below:
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

Happy soaping, and have fun!!!