Friday Find - Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay. It's an inexpensive facial that really works for me. My friend Laura blogged about it a while back which reminded me to get back in the routine of using it. While I will never have Laura's amazing complexion, I am noticing a huge difference now that I'm using it regularly. It seems to even help with my Rosacea. A couple of times a week I slather some on and let it dry until I look like Yoda. After rinsing my skin glows. It's another awesome naturally gluten free beauty find.

Laura also uses it for bug bites and while we haven't had an "opportunity" to try it for that use I am hopeful it will work well.

Chris thinks it's hysterical every time I use it and asked for a picture this morning. So, because I have no pride, I am sharing our self portrait with you. You may not be able to tell but I'm smiling as big as I can. =D

Have a wonderful weekend.

Friday Find - Baking Soda

Baking Soda may not be considered a "find" for many of you but it is one of the most often used items in my house and in just about every part of my house. I buy the large bags at Costco and find the small plastic jar at Target.

When we joined the Feingold Association I learned that a bit of baking soda in a glass of water or juice could help with an adverse reaction to food or scents just like it helps with indigestion. It's amazing how it can neutralize the reaction so quickly - even helps with the headaches I get from perfumes.

In the kitchen I use it for baking, of course, but also to clean my glass top stove and sink without harsh and smelly chemicals.

I keep the handy plastic shake top container in the bathroom. A sprinkle in my hand is just the right amount to give my face a thorough but gentle scrub or to brush my teeth. The snap on lid keeps it dry and fresh and can go in a travel bag, too. No worries about finding a gluten free, chemical free toothpaste or cleanser and the price is great.

In the garden - thanks to Pinterest - I found it's an excellent weed deterrent.  Just sprinkle a good layer of it on freshly watered areas and in a few days the weeds will be gone.  Last for weeks, too.

Of course, these are just a very few uses and there must be a million and one more - please feel free to share any baking soda tricks you have.

Happy Friday.

Friday Find - The Yellow Stick

After several years of living gluten free I rarely think twice about a lot of the foods we eat and the products I use. I've realized though, that if you're newly gluten free or love someone who is gluten free some of these things may be new to you and it may be helpful to post them.

So I'll start featuring a product each Friday that I love with a quick and simple post. The first one is Cococare's The Yellow Stick. It's a pure cocoa butter stick with nothing added. I've got one next to my nightstand, one in my bag and one on the bathroom counter. You can use it as a lip balm or skin moisturizer - just rub it over your dry skin and it melts right in leaving your skin so soft.  The best part? It smells like like chocolate as you apply it. I worried the cap might come off and make a mess in my bag but after about a year it has never happened.

If you click on the link you'll be taken to The Yellow Stick at iHerb.com which is where I buy many of my supplements. Their prices are great and their service has always been wonderful. (So that makes two tips today!)

Have a great weekend!

All Natural Body Butter

This thick, nourishing body butter is great for dry chapped winter skin. Yes, I know the calendar says autumn has barely begun but we've had a cold snap already.  Between the heater and the dry colder weather my skin is really feeling it

I wanted a nice protective layer of moisture so I used lots of beeswax and I added cocoa butter not only for its shielding quality but for its vitamin e content – it’s a natural anti-oxidant. Coconut oil has so many wonderful qualities and olive oil has long been valued for skin and hair care.  The finished butter will have a faint smell of cocoa butter and beeswax which I like but you can scent it with essential oils.  I used about seven drops of lavender for just a hint of scent.  Lavender is known for being relaxing which is always a good thing for me. 

This would be such a great gift wrapped with a pretty ribbon.  I used two wide mouth short mason jars and two repurposed plastic jars that were washed and dried carefully.

The process is really easy. The only trick is pouring everything into your containers before it starts to harden which will happen rather quickly because of the quantity of the beeswax.

You can melt the wax and oils one of three ways.  You can use a microwave but I don’t own one any longer so I can’t give you the timing.  If you choose to use one use very short amounts of time and stir between reheating. You can use a double boiler over low heat if you have one or you can do what I did and use a very heavy bottomed pan over very low heat.

All Natural Body Butter

¼ pound all natural beeswax, chopped

½ cup coconut oil

1 cup olive oil

1 Tablespoon cocoa butter

½ cup water

essential oil, optional

In a heavy bottomed pan over very low heat place the chopped beeswax, coconut oil and olive oil. Stir to combine until wax is just melted.  Remove from heat.  With an immersion blender (or spoon) mix the butter quickly while slowly drizzling in the water. If you don’t have an immersion blender I would recommend warming the water slightly so your mixture doesn’t clump.  If it does, just set it on the warm burner to soften a bit. Add essential oil now, if desired. The mixture will begin to thicken very quickly. 

Use a spatula to scrape down the mixture into your prepared jars and let cool completely before putting the lids on.

Enjoy!