Homemade All-in-one Hair, Body & Shave Shower Cream

There's something about making your own cosmetics and bath products that lifts my spirits instantly. 

Not only does your wallet notice how much cheaper it is to make homemade products, but it adds so much more than that to you and your entire family. 

Handcrafting something that is useful and healthy adds value & appreciation to an every day product. I find that every time I whip up something new, both my 5 year old, 15 year old and husband show some excitement in seeing, smelling and trying them out.

After dropping off Abber-dabber at Kindergarten today, I went to the locally owned dollar store in search of any kind of contraption that would indefinitely trap and kill fruit flies {it's bad this year!!!}. This store is slowly becoming more of a liquidator than a typical dollar store, which is exactly the type of store I like to shop in! 

Just one of the things I scored today is a glass tea-diffuser pitcher! The original price was $37 and I picked it up for $2.88. Woooooooop!!!

Rushing in the door with eagerness to try it, I grabbed a few sprigs of fresh lavender leaves and flowers on the way in, ran out back to grab a few mint leaves, disturbed them a little, then combined the two with a dash of fresh lemon zest, added hot water and WAH-LAH!

Delicious, homegrown tea. Ahh... Yes, it tasted a bit Spring-y, but that's the best I could do in a moments notice, and I'll take Lavender anything, any time of year!

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Of course, combining herbs and making my own of anything always fires up my creative juices for the day, so I was not even close to done!

As I sat staring at an array of supplies I've accumulated over the months, I remembered reading about a basic homemade shampoo that literally consisted of only two ingredients, water and baking soda. 

After trying this, the watery solution I ended up with was not satisfying. To thicken it up a bit I added some corn starch. It was... OK. But still not great. 

It needed some soothing oils. 

A dash of Olive Oil and a hint of Vitamin E oil did the trick!

But it was still watery....

Ah ha!! I have a gallon of unscented liquid hemp castille soap that I use tiny amounts of for Carlin's cloth wipie solution.

Added the soap, gave it a vigorous shake, and ended up with a wonderfully foamy, lathery, silky cream that feels incredible on the skin.

Pictured:  Citrus All-in-one Shower Cream & Patchouli/Sweet Orange All-in-one Shower Cream with the bubbly/lathering effect shown; Fresh herbs/herbal tea; Lavender Salt Bath Soak.
Ingredients in shower creams: water, baking soda, corn starch, liquid hemp castille soap, vitamin E oil, olive oil.
Lather as usual into scalp. onto loofa/rag for body & onto legs for shaving. Use within one month. 

What is great about this cream is that it can literally be used from head to toe in the shower, which has me now calling it my All-in-one Shower Cream! 

It is perfect for a Shampoo, leaves you feeling clean and silky smooth when you use it as a body wash, and your legs will be soft and shiny after you used it as a shaving cream. 

The Citrus Shower Cream is a subtle pick-me-up as the aroma fills the shower all around you, while that Patchouli-Sweet Orange Shower Cream has a warm and earthy aroma, making it a perfect go-to for the Autumn season.

Next, I will make a minty cream and a Juniper Berry cream, which has the essence of pine or tree sap (not berries!), for a medicinal-smelling {and winter appropriate!} shower cream.

What is your favorite cosmetic you have ever made? Would love to hear about it!

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You can make these cosmetics at home too! You should give it a try! It's super easy and so very gratifying. 

But if you would love to benefit from homemade products that are better for you, your wallet and the environment but you cannot or do not wish to make your own, you can buy them from muah, the Modern Hippie Momma! 

I make sugar scrubs, facial scrubs, hair & body oils, coffee scrubs, bath salt soaks, lotions & creams, shower creams... You name it!

All natural. All made with Essential Oils.

Lavender, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Tea Tree, Juniper Berry, Peppermint, Lemongrass

2 oz = $6.00

4 oz = $12.00

8oz = $18.00

Buy 3 of anything, in any combination, GET THE 4th (lessor priced) ITEM FREE!

Perfect for a Harvest or Holiday gift & even Birthdays!!

All shipments will be sent USPS Ground, unless otherwise requested. Purchaser to pay shipping.

Contact Amanda at mhippiemomma@gmail.com to inquire.

Homemade Scrubs & Masks

I can't help it... The Hippie Momma in me can hardly contain myself!!!

Just in this last week I have made several DIY homemade remedies/cosmetics that are simply GLORIOUS!  

Recently I have met my seemingly long lost Soul/Earth Sister and we have every intention of starting a natural cosmetic business together in the near future. 

Here is a start to our collection of recipes:

It is important to note that all of these scrubs can make the shower floor a bit slippery, so be sure to be careful and it may not hurt to give the bottom of the tub a wipe down with a dry towel just to be sure none of your kiddos (or hubbys) slip and fall. 

Coconut Patchouli Hair Mask:

1/2 cup Coconut Oil 

4-6 drops Lavender {Lavendula Augustifolia} EO

8-10 drops Patchouli EO

Shampoo and condition hair as usual. Apply dime sized amount to hair, starting at the ends. If hair is shorter than shoulder length, try a slightly smaller amount. (It doesn't take much at all!)  Slowly work in until you reach the nape of the neck.  Brush hair, starting from ends, to work mask through hair thoroughly, slowly working up to the scalp.  Rinse if you wish, but it probably won't make a huge difference.  The wonderful combination of Coconut Oil and Essential Oils are already working their magic!  You will notice immediate differences in your hair after the first use. Continue use 3 times a week to maintain healthy, shiny, more manageable hair. 

Sweet Orange Oatmeal Cookie Body Scrub: 

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

1/4 cup Crushed Oats

1 1/2 cups Raw Sugar

2 tbls Baking Soda

4-6 drops Sweet Orange EO

Mmm.... as tempting as it is, resist eating this one! This does not replace your body wash. Lather up as usual and rinse before applying this scrub. Rub small amount in palm of hands and rub over rough spots such as elbows, knees, bottoms of feet. Rub all over body for an invigorating, exfoliating and moisturizing finish to your shower! Try skipping the after-shower moisturizer and see how long your skin feels baby butt soft! It's amazing! Continue use at least 3 times a week to maintain beautiful, supple, firm skin. 

Brewed Awakening Coffee Body Scrub: 

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

2 cups Raw Sugar

4 tbls Ground Coffee

2 tbls Brown Sugar

2 tsp Cinnamon

1 tbls Honey

Rise and Shine! This morning body scrub will awaken the senses AND your skin! Caffeine is super good for the skin, making it more firm and has even been known to fight inflammation and cellulite! Use your body wash as normal, rinse and apply to rough spots and all over body for a perfect wake-me-up in the morning. You'll feel soft and lovely all day long!

Lemongrass Morning Facial Scrub:

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

1/4 Baking Soda

4 drops Lemongrass EO

This is a moisturizer and toner all in ONE! Wet face, apply dime size amount all over face (careful around the eyes) and rinse with cool water. Pat dry with a towel and feel the natural astringent effects of the Lemongrass getting to work! Your face will feel tighter and so soft. Use daily as a morning pick-me-up! Our teenage son even loves this one!

Lavender Nighttime Facial Scrub:

1/2 cup Coconut Oil

1/4 Baking Soda

8-10 drops Lavender {Lavendula Augustifolia} EO 

This is another moisturizer and toner all in ONE! Wet face, apply dime size amount all over, rinse and wah-lah! Pat dry with towel and notice immediate differences in your skin. Use nightly to feel fresh and calm right before bed. 

We are only getting started. Coconut oil is all we had on hand for this round but we have already put in our order for more ingredients to broaden our recipe collection. 

Please let me know what you think! 

Mule Wrestling!

Yes, I said

Mule Wrestling! 

No.... Not that kind. 

Keep reading!! 

Ever since I have been out of work, my mind has been going nuts with all of the things I have always wanted to do but have never had any time for. It has gotten so crazy (in my head) that I have informed the family that we will be doing a Family Vision Board. 

A vision board is simply a poster with photos and/or descriptions of your goals, and its purpose is to be hung where it is always at eye level so that you do not forget what you want to do next. It has been proven to work, as people tend to ALWAYS reach all of their goals because their goals are visually in front of them, keeping it all at the tops of their minds. 

I so needed this because I felt like my creative bubble was going to explode, feeling a bit overwhelmed with what to do first and how to start and what to buy and ... and..... UGH! 

I am a bargain shopper and do not wish to spend a lot of money in one place no matter what I am buying, and being that I am a hippie girl, I'd rather reuse, recycle, upcycle things instead of try to create things from brand new, unused materials. 

So, this is my first attempt at "Upcycling/Restyling". I cannot sew (never tried) and have zero patience right now to try to learn, so I researched what no-sew creations I could make. 

T-SHIRTS!!! Perfect! 

On one of my Thrifty Trips that I take once or twice a week, I found a rack of t-shirts for 50 cents a piece. SCORE! 

After swinging by the craft store to grab some fabric tape, fabric glue and some good, sharp scissors for cutting fabric, I raced home to begin creating. 

I found two shirts that have the name of a local-ish school's wrestling team on it and found it funny enough to be a style of it's own, so I grabbed one of them up to work on first. 

The bags/totes I created this time can be used every day for holding your wallet, phone, etc. Although I suggest putting any smaller items (such as lip gloss) in a makeup bag within the bags, otherwise they will just slip right out the bottom. 

Now, the only thing I have to hang these on is my daughter's painting easel, so bare with me on that. :) 

Here it is.... 

Shoulder strap bag with fringed bottom and top corners, topped with my first attempt at a fabric rose.
"Mule Wrestling"!! See what I mean?! LOL It is its own style. 

Here is my second bag.... (Abigail's fav)

Should strap bag fringed on the bottom and top corners with a heart design on front (covering up the  label that came on the shirt). The hearts will just get better looking as time goes on, getting more curly along the sides.

Here is the third bag.... 

This is a Hobo Tote Bag with shorter shoulder straps....

... and a drawstring bottom...

 This bag is perfect for  a reusable grocery/produce bag, a small beach bag, or for just running into town really quick!

But wait.. There's more! 

I also made this... 

A head band from the scraps from my bags (plus a cloth napkin I found at the thrift store)

Not so bad for my second attempt at a cloth flower!!!  :)

It's amazing what you can make with a pair of scissors, a little bit of fabric tape and some old t-shirts! 

This is a new addiction of mine and I don't plan on stopping here. Not sure if anyone would ever buy such things from me but who knows! 

My time is my own right now and having this time to center myself around my family, our goals and my creative aspirations is something I am not going to take for granted, so there's more to come! 

There are so many ideas I have for creating my own business out of our home, hobbies I want to start, things I want to sell... The sky is the limit and I have a long way to go because I haven't even left the ground yet!! :)

So there you go. I've shared with you the very beginning of my attempt to be crafty. Hope you like my creations! 

What are somethings you have made with your own hands? 

<3 MHM

Totally Baked Recipes

Confession...... I don't cook. 

Yep, my husband does all of the cooking in the house. 

Not only does he actually enjoy cooking, but he is also doing a service to the rest of the family by not making them eat my cooking, which would be straight out of a box. 

He can make anything. Thai, Chinese.. anything! And thank goodness because we eat really healthy and eat food BETTER than what you can buy in restaurants. 

I do, however, LOVE to bake!!! 

Here I will share my baking adventures, which are usually with my daughter Abigail. :) 

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#2 

Gooey-Good Rice Crispy Treats

Yes I know... Rice Crispy Treats do not get baked, but still! 

It's easy, quick and fun to make, especially with your little one. 

I'm sure making these is probably one of the most easiest recipes to make, but here's a step-by-step of what we did to make these delicious treats anyways. 

6.5 cups mini-marshmallows

6 cups rice crispy

3 tbsp butter

Greased 9x9 inch pan

Melt butter in medium size pot. 

Then add the marshmallows; stir until melted.

Once melted, add the rice crispy cereal and stir until completely mixed.

Spoon into your 9x9 inch pan, let cool and serve! 

Abigail and I personally prefer them while they are still warm. :) 

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#1

Perfect No-bake Cookies

Once upon a time it was just a typical weekend and my daughter Abigail and I want to bake something when we discovered we were out of eggs.... 

"OH NO, Mom!!!" 

"No worries!", I said. 

And this is when Abigail learned that we can actually make cookies WITHOUT using the oven. 

She was happy to hear that. :)

You MUST try these!

You will need...

                          1 1/2 cup sugar            4 tbsp coco powder
                             1/2 cup milk              1 cup peanut butter
                             1/2 cup butter            3 cups oats
                                            1 tbsp vanilla


Before you get started, go ahead and set out your wax paper to put your cookies on because once you get started, there won't be much time left to prep!

If you do not have wax paper on hand (that would be me!), spread  out a piece of tin foil and spray with cooking spray. It works just as well.

Mix the sugar, milk, butter and coco powder in a saucepan and heat to a boil.

Once mixture is at a full, rolling boil, like this...

...set your timer to 1.5 minutes. It is best to set a timer to be sure your mixture does not boil too long because the cookies may not set well and you will end up with crumbly cookies. 

After timer goes off, remove from heat and add vanilla, oats and peanut butter. 

Do this quickly so the mixture is still hot enough to completely soften the peanut butter

to be sure it gets spread evenly! 

Take a spoon and make even dollops of your cookie mixture onto your wax paper, let it cool for an hour to allow the cookies to set and ENJOY!

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