In nursing school, I was taught that the number one way to prevent the spread of disease is frequent hand-washing. Although you may think you are washing your hands correctly, be sure you are following the guidelines, below. Soap is important, but what's actually most important is the action, the vigorous rubbing of all surfaces of your hands for at least 20 seconds to mechanically remove germs.

This infographic shows how the World Health Organization recommends handwashing be carried out:

If you're a liquid hand soap user, and want an all-natural soap, below is a DIY recipe that's inexpensive, easy, and a great alternative to the commercial gunk that you buy at the store. 

Amazon sells the foaming dispensers and Dr. Bronner's, and Avery sells labels with free templates that you can down load, customize, and print right...

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If you haven't established a bedtime routine, now would be a great time to think about doing so. Established routines lead to good habits. A healthy sleep habit is one of the best things you can do all around for your body, and your skin.

These 8 things are simple ways to insure a good nights sleep, which is mandatory for optimal health and contributes to glowing skin.

1. Disconnect from all electronic devices at least one hour before bedtime. And for God's sake, do not check your work email.
2. Limit alcohol intake. Try a cup of hot tea instead.
3. Take a bath. Use a few drops of scented bath oil or essential oil, light a candle.
4. Apply a moisturizer from head to toe to hydrate and protect your skin.
5. Change your pillowcase. You know that wonderful feeling you get when...

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A bath sets the stage for you to tap into the ancient healing power of water, the primal and sensuous comfort that water provides. Water is essential for physical and emotional well-being. The simple pleasure of a bath might be just the medicine you need.

Water, together with Earth, Wind and Fire is one of the four basic elements that represent the substance of the entire world. Water connects our bodies to the earth. Water is the central source to all beings: human, animal, plant and earth. Every cell, every fiber is made up of water. And perhaps water is what connects us all?

Rather than rushing through another quick shower, try creating an oasis tub-side and take a bath. Light a candle, play soothing music, draw a warm bath and infuse the water with fragrant oils and relaxing salts. Close and lock the door...

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Keep your business to yourself.

Spritz the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know. When the Poo-Pouri craze first hit the market, I laughed right out loud. And have you seen the commerical? Hilarious. But, who among us doesn't secretly want to carry a bottle in our purse? Here's a DIY recipe that's simple, and yes! it really does work. The spray creates a barrier on top of the water that traps the smell under the water.

No. 2 Spray

In a clean and empty 2 oz. bottle with spray nozzle, add:
5 drops lemongrass essential oil
20 drops orange (or grapefuit) essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil

Then add:
1 tsp. glycerine (available at pharmacies)
1 tsp. rubbing alcohol
6 Tbsp. of water (enough water to fill bottle almost to the top)

Cap it. Shake it.

To Use:
Before you go, shake the bottle...

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Facial Grains are a 3-in-1 method of cleansing, exfoliating, and masking in one step. Facial grains will keep your complexion glowing by cleansing and removing the top layer of skin which is nothing more than dead skin cells without stripping away your acid mantle. Exfoliating allows for your facial oils and creams to be better absorbed.

Facial grains are simple to make and with a little research into ingredients, you can tailor your recipe to suit your complexion needs. I have SUPER sensitive skin and have to be very careful about what I put on it. My recipe is below.

Twice a week I put my hair in a pony-tail, apply my facial grains, and soak in a hot epsom/dead sea salt bathtub with a few drops of my favorite essential oil (eucalypus), a cup of hot tea, and a magazine or book. My...

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Yoga Mat Spray

Combine the following in an 8 oz. spray bottle:

1 cup distilled water
1/4 cup witch hazel (you can substitute vodka)
30 drops tea tree essential oil
40 drops of any other essential oil, a single note or a blend

Shake before each use. Spray and then wipe the mat.

For the 40 drop ingredient, I love 20 drops of peppermint and 20 drops of lavender. In the colder months I use 40 drops of clove essentail oil. You can use what ever scent essential oils that you love, the tea...

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Mark Hampton was a famous 20^th century Interior Designer to the American elite, including the likes of President and Mrs. George Bush and Estee Lauder.  He was best known for creating rooms that were comfortable and inviting. Mr. Hampton said that of all the decorating and remodeling projects a person undertakes in their lifetime, the bathroom is the most taxing because bathrooms “provide a place for private pampering, hidden from the scrutiny of others, these rooms are secret havens of self-absorption”

Showers are for convenience, they’re practical. But the bath tub? Bathing is an oasis. The ritual of bathing has nothing to do with cleanliness; tub bathing is a simple luxury that requires nothing more than a commitment to yourself to take care of you.  Once hooked, tub time becomes sacred time where the bathroom is transformed into sacred space.  

Imagine your very own...

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I thought this might be a great time to talk to you about what a body lotion or cream actually is. Some lotion/cream cosmetic makers do not create from scratch, they purchase a commercially made “lotion base” to which they simply stir in fragrance. Nothing wrong with this, but I do not consider this an Artisan-made product for which I’d pay top dollar. I create my lotion from scratch in 30 bottle batches.

In a nutshell: Water + Oil + Emulsifier + Preservative = Lotion or Cream.

Both “lotion” and “cream” are made using the same process, the differentiator is in the percentage of water used in the recipe, which determines its viscosity.

Less water = thicker product, a cream.
More water = thinner product, a lotion.  

Handcrafted lotion makers add all sorts of goodies to the above...

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Do you have dry, flaky skin? It's common when the seasons are changing. And almost a sure thing in the Winter months when we are required to turn on the furnace; we experience an increase in dry, itchy skin.

Dry skin is almost always just dead skin cells sloughing away or needing to be removed because we are shedding our top layer of skin every second of every day. The medical term for the process of cell turnover is "desquamation" (des-kwa-MA-shun) and it's a completely natural process in which skin cells are created, sloughed away and replaced. In a 24 hour period you shed a million dead skin cells! 

Helping remove that flaky top layer of skin is what is referred to in the beauty industry as "exfoliation" and it's the magic ticket to glowing skin. The billion dollar cosemetic industry does not want you...

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Summer is here and in Wisconsin this means mosquito season has arrived.

I have an all-natural remedy for you that will ward off mosquitoes; it's a blend of essential oils that will naturally repel them. My bug spray is not intended for deep woods, but it will help for backyard protection.

C9SC Bug-Off Essential Oil Blend
Essential Oil Ratio:
50% Citronella
25% Lemongrass
25% Peppermint

To make a 6 oz. spray bottle of Bug-Off Spray:

• Blend 1/2 - 1 oz. of the above essential oils in a glass bottle with a dropper dispenser. Shake well.
• Rinse out and use an old spray bottle, or buy one.
• Using a funneal, fill the bottle with 1/2 cup water,
• Add 1/4 cup Witch Hazel,
• Add a few drops of glycerin. The glycerin gives it holding power, but if you don't have any, just leave it...

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