Sews2Reap

Here is a little trick I do to get the most out of my YL deodorant.  First of all, I love their deodorant, both scents. I always have a little bit left in the container. Just a tad. But I want to use it all! I pull out the insert with the leftovers in it. Then I pry out all the deodorant into a glass measuring cup. I forgot to take a pic of the pieces before I melted them down. Over a double boiler melt the pieces down.  I personally like to add a few drops of lemongrass. It is fresh and bright. Then put the insert back into one of the empty tubes and roll it down so there is plenty of room to pour in the mixture.  It sets up quickly!  Roll it up to close to the top before it completely sets and let it set up for a few hours.  That's it! Now I have weeks more of deo to use!  Do not mix the deodorant of other people together! Make sure you wipe away any lint etc. before you melt it down. Get...

Hair is sort of a big deal to me. I have always had thick hair for a blonde. But I started losing hair in my mid-forties and it freaked me out!  I immediately started researching reasons for my sudden shedding.  The main reason women around my age start losing hair is hormones. I know... Finding supplements to help me balance my body was my new mission. Well, it was super easy.  The first thing I tried was right on target, Progessence Plus. I added Endoflex a few months later to support my endocrine system and I have been a happy camper ever since in the hormone department.  After I that I began looking for good hair products that were natural, safe and nourished my dry straw-like mane. The first thing I added to my routine was Cedarwood essential oil. A few drops on my scalp after I wash my hair and a quick scalp massage and that's it! It smells amazing! Look up all the benefits for hair. I add one drop to my mascara tube along with one dro...

Are you still using synthetic fragrances, burning candles, using perfumed lotion? We have been doing a major cleanse at our house. That picture is the last thing that was hiding in a cabinet from our toxic past. Did you know that nearly every personal product, air freshener, candle, wax melt, and cleaning product contains synthetic fragrance? It is surprising that the thing that draws us in, the smell, is so dangerous to our health! We have alternatives. We diffuse true plant essential oils for fresh air and a good smelling home. Many products claim natural scent or EO infused but are actually made in a lab - same toxin, phthalates. So what is the big deal? They actually interrupt the brain/body connection. "In the past few years, researchers have linked phthalates to asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, low IQ, neurodevelopmental issues, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, altered repr...

Have you seen the new DIY Kits from Young Living? Talk about an easy way to do a fun class. This is the Kit!  It has everything (but the oils) to make 6 each of lip balm, lotion and a spray. They also get a copy of "Essential Oils" Magazine!  I have my colorful pens for writing on the labels and some oils pictured too. Below, is my table mid-setup. I put one kit at each place setting and displayed the empty boxes with a flower arrangement in the middle. Here is one person's kit at their place. The flowers were chosen to coordinate with the colors of the kit.  Always diffuse something yummy! This time it was  Excite blend. I think it was a special blend and no longer available. BUT it has citrus and spearmint in it. It is zippy and happy and great for a party! By the diffuser, I had the base products ready. The lip balm needs to be softened. I did that by setting the entire jar with the lid on it in ...

First of all, do you have loads of empty oil bottles? I do! Like over one hundred.  Below is one of the ways I am storing empties right now. I have a box full in the closet too! I share my love of Young Living with everyone. I try not to be annoying, it's just that Young Living has made such a difference in my family. I think everyone should know. What if it could help you?  I am constantly looking for new ideas on ways to share without being unfriended.  I saw a post by Sarah Harnish about her "little purple bags" and I thought I can do that ! So here is my version. The nice thing is when you do your own you can personalize it to who you are sharing with.  After letting them hang out in a bowl of Epsom salt. I clean them and remove the labels. To remove the labels I soap them in warm water with a tad of Thieves Household Cleaner. If there is any residue after that I use lemon oil.   Now they are ready to be filled with two capfuls of Th...

If you are my friend and know anything about Young Living I have told you how great the Essential Rewards program is. It is the easiest, fastest way to build your oily stash.  This is part of my stash. I have the bathroom items in a linen closet, and diffusers, and boxed items in my office closet. Most of it was FREE with the monthly promotion. Essential Rewards is free to participate in once you are a member. It gives back points to spend on items. The one requirement is you order at least 50 PV a month. It isn't hard to do. Especially if you are actually using your oils.  I started replacing my old toxin-laden household items with safe ones from YL. Out with the old shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, cleaners, toothpaste, deodorant, supplements, skin care, and now MAKEUP! Woot! I didn't do it all in one month. I planned it out and replaced a few things each month. I had been making many of my own products trying to get away from toxins, and I still do. B...

Homemade pickles! I grew up on them and love canning my own. Here are my jars in their water bath, the lids and rings are in there too. Simmering is perfect. Cucumbers and dill from my garden  plus garlic, salt and mustard seed. I poured the water out of the simmering jars and stuffed it with the ingredients. Each jar contains 1 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp mustard seed, a head of dill weed, 1-2 tsp diced garlic.  Next, I pour the brine in. My brine is equal parts hot water and vinegar. Some like plain white vinegar others cider vinegar. You should try a few options. Mark what you put in the jar so you know what is your favorite. Leave a little air space in the neck of the jar and cap with a lid and ring. Set your filled jars back in the simmering (low boiling) water for 10 minutes. Remove and let sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours. You should hear the lids seal during this time. It will be a very satisfying pop sound.  My finis...