Feathers in Our Nest

a blog about faith, family, food, & more written by a wife and stay at home mom of five

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Ginger Spice Cookie Soap

December 11, 2014 by Aliesha

I’ve been experimenting with all kinds of homemade soap combinations, and I really liked how this particular one turned out!  Ever since my Homegrown Collective box came last month, I’ve really been enjoying soap-making.  I made a bunch of different bars to give away as gifts, and I decided to share this “recipe” with you!

This soap really reminds me of a cookie.  It’s sweet, but not too sweet, and the ginger scent is so Christmasey.  The goat’s milk soap base I used is very moisturizing, and to top it off, there is oatmeal in it as well for added moisturizing benefits!

Using a melt and pour soap base makes soap-making SO easy.  You can easily triple this recipe to make three bars at once, if you like!  That’s what I usually do, since I have three soap molds.

Ginger Spice Cookie Soap

4 oz. melt and pour soap base (I like this kind)
5 drops Ginger Spice essential oil blend (if you don’t have this blend, see note below)
1 Tbsp. oatmeal

Prepare soap mold (this is the one I have) by sprinkling oatmeal in the bottom.  If you don’t have a soap mold, you can use something else, like a muffin tin, a bowl, or a small box, as long as you line it with freezer paper. (Here are a few clever ideas.)

Grate soap base with a grater (it’s nice to use one that is dedicated to soap-making).  In a double boiler or a glass bowl placed securely over a pot of water, melt grated soap base.  Stir constantly with a popsicle stick or thin wooden dowel while it is melting.

Remove from heat.  Add 5 drops of Ginger Spice essential oil blend.  Stir to combine.

Pour melted soap into the mold.  The oatmeal may float to the top, and that’s okay!

Allow to cool at room temperature until hardened.  Pop out of the soap mold.  If you have trouble getting it out, stick it in the freezer for 5 minutes and then it should come out without a problem.

You can wrap up the soap to give it away (I love to use brown kraft paper), or you can use it immediately!


 

Note: If you have a stash of essential oils, but not Ginger Spice, you could try making your own blend using orange, cassia or cinnamon bark, ginger root, and clove bud.  I’m not sure about the ratios, but play around until you like the fragrance.  Then add 5 drops of your blend to this soap recipe!

Don’t forget: shipping is now free on all orders at Rocky Mountain Oils!

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Disclosure: I was not paid to write this post, but it does contain affiliate links to the essential oil company I use and love.  If you choose to purchase oils through my links, it will help support my family and this blog.  Thank you! 

Aliesha Caldwell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Filed Under: crafts, essential oils, gift ideas, health and beauty, homemaking, projects

Moisturizing Shea Butter Lotion (for Dry Winter Hands)

November 29, 2014 by Aliesha

As I’ve shared before, I deal with dry skin and eczema on my hands, especially during the winter.  “Light” lotions just don’t cut it when it comes to moisturizing my skin, so I made this “heavy duty” lotion to provide the level of moisture my skin needs.

I have seen many recipes for lotion like this that contain coconut oil, but some people with eczema find that coconut oil is actually drying to their skin.  Try this recipe and see if it helps!
This basic recipe can be adapted using different essential oils, depending on what works well for your skin.  I like lavender and frankincense, but other good options would be skin care, carrot seed, geranium, and patchouli.
Moisturizing Shea Butter Lotion
1/2 cup shea butter
2 Tbsp. jojoba or olive oil
5-10 drops lavender oil
5-10 drops frankincense oil
Fill a heavy sauce pan with about 2 inches of water.  Place a mason jar in the water and heat the water over medium heat.  Into the mason jar, place shea butter and jojoba or olive oil.  Melt together, stirring as it melts.  Carefully remove mason jar from the saucepan and pour the melted butter and oil into a metal bowl (like the bowl of a stand mixer).  Refrigerate until it has solidified (but not too hard… 45-60 minutes).  Using a stand mixer or a hand-held mixer, whip it until it resembles frosting.  You will have to scrape down the sides and bottom occasionally to make sure it is all combined.  Add essential oils and mix again.  Spoon lotion into a small jar.  Ready to use right away!
This lotion is perfect for putting on your hands and feet before bed.  If you have cotton gloves, you can wear those to bed and wake up with soft hands!
You could also give this away as a gift!  Tie on some ribbon and add a cute label, and it’s the perfect little gift.
Enjoy!

For more posts about essential oils (recipes and more), click here!


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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to the essential oil company I use and love. I personally purchased the oils and ingredients mentioned in this post and I was not compensated for writing this post. If you choose to buy essential oils through my links, I will receive a small commission and it will help support my family and this blog. Thank you.
Aliesha Caldwell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Filed Under: essential oils, health and beauty

It’s Beginning to Smell a Lot like Christmas!

November 26, 2014 by Aliesha

Don’t you love that “Christmas” smell that comes this time of year?  The evergreens, the cinnamon, the cranberries, the orange… I love it all!

I’ve recently discovered several new favorite scents for the holiday season, in the form of new (limited edition) essential oil blends from Rocky Mountain Oils!

First of all, if you don’t know how to use a diffuser, it’s super easy.  Just fill the diffuser to the water fill line, then add 3 or so drops of your favorite oil or blend.  Turn it on, and enjoy!  This is the diffuser I own (not an affiliate link).  If you don’t have a diffuser, read on to find some other unique ways of using holiday essential oil blends!

Here are the new blends:

Christmas Tree (blend of Spruce, Fir Needle, Pine Needle, Orange, and Cinnamon Bark)
This is the “classic” Christmas scent, smelling of freshly cut pine trees, citrus, and cinnamon.  The fragrance is so welcoming, and is perfect for diffusing throughout the holiday season!

Another fun thing to do with this essential oil blend… make scented pine cones!  This is a great option if you don’t have a diffuser, yet you want to infuse your home with holiday cheer.  Watch this video to learn how.

Ginger Spice (blend of Orange, Cassia, Balsam of Peru, Ginger Root, and Clove Bud)
I love the spicy/sweet scent of Ginger Spice!  This is another oil that is lovely when diffused.  This oil blend will remind you of gingerbread, orange, and holiday baking.

Speaking of holiday baking, you can bake with this oil blend!  It can be added to various baked goods, such as a spice cake mix, as shown in this video.

Candy Cane (blend of Peppermint, Orange, Lavender, and Vanilla absolute)
I saved the “sweetest” for last!  If you’re watching your waistline this Christmas season, but still want to enjoy the sensory experience of candy canes and sweet treats, this blend is for you!  The sweet, minty fragrance is delicious.

You can also put a drop of Candy Cane into your hot cocoa for a special treat!  Watch this video for more details.

If you’re ready to snag any of these oil blends, now is the time.  After Christmas Day, they will be gone!

I have a coupon code to share with you (just for Feathers in Our Nest readers)!
Use code “FEATHERSHOLIDAY” to save $2 off each bottle of Christmas Tree, Ginger Spice, and Candy Cane that you order.  (No limits, so if you order 10 bottles, you will save $20!)
Coupon code expires 12/25/14.

Also, if you want to get the best deals on oils from RMO/NAN, you should go ahead and sign up for the email lists (Rocky Mountain Oils here at the bottom of the page, and Native American Nutritionals at the bottom of the page here).  I would expect there will be some exciting Black Friday deals soon, and email subscribers are the first to know!

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, so if you choose to purchase essential oils using my links, it will help support my family and this blog.  Thank you!

Filed Under: Christmas, essential oils, homemaking

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This blog shares our family's story and our journey from newlyweds to a family of seven. We share milestones, we share struggles, we share sweet memories, and we share about our Savior. Keep reading...

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