DIY Gifts for Chicks

This is the year to give the gift of wellness! I have decided that many of the gifts I give to my family and friends this year will be based on essential oils, in some way. Be that, handmade, or bought. What are some great gifts to give to family and friends that are inexpensive, useful, and LOVED! Anyone can buy a gift for someone, but if the recipient doesn't think it's useful or lovely, WHY BOTHER? I have always found great joy in giving gifts that have meaning to the people I love. It makes me so happy to see them love something I spent time making or picking out just for them.

That's what this post is all about! What are some great DIY gifts that your would love to give and love to receive. Let's get started!

All Natural Healing Salve

I started making the all natural healing salve from a recipe I found on Camp Wander. It's an amazing blog with GREAT essential oil ideas. The salve has worked wonderfully for my dry hands and feet but has also worked wonders on some of my friends psoriasis and chapped lips! It has amazing uses. You can find the original Camp Wander All Natural Healing Salve recipe and post here.

Bath Fizzies

Aren't these cool!? Who knew you could make something that every woman would love with a few simple products you can purchase through Spark Naturals (essential oils) and some general cooking supplies! This is way too cute! I found this recipe from The Thrifty Mama blog. Here's the original recipe for DIY Bath Fizzies.

Bees Wax Candles

These are just gorgeous and make a great gift to bring to the hostess for a Christmas Party. And sooooo simple! Check out the recipe from Oh Happy Day Blog here.

Vanilla Extract

Heck yes! DIY Vanilla Extract! Who knew it was this easy? And it includes BOOZE! HELLO? This is too good to be true! Check out the recipe here from Bethany Actually blog.

Dahlia Corsage

Isn't this darling? What a cute gift to give some of your lady friends at a Christmas gathering! My mom actually made these last year and they turned out WONDERFULLY! Here's the original instructions from Megan Reardon. Check out how some of the variations my mamajamma's made using wool felt below:

Flower Essential Oil Diffusers

Are these not the cutest!? My mom is actually making these too. Usually when I find something like this that I really want to make but know that I would totally F it up, I give it to my mom to do. I buy, she makes. It works! (LOVE YOU MOM!) Check out these step by step instructions from Jen's Ink Spot blog. She made them to be book marks, but on another blog I follow (Created2Fly) she makes something similar to this and uses it as an essential oil diffuser. Attach the paperclip to anywhere in your house or your car air vents, add a few drops of your favorite Spark Naturals Essential Oils, and you are GOOD TO GO!

DIY Essential Oil SMASH Book

I just think this is the coolest thing to give to someone who is starting to dabble in essential oils. Buy a SMASH Book Kit from a craft store (I bought mine at Michael's but they have them at Target too), print out all these great printables from One Good Thing by Jillee blog and put it together for them. OR...if you are lazy, you could just give them the SMASH Book Kit, printable from One Good Thing by Jillee and maybe a bottle of Lemon Essential Oil from Spark Naturals. Who wouldn't love that!?

Alrighty! Now, get to it! Make this Christmas less stressful and more meaningful with inexpensive, DIY gifts that your loved ones with LOVE LOVE LOVE!





The Many Uses of Lemongrass Essential Oil

 

Lemongrass is one of those essential oils that I bought in a kit and never used. I could never figure out what to do with it, so I just ignored it. That's the spirit, right? Out of sight, out of mind. Hmm. Well, I decided that it's pretty pointless for me to have spent money on this essential oil and not find a way to put it to good use. So, I started my research. And what do you know!? It's good for a lot of stuff! Yes, STUFF!

Lemongrass can be used for:

• digestive problems
• stomach aches
• diarrhea (my son calls it "pee-poop")
• vomiting
• sore throats
• coughs
• fevers
• anxiety
• calming insomnia
• nervous disorders
• vertigo
• Alzheimer's
• Parkinson's
• high blood pressure
• reducing fluid retention
• athlete's foot
• acne
• tendonitis
• sprains
• broken bones

That's quite the list!

Have you ever seen what lemongrass actually looks like? It looks like green onions. You know those things that look like green straws with white deals at the bottom. THOSE! It's weird! Here's a picture!

Okay, so now that we know it's great for helping with all these things (and looks weird), how do we use it? Here's a breakdown for you, ma lady!

Topically:
Lemongrass can be quite strong, so its important to dilute it with a carrier oil like Fractionated Coconut Oil. Mix it in a roller bottle (50/50 mix) and roll it onto the affected area. This is a great method for skin ailments as well as mental ailments. For mental ailments like Alzheimer's, nervous disorders, vertigo, insomnia...etc., roll the mix on the bottom of your feet, toes (rub it in), on your wrists (rub it in) and the back of your neck (as close to the base of your skull as possible).

Diffusing:
Lemongrass has a yummy sweet aroma that is very refreshing and soft. It is a great scent to diffuse with. Simply put a few drops in your essential oil diffuser and let it run all day for a nice smelling home and to reap the benefits without having to rub it on yourself. Diffusing lemongrass is a great way to help with anxiety, uplifting moods and calming insomnia.

Internally:
Lemongrass is safe for consumption as long as you purchase a therapeutic grade like that from Spark Naturals. Suffering from the flu or a cold? Add 2-3 drops to a shot glass of water and chug it. Or, add 2-3 drops to some hot tea and honey and sip it. It tastes delicious (just like lemon).

Next Steps...

It's time to get the ball rolling. If you don't already own Lemongrass essential oil, pick some up for CHEAP from www.sparknaturals.com. Seriously! It's only like $5.99!

If you plan on using it topically, purchase a roller bottle and some fractionated coconut oil, too. Here's a list of what you will need. ANNNNDDDDD, be sure to use coupon code CURLY to save 10%! What a deal!

Here is what you'll need:

1. Spark Naturals Lemongrass Essential Oil
2. Spark Naturals Fractionated Coconut Oil
3. 10mL Glass Roller Bottle

 



Jeddy's Blend Salve...YES! SALVE!

I have discovered my new favorite way to apply essential oils; in a salve! The typical Camp Wander All Natural Healing Salve recipe is amazing, not only for healing purposes (hence the name) but also for moisturizing. So, I've been lubricating my body with this loveliness day and night. It smells amazing and is a great way to heal the dry, cracks on my hands, as well as moisturize.

So, why would I NOT do the same for my family?

My son, Jamie was having some trouble focusing at school and keeping his attention on the books, so I started using Spark Naturals' Jeddy's Blend on him (and on myself for anxiety). I simply take a 1/8 oz roller bottle, fill it half full with Jeddy's Blend and half full with Fractionated Coconut Oil (all available from Spark Naturals by clicking the links) and apply it to certain areas of his body (and my body) each morning before school (or work). I apply it to his wrists, bottom of his feet and toes and to the back of his neck. When I rub it in, I use my wrists so I get the benefits without having to reapply it to myself. Pretty nifty, AHHH? We have noticed a HUGE improvement in his attitude, behavior and well...on his "smiley face" chart from school. YAY for "all smiley face days!" It's the little things, right? Okay...but anyways, back to the salve.

So, since my son really digs the smell of my all natural healing salve and loves the smell of his Jeddy's Blend, I thought it, "Why not put the two together?" Are you with me?

I brewed up a batch of all natural healing salve (original recipe can be read on my blog HERE or on Camp Wander's Blog HERE) and instead of adding the essential oils instructed for the healing salve (lavender, lemon and melaleuca), I added 20 drops of Jeddy's Blend! Okay, it smells SO FRIGGIN' GOOD! I am loving it! I mean...uh um...my son is loving it! Okay Okay, I made it for him, but I use it too. OKAY!? BUSTED!

Don't forget, when you order from www.sparknaturals.com, be sure to use coupon code CURLY to save 10%! WHAT A DEAL!

Here's what you do to make your own JEDDY'S BLEND SALVE:

**Original recipe for All Natural Healing Salve is from one of my FAVORITE blogs, Camp Wander!

1  Cup Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
1  Cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4  T. Beeswax Pastilles (Available from Spark Naturals, too!)
1/2 t.  Vitamin E oil (optional)
5, 4 oz. glass mason jars (Ball brand, can be found at JoAnn's or on Amazon)

To each jar add:
20 drops Spark Naturals' Jeddy's Blend
1/2  teaspoon Vitamin E oil (optional)

Fills {5} - 4 oz glass mason jars or small glass jars of choice.
Apply to hands, wrists, arms, feet, legs...ANYWHERE!

Melt the coconut, olive oil and beeswax in a warm bath, stirring with a knife every few minutes until melted.

This will take at least 15 min, you want a slow melt.

Add the Jeddy's Blend  to the empty jars and pour into glass jars of your choice and let cool.

Put a paper towel over the jars while cooling and wait to cover with lids until completely cooled down.  Shelf life is approximately 8 months.

Want to make your own? GO FOR IT!!
Be sure to order your Jeddy's Blend from Spark Naturals by clicking on the product names above. THEY ARE LINKS :)