2025 already! The time following the holidays brings many thoughts of self-improvement, from financial (time to rein in the consumerism?) to personal health. It’s also a time when winter temperatures can play havoc with skin and hair. Earth 911 recently had an article containing some easy personal care product recipes made with natural ingredients.
1. Eye Make-Up Remover - Place a dollop of coconut oil in the palm of your hand and rub your hands together to warm it. Gently apply to eye area and massage it in. Remove with a soft cloth.
2. Simple Face Scrub - Mix one tbsp. of baking soda with a small amount of water to make a paste. Gently massage into your face, avoiding eye area. Rinse and pat dry.
3. Hair Conditioner - Mix 1-2 tablespoons of either apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Pour through hair and allow to set a few minutes. Rinse.
4. Luxe Body Lotion - Grate 3 tablespoons of beeswax and combine with ¾ cup olive oil in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat until beeswax dissolves. Place one cup water in a blender and very slowly add the beeswax/olive oil mixture. Transfer to a sterile glass jar and add any essential oil you like. Keeps for about three months.
This is also the time seed catalogues arrive. As you dream of a glorious garden, consider adding some native plants, and perhaps replacing some lawn with garden beds. Below are some resources to help get you started:
1. The Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy has an annual spring plant sale. Lots of natives for shade and sun. Be sure to jump on the site early, as plants sell out quickly (https://www.lebonature.org/nativeplants-info).
2. The Homegrown National Park movement has a variety of resources for beginners and experienced gardeners who want to support biodiversity in their own yards (https://homegrownnationalpark.org).
3. Here are some online sources of seeds and plants:
d. Ernst Seed
Spring will come, but in the meantime be sure to stop and appreciate the winter. Even without snow, it has a special beauty all its own.
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