and save money

from Consumer Reports
Primula Burke Cold Brew Coffee Maker is one of the less pricey models in their ratings of cold brewers.  It is a top performer with an excellent rating for convenience and most of its parts are dishwasher safe

Disclaimer - I do not receive any kickbacks for product suggestion.

These are the ingredients in a very popular store purchased  bath bomb

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), citric acid, popping candy(Isomalt, lycasin, carbon dioxide), fragrance, cream of tartar (potassium bitatrate), water, peppermint oil, grapefruit oil, vetivert oil, cedarwood oil, sodium laureth sulfate, lauryl betaine, titanium dioxide, synthetic, fluorphlogopite, tin oxide, silica, limoneone, linalool, yellow 10 lake , yellow 5 lake, blue 1, red 28, iron oxides

Now I am not going to get into what's wrong with that list of ingredients (that's for another conversation) but I will point this out

There is only 1 ingredient in that entire list that will benefit your skin and hair in that whole list of ingredients.

BAKING SODA
1/4 TO 1 CUP
INTO YOUR WARM BATH
​IS ALL YOU NEED

1/4 TO 1 Cup poured into the bath while the water is running can ......

• help relieve the itching caused by eczema and help calm your baby experiencing diaper rash
• detoxify your body
• provide relief for sore muscles
• give you silky smooth skin
• make the rough spots on your heels become smooth again with little effort

There is are no other ingredients in that bath bomb that benefit you and the money you save by not needing something that gives you a one minute thrill of the fizz is astounding.  If you use a bath bomb once a week and switch over to just baking soda that is over $300 in saving a year.  

Oh and did I mention all citric acid, the ingredient that gives you that sensational fizz, is processed from black mould!

I don't have products in my bathroom cabinet, I have oils and butters and olive oil is one of them.  To learn more about the properties in olive oil that benefit your skin and hair check out the Ingredients I Use page.

What olive oil can replace in your skin can hair care regiment.

Hand, Hair & Body Soap - a handcrafted bar of olive and coconut can eliminate the use of hand soap, body soap and shampoo. Get the recipe here to make your own or get the pre-measured kit here

A little interesting tidbit.....I have used the handcrafted bar soap for over a year (with coloured hair) and the one major thing I noticed, I no longer get knots or tangles in my hair. I am able to run a comb or a brush through no matter if it is the first day or washing my hair or the next or the next (I wash my hair every 4 to 5 days.  It seems to get better as the days go on).

Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment - Put about 1 cup of olive oil in a glass mason jar and place in a pot of boiled water (just enough water to cover about 1/2 up the jar) and let sit until your olive oil is warmed (do the 'not to hot' test by placing a small amount on the inside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot to use on your head).  Pour a small amount into the palm of your hand and working from the scalp to the ends generously apply the olive.  Keep repeating until your have worked the olive oil into all areas of your scalp to the tips of your hair. Put a lid on the leftover oil, mark on the jar what it is  and put away for future use on your hair.  Leave on for about 20 minutes.  Wash your hair.

Lip Scrub - why buy lip scrub when it is one of the easiest things you can make.  It's just sugar and oil...that's it.  To get your recipe and instructions on use click here

​Make up Remover - It's simple, pour some olive oil into a jar.  Label it 'Make-Up Remover' and place it alongside all of your other skincare products and use like you would any of the 'off the shelf' make-up removers. I know it doesn't make sense but pure oils are perfect for dissolving make-up and washing it away while unclogging your pores and moisturizing your skin, making it much safer to use than a soap-based remover 

Shine Serum - Got fly-aways on your second day hair.  a few drops of olive oil will help with that.  Just use after styling by placing a few drops in the palm of your hand, gently rubbing your hands together and then lightly run your hands along your hair, starting the top and working towards the bottom.  Don't overdo the oil but if you have long hair you might need a few more drops.

Face Serum - You can use it on it's own for your face and neck in place of a daily moisturizer but I like to add a few more oils to really help me with my 'older' skin.  For me I use a 2 oz. coloured bottle and add 2 Tbsp of sunflower seed oil, 1 Tbsp of olive oil,  2 tsp.  of hemp seed oil and 1 tsp. of castor seed oil.  Put on lid, label it and put alongside your other skincare products Always gently shake before using.  Add a dime sized portion to the palm of your hand, dip your fingers in and gently apply to your face.  Repeat if necessary.  Allow 5 to 10 minutes for it to settle before putting your make-up. 

Do you know how much money you have just saved by keeping it simple!