SWEET AMBROSIA STUDIO

Swine Flu Article

2009-10-21T14:10:00.001-07:00

Here is an interesting article from Shonda Parker's Blog on the H1N1 virus:

http://www.naturallyhealthy.org/blog/

Let me know what you think.

Being Self Sufficient Regarding Your Health

2009-10-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

I have always been interested in self sufficiency. I am striving to get adequate food storage as well as assembling a Home Health Chest. Where did I get this idea? Shonda Parker , Professional Family Herbalist and a Certified Childbirth Educator. She has written several books and offers a home study course for individuals seeking to better serve their families in regards to nutrition and the use of herbs. I ordered the home study course a year ago and slowly I am chipping aways at the wealth of information that is available. Right now I am reading her second book, Mommy Diagnostics. This is where I got excited about the Home Health Chest. Just as a side note, Shonda Parker presents her information from a Christian perspective. In my opinion, that is the only way to present it. Many books published today about herbs and nutritional healing take God completely out and present an alternative form of spirituality. I don't agree with that approach. Anyway, back to the Health Chest. Mommy Diagnostics suggests a method of accumulating herbal tinctures, equipment, education, and basic herbal ingredients to have on hand. In addition a wheat grinder, juicer, and water purification system are encouraged. Right now we are fighting cold/flu season at my house. I really want to be better prepared for the next time around. If this is interesting to you, here are some websites mentioned in Mommy Diagnostics that you might enjoy.

www.realfoodliving.com

www.naturalmeals.com

www.herbs.org

www.healthy.net

http://www.medical-library.org/mddx_index.htm

www.swsbm.com

Here are some sites that I am interested in:

www.mountainroseherb.com

www.frontiercoopo.com

www.greenpharmacy.com

Soap Box and Disclaimer:

Many individuals that are interested in herbs and alternative health care are also liberal politically. I would like to clarify that while I am interested in this arena, I do not believe in Global Warming and I am skeptical of the whole organic movement. I think a lot of companies are slapping an organic label on things and charging more when it may not be more nutritious. I also feel that the Global Warming scare is an attempt to take away our inalienable rights.

Waiting.....For Something Spectacular to Write About

2009-09-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

This summer has flown by and I keep nagging myself that I need write a post for the blog. I argue internally that I must have some really dreamy skin care treat to write about. In fact I have been
horribly negligent in creating this summer. Actually, that isn't true. I have been creating a lot in the upstairs kitchen (we eat the stuff that comes out of that one). The downstairs kitchen (or soap kitchen) was used more as a hallway than anything else. Upstairs I have created luscious cupcakes with buttercream frosting for Sophie's birthday party. I made overnight waffles (to die for)! I've also been attempting various sumptuous variations of gourmet popcorn. I don't think I've mastered that one yet. Downstairs....I made a pretty darn good scrub with lovely cranberry seeds in it. I added the cranberry fig fragrance from Brambleberry. I also have been tweaking my standard basic five oil soap recipe. I've been experimenting with increasing the superfat ratio and trying to keep the cost down. The holidays are approaching and I would like to make a few soap loaves and some other skin treats to give away and/or sell. In a few weeks I am teaching a class on soap making and natural cleaning products. I will post my handout when I finish it. So I guess I have done some creating. I love this clip by Elder Uchtdorf:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k&feature=PlayList&p=4723DE1AF2FE66A0&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=16

I think about this a lot. That is what draws me to both my kitchens. I desire to create something that wasn't there before. By using my imagination and hands I can create something of beauty. Something to gladden the heart.

Lavender

2009-07-01T14:53:00.000-07:00

There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can.

-Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

Who doesn't love lavender? There is something so serene and happy about lavender. I love to rub the buds between my hands and inhale the sweet scent of these beautiful flowers.

Profile (www.mountainroseherbs.com)
Lavender is aromatic perennial evergreen shrub. Its woody stems bear lavender or purple flowers from late spring to early autumn, although there are varieties with blossoms of white or pink. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, but now cultivated in cool-winter, dry-summer areas in Europe and the Western United States. Lavender was used as an after-bath perfume by the Romans, who gave the herb its name from the Latin lavare, to wash.

Here is how I like to use it at home. Sometimes I use the actual lavender buds and sometimes the essential oil.

1.Scenting Soap (Bulgarian, Hungarian, and 40/42 blend)
2. A few drops in the bath or foot soak, I also put some buds in a muslin bag for a bath tea
3. Cleaning: I put a drop or two in a baking soda and soap paste to clean my sinks and tub
4. Scenting unscented facial lotion: lavender is terrific for all skin types
5. Salves: Lavender is great for burns and dry irritated skin
6. Facial Steams
7. Lavender tea and Lavender lemonade (delicious)

Lavender blends well with so many other essential oils. My favorite blend is Lavender and Sweet Orange essential oil.

Lavender Lemonade
1-2 Tablespoons dried lavender buds
Four cups of water
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar

Pour 1 cup of boiling water of 1-2 tablespoons of dried lavender. Let is steep for at least 15 minutes. Blend the granulated sugar in the food processor or use superfine sugar. Mix the sugar, lemon juice, water, and one cup of lavender water all together. Add lemon slices or sprigs of lavender for garnish. It is especially good when it is icy cold.

Variation: Add a few raspberries and a little bit of lime juice

Soap and Other Obsessions -A Review

2009-06-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have never done a formal book review. I did a few book reports in high school though. And I have read every soap making book in print...I think. Anyway, my most recent soap frenzy book purchase was Soap and Other Obsessions, by Zonella Gould and Sally Trew. You can view the table of contents on their website: www.soapandotherobsessions.com.

All the aspects of the book I liked:

1. The author wrote a little note inside to me personally.
2. It is written with a very casual and down to earth tone. In other words it isn't intimidating like The Soapmakers Companion is.
3. It has a great explanation of Soap Calc....an excellent tool for soapmaking.
4. I loved the chapter on Infused Herbal Oils by Diane White
5. The explanation on liquid soap feels very doable (I haven't attempted it yet)
6. Lots of information and recipes on the "other obsessions" i.e. shower gel, mineral make-up, shampoo, and lotion.

Some things that I wish were different:

1. I wish there was more on lotion, not just a couple of recipes. I wanted more of an explanation and the hows and whys of lotion making.
2. There were quite a few errors, however little pages were inserted correcting the errors and my assumption is that future printings will address those issues.

All and all an excellent book and one of my favorites. The book can be purchased on Amazaon (of course) and directly from the authors on their website.

By the Way....

2009-06-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

Sweet Ambrosia is no longer officially a business. I tried a short stint as a business owner and decided that I am not much of a salesman. Now I can make lotion, soap, bath salts, lip balm, ... without the stress of labeling, taxes, and worry of whether people will like it. I am broadening the focus of my blog to include all of my interests and hobbies.

New Mommy Soak

2009-06-23T16:20:00.000-07:00

I've been invited to my cousin's baby shower this Saturday. When I give gifts at baby showers I like to give something just to the mommy. This begins a stage in her life where her needs now take second or third place. Self-care is soooo important, especially right after a new baby. Here is the recipe for my New Mommy Soak.

2 cups Dead Sea Salt (coarse and fine grain)
3 Tablespoons ground dried lemon peel
3 Tablespoons coconut milk powder
2 Tablespoons dried spearmint leaf
30 drops lemon essential oil*

variations: Lime essential oil instead of lemon, buttermilk powder instead of coconut

*Especially during pregnancy and even post-partum it is wise to research the essential oils used and the appropriate dosages.

Fractionated Coconut Oil

2009-06-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

It is so fun to find oils that are so versatile in their uses and also resist rancidity. Fractionated Coconut oil is moderately priced and can be included in a wide range of products. I recently discovered that is works beautifully as an eye make-up remover. I wash my face with the soap that I make and it doesn't remove all the mascara leaving me with a look reminiscent of Portia from the Adams Family. Plus all of that tugging and pulling is adding more wrinkles and torturing my short, thin eyelashes. Fractionated Coconut oil has saved my eyelashes and perhaps stayed the tide of aging for a bit longer. This vegetable oil boasts an indefinite shelf life because most of the long-chain triglycerides have been removed. It is great for spray perfumes, massage blends, oily skin cleansing serums, and as previously mentioned, eye make-up remover. Majestic Mountain Sage

sells 16 oz of this wonder oil for $7.00. Here is a simple scrub recipes utilizing this amazing vegetable oil.

Citrus Scrub

1/2 cup Fine Dead Sea Salt (I prefer fine ground salt for scrubs)

2 oz Fractionated Coconut Oil

40 drops of Energy fragrance oil from Brambleberry (my favorite fragrance supplier)

*If you are giving this scrub away I would add a preservative like Optiphen. This paraben and formaldehyde free preservative will protect your scrub from any dirty or wet fingers dipping into the scrub. If you are making it for home use, just use a craft stick or clean spoon to remove the portion you want to take into the shower with you.

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

Today is Father's Day and I have been thinking a lot about being a good parent. It is a tremendous responsibility to raise children. It requires more than just providing the basic necessities, it is helping prepare them to thrive in the real world. I have been doing a little bit of reading about massage and children. It is a growing field especially among children that are hospitalized with terminal illnesses or degenerative diseases. My children are toddlers and very active. But, I have noticed that they love to have their back scratched or their feet rubbed. Here is an article on the importance of touch:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0675/is_n6_v9/ai_11489808/

If you want to start incorporating massage into part of your bedtime routine with your children start with a foot rub as you read a story. Toddlers are active and don't like to sit still. Be sure to allow your child the right to not want to be touched. I will include some massage oil recipes in a future post.

Allergy Relief

2009-06-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Attention allergy sufferers! There may be some relief available for you. The following information is found on www.theherbalist.com:

"Current research shows how effective freeze-dried Nettle preparations are, in the treatment of allergies. In a study conducted at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland Oregon, researchers found that 58% of the 69 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis*reported moderate to significant relief from their symptoms. Freeze-dried Nettle leaves are also proving to be effective for many allergic reactions, such as allergies to dogs and cats, hay fever, and hives. For almost any allergic reaction, Nettle seems to be very effective. One often feels relief in as little as 20 minutes after taking one to three 300mg capsule of the freeze-dried leaves. In the freeze drying of Nettle leaves, the histamine and the formic acid are preserved. It is these ingredients, found in the stinging hairs, which act as an antihistamine, when taken internally. It has no known side effects, unlike many over-the-counter antihistamine preparations. It is safe for both children and adults. That which stings, brings welcome relief to many allergy sufferers. Suggested Dosage for acute symptoms: Take 2 caps, three to four times daily."

Precaution:Because of its diuretic and hypotensive actions, nettle leaf may lower blood pressure. If you are taking diuretics or other drugs meant to lower blood pressure, consult your doctor before using nettle leaf. Its long term, extended use is not recommended.

*a collection of symptoms, mostly in the nose and eyes, which occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, dander, or pollen.When these symptoms are caused by plant pollen, the allergic rhinitis is commonly called hay fever. (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000813.htm)

Freeze Dried Nettle can be purchased in capsule form from the Eclectic Institute . Ninety capsules are $18.50. You can purchase nettle leaf powder in capsule or loose powder form from www.mountainroseherbs.com You can purchase 100 capsules for $8.25 from Mountain Rose Herbs. The difference in price is due to the fact that the Eclectic Institute feels that freeze drying the herb preserves the herbal properties better as well as increasing the shelf life.

From a nutritional stand point eat lots of fruits and vegetables. An article on WebMD suggested that grapes, tomatoes, oranges, nuts and fish are especially helpful. The grapes have a lot of anti-oxidants and the tomatoes and oranges have a lot of vitamin C. Eating too much sugar can suppress your immune system by half for up to four hours after ingestion. So avoid sugar especially when you are experiencing symptoms related to your allergies.

Soap Demonstration

2009-05-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

I am doing another soap demonstration at the Young Living Learning Center in Mona. Young Living has those beautiful Lavender fields that you see as you drive out of Utah county. It should be a lot of fun. I will be demonstrating my Basic 3 recipe and discussing an instructional handout on soap making. The free demonstration begins at 6pm.

Want to Rebatch?

2009-05-12T12:53:00.001-07:00

I have read a lot of information both in books and on the web about rebatching soap. I became really frustrated with this method because the final product was nothing I would want to use let alone give away. But, I did find a method that has worked for me. The link is provided below.

http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/2007/07/rebatching-soap.html

The basic recipe is:

4 cups grated soap flakes (the drier the better)

1 cup milk - goat or cow's*

1/2 cup powdered milk

Fragrant oil and colouring are optional

*Coconut milk or reconstituted powdered milk will also work.

The link above gives detailed instructions. Basically I just combine all the ingredients (except the fragrance and colorant) in a saucepan and warm it on the stove. When the soap mixture is running and semi-smooth I add fragrance and colorant. I then pour the soap into the molds to cool. After 24 hours they pop out of the molds and need another week or two to dry out.

Cedar City DIY Party

2009-03-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

March 27 & March 28

In a couple of weeks I will be doing a DIY party at my sister's home in Cedar City. This blog address has been listed on the invitation as a place to get more information about the products and the parties themselves. So here it is....

DIY Parties: I love making natural skin care products. My second love though, is teaching others how to do it too. The concept behind these parties is for people to come and make natural products in a simplified setting that is both educational and economical. At the parties there are one or two stations where guests can quickly create a customized bath or skin care product. I have eliminated some of the hassle by providing bases (i.e. lip balm base, bath salt base, bath fizzie base). The guest will more or less assemble the product and select fragrance and additives. It is not necessary to make every item that is available during the evening. There will also be soaps and sample size portions of products available for sale.

Here are some of the ingredients used in the bases or availabe as additives during the evening:

Botanicals (Herbs)

1. Spearmint
2. Peppermint
3. Rosemary
4. Chamomile (Egyptian)
5. Lavender
6. Jasmine
7. Calendula
8. Rose

Clays & Salt

1. French Green Clay
2. Rose Clay
3. Kaolin Clay
4. Spa Blend (Dead Sea and Pacific Sea Salt Blend)

Grains & Bean Powders

1. Colloidal Oatmeal
2. Adzuki Bean Powder
3. Corn Flour
4. Whole Wheat Flour
5. Poppy Seeds

Milk Powders

1. Buttermilk Powder
2. Coconut Milk Powder

Oils, Waxes, and Butters

1. Sweet Almond Oil
2. Coconut Oil
3. Avocado Oil
4. Cocoa Butter
5. Lanolin
6. Castor Oil
7. Palm Kernal Oil
8. Carnauba Wax
9. Candelilla Wax
10. Beeswax
11. Sunflower Oil
12. Olive Oil
13. Palm Oil

Essential Oils

1. Hungarian Lavender
2. Sweet Orange
3. Rosemary (French)
4. Clary Sage
5. Bergamot (Bergaptene-Free)
6. Grapefruit (Pink)
7. Eucalyptus Globulus 80/85
8. Spearmint
9. Rose Geranium (South African)
10. Ylang Ylang III
11. Mandarin
12. Elemi
13. Patchouli
14. Lime
15. Peppermint
16. Tea Tree
17. Cedarwood
18. Tangerine
19. Sweet Marjoram
20. Lavender 40/42

Miscellaneous

1. Papaya Fruit Powder
2. Strawberry Fruit Powder
3. Banana Fruit Powder
4. Apple Fruit Powder
5. Kelp Powder
6. Citric Acid
7. Sodium Bicarbonate
8. Cosmetic Grade Fragrance Oils

Homemade Laundry Detergent

2009-03-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Last night at a soap making class we started discussing the other uses of soap besides the bath or shower. Well, if any of you are trying to squeeze more out of your budget, then making your own laundry detergent may be a good option for you. I have made both liquid and powdered laundry detergent and am pleased with the results. My husband misses the scent (he doesn't know that it comes from the fabric softener not the detergent). For intense body odor smells or aggressive stains you may want to pre-treat with Oxyclean. I have some links below that show the same recipe with slight variations. The last link includes a recipe for powdered laundry detergent. I especially like the second link that shows a side by side comparison of homemade detergent vs. Tide with Bleach.

Any bar soap will work. Fels Naptha, Washing Soda, and Borax can be located on the laundry aisle. The first time I was searching for these items I looked all over and then finally found them at the store around the corner from my house. Ha, Ha! Kirk's Castille will work instead of Fels Naptha or even Ivory soap. The scent of the soap you choose will scent the detergent you make. If you want to scent it on your own with essential or fragrance oils then choose an unscented bar. These links also show a price comparisons. It really doesn't take very long to make, and it is really cool to feel so self-sufficient. By the way, if you make your own soap like I do, you can just toss that in the batch instead of these other bars.

Here are the links:

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/09/making-your-own-laundry-detergent-a-detailed-visual-guide/

http://natural-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/washing_clothes_for_pennies

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

http://www.littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2008/07/homemade-laundry-and-cleaning-products.html

Etsy Shop Open For Business!

2009-03-04T22:03:00.000-08:00

I added two items to my Etsy shop. I'm starting out small okay. Here is the address:

www.sweetambrosia.etsy.com

If you are local or family and would like to arrange another method of delivery please email me. For those of you who have never heard of Etsy, it's a website where various vendors of handmade items can post their wares. Everything has to be handmade or mostly handmade. I am hoping that this will give me a place to direct those interested in buying my products. If anyone is out there (and I know someone is because I see how many visit the blog) give me some feedback. Let me know what you think of the shop, the blog, whatever.

Soap News

2009-03-04T13:22:00.000-08:00

Ambrosia Soap Bars

Ambrosia Soap Curing

Wow, it has been a long time since I updated the blog. I'm sorry. But, I'm back in the soap kitchen and creating....loving it too.

New Soap Scent:
I unmolded my latest soap batch last night and cut it into to bars. It smells wonderful. This bar will be called Ambrosia. It is a citrus and lavender blend. Right now the bars are bright yellow, but as they cure they will be a creamy butter color. This bar is colored naturally by the essential oils used to scent it. This will be a great scent for Spring. The pictures are posted above.

Soap Classes:
News of my soap classes is spreading by word of mouth and I was fortunate to teach two soap classes during the last two weeks. I have another one scheduled for March 11th @ 6:30 pm. It is so fun to share this skill with others. Soap making is a hobby, but it can be so much more. Natural soap can be used in the laundry, natural household cleaning products, and best of all in the shower. Natural vegetable based soap is very expensive to buy in the health food stores, and can be very economical if you make it at home. It makes great gifts. Plus your skin will thank you...I promise.

Lotion Making Class:
I've had a few requests for a lotion making class. I have wanted to teach a moisturizer class because lotion is so much fun to make. Nothing beats homemade lotion. You use all natural products (no mineral oil) and a .5-1% preservative system. Lotions that use good quality vegetable oils really help heal and protect the skin. One perk is that you can choose the fragrance that you want. Lotion can be scented with essential or fragrance oils. If you are interested in the lotion class, please email me and I will notify you when the dates have been selected.

Etsy Shop:
I have opened an Etsy Shop (online shopping site that only sells handmade items). I haven't posted any of my products because I need to take pictures and write descriptions as well as ingredients. I will do a post when my shop is up and running. The downside of an Etsy shop is that I have to increase my price to cover the percentage that Etsy and Paypal takes from each sale. The good thing is that it will make my products available to more people.

DIY Party...A Success

2009-02-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

Last night was the first DIY Party. It was a lot of fun and I got some great suggestions on how to make them even better. Thanks Mom, Sue, Amber, Amy (both of them), and Sara for coming. The dry facials were popular and Amy and Amber made some bergamot lip balms (bergaptene-free ofcourse). I look forward to the next one. I think I will just focus on one product to create and have the others ready made for purchase. The logistics of that many people doing that many things is a bit chaotic. Thanks again everyone for coming!

Lip Balm

2009-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

Last week I taught a community education class on making lip balm. It was a lot of fun. I thought I would include the handout on the blog for anyone who is interested. We made spearmint, grapefruit, and rosemary scented lip balm. In my research beforehand I discovered that there are some citrus essential oils that are not phototoxic. They are: sweet orange, grapefruit, and mandarin. You can also use the B-free bergamot. I thought someone out there might be interested since who can live without pink grapefruit. Unfortunately, the orange holds it scent a lot better. Grapefruit is fleeting in just about everything I put it in. Anyway....here is the handout:

Make Your Own Lip Balm

Ingredient Percentages

These percentages will allow you to make lip balm batches of various sizes.
40% of your recipe should be any cosmetic grade oil that is liquid at room temperature (sweet almond, apricot kernel, avocado, grapeseed, hemp seed, macadamia, olive, sunflower, etc.)

25% of your recipe should be any cosmetic grade oil that is solid at room temperature (coconut, lanolin, palm, mango butter, shea butter, etc.)
20% of your recipe should be cosmetic grade Beeswax (white or yellow, pellets or solid blocks)*

15% of your recipe should be any cosmetic grade oil that is brittle at room temperature (cocoa butter, palm kernel, etc.)

* If you create a recipe that uses carnauba or candelilla wax then increase your percentage of oils or butters to compensate. These vegetable derived waxes create a very firm balm.

Coloring Lip Balm
There are cosmetic grade colorants that will color the lip balm itself but not your lips. And there are colorants that will color the balm and also tint your lips. Dyes will color your lips, pigments will tint your lips, but stay on the surface. Micas add shimmer and shine. See the list of suppliers below for colorant ingredients.

Flavoring Lip Balm
There are two choices when flavoring lip balms. Synthetic lip flavorings come in a variety of flavors like watermelon or cheesecake. Natural lip flavorings are provided with essential oils that are used as flavorings in the food industry. Examples of this are spearmint, peppermint, orange, and cinnamon. While essential oils are more natural, it is very important that you as a consumer do your research as to what essential oils are lip safe. Also, mint and cinnamon oils can be irritating if used at too high a dosage. Depending on the flavoring agent of choice the dosage for one lip balm is 1-4 drops.

Packaging
Lip balms can be packaged in the typical roll-up tubes or what are often called lip pots. Suppliers are listed at the bottom.

Recipes

Lip Balm #1 (42 tubes) Lip Balm #2 (3 tubes)*

3 TBSP Beeswax 2 tsp. beeswax
2 TBSP Shea Butter 2 1/4 tsp. Jojoba
4 TBSP Coconut
3 TBSP Olive Oil
1 TBSP Sunflower
1 TBSP Castor

Lip Balm #3 (4 tubes)
1 1/2 tsp. Beeswax (.25oz)

1 3/4 tsp. + 1/8 tsp. Lanolin

1 1/8 tsp. Cocoa Butter

3 tsp. Avocado

*Recipe 2 was taken from the following web address:
and http://www.greenbeesbees.blogspot.com/

DIY "Practice" Party

2009-01-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) PARTY!

Place: My House

Time: 7 pm

Date: February 5th

DEAD SEA BATH SALTS

This will be my first DIY (Do It Yourself) party. It will be practice for me. Each guest will make and take one product for free. I would also love to hear your ideas and suggestions that can help these parties be a success. That night I will do an orientation of the four products:

1.BATH SALTS

2. BATH FIZZIES

3. LIP BALM

4. DRY FACIAL POWDERS

There will be lots of ingredients to choose from to create your own custom blended self care products. If the whole concept seems a bit hazy, please come and see what it's all about. My whole focus with this business is to create and use products that benifit both mind and body. In this very stressful world I believe that each of us needs to take time to ponder and care for ourselves. Self care is so necessary for our emotional health. These home spa treats are certainly not the only way that we can care for ourselves. But, I believe that these parties will be beneficial in a lot of ways:

1. It will allow us to get out of the house for a while and socialize with other women.

2. These parties will be educational in that you will learn about various natural ingredients and how they benefit your skin.

3. You will make it yourself. We are all creators within and we need opportunities to create.

4. It is inexpensive. Going to the spa is out of reach for many of us during this time of economic uncertainty. These products will allow you to get spa-like benefits at home for a fraction of the cost.

5. It is really fun and easy to make these products. I promise!!

In case you are interested here are only some of the ingredients that you will be using that night:

colloidal oatmeal

adzuki beans

papaya fruit powder

french green clay

rose clay

sunflower oil

avocado oil

jojoba oil

Dead Sea Salt

dried rose petals

dried Egyptian chamomile

dried lavender buds

dried calendula petals

kelp powder

coconut milk powder

buttermilk powder

honey powder

essential oils (lavender, rose geranium, sweet marjoram, lime, and spearmint just to name a few)

fragrance oils (vanilla, sandalwood, saffron and cedar, eucalyptus spearmint, lilac, and pink sugar.

**** More pictures are coming. I will post pictures of the lip balm, bath fizzies, and facial powders. Email me if you have any questions. www.mysweetambrosia@gmail.com

Newsletter Completed

2009-01-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

Our first official newsletter was sent today. Our newsletter will include recipes, information on natural skin care ingredients and information about the latest developments with Sweet Ambrosia. If you are interested in receiving our newsletter. Email me at:

mysweetambrosia@gmail.com

A New Year, A New Marketing Approach

2009-01-06T14:49:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it is already the 6th of January. I have to shake off the haze of the holidays and pull myself together again. My Christmas tree is still in my living room, yikes! It's fake though, maybe I'll just carry it downstairs as is and put a plastic bag over it. Well, my mind has been racing with new ideas for Sweet Ambrosia. This economy is scary to say the least, but I am determined to make this business work! Our new marketing strategy is in the works. The concept is (drumroll please.......) DIY Home Parties. I have been creating over the holidays and will be launching our idea with a focus group in the next couple of weeks. If you want to be part of the focus group email me. Basically the home party will be a chance for women to come and buy products that they have created themselves. It's a make-it and take-it approach. It is fun because the party guests will have lots of raw materials at their fingertips to play with. It's cost effective because I don't have to be left with fragrances or colors that nobody wanted. We are also going to have DIY kits that customers can order themselves. I made a lip balm base that I am really excited about. I have also created bases for bath salts, facials, and bath fizzies. I am hoping to create kits for mineral make-up, scrubs, and solid perfumes. One of the best things about all of this is the price. We are striving to keep each of the tables between $5.00 -15.00. Our soaps will also be available at $4.25 a slice. The kits will be more since the quantities will be larger. We'll see.....I'm excited!

2008-12-17T08:35:00.001-08:00

I am just finishing up an email newsletter that should go out the beginning of January. I know that all of us are crazy busy with Christmas preparations. The newsletter will be distributed monthly and will include recipes, ingredient profiles, information on my classes, and new products. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter email me at:

mysweetambrosia@gmail.com

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

SVUUS Boutique

2008-12-02T14:34:00.000-08:00

I am doing another short boutique this Saturday up in SLC. I hope to sell the rest of our inventory. Thank you everyone for all of your support and encouragement. I am really pleased with how well our soaps are doing.

Christmas Gift and Craft Show

2008-12-02T14:19:00.001-08:00

We survived our first craft show! It was a long two days, but we learned a lot and I think we did pretty well considering the venue. Our best sellers were the kumquat, pomegranate, and peppermint bars. I don't know if we will do that particular show again, but I am glad we did it.

December Soap Making Class

2008-11-20T10:39:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful time doing a soap demonstration last night at Beehive Health Essentials. I made Lemon Poppy Seed and Oatmeal Lavender bars to give out as samples. Then, I made a Spearmint Peppermint bar colored with French Green Clay. It was a lot of fun! I am excited to start the soap classes here at home. I will be offering one class in December, two if there is enough interest. Email me if you would like to register.

Date: Thursday, December 4 7-9 pm
Cost: $50.00
Place: My Home (I will email you directions)

*Each class is limited to 3 students due to the size of my kitchen and to also allow each student to really get a hands on experience. I want you to really feel confident about making your own soap when you leave the class.

The class will include:

1. Instruction booklet with instructions, recipes, and supplier listings
2. One pound of soap (you will make yourself during the class)*
3. One pound mold (this is the mold you will take your soap home in)
4. Coloring with clays, herbs, and mineral pigments
5. Scenting with essential oils and fragrance oils
6. Tips on making your own blends
7. Tips and Tricks (the secrets I've learned along the way)

*One pound of soap makes anywhere from 4-8 bars of soap depending on the mold.

If you register for the class I have a few brief questions for you to answer to that I can help you get the most out of the class.

Orange Cranberry Granola

2008-11-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

I love granola! This recipe has evolved over time and I think it is delicious. This yummy cereal would be great to give as a gift during the holidays.

6 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 1/2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
2 cups sliced almonds (optional)
1/2 tsp salt

combine and spread these ingredients on a cookie sheet and toast in the oven at 275 degrees for
15 minutes. Pour into a large bowl.

1/2 cup agave nectar (you can find this in a health food store)
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup canola oil
3 Tbsp. orange juice concentrate

Warm these ingredients in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds. Stir to combine and then pour over oat mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat. Pour contents back onto the cookie sheet and increase the oven temperature to 325 degrees. Bake the granola for 20 minutes stirring at 10 minute intervals to make sure it doesn't burn. When it's done baking I sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and add orange flavored cranberries. Craisins would work as well if you like a more tart flavor. Serve with milk or yogurt. I poured almond milk over mine this morning and thought it was very good. Enjoy.

Allergic Reactions to Essential Oils

2008-11-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

There is a belief out there that if a natural skin care product is made with unrefined ingredients and pure essential oils that EVERYONE can use it. Because the cosmetic industry is not regulated, and I am not for regulations, there are varying levels of purity both in raw materials and essential oils. Additionally, allergies are very common now days. There are allergies to food, latex, ragweed, and even some spices like cinnamon. There is a good article that gives an overview of essential oil safety at: http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/therapies/aromatherapy/are_essential_oils_safe

If you have really sensitive skin or like to be very selective about what you put on and in your body here are a few suggestions (my opinion only):

1. Educate Yourself: There are a ton of books out there. Yes, they often have conflicting information, but even knowing the different view points is helpful. By the way, essential oils are often credited with amazing healing properties. While many essential oils do possess anti-bacterial, cleansing, skin soothing, and anti-inflamatory properties, you will want to really do some good research before banking on a certain essential oils to be the anwer to your health woes. Dosages are important as well.

2. Ask Questions: Whenever I go to the health food store for a specific health problem I ask a lot of questions about what I am buying. I also do my own research beforehand. Something I am learning about herbs is that they work with the body and help the body to gradually heal itself. So I can't expect immediate relief like I can with an over the counter drug. Typically, drugs suppress symptoms instead of fixing the actual problem. But they can be helpful, and even necessary at times.

3. Everyone doesn't get the same results with essential oils and herbs. This is also true of drugs. Age, sex, weight, physical fitness, and genetics all can effect how we will respond to any given medication, herb or drug.

In summary I think it is really exciting that there are so many resources out there to help us care for our bodies. There are a lot of valuable resources and knowledge found in traditional medicine. Additionally, we can find answers to health questions in alternative medicine as well. We can empower ourselves through education and being willing to try new things.

The Miraculous Avocado

2008-11-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

Avocados are a favorite of mine not only for their beautiful green color, but for their nutritional value as well. This amazing fruit, informally called the Alligator Pear, is a powerhouse of vitamins for our bodies inside and out. Vitamins A C and E occur in abundance in avocados. Additionally the oils produced by avocados include oleic acid and linoleic acid; these lower cholesterol levels. Below are two recipes to include more avocado in your diet and skin care regime.

Fresh Avocado Mask (Adapted from Emmy Gabriel's Recipe on the Natural Beauty Workshop. (http://www.naturalbeautyworkshop.com)

1/2 Avocado (very ripe)
1 Tbsp. Oatmeal (pulse in the blender)
2 Tbsp. Oatstraw Powder
1-2 drops Essential Oil of Choice (Chamomile or Lavender)

Peel the skin of the half of the avocado. Mash until it looks smooth and creamy. Pulse the oatmeal in a blender or coffee grinder. I like to pulse the oatmeal for a softer exfoliation. Oatstraw will also need to be ground unless you buy it in the powder form. Oatstraw has antinflamatory properties. The two essential oils mentioned above are soothing to irritated or inflamed skin. Mix all the ingredients together and apply the mask. Let it sit on your skin for about 10 minutes. Gently rub the mask on your face in a circular motion using your middle and ring fingers. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Any leftover mask will go bad within 1-2 days. So use it quickly or better yet, share it with a friend.

Grilled Avocado and Tomato Salad (http://www.avocadosalad.com/)

10 vine ripened tomatoes, quartered 4 avocados, peeled, halved, and pitted 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil2 lemons 1 red onion, sliced 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted light brown in the oven1/4 pound Parmesan cheese

Preheat grill to medium heat.Cover large platter with tomato quarters, set aside.Place avocado halves in a bowl and drizzle with two tablespoons olive oil, juice of one of the lemons, salt and pepper. Place each half, flat side down, on a hot open grill for about 30 to 45 seconds. Cook on the flat side only. When well caramelized, remove and place on top of the plated tomatoes.In another bowl, squeeze the other lemon over the sliced red onion and mix well. Add the remaining olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Place onions in the empty avocado pit holes. Spoon the remaining lemon/olive oil mixture over avocados and onions. Top with green goddess dressing, distributing generously on all sides. Sprinkle pine nuts and grate cheese on top.

Soap Demonstration Beehive Health Essentials

2008-10-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in learning to make natural soap? Beehive Health Essentials in Spanish Fork offers mini classes to the public each month. On the evening of November 19th I will be doing a natural soap demonstration free of charge. I am going to design a recipe that uses ingredients that can be found at Beehive Health Essentials. No need to special order materials. If you make soap by Thanksgiving it should have enough time to cure before Christmas. I am also developing some mini classes to teach out of my home. I want the classes to be easy and economical. I get on the soap supplying websites and see all these exotic ingredients that would fun to create with. But, the reality is that I don't need to spend a ton of money to make something beautiful and fun. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, send them my way.

Bath Fizzies Springville Community Class

2008-10-23T13:30:00.001-07:00

Bath Fizzies
Bath fizzies are an effervescent bath tablet that swirls and fizzies when dropped in a filled bath tub. Fizzies made with oils and fragrance release those ingredients into bath water creating a spa like experience at home.

Basic Recipe (makes 4-5 fizzies depending on the size of the mold)

1 cup baking soda
1 tsp oil (sunflower, olive, sweet almond)
1-3 drops colorant (food coloring or natural colorant)
½ tsp witch hazel or water
¼ cup citric acid
6-10 drops fragrance (essential or fragrance oil)

Instructions:
Step 1: Add baking soda, oil, and colorant to your bowl (stainless steel or glass work best). Mix the ingredients together by picking up handfuls and rubbing the contents between your hands. This disperses the colorant and oil throughout the mixture. (Sea salt and other additives should be added with step 1)

Step 2: Add fragrance and mix into the mixture using the hand rubbing method in step 1. The fragrance is added later because it is often the most expensive ingredient and you want to make sure that your colorant and consistency is perfect before adding it, in case you have to throw the batch out.

Step 3: Spray the mixture with water or witch hazel (about 2-3 squirts). Incorporate the water into the dry mixture by rubbing the mixture between your hands like in step 1.

Step 4: Add the citric acid to the mixture. Quickly incorporate the citric acid with the hand rubbing method.

Step 5: Pack the mixture tightly into mold. Wait about thirty seconds and then release the mixture from the mold and place the bath fizzy on paper towels or on a covered cookie sheet. Let them air dry for at least two hours. Package in an airtight container until use.

Suppliers:

Pine Meadows (citric acid, fragrance and essential oils, vegetable oils)
Provo, Utah
www.pinemeadows.net

Majestic Mountain Sage (citric acid, fragrance and essential oils, vegetable oils)
Logan, Utah
www.thesage.com

Bath Fizzies Springville Community Class

2008-10-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at the Springville Community Education class last night. Below is the handout I gave to the class members. Email me with questions and new discoveries as you make these bath time treats!

Our First Sale!

2008-10-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday The Porch on Main (local boutique in Springville) bought our first soap package. The soap package include four loaves and a knife for cutting. When I brought them in Charlie (one of the owners) said, "those look good enough to eat!" I was pleased. I am delivering the four loaves to Mapleton Floral this morning. Next Wednesday we are going to hit the marketing trail and head up to SLC to some businesses. We are hoping to get an appt. with Thanksgiving Pointe. We still haven't heard from Brambleberry on our HDPE soap molds, but we'll see. All in all, things are moving along nicely. I just hope I can keep up with it all. I am striving for balance with the kids, housework, church, and business (I forgot myself in there too). Above is a picture of our favorite loaf so far: Pomegranate...yum, it looks like a giant creamsaver.

Dealing With Eczema

2008-10-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks we have been trying to remedy my son's (one year old) eczema outbreak. I was just counting my blessings that none of my children seemed to have any significant allergy problems when this happened. I think milk is the culprit. But until I am sure, my son is on an elimination diet. Below are the foods he is avoiding and also the ones I am trying to incorporate. Now, I also am being realistic about this. He is not going to eat everything on this lists, nor can I perfectly avoid all of the foods that he shouldn't eat.

Avoid: fried foods, oily foods (this does not include the good fats like olive oil and real butter), spicy foods, processed foods, red meat, tomatoes, pastries, cheese, eggs, citrus, refined sugar, chocolate, hydrogenated fats, milk, peanuts, fish, soy, and wheat.

Eat as much as possible: white basmatic rice, mung beans, chick peas, asparagus, carrots, beets, spinach, parsley, broccoli, collards, chard, cilantro, basil, papaya, avocado, pearled barley, walnuts, millet, cucumber, figs, raisins, and burdock (herb).

*He drinks goat milks (meyenberg powdered) and rice milk
*1/2 tsp of cod liver oil morning and night
*pro biotic or acidophilus I think was also helpful
*I also used a lanolin lotion on the dry patches. That really helped.

If all this sounds like a huge time commitment, it was. I was worn out emotionally and physically trying to address his needs. But, I felt like I had to since it was spreading and getting more inflamed. Gratefully, it is looking a lot better. The food list is found in the book, Mommy Diagnostics, by Shonda Parker.

Welcome to Sweet Ambrosia Studio!

2008-09-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

To family and friends visiting this blog: I know you have got to be thinking that I am little crazy.
I have changed the name of our business three times, created several blogs, and I keep changing my mind as to whether I am teaching classes or selling soap. Well, I think we have finally settled in with Sweet Ambrosia soaps, salts, and classes. This name has to stick because we have the official business license papers. The blog is going to be a modge podge of recipes, journaling, pictures, and updates on our little business. We are excited as we begin this adventure. Thanks for visiting and come again.