MAHE TV – May 13, 2014 DIY Spa Products at Home

Making your own home spa products is all the rage. Watch for tips and ideas on how you can get started at home.

With a few simple ingredients you can create scrubs and masks or get a bit more adventurous with fizzy bath bombs or lip balm using Manitoba beeswax.

Use them yourself, package them for gifts, host a party or get the kids involved.  Your options are endless. 

Segment One:

Sweet Sugar or Salt Scrub This all-purpose scrub removes dead skin cells to reveal new, soft skin. And it is so easy to make!

1 1/2 cups    white sugar or Epsom salts  3/4 cup    canola oil 

Mix together in a bowl using a spoon. Use on hands, arms, feet, or elbows. Rub in well. Rinse with cold water. Avoid the eye area and always best to do a test patch. Store in re-sealable container.

Note: Make more using a 2 to 1 ratio of sugar or salt to canola oil. Recipe credit: www.canolaeatwell.com

Beach Sand Foot Scrub This refreshing and cooling foot scrub softens feet while leaving them feeling refreshed and smelling great!

1 1/2 cups    canola oil    25 mL 3/4 cup    fine, clean beach sand  25 mL 3-5 drops     peppermint oil   3-5 drops

Mix together in a bowl using a spoon.  Massage scrub onto feet, concentrating especially on problem areas. Rinse off with warm water and pat dry. Store in re-sealable container.

Note: Purchase clean beach sand from a craft store or rinse thoroughly with boiling water before using. Recipe credit: www.canolaeatwell.com Avocado-Ginger Moisture Mask Tired of sprouting or just throwing away avocado pits? Here’s a great soothing way to use them.

2-3     fresh avocado pits  2-3 1/4-1/2 cup    thick yogurt   60-125 mL ¼ tsp    ground ginger  1 mL 1 Tbsp   canola oil   15 mL

Allow the avocado pits to dry for 2 days on the counter, but not to the point of becoming rock hard or they will break your spice mill.  Using a spice mill or coffee grinder, grind the dried pits to create a grainy, mealy powder. 

Add enough yogurt to create a paste. Add the ginger and canola oil.  Stir well.

Sitting or standing in the bathtub or shower, pat the paste all over your body using a circular motion.  Don’t forget to apply to your face too.

Leave on for 10 minutes, then shower, first with warm water, then cooler water and pat yourself dry. Recipe credit: www.canolaeatwell.com

Segment Two:

Minty Manitoba Lip Balm A smooth, soothing lip balm that will keep your lips kissable all year long!

1 Tbsp grated unbleached beeswax or beads 15mL 2 Tbsp  canola oil     30 mL 1 tsp   liquid honey     5 mL 5 - 6 drops  peppermint essential oil    5-6 drops

Place all ingredients a small jar, tin or heat proof container.  Fill a small saucepan with 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water.  Place tin in water.  Bring to a simmer. 

Stir with a wooden stick until completely melted.  Remove pan from heat.  Pour into pot or tubes.  Let sit until completely set (30 minutes).

To use: Rub finger over pot surface a few times, then rub on lips or twist bottom of tube to push balm up about 3 mm (1/8 inch) to rub over lips.  Repeat as necessary to keep lips feeling smooth and protected.

Yield: 45 ml (3 Tbsp) or 3 15 ml pots or 6 to 7 ml lip balm tubes. Recipe credit: www.canolaeatwell.com

Fizzy Bath Bombs A soothing, fizzy treat that can be added to your bath.

1/2 cup    baking soda     125 mL 1/4 cup    cornstarch     60 mL 3 Tbsp    canola oil     45 mL 1/2 tsp    essential or fragrance oil   2 mL 4-6 drops    food colouring    4-6 drops water in spray bottle 1/4 cup    citric acid     60 mL     mould for shaping bombs

Mix the baking soda and cornstarch together. Add the canola oil, the drops of food colouring and the essential/fragrance oil.

Using a spray bottle, mist the mixture lightly one time. Mix well until there are no lumps and the color is well blended. Add the citric acid. Heap as much of the mixture as possible into a mould. Press down very firmly packing the mixture well. Do not add more mixture to the mould after firmly packing it as it will not create a cohesive bath bomb. Let the bath bomb air dry for 1-2 days on a baking rack.

Note: use Lavender essential oil as well as 1/2 tsp (2mL) of dried lavender blossoms. Add the lavender blossoms when mixing the baking soda and cornstarch together. Recipe credit: www.canolaeatwell.com