Gentle Moisturizing Body Wash You Can Make Yourself!

I love making body care products by hand. This is no secret. But my drive to make my own products was born out of necessity. 

My sons both have severe eczema. Their conditions have been kept under control through diet and my handmade skin care products. 

Today, I'm going to share what I use on their skin in the bath with this gentle moisturizing body wash you can make yourself!

This body wash is not exclusive to eczema relief, but it helps to soothe eczema skin with it's calming and moisturizing properties. This gentle moisturizing body wash is all natural, you can use 100% organic ingredients if you choose and a little bit goes a long way.

I like to think of this body wash as a skin softener. It leaves your skin so dewey and refreshed. 

Here's what you need:

½ cup castile soap

4 tablespoons vegetable glycerin

½ teaspoon vitamin E oil

4 tablespoons olive oil 

*essential oil is optional (I don't use any essential oils for eczema skin, but for my blend, I add 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops of peppermint) 

Here's what to do:

In a measuring cup, measure out your castile soap. Add your vegetable glycerin and whisk or stir. Then add your oils (vitamin E and olive) and whisk or stir once again. Finally, add any essential oils. 

Give your mixture a final stir and now you're ready to transfer your body wash into a container of your choice (I'm the queen of recycled glass bottles). 

Remember a little bit goes a long way! Which is great news, because this gentle moisturizing body wash is extremely cost effective, not to mention easy to prepare. 

I hope you enjoy this simple blend. Reach out to me in the comments below with questions :)

And there we have it, a gentle moisturizing body wash you can make yourself!

For more DIY natural skin care ideas, check out my latest book Natural Beauty from the Outside In, where you’ll find 70 Ayurveda inspired hair and skin care recipes.

5 Reasons to Start a Meditation Practice NOW!

Let’s talk meditation for a moment. 

Does the very idea of a meditation conversation make you nervous? feel calm? feel heard? or maybe agitated?

Just notice...

Do you have a meditation practice?

It's okay if you don't. 

It's great if you do.

It's perfectly fine to be somewhere in between.

I've written this post for all of you!

5 Reasons to Start a Meditation Practice NOW!

Psychology and neurological research shows that around 20 minutes of meditation daily can drastically improve multiple aspects of our well-being.

20 minutes is an approximation, everybody is different, everyone’s ability to settle into a meditation practice is different and every meditation is different. I like to look at meditation as a muscle, the more you practice, the more flexible you become and the easier it is to dive deep into a meditative state. 

My current meditation routine is segmented to suit my busy lifestyle. I practice a silent/still meditation for ten minutes in the morning. I practice a five-minute intention based (usually with mantra or affirmations) meditation in the afternoon and then I practice a ten-minute reiki meditation at night. This is simply what works for me, right now.

When my kids were younger, my meditation used to literally happen in the shower. It was the only time I had to myself. I would stand beneath the warm water, feel it’s rhythm, invite my breath to grow slow and deep, and there beneath the waves…I mean, shower head, I would find the peace and grounding that gave structure and form to the rest of my day. 

Not into sitting still for several minutes at a time? There are so many different types of meditation. Perhaps you’re drawn towards prayer or gratitude journaling. Maybe a walking or active meditation is more your speed and a nature walk or time at the beach or fishing by a lake is what you need to reset, reboot, and find balance. Into guided meditations? Check out my homepage, I’ve got a few you can practice with!

Don’t have time for meditation? Download your favorite mantra, affirmation, nature sound on whatever music streaming service you use and listen to it, eyes closed, for a few minutes on your morning Subway, Metro or car commute. It all counts! 

However you feel called, during this National Meditation Month, I urge you to experiment, to open yourselves up to the power and beauty of a meditation practice. If not for 20 minutes a day, then 10; if not for 10 minutes a day then 5, or 2 or 1. Any start is the right start! 

5 REASONS TO START A MEDITATION PRACTICE:

1. Meditating Reduces Stress- When you meditate, you stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system which helps the body rest, digest, and experience calm. In this state, cortisol (your stress hormone) production ceases and melatonin (your relaxation hormone) is produced. 

2. Meditating Promotes Mental Clarity and Focus-  Meditation is both relaxing and rejuvenating for the brain which helps to fine tune our cognitive functioning. A calm and steady mind, is also better at endurance and focus. 

3. Meditating Helps to Relieve Anxiety and Depression- Cortisol feeds anxiety and depression. Meditating is known to subdue cortisol production and increase the production of melatonin, resulting and feelings of calm, peace and contentment. 

4. Meditating Can Help to Lower Blood Pressure- Meditation calmed the central nervous system, relieves the body of stress and anxiety, all factors that lead to high blood pressure. Through meditation the parasympathetic nerve response is initiated which encourages a reduction in blood pressure rates. 

5. Meditation Can Help to Relieve Insomnia- Due to the calming effect of meditation (increase in melatonin, the sleep inducing hormone) the body reacts by entering into a state of rest. This restful state helps to encourage a deep and undisturbed sleep. 

So there you have it.

5 Reasons to Start a Meditation Practice NOW!

Baby steps, dear friends. 

Slow and steady wins the race.