HOW-TO: Make Lavender and Rose Body Powder

Sweaty Summertime calls for all sorts of recipes and ideas to help you deal with the heat. I'm a big fan of powders, for hair and body. If you are looking for a fun project, consider making this super easy Body Powder-         

Jessa's interview from Stylecaster.com: "This is one of my favorite recipes. This powder is a natural deodorizer because of its absorbent properties. Once you are done making it, you can put it in a spice shaker for sprinkling on the body or just apply it by hand. Have fun and be creative with powders; they can be scented any way you like, and they are so simple and inexpensive to make."

Shopping List:
1 cup white cosmetic grade clay
1-2 cups cornstarch (you can substitute with arrowroot powder)
3-5 drops of essential oils- my favorite is lavender
Lavender and Rose flowers (optional but they make it look really beautiful!)
1. In a large bowl, using a wire whisk or fork, mix the clay and cornstarch together.
2. Add essential oil (note: It will absorb quite a bit)
3. If you decide to add the herbs, finely grind the lavender and roses (or other herbs of your choice) to a fine powder. Sift. Then grind again. They must be as powdered as possible or they will give a gritty feeling to the powder. A coffee or seed and nut grinder will work fairly well (make sure the grinder is VERY clean or you will smell like coffee).
4. Cover the body powder with a porous cloth and let sit for several hours to dry. Package in a powder container, spice jar with a shaker top or a vintage glass bottle.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!  

Hot pink is (and has always been) my favorite color

What are you guys wearing on your lips these days? I'm super into hot pink (as usual), I think it goes well with my freckles.

From Ecosalon.com: What’s got organic makeup artist Jessa Blades excited for spring? Bright, juicy colors for the lips. As Jessa told us, “I love the fuchsia lip pencil by Zozimos Botanicals. I fill in my whole lip, smack my lips together to really let it sink in, and then swipe a bit of H. Gillerman flowers lip balm on top and voila! The pop of color mixed with the moisture from the balm makes the perfect combo- without being too glossy.”

The 24th New England Women's Herbal Conference

In just a week I get to head up north to the Women's Herbal Conference. The conference features over 60 workshops for all levels of interest and experience. Workshops focus on women’s health, herbal crafts, medicine making, plant identification walks and many hands-on demonstrations.

I'm looking forward to the plant walks, early morning yoga, a sweat lodge, henna, drumming, and learning from some of the most knowledgeable and powerful women in the herbal world. Hope you can make it- there is still space- just register here!

HOW TO: Make a Plum and Peach Crisp

My favorite Summer desserts have always been crisps or cobblers, letting the ripe Summer fruit really shine through. Last night I made a Peach, Raspberry and Blueberry Crisp. I improvised the filling part but used the topping recipe from 101 Cookbooks. Everyone loved the end result and the topping came out crispy and moist and perfectly sweet. I had never used yogurt in a topping before but it was a success and I think I will be making this recipe again and again.

Shopping List:
Fruit:
1 pound ripe peaches
1 pound ripe plums
1/4 cup natural cane sugar (or brown sugar)
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoons arrowroot (or cornstarch)
a scant 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water (opt)
Crisp:
3/4 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour (all-purpose flour)
1/2 cup natural cane sugar (or brown sugar)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
big pinch of salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup yogurt
See the full recipe at 101 Cookbooks