DIY Organic Pumpkin Body Butter - and anti-aging mask recipe!

Fall is finally here! While I am not a fan of the weather, I am a fan of one thing...PUMPKIN PIE!  Come to think of it, I pretty much love everything pumpkin: Fragrances, lotions, potpourri, cookies, you name it - I love it. Since starting my organic journey, however, I have actually found that not only do I not love the ingredient list on most canned pumpkin purees but I am absolutely against the lotions that I used to love. Just looking at the label at the local store (you know the one..smelly and TONS of stuff) made me dizzy (and it wasn't the mixture of scents)! The ingredient list read like a science experiment and one that I had no plan to take part of.

Why not use the stuff at the store you might ask? Well, I switched to a 95% organic lifestyle about a year ago (that 5% is for eating out and my sad soda addiction) and have learned that my skin is NOT a barrier to things...it is actually a sponge! Your skin is actually the largest organ of your body and absorbs everything you put onto it. So, if I am not eating chemicals...why would I put them onto my skin. Recent studies are even showing chemicals contained in makeups are present in newborn babies. That is right...your perfect shade of blush is a part of your baby! No hysteria..I promise! But it is true!

REAL pumpkin is so full of benefits! Fresh and cooked pumpkin are both loaded with vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, alpha-carotene, zinc, beta carotene, and lutein. Heck, it is even used in many spa treatments and anti-aging therapies! Looking at the science experiment of a label available at the store...I was finding zero of this good stuff and absolutely no REAL pumpkin.

So...Inspiration arose. A quick trip to Trader Joes (they always have Organic Pumpkin during fall)...and BOOM! Now...instead of having just pumpkin pie- I ALSO HAVE ORGANIC PUMPKIN BODY BUTTER!

This stuff is sooooo easy to make, inexpensive, and even more beneficial for the skin than you can imagine!

You will only need a few ingredients:

• 1/2 Can of Organic Pumpkin
• Organic Cinnamon or Seasonal Spices
• Can of Organic Coconut Milk - just the thickened part at the top (or 1/2 can of cream)
• 2 tbsp of  Coconut Oil (not necessary BUT I love it! - Click HERE to see WHY!)

The directions are so easy!

1. Skim the thickened part of the coconut milk out of the can - or you can use 1.2 can of heavy coconut cream.
2.  Mix with 1/2 can of Organic Pumpkin Puree, spices (to your liking), ad 2 tbsp of coconut oil.

That's it!! You are DONE!!!

Be sure to store your unused portion in  the refrigerator. Remember, there are no chemicals and no preservatives. It should store nicely in an airtight container for a while!

While you are at it...Go ahead and whip up a moisturizing and anti-aging facial mask (or masque if you are fancy!)!

What you need:

• 2 teaspoons organic pumpkin
• ½ teaspoon organic honey
• ½ teaspoon coconut milk (any milk will do!)
•  cinnamon spice

Directions for use:

1. Mix ingredients together ingredients into a paste.
2. Apply to freshly washed and dried skin.
3. Allow mask to sit for 15-20 minutes
4. Rinse with warm water

I hope you enjoy these "GREEN" pumpkin beauty products! They are bringing a WHOLE new reason to LOVE the fall season...Okay...That and the cookies!

If you loved this GREEN beauty DIY...Check out these other amazing  DIY beauty posts!

Homemade Vanilla Latte Cellulite Busting Scrub

DIY Slimming Body Wrap Recipes - 2 ways 

 DIY Green Tea Body Wrap for Weightloss and Detox

All Natural Edible Chocolate Body Paint!

DIY Sweet Organic Hot Chocolate Body Scrub

Don't forget to follow me on social media!

If you would prefer to let me do the work...I would be more than happy! Organic Pumpkin Body Butter is available in my Etsy Shop for just $9.99!  CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT!

Also available are items like:
All Natural Laundry Soap
Lemon Sugar Body Scrub
DIY Slimming Body Wrap
Vanilla Latte Cellulite Scrub & MORE!

Mother's Therapy Organic Hand Santizer GIVEAWAY!

I am going to go right out there and say that I am not a "sanitizing" momma. I sometimes think that people go way too far on how often they sanitize their hands! I have friends who will do it after opening a restaurant door,  after viewing the menu,  after touching the table, and even after washing their hands. Now...while I don't bathe my kids in sanitizer (and think some people go a bit crazy)...I do realize that there ARE situations where hand sanitizer is a must.

I have tried the common brands of hand sanitizer available on the market and I was less than pleased.

Why don't I like traditional hand sanitizers?

• They smell like booze. I don't want to smell like a martini - normally!
•  They Left my skin dry. No thanks.
• They Introduced chemicals and/or artificial fragrances to my and my children's skin. This made me choose which was worse...chemicals or germs! I am convinced that my skin is not a carrier but a conductor! Everything you put onto your skin is absorbed into the body. Scientists have even found traces of chemicals used in makeup in newborns! This Definitely makes you think about what you put on your skin.
• The alcohol. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) does say that alcohol based sanitizers are best BUT did you know that some sanitizers are made with synthetic alcohol? You must check labels if you are avoiding synthetic ingredients.

So..with these in mind - I GAVE UP ON FINDING A HAND SANITIZER. When I found out about Mother's Therapy Organics...I knew I needed to give it a try!

Why do I LOVE Mother's Therapy Organic Sanitizers?

• Mother's Therapy Organic's products are organic and filled with ingredients I trust! On their label, you will find ingredients like: Organic aloe; Organic Echinacea; Organic Goldenseal; Organic clove; and Organic Lavender.

• The alcohol in Mother's Therapy Organics is also organic so it is derived from plants not made in a lab!

• Oh...and smell.... AH-MAZING! Instead of smelling like alcohol, you will find a refreshing scent of aloe and cucumber.

• It is made to nourish your skin! You will notice that not only are your hands not dry...but they are actually healthier and softer!! 

Mother's Therapy is definitely onto something! For the same reasons mentioned above...I have really never used baby lotion. In 2012, Johnson & Johnson finally made the statement that it will remove carcinogenic chemicals and other potentially harmful substances from nearly all its adult toiletries and cosmetic products worldwide within 3.5 years. Did you know that was hiding in your baby lotion?

Thankfully...Mother's Therapy Organics doesn't have to promise to remove the harmful chemicals in their products.... THEY WERE NEVER THERE!I

They also make a Germ-Fight'n hand lotion and have tons of convenient sizes (gush)!

Okay...You get the idea..I am in love. I love them SOOOOO Much, I have partnered with them to give some away!

Enter to win an AMAZING FAMILY PACK valued at $30!!!

Picture is just for demo purposes. Family pack may include different sizes or items.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Mother's Therapy Organics in NOT AVAILABLE IN STORES! You must purchase is from with the website http://motherstherapyorganics.com/ or  Amazon! Go ahead...enter to win and grab some to organically guard your family against cold and flue season. You will never have to choose between fighting chemicals or germs again!

 

**this post was sponsored by a truly amazing company who manufactures Organic Sanitizer and Organic lotions. While I was NOT compensated in any way for this post, I did receive items to both sample and to provide to my readers via giveaway. The opinions expressed within are entirely my own. I will only represent companies with products that I believe in and feel good about sharing with my friends and family.

All Day Energy Greens - Energy Supplement Review

When I was asked to do a review on a "green" energy drink...I will admit that I was excited but also nervous. I eat 95% organically and am a vegetarian BUT I will be the first to tell you that I am NOT a "veggie lover". Until recently, I actually ate very few veggies that were green! The thought of broccoli, Brussel sprouts, or peas are enough to make my stomach turn (yes, I know..bad vegetarian). All of that being said, I do know how important these key veggies are to my health so finding a way to have them in a liquid form where they are hidden from my eyes was sounding like an interesting idea. 

So...I signed up to try it! I am really trying to focus on better eating for myself and my family so it was worth a try! The day my box arrived, I thought.."oh no...what did I get myself into?" . Reluctantly, I mixed the very green powder with some cold water and drank it up. WOW...I was shocked, I drank it- and did not hate it! I liked it so much  that I shared it with my husband-who also was a fan!

This green drink is packed with 38 different superfoods! It provides an amazing amount of energy that lasts the whole day.  Here are 5 facts that I absolutely LOVE!

1. All-Natural - no junk added! 
2. It Regulates your blood sugar! If you look at MOST supplements, they are sweetened or filled with chemical sweeteners! ADEG is made with stevia so it doesn't cause spikes and again--is an all natural sweetener.
3. WHOLE FOOD! Since it is filler free, your body will treat this green drink as a whole food and NOT a supplement. This means it is easily digested and used to the fullest by your body!
4. Common Allergen Free - I have family who has allergy issues so finding something that is safe is a PLUS!
5. It tastes great!

By now you are wondering what it tastes like....
 I would say that it tastes the most like green tea. Thankfully, it completely dissolves and isn't thick at all to drink. Now....I am not saying that you don't taste the veggies but they are kinda masked by the flavor of tea. With the new trend of green smoothies, my hubby and I began mixing our ADEG at home with various fruits, veggies, and ice. It tasted WAY better than the smoothies you get at your local smoothie stop and I can guarantee it is way better for you. No added sugars, no syrups, no chemicals!

Try mixing 1 scoop of ADEG along with ice, 4 ounces of water, and any of the following to make a refreshing smoothie. You really don't need to add any other sweeteners! You will be shocked at how awesome it tastes and how you almost don't notice the veggies! My kids LOVED the smoothies and had no clue that they were getting such a dose of greens!

• strawberries
• pineapple
• oranges
• banana
• apples
• cucumber and apples (awesome) 
• manos
• berries

 The price is also a BIG plus! You can get a one month supply of ADEG (All Day Energy Greens) for just $39.99. There are not many supplements that are this good for you at that price! Some I have looked at would cost $20 per week or more.

So...check out this amazing green drink and get your energy back. It is so good for you and an easy and filling way to get your greens! For some of us...it is the ONLY way to get our greens!

Are you riding the green drink train? Do you have a favorite recipe If so...I would love to try it!

**This post was sponsored by an amazing company bringing you a superfood rich GREEN drink. I was compensated for this post as well as given a trial of the product. These facts in NO WAY influence m opinion or my statements. I am committed to only standing behind products that I believe in and that will never be for sale.