Ingredients
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
2 Tablespoons shea butter
1 Tablespoon jojoba oil
1 tbsp. beeswax granules
1 tbsp. zinc oxide powder (optional)
½ tsp. red raspberry seed oil
½ tsp. carrot seed oil
Add one drop of each essential oil of your choice. Geranium, lavender, rosemary, and or peppermint all work well.
Instructions
1. Using a double boiler (or a small pan over very low heat), melt your coconut oil, sesame or jojoba oil, beeswax, and shea butter together. The beeswax will be the last to melt.
2. When the beeswax is melted, remove the mixture from the heat and let cool to room temperature. If you’re using zinc oxide, whisk it in at this point, being careful not to create a lot of dust. If there are some lumps, that’s OK. They will break up when you whip the body butter in step 4.
3. Move the mixture to the fridge for 15-30 minutes. You want it to start to set up, but still be soft enough to whip.
4. Take the mixture out of the fridge and using a stand mixer or hand mixer, start to whip it. Slowly add in the red raspberry seed oil, the carrot seed oil, and any essential oils of your choice, and continue whipping until the mixture is light and fluffy.
5. Use as you would any regular sunscreen. Application rates will depend on your activity and exposure to water. Store in a glass container in the fridge between uses.
Health Proverb
Be a Good Listener
My sister, Wendy, is very spontaneous. One day she just dropped in to say hi. I love being spontaneous myself, so this never bothers me. After talking to Wendy for only a few moments, she said she needed to get going. I asked her to stay longer She changed her mind, and ended up staying longer. We had a wonderful visit. If I hadn’t asked her to stay, she would have left earlier. It is important to encourage others to continue talking, if you want to be a good listener.
How many people cut off another person, with this sometimes toxic statement “I know that.”? It makes the other person clam up and stop talking. I think it is fun to pretend ignorance in order to encourage others to express their views fully.
I remember my mom was having a hard time getting my Dad to listen to her one evening. My Dad who is a very driven person, loves focusing on helping people and solving problems. He was not paying attention to my Mom.
Without missing a beat, my Mom said she was going with the children to pick out a Saint Bernard pup. Mom and Dad had agreed to never get a large dog. My Dad said that will be fine without really paying attention to what my Mom was saying. Then all of a sudden he said, “Saint Bernard?” Then my Mom said, “Got ya.” I need you to listen to what I am saying, so I wanted to say something crazy to get your attention.”
When you paraphrase and restate what the other person is saying in different words, this will allow he or she to confirm that you have understood what they intended. Or you can say something wild like my Mom, did to get my Dad’s attention.
One of the best ways to be an effective listener is to sympathize with others. When you can honestly put yourself in another persons shoes, people will open up, and trust you with their feelings.
Effective listening is never old fashioned. What a great way to win more friends, and influence people. Your family will benefit from it as well.
Cinnamon-Did You Know?
Did you know cinnamon is the oil of sexual harmony and greatly supports the reproductive system and aids with sexual issues. It helps people to embrace their body, and accepting their physical attractiveness. Cinnamon encourages the growth of strong relationships based on mutual love, and respect.
Cinnamon, which is actually the dried bark of the laurel tree a large tropical evergreen tree can grow up to 45 feet tall. Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years. This powerful spice was used in Egypt, Rome, and China. Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka. The “real” cinnamon of old comes from the Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree.
Historically, cinnamon is even mentioned in the Bible. Moses used it as an ingredient for his anointing oils. In ancient Rome, it was burned during funerals, as a way to remove some of the odor of dead bodies. The ancient Egyptians used it in embalming mummies because of its pleasant odors and its preservative qualities.
Extracted from bark, cinnamon oil contains strong cleansing and immune enhancing properties. Due to its high content of cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamon should be diluted with Fractionated Coconut Oil when applied to the skin and only one to two drops are needed for internal benefits.
Cinnamon is very purifying to the circulatory system and it helps promote circulation, both internally and when applied to the skin, helping to ease sore muscles and joints. Cinnamon helps maintain a healthy immune system, especially when seasonal threats are high. When diffused, Cinnamon promotes clear breathing while purifying the air. Cinnamon is frequently used in mouth rinses and gums for its oral health benefits. Cinnamon has a long history of culinary uses, adding spice to desserts, entrees, and hot drinks.
Never Give Up
Anything is possible!
Essential Oils in the Bible
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.”
I SAMUEL 16:13
How to Use Essential Oils
Spearmint is very different from Peppermint, making it a milder option to use on children and those with sensitive skin.
Sage-Did You Know?
Did you know sage is the oil of purification? Sage is known for its ability to cleanse energy, and spaces. It also purifies the body, and opens spiritual channels. Sage is a powerful energy cleansing oil. It can send away unwanted or hard to endure energies, and restore harmony, and balance. It plays a role in helping people who have experienced any form of abuse, also feeling a disconnect from their physical body.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) has a herbaceous spicy aroma. The Ancient Greeks and Romans used the leaves of both species as compresses for the treatment of wounds. The oldest reference is a depiction of Salvia fruticosa on a fresco at in Crete, which has been dated at about 1400 BC. The name salvia in fact comes from the latin, salvere, meaning to heal. It has been identified for its ability to strengthen the senses, and vital centers of the body.
Sage was used by herbalists externally to treat sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding. Internally, a tea made from sage leaves has had a long history of use to treat sore throats and coughs; often by gargling. It was also used by herbalists for rheumatism, excessive menstrual bleeding, and to dry up a mother’s milk when nursing was stopped. It is helpful for supporting the respiratory, reproductive, and nervous systems. Sage may help in coping with despair and mental fatigue.
Health Proverb
Effective Listening
“If speaking is silver,
then listening is gold.”
Turkish Proverb
When I was in 3rd grade, everyone would stand up to say The Pledge of Allegiance, except for a girl named Lisa. She was a Jehovah Witness. Everyone would stare at her, because she would just sit there. In our eyes she was different.
One day at recess when everyone had left the classroom, I was late getting out the door, I think I forgot my coat. I saw Lisa in the corner of the room sobbing. She was talking to herself. Under Lisa’s crying voice, she said, “Why don’t I have any friends, I don’t fit in, no one cares.” I said, “I will be your friend.” I think I startled her, and she said, “go away and leave me alone.”
I understood her pain. I felt lonely many times myself. I think this was the first time I could put myself in someone else’s shoes and truly empathize with what this person was going through. Stephen R. Covey says, “Seek first to understand then be understood.” We will definitely increase our listening skills when we seek to better understand every situation we are in.
Len's Oils 