Thank-you for your recent interest in The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe. It's wonderful to see people interested in doing the right thing for the planet. I've added your email address to my regular email list.
Below is the latest issue of The Shoppe Newsletter to bring you up-to-date - plus some other useful information.
Many thanks - keep well - hopefully will see you soon at a workshop or event!
Pam Marshall - The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe
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Some useful information:
2 for 1 Downloads: As an encouragement toward using alternatives to consumer products I'm offering all downloads from www.theshoppe.com.au as '2 for 1'. You need to first download your chosen topics - i.e. e-booklet/s, workshop download/s or booklet set/s . Then email me: pam@theshoppe.com.au - tell me your choice of free downloads - and I will email them as an attachment. This offer lasts until 3 October 2014. For list of publications for download click here
Upcoming Workshop List: (South Australia only). I've just updated my workshop list with new dates, venues and events. It would be lovely to see you at a workshop or event. Go to: Upcoming Workshops and Events
Back issues of The Shoppe Newsletter: Many people have inquired about accessing back issues of The Shoppe Newsletter. For the list of all back issues: Click Here
Download alternative: If you would prefer another method for paying for and receiving the downloads (i.e. via bank transfer, money-order, cheque or cash - if attending a workshop) please email me for information. For printed copies there is an additional cost for printing and postage.
How to unsubscribe: You are receiving this email because you have had contact with The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe by either attending a workshop, subscribing to The Shoppe Newsletter or accessing www.theshoppe.com.au for information. If you would like to unsubscribe please see end of page
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-The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe Newsletter No. 55-
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In this issue:
- New Trend: Fresh Fruit in Skin Care!
- Suggestions & recipes for fruit-based: masks, scrubs, astringents and moisturiser
- Product for the month: Eucalyptus Oil
- My Favorite Uses for Eucalyptus Oil - Interesting ideas and recipes,
- Recipe: Eucalyptus-infused Water
- Avoid the Father's Day Madness!
- Gift Ideas - Shoe Polish, Avocado Pot Plant, Herbal Foot Powder
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New Trend: Fresh Fruit in Skin Care
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A recent newspaper article reported a new trend in skin care which is ‘taking the beauty industry by storm’. Consumers are attracted to skin care products purporting to contain fresh produce believing it is more beneficial. How right they are – natural ingredients straight from the earth are what’s best for the body – both internally and externally. And just as expected ‘consumerism’ has caught on and created products to meet that new need – and to enhance their profits of course! However not only does the creation of more new products exploit the earth’s resources further (in the name of putting fresh produce in skin care products) and intensify the current environmental problems but reinforces the belief that skin-care should be ‘chemicalised’ in a jar! Plus, let’s spare a thought for all those products that do not contain ‘fresh produce in a jar’ and no longer appeal to the consumer (i.e. unsaleable’) relegated to land fill! What a waste of precious resources!
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Here’s my solution – sensible, safe, saves money and uses excesses…..
Any
type of pulped fresh fruit can be used in skin care - a few suggested fruits
and vegetables known for their suitability to skin health are:
strawberry, avocado, kiwi fruit, cucumber, apricot, apple, paw paw,
carrot, pineapple, banana, tomatoes, celery, potato, peaches and
lettuce. Choose ingredients that best suit your personal
preference, budget and availability (i.e. in excess). Plus, importantly,
choose what appeals to you personally (in odour and flavour). It
therefore will be a more enjoyable and pleasing experience! Note: If
you have sensitive skin very acidic fruits may cause irritation.
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Fruit-based FACIAL MASKS:
How to use as a mask:
Apply the mashed or pulped fruit directly to the face and neck. Gently
massage over the skin. Leave for 5 to minutes. Wash off. Best
repeated once or twice weekly.
Additional ingredients:
It’s
best to apply just one type of fruit at a time – but other ingredients
can be added. For proportions – use a blend that feels comfortable on
your skin – test on the inner arm adding small amounts as required.
Here’s some suggestions:
Sour cream or yoghurt will enhance normal to dry skin.
Cucumber
blended with a few sprigs of mint leaves the skin feeling refreshed –
particularly good on hot, dry days! Well suited to oily skin.
Honey or beaten egg will enhance the healing and soothing properties of the mask.
Herbs
– either pulped or as a herbal infusion (such as rosemary, lavender,
and chamomile) will add their own specific healing properties to the
mask (more details e-booklet No. 30 Natural Skin Care for suggestions).
Fresh aloe vera gel squeezed from the aloe vera plant leaves is very soothing and healing to the skin.
Oils
– such as almond, apricot kernel and avocado or good quality grape-seed
or vegetable will help soften and moisturise skin (suited to dry-normal
skin).
(Source: e-Book No. 30 - Natural Skin Care) |
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Fruit-based SCRUBS & CLEANSERS
Scrubs and cleansers offer deeper cleansing and abrasiveness to remove grime, make-up, dead cells and grease. To make a scrub use any of the ingredients mentioned in ‘Masks’ and add one of the following ingredients known for their abrasive and cleansing properties:
Oatmeal (an age-old natural healing agent for the skin) (see e-booklet No. 58 Old-time Oatmeal for oatmeal suggestions).
Ground almonds (or any other very finely ground nuts)
How to use a scrub: Blend your chosen ingredients to a paste of suitable consistency – i.e. not too dry that it feels uncomfortable on the skin or too wet that it runs off when applied. Massage well into the skin then remove with a soft cloth or tissue or rinse with water. Leave 5 to 10 minutes. Apply once or twice weekly. |
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Fruit-based TONERS & CLEANSERS:
Any fruit juice applied fresh and cool will act as a rejuvenating toner and astringent keeping the skin healthy, wrinkle free and protected for the day ahead. Here’s some suggested juices:
Lemon, orange, tomato, pineapple (all suited to normal to oily skin – due to their high acidity not suited to dry, fair or sensitive skin)
Potato, carrot, cucumber, lettuce (suited to dry or sensitive skin)
How to use astringent/toners: Dilute one part juice to 8 parts cool spring water. Apply after cleansing. Splash onto face, do not wash off (wipe off excess only) – leave on the skin to dry.
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Fruit-based SKIN MOISTURISER IN A JAR!
All commercial skin moisturisers consist of two main ingredients: water and oil (usually in a sorbolene base with a range of added chemicals). The water hydrates the skin so that the oil is absorbed into the pores.
You can make a simple fruit-based moisturiser at home by mixing oil ((any of the types listed previously) and diluted juice (1 part juice to 8 parts water) in a clean recycled jar. The ratio of oil to water will depend on personal preference – start with a half-half mixture and adjust according to your preferred oiliness in a moisturiser.
Use any fruit juice – bear in mind that acidic juices (such as lemon, orange, pineapple) will help emulsify the mix so that it does not separate and looks like a ‘cream’. Adding melted beeswax to the mix and shaking vigorously will also emulsify the mix in a natural way.
More information e-book No. 13 - Simple Salves and Creams
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More information about Natural Skin Care
It seems a huge contradiction in terms to use chemicals (which are alien to the natural body) in an effort to achieve healthy, ageless & beautiful skin! The basic philosophy behind my Natural Skin Care approach (via my workshops and publications) is that effective skin-care can be achieved by using just five basic ingredients:
1. Oatmeal
2. Cider Vinegar (or Lemon juice)
3. Almond Oil
4. Herbs (rosemary, thyme & sage, etc.)
5. Honey/Beeswax.
All non-toxic, very cost effective and not tested on animals! No need for any other commercially purchased products or chemicals.
For more information about natural skin care:
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e-book
No. 30 Natural Skin Care: Natural economical alternatives to
commercial skin-care products using 5 basic ingredients: oatmeal,
vinegar/lemon, herbs, almond oil and beeswax/honey for all your skin
care requirements - cleansers, scrubs, masks, astringents, toners and
moisturiser. Plus other alternatives using what's available in the
garden or kitchen. Price: $12.00 Click here for download information
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| e-book No. 13 - Simple Salves & Creams: Basic procedure - step-by-step for making both a face cream and lip salve. Outlines difference between salve and cream, lip salve and cream recipe (with flavour variations), two methods for making a herbal skin cream, problems, precautions, how to make a herbal infusion, suitable herbs for skin care. 15 pages Price: $8.00 Click here for download information |
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Natural Skin Care e-booklet Set:
Contains 5 e-booklets - No. 30 Natural Skin Care, No. 13 Making Simple Salves and Creams, No. 26 Beautiful Hands, No. 58 Old-time Oatmeal, No. 37 Beautiful Baths
For more information about contents of e-books go to 'Shoppe Publications'
Price: $39.00 (Download info here)
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Natural Skin-Care Workshop Download:
Natural Skin Care is my most popular workshop – you can download the entire workshop to do at home:
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Workshop@Home: Natural Skin Care
Make your own facial skin care products using ingredients from the home and garden! Complete natural facial skin care regime (cleanser, astringent, moisturiser) using affordable, safe and environmentally friendly ingredients
Recipes and procedures for making: ♦ Facial cleansers ♦ Facial scrub ♦ Oatmeal bag ♦ Herbal astringent ♦ Antibacterial astringent ♦ Herbal moisturiser ♦ Lip salve ♦ Lipstick ♦ Lavender hand cream ♦ Bath-salts
Price: $25.00
To download go: 'Natural Skin Care Workshop' (click on 'Add to Cart' for PDF document download)
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Product of the month: Eucalyptus oil
Last newsletter featured the wonders of vinegar and the many ways it can be used in the home as an environmentally-friendly alternative. This newsletter it’s eucalyptus oil – another very versatile product that has a multitude of hidden uses.
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How lucky are we – eucalyptus oil originates from the mighty eucalypt tree – native to Australia – our fair country. I once met an American ‘blown away’ (her words) with eucalyptus oil (which she discovered whilst studying in Australia). She said: It’s much like maple syrup in that it is unique to a particular country or location – taken for granted by the local population but desperately missed by folk living overseas where it’s not so abundant (or inexpensive). She took small bottles of 'Emu Ridge' South Australian distilled eucalyptus oil with copies of my e-book ‘No. 51-Uses for Eucalyptus Oil’ back to the USA for all her friends and family. (I hope they appreciated it!).
The sad thing now days is that most eucalyptus oil available to us in the supermarket and some health-food stores comes from overseas from trees planted overseas. And in most cases that oil is extracted via chemical means – creating a product not as good in quality as distilled essential oils. I suggest that you use the poorer quality for cleaning and general household means and the better distilled product for health reasons.
For more information:
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e-book No. 51 - Uses for Eucalyptus Oil: Unique to Australia this popular essential oil has innumerable uses - cleaning, disinfecting, stain removal, insect repelling, medicinal, therapeutic, personal use, softens glues, gum and more. Environmentally friendly and safe to use in small amounts. 17 pages Price: $8.00 For download information click here
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My Favourite Uses for Eucalyptus Oil:
In this extravagant throw-away society my philosophy is: if you buy a bottle of eucalyptus use it to the absolute fullest in every way you can and save on purchasing expensive commercial alternatives. Here’s my main uses for eucalyptus oil:
- Disinfectant: Eucalyptus oil is added to my homemade disinfectant to enhance it’s anti-bacterial, disinfecting and deodorising properties. (See recipe in Back Issue No. 54 of The Shoppe Newsletter
- All Purpose Spray/Stain Remover: Eucalyptus oil added to my homemade spray not only improves its spot-cleaning ability but imparts a pleasant disinfectant-like aroma into the air.
I’ve published the recipe many times in previous issues of the newsletter – but just in case you missed it here it is again:
Recipe: Surface Spray (All-purpose Spray/Stain Remover): Mix together 1/3 cup each of water, cloudy ammonia and liquid soap-jelly OR bio-degradable dishwashing detergent. Add a few drops eucalyptus oil. Mix and store in recycled spray container. (More information: e-Booklet No. 23 – Green Cleaning). Use vinegar in place of cloudy ammonia if preferred – but will not be quite as effective.
Note: If you are not already using this special blend – now’s the time to start – it will save you heaps on buying commercial products. I recently spoke to a local group about the benefits of using alternatives. One lady perked up saying she was already using the spray (after attending one of my workshops) and it’s ‘amazing’ – better than anything she’s used from the commercial collection of products available. She ended by saying that it might sound like I’d paid her to say that – but that was definitely not the case! It brought roars of laughter from the group and might have even convinced a few more the make the change.
- Removing Labels from Jars & Bottles: Very effective in softening glue so that the labels can easily be removed. Also works well softening glue on other objects such as toys, chair and table legs, etc.
- Deodorising: Besides adding to my disinfectant and surface spray (as mentioned above) I use it as a general aerosol spray (added to a half water/vinegar mix). It’s also very good added to soaking or wash water for smelly items.
- Therapeutic: Sinus and Respiratory. Eucalyptus oil is an absolute gem at clearing the nose, sinuses and upper respiratory tract. I place 2-3 drops good quality eucalyptus oil in a couple of tissues and slowly breath in through the nose one or two times. Wonderful! Alternatively, a few drops in steaming water and inhaled works as well.
- Painful joints, muscles, etc.: Dilute equal parts eucalyptus oil with olive or grape-seed oil and massage onto painful areas – i.e. back of neck, knees, joints to ease inflammation and aching.
- Deterring Fleas: I use a powder of approx. ½ cup bicarb soda to 10 drops eucalyptus oil as a dry shampoo and flea deterrent on my pets. Simply rub it in and brush out.
You’ll find lots more eucalyptus oil ideas in e-Book No. 51 – Uses Eucalyptus Oil
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Did You Know?
It's good to appreciate the source from which our precious resources originate – the Earth.
Eucalyptus oil is extracted (via distillation or chemical means) from the leaves of the Eucalyptus tree. Not all varieties of eucalyptus are suitable for extracting oil. The basis of overseas eucalyptus oil is the 'eucalyptus globulus' (Tasmanian Blue Gum) because this is the most popular variety suitable for fast growth. Australian eucalyptus oil is extracted from more prolific oil-producing varieties, such as the blue mallee, red iron bark, silver-leaf mallee, etc. This may explain why some eucalyptus oils differ in aroma from others.
(from e-book No. 51 – Uses for Eucalyptus Oil)
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Eucalyptus Oil Alternative:
Here’s a way to utilize the eucalyptus in your very own garden to make a simple alternative to concentrated eucalyptus oil. It’s not quite as aromatic or strong in scent but it less potent and more natural.
Recipe: Eucalyptus-infused Water:
To make pour 300mls of boiling water over one cup of crushed eucalyptus leaves (and flowers). Cool, then strain. Repeat the process with the same water up to five times to strengthen the eucalyptus aroma. (NB: The water will take on a slight brownish colour).
Use as a hair rinse, skin or facial wash or added to your homemade
creations - such as soap, facial creams, polishes, etc. (from e-book No. 51 - Uses for Eucalyptus Oil)
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Avoid the Father’s Day Madness!
Father’s Day is nearly upon us. Need I mention the commercial money-spending madness that such events generate? Think of Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day and now Halloween! Say no more!
Here’s a repeat (from a previous newsletter) of a couple of environmentally friendly gift alternatives for dad on Father’s Day that the family can make at home with their own fair hands:
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Herbal
Foot Powder:
Mix equal parts rice flour and bicarb soda and dried or
fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme - use only one or a combination).
Process in a food processor to a fine powder. Pour into a clean jar with
metal lid. Attach a lovely decorative label. Pierce holes in lid with a
nail and hammer to allow for easy sprinkling.
How to use: Apply to
feet at night before going to bed or in mornings after bathing or
showering. This powder will deodorise and heal the feet.
More suggestions: e-book No. 27 - Fantastic Feet |
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Shoe
Polish:
Obtain a suitable small bottle (approx. 100ml). Wash and dry
thoroughly. One third fill the bottle with vinegar* and fill the
remaining 2/3 with olive oil. Secure the lid and shake the bottle well.
Attach an appealing label with instructions on how to use the polish.
Optional: Add 5 drops eucalyptus oil for enhanced odour.
How to Use:
Shake well. Place a little of the mixture on soft cloth. Wipe onto
surface of the shoe. Rub well to shine. May also be used for handbags,
briefcases, belts, furniture, etc. It will also restore the appearance
of faded wood.
* Any type of vinegar will do - but for better quality use cider vinegar, or, if you have an excess of lemons use fresh lemon juice.
More 'homemade polish' suggestions in e-book No. 5 - Homemade Polishers and Cleaners. |
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Avocado Pot Plant:
Avocado stones are excellent for growing indoor plants.
Here’s how to do it:
After removing the flesh from an avocado fruit leave the stone a day or two to dry. Place it in a container of water (with top facing upwards – as illustrated) until it begins to sprout. Don’t forget to replace the water as it evaporates – and keep at least 1/3 of the stone base in water. When it has sprouted, plant the bottom 2/3 of the stone in a plant pot filled with potting soil. Water regularly. (From e-Booklet No. 43 - Practical Gifts to Make)
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| For more information about foot-care and homemade polishes: |
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e-book No. 5 - Homemade Cleaners and Polishers: Suggestions and recipes for restoring ''as new'' shine to many household items using natural (and cheap) alternatives - such as vinegar, olive oil, cold tea, lemon, linseed, newspaper, Vaseline, beeswax. Covers: Polishing floors, wooden surfaces, glass and mirrors, walls, stove top, shoes/hand-bags, tips for removing polish build-up and more. 19 pages Price: $8.00 Click here for more information
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e-book No. 27 - Fantastic Feet!: Natural ways to keep your feet looking and feeling good. Covers basic foot care - practical suggestions for maintaining healthy feet, dealing with common ailments: swollen feet, corns, blisters, smelly feet, tinea, cold, tired and sore feet. Recipes for: foot balm, massage oil, herbal foot powder. 19 pages Price: $8.00
Click here for more information
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Thank you for reading my newsletter.
I hope it inspires you to make a small change to your daily lifestyle.Pam Marshall -The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe email: theshoppe@tpg.com.au www.theshoppe.com.au
For back issues of The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe newsletters: Click Here |
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© 2014 Pam Marshall - The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe
You are receiving this email because you have had contact with The Self-Sufficiency Shoppe by either attending a workshop, subscribing to The Shoppe Newsletter or accessing www.theshoppe.com.au for information. If you would like to unsubscribe please see below
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