Beeswax Candles

         The other day I bought some nice smelly candle melts in order to give our house a lovely fall scent of pumpkin and spices. I should have left that up to the pumpkin bread I had baked earlier that day. We have eliminated basically all chemical based products from our house. From household cleaners to personal care products, and now...smelly candles. I woke up in the middle of the night with my asthma and allergies triggered and had to pop an allergy pill. I started doing my research, as I always do when I'm about to be rid of yet another chemical based product. Before I started on this journey to try and make the products we use healthier, and I do make a lot of my own, my body was not bothered by many of the dangerous products that line store shelves. Today that's a completely different story. I have grown sensitive to many of the products I used to use. It's actually an incentive now to stay away from them. Not to mention that I enjoy making my own stuff!
           What I found when researching candles, is that many of the fragrances and whatnot that are in candles we buy at most stores, are not good for those who suffer from Asthma and allergies. Not good for anyone really!
         I found that beeswax, when burned, will help to cleanse the air in your house. What's even better, beeswax candles only require a few ingredients and are super easy to make. Now, I haven't made any yet, but will be on my way to find those ingredients later today. Once I get them made I will post the recipe I use and pictures. I can't wait to get started on this next project. Should BEE fun!

All Natural Hand Sanitizer Recipe

I really can't stand the smell of the hand sanitizers you buy at the store and I don't like the way my hands feel after I use them.  Now I make my own! I love this recipe because it contains no rubbing alcohol so my hands don't dry out after using it.  In fact, just the opposite, they feel clean and soft! I have saved empty sanitizer bottles to use to make my own.  It saves money this way, not having to go buy empty bottles.  The recipe:

Hand Sanitizer
4 Tbsp. Aloe Vera Gel
1/2 Tbsp. Witch Hazel
1/8 tsp. Vitamin E Oil
4 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
4 drops Lavender Essential Oil
2 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Using a funnel, pour all ingredients into empty bottle (my bottle was 2 oz. size).  Put lid back on a shake well.  Shake well before each use. Enjoy using this all natural homemade hand sanitizer!

Homemade Air Freshener

Does your house have a not so fresh smell?  Today I made a homemade air freshener using very simple ingredients.  Distilled water and essential oils and a spray bottle is all you need!  Glass spray bottles work better than plastic.  Over time the essential oils can eat through the plastic.  I have used plastic with no problems though.  I bought a couple 4 oz. (I think) glass spray bottles at our local natural foods store.  Fill the bottle almost all the way full with the distilled water and add essential oils of your choice.  Some of the oils that have cleansing properties are Lavender, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Clove, Cinnamon, Tea Tree.  I use a combination of Purification, Lavender, and Lemon.  Shake before each use, spray and enjoy the fresh scent throughout your house.  I use the good cleansing oils especially during cold and flu season.  The oils work to kill bacteria and viruses in the air.  They work much differently than commercial air fresheners.  They actually kill the things in the air that are causing the odor and truly cleanse the air.  Where as commercial air fresheners, with synthetic fragrances, only mask the smell for a short time.  Give it a try, you won't be sorry!