Body and Soul

So one of the blessing that I have with being deployed is my location. Where I am at has given the opportunity to work on craft skills that I did not have before. Since being deployed I have learned to make pottery using the wheel, how to make candles, and how to make my own body scrubs. With each skill that I have learned it allowed me to explore different parts of my soul.

For instance pottery. I have found this to actually be quite relaxing, because I don't have to think about it. I sit at the wheel and close the world around me. I open up my mind and fully concentrate on the task at hand. My focus has improved so much better with this.

Just a couple of the pieces I have made.

Making candles is allowing me to experiment with scents and colors. To try my hand in creativity and see what I can do. I can not wait to get back stateside to further explore this craft.

These are two of the candles I made. Phillip brought them back home with him when he was visiting.

Body scrubs...now this was fun. Talk about enjoying something! I absolutely loved doing this. Almost all senses were involved (except for tast ;) ) and I can not wait to start making more. After making the scrubs it lit a fire for me to want to learn how to make my soaps and shampoos. What's even better is that by knowing how to make them that it does not matter where I transfer with the military. Everything can pretty much be found in the grocery store! So I thought I would share just how easy the body scrubs really are!

Steps to Making your Scrubs:

1. Sterilize everything your using, and countertops your working on. Ensure you have also washed your hands. Remember you do not want to introduce bacteria into your scrubs.

2. Combine the sugars/powders/salts until they are blended well.

3. Slowly add your oil to your sugars/powder/salts blend. You may want to add mor or less depending upon personal preferences. What you are looking for is a slushy-like consistency. Blend oil and sugars together with a wooden spoon. If you feel it is too dry, add a little more oil.

4. Add your fragrance, if desired. Mix until it is well blended. Ensure your fragrance/oils are able to use in soaps. I would recommend goin to a local store that sells essential oils and ask. Or if you order it online then ask via email.

5. Scoop your mixture into your sterile container.

6. Use your sugar scrub on your body whil in the shower. It will leave your skin feeling soft.

Tips:
Do not make too much scrub at once ir you are only making for yourself. There are no natural perservaties in your scrubs unless you use salt in it..Also ensure to not get water into your container while taking a shower, since bacteria can grow in water.
Make sure your sugar scrub is closed tightley while not in use.

Some recipes:
 Sea Salt and Sugar Scrub
1TBS baking soda
1/2cup cane sugar
1/2 cup of turbinado sugar (or brown sugar)
1/2 cup of sea salt
-Vanilla extract (or essential oils)
*if you added the amount of fragrance you wanted but your scrub is too dry mix in olive oil or liquid glycerin

Brown Sugar Scrub:
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of almond oil
1/4 cup of liquid ivory hand soap
1/4 tsp of vanilla

Sea Salt Scrub:
1 cup of fine sea salts
1/2 cup of oil- sweet almond, grapeseed, or olive oil
5-15 drops of essential oil