Tag: health

Beeswax Lotion Bars

Join OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary, or YouTube on Saturday, February 19th at 1:00 PM to make your own beeswax lotion bar.

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Watch our collection of self-care workshops on YouTube to boost your mental, emotional, and physical health. The ingredient list is available below:

Beeswax Lotion Bars

Ingredients:
• 1 part beeswax (melted)
• 1 part sweet almond oil
• 1 part coconut oil (melted)

Instructions:
1. Place 2 cups of water in a medium-sized pan fitted with a double boiler. Place beeswax in the double boiler and allow it to fully melt.
2. Add the coconut oil and sweet almond oil, and stir gently (with a spoon dedicated solely to beeswax crafts) until the coconut oil is melted.
3. Using an oven mitt, remove the double boiler from the pan and wipe the water off of the bottom of the boiler.
4. Pour the melted mixture into your molds, and allow to set for a few hours, or overnight.

Notes:

  • By “equal parts” for the ingredients, it would mean you use the same measurements of all the ingredients. Let’s say you want to use 1/3 cup of beeswax, you’d then want to use 1/3 cup of the almond oil and the coconut oil.
  • Vegans can use carnauba wax in lieu of beeswax.
  • If you have a coconut allergy you can sub in shea butter.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Bar Soap w/ Dried Flowers & Essential Oils

Join OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary, or YouTube on Saturday, December 11th at 1:00 PM to make your own bar soap with dried flowers & essential oils.

Supply kits are available at OFPL on a first-come, first-serve basis using the Supply Request Form.

Watch our collection of self-care workshops on YouTube to boost your mental, emotional, and physical health. The ingredient list is available below:

Bar Soap w/ Dried Flowers & Essential Oils

Ingredients:
• 1 pound Goat’s Milk Melt and Pour Soap Base
• 25 drops Violet Fragrance Oil (Substitute with other essential oils)
• 4 Dried Chrysanthemum flowers (Substitute with other dried flowers)
• 1-2 drops Peach soap colorant
• 2 tablespoons Beeswax Pastilles
• 2-inch square soap mold
• OPTIONAL: Small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol

Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, melt beeswax in microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir. Put on for 30 seconds increments until fully melted, stirring each time.
2. Dip each Dried Chrysanthemum flower into the beeswax, fully coating each flower. This will help the flower to hold it’s shaped and not break. Set on wax paper or plate to dry.
3. Cut soap into 1-inch squares and place into microwave-safe container.
4. Heat soap in the microwave on high for 30 seconds, remove and stir. If soap is not completely melted, heat for 10-second intervals, stirring in between.
5. Remove from microwave and add fragrance oil and soap colorant. Stir well.
6. Pour into a soap mold.
7. Place one Dried Chrysanthemum flower into the center of each soap-filled mold. Press down very gently, just to get the flower to stay put in the soap.
8. Spray with rubbing alcohol to help reduce bubbles.
9. Let soap set for 1-2 hours without disturbing the mold. Remove from mold and store in an airtight container to preserve the scent.

Other Combination Scents

Dried Flower

Lavender

Essential Oils

  • Peppermint
  • Lemongrass
  • Sweet Orange
  • Frankincense
  • Vetiver

Rose

  • Lavender
  • Roman Chamomile
  • Sweet orange
  • Lemon
  • Tangerine

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Aromatherapy Rice Bag

Join OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary, or YouTube on Saturday, October 9th at 1:00 PM to make self-care products. Watch our previous self-care workshops on YouTube to boost your mental, emotional, and physical health. The ingredient list is available below:

Aromatherapy Rice Bag

Ingredients:
• 100% Cotton Material
• 6 cups rice (uncooked)
• 10-20 drops essential oil
• Needle and thread (or sewing machine)

Instructions:
1. Fold the material into thirds length wise (hot dog style). Cut along each fold to make three strips of material.
2. Cut each strip of material in half again. You should have 6 rectangles.
3. Line up two rectangles on top of each other with the pattern facing in. Sew three sides of the material, leaving one side. Turn the bag right side out.
4. Mix together uncooked rice and 10 drops of essential oils (more or less, depending on how strong you want the scent) and let sit for about 10 minutes so it absorbs. Scoop rice into the bag.
5. Fold the material of the open end inside itself for about inch long. Pinch the ends together and sew it closed.
6. To make the smaller rice pad fold one rectangle in half, but only sew 2 sides. Fill the bag with 1 cup of rice then sew shut.
7. Heat in the microwave for two minutes and check the temperature of the bag before laying it over your neck, shoulders, or other areas that could use relief. You can also freeze it for an aromatherapy ice pack. You can add more oils to the fabric as needed, too!

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Self-Care Saturday

Join OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary or YouTube on Saturday, September 11th at 1:00 PM to make a DIY Icy Hot with Essential Oils self-care product.

Watch our previous self-care workshops on YouTube to boost your mental, emotional, and physical health. Ingredient list is available below:

Icy Hot with Essential Oils

Ingredients:
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup shea butter
• 2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
• 45 drops camphor essential oil
• 35 drops peppermint essential oil
• 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 25 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 15 drops clove essential oil
• OPTIONAL: 1/4 teaspoon calendula oil

Instructions:
1. Melt the olive oil, shea butter and beeswax pellets in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.
2. Once completely melted, let it sit for a few minutes to cool slightly. Then add the essential oils and stir to combine.
3. Pour the mixture into a lidded jar and let harden in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Notes

• To use, massage a small amount of muscle rub onto the affected area.
• Feel free to sub out the essential oils or add any other oils you’d like. For a vegan balm, use candelilla or carnauba wax in place of the beeswax.
• The rub will solidify over time, but you should be able to soften it with your hands prior to applying. If you’d prefer a smoother texture, re-melt the mixture and add more olive oil.
• Store in a cool, dry place for up to a year.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Hair Detangling Spray

Join OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary or YouTube on Saturday, July 10th at 1:00 PM to make a Hair Detangling Spray DIY self-care product.

Watch our previous self-care workshops on YouTube to boost your mental, emotional, and physical health. Ingredient list is available below:

Hair Detangling Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. vegetable glycerin
• 6 drops Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil)
• 6 drops Rosemary essential oil
• 6 drops Lavender essential oil
• Optional: a few drops of Peppermint oil or another favorite scent

Instructions:

  1. Add ingredients to a 4 oz. glass spray bottle.
  2. Top off with water.
  3. Shake before using each time, then spray and brush.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Natural Makeup Remover

Join OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary, or YouTube Saturday, June 19th at 1:00 p.m. to make DIY self-care products.

Watch our Self-Care playlist on YouTube to improve your mental and physical health with a variety of self-care demos. Ingredient list is provided below:

Natural Makeup Remover

Ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp. Argan Oil
• 4 drops Lavender oil
• 2 drops Frankincense oil
• 1 Tbsp. alcohol-free witch hazel
• 2 Tbsp. filtered water
• 10 organic cotton rounds
• airtight container (such as 4 oz. mini mason jars)

Instructions:
1. Pour liquid ingredients into a jar, fasten the lid, and shake.
2. Add cotton pads in a jar, refasten lid, and swirl until soaked thoroughly.
3. Store in an airtight container.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Rosemary Lemon Body Scrub

Join OFPL on Facebook, @galluplibrary, or YouTube Saturday, June 5th at 1:00 p.m. to make DIY self-care products.

Watch our Self-Care playlist on YouTube to improve your mental and physical health with a variety of self-care demos. Ingredient list is provided below:

Rosemary Lemon Body Scrub

Ingredients:
• 4 drops Lemon essential oil
• 1 drop Rosemary essential oil
• 1/4 cup carrier oil
• 1/4 cup fine grained sea salt

Instructions:
1. Mix together.
2. Apply to skin and gently massage.
3. Rinse off completely with warm water.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Spill the Tea Fes-tea-val

Join us for an interactive workshop to celebrate National Tea Day Wednesday, April 21st at 1:00 p.m. on Facebook @galluplibrary or YouTube at Octavia Fellin Public Library.

We will spill the tea and learn tea facts, history, and health benefits of this flavorful experience. Create some authentic matcha green tea, Jasmine tea, and a DIY Stress Relief Tea and learn about tasseography, a pseudoscience art of reading tea leaves to predict the future.

Supply kits are available at OFPL on a first-come, first-serve basis using the Supply Request Form.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Soothing Shower Steamers

Join us Saturday, April 17th at 1:00 p.m. on Facebook LIVE @galluplibrary to make DIY self-care products. Watch our Self-Care playlist on YouTube to increase your mental and physical health with a variety of self-care demos.

Ingredient lists is available below:

SOOTHING SHOWER STEAMERS

INGREDIENTS:
• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup citric acid
• 1 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• 4 tbsp water
• essential oils
• silicone mold

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mix together the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
2. Gently mist with water from the spray bottle a little at a time. If it starts fizzing, you are using too much water. Be sure to mix frequently so the water doesn’t react with the mixture. When it starts to form a loose ‘snowball’ type consistency. DO NOT OVER WATER!!
3. Pack the mixture into the silicone mold and place in a dry area for 12-24 hours. Once dry, pop them out of the mold.
4. When ready to use, add 3-5 drops of the desired oils and place in a warm shower.
5. Store in a dry place or closed container.

ESSENTIAL OIL USAGES:

Respiratory Support:
Eucalyptus, Rosemary, RC, Raven, Peppermint, Ravintsara or Sniffleease

Waking Up and/or Mood Boosting:
Citrus oils such as lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, or citrus fresh; peppermint

Calming Down:
Lavender, Cedarwood, Roman Chamomile, Peace & Calming

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

Lemonade Bath Bomb

Join us Saturday, April 3rd at 1:00 p.m. on Facebook @galluplibrary or YouTube at Octavia Fellin Public Library to make DIY self-care products. Watch our Self-Care playlist on YouTube to increase your mental and physical health with a variety of self-care demos.

Ingredient lists is available below:

LEMONADE BATH BOMB

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup citric acid
• ¼ cup epsom salt
• ½ cup lemon essential oil
• 1½ tbsp coconut oil
• yellow gel food coloring
• 1 tbsp water

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Whisk dry ingredients together. Add coconut oil, food coloring, and essential oil. Mix until ingredients are well blended.
2. Add ½ tbsp water and mix well. Check to see if the mixture holds together well by squeezing in your hand. If not, add another ½ tbsp of water.
3. Fill each side of the bath bomb mold with mixture and press to pack it down. Add a bit more of the loose mixture into each side. Press both sides of the mold together tightly. Tap gently on the side of the bowl and twist the mold to release the bath bomb. Carefully set aside to dry.
4. Let dry for a few hours and place in an airtight container or bag.

Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.