Lazy Yoga

It’s dark, wet, cold and windy here in Wales and frankly on the 1st of the month when the March winds are truly blowing with all their might, it is beginning to feel as though Winter will never end! 

Medically undiagnosed I am, convinced that I am one of the many people who suffer from S.A.D or seasonal affective disorder, lack of sunlight.

January, February and March in Britain can be a struggle, even when trying to combat the effects a lack of sunlight can have with exercise, sun lamps, holidays abroad (if you can afford it) and diet. 

With the exception of sun lamps, I have tried everything else and find the best approach is a combination of all the above. 

The reason for writing this is, however, to share with you, something I have been doing recently to help me get out of bed in the morning, which when it is dark and cold I find most difficult. 

I love yoga and strive to be someone who glides of out bed, unrolls my mat and starts the day with gentle stretches and exercises. 

It looks perfect when I see impossibly fit women on my FB feed doing just this. 

However, when I wake in the morning, I agonise for far too long over leaving my cosy bed and inevitably run out of time, never managing to be the fit yoga person I would like to be! 

Much to my delight, this morning I discovered what I coined ‘lazy yoga’ (haven’t googled yet to see if someone else has come up with same phrase, though guessing they have). 

I woke up and as usual couldn’t bear to get out from under the covers, but started stretching and moving my body using moves taught to me in the excellent evening yoga class I attend far too infrequently. 

It worked! 

After 10 minutes of leg curls, arm stretches, body hugs and even some planks (could do with a better mattress for this), I did in fact glide out of bed and into the shower in a far more positive frame of mind than usual at that early hour of the morning. 

Tomorrow, I may even graduate to sitting on the edge of the bed with some gentle music. 

It may sound simple and too good to be true and lots of you probably already do similar but at the same time lots of you probably don’t!  

I would love to know your experiences and alternative approaches you may have to beating the morning struggle.  

Tomorrow I hope to go for a run straight after my gentle stretches but I won’t promise! 

Namaste ❤

The Magic of Mentoring

In July 2014, I took my place in the Welsh Government offices, Cardiff having been entrusted with the task of putting the recommendations from Professor Laura McAllister’s On Balance Expert Report into motion. Click here to read the expert report

In short the 22 recommendations from the report all are geared towards increasing the diversity of our local government councillors in Wales.

I soon realised the mammoth task ahead, especially when it came to light, the apparent lack of resources and funds allocated to the project, in short ‘me’!

However, with supportive team members, a knowledgeable steering group and 22 councillor volunteers, 1 from each local authority, it more than made up for the lack of funds.

Getting to know everyone in the project early days was great fun and just about everyone I met was enthusiastic and supportive of the Diversity in Democracy project (DiD). One of my first meetings was with Councillor David Daniels from Torfaen, I am not sure what I expected of Councillors but it was not the young David with unruly curls, jeans and tshirt and half eaten apple in hand that I met in the reception of Torfaen Council. I immediately warmed to him and as we talked his passion for the role and dedication to supporting constituents came across strongly, I knew then and I was proven correct that Councillor Dave would be an asset to the DiD programme.

There are far too many interesting, wonderful people whom I have met through this project to name them all, with very few who I felt were along for the ride.  Having worked closely with councillors and mentees has shown me that the majority of councillors are there for the love of the job, not for the money which is hardly a sustainable wage and not for prestige, when they seem to get more criticism than praise for all their hard work. I have been blown away with the passion and dedication shown by our local councillors in Wales and feel privileged to have had this opportunity to work with many of them.

I was particularly proud when Councillor Fenella Bowden from North Cardiff was nominated for a prestigious Business Wales Special Category Mentoring Award in late January 2017. Her commitment and energy to the project is unbounded and she has helped countless people in achieving confidence and is a great Ambassador for the project. When she won the special category prize it was the icing on the cake for all we stood for.

l also have to mention the steering group and their dedication to supporting the project, in particular the WLGA and the wonderful Sarah Titcombe, whose guidance has been invaluable.

From my point of view it has been an eventful 2.5 years, with opportunities to visit council chambers across Wales from Isle of Anglesey to Llanelli Town Hall, finding a lost sheep on a journey North, driving through floods 3 feet deep in Mid Wales, lost and in tears in a rental car in narrow lanes driving to the Eisteddfod, arriving as my colleagues were packing up and locked out of Council Chambers in West Wales. 

One wet Merthyr day I was hours in the back of an old ambulance, facilitating the filming of a video clip by Councillor David Isaac, starting off in the Red House, Merthyr with his Mayor finery on, morphing into his Paramedic uniform to talk about the importance of a supportive employer, to wandering the streets in his civvies later in the day with his clip board offering support to local businesses and residents!

It’s been a blast!

The figures are outstanding too …. over 2.5 years a total of 65 councillors from all main parties signed up to offer mentoring and 46 people from under represented groups signed up to to shadow 1 or more of the councillors.

I learned that most councillors are open to mentoring people from other political affiliations as they see it as an opportunity to encourage more young people, women, disabled people, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans* (LGBT) and Black Minority Ethnic (BME) people to become councillors. 

The mentoring programme has been a huge success. 

25 of 46 mentees have indicated they would like to stand for election. 

Whatever happens next, the fact that the DiD programme has given so many people the opportunity to take a peek into the world of local government and the result being that more than half of these people are still considering standing for election is tantamount to the passion and dedication councillors in Wales have to serving their communities.
The Diversity in Democracy programme is due to end in March 2017, however, I feel this is the beginning of a movement and of something special.

People in Wales want change and are willing to do something about it.
Alongside the mentoring programme we ran a publicity campaign and an employer programme to to encourage businesses to support their staff to be councillors. We also provided financial support for disabled people to shadow mentors, attend council meetings and training.

We have accessed top quality training for councillors and mentees facilitated by Professor Sheila Hunt, expert in mentoring, Academi Wales for leadership and personal development and ethical training provider Equal Values who provided social media training to suit everyone and practical training in improving presentation and chairing skills essential for today’s councillors.

the monster unleashed

It is with a heavy heart I write this post in recognition of the events that have unfolded since the early hours of Friday morning.

When I awoke just after 5am to the news that the #Leave campaign had triumphed by just a few percentage over the #Remain campaign, a wave of unprecedented emotion swept over me, difficult to comprehend in my sleepy state.

A sense of foreboding is the only way I can describe it.

Since the early hours of Friday, I have walked around with this feeling, oblivious to the words of friends saying ‘it’ll be okay’, ‘it just all needs to settle down’.

Particularly disturbing was a text message I received in response to my spending Friday at A&E with my son being checked for suspected appendicitis.

The  ‘jokey’ comment went like this ‘on a plus note we ain’t in the EU, £350 Billion has now been ploughed into the NHS, all those pesky immigrants won’t be there so you should be seen within 9 hours’! This text was followed by an ‘only joking’.

Never a truer word said than in jest.

Following my initial shock it is with horror and despair that I have followed the events of the last 3 days, including the demise of government but worse of all the unleashing of the monster known as racism. A monster that the ‘good and gracious’ pretend is only attributed to the uneducated minority amongst us.

I now know this to be untrue!

The last 3 days have opened my eyes wide to the reality of my existence, to the depth of my friendships, to the world around me.

Abusive postcards outside primary schools, placards telling migrants to go home, attacks on religious buildings, nasty comments in the street shouting go home, abusive posts on social media.

I popped into my local shop to pick up a couple of items and a customer commented ‘glad we are getting rid of all those immigrants’. ‘I don’t wish to hear that kind of racism’ I said, ‘whatever’ was the mans reply, I turned and walked out distressed and disgusted.

For me personally, I have had to re-evaluate my life and my friendships. I never would have thought such a thing as a referendum would tear friendships and communities apart the way it has and make me feel nervous about who I look at in the street and what I say, in case they are one of the ones who voted leave just to get rid of ‘those pesky immigrants’.

The referendum has made me question everything and everyone around me, yet I am Welsh born and bred with Welsh parents. If I am scared to walk out of the door and look people in the eye, how do the people who have moved here from other countries feel?

My instinct is to wrap my arms around every migrant I meet and tell them how much I want and appreciate them being in my country, however, even this feeling is muted by the fact that I personally know migrants from countries outside Europe who voted to leave, I find this incomprehensible!

Everyone seems to have forgotten the real purpose of the EU. Yes, there is free trade, travel, study, work, many of these things I have been lucky enough to benefit from in my lifetime, but primarily the EU was formed in the pursuit of peace.

We are who we are, there is room for everyone on this earth, love, kindness and acceptance are the reasons we are here, we the people of England and Wales seem to have forgotten this.

Suffragette – the movie

In early 20th century Britain, the cause of equality for women was ignored by media and politicians.

Desperate to get their voices heard, the ‘suffragettes’, a movement of women fighting for the right for women to have the vote, decided that as peaceful protests were not working, enough was enough and they would turn to militant tactics, which quickly escalated to violence such as window breaking, bomb making and arson.

Womens fight for equality, in 1912 and 1913, is depicted in the recently released movie Suffragette.

I greatly anticipated going to see Suffragette the movie and was disappointed that in the first few days of release there were only 4 people including me in the theatre. I tried to justify this by reminding myself that it was a week day, but still felt bemused that the public were not flocking to see a movie that portrays such an important event in British history.

In just over a century of cinema, the film promises to be the most significant account of the movement for suffrage released to a wide audience.

Suffragette is the first ever movie to have been allowed to film inside the Houses of Parliament.

The story of the suffragettes is told in a way that even those who know very little about their history, will by the end of the movie have an understanding of the desperation and suffering endured by those brave women in the name of equality.

The torture and abuse scenes are enough to shock and make you squirm in your seat, however muted enough to realise why the movie has been rated a 12A and not 16.

It was a particularly painful family scene, that for me was the most poignant and difficult to watch causing a wave of emotion that comes flooding back, when I think of the suffragettes and what they endured.

Carey Mulligan played the fictional character Maud and her initial hesitation to join the suffragette movement only added to her believability and the feeling of sympathy for the tragic circumstances she finds herself in.

Even the pivotal moment, that anyone who knows anything about the suffragettes is expecting, when Emily Wilding Davison throws herself in front of the King’s racehorse, though enough to make me draw breath and exclaim out loud, did not stir up the raw emotion I felt when Maud the key character suffers a devastating situation due to her involvement with the suffragettes.

The set, the costumes and the quality acting brought each character to life. I felt akin to the suffragettes, angry at their opponents and wished I could have lived in those times and had the opportunity to fight alongside them.

Brendan Gleeson plays Inspector Steed who kept me on tenterhooks as to his potential empathy for the suffragettes and his views on the severity of the punishments

I was struck how few early suffragettes there actually were and that they were not just fighting for the right to vote, but for the right not to be abused, the right for equal pay and the right to not be considered the property of their husbands.

Meryl Streep was perfectly cast as Emmeline Pankhurst and despite her brief few minute appearance brought Emmeline’s character to life with her commanding, charismatic portrayal of the role.

Helena Bonham Carter’s husband supported the cause of the suffragettes and reminded me of today’s ‘White Ribbon Ambassadors’ men who are not afraid of standing up for the rights of women and the right to equality for all people, whoever and wherever they are from.

Late in the film we are treated to scenes of the original suffragettes. I would have liked to have seen more , they were emotive and added to the depth of feeling I already felt for the suffragettes.

Missing were the famous scenes of the suffragettes chaining themselves to the railings outside the Houses of Parliament, however the scenes of force feeding, abuse and desperation, fuelled a personal desire, a passion to continue the fight for equality and a longing to know that in my life I have made a difference, however, small that may be.

Suffragette – a must see for everyone.

Personally, I think 12 is a little too young to take children, a few of the scenes are quite disturbing and as much as I would like to take my children and I most certainly will, I plan to wait until they are 15 and more able to deal with these kind of scenes.

fracking – a nightmare waiting to happen

What is fracking?

Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking”, is the process of drilling and injecting fluid into the ground at a high pressure in order to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas inside.

In the UK and worldwide there are communities busily organising ‘anti-fracking’ groups, opposing the devastation of their towns and villages, against the threat of bore hole drilling and fracking.

Today, the 13th August 2015, it has been announced in the UK, that shale gas planning applications are to be fast-tracked under new government measures cracking down on councils that delay on making a decision. How does this stance align with the government’s promise to give power to local people?

So what are the dangers?

Toxic and radioactive water contamination, noise and air pollution, wells, pipelines and compressor stations devastating our countryside and blighting communities, heavy industrial traffic through our small towns and villages, the acceleration of climate change and all to produce expensive gas that will not even last a lifetime.

The fairly new gas extraction methods used for fracking are energy intensive, using almost as much energy to release the trapped gas as the gas itself will provide! The gas produced is not under pressure, it has to be forced out and multiple well sites are required which means each area that is fracked becomes one massive industrial site. Then following active use, the site is abandoned leaving behind damaged local ecology and a scar on the landscape.

An energy source promoted as a quick fix solution for 20 years or so, to get us out of a situation we have ourselves created, threatens to destroy the future for our generations to come.

Evidence shows the industry uses ‘gag’ orders to silence victims and conceal impacts. Non-disclosure settlements stop homeowners whose water became contaminated speaking publicly. Doctors in Pennsylvania, USA can access information about chemicals used in natural gas extraction — but are unable to share it with their patients. A provision buried in a law passed in 2012 ‘gags’ doctors who wish to raise concerns related to oil and gas extraction with the people they treat and the general public.

In Pennsylvania, campaigners have compiled a list of 6,000 people harmed or killed by fracking.

37 health organisations and a hundred plus medical professionals co-wrote a letter calling for a moratorium on fracking in New York. It states: “The totality of the science—which now encompasses hundreds of peer–reviewed studies and hundreds of additional reports and case examples—shows that permitting fracking in New York would pose significant threats to the air, water, health and safety of New Yorkers.”More than 100 medics and scientists in New York say fracking causes threats to air, water, health and wildlife. 

What are the positive alternatives?

A report by Zero Carbon Britain, an initiative from the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), shows that by reducing our demand for energy through measures such as strict building standards and changing our transport infrastructure, we can power the UK purely on wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, tidal and other types of renewable energy.

Carbon neutral synthetic liquid fuel and gas would be a crucial part of the equation as they have the same chemical make-up as their fossil fuel counterparts, and can be created through a conversion process that combines hydrogen with sustainably grown biomass. This is carbon neutral, as the CO2 released from burning the fuel would be soaked up as the biomass grows.

These findings are supported in the work carried out by Mark Z Jacobson, atmospheric scientist at Stanford University and Mark A Delucchi, specialist in economic and environmental planning at University of California, Davis.

There are certainly challenges of course, however, the model demonstrates exactly how the world could run on wind, water and solar (WWS).

How do we stop it?

In order to get these unconventional fossil fuels, communities across the globe will be affected, but if we take action and refuse to be passive, there is hope that this invasion of our planet can be stopped. Towns and villages are coming together to protect their communities and the wider planet by organising pressure groups and sharing information worldwide.

Recently, there have been success stories in Lancashire, England and Llanharan, South Wales where planning permission for bore hole drilling has been rejected by the local councils. However, with the companies set to appeal and the government hardening its stance on fracking, we cannot afford to sit back, relax and allow this nightmare to happen. For the sake of our communities and the entire planet, we must unite and refuse to allow the devastation of our planet.

breathe naturally

Life can be complex, confusing and downright overwhelming at times.

We can feel pushed and pulled in various directions with the demands of work, relationships, bringing up children and managing our homes.

It can seem easy to book an appointment to see the Doctor expecting a slip of paper with the hoped for ‘miracle’ cure.

With the pace of life in modern society it may seem easier to pop a pill than to embrace  natural ways of combating these debilitating feelings.

The statistics are scary!

The UK has the seventh highest rate in the Western world for drugs like Prozac. Yet these very drugs which are meant to keep dark thoughts at bay have been linked to increased suicide rates.

There are, however, ways in which we can incorporate relaxation into our everyday lives, without too much time or effort.

Do you ever think about the way you breathe?

During times of stress we sometimes forget to breathe, or at the very least our breathing may become shallow which can increase stress levels.

Holding our breath is a natural reaction to stress!

Remembering to breathe deeply and being conscious of each breath can contribute greatly to a happier, more peaceful life.

In recent years the concept of mindfulness has found its way into modern workplaces and everyday life.

The essence of mindfulness is to focus on one thing in the moment. 

This could be a simple activity such as washing dishes, walking, playing a musical instrument or even eating.  it could also be a sensation, such as seeing, smelling, feeling or listening.  

Mindfulness can be practiced wherever you are, for example, in a traffic queue, a hospital waiting room, waiting for an interview, dealing with family disputes, noisy children and in the workplace.

A natural way of focusing and making your body relax is to count as you breathe in and again as you breathe out.  A general guide is to count to 7 inwards and 11 outwards. Counting will naturally make your body relax. If you are feeling rushed,  just pause for a moment and take a deep breath, this very simple form of mindfulness will help you relax.

Concentrating on your breathing in the traffic queue, slowing down your eating by savoring every mouthful and focusing your attention on enjoying the textures, smells and tastes of your food will all help improve the quality of your life.

When it is time to sleep and those troubling thoughts are swirling around your head, relax in a dark, quiet environment, away from distracting technology and focus on your body from the tips of your toes, slowly working your way up to the top of your head.

Acknowledge your thoughts, then pop them into a box and concentrate solely on your breathing.  

We arrive into this world breathing, it is our connection to life. To neglect our breathing is to neglect our personal well being and life in all its beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

apple cider vinegar for your natural beauty regime

Apple cider vinegar is not just a fantastic ingredient for your kitchen, it is an amazingly versatile product to keep in the bathroom as part of your natural beauty regime.

You may be surprised to hear that apple cider vinegar is far kinder to your hair and skin than the chemical laden soaps and shampoos you may purchase from the shops.

Using apple cider vinegar will leave your skin feeling zingy and fresh,  The acidity of apple cider vinegar balances your skin and hair’s natural pH levels reducing any dryness.

Don’t think you will end up smelling like a chip pan either, once your hair or skin is dry, the slight vinegar aroma disappears completely.

I use an organic, raw brand easily purchased from my local health shop or any good supermarket.

Below are some uses of apple cider vinegar.

Hair

Apple cider vinegar removes the build up of product residue and leaves hair  smooth and tangle free. Use regularly and be amazed at the resulting super soft, shiny hair.

Solutions

1 cap of apple cider vinegar to the same amount of water or 2 – 3 caps for longer, thicker hair.

Uses

Wash hair as normal (no need for conditioner),  pour mixture onto hair or use a spray bottle if you have one.  Leave on for a few minutes, rinse thoroughly with water. Your hair will feel light and fresh, as the rinse will remove residue from any leftover product.

Tip

Keep your eyes closed when rinsing, as apple cider vinegar can sting a little if it gets in your eyes.

Deodorant

Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent choice as a natural deodorant and is well known for its ability to kill bacteria and germs.

I have concerns regarding the safety of mainstream antiperspirant/deodorants and the aluminium they usually contain, I find vinegar a very effective alternative.

Solutions

Mix a 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water.

Uses

Following a shower spray on to underarms  – if you haven’t got a spray bottle handy,  use a damp flannel.

Tip

Use in between showers, especially good for children who do not need to shower every day but  may need to freshen up between times.

Skin

Apple cider vinegar is a great way to improve your overall complexion. As skin is naturally acidic, apple cider vinegar can help restore your skin’s natural pH balance. When your pH levels are in balance your skin sits at an optimum level between oily and dry.

Apple cider vinegar will leave your skin beautifully clean and fresh and can also help reduce acne and other skin blemishes.

Solutions

1 cap of apple cider vinegar to double the amount of water.

Uses

Cleanse your skin using another natural product such as raw organic coconut oil.  Lightly spray or dab your face with apple cider vinegar, the acidity will lock in moisture, leaving your skin fresh and glowing.

Tip

Add a couple of capfuls of apple cider vinegar to your bath for a naturally moisturising beauty treatment.

Finally….

For natural, clean solutions, where possible use filtered water.

For extra nutrients and a garden scent, add fresh herbs of your choice to a pan of boiling water, simmer for 30 minutes, strain, when cool, replace the water in one of the above recipes.

hydrogen peroxide solutions

 

I have been using Hydrogen Peroxide on a regular basis for 6 years.

It is inexpensive and has an exciting range of varied uses from personal hygiene to general household sterilizer.

USES

Stain Remover for Laundry 

330 mls of 3% solution in the washing machine with your usual washing powder.

Energising Bath

330 mls of 3% solution into the bath and soak.

Toothbrush Sterilizer

Sterilize your toothbrushes by soaking in a 3% solution

Ear Wax Remover

Remove ear wax by spraying a little 3% into your ear, wait until it starts bubbling, remove with cotton wool.

Fruit and Vegetable Cleaner

45 mls of 3% solution in a bowl of water, soak for 20 minutes to remove chemicals and insecticides.

Cold and Flu Treatment

Fight bacteria from colds and flu by using as a nasal spray or via cotton wool bud application.

Hair Lightener

Add natural highlights to your hair, by spraying evenly over your hair following a shower.

Mouthwash and Teeth Whitener

Use a few times a week as a mouthwash keeps bacteria away and naturally whitens your teeth.

Toothache

Treat gingivitis by spraying a few drops onto the affected area 3 to 4 times daily, the pain usually disappears within a few days.

GRADES

There are a number of different grades of Hydrogen Peroxide, for example, 3% pharmaceutical grade and 6% beautician grade.

It is important to purchase 35% food grade Hydrogen Peroxide as this is the most pure form available.

35% Hydrogen Peroxide is used in food preparation processes, for example, sprayed on the inside of foil packaging and it is also used  in hospitals as a sterilising agent.

IMPORTANT

Only 35% Food Grade should ever be used.

Never use at the full 35% strength, dilute down to 3% solution – this is very easy to do:

PREPARATION

Using a glass or pyrex jug, mix 25ml of 35% H₂O₂ with 275ml of distilled water.

WARNING: 35% H₂O₂ is a strong oxidizer – always use rubber gloves and safety glasses.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

When ready to mix solution, use dark coloured glass bottles to store to avoid contamination from plastic bottles and to minimise breakdown of the solution by exposure to light.  I store my bottles in the bathroom cupboard, well out of reach of small hands, and convenient to use when cleaning my teeth.

Children can use the solution as a mouthwash by spraying a couple of times and swilling around their mouth before spitting out. Using this method will remove the occasional stain without vigorous brushing which can damage the gums.

Even though many toothpastes contain Hydrogen Peroxide as a whitening agent, I would not recommend young children who still swallow toothpaste when cleaning their teeth to use this solution .

PURCHASING

Some health shops sell Hydrogen Peroxide and Distilled Water, however, you can also purchase online, just make sure that whoever you purchase from will guarantee sufficient packaging.

STORAGE

The best way to store your 35% Hydrogen Peroxide is in the freezer – due to the composition of the solution it will not freeze. The cold will minimise breakdown and give the solution a longer life.

 

make your own natural shampoo and body wash

Skin and hair can be easily irritated and stripped of moisture by harsh soaps and chemical laden shampoos and conditioners bought from the local supermarket.   Even products especially developed for ‘sensitive skin’  often contain unpleasant chemicals known to cause at the very least eczema, dry skin and itching.

Children especially can be affected by mainstream bath products which can irritate and cause red, blotchy and itchy patches.  There is a recent trend where some concerned parents have set up in business by developing their own products, minus known irritating chemicals such as sodium laurel sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate and parabens.

These organic products can be expensive and hard to get hold of, when it is actually quite straightforward to obtain natural ingredients and make your own products.

A simple versatile liquid soap is easy to make and the whole family can benefit for all their personal hygeine needs – shampoo, body wash, conditioner, shaving foam and hand soap.

The resulting product lathers up beautifully,  smells good, leaves hair soft and shiny and is more economical than shop bought products.

Using this receipe you can choose to change essential oils every time you make a solution and adjust the amounts of each ingredient according to the condition of your hair and skin.  For example, If you have hair and skin that tends to be dry, you can be generous with the olive oil, as it is a fantastic natural moisturiser and hair conditioner.  If your hair is flyaway and oily go light on the olive oil.

Below are the products I use;

Pure Liquid Castile Soap (easily obtainable from good health shops and well known Internet stores)

Olive Oil (extra virgin if possible)

Tea Tree Oil (or another essential oil of your choice)

Tip

Tea Tree Oil is naturally antibacterial and an insect repellent. Adding a few drops to your shampoo can help keep head lice at bay.

Liquid Honey (optional)

Half fill a regular sized shampoo bottle with the liquid soap, add 2 – 3 teaspoons of olive oil, depending on your hair type, 20 – 30 drops of essential oil and 1 teaspoon of honey, shake well.

I haven’t been too specific with the recipe,  I find much of the fun with making your own products is in the experimentation process.  I would just advise if you are using a regular shampoo or liquid soap bottle not to use more than approximately 20 drops of essential oil and adjust the olive oil depending on how much moisturiser you feel your hair needs.  Thick hair may need plenty of moisturiser, so when making up a regular size shampoo bottle use around 3 – 4 teaspoons of olive oil to eliminate the need for conditioner.  Wash hair twice and second time around leave the shampoo in for 5 – 10 minutes as you would a conditioner.

Tip

Shake product well, before each use to make sure the ingredients are evenly mixed.

Using this product will save money as you will no longer feel the need to buy expensive shampoo, bodywash and conditioners as it acts as an all in one.  If your hair is quite dry, treat yourself to a deep conditioning treatment once a week, by smothering it in organic coconut oil and leaving it on overnight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to my Blog

Welcome to my blog! I will be sharing ideas and thoughts on ways to live closer to nature in the modern world.

Here you will find posts containing tips regarding natural cleaning, hygiene, cuisine, lifestyle and environmental concerns.