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Fenugreek Tea Recipe for #HealthyEverything

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Fabulous Fenugreek Facts

Fenugreek seeds are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, iron, selenium (relieves stress), magnesium (natural muscle relaxer), flavonoids, potassium, zinc (creates feelings of peace and relaxation), folic acid (helps prevent autism), and thiamin. 

These seeds are high in fiber and protein, and are used for both weight gain and weight loss.

Other benefits include:

  • heals the mucous membranes of the body
  • has anti fungal, antibacterial, antinflammatory properties (helps you maintain a balanced, alkaline system; dis-ease develops in an acidic inner environment)
  • used for upset stomach, digestive problems, constipation, and gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach)
  • contains choline which studies have shown slows mental aging, calms the symptoms of pms and menopause*
  • naturally boosts libido
  • blood sugar regulator - controls blood sugar for Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
  • helps stimulate contractions during childbirth
  • good for heart health, prevents hardening of the arteries
  • increases energy and stamina
  • great for use as a topical treatment for burns, boils, eczema, and gout
  • anti pollutant for the body
  • prevents fibroids
  • stimulates hair growth

Fenugreek has a bitter and slightly nutty taste, with an emphasis on bitter. 

Add your favorite sweetener or try adding:

  1. 1 teaspoon of raw agave syrup OR
  2. 3-5 drops of SweetLeaf Stevia - Lemon Drop (I buy mine locally, and from here)

 

DIY Deep Conditioning Chocolate

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Hello Beautiful!

I love using bentonite clay for cleansing and conditioning, but when my curls start to feel crunchy dry, I make chocolate!

This rich, moisturizing rhassoul clay deep conditioner has 4-ingredients. If you’ve been on the fence about trying a mud wash or clay conditioner, make this recipe your first!

Rhassoul clay:

  1. helps remove toxins from hair and body
  2. contains high levels of silica, magnesium, calcium and potassium, which are excellent for healthy hair and skin
  3. softens and conditions hair
  4. elongates kinky curls
  5. adds shine

If you have any leftovers of this recipe, keep them in an air tight container and place it in the refrigerator. If you’re using this Chocolate on the same day, saran wrap will work. 

If you’re making a big batch and have lots left over, you can freeze this clay for up to 6 months.

Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons rhassoul clay (I buy mine from here)
  • 1/4 cup cocoa butter (melted, add slowly)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons warm coconut milk

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to your mixing bowl.
  2. Stir until the clay is smooth.
  3. If you like a paste consistency, add less coconut milk. If you like it more like a chocolate sauce (like mine above) add more by the teaspoon. 
  4. Once the clay is mixed, apply it to your hair.
  5. Let it condition for 45 to 60 minutes.
  6. Optional: Add a heat cap for a luscious deep condition! 
  7. Rinse well! This clay likes to hide in my coils more than bentonite clay, so make sure to rinse well, then rinse again!

 

Optional Liquid Substitutions:

 

Don’t have warm coconut milk? Try:

  • aloe vera juice
  • coconut water
  • distilled water
  • grapefruit juice
  • green tea
  • homemade flaxseed gel 

 

Don’t feel like making this recipe?

Try Anita Grant’s Rhassoul Clay Deep Condish. I love it so much, I wrote a review about it:)  

 

The $90 Bonus Recipe | Rhassoul Clay Acne Treatment

The Talking Stick Resort, in Scottsdale, AZ used to offer the most AMAZING revitalizing skin treatment. After prepping my face, massaging my skin, applying a nice warm towel, and about 5 more things I fell asleep on (it was so relaxing!) — my skin looked and felt better than it ever had.

And it should have for $90.

Thank goodness it was for “research” and during Arizona’s Annual Spa Week (which usually takes place in April; here’s a link from last year)). All participating spas across the state, often mark down their services by 50% or more. 

Which brings me back to the $90 treatment.

When she gave me the product she used, there were two ingredients listed —  rhassoul clay and water.

Woooord? 

I had tons of this stuff at home! Over time I noticed rhassoul clay could be too drying by itself on my face. So I started adding raw organic honey, and almost started giving spa facials in my bathroom.

For reals.

 

The $90 Rhassoul Clay Acne Treatment

The honey in this recipe will gradually lighten dark spots (like acne scars), and give your skin a nice healthy glow. 

  • 1 teaspoon rhassoul clay
  • 1/4 teaspoon raw organic honey
  • 1/4 tsp water (add slowly)

 

Let me know how these recipes work for you Goddess. Have a great weekend!

 

 

Homemade Hair Milk

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Hello Goddess,

I love using milk in my hair, but there are times that my hair goes through detox periods and wants nothing milky, creamy or creamy-ish in her coils.

This is when I pull out the BIG seeds — flaxseeds!

Flaxseeds are so wonderful, I could write a song about them.

But I won’t…yet.

Two tablespoons of flaxseeds contain 133% of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega 3’s are wonderful for our hair, brain, body, and immune system.

Omega-3 fatty acids “cleanse the arteries, support the heart, boost immune-system function, and nourish the brain.” Rosemary Gladstar, author of Family Herbal.  

You don’t have to eat this recipe for your hair to still experience the softening, healthy hair growth wonders of flaxseeds.

But…if you would like a recipe you can eat, try my Sweet Flax Milk. It’s really good!

Mix 1 cup with a tsp of flax oil and it makes a wonderful deep conditioning rinse:)

 

Homemade Hair Milk

This recipe is so simple, I added my new favorite essential oil to make it more Lavish!

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups of water
  • 1/4 cup flaxseeds
  • 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil (gives it that creamy look and feel without being oily or greasy — it also won’t clog your pores)
  • 2 to 4 drops of your favorite essential…I’m using palmarosa essential oil. I’ve been really feelin this one lately. Plus it’s light and smells a lot like roses.

 

Instructions

  1. Bring flaxseeds to a boil, then reduce to medium-high heat for 10 to 15 minutes. 
  2. After boiling, strain the flaxseeds out of your gel quickly. It will be thickening as you pour.
  3. After you’ve poured the flaxseed gel in a bowl, add the aloe vera gel, essential oils and coconut oil. 
  4. I like to stir this recipe, but you can also use a blender/mixer on low to medium speed for up to 1 minute.
  5. This recipe will last up to 3 weeks. Keep it stored in your refrigerator.

Use this hair milk like an extremely light leave-in conditioner. If you use flaxseed gel, just use it how you usually do. I LOVE this recipe during the summer and winter months, when Team Lavish needs lots of moisture, but not necessarily more heavy butters, or additional leave-ins.

Palmarosa Essential Oil Benefits

Milday’s Skin Care and Cosmetics Ingredients Dictionary (3rd Edition) describes the properties within palmarosa oil as:

  • “soothing, moisturizing, antiseptic, tonic, and cell regenerating
  • has an immediate calming and refreshing action on the skin
  • recommended for use with dry skin, skin conditions and dermatitis
  • can be used to mask odors
  • makes hair milk smell like heaven:)
  • the oil is obtained by distillation of this flowering grass-like plant (pg. 234).”

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Make this and let me know how it works for you. Take a photo so I can see! #LavishlyNatural

Erica

 

Lavishly Natural’s Homemade Sunscreen (With & Without Chocolate)

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Hello Goddess,

 

I’m so excited about today’s recipe I could POP!

Last month, we made Hibiscus Rose Hair Tea and kicked off our Summer DIY Collection!

Today’s recipe is one that I keep fully stocked in the refrigerator during the summer months — Homemade Sunscreen. 

This rich, all-natural version is perfect for you if you love the sun as much as this Sun Goddess. It’s also one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make.

I promise.

If you can make a hair butter, then making this sunscreen is as simple as adding 2 tablespoons of zinc oxide to your diy favorite…

See for yourself!

Recipe Change From The Video:

I add 1 tablespoon of tamanu oil to my recipe in the video. I love to add extra for the healing effects it has on our skin. To reach an SPF of 18, you only need to add 2 teaspoons (or .35 ounce). Adding more won’t hurt the recipe, it’s just not needed if you’re only adding this oil for it’s SPF boost.

SPF Smackdown

I could only find exact measurements (and it’s SPF match) for zinc oxide and tamanu oil. I added these 2 together to get the spf level for the recipe — I chose the low end of the tamanu oil spf estimate (18 - 22).

1 ounce of zinc oxide is 2 tablespoons. This gives the recipe an SPF of 15.

Tamanu oil also has a high spf of 18 at .35 ounce, which is the same as 2 teaspoons.

The SPF for the recipe may be a little bit higher with the other ingredients, but an SPF of 33 will work!

 

Are Sunscreen’s Really That Bad?

Sunscreens are NOTORIOUSLY bad. The chemicals in most have been linked to:

  • skin damage
  • skin cancer (added vitamin a in most sunscreens — retinal palmitate — can speed the development of skin cancer)
  • hormonal disruptions 
  • birth defects

 …and that’s not all, these are just the top 4!

Not something I want YOU using, and definitely not something I want to put on my kids.

 

According to the Environmental Working Group’s site:

“Sunscreens can affect the reproductive and thyroid systems and, in the case of fetal or childhood exposure, permanently alter reproductive development or behavior.“

Whaaa???

They put together a sunscreen safety rankings guide each year. For more detailed sunscreen info, check out EWG’s 2017 Guide To Sunscreens.  

As always, if making sunscreen isn’t your thing, there are some natural versions out there. I’ve got a couple to share. Just please, please, please, promise me you’ll stop using the ones that have the following ingredients:

oybenzone:

  • causes skin allergies
  • acts like estrogen in the body
  • alters sperm production in animals
  • is associated with endometriosis in women

octinoxate

  • once used it can be found in mother’s milk
  • penetrates human skin
  • alters the thyroid AND behavior
  • causes hormone-like activity 

homosalate

Nasty stuff right?

Check to see if your sunscreen makes the Hall of Shame. It’s not looking good for Neutrogena. If it does make the list, THROW THAT SUCKA OUT!

Banana Boat & Equate were two we used a lot of, which ones were yours?  Tell me in the comments…

 

Two all-natural options:

Kiss My Face Kids Mineral SPF-30 Natural Organic Sunscreen ($12.00)

Badger Broad Spectrum SPF-30 Kids Zinc Oxide Cream Tangerine & Vanilla ($15.99 plus shipping)

 

Where I Buy My Ingredients

Mountain Rose Herbs

Better Shea Butter | raw shea butter - this shea butter is super soft and easy to work

Coastal Scents | zinc oxide — they don’t sell it anymore, but Better Shea Butter makes this one, which is also good 

Recipe Inspiration

This recipe was inspired by Katie, mom-of-five and Wellness Mama on a mission. I didn’t have all of the ingredients to make her original recipe years ago, so I used what I had and I’ve been using the same ingredients ever since…with a few minor changes along the way.

One More Thing — Be Safe In The Sun Goddess

Sunburn is a major risk factor in the development of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. I’m glad I didn’t know that this time last year…remember my sunburn experience from birthday bash 2014???

Even though sunscreens are great, they still don’t seem to provide much prevention or protection from this condition.

 

Here are 5 ways to Protect Yourself and your Beautiful Skin:

  1. Wear protective clothing and keep skin covered (hats, cute cover ups, umbrellas, sunglasses, clothes)
  2. Wait 15 to 20 minutes after applying sunscreen before going into the sun or entering water
  3. Re-apply homemade sunscreen once every 40 minutes while swimming or in direct sunlight
  4. Go outside early or late - early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky 
  5. Get comfy in the shade - find a shady spot or create one

 

Happy 4th of July Goddess!

 #LiveLavishly 
 

Banana Deep Conditioning Detangler

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Hello Goddess,

 

Have you heard of the L.O.C Method or  The Curly Girl Method?

How about the Max Hydration Method?

 

There are plenty of different natural hair care methods out here in Natural Hair Utopia. A quick Google search of “natural hair methods” will pull up enough to send you down a rabbit hole of natural hair care goodness for hours!

 

Many Goddesses have taken to YouTube to share their great, and in their words — not so great experiences and results. 

 

I’ve used the L.O.C Method and recently started the Water Only Hair Wash Method (I’m on Day 6 as I type this). I’m LOVING IT so far! I’m committing to this method for the next month, and seeing how my hair responds.

 

I have a video coming about all of this soon so today, I have 3 questions for you!

  1. Have you ever tried any of the natural hair care methods out there? 
  2. If so, what were your results?
  3. Will you be trying a new method?

 

Share your results/experience in the comments if you like. Hair care methods aren’t for everyone, but if there’s something that’s worked well for you (or something we should avoid…) let us know!

 

Today’s Activity - GO BANANA DEEP!

On the WOHW Method, I’m using fresh, new food and plant-based recipes that will help with total sebum coverage (a big deal in the WOHM).  

This whole process has me feeling real Badu.

If you have some over ripe bananas, or baby food in your pantry, that’s all you need.

If you don’t, both are easy to find and super inexpensive!

Here are three different variations — all great for deep conditioning, moisturizing and detangling.

 

Banana Deep Conditioning Detangler 

Naturally detangles hair, leaves hair shiny and well moisturized.

4 ripe bananas

optional - 1/2 tsp lemon juice (for freshness - to keep it from turning gunky) & 1 tablespoon raw agave syrup or molasses (to keep it easy to rinse out if needed).

The smoothie texture makes it rinse right out, but if your bananas are firm, it may be an issue.

  1. Blend on high for up to 1 minute in a high speed blender
  2. This recipe makes 16 ounces.
  3. Use within 7 days. Keep stored in your refrigerator

 

For a deeper condition:

Banana Deep Condish

4 bananas (or banana baby food)

1 to 2 tablespoons honey 

1 tablespoon coconut milk

1 tablespoon coconut oil (coconut oil alternatives that are great in this recipe: avocado oil, shea nut oil, or safflower oil)

 

Don’t have time to make this today?

Buy 1 to 2 jars of banana baby food. The number of jars you need will depend on the length of your hair. 

If you have extra, store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

  1. Stir bananas, apply to hair.
  2. Leave on your hair for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
  3. Place your hair in a baggy to heat up your deep condition.
  4. Rinse out completely, and style.

 

 

 

 

Lavishly Natural’s Hibiscus Hair Tea

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Hello Goddess,

I don’t know about you but it’s triple digit hot here in AZ (113 today) and time to make our Lavishly Natural Summer Favorites.

Up first — Hibiscus Hair Tea…or Hibiscus Rose Hair Tea.

My roses are starting to dry up in the heat, so it’s the perfect time to add the petals to sugar & salt scrubs, and of course our Luscious Hair Teas!

Since homeschool is out for the next week (homeschool summer school begins July 1st!) my kids are getting as much fun in the sun in as possible. 

See if you can spot them in the video below:)

 

Ingredient Benefits:

catnip - can be used in place of conditioner, moisturizes hair, heals split ends, increases hair volume and thickness

comfrey root - stimulates the scalp, heals scalp irritations, speeds wound healing, stimulates hair growth, softens hair, prevents hair loss

dandelion root - tones the skin, helps balance sebum in the scalp which promotes hair growth; relieves dandruff

roses - fragrant, rose water is extremely rich in flavonoids and vitamins A, C, D, E, and B3; a natural moisturizer that rejuvenates hair

hibiscus flower - can be used as a natural hair dye; has a high mucilage content making it a wonderful hair and skin moisturizer that is gentle for sensitive skin; helps hair and skin retain moisture.

lavender flower - a cleansing oil that prevents hair loss; a cell rejuvenator that prevents scarring and stretch marks; a balancing flower/oil that relaxes and stimulates

calendula flowers - works as a natural emollient, soothes scalp irritation; a cell rejuvenator that helps hair follicles grow, creating thicker hair

rosemary leaves - improves circulation and blood flow to the scalp; helps prevent and treat hair loss, prevents baldness, aids in hair growth

lemon leaves - rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins, which are beneficial for perfect skin, hair and health

chia seeds - packed with vitamins A, B, C, copper and iron, chia seeds restore health and strength to hair; rich in omega-3 faty acids, prevents hair loss, gives hair luster and shine

flaxseeds - high in omega-3’s, revitalizes the skin, nourishes the hair and scalp, adds shine, softens the hair, helps define curls

 

My Hair Tea Recipe

 

Hibiscus Hair Tea
Deeply conditioning hair tea that stimulates hair growth; perfect for use as a hair rinse .
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Ingredients
  1. 2 tablespoons fresh or dried hibiscus flowers
  2. 2 tablespoons dandelion root
  3. 2 tablespoons flaxseeds
  4. 3 sprigs of rosemary leaves (or 10 drops of rosemary essential oil)
  5. 2 tablespoons catnip flower
  6. 1 tablespoon comfrey root
  7. 8 cups water
  8. (2) 16 oz bottles or a 32 ounce jar with top
Instructions
  1. Add hibiscus, dandelion root, flaxseeds, and rosemary leaves to water.
  2. Bring to a boil.
  3. Turn heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
  5. Add catnip and comfrey root to warm water and let sit for 10 minutes.
  6. Strain leaves, flowers, and seeds from water.
  7. Pour into bottles.
  8. Keep in refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Lavishly Natural http://lavishlynatural.com/

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