Did You Know? Green Health Tip: Epson Salt

I have been tense lately and this morning before my shower I decided to take a bath. But instead of a bath with bubbles, I added in some Epson salt.

Did you know that epson salt can be used externally, internally, and to feed plants! Epson salt is one of my new MUST HAVEs for going Green and Healthy, here's why!

Relaxing and sedative bath: Soak in warm water and 2 cups of epsom salt.

Foot soak: Soothe aches, remove odors and soften rough skin with a foot soak. Add 1/2 cup of epsom salt to a large pan of warm water. Soak feet for as long as it feels right. Rinse and dry.

Soak sprains and bruises: Epsom salt will reduce the swelling of sprains and bruises. Add 2 cups epsom salt to a warm bath, and soak.

Splinter remover: Soak in epsom salt, it will draw out the splinter.

Face cleaner: To clean your face at night, mix a half-teaspoon of epsom salt with your regular cleansing cream. Just massage into skin and rinse with cold water.

Homemade skin mask: Apply the mask to damp skin. For normal to oily skin, mix 1 tablespoon of cognac, 1 egg, 1/4 cup of non-fat dry milk, the juice of 1 lemon, and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt. For normal to dry skin, mix 1/4 cup of grated carrot, 1 1/2 teaspoons of mayonnaise and a half-teaspoon of epsom salt.

Skin exfoliator: Massage handfuls of epsom salt over your wet skin, starting with your feet and continuing up towards the face. Have a bath to rinse.

Remove excess oil from hair: Epsom salt soaks up excess oil from hair. Add 9 tablespoons of epsom salt to 1/2 cup of oily hair shampoo. Apply one tablespoon of the liquid to your hair when it is dry; rinse with cold water. Pour lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar through the hair, leave on for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse.

Remove hairspray: Combine 1 gallon of water, 1 cup of lemon juice, and 1 cup epsom salt. Combine, cover and let set for 24 hours. The next day, pour the mixture into your dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes. Then shampoo as normal.

Hair volumizer: Combine equal parts of deep conditioner and epsom salt. Warm in a pan. Work the warm mixture through your hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.

When I get the bag in front of me I will add the other listed usages from the bag as well.

TEXAPLEX

Have you ever made a big decision in your life and later on wondered why you every thought that would be a good idea? 

I moved to Austin Texas 3 years ago when I was 18 years old. I was very set on it and I knew I had some REALLY good reasons for doing so. I wanted to grow up, mature, go to school, "be on my own", live with Chris and well, I wanted an adventure. I got all that I wanted out here in Texas as well as some unexpected trials.

I have every so often had a fleeting thought of "Why did I move out here again?" Then like a semi-truck speeding down I-35, it hits me, Oh yeah, I have a life out here now! And it is a GREAT ONE!

I found this Amazing video about Texas and I think it solidifies all the economical decisions for my move to Austin Texas.

WATCH!!! This is why I LOVE TEXAS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC16-4fh-Qc&feature=player_embedded

Inspired Geekery

Well, it has been a few weeks since I have posted anything. It is truly unfortunate because every night I go through my lists of sites that I keep up to date with and I have been hovering my cursor over the blog yet nothing comes to mind to post. So I hastily move onto the next pressing MySpace update or R/F Forum post.

Well the time has come for me to be inspired to post to Blog Spot. Unfortunately it is while I am at work.... -_-

So the event and ideas that have me so wound up at this moment in time are a few in number. Last weekend at Fair I bought a dress that I could not afford but had been wanting for about three years. I tried it on the weekend before and it was perfect. It haunted me all week and so I purchased the dress this past weekend. Everyone was stunned by how well it fit and how amazing it was. I was just as shocked and was loving every minute of it.

Chris had stated at some point through out the day that I looked Like an elf. Like Arwen from Lord of the Rings to be exact. Then everyone started to agree and well, that settled it. I found myself a new character.

So in addition to Chris feeling bad about not having rockin' new garb like mine (his ego was deflated because I was getting some much attention about the dress) I told him that I will have his new nobles riding coat made by 6th weekend of fair when we go back. This en tales much sewing and learning due to using some techniques that I have not been exposed to yet. So I am making Chris's new nobles garb and I am also starting the process for my elven circlet. Remember how Chris called me his own personal Arwen? Well her Butterfly Coronation Circlet is now on my to do list. I am Thrilled! It is going to be amazing!

So I also got some hair extensions that I am going to wear to make my hair longer, fuller, darker, and straighter. Unfortunately to save on some money I got the hair that comes in long sheets and I have to cut it and stitch in the clips myself. Good thing I know how to do that!

Well, I will be posting some images in this blog when i get home to show that clothes and supplies, then when i start on each project I will post a blog on all my steps with pictures!

*SQUEE!* Ooo I am so excited! Everything is going to be beautiful!

Wish me luck. (I am only worried about my need to have the house clean get in my way.)

Friends Are The Family You Choose

That Quote "Friends are the family you Choose for yourself" is really quite accurate. When I was younger I never really understood it but with my life being spent attending the Renaissance Festivals and with people whom I love to be around in Austin, it has become more and more true.

There are so many people in my life who I hate to be away from. Everyone at the fairs, I strive every day yo be able to go and see you all.

Dizzy and Tony
Christina and Frank
Aquino
Doc and Missy and Jamie
Kenny
Breanne
Rozen
Lord Randolph
Mystic Cloak
Castle Kazar
Earthbone Yvonne and Mike
Lance and Jenny
Kathy
Kim and Dana
Paul and Hollie
Cliffie
Scott and Pinochio
Queen Bonnie
Meg
The Dickersons
Willow
Lonk and Tab and Amanda
Lady Rea and Dana
Jonny and Kira
Rod
Kara
Jay and Jay
Tazz and Griffin and Ivy
Adam
and EVERYONE else whom I forgot... I know there are a lot more. (I grouped them how they fit in my mind)

It just amazes me every time I attend fair just how much Chris and I are loved and how wonderful everyone is. Just how much time we can all spend together and it is never enough.

Perusing and Slacking

I woke up about two weeks ago and decided that I was going to do something. 

I wanted to ride my bike. Wow. Something I have not done in years. Well I woke up nice and early, when the sun starts the rise and the air is still crisp and fresh. I had some food and pulled out my bike. When I started to ride I went around on the hike and bike trails in my neighborhood and did not want to stop. So I didn't. I continued to ride the entire 5 mile plus trail and it felt wonderful! I am now doing that every morning. It is beautiful.

I am also slowly getting back into my drawing roots. I previously posted about the 6 foot by 4 foot painting I did. I have two more projects but I do not have the materials I need just yet so they have to wait. 

Chris and i have also started going back to Fair. This time of year we go to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. We made it up the first Sunday and are going back again this weekend but we are not sure how many more times we can go due to time and money. He and I have both been SO excited!

Unfortunately with all these other things going on, my reading has been horrible. I have hit such a low spot in Inkspell that I have not touched anything else. I really want to read all these other books that i am hoarding from the library. I think I just need a little bit of alone time somewhere outside of my house where I have no choice but to read.

I have not had much else occur lately from the last post other than Chris getting a new job finally. It is helping us mentally and emotionally. Well, I wish there was more to say but i am in a grand mood and am going to clean and do productive things today!