This is a great recipe if you have sore muscles after a workout, tennis elbow or just achey bones. It’s pretty easy to make and while I make it for my bones, I’ve also used it on my salad! It’s wonderful either way! You can 1/2 the recipe or double - it’s not an exact recipe.

Athlete Rub

A pint jar
1/4 cup celery salt
1/4 cup hot pepper, crushed finely
1/2 cup crushed rosemary - fresh if possible
Olive Oil - enough to cover all ingredients in jar.

Just put all your ingredients in the clean glass jar and cover with Olive oil. Close that lid tight, shake well, and set in a warm sunny spot for about 2 weeks. Don’t forget to shake it once or twice a day. After it steeps for about 2 weeks, then strain the ingredients out of the Olive Oil and pour into dark amber jars or bottles. When you need a good rub….just pour a bit in the palm of your hand and rub away.

Let me know if you try it and how you liked it!

~Pam ~

An easy to make all Veggie soap that is great on your skin!

Vegetable Soap

50 Ounces Olive Oil
17 Ounces Coconut Oil
18 Ounces Any All Vegetable Shortening
11.5 Ounces Lye
32 Ounces Soft Water

Temperature - Lye Water 95-98 degrees ats 95-98 degrees

Instructions:

This is the big TIP - The night before making your soap, measure the lye and water into a container, stir until dissolved and then…..put it in a SECURE place where no one will get to it!

NOW, Soap Making Day….heat up a pot of water to boiling and place your cooled lye water into it. Warm it up to 98 degrees. Place your fats/oils in a pan and heat them to the right temperature.

When are at the correct temperatures, pour fats into a bowl and pour lye water into fats, as yo stir constantly or grab your handy dandy stick blender and give it a whirl. Soap will trace fairly quickly when using the stick blender. After it comes to trace, it’s time for you to add dried flowers, herbs, essential oils or whatever you choose. Stir again to mix thoroughly.

Pour this glob into your greased mold. I usually cover the top of the mold with a blanket and let it sit for 12-24 hours. After this time you can unmold it and cut it as desired and then stack it so that the air can circulate between the layers. Leave soap in a room temperature area for about 3-4 weeks. Should be ready to use after that.

For more info - check out our recipes at Missouri Crafts Network Soap Category!

~Pam~

Simple but Elegant Bath Salts

1/2 pound Epsom Salts
1/2 pound Baking Soda
1/2 pound Sea Salt
1/2 tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil or Oil of your choice
1 - 2 teaspoons essential oil(s)

Mix all ingredients in large bowl and then knead with hands until well blended.
You only have to let this mix dry out a couple hours before pouring it into fancy jars, labeling it, and tieing it all up with a pretty bow to give away to a dear friend.

I love making soap! And it is true - no lye - no soap! I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked if my soap has lye in it! hehe - but I’ve got the ready answer - NO LYE NO SOAP - NO WAY!

My favorite soap is a wonderful mix of natural ingredients of Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Coconut Oil - along with real lavender flowers from my garden, and lavender essential oil. Oh my … not only does it smell like heaven, it IS heaven! The luxurious bubbles and creamy feeling that glides along your curves (or no curves) makes you feel like the most pampered person on the earth.

It actually is very easy to make - and I’ll be posting a recipe for Lavender Soap soon. Keep checking back.

~Pam~