Rice milk is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. You can easily reduce the sugar content by skipping the added sweetener. Instead of refined sugar though this rice milk recipe uses natural maple syrup or honey.

Does Rice Milk Taste Good?

It depends on who you ask, but I prefer the milder flavor of rice milk to other options. You can make it thicker or thinner depending on your preference which also affects the taste. Avocado oil makes this creamier and tastes much closer to store-bought rice milk, without questionable additives.

You can choose different add-ins to change the flavor. Add a little cinnamon and vanilla for a horchata version. Or blend in some Medjool dates instead of the maple syrup and then strain.

It’s not something I drink by the glass, but it is nice on top of things like oatmeal or granola. Since trying my hand at rice milk, I’ve also made homemade coconut milk, which takes even less effort.

How to Make Rice Milk

So how is rice milk prepared? There are two basic recipes. One involves soaking uncooked rice in hot water for several hours. You then blend and strain the mixture. The other way (which is what I prefer) is to cook the rice for several hours, and then blend that. The soaking method can work, but the end product is watery. Rice milk with cooked rice is more creamy and flavorful.

You can use either brown rice or white rice here, but I prefer white rice. Jasmine rice from Thailand to be exact. It has the least amount of arsenic, especially compared to brown rice which is really high in arsenic and phytic acid (an anti-nutrient). Some people like basmati rice as well.

What Do You Do With Rice Milk?

You can use it like any other milk. You can drink it, pour it over hot cereal, or dunk cookies in it. I don’t bake with it just because I don’t find the need to. If a recipe calls for milk I usually just add water and a spoonful of yogurt or coconut oil.

Pros and Cons of Rice Milk

Pros:

• Easy and fast (once the rice is cooked)
• Cheap to make
• Has a more neutral taste
• Can customize the sweetness and flavor
• Rice is shelf-stable so the ingredients are readily on hand

Cons:

• High in starch and carbs
• Low in protein
• Only lasts 4-5 days in the fridge

How to Make Rice Milk

Begin by cooking 1/2 cup rice and 4 cups water on the stove. Bring water to a boil, then simmer for 3 hours with the lid on. Add more water if needed to prevent burning. The final product should look like soupy mush.

2. If making coffee creamer, set aside 1 cup of rice mixture.

3.  Fill a blender with 2 cups rice mixture and 3 cups fresh water. Blend until smooth. A high-speed blender works well for this. I don’t recommend a food processor as it won’t break down the rice enough.

4. Strain the rice/water mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, and into a container. Use a whisk to move the pulp faster, otherwise, you’ll be there all day! I have a small sieve, but the larger yours is, the quicker this step will be. I’ve also used a nut milk bag successfully to strain this. You can also use a clean tea towel.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4, blending 2 cups rice mixture and 3 cups water until all of the rice mixture has been used.

6. Put the rice caught in the sieve into a separate bowl. It will look like overcooked oatmeal. I mix this with mashed banana and use it for baby food.

7. Once all of the milk has been filtered, filter it again into a clean container. Again, place what the sieve caught into a bowl. This will look like gravy and can be discarded.

8. Fill your container the rest of the way with water, until it’s full. I ended up using 7 cups of liquid total, including the water I used in the blender. This ends up rather thick and creamy.

9. Add 1/4 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp avocado or another mild oil, 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup or honey and stir well.

Tip: Measure out the oil first and then the sweetener with the same tablespoon. This way the sweetener won’t stick to the measuring spoon and you won’t waste any.

 Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and shake well before each use.

Rice Milk Coffee Creamer

• 1 cup reserved rice mixture
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp vanilla or almond extract

1. Blend rice mixture with 1/4 cup water.
2. Strain the mixture twice through a fine mesh sieve.
3. Add sweetener and extract and mix well.

Shelf Life and Storage

Since this isn’t pasteurized and doesn’t have preservatives, it won’t last as long as store-bought. Keep it cold in the fridge and use within 4-5 days. If it smells or tastes sour then pitch it.

What’s your favorite way to use rice milk? – Comment below!

The post Simple Rice Milk Recipe appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

“I’m glad that’s over” was the first thing I said once our baby girl came earthside. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

My due date was right around the full moon and I just knew this baby was going to be born on the full moon. She was so active, constantly flipping and kicking. I could tell already she had so much personality and was a little firecracker!

Here She Comes

The full moon was on a Thursday and I felt the first labor pains at about 2 pm that day. I told my husband I was pretty sure labor had started but not to worry yet. However, the contractions quickly picked up in intensity and after only 30 minutes they were 4-5 minutes apart.

I called my mom to pick up the boys (and this time she answered the phone) and finished packing the hospital bag.

I’d spent the last 9 months mentally and physically preparing for this. I’d eaten the dates, drank the raspberry leaf tea, listened to hypnobirthing soundtracks, read all the pregnancy books, religiously visited a chiropractor, prayed over my baby, and did the pregnancy yoga.

My midwife and I had discussed that I was doing hypnobirthing and that I didn’t want constant fetal monitoring. She reassured me it was my birth, I had the right to say no to anything, and they would only use the monitor occasionally. I was ok with getting a baseline on the fetal monitor and didn’t think it would be a big deal.

All Ready

During labor I go inside myself, concentrating on my breath, and sensing how to work with my body. For the most part, I don’t want anyone touching me or talking to me as it breaks my concentration. I’d communicated this with the midwife on multiple occasions, but I had a nagging feeling she hadn’t gotten the memo.

I had natural remedies and healthy snacks ready to go for labor and afterward. I thought I’d done everything possible for the best birth experience.

The contractions were coming hard and fast so my husband and I headed to the hospital with the bags and the birthing ball in the trunk.

Arriving

The short drive there was a little stressful and by the time I’d settled into the birthing room my labor had slowed. My midwife didn’t know if she should come in yet, so she asked the nurse there to check how much my cervix was dilated. I told myself I was ok with getting a baseline and agreed to let her check.

I was only at 2 cm and they told me I should probably go home and come back later. My other births were fast once labor started and this one felt even faster so I wanted to wait and see. After asking for a urine sample and checking baby’s heart rate I was left alone to sway through the contractions.

It took some time but I was able to relax somewhat and labor picked up again. The nurse wanted to do several more cervical checks and fetal monitoring during this time to relay my progress to the still absent midwife. I honestly didn’t mind her being gone though since I preferred laboring on my own. I’d made it to 7 cm and was officially in transition.

Starting to Go Downhill

The nurse again hooked me up to the fetal monitor and all of the disruptions were really throwing me off. The hospital staff decided this was the perfect time for me to sign all of the consent forms and paperwork they hadn’t done yet. I was in so much pain my husband had to hold me up during the contractions.

I had no idea what I was signing and just did a squiggle instead of a signature as I could barely hold the pen. Later, when I went through my hospital records I discovered they’d done a full drug test on me without my knowledge or consent.

Left alone once again I settled into a hands and knees position supported by the birthing ball. It had been about 5 hours since we arrived when my water broke in a dramatic gush. My husband got the midwife from the hallway and she immediately started giving me a pep talk, calling me Mama Bear and Baby. I’m pretty sure I gave her the stink eye during a contraction.

She then proceeded to tell me she wanted me to move into a different position for the next 4 contractions. I’m never the type of person who likes being told what to do, especially during labor. I decided that maybe she was right and so I stretched my leg out as instructed.

I was in the middle of a contraction, trying to breathe and concentrate when she grabbed my leg and yanked it forward, hard. I felt my tendon stretch too far and the pain shot up my leg and into my hips. I quickly pulled my leg back and decided that was enough of that. So much for hands off.

Struggling to Be Heard

I’d repeatedly told my midwife at my appointments (and the OB nurse) that I was trying to do hypnobirthing. I told them I wanted to be able to concentrate and avoid using any negative language like pain and contractions. It was important that I could listen to my body in a positive light. However, that didn’t happen and I was frequently asked things like how much pain I was in.

Rolling back and forth on the birthing ball on hands and knees I tried to open up with the contractions. The midwife and the nurse however were gossiping about ex-boyfriends and other things right behind me. My husband gently suggested I wanted quiet and I could hear the irritation in my midwife’s voice in her response.

They both became quiet as I tried to work through the contractions. However, I couldn’t relax as the nurse kept pushing my leg and jostling me around to put the fetal monitor on my stomach. I kept asking her to stop but she didn’t. At one point I just kept saying “get off!” The midwife said that’s not an option and I wondered what happened to “you can say no to anything.”

 I told them it was throwing me off as I was trying to listen to my body and let it do its job. My midwife replied “My job is to get this baby out as fast as possible.”

Which is a very different birth philosophy than what I’d heard during my appointments with her.  

 I didn’t feel supported by my birth team and the tension in the room made me physically tighten up too. I could feel my pelvis tightening, not relaxing with each contraction and the pain kept getting worse. What should have been a 30 minute transition and delivery stretched out for hours.

Just Breathe

Trying to catch my breath and rest for a minute, I decided to lay on my side in the bed for a few contractions. I thought that I’d mentally regroup and try a different delivery position like squatting. I was in so much pain at this point I could barely communicate. The midwife though immediately sat by my legs and told me she wanted me to hold my leg and pull it back.

I don’t even know how it happened but the situation quickly turned. Before I knew it more staff had come into the room and they were pinning me down on the bed, holding my legs back. My body had been ready to deliver this baby for hours but I had been fighting it.

Work With What You’ve Got

I realized that at this point my best option was to try and breathe this baby out. My midwife kept yelling at me to push. Coached pushing was definitely not in my birth plan (that she’d also told me not to bother to write up). My legs were hurting from being forced back, the lights were bright in my face, and the room was anything but peaceful.

She kept saying “Just 10 seconds of terrible and then it will be over.” I knew how beautiful and peaceful birth could be because I’d experienced it myself. With my first birth, I’d had a completely pain-free delivery as I gently breathed and worked with my body. Her words, while meant to be encouraging, further pushed me into fear and pain that I knew didn’t have to be there. I was being pressured and yelled at to hurry up and my body wasn’t able to go at its own pace.

After one last painful push, she was out and it was over. Or so I thought.

Baby Girl’s Arrival

They laid my baby girl on my chest and all I wanted to do was take her in. She was calm and peaceful lying there. The nurses however started roughly toweling her off and she started crying loudly. I told them to stop and they said they needed to stimulate her.

If a baby is breathing fine on their own, they don’t need “stimulated.” I don’t think the nurses were used to seeing a natural birth or a baby without epidural drugs in their system and didn’t know what normal really is. They had the best intentions, but it caused even more stress for both baby and me.

The midwife announced she was cutting the cord and I quickly told her I wanted to wait until it had stopped pulsing. It had only been a few minutes. She said it already had and that “I wouldn’t do that to you.” I honestly didn’t know what she’d do to me at that point.

Another nurse came into the room and told me I needed to get the baby to nurse. They were afraid she was so big she was diabetic and threatened to give her a bottle of sugar water if I didn’t get her to latch fast enough. After having a 10 pound baby last time though, I knew she wasn’t anywhere near the danger zone.

However, the baby was still upset and crying from the nurses earlier and I had trouble getting her to latch. The nurse kept calling her “fatty” and they were taking bets on her weight.

She was 8 pounds.

Delivered From the Delivery Room

After some hemorrhaging and a few shots of pitocin, we finally made it out of the delivery room and into the other hospital room down the hall. It was around 1 am at this point and I was starving. My wonderful husband had gotten me Applebees earlier but I hadn’t had a chance to eat it yet. Once the baby was swaddled and I was settled into the bed I devoured my food.

I was too exhausted to think and fell asleep.

Thankfully the postpartum nurses were wonderful and they let me sleep through the night. At my first hospital birth, they kept waking me up to check vitals every hour or so and I was completely exhausted by the time I got home.

The next day (Friday) we slept in and started adjusting to having a new baby. I was ready to go home but was told we couldn’t leave until the next morning. That night the emotions started to hit hard as the shock wore off. I couldn’t stop sobbing and shaking when no one was looking. More than anything I just wanted to go home.

There’s No Place Like Home

Saturday morning came and they’d done the required tests. I kept telling myself I’d get to go home anytime now and I only had to hold it together a little while longer. Except it was a holiday weekend and apparently doctors don’t like working on holiday weekends.

The other midwife at the practice came in late morning to do my discharge. I was relieved I didn’t have to see the midwife from my birth again so soon. But we were still waiting for the pediatrician to discharge the baby. The nurse kept calling her asking for an ETA and she would just say she’d be in eventually.

At this point, I couldn’t take it any longer and told the nurse I was taking my baby and walking out. I even signed the paperwork to leave AMA. However, we were then told that our insurance would probably deny our stay and make us pay for it if we did that. So I (very reluctantly) stayed and waited.

Finally, right before noon, the doctor came in to look the baby over and discharge her. We’d arrived at the hospital Thursday afternoon and weren’t able to leave until Saturday afternoon. I was so relieved to finally go home.

Processing Grief

 In the weeks after the birth, I noticed something wasn’t right. I cried every night and felt depressed all the time. Every time I laid on my back I’d have a panic attack. Driving down the highway and passing the hospital sign sent me into a panic attack. Sunset was the worst for some reason and I’d feel waves of depression at twilight.

Physically I was struggling too. I had constant pelvic pain and things didn’t feel right down there. I realized that I wasn’t ok and I needed help.

It took me a while to label what I went through. Sure it was a rough birth, but I kept telling myself it wasn’t that bad. I had to come to terms with the fact that I’d been through a major trauma and I felt assaulted. I still can’t entirely put into words my feelings about what happened.

I started pelvic floor therapy 2 months after the birth. After the first session, I cried the entire hour drive back home. My body has started to release some of the trauma, but I still have a ways to go. If I accidentally get into a position that reminds my brain of what happened I start crying uncontrollably. I can’t watch a pregnant woman give birth on TV or in a movie anymore without panicking. Sunset is still hard.

Not the End

I wish I could go back and change things. Never let my husband get the midwife after my water broke. Never get on the bed. Never even show up to the hospital. I know how empowering and beautiful bringing another life into the world can be and I feel like that was ripped away from me.

As much as I want to sometimes I can’t change the past. I’d like to tell you that I’m fine now, and if you saw me in person you might think that because I hide it well.

However, I do know that healing will come. It’s not over yet.

The post My Traumatic Hospital Birth Story appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

So how did I end up flat on my back in a hospital, scared, in pain, and pinned down by four people while they yelled at me to push?

This birth story is much harder for me to write than the other ones. I still haven’t healed from it (yet), but I wanted to share my experience in an effort to process it. And hopefully, my story will help someone else in their own journey.

Let’s begin at the beginning…

Hopeful

My health has been up and down for the past several years. Thanks to Lyme disease, bartonella, and long-term complications from viral illness, I’ve struggled with feeling my best. Once I overcame one obstacle another would rear its head. I was finally starting to get my stamina back (again!) when I found out I was pregnant in September.

We were so excited when we found out we were having a girl. I love my boys but I really wanted a little girl to put hairbows on and take to ballet lessons and gymnastics.

For my last births, I had an amazing team of midwives who were so helpful and supportive. I was hoping to have another homebirth, but apparently everyone decided to get pregnant at the same time and they were all booked. Our local hospital had recently hired a midwife and after touring their birth center I decided it would be a good alternative.

I interviewed the midwife and she seemed like a good enough fit. She was very nice, a great listener, and assured me that it was my birth and I could say no to anything. She also discouraged me from having a written birth plan and asked me the same questions every appointment. Not because the answer changed, but because she was too busy with patients to get to know me that well.  I should have noticed the red flags, but I thought I could manage on my own.

A Rough Time of Things

Like my other pregnancies, I had morning sickness, but this time was much worse. I ended up in the hospital with dehydration because I couldn’t even keep water down. I tried every natural remedy possible and was still losing weight. The “safe” medication for that knocked me out cold (it’s also a sleeping pill) so I had to resort to Zofran. Ouch.

 I was unreasonably exhausted and asked about my iron levels test. The midwife informed me my hemoglobin was fine. I then asked what my ferritin levels were and I was told they hadn’t looked at that. Turns out they were super low so I started self-treating for that. What if I hadn’t known enough to request a ferritin test though?

I also developed tachycardia in the second trimester. My heart rate would get up to 130 beats per minute and I’d be doubled over struggling to breathe. The midwife referred me to a cardiologist who told me I was fine and it wasn’t like I was training for a mini-marathon. My midwife wasn’t much help either and her only response to that was “I’m sure that’s annoying.”

Yes, not being able to breathe and feeling like I’m going to die is “annoying.”

So I sought help from other homebirth midwives and herbalists I knew and I was able to piece together a treatment plan for myself. P.S. Taking magnesium taurate and taurine worked wonders!

Figuring Things Out

With the tachycardia now under control and only one month left to go, I developed intense all over itching skin. It felt like my skin was on fire! I had many of the symptoms of cholestasis (which can be deadly for baby). Those tests came back negative (thankfully!) but I was still without answers.

I finally figured out that I’d developed a random polyester allergy. In case you don’t know, almost everything these days has polyester in it! My work scrubs, bedding, sheets, and many clothing items. After some very pregnant trips to TJ Max for cotton and linen clothing, the itching subsided. I also got a lot of relief from milk thistle to help my liver process the chemical exposures. But again, something I had to figure out and treat on my own.

This was by far my most difficult pregnancy. 9 months of nausea and vomiting, intense fatigue, and other such pleasant symptoms. I still wasn’t too worried though since I had confidence in my body. I envisioned the birth going well and it being an empowering experience like my others.

They say hindsight is 20/20.

Looking back I wish I would have picked a different midwife, a different hospital, or just stayed home and “accidentally” had the baby. I keep running through all of the different scenarios and what-ifs in my mind. As I’m making the long drive home from therapy twice a week, I keep asking myself how this even happened.

(Read part 2 here)

The post My Daughter’s Birth Story appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

It pulls together quickly so it’s perfect for a busy night when my family is hungry and wants supper now. Which is basically all of the time. It’s like if tomato bisque and pasta soup had a baby. We love the rich, creamy taste and it’s perfect for dunking some garlic bread in!

Tomato Pasta Soup

I was craving a tomato bisque, but I wanted something a little heartier and not so much like tomato soup. Hence this recipe was born. It has a creamy tomato bisque base, but I added some protein with the beans and ground turkey. Then the pasta adds a nice carby touch.

I’m not a fan of beans in soup though, so I blended them in with the liquid ingredients. They help to thicken the soup and add nutrition, without the distracting texture. I used garbanzo beans since that’s what I had on hand, but really any white bean would work. Navy, cannellini, or even pinto beans would be fine.

Ground turkey complements the tomato base without taking over the show, but ground chicken would also work. You could use ground beef, but it has a much stronger taste so some of the other flavors in the soup can get lost.

Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Pasta Soup

Our family has been gluten-free and dairy-free (basically) for several years now. I don’t even have to think about substitutions anymore, it’s just second nature. It’s easy to find gluten-free pasta at almost any grocery store but feel free to use regular wheat pasta if you’re not gluten-free. Rotini, tortellini, shells, and other small pasta shapes all work well here.

We also have some dairy sensitivities in our household, so I used canned coconut milk for this. I like the full-fat version in a can without all of the added gums and sugar. Coconut milk from a carton is much thinner and will not work here. If you want a more traditional dairy-based soup, then use cream instead.

We’re not vegan, but you could easily make this soup vegan or vegetarian by omitting the ground turkey.  

Topping Your Soup

This soup is so good as is, but you can dress it up a little. We like dipping garlic bread in it, but croutons would also be delicious. You can add some mozzarella or parmesan cheese on top if preferred. Some sauteed onions or a dollop of sour cream would also make a nice touch.

The post Creamy Tomato Pasta Soup appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

Looking for a gluten free sugar cookies recipe that’s easy yet beautiful? With a few simple ingredients, these come together in no time for delicious gluten free cut out cookies. Paired with a superfood vanilla latte, it’s the perfect dessert.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies Recipe

I had a hard time coming up with a title for this one. These cookies are healthy, gluten free, and dairy free, but they’re also easy to make. I don’t like sugar cookie dough that has to hang out in the fridge for a few hours so I wanted a recipe that was no chill. I also wanted something that holds its shape when baked.

My mom’s sugar cookie recipe has been in the family for decades and is delicious, but it makes puffy cookies. The gingerbread man came out looking like the gingerbread monster.

Hence this recipe was born. It ticks all of the boxes

• gluten-free
• dairy-free
• no chill
• no spread

The dough didn’t even stick to the counter when I rolled it out. That to me spells success. It was easy enough to work with that even my preschooler was able to help without turning the cookies into a squishy disaster.

The Perfect Bake for Gluten Free Sugar Cookies Recipe

I like my cookies soft and chewy, but I make an exception for these. A gluten free sugar cookies recipe that is too soft is crumbly and too hard to frost. Some gluten free doughs are difficult to work with because they don’t have the gluten to hold them together like wheat flour does.

With my oven, 8 minutes was just about perfect. You don’t want them in so long that they get crispy and start to brown on the edges. If they still look gooey in the center, then they won’t hold up as well. The final bake time will depend on your oven, but we’re going for firm, not crunchy, and no browning.

Can You Use Gluten-free Flour to Make Sugar Cookies?

Yes! there are a few tricks to getting it to work, but it can be done. Instead of creating a customized blend with several different flours (rice, arrowroot, etc.), it’s easier to just use a premade blend. If you want to come up with something yourself I’ve had good success with 3 parts almond flour and 1 part arrowroot powder as a flour substitute. I used Krusteaz for these, but I also like King Arthur gluten-free flour.

Why Are My Gluten Free Cookies Crumbling?

Like I said, without gluey gluten, cookies are more prone to crumbling. There are a few easy fixes though. I make my cookies small because they hold together better. And that way I tell myself it’s ok to eat more of them. Xanthan gum is also your friend when it comes to a gluten free sugar cookie recipe. It mimics gluten to help hold the gluten free flours together.

Another important tip: be sure to let them cool before removing them from the cookie tray! If they’re too warm they’ll fall apart.

How Do You Make Gluten Free Cookies Moist?

Most gluten free flour blends have a lot of starch in them (rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, etc.). While this makes for a good copycat of a regular sugar cookie, they lose moisture faster and can easily dry out. I’ve found that frosting them helps them stay more moist. It’s also really important to store them in an air-tight container.

Decorating Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

This has to be the best part of making a gluten free sugar cookies recipe. A naked sugar cookie is a sad sugar cookie. Cookie decorating is one of the few instances when I pull out the organic powdered sugar. Normally we use stevia or coconut sugar in our house, but I haven’t found a good dairy free, sugar free frosting substitute for cookies. I’ve included instructions for a cream cheese version if you want to skip the refined sugar and can tolerate dairy.

Keto Options

If you want to make this gluten free sugar cookies recipe keto, then substitute erythritol, allulose or stevia for the sugar, and a keto friendly flour blend for the gluten free flour. I’m not a fan of xylitol because of the aftertaste and erythritol doesn’t agree with me so I usually go for powdered stevia. Disclaimer: I haven’t tried a keto version so do so at your own risk!

How to Freeze Sugar Cookies

You can make the dough beforehand and freeze it if you like.

1. Divide the dough in half and wrap each half tightly in parchment paper and then put it in a plastic, freezer-safe bag. It will keep for several months like this in the freezer. Just defrost before using.
2. To freeze baked cookies allow them to cool completely. Store them in layers separated by parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag or container.

How are you going to decorate your gluten free sugar cookies? What cookie cutter shapes did you use? Leave us a comment and be sure to share this post with a friend!

The post Cut Out Gluten Free Sugar Cookies Recipe: Dairy Free and No Spread appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

Over the years I’ve experimented a lot with my skincare, looking for the perfect thing. This clay cleansing bar with bentonite clay, nourishing oils, and moisturizing butters may be my new favorite.

Soap dries my skin out, and a brief stint with a conventional soap in high school resulted in a breakout the likes of mount Vesuvius. I’ve tried honey face wash (love!) but I wanted to give oil cleansing a try. These clay cleansing bars combine the gentle nature of oil cleansing, with the clarifying benefits of clay. The result is a soap-free cleansing bar that makes skin vibrant.

Clay Cleansing Bars: Oil Cleansing Upgraded

The oil cleansing method has gotten popular recently. Essentially it involves rubbing oil on your face and then rinsing with water. If you’ll think back to freshman chemistry, like dissolves like, and that’s the concept used here.
It’s worked wonderfully for many of its disciples and has been an epic failure for others. So why does oil cleansing seem to only work some of the time?

Different carrier oils have different properties that are better for different skin types. Some are high in linoleic acid, which is better for acne-prone skin. Some have high amounts of oleic acid, which is better for dry skin. It can take some experimenting, but choosing the right carrier oil for your skin type is key here.

The Power of the Seed by Susan Parker is my favorite book to learn all about natural carrier oils. If oil chemistry isn’t your thing though, no worries. I’ve included recipes for each skin type so you can find your perfect match. Beauty shouldn’t have to be complicated.

What is a Clay Cleansing Bar?

It may sound fancy, but we’re just combining carrier oils, butters, and clay together to make a gentle facial bar. You can use rose or pink clay to make a pink clay cleansing bar for drier or mature skin. I like bentonite clay for blemished skin since it draws out impurities. There are lots of natural options to choose from!

The clay powder helps to gently exfoliate skin while the oils and butters soften.

How to Make Clay Cleansing Bars

These clay cleansing bars are a creative way to oil cleanse with the added benefits of clay. I’ve included two different clay bar recipes for various skin types.

Bentonite clay is high in minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and helps draw toxins from the skin. This healing clay also oxygenates the skin by pulling excess hydrogen from skin cells for smooth, supple skin. It’s also great for detoxing the mouth and is the main ingredient in my chai remineralizing toothpaste. 

Kaolin clay is great for normal or drier skin types. It’s also gentle for sensitive skin and stimulates circulation. Rose kaolin clay, also known as pink clay is similar. The pink version of kaolin gets its gorgeous color from iron and is also good for mature skin.

Bentonite Clay Cleansing Bar

The clay cleansing bar for acne and blemished skin uses grapeseed oil, which is lightweight and packed with acne-fighting ingredients. You’ll also find tea tree essential oil which helps reduce the appearance of acne and addresses the root cause.

I’ve also included a tiny bit of tamanu oil for its remarkable skin regenerating abilities. Tamanu is perfect for those with acne scars or blemishes! Yes, tamanu is strong smelling, but it’s not noticeable once it’s in the clay cleansing bars.

Facial Cleansing Bar Recipe for Mature Skin

If you’re not in the oily, acne-prone skin camp, then there’s a mature skin bar. Honestly, I don’t have mature skin yet. I’m not even 30. However, I do want to age gracefully, so I use plenty of anti-aging ingredients in my skincare routine.

Geranium and lavender are some of my favorite skin soothing essential oils. These help keep skin smooth and blemish free. The carrier oils I’ve chosen are anti-inflammatory and full of vitamins and amino acids to support healthy skin.

The anti-aging clay cleansing bar uses sweet almond oil that’s moisturizing, but not too greasy. You’ll also find rosehip seed oil, which has been nicknamed the wrinkle eraser. Avocado oil rounds it out with its ability to increase collagen, keeping skin firm and full. I also like using avocado oil in this blend for varicose veins.

How to Use Your Clay Cleansing Bar

1. After the bar has completely cooled, pop it out of the mold and onto a towel lined countertop. It will need to be in the fridge for at least an hour, and you want to make sure it’s firm before removing it.
2. Cut off a small piece of the bar to use. These melt if they’re held in the hand, so I find it easiest to remove some as needed.
3.  Rub the clay cleansing bar piece all over your skin in circular motions with either your fingers or a washcloth. Rinse well with water. Your skin should feel soft and moisturized. Pat it dry with a clean towel, and that’s it!

Shelf Life and Storage

Keep your clay cleansing bar in a cool place, away from direct heat and light. Be sure your hands are clean before touching the product and don’t allow the bar to get wet (bacteria loves water!). I use a butter knife to cut off a small slice to use.

If stored properly the cleansing bar should last 6-12 months.

Why Use a Scale?

I’ve included the measurements for this recipe by weight in grams, and also in teaspoons/tablespoons if you don’t have a scale. I love my scale and it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made when it comes to skincare making supplies. I don’t have to get a bunch of measuring spoons dirty, it all goes in one bowl.  The results are more consistent too since creating skincare by weight is more accurate.

To use my scale, I  set the bowl on and hit tare, add an ingredient, then hit tare before weighing each additional ingredient. Seriously, I use it ALL the time, and I only had to replace the batteries just this year.

Have you ever cleaned your skin with clay or oil before? Let us know how it went. And be sure to share this post with a friend!

The post Unique Clay Cleansing Bar Recipes for Clear Skin appeared first on The Herbal Spoon.

The Virtues of Violet Pudding

Violets have a distinct, yet subtle flavor that’s hard to describe. Some species are quite delicious, while others taste like a whole lot of nothing. Before we moved I’d rush outside to pick the violets before they were mown over every week. Now that we own our own house I can have all the violets I want, sans lawnmower.

The one disappointing thing though is that the violets at our new home don’t have as much flavor. They still have the health benefits though.

Violets are soothing demulcents, but they don’t get as slimy as a cold marshmallow root infusion. Like their petals, violet’s virtues are more delicate. They can be used as a mouth rinse for irritated tissues, or an eye rinse for irritated eyes (just strain reeeallly well). Violets are used topically for inflamed or irritated skin and internally as a gentle lymphatic stimulant to cleanse the system.

These little flowers are energetically cooling and moistening, which is good for overly warm and inflamed tissues.

Making Violet Pudding

I’ve made this pudding recipe for years, minus the violets. At one point I made it every week and quickly learned it by heart. After seeing all the gorgeous violet blooms in the yard I just knew I had to try a violet infused pudding recipe.

You can use either coconut sugar, cane sugar or stevia in this recipe. I opted for stevia because it’s low glycemic. Coconut sugar will likely overpower the subtle violet flavor, but it adds a hint of caramel. Honey would probably be really good too, but I didn’t try it out in this recipe.

I used grass-fed milk here, but you could sub in your other favorite milk. Coconut milk has a strong flavor so I would probably go with oat or almond if you want dairy-free. And if you’re skipping the butter, then ghee is a good substitute.

Topping it Off

I was in too much of a hurry to get this violet pudding in my belly, but you could totally add some toppings. Sugared violets on top would make a lovely touch or a drizzle of this sweet and tangy violet syrup.

This creamy pudding is infused with delicate violet petals for a decadent treat. Top it off with some sugared violets or a drizzle of violet syrup if desired.

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DIY Honey Face Wash

I have a love/hate relationship with soap. Even the purest natural soap makes my skin feel like it’s been attacked with a bristly scrub brush and then doused in lemon juice. Unless it’s hand soap, like this lemon thyme foaming soap, the rest of me doesn’t get along with soap too well. When I discovered DIY honey face wash I decided to give it a whirl.

So I stopped using soap on my face.

I’ve tried a lot of different face washes, but I wanted to create a homemade honey face wash recipe without any drying ingredients. Something that would be gentle, yet effective for clear skin.

Soap and I are Frenemies

In middle school my face was riddled with acne, so my dad insisted I try Ivory soap. It was pure. It was great for skin. What could happen?

My face was so red, blotchy, and inflamed afterward, that I looked like I’d been stung by an angry beehive. And it felt like it too. No more Ivory soap for this girl.

A few years ago I used a natural cleanser on my face whenever I’d remember to. It was still drying though. Soap may remove dirt, but it can irritate more sensitive skin, especially for those with acne or eczema.

DIY Face Wash Without Castile Soap

Castile soap is popular in the natural health world, but it can be harsh on the skin. Our skin’s pH is naturally acidic at about 4.5, while castile soap has a high pH closer to 9. A skincare routine that overuses soap cleansers can harm the skin’s protective acid mantle.

Recently I switched to a DIY honey face wash. Since there’s no soap in this, my skin feels soft, moisturized, and yes, even clean! Washing your face with a jar of sweetener may sound nuts, but raw honey has amazing properties. This makes it the perfect choice for delicate facial skin.

Honey Face Wash Benefits

There’s a long history of use when it comes to honey in skincare. Before Gen Z was even born and TikTok wasn’t even a sparkle in a web developer’s eye, Cleopatra and the ancients were slathering on the honey. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks used it on skin burns and wounds. Indigenous tribes used it to clean their skin. Honey helps the skin repair itself and modulates the skin’s immune system.

According to a 2013 review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, “Honey in dermatology and skincare”, raw honey is:

• clarifying to help give skin that dewy look
• full of anti-oxidants
• calming to skin
• nourishing
• softens skin
• antibacterial
• reduces acne and breakouts
• helps lock in moisture
• emollient and humectant
• anti-aging and reduces the appearance of wrinkles
• full of vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and amino acids
• restores damaged skin
• regulates skin pH
• anti-inflammatory

What is the Best Honey to Wash Your Face With?

Unfortunately, a lot of the cheapo grocery store honey is laced with corn syrup. I prefer supporting small businesses and getting raw honey from local farmers. Raw honey hasn’t been processed so it has more beneficial properties for smoother, healthier skin.

Manuka honey is even better, but it can be on the pricey side. This honey has all of the same benefits as raw honey but in a higher concentration. My top pick for face wash with honey is manuka, with raw honey (even better if it’s local), coming in at a close second.

DIY Face Wash with Essential Oils

I had to add essential oils to this recipe as well. Because different oils have different properties, certain ones work better with different skin types, though many are all-purpose.

The Best Essential Oils for Homemade Face Wash

• Lavender– soothing and calming to the skin, and supports healthy cellular regeneration.
• Lemon– reduces the appearance of spots and discoloration.
• Frankincense – reduces the appearance of scars and wrinkles, soothing and evens skin tone.
• Geranium – reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and promotes healthy circulation.
• Cedarwood – helps clarify skin, soothes red and irritated skin, good for oily skin.
• Tea Tree – helps regulate oil production and reduces the appearance of acne.

The Best Carrier Oils for a Homemade Honey Face Wash

There’s a lot to be said about what carrier oil to use for what skin type. Sweet almond oil works great with my normal skin type. My husband has irritated, acne-prone, and dry skin, so I used rosehip seed and evening primrose oil in his honey face wash. Avocado and olive oil are great for more mature or drier skin.

Preserving the Honey Facial Cleanser

Because this DIY face wash uses water, be sure to use clean, sterilized utensils and containers. Filtered, preferably distilled water, is another must. I use filtered water from our Berkey filter that I also boiled. You don’t want any bacteria enjoying your honey face wash!

The honey helps act as a natural preservative too. That being said, this will keep best in the fridge, or should be used within a few weeks.

Using Hydrosols in Your DIY Face Wash

Another option is floral hydrosols. These are the byproducts of essential oil distillation and are infused with the health benefits of the plant. Hydrosols come preserved and usually last about a year, depending on the brand. Rose hydrosol is my favorite because it smells amazing while it soothes and calms skin. You can find hydrosols from Plant Therapy here.

How To Make Honey Face Wash

If you don’t want to bother with either distilled water or hydrosols, you can nix them and just use the honey and oils. This version of homemade face wash with honey is a little thicker and will need to be stored in a jar. To apply the honey and oils to your face, simply scoop up a little and massage into damp skin.

Lately, I’ve been using pure, raw manuka honey on my face as a mask. When I wash it off my skin feel’s full, nourished, and moisturized. I’ll follow it up with a little skin cream with essential oils.

Are all of These Oils Necessary?

No, but you’ll likely see better results. You can customize the essential oils used to your preference and exact skin type. If you don’t have one called for in a recipe, then just add some more of what you do have. The nice thing about a homemade face wash is you can customize it!

Honey Face Wash For Mature or Dry Skin

• Avocado oil is very moisturizing and penetrates deep into the skin.
• Rosehip seed oil is great for wrinkles and blemishes but is too drying on its own.
• Sweet almond oil is less greasy than avocado and combines everything together nicely.
• If you want to keep it simple, just use 2 tsps olive or avocado oil and skip the other carrier oils.

Honey Face Wash Q&A

Can I leave Honey on My Face Overnight?

Probably, but it would be really sticky. I’m imagining hair stuck to my face and raw honey slathered on my pillowcase. A face wash with honey works just as well and doesn’t make sleeping uncomfortable.

Is Honey Good for Your Face Every Day?

Although I don’t use this face wash every day, I would imagine that it would be fine. It’s soothing and moisturizing so it’s not going to dry out or irritate skin with lots of use. You may find that your skin is so dewy and moisturized though, that you don’t need to use it every day.

Does Honey Make Skin Glow?

Define glow. If we’re talking about a dewy, vibrant look where the skin is plump and moisturized, then yes. This honey face wash is nourishing skin from the outside in because of all of its nutrients.

Can Honey Remove Dark Spots?

While a lot of people report using honey for dark spots, that’s not exactly how it works. Honey won’t lighten skin like a bleaching cream will, but it can improve it. Scars, acne marks, and damaged skin will all improve with a honey face wash. So if the darker discoloration is from skin blemishes, then honey can address those blemishes.

Is it Good to Wash Your Face With Honey?

Is honey good for your skin? Oh let me count the ways. It’s so much better than conventional face wash with toxic chemicals, but I’d argue it can even trump many natural face washes. It can be hard to find a soap based face wash that’s perfect for your skin type, which is why I love honey. It’s good for acne-prone skin, dry skin, oily skin, and mature skin.

Is Honey Safe to Use For Face Wash?

In general yes. However, if you’re allergic to bees or pollen you might want to do a small patch test on your skin or skip it altogether. If someone eats honey all of the time with no problem it probably won’t hurt their skin though.

Prefer to Buy Honey Face Wash?

If you don’t want to mess with making your own DIY honey face wash, then there are a few options. Use plain, raw manuka honey. Apply it to a wet face, massage it in, and then wash it off. Easy peasy.

If you want to purchase a ready-made product, here are some natural honey face washes that nourish the skin without harsh chemicals:

• Vitamin C and Manuka Honey Gel Cleanser – Now Solutions
• Clean Bee Gentle Facial Cleanser – Farmacy
• Honey Cleanse Face Calming Wash – Beloved Beauty

Have you ever used honey on your face? Are you up for trying it? Leave a comment and let me know!

Sources:

• Burlando, B., & Cornara, L. (2013). Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 12(4), 306–313.
• McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L. Honey: A Therapeutic Agent for Disorders of the Skin. Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016 Aug 4;5(1):241. doi: 10.5195/cajgh.2016.241. PMID: 29138732; PMCID: PMC5661189.
• Parker, S. (2015). Power of the Seed: Your Guide to Oils for Health & Beauty.

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As a nanny, teacher, and caregiver, I’ve had more than my fair share of germ exposure. At home I often use homemade foaming hand soap, but that won’t work when I’m grabbing a  grocery cart at Walmart. A natural DIY hand sanitizer with essential oils is just the thing to safely keep nasty germs at bay.

More than Dry Skin

A few years ago the FDA banned triclosan, the active ingredient in many hand sanitizers. Scientists speculate this chemical may contribute to antibacterial resistance and according to the FDA it’s not safe for pregnant women. But the ingredients that replaced triclosan aren’t much better.

Hand Sanitizers can Cause Skin Damage

Most hand sanitizers, even natural ones, use crazy high amounts of alcohol – about 70 percent. It may kill germs, but it’s also doing something more sinister to our health. Alcohol breaks down the skin’s protective acid mantle, which destroys the body’s natural defenses, and damages its ability to defend against further damage. Hand sanitizers can also cause wrinkles along with the damaged skin.

Cancer risk

Even worse, one study found 3 percent alcohol applied to skin for two days, caused cell death to jump by 26 percent! The more often alcohol is used on skin, the greater the damage. Even in small amounts alcohol causes inflammation and destroys our cells ability to defend against cancer causing free radicals.

We can’t completely avoid germs, but we also don’t want to destroy skin cells in the fight against bacteria.

Natural Hand Sanitizer Without Alcohol

Conventional brands rely on alcohol to kill germs but there’s more than one way to get the job done. Essential oils have a wide array of antimicrobial properties that kick germs butt. I chose cinnamon leaf and orange essential oil for this recipe, or you can buy a pre-made germ fighting blend. Tea tree, clove, oregano, thyme, and bay essential oils are also good germ fighting options.

How to Make Scented Hand Sanitizer

Take a whiff of most hand sanitizers and your nose will be left with a burning sensation from all that alcohol. The artificial fragrances some add to mask the smell only add to the health risks. Essential oils are my go to because they help fight germs and smell amazing.

Hand Sanitizer with Essential Oils

Certain essential oils may smell nice, but they don’t play so nice with skin. Cinnamon is one of those. Cinnamon bark and cassia cinnamon can easily irritate skin, causing rashes and burns when used in too high a concentration. While cinnamon bark in general should be kept below .07 percent, cinnamon leaf is safe up to .6 percent.

However, cinnamon is a germ fighting powerhouse so I’ve included cinnamon leaf in my diy hand sanitizer recipe. Orange is another favorite antibacterial essential oil of mine and is gentle on skin. Unlike some citrus oils, orange is not phototoxic and won’t increase sun damage.

Is Homemade Hand Sanitizer Effective?

That’s the magic question, isn’t it? A study published by Oxford University Press looked at cinnamon’s effect on bacteria. Researchers discovered cinnamon essential oil is effective against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. A 2017 study, Essential oil components of orange peels and antimicrobial activity, found orange essential oil is also effective against a wide array of pathogens.

There’s a catch though. We have to use enough essential oil for it to kill the germs. When we overdilute essential oils they lose their efficacy, are a wasted effort, and can be dangerous.  The diy hand sanitizer recipe below uses essential oils that are diluted so they’ll be both safe and effective.

What About WHO?

But hold up… doesn’t the World Health Organization (WHO) say only alcohol makes a working hand sanitizer? While it’s true the WHO recommends you put 75-80 percent alcohol on your hands, I’m not comfortable with that for the reasons mentioned earlier. Groups like the CDC and WHO have their place, but they also don’t recognize the growing body of literature showing the antimicrobial properties of essential oils on skin. The best solution is to always wash your hands with non-antibacterial soap and water, but hand sanitizers help in certain situations. Like at the gas station or grocery store.

This recipe is for those that prefer a more natural option. Like any homemade product though it isn’t officially tested and verified to be 100% effective. Personally I feel much better using this homemade hand sanitizer for myself and my kids. If you want to opt for an alcohol version though, then feel free to replace the distilled water with 70% isopropyl alcohol and 1 tsp glycerin.

Natural Hand Sanitizer: Not Just for Hands

DIY hand sanitizer spray is good for your hands, but I also use it on door knobs, shopping cart handles, and strangers on airplanes. I actually don’t spray down strangers with homemade hand sanitizer, but my friend Debbie does… or at least the air around them.

However you choose to use it, DIY hand sanitizer will make the germs scream and run in terror. Without destroying your skin and causing free radical damage.

Know someone who needs this recipe? Share the love with the social share buttons below!

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How Does a DIY Toner Work?

A toner is a product that tightens and reduces the appearance of pores. A face wash will cleanse and remove dirt, makeup, and excess oil, but it won’t minimize the pores.

Using the right toner will also restore the skin’s pH. Skin is supposed to have a pH of about 5.5, but soap has a pH between 7 and 10. A toner helps restore the acid balance on our skin which helps keep out harmful pathogens. This is also why I don’t use alcohol on my skin or DIY hand sanitizer... it destroys the protective acid mantle.

Why an Apple Cider Vinegar Toner?

Raw apple cider vinegar is acidic, which helps to restore the skin’s proper pH. When pH is happy our skin won’t be too dry or oily and there’s fewer acne and blemishes. Mint is refreshing and invigorating, but it also doubles as an astringent to tighten pores.  This herb is also great for acne and clear skin since it’s anti-inflammatory.

This toner can be made two ways, as an infusion, or with essential oil.

To make an herbal toner infusion:

Fill a clean glass jar halfway full of dried mint or stuffed full of fresh mint. Pour raw apple cider vinegar on top of the herb until the jar is full. If you’re using fresh herbs be sure that no plant material is sticking up out of the vinegar or it may mold. Close the jar and let it sit for 2-3 weeks. Once the vinegar has infused, strain and discard the herbs.

Benefits of Mint for Skin

Peppermint may not be the first thing on your mind when it comes to toner. Toothpaste maybe, but on the face?? This herb can work wonders in a skin regimen though. Peppermint is stimulating and refreshing, helps balance oil production, and soothes. It can calm skin irritation and improves attention and focus. Despite its long list of impressive benefits, I regret to say peppermint won’t clean the kitchen for you though.

A skin soothing mint toner to tighten pores and refresh skin. 

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