DIY MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

You’re still in time to make your mom a beautiful pampering gift. Here are my favorites. I have purposely picked out these recipes, as you should be able to find the ingredients quite easily at your local health and grocery store. Have a look in a craft store, or even your own store cupboard for some pretty jars or bottles that you can use. A little ribbon and a handmade label will be your finishing touch.

Gentle Facial Exfoliating Scrub

This is a very inexpensive scrub made from basic kitchen ingredients.

1 cup of ground oatmeal

½ cup of dry lavender flowers, flowers stripped off stalks (optional)

½ cup of powdered milk (whole or non-fat is fine)

2tsp cornmeal

Filtered Water

Yields: approx 16 -ounces of scrub

Application: Use three times a week

Storage: 16-ounce plastic or glass container

Shelf Life: 6 months

Step one: Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl before transferring to jar.

Directions for use (you might want to write this on the label): Combine 1tbsp of your scrub with enough filtered water to form a thick paste. Gently massage in circular motions over your face and neck. Rinse with warm water and pat your skin dry.

TLC Bedtime Bath Salts

I feel like a bit of  TLC almost every night. These bath salts are my favorite. The Epsom Salts help ease tired/aching muscles and the essential oils are deeply relaxing.

Yields: 2 cups of salts

1 cup baking soda
1 cup Epsom Salts
30 drops lavender essential oil
30 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil

Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl and transfer to a pretty wide-mouthed jar. On the label, you need to write the directions: This jar is good for 2 treatments. While tap is on full blast, add 1 cup into the tub and swish around the water.

Minty Invigorating Body Scrub

This scrub is enlivening and perfect to use for a full body exfoliation 2 x a week.

4 0r 5 sprigs fresh mint

2 cups finely ground sea salt

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

60 drops of peppermint essential oil

Pull the mint leaves off the stalks and allow to dry out in a warm spot over night. If I have been using my oven, I pop them on a baking sheet in the oven, once I’ve turned it off. When they are dry, pop them in a small blender and put aside. (You can always add 2 tsp of dried mint from the store if your pinched for time).

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the salt and olive oil. Add the essential oil and use a whisk to blend. Finally add the dried mint, and spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Write on the label: Use with 6 months.