Easy Citronella Candles

Summer and autumn evenings are a perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy time with family and friends, yet they are often accompanied by unwelcome visitors. To create a lovely ambiance and shoo away unwelcome mosquitoes and other bugs, try making this quick and easy citronella candle.

Quick & Easy Citronella Candle

• Servings: Yield=1 candle
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• Mason jar
• Water
• Olive oil
• Floating candle wick
• 2–4 drops citronella essential oil

Instructions:

1. Fill the mason jar 3/4 of the way full with water.
2. Fill the remaining 1/4 of the jar with olive oil.
3. Add 2–4 drops of citronella essential oil to the jar.
4. Set a floating candle wick on top of the oil, light the candle, and set it outside where bugs are likely to linger.

Make as many candles as you’d like to create ambiance and repel bugs.

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Soothing Lavender Lotion

Help your kids sleep at night by massaging a little bit of this soothing lavender lotion on their feet. This lotion is so smooth and smells amazing—you may even be tempted to just apply it to yourself!

• Servings: Yield=8 oz. (240 ml)
• Time: 15–20 minutes active
• Difficulty: Moderate
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 Tbsp. (14 g) Shea Butter*
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (7 g) Beeswax Pellets
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. (18 g) Coconut Oil
• 5 Tbsp. (75 ml) Fractionated Coconut Oil
• 3 Tbsp. (45 ml) Jojoba Oil
• 3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp. (195 ml) distilled water
• 25 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 oz. Purple Plastic Bottle with Black Pump Top

Instructions:

1. In a double boiler, melt shea butter and beeswax pellets over low heat. Once melted, add coconut oil, and continue heating until almost melted. Remove from heat, and stir until everything finishes melting.
2. Stir in fractionated coconut oil and jojoba oil.
3. Heat distilled water until warm.
4. Using a hand mixer, start beating water and slowly add the oil mixture while continuing to beat. Keep beating for a couple minutes. As you blend, you will hear a change and feel the lotion thicken. Let stand for a few minutes. If lotion separates during this time, continue to blend it again for a couple more minutes. If it doesn’t separate, then it has emulsified properly.
5. Mix in lavender essential oil.
6. Pour lotion into a plastic bag. Snip off a corner of the bag, and squeeze the lotion into the 8 oz. bottle with pump top.
7. To use, pump a little into your hand, and massage into the skin as needed.

*Shea butter contains latex. If you are allergic to latex, substitute 1/4 oz. Cocoa Butter and 1/4 oz. Coconut Oil for the shea butter in this recipe.

Cacao Peppermint Body Scrub

Antioxidant-rich cacao and the antiseptic properties of peppermint, combined with the richness of coconut oil, will leave your skin feeling revitalized and silky!

• Servings: 1 1/2 C (360 g)
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 cup (149 g) ground cacao beans
• 4 Tbsp. (57 g) raw sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) melted coconut oil
• 15–20 drops peppermint essential oil
• 16 oz. PET Jar

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground cacao beans with the raw sugar.
2. Melt the coconut oil, and stir it into the cacao mix.
3. Drop in the desired amount of peppermint, and stir.
4. Transfer the mixture to your PET jar. Gently scrub on anywhere you want soft, smooth skin.

Clean Your Kids’ Toys Naturally with Essential Oils

Kids’ toys are notorious for having lots of germs! Not only are they constantly being dropped on the floor, but because babies and toddlers like to put things in their mouths, germs seem to be ever-present on toys. If you are concerned about keeping your kids’ toys cleaned, give this Toy Cleaning Spray a try!

Toy Cleaning Spray

• Servings: Yield=1/2 cup (120 ml)
• Time: 2 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) hydrogen peroxide
• 4 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 oz. plastic spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Fill the 4 oz. spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide. Add the lemon essential oil. Screw the lid on, and shake to combine.
2. To use, spray the toys thoroughly. Let sit for a few minutes, then wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Note: Hydrogen peroxide can lose its effectiveness if exposed to sunlight. It is best to store your Toy Cleaning Spray in a container that will protect it from sun exposure.

Lemon Rosemary Body Scrub

Pamper your mother this year with this quick and simple gift. It takes minutes to put together and will make her feel like a queen this Mother’s Day!

• Servings: Yield=2 cups (480 ml)
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 1/2 cups (360 g) Epsom Salt
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3–4 drops lemon essential oil
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) Fractionated Coconut Oil, divided
• 16 oz. PET Jar

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine epsom salt, rosemary essential oil, lemon essential oil, and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of fractionated coconut oil.
2. Mix well.
3. Transfer mixture from mixing bowl to a 16 oz. (480 ml) container. Fill the container with the remaining 1/2 cup (120 ml) of fractionated coconut oil.
4. Scoop a small amount into your hand, and scrub your body during a bath or shower. Repeat as necessary.

Citrus Shower Melts

Some of us really aren’t morning people and need a little help feeling energized and positive when waking up. If you can relate, these Citrus Shower Melts may be just the thing you need! Place one in your morning shower, and enjoy the wonderful, energizing citrus scent as your bathroom fills with steam and the hot water hits the shower melt. Be careful though—you may find yourself loving your morning when you start it with one of these!

• Servings: Yield=8–10 melts
• Time: 15 minutes active; 1 hour inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 cup (149 g) cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) water + more as needed
• Yellow and red food coloring (optional)
• 6 drops lemon essential oil
• 6 drops orange essential oil
• 4 drops bergamot essential oil
• 16 oz. PET Jar

Instructions:

1. Place cornstarch in a mixing bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine 2 Tbsp. of water, a few drops of food coloring, and essential oils.
   Stir water mixture into the cornstarch, and continue adding water drop by drop until a thick crumb-like paste starts to form.
3. Transfer to an ice cube tray or silicone mold, and freeze until set (about an hour).
4. To use, place a shower melt on the floor of your shower, and turn the hot water on. Enjoy the citrus aroma as the water and steam hit the shower melt!
5. Store in a airtight container like this PET Jar. Note: If you added too much water and they start to melt, you will want to keep them frozen until you use them. Otherwise, you can store them at room temperature.

Essential Oil Dilution Stick

Many essential oils require dilution, especially if used on children, pregnant women, or people with sensitive skin. Click here for more information about diluting essential oils. Sometimes, carrier oils can get a little messy and can especially be a hassle when using essential oils on a wiggly child. One way to reduce the mess is to use these Dilution Sticks! Each stick contains a formula of carrier oils that are not only good for the skin, but also remain solid at room temperature. The sticks are so simple to use, even a small child can help you!

This Dilution Stick recipe does not contain essential oils, so it can be used with whichever essential oil you need at the time. To use the stick, simply twist it up and rub it onto your skin before (or after) applying your essential oils. If you have a favorite essential oil you know you will be using a lot, you can simply add the oil to the melted liquid before pouring the mixture into your containers. Or you can add the essential oil after pouring the carrier oil mixture into the containers—just make sure to stir the essential oil in with a toothpick or bamboo skewer before the mixture cools. A good dilution ratio is 1–2 drops per .15 oz. (4.25 g) of carrier oil mixture. This would result in the following essential oil drops per container:

• 1–2 drops of essential oil for each Lip Balm Tube (.15 oz./4.25 g)
• 2–4 drops of essential oil for each Travel Deodorant Container (.35 oz./10 g)
• 20–30 drops of essential oil for the Large Deodorant Container (2.65 oz./75 g)

If you love this idea, but don’t want to take the time to make it, you can always buy a Carrier Oil Stick from Abundant Health™ that is all ready to go. A smaller On-The-Go Stick is also available for purchase.

The following recipe makes 2 Dilution Sticks—1 big and 1 small. Keep the big one at home and the small one in your purse or travel oil bag so you always have one available when you need it!

• Servings: Yield=3 oz./85 g
• Time: 10–15 minutes active; 15 minutes inactive
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 1 oz. (28.5 g) Shea Butter (about 1/4 cup)
• .75 oz. (21.25 g) Beeswax Pellets (about 5 Tbsp.)
• .75 oz. (21.25 g) Coconut Oil (about 1 1/2 Tbsp.)
• .5 oz. (14 g) Sweet Almond Oil (about 1 1/2 Tbsp.)
• 1 Large Deodorant Container (2.65 oz.)
• 1 Travel Deodorant Container (.35 oz.)

Instructions:

1. Place the shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler on the stove over medium-low heat. You can create a double boiler by placing a glass measuring cup (containing the ingredients) in a pan filled with an inch or so of water.
2. Once the shea butter and beeswax are melted, reduce the heat to low, and add the coconut oil. When the coconut oil is melted, add the sweet almond oil, and remove from heat. Continue stirring until all the oils have melted together.
3. Make sure your deodorant containers are clean and twisted all the way down. Pour the oil into your deodorant containers, and allow to cool. You can place them in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.
4. To use, rub the stick over the skin before applying essential oils.

Extra Idea:

• If you have a favorite essential oil you know you will be using a lot, you can simply add the oil to the melted liquid before pouring the mixture into your deodorant containers. You can also add the essential oil after pouring the carrier oil mixture into the containers. Just make sure to stir the essential oil in with a toothpick or bamboo skewer. A good dilution ratio is 1–2 drops essential oil per .15 oz. (4.25 g) of carrier oil mixture.
• Other twist-up containers will also work, including our Lip Balm Dispensing Tubes (.15 oz/4.25 g).

Note: Shea butter contains latex (a natural rubber). If you are allergic or sensitive to latex, do a skin patch test prior to making this recipe, or use Mango Butter for a substitute and reduce the amount of beeswax pellets used.

Essential Oil–Scented Bouncy Balls

We know it can be hard to get your children excited about essential oils, so we’ve found a fun way to keep them entertained while being exposed to essential oils. Your kids will not only love playing with these bouncy balls, but they will also enjoy the smell they leave on their hands. You can put any kid-safe oils in the bouncy balls. Some of the oils we used were lemon, orange, and lavender.

• Servings: Yield: 1 ball
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 4 oz. warm water
• 1 tsp. borax
• 1 Tbsp. liquid glue
• 5–10 drops of your favorite essential oils
• 3–4 drops food coloring
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Combine warm water and borax in a small cup or bowl. Stir until borax is completely dissolved, and then set aside.
2. In a glass bowl or cup, combine glue, essential oils, and food coloring.
3. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the borax solution with cornstarch to the glue. Allow the ingredients to interact for 15 seconds before stirring.
4. Stir the mixture together using a metal spoon until it becomes too stiff to stir. Then, pull the spoon out, and mold the the mixture into a ball by kneading it with your hands. The ball will be sticky at first, but it will solidify as you knead it. Once the ball is no longer sticky, roll it between your hands until it becomes smooth and round.

Extra Ideas:

1. Test the level of bounce on different surfaces. Unlike traditional bouncy balls, these balls bounce better on carpet than on hard surfaces.
2. Conduct a science experiment with your children by testing different ratios of borax, glue, and cornstarch to obtain the highest bounce.
3. Make multiple colors of balls, and combine them for fun designs.

Inspired by: https://sciencebob.com/make-your-own-bouncy-ball/

Don’t be alarmed if your child flattens the ball; they are easy to re-shape and resume the bouncy fun after your child is done smashing and stretching the ball.

Although these balls are not super bouncy, they are fun to play with and a good way to expose your children to essential oils. These are temporary bouncy balls that will eventually lose their elasticity. Keeping them in a sealed bag when not in use will help them stay bouncy longer.

Monster Spray

This fun monster spray is perfect for spraying away your child’s nighttime fears. Spray it under the bed; spray it in the closet; spray it anywhere those monsters might be lurking. And the delicious citrus smell will let your child know that the spray is working!

• Servings: Yield=4 oz.
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients & Supplies:

• 7 drops orange essential oil
• 3 drops lime essential oil
• 7 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 4 oz. Blue Glass Bottle with Trigger Spray
• Distilled water

Instructions:

1. Drop the orange, lime, and grapefruit essential oils into the spray bottle.
2. Fill the remainder of the bottle with distilled water, and then shake to combine.
3. Let your child spray this monster spray under the bed, in closets, and anywhere else monsters may hide to help alleviate nighttime fears.

All-Natural Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

Are you looking for a natural shampoo and body wash for your kids or yourself? This recipe is great at getting you clean and even incorporates the relaxing benefits of lavender essential oil. It’s perfect for your toddler’s bedtime bath!

• Servings: Yield=8 oz.
• Time: 5 minutes active
• Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Castile Soap
• 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Glycerin
• 2 tsp. Sweet Almond Oil
• 10–15 drops lavender essential oil
• 1/4 cup distilled water
• 8 oz. Plastic Bottle with Pump Top

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in the bottle.
2. Screw the lid on, and shake to combine.
3. To use, pump out a little at a time, and rub on hair and body. Make sure to rinse off well.