Bath Salts - Holiday Gift Idea!

Handmade holiday gifts can be the most wonderful gifts to give. Start simple by creating a beautiful aromatic bath salt. The ingredients you will need I am sure you will find in both your kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Ingredients and measurements: 1 cup sea salt, 2 cups epsom salt, 1/3 cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon dendritic salt (to increase and retain aroma), 1/2 teaspoon almond, sunflower, or soybean oil, 1 tablespoon of desired fragrance oil. In a medium size glass bowl mix the sea & epsom salts, baking soda, and the oil. In a small glass bowl mix the dendritic salt and fragrance oil - stir well. Combine all ingredients and package as you desire. This may be used for 1 bath or to make a couple sample size pieces. To package your bath salts put in a zip lock bag and then place either in a muslin or organza bag. To be more creative you may also use a glass jar and layer the bath salt using herbs and or flowers. Attach a scoop, ribbons and a hang tag - let your creativity flow. Happy Holidays!

Spinach Lovers Recipe - Quick & Easy!

This is one of my favorite recipes - it's healthy, delicious, and easy to make. You will need olive oil, 1 small onion, fresh garlic to your taste (I usually use 2 cloves), 10 to 16 ounces of fresh spinach, diced tomatoes - either fresh or 1 28 ounce can, salt, pepper, fettuccine noodles, and feta cheese.
In a large frying pan saute the onion and garlic in olive oil, add the spinach, once the spinach is cooked add the tomatoes (you may add some of the juice from the can), add salt and pepper to taste, (remember tomatoes love salt). Serve over fettuccine noodles and top with feta cheese. This recipe only takes about 30 minutes and is good the next day served cold. You may also want to add chicken to this recipe for a heartier meal. Enjoy!

Recipe For Winter Dry Skin & A Great Holiday Gift idea!

The winter months are fast approaching and this time of year it can be difficult to keep our skin hydrated. Between our environment and the outside elements our skin becomes dry, flaky, and may even cause itching. What I have discovered throughout the years is that it is very important to exfoliate your skin, removing the dead skin cells allowing your moisturizer to penetrate deeply. Here are a few simple steps using ingredients from your cabinets to help heal dry skin and improve your skins natural beauty.
Ingredients:
Vegetable oil: olive, soybean, or sunflower oil. I recommend these oils because they penetrate the skin easily and have certain healing properties.
Sea Salt: any fine grain sea salt. The sea salt will not only exfoliate the skin but it will also help remove toxins from the body.
Herbs & Spices: optional. to make your blend an aromatic delight & a bit more exfoliating I suggest using herbs from your cabinet. Before mixing in your exfoliating blend, place the desired herbs in a coffee grinder to turn the herbs into fine granules. The herbs that I like to use are rosemary, sage, & a little peppermint - very invigorating and pleasing to the senses. Use 1 or 2 or combine all 3.
Combine: in a small bowl
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons sea salt (may increase amount) and 1 teaspoon herbs (optional).
Mix the ingredients well - almost like a paste. Apply with your hands to clean, wet skin. You may either use your hands, washcloth, or exfoliating glove to massage your skin. Rinse and pat dry. Your skin will feel smooth and silky.
This also makes a great gift - just package in a decorative container adding ribbon or raffia, and a little hang tag. Please note that if adding the herbs they may discolor.
Enjoy & be Beautiful!

Black Austrian Bracelet - Only $8.00

Reg. Price $15.99

GiveAway - Sponsored by DigitalRoom.com

Gwendolyn's Gate is happy to announce that we are hosting an 18 x 24 Rolled Poster Print giveaway sponsored by DigitalRoom.com. Check this out included in this giveaway is free shipping - yes I said FREE SHIPPING and imagine UPS Ground. Now I have never heard of free shipping with anything. Remember that old saying, "Nothing is Free". But, this is totally free! For those of us who are creative you can create your own photo enlargement or custom poster again for FREE! Did I say Free? I must add that this is open for U.S. Residents only.

Since I am a blogger, I, too am eligible to enter - of course not through this giveaway. If I win I plan on using a photo of my grand daughters blown up into a black & white - how sweet is that?
Enter to win this wonderful prize by simply posting a comment explaining how you would use the Poster Print if you win.
The winner will be chosen on Sept. 29th, 2009 and will be announced on Sept. 30th, 2009. So come on tell me how you would use your FREE Poster Print today!
For further information click on the heading above or http://www.digitalroom.com/poster-printing.html to discover the endless possibilities as to how to use your FREE Poster Print!

Natural Products From Starwest Botanicals

Good Morning. Today is a beautiful day here in Lake Villa, Illinois and I am happy to announce that you can visit Starwest Botanicals right here from my blog. Starwest Botanicals offers many natural products to enhance your overall sense of well being.
For many years I have bought products from Starwest including dried herbs to aromatherapy products and accessories. I have created my own product and used theirs - I especially like the essential oils and the aromatherapy blends.
Discover how to improve your lifestyle with Starwest Botanicals. Just click on the banner to the right!

Tea for Pink Eye

Another issue of children back to school is Pink Eye. Which is very contagious, uncomfortable and everything must be cleaned to enusre that it does not surface again! Not only that, but the kids must stay home from school - let's get them back so that don't miss anymore assigments.
A simple recipe of boiling tea bag's is the key to help alleviate the symptoms of pink eye. Plain ole Lipton Tea is the cure. Simply boil a tea bag or multiple, let bag cool (but still warm) and place on the eye. You may also use a washcloth soaked in the tea - wring out and place on the eye. Do this 3-4 times a days and you will be amazed at how quick and easy the infection subsides.
As for cleaning make sure th bdding is washed and all toys are washed and sanitized. Be sure to use organic products to help preserve Mother Nature!
Note: Please consult a physician regarding any medical issues. These recipes are not intended to replace any necessary treatment required.