Make Your Own (DIY) Organic/ Natural Hair Conditioner!

The best rule of thumb to remember when purchasing beauty or skin care products, whether at the store or online, is- if the product contains ingredients you would not feel safe eating, then don't buy it & don't put it on your body! Our skin (and hair) absorb an incredible amount of chemicals from the common beauty products we use every day- yuck! Why not choose Organic, and leave the worry behind? 

It's fun and easy to begin making your own Natural Beauty products at home! All you need are a few time-tested recipes- and we just happen to have some to share with you. (: I will do do my best to post them weekly for our readers - Let's start with a simple Hair Rinse / conditioning Recipe:

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS- CHOOSE All Organic:

Your Favorite Herbal Infusion (Strong tea)–  Here are some nice choices:

• Lavender is Lovely for dark-brown colored or black hair & a well-known treatment for scalp problems. 
• Hibiscus is Heavenly for brown hair, can produce red highlights.
• Chamomile is Calming for blonde or light hair, and can naturally highlight yellow or golden tones.
• Nettle is Nice for All hair types- known to soften, strengthen and increase shine.
• Rosemary Herbal Infusion– Rosemary is a wonderful natural ingredient to add to any home-made hair products!  It effectively treats common scalp problems, like dandruff and psoriasis, and it is known to stimulate the hair follicle to promote hair growth.

Apple Cider Vinegar– "ACV" is great at removing the buildup in your hair from products that contain waxes, parabens & chemicals.  It leaves hair very soft & shiny, as it closes the hair cuticle (the outer protective covering on the hair strand) which opens during shampooing. 

Essential Oils–  These are great to include for their healing benefits and lovely fragrances. Rosemary, Clary Sage, Lavender, Cedarwood, or Rose Geranium are some excellent ones, but feel free to use your own favorites.

 Prepare:

• Boil 2 cups of water & steep your preferred herbal tea (see above); add a sprig or small handful of fresh or dried, chopped rosemary. To make the infusion, steep all together for at least 30 minutes, or for several hours if possible.  The longer the steeping, the stronger the infusion will be.

Next, pour entire infusion through a strainer. Pour the 2 cup infusion into a glass bowl or jar and mix in:

• 1/2 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Cup filtered water
• 5-10 drops of your preferred essential oil- if you Love the scent, go for 10 drops.
• Once all ingredients are combined, this mixture of hair "tonic" / conditioner can be funneled into a squirt or spray bottle. DONE -and for mere pennies, compared to the cost of regular store-bought conditioner that usually contains damaging chemicals! 
• Keep the bottle in your bathroom or shower to use after shampooing.  
• To use: Shampoo hair as usual (preferably with a Natural or home-made shampoo); while hair is still wet, spray on the Natural Hair Conditioner/ Infusion. It can then either be rinsed out, or left in as a "leave-in conditioner."  
• Dry and style hair as usual; even if you decide to not rinse before styling, the vinegar odor will dissipate once hair is dry.
• Now enjoy your silky, soft & shiny hair! 

Organic Skin Care for Delicate Under-eye Area

Boy- it's cold and clear outside! When I was out for my walk and "spending time with Nature," today (see Blog Post Jan. 12th), I noticed that the normally murky waters of Fanno Creek were actually almost running clear, due to the cold. I stopped at the bridge over the Creek and just watched and listened to the water running over the rocks....Mmmm, peaceful.

I also noticed when I returned to the office, that the little lines under and at the corners of my eyes, or "crowsfeet," as we so affectionately call them, were more pronounced than they were before I left! That just proves to me that this cold, dry air, along with the heated, dry air in my home are really causing my skin to be drier than usual. What's one of our best remedies at COSMETIQUES LAUDUN TM? Organic Grape seed oil!

All-natural, Organic Grape Seed Oil actually has the ability to alleviate stretch marks, varicose veins and severely dry skin.  It also increases the amount of collagen in the skin for powerful skin rejuvenation and anti-aging.  It has powerful healing properties for the skin, as it greatly reduces inflammation, the most common cause of disease.  The essential oil is known to heal skin lesions caused by Psoriasis, Eczema, Acne, and many other common skin disorders. The botanical oil contains linoleic, olecic, palmatic, stearic and palmitoleic acids, is rich in natural Vitamins E, C, D, as well as Beta Carotene. Organic Grape Seed Oil's marvelous anti-aging properties, due to its richness of natural antioxidants, include firming and toning the skin.  

The under-eye and around eye areas of the skin are extremely delicate, so I just use a very small amount- a finger-tip amount dotted underneath the eye- of our "MITSY" Organic Facial Moisturizer. This  more than adequately moisturizes and cares for the fine lines, and I even noticed plumper, firmer looking skin just 2 weeks after using it every day.  There's nothing better than Organic Grape Seed Oil to care for skin, and our "MITSY" is loaded with it- try some today- y0u'll experience the relief and see the difference.  (:

Spending Time with Nature Rejuvenates Us!

As we start this New Year, 2015, at Cosmetiques LAUDUN TM, we find ourselves in a reflective mood. The last year presented a number of tough challenges for all of us - health problems, moving, worry over loved ones, to name a few. Today as we look back, we're very happy to see we made it through those trying times, "with flying colors!"

It seems to me, as I write to all of our very loyal Customers, Friends & Followers, that the single most important "challenge" that I face in this New Year, and every day, is maintaining my inner happiness and peace. Every day stresses can add up quickly and feel like a huge burden by the end of the day- they can leave me feeling tired and overwhelmed. So, I believe it's important for all of us to do a few different things every day to help combat stress and help us feel & look good.

One of the best things I've found that helps get the stress out of my body & lightens my mood is to "take a break with Nature." Taking some time out from work or chores each day to go outside and breathe in the fresh air and observe Nature's quiet workings in whatever season we're in, re-energizes my mind, body & spirit. I simply LOVE to take a 30-40 minute walk every day, and look at the trees, the sky, the running water in the rising creeks....
I breathe in the fresh, invigorating scent of the Cedar & Pine trees here in the Pacific Northwest and observe the different bird flocks as they come and go with each season. I am reminded how effortlessly birds fly- they don't have to think about it, they just DO it. I am rejuvenated, physically & mentally!

Try this little change for 30 minutes every day, or if that seems too much, then try 30 minutes every other day, and watch how your attitude, mental acuity and spirits lift! I'd love to hear your comments after you've tried this for a week, so feel free to leave them in the Comment Section of this Blog. Now go outside & spend some time with Nature! (:

LAUDUN TM Elegance Recipes- "Ultimate Eggnog Recipe"

"ULTIMATE Eggnog Recipe"  - Courtesy of www.JamieOliver.com 

"My eggnog recipe is pretty special. It could be that it’s actually flavourful and doesn’t just taste like sweet milk (or maybe it’s just the bourbon, who knows?), but the holidays aren’t the holidays without it.

Creamy, sweet, and full of holiday cheer, my version of this delectable drink starts with infusing milk and cream with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla beans. If a recipe starts that way, it can only get better from there! The warm infused milk is then slowly streamed into beaten eggs and sugar, before you add the bourbon or rum. After a cool-down in the refrigerator and a chance for all of these delicious flavors to marry, it gets an uplifting addition of fluffy egg whites before serving."

Serves 8

• 3 cups (700ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy or double cream
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean pod, split and seeds removed
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, plus more for garnish
• 5 eggs, separated
• 2/3 (130g) cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (175ml) Bacardi Dark Rum, or bourbon

- Photos Courtesy of www.JamieOliver.com 

"In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, cinnamon, vanilla bean, vanilla seeds, and nutmeg. Bring to the boil over a medium heat. Once boiling, remove from the heat and allow to steep.

In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat egg yolks and sugar until combined and thick ribbons form when the whisk is lifted. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to mix until the mixture is combined and smooth. Add bourbon or rum, and stir. Refrigerate overnight or for up to 3 days.

Before serving, beat the egg whites in a large bowl or stand mixer until soft peaks form. Gently fold into eggnog until combined. Serve and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg."

ENJOY!!

WE WISH YOU THE HAPPIEST OF HOLIDAY SEASONS, FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS! - The LAUDUN TM

LAUDUN TM Organic Elegance Recipes- Impossible PUMPKIN Pie CUPCAKES!

We've all heard the saying, "True beauty comes from within."  We want to help everyone boost their natural, organic beauty, their inner organic skin healing and to improve overall health!  So, we are happy to share with you free Organic Whole Food Recipes several times weekly on this Blog.  Please share with all your Family & Friends!

Prep. Time:  35 minutes

Use All-Organic Ingredients:

One 15 oz can Organic Pumpkin puree
1/2 cup cane sugar
1/4 cup cane brown sugar
2 large Vegetarian-fed eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup evaporated milk
2/3 cup organic flour or gluten-free flour
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 12-cup muffin tin with silicone liners, foil liners sprayed with cooking spray or just spray the cups with cooking spray. Either of these three methods will make it easy to take the cupcake out after it’s cooked. Paper liners make it difficult to remove the cupcakes.

Combine pumpkin, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and milk in a mixing bowl.  Add the flour, pumpkin spice, salt, baking powder and baking soda to the mixture.  Fill each muffin cup with 1/3 cup of the mixture.  Bake for twenty minutes and let cool for twenty minutes.  Remove cupcakes from pan and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle more pumpkin pie spice on top.  

Servings: 12 - Enjoy!

Gratitude- the "Miracle Worker"

We are already feeling it- the "stress" of the holidays- we're running around, from one appointment, back to work, to another appointment, making travel plans with family & friends, and of course, countless trips to the grocery store this week for the American Thanksgiving holiday. Sheesh! -Time to take a "time out," to pause, breathe and reflect on what we have to be Grateful for in all of our lives.

I'm not suggesting we do this just because it's Thanksgiving, but to train ourselves to make "being grateful," a regular habit, one that we can strive to do daily. It's actually scientifically proven to help relax us, relieve stress, and improve our health in general. I feel strongly about it, because I've noticed over the years that when I am feeling grateful for all the blessings in my life, I feel happier!

When I am able to focus my thoughts on even the simplest things I have to be grateful for, like having clean, running water or the fingers to type this with -a Miracle happens- my perceptions about myself and my life change dramatically. This practice has a way of putting all worries into perspective. "A Course in Miracles," describes a "Miracle" as simply being, "a Change in Perception," and I have come to absolutely believe this, based on my own personal experience. For example, when I focus my thoughts on what I have in my life right now that I am grateful for, MY THOUGHTS become HAPPY and POSITIVE. -A Change in Perception! -So this is why I call Gratitude a "Miracle Worker," because it always produces a BIG Change in my Perception for the better.

Have you had any experience or proof positive in your own life about how Gratitude can flip a bad day right over into a good day, or a bad mood into a positive one? -If so, we'd love to hear about your experiences, so PLEASE leave your Comments right here on our Blog! In this way we can all help each other to remember to be Grateful, for even the simplest of gifts, every day, so we can feel good, too, every day! Happy, HAPPY Thanksgiving to you and all your Loved Ones! (:

LAUDUN TM Organic Elegance Recipes- Curried Chick Peas & Mustard Greens with Mashed Sweet Potatoes!

We've all heard the saying, "True beauty comes from within."  We want to help everyone give their natural, organic beauty a Big Boost! -and help to improve your overall health.  So, Please Share these healthy & delicious Recipes with Family, Friends & Those you Love!

Organic Curried Chick Peas & Mustard Greens with Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Prep. Time:  About 30 minutes

Use All-Organic Ingredients:

4  Sweet Potates, peeled and quartered
1 medium Onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves Garlic, chopped
1 tsp grated Ginger
1/2 cup no-salt-added or low sodium Vegetable broth
1 tsp Curry powder, or to tastea pinch Red Pepper flakes, or to taste
1 bunch Mustard Greens, chopped
1 1/2 cups diced / chopped canned Tomatoes
1 1/2 cups cooked Chick Peas or 1 (15 oz) can no-salt or low-sodium Chick Peas, drained & rinsed
1/4 cup Soy, Hemp or Almond milk

Prepare:

Boil the organic sweet potatoes until fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes.  Drain well.

While potatoes are cooking, heat 1-2 TBS vegetable broth in a large saute pan.  Add onion and saute until tender, about 3 mins.  Mix in garlic, ginger, vegetable broth, curry powder, red pepper flakes and mustard greens and cook, stirring occasionally until greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add diced or chopped tomatoes and garbanzo beans and cook an additional 5 minutes.

Mash sweet potatoes adding the hemp, soy or almond milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Serve Mustard Greens & Chick Peas Saute with Mashed Sweet Potatoes. 

Serves: 4 - Yumm- Enjoy!