Mom's Heel & Body Cream recipe

I used a custom blend for my Mother-in-law who has issues with occasional cracked heels. She says this is the only lotion /cream that keeps her heels moisturized. She has tried all of the commercial stuff and it just does not do what this one does. 

I made this recipe which has been modified from the original recipe, because of allergies and sensitives to coconut oil.

Everything is done by weight measurements. You will need a scale that does ounces and fraction of ounces. Place your dish on and zero out your scale before weighing you ingredients.

Hard oil:

1/2 oz  (14 g) cocoa butter, grated

1 oz (28 g) beeswax, pellets

Soft oil:

4 oz (113 g) Olive oil

5 oz (142 g) distilled water 

Essentials oils ( 45 drops-opt.)- 

I like to use an Electric Skillet to Heat and melt the ingredients using it as a gentle water bath.

Once all oils are heated and melted. 

Heat the distilled water , place in a bowl, using a stick blender start mixing the water on high. Slowly drizzle or pour in small steady stream the melted oils in to the water this will begin the emulsification process.

 It takes about 15 mins. Once it is done you may add Essential oils of your choice.  Please contact me about my preference in  Essential Oils. (Ask if you would like to know more about these amazing oils, they have been a huge blessing in my family's life.) OR you may Just put it into containers plain for use. 

Use a popsicle stick or spoon to take cream out of the jar to prevent introducing bacteria or spoilage to your lotion/Cream.

Here is the original recipe with the above annotations.

Basic Body Cream Recipe by Tamalu Watkins

   (all measurements are by weight)

·  Hard oils: (Modified used Only 1/2 oz (14 g) cocoa butter no coconut oil)

2 ½ oz (71 g) virgin coconut oil

 ½ oz (14 g) cocoa butter                                                                                              

·  Soft oils:  (Modified used 4 oz (113 g) of Olive oil No Grapeseed or almond)

4 oz (113 g) grapeseed oil or almond

2 oz (57 g) olive oil

·  1 oz (28 g) beeswax, grated                                 

·   9 oz (255 g) distilled water (Modified used 5 oz (142 g) of distilled water)

·  45 drops essential oil (opt.)(Used personal blends)

Place coconut oil in a 16-oz (.5 L )heat-proof measuring cup.  Add cocoa butter and beeswax.  Put the cup containing the oil and beeswax into a pot partially filled with water, place over medium heat and stir with a chopstick or fork until the oil and beeswax melt and dissolve, becoming one liquid. 
Remove from heat and add grapeseed (or fractionated coconut) and olive oils.  Allow to cool to body temperature.  As it cools, the mixture will thicken and become opaque.  Stir as it cools to keep the consistency smooth.  If it cools too much, just reheat it.
While the oil mixture is cooling, warm the distilled water in another heat-proof measuring cup in the hot-water bath.  Test for body temperature with a clean finger.
When the oil mixture and water have both reached body temperature, pour the water into a blender or mixing bowl (I use a mixing bowl and stick blender) and add optional water-soluble ingredients such as vitamin C.  Process at high speed.  If using a high-power blender such as a Vita Mixer, set it on low.  Slowly add the oil mixture by pouring a thin drizzle into the whirling water.  It will begin to sputter and thicken.  Continue to process until the oil and water have blended together into a thick, creamy liquid.  This may take 5-10 minutes in a blender or food processor.  If using a high-power blender, it may take 20-30 seconds.  It may take 15 minutes with a stick blender.  This process, called emulsification, is the secret to creams.
Scoop the cream into a 32-oz (1 L)measuring cup with a spout for easy pouring.  If you are adding essential oils, do it at this point, making sure to stir them in well.  Pour the cream into very clean, dry jars.  Filling them to the top and leaving as little airspace as possible.  Cap with tight-fitting lids and let sit overnight to allow the “flavors” to blend.  Use a clean popsicle stick to dip out your cream if it is in a wide-mouth container, to prevent introduction of bacteria and spoilage.
Variations - Variations on the oils for this recipe are easy.  As long as the amount of hard oil (solid when cool) totals 4 oz and soft oil (liquid) totals 6 oz, you can play with oils to make creams for different purposes.  Have fun!
Other Ingredients - Optional ingredients include PABA for sun protection, MSM for cellular hydration and repair, and natural preservatives such as Grapefruit seed extract or vitamins A, C or E.  Essential oils also act as preservatives due to their antimicrobial properties.

My Basic Daily Routine with Essential Oils

Here is a link to my first video about my daily routine.

Featuring Grounding Blend, Calming Blend, Protective Blend, and Repellent Blend

I will have a more in depth routine up on video in the near future.

For those who watch, will you please leave a comment and let me know what you like.

If you would like to learn more please contact me.

Home Again

We survived our trip to St. Louis, Missouri and back home. It was fun to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. In some ways it does makes me miss the military. For some the environment would be uncomfortable, but for me it was quite comfortable. Some what like going for a reunion. If you have been in the military there is a certain degree of connection period. We understand the sacrifices we each made to keep our freedoms and our fellow country men. 

I have enjoyed being involved with the VFW since my friend Sanford "Sandy" Beshear, past Utah State Commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars. Gave me my first membership. A year later I paid for my life membership. I was not very active at first, but a move to Brigham City, UT changed that. My Aunt was active in the local post and invited me to a post meeting and then I met Norm Nelson, Past State Commander and current Post Commander. I have been active participating in Funerals, Eagle Scout Flag Presentations, and many other events over the past 10 years. This year I have not been as active because we are building multiple entrepreneural ventures and gaining my self-directed education. My reading has focused on becoming an inspiring servant leader. I am very imperfect and admit sometimes I have a touchy trigger. Certain things set me off. I know my kids aren't perfect and I freely admit it. I just wish that honesty was everywhere. I love the kids I have known who are true to their personalities in front of their parents as well as away from their parents. there should be no difference in public versus private behavior. Anyway tangent over. I have learned so much from those around me in the last year it is amazing, more so I have learned so much about myself. Looking back I can see how I have pushed myself to become better than I was. I have learned what I need to correct and improve on.

Listening. generally I am good, but when I get hungry or tired or frustrated because I need to step away from work. I become a little crabby.

Eating this has been an issue for some time, I generally can not eat until later in the morning which can be frustrating when I have to spend the day out and start early. I wake up really nauseated, I am only able to take in liquids-not very filling. Fast Sundays for me are real fun.  I have been doing a modified breakfast for about 8 years. I eat just enough bland food to take the edge off my hunger. because when I am able to I eat.

Exercise. This one is funny, because I truly love health and fitness. It is my chosen profession. I have struggled with it for about 8 years now because of Severe Chronic Fatigue.  I have beat myself up over my lack of exercise for a long time and only recently decided that I do what I can do. I have my weight set, Treadmill and other fitness tools in our living room. Most Women would have a cow if their husbands did this. But I am not just any woman. I wanted it in my face to prick me and tell me use it. Why would I torture myself this way? Because I know there is that hump you get over and exercise is something to look forward to. For many years it was my major Stress release. I have a history of bodybuilding prep, in which I spent most of a year prepping for a competition in which I chose not to compete. I know that getting back on the horse to ride will help me feel better about myself and look at life more positively. I especially love helping and serving others obtain their fitness goals. The human form is a beautiful masterpiece that iron and steel can shape and mold. I am very visual when it comes to human form and I notice beauty (male and female). But let say I notice the heart too. when the heart and the human form combine it can very exciting.

Family time. My daughter found out I can have fun. At home I am so tied up in things that need to be done sometimes I forget to stop and smell the roses. I am changing that. I am making an effort to spend time doing things my kids like. John the youngest is teaching me Minecraft, 15 mins is all I can do. I am learning to listen carefully and notice the signs of an older child struggling with their faith and belief. Not knowing why others behave as they do. He says it makes him doubt. He says all religion sounds the same. My heart aches for him and I pray he will find his way. My daughter is getting to go on her mission for our church for 18 months.

Husband time.  I have always done my best to give most of the time available to my husband. but I do not always succeed it is rather hard when his is half way around the world and wants to chat when I should be sleeping. But I have given my best effort. I am making the effort to give him more time especially working in our businesses. He needs it even more. I do not want him to think that I don;t need him, because that is just not true. I do need him  without his support and encouragement I would not be where I am at now.

Time for my Heavenly Father the most important of all is this relationship. Why? because the closer I get to Him the more things fall into place in my life and it all flows better. With Him all Things are possible.

I'll leave off here for now.

Why I love fitness ( and some history from the beginning...)

This has been in draft form waiting to be refined, I have decided to publish it as is with grammar, spelling and the time periods jumping back and forth.

 Why should anyone care about health and fitness? Well we live longer than any other time period in history. But I should back up and explain where my love of health and fitness comes from. It might be said I have had a love affair with health and fitness since I was young.

I was born in Virginia and soon after when I was very young my family moved back to the family homestead in Upper Michigan where my dad was born. I spent my days running through the woods and playing with my cousins. I learned to shoot a bb gun then. I still love to shoot, just bigger ones now. I was fortunate to be able to have that freedom to be as active as I wanted. I just could not seem to sit still unless I was being read to. I think that is when my mother decided she did not have as much time as I would have liked to read to me (all day). At age four she taught me to read and write. In fact, I got a spanking from my kindergarten teacher because I was reading the blackboard out loud to the other kids. It was rather frustrating because I loved words and learning. I loved a good storyline, though I did not know what that meant until later in life. We were without a tv for few years while in school, our entertainment was reading and playing games. During the summer we would check out 40 plus books a week and take them back to the library the next week. Later in life I would to check out books from the library on health and learn about different things (Novels, crafts, history, and cultures).  I would read about indians* and how they lived on the plains in grade school. In Virginia, while in middle school we studied indians in history and the about daily life. We learned how the early settlers interacted with the early Indians; in some things it was sad and then happy. I was fascinated by how they built their homes from nothing more than dirt, sticks and mud or the fact they used sticks and animal hides. I kept studying this way and learning pioneer skills. I have many books today and do like to practice some of those pioneer skills now more out of necessity now than for fun.

When I entered high school I really wanted to run cross country track. I ran and had a stellar performance puking my guts out after reaching mile 2. Needless to say I did not run cross country, because my physical stamina was not great and there was not really a safe place to run where I lived. I was drawn to books that explained how the body works. I loved biology, granted my grades did not show it. My junior year I had the opportunity to be a manager with the Varsity Football Team. This started an interest in Athletic training, which I would later go to college for in a related field.

I met my husband while at BYU, My initial degree program was Mechanical Engineering, but Calculus and I were not getting along during the Summer term. That class was my best sleep period. Honestly I did my best to stay awake for it. When the Fall term rolled around I looked into the Athletic Training Program. I switched to the program and started the perquisites classes. Beginning the Winter Semester I enlisted in the Utah National Guard and I said “Yes” to my husband for the third time. Keeping in mind I was engaged during my whole freshman year. My Winter Semester grades that were less than desirable. I had taken anatomy, physiology, nutrition science, and exercise science classes during my initial year in college. We married in April, I continued read everything I could get my hands on about health and fitness, as time allowed until August when I entered Basic Training and during training that followed. Being healthy and fit is something that is expected in the military. 

October 23, 2002 Home schooling and Nursing John-
~140# ??% Body fat

January 1, 2005-Final Prep for April BB competition
~100# ~13% body fat

I will fast forward to the period after my active duty tour, I came back to the Utah National Guard (1997). I entered Salt Community College to earn my Associate of Science (1998). I then went to the University of Utah to earn my Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science (2000). I took many classes in how the human body works. The major push for this program of study was to prepare students to take certification tests to become personal trainers or prepare for Medical School. The time between December 2000 and March 2004. I had our last little boy and some interior redecoration, this for me was sad. I would have readily had more children, but I know there are other ways to help raise children -Grandchildren. We look forward to this. I started to go to the gym and begin to shape my body. I decided to become a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) in February 2004. I quickly decided to pick up the Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES) Certification in March. I found NASM had partnered with California University of Pennsylvania (California, PA) to offer a Masters’ Program that integrated the PES Certification. I called and I interviewed with the program head-Barry. At the end of our interview, he told me when I was ready- call him because I was in. I discussed this with my husband and we felt it was a good path to take. I entered their second cohort in July 2004. I worked and studied –usually 9 pm to 1 or 2 am, because I was still home schooling our children. It was a great period of growth and learning. That inspired me to keep learning from as many sources as possible. It taught me about how we evaluate information on a scientific basis. Honestly sometimes that is really snobbish. I have found many valid studies from Europe and abroad. Considering some of the treatments have been around for centuries and only replaced by modern medicine recently. I digress- during this time period (July 2004-August 2005-CoHort Classes) my husband returned from a deployment, I trained throughout for a body building competition, we moved, my father became seriously ill, and my husband deployed again; all while working to sell the house we had lived in. In December 2005, I went to PA to be robed and meet many of my classmates. I had never set foot on campus until this time. This degree program was completely online and a huge blessing in my life. 

Since that time, I have learned more through experience. I understand those that deal with chronic fatigue, digestive issues and so much more. I have been blessed with children who for a time took care of me. They fed me, took care of the house, and so much more. I apologize for judging those who suffered with those and other ailments. We moved to small piece of property to learn about homesteading. I have learned why I really need to be physically fit. I need to be able to do simple tasks of taking care of farm animals and produce items of various kinds.

I do not take any medicine at this point, because of allergies to fillers. I use supplements, herbs, essential oils, and energy work. The process of correcting issues within my body has been interesting.  I learn new things every day about essential oils, herbs and energy work. I have been blessed to have a great mentor who inspired me to dig deeper-Oliver DeMille. I will really have to dig deeper into this in another post. But it is related to recent changes in my actions and thoughts. Oliver co-authored a book with Orrin Woodward-Leadershift. Leadershift addresses the issues we are facing today with our overbearing government. Because of this book and Thomas Jefferson Education, my husband decided he needed a mentor. Through Rachel and Oliver, we received the name of an excellent mentor Ian. My husband started mentoring and within a month I saw great changes within my husband. He read more and was thinking more critically. Ian introduced us to LIFE Leadership. That has been one of the best things that has entered our life literally. For me personally, of the 8F’s Fitness of great interest, recently in February they came out with a Health and Fitness pack. My husband noticed I had bought this and made the comment-You bought that to pick it apart. Yes, somewhat I do that-but not like I used to. I like to see scientific backing for information that is given. I keep in mind that most studies are generalized and then by professionals applied to everyone. I have read books by Doctors and other famous fitness professionals, where they present ideas that they do not cite the original source. Because interpretation can be different from person to person and how the protocol may affect them can be different from person to person. I love books I can take the bibliography and read those baseline studies and see what my understanding is. This gives me a good base to discuss with other from. I enjoyed thoroughly talking to George and Jill Guzzardo when they spoke in Salt Lake City. I had listened to his CD several times and watched his video on the Library in our LIFE Leadership page several times. It felt so good to see this information from a viewpoint I could get. There are so many factors that influence how exercise and food process with in our body.

My husband and I have come to the conclusion:

-eat more minimally processed food-Fresh from the garden or frozen, home canned vs. commercial canning. I must actually cook more.

-raise our own food so we know the inputs-Raise our own animals to know what they are fed and treated –minimize antibiotic use and allow nature to take its course

-we must minimize our spending and start investing in our minds vs. things

-removing those activities in our that no longer serve us in living our mission in life

-remove things that are blocking new adventures from coming into our life

-we must build relationships to help serve others not what they can do for us

Major focus-Service to others not money.  When we are in the service of our fellowman we are but in the service of our God.

I am literal daughter of God, who has a mission and purpose in this life.

I am a wife who is married to man who loves his God and country. He serves both.

I am mother. I do my best to raise children who will preserve freedom and give proper gratitude to God for those freedoms.

I am friend. I get to know other people because of their goodness and grace.

Everything else I am falls below these three roles-

entrepreneur, home educator, veteran, volunteer, church member, community member, farmer, etc and so much more.

I shall leave off here…

* Please understand this wording (using indians versus native Americans) is from my childhood and for this story it is within context for the time period. I respect and love all Native cultures of the Americas, because they have many rich traditions and a beautiful culture over all.

Many things are fermenting

I have been learning the traditional art of fermented foods. My first experience with fermented foods was in college. My roommate was Korean. She made kim chee. It was really spicy. I liked it a lot. Over time and a visit planned by the military to Korea deepened that craving. Although when pregnant I could not stand it. I have tried over the years to make kim chee. I always ended up with a molded mess for the compost heap. I just gave up up and paid $6 a jar (read as a single sit down snack). Finally a great break though came as I learned about the GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome). I was going to try this for a 2 year stint and they suggest you play with the recipes until you have making these foods down before beginning. In the process I have had to locate raw milk, organic veggies, sources for dairy kefir grains, water kefir grains, sourdough starts,  kombucha SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts) plus start and a yogurt start. That is done. I started slowly-and in this order.

Well I have source for raw milk-Johnny's Dairy in Riverdale $5 a gallon may be thought to be a bit steep. But it is worth in my opinion, I have not been able tot drink milk in years since the birth of Hyrum our second. It cause major intestinal distress. I can tolerate cheese and cottage cheese, a small amount of ice cream. But as of this past year, I have been able to work on drinking a 1/2 c. (4 oz. or 125 ml) once a week to a full 1 c (8 oz. or 250 ml) to 1 1/2 c (12 oz or 375 ml) of raw milk. I actually about 2-3 times week have homemade egg nog 8 oz raw milk, 2 pastured chicken eggs (our hens), and then fresh grated nutmeg from the nut itself. This is a natural high protein snack and settle my tummy for the night.

I started a square foot garden. We ate out of that all the first summer we had one. Other than that we frequent farmers markets or roadside stands or the organic section of the stores. In our new home we have tried to have garden but the soil needs to be replenished. We are going to experiment with the Mittlieder method. We just want good fresh veggies. I want them year round so I am still studying this now.

I have obtained sourdough, Kefirs and kombucha starts, but sadly I have not taken good care of these pets in the past and lost them.

I have started many sourdough starts with yeast, gluten-free flour and water. thought he yeast did not like me and I have done the get from the air method, but would end up with mold if I did not catch it fast enough.

I have now been able to successfully keep a kombucha start alive for  almost a full year now. My kombucha smells and tastes like apple cider vinegar. It is a heavy detoxifier so start with only  a little at a time.

The dairy kefir I have had to save form the brink of the compost or chicken feed. We give a lot of this to the dogs and it keeps their system on track.

I am still working on the water kefir, which interestingly looks like gummy bears. Which scared me at first because it smelled like beer. I admittedly dumped the first one because of it. now I know have to make very good lemonade from it and a cream soda.    

Yogurt is so simple now. All  do is take room temperature milk stir in room temperature yogurt(no added starches or anything-I got organic yogurt from Smith's and froze them in ice cube trays 1 tablespoom portions. I take 3-4 cubes thaw then add to the quart of raw milk stir and keep warm as instructed. Incubate and viola, we have fresh yogurt. I save a little bit for the next batch. It is runnier that store bought, but I can always strain off liquid to get it thicker or make a greek yogurt out of it.

Kim chee is simple. I usually am eating within five days. Napa cabbage, Daikon Radish garlic, Green onion, Ginger root and red pepper to taste.

I have learned to cook out of necessity, with multiple food allergies, but they are slowly being taken care of thanks to a healing diet and supporting essential oils. I have incorporated the GAPS diet Priciples and practices into my lifestyle versus doing a radical diet for two years, and it is working.

October the Month of Conventions

It is the first full week in November, and I am recovering. I have been so blessed in my life. In January 2010 I was invited to the Metabolic Blend Launch at Noah's. This one event has affected my health in a very great way. I waited until the end of February to sign up and begin experimenting with essential oils. I knew of essential oils and had used them on  and off along with herbs. I still do. My past experience had not boded well, because I had used other essential oils with out success. I know I had been approached by more than one company but did not 'feel' right with the approach. I did not want to actively sell something I did not believe in or could not use myself. During the time between February 2010 through October/November 2012. I began to progressively use more of the essential oils, though I was not very experienced, only knowing I could use them topically and aromatically. I started looking at our situation overall. I did notice some subtle changes. It was a very stressful time in our home. One of our older sons had made choices that made his life and our life more difficult, during that summer he went to find his path. We pray he is happy where ever he is and in whatever he is doing. Our oldest left on his LDS Mission serving in California Los Angeles Mission Spanish speaking. That left three kids. 22 Chickens, two Nigerian Dwarf whether goats, two cats (in the garage) and two dogs at home. In November my desire to share what I was learning through the internet became stronger. I found a local Wellness Advocate/IPC and asked if I could join her group. I did. I was an Orphan IPC it was simple. I was then linked to (now a very good friend) Lillian. She has been mentoring both my daughter and I in using the oils. Her wisdom is beyond, what I can describe and I learn something new from her every time we meet. She has given me gentle correction, as needed (sometimes often). She has been a listening ear helping me see the something I missed. She has helped our knowledge grow about the essential oils-It is phenomenal. Her coaching has given me the confidence to share what I am learning more. I attended my first Essential Oil Convention October 2013. WOW. 12,000 people tickets sold out in less than a month. Then they brought in the live stream because of demand for the knowledge that is gained, there were 6,000 plus who watched the general sessions at home. Next year 2014 this Essential Oil company has both the Energy Solutions Arena (the old Delta Center) and the Salt Palace Reserved for convention. I did my ticket already. But guaranteed they will sell out again. Well my head was swimming from that one and I was ready to go share some more. There was a period of just over two weeks and it went by fast and off to the next convention. It was for LIFE.

LIFE? I meant to say The L.I.F.E. Business. (Living Intentionally for Excellence). Background to this is I have home schooled my kids using the canned ham method. I got a program for math, science, etc. worksheets-ugh! Then I discovered the 4-year-plan I rotated Science-Literature-History on a 4 year cycle.
I had a list of suggested books to read with my kids. We loved doing the Science experiments and reading and acting out history. Reading books was hit and miss with which one s the kids liked. During this Iw as also working on my Bachelors Degree. Yes going to college by day and homeschooling by afternoon or night. It took lots of work, but I had the frame work. Thank goodness. During my last term in school via the Salt Lake Home Educators Group I learned about Thomas Jefferson Education through the Face-to-Face with Greatness seminars sponsored by George Wythe College from Cedar City, UT. I attended all three of these seminars. The last one was had the most impact though it was the weekend after 9-1-2001, For me because I an a veteran and my husband stills serves now. The friends I got to know over time in those seminars-Dr. Shannon Brooks and Oliver DeMille, I consider to be friends who helped me turn down a very different path. They opened education up for me in way I had not thought of-I read a lot of books anyway but to direct the what I was reading int the way they were suggesting was short of mind-boggling. I took what was suggested to heart and I combined it with the four year plan. I was able to get fresh new books and perspectives for myself and my children. Now you are wondering what does all this have to do with a convention.

Welll... the beginning of this year my husband and I began discussing our future, our grandchildren, and the radical changes being made in our country. It is not the same one I grew up in. My husband had reread my TJEd Library and figured out he needed a mentor. I told him to write to Oliver and ask for advice. Well he waited and waited and waited. So I finally did what any good wife would do and contacted Rachel (Oliver's wife) I explained the situation and we discussed back and forth. Once I had done this I let my husband know what he needed to do. He wrote an email to Rachel who discussed it with Oliver. They in turn recommended and excellent young man whom they knew personally was receiving great mentoring-Their son-in-law Ian (married to Emma). David and Ian had meetings as regularly as the Railroad would allow. Oliver and Orrin Woodward had released Leadershift. David and I attended a seminar at which Oliver presented the 9th Key and signed books. My husband finally met Oliver and he was intrigued the spark of light went from a small flicker to a full flame. About a month later, Ian closed out one of his sessions asking to meet with both David and I-we agreed. As the week progressed we discussed back and forth what the meeting was about. Many theories abounded-we will not expound on those now. But the day came and Ian Introduced us to the Life Business. At it's core and center is building community, That community works together to live principles that are natural law. Those principles are discovered through reading, studying, and then associating one with another, edifying and learning together. This brings us to convention the end of October.

Fall Leadership Convention was totally awesome! How inspiring well worth the ticket. To learn about the humble beginnings of all of the founders and those who are Roundtable and Policy Council Members. My head is so full. I can't wait to get the recap. Especially Tim Marks-'There is a bat in your bathroom.' The big take away was dream the impossible and it is possible as long as you work toward it. The materials have a life changing effects on lives of individuals, marriages, and families. Focusing on the 8 F's -Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Freedom, Friends, Following, Fun. I will try to discuss this more later.

Hopefully it was interesting til next time.....