DIY Herbal Scrub

One of the easiest things to do when you become a mother is to forget to take care of yourself.

It’s not hard to do when from day one, it’s all about baby. Feeding, changing diapers, nurturing, taking a million pictures, washing clothes, and somewhere in between there you at least try to remember to brush your teeth before 4pm. “Try” being the keyword.

When they move onto the toddler stage, it’s still all about them. Chasing, praising, feeding, kissing boo boos, changing diapers, parks, play dates, millions of pictures, joint bathroom sessions, and by this time, you usually remember to brush your teeth before noon and shower. “Usually” being the keyword this time.

Then there is the preschooler stage that I just recently realized I am now in. How did I already get into the preschooler stage? I still consider Andrew a toddler! Waahh, my baby is growing up.

Now that Andrew is starting to become a bit more independent, I tend to remember to brush my teeth before 9am which is a huge improvement, but I’m still slacking on the “daily” showers. Ain’t no mama got time for that — well, this mama doesn’t. It’s a little easier to remember to take care of myself between the playing, park dates, arts and crafts, tantrums, feeding, and helping wipe his butt. And by a little easier, I mean remembering to wash my face and take a moment of quiet outside with my chickens.

Being a mother truly is an amazing thing and I am absolutely not complaining one bit. It SHOULD be about your children, 100%.

But mama should also get a little TLC every once in a while to renew her spirits and make her feel like a human that is not solely a machine that cleans, feeds, nurtures, changes poop diapers, kisses boo boos, etc.

I feel the need to get an AMEN here.

A few things, in my eyes, that would qualify as TLC but are not limited to:

• eye brow waxes (before they become so busy you feel like a Neanderthal)
• alone time in the bathroom
• a hot meal
• time to put on a little mascara
• a once in a blue moon facial

To most folks who are not yet mothers, these things seem incredibly simple and part of the norm. To a mother, these things are few and far between and to have any one of these things happen is a miracle.

So next time you get that miracle opportunity when you can actually eat a hot meal, pee in peace, get your eyebrows done, AND still have time to give yourself a little pampering, you should treat yourself to an in-home spa day with this herbal scrub.

This DIY herbal scrub uses oats and almonds as a gentle exfoliator, clay to bind to any toxins or grime on your skin, and dried flowers to help calm, rejuvenate, and relax you and your skin. The perfect recipe for a mom who deserves a little peaceful time in her chaotic but joyful life.

In this recipe, I’ve used two different types of clay; French green clay and bentonite clay. I did a bit of research and according to Mountain Rose Herb’s website, bentonite clay is a more neutral clay is used as an all-purpose ingredient to help bind toxins from your skin to make them more soluble.

French green clay on the other hand, is more beneficial for those who are dealing with problem skin. It’s micro molecules have enormous absorbent powers which bind to toxic substances, oils, and impurities that may be living on your skin. It also has a toning capabilities which stimulates the skin by bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells, revitalizing the complexion, and tightening the pores.

If you feel you have more problematic skin, I’d take out the bentonite clay and double the portion of French green clay.

I used the following dried herbs and flowers for their calming, cleansing, and toning properties. Plus, the colors of the flowers and herbs I picked are really pretty which is always a plus.

The herbs I used are:

• dried rose petals
• dried calendula
• dried chamomile
• dried lavender

I strongly recommend using a coffee grinder to grind all your ingredients (other than the clay) because it seriously works amazing. I may have fallen in love with my in-law’s coffee grinder after I finished making this scrub. You can definitely use a small food processor but the ingredients may not be as fine as what you’d like.