DIY :: Sandlewood Beard Oil with Rosemary and Cedarwood

A fast and furious post for you today lovelies!

This little elixir comes to us from one of my very favorite souls - the lovely Kendra Potter of Sistermoon Wellness. Kendra whips up a batch of this fragrant oil for the bearded men in her life every holiday season. My husband has gotten so addicted to the stuff that come November he starts to drop her a series not-so-subtle hints that his supply is running low. It smells warm and earthy and woodsy and romantic all at once.  A subtle fragrance for the man who loves the mountains. 

And if you are a procrastinator like myself, you're in luck! This little gem only takes 5 minutes to mix up. Package it up in a vintage tin with a beard brush or comb and you have a unique and personal handmade gift he will actually use. 

Happy love day, dear ones!

***Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, nurse, or licensed healthcare practitioner. Some herbs, botanicals, and essential oils are not safe for pregnant or nursing mothers or children and may not be suitable to take with certain medications or conditions. This information is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before beginning any kind of new vitamin, herbal, diet, or exercise regime. Make sure to research all of the ingredients to make sure they are safe for you and your family. 

Recipe by Kendra Potter. I used organic oils wherever possible. If you are looking for high quality essential oils, I highly recommend our friends at White Stone Essentials. 

Ingredients

• 2 oz organic Jojoba Oil

• 7 - 9 drops Cedarwood essential oil

• 7 - 9 drops Rosemary essential oil

• 7 - 9 drops Lavender essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Sandlewood essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Cypress essential oil

• 4 - 5 drops Rose essential oil

Instructions

1. Add jojoba oil to a small vial. I found that the metal tip of a pastry bag makes a perfect little funnel.

2. Add all oils, feeling free to modify amounts to preference.

3. Close vial and shake well. Use a few drops in beard after bathing.

xo,

Easy Homemade Maple Pecan Granola

The last few weeks have been a blur of meetings and deadlines and head colds and wedding planning in our little corner of the world. The days have been true to their January nature and unflinchingly grey. It's taking more and more resolve to get out of my warm blanket cocoon every morning and plod down the chilly steps to begin the day. Sometimes I lose the battle and end up bringing my work back to bed with me. Winter: 1, Hailey: 0. 

But when I must join the land of the living, I like to use the early hours to reset and indulge in a few moments of quiet self care. A steaming shower with eucalyptus oil, a foamy almond milk latte and this sweet, toasty granola do wonders for softening the blow and luring me out of bed on chilly days. This granola recipe is absurdly easy and can likely be made with what you already have in your cupboard. It's best served with plain greek yogurt, fresh fruit and cozy slippers. 

Enjoy, lovelies. 

Ingredients

2 3/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened coconut chips

1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1/2 cup coarsely chopped almonds

1/2 tsp coarse kosher salt

1/3 cup real maple syrup

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (coconut oil would work too)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup dried cherries or other dried fruit

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Mix the oats, coconut chips, chopped nuts and salt in a large mixing bowl. 

2. Over medium heat, mix the sugar, olive oil and maple syrup in a small saucepan. Stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.

3. Pour the hot syrup mixture over the oat mixture and mix together until all dry ingredients are completely coated. You may want to use your hands to combine.

4. Spread the granola out evenly over a large, ungreased baking sheet. 

5. Bake for 20 minutes. Toss and flip granola with a spatula. Return to oven and continue checking and flipping granola every five minutes until golden brown. Do not undercook, this granola is best nice and toasty. 

6. Let cool and mix in dried cherries. Store at room temperature in airtight container. 

xo,