essential oil

Products we love: Sparoom Diffuser

You asked, we listened. We're happy to introduce Sparoom diffusers to our shelves. 

Essential oil diffusers are a safer alternative to candles and have added aromatherapy benefits to aid sleep, pain, repel insects, improve cognitive function and more. 

Sparoom Diffuser Fall Owl
Sparoom Diffuser eWarmer

Fill the diffuser with water and a few drops of essential oil. Create blends such as a autumnal season blend using:

  • 3 drops peppermint
  • 3 drops fir
  • 1 drop eucalyptus
  • 1 drop tea tree
  • 2 drops rosemary
Sparoom Diffuser Natural
Sparoom Diffuser Globe

Friday Finds: September 1, 2017

Take a look at what's new at Mariposa Food Co-op.

Metropolitan Bakery

Metropolitan Rosemary Bread Loaf

Philadelphia favorite, Metropolitan Bakery uses locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients to craft their artisan baked goods. Metropolitan is very active in initiatives that directly affect the communities it serves, including endeavors to promote other local businesses, fight homelessness and support healthy food programs for city residents. Find local and vegan rosemary rounds, French berry rolls, French rye bread, and rosemary olive oil bread on our bakery island.

Alaffia Lavender Shea Butter Soap

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Fair trade and cooperatively-sourced Alaffia triple milled shea butter soap is the soap for super soft skin.

Grafton Village Smoked Cheddar

Grafton Village Smoked Maple Cheddar

Grafton Village smoked raw cheddar is cold smoked over maple chips. The milk used to craft this unique cheddar is collected from small and independently owned Vermont farms. 

Simpler Botanicals Roll-On Essential Oil Blends

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Save $2 through September 12. 

Christina Maser Room and Linen Sprays

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Christina Maser's locally-made room and linen sprays use pure essential oils and are free from artificial dyes and fragrances. Find a scent for every room, including lavender, citrus garden, and rosemary mint. 

DIY Lip Balm

DIY Lip Balm

Making your own lip balm is beyond easy; in fact, you might even know several people who have already given it a whirl. DIY lip balm is great because not only can you make it just the way you like it, you can control the ingredients.

You should be able to find most of the supplies you need for this project in your co-op’s health and body care section, or online in larger quantities. A local craft store is another good place to look, especially for tins and tubes to hold the finished product.

To make the balm, follow this general recipe, and customize to your tastes from there. We’ve included a few of our favorite scent combos below for inspiration.

Lip balm recipe

Makes 4 ½-oz. tubes

  • 1 tablespoon beeswax pearls (or 1 tablespoon grated, unbleached beeswax)
  • 1 tablespoon shea butter
  • 2 tablespoon carrier oil (sunflower, castor, almond or jojoba)
  • 10-15 drops essential oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey (optional, for those that like it slightly sweet) 

Melt beeswax, shea butter and oil together in a small bowl in the microwave. If you don’t have a microwave, use a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl over simmering water. Stir until ingredients are liquid, then add essential oils and optional honey. Mix well. Transfer to a large eyedropper, syringe, or container with a spout, and divide liquid among four ½ ounce lip balm tins, jars or tubes. 

Customize your creation

To tint or color lip balm, add 1/8 teaspoon of lipstick to the solid ingredients when melting (just take a tiny dab off the end of your favorite tube). You can also use a drop or two of natural red food coloring, or a small amount of beetroot powder or a loose mineral powder (like blush). 

To make lip balm super shiny, adjust the recipe by adding one teaspoon more of carrier oil. Note that this formulation will not be suitable for tubes, since the end result will not be firm enough. 

Scent ideas: In addition to single scent blends that are popular, like peppermint and vanilla, consider these fun combinations:

Reprinted by permission from StrongerTogether.coop. Find articles about your food and where it comes from, recipes and a whole lot more at www.strongertogether.coop