Soultree Lip Balm review

Hello All

I recently came across this range of natural lip blams from Soultree.

Soultree, the company has an interesting story behind it. The company is a story of a journey deep into the Himalayan regions where communities exist in complete harmony with Mother nature with an interesting benefit all sort of a strategy which is hard to find in the cities.Soulrtree brings to us the goodness of Mother Nature to us with complete honesty.

The products are certified natural by Germany's BIDH certification agency. They claim that the ingredients are sourced from certified organic farms.They do not leave toxic wastes and have a good manufacturing certification by Government of India.

Natural products are a rage this season because of the safety guarantee that they bring to the table.

I got to review the Lotus and Kokum Butter lip blam from Soultree. It contains Organic ghee and 7 organic oils.

The packaging is in a cute little container. The ingredients are clearly mentioned on the pack which I like about the Brand. They are honest about the products they use.

However, It would have been great if it could moisturize the lips for a longer duration.

Disclaimer: PR sample; honest opinion

How to DIY Vanilla Extract and Having an Almost Neverending Supply of Vanilla Extract in your Pantry (Homemade Vanilla Extract)

Talking about vanilla.  Do you know the difference between vanilla essence and vanilla extract?  I am sure those who are not into baking may not know the difference.  Well I never favor commercial vanilla essence.  The fragrance is too strong to my liking and smells like perfume to me.  Very fake!  Moreover I believe, commercial vanilla essence is sweetened too.  So, prior to my decision to DIY my own homemade vanilla extract, I either omitted the use of vanilla in my baking or if I needed it, I only use premium quality commercial vanilla extract.  There is quite a big difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence.

So, what is the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence/flavor? Vanilla extract  is produced by soaking the vanilla pods or beans in a mixture of alcohol base like vodka and/or water. Whereas for vanilla essence, it is chemically produced  and often give a synthetic taste to your baking.  Vanilla essence is much much cheaper than the natural vanilla extract.  So, if you need to buy commercial vanilla extract, do look at the label to confirm that it's vanilla extract and not vanilla essence or flavor.

However, I am glad to say that I have no regrets to DIY my homemade vanilla extract.  It's so easy to do and you only need 2 ingredients and 3 simple steps to be a proud owner of  your homemade vanilla extract!  It's advisable to buy premium grade vanilla beans as the quality of your vanilla extract depends on the quality of your vanilla beans.  

When choosing vanilla beans, avoid beans which are smoky, brittle, dry or mildewed.  Good quality beans should have a rich aroma.  Always choose plump beans with a thin skin to get the most seeds possible.  To test, gently squeeze the bean between your fingers and it should be soft and pliable enough to wrap around your finger without breaking.  The pods should be dark brown and almost black in color.

Now, it's time to DIY your very own homemade Vanilla Extract :

Recipe and info source : Beanilla

Ingredients  :  

- 8oz glass bottle or jar

- 7 vanilla beans (I actually added about 9 beans to a cup)

- 1 cup Vodka 70 proof/35% alcohol

Method :

1)  Slice each bean and place in a bottle.

2)  Pour 1 cup of Vodka into the bottle.  Make sure the vanilla beans are completely submerged.

3)  Shake it once or thrice a week.

4)  Wait for about a minimum of 8 weeks.

This is about 4 months old.

I actually made 750ml of extract!!!

A neverending supply of homemade vanilla extract and to give away as gifts too!

Harvest it into small dark bottles, if you prefer.

To receive new updates, do LIKE SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. Sorry to inform that for the time being, I have disabled comment box as I won't be able to return visit to my fellow bloggers who are kind enough to drop me a line or two. The comment box will be enabled when I am not so tied up with my work schedule. However, you may contact me by leaving message at SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY LIVING FACEBOOK. My sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Thanks for visiting my blog and have a nice day :)

Six Easy Eye Care Tips

Eyes are the most beautiful features of a person's face and is one of the most important organs of the body. It adds so much meaning to your life. We propbably never relaze its value until and unless the damage is already done. It is important to wake up early and take preventive steps to keep them in good health.

Eat Healthy: Healthy Eating helps you not only to keep your eyes happy but looks after your overall health and well being. Doctors always suggest green leafy veggies , carrots and fish to help protect your eyes. Any food item loaded with omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin C & A are good for your eyes.

Splash your eyes with water and cool off by using cucumber: This not only cools your eyes but also makes you feel refreshed fater a long tiring day. Water is a therapy in itself. It not only flushes out the dirt but also adds the necessary moisture to an otherwise dry eye.

 
















Follow the 20-20 rule: This is extremely important for all working people who have desk jobs and are glued to their computer screens for hours. It is a simple rule that can be practiced easily no matter where you are. After about 20 minutes, look at about 20 feet ahead of you for atleast 20 seconds.

Source: Pininterest.com

Protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays: Wear sunglasses when stepping out in the sun. This will protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. The glamour quotient of a sunglass is another advantage which cannot be discounted too ;)

See a doctor regularly: Go for regular eye check ups to keep all problems at bay.

Source: http://firsteyecarehurst.com/eye-health/

Remove all eye make up before going to bed: This works the same for your eyes as it does for your skin. Sleeping is a healing process and it opens up your pores. Make up might clog the pores. Eye make up can also get into your eyes if you rub sleepily causing unnecessary irritation.

Source:http://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/skincare-and-fragrances/201201046822/eye-make-up-removal/