Judi-Cox blogJudy Cox (497)   Judy Cox    http://www.mommamuse.com Attracting Orioles with an Oriole Nectar FeederPosted Thursday, July 26, 2007 (344 days 21 hours ago.) Viewed 304 times. Similar to other homemade wild bird and butterfly nectar recipes, Oriole nectar requires only two main ingredients; water and white sugar. Oriole nectar feeders are available through wild bird retail shops. Feeders are similar in look to a hummingbird feeder, but are orange rather than red and have larger feeding holes. Designs vary, but some include an area to put fresh fruit (oranges, mashed bananas, grapes, etc). Or, if you prefer, skip the nectar altogether and just feed fresh fruits - there are other more specific feeders for fruit. Directions for Homemade Oriole Nectar Recipe Oriole nectar is made in a ratio of 1 part white sugar to 6 parts water. 1. Bring your water to a boil. I like to let fresh nectar cool in the feeder, but I don't put the feeder outside until it's completely cool. Nectar storage: it stores up to 2 weeks in the fridge or several months if frozen. I put my nectar in a clean 1/2 gallon (obviously empty!) milk jug, which clearly I write Oriole Juice on the side. (Tip: Use an ice cube tray. Once frozen remove and store in a freezer safe baggy.) Beyond nectar, Orioles like to munch on a variety of bugs (caterpillars, beetles, wasp, etc.) and are particularly fond of grape jelly. I have read they are fond of cherries (maybe some cherry jelly next to that grape?) and blackberries (some jam, perhaps?). They also like fresh ripe fruit, such as oranges, raspberries, cherries, mashed bananas, apples, pears, .... etc. Enjoy! Have fun attracting wildlife and happy bird watching! [http://www.mommamuse.com/2006/04/23/homemade-hummingbird-nectar/]
Judi Cox is a work at home mom living in the Ohio Valley with her husband and 4 children. She enjoys gardening for fun and for the birds, playing with the kids, reading, and promoting other mom businesses. She has been making soap and lotion since 2001. Visit MommaMuse.com. 
Permalink Comments (0) Ingredient and Oil Properties for Soap, Lotion, Serums, Bath and BodyPosted Thursday, July 26, 2007 (345 days 6 hours ago.) Viewed 49 times. To help take the mystery out of the ingredients listed in soap, lotion, serum or other products you have received from Momma Muse (or other handmade bath & body companies), here is a list of the commonly used ingredients by common name, label name (the FDA required INCI name - International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients) and description of skin benefits and properties it provides. Don't let those mysterious names on the labels scare you off - so much of it is just a complicated name given to a simple ingredient. Distilled Water - We always used distilled for safety and purity. Hydrosols INCI depends on the hydrosol used. - Hydrosols are also known as floral waters, essential waters, or distillates. They are purified waters which occur during the process of extracting essential oils from plants and flowers. The hydrosols we use are all natural, containing no added fragrance. Infusions and Teas In some recipes, infused oils with herbs, or create a tea, using distilled water and herbs are used to maximize the benefits of specific plants. Not to mention, it's lovely label appeal. Almond Oil Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil - An excellent skin softener and moisturizer. Almond oil is great for all skin types but especially beneficial for dry or irritated skin. Apricot Kernel Oil Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil - High in both vitamins A and E. It helps moisturize and soften skin. Helps skin retain it's elasticity, clarity, and suppleness. Rice Bran Oil Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil - A nourishing oil and a powerful skin protectant, high in gamma-oryzanol as well as anti-oxidants, which will protect and replenish the skin. RBO is rich in phytosterols, helping to help reduce inflammation and soothe discomfort. It also contains the highest quantity of vitamin E in liquic form. Beneficial to mature, sensitive and delicate skin. Olive Squalane Squalane (Olea Europea) - Squalane is a very light, fine oil which is absorbed deeply and quickly into the skin, leaving no oily residue. Squalane is a wonderful oil for skin issues such as eczema, dermatitis, rashes, psoriasis, cracks, so far as helping with bruising or healing of the skin. Because squalane is naturally present in the skin (a botanical lipid) having an identical molecule structure to human lipids, it is effectively used in facial products to help reduce wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin. Jojoba Oil Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil - Jojoba oil contains protein and minerals. It is similar to our own sebum which is secreted by our glands, helping lubricate, as well as, protect our skin. Fractionated Coconut Oil Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride - This light oil helps carry therapeutic oils under the skin. Containing medium-chain triglycerides, it also helps moisturize and soothe the skin. Vitamin E Tocopherol - A natural skin antioxidant, promoting healthy tissue - healing and rejuvenation. Monoi de Tahiti Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (and) Gardenia Tahitensis - A moisturizing and naturally fragrant oil, which quickly penetrates the skin acting as a natural barrier helping prevent dehydration (and wrinkles) of the skin. A wonderfully, naturally scented oil excellent for all skin types. Palm Oil Sodium Palmate - Used as a base ingredient in many luxury and expensive soaps. It is considered a vegetable tallow which produces a hard bar of soap which is both mild and cleansing. Palm Kernel Oil Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil Sodium Palm Kernelate - Very similar in qualities as palm oil, it produces a cleansing, hard bar of soap which lathers well. Coconut Oil Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil Sodium Cocoate - Coconut oil makes a hard bar of soap which lathers beautifully. Olive Oil Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Sodium Olivate - A moisturizing oil used in soaps - castile soaps are generally 100% olive oil, but there is no requirement as to what percentage must be used. It softens skin while attracting moisture to your skin. Makes for a mild soap which keeps your skin soft, supple and younger looking. Shea Butter Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Fruit - Shea Butter is deep penetrating and long acting. Is needed to restore the skin's moisture balance and prevent visible signs of aging and wrinkles. Cocoa Butter Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter Sodium Cocoa Butterate - Cocoa Butter is absorbed quickly into the skin to soften, lubricated, moisten and nutrients the skin. Works great to prevent and treat scars, stretch marks, and damage skin. Glycerin Glycerin - Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to the skin. This is the whole idea of lotion right? To moisturize our skin, keeping it soft. Good stuff. Emulsifier Glyceryl Stearate (and) Cetearyl Alcohol (and) Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate - Because lotion is made with mixture of both oil and water, an emulsifier is necessary to blend and hold the two together. We have chosen a natural self-emulsifier which helps to provide a natural moisturizing factor found in the skin. Our emulsifier provides a conditioning and softness to the skin. Stearic Acid Stearic Acid - We use stearic acid 100% palm derived (i.e. vegetarian friendly). Stearic acid is used to help bind the oils and water together, but also to help thicken, as well as stabilize, lotion. Cyclomethicone Cyclomethicone - Used to prevent a greasy feel and impart a soft & silky feel to lotion. Commonly used in lotions to provide a "powdery" feel. Also used in body sprays and bath items (bath salts, etc). Preservative Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynl Butylcarbamate - The preservative we use in our lotions is a broad spectrum, non-paraben bactericide and fungicide. It is highly effective against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts, molds and troublesome house organisms. We do not have our lotions tested, other than to give to family and friends, however we always use the recommended percentage of preservative to provide maximum safety for our users. Lye Sodium Hydroxide - This is the chemical used to make soap. Without this chemical, there is no soap, period. Sodium hydroxides causes a chemical reaction called saponification. Once saponification is complete, the finished product is soap - and there is no lye in the finished product. You will see sodium hydroxide on our ingredient list, however another way to list it is as a saponified oil - for example, for an olive oil soap we could just list it as "sodium olivate" - which means the same as sodium hydroxide, olive oil. Fragrance Oil Fragrance - Fragrance oils are added in small enough quantities to not be an irritant for most people. Yet, we add enough to give a light scent which, in your favorite fragrance, you'll have a hard time resisting the urge to sniff your hands (again and again!). May not be included in all our lotions, as we are able to make available unscented, scented naturally with hydrosols or with essential oils - usually by special request. Colorants - We use a combination of micas, oxides, spices, and clays to achieve colors in our products. Copyright (c) 2007 Judi Cox. Judi Cox is a work at home mom living in the Ohio Valley with her husband and 4 children. She enjoys gardening for fun and for the birds, playing with the kids, reading, and promoting other mom businesses. She has been making soap and lotion since 2001. You will find this and more articles listed on Google Base - Judi Cox or visit MommaMuse.com to view recipes, articles and pictures (that go along with the articles).
Permalink Comments (0) 6 Ways to Memorialize Your PregnancyPosted Thursday, July 26, 2007 (345 days 6 hours ago.) Viewed 80 times. Nine months of pregnancy seems an eternity when you get that little pink positive on the test stick. In this day and age, we no longer have to wait until we start having symptoms of pregnancy, which can start as late as 8 or 10 weeks for some. Instead, we have pregnancy tests that will determine a positive just days after conception. This can make the pregnancy journey seem even longer! While you are growing, suffering morning sickness and anxiously awaiting the new addition to the family, here are a few ways to memorialize your pregnancy; both for yourself and to pass along to the child in the future. Write It If you don't already, now is a great time to take up journaling. A hardback journal to write would give you the option of writing any time, while eating breakfast, in bed, or in a waiting room. Picking out the book could be a special in itself, as you will be picking something that touches you. If your penmenship is not something you particularly want to share, journaling online offers a wide variety of options. Generally called "blogging", a web log has been a popular method of writing thoughts, opinions and sharing knowledge with others. There are many blog communities, each offering different perks. Some provide private post options, so your posts are viewable to the general public, only to those you allow. Some allow categories, giving you the option of writing about things other than just your pregnancy. Others still, are aimed just at moms or pregnant moms. Take a look around and find one that has a good feel for you. Pregnant Belly, Say Cheese Take monthy pregnant belly pictures. Start at the beginning, or as soon as you are able. There may not be much of a baby belly at 8 weeks along, but when you have a whole pregnancy worth of belly shots, you'll have fun looking at where you started and where you ended! Some tips for taking monthy belly pictures: Be consistent. Stand the same way, by the same wall or door (or similar). Wear similar clothing (like a pair of sweatpants that you can wear almost throughout). Show bare belly, or wear a shirt - or do one of each every time. The more consistent you are, the more obvious the pregnancy changes when looking back. Studio Pictures You've got the digital camera taking your own pregnant belly pictures, but a professional photogragher will make some beautiful pictures for your baby belly book. Consider including siblings, if any, your partner, and take pregnancy pictures that aren't so "traditional". Strip down and wrap up in white robe, or guaze - with a dark background, this is beautiful. Siblings touching or kissing baby belly makes for a touching moment. And your partners hands on your belly, speak love. Of course, studio pictures are best towards the end of pregnancy, but don't wait too long either! Some studios specialize in pregnancy and newborn pictures - check your phone book or ask around. Belly Cast It Belly Cast, or Belly Mask, has become a popular method of preserving pregnant bellies. Belly Cast kits are inexpensive and easy to find, particularly online. They are easy to do, but don't try to do a belly cast yourself! You will definitely need another set of hand and sometimes an extra set is helpful. No baby belly inhibitions? Make a party of it! Invite your girlfriends over for some messy fun. In the end, you have a plaster cast of your belly to decorate, hang on the wall or sit on a shelf. Decorated Belly Women are becoming more willing to bare their pregnant bellies. Decorating your baby belly is a fun way to show it off. Wear it around the house, or out in public. Make a party of it, or do it yourself. But don't forget to take pictures! Semi-permanant belly decoration - Henna is a type of skin dye that will essentially "stain" the skin, essentially, a non-permanant tattoo. Women have been using henna for years and years. Henna kits are widely available. A simple design or something elaborate - it's all up to you! Do be careful in the sun with a henna'd baby belly. Your skin may tan and when the henna wears off in a week or more, you may end up with a reversed belly tattoo. Paint it and wash it - Skin safe paints are a great just for fun project to do with siblings. Get into some comfy clothes, get a glass of water, juice or your pregnancy tea and sit back. Let the kids paint. Don't forget to Take Pictures! Belly Pillow Whew! The pregnancy is over, or close to it. Grab your favorite maternity top, your sewing machine and some good stuffing. Sew that shirt into a pillow; square, round, or just sew up all the openings and leave it full size! This is a great momento to pass along to the baby. Do it for each pregnancy and each child will have their very own "moms favorite maternity shirt pillow". Regardless of how much you do to memorialize your pregnancy, enjoy as much of it as you are able to. Those nine months, though they seem long while you are counting the days, when looking back, it's just a snippet in time.
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