Monday, November 10, 2008

sickness and bombs

This illness is still hanging over me. I'll be going for some tests this morning and hopefully, they will shed some definitive light on what is going on with my body. I am so tired of being sick. It is amazing to me how stress can cause you body to act against you. That worry can cause your body to forget to protect you from sickness in an effort just to keep you upright and standing.

One thing that seems to help my aching body is having a gloriously hot bath. Last week was Tabitha's turn at our weekly homeschool craft day to instruct us on a craft for the kids to make for the Christmas craft fair. We made bath bombs!

This is an extremely easy (but a bit messy - yummy smelling mess, though) craft...even Briar enjoyed it! I thought some of you may enjoy making them as well....
1 part citric acid aka Vitamin C (can be bought in bulk at health food or wine making stores)
2 parts baking soda

*mix together well.

Add 10-12 drops of essential oils.


*Mix well again making sure to break up the small lumps of oils to ensure their even dispersal through the powder.

Using a spray bottle containing witch hazel, mist contents of your bowl small amounts at a time while mixing with your hands. Hold the spray bottle far enough away that it does not make foamy puddles as you spray. As you mix, press the mixture together into balls to test whether it is ready to put in molds. As soon as it holds together loosely, it is ready! Do not add too much liquid!!
Use something to mold the bombs as they are drying or form them into balls with your hands.
We've used ice cube trays, muffin tins, jello molds, etc. Let them dry for 24 hours and pop them out for in the bath. Keep them in a dry place or they won't work when you want to use them. We pry them out of the mold with a butter knife but I have read that if you oil your mold, the bomb will pop out more easily.
We've been thinking of all the various ingredients we could use to colour them, scent them and even embed in them.
P.S. Don't taste test it...Although it won't hurt you, it is pretty sour...

9 comments:

indybarb said...

Hi Jackie:

I used to make these and sell them as they were so popular. They can be colored with plain old food coloring, although more than a little puts a colored ring around your bath tub! They are a really fun project for kids, and us adults love to have them in our bath. I have a different recipe where you can add sweet almond oil (or any kind of oil) and this leaves your silky smooth when you get out of the tub. I can look for those recipes too if you want me too. The embedding is a fun idea. I'd never thought of that!

I hope all is well. I haven't commented in awhile. Out of the country, and now playing catch-up at work!

Hang in there Jackie and I will be praying that you will be feeling better soon. It is wierd how stress can make you sick.

Hugs,

Barb

World Wide Alternative said...

Hahaha...bless 'im...XXxx

Anonymous said...

thanks for the recipe! and the precious pic of briar's face.

darcie said...

Sounds a bit complicated for me...but if you'd like to sell them to me...now THAT is more my style!
How priceless is that look on Briar's face!!

Anonymous said...

Oooo, I'm so trying these this week. The funny thing is after your post about not feeling well I was thinking that you could a hot bath always makes me feel better and I was going to pop a bath bomb in the mail to you! You beat me to it, great pic of Briar!

Anonymous said...

Hi,
Completely off subject for today, but I have been reading and listening to this author and it has really helped me with coping. I thought that maybe you might want to explore this:
http://www.thework.com/index.asp

I also looked up her videos/dialogues on you tube.
One of her books: Loving What Is

V said...

Oh my! I bet you just got a whole other group of readers by using the word bomb in your blog! ;oP

But seriously, those do look like a lot of fun to make...love the pic of Briar's face!

Chris said...

Hope you feel better soon and get some answers. you continue to be in my prayers.

Hallie said...

I can't wait to try this!!! My girls will love it and it's something we can make for a craft that is useable! Yeah!

Hope you get to feeling better soon...hang in there!