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I have been through multiple brands of organic lotion. There are getting to be quite a few out there. This I'm grateful for because it means the tides are turning. Yeah! However I discovered that a lot of them still contain ingredients that I'm not comfortable with and that do not meet MY organic standards. What is a dedicated organic mama to do? Make her own. It is so easy and you will wonder why you haven't done it sooner. Really it is so simple. I make several jars and then pop the extras in the freezer until they are needed. Easy.
This time around I decided to whip it. I've been seeing these recipes for whipped body butter around the web and wondered if my recipe would work. Oh it did and it is delightful! Why didn't I whip it sooner? Can you tell that I use this too. Yep, on my face and my entire body. We live in ND where it is not uncommon to have ambient air temps in the -20's and wind chill in the - 40's during the winter months. That will suck the moisture right out of anything, especially when you factor in the wind. People around here say we are always just one wind storm away from a drought. I'm outside plenty doing farm chores before I get to my Coco & Leelee work. Even inside the dryness is evident. My sweet little Charlotte's arms got so chapped when we started potty training from all the hand washing. She love washing her hands. This body butter has helped tremendously. As a preventive measure, apply it to you or your little's face before heading out into the cold to add a nice moisturizing protective layer over there delicate skin.
I use several different types of oils and butters and the each add something unique. Let's take a look at what each one has to offer. Benefits of Shea Butter
According to the Shea Institute, one of the top reasons to use shea butter is the high content of vitamin A which aides in the improvement/healing of:
Benefits of Cocoa Butter
We have heard over and over again how good antioxidants are for us. Antioxidants are what helps our bodies neutralize free radicals. Cocoa butter has several fatty acid antioxidants, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and steric acid. Because these antioxidants reduce the amount of oxidative stress, it reduces signs of aging like wrinkles.
These benefits are sounding pretty good for us mamas too right. I actually used this body butter first and then realized, wait a minute, I should use it on my babies too! Cocoa butter also forms a protective layer over the skin while it moisturizes, blocking it from the harsh conditions of cold temps and drying wind. Benefits of Coconut Oil
Coco nut oil is known for it's many health benefits like lowering bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol, and we can't forget it's fat burning properties to name a few. Did you know how good it was for our skin? It's moisturizing qualities are surely at the top of the list but we can't forget about it's other great attributes.
Coconut oil is anti- microbial that means it can kill viruses, bacteria and fungi. This makes it a great option for people with eczema or dermatitis. Also for minor cuts or scraps, providing a natural disinfecting protective layer. Coconut oil is often used for anti aging. It is widely popular in countries where it is native and even used as sunscreen. Because it has such a long shelf life unlike some other oils, there is no need to worry that it is going to go rancid. It is no wonder that coconut oil is rapidly catching on in the w Benefits of Olive oil
Like Shea butter, olive oil contains antioxidants. The three mains ones are vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols. Again, antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and combat aging signs like wrinkles.
Olive oil also contains a rare compound called Hydroxytyrosol. Hydroxytyrosol is a super star for combating damage caused by free radicals. Last but not least it is a wonderful moisturizer that doesn't clog pores. Benefits of Bees Wax
I wanted to use bees wax in my cream to add a little body to all these oils I was using. When I researched it I found that beeswax had many beneficial properties to add to my cream itself.
Because bees wax is antibacterial, antiviral and is and anti-inflammatory it is a great ingredient for skin care products and is a good option for minor cuts, scraps, bites, and skin wounds. It contains vitamin A with the same benefits we talked about in the shea butter. It forms a protective barrier over the skin that locks moisture in, so important for us in really cold climates, and still allows the skin to breath. Are You Convinced
With all these great qualities, many that are unique to ourselves (antiaging goodness), combined with the fact that it is easy to make and all the ingredients are easy to find, it's a no brainer. Just make it, I know you will love it!
Fabulous Body Butter for the Whole Family
Remember to source high quality organic ingredients. Anything less will have less beneficial qualities and could potential have yucky fillers that you nor I care for. It is wonderful for your lips too so fill a few chap stick tubes while your at it.
I can't remember if I doubled or tripled the recipe below for my last batch. It made quite a bit, about a pint and a half. You probably don't need as much as my family of nine so here is the single version. Ingredients 1/4 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup cocoa butter 6 Tbsp. shea butter 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Tbsp. bees wax 10- 15 drops of you favorite essential oil (optional). I like orange for this recipe, it turns out like a chocolate orange treat. Directions 1. Melt the bees wax, shea butter and cocoa butter in a medium pan ( I use stainless steel for this). When everything is melted ad the coconut oil and olive oil. The heat from the melted oils should melt the coconut oil. We don't want the oil to get too hot because it has to cool in order for us to whip it. It all needs to be melted in order for it to mix evenly. 2. Add your desired essential oil if using and mix well. 3. Pour your oil mixture into a mixing bowl and place in the freezer to cool. If you live where it is cold you can just set it outside if it is cold enough. This is what you want it too look like. Firming up but not hard. 
4.Now that it is cool all that is left to do is whip it. Just like you were making whipped cream. You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer, they both work great. I used the highest setting on my hand mixer. As you go you will see the texture change and become light and fluffy. You will know it is done when it forms a stiff, yet light and fluffy peak as shown below. It really does look like whipped butter.
It also melts like butter on your skin. It may seem a little oily at first but it absorbs into your skin before long. You may have to experiment with how much you use. Here is a lovely close-up of my face. Ha ha. See what you think. My face is repeatedly slathered in this through the winter and the rest of the year.
5. Put your fabulous body butter into containers of your choice. I like to use small canning jars. The shorter half pint, or 1/4 pint jars work good because they aren't very deep so the body butter is easy to get to even when it is almost gone. This also keeps them fresh. Store extra containers in the freezer.
Doesn't it look good enough to eat? Even without any essential oils added, it smells that good too. 
My body butter has held up well and stayed in it's whipped state even in our warm house. Our house is heated by a stove and because it is so cold here and we are often working outside taking care of animals, we keep the house at a toasty 72 degrees or more much of the time. Without that I don't know how we would make it in this frigid climate. We also have taken some out of the freezer and it has maintained it's whipped texture. Remember that I have used this for years before I ever whipped it. You can choose not to whip yours but I highly recommend it. Now don't hog this wonderfulness all for yourself, lather up those little ones of your and let them reap the benefits as well! Let me know how yours turns out and if you have to convince your littles that it isn't food, but don't worry if they do eat it, it is completely safe. Mine certainly have had their fair share. What essential oil are you going to add to yours? Be sure to tell me in the comments below. Have a blessed day, 
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Hello, I'm Jaci. I look forward to sharing my gardening and homestead adventures to help you reach your gardening goals! If you have any questions then don't be shy, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message and I will be glad to help!
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