Making Baths Better

I tend to get over-enthusiastic about pet projects, but this one is worth getting excited about - fun to do, super frugal, easy, and with a long-lasting payoff in heavenly smells, soft skin and soothed muscles, perfect for winter. I love a long hot bath, but I don't want my skin to dry out more than it has to. Bath salts ease your muscles, treat your skin and make the bathroom smell heavenly.

Here's the recipe:

Buy ordinary old Epsom's salts at the drug store, salt and olive oil, and good quality essential oils somewhere reputable. I go for the easily obtainable ones, eucalyptus, tea tree, cedarwood, rose geranium, lavender. Avoid rose: the real absolut is astronomically expensive, and cheaper versions are so diluted they have no staying power.  Sniff your way through all the offerings and remember that very sharp, pungent oils can add depth to lighter, sweeter florals, just a drop or two.

I like to play with the salts too. I'm lucky enough to be near a bulk botanical shop which sells black, grey and pink salt; black looks more edgy, pink more feminine.

The Recipe!

3 cups of Epsom's salts

1/4 cup salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 drops of essential oil (remember you can mix them)

Mix all ingredients together and put it in a jar. What could be more simple? No nasty preservatives either.

This is perfect for children to make as presents, and they will love doing it. Just watch that they don't get carried away with half a bottle of peppermint, easy does it.

Did you know that a few drops of peppermint oil massaged into your scalp will make you more intelligent? Works for me!