Bath Milk

One more spa type recipe for today!  I've made Bath Milk for baby shower gifts and poured the mix into cute little baby bottles.  I've found the baby bottles at both Hobby Lobby with the baby shower party supplies and online at Oriental Trading Company.  If you're giving this as a gift for a shower, a nice little tag thanking the guests really finishes off the gift.  This is one I've used in the past:

Thanks for joining us in pampering the mom to be;

Now pamper yourself by adding some milk to your bath by tablespoons of three.

 I've also done this similarly as a wedding shower favor with a little tweaking to the verse.

the bath milk in their little baby bottles can be seen in the back corner of our decorated shower table.

Ingredients:
2 cups powdered milk
1 cup corn starch
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup finely ground oatmeal
1/4 cup almond meal*
Optional: 1/2 cup dried rose petals, lavender or rosemary

Directions:
Using a food processor or blender, finely grind the oatmeal.  Add powdered milk and continue processing until well mixed.  Transfer to a bowl; add corn starch, baking soda, and almond meal mixing all ingredients well.  (*To make almond meal, grind up blanched or slivered almonds to a powdered consistency in the same manner as the oatmeal.)

If you are adding dried flowers or herbs, grind them finely with a mortar and pestle, or in the blender, and stir into the powdered mixture.

Store in a tightly sealed container.  Spoon three tablespoons (or more, if you like) under warm running water for a soothing bath.

Salt Scrub

Here's a fun gift I made up for several friends this Christmas.  Super easy and quick Salt Scrub.  This could really be used two different ways by the recipient -- either a scrub in the shower or a spoonful under running warm water in the bath tub.  I needed six half pint jars for my work friends, so I made a batch of one and half the first time around.  It takes about 1/2 cup of Epsom salt for one half pint jar, so I also cut the recipe into smaller amounts a couple of times to make just one or two jars as needed.  This probably took me 10 minutes tops (if that, honestly) to do the quick single jars; when I did the batch of six it took a bit longer simply because of the scooping into several jars.  I love this recipe because it's so quick and the ingredients are easy to keep on hand.  I'll be posting a couple other spa type recipes soon that have some differences and more ingredients.

Where to buy:
The wide mouth half pint Ball jars: I found these at Wal-Mart in the canning section.  Hobby Lobby also has a lot of glass jars of all sizes with different types of lid closures that would be perfect.
The Glycerin and Essential Oil: these came from Hobby Lobby in the soap making section; I used Grapefruit this time.
Epsom Salt: any drug store should carry it; though I admit I've had a bit of trouble in the past.  I think it just doesn't get stocked regularly, so if someone grabs the two or three on the shelf before you get there, you're in trouble.

Ingredients:
2 cups Epsom Salt
2 teaspoons Glycerin
12-14 drops Essential Oils

Directions:
Combine the above ingredients in a bowl.  Adjust the amount of glycerin to the Epsom salt to get a consistency you're happy with -- I found that I used a bit more than 2 teaspoons... maybe 3?  You may also find that you want to adjust the scent with the essential oil as you go as well.  Start out conservatively and add more as you like.  Be sure to mix well, breaking up any lumps of salt.  Spoon the salt scrub into the mini jars; about half a cup per jar.  Tie with ribbon, raffia, or add a piece of scrapbooking paper or fabric under the lid.