This evening’s Drunken Crafting project is a simple one – creating a luxurious foot soak to help ease aching feet and draw toxins out of your system. Nothing can make your day seem a little less hectic that relaxing and soaking your feet and sitting back for just a few moments and, perhaps, enjoying a libation of choice!

The libations of choice for this project included two wonderful beers from the great state of Wisconsin. The first (and bar-none, my all-time favorite beer) is Fat Squirrel from New Glarus Brewing in New Glarus, Wisconsin. It is a wonderfully, nutty brown ale that is simply divine. Problem is, it is seasonal and limited batches – so I end up hoarding it – hmmm – suspiciously – like a fat squirrel.

The second beer tonight was from Rush River Brewing in River Falls called Scenic Pale Ale, it’s an excellent seasonal brew, with a delicate hoppiness that is not overpowering. Super balanced and just a nice drinkable beer with a touch of citrus, malt and pine. This is a great summer ale! Before I digress any further into beer, let’s get on to crafting…

Foot soaks are a great way to ease any tension in your feet and legs and a good excuse to just sit down and relax. This particular foot soak combines essential oils of Cypress, Lemon and Lavender, which each have their own restorative properties.

The main ingredient is Epsom salts, which is not a true salt. Containing high levels of magnesium, epsom salts are great for relaxing muscles, easing tensions, removes toxins from your system and can help you get a better night’s rest. It will also help to soften your skin, so make sure you have a pumice stone ready to help you exfoliate – so important for beautiful summer feet!

The last three ingredients are all essential oils and come with their own therapeutic effects:

• Cypress oil is wonderful. Not only does it help calm you, but, it supports natural process to aid your body’s ability to flush toxins, too. It’s refreshing scent is also deodorizing and because it is a vasoconstrictor, it can help the appearance of varicose veins. Finally, it has anti-spasmodic benefits, so if you have sore muscles or foot cramps, it’s very soothing.
• Lavender oil is, hands-down, my go-to oil. I use it for skin conditions like bug bites or wounds, to help me sleep and just as a general fragrance.  Regular use of lavender can help give your immune system a boost and is very calming on your nervous system.
• Lemon oil is such a refreshing, summery scent, but did you know that it packs a punch in boosting your immune system, too? It’s high vitamin content adds much-needed micronutrients when your under stress. Also, because lemon oil is antiseptic and a fantastic cleaner, it is great to keep your tootsies fresh and lovely!

This foot soak can be used in a foot fixer – one of those bubbling foot baths, in a pan or large bowl of very warm water or even, in your bathtub. This this is a “foot soak” there is no reason you couldn’t incorporate it into a soothing bathe for your whole body!

Here’s the breakdown of ingredients – you can adjust based on the quantities you need and you may want to switch up the amount of the essential oils based on your personal preference, but, this is a lovely blend.

• 3 cups epsom salt or dead sea salt
• 20 drops each of lavender, cypress and lemon essential oils

That’s it! You will want to mix all of these ingredients into a stainless steel or glass bowl – preferably one you don’t use for food. I have a bowl that I keep just for craft projects. Oh and a spoon or spatula – again, one you use for crafting only. Blend the four ingredients together well and pour into containers. These are great for your own use or give as gifts.

Enjoy this project!

P.S. I forgot to mention, my t-shirt, “Win Marnie Win,” is from Marnie Stern who is this amazing girl-genius guitar player, singer and songwriter. Buy her stuff, cuz she’s awesome. Check out her stuff on Kill Rock Stars.com.