Smart living session a soothing balm

THE December sustainability workshop from Smart Living Ballarat is set to be hands-on, and in-person.

In Barkly Square’s commercial kitchen on Wednesday, 21 December, beauty and skincare maker Lidwine Oliver will teach attendees how to make a balm moisturiser in their own home, which can be used in various ways.

“Lidwine really enjoys using ingredients that people can forage from their own backyard, so the balm she’ll be showing us all how to make is a comfrey and plantain infused one,” Smart Living Ballarat coordinator Ellen Burns said.

“The general balm recipe can actually infuse with anything you’d like, but she’s chosen things that most people would generally have in their backyards. Plantain is known as a weed around Ballarat.

“We’ll be making this multipurpose moisturiser which can be used for the face, body, anywhere.”

Ms Burns said December is the ideal time of year for this kind of workshop, coming up to Christmas.

“People will get a balm to take home which they can keep, or they might want to use it as a gift,” she said.

“We encourage people to think about making their own Christmas gifts at home in the future, and it’s a really great way to have a lower waste Christmas.

“People really appreciate receiving a gift that has been handmade with love.”

The workshop will take place from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. There are limited in-person places, but those who can’t attend in the room can watch online via the Smart Living Ballarat Facebook page. Head to bit.ly/3W5kB6I to register.

Smart Living Ballarat is delivered by members of Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions in partnership with the City of Ballarat. There won’t be a workshop in January.