Facial Scrubs / Masks.Homemade vs store ready

I have so much fun looking at facial scrubs in the stores. There are so many out there in all different price ranges and with a variety of ingredients. I have one rule in buying any store ready facial product. If it has ingredients I cannot pronounce I try not to buy it. I have a book I can look up any of the manufacturers ingredients and see what it is used for but I only get anxious and sad when I do that. Too much information and too many chemicals.

My next rule is keep it simple, natural, and fun. Therefore make something for yourself with ingredients you may have at home. I have blogged about facial scrubs and masks before but have since I have gotten better insight and deeper intuition if you will about homemade scrubs. They are so versatile easy and fun to make. Start with an egg either the whole egg or just the egg white. Divide it into two bowls or cups. One for the scrub. One for the mask. Whip up the egg in each bowl. To the scrub add oatmeal, cornmeal, sugar, white or brown. (Add just one or a couple of these ingredient.) There are no rules here. Put the scrub you have made on the face and  massage into skin. At this point you can rinse it off or let it dry for a few minutes then rinse. Next apply the rest of the egg in the other bowl to your face for the mask.I do not usually add anything to it but you can. Get creative. Use a couple drops of olive oil, some lemon juice, avocado whatever you think your skin would love. You can use the scrub and or the mask on any part of your body. I especially like both the scrub or mask on my legs. Have fun be creative !!!!

Restore Dry Skin

Lets make a restoring facial mask that is easy to make and so effective. Egg yolks have lecithin which is an excellent softening agent. If your skin is really dry use once a week. otherwise use every other week.
1 egg yolk
1 T Avocado
1 teaspoon olive oil

Mix all ingredients ingredients till smooth, smooth on dampened face, let sit 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Follow with your moisturizer.

My Fingers Are Starting To Tingle

This is the time of year my fingers start tingling to be planting and touching herb seeds and plants with eager enthusiasm to see them grow and smell their wonderful aroma.
A couple of years ago, after several or should I say many years of planting small plants of cilentro from the nursery, that the very best way to grow it was from seeds. I actually heard a person at the nursery discussing this with another customer so I joined in listening. Sure enough after I started planting seeds I have much more for the season. I have also taken to planting it along the edge of my garden as well. Another herb that does great from seed is basil. It really takes off and you get lots out of just one packet of seed.

Easy Refreshing Facial Scrub

There are many ingredients that you can mix with your favorite facial cleanser. Ingredients I like to add to my Clean and Fresh cleanser by J&J is corn meal. It adds a great exfoliate to it and your skin feels so clean.
The following scrub however does not need to be added to a cleanser because oatmeal is a good alternative to soap for sensitive skin. The mint is naturally cleansing and lifts your energy level, and is naturally an antiseptic.
One-half cup ooatmeal
1T raw unsalted sunflower seeds
1t. dried mint (may use mint from a tea bag)
Combine ingredients in a blender, process until you have a fine, granular powder.
Mix together with a teaspoon or two of water, milk, or yogurt. Dampen your face with water and massage into skin. Rinse well with warm water and follow that with a cool water rinse. Pat your skin dry. You will love how refreshed your skin feels.
Have Fun LaDonna

Bees Love Herbs With Tiny Flowers

Not only are these herbs medicinal; the bees love them; and they may benefit from the medicinal properties as well. ( the jury is still out on that theory but if herbs have medicinal qualities that help humans it only stands to reason they maybe helpful to bees too.). Herbs provide pollen, shelter, nectar, protein, and carbs for the bees.
Basil, rosemary, and lemon balm have flowers that are tiny and will attract the bees. These herbs are also great in many dishes,herbal oils, and herbal vinegar. Some other herbs are: anise hyssop. Anise have small flowers in midsummer and can be used for a tea to aid digestion. Catmint has tiny purple flowers loved by the bees and hummingbirds and can be used for a tea to nourish the nervous system.
Happy Valentine's Day to you all.

Herb-Vinegar Combinations

Making your own herbal vinegar is so simple and inexpensive to make. I stick with apple cider vinegar but one can use and experiment with white wine , rice,or malt vinegar. Add about one cup chopped herbs of your choice to two cups of vinegar. Place herbs and vinegar in jar; put lid on and tighten. Let stand for about one week. Shake the jar every couple of days. Sample after about one week; if it is strong enough you can use it. If not let stand another week. One of the mistakes people make is not using enough of the chopped herbs. A couple sprigs is not going to do it. Have fun..Experiment !! Different herbs and different vinegars.

Another Reason to Love Herbs

Many Herbs bear beautiful blooms and using these in spring and summer flower arrangements takes little effort. Some herbs that can be grown and cut to put in arrangements are dill, rosemary, basil, oregano, and pineapple sage. Not only do they look sweet but they smell wonderful also. In addition try some of the mint family. Spearmint has a wonderful little little pink/lavender flower. Spring will be here soon in the land of Minnesota and soon we can plant our wonderful herbs outside.