Cucumber Avocado Moisture mask

The sun is out and summer is here!  Now is the time to moisturize your skin if there is any hope of saving it from the desert sun.

I love this mask not only for my face but also for my hands and feet.  If your up for a little adventure, give it a try!

Ingredients:

1/2 C. cucumber
1/2 C. avocado
1 egg yolk
3 T. honey
1 T. cream or yogurt
3 drops lemon oil  (or your favorite essential oil)

Mix everything in the blender till it is nice and smooth.  Use a fan brush to apply evenly over the skin.  Set back and relax for 30 minutes or till it dries.  When you are done rinse with cool water and pat dry.   Your skin should be silky smooth and revitalized.

Note: I have found this works best if the skin is freshly exfoliated.

Yes, it is totally normal for it to turn a rather ugly color of brown before you are done... just go with it and have fun!

Natural Sunburn Relief

It is the time of year to be outside.  There are lots of garden projects to do and hiking trails calling my name.  It is great that it is finally warm enough to get out there in the sun. 

A little bit of sun is a wonderful thing.  Not only does it feel fantastic on your skin and give you a pretty glow, it helps your body produce vitamin D3 and boosts your immune system.  Too much sun on the other hand can be a really real pain.  About 15 to 30 minutes of sun a day is going to be good for you and after that you need to cover up.

Prevention is the Key.  By all means, avoid getting a sunburn.  However, if it does happen, here are some natural remedies that really work.

Avoid further sun exposure until your symptoms have subsided.  Sunburns can continue to develop 12 to 24 hours after exposure.

After being in the sun, take a cool shower.

Place a cool moist towel over any areas that got too much sun, and take a rest.  Do not apply ice.  It can take several hours for a sunburn to become apparent.

Drink plenty of water and peppermint tea to keep you hydrated and to cool you from the inside out.

Sun Soak
1 C. apple cyder vinegar
1 C.  dry oatmeal
1 C. baking soda
7 drops peppermint oil

Mix ingredients into a tepid bath and soak for 30  minutes.

Sun soak 2
make a tea of chamomile, black and green tea.  Pour it in your bath water and soak.  Alternately you can take the moistened tea bags and place them directly on the burn.

Burn pultice
1 C. regular yogert
1 grated raw potato
1 grated raw cucumber

Apply mixture to your skin and let set for 20 to 30 minutes. 

Aahhh  Aloe Sunburn Spray
1 C. aloe juice
20 drops lavender oil
10 drops rosemary oil

Apply to burn with a spray bottle or a cotton ball.  Keep in the fridge and use within 4 to 6 months.

Sunburn Spray 2
1/4 C. distilled water
2 T. aloe vera gel
1 T. witch hazel
6 drops lavender oil
1 drop chamomile oil
1 drop tea tree oil

Mix the essential oil with the witch hazel.  Add the distilled water and aloe.  Store in a spray bottle.   Shake well before using.

After sun Skin Conditioner
1/2 t. sweet almond oil
1/2 t. aloe vera gel
1/8 t. liquid lecithin
12 drops evening primrose oil
1 drop tea tree oil
1 drop carrot seed oil

Using a whisk mix the almond oil,primrose oil, and liquid lecithin together.  Add the aloe gel and mix.  add the essential oil and mix again.  Gently massage into skin.  Store any leftovers in a jar with a lid.


Check out sun kissed skin cream!

Luscious Lemon scrub

It is the time of year for chapped lips and rough elbows.  If your skin is in need of a little TLC try this scrub.  You will be so happy you did.  This scrub is one of my favorites.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 t. olive oil
1 T. raw honey
3 T. sugar
1/4 fresh lemon
This makes enough to do your face.

Mix everything in a small bowl and use your fingers to scoop up the scrub and rub it into your skin.   Rub in a circular motion till you see that the skin is nice and pink.  You are going to want to let it set on the skin for a minute or so before you wash it off so just set back and enjoy the refreshing sent. 

This should leave you feeling polished, pampered and moisturized.

Other scrub ideas.

Mint Chocolate Lip balm

It is getting cold and that means it is time to give yourself a little pampering.  

I made up a batch of this lip balm the other day an it is amazing!  I can't think of a sweeter way to protect and moisturize winter lips.  Its so easy to make I have to share this recipe.

Ingredients:

3 T. organic coco butter
1/4 square dark chocolate or 3-4 chocolate chips
1 t. vitamin E oil
4-5 drops peppermint essential oil

1. Melt the cocoa butter in the microwave.
2. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted. (You may have to microwave the mixture again for a few seconds).
3. Add vitamin E and mint oil
4. Mix well and pour into a small container

Thats all there is to it!  The color will look pretty on anyone with olive skin tones all year round but anyone can pull it off this time of year.

I love the feel of the the tingly peppermint but if you don't you could also try substituting orange, raspberry or rose oil.

You're going to love this one!

Aloe

I know I have been missing in action the last two months.  Thank you everyone who emailed me to make sure my health is ok.  I am feel great and just got lost in the beautiful Indian summer we have been having.  Now that it is cold I will be inside more and can share what is cooking here in the house.

Last week I brought my plants in to save them from the cold and it has been interesting.  10 years ago my mom gave me a start of aloe and now that one little plant has turned into two humungous planters full of happy aloe.  The problem is my daughter can't decide where they go.  She is an Angel with autism and having everything in the right place is very important to her.  I never see her move the planters, but they have been making the rounds through every room in the house.  In all the moving there have been a few casualties and that has gotten me thinking about all the ways to use aloe around the house.

Here are a few of my favorites.
How To Treat A Wound With Aloe

• Clean wound thoroughly
• Apply Aloe Vera pulp in the wound
• Wrap tightly with a bandage
• Keep bandage soaked in Aloe Vera juice

The wound should quickly heal with little or no scarring, bandages will remove easily. There is also a much reduced risk of infection when using Aloe.
For minor scar removal, keep applying Aloe Vera juice morning and night (daily). This may take several months to see great results (six months or so).
For painful scrapes and abrasions, gently slide a split leaf over the area and reapply several times during the next 24 hours.

Burns & Sunburns
Good for soothing and healing burns and sunburns, simply apply juice from an aloe leaf directly to burned area.
Home Remedy For Digestive Problems

• Three times daily take 1 to 2 TBS of aloe juice/gel. This will act like a general tonic and mild regulator of the bowels.

Sap Extraction For Bowel Regulation
The sap is a yellow bitter fluid that flows between the skin and the pulp of the Aloe and acts as a laxative.

• Place green peelings of an aloe leaf in a jar of water and refrigerate. The more leaves in the jar, the stronger the tonic will be.
• Take a few sips once or twice a week to help regulate your bowels. Top up the jar with fresh aloe leaves as needed.

Scalp & Hair Treatments
Aloe juice can add luster, richness and manageability to hair as well as heal some scalp abrasions and diseases:

• Before bedtime wet hair thoroughly with aloe vera juice and allow to dry. Rinse thoroughly in the morning (may suds up a bit).

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak & AllergiesUse Aloe Vera as a pain inhibitor and reduce itchiness, also enhances healing of rashes and sores:

• For relief apply aloe vera juice directly to area that is irritated.

Pregnancy Stretch Marks

• Apply Aloe Vera juice directly to skin while pregnant, after birth keep applying to encourage healing.

• As soon as the bite or sting occurs, split open a leaf and apply it directly to the bite area.

Arthritis Treatments

• Dice up Aloe Vera leaves and place pieces in a jar of water, refrigerate. Drink 4 Tablespoons per day and top up water in the jar as consumed. The drink can be bitter but it does go away over time. Some may find relief right away, many don’t find relief until a couple months later. Make a fresh jar of leaves as needed.
• For aching joints and muscles, rub Aloe Vera on the skin, relief should be felt within a few minutes and can be repeated as necessary.

Age Skin Spots

• Apply Aloe Vera juice to the spots twice a day, spots will be reduced or completely removed after several months of treatment. 

Acne Treatments

• Give your skin a good cleansing morning and night. Apply juice directly from the leaf. Can also apply to pimples and other sores.
• For removing old acne scars, apply a little Aloe Vera juice morning and night until the scars are gone. This can take several months. If skin is dry, apply with a moisturizing cream.

Asthma

• Boil Aloe Vera leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor.

How To Tell If You’re Allergic To Aloe Vera
Before applying any first aid treatments, find out if you have an allergy to it first. If you’re allergic to aloe vera, you may experience the results opposite to what you were hoping for. Here’s how you can quickly find out if you’re allergic to aloe vera:

• Apply a small amount of aloe vera juice on the inside of your arm or behind your ears. If a rash appears or you experience a stinging sensation within a few minutes, do not use aloe vera for first aid.

Did You Know:

• After removing an aloe leaf to treat a burn or cut, you can refrigerate it and it will keep for 2 to 3 weeks.
• Aloe Vera is an astringent and may cause skin to dry. You can apply baby oil or other lubricant along with the aloe to help prevent dryness.
• What leaf is best to use in first aid treatments? The lowest leaves (closest to the ground) should be used first. These leaves are older and larger so they have more juice and greater potency.

Caution For Diabetics:
Drinking Aloe Vera juice might enable the pancreas to produce more of its own insulin. Before taking aloe vera internally, diabetics should have their physician monitor their need for extra insulin since too much is dangerous.

If you don't have one of these wonder plants in your house go and get one!  they are really low maintenance and almost imposable to kill. 

Vanilla Honey Lip Balm

This recipe is super quick and easy!

I use this on my lips everyday this time of year.  I love how smooth and shiny it makes my lips.  You can also use it any ware you need a little moisture like heels and elbows.  In a pinch you can use it on minor cuts and scraped to prevent scarring.  It is mildly antibacterial.

Ingredients:
1 T. honey
1 T. almond or jojoba oil
1 1/2 t. beeswax
7 drops vanilla essential oil

*You can substitute any essential oil of your choice.  Peppermint works really nice.






In a small sauce pan over low heat warm the oil, honey, and beeswax, until the wax is just melted.

Remove from heat, add the essential oil, and stir to blend.  Set the pan in a shallow ice-water bath.  Using a whisk, stir rapidly for 30 to 60 seconds until the honey is incorporated and the formula is like thick peanut butter.  It should be a pale amber color.

Spoon mixture into a storage container and let set for 2 hours before use.

No refrigeration is required but you will want to use it all up with in a year.

You are going to like this one!  (((kiss)))

Natural Aftershave

Most of the body recipes that I share are for girls.  Lets face it... all of my guinea pigs product testers are girls.

With Fathers day right around the corner I am thinking about the guys.  Most of my products can be tweaked to be more guy friendly by changing the essential oils. 

Oils and Herbs that work well for men are:  allspice, basil, bay, cedar wood, coriander, fir, lime, pine, rosemary, and sandalwood.

If you stand close to my hubby you will notice that he is pretty spicy.... just like I like it.  I have no idea if he loves it or just me but he keeps using the creams I make.

Isn't this the cutest bottle?  For most of my life it was setting on the counter in my grandparents house.  It held my grandpa's Listerine.  I think it is lovely and it makes me smile every time is see it in my bathroom cupboard.

Bay rum aftershave

2 cups of rum

1/2 cup crushed bay leaves

1/4 cup ground cloves

1/4 cup ground allspice berries

1/4 chopped fresh ginger

Cover the herbs in the rum in a clean glass jar and allow to steep for two weeks.  Strain out the herbs and store the remaining liquid in a pretty glass bottle.  I LOVE this one!  ...and I love the guy who wares it.

Island man aftershave

Juice of 2 limes

1 cup witch hazel

15 drops lime essential oil

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops bay essential oil

1 cup rose water

1 t. tincture of benzion

Combine all ingredients and store in a glass jar.   This one is sweet and spicy.  It is also quick and you don't have to wait two weeks to use it.

Note:  tincture of benzion is in there to help heal damaged skin.  You can put it in any of these recipes and it will be fine.

Herbal aftershave

2 cups witch hazel

1 T. rosemary

1 T. spearmint

1 cinnamon stick

7 whole cloves

Peel from 1 orange

Peel from one lime

1 t. tincture of benzion

Place all the ingredients in a glass bottle and allow to steep for two weeks. Strain out the herbs and bottle the liquid.  Splash on face after shaving.  Hubby says this one is invigorating!  There is something about the Orange in this one that I love.

Sun kissed skin cream

It has been rainy and awful lately.  Don't kid yourself though, Summer and sunshine are right around the corner! We spend almost every waking moment at the pool and even though I try to cover up the desert sun always has a way of zapping the moisture out of my skin.

This cream will soothe and soften even the most abused skin.  It is my secret moisturizing weapon. It smells so fresh and lovely I even use it instead of perfume sometimes.

The Calendula is in bloom so it is the perfect time to whip up a batch.

Sun kissed Skin Cream

1/4 C. almond oil
2 T. coconut oil
2 T. beeswax
1 T. coco butter
1 t. shea butter
1/4 C. aloe vera juice
3 T. very strong calendula tea
1 T. vegetable glycerin
1/4. t borax
1 t. vitamin E (or two capsules)
15 drops sweet orange essential oil
15 drops calendula essential oil
8 drops vanilla essential oil

In a small sauce pan over low heat the almond oil, coconut oil, beeswax, shea, and coco butter until the beeswax is melted. In another pan, lightly warm the aloe juice, tea, and glycerin, and stir in the borax until it dissolved in the liquid.

Remove both pans from the heat and pour the oil mixture into the blender and allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes.  It should become slightly opaque.  As it thickens, give the mixture a few stirs to remove any lumps.  Do not let it get too hard or it will be difficult to get out of the blender.  (that is why I have a food blender and a separate potion blender)

Remove the plastic piece of the blender lid and put the lid on.   Turn the blender on high and slowly drizzle the watery mixture through the center of the lid.

Then watch the magic happen!  Almost immediately the cream will turn pale yellow and begin to thicken.  Blend for about 15 seconds and then check the consistency of the cream.  It should have a smooth texture.  Scrape down the sides and free up the blades and then blend for another 15 seconds.  Repeat this until the cream is smooth.

Add the vitamin E and the essential oil and blend for another 5 seconds or so.

Pour the finished product into storage containers and lightly cover with a paper towel and allow to cool for about 30 minutes.   *If after a few hours the water begins to separate from your cream, don't worry.  You can pour the water off and use the resulting product as a foot and elbow cream.  Making creams is an art!  the separation happens if your oil mix and your water mix are not relatively equal and cool when they are blended. 

Try this one, you are going to love it.

Body scrub

One thing I wish they would have told me in cosmetology school is to make sure and take care of your body.  It doesn't seem like being in the salon is a particularly taxing job...  but it can be.  On any given Thursday I am standing on my feet for 9 to 12 hours with not so much as a potty or lunch break.  To top that off 90% of the time my arms are up in front of me at shoulder level.

I am pretty good at watching what I eat and I exercise about 5 days a week, but that doesn't stop my shoulders from fusing and my rib heads from popping out because of the repetitive movement.

Lucky me!  I have a wonderful friend named Karry.  She is the body worker that puts me back together once a month. Not only does she give the best massage in town she sends me home with exercises and stretches to help me balance out what I do for a living.

Most of the time I go to her studio, but Saturday she was kind enough to come to my home and do a treatment.  It was so nice to be able to just stay home and be pampered.  I am dealing with some health issues and part of it involves a major liver cleanse.  It leaves me, quite literally, wanting to crawl out of my skin.  Kerry suggested a salt scrub.  Let me tell you... this was the most amazing thing ever.  She mixed up the scrub right there in my house using the essential oils that were a good fit for me.  (She also makes her own lotions and soaps)   My skin feels so amazing.  I have never had skin that was this soft, silky and hydrated.  If you haven't had this done, please do.  Your body will thank you.

If you are in Moab or just passing through check her out at Del Sol Massage .  You will be so happy you did.

For everyone else that can't make the trek to Moab I do have some recipes you can try on your own.

If you have scrapes or acne the salt in the scrub can sting.  It is just fine to replace the sea salt with raw sugar.  You can find both at the health food store.


 Basic Sea Salt Scrub
1/4 cup fine sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil
3 to 5 drops lavender essential oil

Mix ingredients together then use to exfoliate body. Add a bit of water or liquid soap as you scrub.





Favorite Scent Sea Salt Body Scrub
3 cups fine sea salt
3/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup sweet almond oil
your choice of essential oils

Mix ingredients together then store in a sealed glass jar. Use to exfoliate and scrub body after showering.


Peppermint Salt Foot Scrub
1 1/2 cups fine sea salt
1/3 cup olive oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil

Exfoliate your soles and heels with this mixture after a bath or foot soak.

If you are going to try this, it would be a good idea to stand or sit in an empty bath tub or shower.  That way all the mess you make will be washed down the drain.   Follow the scrub with a shower and then rub your skin down with coconut oil.

Love, Balance and New Beginnings

I love this time of Year! Don't you?

Whether you celebrate Easter, Ostara, or just that it is getting warmer this is a beautiful magical time of year.  I always like to take the time during the Vernal Equinox to think about balance in all things.  I always check in with my eating/workout, my spiritual practise, and my relationships.  This is the amazing time of year when life springs right up from what once was dead, when we are allowed an other chance to thrive and prosper.

The sun and the moon rule the sky as equals.  It is good to look at how we bring light or darkness into the world.

The full moon in March is called the Chaste moon or the Windy moon by the locals.  It signals that it is time to get ready to plant your garden, get ready to change and transform, and maybe if you are lucky... smooch your sweetheart and *be fertile.

This year the Chaste Moon comes the day before the Equinox and it just so happens to be on a weekend.  Can you even think of a better reason to have a big party and a bone fire? 

So to help you celebrate and because I am a married type woman (haven't been chaste in quite some time) I am offering you some of my favorite Love potion recipes.

Ruby-Red Passion Tea

This sweet and tart aphrodisiac tea is perfect for the expecting mother or any one who doesn't want to drink alcohol.

4 C. mineral water
1/4 C. hibiscus flowers
2 T. lemon grass or lemon balm
2 T. rose hips
the peel of an Orange cut into slices
Raw honey

In a sauce pan bring the water to a boil, the remove from heat. Add everything but the honey and allow to steep for 45 minutes to an hour.  The mixture should be beautifully red. Strain and add honey to taste.  This can be served hot or cold.  *I love to freeze it into cubes and serve with other drinks.


Get Lucky in Love Liqueur

This is sweet, tart, warm, and spicy!  Perfect to share with that special some one.

1/2 C. smooth Brandy
1/2 C. vodka, unsweetened
1/2 C. distilled water
1/4 C. raw Honey
2 T. Eleuthero root (siberian ginsing)  *this is a must!  Don't skip
1 T. ginger
1/2 t. cardamom seeds
7 pitted cherries
2 dried or candied apricots
1 cinnamon stick
1 vanilla bean cut to 1/2 inch pieces.

Add all ingredients to a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.  Put plastic wrap on the opening so the lid doesn't rust.  Shake Vigorously for 15 seconds.  Store in a cool dark place for 2 weeks to a month.  Shake the Jar daily.  Strain the liquid into a beautiful bottle.  You can eat the fruit but be careful because they are Strong!

Keep you Love Potion in the refrigerator and consume within 3 months.


Spicy Love Balm

This little goodie warms and tingles on contact!  It softens and soothes the skin.

2 T. + 1t.  almond oil
1 T. coco butter
1 1/2 t. vegetable glycerin
1 t. beeswax
6 to 8 drops cinnamon oil

In a sauce pan heat all ingredients except flavoring on low.  Stir til just melted.  Remove from heat and add flavoring. whisk for a few minutes till it starts to turn opaque.  Then pour into a storage container.  Let cool for a few hours before putting a cap on it. No need to refrigerate this one!

Spread a little wherever you need a little kissing or caressing.  Note: a little goes a long way and this is not latex friendly!



Body Dessert

This is sweet and sticky...  spreadable and edible... sure to pleasure and please.

3 T. Coconut oil
1 T. vanilla bean paste

Place both in a bowl and stir to blend.  If your kitchen is cold you may need to heat it just a bit.   Put in a container and keep in the fridge.


*Edit for some Credit-  Passion tea and Body desert are from my own kitchen.  Love liqueur is from Grandma Julie.  Spicy Love balm is made by Grandma Ruthie.

She walks in Beauty...like the night

Once Upon a time...

In the mid-1300s The king of Hungary took compassion in the Gypsies and offered them protection as they pedaled their products and potions across Europe.  The grateful gypsies bestowed may things on the King, One of which was a magical potion for his daughter Elizabeth.

The potion was delightful and tropical.  It did everything... I mean everything.  It is amazing at tonifying the skin, nourishing the hair, it relieves headaches, I can be used as after shave, foot bath, and mouth wash.  It is considered ideal for all skin types.  at one time they used it topically as a liniment for arthritic, gouty, and paralyzed limbs to improve circulation.

The legend goes that the potion so enhanced her beauty that Elizabeth had 25 marriage proposals in her elderly years. (couldn't be because of her money)  When she was 72 years old the king of Poland ask for her hand in marriage.  He was only in his early twenties.

Don't you just want to get some of this potion in your hot little hands???

Well you are in luck!  No matter what you believe about the origins of the Queen of Hungary Water it is easy to make, inexpensive, and incorporates many of the herbs that are in your garden.  It actually is a wonderful beauty product and makes a nice gift.

The original version was made with vodka or brandy.  However, if you live in the desert or have dry skin use vinegar for a less drying effect.

You need:
6 parts lemon blam
4 parts chamomile
4 parts rose petals
8 parts calendula flowers
3 parts comfrey leaf
3 parts elder flowers
1 part rosemary leaf
1 part sage leaf
1 part orange or lemon peel
vinegar or vodka

Place the herbs in a glass jar and cover with vinegar or vodka.  Place some wax paper under the lid to keep it from using.  Allow the mixture to sit in a sunny window for one moon cycle.  (about a month)  Spin the jar clockwise daily.  Strain the herbs out and toss or compost.   Bottle the remaining liquid, adding 1/2 cup rose water or orange flower water. (hydrosoul)   If you have very oily skin use witch hazel instead.  Pour into a pretty bottle and enjoy.  There is no need to refrigerate.  This is a lovely product that brings health and nature into your self care rituals

Rose hip stretch mark cream.

When I was expecting my daughter Grandma Melva made me  rub this goo on my belly and legs every day.   She had 6 children the "real" way so she knew a thing or two about what to do.  This cream is Incredible!  I only have one stretch mark and it is low enough that it is covered by a bikini bottom.

Melva was 80 years old at the time and one of my closest friends.  She also held my hand all day when I was in labor.  I am finding that I miss her right now and wish she was still on the earth.  She answered all my questions about babies...  now I wish I had her wisdom on teens.  So the least I can do is share her recipe with my friends that are expecting...

* This cream is not only good for stretch marks it is great for dry desert skin, and seems to speed the healing of minor cuts and abrasions. 

1/4 C. jojoba oil
2 T. rose hip seed oil
1 T vitamin E
2 T. Shes butter
10 drops frankincense essential oil
10 drops neroli essential oil
10 drops calendula essential oil

Heat everything except the essential oil in a sauce pan on low heat.  Stir until the shea butter is just melted.  Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes, then add the essential oil and stir to blend.

Pour into container(s), and cap.  It takes about a day for the mixture to set to its finished texture.

You do not need to keep this in the fridge, but it only keeps well for 8 to 12 months.  Don't worry you will use it all and wish you had made more.

Melva instructed me to rub a small amount in to my skin (belly, bum, and boobies) twice a day.

Bath Salts!

Valentines day is just around the corner!  It used to be the day for getting and giving sweet treats and chocolate. 

Since going Primal that is not an option for me.  I am having a hard time justifying giving sweets either.

I came up with a fun idea for gifts.  Bath salts!  Whether you share your bath with a sweet heart or take a solitary soak bath salts will make it better.

It is super easy to make your own bath salts.  You can put them in a pretty bag tied up with a ribbon and use a sea shell as a scoop.  I found these cute little jars at the craft store to put it in.

All you need is:

1 cup sea salt
1 cup baking soda
1 cup Epsom salts
1 teaspoon essential oil(s) of your choice

I used lemon for an energizing bath, but Jasmine or Bergmont would be nice for Valentines day.....

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and store in a glass jar.  I wanted a little festive color so I added 2 drops of food red food color.

For an even quicker and more exciting version try Bath Fizz.

1 cup baking soda
3 tablespoons citric acid  (find it at the craft store)
7 drops essential oil of your choice

Combine all ingredients and put in a pretty shaker for a bubbly bath treat.

Green Goddess Mask

Ok ladies!  This mask is UGLY.  (and that is why no one would volunteer their mug for a shot)

All you need is some aloe juice and  powdered green algae.  Any kind will be fine.  I used spirulina algae and fresh aloe  for my mask.

All you have to do is cut off one of the aloe fingers and then slice it lengthwise down the middle. Squeeze out the juice and toss out the skin.

The algae will look green when it is dry but will look almost black when mixed up and on the skin.

Combine about 2 T. algae with just enough aloe to make a spreadable paste.  Let it set for a minute or so to thicken.  Then use your fingers to spread on face and neck.  Let the mask dry for 20 to 30 minutes.  Rinse.

This mask is best for oily skin types and skin with red blotches.

Face lift mask!

This mask will Dramatically tone your skin and visibly shrink your pores!  It is so amazing you'll think you had a mini lift.  ***please note that egg white and cornstarch are Very tightening so I will be very hard to move your mouth while this is on.

Take the whites of 2 eggs and put them in a bowl.  Add 1T. cornstarch and whisk till it is nice and foamy.  Make sure there are no lumps.

Use your fingers or a brush to coat face and neck.  *** you must lie down while this dries so gravity will pull all your wrinkles out.  Let sit for about 20 minutes and then rinse.

Masks

So here we are counting down to Halloween.  The kids are all talking about what they are going to dress up as.  My hubby is telling me to make sure and pick up an extra bag of snickers and not to give it out till last.  (so he can have it all) 

This got me thinking about masks we ware.  On any given day I put on my mommy mask, professional mask, lover mask, best friend mask.  When I go to the in-law's house for dinner I put on my polite smiley mask.  all of these are a different facet of who I am. 

So in honor of bringing out the True You I am going to dedicate this week to body beautifying masks.

Here in the desert southwest masks are used in all kinds of rituals.  Usually for some kind of purification or to honor the ancestors. Clay is especially valued for its color and its ability to absorb animal, mineral, and botanical pigments.  This makes it amazing body paint.  Just a short walk from my house you can harvest your own clay right out of the earth.  It comes in 4 colors that have different properties depending on what you want to do with it.  (I'll get into each one of them some time this week)

For cosmetic purposes it is used to deep clean the skin.  Depending on what you add masks can be used to increase circulation, remove toxins, tone and tighten, exfoliate, hydrate, calm inflammation, and soften the skin.

Masks can be made from so many natural ingredients. For today we will be using green/blue clay.

Purifying mask   recipe by Grandma Lou down the street who also showed me ware to get the clay.

2 T. green clay
Pure aloe vera juice
2 drops chamomile essential oil

This mask is best for oily, inflamed, or mature skin.  It is also amazing for a spot treatment for acne.  It removes the excess oil from the skin and as well as the toxins.

Grind your clay into a fine powder with a mortar and pestle. 
Add enough aloe to make a smooth paste, but not too runny.
Add the oil and mix well.

It should look something like this. 

Tie your hair back so you don't get it in the mask.  (the mask is not good for your hair and will dry it out)  Use a make up brush or your fingers to paint it on your face.  Avoid the eye area and lips because you don't want to dry them out.  It will be dark Green as you put it on and will go lighter as it dries.

Wow! I am a looker! 

Put your feet up for about 20-30 minuets or so and let it tighten and dry completely.  Then wash face and follow with a moisturizer.  I love using coconut oil.  Your face should feel squeaky clean and be nice and Rosy when you are done.

Here is to the real you!