FOOD YOU CAN USE

MORE FOOD YOU CAN WEAR, IF YOU DARE!

Here are some more recipes that utilize the food in your refrigerator to care for your skin. Look through and try a few!

NOURISHING MASK

With carrot, avocado and cream

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 carrot, cooked and mashed

1 avocado, peeled, pitted and mashed

3 Tbs. honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowel and mix well, then spread over the face and neck. Relax for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Carrots are high in beta-carotene and anti-oxidant vitamins, heavy cream is high in calcium and protein, and avocado is a rich source of vitamin E. This mask will improve skin texture, diminish age spots and rebuild collagen when it is used regularly.

FACE MASK

with pineapple

4 large pineapple chunks or 1/2 cup canned pineapple, drained

3 Tbs. ev olive oil

Put the pineapple and oil in the blender and blend until mostly smooth. Apply to your face and neck with your fingers, relax for 15 minutes then rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme which helps rid the skin of dead cells and dirt. It also helps counteract histamines, therefore it has anti-inflammatory properties. The pineapple fruit also acts as a mild astringent and skin freshener. The olive oil has excellent healing properties, is a great source of vitamin E, and will help to restore the skin's surface. Together, this masks ingredients combine to make a very beneficial treatment.

HAND MOISTURIZER

with apricots

6 dried apricots

2 cups water

1 oz beeswax

1 cup apricot oil

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup aloe vera gel

5 vitamin E capsules, open and use the gel only

place apricots in a small saucepan, cover with the water, and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 20 minutes, then set aside and allow to cool. Use a double boiler (put adequate amount of water in the bottom pan) to melt the beeswax, apricot oil, and coconut oil together. Cook, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes, then pour into a glass container and set aside. Put the apricots and water into a blender and blend until smooth, then strain through a cheesecloth, trash the solids and put the liquid back into the blender. Add the aloe vera gel and the vitamin E to the blender, then mix on low speed. While still blending on low, slowly drizzle the beeswax into the blender, blending and drizzling [on low] until this mixture has the consistency of cake frosting. You may OR may not use all of the beeswax. Once you have the right consistency, pour the mixture into jars. Store in a cool place. This mixture will thicken as it cools. Apply it to your hands after every washing. This moisturizer is particularly effective on prematurely aged, dry, sensitive, and/or inflamed skin!

HAIR PACK for DRY HAIR

with avocado and mayo

1 avocado, peeled and pitted

1 cup real mayonnaise

Mash the avocado in a small bowel, then blend in the mayonnaise. Once mixed, gently massage into the scalp and hair, then cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap. Leave on for 20 minutes, then shampoo as usual.

This mixture is a wonderful conditioner for dry hair and can be used as often as needed.

MOISTURIZING HAIR WRAP

with molasses

1/2 cup of molasses, honey or maple syrup

Apply molasses, (you can substitute honey or maple syrup if you want) directly to damp hair, massaging into the scalp. Once worked in, cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and leave for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes, rinse with warm water, then rinse and shampoo as usual.

This treatment is incredibly easy to do and will add shine and moisture to your hair.

PUFFY EYE REMEDY With potatoes and cucumbers

1/4 small raw potato, peeled 1/2 medium-sized cucumber, peeled 2 Tbs sage infusion, cooled *(to make a sage infusion you take 1/4 cup sage (fresh or dried) and pour 1 cup almost boiling water over it, allow to steep for about 30 min. then strain. Throw out the sage and store the "tea" aka infusion in the refrigerator in a glass jar, covered. This will remain good for about 2 months.)* Slice the potato into chunks then mash into pieces in a food processor to get them as fine as possible. Use the food processor to puree the peeled cucumber very briefly. You don't want to over process it. Then strain the excess juice. The whole thing will be runny, but preserve the more pulpy part.Now mix the potato, cucumber and tea together and pour into an empty ice cube tray. Freeze. Next time eyes are puffy, red and sore, pop out one of these ice cubes and place over the eyes. Leave on for 2-3 minutes, or you may just dab them on if leaving on bothers you. When finished, rinse your eyelids off & pad dry. You'll see the difference! The cubes will remain good in the freezer for 2 months. Also, for another, quicker, easier remedy you can throw a few slices of cucumber or just two teaspoons into the freezer before you get into the shower in the morning. After you've gotten out of the shower & dressed, place the frosted spoons or the cucumber slices on your eyelids. Sit back and relax for 10 minutes. The cool of the spoons reduces puffiness, while the cucumber actually possess a natural ingredient that helps to sooth irritated skin.