Bath.Body.DIY

I'm sharing my secret "WonderPoo" mix, the perfect poo for dry, #naturalhair.

1/4 cup of Dr Bronners Almond Castile Soap

1/4 cup of aloe vera gel

1 teaspoon of glycerine

1/2 teaspoon of avocado oil

Directions:

Mix together all the ingredients.  Pour into a clean shampoo bottle or container with a tight fitting lid and be sure to always shake well before each use.  Due the oil components in this recipe, the ingredients may separate, but this is perfectly fine.

4 destructive foods you should avoid for healthy skin and a healthier you!

1. SUGAR

Sugar causes inflammation and creates free radicals (oxygen molecules that can weaken proteins within the body) that attack our bodies on a cellular level.  It does this by oxidizing fats and converting them into the chemical compound aldehyde.  Sugar is bad for just about every system in the body including the immune system, the cardiovascular system, and especially the skin, due to it's ability to break down the lipid barriers of cells through oxidation.  When in need of a sweetener instead of reaching for sugar try using an herbal sweetener like stevia instead.  Stevia is 300x's sweeter than sugar and doesn't share sugars harmful side effects on the body.

2. REFINED FLOUR

Refined flours that are found in foods such as pasta and breads are full of high glycemic starches that mimic sugars.  Whole grains on the other hand, are made up of bran and germ which contain fiber and nutritional phytochemicals.  Fiber enables the body to absorb large amounts of water and help keep weight under control.

3. HYDROGENATED FATS

Hydrogenated fats aka trans-fatty acids, wreak havoc on the body by unleashing free radicals that can lead to heart disease and cancer. Hydrogenated fats are added to packaged goods and fast food products in order to extend their shelf life.  Trans fats are not essential, and in no way promote good health.  It's recommended that the intake of trans fatty acids be limited to trace amounts, found naturally in things like meats and dairy products.

4. ACID-FORMING FOODS

Keeping your body at the proper pH is something that is extremely important.  Eating foods that are highly acidic can aggravate your skin and cause disturbances.  Eat grains, fruits, and vegetables that are alkaline based and avoid over indulging in highly acidic foods such as coffee, alcohol, and processed foods.  These types of food can cause your skin to become itchy and prone to rashes if consumed in high amounts.

bath.body.DIY: Refreshmint Stimulating Hair & Scalp Rinse

Suffering from an itchy scalp or concerned with hair growth?!  Try rinsing with the Refreshmint Stimulating Hair & Scalp Rinse and incorporating it into your hair care routine.  The mint in this recipe is soothing and refreshing which stimulates the scalp, while carrot juice helps to speed hair growth and reinforce strength.

Re-Freshmint Stimulating Hair & Scalp Rinse

2 teaspoons of chopped fresh (or dried) mint

1 cup of warm water (distilled/filtered is best)

1 teaspoon of carrot juice (preferably organic)

Application:

After shampooing and cleansing your hair, prepare to apply rinse to your hair

Directions:

Add the mint to the warm water.  Steep for 30 minutes, then strain.  In a small bowl, combine the mint and carrot juice.

bath.body.DIY Insect Repellent: "Bug Be Gone" Natural Bug Blocker

As I promised on Twitter, I'm providing an easy to follow recipe that's a safe alternative to traditional bug sprays and repellents.  This is a light spray that will leave your skin fresh, lightly scented, and most importantly chemical free.  This mixture is recommended for all skin types, except the overly sensitive.  Prep time takes about 5-10 minutes and this recipe yields approximately 2 cups or 16 ounces.

Bug Be Gone

What You'll Need:

2 cups of Witch Hazel

1 teaspoon of Vegetable Glycerin

20 drops of Citronella Essential Oil

20 drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil

16 oz spray bottle (or a few that equal the equivalent)

Directions:

Combine all of the above ingredients, as simple as 1-2-3 and voila' you're all done.  If you have a 16 ounce bottle then ingredients may be added directly into it but, if you are using several bottles, you will need to combine the ingredients in a bowl or dish then funnel them into your bottles.

Dramatically tone your skin

This particular recipe for a firming facial mask will dramatically tighten and tone your skin.  Visibly shrinking your pores and leaving you with amazing looking skin.  This mask is recommended for all skin types, especially those who suffer from enlarged pores and slack skin.  This particular mask may be used 1-2 times a week followed up immediately with a moisturizer.

Firming Facial Mask

What You'll Need:

The white of 1 cold, fresh small or medium sized egg

1 teaspoon of cornstarch

Prep Time:

5-10 minutes

Tools:

a small bowl with a fork or small whisk

Directions:

Combine the egg white and corstarch in a small bowl or drinking glass and beat with a fork or small whisk until foamy and well blended.  the mixture should not be lumpy at all.

Application:

Using your fingers, smooth the mixture onto the face and throat (if desired) in a thin, even coat. The texture of the mixture will be gel-like due to the main ingredient in the mask being the egg white.  It's best to let this mask dry for 20 minutes while laying/leaning your head backwards, so gravity will not pull any wrinkles that you may have downward.  Leave the mask on for approximately 20 minutes.  Rinse, then follow up with a moisturizer.

Enjoy!