The Oil-Cleansing Method

I am always looking for ways to eliminate toxic, unnecessary chemicals from my life and using natural beauty products is one of the easiest ways to do this. I'm super excited to share the oil-cleansing method with you because I am convinced it's going to change your life the way it has changed mine. And, it will also save you a ton of money and give you better looking skin in the process!

If you haven't heard of the oil-cleansing method before, it's definitely time you did.  The oil-cleansing method involves washing your face with, well, you guessed it: oil.  Most facial cleansers brag about being "oil-free" and the beauty industry has certainly taught us that "oil-free" make-up and cleansers is the way to go.

Here's the problem though: when our skin is striped of its natural oils, it produces more oil to compensate.  For those with oily skin, this means more breakouts, blackheads, and aggravated skin.  For those with dry skin or sensitive skin, it means the skin is going to get even drier and irritated.

Here's a basic chemistry lesson: like dissolves like.  Hence, oil dissolves oil. The oil-cleansing method is using oil to naturally dissolve the dirty oils on our skin without stripping it or using harsh chemicals. Genius, right?  Not only is it super simple, affordable, and better for your skin, but here is my favorite part: the oil-cleansing method is the best make-up remover I've ever found.  It removes mascara, eyeliner, foundation, everything -- all in one step!  If that's not enough to make you jump for joy, then I just don't know what is.


The key to the oil-cleansing method is castor oil which comes from the castor bean.  Castor oil is a great antibacterial and is the best for cleaning skin.  Depending on your skin-type, you will want to use a different ratio of castor oil to other oils.  Other oils to use include olive (which is perfect for all skin types), jojoba (all skin types), avocado (best for drier skin), and almond oil (best for oily skin). Experiment and see what works best for you.

I have dry skin and have had great results with using a mix of castor oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. I usually mix 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil, 1 cup avocado oil, and 1 cup castor oil in a a glass jar and keep this in my bathroom for easy access. (I would definitely recommend keeping oil for cooking and oil for skincare separate.)

I recommend mixing a small batch and then you can adjust your oil ratio as needed.  Once you discover what works best for your skin type, then you can make a larger batch. I've been using this for over a year now and I've noticed that it's made my dry skin significantly less dry and I've gone from using lotion several times a day to simply once in the morning. This is a huge change for me!

Here's how it works...

Method:

Once you've made your oil mixture, rub a small amount onto DRY skin (as it won't mix well with water), adding more as needed, and massage it around your face for about a minute.

Remember: there's no need to wash or remove make-up before applying the oil. (If you wear makeup, rubbing the oil onto your skin might make a gooey mess, but it gets better in the next step.) If you wear mascara and eye makeup, rub a small amount onto your lids gently to remove any makeup, just as you would use a makeup remover.

The next step is to steam the skin to help remove impurities from your pores. Grab a clean wash cloth and run it under warm/hot water.  Wring it out and place it over your face for about a minute.  Then use the washcloth to wipe away any oil that's left. And that's it!

You only need to do the oil-cleansing method once a day (preferably at night before bed) and then you can splash your face with water in the morning.  It's so simple!

Have you tried the oil-cleansing method before?  What oils work best for your skin?

Citrus & Coconut Body Scrub

I am excited for spring. Every year around this time I start stalking the sunrise and sunset timetables online to see exactly how much light we are gaining each day. As of this week, we are gaining about 3.5 minutes of daylight every day and I couldn't be happier. 

I won't miss the extreme cold and dark days of winter, but I will miss the comforting soups and winter citrus. Oh how I'll miss the citrus. 

Since winter's not over just yet there is still plenty of time to zest an orange and rub it all over your body with a little sugar and coconut oil. Let me tell you, this scrub is pure bliss and it's making the last days of winter go by even quicker. 

I used a blood orange for my scrub, this this also works great with clementines, tangerines, grapefruit, or lemons. Since you will be rubbing the zest on your skin, I would definitely recommend choosing an organic fruit.

This scrub will leave your skin silky-soft and is perfect for sloughing away any dry, flaky winter skin. The citrus and coconut oil smells delicious and is a wonderful pick-me-up first thing in the morning. The hardest part is not eating it!

Citrus and Coconut Body Scrub
Makes 1/2 cup (about enough for 2 - 3 showers)

Supplies needed: 
zester
small container to store any leftover scrub

Ingredients:
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons (organic) orange zest

Instructions:
Melt coconut oil (if necessary) until it reaches a liquid state.
Mix oil, sugar, and zest together.
Scrub over body.
Store any leftovers in the fridge and use within one week.

Simply Gluten-Free Magazine and DIY Face Masks

Hey gluten-free folks,

I wanted to do a quick shout-out about an awesome new magazine, Simply Gluten Free Magazine, founded by Carol Kicinski of Simply Gluten-Free. You'll find amazing gluten-free recipes for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegan diets (created by my friend Ricki of Diet, Dessert, and Dogs), as well as great articles on gluten-free news, travel, health and wellness, and beauty. 

You can find me in this month's beauty section (pg 76-77) whipping up some easy (and cheap) DIY beauty treatments! I wanted to give you a sneak peek of one of my favorite DIY Face Masks featured in this issue: a seasonal citrus, antioxidant skin-brightening mask. If your face is in need of a little pampering from the winter weather, look no further than this simple treatment using ingredients straight from your kitchen!

This mask combines kiwi with honey and lemon/orange juice to slough away dead skin cells, tighten pores, and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. (And you thought kiwis were just for eating!)  This mask works for any skin type and you can even mix it with sugar to create a delightful scrub for your hands, neck, and chest. If you prefer to skip the honey, substitute 1 tablespoon of olive oil instead.

Antioxidant Skin-Brightening Mask

Makes about 4 masks

Ingredients:

1 medium ripe kiwi, peeled and pureed

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon fresh lemon or orange juice

Instructions:

Wash your face with warm water and pat dry with a towel. Mix pureed kiwis with honey and lemon or orange juice. Apply a thin layer to face using fingertips (avoiding the eyes and delicate eye area). Leave on until dry, then rinse well.  Moisturize as normal.

Store any leftover mask in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Mask will stay fresh for up to 5 days. 

BabbaCo: Escape The Indoor Blues With Awesome Adventures

Before I tell you all about the wonders of BabbaCo and their BabbaBox I wanted to make a little confession: I am NOT a crafty Momma (Not YET. I'm a work in progress).  I find so many projects on Pinterest but I don't pin them because I KNOW that I do not have the time or energy to pull these "easy" crafts together.  I work full time and race home each day to be with my little one.  I can't imagine rushing all over town to purchase goodies from the craft store!  Thanks to BabbaBoxes - I don't HAVE to.  EVERYTHING that I need is included.  Right down to scissors, glue, and markers!

Each month, the BabbaBox is delivered right to your door and features activities organized around a theme that kids age 3-7 will love. All you need to do is open up the box and enjoy!

I dread the winter blues - especially when colds are common and it is usually dark and a bit chilly outdoors by the time my husband & I get home from work.  Being cooped up is NO FUN.


During the workday our son is usually indoors with his Grandma.  He enjoys watching PBS, has many learning toys, his beloved train sets, and his very own tablet loaded with learning apps.  But even with those things I like to introduce him to hands on projects that encourage imaginative play. DIY crafts, kid friendly recipes, and countless other FUN projects and experiments!

I love having BabbaCo projects that the little one can do with his Grandma while my husband and I are at work!  They BOTH can have fun creating together!  Instructions are always included and are very easy to follow.  As I mentioned earlier: all of the items that you need are included in the box!

BabbaCo Story Materials

If you are looking for a fun solution to the indoor blues check out February's BabbaBox which theme is: “My Amazing Adventures”.

BabbaCo Puppet People

Here are the details on what you’ll find inside your “My Amazing Adventures” BabbaBox:

Make an adorable photo magnet of your kids and have it sent to your home – absolutely free – thanks to BabbaCo's special partnership with Shutterfly!

Star in adventures to outerspace, the jungle - anywhere your imagination takes you - in a storybook you create and get to can keep.

Using your personalized magnet from Shutterfly, cut out adventure costumes you get to color, make puppets that can play out your stories.

Read “Henry's Amazing Imagination” - a sweet story about a mouse whose imagination is so great that his friends begin to wonder if he's fibbing! See how his teacher helps him harness his ideas into stories to share.

Download a free copy of DinoBoy Adventures App - It's a "choose your own" adventure story for the preschool set!

Here are a couple of photos from a BabbaBox that we purchased last year (and one of our FAVORITES):

• Sign up for BabbaCo’s Newsletter (FREE) and you are entered to win a great prize package: Annual Membership to the BabbaBox ($240 value) AND a $50 Gift Card from Shutterfly.

• BabbaCo is running a very special “Cure to the Indoor Blues” offer right now: 33% ($10) Off the 1st month of a new Monthly or Annual Subscription!  Just use the Coupon Code: FEB33 at checkout.

I invite you to take a moment to learn even MORE about BabbaCo by watching this informative video.

  

This sponsored post is made possible by our friends at BabbaCo.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

DIY Lavender Bath Salts

The holidays are now upon us and the next thing I know, I'll be watching the ball drop at midnight. Each year I have fabulous intentions of creating homemade gifts from my kitchen for friends and family, but somehow the time slips by and my good intentions rarely make it to reality.

This year is different. This year I am committed.  And this year I am starting early. As in, now!

If you've been wanting to get into the spirit of homemade gifts, I have just the thing: DIY lavender bath salts. These bath salts were inspired by my trip to the Sequim Lavender Festival this past summer.  I'm still working through my incredible stash of dried lavender and essential oil and needed to come up with a creative way to use up the rest of it. Bath salts to the rescue!

(These pictures were taken in Sequim in July and as I sit here wrapped up in two sweaters and three pairs of socks it seems crazy to see a picture of myself in a tee-shirt!)

Bath salts are simple and incredibly cost-effective to make, plus, who doesn't love a nice relaxing bath during a chilly winter?  If you are the crafty-type, you can even dye the salts different colors and make a nice label for your jar.

My bath salt recipe involves only four ingredients: epsom salt, sea salt, baking soda, and lavender essential oil. Epsom salt and sea salt are wonderful at relaxing the muscles and drawing toxins from the body while baking soda is fabulous for softening skin.  The lavender provides a relaxing fragrance, but you could also experiment with other essential oils like rosemary and peppermint.

DIY Lavender Bath Salts

Makes 3 cups (1 - 2 gifts)

Ingredients:

2 cups epsom salt

1/2 cup sea salt

1/2 cup baking soda

10 drops lavender essential oil

Directions:

Mix ingredients together and transfer to a container.

To use: add bath salts under hot running water to dissolve. Soak and relax!

DIY Beachy Hair Spray

Summer is not the time to fuss.  Summer is the time for daytrips, beaches, being out in the sun and, if you are anything like me, eating as much perfectly-ripe fresh produce as you possibly can.  Summer is not the time for spending hours in the kitchen, or hours on your hair for that matter.  We have bigger things to do than worry about our hair.  Am I right? 

Enter DIY beachy hair spray.  This is a simple mix of sea salt and water that gives hair a fabulous texture and is perfect for the loose, beachy waves that every gal wants in summer.  For a nice finish that adds a bit of shine and helps to tame flyaways, I simply used a little coconut oil.  Not only did it give my hair a nice bit of texture, but I loved the smell of coconut.  If your hair is in need of a little pick-me-up, it's time for you to get your beachy hair on too.

For the look above, I used this spray on dry hair and then put my hair in solar rollers (which are super comfy!) for twenty minutes. When I unrolled them, I rubbed a little bit of coconut oil between my palms and scrunched the hair for a nice slightly-glossy finish. 

You can also use this spray on wet hair, lightly towel dry, then scrunch with a little coconut oil for loose waves.  If you want more texture or hold, simply add more sea salt to this mix.  

DIY Beachy Hair Spray

2 cups hot (not boiling) water

1 1/2 tablespoons sea salt

1 tablespoon coconut oil

Mix the hot water and sea salt. Pour into your favorite spray bottle. Shake well before each use. 

Keep the coconut oil in a separate container and use a small dab on hair for "finishing" and smoothing fly-aways.

DIY Deodorant

For most of my life I was committed to using only natural deodorants.  I have tried every stick, spray, roll-on, and crystal I could find. The result?  Disappointment.  I hate to say it, but I never found a product that worked for longer than an hour.  In my frustration I found my way back to using conventional deodorant, stressing with each application about what I was putting into my body.  

Then I  heard from a friend that if you didn't use deodorant for a period of time your body will naturally adjust to it and you wouldn't need to use it.  Let's just say I tried that for a week and it was a failed experiment.  And gross. 

After searching around the internet, I discovered there are a ton of DIY deodorant recipes that use natural ingredients like baking soda, arrowroot powder/corn starch, and coconut oil.  I have tried several different batches of homemade deodorant using different proportions of these ingredients and different essential oils.  My first batch used peppermint oil which irritated my skin, my second batch had too much baking soda which also irritated my skin, but this final batch?  Just right.  

Since I live in a colder climate, coconut oil is usually solid (except in summer) so I had to gently heat it to a liquid so I could mix my ingredients.  When it cooled again, my deodorant was a solid gel.  I've heard mixed reviews from others who have put homemade deodorant into empty twist-up deodorant containers - some say it crumbles while others think it works fine.  I haven't tried this myself because I think it's easier to keep the deodorant in a small jar and apply by hand.  If you live in a warm climate, your mixture might not solidify (unless you keep it in the fridge) so it will be even easier to apply by hand because it will be in a liquid state.  

I have been super impressed with how well this deodorant works and it actually works better for me than conventional deodorant.  I think I have to say that again.  It actually works better than conventional deodorant - the ones with the aluminum!  If only I had known about this years ago. Sigh. I guess the perfect deodorant search is over.   

DIY Deodorant

1/4 cup coconut oil

2 Tablespoons arrowroot powder (or corn starch)*

1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking soda*

20 - 25 drops lavender essential oil

Melt your coconut oil (if necessary) and mix with the corn starch and baking soda.  Add the essential oil.  Mix.  Transfer to a glass container.  Use up!  Will last 2 -3 months depending on usage.  

*Notes: My batch has less baking soda and arrowroot powder (or corn starch) than some recipes I've seen because I experienced skin irritation from these ingredients at a higher ratio.  If this mixture is not effective for you, you can increase the amount of baking soda and arrowroot powder by about 2 teaspoons. 

Sprouted Lentils

There is something about early spring that makes me want to sprout things.  Last year around this time I became obsessed with sprouting mung beans and now I'm crazy-obsessed with sprouting lentils.  Lentils are great sources of vitamins, protein, and fiber.  I love eating cooked lentils, but sprouted lentils are delicious, fresh bites of goodness when tossed in with salads or lightly cooked in stir fries.  

Sprouting lentils is also really helpful for people that have digestive issues or have difficulty digesting legumes. Sprouting causes some of the starches to be converted to simple sugars, making it easier on your digestive system.  Delicious, healthful, and easier on your digestive system?  Sounds like a win-win to me!

Sprouting legumes at home is incredibly easy and once you learn to do it, you'll never again pay high prices for sprouts at the grocery store. My method below describes sprouting them in a jar with a cheesecloth cover (to help drain them), but they can also be sprouted in a colander.  Once you have soaked your lentils, simply put them in the colander to drain and keep a clean plate over the top so that nothing gets into them.  Then you simply have to take care of rinsing the lentils and then waiting for your sprouts.  Having patience is the hardest part; I promise.  Now let's get to it!

DIY Sprouted Lentils

Supplies:

about 1/2 - 1 cup organic, dried grey green lentils

Large glass wide-mouthed jar

Cheesecloth (or another light cloth) to cover the jar

Rubber band

Water for rinsing

Instructions:

You'll want to start by choosing some organic, dried grey green lentils and rinse them very well before soaking.  (Remember that the sprouts will at least double in size so you only want as many as you can eat in a few days.  I used a half cup and found this to be more than enough.) Remove any stones or other debris that might be mixed in with the beans.  Also remove any broken or discolored lentils.  

Put the lentils in your glass jar and cover them with water.  Put the cloth over the top and secure with your rubber band.  Soak them overnight or for at least 8 - 12 hours.  In the morning, rinse and drain them well.  There should not be any water left sitting in the bottom of the jar.  If water sits and collects, this is where mold will develop and your sprouts will go bad.

Leave the jar in a cool, semi-lit place while the lentils sprout.  I left mine in a corner of the kitchen, away from daylight

Rinse and drain the lentils well about every 12 hours or so.  As long as you are diligent about rising them and not leaving water in the jar you should not encounter problems with slime or mold. 

The sprouts usually take about three days to become fully sprouted.  When the sprouts have reached your desired length, give them a final rinse and then transfer to the refrigerator.  

I stored mine in a long shallow glass snapware container with some paper towels.  They usually last about 7 days.  

Carrot Face Mask

Welcome to the third Beaty Food Friday, a special feature I am doing every Friday for the month of October that shows beauty products that can be made from everyday items in your kitchen. 

When I was a teenager I was obsessed with finding kitchen ingredients and making them into homemade face masks.  You can bet that I came up with a mix of yummy and weird combinations, including: strawberries and honey, avocado and cucumber, and even lemon and raw egg whites.  Let me tell you, the last one did not smell pretty.

With the seasons changing, my skin's been feeling a little drier than normal and it seemed like the perfect time to try my hand at mask-making yet again.  This time I wanted to experiment with carrots because they contain a variety of vitamins and are said to be great for toning the skin.

This mask is perfect for any skin type because it can easily be adapted for dry or oily skin.  It's also a great way to use up an overripe banana!  If you have drier skin, the banana, agave, and olive oil are perfect for moisturizing.  And if you have oily skin, the lemon juice acts as a natural astringent and toner.  I really like combining these ingredients for a mask that tones as well as moisturizes, but feel free to experiment with different combinations.

Ingredients
2 medium carrots
1/2 medium banana
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon agave syrup
1 Tablespoon olive oil

Peel and dice the carrots.  Steam for 15 minutes, or until very soft.  Add the carrots, banana, lemon juice, and agave to a food processor and process.  While the blade is running, add the olive oil.  Process until smooth.

Apply the mask to your skin (avoid the eyes and lips) for ten to fifteen minutes.  Rinse with cool water.

Homemade Nut Milk

Homemade nut milk is all the rage right now.  Not only is it tastier and fresher than storebought nut milk, but it's healthier (less preservatives and sweeteners!) and more economical if you get your nuts from the bulk aisle.  I really love that you get to control the texture and flavor of the milk and create a version that's uniquely all your own!

Here's what you need to know about making your own raw nut milk.  You need 1 part nuts to 4 parts water.  (Since conventional almonds tend to have a lot of pesticides, if making almond milk I would highly recommend choosing organic if possible.)  To begin, you will need:

• 1 cup nuts
• 4 cups water
• a blender (I used my Vitamix)
• a cheesecloth or nut milk bag for straining (if you desire a smoother milk)
• extra goodies for adding flavor or sweetness, if desired

That's it!  It's so simple.  Now, let's get started.

1. Begin by soaking your nuts in some water for about 8 - 12 hours.  
2. Drain water and rinse the nuts.  
3. Add nuts and 4 cups of water to blender.  Blend for about a minute.  
4. If you want a smoother milk, strain the milk using a cheesecloth or nut milk bag.  Put the cheesecloth or nut milk bag inside a clean jar (hold it in place with a rubber band around the rim if needed) and pour the blender of milk into the cloth to strain.
5. Keep the milk in a jar in your fridge and it will last for up to 4 days.

If you'd like to add some sweetness or other flavor, experiment with adding dates, vanilla, cinnamon, agave, or nutmeg.  To use dates, once you have strained the milk, put it back in the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.  Enjoy!

Also, if you strained your milk, save your nut pulp and use it in oatmeal, smoothies, baked goods, or raw dips!

Mung Bean Sprouts

I've been spending a lot of time out of the kitchen lately.  This is new territory for me.  

Life here has been all about planning my garden for spring and attending gardening classes at Seattle Tilth.  This weekend I planted my first seeds of swiss chard and spinach.  I've always used plant starts before so it's going to be really fun to see what comes out of the ground later this week. 

There's something about planting a seed in the ground that makes me feel so connected to this earth.  With all of the recent events in Japan and around the world, it's hard not to have a constant reminder about how small our planet is and how interconnected we all are. 

When I was in graduate school we talked a lot about what it means to be a global citizen.  My thoughts on this have shifted even more lately.  Even though I am aware that our planet is a system, it still somehow shocked me to watch the quake in Japan turn into the destruction of Sendai and then unfold into waves that traveled over the Pacific. 

Sprouts: Day 2

It's easy to stand by and feel helpless in those moments.  It's also easy to want to turn a blind eye and look away.  I haven't been able to shake the feeling lately that I'm not doing enough to help my community.  This feeling inspired me look more critically at my life and think about how I can lead a more sustainable lifestyle:  less consumption, less waste, and more DIY projects.  I may not be able to save the world, but I can definitely do my part to take better care of this earth and the people on it.

That's where mung bean sprouts come in.  I love using sprouts in my cooking.  Alfalfa are my favorite for sandwiches and salads, but mung beans hold a special place in my stir-fries and phad thai.  Since I have phad thai on the menu for later this week I figured it was time to get sprouting.

Growing your own sprouts saves money and is easy.  Anyone can do it.  Sprouts are super healthy and are packed with vitamins, iron, and protein.  It's fun to watch them grow over several days and making them at home is entertaining for the entire family - cat included.

DIY Mung Bean Sprouts

Supplies:

1/2 cup organic dried mung beans

Large glass wide-mouthed jar

Cheesecloth (or another light cloth) to cover the jar

Rubber band

Water for rinsing

Instructions:

You'll want to start by choosing some organic, dried mung beans and rinsing them very well before soaking.  Remember that the sprouts will at least double in size so you only want as many as you can eat in a few days.  I used a half cup of beans and found this to be more than enough. Remove any stones or other debris that might be mixed in with the beans.  Also remove any broken or discolored beans.  

Put the beans in your glass jar and cover them with water.  Put the cloth over the top and secure with your rubber band.  Soak them overnight or for at least 8 - 12 hours.  In the morning, rinse and drain them well.  There should not be any water left sitting in the bottom of the jar.  If water sits and collects, this is where mold will develop and your sprouts will go bad.

Leave the jar in a cool, semi-lit place while the beans sprout.  I left mine in a corner of the kitchen.  (Note that the jar was only put by the window for lighting purposes in the pictures.)  

Rinse and drain the beans well about every 8 hours.  As long as you are diligent about rising them and not leaving water in the jar you should not encounter problems with slime or mold.  

After two days, the tails will be about 1/4-inch long. You can continue growing them for up to four days for larger sprouts.  When the sprouts have reached your desired length, give them a final rinse and then transfer to the refrigerator.  

I stored mine in a long shallow glass snapware container with some paper towels.  They usually last about 5 days.  

Sprouts - Day 4