When life gives you problem, dull, oily, aging skin, don't be sour, give it the squeeze with lemons! Rich in citric acid, antioxidants, vitamins B & C, this natural miracle is cleansing, toning, antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, anti-aging, healing, brightening & whitening!  The aromatic benefits include: improved concentration, enhanced awareness, improved mood, increased energy, reduced stress, anxiety, nervousness & tension.  So breath deeply, enjoy some lemonade &  refresh the mind with this invigorating skin care regime.


To tone, brighten & exfoliate simply rub half a lemon over face & rinse off.  To fade acne, blackheads, scars & age spots, rub over problem areas, leave on overnight & repeat daily until desired results are achieved.

For shiny, flake & build up free locks; massage lemon juice over hair & scalp. Rinse off.

For an amazing moisturizing hair,  face or body mask; mix equal parts honey & lemon juice, rub anywhere that requires attention, leave on 5-10 minutes & rinse off.

*Warning: When used topically lemons are known to be phototoxic, making  the skin susceptible to light damage.  Be sure to use sunscreen before spending time in the sun.

Spring is in the air! It is time to turn your cold blue thumbs back to green. When planning your garden this season, save the bee population & save a spot for lavender!

Used for over 2,500 years from religious & hygienic purposes to making perfume & sweet treats, lavender has a versatility you can totally dig! This potent perennial is known for many therapeutic properties; antiseptic, analgesic, antidepressant, anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, bactericide, decongestant, deodorant, sedative & the list goes on.

For infused lavender oil, fill a sterilized mason jar with dried lavender. Fill
with olive oil or sunflower oil to cover flowers. Seal jar tightly & leave in a sunny place.
Shake daily for 2 weeks & strain. Use this oil in the bath or massage
directly on ailments.

For a lovely facial scrub grind one cup oats, 1/8 cup almonds & 1/8 cup lavender in grinder.  Keep in sealed glass jar.  To use remove 1-2 Tbsp. dry mixture. In palm of hand add a few drops of water to mixture to make a paste. Massage paste over face & neck, rinse off.

This fall put on a pumpkin mask & you'll be pretty as pie! This
deliciously decorative fruit is stuffed with vitamins A, C, E, T & enzymes which sooth, soften, moisturize, exfoliate & reduce pores while fighting free radicals & acne.

When carving jack-o-lanterns or making pie this season don't throw away those guts!  Blend innards with olive oil & plain yogurt in blender. Massage mixture over face, leave on 20 mins & rinse off.
 
For dry, cracked feet & hands, blend pumpkin guts with olive oil & honey, massage
mixture over hands & feet, wrap with plastic wrap, leave on 20-30 mins &
rinse off. When it comes to skin care, no guts no glory!

Flower power at its finest is growing in a garden near you! Calendula, otherwise known as pot marigold, is one of the oldest, most versatile herbs used for skin care.  This sunshine emblazoned delight is brimming with antibacterial, antiseptic, astringent & anti-inflammatory properties which aid in the healing of
wounds, dermatitis, eczema, burns, rashes & insect bites. Calendula is also known for its restorative properties & can protect against premature aging, thinning of the skin & crow's feet.

For infused Calendula oil, fill a sterilized mason jar with dried Calendula. Fill
with olive oil to cover flowers. Seal jar tightly & leave in a sunny place.
Shake daily for 2 weeks & strain. Use this oil in the bath or massage
directly on ailments. Keep this in your cupboard & you will always have a
beaming complexion!

Want straight out of the spa, beach ready skin? Look no further than your kitchen cupboard. The medicinal use of sea salt & water, known as thalassotherapy,
has been practiced by Greeks & Romans for centuries. Brimming with magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium & iodide this savory saline has been
known for its detoxifying, skin tightening, anti aging & exfoliating properties while also healing acne, muscle aches, psoriasis & eczema.

For a healing, detoxifying bath add 2 cups sea salt to bath water.
To enjoy a spa salt scrub, mix fine sea salt with honey to a paste, rub all over
areas to be exfoliated & wash off

Beat the heat this summer with a refreshing, energizing, detoxifying, nutrient rich cucumber! Bursting with phytonutrients, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals & antioxidants this cool treat is beneficial for healthy skin, hair, teeth, joints, digestion, weight, blood pressure & even has cancer fighting lignans!

Drink in these benefits by adding sliced cucumber to water.  Sprinkle cider vinegar & sea salt on sliced cucumber for a delicious super-snack.

For a refreshing, cooling bath add one whole sliced cucumber to bath water to soften, sooth & cleanse skin while healing many common ailments.  Set aside two slices and put over eyes to reduce puffiness & dark circles.  Use only organic produce to avoid
exposure to harsh chemicals & pesticides.

Enjoy these beauty rituals regularly & keep cool as
cucumber!

Protect yourself from sun damage naturally! You would be
amazed which oils are known to have SPF properties! This summer avoid the harsh chemicals and use oils found in the grocery or health food store to shield from those dangerous rays.  Enjoy the beach!

The following is a list of common oils and their known SPF properties:

*Red Raspberry Seed-28-50                            
*Carrot Seed-38-40
*Wheatgerm-20                                                     
*Soybean oil-10
*Macadamia Nut-6                                               
*Jojoba-4
*Sesame Seed-2-4            
*Shea Butter-3-6
*Coconut-2-8               
*Olive-2-8                                                 
*Castor-6                                                                  
*Almond-5
*Unrefined Avocado-4-15                                 
*Grapeseed-4

Raspberry season is upon us and the natural skin care benefits are ripe for the picking!  This healthy treat is oozing with antioxidant vitamins such as C, B and E, folic and citric acid, iron, calcium, potassium, pectin and tannins. Take advantage of the antiseptic, astringent, toning, brightening properties while enhancing skin's elasticity and color.

For a facial mask that's jam-packed with sweet goodness blend equal parts honey, raspberries and oats in blender until it is a paste. Smear all over face. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse off and you'll be pretty as pie!

For thousands of years coconuts have been used by island cultures for nutrients and medicinal purposes.  The benefits of coconut oil are endless from hair, skin and dental care to regulating cholesterol, diabetes, weight, digestion and blood pressure.  The antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-fungal, antibacterial, soothing and emollient qualities are known to aid in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis while preventing premature aging and degenerative diseases.  It even has an SPF 4 so protects against sun damage!

For skin care, coconut oil can be applied directly to skin and will melt on contact with body heat. 
For conditioned, shiny, thicker, flake free hair  massage coconut oil to hair and scalp.  Leave on for 20 minutes and shampoo out. Use as often as desired.  

Cash in on the valuable benefits of honey.  Rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids & antioxidants honey truly is liquid gold for the skin.  It's antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial & humectant properties have been used throughout the ages to cure several skin ailments, moisturize, rejuvenate & cleanse leaving a soft, supple, youthful complexion.

For a whole body treatment add  a 1/4 cup of honey to bath.  For a moisturizing mask mix 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. olive oil & 1/4 tsp. lemon juice.  Massage mixture over face & any other area that require extra hydration.  Leave on for 10 min., rinse off then pat dry.  You will leave the tub feeling like a million bucks!