Week Four: Beauty From Your Kitchen

     Make your feet happy with this foot reviving soak recipe from The Ultimate Natural beauty Book by Josephine Fairley. 

     Rosemary Foot Reviver
          The mint and rosemary in this recipe are naturally cooling and invigorating, while the lactic acid in the milk is soothing.  If you put pebbles or marbles in the bottom of the bowl, you can roll your toes over them while you soak your feet, which is totally relaxing for body, soul – and soles.

     1 cup milk
     1 packed cup fresh mint leaves
     6 large sprigs fresh rosemary
     6 drops peppermint essential oil

     Put the milk and fresh herbs in a small pan over a low heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove the pan from the heat, and pour into a bowl large enough to bathe your feet in.  You may also use a foot soak sauna.  Fill as required with warm or cool water, as preferred – or, best of all, some more milk.  Add the peppermint essential oil, drop by drop, and swish.  Soak away!  (Italics mine)

     For support, information, tips and more recipes visit www.bridges2beauty.net  You can also sign up for one of two free e-newsletters.  The first is Maximize Your Natural Beauty offering interesting and useful information for making the most of who and what you are.  I also offer Cancer Answers for those journeying through cancer.  As a cancer survivor  I offer energy saving beauty tips along with encouragment and news in the cancer cure arena.

caring for you,
Carin g Hansen

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Week Four: Beauty From Your Kitchen

     On this final week of homemade beauty recipes I thought it would be fun to include recipes that will cover you from head to toe.
     This week’s recipes come out of The Ultimate Natural beauty Book by Josephine Fairley. 

     Let’s start with the head and more specifically…the lips.  If you want a simple, natural looking tint this is a great one.

     think pink lip tint
          Beets are used to produce this great lip tint.  You need to grate cooked beets to extract the juice, or use a bottled pure beet juice, available form natural food stores.

      2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
      2 tablespoons beeswax granules or grated beeswax
      3 teaspoons beet juice (use less if you want a paler balm)
      4 drop peppermint essential oil

      Gently heat the oil and the beeswax in a double boiler.  Remove from the heat and gradually add the beet juice, a teaspoon at a time, until you get the color you like; whisk very well with a fork or small whisk.  Add the peppermint oil, whisk again and transfer to a small sterilized jar.

…as with all organic products you will need to use it up in a few weeks or it will spoil.  But then why would we want to use anything that doesn’t spoil?  We are organic beings and we need organic products to give us maximum beauty. 

Be sure to check out other recipes at www.bridges2beauty.net
caring for you,
Carin G Hansen

Week Three: Beauty From Your Kitchen

One of the things Cleopatra is known for was her propensity for milk baths.  History tells us that she indulged herself often to make her skin smooth and soft.  This simple, ancient-based beauty bath recipe is sure to delight you with its results just like it did Cleopatra.

Please remember that this recipe is taken from Natural Beauty Pamper Yourself with Salon Secrets at Home by Laura DuPriest.  For more information on who Laura is, read the previous blog for Monday, January 28th.

          Egyptian-Style Milk bath
               2 tablespoons regular oatmeal
               1 cup powdered milk
               2 tablespoons almond meal *
               2 to 3 drops of your favorite essential oil **
          Grind the oatmeal to a fine powder and combine all ingredients in a small bowl.  Store it in a pretty jar in your bathroom.  For a relaxing bath, add 2 tablespoons to bath water and soak for 20 minutes.  Afterward, your skin will be remarkably soft and smooth.
                * grind up 10 fresh almonds in a food processor if you can’t purchase almond meal.

** If you have allergies be cautious about using essential oils you have not tried before.  You do not want to experience a reaction versus enjoying the great benefits of the oatmeal and almond.  If you have severe allergies you may want to go sans essential oils when making your mixture.

If you are a women journeying through cancer presently, please feel free to try any of these home recipes after consulting with your doctor.  There should not be any ingredients that would cause reactions or problems – however once you have been given the green light by your doctor you can indulge yourself without any concerns.  To subscribe to a free e-newsletter Cancer Answers offering other home recipes, articles and tips during your cancer journey – or to purchase my book Beauty During the Cancer Journey, go to www.bridges2beauty.net

I can’t wait to get into my oatmeal bath…can you?  What a great way to relax, rejuvenate, hydrate your skin and keep it soft for the you and the one you love! 

caring for you,
Carin g Hansen  

Week Three: Beauty From Your Kitchen

I hope you are having as much fun investigating and trying out some of the recipes on my blog PLUS others you have found on your own.  It gives me great happiness to know I am encouraging women to explore, try and benefit from what I write.  There are so many great things to make with the fruits, vegetables, plants and oils God has given us. 

Today and Wednesday’s recipe, as I promised, are a bit more exotic.  I know you will love them both!  They come from Natural Beauty Pamper Yourself with Salon Secrets at Home by Laura DuPriest.  She is a beauty expert, esthetician, salon and day spa owner in northern California and host of a national public television program  Natural Beauty: Salon Secrets at Home.

            ORANGE PAPAYA MASK
            (this mask works best on normal or dry complexions)
            4 applications / refrigerate unused mask in a plastic container for up to
            2 weeks
                  1/4 papaya, smashed to a pulp
                  1 teaspoon freshly squeezed orange juice
                  1 teaspoon canola oil
                  2 tablespoons sour cream
             Whip all the ingredients together into a smooth consistency.  Using a paintbrush, apply a thick coat of the mixture to your face.  Leave it on your skin five  to ten minutes.  Remember to relax while you wait.  If possible rest while lying flat on the floor with your legs up at a 90 degree angle against the wall.  Rinse with warm water and follow up with an organic toner and moisturiser. 
(Italics in recipe are mine)

Since I have oily skin even at age 53, I will not be using this mask.  However, for those of you with normal or dry skin – now is the perfect time to give this mask a whirl.  Give your skin some Rx from the dry, cold winter weather. 

You can read recipes like these, articles and beauty tips montly on my free e-newsletter Maximize Your Natural Beauty.  You can subscribe on my website at http://www.bridges2beauty.net/freeenewsletter.html

caring for you,
Carin g Hansen

Week Two: Beauty From Your Kitchen

In keeping with my promise to you on Monday here is another recipe from the “Lily Cafe”.  You can find other simple, easy recipes on their site at www.lilyorganics.com  Whether you want to maximize your natural beauty OR you are a women journeying through cancer you can find help through information, products and newsletters through Bridges to Beauty,ltd.

FACIAL SALT SCRUB : The salt scrub can be used for all skin types. Instead of an enzyme or acidic action to remove dead cells, the salt scrub uses a mechanical action. The salt scrub is the easiest and best way to have a scrub available at all times. All you have to do is simply add salt to your cleanser or soap. It is very important you do not add salt to the product in the bottle or jar. You must only add it at the time of cleansing or you will change the chemical constituency of the product!!

Isn’t it fun to see what great skin benefits there are in using simple ingredients we all have in our kitchens? 
Next week we will look at couple more recipes that involve a bit more exotic ingredients.  They will be sure to please everyone!

caring for you,
Carin g Hansen 

Week Two: Beauty From Your Kitchen

This week I am going to share some recipes from the “Lily Cafe”.  Lily is the owner and founder of Lily Organics.  This great line of organic skin care products come from Henderson, Colorado.  We carry them on my website at www.bridges2beauty.net  I know you will find them beneficial.

This is the time of year when our skin dries out and may become itchy.  This generally is a combination of the cold weather and products we are using on our skin.  Soap, especially deodorant soap can be too harsh for skin during these winter months.  Vinegar helps reestablish the proper acid balance of our skin in addition to softening it and refining the skin pores.  It is also a natural deodorizer.  Wow!  What a great list of attributes.

Vinegar Bath:  Add one cup of vinegar to a soaking bath.  Sit and soak for at least twenty minutes.

Be sure to check back Thursday for another recipe from the “Lily Cafe”. 
Feel free to contact me if you have questions about natural beauty.  Remember, I specialize in working with women journeying through cancer.  If you know of someone who would benefit from my e_book Beauty During the Cancer Journey please have them visit our website or send an email direct to carin@bridges2beauty.net

caring for you,
Carin g Hansen

Organic Beauty Products

I am always on a hunt for great organic products.  I have just discovered a line offering organic skin care products, cosmetics, aromatherapy and more.  It is called Saffron Rouge.  Please check out their website at: http://www.saffronrouge.com/  I intend to research it thoroughly and possibly offer it to my clients through my website and individual consultations.  My passion is to help women maximize their natural beauty during every stage of their life journey.  I will keep you updated.

caring for you,
Carin g Hansen

 

mmm FOOD!

     It’s that time of year again!  Food everywhere…and yummy food at that!

     Here are just a couple of helpful hints I have found work for keeping me in tow during the holiday food season.  I admit, I do not always practice what I preach – but when I do it keeps my body looking and functioning at it optimum level.

1.  When you really know you shouldn’t – try smelling instead of eating the item.  Sound weird?  Well, it works, but you have to take a couple of really deep wiffs.  Generally it will satisfy you, however if you still want to eat it then proceed to #2.
2.  Savor each bite.  Do not gobble it down and do not take big bites.  Take tiny bites and let the flavors roll over your tongue.
3.  Keep all portions small.  With so many choices you are going to want to try many of them.  By keeping each portion small you will be able to keep your weight in check and yet not feel deprived.
4.  When you can’t choose your portion size – do not feel like you must clean your plate.  Stop eating before you get uncomfortable and either ask for a doggy bag or leave it behind.  I know there are people starving all over the world; but how does your overeating help them?  The food on your plate is going to go into your stomach or be thrown away.  It cannot help starving children, mothers or fathers.
5.  If you are tempted with a goodie you must purchase – at that moment think about the millions that are starving and put the money back in your pocket.  When you get home take a moment to set that money aside in a special fund.  Then after the holidays find a great organization to donate to.  World Vision and Compassion International are wonderful.  The money goes directly where you want it to.
6.  Should you still overeat and over indulge yourself – do not be too hard on yourself.  Make a decision to start again RIGHT THEN…not tomorrow or afer Christmas or after New Year’s.  Putting it off only gives you permission to continue overeating.  It is a vicious cycle that is so easy to get going and so hard to stop!  So, stop the cycle from beginning.

ENJOY!
caring for you,
Carin g Hansen

A Conundrum

Dressing for the Season

     Parties, balls, open houses and more…tis the season for dressing up!

     So, how do you know what fits for each engagement?  Here are a few tips that will help give you the WOW! (what o’ woman) factor – no matter where you go.

1.  Do your homework.  Find out what the hostess, chairperson, etc. will be wearing – or what the appropriate attire is.
2.  Be a study in practicality.  If you are going to have to walk quite a distance or you are likely to be in inclement weather for any period of time you need to adjust your attire.  You do not need to under-dress just to be practical.  Use your imagination and creativity and dress great despite the conditons.  Of course, if your event is black-tie, you will need to carry those great sandal heels and gown in a bag to don in the sitting area of the ladies room once you have arrived. 
3.  Study the colors of the season.  Black, red, gold and silver are always stylish choices.  But, this season also try a rich chocolate brown, royal purple or deep teal.
4.  Wear fabrics that are suitable.   Balls call for filmy, lightweight fabrics or clingy velvets; whereas open houses and home parties need clothing made of more substantial fabric.
5.  Watch the “glitz”.  Clothing that grabs attention whether you are in it or not is certainly not a good choice.  Be cautious when choosing shiny, glitzy, sequined pieces.  They should not shine and reflect parts of your figure you would rather leave in the background.
6.  When in doubt – go “casual dressy”.  That means no tattered or faded jeans, t-shirts or clunky footwear.  Great fitting designer jeans, sleek pencil legged or palazzo slacks paired with great sweaters (clingy or roomy), a stylish pair of boots or kitten slip-ons and fabulous accessories will always fit the bill.

     Have a great time!  And remember you WILL make an impression so make sure it is a GREAT ONE!
     caring for you,
     Carin g Hansen