Well Dip Me In Chocolate And Call Me Dessert

Oh- I was ever so pleased to come across this one....a chocolate masque that is great for your skin !?!?! 

 YES!!!

Ingredients:

1 T Cocoa Powder  (organic and raw is best for ensuring best concentration of nutrients)
Heavy Cream or Yogurt (enough to form a paste)
1 T Honey

Combine the ingredients and apply to clean dry skin.   Leave on for 15-30 minutes.   Rinse well with warm water.  Pat your skin dry with a fluffy towel.

What these ingredients do for your skin:

• Chocolate contains copper which is great for firming skin, it is also an antioxidant and can reduce the signs of aging.
• Heavy Cream softens;Yogurt is antibacterial and antimicrobial it deep cleans
• Honey is a humectant (helps yours skin retain moisture)

The best thing about this masque is when you lick your lips (accidentally)....yummy!

5 Ingredients To Turn Your Bath Into a Spa

"There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them." ~Sylvia Plath

Home Spa Tips:   Add these to your bath:

1) 1-2 Cups of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

Contains potassium and other important enzymes to relax and tone muscles.   Detoxifies skin and may be helpful in clearing acne and eczema.   More Apple Cider Bath Benefits

2) 1 Cup Epsom salts

Relieves muscle soreness; detoxifies; some people have had success using salts to fight migraine headaches and also constipation.   Improves circulation.   (This is good stuff!)

3) 1/4 c of dried or fresh Rosemary. (A few drops of an essential oil is also nice!)  Rosemary is good for soothing muscle aches.   It is high in vitamin E so benefits the skin.   It is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.   I was surprised to learn how beneficial this herb is.  One of my favorites for culinary use (surprisingly good with apple and pear desserts).   The medicinal benefits are also countless.   More Rosemary Benefits 

4) 1/4 c of Oatmeal

Oatmeal is great for softening and lubricating the skin.  It can aid in curing itchy skin resulting from eczema, chicken pox, shingles etc..soothes sunburns and can reduce acne.   It is antioxidant and is thought to also have anti-fungal properties.   More Oatmeal Benefits

5) Seaweed.

I am fairly confident this is not something you just have laying about, but I wanted to add it to the list because it is so beneficial.   You can purchase sea weed from your local natural health store, or on line.  Seaweed has a multitude of benefits for your skin, from moisturizing to detoxifying; from firming and toning to helping to relax your nervous system.    More Seaweed Benefits

A few more tips: 

Be mindful of water temperature.  If you are trying to absorb beneficial nutrients, ensure the water temperature in your bath is not so hot that it causes you to perspire.   If you are detoxifying your skin, a hotter bath is recommended. 

Remember that herbs and natural treatments used medicinally do affect you physically.   Moderation in Everything!  If you have high blood pressure, epilepsy or other medical conditions- it is best that you consult a doctor and understand what effects these ingredients can have on YOU personally.

Add a few candles, a little soft music, a comfortable bath pillow, fluffy towels to create a complete spa experience; find ways to engage all your sense.   Follow with a good moisturizer...a cup of tea...a good sleep.

Enjoy!

Self Care Girl

Homemade Papaya Masque

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of blended papaya
1/3 cup oatmeal
1 tablespoon honey
Directions: Mix all of the ingredients together. Spread masque all over your face and leave on for 10 minutes. Then, rinse off the homemade mask with warm water.
Papaya contains enzymes similar to alpha hydroxy acid (good for wrinkles).
Oatmeal softens the skin.
Honey is anti-bacterial and a great humectant- it kills germs AND moisturizes.

5 Important Thoughts About Changing Things.

If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree. You have the ability to totally transform every area in your life.   - Jim Rohn

1)  Make small changes, rather than sweeping big ones.   If you are looking to make a change in your life, your chance of success can be enhanced by choosing one important change at a time.   Pick one thing on which to direct your focus and put together a reasonable plan.  

2)  Replace it, rather than just Erase it.   Adding something positive to your life when you are working to remove something negative can reinforce your mission.  I gave up soft drinks about 20 years ago and replaced it with sparkling mineral water and haven't looked back.    I started eating a piece of fruit at 9am each day and removed my unhealthy habit of eating a doughnut or breakfast sandwich from the canteen at work.   

3) Approach every opportunity to "cheat" as a choice, not a rule.   Studies show that we humans have a low threshold for deprivation.  Telling yourself you "can't"  have something or "must" do something is the quickest way to cause you to rebel.  Telling yourself that you can have something if you really want it, or that you don't have to do something can take the pressure off and help you make better choices.  Try it-  I often tell myself "you can have one if you want...but you might not be happy about it later today"

4) Be aware of how you talk to yourself.   Remember that the reason you are making any change is to support your well-being.   Be gentle with yourself..   If you have a set back, be sure to tell yourself its okay, you can always begin again.  Give yourself credit for what you do.  Sometimes we get so focused on where we want to be that we forget where we have been. 
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5) Identify a compelling reason for your change.   Making a decision to cut out sugar "to strengthen your immune system"...or to practice a yoga pose each morning "to improve back pain" can be more effective than just deciding the change alone.    Choosing more than one compelling reason is also encouraged, and choosing something that can be quickly realized will also increase your chances of success.    For something like weight loss, or physical fitness, that may take some time to realize, a daily journal citing what you did and how you feel may prove motivating.  It is also inspiring to look back over the months, or weeks and realize how far you have come!