Sunday, March 29, 2015

Raid Your Healthy Pantry for DIY Beauty

I've stopped buying beauty products kind of in general, and especially those with long lists of ingredients that may or may not be pronounceable and probably not good for my skin anyway. More and more, I use simple, natural, whole products of one ingredient or make my own. I'm so grateful to have access to wholesome products from my co-op to make artisan, all organic, custom beauty products!

A Few Uses for Coconut Oil 
(Please always use fair trade; let's not support slavery.  My fav is Dr. Bronner's whole kernal virgin)
Hair conditioner or styling
Lip balm
Shaving cream
Deodorant
SPF 7 sunscreen
Deep face and body moisturizer
Toothpaste
Make-up remover
Sooth burns, rashes, dry skin, and bug bites
(and here's many more)

A Few Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
(I make my own by naturally fermenting fresh, raw cider from Smit Farms from the farmers market or I buy Bragg's organic)
Dilute a tablespoon in a cup of water and:
- use as a hair rinse for soft, shiny locks or to control dandruff, itchiness, greasiness, or irritation)
- use on your face as an astringent, as an overnight spot treatment for blemishes, or as after shave
- soak a washcloth and apply to sooth a sunburn
Wipe it on your feet to control foot odor
Dilute with 2 parts water and use as a mouthwash for better breath and whiter teeth
(and here's some more)

My Face Moisturizer & Hipster Beard Oil

DIY Hair Pomade

Gentle Foaming Cleanser
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp water
¼ tsp lemon juice, apple cider vinegar (oilier skin), or plain yogurt (drier skin)

Combine ingredients and use as any cleanser. Rinse with water.

Detoxifying Facial Mask
1 tsp bentonite clay
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp honey

Smooth onto skin, let dry to 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Smoothie Facial Masks
¼ cup plain yogurt
¼ cup chopped fresh fruit/veggies
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp dry milk powder (optional)

Combine in a blender or food processor until smooth. Apply to face and leave on for five minutes, then rinse with cool water. Stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Choose your favorite mask blend…
for most skin types: cucumber (soothes blotchiness and irritation), banana, watermelon, persimmon
for oily skin: peach, apricot, tomato, grape (not concord)
for dry skin: carrot, cantaloupe, avocado, honeydew
for acne: an egg white

Astringent or Toner
apple cider vinegar or lemon juice diluted with green or chamomile tea

Body Scrubs
3 Tbsp course salt, sugar, or oats
2 Tbsp oil and/or honey
¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Combine & scrub in the shower or bath to exfoliate & cleanse. Makes skin super soft and leaves an awesome scent!
If using oats, first pulverize them in a food processor until powdery.
If using oil, careful in the tub: it’s slippery!

Skin Moisturizer
avocado oil, olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, or shea butter

DIY Toothpaste

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Piano Recital Menu

My sister is a piano teacher but she used to own a tiny little vegetarian cafe with me. So when she asked me to cater her recital I was quite happy to oblige. And with children's palates in mind, I head to the Co-op and Little Italy farmers market:

Spring Hill cheeses & brie with Prager Brother's baguette, crackers, Farmer's Daughter honey, balsamic mulberry jam & Terra Bella real raw almonds

seasonal fruit from Smit Farms & JR Organics with creamsicle dip

crudités from Suzie's Farm with artichoke boursin dip & hummus

olives & pickled vegetables

pink hibiscus lemonade & citrus white iced tea


Creamsicle Fruit Dip
2 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
zest of 2 oranges
1 vanilla bean

Whip the cream until you have soft peaks, then add the rest of the ingredients (split and scrape vanilla seeds into cream, then add the pod to your homemade vanilla extract) and whip to slightly stiff peaks.