Gina's Recipes for Beauty

Treat your skin to one of my soothing treatments fresh from your very own kitchen...
By: Gina Hayden-Urdiales

Believe it or not, your very own kitchen offers a place to nourish your body and soothe your very soul. Did you know that a handful of fresh berries could give you a much needed instant energy boost? Or that simply steeping a cup of steaming chamomile tea will melt away the stress left on you behind a very busy and rushed day? Or what about the effects that a cup of Black tea with St. John's Wort, or Green tea with honey have on maintaining your health? Did you ever really know that Echinacea is an all-natural immune system builder that you can grow easily in your own backyard? *Did it ever dawn on you that Aloe Vera is a vital phyto-nutrient that your body desperately needs? It's only natural, then, that the wholesome foods in our kitchen would have the same rejuvenating effect on our skin, hair, and nails. Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples like honey, rolled oats, and powdered milk can quench parched skin and infuse dull hair with radiance. Aloe Vera, in addition to being good for you taken internally, on the surface it acts as a burn relief, and it does wonders in soothing dry skin. The most beautiful part, though, is that creating your own natural hair and body treatments is as simple as whipping up a favorite recipe handed down from a grandmother. *Throughout time, when women wanted to look their best, they used whatever they had in the kitchen to make their own beauty products. Keep in mind that hundreds of years ago, human beings did not have the convenient luxuries of Department Stores, Beauty Parlors, and the like. My own grandmother softened her skin with a mask of carrots and fresh cream; She used Olive oil heated to warmth as a hot oil treatment for her hair. I still use that same recipes today, proof that the best pick-me-ups still come straight from the heart of your home. *

* Please remember that these recipes are easy to make and can be finished in as little as 10 minutes.

KEEP IN MIND TO ALWAYS MAINTAIN A FEW STANDARD SAFETY TIPS

Beauty products created in the comfort of your own home have quickly become the preferred choice of people all over who have sensitive skin, because they are dye and fragrance free and free of the preservatives as well that can irritate skin. And what about those people who just cannot afford the luxury of expensive salon facials, Makeover's and hair care products. Don't they deserve to look and feel beautiful too? *

Now that you can control what goes into your beauty treatments, you can make sure that only the freshest, most organically grown ingredients, and distilled water are used in your hair and on your skin.
***If you have food allergies, be extra careful. Please don't ever include an ingredient that you are or think you may be allergic too. Use a different recipe, or substitute an ingredient that you are not sensitive too. (If you're allergic to strawberries, use kiwi, if you are allergic to peanuts, use olive oil in place of peanut oil) *
***When giving homemade beauty products as gifts, make sure you list each ingredient on the containers label.
***When you are pampering a friend or family member with that organic facial, or hair treatment be sure to verbally disclose all ingredients before applying any mixture to hair or skin. Sometimes, a simpler method is to ask them upfront if they have any food allergies that they are aware of.

PREPARATIONS

The key to an amazing Zen filled treatment session is laying out your ingredients and all of your tools before starting. The ingredients in my Foaming Hot Chocolate Milk Bath for example, is packed with skin softeners like lactic acid, that you find in powdered milk (see recipe)

1.***Start by sterilizing all jars and/or containers that you will be using to mix and store all products before you use them.
2.***Always store mixtures that contain perishable ingredients in your refrigerator.
3.***Most treatments should be used within 1-2 days. So avoid making more than you plan to use in that time frame.

A LITTLE EXTRA F.Y.I.

***In all of my products, I only use the freshest of ingredients...most herbs when used were grown in my own garden.
***Fresh fruits and nourishing oils are pure and potent sources of vitamins, antioxidants, and moisturizers.
***Strawberries are just as great on your body as well as in. Ripe berries, such as those used in my natural foot exfoliant contain vitamin C, salicylic acid, which helps in sloughing rough skin off of elbows and feet.
***Avocado is a protein packed fruit and rich in fatty acids, therefore it delivers a rich dose of moisture to your skin.
***Honey is a powerful antioxidant. *And it is also a humectant. *Thus, it helps your skin to retain moisture
***Fortunately for us, bananas contain both potassium and vitamin A. *These are both strengthening properties that will also benefit you richly by adding strength, shine and health to your hair when you use my Banana hair mask. ...the only other tip I have for you is to relax, indulge, and enjoy. Go on you deserve it!




Gardener's Delight...hand cream to die for...

1 cup grated Beeswax
½ cup Jojoba oil
2 tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel.
2 Tablespoons Vitamin E Oil
½ cup sweet Almond Oil
9 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
9 drops Orange Essential Oil

Before you begin hint: You can use a micro-plane to grate your Beeswax candle, or you can buy the wax already grated at most Craft/Hobby stores.

First you will combine the Beeswax, jojoba Oil, and the Aloe Vera Gel in the top of a double boiler or in a glass measure if you plan to use your microwave. Melt it for about 45 seconds in the microwave or up to 3 minutes in the double boiler.

Remove it from the heat and immediately whisk it until it cools down. Add the Vitamin E Oil, the Almond Oil and the essential Oils as it begins to thicken. Spoon cream into a jar, cover and store for 1-2 days in a cool and dry place.

Special Notes: Beeswax will be sticky when it cools. To help you minimize your clean-up time, try using a disposable double boiler...put the ingredients that you are going to need to melt in a clean, empty aluminum can. Place the can in a water bath inside a heavy saucepan, then you will want to simmer and melt the ingredients and follow the instructions just as you would with using a standard double-boiler. When all is said and done and you are finished with your beauty creation, simply throw the aluminum can away...P.S. you can still opt to wash the can or rinse it out then add it to your recycling bin.



NEXT UP...SOOTHE YOUR BODY AND EASE YOUR SPIRIT.

Recipes for Natural Beauty.

My Luscious Hot Cocoa Milk Bath

1 cup instant non fat dry milk
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a jar or jars. Cover and Store. This mixture will keep for up 6 months...so you can make a lot!
Hints: when you are ready to bathe add this dry mixture along with 2 tablespoons olive oil and ½ cup hot water. Mix well then add to running bath water. Soak in your tub for as long as you like...Relax and enjoy!!!


Amazingly Indulgent Banana Hair Mask

1 Banana
3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
1½ tablespoons Olive Oil

Mash the Banana in a small bowl until smooth. Add mayonnaise and oil and blend until creamy. Use this product immediately.

Hint: After you apply this mixture to your hair, wrap your head in plastic and leave on for 15-30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. *You may want to shampoo after use.



Succulent Strawberry Foot Exfoliant

8 strawberries
3 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil

Mix these 3 simple ingredients in a small bowl until just combined. Use immediately.

Massage into feet, Rinse and dry.

Warning: Strawberries naturally contain water so be careful not to over blend. Doing so will cause mixture to become to runny. You want to have a nice thick texture. If you do goof (oops), that's okay! Don't fret! Just blend in extra kosher salt until you have a nice thick mixture...but smooth! You want it smooth!

Tips and tricks: Get creative. Before applying the exfoliant, soak your feet in a citrus bath.
To do this, simply thinly slice an orange, lemon and a lime and add the slices to a nice warm/hot foot bath. Then make it romantic, let your significant other ***apply the exfoliant for you. That way you get a relaxing foot massage too. Now you can't beat that!

An Awakening, Rejuvenating Avocado and Honey Face Mask

1 ripe Avocado
2 teaspoons plain yogurt
11/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon clear honey

Mix all ingredients into a bowl by mashing with a fork until it becomes a paste. *Chill for 30 minutes and then use immediately. *Place a steaming hot cloth over your face for 1 minute before applying your mask. This will ensure that your pores are open and ready for cleansing. Leave on for 10-15 minutes to ensure that you get the best results then rinse off with cool water to recluse your pores. This is a very refreshing mixture and I personally recommend doing this at least once a month to remove dirt and make-up that loves to get trapped down deep in your pores.


There you have it! One last final tip before I go for now...Don't automatically that skin and hair treatment tips are geared just for women...men have hair and skin needs too and you should always encourage your male friends, relatives, partners and the like to indulge in this very relaxing, very helpful and healthful therapy.