Avocados... some call the perfect food.

As some of you know I co-own a business with my sister, Terry, called 2 Prickly Pears.   We take a simple approach to cooking, while educating about healthy foods and how to add them to your daily meal planning.   Along the way I have realized how many food we consume are also good for your skin.  I recently wrote an article on cooking with avocados,  on 2 Prickly Pear blog.  They are the perfect food and yet so many of us do not eat enough of them.  We also do not us them enough for our skin.

We are all guilty of spending more money, sometimes a lot of money, on our skin care items.  We all want to fight back the aging process.  Yet how many times do we spend money on something only to be disappointed in the results?  We get frustrated only to let the unfinished jar of cream sit… money down the drain. What if we watched what we ate and what we put on our skin?  I bet we would find some pleasing results that will not cost us a lot of money.

Let’s take a look at avocado oil and it benefits.  It soothes, protects and moisturizes allowing the skin to soaks in all the vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants the skin needs.  Kinda sounds like the commercials or sales pitches we hear all the time.  Only this time Mother Nature is providing the answer with no chemicals and not a lot of money.

Avocado Oil is high in vitamin E that is a powerful antioxidant which helps fight against free radicals that cause unwanted aging.  As the oil penetrates the skin it helps promote circulation to the cell walls keeping the skin cells healthy.  Your skin will be able to retain the water it needs to stay smooth and moist.   For those who have dry skin, natural skin cream that contains avocado oil will be beneficial.

Avocado Oil also contains sterolins and essential fatty acids.  Sterolins help produce collagen and reduce age spots.  Essential fatty acids helps promote cell function and reduce inflammation. 

Avocado oil is high in omega-3 and is very effective in protecting against UV rays.  For those sun lovers or those who are sensitive to the sun it's a good option in a sun screen to protect again sunburn or skin cancer.

I know many people who use avocado oil straight from the jar for their skin or they mash up an avocado for a natural facial mask.  You don’t have to buy a skin cream with it in.  Mother Nature already has it bottled up for you without a lot of work on your part.

Here is a facial mask recipe I have tried and love. 

1 avocado

1 banana

1 teaspoon Jojoba oil.  Or an oil of your preference that works well with your skin type

1 teaspoon lemon juice

In a food processor combine all ingredients.  Apply to skin and leave on for 10 – 15 minutes.  Gently remove with a damp cloth.  You are sure to like the results of your skin.

You can also jazz up the mask with other ingredients.  How about Kaolin clay, ground almonds or oatmeal?  You can add so many things to a facial mask without spending a lot of money and most important… no chemicals!

And raise your hand if you tried growing your own avocado tree :-)

Great oil right off the vine... Grapeseed Seed Oil!

Lets just start with the benefits Grapeseed oil has.

• Absorbs easily into the skin without leaving an oily residue.
• Rich in antioxidants
• Great anti inflammatory properties
• Rich in antioxidants, even more than vitamin E
• Aids in healing psoriasis and eczema
• Great moisturizer for the skin and scalp
• Helps even out skin tone

I could go on and on but I think you get the point.

Grapeseed oil is one of the most versatile oils you can use.  It helps fight premature aging while it stabilizes collagen.  What’s not to love!  It is great for those who are dealing with acne issues.  Grapeseed oil has very small chains of molecules which allows it to absorb easily deep into the skin where it can destroy the bacteria that cause breakouts.

Because Grapeseed Oil is so good for acne it is one of the main reasons I use it in my scrubs.  It is a great astringent which helps firm and tighten the skin as it moisturizes.   It is a great alternative to the other oils on the market that are used in skincare.

It is worth a try.

Olive Oil and the reasons to love it.

Olive Oil is widely used in cooking but it benefits go way beyond the dinner table and kitchen.  Its usage dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome because of it health benefits for the skin and the body. Quality can make a difference.  Try to buy a good equality oil.  However you do not have to spend your life savings on it.  

As you determine what oil works best for you keep in mind the following:

• Look at the expiration date of the bottle.  Buy as fresh as possible.
• Choose a dark color container as light will begin to break down the oil.
• Purchase small amounts and buy more often.   Olive Oil can last 3 months to 3-4 years.  Unless you are going to use a lot of it, it is best to buy in small amounts so you are not wasting your money.
• Store in a cool dark location in your home.  Again, light and heat can damage the oil. 

But why is Olive Oil so good for your skin?  It contains hydroxytyrosol a very rare antioxidant that helps prevent free radical damage to skin cells.  Olive oil is able to penetrate deep into the skin naturally without any harmful side effects which makes it ideal for all skin types.  It also contains vitamin A & E.

Olive Oil is popular in anti aging and anti wrinkle creams.  It creates a protective barrier on the skin that does not clog pores but helps the skin retain its own moisture keeping it hydrated.  Because of this reason Olive Oil is safe to use on your face.

For those who deal with eczema or psoriasis, Olive Oil can help relieve some the itching and irritation.  Add about a quarter cup of oil to your bath water or apply a small amount of oil directly on the skin.  It will not cure eczema or psoriasis but it is a healthy alternative to lotions that will only clog the pores in the area you are trying to treat.  Remember read the labels of the lotions you are using.  Odds are if you have not heard of an ingredient or cannot pronounce it, it probably will be harmful to your skin.  Do your research!

Olive Oil is great for shaving.  Apply a thin layer over the skin like you would with shaving cream.  You will find less razor rash, bumps and nicks on your skin.  I know many people will use my skin scrubs to exfoliate their skin and after rinsing off the scrub they will shave the unwanted hair.   The skin is left clean, smooth and moisturized.

Here are 101 reasons why Olive Oil is so beneficial from Robbins Family Farm

Like many of the oils I use, Olive Oil is good for your body both on the inside and outside.  It is one of Mother Nature’s rules.  If it is good for the skin it is good for you internally.

Shea Butter and it many uses...

Shea butter is so wonderful for the skin, which is why it is in so many skincare products and so recognizable.

Shea-Karite Tree

The Shea-Karite tree grows wild in the savannahs of west and central Africa.   It takes 15 years before a tree will bear the nuts that the shea butter is harvested from and about 30 years before the tree will produce quality nuts.   It is commonly referred to as the “tree of life” because of its many uses.   The nuts, root and bark are used for food and medicine.  Shea butter and it use dates back to the Egyptian queen Nefertiti and the Queen of Sheba.  The Shea tree is so revered it is forbidden for anyone to cut down or damage a Shea tree and, thanks is still given to it in many religious ceremonies.

Shea butter is an all natural product that varies in quality, appearance and smell.  This all depends on where the tree is grown and how the butter is extracted and refined.  Shea butter is solid at room temperature but will quickly liquefy near body temperature. It is best to store Shea butter in a cool, dry place.  Refrigeration is not required.

Unrefined Shea Butter

Refined Shea Butter

Raw or unrefined shea butter is creamy in color like whipped butter and has a nutty smell to it.  Refined Shea butter is white and the smell has been removed.   If you buy refined shea butter make sure it is filtered through clay and is not refined using hexane or other solvents.  Unrefined shea butter smell will diminish over time and in about 2 or 3 years it will lose it nutritional value.  If the butter begins to have a bad odor it is probably too old to use or has gone rancid.   

Shea Nut

Women are usually responsible for the process of making Shea Butter. This process takes place in the rainy seasons from May to August when the Shea nuts are harvested. Shea nuts are extracted from the fruit by crushing and boiling. Shea nuts are picked, cracked, grilled and pounded to extract the butter which is then boiled in water until the fresh shea butter rises to the surface. It is then scooped into gourds and left to cool and set. This many sound easy but it is very labor intensive.   Traditional extraction is a very long process.  It can take between 20-30 hours to extract 2.2 pounds, but through this process, shea butter retains more of its nutritional, skin care and medicinal benefits.

Some benefits of Shea Butter…

• Soothing for many skin issues like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis
• Helps with premature facial lines and wrinkles.
• Helps protect against the sun
• Contains five essential fatty acids, (a major amount coming from stearic and oleic acids), phytosterols, vitamins E and D, allantoin and vitamin A.
• Stimulates collagen production.
• It helps with cracked and peeling skin
• Great as a skin moisturizer
• Helps with dry scalp
• Aids in diaper rash
• Soften skin on feet
• Helps with stretch mark during pregnancy
• Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue
• Helps restore elasticity to skin
• Restores luster to hair

Not all Shea trees produce the same quality of butter. The varieties found in Northern Uganda and the Southern Sudan are of better quality but are very expensive due to political reasons and civil unrest in the areas.  Trees that produce a lower grade of butter that cannot be used in cosmetics or food are still put to good use.  This butter is commonly used as lamp fuel, candles, lubricants and weather-proofing. 

If you have never used Shea Butter it is worth giving it a try.  Make sure you do your research on the quality of Shea Butter you are purchasing.

The Wonders of the Aloe Vera Plant

I can say I am guilty of only knowing aloe vera as a topical treatment for skin.  I really knew very little about its benefits when taken internally until just a few years ago.  There was never a time there wasn’t an aloe vera plant in the house.  If I had a cut, scrap, burn, rash...you name it,  mom would break a part of the plant off and apply the gel to skin.  It never failed, it brought immediate relief and the sore was better in just a few days.  

I always preferred the aloe gel over the bottle of Mercurochrome…ouch!

Aloe Vera is another one of those wonder plants.   Ancient Egyptians called it the “plant of immortality”.  Now that is saying something!  It contains more than 20 minerals.  A few of them being: calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese.  It is also loaded with several vitamins:  A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6 and B12 which is very uncommon in plants.

Other health benefits include: 

• Helps lower cholesterol.
• Helps stabilize blood sugar 
• Studies have shown that those who drank aloe vera for 3 months saw a drop in their blood sugar levels and a boost in circulation.  Those who suffer from peripheral neuopathy, numbness of the feet and hands, could find aloe vera beneficial.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• For those making a dietary change by moving away from red meat, sugar, white flour, fried food and other foods that cause joint inflammation, will find aloe vera helpful in reducing joint pain.  However you have to make the move away from certain foods to make the aloe effective.
• Helps with many types of kidney stones and will aid in some kidney problems.
• Helps with ulcers, IBS, Crohn's disease, constipation and other digestive disorders.
•  Aloe Vera is a gelatinous plant.  Like seaweed and chia as it moves through the intestinal track the gel absorbs the toxins and are eliminated through the colon.  It is great for the detoxification of the body
• Aids in reducing high blood pressure naturally by treating the cause.
• Aids in boosting the cardiovascular system and boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Aloe Vera is a disinfectant, anti-biotic, anti-microbial, germicidal, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-fungal & anti-viral.  All this means it is great for the skin.  Unless you are allergic to aloe vera it is great to heal whatever skin issue you may have.
• Helps with acne, psoriasis, and eczema as it contains two hormones called auxin and gibberellins.  Both of these hormones have anti – inflammatory properties and help stimulate the growth of new skin cells.
• Keep the skin hydrated and elastic.
• Helps the skin fight aging because of the vitamins and minerals it contains.

You can drink aloe vera juice daily.  It is recommended to drink between 2 to 8 ounces in the morning daily.  However you need to be the judge of that.  It can be added to your juice or smoothies or can drink it “as is”.  Some people love the natural taste of aloe vera gel.  As for me it has to go in something… the morning freshly made juice.  The most important thing to remember is to drink it in its purest form.  Be careful of the brand you buy.

***Remember if you are on any medication and want to add aloe vera to your diet or treat a skin issue you much check with your doctor to make sure the change is safe for you.

Ever considered using Hemp Oil?

I discovered Hemp Oil early in my research when I started my skincare line.  I wanted to make a lip balm that would glide on without dragging across your lips leaving a waxy feeling behind.  Hemp oil quickly moved to the top of my list to test in my lip balms.

I discovered Hemp Oil is nearly identical to our own lipids.  It has great natural penetrating qualities which enable to lubricate the surfaces between the skin cells.  It helps tone and detoxifies the skin while it moisturizes it without clogging the pores.

It evens skin tone and increases skins elasticity and helps calm irritated skin.  This makes it great for those who have eczema.  When used straight out of the bottle in it natural form it will bring relief to the itching and dryness that are the symptoms of eczema. 

  

Hemp oil comes from the Cannabis sativa plant and is high in vitamin D which helps absorb calcium; it contains anti-inflammatory properties not found in other oils and is high in vitamin E.  Also all 20 amino acids are found in hemp.  This includes the nine our bodies cannot produce.  

In a recent study conducted in Finland by researcher J. Callaway, those suffering from dermatitis saw significant improvement after using hemp oil for 20 weeks.   This is due to the balance of the Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids. Hemp seed oil is 80% essential fatty acid, the highest amount of any other oil.  

Like the other oils I have written about, Hemp Oil is also good to take internally.  Since it is high Omega 6 and 3 fatty acid with the ideal ration of 3 to 1, it is great for strengthening the immune system.  It also help with who suffer from anemia and cardiovascular diseases.  When you consume the proper amount of essential fatty acids they will help correct oxygenation and skin hydration, counteracting aging.

Hemp Oil has pleasant nutty flavor.  It is commonly used in place of olive oil in salad dressings.  For those watching their cholesterol levels it is a great replacement oil since it is helps lower cholesterol.   It is also low in carbohydrates which is beneficial for those who are diabetics.

Remember to always consult your doctor if you are considering changing your diet and are concerned if what you using is safe for you.

Upcoming classes this summer...

Some have been asking about upcoming classes I am teaching.  Here is what is happening May, June and July. 


Swanstone Garden in Green Bay, Wi
Phone # to sign up: 920-866-9367

"Artfully Crafted Skin Care Products"
Cost - $55
May 26th @ 10:00am
June 2nd @ 10:00am
July 20th @ 10:00am
July 28th @ 10:00am

Catalog is available online:  Spring/Summer catalog 2013

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Sweet Willow Natural in Green Bay, Wi
Phone# - 920-608-0348

"DIY Facial Trio"
Cost - $45
June 5th @ 6:00pm
Click here to sign up online: DIY Facial Trio

Soap/Shampoo Bar Making
Cost - $55
July 17th @6:00pm
Click here to sign up online: Soap/Shampoo Bar Making

Make it a fun and great summer!!!