Easy Homemade Laundry Soap

Ingredients:

6 C Borax

8 C Baking Soda

1 C Coarse Kosher Salt

1 Bar Zote Soap (shredded)

1-2 TSP of Fragrance or Essential Oils

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients together and store in a container.  Use 2-4 ounces per wash, depending on load size. 2 ounces for smaller loads and 3-4 for large loads.

Notes:

* Washing Soda maybe used in place of Baking Soda. I personally use Baking Soda because is less harsh.

* Zote soap can be found in the laundry isle and it's a big pink bar with a white and pink wrapping.

* Coarse Kosher Salt is a non-iodized, granulated salt compacted into coarse flakes. This product contains a water soluble anti-caking and water softening agent.

* Can I use in a HE (High Efficiency) Washer?  I have heard from others that it works fine in their HE machines because the homemade laundry soap has almost no suds, which similar to how HE detergents are formulated. I don’t own a HE washer but if I did, I would feel comfortable trying the homemade laundry soap in the machine.

Strawberry Yogurt Honey Mask

2 Tbsp. Fresh Strawberries (cleaned and mashed)

1 Tbsp. Greek Yogurt

1 Tsp. Honey

Mix Strawberries, Yogurt and Honey until smooth.  Apply to face and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Strawberries:  Strawberries contain salicylic acid that removes dead skin cells, minimizes pores and creates a brighter and happier complexion. Strawberries gently refresh and exfoliate the skin, remove impurities, and reduce redness and swelling, and the antioxidants in Strawberries help to repair skin damage and counteract aging effects.

Yogurt: lactic acid and enzymes in yogurt help to hydrate and sooth the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. As a sunburn remedy it soothes the pain and improves redness. When combined with honey, yogurt makes a moisturizing and exfoliating mask, great for softening the face and neck and minimizing discoloration.

Honey: a natural antioxidant and anti-microbial to help protect the skin from the damage of the sun's rays, support the skin's ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin, leaving it feeling silky soft and supple. Honey is a treatment of minor can and absorbs impurities from the pores on the skin, making it an ideal cleansing agent.

Avocado Yogurt & Honey Mask

Treat yourself to an avocado facial. Beauty, they say, is only skin deep. Luckily, avocado has moisturizing power to help make your skin more beautiful. For years, people have used avocado as a natural facial treatment, especially for dry skin. It's easy to do in your own home.

2 Tbsp. Avocado (mashed)

1 Tbsp. Greek Yogurt

1 Tsp. Honey

Mix Avocado, Yogurt and Honey until smooth.  Apply to face and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Avocado: rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin K, fiber, folate, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, copper and potassium and have been used in treating a ton of skin ailments.  They are known to have a anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

Yogurt: lactic acid and enzymes in yogurt help to hydrate and sooth the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. As a sunburn remedy it soothes the pain and improves redness. When combined with honey, yogurt makes a moisturizing and exfoliating mask, great for softening the face and neck and minimizing discoloration.

Honey: a natural antioxidant and anti-microbial to help protect the skin from the damage of the sun's rays, support the skin's ability to rejuvenate and refresh depleted skin, leaving it feeling silky soft and supple. Honey is a treatment of minor can and absorbs impurities from the pores on the skin, making it an ideal cleansing agent.

Chocolate Face Frosting

INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons Greek Yogurt (plain)
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder or ground Raw Chocolate
1 Teaspoon Honey

INSTRUCTIONS
In a small bowl whip together the Greek Yogurt, Cocoa and Honey. Apply to face and neck using a makeup brush or feel free use your fingers and just lick them afterward. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and enjoy your soft glowing skin!

CHOCOLATE BENEFITS

Antioxidants in chocolate help fight environmental damage and it’s anti-ageing properties improve skin texture, increases skin density, thickness and hydration

YOGURT BENEFITS

Lactic acid helps exfoliate, smooth and refresh and tighten skin, and natural anti-fungal properties help fight blemishes. Yogurt also helps soothe skin from sun damage and burns,

HONEY BENEFITS

Protects from environmental damage, rejuvenates and refreshes tired skin. Honey also draw moisture to the skin, helps treat minor acne, and softens and smooth’s skin texture.

Yogurt and Banana Mask

Did you know? Bananas are packed with Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Potassium! The soothing properties in Bananas can also help reduce visual blemishes and inflammation. Applying mashed Banana to the skin helps make skin more soft and elastic; not to mention Banana is also known to help clear mild acne. Applying banana to the face helps restore the natural glow to your skin! Mixing Banana with honey and yogurt will leave your skin moisturized and youthfully renewed.

Yogurt and Banana Mask (all skin types)

What you’ll need:  Yogurt, Banana and Honey

How to make:  Place 2 tablespoons of yogurt, half a banana and 1 tablespoon of honey in a bowl and mash together until smooth. Then apply to your face and let sit for about 15-20 minutes. If there is any left over, enjoy it as a treat!

Bananas and Yogurt are Good for the Whole Body!  Looking for a tasty, sustainable, quick breakfast, lunch or snack? Foodfacts.com research indicates that you might want to try bananas and yogurt for a healthy, hearty, nutritionally intense treat. See more at the FoodFacts.com blog!

Watermelon is Wondrous!

…and can do wonders for your skin! Did you know that watermelon is high in Vitamins A, B and C, that can help keep the skin fresh, hydrated and radiant? The acids in the watermelon also help exfoliate the skin. Here are a few quick and easy recipes to give your skin a refreshing glow.

Watermelon Toner

6-8 Tablespoons Watermelon Juice

1 Tablespoon Warm Honey

Pour Watermelon Juice and Warm Honey into a small bottle and shake well. Apply generously to the face and neck. Leave the mask on your face for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Pat dry.

Watermelon Mask

1 Cup Watermelon Chunks

Mash the Watermelon Chunks until its a smooth paste. Apply the paste onto your face. Leave the mask on your face for about 15 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. Pat dry.

Happy Summertime!

Bacon Puffs Recipe

In Memory of Joshua Welsh
By: Joshua Welsh

1 lb. Bacon, cut up into small pieces, fried and drained... I recommend saving the bacon fat for future use.
1 Brick Cream Cheese, so far you have to admit this is a perfect start.
1 Bunch Green Onions, cut into 1/8 inch pieces
1 Tbsp. Spicy mustard, you have to have the mustard, I don't even like mustard but it tastes so yummy in there.
1 Tbsp. Worchtishire (spelling?) sauce
1 large can smack crescent rolls, you know the kind you used to have to smack on the counter to open. They tell you to use a spoon now, but I know you’re like me and will take any opportunity to smack something... especially if it can't smack back.

In medium bowl soften cream cheese in microwave for about 30-40 seconds.

Add mustard, green onions, worchtishire and bacon and stir till blended. At this point you will have to start eating the bacon cream cheese mixture...Don't panic there is always about 3/4 of a cup that doesn't fit into the puffs, that part is meant just for snacking on now.

Cut crescent rolls into small triangles... though not so small you can't fill and fold them but small enough to look dainty... these are finger foods and not everyone has the hands of an East German Plowman.

Put a dollop of cream cheese mixture in the middle of each crescent piece and fold to cover cream cheese. Don't worry if it doesn't look pretty at this point the crescent rolls expand and cover any imperfections... and besides anyone who knows food knows nothing with bacon and cream cheese can be bad.

Bake in a 350 degree oven till golden brown, about 8 -10 minutes.

Serve warm, makes about 16-20 puffs which can feed about 5-6 people, or if you’re like me the recipe feeds 1 person for the duration of a whole movie while curled up on the sofa on a Saturday night.

Yogurt Face Mask & Cleanser

Yogurt is one of the most beneficial skin care ingredients!  Lactic acid and enzymes in yogurt help hydrate and soothe skin; leaving it much more soft and smooth. The same cleansing properties that make it helpful for digestion actually purify the skin as well, both when applied directly to the skin and when consumed. It’s also a great sunburn remedy, soothing the pain and improving redness. When applied to the scalp it can relieve itchiness and decrease dandruff.  Combine yogurt with honey and lemon juice; making a moisturizing and exfoliating mask, for softening the face and neck and minimizing discoloration. You will love how silky your skin feels after using a yogurt mask and cleanser. You can even use this several times a day. Be sure to store it in the refrigerator.

1 tbsp. - Plain Greek Yogurt

1 tsp. - Raw Honey

Mix together and apply to the face. Let mask set for about 10-15 minutes, and then rise off with warm water.

Recipe Courtesy of Anasa Naturals, LLC

Strip it! Pore Cleansing Mask

This recipe makes a pore cleansing mask which works just like the pore strips sold in popular drugstores.

Ingredients:
1 T Knox Unflavored Gelatin
2 Tablespoons Warm Milk

Place gelatin powder in a small dish, and stir in warm milk until smooth. Apply the mixture on trouble areas of the skin. Avoid delicate eye area. Allow mixture to fully dry for 10-15 minutes. Mixture will dry quite stiff and form a "stiff film." Peel off the film and stare at all the little porcupine quills that used to be in your nose pores. Ewe! Wash face with warm water and pat dry.

Hint: Add a few drops of essential oil (lemon, lemongrass, mint, jasmine or lavender) or fruit juice to add to the fragrance or experience.

www.AnasaNaturals.com

Oats, Yogurt & Honey Mask

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
1 Tablespoon ~ Organic Oatmeal (Finely Ground)
1 Tablespoon ~ Plain Organic Yogurt / Greek Yogurt
½ Teaspoon ~ Raw / Organic Honey

HOW TO MAKE:
In a small bowl, add the yogurt to the oatmeal and mix together. Warm up the honey in a small bowl for a few seconds in the microwave. Stir warm honey into the yogurt and oatmeal mixture.

HOW TO USE:
Apply the mask to the face. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Then with warm water, gently massage the mask in circular motions into the skin to provide a gentle exfoliation. Finally rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a warm washcloth. Apply moisturizer.

DID YOU KNOW?
Oats, it’s not just a powerful breakfast! Organic Rolled Oats is also an excellent multi-purpose skin care treatment that can help relieve dry skin, restore natural moisture and can help heal minor irritations due to skin sensitivities. Cleansing the face with oatmeal helps to soothe skin irritation and actually absorbs and removes surface dirt and impurities while providing a gentle exfoliation. When used as a mask oatmeal deep cleanses the pores without irritating or drying out the skin. Oatmeal as an exfoliation is perfect for gently removing dead skin cells, and uncovering softer and more youthful looking skin. Create your natural, healthy glow…with Oats!

Strawberries & Cream Smoothie Mask

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
1 C Fresh/Frozen Strawberries (Raspberries or Blueberries optional)
1 C Plain Yogurt or Greek Yogurt
1-2 TBSP Honey (great moisturizer and helps clear skin)

HOW TO MAKE:  In a blender or food processor, combine strawberries, yogurt, and honey and bled on high until smooth and creamy. Pour into a glass and enjoy, setting just enough aside pamper your face.


HOW TO USE:  Apply remaining smoothie to your face over a sink (it’s a little drippy at first, but a smooth layer will stay put), and leave it on for about 5-10 minutes before rinsing off.

DID YOU KNOW?  Strawberries have more anti-aging vitamin C per serving than oranges or grapefruit! Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat foods rich in vitamin C have less wrinkles and less age-related dry skin than those who don’t. Vitamin C helps fight free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen, leading to those dreaded wrinkles and fine lines. For smoother, hydrated and happy skin apply a natural-berry mask once or twice a week.


Feed Your Face and Your Tummy Too!