GREEN BEAUTY: Strawberry Cleanser for Your Face

A precious, green beauty isn't complete without her daily health and beauty regimen! Whether you have been using the same beauty products for years or you have recently switched to more natural, non-toxic products, you know that your skin is going to show how well you take care of it. Years ago, I purchased a wonderful little paperback handbook, titled The Herbal Body Book by Stephanie Tourles, filled with natural beauty tips and recipes. Inspired by many of the recipes, I began making a few of my own beauty products at home. One of the things I did, was to experiment with natural ingredients to create facials for myself. Here is one of those fabulous recipes!

STRAWBERRY CLEANSER

• Good for: normal or oily skin
• Use: daily - when strawberries are in season
• Follow with: astringent or toner
• Prep time: 5 to 10 minutes
• Mix with: mortar and pestle, spoon
• Store in: Do not store. Mix only as needed.
• Yields: 1 treatment
• Special: The strawberry juice can also serve as a tooth cleanser and whitener. Very refreshing!

Ingredients: 4 very ripe medium-sized strawberries, sliced , 2 drops essential oil of yarrow or peppermint

Mix/Prepare: Mash the strawberries and press through mesh strainer or squeeze through cheesecloth or panty hose. Catch juice in small condiment bowl. Add essential oil and stir to blend. Apply to face and neck with a saturated cotton square and massage with finger tips for about 1 minute. Avoid eye area. Rinse with cool water.

Yours in a sea of green,

DuEwa Frazier

GREEN CLEAN: Dr. Bronner’s Classic Soaps

I can remember as a little girl, the strong smell of peppermint in our family’s bathroom on the second floor of the house. Was the smell coming from peppermint candy? No. Or how about peppermint room spray? No, not at all. It was the scent of Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap, a product that has been around since 1948! Dr. Bronner’s makes several scented, non-toxic soaps which can be used for a variety of things. I love the peppermint soap because of it’s fresh, clean smell. Sometimes I use the soap to clean the bathroom and I also use it as a hand soap. You can definitely use Dr. Bronner’s soaps in place of any toxic, chemical ridden, cleaning product that you have in your home. One thing is for sure, this soap is strong! My bottle of peppermint soap states, you must “dilute, dilute, dilute” the soap with water before using. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be happy to know that Dr. Bronner’s soaps are 100% Vegan! Also a little bit of the liquid soap goes a long, long, way! My second favorite Dr. Bronner’s soap is lavender. Lavender is probably my favorite natural scent of all time (followed by rose, orange, patchouli, honeysuckle and ylang ylang). I love lavender bath salts, lavender room spray, lavender satchets and hair products with lavender. If you have a favorite scent, you may find that Dr. Bronner’s makes a product that is just for you!

Additional green info. to make you smile: All oils and essential oils in Dr. Bronner’s soaps are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Dr. Bronner’s liquid soaps are packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

TIPS to Help You Get the Most Green Use Out of Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soaps:

• Wash your face and body with the soap
• Wash your hair and scalp with the soap
• Wash your baby
• Use it to shave
• Wash your delicate clothing
• Wash your hands and feet
• Clean your car
• Wash your pet
• Dilute in water and mop your floors
• Dilute in water and wash your sink, counters and dishes
• Wash your make-up/beauty tools
• Wash your children’s toys

Yours in a sea of green,

DuEwa Frazier