Delicious Pumpkin Body Mask

I know it's late into the Halloween Holiday Season, but my husband and I had not been able to carve out the pumpkins we picked out with our Daughter Bella.  So we took the time to do so this past Sunday.  After carving out some silly faces on the pumpkins, I used the cut out pieces of the pumpkins to make a homemade delicious pumpkin body scrub.  I don't always recycle ( even though, I should ):) I make an effort to do so when I have the opportunity, so I did! (:  

I already love pumpkin pie and the caramelized pumpkin slices my mom makes, so I knew I would love this one. Besides pumpkin has so many other beauty benefits that I couldn't resist trying this one out. 

Beauty Benefits:
 As I mentioned on a previous blog post pumpkins are a natural exfoliator, filled with alpha-hydroxy acids, loaded with antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C; plus they also have anti-inflammatory benefits and even give your skin boast of natural UV protectors.  The virgin coconut oil helps to moisturize and exfoliate your skin, plus it also has anti-bacterial properties!

This are the ingredients I used for the Delicious Pumpkin Body Mask:

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)

1/2 cup virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil( can use regularly coconut oil if virgin is not available)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (which is antioxidant rich, anti-bacterial and smells delicious!). 

Application: Apply generously to clean skin (I recommend the shower) and massage it into the skin. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry.  

DIY: Fall Inspired Body Scrubs

I don't know about you, but when the Fall season begins my skin needs a little extra TLC. A quick and easy way to rejuvenate is by using a body scrub to exfoliate and moisturize my skin in the shower.  Now normally when I am out of my favorite body scrub and I'm on a budget I just use granulated white sugar and extra virgin olive oil.  This season I wanted to change it up and I began a search for some quick and easy homemade body scrubs inspired by all the wonderful fall holiday scents.

Cinnamon Lip Scrub

Photo Courtesy of Carlee Scanlon

 I tried this cinnamon lip scrub and fell in love with it instantly.  It left my lips feeling soft and slightly plump.  It's so delicious you're going to want to eat it.  I found this recipe here and made some slight modification, since it call for organic ingredients and I didn't really them on hand. 

2 tablespoons cinnamon oil

1/2 tablespoon raw sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons of brown sugar

drop vanilla

Mix all ingredients one by one to control the consistency and you can store in small containers.  

Application: Use your finger to apply a small amount of the lip scrub and work mixture in a circular motion.

Pumpkin Pie Facial Scrub

Photo From TheBeautyBean.com

I found this recipe for a facial scrub and thought what better time to try it out than now during the fall season.  The pumpkin has many benefits besides aromatherapy.  The pumpkin is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, antioxidants, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C.  It's packed with anti-inflammatory benefits, natural UV protectors, and is an awesome exfoliator. For more Pumpkin Filled recipes click here.

3 tablespoons pumpkin puree cooked and smashed (or canned)

2 tablespoons unsweetened yogurt (lactic acid and natural exfoliate)

1 tablespoon ground almonds

1 tablespoon oats

Mix ingredients one by one until you reach your desired consistency.  

Application: Apply scrub to face and let sit for 1-2 min. (this will allow the pumpkin and yogurt to soften the dead skin cells). Use fingers to gently scrub your face in small circular motion  leaving your face feeling fresh and flawless.

Apple Pie Body Scrub

Photo taken by Colleen

This scrub is great while taking a hot bath, since the steam definitely brings out the aroma hot apple cider and cinnamon much stronger than while taking a regular shower.  I recommend using this one if your looking to relax after a long and stressful day at work because its great for relaxation purposes.

1/2 apple cider packet mix

1/2 cup of coconut oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon

Start by mixing brown sugar, coconut oil and apple cider mix in a small bowl or container.  Add the nutmeg and cinnamon to finish the body scrub.  

Delicious Lavender Body Scrub

Image Courtesy of Carlee Scanlon

I love this body scrub because of the lavender and coconut scent. Plus it's ideal for a quick spa treatment in the mornings to make you feel refreshed and rejuvenated for the day to come.

1 cup organic cane sugar

1/3 cup celtic sea salt

1/2 cup organic coconut oil 

2-3 tablespoons almond oil

1 tablespoon vitamin E oil

lavender essential oil 

Mix in a small jar or container the cane sugar, celtic salt, and coconut oil (one at a time to control the consistency of the scrub). Finish by adding the remaining ingredients and mix together.  If you don't have all of these ingredients you can always substitute with others in you pantry.  

**Storage: Generally, I make small quantities of my body/facial scrubs because the shelf life is on average one to two month because they are oil based.  They may last a little longer if you store them in your fridge.  The cool environment allows them to last longer.  However, if you add a little water and work them with your hands.  That usually does the trick for me.

Getting To Know Me

Hi Everyone,

     Let me start of by introducing myself.  My name is Cindi Lizze. I'm a first time mom to an 18 month old baby girl, Bella Lizbeth, who is the center of all my time and attention.  I consider myself to be the luckiest women to have such a wonderful family.  I'm a fun, loving, and creative person, who wishes nothing more but the best for my family and friends.  I am also currently finishing my  BA degree and working part-time for a marketing firm.

     Now being a first time mom, I have to admit I went through a bit of a readjustment period in learning how to manage my time between my daughter, my  husband, work, school and myself.  Yikes! I sure had my hands full. I would constantly ask my self "How do women with two or more kids do it??" I do not know,  But I have come to realize that's why we call them "Super Moms".  It was very hard to learn how to dedicate a little bit of time to myself, which is why I am constantly searching for health and beauty tips that will make my life easier while at the same time allowing me to look and feel my best. That way I have the time and the energy to fucus on my family. 

     I wanted to be able to share what I have learned with all of you, which is why I created this blog.  In this blog I will be focusing on sharing Health and Beauty tips that will allow all women to look and feel beautifull about themselves, regardless if you have a hectic schedule like me or just want to improve yourself. The majority of the Health and Beauty tips I search for are geared to save time and money, so if you're short on time and/or money the tips I will be sharing with you will most certainly come in handy. 

I leave you with one quote I try to live by: " If you can't take care of yourself, how are you going to take care of you loved ones?"  Remember that you are every bit as important (if not more than) everyone and everything around you. 

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and continue to do so for a long time to come. Don't forget to check out my next Health and Beauty Tips Made easy posting coming up soon!

XOXO,
Cindi Lizze