Body Brushing for healthy skin

My favorite body brush has knobbies for foot massages.

I posted awhile back,  about healthy skin and using a washrag in the shower to keep the skin free from cellulite and psoriasis etc. by scrubbing really hard with a washrag and hot water. It works.and I do this daily and I  started to follow it up with...body brushing.  I love the way it makes my skin feel and look.

It only takes a few minutes after a shower, or before if that works for you. I prefer after. It promotes tighter skin, cell renewal and blood flow. It also helps the lymphatic system release toxins and aids in digestion and kidney function

Start at your feet, and brush toward your heart.   I use a brush that has a long handle so that I can get my back. They are inexpensive. I also have a facial brush, I use it on my boobs and tender spots. I like the knobby and brush in one, because after I brush, I like to massage my feet with the knobby side, as foot massaging is highly recommended in Ayurveda, which is my newest obsession right now.

facial brush, good for boobs and delicate areas

 Body Brushing only takes a few minutes and I find it more important that moisturizing, so if you are strapped for time,do this and moisturize later.  I moisturize with just plain old coconut oil.  Try it out, I promise you, it will make your skin feel amazing!  

If you can't find any body brushes in your local health food stores, I have put them on my Amazon Store page under favorite things.

Caprese Pasta Salad & an Easy Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

So Simple, Clean Eating

There really isn't much to this recipe, you add what you like and omit what you don't like. 

Fresh tomatoes

Fresh basil

Fresh mozzerella

cooked pasta, we like penne in our house

fresh parsley, and rosemary chopped

dried basil to supplement

crushed red pepper to your liking

salt and pepper 

Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Toss with the balsamic vinaigrette, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight, gets better with age

Who knows what is in those bottled dressings..so here is a simple, whole foods recipe 

Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 large cloves garlic (pressed or chopped)
• 1 tbsp fresh finely chopped parsley
• salt/pepper
• fresh and dried herbs of your choice, depends what you are dressing

Just a little hair product tip that works well for me

Here is a tip for not only making your shampoo and conditioner go farther, but it is also gentler on your hair.  I can't use straight conditioner, it makes my hair greasy looking, no matter how much I try to wash it out and no matter what brand I use.  When I do this dilution process, I don't have a problem because, diluted, its just enough product.

Also, for men facing hair loss, the essential oils can help bring blood to your head, and if you suffer from itchy scalp, this will alleviate that also.

I do not care what kind of shampoo and conditioner you use...I switch constantly because, the aren't the miracle products they claim to be and really, 30 dollar shampoo and 3 dollar shampoo are really no different.  Your hairdresser may tell you otherwise..but as someone who has tried everything..this works for me better than any 30.00 product ever could and I pay less than 3.00 for my products now.

These are in my bathroom at all times, I keep the empty bottle in the shower and only make up a single use batch at a time so I can use it for both the shampoo and conditioner. The bottle has a pointy type tip, like the old fashioned ketsup and mustard tips...feel free to recycle one of those bottles if you can find one that is still shaped that way. 

Put a dime size dollop of shampoo into the bottle.  Add four drops of tea tree oil or rosemary oil to the bottle and then put a small amount of water into it..maybe a little more than the amount of shampoo you used. Shake and apply to the scalp and hair. I like the pointy bottle for just this purpose, they sell them at restaurant stores. 

Repeat the same way with the conditioner, the water helps so its not heavy..and it distributes it more evenly when its diluted. ...you won't believe how much longer your shampoo and conditioner last, and if you can get your whole family on board, even better.  

You can skip the oil if you want, or use another oil...geranium keeps away bugs if you tolerate the smell, for those gnat infested picnics in the heat. The oils that give you a tingly sensation are the oils you want to use for helping prevent hair loss and/or preventing dandruff and itchy scalp. 

JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET IT IN YOUR EYES....I did and it sort of hurts!