3 tips for fabulous Winter skin PLUS a hydrating body bar recipe
The cool Winter temperatures and low humidity see most of us having hotter showers, turning the heat up in our home and wearing lots of layers. Unfortunately, this combination often leaves our skin dull and flaky, as well as feeling tight and sometimes a little itchy.
The good news is that you can help your skin feel moist and supple all Winter long by making a few simple changes to your everyday routine.
- Stay Hydrated – your skin is often the first place to show signs of dehydration so it’s important to keep your water intake high. Herbal teas are a great way to do this during the colder months.
- Modify your skincare routine – in the warmer months we tend to use lighter products due to high humidity levels. In Winter, consider a cream or oil-based cleanser as well as a moisturiser that contains rich, hydrating oils like Rosehip.
- Keep your showers short and not too hot – hot showers, while beautifully warming, can dry out your skin. Treat your bath and shower sessions as an opportunity to love your skin. Exfoliate twice a week and moisturise your entire body after each shower.
Which brings me to my Heavenly Hydrating Body Bar. This recipe is incredible. Not only is it simple to whip up and is completely toxic free, but you also have the flexibility to customise your body bar to your skin type through your choice of essential oils.
I’ve used a combination of two oils – Peppermint and Bergamot specifically for their therapeutic properties.
Peppermint oil has a long history of healing and protecting. It has the most wonderful uplifting and stimulating essential oil. Bergamot is the most delicious citrus oil. It’s delicate, subtle and works wonderfully with Peppermint. The beautiful thing about Bergamot is the calming effect it has on the body and mind. It is fabulous at reducing symptoms of stress (both physical and mental) as well as supporting emotional wellbeing. It is without doubt, my favourite citrus oil.
Heavenly Hydrating Body Bar
This recipe makes approximately 3 x 60ml bars.
You will need:
- A silicone mould or ice cube tray
- 60 grams of Beeswax
- 60 grams of coconut oil
- 60 grams of shea butter or cocoa butter
- 7 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil
- 10 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
Method:
- In a glass bowl add the cocoa/shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil.
- Place the bowl into a saucepan filled with approximately 5cm of water on medium-low heat until the wax, oil and cocoa butter has melted.
- Remove from the heat and stir in your essential oils.
- Pour into moulds and let it cool slightly before putting it in the fridge to set.
- Once set, remove the bars from the mould. Store in a glass jar in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
To purchase your very own Nature’s Living Essential Oils call Melita on 0421 390 309
or email at pilched22@gmail.com
Nonna’s Lentil Soup
This soup is a mainstay and has been handed down by my Sicilian grandmother to my mother and then on to me and my children. Like most of you know, the Mediterranean Diet is one of the most nutritious diets you can eat. Full of fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
To make this heart warming soup you will need the following:
1 cup of washed green lentils,
1 carrot chopped finely
2 sticks of celery chopped finely
½ a brown onion
1 clove garlic
1 x bay leaf (dried or fresh)
A 400 gm tin of pureed tomatoes
Sea salt
Black Pepper
2 cups of water or vegetable stock (low salt)
1 cup of baby spinach/silverbeet
1 or 2 Tbspns Italian herbs
Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 teaspoons
Parmesan cheese 2 Tbspns
Method:
My mum Maria and I actually don’t do much at all and we just place everything in a pot and let it simmer away (usually 30 to 40 mins) until the lentils are soft but not mushy. Just add the spinach or silverbeet to the pot about ten minutes before the end of cooking, and once cooked just drizzle the olive oil on top of the soup in your bowl and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese if you wish to.
Serves 3 to 4 people ENJOY