All Natural Skin Care Regimen

All Natural Face Cleaning...

I LOVE to find all natural skin care products, but all too often lately even those that claim to be "All Natural" are packed full of preservatives and other nasty items I can't pronounce.

The search addict I am, I began to look around online for some tried and true, honest to goodness ALL NATURAL skin care recipes. 

I came across LOTS of interesting articles and guides... I took from them what I found beneficial and discarded the rest. I have to admit this is not the first time I have decided to be more aware of what I put on my skin... but for one reason or another I always seem to be lured in by the marketing strategies of companies promising younger, firmer, less wrinkly, glowing, dewy, rejuvenated skin. 

Thankfully I always come back to my senses before too long! Usually after my skin begins to feel dry and flaky with a dull flat appearance. 

So... what simple two step skin care regimen have I began in the last month that completely changed my skin for the better (again)? 

1. Message in oil and go to bed.  

It's so simple it's crazy... I mixed together equal parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Apricot Oil in a travel dispenser you would normally put shampoo or conditioner in... I add in about half of a teaspoon of Castor Oil and shake well. Before bed I put two or three drops of oil on my finger tips and message onto my face. Why did I chose this combination of oils with all the possibilities out there? You can read further below for more details on each oil to find out why.

2. Wake Up and Wipe Off with Witch Hazel

When I wake up in the morning I simply put some Witch Hazel onto a cotton swab ( I usually use 2 cotton swabs) and wipe it all over my face, even under eyes! It works excellent to reduce eye puffiness! Witch Hazel does have an odd smell that takes some getting used to... but trust me, it's sooo worth it! 

I can't believe the changes in my skin. Firmer, Smaller Pores and Softer! My skin tone and color is more balanced  as well!

Olive oil- is famous for its Anti-inflammatory Properties from the variety of antioxidants found in it... including Vitamin A and E, but the most potent compound is hydroxytyrosol (a very rare but potent antioxidant that prevents free radical damage on skin cells). This makes it awesome for anti-aging, anti-wrinkle and moisturizing use.

Olive oils antioxidants allow it to form a protective barrier trapping moisture on your skin. Lots of skin products use synthetic chemicals that do moisturize, but they clog your pores and are carcinogenic in some cases. Olive oil however, will not clog your pores like some people believe and it's deep penetrating properties not only moisturize your skin but also help brighten your skin. 

Apricot Oil- sought out for its high vitamin E content and skin softening properties, apricot oil is known for its ability to penetrate the skin without leaving an oily feel. It's rich in essential fatty acids like oleic and linoleic acid and is high in Vitamin A. The excellent softening and moisturizing properties is great for face, hands and hair. Vitamins A & C are good for mature dry or sensitive skin. The apricot oil helps skin retain elasticity, clarity, and suppleness.

Castor Oil- Castor oil is a natural rich emollient and its molecular weight makes it easier to penetrate into the stratum corneum (a fancy word for the outermost layer of the epiderm). Dermatologists will tell you that a healthy stratum corneum makes healthy youthful looking skin. Regular use will reduce appearance of age spots (brought about by sun damage and the aging process) and produce suppler skin.

Witch Hazel- has high levels of tannin acid. The tannin content in witch hazel has strong astringent as well as antioxidant properties. These astringent properties are cleansing to the skin, while minimizing the size of skin pores. If you suffer from acne then witch hazel comes highly recommended. Witch hazel removes the sebum from the skin and reduces the inflammation of pimples without leaving the skin dry. It is gentle and non-drying when used to tone and cleanse acne infected or acne prone skin.

Do YOU have an all natural skin care recipe or regimen you would be willing to share? 

Study The Word Wednesday: What Effect Does My Attitude Have On My Actions?

What Effect Does My Attitude Have On My Actions?

Job 4:8 - "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it."

James 3:18 - "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

Proverbs 22:8 - "He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of  his fury will be destroyed."

When we allow wrong emotions to take root in our lives,

trouble is soon to follow. Even if we try to disguise our feelings, sooner or later they will surface in one form or another. Facial expressions reveal what’s inside. True feelings are hard to hide from others, no matter how hard we try.

When hurt and bitterness are allowed to grow, they will eventually erupt. I'm sure all of us have been upset with someone, but just couldn't tell that person... We usually handle such situations in one of two ways: 

(1) We may choose not to say anything to the person we’re upset with but become cold. This may begin by being short with that person during conversations, followed by making hurtful remarks while hiding behind humor. Eventually the friendship ends with the other person hurt and confused as to what happened. 

(2) We may try to hide our emotions by pretending the bad feelings don’t exist, which may work for awhile, but in the end it usually blows up in our faces. Have you ever been upset with someone, and one day you couldn’t hold it in any longer—you blew up at that person, telling her everything she ever did that made you mad?

God does not condemn us for having such feelings, but He expects us to learn how to control our emotions. Feelings alone aren’t good or bad—it’s what we do with those feelings that can turn into problems. For example, if we feel anger toward someone, we must forgive, or that anger will soon grow and show in our actions.

During the next week, take a look at how you handle emotions. Try to control your emotions and not react in a way that would be displeasing to the Lord. As we close in prayer, ask God to help you.

I would like to know what you think... Should we forgive, even if a person doesn't apologize?

Five Minute Friday - Wide

GO

I've always had such a big heart. I’ve always had a heart for others,. Unfortunately… my lack of self esteem and being so critical of myself growing up, it has always hindered me from being there for others. I always felt as if I didn’t have anything to bring to the table. I always felt as if my words would do more harm than good. I always felt so…. little, so insignificant.

I’m so thankful today that I know my strength comes from a mighty God, a big and mighty God. I am so glad that I have finally been able to open my arms, open my arms WIDE and start to give myself to others… my flawed, little, insignificant self, so full of God overflowing through me.

I realized that it isn’t how much I have to offer, but what God can do for them through me when I allow Him to.

I know that even when I feel down, I can always be there for those that need… because it’s not what I have left in me, but what He fills up overflowing through me. And we all know how much Jesus loved the world… He stretched out His arms WIDE and died for us.

STOP

Neighborhood Ice Cream Social, or Neighborhood Fish Fry? That is the question

Hi ladies,

A few posts ago I wrote about God speaking to my heart about starting up something for our neighborhood... I thought I would start simple and go from there. I would like to do a Bible study or a womans worship group... but my target area would be those who do not yet know the Lord, and titles as such would probably make that target area cringe and not show up at all. 

After much consideration, I thought I would have a "Neighborhood Get Together" once every couple of months so that our neighbors can get to know each other better. I know that just sitting and talking , if there is a need, God will open a door of opportunity. 

So far my ideas were to 1. have an ice cream social party! I thought that I could purchase the ice cream, some coke and root beer for coke or root beer floats... and everyone invited could bring their favorite ice cream toppings. I made up some invitations... I actually just edited some that I found floating around online. ;) (personal information has been smudged out).

Idea number 2 was my husbands idea... it was to have a neighborhood fish fry. Sooo, I created this invitation from something I found floating around online... crafty woman I am. (again, personal information has been smudged out.)

So, which one to choose? I guess it depends on the weather that day... if it should be cooler weather, we will have fish, if warmer weather, we will have ice cream! lol. 

I am completely outside of my comfort zone here, I pray Gods will be done. 

Which would you prefer to attend if it was your neighborhood?

Child Training Bible Giveaway Winner!!!

Hi everyone!

Today is the day I get to announce the winner of the Child Training Bible!

and the winner is......

Jessica Loveland! 

I feel so honored to be able to host this giveaway. Such a blessing it has been to my family, and I know this beautiful family will benefit from it as well.

To those of you who entered, you can still receive the Child Training Bible! Simply go to their website and purchase one for yourself... at the low price of only 9.00 plus shipping and handling... it's the price of a meal you gals! For just this price you can have a treasure in your family for years! 

May God bless you all!