Avocado Information

Previously posted on the Facebook page and Google+ page during Avocado week, here is some additional information about this wonderful natural beauty ingredient:

I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about the ingredient of the week over on the blog which is the tasty, nutritious avocado. The lovely avocado is native to Mexico and Central America and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals beneficial for your skin and your health. 

I am only going to touch on a few of the many reasons to include avocados in your beauty routines, which should involve consuming (in moderation) the fruit, too. You can use the fruit, oil, and even the skin (peel, rind) of the avocado topically and in a large variety of recipes including moisturizers, toners, masks, and bath soaks.

Used topically, the avocado hydrates the skin, reduces inflammation, softens rough skin, and provides a protective barrier. It helps protect against sun damage and will soothe sunburn. Avocado is thought to boost collagen production and provide protection from environmental damage which can lead to skin showing the signs of aging. It even helps treat age spots.

I hope you enjoy the products using avocado featured on the blog this week and be sure to give it a try in your own recipes. Do not forget to eat some, too!

Avocado Hand Scrub

Okay, enough teasing!  Here's what to do with that lovely avocado we scooped out.

I put the guts in a bowl and gathered up my other ingredients.

For this recipe, I gathered up oats (which I ground into a coarse powder), lemon juice, and one egg.

After mixing everything together, rub all over your hands.  Cover with plastic gloves and let it sit on your hands for 20 minutes.  Then rinse off thoroughly.  Your hands will be soft and smooth.  Trust me, you will love this one!

How about having the girls over for a mani/pedi night?  I divided the scrub into individual containers.

Put the scrub container with a pair of gloves or plastic bags for each person.  Remember to keep the mixture in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

These would be cute little pampering gifts, alone or with a fingernail file and other manicure items, for your bridesmaids, too!

Give it a try this weekend and let me know what you think!

Moisturizer

Welcome back to avocado week!  Last post I mentioned not throwing away that pit.  But hang out, don't throw out that peel, either.

After you have scooped out the insides, turn that peel inside out.  Rub it on your face for an excellent moisturizer just the way it is.  Do not worry, it will not turn your skin green.  Here's the proof:

Yup, there's yours truly, freshly avocado moisturized.

Avocado Madness

The lovely avocado is a fruit, for those of you that like to know such things.  It has a creamy texture and rich taste and is healthy to use in a multitude of recipes.  In addition to being an excellent source of fiber and vitamins, this fruit may help to lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of diabetes and helps to promote lower body weight. But since this is a beauty blog, let's focus on the benefits for hair and skin.

Avocadoes moisturize the skin and help relieve dry and itchy places.  It helps treat skin conditions and can be used to heal wounds and minor burns.  It can increase the production of collagen, plumping the skin and decreasing the effects of aging.

So how do you get that all that goodness?

First cut the avocado in half, all the way around, leaving the pit in place for the moment.

Then stab that poor pit with your knife, sinking it into the pit.  If you've got it lodged in well, just lift your knife and the pit will come right out.

But do not throw that pit out!  Grow your own avocado tree following the instructions found here.  

Scoop out the insides from the peel and get ready to make some beauty products!  Check back for the upcoming recipes!

Preview- Ingredient Highlight for Next Week

I have another week of recipes featuring a special ingredient.  What is coming up?  I'll give you a hint!

And a big Happy Birthday to my baby who is 13 today!  Now I have a house with two teenagers!  Oy!