Categories
Weight Loss Exercise

Facial Masks with Homemade Ingredients



Facial masks – What are they and why would I want one? At first glance, a facial mask seems to be one of the steps in pampering yourself during a facial. But it’s more than that; masks have a job to do. They revitalize, nourish, refresh, and sooth your skin.

You can buy mask preparations from the store, but why not try making one with homemade ingredients? You will not only know all the ingredients involved and will be able to pronounce them, you will save money as well.

Depending on what ingredients you use, the mask can contain fruit extracts, vitamins, and minerals. You will use different ingredients in your mask depending on what you want – toning, exfoliating, or deep cleaning. Also, take into consideration your skin type and how much time you have to mix the mask ingredients together and leave it on. Keep in mind some masks are drippy and can make a mess. Also, be sure to wash your face before you start so you’re working with a clean surface.

Homemade Facial Masks

Oily Skin
Egg whites, beaten, and about 1/4 teaspoon of lemon juice.
Pureed tomatoes with enough flour to make a thin paste.
1 teaspoon lemon juice and oatmeal, blended in the blender.
Applesauce, 1 tablespoon honey, and enough flour to thicken.

Dry Skin
Mashed avocado.
Mashed ripe banana.
Flour and yogurt – creamy consistency, not pasty.
1/2 mashed banana, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons sour cream.

Scrubs
Brown sugar and enough milk to make a thin paste.
Honey and oats
Baking soda with a small amount of water.

When you’re done, wash off your facial mask with warm water and immediately apply a moisturizer while your skin is still damp. This helps lock in the moisture. If you have some of the mixture leftover, you can apply it to other areas of the skin. The masks for oily skin can help your feet, hands, or elbows.

One last thing… remember all those TV movies you’ve seen where women in bathrobes are relaxing at a spa with cucumbers over their eyes? Well, placing thin cucumber slices over your eyes will help reduce the puffiness of the skin around your eyes. It also gives you an excuse to close your eyes and relax.

A facial mask can give your skin just the boost it needs and you can do them regularly for lasting benefits. There are some for you to try in this article, but there are many more I haven’t listed that can work just as well for rejuvenating and nourishing your skin.

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Categories
General Weight Loss Tips

Sugar-Free Banana Chocolate Cheesecake

Guess what? I had dessert for lunch. Guess what else? There was no sugar or artificial sweeteners involved. And it was delicious. From one sweet tooth to another, make this recipe asap.

I’ve had this idea in my head since before I started my year without sugar and I finally got around to making it happen today. Here’s how you make it:

Sugar-free and naturally sweetened: Banana Chocolate Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Crust:

1/2 C. whole pitted dates

1/2 C. pecan halves (or any other nut)

splash of vanilla

1/2 t. water

! T. cocoa powder

optional: 1 T. unsweetened coconut flakes

Filling:

8 oz. cream cheese softened

1 very ripe banana, mine was black (I would use two next time)

1/4 C cocoa powder

3/4 C full-fat plain yogurt

1/2 C. Dates

1/2. C water

Optional topping: unsweetened coconut

What you will need: food processor, 9 inch pie plate, small saucepan, mixer, spoons

Directions:

Starting with your crust, dump all ingredients (dates, pecans, vanilla, water) into a food processor. Turn machine on for at least two minutes. Your crust is done when you can form a ball with your ingredients.

Press crust into a pie plate with your hands. Your crust will cover the bottom of the plate and a little on the sides. You can make it as thin or thick as you like. Set crust aside.

Use a stand-mixer or hand-mixer for the filling. Beat the cream cheese and banana together on low until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla and mix again until the ingredients are incorporated and smooth. Set mixture aside.

Put dates in your food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add chopped dates to a small saucepan with 1/2 C. water. Turn heat to medium high and stir until the water begins to boil. Turn heat down and let simmer for five minutes. Take off heat and let cool to touch. Add dates to food processor, turn machine on for two minutes.

Add date puree to cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth. Pour filling over crust and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Makes 8 servings.

PS: I’ve been using the hamilton beach food processor for four years now and love it!