Random Splattering of Crunchy

I promised I would post my enchilada recipe, and I will, but I decided it would be better if I had pictures (for the visual learners) so I'm going to make enchiladas this week (probably Tuesday) and then post my recipe.

In the meantime, here's a crunchy way to wash your face:

Put a little hot water on a washcloth.  Put half a teaspoon or so of honey.  Then sprinkle a little baking soda.  Start rubbing it around and enjoy!  You don't have to scrub hard because the baking soda will be exfoliating on its own without much pressure.  After you have thoroughly rubbed it all over and are satisfied that all the gunk is gone, rinse with warm water.

This method exfoliates, removes make-up (except for eye-make up - don't use it on your eyes!  It's too scratchy!), and moisturizes.  Honey is naturally anti-microbial and moisturizing, and the baking soda has other properties that make it great for your face.  I should really look those up so I can be more specific.

Then, put a drop or two of apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and rub around.  This neutralizes the baking soda.  I like to also add a coule of drops of tea tree oil, which is also naturally anti-microbial and, because it's an oil, it picks up any extra residue.  Tea tree oil is a bit strong, as is apple cider vinegar, so also add two or three drops of water OR another oil (olive, grapeseed, almond, castor...I've tried them all and love them all) to dilute it.

Some newbies to the crunchy world might be shocked at the thought of rubbing oil all over your face, but it's actually far more effective at cleansing and moisturizing than most store-bought (even the "natural" ones) cleansers.  Your skin produces oil on it's own - oil is natural!  Most cleansers strip your skin of its natural oils, then the "oil-free" moisturizers attempt to replenish moisture in an unnatural manner.

I've completely removed "moisturizers" from my facial routine and use grapeseed or, currently, almond oil.  I'm still experimenting to find my perfect match.  Olive oil works great as well, but you have to be careful not to over-indulge.

And since I'm talking about oils, they are the best eye-makeup remover you will ever use!  I've tried various brands of the famous blue soapy liquid, and yet there is always a residue left, and if you get the soap in your eyes it stings (albeit not as much as other soaps).

But a little dab of olive oil on a cotton ball works wonders.  Or grapeseed oil.  Almond oil doesn't seem to do the trick quite as well for me.  And not only does the oil remove the mascara, but it also leaves my eyes and eyelashes feeling moisturized and soft.

Speaking of soft, exfoliate your feet and then rub them in olive oil and then put on some cushy socks before bed.  You'll wake up to super smooth skin!

There you have it.  A completely random splattering of several of my newly crunchy habits.

Try them out.  You'll be surprised how effective (and cheap!) they are!