At Home Spa Recipe -- Brown Sugar Body Scrub

No Need for an expensive trip to the spa with this fabulous and simple body scrub!!

Create a Spa in Your Home

I went to a Culinary Meetup Group on Sunday, and the theme this month was "Spa at Home."  Each woman created a home-made spa recipe to share.  I went with my stand-by:  Brown Sugar Body Scrub.  It is incredibly easy to make and is versatile, depending on what ingredients you have on hand.  And did I mention that it is FABULOUS!!

This is a recipe that I created myself after spending $15 on a store-bought scrub.  After reading the ingredients, I figure their profit margin had to be around 1000%, and rather than give anyone that kind of money again, I'd recreate the recipe myself.  I have been using it for over a year now, and still love it!

Here goes:

Brown Sugar 

• Excellent to exfoliate dry skin from head to toe.  
• Sugar scrubs also tightens pores and adds moisture to the skin leaving it smooth and soft. 
• Sugar contains glycolic acid that works to protect and moisture the skin and help the body maintain a natural balance.

Honey

• Incredible antiseptic and is rich in antioxidants and flavanoids
• Cleopatra as an anti-aging remedy.
• Promotes healing of cuts and abrasions.  
• Because it is a humectant, it attracts and maintains moisture balance in the skin, without being oily.

Coconut Oil

• Safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin.
• Delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age.
• Helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and other skin conditions.

Almond Oil

• Improves complexion and retains glow
• Moisturizes deeply
• Soothes skin irritation and inflammation
• Delays the again process
• Lightens dark under-eye circles
• Relieves dry, itchy skin
• Cures chapped lips and body rashes

If you do not have Almond Oil, you can substitute Olive Oil, which is also an excellent moisturizer.  Secret Ingredient:  I love the smell of vanilla, and sometimes will put just a dash of pure vanilla in the mix!

I do not have the amounts written down anywhere.  Start with one cup of brown sugar and then add equal amounts of honey, coconut oil, and almond oil.  Mix it with your fingers (they'll thank you for the scrub!) and add additional ingredients until you get the consistency of cookie dough (?)...I can't think of a good comparison for the consistency.  You want it to be wet enough to spread evenly, yet solid enough to scoop out of the bowl.

I use the scrub 2 - 3 times a week and this amount should last about that long.  If you plan on keeping it longer, I suggest keeping it an airtight container in the fridge.  I use the scrub right before I am done showering and apply it in a circular motion with your hand, a washcloth or a loofah. It is great to use from head to toe--I even use it on my face!  

Let it sit for a minute or two so your skin can absorb it, and then rinse....No Need for Additional Moisturizer!! 

I love home-spa recipes....

What is your favorite???

Summer Pasta Salad

So, this is my first recipe I've put up...but since my family "begs" for this pasta salad, I figure maybe it's worthy of a post!  Now mind you, I like to cook, but not bake.  The reason for this is that in cooking, I can be more creative.  I rarely measure, and hardly ever cook the same thing the same way twice!  This is what I love about cooking!!  Baking, on the other hand, demands attention to detail.  Not my greatest strength!  I have a very limited amount of patience, so I leave the baking to my daughter, who will be studying pastry arts this fall.

FRESH VEGETABLES ARE THE BOMB!!!

TRI-COLOR PASTA ADDS INTEREST

Pasta is NOT the enemy!! 

Now, On to the Recipe!!

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2 boxes tri-color rotini
2 bottles of your favorite Italian Dressing--Do use one with lots of flavor like Newman's Own.
1-2 cans black (or green) olives, sliced or halved
1-2 small jars of marinated artichoke hearts, sliced
Marinated sun-dried tomatoes, sliced

And any combination of these veggies (diced)  in whatever amounts you want!!  NO RULES!!  =)

Celery
Green, Yellow, Red, and/or Orange Bell Peppers--adds color, taste, & nutrients, so use them all if you have them
Green Onions (Salad Onions or regular onions if you don't have these)
Carrots
Brocolli
Cherry Tomatoes, halved
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Boil the noodles until JUST SOFT--do not overcook!! Strain them and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Toss in some of the salad dressing to keep the noodles from sticking.
Add your veggies and the rest of the dressing.
Add Salt and Pepper to taste
Stir, Stir, Stir
Cover and Refrigerate for an hour or two to let it chill and allow the flavors to blend.

And for an extra kick:


Fresh Basil, and Parmesan Cheese also really Rock this Salad!!

VOILA!!!  You have enough pasta salad to feed the neighborhood--Trust me, they'll be coming back for more!!

Tweak this to fit your family--and use what you've got in the fridge!!  Like I said, there's no "wrong" way to make this.  To me, the goal is to use as many fresh veggies as I have on hand!!  So add some, remove some, play with it, experiment and have fun!!

Let me know what you think!!  And, if you try something that really works that isn't here, send me a shout-out--I'm always open to new ideas!!