September Menu and Facial Stuff

Okay, so I was looking through some recipes to add to my September list of to-dos. My goal is to make four new recipes a month, so I chose a good four and may add to that list later. Don't want to overwhelm myself at the start. This month, I have decided to make the following:

1. Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole 
2. Avocado Basil Pasta 
3. Garlic Parmesan Baked Chicken Breasts
4. Egg Drop Soup

 I know, Egg Drop Soup is kind of out there, but I really love it. I will go eat Chinese just because I will get the Egg Drop Soup (and add rice and green onions to it). With that being said, I'm really excited to try out these four recipes. I plan on making one a week--so wish me luck. 

While watching Friends tonight, I was looking for some good facial recipes and I have come across three that I would like to try because they seem simple and effective. All of these recommend that you use the mask once a week--they're super easy, so take 30 minutes for yourself once a week!

Easy Facial Mask

1. One Egg Yolk
2. 1 Tablespoon of Honey
3. 1 Tablespoon of Plain Yogurt 
4. 1/2 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Mix ingredients together
• Apply to face
• Let sit for 10 minutes
• Rinse with warm water

Cinnamon and Nutmeg Facial Mask

1. 2 Tablespoons of Honey
2. 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon 
3. 1 teaspoon of Nutmeg

• Mix ingredients 
• Apply to face
• Let sit for 30 minutes
• Wash with warm water while lightly scrubbing in circular motions

Gelatin and Milk Facial Mask

I have this on my face right at this very moment. It stanks. I am sure the mask is doing its job...it just smells nasty. This is what your face may look like after applying:

1. 1 Tablespoon of Unflavored Gelatin 
2. 2 Tablespoons of Milk (any kind)

• Mix ingredients together 
• Microwave for 10 seconds
• Stir
• Apply Immediately (clumps quickly)
• Let dry for 15 (or longer) minutes--You'll know when it's ready because you can't move anything on your face!
• Start peeling it off--very gross

Okay...so, I just ripped all of my skin off taking this mask off. Yes, my face feels as smooth as a baby's bottom, blah blah. But, if you have any type of hair caught in the mix...goodbye hair (especially if you get it on your eyebrow. Thank God warm water helps get it all off.  It's like getting a face wax--I should have just ripped it off quickly, but I did not. I put moisturizer on my face and it is all tingly. Yes, my face feels nice, but, I don't know if I'll be doing this again. This is the after photo:

This is a very sad and pathetic ouch face after I ripped off my entire top layer of skin. So the benefit is that you will have smooth skin. The con is that your face will hurt like hell afterwards. 

Cleaning the Kitchen...Fun?

Okay, so today while I was watching Kyle, I was looking over a few cleaning supplies recipes for the kitchen. I wrote down ones that I think are worth trying and will share them with you all. All of the ingredients are pretty simple and easy to find, as long as you know where to look :) Most of the ingredients can be found at Whole Foods or Sprouts--you know, the natural store.

For me, making my own cleaning supplies, makes cleaning a little better, since I got to choose the fragrances of them and all. Essential oils are the key to a great smelling cleaner, so you should experiment and choose the scents you enjoy the most. My favorites are lemon, lemongrass, orange and lavender--together, they make a wonderful scent.

Dishwashing Blues Blend
I found this really funny because in it's description it says this is to lift your mood while washing the dishes.

• Liquid Castile Soap
• 10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
• 6 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil
• 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 drops of Orange Essential Oil

1. Fill a clean 22-ounce squirt bottle with castile soap
2. Add oils
3. Shake well before each use
4. Add 1-2 tablespoons of liquid soap to hot water and wash as usual.  

Dishwashing Tips

1. For very greasy dishes, add 1/2 cup of vinegar or lemon juice to dish water. 
2. To loosen baked-on food from pots and pans, immediately add some baking soda and wait for 15 minutes before cleaning. 

Lavender Lift Automatic Dishwashing Powder

• 2 cups Washing Soda
• 2 cups Borax
• 20 drops of Lavender Essential Oil

1. Mix ingredients together in bowl
2. Store in plastic container
3. Use 2 tablespoons per load of dishes

Basic Sink Cleaner

• 1/4 cup of Baking Soda
• 1/2 cup of Vinegar 
• 3 drops of Lavender or Orange Essential Oil

1. Combine all ingredients
2. Rinse sink well with hot water
3. Pour cleanser in the sink and wipe with cloth or sponge
4. Rinse again with hot water

Lemon Blast Cleaner

(good for kitchen appliances) 

• 1 teaspoon Liquid Castile Soap
• 1/8 cup of Vinegar
• 1/4 cup of Lemon Juice
• 2 cups of Water
• 6 drops of Citrus Seed Extract
• 4 drops of Orange or Lemongrass Essential Oil
• 1 teaspoon of Borax

1. Combine all ingredients in spray bottle
2. Shake well
3. Spray generous amount and wipe with cloth or sponge
4. Dry with towel or cloth

Citrus Floor Cleaner

• 1 gallon of Hot Water
• 2 tablespoons of Liquid Castile Soap
• 15 drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil
• 8 drops of Lemon Essential Oil 

Remember, if you don't like the scents in the cleaners you make, just change the blend of essential oils. It could take a few trials to figure out exactly which scents you like together. 

Yay, kitchen cleaning!