Oh wait! PUMPKINS!
Aren't pumpkins the perfect image for fall?Beautifully carved for Halloween with softly glowing candle light. Or proudly displayed among gourds and leaves for Thanksgiving.
One of my favourites, pumpkin seeds! And so good for you. They supply you with minerals such as, phosphorous, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper. They are also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B1, B2 and B3, protein, monounsaturated fats and phytosterols.
Simple steps for roasting seeds.
1) Remove the seeds from the pumpkin and thoroughly rinse through a colander to remove the pulp.
2) Place on a baking sheet and bake on low (250/275 degrees) for about 20mns to remove the moisture (and missed pulp will easily separate once the seeds are dry)
3) Add a small amount of olive oil and salt (I have learned that only a small amount of oil is needed), place back in the oven for an additional 20mns. I tend to try a couple as I wait. You're looking for a slightly toasted colour.
And we can't forget about pumpkin bread (my husband's specialty) and cookies! I made these and my daughter got upset with me because she couldn't stop eating them!
The recipe came from allrecipes.com, Iced Pumpkin Cookies.
As you can see, I didn't use the icing.
And now for the good stuff!
Pumpkin face mask.
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| Simple ingredients, honey, pumpkin, cinnamon and ground almonds. |
1/4tsp CINNAMON
1tsp GROUND ALMONDS (also know as almond meal)
1/4cup PUMPKIN
I loved this mask! So simple. It was brightening, tightening and smoothing.
Pumpkin has zinc which provides a toning and lifting effect, it's also exfoliates gently because of the enzymes. The honey is purifying. Cinnamon is antibacterial. And almond meal is rich in vitamin E, selenium and monounsaturated fat, and that’s why it is considered a good protective antioxidant for the skin. Almond meal is also great for exfoliating and when I was ready to remove the mask I gently rubbed it around and got the benefits of a scrub.
I just want to add the importance of exfoliating. Besides washing your face (no more than twice a day, or you will be stripping away the natural oils), you need to exfoliate a few times a week, depending on your skin type, less frequently for dry skin. I have actually seen exfoliation used several times as a gimmick to impress a potential customer in the cosmetic industry. If it's something you haven't been doing on a regular basis, the results can be quite impressive. Our skin renews itself approximately every 30 days, as we get older this process takes a little longer. Exfoliating helps remove the dead layer of skin cells that are left sitting on the surface, it helps stimulate the skin and boosts circulation. Without exfoliation, our complexion can appear dull, lack luster, and that is why the following situation occurs .... we walk up to the cosmetic counter and we're offered a quick demonstration. After 20 seconds of scrubbing and a quick application of moisturizer, the skin appears years younger and that moisturizer has surprisingly soaked into your skin better than anything you have at home! You're so impressed, you buy the product on the spot. Here's what has just happened, they have removed that layer of dead skin cells, that was making your skin appear dry (for most people) and bland. Suddenly your skin looks brighter and healthier. And because you no longer have that barrier sitting on your skin, it can soak up the moisturizer that was probably sitting on the surface before.
Unfortunately it cost you way more than was necessary. You can easily exfoliate with any of the ingredients below (and many others) that you probably already have sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
The yogurt (and milk) is like a mild lactic acid that exfoliates just sitting on your skin. But you can mix it with almond meal, cornstarch or sugar and gently scrub as well. There are so many possible combination options that maybe I will just dedicate a blog to scrubs for specific skin types and concerns.
Here are 2 quick ones!
The WAKE ME UP scrub. Although you don't scrub, just leave it on for 10mns.
2tsp yogurt
2tsp oatmeal
1/2tsp brewers yeast (stimulates circulation, rich in vit B6) if you don't have it handy, skip it
1tsp honey
BRIGHTEN and POLISH combine all ingredients and blend (yep, rind and all!) rub gently and then allow to sit for 5mns.
1/4 lemon
1/4c milk
1/4c almond meal
1tsp vit E (capsules can be used)
Back to the pumpkin mask!
You can either boil the pumpkin in a little water or put it in the oven to prep for this mask. Then add all the ingredients together and grind with a hand held blender or whatever you find works best for you. I added water to help with the consistency. Yeah, it was a little chunky! This one didn't go on that easily with a brush so I opted to apply it with a large popsicle stick.
Apparently it was a little awkward taking this picture so I couldn't look into the camera :)
I intentionally tried to avoid the area by nose and upper cheeks because I tend to get congestion in this area if there is a moisturizing ingredient in the mask. This wouldn't have been such a big deal, but I have done more masks in the last 2 weeks than I usually do.
Only a few years ago the process of applying makeup and getting ready was rather time consuming and tedious. I remember thinking, seriously? Is this how it's going to be as I get older? Applying foundation to even out skin tone and hide the imperfections (btw, we are our own worst critique, it's never nearly as bad as we think!) and all the while trying to make it look like I had no makeup on at all! Thankfully I find myself in a completely different scenario now. I can actually leave the house confidently with only a little mascara and lip gloss. I know that not everyone feels the need to wear makeup, I think it's something we learn as a child. If our mother did it, we tend to follow in her footsteps.
Except for a little gravity working against me (I suppose at 40 it's bound to happen), I'd like to think I have managed to create an optimal atmosphere for my skin (our largest organ) to thrive and repair itself. I believe my success is a direct effect of a healthy diet for my body's needs and careful consideration of what is topically applied. So I invite you to come along and join me as I share with you all that I know and continue to learn :)
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| mom and her girls mini putting |
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