LILL's LIST

When you think about it, what we put ON our bodies is just as important as what we put INTO our bodies. Soap, creams, shampoo, lotions are all absorbed just as fully as our food is absorbed. So if you try to eat only natural, organic or healthy food, why are you still slathering your body with chemicals? Next time you whip up a snack, why not make a double recipe and make something for your skin also?

The following recipes are good for your skin, whether you eat them, apply them or both. Just use the freshest ingredients – - organic if possible — and once mixed, use them right away. They’re not made for long-term storage. It might be a good idea to wrap your hair in a towel or turban wrap, so that you don’t end up looking like a toddler who’s just had lunch.

Strawberry Yogurt Whip
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Plain Yogurt
1 Cup of Strawberries
2 TBSP Honey

Warm honey slightly in microwave. Add to yogurt and mix well. Mash strawberries or process in food processor until very juicy. Add to yogurt and honey mixture. Divide mixture between two bowls. Apply one bowl’s contents to clean, just washed skin on face and neck. While you’re waiting for the mask to purify and tone your skin, eat the rest of the mixture. After ten to twenty minutes, wash off with warm water and rinse well.

For a change of pace, blueberries, raspberries or peaches can be substituted for the strawberries. Or you can leave out the fruit and just use the yogurt and honey.

Avocado Dip and Skin Cream
Ingredients:
1 Large Avocado
1 TBSP Honey

This is a very simple mask/dip. Just warm the honey, mash the avocado and mix. Apply half of it to dry skin and use the rest for a dip for wholegrain crackers or tortilla chips. It’s especially good with corn chips. After twenty minutes or so, wash off the mask and rinse well. Pat dry.

Cucumber and Yogurt Dip and Whip’
Ingredients:
1 Cucumber, peeled
1 Cup Plain Yogurt

Process the cucumber with the yogurt until completely mixed. Apply half to face and neck. (This can even be applied to the eye area.) Use the rest for a chip dip or spread on wholegrain crackers. This is even good as a sandwich spread on thinly sliced rye bread. After fifteen minutes, wash off with warm water and rinse well. Your skin will feel softer and you should have less puffiness in the eye area.

Many foods are good for your skin, too. The best skin conditioners are probably honey, yogurt and fruit. Honey is a humectant. It helps keep moisture in your skin. Yogurt contains lactic acid and enzymes that soften and condition skin and also draw out impurities. Fruit has fruit acids and enzymes that pull blackheads and impurities out of your pores and also tighten pores and brighten skin by gently exfoliating the dead cells on top of your skin.

So eat well and get better skin at the same time. And when someone asks you why your skin is looking so good lately, tell them it’s all the healthy food you’re putting into your body.

Related posts:

1. Simple Baked Apple Recipe