How the Oil Cleansing Method has changed my life, well, at least my skin!

When my wonderfully crunchy friend, Paige over at Baby Dust Diaries told me that she was using oil to cleanse her face, I thought she'd gone over the edge.  But then I starting reading more about it.  This website gave me the basics of the Oil Cleansing Method.  So, I thought, hey the science makes sense so I'll try it.

Wow oh wow!  Why in the world isn't everyone doing this?  I'm so excited that my two girls will not struggle with oily skin like I did all through junior high and high school because I have found the solution.  And Mama's skin is pretty smokin' hot now too!  Woot Woot! 

I've done this for a whole 10 days now and can pretty much guarantee I'll never go back.  I've done a bit of experimentation and think I've found my elixer recipe and routine.  Here's what I use:

I washed out a small dish soap bottle really well with a sports bottle type lid.  In the bottle I put:
45% Olive oil (considered a carrier oil or filler to dillute the stronger properties of the other oils)
45% Avacado oil  (I added this because the other oils were drying my skin and I read that this one is good for dry skin and to prevent wrinkles)
10% Castor Oil (this is the one that actually cleanses your skin and I found for like $1.50 in the grocery store)

I use this mix every other night (every night was actually drying out my skin too much), put a quarter sized amount in my palm and massage into my skin using upward circular motions.  I put it all over my face and neck.  Then, I get a washcloth wet with hot water and lay it on my face to "steam" open my pores.  Once it cools, I get it hot again and steam it again, then gently wipe off the oil.  I leave a bit and massage it in for extra moisturizer.

The other nights I just wash with warm water and that's what I do in the shower in the morning too.  I can probably get by with this because I wear Bare Minerals makeup, which is fine even if you sleep in it.

So, why is this so great you ask?  At no time during the day is my skin oily.  It used to be a nice oil slick by the time I'd come home from work and the first thing I would do is go and wash the gunk off my face.  My makeup also stays in place perfectly all day, since there is no oil to wash it away.  I've had zero blemishes and my skin tone seems more even.  Maybe I'll even give up foundation soon.  Also, the creases at the side of my nose and on my chin were always rough, probably from blackheads.  They are dramatically smoother.  Not 100% there yet, but getting close.

Awesome, huh?

As an added perk, I use the Avacado oil on my arms, where I suffer from those annoying red bumps called Keratosis Pilaris.  I've used the Avacado oil for two days and they are 100% gone.  WTF!  I've used prescription creams, tried using Head and Shoulders as Body wash, everything anyone has ever suggested.  I guess all I needed to do was rub some Avacado Oil on my arms.  I've ordered some Coconut oil which is supposed to do the same thing and help with dry winter skin.  Gonna try that on me and the kids since everything else "oily" has been so awesome.

So, bottom line... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?!

Shhhh...

Family Picture Stress… aauugghhh!          

We have this package with a wonderful local photographer to do a panel of pictures at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months for our kids.  We usually do a picture around each of their birthdays and a family picture once a year with them as well.  So, Saturday was the 12 month for Lexi, 4 year for Samantha and family picture day all rolled into one (even though we just did family pictures at another studio with the in-laws and school pictures were a couple of weeks ago as well).

The stress started with Samantha deciding to cut her on hair on Thursday because it was in her face.  One thing I am very proud of is that when I asked her about it she told me the whole story and didn’t lie once or seem afraid to tell me what happened.  So, I stayed pretty calm and explained why we don’t cut our own hair (or our sister’s hair) and we leave it to the stylist or mommy to cut out hair.  And oh, by the way, I’m very proud of you for telling the truth.  If you always tell the truth we can figure anything out even if Mommy isn’t happy with what happened at first.

OK, got through that.  Now, fast forward to Saturday morning.  We started off well, got up in time to paint our nails.  But then, she started biting her nails and messing up the polish, so we had to start over.  OK, still doing ok.  Then, Terry and I start talking about the carpet we want to get for the back porch and I realize none of us have showered yet and it’s going to be hard to get it all done in time.  We hop in the shower (Samantha and I) while Terry gives Lexi a bath.  We are frantically all getting ready and we get to the point where I’m trying to do Samantha’s hair.  I’ve figured out a way to curl it in ringlets and pull the hacked off side back with a gigantic flower to hide the new do, but she won’t sit still, wants to run away and be chased, be silly, etc.  I must admit, I was yelling and scolding more than I like.  Then I said, “Fine, you can just stay home and I’ll just take Lexi to get her pictures!”  Samantha didn’t bat and eye and said, “Good, I don’t want to go anyway, you are yelling a lot today.”

Ouch!

I don’t know what made me do it, but something just clicked and said to whisper instead.  So, I whispered that I was sorry I was yelling.  It wasn’t her fault we were running late.  And that I’d really like to have a picture of our whole family and a special one of her.  She asked why I was whispering.  And I told her, I didn’t want to yell anymore either, so let’s both whisper.  So, she whispered me a story (while I finished her hair!) and then I sent her downstairs to tell Daddy to get the diaper bag ready while I did my hair.  We got out the door in time and took the pictures (not sure how they turned out, but this photographer always gets amazing shots when you least expect them).

That one little shift from yelling to whispering totally changed the vibe, took away the anger, and she had to be still and quiet to hear what I was saying.  And she enjoyed being part of the secret too.  I found the effort and focus it took for me to just whisper made me feel much calmer inside too.

So, next time you feel like yelling, try whispering instead.  Maybe your kids will hear you!

The Money Saving Mom's Budget

Crystal over at Money Saving Mom has compiled a list of her best advice for simplifying your life and cutting your spending.  The tips on her blog are very helpful and we've implemented several of them.  I can't wait to read the whole book and see how to put it all together.  We all need it in times like this, right!  I also love how she combines Once a Month Cooking with couponing to feed her family easily and inexpensively.  That's what I'm trying to do too!  Check it out!

Pre-order the book here

Another OAMC Cheap yummy recipe

I had a fabulous cooking day yesterday and got 33 dinners frozen.  They are all new recipes so as we try them and they are good, I'll post them.  Tonight we had Chicken Noodle Casserole and I'll definitely make it again.  It tasted great and used a lot of the cheap things I get from couponing.  I modified a recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com/.  Here it goes:

Chicken Noodle Casserole I (with modifications by Jennifer)

• 1 bag of frozen chicken breasts = 3 lbs (got it on sale for $4.99)
• 1 bag of no yolks noodles (got on sale with coupons for $.40)
• 1 can cream of celery coup (got with a coupon for $.50)
• 2 cans of cream of chicken soup (again $.50 each)
• 1 cup of sour cream (big tub on sale this week for $1.50 - only used half)
• a generous amount of McCormick Seasoned Pepper (it's a bit pricey, but whenever I have a McCormick coupon I get 3 of them because it's super yummy and adds a lot)
• salt to taste
• 2 bags of mixed frozen veggies (got these free with coupons)
• 3 shredded carrots ( I read on one blog that she adds shredded carrots to everything because you barely taste then and they add color and some "sneaky" veggies)
• one sleeve of Ritz crackers
• one stick of butter

Poach Chicken in a large pot of water for about 15 minutes or until no longer pink, let it cool, then trim off fat and cube.  Use the leftover chicken stock to cook noodles (I left mine a bit al dente so when they freeze and thaw they won't get too mushy).  Strain the noodles.

In a separate bowl mix soups, sour cream, shredded carrots, salt and pepper.  Add the chicken and noodle mixture to the creamy mixture.  Then stir in the frozen veggies.

Separate into baking dishes.  Crush Ritz crackers and add to melted butter.  Sprinkle the cracker mixture on top of each casserole.  This made 5 servings for us (two adults and two little kids who don't eat much) which I put in round aluminum pans and cover with foil to freeze.  Freeze.

When ready to eat, thaw in fridge for a day or two, then cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered, then uncover for 5 minutes more to crisp up the topping.

I figure for about $10 I made 5 yummy dinners for a family of 4 that are easy to make by throwing in the oven when I get home from work!