In the winter several of us get chapped hands.  The backs of our hands get red, the skin cracks and bleeds and they just hurt.  Of course, having them in water doesn’t help but I am not willing to tell the kids that they can’t do dishes any more (aww)

There are a few hints that can clear chapped hands up quickly, and help prevent it in the future.

• Try to keep them dry
• When you wash use a very mild soap, not antibacterial!  It may  be just us but we have to be careful of the soap and dish soaps we use here at the house.  Even Ivory will leave our hands chapped, cracked, and dry.  We use an organic goat milk soap for washing and Dr. bronners or Seventh Generation for cleaning.
• Use lotion! The best thing I have found is organi, virgin coconut oil…it is antibacterial, anti fungal, healing…and it works.  If your hands are chapped cover them with a coating of it and wear mittens to bed.  Next morning you will be amazed at how much they have improved!

image:morguefile

Post from: Blisstree

Home Remedy for Chapped Hands

Four of my kids were away at church camp in Oklahoma last week..They had an absolute blast.  The came back exhausted.  And burnt to a proverbial crisp.

Sean and Nick had areas on them that were burnt so bad that they were peeling and raw.  OUCH! Thank God they have a habit of wearing hats and thier faces were protected.  Somewhat.

You know how you see something and it makes you actually hurt? Well it was that way looking at them.

I made a very strong gallon of black tea.  I think I used about a cup of loose black tea to a gallon of water and steeped it a long time…30 minutes?

Then I ran them a cool bath, poured in the strained tea,  and added 1/4 cup of organic coconut oil.   I had them soak for about 30 minutes with no soaping or washing…the dirt soaked off eventually.

When they got out we patted them dry.  I felt their skin and sw tht it still had a layer of oil form the coocnut so I left things as they were.  If I had felt no oil I would have rubbed them down with it.

This morning? Tans.  No burn.  No blisters. No peeling. A little pink raw skin. Best of all, no pain.

I learned this little trick when MArc was at Camp LeJeune.  WE had only been married a year and he bought me a tiny sting bikini..back when, you know, I looked GOOD in one.  We headed for the beach and stayed all day.

ARGH!

For several days I wore one of his shirts and nothing else.  Every movement hurt.  Somewhere, and I honestly can’t remember where, I heard about black tea.  I made it and soaked for hours…and the next day the burn was gone.

Give it a try and let me know what you think

Image:MaryeAudet 

Post from: Blisstree

Camp Sunburn..Would You Like Some Tea?

This is me. I took the picture myself. It is not the best picture of me in the entire universe but it is pretty representative of how I look. It was taken last year.

I am 48. I have had eight kids. And lots of people tell me my skin is incredible. Eh. Maybe. So how do I take care of my skin?

I use organic coconut oil as a facial cleanser and moisturizer. I have extremely dry skin so if you are prone to oily skin don’t do this!

O.k..this is more fair although I feel a little weird. Here is a picture I took ten minutes ago..No makeup. Hair up in a towel.

Thank God for makeup, right? Yeah. I got about 5 hours sleep last night. Blah.
Seriously though. Organic coconut oil has some great benefits for your skin. It in antibacterial and antifungal. It adds moisture. It has a ton of antioxidants in it to combat those free radicals floating all aver the place.

I will tell you something else. I swear that it has evened out my skin tone and those weird dark patches that show up on older skin have disappeared.

So how do I use it? I use it as a cleanser in the morning. SMooth on, wipe off with a soft cloth. I then use a little rose water, lavender essential oil, and distilled water spritz as a toner. When that dries I smooth in more coconut oil. Then I put on my makeup. I follow the same regime in the evenings.

Simple and it works.Make sure it is cold pressed, organic coconut oil though. It is about 15.00 at the health food store for a pint. How much do you pay for your skin care regime? Yeah.

Post from: Blisstree

Best Skin Regime for ..Uh..Mature Skin