Rub - a - Dub - Dub... Here is How You Scrub...

A Little History…Did you know that the ancient Greeks and Romans didn’t bath with water very often? Instead they would apply a thin coat of olive oil all over their body and then scrape off the dirt and dead skin cells that the oil lifted off. The term “Greasy Italian” now takes on a new meaning, doesn’t it?

This was also the practice of our great grand parents and earlier generations until recent sales of soaps, shampoos and lotions became a multimillion dollar industry.

I remember my mom telling me that they rarely washed new born babies; instead they “oiled” them. Don’t throw away your shampoo and deodorant yet; but we might want to take a longer look at the crazy chemicals on the label and make some changes to more natural products.

Some folks pay big bucks at beauty salons for "hot oil treatments" for dry hair. I remember as a kid my mom would put warm oil on her hair and then sit under a heating cap. She would then shampoo and have beautiful silky hair.

Tip: Keep a spray bottle of light olive oil with a couple of drops of essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, or orange oil in your shower. Spray and rub in the oil at the end of your shower and let the water rinse off the excess oil. You may want to use a separate towel to dry your hair.

In the summer I use coconut oil at the end of my shower. Coconut oil is believed to have antibacterial and antiviral properties; and it feels a little lighter on the skin than olive oil. Some people even use Coconut oil as a natural deodorant but I am not ready to go that free yet. If you decide to try it please let me know how it works for you.

Coconut oil is the perfect make up remover – even for water-proof mascara.

Antiperspirants and breast cancer? It has been suggested that antiperspirants may be a contributing factor in America’s increased rate of breast cancer in men and women. It is believed that prolonged use of antiperspirants block the ability of the lymphatic glands in the underarm to detoxify causing toxins to back up into the surrounding tissues causing disease. Antiperspirants usually contain aluminum (aluminum chlorhydrate) which is believed to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. So you might want to stick with deodorant but drop the antiperspirant part of your hygiene routine.

Dry Brush Bath

Several years ago while attending a health seminar; a German health trainer told us that we should incorporate a daily “brush bath” into our morning health routine. He instructed us to use a natural bristle brush on our skin in small circular motions starting with our extremities working toward the heart. He told us to pay special attention to behind the knees, the bend in your arm, thigh, under arm, and neck where your lymph glands are located. This stimulates the lymph system, increases detoxification, blood flow and slightly increases the metabolism. He encouraged using coconut oil after the brush bath to moisturize and help protect against bacteria.

Stsh,Stch, Stch….

Tip of the day:

Garlic Your Olive Oil

Perpetual Garlic Infused Oil- I have two items on my counter top at all times: my bottle of vanilla extract and my drizzle bottle of garlic infused olive oil. I do it the lazy,… I mean, convenient way. I buy or make dehydrated  garlic and simply insert about 1/4 cup into a clean glass bottle. Do not use fresh garlic because it can cause bacteria to grow in your oil .  You may buy a decorative bottle or simply recycle something like an empty and pretty wine bottle. After your garlic is in the bottle, simply pour in extra virgin olive oil to the top. Seal with a pour cork (you can find them in the grocery store, liquor store, kitchen supply store or even Kirkland's) and within hours you will have garlic infused olive oil. When you get low, simply refill with more olive oil. When you refill simply change the dehydrated garlic and add oil.

I sauté almost all my veggies in garlic infused olive oil or coconut oil. It is great to drizzle in the pan before your omelet; I also use it in making homemade breads and pizza crust.