Natural Skincare & Green living: Ways To Reuse Coffee and Make a Coffee Body Scrub

"Hey!!!Don't waste this"!!! These are the words I tend to tell my husband, my kids and my friends when it comes to certain things. I make sure that leftover water and leftover tea are poured on plants and when it comes to coffee it's no exception. So, I just I wanted to take some time to share some of my simple ideas for re-using coffee and hope to learn something from you guys in return!

Picture taken at a local Starbuck!

As a plant lover I learned that coffee and leftover tea, are good plant food!,
Simply pour your leftover coffee on your indoor or outdoor plants. The coffee grounds can also be used as compost. I always make sure to get some extra leftover coffee grounds from the coffee shop. It's great nutrition for acid loving plants and I must say it also seems to do some good to all my indoor tropical plants.

In the kitchen I found that rubbing some coffee on my fingers with ground coffee work as a good odor remover, especially if I had handle fish, garlic or anything smelly.  It works well too in the garbage disposal to deodorize and disinfect.  The leftover coffee can also be used as a fridge deodorizer, simply  place a small bowl filled with fresh coffee grounds in your fridge.
I love the smell of coffee so much that it's my room deodorizer of choice during the winter months. I simply brew some fresh coffee when I need to fill the house with a pleasant aroma! You can actually put some leftover coffee grounds on a cooking sheet and place it in a warm over, but I just prefer brewing.
Leftover coffee can also be used to:

Picture taken at a local Starbuck.

• Make some frappucino
• Marinate your meat
• Replace red wine when cooking meat in recipes calling for wine!
• Flavor cake or waffle recipes ( replacing milk or water for coffee)
• Mix with condensed milk and freeze as popsicle.

Replace milk in your smoothy! Deliciouuuus!
Make ice cubes.  Why wait on a super hot coffee to cool down when you can just throw a coffee cube in?!
Well there must be many other ways to use leftover cofee in the kicthen but that's my little tried and true repertoire here!

It's also possible to use leftover coffee as a dye! You can use your leftover coffee to dye paper or fabric to give it an aged look.
Did you know you can also add it to the wash water when you wash your dark color clothes?! It's also a good dye as beauty hair treatment if you have dark hair. Apply about 5-6 cups of leftover coffee to your wet hair and cover and leave it on your hair from about 15-20 mns before rinsing! But it's only a temporary dye I can not claim that it will work like Garnier!

Since I love hanging at perfumes counters and shopping for candles I also learned to use it to trick my olfactory senses. Carry along some leftover coffee beans  or grounds and inhale them after smelling a perfume! It neutralizes the scent of the fragrance you smelled previously and help you to better sense the following fragrance.
And as to my favorite use of leftover coffee grounds, a little messy I should admit but very rewarding, I use it as a scrub! Yep! I love to use leftover coffee grounds as a facial scrub or a body scrub in the shower.

MAKING COFFEE SCRUB
2 cups coarse coffee. I prefer to just recycle the one I freshly brewed
1/2 sea salt or brown sugar. I skip that step most times
3 tbsp. oil such as olive, coconut, sweet almond, jojoba etc
A drop of scented oil of choices. Totally optional!


The only inconvenience is having the grounds over the shower floor and in...well...let's say that I advise wearing a swim suit bikini when you decide to use it as a full body scrub! I don't know if it's the pleasure of rubbing something totally organic on my body, or feeling like I am giving myself what could have been an expensive spa treatment from the comfort of my home, but I love love love the way my skin  feels afterward! It's best to use fresh ground coffee as it still have many of it's antioxidant property when it's fresh. Like 20-30 minutes after you have brewed some since it will need time to cool some.
So before you think it's a messy idea ( I am making a face)give it a try because you might love the way your skin feel afterward, it's worth trying!

So... no need to let that leftover coffee go to waste right?
What do you tend to do with your leftover coffee? If you tried or try to use is as a facial or body scrub please let me know what you think of it as a scrub! Have you heard that it's claimed to remove cellulite when used as a scrub on thighs and legs?

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• N'na

The benefits of vacations: Fun in Orlando Florida

Hello friends and readers old and new. Thanks for stopping by!
It's been a couple of weeks since my last posting.
I was simply busy with a few things and enjoying some time in the "Sunshine State".

I can't believe that the last time I went to Florida was when I was a college student. It felt so good to return to the "Sunshine State" especially at this time of the year. My children got the pleasure of visiting Florida for the very first time and it felt good to acquaint them right here on the continental USA with small pleasurable details of my upbringing.

I was so delighted to see once again natural elements that surrounded me during my own childhood. Things such as...
Palm trees,

Hibiscus flowers

Birds of Paradise

 and other tropical flowers like the one below that grew in my backyward and that reminded me of my tropical homeland

I must say the weather and the environment made me pretty nostalgic! What added to the pleasure of being down South is the warmth and hospitality I felt where I stayed and the candor of the many people I met not just as locals but from other parts of the world. ( Canada, Brazil, Australia, just to name a few)

Above is one of my chilling spot for the past evenings...

Well, it's getting late I just wanted to catch up and say a brief hello.

I will share more pictures later so better stay tuned. For now check the link below for more pictures of the spot where I have been "chillaxing" in Orlando. Right across from :

as a matter of fact here's the real view from across the hotel

Oh, I am doing well, pregnancy is going quite well Praise God! I am feeling blessed and hope you are as well.

I am leaving you with this video that I am working on, it's a work in progress but it gives you an idea of what's up with me (smiles) 
http://www.youtube.com/user/goodhealthdiva#p/a/u/0/j1Rsmf9kbH8
 That's all for tonight! Have a great week !

Are you a Florida resident or fan? What's do you like most about Florida? What do you like most about Orlando?



N'na

TEA TIME al fresco

I am so excited! Just received a package from my sweet friend K.A in Boston who just returned from Paris!
In the box were those precious and very special items!

The culinary treat, ha ha ha, are Madeleines au beurre, (butter Madeleines) they are so gooood and it has been years since I indulged in some! The magazines are as you can see Marie Claire Maison, (Marie Claire Home) and Marie Claire Idees (Marie Claire ideas or more Marie Claire arts & crafts). Most people probably know Marie Claire when it come to their fashion edition. I am not much of a fashionista so I stick to my passion for Home decor and Crafts!

Marie Claire Idees was introduced to me by a friend who visited me from Paris (France) about 6-5 years ago. She knew I loved art and crafts so she brought me back a few magazines and Marie Claire Idees were the ones I  mostly fell in love with! Every time I receive a package from Paris, in addition to treats I get some French magazines but it's been a while since I got a Marie Claire Idees. I was so excited I could not even browse it properly going from page to page excited to see what good stuff I would find...So I decided to take 25 minutes away from the children to indulge....

I normally would have had tea at this time of the day but Madeleines are to me a special childhood pleasure so I opted for a comforting drink that took me back to the most peaceful times of my life! French magazines, Madeleines and warm milk with honey and cinnamon...enjoying those with the voice of my favorite song by singer Andrea Bocelli....

My twin sister is the one who first introduced me to his beautiful voice and to this particular song. This song has had such a profound impression on me the first time she played it that each time I am in need of serenity I listen to his music. I found this one recently on the internet and it was like finding a lost loved one.  Listening to it send me into a deep nostalgic yet happy state.

 My tea time today was like therapy to reconnect to the best things of my childhood as my birthplace is suffering so many destructions. For months the city has suffered so many unpleasant things and this week has been the worst, so I needed something more special than a regular cup of tea!  My friend's gift arrived at the perfect time and nature embraced me with open arms as the weather was very conducive to having tea time in the garden!

A lot of childhood memories have come back to my mind since the events of this week in my birthplace. I needed to relieve the stress and after my mom's visit this afternoon and her sharing more details of some of the chaos going on in my hometown my stress level was seriously increasing. I don't like to cary stress in my mind or in my body so I needed something therapeutic and I needed quick!
A special memory I had today was how my siblings and I, (and every friend who would join us), used to take our afternoon snacks on the patio or spread a tablecloth on the lawn.  Unlike those innocents years, today I don't have time to spend hours enjoying myself in such a manner. Today I only had 25 minutes to recreate the best I could a peaceful memory with French reading materials and snacks. I needed that this Friday afternoon.

I needed to count my blessings, take some times to enjoy the afternoon breeze, create a moment of serenity in a busy day and in a week where all the distant news I have received were far from good.
I needed to give thanks and enjoy being so blessed with a wonderful family and wonderful friends who would send me a gift all the way from Paris!

I can not say it enough! Making time for oneself even if it's just 15 minutes a day can pay great dividend in our mental, emotional and physical health! I just wanted to share how I made 25 minutes a gift to myself just so that I can be better to my family! So you might not be able to afford tea time in a fancy restaurant but you can turn a little corner of your deck, balcony or home into a refuge for just 15-30 minutes!  If you spend the day caring for others you have to find ways to care for yourself for just a few minutes! This is actually very important if stress seems to be constant part of your life!

Tea time is a nurturing time for me regardless of if it's very early in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon or right before heading to bed!

Do you have such a nurturing time in your day? If yes what makes that time so nurturing to you?  If you don't do you see through this post a reason to create such moments for yourself? What do you like to drink you tea with? Do you have a favorite cake or cookie you use to accompany your tea?

N'na

Shrimp soup for the soul and a good night sleep

Hmmm

I slept soooo good last night!Woke up to another cold and rainy day though but I had a good night sleep and I am in a good mood! I love Saturdays so much!Don't you?! Be honest, yesterday you were probably going TGIF!!! I tend to put myself on a Sabbath come Friday evening. Last night I decided to unplug. No Internet, no TV. It has been a cold and rainy day and the week had been a  busy one but a very good one. All I wanted was as quiet night.
I got it by enjoying a warm bowl  of Shrimp bisque soup , talking on the phone to a new friend in Atlanta to get a recipe from her and spending an hour on a prayer conference line with over 3, 700 people on the line. After that I took 20 mns to write in my gratitude journal things I am grateful for.  I had so much to be grateful for, lot of good news, good things going on in my friends' lives, it always cheer me up!



Peaceful dinner with no TV and no Internet and soothing classical music.

   I then got ready for bed by starting my beauty sleep regimen after drinking my last cup of tea for the day.

I poured some almond oil in a small ramekin and started my beauty treatment by dipping my fingers in almond oil and rubbing it on my face in circular motion . I applied  some almond oil on my  hair before wearing my silk cap. I massaged my feet with almond oil before fitting them in my spa socks , and then massaged my hands with almond oil before heading for bed. I sprayed my sheets and pillows with some lavender linen spray and within minutes I was out for the count. 

My room was offering the right atmosphere since 8 pm. I had already dimmed all the lights, been playing some peaceful classical music in the living room to aid my children to fall at sleep and quiet my mind.  The air in my room was filled with the scent of chamomile and soothing my mind! Yeah to aromatherapy! (smiles)
 If you don't know it lavender and chamomile have relaxing  properties. Lavender and Chamomile teas are some of the best tea selection for times when you just need to relax regardless of the time of the day
Soooo.... if you need  a good night sleep, create a peaceful ritual and try aromatherapy, teas etc instead of relying on prescription drugs you see in TV commercials that have their ugly set of side effects. Try creating a sleep and relaxation inducing environment in your room, remove the clutter, have some nice light blocking curtains and blinds and treat yourself to simple things like soft music, a cup of soothing tea, the scent of a candle or room midst and a few moments to reflect quietly on your day and cast your cares. This is a cheaper and healthier alternative to running to prescription drugs as the only tool for improving your sleep. It's worth  trying!!!  Don't you think?!
Psalm 4:4 says  In peace I will lie down and sleep for You alone oh Lord will keep me safe.
I feel like connecting to God once again before bedtime gives me so much peace as I cast on Him my cares of the day and reset my mind for the day ahead.

My small bedtime basket. Keeping my goodies close by to remind me to pamper myself every night.

Well, this little ritual is my way of living, or sleeping I should say.  When I add all those ingredients like I did last night I am always guaranteed a peaceful night, sleeping tight like a baby (smiles).  I think we all deserve to spoil ourselves after a long day. That's my precious way of doing it. Work is important, so is a good night sleep, it's a reward and a necessity for a day well lived!
Well what about you? Do you have any problem sleeping at night? Do you have something that aid you relax and sleep more peacefully? What do you do to get your beauty sleep?

Pampering yourself is good for your health!

I am not writing here about going to a spa every week and spending money on yourself that will get your husband to remind you that it's time to save not splurge on 'uneccessary things'.
Here I am talking about learning to take care of yourself without breaking the bank and being creative if you do not have a lot of time on your hands.
As a mother of three children, I've learned the importance of taking care of myself. I am still in the learning process actually but in spite of the fact that I do not have any family around to help with the kids and that I lack a strong support system I have created small ways of pampering and loving myself.  I have learned that:
I can not give what I don't have. So I have learned to give to myself  some love throughout the day so that I can love my children and husband. I consider pampering myself an act of love to myself and a gift to those that surround me because taking care of myself in the best of my ability and resources help me to take care of others. You all know the scripture that ask us to love others as we love ourselves. Well, we have to have a healthy love for ourselves if we are to love others.                                  



Gift basket by Nnakodesigns.All rights reserved.



Gift basket by Nnakodesigns.All rights reserved.

                                                 
My first acts of love to myself every morning are:
Kneeling for prayer even if its just 5 mns. Aside from my daily prayer time I just kneel briefly in the morning as an act of gratitude and reverence for God.        

Stretching my body.  It's important to get the blood to flow and my body's energy 'reset' for the day. I will write later on the importance of stretching. 

Seating somewhere with a cup of Green tea and fresh mint preferrably from my garden. During the spring and summer time I sit on my front or back porch and enjoy the calmness of my surroundings before the kids are up and before the neighbors start leaving for work. 

Going on short walk with Cotton my maltese if time and the weather permit.
While on those walks I love to pay attention to the sound of the birds, and all my surroundings.
I consider those short and simple actions ways of pampering myself because they leave me feeling grounded and ready for my day .  

My bedtime ritual consists of :                 

Lighting only table lamps in the bedroom

Burning a vanilla or lavender soy candle

Spraying my pillows and sheets with lavender linen spray

Placing a glass of water by my bedside

Applying some oil or lavender lotion on my feet, rubbing them and putting on some spa socks for the night
Once in a while I do the same for my hands by rubbing and massaging them in oil before fitting them in my spa gloves for the night!

Reading something inspiring or writing in my journal things I am grateful for and

Saying a last prayer of gratitude for the day

                                                              

                                                          


Another way of pampering myself that is dear to me is my eating ritual.
Unless we are eating dinner as a family, I prefer to eat all my meals peacefully and quietly with or without the sound of music in the background.  I also drink my water in a very nice glass and always use my nicest dishes and a nice cloth napkin.
I know that most people reserve their best dishes for their guests. I do not reserve any 'special' dishes for my guests. I use it for myself too. 
                                         

                                     
Once a week, generally Fridays, I take a block of time to soak in the tub, give myself a  manicure and pedicure and just take it easy
 I do no housekeeping on that day and limit my activities. Well, simply put its my Me Time (smiles). Come 6pm I consider myself on a Sabbath. Every chores will have to wait Saturday evening or Monday.

                                            

Of course, I love the benefits of a professional massage but I do not get to indulge as frequently as I want.
The one thing I indulge into weekly is getting my hair done. I am picky about getting my hair done at the end of the week.
 However, I am not picky on who does my manicure and pedicure and I actually love doing this myself.  My reason for it  is that it gives me the flexibility to choose the music I want to listen to, I am not waiting to be helped, I can read a book or watch any TV channel I want while I am doing my manicure and pedicure. I am very picky about the kind of music that's played in public places. At home, I can enjoy pampering myself and enjoy the silence or the music I choose to listen to.
                                                            
 In addition to that, I make my own beauty treats, even throw some of my dried rose petals in the water and instead of soaking my feet in commercial products I simply boil my own herbs, add some oil of my choosing and soak my feet as long as I want to.
Once in a while I get myself pampered from head to feet at a Salon. But for days when it's not convenient to do it professionally I can pamper myself from the comfort of my own home without spending any extra money.
The other thing I love to do which I consider is pampering myself is dressing myself nicely, putting some perfume and a few jewelries on even if I am staying at home most of the day.
My theory is that I want to inspire myself when I pass by the mirror even when I am in comfortable 'home clothes'. I want to see something pretty every time I step in the bathroom and it's important because it keeps me in a good mood.
I do not keep nor wear any piece of clothing that has a hole or a stain on or that looks worn out. Comfort to me means that comfortable clothes are also nice clothes.

Another creative way I pamper myself is to display my dish soap in a nice soap dispenser,

                                                                                                      

 keep a scented hand lotion and hand soap by the kitchen sink                                                   and                             some nice hand towels around versus old raggedy kitchen towels. Next to it stand a small vase of fresh flowers.  Considering all the time we spend in a kitchen I think it's important to add small things that will bring us pleasure. Pampering myself is surrounding myself with cute things in every room and keeping every room very orderly.

Order and cleanliness throughout the house from bathroom counter to living room sofa is for me a way of pampering myself because chaos create stress but order is restful. 
And rest is what we want when we pamper ourselves. Pampering is not just something to be done in an expensive spa facility it's something that can be done daily in small increments that add up to a healthy life


                                            

So to people who do not have time or money to go regularly to the salon, get a professional manicure and pedicure, know that you can pamper yourself even when you feel like it's a luxury. Get the best cosmetic product you can afford, get yourself some new towels, replace your pillows or bed sheets, get a fancy glass cloth napkin and plate set, keep your favorite things around, take a shower or bath light some tea candles and turn some soft music on and start treating yourself even if it's just 15 mns a day. Turn a daily routine into a special ritual . You deserve to value and treat yourself after a long hard day. 

Treat yourself by offering yourself a clean and clutter free home ( and car)  and add little touches of beauty around you. I am confident that it will improve your emotional/mental health and impact other areas of your life.
Taking good care of yourself is a necessity and it's okay to indulge yourself daily. You just have to be creative about it, but it starts just where you are.
Please let me know how you pamper yourself on a daily/weekly basis and if any of those suggestions worked for you let me know which one are now part of your daily routine.