Exfoliate for the Season Change

Lavender Sea Salt soap bars

If your skin is like mine, then it is starting to become a little drier with the season change.  I know your first response is slap on some lotion!  However, don't forget to do a key thing that will help with the dryness - EXFOLIATE!  Exfoliation is your friend, and can be accomplished several ways.  You actually do it every day with your terry cloth bath towel.  The soap and water helps to loosen the dead skin.  As you dry your skin, you are removing dead skin with the towel.  However, there are several ways to help loosen the dead skin. 

Soap Pouch
A soap pouch is a tool that you actually insert your soap bar inside.  The multiple layers of textured fabric actually work to remove dead skin.  Also, this a easy way to add exfoliation without actually adding a new product that may irritate your skin.  Soap pouches are a gentle way to exfoliate, and can be used daily.

Sea Salt and Sugar
Sea salt and sugar are available in many products, and are great ways to exfoliate. They are normally mixed with oils and sold as scrubs.  You can also purchase Fanuppa's sea salt soap bars to exfoliate that are available in Lime and Lavender.  The soap bars are less messes, but scrubs and soaps work great.  Exfoliating with sea salt is not as gentle, and should be limited to 2-3 times per week. 

Other Options
The list of ways to exfoliate are endless.  Oatmeal is gentle enough that it can be used daily.  The acid from milk (goat's milk) is also another gentle exfoliation option. Coarse ingredients can be added to soap like coffee grains and cornmeal.   The circular brushes that rotate or manual brushes work great too.  There are also acid peels and other in office treatments.  Just remember if you skin becomes shiny, then you have probably over exfoliated. 

Enjoy,
Fanuppa Soaps



 

Raw potato for the skin?

Russet Potato

I know it sounds weird, but placing raw potato on your skin is actually a really natural way to heal skin irritations.  Cut a thin slice.  Place the thinly-sliced-raw potato on the irritated area.  Leave the potato slice on the skin for at least 20 minutes.  That is it! 

Why does this works? 
Potatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  They also have anti-bacteria properties, and absorb access oil from the skin.  So give them a try for your skin irritations, dark circles under your eyes, and to lighten scars.

Enjoy your skin!

www.fanuppasoaps.com
  

Twisting Hair with Car Sponge?

This weekend, I was inspired by a video that one of my sisters sent.  The video showed how simple it was to twist your hair with a sponge.  I had actually saw this done a few years ago at a natural hair show.  So I went to YouTube and saw that there were several tutorials on the subjects.  Basically here are the steps:

Steps
1.  Purchase a car washing sponge from a automobile shop, or the car section of a retail store. 
2.  Next draw circles onto the sponge that will be used as a guide for cutting.  You can skip this step by purchasing a sea sponge that has holes naturally.  I saw someone on YouTube get similar results from a sea sponge!
3.  Now cut shallow holes in the sponge by following the circles that have been drawn.
4.  Place hair lotion in the hair, then gently rub the sponge in a circular motion.  It is best to focus on a small section of hair for a few seconds, then move to the next section.

It is really that simple, and amazing how quick the hair coils (5-10 minutes to complete).   

Products for those who are sensitive
I recommend washing the hair first.  Looking for a shampoo bar?  Then try Fanuppa's gentle Smoothie shampoo soap bar that is loaded with the natural fruits of pomegranate, pear, and bananas.  The base oil is rice bran oil, so no tree nuts.

For hair lotion, I use Vanicream Light.  I was introduced to it by my dermatologist.  I know petroleum based products are frowned on by those going natural, but this is my back up option when too busy to make my own lotion (recipe) with rice bran oil.  My first goal is no allergic reactions.  It doesn't contain harmful chemicals.  Petroleum blocks moisture, which is good and bad.  It is great for hair frizz, but probably not as great for the scalp.  Regular shampooing and vinegar rinse will offset. 

Thanks,
Fanuppa Soaps

Miss Blogging!

I miss blogging.  I love journaling my thoughts!  Just like most of you, I just have been busy.  Thought I would give you a quick update on each of the topics.

Clean Home
My decluttering project has been on hold.  I have kept the desk neat, but I haven't focused on it in weeks. 

Clean Skin
Personally thanks to my diet and all the water that I drink now, my skin is so much healthier. I still use very little lotion, but I know that is about to change as the season change.  The tip of my nose was a little dry this morning!  I found a new lotion recipe that I just love.  Every time I made a bottle, the kids took it.  If my kids like it, it is a great product.  Taking care of the skin is an internal and external process.  Externally, I am loving my new Fanuppa rice brand and goat's milk soap collection.  It is so moisturizing.  I am also making sure the ph level of my skin stays in line by using the vinegar based Fanuppa toner.

Food Options
Well, you know that I love food.  Proud of the fact that I have been eating better for almost 3 months now.  I feel ten times better, but I keep gaining and dropping the same 3 pounds.  I do great during the week, but weekends are so challenging.  My goal is not to gain weight this weekend.  I'm gaining probably because I haven't been blogging!  I have found a ton of new foods that I can eat, and still be allergy free.  You can still follow my food journal on the TwoGrand app.

Natural Hair
My natural hair keeps me busy.  I shampoo my hair with the nurturing Smoothie soap bar.  I also use vinegar on my scalp.  It helps with dandruff and detangles.  If you can use apple cider vinegar, then grab a bottle with the "mother" in it!  I am sensitive to apples, so I use my Fanuppa version that is rice vinegar based.

Soaping
I am loving selling my products at the Bellevue Farmers Market every Friday.  I also want to invite you to join me on Saturday, October 11, 2014.  The Bellevue Farmers Market will be all day on Saturday.  This will be a celebration that marks the end of the season that began in May and ends this October.  The market is located in the parking lot of Bellevue United Methodist Church, 7501 Old Harding Road.  

Chat soon,
Fanuppa Soaps

Celebrating 56 days of the diet!

I did it again!  I completed round 2 of the 28 day diet cycle (56 days).  I actually look at food differently now.  I lost 2 more pounds, so a total of 10.5 pounds.  I wanted to drop 4 pounds, but if I wasn't focused at all I probably would have gained weight.  I am definitely eating more fruits and vegetables now and have more energy.  Also, I am still rotating what I eat.

I have added back a little dairy to my diet, and making sure that I get calcium from my vegetables.  My omelets taste so much better with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top.  I also make sure that I add calcium fortified rice milk to my oatmeal and decaf coffee.  I found the acid in Kefir was a little strong once I added it back to my diet. So instead, I add it to food or dilute it with rice milk.

Wheat and sugar are still very limited in my diet.  I still can't believe how easy it has been to limit these.  Having fruit handy really helps with the sugar craving.  I have found some great substitutes for wheat, so it has been easy to eliminate.  I miss it when grabbing fast food, but started making sure that I order a salad instead.  One day, I ordered a turkey burger and wrapped it in lettuce.  I still enjoyed it, but noticed also how much the bread hid the amount of salt that is added to the burger. 

I nibble and splurge, but proud that I am sticking to the plan overall.  I am starting my next round, and hope to drop 2 more pounds.  Maybe 4 pounds was too high of a goal!  Slowly it adds up, just like gaining.

Fruit is great, but sometimes having some dessert is really important.  Food should be enjoyed.  I changed one of my favorites and enjoy it on Phase 3 days of the diet.  Instead of wheat flour, it uses cauliflower pulp. Sounds weird but it works.  I used pecans because they are one of the few nuts that I can eat, but feel free to substitute walnuts pieces (for 1/4 c.) or almond flour/coconut flour (for 1/2c.).

Cauliflower-Pecan Banana Bread

(or alter to make them Brownies)



1 cup cauliflower pulp (from juicer)
1/2 cup ground pecans (from food processor)
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
2 eggs
4 bananas (ripe with spots are sweeter)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon (adds flavor, but eliminate if sensitive-this amount works for me)
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c. pecan pieces (optional)
(add 1/2 cup cocoa powder to change this recipe to brownies)

Prep cauliflower, pecans, bananas, and get oven ready.
1.  It will take about 1/3 of head of cauliflower to make about 1 cup of pulp from a juicer.  If no juicer then place in food processor then drain and dry with paper towels. 
2.   Next, chop the 1/2 cup of pecans in the food processor. It will not be creamy but should start to look like nutty peanut butter that can mashed into measuring cup.
3.  Mash the bananas with a potato masher or fork.
4.  Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease pan and set aside.

Now put it together.
5.  Butter should be room temperature, or melt the butter in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
6.  Cream the butter in a bowl with the mixer. 
7.  Next, add the eggs one at time and blend with the butter.
8.  Add the cauliflower pulp and blend.
9.  Next, add the ground pecans that were prepared from the food processor.
10. Add the mashed bananas and blend.
11.  Add the baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (and cocoa powder if making brownies) to the batter and blend.
12. By hand mix in the vanilla and 1/4 cup pecan pieces.

Banana bread takes about an hour to cook in a loaf pan.  In a rectangular pan for brownies it takes about 45 minutes.  The mixture should bounce when touched when ready, or a fork placed in the center should come out clean when ready. 

These actually taste even better the next day, especially the brownies version (more moist and flavor blends in or I am thinking about cauliflower less!).  So make them ahead if you like.

   

Great Comb Makes a Difference

Hope your natural hair journey is going well.  Today, I wanted to talk about hair combs for natural hair.  Pictured are 3 combs that I have in my drawer.  Not sure why I keep the traditional detangler.  It worked okay with a relaxer, but now it is just more layers for my hair to wrap around.  Funny, my hair actually becomes tangled in this comb!  The comb on the end is an example of what happens to most of my combs!  Yes, they break.  I have bought about 4 of the broken styled comb in the last few months.  I like the shape, but it doesn't move with my hair. 

My favorite of the group is the wide-tooth comb in the middle by Goody.  I wasn't looking for a comb.  I was in Kroger one day and noticed it.  It is flexible, and made of a softer rubber material instead of hard plastic.  I love this comb!  It bends and stretches with my hair, therefore reducing breakage.

Hate it took me so long to switch! I can see it being around for a while.

If looking for a detangling spray to use with your comb, try Fanuppa's.

De-clutter - Reset!

The focus last month became my new diet, so the declutter project slowly became inactive!  Now that the diet is becoming more routine, I should be able to give the decluttering more focus.  Decluttering is similar to dropping weight.  They both involve getting rid of stuff you don't want.

I also think that declutteriing should be part of a daily home cleaning routine.  So I am going to start my Fly Lady cleaning plan again, and get this done.  I liked the 28 day challenge for weight loss.  So I am going to apply it to the declutter project.  I am pushing reset!

Fly Lady is a fun plan.  You start by doing some "baby steps" daily, and before you know it your house is clean and organized.  Baby steps include putting on shoes and keeping a shiny sink.  I also like watching the Jen videos on cleaning and organizing.  Yes, I am pushing reset.