Extraordinary Fenugreek Seed!

I've been researching natural estrogen replacements and to my surprise, Fenugreek seed was among them. Coincidentally, my husband used to drink Fenugreek tea when I met him a few decades ago and I had recently purchased some. After reading about the seed, I was truly amazed at its abundant benefits. Hopefully this post won't be too long as I list the many reasons to use Extraordinary Fenugreek!

~Estrogen-like properties increase libido and decrease hot flashes and mood fluctuations

~Treatment for asthma, arthritis, bronchitis, sore throat, acid reflux, skin wounds, and even diabetes

~Studies show that 2 oz. of Fenugreek daily can significantly reduce cholesterol 

~For type 2 diabetes, consuming 500 mg of Fenugreek twice daily can significantly lower blood sugar levels

There's so many ways to prepare it for use; it's a spice, a tea, and in powder form can be used as a poultice or put in capsules. I recently read that it's one of the base ingredients of curry. Sprouted seeds are delicious too. The taste is somewhat sweet and maple-y. 

So give Fenugreek a try, but there are a few warnings; it should not be taken if pregnant as it may induce labor, and avoid if you're allergic to chick peas.

Exfoliating Face Scrub!

After learning about homemade face creams, now I needed a cleanser/scrub. My friend that told me about Organic Body Care Recipes makes her own face wash by mixing a dab of almond meal with a little organic powdered milk. Well, I've been making my own yogurt for a few years now, and it's milk - right?

So every morning I take the smallest vessel I have - a shot glass, and add a pinch of almond meal and a dab of yogurt and voila! Exfoliating face scrub! It's free and I always have the ingredients on hand. I make the almond meal as part of my homemade granola process. I grind almonds in the food processor for the granola but leave a 1/4 cup or so in the processor to grind a little longer.

I have to say, it works quite well. Yogurt is a mild, bleaching exfoliant and the lactic acid dissolves dead skin cells. My face feels soft and not at all dried out. Almond meal is high in skin-pampering emollients and exfoliates dry skin too. Here's my morning routine, yogurt/almond meal on left and my version of Rich and Royal Regeneration Flower Cream (from Organic Body Care). It contains macadamia nut oil, rose hip seed oil, beeswax, rose hydrosol, vitamin E capsule, and I use frankincense, lavender, geranium and ylang ylang essential oils. An essential oil spreadsheet coming soon!