DIY Sea Moss Mask

DIY Sea Moss Mask
Yields: 1/2 cup 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Water
• 2 tbsp. Sea Moss Powder

Directions:

1. Bring Water to a boil
2. Pour into high speed blender (I use my Nutribullet because of the small amount) with Sea Moss Powder
3. Blend for 2 minutes (container will be hot)
4. Using a mitt like the Ove Glove, transfer to a glass storage container and place in fridge  on something to protect the glass shelf, for at least an hour before using
5. Will keep for 3 weeks
6. Spread over face & let sit for at least 30 minutes

Hoff Thoughts: Don’t worry, mixture will thicken as it cools.

DIY Beach Hair Salt Spray

Get that beachy wave texture without the $$$.


DIY Beach Hair Salt Spray
Yields: 1 cup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Water
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Coconut Oil
• 10-15 drops Essential Oil (optional)
• 1 Spray Bottle

Directions:

1. Shake all ingredients together in a spray bottle
2. Spray & scrunch hair to achieve beachy waves
3. Let dry & get your day on!

DIY Flax Seed Gel

DIY Flax Seed Gel

For: Wavy or Curly Hair Girls
Yields: About 8-10 oz.


Ingredients:

• 2 cups Water
• 1/2 cup Whole Flax Seeds

Directions:

1. Mix Flax & Water in small sauce pan over medium-high heat
2. Stir as mixture comes to a boil
3. Cook at least 10 minutes
4. Turn off heat once mixture turns "gooey" (think slim)
5. Remove from the heat and pour immediately into a fine mesh strainer over a glass measuring glass, stirring to help it strain
6. Or pour immediately into a coffee press, to separate
7. Or allow to cool for 30 minutes to an hour, pour mixture into a nylon or cheese cloth lined measuring glass & squeeze to release all gel
8. Store in a mason jar/plastic applicator bottle in the fridge up to 2 weeks or freezer for longer (be sure to remove a day before intended use so it can thaw)
9. Shake before applying

Hoff Thoughts: Hit up YouTube to see how this is done! I’ve tried all of the above separation methods; I wish I could tell you the best method, but I haven’t had constant results with any, sometimes they work great and other times not so much.  I can't use this amount within 2 weeks, so I freeze and one batch will last me about a month.

DIY Fruit Fly Trap

Now that I'm kicking it Raw Till 4, Fruit Flies have become an even bigger pain in my ass than past years due to all the increased fruit all over the kitchen.  I have quickly deduced that these little suckers are smart and require their own special trap.  But you can't buy this online or in stores; you're going to have to make it yourself.

Don't worry, it's fast & cheap!

Here's how...

Tools:

• Drill
• Small Drill Bit

 
Trap Stuff:

• 1 Pint Mason Jar
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Liquid Dish Soap

Make It Happen:

1. Screw the lid onto the jar
2. Carefully drill 3-4 holes (don't touch, will be sharp)
3. Remove lid & fill jar half way with  Apple Cider Vinegar
4. Add 2-3 drops of Liquid Dish Soap
5. Stir to combine
6. Replace lid, place in fruit fly hangout
7. Refresh concoction as the bodies pile up
8. Auf Wiedersehen fruit flies!

DIY Teeth Whitening

Combine freshly squeeze Lemon Juice with enough Baking Soda to form a paste.  Add the Soda carefully as this will trigger a chemical bubble reaction, that will die down.  Brush with mixture for 2 minutes.  Rinse well to remove any residual acid.

The acid in the Lemon Juice will breakdown the stains and the abrasiveness of the Baking Soda will whiten your teeth.

Apply once a week to avoid damaging the enamel of your teeth.

DIY Avocado Hair Mask

This mask is suitable for any hair type and perfect for when your hair needs a little TLC.  "Avocados are rich in a variety of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin E and protein, both of which your hair needs to remain soft and healthy."

DIY Avocado Hair Mask
Yields: enough for long hair

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ripe Avocado (pitted & peeled)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Honey

Directions:

1. Mash together Avocado, Oil & Honey to form a mask
2. Massage into hair
3. 20 minutes later, rinse that avocado right outta your hair!

I was actually amazed at how super soft, this mask made my hair.  And, it did the impossible, made my flyaways disappear!


Source: http://www.hungryforchange.tv/article/4-DIY-hair-masks-for-shiny-healthy-hair

DIY: Cellulite Remedy

Cellulite Coffee Sugar Scrub: 

• Mix equal parts Brown Sugar & Coffee Grounds
• Add enough Olive Oil to form a moist consistency
• Apply to cellulite in circular motion
• Store leftovers in an airtight container
• Use 2-3 times per week

Best if applied in shower.

This is just a temporary solution.

According to Dr. Oz,  the caffeine in the coffee grounds enhances fat metabolism.  When scrub is applied topically, the coffee absorbs into the skin and removes liquid and fat from the immediate area, which can decrease the appearance of cellulite.

Beats lipo - plus you're exfoliating & moisturizing at the same time!

Another tip: rub down with a couple slices of cucumbers for a few minutes.  The phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten; firming the outer layer and thus reducing the visibility of those cottage cheese thighs.

Hoff Hit: Natural Remedy for Bug Bites

Bugs getting a little too frisky?

Mix a little baking soda and water in the palm of your hand - enough to form a paste and apply to bug bites to take care of that nasty sting.

This concoction will also work for a sunburn.

DIY: Vanilla Sugar

You may have seen Vanilla Sugar in specialty shops - it is simply sugar infused with vanilla and is très delightful.

I think it was Alton Brown who enlightened me to how easy it is to make your own Vanilla Sugar.

Ever since then, I have not been able to shake the concept from my mind.  The only solution - make my own Vanilla Sugar.

Here's how:

I acquired 2 fresh whole Vanilla Beans (although dried will work as well) & 48 ounces of Organic Granulated Sugar.

I pondered whether or not to relocate the sugar to another container and then opted not to because the container it came in (plastics bottle) was just fine.  Of course my initial thought was to store in a mason jar, as an airtight container is essential.

Temporarily, I moved half of the sugar into a bowl and set aside.  I then sliced each bean open and scrapped the seeds into the sugar.  Then I shoved each bean into the sugar as well.  Using a funnel, I returned the previously removed sugar into it's original container.  A few shakes to get the vanilla mingling and I will allow this concoction to marinate for 1-2 weeks.

That's it - you've got a very simple and cheap solution to an otherwise gourmet and expensive product!

What to do with it:

Use Vanilla Sugar for anything you'd normally use sugar for - coffee, tea, oatmeal, baked goods, pancake/waffle mix etc.  I can't wait to dip some juicy strawberries into this!

Don't worry about longevity, this sugar is as shelf stable as regular sugar - if you can keep it around that long...

Gotta love DIY!
The Hoff