DIY Milk Bath

It seems, spring is right around the corner, or is it?  Hard to tell with a dreary day like today.  I am truely questioning Mr. Groundhogs predicitons.  One day it is spring like and the little daffodile are peeking up at the sunshine.  Then today we have rain, snow and now sleet. 

These conditions wreak havoc on our skin,as well as our emotions.  One thing we can count on is our ability to make time for quiet moments and a little pampering.  Instead of a quick shower before bed; run a tub of warm water and add some rose petals and essential oils.  One of the best, and might I add, simple, things to do is add a bit of milk for moisture.  Milk is filled with vitamins and minerals that nourish and hydrate. 

Just take a cup of Dry Milk and gently disperse it under flowing warm water in your bathtub.  Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, lay back and relax.  You will find this relaxing and your skin soft and glowing. Enjoy!

~Missy

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Recycle Coffee Grounds from your K-Cups

If you are a tried and true coffee lover who is looking to beautify your appearance, then the great news for you is the fact that coffee has beneficial properties that not only affect your health and wellness, but your appearance too! In the past several years, there have been hundreds of products on the market that contain caffeine to work to heal and restore your complexion. Coffee was actually in question several years ago by the FDA because studies were unsure whether or not it was good for you. There were several negative studies released, though they were later found to be incorrect because the coffee drinkers within the tests were also smokers, so the findings were inaccurate.

The good news for you to know about coffee relating to your skin care is that caffeine is a vasodilator which works to firm and tighten your complexion. Coffee is also naturally full of antioxidants, and I am sure that you have seen numerous skin care products on the market that are focusing on using antioxidants to heal and restore damage to your face. It has been said in the past that drinking too much caffeine will affect your skin negatively because it is a diuretic, so it will draw necessary moisture from your complexion. However, if you do drink coffee in moderation, then you will be enjoying numerous antioxidants that will work to fight free radicals in your cells and counteract the appearance of damage to your face.

Caffeine is also currently being used in skin creams and lotions because, as I mentioned earlier, it is a vasodilator, which means that it constricts blood cells. The benefit of caffeine for your skin is that it will firstly work to reduce redness. Secondly, it will firm and tighten surface of your skin through constriction, so many companies are using this ingredient to reduce the appearance of cellulite. The caffeine in coffee when used in skin care works to dehydrate fatty cells so that water will disappear from the surface of your skin. This means that the appearance of cellulite is minimized, and your skin begins to look smoother overall.

Another popular use for caffeine in beauty products is within eye creams because that is an area that needs smoothing and firming for dramatic results. Using caffeine in this delicate area can easily tighten fine lines and smooth puffy surfaces. I am sure that if you look in your local beauty or skin care aisle, you will notice numerous high quality products that utilize coffee as an ingredient. The bonus to this is that your products will also smell delicious and be a pleasure to use. The benefit to your skin is that it will be absorbing caffeine to tighten and firm your appearance. There are even new studies showing that coffee inhibits the growth of skin cancer cells, so the benefits of using beauty products and skin care products that contain coffee and caffeine are numerous. Now you can not only enjoy drinking your cup of Joe, but you can use it for a flawless appearance as well!

credits to Chuggin McCoffee Hubspot

Quick Coffee Cellulite Scrub

1 TBSP Olive Oil EVOO

Contents of 1 K-Cup any caffeinated flavor

Mix well and while in shower slather over entire body, paying attention to problem areas.  If you want a little extra exfoliation use 2 tsp cane sugar.

Have a Yummy Day Y'all!

Missy

Benefits of Pumpkin in Skincare

As the leaves start to turn, the air has a touch of crisp, cool bluster;  we begin to adjust to the fall elements. Important changes include skincare products, wardrobe, hairstyles and accessories! Personally, my hair color usually follows the season.  Bright baby blonde's for summer and caramel highlights for fall.  The necklace turns to scarves (which I adore), the lighter moisturizing facial cream becomes heavier due to the cold, dry air. Several years ago while doing research, I learned that Pumpkin is not only wonderful in a pie, but is amazing for the skin.  Granted eating pie will make you happy, the pumpkin seeds are highly nutritious as well! Make a very healthy snack or salad topping. We are currently working on some new pumpkin products for our Yummy line, but in the mean time here are some interesting facts about pumpkin we thought you might like to know.

Pumpkin is excellent for use on all skin types, but especially if your skin is damaged from environmental conditions such as overexposure to the sun. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which soothes and softens your skin, and vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help to remedy damage produced by free radicals. Pumpkin facial masks, moisturizers and peels nourish your skin and promote the absorption of these nutrients.

Skin care products containing pumpkin such as exfoliators and moisturizers can be used on all skin types to help remove old surface skin cells and promote new cell production. Pumpkin contains natural enzymes that help to dissolve dry skin cells. Due to the high enzyme content, pumpkin foot care products are also very effective for hydrating, soothing and softening dry, cracked hands and feet.

If you suffer from acne, blemishes or frequent breakouts, your skin could benefit from pumpkin anti-acne products. Pumpkin contains the acne fighting vitamin E. Pumpkin skin toners, peels and anti-acne masks promote healthier skin by fighting inflammation, reducing pore size, controlling excess oil and preventing the appearance of pimples, blackheads and blemishes.

At home pumpkin lip scrub...

1 Tbsp Pumpkin Puree

1 Tsp Cane Sugar

Mix well.

Apply small amount to lips and gently rub together for exfoliation!

Have a Yummy day!

Missy

Pray for me! I just put an egg in my hair!

Seriously?  Seriously? I just put raw egg in my hair.  No, I have not gone mad; at least not yet!  The quest for healthy, shiny hair eludes those of us who have color processed hair.  I will never forget; as I sat in a seminar hosted by the company I worked for at the time.  We were sitting in an auditorium at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, and this girl steps on stage and begins to speak.  At first I listened intently and then she turned and walked toward the back of the stage.  A co-worker noticed it at the same time, HER hair!  It was perfect in every way, it was like nothing I had ever seen.  She was talking about how as a heart patient she climbed Mount Everest and it all just blurred as I stared at her hair.  How rude, right?  Long-story now not so short... I have been trying to find the right mix to get this look for years.  So, when I see an all natural tip in a magazine or blog about an at home treatment I am willing to give it a shot.  This month in an issue of Oprah Magazine I read a little  blurb by Mathilde Thomas- co founder of the Caudalie Skincare line and I thought I would give it a whirl.  As, I sit here composing this blog post I have a mixture of 1 raw egg yolk, rum, olive oil, and grapeseed oil on my head, wrapped in a warm towel.  I am supposed to leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse for super shiny hair!  I will let you know how it goes... If you want to try it out here is the recipe
Mix together
1 raw egg yolk
2 Tablespoons Rum
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Grapeseed Oil
Massage into hair and scalp, wrap in a warm towel, wait 30 minutes and rinse.

This has been a "HOT" topic in our home and the A Yummy Apology studio in the last few weeks.  Call me frugal, call me Eco-conscious, call me mom that wants to be able to put my children through College.  I just cringe knowing my electric bill and water bill will be more than the mortgage!

As, I was strolling  from my office this morning I notice not one light in an un-occupied room, not two, but pretty much every light in the establishment is on! Of, course I am flipping switches as I go by and giving orders like a drill Sargent to turn the lights off.  Then I realized; I sound just like my mother!
"Close the door, turn off the lights, turn off the water".  Now I get it, not only for the purpose of saving a mint, but the impact it has on each and every person on this plant.  The smallest things can help so much. Here are a few suggestions that will not only help keep cost down, but help mother earth.

• Turn off lights when not in use, open blinds and curtains during the day instead
• Make sure your water heater is set on a reasonable temperature
• Turn off the sprinkler when it rains and turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth
• Open doors and windows on a breezy day and turn off the A/C
• Turn your computer off while not in use, Just hit the surge protector switch when finished
• Set the timer on your coffee maker to auto on and auto off
• Use towels instead of paper towels
• Re-usable water bottles, preferably BPA free. 
• Recycle, Recycle, Recycle put that little bin on the curb every week
• Consignment, sell un-used or out-grown clothes, toys and books to a Consignment store or donate to your favorite charity
• Did you know glass can be recycled over and over? Use glass containers or recyclable plastic if possible

Did you know that peek hours are from 2pm until 7pm?  If you can do laundry and dishes during off hours you can drastically cut your utility bill. By not turning on the A/C you can save hundreds on your utility bill, use the ceiling fan instead. This is a small list of suggestions, for more information visit your local utility provider website.  They offer great suggestions on how to conserve and recycle!  If you have suggestions we would love read your comments! 



Magical Cocoa Butter

I LOVE the days when Im chiseling off chunks of raw cocoa butter for my formulations!  LOVE IT!  I just take what ever little pieces are left and rub them all over me!  It is decadent and my skin feels like a babies behind. Same on my Shea butter days it is just amazing to have the pure butter melt into my skin. 
It is said that Cocoa Butter is great for aged skin, I can testify on this.  After years of tanning and living in a hot, dry Texas climate it has taken a toll.  I can see a difference in my skin after using cocoa and shea.
Cocoa Butter is a nut butter, taken from a cocoa bean.  Yes, the same cocoa bean used for chocolate, which gives it the same scent.  Gotta love that! Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter Cocoa Butter is the natural fat from the seeds of the fruit of the Cacao tree (grows in tropical regions), we get our PURE, ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE, from Ghana, rich in oleic, stearic & palmitic fatty acids, contains also flavors (e.g. vanillic acid), sterols, tannins & pigments.

If you would like to see what 50 pounds of PURE, ORGANIC, Cocoa Butter looks like, I have attached a picture.  We use this in our products because it is the BEST!  And, yes, that is the chisel I use! Hard work, but ohhh sooo worth it!

Lifestyle Change Anyone?

My name is Missy Clay and I am a sugar addict!  There, now that it is out on the table its time  to re-set.  Anyone that has ever known me knows this fact about me.  I LOVE sweet tea, cupcakes, even put sugar on strawberries!  God blessed me with a great metabolism and I am thankful.  However, I have four children and am 40 something; its time to do some serious work.  Not because I am over weight, I am not.  Healthy nutrition and excercise is not only healthy but it makes you feel better about yourself and increases energy levels.  With 3 year old twins, trust me I NEED all the energy I can muster.
So, ,my husband decides P90X is the workout for us, ok, I am in.  That is all fine and great but I can't do the workout and eat a bag of chips before bed!  On top of this going on I am trying on clothes thinking this is it, im out of shape and out of energy let do this thing! DONE!
You well know I am an advocate of healthy products.  A Yummy Apology is based on less chemical more goodness. This should also apply in my kitchen.  I do allow myself one indulgence as to not feel deprived all day.  My morning coffee with cream and agave sweetener.  Believe it or not it works!
My grocery list looks drastically different these past few weeks.  Here it is...Fresh organic eggs, pineapple, cantaloupe, bananas, kale, baby spinach, lemons, talapia, salmon, scallops, shrimp, tuna, cheese, whole wheat pasta, couscous, whole wheat taboule, quinoa, blueberries, strawberries, low fat  vanilla yogurt, tortillas, orange juice and milk.
For the most part yogurt and berries have been breakfast, I did oatmeal plain with raisins and honey one day. Salad for lunch with whatever is in the fridge that sounds good that day. Fish and pasta or whole grains for dinner with fruit for dessert. NO midnight snacking and its killing me, but getting easier every day.  Drinking a ton of lemon water. I also started taking Biotin supplement in addition to my daily vitamin. My energy level has increase substantially!  Also, the recipe for the salad is below if you want to give it a try.  Something Yummy added to an already Yummy life!  Does not get better than that!

I think, for me, it is a matter of finding food you truely enjoy and not fad diets. Eat clean, live clean and feel great!  If you are on a similar journey I wish you the best of luck and feel free to share your story.

Spinach Kale Salad with Raspberry Vinegrette
1/2 cup fresh organic Kale
1/2 cup fresh organic spinach (stems removed)
1/4 cup cherry tomato
... 1/4 cup talipia grilled seasoned with salt pepper only
1 hard boiled egg
1 large slice pineapple
1/2 cup cubed fresh cantaloupe
2 TBSP Raspberry Walnut Vinegrette