A Frugal Fix for Oily Skin

Image via WikipediaDo you have oily skin? Have you tried expensive, store-bought products that didn't really help, or caused irritation? Well, here is a gentle, natural facial cleanser, made with ingredients you already have in your kitchen that really works!

The magic ingredients are  lemon, yogurt and cornmeal. Lemon with its astringent properties controls oil production. Yogurt soothes and hydrates the skin. Cornmeal buffs away dry skin cells that can cause blemishes.

All you need to do is combine 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/4 cup of yogurt and 1/4 cup of cornmeal. Gently massage it into freshly washed skin and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water and pat your skin dry with a clean, soft towel.

If you have any left over, you can keep it in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed jar for 2-4 days.


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Frugal Uses for Bubble Wrap

Image via WikipediaI save my bubble wrap from packages I receive and products I buy. In a pinch, I will buy a roll or two at the dollar store. It is great to use for many things. Here are just a few ideas:

Do you love camping but hate the discomfort of a sleeping bag? Make it cozier with bubble wrap! Take a 12 foot piece, fold it in half and duct tape around all the edges. Slip it inside or place it under your sleeping bag for a better night's rest. 

Use it as a cool and unusual wrapping paper. Not only does it add a different look to your gift, it is great for protecting fragile presents.

Are you packing for a trip, or storing closes for the winter? Adding bubble wrap can keep them wrinkle free.

Hate it when delicate fruits and vegetables bruise and rot before you can use them? Prevent produce waste by using bubble wrap in your fruit and vegetable bins in your refrigerator.

Reduce winter heating bills and keep cold, drafty air out of your home by using bubble wrap to insulate your windows.

Finally, slip bubble wrap between plates to prevent your fine china from cracking and chipping.

Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Bathtime Bliss

Image via WikipediaA warm bath at the end of the day can be a wonderful stress buster! Add a couple of natural ingredients from your kitchen cabinet, and you can have scintillating fragrance and improve your skin as well.

Do you love chocolate? Good, because it can improve blood flow to your skin! Try this simple bath salt recipe:

Combine 6 cups of Epsom salts, 2 tablespoons of  cocoa powder and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Air dry on a paper towel lined cookie sheet.

Add 3-4 tablespoons to your bath water next time you want a great smelling, skin invigorating soak.

Do you suffer from insomnia? After a long, relaxing bath rub this lavender and vanilla body oil into your skin.

To two ounces of oil (grapeseed, jojoba or almond oil are nice choices) add 4-8 drops of lavender essential oil and 1/4-1/2 tsp of vanilla extract.

If you don't use all the oil, place the remainder in the refrigerator is a sealed jar. It will keep for another 3-5 days.

Sweet dreams!


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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Saving Money on Fresh Produce

Image via Wikipedia Fresh fruits and vegetables are key to a healthy diet, and boosting your immune system. Experts in nutrition and disease prevention recommend eating plenty of them on a daily basis.

However, they can be fragile and spoil easily, unless you take a couple of simple steps to improve their shelf life. Here are a couple of easy and frugal ideas for you to try at home.

Reduce moisture build up to prevent wilting and molding. You can easily do this by adding newspaper to your fruit and vegetable bins. It is a great moisture absorber and deodorizer as well.

To prevent bruising and rotting of soft fruits and vegetables, add a piece of bubble wrap to your crisper. It acts like a shock absorber, preventing rolling and bumping when drawers are opened and closed.

Keep mushrooms fresh much longer by patting them dry before refrigeration and storing them in a brown paper bag, never plastic. It prevents them from getting slimy.

Don't store potatoes and onions next to each other. The potatoes will grow eyes and rot easily if you do.


Irene Helen Zundel is a freelance writer, educator and mother, and an expert in child development, home schooling and creative parenting and home making. Visit her online at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com

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