DIY: Face Scrub

I dont want to sound like the typical old trumpet or want to write the same old cliche, but sadly its the truth and here it goes. Being a mom of two kids ( i know how typical) i usually dont get the time or have the energy or sometimes its just not my priority looking after myself. Sometimes changing my clothes and taking an uninterrupted  long (15 min) hot shower seems like the biggest luxury of my current life.

But i do like my skin better when its taken care of.  these days i dont get the time to go to a Saloon and get a facial. well there are a number of things hindering that.

1. No. 1 being that it kinda gets a bit expensive if i keep an appointment for every week. As much as i would enjoy it.its just not feasible for me.
2. Its hard taking time out. I know i can if i want to. But i rather do something else

So, with the above mentioned. I still try to some pampering that is not expensive. does not take up much of my time. AND give me good results.

Here are some of the things i like to do to keep myself from looking like  the crypt keeper.

Homemade Exfoliating Scrubs:

Lemon, Sugar and Cinnamon Scrubs: I usually use this scrubs, while I am in the kitchen making a vinegrate for a salad.

•  Just cut up a lemon, Squeeze all the juice out but dont throw the skin. 
• Take some sugar and put a little cinnamon in it.
•  Dip the lemon in it and rub around your face. You can use brown sugar if you want. 
• The sugar exfoliates, the lemon lightens the skin and the cinnamon give off a really nice aroma.
•  When u have exfoliated for 5 min. Just let it sit on your face for 5 more min. Then wash with cold water. If u have acne just add a little honey in the mixture.

Baking Soda:

 This a Miracle powder I tell ya. It has so many uses. You can jump of here and see for yourself. I use it as an Exfoliate, tooth whitener, deodorant and  for cleaning my kitchen. But we are talking about face wash here. So here is how we go about it.

•  Just take a very little amount, 1 tsp in your palm. 
• Put a few drop of water or if your skin is really dry like mine some olive oil to make a paste.
•  Rub it on your face in circle avoiding the under eye area. 1-2 min. 
• Wash and moisturize.
•  If u have dry skin dont do this for more than once a week. I put milk on my face afterwards as a toner to soothe my skin.

Apart from that i do use the trustee old  Saint Ives. I love this scrub and have been using it since my teens. good for a weekly scrub on the face and an overall body scrubs. Smells good, works well.

I love the Body Shop Tea Tree oil range when my skin in not doing so well and is breaking out. I usually use its scrub, bleminsh cream and cleansing foam.. You can buy a sample kit before buying the full range.

Have a happy healthy Skin people.

RAMADAN ACTIVITY # 3

The third activity on our list was making a Sadaqa Jar. We did this activity last year as well. But this time we used different materials.

We have been talking about recycling and reusing for sometime. So this was a good opportunity to reuse some of the stuff I have been saving. So let's get on to it.

Materials needed.

• We used an old tin. Last time we used a Pringle box. Anything can be used really, a cerelac tin, old mayo bottle, a tissue box even.
• Decorative wrapping paper. Again many things can be used. Plain paper, decorative tissue, paint, crêpe paper. Anything that's available. Even different bits of paper.
• Glue.
• Shiny pipe cleaners. We used these for writing on the jar. You can use markers, paint.

Ok, the first thing swe did was to make a slot at the bottom of the jar. I got my husband to help with it. He used a knife and a hammer to do it. If you know a better way please do share. Next we covered the whole jar with the wrapping paper gluing it down as we went along. Let the glue dry for a bit. Next we shaped our pipe cleaners into letters and glued them down. I made a pipe cleaner star for the top of the jar. Finished. Ask your child to collect sadaqa from dad and mom.

Lessons I tried to teach:

•  Social skills: While making the jar we discussed about the people who might need sadaqa. Why it is important for us to collect and give to the right people.
•  English: After finishing the activity we wrote down the spelling of the things used for the activity.
•  Urdu: We talked about the sounds we could hear in the word Sadaqa and wrote them in Urdu.
• Fine motor skills: Shaping the pipes into letters help develop and enhance motor skills.

Note:

•  While doing the activity ask the kids what other materials could have been used to make a charity box.
•  Teach about recycling and reusing. Show them videos about how the waste is destroying the earth and how we need to be careful about how we use stuff.
• Talk about how Mohammed PBUH talked about conserving water, hence teaching us to be very careful in how we manage our stuff.
• And again, the purpose of the activities are to teach children new concepts and ideas. Let them be in charge of the activity. It does not need to be perfect.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Take care.
Ramadan Kareem.