Monday, March 29, 2010

How To Clean Your Face Naturally



Recently I've discovered a new way to clean my face. It's called the OCM (Oil Cleansing Method). It may sound a bit strange to clean your face with oil but it works.
Fact: Oil does not cause oil skin or acne; that's due to a combination of hormone, bacteria and dirt.

Here is a quote from acne.org

“Oil dissolves oil. One of the most basic principals of chemistry is that “like dissolves like.” The best way to desolve a non-polar solvent like sebum/oil, is by using another non-polar solvent similar in composition: other oils. By using the right oils, you can cleanse your pores of dirt and bacteria naturally, gently and effectively, while replacing the dirty oil with beneficial ones extracted from natural botanicals, vegetables and fruit that heal, protect and nourish your skin. When done properly and consistently, the OCM can clear the skin from issues like oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, blackheads, whiteheads and other problems caused by mild to moderate acne–while leaving your skin healthy, balanced and properly moisturized.”

Therefore good quality oil is the perfect substance for cleaning sensitive skin; such as on our face because it helps gentlly remove the dirty oil and replace it with good, nourishing, healing oil.


How to Get Started

1. Make your cleaner

Simply mix the oils together in a small bottle, give it a little shake, and you’ve got yourself a homemade, frugal facial cleanser. The most popular blend of oils for this cleansing method is castor oil and extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). The castor oil draws out dirt and other gunk from your pores. The EVOO is a brilliant moisturizer, helping heal and nourish the skin.
• For those with normal skin, you could start off with 20% castor oil and 80% EVOO.
• For those with acne-prone or oily skin, reduce the proportion of EVOO, and try 30% castor oil and 70% EVOO.
• For those with drier skin, try 10%castor oil and 90% EVOO.


Experiment, and find what ratio works for you. Just start off with a little bit, and then try it for a few days. I began with one teaspoon of castor oil and three teaspoons of EVOO in a little squeeze bottle.

2. Gently rub it in

Pour a quarter-sized amount into your palm, rub your hands together, and slowly massage your skin with your fingertips. Don’t splash your face with water first — apply it dry. Work the oil into your skin for about a minute, and enjoy the peaceful massage at work. Don’t scrub — just rub.

3. Steam your face

Next, wet a washcloth with hot water (but not scalding!), and put it over your face until it’s about room temperature. This is steaming out your pores, removing the impurities and the dead skin cells. It’ll take about a minute — enjoy the nearly-free facial.

4. Wipe off the oil

Take the washcloth, rinse and wring it, then gently wipe off the oil. Your skin will probably feel softer immediately.

ENJOY THE BENIFITS!

I've been doing it for a while now and it really works well! My skin is glowing more than ever!

Special thanks to Tsh at simplemom.net

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Poo

Ok.

So I'm trying to get my son Achilles to use the potty.  I've been reading all these articles about how to get them to use it but it all sounds so tidious to me and seems to take alot  of effort of  my part.  Having a 4  month old to take care of  is making it a bit difficult to give so much attention to potty training my 27 month old.

Some parents can train their children by the time they're 18 months; others have wait until they are 3 or even 4!  But I tell you, I'm so exhausted of changing diapers on a 27 month olld who is very active.  And when stuff keeps spilling unto everything in the house I think it's time to get him out of those diapers and unto the loo.

Do any of you moms out there have boys that have been potty trained already?  What was the experience like for you? Any suggestion on how to get my son to use the potty?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Slowly

Since my last post things have been very slow for me but amazingly progressive in the right direction.

To all my dear friends who have commented here or in other ways, thank you so much for your inspiring words.

Noteworthy are Nataly; though you didn't comment on the blog we had a sound comversation which has kept me going until today.

To Terri; you are a wonderful human being and amazing mother.  Keep inspiring others.

To my cousin Sharms; at times I have been angry at you for the things you have said in the past but lately you have had nothing but encouraging words and have shared some of your own stories with me which makes my porblems seem like nothing.  Thanks for sharing and keeping close.

And to my dearest husband Derek; I know I don't give you enough credit but you try, and this weekend you went above and beyond my expecations.  All I had really had to do was feed the children which you couldn't possible do. You've got no goodies! ;-)

I hope I always remember to give you credit for your great effort. I love you!

So let's see if I can keep up the encouraging words in upcoming posts.  Keep coming again and again to see what's been transpiring

And I leave you with this.  May you enjoy.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Just Thinking

Who ever said moms had to be wonder women.  We can't possible do it all you know!  We just do what we can.  After my last post I thought I was on track to having an amazing week but who was I kidding.

I couldn't be further from the truth.  I still don't understand what some of you are talking about.  How the hell do you have time to cook and clean and change diapers and be all sproozed up for your husbands?  I must have missed the memo completely. 

I tried some of you guys techniques for dealing with the children but everyday seems to be more overwhelming than the previous one.

What do I do now?  Nothing seems to be working.  You guys are probably tired of my rantings and how my life sucks. 

I feel like the worst parent on earth; I really do!  I've just been moping around the house the past few days feeling so angry and hopeless and depressed.

One  minute I'm vibrant and it seems like I'm finally seeing that silver lining and then the next its back to feeling sorry for myself.  If there's a psychologist out there...I need you to check me in!  I really need one. 

I think mostly I need someone to talk to.  It sucks here; having no friends and all.  Most of the other teachers act all weird as if they're so special and they dont want to mingle with someone like me.  They avoid every opportunity to even say hi.

I went to the baby group two weeks ago so the children would see other kids and they could have some meaningful interaction other than me and Derek but it seemed all weird.  I got this really bad vibe like they didn't want me there.  I mostly sat around with the children and played with them.

And I guess my suspicions were right because no one sent me an invite this week to say where the baby group was taking place.

What is up with people? Why do some people think they are so much more inportant than others?
They have flaws just like the rest of us.

Maybe all of you guys will stop readinf my posts after this one...Because I'm starting to annoy your eyeballs out!  But please don't.  I look forward to your encouraging words...They keep me going.

At least these photos make a bit of a difference.  I'm smiling for 5 seconds!


Friday, March 12, 2010

The Unexpected

Today we decided to go to the beach, a different one from the Pineapple beach. We thought we knew the way (we had gone there before but someone else was leading) but we couldn't find it.  We drove around in circles hoping to find the road we turn off on but we did not succeed. 


While looking for the road we encounterd a part of town that we hadn't ventured on before.  It had the most lovely houses I have ever seen!  While exiting this neighbour we swung by the industrial site and found a new store.  There were lots of interesting things in the store.  And we came upon these.



Well it's not an accurate picture of the glasses, but don't I look silly!!

On our way home we decided to go up the mountain.  We had been there before at night, but in the daytime there's lots to see. Ittin Cave Park is what it's called.  It the most amazing little place, half way up the hill that has a little cave at the back.  It was so quiet!  Living in the city makes you forget how peaceful it is to just listen to the silence and hear everything else that's out there.  The wind rustling, the birds singing..  It seemed so surreal.  We sat for a while and enjoyed the calm and decided that we would do it every week.

Achilles really enjoyed himself as well.  There was lots of space to run around, and so he did.  The perfect end to the weekend and great start for the new week.

Oh yeah, and then we had a Thali!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Basil


Here is the latest on my basil plant. Yippee!!!

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Am I for real?

Oh No!

Since moving to Salalah this past August I have been very out of the ordinary.  I find every opportunity to spend, sometimes just browsing for a very long time, even now that I have 2 children to drag around I still do it!

My life is so empty.  There is nothing that I can find to really hold me together.  Achilles, my eldest, is driving me insane!  Like right now, I'm trying to write this entry and I just can't stand it that he's all over me. 

Is there something really wrong with me?  Am I suffering from post partum depression or something?  Someone help! I can't do this any longer.  I feel like I'm going to pop any minute now!

"STOP SCREAMING ACHILLES, YOU"RE DRIVING| ME INSANE!", I say.

Maybe 20 times everyday.  He's either jumping on the computer, busting phones, or whatever else he can find to annoy me.

I really dont enjoy living here...its too depressing.

Any thoughts anyone?  I really need your expertise...all the other moms out there...anyone..help!

Monday, March 1, 2010

No Energy

Yesterday I decided for the millionth time, that I was going to get on track with exercising more.  I'd been feeling very sloppy and sluggish for weeks.  I realized that I needed to take alot better care of my body to be able to enjoy life with my children.

It was 5pm and I set out for a jog along the grass next to the highway.  It's a beautiful place to relax.  It was very encouraging to see so many people there.  Some walking, others running, then some jogging.  It felt great.  The last time I tried to exercise it felt  horrible and that was weeks ago!

Forty-five  minutes later I was home and exhausted.  Then my back started hurting alot.  I couldn't understand why.  Derek thought it was from running and I wondered  why.  He seemed to think it was because I was carrying so much extra weight that I wasn't used to carrying.  It made sense.  I am carrying 5 kilos more than my pre pregnant weight.  I normally do feel "out of my element" with any extra weight I have on.  I guess I just didn't notice it because I expected to put on weight with the pregnancy and all those hormones maybe eased the pain.

So let's see how long I can keep this up!  I plan to do it at least 3 times a weeks.  Maybe by the summer I'll be back to my old self, and have lots more energy too!