Optimistic Oatmeal: 5 Uses

Oatmeal - the soothing and sensitive spa ingredient provided by Mother Nature herself. Here are 5 surprising uses for it in your daily life!

1. Soften and sooth - grind up or use whole oats in the bath tub! How many of us took oatmeal baths when we had chicken pox? Oatmeal is a great way to sooth irritated skin. Last year my skin was being really annoying and I was itchy all over. It went away after one oatmeal bath! And my skin was baby soft afterwards.

2. Spa masks - oatmeal masks are usually associated with sensitive skin but did you know you can also treat acne with it? Cook up some oatmeal, let it cool for a bit until it's lukewarm, apply to affected areas. Let it dry and get a little crusty and then wash off with lukewarm water.

Also try a DYI face and body scrub! Grind 2 tablespoons of oats into a grainy consistency, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda and a little water until it's in a paste. Spread onto clean and dry face, leave for 10 minutes, and then rinse.

3. Natural odor killer - place an open container of oatmeal in the fridge to absorb unwanted odors. If you smoke, try lining ashtrays with oats to get the cigarette smell out of your room.

4. Sooth your dog's skin - if you see that your dog's skin is itchy, try some of these methods to make the poor little guy feel better.

5. Cook with it - oats can be used for so much more than just oatmeal! It's a natural and yummy way to get your fiber. Try replacing regular flour with oat flour (just grind oats in a food processors). You get more fiber, feel fuller, and cut the calories. It's also a great way to go gluten-free!

The Terrific Toothbrush

The toothbrush is more than just an instrument that cleans your teeth. It can be used for so many other things!

1. Groom your eyebrows - don't waste money on an eyebrow brush! Use a toothbrush to brush eyebrows into place and set with a little gel. I like to use Aquaphore.

2. Touch up your roots. Use a toothbrush to attack those colored roots as soon as they start appearing!

3. Exfoliate your lips with a toothbrush and baking soda! See here for directions.

4. Keep down flyaways! Spray toothbrush with hairspray and brush down flyaways. Also use a toothbrush instead of a brush to get subtle volume when teasing.

5. Use with dry shampoo. Spray toothbrush and use on roots to soak up oil.

Amazing Applications of Applesauce

Do you know how versatile this sweet treat is? Here's five unique ways to use applesauce in your life!

1. Shampoo - Use in hair and rinse! The slight acidic quality of it will balance your hair's pH and make it shine. Look it up here!

2. Face mask - For oily or acne-prone skin. Find a recipe here.

3. Baking- cut down on sugar in baking by substituting with applesauce! Check out this chocolate chip cookie recipe.

4. Sick Food - Got stomach problems? Applesauce is a tasty but calming food to eat when you're sick, especially if you have the stomach flu.

5. Yum! - It's also good for just plain eating. Here's a super quick recipe to try now!

Beautiful Uses for Baking Soda

Do you know the wonders that lay inside your kitchen cabinet? So many things found in the kitchen can be used for beautifying purposes. So get out that Holy Grail of natural beauty and lets mix some baking soda! Here are 6 quick ways to use baking soda in your beauty routine.

1. Skin softener - mix a little baking soda in your bath for noticeably softer skin. It's a great natural alternative to bubble bath which can be loaded with chemicals and harsh fragrances. Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil in for a soothing aromatherapy experience. My favorite is to unwind with a little lavender.

2. Lip exfoliant - stop paying for lip scrubs! Take a little baking soda, mix it with a little water to make a paste, and spread it on lips. Use a toothbrush to scrub gently for extra-chapped or flaky lips. Make sure to moisturize after with a little lip balm! My favorite is Burt's Bees.

3. At-home mani/pedi - Nails turning yellow from too much nail polish? Rough cuticles from dish soap? Scrub some baking soda/water paste on them to get those off right away!

4. Body exfoliant - similar to the lip exfoliant, use in the shower all over for a cheap way to slough off dead skin and brighten yourself! Gentle enough for sensitive skin.

5. Clear out product build-up - add to shampoo or use alone on scalp for a cheap alternative to clarifying shampoo. Renew your hair, save yourself some money, and save the earth an extra shampoo bottle in the trash.

6. Face microdermabrasion - Microdermabrasion is a way to exfoliate the face to make it photo-ready. Skip high-end beauty products loaded with extra chemicals and fragrances and save those big bucks by using baking soda. Mix two teaspoons of baking soda with water, rub in, and rinse! For more detailed instruction, go here.

Do you have baking soda tips?