Enhance your natural beauty with homemade products like bone broth or body scrub (with recipes)

Most of us realize the benefits from healthy eating and exercise. Organic, grass-fed, non-GMO, Gut health, Omega 3’s … all buzz words with valuable meanings and worth the time/money investments.

We are always looking for a quick way to lose weight, speed metabolism and get clear and glowing skin.

Food for thought: Work from the inside out for natural healthy skin.

Bone broth is another popular term that is as confusing as the directions on a frozen dinner … and some think is gross. But you know what? Bone broth is one of the best things you can put in your body.

The difference in bone broth and broth or stock is that bone broth is simmered for 24 to 36 hours using bones (no fat or meat) so that collagen is leached out to benefit your body. Stock is cooked five or more hours but not usually more than eight.

Frequently, bones are roasted first with some meat left on. Veggies are added to make stock as well. Broth is cooked with meat and veggies and only simmered a couple hours.

Here is my recipe for Bone Broth. Sip a cup each morning and use it for cooking in any recipe that calls for broth (remember it is similar but much more collagen-rich and full of minerals) such as stews, soups, sauces and gravies.

Bone Broth

▪ 2 small chicken carcasses or 1 large one (or any mix of bones really – pack of beef short rib bones (use the short ribs for a meal then save the bones) and a small chicken carcass combined or a couple packs beef bones from the butcher

▪ 6 cups purified water

▪ 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

▪ teaspoon each onion and garlic powder

▪ teaspoon paprika

▪ 1/2 teaspoon salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

▪ couple each carrots and celery stalks, roughly chopped

▪ small onion, quartered

Cook in a slow cooker on low 24 hours for the chicken broth and 36 hours for beef bones. Strain in a colander and store in fridge covered, about five days. Some people like to put mushrooms and vegetables in their bone broth but this is how I make mine. Do what you feel like doing. Just drink it for natural health and glowing skin.

Let’s talk about coconut oil.

If you don’t have acne, you can smear it all over your face and neck for soft skin. Use coconut oil as an effective underarm anti-perspirant, cure for jock-itch, world’s best body moisturizer and sex lube.

It is a great make-up remover, cuticle moisturizer and beneficial and delicious for cooking. I eat it by the teaspoonful. It is helpful when used this way to treat strep throat.

Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal.

f you have a party or special event and want to look (and possibly actually measure) a size smaller, try a homemade body wrap. You will need to make the solution and have a friend help wrap you but the effort is well worth it! Also saves quite a bit of money. Measure your tummy and waist before and after.

Homemade Body Wrap solution and instructions

▪ 1 cup Epsom salts

▪ 3 cups purified water

▪ 1/4 cup Aloe gel

▪ You will also need bandages such as ACE and plastic wrap.

It is important to drink lots of water before doing this. Say, all day then do this in the afternoon before a special evening. This natural body wrap will help your body release water so front load the hydration.

Combine body wrap solution ingredients and rub on thighs, bottom, stomach and waist. Wrap these areas in plastic wrap several times around, rather tightly (not too tight) and then wrap the bandages on top of the plastic to secure. Lie down and rest for a couple hours. The longer the better. Remove bandages and plastic wrap; quick shower, get dressed and try not to drink during your special event so as not to bust your dress.

Other homemade recipes for natural beauty:

Pore Shrinker

▪ 1 Chamomile tea bag

▪ 1 cup boiling water

▪ 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Steep tea in boiling water. Remove tea bag and add vinegar. Store in sterilized bottle in the fridge. Use with cotton to wipe area of large pores.

Blackheads Be Gone Scrub

▪ 1 teaspoon Fullers Earth Clay (bacteria free found at health food store)

▪ 2 teaspoons cornmeal (fine)

▪ 1/2 teaspoon ground almond (fine)

▪ 1 teaspoon lemon juice

▪ 2 teaspoons plain natural yogurt

Combine ingredients to make a paste. Let sit for five minutes. Add more clay to make less abrasive (for oily skin) or more cornmeal to make more abrasive (dry skin). Gently massage over face, avoiding tender under-eye area. Rinse well.

Wrinkle mask (for a glowing countenance)

▪ 1 egg yolk

▪ 1 teaspoon each honey and almond oil

Mix together and smear all over face and décolleté. Let dry keeping face in resting bitch face position, about 10 minutes. Remove by softening with a warm wet washcloth and splash remaining away. Moisturize immediately.

Homemade Mood Oil

▪ 1 oz. grape seed oil

▪ 8 drops fruit extract (essential lemon is my favorite)

Combine ingredients and shake. Dab oil on pulse points.

For true beauty and health, be kind and do for others. Remember beauty is from the inside out. Sleep is one of the best beauty secrets, additionally. For a natural glow, try the Wrinkle mask.

This story was originally published April 17, 2015 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Enhance your natural beauty with homemade products like bone broth or body scrub (with recipes)."