Healthy and Green Living

Peeling skin and a fading tan are hallmarks of the end of summer, and there is no better time to learn how to make your own body scrub to exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells. Body scrubs, sometimes called scratch scrubs, feel wonderful and relieve the itching of flaking skin. There are endless variations to the following formula.

INGREDIENTS 

• 2/3 cup ground nuts or seeds (see helpful hints)
• 1/3 cup oatmeal, brown rice flour, or whole wheat flour
• Enough liquid to make a paste (water, yogurt, milk or aloe vera gel; see helpful hints)
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon herbs (lavender, for example)–optional

Combine the dry ingredients in a blender until they are reduced to a coarse meal. Pour the meal into a glass jar with a screw top. When you want to have a body scrub, scoop out about 1/4 cup‚s worth of the meal, and place it in a bowl. Stir in enough of the liquid to make a paste. Scoop up the paste with your hands or a washcloth, and rub over your body. Store the glass jar with the meal in the freezer.