Cleansing facial mask

• 1/4 cup raw, organic honey
• 1 raw egg, beaten
• 1/8 tsp apple cider vinegar

Honey is well-known for its anti-bacterial properties, while apple cider vinegar can function as a toner to help tame oily skin. To make this simple mask, mix together ingredients in a small bowl – you may need to melt your honey in the microwave first to achieve a liquid consistency. Apply mixture to face and neck. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

Coconut cuticle cream

• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2-3 drops essential oil of your choice

Are dry, ragged cuticles driving you mad? Whip up this super-easy concoction to soften ‘em up. Simply mix coconut oil and olive oil in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Heat for a few seconds, then add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oil. Soak hands in warm water for few minutes before massaging the mixture into your cuticles.

Refreshing foot soak

• 1 gallon water
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup Epsom salt
• 15 drops essential oil of your choice

After a long day, treat your feet to this relaxing foot soak. Boil the water, then add it to a basin (one you can comfortably rest your tootsies in) and let it cool a bit. Toss in the baking soda and epsom salt, let dissolve. Finally, add your favorite essential oil for a soothing scent. Next, add the final ingredient: your feet!

Satisfying body scrub

• 1/2 cup sweet almond oil
• 1 cup finely ground sea salt
• 10 drops essential oil of your choice

In a small bowl, mix together the oil and salt to form a creamy paste – if it’s too scratchy, add more oil. Apply all over and gently scrub in a circular motion to slough away dirt, oil and dead skin cells.  Rinse to reveal softer, more refreshed skin!

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamins such as vitamin b12 and vitamin D, nutritional supplements, whole foods and diet products. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

Knowledgeable salespeople know all the right items and how to best fit your child for a glove or bat. Kids pass through sports crazes quickly and there is no reason to pay full price when they will only be playing for a few months. Check with your local store to see how they can help you fundraise for your team.

Now Play It Again Sports also carries some never used items they picked up at reduced prices during  manufacturers closeouts.

This store is a good resource for  ski season or for walking off those extra pounds indoors for next swimsuit season.

Five Go-Green Personal Care Tips

Green goods are everywhere, and thanks to popular demand, they’re more affordable now than ever before. So why not make the switch? If you’re new to eco-friendly, natural products, you may need a little help figuring out where to start. Here are five ways you can clean up your personal care routine from head to toe.

Lather up. Bubbles make bath time fun, but most conventional products contain a controversial chemical called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that’s been linked to poor health. Natural soap and body washes are typically made from plant oils, such as palm, coconut and sunflower, which are safer, gentler and still get you squeaky clean.

Battle body odor. Staying stink-free is a must for most, but over-the-counter antiperspirants are made with aluminum-based compounds (which block ducts so sweat can’t escape) that may put you at risk for certain diseases. Baking soda, corn starch and essential oils in natural deodorants help absorb moisture and blast bacteria that cause odor, without subjecting your pits to peril.

Brush safely. Home to several million bacteria, your mouth needs frequent cleaning, or bad breath, tooth decay and other issues arise. But before you squeeze any old toothpaste on that brush, look at the label. Besides SLS (the suds maker mentioned above), other chemicals, such as saccharin, fluoride and even diethylene glycol (used in antifreeze), may be on the ingredient list. Natural toothpastes feature mint oil, herbs and xylitol (a naturally occurring sweetener that benefits oral health) that keep teeth clean, breath fresh and toxins from spiraling down the drain.

Be smooth. Skin absorbs 60 percent of what’s applied to it, so slathering on lotion loaded with parabens (chemical preservatives) and phthalates (known as “endocrine disruptors” because they mimic hormones), may do more than soften that dry patch on your elbow. Keep toxins away from your precious bloodstream, and take moisturizing a step further with natural vitamin- and antioxidant-enriched lotions that soothe and protect skin.

Catch the flow. Over the course of a lifetime, a woman will use 10,000 disposable feminine hygiene products to manage her monthly flow. That’s a lot of cotton and plastic—which ends up cluttering landfills and leaching chemicals (such as dioxin, by-product of the cotton bleaching process) into the environment. And if air and water aren’t safe from the breakdown, think about how these materials affect your body. Make the switch to reusable pads or menstrual cups to protect your private parts and the world around you.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A and other vitamin and nutritional supplements. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, whole foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

It was surprising to see activities where you did not have to be an experienced outdoors person. Beach walking really looked like fun and a great way to get legs in shape for the summer. There were moderate hikes that specified they were for beginners where you could see wild flowers blooming. There are definitely events for strenuous outings however The Frugal Diva considers 14 miles more of a short drive than a hike.

What makes this fantastic is that after joining almost all of the outings are free. Everyone always complains that no one walks in LA, this is an opportunity to meet like minded people and get some exercise. Outings take place all over the city and give you a chance to explore outside the urban environment. Of course, you can always come back to town for a non fat latte after the hike.

When did they start to carry good wine? And at a discount? With great sales, you know that you are getting the finest  quality for drinking or gift giving. Buy a bottle of wine, some chocolates or cookies, a gift bag, and you have the makings of a lovely present for coworkers, neighbors, or friends.

Need a quick toy for a tot and don’t want to brave the big box stores. CVS has quite the respectable toy section. Good to know that Play-Do never goes out of style. Check out the paper goods for fun pens or get some great hair accessories. Put together some things that are more fun then one big item.

And they have food, not fresh organic produce but cereals, soups, and odd things that you might want on a Saturday afternoon when a snack attack strikes. Mixed nuts for company. Ice cream for sundaes.

One could roam forever in a drugstore. The shampoo aisle alone is good for an afternoon. Curly, straight, dyed, more volume, and every other permutation of hair cleanser is there. Me, I am an Aussie Miracle with voluminizing kind of gal. For less then $10, I can be pouffed to the max. For another few dollars, you can try the three minute conditioner. Soft, shiny, and luxurious hair is on the way.

Backpacks, vitamins for you and your pet, lip gloss, cotton swabs. In a pinch, the drugstore solves all problems.

An hour long massage will run you $75, however they do offer specials, in the morning there is the Early Bird Special (Mon. through Thurs. from 9-10:15 AM) which features an hour long massage for $60. Reeca Towler is my favorite. They also offer massage packages and sauna packages that allow you to purchase multiple massages or sauna uses at a discounted rate. You can also check out some of the deal sites and their twitter feed for discounts.

Shiatsu Massage School of California partners with them for workshops such as Sports Massage. Now we all love to receive massage however why not give a little massage. With 6 lessons for $400 you can learn about the body and even get some in class practice and more importantly be practiced on. Check there website for individual classes that include self massage and breathing techniques.

I know this is a luxury not a necessity however sometimes we all need a little tenderness.

For organic and natural shoppers they carry oodles of products including Alba Botanic, the Bio Bio Baby organic line of shampoos, henna hair coloring, and the Get Fresh spa collection.

Trying to score even bigger discounts, go to their sale page for items such as curling irons and La Luz soap.

However what am I to do during this period. Exercise gives me confidence, chases away the blues, and makes sure that worries are left on the doorstep. I don’t workout enough to look much different but I do workout to feel better. 

Lululemon surprised me with free yoga class on Sunday. It works like any other yoga class. Come in, roll out your mat, take class, roll up your mat, and go. It’s free and the one I took last Sunday had a very good routine with the instructor coming around to offer corrections for my downward dog.  Plus check the calendar for additional treats when they have the time and the teacher. The gear is pricey however the you are under no obligation to buy and they have the occasional markdowns. 

Now for runners, they have a weekly run club with  all levels welcome!  They even have stretching and refreshments afterwards. Meet new people, make sure that you are adhering to best practices, and run with company.  That’s two ways to workout for free at one location. Use the store locator to see what’s happening at your local Lululemon.

Let’s start with organic products – 22 ounces of Organic Raw Honey for $6.35, 8 ounces of organic shredded coconut for $2.68, 12 ounces organic whole bean French Roast for $8.20, 16 ounces of Arrowhead Mills organic flax seed for $2.70!

Moving right along to shampoos- 11 ounces of Kiss My Face Whenever Shampoo for $4.19, 32 ounces of Avalon Nourishing Lavender Shampoo for $10.67,  18 ounces Nature’s Gate Pomegranate Sunflower Shampoo for $3.90!

Organic Agave sweetener 23.5 ounces for $6.53!

Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent White Flower and Bergamot Citrus 7 lbs for $13.73!

And Aubreys, Alba Botanica, Burts Bees, Jason, Zia!

So many types of vitamins and herbs that you are going to have to see for yourself!

Now The Frugal Diva knows what you are thinking. What in the world is it going to cost to ship all this? $4.99 per order – that means if you get one item, two items, or ten items it will cost you $4.99 shipping. 

And as a diva it’s so nice to have things appear at your doorstep without having to schlep out to the store.

Now this is going to sound very unfrugal however joining a gym might be a good investment if (and this is a big if) you are going to use the facilities. I recommend the larger chains such as 24 Hour Fitness.(The Frugal Diva is a member however receives no compensations for mentioning them). They have more classes (aerobics to zumba), keep up the facilities nicely, you can use a variety of locations, and they probably will not be closing down any time soon. Remember to look for deals and bargain, bargain, bargain. They need members and you have all the power. Read the contract carefully and look for any hidden charges.

Ask for the free 7 day pass to see if it fits into your schedule. It should be either near home or work. The classes that you are interested in need to be at times that you can attend.  Remember if you don’t attend at least once or twice a week, this is a waste of money. The more you attend, the better the deal. The other benefit of the gym, it is a great option when you don’t have money to spend on other activities. It gives you choices that make you healthy and keep you out of the mall.  Saturday morning might be a yoga class, swimming, and a sauna – your very own day spa experience.

And many locations have Kid’s Clubs where children can hang out while you exercise.  This is fun place with activities,  games, and close supervision.  Kids’ Club availability, rates, and hours vary per location.

Good health is the best wealth.