Olive Oil for LIFE!!!

If you are unaware that olive oil is a staple by now, then please, do yourself a favor and keep reading!

Health Benefits: This stuff is great! Olive oil is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that have been proven to help cure what ails you (heart disease, high cholesterol, cancer, stomach ulcers, and other chronic diseases).

Cook with it: Olive oil is extremely healthy, so make it a habit to go out of your way to use this stuff when preparing meals. As a matter of fact, I don't even use bottled salad dressing any more, I make my own! Its really simple, just mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar together, and VOILA, your own homemade dressing! Kick it up a notch by infusing your olive oil in a cruet with garlic, onions, peppers, herbs, and spices! You can find these anywhere, even at Target!

Also use it to saute chicken to lock in flavor and moisture, especially before baking! (I have some amazing recipes that are quick, easy, and really healthy!)

A BEAUTY must-have: Olive oil is great for your skin, hair, nails, and MORE!

• Use it as a hot oil treatment for your hair or make your own homemade conditioner with it! 1-2 egg yolks and 2 tbsp of olive oil mixed together does wonders, just let it sit for 20-30 minutes before you shampoo it off! Or, you can simply add a few drops to your existing conditioner if the mess just isn't worth it. Olive oil helps to treat hair loss, stimulate hair growth, and relieves dandruff, dry hair, split ends and breakage.
• Add a few drops to your facial cleanser if it is leaving your face dry after each wash. This will prevent your face from being stripped of the oils during the cleansing process without clogging your pores. Mix 2 tsp of milk, 1 tsp of honey and a few drops of olive oil, and you have yourself a recipe for a nice homemade facial! Make it a scrub by adding sugar to help exfoliate. (Note: Make sure you rinse thoroughly or use a warm wash cloth to cleanse so that your face isn't sticky.)
• Olive oil helps the skin to regain its elasticity, prevent wrinkles, and even skin tone. If you have dry skin, use it to add moisture to your skin. This works for chapped lips, cracked heels, dry cuticles, knees, elbows, and more! Add a few drops to your bath to further hydrate your skin as well!
• Use it as a makeup remover and even as a substitute for shaving cream! (This actually works, and your skin feels GREAT after shaving!)
  

Olive oil is great to use and great for you. Although it is a bit expensive, a little bit goes a long way, just make sure you use EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil. (Its a long explanation, but trust me on that one.) Finally, make sure you are well stocked! Make sure you have one bottle in your kitchen pantry and have another stored in your beauty cabinet!

Vaseline... Who KNEW???

Good ol' Vaseline... who knew it would come in handy for so many different uses? Besides preventing car battery corrosion and lubricating skate wheels, Vaseline has been a well kept beauty secret for years! Tyra Banks SWEARS by Vaseline, and you can too! Check it out:

• As A Moisturizer: After washing your face, rub in a small dab of Vaseline. Keep wetting face until the Vaseline Petroleum Jelly is spread evenly and does not appear greasy. Health spas use this secret treatment.
• For Makeup Removal: Vaseline helps to remove the toughest waterproof mascara, eye-liners, lipsticks, and other face makeups.
• Lip Balm. Use a little Vaseline on your lips before going outdoors and again before going to bed. It leaves your lips incredibly soft!!
  
• Skin protection for chemical hair treatments (coloring, perms, ect) Smooth Vaseline around areas where chemicals or color may come in contact with skin to prevent damage.
  
• Protect skin from dry weather. Use Vaseline on those extra dry parts of skin like the heels of your feet, or areas prone to chapping or wind burn.
• Shine your leather shoes. Buff leather shoes with a little Vaseline and watch them shine!
• Prevent shampoo from getting into baby's eyes. Smooth some Vaseline above the eyebrows on baby so that shampoo runs off to the side.
• Remove chewing gum from hair. Work Vaseline into the hair until the gum slides out.