For your face:
Purpose: Remove dead skin without drying
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 lime
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 Tbsp raw sugar
Directions: In a bowl, mash the banana with a fork, mixing in the juice from the lime half. When it’s smooth, blend in the baking soda. Add the sugar last, as this will start to dissolve on contact. Put a small amount (~1 Tbsp) on your (clean) face, and rub in small circles. Rinse off in 5-10 minutes.
Funny observation: If you didn’t blend it well enough, there might be some banana chunks that will make it look as though a camel has sneezed on your face. Do not be alarmed, and remember that the ability to laugh at yourself is important for lightheartedness and sanity.
Why it works: The acid from the lemon and enzymes in the banana help to chemically remove dead skin cells, while the sugar scrub performs the same function mechanically. The baking soda is also good for exfoliating, but I believe dissolved entirely; however it does react with the acid to give the mixture a lighter, fluffier consistency.
For you to eat:
Ingredients:
- Banana mixture from above
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 c all purpose flour
- 1/2 c whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 3/4 c milk
- pinch of salt
- chocolate chips (optional)
Directions: Mix the egg, vanilla, and milk into the banana mixture. Blend the flours, baking powder, and salt together in another bowl, and add the wet mixture to it. Stir lightly to mix – do not over mix, as this will make the pancakes rubbery! Pour onto a hot griddle and add the chocolate chips (or berries!); flip when bubbles rise to the top.
