Put a Cucumber On It

Click HERE to view the Refreshing Cool-Cucumber-Lime All Over Organic Body Massage Lotion we just whipped up at our Moonsway Shop~



Our garden is exploding with ripe vegetables and herbs... We have literally spent the last 4 days (or more.. they are all running together at this point!) canning, blanching, freezing, and preserving, trying to keep up with all that we need to harvest before anything goes bad.


It is a rewarding feeling like no other when you can say that you have harvested about 130 ears of corn, 10 pounds or so of collards and 30 jars worth of pickling cucumbers all from your backyard! Not to mention the 100 pounds of tomatoes starting to ripen, and... well, you get the point.


Today I have vowed to take the day off (with the exception of harvesting beans later, as my loving husband just pointed out as I type this very sentence!! LOL) from gathering and cleaning, so that I can get back to my other passion - Creating natural, organic skin care and sharing my experiences with YOU!

A lot of my products contain ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Mango Butter, Rosehip Seed Oil, etc., and all must be purchased from a store or online. But, looking around, we can always make something soothing for our skin from things we have growing in our very yard, or maybe already purchased and it is sitting in the vegetable drawer in the fridge!


So today we will create with cucumbers!


Slice one open and you can smell its refreshing aroma from across the room. But there is so much more to them than their delicious smell and taste!


After doing much more research, I have found all kinds of incredible benefits and now I want to share them with you....


Cucumbers are infamous skin-soothers and have been used for ages to help treat and relax inflammation in the skin. The Ascorbic acid/Vitamin C prevents water retention; the antothenic acid/Vitamin B5 helps in the retention of moisture; and the combination of these vitamins, as well as other nutrients, makes for a great, natural moisturizer. Also, these green wonders have silica, a building block of collagen, which helps to reduce wrinkles!


But wait.. there's more! Another powerful antioxidant found in cucumbers is Vitamin K. It helps to remove the excess hemoglobin that results in those pesky dark circles under the eyes that we're always trying to fight. Also, Retinol (vitamin A), helps to control and reduce the production of melanin, which causes dark spots too!


Now that we are all in awe of these all-around-green-delights, let's start creating!


For an easy remedy, you can simply apply cucumber slices directly to your skin anywhere you need soothing, and go ahead and lean back in your recliner or on your bed with cool, fresh slices over your eye lids! (peeled or mostly peeled cucumbers rest easier on the eyes, from experience) Turn on some soothing, ambient music and take a mini-vacation for yourself, all while reducing dark circles and signs of 'tired eyes'.


If you want to go a step further, juice your cucumber (or just peal, chop and mash it) and add the cucumber juice to your favorite lotion. It will add its natural and yummy aroma, and boost your lotion with all the vitamins we talked about above!


If you want to go even further, you can create this amazing cucumber toner from this recipe I have created for you. :)

As always, avoid non-organic foods and products to avoid the detrimental effects of GMO's!

Visit our shop for our latest creations.... Moonsway ~ Dedicated to inspiring a more natural approach to skin and body care.

Thanks for reading!

Bright Blessings & Namaste~

<3 Amanda*

3 DIY Ways You Can Use Honey For Skin Care at Home

I was inspired to write about the attributes of honey after a conversation my neighbor and I had yesterday as she handed our daughter blueberries through the fence, and as I picked her one of our yummy, organic cucumbers from our garden. She mentioned how she has been inspired to research the more natural ways of using products already around the house after I shared my experiences with the healing effects of coconut oil (of which I promise to write about soon!). This made me all sorts of warm and fuzzy inside and now my hope is to inspire you to do the same!




So, let's talk about honey! It is a common household product that we love to pour over certain foods and enjoy in teas & sometimes even coffee, but what if we are missing out on something else really special about honey?




For thousands of years, all the way back to ancient India and Egypt, honey has been used as a natural skin care treatment. Honey was used in baths, mixed with oils or simply applied directly to the skin as a natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent. Honey penetrates deeply into the pores, cleansing them of impurities, while also moisturizing the skin, giving a natural, radiating glow.


We have been known to use honey in our Moonsway products, of course, with our current and most recent creation being our facial mask that you can find here. With the combination of essential oils used, Australian clay, honey, and added oils, this mask will have you feeling brand new with each use!


But if you are feeling crafty and/or simply want instant gratification (....and I'm also speaking to those who are already eagerly holding the honey in ready position!), here are 6 ways you can use honey for skin care at home. Enjoy!!

• Honey Mask~  The easiest way to use honey is to enjoy it in its pure, raw form without adding anything else at all! Dampen skin and apply a thin layer of honey in a massaging, circular motion. Allow to sit for as long as you want, but 15-20 minutes is a good amount of time. Rinse with warm water or a steaming hot wash cloth and feel instant results.

• Honey Bath~  Another simple use for honey is to pour 1-2 cups under warm running water as you fill your bath. Soak for 20 minutes, or longer if you wish. This is a great go-to treatment during winter months for extra dry and itchy skin!

• Honey Spot Treatment~   For blemishes, bumps and pimples, mix 1 egg white with a tablespoon of honey and apply directly to affected area. The egg white also naturally draws out impurities, adding extra strength to your honey treatment when needed, and is great for bringing white-heads and black-heads to the surface.

May you find inspiration to turn to honey, as well as other natural products for your skin care needs more often, while finding less attachment to chemically infused, commercially made products! Remember, what goes on your skin, soaks into your pores and enters into your bloodstream, essentially effecting how we operate on the inside.


As always, custom orders are welcome and encouraged! So if you would like something special made and would like us to make it for you, please visit our Moonsway Shop and request a Custom Order to fit your needs, wants and desires!




Thanks for reading, and happy experimenting~


<3 Amanda*