Saving in This Economy ... The Farmers' Market

So it's 2010, and you want to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. You find decent produce prices at Walmart, but the quality is subpar. You head over to Whole Foods, where the quality is exceptional, but the prices make your jaw drop. If you don't know about the place that combines good quality with low prices -- the farmers' market -- I will share it with you today.

What is a farmers' market? In a nutshell, it is a market, generally outdoors, where local farmers bring leftover fruits, vegetables, and sometimes, eggs and meats to sell. The produce is typically cheaper than that sold in the grocery stores because the farmers are looking to get rid of their extra harvest. Additionally, the middle man is cut out of the picture, which means more profit for the local farmer and more savings for the buyer. Depending on the market, the food is generally tastier, fresher, and/or more organic than that sold in the stores. Farmers' markets are not open daily like grocery stores; they generally operate a couple times in the month.

This morning, I went to my first farmers' market since who knows when in an effort to be more economical in 2010. I was amazed that I was able to purchase four grocery bags worth of tomatoes, celery, onions, red lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower for $18.50. Just out of curiosity, I stopped at Target along the way to compare a couple of prices:

FARMERS' MARKET:
*Tomatoes - $2/lb
*Onion - $0.50/each
*Celery - $0.50/each

TARGET:
*Tomatoes - $3.49/lb
*Onion - $0.99/each
*Celery - $1.99/each

And there we have it! If you are aiming to eat healthier this year while also saving some change, check out your local farmers' market. You may be amazed!

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DIRECTORY OF FARMERS' MARKETS
MORE ABOUT FARMERS' MARKETS

Homemade Spa Treatment

Spa treatments are a great way to destress and relax. Don't have the time or money for one? Well, no worries. You can bring the spa home to you with the following recipes:


OLIVE OIL HAND SOAK
"This will help moisturize and revive your hands, and help the nails, too."

Ingredients:
½ cup of warmed olive oil (not hot, be careful!)

Directions:
Put warmed olive oil in a dish where you can place both your hands. Dip your hands in the warm olive oil and let them soak "in all the wonderful fats olive oil has to give".


PEPPERMINT FOOT SOAK
"Very refreshing after a long day."

Ingredients:
Water enough to cover your feet and reach your ankles
3 drops of peppermint essential oil
1 drop of eucalyptus essential oil and 1 drop of lemon essential oil (these two are optional but aid the invigorating sensation of this foot soak

Directions:
Boil water and let it cool down a bit. Add the oils and soak feet as long as you like.


PURE SUNSHINE BUBBLE BATH
"Whose citrusy properties are energy boosting and soothing at the same time."

Ingredients:
6 drops of orange oil
4 drops of grapefruit oil
3 drops of lemon oil
1 quart of distilled water
1 bar of castille soap (4 oz. Bar)
4 ounces liquid glycerin

Directions:
Mix the water, soap and glycerin together and stir. Now add your essential oils to the mixture.


Both recipes and more can be found at: http://www.skin-care-recipes-and-remedies.com/home-spa.html. Foot soak recipes can be found here.

If you are pregnant or have a disorder, be sure to speak with your doctor before using essential oils.

Natural Skin Care - On a Budget

Have you ever splurged on a name-brand skin care product only to find out that it doesn't work for you? Or have you always wanted to try that expensive natural skin care product, but its ... well, expensive? If you find yourself wastefully pouring cash into the skin care industry, or if you're wanting to try a natural skin care routine without spending much money, then read on ...

Here are just a few of several skin care recipes that you can whip up on your own for cheap:

Egg Face Lift Mask
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon of sugar

Whisk the egg yolks until the mass is firm and consistent. Add sugar gradually and mix well to combine the two. Apply on the face and leave on for 25 minutes. Wash off with warm water using a wash cloth.

Strawberry Mask for Oily/Problematic Skin
1/2 cup of strawberry
1/4 cornstarch

Mix strawberries and cornstarch together to make a paste. Apply to face. Leave for 30minute rinse off with cool water.

Cucumber and Olive Oil Mask for Dry Skin
3oz cucumber very finely diced
3tsp olive oil
2tsp live yogurt

Mix above ingredients into a fine paste. Leave to dry for about 15 minutes then wash off with cold water. Skin feels soft, conditioned and clean.

Other tips?
Instead of splurging on an exfoliating product at the store, buy some sugar or brown sugar for less, mix a bit with your regular cleanser, and like magic, you have a homemade exfoliant. The grains aid in sloughing off dead skin cells and dirt.

Want a deeper clean without having to spend some serious cash at the local store? Grab a little baking soda, mix it with your regular cleanser, and you have yourself a deep cleanser. Baking soda is a cleaning agent; its powdery texture also aids in exfoliating the skin.

Sources:
MORE RECIPES

Recession Hair Care - Product Alternatives

Healthy hair isn't reserved for those who can spend, spend, spend. Despite whatever economic hardship you're experiencing, you can have it too. If buying that $15 salon-quality moisturizer or $22 organic conditioner will put a hole in your pocket, try mixing your own products for less. Here are a few ideas:

SHAMPOO:
Instead of spending a portion of your check on pricey shampoos, opt for liquid Castile Soap instead. (About $8 for 32oz.) This soap is inexpensive and lasts a long time. Another alternative? Buy a box of baking soda for under $1, add a bit your conditioner, and then wash with the concoction.

CREAMY MOISTURIZER:
Purchase 1lb of shea butter for around $10 and your favorite oil (coconut, safflower, olive, etc.) for under $10. Whip up your own creamy moisturizer from this combination, and have a product that lasts you a year or more -- longer than your commericial product option. Allergic to shea butter? Try another butter like mango or avocado.

* Add conditioner to your mix for another $1 (e.g., Suave, V05)

SPRITZ MOISTURIZERS:
Save the $4 or more you spend on braid sprays or daily spritzes, because there's a cheaper option. Purchase a mini spray bottle for around $1 and a bottle of your favorite oil for under $10. Mix some water (FREE) and some drops of oil in the spray bottle. That's it! What happens if you run out of this concoction you just made? Just whip up some more. Your little use of oil should last you several months to a year, depending on the amount you purchased initially. This is another homemade product that is cheaper in the long run.

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS:
Buy a bottle of an inexpensive conditioner, such as V05 or Suave, for around $1. Purchase a mini spritz bottle for around $1. Mix some conditioner with water in the bottle, and for $2 you have a leave-in!

MOISTURIZING DEEP CONDITIONER:
Shea butter and certain oils have conditioning properties. In many cases, the creamy moisturizer you mix can also be used as a deep conditioner. Just warm the mixture, apply it to your hair, put on a shower cap, wrap with a towel, and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Rinse it out and your hair will feel soft and moisturized. Another option? Opt for LustraSilk Cholesterol conditioner for under $2 ($3 in some places) and throw in your favorite oil.

HARDCORE RECESSION:
Three products that are multi-purpose and will allow some to manage until times are not so rough: castile soap (~$8), shea butter (~$10 per lb), and coconut oil ($10). Need cleansing? Use castile soap. Need moisture or conditioning? Mix shea butter with coconut oil, or use them separately. For under $30, these products can last you up to a year.

SHOWER CAP:
Do you find yourself purchasing shower caps more often than you'd like? Well, keep that money in your pocket and use the grocery bags you're collecting for shower caps.

DON'T FEEL LIKE MIXING?:
Sometimes, finding inexpensive alternatives is just a matter of shopping around. Check out Big Lots, Walmart, and Target instead of shopping at your local beauty supply store. Look at www.vitacost.com for cheap alternatives to Vitamin Shoppe.

DRINK WATER:
Save the coins you're spending on soft drinks and chug down water instead. Water will do more for your hair (and body) healthwise than soft drinks.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
- It is best to mix a small batch from the ingredients you purchase AND store the batch in the refridgerator until your next use. This minimizes spoilage.
- Don't start the habit of making homemade mixtures with the same tools you use prepare your food. Keep a separate stack of tools for each purpose.
- If you want oils and butters in their purest form, go for extra virgin and unrefined, respectively.
- Essential oils can add a natural fragrance to your mixtures. Some also have moisturizing and stimulation properties. Adding essential oils will cost you another $5+, but a little goes a long way so it may be well worth it. Beware of certain essential oils if you are pregnant or have other medical conditions.
-Other inexpensive items include honey (for conditioning), glycerin (for moisturizing or conditioning), etc.

FOR MORE MIXTURE IDEAS:
MOTOWNGIRL
HOMESTEAD
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