Dutch Gold Honey

HONEY-ALMOND SCRUB

8 whole unblanched almonds
2 tablespoons rolled oats, uncooked
1 tablespoon ORANGE BLOSSOM honey
2 teaspoons yogurt, sour cream or lightly beaten egg white

Process almonds and oats in a blender until they are finely ground. In a small bowl, mix ground almonds and oats, orange blossom honey and yogurt until blended. Pat scrub on face and neck; leave it on for up to 10 minutes for extra softening. Wet your hands and massage gently to exfoliate. Rinse off.

Makes enough for 1 scrub.

(Orange Blossom honey will add a hint of citrus to this all natural exfoliating scrub)

HONEY-KISSED LIP BALM

1 cup sweet almond oil*
1/2 cup beeswax**
2 tablespoons EUCALYPTUS honey

Place almond oil and beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute or until mixture melts. Whisk honey into beeswax mixture; stir well. Set aside to cool completely. When cool, pour into small containers with lids. Apply to lips as a moisturizer or on top of lipstick for extra shine.

Makes about 1-1/2 cups.

*Sweet almond oil can be found at natural food stores.
**Beeswax can be purchased at craft and beekeeping stores, or at our Dutch Gold Honey facility.

(Eucalyptus honey is a great choice for lip balm since real eucalyptus is used is many commercial lip products)

ALOHA HONEY HAWAIIAN FACIAL

2 tablespoons green tea
1/2 ripe papaya (mango may be substituted)
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, diced
2 tablespoons GOLDEN honey

Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. Peel papaya wedge and remove seeds. In blender or food processor, blend papaya and pineapple until pureed. Pour into glass bowl and combine eucalyptus honey and green tea. Mix well. Apply to face with fan brush or finger tips. Recline and rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove completely with tepid water and soft facial cloth. Store in covered container in refrigerator for up to one week.

Makes 2 treatments.

Benefits: Exfoliates, hydrates and rejuvenates.

(Golden honey combines well with these golden fruits to create a fresh, invigorating facial)

FOAMING VANILLA HONEY BATH

1 cup sweet almond oil (light olive or sesame oil may be substituted)
1/2 cup TUPELO honey
1/2 cup unscented liquid soap
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Measure the oil into a medium bowl, then carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using.

Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water - then step in and descend into a warm, silky escape.

Makes 4 baths.

Tip: Banish the winter blahs and dissolve away the harshness of the day by relaxing in a soothing bath. Honey is nature's silky moisturizer and guaranteed to sweeten your mood!

(Tupelo pairs well with a foaming honey bath and will never crystallize between uses)

HONEY HAIR CONDITIONER

1/2 cup BLUEBERRY honey
1/4 cup olive oil, use 2 tablespoons for normal hair

Mix blueberry honey and olive oil. Work a small amount at a time through hair until coated. Cover hair with shower cap; leave on 30 minutes; remove shower cap; shampoo well and rinse. Dry as normal.

Makes 1 treatment.

(The sweet and earthy components of Blueberry honey are perfect for silky, shiny hair)

ROSEMARY HONEY HAIR CONDITIONER

1/2 cup ALFALFA honey
1/4 cup warmed olive oil, 2 Tablespoons for normal to oily hair
4 drops essential oil of rosemary
1 teaspoon xanthum gum (available in health food stores)

Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight fitting stopper or lid.

Apply a small amount at a time to slightly dampened hair. Massage scalp and work mixture through hair until completely coated. Cover hair with a warm towel (towel can be heated in a microwave or dryer) or shower cap; leave on to nourish and condition for 30 minutes. Remove towel or shower cap; shampoo lightly and rinse with cool water. Dry as normal and enjoy shinier, softer and healthier hair the natural way.

Makes 1 treatment.

The extremes of heat and cold we endure throughout winter can make even the greatest of hair look and feel like straw. This nourishing conditioner blends honey for shine; olive oil for moisture and essential oil of rosemary to stimulate hair growth.

(Alfalfa honey is light and less fragrant allowing the relaxing scent of the rosemary to come through)

HARVEST PUMPKIN EXFOLIATING MASK

4 Tbsp. pumpkin puree
1 Tbsp. WILDFLOWER honey
4 tsp. Cornmeal
2 tsp. aloe vera gel
2 tsp. pineapple, diced
1 tsp. green tea
1/2 tsp. sunflower oil
6 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)
4 drops cinnamon extract (optional)

Steep green tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. In blender or food processor puree pineapple and place in medium-sized mixing bowl. Add pumpkin, eucalyptus honey and aloe. Mix well. Stir in sunflower oil, green tea and cornmeal. Reserve remaining green tea for another use. Add frankincense and cinnamon. Stir. Apply small amount of pumpkin mask to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Massage in circular motions gently buffing skin. Repeat. Apply more product as needed. Leave a thing layer of pumpkin mask on face and neck for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse with tepid or cool water and pat dry with soft towel. Follow with appropriate moisturizer. Store remaining mask covered in refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Makes 4 treatments.

Benefits: Pumpkin enzymes dissolve dead skin cells while the cornmeal sweeps them clean. Honey has antimicrobial properties as well as moisturizes and softens. The result is a beautiful glowing complexion. Use this mask as often as you like.

(The boldness of Wildflower honey is a perfect compliment for a Fall inpsired facial to help your skin prepare for colder climates)

CRANBERRY LIP GLOSS

1 Tablespoon sweet almond oil
10 fresh cranberries
1 teaspoon honey
1 drop vitamin E oil

Mix all the ingredients together in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for two minutes or until the mixture just begins to boil. (Bowl may also be heated in a pan of water on a stovetop). Stir well and gently crush the berries. Cool mixture for five minutes and then strain through a fine sieve to remove all the fruit pieces. Stir again and set aside to cool completely. When cool, transfer into a small portable plastic container or tin.

Apply a small amount onto your lips and remember to smile!

Tips: Protect sensitive lips from the drying winter elements with this simple yet rich lip balm. Delightful to wear alone or on top of your lipstick for extra shine!

CUCUMBER HONEY EYE NOURISHER

1 Tbsp. aloe vera gel
2 tsp. cucumber, peeled with seeds removed
1/2 tsp. chamomile tea
1/2 tsp. honey

Steep chamomile tea in boiling water. Set aside to cool. In food processor or blender combine cucumber, aloe vera and honey. Blend on low setting. Add chamomile tea. Blend until smooth. Apply gently under eyes using ring finger. Store in glass dish covered with plastic wrap in refrigerator for up to one week. Best applied chilled.

Benefits: Reduces puffiness, cools and refreshes contours under eyes.

Makes 4 treatments

HONEY PEANUT POLISH

1 apricot
1 ripe pear
1/2 plum
3 tsp. honey
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts

In coffee grinder or food processor chop peanuts until almost powder consistency. Set aside. Using a blender or food processor combine apricot, pear and plum. Blend to gel consistency and place contents in glass or hard plastic bowl. Stir in honey and peanuts.

On cleansed skin apply small amount of honey peanut polish. Starting at the cheeks, massage in light circular motions moving to forehead, nose, chin and neck, reapplying product where needed. Repeat. Product may be left on skin as a mask or rinsed immediately. Remove with tepid or cool water. Pat dry skin with soft towel and follow with appropriate moisturizer. Cover and store remaining polish in refrigerator.

Benefits: Soothes dry, irritated skin. Also good for sensitive skin conditions.

Makes 2 treatments

FACIAL TONER

1 Tablespoon honey
1 apple, peeled and cored

In blender, puree honey with a peeled, cored apple. Smooth over face; leave on 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

FIRMING FACE MASK

1 Tablespoon honey
1 egg white
1 teaspoon glycerin (available at drug and beauty stores)
approx. 1/4 cup flour

Whisk together all ingredients and enough flour to form a paste (approximately 1/4 cup). Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

GENTLE HONEY CLEANSER

1/4 cup honey
1 Tablespoon liquid soap
1/2 cup glycerin (available at drug and beauty stores)

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until they are fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle.Pour onto clean face sponge or soft cloth and gently rub onto face, wash away with warm water and pat face dry.

Enjoy fresh radiant skin.

Tips: This cleanser is simple and effective. The soap gently cleans, the glycerin prevents drying and the honey not only softens the skin, but its antimicrobial properties can help ward off breakouts. A touch of honey is all you need for healthy, glowing skin.

GREEN HONEY GLOW MASK

4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup fresh mint
3 Tbsp. honey
1 piece (1-inch) ginger
1 ripe banana
2 egg whites

Rinse spinach thoroughly in colander. Cut and peel ginger, set aside. In food processor or blender combine spinach, mint and ginger. Blend on low setting. Add honey and banana and blend until liquid consistency. Add egg whites, blend until all ingredients are mixed thoroughly. Transfer to porcelain bowl or glass dish. On clean skin apply a small amount of Green Honey Glow to entire face and neck. Apply using a fan brush or finger tips. Allow to remain on skin for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and apply appropriate moisturizer. Store covered in refrigerator for up to one week.

Tips: Benefits: Beautiful glowing skin that feels youthful and tight.

Enjoy fresh radiant skin.

HAIR SHINE

1 teaspoon honey
4 cups warm water
Lemon (for blondes)

Stir honey into warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing pour mixture through hair. Do not rinse out. Dry as normal.

HONEY & OAT EXFOLIANT

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup oatmeal

1. Mix and smooth over face
2. Massage and leave on for 10 minutes.
3. Rinse off with warm water

HONEY CLEANSING SCRUB

1 Tablespoon honey
2 Tablespoons finely ground almonds
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix all ingredients. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

MOISTURE MASK

2 Tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons milk

Mix honey with milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

MORNING BUZZ BODY SCRUB

1/4 cup freshly ground coffee
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp. wheat germ
2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. grapeseed oil
1 egg white

In mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, honey, grapeseed oil and egg white, mix thoroughly. Slowly add coffee and wheat germ being careful not to clot or clump. Scrub should be smooth and creamy but with a slight grit. Allow to stand. Apply all over in shower or bath using a washcloth or body sponge to aid in exfoliation. Rinse completely. Towel dry and apply moisturizer. Chill remaining scrub if necessary.

Tips: Benefits: Rids the skin of dry patches and aids in circulation. Helps to reduce cellulite while it firms and tones. Leaves skin smooth and supple.

Makes 1-2 treatments

~ All recipes and photos provided by the National Honey Board ~