Digestive and mouth freshner in one

Cloves are commonly used in kitchens during the winter months and the holidays, in particular. They lend a great flavour to food and desserts which is what most of us know about them. The lesser known and more important fact is that they have healing qualities - cloves are anti-inflammatory, help digest your food and are a known to have mild anaesthetic and anti-bacterial properties. This is what makes cloves great after a meal, especially a big one! Instead of reaching for the box of mints as many of us do after a meal, try popping in one clove. I warn you - it takes getting used to. Cloves have a very strong flavour and you can feel a tingling sensation on your tongue, which might be related to their anaesthetic property (I am not certain though). The best thing to do is place it between your molars and chew very gently and slowly to let the oils release. It helps digest your meal and leaves your mouth feeling and smelling fresh! The tingling sensation also goes away quickly, I promise.

Please leave me a comment if anyone tries this. I am sure others would be interested in your experience.

Oatmeal before breakfast - cleanser for dry skin

The heating and excessive coffee in the winter makes your skin look and feel so dull. Here is an easy to make face scrub normally recommended for dry skins but during the winter climate I think it would work just as well on combination skins. All you need is a couple of tablespoons of regular plain oatmeal mixed with 3-4 tbsps of buttermilk. Mix is thoroughly and apply it on your face and neck. Let it dry slightly (3-5 minutes) and then scrub very gently to remove dead skin. Rinse well with slightly lukewarm water and then a splash of cold water, if you dare!