My Herby Valentine (Part III): Mask of the Month - Divine Valentine!


The 'My Herby Valentine' series wraps up the week with this month's mask - Divine Valentine!

Having stocked up on goodies for V-Day, it seemed appropriate to whip them up into a tasty face treat! Full of quintessential Valentine's goodies - roses, berries, chocolate and wine - this mask smells heavenly - how Valentine's Day is supposed to smell! And it's just as good for your skin. :)

Why it's good for your skin:
  • Strawberries are naturally exfoliating and can also help to slightly lighten areas of hyperpigmentation.
  • Roses are demulcent and help to soothe and protect skin.
  • Cocoa powder is loaded with skin-loving antioxidants to nourish skin.
  • Raw honey is soothing, nourishing, moisturizing and antibacterial.
  • Wine is naturally exfoliating, toning and firming.
What's not to love???

Divine Valentine

1 very ripe strawberry
1 teaspoon (or more) ground dried organic rose petals
1/2 teaspoon organic cocoa powder
a drizzle of raw honey
a splash of sparkling wine
1 drop rose or palmarosa essential oil (optional)

1. Mash the ripe strawberry in a bowl with a fork.


2. Grind dried rose petals in a clean coffee grinder until ground. It is OK if they are a little chunky. It will add to the sensory experience and texture of the mask. :)


3. Mix the ground rose petals into the smashed berry to make a thick mixture. Add extra ground petals to reach your desired consistency.


4. Mix in the cocoa powder.


5. Add a drizzle of honey.

6. And a splash of sparkling wine for a fun little fizzing action on your face. :)


7. Apply immediately to freshly cleansed and exfoliated skin and leave on for 15 minutes while savoring a nice piece of dark chocolate. YUM! Remove with a warm, damp cloth and finish with your favorite toner (rosewater would be nice!) and moisturizer.

LOVE YOURSELF THIS VALENTINE'S DAY. YOU DESERVE IT! :)

Do you have a favorite chocolate, berry, wine or rose recipe?










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My Herby Valentine (Part II): Recipes for Love

A handmade Valentine's Day, infused with love...
Valentine's Day, more than any other holiday, it seems, lends itself to handcrafted goodies made with love. Here are links to some of my favorite, old and new recipes to share with a sweetheart...










What are you making your sweethearts this Valentine's Day?
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My Herby Valentine (Part I): Elixirs of Love


The season of wine and roses is upon us! This is the first of a 3 part post on some of my favorite fun and frisky Valentine's finds, from herbal love potions to decadent body care recipes.

I figured with the first post, I'd just cut to the chase. Sure Valentine's Day is about hearts and lace and flowers, but when you get right down to it, it's all about the lovin'!

Throughout time people have been fascinated with magical potions designed to win the heart of a beloved. Many herbs and plants have been used for ages in different preparations for the very purpose of arousing passion: damiana, ginseng, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon and cocoa to name a few.

Searching, searching for the magical Love Potion #9...

But do elixirs of love really exist today? Sure they do! Grab one of these real live love potions and see for yourself. :)


CoreyPine Shane's Love Potion, Hot Blend

I picked up this saucy, handmade tincture when I was at the Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference this past September. Herbalist CoreyPine Shane laces it with damiana, ginseng, vanilla, cinnamon, muira puama and raw honey for a warming and relaxing herbal aphrodisiac treat. Does it work? Let's just say it is now a staple in our house. Ahem...moving on...

CoreyPine also has another delightful heart-centered love potion containing damiana, rose, vanilla, lavender and rosewater for you romantics out there. :)

Humbolt Herbals Love Potion No. 9

This sweet smelling blend is described as a "stimulating blend full of spice and vigor" and can be used as a tea or a mulling blend for wine (it goes nicely mulled with a Cabernet). It is blended with delightful herbs such as muira puama, cinnamon, shatavari, cardamom and roses.

Herbal Revolution Chocolate Love Elixir

A lovely find on Poppy Swap! While I have not personally tried this elixir, it is loaded with yummies like vanilla bean, organic cocoa powder, organic strawberry extract and natural rosewater. Add that to the damiana, ginseng and ginger and it sounds like a recipe for love to me! Herbal Revolution suggests taking this straight, in a tea or cocktail, on ice cream or on your partner! YOWZA!

Kings Road Apothecary C'mere Baby

Another Poppy Swap find (LOVE them)! This potion is described as "an aphrodisiac potion to inspire fits of wanton lust!" Um...yes, please! This medicinal blend is loaded with chocolate, vanilla, rose, ashwaghanda, cordyceps and cinnamon. You had me at "wanton lust!"


Hope this adds a little spicy fun to kick off your Valentine's Day! Do you have any secret love potions?























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