Body & Soul: Grow a Complexion Garden

<p>Whether you have a pot full of fresh herbs or a whole yard full of produce, green plants are beneficial to your well-being. We benefit from spring and summer days spent outdoors tending to our growing plants. Gardens are places where we can clear our minds, exercise our bodies, and fill our tables with an assortment of fresh vegetables, flowers and herbs.<br />
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Many of us have gotten back to our roots and planted gardens or expanded our existing plots. This year, you can expand your plantings with a “healthy-complexion garden.” This collection of common garden plants will give your complexion a boost and can be used to create your own bath and body products. If you don’t want to plant a garden or don’t have the space, you can still reap the benefits of fresh produce by visiting your local farmers’ markets or “you-pick” farms. </p>
<h3>4 Complexion Garden Beauty Recipes</h3>
<p>• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/body-and-soul-soothing-cucumber-splash.aspx”>Soothing Cucumber Splash</a>
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• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/body-and-soul-relaxing-lavender-bath.aspx”>Relaxing Lavender Bath</a>
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• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/body-and-soul-herbal-body-scrub.aspx”>Herbal Body Scrub</a>
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• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/body-and-soul-pineapple-sage-facial-mask.aspx”>Pineapple Sage Facial Mask</a>
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<p>• <a href=”https://www.motherearthliving.com/natural-beauty/body-and-soul-complexion-garden-plant-list.aspx”>
<strong>Complexion Garden Plant List</strong>
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<h3>Find a Farm</h3>
<p>Pick-your-own farms and community gardens offer the ability to harvest fresh produce for little to no cost, while supporting your local community.<br />
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• <a href=”http://www.pickyourown.org/” target=”_blank”>www.pickyourown.org</a>
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• <a href=”http://www.communitygarden.org/” target=”_blank”>www.communitygarden.org</a>
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• <a href=”http://www.suite101.com/blog/jamiemcintosh/pick_your_own_produce_farms” target=”_blank”>www.suite101.com/blog/jamiemcintosh/pick_your_own_produce_farms</a>
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<h3>Try These</h3>
<p>Don’t have time to whip up our recipes? You can have healthy skin with these Herb Companion picks.<br />
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• Pre-Party Prep by <a href=”http://www.ekohcosmetics.com/” target=”_blank”>Eköh</a>, $35<br />
• Mojito White Chocolate Sugar Scrub by <a href=”https://www.sweetbeautyspa.com/” target=”_blank”>Sweet Beauty</a>, $22<br />
• Pore Perfecting Toner by <a href=”http://www.dickinsonbrands.com/skincare_yellow.htm” target=”_blank”>Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel</a>, $2.60</p>
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<em>Janice Cox is the author of</em> Natural Beauty from the Garden<em> (Henry Holt and Company, 1999). She recently co-authored a book with her daughter, Lauren Cox, called</em> EcoBeauty–Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends<em> (Ten Speed Press, 2009). Look for it in bookstores this fall.</em>
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