Spring 2019 Dime in Time

Remember to bring your reusable bags and coffee mugs to the Co-op when you shop - it reduces your waste and also adds up to donations for community organizations in the Pullman-Moscow region!

This quarter, your dimes are going to PFLAG Moscow and the Latah Recovery Center.

PFLAG Moscow is the local chapter of a national nonprofit organization that serves LGBTQIA+ individuals and their families, friends, neighbors, and allies.  Based in Moscow, the group serves the greater palouse region, drawing members from surrounding communities in both Idaho and Washington. The organization is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy.  
The funds from the Dime in Time program will be used to supplement the Rainbow Directory project.  PFLAG Moscow has begun offering an ADA-compliant gender-neutral bathroom sign to Rainbow Directory participants who do not already have appropriate signage, in order to help them further advertise their welcoming and affirming nature.

LRC is a walk-in recovery community center for those dealing with addiction and/or mental health issues, offering a variety of life skills groups and classes, as well as peer mentoring for individuals in long-term recovery. They work mutually with other community resources to make sure every client gets the individual support that they need.

The funds from the Dime in Time program will supplement the process of organizing a support group run by and for Military Veterans. There will be professional training available for those who would like to lead the meetings and it will be up to the group to plan the content to accommodate the vets who attend.

As always, you can also donate your dime to the Co-op Community Fund to help support projects by Co-ops everywhere! The money you donate here becomes loan capital for Co-ops, and the interest is returned to us to re-invest in our community. Your donated dimes go further when you support the Co-op Community Fund!

Soothing Skin with Honey

With this snowy weather on the Palouse, all our skin is in need of some sweet relief. Get a healthy, honeyed glow with just a few basic ingredients from your kitchen! Many high-end skin care products contain ingredients derived from nature: extracts from fruits, plant oils, and honey, for example. Why not put together your own easy, enjoyable and chemical-free DIY facial?

For fresh, clean, moisturized skin your go-to ingredient is honey. Not only is honey a natural humectant, (meaning it attracts moisture) but it has proven antibacterial, antiseptic action. Applied to your skin, honey gently disinfects blemishes and kills bacteria while protecting your skin and sealing in moisture. Compare this to conventional skin care ingredients used against blemishes that often contain alcohol and harsh acids which can leave skin dry and irritated. No contest!

We have tons of honey at the Moscow Food Co-op, including bulk honey from local Woodland Apiaries ($4.99/lb.), creamed honey in 16 oz. jars for $10.99 (its thickness makes less of a mess in the kitchen,) and even 12 lb. gallons available!

Honey Facial Recipes

Here are some recipes for homemade honey facials for a variety of skin types. For maximum benefit, choose raw honey that has not been pasteurized, to ensure vitamin and enzyme content is as high as possible. All recipes assume a base of 2 tablespoons honey at room temperature—enough for one facial.

For normal skin:

Mix in 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice contains naturally occurring alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that gently exfoliate dead skin cells and work to even out skin tone.

For oily/acne-prone skin:

Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. The addition of cinnamon, a noted antibacterial, doubles the blemish-busting strength of this facial. Not appropriate for people with sensitive skin.

For dry skin:

Mix in 1 teaspoon mashed avocado and/or 1 teaspoon plain yogurt. Rich plant-based fat from the avocado moisturizes while lactic acid from the yogurt stimulates collagen production and exfoliates dead skin.

For sensitive skin:

Mix in 1 teaspoon aloe vera gel. You can find aloe gel in the Wellness department of the Moscow Food Co-op, or buy a healthy aloe plant and snap off a leaf and scoop out the gel whenever you need it.

Once you have chosen your formula*, mix ingredients well and apply to clean, damp skin, avoiding eye area. Leave treatment on for 10-15 minutes and rinse well with warm water until no honey remains. Discard remaining honey mixture and enjoy your beautiful, replenished skin!

*Important: always do a test-patch with new facial products on the tender skin of your inner forearm before applying to your face to check for negative reactions. If you have an allergy to bees, pollen, or honey seek a professional’s advice before trying this at home.