A dear friend was expecting her baby anyday and I wanted to include a gift for her with all the baby stuff. She’s a coffee lover so I did some research online line for various coffee/sugar scrubs and like always tweaked it to make it my own. The caffeine is suppose to be good for cellulite and varicose veins; and the aroma should help wake the senses after those sleep deprived nights that come with a new baby.
Coffee Sugar Scrub
1/4 cup coffee grounds
1 tsp unbrewed ground coffee (optional caffeine booster)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Extra-virgin olive oil about 1/3 cup more or less to desired consistency
Optional add ins:
cinnamon
Nutmeg
Peppermint extract
Almond extract
When I first mixed the scrub I was disappointed with the aroma so I added the cinnamon. Don’t worry if the olive oil scent initially overpowers the coffee. After it sits overnight the coffee scent will bloom. My hubby who is a coffee person didn’t like the cinnamon version so I kept that one for myself and mixed up a double batch of the base recipe for my friend. I have to say I’ve been using it on my thighs about three times a week for past three weeks and I think I can tell a difference in my cellulite. Sometimes doing nice things for others results in nice things for ourselves too. I never would’ve made this for me because I’m not a coffee person. Now I’m thinking I found a great add on for Mothers Day.
Just a note I don’t like this scrub on the rest if my body. It’s too grainy and doesn’t rinse well. The coffee sticks to my arm hair so if you don’t shave your legs this might not be the scrub for you. Also the EVOO is too thick for a facial scrub. So stick to the thighs and legs and maybe hands for this one.
I found a nice squatty extra-wide mouth jar for my friend. But when I mixed up a couple of batches for Mama and Sis I used wide mouth pint canning jars. Since the opening is smaller, and therefore more difficult to get to with your fingers, I wanted to add a scoop. What could I use for a scoop? I thought about those heavy duty clear plastic spoons left over from #1 Son’s birthday party. The handles were too long. They really needed a curved handle anyway since they’ll be wet and oily. Flashback to sitting at Christmas parties bored to tears because no one my age was dancing, melting the plasticware and putting out small controlled burns of napkins and other decor. (I promise I’m not a pyro or anything). Anyways . . . I lit a candle and pretended I was 13 again. (Caution may emit toxic fumes or result in house fire. Please use common sense and don’t damage your lungs or your house. 🙂 After a few trials and errors I came up with a shape I think will work. Shaping the spoon was really tricky but I felt it needed to be just a tad deeper than a standard spoon. The handle wasn’t too difficult. I looped it around in three bends. This leaves a nice loop for your finger. The photo below has some scorching but with practice I was able to bend it without the charred effect. (I gave both of those away though before I took a picture). I have no idea how these will hold up, but I’ll ask my Mom and Sis to keep us posted.
I hope this gives you some ideas for great homemade gifts of your own.
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