We all know the old adage that spilling salt brings bad luck. Well, as with most superstitions, this one has some basis in fact: In ancient times, when this belief arose, salt was such a rare and valuable commodity that losing even a little bit of it really was bad luck. As for what you’re supposed to do to stop the bad luck—toss a pinch of salt over your left shoulder—there’s a reason for that, too. In most cultures, folks believed that good spirits followed you on your right side and evil spirits followed you on the left. So, they reasoned, if you tossed some salt over your left shoulder, it would hit that bad guy square in the eye and distract him from his dirty tricks.
Whether you buy in to this superstition or not is your business, but I know for a fact that salt can bring a form of good luck—it’s a superstar performer that you should always have on hand for your health and beauty needs, like this Wintertime Foot Freshener:
Your feet can develop unpleasant aromas at any time of the year, but they’re at especially high risk when you wear boots all day, as many folks do in the winter. That’s when it pays to have this four-step trick up your sleeve:
STEP 1: Mix 1 cup of coarse sea salt, 5 tablespoons of olive or coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and 1 tablespoon of peppermint extract in a bowl, stirring just until blended.
STEP 2: Soak your feet in a basin of warm water for 10 to 15 minutes.
STEP 3: Starting at your toes, massage the salt mixture into your skin with your fingertips, making small circular motions. Pay special attention to your soles and any rough areas.
STEP 4: Rinse thoroughly, pat dry, and apply your favorite moisturizer.
Repeat the procedure as often as needed to keep your tootsies feeling—and smelling—as fresh as spring daisies.
why cocoa??
It turns out that certain types of chocolate, particularly cocoa powder, may contain antioxidants. So cocoa is perfect for exfoliating and invigorating skin!