By Dawn Lerman

In winter, low temperatures, low humidity and strong, gusty winds deplete skin of its natural lipid layer, which keeps the skin from drying out. The dry air from heating sources also sucks the moisture out of kids’ delicate skin .Keeping your nieces and nephews’ skin soft this winter season can be simple, with some magic auntie tips.

The goal is two-fold; not only do you want to add moisture to skin, but you want to keep the skin’s natural moisture in. Moisturizing, staying hydrated and eating an omega-rich diet will help to keep your skin – and that of your nieces and nephews - to stay moist and hydrated.
 
-Keep skin smooth with omegas. To relieve your nieces’ and nephews’  cracked, dry winter skin, look no farther than your local health foods store. Organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is ideal for skin, both topically and when ingested.

Topically, it helps protect your skin from the drying effects. Coconut oil will not only bring temporary soothing effects to your skin, but it will aid in restoring your skin’s soft feel and help heel dry cracked skin. The coconut oil will aid in exfoliating the outer layer of dead skin cells, making the skin smoother. It also penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin to strengthen the underlying tissues. So slather it on your little ones’ faces, body and hands. Best used at night since it is heavy and needs to absorb.

-Eat an omega-rich diet. Eating a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids is the best way to nourish your nieces’ and nephews’ skin from the inside-out. Try this fool-proof  omega-rich coconut raisin cookie. They are not only delicious, but  baking together will create great Auntie bonding time.  

 
Coconut Raisin Cookies
 
Ingredients
1 cup coconut flour
3/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup maple syrup
6 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp ground flax seeds
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup chopped walnuts
 
Directions
Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Combine oil, maple syrup, flax seeds, eggs, and vanilla. Add shredded coconut, raisins and coconut flour. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Make golf ball size balls and then flatten with fork. Wet hands before forming the cookies to keep the batter from sticking.

Bake for 20-30 minutes or until lightly browned.