Cucumber and Avocado Summer Rolls | Beautiful Healthy Foods

Rich, nutty avocado is a great carrier of flavors, like the fresh herbs and cooling cucumber that star in these fresh rice-paper rolls—fitting, as these rolls are like a salad that is eaten out of hand.

 

Health Benefits

Mint = digestion

Avocado = Heart health: One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don't. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart.

Carrots = Anti-Aging The high level of beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant to cell damage done to the body through regular metabolism.  It help slows down the aging of cells.

Cucumbers = Hair Growth: Cucumber contains silicon and sulphur and thus a regular intake of cucumber can help promote healthy hair growth.

Ingredients:

• Juice from 1/2 lime
• 2 Tbs. rice bran or canola oil
• 1 Tbs. rice vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• 2 Haas avocados
• 20 rice paper rounds, 6 or 8 inches in diameter
• 10 green lettuce leaves
• Leaves from 1 bunch fresh basil
• Leaves from 1 bunch fresh mint
• 2 carrots, coarsely shredded
• 1/2 English cucumber, cut into thin strips

Directions:

In a small bowl, stir together the lime juice, oil, vinegar, mustard, soy sauce and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves; set aside.

Halve, pit and peel the avocados, and then cut them into 1/2-inch dice.

Place a wide, shallow bowl of warm water on a work surface. Lay a clean kitchen towel next to the bowl. Dip 1 rice paper round into the water for a few seconds to soften, then lay it flat on the towel. Dip a second round into the water and lay it directly on top of the first one. Using another towel, pat the top of the rice paper dry.

Center a lettuce leaf on top of the stacked rice papers. Starting about one-third in from the edge closest to you, arrange a few of the basil and mint leaves in a line across the lettuce. Top with a small row each of the carrot, cucumber and avocado; be careful not to overstuff the roll. Lift the bottom edge of the rice paper up and over the filling and then roll once to form a tight cylinder. Fold in the sides of the rice paper and continue to roll the paper and filling into a tight cylinder. Set aside, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining rice paper and filling ingredients to make 10 rolls.

Cut each roll in half crosswise and arrange, cut side up, on a platter. Place the sauce alongside for dipping and serve immediately. Makes 20 rolls; serves 8 to 10.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma New Flavors for Appetizers, by Amy Sherman (Oxmoor House, 2008).

May Strawberries... and healthy recipes

Although you can get strawberries grown in Florida, California and points beyond all year long, there’s nothing better than picking your own fully ripe berries in season. You can inhale the sweet fragrance, sample often, stain your fingers and pile up way more than you can use. Health-wise, strawberries are great—they boast fiber, more vitamin C than any other berry, and 1 cup of fresh whole strawberries has a respectable 35 micrograms of folate, the powerful B vitamin that creates normal red blood cells and is crucial for prenatal development. The anthocyanidins found in these ruby mouthfuls also help protect against heart disease. Get inspired with these delicious strawberry recipes. All are worthy of whipping up for a little strawberry social with family or friends.

Check out some of my favorite healthy strawberry recipes!

♥  Green Salad with Strawberries & Goat Cheese ♥

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup , or brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper , to taste
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 3 cups watercress, tough stems removed
• 2 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries , (about 12 ounces)
• 1/3 cup fresh chives, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans , (see Tip)
• 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese

Preparation

1. Whisk maple syrup (or brown sugar), vinegar, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add spinach, watercress, strawberries and chives; toss to coat. Divide the salad among 4 plates and top with pecans and goat cheese.

Tips & Notes

• Tip: To toast chopped or sliced nuts, stir constantly in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes. 

 

♥ Strawberry-Almond Smoothie ♥

Ingredients

• 10 frozen whole strawberries
• 1 cup almond milk or low-fat milk
• 1/2 cup silken tofu, (4 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Preparation

1. Combine strawberries, almond milk (or low-fat milk), tofu and sugar in a blender. Blend until frothy and smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into tall glasses and serve.

Tips & Notes

• Almond milk is a delicious, low-fat alternative to skim or low-fat milk, especially for the lactose-intolerant. 

Check out our live strawberry picking adventure at Mitchell's Berries below :)

Anti-aging secrets - Forget the fountain of youth

Forget the fountain of youth! A well-balanced diet can help you lose weight, live longer and feel fitter. But it can also help you look younger.  According to the Dr. Oz Show this is what you should know about anti-aging. "Load up a plate at the feel-better buffet and turn back the clock on a full (and happy) stomach." ~Dr. Oz

Photo Credits: nutrition mission

• Cucumbers are good for the skin. The silica in the peel helps reduce wrinkles and boost collagen. Buy them unwaxed if possible. 
• Blood oranges contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that combat free radical damage and UV rays.
• Cod contains selenium which safeguards your skin from sun damage and cancer.
• Mango provides 96% of your daily vitamin C needs and helps prevent periodontal disease.
• Lowfat cottage cheese is full of protein, and therefore promotes hair health (since hair is mostly protein). Just be wary of hidden sodium levels.
• Lean beef is full of iron. Iron deficiency can cause nail beds to be thin and concave.
• Foods of the Mediterranean: fennel, an anti-inflammatory; octopus, a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, B12, iron and zinc; gigantes beans, giant lima beans rich in potassium
• Oysters an excellent source of zinc, which aids in protein synthesis and collagen formation. 
• Red peppers and brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin C, which help build collagen and fight off free radicals.
• Blueberries 1 serving of this superfood provides more antioxidant activity than most fruits and veggies. Antioxidants fight the free radicals that cause wrinkles.
• Sunflower seeds contain lignin phytoestrogens, which prevent collagen breakdown and boost the skin's lipid barrier.
• Tuna contains Omega-3 fatty acids that fight UV-related cell damage and are a rich source of niacin, a deficiency of which causes skin rashes.

Avocados are one of the richest sources of monounsaturated fats and contain biotin for healthy skin.

Watermelon is a source of lycopene, which protects the skin from UV rays.

Kelp contains vitamins C and E, which protect fats in the skin's moisture barrier from free-radical damage.

Lentils are a good source of zinc.

Pumpkin seeds are pumped full of antioxidants and magnesium, which help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Eggs are high in iron and biotin.

Pomegranate seeds contain juice rich in ellagic acid and punic alagin - 2 agents that fight damage from free radicals and preserve the collagen in your skin.

Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber which reduces LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol").

Black currants contain a compound called anthocyanosides, which can help improve vision. Additionally, this superfood contains 5 times the vitamin C that oranges do, making it a superb immunity booster.

Cranberry juice disrupts the formation of plague and thereby prevents yellowing of teeth. The flavonoids in cranberry juice also counteract the damaging effects of bacteria that cause tooth decay. Be careful that you aren't drinking a sugar-laden cranberry juice cocktail.

Dark chocolate will help curb your sweet tooth and is rich in flavonoids.  

Red wine made with the dark skin and seeds of the grapes that are rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that includes resveratrol. If you aren't a drinker, opt for grape juice or a resveratrol supplement available at your drug store for about $25.

Pure noni juice, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, can help fight the formation of tumors – and wrinkles. Noni and noni products, like DERMAdoctor Photodynamic Therapy Noni Lotion, build collagen and are high in antioxidants and polyphenols.

Guava is packed with vitamin C which boosts collagen production to smooth skin. Two cups of guava per week is the perfect dose of this anti-aging powerhouse.

Wheat germ is rich in zinc, which plays a crucial role in the production of new skin cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to help prevent eczema; recent studies even indicate that wheat germ can help reduce acne. Get half a cup of wheat germ per day for your daily dose of zinc. Try sprinkling it over salads and yogurt or adding it to smoothies.

Romaine lettuce is a leafy green vegetable high in vitamin A, a vitamin that helps revitalize skin by increasing cell turnover and encouraging new skin cell growth. Add 6 leaves to your salad or as a side with dinner for your daily allowance of vitamin A.

Brazil nuts contain selenium, a powerful mineral that aids in the production of the antioxidant, glutathione which repairs cell damage and slows down the skin's aging process. Just 2 nuts a day will help you stop the aging process in its tracks.

Tomatoes provide lycopene, which helps prevent heart disease, elevated cholesterol and cancer. Lycopene acts as natural sun block, preventing the UV damage that causes sun spots, dryness, wrinkles. Remember to cook tomatoes for the maximum anti-aging effect.

Sardines, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, promote hair growth and shine to keep your locks looking young.

Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin C, which the body needs to manufacture sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. Sebum is the body's "natural conditioner," and keeps hair shiny, smooth and young looking, while preventing dryness.

Beans, which are high in protein, promote hair growth and help thicken hair cells by making the fibers stronger.

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A; this nutrient is essential to a healthy scalp and youthful-looking, shiny hair.  

Dr. Oz - Full Article 

Refreshing Quinoa Salad

My sister called today and said she would be over for lunch around 11:30 am - What to make! what to make!! I grabbed the "Vegetarian Times" Magazine --which my sister subscribed to for me as a Christmas gift (best mag ever!) I knew we would want something healthy.. especially after all of the Holiday foods we consumed and this is what I found. Sort of a Summer dish -but absolutely DELICIOUS!
Leah Matthews came up with this tabbouleh-inspired salad while working as a sous chef at Twist, a Rhode Island restaurant specializing in gluten-free food. When the summer menu needed an additional item, she worked out a recipe in a matter of hours. "I grabbed seasonal and versatile ingredients from the refrigerator, knowing the cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon and parsley form a flavor profile," she says. Using quinoa instead of wheat-based bulgur or couscous keeps the dish gluten-free.

Refreshing Quinoa Salad
SERVES 12 :: 30 MINUTES OR FEWER

1 1/2 cups of quinoa
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 English cucumber, peeled and
finely diced (2 1/2 cups)
3 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and
finely diced (3/4 cup)
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
(1/2 cup)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup Olive Oil
3 Tbs. lemon juice
2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1. Bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil. Add quinoa, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low Simmer 12-14 mins, or until quinoa is tender and small "tails" bloom from grains.
2. Preheat oven to 400*F . Spread pines nuts on baking sheer, and toast 3-4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Coo, then transfer to large serving bowl.
3. Drain Quinoa, and rinse under cold running water. Drain again. Add qunioa to pine nuts, and stir in cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and parsley. Fold in oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper if desired.

PER 1/2-CUP SERVING: 167 CAL; 4 G PROT; 10 G
TOTAL FAT (1 G SAT FAT); 17 G CARB; 0 MG CHOL;
53 MG SOD; 2 G Fiber; 2 G SUGARS

8 Foods You Think are Healthy (but Aren't)

So many foods out there are claiming to be healthy, but there are also misleading claims being made on so many foods. That is because of the abundance of information. You can pick up a magazine one day that tells you what is good/bad for you only to pick up a newspaper the following week with a totally contradictory article.

Every food is okay in moderation, make sure you aren't fooled into thinking you can consume these foods with no constraints. A lot of us try and make the right food choices without realizing that what we thought was healthy are actually not. Here are several foods that may seem healthy, or that we have accepted as healthy, but ones that really aren't.

1. Fruit Juices: Millions of people around the world rely on juices to quench their thirst each day. Drinking juice is a quick way to gain weight and to ruin your teeth. They contain very little fruit or fruit juice, but lots of sugar, water, chemical additives for flavoring and of course preservatives that are unhealthy. Also, there is hardly any fiber in fruit juices. Choose fresh fruit whenever you can as a fresh fruit always has more fiber apart from being low in calories as compared to its juice. Even 100 percent fruit juice is good source of vitamins and minerals but they too are low in fiber, so consume them in moderation.

2. Breakfast cereals: Many cereals are so loaded with sugars, that the sugar obliterates any nutritional value that the cereal may have had. Always check the nutrition label and never buy anything with less than 3 grams of fiber per 30 gram serving or more than 2 grams of sugar per 30 gram serving. Aim for 5 grams of fiber if possible.

3. Salads: Many people believe that any dish with word 'salad' in its name is a healthy choice. Unfortunately, the truth is that many times salad is the worst choice on the menu. Salads, especially those served in restaurants, are loaded with mayonnaise, calories, and sodium. Avoid ordering salads with calorie-packed extras added like noodles and heavy dressings. If possible, choose a dressing made with olive oil. If you want to choose a heavy dressing then just dip your fork into the dressing before taking the salad.

4. Alcohol: Alcohol is not exactly bad for your health if taken in moderation. More than that and the benefits are wiped out by increased risk for disease and addiction.

5. Whole milk dairy products: They were once considered healthy; they no longer are because of their high cholesterol content. There are now unhealthy additives added to some dairy products to extend the shelf life, texture or taste.

6. Smoothies: Smoothies are one of those foods that dieters consume with really good intentions. But just like the fruit juice mentioned above, smoothies can pack a lot of calories into one easy to drink package.

7. Diet soft drinks: Many people switch to diet drinks from regular soft drinks thinking it saves on calories and sugar. But many of the diet soft drinks have unhealthy levels of aspartame (the substitute of sugar used in diet drinks), chemical preservatives and chemical colors. As a result, many people who consume such drinks have an unbalanced insulin and blood sugar. Aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar, and has been linked to depression, insomnia, neurological disease and a plethora of other illnesses.

8. Fat-free: 'Fat-free' doesn't make it healthier. In fact, some fat-free products contain more calories than the original as often sugar or artificial flavors and sweeteners is added to improve the taste of such products.

The important thing to remember is to never blindly allow a food products packaging or public relations campaigns lull you into thinking that they are a consequence-free food. Read labels and ask questions. That way you can enjoy the nutritional meal you thought you were eating all along.

Ease your stress during the Holidays with Progressive muscle relaxation

The body’s natural relaxation response is a powerful antidote to stress. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga can help you activate this relaxation response. When practiced regularly, these activities lead to a reduction in your everyday stress levels and a boost in your feelings of joy and serenity. What’s more, they also serve a protective quality by teaching you how to stay calm and collected in the face of Holiday Stresses.

A variety of relaxation techniques help you achieve the relaxation response. Those whose stress-busting benefits have been widely studied include deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, visualization, yoga, and tai chi.

Learning the basics of these relaxation techniques isn’t difficult. But it takes practice to truly harness their stress-relieving power: daily practice, in fact. Most stress experts recommend setting aside at least 10 to 20 minutes a day for your relaxation practice. If you’d like to get even more stress relief, aim for 30 minutes to an hour.

Progressive muscle relaxation for stress relief

Progressive muscle relaxation is an effective and widely used strategy for stress relief. It involves a two-step process in which you systematically tense and relax different muscle groups in the body.

With regular practice, progressive muscle relaxation gives you an intimate familiarity with what tension—as well as complete relaxation—feels like in different parts of the body. This awareness helps you spot and counteract the first signs of the muscular tension that accompanies stress. And as your body relaxes, so will your mind. You can combine deep breathing with progressive muscle relaxation for an additional level of relief from stress.

Most progressive muscle relaxation practitioners start at the feet and work their way up to the face. For a sequence of muscle groups to follow, see the box to the right:

• Loosen your clothing, take off your shoes, and get comfortable.
• Take a few minutes to relax, breathing in and out in slow, deep breaths.
• When you’re relaxed and ready to start, shift your attention to your right foot. Take a moment to focus on the way it feels.
• Slowly tense the muscles in your right foot, squeezing as tightly as you can. Hold for a count of 10.
• Relax your right foot. Focus on the tension flowing away and the way your foot feels as it becomes limp and loose.
• Stay in this relaxed state for a moment, breathing deeply and slowly.
• When you’re ready, shift your attention to your left foot. Follow the same sequence of muscle tension and release.
• Move slowly up through your body — legs, abdomen, back, neck, face — contracting and relaxing the muscle groups as you go.

HOW TO: Seaweed Facial Mask

Seaweed facial mask enthusiasts report that using this common, nourishing supplement on the face will smooth, tone and moisturize your skin. It's a popular spa treatment, one that you can create for yourself at home with a minimum of investment and effort. Creating your own spa treatments at home is an exercise in adaptation; start with the basic seaweed facial mask recipe, then alter it, as needed, to suit your preferences. Any leftover seaweed face mask can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days but should always be discarded after a week of storage or if the look or smell of the product has substantially changed.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tbsp. dried, ground seaweed 
• Coffee grinder 
• Small bowl 
• 1 to 2 tbsp. lukewarm water 
• Fork 
• 1 tsp. aloe vera gel (optional) 
• 1 tsp. honey (optional)

Step 1

Break sheets or pieces of dried seaweed with your hands until they're small enough to fit into a coffee grinder.

Step 2

Grind the seaweed into powder; you need about 1 tbsp. of seaweed powder in all.

Step 3

Dump the seaweed powder into a small bowl and add 1 tbsp. lukewarm water. Mix with a fork, adding up to another tbsp. of lukewarm water, as needed, to achieve a thick, paste-like consistency.

Step 4

Add 1 tsp. aloe vera gel, 1 tsp. honey, or both, to the paste. Stir until well mixed. Add more water, if needed, to achieve the desired texture. You can also skip these ingredients entirely if you so desire, although the aloe helps heal any skin irritation you may have and the honey adds to the moisturizing effect of the mask and acts as a preservative.

Step 5

Apply the seaweed mask to your face, leave in place for up to 20 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry. Use this mask up to twice a week as part of your regular beauty routine.

Tips and Warnings

• You can substitute an oil of your choice--jojoba oil and sweet almond oil are two favorites--for the water in Steps 2 and 3 if you so desire. Both jojoba and sweet almond oil are non-greasy, absorb easily and help soften skin. Jojoba oil also has antimicrobial properties, while sweet almond oil's scent may somewhat mask the seaweed's strong odor. Seaweed will be available at any health food store and may also be found in some ethnic grocery stores; it also is readily available in many mainstream grocery stores.

Top 10 Face-Friendly Foods

It is true that if you eat the right foods, you could be on your way to a healthier skin- a brighter complexion, smoother texture and fewer wrinkles. Dr Nicholas Perricone, dermatologist at Yale University School of Medicine recommends a three-day programme full of fish, fruit, veggies and olive oil to quickly rejuvenate the complexion. Many a skin problems, like Acne can be corrected through diet modifications instead of prescribed drugs.

DARE LEAFY GREENS (Attack acne) Richly coloured leafy greens like methi, spinach, amaranth (chowli), drumstick leaves are full of antioxidants. Plus, they're a great source of iron when eaten with vitamin C rich foods. (Women who don't get enough iron are especially prone to dark circles under their eyes). Greens also contain zinc. In one Swedish study, acne-prone patients who added a zinc supplement to their diets saw 85 per cent of zits clear up after three months. Zinc also helps break down damaged collagen, allowing new collagen to form.

VEGETABLE OIL (Defeats dryness) Adequate fat intake is one key to smooth, supple skin. Dermatologists speculate that women with persistently dry, flaky skin may not be getting enough good fats found in poly and monounsaturated oils like sesame, mustard, peanut and olive in their diet. When they add them back, the condition usually clears up in a few weeks. Just a tablespoon daily may make a huge difference to dry skin. If clogged pores are a problem, dermatologists say experts, the essential fatty acids in these vegetable oils can help keep them clear by thinning the oils they secrete.

WATER (Boosts moisture) Dehydrated skin looks ashen and gray and hangs off the face. Water is the best dull-skin reviver. Hydrated skin looks moist and plump, which makes existing wrinkles less obvious. To see results, though, you need H₂O every day. Make sure to down about
nine 200 ml glasses daily - more if you work out.

RIPE TOMATO (Keeps skin elastic) This skin-sensational food, packs high levels of the antioxidant vitamins A and C as well as skin cancer-fighting chemicals. Vitamin C helps keep skin elastic and prevents bruising. Vitamin A aids in healing acne from the inside out by boosting resisting to infection. Find these antioxidants in other dark red, orange and yellow fruits and veggies, too.


BERRIES (Fight wrinkles) Berries are a great source of polyphenols, antioxidants that are currently being studied for their anti-agingcapabilities. (The yummy fruits have already been shown to protect short-term memory and balance). Recent studies revealed, blueberries are packed with three times the antioxidant compared to a bunch of an orange. A hefty handful of jamuns, strawberries or just 2 to 3 amlas has all the antioxidant vitamin C your body requires each day to reconstruct your collagen, the scaffolding that keeps skin from drooping.

SARDINE (Calms inflammation) This fatty fish is teeming with face-friendly omega-3 fatty acids, which do everything from attack arid areas to help deflate inflamed zits. Also found in mackerel, shark, etc, essential fatty acids battle collagen-damaging free radicals and help smooth out fine lines. Dermatologists recommend eating fish three times a week. If you can't stand seafood, a fish-oil supplement may offer the same benefits. Or try adding flaxseed (alsi) oil and nuts to your diet. Fatty fish and nuts also contain zinc, which helps quell acne flare-ups and increase cell growth.

MELON (Foils flakiness) This colurful fruit is full of carotene-like compounds such as lycopene, which reduce the deep down collagen damage that promotes wrinkles. Dermatologists often prescribe musk melon to drab-skinned patients (recommend a few slices a day to promote a healthy glow.) The orange orb is also a great source of beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A. This nutrient prevents keratonic plugs, the rough patches that are often found on the backs of the arms.

SOY (Puts off pimples) Whether whole or in the form of tofu, this bean is a skin saver. It's full of chemicals that act like estrogen, and may help prevent acne, say dermatologists. Another soy bonus: It's loaded with vitamin E, which boosts new cell growth and keeps skin moist. Try eating atleast half a cup of soy (in the form of beans or tofu) 3 times a week.

CARROTS (Discourage wrinkling) Crunch all you want- carrots are bursting with the beta-carotene your body turns into vitamin A, a key to keeping dry, flaky skin at bay. You'll also find this nutrient in other orange fruits and vegetables, such as apricots, papaya, pumpkin, mango and sweet potatoes.

OATMEAL (Ousts toxins) You'll get a dose of fibre that, once converted, helps filter toxins (and raises your clear-skin potential). If oatmeal's too expensive, go for ragi or barley. These cereals are also rich in B vitamins, which aid new skin-cell growth.

Smart eating will help to ward off the skin problems like dryness, acne and have a bigger impact on keeping wrinkles at bay. Avoid over consumption of saturated fats and sugar for they may gum up the capillaries that whisk nutrients to the skin and make a mess with skin collagen, thereby contributing to saggy, inflexible skin and brown spots.

Oatmeal

Soothing and anti-inflammatory, oatmeal contains beta glucan, a soluble fiber that creates a thin, moisture-retaining film on the surface of the skin. Place a handful of whole oats in a clean washcloth and use a rubber band to secure it. Next, immerse it in a sinkful of warm water and squeeze the bag four or five times. Once the water is cloudy, splash it on your face and then air-dry. (If you must towel dry, pat as gently as possible.)

Not to mention.... Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber. I like to add 1 table spoon of all natural peanut butter to my oatmeal every morning.. yummmm.....

Grow Your Own Food

Grow your own food T-Shirt by Happy Family

I like nothing more then walking out to my garden and picking fresh herbs for a dish that I am preparing... There are truly so many benefits from growing your own food... it can be organic, therapeutic and you can save a little money too..not to mention it gives a whole new meaning to phrase "Shop Local" it's more like Shop Backyard or where ever your garden resides.

DIY Simple Skin Lotion

Honey: Cleopatra knew what she was doing with those milk and honey baths: the bees' sweet stuff is a natural humectant, so it's made to hold moisture. For a simple skin lotion, mix one teaspoon honey, one teaspoon vegetable oil, and ¼ teaspoon lemon juice, rub on dry skin, and rinse off after ten minutes.

Spicy Pineapple-and-Mint Salsa

Serve with fish, such as red snapper or striped bass.

Ingredients

Makes about 3 cups; serves 6

• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 or 2 serrano chiles, seeded for less heat, if desired, and very thinly sliced
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 2 oranges)
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1 pineapple, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the onion, chiles, garlic, orange and lime juices, and pineapple. Add oil; stir to combine. Let stand at room temperature at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour. Just before serving, add mint; toss to combine.

Spinach Salad with Pomegranate and Avocado

The sunflower seeds and spinach in this salad are top-notch sources of magnesium, which enables your body to create dopamine. The avocado's vitamin B6 produces serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 1 pomegranate
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 bunches flat leaf spinach, stems trimmed, well washed and dried
• 2 tablespoons roasted, hulled sunflower seeds
• 1 Hass avocado

Directions

1. Halve pomegranate lengthwise and seed. Working in a bowl of cold water, use your hands to separate seeds from membrane. Membrane will float to the top; discard. Scoop out pomegranate seeds and pat dry.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons lemon juice, mustard, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss spinach, sunflower seeds, and pomegranate seeds with dressing in bowl. Transfer to a serving platter.
3. Halve avocado and remove pit. Scoop out flesh and thinly slice lengthwise; drizzle with remaining lemon juice. Transfer to plate and arrange salad on top. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Anti-aging Face Mask

Healthy Skin is So Sweet

Chocolate is one of beauty's tastiest secrets.
by Michelle Gibeault Traub, R.D.

Chocolate's antioxidants are powerful in fighting the environmental stressors that impact the skin and lead to aging. By eating foods that are rich in flavanoids, you arm your skin with natural defenses that help to maintain collagen and reduce sun damage.¹ A small German study even showed that subjects given a high flavanol cocoa product had improved skin texture, along with increased skin density, thickness, and hydration.² Eating chocolate works its magic from the inside out, but applying it to the skin appears to be beneficial too.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons of Cocoa
2 Tablespoons of Plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon of Honey
3 Tablespoons of Oatmeal Powder

Mix all the ingredients and apply on the face, gently massaging it so that the oatmeal can start exfoliating the dead skin cell layer, leave mask on for about 20 minutes and rinse off with luke warm water.

TIP: you've heard the adage "Never cook with wine you wouldn't drink." This holds equally true for home spa remedies. Never use ingredients for your home spa treatments that you wouldn't want to eat. Your skin, the largest organ on your body, breathes and is porous. It will absorb the properties of the ingredients you are using. Don't "clean out the fridge or pantry" to create your home skincare remedies. Use fresh, high quality ingredients for the best results, and do not store the treatment longer than the shelf life of the most perishable ingredient.

DIY Facial

Rare is the occasion when your skin doesn't appreciate a little extra attention. The time is always right for a soothing and moisturizing facial. An at-home treatment designed by a leading holistic skin-care expert offers the perfect recipe for a healthy glow -- and inner calm. "Working with fresh, lush ingredients is, in itself, therapeutic," explains Susan West Kurz, author of "Awakening Beauty the Dr. Hauschka Way." "The tactile pleasure of creating treatments in your own kitchen is a wonderful antidote to stress." Read on for her favorite fix.

What You'll Need
Organic lavender essential oil
Cotton washcloth (use organic cotton when possible)
Organic almond butter
Skin toner (try Avalon Organics' Lavender Hydrating Toner or Dr. Hauschka's Facial Toner)
Choose one: honey, organic strawberry yogurt, or organic avocado

Facial How-To
1. Pre-cleanse.
After thoroughly removing any makeup and rinsing your face, fill a sink with warm water. Add two to three drops of lavender oil and stir with your hand. Soak the washcloth in the lavender water, then wring it out and gently press it against your face and neck for 30 seconds.

2. Cleanse.
Put one teaspoon of almond butter and a few drops of lavender water in your palm; rub your hands together to create a paste. Apply to skin using a "press and roll" method, which helps remove dead cells, dirt, and oil: Press your palms against your forehead and roll them outward. Moving down your face and neck, continue the motion until you reach your collarbones. Return to massaging your forehead, and repeat the process for one to three minutes.

3. Rinse and Tone.
Use another washcloth soaked in lavender water to remove the almond cleansing cream from your face. Rinse with cool water and apply toner.

4. Apply a mask.
Choose one of the following masks, depending on your skin's needs:

- To Moisturize Dry Skin
Half of a mashed organic avocado

- To Brighten Dull Complexions
Organic strawberry yogurt

- To Rid Pores of Impurities
Honey

Apply a thin layer to your face and relax for 20 minutes. Then remove the mask with a warm, wet cloth, and rinse with warm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.

Text by Abbie Kozolchyk

Cucumber Cups - Super easy and Super Healthy

Hors d'oeuvres needn't be complicated. This refreshing appetizer, for example, doesn't require any cooking: Cucumbers are simply washed, cut, and hollowed out, then filled with low-fat cottage cheese and topped with clover sprouts.

Ingredients

Makes 48

• 2 seedless cucumbers (each 9 1/2 inches long), washed
• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• FOR THE GARNISH
• Clover sprouts

Directions

1. Slice cucumbers in half lengthwise; trim ends. Cut each half into 3/4-inch pieces.
2. Scoop out the center of each piece of cucumber with a melon baller, and fill with about 1/2 teaspoon cottage cheese. Garnish with clover sprouts, and serve.

A Healthy Snack Recipe

A combination of yogurt, papaya, blackberries, raspberries, mint and granola, this snack (or dessert) only has 164 calories and 1 gram of fat.

Vitamin-Packed Recipe - Moroccan Carrot Salad

Completely unprocessed and unrefined, whole fruits and vegetables offer vitamins in a form your body uses best. In fact, no supplement manufacturer has been able to replicate the way nature's bounty preserves and delivers these nutrients. Here are 20 recipes that are packed with vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. The best part: They're delicious too.

Carrots can do more than help eyesight. They are a key distributor of vitamin A, which plays an important role in our ability to guard against colds and flus -- and possibly helps to prevent cancer.

• 1/4 cup shelled pistachios
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 2-inch pieces (halve pieces again if thick)
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
• 2 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven until fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool; coarsely chop.
2. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook carrots until crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes, adding raisins during last minute of cooking. Drain in a colander; rinse under cold water until cool.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne; season with salt and pepper. Whisking constantly, slowly add olive oil.
4. Add carrots, pistachios, and cilantro to dressing; toss to combine.

From Body & Soul

3 Times a Week Banana Anti-Aging Mask

This excerpt is from Anti-Wrinkle Treatments for Perfect Skin, by Pierre Jean Cousin.

Bananas are one of the most nourishing fruits available because they contain large quantities of magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, iodine, and vitamins A, B (folic acid), E, and F.

Here they are teamed with heavy cream (traditionally used to prevent wrinkles) and organic honey in a recipe crammed full of nutrients.

INGREDIENTS
1 small banana
2 tablespoons fresh heavy cream
1 tablespoon organic honey
1 tablespoon oat flour
Bottled or spring water
Rose hydrosol (see “Note,” below, about hydrosols.

METHOD
Mash the banana, using the back of a fork, and then add cream, honey, and flour. Stir to mix well. You may need to add a little more cream or flour to obtain the consistency of thick cream of yogurt.

Apply mask to the clean face, including the area around the eyes and the neck, and leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with bottled or spring water and cotton pads, and dab on a little rose hydrosol, allowing to dry naturally.

Effect: nourishes
Skin types: dry, aging
Frequency of use: 3 times a week
Shelf life: 6 hours in refrigerator
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Treatment time: 30 minutes

Note about hydrosols: Also known as floral waters (but not flower waters), hydrosols are a byproduct of steam distillation, created while extracting essential oil. Hydrosols have properties similar to those of their related essential oils, although inevitably in a less concentrated form, but they are enriched with various water-soluble active ingredients. Their gentleness makes them an excellent way to tone, hydrate, and rebalance the pH of the skin, so they are frequently recommended as final cleansers/toners after cleansing or nourishing masks.

Olive Oil to Fight Aging - Tomato-Paprika Salad Dressing

Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fat, olive oil figures prominently in the Mediterranean diet. It may explain the lower rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline in people who follow this way of eating.

Tomato-Paprika Salad Dressing

Spice up the traditional tomato and mozzarella salad with this antioxidant-rich dressing, or use it as a light sauce for firm white fish, grilled chicken breast, or pork chops.

Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes

Makes 1 1/2 cups

• 3/4 pound plum or other ripe tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 1 to 2 teaspoons light-brown sugar
• 1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon mild paprika
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

1. With a paring knife, cut a shallow x in the bottom of the tomatoes. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add tomatoes and boil 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to a bowl. When cool enough to handle, peel and discard their skin. Cut tomatoes into quarters lengthwise. Using your fingers, discard seeds. Transfer tomatoes to a blender.
2. Add vinegar, sugar, garlic, and paprika and puree until smooth. Remove the center cap, and with the motor running, add oil in a steady stream, blending well. Season with salt and pepper.

From Body+Soul