Refreshing Strawberry Facial Sensation!

My garden is bursting with strawberries. Which is amazing, so I have had to come up with some creative ways to use them up.  Especially the ones that are a bit mushy. It’s funny, often people don’t realize that food makes the best cleansing, nourishing and replenishing tonics for the body and face. I have always known this, I just sometimes don’t practice it as often as I should. That being said, all of the products that I do buy are 100% natural and organic made with food grade essential oils and other carriers like almond oil, shea butter, coconut oil etc…

But it doesn’t get much better than making your own concoctions from scratch. There are many online resources and natural books that can guide you with recipes and ideas. But sometimes if you just think logically- the foods with the most nutrients, colour and vitamins are the best ones to put directly on your body!

So as I said, I have strawberries coming out of my ears (not to brag or anything) but I am putting them to good use. Last night I took a huge handful of them, mashed them up, added in some healing Manuka Honey and smothered it onto my face. I turned red, but I could feel the sweet red juice penetrating my skin and nourishing every cell. It felt so good! If you have every applied Manuka Honey topically, (stickiness aside) I am sure you know the feeling! After about a half hour, I rinsed it off, and my skin was smoothly, supple and nurtured. I loved it!

There is something particularly magical about strawberries when it comes to a facial mask. It is not only loaded with Vitamin C which helps to repair skin damage, a make collagen and since vitamin C is an antioxidant it also helps to protect the skin from free radicals. The alpha hydroxy acid in strawberries help to slough off dead skin cells – which instantly reveals smoother skin. I assure you, you must try this!

Scrumptious Strawberry Mask

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, mashed

1 tbsp Manuka Honey

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and apply directly onto face. Chunks and all!

—To make this mask into an EXFOLIATION SCRUB -  add 2 tbsp almond meal (left over from making almond milk) -

I kind of look like and Umpa-Loopa – but who cares, it works!

Question: Have you ever made a home-made food based mask?

Milking it…for what it’s worth!

If you didn’t know this already, I am not an advocate for cow’s milk. I can write a whole blog post about this or I can simply just tell you that it is not conducive to human health. It does not build our immune systems, it suppresses it, it does not help with digestion, it hinders it – and most conventional types are loaded with pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. Do you want this in your body or in your child’s body? I think not. Have a look here on more on the Dangers of Cow’s Milk. I know this can be frightening for many, as the Dairy industry dictates so much of the information about dairy that we have grown to believe. More than you even know. We are brought up in schools that push the four food groups (with Dairy being in it’s own category), milk and chocolate milk are available everywhere, they have so much money that they pay off companies to promote to the public that it is healthy, bone building and ESSENTIAL for health. But those who have already made the transition, swear by the differences in their health – as far as allergies, immunity and over all well being – who can attest to this (please comment below)?

So that I don’t leave you hanging, I want to set you with the alternatives, the other possibilities that are out there to complete your smoothies, breakfasts cereals, granola, latte’s, baking ingredients and even ice cream etc… there are many such solutions.

First off you can go to the store and buy all kinds of milk substitutes. Of course soy is one of them – but I am going to steer clear from that one, again, there are alternatives. There is rice milk (Rice Dream, Ryza), Almond Milk (Almond Breeze), Hemp Milk (Living Harvest and Hemp Bliss) – even Oat Milk can be found in the markets. These are convenient and easy choices for most people. I am not completely opposed to them as people need to find things that are available to make this an easy and smooth transition.  Just be sure to look at the side panel for the amount of sugars or other additives. (FYI – added oils, and sugars are not necessary). You can buy unsweetened versions and just sweeten them yourself! Again, this is a safe easy bet for most people.

Now if you want to take it one step further, make your own milk. Sounds complicated, but really it isn’t. This works best mostly with either nuts or seeds – as making rice milk at home is not so simple! So once you have decided on your base – almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, sesame seeds, or hempseeds – all you need is water and other additions of your choice. You will also need a blender and some kind of contraption to strain your milk with. However with seeds, you can just blend and drink (you can with nuts too, it just depends whether you want a smooth creamy milk, similar to what you are used to!).

For straining you can use a fine mesh colander, cheesecloth or the funny looking device I have hear (which is actually a Jelly Strainer). But it works wonders for making nut milk. It is so easy to use and makes perfect milk every time. You actually get to “milk it” as if you were milking a cow, by squeezing down on the bag – you want to extract every last drop of liquid. It is rather fun! In fact I am going to give one away – depending on and how many times and how you respond to this post! The winner will be announced in one week! So if you want to know how to make the perfect “milk” then see the recipe below. Otherwise I encourage you to explore some of the other options that are out there, they are tasty, delicious and make the perfect substitution for milk.

For those of you who are wondering where you get your calcium and protein from without milk – let me assure you that even though the dairy industry would disagree, but you can get plenty of calcium from almonds, hemp seeds and sesame seeds! As for rice milk, you would look to other areas of your diet to boost these nutrients. Not everything has to come from a cow

P.S. FOR THE MILK TOLERANT PEOPLE – I want to just mention that Raw or Organic Cow’s Milk, Goat’s Milk and Sheep’s Milk are all suitable options!

Nut Milk Recipe:

1 cup almonds, brazil nuts or hempseeds (soaked overnight)

4 cups of water

1 tbsp coconut oil (optional)

2 tbsp honey or maple syrup – you can even use 1-2 dates

1 tsp vanilla bean powder (or extract)

Simple and Delicious! Enjoy

THE CONTEST- for the Nut Milk Bag Contraption- this way you can make your own homemade Milk and provide your family with delicious nutrients and a yummy creamy milk, made by you!

Ways you can win!

Do one of the following:

Comment Below: Have you made the switch from cow’s milk? What have you noticed?

Comment Below: What type of alternative milk do you use – how do you use it?

Post this blog and follow me on TWITTER – and share it here to let me know!

Share on Facebook and become a Fan - and post a comment here to let me know!

Share this post on YOUR Blog and post the link below!

Super Foods for Super Health!

Superfoods are the super-powered heroes of the plant world and they have magical properties. They are healing, rejuvenating and immune boosting. They are loaded with nutrients that truly make you super happy and super healthy. I promise! If you have never tried them you may just have a chance to win one of them free…read on!

I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to add these yummy foods into your diet, whether it is hemp, goji, acai, cacao, coconut – they all taste amazing and make you feel great!

I have written many a blog post on superfoods. There are various recipes and articles on these foods right here on my blog. That way I can provide you with as much information and ideas of how to use and consume these foods. Superfoods is such a buzz word these days, and it is important to understand why, when and how to use these foods. But the bottom line is to just get them in!

In David Wolfe’s Superfoods book he goes into detail on each of these superfoods (and so much more). So I encourage you to pick up a copy! It is a really comprehensive book as it gives you a detailed outline of how to use these foods, which are “the most nutritious foods on the planet!” David Wolfe.

Here is a mini outline of some of the top ones…

Goji Berries: Goji berries are the most nutritionally rich berry fruit on the planet. They taste delicious and are well balanced for nearly all body types. They are a complete protein source and contain nineteen different amino acids, trace minerals and vitamins. (also great for vision, libido, hormones and an incredible source of antioxidants)

Cacao: The best natural source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, omega 6 – and chocolate just tastes good!

Spirulina: ancient blue-green algae that is power packed with protein and chlorophyll.

Hempseed: contain all the essential amino acids and fatty acids to maintain human life. Enough said!

Coconuts: The health benefits of coconuts is immense, that I can’t even begin to list them all in one line – but in one sentence as quoted by David Wolfe “Coconut water is the breast milk of mother earth”. That should give you an idea!  (Click here for More info!)

Honey: unprocessed honey is natures richest source of live healing enzymes and one of natures sweetest treats!

Superfoods may be new to you, or they  may already be a staple in your diet….either way:

Tell me which Superfoods you use, how you use them and why you love them!

If I like what you write, you may just WIN! The best answer will get a pack of Goji Berries – compliments of me!

1. Please Post A Comment Below

2. Post it in on Twitter and Link To this Blog Post

3. Share it on Facebook and Link this Blog Post

4. Share on Your Blog and Link Back to My Blog

RAW WALDORF SALAD

Ingredients:

1-4 cups of arugula or mixed greens

¼ cup peeled jicama

3 stalks celery diced or cucumber chunks

1 apple, diced – I like granny smiths

1 cup sunflower sprouts

½ cup walnuts, chopped

1 tbsp hemp seeds

1 tbsp goji berries

1/4 avocado, sliced

Waldorf Dressing – makes over 1 cup (use

¼ cup hemp oil

2 tbsp raw tahini

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon raw honey

2 tablespoon tamari

2 tbsp – ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Filtered water (add slowly only if needed without hemp oil)

1. Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour over salad ingredients and toss until well coated.

Naturally and Nutritionally Sweet!