Natural Fiber Washcloth

With all of the specialized cosmetics designed to improve women's complexions, why would anyone exfoliate with a washcloth? Well using a natural Ayate Washcloth made from natural agave fibers can yield great results when it comes to skin care. The natural fiber texture serves as an excellent exfoliant; it performs the same task as those specialized cleansers, at a fraction of the cost and without any of the chemicals that may be in those cleansers. 

It is soft, mildew resistant and yet durable enough for one year of daily use. Hand woven and made from 100% dried Agave fiber. When soaked in water, its natural fibers soften, expand, and the weave tightens back to improve its strength and pliability. Its quick drying and helps to restores and stimulates skin to leave it feeling invigorated and fresh without the harsh feel sometimes associated with other washcloths. The only facial grade exfoliation cloth for even fair skin types.

 Try one today!

Steamed Veggies

Today’s lunch was simple, easy, healthy and so tasty. 

Started by steamed some cabbage leaves, pop-choy, broccoli and sweet yellow peppers for about 2 minutes. 

On low heat add about a teaspoon and a half of vegan butter with minced garlic, lemon pepper, a little cyan pepper and a pinch of sea salt. 

Next add the vegetables and stir for a few seconds so it can absorb the flavor of the dish and that’s all to it. Tenderizing the vegetables avoid losing any of the healthy benefits.   

This dish was very simple, easy and did I say delicious. 

Vegan Pancakes

I came across this great recipe online a while ago…so this morning when I couldn’t figure what to give my kids for breakfast and was out of pancakes mixture….I remember this and decided to try it…but vegan style!

The original recipe posted below called for whole milk, eggs and all-purposed flour.  I substituted the whole milk with almond milk, the eggs with one banana and the all-purpose flour with a mix of spelt and white spelt flour. 

Oh……I also substituted the hazelnut extract with Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract.  This with the banana added, really gave the pancakes a super nice flavor.

Let’s just say everyone loved it…even my hubby who is not a pancake fan.  These pancakes were soft and fluffy in texture and taste great!

This is going to be my staple recipe for making pancakes and I have to say, its way better than the natural vegan mixes I have tried and force my kids to eat.  My children never eat them out and never liked them, so with this mix it was simple to make and cheaper.

If anyone decide to try this, let me know what you thought and if you like. 

Original Pancake Mix

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp sugar (brown or white)
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp hazelnut extract

Instructions

1. In a bowl combine the lemon juice and milk, set aside for 15 minutes or until the milk curdles. Curdling the milk results in soft and fluffy pancakes
2. In a different bowl sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt
3. Wisk the egg, melted butter and hazelnut extract in a small bowl and combine with the milk mixture
4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the milk mixture
5. Combine gently,don't over mix. You can add berries, banana or chocolate chips
6. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes so it will be airy and light
7. Heat a slightly oiled griddle on low heat
8. Pour to make round circles of desired size
9. When the first side turns golden brown, flip with a spatula. Flip only once and don’t press down on the top
10. Serve warm with maple syrup

Beauty Starts Within!

My hubby made this for lunch today, it was so delicious!

He steamed some pop-choy, sweet red bell peppers and saute some basil, cilantro, onions, tomatoes and garlic in a little olive oils. While that was all cooking , he boiled some eddoes, sweet plantain, corn and carrots. The sauteed vegetables went over the ground provisions (root vegetables) to complete the dish, all I can say is satisfying and delicious. 

Root vegetables are called ground provisions in South America. They include yams, potatoes, casava (bitter & sweet), dasheen, eddoe, sweet potatoes, plantain, tannia, green fig, and breadfruit. They can be prepared as one or two items or a combination of items. It's like having a starch served with a main entree.

New York Blizzard of 2013

A few photos of my backyard after the blizzard…the snow was so high, my husband couldn’t open the front or back doors.  To get outside, he had to go through the window to shovel the snow away. But this was by far nothing compared to Hurricane Sandy.

Feel that ocean Breezeeeeeeeeee!

Bracing for the big Blizzard here in New York...so decided to make a new batch of Crisp Ocean Breeze to change the mood.

Do you know What's in the SOAP you are buying?

Check out this article from CNN. This is more reasons to buy all natural bath & body care products. Let us help you care for your skin and the planet!

Phthalates in Beauty Care Products? What you need to know!

Phthalates are found in everything from perfume to PVC, which mess up your hormones, among other more serious problems.

Manufacturers use phthalates because they cling to the skin and nails to give perfumes, hair gels and nail polishes more staying power. But a recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that five percent of women between age 20 and 40 had up to 45 times more phthalates in their bodies than researchers initially hypothesized. The CDC found phthalates in virtually every person tested, but the largest concentrations -- 20 times higher than the rest of the population -- were found in women of child-bearing age.

Here is an article from FOX News on the dangers of Phthalates.