DIY Tea Tree/Peppermint Mouthwash

DIY Tea Tree/Peppermint Mouthwash

To be honest, mouthwash really isn’t my thing. I tend to gargle with it when I have a sore throat or tooth pain, but mouthwash for the sake of gargling daily is not a part of my regular regiment.

It is however, my husband’s thing. He’s lost without his mouthwash.

Completely disinterested in my numbing clove anti-septic mouthwash (which to be fair, is best gargled with a sore throat, tender gums or sore tooth due to its intense numbing and anti-septic properties) he wants one thing- a minty fresh experience. I concocted this naturally crisp and minty fresh mouthwash for him. It was a big hit. DIY Tea Tree/Peppermint Mouthwash!

If you’re a fan of a minty gargle with an anti-bacterial and anti-microbal punch, then this very simple, completely natural, and shockingly inexpensive, recipe is also, for you.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 cup distilled water

1 teaspoon baking soda

20 drops tea tree essential oil

10 drops peppermint essential oil

Here’s what to do:

Combine your ingredients into a jar (mine is a recycled tomato sauce jar) and shake vigorously until the contents are combined (the water should go from cloudy to clear).

You can store this mouthwash on your bathroom counter for daily use.

Farmer's Market Salad or Brussels Sprouts Take Center Stage

My recent trip to the Rochester Public Market was thrilling. The glorious sights and scents of autumn came alive.

Farmer’s markets make me giddy. Waist deep in freshly harvested vegetables, my three year old and I started grabbing with little thought as to how everything would go together.

Before I knew it, I was at home, hungry and staring at an assortment of vegetables. I knew I wanted my hearty stalk of brussels sprouts to take center stage and from here my brussels sprout salad was born.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Brussels sprouts (grilled and halved) String beans (ends cut off and chopped into inch long segments) Cherry tomatoes (halved) Craisins Walnuts Fresh lemon Olive oil Salt and pepper to taste

Here's what to do:

Half your brussels sprouts and grill them in the oven at 375 degrees (about eight minutes) until the edges turn brown and crispy. Wash and cut your green beans into inch long segments. Saute for five minutes (I used a dash of canola oil). You'll want your beans to be nice and vibrant and crisp.

Toss your brussels sprouts, green beans, craisins, and walnuts together. Add your halved cherry tomatoes. Splash on your olive oil. Squeeze a lemon into the mix and add some salt and pepper. Toss and savor!

Drawing Inspiration From Zanzibar!

We arrived in February during the Sauti Za Busara Music Festival, my two girlfriends and I. The hotel we reserved online was booked when we went to check in. All of the other hotels on the island were full. We overheard a South African man tell a Belgian woman about a beautiful hotel on the water at the northern tip of the island and thus began our two week improvised and utterly whimsical adventure in Zanzibar.  Everything worked out perfectly in the end and exceeded expectations. There was romance, there were encounters with wildlife, there were private beaches and music, savory food, perfect weather and more intended and unintended adventures than I can count.

When I think of Zanzibar, I am reminded of:

• Rolling green spice plantations, the greenest, green, in vibrant bursts and dewy shadows. A cacophony of hues. A reminder to breathe, savor, and let go.

• The deep and stirring sound of the Islamic call to prayer.  Everything would stop once the song rang out. The echo seemed to emanate from every building in Stone Town, reverberated off the fishing boats docked in the still water. Colorful mats were unfurled as around us, people dropped to their knees in ritual prayer.
• The rich musk of the earth, the fragrance of fresh rain combined with the sweet crispy smoke of a wood burning stove. This scent followed us from the sprawling spice plantations inland, to the coral forests and even the white sand beaches along the coast.
• Covering my head in Stone Town and feeling like I was in another world. My first time in a Muslim country, we followed polite protocol when wandering through the bazaars and markets in the less touristy areas. I was draped in a long white crepe scarf with blue and gold embroidery at the edges that I picked up in Ethiopia during an epic layover belonging to another adventure. Beneath that scarf, I witnessed the heartbeat of Zanzibar. So many wonderful smells, colors and textures were presented to me in the markets and bazaars.
• Attempting to climb to the top of a palm tree and failing every time, but believing with each attempt that the next would be my moment of glory.
• Hakuna Matata- really there were no worries in the Zanzibar of my memory. There was a care free charge in the energy in the air. The climate, mild, the people friendly and strikingly beautiful. A UNESCO world heritage site, the old colonial buildings of Stone Town, stood resplendent in the setting sun. Intricate Arabic architecture gave the space a distinctive charm and character. The happy hiccups of spoken Swahili, "Jambo" or "Mambo," or being greeted with the Islamic phrase "Assalam Alaikum." I found my land of Hakuna Matata.

Zanzibar, what a pleasure and an honor it was to be in your presence.

The product that was inspired by my adventures in Zanzibar is the Zanzibar Body Butter, an ultra-moisturizing creamy shea based body butter with earthy hints of clove, cardamom and sandalwood.

If you can’t experience Zanzibar in person for yourself, take the journey with a Zanzibar Body Butter.

From now, until next Wednesday (10/1) enjoy 10% off the Anchorage Body Butter (by entering the code ZANZIBAR at checkout) and enjoy!

Click HERE to purchase.

Turmeric Tea: Your Relationship With Turmeric Could Be A Lifesaver!

I love turmeric tea. I try to drink it as often as I can.

Turmeric contains so many exquisite healing properties and tea is a great way to get your days worth.

This particular tea happens to work wonders at relieving sore/itchy throats, but I don't want you to put this recipe away until you feel ill. Most importantly, this is a powerful every day tea, that will help boost your immune system so you hopefully won't have to worry about that sore/itchy throat.

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. When I took my course in Ayurveda, we spent the majority of our time waxing poetic about the many virtues of this unassuming little root.

Turmeric should be your best friend!

Turmeric is known to:

• Lower blood pressure
• Heal arthritis
• Protect against cancers
• Protect against Alzheimer's
• Lower cholesterol

In other words, your relationship with turmeric root could be a lifesaver.

Since, I don't load up on curry everyday, turmeric tea is the way I make room for this miraculous root.

Here's how I make it:

How do you Summarize An Entire Short Story Compilation in Sixty Seconds? Developing my 60 second agent pitch

I've spent a little over six years, writing, editing, work shopping and re-writing the sixteen travel inspired short stories that comprise my beloved manuscript.

I know my characters, their wants and obstacles inside out. I'm bewitched by my settings time and time again and know every nook and cranny of the world I've created. I've worked hard to weave a unifying theme to tie together the vast stretches of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years that I've been working on this project.

Tomorrow, I will have one minute, one impossibly ephemeral minute to pitch my manuscript to an agent.

I'm in a slight (or not so slight) panic. How am I supposed to condense my manuscript full of diverse characters, settings, conflicts, desires and story lines into one gasp of a sentence?

As writers, we know that every word counts. We're adept at cutting out the fat. How then do you summarize an entire short story compilation in sixty seconds-how?

When asked about my short fiction project, I tend to sputter and flail. I find it impossibly difficult to talk articulately about my writing. Around in a jumbled circle I go. I'll share a general overview, launch into the specifics of a few of my tales, talk about my travels and the different settings they've inspired and then, if I haven't completely lost my listener, I'll talk about my theme and perhaps dive into a few more story lines. A concise "so what are you writing?" elevator pitch I do not have.

As if working with a puzzle, I was up into the wee hours of the morning, piecing together (hopefully) the right words, hooks, and snippets for my one minute pitch. I'm down to seventy seconds and am feeling close to being able to give it a go.

How do you condense six years, sixteen stories and 41,000 words into a breathless minute? I've got no choice but to figure it out.

Usually the things that scare you the most lead to tremendous growth. I'm terrified, excited and intrigued by this pitch opportunity. Having never done this before, I have nothing but experience to gain.

When I write my follow up post, I'm sure I'll have nuggets of wisdom to share. Either way, this pitch is pushing me towards my goal of publication because the next time I'm asked about my manuscript, whether it be a curious stranger at a networking event or an agent or editor at a major publishing house, I'll be ready to deliver my impossibly possible sixty second short story manuscript pitch.

Now, back to shuffling my words around...

Have any of you ever pitched a manuscript to an agent? What was that experience like?

Say Hello Autumn with Delicious Moist Pumpkin Bread!

With the official start of autumn just around the corner, I've decided to celebrate by baking delicious, moist, pumpkin bread.

One of my favorite things about autumn are the flavors and aromas that arise from baking fall inspired quick breads.

Pumpkin bread is my favorite quick bread variety. This particular recipe is as rich and moist as it is healthy.

Chia and flax give it an extra anti-oxidant, omega-3 and fiber burst, while the olive oil gives it a rich round flavor. Dark chocolate chips, craisins and walnuts give the bread bursts of delicious holiday flavors. Together, the ingredients will help you ring in the autumn in festive style.

Here are the ingredients:

1 can of pumpkin (15 oz)

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar 

1/4 cup chia

2 tablespoons ground flax

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/8 cup evaporated milk

4 large eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cups walnuts

1/2 cups craisins

1/2 cups dark chocolate chips

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Here's what to do:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. You'll want to place your baking rack at the bottom of the oven to ensure the best bake.

In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients (sugar, brown sugar, flour, baking soda, sea salt, chia, flax, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder) and set it aside. Make sure your dry ingredients are fully blended.

In a smaller mixing bowl, combine your wet ingredients (pumpkin, evaporated milk, vanilla, olive oil, eggs).

Mix your chocolate chips, walnuts and craisins into the wet ingredients.

Mix your wet ingredients into the dry ingredient bowl. Once again, make sure everything is fully blended.

Pour your mix into a greased loaf pan and place in the oven (remember to lower the rack).

Bake for an hour, or until your loaf his risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Set your pan out to cool (about another hour) before you slice and enjoy this delectable autumn treat.

Fun Around and In Brooklyn's Prospect Park Zoo!

I was being pulled downwards, sharp branches poked at my hair and face. "Come inside the big-bom mommy." I got down on my knees, trying not to wake my newborn who was strapped to me. "It's a Wigwam, Ohm. This is where the Lenape Indians lived." I was crawling over leaves and sticks. "Come inside the Indian house. I'm going to make some food." The little hand tugged again with full force and I was inside. "Sit mommy, sit!" I did as I was told. Above, an intricate system of reeds and bark came together to form a roof, one that allowed the stream of afternoon sun to penetrate in shimmering brilliance. As my three year old pretended to cook over an open fire, I settled onto my tree stump bench with my newborn in anticipation of the imaginary meal I was about to partake in. We came to Prospect Park to visit the zoo. What we found was an entire historical experience. It says, Zoo entrance, but when you walk beneath that arch, the first thing you're met with is a model Lenape village. Children (and adults) can play in the model wigwams while learning about New York's original inhabitants. Once you're on your way again, down the path headed towards the zoo, another surprise awaits. The historic Lefferts House, once owned by Continental Army Lieutenant Pieter Lefferts and his family, is now a museum, free to the public and open for exploration.

Built in 1783, the house and farm have been preserved as a museum of family life in the 1800's. On the great lawn, children can wear stilts and play with toys such as wooden hoops that were popular in the 1800s.

Inside, Ohm ran giddily from room to room, touching and experiencing it all (luckily the touching was encouraged by the museum which caters to small children). "Look mommy, I'm eating corn." "Look mommy, I'm playing a game." "Come on, we have to play the piano!"

An hour later, we emerged from the 1800's. Ohm, yawning, swore he was still ready to explore the zoo. A big fan of tiring him out, onwards we marched, down the path towards the zoo, past the historical carousel, past the ice cream vendors and pretzel vendors and hot dog vendors, onwards and onwards, until we made it to our destination. I had known for a while that there was a Zoo inside Prospect Park (Brooklyn’s Central Park) but I never took the time to stop by for a visit. At the end of the day, every New Yorker knows that the sprawling Bronx Zoo is where all of the animals live. I wasn’t so sure about this Prospect Park Zoo business. But since we don't live in the Bronx, we live in Brooklyn, within walking distance to the park, I figured it was high about time we became acclimated with our own backyard.

The Prospect Park Zoo, is a small zoo, it’s actually just the right size for a toddler. The grounds are beautifully manicured with gardens and sculptures, its compact size is not overwhelming and is quite accessible for little ones. You will not find lions, tigers and bears at the Prospect Park Zoo. Instead, you’ll find sea lions, red tailed pandas, ground hogs, farm animals, llamas, mongoose, and other small wonders.

Ohm didn’t seem to mind. His three year old attention span could only handle so much stimulation. After the Lenape wigwam and the Lefferts house and the petting zoo, he was walking on sunshine. He had a great time without the lions, tigers and bears and I was happy I didn't have to drive to the Bronx and fight for parking. I had no idea there was so much to do around and in Brooklyn's Prospect Park Zoo. We'll be back!

Drawing Inspiration from France

During my first year as a teacher in 2003, I shared a crappy apartment in East Harlem, ate in almost every night, made few purchases and hoarded my money so I could spend the summer in France. It began in September as a crazy idea. After dinner one evening, my friend Fred said "we should go to Paris."

Of course we should, I agreed. I mean, who doesn't want to go to Paris?

By October, we had an elaborate plan. We were going to take on as much of France as possible for four weeks over the summer.

While my friends bought new shoes and bags, I saved and saved. I would go shopping in Paris I told myself ( this was before the Euro overtook the dollar).

I wish I had a fancy photo collage to share with you of my enchanting time on the Parisian shore, but I don't. In 2003, I was still working with Kodak fun saver cameras (yes, remember them). This was before I had a digital camera and way before I could have ever conceived of an iPhone or of blogging (gasp!). All of my photos from France lie in a scrapbook (oh my gosh, remember those), in my house in Maryland. I'll have to dig them out later. In the meantime, I will continue like the rest of the posts in this drawing inspiration series.

When I think of France, I am reminded of:

• Drinking red wine at a busy outdoor cafe. The breeze, warm on my shoulders as we watch people parade by. Often we'd order things we never heard of as an experiment and why not; the food, almost without exception, no matter what we ordered, was spectacular.
• Taking in a new French film a week. The small intimate theatre in Paris that I visited was the perfect place to practice my French. In the velvety darkness, I wracked my brain to recall the French I learned  from elementary school through college. I saw every film that was being shown and got a crash course in French culture and fashion while doing so.
• Breakfast! Oh, the glorious breakfast pastries, croissants, pain au chocolates and the savory quiches and tarts complimented by the strongest, smoothest, soul fulfilling coffee. My tongue has yet to feel so happy and alive.
• Eating buttery baguette on the banks of the river Seine. A moment of stillness, beautiful simplicity, as the rest of Paris hustled and bustled in the distance.
• Evening in Pigalle. The midnight sky. The smoky amber glow of cafes. The cluster of artists that set up camp along the narrow cobblestone streets. The sweet taste of hot sugar and lemon crepes.
• Landing head first at the base of the Basilica Sacre-Coeur. Eye to the lense of my sophisticated Kodak fun saver, in search of the perfect panoramic shot of Montmartre from where I stood at the top of the Sacre-Coeur. One false step forward (no fair how looking through the camera lense distorts your sense of space) and I'm suddenly airborne, tumbling head and elbows first down the hallowed stairs of the Sacre-Coeur. A crowd of horrified Italian tourists gather around me, pull me to my shaking feet. Scraped elbows, chin and knees and no photo to show for it. I wish I could say this was the last time I ever used a fun saver.
• Strolling down the Champs Elysee, the Tour Eiffel, elegant and fragile in the distance. Spreading a picnic blanket over the lawn at its base and taking it all in, pen in hand, thinking I'm going to come back here when I'm in love....
• Beneath the glassy top hat of the Louvre, into a world of heat and color. Searching for my favorite Chagall (the one with the green goat beside a lady in red beneath a crescent moon) when someone caught my eye, a mischievous lady in grey, the Mona Lisa up close- beguiling eyes and that signature gamine smile.
• Rolling fields of green, right before the land meets the sea. Colorful manicured gardens and lavender carried for miles in the breeze.

France, what a pleasure and an honor it was to be in your presence.

Two products were inspired by my time in France, the Paris Fragrance oil, a light, roll on formula that epitomizes romance and pleasure, with notes of lavender and jasmine and the Provence Whipped Body Butter, a creamy, whipped butter scented with lavender.

If you can’t experience France in person for yourself, take the journey with a Paris Fragrance Oil or a Provence Whipped Body Butter.

From now, until next Wednesday (9/17) enjoy 10% off the Paris Fragrance Oi and the Provence Whipped Body Butter by entering the code FRANCE at checkout) and enjoy!

Click HERE to purchase.

DIY All Natural, Oil Absorbing Translucent Facial Powder

Are you ready to make a DIY All Natural, Oil Absorbing Translucent Facial Powder?

A few weeks ago, I spent a pretty penny on a bottle of Bare Minerals liquid make-up. It looks amazing, so I'm not complaining, but when the saleswoman asked if I wanted to buy some translucent powder to set it, I gave her a confident "No!"

Liquid make-up, I have NO idea how to make. Translucent facial powder however, I do!

Translucent powder is so easy to make. It takes about four brisk steps. The result, is a silky, long lasting, oil absorbing powder that is as curative as it is fabulous.

DIY All Natural, Oil Absorbing Translucent Facial Powder

To make this powder, you'll need: cornstarch (2 teaspoons), cocoa powder (1 teaspoon), bentonite clay ( 2 teaspoons) and turmeric (1/8 teaspoon). Organic, high quality ingredients are always best!

Before I get into the steps, I'd like to wax poetic about the ingredients.

Bentonite Clay: An ancient healing clay, bentonite clay is made of aged volcanic ash. Very fine in texture, this powder has the ability to draw out toxins, chemicals and heavy metals from your skin. Bentonite clay carries a powerful negative electric charge. Once the clay combines with water (aka your perspiration) it gets to work, purifying and removing toxins. Never use a metal spoon to scoop or mix your bentonite clay because the metal with interfere with the healing electric charge.

Turmeric: Turmeric is an ancient healing spice. Used often in Ayurvedic preparations, turmeric contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Used externally for beautification in India and Thailand, turmeric fights blemishes, rashes and wrinkles.

Cocoa Powder: Not only does cocoa powder smell and taste delicious, it's full of antioxidants for rapid cellular regeneration. Cocoa also neutralizes harmful free radicals.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch is for more than cooking! This highly absorbent and light powder soothes skin while drawing out impurities.

Here's how to make your powder:

 

There you have it- all natural, oil absorbing, translucent facial powder!

This version is so much cheaper and is completely free of chemicals, metals and other synthetic products that are unfortunately found in many commercial make-up brands.

* You can find bentonite clay at most health food stores, or on Amazon.com or through Mountain Rose Herbs!

Fig and Strawberry Quick Jam

If you’re a regular on this blog, I don’t need to tell you how much I love biscuits. A natural compliment to my love of biscuits is my new found fascination with making quick jams. Quick jams are great because you get instant gratification. Simply jar and consume. Quick jams can live in your fridge for up to ten days (hence the small batch).

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pint of figs

5 large strawberries

1 teaspoon of sugar

¼ cup water

1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

Here’s what to do:

Wash and remove the stems from your figs. Slice each fig in half and place into a saucepan.

Rinse and remove the tops from your strawberries. Slice each strawberry in half and add to your saucepan.

Add the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes until the mixture takes on a jelly-like consistency.

Allow to cool before storing in a small mason jar.

You can store your jam for up to ten days in the refrigerator. YUM!

Drawing Inspiration from Anchorage, Alaska

It was around this time two years ago when I first encountered Alaska. As August, slowly dissolved into September, there was a definite chill in the air, a hazy coolness descending from the surrounding mountains.

With great enthusiasm, I set  off to explore Anchorage with its exotic mountainous vitas, babbling glaciers and vibrant autumn colors.

When I think of Anchorage, I am reminded of:

• Breathing as if for the first time. There's something so invigorating, almost minty, about the air in Alaska. It's crisp, it's so clean, it's saturated in possibility and wonder.
• The rush of anticipation. Everywhere I went, I was on the lookout for wildlife. The anticipation was thrilling. Will I encounter a school of salmon, a moose, a bear? Despite all of the moose and bear signs, I encountered neither, instead I happened upon a large and very angry elk- SURPRISE!
• Smoked Salmon- The soft, chewy, flavorful smoked salmon that comes from Alaska is heavenly. Aromatic, rich, slightly oily, if you're a fish person, this is a true treat.
• Panoramic black mountains at times, barely perceptible, tucked beneath a blanket of crepe-like fog. Mountains add texture and drama to the skyline in Anchorage. Everything else seems so small, almost insecure in their presence.
• 50 Shades of Gray! As in the sky, after the rain, layered like sedimentary rock, gray upon marbled gray. Gray is indeed a color with personality and charm.

Anchorage, what a pleasure and an honor it was to be in your presence.

The product that was inspired by my adventures in Anchorage is the Anchorage Body Butter, an ultra-moisturizing creamy shea based body butter with hints of peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus.

If you can’t experience Alaska in person for yourself, take the journey with an Anchorage Body Butter.

From now, until next Wednesday (9/10) enjoy 10% off the Anchorage Body Butter (by entering the code ANCHORAGE at checkout) and enjoy!

Click HERE to purchase.

DIY Organic Face Wash: Cleanse and Detoxify without all the fuss!

DIY Organic Face Wash: Cleanse and Detoxify without all the fuss!

So I’m going to let you in on a little secret. It’s going to seem so easy, strange and counterintuitive, you’re probably not going to believe me.

But since I said I was going to let you in on this secret, I can’t turn back now, so here goes…

All you need to cleanse, detoxify and balance the natural ph of your beautiful face is apple cider vinegar and coconut oil.

WHAT?!?!

STOP!  CRAZY!  NOT DOING IT!

OFFICER, ARREST THIS WOMAN!!!!

I know, I know…

For most of us, myself included (at first), it sounds absurd. Wash with oil? Isn’t the purpose of washing to get rid of the oil? Apple Cider Vinegar smells funny, I don’t want that anywhere near my face!

I completely get it.  I used to have oily, acne prone, sensitive skin and was absolutely not going to put oil on my face. But then I tried it. And it worked. And I haven’t looked back. Let me break it down for you…

 Why Coconut Oil works:

-Antioxidant properties (smoothes out wrinkles)

-Antibacterial and antifungal (gently destroys all of the things you don’t want on your face like acne)

-Oil dissolves oil (the oil on your face that makes you feel swampy and gross is dissolved  gently)

-Coconut oil, draws impurities out of the skin. It acts as a magnet for clogged pores, absorbing the dirt and oil that will disappear when you wipe it off.

-Moisturizing and gentle (gently moisturizes to the extent that it doesn’t strip your skin of oil which causes skin to overproduce; instead, coconut oil will cause you to naturally produce less oil and won’t leave you dry and raw).

-Celebrities with multi million dollar bank accounts and the ability to purchase the latest thousand dollar whale placenta fortified miracle cream, use it (hello Gwyneth and Giselle).

Why Apple Cider Vinegar works:

-Unblocks pores (so skin can breathe)

-Antiseptic and antibacterial (fights both acne and pollutants)

-Contains beta-carotene, which helps to fight free radicals (the result, that stunning youthful glow)

-Acidic in nature, it helps to restore the balance of our skin’s pH factor, since it has a pH very similar to what is ideal for healthy skin (traditional cleansers strip our acidic balance, leaving us prone to skin problems).

-Once again, celebrities with multi million dollar bank accounts and the ability to purchase the latest thousand dollar bat poop fortified miracle cream, use it (hello Scarlett).

Here’s what to do:

1)    Get a small one ounce spray bottle and fill it with 1/2 way with raw organic apple cider vinegar and 1/2 way with distilled water

2)    Take a small jar (4 ounces is great) and spoon it full with organic unrefined coconut oil

Here’s how to wash:

1)    Wet your face with warm water

2)    Spray your face with the apple cider vinegar (mind the eyes)

3)    Scoop about a ½ teaspoon full of coconut oil and massage it in a circular motion over your face and neck

4)    Wipe the oil away in the same circular motion with a warm, wet cloth

5)    Pat or air dry

6)    Smile at your dazzling image in the mirror and blow yourself a kiss. You look fabulous, you’re chemical free, and you’ve saved money with your new beauty regiment.

*Note how soft your skin is.

Delicious Crunchy Granola Goodness!

Granola has so many virtues- it's hearty as a meal or snack, it makes a delicious crunchy topping, it's gluten free, it's high in fiber, it's versatile, and it is just oh, so, good!

When I make granola, I love to get creative adding tropical fruit, coconut, and of course, my favorites- chia and flax. You can also add protein powder to your granola, which I do for my husband Mark in a separate tray (I can't stand the taste of protein powder).

Granola crumbles are fabulous because they have so many healthy uses. On their own, you can place in a bowl with milk for a delicious breakfast cereal. Add to a bowl of oatmeal to create a hearty and complexly flavored hot cereal. Throw a hand full in a plastic zip lock bag for an on the go snack, or sprinkle over Greek yogurt for some added texture and crunch. I’ve even baked these bad boys into some chewy oatmeal craison cookies for an added zing. Whatever your pleasure, you really can’t go wrong.

Feel free to substitute the fruit I have chosen if it doesn’t suit your palette. My three year old and I happen to be a mango and cherry fanatics. Simple raisins work fine, they just take me back to the monotony of elementary school packed lunches, I’m still not ready to accept raisins into my life, when cooking I tend to avoid them. Anyhow-

To make delicious, crunchy, granola goodness…

You’ll need:

2 cups oats 3 tablespoons chia 3 tablespoons flax 1 ½ cup shredded coconut ½ cup dried cherries ½ cup minced dried mango 1 cup almonds (I prefer whole for texture) 3 tablespoons coconut oil ¼ cup raw honey ¼ cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Here are the steps:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, combine your oats and almonds. Once blended together, pour into a baking dish and cook for 15 minutes until toasty.

Allow this mixture to cool before returning it to your mixing bowl where you’ll add your chia, flax, coconut, mango and cherries.

In a saucepan, combine your coconut oil, vanilla, sugar and salt on low heat, stirring until blended.

Remove from heat and add the honey, stirring once again to blend.

Add your wet ingredients to your dry ingredient bowl and mix very well.

Spoon your granola back into your baking dish and cook (we’re still at 350 degrees) for 30 minutes.

Allow the granola to cool before breaking it into crumbles using a spatula.

Store in a mason jar in a cool dry cabinet until ready to use.