Make Your Own Aloe Cleanser

Making your own cleansers is one of the best ways to know exactly what is in your products. Aloe is one of the most soothing ingredients in skin care and here is a cleanser you can make yourself.




30 ml aloe vera gel
50 ml olive oil
30 ml rosewater
4 drops rose essential oil
2 drops grapefruit seed extract

Blend the ingredients together in a food processor and decant into a small bottle. Keep in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Shake before use, as the ingredients may separate. Massage into your face and remove with either a cloth or water.

Interesting Uses For Mustard

Oh, just look at the uses I came upon for mustard in my quest for trivial information.

Soothe an aching back
Take a bath in yellow mustard to relieve an aching back or arthritis pain. Simply pour a regular 6- to 8-ounce (175- to 240-ml) bottle of mustard into the hot water as the tub fills. Mix well and soak yourself for 15 minutes. If you don't have time for a bath, you can rub some mustard directly on the affected areas. Use only mild yellow mustard and make sure to apply it to a small test area first. Undiluted mustard may irritate your skin.

Relax stiff muscles
Next time you take a bath in Epsom salt, throw in a few tablespoons yellow mustard too. The mustard will enhance the soothing effects of the Epsom salt and also help to relax stiff, sore muscles.

Relieve congestion
Relieve congestion with a mustard plaster just like Grandma used to make. Rub your chest with prepared mustard, soak a washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and place it over the mustard.

Make a facial mask
Pat your face with mild yellow mustard for a bracing facial that will soothe and stimulate your skin. Try it on a small test area first to make sure it will not be irritating.

Remove skunk smell from car
You didn't see the skunk in the road until it was too late, and now your car exudes that foul aroma. Use mustard powder to get rid of those awful skunk odors. Pour 1 cup dry mustard into a bucket of warm water, mix well, and splash it on the tires, wheels, and underbody of the car. Your passengers will thank you.

Remove odor from bottles
You've got some nice bottles you'd like to keep, but after washing them, they still smell like whatever came in them. Mustard is a sure way to kill the smell. After washing, just squirt a little mustard into the bottle, fill with warm water, and shake it up. Rinse well, and the smell will be gone.

*GASP*

Isn't this the most beautiful cake? Since my birthday is coming up I decided to browse through birthday cake photos and came upon this! It's like it was made just for me..but alas, it wasn't..sigh. The baker is a true artist!! Even if I was to have a cake like this I have to wonder, could I even cut in to it or would I just bask in it's loveliness? After all it includes many of my obsessions...teapot, teacups, pearls, roses, gold trim all sitting atop beautiful china, not to mention I am a lover of sweets! I will have to accept this as my "virtual" birthday cake for now and know that somewhere out there, there is a baker that knows exactly how to make my perfect cake. Oh where are you???

Maple Sesame Walnuts

These sweet and spicy sesame-covered walnuts are a great snack. They also make a nice topping for fruit or vegetable salads.



Ingredients:
4 cups walnut halves
4 tablespoons real maple syrup
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
generous pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F.
In medium bowl combine all ingredients. Mix until walnuts are evenly coated with maple syrup and seasonings.
Spread walnuts on non-stick baking sheet, or baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until nuts are lightly browned. Allow to cool on baking sheet. (Nuts will become dry and crunchy as they cool.)
Makes 16 servings, about 1/4 cup per serving.

Rye Honey Cake..French

I came across this honey cake that is still made in many regions of France and couldn't wait to post it for all to enjoy! The recipe is referred to as couque in rural areas. This is the very rustic and traditional version of the recipe that you are likely to come across in small inns and out-of-the-way taverns. Easy to prepare, this honey cake recipe makes 12 servings; and it is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy it slowly, with a small cup of café.


Ingredients:
1 cup rye flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, crushed (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup honey
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup light vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan and set it aside.

Stir together the dry ingredients, and then add the honey, eggs, oil, and water. Mix the batter until the ingredients are incorporated, but not overmixed, about 2 minutes. Pour the honey batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until the cake tests done 1/2-inch from the center.

Cool the honey cake for 10 minutes in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

This rye honey cake recipe makes 12 servings.

Diabetic Apple Sour Cream Cake

Here is a decadent, low-fat, sour cream cake with an apple oat topping that everyone will enjoy.


Ingredients:
2 tbsp Margarine, soft, 80% fat
4 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup egg whites (cup)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cup white all purpose flour
3/4 cup sweetener (sugar substitute like Splenda)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp low sodium baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup fat free sour cream
2 cup chopped apples
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
Topping:
1/2 cup Oats, whole, instant
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar substitute (Splenda or similiar), granulated
2 tsp salted butter
Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and grease a 13 x 9 baking pan.
2 Mix the margarine and applesauce in a mixing bowl and add the sugar. Beat well with a mixer. Add egg whites and vanilla, continue to beat well.
3 In a separate bowl, sift together flour, Splenda, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
4 Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the sour cream and gently combine. Stir in chopped apples.
5 Spread the mixture evenly into the greased pan. Mix together ingredients for topping and sprinkle topping over batter.
6 Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

11 Health Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice has become popular in the past few years, but does it really live up to the hype? I know it's full of antioxidents, which is why I drink it, but what else does it do for you? Read on and find out.

Fights Breast Cancer
Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

Lung Cancer Prevention
Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

Slows Prostate Cancer
It slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

Keeps PSA Levels Stable
In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Protects the Neonatal Brain
Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

Prevention of Osteoarthritis
Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.

Protects the Arteries
It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.

Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
It may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.

Lowers Cholesterol
It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).

Lowers Blood Pressure
One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

Dental Protection
Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Aigo Boulido - Garlic and Herb Soup With Eggs

I have read that this aigo boulido, or garlic soup, recipe is the Provencal cure for anything that ails you. A traditional recipe that incorporates garlic, herbs, and water, it is known informally as “boiled water.” For me it looks the perfect recipe for a cold winter's day.


Ingredients:
4 cups water
10 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
6 sage leaves
1 small bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 egg yolks, beaten
Garlic croutons:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
6 slices baguette
1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese
Preparation:
In a large saucepan, bring the water, 10 cloves garlic, sage, bay leaf, salt and pepper to a simmer. Continue simmering the broth until the garlic is softened and cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the burner and strain the garlic and herbs from the water. Return the water to the pan.

Remove the bay leaf and sage leaves from the garlic and discard. Using a fork, smash the garlic into a paste and return it to the pan. Bring the soup to just under a simmer and rapidly stir in the beaten eggs yolks. Continue stirring for 30 seconds, until the eggs are set into thin strands.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, sauté garlic in the oil and butter until tender –about 7-10 minutes total. Transfer the garlic to a plate. Place baguette slices into hot oil and sauté both sides until they are golden brown.

Place each finished crouton into an ovenproof bowl, top with the soup, and garnish with a bit of Gruyere cheese. Melt the cheese under a broiler, if desired.

This aigo boulido recipes makes 4 to 6 servings.