Apple Cider Vinegar...a natural solution for Summer Skin!

<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Is anyone noticing a change in their skin with the increasingly humid and hot days? If you're like the average woman, then you probably are noticing more oil production, larger pores and redness. The heat (and sun) causes a dilation (opening) in the blood vessels in the face - this changes the appearance and quality of the skin on our face and may require you to change your daily routine a little bit.</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t7te4U61HXe9hWAluMx9y-HIbsuVGoBGXTX6F6DBwJ_J3czlBthf_i49GtPI5fSC63IEXXXN8QrCQrtdeQPAVZxxwBHYYtedy7bVPzycnzBswHz44wZ9f1wWJFIsk30pFNjeGQAYNd-Z/s1600/applecidervinegar_grp_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8t7te4U61HXe9hWAluMx9y-HIbsuVGoBGXTX6F6DBwJ_J3czlBthf_i49GtPI5fSC63IEXXXN8QrCQrtdeQPAVZxxwBHYYtedy7bVPzycnzBswHz44wZ9f1wWJFIsk30pFNjeGQAYNd-Z/s320/applecidervinegar_grp_500.gif" width="320" /></a>I like to experiment with making some of my own beauty products, others I like to purchase from brands that I know are natural and non-toxic (we have many fabulous products at our local health food stores). But this all-natural beauty solution is so simple that anyone can do it. All you need is a bottle of raw unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar (I'm currently using Filsinger's, but Bragg's makes one as well).  Apple Cider Vinegar is the end product of apple fermentation - it's full of beneficial enzymes and acids (like alpha-hydroxy acids, known to exfoliate the skin) - you can't get any more natural! Remember, anything you put ON your skin ends up INSIDE your body! Traditional big-name toners are full of chemicals and synthetics - I would avoid them. </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) on the skin is tip I learned from our Holistic Spa Therapist several years ago, but am recently really enjoying its use with the humidity.  ACV has many uses, but here's some of the main points of how it works on the skin:</span></span><br /> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">helps minimize the appearance of pores (dissolves dead skin cells)</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">balances the skin's pH</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">lightens sun spots and acne scarring</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">helps kill the bacteria that can cause acne and blemishes</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">dissolves skin oils</span></span></li> </ul> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Here's how you make it:</span></span><br /> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Get a clean glass bottle, and funnel ACV to fill the bottle halfway</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Top up the bottle with filtered or distilled water</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Shake the bottle to mix it up, and it's ready for use</span></span></li> <li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After washing your face, gently pat it dry and then apply your ACV toner with a cotton pad avoiding the eyes. Let it dry before applying your moisturizer.</span></span></li> </ul> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*Note - this method produces a 1:1 ratio ACV toner, but some people like to make it even weaker, depending on your skin type. If your face feels too tight, use less ACV and more water.</span></span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I moisturize my face with oils on a daily basis, but this time of year I find that it's just too much for my face - I cut back on the amount of oil I'm using, but also add this little extra step after washing!</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">*Tip - you can use your ACV solution anytime that you need to remove excess oil or makeup from the skin! </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>

Apple Cider Vinegar...a natural solution for Summer Skin!

Is anyone noticing a change in their skin with the increasingly humid and hot days? If you're like the average woman, then you probably ...

Mineral-Rich Peach & Yogurt Popsicles

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Summer is upon us, and that means BBQ's, hot lazy days (let's hope) and of course frozen treats! Here's one of my favorite frozen treats that is sure to cool you down while giving you an amazing dose of minerals! I use<b> St. Francis Mineral Matrix</b> as a warm beverage during the winter - It tastes great in coffee, tea or hot almond milk (and the kids love it for breakfast in this way, with a touch of honey). Mineral Matrix gives you a healthy dose of minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium from a whole food source. It helps to alkalinize your body, gives you energy, strengthens joints and bones and supports the immune system. What's not to love??</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I'm happy that I've found a way to incorporate it during the hot days of summer - add it to popsicles! This is SO great for the kids, but also something you can enjoy as an afternoon snack.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsPSyu0LeZ8YjejyVzBSnrsxB-uf7ckIkWK4gkzihNOH1q973euoPSCHBH4eGHJ-fGNl8GjouHkJXYwD1vMB6iyqRp4p0GlCKf-JdRRi6smO5BPHqttGOeG6i56wjnkwUlZkdtl-TsN-G/s1600/MineralPopsicle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsPSyu0LeZ8YjejyVzBSnrsxB-uf7ckIkWK4gkzihNOH1q973euoPSCHBH4eGHJ-fGNl8GjouHkJXYwD1vMB6iyqRp4p0GlCKf-JdRRi6smO5BPHqttGOeG6i56wjnkwUlZkdtl-TsN-G/s320/MineralPopsicle.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ingredients:</span></b><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 peaches diced</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup berries or pitted cherries </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 cup organic plain greek yogurt</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3 TBSP St. Francis Mineral Matrix</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">honey to taste</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">popsicle molds</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Directions:</b> Peaches aren't quite in season yet, so if yours are not sweet or soft, give them a quick simmer in a pan with a few tbsp of water until they are a little soft - a drizzle of honey can be added. Mix your yogurt with vanilla (to give it a little sweetness), Mineral Matrix and as much honey as you like (I don't like to make it overly sweet - the fruit and vanilla gives it enough sweetness) - mix it gently to 'swirl' the Mineral Matrix in, which looks really nice in the molds. Drop a few cherries or berries into your molds, and then layer in the peaches alternating with yogurt. Freeze and enjoy!</span>

Mineral-Rich Peach & Yogurt Popsicles

Summer is upon us, and that means BBQ's, hot lazy days (let's hope) and of course frozen treats! Here's one of my favorite froze...

Almond-crusted Zucchini Fingers!!

<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Getting more veggies into my diet is something I'm constantly challenging myself to do, and although I love veggies in their most simple and and natural forms, sometimes it's nice to explore new veggie recipes to help meet the target (10, half cup servings daily...yup, not a typo!). </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I don't know about yours, but my kids don't love zucchini - they don't like the 'mushy' texture or the bland flavor. This recipe is NOT mushy or tasteless, and is kid-friendly! This recipe is simple, tasty, and will help you use up all that zucchini this summer.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkd_Z9GXHpwun_QZvymcjWjGZQhCCZdgHj_5qBLnTQ7sypeK0hVciKCdY1jmMt8d7uHSgvGoovbWzDyDZOgD6FKwa7ctaflyx0aS86K0FJ4-_Ab_GjxryAEU1dLFVoV51iDGqZzScLbWF8/s1600/zucchiniFingers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkd_Z9GXHpwun_QZvymcjWjGZQhCCZdgHj_5qBLnTQ7sypeK0hVciKCdY1jmMt8d7uHSgvGoovbWzDyDZOgD6FKwa7ctaflyx0aS86K0FJ4-_Ab_GjxryAEU1dLFVoV51iDGqZzScLbWF8/s320/zucchiniFingers.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Almond-crusted Zucchini Fingers</span></b><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6-8 medium zucchini</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup egg whites (or 2 eggs)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4 TBSP coconut flour</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup ground almonds (I used my food processor)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 tsp chili powder</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 tsp sea salt</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">-In a large ziploc bag or bowl combine 3 TBSP of your coconut flour, chili powder, salt and ground almond. Set aside </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">-Cut your zucchini into quarters lengthwise</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">-Sprinkle with 1 TBSP of the coconut flour to absorb any moisture, then dip in your egg mixture</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">-put 4 pieces at a time into your coating mixture and toss around gently</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">-lay your pieces on a parchment lined baking sheet (don't overcrowd or they won't crisp up)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bake at 450 for roughly 25 min (turning after 15 min.). Serve with Avocado mayo, lemon wedges or home-made Aioli! Enjoy:) </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>

Almond-crusted Zucchini Fingers!!

Getting more veggies into my diet is something I'm constantly challenging myself to do, and although I love veggies in their most simple...