NATURAL BEAUTY REMEDIES

Last night I watched a documentary on ABC iview called 'Face Facts: The Truth About Botox'. It was rather shocking in parts. Botox is produced from botulinim toxic. As the name suggests, it's a toxin - more specifically, a bacteria. It works by blocking a neurotransmitter release and causing muscle paralysis. This doco showcased some nasty side effects from Botox. One woman had had it injected into her lips a few years ago, had an immediate reaction and has now lost virtually her entire upper lip. Nice.

So instead, with the use of humble household items, you can nourish your skin, keep your top lip and say no to a frozen face. I can personally vouch for the use of coconut oil. And apple cider vinegar on hair. It works as a conditioner as well but be prepared to smell like vinegar. Matt noticed.

Happy winter skin

x

RAW CASHEW DREAMCAKE

today I made this.

 When I should have been doing an assignment- a raw cashew cheesecake sounded way more fun. No bake, no sugar, no dairy and no gluten = no guilt.  I take no credit for this. This little wonder is from My New Roots. Her site is wonderful and she makes delicious, healthy food and lots of clean recipes.

Raw Cashew Dreamcake:

Crust:
+  1/2 cup raw almonds (pecan or walnuts will also work)
+  1/2 cup soft Medjool dates
+  ¼ tsp. sea salt

Filling:
+  1 ½ cups raw cashews, soaked for at least 5 hours, overnight is best
+ juice of 2 lemons
+ the seeds of 1 whole vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
+  1/3 cup raw coconut oil, melted
+  1/3 cup raw honey
+  1 cup raspberries (thaw completely if using frozen)

1. Place nuts and dates in a food processor with sea salt and pulse to chop until they are to your desired fineness. Test the crust by spooning out a small amount of mixture and rolling it in your hands. If the ingredients hold together, your crust is perfect. Scoop out crust mixture in a 7” spring-form pan (if you don’t have a spring-form pan, use a pie plate lined with baking paper), and press firmly, making sure that the edges are well packed and that the base is even throughout. Rinse food processor well.

2. Warm coconut oil and honey in a small saucepan on low heat until liquid. Whisk to combine.

3. In the most powerful food processor / blender you own place all filling ingredients (except raspberries) and blend on high until very smooth (this make take a couple minutes so be patient).

4. Pour about 2/3 (just eyeball it, you can’t make a mistake!) of the mixture out onto the crust and smooth with a spatula. Add the raspberries to the remaining filling and blend on high until smooth. Pour onto the first layer of filling. Place in freezer until solid.

5. To serve, remove from freezer 30 minutes prior to eating. Run a smooth, sharp knife under hot water and cut into slices. Serve on its own, or with fresh fruit. Store leftovers in the freezer (what leftovers?).

* what I would say about this recipe, is to make sure you only soak your cashews for no more than 6 hours. I left mine soaking overnight and they were slightly on the bitter side so I had to add more sweetener. Otherwise, as Sarah suggests, you could add anything to this recipe. I reckon some cacao would be delicious for the bottom layer with the raspberry topping and it looks so impressive too! Layers just make everything look cooler. I even instagrammed it.

Have a lovely week friends x

CHIA PUDDING

YUM. this is one of my favourite snacks slash breakfasts slash can't-be-bothered-making-dinner.
Chia seeds rule. and if you don't eat them, I would recommend starting.

Chia seeds come from the Salvia hispanica L. plant which is a member of the mint family. They are the highest known plant source of Omega-3. Also they have loads of amino acids. There are 22 amino acids and chia seeds contain 18, notably nine of the essentials. ('Essential' means the body cannot produce it, therefore it must be obtained from the diet)
More chia fun facts:

• 7 x more Vitamin C than oranges
• 6 x more fibre than oat bran
• 5 x more calcium than milk
• 4 x higher ORAC value than blueberries
• 3 x more iron than spinach
• 2 x more potassium than bananas

(care of http://www.powersuperfoods.com.au)

When you mix chia with liquid it swells to 17 times it's size, making it an ideal egg substitute for vegans. It also makes a deeelicious pudding/parfait.. and it takes all of 2 minutes to make.

Chia Pudding

1 can of coconut milk or 1 cup of almond/rice milk
4 tbsps chia seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
big pinch of cinnamon
couple of drops of vanilla essence
couple of tbsps of honey/rice malt syrup

Mix it all together very well in a glass or jar and pop in the fridge overnight (or in my case twenty minutes cos I don't have any patience). and EAT.

This is also delicious with a handful of frozen berries and a big spoonful of natural yogurt. You can pretty much add anything without mucking it up.

DOVE REAL BEAUTY

  


Dove have just released their new 'Real Beauty' sketch and I think this is my favourite one yet. I love this concept and it's so powerful. It's so true that the way we view ourselves is often the most critical. In some ways, I have found that the older I get, the more critical I become of myself. Matt often compliments me on something and I'll snap back trying to diffuse or demean the compliment! So silly what we do but I am working on accepting them.. When I think on all the woman I admire, they all have a comfortable confidence about them and it's so attractive.  I hope this campaign challenges us girls, or anyone for that matter, in all the right ways x

GARLIC- THE STINKY ROSE

 

hell yes! I stumbled across this in a natural health magazine today. After doing some research found that in 1858 one of the founders of microbiology, Louis Pasteur discovered that garlic could kill bacteria. Science has now proved that one milliliter of garlic juice is just as effective at killing bacteria as 60mg of penicillin. I was so stoked to stumble across this cos I have always been a big fan of eating garlic at any sniff of a cold. I was debating this with a friend the other day - they said that medicine offered more assistance than garlic when a cold hits. But this proves them wrong! Garlic is natures best antibiotic, it will also help regulate your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and promote heart health while it's at it.

In other news, I have decided to direct my little corner to of the internet more towards health and food. Im studying naturopathy at the moment and feel like I am living and breathing it so I want to be able to share it. Even if it is to my gigantic audience of 4 readers. Hi mum.

MAD MEN SEASON 6

Words can't quite describe how excited I am for this Sunday and the 2 hour premiere of Mad Men's season 6! Matt and I took to watching the entire series from the beginning a few months ago to gear up for this new season.
Hit us with your best shot Matthew Weiner.
ohmyworditsgonnabesogood!!

 

 

             

ELLIE GOULDING & LISSIE

Im not sure where Lissie has been all my life. But she's officially gonna be a part of it now. Flippen incredible voice; so this little collaboration with ellie goulding is a treat to the ears. thank me later