A clear, glowing complexion is at the top of every woman’s beauty wishlist. Right now, you probably have some of the gentlest yet effective skin care ingredients sitting around the kitchen. Foods are often the source of  skin care ingredients but have you ever considered just putting the raw version on? These inexpensive and natural beauty fixes straight from your kitchen will nourish and brighten the complexion. Want to here how to achieve this? Before I get to these special formulas a few tips and tricks to support for total radiance!

Beauty Tricks: First things first, if you want to  have beautiful glowing skin you must have efficient digestion and elimination. Both are central to health and beauty; good looks will not be possible without optimal functioning.The mouth is the first organ of digestion, being the first place where food enters the body.

• Upon waking in the morning, prepare a warm cup of water with the juice of half a lemon and a dash of cayenne pepper. Drinking lemon juice regularly will aid the bowels in eliminating waste more efficiently, control constipation thus creating a more alkaline state in the body and supplies nutrients that assist in detoxification and digestion.
• Use a tongue cleaner/scraper to clean any bacteria from your tongue. The tongue is the mirror for the condition of the intestines. It’s important to get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth before you eat anything.
• Chewing well and thoroughly to taste food is also essential to good digestion. Flossing and brush the teeth to keep them strong and clean. Avoid soft drinks, sucking candy or chewing sweet things that stick to your teeth . They not only erode the protective enamel of the teeth, but leech precious minerals out of the body.
• Gargle each day to clear mucous and soothe a sore throat using a pinch of salt and turmeric in a cup of warm water.

Everything you eat becomes a part of not only your inner being, but the outer fabric of your body as well. The healthier the foods are that you consume, the better your skin will look. Read this Halloween Post from last year and follow these food rules to keep your body and skin beautiful. You can wake up your taste buds and spark up the skin with herbs and spices. Cooking with herbs and spices will enhance the flavor of healthy foods without adding fat, salt, sugar, or calories. Most of the ones  I list  have anti-inflammatory properties as well as benefiting the digestive system.

• Ginger: Anti-inflammatory and great for digestion. Add fresh ginger to juices, teas, and pretty much any vegetable dish.
• Cumin: Supports healthy blood sugar levels and is an anti-oxidant. It’s a great mild spice for curry dishes.
• Cinnamon: An anti-oxidant and supports healthy blood sugar levels. Add to cooking and healthy sweet treats.
• Turmeric: Contains curcumin, plus it boats anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant properties. Great in curries, rice and veggie dishes.
• Rosemary: Is an anti-oxidant and has anti-cancer properties. Add to veggie pizzas and tomato-based vegetable dishes.
• Thyme: Is a natural antibacterial, rich source of polyphenols and flavonoids and improves digestion. Great added to any vegetarian meal.
• Cayenne: Destroys bacteria and enhances your immune system, improves blood flow, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, diuretic, analgesic, expectorant, and diaphoretic properties. Add to soups, stir-fries, curries and rice veggie dishes.
• Garlic: Helps to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, control triglycerides (fats) and thin the blood, reducing clotting in high-risk heart patients. It also supports general immune function, has a natural antibacterial and antifungal action, acts as an antiseptic, fights infection and contains chemicals that help to prevent cancer. Great in pretty much anything you cook!

Kitchen Treats: Face packs made of variety fruits and vegetables improve circulation, soften and cleanse the entire face. The juices of the fruits and veggies tone and provide enzymes that help balance and cleanse the skin. You can mash or pulp the fresh fruit and vegetables, then add fruit pectin, clay or oat flour to firm the mixture so it does not slide off the face.Remove with cool water and a clean wash cloth after 20-30 minutes.

Dry & Mature Skin Pack- try apple, avocado, banana, carrot, pear, grape.

Oily & Blemished Skin Pack-try cucumber,lemon, pear, strawberry or tomato.

Quick Preps To Treat:

• A mixture of tomato juice and lemon juice and applied on the face regularly to get a soft, brightening and glowing skin. Or Tomato juice with garlic paste on a blemish works wonders!!
• Applying mint juice and basil leaves  can help in brightening stains from the skin .
• Lemon juice, honey and olive oil  or coconut oil mixed together can be used as a moisturizer for dry skin.
• Turmeric powder mixed with coconut milk purifies the blood and gives a glow to the skin.
• Aloe Vera juice gives skin a natural glow and gives it a youthful appearance.
• A mixture of cucumber juice and milk works as a good cleanser.

This Halloween and beyond treat yourself to these tasty temptations! If these at home beauty tips and tricks are just not cutting it for you, maybe it’s time to seek out a professional treatment- Contact me to set up an appointment today!  When you are ready to discover just how beautiful you truly are, do not be distracted by the latest fads or quick fixes that promise to reveal some magic secret. Instead, make an investment. Go beyond only watching, or listening. Talk with a professional and discover the only important beauty secret — yours.

Happy Halloween

Claudia ~

It’s summer time and what better way to cool off than with homemade popsicles! Popsicles, are a deliciously refreshing treat on a hot summer day. They are lightly sweetened and made with fresh fruit which makes them a healthier alternative to popsicles with artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners. These fruity popsicles are a summertime favorite around my house.  They remind me of my childhood- every summer my mom would make Paletas de Tamarindo- Popsicles made of Tamarind and we would experiment with other fruits. Below are my two favorite popsicle recipes and  I’ve decided to share them both with you!  Recipes Courtesy of Glutton for Life

In honor of Valentines’ Day this post is all about natural love potions. Popular herbs and aphrodisiacs to keep your libido strong and keep you both in the mood, increasing desire and everything else that comes after that. The best aphrodisiac is having a sexual partner who truly loves you isn’t it? Having sex can be a big stress reliever, releasing physically and emotionally, bonding and aiding in the release of endorphins. What about when stress is the cause of getting you out of the mood?

Many factors can contribute to a drop in one’s libido. Age, illness,hormonal cycles, nutritional deficiencies or even just the drain of everyday demands of work and relationships can create changes in a reduced sex drive. Besides eating right, getting enough sleep, exercising and reducing stress there are other ways to enhance your sexual desire; and herbs are a great way to start. Here are some  popular herbs used for many years to help increase desire and keep you in the mood!

Maca Root: Also called “Peruvian ginseng”, Maca is a folk remedy used to increase stamina, energy, and sexual function. As an adaptogen, Maca can provide more energy if it is needed, but will not overstimulate the body. This Superfood of the Incas is a nutrient-dense ancient medicine that has been prescribed for centuries by holistic Native American healers.

• As an adaptogen it restores the body’s homeostasis when undergoing stress, which means it has the ability to balance and stabilize the body’s systems (cardiovascular system, nervous system, endocrine system, musculature, lymphatic system, etc.)

• In women and men a powerful strength and stamina enhancer, as well as a libido-enhancing food-herb. Increasing sexual desire and fertility. Check out Cordyceps too (the Chinese longevity mushroom)

• In women and men, Maca assists in creating hormonal balance while not having a direct affect on serum hormone levels.

• Improves mental clarity, focus and eyesight sharpness

Ginseng Root:

• Increases stamina and energy

• Stress adaptogen that allows one’s body to adapt to and decrease the negative effects of stress

Damiana:

• A Mexican herb that  can enhance female sexual function via active constituents that have progesterone mimicking qualities.

LOVE PUT A SPELL ON ME

Try this love potion (found in the Yoga Journal)made from Ayurvedic herbs and foods to nourish the reproductive tissues and sexual fluids.

Recipe:

Simmer one cup of almond milk with the other ingredients (available at natural food stores) for 5 minutes. Pour into two demitasse cups and make a toast to your love.

1/2 teaspon of ashwgandha  powder-Used for centuries as an aphrodisiac and a rejuvenative for the male reproductive system, Ashwagandha is said to bestow upon the user the strength and virility of a horse. This potent herb is traditionally used to increase fertility and libido, and has been reported useful in treating impotence. The increase in vital energy provided by Ashwagandha can be used to improve sexual performance and control or can be rechanneled and transmuted into the vibrant energy associated with health and well-being.

1/2 teaspoon of shatavari  powder - Shatavari in Sanskrit means “one who can have a hundred husbands”. It is the main herbal rejuvenative for females but works on both sexes as well. Shatavari nourishes and cleanses the female reproductive organs and ovum.

1/2 teaspoon of ghee (clarified butter)

1/4 teaspoon of licorice root powder

1/4 teaspoon of dry ginger powder

1 date, minced

A pinch of nutmeg

“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end”~ Author Unkown

Love & Light

Claudia~



On my recent trip to Tucson, AZ I stayed at Miraval Resort & Spa. I was obsessed with this yummy peanut butter that I asked the Executive Chef for this simple recipe. Provides antioxidants, good fats, protein to aide in muscle growth and plenty of fiber and Vitamins E & B6.

Yield: 1 CUP

Servings:16

Serving Size- 1T

Ingredients:

1/3 C Organic Peanut Butter,Smooth

1C Carrots,peeled and boiled until soft

Directions: Blend Peanut Butter and boiled carrot chunks in a food processor.

Calories: 36| Fat: 2.74g| Carbs: 2g| Protein: 1g| Sat. Fat: 1g| Cholesterol: 0| Sodium: 31 mg | Fiber 1g

Enjoy!

~Claudia

Tea Plucker in Munnar~ Photo by yours truly

In India Tea is much more than a drink: it is an experience steeped in history, rich with tradition and filled with health benefits. “Tea Time” is serious business right from starting the day by making our own Masala Chai tea (infused with spices, fresh ginger, cardamom, milk and sugar) to “afternoon tea” which allows us that “much needed” break to take it slow – similar to a siesta in many other countries. The first part of my Indian journey, Mumbai, involved a lot of eating and shopping – see EAT PRAY SHOP! After having my senses assaulted it was lovely to go back to a cozy bed to nap and awaken to sweet aromas and flavors. Then, on to sharing the stories of the day while enjoying a nice cup of tea with others was an incredibly pleasant experience.

The pace of life in the 21st Century is one of fast food, fast travel, fast work, fast style – all impacted by advanced technology. The slowed down lifestyle has been damaged by our fast paced culture and this fast paced culture does not seem to make us more productive or happy. Did you know there is a whole movement on being slow? A slow life philosophy promoted by slowmovement.com stands for sustainable, local, organic ,wholesome and is inspired by fun and life experiences.

Finally, the end of my journey took me through Kerala, a Southwest Indian State known as “God’s Own Country.” Kerala is a gorgeous tropical area renowned for its backwaters, white sandy beaches, lush vegetation, abundant coconut palms, and the availability of Ayurvedic healing therapies. The sweet people of Kerala, known as Keralites, have a lifestyle that is uncomplicated and they seem happy and content with the simple pleasures of life and a slow pace. I enjoyed a day trip to Munnar, which was quite a unique experience. One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar, is breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility. Visiting Munnar, I now understand why they call Kerala “God’s own country”. There are sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes, and rolling hills of lush greenery. Munnar is essentially a tea town. The tea plantations have now been taken over by the Tata Tea Company. As a visitor you are greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations upon entry into Munnar and the aroma is heavenly.

Spending time in India, enjoying the simple pleasures such as sipping tea, hiking and seeing beautiful landscapes was an amazing life experience that I will always cherish. Living life, rather than rushing through it, and being in the moment are my lessons to remember.

I would love for you to share a comment on a simple pleasure that has inspired you recently!

Here’s a yummy recipe for your drinking pleasure taken from my friend Laura Silverman’s Blog Glutton For Life

Love, Light & Happy Tea Time

Claudia~

Masala Chai @ the Tea Pot, Ft Cochin, Kerala~Photo by yours truly

I love a good cup of chai and this recipe taken from my friend Laura Silverman’s Blog Glutton for Life is yummy. In my recent travels to India, I had the pleasure of enjoying a masala chai daily -actually several times a day. See Post “Tea Time.” Indians drink chai like Americans drink coffee.  I thought it strange  to have such a warm drink in that horrid heat but somehow it was very soothing. I now store my own blend in a jar and  steep it when I need it throughout the day. I learned quickly from my host and long lost sister Ooshin-as she keeps in her kitchen in India.

MASALA CHAI

makes 8 servings

8 whole cloves

6 green cardamom pods, crushed

2 cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

8 tablespoons black tea, like Assam

Combine equal parts water and milk in a small saucepan (about ¾ cup of each for one large mug), adding 1-2 tablespoons of the masala chai per serving, and sweetener to taste, and slowly bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat, cover and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Then strain into cup and serve.

Laura Silverman also makes a version with just green tea and cardamom that is delicious. You can customize your spice blend however you like, adding more or less of whatever appeals to you. It’s also nice to use fresh ginger.

Fresh catch of the day! Photo taken near the Chinese Fishing Nets-Ft. Cochin, Kerala

The recipe I’m about to give you is from Kerala- and I love the food from this region. It is such a refined cuisine, in the best sense: the spices are used delicately to produce food that is aromatic rather than cough-inducingly hot; the scents of coconut and lime pervade. I stuffed myself silly with meals  similar to the one below during my stay in Cochin recently.  I’m positive you will enjoy this recipe taken from Laura Silverman’s Blog Glutton for Life.

This recipe as most Indian dishes also uses turmeric. Turmeric, also called curcumin, a miracle spice that  has been used in Asian cookery for thousands of years. Powder ground from the dried root is an ingredient in curry. Turmeric is one of the cheaper spices and makes a vivid splash of color. Turmeric has anticancer effects; the spice acts in two ways: has its own antioxidant and free radical-scavenging effects, and enhances the body’s natural antioxidant, its anti-inflammatory properties has no toxicity. Turmeric on the cardiovascular system reduces cholesterol levels. Turmeric exhibits liver protection properties because of its potent antioxidant properties. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory activity reduces arthritic swelling, progressive brain damage and reduces Alzheimer’s-related inflammation in neurological tissue. Turmeric does not have any adverse side effects. Turmeric promotes youthfulness, regular in our diet or as a supplement may help slow the process of aging. Extracts of turmeric have powerful antioxidant qualities, rivaling those of vitamins C & E and have a positive effect on cholesterol. Turmeric holds a high place in Ayurvedic medicine as a “cleanser of the body.”

KERALAN FISH MOILEE

serves 4

1 pound firm white fish fillets (like halibut or pink snapper)

1 teaspoon fenugreek

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 onion, sliced thin

1″ knob ginger, peeled and minced

1 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 fresh green chile (jalapeño or serrano)

handful of fresh or dried curry leaves*

1/2 fresh tomato, sliced thin

1 cup water

2 cups coconut milk

1 teaspoon lime juice

Salt

Heat oil over moderate heat in deep skillet and sautee fenugreek and garlic until lightly browned. Add onion, ginger, chile and curry leaves sautee 2 minutes more. Then add water and one cup coconut milk and bring to a boil. Add lime juice and salt with fish and simmer briskly.

Add remaining coconut milk and tomato and simmer briskly for a few minutes, until cooked through. Serve hot with jasmine rice alongside.

*Curry leaves can often be found in the refrigerated section of Indian specialty markets. Other specialty stores sometimes carry the dried version.

Upon returning from my yoga adventure, I was ready to start my Purification Program and start  detoxing. I am now on the 18th day of my 21-day cleanse feeling energetic, lighter and certainly slimmer!  If you want to re-energize and never feel tired again, have a glowing complexion and shed some extra pounds I highly recommend this cleansing  program. You can read here about the program and contact Dr. Lou Granirer to get started! Along with the supplements the diet I kept on the cleanse is primarily vegetarian. I included raw food and fresh vegetable juices and smoothies daily. I’ve made this salad a few times while on this cleanse and it’s a light fresh salad you can have all spring and summer long. Enjoy!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 bag (1 pound) shelled edamame (soybeans), thawed

1 bag (1 pound) frozen corn, thawed, or 3 cups fresh-cut corn kernels (from about 4 ears)

2 large ripe plum tomatoes, diced or cherry tomatoes, 12 halved

Avocado, 1 large, pitted, peeled and cubed

Fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Romaine lettuce 8 dark outer leaves

Fresh Cilantro (fresh coriander), 2 tablespoons chopped

or 1/4 cup minced fresh chives or basil

1) Cook the corn and edamame

Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and have ready a bowl of ice water. Add the corn and the edamame and cook for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the bowl of ice water. Drain corn and edamame, place in a large bowl and add the tomatoes and avocado.

2) Assemble the salad

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and a 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in the oil. Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving platter and spoon the salad onto leaves. Garnish with the cilantro or basil and serve.

Smoothies are a great way to combine many superfoods into one delicious meal. They’re quick, delicious – and with the right ingredients – incredibly nutritious!

4 Cups Liquid – water, hot or cold tea  fresh coconut water, or any nut milk
3 Tablespoons Cacao Powder

1 Tablespoon Cacao Nibs

1 Tablespoon Maca, Red Maca

3 Tablespoon Certified Organic Goji Berries

1 Teaspoon Goji Berry Extract Powder (optional, but super energizing!)

1-2 Tablespoons sweetener

suggestions: yacon syrup, amber or dark agave, or any raw honeys

1-3 Cups frozen, organic berries or fruit (depending on how thick you like your smoothie)

1 Tablespoon Hemp Seeds

1 Small pinch Celtic Sea Salt

Blend in a blender on high. Makes 2-4 servings.

Resource: David Wolfe

Another storm hits the Northeast (seems to be the theme this month), although this time mother nature means business dumping a ton of snow and heavy rain, making it very wet, slushy and blustery. I’m happy to be home safe and warm with my three furry companions- spending most of the day juicing, cooking and  listening to Stevie Wonder with  a glass of wine imagining  Spring just around the corner.

For the moment I couldn’t think of a better way to nurture my body and spice things up so I made soup! I love carrot ginger soup colorful and fragrant it’s a light and soothing soup. Carrot soup with ginger is a nutritious and low fat soup with just a touch of sweetness and a touch of spice. Full of vitamin C and a heady dose of iron. Ginger has been shown to warm the respiratory tract and help soothe budding colds and flu, not to mention  so comforting for the winter blues. This version of the soup is vegetarian and vegan.

I was craving  naan bread to dip in the soup but settled for a crusty french baguette, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Carrot Ginger Soup:

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 yellow onion, diced

• 1/4 cup fresh ginger, minced

• 4 cups chopped and peeled carrots (about 1 1/2 pounds)

• 3 cups vegetable broth

• 1 1/2 cups orange juice

• dash nutmeg

• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

In a large pot, sautee onions and ginger in olive oil until soft, about 3-5 minutes.

Add carrots and vegetable broth and reduce heat to medium. Allow to simmer for about 40 minutes, or until carrots are soft. Add orange juice and stir well. Working in small batches and using a food processor or blender, process soup until smooth.
Return to pot or serving bowl and add nutmeg, salt and pepper, stirring well. Serve with a dollop of yogurt if desired and enjoy!