Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Edible Skin Care Recipes - Part IV

Hello everyone! Sorry I've been away so long! It's gardening season in coastal Maine and I've been busy planting my veggies in my smaller 25' x 55' organic garden and enjoying watching my husband create/construct a new, crescent-shaped, terraced, - much larger - garden outlined with native boulders. We live along the Penobscot River as it opens to the Atlantic and our property slopes down towards the water. The view from the new garden is spectacular. In this new garden, I plan on planting "things that vine & need space" such as winter squashes, pumpkins, black raspberries, blackberries, high-bush blueberries, strawberries, and corn. It's so exciting!

Today, I'll give you another recipe for "skin-beautifying food". These no-bake, semi-raw cookies are super yummy! Hope you give them a try.


APRICOT CHEWS

Each day, eat something that, if planted, would grow - such as the seeds in these no-bake cookies (if left untoasted). Apricots and raisins add iron, necessary for the hemoglobin that transports oxygen to cells, giving you a healthy glow. Lecithin granules, available in most health food stores, sharpen the mind and improve memory. Rosemary adds a peppy finish.

Ingredients:

12 dried, unsulfured apricots, chopped
1/2 cup raisins or currants
1 cup apple juice, natural or fresh squeezed
1 sprig or rosemary, minced or 1/2 teaspoon dried
3 tablespoons almonds, coarsely ground or slivered, raw or lightly toasted
3 tablespoons low-fat granola cereal
3 tablespoons lecithin granules
3 tablespoons raw or toasted wheatgerm
2 tablespoons bran cereal
1 tablespoon dry milk powder or soy milk powder
2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut, raw or toasted
2 tablespoons sunflower seed kernels, raw or lightly toasted
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, raw or lightly toasted
Raw or lightly toasted walnut halves for garnish

To Make:

1. In a small saucepan, pour apple juice over apricots and raisins. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Drain.
2. In a food processor, puree the fruit and rosemary.
3. In a separate bowl, blend puree with almonds, granola, lecithin, wheatgerm, bran, milk powder, coconut, sunflower kernels, and sesame seeds.
4. Place mixture on waxed or parchment paper or aluminum foil. Using sides of paper, form mixture into a 10-12" log. Wrap and refrigerate for an hour or longer until firm. Slice log into 12 pieces. Press a walnut into the center of each slice.

To Use: Wrap individually with plastic food wrap and refrigerate to keep firm. Enjoy!

Yield: 1 dozen, approximately 80 calories each


NOTE & Disclaimer: The above information has been adapted from the book, "Naturally Healthy Skin" by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 1999. It is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. All recommendations are made without guarantee on part of the author. Ms. Tourles disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only. Please see a nutritionist or health professional should you have any medical questions or feel free to research this topic further on your own.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Edible Skin Care Recipes, Part III

These next two recipes, Honey Pecan Cookies & Apricot Chews (which I will give to you in Part IV), were graciously donated by Bill & Sylvia Varney, owners of the Fredericksburg Herb Farm in Fredericksburg, TX. This herb farm and restaurant is simply beautiful - an oasis under the hot Texas sun.

The Varneys say, "For healthy hair and skin, what goes in the body comes before what goes on it. The skin, like every other part of the body, receives its nourishment from the bloodstream. Overload your body with caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, refined sugar, saturated fat, emotional stress, and guess what? Poor color, circles under the eyes, blemished skin, and a never-ending bad hair day. Take a nibble, boost your body and your spirits with a cookie.

"Surprised? ask the Varneys, "Our cookie recipes are different! They are dense in nutrients, without the abundance of fat and refined sweeteners found in ordinary cookies. They're rich in B and E vitamins to nourish your nerves and put a spark in your eyes; rich in calcium to strengthen your bones; rich in iron for your blood; rich in fiber to clean out your insides; and rich in potassium for your heart, too. Best of all, you'll find that in the pursuit of health, vigor, and beauty, your taste buds never had it so good!"


RECIPE: Honey Pecan Cookies

Full of vitality-boosting minerals and vitamins B and E, that help keep you calm, cool, collected, and beautiful, these lemon verbena-scented cookies perk up those afternoon slumps. Nibble one and resist empty-calorie temptations.

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached flour
2 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons bran
2 tablespoons organic powdered milk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey
1 organic egg
1 4" sprig lemon verbena, minced, or 1/2 teaspoon dried or 2 teaspoons minced fresh lemon balm leaves, or 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup organic fresh buttermilk or reconstitute from a dried buttermilk mix
1/2 cup pecans, raw or toasted (your choice) and finely chopped
Raw or toasted (your choice), chopped pecans for garnish

To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees fahrenheit
2. Stir together all dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. In food processor, beat the butter and honey together, then add egg, lemon verbena, lemon juice, and buttermilk and process until smooth and creamy. Add dry ingredients and mix briefly until incorporated. Pulse in chopped pecans.
4. Drop batter by heaping spoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Garnish with pecans. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Check cookies frequently, they do burn easily. Remove to wire rack to cool.

To Eat:

Enjoy one for a sweet breakfast or anytime for a quick, energizing, skin-healthy snack.

Yield: Approximately 1 dozen large cookies, 200 calories each


NOTE: The above has been adapted from the book, "Naturally Healthy Skin", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Publishing, 1999. The information is true and complete to the best of the author's knowledge. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. It is for educational purposes only.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Edible Skin Care Recipes, Part 2

This is another of my skin-beautifying formulas that I consume on a regular basis. I refer to the following recipe as my "anti-stress breakfast boost" formula. It's loaded with complexion-enhancing, stress-reducing B vitamins, plus vitamin E, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. It is also chock-full of healthy, skin-softening fats.

I love the taste, but if you're not crazy about brewer's yeast, the flavor will take a bit of getting used to.


SKIN SO SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana or 1 cup frozen strawberries
2 cups raw cow or goat milk, or fortified soy or almond milk
1 tablespoon brewer's yeast
2 teaspoons blackstrap molasses
2 teaspoons raw sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon raw sesame seeds
10 raw almonds
1/4 cup raw oat flakes or cooked oatmeal
2 teaspoons raw honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2-3 ice cubes (optional - makes a nice thick, frosty drink)

To Make: Combine all ingredients in blender and whiz on high until smooth for about 30-60 seconds total.

To Use: I usually consume the entire batch throughout the morning hours, taking sips between my work projects. Alternatively, pour half of the recipe into a mug, cover, and refrigerate the rest until later in the day.

Yield: Makes approximately two, 1 1/2 cup servings or 1 large meal.


NOTE: The above recipe was adapted from the book, "Naturally Healthy Skin", by Stephanie Tourles, Storey Books, 1999. All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of the author. The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this recipe/information. All information dispensed by the author is for educational use only. Consult a knowledgeable, wholistic nutritionist if you have any questions about food/nutrition.