Green Goddess Mask

Ok ladies!  This mask is UGLY.  (and that is why no one would volunteer their mug for a shot)

All you need is some aloe juice and  powdered green algae.  Any kind will be fine.  I used spirulina algae and fresh aloe  for my mask.

All you have to do is cut off one of the aloe fingers and then slice it lengthwise down the middle. Squeeze out the juice and toss out the skin.

The algae will look green when it is dry but will look almost black when mixed up and on the skin.

Combine about 2 T. algae with just enough aloe to make a spreadable paste.  Let it set for a minute or so to thicken.  Then use your fingers to spread on face and neck.  Let the mask dry for 20 to 30 minutes.  Rinse.

This mask is best for oily skin types and skin with red blotches.

the best "trick" ever!

Yesterday I woke up with the worst bite on my arm.  I am not sure if it was a spider or the a mosquito on crack.  It was right in the inside of my elbow so every movement I made bugged it.

Thank goodness that grandma Jean was one of my clients.  She told me to brew up a strong cup of tea and put the tea leaves on the bite over night.  she said it would pull the poison out.

A few years ago I almost lost my leg to a brown recluse bite so I was really freaked out and motivated to try anything that didn't involve cutting my skin off.

So I did just as she instructed.   I put the tea leaves on my all day and over night.  Guess what?  It worked!  Today it is just a small red bump. I am going to keep the tea poultice on it today though.  Whoo hoo! Thanks Jean!

BBQ Pork

I just got a crock pot and I think I am in LOVE.  I had no idea how easy this is. All you have to do is get a roast and plop it in the pot with a cup of water and a splash of olive oil and spices.  Close the lid, turn the pot on low and walk away....

About 7 hours later just drain off the liquid.  The meat will fall off the bone.  add you favorite BBQ sauce and that is it!

Hubby told me I was a better cook than his mom.  We have been married for almost 10 years and this may be the first time I have heard that.

Face lift mask!

This mask will Dramatically tone your skin and visibly shrink your pores!  It is so amazing you'll think you had a mini lift.  ***please note that egg white and cornstarch are Very tightening so I will be very hard to move your mouth while this is on.

Take the whites of 2 eggs and put them in a bowl.  Add 1T. cornstarch and whisk till it is nice and foamy.  Make sure there are no lumps.

Use your fingers or a brush to coat face and neck.  *** you must lie down while this dries so gravity will pull all your wrinkles out.  Let sit for about 20 minutes and then rinse.

Masks

So here we are counting down to Halloween.  The kids are all talking about what they are going to dress up as.  My hubby is telling me to make sure and pick up an extra bag of snickers and not to give it out till last.  (so he can have it all) 

This got me thinking about masks we ware.  On any given day I put on my mommy mask, professional mask, lover mask, best friend mask.  When I go to the in-law's house for dinner I put on my polite smiley mask.  all of these are a different facet of who I am. 

So in honor of bringing out the True You I am going to dedicate this week to body beautifying masks.

Here in the desert southwest masks are used in all kinds of rituals.  Usually for some kind of purification or to honor the ancestors. Clay is especially valued for its color and its ability to absorb animal, mineral, and botanical pigments.  This makes it amazing body paint.  Just a short walk from my house you can harvest your own clay right out of the earth.  It comes in 4 colors that have different properties depending on what you want to do with it.  (I'll get into each one of them some time this week)

For cosmetic purposes it is used to deep clean the skin.  Depending on what you add masks can be used to increase circulation, remove toxins, tone and tighten, exfoliate, hydrate, calm inflammation, and soften the skin.

Masks can be made from so many natural ingredients. For today we will be using green/blue clay.

Purifying mask   recipe by Grandma Lou down the street who also showed me ware to get the clay.

2 T. green clay
Pure aloe vera juice
2 drops chamomile essential oil

This mask is best for oily, inflamed, or mature skin.  It is also amazing for a spot treatment for acne.  It removes the excess oil from the skin and as well as the toxins.

Grind your clay into a fine powder with a mortar and pestle. 
Add enough aloe to make a smooth paste, but not too runny.
Add the oil and mix well.

It should look something like this. 

Tie your hair back so you don't get it in the mask.  (the mask is not good for your hair and will dry it out)  Use a make up brush or your fingers to paint it on your face.  Avoid the eye area and lips because you don't want to dry them out.  It will be dark Green as you put it on and will go lighter as it dries.

Wow! I am a looker! 

Put your feet up for about 20-30 minuets or so and let it tighten and dry completely.  Then wash face and follow with a moisturizer.  I love using coconut oil.  Your face should feel squeaky clean and be nice and Rosy when you are done.

Here is to the real you!

"noodles" and Pesto!

This is one of my favorite dishes!  This one is quick, easy, and is primal/vegan (yes they can go together) and GF/CF.  No matter what kind of fanatic you are... this one is a pleaser.

This time of year I really get hungry for something warm, fatty and comforting.  mmmmm  now I am going to have to make this tonight. 

Ingredients: for noodles
Summer squash-  yellow or zucchini
olive oil
tomato
onion (optional)

for pesto

1/2 to 1 C. pine nuts
3 large garlic cloves with the skin removed
3/4 C. olive oil
3 C. fresh Basil leaves
salt

Make the pesto first.  this is super easy if you have a blender or food processor.  Put the pine nuts and garlic in the blender and pulse a few times.  Add the basil and pulse a few more times.  Then keep it on low and drizzle the oil in slowly.  You will need to stop and scrape the sides every so often.  Blend till nice and smooth. Add salt to taste.  Set aside.

Hee hee!!!  I know it is hard to tell but this is what it looks like half way through.




You want to slice or use a mandolin to cut the squash in to Noodles.  If using zucchini you need to peel the skin off.  Heat the olive oil in a pan and add the onion.  Toss in the squash just for a few minuets and coat with oil.  Add the tomatoes.  Fresh or canned will work.

This is what it looks like when you first start cooking it.  My pan was a bit too small... or I was hungrier than I thought.

I like to plate mine like this because it is pretty.  However, if you have limited pesto (or a greedy crew)  mix it all together in the pan.

Like this!  

My noodles are kind of thick here because I was in a hurry.  You can do them any way you want.  It will taste amazing no matter what you do.

Enjoy!

Bacon stir fry!

I'm a busy mom.  I think all moms have a lot on their plate.  This is a quick and easy (primal G/F) meal that really pleases my crew.  Lets face it....  bacon makes every one happy.

Ingredients:
bacon
summer squash  yellow, green or both
onion
tomato
coconut milk
salt and pepper.
nutritional yeast (optional)

First cut the bacon in to 1 1/2 inch pieces and put in hot frying pan.  Stirring as needed.
Cut up the onion and toss it in the pan.
Cut summer squash and put that in.  Stir till squash is tender.
Add herbs of choice
Add a big blob of coconut milk.
I save the tomato for last because I like it just warmed not coked.
salt and pepper to taste.

I put nutritional yeast on mine.  It is a comfort thing....

MMM! You are going to love this one!  Not only is it beautiful and tasty, it is quick and handy.

Cabin trip

On our second date Jim took me to the cabin.  It is a beautiful place by a mountain lake in the LaSals.  We share a deep love of the mountain.  We got married up there and spent the honeymoon there.  He loves it in the winter.  He says there is nothing like being on top of the peak and being surrounded by silence.   I love the mountain in the fall when all the berries are ripe and the animals are out.  I love how deep you sleep up there and that you have to build a fire to snuggle by.

It is nine years later and this is still the place we run away to when we get the chance.  The air is so crisp and the leaves are almost gone on the Aspen trees..... jut perfect.

We took a family hike and K stopped to skip rocks on the lake.... for what seemed like forever.  After a while the bugs got to be too much and we moved on.

I made everyone pose for goofy looking photos. That's what moms do right? One day I would love to have a family picture where everyone is looking at the camera with a smile....  for now I'll just keep dreaming.

We went for a nice hike thought the pine trees and saw more deer than usual.  I have a feeling they know that every ware else on the mountain are hunters just waiting to take them home.

Then we found this!  I don't know if you can tell, but this is a photo of two trees that have turned into one!  I have never seen anything like it.  It looks as if years ago one of the trees got hit by lightning.  I think that may be why it is leaning in to the other one.   The symbolism of this is just beautiful to me.  Isn't that what we all want?  I mean some one to hold you up...some one that will blend with you to the point that you are one.  We named it the kissing tree.  I may make my little family pose under it next time.

Fast food!

I'm not sure what is the customary thing to do... do I introduce my self or just jump in and start writing???

It is more my style to jump in. So, first post here goes!

Coconut shrimp salad

In about the same amount of time that it takes to go through the drive through you can have a lovely, warm, primal meal.  

ingredients:
greens of your choice
tomato
avocado
onion
frozen shrimp
coconut oil
vinegar of choice
salt and pepper
nuts  (optional)
shredded coconut
Put a good sized blob of coconut oil in a small frying pan and start to heat.  Add in frozen shrimp. (as many as you want on your salad)

While that is heating put greens on plate.  I like to chop mine so they are easier to eat.  Cut up tomato and avocado place on top of greens.  Now this is the part where if you are serving vegan friends you toss a bunch of nuts and coconut on top and let them have it. 

Chop some onion and toss in the shrimp and stir till they are translucent.  Add a bit of salt and pepper. and place the shrimp on top of the salad saving the hot oil in the pan.  Add vinegar to the oil and whisk together till it looks nice and creamy.  Pour over the top. Sprinkle a bit of coconut for a garnish and Enjoy!

See how pretty? and all in about 6 minutes!