Agave

My mom introduced this product to me. I was excited to learn that this all natural sweetner can be used to replace white table sugar. Agavve grows mainly out in the desert, and the beauty of this sweetener is that it has a low glycemic index, which makes it absorb more slowely in the body, preventing spikes in blood sugar. We all know that excess white table sugar can cause hyperactivity, obesity, and poor attention spans, just to name a few, but this product, which comes from the heart of the agave plant and is 100% in it's natrual state, has not been refined like sugar has, meaning it's pure honest to goodness better for you.

I use this as a substitution when I bake, using this in place of sugar. It is also sweeter then sugar, so you don't need as much. It's perfect for trying to ween my husband off his sugar addiction he has. I love that I can use this product and my husband doesn't know the difference. And when we have children, I will use this product instead since I will be raising them sugar-free. I love that this product is delicious and nobody can tell the difference between white table sugar and this. I highly recommend this product for better health for your family. You can purcahse this off amazon, at Costco, or any healthfood store.

Restore Your Hair With Mayo

We have all seen the expensive hair treatment creams you can buy at the store. Here is a simple, inexpensive way to treat damaged hair. Mayo! Mayo contains a lot of protein from eggs that stregthens the cuticles of your hair shaft, making your hair stronger, healthier, shinier, and youthful. You can use mayo on your hair up to three time a week or more, depending on how damaged your hair is. To do this, you will need these items:

1. Mayo or light mayo

2. comb

3. towel

First you need about 1 c. of mayo to disrubute evenly in your dry hair. More needed if longer hair. Comb, the mayo into your hair and put the towel around you to allow the hair to freely hang down while you are combing the mayo through your hair. Leave on for 30 min. and wash out.

If you choose to wash your hair first, you can disrubute the mayo on washed, wet hair as well and leave on for 30 min. Either way works.

I also wanted to share with you some more beauty tips for making your own facial masks from home. click this link to view about 25 recipes for homemade facial masks.

http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/a/facemasks.htm

Did I just hear hear that dark chocolate is good for you, even recommended for your health, even recommended to eat daily. Yeah!!!!!!!!! I love deep, rich, dark chocolate, and this is the very chocolate I am eating right now. I love the extra dark, 85% chocolate. Lindt brand is my favorite. I love the pure taste of cocoa. Rich in anti-oxidents, and great for your skin, this dark chocolate is sure to be the dessert of choice for me.

Music

Music has always been a huge part of my life. I have played several musical instruments over the years because of my passion for music. I remember taking harp lessons and practicing harp hours on hours of the day. I remember ar byu practicing the piano so often I actually became confident to play in public. I remember duets with my dad, us playing violin and viola. I remember singing in huge choirs and private voice lessons. I remember playing in the orchestra at BYU. I love music, but I also love dance. Not only is music and dance enjoyable, but I have researched the benefits of music on a human brain. A holistic doctor once told me about how even snowflakes, seen under a microscope change into different formations when different music is played. Soothing music has greatt benefits for feeling inner peace within the body. Lately, I have turned to music since we don't have television. I make sure relaxing music is playing all around me, and love doing my yoga while listening to relaxing music. Take time to allow music that you enjoy to play in your home daily, you will truly love it.

Redmond Clay

This is Redmond Clay and it is one of my favorite facial masks. This clay is nutrient and mineral rich and found millions of years ago and used by many natives as a natural remedy to healing. It is found in volcanic ash and completely beneficial for topical or internal use. I have read stories about people drinking it for health benefits and has proven to be a miracle cure due to the high mineral and vitamin content it contains. It is also soothing on the stomach. I have drank it myself many times and the taste is a little murky tasting but it's definately tolerable. I love this product as a facial and body mask. I mix it with luke warm water, and then I smear it over my face like mud. It dries fast and really keeps your skin beautiful. You can find this product at Healthfood stores or even on Amazon for around 7.00.

Re-Growing Green Onions

If you don't have a garden, don't you get tired of having to buy produce all the time because of the price flucuations. I know planting a garden is the top recommendation for fresh, nutrient rich veggies, but some veggies grow just fine right in your own home or window for light. I was browsing at "makinglifesimple.com" on youtube, and found that the creater of that site, found an wasy way to re-grow green onions. Here is what you do:

1. chop the white part of the green onion and place in a cup of water about 1/4 full.

2. Make sure the root of the white part of the onion is in the water.

3. Watch them grow. I hear they grow very fast.

Now you can have green onions when you want them. I don't think grocery stores would want you to learn this method, but it really is a great way to save extra $$.

Photo by tapproduce.com

Homemade Tamales (A How To)

If anyone asks what my favorite food is, I would have to say tamales. I remember once getting tamales as a Christmas present from a co-worker and thinking, this is heaven!! I don't just like any tamale though, and I have tried many processed kinds from the store, which I can't stand. I love me a homemade tamale and without the lard. This recipe was adapted from the Food Network Magazine for December. I adapted it with no lard, and they turned out perfect. My first time making tamales, I was a little intimidated, thinking this has got to be a tedious job, but what I found out, is after placing the prepared dough in the corn-husk, then into the rice steamer, I was suprised at how much the tamales keep together. They really work themselves out with the steam keeping the dough together. Their is no training required to make tamales, just a little practice, and its's worth it in the end. I used chicken, but you can use shredded pork as well.

Homemade Chicken Tamales

About 20 corn husks (reserve more just in case

1 pound of shredded chicken breast

1 chicken bouillon cube

1 c. chopped cilantro

1/2 tsp. cumin

2 small can of diced green chiles (mild)

4 c. masa harina instant corn flour

1 1/2 c. melted butter

1. soak the corn husks in a cassorole pan in hot water, use a plate to keep them down, do this for one hour

2. Make the filling. Bring bouillon cube and 4 c. hot water to a boil in water over medium heat. Simmer and add chicken until cooked through. You can use already shredded chicken and forget this step. Reserve chicken broth

3. Puree the cilantro and 1 1/4 c. reserved broth in a food processor until smooth. Save remaining broth for another use. Transfer to a pot. Add the cumin and green chilis and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in chickcen and remove from heat and cool.

4. Make the dough. with the second can of mild green chilis, make a paste out of them. This will be added to the dough. Combine the chili paste, masa flour and butter with 2 2/3 c. warm water and 1 tsp., salt in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until dough forms. Should be thick.

5. Drain the husks and pat dry with towel. Starting 1/2 inch from the wide end, spread about 3 T. of dough down a husk, leaving a 1 inch border on sides. Then spoon the chicken filling down the center of the dough. Fold the sides of the husk, wrapping the dough around the filling. Fold as if you are making a burrito. Repeat this process.

6. place about 2-3 tamales in the steamer. Bring water to boil. Make sure the tamales are folded side down. Cover and steam for about one hour. Let cool, uwrap and top with your choice of favorites.