Stuck in a recipe rut? Just in time for the holiday weekend, here are some tantalizing (healthy) ideas to add some pizazz to your summer menu.
Main Dish
So you don’t eat barbeque? No worries. You are not resigned to eating baked beans and coleslaw (boooring!) Remember my Grilled Eggplant and Corn on the Cob recipes? (Uh oh, my stomach is growling now…) In addition to these dishes, you can also experiment with grilling zucchini, squash or asparagus. You will love this Asian-style Grilled Asparagus from Weekday Vegetarian. Add fresh herbs like oregano, rosemary or basil to your grilled vegetables to really bring out the flavor.
Salad
Salads are always a hit, but they don’t have to be boring. Think outside the box for toppings and combinations. Check out this post, How to Build a Meal Size Salad, for some creative ideas. You must include this Firecracker Cucumber Salad on your menu from FayinaGirl’s blog–it looks so appetizing!
Dessert
What’s the perfect way to top off a hot summer day? Ice cream!
I took some ice cream cakes to a picnic the other day. I got them in the organic section of my local grocery store. These luscious cakes were made with agave nectar and coconut milk ice cream. Ooooh! They were an instant hit…so much that they were gone before I could get my own. (Hint: Be sure to set aside your own stash of goodies for family gatherings. 
)
If you want to make your own ice cream, try this simple scrumptious recipe from the blog, Raw Food Passion, Strawberry Banana Ice Cream Dream. This is an ideal recipe for kids to make too. It’s sooo easy and fulfilling..almost too good to be true! For my chocoholics, try this similar recipe for Chocolate Ice Cream.
After you have enjoyed your healthy, tasty dishes, sit back, relax, and enjoy these warm summer evenings. 
What favorite recipes are on your summer menu?
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the North Carolina Natural Hair Expo. Held in Raleigh, this was North Carolina’s First Natural Hair Expo, and hopefully one of many successful ones in the future. The brainchild of Malaika Cooper and Martone Evans, these ladies produced an extraordinary event, replete with workshops, vendors and an outstanding fashion show. (I will have features on these dynamic ladies soon on the site!)
When I walked into the Convention Center, I remarked to my friend that I had never been in the company of so many beautiful natural-haired people in one place. Breathtaking! I couldn’t wait to share some pics and stories of the mesmerizing people I encountered….
Tomoka’s Twists
This pretty lady makes hair accessories and jewelry. I recognized Mimi from her previous features on a myriad of natural hair blogs. What a joy to meet this talented woman! She brought so many dazzling creations to the Expo, making it a daunting task to decide which one to choose. (I finally choose the DNatural hair twist made from dark wood beads.) I love it!
Check out Tomoka’s Twists website here.
Pretty Natural Divas
I am a huge fan of these natural beauties’ website…and their awesome shirt collection! With such proclamations as, “Natural Beauty and Brains” and “Go Natural. Go You.”, these ladies represent the natural landscape with unabashed pride. (I am in the middle–the real divas are to my left and right–the ones with the dynamic tees!)
You can read more about them and peruse their shop here.
Koils by Nature
I am always excited about sampling natural products (and supporting small businesses), so I was thrilled to meet Pamela, Owner and Co-Creator of Koils By Nature, an all natural hair and skin care company. Pamela shared her philosophy for her product line, to create products with pure ingredients that were affordable. Natural hair care products that don’t break the bank? Yes, I’m an instant fan! Although all of the Koils By Nature products looked (and smelled!) enticing, I decided to try the Herbal Soothing Lavender & Eucalyptus Gel. (I will post a review for you all soon.)
You can see other offerings from Koils By Nature here.
Nyenzo Bath & Body
If you’re in the Triangle area, be sure to check out Dionne of Nyenzo Bath & Body Boutique. I enjoyed talking with Dionne, who was full of energy and a vast knowledge of natural products. I purchased some unrefined shea butter from Nyenzo, imported from Ghana. You can see her collection of soaps, lotions, and other goodies at her online store here.
All in all, I had a blast at the show. Thanks to Malaika and Martone for their extraordinary efforts. Can’t wait for the next show at a city near you!
Did you make it to the North Carolina Natural Hair Expo? What natural hair shows do you have in your area?
It’s that time of year, blueberry season has arrived again. I savor this time of year, because I relish the delectable taste of fresh-picked blueberries. Depending on which region of the country you’re in, your local farmers market should have blueberries available. If you are lucky, you may have a farm nearby which allows you to pick your own (for those of you who really want to get close to your food!)
Blueberries are remarkable enough if eaten on their own, but as part of a dessert, they make an exquisite treat. Here are two seasonal recipes that are sure to delight.
Spiced Blueberry Cobbler (from Ani Phyo’s Raw Desserts)
Crust:
1 cup Medjool Dates, pitted
In the post, Power of Essential Oils, you learned about the strength and versatility of uses for essential oils. Why should you incorporate oils in your daily routine? Your sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than your sense of taste. When essential oils are used properly, they have an intensely positive impact on the brain, endocrine and nervous systems. One oil in particular can affect your well-being and stress level: the hypnotic lavender.
Most likely, you have been mesmerized by the floral scent of lavender before. Lavender essential oil derives from the multiple species of Lavandula flowering plants. One of the best essential oils for relaxation, lavender helps to relieve anxiety and even balance mood swings. Lavender is safe to use topically, even with children.
- Want to create a tranquil setting in your house? Make a mist by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to a spray bottle filled with distilled water.
- Do you have insomnia or disturbing dreams? Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow at night. Used this way, lavender has a sedative effect. It will aid you in getting to sleep and ensure a deep, peaceful rest.
- Need to prepare for a job interview (or get ready for that hot date ), place a few drops of lavender in your palm and rub them together briskly. Then, cupping your palms over your nose and mouth, inhale deeply through your nostrils. You will immediately notice a calming sensation throughout your body. (I do this whenever I have a major presentation or project ahead.)
- Doctors and dentists use lavender as aromatherapy to relax their patients before a medical procedure, easing the pain of treatment.
These are just a few of the myriad of uses for lavender essential oil. I also use lavender in bath salts, body lotions, even potpourri. I encourage you to explore, to discover the many ways you can incorporate lavender into your home.
How do you use lavender essential oil?
Recently, I had the pleasure of featuring Ms. Savvy Brown on All Day Natural, where she shared her jewels on “living green” on a budget. Now, I am thrilled to be a guest blogger on Savvy’s site, sharing my views on healthy eating and alternative medicine. You can check out the interview here. Be sure to show Ms. Savvy some All Day Natural love!
If you are coming here from Savvy’s site, welcome! I look forward to getting to know you and hearing your stories on living a healthy, natural lifestyle.
Sandal season! Time to unveil your beautifully pedicured toes to the world. I love to revel in the range of dazzling nail polishes with colors to match my mood, outfit and occasion. I make sure, however, that my devotion to beauty does not come at a sacrifice to my health, and armed with the proper knowledge, you can too.
Have you ever walked into a nail salon and become overwhelmed by the strong smell? The excitement of getting your nails done can be tempered by these harsh chemical odors. As you may have suspected, not only do these odors offend your olfactory senses, but they are harmful to the rest of your body as well.
Most conventional nail polishes and removers consist of substances that have an extremely adverse impact on your health:
- Toluene: Added to preserve the color of the polish, toluene has potential toxic effects on the nervous system, kidneys and liver.
- Formaldehyde: Yes, this is the same noxious substance that you used in high school chemistry class. Formaldehyde is used as a hardener in many nail polishes, in spite of the fact that it is a known carcinogen. Have you ever gotten watery eyes or a headache while at the nail salon? Formaldehyde, linked to allergies, is probably the culprit.
- Phthalates: These have been in the news a lot recently, especially their use in plastics. Dibutyl phthalates are present in many nail polishes in the United States, even though the European Union has banned its use in personal care products. Phthalates are damaging to the reproductive system, having been linked to infertility and birth defects in developing fetuses. Many medical professionals advise pregnant women and children from wearing nail polish with these substances.
So what can you do? I am not sentencing you to a lifetime of neutral nails (although those are beautiful too!) I encourage you to research and find less caustic alternatives for your nails. These are just a few companies that offer nontoxic polishes, although this list is by no means exhaustive.
Honeybee Gardens Water Colors Polish
Suncoat Water-Based Nail Polish
Coming soon…more tips for achieving and preserving the natural beauty of your nails.
Have you ever used these or other nontoxic brand of nail polishes? What has worked for you?
Summer is here! Time for outdoor barbecues (and white dresses, yay!) For those of you who like to grill, skip the pork ribs and hot dogs this summer in favor of healthier, more flavorful fare. These are tasty dishes that everyone can enjoy and you won’t even have to suck your stomach in when you put your swimsuit on. Whoo-hoo!
Have you ever tried eggplant? These is one of my favorite vegetables, because there are a plethora of creative ways you can prepare eggplant. We are growing some in our garden this summer, so I’ll have a post with more recipe ideas and photos soon. For now, here is a perfect dish to try for your outdoor gathering.
Sweet and Tangy Eggplant
2 eggplants
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T honey or agave nectar
1 clove garlic, crushed
Cut the eggplant horizontally into 1/4 inch slices. With a vegetable peeler, remove the skin in sections (it should look like zebra stripes). Place the eggplant slices in a pan and drizzle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Salting the eggplant removes the bitter taste. After 10-15 minutes, rinse the eggplant with cool water, enough to remove the salt.
In a separate bowl, mix the olive oil, honey and garlic together to make a marinade. Brush the marinade onto each side of the eggplant slices, covering completely. If using an outdoor grill, place each slice on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes until brown. Remove from heat and wrap slices into aluminum foil. The steam from the foil makes the eggplant soft.
Alternatively, you can wrap the slices in foil after adding the marinade, and place them in your oven on broil setting. Broil the slices until golden brown, usually 5-10 minutes.
Summer Corn
Corn on the cob is simple to prepare! If grilling, brush the corn with a generous coating of olive oil. Wrap in aluminum foil and place on grill, turning frequently to avoid burning. You know the corn is ready when the kernels are soft after piercing them with a fork.
For those of you who do not like to stand over a hot grill (we are in the middle of a heatwave!), you can eat corn on the cob without cooking it. After rinsing, brush the corn on the cob with olive oil. Sprinkle it with freshly ground black or cayenne pepper, or you can add lime and sea salt to the corn for a delightful twist.
To complete your menu, create a scrumptious salad with greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs (dill or oregano) and top with a light vinaigrette dressing. Prepare a summer fruit medley with berries or watermelon, and you have your ideal menu for your outdoor summer gathering. Enjoy!
Have you tried grilled eggplant or corn on the cob? What vegetables do you like to prepare on the grill?
Washington, D.C. Home to politicians and lobbyists, cherry blossoms and the Smithsonian, and also home to one of the coolest restaurants I have visited, Java Green.
Java Green Organic Eco Cafe has a mission of creating “a better world by encouraging a socially-responsible conscious lifestyle”. It certainly lives up to its name. Java Green serves its food on chinaware (classy!) and all of its carryout containers are biodegradable. Most importantly, all –yes, all, of its menu items and ingredients are organic, including the fruits, vegetables, beans, rice, even the drinks and sauces. Java Green has been voted the most progressive restaurant in the nation and is consistently in the top ten of the country’s best vegetarian restaurants.
Now, on to my favorite part of the Java Green experience…the food! Java Green has a fusion menu with an Asian influence. The cafe is popular among the locals at lunchtime, and I understand why–it has menu items for everyone: vegan, vegetarian, raw, and gluten-free.
I had the Bi-Bim Bob, a traditional Korean dish made with rice, vegetables, and a succulent Hot Pepper sauce. I also “sampled” some of my husband’s Kelp Noodle dish. (Okay, I really ate most of it. It was too good!) To top it all off, I had a delicious chocolate shake made with coconut milk. (Confession: The shake was so tasty that, I came back later in the day to get another one. Coconut milkshakes are my weakness!) Sorry, no photos-the food didn’t stay on the plate long enough for me to take a picture!
Next time, I visit our Nation’s capital, Java Green will be my first destination.
Have you ever eaten at Java Green in D.C.? What was your experience?
Midwives use them to ease the pains of the mother during childbirth.
Therapists have utilized them to alleviate symptoms of depression and balance mood swings.
Women have applied them to their hair for generations, to stimulate growth and instill shine.
Patients with arthritis have found them indispensable for joint pain relief.
What is this seemingly enigmatic key to natural health and beauty, you ask? Why, the secret is right under your nose…literally!
I present to you the magic of: essential oils.
What Are Essential Oils?
In simple terms, these are oils that are extracted from plants–the flowers, leaves, seeds, even wood. For thousands of years, people throughout the world have used essential oils for medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary purposes. Some cultures even incorporate essential oils into their religious and spiritual practices (i.e. frankincense and myrrh.)
You may have had the pleasure of encountering some commonly used essential oils in your everyday life, such as lavender, peppermint, and rosemary, for example. For health purposes, the applications are infinite. My “medicine” cabinet at home consists of a myriad of essential oils, which aid in everything from mosquito bites to headaches. Similarly, essential oils are ideal for achieving and maintaining natural beauty. They are commonly used in body polishes, lotions, hair creams and perfumes. In an earlier post, I shared with you some foot scrubs you can make at home using essential oils.
This is the first in an ongoing series on the healing and aesthetic power of essential oils. In upcoming posts, I will answer frequently asked questions about essential oils, as well as highlight the properties and applications of essential oils you can use at home. Stay tuned!
I am not exactly sure when my love affair with smoothies started. There was a smoothie place near my university, so I used to grab one every so often. I also liked to make my own at home, especially during the sweltering summer months. At some point, my infrequent treat turned into weekly habit, and then progressed into a daily indulgence. Yes, I must admit. I am hooked on smoothies.
Benefits of Drinking Smoothies
The benefits of smoothies, particularly green smoothies, are immeasurable. In her interview on All Day Natural, author Kim Caldwell (of How Green Smoothies Saved My Life) shared how smoothies had greatly impacted her health. Now, smoothies have not saved my life (yet), but I can attest to how much better I feel since I have incorporated them into my daily regimen. I consistently get compliments on my glowing skin, and I have more energy than ever. It’s the only thing that allows me to get up for my 5:30 a.m. (!) workouts.
I usually drink them first thing in the morning, and I feel so refreshed. As others who regularly drink green smoothies can affirm, my desire for green, leafy vegetables has increased.
Simple Recipes for Spring Smoothies
So how do you make smoothies? The contents are entirely up to you. Most people include a base of fruit and water, juice or ice. For the maximum health benefits and taste, I use seasonal fruit, a handful of greens, and water (if necessary). Some people add nuts or dates too. It’s not really necessary to add any other sweetener, because most fruit is sweet enough.
If you are using greens, place the blender on high speed in order to liquefy. The best greens to use for smoothies are: spinach, kale, chard, parsley, and collard. I try to avoid the stronger tasting greens that would overpower the fruit, like mustard and arugula. The site Smoothie Drinker has a great post on other greens you can add to your smoothie.
Below are a couple of recipes that I have used lately. Feel free to experiment, using your favorite fruits that are in season. Just throw the ingredients in the blender and go!
Strawberry-Banana Delight
1 cup fresh strawberries
1 banana (2 if you like a thicker consistency)
2 collard greens
1/4 cup water or fresh orange juice
Blueberry-Pineapple Mix
1 cup blueberries
2 cups pineapple
1 cup spinach leaves
Do you drink smoothies? What are your favorite recipes?
