With the holidays quickly approaching, our stress levels tend to increase.  A lot of stress triggers an inflammatory response in our bodies and on our skin.  That is why we are more prone to breakouts, acne, and an aging complexion during stressful times.  To help prevent or relieve stress-related dermatological issues at any time of the year (not just the holidays), you can make your own healing face mask using anti-inflammatory ingredients right from your kitchen!  Not only can the nutrients in healthy foods be absorbed internally, but they can also be assimilated topically!  So, treat yourself and beat inflammatory skin issues with...

Adeline’s Antidote to Acne and Aging

Ingredients (use organic whenever possible):

·      1 green tea bag

·      2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk

·      1/3 cup rolled oats

·      1/2  tbsp raw honey

·      1/2  tsp ground cinnamon

Directions:

1.     Cut open the green tea bag and empty loose tea leaves into a small pot.

2.     Add the unsweetened almond milk into the pot and bring to a boil.

3.     Reduce heat to a simmer and add the rolled oats.  Stir occasionally for 5 minutes or until the almond milk has been absorbed and the mixture is a paste-like consistency.

4.     Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.  (During the summer months, the mixture can be placed in the fridge for a cooling and invigorating face mask!)

5.     Apply the mixture all over a clean, dry face. 

6.     Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes and then, rinse it off well with water.

7.     Follow up with your usual toner and moisturizer and enjoy your more refreshed looking skin!

So what are the benefits?

• Green tea contains polyphenols, which help protect the skin against inflammation and cancer.[i]
• Almond milk infuses this face mask with vitamin E.  Only about 1 cup (240 ml) of almond milk contains 50% of the Daily Value of vitamin E!  This powerful antioxidant has been shown to protect the skin against cancer and photo-aging (i.e. aging caused by chronic exposure to ultraviolet light) when applied topically.[ii]
• Oatshave an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect on the skin[iii], which explains why many skincare companies are incorporating oat extracts into their products.
• Raw honey is an effective antimicrobial[iv] that can help keep breakouts at bay.
• Cinnamon is a great antimicrobial against breakouts and its scent alone boosts brain function[v], which may be impaired by stress.  So, sniff some cinnamon to turn on your thinking caps!

References:

Each year during the holidays, I pull out this recipe to make for my family. I always need to make it in large quantities as we eat it all day long: as breakfast, a mid-day snack or as a creamy dessert. The richness of the pumpkin and coconut milk make it very satisfying, which helps keep us away from other sweet (but less healthy) treats around the house.

Ingredients:
 
3 cups (750 mL)   water

1/4 cup (75mL)  coconut milk ("light" if you want to reduce calories)
1 cup (250 mL)  short-grain brown rice
pinch of grey sea salt or pink rock salt
1/3 cup (85 mL) currants or cranberries
1 tsp (5 mL)    cinnamon (or to taste)
1 tsp (5 mL)    vanilla extract
1/2 cup (125 mL) hemp seeds
1 cup (250 mL)  pumpkin puree
1/4 cup (63 mL)  honey
1 tsp maca powder
 
Directions:
 

1. Bring water, rice and salt to a boil in an uncovered pot over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes.
2. Add currants and cinnamon. Cook on low for another 15 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
3. The rice should be very creamy.
4. Remove from heat. Fold coconut milk, vanilla, hemp seeds, pumpkin puree and honey into pudding.
5. Sprinkle with cinnamon. If desired, sweeten more with a drizzle of honey and add crunch with nuts or seeds.

 
Makes 8 servings.

Sesame seeds are a very good source of the minerals copper and manganese. They are also a good source of magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1 and zinc. In addition, sesame seeds are a good source of both dietary fiber and monounsaturated fats.

This is lovely quinoa/seed recipe created by my co-op student Aileen Sarmiento Parungo, B.Sc., C.N.P.

Thank you Aileen! Great work!

=================

Ingredients:

½ cup brown rice syrup

2 tsp vanilla

½ cup sunflower butter

2 tsp cinnamon

10 dates pitted, finely chopped or preferred dried fruit, approximately 1/3 cup (such as cranberries, blueberries or cherries)

¼ cup hemp seed

¼ cup pumpkin seeds

¼ cup black sesame seeds

¼ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened

1 cup pecans, roughly chopped or 1 cup of toasted sunflower seeds

2 ½ cups puffed quinoa

Directions:

1. Mix first four ingredients in a large bowl until well blended. Add dates and the hemp, pumpkin and sesame seeds.
2. Add remaining ingredients in batches until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Pack 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick into a lightly greased pan (using vegan spread, such as Earth Balance) and set in the fridge for 1 hour.
4. Cut into bars and package in airtight container to maintain freshness.

Makes 12 bars.

Broccoli Seaweed Salad

Ingredients:

Directions:

Our health depends on maintaining balance: to sustain physical and mental energy, we must balance rest with exercise and activity; to meet our needs for fuel, we must balance protein with carbohydrates and fats; to keep our cells healthy and synchronized, we need to balance our hormones. While it may be obvious that the first two examples are affected by the foods you eat, many people don’t realize that diet and lifestyle can also affect your hormone balance. Hormones help to regulate and orchestrate vital processes throughout your body. Avoiding hormone imbalances is therefore essential to maintain good health.

A hormone is a substance produced in the body (by one or more cells) that acts as a chemical signal and affects cells in other parts of the body. Hormones are involved in virtually every physiological process in the body. When hormones are unbalanced, the entire body is affected. The human body has close to seventy major hormones (and well over 100 all together), and each is critical for health. Hormones help to regulate inflammatory processes — some hormones promote inflammation while others suppress it.

Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly common for women and men to suffer from hormone imbalances, particularly of reproductive hormones. Our stressed out “eat on the run” modern lifestyle requires a make over.  Recent scientific discoveries have confirmed that there are powerful foods and herbs that can help us attain hormonal harmony.

Learn how to focus on hormone health so you can handle stress, improve sleep and reduce cravings at my next workshop, The Recipe for Hormone Balance, in the beautiful Market Kitchen at the South St. Lawrence Center. It’s happening on Nov. 12, 2011 from 1 pm to 3:30 pm.

COME PLAY AND LEARN!

**** Limited Time Only! Get 2 Seats for the price of 1! ****

Click here to register.