Softening Chai Body Scrub

Here in the Pacific Northwest of the United States the winter seems to be draining on. So to revitalize my skin before Summer arrives I felt it was time for a body scrub; and what better to make a body scrub with than chai?

DIY: Softening Chai Body Scrub

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or oil of your choice)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 chai tea bags

A container

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Directions:

1. In your container add one cup of brown sugar

2. Cut open three chai tea bags and empty the contents into the container

3. Add cinnamon

4. Gently, using your hand, mix the dry ingredients together

5. Add 2 tbsp of oil and gently mix thoroughly until oil is distributed evenly 

Your Softening Chai Body Scrub is now done! Before use wet down your skin. Make sure to rub in gently (especially if you are using this scrub on your face) or the mixture will scratch the skin. After using the scrub rub any excess material off with a loofah or a washcloth.  

Also, the mixture stores for several months so its perfect for a gift!

Holiday Jellied Sandwich Cookies

November has arrived and therefore the holidays are approaching! Time to get in some warm pajamas and curl up with some cookies and a good book. This simple recipe is delicious for the occasion!

Holiday Jellied Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

1 stick of unsalted butter

2 cup sugar

4 tbsp lemon zest (optional)

2 egg

1/2 tsp salt

3 cup flour

1/2 cup jam

Other items needed:

A mixer

A cookie sheet

A bowl

A spatula

A knife

Cling wrap

Tin foil

Measuring cups and spoons

Refrigerator

Circular cookie cutter (if you want perfectly round cookies)

Directions:

1. Beat butter, sugar, zest, eggs and salt into a bowl using your mixer

2. Slowly beat in flour

3. Roll dough into two round cylinders about the same size each

4. Cover the dough with cling wrap and leave in the refrigerator for at least an hour, overnight would be best

5. Preheat oven to 375 F, take dough out of the fridge and cut into 1/4 inch thick disks. (Note: I remolded some of my cookies edges so that they were fairly more round, a cookie cutter can fix any misshapen cookies if you want them to be perfectly round)

(Note: If you happen to have a small cookie cutter, you can cut the center out of some cookies so that the jam can show through on the finished assembled cookie)

6. Bake 7-10 minutes

7. Let cool

8. Add jam to the bottom of one cookie and stick together with the bottom of another cookie (so that both tops of cookies are on each outer side of the cookie)

Congratulations! You have now made delicious cookies to indulge yourself or impress your family with! Happy Holidays!

Sweet Pomegranate Guacamole

As the holdiays approach everyone needs a new recipe to impress their guests. This dish is also a great snack food for those looking to watch their weight. A mixture of two exotic fruits, the pomegranate and avocado, for an enticing food experience

Sweet Pomegranate Guacamole

Ingredients and Items Needed:

One avocado (soft)

One pomegranate

1/3 measuring cup

1 bowl

A knife

A cutting board

A fork

A mortar and pestle (or a cup and a large spoon)

A paper towel

(Optional additions: Crushed red pepper, lemon juice)

Instructions:

1. Cut up and extract pomegranate seeds

2. Take 1/3 cups (or slightly less, depending on the size of your avocado - my avocados are quite large) of non-crushed pomegranate seeds, using mortar and pestle (or in a cup with a large spoon) mash the pomegranate seeds (Note: The pomegranate seed juice will fly everywhere when you crush the seeds so make sure to cover the cup or pestle with a paper towel while crushing the seeds)

3. On your cutting board, cut the avocado and peel off the skin. 

4. Mash the avocado in a bowl with your fork.

5. Mix the avocado and the pomegranate mush together

Delicious! If you want to spice up this dish more think of adding crushed red pepper for a sweet n' spicy taste. Another addition could be adding some lemon juice for a sweet n' sour taste.

I suggest eating this guacamole with Triscuits or Wheat Thins, I particularly like the Roasted Tomato flavor.

Good luck!

Sweet N' Sour Strawberry Lemon Facial Mask

With Summer on the horizon its time for a "pick me up" out of Winter. This delicious concoction will clear the dead skin from your face while helping preventing future break outs.

Sweet N' Sour Strawberry Lemon Facial Mask

Ingredients/Items needed:

2 Strawberries

1 Slice of lemon (Approx. 1 teaspoon)

3-5 Tablespoons of honey (depending on how much lemon juice you add)

1 Fork

1 Small cup

Step 1: Place tablespoons of honey in a small cup

Step 2: Mash strawberries with your fork until only small chunks remain, add to honey

Step 3: Squeeze lemon juice into the honey strawberry mixture, stir (Depending on who much your honey/lemon ratio is, add more honey for a thicker mixture or add more lemon to reduce the thickness of the mask)

Note: This mask is still going to be a bit runny, so apply over a sink

Step 4: Wait 5-10 minutes, wash mask off

Ill admit, this mixture also tastes delicious, so if you have some left over (that hasn't been on your face) I would recommend a spoonful or two. I hope the Summer treats everyone well!