Waking Up With Turmeric Tea!

Turmeric is a spice and medicinal herb that has been used in primarily in India for many years!

I came across these benefits and decided to make my own turmeric tea. I have been making this tea at least twice a week in the morning to start my day.

To make my turmeric tea, I heat up a cup of water. Then I add about two dashes of turmeric powder along with a small dash of black pepper.

Yess I said black pepper lol! I know it sounds strange but research has shown that black pepper enhances the effects of the turmeric.

Curcumin is the most active ingredient in turmeric but it is not easily absorbed by the body. Black pepper has the compound piperine and when combined with turmeric, it helps with the absorption process of curcumin! Pretty cool right?! And don’t worry you don’t taste the spiciness of the black pepper in the tea.

So after you add two dashes of turmeric and a small dash of black pepper to your heated water, I squeeze in lemon and/or lime juice to add some flavor to it. Plus citrus is good for digestion as well! If you want you can also add a spoonful of honey for sweetness!

Here are a few benefits of consuming Turmeric!

-Boosts immune system

-Improves heart health

-Reduces inflammation

-Has antioxidant properties

Have you ever tried turmeric before?! If so, how do you use it?!

Sources: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric

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Made Something New For Dinner!

I wanted to make something different for dinner last night. So I ended up making crab legs!

I’ve never made them before so I got an easy recipe from Pinterest on how to prepare them. Along with the crab legs, I also made shrimp pasta in a garlic lemon butter sauce, corn on the cob, and garlic bread!

It was a messy dinner with cracking all the crabs but it was fun haha and tasty too!

Have you made crab legs before? If so, how do you prepare them? Let me know in the comments!

6 Yummy Alternatives For Sugar! Plus A Bonus Tip!

1. Agave Nectar

The Aztecs used agave thousands of years ago and praised this syrup as a gift from the gods. A derivative of the same plant as tequila, this golden sweetener tastes similar to honey and is perfect in hot or iced tea. But be sure to use in moderation—agave’s high fructose content can sometimes cross it in to the dangerous food zone!

2. Applesauce

Instead of a half-cup white sugar in a batch of oatmeal cookies, swap in an equal amount of applesauce! The natural sweetness from a Golden Delicious or Fuji apple is perfect in an after-dinner treat. Purchase the “no sugar-added” applesauce, or make a fresh batch at home!

3. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

For a warm winter treat, mix some unsweetened cocoa powder in a glass of hot water or skim milk. It’ll satisfy that sweet tooth without all the extra sugar the sweetened version includes. Add a splash of vanilla extract for extra flavor!

4. Coconut Sugar

Get a little tropical and use coconut sugar in a fruit smoothie. Made from the sap of coconut flowers, this natural sugar comes in block, paste, or granulated form. Plus, it’s loaded with potassium which helps keep our bones strong!

5. Brown Rice Syrup

Brown rice syrup comes from (you guessed it!) brown rice. More nutritious than its high-fructose alternative, this buttery and nutty flavored syrup is perfect in granola bars and baked breads.

6. Puréed Banana

In the next loaf of banana bread, try using extra-ripe bananas and eliminating the sugar. The fruit naturally becomes sweeter as it ripens, so there’s no need for extra sugar.

Bonus Alternative: Lemon

If you’re a tea drinker like myself, squeezing the juice of half a lemon into your cup of tea can be helpful when cutting back on sugar! Lemon not only improves hydration, has vitamin C, and helps with weight loss, it also helps with digestion and freshens your breath!

But be careful to use lemon in moderation because of its acidity. So instead of using honey or sugar to flavor your tea, add some lemon juice to get all the great benefits!

Have you used any of these sugar alternatives?! Comment below if you have! I’d love to hear from you!

6 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Hyperpigmentation!

1. LEMON

Lemon has citric acid which helps lighten the skin.

–Extract fresh lemon juice and rub it on skin using a cotton ball. Leave on for 10-15 mini, then wash off with water. Do this daily for a few months until you notice improvement.

–You could also prepare a facial mask with equal amounts of lemon juice and raw honey. Mix the ingredients well then apply to the affected skin. Cover skin with warm towel for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this once a week for a few months.

*if the lemon juice is too strong, add about 1 teaspoon of water to dilute the mixture. 

2. RAW POTATO

Potatoes contain catecholase, an enzyme that is believed to help lighten skin tone. 

–Peel a potato and cut into thick slices. Put a few drops of water in the surface of the potato piece and then rub on your skin for 5-10 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. Do this 3-4 times daily for at least a month. 

3. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

ACV does wonders when it comes to reducing the appearance of dark patches on the skin due to hyperpigmentation.

–Mix equal amounts of ACV and water. Use a cotton ball to apply to affected area. Leave on for 2-3 minutes then rinse off with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy twice a day for a few weeks. 

4. VITAMIN E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant and neutralizes the effects of harmful UV rays of the sun and repairs and protects the skin.

–Puncture 2 or 3 Vitamin E capsule and outs th contents in a bow. Add 3-4 drops of castor oil to it and mix well. Apply the mixture on the affected skin before going to bed. Rinse it off the next morning. Follow this remedy daily for 2-3 weeks.

–Another option is to massage Vitamin E oil  onto the affected skin for 10 minutes twice daily to reduce hyperpigmentation. Do this remedy for a few weeks until you get positive results. 

5. TURMERIC

Turmeric has bleaching properties that can help get rid of the symptoms of hyperpigmented skin. Plus, turmeric can keep the skin free of infection. 

–Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply to affected area and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. Avoid going into the sun for an hour after this treatment. Do this remedy once a day. 

6. ALOE VERA

Aloe Vera has mucilaginous polysaccharides in the gel which works execellent on hyperpigmented skin. It can also remove dead skin cells and promote regeneration of new skin cells.

–Before going to bed, apply fresh aloe vera gel on the hyperpigmented skin and leave on overnight. Rinse off in the morning. Do this daily for a few weeks to get positive results. 

Photo: Pexels.com

5 Remedies for Seasonal Allergies!

1.Nettle Tea and Peppermint Tea

The nettle leaf helps with seasonal allergies and peppermint helps reduce those stubborn histamines that may be causing you discomfort.

Directions:

Brew the nettle and peppermint tea together for about 5 minutes. Add honey and/or lemon to taste. Drink 2 times a day to relieve your allergies.

Nettle Tea

Peppermint Tea

2. Bee Pollen

Consuming bee pollen starting with small amounts and increasing the dosage everyday will help to build up your immune system. But before you try this method, make sure that you are not anaphylactic or have any allergies to bees! The trick is to make sure you consume bee pollen that is local to your area or chances are you may not experience the allergy relief. The pollen comes in granules, capsules, and powder.

Directions:

I know at this point it may be a little late, but it is recommended that you take the pollen 5 months before your allergies flare.

Start with 1 or 2 granules and the next day increase the dosage by 1 granule. Continue this until you feel confident that you will not have a reaction. If you experience no adverse reaction, you can take up to 1 tablespoon daily throughout allergy season.

Bee Pollen

3. Citrus Drink

Drinking a citrus drink can help provide you with Vitamin C and help with strengthening your immune system.

Directions:

Squeeze the juice from 1/2 a lemon and 2 oranges and chill for a few hours. Stir in some honey for sweetness and drink on a daily basis.

4. Red Onion Water

Onions contain a compound called quercetin, which reduces the amount of histamines that are produced by the body, so therefore reduces allergy symptoms.

Directions:

Thinly slice 1 red onion and add to 4 cups of water. Let it sit for 8-12 hours and drink 1-2 times a day. Add a bit of honey to each glass that you drink to make the taste more pleasant.

5. Apple and Walnut Trail Mix

Walnuts contain magnesium which reduces with wheezing and coughing and Vitamin E which can boost your immunity. Apples also consist of quercetin which has the property of reducing the production of histamine.

Directions:

Chop 1/2 to 1 cup of walnuts and cut 1 apple into medium to small chunks. Add both to a plastic bag, mix it up, and enjoy!

Hope this helps you during this allergy season!

Sources: Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

Homemade “Boost Juice”

I came up with an awesome concoction of something I’d like to call “Boost Juice!”

Ingredients:

*2-3 cups of Water

*Chamomile Tea (1 bag)

*Green Tea (2 bags)

*1 dash of Turmeric 

*3 cap fulls of ACV 

*2-3 tbsp Honey

*1-2 Lemon and/or Orange slices

Directions:

1. Brew green tea and chamomile tea in my Tea Kettle. Then I transfer the liquid to a bigger container.

2. I then add the Tumeric, ACV, Honey, and squeeze 1-2 slices of lemon/orange juice into the mix.

3. I stir the mixture and let the flavors marinate in the fridge and cool down.

4. Then I pour the juice into my bottle that I take to work and squeeze an extra orange slice into it.

5. Drink up!

It has a nice light citrus flavor with a hint of green tea. I really love this self made “boost juice” because it adds a boost of healthy benefits to my body!

All these ingredients have combined benefits including:

anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant properties, lowers risk of heart disease, energy booster, helps with migraines, aids in digestion, lowers blood sugar levels, improves brain function, helps prevent cancer, antidepressant, burns fat, and helps with weight loss!

So I’m definitely winning with this drink!

Thumbs up for healthy homemade drinks!

Homemade Chicken Francaise Dinner Recipe!

I knew I would be cooking chicken for dinner last night but didn’t know what to make. So I turned to my handy dandy Pinterest app and start browsing recipes and decided that I had enough of the ingredients in my kitchen to try out a Chicken Francaise Recipe! 

*Chicken Francaise Ingedients:

6-8 boneless chicken breasts

4 tbsp butter

1/2 c canola oil

3 large eggs

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tbsp milk

1 tbsp Parsley or parsley flakes (or use Basil leaves and/or Italian seasoning as a substitute) 

Garlic Pepper or your favortite seasoning of choice 

2 cups all purpose flour

*Lemon Sauce Ingredients:

5 tbsp butter

2 cups of chicken broth (can be substituted with water) 

1/3 cup white wine (optional)

1 tsp Parsley or substitute for Basil and Italian seasoning

2 lemons

Salt and Pepper to taste

I actually cut my chicken breasts in half using my amazing Farberware Stainless Steel Knife 

 It cut through the chicken so easily as if it was a stick of butter! I love it! 

FRANCAISE DIRECTIONS: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit 

In bowl #1, add 3 eggs, 1/4 c lemon juice, 2 tbsp milk, basil/ital. seasoning, a dash of salt and whisk together.

In bowl #2, add 2 cups of flour seasoned with garlic pepper and Italian seasoning and mix together.

Dip each chicken breast into flour first, then the egg wash and do until all pieces have been coated. 

In your  Artisanal Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet (or you can use a large frying pan), melt 4 tbsp butter and add 1/2 cup of canola oil.

Cook chicken 3-4 minutes on each side or until it has been lightly browned on both sides.

Chicken being browned on both sides in Artisanal Cast Iron Skillet

 

Put all cooked chicken on baking pan and place in preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 15 mins (depending on thickness of chicken breast may need to cook longer) to make sure chicken is cooked through. 

Check on chicken occasionally to make sure chicken doesn’t get dry and overcooked.

LEMON SAUCE DIRECTIONS: 

While chicken is in oven, melt about 5 tbsp of butter in a medium sauce pan and melt the butter using medium heat.  

Did you check on the chicken yet?!

Add juice from 2 lemons, 1/3 cup of white wine, 1 tsp of basil and Italian seasoning, 2 cups of water or chicken broth, salt and pepper to taste and mix together. 

Bring mixture to a slow boil while stirring occasionally and let boil for about 5 minutes on low heat.

If you haven’t already you should’ve taken out the chicken from the oven at this point. 

Transfer chicken to a serving tray and pour the juicy lemon sauce all over your chicken! Slice a few lemon rounds and sprinkle some parsley ontop of chicken to add for garnish! (Which I forgot to do by the way oops! LOL)

I also made a side of penne pasta with marina sauce along with Texas Toast Garlic Bread! Yum! 

The dinner turned out so well for it being my first time! So in that case I’ll be trying this recipe again in the future! 

If you try out this recipe, let know how it turned out for you! Good luck! 

 

 

 

 

 

THYME TEA – NATURAL REMEDY FOR CONGESTION

This is the season for stuffy noses, annoying coughs, and the common cold. But I actually found a solution!

One weekend, My husband had a really bad cough and was congested like crazy!

Pinterest is my go to for remedies for almost anything! So I found a post on how to get rid of congestion.

Directions:

Steep 1 tablespoon of dried thyme in a cup of hot water for about 5 minutes. Strain the thyme from the hot water.

Cut 2 lemon wedges and squeeze the lemon into the thyme tea.

I added about 1 tablespoon of honey(optional) for a more pleasant taste.

Stir the tea so the honey dissolves and then drink up!

My husband drank the tea and in about 20 minutes, he stopped coughing and he was able to rid of his congestion! I was so amazed that it actually worked! (For other cases, some people may need to drink more than one cup of Thyme Tea to see results).

Benefits of each ingredient:

THYME: It is said to be a helpful expectorant for chest congestion that helps eliminate accumulated mucus, has anti-microbial properties,  and can also help cure cough, sore throat, or congestion.

Thyme Cure for Cold Symptoms

LEMON: Has tons of Vitamin C, helps decrease the strength of a cold, reduce phlegm, and speed up healing process.

Cold and Flu Home Remedies

If you decide to try thyme tea, let me know how things turned out!