On Your Own: Foamy Latte

I wanted a bit of foam on my Chai the other day, but I just don't have the money for a machine that steams the milk, Starbucks style.

So instead, I relied on my trusty friend Google, and found a method that works great, and for free!

Just heat up some milk in a sauce pan on low to medium heat and when it begins to get warm, use a whisk and whisk away.  As the milk heats, the foam will form, and when it's the right frothiness, add it to the top of your drink!

I added sprinkles to mine too...I know, so very impressive:

Excuse the blurry photo.  Took it with my phone and I have not mastered the non-shaking hand yet.

Sir, Can I Have Some More?

I picked up some Natural Mint Hot Coco from Trader Joes.  Cy said we could only get it if I actually drank it.  I think he is referring to, literally, the 30 boxes of tea that I have yet to consume.  But, I am proud to say that scoop by scoop I am drinking it down.  I even brought it with me babysitting last week, and when it was time to reach for a mug, I was delightfully surprised to find the same jar in their cabinets.  The grocery shopper of that household is one of the healthiest but still yummiest food eaters I know, so I knew I had scored big time.  But just in case I need to convince myself (and you) a bit more, check it out:

In terms of pesticide use, it is second only to cotton.  So that means, if you are wearing your organic shirt and you spill your hot coco down the front, then you are pesticide free. Or if you get organic coco, then none are used at all.  Yes, that means you don't even have to wear a shirt.  Wait, what?

Coco has almost twice the antioxidants of red wine, and almost three times as many as green tea.  But you can't pretend you are drunk, no one will buy it.

Mint will soothe your digestive track, and getting rid of stomach discomfort and any bacteria that you may have in there.  If this really is the case, I can't imagine that mint hot coco is the best option, but it might be enough for you to have more than one cup.


Facts from: Ideal Bite and A2Z of Health

Peace of Mind

As I babysat a pair of sweet children tonight ages 2 and 5, I was struck with an eye opening difference between the two of us.

When it's time for bed, and I ask, "Are you ready for bed? "  The answer is never "YES! I am WIPED! Today was exhausting." Followed by a getting into bed by themselves with great eagerness.

 When I get there each Thursday night and ask what game they want to play, they never say, "You know what?  I don't really feel like it.  I'm kind of tired. I think I'll skip out on fun and just sort of hit the hay early."

And when I ask them if they are ready for school tomorrow, I don't hear "[sigh]  It's so stressful.  Oh wait, can you turn on the light?  I just remembered 5 more things I need to put on my to-do list."

At the end of the day, we are exhausted and bed does not come quick enough. We are a sleep deprived humanity.  According to the Sleep Foundation ,  67% of American Women say they frequently encounter sleep problems, and 43% say that daytime sleep interferes with their daily routine. But is it sleep that is really stopping me from functioning fully or from staying up just a bit more to have a conversation with my husband?  I mean, if I got that extra hour on top of the 7 that I get, would I be chipper all day, bells on my shoes, fresh picked flowers on my table, and songs of praise on my lips at all times?  No.  I wish. I think that are real problem is that we do not rest daily, in the day and throughout the day.  We go and go and go and we think that our 5, 6, or 7 hour sleep night will make up for it.    Think of this way.  Would you ever expect to let something cook for 8 hours that should only cook for 1?  No way, it would be burned, taste awful, and would loose all of it nutritional value.  Same goes for anything that has a time limit or a shelf life.  It's expiration date is there for a reason, and for a purpose.  Our lives are not forever, and the days do not last all day so that we can pretend that we will never get burned out, always act as sweet as sugar, and continually be at our healthiest best.  We are severely kidding ourselves if we think we do not have a shelf life.

We all want peace.  And we all want a piece of sanity.  So here is a small way to obtain both. Although it's not like sitting on the beach listening to nothing but the waves, nor is like a day trip to the spa, but it's just about as close to serenity as you can get in your own home. Or your car, the office, in traffic.  Yes, it's that good.

Origins Peace of Mind is a light lotion like substance containing natural ingredients such as basil to relieve tension, peppermint to release trauma and tightness, and eucalyptus to help fight fatigue.  Simply squeeze a small amount of this light weight but very powerful lotion on to the tips of your first two fingers.  Rub your finger tips together to make sure that both hands have this delightful escape on them, and get ready to begin a moment of peace, and to gain a piece of mind.

 Simply dab and rub in a circular motion the lotion on your tension areas.  This can be muscles, or for basic stress relief, try right below your ears, and on your temples.  The peppermint will cool your skin and in no time you will be feeling, fresher, invigorated, and like you just might make it the rest of the day.

Best features?  At 3.4 oz, it fits neatly in your purse, car, or in your hand if you are expecting a long line at the DMV, doctor's office, or anywhere else that just drives your crazy.  And, the $19.50 that you will spend on this will seem like nothing in comparison to the benefits your will reap.

Let's all breathe in, and out.  Go on, it's good for you.

I Put Tea on My Face

My good friends over at Mama Manifesto posted a great post today encouraging us all to really take a look at the products we are using and the content in them. We consume a ridiculous amount of carcinogens and hazardous chemicals each day. Some, we can not control, like the amount of pollution in the air. (Okay, we can do our green part, but on a day to day basis, can we just decide not to breathe? No.) So, if we make changes in our diets and the products we use, we can lower our risks significantly. I know this seems so very green of me, but being faced with the reality after marriage that my life is no longer affecting just me, but a husband, and someday children, then these little steps make the biggest difference.

I know I have ranted and raved about the benefits of tea, but let's me honest, I do it because I love you.

So today, it's not another rant, but a helpful tool to help us all live just a bit healthier.

I can not go one morning without washing my face. In fact, I have yet to do it this morning and I am dying. I just hate the feeling of things on my skin. It grosses me out, and I'll admit I'm borderline OCD when it comes to having a clean face. In fact, I will wash my face mid day if it feels dirty. Our skin is an organ, and just like any healthy organ in our bodies we must treat it as such. You would not give your heart anything but blood, right? Then why give your skin anything but that which is healthy for it? So our question is: do we believe that it matters what we use to wash our faces? If so, what is good for it?

Studies show that up to 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed and ends up in your blood stream. Because our skin is the first defense system that our bodies have, then we better be pretty careful about what we wash it with, what we put on it, and and how we take care of it.

So I have found a facial cleaner that is not only safe for my skin, but, actually helps it as well:

Kiehl's Yerba Mate Facial Line

Kiehl's Yerba Mate is made from the Yerba Mate Tea Leaf from South America. In it's native habitat, Yerba Mate leaf is used for all kinds of healing remedies both outside and inside. In the form of facial cleanser and lotion, it holds the same properties. All three of the Yerba Mate line (cleanser, toner and lotion) contains 15 amino acids, 11 antioxidants and 24 vitamins and minerals! Let's take a trip back to middle school bio class for a minute. Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein, so when we put this on our skin we are not only using something safe that can be absorbed, but we are also making our skin much stronger. Antioxidants have powerful detox abilities. Not only does this make for a super clean face, but over time, when complimented by an antioxidant healthy diet as well as healthy cooking, cleaning, and clothing products, will make for a clean blood stream. 24 Vitamins and minerals? Need I say more? In addition, Kiehl's Yerba Mate line contains lemon extract, the fruit with the highest percentage of vitamin C, as well as Kombutchka Tea another tea leaf that is supremely rich in anti-oxidants. The toner is alchohol free, but does not feel like you have done nothing to clean your skin. The lemon extract is also a natural astringent with an antiseptic quality found in the lemon peel, giving you that deep clean feeling without using chemicals. Finally, the Yerba Mate lotion is oil free and the tea extracts help reduce the size of pores.

I know, I sound like I work for Kiehls. The truth is, I used to.

But how easy to clean your skin and, prevent harmful chemicals absorbed into your blood just by washing your face?

Go to Kiehls.com to find a store near you.
Cleanser: $20.50
Toner: $24.50
Lotion: $35.00

Too expensive? Not only are the health benefits worth it, but with Kiehls a little goes a long way. In fact, when used the correct quarter size amount, your products will last you a good 4 months. But because all three of these products are infused with the same ingredients (15 amino acids, 11 antioxidants and 24 vitamins and minerals!!!!) then just buy one, and start putting it in your regime one product at a time.

One cup, or two?



Test your skin care products here: Cosmeticsinfo.org