Two Ingredient Cleanser

When it comes to skincare, there is an overwhelming amount of information to sift through. That is why I’m all about simplicity. Yes, the skin is our biggest organ, and yes we want to put the best quality ingredients on it in order to look and feel our best. But why does it have to be so complicated? By now you may have heard of what kinds of ingredients to avoid when buying your skin care products, i.e. parabens, which is a preservative that acts as a synthetic hormone and can easily absorb into your skin thus into your blood stream. I am constantly reading the ingredient labels of products and in general, the less I see of them – the more likely I will use it. That brings me to what this post is all about – my absolute favorite two ingredient cleanser!

 

The magical potion is made up of jojoba oil + honey, and IT.IS.AMAZING. First off, let’s break down these two ingredients. Jojoba oil is completely natural and derived from a nut. It is unique in that it closely resembles sebum, which is a waxy substance produced by our skin glands, so it can act as a natural skin conditioner. I know many of you might be scared at the idea of using oil on your skin especially if you are acne prone. BUT acne is in fact actually the result of overactive sebaceous glands in the skin. These glands produce this excess oil because the skin is usually dry or going through some sort of hormonal change. Surprisingly, jojoba oil actually reduces your oiliness by regulating your sebum production. 

Now onto my favorite ingredient – honey! I not only love this sweetener for consumption, but for its wide array of medicinal uses. Some of the benefits of raw honey include:

•     The natural antibacterial and probiotic properties of raw honey effectively reduce breakouts and prevent new acne.
•     Super nourishing and hydrating
•     Gently removes dirt and impurities without stripping the skin of natural oils

It does, however, matter what kind of honey you use. Manuka honey is preferable since it has the highest amount of antibacterial properties, it’s raw, and unfiltered meaning the honey hasn’t been heated or changed since it left the beehive! Although it can be expensive compared to the average drugstore cleanser, you use such a little amount each time; it ends up lasting long.

How to use the cleanser:

Wet your face or else the mixture won’t glide nicely onto your skin. Mix equal parts honey and jojoba oil in your hand. Rub all over your face in circular motions. Thoroughly rinse with cold water. Rinsing with cold water instead of hot helps your skin retain its moisture.

If you guys try this, let me know what you think! J

3 Delicious and Healthy Pasta Alternatives

There is no arguing that pasta is among the ultimate of comfort foods, but filling up on empty carbs certainly isn’t great for our waistlines. Making a simple swap of veggie noodles instead not only cuts the calories, but also provides a nutrient-packed meal leaving you satiated and guilt-free. Using a spiralizer and a food processor, you will be making pasta-like strands out of vegetables like zucchini, sweet potato, and carrots and homemade sauces that are sure to satisfy that comfort food craving.

Here are 3 different recipes to help get you started:

Thai Style Cucumbers with Healthy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients:

·      1 large cucumber

·      1 cup of creamy peanut butter

·      ½ cup of full fat coconut milk

·      3 tablespoons water

·      3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

·      3 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (or any soy sauce)

·      1 tablespoon of minced ginger root

·      2 cloves of garlic, minced

·      1 tsp sea salt

Instructions:

Using a spiralizer, spiral the cucumber into noodles. On low heat, sauté the cucumbers with salt for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a food processor combine the rest of ingredients to make your sauce and blend until smooth. Add the sauce to the cucumbers; turn up the heat to medium and sauté for about 3-5 minutes. Optional: top with fresh cilantro or green onion. Enjoy!

Squashetti (Spaghetti Squash)

Ingredients:

·      1 spaghetti squash

·      2 cups of marinara sauce

·      ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella (optional)

·      Fresh basil leaves

·      Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Instructions:

Wash and cut spaghetti squash lengthwise; remove seeds and string. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Place on a cookie sheet face down in the oven for 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool and use a fork to scrape flesh from top to bottom into strands of “spaghetti”. Add pasta sauce, cheese, and basil. Bon Appetite!

Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Avocado Pesto

Ingredients:

·      1 large zucchini or 2 small ones

·      1 cup of pine nuts

·      ½ lemon

·      about 10 basil leaves

·      ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese

·      ½ cup of olive oil

·      1 medium sized avocado

·      1 clove of garlic

·      Salt to taste

Instructions:

Using the spiralizer, spiral the zucchini into pasta-like noodles and set aside. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a food processor to make your creamy pesto. Heat your noodles in a saucepan on low to medium heat with olive oil and a touch of salt. Add your pesto to the noodles and stir well for 5-8 minutes. Try not to over cook the noodles, as they will become mushy. Top with fresh basil and Parmesan. Enjoy!

Gardening with Ms. Jillian

Every week I get to teach garden-based education to 120 wonderful students that come from all walks of life. What exactly is garden-based education you ask? In short, a seed-to-table garden program teaches kids standard-based lessons utilizing the garden as an outdoor classroom where they can actively engage with their environment. The curriculum covers all subjects from literacy to life science to math and everything in between. Learning beyond the four walls of a classroom teaches

children through personal discovery in natural settings, ecological principles that govern all life, as well as develop a sense of connection with the land. The countless benefits range from health and sustainability awareness, personal growth and development, and an instilled sense of community. 

Dried out sunflower seeds make for a tasty snack!

I witness first-hand how effective and invaluable this program is for the kids. Seeing a child wide-eyed and curious while learning about a plant's lifecycle, or sampling a fruit they've never tried before plucked directly off the tree is truly amazing.  I'm looking forward to the rest of the year and excited to share more of my garden classroom experiences! 

The kids going bonkers for blueberries!

    

How to Workout on a Budget

Gyms aren’t the only places you can get in shape. In today’s modern world, there are plenty of cheap and even FREE ways to burn those calories.  Yes, gyms can be simple: you pay your monthly dues; you have all your fancy machines; you get in you get out. But if you’re on a tight budget or you’re an exercise novice and haven’t a clue on how to work the equipment, the gym might not be the best fit for you.

I, personally, have not belonged to a gym in over 4 years and have managed to stay in shape, and most importantly enjoy working out!  Here are my top 3 favorite free workouts:

YOGA 

Yoga is a wonderful way to tone your entire body, increase flexibility, and calm your mind.  Most cities have free community classes (try just searching Google or inquiring at your local yoga studio), or you can try yoga from the comfort of your own home with YogaGlo’s awesome 15-day trial.   

POP PILATES

One of my favorite ways to work out is watching YouTube videos.  YouTube Fitness Guru, Cassey Ho, creates fun and quirky videos that are sure to kick your butt. Her bubbly and gregarious personality coupled with the latest pop music makes the grueling workouts entertaining rather than a chore. Be sure to try the “Muffin Top Massacre” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqXmgy5GTzI) and “Abs on Fire” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ogDIqyGmCM

Calisthenics

To put it simply, calisthenics is a form of exercise where you use the weight of your own body to build muscle.  These are things like push-ups, pull-ups, squats, and sit-ups. The best part of calisthenics is that you can pretty much do it ANYWHERE. I encourage you to go outside – get a dose of vitamin D, run some stairs, and get your calisthenics on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L1_lXA5EoE

As you can see, gym or no gym, there really is no excuse to not get in shape and feel great!

       

Ready for a Pumpkin Party?

Ah! 'Tis the season of pumpkin everything. From the lattes at Starbucks to Trader Joes' overabundance of pumpkin products, you really can't escape America's favorite squash.  While it’s plenty easy to find pumpkin recipes that are doused in butter, sugar and cream, I got the itch to whip up some clean, healthy pumpkin delights. 

Creamy Pumpkin Smoothie:  

INGREDIENTS

1 banana

1/2 cup pumpkin

3/4 cup vanilla almond milk

3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tbsp vanilla protein powder (optional) 

1 tsp of vanilla extract

1.5- 2 handfuls of ice

Toss it all in a blender, and you should get a nice and creamy texture. It's basically pumpkin pie in smoothie form - amazing! And the best part is, it's actually good for you!  Pumpkins are similar to carrots in that they are extremely high in vitamin A (essential for eye health) as well as vitamin K and fiber. It's a win-win!

Pumpkin Spice Gingerbread {serves 2}

DRY INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup of oats

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

scant 1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp cloves

1/8 tsp salt

WET INGREDIENTS

2/3 cup of pumpkin puree

1 tbsp molasses

1 large banana, mashed

2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Pour wet into dry and mix. Then scoop the batter into a greased 9X5 inch loaf pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. 

I definitely inhaled one slice immediately hot out of the oven. The next day, I ate the rest cold topped with Greek yogurt.  Let me know how your pumpkin creations turn out!