Rosemary Potatoes.

I started making Rosemary Potatoes about a month ago and I'm hooked. They're so delicious that I wanted to share it with my readers!

Ingredients:

• Organic potatoes - red is the preferred but I've tried this on all types and it still tastes amazing! (this is on the list of high pesticides if not organic)
• Rosemary (fresh or dried)
• Garlic Salt (optional)
• Italian Seasoning (I use the Publix brand)
• Oregano (fresh or dried)
• Turkish Seasoning (I buy this at Penzey's Spices...it's amazing but optional)
• Garlic - fresh (2x any other ingredient)
• EVOO

When I made it yesterday, I used 3 small red potatoes and 1 large russett potato.

1. Preheat the oven to 450° F. 
2. Chop up the potatoes in 1/4-1/2 inch slices (or whatever size you want) and place them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Chop the garlic finely and add it to the potatoes. I used an entire head, but use it as you like (I love garlic!).
4. Add EVOO to get the mixture going
5. Then start adding the seasoning as you choose (I just eye it)
6. Use at least 1 1/2 tbsp of rosemary (hence Rosemary Potatoes)
7. Use your hands to mix the potatoes and make sure the seasoning applies (the EVOO acts like the glue)

      8.   Place the potatoes on a flat cooking sheet and place in oven

      9.   Bake for 45 minutes

Enjoy with ketchup (one without High Fructose Corn Syrup =)) 

Summer Skin.

Summer's here and so is the beaming sun! Here's a quick rundown of how to protect you and your family's skin in the summer heat, both externally and internally, so you can enjoy the great weather!

Externally:

1. Maintain hydrated skin. Keep your skin clean and hydrated by using a natural cleanser and moisturizer and avoid harsh chemicals (For more info, check out the blog post on skin care ingredients). 
2. Use sunscreen/sunblock. I'm incredibly bias in this one. I highly recommend Badger's SPF line. They are amazing with NO synthetic chemicals or ingredients. Some people complain that it's too thick but get over it, b/c it's wonderful! =) Read the ingredients for yourself and see. The price may look steep but a little goes a long ways.
3. Use natural insect repellent. PLEASE, don't apply chemicals to your skin, much less your child's skin. There are great lines that use only essential oils and natural ingredients. If you want to mix your own, dilute citronella and eucalyptus in oil (1 part essential oil to 10-20 parts oil)

Internally:

1. Drink LOTS OF PURE WATER! You needs to stay hydrated during the summer to help nourish the skin cells and allow for those water-soluble vitamins (like your B-complex) work better.
2. Eat plenty of antioxident-rich foods like fruits and veggies and unrefined whole grains. 
3. Eat good fats like those found in nuts, avocado, flax, chia, cold-water fish and olive oil. These healthy fats support moisture balance in the skin.
4. Avoid refined and fried foods, like refined white flour, french fries, pastries, donuts...and you know the rest.
5. Exercise. It can help your skin! Exercise improves your blood flow and oxygenation throughout the body, including skin cells. 

Key Supplements:

• Antioxidents:
• Green Tea- delays skin cell aging, soothes and heals stressed skin, and balances skin tone
• Vitamin C- builds collagen, reduces redness and strengthens capillaries (don't forget that sugar eats away Vitamin C right out of the body!)
• Vitamin E and Selenium- can help protect against UV-induced oxidative stress from the sun
• Carotenoids- such as lutein and lycopene wich fight cellular damage caused by UV sun rays, which can help slow the visible signs of aging (carrots contain these components and more)
• Essential Fatty Acids
•  Borage oil, Flax seed, Fish oil, Hemp and Chia seeds are all great sources of EFA's which help keep moisture in the skin and maintain hydration, making the skin feel softer
•  Hyaluronic Acid - this is a compound vital to healthy skin. It keeps collagen hydrated and youthful allowing moisture retention in the skin.

 Recovering after long summer days outdoors:

• Sunburn occurs from overexposure to the sun. Aloe vera gel is used topically to sooth, cool and speed healing. It's even better if you use actual aloe vera gel from the plant. In addition, cocoa butter and shea butter nourish the skin after a long day in the sun.
• Poison Ivy, Oak or Sumac are common weather issues in many parts of the U.S. during long hot days outdoors. Use a spray or gel made with jewelweed, which helps naturally relieve itching. Homeopathic remedies can also work great with poison ivy symptoms. 
• Insect Bites/Stings is one of the most common for me. I really think I have amazing tasting blood b/c I always get bit! My husband says I imagine them and they appear. Not really, but it sure seems that way. The best aid I've personally used is tea tree oil to relieve itching. It's wonderful! You can also use Aloe vera to soothe irritated skin.

Follow these little tips and you'll have fun in the sun without the pain later =)

The Right Oils.

When cooking, it is important to understand that while you may have healthy food ready to cook, saute, or fry (the latter not my favorite), if you cook with unhealthy oils, it is all for naught.

Most people have a negative connotation when they hear "fatty acids". Let's clarify this. There are bad fats, but there are good fats that our body needs.

Our body requires omega-6 fats, called linoleic acid, derived from fatty acids. But, where are most people getting fatty acids from? Refined oils, such as corn oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil. Many restaurants and fast foods process their foods in high refined omega-6 fatty acids. The result of refined fatty acids in the body is inflammation, obesity, heart disease, and oxidized cholesterol leading to clogged arteries, to name a few.

Instead of refined oils, choose good omega-6 fatty acids such as grape seed oil, walnut oil, sesame seed oil, coconut oil, and my favorite extra virgin olive oil (evoo). Unlike refined oils that are high in saturated fat, good fatty acids are high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. The latter can actually help decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels, while refined oils can also lower bad cholesterol but they also lower good cholesterol and cause the oxidized cholesterol discussed earlier.

There is just too much to cover about the benefits of all these oils, but especially evoo. The benefits of evoo are extensive. "In Italy, physicians usually recommend olive oil to patients after they have had heart attacks. Olive oil helps decrease the stickiness of platelets, thus helping prevent coronary thrombosis and blood clots (What Would Jesus Eat?, Dr. Don Colbert, pg. 118)."

The three oils I use are Extra Virgin Olive Oil (of course), Grape Seed Oil (because this can handle heat at 400 degrees, unlike evoo), and Coconut Oil. The best part about these oils is not only their health benefits internally, but externally as well. I use evoo and coconut oil on a daily basis as body lotion and they're amazing!