Weekend Food Shopping + My Cauliflower Salad

This is what I typically get when I go on my bi weekly produce shopping spree. Plum tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, cucumbers, kiwi etc. This winter has been a pretty good winter as far as food and my diet has been concerned. I don’t really stress too much about what I eat or my weight. If I like it and want it, I eat it. But I do pay attention and limit the amount of processed/junk food I consume, always trying to maintain a healthy balance. What I really have been focusing on these past couple of years is perfecting my cooking skills to help better my health as well as keep an open mind when it comes to trying new things.

 

One of these new things I have incorporated into my diet is cauliflower. I’ve had cauliflower before but recently it has become my main staple as far as salads have been concerned. Last year I was loving my watercress and avocado salads (very nutritious and healthy by the way) but this time around cauliflower has been stealing the show.

Cauliflower is related to not only broccoli but also, kale and cabbage all belonging to the cruciferous family. Cauliflower is not green like broccoli because cauliflower’s leaves blocks the sun, preventing the growing cauliflower from producing Chlorophyll or it’s green color rather.

I’m not a big fan of broccoli anyway because the taste tends to be a little too “green” not because of the color, just the earthy taste to it I guess. Cauliflower on the other hand tends to have a much more lighter and not too overpowering taste which complements most of my dishes.

Not only is cauliflower delicious but contains a variety of health benefits as well:

Strengthens the immune system

Contains Vitamin C

Antioxidant

Prevents strokes and heart attacks

Helps immune system fight infections, viruses,colds

Contains fiber helping prevent constipation

Detoxifies Blood

Fights and prevents many types of cancers

My cauliflower dipping Concoction

I love the taste of cauliflower so I can eat it with no dressing at all, but while over at  WHAT’S COOKIN one of my favorite food blogs, I was inspired by this amazing red vinaigrette recipe which makes for a tasty and delicious dressing.

I simply chopped up some onions and tomatoes and added my dressing and simply used it as a salad/ dipping sauce for my cauliflower.

You can also add avocados, cucumbers or whatever you desire really. The best way to have cauliflower is to lightly saute them or steam them. If you choose to boil them make sure to not leave them in for more than 3 minutes otherwise they will get full of water and end up all mushy.

Cauliflower is a great dish to have year round. I find I will enjoy cauliflower well into the summer considering it has such a light, pleasing taste.

I also picked up a bag of lentils to make this week. A lovely reader requested I do a tutorial so I will be working on that, stay tuned!

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Natural Health Food Store Haul + My first Homemade Body Butter

A couple of weekends ago I went to my natural health food store to stock up on my tea obsession as well as pick up a new essential oil I have been meaning to get for the longest.

As of late I have been drinking white tea. It’s such a sweet and light tasting tea that I was hooked for weeks. Then recently I decided to switch it up a bit and try Oolong tea which turned out to be just as good.

I’ve been on a tea high since this past fall and have been very happy I have finally discovered and given tea a chance. Now I know why tea lovers are so picky about their stuff…. Oolong tea, like white tea is sweet but with a light earthy tone to it. The after taste is just right for me and not too overbearing.

Oolong tea is semi fermented and lies between green and black tea, containing moderate amounts of caffeine. Oolong tea is known to stimulate the digestive system and like most teas helps maintain a clearer mind.

Tea has a cleansing effect helping those who deal with constipation maintain a regular schedule which helps rid the body of toxins more efficiently. I like how light and refreshed I feel after having tea and not to mention all the health benefits I get from a cup of tea everyday.

My morning tea ritual consists of 1-2 cups when I wake up and another cup when I get to work.

Some health benefits of Oolong Tea:

Antioxidant: Protects against Free Radicals

Cleanses the body of toxins

Aids Digestion and Cholesterol levels

Helps clear mind of mental stress and fog

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Vanilla Oil has been on my wish list since forever and I finally got my hands on it. I mostly wanted this oil for my essential oil burner but have been using it for all sorts of things such as my body butters, body sugar scrubs and shampoo mixes. The scent of vanilla is amazing. Since getting this oil I have not stopped using it and sometimes I catch myself just running to the bottle to take a sniff of it. SMH lol

I have been burning this oil non stop and recently I have been adding a few sprinkles of ground cinnamon which leaves my house smelling like a bakery. The aroma is so soft and sweet you you can’t help but smile every time you smell it. Burning vanilla for aromatherapy purposes helps relax your mind as well as ease tension, stress and headaches.

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My skin in the past year has been a complete BRAT! I’ve been dealing with some annoying pimples, scars and just plain annoying skin. My skin is not only oily but sensitive too so I have been eliminating a lot of ingredients in my skin care regimen because of it. So far I have eliminated Tinted Moisturizers entirely. Right now bronzers are the only thing from keeping me looking like a corpse.

So I have been cleansing with this all natural Desert Essence face wash…….got it on sale for $6…. So far I like that it washes away mascara…..We shall see how well it really works soon.

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At last but not least I have been experimenting with making my own body butters usuing shea butter and Coconut Oil. Shea butter has been doing wonders for my skin since I started using it last year. I’m not much of a lotion person but since trying out shea butter and coconut oil my skin has been soaking it up.

These are my first two batches. The one on the left only conatins a 50/50 mix of shea butter and coconut oil. The one on the right contains Vanilla Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter.

I have yet to perfect this concoction but so far I’m loving body butters. Not only can you use it on your skin but hair as well which is my ultimate goal with this shea butter and coconut oil mix. Soon as I get a hold of what I’m doing I will post a tutorial on how I do my body butters. In the mean time check out this tutorial by Glamazini, I’ve been working with.

So stay tuned for that and a lot more recipes I’ve been working with.

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Natural Hair Notes: Cone Free Conditioners

One of the first products I got my hands on while building my cone free regimen was a reliable moisturizing cone free conditioner. Keeping a conditioner handy can be useful for many things such as co washing, adding it to homemade deep conditioners and of course to keep the hair moisturized and balanced (protein/moisture). There are many things to consider when shopping for a cone free conditioner or any cone free product for that matter. Here are a few things I keep in mind.

Reading the labels:

It’s obviously the only way you will know whether or not your product is loaded with cones. Although most ingredient lists can be extensive and the ingredients hard to pronounce, you don’t necessarily have to memorize each cone, the idea is to familiarize yourself with them often enough for you to tell without hesitation. When in doubt it’s best to double check. So when I’m not too sure I go to my two trusty cone reference lists.

Here’s my go to links when in doubt.

List of cone free conditioners– not the most extensive list but pretty much the same one I see all around, again check your labels.

All About Cones (BHM types of cones)– This is my go to for easy reference.

Water Soluble VS. Non Water Soluble:

Another thing that took me some time to consider but was rather easy to understand were Water soluble VS. Non water soluble cones. Basically there are two types of cones. Those that are easily rinsed with water (water soluble) vs those that require a detergent based cleanser (SLS based shampoo) to get rid of the cone (Non water Soluble).

By far the only two water soluble cones I look out for are Dimethicone Copolyols or PEG-modified dimethicones. Those with PEG affixed to the front of the cone are basically light enough to rinse with water.

For more detailed info check out Curly Nikky on her to cone or not to cone post.

More info on Water Soluble and Non Soluble Cones:

BHM All about cones

Naturally Curly: Scoop on Cones

Naturally Curly Water Solube and Non WSC’S list

There are many cone free conditioners out there and while going through the cone free conditioner list a few caught my eye. I was surprised to see VO5 strawberries and cream on the list since it’s so cheap and cone free. It was in my old hair stash and I kept it since it made the cone free cut. Another conditioner I had was mane N tail from what I have researched it does not contain cones but does have parabens. Despite them not being natural I use them every now and then as my protein conditioners. Once I run out of these two I will replace them with a natural protein based cone free conditioner.

Starting off with a cone free conditioner can be a great way to start familiarizing yourself with the different types of cones in hair products as well as tell which one works best for your hair type.

Here’s a few I have in mind for when the product junkie in me kicks in:

-Giovanni 50/50 Balanced Hair Remoisturizer conditioner

-Nature’s Gate Lavender & Aloe Conditioner

-Suave Naturals Juicy Green Apple Conditioner

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CSN Stores Review…. Finally

This review is wayyy over due but I guess better late than never. Originally when CSN stores contacted me I picked out a very unique and fabulous Rose Quartz candle holder. Unfortunately the designer was not making them anymore and as my luck would have it CSN did not have one in stock. So after much running around, phone calls and emails I was finally able to repurchase another item. Even though there was a little mix up, CSN promotions team took care of everything.

So as you all may know I love to cook and decided on a pan. I was in need of a good non stick saute pan and this 12 inch farberware nonstick is just what I needed. I’m starting to experiment with stir fry dishes and I’m loving how well this pan performs. It’s bigger than anticipated but it does the job.

Bottom of pan

The only thing I don’t like about the pan is the handle. It does not have a heat resistant handle like most of my pans. I found that strange since most pans have them.

It also comes with this clear cover excellent for simmering.

This pan is very good and I have no complaints. It’s very durable and sturdy and not to mention super easy to clean.

Of course I got down to cooking right away and decided on a lightly seasoned steamed fish with tomatoes, onions, peppers and garlic.

I just chopped up some onion, garlic, peppers and tomatoes and one packet of annato coloring with about two cups of water, let simmer for 20 minutes…..

and you have yourself the most simple yet amazing Tilapia fish ever………

CSN carries a whole bunch of products and it’s amazing all the stuff they manage to keep track of. Once my issue was resolved I received my package in 5 days. Customer service was prompt and I was happy with my product.

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The Health Benefits of Black Strap Molasses + My Review

I bought this bottle of Molasses at my natural health store late last summer mostly for my deep conditioners. Recently however molasses has become part of my diet as well.

I’ve known about molasses and it’s many health benefits since a child. My grandmother would always mention and recommend taking molasses especially to those who were prone to anemia. Recently my aunt had to have surgery done but was not able to undergo because her blood and iron levels were extremely low and not to mention anemic. Of course grandma came to the rescue (and molasses) and treated her for an entire month with blackstrap. Lone and behold she was good as new and ready to go have her surgery done.

This left me curious about the health benefits of molasses and did not want to just use molasses for my hair (review coming soon) knowing it has so much health potential. So I decided to take a tablespoon every other day to see what it can do for me health wise as well as a little research.

What is Blackstrap Molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is just one type of molasses, the dark liquid byproduct of the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. It is made from the third boiling of the sugar syrup and is therefore the concentrated byproduct left over after the sugar’s sucrose has been crystallized. -Source

Google Images

What is it used for?

Organic Blackstrap molasses has a rich, full bodied flavour that adds natural colour to food. It is the end product, or by-product, of the production of sugar and contains vitamins, minerals and trace elements naturally found in the sugar cane plant and is a good source of iron, vitamin B6, potassium, calcium and magnesium.-source

Molasses, which is what’s left after all that refining during sugar production, retains many of the vitamins and minerals extracted from the raw sugar cane which can be extremely beneficial. One of the most familiar nutrients molasses is rich in is Iron.

Iron is essential for blood production which carries oxygen to the rest of our organs, such as the skin and brain as well as a very important nutrient for menstruating women and of course those who deal with anemia.

Anemia can be a bothersome disease considering the symptoms can interfere with your daily life. Lack of energy, constant fatigue, headaches, cloudy thinking, moodiness and an array of symptoms all ties in with anemia and the lack of vital vitamins and minerals like iron existing in our diets. Since most of the vitamins and minerals we need on a daily basis can not be produced by the body on it’s own it’s important we get the following from our foods and/or supplements.

Here are some of the nutrients molasses is rich in:

The Nutrients

Copper

Helps with bone formation, nervous system, Works with other vitamins to form elastin essential for tissue and muscle fibers as well as collagen production essential for healthy glowing skin. Copper also helps with hemoglobin the protein responsible to healthy red blood cells.

Foods rich in copper: Kiwi, lychees, Avocados, Lima beans, Taro root (malanga), Spirulina, Salmon, oats, walnuts

Potassium

Aids with cholesterol plaque buildup

Aids the kidneys to help eliminate wastes

Reduces high Blood pressure

Sends oxygen to the brain which helps with headaches and clearer thinking

Foods rich in Potassium: Bannanas, Guava, cherries, Kiwi, potatoes, coconut, almonds, oats, salmon, yogurt, catfish, avocados

Iron

Important in the formation of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying factor in red blood cells; nourishes every cell in the body with oxygen; without it your body could not make ATP (the body’s primary energy source), produce DNA, or carry out many other critical functions; has shown to improve restless legs syndrome; is necessary for the proper metabolism of 8-Vitamins; prevents anemia and fatigue; promotes good skin tone, and stimulates the immune system; decreases the craving for alcohol.

Foods rich in Iron: Raisins, avocado, strawberries, potatoes, beans, cashews, oats, pumpkin seeds, turkey

Other nutrients

Calcium- not only for healthy bones and teeth but also plays a major role in the transmission between nerve impulses essential for a healthy nervous system

-B-vitamins

-Selenium

-Magnesium

-Manganese

My experience with Blackstrap these past couple of months has been rather interesting. Before taking molasses I was relying on Spirulina as my daily supplement but had to lay off of it for a while since I had way too much energy and was having trouble sleeping. Molasses on the other hand provides me with adequate amounts of energy. Instead of huge bursts of energy I notice that my energy levels are gradually making it’s way up. Since I’m a menstruating woman and don’t indulge in too much meat, I find that I can use all the energy and Iron I can get from molasses and not to mention the other nutrients it’s rich in.

I don’t mix molasses with anything. I just take this tablespoon every other morning and chase it down with iced tea. The first thought that came to mind when I first took molasses was “dam this tastes like burnt coffee”, I’ve never had burnt coffee but that’s what came to mind. Once you get used to it you don’t really taste anything after a couple of tries. So far I notice I’m not beat by 8pm when I get home from a 12 hour shift. So that’s definitely a huge plus. I first started off with a tablespoon every morning. Then after about 2 weeks I cut down a bit and now take it every 3-4 days or when I’m feeling low on energy.

I bought unsulphured molasses, which is a chemical used (sulphur) during the refining process and some may be allergic to it. There are organic/unsulphured molasses. I did not see the organic version at my store so I just picked this one up

You can take molasses straight up like I do, add it to your warm tea, milk, or add it on to your smoothies.

As with anything remember to not over do it. Molasses is a sweetener so those with diabetes should be careful and consult their physician. Men should also take precaution since they don’t lose as much iron as women and may end up storing more iron than needed. Excess iron in the body can cause complications from heart attacks, organ failure along with other symptoms.

Sources:

Minerals Chart

Hemoglobin and Iron

Eco Bites

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Take a Peek at My Stones and Crystals Collection

 I’m going to share with you my small stone collection which has been growing lately. Some I have found, been given as gifts, purchased and simply have stumbled upon along the way. As I have come to learn, stones posses so much energy and vibrations it’s truly amazing when you come to think about it. In this post I will give a brief overview of my favorite stones, eventually turning it into a mini series where I will show you each stone, explain how I use them and my personal experiences with each.

Some consider rocks as lifeless and even inanimate objects but in truth rocks, gems stones or however you may call them are alive and beaming with energy waiting to be explored and of course interact with you as well. With their varied colors and composition, each stone posses a unique personality and essence which can help you tap into not only each stones energy but yours as well.

 

Red Jasper

 I’ll start off with red jasper because I have become attached to this stone more so than the others. Red Jasper is associated with earth grounding energy helping ground, establish and balance your thoughts, emotions or ideas. Red Jasper is a protective stone helping cleanse your energy of negativity as well as deflecting any negativity sent toward you, back to where it came from.

I use red jasper mostly for my dreams and without getting into too much detail I have to say I remember and even at times vividly experience my dreams. So if you are curious about your dreams or have issues remembering them, red jasper is an ideal stone to experiment with. Red Jasper also helps those who are procrastinators and need help with organizational skills. It helps you stay focused and maintain your eye on the prize all the while enhancing creativity and your imagination.

Rose Quartz is  a very pretty stone to just look at and it’s known for being the ultimate love Stone. Self love to me is the most important aspect to any individual. If you don’t love your self who will? Rose quartz helps you realize your potential and embrace these potentials with love and acceptance. Helps clear negativity, balances the mind while soothing and promoting inner peace.



Rose Quartz promotes positive self esteem and over all it’s a very calming stone to have and work with. Rose quartz can also be helpful for those who tend to be angry all the time or have issues accepting themselves for who they are. Attracting love to yourself comes from exuding the energy and love from within out to the universe which ultimately reflects itself through the people you encounter and love you receive on a continual basis.

I have also read that Rose Quartz is great for the skin. Since rose quartz’s energy increases circulation it’s an ideal stone for wrinkles and maintaining an overall healthy glow.

So I took one of my rough rose quartz stones and placed it in distilled water for a couple of days and every now and then wash my face with this rose quartz infused water. Hey a girl can only TRY to create her fountain of youth…….

Tiger Eye

Tiger’s eye promotes courage and helps you see things with a much clearer and wise mind. I use it mostly as a protective stone to ward off negativity and the evil eye.

Amethyst is the official birthstone for those born in this month, February. This is my meditation stone and dream stone. I find that when using amethyst for dream recall it’s not as vivid as when I use red jasper. Red Jasper tends to have a much more blunt approach when it comes to the messages I receive whereas amethyst tends to be a bit more calm with it’s energy when it comes to relaying messages.

Amethysts vibration is much more calmer and soothing which is why I prefer it when meditating.

This is pretty much a sneak peek. Stones are rather amazing and you can experience them in many ways such as jewelry which has become my obsession lately. In the meantime this is where they rest. So stay tuned for more as I continue to share my many adventures with stones and crystals.

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A little Frivolous Shopping………..

…..won’t hurt nobody. I went out shopping the other day after a longgg time (ok 3 weeks), and usually I always end up buying something makeup or hair related but this time I switched it up and got a purse.

This cute little messenger bag only cost me 20 bucks on sale. I was in need of a new small weekend bag for errands, shopping or lunch with the sis and this was just perfect.

It kind of looks big now that I see it in photos, but it’s rather small, perfect for just my wallet, keys, grocery lists, sunglasses, phone and maybe gloves……

While impulse shopping not too long ago, I remembered that Glamorous Glory Featured Revlon’s Black cherry a while back and after seeing it on a few blogs I finally gave in and got my hands on it. On glamorous glory it looked like a deep wine color which I loved, but on my skin tone it goes on very red with a slight hint of wine.

Either way I’m sooo loving this color and I wear it everyday with MAC’s Love Rush blush and winged liner.



In somewhat Natural Light



I also got a few things by maybelline. First with the concealer from Maybelline’s FIT line in medium, being the concealer freak that I am. I don’t like it too much because it goes on a bit too sheer and liquidy for my liking. The color match is perfect though, so I just keep it for those light makeup days.

So another beauty blogger enabling my impulse shopping is the lovely lady over at Beauty Ambition where she featured this fabulous lipstick called Pink me up. I have yet to swatch it but you can take a look at Beauty Ambition’s swatch and see why I fell in love with this color. It’s very creamy, the color payoff is amazing and worth the 5 bucks.

 I also tried Maybelline’s Falsies mascara and like it even though after about 2 strokes you have to be careful since it tends to clump. I like it and still use it because it does not smudge considering how dam oily my lids and eye area seems to be.

Two very impressive Re-purchases from N.Y.C has been their brow kit and liquid liner. These are my favorites especially the brow kit. I got it in brunette and it’s the perfect match and fills in my brows beautifully leaving them looking very natural. The liquid liner is a must! It does not smudge at all and lasts hours and for under 2 bucks definitely a must have.

And last but not least a look I did with wet N wild’s Palette in Vanity.

Yes a tutorial is in the horizon if I could just ever figure out the right lighting, sequence, eye lids etc.lol  For those who wonder and have asked, I used to get my eyebrows threaded but recently have been waxing since I find I get a much better and defined shape. In between I pluck…..

 

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And the WINNERS ARE……

Yes I said winners because I got my hands on an extra evil eye ring and just had to give it away!

But first the grand prize winner is……..

Comment #4 Bitty Boss! Email me with your shipping address that way I can mail it out as soon as possible.

Hellnotesforbeauty@yahoo.com

But wait That’s not all!!!!! While shopping for a friend’s birthday party gift last weekend I stumbled upon the evil eye ring again

I wish I could giveaway something to each and everyone of you ladies but that is not possible, but I squeezed in one more winner and here goes……………

Comment#11 Miss Cindia!

Please email me at hellnotesforbeauty@yahoo.com with your shipping address.

I have a few things coming together for my next giveaway sometime in the spring so stay tuned! Thanks to all who entered.

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