Four Massage Oil Blends Address Common Ailments

All blends should be combined with 4 tsp. carrier oil or almond oil prior to applying to the skin.   If you only have a few of the oils suggested for each ailment, just use those.  Using all oils are not necessary to achieve the desired effect, in most cases.  As always, if you are allergic to any of these oils, do not use them.  For best results, store in dark glass containers for up to one month at room temperature and 2 months refrigerated.

Sports Massage Blend:  This blend strengthens and energizes the muscles strained or achy from working out.
4 drops rosemary
2 drops lemon grass
4 drops ginger

Foot Rescue:  This blend soothes feet after a long day.
3 drops peppermint
3 drops black pepper
4 drops lavender

Respiratory Relief:  This blend eases the symptoms of a variety of chest problems.
3 drops cedarwood
3 drops frankincense
4 drops lemon

Shoulder and Neck Rub:  Have someone massage these areas for instant relief.
2 drops vetiver
3 drops ginger
5 drops lavender

Many of these oils can be found at mynsp.com/Edenessentials or www.newdirectionsaromatics.com.

The Tomato Family Reunion

 This one is another Vegetarian Times recipe, originally called "Deep Dish Skillet Pizza."  You are directed to bake it in a skillet, but I felt like baking it on a pizza stone.  Because of this, my daughter thought we should change the name since it's no longer "deep dish" or "skillet."  So she came up with "The Tomato Family Reunion."  However you choose to make it, it will be heavenly in every way!

I had never eaten Kale before, that I can remember, so I was going for a new flavor and a little deviation from our spinach filled weekly menu.

For the dough:
1 tsp. light brown sugar
1/2 plg. dry yeast (1/4 oz.)
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1 tbsp. flax meal
2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Dissolve the brown sugar in 1/2 c. warm water (110*F).  Add the salt and oil, then yeast.  Proof 5 minutes or until frothy.  In a mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, 1/4 c. all purpose flour and the flax.  Blend to combine.  Gradually add in the yeast mixture.  It will be a sticky ball.  Knead in the remaining 1/4 c. flour by hand for at least 2 minutes.  Oil a bowl and the dough, then cover and let rise 45 minutes.

For the topping:
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
8 c. loosely packed Kale (each leaf yields about 1 c.)
1 c. sliced mushrooms (I chopped mine)
1 tsp. ground fennel seed (I just had whole seeds and crushed them to break apart slightly)
2 tbsp. Neufchatel or cream cheese
1 c. crumbled feta cheese
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp. chopped fresh oregano and/or basil (I used 1 tsp. each of dry herbs)

While dough is rising, chop all veggies and prepare ingredients for assembly.  Heat oil in large pot over medium heat.  Add garlic and saute for 2 minutes.  Add the kale.  Cover and cook 15 minutes.  (The was a bit too long for me.  Some of the garlic and kale burned at 13 minutes, so watch carefully).  Add the mushrooms and fennel seed.  Cook 7-10 more minutes.  (Again, too long in my opinion.  I moved to the next step at 6 minutes.)  Remove from heat and stir in Neufchatel.  Preheat oven to 475*F (I did this when I put the mushrooms in).  Oil bottom and sides of a 12" skillet.  With floured hands pat dough into skillet and let rest 5 minutes.  (I used a pizza stone.)  Spread Kale over dough.  Scatter feta, tomatoes and herbs on top.  Bake 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven and rest 5 minutes.

Black Bean Recipes

I love bean recipes because they are as nutritious as having meat in the dish but roughly $1 buys enough beans for 3 meals!  Plus there is very little fat in these bean recipes, so you can go back for 2nds without feeling guilty.  Can't beat that!!!

I think all of these recipes are from Vegetarian Times Magazine, except the tortilla recipe I think I got from my friend Jeanette, who has a wonderful recipe blog.  Check it out.  :)

Tortillas (used in the 2 following recipes)
2 c. flour (I do 1 c. whole wheat flour and 1 c. unbleached bread flour)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
3/4 c. warm milk (I usually use 1/2 c. plain or Greek yogurt and 1/4 c. hot water, mix well)

Mix first 4 ingredients.  Slowly add milk/yogurt.  It will become a loose, sticky ball.  Knead 2 minutes.  Rest in a bowl covered with a damp cloth for 20 minutes.  Divide into 8 balls and rest 10 minutes more.  Roll out as thin as possible on a lightly floured surface.  Heat in a hot, dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.

Black Bean Tostadas with Garlicy Greens
4 (10") whole wheat tortillas
2 tbsp. vegetable or olive oil
1 sm. onion, diced (1 c.)
1 1/2 c. cooked black beans (or 15 oz. can if you're in a hurry)
2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
4 cloves minced garlic (4 tsp.)
1 1/2 lb. Swiss chard, ribs removed, leaves chopped
4 tbsp. queso fresco or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded / crumbled
4 tbsp. cilantro (I just grab a big handful and chop)
4 tbsp. sour cream
1 c. salsa

Preheat oven to 425*F.  Spray both sides of the tortillas.  Arrange on baking sheet.  Toast until crunchy but not burned.  Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pot.  Add garlic for 2 minutes.  Stir in chard, salt and pepper.  Cover and cook 4-5 minutes or until chard is wilted.  Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a pan.  Add onions for 3 minutes.  Add seasoning and beans until heated through.  Spoon 1/4 c. bean mixture in the center of each tortilla.  Top with 1/4 c. greens and 1/4 c. salsa.  Top with cheese, cilantro and sour cream.

Black Bean Pumpkin Quesadillas

1 tbsp. oil
1 1/4 c. canned pumpkin
2 c. cooked black beans , slightly mashed
1 tsp. each:  chili powder, cumin, salt
1 sm. onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper (I usually use the whole thing)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
Tortillas, cilantro and cheese

Preheat oven to 375*F.  Sautee veggies a few minutes.  Add pumpkin, beans and spices.  Fill one side of each of the tortillas with mix and top with cheese and cilantro.  Fold empty half of tortilla over filled side.  Bake 4 at a time, or as many as you can fit on the baking sheet for 15 minutes.

Banana - Black Bean Empanadas
Crust:
1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. all purpose flour (I use unbleached bread flour)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chili powder
4 tbsp. butter (cubed)
1/2 c. unsweet apple sauce
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar

Sift flours, salt and chili powder together.  Mix in butter until it looks like bread crumbs.  Whisk apple sauce, vinegar and 1/3 c. water together.  Combine with dry.  Add up to 1/4 c. more water.  Knead.  Wrap in plastic.  Chill 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Filling:
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
1 c. cooked black beans
1 banana
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/4 tsp. coriander
2 tbsp. cilantro
1 tsp. tabasco (optional)

Saute onion in oil 4-5 minutes.  Add beans and garlic for 3 minutes.  Stir in banana, cumin, cayenne and coriander for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Stir in cilantro and tabasco.  Preheat oven to 400*F.  Divide dough into 12 balls.  Spray baking sheet with oil.  Make 6" x 1/4 " thick rounds.  Fill with 2 tbsp. filling.  Brush edge with water and seel with a fork.  Chill 10 minutes.  Bake 20 minutes.  Cool 5 minutes.

Younger Looking Skin

Silver Gel has been clinically tested to reverse 98% of sun damage to skin in only 2 minutes!  That's amazing!  What I love about this finding is that we can get the benefits of direct sunlight and reverse most of the damage.  I know that sounds a little crazy in this sun-phobic nation, but I'm sure if you do the research, as I did, you'll find that the benefits of 1 hour, 3 times weekly or direct sunlight, followed by an application of silver gel will give your family the levels vitamin D it needs to make it through the cold weather season without contracting colds and flu as well as the preventative protection against winter blues.

I began using silver gel years ago because I was dealing with adult acne, which while maybe not all that noticeable to others, really bothered me.  I figured if it reverses sun damage, it may prevent acne.  To my surprise, weeks later I was not only acne free, but I actually looked younger and other people were noticing!

A friend of mine gave some to her mother who tried it out for 2 weeks and she reported the same thing, 10 years younger in 2 weeks!  And other people were noticing.

Since the silver repairs the cells and then healthier cells are duplicating, these results are lasting.  It's not like some of the creams and glue-like things that basically tighten the skin until you wash it off.  This is way deeper than the surface level.

Young moms out there can attest to this fact, having young children ages your hands FAST!  Washing them sometimes 30-45 times a day leaves them looking dull, cracked, dry and worn.  I found that applying the silver gel to the back of my hands each night before bed also left my hands looking younger and the winter weather wasn't as harsh on my skin.

"But what about the BLUE MAN?!," many people may be thinking.  I encourage everyone to youtube the segment of Oprah where Dr. Oz is interviewing the "Blue Man."  The concentration of silver to water that this man used was about 50%.  The silver I use is 18-21 parts per million, which is a very very small percentage.  Dr. Oz said there is nothing wrong with safe levels of silver (the solution should be clear and have no odor or taste) and that it is actually proven to be beneficial.  Silver is widely used in the medical industry in catheter and IV needles as well as silvadene cream which is used on burn victims.  The tradition of giving new babies a silver spoon stems from the finding that children who pacified on a silver spoon did not get sick like the children who did not have a silver spoon.

You can purchase Silver Shield gel at mynsp.com/edenessentials for $15.75.  This bottle should last 6 months to a year.  I buy 1 bottle for the families burns, cuts and scrapes and 1 bottle for myself for the beauty benefits.