Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Golden Milk


Why has it taken me so long to discover turmeric? I'm not sure, but I'm glad I've finally found it. If you haven't eaten turmeric (chances are you have and you don't know it. It provides the yellow tint in curry), or haven't heard of turmeric... you can do your homework here. This anti-inflammatory spice is basically the super root and your body will thank you for consuming it. 
You can put it in just about anything to get all the health benefits (stir fry, rice dishes, meat, juice, teas). Lately, I've enjoyed using it in a drink called Golden Milk. Golden Milk is an Ayurvedic drink that's a great for bedtime because it helps digestion and create a peaceful slumber (turmeric can also help with insomnia).  
Ingredients: 
- 1 Cup Milk (I use whole cow's milk, 
but you can substitute it for any type) 
- 1 Tsp. Turmeric
- 1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon 
- Honey to taste 
Directions
Bring the milk to a soft boil
Stir in turmeric and cinnamon 
Place honey in your teacup
Pour golden milk over honey
 
Enjoy!
Xx,
Alex 

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Beeswax Candles

        

Whoa. Let's all be honest, this hasn't happened for a while. Well, I'm here to change that.
                                
We're quickly running out of our (Christmas present) candle supply. Matt and I have about two candles and/or an incense stick burning at all times. Incase you haven't noticed, it's been a little snowy in Missouri this year. ([(Snow+dogs= wet dogs)=smelly house]=candles are necessary).
                                
A while ago, I had bought some beeswax at the Tower Grove Farmer's Market (it's the best one to go to in STL- it's as local as possible). Beeswax comes in 1 pound bricks. You can also order beeswax on Amazon. There are all different shades of yellow, so pick the color you like the most because that will be the color of your candle. 
         
Ingredients: 
- 1 lb. beeswax
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 3 small Jars 
- Old sauce pan (don't use one that you cook food in, 
unless you enjoy beeswax in your food)
- Double boiler 
- Candle wick
- Pencil 
- Essential oil of choice

1. First, you'll need to use a double boiler to melt your wax.

2. When the wax is melted, add the 1/2 C. coconut oil. Beeswax can get very hot, so you'll need to use coconut oil to stabilize it. 

3. As you wait for the coconut oil to melt, place your one wick in each candle jar. Use a pencil to stabilize the wick and keep it up right. 

4. Next, pour a small amount of wax/oil into the bottom of each jar. Press the wick bottom into the hardening wax. 
                           
5. Once the wax is hardened, poor the remaining wax just shy of the lip of each jar, leaving about 1/2 inch of space. 

6. Pour a few drops of preferred essential oil into each jar. I used lavender (duh).  

7. Let the candle harden. Cleaning off any spill on the outside of the jar- you don't want it to melt onto your counter tops!




Enjoy! 
Xx, 
Alex