Oven Roasted Balsalmic Shallots

These mild, sweet onions taste great on hamburgers or added to any cooked vegetable!

1 Lb. shallots, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. sea salt
Few dashes of freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, toss the shallots with the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a large piece of aluminum foil. Fold and seal the foil to create a pouch.

Set on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, until tender, browned, and caramelized.

The Many Uses of Coconut Oil

Okay, so we all know that Coconut Oil is typically used in cooking. It is considered to be a great oil, as it has a high smoke point and healthy for you. But since my husband can't stand the taste of coconut, I find ways to use it personally! I buy Organic, unrefined, cold-pressed, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Here's how I use it, in everyday living.

1. Deep Conditioner for Hair- When my hair begins to feel dry or brittle, I take a scoop of solid coconut oil and work it through my hair (dry, not wet), concentrating on the ends. Once every strand is coated thoroughly, and you look like a greasy mess, run a hair dryer over it briefly (but do not dry it all of the way). The heat will open the hair shaft and allow the oil to penetrate the hair. Now, pull your hair up in to a bun. Place a shower cap over your hair. Leave it alone for 1 hour. Then, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. You may need to shampoo it twice, to remove the greasy oil.

2. Eye Makeup Remover- Take a pea-size amount of solid coconut oil and work it between your two fingers. As it softens, gently rub it onto your eye lid, lashes, and brow (while your eye is closed). Take a dry cloth and gently rub the oil and makeup off. I then typically take really warm water and a new cloth and wipe my eyes again, to remove any extra oil left on.

3. Skin Moisturizer- I have seen that you can use coconut oil on your whole face. I am not that brave, as I have heard it can clog pores for sensitive-skin people like me. However, I will take a small amount and rub it into my hands, feet, or elbows before bed, giving me soft skin by morning. Great during the winter months!

4. Foot/Body Scrub- Mix coconut oil with equal parts sugar, and use as a body or foot scrub.

*Coconut oil will remain solid at room temperature. If it gets too warm, it will turn to liquid and back again when cooled.

Strawberry-Banana Avocado Smoothie

Thick, creamy, and delicious!

10 oz. bag frozen whole strawberries
2 ripe medium-size bananas, peeled
1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
2 Tbs. pure honey
1-1/2 cup rice milk

Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

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What A Week! Amusing Tidbits of My Life

Am I the only one who belts out a loud warrior cry, when preparing to kill a spider? A few days ago I was eating breakfast when my son nonchalantly pointed out a huge spider on the ceiling. The ceiling directly above my head, might I add. After spending a minute trying to bribe the boys to kill it for me, I had to succumb to my fears and do it myself. When all was said and done, I made Mel Gibson, from BraveHeart, look like a wimp.

So, my boys were gone one day last weekend for most of the day. How did my husband and I spend that cherished, quiet time? Watching Water for Elephants, while eating a potpie, of course. Yeah, we're spontaneous like that. Lately my personality has begun to resemble that of Kristin Stewart as Bella Swan, so I know it has been a long week! My list of things to do keeps getting longer, while I swear the hours in the day are getting shorter. Thus the relaxing movie/potpie night. Lol.

Green Beans with Roasted Balsamic Shallots

The sweet, caramelized shallots make these green beans extra special!

1 Lb. shallots, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. sea salt
Few dashes of freshly ground black pepper
2 Lb. fresh green beans, ends trimmed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, toss the shallots with the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a large piece of aluminum foil. Fold and seal the foil to create a pouch. Set on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, until tender, browned, and caramelized.

While the shallots are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the beans and cook for 5-7 minutes, until al dente. (Can also cook beans in a steamer if you prefer). Transfer the cooked beans to a colander to drain. Place in a large bowl.

When the shallots are cooked, remove from the oven, carefully open the foil, and add to the bowl of cooked green beans. Mix well. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, and serve.

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DIY: Homemade Oatmeal Bath

Are you looking to wind down and relax? Perhaps you are trying to find relief from skin irritation and discomfort. For us, we tried the Oatmeal Bath soak due to my son recently getting into his first bout with Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac (we're not sure which one was the final culprit). For several days I applied Calamine Lotion, a homemade baking soda paste, and a Cortaid cream. All of those things brought a temporary relief, so I decided to go for the next thing on my list--Oatmeal Bath. This seems to have brought the longest relief of them all! 

1 cup old fashion oats (for babies you can use 1/3 cup)

Blender, food processor, or coffee grinder

1 pantyhose, cut in half

Blend or process the oats on the highest setting until the oats are ground, but not a complete powder.

Pour the ground oats into the pantyhose. Tie a knot into the end of it to seal. Begin to pour a warm bath, holding the oat-filled pantyhose under the running water. The water will begin to turn milky in color.

Use caution, as the oats may make the tub more slippery than usual. Soak in the tub for 15-20 minutes. You can even rub the oat-filled pantyhose over your skin, leaving it silky to the touch. When done, rinse and pat dry with a soft towel, rather than rubbing.

You can use this bath once or twice a day, or more frequently as your doctor advises.

Common uses for Oatmeal Baths:

• Chicken pox
• Poison ivy, oak and sumac
• Dry skin
• Insect bites
• Eczema
• Diaper rash
• Windburn
• Sunburn
• Shingles

Roasted Broccoli & Garbanzo Orzo Pasta

1/2 Lb. whole-wheat Orzo Pasta
15 oz. canned Garbanzo Beans (aka: Chickpeas), rinsed & drained
1 head Broccoli, cut into small bite-size florets
Curry powder, to taste
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Garlic salt, to taste
Olive oil, to taste
Fresh squeezed lemon juice, seeds removed
1 cup Pine nuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cook orzo pasta according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss orzo with olive oil and set aside.

Dry chickpeas with paper towels.

In a separate bowl, toss the broccoli and garbanzo beans with olive oil, curry powder, garlic salt, and ground black pepper.

Transfer broccoli mixture to a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner, and roast, uncovered, in oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and soft.

Once done, mix the orzo with the roasted broccoli & garbanzo beans. Squeeze in lemon juice, and additional curry powder, black pepper, and garlic salt, if needed. Top with toasted pine nuts.

To Toast Pine Nuts:
In a small skillet heat pine nuts over medium-low heat for a few minute, until slightly browned. Stir and shake the pan so they do not burn. They will become fragrant when done.

Tip: You can enjoy this dish warm or cold. If orzo gets too sticky, just drizzle in a little extra olive oil.

What A Week! Amusing Tidbits of My Life

Last weekend I spent the entire day outside becoming one with nature. And by that I mean, cleaning up the yard while dodging floating inch worms. Needless to say, I ended up with a few in my hair, one down my shirt, and one on my leg. Yup, had  you been passing by, you'd of thought I was either break dancing or having convulsions in the front yard.

I have made an observation, while shopping at Whole Foods each week...Hardly anyone who shops there is overweight. I've also noticed that without a lip-ring and at least five tattoos on my arms, I still don't fit in. Lol.

So, I recently found myself whipping up a homemade Apple Crisp at 9 pm, thanks to Pinterest. I am beginning to think that they secretly release some sort of "smell vision" through their pins, casting a Jedi power over my common sense. Darn you Pinterest.

This week was brought to you by the letter "P", as in prescriptions. My son spent several days covered in Calamine Lotion, due to Poison Ivy/Oak, and my dog is on muscle relaxers for an inflamed spinal cord. I'm thinking I'm going to need a prescription for myself soon too ;)

I'll leave you with this thought-- That moment when you go to take a bite of your food at the same exact time you spot your dog taking a dump outside. Great way to diet, whether I was planning to or not.