Lemon Chia Freshness!

The other day I stopped by EL Gallo Giro, a small local Mexican restaurant that makes some delicious freshly made sweet bread (Pan dulce), freshly made fruit and rice drinks like orchata, agua de fresa, sandia, guayaba, etc. Of course they also have Mexican food, and a delicious Cuban torta which is my fave there.

BUT! I looove going in there for their delicious chia water or chia fresca. I find it to be absolutely delicious and refreshing. Love love love this drink. It's lemony and clear with all the jelly like chia seeds floating in there. Love it! If you look at the photo above, the chia fresca is the 1st glass barrel on the left.

In Mexico chia seeds are often stirred into fruity drinks where they turn gelatinous and add a nice texture to the beverage. Chia was a prized "superfood" for the Aztecs who took advantage of the seed which contains protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids including high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid.

Chia can be used in breads and baked goods as well, but I find that making Chia Fresca is the quickest, easiest and most delicious way to get some chia seeds into your diet.

When the seeds absorb enough liquid, the outer layer creates a gelatinous film around the seed, so you can drink it effortlessly. The seeds themselves have a grassy flavor if you crunch them open, but the gelatinous layer keeps the seed intact so the hydrated seeds impart zero flavor to your beverage. When the seeds outer layer has absorbed enough liquid, it reminds me of a tomato seed with that slippery, outer covering, but on a much smaller scale.

Making the Chia Fresca

Ingredients for one glass: 

• 12 oz cold, fresh drinking water
• 1 large lemon or lime (it should produce about 3 tablespoons of juice)
• 2 teaspoons of agave nectar or sweetener of choice (see below for details)
• one teaspoon fresh chia seed

Ingredients for one pitcher: 

• 48 oz cold, fresh drinking water
• 4 large lemons or limes
• 1/4 cup agave nectar or sweetener of choice (see below for details)
• two tablespoons fresh chia seed

Preparing the Limonda (Lemon-Water) 

Pour the water into a either a glass or a pitcher (depending on how much you are making.)
Roll each lemon while pressing firmly, on a sturdy surface such as a counter.
Rolling the lemons like this for about 5 seconds, will help loosen up the juices inside.
Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water.
You want about three tablespoons of lemon juice for a single 12 oz. glass, but of course add more or less juice to taste.
Stir in the sugar or add sweetener to taste.

Sweeteners: 

I like to use agave nectar, but if you'll be using granulated sugar or piloncillo, you may want to dissolve it in boiling water first to make a simple syrup, otherwise it will take a while for it to dissolve in the cold water.

Other sweeteners can be used such as artificial ones like Equal or Splenda, start with a small amount, such as a sprinkle and add more to taste.

I also find that natural Stevia drops offer the best sweetening power without the extra calories.
I'd use 7-10 drops for a single glass, or one dropper full for a pitcher.

Adding the Chia 

Once you have achieved the sweetness level you prefer, it's time to add the chia.
Just stir it into the lemon water and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
During this time, the seeds will absorb the water and become gelatinous.
You can stir it occasionally if the seeds seem to be floating or falling to the bottom.

Fresh seeds will float throughout the liquid, while older ones tend to sink to the bottom. If they sink, that is fine, you will just need to stir them up a bit to keep them evenly dispersed.

Hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

XOXO
Marysinn

All about her... It's simple. Let me count the ways...

The ways to make her feel special that is. If you want a woman that is genuinely special, you should be treating her that way. After all, most genuinely special women won't date just any schmuck or stay with them. I hope... At least not for long. All depends on the circumstances I'm sure; but that's another story.  

1. Make her feel beautiful, everyday.

This one seems obvious. Internet Romeos everywhere are reading this going "Hey man, I call girls beautiful every day!" I don’t mean just telling a woman she"s beautiful - any guy can do that. I mean make her deeply feel, in her heart, that you think she is the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful woman you've ever laid your eyes on.

Women are often not as confident as they come across. You need to reinforce her, no matter what. It doesn't matter if she just got stung by a bee and her entire face is swollen like a basketball, she is still beautiful, and you damn well better act like it.

It's not just in what you say - it's in what you don't say. It's in how you look at her, how you talk to her, and how you touch her. Make her feel what you don't need to say, instead of just hearing what you do say.


2.Honesty

This is another big one. It may not seem like it, because honesty should be a quality that you express towards everyone in your daily life - but being honest with a woman you care about will show her that you respect her enough to be straight up with her.

Choose your words carefully, don't express your honesty in a way that would hurt her feelings, but make sure she knows that she'll get a straight answer when she comes to you for one, no matter what it's about. 

What's more, being honest with her is one sign of your respect for her, so make it a point to tell her the truth - or at least avoid lying to her even when you have the chance.

3.Start, and end your day with her.

Even if you can't see each other every day, by sending her a simple text when you wake up, and before you go to bed, she will know she's the first and last person you think of every day. That is priceless.

4. Respect her wishes

You may not always agree with everything your girlfriend says or does. But, mutual respect is the backbone of any healthy relationship. Speaking of backbone - respecting her wishes doesn't mean sacrificing yours, but it does mean being willing to bend it a little bit for her. You don't always need to get your way. Plus, you might learn something from her.

5. Listen.

In a healthy relationship, each partner relies on the other for love, guidance, and advice. Sometimes, just taking the time to genuinely listen to what she has to say, and not saying anything at all - will say more to her than your words ever could.

If a woman is complaining to you, remember that it means she trusts you enough to express her feelings to you. Don’t betray that trust. Also, ask if everything is OK or begin a conversation if you see something is wrong or if she looks stressed out, sad or beat. That's part of caring, paying attention and showing you notice.

6. Send her simple love notes whenever possible.

Make her fall in love with you all over again. Send her flowers! I know some women who have never in their lives received flowers. The expression on their face when they say it is pretty heartbreaking. "Never, not even once have I received flowers from my husband Hopefully one day." they say. Also, by sending sweet and thoughtful messages even when there is no occasion. When you take the time to write her a note or text, no matter how short or simple it is, she will realize your efforts and dedication to making her feel loved - and she will appreciate you even more for it. 

7. Don't miss the little things.

Chivalry. Often times the small things you do for a woman are the ones that count the most, because it shows you're willing to put in effort for her just because you want to, and not due to a special occasion or event.

Don't let the little things fade. The opening of doors and pulling out of chairs, holding her hand no matter how long you've been together, hugging her from behind for no reason - all speak louder than words you can say.

8. Remember the little details.

Whether it's the date you met, the song that always makes her cry, that craving for french fries, ice cream, chocolate... she gets once every 6 months (every month), that perfume she loves or that thing she said she wants -  paying attention to small details and doing something about it to surprise her, will show your woman that when she talks, you hear her.

9. Kiss her. And not just on the lips.

Now's the time to get your mind out of the gutter - When was the last time you gave your girl a kiss on the forehead? On the nose? On her hand?

Sometimes these actions speak even louder volumes than a kiss on the lips. They show her you want to be close to her, and you care about her. Plus, they're more appropriate in public.

10. Plan

Planing something you'll both enjoy; a nice dinner, a road trip, a nice weekend away somewhere or maybe even at home, just the two of you. Or if you've noticed shes's been very stressed, plan a day for her to just relax, maybe buy her a massage, spa day, mani and pedi day. Again, this shows how much you appreciate her and that you care about the relationship. That you listen.

Show her that no matter how busy your life is, despite the pressure you get at work, or the millions of other things you need to worry about - she holds a special place in your heart, and your mind. A place uncluttered by the other noise in your day, or the hectic life you probably both live.

A place reserved for only her.

Bonus Tip:

Mediocre sex often kills relationships. Make an effort. Experiment together. Keep it fresh and alive.

More to come on this subject. Stay tuned. 

XOXO 

Marysinn

Quickie: .... This won't take but a minute, honey

Honey has been used for centuries to help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with a common cold. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, many things can cause a sore throat. These include infections with viruses, such as colds and flu; sinus drainage; allergies; or cigarette smoking, among others. Sore throats caused by bacteria such as streptococci, are usually treated with antibiotics. Always check with your doctor if you have a fever, or if symptoms continue for more than a few days.

Time is the most important healer of sore throats caused by viruses, but for relief of the irritating symptoms, try a spoonful of honey to soothe and coat your throat. Take a spoonful straight, as often as you need, to relieve the irritation. In between, keep up your liquids with a steaming cup of tea sweetened with honey. For added vitamin C, try mixing in orange, grapefruit or lemon juice. 

A 2007 study by a Penn State College of Medicine research team found that honey may offer parents an effective alternative to over-the-counter cough medicine. The study found that a small dose of buckwheat honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications.

Read the full story here on Penn State's website.

Be aware, of course, that honey should not be fed to infants under one year of age. Honey is a safe and wholesome food for older children and adults.


When I get a cough, cold, head cold or anything similar to that, I always drink and take this old simple home remedy. Not only is it tasty but it definitely helps me feel better fast.


XOXO
Marysinn

Ice Head

Classes, school jobs, gyms, babysitting, theme parks, etc. .etc. etc.. One thing they all have in common... GERMS. For some reason whenever I'm at these places ESPECIALLY at the GYM during flu season, I catch either a cold, cough and even bronchitis.

There's sanitizing wipes everywhere but everyone seems to be oblivious to them. 

Quick Tip: STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK AND CONTAGIOUS!

Now, lets get down to the needy greedy shall we?

Here are a couple simple cough and cold home remedies I love to consume when I get a little sick. 

The first one is the famous hot water with lemon and honey. Best if you use RAW honey of course.

Here is what you'll need:

• 2 tbsp Honey
• 1 whole lemon
• 8-10 oz of boiling water

How to:

• Bring 8-10 oz of water to a boil
• Pour boiling water into a big mug
• Squeeze a whole medium size lemon into the mug of boiling water
• Add 2tbsp of raw honey. I like to use linden or eucalyptus honey. (Click here for the best honey to use for your needs)
• If you can handle it, add half crushed piece or garlic to this recipe

Now, for the cough syrup.

You will need:

• 1 1/2 tsp zest of 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup peeled sliced ginger or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of honey
• 1/2 cup lemon juice 

How to:

• In a small sauce pan, combine water, lemon zest and ginger. 
• Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes then strain into a heat proof cup. 
• Rinse sauce pan and add honey. 
• on low heat, heat honey but do not let it boil.
• Combine strained ingredients to sauce pan with honey and stir until it becomes a thick syrup.
• Pour into a clean jar with lid.

This can be stored for up to two months. 

For children ages 1 to 5, use 1/2 to 1 tsp every 2 hrs. For children ages 5-12, use 1-2 tsp every 2 hrs. For children 12 and older as well as adults, use 1 to 2 tbp every 4 hrs. 

Remember, NO honey for children under the age of  one. 

Beautiful honey.... Just beautiful

Today I will share with you a full work weeks of beauty secrets all made with that amazing yummy sticky thing I love so much. A natural humectant, antibacterial, anti-so many things.... HONEY. 

Honey has been clinically proven to have actual nutritional benefits. According to the National Honey Board, honey naturally contains a "wide array of vitamins and minerals, including niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc". Even more, honey contains antioxidants that could potentially help battle the signs of aging in your body.

Lets get started :) 


Honey Beauty Recipe #1: Honey Firming Face Mask Recipe

This honey beauty recipe will naturally firm and tone your face, leaving your skin feeling smooth and clean while minimizing pores and helping erase the signs of aging thanks to honey's natural antioxidants (the darker the honey, the more antioxidants it has!). Whisk an egg white with a spoonful of organic honey and gently rub onto your face. Leave this firming face mask on for at least 10 minutes, then gently rinse off with warm water.

Honey Beauty Recipe #2: Honey Hair Shine Booster

Honey can help make your hair healthy and boost your hair's shine by infusing it with moisturizer. Mix a spoonful of honey with a quart of warm water and rinse through your hair after shampooing. Leave on for an hour for deep conditioning, then rinse gently. Every other week, also include a rinse of organic apple cider vinegar for extra shine boosting.

Honey Beauty Recipe #3: Smooth Honey Skin Lotion

This skin lotion uses honey's natural humectant properties to moisturize and hydrate your skin, leaving you feeling smooth and soft. Just stir a spoonful of honey with a teaspoon of organic olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice (lemon juice is a natural skin brightener to help fade signs of aging). Spread on after a bath or whenever your skin needs a little pampering. Rinse off with a warm washcloth after 20 minutes.

Honey Beauty Recipe #4: Cleansing Honey Facial Scrub

This honey face scrub recipe is perfect when you want to moisturize your face, smooth away blemishes and exfoliate your skin gently and naturally. Stir a couple pinches of ground nuts into a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice. The ground nuts act as a natural exfoliation agent; the lemon juice naturally brightens away blemishes and promotes faster skin growth through its natural acids; and the honey leaves your face smooth, toned and moisturized. You can also add yogurt.

Honey Beauty Recipe #5: Honey Bath Potion

This is the simplest recipe that leaves your skin feeling naturally smooth and soft. Just pour a cup of organic honey into your bath water for a smoothing, hydrating bath experience.

Honey Beauty Recipe #6:  Hair Conditioner

Mix 1/2 cup of honey, 1/4 of olive oil. Work a small amount at a time through hair until it's fully coated. Cover hair with shower cap for about 30 minutes. Then shampoo well, rinse and dry as normal. 


Enjoy!

XOXO
Marysinn

Lemony Ssshalmon

Here is a super easy salmon recipe. Takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and about 10-15 minutes to cook.

Here is what you'll need:

• 2 4 oz. Salmon fillets 
• 1 Lemon
• 1 Tsp Lemon pepper
• 2 Tsp Garlic 
• 2 Tbsp Unsalted butter 

Preparation:

Season salmon fillets on both sides with lemon pepper

Lets get cookin':

On a medium to large size skillet, melt butter over medium heat and stir in garlic.
Place salmon fillets in pan. Cook for about 10 minutes (about 5 minutes on each side) or until salmon flakes when tested with fork.

Squeeze lemon juice on each fillet before serving and VOILA!
I sometimes like to add a little soy sauce as well. :)

Enjoy with a side of greens or one of my favorite quinoa recipes (coming soon!)

Learn more about quinoa here.



XOXO
Marysinn

Honey... I like it RAW

I absolutely love honey. I use it on a daily basis, in my tea, on toast, on my hair, face... For those reasons, here is part one of my April love affair with honey. 

The healing powers of honey have been around for centuries, but you might be surprised how many health benefits you can get from this kitchen staple. This golden liquid has been shown to help fix ailments ranging from that annoying cough to a painful wound.

CAUTION: honey can cause a dangerous disease known as botulism in infants, children under the age of one should never consume honey, raw or pasteurized.

On your next trip to your local grocery store, check out honey labeled "raw."  Raw honey is honey that has not been heated, pasteurized or processed in any way. The differences between raw and pasteurized honey are substantial. Raw honey is an alkaline-forming food that contains natural vitamins, enzymes, powerful antioxidants and other important natural nutrients. These are the very nutrients that are destroyed during the heating and pasteurization process. In fact, pasteurized honey is equivalent to and just as unhealthy as eating refined sugar.

Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties. It promotes body and digestive health, is a powerful antioxidant, strengthens the immune system, eliminates allergies, and is an excellent remedy for skin wounds and all types of infections. Raw honey's benefits don't stop there. Raw honey can also stabilize blood pressure, balance sugar levels, relieve pain, calm nerves, and it has been used to treat ulcers. Raw honey is also an expectorant and anti-inflammatory and has been known to effectively treat respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma.

Raw honey purchased from a local source is an excellent way of treating seasonal allergies. Local honey is preferred for treating allergies because the likelihood is great that it will contain small amounts of the specific pollens an individual may be allergic to.

Raw Honey is an effective natural remedy for a variety of conditions

For centuries, honey has been used to treat all sorts of ailments. It can be applied topically to heal wounds and rashes, or it can be taken internally to treat infections and address other health concerns. Although there are numerous remedies, the following are popular remedies for common everyday conditions.

For skin burns, rashes, and abrasions, place a honey poultice over the affected area.

Raw honey is also an effective treatment for acne. A small amount placed on blemishes and acne nightly will often clear the skin in a short period of time. Washing your face with honey will also leave you with sparkling, clean, soft skin.

Raw honey's antibiotic properties are effective in treating colds and sore throats. Raw honey coats the throat and reduces irritation. For blocked sinuses, mix a teaspoon of honey in a pot of hot water, put a towel over your head, and just inhale the steam.

To treat allergies, take a teaspoon of raw honey a couple of times a day starting a few months prior to allergy season.

The many varieties of honey

There are many varieties of honey, some of which are used to treat specific health conditions. 

• Manuka honey has strong anti-bacterial properties and is used to treat a variety of conditions which include colds, sore throats, indigestion, stomach ulcers, and acne.

• Acacia honey cleanses the liver, promotes intestinal health, and reduces inflammation in the respiratory tract.

• Buckwheat honey, a strong tasting and dark honey, has strong antioxidant properties. Unfortunately, Buckwheat Honey is very scarce, especially in the United States. An alternative would be Red Gum Honey that also has strong antioxidant properties.

• Eucalyptus honey can be used to prevent colds and headaches.

• Heather honey has been used since ancient times for its medicinal properties. This honey contains a high level of protein.

• Linden honey is known for its sedative and antiseptic properties. It is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, colds, coughs, and bronchitis.

• Neem honey is highly esteemed in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties. Neem Honey is used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes, skin conditions, periodontal infections, throat infections and allergies.

Hope you find this little intro helpful and useful. 

Join me next time for more on this amazing liquid gold!

Happy Friday

XOXO

Marysinn

Summer Freshness

I love eating this salad especially on those hot summer days; almost year round in LA.
It is tart, sweet, crunchy, juicy, just a bowl of fresh!
It's perfect alone and a great side to a grilled garlic herb salmon or steak.

Here is the recipe. Hope you love it as much as I do!

This recipe makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

Salad:

• 1 cucumber peeled and chopped
• 2 pink grapefruits
• 1 romaine lettuce chopped or torn                                 
• 3 scallions chopped
• 1 large fennel bulb trimmed and thinly slice
• 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme 

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Half a lemon freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1/4 extra virgin olive oil
• A little salt
• A little ground black pepper

Caramelized Onions

• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 large onions very thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar       
• 1/4 kosher salt
• 1/4 ground black pepper

Directions:

Caramelized Onions:

Caramelize onions on a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil.

Add salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar. Cook, stirring occasionally until they are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Set aside and let them cool down for about 10 minutes.

Dressing:

For the dressing, in a small mixing bowl whisk together red wine vinegar, honey and lemon juice. 

Slowly whisk in extra virgin olive oil until blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Salad:

Peel and trim both ends of each grapefruit. With a paring knife cut along the membrane on both sides of each segment. Free the segments and add them to a large salad bowl. 

Add the chopped cucumber, fennel, scallions, lettuce and thyme. 

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are coated. Arrange the caramelized onion on top and it's ready to serve! 

Happy Munchin'!

XOXO

Marysinn