That's so "vanilla"...

va·nil·la [vuh-nil-uh]
1. (n) any tropical climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla, esp. V. planofolia, having spikes of large greenish-yellow flowers and long fleshy pods containing seeds (beans)
2. (n) the pod or bean of certain of these plants, used to flavour food , etc
3. (adj) slang ordinary, conventional, plain: That guy is so vanilla...

I am a little obsessed with vanilla beans. So I wonder: Why does vanilla get such a bad wrap sometimes? (see above def. 3) I personally adore the stuff. It's classic, and if you are a baker, you're lost without it.

And I lurve baking! That's why I was so intrigued when I found out how to make my own PURE vanilla extract and vanilla sugar...

WHAT??? That is the coolest thing ever! (Well, maybe not ever, but pretty cool all the same :)

All you need is:

1. An airtight container such as a Mason jar or bottles

2. Some strong (drinking) alcohol (80 proof or higher)

3. Vanilla beans (2-3 beans per 1 cup of alcohol)

That's it!

Now, I found out how to do this a couple years ago, but I didn't do it.

*kicking self in pants*

It's so dang easy... I don't know what I was waiting for. So after some research, (I wanted to do this as cost effective and high quality as possible) I went to work.

I am making the vanilla mainly as Christmas gifts, so I need some nice bottles, which I bought here. The vanilla I got on eBay from this company here (cheapest vanilla I found). I bought 1 pound of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans, which equals out to about 100-150 vanilla beans. And I purchased 80 proof vodka from Costco. I've been told that the Kirkland (Costco) brand vodka is comparable to Grey Goose, which is apparently a nice high quality vodka. I wouldn't know. I don't drink, and I felt a little strange walking through Costco with this GIANT bottle of vodka in my cart. ;) Anyway- Vodka isn't a strong tasting alcohol (so I'm told), so it's nice to use because it won't take over the taste of the vanilla. You can also use brandy or rum.

So here's how you do it:

1. Sterilize your bottles or jars in boiling water.

2. Cut your vanilla beans in half lengthwise with a sharp knife or sharp kitchen shears. If you are using small bottles or jars, you may have to cut them in half the other way first.

Tiny vanilla bean seeds or "vanilla caviar"

3. Place vanilla beans in jar/bottle and cover with alcohol liquid. Remember: 2-3 beans per 1 cup of alcohol. I used pint Mason jars and 4 oz. bottles. In the jars I put 5-6 split vanilla beans and the 4 oz jars I put 1 1/2 vanilla beans.

4. Place on airtight lid and and give it a good shake. Keep it in a cool, dark place for 6-8 weeks, and don't forget to give it a nice shake often. It takes 6-8 weeks for the alcohol to extract the vanilla to a usable quality.


Here is what it looks like right after you make it:
This is just 2 days later:
The longer you let the vanilla to extract, the deeper and darker and more vanilla-y the extract will become. After about 4 weeks open it up and smell it... heavenly...

Cool huh?

Vanilla sugar is easy too! Find out how here.


I use Turbinado (raw) sugar. So, it's a little different. But, this is a great way to infuse vanilla with your baking or to sweeten up your oatmeal, cereal, coffee, and tea!

It was fun and very interesting learning about different types of vanilla and how to use it. Go try it for yourself and have fun!!!

Wishing you a fantastic day~

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Mmm...Monday... Pumpkin Love in a Bowl

I'm a little late getting into the spirit of fall, but the weather has finally cooled down over here (low 90's-high 80's...that's pretty good for AZ), and I'm finally feeling Autumn love! It's about time too, with Halloween around the corner and Thanksgiving peering around the bend!
Well, I have this passion for soups...and stews...and chowders. Pretty much anything hot you eat with a spoon from a bowl. It's ultimate comfort food. But, because it is fall and pumpkins are the star of the season, I wanted to share this delectable recipe with you! If you like all the tastiness of pumpkins, you will love this soup! I found it a few years ago, and I've made it every year since. I've been told it is like liquid Pumpkin Pie... I don't know if that speaks to you. Not being a pumpkin pie lover (it's about the ONLY thing pumpkin I don't like), it sounds weird to me, but *ANYHOO*--- It IS tasty! Try it for yourself and see!

I hope you enjoy it!Creamy Pumpkin Soup

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 small onion, chopped
1-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoon packed brown sugar
1 can (14.5 fl. oz.) chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (15 oz.) pure pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 can (12 fl. oz.) evaporated milk
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and sugar; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until soft. Add broth, water, salt and pepper; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Stir in pumpkin, evaporated milk and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. remove from heat.

Transfer mixture to a food processor or blender (in batches...careful...it's HOT!). If you have a hand blender...even better! Process until smooth. return to saucepan. Serve warm.
Yields: 5 servings

That's it! It's really easy, and it only takes about 25-30 minutes to make. Mmm!

Enjoy and have a splendorous day!

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Sister Sister Sunday

Natural Beauty No. 1

....au naturale....

How I love it! I am constantly looking for natural remedies for ailments and recipes for beauty with what I have on hand in my refrigerator or pantry (and sometime the medicine cabinet).

So when I went through the "skin section" back in beauty school, and were learning about the different properties in foods and how to use them in facials and such, it was only natural that I was really excited to learn!

There are just sooo many ingredients that you can use! Far too many to list in just one post. I will be posting more in the future. :) So that being said, here are just a few of the foods and their properties that you can use from your own kitchen to help beautify your skin! This would be oodles of fun the next time you have a "Girls Night In"! Make it a spa party!

***Always use caution when using natural ingredients for preparing homemade beauty recipes. Do not not use ingredients that you may have an allergy to: i.e. nuts, strawberries, etc.***Oatmeal (not just for breakfast :)
Did you have chicken pox as a kid? Did your mom have you bathe in an oatmeal bath? Well, oats have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Oats are also highly absorptive, hypoallergenic, and help to soften the skin. It is high in amino acids, full of healthy lubricating fats, and has been clinically proven to help heal dry, itchy skin. Oats also have natural cleansers in them called saponins, that gently remove dirt and oils from the pores. How to use: Process in a food processor/blender and combine with a small amount of hot water to make a paste. Use as a mask over face and neck until mostly dry. Remove with a warm damp cloth. This also helps to exfoliate the skin. Good for all skin types.

Bananas
Got fine lines and wrinkles? Good news! The flesh of the banana can be used as an anti-wrinkle topical skin treatment and mashed banana is commonly used as a facial mask to brighten and tighten the skin as well as clear up acne. How to use: Mix 1/4 cup banana with honey and other antioxidant-rich fruits and apply as mask. Wipe off with a warm damp cloth.
Strawberries
Not just a tasty, tasty fruit! Strawberries are high in Vitamin C and contain polyphenols that have high antioxidant properties. How to use: Mix in your favorite natural mask (i.e. oatmeal or banana.)
Honey
Honey is used as an emollient in many cosmetics. Emollients are substance that soothe and soften the skin. How to use: Mix in with you favorite natural mask to use it to exfoliate the skin. How do you do that? Use your finger to dab a {very} small amount to your forhead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Using your middle and ring fingers, slowly tap and dab honey across face until it becomes tacky. continue to pull honey away from face. This removes dead skin. Pay special attention to areas where comedones (black heads) form: nose, chin, forehead. You will love the rosy glow after this one!

Soothing Oatmeal Mask

2 Tbs. Oatmeal
2 Tbs. Hot Water
1/2 Tbs. Honey
1 Tbs. Strawberry Puree

Process oatmeal into a powder. Stir in hot water and honey. Let stand 3 minutes and add strawberry puree. Let stand and additional 2 minutes.
Wash face with warm water and pat dry. Spread oatmeal mask onto face and leave on for 10 minutes. Wipe off with a warm damp cloth.


Anti-Wrinkle Banana Mask

1/2 Ripe Banana, mashed smooth (eat the other half :)
1/2 Tbs. Honey
1/2 tsp. Vitamin E Oil (or olive oil)
1/2 Tbs. Plain Yogurt
1 Egg White
2 Tbs. Oatmeal (powdered)

In a small bowl, whisk eggs white, then blend in yogurt and oil. Add mashed banana into bowl and blend. Lastly, add in oatmeal and let sit 3 minutes.
Wash face with warm water and pat dry. Spread a thin layer over face and let dry. Add another layer and let dry. Continue this step for 3-4 layers. Remove with a warm damp cloth.


Easy-Peasy Strawberry Anti-Acne Mask

1/4 c. Fresh Strawberries
1/4 c. Plain Yogurt

Mash up strawberries until it becomes a thick paste. Add yogurt. Spread onto clean face and neck. Leave for 10-15 minutes. remove with a warm damp cloth.

I hope you enjoy these recipes and feel free to experiment and play mad scientist with the ingredients! Make some recipes of your own!

Stay tuned for more amazing natural beauty ingredients and recipes!...

Have a beautiful day!

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Simple tastes GOOD!

Here is a little recipe for a simple salad that my sister-in-law shared with me. She got it from a friend, who got it from a friend, who got it from a friend, etc... So we don't really know where it came from, but we know it's sooo tasty! We call it Kris's Salad since that's the friend we learned it from. Here it is... Enjoy!!!

Kris's Salad

3 Hearts of Romaine Lettuce, cut to bite-sized
1-2 Small Tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
Parmesan Cheese, finely shredded (add to your liking)

Toss salad makings together.

Dressing:
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup *olive oil
1/3 cup *vegetable oil
2-3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Fresh Ground Pepper & Salt to taste

Mix dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Toss to coat salad.

*Instead of using vegetable oil & olive oil, you may use light olive oil for both. Extra virgin olive oil alone has too strong a taste for this salad.

This recipe makes a very large salad, so make sure to share the love! It also tastes aWeSoMe with broiled or grilled chicken! I hope you enjoy it! Salad season is almost over and soup season is a'comin'!
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