CHICKEN'S CHOP RECIPE

ngredients

450–500g whole chicken legs, deboned
3 tbsp oil
1 onion, halved and cut into slices
1/2 tsp chopped garlic
50g fresh shitake mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp frozen green peas

Seasoning ingredients – (combined)

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp chicken stock granules
2 tbsp ginger juice
3 shallots, finely blended

Sauce ingredients – (combined)

3 tbsp Premium oyster sauce
1 tbsp light oyster sauce
A little dark soy sauce (for colour)
3/4 tsp sugar or to taste
1/8 tsp salt or to taste
1 tsp chicken stock granules
4-5 tbsp water
1/2 tsp sesame oil

Method

Marinate chicken with seasoning ingredients for several hours.

Heat 1–2 tablespoons oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Panfry the chicken pieces with the skin side down for 2–3 minutes over a medium heat. Flip over and fry the meat side for 3–4 minutes or until just cooked. Dish out.

Heat remaining oil in a clean saucepan. Add garlic and fry till fragrant. Put in mushrooms, onion and combined sauce ingredients. Fry briskly for 1–2 minutes. Add peas and fry for an extra minute. Dish out and serve with the pre-fried chops. Serve immediately.

DIY: SUNBURN RELIEF REMEDIES

After a long weekend in the sun, you may be in need of a natural sunburn relief! Despite sunscreen, wearing hats and avoiding the hottest part of the day, it’s inevitable that I overdo it once or twice each summer. I’m good about putting it on – it’s the reapplying I always forget! The dry, hot and painful feeling that comes with a sunburn is so unpleasant. These home remedies can help soothe irritated skin and help prevent peeling (ugh). And don’t forget to drink plenty of water and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! 

5 NATURAL SUNBURN SOOTHERS

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2. Apply an itch-relieving baking soda + ACV compress

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar provides pain relief while baking soda soothes itchy skin. Make a paste with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda. Add a few drops of a soothing essential oil, like lavender, and apply directly to sun burned areas or use a soft cloth to make a compress. This also works for bug bites!

Related

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Fight Summer Bummers with 10 Natural Remedies for Bug Bites, Sunburn + More

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1. Take a healing bath

Add 1-2 cups of any of the following (or a combination) to a lukewarm bath – avoid hot water as it will dry skin even more. Keep your soak to about 15 minutes and slather yourself in an alcohol and perfume-free lotion when you get out.

• Witch hazel
• Cucumber juice
• Dairy (milk, yogurt or buttermilk)
• Baking soda
• Apple cider vinegar: Dilute 1/4 cup ACV in 2 cups of water then add to bath.
• Oatmeal
• Tea (chamomile, mint or green tea): Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1 tea bag per cup of water (you can use 2 of one kind or combine them). Steep for 15-20 minutes. Remove tea bags, let tea cool slightly and pour into bath.

For other summer bummers, check out these 4 healing baths for summer!

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3. Make an aloe vera lotion

If you (or the kids) won’t sit still for a compress, a cooling lotion is a great solution. This whipped coconut oil adds much needed moisture to dry, parched skin, and adding aloe vera provides cooling, anti-inflammatory relief that takes the sting out of a sunburn.

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4. Spritz on green tea healing spray

I love this green tea spray – it feels so good on tender skin! Green tea has tannic acid and antioxidants that soothe irritated skin and help heal sun damage. Green tea can help prevent sun damage too, so try spritzing this on your face before your daily moisturizer.

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5. Mix up cucumber lotion

Cucumbers are one of nature’s best anti-inflammatory agents! Combine cucumber juice, aloe vera and coconut milk for a moisturizing spray lotion that soothes lobster skin and adds much needed moisture. Keep it in the fridge for extra cooling relief!

DIY: LAVENDAR LEMONADE BODY SPRAY

Lemonade and summer are a match made in heaven and I can’t get enough of it!

Childhood memories and deliciousness aside, lemon is uplifting and refreshing for the body and mind. Exactly what we need on hot, hot days when it’s a marathon effort to walk around the block.

The scent is also invigorating. It’s amazing how a quick spritz and a deep inhale can be just the thing to pick me up out of a heat-induced slump. This body spray is great after swimming too, because the citrus oils seem to have some clever reaction that magically combats the smell of chlorine.

Supplies needed

• Orange flower water (or water to boil)
• Vodka
• Lemon, lavender and sandalwood essential oil
• Glass spray bottle (new or sterilized)

Lavender and sandalwood oils are soothing for frayed nerves and round out the fragrance, helping it linger a little longer. The alcohol is there to disperse the fragrance. Vodka is the purest drinking alcohol with very little fragrance of its own and therefore the best choice for perfume-making. Unfortunately, rubbing alcohol is too strong for the skin, so not a good choice in this recipe.

Note: This DIY body spray is best used after being in the sun or on areas that will not be exposed, as some skin types may find the citrus oils increase their sensitivity to the sun.

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Lemonade Body Spray

author cybele masterman

Lemon is uplifting, and lavender and sandalwood are soothing. The perfect pick-me-up on a hot day.

Ingredients

• ½ cup orange flower water or boiled water
• 1 tablespoon vodka
• 20 drops lemon essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops sandalwood essential oil

Instructions

1. Blend all the ingredients together in the glass spray bottle. (Use one that's new or that has been sterilized.)
2. Label the bottle.
3. Shake well before use.
4. Spray all over the body, avoiding the face (and any areas likely to be exposed to the sun) and enjoy!

DIY: SOOTHING CUCUMBER LOTION

With sunny days already here it’s easy to spend all afternoon outside, soaking in the warmth. My budding garden is finally appearing, and I’m like mother hen inspecting the little plants every day. I’m not sure if it’s my basil or tomato plant is sprouting (or a weed?!) but I’m so excited to grow food that tastes yummy and is great for my hair and skin.

How to make Cooling Cucumber Lotion

This cooling lotion spray is perfect for days when you spend a little too much time in the sun. Grab a cucumber from the garden for one of nature’s best anti-inflammatory skin soothers. Not only are cucumbers naturally cooling but the vitamins in cucumbers also work on dark eye circles and help skin retain moisture. You’ll also get a dose of retinol and silica, which help regenerate skin cells.

Ingredients needed:

• 1 cucumber
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup aloe vera juice

Instructions:

To juice the cucumber, coarsely grate it and place in a strainer or cheesecloth over a bowl. Push the cucumber to release the juice. I got almost a cup of juice from just one cucumber!

Pour into a lidded container and add the coconut milk and aloe vera. Shake to combine. Keep refrigerated.

You can apply to the skin with a spray bottle or by wetting a wash rag and applying to irritated areas.

DIY: MAKE YOUR OWN RAW HONEY FACE WASH

Honey can be a very effective and gentle cleanser for pretty much every skin type. If you have sensitive, normal, combination, dry or oily skin, a raw honey face wash just might be your perfect facial cleanser. Raw honey has been used for centuries for medicinal and cosmetic purposes all over the world. Research in modern times has been growing to document just how healing raw honey can be when it comes to wounds, scars and burn treatments.

CAN I WASH MY FACE WITH HONEY?

The simple answer: yes.

When creating your own honey cleanser make sure to only use raw honey. If it’s not raw then the honey has been pasteurized, and because of the heat in this process, some of the antibacterial and probiotic properties from the honey will have been lost.

We don’t want that! We want all of the enzymes and bacteria-fighting benefits of honey.

If you would like to try an even simpler honey cleanser, you’ll need just one ingredient. You guessed it, raw honey! Fair warning, this method is a little stickier and can take a bit longer to remove, but you’ll still enjoy all of the benefits of a honey cleanser.

HOMEMADE HONEY FACE WASH

This honey face wash combines the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and natural humectant power of honey with the gentle cleansing action of Castile soap. It’s a great follow up to an oil cleansing balm as part of a 2-step cleansing regime to make sure all of the oil is removed and also reach even deeper into the pores.

DIY: TRIPLE COCONUT BODY SCRUB

Making your own scrubs at home is crazy easy, and if you love coconut, then you’re going to love the triple dose of coconut yumminess in this recipe. Made with a base of moisturizing coconut oil, this DIY body scrub will take you to the tropics with its vacation-worthy aroma.

Coconut oil is relaxing for the mind and body and ideal as a natural moisturizer. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has restructuring properties that protect skin and make it soft. It also helps maintain healthy PH levels in the skin.

Homemade scrubs commonly use sugar as a gentle exfoliant, and this time I used coconut sugar for its naturally occurring nutrients like magnesium, potassium and zinc. Don’t have coconut sugar? You can certainly substitute white sugar or raw sugar for the same scrubbing effects.

The oil will moisturize and soothe while the sugar and coconut flakes gently buff away dry skin, leaving your whole body soft, smooth and glowing.

Ingredients:

¼ cup shredded coconut
½ cup coconut sugar
½ – ¾ cup organic coconut oil

Instructions:

Gently heat the coconut oil until melted using a microwave or a double broiler. Combine the sugar and shredded coconut in a small bowl, breaking up any clumps in the dry ingredients. Add the oil to the dry ingredients and mix well. Add more oil if a looser texture is desired or more sugar for a drier scrub.

Usage:

Store in a resealable container. Scoop scrub into your hand and apply in a circular motion to exfoliate feet, legs, arms, hands and body. Not suitable for use on the face.

DIY: PUMPKIN BREAD FOOD MASK

Please tell me I’m not the only one who has been anxiously awaiting the season where scarves, sweaters and a thermos of something hot can be officially added back into my daily wardrobe…and please tell me I’m not the only one who now finds the word “pumpkin” suddenly irresistible, no matter my attraction to the flavor throughout the rest of the year?

Everyone, it’s time. Let’s officially welcome in the fall with open arms, shall we? Say hello to a foodie face mask inspired by one of my personal fall favorites: pumpkin bread.

Several years ago when health concerns pushed me to change to a gluten-free diet, I thought my days of pumpkin-filled baked goods were over. Then I stumbled onto a pumpkin bread recipe that not only fit my dietary needs, but was also easy to make and incredibly delicious, quickly sending it to the top of my go-to recipe list for holiday get togethers and general fall-time snacking.

It was magical, but it soon dawned on me that many of the ingredients I enjoyed in each delicious slice of bread could actually be just as comforting (and admittedly much more healthy) for the outside of my body as the inside.

Let’s take a closer look…

Our star of the show here is undoubtedly pumpkin, but not just because it’s a fall favorite! As our foundational ingredient, pumpkin is packed with vitamins and minerals that help moisturize dry skin, repair sun-damage, and maintain a healthy level of oil production. Plus pumpkin contains natural enzymes that break down dead skin cells, encouraging new cell growth and leaving you with a softer, brighter complexion.

Next we add in a little almond meal, a mild exfoliator that removes dead skin while providing its own moisturizing and anti-aging elements to the mask. A little note of caution, if you are making your own almond meal for this recipe, be sure to grind it to a very fine consistency as large pieces may scratch the skin.

And finally, the heavenly smelling spices. Combining cinnamon to cleanse and disinfect, nutmeg to reduce inflammation, and ginger to treat blemishes and reduce scarring, this beautiful blend is a powerful ally in the fight to keep your skin smooth and clear.

With just five ingredients, all the aromas of a slice of pumpkin bread and none of the time waiting by the oven, why not mix up this simple, naturally wholesome recipe that will make your skin just as excited for the flavors of fall as your taste buds?

DIY: 4 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR OWN PERFUME

I’ve always wanted to be one of those ladies with a signature scent. And maybe I’ll get there one day, but right now it’s more fun to experiment. Some days I feel like wearing a strong jasmine floral and other days call for an energizing citrus scent. I had no idea there were so many ways to make your own perfume, but over the past couple of years we’ve experimented with several techniques. Here are some quick tips and notes on four different perfume-making methods. But really, the best advice is to just play. Find the scents that make you happy! And anytime you’re working with essential oils, be sure to check all safety data for the oils in your blend and do a skin patch test prior to using.

4 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR OWN PERFUME

1. ALCOHOL + WATER BASE PERFUME

My first perfume was this Citrus Sunshine perfume, and I still love the happy scent. To make your own, you’ll need oil, vodka, distilled water and, of course, essential oils. You’ll need at least 3 scents for your top, middle and base notes. (AromaWeb has a great guide for which scents are in which category.) Start by combing a small amount of oil to find a combination you like, using 20% from top notes, 50% from middle notes and 30% from base notes. When you find a blend you like, then you can up the ratio and dilute with the carrier oil/water.

2. SOLID PERFUME

Solid perfume is simple to make with oil, beeswax and essential oils for scent. I’ve made batches with jasmine and vanilla and lavender with shimmer. A ratio of 2 parts oil to 1 part beeswax seems to create the right consistency – hard but not too hard. You want the perfume to stay in the container and easily melt into your skin, otherwise it feels too much like a lotion bar. Melt your beeswax and oil together (determine the specific amounts of wax and oil based on the container you plan to use) and add about 10 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of oil/beeswax mixture. Pour into a small container and let it sit until fully hardened, then keep in your purse if you like.

3. BODY OIL SPRAY OR ROLL ON

This is my favorite perfume method because, well, it’s easy. Pour carrier oil into a glass bottle (ours is from Rail19). I like jojoba because it feels great on the skin, has a long shelf life and doesn’t have a competing scent. For every tablespoon of jojoba oil, add between about 10 drops of your essential oil blend. This can vary depending on the essential oils you use (I went way overboard on clove initially with this man magnet spray). So start slow and add more later if needed.

This essential oil chart from BeautyCounter can help you get started!

4. BOTANIC INFUSED COLOGNE

Making an infused cologne is fun because you get to watch it develop. You can infuse dried herbs and flowers or use fresh if you have extras in your garden. Above is a lavender vanilla infusion. I used the same technique from these botanic colognes, which is basically combining herbs with vodka and letting everything sit for a couple of weeks. Then strain out the herb bits and put the liquid in a pretty container. You can layer in additional scent like you would if making perfume from essential oils if you want a stronger smell.

DIY: COCONUT OIL + HAIR SPRAY + VOLUMIZING POWDER

Finding the right hair products can be similar to playing roulette, and the cost of trying to figure out what works well for you can become very expensive, very quickly. Making your own hair products is easier than you’d expect, not to mention you get to control the number of chemicals in them, ideally zero!

Rosemary oil is a fantastic ingredient to use in hair products because it not only helps with dry, flaky scalp, but also stimulates hair follicles, encouraging hair growth and strengthening hair shafts. Try these natural rosemary infused hair treatments for a little extra volume and to treat dry, frizzy hair.

ROSEMARY VOLUMIZING POWDER

A fun tip is to actually apply the volumizing powder right before bed, and when you wake up you’ll have extra height to your hair that also smells divine.

• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3-4 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 2 tablespoons rice flour or potato flour
• a clean, empty spice shaker

In a mixing bowl, combine the corn starch and rice flour (potato flour works fine as a substitute) and add the 3-4 rosemary oil drops. Add the mixture to an empty spice shaker and sprinkle on to your roots for extra volume.

ROSEMARY COCONUT OIL HAIR SPRAY FOR DRY, DAMAGED HAIR

Hair spray has come a long way from the aerosol cans that made us cough and simultaneously worry about our contribution to the hole in the ozone layer. This hair spray will hydrate and actually strengthen your hair as opposed to most hair sprays on the market.

Don’t expect the strong hold of alcohol-laden hair sprays, but instead you’ll see the frizz fade away after using this natural alternative.

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 3-4 drops rosemary essential oil
• 2 cups distilled water

Melt the coconut oil and add to a spray bottle along with the distilled water and essential oil. Be sure to shake well before each use, separation is normal. Spritz on damp or dry hair.